Research and development of asymmetrical heat transfer augmentation method in radial channels of blades for high temperature gas turbines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shevchenko, I. V.; Rogalev, A. N.; Garanin, I. V.; Vegera, A. N.; Kindra, V. O.

2017-11-01

The serpentine-like one and half-pass cooling channel systems are primarily used in blades fabricated by the lost-wax casting process. The heat transfer turbulators like cross-sectional or angled ribs used in channels of the midchord region failed to eliminate the temperature irregularity from the suction and pressure sides, which is reaching 200°C for a first stage blade of the high-pressure turbine for an aircraft engine. This paper presents the results of a numerical and experimental test of an advanced heat transfer augmentation system in radial channels developed for alignment of the temperature field from the suction and pressure sides. A numerical simulation of three-dimensional coolant flow for a wide range of Reynolds numbers was carried out using ANSYS CFX software. Effect of geometrical parameters on the heat removal asymmetry was determined. The test results of a blade with the proposed intensification system conducted in a liquid-metal thermostat confirmed the accuracy of calculations. Based on the experimental data, the dependencies for calculation of heat transfer coefficients to the cooling air in the blade studied were obtained.

[Testing of the effect of classic conditioning stimuli in human experiment by means of the transfer of control paradigm].

PubMed

Wolter, J

1999-01-01

Pavlovian conditioning in animals is often evaluated by means of transfer of control experiments. With human subjects, however, only very few studies have been conducted and the outcomes were often not in accordance with theoretical explanations based on studies with animals. A theoretical framework is presented that tries to integrate the results of the human conditioning paradigm and the animal conditioning paradigm as well, with reference to the well-known Yerkes-Dodson law. The experimental study with human subjects (N = 24) confirmed the predictions out of this framework, when a procedure similar to animal research is applied.

Orbiter entry leeside heat-transfer data analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Throckmorton, D. A.; Zoby, E. V.

1983-01-01

Heat-transfer data measured along the Space Shuttle Orbiter's leeward centerline and over the wing leeside surface during the STS-2 and STS-3 mission entries are presented. The flight data are compared with available wind-tunnel results. Flight heating levels are, in general, lower than those which are inferred from the wind-tunnel results. This result is apparently due to the flight leeside flowfield remaining laminar over a larger Reynolds number range than that of corresponding ground test results. The flight/wind-tunnel data comparisons confirm the adequacy of, and conservatism embodied in, the direct application of wind-tunnel data at flight conditions for the design of Orbiter leeside thermal protection.

Vented Tank Resupply Experiment Demonstrated Vane Propellant Management Device for Fluid Transfer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chato, David J.

1998-01-01

The Vented Tank Resupply Experiment (VTRE) flown on STS-77 confirmed the design approaches presently used in the development of vane-type propellant management devices (PMD) for use in resupply and tank-venting situations, and it provided the first practical demonstration of an autonomous fluid transfer system. All the objectives were achieved. Transfers were more stable than drop tower testing indicated. Liquid was retained successfully at the highest flow rate tested (2.73 gal/min), demonstrating that rapid fills could be achieved. Liquid-free vents were achieved for two different tanks, although the flow rate was higher for the spherical tank (0.1591 cu ft/min) than for the tank with a short barrel section (0.0400 cu ft/min). Recovery from a thruster firing, which moved the liquid to the opposite end of the tank from the PMD, was achieved in 30 sec, showing that liquid rewicked more quickly into the PMD after thruster firing than pretest projections had predicted. In addition, researchers obtained great insights into the PMD behavior from the video footage provided, and discovered new considerations for future PMD designs that would not have been seen without this flight test.

[Development and Testing of a Mastery Learning Program of Nursing Skills for Undergraduate Nursing Students].

