Oxygen stoichiometry: A key parameter to tune structural phase diagram of La{sub 0.2}Sr{sub 0.8}MnO{sub 3-δ}

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

Shahee, Aga, E-mail: agashahee@gmail.com; Lalla, N. P.

2015-06-24

Low temperature x-ray powder diffraction studies, in conjunction with transmission electron microscopy on stoichiometric (δ = 0.01) and oxygen deficient (δ =0.12) samples of La{sub 0.2}Sr{sub 0.8}MnO{sub 3-δ} manganites have been carried out. These studies revealed that oxygen stoichiometry plays a key role in controlling ground state of electron doped manganites. It is observed that the La{sub 0.2}Sr{sub 0.8}MnO{sub 2.99} undergoes a first order phase transition from cubic (Pm-3m) to JT-distorted twin tetragonal (I4/mcm) phase associated with C-type antiferromagnetic ordering at ∼260K. This JT-distortion induced cubic to tetragonal phase transition get totally suppressed in La{sub 0.2}Sr{sub 0.8}MnO{sub 2.88}. The basicmore » perovskite lattice of the off-stoichiometric La{sub 0.2}Sr{sub 0.8}MnO{sub 2.88} remains cubic down to 80K but undergoes a well-developed charge-ordering transition with 9x9 modulations at ∼260K.« less

Phenotypic Stability of Energy Balance Responses to Experimental Total Sleep Deprivation and Sleep Restriction in Healthy Adults.

PubMed

Dennis, Laura E; Spaeth, Andrea M; Goel, Namni

2016-12-19

Experimental studies have shown that sleep restriction (SR) and total sleep deprivation (TSD) produce increased caloric intake, greater fat consumption, and increased late-night eating. However, whether individuals show similar energy intake responses to both SR and TSD remains unknown. A total of N = 66 healthy adults (aged 21-50 years, 48.5% women, 72.7% African American) participated in a within-subjects laboratory protocol to compare daily and late-night intake between one night of SR (4 h time in bed, 04:00-08:00) and one night of TSD (0 h time in bed) conditions. We also examined intake responses during subsequent recovery from SR or TSD and investigated gender differences. Caloric and macronutrient intake during the day following SR and TSD were moderately to substantially consistent within individuals (Intraclass Correlation Coefficients: 0.34-0.75). During the late-night period of SR (22:00-04:00) and TSD (22:00-06:00), such consistency was slight to moderate, and participants consumed a greater percentage of calories from protein ( p = 0.01) and saturated fat ( p = 0.02) during SR, despite comparable caloric intake ( p = 0.12). Similarly, participants consumed a greater percentage of calories from saturated fat during the day following SR than TSD ( p = 0.03). Participants also consumed a greater percentage of calories from protein during recovery after TSD ( p < 0.001). Caloric intake was greater in men during late-night hours and the day following sleep loss. This is the first evidence of phenotypic trait-like stability and differential vulnerability of energy balance responses to two commonly experienced types of sleep loss: our findings open the door for biomarker discovery and countermeasure development to predict and mitigate this critical health-related vulnerability.

Electron emission and plasma generation in a modulator electron gun using ferroelectric cathode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Shutao; Zheng, Shuxin; Zhu, Ziqiu; Dong, Xianlin; Tang, Chuanxiang

2006-10-01

Strong electron emission and dense plasma generation have been observed in a modulator electron gun with a Ba 0.67Sr 0.33TiO 3 ferroelectric cathode. Parameter of the modulator electron gun and lifetime of the ferroelectric cathode were investigated. It was shown that electron emission from Ba 0.67Sr 0.33TiO 3 cathode with a positive triggering pulse is a sort of plasma emission. Electrons were emitted by the co-effect of surface plasma and non-compensated negative polarization charges at the surface of the ferroelectric. The element analyses of the graphite collector after emission process was performed to show the ingredient of the plasma consist of Ba, Ti and Cu heavy cations of the ceramic compound and electrode. It was demonstrated the validity of the Child-Langmuir law by introducing the decrease of vacuum gap and increase of emission area caused by the expansion of the surface plasma.

Portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis in rats: effect of the β3-adrenoceptor agonist SR58611A

PubMed Central

Vasina, Valentina; Giannone, Ferdinando; Domenicali, Marco; Latorre, Rocco; Berzigotti, Annalisa; Caraceni, Paolo; Zoli, Marco; De Ponti, Fabrizio; Bernardi, Mauro

2012-01-01

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE β3-Adrenoceptors participate in the regulation of vascular tone in physiological and pathological conditions. We aimed to assess the effect of pharmacological modulation of β3-adrenoceptors on portal pressure (PP) and systemic haemodynamics and their expression in the liver and mesenteric vessels of cirrhotic rats. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH PP, central venous pressure (CVP) and systemic haemodynamics were invasively assessed in control and CCl4-treated cirrhotic rats before and during infusion of the selective β3-adrenoceptor agonist, SR58611A. Tissue samples were also collected from liver, heart, portal vein and mesenteric artery for immunohistochemistry and molecular biology analysis. The effect of SR58611A on isolated portal vein was assessed. KEY RESULTS At baseline, cirrhotic rats showed portal hypertension, reduced CVP and hyperdynamic circulation. SR58611A induced a significant, dose-dependent decrease in PP in cirrhotic rats, but not in controls. Although both groups manifested a dose-dependent reduction in mean arterial pressure, this effect was associated with decreased cardiac index (CI) and unchanged indicized peripheral vascular resistance (PVRI) in cirrhotic rats and increased CI and decreased PVRI in control animals. Pretreatment with the selective β3-adrenoceptor antagonist SR59230 prevented all SR58611A-induced changes in cirrhotic rats. SR58611A concentration-dependently relaxed portal vein in cirrhotic rats to a significantly greater extent than in healthy rats; pretreatment with SR59230A completely prevented SR58611A-induced cirrhotic portal vein relaxation. Finally, β3-adrenoceptors were identified in the liver, heart and portal vein of cirrhotic and control animals; their expression was increased in cirrhotic rats. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS β3-Adrenoceptors are altered in portal hypertension of experimental cirrhosis and may represent a novel therapeutic target. PMID:22708587

Separation of Cs and Sr from LiCl-KCl eutectic salt via a zone-refining process for pyroprocessing waste salt minimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shim, Moonsoo; Choi, Ho-Gil; Choi, Jeong-Hun; Yi, Kyung-Woo; Lee, Jong-Hyeon

2017-08-01

The purification of a LiCl-KCl salt mixture was carried out by a zone-refining process. To improve the throughput of zone refining, three heaters were installed in the zone refiner. The zone-refining method was used to grow pure LiCl-KCl salt ingots from a LiCl-KCl-CsCl-SrCl2 salt mixture. The main investigated parameters were the heater speed and the number of passes. From each zone-refined salt ingot, samples were collected axially along the salt ingot and the concentrations of Sr and Cs were determined. Experimental results show that the Sr and Cs concentrations at the initial region of the ingot were low and increased to a maximum at the final freezing region of the salt ingot. Concentration results of the zone-refined salt were compared with theoretical results furnished by the proposed model to validate its predictions. The keff values for Sr and Cs were 0.55 and 0.47, respectively. The correlation between the salt composition and separation behavior was also investigated. The keff values of the Sr in LiCl-KCl-SrCl2 and the Cs in LiCl-KCl-CsCl were found to be 0.53 and 0.44, respectively, by fitting the experimental data into the proposed model.

Ca isotope fractionation and Sr/Ca partitioning associated with anhydrite formation at mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal systems: An experimental approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Syverson, D. D.; Scheuermann, P.; Pester, N. J.; Higgins, J. A.; Seyfried, W. E., Jr.

2016-12-01

The elemental and isotopic mass balance of Ca and Sr between seawater and basalt at mid-ocean ridge (MOR) hydrothermal systems is an integrated reflection of the various physiochemical processes, which induce chemical exchange, in the subseafloor. Specifically, the processes of anhydrite precipitation and recrystallization are recognized to be important controls on governing the Ca and Sr elemental and isotope compositions of high temperature vent fluids, however, few experimental data exist to constrain these geochemical effects. Thus, to better understand the associated Sr/Ca partitioning and Ca isotope fractionation and rate of exchange between anhydrite and dissolved constituents, anhydrite precipitation and recrystallization experiments were performed at 175, 250, and 350°C and 500 bar at chemical conditions indicative of active MOR hydrothermal systems. The experimental data suggest that upon entrainment of seawater into MOR hydrothermal systems, anhydrite will precipitate rapidly and discriminate against the heavy isotopes of Ca (Δ44/40Ca(Anh-Fluid) = -0.68 - -0.25 ‰), whereas Sr/Ca partitioning depends on the saturation state of the evolving hydrothermal fluid with respect to anhydrite at each PTX (KD(Anh-Fluid) = 1.24 - 0.55). Coupling experimental constraints with the temperature gradient inferred for high temperature MOR hydrothermal systems in the oceanic crust, data suggest that the Ca isotope and Sr elemental composition of anhydrite formed near the seafloor will be influenced by disequilibrium effects, while, at higher temperatures further into the oceanic crust, anhydrite will be representative of equilibrium Sr/Ca partitioning and Ca isotope fractionation conditions. These experimental observations are consistent with analyzed Sr/Ca and Ca isotope compositions of anhydrites and vent fluids sampled from modern MOR hydrothermal systems1,2 and can be used to further constrain the geochemical effects of hydrothermal circulation in the oceanic crust throughout Earth's history. 1 Tivey, M. K. Generation of Seafloor Hydrothermal Deposits. Oceanography 20, 50-66 (2007).2 Amini, M. et al. Calcium isotope (δ44/40Ca) fractionation along hydrothermal pathways, Logatchev field (Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 14°45'N). Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 72, 4107-4122 (2008).

Super-resolution reconstruction of MR image with a novel residual learning network algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Jun; Liu, Qingping; Wang, Chaofeng; Zhang, Qi; Ying, Shihui; Xu, Haoyu

2018-04-01

Spatial resolution is one of the key parameters of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The image super-resolution (SR) technique offers an alternative approach to improve the spatial resolution of MRI due to its simplicity. Convolutional neural networks (CNN)-based SR algorithms have achieved state-of-the-art performance, in which the global residual learning (GRL) strategy is now commonly used due to its effectiveness for learning image details for SR. However, the partial loss of image details usually happens in a very deep network due to the degradation problem. In this work, we propose a novel residual learning-based SR algorithm for MRI, which combines both multi-scale GRL and shallow network block-based local residual learning (LRL). The proposed LRL module works effectively in capturing high-frequency details by learning local residuals. One simulated MRI dataset and two real MRI datasets have been used to evaluate our algorithm. The experimental results show that the proposed SR algorithm achieves superior performance to all of the other compared CNN-based SR algorithms in this work.

Crystal structure and thermoelectric properties of Sr–Mo substituted CaMnO3: a combined experimental and computational study† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5tc02318a

PubMed Central

Srivastava, D.; Azough, F.; Combe, E.; Funahashi, R.; Kepaptsoglou, D. M.; Ramasse, Q. M.; Molinari, M.; Yeandel, S. R.; Baran, J. D.

2015-01-01

A combination of experimental and computational techniques has been employed to study doping effects in perovskite CaMnO3. High quality Sr–Mo co-substituted CaMnO3 ceramics were prepared by the conventional mixed oxide route. Crystallographic data from X-ray and electron diffraction showed an orthorhombic to tetragonal symmetry change on increasing the Sr content, suggesting that Sr widens the transition temperature in CaMnO3 preventing phase transformation-cracking on cooling after sintering, enabling the fabrication of high density ceramics. Atomically resolved imaging and analysis showed a random distribution of Sr in the A-site of the perovskite structure and revealed a boundary structure of 90° rotational twin boundaries across {101}orthorhombic; the latter are predominant phonon scattering sources to lower the thermal conductivity as suggested by molecular dynamics calculations. The effect of doping on the thermoelectric properties was evaluated. Increasing Sr substitution reduces the Seebeck coefficient but the power factor remains high due to improved densification by Sr substitution. Mo doping generates additional charge carriers due to the presence of Mn3+ in the Mn4+ matrix, reducing electrical resistivity. The major impact of Sr on thermoelectric behaviour is the reduction of the thermal conductivity as shown experimentally and by modelling. Strontium containing ceramics showed thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) values higher than 0.1 at temperatures above 850 K. Ca0.7Sr0.3Mn0.96Mo0.04O3 ceramics exhibit enhanced properties with S 1000K = –180 μV K–1, ρ 1000K = 5 × 10–5 Ωm, k 1000K = 1.8 W m–1 K–1 and ZT ≈ 0.11 at 1000 K. PMID:28496979

Improvement of laser molecular beam epitaxy grown SrTiO3 thin film properties by temperature gradient modulation growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jin Long; Hao, J. H.; Li, Y. R.

2007-09-01

Oxygen diffusion at the SrTiO3/Si interface was analyzed. A method called temperature gradient modulation growth was introduced to control oxygen diffusion at the interface of SrTiO3/Si. Nanoscale multilayers were grown at different temperatures at the initial growing stage of films. Continuous growth of SrTiO3 films was followed to deposit on the grown sacrificial layers. The interface and crystallinity of SrTiO3/Si were investigated by in situ reflection high energy electron diffraction and x-ray diffraction measurements. It has been shown that the modulated multilayers may help suppress the interfacial diffusion, and therefore improve SrTiO3 thin film properties.

Energy dispersions of single-crystalline Bi2.0Sr1.8Ca0.8La0.3Cu2.1O8+δ superconductors determined using angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lindberg, P. A. P.; Shen, Z.-X.; Dessau, D. S.; Wells, B. O.; Mitzi, D. B.; Lindau, I.; Spicer, W. E.; Kapitulnik, A.

1989-09-01

Angle-resolved photoemission studies of single-crystalline La-doped Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu- 90-K superconductors (Bi2.0Sr1.8Ca0.8La0.3Cu2.1O8+δ) were performed utilizing synchrotron radiation covering the photon energy range 10-40 eV. The data conclusively reveal a dispersionless character of the valence-band states as a function of the wave-vector component parallel to the c axis, in agreement with the predictions of band calculations. Band effects are evident from both intensity modulations of the spectral features in the valence band and from energy dispersions as a function of the wave vector component lying in the basal a-b plane.

Polarimetry as a tool for the study of solutions of chiral solutes.

PubMed

Orlova, Anna V; Andrade, Renato R; da Silva, Clarissa O; Zinin, Alexander I; Kononov, Leonid O

2014-01-13

Optical rotation of aqueous solutions of D-levoglucosan was studied experimentally in the 0.03-4.0 mol L(-1) concentration range and a nonlinear concentration dependence of specific optical rotation (SR) was revealed. Discontinuities observed in the concentration plot of SR (at 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mol L(-1)) are well correlated with those found by static and dynamic light scattering and identify concentration ranges in which different solution domains (supramers) may exist. The average SR experimental value for a D-levoglucosan aqueous solution ([α]D(28) -58.5±8.7 deg dm(-1) cm(-3) g(-1)) was found to be in good agreement with values obtained by theoretical calculation (TD-DFT/GIAO) of SR for 15 different conformers revealed by conformational sampling at the PCM/B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,2p)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level, which were shown to be strongly affected by the solvation microenvironment (0, 1, 2, and 3 explicit solvent molecules considered) due to local geometrical changes induced in the solute molecule. This exceptionally high sensitivity of SR makes polarimetry a unique method capable of sensing changes in the structure of supramers detected in this study. Copyright © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Effects of Scutellariae radix and Aloe vera gel extracts on immunoglobulin E and cytokine levels in atopic dermatitis NC/Nga mice.

PubMed

Kim, Jinkyung; Lee, In seok; Park, Soojin; Choue, Ryowon

2010-11-11

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Scutellariae radix (SR) and Aloe vera gel (AV), alone or in combination, on levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and inflammatory cytokines in spontaneous atopic dermatitis(AD)-like skin lesions. After spontaneous AD-like skin lesion was developed by adaptation to conventional conditions, mice were randomly assigned to control, SR (50 mg/kg, p.o.), AV (0.8 mg/kg, p.o.) and SRAV (50 mg of SR and 0.8 mg of AV/kg, p.o.) groups, and were treated for 6 weeks. SR and SRAV suppressed IL-5 levels compared with control, but had no effects on IgE levels (P<0.05). AV increased IgE levels, but decreased both IL-5 and IL-10 compared with control (P<0.05). These results suggest that SR and AV modulate immunological responses in AD, mainly through influencing IL-5 or IL-10 levels. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparison of various hours living fission products for absolute power density determination in VVER-1000 mock up in LR-0 reactor.

PubMed

Košťál, Michal; Švadlenková, Marie; Koleška, Michal; Rypar, Vojtěch; Milčák, Ján

2015-11-01

Measuring power level of zero power reactor is a quite difficult task. Due to the absence of measurable cooling media heating, it is necessary to employ a different method. The gamma-ray spectroscopy of fission products induced within reactor operation is one of possible ways of power determination. The method is based on the proportionality between fission product buildup and released power. The (92)Sr fission product was previously preferred as nuclide for LR-0 power determination for short-time irradiation experiments. This work aims to find more appropriate candidates, because the (92)Sr, however suitable, has a short half-life, which limits the maximal measurable amount of fuel pins within a single irradiation batch. The comparison of various isotopes is realized for (92)Sr, (97)Zr, (135)I, (91)Sr, and (88)Kr. The comparison between calculated and experimentally determined (C/E-1 values) net peak areas is assessed for these fission products. Experimental results show that studied fission products, except (88)Kr, are in comparable agreement with (92)Sr results. Since (91)Sr has notably higher half-life than (92)Sr, (91)Sr seems to be more appropriate marker in experiments with a large number of measured fuel pins. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cannabinoid modulation of opiate reinforcement through the ventral striatopallidal pathway.

PubMed

Caillé, Stéphanie; Parsons, Loren H

2006-04-01

Recent evidence indicates that cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptors play a role in the mediation of opiate reward, though the neural mechanisms for this process have not been characterized. The present experiments investigated the influence of CB1 receptors in the ventral striatopallidal system on opiate-induced neurochemical events and opiate self-administration behavior in rats. Acute morphine administration (3 mg/kg) significantly reduced ventral pallidal GABA efflux in a manner similar to that produced by heroin self-administration. This neurochemical effect was reversed by doses of the selective CB1 antagonist SR 141716A (Rimonabant; 1 and 3 mg/kg) that also significantly reduce opiate reward. Morphine-induced increases in nucleus accumbens dopamine levels were unaltered by SR 141716A. Intravenous heroin self-administration (0.02 mg/infusion) was significantly reduced by intra-accumbens, but not intraventral pallidal SR 141716A infusions (1 and 3 microg/side), implicating nucleus accumbens CB1 receptors in the modulation of opiate reinforcement. In contrast, SR14716A did not alter cocaine self-administration (0.125 mg/inf), cocaine-induced (10 mg/kg) decrements in ventral pallidal GABA efflux or cocaine-induced increases in accumbens dopamine. This is consistent with evidence that selective inactivation of CB1 receptors reduces opiate-, but not psychostimulant-maintained self-administration. The CB1 receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 (5 mg/kg) reduced pallidal GABA efflux in a manner similar to morphine, and this effect was reversed by the opiate receptor antagonist naloxone. Collectively these findings suggest that CB1 receptors modulate opiate reward through the ventral striatopallidal projection and that the modulation of this projection system may be involved in the reciprocal behavioral effects between cannabinoids, and opioids.

Phenotypic Stability of Energy Balance Responses to Experimental Total Sleep Deprivation and Sleep Restriction in Healthy Adults

PubMed Central

Dennis, Laura E.; Spaeth, Andrea M.; Goel, Namni

2016-01-01

Experimental studies have shown that sleep restriction (SR) and total sleep deprivation (TSD) produce increased caloric intake, greater fat consumption, and increased late-night eating. However, whether individuals show similar energy intake responses to both SR and TSD remains unknown. A total of N = 66 healthy adults (aged 21–50 years, 48.5% women, 72.7% African American) participated in a within-subjects laboratory protocol to compare daily and late-night intake between one night of SR (4 h time in bed, 04:00–08:00) and one night of TSD (0 h time in bed) conditions. We also examined intake responses during subsequent recovery from SR or TSD and investigated gender differences. Caloric and macronutrient intake during the day following SR and TSD were moderately to substantially consistent within individuals (Intraclass Correlation Coefficients: 0.34–0.75). During the late-night period of SR (22:00–04:00) and TSD (22:00–06:00), such consistency was slight to moderate, and participants consumed a greater percentage of calories from protein (p = 0.01) and saturated fat (p = 0.02) during SR, despite comparable caloric intake (p = 0.12). Similarly, participants consumed a greater percentage of calories from saturated fat during the day following SR than TSD (p = 0.03). Participants also consumed a greater percentage of calories from protein during recovery after TSD (p < 0.001). Caloric intake was greater in men during late-night hours and the day following sleep loss. This is the first evidence of phenotypic trait-like stability and differential vulnerability of energy balance responses to two commonly experienced types of sleep loss: our findings open the door for biomarker discovery and countermeasure development to predict and mitigate this critical health-related vulnerability. PMID:27999367

Neuromuscular adaptations predict functional disability independently of clinical pain and psychological factors in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.

PubMed

Dubois, Jean-Daniel; Abboud, Jacques; St-Pierre, Charles; Piché, Mathieu; Descarreaux, Martin

2014-08-01

Patients with chronic low back pain exhibit characteristics such as clinical pain, psychological symptoms and neuromuscular adaptations. The purpose of this study was to determine the independent contribution of clinical pain, psychological factors and neuromuscular adaptations to disability in patients with chronic low back pain. Clinical pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, fear-avoidance beliefs, anxiety, neuromuscular adaptations to chronic pain and neuromuscular responses to experimental pain were assessed in 52 patients with chronic low back pain. Lumbar muscle electromyographic activity was assessed during a flexion-extension task (flexion relaxation phenomenon) to assess both chronic neuromuscular adaptations and neuromuscular responses to experimental pain during the task. Multiple regressions showed that independent predictors of disability included neuromuscular adaptations to chronic pain (β=0.25, p=0.006, sr(2)=0.06), neuromuscular responses to experimental pain (β=-0.24, p=0.011, sr(2)=0.05), clinical pain intensity (β=0.28, p=0.002, sr(2)=0.08) and psychological factors (β=0.58, p<0.001, sr(2)=0.32). Together, these predictors accounted for 65% of variance in disability (R(2)=0.65 p<0.001). The current investigation revealed that neuromuscular adaptations are independent from clinical pain intensity and psychological factors, and contribute to inter-individual differences in patients' disability. This suggests that disability, in chronic low back pain patients, is determined by a combination of factors, including clinical pain, psychological factors and neuromuscular adaptations. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tuning the electrocaloric effect by varying Sr concentration in ferroelectric Ba1 -xSrxTiO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lisenkov, S.; Ponomareva, I.

2018-05-01

The electrocaloric effect is investigated systematically in Ba1 -xSrxTiO3 ferroelectrics using a semiclassical direct computational approach. The data are reported for the technologically important range of Sr concentrations of 0.0-0.6, electric fields up to 1000 kV/cm, and temperatures ranging from 5 to 600 K. A detailed comparison of computational data with experimental data from the literature reveals semiquantitative agreement and suggests the origin of discrepancies. The electrocaloric change in temperature Δ T shows strong dependence on Sr concentration which offers a way to tune electrocaloric response. In particular, the maximum electrocaloric Δ T is found to decrease with the increase in Sr concentration, whereas the location of the maximum shifts towards lower temperatures following the Curie point of the ferroelectric. Surprisingly, the width of the peak in the dependence of Δ T on the initial temperature is independent of the Sr concentration but shows a strong dependence on the applied electric field. Computational data are used to propose a compositionally graded ferroelectric Ba0.70Sr0.30TiO3/Ba0.55Sr0.45TiO3/Ba0.50Sr0.50TiO3/Ba0.45Sr0.55TiO3 whose Δ T shows almost no temperature dependence in the technologically important range of temperatures and electric fields. Such a desirable feature could potentially lead to the enhancement of relative cooling power.

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

Biendicho, J.J.; The ISIS Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0QX Oxfordshire; Shafeie, S.

Oxygen-deficient ferrates with the cubic perovskite structure Sr{sub x}Y{sub 1−x}FeO{sub 3−δ} were prepared in air (0.71≤x≤0.91) as well as in N{sub 2} (x=0.75 and 0.79) at 1573 K. The oxygen content of the compounds prepared in air increases with increasing strontium content from 3−δ=2.79(2) for x=0.75 to 3−δ=2.83(2) for x=0.91. Refinement of the crystal structure of Sr{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}FeO{sub 2.79} using TOF neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data shows high anisotropic atomic displacement parameter (ADP) for the oxygen atom resulting from a substantial cation and anion disorder. Electron diffraction (ED) and high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) studies of Sr{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}FeO{sub 2.79}more » reveal a modulation along 〈1 0 0〉{sub p} with G± ∼0.4〈1 0 0〉{sub p} indicating a local ordering of oxygen vacancies. Magnetic susceptibility measurements at 5–390 K show spin-glass behaviour with dominating antiferromagnetic coupling between the magnetic moments of Fe cations. Among the studied compositions, Sr{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}FeO{sub 2.79} shows the lowest thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) of 10.5 ppm/K in air at 298–673 K. At 773–1173 K TEC increases up to 17.2 ppm/K due to substantial reduction of oxygen content. The latter also results in a dramatic decrease of the electrical conductivity in air above 673 K. Partial substitution of Fe by Cr, Mn and Ni according to the formula Sr{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}Fe{sub 1−y}M{sub y}O{sub 3−δ} (y=0.2, 0.33, 0.5) leads to cubic perovskites for all substituents with y=0.2. Their TECs are higher in comparison with un-doped Sr{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}FeO{sub 2.79}. Only M=Ni has increased electrical conductivity compared to un-doped Sr{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}FeO{sub 2.79}. - Graphical abstract: Oxygen-deficient ferrates with the cubic perovskite structure Sr{sub x}Y{sub 1−x}FeO{sub 3−δ} were prepared both in air (0.71≤x≤0.91) and N{sub 2} (x=0.75 and 0.79) at 1573 K. Refinement of the crystal structure of Sr{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}FeO{sub 2.79} using TOF neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data (S.G. Pm-3m, a=3.86455(3) Å; χ{sup 2}=6.71, R{sub p}=0.03; R{sub wp}=0.04) confirmed the cubic perovskite structure. The observed high anisotropic atomic displacement parameter for the oxygen atom indicates a substantial anion sublattice disorder. Electron diffraction (ED) and high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) studies of Sr{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}FeO{sub 2.79} show compositional modulation along 〈1 0 0〉{sub p} with G± ∼0.4〈1 0 0〉{sub p} indicating ordering of oxygen vacancies at the local scale. Highlights: ► Cubic perovskites Sr{sub x}Y{sub 1−x}FeO{sub 3−δ} (0.71≤x<0.91) were synthesized. ► Sr{sub 0.75}Y{sub 0.25}Fe{sub 1−y}M{sub y}O{sub 3−δ}, M=Cr, Mn, Ni were prepared. ► High-temperature conductivity properties and crystal structure were studied. ► High-temperature thermal expansion behavior was investigated.« less

Large structural modulations in the relaxor ferroelectric and intermediate state of strontium rich members (x>0.6) of the Sr{sub x}Ba{sub 1−x}Nb{sub 2}O{sub 6} (sbn) solid solution series

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

Graetsch, H.A., E-mail: heribert.graetsch@rub.de

The amplitudes of the positional, occupational and adp modulations of sbn mixed crystals are strongly enhanced for high strontium contents. The increase of structural modulations is accompanied by reduced spontaneous electric polarization largely due to smaller off-center shifts of the niobium atoms. Beyond the room temperature ferroelectric – intermediate transition near x=0.77, anomal large U{sub 33} atomic displacement parameters of the niobium atoms indicate static disorder caused by loss of orientational coupling between residual shifts of Nb atoms in neighboring NbO{sub 6} octahedra. Change of satellite intensities show a reduction from two-dimensional to one-dimensional modulation which is not consistent withmore » tetragonal symmetry. The pseudo-tetragonally twinned crystal structure of sbn82 was refined in the orthorhombic super-space group A2mm(½0γ)000. The apparent tetragonal symmetry of the other investigated sbn samples also seems to be due to pseudo tetragonal twinning with equal twin volumes. The modulations mainly consist of cooperatively tilted NbO{sub 6} octahedra and wave-like ordered incomplete occupation of the largest cation sites (Me2a and b) by Ba{sup 2+} and Sr{sup 2+}. Furthermore, the atomic displacement parameters of the Me2 sites are strongly modulated. - Graphical abstract: Satellite reflections and modulation coefficients in the solid solution series Sr{sub x}Ba{sub 1−x}Nb{sub 2}O{sub 6}. - Highlights: • The modulationed structures are refined for the whole composition range of sbn32–sbn82 in tetragonal and orthorhombic setting. • The amplitudes of positional, occupational and adp modulations increase strongly with the strontium content. • Evidence is presented that the sbn crystals are pseudo tetragonally twinned. • The ferroelectric–intermediate paraelectric transition is not accompanied by a change of symmetry. • Anomal adp of intermediate (non-ferroelectric) sbn82 indicate loss of coupling between off-center shifts of neighboring niobium.« less

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

Matsuo, Hiroki; Kitanaka, Yuuki; Inoue, Ryotaro

We investigate the mechanism of a switchable diode behavior observed in ferroelectric SrRuO{sub 3}/BiFeO{sub 3} (BFO)/SrRuO{sub 3} capacitors. We experimentally demonstrate that the switchable diode effect observed in the capacitors is induced by the polarization reversal in the BFO film. The conductivity in an Ohmic region in different oxidation states provides direct evidence that electron hole acts as the majority carrier, delivering p-type conduction. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the p-type conduction arises from an unoccupied gap state of Fe{sup 4+} in an FeO{sub 5} pyramid which is derived from Bi vacancy. Our experimental and DFT study leadsmore » to the conclusion that the switchable diode effect originates from an asymmetric band bending in the top and bottom depletion layers modulated by ferroelectric polarization and oxygen vacancies.« less

Effect of Sr Content and Strain on Sr Surface Segregation of La 1–x Sr x Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3-δ as Cathode Material for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

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

Yu, Yang; Ludwig, Karl F.; Woicik, Joseph C.

2016-10-12

Strontium doped lanthanum cobalt ferrite (LSCF) is a widely used cathode material due to its high electronic and ionic conductivity, and reasonable oxygen surface exchange coefficient. However, LSCF can have long-term stability issues such as surface segregation of Sr during solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) operation, which can adversely affect the electrochemical performance. Thus, understanding the nature of the Sr surface segregation phenomenon, and how it is affected by the composition of LSCF and strain are critical. In this research, heteroepitaxial thin films of La 1-x Sr xCo 0.2Fe 0.8O 3 - with varying Sr content (x = 0.4, 0.3,more » 0.2) were deposited by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on single crystal NdGaO 3, SrTiO 3 and GdScO 3 substrates, leading to different levels of strain in the films. The extent of Sr segregation at the film surface was quantified using synchrotron-based total reflection x-ray fluorescence (TXRF), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The electronic structure of the Sr-rich phases formed on the surface was investigated by hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES). The extent of Sr segregation was found to be a function of the Sr content in bulk. Lowering the Sr content from 40% to 30% reduced the surface segregation, but further lowering the Sr content to 20% increased the segregation. The strain of LSCF thin films on various substrates was measured using high-resolution x-ray diffraction (HRXRD) and the Sr surface segregation was found to be reduced with compressive strain and enhanced with tensile strain present within the thin films. A model was developed correlating the Sr surface segregation with Sr content and strain effects to explain the experimental results.« less

Ca2+-induced delayed afterdepolarizations are triggered by dyadic subspace Ca2+ affirming that increasing SERCA reduces aftercontractions

PubMed Central

Noble, Penelope J.; Noble, Denis

2011-01-01

Ca2+-induced delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) are depolarizations that occur after full repolarization. They have been observed across multiple species and cell types. Experimental results have indicated that the main cause of DADs is Ca2+ overload. The main hypothesis as to their initiation has been Ca2+ overflow from the overloaded sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Our results using 37 previously published mathematical models provide evidence that Ca2+-induced DADs are initiated by the same mechanism as Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release, i.e., the modulation of the opening of ryanodine receptors (RyR) by Ca2+ in the dyadic subspace; an SR overflow mechanism was not necessary for the induction of DADs in any of the models. The SR Ca2+ level is better viewed as a modulator of the appearance of DADs and the magnitude of Ca2+ release. The threshold for the total Ca2+ level within the cell (not only the SR) at which Ca2+ oscillations arise in the models is close to their baseline level (∼1- to 3-fold). It is most sensitive to changes in the maximum sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) pump rate (directly proportional), the opening probability of RyRs, and the Ca2+ diffusion rate from the dyadic subspace into the cytosol (both indirectly proportional), indicating that the appearance of DADs is multifactorial. This shift in emphasis away from SR overload as the trigger for DADs toward a multifactorial analysis could explain why SERCA overexpression has been shown to suppress DADs (while increasing contractility) and why DADs appear during heart failure (at low SR Ca2+ levels). PMID:21666112

Strontium ranelate reduces the progression of experimental dog osteoarthritis by inhibiting the expression of key proteases in cartilage and of IL-1β in the synovium.

PubMed

Pelletier, Jean-Pierre; Kapoor, Mohit; Fahmi, Hassan; Lajeunesse, Daniel; Blesius, Alexia; Maillet, Juliette; Martel-Pelletier, Johanne

2013-02-01

To explore the disease-modifying effect, under therapeutic conditions, of strontium ranelate (SrRan) on the progression of joint structural changes and on the major pathophysiological pathways in an experimental osteoarthritis dog model. Dogs underwent sectioning of the anterior cruciate ligament, and 4 weeks after surgery received oral treatment of SrRan 25, 50 or 75 mg/kg per day, or placebo for 12 weeks. Methods included macroscopy, picrosirius red staining, histology, subchondral bone histomorphometry, quantitative PCR, and ELISA for CTX-II level in serum. Strontium plasma and synovial fluid levels were also measured. At steady state, strontium blood exposures were within the clinical therapeutic range of osteoarthritis patients and correlated with strontium concentrations in synovial fluid. SrRan treatment significantly reduced the osteoarthritis cartilage lesions at all doses tested (p≤0.05). Significantly better preservation of the collagen network was also found in SrRan-treated dogs at 50 and 75 mg/kg per day (p=0.03). The osteoarthritis subchondral bone thickening observed in osteoarthritis-placebo dogs was significantly reduced by SrRan at 50 mg/kg per day (p=0.02). The increased gene expression levels of MMP-1, MMP-13 and cathepsin K in osteoarthritis cartilage were all significantly reduced by SrRan at 75 mg/kg per day (p≤0.03) as were, in osteoarthritis synovium, IL-1β at 50 and 75 mg/kg per day (p=0.05) and MMP-3 at all doses tested (p≤0.02). The serum level of CTX-II was reduced (p≤0.04) by SrRan at 16 weeks in dogs treated with 50 and 75 mg/kg per day. This study is the first to demonstrate in vivo in an animal model that SrRan reduced the progression of osteoarthritis structural changes. The inhibition of several key proteases as well as IL-1β may have contributed to the beneficial effect of SrRan.

Fabrication of thermoelectric modules with Mg2Si and SrRuO3 by the spark plasma sintering method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nishio, Keishi; Sawada, Yukie; Arai, Koya; Sakamoto, Tatsuya; Kogo, Yasuo; Iida, Tsutomu

2012-06-01

Thermoelectric (TE) modules with a π structure were fabricated by the spark plasma sintering method. The modules were composed of SrRuO3 for the p-type semiconductor, Mg2Si for the n-type semiconductor, and Ni for the electrodes. The SrRuO3 powder was synthesized using the metal-citric-acid complex decomposition method. Mg2Si bulk prepared by meltquenching was ground into powder and sieved to a particle size of 75 μm or less. To obtain the sintered body of SrRuO3, the powder was sintered using spark plasma sintering (SPS). For SPS, the precursor powder was placed in a graphite die and kept at that temperature under a uni-axial pressure of 50 MPa and in vacuum conditions (less than 7 Pa). After sintering by SPS, the ceramic sample was annealed at 1573K in air because the SrRuO3 was slightly reduced during the SPS process in the graphite die. These TE sintered bodies were cut and polished. The dimensions of the samples used for fabrication of the p-type parts of the TE modules were 4.50×9.50×7.45 mm3 and those for the n-type parts were 5.50×11.45×7.45 mm3. Pressed Ni powder was put between these TE materials and the Ni electrodes in order to connect them together, and electrical power was passed through the electrodes from the SPS equipment. The output power under temperature differences ΔT ranging from 100 to 500 K was measured. The open-circuit voltage, maximum output current and maximum output power increased with increasing temperature difference ΔT. The open-circuit voltage of the single module was 91.0 mV, and the maximum output current and maximum output power were 5000 mA and 110 mW at ΔT=500 K, respectively.

(3+1)D superspace structural determination of two new modulated composite phases: Sr 1+ x(Cu xMn 1- x)O 3; x=3/11 and x=0.3244

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El Abed, Ahmed; Gaudin, Etienne; zur Loye, Hans-Conrad; Darriet, Jacques

2003-01-01

We report the structure determination of two new phases belonging to the A 1+ x(A' xB 1- x)O 3 family of oxides with A=Sr, A'=Cu, and B=Mn, where x=3/11 and x=0.3244, corresponding to a commensurate and incommensurate composite structure, respectively. These two compounds are the first examples of oxides belonging to the Sr 1+ x(Cu xMn 1- x)O 3 family. Their structures were solved in the (3+1) dimensional superspace formalism as modulated composite structures with two subsystems [(Cu,Mn)O 3] and [Sr]. The superspace group used to solve the structures is R 3¯m(00γ)0s . The first phase ( x=3/11), corresponding to the chemical formula Sr 14Cu 3Mn 8O 33, was obtained as a single crystal with unit cell parameters of a=9.6025(3) Å and c1=2.5660(8) Å ( q=7/11 c1∗, Z=3), where c1 is the lattice parameter corresponding to the c-axis of the trigonal subsystem [(Cu,Mn)O 3]. The second phase ( x=0.3244(1)), is a polycrystalline sample with unit cell parameters of a=9.5933(7) and c1=2.5933(3) ( q=0.6622 c1∗, Z=3). In both structures, one dimensional chains run along the c-axis which contain octahedra and trigonal prisms occupied by manganese and copper atoms, respectively. The refinement results show that in both cases copper occupies the rectangular faces of the trigonal prism while manganese occupies the octahedral sites. The magnetic measurements of the polycrystalline phase (Sr 1+ x(Cu xMn 1- x)O 3, x=0.3244(2)) and the Curie constant obtained from the high temperature susceptibility are in agreement with a spin state configuration of S=3/2 for Mn 4+ and S=1/2 for Cu 2+.

Modulation of superconducting transition temperature in LaAlO3/SrTiO3 by SrTiO3 structural domains

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

Noad, Hilary; Moler, Kathryn

2018-01-01

The tetragonal domain structure in SrTiO3 (STO) is known to modulate the normal-state carrier density in LaAlO3/SrTiO3 (LAO/STO) heterostructures, among other electronic properties, but the effect of STO domains on the superconductivity in LAO/STO has not been fully explored. Using a scanning SQUID susceptometer microscope to map the superconducting response as a function of temperature in LAO/STO, we find that the superconducting transition temperature is spatially inhomogeneous and modulated in a pattern that is characteristic of structural domains in the STO.

Influence of Fe substitution on structure and Raman spectra of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3: Experimental and density functional studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Astik, Nidhi M.; Soni, Himadri; Jha, Prafulla K.; Sathe, Vasant

2018-07-01

We present experimental and theoretical studies on the effect of Fe doping at Mn site, on the structural, morphological, electronic and vibrational properties of La0.67Sr0.3MnO3 nanoparticle. The samples of La0.67Sr0.3MnO3 and La0.67Sr0.33Mn1-xFexO3 (x = 0.15, 0.25 and 0.35) have been prepared by ball milling route. The phase purity of these samples has been confirmed using X-ray diffraction, while compositional analysis is done using EDAX. The morphological analysis done using scanning microscope indicates the agglomeration. The vibrational analysis which is done using Raman scattering and density functional theory (DFT) calculations show a substantial shift in A1g and Eg modes with Fe doping. The Eg modes become broader with Fe doping. The UV-visible spectra were measured in the energy range of 1-5 eV and compared with DFT results. The spin polarized density functional calculations show an increase in density of states at Fermi level due to MnO6octahedra modification and significant magnetism on Fe doping. The total magnetic moment is found from 16 to 17 μB for considered concentration. The effective mass of carriers is also calculated and found increasing with increasing concentration.

Identification of Global and Ligand-Specific Calcium Sensing Receptor Activation Mechanisms.

PubMed

Keller, Andrew N; Kufareva, Irina; Josephs, Tracy M; Diao, Jiayin; Mai, Vyvyan T; Conigrave, Arthur D; Christopoulos, Arthur; Gregory, Karen J; Leach, Katie

2018-06-01

Calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) are therapeutically important. However, few are approved for clinical use, in part due to complexities in assessing allostery at a receptor where the endogenous agonist (extracellular calcium) is present in all biologic fluids. Such complexity impedes efforts to quantify and optimize allosteric drug parameters (affinity, cooperativity, and efficacy) that dictate PAM structure-activity relationships (SARs). Furthermore, an underappreciation of the structural mechanisms underlying CaSR activation hinders predictions of how PAM SAR relates to in vitro and in vivo activity. Herein, we combined site-directed mutagenesis and calcium mobilization assays with analytical pharmacology to compare modes of PAM binding, positive modulation, and agonism. We demonstrate that 3-(2-chlorophenyl)- N -((1 R )-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl)-1-propanamine (NPS R568) binds to a 7 transmembrane domain (7TM) cavity common to class C G protein-coupled receptors and used by ( αR )-(-)- α -methyl- N -[3-[3-[trifluoromethylphenyl]propyl]-1-napthalenemethanamine (cinacalcet) and 1-benzothiazol-2-yl-1-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-ethanol (AC265347); however, there are subtle distinctions in the contribution of select residues to the binding and transmission of cooperativity by PAMs. Furthermore, we reveal some common activation mechanisms used by different CaSR activators, but also demonstrate some differential contributions of residues within the 7TM bundle and extracellular loops to the efficacy of the PAM-agonist, AC265347, versus cooperativity. Finally, we show that PAMS potentiate the affinity of divalent cations. Our results support the existence of both global and ligand-specific CaSR activation mechanisms and reveal that allosteric agonism is mediated in part via distinct mechanisms to positive modulation. Copyright © 2018 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

Class A1 scavenger receptor modulates glioma progression by regulating M2-like tumor-associated macrophage polarization

PubMed Central

Zhang, Hanwen; Zhang, Wenbin; Sun, Xuan; Dang, Ruoyu; Zhou, Rongmei; Bai, Hui; Ben, Jingjing; Zhu, Xudong; Zhang, Yan; Yang, Qing; Xu, Yong; Chen, Qi

2016-01-01

Macrophages enhance glioma development and progression by shaping the tumor microenvironment. Class A1 scavenger receptor (SR-A1), a pattern recognition receptor primarily expressed in macrophages, is up-regulated in many human solid tumors. We found that SR-A1 expression in 136 human gliomas was positively correlated with tumor grade (P<0.01), but not prognosis or tumor recurrence. SR-A1-expressing macrophages originated primarily from circulating monocytes attracted to tumor tissue, and were almost twice as numerous as resident microglia in glioma tissues (P<0.001). The effects of SR-A1 on glioma proliferation and invasion were assessed in vivo using an SR-A1-deficient murine orthotopic glioma model. SR-A1 deletion promoted M2-like tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) polarization in mice by activating STAT3 and STAT6, which resulted in robust orthotopic glioma proliferation and angiogenesis. Finally, we found that HSP70 might be an endogenous ligand that activates SR-A1-dependent anti-tumorigenic pathways in gliomas, although its expression does not appear informative for diagnostic purposes. Our findings demonstrate a relationship between TAMs, SR-A1 expression and glioma growth and provide new insights into the pathogenic role of TAMs in glioma. PMID:27367025

Sr(1.7)Zn(0.3)CeO4: Eu3+ novel red-emitting phosphors: synthesis and photoluminescence properties.

PubMed

Li, Haifeng; Zhao, Ran; Jia, Yonglei; Sun, Wenzhi; Fu, Jipeng; Jiang, Lihong; Zhang, Su; Pang, Ran; Li, Chengyu

2014-03-12

A series of novel red-emitting Sr1.7Zn0.3CeO4:Eu(3+) phosphors were synthesized through conventional solid-state reactions. The powder X-ray diffraction patterns and Rietveld refinement verified the similar phase of Sr1.7Zn0.3CeO4:Eu(3+) to that of Sr2CeO4. The photoluminescence spectrum exhibits that peak located at 614 nm ((5)D0-(7)F2) dominates the emission of Sr1.7Zn0.3CeO4:Eu(3+) phosphors. Because there are two regions in the excitation spectrum originating from the overlap of the Ce(4+)-O(2-) and Eu(3+)-O(2-) charge-transfer state band from 200 to 440 nm, and from the intra-4f transitions at 395 and 467 nm, the Sr1.7Zn0.3CeO4:Eu(3+) phosphors can be well excited by the near-UV light. The investigation of the concentration quenching behavior, luminescence decay curves, and lifetime implies that the dominant mechanism type leading to concentration quenching is the energy transfer among the nearest neighbor or next nearest neighbor activators. The discussion about the dependence of photoluminescence spectra on temperature shows the better thermal quenching properties of Sr1.7Zn0.3CeO4:0.3Eu(3+) than that of Sr2CeO4:Eu(3+). The experimental data indicates that Sr1.7Zn0.3CeO4:Eu(3+) phosphors have the potential as red phosphors for white light-emitting diodes.

Thermal Management Using Pulsating Jet Cooling Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alimohammadi, S.; Dinneen, P.; Persoons, T.; Murray, D. B.

2014-07-01

The existing methods of heat removal from compact electronic devises are known to be deficient as the evolving technology demands more power density and accordingly better cooling techniques. Impinging jets can be used as a satisfactory method for thermal management of electronic devices with limited space and volume. Pulsating flows can produce an additional enhancement in heat transfer rate compared to steady flows. This article is part of a comprehensive experimental and numerical study performed on pulsating jet cooling technology. The experimental approach explores heat transfer performance of a pulsating air jet impinging onto a flat surface for nozzle-to-surface distances 1 <= H/D <= 6, Reynolds numbers 1,300 <= Re <= 2,800 pulsation frequency 2Hz <= f <= 65Hz, and Strouhal number 0.0012 <= Sr = fD/Um <= 0.084. The time-resolved velocity at the nozzle exit is measured to quantify the turbulence intensity profile. The numerical methodology is firstly validated using the experimental local Nusselt number distribution for the steady jet with the same geometry and boundary conditions. For a time-averaged Reynolds number of 6,000, the heat transfer enhancement using the pulsating jet for 9Hz <= f <= 55Hz and 0.017 <= Sr <= 0.102 and 1 <= H/D <= 6 are calculated. For the same range of Sr number, the numerical and experimental methods show consistent results.

Optical Modulation of BST/STO Thin Films in the Terahertz Range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Ying; Shi, Songjie; Zhou, Ling; Ling, Furi; Yao, Jianquan

2018-04-01

The {Ba}_{0.7} {Sr}_{0.3} {TiO}3 (BST) thin film (30.3 nm) deposited on a {SrTiO}3 (STO) film/silicon substrate sample was modulated by 532 nm continuous-wave laser in the range of 0.2-1 THz at room temperature. The refractive index variation was observed to linearly increase at the highest 3.48 for 0.5 THz with the pump power increasing to 400 mW. It was also found that the BST/STO sample had a larger refractive index variation and was more sensitive to the external optical field than a BST monolayer due to the epitaxial strain induced by the STO film. The electric displacement-electric field loops results revealed that the increasing spontaneous polarization with the STO film that was induced was responsible for the larger refractive index variation of the BST/STO sample. In addition, the real and imaginary part of the permittivity were observed increasing along with the external field increasing, due to the soft mode hardening.

Optical Modulation of BST/STO Thin Films in the Terahertz Range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Ying; Shi, Songjie; Zhou, Ling; Ling, Furi; Yao, Jianquan

2018-07-01

The {Ba}_{0.7} {Sr}_{0.3} {TiO}3 (BST) thin film (30.3 nm) deposited on a {SrTiO}3 (STO) film/silicon substrate sample was modulated by 532 nm continuous-wave laser in the range of 0.2-1 THz at room temperature. The refractive index variation was observed to linearly increase at the highest 3.48 for 0.5 THz with the pump power increasing to 400 mW. It was also found that the BST/STO sample had a larger refractive index variation and was more sensitive to the external optical field than a BST monolayer due to the epitaxial strain induced by the STO film. The electric displacement-electric field loops results revealed that the increasing spontaneous polarization with the STO film that was induced was responsible for the larger refractive index variation of the BST/STO sample. In addition, the real and imaginary part of the permittivity were observed increasing along with the external field increasing, due to the soft mode hardening.

Nanoscale control of oxide interface conduction in graphene-complex-oxide heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Mengchen; Ryu, Sangwoo; Ghahari, Fereshte; Jnawali, Giriraj; Ravichandran, Jayakanth; Irvin, Patrick; Kim, Philip; Eom, Chang-Beom; Levy, Jeremy

2014-03-01

Graphene is a promising material for high-speed optoelectronic devices such as THz modulators and detectors. Recently, broadband THz emission and detection can be achieved with nanostructures at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface [2]. We have mechanically exfoliated single layer and multilayer graphene on top of 3.4 unit cell LaAlO3/SrTiO3 and successfully sketched nanowires in the 2DEG underneath graphene using conductive AFM lithgraphy [3]. Raman and AFM investigations confirm that the graphene quality and surface morphology remain unaltered by the writing process. These first experimental demonstrations of integrating graphene and LaAlO3/SrTiO3 are promising for future DC-THz photonic applications. We gratefully acknowledge support for this work from ONR (N00014-13-1-0806), NSF(DMR-1124131, DMR-1104191), and AFOSR (FA9550-12-1-0342).

Striped Bass Habitat use in the San Francisco Estuary Determined Using Otolith Microchemistry Techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phillis, C. C.; Ostrach, D. J.; Weber, P. K.; Ingram, B. L.; Zinkl, J. G.

2005-12-01

Habitat use has been shown to be an important factor in the bioaccumulation of contaminants in striped bass ( Morone saxatilis). This study explores techniques to determine migration in striped bass as part of a larger study investigating maternal transfer of xenobiotics to progeny in the San Francisco Estuary. The timing of movement of fish between salt and fresh water can easily be determined using a number of chemical markers in otoliths. Determining movement within estuaries, however, is a more difficult problem because mesohaline geochemical signatures approach the marine end member at very low salinities. Two tracers were used to reconstruct the migration history of striped bass in the San Francisco Estuary: Sr/Ca (measured by electron microprobe and LA-ICP-MS) and Sr isotope ratio (measured by LA-MC-ICP-MS). Both tracers can be used to map the salinity the fish is exposed to at the time of otolith increment deposition. Salinity, in turn, is mapped to location within the San Francisco Bay estuary based on monthly salinity surveys. The two methods have their respective benefits. Sr/Ca can be measured with higher spatial resolution (<10 microns). Sr isotope ratios are not modulated by metabolism. Sr isotope measurements were made to check the Sr/Ca results. In the San Francisco Estuary, low 87Sr/86Sr (0.706189) river water mixes with high 87Sr/86Sr (0.709168) marine water to 80% of the marine signal (0.7085) when the salinity is only 5% (1.8 ppt) seawater, and 95% of the marine signal (0.7090) at salinities of 20% (6.6 ppt) seawater (Ingram and Sloan, 1992). This salinity model should map directly to the otolith because there is no biological fractionation of Sr isotopes. The Sr/Ca otolith and salinity models predict a similar response. For both models, calculated otolith salinity is mapped to location within the San Francisco Estuary based on monthly salinity surveys. Using previously published salinity models, the otolith Sr/Ca and Sr isotope results are offset. These results suggest that a new Sr/Ca salinity model must be developed for this population of striped bass.

The development of a wide field UV imager for planetary space missions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Molyneux, Philippa Mary

2012-03-01

This thesis describes experimental work carried out on bilayer manganites with the general composition R{2-2x}A{1+2x}Mn2O7, where R is a trivalent rare earth cation and A is a divalent alkaline-earth cation. Experiments have been carried out primarily using Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy (STM) and Spectroscopy (STS); bulk electrical transport, MPMS and LEED measurements have also been made. The primary results are obtained from single crystal samples of PrSr2Mn2O7. This compound provides a surface suitable for STM study when cleaved at low temperature in ultra-high vacuum: atomic resolution can be readily achieved. The expected square lattice is observed, together with a larger scale surface modulation which is not presently explained. In some areas of the PrSr2Mn2O7 surface a population of adatoms and surface vacancies is observed. STS data indicate that adatoms carry a negative charge compared to the rest of the surface, and vacancies a positive charge: the adatoms and vacancies are interpreted as oxygen adatoms and oxygen vacancies. A detailed study is made of the oxygen adatoms and vacancies: this is believed to be the firrst such study made on a manganite surface. Oxygen adatoms on the PrSr2Mn2O7 surface are found to be mobile: hopping and adatom-vacancy recombination are observed. Additional results are reported on the layered manganite compound La{2-2x}Sr{1+2x}Mn2O7 at a range of cation doping x. For the LaSr2Mn2O7 compound (x = 0.5) spectroscopic variation has been identified in a variable-temperature STS survey. This indicates the coexistence of two surface electronic phases, possibly the charge ordered and antiferromagnetic phases.

Thermoelectric properties of n-type SrTiO 3

DOE PAGES

Sun, Jifeng; Singh, David J.

2016-05-26

We present an investigation of the thermoelectric properties of cubic perovskite SrTiO 3. The results are derived from a combination of calculated transport functions obtained from Boltzmann transport theory in the constant scattering time approximation based on the electronic structure and existing experimental data for La-doped SrTiO 3. The figure of merit ZT is modeled with respect to carrier concentration and temperature. The model predicts a relatively high ZT at optimized doping and suggests that the ZT value can reach 0.7 at T = 1400 K. Thus ZT can be improved from the current experimental values by carrier concentration optimization.

Thermoelectric properties of n-type SrTiO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Jifeng; Singh, David J.

2016-10-01

We present an investigation of the thermoelectric properties of cubic perovskite SrTiO3. The results are derived from a combination of calculated transport functions obtained from Boltzmann transport theory in the constant scattering time approximation based on the electronic structure and existing experimental data for La-doped SrTiO3. The figure of merit ZT is modeled with respect to carrier concentration and temperature. The model predicts a relatively high ZT at optimized doping and suggests that the ZT value can reach 0.7 at T = 1400 K. Thus ZT can be improved from the current experimental values by carrier concentration optimization.

The modulation of oxygen vacancies by the combined current effect and temperature cycling in La0.7Sr0.3CoO3 film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, J.; Wang, J.; Kuang, H.; Zhao, Y. Y.; Qiao, K. M.; Liu, Y.; Hu, F. X.; Sun, J. R.; Shen, B. G.

2018-05-01

Modulating the oxygen defect concentration has been accepted as an effective method to obtain high catalytic activity in perovskite cobaltites. However, controllably modifying the oxygen vacancy is still a challenge in this type of materials, which strongly obstructs their application. Here, we report a successful oxygen vacancies modulation in the La0.7Sr0.3CoO3 (LSCO) film by using combined current effect and temperature cycling. The temperature dependent transport properties of the LSCO/LAO film were investigated. The results revealed that the resistance of the film keeps increasing under the repeated measurements. It was found that the accumulation of the oxygen vacancy by current effect transforms the Co4+ ion into Co3+ ion, which results in the enhancement of the resistance and thus the transport switching behavior. Moreover, the resistance in the cooling process was found to be much higher than that in previous cooling and heating processes, which indicates that the oxygen escapes more quickly in the high temperature region. On the other hand, our analysis indicates that the CoO6 distortion may contribute to the switching of transport behaviors in the low temperature region. Our work provides an effective and controllable way to modulate oxygen defect in the perovskite-type oxides.

Disagreement between self-reported and clinician-ascertained suicidal ideation and its correlation with depression and anxiety severity in patients with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder.

PubMed

Gao, Keming; Wu, Renrong; Wang, Zuowei; Ren, Ming; Kemp, David E; Chan, Philip K; Conroy, Carla M; Serrano, Mary Beth; Ganocy, Stephen J; Calabrese, Joseph R

2015-01-01

To study the disagreement between self-reported suicidal ideation (SR-SI) and clinician-ascertained suicidal ideation (CA-SI) and its correlation with depression and anxiety severity in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar disorder (BPD). Routine clinical outpatients were diagnosed with the MINI-STEP-BD version. SR-SI was extracted from the 16 Item Quick Inventory of Depression Symptomatology Self-Report (QIDS-SR-16) item 12. CA-SI was extracted from a modified Suicide Assessment module of the MINI. Depression and anxiety severity were measured with the QIDS-SR-16 and Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale. Chi-square, Fisher exact, and bivariate linear logistic regression were used for analyses. Of 103 patients with MDD, 5.8% endorsed any CA-SI and 22.4% endorsed any SR-SI. Of the 147 patients with BPD, 18.4% endorsed any CA-SI and 35.9% endorsed any SR-SI. The agreement between any SR-SI and any CA-SI was 83.5% for MDD and 83.1% for BPD, with weighted Kappa of 0.30 and 0.43, respectively. QIDS-SR-16 score, female gender, and ≥4 year college education were associated with increased risk for disagreement, 15.44 ± 4.52 versus 18.39 ± 3.49 points (p = 0.0026), 67% versus 46% (p = 0.0783), and 61% versus 29% (p = 0.0096). The disagreement was positively correlated to depression severity in both MDD and BPD with a correlation coefficient R(2) = 0.40 and 0.79, respectively, but was only positively correlated to anxiety severity in BPD with a R(2) = 0.46. Self-reported questionnaire was more likely to reveal higher frequency and severity of SI than clinician-ascertained, suggesting that a combination of self-reported and clinical-ascertained suicidal risk assessment with measuring depression and anxiety severity may be necessary for suicide prevention. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DataHawk Flocks: Self-Contained sUAS Modules for High-Resolution Atmospheric Measurements

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-08-25

Gabriel LoDolce (sr. technician) 0.38 Emily Ranquist (jr. technician) 0.20 Gabriel Chapel (jr. technician) 0.04 Russel Temple (jr. technician) 0.04...processor board, including 3 SPI, 3 I2C, 1 CAN, 6 UART, 8 analog, and 1 digital camera interface. 2.2 Flexibility in changing peripherals: The

Accessible switching of electronic defect type in SrTi O3 via biaxial strain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chi, Yen-Ting; Youssef, Mostafa; Sun, Lixin; Van Vliet, Krystyn J.; Yildiz, Bilge

2018-05-01

Elastic strain is used widely to alter the mobility of free electronic carriers in semiconductors, but a predictive relationship between elastic lattice strain and the extent of charge localization of electronic defects is still underdeveloped. Here we considered SrTi O3 , a prototypical perovskite as a model functional oxide for thin film electronic devices and nonvolatile memories. We assessed the effects of biaxial strain on the stability of electronic defects at finite temperature by combining density functional theory (DFT) and quasiharmonic approximation (QHA) calculations. We constructed a predominance diagram for free electrons and small electron polarons in this material, as a function of biaxial strain and temperature. We found that biaxial tensile strain in SrTi O3 can stabilize the small polaron, leading to a thermally activated and slower electronic transport, consistent with prior experimental observations on SrTi O3 and distinct from our prior theoretical assessment of the response of SrTi O3 to hydrostatic stress. These findings also resolved apparent conflicts between prior atomistic simulations and conductivity experiments for biaxially strained SrTi O3 thin films. Our computational approach can be extended to other functional oxides, and for the case of SrTi O3 our findings provide concrete guidance for conditions under which strain engineering can shift the electronic defect type and concentration to modulate electronic transport in thin films.

Sida rhomboidea.Roxb leaf extract ameliorates gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity and renal dysfunction in rats.

PubMed

Thounaojam, Menaka C; Jadeja, Ravirajsinh N; Devkar, Ranjitsinh V; Ramachandran, A V

2010-10-28

Sida rhomboidea.Roxb (SR) known as "Mahabala" in Ayurveda and marketed as "Shahadeyi" is used in ethnomedicine to treat ailments such as dysuria and urinary disorders. To evaluate nephroprotective potential of SR against gentamicin (GM) induced nephrotoxicity and renal dysfunction. Nephrotoxicity was induced in rats with GM (100 mg/kg bodyweight (i.p.) for 8 days) and were treated with SR extract (200 and 400 mg/kg bodyweight (p.o.) for 8 days) or 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose (vehicle). Plasma and urine urea and creatinine, renal enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants along with lipid peroxidation were evaluated in various experimental groups. GM treatment induced significant elevation (p<0.05) in plasma and urine urea, creatinine, renal lipid peroxidation along with significant decrement (p<0.05) in renal enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. SR treatment to GM treated rats (GM+SR) recorded significant decrement (p<0.05) in plasma and urine urea and creatinine, renal lipid peroxidation along with significant increment (p<0.05) in renal enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. SR leaf extract ameliorates GM induced nephrotoxicity and renal dysfunction and thus validates its ethnomedicinal use. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Elastic properties of Sr- and Mg-doped lanthanum gallate at elevated temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okamura, T.; Shimizu, S.; Mogi, M.; Tanimura, M.; Furuya, K.; Munakata, F.

The elastic moduli, i.e., Young's modulus, shear modulus and Poisson's ratio, of a sintered La 0.9Sr 0.1Ga 0.8Mg 0.2O 3- δ bulk have been experimentally determined in the temperature range from room temperature to 1373 K using a resonance technique. Anomalous elastic properties were observed over a wide temperature range from 473 to 1173 K. In the results for internal friction and in X-ray diffraction measurements at elevated temperature, two varieties of structural changes were seen in La 0.9Sr 0.1Ga 0.8Mg 0.2O 3- δ in the examined temperature range. The results agreed with the findings of a previous crystallographic study of the same composition system by Slater et al. In addition, the temperature range in which a successive structural change occurred in La 0.9Sr 0.1Ga 0.8Mg 0.2O 3- δ was the same as that exhibiting the anomalous elastic properties. Taking all the results together, it can be inferred that the successive structural change in the significant temperature range is responsible for the elastic property anomaly of La 0.9Sr 0.1Ga 0.8Mg 0.2O 3- δ.

[Pharmacological characteristics of drugs targeted on calcium-sensing receptor.-properties of cinacalcet hydrochloride as allosteric modulator].

PubMed

Nagano, Nobuo; Tsutsui, Takaaki

2016-06-01

Calcimimetics act as positive allosteric modulators of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), thereby decreasing parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion from the parathyroid glands. On the other hand, negative allosteric modulators of the CaSR with stimulatory effect on PTH secretion are termed calcilytics. The calcimimetic cinacalcet hydrochloride (cinacalcet) is the world's first allosteric modulator of G protein-coupled receptor to enter the clinical market. Cinacalcet just tunes the physiological effects of Ca(2+), an endogenous ligand, therefore, shows high selectivity and low side effects. Calcimimetics also increase cell surface CaSR expression by acting as pharmacological chaperones (pharmacoperones). It is considered that the cinacalcet-induced upper gastrointestinal problems are resulted from enhanced physiological responses to Ca(2+) and amino acids via increased sensitivity of digestive tract CaSR by cinacalcet. While clinical developments of calcilytics for osteoporosis were unfortunately halted or terminated due to paucity of efficacy, it is expected that calcilytics may be useful for the treatment of patients with activating CaSR mutations, asthma, and idiopathic pulmonary artery hypertension.

An experimental study of the effect of temperature, fluid chemistry and reaction rate on Sr-Ca partitioning in anhydrite: Implications for subseafloor hydrothermal alteration processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Syverson, D.; Seyfried, W. E.

2010-12-01

Anhydrite (CaSO4) is an important mineral in subseafloor hydrothermal systems. Its solubility likely plays a role in controlling mass transfer reactions in the relatively low temperature and ultramafic-hosted Lost City Hydrothermal Field (LCHF), while also precipitating from seawater during recharge of more widespread high-temperature hydrothermal systems at mid-ocean ridges. Strontium partitions into anhydrite, although the magnitude and mechanism by which this occurs, is still unclear, as is the effect of precipitation rate. In the absence of these data it is not possible to predict accurately the geochemical implications of Sr/Ca ratios of vent fluids. Accordingly, the potential usefulness of these data to constrain temperature, and as a means to understand the flux of seawater derived Sr into deeper portions of subseafloor hydrothermal systems, is limited. Here we report results of experiments designed to assess Ca-Sr exchange during anhydrite-fluid reaction as a function of temperature, fluid chemistry and distance from equilibrium. Anhydrite used for the experiments was synthesized to avoid compositional impurities and annealed to achieve grain sizes (10-100 micron) and uniform crystalline properties. NaCl fluids (0.55 m) with known Sr/Ca ratios were used for the experiments. Experiments were performed at 200° and 250°C, 500 bars, while time series changes in fluid chemistry were monitored by fluid sampling at experimental conditions. Isobaric temperature change as well as chemical perturbation by addition of fluids with anomalous Sr/Ca ratio permitted phase equilibria to be unambiguously assed. Moreover, the chemical perturbation experiments provided information on the effect of rate of reaction on Sr-Ca exchange. Isobaric temperature jumps demonstrate that initially anhydrite precipitation incorporates Sr preferentially. With further reaction progress and approach to equilibrium Sr uptake by anhydrite recrystallization becomes less effective. Long-term equilibration (~3 months) of fluid and anhydrite at 250°C produces aSr/aCa*1000 of 2.8425. Results from the isothermal spike experiments indicate that the rate of exchange (dF/dt) for aSr/aCa is on the order of 0.01/day. Applying the experimentally determined Sr/Ca data to endmember vent fluids from LCHF suggests subseafloor temperatures near 200°C, in good agreement with constraints imposed by observed Ca and sulfate concentrations assuming anhydrite-fluid equilibria. Furthermore, the effect of supersaturated partitioning and experimentally determined rate at which Sr is incorporated into anhydrite suggests that seawater Sr uptake by anhydrite may be very effective, especially if the rate of formation is rapid, as might be expected owing to the sharply increasing geothermal gradient likely for the recharge portions of most of basalt-hosted hydrothermal systems at mid-ocean ridges. This would have important implications for the flux of radiogenic Sr and calculations of fluid/rock ratios at depth in the ocean crust.

Broadband near-field infrared spectromicroscopy using photothermal probes and synchrotron radiation.

PubMed

Donaldson, Paul M; Kelley, Chris S; Frogley, Mark D; Filik, Jacob; Wehbe, Katia; Cinque, Gianfelice

2016-02-08

In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate the use of infrared synchrotron radiation (IR-SR) as a broadband source for photothermal near-field infrared spectroscopy. We assess two methods of signal transduction; cantilever resonant thermal expansion and scanning thermal microscopy. By means of rapid mechanical chopping (50-150 kHz), we modulate the IR-SR at rates matching the contact resonance frequencies of atomic force microscope (AFM) cantilevers, allowing us to record interferograms yielding Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) photothermal absorption spectra of polystyrene and cyanoacrylate films. Complementary offline measurements using a mechanically chopped CW IR laser confirmed that the resonant thermal expansion IR-SR measurements were below the diffraction limit, with a spatial resolution better than 500 nm achieved at a wavelength of 6 μm, i.e. λ/12 for the samples studied. Despite achieving the highest signal to noise so far for a scanning thermal microscopy measurement under conditions approaching near-field (dictated by thermal diffusion), the IR-SR resonant photothermal expansion FT-IR spectra measured were significantly higher in signal to noise in comparison with the scanning thermal data.

Thickness and angular dependent magnetic anisotropy of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 thin films by Vectorial Magneto Optical Kerr Magnetometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaluvadi, S. K.; Perna, P.; Ajejas, F.; Camarero, J.; Pautrat, A.; Flament, S.; Méchin, L.

2017-10-01

We investigate the in-plane magnetic anisotropy in La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 thin films grown on SrTiO3 (001) substrate using angular dependent room temperature Vectorial Magneto-Optical Kerr Magnetometry. The experimental data reveals that the magnetic anisotropy symmetry landscape significantly changes depending upon the strain and thickness. At low film thickness (12 and 25 nm) the dominant uniaxial anisotropy is due to interface effects, step edges due to mis-cut angle of SrTiO3 substrate. At intermediate thickness, the magnetic anisotropy presents a competition between magnetocrystalline (biaxial) and substrate step induced (uniaxial) anisotropy. Depending upon their relative strengths, a profound biaxial or uniaxial or mixed anisotropy is favoured. Above the critical thickness, magnetocrystalline anisotropy dominates all other effects and shows a biaxial anisotropy.

Oxygen surface exchange kinetics and stability of (La,Sr) 2 CoO 4±δ/La 1-xSr xMO 3-δ (M = Co and Fe) hetero-interfaces at intermediate temperatures

DOE PAGES

Lee, Dongkyu; Lee, Yueh-Lin; Hong, Wesley T.; ...

2014-11-13

Heterostructured oxide interfaces created by decorating Ruddlesden-Popper phases (A2BO4) or perovskites on perovskites have shown not only pronounced cation segregation at the interface and in the A2BO4 structure but also much enhanced kinetics for oxygen electrocatalysis at elevated temperatures. In this study, we report and compare the time-dependent surface exchange kinetics and stability of (La 0.5Sr 0.5) 2CoO 4 -decorated (LSC 214) La 0.6Sr 0.4Co 0.2Fe 0.8O 3-δ (LSCF 113) and La 0.8Sr 0.2CoO 3-δ (LSC 113) thin films. While LSC 214 decoration on LSC 113 greatly reduced the degradation in the surface exchange kinetics as a function of timemore » relative to LSC 113, LSCF 113 with LSC 214 coverage showed comparable surface exchange kinetics and stability to LSCF 113. This difference can be explained by greater surface stability of LSCF 113 than LSC 113 under testing conditions, and that LSC 214 decoration on LSC 113 reduced the decomposition of LSC 113 to form secondary phases that impedes oxygen exchange kinetics, and thus resulted in enhanced stability. This hypothesis is supported by the observations that annealing at 550 °C led to the formation of Sr-rich secondary particles on LSC 113 while no such particles were observed on LSCF 113. Density functional theory (DFT) computation provides further support, which revealed greater capacity of surface Sr segregation for LSCF 113 having SrO termination than LSC 113 having (La 0.25Sr 0.75)O termination for the experimental conditions, and lower energy gain to move Sr from LSCF 113 into LSC 214 relative to the LSC 214-LSC 113 system.« less

Ras/Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Signaling Modulates Protein Stability and Cell Surface Expression of Scavenger Receptor SR-BI*

PubMed Central

Wood, Peta; Mulay, Vishwaroop; Darabi, Masoud; Chan, Karen Cecilia; Heeren, Joerg; Pol, Albert; Lambert, Gilles; Rye, Kerry-Anne; Enrich, Carlos; Grewal, Thomas

2011-01-01

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) Erk1/2 has been implicated to modulate the activity of nuclear receptors, including peroxisome proliferator activator receptors (PPARs) and liver X receptor, to alter the ability of cells to export cholesterol. Here, we investigated if the Ras-Raf-Mek-Erk1/2 signaling cascade could affect reverse cholesterol transport via modulation of scavenger receptor class BI (SR-BI) levels. We demonstrate that in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells, Mek1/2 inhibition reduces PPARα-inducible SR-BI protein expression and activity, as judged by reduced efflux onto high density lipoprotein (HDL). Ectopic expression of constitutively active H-Ras and Mek1 increases SR-BI protein levels, which correlates with elevated PPARα Ser-21 phosphorylation and increased cholesterol efflux. In contrast, SR-BI levels are insensitive to Mek1/2 inhibitors in PPARα-depleted cells. Most strikingly, Mek1/2 inhibition promotes SR-BI degradation in SR-BI-overexpressing CHO cells and human HuH7 hepatocytes, which is associated with reduced uptake of radiolabeled and 1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindocarbocyane-labeled HDL. Loss of Mek1/2 kinase activity reduces SR-BI expression in the presence of bafilomycin, an inhibitor of lysosomal degradation, indicating down-regulation of SR-BI via proteasomal pathways. In conclusion, Mek1/2 inhibition enhances the PPARα-dependent degradation of SR-BI in hepatocytes. PMID:21525007

Structural and electronic properties of Sr{sub x}Ba{sub 1-x}SnO{sub 3} from first principles calculations

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

Moreira, E.; Henriques, J.M.; Azevedo, D.L.

2012-03-15

Neutron diffraction data for Sr{sub x}Ba{sub 1-x}SnO{sub 3} (x=0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) solid solutions were used as inputs to obtain optimized geometries and electronic properties using the density functional theory (DFT) formalism considering both the local density and generalized gradient approximations, LDA and GGA, respectively. The crystal structures and SnO{sub 6} octahedra tilting angles found after total energy minimization agree well with experiment, specially for the GGA data. Elastic constants were also obtained and compared with theoretical and experimental results for cubic BaSnO{sub 3}. While the alloys with cubic unit cell have an indirect band gap, tetragonalmore » and orthorhombic alloys exhibit direct band gaps (exception made to x=1.0). The Kohn-Sham minimum electronic band gap oscillates from 1.52 eV (cubic x=0.0, LDA) to 2.61 eV (orthorhombic x=1.0, LDA), and from 0.74 eV (cubic BaSnO{sub 3}, GGA) to 1.97 eV (orthorhombic SrSnO{sub 3}, GGA). Parabolic interpolation of bands has allowed us to estimate the effective masses for charge carriers, which are shown to be anisotropic and larger for holes. - Graphical Abstract: Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer DFT calculations were performed on Sr{sub x}Ba{sub 1-x}SnO{sub 3} solid solutions. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Calculated crystal structures agree well with experiment. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Alloys have direct or indirect gaps depending on the Sr molar fraction. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The Kohn-Sham gap variation from x=0.0 to x=1.0 is close to the experimental value. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Carrier effective masses are very anisotropic, specially for holes.« less

Recoil distance method lifetime measurement of the 21+ state in 94Sr and implications for the structure of neutron-rich Sr isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chester, A.; Ball, G. C.; Caballero-Folch, R.; Cross, D. S.; Cruz, S.; Domingo, T.; Drake, T. E.; Garnsworthy, A. B.; Hackman, G.; Hallam, S.; Henderson, J.; Henderson, R.; Korten, W.; Krücken, R.; Moukaddam, M.; Olaizola, B.; Ruotsalainen, P.; Smallcombe, J.; Starosta, K.; Svensson, C. E.; Williams, J.; Wimmer, K.

2017-07-01

A high precision lifetime measurement of the 21+ state in 94Sr was performed at TRIUMF's ISAC-II facility by coupling the recoil distance method implemented via the TIGRESS integrated plunger with unsafe Coulomb excitation in inverse kinematics. Due to limited statistics imposed by the use of a radioactive 94Sr beam, a likelihood ratio χ2 method was derived and used to compare experimental data to Geant4 simulations. The B (E 2 ;21+→01+) value extracted from the lifetime measurement of 7 .80-0.40+0.50(stat.)±0.07 (sys.) ps is approximately 25% larger than previously reported while the relative error has been reduced by a factor of approximately 8. A baseline deformation has been established for Sr isotopes with N ≤58 which is a necessary condition for the quantum phase transition interpretation of the onset of deformation in this region. A comparison to existing theoretical models is presented.

Interaction Between Neuronal NOS Signaling and Temperature Influences SR Ca2+ Leak:Role of Nitroso-Redox Balance

PubMed Central

Dulce, Raul A.; Mayo, Vera; Rangel, Erika B.; Balkan, Wayne; Hare, Joshua M.

2014-01-01

Rationale While nitric oxide (NO) signaling modulates cardiac function and excitation-contraction coupling, opposing results due to inconsistent experimental conditions, particularly with respect to temperature, confound the ability to elucidate NO signaling pathways. Here we show that temperature significantly modulates NO effects. Objective Test the hypothesis that temperature profoundly impacts nitroso-redox equilibrium, thereby affecting sarcomeric reticulum (SR) Ca2+ leak. Methods and Results We measured SR Ca2+ leak in cardiomyocytes from wild-type (WT), NO/redox imbalance (NOS1−/−), and hyper S-nitrosylation (GSNOR−/−) mice. In WT cardiomyocytes, SR Ca2+ leak increased as temperature decreased from 37°C to 23°C, whereas, in NOS1−/ −cells, the leak suddenly increased when the temperature surpassed 30°C. GSNOR−/ − cardiomyocytes exhibited low leak throughout the temperature range. Exogenously added NO had a biphasic effect on NOS1−/− cardiomyocytes; reducing leak at 37°C but increasing it at sub-physiologic temperatures. Oxypurinol and Tempol diminished the leak in NOS1−/ − cardiomyocytes. Cooling from 37° to 23°C increased ROS generation in WT but decreased it in NOS1−/− cardiomyocytes. Oxypurinol further reduced ROS generation. At 23°C in WT cells, leak was decreased by tetrahydrobiopterin, an essential NOS cofactor. Cooling significantly increased SR Ca2+ content in NOS1−/− cells but had no effect in WT or GSNOR−/−. Conclusions Ca2+ leak and temperature are normally inversely proportional, whereas NOS1 deficiency reverses this effect, increasing leak and elevating ROS production as temperature increases. Reduced denitrosylation (GSNOR deficiency) eliminates the temperature dependence of leak. Thus, temperature regulates the balance between NO and ROS which in turn has a major impact on SR Ca2+. PMID:25326127

Shape coexistence and evolution in 98Sr

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, J.; Garnsworthy, A. B.; Krücken, R.; Andreoiu, C.; Ball, G. C.; Bender, P. C.; Chester, A.; Close, A.; Finlay, P.; Garrett, P. E.; Glister, J.; Hackman, G.; Hadinia, B.; Leach, K. G.; Rand, E. T.; Sjue, S.; Starosta, K.; Svensson, C. E.; Tardiff, E.

2016-01-01

Shape coexistence between the strongly deformed ground state and the weakly deformed 02+ state in 98Sr has been a major topic of interest due to the energy difference of 215 keV, which is the smallest in all even-even nuclei. The electric monopole transition strength ρ2(E 0 ) is an important quantity that can relate the deformation difference and the shape mixing between the two 0+ states, which are admixtures of the vibrational (S) and the rotational (D) states in a simple mixing model. In a β -decay spectroscopy experiment, the experimental ρ2(E 0 ) was measured. A value of 0.053(5) is consistent with the previous measurement and was combined with known electric quadrupole transition strengths B (E 2 ) in calculations of a two-state mixing model. Based on a systematic study on neighboring Kr, Zr, and Mo isotopes, the mixing of the 0+ and 2+ states in 98Sr was determined to be 8.6% and 1.3%, respectively, corresponding to deformation parameters βD=0.38 (1 ) and βS=-0.23 (2 ) . These parameters reproduce experimental transition strengths well except for the 41+→21+ transition, which suggests a smaller D-band deformation for J ≥4 .

Strain dependence of interfacial antiferromagnetic coupling in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/SrRuO3 superlattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Sujit; Herklotz, Andreas; Pippel, Eckhard; Guo, Er-Jia; Rata, Diana; Dörr, Kathrin

2015-03-01

We have investigated the magnetic response of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/SrRuO3 superlattices to biaxial in-plane strain applied in-situ. Superlattices grown on piezoelectric substrates of 0.72PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3-0.28PbTiO3(001) (PMN-PT) show strong antiferromagnetic coupling of the two ferromagnetic components. The coupling field of μ0HAF = 1.8 T is found to change by μ0 ΔHAF / Δɛ ~ -520 mT %-1 under reversible biaxial strain (Δɛ) at 80 K in a [La0.7Sr0.3MnO3(22 Å)/SrRuO3(55 Å)]15 superlattice. This reveals a significant strain effect on interfacial coupling. The applied in-plane compression enhances the ferromagnetic order in the manganite layers which are under as-grown tensile strain. It is thus difficult to disentangle the contributions from strain-dependent antiferromagnetic Mn-O-Ru interface coupling and Mn-O-Mn ferromagnetic double exchange near the interface, since the enhanced magnetic order of Mn spins leads to a larger net coupling of SrRuO3 layers at the interface. We discuss our experimental findings taken into account both the strain-dependent orbital occupation in a single-ion picture and the enhanced Mn order at the interface. This work was supported by the DFG within the Collaborative Research Center SFB 762 ``Functionality of Oxide Interfaces.''

Variable impact of CSF flow suppression on quantitative 3.0T intracranial vessel wall measurements.

PubMed

Cogswell, Petrice M; Siero, Jeroen C W; Lants, Sarah K; Waddle, Spencer; Davis, L Taylor; Gilbert, Guillaume; Hendrikse, Jeroen; Donahue, Manus J

2018-03-31

Flow suppression techniques have been developed for intracranial (IC) vessel wall imaging (VWI) and optimized using simulations; however, simulation results may not translate in vivo. To evaluate experimentally how IC vessel wall and lumen measurements change in identical subjects when evaluated using the most commonly available blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow suppression modules and VWI sequences. Prospective. Healthy adults (n = 13; age = 37 ± 15 years) were enrolled. A 3.0T 3D T 1 /proton density (PD)-weighted turbo-spin-echo (TSE) acquisition with post-readout anti-driven equilibrium module, with and without Delay-Alternating-with-Nutation-for-Tailored-Excitation (DANTE) was applied. DANTE flip angle (8-12°) and TSE refocusing angle (sweep = 40-120° or 50-120°) were varied. Basilar artery and internal carotid artery (ICA) wall thicknesses, CSF signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and signal ratio (SR) were assessed. Measurements were made by two readers (radiology resident and board-certified neuroradiologist). A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied with corrected two-sided P < 0.05 required for significance (critical P = 0.008, 0.005, and 0.05 for SNR/CNR, SR, and wall thickness, respectively). A TSE pulse sweep = 40-120° and sweep = 50-120° provided similar (P = 0.55) CSF suppression. Addition of the DANTE preparation reduced CSF SNR from 17.4 to 6.7, thereby providing significant (P < 0.008) improvement in CSF suppression. The DANTE preparation also resulted in a significant (P < 0.008) reduction in vessel wall SNR, but variable vessel wall to CSF CNR improvement (P = 0.87). There was a trend for a difference in blood SNR with vs. without DANTE (P = 0.05). The outer vessel wall diameter and wall thickness values were lower (P < 0.05) with (basilar artery 4.45 mm, 0.81 mm, respectively) vs. without (basilar artery 4.88 mm, 0.97 mm, respectively) DANTE 8°. IC VWI with TSE sweep = 40-120° and with DANTE flip angle = 8° provides the best CSF suppression and CNR of the approaches evaluated. However, improvements are heterogeneous, likely owing to intersubject vessel pulsatility and CSF flow variations, which can lead to variable flow suppression efficacy in these velocity-dependent modules. 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018. © 2018 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Lateral solids dispersion coefficient in large-scale fluidized beds

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

Liu, Daoyin; Chen, Xiaoping

2010-11-15

The design of fuel feed ports in a large-scale fluidized bed combustor depends on the fuel characteristics and lateral solids mixing. However, the reported values of the effective lateral solids dispersion coefficient (D{sub sr}) are scattered in the broad range of 0.0001-0.1 m{sup 2}/s. With the aim of predicting D{sub sr} in wider fluidized beds which is difficult to measure directly or deduce from experimental results in lab-scale facilities, a computational method is proposed. It combines the Eulerian-Granular simulation and fictitious particle tracing technique. The value of D{sub sr} is calculated based on the movement of the tracers. The effectmore » on D{sub sr} of bed width (W) ranging from 0.4 m up to 12.8 m at different levels of superficial gas velocity (U{sub 0}) is investigated. It is found that increasing W whilst maintaining U{sub 0}, D{sub sr} initially increases markedly, then its increase rate declines, and finally it stays around a constant value. The computed values of D{sub sr} are examined quantitatively and compared with a thorough list of the measured D{sub sr} in the literature since 1980s. Agreed with the measurements performed in the pilot-scale fluidized beds, the value of D{sub sr} in wider facilities at higher fluidizing velocities is predicted to be around the order of magnitude of 0.1 m{sup 2}/s, much higher than that in lab-scale beds. Finally, the effect of D{sub sr} on the distribution of fuel particles over the cross section in fluidized beds with the specified layout of feed ports is discussed. (author)« less

Implications of Voyager 1 observations beyond the heliopause for the local interstellar electron spectrum

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

Bisschoff, D.; Potgieter, M. S., E-mail: 20056950@nwu.ac.za

Cosmic-ray observations made by the Voyager 1 spacecraft outside the dominant modulating influence of the heliosphere finally allow the comparison of computed galactic spectra with experimental data at lower energies. These computed spectra, based on galactic propagation models, can now be compared with observations at low energies by Voyager 1 and at high energies by the PAMELA space detector at Earth. This improves understanding of basic propagation effects and also provides solar modulation studies with reliable input spectra from 1 MeV to 100 GeV. We set out to reproduce the Voyager 1 electron observations in the energy range of 6-60more » MeV, as well as the PAMELA electron spectrum above 10 GeV, using the GALPROP code. By varying the source spectrum and galactic diffusion parameters, specifically the rigidity dependence of spatial diffusion, we find local interstellar spectra that agree with both power-law spectra observed by Voyager 1 beyond the heliopause. The local interstellar spectrum between ∼1 MeV and 100 GeV indicates that it is the combination of two power laws, with E {sup –(1.45} {sup ±} {sup 0.15)} below ∼100 MeV and E {sup –(3.15} {sup ±} {sup 0.05)} above ∼100 MeV. A gradual turn in the spectral shape matching the power laws is found, between 2.0 ± 0.5) GeV and (100 ± 10) MeV. According to our simplified modeling, this transition is caused primarily by galactic propagation effects. We find that the intensity beyond the heliopause at 10 MeV is (350 ± 50) electrons m{sup –2} s{sup –1} sr{sup –1} MeV{sup –1}, decreasing to (50 ± 5) electrons m{sup –2} s{sup –1} sr{sup –1} MeV{sup –1} at 100 MeV.« less

Decreased cardiac SERCA2 expression, SR Ca uptake, and contractile function in hypothyroidism are attenuated in SERCA2 overexpressing transgenic rats.

PubMed

Vetter, Roland; Rehfeld, Uwe; Reissfelder, Christoph; Fechner, Henry; Seppet, Enn; Kreutz, Reinhold

2011-03-01

The sarco/endoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-ATPase SERCA2a has a key role in controlling cardiac contraction and relaxation. In hypothyroidism, decreased expression of the thyroid hormone (TH)-responsive SERCA2 gene contributes to slowed SR Ca(2+) reuptake and relaxation. We investigated whether cardiac expression of a TH-insensitive SERCA2a cDNA minigene can rescue SR Ca(2+) handling and contractile function in female SERCA2a-transgenic rats (TG) with experimental hypothyroidism. Wild-type rats (WT) and TG were rendered hypothyroid by 6-N-propyl-2-thiouracil treatment for 6 wk; control rats received no treatment. In vivo measured left ventricular (LV) hemodynamic parameters were compared with SERCA2a expression and function in LV tissue. Hypothyroidism decreased LV peak systolic pressure, dP/dt(max), and dP/dt(min) in both WT and TG. However, loss of function was less in TG. Thus slowed relaxation in hypothyroidism was found to be 1.5-fold faster in TG compared with WT (P < 0.05). In parallel, a 1.4-fold higher V(max) value of homogenate SR Ca(2+) uptake was observed in hypothyroid TG (P < 0.05 vs. hypothyroid WT), and the hypothyroidism-caused decline of LV SERCA2a mRNA expression in TG by -24% was markedly less than the decrease of -49% in WT (P < 0.05). A linear relationship was observed between the SERCA2a/PLB mRNA ratio values and the V(max) values of SR Ca(2+) uptake when the respective data of all experimental groups were plotted together (r = 0.90). The data show that expression of the TH-insensitive SERCA2a minigene compensates for loss of expressional activity of the TH-responsive native SERCA2a gene in the female hypothyroid rat heart. However, SR Ca(2+) uptake and in vivo heart function were only partially rescued.

Analysis of bias voltage dependent spectral response in Ga0.51In0.49P/Ga0.99In0.01As/Ge triple junction solar cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sogabe, Tomah; Ogura, Akio; Okada, Yoshitaka

2014-02-01

Spectral response measurement plays great role in characterizing solar cell device because it directly reflects the efficiency by which the device converts the sunlight into an electrical current. Based on the spectral response results, the short circuit current of each subcell can be quantitatively determined. Although spectral response dependence on wavelength, i.e., the well-known external quantum efficiency (EQE), has been widely used in characterizing multijunction solar cell and has been well interpreted, detailed analysis of spectral response dependence on bias voltage (SR -Vbias) has not been reported so far. In this work, we have performed experimental and numerical studies on the SR -Vbias for Ga0.51In0.49P/Ga0.99In0.01As/Ge triple junction solar cell. Phenomenological description was given to clarify the mechanism of operation matching point variation in SR -Vbias measurements. The profile of SR-Vbias curve was explained in detail by solving the coupled two-diode current-voltage characteristic transcend formula for each subcell.

Biosorption of strontium ions from simulated high-level liquid waste by living Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Qiu, Liang; Feng, Jundong; Dai, Yaodong; Chang, Shuquan

2018-04-12

In this study, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) was modified by γ-ray. The RNA-seq results reflect that the high γ-ray energies could change some gene fragments, such as deletion, recombination, and mutation. The biosorption of strontium ions (Sr 2+ ) to different types of S. cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae (K-0), modified S. cerevisiae (Y-7), and non-living S. cerevisiae (H-K)) from the simulated high-level liquid waste (S-HLLW) was assessed at different experimental conditions. The sorption experimental results show that, under an appropriate condition, γ-ray radiation can enhance its biosorption capacity slightly of Sr 2+ to S. cerevisiae. The maximum metal uptake and efficiency of Y-7 under S-HLLW were 11.656 mg g -1 and 37.91% at 32 h (wet weight), respectively. They decreased to 9.46 mg g -1 and 30.76% under radiation conditions. SEM-EDX and TEM analysis indicates that Sr 2+ was adsorbed both on the cellular surface and the inner parts of the cells. Our experimental results fit well to the Langmuir and Freundlich model isotherms (r 2  > 0.94), and the maximum biosorption capacity values reached q max  > 24.74 mg g -1 at 32 °C. Negative values of ΔG 0 and positive values of ΔH 0 were observed, indicating the spontaneous and endothermic nature of Sr 2+ biosorption on modified S. cerevisiae. The biosorption kinetics follow a pseudo-second-order equation at 32 °C (r 2  > 0.94). The desorption efficiency of Sr 2+ adsorbed onto Y-7 was 7.65 ± 0.52%, 76.51 ± 2.13%, and 65.62 ± 2.42% by deionized water, 1 M HCl, and 0.1 M EDTA-Na, respectively. However, they were lower than H-K (18.82, 83.32, and 73.32%). Our findings demonstrate that living S. cerevisiae (Y-7) is a promising sorbent material for the treatment of radioactive process streams.