PubMed

Park, SoMi; Hur, Hea Kung; Kim, Ki Kyong; Song, Hee Young

2017-08-01

This study was undertaken to develop and test a mastery learning program of nursing skills for undergraduate nursing students. In this methodological study, first, the preliminary draft of a mastery learning program to provide training for nursing skills was developed based on Bloom's framework for mastery learning. Second, to test the developed program, a single-blinded, nonequivalent control group nonsynchronized study was conducted on 50 senior nursing students in a University selected by convenient sampling. Thirteen students were assigned to a control group; 13, 12, and 13 of them were assigned to intravenous therapy, transfusion, and patient transfer groups, respectively. The achievement levels and performance scores of the selected nursing skills were measured before and after the completion of the program in all the groups. Lastly, the final program was confirmed based on the results of the program testing. Intravenous therapy, transfusion, and patient transfer were selected as essential nursing skills for the program based on the priorities rated by clinical instructors and staff nurses. The achievement levels of selected nursing skills were determined by Angoff scores. After participating in the program, the proportion of passers and performance scores of the nursing skills in the experimental groups were significantly higher than those in the control group. The final program was confirmed which included a diagnostic test, enrichment activities for the passers and three repetitions of corrective activities and formative assessments for non-passers. The results suggest that a mastery learning program for undergraduate students can lead to better improvement and performance of essential nursing skills. © 2017 Korean Society of Nursing Science

Transferability of retrotransposon primers derived from Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) across other plant species.

PubMed

Du, X Y; Hu, Q N; Zhang, Q L; Wang, Y B; Luo, Z R

2013-06-06

Retrotransposon-based molecular markers are powerful molecular tools. However, these markers are not readily available due to the difficulty in obtaining species-specific retrotransposon primers. Although recent techniques enabling the rapid isolation of retrotransposon sequences have facilitated primer development, this process nonetheless remains time-consuming and costly. Therefore, research into the transferability of retrotransposon primers developed from one plant species onto others would be of great value. The present study investigated the transferability of retrotransposon primers derived from 'Luotian-tianshi' persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) across other fruit crops, as well as within the genus using inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism molecular marker. Fourteen of the 26 retrotransposon primers tested (53.85%) produced robust and reproducible amplification products across all fruit crops tested, indicating their applicability across plant species. Four of the 13 fruit crops showed the best transferability performances: persimmon, grape, citrus, and peach. Furthermore, similarity coefficients and UPGMA clustering indicated that these primers could further offer a potential tool for germplasm differentiation, parentage identification, genetic diversity assessment, classification, and phylogenetic studies across a variety of plant species. Transferability was further confirmed by examining published primers derived from Rosaceae, Gramineae, and Solanaceae. This study is one of the few currently available studies concerning the transferability of retrotransposon primers across plant species in general, and is the first successful study of the transferability of retrotransposon primers derived from persimmon. The primers presented here will help reduce costs for future retrotransposon primer development and therefore contribute to the popularization of retrotransposon molecular markers.

Fluorinion transfer in silver-assisted chemical etching for silicon nanowires arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Tianyu; Xu, Youlong; Zhang, Zhengwei; Mao, Shengchun

2015-08-01

Uniform silicon nanowires arrays (SiNWAs) were fabricated on unpolished rough silicon wafers through KOH pretreatment followed by silver-assisted chemical etching (SACE). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to investigate the function of silver (Ag) at atomic scale in the etching process. Among three adsorption sites of Ag atom on Si(1 0 0) surface, Ag(T4) above the fourth-layer surface Si atoms could transfer fluorinion (F-) to adjacent Si successfully due to its stronger electrostatic attraction force between Ag(T4) and F-, smaller azimuth angle of Fsbnd Ag(T4)sbnd Si, shorter bond length of Fsbnd Si compared with Fsbnd Ag. As F- was transferred to adjacent Si by Ag(T4) one by one, the Si got away from the wafer in the form of SiF4 when it bonded with enough F- while Ag(T4) was still attached onto the Si wafer ready for next transfer. Cyclic voltammetry tests confirmed that Ag can improve the etching rate by transferring F- to Si.

Implementation of one and three dimensional models for heat transfer coeffcient identification over the plate cooled by the circular water jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malinowski, Zbigniew; Cebo-Rudnicka, Agnieszka; Hadała, Beata; Szajding, Artur; Telejko, Tadeusz

2017-10-01

A cooling rate affects the mechanical properties of steel which strongly depend on microstructure evolution processes. The heat transfer boundary condition for the numerical simulation of steel cooling by water jets can be determined from the local one dimensional or from the three dimensional inverse solutions in space and time. In the present study the inconel plate has been heated to about 900 °C and then cooled by six circular water jets. The plate temperature has been measured by 30 thermocouples. The heat transfer coefficient and the heat flux distributions at the plate surface have been determined in time and space. The one dimensional solutions have given a local error to the heat transfer coefficient of about 35%. The three dimensional inverse solution has allowed reducing the local error to about 20%. The uncertainty test has confirmed that a better approximation of the heat transfer coefficient distribution over the cooled surface can be obtained even for limited number of thermocouples. In such a case it was necessary to constrain the inverse solution with the interpolated temperature sensors.

Orexin (hypocretin) gene transfer diminishes narcoleptic sleep behavior in mice

PubMed Central

Liu, Meng; Thankachan, Stephen; Kaur, Satvinder; Begum, Suraiya; Blanco-Centurion, Carlos; Sakurai, Takeshi; Yanagisawa, Masashi; Neve, Rachael; Shiromani, Priyattam J.

2008-01-01

Gene transfer has proven to be an effective neurobiological tool in a number of neurodegenerative diseases, but it is not known if it can correct a sleep disorder. Narcolepsy is a neurodegenerative sleep disorder linked to the loss of neurons containing the neuropeptide orexin, also known as hypocretin. Here, a replication-defective herpes simplex virus-1 amplicon-based vector was constructed to transfer the gene for mouse prepro-orexin into mice with a genetic deletion of the orexin gene. After in vitro tests confirmed successful gene transfer into cells, the gene vector was delivered to the lateral hypothalamus of orexin knockout (KO) mice where the orexin peptide was robustly expressed in the somata and processes of numerous neurons, and the peptide product was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid. During the 4-day life-span of the vector the incidence of cataplexy declined by 60%, and the levels of rapid eye movement sleep during the second half of the night were similar to levels in wild-type mice, indicating that narcoleptic sleep–wake behavior in orexin KO mice can be improved by targeted gene transfer. PMID:18973565

Development of a thermal-hydraulics experimental system for high Tc superconductors cooled by liquid hydrogen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tatsumoto, H.; Shirai, Y.; Shiotsu, M.; Hata, K.; Kobayashi, H.; Naruo, Y.; Inatani, Y.; Kato, T.; Futakawa, M.; Kinoshita, K.

2010-06-01

A thermal-hydraulics experimental system of liquid hydrogen was developed in order to investigate the forced flow heat transfer characteristics in the various cooling channels for wide ranges of subcoolings, flow velocities, and pressures up to supercritical. A main tank is connected to a sub tank through a hydrogen transfer line with a control valve. A channel heater is located at one end of the transfer line in the main tank. Forced flow through the channel is produced by adjusting the pressure difference between the tanks and the valve opening. The mass flow rate is measured from the weight change of the main tank. For the explosion protection, electrical equipments are covered with a nitrogen gas blanket layer and a remote control system was established. The first cryogenic performance tests confirmed that the experimental system had satisfied with the required performances. The forced convection heat transfer characteristics was successfully measured at the pressure of 0.7 MPa for various flow velocities.

An investigation of tritium transfer in reactor loops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilyasova, O. H.; Mosunova, N. A.

2017-09-01

The work is devoted to the important task of the numerical simulation and analysis of the tritium behaviour in the reactor loops. The simulation was carried out by HYDRA-IBRAE/LM code, which is being developed in Nuclear safety institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The code is intended for modeling of the liquid metal flow (sodium, lead and lead-bismuth) on the base of non-homogeneous and non-equilibrium two-fluid model. In order to simulate tritium transfer in the code, the special module has been developed. Module includes the models describing the main phenomena of tritium behaviour in reactor loops: transfer, permeation, leakage, etc. Because of shortage of the experimental data, a lot of analytical tests and comparative calculations were considered. Some of them are presented in this work. The comparison of estimation results and experimental and analytical data demonstrate not only qualitative but also good quantitative agreement. It is possible to confirm that HYDRA-IBRAE/LM code allows modeling tritium transfer in reactor loops.