Behind the curtain: cellular mechanisms for allosteric modulation of calcium-sensing receptors

PubMed Central

Cavanaugh, Alice; Huang, Ying; Breitwieser, Gerda E

2012-01-01

Calcium-sensing receptors (CaSR) are integral to regulation of systemic Ca2+ homeostasis. Altered expression levels or mutations in CaSR cause Ca2+ handling diseases. CaSR is regulated by both endogenous allosteric modulators and allosteric drugs, including the first Food and Drug Administration-approved allosteric agonist, Cinacalcet HCl (Sensipar®). Recent studies suggest that allosteric modulators not only alter function of plasma membrane-localized CaSR, but regulate CaSR stability at the endoplasmic reticulum. This brief review summarizes our current understanding of the role of membrane-permeant allosteric agonists in cotranslational stabilization of CaSR, and highlights additional, indirect, signalling-dependent role(s) for membrane-impermeant allosteric drugs. Overall, these studies suggest that allosteric drugs act at multiple cellular organelles to control receptor abundance and hence function, and that drug hydrophobicity can bias the relative contributions of plasma membrane and intracellular organelles to CaSR abundance and signalling. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on the Molecular Pharmacology of G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs). To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2012.165.issue-6. To view the 2010 themed section on the same topic visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.2010.159.issue-5/issuetoc PMID:21470201

Study on the site preference of Ca in superconducting oxides Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2−x}Ca{sub x}CuO{sub 6+δ} (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 1.0)

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

Sun, B.Z.; Zhou, S.L.; Wang, H.

2014-01-15

A series of compound with the nominal composition of Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2−x}Ca{sub x}CuO{sub 6+δ} (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0) were synthesized by the sol–gel method. Constituent phases and crystal structure of samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction. It can be found that the Ca-doped Bi-2201 system was composed of Bi-2201 phase containing Ca and a small quantity of Bi{sub 16}(Sr,Ca){sub 14}O{sub 38}. For Bi-2201 unit cell containing Ca, chemical component and site preference of Ca atoms were characterized systematically by transmission electron microscopy. With the introduction of Ca atoms, Sr-sites have been occupiedmore » partially by Ca{sup 2+} in Bi-2201 unit cell, which leads to a decrease in the lattice parameters c and b of the Bi-2201 phase when the Ca-content x is below 0.6. Two types of new orthorhombic lattices are formed in the substitution. One is a lattice with space group Pma2 as the two nearest neighbor Sr-sites in the same Sr–O layer are occupied by Ca{sup 2+}. Its lattice parameters can be characterized as a = 5.402 Å, b = 5.313 Å and c = 24.272 Å, respectively. When two nearest Sr ions of the second neighboring Sr–O layers are replaced by Ca{sup 2+} ions, the lattice with the space group Pmn2{sub 1} can be formed. Its lattice parameters are close to that of the previous. The modulation vector is lying in the a*–c* plane in the two new orthorhombic lattices (Pma2 and Pmn2{sub 1}). Bi/Ca-2201 lattice (with Ca) and Bi-2201 lattice (without Ca) coexist in the same Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2−x}Ca{sub x}CuO{sub 6}+{sub δ} grain, which can be described as an intergrowth structure.« less

Betatron x-ray radiation from laser-plasma accelerators driven by femtosecond and picosecond laser systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Albert, F.; Lemos, N.; Shaw, J. L.; King, P. M.; Pollock, B. B.; Goyon, C.; Schumaker, W.; Saunders, A. M.; Marsh, K. A.; Pak, A.; Ralph, J. E.; Martins, J. L.; Amorim, L. D.; Falcone, R. W.; Glenzer, S. H.; Moody, J. D.; Joshi, C.

2018-05-01

A comparative experimental study of betatron x-ray radiation from laser wakefield acceleration in the blowout and self-modulated regimes is presented. Our experiments use picosecond duration laser pulses up to 150 J (self-modulated regime) and 60 fs duration laser pulses up to 10 J (blowout regime), for plasmas with electronic densities on the order of 1019 cm-3. In the self-modulated regime, where betatron radiation has been very little studied compared to the blowout regime, electrons accelerated in the wake of the laser pulse are subject to both the longitudinal plasma and transverse laser electrical fields. As a result, their motion within the wake is relatively complex; consequently, the experimental and theoretical properties of the x-ray source based on self-modulation differ from the blowout regime of laser wakefield acceleration. In our experimental configuration, electrons accelerated up to about 250 MeV and betatron x-ray spectra with critical energies of about 10-20 keV and photon fluxes between 108 and 1010 photons/eV Sr are reported. Our experiments open the prospect of using betatron x-ray radiation for applications, and the source is competitive with current x-ray backlighting methods on multi-kilojoule laser systems.

Structural studies of zirconium doped Ba{sub 0.70}Sr{sub 0.30}TiO{sub 3} lead free ferroelectric thin films

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

Sharma, Sarita, E-mail: sss.sharmasarita@gmail.com; Ram, Mast; Thakur, Shilpa

2016-05-06

Ba{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}(Zr{sub x}Ti{sub 1-x})O{sub 3}(BSZT, x=0,0.05,0.10,0.15,0.20) thin films were prepared by using sol gel method. Structural and microstructural properties were studied by using XRD, Raman Spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) respectively. XRD and Raman Spectroscopy show the presence of tetragonal phase in multilayer BSZT thin film. The experimental results demonstrate that structural and microstructural properties of BSZT thin film were significantly dependent on variation of Zr content.

Stochastic resonance therapy induces increased movement related caudate nucleus activity.

PubMed

Kaut, Oliver; Becker, Benjamin; Schneider, Christine; Zhou, Feng; Fliessbach, Klaus; Hurlemann, René; Wüllner, Ullrich

2016-10-12

Whole-body vibration can be used to supplement canonical physical treatment. It is performed while probands stand on a vibrating platform. Therapeutic vibration can be generated as a stochastic vibratory pattern, referred to as stochastic resonance whole-body vibration (SR-WBV). Despite the widespread use of SR-WBV its neurophysiological mechanism is unclear. A randomized sham-controlled double-blinded trial was performed as a pilot study. The experimental group received 6 cycles of SR-WBV at a frequency of 7 Hz with the SR-Zeptor device, and the sham group received the same treatment at a frequency of 1 Hz. At baseline 1.5 T functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed in the resting state, together with a finger/foot tapping test. A second fMRI was carried out after SR-WBV as sham treatment in both groups. Subsequently, a second cycle of SR-WBV was performed as sham or verum with consecutive fMRI, followed by a final fMRI on day 2. Nineteen healthy volunteers were allocated to the experimental or sham group, respectively. Analyses of specific effects revealed a significant treatment × time interaction effect (p < 0.05, small-volume corrected (SVC FWE-corrected)) in the left caudate nucleus during intermediate difficulty when comparing pre- vs post-SR-WBV treatment in the verum group. This proof-of-concept study suggests the existence of cerebral effects of SR-WBV.

Sansevieria roxburghiana Schult. & Schult. F. (Family: Asparagaceae) Attenuates Type 2 Diabetes and Its Associated Cardiomyopathy.

PubMed

Bhattacharjee, Niloy; Khanra, Ritu; Dua, Tarun K; Das, Susmita; De, Bratati; Zia-Ul-Haq, M; De Feo, Vincenzo; Dewanjee, Saikat

2016-01-01

Sansevieria roxburghiana Schult. & Schult. F. (Family: Asparagaceae) rhizome has been claimed to possess antidiabetic activity in the ethno-medicinal literature in India. Therefore, present experiments were carried out to explore the protective role of edible (aqueous) extract of S. roxburghiana rhizome (SR) against experimentally induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its associated cardiomyopathy in Wistar rats. SR was chemically characterized by GC-MS analysis. Antidiabetic activity of SR (50 and 100 mg/kg, orally) was measured in high fat diets (ad libitum) + low-single dose of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) induced type 2 diabetic (T2D) rat. Fasting blood glucose level was measured at specific intermissions. Serum biochemical and inflammatory markers were estimated after sacrificing the animals. Besides, myocardial redox status, expressions of signal proteins (NF-κB and PKCs), histological and ultrastructural studies of heart were performed in the controls and SR treated T2D rats. Phytochemical screening of the crude extract revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, sugar alcohols, sterols, amino acids, saturated fatty acids within SR. T2D rats exhibited significantly (p < 0.01) higher fasting blood glucose level with respect to control. Alteration in serum lipid profile (p < 0.01) and increased levels of lactate dehydrogenase (p < 0.01) and creatine kinase (p < 0.01) in the sera revealed the occurrence of hyperlipidemia and cell destruction in T2D rats. T2DM caused significant (p < 0.05-0.01) alteration in the biochemical markers in the sera. T2DM altered the redox status (p < 0.05-0.01), decreased (p < 0.01) the intracellular NAD and ATP concentrations in the myocardial tissues of experimental rats. While investigating the molecular mechanism, activation PKC isoforms was observed in the selected tissues. T2D rats also exhibited an up-regulation in nuclear NF-κB (p65) in the cardiac tissues. So, oral administration of SR (50 and 500 mg/kg) could reduce hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, membrane disintegration, oxidative stress, vascular inflammation and prevented the activation of oxidative stress induced signaling cascades leading to cell death. Histological and ultra-structural studies of cardiac tissues supported the protective characteristics of SR. From the present findings it can be concluded that, SR could offer protection against T2DM and its associated cardio-toxicity via multiple mechanisms viz. hypoglycemic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.

Spatially Resolved Nano-Scale Characterization of Electronic States in SrTiO3(001) Surfaces by STM/STS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iwaya, Katsuya; Ohsawa, Takeo; Shimizu, Ryota; Hashizume, Tomihiro; Hitosugi, Taro

2012-02-01

We have performed low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) measurements on TiO2-terminated SrTiO3(001) thin film surfaces. The conductance map exhibited electronic modulations that were completely different from the surface structure. We also found that the electronic modulations were strongly dependent on temperature and the density of atomic defects associated with oxygen vacancies. These results suggest the existence of strongly correlated two-dimensional electronic states near the SrTiO3 surface, implying the importance of electron correlation at the interfaces of SrTiO3-related heterostructures.

Biomechanical analysis of the effect of congruence, depth and radius on the stability ratio of a simplistic 'ball-and-socket' joint model.

PubMed

Ernstbrunner, L; Werthel, J-D; Hatta, T; Thoreson, A R; Resch, H; An, K-N; Moroder, P

2016-10-01

The bony shoulder stability ratio (BSSR) allows for quantification of the bony stabilisers in vivo. We aimed to biomechanically validate the BSSR, determine whether joint incongruence affects the stability ratio (SR) of a shoulder model, and determine the correct parameters (glenoid concavity versus humeral head radius) for calculation of the BSSR in vivo. Four polyethylene balls (radii: 19.1 mm to 38.1 mm) were used to mould four fitting sockets in four different depths (3.2 mm to 19.1mm). The SR was measured in biomechanical congruent and incongruent experimental series. The experimental SR of a congruent system was compared with the calculated SR based on the BSSR approach. Differences in SR between congruent and incongruent experimental conditions were quantified. Finally, the experimental SR was compared with either calculated SR based on the socket concavity or plastic ball radius. The experimental SR is comparable with the calculated SR (mean difference 10%, sd 8%; relative values). The experimental incongruence study observed almost no differences (2%, sd 2%). The calculated SR on the basis of the socket concavity radius is superior in predicting the experimental SR (mean difference 10%, sd 9%) compared with the calculated SR based on the plastic ball radius (mean difference 42%, sd 55%). The present biomechanical investigation confirmed the validity of the BSSR. Incongruence has no significant effect on the SR of a shoulder model. In the event of an incongruent system, the calculation of the BSSR on the basis of the glenoid concavity radius is recommended.Cite this article: L. Ernstbrunner, J-D. Werthel, T. Hatta, A. R. Thoreson, H. Resch, K-N. An, P. Moroder. Biomechanical analysis of the effect of congruence, depth and radius on the stability ratio of a simplistic 'ball-and-socket' joint model. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:453-460. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.510.BJR-2016-0078.R1. © 2016 Ernstbrunner et al.

A Finite Length Cylinder Model for Mixed Oxide-Ion and Electron Conducting Cathodes Suited for Intermediate-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

DOE PAGES

Jin, Xinfang; Wang, Jie; Jiang, Long; ...

2016-03-25

A physics-based model is presented to simulate the electrochemical behavior of mixed ion and electron conducting (MIEC) cathodes for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. Analytic solutions for both transient and impedance models based on a finite length cylinder are derived. These solutions are compared to their infinite length counterparts. The impedance solution is also compared to experimental electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data obtained from both a traditional well-established La 0.6Sr 0.4Co 0.2Fe 0.8O 3-δ (LSCF) cathode and a new SrCo 0.9Nb 0.1O 3-δ (SCN) porous cathode. Lastly, the impedance simulations agree well with the experimental values, demonstrating that the new modelsmore » can be used to extract electro-kinetic parameters of MIEC SOFC cathodes.« less

Influence of small DC bias field on the electrical behaviour of Sr- and Mg-doped lanthanum gallate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raghvendra; Singh, Rajesh Kumar; Singh, Prabhakar

2014-09-01

One of the promising electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cells application, Sr- and Mg-doped lanthanum gallate La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-δ (LSGM), is synthesized by conventional solid state ceramic route. X-ray Rietveld analysis confirms the formation of main orthorhombic phase at room temperature along with a few minor secondary phases. SEM micrograph reveals the grain and grainboundary morphology of the system. Electrical conductivity of the LSGM sample is measured in the temperature range 573-873 K and in the frequency range 20 Hz-1 MHz at a few small DC bias fields (at 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 V). The conductivity spectra show power-law behaviour. Electrical conductivity of the sample is found to be weakly dependent on DC bias field. This is attributed to field-dependent bulk and grainboundary conduction processes. In the present system, under investigated bias field range, the possibility of formation of Schottky barrier is ruled out. The concept of grainboundary channel (pathway) modulation on the application of bias field is proposed.

Anomalies in the thermomechanical behavior of Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ ceramic oxygen conductive membranes at intermediate temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, B. X.; Malzbender, J.; Steinbrech, R. W.; Grychtol, P.; Schneider, C. M.; Singheiser, L.

2009-08-01

The thermomechanical properties of Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ (BSCF) were measured using ring-on-ring tests and depth-sensitive microindentation. The cubic BSCF material exhibits an anomaly in mechanical properties between 200 and 400 °C. The observed anomaly is attributed to the transition of Co3+ spin states which is experimentally confirmed by susceptibility measurements. Furthermore, slip lines were observed around the impression when indentation tests were carried out above 260 °C.

Compositional engineering of perovskite oxides for highly efficient oxygen reduction reactions.

PubMed

Chen, Dengjie; Chen, Chi; Zhang, Zhenbao; Baiyee, Zarah Medina; Ciucci, Francesco; Shao, Zongping

2015-04-29

Mixed conducting perovskite oxides are promising catalysts for high-temperature oxygen reduction reaction. Pristine SrCoO(3-δ) is a widely used parent oxide for the development of highly active mixed conductors. Doping a small amount of redox-inactive cation into the B site (Co site) of SrCoO(3-δ) has been applied as an effective way to improve physicochemical properties and electrochemical performance. Most findings however are obtained only from experimental observations, and no universal guidelines have been proposed. In this article, combined experimental and theoretical studies are conducted to obtain fundamental understanding of the effect of B-site doping concentration with redox-inactive cation (Sc) on the properties and performance of the perovskite oxides. The phase structure, electronic conductivity, defect chemistry, oxygen reduction kinetics, oxygen ion transport, and electrochemical reactivity are experimentally characterized. In-depth analysis of doping level effect is also undertaken by first-principles calculations. Among the compositions, SrCo0.95Sc0.05O(3-δ) shows the best oxygen kinetics and corresponds to the minimum fraction of Sc for stabilization of the oxygen-vacancy-disordered structure. The results strongly support that B-site doping of SrCoO(3-δ) with a small amount of redox-inactive cation is an effective strategy toward the development of highly active mixed conducting perovskites for efficient solid oxide fuel cells and oxygen transport membranes.

Relation of Giant Thermo-EMF, Magnetothermo-EMF, Magnetoresistance, and Magnetization to Magnetic Impurity States in Manganites Nd(1- x)Sr x MnO3 and Sm(1- x)Sr x MnO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koroleva, L. I.; Batashev, I. K.; Morozov, A. S.; Balbashov, A. M.; Szymczak, H.; Slawska-Waniew, A.

2018-02-01

Thermo-EMF, magnetothermo-EMF, magnetoresistance, and magnetization of single-crystal samples of Nd(1- x)Sr x MnO3 and Sm(1- x)Sr x MnO3 with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3 have been studied experimentally. A sharp increase in the thermo-EMF and giant magnetothermo-EMF and magnetoresistance has been observed near the Curie point T C in compounds with 0.15 ≤ x ≤ 0.3. At the same time, no peculiarities have been found in compositions with x = 0. Since compounds with x > 0 consist of ferromagnetic clusters of the ferron type that reside in an antiferromagnetic A-type matrix, this means that the sharp increase in the thermo-EMF near T C is caused by ferrons. Indeed, the disappearance of ferrons due to a magnetic field or heating above T C leads to an abrupt decrease in the thermo-EMF. Therefore, thermo-EMF in alloyed magnetic semiconductors has been determined by the impurity concentration and the sample volume.

Magnetic properties of Ruddlesden-Popper phases Sr3 -xYx(Fe1.25Ni0.75) O7 -δ : A combined experimental and theoretical investigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keshavarz, Samara; Kontos, Sofia; Wardecki, Dariusz; Kvashnin, Yaroslav O.; Pereiro, Manuel; Panda, Swarup K.; Sanyal, Biplab; Eriksson, Olle; Grins, Jekabs; Svensson, Gunnar; Gunnarsson, Klas; Svedlindh, Peter

2018-04-01

We present a comprehensive study of the magnetic properties of Sr3 -xYx(Fe1.25Ni0.75) O7 -δ (0 ≤x ≤0.75 ). Experimentally, the magnetic properties are investigated using superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry and neutron powder diffraction (NPD). This is complemented by a theoretical study based on density functional theory as well as the Heisenberg exchange parameters. Experimental results show an increase in the Néel temperature (TN) with an increase of Y concentrations and O occupancy. The NPD data reveal that all samples are antiferromagnetically ordered at low temperatures, which has been confirmed by our theoretical simulations for the selected samples. Our first-principles calculations suggest that the three-dimensional magnetic order is stabilized due to finite interlayer exchange couplings. The latter give rise to finite interlayer spin-spin correlations, which disappear above TN.

Room-temperature ferroelectricity of SrTiO{sub 3} films modulated by cation concentration

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

Yang, Fang; Zhang, Qinghua; Yang, Zhenzhong

2015-08-24

The room-temperature ferroelectricity of SrTiO{sub 3} is promising for oxide electronic devices controlled by multiple fields. An effective way to control the ferroelectricity is highly demanded. Here, we show that the off-centered antisite-like defects in SrTiO{sub 3} films epitaxially grown on Si (001) play the determinative role in the emergence of room-temperature ferroelectricity. The density of these defects changes with the film cation concentration sensitively, resulting in a varied coercive field of the ferroelectric behavior. Consequently, the room-temperature ferroelectricity of SrTiO{sub 3} films can be effectively modulated by tuning the temperature of metal sources during the molecular beam epitaxy growth.more » Such an easy and reliable modulation of the ferroelectricity enables the flexible engineering of multifunctional oxide electronic devices.« less

Resistive switching and voltage induced modulation of tunneling magnetoresistance in nanosized perpendicular organic spin valves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Göckeritz, Robert; Homonnay, Nico; Müller, Alexander; Fuhrmann, Bodo; Schmidt, Georg

2016-04-01

Nanoscale multifunctional perpendicular organic spin valves have been fabricated. The devices based on an La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/Alq3/Co trilayer show resistive switching of up to 4-5 orders of magnitude and magnetoresistance as high as -70% the latter even changing sign when voltage pulses are applied. This combination of phenomena is typically observed in multiferroic tunnel junctions where it is attributed to magnetoelectric coupling between a ferromagnet and a ferroelectric material. Modeling indicates that here the switching originates from a modification of the La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 surface. This modification influences the tunneling of charge carriers and thus both the electrical resistance and the tunneling magnetoresistance which occurs at pinholes in the organic layer.

Modulation of ultrafast laser-induced magnetization precession in BiFeO3-coated La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wan, Qian; Jin, KuiJuan; Wang, JieSu; Yao, HongBao; Gu, JunXing; Guo, HaiZhong; Xu, XiuLai; Yang, GuoZhen

2017-04-01

The ultrafast laser-excited magnetization dynamics of ferromagnetic (FM) La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (LSMO) thin films with BiFeO3 (BFO) coating layers grown by laser molecular beam epitaxy are investigated using the optical pump-probe technique. Uniform magnetization precessions are observed in the films under an applied external magnetic field by measuring the time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect. The magnetization precession frequencies of the LSMO thin films with the BFO coating layers are lower than those of uncoated LSMO films, which is attributed to the suppression of the anisotropy field induced by the exchange interaction at the interface between the antiferromagnetic order of BFO and the FM order of LSMO.

Strong influence of polaron-polaron interaction on the magnetoresistance effect in La0.7A0.3MnO3 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Haijuan; Wang, Kuidong; Zhang, Yuanyuan; Dong, Wenxia; Chen, Long; Tang, Xiaodong; Chen, Jie

2017-11-01

The colossal magnetoresistance effect endows La0.7A0.3MnO3 manganites distinctive fascination. Both theoretical and experimental studies demonstrated that the interplay among polarons could significantly influence magnetoresistance. However, the underlying microscopic mechanism of the influence remains elusive due to the lack of experimental evidences. Utilizing ultrafast optical spectroscopy to track the polaron dynamics around Curie temperatures, we observed a diverse two-step recovery process in three sibling manganite thin films with various magnetoresistance effects and Curie temperatures, while the slow step was proposed to be the formation evolution of correlated polarons through the polaron-polaron interaction. Polarons in La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 equilibrate much faster than those in La0.7(Ca0.58Sr0.42)0.3MnO3 and La0.7Sr0.3MnO3, indicating a comparatively tighter interaction between polarons and subsequently a stronger magnetoresistance effect.

Recoil Distance Method lifetime measurement of the 2 1 + state in 94Sr and implications for the structure of neutron rich Sr isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chester, Aaron; Starosta, Krzysztof; S1467 Experiment Collaboration

2017-09-01

A high precision lifetime measurement of the 21+ state in 94Sr was performed at TRIUMF's ISAC-II facility by coupling the Recoil Distance Method implemented via the TIGRESS Integrated Plunger with unsafe Coulomb excitation in inverse kinematics. Due to limited statistics imposed by the use of a radioactive 94Sr beam, a likelihood ratio χ2 method was derived and used to compare experimental data to Geant4-simulated lineshapes. The B (E 2 ;21+ ->01+) value extracted from the lifetime measurement of 7 .80-0.40 + 0.50 (stat .) +/- 0.07 (sys .) ps is approximately 25% larger than previously reported while the relative uncertainty has been reduced by a factor of approximately 8. A baseline deformation has been established for Sr isotopes with N <= 58 which is a necessary condition for the Quantum Phase Transition interpretation of the onset of deformation in this region. A summary of the experiment, description of the data analysis methods, and a comparison to existing theoretical models will be presented.

Interrelation of transport properties, defect structure and spin state of Ni3+ in La1.2Sr0.8Ni0.9Fe0.1O4+δ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gilev, A. R.; Kiselev, E. A.; Zakharov, D. M.; Cherepanov, V. A.

2017-10-01

The total conductivity, Seebeck coefficient and oxygen non-stoichiometry for La1.2Sr0.8Ni0.9Fe0.1O4+δ have been measured vs temperature and oxygen partial pressure P(O2). The measurements were carried out at 800, 850, 900 and 950 °C within the P(O2) range of 10-5-0.21 atm. La1.2Sr0.8Ni0.9Fe0.1O4+δ was shown to be oxygen deficient in all temperature and P(O2) ranges studied. The calculated values of the partial molar enthalpy of oxygen depend very slightly on oxygen content (δ), indicating that La1.2Sr0.8Ni0.9Fe0.1O4+δ with the oxygen deficiency can be considered an ideal solution. The model of point defect equilibria in La1.2Sr0.8Ni0.9Fe0.1O4+δ has been proposed and fitted to experimental dependencies. Subsequent joint analysis of the defect structure and transport properties revealed that electron holes can coexist in both localized and quasi-delocalized states in the oxide: the former corresponded to high-spin state Ni3+ and the latter - to low-spin state Ni3+. The mobilities of localized electron holes were shown to be significantly lower in comparison to quasi-delocalized ones. The behavior of localized electron holes was explained in terms of a small polaron conduction mechanism; in contrast, quasi-delocalized electron holes were described in terms of a band conduction approach. The small polaron conduction mechanism was shown to be predominant in the Sr- and Fe-co-doped lanthanum nickelate.

Magnetic proximity control of spin currents and giant spin accumulation in graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Simranjeet

Two dimensional (2D) materials provide a unique platform to explore the full potential of magnetic proximity driven phenomena. We will present the experimental study showing the strong modulation of spin currents in graphene layers by controlling the direction of the exchange field due to the ferromagnetic-insulator (FMI) magnetization in graphene/FMI heterostructures. Owing to clean interfaces, a strong magnetic exchange coupling leads to the experimental observation of complete spin modulation at low externally applied magnetic fields in short graphene channels. We also discover that the graphene spin current can be fully dephased by randomly fluctuating exchange fields. This is manifested as an unusually strong temperature dependence of the non-local spin signals in graphene, which is due to spin relaxation by thermally-induced transverse fluctuations of the FMI magnetization. Additionally, it has been a challenge to grow a smooth, robust and pin-hole free tunnel barriers on graphene, which can withstand large current densities for efficient electrical spin injection. We have experimentally demonstrated giant spin accumulation in graphene lateral spin valves employing SrO tunnel barriers. Nonlocal spin signals, as large as 2 mV, are observed in graphene lateral spin valves at room temperature. This high spin accumulations observed using SrO tunnel barriers puts graphene on the roadmap for exploring the possibility of achieving a non-local magnetization switching due to the spin torque from electrically injected spins. Financial support from ONR (No. N00014-14-1-0350), NSF (No. DMR-1310661), and C-SPIN, one of the six SRC STARnet Centers, sponsored by MARCO and DARPA.

A Forward Genetic Screen in Zebrafish Identifies the G-Protein-Coupled Receptor CaSR as a Modulator of Sensorimotor Decision Making.

PubMed

Jain, Roshan A; Wolman, Marc A; Marsden, Kurt C; Nelson, Jessica C; Shoenhard, Hannah; Echeverry, Fabio A; Szi, Christina; Bell, Hannah; Skinner, Julianne; Cobbs, Emilia N; Sawada, Keisuke; Zamora, Amy D; Pereda, Alberto E; Granato, Michael

2018-05-07

Animals continuously integrate sensory information and select contextually appropriate responses. Here, we show that zebrafish larvae select a behavioral response to acoustic stimuli from a pre-existing choice repertoire in a context-dependent manner. We demonstrate that this sensorimotor choice is modulated by stimulus quality and history, as well as by neuromodulatory systems-all hallmarks of more complex decision making. Moreover, from a genetic screen coupled with whole-genome sequencing, we identified eight mutants with deficits in this sensorimotor choice, including mutants of the vertebrate-specific G-protein-coupled extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), whose function in the nervous system is not well understood. We demonstrate that CaSR promotes sensorimotor decision making acutely through Gα i/o and Gα q/11 signaling, modulated by clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Combined, our results identify the first set of genes critical for behavioral choice modulation in a vertebrate and reveal an unexpected critical role for CaSR in sensorimotor decision making. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Spatio-temporal brain dynamics in a combined stimulus-stimulus and stimulus-response conflict task.

PubMed

Frühholz, Sascha; Godde, Ben; Finke, Mareike; Herrmann, Manfred

2011-01-01

It is yet not well known whether different types of conflicts share common or rely on distinct brain mechanisms of conflict processing. We used a combined Flanker (stimulus-stimulus; S-S) and Simon (stimulus-response; S-R) conflict paradigm both in an fMRI and an EEG study. S-S conflicts induced stronger behavioral interference effects compared to S-R conflicts and the latter decayed with increasing response latencies. Besides some similar medial frontal activity across all conflict trials, which was, however, not statically consistent across trials, we especially found distinct activations depending on the type of conflict. S-S conflicts activated the anterior cingulate cortex and modulated the N2 and early P3 component with underlying source activity in inferior frontal cortex. S-R conflicts produced distinct activations in the posterior cingulate cortex and modulated the late P3b component with underlying source activity in superior parietal cortex. Double conflict trials containing both S-S and S-R conflicts revealed, first, distinct anterior frontal activity representing a meta-processing unit and, second, a sequential modulation of the N2 and the P3b component. The N2 modulation during double conflict trials was accompanied by increased source activity in the medial frontal gyrus (MeFG). In summary, S-S and S-R conflict processing mostly rely on distinct mechanisms of conflict processing and these conflicts differentially modulate the temporal stages of stimulus processing. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Multiferroic magnetoelectric coupling effect of bilayer La1.2Sr1.8Mn2O7/PbZr0.3Ti0.7O3 complex thin film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, K.; Zhou, P.; Ma, Z. J.; Qi, Y. J.; Mei, Z. H.; Zhang, T. J.

2017-05-01

Magnetoelectric (ME) coupling effect of 2-2-type ferromagnetic/ferroelectric bi-layer multiferroic epitaxial thin film (La1.2Sr1.8Mn2O7/PbZr0.3Ti0.7O3, LSMO/PZT) on SrRuO3 (SRO) substrate is investigated systematically by using Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire (LGD) thermodynamic theory and modified constitutive equations. The calculating results clarify the detail relationships between ME coupling response and the residual strain, the volume fraction of constituent phases, the interface coupling coefficients, the magnetic field and the temperature. It also shows that improved ME coupling response can be modulated by these parameters. External magnetic fields (H1) induced ME coupling effect could be enhanced around Curie Temperature (Tc) of ferromagnetic phase and ME voltage coefficient (αE31) approaches a maximum at H1 ∼ 4.5 kOe near Tc. The remarkable variations of ME coupling response can be used to provide useful guidelines on the design of multifunctional devices.

Experimental simulation of magma-carbonate interaction beneath Mt. Vesuvius, Italy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jolis, E. M.; Freda, C.; Troll, V. R.; Deegan, F. M.; Blythe, L. S.; McLeod, C. L.; Davidson, J. P.

2013-11-01

We simulated the process of magma-carbonate interaction beneath Mt. Vesuvius in short duration piston-cylinder experiments under controlled magmatic conditions (from 0 to 300 s at 0.5 GPa and 1,200 °C), using a Vesuvius shoshonite composition and upper crustal limestone and dolostone as starting materials. Backscattered electron images and chemical analysis (major and trace elements and Sr isotopes) of sequential experimental products allow us to identify the textural and chemical evolution of carbonated products during the assimilation process. We demonstrate that melt-carbonate interaction can be extremely fast (minutes), and results in dynamic contamination of the host melt with respect to Ca, Mg and 87Sr/86Sr, coupled with intense CO2 vesiculation at the melt-carbonate interface. Binary mixing between carbonate and uncontaminated melt cannot explain the geochemical variations of the experimental charges in full and convection and diffusion likely also operated in the charges. Physical mixing and mingling driven by exsolving volatiles seems to be a key process to promote melt homogenisation. Our results reinforce hypotheses that magma-carbonate interaction is a relevant and ongoing process at Mt. Vesuvius and one that may operate not only on a geological, but on a human timescale.

Commensurate 4 a 0 -period charge density modulations throughout the Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+x pseudogap regime

DOE PAGES

Mesaros, Andrej; Fujita, Kazuhiro; Edkins, Stephen D.; ...

2016-10-20

Theories based upon strong real space (r-space) electron–electron interactions have long predicted that unidirectional charge density modulations (CDMs) with four-unit-cell (4 a0) periodicity should occur in the hole-doped cuprate Mott insulator (MI). But, increasing the hole density p is reported to cause the conventionally defined wavevector Q A of the CDM to evolve continuously as if driven primarily by momentum-space (k-space) effects. We introduce phase-resolved electronic structure visualization for determination of the cuprate CDM wavevector. Remarkably, this technique reveals a virtually doping-independent locking of the local CDM wavevector at |Q 0|=2π/4 a0 throughout the underdoped phase diagram of the canonicalmore » cuprate Bi 2Sr 2CaCu 2O 8. Our observations have significant fundamental consequences because they are orthogonal to a k-space (Fermi-surface)–based picture of the cuprate CDMs but are consistent with strong-coupling r-space–based theories. Our findings imply that it is the latter that provides the intrinsic organizational principle for the cuprate CDM state.« less

Interaction between neuronal nitric oxide synthase signaling and temperature influences sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium leak: role of nitroso-redox balance.

PubMed

Dulce, Raul A; Mayo, Vera; Rangel, Erika B; Balkan, Wayne; Hare, Joshua M

2015-01-02

Although nitric oxide (NO) signaling modulates cardiac function and excitation-contraction coupling, opposing results because of inconsistent experimental conditions, particularly with respect to temperature, confound the ability to elucidate NO signaling pathways. Here, we show that temperature significantly modulates NO effects. To test the hypothesis that temperature profoundly affects nitroso-redox equilibrium, thereby affecting sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium (Ca(2+)) leak. We measured SR Ca(2+) leak in cardiomyocytes from wild-type (WT), NO/redox imbalance (neuronal nitric oxide synthase-deficient mice-1 [NOS1(-/-)]), and hyper S-nitrosoglutathione reductase-deficient (GSNOR(-/-)) mice. In WT cardiomyocytes, SR Ca(2+) leak increased because temperature decreased from 37°C to 23°C, whereas in NOS1(-/-) cells, the leak suddenly increased when the temperature surpassed 30°C. GSNOR(-/-) cardiomyocytes exhibited low leak throughout the temperature range. Exogenously added NO had a biphasic effect on NOS1(-/-) cardiomyocytes; reducing leak at 37°C but increasing it at subphysiological temperatures. Oxypurinol and Tempol diminished the leak in NOS1(-/-) cardiomyocytes. Cooling from 37°C to 23°C increased reactive oxygen species generation in WT but decreased it in NOS1(-/-) cardiomyocytes. Oxypurinol further reduced reactive oxygen species generation. At 23°C in WT cells, leak was decreased by tetrahydrobiopterin, an essential NOS cofactor. Cooling significantly increased SR Ca(2+) content in NOS1(-/-) cells but had no effect in WT or GSNOR(-/-). Ca(2+) leak and temperature are normally inversely proportional, whereas NOS1 deficiency reverses this effect, increasing leak and elevating reactive oxygen species production because temperature increases. Reduced denitrosylation (GSNOR deficiency) eliminates the temperature dependence of leak. Thus, temperature regulates the balance between NO and reactive oxygen species which in turn has a major effect on SR Ca(2+). © 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.

High Gain and Wide Range Time Amplifier Using Inverter Delay Chain in SR Latches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Jaejun; Lee, Sungho; Song, Yonghoon; Nam, Sangwook

This paper presents a time amplifier design that improves time resolution using an inverter chain delay in SR latches. Compared with the conventional design, the proposed time amplifier has better characteristics such as higher gain, wide range, and small die size. It is implemented using 0.13µm standard CMOS technology and the experimental results agree well with the theory.

Microscopic investigation of the weakly correlated noncentrosymmetric superconductor SrAuSi3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barbero, N.; Biswas, P. K.; Isobe, M.; Amato, A.; Morenzoni, E.; Hillier, A. D.; Ott, H.-R.; Mesot, J.; Shiroka, T.

2018-01-01

SrAuSi3 is a noncentrosymmetric superconductor (NCS) with Tc=1.54 K, which to date has been studied only via macroscopic techniques. By combining nuclear-magnetic-resonance and muon-spin-rotation measurements, we investigate both the normal and the superconducting phase of SrAuSi3 at a local level. In the normal phase, our data indicate a standard metallic behavior with weak electron correlations and a Korringa constant Sexp=1.31 ×10-5 sK. The latter, twice the theoretical value, can be justified by the Moriya theory of exchange enhancement. In the superconducting phase, the material exhibits conventional BCS-type superconductivity with a weak-coupling s -wave pairing, a gap value Δ (0 )=0.213 (2 ) meV, and a magnetic penetration depth λ (0 )=398 (2 ) nm. The experimental proof of weak correlations in SrAuSi3 implies that correlation effects can be decoupled from those of antisymmetric spin-orbit coupling, thus enabling accurate band-structure calculations in the weakly correlated NCSs.

Sulfur extended asphalt pavement evaluation in the State of Washington: SR 270 highway pavement performance report

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahoney, J. P.; Terrel, R. L.; Cook, J. C.

1982-11-01

The placement and performance of sulfur extended asphalt (SEA) paving mixtures at a highway test site (SR 270) near Pullman, Washington is summarized. The mixture and structural designs and construction details are included. This is followed by a discussion of the data collection and analysis accomplished over a three year evaluation period (1979-1982). A major experimental feature of the study was the use of 0.100 (conventional asphalt concrete), 30/70 and 40/60 SEA binder ratios (sulfur/asphalt ratios are expressed as weight percents in the experimental paving mixtures.

Devil's staircase of odd-number charge order modulations in divalent β -vanadium bronzes under pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamauchi, Touru; Ueda, Hiroaki; Ohwada, Kenji; Nakao, Hironori; Ueda, Yutaka

2018-03-01

A common characteristic of quasi-one-dimensional (q1D) conductors β -A0.33V2O5 (A = Li, Na, and Ag) is that the charge ordering (CO), the ground state (GS) at ambient pressure, and the superconducting (SC) phases, the GS under high pressure, are competing with each other. We have explored high-pressure properties of divalent β -vanadium bronzes, β -A0.33V2O5 (A = Ca, Sr, and Pb), which are A -cation stoichiometry finely controlled single-crystal/powder samples, and found the absence of the SC phase. In these observations, however, we observed enormous and novel phase transitions, a kind of "devil's staircase"-type phase transitions in the charge ordering (CO) phases. The most surprising discovery in this devil's staircase, which was found mainly in β -Sr0.33V2O5 , is that all the charge modulation vectors of many kinds of CO phases can be represented as a primitive lattice translation vector along the b axis multiplied by several odd numbers. This discovery surely demonstrates interplay between the charge degree freedom and the crystallographic symmetry. We propose two possible mechanisms to explain this phenomenon: "self-charge transfer (carrier redistribution)" between the two subsystems in these compounds and "sequential symmetry reduction" that was discussed in Landau theory of phase transitions. In β -Ca0.33V2O5 we also found a P -T phase diagram similar in outlook but different in detail. The devil's staircase was also observed but it is an incomplete one. Furthermore, the charge modulation vectors in it are shorter than those in β -Sr0.33V2O5 . In β -Pb0.33V2O5 , which has no CO phase at ambient pressure, the pressure-induced antiferromagnetic ordering was observed at around 50 K above 0.5 GPa. Using these two kinds of mechanisms, we also explain the global high-pressure properties in all the stoichiometric divalent β -vanadium bronzes, which were observed as a wide variety of electromagnetic states. In addition, we also discuss a possible key for the presence/absence of the SC phase under pressure.

Observation of Superconductivity in the LaNiO3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 Superlattice.

PubMed

Zhou, Guowei; Jiang, Fengxian; Zang, Julu; Quan, Zhiyong; Xu, Xiaohong

2018-01-17

In the pursuit of high-temperature superconductivity like that in cuprates, artificial heterostructures or interfaces have attracted tremendous interest. It has been a long-sought goal to find similar unconventional superconductivity in nickelates. However, as far as we know, this has not yet been experimentally realized. To approach this objective, we synthesized a prototypical superlattice that consists of ultrathin LaNiO 3 and La 0.7 Sr 0.3 MnO 3 layers. Both zero resistance and the Meissner effect are observed using resistive and magnetic measurements of the superlattice. These are experimental indicators for superconductivity in new superconductors. X-ray linear dichroism causes the NiO 2 planes to develop electron-occupied x 2 -y 2 orbital order similar to that of cuprate-based superconductors. Our findings demonstrate that artificial interface engineering is suitable for investigating novel physical phenomena, such as superconductivity.

In vivo evaluation of anionic thiolated polymers as oral delivery systems for efflux pump inhibition.

PubMed

Palmberger, Thomas F; Laffleur, Flavia; Greindl, Melanie; Bernkop-Schnürch, Andreas

2015-08-01

Recently, the cationic polymer thiolated chitosan has been reported to modulate drug absorption by inhibition of intestinal efflux pumps. The objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro and in vivo whether thiolated anionic biopolymers also show an efflux pump inhibitory effect in order to improve intestinal transcellular drug uptake. Therefore, three thiomers have been synthesized due covalent attachment of cysteine to various polymer backbones: pectin-cysteine (pect-cys), carboxymethylcellulose-cysteine (CMC-cys) and alginate-cysteine (alg-cys). In vitro, the permeation enhancing properties of these thiomers and their corresponding unmodified polymers have been evaluated on rat small intestine in Ussing-type chambers, using sulforhodamine 101 (SR-101) as MRP2 model substrate. In comparison to buffer only, SR-101 transport in presence of pect-cys, CMC-cys and alg-cys was improved 1.5-fold, 1.8-fold and 3.0-fold, respectively. Due to the comparatively best in vitro performance of thiolated alginate, it has been chosen for in vivo studies: a SR-101 solution containing 4% (w/v) alg-cys led to an AUC0 ≥ 12 of SR-101 of 109 ng ml(-1)h in rats representing a 3.8-fold improvement in comparison to a SR-101 buffer solution. Unmodified alginate improved the AUC0 ≥ 12 of SR-101 by a factor of 1.9. These findings suggest thiolated alginate as promising auxiliary agent for drugs being anionic efflux pump substrates, since the oral bioavailability of a MRP2 substrate could be significantly improved. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Potential ex vivo immunomodulatory effects of San-Huang-Xie-Xin-Tang and its component herbs on mice and humans.

PubMed

Li, Chia-Yang; Hou, Yu-Chi; Lee Chao, Pei-Dawn; Shia, Chi-Sheng; Hsu, Ian C; Fang, Shih-Hua

2010-02-03

San-Huang-Xie-Xin-Tang (SHXXT), an important Chinese medicine formula, contains Rhei Rhizoma (RR), Scutellariae Radix (SR) and Coptidis Rhizoma (CR). RR and SR are abundant in anthraquinone and flavonoid polyphenols. Pharmacokinetic study of SHXXT indicated that glucuronides were the predominant forms of polyphenols in rats. As an extension of pharmacokinetic study, the serum metabolites of SHXXT, RR, SR and CR were prepared from rats and quantitated, then the immunomodulation effects were examined by culturing these serum metabolites with murine and human immune cells. The results indicated that the inhibitions on nitric oxide (NO) and cytokine production from mitogen-activated peritoneal macrophages by the serum metabolites of SHXXT, RR, SR and CR were through reducing the protein expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and the IC(50) were 0.8%, 1.5%, 3.0% and 0.8% of their blood concentrations, respectively. In addition, the serum metabolites of SHXXT, RR, SR and CR significantly decreased the ratios of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) to interleukin (IL)-4 in mitogen-stimulated mice spleen cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Moreover, the serum metabolites of SHXXT and SR significantly arrested the mitogen-stimulated mice spleen cells at G2/M stage. In conclusion, the serum metabolites of SHXXT and the component herbs exerted promising modulation activities on the immune functions and the cell cycle distribution of mice and human immune cells. We suggest that SHXXT is a promising remedy for immunomodulation through Th1/Th2 regulation. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nonadiabatic small-polaron hopping conduction in Li-doped and undoped Bi4Sr3Ca3CuyOx (0<=y<=5)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mollah, S.; Som, K. K.; Bose, K.; Chakravorty, A. K.; Chaudhuri, B. K.

1992-11-01

Detailed experimental results of temperature- and CuO-concentration-dependent dc conductivities of semiconducting Bi4Sr3Ca3CuyOx (y=0 to 5) and Li-doped Bi4Sr3Ca3-zLizCu4Ox (z=0.1, 0.5, and 1.0) glasses are reported. The variation of activation energy with glass compositions dominates the conductivity. Unlike many glasses with transition-metal ions, a strong preexponential factor containing the ``small-polaron'' tunneling term [exp(-2αR)] is observed. Nonadiabatic small-polaron hopping mechanism is found to be appropriate for explaining the conductivity data of both glass systems. Addition of alkali-metal ions decreases the conductivities and causes appreciable change of some model parameters obtained from least-squares fittings of the experimental data. The overall thermal behavior of the electrical conductivities of the glasses, however, remains unaltered. This indicates that small (less than 10 wt.%) amount of Li or other alkali-metal ions in these glasses acts as a flux to keep the oxygen content fixed in the corresponding glass-ceramic (superconducting) phases. This in turn helps increase the superconducting transition temperature of the glass ceramics and also lower the sintering and melting temperatures of the glasses.

Efficacy of the biomaterials 3wt%-nanostrontium-hydroxyapatite-enhanced calcium phosphate cement (nanoSr-CPC) and nanoSr-CPC-incorporated simvastatin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic-acid) microspheres in osteogenesis improvement: An explorative multi-phase experimental in vitro/vivo study.

PubMed

Masaeli, Reza; Jafarzadeh Kashi, Tahereh Sadat; Dinarvand, Rassoul; Rakhshan, Vahid; Shahoon, Hossein; Hooshmand, Behzad; Mashhadi Abbas, Fatemeh; Raz, Majid; Rajabnejad, Alireza; Eslami, Hossein; Khoshroo, Kimia; Tahriri, Mohammadreza; Tayebi, Lobat

2016-12-01

The purpose of this multi-phase explorative in vivo animal/surgical and in vitro multi-test experimental study was to (1) create a 3wt%-nanostrontium hydroxyapatite-enhanced calcium phosphate cement (Sr-HA/CPC) for increasing bone formation and (2) creating a simvastatin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (SIM-loaded PLGA) microspheres plus CPC composite (SIM-loaded PLGA+nanostrontium-CPC). The third goal was the extensive assessment of multiple in vitro and in vivo characteristics of the above experimental explorative products in vitro and in vivo (animal and surgical studies). Physical and chemical properties of the prepared Sr-HA/CPC were evaluated. MTT assay and alkaline phosphatase activities, and radiological and histological examinations of Sr-HA/CPC, CPC and negative control were compared. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that crystallinity of the prepared cement increased by increasing the powder-to-liquid ratio. Incorporation of Sr-HA into CPC increased MTT assay (biocompatibility) and ALP activity (P<0.05). Histomorphometry showed greater bone formation after 4weeks, after implantation of Sr-HA/CPC in 10 rats compared to implantations of CPC or empty defects in the same rats (n=30, ANOVA P<0.05). METHODS AND RESULTS PERTAINING TO SIM-LOADED PLGA MICROSPHERES+NANOSTRONTIUM-CPC COMPOSITE: After SEM assessment, the produced composite of microspheres and enhanced CPC were implanted for 8weeks in 10 rabbits, along with positive and negative controls, enhanced CPC, and enhanced CPC plus SIM (n=50). In the control group, only a small amount of bone had been regenerated (localized at the boundary of the defect); whereas, other groups showed new bone formation within and around the materials. A significant difference was found in the osteogenesis induced by the groups sham control (16.96±1.01), bone materials (32.28±4.03), nanostrontium-CPC (24.84±2.6), nanostrontium-CPC-simvastatin (40.12±3.29), and SIM-loaded PLGA+nanostrontium-CPC (44.8±6.45) (ANOVA P<0.001). All the pairwise comparisons were significant (Tukey P<0.01), except that of nanostrontium-CPC-simvastatin and SIM-loaded PLGA+nanostrontium-CPC. This confirmed the efficacy of the SIM-loaded PLGA+nanostrontium-CPC composite, and its superiority over all materials except SIM-containing nanostrontium-CPC. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Identification of a Novel Non-retinoid Pan Inverse Agonist of the Retinoic Acid Receptors

PubMed Central

Busby, Scott A.; Kumar, Naresh; Kuruvilla, Dana S.; Istrate, Monica A.; Conkright, Juliana J.; Wang, Yongjun; Kamenecka, Theodore M.; Cameron, Michael D.; Roush, William R.; Burris, Thomas P.; Griffin, Patrick R.

2011-01-01

Retinoids are potent forms of vitamin A and are involved in a broad range of physiological processes and the pharmacological effects of retinoids are primarily mediated by the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and the retinoid X receptors (RXRs). Several natural and synthetic RAR modulators have proven to be clinically useful for a number of therapeutic indications including cancer, psoriasis, and diabetes. Unfortunately, these agents lead to a number of significant side effects. Most synthetic retinoid ligands are based on the retinoid scaffold and thus have similarities to the natural ligand with all previously disclosed RAR ligands having a carboxylic acid that makes a critical ionic bridge within the ligand binding domain of the receptors. The potential therapeutic value offered from RAR modulation provides the impetus to identify novel ligands based on unique scaffolds that may offer improved toxicity and pharmacokinetic profiles. Here we describe the identification of an atypical RAR inverse agonist that represents the first non-acid, non-retinoid direct modulator of RAR receptor subfamily. SR-0065 functions as a pan-RAR inverse agonist suppressing the basal activity of RARα, RARβ, and RARγ as well as inhibiting agonist induced RAR activity. SR-0065 treatment enhanced receptor interaction with a peptide representative of the corepressor SMRT and in cells SR-0065 enhances recruitment of SMRT to RARγ. The acid form of SR-0065, SR-1758, was inactive in all assays. Thus, SR-0065 represents a new class of non-acid, non-retinoid RAR modulator that may be used as a point to initiate development of improved RAR-targeted drugs. PMID:21381756

Temperature- and Bias-Dependence of Magnetoresistance in Doped Manganite Thin Film Trilayer Junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, J. Z.; Xiao, Gang

1998-03-01

Large low-field magnetoresistance, up to a factor of five change in resistance, was observed in trilayer junctions formed by epitaxial thin films of La_0.67Sr_0.33 MnO3 - SrTiO3 - La_0.67Sr_0.33MnO3 at 4.2K and 100 Oe. Such magnetoresistance decreases with increasing sample temperature, and disappears for temperatures above 150K. The magnetoresistance also decreases upon increasing bias voltage across the junction. We present systematic experimental studies of both temperature and bias-dependence. These results in manganite trilayer junctions at low temperatures are similar to what has been observed in metallic trilayer magnetic tunneling valves, and are qualitatively consistent with the interface magnon excitation model proposed by Zhang et al.(S. Zhang, P. M. Levy, A. C. Marley and S. S. P. Parkin, Phys. Rev. Lett. 79), 3744 (1997).

Oxygen content modulation by nanoscale chemical and electrical patterning in epitaxial SrCoO3-δ (0 < δ ≤ 0.5) thin films.

PubMed

Hu, S; Seidel, J

2016-08-12

Fast controllable redox reactions in solid materials at room temperature are a promising strategy for enhancing the overall performance and lifetime of many energy technology materials and devices. Easy control of oxygen content is a key concept for the realisation of fast catalysis and bulk diffusion at room temperature. Here, high quality epitaxial brownmillerite SrCoO2.5 thin films have been oxidised to perovskite (P) SrCoO3 with NaClO. X-ray diffraction, scanning probe microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements were performed to investigate the structural and electronic changes of the material. The oxidised thin films were found to exhibit distinct morphological changes from an atomically flat terrace structure to forming small nanosized islands with boundaries preferentially in [100] or [010] directions all over the surface, relaxing the in-plane strain imposed by the substrate. The conductivity, or oxygen content, of each single island is confined by these textures, which can be locally patterned even further with electric poling. The high charging level at the island boundaries indicates a magnified electric capacity of SCO thin films, which could be exploited in future device geometries. This finding represents a new way of oxygen modulation with associated self-assembled charge confinement to nanoscale boundaries, offering interesting prospects in nanotechnology applications.

Oxygen content modulation by nanoscale chemical and electrical patterning in epitaxial SrCoO3-δ (0 < δ ≤ 0.5) thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, S.; Seidel, J.

2016-08-01

Fast controllable redox reactions in solid materials at room temperature are a promising strategy for enhancing the overall performance and lifetime of many energy technology materials and devices. Easy control of oxygen content is a key concept for the realisation of fast catalysis and bulk diffusion at room temperature. Here, high quality epitaxial brownmillerite SrCoO2.5 thin films have been oxidised to perovskite (P) SrCoO3 with NaClO. X-ray diffraction, scanning probe microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements were performed to investigate the structural and electronic changes of the material. The oxidised thin films were found to exhibit distinct morphological changes from an atomically flat terrace structure to forming small nanosized islands with boundaries preferentially in [100] or [010] directions all over the surface, relaxing the in-plane strain imposed by the substrate. The conductivity, or oxygen content, of each single island is confined by these textures, which can be locally patterned even further with electric poling. The high charging level at the island boundaries indicates a magnified electric capacity of SCO thin films, which could be exploited in future device geometries. This finding represents a new way of oxygen modulation with associated self-assembled charge confinement to nanoscale boundaries, offering interesting prospects in nanotechnology applications.

Electric-field control of electronic transport properties and enhanced magnetoresistance in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/0.5BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3-0.5Ba0.7Ca0.3TiO3 lead-free multiferroic structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Jian-Min; Gao, Guan-Yin; Liu, Yu-Kuai; Wang, Fei-Fei; Zheng, Ren-Kui

2017-10-01

We report the fabrication of lead-free multiferroic structures by depositing ferromagnetic La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) polycrystalline films on polished 0.5BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3-0.5Ba0.7Ca0.3TiO3 (BZT-BCT) piezoelectric ceramic substrates. By applying electric fields to the BZT-BCT along the thickness direction, the resistivity of LSMO films can be effectively manipulated via the piezoelectric strain of the BZT-BCT. Moreover, the LSMO polycrystalline films exhibit almost temperature independent and significantly enhanced magnetoresistance (MR) below TC. At T = 2 K and H = 8 T, the MR of polycrystalline films is approximately two orders of magnitude higher than that of LSMO epitaxial films grown on (LaAlO3)0.3(SrAl1/2Ta1/2O3)0.7 single-crystal substrates. The enhanced MR mainly results from the spin-polarized tunneling of charge carriers across grain boundaries. The LSMO/BZT-BCT structures with electric-field controllable modulation of resistivity and enhanced MR effect may have potential applications in low-energy consumption and environmentally friendly electronic devices.

STM/STS study on electronic superstructures in the superconducting state of high-Tc cuprate Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mizuta, S.; Kurosawa, T.; Takeyama, K.; Momono, N.; Ishii, Y.; Yoshida, H.; Oda, M.; Ido, M.

2018-03-01

We report STM/STS measurements at 8 K in underdoped Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ crystals (T c = 76 K and hole-doping level p ∼ 0.12) whose energy spectra around the Fermi level are characterized by a two-gap structure consisting of spatially inhomogeneous pseudogap (PG) and comparatively homogeneous superconducting gap (SCG). Two electronic superstructures, checkerboard modulation (CBM) and Cu-O-Cu bond-centered modulation (BCM), are observed with mapping spectral weights at low energies within the SCG and the ratio of spectral weights at ±ΔPG (PG energy), respectively. On the basis of the present findings, we suggest that the lower-energy scale CBM is an intrinsic property of Cu-O planes and can coexist with the BCM whose characteristic energy is ∼ΔPG in identical regions in real space.

Experimental Modeling of the Impulse Diffraction System with a "White" SR Beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fedotov, M. G.; Aleshaev, A. N.

Some matrix detectors (CCD and CIS) have direct X-ray sensitivity and can operate as dispersionless spectrometers with a very large number of elements (106 and more). In the case of the impulse diffraction such detector can simultaneously record a significant number of independent events. In the reading the position and energy of the absorbed X-ray photon may be restored for each event. The mathematical processing of the received data with respect to the Bragg condition can theoretically lead to the coordinates of the events of one fixed energy and to form an analogue of powder diffraction patterns. In this case the registration can be performed on the "white" SR beam for a short time (up to 1 ns or less). The possibility of using of the 2000-element linear CCD ILX511 (Sony) as X-ray dispersionless spectrometer allowed to conduct simulation experiments to obtain diffraction patterns of graphite, boron nitride, boric acid and TNT-hexogen solid detonation products. SR beam from VEPP-3 storage ring was modulated by a mechanical chopper and statistics were provided by a multiple recording with on-line processing.

Structural and electronic transformations in substituted La-Sr manganites depending on cations and oxygen content

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karpasyuk, Vladimir; Badelin, Alexey; Merkulov, Denis; Derzhavin, Igor; Estemirova, Svetlana

2018-05-01

In the present research experimental data are obtained for the Jahn-Teller O‧ phase formation, phase transformation "orthorhombic-rhombohedral structure" and the change of the conductance type in the systems of manganites La3+1-c+xSr2+c-xMn3+1-c-x-2γMn4+c+2γZn2+xO3+γ, La3+1-c-xSr2+c+xMn3+1-c-x-2γMn4+c+2γGe4+xO3+γ, La3+1-cSr2+cMn3+1-x-c-2γMn4+c+2γ(Zn2+0.5Ge4+0.5)xO3+γ, where Mn4+ ions concentration is independent of "x". Ceramic samples were sintered in air at 1473 K. As-sintered samples had an excess of oxygen content. In order to provide stoichiometric oxygen content, the samples were annealed at 1223 K and partial pressure of oxygen PO2 = 10-1 Pа. Structural characteristics of the O‧ phase were obtained. The position of the phase boundary "orthorhombic-rhombohedral structure" and the temperature of the conductance type change depending on the cation composition of manganites and oxygen content were determined. Possible approaches to the interpretation of experimental results were suggested.

Do metaboreceptors alter heat loss responses following dynamic exercise?

PubMed

McGinn, Ryan; Swift, Brendan; Binder, Konrad; Gagnon, Daniel; Kenny, Glen P

2014-01-01

Metaboreceptor activation during passive heating is known to influence cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) and sweat rate (SR). However, whether metaboreceptors modulate the suppression of heat loss following dynamic exercise remains unclear. On separate days, before and after 15 min of high-intensity treadmill running in the heat (35°C), eight males underwent either 1) no isometric handgrip exercise (IHG) or ischemia (CON), 2) 1 min IHG (60% of maximum, IHG), 3) 1 min IHG followed by 2 min of ischemia (IHG+OCC), 4) 2 min of ischemia (OCC), or 5) 1 min IHG followed by 2 min of ischemia with application of lower body negative pressure (IHG+LBNP). SR (ventilated capsule), cutaneous blood flow (Laser-Doppler), and mean arterial pressure (Finometer) were measured continuously before and after dynamic exercise. Following dynamic exercise, CVC was reduced with IHG exercise (P < 0.05) and remained attenuated with post-IHG ischemia during IHG+OCC relative to CON (39 ± 2 vs. 47 ± 6%, P < 0.05). Furthermore, the reduction in CVC was exacerbated by application of LBNP during post-IHG ischemia (35 ± 3%, P < 0.05) relative to IHG+OCC. SR increased during IHG exercise (P < 0.05) and remained elevated during post-IHG ischemia relative to CON following dynamic exercise (0.94 ± 0.15 vs. 0.53 ± 0.09 mg·min(-1)·cm(-2), P < 0.05). In contrast, application of LBNP during post-IHG ischemia had no effect on SR (0.93 ± 0.09 mg·min(-1)·cm(-2), P > 0.05) relative to post-IHG ischemia during IHG+OCC. We show that CVC is reduced and that SR is increased by metaboreceptor activation following dynamic exercise. In addition, we show that the metaboreflex-induced loading of the baroreceptors can influence the CVC response, but not the sweating response.

Post-infarct sleep disruption and its relation to cardiac remodeling in a rat model of myocardial infarction.

PubMed

Aghajani, Marjan; Faghihi, Mahdieh; Imani, Alireza; Vaez Mahdavi, Mohammad Reza; Shakoori, Abbas; Rastegar, Tayebeh; Parsa, Hoda; Mehrabi, Saman; Moradi, Fatemeh; Kazemi Moghaddam, Ehsan

2017-01-01

Sleep disruption after myocardial infarction (MI) by affecting ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is thought to contribute to myocardial remodeling and progressive worsening of cardiac function. The aim of current study was to test the hypothesis about the increased risk of developing heart failure due to experience of sleep restriction (SR) after MI. Male Wistar rats (n = 40) were randomly assigned to four experimental groups: (1) Sham, (2) MI, (3) MI and SR (MI + SR) (4) Sham and SR (Sham + SR). MI was induced by permanent ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery. Twenty-four hours after surgery, animals were subjected to chronic SR paradigm. Blood sampling was performed at days 1, 8 and 21 after MI for determination of serum levels of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), corticosterone, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO). Finally, at 21 days after MI, echocardiographic parameters and expression of MuRF1, MaFBx, A20, eNOS, iNOS and NF-kB in the heart were evaluated. We used H&E staining to detect myocardial hypertrophy. We found out that post infarct SR increased corticosterone levels. Our results highlighted deteriorating effects of post-MI SR on NO production, oxidative stress, and echocardiographic indexes (p < 0.05). Moreover, its detrimental effects on myocardial damage were confirmed by overexpression of MuRF1, MaFBx, iNOS and NF-kB (p < 0.001) in left ventricle and downregulation of A20 and eNOS (p < 0.05). Furthermore, histological examination revealed that experience of SR after MI increased myocardial diameter as compared to Sham subjects (p < 0.05). Our data suggest that SR after MI leads to an enlargement of the heart within 21 days, marked by an increase in oxidative stress and NO production as well as an imbalance in UPS that ultimately results in cardiac dysfunction and heart failure.

Nonmonotonic variation of seawater [sup 87]Sr/[sup 86]Sr across the Ivorian/Chadian boundary (Mississippian, Osagean): Evidence from marine cements within the Irish Waulsortian Limestone

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

Douthit, T.L.; Meyers, W.J.; Hanson, G.N.

1993-05-01

Detailed analysis of compositionally unaltered marine fibrous cements (MFC) from a single core through the Mississippian irish Waulsortian Limestone indicates that the variation of seawater [sup 87]Sr/[sup 86]Sr is nonmonotonic across the Ivorian-Chadian boundary. This nonmonotonic variation has not been recognized by previous studies. Furthermore, marine cement yielded [sup 87]Sr/[sup 86]Sr ratios lower than previously reported values for the Ivorian-Chadian (sagean). Marine fibrous cements are interpreted to be compositionally unaltered on the basis of nonluminescent character and stable isotope (C, O) composition comparable to previous estimates of Mississippian marine calcite. The isotope chemistry (C, O, Sr) and cathodoluminescent character ofmore » the marine fibrous cements therefore remained intact during their conversion from high-Mg calcite to low-Mg calcite + microdolomite, a conversion that probably took place in marine water during precipitation of Zone 1 calcite cement, the oldest non-MFC cement. High stratigraphic resolution was obtained by restricting the sample set to a single core, 429 m long, thereby eliminating chronostratigraphic correlation errors. The core is estimated to represent about 9.8 million years of Waulsortian Limestone deposition. The maximum rate of change in seawater [sup 87]Sr/[sup 86]Sr is [minus]0.00012/Ma, comparable in magnitude to Tertiary values. The authors data document the presence of fine-scale seawater [sup 87]Sr/[sup 86]Sr modulations for the Ivorian/Chadian, in contrast to the previously published monotonic seawater [sup 87]Sr/[sup 86]Sr curve for this interval, and emphasize the importance of well characterized intraformational isotopic baselines.« less

Oxygen vacancies induced switchable and nonswitchable photovoltaic effects in Ag/Bi{sub 0.9}La{sub 0.1}FeO{sub 3} /La{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}MnO{sub 3} sandwiched capacitors

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

Gao, R. L., E-mail: gaorongli2008@163.com, E-mail: jrsun@iphy.ac.cn; Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100190; Yang, H. W.

2014-01-20

The short circuit photocurrent (I{sub sc}) was found to be strongly dependent on the oxygen vacancies (V{sub Os}) distribution in Ag/Bi{sub 0.9}La{sub 0.1}FeO{sub 3}/La{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}MnO{sub 3} heterostructures. In order to manipulate the V{sub Os} accumulated at either the Ag/Bi{sub 0.9}La{sub 0.1}FeO{sub 3} or the Bi{sub 0.9}La{sub 0.1}FeO{sub 3}/La{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}MnO{sub 3} interface by pulse voltages, switchable or nonswitchable photocurrent can be observed without or with changing the polarization direction. The sign of photocurrent could be independent of the direction of polarization when the variation of diffusion current and the modulation of the Schottky barrier at the Ag/Bi{sub 0.9}La{sub 0.1}FeO{submore » 3} interface induced by oxygen vacancies are large enough to offset those induced by polarization. Our work provides deep insights into the nature of photovoltaic effects in ferroelectric films, and will facilitate the advanced design of switchable devices combining spintronic, electronic, and optical functionalities.« less

Separation of CsCl and SrCl2 from a ternary CsCl-SrCl2-LiCl via a zone refining process for waste salt minimization of pyroprocessing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shim, Moonsoo; Choi, Ho Gil; Yi, Kyung Woo; Hwang, Il Soon; Lee, Jong Hyeon

2016-11-01

The purification of LiCl salt mixture has traditionally been carried out by a melt crystallization process. To improve the throughput of zone refining, three heaters were installed in the zone refiner. The zone refining method was used to grow pure LiCl salt ingots from LiCl-CsCl-SrCl2 salt mixture. The main investigated parameters were the heater speed and the number of passes. A change in the LiCl crystal grain size was observed according to the horizontal direction. From each zone refined salt ingot, samples were collected horizontally. To analyze the concentrations of Sr and Cs, an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer were used, respectively. The experimental results show that Sr and Cs concentrations at the initial region of the ingot were low and reached their peak at the final freezing region of the salt ingot. Concentration results of zone refined salt were compared with theoretical results yielded by the proposed model to validate its predictions. The keff of Sr and Cs were 0.13 and 0.11, respectively. The decontamination factors of Sr and Cs were 450 and 1650, respectively.

Four-state non-volatile memory in a multiferroic spin filter tunnel junction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruan, Jieji; Li, Chen; Yuan, Zhoushen; Wang, Peng; Li, Aidong; Wu, Di

2016-12-01

We report a spin filter type multiferroic tunnel junction with a ferromagnetic/ferroelectric bilayer barrier. Memory functions of a spin filter magnetic tunnel junction and a ferroelectric tunnel junction are combined in this single device, producing four non-volatile resistive states that can be read out in a non-destructive manner. This concept is demonstrated in a LaNiO3/Pr0.8Ca0.2MnO3/BaTiO3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 all-oxide tunnel junction. The ferromagnetic insulator Pr0.8Ca0.2MnO3 serves as the spin filter and the ferromagnetic metal La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 is the spin analyzer. The ferroelectric polarization reversal in the BaTiO3 barrier switches the tunneling barrier height to produce a tunneling electroresistance. The ferroelectric switching also modulates the spin polarization and the spin filtering efficiency in Pr0.8Ca0.2MnO3.

A magnetic topological semimetal Sr 1-yMn 1-zSb2 (y, z < 0.10)

DOE PAGES

Liu, J. Y.; Hu, J.; Zhang, Qiang; ...

2017-07-24

Weyl (WSMs) evolve from Dirac semimetals in the presence of broken time-reversal symmetry (TRS) or space-inversion symmetry. The WSM phases in TaAs-class materials and photonic crystals are due to the loss of space-inversion symmetry. For TRS-breaking WSMs, despite numerous theoretical and experimental efforts, few examples have been reported. Here in this paper, we report a new type of magnetic semimetal Sr 1-yMn 1-zSb 2 (y, z < 0.1) with nearly massless relativistic fermion behaviour (m* = 0.04 - 0.05m 0, where m 0 is the free-electron mass). This material exhibits a ferromagnetic order for 304 K < T < 565more » K, but a canted antiferromagnetic order with a ferromagnetic component for T < 304 K. The combination of relativistic fermion behaviour and ferromagnetism in Sr 1-yMn 1-zSb2 offers a rare opportunity to investigate the interplay between relativistic fermions and spontaneous TRS breaking.« less

A magnetic topological semimetal Sr 1-yMn 1-zSb2 (y, z < 0.10)

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

Liu, J. Y.; Hu, J.; Zhang, Qiang

Weyl (WSMs) evolve from Dirac semimetals in the presence of broken time-reversal symmetry (TRS) or space-inversion symmetry. The WSM phases in TaAs-class materials and photonic crystals are due to the loss of space-inversion symmetry. For TRS-breaking WSMs, despite numerous theoretical and experimental efforts, few examples have been reported. Here in this paper, we report a new type of magnetic semimetal Sr 1-yMn 1-zSb 2 (y, z < 0.1) with nearly massless relativistic fermion behaviour (m* = 0.04 - 0.05m 0, where m 0 is the free-electron mass). This material exhibits a ferromagnetic order for 304 K < T < 565more » K, but a canted antiferromagnetic order with a ferromagnetic component for T < 304 K. The combination of relativistic fermion behaviour and ferromagnetism in Sr 1-yMn 1-zSb2 offers a rare opportunity to investigate the interplay between relativistic fermions and spontaneous TRS breaking.« less

Structural and magnetic properties of nanostructured composites (SrFe12O19)x(CaCu3Ti4O12)1-x

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gavrilova, T. P.; Deeva, J. A.; Yatsyk, I. V.; Yagfarova, A. R.; Gilmutdinov, I. F.; Lyadov, N. M.; Milovich, F. O.; Chupakhina, T. I.; Eremina, R. M.

2018-05-01

(SrFe12O19)x(CaCu3Ti4O12)1-x (x = 0.01, 0.03, 0.07, 0.1) composites were synthesized using a solid state method, while the pre-synthesized strontium hexaferrite SrFe12O19 (SFO) was added to the stoichiometric amount of CaO, CuO and TiO oxides to form the CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) structure around SFO microinclusions. The structural and microstructural properties of obtained composites were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The magnetic properties were studied by electron spin resonance and magnetometry methods. Based on all experimental data we can conclude, that SFOxCCTO1-x nanostructured composites were formed only for concentrations x = 0.03 and x = 0.07, where SFO nanoinclusions are inside CCTO matrix, that leads to the strong mutual influence of the magnetic properties of both component.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence study of rare earth ions doped strontium sulphide phosphors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vij, Ankush; Gautam, Sanjeev; Kumar, Vinay; Brajpuriya, R.; Kumar, Ravi; Singh, Nafa; Chae, Keun Hwa

2013-01-01

We present here the electronic structure and photoluminescence properties of Sm (0.1-1.0 mol%) doped SrS phosphors. The doping in SrS was probed by near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) at M5,4-edges of Sm in total electron yield mode. The simulated absorption edges using atomic multiplet calculations were correlated with experimental results, which clearly reveal the presence of trivalent state of Sm in SrS matrix. However, for Sm (1 mol%), very minor traces of Sm2+ were also observed, which have been explained by comparing the NEXAFS spectra in total electron and florescence yield mode. The PL emission of SrS:Sm comprises of three sharp bands at 567, 602 and 650 nm owing to the well-known intra 4f transitions from 4G5/2 to 6HJ (J = 5/2, 7/2, 9/2) levels of Sm3+ ions in SrS host. The effect of Ce co-doping on SrS:Sm phosphors was also investigated, which exhibits characteristic PL emission of independent ions at their respective excitation wavelengths. However, at an excitation wavelength of 393 nm, SrS:Ce,Sm exhibits the simultaneous characteristic PL emission of both ions spanning into blue-green-red region. The CIE chromaticity coordinates also clearly show the influence of excitation wavelengths on the emission colour of SrS:Ce,Sm.

Nanoscale control of an interfacial metal-insulator transition at room temperature.

PubMed

Cen, C; Thiel, S; Hammerl, G; Schneider, C W; Andersen, K E; Hellberg, C S; Mannhart, J; Levy, J

2008-04-01

Experimental and theoretical investigations have demonstrated that a quasi-two-dimensional electron gas (q-2DEG) can form at the interface between two insulators: non-polar SrTiO3 and polar LaTiO3 (ref. 2), LaAlO3 (refs 3-5), KTaO3 (ref. 7) or LaVO3 (ref. 6). Electronically, the situation is analogous to the q-2DEGs formed in semiconductor heterostructures by modulation doping. LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures have recently been shown to exhibit a hysteretic electric-field-induced metal-insulator quantum phase transition for LaAlO3 thicknesses of 3 unit cells. Here, we report the creation and erasure of nanoscale conducting regions at the interface between two insulating oxides, LaAlO3 and SrTiO3. Using voltages applied by a conducting atomic force microscope (AFM) probe, the buried LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface is locally and reversibly switched between insulating and conducting states. Persistent field effects are observed using the AFM probe as a gate. Patterning of conducting lines with widths of approximately 3 nm, as well as arrays of conducting islands with densities >10(14) inch(-2), is demonstrated. The patterned structures are stable for >24 h at room temperature.

Super-resolution processing for multi-functional LPI waveforms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Zhengzheng; Zhang, Yan; Wang, Shang; Cai, Jingxiao

2014-05-01

Super-resolution (SR) is a radar processing technique closely related to the pulse compression (or correlation receiver). There are many super-resolution algorithms developed for the improved range resolution and reduced sidelobe contaminations. Traditionally, the waveforms used for the SR have been either phase-coding (such as LKP3 code, Barker code) or the frequency modulation (chirp, or nonlinear frequency modulation). There are, however, an important class of waveforms which are either random in nature (such as random noise waveform), or randomly modulated for multiple function operations (such as the ADS-B radar signals in [1]). These waveforms have the advantages of low-probability-of-intercept (LPI). If the existing SR techniques can be applied to these waveforms, there will be much more flexibility for using these waveforms in actual sensing missions. Also, SR usually has great advantage that the final output (as estimation of ground truth) is largely independent of the waveform. Such benefits are attractive to many important primary radar applications. In this paper the general introduction of the SR algorithms are provided first, and some implementation considerations are discussed. The selected algorithms are applied to the typical LPI waveforms, and the results are discussed. It is observed that SR algorithms can be reliably used for LPI waveforms, on the other hand, practical considerations should be kept in mind in order to obtain the optimal estimation results.

An approach to design a 90Sr radioisotope thermoelectric generator using analytical and Monte Carlo methods with ANSYS, COMSOL, and MCNP.

PubMed

Khajepour, Abolhasan; Rahmani, Faezeh

2017-01-01

In this study, a 90 Sr radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) with power of milliWatt was designed to operate in the determined temperature (300-312K). For this purpose, the combination of analytical and Monte Carlo methods with ANSYS and COMSOL software as well as the MCNP code was used. This designed RTG contains 90 Sr as a radioisotope heat source (RHS) and 127 coupled thermoelectric modules (TEMs) based on bismuth telluride. Kapton (2.45mm in thickness) and Cryotherm sheets (0.78mm in thickness) were selected as the thermal insulators of the RHS, as well as a stainless steel container was used as a generator chamber. The initial design of the RHS geometry was performed according to the amount of radioactive material (strontium titanate) as well as the heat transfer calculations and mechanical strength considerations. According to the Monte Carlo simulation performed by the MCNP code, approximately 0.35 kCi of 90 Sr is sufficient to generate heat power in the RHS. To determine the optimal design of the RTG, the distribution of temperature as well as the dissipated heat and input power to the module were calculated in different parts of the generator using the ANSYS software. Output voltage according to temperature distribution on TEM was calculated using COMSOL. Optimization of the dimension of the RHS and heat insulator was performed to adapt the average temperature of the hot plate of TEM to the determined hot temperature value. This designed RTG generates 8mW in power with an efficiency of 1%. This proposed approach of combination method can be used for the precise design of various types of RTGs. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A stainless steel bracket for orthodontic application.

PubMed

Oh, Keun-Taek; Choo, Sung-Uk; Kim, Kwang-Mahn; Kim, Kyoung-Nam

2005-06-01

Aesthetics has become an essential element when choosing orthodontic fixed appliances. Most metallic brackets used in orthodontic therapy are made from stainless steel (SS) with the appropriate physical properties and good corrosion resistance, and are available as types 304, 316 and 17-4 PH SS. However, localized corrosion of these materials can frequently occur in the oral environment. This study was undertaken to evaluate the accuracy of sizing, microstructure, hardness, corrosion resistance, frictional resistance and cytotoxicity of commercially available Mini-diamond (S17400), Archist (S30403) and experimentally manufactured SR-50A (S32050) brackets. The size accuracy of Mini-diamond was the highest at all locations except for the external horizontal width of the tie wing (P < 0.05). Micrographs of the Mini-diamond and Archist showed precipitates in the grains and around their boundaries. SR-50A showed the only austenitic phase and the highest polarization resistance of the tested samples. SR-50A also had the highest corrosion resistance [SR-50A, Mini-diamond and Archist were 0.9 x 10(-3), 3.7 x 10(-3), and 7.4 x 10(-3) mm per year (mpy), respectively], in the artificial saliva. The frictional force of SR-50A decreased over time, but that of Mini-diamond and Archist increased. Therefore, SR-50A is believed to have better frictional properties to orthodontic wire than Mini-diamond and Archist. Cytotoxic results showed that the response index of SR-50A was 0/1 (mild), Mini-diamond 1/1 (mild+), and Archist 1/2 (mild+). SR-50A showed greater biocompatibility than either Mini-diamond or Archist. It is concluded that the SR-50A bracket has good frictional property, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility with a lower probability of allergic reaction, compared with conventionally used SS brackets.

Alveolar bone repair with strontium- containing nanostructured carbonated hydroxyapatite.

PubMed

Carmo, André Boziki Xavier do; Sartoretto, Suelen Cristina; Alves, Adriana Terezinha Neves Novellino; Granjeiro, José Mauro; Miguel, Fúlvio Borges; Calasans-Maia, Jose; Calasans-Maia, Monica Diuana

2018-01-18

This study aimed to evaluate bone repair in rat dental sockets after implanting nanostructured carbonated hydroxyapatite/sodium alginate (CHA) and nanostructured carbonated hydroxyapatite/sodium alginate containing 5% strontium microspheres (SrCHA) as bone substitute materials. Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two experimental groups: CHA and SrCHA (n=5/period/group). After one and 6 weeks of extraction of the right maxillary central incisor and biomaterial implantation, 5 μm bone blocks were obtained for histomorphometric evaluation. The parameters evaluated were remaining biomaterial, loose connective tissue and newly formed bone in a standard area. Statistical analysis was performed by Mann-Withney and and Wilcoxon tests at 95% level of significance. The histomorphometric results showed that the microspheres showed similar fragmentation and bio-absorbation (p>0.05). We observed the formation of new bones in both groups during the same experimental periods; however, the new bone formation differed significantly between the weeks 1 and 6 (p=0.0039) in both groups. The CHA and SrCHA biomaterials were biocompatible, osteoconductive and bioabsorbable, indicating their great potential for clinical use as bone substitutes.

Revealing the role of the endocannabinoid system modulators, SR141716A, URB597 and VDM-11, in sleep homeostasis.

PubMed

Murillo-Rodríguez, Eric; Machado, Sergio; Rocha, Nuno Barbosa; Budde, Henning; Yuan, Ti-Fei; Arias-Carrión, Oscar

2016-12-17

The endocannabinoid system comprises receptors (CB 1 and CB 2 cannabinoid receptors), enzymes (Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase [FAAH], which synthesizes the endocannabinoid anandamide), as well as the anandamide membrane transporter (AMT). Importantly, previous experiments have demonstrated that the endocannabinoid system modulates multiple neurobiological functions, including sleep. For instance, SR141716A (the CB 1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist) as well as URB597 (the FAAH inhibitor) increase waking in rats whereas VDM-11 (the blocker of the AMT) enhances sleep in rodents. However, no further evidence is available regarding the neurobiological role of the endocannabinoid system in the homeostatic control of sleep. Therefore, the aim of the current experiment was to test if SR141716A, URB597 or VDM-11 would modulate the sleep rebound after sleep deprivation. Thus, these compounds were systemically injected (5, 10, 20mg/kg; ip; separately each one) into rats after prolonged waking. We found that SR141716A and URB597 blocked in dose-dependent fashion the sleep rebound whereas animals treated with VDM-11 displayed sleep rebound during the recovery period. Complementary, injection after sleep deprivation of either SR141716A or URB597 enhanced dose-dependently the extracellular levels of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EP), serotonin (5-HT), as well as adenosine (AD) while VDM-11 caused a decline in contents of these molecules. These findings suggest that SR141716A or URB597 behave as a potent stimulants since they suppressed the sleep recovery period after prolonged waking. It can be concluded that elements of the endocannabinoid system, such as the CB 1 cannabinoid receptor, FAAH and AMT, modulate the sleep homeostasis after prolonged waking. Copyright © 2016 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Smart radio: spectrum access for first responders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silvius, Mark D.; Ge, Feng; Young, Alex; MacKenzie, Allen B.; Bostian, Charles W.

2008-04-01

This paper details the Wireless at Virginia Tech Center for Wireless Telecommunications' (CWT) design and implementation of its Smart Radio (SR) communication platform. The CWT SR can identify available spectrum within a pre-defined band, rendezvous with an intended receiver, and transmit voice and data using a selected quality of service (QoS). This system builds upon previous cognitive technologies developed by CWT for the public safety community, with the goal of providing a prototype mobile communications package for military and public safety First Responders. A master control (MC) enables spectrum awareness by characterizing the radio environment with a power spectrum sensor and an innovative signal detection and classification module. The MC also enables spectrum and signal memory by storing sensor results in a knowledge database. By utilizing a family radio service (FRS) waveform database, the CWT SR can create a new communication link on any designated FRS channel frequency using FM, BPSK, QPSK, or 8PSK modulations. With FM, it supports analog voice communications with legacy hand-held FRS radios. With digital modulations, it supports IP data services, including a CWT developed CVSD-based VoIP protocol. The CWT SR coordinates spectrum sharing between analog primary users and digital secondary users by applying a simple but effective channel-change protocol. It also demonstrates a novel rendezvous protocol to facilitate the detection and initialization of communications links with neighboring SR nodes through the transmission of frequency-hopped rendezvous beacons. By leveraging the GNU Radio toolkit, writing key modules entirely in Python, and utilizing the USRP hardware front-end, the CWT SR provides a dynamic spectrum test bed for future smart and cognitive radio research.

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

Kuhn, M., E-mail: kuhnm@mit.edu; Hashimoto, S.; Sato, K.

The oxygen nonstoichiometry of La{sub 0.6}Sr{sub 0.4}CoO{sub 3-{delta}} has been the topic of various reports in the literature, but has been exclusively measured at high oxygen partial pressures, pO{sub 2}, and/or elevated temperatures. For applications of La{sub 0.6}Sr{sub 0.4}CoO{sub 3-{delta}}, such as solid oxide fuel cell cathodes or oxygen permeation membranes, knowledge of the oxygen nonstoichiometry and thermo-chemical stability over a wide range of pO{sub 2} is crucial, as localized low pO{sub 2} could trigger failure of the material and device. By employing coulometric titration combined with thermogravimetry, the oxygen nonstoichiometry of La{sub 0.6}Sr{sub 0.4}CoO{sub 3-{delta}} was measured at highmore » and intermediate pO{sub 2} until the material decomposed (at log(pO{sub 2}/bar) Almost-Equal-To -4.5 at 1073 K). For a gradually reduced sample, an offset in oxygen content suggests that La{sub 0.6}Sr{sub 0.4}CoO{sub 3-{delta}} forms a 'super-reduced' solid solution before decomposing. When the sample underwent alternate reduction-oxidation, a hysteresis-like pO{sub 2} dependence of the oxygen content in the decomposition pO{sub 2} range was attributed to the reversible formation of ABO{sub 3} and A{sub 2}BO{sub 4} phases. Reduction enthalpy and entropy were determined for the single-phase region and confirmed interpolated values from the literature. - Graphical abstract: Oxygen nonstoichiometry (shown as 3-{delta}) of La{sub 0.6}Sr{sub 0.4}CoO{sub 3-{delta}} as a function of pO{sub 2} at 773-1173 K. The experimental data were obtained by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and coulometric titration (measured either by a simple reduction (CT1) or a 'two-step-forward one-step-back' reduction-oxidation (CT2) procedure). D1 and D2 denote the decomposition pO{sub 2}. The solid lines are the fit to the thermogravimetry and CT1 data. The dashed lines represent the non-equilibrium region where the sample shows a super-reduced state. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Oxygen nonstoichiometry of La{sub 0.6}Sr{sub 0.4}CoO{sub 3-{delta}} at intermediate temperatures and p(O2). Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Experimental confirmation of previously interpolated reduction enthalpy. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Decomposition p(O2) assessed by coulometric titration. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Hysteresis-like p(O2) dependence of oxygen content at decomposition p(O2).« less

Impulse voltage control of continuously tunable bipolar resistive switching in Pt/Bi0.9Eu0.1FeO3/Nb-doped SrTiO3 heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Maocai; Liu, Meifeng; Wang, Xiuzhang; Li, Meiya; Zhu, Yongdan; Zhao, Meng; Zhang, Feng; Xie, Shuai; Hu, Zhongqiang; Liu, Jun-Ming

2017-03-01

Epitaxial Bi0.9Eu0.1FeO3 (BEFO) thin films are deposited on Nb-doped SrTiO3 (NSTO) substrates by pulsed laser deposition to fabricate the Pt/BEFO/NSTO (001) heterostructures. These heterostructures possess bipolar resistive switching, where the resistances versus writing voltage exhibits a distinct hysteresis loop and a memristive behavior with good retention and anti-fatigue characteristics. The local resistive switching is confirmed by the conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM), suggesting the possibility to scale down the memory cell size. The observed memristive behavior could be attributed to the ferroelectric polarization effect, which modulates the height of potential barrier and width of depletion region at the BEFO/NSTO interface. The continuously tunable resistive switching behavior could be useful to achieve non-volatile, high-density, multilevel random access memory with low energy consumption.

Flame photometric determination of strontium in water

USGS Publications Warehouse

Skougstad, Marvin W.

1957-01-01

Preliminary search of reported methods of Sr analysis revealed several investigations which have been made for the determination of Sr with the flame photometer, both at relatively low concentrations (0 to 50 ppm Sr) and at higher concentrations. Generally the procedures described involved measurement of Sr emission at either 460.7 mu or at 681 mu. There is disagreement among those reporting methods for Sr as to the preference of the one wavelength over the other. The 681 line (or band) seems to be preferred because of its greater reproducibility and relative freedom from interference. The 460.7 mu line, however, lies in the region of greater sensitivity of the photomultiplier tube, and hence for this reason is preferred by some. This is an advantage, of course, when determining Sr at very low concentrations. This investigation is concerned with determining the optimum conditions for the determination of Sr at low concentration levels in water samples. Early experimental work indicated a greater sensitivity for the 460.7 mu (hereafter designated as 461 mu) Sr line. Therefore, most of the subsequent work was based on a study of the effects of various other materials and conditions on the emission of Sr at this wavelength.

Ferroelectricity-induced resistive switching in Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3/Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3/Nb-doped SrTiO3 epitaxial heterostructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Md. Sadaf, Sharif; Mostafa Bourim, El; Liu, Xinjun; Hasan Choudhury, Sakeb; Kim, Dong-Wook; Hwang, Hyunsang

2012-03-01

We investigated the effect of a ferroelectric Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 (PZT) thin film on the generation of resistive switching in a stacked Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3 (PCMO)/Nb-doped SrTiO3 (Nb:STO) heterostructure forming a p-n junction. To promote the ferroelectric effect, the thin PZT active layer was deposited on an epitaxially grown p-type PCMO film on a lattice-matched n-type Nb:STO single crystal. It was concluded that the observed resistive switching behavior in the all-perovskite Pt/PZT/PCMO/Nb:STO heterostructure was related to the modulation of PCMO/Nb:STO p-n junction's depletion width, which was caused either by the PZT ferroelectric polarization field effect, the electrochemical drift of oxygen ions under an electric field, or both simultaneously.

Theory-Guided Synthesis of a Metastable Lead-Free Piezoelectric Polymorph

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

Garten, Lauren M; Ndione, Paul F; Beaton, Daniel A

Many technologically critical materials are metastable under ambient conditions, yet the understanding of how to rationally design and guide the synthesis of these materials is limited. This work presents an integrated approach that targets a metastable lead-free piezoelectric polymorph of SrHfO3. First-principles calculations predict that the previous experimentally unrealized, metastable P4mm phase of SrHfO3 should exhibit a direct piezoelectric response (d33) of 36.9 pC N-1 (compared to d33 = 0 for the ground state). Combining computationally optimized substrate selection and synthesis conditions lead to the epitaxial stabilization of the polar P4mm phase of SrHfO3 on SrTiO3. The films are structurallymore » consistent with the theory predictions. A ferroelectric-induced large signal effective converse piezoelectric response of 5.2 pm V-1 for a 35 nm film is observed, indicating the ability to predict and target multifunctionality. This illustrates a coupled theory-experimental approach to the discovery and realization of new multifunctional polymorphs.« less

Theory-Guided Synthesis of a Metastable Lead-Free Piezoelectric Polymorph.

PubMed

Garten, Lauren M; Dwaraknath, Shyam; Walker, Julian; Mangum, John S; Ndione, Paul F; Park, Yoonsang; Beaton, Daniel A; Gopalan, Venkatraman; Gorman, Brian P; Schelhas, Laura T; Toney, Michael F; Trolier-McKinstry, Susan; Persson, Kristin A; Ginley, David S

2018-05-10

Many technologically critical materials are metastable under ambient conditions, yet the understanding of how to rationally design and guide the synthesis of these materials is limited. This work presents an integrated approach that targets a metastable lead-free piezoelectric polymorph of SrHfO 3 . First-principles calculations predict that the previous experimentally unrealized, metastable P4mm phase of SrHfO 3 should exhibit a direct piezoelectric response (d 33 ) of 36.9 pC N -1 (compared to d 33 = 0 for the ground state). Combining computationally optimized substrate selection and synthesis conditions lead to the epitaxial stabilization of the polar P4mm phase of SrHfO 3 on SrTiO 3 . The films are structurally consistent with the theory predictions. A ferroelectric-induced large signal effective converse piezoelectric response of 5.2 pm V -1 for a 35 nm film is observed, indicating the ability to predict and target multifunctionality. This illustrates a coupled theory-experimental approach to the discovery and realization of new multifunctional polymorphs. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Cognitive Workload and Sleep Restriction Interact to Influence Sleep Homeostatic Responses

PubMed Central

Goel, Namni; Abe, Takashi; Braun, Marcia E.; Dinges, David F.