Imipenem-resistance in Serratia marcescens is mediated by plasmid expression of KPC-2.

PubMed

Su, W-Q; Zhu, Y-Q; Deng, N-M; Li, L

2017-04-01

Imipenem is a broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotic with applications against severe bacterial infections. Here, we describe the identification of imipenem-resistant Serratia marcescens in our hospital and the role of plasmid-mediated KPC-2 expression in imipenem resistance. We used the modified Hodge test to detect carbapenemase produced in imipenem-resistant strains. His resistance can be transferred to E. coli in co-culture tests, which implicates the plasmid in imipenem resistance. PCR amplification from the plasmid identified two products consistent with KPC-2 of 583 and 1050 bp that were also present in E. coli after co-culture. The restriction pattern for both plasmids was identical, supporting the transfer from the S. marcescens isolate to E. coli. Finally, gene sequencing confirmed KPC-2 in the plasmid. Due to the presence of KPC-2 in the imipenem-resistant S. marcescens, we propose that KPC-2 mediates antibiotic resistance in the S. marcescens isolate.

Enzyme-immobilized SiO2-Si electrode: Fast interfacial electron transfer with preserved enzymatic activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Gang; Yau, Siu-Tung

2005-12-01

The enzyme, glucose oxidase (GOx), is immobilized using electrostatic interaction on the native oxide of heavily doped n-type silicon. Voltammetric measurement shows that the immobilized GOx gives rise to a very fast enzyme-silicon interfacial electron transfer rate constant of 7.9s-1. The measurement also suggests that the enzyme retains its native conformation when immobilized on the silicon surface. The preserved native conformation of GOx is further confirmed by testing the enzymatic activity of the immobilized GOx using glucose. The GOx-immobilized silicon is shown to behave as a glucose sensor that detects glucose with concentrations as low as 50μM.

Acetification of rice wine by Acetobacter aceti using loofa sponge in a low-cost reciprocating shaker.

PubMed

Krusong, W; Tantratian, S

2014-11-01

To maximize acetification rate (ETA) by adsorption of acetic acid bacteria (AAB) on loofa sponge matrices (LSM). AAB were adsorbed on LSM, and the optimal shaking rate was determined for maximized AAB growth and oxygen availability. Results confirm that the 1 Hz reciprocating shaking rate with 40% working volume (liquid volume 24 l, tank volume 60 l) achieved a high oxygen transfer coefficient (k(L)a). The highest ETA was obtained at 50% (w:v) LSM-AAB:culture medium at 30 ± 2°C (P ≤ 0·05). To test process consistency, nine sequential acetification cycles were run using LSM-AAB and comparing it with no LSM. The highest ETA (1·701-2·401 g l(-1) d(-1)) was with LSM-AAB and was associated with the highest biomass of AAB, confirmed by SEM images. Results confirm that LSM-AAB works well as an inert substrate for AAB. High oxygenation was maintained by a reciprocating shaker. Both shaking and LSM were important in increasing ETA. High cell biomass in LSM-AAB provides good conditions for higher ETAs of quick acetification under adequate oxygen transfer by reciprocating shaker. It is a sustainable process for small-scale vinegar production system requiring minimal set-up cost. © 2014 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

H2-norm for mesh optimization with application to electro-thermal modeling of an electric wire in automotive context

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chevrié, Mathieu; Farges, Christophe; Sabatier, Jocelyn; Guillemard, Franck; Pradere, Laetitia

2017-04-01

In automotive application field, reducing electric conductors dimensions is significant to decrease the embedded mass and the manufacturing costs. It is thus essential to develop tools to optimize the wire diameter according to thermal constraints and protection algorithms to maintain a high level of safety. In order to develop such tools and algorithms, accurate electro-thermal models of electric wires are required. However, thermal equation solutions lead to implicit fractional transfer functions involving an exponential that cannot be embedded in a car calculator. This paper thus proposes an integer order transfer function approximation methodology based on a spatial discretization for this class of fractional transfer functions. Moreover, the H2-norm is used to minimize approximation error. Accuracy of the proposed approach is confirmed with measured data on a 1.5 mm2 wire implemented in a dedicated test bench.