2014-01-01

Study Objectives: Determine the effects of high versus moderate workload on sleep physiology and neurobehavioral measures, during sleep restriction (SR) and no sleep restriction (NSR) conditions. Design: Ten-night experiment involving cognitive workload and SR manipulations. Setting: Controlled laboratory environment. Participants: Sixty-three healthy adults (mean ± standard deviation: 33.2 ± 8.7 y; 29 females), age 22–50 y. Interventions: Following three baseline 8 h time in bed (TIB) nights, subjects were randomized to one of four conditions: high cognitive workload (HW) + SR; moderate cognitive workload (MW) + SR; HW + NSR; or MW + NSR. SR entailed 5 consecutive nights at 4 h TIB; NSR entailed 5 consecutive nights at 8 h TIB. Subjects received three workload test sessions/day consisting of 15-min preworkload assessments, followed by a 60-min (MW) or 120-min (HW) workload manipulation comprised of visually based cognitive tasks, and concluding with 15-min of postworkload assessments. Experimental nights were followed by two 8-h TIB recovery sleep nights. Polysomnography was collected on baseline night 3, experimental nights 1, 4, and 5, and recovery night 1 using three channels (central, frontal, occipital [C3, Fz, O2]). Measurements and Results: High workload, regardless of sleep duration, increased subjective fatigue and sleepiness (all P < 0.05). In contrast, sleep restriction produced cumulative increases in Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) lapses, fatigue, and sleepiness and decreases in PVT response speed and Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) sleep onset latencies (all P < 0.05). High workload produced longer sleep onset latencies (P < 0.05, d = 0.63) and less wake after sleep onset (P < 0.05, d = 0.64) than moderate workload. Slow-wave energy—the putative marker of sleep homeostasis—was higher at O2 than C3 only in the HW + SR condition (P < 0.05). Conclusions: High cognitive workload delayed sleep onset, but it also promoted sleep homeostatic responses by increasing subjective fatigue and sleepiness, and producing a global sleep homeostatic response by reducing wake after sleep onset. When combined with sleep restriction, high workload increased local (occipital) sleep homeostasis, suggesting a use-dependent sleep response to visual work. We conclude that sleep restriction and cognitive workload interact to influence sleep homeostasis. Citation: Goel N, Abe T, Braun ME, Dinges DF. Cognitive workload and sleep restriction interact to influence sleep homeostatic responses. SLEEP 2014;37(11):1745-1756. PMID:25364070

Effect of lone-electron-pair cations on the orientation of crystallographic shear planes in anion-deficient perovskites.

PubMed

Batuk, Dmitry; Batuk, Maria; Abakumov, Artem M; Tsirlin, Alexander A; McCammon, Catherine; Dubrovinsky, Leonid; Hadermann, Joke

2013-09-03

Factors affecting the structure and orientation of the crystallographic shear (CS) planes in anion-deficient perovskites were investigated using the (Pb(1-z)Sr(z))(1-x)Fe(1+x)O(3-y) perovskites as a model system. The isovalent substitution of Sr(2+) for Pb(2+) highlights the influence of the A cation electronic structure because these cations exhibit very close ionic radii. Two compositional ranges have been identified in the system: 0.05 ≤ z ≤ 0.2, where the CS plane orientation gradually varies but stays close to (203)p, and 0.3 ≤ z ≤ 0.45 with (101)p CS planes. The incommensurately modulated structure of Pb0.792Sr0.168Fe1.040O2.529 was refined from neutron powder diffraction data using the (3 + 1)D approach (space group X2/m(α0γ), X = (1/2, 1/2, 1/2, 1/2), a = 3.9512(1) Å, b = 3.9483(1) Å, c = 3.9165(1) Å, β = 93.268(2)°, q = 0.0879(1)a* + 0.1276(1)c*, RF = 0.023, RP = 0.029, and T = 900 K). A comparison of the compounds with different CS planes indicates that the orientation of the CS planes is governed mainly by the stereochemical activity of the lone-electron-pair cations inside the perovskite blocks.

Interference Effects of Radiation Emitted from Nuclear Excitons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Potzel, W.; van Bürck, U.; Schindelmann, P.; Hagn, H.; Smirnov, G. V.; Popov, S. L.; Gerdau, E.; Shvyd'Ko, Yu. V.; Jäschke, J.; Rüter, H. D.; Chumakov, A. I.; Rüffer, R.

2003-12-01

Interference effects in nuclear forward scattering of synchrotron radiation (NFSSR) from two spatially separated stainless-steel foils A and B mounted downstream behind each other have been investigated. Target A can be sinusoidally vibrated by high-frequency (MHz) ultrasound (US), target B is moved at a constant Doppler velocity which is large compared to the natural width of the nuclear transition. Due to this large Doppler shift radiative coupling between both targets is disrupted and the nuclear excitons in A and B develop independently in space and time after the SR pulse. As a consequence, the emission from the whole system (A&B) is dominated by the interference of the emissions from A and B. The application of US to target A is a powerful method to change the relative phasing of the emissions and thus to investigate interference effects originating from the two nuclear excitons in detail. Four distinct cases were studied: (a) If target A is kept stationary and only B is moved at large constant velocity v, the interference pattern exhibits a Quantum Beat (QB) whose period is determined by v. (b) If, in addition, target A is sinusoidally vibrated in a piston-like motion by US and the initial US phase Φ0 is locked to the SR pulse, the QB is frequency modulated by the US. The variation of the QB frequency increases with the US modulation index m. (c) In the case that Φ0 is not synchronized to the SR pulse (phase averaging over Φ0) drastic changes of the amplitude and phase reversals of the QB pattern occur in the time regions around odd multiples of half of the US period. (d) If Φ0 is not synchronized to the SR pulse and the US motion is no longer pistonlike, the NFSSR intensity has to be averaged over both Φ0 and m (amplitude) of the US motion. Surprisingly the QB interference pattern does not vanish completely but a short QB signal remains at times of the full US period even at high values of m. All NFSSR patterns investigated are interpreted and quantitatively described by the dynamical theory.

Ferroelectric Polarization-Modulated Interfacial Fine Structures Involving Two-Dimensional Electron Gases in Pb(Zr,Ti)O3/LaAlO3/SrTiO3 Heterostructures.

PubMed

Wang, Shuangbao; Bai, Yuhang; Xie, Lin; Li, Chen; Key, Julian D; Wu, Di; Wang, Peng; Pan, Xiaoqing

2018-01-10

Interfacial fine structures of bare LaAlO 3 /SrTiO 3 (LAO/STO) heterostructures are compared with those of LAO/STO heterostructures capped with upward-polarized Pb(Zr 0.1 ,Ti 0.9 )O 3 (PZT up ) or downward-polarized Pb(Zr 0.5 ,Ti 0.5 )O 3 (PZT down ) overlayers by aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy experiments. By combining the acquired electron energy-loss spectroscopy mapping, we are able to directly observe electron transfer from Ti 4+ to Ti 3+ and ionic displacements at the interface of bare LAO/STO and PZT down /LAO/STO heterostructure unit cell by unit cell. No evidence of Ti 3+ is observed at the interface of the PZT up /LAO/STO samples. Furthermore, the confinement of the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) at the interface is determined by atomic-column spatial resolution. Compared with the bare LAO/STO interface, the 2DEG density at the LAO/STO interface is enhanced or depressed by the PZT down or PZT up overlayer, respectively. Our microscopy studies shed light on the mechanism of ferroelectric modulation of interfacial transport at polar/nonpolar oxide heterointerfaces, which may facilitate applications of these materials as nonvolatile memory.

Giant spin gap and magnon localization in the disordered Heisenberg antiferromagnet Sr 2 Ir 1 - x Ru x O 4

DOE PAGES

Cao, Yue; Liu, X.; Xu, Wenhu; ...

2017-03-06

Here, we study the evolution of magnetic excitations in the disordered two-dimensional antiferromagnet Sr 2Ir 1–xRuxO 4. The maximum energy of the magnetic excitation remains robust up to x = 0.77, with a gap opening at low dopings and increasing to over 150 meV at x = 0.77. At these higher Ru concentrations, the dispersive magnetic excitations in Sr 2IrO 4 are rendered essentially momentum independent. Up to a Ru concentration of x = 0.77, both experiments and first-principles calculations show the Ir J eff = 1/2 state remains intact. The magnetic gap arises from the local interaction anisotropy inmore » the proximity of the Ru disorder. Under the coherent potential approximation, we reproduce the experimental magnetic excitations using the disordered Heisenberg antiferromagnetic model with suppressed next-nearest-neighbor ferromagnetic coupling.« less

Giant spin gap and magnon localization in the disordered Heisenberg antiferromagnet Sr2Ir1 -xRuxO4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Yue; Liu, X.; Xu, Wenhu; Yin, Wei-Guo; Meyers, D.; Kim, Jungho; Casa, Diego; Upton, M. H.; Gog, Thomas; Berlijn, Tom; Alvarez, Gonzalo; Yuan, Shujuan; Terzic, Jasminka; Tranquada, J. M.; Hill, John P.; Cao, Gang; Konik, Robert M.; Dean, M. P. M.

2017-03-01

We study the evolution of magnetic excitations in the disordered two-dimensional antiferromagnet Sr2Ir1 -xRuxO4 . The maximum energy of the magnetic excitation remains robust up to x =0.77 , with a gap opening at low dopings and increasing to over 150 meV at x =0.77 . At these higher Ru concentrations, the dispersive magnetic excitations in Sr2IrO4 are rendered essentially momentum independent. Up to a Ru concentration of x =0.77 , both experiments and first-principles calculations show the Ir Jeff=1 /2 state remains intact. The magnetic gap arises from the local interaction anisotropy in the proximity of the Ru disorder. Under the coherent potential approximation, we reproduce the experimental magnetic excitations using the disordered Heisenberg antiferromagnetic model with suppressed next-nearest-neighbor ferromagnetic coupling.

Modulation of cutaneous scavenger receptor B1 levels by exogenous stressors impairs "in vitro" wound closure.

PubMed

Muresan, Ximena Maria; Sticozzi, Claudia; Belmonte, Giuseppe; Savelli, Vinno; Evelson, Pablo; Valacchi, Giuseppe

2018-06-01

Scavenger receptor B1 (SR-B1) is a trans-membrane protein, involved in tissue reverse cholesterol transport. Several studies have demonstrated that SR-B1 is also implicated in other physiological processes, such as bacteria and apoptotic cells recognition and regulation of intracellular tocopherol and carotenoids levels. Among the tissues where it is localized, SR-B1 has been shown to be significantly expressed in human epidermis. Our group has demonstrated that SR-B1 levels are down-regulated in human cultured keratinocytes by environmental stressors, such as cigarette smoke, via cellular redox imbalance. Our present study aimed to investigate whether such down-regulation was confirmed in a 3D skin model and under other environmental challengers such as particulate matter and ozone. We also investigated the association between oxidation-induced SR-B1 modulation and impaired wound closure. The data obtained showed that not only cigarette, but also the other environmental stressors reduced SR-B1 expression in epidermal cutaneous tissues and that this effect might be involved in impaired wound healing. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Formulation design of a highly hygroscopic drug (pyridostigmine bromide) for its hygroscopic character improvement and investigation of in vitro/in vivo dissolution properties.

PubMed

Huang, Yuh-Tyng; Tsai, Tong-Rong; Cheng, Chun-Jen; Cham, Thau-Ming; Lai, Tsun-Fwu; Chuo, Wen-Ho

2007-04-01

Pyridostigmine bromide (PB) sustained-release (SR) pellets were developed by extrusion-spheronization and fluid-bed methods using Taguchi experimental and 2(3) full factorial design. In vitro studies, the 2(3) full factorial design was utilized to search for the optimal SR pellets with specific release rate at different time intervals (release percent of 2, 6, 12, and 24 hr were 6.24, 33.48, 75.18, and 95.26%, respectively) which followed a zero-order mechanism (n=0.93). The results of moisture absorption by Karl Fischer has shown the optimum SR pellets at 25 degrees C/60% RH, 30 degrees C/65% RH, and 40 degrees C/75% RH chambers from 1 hr-4 weeks, attributing that the moisture absorption was not significantly increased. In the in vivo study, the results of the bioavailability data showed the Tmax (from 0.65+/-0.082 hr-4.82+/-2.12 hr) and AUC0-30 hr (from 734.88+/-230.68 ng/mL.hr-1454.86+/-319.28 ng/mL.hr) were prolonged and increased, as well as Cmax (from 251.87+/-27.51 ng/mL-115.08+/-14.87 ng/mL) was decreased for optimum SR-PB pellets when compared with commercial immediate-release (IR) tablets. Furthermore, a good linear regression relationship (r=0.9943) was observed between the fraction dissolution and fraction absorption for the optimum SR pellets. In this study, the formulation design not only improved the hygroscopic character of PB but also achieved the SR effect.

Experimental Study of Sr Partitioning into Calcite at Various Linear Growth Rates and Temperatures: Preliminary Results.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gabitov, R. I.; Watson, B. E.

2004-05-01

The surface of a crystal in equilibrium with surrounding fluid can have a composition that differs from the bulk crystal. If growth rate of the crystal exceeds a minimum value at which partitioning-equilibrium can be maintained, then the crystal surface composition may be "captured" by the newly-formed lattice. The degree of this entrapment increases with increasing crystal growth rate. Non-equlibrium partitioning of Sr into calcite probably occurs by this entrapment mechanism. Sr and calcite are geochemically significant in understanding the thermal history of the ocean because the substitution of Sr for Ca in calcite is temperature dependent. To improve our understanding of the partitioning of Sr into calcite, we conducted two different types of experiment: 1) calcite growth from Sr-bearing solution with analysis of the crystal cross-section by electron microprobe (bulk crystal-liquid runs); and 2) treatment of calcite cleavage surfaces with Sr-bearing solutions and examination of the top few nm surface layer by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (surface-liquid runs). In the series of bulk-liquid experiments crystals were grown by three different procedures: 1) precipitation on glass slide (pre-coated with calcite), where a steady flow of CaCl2 - SrCl2 and Na2CO3 solutions were mixed just before passage through a tube and allowed to drip onto a slide ("cave"-type experiments, ionic strength I=0.01); 2) growth from a CaCl2 - NH4Cl - SrCl2 solution by diffusion of CO2 from an ammonium carbonate source ("drift" experiments, I=0.52); 3) coarsening of small calcite crystals in the CaCO3-SrCO3-NaCl-H2O system at 800-950° C and 0.5-1 kb in a cold seal apparatus. The growth rate of individual crystals was determined by periodic monitoring of crystal size with time or roughly by comparison of final size with duration of the experiment. Surface-liquid experiments were performed by treatment of cleavage surfaces of natural calcite fragments in a Sr(ClO4)2 solution for 1 minute. After treatment the remaining solution was blown out by a stream of nitrogen to preclude the precipitation of Sr phase. We observed that the precipitated calcite crystals can be very different in size even if the runs have the same input rate of calcite components. The cave-type and cold-seal runs yielded 15-40 μ m calcites, but in the drift experiments crystal size varied between 60 μ m and 1 mm. Electron microprobe analysis across the large crystals show that the concentration of Sr is higher in the center and decreases toward the edge. This is probably due to the cube-root dependence of radial growth on the volume change of the growing crystals. Like previous workers who measured bulk uptake of Sr as a function of precipitation rate, we observed that increased growth rate (V, nm/s) enhances Sr uptake into the crystal, raising Kdbulk/liquid=(Sr/Ca)bulk/(Sr/Ca)liquid. Kdbulk/liquid = 0.03 to 0.06 when log(V)=-1.1 to -0.6 at 25° C in the cave-type runs (I=0.01). At higher ionic strength (I=0.52) and T=55° C, Kdbulk/liquid=0.11 to 0.15 when log(V)=-0.6 to 0.4 in the drift experiments. XPS analysis of surface-liquid experiments yielded higher Kdsurface/liquid=(Sr/Ca)surface/(Sr/Ca)liquid values compared with Kdbulk/liquid. This combined evidence supports the idea that Sr is enriched at the calcite surface relative to the bulk crystal during crystal growth.

Effect of retrapping on the persistent luminescence in strontium silicate orange–yellow phosphor

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

Xu, Xuhui; Yu, Xue, E-mail: yuyu6593@126.com; Zhou, Dacheng

2013-10-15

The orange–yellow long persistent luminescence in Sr{sub 3}SiO{sub 5}:Eu{sup 2+}, Er{sup 3+} with the chromaticity coordination of (0.48, 0.49) can persist for over 20 h above the recognizable intensity level (≥0.32 mcd/m{sup 2}) because of retrapping carriers by the deep traps. The incorporation of Er{sup 3+} into Sr{sub 3}SiO{sub 5}:Eu{sup 2+} generates a large number of shallow traps responsible for the fast decay component as well as deep traps responsible for the decay tail of the LPL. It demonstrates that the retrapping of the carrier released from a trap plays an important role in the persistent luminescence process. - Graphicalmore » abstract: LPL decay curves of Sr{sub 3−x−y}SiO{sub 5}:xEu{sup 2+}, yEr{sup 3+} (x=0.0025, y=0, 0.0025). Inset: Orange–yellow emission images recorded using a classic Reflex digital camera with exposure times varying with the persistent luminescence times. Display Omitted - Highlights: • The persistence time of Sr{sub 3}SiO{sub 5}:Eu{sup 2+}, Er{sup 3+} lasts over 20 h above the recognizable intensity level. • The incorporation of Er{sup 3+} into Sr{sub 3}SiO{sub 5}:Eu{sup 2+} generates a large number of shallow traps. • The experimental results provide an evidence for the retrapping process in LPL processes.« less

Large electron concentration modulation using capacitance enhancement in SrTiO{sub 3}/SmTiO{sub 3} Fin-field effect transistors

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

Verma, Amit, E-mail: averma@cornell.edu; Nomoto, Kazuki; School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853

2016-05-02

Solid-state modulation of 2-dimensional electron gases (2DEGs) with extreme (∼3.3 × 10{sup 14 }cm{sup −2}) densities corresponding to 1/2 electron per interface unit cell at complex oxide heterointerfaces (such as SrTiO{sub 3}/GdTiO{sub 3} or SrTiO{sub 3}/SmTiO{sub 3}) is challenging because it requires enormous gate capacitances. One way to achieve large gate capacitances is by geometrical capacitance enhancement in fin structures. In this work, we fabricate both Au-gated planar field effect transistors (FETs) and Fin-FETs with varying fin-widths on 60 nm SrTiO{sub 3}/5 nm SmTiO{sub 3} thin films grown by hybrid molecular beam epitaxy. We find that the FinFETs exhibit higher gate capacitance comparedmore » to planar FETs. By scaling down the SrTiO{sub 3}/SmTiO{sub 3} fin widths, we demonstrate further gate capacitance enhancement, almost twice compared to the planar FETs. In the FinFETs with narrowest fin-widths, we demonstrate a record 2DEG electron concentration modulation of ∼2.4 × 10{sup 14 }cm{sup −2}.« less

2-SR-based electrically small antenna for RFID applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paredes, Ferran; Zuffanelli, Simone; Aguilà, Pau; Zamora, Gerard; Martin, Ferran; Bonache, Jordi

2016-04-01

In this work, the 2-turn spiral resonator (2-SR) is proposed as an electrically small antenna for passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags at the European ultra-high frequency (UHF) band. The radiation properties are studied in order to explore the viability of the 2-SR applied to tag antenna design. Based on analytical calculations, the radiation pattern is found to provide a cancelation of the radiation nulls. This results in a mitigation of the blind spots in the read range, which are present in typical UHF-RFID tags as an undesired feature. As a proof of concept, a passive tag of size 35 mm × 40 mm (λ 0/10 × λ 0/9) based on the 2-SR antenna is designed and fabricated. Good radiation efficiency (75 %) and a quasi-isotropic radiation pattern are obtained. The experimental tag read range for different directions is in good agreement with the simulation results. The measured read range exhibits maximum and minimum values of 6.7 and 3.5 m, respectively.

Hydrogenation properties of Li{sub x}Sr{sub 1−x}AlSi studied by quantum-chemical methods (0≤x≤1) and in-situ neutron powder diffraction (x=1)

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

Kunkel, Nathalie, E-mail: nathalie.kunkel@chimie-paristech.fr; FR 8.1 Universität des Saarlandes, Postach 151150, 66041 Saarbrücken; Reichert, Christian

2015-01-15

In-situ neutron powder diffraction studies of the Half-Heusler phase LiAlSi under high deuterium pressures and first principle calculations of solid solutions of Li{sub x}Sr{sub 1−x}AlSi and their hydrides Li{sub x}Sr{sub 1−x}AlSiH were carried out. In contrast to an earlier study, there is no experimental evidence for hydrogen (deuterium) uptake up to gas pressures of 15 MPa and temperatures of 550 °C. Instead a slow decomposition reaction according to LiAlSi+1/2H{sub 2}=LiH+Al+Si was found by in-situ neutron powder diffraction. Theoretical calculations by DFT methods on hypothetical solid solutions of Li{sub x}Sr{sub 1−x}AlSi show the LiAlSi type to be the energetically most stablemore » structure for 0.7« less

Design of 150W, 105-μm, 0.22NA, fiber coupled laser diode module by ZEMAX

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qi, Yunfei; Zhao, Pengfei; Chen, Qing; Wu, Yulong; Chen, Yongqi; Zou, Yonggang; Lin, Xuechun

2016-10-01

We represent a design of a high brightness, fiber coupled diode laser module based on 16 single emitters at 915nm. The module can produce more than 150 Watts output power from a standard fiber with core diameter of 105μm and numerical aperture (NA) of 0.22. To achieve a high power and high brightness laser beam, the spatial beam combination and polarization beam combination are used to combine output of 16 single emitters into a single beam, and then an aspheric lens is used to couple the combined beam into an optical fiber. The simulation show that the total coupling efficiency is more than 95% and the highest brightness is estimated to be 11MW/ (cm2*sr).

Density functional study on redox energetics of LaMO{sub 3−δ} (M=Sc–Cu) perovskite-type oxides

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

Pishahang, Mehdi, E-mail: Mehdi.Pishahang@sintef.no; Erik Mohn, Chris; Stølen, Svein

2016-01-15

This study evaluates the redox energetics of LaMO{sub 3−δ} (M=Sc–Cu) perovskite-type oxides via generalized gradient approximation (GGA) to DFT. Two different approaches to redox energetics of oxygen deficient perovskites of strongly non-stoichiometric (δ=0.5) and dilute defect limits (δ→0) are studied. In the first approach the enthalpies of oxidation are calculated using the stoichiometric end-compounds of LaMO{sub 3} and LaMO{sub 2.5}. The most common structures for the reduced lanthanides and strontides similar to the ones experimentally reported for SrMnO{sub 2.5}, SrFeO{sub 2.5}, and LaNiO{sub 2.5} are considered. The second approach to the oxidation enthalpies termed (δ→0) follow the trend observed experimentally.more » This approach represents the experimental conditions of the measured oxygen enthalpies, and is hampered less by the artificial features due to spurious self-interaction errors in GGA.« less

Stability and Control Estimation Flight Test Results for the SR-71 Aircraft With Externally Mounted Experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moes, Timothy R.; Iliff, Kenneth

2002-01-01

A maximum-likelihood output-error parameter estimation technique is used to obtain stability and control derivatives for the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center SR-71A airplane and for configurations that include experiments externally mounted to the top of the fuselage. This research is being done as part of the envelope clearance for the new experiment configurations. Flight data are obtained at speeds ranging from Mach 0.4 to Mach 3.0, with an extensive amount of test points at approximately Mach 1.0. Pilot-input pitch and yaw-roll doublets are used to obtain the data. This report defines the parameter estimation technique used, presents stability and control derivative results, and compares the derivatives for the three configurations tested. The experimental configurations studied generally show acceptable stability, control, trim, and handling qualities throughout the Mach regimes tested. The reduction of directional stability for the experimental configurations is the most significant aerodynamic effect measured and identified as a design constraint for future experimental configurations. This report also shows the significant effects of aircraft flexibility on the stability and control derivatives.

The Arabidopsis SR45 Splicing Factor, a Negative Regulator of Sugar Signaling, Modulates SNF1-Related Protein Kinase 1 Stability.

PubMed

Carvalho, Raquel F; Szakonyi, Dóra; Simpson, Craig G; Barbosa, Inês C R; Brown, John W S; Baena-González, Elena; Duque, Paula

2016-08-01

The ability to sense and respond to sugar signals allows plants to cope with environmental and metabolic changes by adjusting growth and development accordingly. We previously reported that the SR45 splicing factor negatively regulates glucose signaling during early seedling development in Arabidopsis thaliana Here, we show that under glucose-fed conditions, the Arabidopsis sr45-1 loss-of-function mutant contains higher amounts of the energy-sensing SNF1-Related Protein Kinase 1 (SnRK1) despite unaffected SnRK1 transcript levels. In agreement, marker genes for SnRK1 activity are upregulated in sr45-1 plants, and the glucose hypersensitivity of sr45-1 is attenuated by disruption of the SnRK1 gene. Using a high-resolution RT-PCR panel, we found that the sr45-1 mutation broadly targets alternative splicing in vivo, including that of the SR45 pre-mRNA itself. Importantly, the enhanced SnRK1 levels in sr45-1 are suppressed by a proteasome inhibitor, indicating that SR45 promotes targeting of the SnRK1 protein for proteasomal destruction. Finally, we demonstrate that SR45 regulates alternative splicing of the Arabidopsis 5PTase13 gene, which encodes an inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase previously shown to interact with and regulate the stability of SnRK1 in vitro, thus providing a mechanistic link between SR45 function and the modulation of degradation of the SnRK1 energy sensor in response to sugars. © 2016 American Society of Plant Biologists. All rights reserved.

The Arabidopsis SR45 Splicing Factor, a Negative Regulator of Sugar Signaling, Modulates SNF1-Related Protein Kinase 1 Stability

PubMed Central

Barbosa, Inês C.R.

2016-01-01

The ability to sense and respond to sugar signals allows plants to cope with environmental and metabolic changes by adjusting growth and development accordingly. We previously reported that the SR45 splicing factor negatively regulates glucose signaling during early seedling development in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we show that under glucose-fed conditions, the Arabidopsis sr45-1 loss-of-function mutant contains higher amounts of the energy-sensing SNF1-Related Protein Kinase 1 (SnRK1) despite unaffected SnRK1 transcript levels. In agreement, marker genes for SnRK1 activity are upregulated in sr45-1 plants, and the glucose hypersensitivity of sr45-1 is attenuated by disruption of the SnRK1 gene. Using a high-resolution RT-PCR panel, we found that the sr45-1 mutation broadly targets alternative splicing in vivo, including that of the SR45 pre-mRNA itself. Importantly, the enhanced SnRK1 levels in sr45-1 are suppressed by a proteasome inhibitor, indicating that SR45 promotes targeting of the SnRK1 protein for proteasomal destruction. Finally, we demonstrate that SR45 regulates alternative splicing of the Arabidopsis 5PTase13 gene, which encodes an inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase previously shown to interact with and regulate the stability of SnRK1 in vitro, thus providing a mechanistic link between SR45 function and the modulation of degradation of the SnRK1 energy sensor in response to sugars. PMID:27436712

Photoluminescence of A- and B-site Eu{sup 3+}-substituted (Sr{sub x}Ba{sub 1−x}){sub 2}CaW{sub y}Mo{sub 1−y}O{sub 6} phosphors

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

Sletnes, M.; Lindgren, M.; Valmalette, J.C.

The photoluminescence of two series of A- and B-site Eu{sup 3+} substituted (Sr{sub x}Ba{sub 1−x}){sub 2}CaW{sub y}Mo{sub 1−y}O{sub 6} double perovskite phosphor materials, (Sr{sub x}Ba{sub 1−x}){sub 1.96}Eu{sub 0.02}K{sub 0.02}CaW{sub y}Mo{sub 1−y}O{sub 6} and (Sr{sub x}Ba{sub 1−x}){sub 2}Ca{sub 0.96}Eu{sub 0.02}Li{sub 0.02}W{sub y}Mo{sub 1−y}O{sub 6} (x and y=0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1), were studied systematically as a function of stoichiometry and crystal structure. The Eu{sup 3+} lattice sites controlled by co-doping with either K or Li were confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. The variation in integrated emission intensity and emission colour over the experimental matrix was examined using statistical tools, and themore » observed trends were rationalized based on the physical and electronic structure of the phosphors. Phosphors with Eu on B-site with maximum Sr content had remarkably higher emission intensities than all other materials, but the emission was more orange than red due to domination of the {sup 5}D{sub 0}–{sup 7}F{sub 1} (595 nm) transition of Eu{sup 3+}. The relative intensities of the {sup 5}D{sub 0}–{sup 7}F{sub 2} (615 nm) and {sup 5}D{sub 0}–{sup 7}F{sub 1} transitions of Eu{sup 3+}, and thus the red-shift of the emission, decreased linearly with increasing Sr content in the A-site Eu-substituted phosphors, and reached a maximum for Sr{sub 1.96}Eu{sub 0.02}K{sub 0.02}CaW{sub 0.25}Mo{sub 0.75}O{sub 6}. A maximum external quantum efficiency of 17% was obtained for the phosphor Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 0.7}Eu{sub 0.15}Li{sub 0.15}W{sub 0.5}Mo{sub 0.5}O{sub 6} with Eu on B-site. - Highlights: • Systematic study of the photoluminescence of Eu{sup 3+}-doped (Sr{sub x}Ba{sub 1−x}){sub 2}CaW{sub y}Mo{sub 1−y}O{sub 6}. • The Eu{sup 3+} lattice sites were confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. • A large parameter space was investigated using statistical tools. • A maximum external QE of 17% was obtained for Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 0.7}Eu{sub 0.15}Li{sub 0.15}W{sub 0.5}Mo{sub 0.5}O{sub 6}.« less

Mg2+ activates the ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR2) at intermediate Ca2+ concentrations.

PubMed

Chugun, Akihito; Sato, Osamu; Takeshima, Hiroshi; Ogawa, Yasuo

2007-01-01

To clarify whether activity of the ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR2) is reduced in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of cardiac muscle, as is the case with the ryanodine receptor type 1 (RyR1), Ca(2+)-dependent [(3)H]ryanodine binding, a biochemical measure of Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR), was determined using SR vesicle fractions isolated from rabbit and rat cardiac muscles. In the absence of an adenine nucleotide or caffeine, the rat SR showed a complicated Ca(2+) dependence, instead of the well-documented biphasic dependence of the rabbit SR. In the rat SR, [(3)H]ryanodine binding initially increased as [Ca(2+)] increased, with a plateau in the range of 10-100 microM Ca(2+), and thereafter further increased to an apparent peak around 1 mM Ca(2+), followed by a decrease. In the presence of these modulators, this complicated dependence prevailed, irrespective of the source. Addition of 0.3-1 mM Mg(2+) unexpectedly increased the binding two- to threefold and enhanced the affinity for [(3)H]ryanodine at 10-100 microM Ca(2+), resulting in the well-known biphasic dependence. In other words, the partial suppression of RyR2 is relieved by Mg(2+). Ca(2+) could be a substitute for Mg(2+). Mg(2+) also amplifies the responses of RyR2 to inhibitory and stimulatory modulators. This stimulating effect of Mg(2+) on RyR2 is entirely new, and is referred to as the third effect, in addition to the well-known dual inhibitory effects. This effect is critical to describe the role of RyR2 in excitation-contraction coupling of cardiac muscle, in view of the intracellular Mg(2+) concentration.

Characterization of the slow calcium channel binding sites for ( sup 3 H)SR 33557 in rat heart sarcolemmal membranes

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

Chatelain, P.; Beaufort, P.; Meysmans, L.

1991-01-01

SR 33557 represents a new class of compounds (indolizine sulfone) that inhibit L-type Ca2+ channels. ({sup 3}H)SR 33557 has been shown to bind with high affinity (Kd congruent to 0.36 nM, calculated from saturation isotherms and association/dissociation kinetics) to a single class of sites in a purified preparation of rat cardiac sarcolemmal membranes. The binding was found to be saturable and reversible. The maximal binding capacity was in approximately 1:1 stoichiometry with that of other Ca2+ channel antagonists. Various divalent cations (Mg2+, Mn2+, Ca2+, Ba2+, and Cd2+) were shown to inhibit specific ({sup 3}H)SR 33557 binding, with Cd2+ being themore » most potent. Among several receptor or channel ligands (including omega-conotoxin and Na+ and K+ channel modulators), only the L-type Ca2+ channel antagonists were found to displace ({sup 3}H)SR 33557. However, dihydropyridines, phenylalkylamines, benzothiazepines, and diphenylbutylpiperidines were found to inhibit ({sup 3}H)SR 33557 in a noncompetitive manner as demonstrated by displacement and saturation experiments in addition to dissociation kinetics. From these results, we suggest that SR 33557 binds with high affinity to a unique site on the L-type Ca2+ channel found in rat cardiac sarcolemmal membranes.« less

Study on separation of minor actinides from HLLW with new extractant of TODGA-DHOA/Kerosene

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

Ye, Guo-an; Zhu, Wen-bin; Li, Feng-feng

2013-07-01

The extraction behavior of U, Np, Pu, Am, rare earth elements and Sr from nitric acid solutions by TODGA/dodecan, DHOA/dodecane and TODGA-DHOA/dodecane were investigated, respectively. Based on experimental results, a separation process was proposed for minor actinide isolation from high level liquid waste (HLLW): the TODGA-DHOA/kerosene system. The multi-stage counter-current cascade experiments were carried out for the purpose by 0.1 mol/l TODGA-1.0 mol/l DHOA/kerosene with miniature mixer- settler contactor rigs (8 stages for extraction, 6 stages for scrubbing, 8 stages for first stripping, 8 stages for second stripping). The results show that the recovery efficiencies of the actinides and lanthanidesmore » are more than 99.9%, whereas less than 1% Sr was extracted by 0.1 mol/l TODGA - 1.0 mol/l DHOA/kerosene. The stripping efficiencies of U, Np and Pu are more than 95% in the first stripping step by 0.5 mol/l HNO{sub 3} + 0.5 mol/l AHA(aceto-hydroxamic acid), all of the remained actinides and lanthanides can be stripped by 0.01 mol/l HNO{sub 3} in the second stripping step. 99% Sr was extracted by 0.1 mol/l TODGA/kerosene, so Sr can be recovered efficiently directly from the raffinate by 0.1 mol/l TODGA/kerosene. (authors)« less

Pinning in the flux-line-cutting regime of Bi 2Sr 2Ca 1Cu 2O 8 single crystals at high field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Anna, G.; André, M.-O.; Indenbom, M. V.; Benoit, W.

1994-09-01

Using a low-frequency torsion pendulum we show that in a Bi 2Sr 2Ca 1Cu 2O 8 single crystal the irreversibility line Birr( T) is frequency dependent down to 10 -5 Hz in the high-field regime. The activation energy has a logarithmic field dependence, U0( B)= U∗ 1n( B∗/ B). A microscopic model for flux-line-cutting and pancake collision yields quantitative expressions for U0 and for Birr( T)= B∗ exp(- T/T∗), which reproduce the experimental data very well.

Noise Prediction of NASA SR2 Propeller in Transonic Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gennaro, Michele De; Caridi, Domenico; Nicola, Carlo De

2010-09-01

In this paper we propose a numerical approach for noise prediction of high-speed propellers for Turboprop applications. It is based on a RANS approach for aerodynamic simulation coupled with Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings (FW-H) Acoustic Analogy for propeller noise prediction. The test-case geometry adopted for this study is the 8-bladed NASA SR2 transonic cruise propeller, and simulated Sound Pressure Levels (SPL) have been compared with experimental data available from Wind Tunnel and Flight Tests for different microphone locations in a range of Mach numbers between 0.78 and 0.85 and rotational velocities between 7000 and 9000 rpm. Results show the ability of this approach to predict noise to within a few dB of experimental data. Moreover corrections are provided to be applied to acoustic numerical results in order for them to be compared with Wind Tunnel and Flight Test experimental data, as well computational grid requirements and guidelines in order to perform complete aerodynamic and aeroacoustic calculations with highly competitive computational cost.

Comment on ``(Au-Ag)144(SR)60 alloy nanomolecules'' by C. Kumara and A. Dass, Nanoscale, 2011, 3, 3064

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barcaro, Giovanni; Sementa, Luca; Fortunelli, Alessandro; Stener, Mauro

2015-04-01

A recent paper in this journal reported the synthesis and characterization via electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy of (Au-Ag)144(SR)60 alloy nanomolecules with different compositions, ranging from 1 : 0 to 1 : 0.75 Au : Ag ratios. The UV-vis spectra of such systems were found to exhibit absorption peaks at 310 nm, 425 nm and 560 nm, interpreted as reminiscent of the silver surface plasmon resonance band due to simple atomic replacement of Au by Ag atoms in a fixed structural framework. On the basis of a comparison of experimentally observed and theoretically simulated optical absorption spectra, we conclude that the experimental situation must be more complicated, and that further work is needed to achieve atomistic insight into these fascinating systems.

Optical signatures of spin-orbit exciton in bandwidth-controlled S r2Ir O4 epitaxial films via high-concentration Ca and Ba doping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Souri, M.; Kim, B. H.; Gruenewald, J. H.; Connell, J. G.; Thompson, J.; Nichols, J.; Terzic, J.; Min, B. I.; Cao, G.; Brill, J. W.; Seo, A.

2017-06-01

We have investigated the electronic and optical properties of (Sr1-xC ax ) 2Ir O4 (x = 0 -0.375 ) and (Sr1-yB ay ) 2Ir O4 (y = 0 -0.375 ) epitaxial thin films, in which the bandwidth is systematically tuned via chemical substitutions of Sr ions by Ca and Ba. Transport measurements indicate that the thin-film series exhibits insulating behavior, similar to the Jeff=1 /2 spin-orbit Mott insulator S r2Ir O4 . As the average A-site ionic radius increases from (Sr1-xC ax ) 2Ir O4 to (Sr1-yB ay ) 2Ir O4 , optical conductivity spectra in the near-infrared region shift to lower energies, which cannot be explained by the simple picture of well-separated Jeff=1 /2 and Jeff=3 /2 bands. We suggest that the two-peak-like optical conductivity spectra of the layered iridates originates from the overlap between the optically forbidden spin-orbit exciton and the intersite optical transitions within the Jeff=1 /2 band. Our experimental results are consistent with this interpretation as implemented by a multiorbital Hubbard model calculation: namely, incorporating a strong Fano-like coupling between the spin-orbit exciton and intersite d -d transitions within the Jeff=1 /2 band.

Experimental evidence shows no fractionation of strontium isotopes ((87)Sr/(86)Sr) among soil, plants, and herbivores: implications for tracking wildlife and forensic science.

PubMed

Flockhart, D T Tyler; Kyser, T Kurt; Chipley, Don; Miller, Nathan G; Norris, D Ryan

2015-01-01

Strontium isotopes ((87)Sr/(86)Sr) can be useful biological markers for a wide range of forensic science applications, including wildlife tracking. However, one of the main advantages of using (87)Sr/(86)Sr values, that there is no fractionation from geological bedrock sources through the food web, also happens to be a critical assumption that has never been tested experimentally. We test this assumption by measuring (87)Sr/(86)Sr values across three trophic levels in a controlled greenhouse experiment. Adult monarch butterflies were raised on obligate larval host milkweed plants that were, in turn, grown on seven different soil types collected across Canada. We found no significant differences between (87)Sr/(86)Sr values in leachable Sr from soil minerals, organic soil, milkweed leaves, and monarch butterfly wings. Our results suggest that strontium isoscapes developed from (87)Sr/(86)Sr values in bedrock or soil may serve as a reliable biological marker in forensic science for a range of taxa and across large geographic areas.

Influence of the dynamic lattice strain on the transport behavior of oxide heterojunctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, J.; Hu, F. X.; Chen, L.; Zhao, Y. Y.; Lu, H. X.; Sun, J. R.; Shen, B. G.

2013-01-01

All-perovskite oxide heterojunctions composed of electron-doped titanate LaxSr1 - xTiO3 (x = 0.1, 0.15) and hole-doped manganite La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 films were fabricated on piezoelectric substrate of (001)-0.7Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.3PbTiO3 (PMN-PT). Taking advantage of the excellent converse piezoelectric effect of PMN-PT, we investigated the influence of the dynamic lattice strain on transport properties of the heterojunctions by applying external bias electric fields on the PMN-PT substrate. Photovoltaic experiments were carried out to characterize the interfacial barrier of the heterojunction. A linear reduction in the barrier height was observed with the increase of the bias field applied on PMN-PT. The value of the barrier height reduces from ˜1.55 (˜1.30) to 1.02 (1.08) eV as the bias field increases from 0 to 12 kV/cm for the junction of La0.10Sr0.9TiO3/La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 (La0.15Sr0.85TiO3/La0.67Ca0.33MnO3). The observed dependency of barrier height on external field can be ascribed to the increasing release of trapped carriers by strain modulation, which results in a suppression of the depletion layer and increases the opportunity for electron tunneling across the depletion area.

Robustness Recipes for Minimax Robust Optimization in Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy for Oropharyngeal Cancer Patients

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

Voort, Sebastian van der; Section of Nuclear Energy and Radiation Applications, Department of Radiation, Science and Technology, Delft University of Technology, Delft; Water, Steven van de

Purpose: We aimed to derive a “robustness recipe” giving the range robustness (RR) and setup robustness (SR) settings (ie, the error values) that ensure adequate clinical target volume (CTV) coverage in oropharyngeal cancer patients for given gaussian distributions of systematic setup, random setup, and range errors (characterized by standard deviations of Σ, σ, and ρ, respectively) when used in minimax worst-case robust intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) optimization. Methods and Materials: For the analysis, contoured computed tomography (CT) scans of 9 unilateral and 9 bilateral patients were used. An IMPT plan was considered robust if, for at least 98% of themore » simulated fractionated treatments, 98% of the CTV received 95% or more of the prescribed dose. For fast assessment of the CTV coverage for given error distributions (ie, different values of Σ, σ, and ρ), polynomial chaos methods were used. Separate recipes were derived for the unilateral and bilateral cases using one patient from each group, and all 18 patients were included in the validation of the recipes. Results: Treatment plans for bilateral cases are intrinsically more robust than those for unilateral cases. The required RR only depends on the ρ, and SR can be fitted by second-order polynomials in Σ and σ. The formulas for the derived robustness recipes are as follows: Unilateral patients need SR = −0.15Σ{sup 2} + 0.27σ{sup 2} + 1.85Σ − 0.06σ + 1.22 and RR=3% for ρ = 1% and ρ = 2%; bilateral patients need SR = −0.07Σ{sup 2} + 0.19σ{sup 2} + 1.34Σ − 0.07σ + 1.17 and RR=3% and 4% for ρ = 1% and 2%, respectively. For the recipe validation, 2 plans were generated for each of the 18 patients corresponding to Σ = σ = 1.5 mm and ρ = 0% and 2%. Thirty-four plans had adequate CTV coverage in 98% or more of the simulated fractionated treatments; the remaining 2 had adequate coverage in 97.8% and 97.9%. Conclusions: Robustness recipes were derived that can be used in minimax robust optimization of IMPT treatment plans to ensure adequate CTV coverage for oropharyngeal cancer patients.« less

Exhibition of stochastic resonance in vestibular tilt motion perception.

PubMed

Galvan-Garza, R C; Clark, T K; Mulavara, A P; Oman, C M

2018-04-03

Stochastic Resonance (SR) is a phenomenon broadly described as "noise benefit". The application of subsensory electrical Stochastic Vestibular Stimulation (SVS) via electrodes behind each ear has been used to improve human balance and gait, but its effect on motion perception thresholds has not been examined. This study investigated the capability of subsensory SVS to reduce vestibular motion perception thresholds in a manner consistent with a characteristic bell-shaped SR curve. We measured upright, head-centered, roll tilt Direction Recognition (DR) thresholds in the dark in 12 human subjects with the application of wideband 0-30 Hz SVS ranging from ±0-700 μA. To conservatively assess if SR was exhibited, we compared the proportions of both subjective and statistical SR exhibition in our experimental data to proportions of SR exhibition in multiple simulation cases with varying underlying SR behavior. Analysis included individual and group statistics. As there is not an established mathematical definition, three humans subjectively judged that SR was exhibited in 78% of subjects. "Statistically significant SR exhibition", which additionally required that a subject's DR threshold with SVS be significantly lower than baseline (no SVS), was present in 50% of subjects. Both percentages were higher than simulations suggested could occur simply by chance. For SR exhibitors, defined by subjective or statistically significant criteria, the mean DR threshold improved by -30% and -39%, respectively. The largest individual improvement was -47%. At least half of the subjects were better able to perceive passive body motion with the application of subsensory SVS. This study presents the first conclusive demonstration of SR in vestibular motion perception. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Giant Spin Gap and Magnon Localization in the Disordered Heisenberg Antiferromagnet Sr2Ir1-xRuxO4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Yue; Liu, Xuerong; Xu, Wenhu; Yin, Weiguo; Meyers, Derek; Kim, Jungho; Casa, Diego; Upton, Mary; Gog, Thomas; Berlijn, Tom; Alvarez, Gonzalo; Yuan, Shujuan; Terzic, Jasminka; Tranquada, J. M.; Hill, John; Cao, Gang; Konik, Robert; Dean, M. P. M.

We study the evolution of magnetic excitations in the disordered two-dimensional antiferromagnet Sr_2Ir_1-xRu_xO_4. A gigantic magnetic gap greater than 40 meV opens at x = 0.27 and increases with Ru concentration, from 40 meV to >150 meV, rendering the dispersive magnetic excitations in Sr2IrO4 almost momentum independent. Up to a Ru concentration of x = 0.77, both experiments and first-principles calculations show the Ir J_eff = 1/2 state remains intact. The magnetic gap arises from the local interaction anisotropy in the proximity of the Ru disorder. Under the coherent potential approximation, we reproduce the experimental magnetic excitations using the disordered Heisenberg antiferromagnetic model with suppressed next-nearest neighbor ferromagnetic coupling.

In vivo human cardiac shortening and lengthening velocity is region dependent and not coupled with heart rate: 'longitudinal' strain rate markedly underestimates apical contribution.

PubMed

Stöhr, Eric J; Stembridge, Mike; Esformes, Joseph I

2015-04-20

What is the central question of this study? Regulation of cardiac function is typically achieved by changes in heart rate (HR) and cardiac shortening velocity (strain rate; SR), but their interdependence in vivo remains poorly understood. What is the main finding and its importance? Using resistance exercise to increase heart rate and arterial resistance physiologically in humans and measuring regional cardiac SR (at the base and apex), we found that HR and SR were not strictly coupled because SR at the base and apex responded differently, despite the same HR. Importantly, our data show that the region-averaged 'longitudinal' SR, which is currently popular in the clinical setting, markedly underestimates the contribution of the apex. The fundamental importance of cardiac shortening and lengthening velocity (i.e. strain rate; SR) has been demonstrated in vitro. Currently, the interdependence between in vivo SR and HR is poorly understood because studies have typically assessed region-averaged 'longitudinal' strain rate, which is likely to underestimate the apical contribution, and have used non-physiological interventions that may also have been influenced by multicollinearity caused by concomitant reductions in arterial resistance. Resistance exercise acutely raises HR, blood pressure and arterial resistance and transiently disassociates these cardiovascular factors following exercise. Therefore, we measured SR, HR, blood pressure and arterial resistance in nine healthy men (aged 20 ± 1 years) immediately before, during and after double-leg-press exercise at 30 and 60% of maximal strength. Resistance exercise caused a disproportionate SR response at the left ventricular base and apex (interaction effect, P < 0.05). Consequently, associations between HR and regional peak SR were inconsistent and mostly very weak (r(2)  = 0.0004-0.24). Likewise, the areas under the curve for systolic and diastolic SR and their relationship with systolic and diastolic duration were variable and weak. Importantly, region-averaged 'longitudinal' SR was identical to basal SR, thus, markedly underestimating the apical contribution. In conclusion, in vivo HR and SR are not strictly coupled in healthy humans, which is explained by the region-specific responses of SR that are not captured by 'longitudinal SR'. This novel observation emphasizes the independent role of in vivo SR in overall cardiac function during stress and may cause a 'revival' of SR as a marker of regional left ventricular (dys)function. © 2015 The Authors. Experimental Physiology © 2015 The Physiological Society.

Progress in high duty cycle, highly efficient fiber coupled 940-nm pump modules for high-energy class solid-state lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Platz, R.; Frevert, C.; Eppich, B.; Rieprich, J.; Ginolas, A.; Kreutzmann, S.; Knigge, S.; Erbert, G.; Crump, P.

2018-03-01

Diode lasers pump sources for future high-energy-class laser systems based on Yb-doped solid state amplifiers must deliver high optical intensities, high conversion efficiency (ηE = > 50%) at high repetition rates (f = 100 Hz) and long pulse widths (τ = 0.5…2 ms). Over the last decade, a series of pump modules has been developed at the Ferdinand-BraunInstitut to address these needs. The latest modules use novel wide-aperture single emitter diode lasers in passively side cooled stacks, operate at τ = 1 ms, f = 100…200 Hz and deliver 5…6 kW optical output power from a fiber with 1.9 mm core diameter and NA of 0.22, for spatial brightness BΩ > 1 MW/cm2 sr. The performance to date and latest developments in these high brightness modules are summarized here with recent work focusing on extending operation to other pumping conditions, as needed for alternative solid state laser designs. Specifically, the electro-optic, spectral and beam propagation characteristics of the module and its components are studied as a function of τ for a fixed duty cycle DC = 10% for τ = 1...100 ms, and first data is shown for continuous wave operation. Clear potential is seen to fulfill more demanding specifications without design changes. For example, high power long-pulse operation is demonstrated, with a power of > 5 kW at τ = 100 ms. Higher brightness operation is also confirmed at DC = 10% and τ = 1 ms, with > 5 kW delivered in a beam with BΩ > 4 MW/cm2 sr.

Development of theophylline sustained release dosage form based on Kollidon SR.

PubMed

Reza, Md Selim; Quadir, Mohiuddin Abdul; Haider, Syed Shabbir

2002-01-01

Sustained release theophylline matrix tablets constituting Kollidon SR (Polyvinyl acetate and povidone based matrix retarding polymer) were developed in this study in an attempt to design a dosage form that manifests desirable release profile and thorough adherence to official monographs. Four matrix tablet formulations were prepared by dry blending and direct compression of Kollidon SR and HPMC-15cps (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose) in varying proportion with fixed percentage of theophylline. Tablets containing only Kollidon SR with the active ingredient demonstrated a rapid rate of drug release with an initial burst effect. Incorporation of HPMC-15cps in the matrix tablet prolonged the release of drug with subsequent minimization of burst effect as confirmed by mean dissolution time, T50 and Higuchi release rate data. Among the batches containing HPMC-15 cps, a direct relationship was obtained between release rate and the percentage of HPMC used. A suitable controlled release profile was obtained with the matrix tablets containing 20% Kollidon SR and 30% HPMC-15cps. The formulation showed close resemblance to commercial products and compliance with USP specification. The results were explored and explained by the difference of physico-chemical property and hydration characteristics of the polymers. In addition to this result, the exponential model was applied to characterize the drug release behaviour from polymeric systems. It was found that, Fickian release is predominant in tablets containing Kollidon SR alone and non-Fickian mechanism plays an important role in the release of drug from HPMC containing tablets with a trend towards zero-order or case II release. In vitro release profile of two commercial brands were also undertaken for comparison and modulation of the experimental batches.

Theoretical insights on the electron doping and Curie temperature in La-doped Sr2CrWO6.

PubMed

Wang, Jing; Meng, Jian; Wu, Zhijian

2011-11-30

The structure and electronic and magnetic properties of La(x)Sr(2-x)CrWO(6) (x = 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0) were investigated by using the density functional theory. With the increase of La doping, the extra electrons are injected into W 5d orbitals, which makes the spin moments of W increase. In addition, the calculated Curie temperature and total magnetic moments decrease with the increase of the electron doping, in agreement with the experimental observation. This also means that the decrease of Curie temperature with the electron doping is intrinsic. Half metallic properties are obtained for x = 0.0, 0.5, 1.5, and 2.0, whereas for x = 1.0, the compound is semiconducting. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effects of Bi doping on structural and magnetic properties of double perovskite oxides Sr2FeMoO6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lan, Yaohai; Feng, Xiaomei; Zhang, Xin; Shen, Yifu; Wang, Ding

2016-08-01

A new series of double perovskite compounds Sr2 - δBixFeMoO6 have been synthesized by solid-state reaction. δ refers to the nominal doping content of Bi (δ = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5), while the Bi content obtained by the Rietveld refinement is x = 0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.08, 0.10 and 0.12. Their crystal structure and magnetic properties are investigated. Rietveld analysis of the room temperature XRD data shows all the samples crystallize in the cubic crystal structure with the space group Fm 3 ‾ m and have no phase transition. SEM images show that substituted samples present a denser microstructure and bigger grains than Sr2FeMoO6, which is caused by a liquid sintering process due to the effumability of Bi. The unit cell volume increases with augment of Bi3+ concentration despite the smaller ionic radius Bi3+ compared with the Sr2+, which is attributed to the electronic effect. The degree of Fe/Mo order (η) increases first and then decreases to almost disappearance with augment of Bi doping, which is the result of contribution from electronic effect. Calculated saturation magnetization Ms(3) according to our phase separation likeness model matches well with the experimental ones. The observed variations of magnetoresistance (MR) are consistent with the Fe/Mo order (η) due to the internal connection with anti-site defect (ASD).

Electrochemical fabrication of SrTiO3 nanowires with nanoporous alumina template.

PubMed

Kang, Jinwook; Ryu, Jaemin; Ko, Eunseong; Tak, Yongsug

2007-11-01

Strontium titanate nanowires were electrochemically synthesized with nanoporous alumina template. Both chemical and electrical variables such as electrolyte pH, temperature, and current waveform were modulated to investigate the synthesis process of SrTiO3 nanowires. Superimposed cathodic pulse and diffusion time accelerated the growth of SrTiO3 nanowires, which suggested that the concentration of H+ and Sr2+ ion inside alumina template had a strong influence on the formation of SrTiO3 nanowires. Morphology and crystallinity of SrTiO3 nanowires were investigated with scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

Crystal structure, chemical composition, and extended defects of the high-Tc (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca(n)-1CunO4 + 2n + delta compounds.

PubMed

Eibl, O

1995-02-15

This paper summarizes results obtained by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy on the crystal structure and microstructure of the (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca(n)-1CunO4 + 2n + delta high-Tc superconducting oxides. The experimental basis for the work presented here are high-resolution structure images obtained at ultra-thin (3 nm) areas of carefully prepared transmission electron microscope (TEM) samples. The analysis was carried out on a 400 kV TEM equipped with a pole piece yielding 0.17 nm point-to-point resolution. From the images obtained the projected crystal potential of the cations can be extracted directly, as confirmed by detailed image simulation. Structural analysis of the oxygen sublattice remains an unsolved problem by high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), mainly because of the small scattering factors, and thus the contribution of the oxygen sublattice to the image contrast is small. The (BiPb)2Sr2Ca(n)-1CunO4 + 2n + delta phases are modulated structures that can be understood as an average structure plus a superimposed displacement field. The crystal structure consists of BiO double layers and perovskite-type cuboids (containing Sr, Ca, Cu, and O), which are sandwiched between the BiO double layers. The displacement field can be directly analyzed by HRTEM, and the largest displacement amplitudes of 70 pm were determined for the Bi atoms in the n = 1 compound. The chemical composition of the n = 2 and n = 3 compounds was determined by EDX in the TEM for the cation sublattice. A significant (Ca + Sr) deficiency (approximately 10%) with respect to Cu was found. The (Sr + Ca)/Cu mole fraction ratio was 1.31 for the Bi-2212 phase and 1.14 for the Bi(Pb)-2223 phase. The oxygen content cannot be determined by EDX in the TEM with the accuracy necessary for a correlation with electrical and superconducting properties. The defect structure present in these materials, that is, intergrown lamellae with different crystal structures and equal or different chemical compositions, stacking faults, and grain boundaries, is summarized. The importance of grain boundaries for understanding and improving superconducting properties is emphasized.

Electric field-induced resistive switching, magnetism, and photoresponse modulation in a Pt/Co0.03Zn0.97O/Nb:SrTiO3 multi-function heterostructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Zhipeng; Pei, Ling; Li, Meiya; Zhu, Yongdan; Xie, Shuai; Cheng, Xiangyang; Liu, Jiaxian; Ding, Huaqi; Xiong, Rui

2018-04-01

A Co0.03Zn0.97O (CZO) thin film was epitaxially grown on a Nb doped (001) SrTiO3 (NSTO) single-crystal substrate by pulsed laser deposition to form a Pt/CZO/NSTO heterostructure. This device exhibits stable bipolar resistive switching, well retention and endurance, multilevel memories, and a resistance ratio of high resistance state (HRS)/low resistance state (LRS) up to 7 × 105. Under the illumination of a 405 nm laser, the HRS of the device showed distinct photoelectricity with an open-circuit voltage of 0.5 V. A stronger ferromagnetism was observed at the HRS than at the LRS. The above phenomenon is attributable to the accumulation and migration of oxygen vacancies at the interface of CZO/NSTO. Our results demonstrated a pathway towards making multifunctional devices that simultaneously exhibit resistive switching, photoelectricity, and ferromagnetism.

Distribution of radionuclides between atmosphere and ash during combustion of contaminated vegetation.

PubMed

Zhou, Liufang Jenny; Rao, Raghu; Corcoran, Emily; Kelly, David

2016-12-01

A series of laboratory-scale combustion tests were conducted under well-controlled conditions to measure the release of 90 Sr and 137 Cs nuclides to the atmosphere (air) from combustion of vegetation and organic soil samples contaminated with radioactivity. These vegetation and soil samples were collected from a controlled contaminated forest area within the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories - Chalk River site. The combustion products including ash and smoke particulates, along with gaseous emissions, were collected and then analyzed for 137 Cs and 90 Sr concentrations by radiometric techniques. The experimental results reveal that the releases of 90 Sr to the atmosphere (air) from combustion of vegetation are very low with most of the 90 Sr activity remaining in ash residues, even at a temperature of 800 °C. The detailed combustion experiments with surface litter and twigs, alder twigs, alder leaves, and organic soil indicate that 0.5 ± 0.1%, 0.3 ± 0.1%, 0.9 ± 0.1%, and 0.3 ± 0.1% of 90 Sr is released to the atmosphere (air), respectively. On the other hand, the releases of 137 Cs are found to be highly dependent on the combustion temperature as well as the nature of vegetation. The releases of 137 Cs obtained at 800 °C are 45 ± 7%, 77 ± 9%, 92 ± 5%, and 2.4 ± 0.5% for surface litter and twigs, alder twigs, alder leaves, and organic soil, respectively. The mechanism associated with the high release of 137 Cs at a high temperature of 800 °C was explored. Crown Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ultrahigh Energy Density in SrTiO3 Film Capacitors.

PubMed

Hou, Chuangming; Huang, Weichuan; Zhao, Wenbo; Zhang, Dalong; Yin, Yuewei; Li, Xiaoguang

2017-06-21

Solid-state dielectric film capacitors with high-energy-storage density will further promote advanced electronic devices and electrical power systems toward miniaturization, lightweight, and integration. In this study, the influence of interface and thickness on energy storage properties of SrTiO 3 (STO) films grown on La 0.67 Sr 0.33 MnO 3 (LSMO) electrode are systematically studied. The cross-sectional high resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals an ion interdiffusion layer and oxygen vacancies at the STO/LSMO interface. The capacitors show good frequency stability and increased dielectric constant with increasing STO thickness (410-710 nm). The breakdown strength (E b ) increases with decreasing STO thickness and reaches 6.8 MV/cm. Interestingly, the E b under positive field is enhanced significantly and an ultrahigh energy density up to 307 J/cm 3 with a high efficiency of 89% is realized. The enhanced E b may be related to the modulation of local electric field and redistribution of oxygen vacancies at the STO/LSMO interface. Our results should be helpful for potential strategies to design devices with ultrahigh energy density.

CARRIER-LATTICE RELAXATION FOR BROADENING EPR LINEWIDTH IN Nd0.55Sr0.45MnO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Jiyu; Zhang, Xiyuan; Tong, Wei; Zhang, Lei; Zhang, Weichun; Zhu, Yan; Shi, Yangguang; Hu, Dazhi; Hong, Bo; Ying, Yao; Ling, Langsheng; Pi, Li; Zhang, Yuheng

2013-12-01

In this paper, we report the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study of perovskite manganite Nd0.55Sr0.45MnO3. Experimental data reveal that the EPR linewidth broadens with a quasilinear manner up to 480 K. The broadening of the EPR linewidth can be understood in terms of the shortening of carrier-lattice relaxation time due to the occurrence of strong carrier-phonon interactions. Two same activation energies obtained respectively from the temperature dependence of EPR intensity and resistivity indicate that the linewidth variation is correlated to the small polaron hopping. Therefore, the carrier-lattice coupling play a major role for deciding its magnetism in the present system.

Alveolar bone repair with strontium- containing nanostructured carbonated hydroxyapatite

PubMed Central

do Carmo, André Boziki Xavier; Sartoretto, Suelen Cristina; Alves, Adriana Terezinha Neves Novellino; Granjeiro, José Mauro; Miguel, Fúlvio Borges; Calasans-Maia, Jose; Calasans-Maia, Monica Diuana

2018-01-01

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to evaluate bone repair in rat dental sockets after implanting nanostructured carbonated hydroxyapatite/sodium alginate (CHA) and nanostructured carbonated hydroxyapatite/sodium alginate containing 5% strontium microspheres (SrCHA) as bone substitute materials. Methods Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two experimental groups: CHA and SrCHA (n=5/period/group). After one and 6 weeks of extraction of the right maxillary central incisor and biomaterial implantation, 5 μm bone blocks were obtained for histomorphometric evaluation. The parameters evaluated were remaining biomaterial, loose connective tissue and newly formed bone in a standard area. Statistical analysis was performed by Mann-Withney and and Wilcoxon tests at 95% level of significance. Results The histomorphometric results showed that the microspheres showed similar fragmentation and bio-absorbation (p>0.05). We observed the formation of new bones in both groups during the same experimental periods; however, the new bone formation differed significantly between the weeks 1 and 6 (p=0.0039) in both groups. Conclusion The CHA and SrCHA biomaterials were biocompatible, osteoconductive and bioabsorbable, indicating their great potential for clinical use as bone substitutes. PMID:29364342

Effect of Sr-doping on electronic and magnetic properties of La2-xSrxCoMnO6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khan, Anasua; Chatterjee, Swastika; Mandal, P. R.; Nath, T. K.

2018-04-01

In this report, La2-xSrxCoMnO6 (x=0, 1) have been synthesised using sol-gel technique. La2CoMnO6 (LCMO) takes a monoclinic phase, whereas LaSrCoMnO6 (LSCMO) appears in a mixed phase of having both monoclinic and rhombohedral symmetries. DC magnetization measurement shows that LCMO is Ferromagnetic in nature whereas LSCMO shows magnetic glassy nature. This experimental result is verified by ab-initio calculation using GGA+SO+U as implemented in WIEN2k code. Total energy calculations suggest that antisite disorder is enhanced with Sr doping at La site and LSCMO is predominantly ferromagnetic in nature. Co ions which appeared in high spin +2 charge state, converts to intermediate spin +3 charge state with Sr doping.

N2pc is modulated by stimulus-stimulus, but not by stimulus-response incompatibilities.

PubMed

Cespón, J; Galdo-Álvarez, S; Díaz, F

2013-04-01

Studies of the N2pc in Simon-type tasks have revealed inconsistent results. That is, N2pc was only modulated when a stimulus-stimulus (S-S) overlap covaries with the stimulus-response (S-R) overlap. The present study aimed to establish whether N2pc is modulated by the S-R or by the S-S overlap. Therefore, we designed a Simon task requiring response to a colour stimulus (an arrow) with two irrelevant dimensions (position and direction). The following conditions were thus generated: compatible direction-compatible position (CDCP); incompatible direction-compatible position (IDCP); compatible direction-incompatible position (CDIP); and incompatible direction-incompatible position (IDIP). In IDCP and CDIP, both irrelevant dimensions conveyed contradictory spatial information (S-S incompatibility), while compatibility between both irrelevant dimensions occurred in CDCP and IDIP (the direction indicated was compatible with stimulus position). The N2pc amplitude was smaller in IDCP and CDIP than in CDCP and IDIP, what suggests that N2pc was modulated by S-S incompatibility and not by S-R incompatibilities. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influences of recovery from wildfire and thinning on soil respiration of a Mediterranean mixed forest.

PubMed

López-Serrano, F R; Rubio, E; Dadi, T; Moya, D; Andrés-Abellán, M; García-Morote, F A; Miettinen, H; Martínez-García, E

2016-12-15

The ecosystem recovery after wildfire and thinning practices are both key processes that have great potential to influence fluxes and storage of carbon within Mediterranean semiarid ecosystems. In this study, started 7years after a wildfire, soil respiration (SR) patterns measured from 2008 to 2010 were compared between an unmanaged-undisturbed mature forest stand (UB site) and a naturally regenerated post-wildfire stand (B site) in a Mediterranean mixed forest in Spain. The disturbed stand included a control zone (unthinned forest, BUT site) and a thinned zone (BT site). Our results indicated that SR was lower at naturally regenerated after fire sites (BUT and BT) than at unburnt one. Soil under the canopy layer of pine and oak trees exhibited higher SR rates than bare or herbaceous layer soils, regardless of the site. The effect of thinning was only manifest, with a significant increase of SR, during the 1st year after thinning practices. SR showed a clear soil temperature-dependent seasonal pattern, which was strongly modulated by soil water content (SWC), especially in summer. Site-specific polynomial regression models were defined to describe SR responses, being mainly controlled by both soil temperature (Ts) and SWC at UB site, or Ts at burnt sites. The sensitivity of SR rate to Ts variations (Q 10 ) ranged between 0.20 and 6.89, with mean annual values varying between 0.92 and 1.35. Q 10 values were higher at BT than at UB-BUT sites. The results revealed a significant, non-linear dependence, of Q 10 on both Ts and SWC at UB site, and on Ts at both burnt sites. This study contributes to (i) improve the understanding of how natural recovery and management practices affect soil respiration in a Mediterranean forest during their early stages after fire disturbance and (ii) highlight the importance of Q 10 values <1 which emphasizes drought stress effect on SR temperature sensitivity. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Apparent volume dependence of 1/f noise in thin film structures: role of contacts.

PubMed

Barone, C; Pagano, S; Méchin, L; Routoure, J-M; Orgiani, P; Maritato, L

2008-05-01

The experimental investigation of low-frequency noise properties in new materials is very useful for the understanding of the involved physical transport mechanisms. In this paper it is shown that, when contact noise is present, the experimental values of the normalized Hooge parameter show a fictitious linear dependence on the volume of the analyzed samples. Experimental data on noise measurements of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin films are reported to demonstrate the validity of the analysis performed.

Theory of magnetic enhancement in strontium hexaferrite through Zn-Sn pair substitution

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

Liyanage, LSI; Kim, S; Hong, YK

2013-12-01

We study the site occupancy and magnetic properties of Zn-Sn substituted M-type Sr-hexaferrite SrFe12-x(Zn0.5Sn0.5)(x)O-19 with x=1 using first-principles total-energy calculations. We find that in the lowest-energy configuration Zn2+ and Sn4+ ions preferentially occupy the 4f(1) and 4f(2) sites, respectively, in contrast to the model previously suggested by Ghasemi et al. [J. Appl. Phys, 107, 09A734 (2010)], where Zn2+ and Sn4+ ions occupy the 2b and 4f(2) sites. Density-functional theory calculations show that our model has a lower total energy by more than 0.2 eV per unit cell compared to Ghasemi's model. More importantly, the latter does not show an increasemore » in saturation magnetization (M-s) compared to the pure M-type Sr-hexaferrite, in disagreement with the experiment. On the other hand, our model correctly predicts a rapid increase in M-s as well as a decrease in magnetic anisotropy compared to the pure M-type Sr-hexaferrite, consistent with experimental measurements. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.« less

Gearbox damage identification and quantification using stochastic resonance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mba, Clement U.; Marchesiello, Stefano; Fasana, Alessandro; Garibaldi, Luigi

2018-03-01

Amongst the many new tools used for vibration based mechanical fault diagnosis in rotating machineries, stochastic resonance (SR) has been shown to be able to identify as well as quantify gearbox damage via numerical simulations. To validate the numerical simulation results that were obtained in a previous work by the authors, SR is applied in the present study to data from an experimental gearbox that is representative of an industrial gearbox. Both spur and helical gears are used in the gearbox setup. While the results of the direct application of SR to experimental data do not exactly corroborate the numerical simulation results, applying SR to experimental data in pre-processed form is shown to be quite effective. In addition, it is demonstrated that traditional statistical techniques used for gearbox diagnosis can be used as a reference to check how well SR performs.

In-plane and cross-plane thermal conductivity in La2-xSrxCuO4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumari, Anita; Gupta, Anushri; Verma, Sanjeev K.; Indu, B. D.

2018-05-01

The problem of heat transport anisotropy in layered cuprate high temperature superconductors (HTS) has been investigated in terms of a-, b-, c- axis thermal conductivity. Various inadequacies involved due to dispersion and violation of Matthessien's rule in the Callaway's model have been removed with the help of life time approach of quantum many body theory of scattering mechanisms. Based on this approach the thermal conductivity of La1.98Sr0.02CuO4 and La1.96Sr0.04CuO4 samples has been numerically estimated and the observed results are found in good agreement with experimental observations.

Detection of bremsstrahlung radiation of 90Sr-90Y for emergency lung counting.

PubMed

Ho, A; Hakmana Witharana, S S; Jonkmans, G; Li, L; Surette, R A; Dubeau, J; Dai, X

2012-09-01

This study explores the possibility of developing a field-deployable (90)Sr detector for rapid lung counting in emergency situations. The detection of beta-emitters (90)Sr and its daughter (90)Y inside the human lung via bremsstrahlung radiation was performed using a 3″ × 3″ NaI(Tl) crystal detector and a polyethylene-encapsulated source to emulate human lung tissue. The simulation results show that this method is a viable technique for detecting (90)Sr with a minimum detectable activity (MDA) of 1.07 × 10(4) Bq, using a realistic dual-shielded detector system in a 0.25-µGy h(-1) background field for a 100-s scan. The MDA is sufficiently sensitive to meet the requirement for emergency lung counting of Type S (90)Sr intake. The experimental data were verified using Monte Carlo calculations, including an estimate for internal bremsstrahlung, and an optimisation of the detector geometry was performed. Optimisations in background reduction techniques and in the electronic acquisition systems are suggested.

Absence of confinement in (SrTiO3)/( SrTi0.8Nb0.2O3 ) superlattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouzerar, G.; Thébaud, S.; Bouzerar, R.; Pailhès, S.; Adessi, Ch.

2018-03-01

The reduction of dimensionality is considered an efficient pathway to boost the performances of thermoelectric materials. Quantum confinement of the carriers is expected to induce large Seebeck coefficients (S ) and it also suppresses the thermal conductivity by increasing the phonon scattering processes. However, quantum confinement in superlattices is not always easy to achieve and needs to be carefully validated. In the past decade, large values of S have been measured in (SrTiO3)/(SrTi0.8Nb0.2O3 ) superlattices [H. Ohta et al., Nat. Mater. 6, 129 (2007), 10.1038/nmat1821; Y. Mune et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 91, 192105 (2007), 10.1063/1.2809364]. In the δ -doped compound, the reported S was almost six times larger than that of the bulk material. This huge increase has been attributed to the two-dimensional carrier confinement in the doped regions. Here, we demonstrate that the experimental data are well explained quantitatively assuming delocalized electrons in both in-plane and growth directions. Moreover, we rule out the confined electron hypothesis whose signature would be the suppression of the Seebeck coefficient. This strongly suggests that the presupposed confinement picture in these superlattices is unlikely.

Dielectric properties of layered perovskite Sr1-xAxBi2Nb2O9 ferroelectrics (A=La, Ca and x=0,0.1)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forbess, M. J.; Seraji, S.; Wu, Y.; Nguyen, C. P.; Cao, G. Z.

2000-05-01

In this letter, we report an experimental study on the influences of 10 at. % Ca2+ and La3+ doping on dielectric properties and dc conductivity of SrBi2Nb2O9 ferroelectric ceramics. All the samples were made by two-step solid-state reaction sintering at temperatures up to 1150 °C for 0.5-1 h in air. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that single-phase layered perovskite ferroelectrics were obtained and no appreciable secondary phase was found. The Curie point was found to increase from 418 °C without doping to 475 °C with Ca2+ doping and to 480 °C with La3+ doping. Dielectric constants, loss tangent, and dc conductivity of SrBi2Nb2O9 ferroelectrics doped with Ca2+ and La3+ were studied and the relationships among doping, crystal structure, and dielectric properties were discussed.

Density functional theory and experimental study of the electronic structure and transport properties of La, V, Nb, and Ta doped SrTiO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baniecki, J. D.; Ishii, M.; Aso, H.; Kurihara, K.; Ricinschi, Dan

2013-01-01

The electronic structure and transport properties of donor doped SrTiO3 are studied using density functional theory with spin-orbit coupling and conductivity, Hall, and Seebeck effect measurements over a wide temperature range (100 K to 600 K). Split-off energies ΔSO are tunable through the dopant SO interaction strength and concentration varying from 28.1 meV for pure STO to 70.93 meV for SrTi0.5Nb0.5O3. At lower carrier concentrations and temperatures, SO coupling has a marked effect on both the filling dependence of the density-of-states mass as well as the temperature dependence of the Seebeck coefficient, with quantitative theoretical predictions based on DFT calculations that include the SO interaction in closer agreement to the experimental data. Moreover, the results suggest that the predictive power of the current theory is not unlimited, with less accuracy for the calculated S predicting the magnitude of the experimental S data at lower dopant concentrations than for degenerately doped systems. A concentration dependent mass enhancement of ˜2-5, relative to the density-of-states mass in the local density approximation, possibly due to the influence of electronic screening of the electron-phonon interaction, would bring the theoretical S in accord with the experimental S data. This additional carrier-dependent enhancement mechanism for S may give an additional degree of freedom in terms of designing new higher efficiency thermoelectric energy materials.

Investigation of the tunnel magnetoresistance in junctions with a strontium stannate barrier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Althammer, Matthias; Mishra, Rohan; Borisevich, Albina J.; Singh, Amit Vikam; Keshavarz, Sahar; Yurtisigi, Mehmet Kenan; Leclair, Patrick; Gupta, Arunava

We experimentally investigate the structural, magnetic and electrical transport properties of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 based magnetic tunnel junctions with a SrSnO3 barrier. Our results show that despite the high density of defects in the strontium stannate barrier the observed tunnel magnetoresistance is comparable to tunnel junctions with a better lattice matched SrTiO3 barrier, reaching values of up to 350 % at T = 5 K . Further analysis of the current-voltage characteristics of the junction and the bias voltage dependence of the observed tunnel magnetoresistance show a decrease of the TMR with increasing bias voltage. Our results suggest that by reducing the structural defects in the strontium stannate barrier, even larger TMR ratios might be possible in the future. We gratefully acknowledge financial support via NSF-ECCS Grant No. 1509875.

Estimation of radioactive contamination of soils from the "Balapan" and the "Experimental field" technical areas of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site.

PubMed

Evseeva, T; Belykh, E; Geras'kin, S; Majstrenko, T

2012-07-01

In spite of the long history of the research, radioactive contamination of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site (SNTS) in the Republic of Kazakhstan has not been adequately characterized. Our cartographic investigation has demonstrated highly variable radioactive contamination of the SNTS. The Cs-137, Sr-90, Eu-152, Eu-154, Co-60, and Am-241 activity concentrations in soil samples from the "Balapan" site were 42.6-17646, 96-18250, 1.05-11222, 0.6-4865, 0.23-4893, and 1.2-1037 Bq kg(-1), correspondingly. Cs-137 and Sr-90 activity concentrations in soil samples from the "Experimental field" site were varied from 87 up to 400 and from 94 up to 1000 Bq kg(-1), respectively. Activity concentrations of Co-60, Eu-152, and Eu-154 were lower than the minimum detectable activity of the method used. Concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides (K-40, Ra-226, U-238, and Th-232) in the majority of soil samples from the "Balapan" and the "Experimental field" sites did not exceed typical for surrounding of the SNTS areas levels. Estimation of risks associated with radioactive contamination based on the IAEA clearance levels for a number of key radionuclides in solid materials shows that soils sampled from the "Balapan" and the "Experimental field" sites might be considered as radioactive wastes. Decrease in specific activity of soil from the sites studied up to safety levels due to Co-60, Cs-137, Sr-90, Eu-152, Eu-154 radioactive decay and Am-241 accumulation-decay will occur not earlier than 100 years. In contrast, soils from the "Experimental field" and the "Balapan" sites (except 0.5-2.5 km distance from the "Chagan" explosion point) cannot be regarded as the radioactive wastes according safety norms valid in Russia and Kazakhstan. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Experimental and theoretical investigations of the polar intermetallics SrPt{sub 3}Al{sub 2} and Sr{sub 2}Pd{sub 2}Al

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

Stegemann, Frank; Benndorf, Christopher; Touzani, Rachid St.

SrPt{sub 3}Al{sub 2}, a CaCu{sub 5} relative (P6/mmm; a = 566.29(3), c = 389.39(3) pm; wR{sub 2} = 0.0202, 121 F{sup 2} values, 9 parameters), and Sr{sub 2}Pd{sub 2}Al, isostructural to Ca{sub 2}Pt{sub 2}Ge (Fdd2; a = 1041.45(5), b = 1558.24(7), c = 604.37(3) pm; wR{sub 2} = 0.0291, 844 F{sup 2} values, 25 parameters) have been prepared from the elements. The crystal structures have been investigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Structural relaxation confirmed the electronic stability of SrPt{sub 3}Al{sub 2}, while orthorhombic Sr{sub 2}Pd{sub 2}Al might be a metastable polymorph as it is energetically competitive to its monoclinicmore » variant. Both compounds are predicted to be metallic conductors as their density-of-states (DOS) are non-zero at the Fermi level. COHP bonding analysis coupled with Bader effective charge analysis suggest that the title compounds are polar intermetallic phases in which strong Pt–Al and Pd–Al covalent bonds are present, while a significant electron transfer from Sr atoms to the [Pt{sub 3}Al{sub 2}]{sup δ–} or [Pd{sub 2}Al]{sup δ–} network is found. - Graphical abstract: Chains of Pd atoms in the crystal structure of Sr{sub 2}Pd{sub 2}Al get connected by Al atoms in the shape of a distorted tetrahedra. The band structure calculations confirm weak Pd–Pd interactions. - Highlights: • SrPt{sub 3}Al{sub 2} and Sr{sub 2}Pd{sub 2}Al discovered and crystallographically investigated. • DFT predicts the here reported orthorhombic Sr{sub 2}Pd{sub 2}Al to be competitive in energy to the presently unknown monoclinic Sr{sub 2}Pd{sub 2}Al. • Bader charge analysis indicates SrPt{sub 3}Al{sub 2} and Sr{sub 2}Pd{sub 2}Al are polar intermetallics.« less

Super resolution PLIF demonstrated in turbulent jet flows seeded with I2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Wenjiang; Liu, Ning; Ma, Lin

2018-05-01

Planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF) represents an indispensable tool for flow and flame imaging. However, the PLIF technique suffers from limited spatial resolution or blurring in many situations, which restricts its applicability and capability. This work describes a new method, named SR-PLIF (super-resolution PLIF), to overcome these limitations and enhance the capability of PLIF. The method uses PLIF images captured simultaneously from two (or more) orientations to reconstruct a final PLIF image with resolution enhanced or blurring removed. This paper reports the development of the reconstruction algorithm, and the experimental demonstration of the SR-PLIF method both with controlled samples and with turbulent flows seeded with iodine vapor. Using controlled samples with two cameras, the spatial resolution in the best case was improved from 0.06 mm in the projections to 0.03 mm in the SR image, in terms of the spreading width of a sharp edge. With turbulent flows, an image sharpness measure was developed to quantify the spatial resolution, and SR reconstruction with two cameras can effectively improve the spatial resolution compared to the projections in terms of the sharpness measure.

Effect of nanofillers' size on surface properties after toothbrush abrasion.

PubMed

Cavalcante, Larissa M; Masouras, Konstantinos; Watts, David C; Pimenta, Luiz A; Silikas, Nick

2009-02-01

To investigate the effect of filler-particle size of experimental and commercial resin composites, undergoing toothbrush abrasion, on three surface properties: surface roughness (SR), surface gloss (G) and color stability (CS). Four model (Ivoclar/Vivadent) and one commercial resin composite (Tokuyama) with varying filler-size from 100-1000 nm were examined. Six discs (10 mm x 2 mm) from each product were prepared and mechanically polished. The samples were then submitted to 20,000 brushing strokes in a toothbrush abrasion machine. SR parameters (Ra, Rt and RSm), G, and CS were measured before and after toothbrush abrasion. Changes in SR and G were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA, with Bonferroni post hoc test. CS values were submitted to one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test (alpha=0.05). Initial G values ranged between 73-87 gloss units (GU) and were reduced after toothbrush abrasion to a range of 8-64 GU. Toothbrush abrasion resulted in significant modifications in SR and G amongst the materials tested, attributed to filler sizes. There was statistically significant difference in color (delta E* ranged from 0.38-0.88). Filler size did not affect color stability. Toothbrush abrasion resulted in rougher and matte surfaces for all materials tested. Although the individual differences in surface roughness among filler sizes were not always significant, the correlation showed a trend that larger filler sizes resulted in higher surface roughness after abrasion for the SR parameters Ra and Rt (r = 0.95; r = 0.93, respectively). RSm showed an increase after toothbrush abrasion for all resin composites, however no significant correlation was detected (r = 0.21).There was a significant correlation between G and Ra ratios (r = - 0.95).

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

Colomer, M.T., E-mail: tcolomer@icv.csic.es; Kilner, J.A.

This work reports the effect of two different sintering times, 6 and 48 h on the structural, microstructural, and chemical features of Ni-doped La{sub 0.90}Sr{sub 0.10}GaO{sub 3.00−δ}. Independently of the sintering time, La{sub 0.90}Sr{sub 0.10}Ga{sub 1−x}Ni{sub x}O{sub 3.00−δ} (where x=0.10, and 0.20 (mol)) presents a rhombohedral symmetry with a lattice volume that decreases when NiO dopant increases. Besides the perovskite, LaSrGa{sub 3.00}O{sub 7.00} (nominal composition) is present as second phase in all cases. When the samples are doped with NiO, the peaks of this second phase are shifted with respect to the peaks of the pure phase. These shifts suggestmore » that this second phase could admit some Ni ions in its structure. According to the XRD patterns, the amount of the latter phase is larger when sintering time is increased. Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) indicated that the matrix of the samples sintered for 6 h is constituted by a perovskite with an experimental composition very close to the nominal one. However, when the samples are sintered for 48 h the matrix of each sample is constituted by two perovskites; both with compositional deviations with respect to their nominal one. In particular, a significant Sr depletion compensated by a La increment in the A site is observed. Those compositional deviations could be mainly due to the diffusion of the cations in the bulk and/or from the bulk to the surface of the samples. That diffusion can favour the formation, not only, of a second perovskite with a different composition in relation with the first one formed, but also, the formation of second phases. In addition, a very slight broadening of Bragg peaks of the perovskites sintered for 48 h is observed by XRD and can be related to the presence of two different perovskites in each sample according to EPMA results. By BSEM and EPMA analyses La{sub 4.00}Ga{sub 2.00}O{sub 9.00} (nominal composition) is also observed as second phase when samples are treated for 48 h. - Graphical abstract: Typical microstructures, observed by FEG-SEM, of La{sub 0.90}Sr{sub 0.10}Ga{sub 1−x}Ni{sub x}O{sub 3.00−δ} materials with x=0.00 and 0.10 (nominal compositions) and sintered at 1450 °C for 48 h after polishing and thermal etching are shown. Lighter grey grains with a bimodal grain size are observed and according to XEDS analysis correspond to two perovskites with different experimental compositions (labelled as 1 and 2 for x=0.00 and labelled as 4 and 5 for x=0.10, respectively), meanwhile the darker grey phases correspond to LaSrGa{sub 3.00}O{sub 7.00} (labelled as 3 for x=0.00) and LaSr(Ga{sub 1−y′},Ni{sub y′}){sub 3.00}O{sub 7.00} (labelled as 6 for x=0.10), respectively. - Highlights: • When NiO is introduced into La{sub 0.90}Sr{sub 0.10}GaO{sub 3.00−δ} a change in symmetry is produced. • A significant Sr depletion in the A-site of perovskites treated for 48 h is observed. • Compositional deviations could be due to a thermally-activated diffusional process. • The phase purity of these materials is deteriorated when the sintering time is extended.« less

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

Chaix, L.; Ghiringhelli, G.; Peng, Y. Y.

Experimental evidence on high-T c cuprates reveals ubiquitous charge density wave (CDW) modulations, which coexist with superconductivity. Although the CDW had been predicted by theory, important questions remain about the extent to which the CDW influences lattice and charge degrees of freedom and its characteristics as functions of doping and temperature. These questions are intimately connected to the origin of the CDW and its relation to the mysterious cuprate pseudogap. We use ultrahigh-resolution resonant inelastic X-ray scattering to reveal new CDW character in underdoped Bi 2.2Sr 1.8Ca 0.8Dy 0.2Cu 2O 8+δ. At low temperature, we observe dispersive excitations from anmore » incommensurate CDW that induces anomalously enhanced phonon intensity, unseen using other techniques. Furthermore, near the pseudogap temperature T*, the CDW persists, but the associated excitations significantly weaken with an indication of CDW wavevector shift. The dispersive CDW excitations, phonon anomaly, and analysis of the CDW wavevector provide a comprehensive momentum-space picture of complex CDW behaviour and point to a closer relationship with the pseudogap state.« less

Strong anisotropy of electric field effects on uniaxial relaxor ferroelectric Sr0.75Ba0.25Nb2O6 crystals proved by acoustic emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dul'kin, E.; Kojima, S.; Roth, M.

2018-01-01

[001] oriented Sr0.75Ba0.25Nb2O6 uniaxial relaxor ferroelectric crystals have been studied by acoustic emission in the temperature range of 20÷200 °C and under an external electric field up to 1 kV/cm. Under the application of an electric field the temperature of a dielectric maximum exhibits a nontrivial behavior: it remains constant at first, secondly steep decreases down to some threshold field, and thirdly starts to increase as a field enhances, whereas the same temperature of a dielectric maximum under a bias electric field to [100] oriented Sr0.75Ba0.25Nb2O6 crystals exhibits a smoothed minimum before the start to increase as a field enhances (E. Dul'kin et al., J. Appl. Phys. 110, 044106 (2011)). Such a difference of electric field effects in c- and a-cut crystals is discussed from the viewpoint of random-bond-random-field model of relaxor ferroelectrics. By the comparison between experimental and theoretical data, a dipole moment of the PNR was estimated to be 0.1 (C cm).

An extreme vertices mixture design approach to the optimisation of 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene specific molecularly imprinted polymers.

PubMed

Cleland, Dougal; McCluskey, Adam

2013-07-28

Traditional approaches to molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) design and optimisation typically afford a template (T) : functional monomer (FM) : crosslinker (CL) ratio of 1 : 2 : 20 to 1 : 4 : 20. This approach for 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene (7) as template gave a styrene based MIP (MIP(STY)) with an imprinting factor (IF) = 1.3. An extreme vertices mixture design (EVMD) approach was applied, and in two design cycles, 15 total experimental points, the optimum composition for MIP(STY) was determined as 0.40 : 0.05 : 0.55 (T : FM : CL) with IF = 2.8. Refinements gave optimum T : FM : CL ratios for the functional monomers: 4-vinylpyridine (4VP, 0.40 : 0.02 : 0.58); 2,4,6-trimethylstyrene (TMS, 0.40 : 0.02 : 0.58) and 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorostyrene (PFS, 0.30 : 0.12 : 0.58) with IF = 2.8, 2.8 and 3.7 respectively. These ratios deviated significantly from the traditional MIP synthesis ratio. The low levels of FM for all MIPs, except for MIP(PFS), suggest that imprinting was more consistent with T-CL, than FM-T, interactions. Analysis of the specific interactions and removal (SR) of 7 with these MIPs revealed that the SR with MIP(STY) increased from 36% at 0.02 STY to 48% at 0.13 STY; with MIP(TMS) SR increased from 38% at 0.02 TMS to 42% at 0.10 TMS; and with MIP(PFS) SR increased from 34% at 0.02 PFS to 56% at 0.14 PFS. MIP(4VP) saw a decline in SR with increasing FM, with the highest SR was 35% at 0.02 4VP. This is consistent with changes in the non-specific interactions between 7 and the MIPs. Increasing the proportion of PFS produced the largest increase in imprinting of 7 demonstrated by the highest SR (56%) and highest IF (3.7). The application of an EVMD approach resulted in the IF of MIP(STY) increased from 1.3 to 2.8. The highest IF achieved by this study was 3.7 for MIP(PFS) in proportions of 0.30 : 0.12 : 0.48 (T : FM : CL).

A model of cardiac ryanodine receptor gating predicts experimental Ca2+-dynamics and Ca2+-triggered arrhythmia in the long QT syndrome

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, Dan; Ermentrout, Bard; Němec, Jan; Salama, Guy

2017-09-01

Abnormal Ca2+ handling is well-established as the trigger of cardiac arrhythmia in catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and digoxin toxicity, but its role remains controversial in Torsade de Pointes (TdP), the arrhythmia associated with the long QT syndrome (LQTS). Recent experimental results show that early afterdepolarizations (EADs) that initiate TdP are caused by spontaneous (non-voltage-triggered) Ca2+ release from Ca2+-overloaded sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) rather than the activation of the L-type Ca2+-channel window current. In bradycardia and long QT type 2 (LQT2), a second, non-voltage triggered cytosolic Ca2+ elevation increases gradually in amplitude, occurs before overt voltage instability, and then precedes the rise of EADs. Here, we used a modified Shannon-Puglisi-Bers model of rabbit ventricular myocytes to reproduce experimental Ca2+ dynamics in bradycardia and LQT2. Abnormal systolic Ca2+-oscillations and EADs caused by SR Ca2+-release are reproduced in a modified 0-dimensional model, where 3 gates in series control the ryanodine receptor (RyR2) conductance. Two gates control RyR2 activation and inactivation and sense cytosolic Ca2+ while a third gate senses luminal junctional SR Ca2+. The model predicts EADs in bradycardia and low extracellular [K+] and cessation of SR Ca2+-release terminate salvos of EADs. Ca2+-waves, systolic cell-synchronous Ca2+-release, and multifocal diastolic Ca2+ release seen in subcellular Ca2+-mapping experiments are observed in the 2-dimensional version of the model. These results support the role of SR Ca2+-overload, abnormal SR Ca2+-release, and the subsequent activation of the electrogenic Na+/Ca2+-exchanger as the mechanism of TdP. The model offers new insights into the genesis of cardiac arrhythmia and new therapeutic strategies.

An Industry-Scale Mass Marking Technique for Tracing Farmed Fish Escapees

PubMed Central

Warren-Myers, Fletcher; Dempster, Tim; Fjelldal, Per Gunnar; Hansen, Tom; Swearer, Stephen E.

2015-01-01

Farmed fish escape and enter the environment with subsequent effects on wild populations. Reducing escapes requires the ability to trace individuals back to the point of escape, so that escape causes can be identified and technical standards improved. Here, we tested if stable isotope otolith fingerprint marks delivered during routine vaccination could be an accurate, feasible and cost effective marking method, suitable for industrial-scale application. We tested seven stable isotopes, 134Ba, 135Ba, 136Ba, 137Ba, 86Sr, 87Sr and 26Mg, on farmed Atlantic salmon reared in freshwater, in experimental conditions designed to reflect commercial practice. Marking was 100% successful with individual Ba isotopes at concentrations as low as 0.001 µg. g-1 fish and for Sr isotopes at 1 µg. g-1 fish. Our results suggest that 63 unique fingerprint marks can be made at low cost using Ba (0.0002 – 0.02 $US per mark) and Sr (0.46 – 0.82 $US per mark) isotopes. Stable isotope fingerprinting during vaccination is feasible for commercial application if applied at a company level within the world’s largest salmon producing nations. Introducing a mass marking scheme would enable tracing of escapees back to point of origin, which could drive greater compliance, better farm design and improved management practices to reduce escapes. PMID:25738955

Strong G-Protein-Mediated Inhibition of Sodium Channels.

PubMed

Mattheisen, Glynis B; Tsintsadze, Timur; Smith, Stephen M

2018-05-29

Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are strategically positioned to mediate neuronal plasticity because of their influence on action potential waveform. VGSC function may be strongly inhibited by local anesthetic and antiepileptic drugs and modestly modulated via second messenger pathways. Here, we report that the allosteric modulators of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) cinacalcet, calindol, calhex, and NPS 2143 completely inhibit VGSC current in the vast majority of cultured mouse neocortical neurons. This form of VGSC current block persisted in CaSR-deficient neurons, indicating a CaSR-independent mechanism. Cinacalcet-mediated blockade of VGSCs was prevented by the guanosine diphosphate (GDP) analog GDPβs, indicating that G-proteins mediated this effect. Cinacalcet inhibited VGSCs by increasing channel inactivation, and block was reversed by prolonged hyperpolarization. Strong cinacalcet inhibition of VGSC currents was also present in acutely isolated mouse cortical neurons. These data identify a dynamic signaling pathway by which G-proteins regulate VGSC current to indirectly modulate central neuronal excitability. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Theoretical Insights into the Origin of Photoluminescence of Au 25(SR) 18 – Nanoparticles

DOE PAGES

Weerawardene, K. L. Dimuthu M.; Aikens, Christine M.

2016-08-15

Understanding fundamental behavior of luminescent nanomaterials upon photoexcitation is necessary to expand photocatalytic and biological imaging applications. Despite the significant amount of experimental work into the luminescence of Au 25(SR) 18 – clusters, the origin of photoluminescence in these clusters still remains unclear. In this study, the geometric and electronic structural changes of the Au 25(SR) 18 – (R = H, CH 3, CH 2CH 3, CH 2CH 2CH 3) nanoclusters upon photoexcitation are discussed using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) methods. Geometric relaxations in the optimized excited states of up to 0.33 Å impart remarkable effects on the energymore » levels of the frontier orbitals of Au 25(SR) 18 – nanoclusters. This gives rise to a Stokes shift of 0.49 eV for Au 25(SH) 18 – in agreement with experiments. Even larger Stokes shifts are predicted for longer ligands. Vibrational frequencies in the 75–80 cm –1 range are calculated for the nuclear motion involved in the excited-state nuclear relaxation; this value is in excellent agreement with vibrational beating observed in time-resolved spectroscopy experiments. Several excited states around 0.8, 1.15, and 1.25 eV are calculated for the Au 25(SH) 18 – nanocluster. Considering the typical underestimation of DFT excitation energies, these states are likely responsible for the emission observed experimentally in the 1.15–1.55 eV range. In conclusion, all excited states arise from core-based orbitals; charge-transfer states or other “semi-ring” or ligand-based states are not implicated.« less

Theoretical Insights into the Origin of Photoluminescence of Au 25(SR) 18 – Nanoparticles

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

Weerawardene, K. L. Dimuthu M.; Aikens, Christine M.

Understanding fundamental behavior of luminescent nanomaterials upon photoexcitation is necessary to expand photocatalytic and biological imaging applications. Despite the significant amount of experimental work into the luminescence of Au 25(SR) 18 – clusters, the origin of photoluminescence in these clusters still remains unclear. In this study, the geometric and electronic structural changes of the Au 25(SR) 18 – (R = H, CH 3, CH 2CH 3, CH 2CH 2CH 3) nanoclusters upon photoexcitation are discussed using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) methods. Geometric relaxations in the optimized excited states of up to 0.33 Å impart remarkable effects on the energymore » levels of the frontier orbitals of Au 25(SR) 18 – nanoclusters. This gives rise to a Stokes shift of 0.49 eV for Au 25(SH) 18 – in agreement with experiments. Even larger Stokes shifts are predicted for longer ligands. Vibrational frequencies in the 75–80 cm –1 range are calculated for the nuclear motion involved in the excited-state nuclear relaxation; this value is in excellent agreement with vibrational beating observed in time-resolved spectroscopy experiments. Several excited states around 0.8, 1.15, and 1.25 eV are calculated for the Au 25(SH) 18 – nanocluster. Considering the typical underestimation of DFT excitation energies, these states are likely responsible for the emission observed experimentally in the 1.15–1.55 eV range. In conclusion, all excited states arise from core-based orbitals; charge-transfer states or other “semi-ring” or ligand-based states are not implicated.« less

Production of biogas from co-digestion of livestock and agricultural residues: A case study.

PubMed

Arhoun, Brahim; Gomez-Lahoz, Cesar; Abdala-Diaz, Roberto Teofilo; Rodriguez-Maroto, Jose Miguel; Garcia-Herruzo, Francisco; Vereda-Alonso, Carlos

2017-07-29

This study was undertaken to determine the possible changes in the digester yield and performance for the anaerobic co-digestion under mesophilic conditions of strawberry residues (SRs) together with pig manure (PM). The first part of this paper deals with the digestion of SR as a single substrate. For organic loading rates (OLRs) of 4.4 (g L -1 d -1 ) or less, the experimental specific biogas and methane productions are 0.588 and 0.231 L g -1 , respectively. When higher OLRs (5.5 g L -1 d -1 ) are used the digester fails due to acidification. In the second part, the co-digestion of both residues is explored using a wide variety of SR:PM ratios and OLRs of 5.5 g L -1 d -1 with good stability. Therefore, it is demonstrated that co-digestion allows the improvement of the treatment capacity as compared with SR as a single residue. The methane and biogas productions increase as the SR:PM ratio increases. It may be concluded that, when a digester works with a certain OLR, the performance for co-digestion is always better than for single substrates because the presence of PM provides a better stability and the presence of SR improves the biogas and methane production.

The Role of Structural and Compositional Heterogeneities in the Insulator-to-Metal Transition in Hole-Doped APd3O4 (A = Ca, Sr).

PubMed

Lamontagne, Leo K; Laurita, Geneva; Knight, Michael; Yusuf, Huma; Hu, Jerry; Seshadri, Ram; Page, Katharine

2017-05-01

The cubic semiconducting compounds APd 3 O 4 (A = Ca, Sr) can be hole-doped by Na substitution on the A site and driven toward more conducting states. This process has been followed here by a number of experimental techniques to understand the evolution of electronic properties. While an insulator-to-metal transition is observed in Ca 1-x Na x Pd 3 O 4 for x ≥ 0.15, bulk metallic behavior is not observed for Sr 1-x Na x Pd 3 O 4 up to x = 0.20. Given the very similar crystal and (calculated) electronic structures of the two materials, the distinct behavior is a matter of interest. We present evidence of local disorder in the A = Sr materials through the analysis of the neutron pair distribution function, which is potentially at the heart of the distinct behavior. Solid-state 23 Na nuclear magnetic resonance studies additionally suggest a percolative insulator-to-metal transition mechanism, wherein presumably small regions with a signal resembling metallic NaPd 3 O 4 form almost immediately upon Na substitution, and this signal grows monotonically with substitution. Some signatures of increased local disorder and a propensity for Na clustering are seen in the A = Sr compounds.

On low temperature glide of dissociated <1 1 0> dislocations in strontium titanate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ritterbex, Sebastian; Hirel, Pierre; Carrez, Philippe

2018-05-01

An elastic interaction model is presented to quantify low temperature plasticity of SrTiO3 via glide of dissociated <1 1 0>{1 1 0} screw dislocations. Because <1 1 0> dislocations are dissociated, their glide, controlled by the kink-pair mechanism at T < 1050 K, involves the formation of kink-pairs on partial dislocations, either simultaneously or sequentially. Our model yields results in good quantitative agreement with the observed non-monotonic mechanical behaviour of SrTiO3. This agreement allows to explain the experimental results in terms of a (progressive) change in <1 1 0>{1 1 0} glide mechanism, from simultaneous nucleation of two kink-pairs along both partials at low stress, towards nucleation of single kink-pairs on individual partials if resolved shear stress exceeds a critical value of 95 MPa. High resolved shear stress allows thus for the activation of extra nucleation mechanisms on dissociated dislocations impossible to occur under the sole action of thermal activation. We suggest that stress condition in conjunction with core dissociation is key to the origin of non-monotonic plastic behaviour of SrTiO3 at low temperatures.

Impact of sleep restriction on local immune response and skin barrier restoration with and without "multinutrient" nutrition intervention.

PubMed

Smith, Tracey J; Wilson, Marques A; Karl, J Philip; Orr, Jeb; Smith, Carl D; Cooper, Adam D; Heaton, Kristin J; Young, Andrew J; Montain, Scott J

2018-01-01

Systemic immune function is impaired by sleep restriction. However, the impact of sleep restriction on local immune responses and to what extent any impairment can be mitigated by nutritional supplementation is unknown. We assessed the effect of 72-h sleep restriction (2-h nightly sleep) on local immune function and skin barrier restoration of an experimental wound, and determined the influence of habitual protein intake (1.5 g·kg -1 ·day -1 ) supplemented with arginine, glutamine, zinc sulfate, vitamin C, vitamin D3, and omega-3 fatty acids compared with lower protein intake (0.8 g·kg -1 ·day -1 ) without supplemental nutrients on these outcomes. Wounds were created in healthy adults by removing the top layer of less than or equal to eight forearm blisters induced via suction, after adequate sleep (AS) or 48 h of a 72-h sleep restriction period (SR; 2-h nightly sleep). A subset of participants undergoing sleep restriction received supplemental nutrients during and after sleep restriction (SR+). Wound fluid was serially sampled 48 h postblistering to assess local cytokine responses. The IL-8 response of wound fluid was higher for AS compared with SR [area-under-the-curve (log 10 ), 5.1 ± 0.2 and 4.9 ± 0.2 pg/ml, respectively; P = 0.03]; and both IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations were higher for SR+ compared with SR ( P < 0.0001), suggestive of a potentially enhanced early wound healing response. Skin barrier recovery was shorter for AS (4.2 ± 0.9 days) compared with SR (5.0 ± 0.9 days) ( P = 0.02) but did not differ between SR and SR+ ( P = 0.18). Relatively modest sleep disruption delays wound healing. Supplemental nutrition may mitigate some decrements in local immune responses, without detectable effects on wound healing rate. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The data herein characterizes immune function in response to sleep restriction in healthy volunteers with and without nutrition supplementation. We used a unique skin wound model to show that sleep restriction delays skin barrier recovery, and nutrition supplementation attenuates decrements in local immune responses produced by sleep restriction. These findings support the beneficial effects of adequate sleep on immune function. Additional studies are necessary to characterize practical implications for populations where sleep restriction is unavoidable.

Estimation of the magnetic entropy change by means of Landau theory and phenomenological model in La0.6Ca0.2 Sr0.2MnO3/Sb2O3 ceramic composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nasri, M.; Dhahri, E.; Hlil, E. K.

2018-06-01

In this paper, magnetocaloric properties of La0.6Ca0.2Sr0.2MnO3/Sb2O3 oxides have been investigated. The composite samples were prepared using the conventional solid-state reaction method. The second-order phase transition can be testified with the positive slope in Arrott plots. An excellent agreement has been found between the -ΔSM values estimated by Landau theory and those obtained using the classical Maxwell relation. The field dependence of the magnetic entropy change analysis shows a power law dependence,|ΔSM|≈Hn , with n(TC) = 0.65. Moreover, the scaling analysis of magnetic entropy change exhibits that ΔSM(T) curves collapse into a single universal curve, indicating that the observed paramagnetic to ferromagnetic phase transition is an authentic second-order phase transition. The maximum value of magnetic entropy change of composites is found to decrease slightly with the further increasing of Sb2O3 concentration. A phenomenological model was used to predict magnetocaloric properties of La0.6Ca0.2Sr0.2MnO3/Sb2O3 composites. The theoretical calculations are compared with the available experimental data.

Neutron-scattering evidence for a periodically modulated superconducting phase in the underdoped cuprate La 1.905Ba 0.095CuO 4

DOE PAGES

Xu, Zhijun; Stock, C.; Chi, Songxue; ...

2014-10-01

The role of antiferromagnetic spin correlations in high-temperature superconductors remains a matter of debate. We present inelastic neutron-scattering evidence that gapless spin fluctuations coexist with superconductivity in La 1.905Ba 0.095CuO 4. Furthermore, we observe that both the low-energy magnetic spectral weight and the spin incommensurability are enhanced with the onset of superconducting correlations. We propose that the coexistence occurs through intertwining of spatial modulations of the pair wave function and the antiferromagnetic correlations. This proposal is also directly relevant to sufficiently underdoped La 2-xSr xCuO 4 and YBa 2Cu 3O 6+x.

The strontium isotopic budget of Himalayan rivers in Nepal and Bangladesh

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

Galy, A.; France-Lanord, C.; Derry, L.A.

1999-07-01

Himalayan rivers have very unusual Sr characteristics and their budget cannot be achieved by simple mixing between silicate and carbonate even if carbonates are radiogenic. The authors present Sr, O, and C isotopic data from river and rain water, bedload, and bedrock samples for the western and central Nepal Himalaya and Bangladesh, including the monsoon season. Central Himalayan rivers receive Sr from several sources: carbonate and clastic Tethyan sediments, High Himalayan Crystalline (HHC) gneisses and granitoids with minor marbles, carbonates and metasediments of the Lesser Himalaya (LH), and Miocene-Recent foreland basin sediment from the Siwaliks group and the modern floodmore » plain. In the Tethyan Himalaya rivers have dissolved [Sr] {approx} 6 {micro}mol/l and {sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr {approx} 0.717, with a large contribution from moderately radiogenic carbonate. Rivers draining HHC gneisses are very dilute with [Sr] {approx} 0.2 {micro}mol/l and {sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr {approx} 0.74. Lesser Himalayan streams also have low [Sr] {approx} 0.4 {micro}mol/l and are highly radiogenic ({sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr {ge} 0.78). Highly radiogenic carbonates of the LH do not contribute significantly to the Sr budget because they are sparse and have very low [Sr]. In large rivers exiting the Himalaya, Sr systematics can be modeled as a mixture between Tethyan rivers, where slightly radiogenic carbonates (mean {sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr {approx} 0.715) are the main source of Sr, and Lesser Himalaya waters, where extremely radiogenic silicates (> 0.8) are the main source of Sr. HHC waters are less important because of their low [Sr]. Rivers draining the Siwaliks foreland basin sediments have [Sr] {approx} 4 {micro}mol/l and {sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr {approx} 0.725. Weathering of silicates in the Siwaliks and the flood plain results in a probably significant radiogenic (0.72--0.74) input to the Ganges and Brahamputra (G-B), but quantification of this flux is limited by uncertainties in the hydrologic budget. The G-B in Bangladesh show strong seasonal variability with low [Sr] and high {sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr during the monsoon. Sr in the Brahmaputra ranges from 0.9 {micro}mol/l and 0.722 in March to 0.3 {micro}mol/l and 0.741 in August. The authors estimate the seasonally weighted flux from the G-B to be 6.5 {times} 10{sup 8} mol/yr with {sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr = 0.7295.« less

Theoretical modeling and experimental observations of the atomic layer deposition of SrO using a cyclopentadienyl Sr precursor

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

Fredrickson, Kurt D.; Slepko, Alex; Demkov, Alexander A., E-mail: demkov@physics.utexas.edu

2016-08-14

First-principle calculations are used to model the adsorption and hydration of strontium bis(cyclopentadienyl) [Sr(Cp){sub 2}] on TiO{sub 2}-terminated strontium titanate, SrTiO{sub 3} (STO), for the deposition of strontium oxide, SrO, by atomic layer deposition (ALD). The Sr(Cp){sub 2} precursor is shown to adsorb on the TiO{sub 2}-terminated surface, with the Sr atom assuming essentially the bulk position in STO. The C–Sr bonds are weaker than in the free molecule, with a Ti atom at the surface bonding to one of the C atoms in the cyclopentadienyl rings. The surface does not need to be hydrogenated for precursor adsorption. The calculationsmore » are compared with experimental observations for a related Sr cyclopentadienyl precursor, strontium bis(triisopropylcyclopentadienyl) [Sr({sup i}Pr{sub 3}Cp){sub 2}], adsorbed on TiO{sub 2}-terminated STO. High-resolution x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and low-energy ion scattering spectroscopy show adsorption of the Sr precursor on the TiO{sub 2}-terminated STO after a single precursor dose. This study suggests that ALD growth from the strontium precursors featuring cyclopentadienyl ligands, such as Sr(Cp){sub 2}, may initiate film growth on non-hydroxylated surfaces.« less

Modulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-release channels by caffeine, Ca2+, and Mg2+ in skinned myocardial fibers of fetal and adult rats.

PubMed

Su, J Y; Chang, Y I

1993-05-01

Ryanodine causes depression of the caffeine-induced tension transient (ryanodine depression) in skinned muscle fibers, because it blocks the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-release channels [Su, J. Y. (1988) Pflügers Arch 411:132-136, 371-377; (1992) Pflügers Arch 421:1-6]. This study was performed to examine the sensitivity of SR Ca(2+)-release channels to ryanodine in fetal compared to adult myocardium and to investigate the influence of Ca2+, caffeine, and Mg2+ on ryanodine depression in skinned fibers. Ryanodine (0.3 nM-1 microM) caused a dose-dependent depression in skinned myocardial fibers of the rat, and the fetal fibers (IC50 approximately 74 nM) were 26-fold less sensitive than those of the adult (IC50 approximately 2.9 nM). The depression induced by 0.1 microM or 1 microM ryanodine was a function of [caffeine], or [Ca2+] (pCa < 6.0), which was potentiated by caffeine, and an inverse function of [Mg2+]. At pCa > 8.0 plus 25 mM caffeine, a 20% ryanodine depression was observed in both the fetal and adult fibers, indicating independence from Ca2+. Ryanodine depression in skinned fibers of the fetus was less affected than that seen in the adult by pCai, [caffeine]i, or 25 mM caffeine plus pCai or plus pMgi (IC50 approximately pCa 4.5 versus 5.1; caffeine 12.7 mM versus 2 mM; pCa 6.7 versus 7.3; and pMg 3.9 versus 3.3 respectively). The results show that the SR Ca(2+)-release channel in both fetal and adult myocardium is modulated by Ca2+, caffeine, and Mg2+.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Positive Allosteric Modulation of the Calcium-sensing Receptor by Physiological Concentrations of Glucose*

PubMed Central

Medina, Johan; Nakagawa, Yuko; Nagasawa, Masahiro; Fernandez, Anny; Sakaguchi, Kazushige; Kitaguchi, Tetsuya; Kojima, Itaru

2016-01-01

The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is activated by various cations, cationic compounds, and amino acids. In the present study we investigated the effect of glucose on CaSR in HEK293 cells stably expressing human CaSR (HEK-CaSR cells). When glucose concentration in the buffer was raised from 3 to 25 mm, a rapid elevation of cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c) was observed. This elevation was immediate and transient and was followed by a sustained decrease in [Ca2+]c. The effect of glucose was detected at a concentration of 4 mm and reached its maximum at 5 mm. 3-O-Methylglucose, a non-metabolizable analogue of glucose, reproduced the effect of glucose. Sucrose also induced an elevation of [Ca2+]c in HEK-CaSR cells. Similarly, sucralose was nearly as effective as glucose in inducing elevation of [Ca2+]c. Glucose was not able to increase [Ca2+]c in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. The effect of glucose on [Ca2+]c was inhibited by NPS-2143, an allosteric inhibitor of CaSR. In addition, NPS-2143 also inhibited the [Ca2+]c responses to sucralose and sucrose. Glucose as well as sucralose decreased cytoplasmic cAMP concentration in HEK-CaSR cells. The reduction of cAMP induced by glucose was blocked by pertussis toxin. Likewise, sucralose reduced [cAMP]c. Finally, glucose increased [Ca2+]c in PT-r parathyroid cells and in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, both of which express endogenous CaSR. These results indicate that glucose acts as a positive allosteric modulator of CaSR. PMID:27613866

Fluorescence branching ratios and magnetic tuning of the visible spectrum of SrOH

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, Duc-Trung; Steimle, Timothy C.; Kozyryev, Ivan; Huang, Meng; McCoy, Anne B.

2018-05-01

The magnetic tuning of the low rotational levels in the X ˜ 2Σ+ (0,0,0), A ˜ 2Πr (0,0,0), and B ˜ 2Σ+ (0,0,0) electronic states of strontium hydroxide, SrOH, have been experimentally investigated using high resolution optical field-free and Zeeman spectroscopy of a cold molecular beam sample. The observed Zeeman shifts and splittings are successfully modeled using a traditional effective Hamiltonian approach to account for the interaction between the A ˜ 2Πr and B ˜ 2Σ+ states. The determined magnetic g-factors for the X ˜ 2Σ+ , A ˜ 2Πr , and B ˜ 2Σ+ states are compared to those predicted by perturbation theory. The dispersed fluorescence resulting from laser excitation of rotationally resolved branch features of the 000 B ˜ 2Σ+ ← X ˜ 2Σ+ , 000 A ˜ 2Π3/2 ← X ˜ 2Σ+ and 000 A ˜ 2Π1/2 ← X ˜ 2Σ+ transitions have been recorded and analyzed. The measured fluorescence branching ratios are compared with Franck-Condon calculations. The required bending motion wave functions are derived using a discrete variable representation (DVR) method. Implications for laser slowing and magneto-optical trapping experiments for SrOH are described.

Efficacy of humanlike Augmentin SR (2000/125 mg) twice daily treatment on Haemophilus influenzae experimental pneumonia in rabbits.

PubMed

Croisier, Delphine; Benoit, Martha; Durand, David; Lequeu, Catherine; Piroth, Lionel; Portier, Henri; Chavanet, Pascal

2007-01-01

We investigated the efficacy of 2 formulations of Augmentin on experimental pneumonia due to Haemophilus influenzae (HI) in rabbits. Two strains were used (H128 and 401285) with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid MICs of 1/0.5 mg/l and 4/2 mg/l. Pneumonia was induced in immunocompetent rabbits by inoculation of 10 log(10) CFU HI. The treatments were infused by using computer controlled pumps in order to mimic the human pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of either conventional Augmentin treatment (875/125 mg twice daily) or the sustained release formulation (SR: 2000/125 mg twice daily). After 2 d of treatment, the bacterial concentrations in the lungs were similar for both strains and both treatments: isolate H128, conventional Augmentin reduced bacterial numbers to 3.8+/-2.1 log(10) CFU/g and Augmentin SR to 3.1+/-2.4 log(10) CFU/g; isolate 401285, conventional Augmentin to 3.5+/-2. Thus, both treatments demonstrated similar efficacy against H. influenzae pneumonia in this model, even when induced by a strain with an amoxicillin/clavulanic acid MIC of 4/2 mg/l. These results support current breakpoints for conventional Augmentin against H. influenzae and suggest that Augmentin SR is at least as effective against these isolates.

Determining Solute Sources and Water Flowpaths in a Forested Headwater Catchment: Advances With the Ca-Sr-Ba Multi-tracer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bullen, T. D.; Bailey, S. W.; McGuire, K. J.; Zimmer, M. A.; Ross, D. S.

2011-12-01

Determining solute sources and water flowpaths in catchments is of critical importance to development of models that effectively describe catchment function. For solutes in soil water and stream water, simple mass balance models that compare precipitation input to catchment outlet compositions can predict average mineral weathering contributions for the catchment as a whole, but fail to provide information about either variability of contributions from different portions of the catchment and different soil depths or processes such as ion exchange and biological cycling. In order to better understand how forested headwater catchments function, we are interpreting concentration and isotope ratios of the alkaline earth elements Ca, Sr and Ba in streamwater, groundwater, the soil ion exchange pool and plants in a hydropedologic context at the 41 hectare hydrologic reference catchment (Watershed 3) at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, USA. This forested headwater catchment consists of a beech-birch-maple-spruce forest growing on vertically- and laterally-developed Spodosols and Inceptisols formed on granitoid glacial till that mantles Paleozoic metamorphic bedrock. Across the watershed in terms of the soil ion exchange pool, the forest floor has high Sr/Ba and Ca/Sr ratios, mineral soils have intermediate Sr/Ba and low Ca/Sr, and relatively unweathered till in the C horizon has low Sr/Ba and high Ca/Sr. Waters moving through these various compartments will obtain Sr/Ba and Ca/Sr ratios reflecting these characteristics, and thus variations of Sr/Ba and Ca/Sr of streamwater provide evidence of the depth of water flowpaths feeding the streams. 87Sr/86Sr of exchangeable Sr spans a broad range from 0.715 to 0.725, with highest values along the mid-to upper flanks of the catchment and lowest values in a broad zone along the central axis of the catchment associated with numerous groundwater seeps. Thus, variations of 87Sr/86Sr in streamwater provide evidence of the spatial distribution of water flowpaths feeding the streams. In addition, we are exploring the use of Sr and Ba stable isotope ratios (88Sr/86Sr, 138Ba/134Ba) as novel tracers of Sr and Ba sources in catchments. Initial results indicate that both Sr and Ba stable isotopes are fractionated by plants similarly to patterns observed globally for Ca stable isotopes. We hypothesize that while biologically-cycled Ca is efficiently retained in the organic soil-plant system, biologically-cycled Sr and especially Ba will be more easily leached by soil waters and delivered to the streams and thus their stable isotope ratios may provide an additional means to distinguish between shallow and deep water flowpaths in forested catchments.

Diffusion of Na(I), Cs(I), Sr(II) and Eu(III) in smectite rich natural clay.

PubMed

Kasar, Sharayu; Kumar, Sumit; Bajpai, R K; Tomar, B S

2016-01-01

Diffusion of Na(I), Cs(I), Sr(II) and Eu(III) in smectite rich natural clay, proposed as a backfill material in the Indian geological repository, was studied using the out-diffusion method. Radiotracers (22)Na, (137)Cs, (85)Sr and (154)Eu were used; the first three are carrier-free enabling experimental work at sub-micromolar metal ion concentration, and Eu(III) tracer (154)Eu was used at sub millimolar concentration. An out-diffusion methodology, wherein a thin planar source of radioactivity placed between two clay columns diffuses out, was used to obtain the apparent diffusion coefficient (Da) values. This methodology enabled determination of diffusion coefficient even for strongly sorbing (154)Eu. Da values for (22)Na, (137)Cs, (85)Sr and (154)Eu were 2.35 (±0.14) × 10(-11), 2.65 (±0.09) × 10(-12), 3.32 (±0.15) × 10(-11) and 1.23 (±0.15) × 10(-13) m(2) s(-1), respectively. Da values were found to be in fair agreement with literature data reported for similar mineralogical sediments. Sorption of radionuclides on the clay was also determined in the present study and differences in Da values were rationalized on the basis of sorption data. Distribution ratios (Kd) for Cs(I) and Eu(III) were higher than that for Sr(II), which in turn was higher than that for Na(I). Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Regulation of depletion layer width in Pb(Zr,Ti)O3/Nb:SrTiO3 heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bai, Yu; Jie Wang, Zhan; Cui, Jian Zhong; Zhang, Zhi Dong

2018-05-01

Improving the tunability of depletion layer width (DLW) in ferroelectric/semiconductor heterostructures is important for the performance of some devices. In this work, 200-nm-thick Pb(Zr0.4Ti0.6)O3 (PZT) films were deposited on different Nb-doped SrTiO3 (NSTO) substrates, and the tunability of DLW at PZT/NSTO interfaces were studied. Our results showed that the maximum tunability of the DLW was achieved at the NSTO substrate with 0.5 wt% Nb. On the basis of the modified capacitance model and the ferroelectric semiconductor theory, we suggest that the tunability of the DLW in PZT/NSTO heterostructures can be attributed to a delicate balance of the depletion layer charge and the ferroelectric polarization charge. Therefore, the performance of some devices related to the tunability of DLW in ferroelectric/semiconductor heterostructures can be improved by modulating the doping concentration in semiconducting electrode materials.

Coincidence-enhanced stochastic resonance: experimental evidence challenges the psychophysical theory behind stochastic resonance.

PubMed

Perez, Claudio A; Cohn, Theodore E; Medina, Leonel E; Donoso, José R

2007-08-31

Stochastic resonance (SR) is the counterintuitive phenomenon in which noise enhances detection of sub-threshold stimuli. The SR psychophysical threshold theory establishes that the required amplitude to exceed the sensory threshold barrier can be reached by adding noise to a sub-threshold stimulus. The aim of this study was to test the SR theory by comparing detection results from two different randomly-presented stimulus conditions. In the first condition, optimal noise was present during the whole attention interval; in the second, the optimal noise was restricted to the same time interval as the stimulus. SR threshold theory predicts no difference between the two conditions because noise helps the sub-threshold stimulus to reach threshold in both cases. The psychophysical experimental method used a 300 ms rectangular force pulse as a stimulus within an attention interval of 1.5 s, applied to the index finger of six human subjects in the two distinct conditions. For all subjects we show that in the condition in which the noise was present only when synchronized with the stimulus, detection was better (p<0.05) than in the condition in which the noise was delivered throughout the attention interval. These results provide the first direct evidence that SR threshold theory is incomplete and that a new phenomenon has been identified, which we call Coincidence-Enhanced Stochastic Resonance (CESR). We propose that CESR might occur because subject uncertainty is reduced when noise points at the same temporal window as the stimulus.

Improved Savitzky-Golay-method-based fluorescence subtraction algorithm for rapid recovery of Raman spectra.

PubMed

Chen, Kun; Zhang, Hongyuan; Wei, Haoyun; Li, Yan

2014-08-20

In this paper, we propose an improved subtraction algorithm for rapid recovery of Raman spectra that can substantially reduce the computation time. This algorithm is based on an improved Savitzky-Golay (SG) iterative smoothing method, which involves two key novel approaches: (a) the use of the Gauss-Seidel method and (b) the introduction of a relaxation factor into the iterative procedure. By applying a novel successive relaxation (SG-SR) iterative method to the relaxation factor, additional improvement in the convergence speed over the standard Savitzky-Golay procedure is realized. The proposed improved algorithm (the RIA-SG-SR algorithm), which uses SG-SR-based iteration instead of Savitzky-Golay iteration, has been optimized and validated with a mathematically simulated Raman spectrum, as well as experimentally measured Raman spectra from non-biological and biological samples. The method results in a significant reduction in computing cost while yielding consistent rejection of fluorescence and noise for spectra with low signal-to-fluorescence ratios and varied baselines. In the simulation, RIA-SG-SR achieved 1 order of magnitude improvement in iteration number and 2 orders of magnitude improvement in computation time compared with the range-independent background-subtraction algorithm (RIA). Furthermore the computation time of the experimentally measured raw Raman spectrum processing from skin tissue decreased from 6.72 to 0.094 s. In general, the processing of the SG-SR method can be conducted within dozens of milliseconds, which can provide a real-time procedure in practical situations.

How perception guides action: Figure-ground segmentation modulates integration of context features into S-R episodes.

PubMed

Frings, Christian; Rothermund, Klaus

2017-11-01

Perception and action are closely related. Responses are assumed to be represented in terms of their perceptual effects, allowing direct links between action and perception. In this regard, the integration of features of stimuli (S) and responses (R) into S-R bindings is a key mechanism for action control. Previous research focused on the integration of object features with response features while neglecting the context in which an object is perceived. In 3 experiments, we analyzed whether contextual features can also become integrated into S-R episodes. The data showed that a fundamental principle of visual perception, figure-ground segmentation, modulates the binding of contextual features. Only features belonging to the figure region of a context but not features forming the background were integrated with responses into S-R episodes, retrieval of which later on had an impact upon behavior. Our findings suggest that perception guides the selection of context features for integration with responses into S-R episodes. Results of our study have wide-ranging implications for an understanding of context effects in learning and behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

An integrative model of the cardiac ventricular myocyte incorporating local control of Ca2+ release.

PubMed Central

Greenstein, Joseph L; Winslow, Raimond L

2002-01-01

The local control theory of excitation-contraction (EC) coupling in cardiac muscle asserts that L-type Ca(2+) current tightly controls Ca(2+) release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) via local interaction of closely apposed L-type Ca(2+) channels (LCCs) and ryanodine receptors (RyRs). These local interactions give rise to smoothly graded Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR), which exhibits high gain. In this study we present a biophysically detailed model of the normal canine ventricular myocyte that conforms to local control theory. The model formulation incorporates details of microscopic EC coupling properties in the form of Ca(2+) release units (CaRUs) in which individual sarcolemmal LCCs interact in a stochastic manner with nearby RyRs in localized regions where junctional SR membrane and transverse-tubular membrane are in close proximity. The CaRUs are embedded within and interact with the global systems of the myocyte describing ionic and membrane pump/exchanger currents, SR Ca(2+) uptake, and time-varying cytosolic ion concentrations to form a model of the cardiac action potential (AP). The model can reproduce both the detailed properties of EC coupling, such as variable gain and graded SR Ca(2+) release, and whole-cell phenomena, such as modulation of AP duration by SR Ca(2+) release. Simulations indicate that the local control paradigm predicts stable APs when the L-type Ca(2+) current is adjusted in accord with the balance between voltage- and Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation processes as measured experimentally, a scenario where common pool models become unstable. The local control myocyte model provides a means for studying the interrelationship between microscopic and macroscopic behaviors in a manner that would not be possible in experiments. PMID:12496068

Muon Beamline Commissioning and Feasibility Study for μSR at a New DC Muon Beamline, MuSIC-RCNP, Osaka University

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tomono, Dai; Fukuda, Mitsuhiro; Hatanaka, Kichiji; Higemoto, Wataru; Kawashima, Yoshitaka; Kojima, Kenji M.; Kuno, Yoshitaka; Matsuda, Yugo; Matsuzaki, Teiichiro; Miyake, Yasuhiro; Miyamoto, Koichiro; Morita, Yasuyuki; Motoishi, Takahiro; Nakazawa, Yu; Ninomiya, Kazuhiko; Nishikawa, Ryo; Ohta, Saki; Sato, Akira; Shimomura, Koichiro; Takahisa, Keiji; Weichao, Yao; Wong, Ming L.

At the new DC muon beamline MuSIC at Research Center for Nuclear Physics (RCNP), Osaka University, the beamline construction from the solenoid system of the muon production to the experimental port was completed. A beamline commissioning and a feasibility study for μSR are now in progress. With newly refurbished spectrometer installed at the experimental port, we succeeded in observing μSR spectra and μ-e decay asymmetry in a simple setup down to 4 K. We are still under development of other μSR appratuses.

Giant Enhancement of Magnetic Anisotropy in Ultrathin Manganite Films via Nanoscale 1D Periodic Depth Modulation.

PubMed

Rajapitamahuni, A; Zhang, L; Koten, M A; Singh, V R; Burton, J D; Tsymbal, E Y; Shield, J E; Hong, X

2016-05-06

The relatively low magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MCA) in strongly correlated manganites (La,Sr)MnO_{3} has been a major hurdle for implementing them in spintronic applications. Here we report an unusual, giant enhancement of in-plane MCA in 6 nm La_{0.67}Sr_{0.33}MnO_{3} (LSMO) films grown on (001) SrTiO_{3} substrates when the top 2 nm is patterned into periodic stripes of 100 or 200 nm width. Planar Hall effect measurements reveal an emergent uniaxial anisotropy superimposed on one of the original biaxial easy axes for unpatterned LSMO along ⟨110⟩ directions, with a 50-fold enhanced anisotropy energy density of 5.6×10^{6}  erg/cm^{3} within the nanostripes, comparable to the value for cobalt. The magnitude and direction of the uniaxial anisotropy exclude shape anisotropy and the step edge effect as its origin. High resolution transmission electron microscopy studies reveal a nonequilibrium strain distribution and drastic suppression in the c-axis lattice constant within the nanostructures, which is the driving mechanism for the enhanced uniaxial MCA, as suggested by first-principles density functional calculations.

Local spin structure of the α -RuCl3 honeycomb-lattice magnet observed via muon spin rotation/relaxation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamauchi, Ichihiro; Hiraishi, Masatoshi; Okabe, Hirotaka; Takeshita, Soshi; Koda, Akihiro; Kojima, Kenji M.; Kadono, Ryosuke; Tanaka, Hidekazu

2018-04-01

We report a muon spin rotation/relaxation (μ SR ) study of single-crystalline samples of the α -RuCl3 honeycomb magnet, which is presumed to be a model compound for the Kitaev-Heisenberg interaction. It is inferred from magnetic susceptibility and specific-heat measurements that the present samples exhibit successive magnetic transitions at different critical temperatures TN with decreasing temperature, eventually falling into the TN=7 K antiferromagnetic (7 K) phase that has been observed in only single-crystalline specimens with the least stacking fault. Via μ SR measurements conducted under a zero external field, we show that such behavior originates from a phase separation induced by the honeycomb plane stacking fault, yielding multiple domains with different TN's. We also perform μ SR measurements under a transverse field in the paramagnetic phase to identify the muon site from the muon-Ru hyperfine parameters. Based on a comparison of the experimental and calculated internal fields at the muon site for the two possible spin structures inferred from neutron diffraction data, we suggest a modulated zigzag spin structure for the 7 K phase, with the amplitude of the ordered magnetic moment being significantly reduced from that expected for the orbital quenched spin-1/2 state.

A multi-proxy isotope study (δ41K, δ26Mg, 87Sr/86Sr) of low-temperature oceanic crust alteration: the Troodos Ophiolite and Ocean Drilling Program Hole 801C

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santiago Ramos, D. P.; Higgins, J. A.

2017-12-01

Low-temperature alteration of oceanic crust plays an important role in a number of geochemical cycles, thus modulating the chemical composition of the oceans. In particular, it has been established that low-temperature (<150oC) alteration of basalt is a major sink of seawater potassium. However, little is known about the effects of this process on the potassium isotope composition of seawater, which is 0.5‰ enriched relative to bulk silicate Earth (δ41KBSE=-0.54‰). Here we measure a number of isotope systems (δ41K, δ26Mg, 87Sr/86Sr) in both host rock and vein material from the upper volcanic section of Cretaceous (Troodos Ophiolite) and Jurassic (ODP 801C) oceanic crust using a MC-ICP-MS. The goal is to estimate the K isotopic fractionation associated with basalt alteration in low-temperature conditions, and how it might affect the K isotope enrichment of seawater relative to BSE. We find that marine hydrothermal samples from Troodos and ODP site 801C are enriched in potassium relative to the unaltered glass compositions and have δ41K values both higher and lower than BSE, ranging from -0.45‰ to -0.69‰ (n = 9) and -0.32‰ to -0.71‰ (n = 5), respectively. The low measured δ41K values could represent 1) fractionation (α<1) of K isotopes during uptake from seawater (δ41KSW 0‰), or 2) remobilized mantle-sourced K (δ41KBSE=-0.54‰) from deeper within the ophiolite sequence. Measurements of δ26Mg (n=15) and 87Sr/86Sr (n=12) in these samples yield enriched values relative to bulk silicate Earth, suggesting that alteration of oceanic crust likely happened under high water-to-rock ratios in both Troodos and ODP 801C, and that the added potassium is seawater-sourced. We thus suggest that the isotopically light δ41K values measured in both sites are associated with the formation of secondary clays enriched in the 39K isotope. This light isotope enrichment could be intensified if seawater K sourcing is a diffusion-limited process, as aqueous potassium diffusion has been associated with K isotope fractionations between 0.9967 and 0.9984. Our results indicate that the uptake of potassium in altered oceanic crust could be responsible, in part, for the observed K isotope enrichment of seawater relative to bulk silicate Earth.

Rational design of mixed ionic and electronic conducting perovskite oxides for solid oxide fuel cell anode materials: A case study for doped SrTiO3

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

Suthirakun, Suwit; Xiao, Guoliang; Ammal, Salai Cheettu

2014-01-01

The effect of p- and n-type dopants on ionic and electronic conductivity of SrTiO3 based perovskites were investigated both computationally and experimentally. Specifically, we performed density functional theory (DFT) calculations of Na- and La-doped SrTiO3 and Na- and Nb-doped SrTiO3 systems. Constrained ab initio thermodynamic calculations were used to evaluate the phase stability and reducibility of doped SrTiO3 under both oxidizing and reducing synthesis conditions, as well as under anodic solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) conditions. The density of states (DOS) of these materials was analyzed to study the effects of p- and n-doping on the electronic conductivity. Furthermore, Na-more » and La-doped SrTiO3 and Na- and Nb-doped SrTiO3 samples were experimentally prepared and the conductivity was measured to confirm our computational predictions. The experimental observations are in very good agreement with the theoretical predictions that doping n-doped SrTiO3 with small amounts of p-type dopants promotes both the ionic and electronic conductivity of the material. This doping strategy is valid independent of p- and n-doping site and permits the synthesis of perovskite based mixed ionic/electronic conductors.« less

Substrate-induced dielectric polarization in thin films of lead-free (Sr0.5Bi0.5)2Mn2-xTixO6-δ perovskites grown by pulsed laser deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Álvarez-Serrano, I.; Ruiz de Larramendi, I.; López, M. L.; Veiga, M. L.

2017-03-01

Thin films of SrBiMn2-xTixO6-δ have been fabricated by Pulsed Laser Deposition on SrTiO3 [100] and [111] substrates. Their texture, width, homogeneity and morphology are evaluated by means of XRD, SEM, XPS, whereas complex impedance spectroscopy is employed to analyze their electrical response. The thickness values range between 80 and 900 nm depending on the experimental conditions. The epitaxial growing could be interpreted in terms of two contributions of microstructural origin: a matrix part and some polycrystalline surface formations (hemi-spheres). Texture studies suggest a fiber-type orientated morphology coherently with the Scanning Electron Microscopy images. XPS analyses indicate a segregation regarding A-sublattice cations, which features depend on the substrate orientation. This segregation could be connected to the development of nanopolar regions. Impedance data show the electrical polarization in the samples to be enhanced compared to bulk response of corresponding powdered samples. A relaxor behavior which fits a Vogel-Fulcher law is obtained for x = 0.50 whereas an almost frequency-independent relaxor ferroelectric behavior is registered for the thinnest film of x = 0.25 composition grown on SrTiO3 [111] substrate. The influence of compositional and structural aspects in the obtained dielectric response is analyzed.

Effect of Internal Pressure and Temperature on Phase Transitions in Perovskite Oxides: The Case of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Cathode Materials of the La2-xSrxCoTiO6 Series.

PubMed

Gómez-Pérez, Alejandro; Hoelzel, Markus; Muñoz-Noval, Álvaro; García-Alvarado, Flaviano; Amador, Ulises

2016-12-19

The symmetry of the room-temperature (RT) structure of title compounds La 2-x Sr x CoTiO 6-δ changes with x, from P2 1 /n (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) to Pnma (0.3 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) and to R3̅c (0.6 ≤ x ≤ 1). For x = 1 the three pseudocubic cell parameters become very close suggesting a transition to a cubic structure for higher Sr contents. Similar phase transitions were expected to occur on heating, paralleling the effect of internal pressure induced by substitution of La 3+ by Sr 2+ . However, only some of these aforementioned transitions have been thermally induced. The symmetry-adapted modes formalism is used in the structural refinements and fitting of neutron diffraction data recorded from RT to 1273 K. Thus, for x = 1, the out-of-phase tilting of the BO 6 octahedra vanishes progressively on heating, and a cubic structure with Pm3̅m symmetry is found at 1073 K. For lower Sr contents this transition is predicted to occur far above the temperature limit of common experimental setups. The analysis of the evolution of the perovskite tolerance factor, t-factor, with both Sr content and temperature indicates that temperature has a limited ability to release structural stress and thus to enable transitions to more symmetric phases. This is particularly true when compared to the effect of internal pressure induced by substitution of La by Sr. The existence of phase transitions in materials for solid oxide fuel cells that are usually exposed to heating-cooling cycles may have a detrimental effect. This work suggests strategies to stabilize the high-symmetry high-temperature phase of perovskite oxides through internal-pressure chemically induced.

Giant Electroresistive Ferroelectric Diode on 2DEG

PubMed Central

Kim, Shin-Ik; Jin Gwon, Hyo; Kim, Dai-Hong; Keun Kim, Seong; Choi, Ji-Won; Yoon, Seok-Jin; Jung Chang, Hye; Kang, Chong-Yun; Kwon, Beomjin; Bark, Chung-Wung; Hong, Seong-Hyeon; Kim, Jin-Sang; Baek, Seung-Hyub

2015-01-01

Manipulation of electrons in a solid through transmitting, storing, and switching is the fundamental basis for the microelectronic devices. Recently, the electroresistance effect in the ferroelectric capacitors has provided a novel way to modulate the electron transport by polarization reversal. Here, we demonstrate a giant electroresistive ferroelectric diode integrating a ferroelectric capacitor into two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) at oxide interface. As a model system, we fabricate an epitaxial Au/Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3/LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructure, where 2DEG is formed at LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface. This device functions as a two-terminal, non-volatile memory of 1 diode-1 resistor with a large I+/I− ratio (>108 at ±6 V) and Ion/Ioff ratio (>107). This is attributed to not only Schottky barrier modulation at metal/ferroelectric interface by polarization reversal but also the field-effect metal-insulator transition of 2DEG. Moreover, using this heterostructure, we can demonstrate a memristive behavior for an artificial synapse memory, where the resistance can be continuously tuned by partial polarization switching, and the electrons are only unidirectionally transmitted. Beyond non-volatile memory and logic devices, our results will provide new opportunities to emerging electronic devices such as multifunctional nanoelectronics and neuromorphic electronics. PMID:26014446

Inclusion behavior of Cs, Sr, and Ba impurities in LiCl crystal formed by layer-melt crystallization: Combined first-principles calculation and experimental study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Jung-Hoon; Cho, Yung-Zun; Lee, Tae-Kyo; Eun, Hee-Chul; Kim, Jun-Hong; Kim, In-Tae; Park, Geun-Il; Kang, Jeung-Ku

2013-05-01

The pyroprocessing which uses a dry method to recycle spent oxide fuel generates a waste LiCl salt containing radioactive elements. To reuse LiCl salt, the radioactive impurities has to be separated by the purification process such as layer-melt crystallization. To enhance impurity separation efficiency, it is important to understand the inclusion mechanism of impurities within the LiCl crystal. Herein, we report the inclusion properties of impurities in LiCl crystals. First of all, the substitution enthalpies of Cs+, Sr2+, and Ba2+ impurities with 0-6 at% in LiCl crystal were evaluated via first-principles calculations. Also, the molten LiCl containing 1 mol of Cs+, Sr2+, and Ba2+ impurities was crystallized through the experimental layer-melt crystallization method. These substitution enthalpy and experiment clarify that a high substitution enthalpy should result in the high separation efficiency for an impurity. Furthermore, we find that the electron density map gives a clue to the mechanism for inclusion of impurities into LiCl crystal.

Carrier Density at LaAlO3/SrTiO3 Interfaces: Evidence of Electronic Reconstruction.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xi, Xiaoxing

The origin of the 2D electron gas at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface has been a controversial subject ever since its discovery. A serious inconsistency with the most accepted mechanism, an electronic reconstruction in response to a polar discontinuity at the interface, is that the carrier densities reported experimentally are invariably lower than the expected value except under conditions where reduction of SrTiO3 substrate is suspected. We have grown LaAlO3 films of different stoichiometry on TiO2-terminated SrTiO3 substrates using atomic layer-by-layer laser molecular beam epitaxy (ALL-Laser MBE), in which La2O3 and Al2O3 targets were sequentially ablated in 37 mTorr oxygen. The high oxygen pressure during growth prevents the possible oxygen reduction in SrTiO3, ensures that the LaAlO3 films are sufficiently oxygenated, and suppresses the La-Sr intermixing due to the bombardment effect. X-ray linear dichroism (XLD) and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) measurements show characteristics of oxygenated samples. In the electronic reconstruction picture, instead of the charge transfer of half of an electron in the case of a sufficiently thick stoichiometric LaAlO3, a LaAlO3 film thickness dependence is expected as well as a linear dependence on stoichiometry. Our experimental results on carrier densities in 10 nm-thick LaAl1 +yO3(1 +0.5y) films agree quantitatively with the theoretical expectations, lending a strong support for the electronic reconstruction mechanism. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, under Grant No. DE-SC0004764.

Physically constrained source apportionment (PCSA) for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon using the Multilinear Engine 2-species ratios (ME2-SR) method.

PubMed

Liu, Gui-Rong; Shi, Guo-Liang; Tian, Ying-Ze; Wang, Yi-Nan; Zhang, Cai-Yan; Feng, Yin-Chang

2015-01-01

An improved physically constrained source apportionment (PCSA) technology using the Multilinear Engine 2-species ratios (ME2-SR) method was proposed and applied to quantify the sources of PM10- and PM2.5-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from Chengdu in winter time. Sixteen priority PAH compounds were detected with mean ΣPAH concentrations (sum of 16 PAHs) ranging from 70.65 ng/m(3) to 209.58 ng/m(3) and from 59.17 ng/m(3) to 170.64 ng/m(3) for the PM10 and PM2.5 samples, respectively. The ME2-SR and positive matrix factorization (PMF) models were employed to estimate the source contributions of PAHs, and these estimates agreed with the experimental results. For the PMF model, the highest contributor to the ΣPAHs was vehicular emission (81.69% for PM10, 82.06% for PM2.5), followed by coal combustion (12.68%, 12.11%), wood combustion (5.65%, 4.45%) and oil combustion (0.72%, 0.88%). For the ME2-SR method, the highest contributions were from diesel (43.19% for PM10, 47.17% for PM2.5) and gasoline exhaust (34.94%, 32.44%), followed by wood combustion (8.79%, 6.37%), coal combustion (12.46%, 12.37%) and oil combustion (0.80%, 1.22%). However, the PAH ratios calculated for the factors extracted by ME2-SR were closer to the values from actual source profiles, implying that the results obtained from ME2-SR might be physically constrained and satisfactory. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tunable thermodynamic activity of La x Sr1-x Mn y Al1-y O3-δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1, 0 ≤ y ≤ 1) perovskites for solar thermochemical fuel synthesis.

PubMed

Ezbiri, M; Takacs, M; Theiler, D; Michalsky, R; Steinfeld, A

2017-02-28

Nonstoichiometric metal oxides with variable valence are attractive redox materials for thermochemical and electrochemical fuel processing. To guide the design of advanced redox materials for solar-driven splitting of CO 2 and/or H 2 O to produce CO and/or H 2 (syngas), we investigate the equilibrium thermodynamics of the La x Sr 1- x Mn y Al 1- y O 3- δ perovskite family (0 ≤ x ≤ 1, 0 ≤ y ≤ 1) and La 0.6 Ca 0.4 Mn 0.8 Al 0.2 O 3- δ , and compare them to those of CeO 2 as the baseline. Oxygen nonstoichiometry measurements from 1573 to 1773 K and from 0.206 to 180 mbar O 2 show a tunable reduction extent, increasing with increasing Sr content. Maximal nonstoichiometry of 0.32 is established with La 0.2 Sr 0.8 Mn 0.8 Al 0.2 O 3- δ at 1773 K and 2.37 mbar O 2 . As a trend, we find that oxygen capacities are most sensitive to the A-cation composition. Partial molar enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy changes for oxide reduction are extracted from the experimental data using defect models for Mn 4+ /Mn 3+ and Mn 3+ /Mn 2+ redox couples. We find that perovskites exhibit typically decreasing enthalpy changes with increasing nonstoichiometries. This desirable characteristic is most pronounced by La 0.6 Sr 0.4 Mn 0.4 Al 0.6 O 3- δ , rendering it attractive for CO 2 and H 2 O splitting. Generally, perovskites show lower enthalpy and entropy changes than ceria, resulting in more favorable reduction but less favorable oxidation equilibria. The energy penalties due to larger temperature swings and excess oxidants are discussed in particular. Using electronic structure theory, we conclude with a practical methodology estimating thermodynamic activity to rationally design perovskites with variable stoichiometry and valence.

SURVEYS OF RADIOACTIVITY IN HUMAN DIET AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES. Report for 1960

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

None

1961-11-16

Results are presented from a survey of Sr/sup 90/ in human diet in the United Kingdom during 1960. Data are included from a country-wide survey, which enabled the assessment of the mean ratio of Sr/sup 90/ to Ca in the average diet of the population, and local studies in areas where the quantity of Sr/sup 90/ was likely to exceed the average. Measurements were also made of Sr/sup 90/ in herbage and soil from representative pastures throughout the country, and Cs/sup 137/ in milk produced in the United Kingdom during 1960. Results are included from experimental studies of factors affectingmore » the passage of Sr/sup 90/ through food chains. Limited data are also included on Sr/sup 90/ in selected foods from Australia, the Republic of Ireland, and the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. (C.H.)« less

Study of atomic and molecular emission spectra of Sr by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS).

PubMed

Bhatt, Chet R; Alfarraj, Bader; Ayyalasomayajula, Krishna K; Ghany, Charles; Yueh, Fang Y; Singh, Jagdish P

2015-12-01

Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is an ideal analytical technique for in situ analysis of elemental composition. We have performed a comparative study of the quantitative and qualitative analysis of atomic and molecular emission from LIBS spectra. In our experiments, a mixture of SrCl2 and Al2O3 in powder form was used as a sample. The atomic emission from Sr and molecular emission from SrCl and SrO observed in LIBS spectra were analyzed. The optimum laser energies, gate delays, and gate widths for selected atomic lines and molecular bands were determined from spectra recorded at various experimental parameters. These optimum experimental conditions were used to collect calibration data, and the calibration curves were used to predict the Sr concentration. Limits of detection (LODs) for selected atomic and molecular emission spectra were determined.

Rubidium-strontium geochronology of the Oaxaca and Acatlan metamorphic areas of southern Mexico

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

Ruiz Castellanos, M.

1979-01-01

A Rb-Sr study was carried out on crystalline basement rocks from two small separate areas of southern Mexico: Oaxaca area and the Acatlan area. The Oaxaca area consists mainly of orthogneisses and paragneisses of amphibolite to granulite grade metamorphism as well as granitic intrusives. In the present study the following dates and initial /sup 87/Sr//sup 86/Sr rates (Sr/sub 0/) were obtained from rocks of this area: El Cortijo gneisses 341 +/- 61 my, Sr/sub 0/ 0.7226 +/- 0.0027; Ojo de Agua pegmatite 975 +/- 25 my, assumed Sr/sub 0/ 0.710; El Catrin gneisses 1500 +/- 230 my, Sr/sub 0/ 0.7026more » +/- 0.0005; Suchilquitongo granite 272 +/- 8 my, Sr/sup 0/ 0.7047 +/- 0.0005; Laachila marble 901 +/- 24 my, Sr/sub 0/ 0.7062 +/- 0.0007; Laachila granitic dike 236 +/- 5 my, Sr/sub 0/ 0.8477 +/- 0.0009. The Acatlan area consists typically of greenschist facies metasedimentary rocks with similar structural and metamorphic characteristics through the area. In the present study, muscovite, biotite and whole rock data points from the typical Acatlan schists collected at different locations within the Acatlan Complex define two different linear arrays from which an age of 481 +/- 9 my, and two Sr/sub 0/ intercepts of 0.7075 +/- 0.0008 and 0.7112 +/- 0.0006 (95% confidence level) are obtained. The same date is obtained for 18 samples of the Piaxtla augen schist 480 +/- 84 my. Other dates obtained are: Caltepec granitic rocks 269 +/- 21 my, Sr/sub 0/ 0.7056 +/- 0.0004; Tepejillo intrusive bodies 207 +/- 10 my, Sr/sub 0/ 0.7037 +/- 0.0003 and Tepejillo pegmatite 173 +/- 0.3 my, Sr/sub 0/ 0.7044 +/- 0.0002. The tectonic histories of the Oaxaca and Acatlan areas are substantially different and have been unrelated at least until Late Paleozoic times.« less

Electrocaloric Refrigeration for Superconductors

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-02-01

Dielectric properties 40 3.3.2. Relation to capacitance thermometer manufacturing . . 42 3.4. SrTiO, Glass-Ceramic Multilayer Samples 42 3.4.1...Experimental Methods 66 3.6.1. Dielectric properties 66 3.6.2. Thermodynamic properties 7 0 3.6.3. Thermal conductivity. .... 80 3.7...Discussion of Experimental Results 143 3.8.1. Dielectric Troperties 143 3.8.2. Thermal Properties 150 3.8.3. Recommendations for further work

Growth and interface engineering in thin-film Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 /SrMoO3 heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Radetinac, Aldin; Ziegler, Jürgen; Vafaee, Mehran; Alff, Lambert; Komissinskiy, Philipp

2017-04-01

Epitaxial heterostructures of ferroelectric Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 and highly conducting SrMoO3 were grown by pulsed laser deposition on SrTiO3 (0 0 1) substrates. Surface oxidation of the SrMoO3 film is suppressed using a thin cap interlayer of Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3-δ grown in reduced atmosphere. As shown by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the Mo4+ valence state of the SrMoO3 films is stable upon annealing of the sample in oxygen up to 600 °C. The described oxygen interface engineering enables utilization of the highly conducting material SrMoO3 in multilayer oxide ferroelectric varactors.

Major enhancement of the thermoelectric performance in Pr/Nb-doped SrTiO3 under strain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amin, B.; Singh, N.; Tritt, T. M.; Alshareef, H. N.; Schwingenschlögl, U.

2013-07-01

The electronic structure and thermoelectric properties of strained (biaxially and uniaxially) Sr0.95Pr0.05TiO3 and SrTi0.95Nb0.05O3 are investigated in the temperature range from 300 K to 1200 K. Substitutions of Pr at the Sr site and Nb at the Ti site generate n-type doping and thus improve the thermoelectric performance as compared to pristine SrTiO3. Further enhancement is achieved by the application of strain, for example, of the Seebeck coefficient by 21% for Sr0.95Pr0.05TiO3 and 10% for SrTi0.95Nb0.05O3 at room temperature in the case of 5% biaxial strain. At 1200 K, we predict figures of merit of 0.58 and 0.55 for 2.5% biaxially strained Sr0.95Pr0.05TiO3 and SrTi0.95Nb0.05O3, respectively, which are the highest values reported for rare earth doped SrTiO3.

Laser cooling and imaging of individual radioactive +90Sr ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, Kyunghun; Iwata, Yoshihiro; Miyabe, Masabumi; Yamamoto, Kazuhiro; Yonezu, Tomohisa; Wakaida, Ikuo; Hasegawa, Shuichi

2017-10-01

We have developed an apparatus integrating resonance-ionization, ion-trap, and laser-cooling techniques for an ultratrace radioactive isotope 90Sr analysis. Trapped +90Sr isotope ions were laser cooled, and their 4 d 3/2 2D →5 p 1/2 2P transition isotope shift was experimentally measured to be -281 (17 ) MHz by comparing individual spectra of +88Sr and +90Sr ions. Crystallization of +90Sr was carried out using the resonance frequency value confirmed in our experiment, and then +90Sr individual ions were successfully observed.

Influence of electron doping on the ground state of (Sr 1-xLa x) 2IrO 4

DOE PAGES

Chen, Xiang; Hogan, Tom; Walkup, D.; ...

2015-08-17

The evolution of the electronic properties of electron-doped (Sr 1-xLa x) 2IrO 4 is experimentally explored as the doping limit of La is approached. As electrons are introduced, the electronic ground state transitions from a spin-orbit Mott phase into an electronically phase separated state, where long-range magnetic order vanishes beyond x = 0:02 and charge transport remains percolative up to the limit of La substitution (x =0:06). In particular, the electronic ground state remains inhomogeneous even beyond the collapse of the parent state's long-range antiferromagnetic order, while persistent short-range magnetism survives up to the highest La-substitution levels. Furthermore, as electronsmore » are doped into Sr 2IrO 4, we observe the appearance of a low temperature magnetic glass-like state intermediate to the complete suppression of antiferromagnetic order. Universalities and di erences in the electron-doped phase diagrams of single layer and bilayer Ruddlesden-Popper strontium iridates are discussed.« less

Investigation of the tunnel magnetoresistance in junctions with a strontium stannate barrier

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

Althammer, Matthias; Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities; Vikam Singh, Amit

In this paper, we experimentally investigate the structural, magnetic, and electrical transport properties of La 0.67 Sr 0.33MnO 3 based magnetic tunnel junctions with a SrSnO 3 barrier. Our results show that despite the high density of defects in the strontium stannate barrier, due to the large lattice mismatch, the observed tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) is comparable to tunnel junctions with a better lattice matched SrTiO 3 barrier, reaching values of up to 350% at T = 5K. Further analysis of the current-voltage characteristics of the junction and the bias voltage dependence of the observed tunnel magnetoresistance show a decrease ofmore » the TMR with increasing bias voltage. In addition, the observed TMR vanishes for T > 200K. Finally, our results suggest that by employing a better lattice matched ferromagnetic electrode, and thus reducing the structural defects in the strontium stannate barrier, even larger TMR ratios might be possible in the future.« less

Investigation of the tunnel magnetoresistance in junctions with a strontium stannate barrier

DOE PAGES

Althammer, Matthias; Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities; Vikam Singh, Amit; ...

2016-12-16

In this paper, we experimentally investigate the structural, magnetic, and electrical transport properties of La 0.67 Sr 0.33MnO 3 based magnetic tunnel junctions with a SrSnO 3 barrier. Our results show that despite the high density of defects in the strontium stannate barrier, due to the large lattice mismatch, the observed tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) is comparable to tunnel junctions with a better lattice matched SrTiO 3 barrier, reaching values of up to 350% at T = 5K. Further analysis of the current-voltage characteristics of the junction and the bias voltage dependence of the observed tunnel magnetoresistance show a decrease ofmore » the TMR with increasing bias voltage. In addition, the observed TMR vanishes for T > 200K. Finally, our results suggest that by employing a better lattice matched ferromagnetic electrode, and thus reducing the structural defects in the strontium stannate barrier, even larger TMR ratios might be possible in the future.« less

Could binary mixture of Nd-Ni ions control the electrical behavior of strontium-barium M-type hexaferrite nanoparticles?

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

Iqbal, Muhammad Javed, E-mail: mjiqauchem@yahoo.com; Farooq, Saima

2011-05-15

Research highlights: {yields} Strontium-barium hexaferrites (Sr{sub 0.5}Ba{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 12}O{sub 19}) in single magnetoplumbite phase solid structure are synthesized by the co-precipitation method. {yields} Structural and electrical properties of Nd-Ni substituted ferrites are investigated. {yields} These ferrite materials possess high electrical resistivity (108 {Omega} cm) that is essential to curb the eddy current loss, which is pre-requisite for surface mount devices. -- Abstract: Cationic substitution in M-type hexaferrites is considered to be an important tool for modification of their electrical properties. This work is part of our comprehensive study on the synthesis and characterization of Nd-Ni doped strontium-barium hexaferrite nanomaterials ofmore » nominal composition Sr{sub 0.5}Ba{sub 0.5-x}Nd{sub x}Fe{sub 12-y}Ni{sub y}O{sub 19} (x = 0.00-0.10; y = 0.00-1.00). Doping with this binary mixture modulates the physical and electrical properties of strontium-barium hexaferrite nanoparticles. Structural and electrical properties of the co-precipitated ferrites are investigated using state-of-the-art techniques. The results of X-ray diffraction analysis reveal that the lattice parameters and cell volume are inversely related to the dopant content. Temperature dependent DC-electrical resistivity measurements infer that resistivity of strontium-barium hexaferrites decreases from 1.8 x 10{sup 10} to 2.0 x 10{sup 8} {Omega} cm whereas the drift mobility, dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent are directly related to the Nd-Ni content. The results of the study demonstrate a relationship between the modulation of electrical properties of substituted ferrites and nature of cations and their lattice site occupancy.« less

Improvement of the Coercivity of Cobalt Ferrites Induced by Substitution of Sr2+ Ions for Co2+ Ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Kaiwen; Chen, Wen; Wu, Xuehang; Wu, Wenwei; Lin, Cuiwu; Wu, Juan

2017-07-01

Spinel Co1- x Sr x Fe2O4 ( x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) ferrites have been successfully synthesized by calcining a mixture of oxalates in air. X-ray diffraction study shows that the sample with the concentration of x = 0 has a single spinel phase CoFe2O4 structure and the samples with concentrations of x = 0.1-0.3 have a small amount of foreign phase SrFe12O19 and/or Sr7Fe10O22 along the spinel phase. The lattice parameter of the ferrites at first increases with increasing Sr2+ content, then decreases to x = 0.3 due to the large ionic radius of Sr2+ (0.144 nm) as compared to Co2+ (0.072 nm); for higher doping levels, part of the Sr2+ ions could not enter the tetrahedral (A) and/or octahedral (B) sites but forms a second phase Sr7Fe10O22. The addition of Sr2+ ions decreases the average crystallite size of Co1- x Sr x Fe2O4, which is attributed to the foreign phase Sr7Fe10O22 and/or SrFe12O19 restraining the growth of the Co1- x Sr x Fe2O4 crystallite. The trend of specific saturation magnetization ( Ms), remanence ( Mr), and anisotropy constant ( K eff) decreases with the increase in Sr2+ content, whereas that of coercivity is increased. In this study, Co0.8Sr0.2Fe2O4 obtained at 800°C exhibits the highest coercivity (1699.25 ± 40.78 Oe), and Co0.7Sr0.3Fe2O4 obtained at 900°C exhibits the highest squareness (0.470 ± 0.008).

Development of an on-line flow injection Sr/matrix separation method for accurate, high-throughput determination of Sr isotope ratios by multiple collector-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Galler, Patrick; Limbeck, Andreas; Boulyga, Sergei F; Stingeder, Gerhard; Hirata, Takafumi; Prohaska, Thomas

2007-07-01

This work introduces a newly developed on-line flow injection (FI) Sr/Rb separation method as an alternative to the common, manual Sr/matrix batch separation procedure, since total analysis time is often limited by sample preparation despite the fast rate of data acquisition possible by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometers (ICPMS). Separation columns containing approximately 100 muL of Sr-specific resin were used for on-line FI Sr/matrix separation with subsequent determination of (87)Sr/(86)Sr isotope ratios by multiple collector ICPMS. The occurrence of memory effects exhibited by the Sr-specific resin, a major restriction to the repetitive use of this costly material, could successfully be overcome. The method was fully validated by means of certified reference materials. A set of two biological and six geological Sr- and Rb-bearing samples was successfully characterized for its (87)Sr/(86)Sr isotope ratios with precisions of 0.01-0.04% 2 RSD (n = 5-10). Based on our measurements we suggest (87)Sr/(86)Sr isotope ratios of 0.713 15 +/- 0.000 16 (2 SD) and 0.709 31 +/- 0.000 06 (2 SD) for the NIST SRM 1400 bone ash and the NIST SRM 1486 bone meal, respectively. Measured (87)Sr/(86)Sr isotope ratios for five basalt samples are in excellent agreement with published data with deviations from the published value ranging from 0 to 0.03%. A mica sample with a Rb/Sr ratio of approximately 1 was successfully characterized for its (87)Sr/(86)Sr isotope signature to be 0.718 24 +/- 0.000 29 (2 SD) by the proposed method. Synthetic samples with Rb/Sr ratios of up to 10/1 could successfully be measured without significant interferences on mass 87, which would otherwise bias the accuracy and uncertainty of the obtained data.

In Vitro Metabolic Studies of REV-ERB Agonists SR9009 and SR9011.

PubMed

Geldof, Lore; Deventer, Koen; Roels, Kris; Tudela, Eva; Van Eeno, Peter

2016-10-03

SR9009 and SR9011 are attractive as performance-enhancing substances due to their REV-ERB agonist effects and thus circadian rhythm modulation activity. Although no pharmaceutical preparations are available yet, illicit use of SR9009 and SR9011 for doping purposes can be anticipated, especially since SR9009 is marketed in illicit products. Therefore, the aim was to identify potential diagnostic metabolites via in vitro metabolic studies to ensure effective (doping) control. The presence of SR9009 could be demonstrated in a black market product purchased over the Internet. Via human liver microsomal metabolic assays, eight metabolites were detected for SR9009 and fourteen metabolites for SR9011 by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Structure elucidation was performed for all metabolites by LC-HRMS product ion scans in both positive and negative ionization mode. Retrospective data analysis was applied to 1511 doping control samples previously analyzed by a full-scan LC-HRMS screening method to verify the presence of SR9009, SR9011 and their metabolites. So far, the presence of neither the parent compound nor the metabolites could be detected in routine urine samples. However, to further discourage use of these potentially harmful compounds, incorporation of SR9009 and SR9011 into screening methods is highly recommended.

In Vitro Metabolic Studies of REV-ERB Agonists SR9009 and SR9011

PubMed Central

Geldof, Lore; Deventer, Koen; Roels, Kris; Tudela, Eva; Van Eenoo, Peter

2016-01-01

SR9009 and SR9011 are attractive as performance-enhancing substances due to their REV-ERB agonist effects and thus circadian rhythm modulation activity. Although no pharmaceutical preparations are available yet, illicit use of SR9009 and SR9011 for doping purposes can be anticipated, especially since SR9009 is marketed in illicit products. Therefore, the aim was to identify potential diagnostic metabolites via in vitro metabolic studies to ensure effective (doping) control. The presence of SR9009 could be demonstrated in a black market product purchased over the Internet. Via human liver microsomal metabolic assays, eight metabolites were detected for SR9009 and fourteen metabolites for SR9011 by liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS). Structure elucidation was performed for all metabolites by LC–HRMS product ion scans in both positive and negative ionization mode. Retrospective data analysis was applied to 1511 doping control samples previously analyzed by a full-scan LC–HRMS screening method to verify the presence of SR9009, SR9011 and their metabolites. So far, the presence of neither the parent compound nor the metabolites could be detected in routine urine samples. However, to further discourage use of these potentially harmful compounds, incorporation of SR9009 and SR9011 into screening methods is highly recommended. PMID:27706103

Temporal and spectral profiles of stimulus-stimulus and stimulus-response conflict processing.

PubMed

Wang, Kai; Li, Qi; Zheng, Ya; Wang, Hongbin; Liu, Xun

2014-04-01

The ability to detect and resolve conflict is an essential function of cognitive control. Laboratory studies often use stimulus-response-compatibility (SRC) tasks to examine conflict processing in order to elucidate the mechanism and modular organization of cognitive control. Inspired by two influential theories regarding cognitive control, the conflict monitoring theory (Botvinick, Braver, Barch, Carter, & Cohen, 2001) and dimensional overlap taxonomy (Kornblum, Hasbroucq, & Osman, 1990), we explored the temporal and spectral similarities and differences between processing of stimulus-stimulus (S-S) and stimulus-response (S-R) conflicts with event related potential (ERP) and time-frequency measures. We predicted that processing of S-S conflict starts earlier than that of S-R conflict and that the two types of conflict may involve different frequency bands. Participants were asked to perform two parallel SRC tasks, both combining the Stroop task (involving S-S conflict) and Simon task (involving S-R conflict). ERP results showed pronounced SRC effects (incongruent vs. congruent) on N2 and P3 components for both S-S and S-R conflicts. In both tasks, SRC effects of S-S conflict took place earlier than those of S-R conflict. Time-frequency analysis revealed that both types of SRC effects modulated theta and alpha bands, while S-R conflict effects additionally modulated power in the beta band. These results indicated that although S-S and S-R conflict processing shared considerable ERP and time-frequency properties, they differed in temporal and spectral dynamics. We suggest that the modular organization of cognitive control should take both commonality and distinction of S-S and S-R conflict processing into consideration. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The effect of rare earth ions on structural, morphological and thermoelectric properties of nanostructured tin oxide based perovskite materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rajasekaran, P.; Alagar Nedunchezhian, A. S.; Yalini Devi, N.; Sidharth, D.; Arivanandhan, M.; Jayavel, R.

2017-11-01

Metal oxide based materials are promising for thermoelectric applications especially at elevated temperature due to their high thermal stability. Recently, perovskite based oxide materials have been focused as a novel thermoelectric material due to their tunable electrical conductivity. Thermoelectric properties of BaSnO3 has been extensively investigated. However, the effect of various rare earth doping on the thermoelectric properties of BaSnO3 is not studied in detail. In the present work, Ba1-x RE x SnO3 (RE  =  La and Sr) materials with x  =  0.05 were prepared by polymerization complex (PC) method in order to study the effect of RE incorporation on the structural, morphological and thermoelectric characteristics of BaSnO3. The structural and morphological properties of the synthesized materials were studied by XRD and TEM analysis. XRD analysis confirmed the mixed phases of the synthesized samples. The TEM images of Ba1-x Sr x SnO3 shows hexagonal and cubic morphology while, Ba1-x La x SnO3 exhibit rod like morphology. Various functional groups of the perovskite material were identified using FTIR analysis. Formation of the perovskite material was further confirmed by XPS analysis. The Seebeck coefficient of Ba0.95La0.05SnO3 was relatively higher than that of Ba0.95Sr0.05SnO3, especially at high temperature. The rod like morphology of Ba0.95La0.05SnO3 may facilitate fast electron transport which results high thermal power compared to Ba0.95Sr0.05SnO3 despite of its poor crystalline nature. The substitution of La3+ on the Ba2+ site could vary the carrier density which results high Seebeck coefficient of Ba0.95La0.05SnO3 compared to Ba0.95Sr0.05SnO3. From the experimental results, it is obvious that Ba0.95La0.05SnO3 could be a promising thermoelectric material for high temperature application.

Ca 3d unoccupied states in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 investigated by Ca L2,3 x-ray-absorption near-edge structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borg, A.; King, P. L.; Pianetta, P.; Lindau, I.; Mitzi, D. B.; Kapitulnik, A.; Soldatov, A. V.; della Longa, S.; Bianconi, A.

1992-10-01

The high-resolution Ca L2,3 x-ray-absorption near-edge-structure (XANES) spectrum of a Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 single crystal has been measured by use of a magnetic-projection x-ray microscope probing a surface area of 200×200 μm2. The Ca L2,3 XANES spectrum is analyzed by performing a multiple-scattering XANES calculation in real space and comparing the results with the spectrum of CaF2. Good agreement between the calculated and experimental crystal-field splitting Δf of the Ca 3d final states is found and the splitting is shown to be smaller by 0.5 eV than in the initial state. The Ca 3d partial density of states is found to be close to the Fermi level in the initial state. The Ca-O(in plane) distance is shown to be a critical parameter associated with the shift of the Ca 3d states relative to the Fermi level; in particular, we have studied the effect of the out-of-plane dimpling mode of the in-plane oxygen atoms O(in plane) that will move the Ca 3d states on or off the Fermi level. This mode can therefore play a role in modulating the charge transfer between the two CuO2 planes separated by the Ca ions.

Sequestration of Sr(II) By Calcium Oxalate - a Batch Uptake Study And EXAFS Analysis of Model Compounds And Reaction Products

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

Singer, D.M.; Johnson, S.B.; Catalano, J.G.

Calcium oxalate monohydrate (CaC{sub 2}O{sub 4}{center_dot}H{sub 2}O -- abbreviated as CaOx) is produced by two-thirds of all plant families, comprising up to 80 wt.% of the plant tissue and found in many surface environments. It is unclear, however, how CaOx in plants and soils interacts with metal ions and possibly sequesters them. This study examines the speciation of Sr(II){sub aq} following its reaction with CaOx. Batch uptake experiments were conducted over the pH range 4--10, with initial Sr solution concentrations, [Sr]{sub aq}, ranging from 1 x 10{sup -4} to 1 x 10{sup -3} M and ionic strengths ranging of 0.001--0.1more » M, using NaCl as the background electrolyte. Experimental results indicate that Sr uptake is independent of pH and ionic strength over these ranges. After exposure of CaOx to Sr{sub aq} for two days, the solution Ca concentration, [Ca]{sup aq}, increased for all samples relative to the control CaOx suspension (with no Sr added). The amount of Sr{sub aq} removed from solution was nearly equal to the total [Ca]{sup aq} after exposure of CaOx to Sr. These results suggest that nearly 90% of the Sr is removed from solution to a solid phase as Ca is released into solution. We suggest that the other 10% is sequestered through surface adsorption on a solid phase, although we have no direct evidence for this. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy was used to determine the molecular-level speciation of Sr in the reaction products. Deconvolutions of the Sr K-edge EXAFS spectra were performed to identify multi-electron excitation (MEE) features. MEE effects were found to give rise to low-frequency peaks in the Fourier transform before the first shell of oxygen atoms and do not affect EXAFS fitting results. Because of potential problems caused by asymmetric distributions of Sr-O distances when fitting Sr K-edge EXAFS data using the standard harmonic model, we also employed a cumulant expansion model and an asymmetric analytical model to account for anharmonic effects in the EXAFS data. For Sr-bearing phases with low to moderate first-shell (Sr-O pair correlation) anharmonicity, the cumulant expansion model is sufficient for EXAFS fitting; however, for higher degrees of anharmonicity, an analytical model is required. Based on batch uptake results and EXAFS analyses of reaction products, we conclude that Sr is dominantly sequestered by a solid phase at the CaOx surface, likely the result of a dissolution-reprecipitation mechanism, to form SrC{sub 2}O{sub 4} of mixed hydration state (i.e. SrO{sub x}{center_dot}nH{sub 2}O, where n = 0, 1, or 2). Surprisingly, no spectroscopic or XRD evidence was found for a (Sr,Ca)Ox solid solution or for a separate SrCO3 phase. In addition, we found no evidence for Sr(II) inner-sphere sorption complexes on CaOx surfaces based on lack of Sr-Ca second-neighbor pair correlations in the EXAFS spectra, although some type of Sr(II) surface complex (perhaps a type B Sr-oxalate ternary complex or an outer-sphere Sr(II) complex) or some as yet undetected Sr-bearing solid phases are needed to account for approximately 10% of Sr uptake by CaOx. The formation of a hydrated SrOx phase in environments under conditions similar to those of our experiments should retard Sr mobility and could be a significant factor in the biogeochemical cycling of Sr in soils and sediments or in plants and plant litter where CaOx is present.« less

An experimental study of perovskite-structured mixed ionic- electronic conducting oxides and membranes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Pingying

In recent decades, ceramic membranes based on mixed ionic and electronic conducting (MIEC) perovskite-structured oxides have received many attentions for their applications for air separation, or as a membrane reactor for methane oxidation. While numerous perovskite oxide materials have been explored over the past two decades; there are hardly any materials with sufficient practical economic value and performance for large scale applications, which justifies continuing the search for new materials. The main purposes of this thesis study are: (1) develop several novel SrCoO3-delta based MIEC oxides, SrCoCo1-xMxO3-delta, based on which membranes exhibit excellent oxygen permeability; (2) investigate the significant effects of the species and concentration of the dopants M (metal ions with fixed valences) on the various properties of these membranes; (3) investigate the significant effects of sintering temperature on the microstructures and performance of oxygen permeation membranes; and (4) study the performance of oxygen permeation membranes as a membrane reactor for methane combustion. To stabilize the cubic phase structure of the SrCoO3-delta oxide, various amounts of scandium was doped into the B-site of SrCoO 3-delta to form a series of new perovskite oxides, SrScxCoCo 1-xO3-delta (SSCx, x = 0-0.7). The significant effects of scandium-doping concentration on the phase structure, electrical conductivity, sintering performance, thermal and structural stability, cathode performance, and oxygen permeation performance of the SSCx membranes, were systematically studied. Also for a more in-depth understanding, the rate determination steps for the oxygen transport process through the membranes were clarified by theoretical and experimental investigation. It was found that only a minor amount of scandium (5 mol%) doping into the B-site of SrCoO3-delta can effectively stabilize the cubic phase structure, and thus significantly improve the electrical conductivity and oxygen permeability of the SrCoO3-delta membrane. Among all the disk-shaped SSCx (x = 0-0.7) membranes with a thickness of 0.91 mm, both SSC0.05 and SSC0.1 exhibit the highest oxygen permeation rate of about 3.2 mL.cm-2.min-1 (STP) at 900 °C, SSC0.1 also shows excellent cathode performance for a solid oxide fuel cell. Therefore SSC0.1 is of special interest, and thus investigated regarding the performance as a membrane reactor for methane combustion. The performance was evaluated based on the results of methane conversion rates and CO 2 selectivity. Inspired by the above findings, a series of mixed-conducting perovskite oxides SrCo0.95M0.05O3-delta (SCM, M = Bi5+, Zr4+, Ce4+, Sc3+ , La3+, Y3+, Al3+, Zn 2+) were prepared to study the effects of different dopants M on the performance of SrCo0.95M0.05O3-delta. It was found that the M cations significantly affect the crystal phase structure, grain growth, membrane porosity, electrical conductivity, and the oxygen permeability of the SCM membranes. Specifically, it is postulated in this study that the formation of the cubic perovskite structure is dependent on the electron configuration in the outer orbits of M cations, which may provide theoretical guidance for future development of high oxygen permeation ceramic membranes based on the perovskite materials. To study the significant effects of grain sizes on the oxygen permeation behaviors of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-delta (LSCF) and SrSc0.1Co0.9O 3-delta (SSC0.1) membranes, the LSCF and SSC0.1 membranes were sintered at various temperatures to form different microstructures. Properties of these membranes with varied grain sizes were compared. Results showed that the oxygen permeation rate of the LSCF membrane increases with increasing the grain size, however, it is interesting that the oxygen permeation rate of the SSC0.1 membrane decreases with increasing the grain size. This implies that oxygen transport occurs more, however, less rapidly along grain boundaries than through the bulks in the LSCF and SSC0.1 membranes, respectively. A LSCF hollow fiber membrane and a SSC0.1 planar membrane were applied as membrane reactors for methane combustion. To improve their performances, LSCF powder and SSC0.1 powder were dip-coated and spray-coated on the permeation sides of LSCF hollow fiber membranes and SSC0.1 planar membranes, respectively. The exhaust gas components were analyzed by Gas Chromatography (GC). The performance was evaluated based on the results of methane conversion rates and CO 2 selectivity. The highest CO2 selectivity of the LSCF hollow fiber membrane and the SSC0.1 planar membrane is about 88 and 85 %, respectively. This indicates that the application of an oxygen permeation membrane as methane combustion reactor is feasible.

Are sigma modulators an effective opportunity for cancer treatment? A patent overview (1996-2016).

PubMed

Collina, Simona; Bignardi, Emanuele; Rui, Marta; Rossi, Daniela; Gaggeri, Raffaella; Zamagni, Alice; Cortesi, Michela; Tesei, Anna

2017-05-01

Although several molecular targets against cancer have been identified, there is a continuous need for new therapeutic strategies. Sigma Receptors (SRs) overexpression has been recently associated with different cancer conditions. Therefore, novel anticancer agents targeting SRs may increase the specificity of therapies, overcoming some of the common drawbacks of conventional chemotherapy. Areas covered: The present review focuses on patent documents disclosing SR modulators with possible application in cancer therapy and diagnosis. The analysis reviews patents of the last two decades (1996-2016); patents were grouped according to target subtypes (S1R, S2R, pan-SRs) and relevant Applicants. The literature was searched through Espacenet, ISI Web, PatentScope and PubMed databases. Expert opinion: The number of patents related to SRs and cancer has increased in the last twenty years, confirming the importance of this receptor family as valuable target against neoplasias. Despite their short history in the cancer scenario, many SR modulators are at pre-clinical stage and one is undergoing a phase II clinical trial. SRs ligands may represent a powerful source of innovative antitumor therapeutics. Further investigation is needed for validating SR modulators as anti-cancer drugs. We strongly hope that this review could stimulate the interest of both Academia and pharmaceutical companies.

High Throughput Strontium Isotope Method for Monitoring Fluid Flow Related to Geological CO2 Storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Capo, R. C.; Wall, A. J.; Stewart, B. W.; Phan, T. T.; Jain, J. C.; Hakala, J. A.; Guthrie, G. D.

2012-12-01

Natural isotope tracers, such as strontium (Sr), can be a unique and powerful component of a monitoring strategy at a CO2 storage site, facilitating both the quantification of reaction progress for fluid-rock interactions and the tracking of brine migration caused by CO2 injection. Several challenges must be overcome, however, to enable the routine use of isotopic tracers, including the ability to rapidly analyze numerous aqueous samples with potentially complex chemical compositions. In a field situation, it might be necessary to analyze tens of samples over a short period of time to identify subsurface reactions and respond to unexpected fluid movement in the host formation. These conditions require streamlined Sr separation chemistry for samples ranging from pristine groundwaters to those containing high total dissolved solids, followed by rapid measurement of isotope ratios with high analytical precision. We have optimized Sr separation chemistry and MC-ICP-MS methods to provide rapid and precise measurements of isotope ratios in geologic, hydrologic, and environmental samples. These improvements will allow an operator to independently prepare samples for Sr isotope analysis off-site using fast, low cost chemical separation procedures and commercially available components. Existing vacuum-assisted Sr separation procedures were modified by using inexpensive disposable parts to eliminate cross contamination. Experimental results indicate that the modified columns provide excellent separation of Sr from chemically complex samples and that Sr can be effectively isolated from problematic matrix elements (e.g., Ca, Ba, K) associated with oilfield brines and formation waters. The separation procedure is designed for high sample throughput in which batches of 24 samples can be processed in approximately 2 hours, and are ready for Sr isotope measurements by MC-ICP-MS immediately after collection from the columns. Precise Sr isotope results can be achieved by MC-ICP-MS with a throughput of 4 to 5 samples per hour. Our mean measured value of NIST Sr isotope standard SRM 987 is 0.710265 ± 0.000014 (2σ, n = 94). A range of brines and CO2-rich fluids analyzed by this method yielded results within the analytical uncertainty of 87Sr/86Sr ratios previously determined by standard column separation and thermal ionization mass spectrometry. This method provides a fast and effective way to use Sr isotopes for monitoring purposes related to geological CO2 storage.

Influence of oxygen vacancies on the magnetic and electrical properties of La1-xSrxMnO3-x/2 manganites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trukhanov, S. V.; Lobanovski, L. S.; Bushinsky, M. V.; Khomchenko, V. A.; Pushkarev, N. V.; Troyanchuk, I. O.; Maignan, A.; Flahaut, D.; Szymczak, H.; Szymczak, R.

2004-11-01

The crystal structure, magnetization and electrical transport depending on the temperature and magnetic field for the doped stoichiometric La_{1-x}^{3 + } Sr_x^{2 + } Mn_{1-x}^{3 + } Mn_x^{4 + } O_3^{2-} as well as anion-deficient La_{1-x}^{3 + } Sr_x^{2 + } Mn^{3 + }O_{3-x/2}^{2-} (0le x le 0.30) ortomanganite systems have been experimentally studied. It is established that the stochiometric samples in the region of the 0 le x le 0.125 are an O'-orthorhombic perovskites whereas in the 0.175 le x le 0.30 - a rhombohedric. For the anion-deficient system the symmetry type of the unit cell is similar to the stoichiometric one. As a doping level increases the samples in the ground state undergo a number of the magnetic transitions. It is assumed that the samples with the large amount of oxygen vacancies are a cluster spin glasses (0.175 < x le 0.30) and temperature of the magnetic moment freezing is 40 K. All the anion-deficient samples are semiconductors and show considerable magnetoresistance over a wide temperature range with a peak for the x = 0.175 only. Concentration dependences of the spontaneous magnetization and magnetic ordering temperature for the anion-deficient La_{1-x}^{3 + } Sr_x^{2 + } Mn^{3 + }O_{3-x/2}^{2-} system have been established by the magnetic measurements and compared with those for the stoichiometric La_{1-x}^{3 + } Sr_x^{2 + } Mn_{1-x}^{3 + } Mn_x^{4 + } O_3^{2-} one. The magnetic propeprties of the anion-deficient samples may be interpreted on the base of the superexchange interaction and phase separation (chemical disorder) models.

Reduction of Seclusion and Restraint in an Inpatient Psychiatric Setting: A Pilot Study.