Fatigue Rated Fastener Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-11-01

programme part also .how. that the »tatement "the higher th«. load traust.,, the shorter the tallgu. lite could not b. confirmed for all Joints. It might...realistic fatigue loading: the lite improvement mechanisms are more marked in these Joints than in .-.-* luad transfer/low secondary bending Joints...7050-T76 PRIMER REAM HI-LOK TEST SERIES NOT CLEARANCE 10-30 34432 11832 GH3 JRFS-A") COLD WORK VRFS -B) INTERFERENCE 15-35 >16773 >16044

Conditioning of the 4 Curies Radium-226 Sealed Radiation Source in Thailand

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

Punnachaiya, M.; Sawangsri, T.; Wanabongse, P.

This paper describes the conditioning of the 4 curies Radium-226 (Ra-226) sealed radiation source using as a teletherapy unit for cancer treatment in Thailand. The conditioning was under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supervision and budgetary supports, comprised of 6 operational steps: the surface dose rate and actual dimension of radium unit measurements, the appropriate lead shielding design with IAEA approval, confirmation of radioactive contamination before conditioning (smear test and radon gas leakage test), transfer of radium source unit into the designed shielding, confirmation of radioactive contamination and dose rate measurement after conditioning, and transportation of Ra-226 conditioning wastemore » package to OAP interim waste storage. The Ra-226 unit was taken out of OAP temporary waste storage for the surface dose rate and the actual dimension measurements behind the 12 inches thick heavy concrete shielding. The maximum measured surface dose rate was 70 R/hr. The special lead container was designed according to its surface dose rate along the source unit which the maximum permissible dose limit for surface dose rate of waste package after conditioning at 2 mSv/hr was applied. The IAEA approved container had total weight of 2.4 ton. After the confirmation of radioactive contamination, Ra-226 source unit was transferred and loaded in the designed lead shielding within 2 minutes. The results of smear test before and after conditioning including radon gas leakage test revealed that there was no radioactive contamination. After conditioning, the surface dose rate measured on the top, bottom were 15,10 mR/hr and varied from 6 - 50 mR/hr around lead container. The Ra-226 conditioning waste package was safely transported to store in OAP interim waste storage. Total working time including the time consumed for radon gas leakage test was 3.5 hours. The total radiation dose received by 16 operators, were ranged from 1 - 69.84 {mu}Sv and the operational team completed the conditioning safely within the effective dose limit for occupational exposure of 50 mSv/year (200 {mu}Sv/day). (authors)« less

Soil transference patterns on bras: Image processing and laboratory dragging experiments.

PubMed

Murray, Kathleen R; Fitzpatrick, Robert W; Bottrill, Ralph S; Berry, Ron; Kobus, Hilton