PubMed

Blair, Ellen W; Woolley, Stephen; Szarek, Bonnie L; Mucha, Theodore F; Dutka, Olga; Schwartz, Harold I; Wisniowski, Jeff; Goethe, John W

2017-03-01

The authors describe a quality and safety initiative designed to decrease seclusion/restraint (S/R) and present the results of a pilot study that evaluated the effectiveness of this program. The study sample consisted of consecutive admissions to a 120-bed psychiatric service after the intervention was implemented (October 2010-September 2012, n = 8029). Analyses compared S/R incidence and duration in the study sample to baseline (consecutive admissions during the year prior to introduction of the intervention, October 2008-September 2009, n = 3884). The study intervention, which used evidence-based therapeutic practices for reducing violence/aggression, included routine use of the Brøset Violence Checklist, mandated staff education in crisis intervention and trauma informed care, increased frequency of physician reassessment of need for S/R, formal administrative review of S/R events and environmental enhancements (e.g., comfort rooms to support sensory modulation). Statistically significant associations were found between the intervention and a decrease in both the number of seclusions (p < 0.01) and the duration of seclusion per admission (p < 0.001). These preliminary results support the conclusion that this intervention was effective in reducing use of seclusion. Further study is needed to determine if these prevention strategies are generalizable, the degree to which each component of the intervention contributes to improve outcome, and if continuation of the intervention will further reduce restraint use.

Sr isotopic tracer study of the Samail ophiolite, Oman.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lanphere, M.A.; Coleman, R.G.; Hopson, C.A.

1981-01-01

Rb and Sr concentrations and Sr-isotopic compositions were measured in 41 whole-rock samples and 12 mineral separates from units of the Samail ophiolite, including peridotite, gabbro, plagiogranite, diabase dykes, and gabbro and websterite dykes within the metamorphic peridotite. Ten samples of cumulate gabbro from the Wadir Kadir section and nine samples from the Wadi Khafifah section have 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.70314 + or - 0.00030 and 0.70306 + or - 0.00034, respectively. The dispersion in Sr- isotopic composition may reflect real heterogeneities in the magma source region. The average Sr-isotopic composition of cumulate gabbro falls in the range of isotopic compositions of modern MORB. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of noncumulate gabbro, plagiogranite, and diabase dykes range 0.7034-0.7047, 0.7038-0.7046 and 0.7037- 0.7061, respectively. These higher 87Sr/86Sr ratios are due to alteration of initial magmatic compositions by hydrothermal exchange with sea-water. Mineral separates from dykes that cut harzburgite tectonite have Sr-isotopic compositions which agree with that of cumulate gabbro. These data indicate that the cumulate gabbro and the different dykes were derived from partial melting of source regions that had similar long-term histories and chemical compositions.-T.R.

The influence of Sr on the microstructure, degradation and stress corrosion cracking of the Mg alloys - ZK40xSr.

PubMed

Chen, Lianxi; Bin, Yuanhong; Zou, Wenqi; Wang, Xiaojian; Li, Wei

2017-02-01

In the present work, new magnesium (Mg) alloys (Mg-4Zn-0.6Zr-xSr, x=0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6wt%; ZK40xSr) were prepared and studied as potential biodegradable materials. The influence of strontium (Sr) addition on the properties of the new Mg alloys was investigated, which included microstructure, corrosion degradation, and the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) susceptibility. The average grain size of the ZK40Sr was approximately 100µm, which was significantly smaller than that of ZK40 alloy without Sr (402.3±40.2µm). The size of grain boundaries precipitates in the ZK40xSr alloys gradually increased with the increase of Sr content. The grain boundaries finally showed a continuously distribution and net-like shape. The degradation test showed that the average degradation rate of the ZK40xSr alloys increased with the increase of Sr addition. In the case of Mg-4Zn-0.6Zr, the degradation rate was 2.2mgcm -2 day -1 , which was lower than that of Mg-4Zn-0.6Zr-1.6Sr (4.93mgcm -2 day -1 ). When the ZK40xSr alloys were immersed in m-SBF, the rod-like Sr-contained hydroxyapatite (HA) substance was detected, which was known to enhance cell growth around bone implants. The fracture surfaces of the as-cast Mg-4Zn-0.6Zr-1.6Sr were shown intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) patterns. The increase of SCC susceptibility of the higher Sr ZK40xSr alloys was attributed to the increase of micro-galvanic corrosion between the α-Mg and the grain boundaries precipitates. The SCC susceptibility values were ≈0.13 and ≈0.41 for the Mg-4Zn-0.6Zr-0.4Sr and the Mg-4Zn-0.6Zr-1.6Sr, respectively. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical composition of modern and fossil hippopotamid teeth and implications for paleoenvironmental reconstructions and enamel formation - Part 2: Alkaline earth elements as tracers of watershed hydrochemistry and provenance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brügmann, G.; Krause, J.; Brachert, T. C.; Stoll, B.; Weis, U.; Kullmer, O.; Ssemmanda, I.; Mertz, D. F.

2012-11-01

This study demonstrates that alkaline earth elements in enamel of hippopotamids, in particular Ba and Sr, are tracers for water provenance and hydrochemistry in terrestrial settings. The studied specimens are permanent premolar and molar teeth found in modern and fossil lacustrine sediments of the Western Branch of the East African Rift system (Lake Kikorongo, Lake Albert, and Lake Malawi) and from modern fluvial environments of the Nile River. Concentrations in enamel vary by two orders of magnitude for Ba (120-9336 μg g-1) as well as for Sr (9-2150 μg g-1). The variations are partially induced during post-mortem alteration and during amelogenesis, but the major contribution originates ultimately from the variable water chemistry in the habitats of the hippopotamids which is controlled by the lithologies and weathering processes in the watershed areas. Amelogenesis causes a distinct distribution of MgO, Ba and Sr in modern and fossil enamel, in that element concentrations increase along profiles from the outer rim towards the enamel-dentin junction by a factor of 1.3-1.9. These elements are well correlated in single specimens, thus suggesting that their distribution is determined by a common, single process, which can be described by closed system Rayleigh crystallization of bioapatite in vivo. Enamel from most hippopotamid specimens has Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca which are typical for herbivores. However, Ba/Sr ranges from 0.1 to 3 and varies on spatial and temporal scales. Thus, Sr concentrations and Ba/Sr in enamel differentiate between habitats having basaltic mantle rocks or Archean crustal rocks as the ultimate sources of Sr and Ba. This provenance signal is modulated by climate change. In Miocene to Pleistocene enamel from the Lake Albert region, Ba/Sr decreases systematically with time from 2 to 0.5. This trend can be correlated with changes in climate from humid to arid, in vegetation from C3 to C4 biomass as well as with increasing evaporation of the lake water. The most plausible explanation is that Ba mobility decreased with increasing aridification due to preferential deposition with clay and Fe-oxide-hydroxide or barite on the watershed of Lake Albert.

Ab initio study of the structural, electronic, elastic and thermal conductivity properties of SrClF with pressure effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lv, Zhen-Long; Cui, Hong-Ling; Wang, Hui; Li, Xiao-Hong; Ji, Guang-Fu

2017-04-01

SrClF is an important optical crystal and can be used as pressure gauge in diamond anvil cell at high pressure. In this work, we performed a systematic study on the structural, electronic and elastic properties of SrClF under pressure, as well as its thermal conductivity, by first-principles calculation. Different exchange-correlation functionals were tested and PBESOL was finally chosen to study these properties of SrClF. Studies reveal that SrClF has a bulk modulus of about 56.2 GPa (by fitting equation of states) or 54.3 GPa (derived from elastic constants), which agree well with the experimental result. SrClF is mechanically and dynamically stable up to 50 GPa. Its elastic constants increase with the applied pressure, but its mechanical anisotropy deteriorates as the pressure increases. Investigation of its electronic properties reveals that SrClF is a direct band-gap insulator with a gap value of 5.73 eV at 0 GPa, which decreases with the increasing pressure and the reason is found by analysing the partial density of states. Based on the calculated phonon dispersion curves, thermal conductivity of SrClF is predicated. At ambient conditions, the predicted thermal conductivity is about 3.74 Wm-1 K-1, while that obtained using the simplified Slack model give a slightly larger value of 4.62 Wm-1 K-1.

7Li(p,n)7Be and 12C(p,n)12N reactions at 200, 300, and 400 MeV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watson, J. W.; Pourang, R.; Abegg, R.; Alford, W. P.; Celler, A.; El-Kateb, S.; Frekers, D.; Häusser, O.; Helmer, R.; Henderson, R.; Hicks, K.; Jackson, K. P.; Jeppesen, R. G.; Miller, C. A.; Vetterli, M.; Yen, S.; Zafiratos, C. D.

1989-07-01

At 200, 300, and 400 MeV bombarding energies, we measured cross section angular distributions for the 7Li(p,n)7Be(g.s.+0.43 MeV) reaction and 0° cross sections for the 12C(p,n)12N(g.s.) reaction. Systematics of these reactions are presented. The center-of-mass cross section for the 7Li(p,n)7Be(g.s.+0.43 MeV) reaction, when plotted as a function of momentum transfer, is nearly independent of energy. The laboratory cross section for this reaction at 0° in the energy range from 60 to 400 MeV is also independent of energy, having a constant value, to within experimental errors, of 35.5 mb/sr with an estimated uncertainty of +/-1.5 mb/sr.

Ferroelectric Schottky diode behavior from a SrRuO3-Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3-Ta structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pintilie, Lucian; Stancu, Viorica; Trupina, L.; Pintilie, Ioana

2010-08-01

A single ferroelectric Schottky diode was obtained on a SrRuO3-Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3-Ta (SRO-PZT20/80-Ta) structure in which the SRO-PZT20/80 interface is the rectifying contact and the PZT20/80-Ta interface behaves as a quasiohmic contact. Both the capacitance-voltage (C-V) and the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics show the memory effect due to the ferroelectric polarization. However, retention studies had revealed that only the “down” orientation of ferroelectric polarization is stable in time (polarization oriented from top to bottom contact). The analysis of the experimental results suggests that the PZT20/80 is n type and that the stable orientation of polarization is related to the presence of a depletion region at the SRO-PZT20/80 Schottky interface.

Specific activity and isotope abundances of strontium in purified strontium-82

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

Fitzsimmons, J. M.; Medvedev, D. G.; Mausner, L. F.

2015-11-12

A linear accelerator was used to irradiate a rubidium chloride target with protons to produce strontium-82 (Sr-82), and the Sr-82 was purified by ion exchange chromatography. The amount of strontium associated with the purified Sr-82 was determined by either: ICP-OES or method B which consisted of a summation of strontium quantified by gamma spectroscopy and ICP-MS. The summation method agreed within 10% to the ICP-OES for the total mass of strontium and the subsequent specific activities were determined to be 0.25–0.52 TBq mg -1. Method B was used to determine the isotope abundances by weight% of the purified Sr-82, andmore » the abundances were: Sr-82 (10–20.7%), Sr-83 (0–0.05%), Sr-84 (35–48.5%), Sr-85 (16–25%), Sr-86 (12.5–23%), Sr-87 (0%), and Sr-88 (0–10%). The purified strontium contained mass amounts of Sr-82, Sr-84, Sr-85, Sr-86, and Sr-88 in abundances not associated with natural abundance, and 90% of the strontium was produced by the proton irradiation. A comparison of ICP-OES and method B for the analysis of Sr-82 indicated analysis by ICP-OES would be easier to determine total mass of strontium and comply with regulatory requirements. An ICP-OES analytical method for Sr-82 analysis was established and validated according to regulatory guidelines.« less

Co-Precipitation of Trace Metals in Groundwater & Vadose Zone Calcite: In Situ Containment & Stabilization of Strontium-90 & Other Divalent Metals & Radionuclid

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

Ferris, F. Grant

2003-06-01

A suite of experiments were performed to investigate the partitioning of Sr2+ (to mimic the radionuclide 90Sr) between calcite and artificial groundwater in response to the hydrolysis of urea by Bacillus pasteurii under conditions that simulate in-situ aquifer conditions. Experiments were performed at 10, 15 and 20 C over 7 days in microcosms inoculated with B. pasteurii ATCC 11859 and containing an artificial groundwater and urea (AGW), and an AGW including a Sr contaminant treatment. During the experiments ammonium concentration from bacterial urea hydrolysis increased asymptotically, and derived rate constants (kurea) that were between 13 and 10 times greater atmore » 20 C, than at 15 and 10 C. Calcite precipitation was initiated after similar amounts of urea had been hydrolysed ({approx} 4.0 mmoles L-1) and a similar critical saturation state (mean Scritical = 53, variation = 20%) had been reached, independent of temperature and Sr treatment. Because of the positive relationship between urea hydrolysis rate and temperature, precipitation began by the end of day 1 at 20 C, and between days 1 and 2 at 15 and 10 C. The rate of calcite precipitation increased with, and was fundamentally controlled by S, irrespective of temperature, which connects the dissimilar patterns of urea hydrolysis and dissolved concentrations which are exhibited at the different experiments. The presence of Sr slightly slowed calcite precipitation rates at equivalent values of S, which may reflect the screening of active nucleation and crystal growth sites by Sr. Instantaneous heterogeneous partitioning coefficients (DSr) exhibited a positive association with calcite precipitation rates, but were greater at higher experimental temperatures at equivalent precipitation rates (20 C mean = 0.46; 15 C mean = 0.24; 10 C mean = 0.29). This is likely to reflect the large ionic radius of the Sr ion, which cannot fully co-ordinate relative to ions smaller than Ca at equilibrium conditions, but i s increasingly co-precipitated as all ions are indiscriminately incorporated at higher precipitation rates. The temperature dependence is likely to reflect the higher miscibility of ions in minerals, commonly observed in geochemical systems at higher temperatures.« less

A comparative simulation study of AR(1) estimators in short time series.

PubMed

Krone, Tanja; Albers, Casper J; Timmerman, Marieke E

2017-01-01

Various estimators of the autoregressive model exist. We compare their performance in estimating the autocorrelation in short time series. In Study 1, under correct model specification, we compare the frequentist r 1 estimator, C-statistic, ordinary least squares estimator (OLS) and maximum likelihood estimator (MLE), and a Bayesian method, considering flat (B f ) and symmetrized reference (B sr ) priors. In a completely crossed experimental design we vary lengths of time series (i.e., T = 10, 25, 40, 50 and 100) and autocorrelation (from -0.90 to 0.90 with steps of 0.10). The results show a lowest bias for the B sr , and a lowest variability for r 1 . The power in different conditions is highest for B sr and OLS. For T = 10, the absolute performance of all measurements is poor, as expected. In Study 2, we study robustness of the methods through misspecification by generating the data according to an ARMA(1,1) model, but still analysing the data with an AR(1) model. We use the two methods with the lowest bias for this study, i.e., B sr and MLE. The bias gets larger when the non-modelled moving average parameter becomes larger. Both the variability and power show dependency on the non-modelled parameter. The differences between the two estimation methods are negligible for all measurements.

Migration and rearing histories of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) determined by ion microprobe Sr isotope and Sr/Ca transects of otoliths

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bacon, C.R.; Weber, P.K.; Larsen, K.A.; Reisenbichler, R.; Fitzpatrick, J.A.; Wooden, J.L.

2004-01-01

Strontium isotope and Sr/Ca ratios measured in situ by ion microprobe along radial transects of otoliths of juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) vary between watersheds with contrasting geology. Otoliths from ocean-type chinook from Skagit River estuary, Washington, had prehatch regions with 87Sr/86Sr ratios of ???0.709, suggesting a maternally inherited marine signature, extensive fresh water growth zones with 87Sr/86Sr ratios similar to those of the Skagit River at ???0.705, and marine-like 87Sr/86Sr ratios near their edges. Otoliths from stream-type chinook from central Idaho had prehatch 87Sr/86Sr ratios ???0.711, indicating that a maternal marine Sr isotopic signature is not preserved after the ???1000- to 1400-km migration from the Pacific Ocean. 87Sr/86Sr ratios in the outer portions of otoliths from these Idaho juveniles were similar to those of their respective streams (???0.708-0.722). For Skagit juveniles, fresh water growth was marked by small decreases in otolith Sr/Ca, with increases in Sr/Ca corresponding to increases in 87Sr/86Sr with migration into salt water. Otoliths of Idaho fish had Sr/Ca radial variation patterns that record seasonal fluctuation in ambient water Sr/Ca ratios. The ion microprobe's ability to measure both 87Sr/86Sr and Sr/Ca ratios of otoliths at high spatial resolution in situ provides a new tool for studies of fish rearing and migration. ?? 2004 NRC Canada.

Electronic structure calculation of Sr2CoWO6 double perovskite using DFT+U

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mandal, Golak; Jha, Dhiraj; Himanshu, A. K.; Ray, Rajyavardhan; Mukherjee, P.; Das, Nisith; Singh, B. K.; Sreenivas, K.; Singh, M. N.; Sinha, A. K.

2018-04-01

Using the synchrotron and Raman spectroscopy we measured the lattice parameter and Raman modes of the half-metallic (HM) Sr2CoWO6 (SCoW) synthesied by the solid state reaction technique.. The physical properties of SCoW are studies within the framework of density function theory (DFT) under the generalised gradient approximation (GGA) of Perdew, Bruke, and Ernzerhof both by itself and including a coulomb repulsion via the Hubbard approach or GGA+U. Our results states that Sr2CoWO6 material behaves as insulators for the spin-up orientation and spindown orientation as found for the half metallic systems and at U = 0.06eV the ground state of spin up channel being insulating with spin gap of 2.27eV comparable to the experimental Band gap (BG).

Experimental aerodynamic performance of advanced 40 deg-swept 10-blade propeller model at Mach 0.6 to 0.85

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mitchell, Glenn A.

1988-01-01

A propeller designated as SR-6, designed with 40 deg of sweep and 10 blades to cruise at Mach 0.8 at an altitude of 10.7 km (35,000 ft), was tested in the NASA Lewis Research Center's 8- by 6-Foot Wind Tunnel. This propeller was one of a series of advanced single rotation propeller models designed and tested as part of the NASA Advanced Turboprop Project. Design-point net efficiency was almost constant to Mach 0.75 but fell above this speed more rapidly than that of any previously tested advanced propeller. Alternative spinners that further reduced the near-hub interblade Mach numbers and relieved the observed hub choking improved performance above Mach 0.75. One spinner attained estimated SR-6 Design-point net deficiencies of 80.6 percent at Mach 0.75 and 79.2 percent at Mach 0.8, higher than the measured performance of any previously tested advanced single-rotation propeller at these speeds.

Charge transfer in iridate-manganite superlattices

DOE PAGES

Okamoto, Satoshi; Nichols, John; Sohn, Changhee; ...

2017-03-03

Charge transfer in superlattices consisting of SrIrOmore » $$_3$$ and SrMnO$$_3$$ is investigated using density functional theory. Despite the nearly identical work function and non-polar interfaces between SrIrO$$_3$$ and SrMnO$$_3$$, rather large charge transfer was experimentally reported between them. Our results provide a qualitative understanding to such experimental reports. We further develop a microscopic model that captures the mechanism behind this phenomenon. This leads to unique strain dependence of such charge transfer in iridate-manganite superlattices. The predicted behavior is consistently verified by experiment. Lastly, our work thus demonstrates a new route to control electronic states in non-polar oxide heterostructures.« less

Assessing Covariation of Holocene Monsoon Intensity and Local Moisture Conditions in Eastern and Southwestern Amazon Basin Using Speleothem δ18O and 87Sr/86Sr Values

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ward, B. M.; Wong, C. I.; Novello, V. F.; Silva, L.; McGee, D.; Cheng, H.; Wang, X.; Edwards, R. L.; Cruz, F. W., Sr.; Santos, R. V.

2017-12-01

δ18O records from South America offer insight into past variability of the South American Monsoon System (SAMS). Potential, however, for understanding local moisture conditions is limited as precipitation δ18O is strongly influenced by regional climate dynamics. Here we create Holocene speleothem 87Sr/86Sr records at 200-yr resolution using TIMS methods in the Center for Isotope Geochemistry at Boston College to complement existing Holocene δ18O speleothem records and investigate local moisture conditions above caves located in the eastern Amazon Basin (PAR - 4°S, 55°W) and southwestern Brazil (JAR - 21°S, 56°W). Speleothem 87Sr/86Sr variability is interpreted to reflect differences in the extent of water-rock interaction due to differences in infiltration rates under wet and dry conditions. Drier conditions promote longer residence time, enhanced water-rock interaction, and greater evolution of dripwater 87Sr/86Sr values from an initial isotopic signature acquired from the soil to the signature of the cave host rock. PAR speleothem 87Sr/86Sr values range from 0.71024 to 0.71067 and are bracketed by soil (0.71710 to 0.70956) and bedrock (0.70852 to 0.70899) values. JAR speleothem 87Sr/86Sr values range from 0.71216 to 0.71539 and are greater than bedrock values (0.70825 to 0.71219), although some speleothem values exceed the single analysis conducted of the soil isotopic composition (0.71473). JAR speleothem 87Sr/86Sr values increase from the early to mid Holocene, consistent with increase in local moisture availability associated with intensification of the SAMS suggested by decreasing δ18O values in many records from the region. Speleothem 87Sr/86Sr values at JAR decrease from the mid to late Holocene, consistent with an increase in δ18O values at PAR that suggest a decline in monsoon intensity. 87Sr/86Sr variability at JAR, however, is positively correlated with the δ18O record. Preliminary 87Sr/86Sr results from PAR are only broadly consistent with the JAR 87Sr/86Sr record and exhibit variability that is not obviously consistent with other records in the region. On-going research investigates the conceptual model of Sr-isotopes as a local moisture proxy and the nature of coupling between local and regional Holocene hydroclimate at these sites and additional sites in central and southeast Brazil.

ApoA-II modulates the association of HDL with class B scavenger receptors SR-BI and CD36.

PubMed

de Beer, Maria C; Castellani, Lawrence W; Cai, Lei; Stromberg, Arnold J; de Beer, Frederick C; van der Westhuyzen, Deneys R

2004-04-01

The class B scavenger receptors SR-BI and CD36 exhibit a broad ligand binding specificity. SR-BI is well characterized as a HDL receptor that mediates selective cholesteryl ester uptake from HDL. CD36, a receptor for oxidized LDL, also binds HDL and mediates selective cholesteryl ester uptake, although much less efficiently than SR-BI. Apolipoprotein A-II (apoA-II), the second most abundant HDL protein, is considered to be proatherogenic, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We previously showed that apoA-II modulates SR-BI-dependent binding and selective uptake of cholesteryl ester from reconstituted HDL. To investigate the effect of apoA-II in naturally occurring HDL on these processes, we compared HDL without apoA-II (from apoA-II null mice) with HDLs containing differing amounts of apoA-II (from C57BL/6 mice and transgenic mice expressing a mouse apoA-II transgene). The level of apoA-II in HDL was inversely correlated with HDL binding and selective cholesteryl ester uptake by both scavenger receptors, particularly CD36. Interestingly, for HDL lacking apoA-II, the efficiency with which CD36 mediated selective uptake reached a level similar to that of SR-BI. These results demonstrate that apoA-II exerts a marked effect on HDL binding and selective lipid uptake by the class B scavenger receptors and establishes a potentially important relationship between apoA-II and CD36.

Regional and interspecific variation in Sr, Ca, and Sr/Ca ratios in avian eggshells from the USA.

PubMed

Mora, Miguel A; Brattin, Bryan; Baxter, Catherine; Rivers, James W

2011-08-01

To examine regional variation in strontium (Sr), which at high concentrations may reduce eggshell quality, increase egg breakage and reproductive failure, we analyzed Sr, and calcium (Ca) concentrations and Sr/Ca ratios in eggshells from 20 avian species from California, Texas, Idaho, Kansas, and Michigan. In addition, we included data previously reported from Arizona to expand the regional comparisons and to better establish patterns of Sr, and Sr/Ca ratios in bird species across the United States. We found Sr concentrations varied significantly among regions, among species, and among foraging guilds; this variability is strongly influenced by the Sr/Ca ratios in surface water from locations close to the region where the eggshells were collected. Sr concentrations and Sr/Ca ratios were significantly higher in bird eggshells from the Volta wildlife region in the San Joaquin Valley, California and in various locales from Arizona. Sr concentrations and Sr/Ca ratios in bird eggshells from other locations in the USA were lower than those detected in these two regions. Among foraging guilds, invertivores had the highest Sr concentrations and Sr/Ca ratios and carnivores had the lowest. In general, the Sr/Ca ratio increased strongly with increasing Sr concentrations (R(2) = 0.99, P < 0.0001). There was a significant correlation (R(2) = 0.58, P < 0.0001) between Sr/Ca ratios in water and the average Sr/Ca ratios in eggshells suggesting that these values could be determined from Sr/Ca ratios in water. Eggshell thickness was poorly correlated with Sr (R(2) = 0.03) but had a significant and positive correlation with Ca and was more properly correlated by a quadratic equation (R(2) = 0.50, Thickness = 2.13 - 0.02Ca - 3.07 * 10(-5)Ca(2)). Our study provides further evidence that Sr accumulates significantly in the avian eggshell, in some regions at concentrations which could be of concern for potential negative effects on reproduction. We suggest that when assessing the effects of metals on avian reproduction in regions with high Sr deposits in rock and soil, Sr concentrations in the eggshell also should be measured to evaluate additional effects on thickness and reproduction.

Bending and breaking of stripes in a charge ordered manganite.

PubMed

Savitzky, Benjamin H; El Baggari, Ismail; Admasu, Alemayehu S; Kim, Jaewook; Cheong, Sang-Wook; Hovden, Robert; Kourkoutis, Lena F

2017-12-01

In charge-ordered phases, broken translational symmetry emerges from couplings between charge, spin, lattice, or orbital degrees of freedom, giving rise to remarkable phenomena such as colossal magnetoresistance and metal-insulator transitions. The role of the lattice in charge-ordered states remains particularly enigmatic, soliciting characterization of the microscopic lattice behavior. Here we directly map picometer scale periodic lattice displacements at individual atomic columns in the room temperature charge-ordered manganite Bi 0.35 Sr 0.18 Ca 0.47 MnO 3 using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. We measure transverse, displacive lattice modulations of the cations, distinct from existing manganite charge-order models. We reveal locally unidirectional striped domains as small as ~5 nm, despite apparent bidirectionality over larger length scales. Further, we observe a direct link between disorder in one lattice modulation, in the form of dislocations and shear deformations, and nascent order in the perpendicular modulation. By examining the defects and symmetries of periodic lattice displacements near the charge ordering phase transition, we directly visualize the local competition underpinning spatial heterogeneity in a complex oxide.

Enhanced balance associated with coordination training with stochastic resonance stimulation in subjects with functional ankle instability: an experimental trial.

PubMed

Ross, Scott E; Arnold, Brent L; Blackburn, J Troy; Brown, Cathleen N; Guskiewicz, Kevin M

2007-12-17

Ankle sprains are common injuries that often lead to functional ankle instability (FAI), which is a pathology defined by sensations of instability at the ankle and recurrent ankle sprain injury. Poor postural stability has been associated with FAI, and sports medicine clinicians rehabilitate balance deficits to prevent ankle sprains. Subsensory electrical noise known as stochastic resonance (SR) stimulation has been used in conjunction with coordination training to improve dynamic postural instabilities associated with FAI. However, unlike static postural deficits, dynamic impairments have not been indicative of ankle sprain injury. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of coordination training with or without SR stimulation on static postural stability. Improving postural instabilities associated with FAI has implications for increasing ankle joint stability and decreasing recurrent ankle sprains. This study was conducted in a research laboratory. Thirty subjects with FAI were randomly assigned to either a: 1) conventional coordination training group (CCT); 2) SR stimulation coordination training group (SCT); or 3) control group. Training groups performed coordination exercises for six weeks. The SCT group received SR stimulation during training, while the CCT group only performed coordination training. Single leg postural stability was measured after the completion of balance training. Static postural stability was quantified on a force plate using anterior/posterior (A/P) and medial/lateral (M/L) center-of-pressure velocity (COPvel), M/L COP standard deviation (COPsd), M/L COP maximum excursion (COPmax), and COP area (COParea). Treatment effects comparing posttest to pretest COP measures were highest for the SCT group. At posttest, the SCT group had reduced A/P COPvel (2.3 +/- 0.4 cm/s vs. 2.7 +/- 0.6 cm/s), M/L COPvel (2.6 +/- 0.5 cm/s vs. 2.9 +/- 0.5 cm/s), M/L COPsd (0.63 +/- 0.12 cm vs. 0.73 +/- 0.11 cm), M/L COPmax (1.76 +/- 0.25 cm vs. 1.98 +/- 0.25 cm), and COParea (0.13 +/- 0.03 cm2 vs. 0.16 +/- 0.04 cm2) than the pooled means of the CCT and control groups (P < 0.05). Reduced values in COP measures indicated postural stability improvements. Thus, six weeks of coordination training with SR stimulation enhanced postural stability. Future research should examine the use of SR stimulation for decreasing recurrent ankle sprain injury in physically active individuals with FAI.

Enhanced balance associated with coordination training with stochastic resonance stimulation in subjects with functional ankle instability: an experimental trial

PubMed Central

Ross, Scott E; Arnold, Brent L; Blackburn, J Troy; Brown, Cathleen N; Guskiewicz, Kevin M

2007-01-01

Background Ankle sprains are common injuries that often lead to functional ankle instability (FAI), which is a pathology defined by sensations of instability at the ankle and recurrent ankle sprain injury. Poor postural stability has been associated with FAI, and sports medicine clinicians rehabilitate balance deficits to prevent ankle sprains. Subsensory electrical noise known as stochastic resonance (SR) stimulation has been used in conjunction with coordination training to improve dynamic postural instabilities associated with FAI. However, unlike static postural deficits, dynamic impairments have not been indicative of ankle sprain injury. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of coordination training with or without SR stimulation on static postural stability. Improving postural instabilities associated with FAI has implications for increasing ankle joint stability and decreasing recurrent ankle sprains. Methods This study was conducted in a research laboratory. Thirty subjects with FAI were randomly assigned to either a: 1) conventional coordination training group (CCT); 2) SR stimulation coordination training group (SCT); or 3) control group. Training groups performed coordination exercises for six weeks. The SCT group received SR stimulation during training, while the CCT group only performed coordination training. Single leg postural stability was measured after the completion of balance training. Static postural stability was quantified on a force plate using anterior/posterior (A/P) and medial/lateral (M/L) center-of-pressure velocity (COPvel), M/L COP standard deviation (COPsd), M/L COP maximum excursion (COPmax), and COP area (COParea). Results Treatment effects comparing posttest to pretest COP measures were highest for the SCT group. At posttest, the SCT group had reduced A/P COPvel (2.3 ± 0.4 cm/s vs. 2.7 ± 0.6 cm/s), M/L COPvel (2.6 ± 0.5 cm/s vs. 2.9 ± 0.5 cm/s), M/L COPsd (0.63 ± 0.12 cm vs. 0.73 ± 0.11 cm), M/L COPmax (1.76 ± 0.25 cm vs. 1.98 ± 0.25 cm), and COParea (0.13 ± 0.03 cm2 vs. 0.16 ± 0.04 cm2) than the pooled means of the CCT and control groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion Reduced values in COP measures indicated postural stability improvements. Thus, six weeks of coordination training with SR stimulation enhanced postural stability. Future research should examine the use of SR stimulation for decreasing recurrent ankle sprain injury in physically active individuals with FAI. PMID:18086314

Structural and metal-insulator transitions in rhenium-based double perovskites via orbital ordering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Alex Taekyung; Marianetti, Chris A.

2018-01-01

Re-based double perovskites (DPs) have garnered substantial attention due to their high Curie temperatures (TC) and display of complex interplay of structural and metal-insulator transitions (MIT). Here we systematically study the ground-state electronic and structural properties for a family of Re-based DPs A2B ReO6 (A =Sr, Ca and B =Cr, Fe), which are related by a common low-energy Hamiltonian, using density functional theory +U calculations. We show that the on-site interaction U of Re induces orbital ordering (denoted C-OO), with each Re site having an occupied dx y orbital and a C-type alternation among dx z/dy z , resulting in an insulating state consistent with experimentally determined insulators Sr2CrReO6 , Ca2CrReO6 , and Ca2FeReO6 . The threshold value of UR e for orbital ordering is reduced by inducing Eg octahedral distortions of the same C-type wavelength (denoted C-OD), which serves as a structural signature of the orbital ordering; octahedral tilting also reduces the threshold. The C-OO and the concomitant C-OD are a spontaneously broken symmetry for the Sr-based materials (i.e., a0a0c- tilt pattern), while not for the Ca-based systems (i.e., a-a-b+ tilt pattern). Spin-orbit coupling does not qualitatively change the physics of the C-OO/C-OD, but can induce relevant quantitative changes. We prove that a single set of UC r,UF e,UR e capture the experimentally observed metallic state in Sr2FeReO6 and insulating states in other three systems. We predict that the C-OO is the origin of the insulating state in Sr2CrReO6 , and that the concomitant C-OD may be experimentally observed at sufficiently low temperatures (i.e., space group P 42/m ) in pure samples. Additionally, given our prescribed values of U , we show that the C-OO induced insulating state in Ca2CrReO6 will survive even if the C-OD amplitude is suppressed (e.g., due to thermal fluctuations). The role of the C-OO/C-OD in the discontinuous, temperature driven MIT in Ca2FeReO6 is discussed.

The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of lacustrine carbonates and lake-level history of the Bonneville paleolake system

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hart, W.S.; Quade, Jay; Madsen, D.B.; Kaufman, D.S.; Oviatt, Charles G.

2004-01-01

Lakes in the Bonneville basin have fluctuated dramatically in response to changes in rainfall, temperature, and drainage diversion during the Quaternary. We analyzed tufas and shells from shorelines of known ages in order to develop a relation between 87Sr/86Sr ratio of carbonates and lake level, which then can be used as a basis for constraining lake level from similar analyses on carbonates in cores. Carbonates from the late Quaternary shorelines yield the following average 87Sr/86Sr ratios: 0.71173 for the Stansbury shoreline (22-20 14C ka; 1350 m), 0.71153 for the Bonneville shoreline (15.5-14.5 14C ka; 1550 m), 0.71175 for the Provo shoreline (14.4-14.0 14C ka; 1450 m), 0.71244 for the Gilbert shoreline (???10.3-10.9 14C ka; 1300 m), and 0.71469 for the modern Great Salt Lake (1280 m). These analyses show that the 87Sr/86Sr ratio of lacustrine carbonates changes substantially at low- to mid-lake levels but is invariant at mid- to high-lake levels. Sr-isotope mixing models of Great Salt Lake and the Bonneville paleolake system were constructed to explain these variations in 87Sr/86Sr ratios with change in lake level. Our model of the Bonneville system produced a 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.71193, very close to the observed ratios from high-shoreline tufa and shell. The model verifies that the integration of the southern Sevier and Beaver rivers with the Bear and others rivers in the north is responsible for the lower 87Sr/86Sr ratios in Lake Bonneville compared to the modern Great Salt Lake. We also modeled the 87Sr/86Sr ratio of Lake Bonneville with the upper Bear River diverted into the Snake River basin and obtained an 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.71414. Coincidentally, this ratio is close to the observed ratio for Great Salt Lake of 0.71469. This means that 87Sr/86Sr ratios of >0.714 for carbonate can be produced by climatically induced low-lake conditions or by diversion of the upper Bear River out of the Bonneville basin. This model result also demonstrates that the upper Bear River had to be flowing into the Bonneville basin during highstands of other late Quaternary lake cycles: carbonates from the Little Valley (130-160 ka) and Cutler Dam (59 ?? 5 ka) lake cycles returned 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.71166 and 0.71207, respectively, and are too low to be produced by a lake without the upper Bear River input. ?? 2004 Geological Society of America.

Tracking Oxygen Vacancies in Thin Film SOFC Cathodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leonard, Donovan; Kumar, Amit; Jesse, Stephen; Kalinin, Sergei; Shao-Horn, Yang; Crumlin, Ethan; Mutoro, Eva; Biegalski, Michael; Christen, Hans; Pennycook, Stephen; Borisevich, Albina

2011-03-01

Oxygen vacancies have been proposed to control the rate of the oxygen reduction reaction and ionic transport in complex oxides used as solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cathodes [1,2]. In this study oxygen vacancies were tracked, both dynamically and statically, with the combined use of scanned probe microscopy (SPM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Epitaxial films of La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Co O3 (L SC113) and L SC113 / LaSrCo O4 (L SC214) on a GDC/YSZ substrate were studied, where the latter showed increased electrocatalytic activity at moderate temperature. At atomic resolution, high angle annular dark field STEM micrographs revealed vacancy ordering in L SC113 as evidenced by lattice parameter modulation and EELS studies. The evolution of oxygen vacancy concentration and ordering with applied bias and the effects of bias cycling on the SOFC cathode performance will be discussed. Research is sponsored by the of Materials Sciences and Engineering Division, U.S. DOE.

An Ultrathin Single Crystalline Relaxor Ferroelectric Integrated on a High Mobility Semiconductor.

PubMed

Moghadam, Reza M; Xiao, Zhiyong; Ahmadi-Majlan, Kamyar; Grimley, Everett D; Bowden, Mark; Ong, Phuong-Vu; Chambers, Scott A; Lebeau, James M; Hong, Xia; Sushko, Peter V; Ngai, Joseph H

2017-10-11

The epitaxial growth of multifunctional oxides on semiconductors has opened a pathway to introduce new functionalities to semiconductor device technologies. In particular, the integration of gate materials that enable nonvolatile or hysteretic functionality in field-effect transistors could lead to device technologies that consume less power or allow for novel modalities in computing. Here we present electrical characterization of ultrathin single crystalline SrZr x Ti 1-x O 3 (x = 0.7) films epitaxially grown on a high mobility semiconductor, Ge. Epitaxial films of SrZr x Ti 1-x O 3 exhibit relaxor behavior, characterized by a hysteretic polarization that can modulate the surface potential of Ge. We find that gate layers as thin as 5 nm corresponding to an equivalent-oxide thickness of just 1.0 nm exhibit a ∼2 V hysteretic window in the capacitance-voltage characteristics. The development of hysteretic metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors with nanoscale gate thicknesses opens new vistas for nanoelectronic devices.

Age determinations and growth rates of Pacific ferromanganese deposits using strontium isotopes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ingram, B.L.; Hein, J.R.; Farmer, G.L.

1990-01-01

87Sr 86Sr ratios, trace element and REE compositions, and textural characteristics were determined for three hydrogenetic Fe-Mn crusts, one hydrothermal deposit, and two mixed hydrothermalhydrogenetic crusts from the Pacific. The Sr isotope data are compared to the Sr seawater curve for the Cenozoic to determine the ages and growth rates of the crusts. The 87Sr 86Sr in the crusts does not increase monotonically with depth as expected if the Sr were solely derived from seawater and perfectly preserved since deposition. This indicates post-depositional exchange of Sr or heterogeneous sources for the Sr originally contained in the crusts. Textures of hydrogenetic crusts generally correlate with Sr isotopic variations. The highest porosity intervals commonly exhibit the highest 87Sr 86Sr ratios, indicating exchange with younger seawater. Intervals with the lowest porosity commonly have lower 87Sr 86Sr and may preserve the original Sr isotopic ratios. Minimum ages of crust growth inception were calculated from dense, low porosity intervals. Growth of the hydrogenetic crusts began at or after 23 Ma, although their substrates are Cretaceous. Estimated average growth rates of the three hydrogenetic crusts vary between 0.9 and 2.7 mm/Ma, consistent with published rates determined by other techniques. Within the Marshall Islands crust, growth rates for individual layers varied greatly between 1.0 and 5.4 mm/Ma. For one crust, very low 87Sr 86Sr ratios occurred in detrital-rich intervals. Hydrothermal Fe-Mn oxide from the active Lau Basin back-arc spreading axis (Valu Fa Ridge) has an 87Sr 86Sr ratio with a predominantly seawater signature ( 87Sr 86Sr 0.709196), indicating a maximum age of 0.9 Ma. One crust from an off-axis seamount west of Gorda Ridge may have begun precipitating hydrogenetically at 0.5 Ma (0.709211), and had increasing hydrothermal or volcanic input in the top half of the crust, indicated by a significantly lower 87Sr 86Sr ratio (0.709052). ?? 1990.

Using 87Sr/86Sr ratios to investigate changes in stream chemistry during snowmelt in the Provo River, Utah, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hale, C. A.; Carling, G. T.; Fernandez, D. P.; Nelson, S.; Aanderud, Z.; Tingey, D. G.; Dastrup, D.

2017-12-01

Water chemistry in mountain streams is variable during spring snowmelt as shallow groundwater flow paths are activated in the watershed, introducing solutes derived from soil water. Sr isotopes and other tracers can be used to differentiate waters that have interacted with soils and dust (shallow groundwater) and bedrock (deep groundwater). To investigate processes controlling water chemistry during snowmelt, we analyzed 87Sr/86Sr ratios, Sr and other trace element concentrations in bulk snowpack, dust, soil, soil water, ephemeral channels, and river water during snowmelt runoff in the upper Provo River watershed in northern Utah, USA, over four years (2014-2017). Strontium concentrations in the river averaged 20 ppb during base flow and decreased to 10 ppb during snowmelt runoff. 87Sr/86Sr ratios were around 0.717 during base flow and decreased to 0.715 in 2014 and 0.713 in 2015 and 2016 during snowmelt, trending towards less radiogenic values of mineral dust inputs in the Uinta Mountain soils. Ephemeral channels, representing shallow flow paths with soil water inputs, had Sr concentrations between 7-20 ppb and 87Sr/86Sr ratios between 0.713-0.716. Snowpack Sr concentrations were generally <2 ppb with 87Sr/86Sr ratios between 0.710-711, similar to atmospheric dust inputs. The less radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr ratios and lower Sr concentrations in the river during snowmelt are likely a result of activating shallow groundwater flow paths, which allows melt water to interact with shallow soils that contain accumulated dust deposits with a less radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr ratio. These results suggest that flow paths and atmospheric dust are important to consider when investigating variable solute loads in mountain streams.

Enhanced tunability of electrical and magnetic properties in (La,Sr)MnO3 thin films via field-assisted oxygen vacancy modulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, Hon Fai; Ng, Sheung Mei; Cheng, Wang Fai; Liu, Yukuai; Chen, Xinxin; von Nordheim, Danny; Mak, Chee Leung; Dai, Jiyan; Ploss, Bernd; Leung, Chi Wah

2017-12-01

We investigated the tunability of the transport and magnetic properties in 7.5 nm La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) epitaxial films in a field effect geometry with the ferroelectric copolymer P(VDF-TrFE) as the gate insulator. Two different switching behaviors were observed upon application of gate voltages with either high or low magnitudes. The application of single voltage pulses of alternating polarity with an amplitude high enough to switch the remanent polarization of the ferroelectric copolymer led to a 15% change of the resistance of the LSMO channel at temperature 300 K (but less than 1% change at 20 K). A minimal shift of the peak in the resistance-temperature plot was observed, implying that the Curie temperature TC of the manganite layer is not changed. Alternatively, the application of a chain of low voltage pulses was found to shift TC by more than 16 K, and a change of the channel resistance by a 45% was obtained. We attribute this effect to the field-assisted injection and removal of oxygen vacancies in the LSMO layer, which can occur across the thickness of the oxide film. By controlling the oxygen migration, the low-field switching route offers a simple method for modulating the electric and magnetic properties of manganite films.

Experimental evidence of super-resolution better than λ/105 with positive refraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miñano, Juan C.; Sánchez-Dehesa, José; González, Juan C.; Benítez, P.; Grabovičkić, D.; Carbonell, Jorge; Ahmadpanahi, H.

2014-03-01

Super-resolution (SR) systems surpassing the Abbe diffraction limit have been theoretically and experimentally demonstrated using a number of different approaches and technologies: using materials with a negative refractive index, utilizing optical super-oscillation, using a resonant metalens, etc. However, recently it has been proved theoretically that in the Maxwell fish-eye lens (MFE), a device made of positive refractive index materials, the same phenomenon takes place. Moreover, using a simpler device equivalent to the MFE called the spherical geodesic waveguide (SGW), an SR of up to λ/3000 was simulated in COMSOL. Until now, only one piece of experimental evidence of SR with positive refraction has been reported (up to λ/5) for an MFE prototype working at microwave frequencies. Here, experimental results are presented for an SGW prototype showing an SR of up to λ/105. The SGW prototype consists of two concentric metallic spheres with an air space in between and two coaxial ports acting as an emitter and a receiver. The prototype has been analyzed in the range 1 GHz to 1.3 GHz.

Limits on superconductivity-related magnetization in Sr 2RuO 4 and PrOs 4Sb 12 from scanning SQUID microscopy

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

Moler, Kathryn

2010-08-26

We present scanning SQUID microscopy data on the superconductors Sr{sub 2}RuO{sub 4} (T{sub c} = 1.5 K) and PrOs{sub 4}Sb{sub 12} (T{sub c} = 1.8 K). In both of these materials, superconductivity-related time-reversal symmetry-breaking fields have been observed by muon spin rotation; our aim was to visualize the structure of these fields. However in neither Sr{sub 2}RuO{sub 4} nor PrOs{sub 4}Sb{sub 12} do we observe spontaneous superconductivity-related magnetization. In Sr{sub 2}RuO{sub 4}, many experimental results have been interpreted on the basis of a p{sub x} {+-} ip{sub y} superconducting order parameter. This order parameter is expected to give spontaneous magneticmore » induction at sample edges and order parameter domain walls. Supposing large domains, our data restrict domain wall and edge fields to no more than {approx}0.1% and {approx}0.2% of the expected magnitude, respectively. Alternatively, if the magnetization is of the expected order, the typical domain size is limited to {approx}30 nm for random domains, or {approx} 500 nm for periodic domains.« less

Abscisic Acid (ABA) Regulation of Arabidopsis SR Protein Gene Expression

PubMed Central

Cruz, Tiago M. D.; Carvalho, Raquel F.; Richardson, Dale N.; Duque, Paula

2014-01-01

Serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins are major modulators of alternative splicing, a key generator of proteomic diversity and flexible means of regulating gene expression likely to be crucial in plant environmental responses. Indeed, mounting evidence implicates splicing factors in signal transduction of the abscisic acid (ABA) phytohormone, which plays pivotal roles in the response to various abiotic stresses. Using real-time RT-qPCR, we analyzed total steady-state transcript levels of the 18 SR and two SR-like genes from Arabidopsis thaliana in seedlings treated with ABA and in genetic backgrounds with altered expression of the ABA-biosynthesis ABA2 and the ABA-signaling ABI1 and ABI4 genes. We also searched for ABA-responsive cis elements in the upstream regions of the 20 genes. We found that members of the plant-specific SC35-Like (SCL) Arabidopsis SR protein subfamily are distinctively responsive to exogenous ABA, while the expression of seven SR and SR-related genes is affected by alterations in key components of the ABA pathway. Finally, despite pervasiveness of established ABA-responsive promoter elements in Arabidopsis SR and SR-like genes, their expression is likely governed by additional, yet unidentified cis-acting elements. Overall, this study pinpoints SR34, SR34b, SCL30a, SCL28, SCL33, RS40, SR45 and SR45a as promising candidates for involvement in ABA-mediated stress responses. PMID:25268622

(Ba+Sr)/Ti ratio dependence of the dielectric properties for (Ba0.5Sr0.5)TiO3 thin films prepared by ion beam sputtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamichi, Shintaro; Yabuta, Hisato; Sakuma, Toshiyuki; Miyasaka, Yoichi

1994-03-01

(Ba0.5Sr0.5)TiO3 thin films were prepared by ion beam sputtering from powder targets with (Ba+Sr)/Ti ratios ranging from 0.80 to 1.50. All of the perovskite (Ba,Sr)TiO3 films were single phase except for the film with a (Ba+Sr)/Ti ratio of 1.41. The dielectric constant values notably depended on the (Ba+Sr)/Ti ratio for films thicker than 70 nm. The highest dielectric constant of 580 was achieved for the 5% (Ba+Sr) rich film. This (Ba+Sr)/Ti ratio dependence was diminished by the thickness dependence for thinner films. The grain sizes for the 9% (Ba+Sr) rich film and for the 6% (Ba+Sr) poor film ranged from 70 to 100 nm and from 30 to 60 nm, respectively. This grain size difference could explain why slightly A-site rich (Ba,Sr)TiO3 films have a larger dielectric constant than A-site poor films.

Information transfer with rate-modulated Poisson processes: a simple model for nonstationary stochastic resonance.

PubMed

Goychuk, I

2001-08-01

Stochastic resonance in a simple model of information transfer is studied for sensory neurons and ensembles of ion channels. An exact expression for the information gain is obtained for the Poisson process with the signal-modulated spiking rate. This result allows one to generalize the conventional stochastic resonance (SR) problem (with periodic input signal) to the arbitrary signals of finite duration (nonstationary SR). Moreover, in the case of a periodic signal, the rate of information gain is compared with the conventional signal-to-noise ratio. The paper establishes the general nonequivalence between both measures notwithstanding their apparent similarity in the limit of weak signals.

Theory of K-edge resonant inelastic x-ray scattering and its application for La0.5Sr1.5MnO4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seman, T. F.; Liu, X.; Hill, J. P.; van Veenendaal, M.; Ahn, K. H.

2013-03-01

We present a formula based on tight-binding approach for the calculation of K-edge resonant inelastic x-ray scattering spectrum for transition metal oxides, by extending the previous result [K. H. Ahn, A. J. Fedro, and M. van Veenendaal, Phys. Rev. B 79, 045103 (2009).] to include explicit momentum dependence and a basis with multiple core hole sites. We apply this formula to layered charge, orbital, and spin ordered manganites, La0.5Sr1.5MnO4. The K-edge RIXS spectrum is found not periodic with respect to the actual reciprocal lattice, but approximately periodic with respect to the reciprocal lattice for the hypothetical unit cell with one core hole site. With experimental strcuture and reasonable tight-binding parameters, we obtain good agreement with experimental data, in particular, with regards to the large variation of the intensity with momentum. We find that the screening in La0.5Sr1.5MnO4 is highly localized around the core hole site and demonstrate the potential of K-edge RIXS as a probe for the screening dynamics in materials. Work supported by US.DOE Contr. DE-AC02-98CH10886 (X.L.,J.H.), US.DOE Award DE-FG02-03ER46097 (M.v.V.), CMCSN under Grants DE-FG02-08ER46540 & DE-SC0007091 (T.S.,K.A.,M.v.V.), Argonne XSD Visitor Prog.(K.A.), US.DOE Contr. DE-AC02-06CH11357 (X.L.,J.H).

Using smartphones and tablet PCs for β--spectroscopy in an educational experimental setup

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gröber, Sebastian; Molz, Alexander; Kuhn, Jochen

2014-11-01

A magnetic spectrometer is used to gather the β--spectrum of 90 Sr /Y with a focus on two aspects. (1) The intensity of β--radiation is measured by the camera sensor module of a tablet PC together with the RadioactivityCounter app and by a Geiger-Müller tube. We evaluate the quality of mobile devices as radioactive radiation detectors by using polyenergetic β--radiation as an example and by comparing the spectra measured with the two detector types. (2) For educational purposes we implement a simple experimental setup, which consists of separate devices for measuring the electron’s kinetic energy and intensity, which are available in laboratories in educational settings. Comparison of the measured β--spectra published in the literature should encourage students to think about the energy resolution power of the β--spectrometer. Theoretical considerations show the low, yet sufficient energy resolution power of this spectrometer, especially for low energy levels.

Tunable thermodynamic activity of LaxSr1–xMnyAl1–yO3–δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1, 0 ≤ y ≤ 1) perovskites for solar thermochemical fuel synthesis† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Computational details, comprehensive XRD analyses, oxygen nonstoichiometry measurements and thermodynamic characterization of the perovskites. See DOI: 10.1039/c6ta06644e Click here for additional data file.

PubMed Central

Ezbiri, M.; Takacs, M.; Theiler, D.; Steinfeld, A.

2017-01-01

Nonstoichiometric metal oxides with variable valence are attractive redox materials for thermochemical and electrochemical fuel processing. To guide the design of advanced redox materials for solar-driven splitting of CO2 and/or H2O to produce CO and/or H2 (syngas), we investigate the equilibrium thermodynamics of the LaxSr1–xMnyAl1–yO3–δ perovskite family (0 ≤ x ≤ 1, 0 ≤ y ≤ 1) and La0.6Ca0.4Mn0.8Al0.2O3–δ, and compare them to those of CeO2 as the baseline. Oxygen nonstoichiometry measurements from 1573 to 1773 K and from 0.206 to 180 mbar O2 show a tunable reduction extent, increasing with increasing Sr content. Maximal nonstoichiometry of 0.32 is established with La0.2Sr0.8Mn0.8Al0.2O3–δ at 1773 K and 2.37 mbar O2. As a trend, we find that oxygen capacities are most sensitive to the A-cation composition. Partial molar enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy changes for oxide reduction are extracted from the experimental data using defect models for Mn4+/Mn3+ and Mn3+/Mn2+ redox couples. We find that perovskites exhibit typically decreasing enthalpy changes with increasing nonstoichiometries. This desirable characteristic is most pronounced by La0.6Sr0.4Mn0.4Al0.6O3–δ, rendering it attractive for CO2 and H2O splitting. Generally, perovskites show lower enthalpy and entropy changes than ceria, resulting in more favorable reduction but less favorable oxidation equilibria. The energy penalties due to larger temperature swings and excess oxidants are discussed in particular. Using electronic structure theory, we conclude with a practical methodology estimating thermodynamic activity to rationally design perovskites with variable stoichiometry and valence. PMID:28580143

Pseudogap and electronic structure of electron-doped Sr2IrO4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moutenet, Alice; Georges, Antoine; Ferrero, Michel

2018-04-01

We present a theoretical investigation of the effects of correlations on the electronic structure of the Mott insulator Sr2IrO4 upon electron doping. A rapid collapse of the Mott gap upon doping is found, and the electronic structure displays a strong momentum-space differentiation at low doping level: The Fermi surface consists of pockets centered around (π /2 ,π /2 ) , while a pseudogap opens near (π ,0 ) . Its physical origin is shown to be related to short-range spin correlations. The pseudogap closes upon increasing doping, but a differentiated regime characterized by a modulation of the spectral intensity along the Fermi surface persists to higher doping levels. These results, obtained within the cellular dynamical mean-field-theory framework, are discussed in comparison to recent photoemission experiments and an overall good agreement is found.

Electronic Subband Reconfiguration in a d0-Perovskite Induced by Strain-Driven Structural Transformations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laukhin, V.; Copie, O.; Rozenberg, M. J.; Weht, R.; Bouzehouane, K.; Reyren, N.; Jacquet, E.; Bibes, M.; Barthélémy, A.; Herranz, G.

2012-11-01

It is well known that transport in lightly n-doped SrTiO3 involves light and heavy electron bands. We have found that upon application of moderate quasi-isotropic pressures, the relative positions of these subbands are changed by a few meV and, eventually, a band inversion occurs at ˜1kbar. Such effects are, however, suppressed in the closely related KTaO3 perovskite. We show that the extremely subtle electronic reconfiguration in SrTiO3 is triggered by strain-induced structural transformations that are accompanied by remarkable mobility enhancements up to about Δμ/μ≈300%. Our results provide a microscopic rationale for the recently discovered transport enhancement under strain and underscore the role of the internal structural degrees of freedom in the modulation of the perovskite electronic properties.

Subchronic sleep restriction causes tissue-specific insulin resistance.

PubMed

Rao, Madhu N; Neylan, Thomas C; Grunfeld, Carl; Mulligan, Kathleen; Schambelan, Morris; Schwarz, Jean-Marc

2015-04-01

Short sleep duration is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Subchronic sleep restriction (SR) causes insulin resistance, but the mechanisms and roles of specific tissues are unclear. The purpose of this article was to determine whether subchronic SR altered (1) hepatic insulin sensitivity, (2) peripheral insulin sensitivity, and (3) substrate utilization. This was a randomized crossover study in which 14 subjects underwent 2 admissions separated by a washout period. Each admission had 2 acclimatization nights followed by 5 nights of either SR (4 hours time in bed) or normal sleep (8 hours time in bed). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE/METHODS: Insulin sensitivity (measured by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp) and hepatic insulin sensitivity (measured by stable isotope techniques) were measured. In addition, we assayed stress hormone (24-hour urine free cortisol, metanephrine, and normetanephrine), nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), and β-hydroxybutyrate (β-OH butyrate) levels. Resting energy expenditure (REE) and respiratory quotient (RQ) were measured by indirect calorimetry. Compared to normal sleep, whole-body insulin sensitivity decreased by 25% (P = .008) with SR and peripheral insulin sensitivity decreased by 29% (P = .003). Whereas hepatic insulin sensitivity (endogenous glucose production) did not change significantly, percent gluconeogenesis increased (P = .03). Stress hormones increased modestly (cortisol by 21%, P = .04; metanephrine by 8%, P = .014; normetanephrine by 18%, P = .002). Fasting NEFA and β-OH butyrate levels increased substantially (62% and 55%, respectively). REE did not change (P = 0.98), but RQ decreased (0.81 ± .02 vs 0.75 ± 0.02, P = .045). Subchronic SR causes unique metabolic disturbances characterized by peripheral, but not hepatic, insulin resistance; this was associated with a robust increase in fasting NEFA levels (indicative of increased lipolysis), decreased RQ, and increased β-OH butyrate levels (indicative of whole-body and hepatic fat oxidation, respectively). We postulate that elevated NEFA levels are partially responsible for the decrease in peripheral sensitivity and modulation of hepatic metabolism (ie, increase in gluconeogenesis without increase in endogenous glucose production). Elevated cortisol and metanephrine levels may contribute to insulin resistance by increasing lipolysis and NEFA levels.

Engineering Electronic Properties of Strongly Correlated Metal Thin Films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eaton, Craig

This dissertation reports on advances in synthesis and characterization of high quality perovskite metals with strong electron correlation. These materials have attracted considerable attention for their potential application as an active electronic material in logic applications utilizing the Mott type metal-to-insulator transition. CaVO3 and SrVO3 correlated metal oxide films have been grown by hybrid-molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), where alkaline earth cations are supplied using a conventional effusion cell and the transition metal vanadium is supplied using the metal-organic precursor vanadium (V) oxytriisopropoxide. Oxygen is available in both molecular and remote plasma activated forms. Titanate-based band insulators, namely SrTiO3 and CaTiO3, have also been grown using titanium tetra-isopropoxide as metal-organic precursor. The grown films have been characterized using reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), transition electron microscopy (TEM), and electrical properties have been determined using temperature dependent resistivity and Hall measurements. Optimized films exhibit high quality Kiessig fringes, with substrate limited rocking curve widths of 8 arc seconds in the case of CaVO3 and 17 arc seconds in the case of SrVO3. Both vanadate films grew in a step-flow mode with atomic steps visible after growth by AFM. In SrVO3, the perovskite phase remained present with a gradual lattice expansion away from the optimal cation flux ratio. For CaVO3, the films remained phase pure and with little change in lattice parameter throughout a growth window that spanned a 30% range in cation flux ratios. While an abrupt increase of lattice parameter was found for CaVO3 films grown under Carich conditions, films grown under V-rich conditions revealed a gradual reduction in lattice parameter, in contrast to SrVO3 where all defects have been shown to increase unit cell volume. Low resistivity and high residual resistivity ration complex vanadate thin films have been demonstrated. Methods for growing minimally strained SrVO3 films on (LaAlO 3)0.3(Sr2AlTaO6)0.7 substrates (0.7% tensile) were expanded to other substrates with different lattice mismatches, namely SrTiO3 (1.8% tensile) and LaAlO3 (1.3% compressive). Varying strain modifies bond angles or overlap, and can give rise to an insulating ground state. Changes in the film surface morphology derived from atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to discriminate optimal growth conditions on each substrate. Films grown at each strain state remain strongly metallic at 10 nm thickness. Low temperature resistivity measurements, which demonstrates a marked increase in low temperature resistivity with respect to those films grown at optimized growth parameters, were found to be substrate dependent. The thickness of films grown on SrTiO3 are optimized for maximum thickness without cracking. Use of epitaxial strain as a mechanism for enabling a Mott transition was not demonstrated at strains and conditions attempted within this study. The experimental support of this hypothesis could not be experimentally confirmed within the range of strains studied here. Finally, high quality epitaxial SrTiO3-SrVO3-SrTiO 3 heterostructures are grown on (LaAlO3)0.3(Sr 2AlTaO6)0.7 substrates by hybrid MBE. RHEED, XRD, and TEM showed that these structures are of high structural quality, with atomically and chemically abrupt interfaces. By fixing the thickness of the SrTiO3 confinement layers to be 15 nm and decreasing the thickness of the SrVO3 from 50 nm down to 1.2 nm, it has been demonstrated that the system transitions from a strongly-correlated metal to an insulating state, as shown by temperature dependent resistivity and carrier concentration measurements. For films with thickness larger than 1.2 nm, the resistivity versus temperature is described by Fermi liquid behavior. Below this critical thickness the material undergoes an electronic phase transition into a variable-range hopping insulating phase. The results of this dissertation show that high quality vanadate thin films can be grown by hybrid MBE. Their electronic ground state, metallic in the bulk phase, can be effectively changed using geometrical confinement, while epitaxial strain was found to have a negligible effect. The ability to grow CaVO3 in a self-regulated fashion holds promise that the favorable growth kinetics in hybrid MBE might be a general characteristic of the metalorganic precursor employed.

The effect of secondary apatite on the initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio determination in granitic rocks: a case study of the Tadamigawa pluton, northeastern Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wakasugi, Y.; Ichino, K.; Tanioka, Y.; Wakaki, S.; Tsuboi, M.; Ishikawa, T.

2017-12-01

Apatite is a major accessory mineral in igneous rocks. Because Rb contents in apatite are very low, 87Sr/86Sr ratios of magmatic apatite are useful to estimate the initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio (SrI) of igneous rocks. Secondary post-magmatic event such as hydrothermal alteration may also crystallize secondary apatite, which may inhibit the estimation of SrI of igneous rocks. In this study, we examine the effects of secondary apatite on the initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio determination of granitic rocks by using acid leaching technique. Leached apatite samples were first separated from the whole rock powder as a heavy mineral fraction by heavy liquid technique, and the heavy mineral fraction was then leached by 3 M HNO3. The isotopic ratios of Sr and the concentrations of Rb and Sr were analyzed by TIMS and ICP-MS at Kochi Core Center, respectively. The Tadamigawa Older-stage granites, which locate in the Taishaku Mountains at the northeastern part of Japan, intrude into the Ashio Jurassic complex, and the ages of these rocks are late Cretaceous to Paleogene. The U-Pb ages of zircon and the K-Ar ages of biotite for these rocks are c. 100 Ma [1, 2]. Rb-Sr whole-rock isochron age of the pluton is 96.5 ± 1.3 Ma (SrI = 0.70534 ± 0.00003) and it is concordant with other radiometric ages. Rb-Sr mineral isochron ages range from 84.4 to 97.3 Ma and these ages are relatively younger than the Rb-Sr whole-rock isochron age. The difference among radiometric ages may reflect the difference of the closure temperature in each isotopic system. The Tadamigawa Older-stage granites have SrI for Rb-Sr mineral isochron range from 0.7053 to 0.7061 and are very similar to that (0.70534) for Rb-Sr whole-rock isochron. These may suggest that the Tadamigawa Older-stage granites are generated from same parental magma. However, 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the leached apatite samples were 0.70544-0.70856 and are relatively higher than SrI obtained from the Rb-Sr mineral isochrons (0.7053-0.7061). This result suggests that leached apatite samples contain not only magmatic apatite but also secondary apatite. A careful apatite separation is needed to obtain the magmatic initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios by the isotopic analyses of apatite. [1] Tanioka et al. (2014) Japan. Mag. Mineral. Petrol. Sci. 43, 215-227. [2] Wakasugi et al. (2014) 121st Ann. Meet. Geo. Soc. Japan, Abstr., 57.

Estimation of Joule heating and its role in nonlinear electrical response of Tb0.5Sr0.5MnO3 single crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nhalil, Hariharan; Elizabeth, Suja

2016-12-01

Highly non-linear I-V characteristics and apparent colossal electro-resistance were observed in non-charge ordered manganite Tb0.5Sr0.5MnO3 single crystal in low temperature transport measurements. Significant changes were noticed in top surface temperature of the sample as compared to its base while passing current at low temperature. By analyzing these variations, we realize that the change in surface temperature (ΔTsur) is too small to have caused by the strong negative differential resistance. A more accurate estimation of change in the sample temperature was made by back-calculating the sample temperature from the temperature variation of resistance (R-T) data (ΔTcal), which was found to be higher than ΔTsur. This result indicates that there are large thermal gradients across the sample. The experimentally derived ΔTcal is validated with the help of a simple theoretical model and estimation of Joule heating. Pulse measurements realize substantial reduction in Joule heating. With decrease in sample thickness, Joule heating effect is found to be reduced. Our studies reveal that Joule heating plays a major role in the nonlinear electrical response of Tb0.5Sr0.5MnO3. By careful management of the duty cycle and pulse current I-V measurements, Joule heating can be mitigated to a large extent.

Implementation of thermoelectric module for cooling process of microscale experimental room

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gołebiowska, Justyna; Żelazna, Agnieszka; Zioło, Paweł

2017-08-01

Thermoelectric modules, also known as Peltier modules, are used for cooling small devices and also, according to literature, in refrigeration. They can be an alternative to conventional refrigeration systems based on the use of compressors chillers powered by AC power. Peltier modules are powered by direct current (DC), which allows to power them directly supply by photovoltaic modules. In this paper operation of thermoelectric module used for cooling experimental room of cubature 0.125 m3 is presented. The study involves investigation of temperatures achieved on the cold and hot sides of module and inside the experimental room depending on the values of module supplying current. These studies provide an introduction to the assessment of the influence of different methods of heat removal on the hot side of thermoelectric module on cooling efficiency of whole system.

Synchrotron radiation μCT and histology evaluation of bone-to-implant contact.

PubMed

Neldam, Camilla Albeck; Sporring, Jon; Rack, Alexander; Lauridsen, Torsten; Hauge, Ellen-Margrethe; Jørgensen, Henrik L; Jørgensen, Niklas Rye; Feidenhansl, Robert; Pinholt, Else Marie

2017-09-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate bone-to-implant contact (BIC) in two-dimensional (2D) histology compared to high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) synchrotron radiation micro computed tomography (SR micro-CT). High spatial resolution, excellent signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast establish SR micro-CT as the leading imaging modality for hard X-ray microtomography. Using SR micro-CT at voxel size 5 μm in an experimental goat mandible model, no statistically significant difference was found between the different treatment modalities nor between recipient and reconstructed bone. The histological evaluation showed a statistically significant difference between BIC in reconstructed and recipient bone (p < 0.0001). Further, no statistically significant difference was found between the different treatment modalities which we found was due to large variation and subsequently due to low power. Comparing histology and SR micro-CT evaluation a bias of 5.2% was found in reconstructed area, and 15.3% in recipient bone. We conclude that for evaluation of BIC with histology and SR micro-CT, SR micro-CT cannot be proven more precise than histology for evaluation of BIC, however, with this SR micro-CT method, one histologic bone section is comparable to the 3D evaluation. Further, the two methods complement each other with knowledge on BIC in 2D and 3D. Copyright © 2017 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

How Perception Guides Action: Figure-Ground Segmentation Modulates Integration of Context Features into S-R Episodes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Frings, Christian; Rothermund, Klaus

2017-01-01

Perception and action are closely related. Responses are assumed to be represented in terms of their perceptual effects, allowing direct links between action and perception. In this regard, the integration of features of stimuli (S) and responses (R) into S-R bindings is a key mechanism for action control. Previous research focused on the…

Growth and electrical transport properties of La 0.7 Sr 0.3 MnO 3 thin films on Sr 2 IrO 4 single crystals

DOE PAGES

Moon, E. J.; May, A. F.; Shafer, P.; ...

2017-04-20

Here, we report the physical properties of La 0.7 Sr 0.3 MnO 3 thin films on Sr 2 IrO 4 single crystals. We also deposited the manganite films using oxide molecular beam epitaxy on flux-grown (001)-oriented iridate crystals. Temperature-dependent magnetotransport and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements reveal the presence of a ferromagnetic metallic ground state in the films, consistent with films grown on SrTiO 3 and La 0.3 Sr 0.7 Al 0.65 Ta 0.35 O 3 . A parallel resistance model is used to separate conduction effects within the Sr 2 IrO 4 substrate and the La 0.7 Sr 0.3more » MnO 3 thin films, revealing that the measured resistance maximum does not correspond to the manganite Curie temperature but results from a convolution of properties of the near-insulating substrate and metallic film. Furthermore, the ability to grow and characterize epitaxial perovskites on Sr 2 IrO 4 crystals enables a new route for studying magnetism at oxide interfaces in the presence of strong spin-orbit interactions.« less

Interfacial coupling and polarization of perovskite ABO3 heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Lijun; Wang, Zhen; Zhang, Bangmin; Yu, Liping; Chow, G. M.; Tao, Jing; Han, Myung-Geun; Guo, Hangwen; Chen, Lina; Plummer, E. W.; Zhang, Jiandi; Zhu, Yimei

2017-02-01

Interfaces with subtle difference in atomic and electronic structures in perovskite ABO3 heterostructures often yield intriguingly different properties, yet their exact roles remain elusive. In this article, we report an integrated study of unusual transport, magnetic, and structural properties of Pr0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (PSMO) films and La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (LSMO) films of various thicknesses on SrTiO3 (STO) substrate. In particular, using atomically resolved imaging and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), we measured interface related local lattice distortion, BO6 octahedral rotation and cation-anion displacement induced polarization. In the very thin PSMO film, an unexpected interface-induced ferromagnetic polaronic insulator phase was observed during the cubic-to-tetragonal phase transition of the substrate STO, due to the enhanced electron-phonon interaction and atomic disorder in the film. On the other hand, for the very thin LSMO films we observed a remarkably deep polarization in non-ferroelectric STO substrate near the interface. Combining the experimental results with first principles calculations, we propose that the observed deep polarization is induced by an electric field originating from oxygen vacancies that extend beyond a dozen unit-cells from the interface, thus providing important evidence of the role of defects in the emergent interface properties of transition metal oxides.

Atomic and electronic structure of oxygen vacancies and Nb-impurity in SrTiO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamid, A. S.

2009-12-01

We present the results of a first-principle full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FLAPW) method to study the effect of defects on the electronic structure of SrTiO3. In addition, the relaxation of nearest neighbor atoms around those defects were calculated self-consistently. The calculations were performed using the local (spin) density approximations (L(S)DA), for the exchange-correlation potential. SrTiO3 was found to experience an insulator-to-metal transition upon the formation of oxygen vacancies or the substitution of Nb at the Ti site. The formation of oxygen divacancy disclosed additional states below the conduction band edge. The crystalline lattice relaxation showed displacements of atoms in rather large defective region. The magnitudes of atomic movements, however, were not large, normally not exceeding 0.15 Å. Our results were compared to the available experimental observations.

Influence of CaCO3 and SiO2 additives on magnetic properties of M-type Sr ferrites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Ching-Chien; Jiang, Ai-Hua; Hung, Yung-Hsiung; Liou, Ching-Hsuan; Wang, Yi-Chen; Lee, Chi-Ping; Hung, Tong-Yin; Shaw, Chun-Chung; Kuo, Ming-Feng; Cheng, Chun-Hu

2018-04-01

An experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of CaCO3 and SiO2 additives on the magnetic and physical properties of M-type Sr ferrites by changing experimental parameters such as the additive composition and Ca/Si ratio. Specimens were prepared by conventional ceramic techniques. It was found that the magnetic properties (Br = 4.42 kG, iHc = 3.32 kOe and (BH)max = 4.863 MGOe) were considerably improved upon adding CaCO3 = 1.1% and SiO2 = 0.4 wt% together with Co3O4, and the mechanical properties thereof were acceptable for motor applications. It was revealed that CaCO3 and SiO2 additives led to an upswing in the magnetic properties via the enhancement of uniform grain growth, particle alignment, and the densification of Sr ferrite.

Converged G W quasiparticle energies for transition metal oxide perovskites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ergönenc, Zeynep; Kim, Bongjae; Liu, Peitao; Kresse, Georg; Franchini, Cesare

2018-02-01

The ab initio calculation of quasiparticle (QP) energies is a technically and computationally challenging problem. In condensed matter physics, the most widely used approach to determine QP energies is the G W approximation. Although the G W method has been widely applied to many typical semiconductors and insulators, its application to more complex compounds such as transition metal oxide perovskites has been comparatively rare, and its proper use is not well established from a technical point of view. In this work, we have applied the single-shot G0W0 method to a representative set of transition metal oxide perovskites including 3 d (SrTiO3, LaScO3, SrMnO3, LaTiO3, LaVO3, LaCrO3, LaMnO3, and LaFeO3), 4 d (SrZrO3, SrTcO3, and Ca2RuO4 ), and 5 d (SrHfO3, KTaO3, and NaOsO3) compounds with different electronic configurations, magnetic orderings, structural characteristics, and band gaps ranging from 0.1 to 6.1 eV. We discuss the proper procedure to obtain well-converged QP energies and accurate band gaps within single-shot G0W0 by comparing the conventional approach based on an incremental variation of a specific set of parameters (number of bands, energy cutoff for the plane-wave expansion and number of k points) and the basis-set extrapolation scheme [J. Klimeš et al., Phys. Rev. B 90, 075125 (2014), 10.1103/PhysRevB.90.075125]. Although the conventional scheme is not supported by a formal proof of convergence, for most cases it delivers QP energies in reasonably good agreement with those obtained by the basis-set correction procedure and it is by construction more useful for calculating band structures. In addition, we have inspected the difference between the adoption of norm-conserving and ultrasoft potentials in G W calculations and found that the norm violation for the d shell can lead to less accurate results in particular for charge-transfer systems and late transition metals. A minimal statistical analysis indicates that the correlation of the G W data with the density functional theory gap is more robust than the correlation with the experimental gaps; moreover, we identify the static dielectric constant as alternative useful parameter for the approximation of G W gap in high-throughput automatic procedures. Finally, we compute the QP band structure and spectra within the random phase approximation and compare the results with available experimental data.

Coal fly ash interaction with environmental fluids: Geochemical and strontium isotope results from combined column and batch leaching experiments

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

Brubaker, Tonya M; Stewart, Brian W; Capo, Rosemary C

2013-05-01

The major element and Sr isotope systematics and geochemistry of coal fly ash and its interactions with environmental waters were investigated using laboratory flow-through column leaching experiments (sodium carbonate, acetic acid, nitric acid) and sequential batch leaching experiments (water, acetic acid, hydrochloric acid). Column leaching of Class F fly ash samples shows rapid release of most major elements early in the leaching procedure, suggesting an association of these elements with soluble and surface bound phases. Delayed release of certain elements (e.g., Al, Fe, Si) signals gradual dissolution of more resistant silicate or glass phases as leaching continues. Strontium isotope resultsmore » from both column and batch leaching experiments show a marked increase in {sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr ratio with continued leaching, yielding a total range of values from 0.7107 to 0.7138. For comparison, the isotopic composition of fluid output from a fly ash impoundment in West Virginia falls in a narrow range around 0.7124. The experimental data suggest the presence of a more resistant, highly radiogenic silicate phase that survives the combustion process and is leached after the more soluble minerals are removed. Strontium isotopic homogenization of minerals in coal does not always occur during the combustion process, despite the high temperatures encountered in the boiler. Early-released Sr tends to be isotopically uniform; thus the Sr isotopic composition of fly ash could be distinguishable from other sources and is a useful tool for quantifying the possible contribution of fly ash leaching to the total dissolved load in natural surface and ground waters.« less

Development of a SREX Flowsheet for the Separation of Strontium from Dissolved INEEL Zirconium Calcine

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

Law, Jack Douglas; Wood, David James; Todd, Terry Allen

1999-02-01

Laboratory experimentation has indicated that the SREX process is effective for partitioning 90 Sr from acidic radioactive waste solutions located at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center. These laboratory results were used to develop a flowsheet for countercurrent testing of the SREX process with dissolved pilot plant calcine. Testing was performed using 24 stages of 2-cm diameter centrifugal contactors which are installed in the Remote Analytical Laboratory hot cell. Dissolved Run #64 pilot plant calcine spiked with 85 Sr was used as feed solution for the testing. The flowsheet tested consisted of an extraction section (0.15 M 4',4'(5')-di-(tert-butylcyclohexo)-18-crown-6 andmore » 1.5 M TBP in Isopar-L.), a 1.0 M NaNO3 scrub section to remove extracted K from the SREX solvent, a 0.01 M HNO3 strip section for the removal of Sr from the SREX solvent, a 0.25 M Na2CO3 wash section to remove degradation products from the solvent, and a 0.1 M HNO3 rinse section. The behavior of 85 Sr, Na, K, Al, B, Ca, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Zr was evaluated. The described flowsheet successfully extracted 85 Sr from the dissolved pilot plant calcine with a removal efficiency of 99.6%. Distribution coefficients for 85 Sr ranged from 3.6 to 4.5 in the extraction section. With these distribution coefficients a removal efficiency of approximately >99.99% was expected. It was determined that the lower than expected removal efficiency can be attributed to a stage efficiency of only 60% in the extraction section. Extracted K was effectively scrubbed from the SREX solvent with the 1.0 M NaNO3 resulting in only 6.4% of the K in the HLW strip product. Sodium was not extracted from the dissolved calcine by the SREX solvent; however, the use of a 1.0 M NaNO3 scrub solution resulted in a Na concentration of 70 mg/L (12.3% of the feed concentration) in the HLW strip product. Al, B, Ca, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Zr were determined to be essentially inextractable.« less

Development of a SREX flowsheet for the separation of strontium from dissolved INEEL zirconium calcine

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

Law, J.D.; Wood, D.J.; Todd, T.A.

1999-01-01

Laboratory experimentation has indicated that the SREX process is effective for partitioning {sup 90}Sr from acidic radioactive waste solutions located at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center. These laboratory results were used to develop a flowsheet for countercurrent testing of the SREX process with dissolved pilot plant calcine. Testing was performed using 24 stages of 2-cm diameter centrifugal contactors which are installed in the Remote Analytical Laboratory hot cell. Dissolved Run No.64 pilot plant calcine spiked with {sup 85}Sr was used as feed solution for the testing. The flowsheet tested consisted of an extraction section (0.15 M 4{prime},4{prime}(5{prime})-di-(tert-butylcyclohexo)-18-crown-6 andmore » 1.5 M TBP in Isopar-L.), a 1.0 M NaNO{sub 3} scrub section to remove extracted K from the SREX solvent, a 0.01 M HNO{sub 3} strip section for the removal of Sr from the SREX solvent, a 0.25 M Na2CO{sub 3} wash section to remove degradation products from the solvent, and a 0.1 M HNO{sub 3} rinse section. The behavior of {sup 85}Sr, Na, K, Al, B, Ca, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Zr was evaluated. The described flowsheet successfully extracted {sup 85}Sr from the dissolved pilot plant calcine with a removal efficiency of 99.6%. Distribution coefficients for {sup 85}Sr ranged from 3.6 to 4.5 in the extraction section. With these distribution coefficients a removal efficiency of approximately >99.99% was expected. It was determined that the lower than expected removal efficiency can be attributed to a stage efficiency of only 60% in the extraction section. Extracted K was effectively scrubbed from the SREX solvent with the 1.0 M NaNO{sub 3} resulting in only 6.4% of the K in the HLW strip product. Sodium was not extracted from the dissolved calcine by the SREX solvent; however, the use of a 1.0 M NaNO{sub 3} scrub solution resulted in a Na concentration of 70 mg/L (12.3% of the feed concentration) in the HLW strip product. Al, B, Ca, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Zr were determined to be essentially inextractable.« less

Combined neutron and synchrotron X-ray diffraction study of Sr/Mg-doped lanthanum gallates up to high temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guenter, M. M.; Lerch, M.; Boysen, H.; Toebbens, D.; Suard, E.; Baehtz, C.

2006-08-01

Combined neutron diffraction and high-resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction methods have been used to examine the crystal structures of two sample sets of Sr/Mg-doped Lanthanum gallate with the compositions La0.9Sr0.1Ga1-yMgyO3-0.5(0.1+y) (y=0, 0.1, 0.2) and La0.8Sr0.2Ga1-yMgyO3-0.5(0.2+y) (y=0.15, 0.2) up to 900 °C. At room temperature all samples of the first series exhibit orthorhombic structures with space group Imma: La0.9Sr0.1GaO2.95: a=5.4904(1)Å, b=7.7757(1)Å, c=5.5229(1)Å; La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.9Mg0.1O2.9: a=5.5100(1)Å, b=7.8080(1)Å, c=5.5411(1)Å; La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O2.85: a=5.5269(1)Å, b=7.8318(2)Å, c=5.5459(1)Å. The samples of the second series have the cubic perovskite structure with space group Pm3¯m at room temperature: La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.85Mg0.15O2.825: a=3.9160(1)Å; La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.20O2.80: a=3.9195(1)Å. Samples of the first series transform from the orthorhombic to a rhombohedral (Imma→R3¯c) structure at ˜170 °C for La0.9Sr0.1GaO2.95, at ˜430 °C for La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.9Mg0.1O2.9, and between 600 and 700 °C for La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O2.85. Both La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.85Mg0.15O2.825 and La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2 show no structural deviations from the cubic aristotype over the whole temperature range. The room temperature Imma structures of the first series are justified by a domain model and are rationalized in terms of static disorder increasing with Mg content, thus driving the phase transition temperatures to higher values in agreement with tolerance factor considerations. The distortion of the rhombohedral high-temperature phases (octahedra tilting and compression) and the effect of phase transitions on the ionic conductivity are discussed.

First-principles study of codoping in lanthanum bromide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erhart, Paul; Sadigh, Babak; Schleife, André; Åberg, Daniel

2015-04-01

Codoping of Ce-doped LaBr3 with Ba, Ca, or Sr improves the energy resolution that can be achieved by radiation detectors based on these materials. Here, we present a mechanism that rationalizes this enhancement on the basis of first-principles electronic structure calculations and point defect thermodynamics. It is shown that incorporation of Sr creates neutral VBr-SrLa complexes that can temporarily trap electrons. As a result, Auger quenching of free carriers is reduced, allowing for a more linear, albeit slower, scintillation light yield response. Experimental Stokes shifts can be related to different CeLa-SrLa-VBr triple complex configurations. Codoping with other alkaline as well as alkaline-earth metals is considered as well. Alkaline elements are found to have extremely small solubilities on the order of 0.1 ppm and below at 1000 K. Among the alkaline-earth metals the lighter dopant atoms prefer interstitial-like positions and create strong scattering centers, which has a detrimental impact on carrier mobilities. Only the heavier alkaline-earth elements (Ca, Sr, Ba) combine matching ionic radii with sufficiently high solubilities. This provides a rationale for the experimental finding that improved scintillator performance is exclusively achieved using Sr, Ca, or Ba. The present mechanism demonstrates that codoping of wide-gap materials can provide an efficient means for managing charge carrier populations under out-of-equilibrium conditions. In the present case dopants are introduced that manipulate not only the concentrations but also the electronic properties of intrinsic defects without introducing additional gap levels. This leads to the availability of shallow electron traps that can temporarily localize charge carriers, effectively deactivating carrier-carrier recombination channels. The principles of this mechanism are therefore not specific to the material considered here but can be adapted for controlling charge carrier populations and recombination in other wide-gap materials.

A Sr-isotopic comparison between thermal waters, rocks, and hydrothermal calcites, Long Valley caldera, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Goff, F.; Wollenberg, H.A.; Brookins, D.C.; Kistler, R.W.

1991-01-01

The 87Sr/86Sr values of thermal waters and hydrothermal calcites of the Long Valley caldera geothermal system are more radiogenic than those of young intracaldera volcanic rocks. Five thermal waters display 87Sr/86Sr of 0.7081-0.7078 but show systematically lighter values from west to east in the direction of lateral flow. We believe the decrease in ratio from west to east signifies increased interaction of deeply circulating thermal water with relatively fresh volcanic rocks filling the caldera depression. All types of pre-, syn-, and post-caldera volcanic rocks in the west and central caldera have (87Sr/86Sr)m between about 0.7060 and 0.7072 and values for Sierra Nevada granodiorites adjacent to the caldera are similar. Sierran pre-intrusive metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks can have considerably higher Sr-isotope ratios (0.7061-0.7246 and 0.7090-0.7250, respectively). Hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks inside the caldera have (87Sr/86Sr)m slightly heavier than their fresh volcanic equivalents and hydrothermal calcites (0.7068-0.7105) occupy a midrange of values between the volcanic/plutonic rocks and the Sierran metamorphic rocks. These data indicate that the Long Valley geothermal reservoir is first equilibrated in a basement complex that contains at least some metasedimentary rocks. Reequilibration of Sr-isotope ratios to lower values occurs in thermal waters as convecting geothermal fluids flow through the isotopically lighter volcanic rocks of the caldera fill. ?? 1991.

Rubidium-strontium whole-rock ages of Kataragama and Pottuvil charnockites and East Vijayan gneiss: Indication of a 2 Ga metamorphism in the highlands of southeast Sri Lanka

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

De Maesschalck, A.A.; Oen, I.S.; Hebeda, E.H.

1990-09-01

Highland Group granulite-facies rocks of the Kataragama klippe in southeast Sri Lanka yield a Rb-Sr whole-rock apparent age of 1,930 {plus minus} 130 Ma, MSWD = 39, and a {sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr intercept of 0.715 {plus minus} 0.005, indicating a Highlandian metamorphism about 2.0 Ga ago. A charnockitic gneiss at Komari near Pottuvil, east Sri Lanka, gives a Rb-Sr whole-rock isochron age of 820 {plus minus} 70 Ma, MSWD = 0.78, initial {sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr = 0.725 {plus minus} 0.007, suggesting a metamorphic resetting at about 0.8 Ga. The Rb-Sr whole-rock data of an East Vijayan biotite-hornblende gneiss fit amore » reference isochron of 800 Ma with a {sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr intercept of 0.705; the low {sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr intercept may be explained by a juvenile addition to the older crust. A review of available data from various isotopic dating methods suggests that the Highland Group supracrustals were deposited 2.5-2.0 Ga ago, metamorphosed in the granulite-facies about 2.0 Ga (M1) ago, and disturbed by resetting events about 1.1 Ga (M2), 0.8 Ga (M3), and 0.55 Ga (M4) ago. The East Vijayan supracrustals were deposited 2.0-1.1 Ga ago, invaded by granites and metamorphosed in the amphibolite-facies about 1.1 Ga (M2) ago, and disturbed by resetting events about 0.8 (M3) and 0.55 Ga (M4) ago. Overthrusting of the Kataragama granulites over the East Vijayan gneisses occurred post-M3.« less

Electronic transport and photovoltaic properties in Bi2Sr2Co2Oyepitaxial heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Hai-Zhong; Gu, Lin; Yang, Zhen-Zhong; Wang, Shu-Fang; Fu, Guang-Sheng; Wang, Le; Jin, Kui-Juan; Lu, Hui-Bin; Wang, Can; Ge, Chen; He, Meng; Yang, Guo-Zhen

2013-08-01

Epitaxial heterostructures constructed from the thermoelectric cobalt Bi2Sr2Co2Oy thin films and SrTiO3 as well as SrTi0.993Nb0.007O3 substrates were fabricated by pulsed-laser deposition. The scanning transmission electron microscopy results confirm that the heterostructures are epitaxial, with sharp and coherent interfaces. The temperature-dependent electrical transport properties and the Hall effects were systematically investigated. The Bi2Sr2Co2Oy/SrTi0.993Nb0.007O3 p-n heterostructure exhibits good rectifying current-voltage characteristics over a wide temperature range. A strong photovoltaic effect was observed in the Bi2Sr2Co2Oy/SrTi0.993Nb0.007O3 heterostructure, with the temperature-dependent photovoltage being systematically investigated. The present work shows a great potential of this new heterostructures as photoelectric devices.

Spin-polarized current injection induced magnetic reconstruction at oxide interface

DOE PAGES

Fang, F.; Yin, Y. W.; Li, Qi; ...

2017-01-04

Electrical manipulation of magnetism presents a promising way towards using the spin degree of freedom in very fast, low-power electronic devices. Though there has been tremendous progress in electrical control of magnetic properties using ferromagnetic (FM) nanostructures, an opportunity of manipulating antiferromagnetic (AFM) states should offer another route for creating a broad range of new enabling technologies. Here we selectively probe the interface magnetization of SrTiO 3/La 0.5Ca 0.5MnO 3/La 0.7Sr 0.3MnO 3 heterojunctions and discover a new spin-polarized current injection induced interface magnetoelectric (ME) effect. The accumulation of majority spins at the interface causes a sudden, reversible transition ofmore » the spin alignment of interfacial Mn ions from AFM to FM exchange-coupled, while the injection of minority electron spins alters the interface magnetization from C-type to A-type AFM state. In contrast, the bulk magnetization remains unchanged. We attribute the current-induced interface ME effect to modulations of the strong double-exchange interaction between conducting electron spins and local magnetic moments. As a result, the effect is robust and may serve as a viable route for electronic and spintronic applications.« less

Spin-polarized current injection induced magnetic reconstruction at oxide interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, F.; Yin, Y. W.; Li, Qi; Lüpke, G.

2017-01-01

Electrical manipulation of magnetism presents a promising way towards using the spin degree of freedom in very fast, low-power electronic devices. Though there has been tremendous progress in electrical control of magnetic properties using ferromagnetic (FM) nanostructures, an opportunity of manipulating antiferromagnetic (AFM) states should offer another route for creating a broad range of new enabling technologies. Here we selectively probe the interface magnetization of SrTiO3/La0.5Ca0.5MnO3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 heterojunctions and discover a new spin-polarized current injection induced interface magnetoelectric (ME) effect. The accumulation of majority spins at the interface causes a sudden, reversible transition of the spin alignment of interfacial Mn ions from AFM to FM exchange-coupled, while the injection of minority electron spins alters the interface magnetization from C-type to A-type AFM state. In contrast, the bulk magnetization remains unchanged. We attribute the current-induced interface ME effect to modulations of the strong double-exchange interaction between conducting electron spins and local magnetic moments. The effect is robust and may serve as a viable route for electronic and spintronic applications.

Growth of congruently melting Ca0.59Sr0.41F2 crystals and study of their properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karimov, D. N.; Komar'kova, O. N.; Sorokin, N. I.; Bezhanov, V. A.; Chernov, S. P.; Popov, P. A.; Sobolev, B. P.

2010-05-01

Homogeneous crystals of Ca0.59Sr0.41F2 alloy (sp. gr., Fm bar 3 m, a = 0.56057 nm), corresponding to the point of minimum in the melting curve in the CaF2-SrF2 phase diagram, have been grown by the vertical Bridgman method. The optical, mechanical, electrical, and thermophysical properties of Ca0.59Sr0.41F2 and MF2 crystals ( M = Ca, Sr) have been studied and comparatively analyzed. Ca0.59Sr0.41F2 crystals are transparent in the range of 0.133-11.5 μm, have refractive index n D = 1.436, microhardness H μ = 2.63 ± 0.10 GPa, ion conductivity σ = 5 × 10-5 S/cm at 825 K, and thermal conductivity k = 4.0 W m-1 K-1 at 300 K. It is shown that the optical properties of Ca0.59Sr0.41F2 crystals are intermediate between those of CaF2 and SrF2, whereas their mechanical and electrical characteristics are better than the latter compounds.

Biocompatibility and biodegradability of Mg-Sr alloys: the formation of Sr-substituted hydroxyapatite.

PubMed

Bornapour, M; Muja, N; Shum-Tim, D; Cerruti, M; Pekguleryuz, M

2013-02-01

Magnesium is an attractive material for use in biodegradable implants due to its low density, non-toxicity and mechanical properties similar to those of human tissue such as bone. Its biocompatibility makes it amenable for use in a wide range of applications from bone to cardiovascular implants. Here we investigated the corrosion rate in simulated body fluid (SBF) of a series of Mg-Sr alloys, with Sr in the range of 0.3-2.5%, and found that the Mg-0.5 Sr alloy showed the slowest corrosion rate. The degradation rate from this alloy indicated that the daily Sr intake from a typical stent would be 0.01-0.02 mg day⁻¹, which is well below the maximum daily Sr intake levels of 4 mg day⁻¹. Indirect cytotoxicity assays using human umbilical vascular endothelial cells indicated that Mg-0.5 Sr extraction medium did not cause any toxicity or detrimental effect on the viability of the cells. Finally, a tubular Mg-0.5 Sr stent sample, along with a WE43 control stent, was implanted into the right and left dog femoral artery. No thrombosis effect was observed in the Mg-0.5 Sr stent after 3 weeks of implantation while the WE43 stent thrombosed. X-ray diffraction demonstrated the formation of hydroxyapatite and Mg(OH)₂ as a result of the degradation of Mg-0.5 Sr alloy after 3 days in SBF. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy further showed the possibility of the formation of a hydroxyapatite Sr-substituted layer that presents as a thin layer at the interface between the Mg-0.5 Sr alloy and the corrosion products. We believe that this interfacial layer stabilizes the surface of the Mg-0.5 Sr alloy, and slows down its degradation rate over time. Copyright © 2012 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Capsaicin affects brain function in a model of hepatic encephalopathy associated with fulminant hepatic failure in mice

PubMed Central

Avraham, Y; Grigoriadis, NC; Magen, I; Poutahidis, T; Vorobiav, L; Zolotarev, O; Ilan, Y; Mechoulam, R; Berry, EM

2009-01-01

Background and purpose: Hepatic encephalopathy is a neuropsychiatric syndrome caused by liver failure. In view of the effects of cannabinoids in a thioacetamide-induced model of hepatic encephalopathy and liver disease and the beneficial effect of capsaicin (a TRPV1 agonist) in liver disease, we assumed that capsaicin may also affect hepatic encephalopathy. Experimental approach: Fulminant hepatic failure was induced in mice by thioacetamide and 24 h later, the animals were injected with one of the following compound(s): 2-arachidonoylglycerol (CB1, CB2 and TRPV1 receptor agonist); HU308 (CB2 receptor agonist), SR141716A (CB1 receptor antagonist); SR141716A+2-arachidonoylglycerol; SR144528 (CB2 receptor antagonist); capsaicin; and capsazepine (TRPV1 receptor agonist and antagonist respectively). Their neurological effects were evaluated on the basis of activity in the open field, cognitive function in an eight-arm maze and a neurological severity score. The mice were killed 3 or 14 days after thioacetamide administration. 2-arachidonoylglycerol and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection, respectively. Results: Capsaicin had a neuroprotective effect in this animal model as shown by the neurological score, activity and cognitive function. The effect of capsaicin was blocked by capsazepine. Thioacetamide induced astrogliosis in the hippocampus and the cerebellum and raised brain 5-hydroxytryptamine levels, which were decreased by capsaicin, SR141716A and HU-308. Thioacetamide lowered brain 2-arachidonoylglycerol levels, an effect reversed by capsaicin. Conclusions: Capsaicin improved both liver and brain dysfunction caused by thioacetamide, suggesting that both the endocannabinoid and the vanilloid systems play important roles in hepatic encephalopathy. Modulation of these systems may have therapeutic value. PMID:19764982

Pharmacological Targeting the REV-ERBs in Sleep/Wake Regulation

PubMed Central

Amador, Ariadna; Huitron-Resendiz, Salvador; Roberts, Amanda J.; Kamenecka, Theodore M.; Solt, Laura A.; Burris, Thomas P.

2016-01-01

The circadian clock maintains appropriate timing for a wide range of behaviors and physiological processes. Circadian behaviors such as sleep and wakefulness are intrinsically dependent on the precise oscillation of the endogenous molecular machinery that regulates the circadian clock. The identical core clock machinery regulates myriad endocrine and metabolic functions providing a link between sleep and metabolic health. The REV-ERBs (REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ) are nuclear receptors that are key regulators of the molecular clock and have been successfully targeted using small molecule ligands. Recent studies in mice suggest that REV-ERB-specific synthetic agonists modulate metabolic activity as well as alter sleep architecture, inducing wakefulness during the light period. Therefore, these small molecules represent unique tools to extensively study REV-ERB regulation of sleep and wakefulness. In these studies, our aim was to further investigate the therapeutic potential of targeting the REV-ERBs for regulation of sleep by characterizing efficacy, and optimal dosing time of the REV-ERB agonist SR9009 using electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings. Applying different experimental paradigms in mice, our studies establish that SR9009 does not lose efficacy when administered more than once a day, nor does tolerance develop when administered once a day over a three-day dosing regimen. Moreover, through use of a time response paradigm, we determined that although there is an optimal time for administration of SR9009 in terms of maximal efficacy, there is a 12-hour window in which SR9009 elicited a response. Our studies indicate that the REV-ERBs are potential therapeutic targets for treating sleep problems as those encountered as a consequence of shift work or jet lag. PMID:27603791

Status of the Siberian synchrotron radiation center

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ancharov, A. I.; Baryshev, V. B.; Chernov, V. A.; Gentselev, A. N.; Goldenberg, B. G.; Kochubei, D. I.; Korchuganov, V. N.; Kulipanov, G. N.; Kuzin, M. V.; Levichev, E. B.; Mezentsev, N. A.; Mishnev, S. I.; Nikolenko, A. D.; Pindyurin, V. F.; Sheromov, M. A.; Tolochko, B. P.; Sharafutdinov, M. R.; Shmakov, A. N.; Vinokurov, N. A.; Vobly, P. D.; Zolotarev, K. V.

2005-05-01

Synchrotron radiation (SR) experiments at the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics had been started in 1973, and from 1981 the Siberian Synchrotron Radiation Center (SSRC) had an official status as Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. SSRC is the research center, which is open and free of tax for the research teams from Russia and abroad. In this report some technical information about the storage rings—SR sources of the Budker INP, the main directions of activity of SSRC, experimental stations, experimental works and users—is given. Development of the free electron lasers, new SR sources and insertion devices is described.

The influences of mole composition of strontium (x) on properties of barium strontium titanate (Ba{sub 1−x}Sr{sub x}TiO{sub 3}) prepared by solid state reaction method

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

Sandi, Dianisa Khoirum; Supriyanto, Agus; Iriani, Yofentina, E-mail: yopen-2005@yahoo.com

2016-02-08

Barium Strontium Titanate (Ba{sub 1-x}Sr{sub x}TiO{sub 3}) or BST was prepared by solid state reaction method. Raw materials are BaCO{sub 3}, SrCO{sub 3}, and TiO{sub 2}. Those materials are mixed for 8 h, pressed, and sintered at temperature 1200°C for 2 h. Mole composition of Sr (x) was varied to study its influences on structural, morphological, and electrical properties of BST. Variation of (x) are x = 0; x = 0.1; and x = 0.5. XRD patterns showed a single phase of BST, which mean that mixture of raw materials was homogenous. Crystal structure was influenced by x. BaTiO{sub 3} and Ba{submore » 0.9}Ti{sub 0.1}TiO{sub 3} have tetragonal crystal structure, while Ba{sub 0.5}Sr{sub 0.5}TiO{sub 3} is cubic. The diffraction angle shifted to right side (angle larger) as the increases of x. Crystalline size of BaTiO{sub 3}, Ba{sub 0.9}Sr{sub 0.1}TiO{sub 3}, and Ba{sub 0.5}Sr{sub 0.5}TiO{sub 3} are 38.13 nm; 38.62 nm; and 37.13 nm, respectively. SEM images showed that there are still of pores which were influenced by x. Ba{sub 0.9}Sr{sub 0.1}TiO{sub 3} has densest surface (pores are few and small in size). Sawyer Tower circuit showed that BaTiO{sub 3} and Ba{sub 0.9}Sr{sub 0.1} TiO{sub 3} is ferroelectric, while Ba{sub 0.5}Sr{sub 0.5}TiO{sub 3} is paraelectric. The dielectric constants of BaTiO{sub 3}, Ba{sub 0.9}Sr{sub 0.1}TiO{sub 3} and Ba{sub 0.5}Sr{sub 0.5}TiO{sub 3} at frequency of 1 KHz are 156; 196; and 83, respectively. Ba{sub 0.9}Sr{sub 0.1}TiO{sub 3} has relatively highest dielectric constant. It is considered that Ba{sub 0.9}Sr{sub 0.1}TiO{sub 3} has densest surface.« less

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

Jiang, Deen

A profound connection has been found between the structures of thiolated gold clusters and the combinatorial problem of pairing up dots on a surface. The bridge is the concept of staple fitness: the fittest combination corresponds to the experimental structure. This connection has been demonstrated for both Au{sub 25}(SR){sub 18} and Au{sub 38}(SR){sub 24} (-SR being a thiolate group) and applied to predict a promising structure for the recently synthesized Au{sub 19}(SR){sub 13}.

Modulated two-dimensional charge-carrier density in LaTiO3-layer-doped LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructure.

PubMed

Nazir, Safdar; Bernal, Camille; Yang, Kesong

2015-03-11

The highly mobile two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) formed at the polar/nonpolar LaAlO3/SrTiO3 (LAO/STO) heterostructure (HS) is a matter of great interest because of its potential applications in nanoscale solid-state devices. To realize practical implementation of the 2DEG in device design, desired physical properties such as tuned charge carrier density and mobility are necessary. In this regard, polar perovskite-based transition metal oxides can act as doping layers at the interface and are expected to tune the electronic properties of 2DEG of STO-based HS systems dramatically. Herein, we investigated the doping effects of LaTiO3(LTO) layers on the electronic properties of 2DEG at n-type (LaO)(+1)/(TiO2)(0) interface in the LAO/STO HS using spin-polarized density functional theory calculations. Our results indicate an enhancement of orbital occupation near the Fermi energy, which increases with respect to the number of LTO unit cells, resulting in a higher charge carrier density of 2DEG than that of undoped system. The enhanced charge carrier density is attributed to an extra electron introduced by the Ti 3d(1) orbitals from the LTO dopant unit cells. This conclusion is consistent with the recent experimental findings (Appl. Phys. Lett. 2013, 102, 091601). Detailed charge density and partial density of states analysis suggests that the 2DEG in the LTO-doped HS systems primarily comes from partially occupied dyz and dxz orbitals.

Calcium Isotope Fractionation during Carbonate Weathering in the Northern Guangdong, South China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, F.; Mao, G.; Wei, G.; Zhang, Z.

2017-12-01

CO2 is consumed during the weathering of carbonates, whereas carbonates are precipitated rapidly in the oceans, which are pivotal to modulate atmospheric CO2, oceanic pH and climate. Calcium carbonate in limestone is one of the largest reservoirs of carbon at the Earth's surface, so calcium is an important element that links the lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and the atmosphere. Compared with silicate rocks, carbonate rocks have more rapid rates of physical and chemical erosions, so the carbonate weathering will respond more quickly to the climatic changes. In the southeast of China, enormous of carbonate rocks are widely distributed. Due to the influence of the subtropical monsoon climate, the rocks experienced strong chemical weathering and pedogenic process, resulting in red weathering crust of carbonate rocks. This type of weathering crust is geochemistry-sensitive and ecology-vulnerable, which can provide important insights into the recycle of supergene geochemistry in the karst areas. In this study, we report calcium isotopic compositions of saprolites from a weathering profile developed on argillaceous carbonate rocks in northern Guangdong, South China. The acid-leachable fraction, which was extracted by 1N hydrochloride acid, showed limited variation of δ44/40Ca(NIST 915a) spanning from 0.55 ± 0.06‰ (2SD) to 0.72 ± 0.05‰ (2SD) despite CaO content ranging from 0.01 wt.% to 45.7 wt.%, implying that Ca isotope didn't fractionate much which may due to the congruent dissolution of limestone minerals. In contrast, radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the whole rocks changed with depth from 0.710086 ± 6 (2SE) at the base rock to 0.722164± 8 (2SE) at the top-soil, which are possibly attributed to the mixing effect between carbonate and silicate fractions. Sr is an analogue for Ca due to its similar ionic size and charge; however, these two systems can differ in certain respects. The coupled study of Ca and Sr will be helpful to verify sources of Ca and the global Ca and C cycles.

COMPUTATIONAL MODELING AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON NOx REDUCTION UNDER PULVERIZED COAL COMBUSTION CONDITIONS

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

Subha K. Kumpaty; Kannikeswaran Subramanian; Victor P. Nokku

1998-06-01

In this work, both computer simulation and experimental studies were conducted to investigate several strategies for NO{sub x} reduction under pulverized coal combustion conditions with an aim to meet the stringent environmental standards for NO{sub x} control. Both computer predictions and reburning experiments yielded favorable results in terms of NO{sub x} control by reburning with a combination of methane and acetylene as well as non-selective catalytic reduction of NO{sub x} with ammonia following reburning with methane. The greatest reduction was achieved at the reburning stoichiometric ratio of 0.9; the reduction was very significant, as clearly shown in Chapters III andmore » V. Both the experimental and computational results favored mixing gases: methane and acetylene (90% and 10% respectively) and methane and ammonia (98% and 2%) in order to get optimum reduction levels which can not be achieved by individual gases at any amounts. Also, the above gaseous compositions as reburning fuels seemed to have a larger window of stoichiometric ratio (SR2 < 0.9) as opposed to just methane (SR2=0.9) so as to reduce and keep NO{sub x} at low ppm levels. From the various computational runs, it has been observed that although there are several pathways that contribute to NO{sub x} reduction, the key pathway is NO {r_arrow} HCN {r_arrow} NH{sub 3} {r_arrow} N{sub 2} + H{sub 2}. With the trends established in this work, it is possible to scale the experimental results to real time industrial applications using computational calculations.« less

Partial weight support differentially affects corticomotor excitability across muscles of the upper limb

PubMed Central

Runnalls, Keith D.; Anson, Greg; Wolf, Steven L.; Byblow, Winston D.

2014-01-01

Abstract Partial weight support may hold promise as a therapeutic adjuvant during rehabilitation after stroke by providing a permissive environment for reducing the expression of abnormal muscle synergies that cause upper limb impairment. We explored the neurophysiological effects of upper limb weight support in 13 healthy young adults by measuring motor‐evoked potentials (MEPs) from transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of primary motor cortex and electromyography from anterior deltoid (AD), biceps brachii (BB), extensor carpi radialis (ECR), and first dorsal interosseous (FDI). Five levels of weight support, varying from none to full, were provided to the arm using a commercial device (Saebo Mobile Arm Support). For each level of support, stimulus–response (SR) curves were derived from MEPs across a range of TMS intensities. Weight support affected background EMG activity in each of the four muscles examined (P <0.0001 for each muscle). Tonic background activity was primarily reduced in the AD. Weight support had a differential effect on the size of MEPs across muscles. After curve fitting, the SR plateau for ECR increased at the lowest support level (P =0.004). For FDI, the SR plateau increased at the highest support level (P =0.0003). These results indicate that weight support of the proximal upper limb modulates corticomotor excitability across the forearm and hand. The findings support a model of integrated control of the upper limb and may inform the use of weight support in clinical settings. PMID:25501435

Strontium isotope systematics of scheelite and apatite from the Felbertal tungsten deposit, Austria - results of in-situ LA-MC-ICP-MS analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kozlik, Michael; Gerdes, Axel; Raith, Johann G.

2016-02-01

The in-situ Sr isotopic systematics of scheelite and apatite from the Felbertal W deposit and a few regional Variscan orthogneisses ("Zentralgneise") have been determined by LA-MC-ICP-MS. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of scheelite and apatite from the deposit are highly radiogenic and remarkably scattering. In the early magmatic-hydrothermal scheelite generations (Scheelite 1 and 2) the 87Sr/86Sr ratios range from 0.72078 to 0.76417 and from 0.70724 to 0.76832, respectively. Metamorphic Scheelite 3, formed by recrystallisation and local mobilisation of older scheelite, is characterised by even higher 87Sr/86Sr values between 0.74331 and 0.80689. Statistics allows discriminating the three scheelite generations although there is considerable overlap between Scheelite 1 and 2; they could be mixtures of the same isotopic reservoirs. The heterogeneous and scattering 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the two primary scheelite generations suggest modification of the Sr isotope system due to fluid-rock interaction and isotopic disequilibrium. Incongruent release of 87Sr from micas in the Early Palaeozoic host rocks of the Habach Complex contributed to the solute budget of the hydrothermal fluids and may explain the radiogenic Sr isotope signature of scheelite. Spatially resolved analyses revealed isotopic disequilibrium even on a sub-mm scale within zoned Scheelite 2 crystals indicating scheelite growth in an isotopic dynamical hydrothermal system. Zoned apatite from the W mineralised Early Carboniferous K1-K3 orthogneiss in the western ore field yielded 87Sr/86Sr of 0.72044-0.74514 for the cores and 0.74535-0.77937 for the rims. Values of magmatic apatite cores from the K1-K3 orthogneiss are comparable to those of primary Scheelite 1; they are too radiogenic to be magmatic. The Sr isotopic composition of apatite cores was therefore equally modified during the hydrothermal mineralisation processes, therefore supporting the single-stage genetic model in which W mineralisation is associated with the intrusion of the K1-K3 metagranitoid at Felbertal. The subsequent regional metamorphic overprint of the deposit caused redistribution of 87Sr as a consequence of metamorphic reactions involving Rb and Sr-bearing minerals. Metamorphic Scheelite 3 and apatite rims (e.g., in the K1-K3 orthogneiss) generally became more radiogenic during this process. However, local recrystallisation of primary scheelite under closed conditions (without addition of 87Sr by the metamorphic fluid) is also documented. The latter process resulted in a homogenisation of the isotope composition of Scheelite 3. Further increase in 87Sr/86Sr ratios in Scheelite 3 and apatite rims is attributed to Late Alpine (?) metamorphic recrystallisation and redistribution of 87Sr by metamorphic fluids.

Strontium isotope systematics of mixing groundwater and oil-field brine at Goose Lake in northeastern Montana, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Peterman, Zell E.; Thamke, Joanna N.; Futa, Kiyoto; Preston, Todd

2012-01-01

Groundwater, surface water, and soil in the Goose Lake oil field in northeastern Montana have been affected by Cl−-rich oil-field brines during long-term petroleum production. Ongoing multidisciplinary geochemical and geophysical studies have identified the degree and local extent of interaction between brine and groundwater. Fourteen samples representing groundwater, surface water, and brine were collected for Sr isotope analyses to evaluate the usefulness of 87Sr/86Sr in detecting small amounts of brine. Differences in Sr concentrations and 87Sr/86Sr are optimal at this site for the experiment. Strontium concentrations range from 0.13 to 36.9 mg/L, and corresponding 87Sr/86Sr values range from 0.71097 to 0.70828. The local brine has 168 mg/L Sr and a 87Sr/86Sr value of 0.70802. Mixing relationships are evident in the data set and illustrate the sensitivity of Sr in detecting small amounts of brine in groundwater. The location of data points on a Sr isotope-concentration plot is readily explained by an evaporation-mixing model. The model is supported by the variation in concentrations of most of the other solutes.

Ionic-Liquid-Assisted Microwave Synthesis of Solid Solutions of Sr 1–xBa xSnO 3 Perovskite for Photocatalytic Applications

DOE PAGES

Alammar, Tarek; Slowing, Igor I.; Anderegg, Jim; ...

2017-06-06

Nanocrystalline Sr 1–xBa xSnO 3 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1) perovskite photocatalysts were prepared by microwave synthesis in an ionic liquid (IL) and subsequent heat-treatment. The influence of the Sr/Ba substitution on the structure, crystallization, morphology, and photocatalytic efficiency was investigated and the samples were fully characterized. On the basis of X-ray diffraction results, as the Ba content in the SrSnO 3 lattice increases, a symmetry increase was observed from the orthorhombic perovskite structure for SrSnO 3 to the cubic BaSnO 3 structure. The analysis of the sample morphology by SEM reveals that the Sr 1–xBa xSnO 3more » samples favor the formation of nanorods (500 nm–5 μm in diameter and several micrometers long). The photophysical properties were examined by UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The band gap decreases from 3.85 to 3.19 eV with increasing Ba 2+ content. Furthermore, the photocatalytic properties were evaluated for the hydroxylation of terephthalic acid (TA). The order of the activities for TA hydroxylation was Sr 0.8Ba 0.2SnO 3 > SrSnO 3 > BaSnO 3 > Sr 0.6Ba 0.4SnO 3 > Sr 0.2Ba 0.8SnO 3. Here, the highest photocatalytic activity was observed for Sr 0.8Ba 0.2SnO 3, and this can be attributed to the synergistic impacts of the modification of the crystal structure and morphology, the relatively large surface area associated with the small crystallite size, and the suitable band gap and band-edge position.« less

Ionic‐Liquid‐Assisted Microwave Synthesis of Solid Solutions of Sr1−xBaxSnO3 Perovskite for Photocatalytic Applications

PubMed Central

Alammar, Tarek; Slowing, Igor I.; Anderegg, Jim

2017-01-01

Abstract Nanocrystalline Sr1−xBaxSnO3 (x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1) perovskite photocatalysts were prepared by microwave synthesis in an ionic liquid (IL) and subsequent heat‐treatment. The influence of the Sr/Ba substitution on the structure, crystallization, morphology, and photocatalytic efficiency was investigated and the samples were fully characterized. On the basis of X‐ray diffraction results, as the Ba content in the SrSnO3 lattice increases, a symmetry increase was observed from the orthorhombic perovskite structure for SrSnO3 to the cubic BaSnO3 structure. The analysis of the sample morphology by SEM reveals that the Sr1−xBaxSnO3 samples favor the formation of nanorods (500 nm–5 μm in diameter and several micrometers long). The photophysical properties were examined by UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The band gap decreases from 3.85 to 3.19 eV with increasing Ba2+ content. Furthermore, the photocatalytic properties were evaluated for the hydroxylation of terephthalic acid (TA). The order of the activities for TA hydroxylation was Sr0.8Ba0.2SnO3>SrSnO3>BaSnO3>Sr0.6Ba0.4SnO3>Sr0.2Ba0.8SnO3. The highest photocatalytic activity was observed for Sr0.8Ba0.2SnO3, and this can be attributed to the synergistic impacts of the modification of the crystal structure and morphology, the relatively large surface area associated with the small crystallite size, and the suitable band gap and band‐edge position. PMID:28589568

Overcoming Addictions, a Web-Based Application, and SMART Recovery, an Online and In-Person Mutual Help Group for Problem Drinkers, Part 2: Six-Month Outcomes of a Randomized Controlled Trial and Qualitative Feedback From Participants.

PubMed

Campbell, William; Hester, Reid K; Lenberg, Kathryn L; Delaney, Harold D

2016-10-04

Despite empirical evidence supporting the use of Web-based interventions for problem drinking, much remains unknown about factors that influence their effectiveness. We evaluated the performance of 2 resources for people who want to achieve and maintain abstinence: SMART Recovery (SR) and Overcoming Addictions (OA). OA is a Web application based on SR. We also examined participant and intervention-related factors hypothesized to impact clinical outcomes of Web-based interventions. We recruited 189 heavy drinkers through SR's website and in-person meetings throughout the United States. We began by randomly assigning participants to (1) SR meetings alone, (2) OA alone, and (3) OA and SR (OA+SR). Recruitment challenges compelled us to assign participants only to SR (n=86) or OA+SR (n=102). The experimental hypotheses were as follows: (1) Both groups will reduce their drinking and alcohol-related consequences at follow-up compared with their baseline levels, and (2) The OA+SR condition will reduce their drinking and alcohol or drug-related consequences more than the SR only condition. Additionally, we derived 3 groups empirically (SR, OA, and OA+SR) based on the participants' actual use of each intervention and conducted analyses by comparing them. Primary outcome measures included percent days abstinent (PDA), mean drinks per drinking day (DDD), and alcohol or drug-related consequences. Postbaseline assessments were conducted by phone at 3 and 6 months. Secondary analyses explored whether clinical issues (eg, severity of alcohol problems, level of distress, readiness to change) or intervention-related factors (eg, Internet fluency, satisfaction with site) affected outcomes. Both intent-to-treat analyses and the actual-use analyses showed highly significant improvement from baseline to follow-ups for all 3 groups. Mean within-subject effect sizes were large (d>0.8) overall. There was no significant difference between groups in the amount of improvement from baseline to the average of the follow-ups. We found that participants who stopped drinking before joining the clinical trial had significantly better outcomes than participants who were still drinking when they joined the study. Neither Internet fluency nor participants' reported ease of navigating the site had an impact on outcomes. These results support our first experimental hypothesis but not the second. On average, participants improved on all dependent measures. Both SR and OA helped participants recover from their problem drinking. Web-based interventions can help even those individuals with lengthy histories of heavy drinking to make clinically significant reductions in their consumption and related problems. These interventions work well for individuals in the action stage of change. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01389297; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01389297 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6kLNUNDcc).

A method for combined Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic analysis of <10 mg dust samples: implication for ice core science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ujvari, Gabor; Wegner, Wencke; Klötzli, Urs

2017-04-01

Aeolian mineral dust particles below the size of 10-20 μm often experience longer distance transport in the atmosphere, and thus Aeolian dust is considered an important tracer of large-scale atmospheric circulation. Since ice core dust is purely Aeolian in origin, discrimination of its potential source region(s) can contribute to a better understanding of past dust activity and climatic/environmental causes. Furthermore, ice core dust source information provides critical experimental constraints for model simulations of past atmospheric circulation patterns [1,2]. However, to identify dust sources in past dust archives such as ice cores, the mineralogy and geochemistry of the wind-blown dust material must be characterized. While the amount of dust in marine cores or common terrestrial archives is sufficient for different types of analyses and even for multiple repeat measurements, dust content in ice cores is usually extremely low even for the peak dusty periods such as the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) (5-8 mg dust/kg ice; [3]). Since the most powerful dust fingerprinting methods, such as REE composition and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic analyses are destructive there is a clear need to establish sequential separation techniques of Sr, Nd, Pb and other REEs to get the most information out of small (5-10 mg) dust samples recovered from ice cores. Although Hf isotopes have recently been added as a robust tool of aerosol/dust source discrimination (e.g. [4,5,6,7]), precise Hf isotopic measurements of small (<10 mg) dust samples are still challenging due to the small Hf amounts (on the order of 1-10 ng) and often compromised by potential problems arising during ion exchange chemistry. In this pilot study an improved method for chemical separation of Sr, Nd and Hf by Bast et al. [8] was applied, which allows the precise isotope analysis of sub-ng amounts of Hf by MC-ICPMS. This ion exchange chromatography procedure has been combined with established methods of separating and purifying Sr and Nd for subsequent TIMS isotopic measurements. International rock standard BCR-2 (10 mg aliquot) gave 87Sr/86Sr, 143Nd/144Nd and 176Hf/177Hf isotopic ratios of 0.705127±0.000004 (2σ), 0.512625±0.000004 and 0.282853±0.000006, respectively. These data are in good agreement with the certified values (0.705000±0.0000011, 0.512637±0.000013 and 0.282866±0.000011; [9]) demonstrating that the experimental procedures and setup allow for valid 176Lu and 176Yb corrections and results in reliable 176Hf/177Hf (and also 87Sr/86Sr, 143Nd/144Nd) ratios. Along with the standards 50, 10 and 5 mg aliquots of the fine (<10 μm) fractions of three wind-blown loess sediment samples from Central Europe (NUS), China (BEI) and the US (JUD) were processed (all acetic acid treated for carbonate removal, i.e. aluminosilicate fractions were analysed). Sr isotopic compositions varied between the aliquots within a range of ˜0.00007 for the three samples. Comparison of these values with previously obtained 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratios from the same samples (different acid/sample amounts) reveals that these values are very sensitive to the acetic acid treatment (acid molarity and amount). By contrast, Nd isotopic ratios do not seem to be affected by acid treatment and these signatures are extremely stable both within run (0.000008 variability for the three aliquots, i.e. 0.15 ɛNd unit) and between runs of different laboratories (0.00006, ca 1 ɛNd unit). Hf isotopic compositions varied within 1 (NUS) and 5 ɛHf units (BEI) between the three aliquots, but the BEI sample always gave more positive ɛHf values (mostly below -4.7) than the Central European sample (NUS, above -6.5, mostly around -8). JUD gave two values of -4.9 and -7.9. It should be further studied using other dust samples if the slightly larger dispersion in 176Hf/177Hf for the different aliquots of BEI is a unique feature or not. Nevertheless, the ca. 3-7 ɛHf unit difference between the Central European and Chinese dust sample provides an opportunity to better discriminate last glacial Greenland dust sources [7] in Nd-Hf space. This study was supported by the OMAA 92öu7 project, the OTKA PD-108639 grant and the Bolyai János Research Fellowship (to GÚ). References [1] Biscaye et al., 1997. J. Geophys. Res. 102, 26765-26781; [2] Svensson et al., 2000. J. Geophys. Res. 105, 4637-4656; [3] Ruth et al., 2003. J. Geophys. Res. 108(D3), 4098; [4] Aciego et al., 2009. Chem. Geol. 266, 194-204; [5] Aarons et al., 2013. Chem. Geol. 349(350), 18-26; [6] Zhao et al., 2015. Geophys. Res. Lett. 42, 5661-5669; [7] Újvári et al., 2015. Geophys. Res. Lett. 42, 10399-10408; [8] Bast et al., 2015. J. Anal. Atom. Spectrom. 30, 2323; [9] Jweda et al., 2016. Geostand. Geoanal. Res. 40, 101-105.

Identification of SR1078, a synthetic agonist for the orphan nuclear receptors RORα and RORγ.

PubMed

Wang, Yongjun; Kumar, Naresh; Nuhant, Philippe; Cameron, Michael D; Istrate, Monica A; Roush, William R; Griffin, Patrick R; Burris, Thomas P

2010-11-19

The retinoic acid receptor-related receptors (RORs) are members of the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily of transcription factors. Several NRs are still characterized as orphan receptors because ligands have not yet been identified for these proteins. Here, we describe the identification of a synthetic RORα/RORγ ligand, SR1078. SR1078 modulates the conformation of RORγ in a biochemical assay and activates RORα and RORγ driven transcription. Furthermore, SR1078 stimulates expression of endogenous ROR target genes in HepG2 cells that express both RORα and RORγ. Pharmacokinetic studies indicate that SR1078 displays reasonable exposure following injection into mice, and consistent with SR1078 functioning as a RORα/RORγ agonist, expression of two ROR target genes, glucose-6-phosphatase and fibroblast growth factor 21, were stimulated in the liver. Thus, we have identified the first synthetic RORα/γ agonist, and this compound can be utilized as a chemical tool to probe the function of these receptors both in vitro and in vivo.

Identification of a Synthetic Agonist for the Orphan Nuclear Receptors RORα and RORγ, SR1078

PubMed Central

Wang, Yongjun; Kumar, Naresh; Nuhant, Philippe; Cameron, Michael D.; Istrate, Monica A.; Roush, William R.; Griffin, Patrick R.; Burris, Thomas P.

2010-01-01

The retinoic acid receptor-related receptors (RORs) are members of the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily of transcription factors. Several NRs are still characterized as orphan receptors since ligands have not yet been identified for these proteins. Here, we describe the identification of a synthetic RORα/RORγ ligand, SR1078. SR1078 modulates the conformation of RORγ in a biochemical assay and activates RORα and RORγ driven transcription. Furthermore, SR1078 stimulates expression of endogenous ROR target genes in HepG2 cells that express both RORα and RORγ. Pharmacokinetic studies indicate that SR1078 displays reasonable exposure following injection into mice and consistent with SR1078 functioning as a RORα/RORγ agonist, expression of two ROR target genes, glucose-6-phosphatase and fibroblast growth factor 21, were stimulated in the liver. Thus, we have identified the first synthetic RORα/γ agonist and this compound can be utilized as a chemical tool to probe the function of these receptors both in vitro and in vivo. PMID:20735016

Magma mixing, recharge and eruption histories recorded in plagioclase phenocrysts from El Chichon Volcano, Mexico

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tepley, F. J.; Davidson, J.P.; Tilling, R.I.; Arth, Joseph G.

2000-01-01

Consistent core-to-rim decreases of 87Sr/86Sr ratios and coincident increases in Sr concentrations in plagioclase phenocrysts of varying size (~ 1 cm to 2 mm) are reported from samples of the 1982 and pre-1982 (~ 200 ka) eruptions of El Chichon Volcano. Maximum 87Sr/86Sr ratios of ~ 0.7054, significantly higher than the whole-rock isotopic ratios (~ 0.7040-0.7045), are found in the cores of plagioclase phenocrysts, and minimum 87Sr/86Sr ratios of ~ 0.7039 are found near some of the rims. Plagioclase phenocrysts commonly display abrupt fluctuations in An content (up to 25 mol %) that correspond to well-developed dissolution surfaces The isotopic, textural and compositional characteristics suggest that these plagioclase phenocrysts grew in a system that was periodically recharged by higher-temperature magma with a lower 87Sr/86Sr ratio and a higher Sr concentration. Rim 87Sr/86Sr ratios in plagioclase phenocrysts of rocks from the 200 ka eruption indicate that, at that time, the magma had already attained the lowest recorded 87Sr/86Sr value of the system (~ 0.7039). In contrast, cores from plagioclase phenocrysts of the 1982 eruption, inferred to have grown in the past few thousand years, have the highest recorded 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the system. Collectively, the Sr isotopic data (for plagioclase and whole rock), disequilibrium textural features of the phenocrysts, known eruption frequencies, and inferred crystal-residence times of the plagioclases are best interpreted in terms of an intermittent magma chamber model. Similar processes, including crustal contamination, magma mixing, periodic recharge by addition of more mafic magma to induce plagioclase disequilibrium (possibly triggering eruption) and subsequent re-equilibration, apparently were operative throughout the 200 ky history of the El Chichon magma system.

Tl sub 1-x Pr sub x Sr sub 2-y Pr sub y CuO sub 5-. delta. : First member of the family TlA sub 2 Ca sub m-1 Cu sub m O sub 2m+3 (A = Ba, Sr)

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

Bourgault, D.; Martin, C.; Michel, C.

1989-02-01

The synthesis, structure, and superconducting properties of the first member obtained during the investigation of the Tl-Sr-Cu-O and Tl-Sr-Pr-Cu-O systems are described. In order to check out the structural model corresponding to the first member of the series, TlSr{sub 2}Ca{sub m-1}Cu{sub m}O{sub 2m+3}, structure calculations were performed from x-ray powder data of the oxide Tl{sub 0.8}Sr{sub 1.6}Pr{sub 0.6}CuO{sub 5}. Magnetic measurements show only traces of diamagnetism for Tl{sub 0.7}Pr{sub 0.3}Sr{sub 2}CuO{sub 5-{delta}} and TlSr{sub 2}CuO{sub 5-{delta}}; however, Tl{sub 0.8}Pr{sub 0.6}Sr{sub 1.6}Cu{sub 5-{delta}} exhibits diamagnetism below 40K. 21 refs., 2 figs.

The solubility of strontianite (SrCO3) in CO2-H2O solutions between 2 and 91°C, the association constants of SrHCO+3(aq) and SrCO03(aq) between 5 and 80°C, and an evaluation of the thermodynamic properties of Sr2+(aq) and SrCO3(cr) at 25°C and 1 atm total pressure

USGS Publications Warehouse

Busenberg, Eurybiades; Plummer, Niel; Parker, Vivian B.

1984-01-01

Our new data for strontianite have been used in an evaluation of the thermodynamic properties of Sr2+(aq), SrCO3(cr) and related compounds. The following values are recommended for the standard enthalpy (kJ · mol−1), Gibbs energy (kJ · mol−1), and entropy (J · mol−1 · K−1), respectively, of Sr2+aq): −550.90 ± 0.50, −563.83 ± 0.8 and −31.50 ± 2.0, and for SrCO3(cr): −1225.77 ± 1.1, −1144.73 ± 1.0 and 97.2.

Viscous Interactions at Hypersonic Speed.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-09-12

had been allowed to occur. The experimental transition Reynolds numbers apd a lesser effect for high studies of Morrisette Stone and Carey l 0 at... joJO lSR TO ~tAS. 2 I(h% LOU -m Fir26 Meet Traner Distribution to theSo Cone in ’sens Asymmnesr T eaedtlond Flow Induced byTwo Mjeoet GOMM in the

The effect of temperature on experimental and natural chemical weathering rates of granitoid rocks

USGS Publications Warehouse

White, A.F.; Blum, A.E.; Bullen, T.D.; Vivit, D.V.; Schulz, M.; Fitzpatrick, J.

1999-01-01

The effects of climatic temperature variations (5-35??C) on chemical weathering are investigated both experimentally using flow-through columns containing fresh and weathered granitoid rocks and for natural granitoid weathering in watersheds based on annual solute discharge. Although experimental Na and Si effluent concentrations are significantly higher in the fresh relative to the weathered granitoids, the proportional increases in concentration with increasing temperature are similar. Si and Na exhibit comparable average apparent activation energies (E(a)) of 56 and 61 kJ/mol, respectively, which are similar to those reported for experimental feldspar dissolution measured over larger temperature ranges. A coupled temperature-precipitation model, using an expanded database for solute discharge fluxes from a global distribution of 86 granitoid watersheds, produces an apparent activation energy for Si (51 kJ/mol), which is also comparable to those derived from the experimental study. This correlation reinforces evidence that temperature does significantly impact natural silicate weathering rates. Effluent K concentrations in the column study are elevated with respect to other cations compared to watershed discharge due to the rapid oxidation/dissolution of biotite. K concentrations are less sensitive to temperature, resulting in a lower average E(a) value (27 kJ/mol) indicative of K loss from lower energy interlayer sites in biotite. At lower temperatures, initial cation release from biotite is significantly faster than cation release from plagioclase. This agrees with reported higher K/Na ratios in cold glacial watersheds relative to warmer temperate environments. Increased release of less radiogenic Sr from plagioclase relative to biotite at increasing temperature produces corresponding decreases in 87Sr/86Sr ratios in the column effluents. A simple mixing calculation using effluent K/Na ratios, Sr concentrations and 87Sr/86Sr ratios for biotite and plagioclase approximates stoichiometric cation ratios from biotite/plagioclase dissolution at warmer temperatures (35??C), but progressively overestimates the relative proportion of biotite with decreasing temperature. Ca, Mg, and Sr concentrations closely correlate, exhibit no consistent trends with temperature, and are controlled by trace amounts of calcite or exchange within weathered biotite. The inability of the watershed model to differentiate a climate signal for such species correlates with the lower temperature dependence observed in the experimental studies.

Structural, optoelectronic, infrared and Raman spectra of orthorhombic SrSnO{sub 3} from DFT calculations

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

Moreira, E.; Henriques, J.M.; Azevedo, D.L.

2011-04-15

Orthorhombic SrSnO{sub 3} was investigated using density functional theory (DFT) considering both the local density and generalized gradient approximations, LDA and GGA, respectively. The electronic band structure, density of states, complex dielectric function, optical absorption, and the infrared and Raman spectra were computed. Calculated lattice parameters are close to the experimental measurements, and an indirect band gap E(S{yields}{Gamma})=1.97eV (2.27 eV) was obtained within the GGA (LDA) level of calculation. Effective masses for holes and electrons were estimated, being very anisotropic in comparison with similar results for orthorhombic CaSnO{sub 3}. The complex dielectric function and the optical absorption of SrSnO{sub 3}more » were shown to be sensitive to the plane of polarization of the incident light. The infrared spectrum between 100 and 600 cm{sup -1} was obtained, with its main peaks being assigned, and a nice agreement between experimental and theoretical peaks of the Raman spectrum of orthorhombic SrSnO{sub 3} was achieved. -- Graphical abstract: Orthorhombic SrSnO{sub 3}: a view of the unit cell (left) and plots showing the calculated and experimental Raman spectra (right). Display Omitted Research highlights: {yields} We have performed DFT calculations on orthorhombic SrSnO{sub 3} crystals, obtaining their structural, electronical and optical properties. {yields} An indirect band gap was obtained, and anisotropic effective masses were found for both electrons and holes. {yields} The complex dielectric function and the optical absorption of SrSnO{sub 3} were shown to be very sensitive to the plane of polarization of the incident light. {yields} The infrared spectrum between 100 and 600 cm{sup -1} was obtained, with its main peaks being assigned, and a nice agreement between experimental and theoretical peaks of the Raman spectrum was achieved.« less

Optically controlled electroresistance and electrically controlled photovoltage in ferroelectric tunnel junctions

PubMed Central

Jin Hu, Wei; Wang, Zhihong; Yu, Weili; Wu, Tom

2016-01-01

Ferroelectric tunnel junctions (FTJs) have recently attracted considerable interest as a promising candidate for applications in the next-generation non-volatile memory technology. In this work, using an ultrathin (3 nm) ferroelectric Sm0.1Bi0.9FeO3 layer as the tunnelling barrier and a semiconducting Nb-doped SrTiO3 single crystal as the bottom electrode, we achieve a tunnelling electroresistance as large as 105. Furthermore, the FTJ memory states could be modulated by light illumination, which is accompanied by a hysteretic photovoltaic effect. These complimentary effects are attributed to the bias- and light-induced modulation of the tunnel barrier, both in height and width, at the semiconductor/ferroelectric interface. Overall, the highly tunable tunnelling electroresistance and the correlated photovoltaic functionalities provide a new route for producing and non-destructively sensing multiple non-volatile electronic states in such FTJs. PMID:26924259

Spin reversal and ferroelectricity in perovskite Dy{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}MnO{sub 3} and Dy{sub 0.6}Sr{sub 0.4}MnO{sub 3}

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

Jin, Y.; Cao, S. X.; Ren, W., E-mail: renwei@shu.edu.cn

2015-08-17

Multiferroic materials which simultaneously exhibit electric polarization and magnetism have attracted more and more attention due to their novel physical properties and promising applications. Here, we report the magnetic and ferroelectric properties of single phase perovskite manganites Dy{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}MnO{sub 3} and Dy{sub 0.6}Sr{sub 0.4}MnO{sub 3} by varying temperature and magnetic field. Our results reveal that there exist spin reversal and strong antiferromagnetic pinning effects in both compounds, as well as negative magnetization in Dy{sub 0.6}Sr{sub 0.4}MnO{sub 3}. Moreover, upon Sr-doping, spontaneous electric polarizations have been observed and the maximum polarization value of Dy{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}MnO{sub 3} is about 1000 μC/m{supmore » 2} while Dy{sub 0.6}Sr{sub 0.4}MnO{sub 3} reaches to 2000 μC/m{sup 2}. The onset of the ferroelectric transition temperature is enhanced to be around 60 K. Our results indicate that the antiferromagnetic coupling is relevant to the ferroelectric properties of these fascinating multiferroic systems.« less

Calcium-dependent phosphodiesterase 1C inhibits renin release from isolated juxtaglomerular cells

PubMed Central

Ortiz-Capisano, M. Cecilia; Liao, Tang-Dong; Ortiz, Pablo A.

2009-01-01

Renin release from the juxtaglomerular (JG) cell is stimulated by the second messenger cAMP and inhibited by calcium. We previously showed JG cells contain a calcium sensing receptor (CaSR), which, when stimulated, decreases cAMP formation and inhibits renin release. We hypothesize CaSR activation decreases cAMP and renin release, in part, by stimulating a calcium calmodulin-activated phosphodiesterase 1 (PDE1). We incubated our primary culture of JG cells with two selective PDE1 inhibitors [8-methoxymethil-IBMX (8-MM-IBMX; 20 μM) and vinpocetine (40 μM)] and the calmodulin inhibitor W-7 (10 μM) and measured cAMP and renin release. Stimulation of the JG cell CaSR with the calcimimetic cinacalcet (1 μM) resulted in decreased cAMP from a basal of 1.13 ± 0.14 to 0.69 ± 0.08 pM/mg protein (P < 0.001) and in renin release from 0.89 ± 0.16 to 0.38 ± 0.08 μg ANG I/ml·h−1·mg protein−1 (P < 0.001). However, the addition of 8-MM-IBMX with cinacalcet returned both cAMP (1.10 ± 0.19 pM/mg protein) and renin (0.57 ± 0.16 μg ANG I/ml·h−1·mg protein−1) to basal levels. Similar results were obtained with vinpocetine, and also with W-7. Combining 8-MM-IBMX and W-7 had no additive effect. To determine which PDE1 isoform is involved, we performed Western blot analysis for PDE1A, B, and C. Only Western blot analysis for PDE1C showed a characteristic band apparent at 80 kDa. Immunofluorescence showed cytoplasmic distribution of PDE1C and renin in the JG cells. In conclusion, PDE1C is expressed in isolated JG cells, and contributes to calcium's inhibitory modulation of renin release from JG cells. PMID:19741056

Study on the spin-states of cobalt-based double-layer perovskite Sr2Y0.5Ca0.5Co2O7

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, H.; Zhang, W. Y.

2008-02-01

The spin-states of cobalt based perovskite compounds depend sensitively on the valence state and local crystal environment of Co ions and the rich physical properties arise from strong coupling among charge, spin, and orbital degrees of freedom. While extensive studies have been carried out in the past, most of them concentrated on the isotropic compound LaCoO3. In this paper, using the unrestricted Hartree-Fock approximation and the real-space recursion method, we have investigated the competition of various magnetically ordered spin-states of anisotropic double-layered perovskite Sr2Y0.5Ca0.5Co2O7. The energy comparison among these states shows that the nearest-neighbor high-spin-intermediate-spin ferromagnetically ordered state is the relevant magnetic ground state of the compound. The magnetic structure and sizes of magnetic moments are consistent with the recent experimental observation.

Oxygen nonstoichiometry and thermodynamic quantities in solid solution SrFe1-xSnxO3-δ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Merkulov, O. V.; Markov, A. A.; Leonidov, I. A.; Patrakeev, M. V.; Kozhevnikov, V. L.

2018-06-01

The oxygen content (3-δ) variations in tin substituted derivatives SrFe1-xSnxO3-δ, where x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.17 and 0.25, of perovskite-like strontium ferrite, have been studied by coulometric titration measurements within oxygen partial pressure (pO2) range 10-19-10-2 atm at 800-950 °С. The obtained dependencies of (3-δ) from pO2 and temperature are used for calculations of partial molar thermodynamic functions of oxygen in the oxide structure. It is found that a satisfactory explanation of the experimental results can be attained within frameworks of the ideal solution model with ion and electron defects appearing in the result of oxidation and disproportionation of iron cations. The increase of the oxidation reaction enthalpy with tin content is consistent with the increase of the unit cell parameter, i.e., the stretch and relaxation of Fe-O chemical bonds.

Do Strontium Isotope Ratios of Animal Bone and Teeth Really Reflect the Isotope Ratios of its birth- and growth-places?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minami, M.; Goto, A.; Suzuki, K.; Kato, T.; Watanabe, K.; Hasegawa, T.

2007-12-01

Strontium enters the human body through the food chain as nutrients pass from bedrock through soil and water to plants and animals. Strontium substitutes for calcium in the hydroxyapatite mineral of skeletal tissue, and is stored there. 87Sr/86Sr ratios in an individual's bone and teeth could directly reflect the isotopic ratios found in the plants and animals that she or he consumed, which reflect the isotope ratios found in the soil and bedrock of that geologic region. Therefore, 87Sr/86Sr ratios of human skeletons could be useful tools for assessing human residential mobility in prehistory, and many studies on them have been often made. In this study, to evaluate whether the 87Sr/86Sr ratio of a bone or teeth really reflects the isotopic ratios of its birth and growth places, several bone and teeth samples were measured for 87Sr/86Sr ratios, compared with 87Sr/86Sr ratios of geological samples in their growth-places. Bone and teeth samples were leached with 5% acetic acid. After drying, samples were ashed in a muffle furnace at 825°C for 8h, and then digested in nitric acid, followed by cation exchange chromatography with 2.4M hydrochloric acid. 87Sr/86Sr ratios were measured using a thermal ionization mass Spectrometer (VG Sector 54) or an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (Finnigan ELEMENT2). A modern boar bone collected at Asuke, Toyota City, Aichi prefecture, Japan showed a 87Sr/86Sr of 0.71001±0.00002 (2 σ), while stream sediments in the Asuke area showed around 0.710 (Asahara et al., 2006). The 87Sr/86Sr ratio of a modern black bass bone collected from Lake Biwa, Shiga prefecture, Japan was 0.71215±0.00002, while those of surface water in Lake Biwa was 0.71233±0.00002. The similar 87Sr/86Sr ratios between bone and its provenance geology could indicate that the 87Sr/86Sr ratios of bones reflect the isotopic ratios of the birth- and growth-places. The more results of modern and fossil skeletons will be shown in our presentation.

Insight into the structure and functional application of the Sr0.95Ce0.05CoO3-δ cathode for solid oxide fuel cells.

PubMed

Yang, Wei; Zhang, Huairuo; Sun, Chunwen; Liu, Lilu; Alonso, J A; Fernández-Díaz, M T; Chen, Liquan

2015-04-06

A new perovskite cathode, Sr0.95Ce0.05CoO3-δ, performs well for oxygen-reduction reactions in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). We gain insight into the crystal structure of Sr1-xCexCoO3-δ (x = 0.05, 0.1) and temperature-dependent structural evolution of Sr0.95Ce0.05CoO3-δ by X-ray diffraction, neutron powder diffraction, and scanning transmission electron microscopy experiments. Sr0.9Ce0.1CoO3-δ shows a perfectly cubic structure (a = a0), with a large oxygen deficiency in a single oxygen site; however, Sr0.95Ce0.05CoO3-δ exhibits a tetragonal perovskite superstructure with a double c axis, defined in the P4/mmm space group, that contains two crystallographically different cobalt positions, with distinct oxygen environments. The structural evolution of Sr0.95Ce0.05CoO3-δ at high temperatures was further studied by in situ temperature-dependent NPD experiments. At 1100 K, the oxygen atoms in Sr0.95Ce0.05CoO3-δ show large and highly anisotropic displacement factors, suggesting a significant ionic mobility. The test cell with a La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.83Mg0.17O3-δ-electrolyte-supported (∼300 μm thickness) configuration yields peak power densities of 0.25 and 0.48 W cm(-2) at temperatures of 1023 and 1073 K, respectively, with pure H2 as the fuel and ambient air as the oxidant. The electrochemical impedance spectra evolution with time of the symmetric cathode fuel cell measured at 1073 K shows that the Sr0.95Ce0.05CoO3-δ cathode possesses superior ORR catalytic activity and long-term stability. Mixed ionic-electronic conduction properties of Sr0.95Ce0.05CoO3-δ account for its good performance as an oxygen-reduction catalyst.

Beneficial effects of substituting trivalent ions in the B-site of La0.5Sr0.5Mn1-xAxO3 (A = Al, Ga, Sc) on the thermochemical generation of CO and H2 from CO2 and H2O.

PubMed

Dey, Sunita; Naidu, B S; Rao, C N R

2016-02-14

The effect of substitution of Al(3+), Ga(3+) and Sc(3+) ions in the Mn(3+) site of La0.5Sr0.5MnO3 on the thermochemical splitting of CO2 to generate CO has been studied in detail. Both La0.5Sr0.5Mn1-xGaxO3 and La0.5Sr0.5Mn1-xScxO3 give high yields of O2 and generate CO more efficiently than La0.5Sr0.5Mn1-xAlxO3 or the parent La0.5Sr0.5MnO3. Substitution of even 5% Sc(3+) (x = 0.05) results in a remarkable improvement in performance. Thus La0.5Sr0.5Mn0.95Sc0.05O3 produces 417 μmol g(-1) of O2 and 545 μmol g(-1) of CO, respectively, i.e. 2 and 1.7 times more O2 and CO than La0.5Sr0.5MnO3. This manganite also generates H2 satisfactorily by the thermochemical splitting of H2O.

Aeronautical Research Laboratories Structures Division Annual Report 1979-80

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-04-01

8217 :- LLWL 0 > D z cw iLU U Cn C 0 Jojoe ; ou!,sos SSJI 20 12.1.5 Fibre composite patch repair A report has been completea on the design of boron fibre...bl.R.Ae.S., M.I.L.Aust. S.R. Sarrailhe, C.Eng., M.I.Hech.E., M.I.h.Aust. Experimental Officer Class 2 R.P. Carey , B.Hech.E., M.I.E.Aust. R.G. Parker

Effect of experimental variables onto Co(2+) and Sr(2+) sorption behavior in red mud-water suspensions.

PubMed

Milenković, Aleksandra S; Smičiklas, Ivana D; Šljivić-Ivanović, Marija Z; Živković, Ljiljana S; Vukelić, Nikola S

2016-07-02

The prospects of rinsed red mud (alumina production residue) utilization for liquid radioactive waste treatment have been investigated, with Co(2+) and Sr(2+) as model cations of radioactive elements. To evaluate the sorption effectiveness and corresponding binding mechanisms, the process was analyzed in batch conditions, by varying experimental conditions (pH, Co(2+) and Sr(2+) concentrations in single solutions and binary mixtures, contact time, and the concentration of competing cations and ligands common in liquid radioactive waste). Comparison of the Co(2+) and Sr(2+) sorption pH edges with the red mud isoelectric point has revealed that Co(2+) removal took place at both positive and negative red mud surface, while Sr(2+) sorption abruptly increased when the surface became negatively charged. The increase of initial cation content and pH resulted in increased equilibrium times and sorption capacity and decreased rate constants. From single metal solutions and various binary mixtures, Co(2+) was sorbed more efficiently and selectively than Sr(2+). While Sr(2+) sorption was reduced by coexisting cations in the order Al(3+) ≥ Ca(2+) >Na(+) ≥Cs(+), removal of Co(2+) was affected by Al(3+) species and complexing agents (EDTA and citrate). Desorption of Co(2+) was negligible in Ca(2+) and Sr(2+) containing media and in solutions with initial pH 4-7. Sr(2+) desorption was generally more pronounced, especially at low pH and in the presence of Co(2+). Collected macroscopic data signify that Co(2+) sorption by red mud minerals occurred via strong chemical bonds, while Sr(2+) was retained mainly by weaker ion-exchange or electrostatic interactions. Results indicate that the rinsed red mud represent an efficient, low-cost sorbent for Co(2+) and Sr(2+) immobilization.

Structural and electrical properties of single crystalline SrZrO3 epitaxially grown on Ge (001)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lim, Z. H.; Ahmadi-Majlan, K.; Grimley, E. D.; Du, Y.; Bowden, M.; Moghadam, R.; LeBeau, J. M.; Chambers, S. A.; Ngai, J. H.

2017-08-01

We present structural and electrical characterization of SrZrO3 that has been epitaxially grown on Ge(001) by oxide molecular beam epitaxy. Single crystalline SrZrO3 can be nucleated on Ge via deposition at low temperatures followed by annealing at 550 °C in ultra-high vacuum. Photoemission spectroscopy measurements reveal that SrZrO3 exhibits a type-I band arrangement with respect to Ge, with conduction and valence band offsets of 1.4 eV and 3.66 eV, respectively. Capacitance-voltage and current-voltage measurements on 4 nm thick films reveal low leakage current densities and an unpinned Fermi level at the interface that allows modulation of the surface potential of Ge. Ultra-thin films of epitaxial SrZrO3 can thus be explored as a potential gate dielectric for Ge.

Experimental determination of the Fermi surface of Sr3Ir4Sn13

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xiaoye; Goh, Swee K.; Tompsett, David A.; Yu, Wing Chi; Klintberg, Lina; Friedemann, Sven; Tan, Hong'En; Yang, Jinhu; Chen, Bin; Imai, M.; Yoshimura, Kazuyoshi; Gamza, Monika B.; Grosche, F. Malte; Sutherland, Michael L.

2016-06-01

The stannide family of materials A3T4 Sn13 (A =La ,Sr ,Ca ; T =Ir ,Rh ) is interesting due to the interplay between a tunable lattice instability and phonon-mediated superconductivity with Tc˜5 -7 K . In Sr3Ir4Sn13, a structural transition temperature T˜147 K associated with this instability has been reported, which is believed to result from a superlattice distortion of the high-temperature phase on cooling. Here we report an experimental study of the electronic structure of a member of this material family, Sr3Ir4Sn13, through measurements of quantum oscillations and comparison with density functional theory calculations. Our measurements reveal good agreement with theory using the lattice parameters consistent with a body-centered-cubic lattice of symmetry I 4 ¯3 d of the low-temperature phase. The study of the fermiology of Sr3Ir4Sn13 that we present here should help inform models of multiband superconductivity in the superconducting stannides.

cis-trans Germanium chains in the intermetallic compounds ALi{sub 1-x}In{sub x}Ge{sub 2} and A{sub 2}(Li{sub 1-x}In{sub x}){sub 2}Ge{sub 3} (A=Sr, Ba, Eu)-experimental and theoretical studies

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

You, Tae-Soo; Bobev, Svilen, E-mail: bobev@udel.ed

Two types of strontium-, barium- and europium-containing germanides have been synthesized using high temperature reactions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All reported compounds also contain mixed-occupied Li and In atoms, resulting in quaternary phases with narrow homogeneity ranges. The first type comprises EuLi{sub 0.91(1)}In{sub 0.09}Ge{sub 2}, SrLi{sub 0.95(1)}In{sub 0.05}Ge{sub 2} and BaLi{sub 0.99(1)}In{sub 0.01}Ge{sub 2}, which crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (BaLi{sub 0.9}Mg{sub 0.1}Si{sub 2} structure type, Pearson code oP16). The lattice parameters are a=7.129(4)-7.405(4) A; b=4.426(3)-4.638(2) A; and c=11.462(7)-11.872(6) A. The second type includes Eu{sub 2}Li{sub 1.36(1)}In{sub 0.64}Ge{sub 3} and Sr{sub 2}Li{sub 1.45(1)}In{sub 0.55}Ge{sub 3}, whichmore » adopt the orthorhombic space group Cmcm (Ce{sub 2}Li{sub 2}Ge{sub 3} structure type, Pearson code oC28) with lattice parameters a=4.534(2)-4.618(2) A; b=19.347(8)-19.685(9) A; and c=7.164(3)-7.260(3) A. The polyanionic sub-structures in both cases feature one-dimensional Ge chains with alternating Ge-Ge bonds in cis- and trans-conformation. Theoretical studies using the tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbital (LMTO) method provide the rationale for optimizing the overall bonding by diminishing the {pi}-p delocalization along the Ge chains, accounting for the experimentally confirmed substitution of Li forIn. -- Graphical abstract: Presented are the single-crystal structures of two types of closely related intermetallics, as well as their band structures, calculated using tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbital (TB-LMTO-ASA) method. Display Omitted« less

Estimation of root zone storage capacity at the catchment scale using improved Mass Curve Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Jie; Xu, Zongxue; Singh, Vijay P.

2016-09-01

The root zone storage capacity (Sr) greatly influences runoff generation, soil water movement, and vegetation growth and is hence an important variable for ecological and hydrological modelling. However, due to the great heterogeneity in soil texture and structure, there seems to be no effective approach to monitor or estimate Sr at the catchment scale presently. To fill the gap, in this study the Mass Curve Technique (MCT) was improved by incorporating a snowmelt module for the estimation of Sr at the catchment scale in different climatic regions. The "range of perturbation" method was also used to generate different scenarios for determining the sensitivity of the improved MCT-derived Sr to its influencing factors after the evaluation of plausibility of Sr derived from the improved MCT. Results can be showed as: (i) Sr estimates of different catchments varied greatly from ∼10 mm to ∼200 mm with the changes of climatic conditions and underlying surface characteristics. (ii) The improved MCT is a simple but powerful tool for the Sr estimation in different climatic regions of China, and incorporation of more catchments into Sr comparisons can further improve our knowledge on the variability of Sr. (iii) Variation of Sr values is an integrated consequence of variations in rainfall, snowmelt water and evapotranspiration. Sr values are most sensitive to variations in evapotranspiration of ecosystems. Besides, Sr values with a longer return period are more stable than those with a shorter return period when affected by fluctuations in its influencing factors.

L-type Ca(2+) currents overlapping threshold Na(+) currents: could they be responsible for the "slip-mode" phenomenon in cardiac myocytes?

PubMed

Piacentino, Valentino; Gaughan, John P; Houser, Steven R

2002-03-08

Phosphorylation of Na channels has been suggested to increase their Ca permeability. Termed "slip-mode conductance" (SMC), this hypothesis predicts that Ca influx via protein kinase A (PKA)-modified Na channels can induce sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca release. We tested this hypothesis by determining if SR Ca release is graded with I(Na) in the presence of activated PKA (with Isoproterenol, ISO). V(m), I(m), and [Ca](i) were measured in feline (n=26) and failing human (n=19) ventricular myocytes. Voltage steps from -70 through -40 mV were used to grade I(Na). Na channel antagonists (tetrodotoxin), L-type Ca channel (I(Ca,L)) antagonists (nifedipine, cadmium, verapamil), and agonists (Bay K 8644, FPL 64176) were used to separate SMC from I(Ca,L). In the absence of ISO, I(Na) was associated with SR Ca release in human but not feline myocytes. After ISO, graded I(Na) was associated with small amounts of SR Ca release in feline myocytes and the magnitude of release increased in human myocytes. I(Na)-related SR Ca release was insensitive to tetrodotoxin (n=10) but was blocked by nifedipine (n=10) and cadmium (n=3). SR Ca release was induced over the same voltage range in the absence of ISO with Bay K 8644 and FPL 64176 (n=9). Positive voltage steps (to 0 mV) to fully activate Na channels (SMC) in the presence of ISO and Verapamil only caused SR Ca release when block of I(Ca,L) was incomplete. We conclude that PKA-mediated increases in I(Ca,L) and SR Ca loading can reproduce many of the experimental features of SMC.

Precise determination of triple Sr isotopes (δ⁸⁷Sr and δ⁸⁸Sr) using MC-ICP-MS.

PubMed

Liu, Hou-Chun; You, Chen-Feng; Huang, Kuo-Fang; Chung, Chuan-Hsiung

2012-01-15

The non-traditional stable strontium (Sr) isotopes have received increasing attention recently as new geochemical tracers for studying Sr isotopic fractionation and source identification. This has been attributed to the advancement in multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS), allows to determine precisely and simultaneously of the triple Sr isotopes. In this study, we applied a modified empirical external normalization (EEN) MC-ICPMS procedure for mass bias correction in Sr isotopic measurement using (92)Zr/(90)Zr. High-purity Zr Standard was spiked into sample solutions and the degree of fractionation was calculated off-line using an exponential law. The long-term external reproducibility for NIST SRM 987 δ(87)Sr and δ(88)Sr was better than 0.040‰ and 0.018‰ (2SD), respectively. The IAPSO standard seawater was used as a secondary standard to validate the analytical protocol and the absolute ratios measured were 0.709161±0.000018 for (87)Sr/(86)Sr, 0.177±0.021‰ for δ(87)Sr, and 0.370±0.026‰ for δ(88)Sr (2SD, n=7). These values are in good agreement with the literature data analyzed by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) double spike technique. Rock standards, BHVO-2, BCR-2 and AGV-2 were also analyzed to validate the robustness of the methodology and showed identical results with literature data. Compared to previous (91)Zr/(90)Zr correction, we obtained improved results based on (92)Zr/(90)Zr, probably due to similar mass difference between (92)Zr/(90)Zr and measured Sr isotopes. The new analytical protocol presented in this study not only improves the analytical precision but also increases sample efficiency by omitting the use of the standard-sample bracketing (SSB) procedure. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Catalytic removal of phenol from gas streams by perovskite-type catalysts.

PubMed

Chen, Dai Ling; Pan, Kuan Lun; Chang, Moo Been

2017-06-01

Three perovskite-type catalysts prepared by citric acid method are applied to remove phenol from gas streams with the total flow rate of 300mL/min, corresponding to a GHSV of 10,000/hr. LaMnO 3 catalyst is first prepared and further partially substituted with Sr and Cu to prepare La 0.8 Sr 0.2 MnO 3 and La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Mn 0.8 Cu 0.2 O 3 , and catalytic activities and fundamental characteristics of these three catalysts are compared. The results show that phenol removal efficiency achieved with La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Mn 0.8 Cu 0.2 O 3 reaches 100% with the operating temperature of 200°C and the rate of mineralization at 300°C is up to 100%, while the phenol removal efficiencies achieved with La 0.8 Sr 0.2 MnO 3 and LaMnO 3 are up to 100% with the operating temperature of 300°C and 400°C, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis shows that the addition of Sr and Cu increases the lattice oxygen of La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Mn 0.8 Cu 0.2 O 3 , and further increases mobility or availability of lattice oxygen. The results indicate that La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Mn 0.8 Cu 0.2 O 3 has the best activity for phenol removal among three catalysts prepared and the catalytic activity of phenol oxidation is enhanced by the introduction of Sr and Cu into LaMnO 3 . Apparent activation energy of 48kJ/mol is calculated by Mars-Van Krevelen Model for phenol oxidation with La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Mn 0.8 Cu 0.2 O 3 as catalyst. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Surface characterization, in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of Mg-0.3Sr-0.3Ca for temporary cardiovascular implant.

PubMed

Bornapour, M; Mahjoubi, H; Vali, H; Shum-Tim, D; Cerruti, M; Pekguleryuz, M

2016-10-01

Magnesium-based alloys are attractive candidate materials for medical applications. Our earlier work showed that the ternary Mg-0.3Sr-0.3Ca alloy exhibits slower degradation rates than both binary Mg-Sr and Mg-Ca alloys. The ternary alloy immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) forms a compact surface layer of corrosion products that we hypothesized to be a Sr-substituted hydroxyapatite (HA). The main objectives of the current work are to understand the bio-degradation mechanism of Mg-0.3Sr-0.3Ca, to identify the exact nature of its protective layer and to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of the alloy for cardiovascular applications. To better simulate the physiological environment, the alloy was immersed in SBF which was daily refreshed. Raman spectroscopy and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the formation of a thin, Sr-substituted HA layer at the interface between the alloy and the corrosion products. In vitro biocompatibility evaluated via indirect cytotoxicity assays using HUVECs showed no toxicity effect and ions extracted from Mg-0.3Sr-0.3Ca in fact increased the viability of HUVECs after one week. In vivo tests were performed by implanting a tubular Mg-0.3Sr-0.3Ca stent along with a WE43 control stent into the right and left femoral artery of a dog. Post implantation and histological analyses showed no thrombosis in the artery with Mg-0.3Sr-0.3Ca stent after 5weeks of implantation while the artery implanted with WE43 stent was extensively occluded and thrombosed. Microscopic observation of the Mg-0.3Sr-0.3Ca implant-tissue interface confirmed the in situ formation of Sr-substituted HA on the surface during in vivo test. These results show that the interfacial layer protects the surface of the Mg-0.3Sr-0.3Ca alloy both in vitro and in vivo, and is the key factor in the bio-corrosion resistance of the alloy. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Is the surface oxygen exchange rate linked to bulk ion diffusivity in mixed conducting Ruddlesden–Popper phases?

DOE PAGES

Tomkiewicz, Alex C.; Tamimi, Mazin A.; Huq, Ashfia; ...

2015-03-02

There is a possible link between oxygen surface exchange rate and bulk oxygen anion diffusivity in mixed ionic and electronic conducting oxides; it is a topic of great interest and debate. While a large body of experimental evidence and theoretical analyses support a link, observed differences between bulk and surface composition of these materials are hard to reconcile with this observation. This is further compounded by potential problems with simultaneous measurement of both parameters. Here we utilize separate techniques, in situ neutron diffraction and pulsed isotopic surface exchange, to examine bulk ion mobility and surface oxygen exchange rates of threemore » Ruddlesden-Popper phases, general form A n-1A 2'BnO 3n+1, A n-1A 2'BnX 3n+1; LaSrCo 0.5Fe 0.5O 4-δ (n = 1), La 0.3Sr 2.7CoFeO 7-δ (n = 2) and LaSr 3Co 1.5Fe 1.5O 10-δ (n = 3). These measurements are complemented by surface composition determination via high sensitivity-low energy ion scattering. We observe a correlation between bulk ion mobility and surface exchange rate between materials. The surface exchange rates vary by more than one order of magnitude with high anion mobility in the bulk of an oxygen vacancy-rich n = 2 Ruddlesden-Popper material correlating with rapid oxygen exchange. Furthermore this is in contrast with the similar surface exchange rates which we may expect due to similar surface compositions across all three samples. This paper conclude that experimental limitations lead to inherent convolution of surface and bulk rates, and that surface exchange steps are not likely to be rate limiting in oxygen incorporation.« less

Microstructure and bio-corrosion behaviour of Mg-5Zn-0.5Ca -xSr alloys as potential biodegradable implant materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Li; Zhou, Jiaxing; Sun, Zhenzhou; Yang, Meng; Ma, Liqun

2018-04-01

Magnesium alloys are widely studied as biomedical implants owing to their biodegradability. In this work, novel Mg-5Zn-0.5Ca-xSr (x = 0, 0.14, 0.36, 0.50, 0.70 wt%) alloys were prepared as biomedical materials. The influence of strontium (Sr) addition on the microstructure, corrosion properties and corrosion morphology of the as-cast Mg-5Zn-0.5Ca-xSr alloys is investigated by a variety of techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and electrochemical measurements. The Sr-free alloy is composed of three phases, namely, α-Mg, CaMg2 and Ca2Mg6Zn3, while the alloys with the Sr addition consist of α-Mg, CaMg2 and Ca2Mg6Zn3 and Mg17Sr2. Corrosion experiments in Hank’s solution show that the addition of a small amount of Sr can improve the corrosion resistance of the Mg-5Zn-0.5Ca alloy. The corrosion products include Mg(OH)2, Zn(OH)2, Ca(OH)2, and HA (Ca5(PO4)3(OH)). Mg-5Zn-0.5Ca-0.36Sr alloy has the minimum weight loss rate (0.68 mm/a), minimal hydrogen evolution (0.08 ml/cm2/d) and minimum corrosion current density (7.4 μA/cm2), indicating that this alloy shows the best corrosion resistance.

Modulation of Cardiac Ryanodine Receptor Channels by Alkaline Earth Cations

PubMed Central

Diaz-Sylvester, Paula L.; Porta, Maura; Copello, Julio A.

2011-01-01

Cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) function is modulated by Ca2+ and Mg2+. To better characterize Ca2+ and Mg2+ binding sites involved in RyR2 regulation, the effects of cytosolic and luminal earth alkaline divalent cations (M2+: Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+) were studied on RyR2 from pig ventricle reconstituted in bilayers. RyR2 were activated by M2+ binding to high affinity activating sites at the cytosolic channel surface, specific for Ca2+ or Sr2+. This activation was interfered by Mg2+ and Ba2+ acting at low affinity M2+-unspecific binding sites. When testing the effects of luminal M2+ as current carriers, all M2+ increased maximal RyR2 open probability (compared to Cs+), suggesting the existence of low affinity activating M2+-unspecific sites at the luminal surface. Responses to M2+ vary from channel to channel (heterogeneity). However, with luminal Ba2+or Mg2+, RyR2 were less sensitive to cytosolic Ca2+ and caffeine-mediated activation, openings were shorter and voltage-dependence was more marked (compared to RyR2 with luminal Ca2+or Sr2+). Kinetics of RyR2 with mixtures of luminal Ba2+/Ca2+ and additive action of luminal plus cytosolic Ba2+ or Mg2+ suggest luminal M2+ differentially act on luminal sites rather than accessing cytosolic sites through the pore. This suggests the presence of additional luminal activating Ca2+/Sr2+-specific sites, which stabilize high Po mode (less voltage-dependent) and increase RyR2 sensitivity to cytosolic Ca2+ activation. In summary, RyR2 luminal and cytosolic surfaces have at least two sets of M2+ binding sites (specific for Ca2+ and unspecific for Ca2+/Mg2+) that dynamically modulate channel activity and gating status, depending on SR voltage. PMID:22039534

Cainozoic Orogenic Magmatism In The Western-central Mediterranean Area: Implications For The Subduction-modified Mantle Sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beccaluva, L.; Bianchini, G.; Coltorti, M.; Siena, F.; Verde, M.

In this contribution new REE and Sr-Nd isotopic data carried out on Cainozoic subduction-related volcanic rocks from the western-central Mediterranean are dis- cussed within a general review of the Cainozoic orogenic magmatism of the area. These volcanic events are related to subduction processes which occurred along the Paleo-European margin at least since Eocene and migrated (trough passive sinking and slab roll-back) southeastward up to the present in the peri-Tyrrhenian margin of Italy. Orogenic rocks from Provence (34-20 Ma) are characterised by 87Sr/86Sr be- tween 0.70453 and 0.70579, and 143Nd/144Nd between 0.51292 and 0.51265, which are consistent with mantle sources modified by subduction fluids released by altered oceanic crust. Sr-Nd isotopic composition of orogenic rocks from Sardinia (32-13 Ma), show a more complex picture: some compositions with relatively low 87Sr/86Sr (<0.706) and high 143Nd/144Nd (>0.5125), are compatible with the subduction of pure oceanic crust, while compositions with very high 87Sr/86Sr (up to 0.7113) and low 143Nd/144Nd (down to 0.51219) require additional components of continental crust affinity in the mantle wedge (partial fusion of subducted terrigenous sediments?). As concerns the Aeolian volcanics (< 1.3 Ma), compositions are compatible with man- tle sources solely enriched by fluid components from subducted oceanic crust. How- ever, it is interesting to note that shoshonites from the younger series of Stromboli display distinctly higher 87Sr/86Sr (up to 0.7075) and lower 143Nd/144Nd composi- tion (down to 0.51242), thus requiring once again recycle of continental crust materials in their mantle sources. The influence of such continental crust-derived components appear to be even more important in the mantle sources of the Campania volcanics, where extreme Sr-Nd isotopic compositions are recorded (87Sr/86Sr up to 0.7097; 143Nd/144Nd down to 0.5122).

87Sr/86Sr in recent accumulations of calcium sulfate on landscapes of hyperarid settings: A bimodal altitudinal dependence for northern Chile (19.5°S-21.5°S)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cosentino, N. J.; Jordan, T. E.; Derry, L. A.; Morgan, J. P.

2015-12-01

An elevation-dependent relationship of the 87Sr/86Sr ratio of Holocene surface accumulations of sulfate salts is demonstrated for a continental margin hyperarid setting. In the Atacama Desert of northern Chile, gypsum and anhydrite of multiple origins exist widely on superficial materials that originated during the last 10,000 years. An important source of calcium sulfate is from offshore-generated stratocumulus clouds that are advected onto the continent, where they generate fog that transfers water droplets to the ground surface which, upon evaporation, leaves calcium sulfate crystals. Meteorological measurements of the cloud base and top altitudes average ˜400 m and ˜1100 m above sea level (masl), respectively. The seawater ratio of 87Sr/86Sr (0.70917) is distinctively higher than that reported for weathered mean Andean rock (less than 0.70750). Samples of 28 modern surface salt accumulations for locations between 200 and 2950 masl and between ˜19°30' and ˜21°30'S verify that 87Sr/86Sr varies as a function of site altitude. Sites below 1075 masl and above 225 masl display calcium sulfate 87Sr/86Sr of mean value 0.70807 ± 0.00004, while the ratio outside this altitudinal domain is 0.70746 ± 0.00010. Thus, the 87Sr/86Sr ratio of Holocene salt accumulations differentiates two altitudinal domains.

Transverse thermoelectric effect in La{sub 0.67}Sr{sub 0.33}MnO{sub 3}|SrRuO{sub 3} superlattices

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

Shiomi, Y.; Spin Quantum Rectification Project, ERATO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577; Handa, Y.

2015-06-08

Transverse thermoelectric effects in response to an out-of-plane heat current have been studied in an external magnetic field for ferromagnetic superlattices consisting of La{sub 0.67}Sr{sub 0.33}MnO{sub 3} and SrRuO{sub 3} layers. The superlattices were fabricated on SrTiO{sub 3} substrates by pulsed laser deposition. We found that the sign of the transverse thermoelectric voltage for the superlattices is opposite to that for La{sub 0.67}Sr{sub 0.33}MnO{sub 3} and SrRuO{sub 3} single layers at 200 K, implying an important role of spin Seebeck effects inside the superlattices. At 10 K, the magnetothermoelectric curves shift from the zero field due to an antiferromagnetic coupling between layersmore » in the superlattices.« less

Direct visualization of soliton stripes in the Cu O2 plane and oxygen interstitials in B i2(S r2 -xL ax) Cu O6 +δ superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, C.; Tian, H. F.; Yang, H. X.; Zhang, B.; Sun, K.; Sun, X.; Peng, Y. Y.; Zhou, X. J.; Li, J. Q.

2017-11-01

Microstructure features in correlation with the incommensurate modulation and oxygen interstitials in B i2(S r2 -xL ax) Cu O6 +δ superconducting materials were studied by Cs-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. Atomic displacements following the modulation wave were well characterized by a sinusoidal wave for each atomic layer, which highlighted clear changes resulting from increases in the La concentration. Careful investigations of the alterations in the local atomic structure revealed that remarkable microstructural features, i.e., notable soliton lines, which arise from the prominent interplay between incommensurate modulation and the basic lattice, appear at the Cu O2 sheets yielding visible structural anomalies for x ranging from 0.40 to 0.85. The interstitial oxygen atoms between the SrO-BiO layers became clearly visible for X ≥0.73 and showed well-defined ordered states in the x =1.10 sample. These structural features, in particular the strong structural effects of the soliton lines on the Cu O2 sheets, could evidently affect the physical properties of layered La-Bi2201 systems.

Sr isotopic composition as a tracer of Ca sources in two forest ecosystems in Belgium.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drouet, T.; Herbauts, J.; Demaiffe, D.

2003-04-01

The two main sources of Ca in forest ecosystem are the mineral weathering release and atmospheric inputs. We use the 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratio (Sr is a proxy for Ca) to determine the Ca contribution from rain input in two forest ecosystems (beech stands) growing on soils formed from parent materials with distinct total Ca contents and contrasted isotopic ratios: Pleistocene loess in Central Belgium (leached brown soil) with present-day 87Sr/86Sr =0.72788 and Lower Devonian shales and sandstones in Ardennes (ochreous brown earth) with 87Sr/86Sr = 0.76913. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios and the Ca and Sr contents were measured in rainwater, vegetation (beech wood growth rings and leaves) and main soil horizons (total, labile and HCl 0.1 M soluble forms). The relative contributions of atmospheric input and soil mineral weathering to vegetation were calculated using mixing equations. Calculations based on the Sr isotope ratios of rainwater (endmember 1; 87Sr/86Sr close to seawater: 0.7090), labile soil fraction (endmember 2; 87Sr/86Sr: 0.71332 to 0.71785) and beech wood (mixing compartment) indicate that about 50 % (Central Belgium) to 35 % (Ardennes) of Ca uptake originate from atmospheric inputs. The choice of the appropriate 87Sr/86Sr ratio for the weathering endmember is however critical. The isotopic composition of the mineral source is theoretically determined by the mineralogical composition of the soil and the relative weatherability of the Sr-bearing minerals. Due to soil processes (weathering and clay illuviation), the distribution of minerals in both soil profiles is not homogeneous and varies from horizon to horizon. Which horizons are relevant and which kind of soil extract (labile soil fraction, acid soluble fraction, total soil,...) should be selected for isotopic measurement of weathering endmember, is therefore questionable. The different ways of estimation are discussed. Quantitative mineralogical reconstitutions of soil horizons and isotopic data indicate preferential weathering of plagioclase (high Sr content with low 87Sr/86Sr) rather than mica or K-feldspar (high 87Sr/86Sr). Our results emphasize the importance of the Ca atmospheric contribution to the tree mineral nutrition in these forest ecosystems. It is plausible that acid depositions associated with decreasing input of atmospheric cations (“acid rains”) could increase the depletion of soil available cation pool at a short-time scale.

Strontium and neodymium isotopic evidence for the heterogeneous nature and development of the mantle beneath Afar (Ethiopia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Betton, P. J.; Civetta, L.

1984-11-01

Neodymium isotope and REE analyses of recent volcanic rocks and spinel lherzolite nodules from the Afar area are reported. The 143Nd/ 144Nd ratios of the volcanic rocks range from 0.51286 to 0.51304, similar to the range recorded from Iceland. However, the 87Sr/ 86Sr ratios display a distinctly greater range (0.70328-0.70410) than those reported from the primitive rocks of Iceland. Whole rock samples and mineral separates from the spinel lherzolite nodules exhibit uniform 143Nd/ 144Nd ratios (ca. 0.5129) but varied 87Sr/ 86Sr ratios in the range 0.70427-0.70528. The Sr sbnd Nd isotope variations suggest that the volcanic rocks may have been produced by mixing between two reservoirs with distinct isotopic compositions. Two possible magma reservoirs in this area are the source which produced the "MORB-type" volcanics in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and the anomalous source represented by the nodule suite. The isotopic composition of the volcanics is compatible with mixing between these two reservoirs. It is shown that the anomalous source with a high 87Sr/ 86Sr ratio cannot have been produced by simple processes of partial melting and mixing within normal mantle. Instead the high 87Sr/ 86Sr is equated with a fluid phase. A primitive cognate fluid, subducted seawater or altered oceanic lithosphere may have been responsible for the generation of the source with a high 87Sr/ 86Sr ratio.

Epitaxial strain effect on the physical properties of layered ruthenate and iridate thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miao, Ludi

Transition metal oxides have attracted widespread attention due to their broad range of fascinating exotic phenomena such as multiferroicity, superconductivity, colossal magnetoresistance and metal-to-insulator transition. Due to the interplay between spin, charge, lattice and orbital degrees of freedom of strongly correlated d electrons, these physical properties are extremely sensitive to the external perturbations such as magnetic field, charge carrier doping and pressure, which provide a unique chance in search for novel exotic quantum states. Ruthenate systems are a typical strongly correlated system, with rich ordered states and their properties are extremely sensitive to external stimuli. Recently, the experimental observation of spin-orbit coupling induced Mott insulator in Sr2IrO4 as well as the theoretical prediction of topological insulating state in other iridates, have attracted tremendous interest in the physics of strong correlation and spin-orbit coupling in 4d/5d compounds. We observe an itinerant ferromagnetic ground state of Ca2 RuO4 film in stark contrast to the Mott-insulating state in bulk Ca2RuO4. We have also established the epitaxial strain effect on the transport and magnetic properties for the (Ca,Sr) 2RuO4 thin films. For Sr2IrO4 thin films, we will show that the Jeff = 1/2 moment orientation can be modulated by epitaxial strain. In addition, we discovered novel Ba 7Ir3O13+x thin films which exhibit colossal permittivity.

Bioequivalence and Safety of Twice-Daily Sustained-Release Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) Compared With 3- and 4-Times-Daily Paracetamol: A Repeat-Dose, Crossover Pharmacokinetic Study in Healthy Volunteers.

PubMed

Liu, Dongzhou J; Collaku, Agron

2018-01-01

Twice-daily sustained-release (SR) paracetamol (acetaminophen) offers convenient administration to chronic users. This study investigated at steady state (during the last 24 hours of a 3-day dosing period) the pharmacokinetics, bioequivalence, and safety of twice-daily SR paracetamol compared with extended-release (ER) and immediate-release (IR) paracetamol. In this open-label, randomized, multidose, 3-way crossover study, 28 healthy subjects received paracetamol SR (2 × 1000 mg twice daily), ER (2 × 665 mg 3 times daily), and IR (2 × 500 mg 4 times daily). At steady state, twice-daily SR paracetamol was bioequivalent to ER and IR paracetamol. The 90% confidence intervals for the ratios of geometric means were within the acceptance interval for SR/ER paracetamol (AUC 0-t , 0.973-1.033; AUC 0-24 , 0.974-1.034; AUC 0-∞ , 0.948-1.011; C max , 1.082-1.212; C av , 1.011-1.106) and SR/IR paracetamol (AUC 0-t , 0.969-1.029; AUC 0-24 , 0.968-1.027; AUC 0-∞ , 0.963-1.026; C max , 0.902-1.010; C av , 1.004-1.098). Given twice daily, the SR formulation demonstrated SR properties as expected. Mean time at or above a 4 μg/mL plasma concentration of paracetamol from 2 daily doses of the SR formulation was significantly longer than that from 4 daily doses of IR paracetamol. SR formulation also had a greater T max , a longer half-life, and lower C min compared with ER and IR paracetamol. All formulations were well tolerated. © 2017, The American College of Clinical Pharmacology.

Ferroelectric-field-effect-enhanced electroresistance in metal/ferroelectric/semiconductor tunnel junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Zheng; Li, Chen; Wu, Di; Li, Aidong; Ming, Naiben

2013-07-01

Ferroelectric tunnel junctions (FTJs), composed of two metal electrodes separated by an ultrathin ferroelectric barrier, have attracted much attention as promising candidates for non-volatile resistive memories. Theoretical and experimental works have revealed that the tunnelling resistance switching in FTJs originates mainly from a ferroelectric modulation on the barrier height. However, in these devices, modulation on the barrier width is very limited, although the tunnelling transmittance depends on it exponentially as well. Here we propose a novel tunnelling heterostructure by replacing one of the metal electrodes in a normal FTJ with a heavily doped semiconductor. In these metal/ferroelectric/semiconductor FTJs, not only the height but also the width of the barrier can be electrically modulated as a result of a ferroelectric field effect, leading to a greatly enhanced tunnelling electroresistance. This idea is implemented in Pt/BaTiO3/Nb:SrTiO3 heterostructures, in which an ON/OFF conductance ratio above 104, about one to two orders greater than those reported in normal FTJs, can be achieved at room temperature. The giant tunnelling electroresistance, reliable switching reproducibility and long data retention observed in these metal/ferroelectric/semiconductor FTJs suggest their great potential in non-destructive readout non-volatile memories.

Gradient coatings of strontium hydroxyapatite/zinc β-tricalcium phosphate as a tool to modulate osteoblast/osteoclast response.

PubMed

Boanini, Elisa; Torricelli, Paola; Sima, Felix; Axente, Emanuel; Fini, Milena; Mihailescu, Ion N; Bigi, Adriana

2018-06-01

The chemistry, structure and morphology of the implant surface have a great influence on the integration of an implant material with bone tissue. In this work, we applied Combinatorial Matrix-Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (C-MAPLE) to deposit gradient thin films with variable compositions of Sr-substituted hydroxyapatite (SrHA) and Zn-substituted β-tricalcium phosphate (ZnTCP) on Titanium substrates. Five samples with different SrHA/ZnTCP composition ratios were fabricated by a single step laser procedure. SrHA was synthesized in aqueous medium, whereas ZnTCP was obtained by reaction at high temperature. Both powders were separately suspended in deionized water, frozen at liquid nitrogen temperature and used as targets for C-MAPLE experiments, which proceed via simultaneous laser vaporization of two distinct material targets. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses confirmed that the coatings contain the same crystalline phases as the as-prepared powder samples, with a homogeneous distribution of the two phosphates along deposited thin films. Human osteoclast precursor 2T-110 and human osteoblast-like cells MG63 were co-cultured on the coatings. The results indicate that osteoblast viability and production of osteocalcin were promoted by the presence of ZnTCP. On the other hand, SrHA inhibited osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast differentiation, as demonstrated by the observed increase of the osteoprotegerin/RANKL ratio and decrease of the number of TRAP-positive multinucleated cells when increasing SrHA amount in the coatings. The results indicate that the possibility to tailor the composition of the coatings provides materials able to modulate bone growth and bone resorption. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Microstructure, mechanical properties, bio-corrosion properties and cytotoxicity of as-extruded Mg-Sr alloys.

PubMed

Zhao, Chaoyong; Pan, Fusheng; Zhang, Lei; Pan, Hucheng; Song, Kai; Tang, Aitao

2017-01-01

In this study, as-extruded Mg-Sr alloys were studied for orthopedic application, and the microstructure, mechanical properties, bio-corrosion properties and cytotoxicity of as-extruded Mg-Sr alloys were investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, tensile and compressive tests, immersion test, electrochemical test and cytotoxicity test. The results showed that as-extruded Mg-Sr alloys were composed of α-Mg and Mg 17 Sr 2 phases, and the content of Mg 17 Sr 2 phases increased with increasing Sr content. As-extruded Mg-Sr alloy with 0.5wt.% Sr was equiaxed grains, while the one with a higher Sr content was long elongated grains and the grain size of the long elongated grains decreased with increasing Sr content. Tensile and compressive tests showed an increase of both tensile and compressive strength and a decrease of elongation with increasing Sr content. Immersion and electrochemical tests showed that as-extruded Mg-0.5Sr alloy exhibited the best anti-corrosion property, and the anti-corrosion property of as-extruded Mg-Sr alloys deteriorated with increasing Sr content, which was greatly associated with galvanic couple effect. The cytotoxicity test revealed that as-extruded Mg-0.5Sr alloy did not induce toxicity to cells. These results indicated that as-extruded Mg-0.5Sr alloy with suitable mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and good cytocompatibility was potential as a biodegradable implant for orthopedic application. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structure in the secular variation of seawater sup 87 Sr/ sup 86 Sr for the Ivorian/Chadian (Osagean, Lower Carboniferous)

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

Douthit, T.L.; Hanson, G.N.; Meyers, W.J.