2016-01-01

In a recent Australian homicide, trace soil on the victim's clothing suggested she was initially attacked in her front yard and not the park where her body was buried. However the important issue that emerged during the trial was how soil was transferred to her clothing. This became the catalyst for designing a range of soil transference experiments (STEs) to study, recognise and classify soil patterns transferred onto fabric when a body is dragged across a soil surface. Soil deposits of interest in this murder were on the victim's bra and this paper reports the results of anthropogenic soil transfer to bra-cups and straps caused by dragging. Transfer patterns were recorded by digital photography and photomicroscopy. Eight soil transfer patterns on fabric, specific to dragging as the transfer method, appeared consistently throughout the STEs. The distinctive soil patterns were largely dependent on a wide range of soil features that were measured and identified for each soil tested using X-ray Diffraction and Non-Dispersive Infra-Red analysis. Digital photographs of soil transfer patterns on fabric were analysed using image processing software to provide a soil object-oriented classification of all soil objects with a diameter of 2 pixels and above transferred. Although soil transfer patterns were easily identifiable by naked-eye alone, image processing software provided objective numerical data to support this traditional (but subjective) interpretation. Image software soil colour analysis assigned a range of Munsell colours to identify and compare trace soil on fabric to other trace soil evidence from the same location; without requiring a spectrophotometer. Trace soil from the same location was identified by linking soils with similar dominant and sub-dominant Munsell colour peaks. Image processing numerical data on the quantity of soil transferred to fabric, enabled a relationship to be discovered between soil type, clay mineralogy (smectite), particle size and soil moisture content that would not have been possible otherwise. Soil type (e.g. Anthropogenic, gravelly sandy loam soil or Natural, organic-rich soil), clay mineralogy (smectite) and soil moisture content were the greatest influencing factors in all the dragging soil transference tests (both naked eye and measured properties) to explain the eight categories of soil transference patterns recorded. This study was intended to develop a method for dragging soil transference laboratory experiments and create a baseline of preliminary soil type/property knowledge. Results confirm the need to better understand soil behaviour and properties of clothing fabrics by further testing of a wider range of soil types and clay mineral properties. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Canadian Health Measures Survey pre-test: design, methods, results.

PubMed

Tremblay, Mark; Langlois, Renée; Bryan, Shirley; Esliger, Dale; Patterson, Julienne

2007-01-01

The Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) pre-test was conducted to provide information about the challenges and costs associated with administering a physical health measures survey in Canada. To achieve the specific objectives of the pre-test, protocols were developed and tested, and methods for household interviewing and clinic testing were designed and revised. The cost, logistics and suitability of using fixed sites for the CHMS were assessed. Although data collection, transfer and storage procedures are complex, the pre-test experience confirmed Statistics Canada's ability to conduct a direct health measures survey and the willingness of Canadians to participate in such a health survey. Many operational and logistical procedures worked well and, with minor modifications, are being employed in the main survey. Fixed sites were problematic, and survey costs were higher than expected.

Status of FEP encapsulated solar cell modules used in terrestrial applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ratajczak, A. F.; Forestieri, A. F.

1974-01-01

The Lewis Research Center has been engaged in transferring the FEP encapsulated solar cell technology developed for the space program to terrestrial applications. FEP encapsulated solar cell modules and arrays were designed and built expressly for terrestrial applications. Solar cell power systems were installed at three different land sites, while individual modules are undergoing marine environment tests. Four additional power systems are being completed for installation during the summer of 1974. These tests have revealed some minor problems which have been corrected. The results confirm the inherent utility of FEP encapsulated terrestrial solar cell systems.

Valid methods: the quality assurance of test method development, validation, approval, and transfer for veterinary testing laboratories.

PubMed

Wiegers, Ann L

2003-07-01

Third-party accreditation is a valuable tool to demonstrate a laboratory's competence to conduct testing. Accreditation, internationally and in the United States, has been discussed previously. However, accreditation is only I part of establishing data credibility. A validated test method is the first component of a valid measurement system. Validation is defined as confirmation by examination and the provision of objective evidence that the particular requirements for a specific intended use are fulfilled. The international and national standard ISO/IEC 17025 recognizes the importance of validated methods and requires that laboratory-developed methods or methods adopted by the laboratory be appropriate for the intended use. Validated methods are therefore required and their use agreed to by the client (i.e., end users of the test results such as veterinarians, animal health programs, and owners). ISO/IEC 17025 also requires that the introduction of methods developed by the laboratory for its own use be a planned activity conducted by qualified personnel with adequate resources. This article discusses considerations and recommendations for the conduct of veterinary diagnostic test method development, validation, evaluation, approval, and transfer to the user laboratory in the ISO/IEC 17025 environment. These recommendations are based on those of nationally and internationally accepted standards and guidelines, as well as those of reputable and experienced technical bodies. They are also based on the author's experience in the evaluation of method development and transfer projects, validation data, and the implementation of quality management systems in the area of method development.