1990-05-01

The secular variations of {sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr in seawater for the Ivorian/Chadian, (equivalent to the Osagean, Lower Carboniferous) were determined through detailed analysis of well-preserved marine cements from the Waulsortian facies of Ireland. The results indicate that marine cements have utility in characterizing marine paleochemistries. Marine cements were judged pristine on the basis of nonluminescent character and stable isotopic composition comparable to previous estimates of Mississippian marine calcite. Analysis of the marine cements yielded {sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr ratios lower than previously reported values for the Ivorian/Chadian. Error resulting from chronostratigraphic correlation between different geographic areas was avoided by restricting themore » sample set to a single 1,406-ft-long core (core P-1). The P-1 core is estimated to represent a minimum of 8.7 m.y. of continuous Waulsortian Limestone deposition. The {sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr ratios of 11 nonluminescent cements document a non-monotonic variation in seawater {sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr along the length of the core. {sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr ranges from a high of 0.707908 in the early Ivorian to a low of about 0.707650 in the late Ivorian and middle Chadian with an early Chadian maximum at 0.707800 (all data are adjusted to a value of 0.710140 for SRM 987). The indicated maximum rate of change in seawater {sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr is {minus}0.00011/Ma, comparable in magnitude to Tertiary values. The secular variation curve of seawater {sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr for the Ivorian/Chadian has previously been thought to decrease monotonically with decreasing age. These data suggest that the seawater {sup 87}Sr/{sup 86}Sr variation over this interval may be sinusoidal in nature and emphasize the importance of well-characterized intraformational isotopic base lines.« less

Lattice thermal transport in group II-alloyed PbTe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Yi; Hodges, James M.; Kanatzidis, Mercouri G.; Chan, Maria K. Y.

2018-04-01

PbTe, one of the most promising thermoelectric materials, has recently demonstrated a thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) of above 2.0 when alloyed with group II elements. The improvements are due mainly to significant reduction of lattice thermal conductivity (κl), which was in turn attributed to nanoparticle precipitates. However, a fundamental understanding of various phonon scattering mechanisms within the bulk alloy is still lacking. In this work, we apply the newly-developed density-functional-theory-based compressive sensing lattice dynamics approach to model lattice heat transport in PbTe, MTe, and Pb0.94M0.06Te (M = Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba) and compare our results with experimental measurements, with focus on the strain effect and mass disorder scattering. We find that (1) CaTe, SrTe, and BaTe in the rock-salt structure exhibit much higher κl than PbTe, while MgTe in the same structure shows anomalously low κl; (2) lattice heat transport of PbTe is extremely sensitive to static strain induced by alloying atoms in solid solution form; (3) mass disorder scattering plays a major role in reducing κl for Mg/Ca/Sr-alloyed PbTe through strongly suppressing the lifetimes of intermediate- and high-frequency phonons, while for Ba-alloyed PbTe, precipitated nanoparticles are also important.

Calibration of a conodont apatite-based Ordovician 87Sr/86Sr curve to biostratigraphy and geochronology: Implications for stratigraphic resolution

USGS Publications Warehouse

Saltzman, M. R.; Edwards, C. T.; Leslie, S. A.; Dwyer, Gary S.; Bauer, J. A.; Repetski, John E.; Harris, A. G.; Bergstrom, S. M.

2014-01-01

The Ordovician 87Sr/86Sr isotope seawater curve is well established and shows a decreasing trend until the mid-Katian. However, uncertainties in calibration of this curve to biostratigraphy and geochronology have made it difficult to determine how the rates of 87Sr/86Sr decrease may have varied, which has implications for both the stratigraphic resolution possible using Sr isotope stratigraphy and efforts to model the effects of Ordovician geologic events. We measured 87Sr/86Sr in conodont apatite in North American Ordovician sections that are well studied for conodont biostratigraphy, primarily in Nevada, Oklahoma, the Appalachian region, and Ohio Valley. Our results indicate that conodont apatite may provide an accurate medium for Sr isotope stratigraphy and strengthen previous reports that point toward a significant increase in the rate of fall in seawater 87Sr/86Sr during the Middle Ordovician Darriwilian Stage. Our 87Sr/86Sr results suggest that Sr isotope stratigraphy will be most useful as a high-resolution tool for global correlation in the mid-Darriwilian to mid-Sandbian, when the maximum rate of fall in 87Sr/86Sr is estimated at ∼5.0–10.0 × 10–5 per m.y. Variable preservation of conodont elements limits the precision for individual stratigraphic horizons. Replicate conodont analyses from the same sample differ by an average of ∼4.0 × 10–5 (the 2σ standard deviation is 6.2 × 10–5), which in the best case scenario allows for subdivision of Ordovician time intervals characterized by the highest rates of fall in 87Sr/86Sr at a maximum resolution of ∼0.5–1.0 m.y. Links between the increased rate of fall in 87Sr/86Sr beginning in the mid-late Darriwilian (Phragmodus polonicus to Pygodus serra conodont zones) and geologic events continue to be investigated, but the coincidence with a long-term rise in sea level (Sauk-Tippecanoe megasequence boundary) and tectonic events (Taconic orogeny) in North America provides a plausible explanation for the changing magnitude and87Sr/86Sr of the riverine Sr flux to the oceans.

Extracellular Calcium Has Multiple Targets to Control Cell Proliferation.

PubMed

Capiod, Thierry

2016-01-01

Calcium channels and the two G-protein coupled receptors sensing extracellular calcium, calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) and GPRC6a, are the two main means by which extracellular calcium can signal to cells and regulate many cellular processes including cell proliferation, migration and invasion of tumoral cells. Many intracellular signaling pathways are sensitive to cytosolic calcium rises and conversely intracellular signaling pathways can modulate calcium channel expression and activity. Calcium channels are undoubtedly involved in the former while the CaSR and GPRC6a are most likely to interfere with the latter. As for neurotransmitters, calcium ions use plasma membrane channels and GPCR to trigger cytosolic free calcium concentration rises and intracellular signaling and regulatory pathways activation. Calcium sensing GPCR, CaSR and GPRC6a, allow a supplemental degree of control and as for metabotropic receptors, they not only modulate calcium channel expression but they may also control calcium-dependent K+ channels. The multiplicity of intracellular signaling pathways involved, their sensitivity to local and global intracellular calcium increase and to CaSR and GPRC6a stimulation, the presence of membrane signalplex, all this confers the cells the plasticity they need to convert the effects of extracellular calcium into complex physiological responses and therefore determine their fate.

Structural and thermoelectric properties of n-type Sr1- x Ti x MnO3- δ perovskite system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, C. M.; Seo, J. W.; Choi, S.-M.; Seo, W.-S.; Lee, S.; Lim, Y. S.; Park, K.

2015-03-01

A series of Sr1- x Ti x MnO3- δ (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) was fabricated by the solid-state reaction method. We studied the structural and thermoelectric properties of Sr1- x Ti x MnO3- δ , with respect to the partial substitution of Ti4+ for Sr2+. The sintered Sr1- x Ti x MnO3- δ crystallized in the hexagonal perovskite-type structure with a space group of P6 3 / mmc. For x ≤ 0.1, the partial substitution of Ti4+ for Sr2+ led to increases in the electrical conductivity and the absolute value of the Seebeck coefficient, thus enhancing the power factor. The highest power factor (2.5 × 10-5 Wm-1K-2) was obtained for Sr0.9Ti0.1MnO3- δ at 800°C. The partial substitution of Ti4+ for Sr2+ in SrMnO3- δ led to a significant improvement in the thermoelectric properties. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

An unusual high-spin ground state of Co3+ in octahedral coordination in brownmillerite-type cobalt oxide.

PubMed

Istomin, S Ya; Tyablikov, O A; Kazakov, S M; Antipov, E V; Kurbakov, A I; Tsirlin, A A; Hollmann, N; Chin, Y Y; Lin, H-J; Chen, C T; Tanaka, A; Tjeng, L H; Hu, Z

2015-06-21

The crystal and magnetic structures of brownmillerite-like Sr(2)Co(1.2)Ga(0.8)O(5) with a stable Co(3+) oxidation state at both octahedral and tetrahedral sites are refined using neutron powder diffraction data collected at 2 K (S.G. Icmm, a = 5.6148(6) Å, b = 15.702(2) Å, c = 5.4543(6) Å; R(wp) = 0.0339, R(p) = 0.0443, χ(2) = 0.775). The very large tetragonal distortion of CoO(6) octahedra (1.9591(4) Å for Co-O(eq) and 2.257(6) Å for Co-O(ax)) could be beneficial for the stabilization of the long-sought intermediate-spin state of Co(3+) in perovskite-type oxides. However, the large magnetic moment of octahedral Co(3+) (3.82(7)μ(B)) indicates the conventional high-spin state of Co(3+) ions, which is further supported by the results of a combined theoretical and experimental soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy study at the Co-L(2,3) edges on Sr(2)Co(1.2)Ga(0.8)O(5). A high-spin ground state of Co(3+) in Sr(2)Co(1.2)Ga(0.8)O(5) resulted in much lower in comparison with a LaCoO(3) linear thermal expansion coefficient of 13.1 ppm K(-1) (298-1073 K) determined from high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction data collected in air.

Raman study of the Hg0.7Cr0.3Sr2CuO4+δ superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, S.-Y.; Chang, B.-Y.; Yang, I.-S.; Gwak, J.-H.; Kim, S.-J.; Choi, J.-H.; Lee, S.-I.; Yakhmi, J. V.; Mandal, J. B.; Bandyopadhyay, B.; Ghosh, B.

1997-08-01

The local environment of the apical oxygens (OA) in the Sr-substituted mercury-based superconductor Hg0.7Cr0.3Sr2CuO4+δ is investigated using Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectra from the Sr-substituted Hg-1201 samples show broad OA A1g double peaks at 553 and 583 cm-l, which are 10 - 20 cm-1 lower than the pristine Hg-1201. The existence of, and lower shift of, the double peaks in the Raman spectra of the Sr-substituted Hg-1201 superconductors indicate changes in the environment of OA in the Sr-substituted mercury-based superconductors.

First-principles energy band calculation of Ruddlesden–Popper compound Sr{sub 3}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7} using modified Becke–Johnson exchange potential

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

Kamimura, Sunao, E-mail: kamimura-sunao@che.kyutech.ac.jp; National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology; Department of Molecular and Material Sciences, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Science, Kyushu University, 6-1 Kasuga Kouen, Kasuga, Fukuoka 816-8580 Japan

The electronic structure of Sr{sub 3}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7} is evaluated by the scalar-relativistic full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FLAPW+lo) method using the modified Becke–Johnson potential (Tran–Blaha potential) combined with the local density approximation correlation (MBJ–LDA). The fundamental gap between the valence band (VB) and conduction band (CB) is estimated to be 3.96 eV, which is close to the experimental value. Sn 5s states and Sr 4d states are predominant in the lower and upper CB, respectively. On the other hand, the lower VB is mainly composed of Sn 5s, 5p, and O 2p states, while the upper VB mainlymore » consists of O 2p states. These features of the DOS are well reflected by the optical transition between the upper VB and lower CB, as seen in the energy dependence of the dielectric function. Furthermore, the absorption coefficient estimated from the MBJ–LDA is similar to the experimental result. - Graphical abstract: Calculated energy band structure along the symmetry lines of the first BZ of Sr{sub 3}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7} crystal obtained using the MBJ potential. - Highlights: • Electronic structure of Sr{sub 3}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7} is calculated on the basis of MBJ–LDA method for the first time. • Band gap of Sr{sub 3}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7} is determined accurately on the basis of MBJ–LDA method. • The experimental absorption spectrum of Sr{sub 3}Sn{sub 2}O{sub 7} produced by MBJ–LDA is more accurate than that obtained by GGA method.« less

Influence of Clinical Factors and Magnification Correction on Normal Thickness Profiles of Macular Retinal Layers Using Optical Coherence Tomography.

PubMed

Higashide, Tomomi; Ohkubo, Shinji; Hangai, Masanori; Ito, Yasuki; Shimada, Noriaki; Ohno-Matsui, Kyoko; Terasaki, Hiroko; Sugiyama, Kazuhisa; Chew, Paul; Li, Kenneth K W; Yoshimura, Nagahisa

2016-01-01

To identify the factors which significantly contribute to the thickness variabilities in macular retinal layers measured by optical coherence tomography with or without magnification correction of analytical areas in normal subjects. The thickness of retinal layers {retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer plus inner plexiform layer (GCLIPL), RNFL plus GCLIPL (ganglion cell complex, GCC), total retina, total retina minus GCC (outer retina)} were measured by macular scans (RS-3000, NIDEK) in 202 eyes of 202 normal Asian subjects aged 20 to 60 years. The analytical areas were defined by three concentric circles (1-, 3- and 6-mm nominal diameters) with or without magnification correction. For each layer thickness, a semipartial correlation (sr) was calculated for explanatory variables including age, gender, axial length, corneal curvature, and signal strength index. Outer retinal thickness was significantly thinner in females than in males (sr2, 0.07 to 0.13) regardless of analytical areas or magnification correction. Without magnification correction, axial length had a significant positive sr with RNFL (sr2, 0.12 to 0.33) and a negative sr with GCLIPL (sr2, 0.22 to 0.31), GCC (sr2, 0.03 to 0.17), total retina (sr2, 0.07 to 0.17) and outer retina (sr2, 0.16 to 0.29) in multiple analytical areas. The significant sr in RNFL, GCLIPL and GCC became mostly insignificant following magnification correction. The strong correlation between the thickness of inner retinal layers and axial length appeared to result from magnification effects. Outer retinal thickness may differ by gender and axial length independently of magnification correction.

Influence of Clinical Factors and Magnification Correction on Normal Thickness Profiles of Macular Retinal Layers Using Optical Coherence Tomography

PubMed Central

Higashide, Tomomi; Ohkubo, Shinji; Hangai, Masanori; Ito, Yasuki; Shimada, Noriaki; Ohno-Matsui, Kyoko; Terasaki, Hiroko; Sugiyama, Kazuhisa; Chew, Paul; Li, Kenneth K. W.; Yoshimura, Nagahisa

2016-01-01

Purpose To identify the factors which significantly contribute to the thickness variabilities in macular retinal layers measured by optical coherence tomography with or without magnification correction of analytical areas in normal subjects. Methods The thickness of retinal layers {retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer plus inner plexiform layer (GCLIPL), RNFL plus GCLIPL (ganglion cell complex, GCC), total retina, total retina minus GCC (outer retina)} were measured by macular scans (RS-3000, NIDEK) in 202 eyes of 202 normal Asian subjects aged 20 to 60 years. The analytical areas were defined by three concentric circles (1-, 3- and 6-mm nominal diameters) with or without magnification correction. For each layer thickness, a semipartial correlation (sr) was calculated for explanatory variables including age, gender, axial length, corneal curvature, and signal strength index. Results Outer retinal thickness was significantly thinner in females than in males (sr2, 0.07 to 0.13) regardless of analytical areas or magnification correction. Without magnification correction, axial length had a significant positive sr with RNFL (sr2, 0.12 to 0.33) and a negative sr with GCLIPL (sr2, 0.22 to 0.31), GCC (sr2, 0.03 to 0.17), total retina (sr2, 0.07 to 0.17) and outer retina (sr2, 0.16 to 0.29) in multiple analytical areas. The significant sr in RNFL, GCLIPL and GCC became mostly insignificant following magnification correction. Conclusions The strong correlation between the thickness of inner retinal layers and axial length appeared to result from magnification effects. Outer retinal thickness may differ by gender and axial length independently of magnification correction. PMID:26814541

Positive magnetoresistance of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/C composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kabirov, Yu. V.; Gavrilyachenko, V. G.; Bogatin, A. S.

2016-07-01

The perovskite manganite La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 compound is used as a component in ceramic (1-x)(La0.7Sr0.3MnO3)-xC composites at x = 0.15-0.85. It is found that every studied specimen is characterized by the linear dependence of the positive magnetoresistance (PMR) on the magnetic field strength at room temperature. The 0.6(La0.7Sr0.3MnO3)-0.4C composite has the largest magnetoresistance value (15%) at room temperature and intensity of magnetic field H=15kOe. A possible mechanism for the PMR of (1-x)(La0.7Sr0.3MnO3)-xC composites is discussed.

Sr-Nd isotopes constrain on the deposit history of the basins in the Gulf of Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Y.; Jiang, S.

2015-12-01

The Brazos-Trinity Basin IV and Ursa Basin are situated on the northern slope of the Gulf of Mexico. The Ursa basin lies in the center of late Pleistocene Mississippi River deposition, received the sediment deposition during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2- 4. The Brazos-Trinity Basin IV belongs to a part of the Brazos-Trinity fan, it recorded the turbidite deposition and hemiplegic deposition during MIS1- 5. The Sr and Nd isotopic composition of the detrital composition of the sediment in both basins indicates the change of the sediment provenance during the basin-filled process. In the Ursa basin, The difference of 87Sr/86Sr ratio and ɛNd of the detrital component between MIS1,2 (87Sr/86Sr ~ 0.7219 - 0.7321, ɛNd ~ -12 - -13.4) and MIS3,4(87Sr/86Sr ~ 0.7310 - 0.7354, ɛNd ~ -16 - -17.9) is suggested to be related with the provenance change of the detrital particles since LGM. The addition of detrital particle from Appalachians with less radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr and positive ɛNd altered the character of the sediment of the Mississippi River during the last glaciation and deglaciation. In the Brazos-Trinity Basin IV, the narrow range of 87Sr/86Sr and ɛNd indicate that the sediment source of Brazos-Trinity Basin IV had not changed obviously during MIS5e to MIS2, mostly from coastal rivers such as Brazos River, Trinity River and Sabine River. The pre-fan with 87Sr/86Sr ~0.735 and ɛNd ~ -14.5 to -16.9, which is very similar to the deep sediment in the Ursa Basin with 87Sr/86Sr ~0.733 to 0.735 and ɛNd ~ -16 to -18. It is suggested that sediments of the pre-fan of the Brazos-Trinity Basin IV were supplied from the ancestral Mississippi River Delta during the low sea level (MIS 6). During the MIS5, the discharge of Mississippi River is thought switched to its present course, ~300 km to the east.

Signatures of in-plane and out-of-plane magnetization generated by synchrotron radiation in magnetically doped and pristine topological insulators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shikin, A. M.; Rybkina, A. A.; Estyunin, D. A.; Sostina, D. M.; Voroshnin, V. Yu.; Klimovskikh, I. I.; Rybkin, A. G.; Surnin, Yu. A.; Kokh, K. A.; Tereshchenko, O. E.; Petaccia, L.; Di Santo, G.; Skirdkov, P. N.; Zvezdin, K. A.; Zvezdin, A. K.; Kimura, A.; Chulkov, E. V.; Krasovskii, E. E.

2018-06-01

Possibility of in-plane and out-of-plane magnetization generated by synchrotron radiation (SR) in magnetically doped and pristine topological insulators (TIs) is demonstrated and studied by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. We show experimentally and by ab initio calculations how nonequal depopulation of the Dirac cone (DC) states with opposite momenta in V-doped and pristine TIs generated by linearly polarized SR leads to the hole-generated uncompensated spin accumulation followed by the SR-induced magnetization via spin-torque effect. Moreover, the photoexcitation of the DC is asymmetric, and it varies with the photon energy. We find a relation between the photoexcitation asymmetry, the generated spin accumulation, and the induced in-plane and out-of-plane magnetic field. Experimentally the SR-generated in-plane and out-of-plane magnetization is confirmed by the k∥ shift of the DC position and by the gap opening at the Dirac point even above the Curie temperature. Theoretical predictions and estimations of the measurable physical quantities substantiate the experimental results.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Antagonists Promote the Expansion of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells

PubMed Central

Boitano, Anthony E.; Wang, Jian; Romeo, Russell; Bouchez, Laure C.; Parker, Albert E.; Sutton, Sue E.; Walker, John R.; Flaveny, Colin A.; Perdew, Gary H.; Denison, Michael S.; Schultz, Peter G.; Cooke, Michael P.

2011-01-01

Although practiced clinically for over 40 years, the use of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplants remains limited by the ability to expand these cells ex vivo. An unbiased screen with primary human HSC identified a purine derivative, StemRegenin 1 (SR1), that promotes the ex vivo expansion of CD34+ cells. Culture of HSC with SR1 led to a fifty-fold increase in cells expressing CD34, and a 17-fold increase in cells that retain the ability to engraft immunodeficient mice. Mechanistic studies show that SR1 acts by antagonizing the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). The identification of SR1 and AhR modulation as a means to induce ex vivo HSC expansion should facilitate the clinical use of HSC therapy. PMID:20688981

The Sr isotope chemostratigraphy as a tool for solving stratigraphic problems of the Upper Proterozoic (Riphean and Vendian)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuznetsov, A. B.; Semikhatov, M. A.; Gorokhov, I. M.

2014-11-01

Published and original data on the Sr isotopic characterization of carbonates from the Riphean and Vendian key sections of the Southern Urals, Siberia, Asia, Africa, Australia, and North America are considered in compliance with the suggested principles of reconstructing the Sr isotopic composition of the Proterozoic seawater. The suggested methodic approach is used to plot the reference curve of the 87Sr/86Sr variations in the Riphean and Vendian oceans. During the time span of 1600-1250 Ma, the 87Sr/86Sr variations were in a narrow range corresponding to 0.70456-0.70494, but approaching the date of about 1030 Ma, the 87Sr/86Sr ratio rose to 0.70601-0.70611 and then quickly declined to 0.70519-0.70523 near the date of 1000 Ma. In the second half of the late Riphean and in the Vendian, the ratio grew almost steadily from 0.70521-0.70535 to values of 0.70874-0.70885 characteristic of the Late Vendian time. The subsequent regular growth of that ratio in seawater lasted from 840 to 550 Ma, though there were short-term epochs when the ratio noticeably dropped to 0.70561-0.70575 at approximately 760 Ma and to 0.70533-0.70538 at 670-660 Ma. After the mid-Late Vendian maximum, it declined to 0.70812-0.70823 at the end of the Nemakit-Daldynian Age and decreased to 0.70806-0.70812 during the Tommotian Age of the Early Cambrian. As is shown, the Sr isotopic variations in the Riphean and Vendian oceans were interrelated with global tectonic events in geospheres and formation stages of the Rodinia and Gondwana supercontinents. The Baikalian Complex of Siberia is considered in the work as a case in point illustrating advantages of the expounded approach with respect to age substantiation of particular stratigraphic subdivisions.

The potential of the coral species Porites astreoides as a paleoclimate archive for the Tropical South Atlantic Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pereira, N. S.; Sial, A. N.; Frei, R.; Ullmann, C. V.; Korte, C.; Kikuchi, R. K. P.; Ferreira, V. P.; Kilbourne, K. H.

2017-08-01

The aragonitic skeletons of corals are unique archives of geochemical tracers that can be used as proxies for environmental conditions with high fidelity and sub-annual resolution. Such records have been extensively used for reconstruction of climatic conditions in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, Red Sea and Caribbean, but lack for the Equatorial South Atlantic. Here we present coral-based records of Sr/Ca, δ18O and δ13C and the first δ18O-SST calibration for the scleractinian coral species Porites astreoides from the Rocas Atoll, Equatorial South Atlantic. The investigated geochemical proxies for P. astreoides presented a very well-developed seasonal cyclicity in all proxies. We use the monthly means of δ18O and SST from the period of 2001-2013 to propose a calibration for a paleothermometer based on Porites, which gives T(°C) = -8.69(±0.79)* δ18O -7.05(±3.14), and yielded a SST δ18O-depended reconstruction with fidelity better than 0.5 °C for most of the record. Biases of up to 2 °C might be associated with reduced growth rate periods of the coral record. The Sr/Ca data show systematic, annual fluctuations but analyses are too imprecise to propose a Sr/Ca-SST calibration. The δ13C values are found to vary in phase with δ18O and Sr/Ca and are interpreted to be controlled by solar irradiation-modulated photosynthetic activity on the annual level. Our findings extend the global data base of coral records, contributing to further investigations using coral skeleton as environmental archives. In particular, the present study helps to better understand the climate variability of the South Atlantic tropical ocean-atmosphere system.

Modeling of hysteretic Schottky diode-like conduction in Pt/BiFeO3/SrRuO3 switches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miranda, E.; Jiménez, D.; Tsurumaki-Fukuchi, A.; Blasco, J.; Yamada, H.; Suñé, J.; Sawa, A.

2014-08-01

The hysteresis current-voltage (I-V) loops in Pt/BiFeO3/SrRuO3 structures are simulated using a Schottky diode-like conduction model with sigmoidally varying parameters, including series resistance correction and barrier lowering. The evolution of the system is represented by a vector in a 3D parameter space describing a closed trajectory with stationary states. It is shown that the hysteretic behavior is not only the result of a Schottky barrier height (SBH) variation arising from the BiFeO3 polarization reversal but also a consequence of the potential drop distribution across the device. The SBH modulation is found to be remarkably lower (<0.07 eV) than previously reported (>0.5 eV). It is also shown that the p-type semiconducting nature of BiFeO3 can explain the large ideality factors (>6) required to simulate the I-V curves as well as the highly asymmetric set and reset voltages (4.7 V and -1.9 V) exhibited by our devices.

Electric-Field Control of Oxygen Vacancies and Magnetic Phase Transition in a Cobaltite/Manganite Bilayer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, B.; Song, C.; Li, F.; Zhong, X. Y.; Wang, Z. C.; Werner, P.; Gu, Y. D.; Wu, H. Q.; Saleem, M. S.; Parkin, S. S. P.; Pan, F.

2017-10-01

Manipulation of oxygen vacancies (VO ) in single oxide layers by varying the electric field can result in significant modulation of the ground state. However, in many oxide multilayers with strong application potentials, e.g., ferroelectric tunnel junctions and solid-oxide fuel cells, understanding VO behavior in various layers under an applied electric field remains a challenge, owing to complex VO transport between different layers. By sweeping the external voltage, a reversible manipulation of VO and a corresponding fixed magnetic phase transition sequence in cobaltite/manganite (SrCoO3 -x/La0.45Sr0.55MnO3 -y ) heterostructures are reported. The magnetic phase transition sequence confirms that the priority of electric-field-induced VO formation or annihilation in the complex bilayer system is mainly determined by the VO formation energies and Gibbs free-energy differences, which is supported by theoretical analysis. We not only realize a reversible manipulation of the magnetic phase transition in an oxide bilayer but also provide insight into the electric-field control of VO engineering in heterostructures.

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

Khan, M.A.; Khan, S.A.

Sorption studies of cesium, strontium, and cobalt (Cs, Sr, and Co) on bentonite under various experimental conditions, such as contact time, pH, sorbent and sorbate concentration, and temperature, have been performed. The sorption data for all these metals have been interpreted in terms of Freundlich, Langmuir, and Dubinin-Radushkevich equations. Thermodynamics parameters, such as heat of sorption {Delta}H{degrees}, free energy change {Delta}G{degrees}, and entropy change {Delta}S{degrees}, for the sorption of these metals on bentonite have been calculated. The value of {Delta}H{degrees} shows that the sorption of Cs was exothermic, while the sorption of Sr and Co on bentonite were endothermic inmore » nature. The value of {Delta}G{degrees} for their sorption was negative, showing the spontaneity of the process. The maximum loading capacity of Cs, Sr, and Co were 75.5, 22, and 27.5 meq, respectively, for 100 g of bentonite. The mean free energy E of Cs, Sr, and Co sorption on bentonite was 14.5, 9, and 7.7 kJ/mol, respectively. The value of E indicates that ion exchange may be the predominant mode of sorption for these radionuclides. The desorption studies with 0.01 M CaCl{sub 2} and groundwater at low-metal loading on bentonite showed that about 95% of Cs, 85-90% of Sr, and 97% of Co were irreversibly sorbed. Bentonite could be effectively used for the decontamination of wastewater effluent containing low concentrations of radioactive nuclides of Cs, Sr, and Co. 16 refs., 7 figs., 3 tabs.« less

Study of structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of seven SrZrO{sub 3} phases: First-principles calculations

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

Liu, Qi-Jun, E-mail: dianerliu@yahoo.com.cn; Liu, Zheng-Tang; Feng, Li-Ping

2012-12-15

On the plane-wave ultrasoft pseudopotential technique based on the first-principles density functional theory (DFT), we calculated the structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of the seven different phases of SrZrO{sub 3}. The obtained ground-state properties are in good agreement with previous experiments and calculations, which indicate that the most stable phase is orthorhombic Pnma structure. Seven phases of SrZrO{sub 3} are mechanically stable with cubic, tetragonal and orthorhombic structures. The mechanical and thermodynamic properties have been obtained by using the Voigt-Reuss-Hill approach and Debye-Grueneisen model. The electronic structures and optical properties are obtained and compared with the available experimental andmore » theoretical data. - Graphical abstract: Energy versus volume of seven phases SrZrO{sub 3} shows the Pnma phase has the minimum ground-state energy. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We calculated the physical and chemical properties of seven SrZrO{sub 3} polymorphs. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The order of stability is Pnma>Imma>Cmcm>I4/mcm>P4/mbm>P4mm>Pm3-bar m. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The most stable phase is orthorhombic Pnma structure. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Seven phases of SrZrO{sub 3} are mechanically stable. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The relationship between n and {rho}{sub m} is n=1+0.18{rho}{sub m}.« less

Internal Rb-Sr Age and Initial Sr-87/Sr-86 of a Silicate Inclusion from the Campo Del Cielo Iron Meteorite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Y.; Nyquist, L.; Wiesmann, H.; Shih, C.; Schwandt, C.; Takeda, H.

2003-01-01

The largest group of iron meteorites, IAB, is distinguished by the presence of diverse silicate inclusions. In principle, Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd radiometric dating of these silicate inclusions by internal isochron techniques can determine both the times of melting and parent/daughter ratios in the precursor materials via initial Sr-87/Sr-86 and Nd-143/Nd-144 ratios. The Sr-87/Sr-86 and Nd-143/Nd-144 ratios could distinguish chondritic precursors from already differentiated silicates. We reported Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd internal ischron ages of 4.52+/-0.03 Ga and 4.50+/-0.04 Ga, respectively, for plagioclase-diopside-rich material in the Caddo County IAB iron meteorite. These results are essentially identical to literature values of its Ar-Ar age of 4.520+/-0.005 Ga and its Sm-Nd age of 4.53+/-0.02 Ga. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the formation and evolution of silicate inclusions in IAB iron meteorites by determination of their initial Sr-87/Sr-86 ratios combined with higher-resolution chronology and mineralogical and geochemical studies.

(86)Y production via (86)Sr(p,n) for PET imaging at a cyclotron.

PubMed

Sadeghi, M; Aboudzadeh, M; Zali, A; Zeinali, B

2009-01-01

Excitation functions of (86)Y production via (86)Sr(p,xn), (86)Sr(d,xn), (85)Rb(alpha,xn), (85)Rb((3)He,xn), and (nat)Zr(d,alphaxn) reactions were studied by means of ALICE-ASH code and the results were compared with ALICE-91 code and experimental data. The greatest nuclear reaction of cyclotron (86)Y production was found out as (86)Sr(p,n)(86)Y process. (86)Y production yield was calculated too. A SrCO(3) thick film was deposited on a copper substrate by sedimentation method. The deposited (nat)SrCO(3) was irradiated with 15MeV proton at 30microA current beam. The separation of Y from Cu and Sr was carried out by means of dual ion exchange chromatography.

Dispersive charge density wave excitations in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ

DOE PAGES

Chaix, L.; Ghiringhelli, G.; Peng, Y. Y.; ...

2017-06-12

Experimental evidence on high-Tc cuprates reveals ubiquitous charge density wave (CDW) modulations, which coexist with superconductivity. Although the CDW had been predicted by theory, important questions remain about the extent to which the CDW influences lattice and charge degrees of freedom and its characteristics as functions of doping and temperature. These questions are intimately connected to the origin of the CDW and its relation to the mysterious cuprate pseudogap. Here, we use ultrahigh resolution resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) to reveal new CDW character in underdoped Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+{\\delta} (Bi2212). At low temperature, we observe dispersive excitations from an incommensurate CDW thatmore » induces anomalously enhanced phonon intensity, unseen using other techniques. Near the pseudogap temperature T*, the CDW persists, but the associated excitations significantly weaken and the CDW wavevector shifts, becoming nearly commensurate with a periodicity of four lattice constants. The dispersive CDW excitations, phonon anomaly, and temperature dependent commensuration provide a comprehensive momentum space picture of complex CDW behavior and point to a closer relationship with the pseudogap state.« less

Modulation of cardiac contractility by the phospholamban/SERCA2a regulatome.

PubMed

Kranias, Evangelia G; Hajjar, Roger J

2012-06-08

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death and disability in the Western world. Current therapies aim at treating the symptoms rather than the subcellular mechanisms, underlying the etiology and pathological remodeling in heart failure. A universal characteristic, contributing to the decreased contractile performance in human and experimental failing hearts, is impaired calcium sequestration into the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). SR calcium uptake is mediated by a Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA2), whose activity is reversibly regulated by phospholamban (PLN). Dephosphorylated PLN is an inhibitor of SERCA and phosphorylation of PLN relieves this inhibition. However, the initial simple view of a PLN/SERCA regulatory complex has been modified by our recent identification of SUMO, S100 and the histidine-rich Ca-binding protein as regulators of SERCA activity. In addition, PLN activity is regulated by 2 phosphoproteins, the inhibitor-1 of protein phosphatase 1 and the small heat shock protein 20, which affect the overall SERCA-mediated Ca-transport. This review will highlight the regulatory mechanisms of cardiac contractility by the multimeric SERCA/PLN-ensemble and the potential for new therapeutic avenues targeting this complex by using small molecules and gene transfer methods.

Reversible Control of Interfacial Magnetism through Ionic-Liquid-Assisted Polarization Switching

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

Herklotz, Andreas; Guo, Er-Jia; Wong, Anthony T.

The ability to control magnetism of materials via electric field enables a myriad of technological innovations in information storage, sensing, and computing. In this paper, we use ionic-liquid-assisted ferroelectric switching to demonstrate reversible modulation of interfacial magnetism in a multiferroic heterostructure composed of ferromagnetic (FM) La 0.8Sr 0.2MnO 3 and ferroelectric (FE) PbZr 0.2Ti 0.8O 3. It is shown that ionic liquids can be used to persistently and reversibly switch a large area of a FE film. Finally, this is a prerequisite for polarized neutron reflectometry (PNR) studies that are conducted to directly probe magnetoelectric coupling of the FE polarizationmore » to the interfacial magnetization.« less

Reversible Control of Interfacial Magnetism through Ionic-Liquid-Assisted Polarization Switching

DOE PAGES

Herklotz, Andreas; Guo, Er-Jia; Wong, Anthony T.; ...

2017-02-06

The ability to control magnetism of materials via electric field enables a myriad of technological innovations in information storage, sensing, and computing. In this paper, we use ionic-liquid-assisted ferroelectric switching to demonstrate reversible modulation of interfacial magnetism in a multiferroic heterostructure composed of ferromagnetic (FM) La 0.8Sr 0.2MnO 3 and ferroelectric (FE) PbZr 0.2Ti 0.8O 3. It is shown that ionic liquids can be used to persistently and reversibly switch a large area of a FE film. Finally, this is a prerequisite for polarized neutron reflectometry (PNR) studies that are conducted to directly probe magnetoelectric coupling of the FE polarizationmore » to the interfacial magnetization.« less

Phytoremediation of strontium contaminated soil by Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench and soil microbial community-level physiological profiles (CLPPs).

PubMed

Wang, Xu; Chen, Can; Wang, Jianlong

2017-03-01

Phytoremediation of strontium contaminated soil by Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench was investigated, and the soil microbial community-level physiological profiles (CLPPs) were examined. The growth and the stable strontium ( 88 Sr) accumulations of the energy crop S. bicolor grown on the Sr-spiked soil at the level of 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg soil were characterized through pot soil system after the entire growth period (140 days). Correspondingly, the available content of strontium in soil extracted by Mehlich III extraction solution reached 42.0, 71.9, 151.8, and 242.2 mg/kg, respectively. The Sr-polluted soil microbial community was assessed by a Biolog Eco-plate method. The results showed that the spiked Sr significantly increased the height and the stem biomass weight of the plant. Sr contents in roots, stems, and leaves of the sorghum increased linearly (R 2  > 0.95) with the elevation of the Sr-spiked level in soil. The average Sr concentration in roots, stems, and leaves reached 68.9, 61.3, and 132.6 mg/kg dry weight (DW) under Sr-spiked 400 mg/kg soil, respectively. Sr content in tissues decreased in the order of leaves > roots > stems. The bioconcentration factor (BCF; Sr contents in shoots to soil) values of S. bicolor in soil system was lower than 1 (0.21∼0.39) whether based on the spiked Sr level or on the available Sr level in soil. The transfer factor (TF; Sr contents in shoots to roots) values of S. bicolor in soil system usually is higher than 1 or near to 1 (0.92∼1.29). TF values increased while BCF values decreased as the soil Sr increased. The Biolog Eco-plate assay showed that Sr at the spiked level of 400 mg/kg soil enhanced the soil microbial diversity and activity.

PREPARATION AND ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF BiFeO3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 MULTILAYERS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Huiwen; Wang, Shunli; Li, Xiaoyun

2013-07-01

(La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 12 nm/BiFeO3 12 nm)10 was grown on SrTiO3 (001) substrate using rf magnetron sputtering. The structure analysis indicated that BiFeO3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 multilayers were highly (001)-oriented. Compared with bottom La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 electrode, the top La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 electrode displayed a rougher surface. The electric transport characteristics of the sample were investigated mainly at low temperature, and it was found that the sample exhibited resistance-temperature curves similar to those of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 with the exception of an upturn at lower temperature region. Furthermore, a nonlinear I-V curve, which is characteristic of a tunneling conduction mechanism, was observed at 50 K. At higher temperature, the I-V curves were found to be diode-like. When the temperature was further increased to 300 K, the sample showed a space charge limited conduction (SCLC) characteristic.

Geochemistry, strontium isotope data, and potassium-argon ages of the andesite-rhyolite association in the Padang area, West Sumatra

USGS Publications Warehouse

Leo, G.W.; Hedge, C.E.; Marvin, R.F.

1980-01-01

Quaternary volcanoes in the Padang area on the west coast of Sumatra have produced two-pyroxene, calc-alkaline andesite and volumetrically subordinate rhyolitic and andesitic ash-flow tuffs. A sequence of andesite (pre-caldera), rhyolitic tuff and andesitic tuff, in decreasing order of age, is related to Maninjau caldera. Andesite compositions range from 55.0 to 61.2% SiO2 and from 1.13 to 2.05% K2O. Six K-Ar whole-rock age determinations on andesites show a range of 0.27 ?? 0.12 to 0.83 ?? 0.42 m.y.; a single determination on the rhyolitic ashflow tuff gave 0.28 ?? 0.12 m.y. Eight 57Sr/26Sr ratios on andesites and rhyolite tuff west of the Semangko fault zone are in the range 0.7056 - 0.7066. These ratios are higher than those elsewhere in the Sunda arc but are comparable to the Taupo volcanic zone of New Zealand and calc-alkaline volcanics of continental margins. An 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.7048 on G. Sirabungan east of the Semangko fault is similar to an earlier determination on nearby G. Marapi (0.7047), and agrees with 87Sr/86Sr ratios in the rest of the Sunda arc. The reason for this distribution of 87Sr/86Sr ratios is unknown. The high 87Sr/86Sr ratios are tentatively regarded to reflect a crustal source for the andesites, while moderately fractionated REE patterns with pronounced negative Eu anomalies suggest a residue enriched in plagioclase with hornblende and/or pyroxenes. Generation of associated andesite and rhyolite could have been caused by hydrous fractional melting of andesite or volcanogenic sediments under adiabatic decompression. ?? 1980.

FAST TRACK COMMUNICATION: Mechanical, electrical and micro-structural properties of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 perovskite-based ceramic foams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, Ravindra K.; Kim, Eun Yi; Noh, Ho Sung; Whang, Chin Myung

2008-02-01

Mechanical, electrical and micro-structural properties of new electronic conducting ceramic foams are reported. Ceramic foams are prepared using the slurry of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 (LSCF) by the polymeric sponge method, which is followed by spray coating for increasing the number of coatings-sinterings on polyurethane foams of 30, 45 and 60 ppi (pores per linear inch). An increase in the number of coatings-sinterings and ppi improved the compressive strength, density and electrical conductivity by decreasing the porosity to ~76%, as also observed by the SEM study. The three-times coated-sintered ceramic foams (60 ppi) exhibited optimum values of compressive strength of ~1.79 MPa and relative density of ~0.24 at 25 °C and electrical conductivity of ~22 S cm-1 at 600 °C with an activation energy of ~0.22 eV indicating its suitability as a solid oxide fuel cell current collector. The experimental results are discussed in terms of the Gibson and Ashby theoretical model.

Neodymium, strontium and chromium isotopic studies of the LEW86010 and Angra dos Reis meteorites and the chronology of the angrite parent body

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nyquist, L. E.; Bansal, B.; Wiesmann, H.; Shih, C.-Y.

1994-01-01

Neodymium, stontium, and chromium isotopic studies of the LEW86010 angrite established its absolute age and the formation interval between its crystallization and condensation of Allende CAIs from the solar nebula. Pyroxene and phosphate were found to contain approximately 8% of its Sm and Nd inventory. A conventional Sm-147-Nd-143 isochron yielded an age of 4.53 +/- 0.04 Ga (2 sigma and Epsilon(sub Nd sup 143)) = 0.45 +/- 1.1. An Sm-146-Nd-142 isochron gives initial Sm-146/Sm-144 = 0.0076 +/- 0.0009 and Epsilon (sub Nd sup 142) = -2.5 +/- 0.4. The Rb-Sr analyses give initial Sr-87/Sr-86 Iota(sub Sr sup 87) = 0.698972 +/- 8 and 0.698970 +/- 18 for LEW and ADOR, respectively, relative to Sr-87/Sr-86 = 0.71025 for NBS987. The difference, Delta Iota(sub Sr Sup 87), between Iota (sub sr sup 87) for the angrites and literature values for Allende CAIs, corresponds to approximately Ma of growth in a solar nebula with a CI chondrite value of Rb-87/Sr-86 = 0.91, or approximately 5 Ma in a nebula with solar photospheric Rb-87/Sr-86 = 1.51. Excess Cr-53 from extinct Mn-53(t(sub 1/2) = 3.7 Ma)in LEW86010 corresponds to initial Mn-53/Mn-55 = 4.4 +/- 1.0 x 10(exp -5) for the inclusions as previously reported by the Paris group (Birck and Allegre, 1988). The Sm-146/Sm-144 value found for LEW86010 corresponds to solar system initial (Sm-146/Sm-144) = 0.0080 +/- 0.0009 for crystallization 8 Ma after Allende, the difference between Pb-Pb ages of angrites and Allende, or 0.0086 +/- 0.0009 for crystallation 18 Ma after Allende, using the Mn-Cr formation interval. The isotopic data are discussed in the context of a model in which an undifferentiated 'chondritic' parent body formed from the solar nebula approximately Ma after Allende CAIs and subsequently underwent differentiation accompanied by loss of volatiles. Parent bodies with Rb/Sr similar to that of CI, CM, or CO chondrites could satisfy the Cr and Sr isotopic systematics. If the angrite parent body had Rb/Sr similar to that of CV meteorites, it would have to form slightly later, approximately 2.6 Ma after the CAIs, to satisfy the Sr and CR isotopic systematics.

The Origin of 87Sr/86Sr in Cold Springs and Travertines of the Franciscan Complex near Cazadero, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marks, N.; Schiffman, P.; Yin, Q.; Zierenberg, R.

2005-12-01

Ultrabasic springs within the Franciscan Complex of the California Coast Range have been intensely investigated by geochemists and geobiologists. Springs located in Sonoma County in an area historically known as The Cedars are of particular interest to scientists exploring Martian analogues (Johnson et al. 2004) or investigating serpentinization processes (Barnes and O'Neil, 1969; Barnes et al. 1972). Laser ablation and solution phase multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) were used to obtain 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios in fluid, travertine and serpentinite samples collected at the Cedars. 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratios in the serpentinizing springs range from 0.70926 to 0.70955; the Mg2+-HCO3- type stream water has an isotopic ratio of 0.70848. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio in the travertines ranges from 0.70931 to 0.70966. The mean 87Sr/86Sr ratio of the travertine (0.7094) is far more radiogenic than typical mantle values of 0.703 to 0.705, indicating that the peridotite is an unlikely source of the radiogenic Sr. Similarly, the measured ratio is much higher than the expected Sr isotope ratio of seawater that might be trapped in Jurassic Franciscan Sediments or oceanic crust. Strontium leached from Franciscan sediments themselves should reflect a Sierran or Klamath source with expected values in the range of 0.705 to 0.706. Indeed the measured isotope ratios even exceed modern seawater values. The observed radiogenic values suggest the presence of older, potassium (and rubidium)-rich rocks within the fluid flow path. Alternatively, the presence of clay minerals that readily substitute Sr for Ca may well account for the radiogenic strontium signal. It is possible that the serpentinization observed at The Cedars initiated along a ridge flank and the Sr isotopic chemistry reflects the site of initiation. The radiogenic strontium in these springs may result from fluid interaction with seafloor sediments deposited along the flank of a slow spreading ridge. If this is the case, it may be possible to use 87Sr/86Sr to determine the location of serpentinization initiation (Gruau et al, 1998). Such a revelation might provide insight into the geochemical processes associated with mid-ocean ridge flank serpentinization at sites like Lost City (Kelley et al., 2005). The implications of this correlation could provide information about the preservation of geochemical systems through obduction of ophiolitic sequences and provide insights into ridge flank hydrothermal and serpentinizing processes.

Evaluation of the proliferation and differentiation behaviors of mesenchymal stem cells with partially converted borate glass containing different amounts of strontium in vitro.

PubMed

Zhu, Yi; Ouyang, Yuanming; Chang, Yi; Luo, Congfeng; Xu, Jun; Zhang, Changqing; Huang, Wenhai

2013-04-01

The objective of this study was to examine the proliferation and differentiation behaviors of different compositions of strontium-containing (from 0-12 mol%) borate glasses with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay revealed that after three days of culturing, the 6Sr group had the highest cell growth rate. Analysis of cell morphology revealed that cells proliferated well near the particles of the samples in all the groups on day 3. On day 7, cells in the 6Sr group demonstrated a higher proliferation rate than other 4 groups under the microscope. When performing the Live-Dead staining experiment, the 6Sr group had the least number of dead cells. Total DNA qualification indicated that the 6Sr group had a statistically higher concentration compared with the remaining groups. It was found that on day 7, compared with the 0Sr group, the core binding factor α1 (Cbfa1) mRNA expression level was significantly higher in the 6Sr, 9Sr and 12Sr groups. On day 14, compared with the 0Sr group, the bone sialoprotein (BSP) mRNA level was significantly higher in the 6Sr group. Additionally, on day 21, the 6Sr and 9Sr groups demonstrated higher osteocalcin (OCN) mRNA expression levels compared with the 0Sr group. In the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity test, on day 21, the 6Sr group presented a higher activity than the 0Sr group. Further, the number of mineralized nodules per unit in MSCs was measured by Alizarin Red S staining. The results showed that the 6Sr and 9Sr groups had the greatest number of mineralized nodules. Therefore, it could be concluded that borate glasses containing strontium oxide of 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 mol% demonstrate a significant level of proliferation when interacting with MSCs. The borate glass containing 6 mol% strontium oxide had the greatest level of proliferation when cultured with MSCs. The borate glass containing 6 and 9 mol% strontium oxide facilitated an improved bone formation ability compared with the remaining two compositions.

Regulation of plant immunity through ubiquitin-mediated modulation of Ca(2+) -calmodulin-AtSR1/CAMTA3 signaling.

PubMed

Zhang, Lei; Du, Liqun; Shen, Chenjia; Yang, Yanjun; Poovaiah, B W

2014-04-01

Transient changes in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration are essential signals for activation of plant immunity. It has also been reported that Ca(2+) signals suppress salicylic acid-mediated plant defense through AtSR1/CAMTA3, a member of the Ca(2+) /calmodulin-regulated transcription factor family that is conserved in multicellular eukaryotes. How plants overcome this negative regulation to mount an effective defense response during a stage of intracellular Ca(2+) surge is unclear. Here we report the identification and functional characterization of an important component of ubiquitin ligase, and the associated AtSR1 turnover. The AtSR1 interaction protein 1 (SR1IP1) was identified by CytoTrap two-hybrid screening. The loss-of-function mutant of SR1IP1 is more susceptible to bacterial pathogens, and over-expression of SR1IP1 confers enhanced resistance, indicating that SR1IP1 acts as a positive regulator of plant defense. SR1IP1 and AtSR1 act in the same signaling pathway to regulate plant immunity. SR1IP1 contains the structural features of a substrate adaptor in cullin 3-based E3 ubiquitin ligase, and was shown to serve as a substrate adaptor that recruits AtSR1 for ubiquitination and degradation when plants are challenged with pathogens. Hence, SR1IP1 positively regulates plant immunity by removing the defense suppressor AtSR1. These findings provide a mechanistic insight into how Ca(2+) -mediated actions are coordinated to achieve effective plant immunity. © 2014 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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

Manaf, A., E-mail: azwar@ui.ac.id; Fahmi, Agam Aidil; Yustanti, Erlina

This paper describes the particle size characterization of mechanically alloyed Ba{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}TiO{sub 3} and Ba{sub 0.3}Sr{sub 0.7}TiO{sub 3} prepared with the aid of a high-power ultrasonic destruction. Analytical-grade BaCO{sub 3}, TiO{sub 2} and SrCO{sub 3} with a purity greater than 99 wt.% were used as precursors for Ba{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}TiO{sub 3} and Ba{sub 0.3}Sr{sub 0.7}TiO{sub 3}. The mechanically powders were respectively sintered at 1200 °C for 3 hours to form crystalline powders. This work is aimed at studying the effect of diameter ratio between reactor and transducer of a high power sonicator on the Ba{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}TiO{sub 3} andmore » Ba{sub 0.3}Sr{sub 0.7}TiO{sub 3} nanoparticles formation. The presence of a single phase of the two materials was confirmed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The concentration of the particles in demineralized water was 3.0 g / 100 mL which become the object of 3 hours ultrasonic destruction subjected to the application of transducer in which the ratio between the diameter of the reactor and the transducer (D/d) was fixed at 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 respectively. It was found that the mean particle size before the ultrasonic destruction was 538 nm for Ba{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}TiO{sub 3} and 480 nm for Ba{sub 0.3}Sr{sub 0.7}TiO{sub 3}. With D/d of 1.8, the mean particle size of the two materials was found to decrease drastically to 38 nm and 24 nm, respectively. These mean particle sizes were respectively comparable with that of the crystallite size of the particles derived using the Whole Powder Pattern Modelling (WPPM) from which the mean crystallite size of 22 nm for Ba{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}TiO{sub 3} and 14 nm for Ba{sub 0.3}Sr{sub 0.7}TiO{sub 3} were obtained. It is then confirmed single nanocrystallite Ba{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}TiO{sub 3} and Ba{sub 0.3}Sr{sub 0.7}TiO{sub 3} particles were already achieved. We can conclude that the ultrasonic destruction to mechanically milled crystalline particles would be one of an effective way to produce nanoparticles.« less

Electronic and magnetic properties of double perovskite Sr2CoUO6: Heisenberg model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nid-bahami, A.; Ahmed, S. Sidi; Ait-Tamerd, M.; Zaari, H.; El Kenz, A.; Benyoussef, A.

2018-01-01

This work will be focused on the electronic and magnetic properties of Sr2CoUO6 (SCUO) using ab-initio calculations and Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS). Firstly, we calculate the exchange coupling and the crystal field, then, the electronic and magnetic properties will be studied, using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method, as implemented in the Wien2k code. This method employing the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) for exchange-correlation term. The half-metallic ferromagnetic nature implies a potential application of this new compound in spintronics devices. Also, we have presented the results of the band structures and densities of states for the two up and down spin polarizations. The exchange coupling and the crystal field calculated are J = 0 . 567 meV and δ = 0 . 559meV, and total spin magnetic moments is 2.96 μB closed to experimental values 3 μB. Secondly, we have presented the results for the magnetization and the susceptibility as a function of temperature. Finally, we obtain the critical temperature T = 9 . 20 K by MCS in good agreement with the experimental value.

Relativistic Many-Body Calculations of n=2 States for the Beryllium Isoelectronic Sequence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Safronova, M. S.; Johnson, W. R.; Safronova, U. I.

1996-05-01

Energies of the ten (2l2l') states of ions of the beryllium isoelectronic sequence are determined to second-order in relativistic many-body perturbation theory. Both the second-order Coulomb interaction and the second-order Breit-Coulomb interaction are included. Corrections for the frequency-dependent Breit interaction are taken in account in lowest order only. The effect of the Lamb shift is also estimated and included. Comparisons with other calculations and with experiment are made. Our theoretical results for the 2s-2p_3/2 transitions in U^88+ and Th^86+ (4501.60 eV and 4069.02 eV, resp.) differ only by 0.12 eV for U^88+ and 0.55 eV for Th^86+ from experimental data obtained at the SUPER-EBIT in LLNL.(P. Beiersdorfer, D. Knapp, R.E. Marrs, S.R. Elliot and M.H. Chen, Phys. Rev. Lett. 71), 3939 (1993); P. Beiersdorfer, A. Osterheld, S.R. Elliot, M.H. Chen, D. Knapp, and K. Reed, Phys. Rev. A52, 2693 (1995). Excellent agreement with experimental results for the splitting of ^3 P terms is found.

Dirk Jordan | NREL

Science.gov Websites

quantify module degradation rates. Statistical analysis of reported degradation rates of PV modules degradation rates," Prog. in PV 24(7), 2016, DOI: 10.1002/pip.2744 Jordan D.C., Silverman T.J PV, 2017, DOI: 10.1002/pip.2866 Jordan D.C., Silverman T.J., Sekulic B., Kurtz S.R., "PV

ENDOCRINE MODULATING EFFECTS OF LAGOON WATER FROM CONFINED ANIMAL FEED OPERATIONS ON AMPHIBIANS

EPA Science Inventory

Endocrine Modulating Effects of Lagoon Water from Confined Animal Feed Operations on Amphibians. Weber, L.P.*1, Dumont, J.N.1, Selcer, K.W.2, Hutchins, S.R.3, and Janz, D.M.1 1Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 2Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, 3U.S. Environmenta...

Common origin of plagioclase in the last three eruptions of Unzen volcano, Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakai, Shun'ichi; Maeda, Yasunobu; Nakada, Setsuya

2008-07-01

Megacrysts (large crystals of 2-15 mm in length) of plagioclases extracted from the lavas of the last three eruptions of southwestern Japan's Unzen volcano (AD 1663, AD 1792 and AD 1991-1995) have limited 87Sr/ 86Sr ratios of 0.70439-0.70454. Results of micro-drilling analyses indicated that three of eight megacrysts showed a gradual decrease in 87Sr/ 86Sr ratios from the core to the rim, whereas other megacrysts showed a homogeneous 87Sr/ 86Sr ratio. This relative homogeneity contrasts sharply to the wide variation of 87Sr/ 86Sr ratios of matrixes of the lavas of the last three eruptions (0.71417, 0.70467, 0.70447-0.70450, respectively). Most megacrysts show isotopic disequilibrium between their outer rims and their matrixes, suggesting that they did not grow in the host magmas. In addition, seven of the eight megacrysts of plagioclase also have similar trace element abundance ratios (La/Nd and Sr/Ba). Their similar chemical and isotopic compositions suggest that they crystallized from the same parent magma, which suggests to us that they were formed prior to or during the eruption in 1663. The isotopic ratios of the 1663 eruption lavas of 0.71417, however, rules out the possibility that it is the parent magma for the plagioclase megacrysts. The lavas erupted 4000 and 5000 years ago have 87Sr/ 86Sr ratios of 0.70454 and 0.70442, respectively, [Chen, C.-H., DePaolo, D.J., Nakada, S., Shieh, Y.-N., 1993. Relationship between eruption volume and neodymium isotopic composition at Unzen volcano. Nature 362, 831-834]; they are inferred to be of the parent magma because of their Sr isotope ratios. Consequently, the micro-analytical results seem to suggest that plagioclases with a single origin can be supplied to volcanic products of several different eruptions surviving several eruption events.

Nanostructured Crystals of Fluorite Phases Sr1 - x R x F2 + x and Their Ordering: 12. Influence of Structural Ordering on the Fluorine-Ion Conductivity of Sr0.667 R 0.333F2.333 Alloys ( R = Tb or Tm) at Their Annealing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sorokin, N. I.; Karimov, D. N.; Sul'yanova, E. A.; Sobolev, B. P.

2018-01-01

The ionic conductivity of Sr0.667 R 0.333F2.333 alloys (rational Sr2 RF7 compositions) in SrF2- RF3 systems ( R = Tb or Tm), prepared by spontaneous crystallization, has been investigated for the "as-grown" state and after annealing in CF4 at 900 ± 20°C for 96 h. As-grown samples of both compositions, prepared by fast (200°C/min) melt crystallization, exhibit partial (nonequilibrium) ordering, which increases from Tb to Tm. Annealing of Sr0.667 R 0.333F2.333 alloys yields strong ordering (equilibrium for the annealing temperatures) of the fluorite structure (CaF2 type, sp. gr. Fm3̅ m, Z = 4) at the formation of t-Sr2 RF7 tetragonal compound (sp. gr. I4/ m, Z = 30). It is established that ordering of the alloy fluorite structure reduces the fluorine-ion conductivity. After the annealing, the conductivity of Sr0.667R0.333F2.333 alloys with the initial (nonequilibrium) ordering stage of t-Sr2 RF7 phases with almost complete (equilibrium) ordering decreases by a factor of 3-4.5.

Effect of strontium substitution on the structural and magnetic properties of La1.8Sr0.2MMnO6 (M = Ni, Co)-layered manganites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karimunnesa, Syeda; Ahmmad, Bashir; Basith, M. A.

2017-07-01

Sr-substituted perovskites, La1.8Sr0.2MMnO6 (M = Ni, Co), were synthesized using the solid-state reaction technique to present a systematic study on their morphological, structural and magnetic properties. The average grain size of the as-prepared La1.8Sr0.2NiMnO6 samples are in the range of 0.2-0.7 µm and those for La1.8Sr0.2CoMnO6 manganites are 0.1-2.8 μm, which is significantly less than that of unsubstituted La2NiMnO6 (LNMO) and La2CoMnO6 (LCMO) manganites. The XPS analysis enlightened about phase purity, binding energy and oxygen vacancy of La1.8Sr0.2MMnO6 manganites. The Sr-substituted LNMO has revealed a sharp ferromagnetic to paramagnetic phase transition at 160 ± 2 K, which is about 120 K less than that of parent LNMO. The Sr-substituted LCMO exhibited such a transition at 220 ± 2 K, which is 8 K less than that of parent LCMO. The temperature-dependent magnetization measurements suggest that the effect of Sr on the transition temperature in LNMO is more significant than that of LCMO.

A preliminary bioavailable strontium isotope soil map of Europe.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoogewerff, Jurian; Reimann, Clemens; Ueckermann, Henriette; Frei, Robert; Frei, Karin; van Aswegen, Thalita; Stirling, Claudine; Reid, Malcolm; Clayton, Aaron; Gemas Project Team

2017-04-01

The GEMAS project collected samples from grazing land (n=2118, 0-20cm depth) and agricultural soil (n=2211, 0-10cm depth) at a scale of 1 site/2500km2 in most of Europe1. Elemental analysis using different extractions (Aqua Regia and MMI), whole soil XRF data and Q-ICPMS lead isotope data have been published1. Here we report high-precision 87Sr/86Sr results for the first 1000+ samples. To best represent Sr in plants and animals an ammonium nitrate soil extraction was chosen2. Samples were measured in three laboratories and shared QC samples demonstrated the robustness of the complete extraction and measurement protocol. Observed 87Sr/86Sr values range from 0.7038 to 0.7597 with the majority of samples centring about the median of 0.7092. Spatial interpolation of the data shows some major trends over Europe with high 87Sr/86Sr in known old intrusive terrains in Scandinavia, Iberia and the Alps. To improve the spatial resolution we investigated relations between measured 87Sr/86Sr values and other parameters for which higher spatial density (interpolated) data exists in geological and lithological databases like IGME50003 and GLiM4. For each sampling site matching geological age data and lithology were obtained by overlaying sampling locations on the IGME5000 and GLiM maps and extracting age and lithology information. All statistical and geospatial manipulations were performed using the R statistical package. Overall the 87Sr/86Sr values show a moderate correlation (Pearson R=0.54) with age but demonstrate varying homogeneity in different lithological units. Within the GEMAS dataset the strontium isotope ratios correlate most strongly with the lead isotope results,206Pb/208Pb (R=0.56) indicating a combined age and "crustalinity" effect. Whole soil Rb (XRF) is slightly higher correlated (R=0.26) with 87Sr/86Sr than extracted Rb (AR) at R=0.12 indicating some influence of the long term Rb signal in the soil parent material. Sodium is the highest correlated whole soil (XRF) element (R=0.33), which initially might hint at the influence of seaspray as it is often hypothesized that seaspray is a major source of 87Sr/86Sr variation in coastal regions. To test this hypothesis the distances to the coast in the major north-westerly wind direction in Europe and the shortest distance to any coast were calculated. Neither distance measure provided any significant correlation with 87Sr/86Sr values, indicating that the cause of the Na-Sr correlation is not likely to be seaspray, which would agree with poor correlation with presumably mobile Na in the Aqua Regia extracts. In concordance with observations of other authors5 modeling accuracy is improved by creating separate models for contrasting lithologies; igneous, marine limestones and other types. Igneous parent material provided the most convincing model using parameters like age, Rb/Sr ratio and 206Pb/208Pb. Attempts to model 87Sr/86Sr of soil on marine limestones with the LOWESS version 36 87Sr/86Sr vs. age curve were not convincing although some pattern similarity could be observed. Uranium and sodium content combined with pH are reasonable predictors of 87Sr/86Sr in soils on marine limestone parent material. The 87Sr/86Sr dataset with coordinates and models will be available from the main author after publication later in 2017. Reimann, C., et al., (2014). Geologisches Jahrbuch (Reihe B 102), Schweizerbarth, Hannover. Voerkelius S. et al., (2010). Food Chemistry. 118 (4), pp. 933-940. Asch, K., (2003). Geologisches Jahrbuch, SA 3, Schweizerbarth. Hannover. Hartmann, J., and N. Moosdorf (2012), Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 13, Q12004. Bataille, C. P. and G. J. Bowen. 2012. Chemical Geology 304-305:39- 52. J. M. McArthur, et al., Journal of Geology, 2001, volume 109, p. 155-170

Complexation of the calcium cation with antamanide: an experimental and theoretical study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makrlík, Emanuel; Böhm, Stanislav; Vaňura, Petr; Ruzza, Paolo

2015-06-01

By using extraction experiments and γ-activity measurements, the extraction constant corresponding to the equilibrium Ca2+(aq) + 1 .Sr2+(nb) ? 1 .Ca2+(nb) + Sr2+(aq) occurring in the two-phase water-nitrobenzene system (1 = antamanide; aq = aqueous phase, nb = nitrobenzene phase) was determined as log Kex (Ca2+, 1 .Sr2+) = 1.6 ± 0.1. Further, the stability constant of the 1 .Ca2+ complex in nitrobenzene saturated with water was calculated for a temperature of 25 °C: log βnb (1 .Ca2+) = 10.9 ± 0.2. Finally, applying quantum mechanical density functional level of theory calculations, the most probable structure of the cationic complex species 1 .Ca2+ was derived. In the resulting complex, the 'central' cation Ca2+ is bound by six strong bonding interactions to the corresponding six carbonyl oxygen atoms of the parent ligand 1. Besides, the whole 1 .Ca2+ complex structure is stabilised by two intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The interaction energy of the considered 1 .Ca2+ complex, involving the Boys-Bernardi counterpoise corrections of the basis set superposition error, was found to be -1219.3 kJ/mol, confirming the formation of this cationic species.

Raman spectra and cross sections of ammonia, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, phosgene, and sulfur dioxide toxic gases in the fingerprint region 400-1400 cm-1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aggarwal, R. L.; Farrar, L. W.; Di Cecca, S.; Jeys, T. H.

2016-02-01

Raman spectra of ammonia (NH3), chlorine (Cl2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), phosgene (COCl2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) toxic gases have been measured in the fingerprint region 400-1400 cm-1. A relatively compact (<2'x2'x2'), sensitive, 532 nm 10 W CW Raman system with double-pass laser and double-sided collection was used for these measurements. Two Raman modes are observed at 934 and 967 cm-1 in NH3. Three Raman modes are observed in Cl2 at 554, 547, and 539 cm-1, which are due to the 35/35 35/37, and 37/37 Cl isotopes, respectively. Raman modes are observed at 870, 570, and 1151 cm-1 in H2S, COCl2, and SO2, respectively. Values of 3.68 ± 0.26x10-32 cm2/sr (3.68 ± 0.26x10-36 m2/sr), 1.37 ± 0.10x10-30 cm2/sr (1.37 ± 0.10x10-34 m2/sr), 3.25 ± 0.23x10-31 cm2/sr (3.25 ± 0.23x10-35 m2/sr), 1.63 ± 0.14x10-30 cm2/sr (1.63 ± 0.14x10-34 m2/sr), and 3.08 ± 0.22x10-30 cm2/sr (and 3.08 ± 0.22x10-34 m2/sr) were determined for the differential Raman cross section of the 967 cm-1 mode of NH3, sum of the 554, 547, and 539 cm-1 modes of Cl2, 870 cm-1 mode of H2S, 570 cm-1 mode of COCl2, and 1151 cm-1 mode of SO2, respectively, using the differential Raman cross section of 3.56 ± 0.14x10-31 cm2/sr (3.56 ± 0.14x10-35 m2/sr) for the 1285 cm-1 mode of CO2 as the reference.

Evidence for a late thermal event of unequilibrated enstatite chondrites: a Rb-Sr study of Qingzhen and Yamato 6901 (EH3) and Khairpur (EL6)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Torigoye, N.; Shima, M.

1993-01-01

The Rb-Sr whole rock and internal systematics of two EH3 chondrites, Qingzhen and Yamato 6901, and of one EL6 chondrite, Khairpur, were determined. The internal Rb-Sr systematics of the EH3 chondrites are highly disturbed. Fractions corresponding to sulfide phases show excess 87Sr, while other fractions corresponding to silicate phases produce a linear trend on a Rb-Sr evolution diagram. If these linear relations are interpreted as isochrons, the ages of the silicate phases are 2.12?? 0.23 Ga and 2.05 ??0.33 Ga with the initial Sr isotopic ratios of 0.7112 ?? 0.0018 and 0.7089 ?? 0.0032, for Qingzhen and Yamato 6901, respectively. The Rb-Sr results are interpeted as indicative of a late thermal event about 2Ga ago on the parent bodies of these EH3 chondrites. These ages agree well with previously published K-Ar ages. An older isochron age of 4.481 ?? 0.036 Ga with a low initial Sr isotopic ratio of 0.69866 ?? 0.00038 was obtained for the data from silicate fractions of Khairpur, indicating early petrological equilibrium on the parent body of EL6 chondrites. -from Authors

Determination of (87)Sr/(86)Sr and δ(88/86)Sr ratios in plant materials using MC-ICP-MS.

PubMed

Liu, Hou-Chun; Chung, Chuan-Hsiung; You, Chen-Feng; Chiang, Yi-Hsuan

2016-01-01

A protocol for highly accurate and precise determination of Sr isotope ratios in plant materials, (87)Sr/(86)Sr and δ (88/86)Sr, by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) is presented in this study. An Eichrom Sr resin was used for matrix separation and an improved Zr empirical external normalization coupled with standard-sample bracketing method (Zr EEN-SSB) was applied to mass bias correction during Sr isotope MC-ICP-MS measurements. Potential influences of matrix elements, and polyatomic and isobaric interferences on the Sr isotopic determination were further evaluated using NIST SRM 987 Sr isotopic standard spiked with various amount of Ca, Mg, and Rb contents. Concentrations of Ca and Mg lower than 30 ng g(-1) or Rb < 2 ng g(-1) in 150 ng g(-1) Sr analyte were estimated to have only a minor effect on Sr isotope ratios determination. On the other hand, intensity differences between sample and standards (IntSample/IntStandards) represented a large δ (88/86)Sr deviation of <0.9 or >1.3, reflecting the significance of intensity bias attributed to different mass bias behavior. An apple leaf material, NIST SRM 1515, was adopted as the plant material for overall evaluation of sample digestion, matrix separation, and potential spectral interferences on the measurements of Sr isotope ratios. Our results suggest that the partially remaining organic compounds in the incomplete digestion would have a significant bias on the extraction chromatography procedure, resulting in sizable uncertainty in δ (88/86)Sr ratios. Thus, complete digestion of the organic-enriched materials is of great importance for efficiency assurance in matrix separation. Extraction chromatography works well for the total digested samples, where Ca, Mg, and Rb were efficiently removed. The obtained average (87)Sr/(86)Sr and δ (88/86)Sr values for the NIST SRM 1515 apple leaves are 0.71398 ± 0.00004 and 0.23 ± 0.03‰ (2SD, n = 10), respectively.

Nature and Significance of the High-Sr Aleutian Lavas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yogodzinski, G. M.; Arndt, S.; Turka, J. R.; Kelemen, P. B.; Vervoort, J. D.; Portnyagin, M.; Hoernle, K.

2011-12-01

Results of the Western Aleutian Volcano Expedition and German-Russian KALMAR cruises include the discovery of seafloor volcanism at the Ingenstrem Depression and at unnamed seamounts 300 km west of Buldir, the westernmost emergent volcano in the Aleutian arc. These discoveries indicate that the surface expression of active Aleutian volcanism goes below sea level just west of Buldir, but is otherwise continuous along the full length of the arc. Many lavas dredged from western Aleutian seamounts are basalts, geochemically similar to basalts from elsewhere in Aleutians and other arcs (La/Yb 4-8, Sr/Y<30, 87Sr/86Sr=0.7031-0.7033). Western Aleutian dredge samples also include high-Sr lavas (>700 ppm Sr), which are mostly plagioclase-hornblende andesites and dacites with low Y and middle-heavy rare-earth elements, fractionated trace element patterns (Sr/Y=50-200, La/Yb=9-25) and MORB-like isotopes (87Sr/86Sr < 0.7028). The endmember Sr-rich lavas are magnesian rhyodacites (SiO2~68%, Mg# >0.65) with 1250-1700 ppm Sr, 4-7 ppm Y, low abundances of all rare-earth elements (La<7 ppm, Yb<0.4 ppm) and 87Sr/86Sr < 0.70266. The high silica and primitive (high Mg#) character of the high-Sr lavas, combined with their strongly fractionated trace element patterns and MORB-like isotopes are consistent with a source predominantly of subducted basalt and a melt residue that contained garnet. The high-Sr lavas have some characteristics of MORB fluids (low Ce/Pb and unradiogenic Pb), and their highly calc-alkaline nature implies high pre-eruptive water contents[1], but low 87Sr/86Sr indicates that their source was in MORB, not seawater-altered MORB. The high-Sr endmember is clearly present in andesites from some emergent volcanoes in the western Aleutians, and mixing arrays indicate that it may be present in all Aleutian lavas (e.g., 87Sr/86Sr vs. La/Yb or Sr/Y); however, radiogenic Pb and Sr from subducted sediment renders the high-Sr endmember isotopically invisible in most central and eastern Aleutian lavas. The geochemistry of small monogenetic sea-floor volcanoes--especially those in the back-arc--may be the best opportunity to identify the high-Sr endmember in central and eastern Aleutian locations. The existence of primitive, high-silica lavas in the western Aleutians, where the subducting plate is probably unusually hot, may also provide key observations toward an improved understanding of high-Mg# andesites and dacites from other hot-slab locations, especially in the Cascades and Central Mexico. [1] Zimmer et al., 2010, J. Petrology, v. 51, p. 2411

Ruddlesden-Popper interface in correlated manganite heterostructures induces magnetic decoupling and dead layer reduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belenchuk, A.; Shapoval, O.; Roddatis, V.; Bruchmann-Bamberg, V.; Samwer, K.; Moshnyaga, V.

2016-12-01

We report on the interface engineering in correlated manganite heterostructures by octahedral decoupling using embedded stacks of atomic layers that form the Ruddlesden-Popper structure. A room temperature magnetic decoupling was achieved through deposition of a (SrO)2-TiO2-(SrO)2 sequence of atomic layers at the interface between La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 and La0.7Sr0.3Mn0.9Ru0.1O3 films. Moreover, the narrowing of the interfacial dead layer in ultrathin La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 films was demonstrated by insertion of a single (SrO)2 rock-salt layer at the interface with the SrTiO3(100) substrate. The obtained results are discussed based on the symmetry breaking and disconnection of the MnO6 octahedra network at the interface that may lead to the improved performance of all-oxide magnetic tunnel junctions. We suggest that octahedral decoupling realized by formation of Ruddlesden-Popper interfaces is an effective structural mechanism to control functionalities of correlated perovskite heterostructures.

Diffusion quantum Monte Carlo calculations of SrFeO 3 and LaFeO 3

DOE PAGES

Santana, Juan A.; Krogel, Jaron T.; Kent, Paul R. C.; ...

2017-07-18

The equations of state, formation energy, and migration energy barrier of the oxygen vacancy in SrFeO 3 and LaFeO 3 were calculated in this paper with the diffusion quantum Monte Carlo (DMC) method. Calculations were also performed with various Density Functional Theory (DFT) approximations for comparison. DMC reproduces the measured cohesive energies of these materials with errors below 0.23(5) eV and the structural properties within 1% of the experimental values. The DMC formation energies of the oxygen vacancy in SrFeO 3 and LaFeO 3 under oxygen-rich conditions are 1.3(1) and 6.24(7) eV, respectively. Similar calculations with semi-local DFT approximations formore » LaFeO 3 yielded vacancy formation energies 1.5 eV lower. Comparison of charge density evaluated with DMC and DFT approximations shows that DFT tends to overdelocalize the electrons in defected SrFeO 3 and LaFeO 3. Finally, calculations with DMC and local density approximation yield similar vacancy migration energy barriers, indicating that steric/electrostatic effects mainly determine migration barriers in these materials.« less

Sr2Ir1 -xRhxO4(x <0.5 ) : An inhomogeneous jeff=1/2 Hubbard system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chikara, Shalinee; Haskel, Daniel; Sim, Jae-Hoon; Kim, Heung-Sik; Chen, Cheng-Chien; Fabbris, G.; Veiga, L. S. I.; Souza-Neto, N. M.; Terzic, J.; Butrouna, K.; Cao, G.; Han, Myung Joon; van Veenendaal, Michel

2015-08-01

In a combined experimental and theoretical study, we investigate the properties of Sr2Ir1 -xRhxO4 . From the branching ratios of the L -edge isotropic x-ray absorption spectra, we determine that the spin-orbit coupling is remarkably independent of x for both iridium and rhodium sites. DFT+U calculations show that the doping is close to isoelectronic and introduces impurity bands of predominantly rhodium character close to the lower Hubbard band. Overlap of these two bands leads to metallic behavior. Since the low-energy states for x <0.5 have predominantly jeff=1/2 character, we suggest that the electronic properties of this material can be described by an inhomogeneous Hubbard model, where the on-site energies change due to local variations in the spin-orbit interaction strength combined with additional changes in binding energy.

Anisotropic antiferromagnetic order in the spin-orbit coupled trigonal-lattice Ca2Sr2IrO6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheng, Jieming; Ye, Feng; Hoffmann, Christina; Cooper, Valentino R.; Okamoto, Satoshi; Terzic, Jasminka; Zheng, Hao; Zhao, Hengdi; Cao, G.

2018-06-01

We used single-crystal x-ray and neutron diffraction to investigate the crystal and magnetic structures of trigonal lattice iridate Ca2Sr2IrO6 . The crystal structure is determined to be R 3 ¯ with two distinct Ir sites. The system exhibits long-range antiferromagnetic order below TN=13.1 K. The magnetic wave vector is identified as (0,0.5,1) with ferromagnetic coupling along the a axis and antiferromagnetic correlation along the b axis. Spins align dominantly within the basal plane along the [1,2,0] direction and tilt 34∘ toward the c axis. The ordered moment is 0.66(3) μB/Ir, larger than other iridates where iridium ions form corner- or edge-sharing IrO6 octahedral networks. The tilting angle is reduced to ≈19∘ when a magnetic field of 4.9 T is applied along the c axis. Density functional theory calculations confirm that the experimentally determined magnetic configuration is the most probable ground state with an insulating gap ˜0.5 eV.

Inhibition of hydrogen sulfide on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells involved in the modulation of calcium sensing receptor in high homocysteine

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

Wang, Yuwen; Wang, Xiyao; Liang, Xiaohui

Hyperhomocysteinemia induces the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Hydrogen sulfide (H{sub 2}S) inhibits the phenotype switch of VSMCs and calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) regulated the production of endogenous H{sub 2}S. However, whether CaSR inhibits the proliferation of VSMCs by regulating the endogenous cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE, a major enzyme that produces H{sub 2}S) pathway in high homocysteine (HHcy) has not been previously investigated. The intracellular calcium concentration, the concentration of H{sub 2}S, the cell viability, the proliferation and the expression of proteins of cultured VSMCs from rat thoracic aortas were measured, respectively. The results showed that the [Ca{sup 2+}]{sub i} andmore » the expression of p-CaMK and CSE increased upon treatment with CaSR agonist. In HHcy, the H{sub 2}S concentration decrease, the proliferation and migration rate increased, the expression of Cyclin D1, PCNA, Osteopontin and p-Erk1/2 increased while the α-SM actin, P21{sup Cip/WAK−1} and Calponin decreased. The CaSR agonist or exogenous H{sub 2}S significantly reversed the changes of VSMCs caused by HHcy. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that CaSR regulate the endogenous CSE/H{sub 2}S is related to the PLC-IP{sub 3} receptor and CaM signal pathways which inhibit the proliferation of VSMCs, and the latter is involved in the Erk1/2 dependent signal pathway in high homocysteine. - Highlights: • CaSR activation increased the production of endogenous H{sub 2}S in high homocysteine VSMCs. • CaSR modulated the CSE/H{sub 2}S are related to the PLC-IP{sub 3}R and Ca{sup 2+}-CaM signal pathways. • Inhibition of H{sub 2}S on the proliferation of VSMCs is involved in the Erk1/2 pathway. • Explore the potential roles of CaSR in regulating VSMCs proliferation in high homocysteine.« less

The recovery of weak impulsive signals based on stochastic resonance and moving least squares fitting.

PubMed

Jiang, Kuosheng; Xu, Guanghua; Liang, Lin; Tao, Tangfei; Gu, Fengshou

2014-07-29

In this paper a stochastic resonance (SR)-based method for recovering weak impulsive signals is developed for quantitative diagnosis of faults in rotating machinery. It was shown in theory that weak impulsive signals follow the mechanism of SR, but the SR produces a nonlinear distortion of the shape of the impulsive signal. To eliminate the distortion a moving least squares fitting method is introduced to reconstruct the signal from the output of the SR process. This proposed method is verified by comparing its detection results with that of a morphological filter based on both simulated and experimental signals. The experimental results show that the background noise is suppressed effectively and the key features of impulsive signals are reconstructed with a good degree of accuracy, which leads to an accurate diagnosis of faults in roller bearings in a run-to failure test.

Colossal dielectric constant and relaxation behaviors in Pr:SrTiO3 ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Cheng; Liu, Peng; Zhou, Jian-ping; He, Ying; Su, Li-na; Cao, Lei; Zhang, Huai-wu

2010-05-01

Sr1-xPrxTiO3 ceramics (0.00≤x≤0.03) were prepared by a traditional solid-state reaction method. Two relaxation processes (marked as A and B) of the Sr0.09Pr0.01TiO3 ceramics were investigated by analyzing the Ea values obtained from the Arrhenius law. Colossal dielectric constant (CDC) was first obtained in Sr0.09Pr0.01TiO3 ceramics, whose permittivity was up to 3000 (1 kHz, room temperature), greater than that of pure SrTiO3 ceramics and samples with more Pr addition (x =0.02 and 0.03). This CDC behavior was related to the internal barrier layer capacitance mechanism.

Income, family context and self-regulation in 5-year-old children

PubMed Central

Li, Mengying; Riis, Jenna L.; Ghazarian, Sharon R.; Johnson, Sara B.

2016-01-01

Objective Self-regulation (SR) is a core aspect of child development with enduring effects on health and wellbeing across the lifespan. Early childhood poverty may shape SR development. This study examined the cross-sectional relations among family income, family context and SR in five-year-old children. Method 140 five-year-old children and their mothers participated in the study. Children completed a battery of SR tasks; mothers completed questionnaires. Cognitive and emotional SR composite scores were generated based on a principal component analysis of the SR tasks. SR scores were first regressed on family income (in 10 levels ranging from <5,000 to 150,000+) adjusting for age, sex and race of the child; family context variables were subsequently added to the models. Results Controlling for age, sex and race, each level increase in family income was associated with 0.04 standard deviation (SD) increase in emotional SR (p=0.32) and 0.08 SD increase in cognitive SR (p=0.01). In fully adjusted models, exposure to household instability and experiencing 10 or more negative life events was associated with worse emotional SR; exposure to mother’s depressive symptoms was associated with worse cognitive SR. Higher income buffered children’s SR from some contextual risk factors. Family contextual variables explained 62% of the correlation between higher income and better cognitive SR scores. Conclusions Income-based cognitive SR disparities were associated with family contextual factors. Screening for family adversity in pediatric care and linking families to needed resources may protect children’s developing SR capacities, with benefits to health and well-being. PMID:28092295

The relative effect of surface strontium chemistry and super-hydrophilicity on the early osseointegration of moderately rough titanium surface in the rabbit femur.

PubMed

Park, Jin-Woo; Kwon, Tae-Geon; Suh, Jo-Young

2013-06-01

It is unclear whether surface bioactive chemistry or hydrophilicity plays a more dominant role in the osseointegration of micro-structured titanium implants having the same surface topography at the micrometer and submicrometer scales. To understand their comparative effect on enhancing the early osseointegration of micro-rough-surfaced implants, this study compared the bone healing-promoting effect of surface strontium (Sr) chemistry that has been shown in numerous studies to super-hydrophilicity in the early osseointegration of moderately rough-surfaced clinical oral implants (SLA(®) implant) in rabbit cancellous bone. Hydrothermal treatment was performed to incorporate Sr ions into the surface of clinical SLA implants (SLA/Sr implant). The surface characteristics were evaluated by using field emission-scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and optical profilometry. Twenty screw implants (10 control and 10 experimental) were placed in the femoral condyles of 10 New Zealand White rabbits. The early osseointegration of the SLA/Sr implant was compared with a chemically modified super-hydrophilic SLA implant (SLActive(®) implant) by histomorphometric and resonance frequency analysis after 2 weeks of implantation. The SLA/Sr and SLActive implants exhibited an identical surface topography and average R(a) values at the micron and submicron scales. The SLA/Sr implant displayed a high amount of surface Sr content (15.6 at.%). There was no significant difference in the implant stability quotient (ISQ) values between the two groups. However, histomorphometric analysis revealed a significantly higher bone-to-implant contact percentage in the SLA/Sr implants compared with the SLActive implants in rabbit cancellous bone (P < 0.01). The results indicate that the surface Sr chemistry surpasses the effect of super-hydrophilicity in promoting the early bone apposition of moderately rough Ti surface in cancellous bone. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

S- and Sr-isotopic compositions in barite-silica chimney from the Franklin Seamount, Woodlark Basin, Papua New Guinea: constraints on genesis and temporal variability of hydrothermal fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ray, Durbar; Banerjee, Ranadip; Balakrishnan, S.; Paropkari, Anil L.; Mukhopadhyay, Subir

2017-07-01

Isotopic ratios of strontium and sulfur in six layers across a horizontal section of a hydrothermal barite-silica chimney from Franklin Seamount of western Woodlark Basin have been investigated. Sr-isotopic ratios in barite samples (87Sr/86Sr = 0.70478-0.70493) are less radiogenic than seawater (87Sr/86Sr = 0.70917) indicating that substantial leaching of sub-seafloor magma was involved in the genesis of hydrothermal fluid. The SO2 of magma likely contributed a considerable amount of lighter S-isotope in fluid and responsible for the formation of barite, which is isotopically lighter (δ34S = 19.4-20.5 ‰) than modern seawater (δ34S 21 ‰). The systematic changes in isotopic compositions across the chimney wall suggest temporal changes in the mode of mineral formation during the growth of the chimney. Enrichment of heavy S- and Sr-isotopes (δ34S = 20.58 ‰; 87Sr/86Sr = 0.70493) in the outermost periphery of the chimney indicates that, at the initial stage of chimney development, there was a significant contribution of seawater sulfate during barite mineralization. Thereafter, thickening of chimney wall occurred due to precipitation of fluid carrying more magmatic components relative to seawater. This led to a gradual enrichment of lighter isotopes (δ34S = 20.42-19.48 ‰; 87Sr/86Sr = 0.70491-0.704787) toward the inner portion of the chimney wall. In contrast, the innermost layer surrounding the fluid conduit is characterized by heavier and more radiogenic isotopes (δ34S = 20.3 ‰; 87Sr/86Sr = 0.7049). This suggests there was increasing influence of percolating seawater on the mineral paragenesis at the waning phase of the chimney development.

Crystal structure, oxidation state and magnetism of Sr{sub x}La{sub 2−x}Cu{sub 0.5}Ru{sub 0.5}O{sub 4} (x=1, 1.5)

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

Lü, Minfeng, E-mail: m.f.lv@ciac.jl.cn; Deng, Xiaolong; Waerenborgh, João C.

2014-03-15

Sr{sub x}La{sub 2−x}Cu{sub 0.5}Ru{sub 0.5}O{sub 4} (x=1, 1.5) oxides with K{sub 2}NiF{sub 4}-type structure were prepared by solid state reaction and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, magnetic and electrical resistivity measurements. The SrLaCu{sub 0.5}Ru{sub 0.5}O{sub 4} phase was obtained for the first time with a negligible amount of impurities. The octahedral Cu/RuO{sub 6} units are more elongated in SrLaCu{sub 0.5}Ru{sub 0.5}O{sub 4} than in Sr{sub 1.5}La{sub 0.5}Cu{sub 0.5}Ru{sub 0.5}O{sub 4} indicating a greater extent of static Jahn–Teller distortion. XPS suggests that mixed ion pairs Ru{sup 5+}/Ru{sup 4+}↔Cu{sup +}/Cu{sup 2+} are present in SrLaCu{sub 0.5}Ru{sub 0.5}O{sub 4}, whilemore » Ru remains as Ru{sup 5+} and Cu as Cu{sup 2+} in Sr{sub 1.5}La{sub 0.5}Cu{sub 0.5}Ru{sub 0.5}O{sub 4}. Both samples show spin-glass behavior, which can be explained by competition between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic superexchange interactions. The negative Weiss temperature estimated for SrLaCu{sub 0.5}Ru{sub 0.5}O{sub 4}, −318 K, is significantly lower than −11.5 K deduced for Sr{sub 1.5}La{sub 0.5}Cu{sub 0.5}Ru{sub 0.5}O{sub 4} which may be related to the higher static Jahn–Teller distortion in the former oxide. -- Graphical abstract: SrLaCu{sub 0.5}Ru{sub 0.5}O{sub 4} with K{sub 2}NiF{sub 4}-type structure show a larger static Jahn–Teller distortion than Sr{sub 1.5}La{sub 0.5}Cu{sub 0.5}Ru{sub 0.5}O{sub 4}, which may be related to stronger antiferromagnetic superexchange interactions. Highlights: • SrLaCu{sub 0.5}Ru{sub 0.5}O{sub 4} (I) larger Jahn–Teller (J–T) distortion than Sr{sub 1.5}La{sub 0.5}Cu{sub 0.5}Ru{sub 0.5}O{sub 4} (II). • Octahedral Cu/RuO{sub 6} units are more elongated in I than in II. • Mixed ion pairs Ru{sup 5+}/Ru{sup 4+}↔Cu{sup +}/Cu{sup 2+} are present in I, while Ru remains as Ru{sup 5+} and Cu as Cu{sup 2+} in II. • Negative Weiss temperature of I significantly lower, consistent with higher J–T distortion.« less

The effect of PKA-mediated phosphorylation of ryanodine receptor on SR Ca2+ leak in ventricular myocytes.

PubMed

Bovo, Elisa; Huke, Sabine; Blatter, Lothar A; Zima, Aleksey V

2017-03-01

Functional impact of cardiac ryanodine receptor (type 2 RyR or RyR2) phosphorylation by protein kinase A (PKA) remains highly controversial. In this study, we characterized a functional link between PKA-mediated RyR2 phosphorylation level and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca 2+ release and leak in permeabilized rabbit ventricular myocytes. Changes in cytosolic [Ca 2+ ] and intra-SR [Ca 2+ ] SR were measured with Fluo-4 and Fluo-5N, respectively. Changes in RyR2 phosphorylation at two PKA sites, serine-2031 and -2809, were measured with phospho-specific antibodies. cAMP (10μM) increased Ca 2+ spark frequency approximately two-fold. This effect was associated with an increase in SR Ca 2+ load from 0.84 to 1.24mM. PKA inhibitory peptide (PKI; 10μM) abolished the cAMP-dependent increase of SR Ca 2+ load and spark frequency. When SERCA was completely blocked by thapsigargin, cAMP did not affect RyR2-mediated Ca 2+ leak. The lack of a cAMP effect on RyR2 function can be explained by almost maximal phosphorylation of RyR2 at serine-2809 after sarcolemma permeabilization. This high RyR2 phosphorylation level is likely the consequence of a balance shift between protein kinase and phosphatase activity after permeabilization. When RyR2 phosphorylation at serine-2809 was reduced to its "basal" level (i.e. RyR2 phosphorylation level in intact myocytes) using kinase inhibitor staurosporine, SR Ca 2+ leak was significantly reduced. Surprisingly, further dephosphorylation of RyR2 with protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) markedly increased SR Ca 2+ leak. At the same time, phosphorylation of RyR2 at serine 2031 did not significantly change under identical experimental conditions. These results suggest that RyR2 phosphorylation by PKA has a complex effect on SR Ca 2+ leak in ventricular myocytes. At an intermediate level of RyR2 phosphorylation SR Ca 2+ leak is minimal. However, complete dephosphorylation and maximal phosphorylation of RyR2 increases SR Ca 2+ leak. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Periodic modulation-based stochastic resonance algorithm applied to quantitative analysis for weak liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry signal of granisetron in plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiang, Suyun; Wang, Wei; Xiang, Bingren; Deng, Haishan; Xie, Shaofei

2007-05-01

The periodic modulation-based stochastic resonance algorithm (PSRA) was used to amplify and detect the weak liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) signal of granisetron in plasma. In the algorithm, the stochastic resonance (SR) was achieved by introducing an external periodic force to the nonlinear system. The optimization of parameters was carried out in two steps to give attention to both the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) and the peak shape of output signal. By applying PSRA with the optimized parameters, the signal-to-noise ratio of LC-MS peak was enhanced significantly and distorted peak shape that often appeared in the traditional stochastic resonance algorithm was corrected by the added periodic force. Using the signals enhanced by PSRA, this method extended the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of granisetron in plasma from 0.05 and 0.2 ng/mL, respectively, to 0.01 and 0.02 ng/mL, and exhibited good linearity, accuracy and precision, which ensure accurate determination of the target analyte.

Modulation of spin dynamics via voltage control of spin-lattice coupling in multiferroics

DOE PAGES

Zhu, Mingmin; Zhou, Ziyao; Peng, Bin; ...

2017-02-03

Our work aims at magnonics manipulation by the magnetoelectric coupling effect and is motivated by the most recent progresses in both magnonics (spin dynamics) and multiferroics fields. Here, voltage control of magnonics, particularly the surface spin waves, is achieved in La 0.7Sr 0.3MnO 3/0.7Pb(Mg 1/3Nb 2/3)O 3-0.3PbTiO 3 multiferroic heterostructures. With the electron spin resonance method, a large 135 Oe shift of surface spin wave resonance (≈7 times greater than conventional voltage-induced ferromagnetic resonance shift of 20 Oe) is determined. A model of the spin-lattice coupling effect, i.e., varying exchange stiffness due to voltage-induced anisotropic lattice changes, has been establishedmore » to explain experiment results with good agreement. In addition, an “on” and “off” spin wave state switch near the critical angle upon applying a voltage is created. The modulation of spin dynamics by spin-lattice coupling effect provides a platform for realizing energy-efficient, tunable magnonics devices.« less

Strontium isotope fractionation during strontianite (SrCO3) dissolution, precipitation and at equilibrium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mavromatis, Vasileios; Harrison, Anna L.; Eisenhauer, Anton; Dietzel, Martin

2017-12-01

In this study we examine the behavior of stable Sr isotopes between strontianite [SrCO3] and reactive fluid during mineral dissolution, precipitation, and at chemical equilibrium. Experiments were performed in batch reactors at 25 °C in 0.01 M NaCl solutions wherein the pH was adjusted by bubbling of a water saturated gas phase of pure CO2 or atmospheric air. The equilibrium Sr isotope fractionation between strontianite and fluid after dissolution of the solid under 1 atm CO2 atmosphere was estimated as Δ88/86SrSrCO3-fluid = δ88/86Sr SrCO3 - δ88/86Srfluid = -0.05 ± 0.01‰. On the other hand, during strontianite precipitation, an enrichment of the fluid phase in 88Sr, the heavy isotopomer, was observed. The evolution of the δ88/86Srfluid during strontianite precipitation can be modeled using a Rayleigh distillation approach and the estimated, kinetically driven, fractionation factor αSrCO3-fluid between solid and fluid is calculated to be 0.99985 ± 0.00003 corresponding to Δ88/86SrSrCO3-fluid = -0.15‰. The obtained results further support that under chemical equilibrium conditions between solid and fluid a continuous exchange of isotopes occurs until the system approaches isotopic equilibrium. This isotopic exchange is not limited to the outer surface layer of the strontianite crystal, but extends to ∼7-8 unit cells below the crystal surface. The behavior of Sr isotopes in this study is in excellent agreement with the concept of dynamic equilibrium and it suggests that the time needed for achievement of chemical equilibrium is generally shorter compared to that for isotopic equilibrium. Thus it is suggested that in natural Sr-bearing carbonates an isotopic change may still occur close to thermodynamic equilibrium, despite no observable change in aqueous elemental concentrations. As such, a secondary and ongoing change of Sr isotope signals in carbonate minerals caused by isotopic re-equilibration with fluids has to be considered in order to use Sr isotopes as environmental proxies in aquatic environments.

Irreversibility and carriers control in two-dimensional electron gas at LaTiO3/SrTiO3 interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bergeal, N.; Biscaras, J.; Hurand, S.; Feuillet-Palma, C.; Lesueur, J.; Rastogi, A.; Budhani, R. C.; Reyren, N.; Lesne, E.; Leboeuf, D.; Proust, C.

2013-03-01

It has been shown recently that a two-dimensional electron gas 2DEG could form at the interface of two insulators such as LaAlO3 and SrTiO3, or LaTiO3 (a Mott insulator) and SrTiO3. We present low temperature transport measurements on LaTiO3/SrTiO3 and LaAlO3/SrTiO3 hetero-structures, whose properties can be modulated by field effect using a metallic gate on the back of the substrate. Here we show that when the carrier density is electrostatically increased beyond a critical value, the added electrons escape into the SrTiO3 leading to an irreversible doping regime where all the electronic properties of the 2DEG saturate (carrier density, resistivity, superconducting transition...). The dynamic of leakage was studied using time resolved measurement. Based on a complete self-consistent description of the confinement well, a thermal model for the carriers escape has been developed, which quantitatively accounts for the data.

Effect of chemical pressure on the electronic phase transition in Ca 1-x Sr x Mn 7 O 12 films

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

Huon, A.; Lee, D.; Herklotz, A.

Here, we demonstrate how chemical pressure affects the structural and electronic phase transitions of the quadruple perovskite CaMn 7O 12 by Sr doping, a compound that exhibits a charge-ordering transition above room temperature making it a candidate for oxide electronics. We also have synthesized Ca 1-xSr xMn 7O 12 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.6) thin films by oxide molecular beam epitaxy on (LaAlO 3) 0.3(SrAl 0.5Ta 0.5O 3) 0.7 (LSAT) substrates. The substitution of Sr for Ca results in a linear expansion of the lattice, as revealed by X-ray diffraction. Temperature-dependent resistivity and X-ray diffraction measurements are used to demonstratemore » that the coupled charge-ordering and structural phase transitions can be tuned with Sr doping. An increase in Sr concentration acts to decrease the phase transition temperature (T*) from 426 K at x = 0 to 385 K at x = 0.6. Furthemore, the presence of a tunable electronic phase transition, above room temperature, points to the potential applicability of Ca 1-xSr xMn 7O 12 in sensors or oxide electronics, for example, via charge doping.« less

Effect of chemical pressure on the electronic phase transition in Ca 1-x Sr x Mn 7 O 12 films

DOE PAGES

Huon, A.; Lee, D.; Herklotz, A.; ...

2017-09-18

Here, we demonstrate how chemical pressure affects the structural and electronic phase transitions of the quadruple perovskite CaMn 7O 12 by Sr doping, a compound that exhibits a charge-ordering transition above room temperature making it a candidate for oxide electronics. We also have synthesized Ca 1-xSr xMn 7O 12 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.6) thin films by oxide molecular beam epitaxy on (LaAlO 3) 0.3(SrAl 0.5Ta 0.5O 3) 0.7 (LSAT) substrates. The substitution of Sr for Ca results in a linear expansion of the lattice, as revealed by X-ray diffraction. Temperature-dependent resistivity and X-ray diffraction measurements are used to demonstratemore » that the coupled charge-ordering and structural phase transitions can be tuned with Sr doping. An increase in Sr concentration acts to decrease the phase transition temperature (T*) from 426 K at x = 0 to 385 K at x = 0.6. Furthemore, the presence of a tunable electronic phase transition, above room temperature, points to the potential applicability of Ca 1-xSr xMn 7O 12 in sensors or oxide electronics, for example, via charge doping.« less

Role of phonon scattering by elastic strain field in thermoelectric Sr1-xYxTiO3-δ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhattacharya, S.; Mehdizadeh Dehkordi, A.; Tennakoon, S.; Adebisi, R.; Gladden, J. R.; Darroudi, T.; Alshareef, H. N.; Tritt, T. M.

2014-06-01

Perovskite-type SrTiO3-δ ceramics are multifunctional materials with significant potential as n-type thermoelectric (TE) materials. The electronic and thermal transport properties of spark plasma sintered polycrystalline Sr1-xYxTiO3-δ (x = 0.05, 0.075, 0.1) ceramics are systematically investigated from (15-800) K. The Sr0.9Y0.1TiO3-δ simultaneously exhibits a large Seebeck coefficient, α > -80 μV/K and moderately high electrical resistivity, ρ ˜ 0.8 mΩ-cm at a carrier concentration of ˜1021 cm-3 at 300 K resulting in a high TE power factor defined herein as (α2σT) ˜ 0.84 W/m-K at 760 K. Despite the similar atomic masses of Sr (87.6 g/mol) and Y (88.9 g/mol), the lattice thermal conductivity (κL) of Sr1-xYxTiO3-δ is significantly reduced with increased Y-doping, owing to the smaller ionic radii of Y3+ (˜1.23 Å, coordination number 12) compared to Sr2+ (˜1.44 Å, coordination number 12) ions. In order to understand the thermal conductivity reduction mechanism, the κL in the Sr1-xYxTiO3-δ series are phenomenologically modeled with a modified Callaway's equation from 30-600 K. Phonon scattering by elastic strain field due to ionic radii mismatch is found to be the prominent scattering mechanism in reducing κL of these materials. In addition, the effect of Y-doping on the elastic moduli of Sr1-xYxTiO3-δ (x = 0, 0.1) is investigated using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy, which exhibits an anomaly in x = 0.1 in the temperature range 300-600 K. As a result, the phonon mean free path is found to be further reduced in the Sr0.9Y0.1TiO3-δ compared to that of SrTiO3-δ, resulting in a considerably low thermal conductivity κ ˜ 2.7 W/m-K at 760 K. Finally, we report a thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) ˜ 0.3 at 760 K in the Sr0.9Y0.1TiO3-δ, the highest ZT value reported in the Y-doped SrTiO3 ceramics thus far.

Crystal growth and electronic structure of low-temperature phase SrMgF{sub 4}

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

Atuchin, Victor V.; Functional Electronics Laboratory, Tomsk State University, Tomsk 634050; Laboratory of Semiconductor and Dielectric Materials, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090

2016-04-15

Using the vertical Bridgman method, the single crystal of low temperature phase SrMgF{sub 4} is obtained. The crystal is in a very good optical quality with the size of 10×7×5 mm{sup 3}. Detailed photoemission spectra of the element core levels are determined by a monochromatic AlKa (1486.6 eV) X-ray source. Moreover, the first-principles calculations are performed to investigate the electronic structure of SrMgF{sub 4}. A good agreement between experimental and calculated results is achieved. It is demonstrated that almost all the electronic orbitals are strongly localized and the hybridization with the others is very small, but the Mg–F bonds covalencymore » is relatively stronger than that of Sr–F bonds. - Graphical abstract: Large size of low-temperature phase SrMgF{sub 4} crystal was obtained (right) and its electronic structure was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and first-principles calculation (left). - Highlights: • Large size single crystal of low-temperature phase SrMgF{sub 4} is obtained. • Electronic structure of SrMgF{sub 4} is measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. • Partial densities of states are determined by first-principles calculation. • Good agreement between experimental and calculated results is achieved. • Strong ionic characteristics of chemical bonds are exhibited in SrMgF{sub 4}.« less

Hemiparesis after Operation of Astrocytoma Grade II in Adults: Effects of Acupuncture on Sensory-Motor Behavior and Quality of Life

PubMed Central

Yu, Haibo; Schröder, Sven; Li, Zhifeng; Yang, Ying; Chen, Yu; Huang, Xingxian

2013-01-01

To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on hemiparesis and quality of life for adults with brain astrocytoma grade II, we conducted a randomized, observer-blinded clinical trial. Fifty-eight patients were randomized to standard rehabilitation (SR) therapy without acupuncture (n = 20), SR plus standard acupuncture (SA) (n = 19), and SR plus individualized acupuncture (IA) (n = 19). SA points were PC6, SP6, HT1, LU5, BL40, and ST36, while a special concept called “connecting and regulation Ren and Du” and “Jin-3-needling” served as IA. This treatment was individualized according to the clinical syndrome. The outcome was measured by the Barthel Index (BI), the Fugl-Meyer scale (FM), and the EORTC Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) with the Brain Cancer Module (BCM20). IA + SR reached significantly higher BI scores than SA + SR, which reached significantly higher BI scores than SR. IA + SR was significantly superior to SA + SR and to SR at the 8th week for the scores of FM motor and sensory assessments and most QLQ-C30-BCM20 items. In conclusion, the individualized acupuncture concept of “connecting and regulating Ren and Du” combined with “Jin-3-needling” offers a promising possibility for the treatment of hemiparesis due to astrocytoma, but further evaluation is mandatory. PMID:23864900

Crystal structure and optical property of complex perovskite oxynitrides ALi0.2Nb0.8O2.8N0.2, ANa0.2Nb0.8O2.8N0.2, and AMg0.2Nb0.8O2.6N0.4 (A = Sr, Ba)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moon, Keon Ho; Avdeev, Maxim; Kim, Young-Il

2017-10-01

Oxynitride type complex perovskites AM0.2Nb0.8O3-xNx (A = Sr, Ba; M = Li, Na, Mg) were newly synthesized by the solid state diffusion of Li+, Na+, or Mg2+ into the layered oxide, A5Nb4O15, with concurrent O/N substitution. Neutron and synchrotron X-ray Rietveld refinement showed that SrLi0.2Nb0.8O2.8N0.2, SrNa0.2Nb0.8O2.8N0.2, and SrMg0.2Nb0.8O2.6N0.4 had body-centered tetragonal symmetry (I4/mcm), while those with A = Ba had simple cubic symmetry (Pm 3 ̅ m). In the tetragonal Sr-compounds, the nitrogen atoms were localized on the c-axial 4a site. However, the octahedral cations, M/Nb (M = Li, Na, Mg) were distributed randomly in all six compounds. The lattice volume of AM0.2Nb0.8O3-xNx was dependent on various factors including the type of A and the electronegativity of M. Compared to the simple perovskites, ANbO2N (A = Sr, Ba), AM0.2Nb0.8O3-xNx had wider band gaps (1.76-2.15 eV for A = Sr and 1.65-2.10 eV for A = Ba), but significantly lower sub-gap absorption.

Effect of interconnection between cervical vagus trunk, epicardial fat pad on sinus node function, and atrial fibrillation.

PubMed

Zhou, Qina; Zhang, Ling; Wang, Kun; Xu, Xiaoxia; Ji, Meng; Zhang, Feng; Wang, Hongli; Hou, Yuemei

2014-03-01

The epicardial fat pad (FP) integrates the autonomic innervation between the extrinsic and intrinsic cardiac autonomic nervous system and affects atrial electrophysiology and pathophysiology. Eighteen dogs were divided into two groups: sequential ablation of sinoatrial node FP (SAN-FP) and atrioventricular node FP (AVN-FP). Sinus rate (SR), atrial fibrillation (AF) inducibility, and effective refractory period (ERP) changes during electrical stimulation of the vagus trunk were detected before and after ablation. In the SAN-FP group, the SR slowing, increasing AF inducibility, and ERP shortening that induced by vagus trunk stimulation were significantly attenuated by isolated SAN-FP ablation, compared with the same group prior to ablation (all P < 0.05). Subsequent AVN-FP ablation following SAN-FP ablation almost cannot produce further attenuation during vagus trunk stimulation, compared with isolated SAN-FP ablation (P > 0.05). In the AVN-FP group, SR slowing, increasing AF inducibility, and ERP shortening that induced by vagus trunk stimulation were completely eliminated by isolated AVN-FP ablation, compared with the same group prior to ablation (all P < 0.05). Subsequent SAN-FP ablation following AVN-FP ablation produced no further attenuation, compared with isolated AVN-FP ablation (P > 0.05). A neural pathway from the cervical vagus trunk to the sinus node and atrium runs through the SAN-FP, but eventually converges at the AVN-FP and also suggested that the AVN-FP serves as an "integration center" for the SAN-FP to modulate sinus node function. The AVN-FP may play a more critical role in the initiation and maintenance of AF. ©2013 First Affilated Hospital of Xingiang Medical University Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology ©2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Structural and electrical properties of 1 − x(Na{sub 0.5}K{sub 0.5})NbO{sub 3}–x(Sr{sub 0.5}Ca{sub 0.5})TiO{sub 3} ceramics

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

Lee, Tae-Ho; Lee, Sung-Gap, E-mail: lsgap@gnu.ac.kr; Yeo, Jin-Ho

2014-10-15

Highlights: • We fabricated lead-free (Na{sub 0.5}K{sub 0.5})NbO{sub 3} ceramics. • We studied the structural and electrical properties of 1 − x(Na{sub 0.5}K{sub 0.5})NbO{sub 3}–x(Sr{sub 0.5}Ca{sub 0.5})TiO{sub 3} ceramics. • The structural and electrical properties improved with increasing amount of (Sr{sub 0.5}Ca{sub 0.5})TiO{sub 3}. - Abstract: In this study, 1 − x(Na{sub 0.5}K{sub 0.5})NbO{sub 3}–x(Sr{sub 0.5}Ca{sub 0.5})TiO{sub 3} ceramics were fabricated using the conventional mixed oxide method. The effects of the addition of (Sr{sub 0.5}Ca{sub 0.5})TiO{sub 3} on the structural and electrical properties of the specimens were investigated for their application in piezoelectric devices. As the results of X-ray diffractionmore » analysis show, all specimens display the typical polycrystalline perovskite structure without the presence of the second phase. Sintered densities increased with an increase in the amount of (Sr{sub 0.5}Ca{sub 0.5})TiO{sub 3} added and the specimen with 0.08 mol% of (Sr{sub 0.5}Ca{sub 0.5})TiO{sub 3} added showed the maximum value of 4.54 g/cm{sup 3}. Both average grain size and densification increased with an increase in the amount of (Sr{sub 0.5}Ca{sub 0.5})TiO{sub 3}. The electromechanical coupling factor, dielectric constant ϵ{sub r}, dielectric loss tan δ, d{sub 33} and Curie temperature of the 0.92(Na{sub 0.5}K{sub 0.5})NbO{sub 3}–0.08(Sr{sub 0.5}Ca{sub 0.5})TiO{sub 3} specimens doped with 0.08 mol% of (Sr{sub 0.5}Ca{sub 0.5})TiO{sub 3} were 0.31, 1338, 0.021, 138 and 445 °C, respectively.« less

Effect of (Sr{sub 0.7}Ca{sub 0.3})TiO{sub 3}-substitution on structure, dielectric, ferroelectric, and magnetic properties of BiFeO{sub 3} ceramics

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

Liu, Juan; Liu, Xiao Qiang, E-mail: xqliu@zju.edu.cn, E-mail: xmchen59@zju.edu.cn; Chen, Xiang Ming, E-mail: xqliu@zju.edu.cn, E-mail: xmchen59@zju.edu.cn

Bi{sub 1−x}(Sr{sub 0.7}Ca{sub 0.3}){sub x}Fe{sub 1−x}Ti{sub x}O{sub 3} ceramics were prepared by a standard solid state reaction process, and the influence of Sr/Ca ratio on structure and properties for Bi{sub 1−x}(Sr,Ca){sub x}Fe{sub 1−x}Ti{sub x}O{sub 3} system was discussed by comparing with Sr{sub 0.5}Ca{sub 0.5}TiO{sub 3}-modified BiFeO{sub 3} ceramics. Rietveld analysis of X-ray diffraction data revealed that the crystal structure changed from rhombohedral R3c (x ≤ 0.4) to orthorhombic Pnma (x = 0.6) with Sr{sub 0.7}Ca{sub 0.3}TiO{sub 3} substitution, and biphasic structure (R3c + Pnma) was determined at x = 0.5, while that for Bi{sub 1−x}(Sr{sub 0.5}Ca{sub 0.5}){sub x}Fe{sub 1−x}Ti{sub x}O{sub 3} system was at x = 0.4. This indicated thatmore » the morphotropic phase boundary in Bi{sub 1−x}(Sr,Ca){sub x}Fe{sub 1−x}Ti{sub x}O{sub 3} system shifted toward (Sr,Ca)TiO{sub 3} side with increasing Sr/Ca ratio. The Raman spectrometric analysis and selected area electron diffraction analysis also confirmed this transition. The dielectric relaxation could be well fitted by Arrhenius law, and the different activation energies were attributed to the different origins of the dielectric relaxations with increasing temperature. The current density-field (J-E) curves indicated that the leakage current was reduced to about five orders of magnitude with Sr{sub 0.7}Ca{sub 0.3}TiO{sub 3} substitution. The P-E hysteresis loops obtained by three different methods indicated the enhanced ferroelectricity at x = 0.4, and it could be attributed to the decrement of leakage current. Meanwhile, the magnetization was enhanced with Sr{sub 0.7}Ca{sub 0.3}TiO{sub 3} substitution, and the maximum remanent magnetization was determined at x = 0.2. The enhanced magnetization originated from the partial substitution of Fe{sup 3+} by Ti{sup 4+}.« less

Hydrostatic pressure effect on the spin reorientation transition of ferromagnetic Sm0.7-xLaxSr0.3MnO3 (x = 0, 0.1) polycrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thiyagarajan, R.; Arumugam, S.; Sivaprakash, P.; Kannan, M.; Saravanan, C.; Yang, Wenge

2017-06-01

The hydrostatic pressure effect on the resistivity and magnetization of the narrow band gap manganite Sm0.7-xLaxSr0.3MnO3 (x = 0, 0.1) systems has been investigated. At ambient pressure measurements, the parent compound Sm0.7Sr0.3MnO3 showed a ferromagnetic-insulating nature, whereas the 10% La-doped compound Sm0.6La0.1Sr0.3MnO3 showed a ferromagnetic-metallic nature. Furthermore, both samples showed a spin-reorientation transition (TSR) below Curie temperature, which originated from the Mn sublattice and was supported by an antiferromagnetic Sm(4f)-Mn(3d) interaction. Both samples exhibited a normal and inverse magnetocaloric effect as a result of these two different magnetic transitions. Magnetization measurements on Sm0.7Sr0.3MnO3 under pressure did not show an appreciable change in the Curie temperature, but enhanced TSR, whereas an insulator-metallic transition was observed during resistivity measurements under pressure. On the other hand, for Sm0.6La0.1Sr0.3MnO3, TC increased and TSR reduced upon the application of pressure. The metallic nature which is observed at ambient pressure resistivity measurement was further enhanced with 97% of piezoresistance. The pressure did not change the normal magnetocaloric effect of Sm0.7Sr0.3MnO3, but increased it in Sm0.6La0.1Sr0.3MnO3. However, there was not much change in the inverse magnetocaloric effect of both compounds. These studies were analyzed based on the pressure effect on the activation energy and scattering interaction factors.

Effect of ADP on slow-twitch muscle fibres of the rat: implications for muscle fatigue.

PubMed

Macdonald, W A; Stephenson, D G

2006-05-15

Slow-twitch mechanically skinned fibres from rat soleus muscle were bathed in solutions mimicking the myoplasmic environment but containing different [ADP] (0.1 microm to 1.0 mm). The effect of ADP on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-content was determined from the magnitude of caffeine-induced force responses, while temporal changes in SR Ca2+-content allowed determination of the effective rates of the SR Ca2+-pump and of the SR Ca2+-leak. The SR Ca2+-pump rate, estimated at pCa (-log10[Ca2+]) 7.8, was reduced by 20% as the [ADP] was increased from 0.1 to 40 microm, with no further alteration when the [ADP] was increased to 1.0 mm. The SR Ca2+-leak rate constant was not altered by increasing [ADP] from 0.1 to 40 microm, but was increased by 26% when the [ADP] was elevated to 1.0 mm. This ADP-induced SR Ca2+-leak was insensitive to ruthenium red but was abolished by 2,5-di(tert-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone (TBQ), indicating that the leak pathway is via the SR Ca2+-pump and not the SR Ca2+-release channel. The decrease in SR Ca2+-pump rate and SR Ca2+-leak rate when [ADP] was increased led to a 40% decrease in SR Ca2+-loading capacity. Elevation of [ADP] had only minor direct effects on the contractile apparatus of slow-twitch fibres. These results suggest that ADP has only limited depressing effects on the contractility of slow-twitch muscle fibres. This is in contrast to the marked effects of ADP on force responses in fast-twitch muscle fibres and may contribute to the fatigue-resistant nature of slow-twitch muscle fibres.

Asian dust input in the western Philippine Sea: Evidence from radiogenic Sr and Nd isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Fuqing; Frank, Martin; Li, Tiegang; Chen, Tian-Yu; Xu, Zhaokai; Li, Anchun

2013-05-01

The radiogenic strontium (Sr) and neodymium (Nd) isotope compositions of the detrital fraction of surface and subsurface sediments have been determined to trace sediment provenance and contributions from Asian dust off the east coast of Luzon Islands in the western Philippine Sea. The Sr and Nd isotope compositions have been very homogenous near the east coast of the Luzon Islands during the latest Quaternary yielding relatively least radiogenic Sr (87Sr/86Sr = 0.70453 to 0.70491) and more radiogenic Nd isotope compositions (ɛNd(0) = +5.3 to +5.5). These isotope compositions are similar to Luzon rocks and show that these sediments were mainly derived from the Luzon Islands. In contrast, the Sr and Nd isotope compositions of sediments on the Benham Rise and in the Philippine Basin are markedly different in that they are characterized by overall more variable and more radiogenic Sr isotope compositions (87Sr/86Sr = 0.70452 to 0.70723) and less radiogenic Nd isotope compositions (ɛNd(0) = -5.3 to +2.4). The Sr isotope composition in the Huatung Basin is intermediate between those of the east coast of Luzon and Benham Rise, but shows the least radiogenic Nd isotope compositions. The data are consistent with a two end-member mixing relationship between Luzon volcanic rocks and eolian dust from the Asian continent, which is characterized by highly radiogenic Sr and unradiogenic Nd isotope compositions. The results show that Asian continental dust contributes about 10-50% of the detrital fraction of the sediments on Benham Rise in the western Philippine Sea, which offers the potentials to reconstruct the climatic evolution of eastern Asia from these sediments and compare this information to the records from the central and northern Pacific.

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopic Study on Eu 2+ and Sr 2+ Using Liquid Metal Cathodes in Molten Chlorides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsumiya, Masahiko; Takagi, Ryuzo

2000-08-01

For the pyrochemical reprocessing of spent metallic nuclear fuels in molten salt baths it is important to investigate the behavior of the electrochemically negative elements Eu and Sr, which are significant fission products. Voltammetric and chronopotentiometric studies have shown that the reduction of Eu 2+ and Sr 2+ on liquid Pb cathodes in molten chloride baths at 1073 K follows the alloy formation reaction: Eu 2+ + 2e- + 3Pb → EuPb 3 and Sr 2+ + 2e- + 3Pb → SrPb 3 . In the present work these alloy formation reactions were studiedby electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Analysis of the spectra showed that the electronic exchange of Eu 2+ /Eu and Sr 2+ /Sr is quasi-re-versible. Moreover, the experimental results allowed the determination of the kinetic parameters of EU 2+ /EU and Sr 2+ /Sr, the diffusion coefficients of these species in molten chloride baths, and also the diffusion layer thickness.

La-Sr-Ni-Co-O based perovskite-type solid solutions as catalyst precursors in the CO 2 reforming of methane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valderrama, Gustavo; Kiennemann, Alain; Goldwasser, Mireya R.

La 1- xSr xNi 0.4Co 0.6O 3 and La 0.8Sr 0.2Ni 1- yCo yO 3 solid solutions with perovskite-type structure were synthesized by the sol-gel resin method and used as catalytic precursors in the dry reforming of methane with CO 2 to syngas, between 873 and 1073 K at atmospheric pressure under continuous flow of reactant gases with CH 4/CO 2 = 1 ratio. These quaternary oxides were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET specific surface area and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) techniques. XRD analyses of the more intense diffraction peaks and cell parameter measurements showed formation of La-Sr-Ni-Co-O solid solutions with La 0.9Sr 0.1CoO 3 and/or La 0.9Sr 0.1NiO 3 as the main crystallographic phases present on the solids depending on the degree of substitution. TPR analyses showed that Sr doping decreases the temperature of reduction via formation of intermediary species producing Ni 0, Co 0 with particle sizes in the range of nanometers over the SrO and La 2O 3 phases. These metallic nano particles highly dispersed in the solid matrix are responsible for the high activity shown during the reaction and avoid carbon formation. The presence of Sr in doping quantities also promotes the secondary reactions of carbon formation and water-gas shift in a very small extension during the dry reforming reaction.

A dual resolution measurement based Monte Carlo simulation technique for detailed dose analysis of small volume organs in the skull base region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yeh, Chi-Yuan; Tung, Chuan-Jung; Chao, Tsi-Chain; Lin, Mu-Han; Lee, Chung-Chi

2014-11-01

The purpose of this study was to examine dose distribution of a skull base tumor and surrounding critical structures in response to high dose intensity-modulated radiosurgery (IMRS) with Monte Carlo (MC) simulation using a dual resolution sandwich phantom. The measurement-based Monte Carlo (MBMC) method (Lin et al., 2009) was adopted for the study. The major components of the MBMC technique involve (1) the BEAMnrc code for beam transport through the treatment head of a Varian 21EX linear accelerator, (2) the DOSXYZnrc code for patient dose simulation and (3) an EPID-measured efficiency map which describes non-uniform fluence distribution of the IMRS treatment beam. For the simulated case, five isocentric 6 MV photon beams were designed to deliver a total dose of 1200 cGy in two fractions to the skull base tumor. A sandwich phantom for the MBMC simulation was created based on the patient's CT scan of a skull base tumor [gross tumor volume (GTV)=8.4 cm3] near the right 8th cranial nerve. The phantom, consisted of a 1.2-cm thick skull base region, had a voxel resolution of 0.05×0.05×0.1 cm3 and was sandwiched in between 0.05×0.05×0.3 cm3 slices of a head phantom. A coarser 0.2×0.2×0.3 cm3 single resolution (SR) phantom was also created for comparison with the sandwich phantom. A particle history of 3×108 for each beam was used for simulations of both the SR and the sandwich phantoms to achieve a statistical uncertainty of <2%. Our study showed that the planning target volume (PTV) receiving at least 95% of the prescribed dose (VPTV95) was 96.9%, 96.7% and 99.9% for the TPS, SR, and sandwich phantom, respectively. The maximum and mean doses to large organs such as the PTV, brain stem, and parotid gland for the TPS, SR and sandwich MC simulations did not show any significant difference; however, significant dose differences were observed for very small structures like the right 8th cranial nerve, right cochlea, right malleus and right semicircular canal. Dose volume histogram (DVH) analyses revealed much smoother DVH curves for the dual resolution sandwich phantom when compared to the SR phantom. In conclusion, MBMC simulations using a dual resolution sandwich phantom improved simulation spatial resolution for skull base IMRS therapy. More detailed dose analyses for small critical structures can be made available to help in clinical judgment.

Sol-Gel Synthesis of La(0.6)Sr(0.4)CoO(3-x) and Sm(0.5)Sr(0.5)CoO(3-x) Cathode Nanopowders for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bansal, Narottam P.; Wise, Brent

2011-01-01

Nanopowders of La(0.6)Sr(0.4)CoO(3-x) (LSC) and Sm(0.5)Sr(0.5)CoO(3-x) (SSC) compositions, which are being investigated as cathode materials for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFC) with La(Sr)Ga(Mg)O(3-x) (LSGM) as the electrolyte, were synthesized by low-temperature sol-gel method using metal nitrates and citric acid. Thermal decomposition of the citrate gels was followed by simultaneous DSC/TGA methods. Development of phases in the gels, on heat treatments at various temperatures, was monitored by x-ray diffraction. Solgel powders calcined at 550 to 1000 C consisted of a number of phases. Single perovskite phase La(0.6)Sr(0.4)CoO(3-x) or Sm(0.5)Sr(0.5)CoO(3-x) powders were obtained at 1200 and 1300 C, respectively. Morphological analysis of the powders calcined at various temperatures was done by scanning electron microscopy. The average particle size of the powders was approx.15 nm after 700 C calcinations and slowly increased to 70 to 100 nm after heat treatments at 1300 to 1400 C.

Who's your momma? Recognizing maternal origin of juvenile steelhead using injections of strontium chloride to create transgenerational marks

USGS Publications Warehouse

Shippentower, Gene E.; Schreck, Carl B.; Heppell, Scott A.

2011-01-01

We sought to determine whether a strontium chloride injection could be used to create a transgenerational otolith mark in steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss. Two strontium injection trials and a survey of strontium: calcium (Sr:Ca) ratios in juvenile steelhead from various steelhead hatcheries were conducted to test the feasibility of the technique. In both trials, progeny of fish injected with strontium had significantly higher Sr:Ca ratios in the primordial region of their otoliths, as measured by an electron wavelength dispersive microprobe. In trial 1, the 5,000-mg/L treatment level showed that 56.8% of the otoliths were correctly classified, 12.2% being misclassified as belonging to the 0-mg/L treatment. In trial 2, the 20,000-mg/L treatment level showed that 30.8% of the otoliths were correctly classified, 13.5% being misclassified as belonging to the 0-mg/L treatment. There were no differences in the fertilization rates of eggs or survival rates of fry between the treatment and control groups. The Sr:Ca ratios in otoliths collected from various hatchery populations of steelhead varied and were greater than those found in otoliths from control fish in both of our injection trials. This study suggests that the marking technique led to recognizable increases in Sr:Ca ratios in some otoliths collected from fry produced by injected females. Not all progeny showed such increases, however, suggesting that the method holds promise but requires further refinement to reduce variation. Overall, there was a correct classification of about 40% across all treatments and trials; the variation in Sr:Ca ratios found among experimental trials and hatcheries indicates that care must be taken if the technique is employed where fish from more than one hatchery could be involved.

Zn2+ and Sr2+ Adsorption at the TiO2 (110)-Electrolyte Interface: Influence of Ionic Strength, Coverage, and Anions

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

Zhang,Z.; Fenter, P.; Cheng, L.

2006-01-01

The X-ray standing wave technique was used to probe the sensitivity of Zn{sup 2+} and Sr{sup 2+} ion adsorption to changes in both the adsorbed ion coverage and the background electrolyte species and concentrations at the rutile ({alpha}-TiO{sub 2}) (110)-aqueous interface. Measurements were made with various background electrolytes (NaCl, NaTr, RbCl, NaBr) at concentrations as high as 1 m. The results demonstrate that Zn{sub 2+} and Sr{sub 2+} reside primarily in the condensed layer and that the ion heights above the Ti-O surface plane are insensitive to ionic strength and the choice of background electrolyte (with <0.1 Angstroms changes overmore » the full compositional range). The lack of any specific anion coadsorption upon probing with Br{sup -}, coupled with the insensitivity of Zn{sup 2+} and Sr{sup 2+} cation heights to changes in the background electrolyte, implies that anions do not play a significant role in the adsorption of these divalent metal ions to the rutile (110) surface. Absolute ion coverage measurements for Zn{sup 2+} and Sr{sup 2+} show a maximum Stern-layer coverage of {approx}0.5 monolayer, with no significant variation in height as a function of Stern-layer coverage. These observations are discussed in the context of Gouy-Chapman-Stern models of the electrical double layer developed from macroscopic sorption and pH-titration studies of rutile powder suspensions. Direct comparison between these experimental observations and the MUltiSIte Complexation (MUSIC) model predictions of cation surface coverage as a function of ionic strength revealed good agreement between measured and predicted surface coverages with no adjustable parameters.« less

Chronic nicotine differentially alters spontaneous recovery of contextual fear in male and female mice.

PubMed

Tumolo, Jessica M; Kutlu, Munir Gunes; Gould, Thomas J

2018-04-02

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a devastating disorder with symptoms such as flashbacks, hyperarousal, and avoidance of reminders of the traumatic event. Exposure therapy, which attempts to extinguish fear responses, is a commonly used treatment for PTSD but relapse following successful exposure therapy is a frequent problem. In rodents, spontaneous recovery (SR), where extinguished fear responses resurface following extinction treatment, is used as a model of fear relapse. Previous studies from our lab showed that chronic nicotine impaired fear extinction and acute nicotine enhanced SR of contextual fear in adult male mice. In addition, we showed that acute nicotine's effects were specific to SR as acute nicotine did not affect recall of contextual fear conditioning in the absence of extinction. However, effects of chronic nicotine administration on SR are not known. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated if chronic nicotine administration altered SR or recall of contextual fear in adult male and female C57BL/6J mice. Our results showed that chronic nicotine significantly enhanced SR in female mice and significantly decreased SR in males. Chronic nicotine had no effect on recall of contextual fear in males or females. Female sham mice also had significantly less baseline SR than male sham mice. Overall, these results demonstrate sex differences in SR of fear memories and that chronic nicotine modulates these effects on SR but nicotine does not alter recall of contextual fear. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Novel yellow-emitting Sr8MgLn(PO4)7:Eu2+ (Ln=Y, La) phosphors for applications in white LEDs with excellent color rendering index.

PubMed

Huang, Chien-Hao; Chen, Teng-Ming

2011-06-20

Eu(2+)-activated Sr(8)MgY(PO(4))(7) and Sr(8)MgLa(PO(4))(7) yellow-emitting phosphors were successfully synthesized by solid-state reactions for applications in excellent color rendering index white light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The excitation and reflectance spectra of these phosphors show broad band excitation and absorption in the 250-450 nm near-ultraviolet region, which is ascribed to the 4f(7) → 4f(6)5d(1) transitions of Eu(2+). Therefore, these phosphors meet the application requirements for near-UV LED chips. Upon excitation at 400 nm, the Sr(8)MgY(PO(4))(7):Eu(2+) and Sr(8)MgLa(PO(4))(7):Eu(2+) phosphors exhibit strong yellow emissions centered at 518, 610, and 611 nm with better thermal stability than (Ba,Sr)(2)SiO(4) (570 nm) commodity phosphors. The composition-optimized concentrations of Eu(2+) in Sr(8)MgLa(PO(4))(7):Eu(2+) and Sr(8)MgY(PO(4))(7):Eu(2+) phosphors were determined to be 0.01 and 0.03 mol, respectively. A warm white-light near-UV LED was fabricated using a near-UV 400 nm chip pumped by a phosphor blend of blue-emitting BaMgAl(10)O(17):Eu(2+) and yellow-emitting Sr(8)MgY(PO(4))(7):0.01Eu(2+) or Sr(8)MgLa(PO(4))(7):0.03Eu(2+), driven by a 350 mA current. The Sr(8)MgY(PO(4))(7):0.01Eu(2+) and Sr(8)MgLa(PO(4))(7):0.03Eu(2+) containing LEDs produced a white light with Commission International de I'Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates of (0.348, 0.357) and (0.365, 0.328), warm correlated color temperatures of 4705 and 4100 K, and excellent color rendering indices of 95.375 and 91.75, respectively. © 2011 American Chemical Society

Strontium ranelate causes osteophytes overgrowth in a model of early phase osteoarthritis.

PubMed

Chu, Jian-Guo; Dai, Mu-Wei; Wang, Yu; Tian, Fa-Ming; Song, Hui-Ping; Xiao, Ya-Ping; Shao, Li-Tao; Zhang, Ying-Ze; Zhang, Liu

2017-02-10

Osteoarthritis (OA) involves cartilage changes as well as modifications of subchondral bone and synovial tissues. Strontium ranelate (SR), an anti-osteoporosis compound, which is currently in phase III clinical trial for treatment of OA. Evidences suggest that SR preferably deposited in osteophyte, other than in subchondral bone in early phase of OA. This phenomenon raises concern about its utility for OA treatment as a disease-modifying drug. To evaluate the effect of SR on cartilage, subchondral bone mass and subchondral trabecular bone structure in medial meniscectomized (MNX) guinea pigs. Thirty-six 3-month-old male Dunkin Hartley albino guinea pigs received either sham or medial meniscectomy operations. One week after the procedure, meniscectomized animals began 12 weeks of SR (625 mg/kg, daily) treatment by oral gavage for MNX + SR group, or normal saline for MNX + V group. All animals were euthanized 12 weeks later, cartilage degeneration and subchondral bone micro-architecture was analyzed. Both OARSI scores (P = 0.523 for marcoscopic scores, P = 0.297 for histological scores) and Cartilage thickness (P = 0.335) in MNX + SR group were comparable to MNX + V group. However, osteophyte sizes were larger in MNX + SR group (P = 0.014), and collapsed osteophytes in MNX + SR group (7 by 12) were significantly more than in MNX + V group (1 by 12) (P = 0.027), while immunohistochemistry indicates catabolic changes in osteophyte/plateau junction. Micro-CT analysis showed bone mineral density (BMD) (P = 0.001), bone volume fraction (BV/TV) (P = 0.008), trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp) (P = 0.020), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) (P = 0.012) and structure model index (SMI) (P = 0.005) levels to be significantly higher in the MNX + SR group than in the MNX + V group. SR (625 mg/kg/day) did not protect cartilage from degeneration in MNX guinea pigs but subchondral bone was significantly enhanced. In early phase OA, SR administration causes osteophyte overgrowth, which may be related to incorporation into mineralizing osteophytes. This adverse effect is important for future studies of SR in OA.

The growth of strontium titanate and lutetium ferrite thin films by molecular-beam epitaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brooks, Charles M.

Included in this work is a range of studies on films of homoeptaxial and heteroepitaxial films of SrTiO3 and the first reported phase-pure films of LuFe2O4. We report the structural properties of homoepitaxial (100) SrTiO3 films grown by reactive molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE). The lattice spacing and x-ray diffraction (XRD) rocking curves of stoichiometric MBEgrown SrTiO3 films are indistinguishable from the underlying SrTiO3 substrates. The effect of off-stoichiometry for both strontium-rich and strontium-poor compositions results in lattice expansion with significant changes to the shuttered reflection high-energy electron diffraction oscillations, XRD, film microstructure, and thermal conductivity. Up to an 80% reduction in Sr(1+x)TiO3 film thermal conductivity is measured for x = -0.1 to 0.5. Significant reduction, from 11.5 to ˜2 W˙m-1K-1, occurs through the formation of Ruddlesden-Popper planar faults. The ability to deposit films with a reduction in thermal conductivity is applicable to thermal barrier coatings and thermoelectrics. Scanning transmission electron microscopy is used to examine the formation of Ruddlesden-Popper planar faults in films with strontium excess. We also show that the band gap of SrTiO3 can be altered by >10% (0.3 eV) by using experimentally realizable biaxial strains providing a new means to accomplish band gap engineering of SrTiO3 and related perovskites. Such band gap manipulation is relevant to applications in solar cells water splitting, transparent conducting oxides, superconductivity, two-dimensional electron liquids, and other emerging oxide electronics. This work also presents the adsorption-controlled growth of single-phase (0001)-oriented epitaxial films of charge ordered multiferroic, LuFe2O4, on (111) MgAl2O4, (111) MgO, and (0001) 6H-SiC substrates in an iron-rich environment at pressures and temperatures where excess iron desorbs from the film surface during growth. Scanning transmission electron microscopy reveals reaction-free film-substrate interfaces. The magnetization increases rapidly below 240 K, consistent with the paramagnetic-to-ferrimagnetic phase transition of bulk LuFe2O4.

Thermotropic phase transitions in Pb{sub 1−x}Sr{sub x}(Al{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3}){sub 0.1}(Zr{sub 0.52}Ti{sub 0.48}){sub 0.9}O{sub 3} ceramics: Temperature dependent dielectric permittivity and Raman scattering

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

Li, C. Q.; Peng, L.; Jiang, K.

2015-06-15

The phase transitions of Pb{sub 1−x}Sr{sub x}(Al{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3}){sub 0.1}(Zr{sub 0.52}Ti{sub 0.48}){sub 0.9}O{sub 3} (Sr-modified PAN-PZT) ceramics with Sr compositions of x = 2%, 5%, 10% and 15% have been investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature dependent dielectric permittivity and Raman scattering. The XRD analysis show that the phase transition occurs between Sr composition of 5% and 10%. Based on the broad dielectric peaks at 100 Hz, the diffused phase transition from tetragonal (T) to cubic (C) structure shifts to lower temperature with increasing Sr composition. The dramatic changes of wavenumber and full width at half-maximum (FWHM) for E(TO{sub 4})′more » softing mode can be observed at morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). Moreover, the MPB characteristic shows a wider and lower trend of temperature region with increasing Sr composition. It could be ascribed to the diminishment of the energy barrier and increment of A-cation entropy. Therefore, the Sr-modified PAN-PZT ceramics unambiguously undergo two successive structural transitions (rhombohedral-tetragonal-cubic phase) with temperature from 80 to 750 K. Correspondingly, the phase diagram of Sr-modified PAN-PZT ceramics can be well depicted.« less

High Temperature Integrated Thermoelectric Ststem and Materials

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

Mike S. H. Chu

2011-06-06

The final goal of this project is to produce, by the end of Phase II, an all ceramic high temperature thermoelectric module. Such a module design integrates oxide ceramic n-type, oxide ceramic p-type materials as thermoelectric legs and oxide ceramic conductive material as metalizing connection between n-type and p-type legs. The benefits of this all ceramic module are that it can function at higher temperatures (> 700 C), it is mechanically and functionally more reliable and it can be scaled up to production at lower cost. With this all ceramic module, millions of dollars in savings or in new opportunitiesmore » recovering waste heat from high temperature processes could be made available. A very attractive application will be to convert exhaust heat from a vehicle to reusable electric energy by a thermoelectric generator (TEG). Phase I activities were focused on evaluating potential n-type and p-type oxide compositions as the thermoelectric legs. More than 40 oxide ceramic powder compositions were made and studied in the laboratory. The compositions were divided into 6 groups representing different material systems. Basic ceramic properties and thermoelectric properties of discs sintered from these powders were measured. Powders with different particles sizes were made to evaluate the effects of particle size reduction on thermoelectric properties. Several powders were submitted to a leading thermoelectric company for complete thermoelectric evaluation. Initial evaluation showed that when samples were sintered by conventional method, they had reasonable values of Seebeck coefficient but very low values of electrical conductivity. Therefore, their power factors (PF) and figure of merits (ZT) were too low to be useful for high temperature thermoelectric applications. An unconventional sintering method, Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) was determined to produce better thermoelectric properties. Particle size reduction of powders also was found to have some positive benefits. Two composition systems, specifically 1.0 SrO - 0.8 x 1.03 TiO2 - 0.2 x 1.03 NbO2.5 and 0.97 TiO2 - 0.03 NbO2.5, have been identified as good base line compositions for n-type thermoelectric compositions in future module design. Tests of these materials at an outside company were promising using that company's processing and material expertise. There was no unique p-type thermoelectric compositions identified in phase I work other than several current cobaltite materials. Ca3Co4O9 will be the primary p-type material for the future module design until alternative materials are developed. BaTiO3 and rare earth titanate based dielectric compositions show both p-type and n-type behavior even though their electrical conductivities were very low. Further research and development of these materials for thermoelectric applications is planned in the future. A preliminary modeling and optimization of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) that uses the n-type 1.0 SrO - 1.03 x 0.8 TiO2 - 1.03 x 0.2 NbO2.5 was performed. Future work will combine development of ceramic powders and manufacturing expertise at TAM, development of SPS at TAM or a partner organization, and thermoelectric material/module testing, modeling, optimization, production at several partner organizations.« less

Comparison of the Experimental Performance of Ferroelectric CPW Circuits with Method of Moment Simulations and Conformal Mapping

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

VanKeuls, Fred W.; Chevalier, Chris T.; Miranda, Felix A.; Carlson, C. M.; Rivkin, T. V.; Parilla, P. A.; Perkins, J. D.; Ginley, D. S.

2001-01-01

Experimental measurements of coplanar waveguide (CPW) circuits atop thin films of ferroelectric Ba(x)Sr(1-x)TiO3 (BST) were made as a function bias from 0 to 200 V and frequency from 0.045 to 20 GHz. The resulting phase shifts are compared with method of moments electromagnetic simulations and a conformal mapping analysis to determine the dielectric constant of the BST films. Based on the correlation between the experimental and the modeled data, an analysis of the extent to which the electromagnetic simulators provide reliable values for the dielectric constant of the ferroelectric in these structures has been performed. In addition, to determine how well the modeled data compare with experimental data, the dielectric constant values were also compared to low frequency measurements of interdigitated capacitor circuits on the same films. Results of these comparisons will be presented.

Evidence that hidden hearing loss underlies amplitude modulation encoding deficits in individuals with and without tinnitus.

PubMed

Paul, Brandon T; Bruce, Ian C; Roberts, Larry E

2017-02-01

Damage to auditory nerve fibers that expresses with suprathreshold sounds but is hidden from the audiogram has been proposed to underlie deficits in temporal coding ability observed among individuals with otherwise normal hearing, and to be present in individuals experiencing chronic tinnitus with clinically normal audiograms. We tested whether these individuals may have hidden synaptic losses on auditory nerve fibers with low spontaneous rates of firing (low-SR fibers) that are important for coding suprathreshold sounds in noise while high-SR fibers determining threshold responses in quiet remain relatively unaffected. Tinnitus and control subjects were required to detect the presence of amplitude modulation (AM) in a 5 kHz, suprathreshold tone (a frequency in the tinnitus frequency region of the tinnitus subjects, whose audiometric thresholds were normal to 12 kHz). The AM tone was embedded within background noise intended to degrade the contribution of high-SR fibers, such that AM coding was preferentially reliant on low-SR fibers. We also recorded by electroencephalography the "envelope following response" (EFR, generated in the auditory midbrain) to a 5 kHz, 85 Hz AM tone presented in the same background noise, and also in quiet (both low-SR and high-SR fibers contributing to AM coding in the latter condition). Control subjects with EFRs that were comparatively resistant to the addition of background noise had better AM detection thresholds than controls whose EFRs were more affected by noise. Simulated auditory nerve responses to our stimulus conditions using a well-established peripheral model suggested that low-SR fibers were better preserved in the former cases. Tinnitus subjects had worse AM detection thresholds and reduced EFRs overall compared to controls. Simulated auditory nerve responses found that in addition to severe low-SR fiber loss, a degree of high-SR fiber loss that would not be expected to affect audiometric thresholds was needed to explain the results in tinnitus subjects. The results indicate that hidden hearing loss could be sufficient to account for impaired temporal coding in individuals with normal audiograms as well as for cases of tinnitus without audiometric hearing loss. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ca and Sr isotope records support ocean acidification during end-Permian mass extinction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, J.; Jacobson, A. D.; Zhang, H.; Ramezani, J.; Sageman, B. B.; Hurtgen, M.; Bowring, S. A.; Shen, S.

2017-12-01

The end-Permian mass extinction represents the most devastating loss of biodiversity during the Phanerozoic. A negative carbon isotope (δ13C) excursion that accompanies the event suggests a significant perturbation to the global carbon cycle, likely induced by CO2 emissions during eruption of the Siberian Traps large igneous province. The carbon cycle is linked with the Ca and Sr cycles through chemical weathering and carbonate precipitation. Therefore, analyses of Ca (δ44/40Ca), radiogenic Sr (87Sr/86Sr), and stable Sr (δ88/86Sr) isotope abundance variations in marine carbonate rocks spanning the Permian-Triassic Boundary (PTB) can reveal key information about biogeochemical changes that occurred during this time. We report δ44/40Ca, 87Sr/86Sr, and δ88/86Sr records analyzed by TIMS for the Meishan and Dajiang sections in China. δ44/40Ca values exhibit similar patterns in both sections. The values remain unchanged across the extinction event layer (EXT) and then decrease by 0.20‰ before increasing by 0.20‰ to 0.40‰ around the PTB. In the Meishan section, 87Sr/86Sr ratios increase after the EXT and return to pre-excursion levels by the PTB. Simultaneously, δ88/86Sr values decrease by 0.12‰ across the EXT and increase by 0.08‰ by the PTB. The patterns of our data support the hypothesis that elevated atmospheric CO2 levels enhanced chemical weathering inputs and might have caused transient ocean acidification, with an "alkalinity overshoot" and increased carbonate deposition occurring after the extinction. Additional measurements and model calculations are underway to help refine and improve these preliminary interpretations.

A high frequency GaAlAs travelling wave electro-optic modulator at 0.82 micrometers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chorey, Christopher M.; Ferendeci, Altan; Bhasin, Kul B.

1988-01-01

Experimental GaAlAs modulators operating at 0.82 micrometers using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer configuration were designed and fabricated. Coplanar 50 ohm travelling wave microwave electrodes were used to obtain a bandwidth length product of 11.95 GHz-cm. The design, fabrication and dc performance of the GaAlAs travelling wave modulator is presented.

Observed Self-Regulation is Associated with Weight in Low-Income Toddlers

PubMed Central

Miller, Alison L.; Rosenblum, Katherine L.; Retzloff, Lauren B.; Lumeng, Julie C.

2016-01-01

Obesity emerges in early childhood and tracks across development. Self-regulation develops rapidly during the toddler years, yet few studies have examined toddlers’ self-regulation in relation to concurrent child weight. Further, few studies compare child responses in food and non-food-related tasks. Our goal was to examine toddlers’ observed behavioral and emotional self-regulation in food and non-food tasks in relation to their body mass index z-score (BMIz) and weight status (overweight/obese vs. not). Observational measures were used to assess self-regulation (SR) in four standardized tasks in 133 low-income children (M age=33.1 months; SD=0.6). Behavioral SR was measured by assessing how well the child could delay gratification for a snack (food-related task) and a gift (non-food-related task). Emotional SR was measured by assessing child intensity of negative affect in two tasks designed to elicit frustration: being shown, then denied a cookie (food-related) or a toy (non-food-related). Task order was counterbalanced. BMIz was measured. Bivariate correlations and regression analyses adjusting for child sex, child race/ethnicity, and maternal education were conducted to examine associations of SR with weight. Results were that better behavioral SR in the snack delay task associated with lower BMIz (β=−0.27, p<.05) and lower odds of overweight/obesity (OR=0.66, 95% CI 0.45, 0.96), but behavioral SR in the gift task did not associate with BMIz or weight status. Better emotional SR in the non-food task associated with lower BMIz (β= −0.27, p<.05), and better emotional SR in food and non-food tasks associated with lower odds of overweight/obesity (OR=0.65, 95% CI 0.45, 0.96 and OR=0.56, 95% CI 0.37, 0.87, respectively). Results are discussed regarding how behavioral SR for food and overall emotional SR relate to weight during toddlerhood, and regarding early childhood obesity prevention implications. PMID:27397726

Properties of super stainless steels for orthodontic applications.

PubMed

Oh, Keun-Taek; Kim, Young-Sik; Park, Yong-Soo; Kim, Kyoung-Nam

2004-05-15

Orthodontic stainless-steel appliances are considered to be corrosion resistant, but localized corrosion can occur in the oral cavity. This study was undertaken to evaluate the properties of super stainless steels in orthodontic applications. Accordingly, the metallurgical properties, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, amount of the released nickel, cytotoxicity, and characteristics of the passive film were investigated. Corrosion resistances of the specimens were high and in the following order: super austenitic stainless steel (SR-50A) > super ferritic stainless steel (SFSS) = super duplex stainless steel (SR-6DX) > 316L SS > super martensitic stainless steel (SR-3Mo) in artificial saliva, 37 degrees C. At 500 mV (SCE), current densities of SR-50A, SFSS, SR-6DX, 316L SS, and SR-3Mo were 5.96 microA/cm(2), 20.3 microA/cm(2), 31.9 microA/cm(2), 805 microA/cm(2), and 5.36 mA/cm(2), respectively. Open circuit potentials of SR-50A, 316L SS, SR-6DX, SR-3Mo, and SFSS were - 0.2, - 0.22, - 0.24, - 0.43, and - 0.46 V (SCE), respectively. SR-50A, SFSS, and SR-6DX released below 3 ng/ml nickel for 8 weeks, and increased a little with immersion time, and 316L SS released about 3.5 ng/ml nickel, but SR-3Mo released a large amount of nickel, which increased with immersion time. The study demonstrated that SR-50A, SR-6DX, and SFSS have high corrosion resistance and mild or no cytotoxicity, due to the passive film enhanced by synergistic effect of Mo + N or by high addition effect of Cr + W. All super stainless steels showed very low cytotoxicity regardless of their nickel contents, although SR-3Mo was found to be relatively cytotoxic. From these studies, these steels are considered suitable for orthodontic applications. Copyright 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Optimization of super-resolution processing using incomplete image sets in PET imaging.

PubMed

Chang, Guoping; Pan, Tinsu; Clark, John W; Mawlawi, Osama R

2008-12-01

Super-resolution (SR) techniques are used in PET imaging to generate a high-resolution image by combining multiple low-resolution images that have been acquired from different points of view (POVs). The number of low-resolution images used defines the processing time and memory storage necessary to generate the SR image. In this paper, the authors propose two optimized SR implementations (ISR-1 and ISR-2) that require only a subset of the low-resolution images (two sides and diagonal of the image matrix, respectively), thereby reducing the overall processing time and memory storage. In an N x N matrix of low-resolution images, ISR-1 would be generated using images from the two sides of the N x N matrix, while ISR-2 would be generated from images across the diagonal of the image matrix. The objective of this paper is to investigate whether the two proposed SR methods can achieve similar performance in contrast and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as the SR image generated from a complete set of low-resolution images (CSR) using simulation and experimental studies. A simulation, a point source, and a NEMA/IEC phantom study were conducted for this investigation. In each study, 4 (2 x 2) or 16 (4 x 4) low-resolution images were reconstructed from the same acquired data set while shifting the reconstruction grid to generate images from different POVs. SR processing was then applied in each study to combine all as well as two different subsets of the low-resolution images to generate the CSR, ISR-1, and ISR-2 images, respectively. For reference purpose, a native reconstruction (NR) image using the same matrix size as the three SR images was also generated. The resultant images (CSR, ISR-1, ISR-2, and NR) were then analyzed using visual inspection, line profiles, SNR plots, and background noise spectra. The simulation study showed that the contrast and the SNR difference between the two ISR images and the CSR image were on average 0.4% and 0.3%, respectively. Line profiles of the point source study showed that the three SR images exhibited similar signal amplitudes and FWHM. The NEMA/IEC study showed that the average difference in SNR among the three SR images was 2.1% with respect to one another and they contained similar noise structure. ISR-1 and ISR-2 can be used to replace CSR, thereby reducing the total SR processing time and memory storage while maintaining similar contrast, resolution, SNR, and noise structure.

Ferroics and Multiferroics for Dynamically Controlled Terahertz Wave Propagation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dutta, Moumita

The terahertz (THz) region of electromagnetic spectra, referred roughly to the frequency range of 100 GHz (0.1 THz) to 10 THz, is the bridging gap between the microwave and infrared spectral bands. Previously confined only to astronomy and analytical sciences due to the unavailability of technology, with the recent advancements in non-linear optics, this novel field has now started emerging as a promising area of research and study. Considerable efforts are underway to fill this 'THz gap' by developing efficient THz sources, detectors, switches, modulators etc. Be it any field, to realize this regime as one of the active frontiers, it is essential to have an efficient control over the wave propagation. In this research, functional materials (ferroics/multiferroics) have been explored to attain dynamic control over the THz beam propagation. The objective is to expand the horizon by enabling different family of materials to be incorporated in the design of THz modulators, exploiting the novel properties they exhibit. To reach that goal, following a comprehensive but selective (to dielectrics) review on the current-status of this research field, some preliminary studies on ferroic materials have been performed to understand the crux of ferroism and the novel functionalities they have to offer. An analytical study on microstructural and nanoscale properties of solid-solution ferroelectric Pb(Zr0.52Ti 0.48)O3 (PZT) and composite bio-ferroic seashells have been performed to elucidate the significance of structure-property relationship in intrinsic ferroelectrics. Moving forward, engineered ferroelectricity has been demonstrated. A precise control over fabrication parameters has been exploited to introduce oxygen-vacancy defined nanoscale polar-domains in centrosymmetric BaZrO3. Realizing that structure-property relationship can significantly influence the material properties and therefore the device performance, models for figure of merit analysis have been developed for an effective application-based material selection. Lastly, perceiving that THz wave generation involves non-linear optics, upconversion in a co-doped ferroic system (Sr0.60Ba 0.40Nb2O6: Mo, Cr) has also been explored as part of the preliminary set of investigations. After the initial studies, a family of oxide materials (0.7Sr(Al 1/2Nb1/2)O3-0.3NdGaO3, LiNbO3 , (SrBa)Nb2O6, BiFeO3) have been studied and characterized to evaluate their suitability for THz modulator designs. Based on these elaborate studies, materials have been selected for the modulator designs presented in this dissertation. A significant control over THz wave propagation has been achieved by engineered polarization-distribution in ferroic materials. THz attenuators, designed out of a conduit comprising of periodically placed x and z-cut LiNbO3 crystalline slabs has been configured as a tristate switch by modulating the amplitude of the traversing THz wave by altering the angle of incidences. Advancing further, a dynamic control over the phase of the incident THz beam has been demonstrated by designing a low frequency piezoresonance defined THz phase-modulator, employing single crystalline LiNbO3 thin film system. Though a phase modulation as high as 180° has been obtained using piezoresonance, for applications demanding non-contact mode of excitations, alternative approaches involving light and magnetic field, have been developed. Magnetoelastoelectric coupling in core-shell nano-particles has been taken advantage of, to achieve dynamically tunable magnetic-field direction defined amplitude/phase mode-selective modulation of THz beam. For its realization, biphasic multiferroic nanocomposites, comprised of a ferromagnetic CoFe 2O4 core and a ferroelectric BaTiO3 shell, have been fabricated. Following that, a light-induced THz amplitude modulation is demonstrated, where Pb(FeNb)O3-NiZnFe2O4 excited with 800 nm femtosecond pulses amplifies the propagating beam. Realizing the considerable influence, ferroics and multiferroics can have on THz wave propagation, they have been employed to develop novel metamaterial devices empowered by dynamic tunability. To attain the tunability, the design incorporates the novelty of ferroics in the patterning of the metasurfaces. In this research, the polarization induced surface charge density of ferroic materials rather than the conductivity of the metals has been exploited to achieve the resonances. After detailed analysis of the finite element models developed to evaluate the mechanism of the phenomena and the effectiveness of the device structures, optimal material and device configuration has been realized. The metamaterial resonance condition empowered by dynamic tunability has been achieved without using any conductor (metal), rather by using ferroelectric PVDF for the pattering in an optimized configuration of a double split ring resonator. Its fabrication process is also discussed.

Analysis of Two-Component Systems in Group B Streptococcus Shows That RgfAC and the Novel FspSR Modulate Virulence and Bacterial Fitness

PubMed Central

Faralla, Cristina; Metruccio, Matteo M.; De Chiara, Matteo; Mu, Rong; Patras, Kathryn A.; Muzzi, Alessandro; Grandi, Guido; Margarit, Immaculada; Doran, Kelly S.

2014-01-01

ABSTRACT Group B Streptococcus (GBS), in the transition from commensal organisms to pathogens, will encounter diverse host environments and, thus, require coordinated control of the transcriptional responses to these changes. This work was aimed at better understanding the role of two-component signal transduction systems (TCS) in GBS pathophysiology through a systematic screening procedure. We first performed a complete inventory and sensory mechanism classification of all putative GBS TCS by genomic analysis. Five TCS were further investigated by the generation of knockout strains, and in vitro transcriptome analysis identified genes regulated by these systems, ranging from 0.1% to 3% of the genome. Interestingly, two sugar phosphotransferase systems appeared to be differentially regulated in the TCS-16 knockout strain (TCS loci were numbered in order of their appearance on the chromosome), suggesting an involvement in monitoring carbon source availability. High-throughput analysis of bacterial growth on different carbon sources showed that TCS-16 was necessary for the growth of GBS on fructose-6-phosphate. Additional transcriptional analysis provided further evidence for a stimulus-response circuit where extracellular fructose-6-phosphate leads to autoinduction of TCS-16, with concomitant dramatic upregulation of the adjacent operon, which encodes a phosphotransferase system. The TCS-16-deficient strain exhibited decreased persistence in a model of vaginal colonization. All mutant strains were also characterized in a murine model of systemic infection, and inactivation of TCS-17 (also known as RgfAC) resulted in hypervirulence. Our data suggest a role for the previously unknown TCS-16, here named FspSR, in bacterial fitness and carbon metabolism during host colonization, and the data also provide experimental evidence for TCS-17/RgfAC involvement in virulence. PMID:24846378

Modulation of electromagnetic and absorption properties in 18-26.5 GHz frequency range of strontium hexaferrites with doping of cobalt-zirconium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pubby, Kunal; Narang, Sukhleen Bindra; Kaur, Prabhjyot; Chawla, S. K.

2017-05-01

Hexaferrite nano-particles of stoichiometric composition {{Sr}}{({{CoZr}})_x}{{F}}{{{e}}_{12 - 2x}}{{{O}}_{19}}, with x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 were prepared using sol-gel auto-combustion route owing to its advantages such as low sintering temperature requirement, homogeneity and uniformity of grains. Tartaric acid as a fuel was utilized to complete the chemical reaction. The goal of this study is to analyse the effect of co-substitution of cobalt and zirconium on the electromagnetic and absorption properties of pure {{SrF}}{{{e}}_{12}}{{{O}}_{19}} hexaferrite. The properties were measured on the rectangular pellets of thickness 2.5 mm for K-frequency band using Vector Network Analyzer. The doping of Co-Zr has resulted in increase in real as well as imaginary parts of permittivity. The values of real permittivity lie in the range 3.6-7.0 for all the composition. The real part of permeability remains in range 0.7-1.6 in the studied frequency band for all the samples and shows slightly increasing trend with frequency. The maximum values of dielectric loss tangent peak (3.04) and magnetic loss tangent peak (2.34), among all the prepared compositions, have been observed for composition x = 0.2. Compositions with x = 0.6 and x = 0.0 also have high dielectric and magnetic loss peaks. Dielectric loss peaks are attributed to dielectric resonance and magnetic loss peaks are attributed to natural resonance. Experimentally determined reflection loss results show that all six compositions of prepared series have high values of absorption to propose them as single-layer absorbers in 18-26.5 GHz frequency range. The composition with x = 0.2 has maximum absorption capacity with reflection loss peak of -37.2 dB at 24.3 GHz frequency. The undoped composition also has high absorption peak (-25.46 dB), but -10 dB absorption bandwidth is minimum (2.2 GHz) out of the present series. Maximum absorption bandwidth is obtained for x = 1.0 (4.1 GHz). Other doped compositions also have high absorption bandwidth in range 3.4-3.9 GHz. The results of absorption were related to the dielectric phase angle to conclude that high electro-magnetic losses are dominant factor in deciding absorption properties of ferrites in comparison to impedance matching.

Theoretical and experimental comparison of proton and helium-beam radiography using silicon pixel detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gehrke, T.; Amato, C.; Berke, S.; Martišíková, M.

2018-02-01

Ion-beam radiography (iRAD) could potentially improve the quality control of ion-beam therapy. The main advantage of iRAD is the possibility to directly measure the integrated stopping power. Until now there is no clinical implementation of iRAD. Topics of ongoing research include developing dedicated detection systems to achieve the desired spatial resolution (SR) and investigating different ion types as imaging radiation. This work focuses on the theoretical and experimental comparison of proton (pRAD) and helium-beam radiography (αRAD). The experimental comparison was performed with an in-house developed detection system consisting of silicon pixel detectors. This system enables the measurement of energy deposition of single ions, their tracking, and the identification of the ion type, which is important for αRAD due to secondary fragments. A 161 mm-thick PMMA phantom with an air gap of 1 mm placed at different depths was imaged with a 168 MeV u-1 proton/helium-ion beam at the Heidelberg ion-beam therapy center. The image quality in terms of SR and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was evaluated. After validating MC simulations against experiments, pRAD and αRAD were compared to carbon-beam radiography (cRAD) in simulations. The theoretical prediction that the CNR of pRAD and αRAD is equal at similar imaging doses was experimentally confirmed. The measured SR of αRAD was 55% better compared to pRAD. The simulated cRads showed the expected improvement in SR and the decreased CNR at the same dose compared to the αRads, however only at dose levels exceeding typical doses of diagnostic x-ray projections. For clinically applicable dose levels, the cRads suffered from an insufficient number of carbon ions per pixel (220 μm  ×  220 μm). In conclusion, it was theoretically and experimentally shown that αRAD provides a better SR than pRAD without any disadvantages concerning the CNR. Using carbon ions instead of helium ions leads to a better SR at the cost of higher doses.

Ab initio study of the positronation of the CaO and SrO molecules including calculation of annihilation rates.

PubMed

Buenker, Robert J; Liebermann, Heinz-Peter

2012-07-15

Ab initio multireference single- and double-excitation configuration interaction calculations have been performed to compute potential curves for ground and excited states of the CaO and SrO molecules and their positronic complexes, e(+)CaO, and e(+)SrO. The adiabatic dissociation limit for the (2)Σ(+) lowest states of the latter systems consists of the positive metal ion ground state (M(+)) and the OPs complex (e(+)O(-)), although the lowest energy limit is thought to be e(+)M + O. Good agreement is found between the calculated and experimental spectroscopic constants for the neutral diatomics wherever available. The positron affinity of the closed-shell X (1)Σ(+) ground states of both systems is found to lie in the 0.16-0.19 eV range, less than half the corresponding values for the lighter members of the alkaline earth monoxide series, BeO and MgO. Annihilation rates (ARs) have been calculated for all four positronated systems for the first time. The variation with bond distance is generally similar to what has been found earlier for the alkali monoxide series of positronic complexes, falling off gradually from the OPs AR value at their respective dissociation limits. The e(+)SrO system shows some exceptional behavior, however, with its AR value reaching a minimum at a relatively large bond distance and then rising to more than twice the OPs value close to its equilibrium distance. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Enhancement of encaged electron concentration by Sr(2+) doping and improvement of Gd(3+) emission through controlling encaged anions in conductive C12A7 phosphors.

PubMed

Zhang, Meng; Liu, Yuxue; Zhu, Hancheng; Yan, Duanting; Yang, Jian; Zhang, Xinyang; Liu, Chunguang; Xu, Changshan

2016-07-28

Conductive C12A7:0.1%Gd(3+),y%Sr(2+) powders with different Sr(2+) doping concentrations have been prepared in a H2 atmosphere by a solid state method in combination with subsequent UV-irradiation. The encaged electron concentration could be modulated through tuning Sr(2+) doping and its maximum value reaches 2.3 × 10(19) cm(-3). This is attributed to the competition between enhanced uptake and the release of the encaged anions during their formation and diffusion processes and the suppression of encaged electrons generation due to the increased encaged OH(-) anions and the decreased encaged O(2-) anions. Although there exists encaged electrons and different encaged anions (O(2-), H(-) and OH(-)) in C12A7 conductive powders prepared through the hydrogen route, a dominant local environment around Gd(3+) could be observed using electron spin resonance (ESR) detection. It can be ascribed to the stronger coupling of the encaged OH(-) to the framework of C12A7 than those of the encaged electrons, O(2-) and H(-) anions. In addition, emission of Gd(3+) ions is enhanced under UV or low voltage electron beam excitation and a new local environment around Gd(3+) ions appears through the thermal annealing in air because of the decrease of the encaged OH(-) anions and the increase of the encaged O(2-) anions. Our results suggested that Sr(2+) doping in combination with thermal annealing in air is an effective strategy for increasing the conductive performance and enhancing the emission of rare earth ions doped into C12A7 conductive phosphors for low-voltage field emission displays (FEDs).

Radiosurgery for hemangioblastoma: results of a multiinstitutional experience.

PubMed

Patrice, S J; Sneed, P K; Flickinger, J C; Shrieve, D C; Pollock, B E; Alexander, E; Larson, D A; Kondziolka, D S; Gutin, P H; Wara, W M; McDermott, M W; Lunsford, L D; Loeffler, J S

1996-06-01

Between June 1988 and June 1994. 38 hemangioblastomas were treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SR) at three SR centers to evaluate the efficacy and potential toxicity of this therapeutic modality as an adjuvant or alternative treatment to surgical resection. SR was performed using either a 201-cobalt source unit or a dedicated SR linear accelerator. Of the 18 primary tumors treated, 16 had no prior history of surgical resection and were treated definitively with SR and two primary lesions were subtotally resected and subsequently treated with SR. Twenty lesions were treated with SR after prior surgical failure (17 tumors) or failure after prior surgery and conventional radiotherapy (three tumors). Eight patients were treated with SR for multifocal disease (total, 24 known tumors). SR tumor volumes measured 0.05 to 12 cc (median: 0.97 cc). Minimum tumor doses ranged from 12 to 20 Gy (median: 15.5 Gy). Median follow-up from the time of SR was 24.5 months (range: 6-77 months). The 2-year actuarial over-all survival was 88 +/- 15% (95% confidence interval). Two-year actuarial freedom from progression was 86 +/- 12% (95% confidence interval). The median tumor volume of the lesions that failed to be controlled by SR was 7.85 cc (range: 3.20-10.53 cc) compared to 0.67 cc (range: 0.05-12 cc) for controlled lesions (p - 0.0023). The lesions that failed to be controlled by SR received a median minimum tumor dose of 14 Gy (range: 13-17 Gy) compared to 16 Gy (range: 12-20 Gy) for controlled lesions (p = 0.0239). Seventy-eight percent of the surviving patients remained neurologically stable or clinically improved. There were no significant permanent complications directly attributable to SR. This report documents the largest experience in the literature of the use of SR in the treatment of hemangioblastoma. We conclude that SR: (a) controls the majority of primary and recurrent hemangioblastomas; (b) offers the ability to treat multiple lesions in a single treatment session, which is particularly important for patients with Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome; and that (c) better control rates are associated with higher doses and smaller tumor volumes.

87Sr/86Sr ratios in basalts from islands in the Indian Ocean

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hedge, C.E.; Watkins, N.D.; Hildreth, R.A.; Doering, W.P.

1973-01-01

87Sr/86Sr ratios of basalts from islands in the Indian Ocean (0.7040) are higher than those of basalts dredged from the Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge (0.7034). The sources of the island basalts have apparently not been in equilibrium with the source of the ridge basalts for roughly 109 years. Both ridge and island basalts in the Indian Ocean are higher in 87Sr/86Sr than are rocks from similar settings in the eastern Pacific. ?? 1973.

U-Th-Pb and Rb-Sr systematics of Apollo 17 boulder 7 from the North Massif of the Taurus-Littrow valley

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nunes, P. D.; Tatsumoto, M.; Unruh, D. M.

1974-01-01

Portions of highland breccia boulder 7 collected during the Apollo 17 mission were studied using U-Th-Pb and Rb-Sr systematics. A Rb-Sr internal isochron age of 3.89 plus or minus 0.08 b.y. with an initial Sr-87/Sr-86 of 0.69926 plus or minus 0.00008 was obtained for clast 1 (77135,57) (a troctolitic microbreccia). A troctolitic portion of microbreccia clast 77215,37 yielded a U-Pb internal isochron of 3.8 plus or minus 0.2 b.y. and an initial Pb-206/Pb-207 of 0.69. These internal isochron ages are interpreted as reflecting metamorphic events, probably related to impacts, which reset Rb-Sr and U-Pb mineral systems of older rocks.

Minor and potentially toxic trace elements in milk and blood serum of dairy donkeys.

PubMed

Fantuz, F; Ferraro, S; Todini, L; Piloni, R; Mariani, P; Malissiova, E; Salimei, E

2015-08-01

The aim of this trial was to study the concentration of Ti, V, As, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Cs, and Pb in donkey milk and blood serum. One hundred twelve individual milk and blood serum samples were collected from 16 lactating donkeys (Martina-Franca-derived population; 6 to 12 yr old; 3 to 7 parities; average live weight 205.4kg; 32 to 58 d after foaling at the beginning of the trial) during a 3-mo-long experiment. The samples were analyzed for the aforementioned elements by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Feedstuff and drinking water were also analyzed for the investigated elements. Data were processed by ANOVA for repeated measures. Average milk concentrations (±SD) of Ti, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cs, and Pb were 77.3 (±7.7), 339.1 (±82.1), 881.7 (±270.4), 4.5 (±1.6), 0.49 (±0.09), and 3.2 (±2.7) μg/L, respectively. More than 80% of samples were below the limit of detection for V, As, and Cd in milk and for Cd, and Pb in blood serum. The lower bound calculated for milk V, As, and Cd was 0.03μg/L for the 3 elements, the upper bound was calculated at 0.23, 0.10, and 0.31μg/L and the maximum value was observed at 0.54, 0.15, and 0.51μg/L, respectively. The average milk concentrations of Ti, Rb, Sr, Mo, and Cs were 600, 458, 346, 16, and 294%, respectively, than those of blood serum. Yet, Cs concentrations were in the same order of magnitude in milk and serum. Moderate to strong positive and significant correlation coefficients were observed between milk and blood serum concentrations for Ti, Rb, Sr, and Cs. The effect of the stage of lactation was significant for all the investigated elements in milk and blood serum, but most of the elements showed only small changes or inconsistent trends, and only the concentrations of Rb and Sr showed decreasing trends both in milk and blood serum. The relationship between milk and blood serum element concentrations indicates that the mammary gland plays a role in determining the milk concentrations of Mo, Ti, Rb, Sr, Mo, and Cs. In the current experimental conditions, in agreement with the low levels in drinking water and feedstuff, donkey milk concentration of potentially toxic elements was very low and did not raise health concerns for human consumption. Copyright © 2015 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Facilitation of cytosolic calcium wave propagation by local calcium uptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum in cardiac myocytes.

PubMed

Maxwell, Joshua T; Blatter, Lothar A

2012-12-01

The widely accepted paradigm for cytosolic Ca(2+) wave propagation postulates a 'fire-diffuse-fire' mechanism where local Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) via ryanodine receptor (RyR) Ca(2+) release channels diffuses towards and activates neighbouring release sites, resulting in a propagating Ca(2+) wave. A recent challenge to this paradigm proposed the requirement for an intra-SR 'sensitization' Ca(2+) wave that precedes the cytosolic Ca(2+) wave and primes RyRs from the luminal side to CICR. Here, we tested this hypothesis experimentally with direct simultaneous measurements of cytosolic ([Ca(2+)](i); rhod-2) and intra-SR ([Ca(2+)](SR); fluo-5N) calcium signals during wave propagation in rabbit ventricular myocytes, using high resolution fluorescence confocal imaging. The increase in [Ca(2+)](i) at the wave front preceded depletion of the SR at each point along the calcium wave front, while during this latency period a transient increase of [Ca(2+)](SR) was observed. This transient elevation of [Ca(2+)](SR) could be identified at individual release junctions and depended on the activity of the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA). Increased SERCA activity (β-adrenergic stimulation with 1 μM isoproterenol (isoprenaline)) decreased the latency period and increased the amplitude of the transient elevation of [Ca(2+)](SR), whereas inhibition of SERCA (3 μM cyclopiazonic acid) had the opposite effect. In conclusion, the data provide experimental evidence that local Ca(2+) uptake by SERCA into the SR facilitates the propagation of cytosolic Ca(2+) waves via luminal sensitization of the RyR, and supports a novel paradigm of a 'fire-diffuse-uptake-fire' mechanism for Ca(2+) wave propagation in cardiac myocytes.

Facilitation of cytosolic calcium wave propagation by local calcium uptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum in cardiac myocytes

PubMed Central

Maxwell, Joshua T; Blatter, Lothar A

2012-01-01

The widely accepted paradigm for cytosolic Ca2+ wave propagation postulates a ‘fire-diffuse-fire’ mechanism where local Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) via ryanodine receptor (RyR) Ca2+ release channels diffuses towards and activates neighbouring release sites, resulting in a propagating Ca2+ wave. A recent challenge to this paradigm proposed the requirement for an intra-SR ‘sensitization’ Ca2+ wave that precedes the cytosolic Ca2+ wave and primes RyRs from the luminal side to CICR. Here, we tested this hypothesis experimentally with direct simultaneous measurements of cytosolic ([Ca2+]i; rhod-2) and intra-SR ([Ca2+]SR; fluo-5N) calcium signals during wave propagation in rabbit ventricular myocytes, using high resolution fluorescence confocal imaging. The increase in [Ca2+]i at the wave front preceded depletion of the SR at each point along the calcium wave front, while during this latency period a transient increase of [Ca2+]SR was observed. This transient elevation of [Ca2+]SR could be identified at individual release junctions and depended on the activity of the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA). Increased SERCA activity (β-adrenergic stimulation with 1 μm isoproterenol (isoprenaline)) decreased the latency period and increased the amplitude of the transient elevation of [Ca2+]SR, whereas inhibition of SERCA (3 μm cyclopiazonic acid) had the opposite effect. In conclusion, the data provide experimental evidence that local Ca2+ uptake by SERCA into the SR facilitates the propagation of cytosolic Ca2+ waves via luminal sensitization of the RyR, and supports a novel paradigm of a ‘fire-diffuse-uptake-fire’ mechanism for Ca2+ wave propagation in cardiac myocytes. PMID:22988145

[Absorption spectrum of Quasi-continuous laser modulation demodulation method].

PubMed

Shao, Xin; Liu, Fu-Gui; Du, Zhen-Hui; Wang, Wei

2014-05-01

A software phase-locked amplifier demodulation method is proposed in order to demodulate the second harmonic (2f) signal of quasi-continuous laser wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) properly, based on the analysis of its signal characteristics. By judging the effectiveness of the measurement data, filter, phase-sensitive detection, digital filtering and other processing, the method can achieve the sensitive detection of quasi-continuous signal The method was verified by using carbon dioxide detection experiments. The WMS-2f signal obtained by the software phase-locked amplifier and the high-performance phase-locked amplifier (SR844) were compared simultaneously. The results show that the Allan variance of WMS-2f signal demodulated by the software phase-locked amplifier is one order of magnitude smaller than that demodulated by SR844, corresponding two order of magnitude lower of detection limit. And it is able to solve the unlocked problem caused by the small duty cycle of quasi-continuous modulation signal, with a small signal waveform distortion.

Shoulder and hip roll changes during 200-m front crawl swimming.

PubMed

Psycharakis, Stelios G; Sanders, Ross H

2008-12-01

To determine accurately the magnitude and changes in shoulder roll (SR) and hip roll (HR) throughout a 200-m maximum front crawl swim and whether SR and HR were associated with swimming velocity (V). Bilateral roll asymmetries and timing differences between SR and HR were also investigated. Ten male swimmers of national/international level performed a maximum 200-m front crawl swim. Performance was recorded with four below- and two above-water synchronized cameras and four nonbreathing stroke cycles (SC) were analyzed (one for each 50 m). SR and HR were calculated separately. Swimmers rolled their shoulders significantly more than their hips (P < 0.001). V generally decreased during the test, and HR was significantly higher in SC4 than in SC1 (P = 0.001). SR had a negative and significant correlation with V in each SC (-0.663

Sr/Ca proxy sea-surface temperature reconstructions from modern and holocene Montastraea faveolata specimens from the Dry Tortugas National Park

USGS Publications Warehouse

Flannery, Jennifer A.; Poore, Richard Z.

2013-01-01

Sr/Ca ratios from skeletal samples from two Montastraea faveolata corals (one modern, one Holocene, ~6 Ka) from the Dry Tortugas National Park were measured as a proxy for sea-surface temperature (SST). We sampled coral specimens with a computer-driven triaxial micromilling machine, which yielded an average of 15 homogenous samples per annual growth increment. We regressed Sr/Ca values from resulting powdered samples against a local SST record to obtain a calibration equation of Sr/Ca = -0.0392 SST + 10.205, R = -0.97. The resulting calibration was used to generate a 47-year modern (1961-2008) and a 7-year Holocene (~6 Ka) Sr/Ca subannually resolved proxy record of SST. The modern M. faveolata yields well-defined annual Sr/Ca cycles ranging in amplitude from ~0.3 and 0.5 mmol/mol. The amplitude of ~0.3 to 0.5 mmol/mol equates to a 10-15°C seasonal SST amplitude, which is consistent with available local instrumental records. Summer maxima proxy SSTs calculated from the modern coral Sr/ Ca tend to be fairly stable: most SST maxima from 1961–2008 are 29°C ± 1°C. In contrast, winter minimum SST calculated in the 47-year modern time-series are highly variable, with a cool interval in the early to mid-1970s. The Holocene (~6 Ka) Montastraea faveolata coral also yields distinct annual Sr/Ca cycles with amplitudes ranging from ~0.3 to 0.6 mmol/mol. Absolute Sr/Ca values and thus resulting SST estimates over the ~7-year long record are similar to those from the modern coral. We conclude that Sr/Ca from Montastraea faveolata has high potential for developing subannually resolved Holocene SST records.

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

Mancini, Alessandro; Felice, Valeria; Natali Sora, Isabella

Chemical reactivity between cathodes and electrolytes is a crucial issue for long term SOFCs stability and performances. In this study, chemical reactivity between selected cathodic materials and the ionic conducting melilite La{sub 1.50}Sr{sub 0.50}Ga{sub 3}O{sub 7.25} has been extensively investigated by X-ray powder diffraction in a wide temperature range (up to 1573 K). Perovskite-type La{sub 0.8}Sr{sub 0.2}MnO{sub 3−d} and La{sub 0.8}Sr{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 0.8}Cu{sub 0.2}O{sub 3−d} and K{sub 2}NiF{sub 4}-type La{sub 2}NiO{sub 4+d} were selected as cathode materials. The results of this study allow identifying the most suitable electrode material to be used in combination with the melilite-type gallate electrolyte andmore » set the basis for future work on this novel system. - Graphical abstract: Chemical reactivity between cathodes and electrolytes is a crucial issue for long term SOFCs stability and performances. In this study, chemical reactivity between selected cathodic materials and the ionic conducting melilite La{sub 1.50}Sr{sub 0.50}Ga{sub 3}O{sub 7.25} has been extensively investigated by means of X-ray powder diffraction. - Highlights: • Chemical compatibility between melilite-type gallate and cathodes for SOFCs up to 1573 K. • No reactivity observed between La{sub 0.8}Sr{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 0.8}Cu{sub 0.2}O{sub 3−d} and La{sub 1.50}Sr{sub 0.50}Ga{sub 3}O{sub 7.25}. • Reactivity observed between La{sub 0.80}Sr{sub 0.20}MnO{sub 3−d} and La{sub 1.50}Sr{sub 0.50}Ga{sub 3}O{sub 7.25}. • Significant reactivity observed between La{sub 2}NiO{sub 4+d} and La{sub 1.50}Sr{sub 0.50}Ga{sub 3}O{sub 7.25}.« less

87Sr/86Sr isotopes in grapes of different cultivars: A geochemical tool for geographic traceability of agriculture products.

PubMed

Tescione, Ines; Marchionni, Sara; Casalini, Martina; Vignozzi, Nadia; Mattei, Massimo; Conticelli, Sandro

2018-08-30

87 Sr/ 86 Sr was determined on fresh red and white grapes, soils and rocks from three selected vineyards to verify the isotopic relationships between the fruit of the vine and geologic substrata of vineyards. 87 Sr/ 86 Sr were determined on sampled grapes of four different harvest years and different grape varieties, on bioavailable fraction of soils, on whole soils, and on bedrocks from the geo-pedological substratum of the vineyards. The vineyards chosen for the experimental works belong to an organic farming winery and thus cultivation procedures were strictly controlled. Grapes were sampled during the harvests of four different but consecutive years with 87 Sr/ 86 Sr that does not change reflecting the values of the soil bioavailable fraction. No variations among grapes from different vine cultivars were observed. A strict isotope relationship with soil bio-available fraction was observed. These findings demonstrate the reliability of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr, even at a very small scale, for food products geographic origin assessment. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sida rhomboidea.Roxb extract alleviates pathophysiological changes in experimental in vivo and in vitro models of high fat diet/fatty acid induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

PubMed

Thounaojam, Menaka C; Jadeja, Ravirajsinh N; Dandekar, Deven S; Devkar, Ranjitsinh V; Ramachandran, A V

2012-03-01

The present study was aim to evaluate protective role of Sida rhomboidea.Roxb (SR) extract against high fat diet/fatty acid induced pathophysiological alterations in experimental model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Effect of SR extract on plasma levels of markers of hepatic damage, plasma and hepatic lipids, mitochondrial oxidative stress, status of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and histopathological changes in liver tissue were evaluated in high fat diet fed C57BL/6J mice. Also, the effect of SR supplementation on lipid accumulation, lipid peroxidation, cytotoxicity and cell viability were evaluated in oleic acid treated HepG2 cells. Supplementation of NASH mice with SR extract prevented high fat diet induced elevation in plasma marker enzymes of liver damage, plasma and hepatic lipids, mitochondrial oxidative stress and compromised enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant status. Further, addition of SR extract to in vitro HepG2 cells minimized oleic acid induced lipid accumulation, higher lipid peroxidation, cytotoxicity and reduced cell viability. These in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that SR extract has the potential of preventing high fat/fatty acid induced NASH mainly due to its hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Intrinsic defects and spectral characteristics of SrZrO3 perovskite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Zhenzhang; Duan, He; Jin, Yahong; Zhang, Shaoan; Lv, Yang; Xu, Qinfang; Hu, Yihua

2018-04-01

First-principles calculations and experiment analysis were performed to study the internal relation between seven types of intrinsic defects and the persistent luminescence in SrZrO3 host material. The calculation shows that rich zirconium defects have the low energy cost and thus are easy to form. Zr vacancies are too high energy to play any role in defect which is related luminescence phenomenon of SrZrO3 phosphor. However, oxygen vacancies stand out as a likely candidate, because it can yield two carrier reservoirs: a fully-occupied singlet electron's reservoir which lies above the valence band maximum, and an empty triply degenerate hole's reservoir which is just below the conduction band minimum. Sr vacancies are not directly relevant to the persistent luminescence due to its too shallow electron trap level. The characteristics of these defects are fully explained by the equilibrium properties of SrZrO3. An experimental study of the thermoluminescence glow for these defects is conducted and the calculation is consistent with the experimental results. A mechanism of the persistent luminescence for SrZrO3:Pr3+, Eu3+ is explained according to oxygen vacancies trap center. Findings of this study may serve as theoretical references for controlling intrinsic traps by more refined experiments.