Influence of graphite-alloy interactions on corrosion of Ni-Mo-Cr alloy in molten fluorides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ai, Hua; Hou, Juan; Ye, Xiang-Xi; Zeng, Chao Liu; Sun, Hua; Li, Xiaoyun; Yu, Guojun; Zhou, Xingtai; Wang, Jian-Qiang

2018-05-01

In this study, the effects of graphite-alloy interaction on corrosion of Ni-Mo-Cr alloy in molten FLiNaK salt were investigated. The corrosion tests of Ni-Mo-Cr alloys were conducted in graphite crucibles, to examine the differences of test specimens in conditions of electric contact and isolated with graphite, respectively. The corrosion attack is severer with more weight loss and deeper Cr depletion layer in samples electric contact with graphite than those isolated with graphite. The occurrence of galvanic corrosion between alloy specimens and graphite container was confirmed by electrochemical measurement. The corrosion is controlled by nonelectric transfer in isolated test while electrochemical reaction accelerated corrosion in electric contact test.

FILM-30: A Heat Transfer Properties Code for Water Coolant

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

MARSHALL, THERON D.

2001-02-01

A FORTRAN computer code has been written to calculate the heat transfer properties at the wetted perimeter of a coolant channel when provided the bulk water conditions. This computer code is titled FILM-30 and the code calculates its heat transfer properties by using the following correlations: (1) Sieder-Tate: forced convection, (2) Bergles-Rohsenow: onset to nucleate boiling, (3) Bergles-Rohsenow: partially developed nucleate boiling, (4) Araki: fully developed nucleate boiling, (5) Tong-75: critical heat flux (CHF), and (6) Marshall-98: transition boiling. FILM-30 produces output files that provide the heat flux and heat transfer coefficient at the wetted perimeter as a function ofmore » temperature. To validate FILM-30, the calculated heat transfer properties were used in finite element analyses to predict internal temperatures for a water-cooled copper mockup under one-sided heating from a rastered electron beam. These predicted temperatures were compared with the measured temperatures from the author's 1994 and 1998 heat transfer experiments. There was excellent agreement between the predicted and experimentally measured temperatures, which confirmed the accuracy of FILM-30 within the experimental range of the tests. FILM-30 can accurately predict the CHF and transition boiling regimes, which is an important advantage over current heat transfer codes. Consequently, FILM-30 is ideal for predicting heat transfer properties for applications that feature high heat fluxes produced by one-sided heating.« less

Resonant charge transfer in He/+/-He collisions studied with the merging-beams technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rundel, R. D.; Nitz, D. E.; Smith, K. A.; Geis, M. W.; Stebbings, R. F.

1979-01-01

Absolute cross sections are reported for the resonant charge-transfer reaction He(+) + He yields He + He(+) at collision energies between 0.1 and 187 eV. The results, obtained using a new merging-beam apparatus are in agreement both with theory and with measurements made using other experimental techniques. The experimentally determined cross sections between 0.5 and 187 eV fall about a line given by sigma exp 1/2(sq-A) = 5.09-2.99 lnW, where W is the collision energy in eV. Considerable attention is paid to the configuration and operation of the apparatus. Tests and calculations which confirm the interpretation of the experimental data in a merging-beam experiment are discussed.

Parametric study of graphite foam fins and application in heat exchangers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Collins, Michael

This thesis focuses on the simulation and experimental studies of finned graphite foam extended surfaces to test their heat transfer characteristics and potential applications in condensers. Different fin designs were developed to conduct a parametric study on the thermal effectiveness with respect to thickness, spacing and fin offset angle. Each fin design was computationally simulated to estimate the heat transfer under specific conditions. The simulations showed that this optimal fin configuration could conduct more than 297% the amount of thermal energy as compared to straight aluminum fins. Graphite foam fins were then implemented into a simulation of the condenser system. The condenser was simulated with six different orientations of baffles to examine the incoming vapor and resulting two-phase flow patterns. The simulations showed that using both horizontal and vertical baffling provided the configuration with the highest heat transfer and minimized the bypass regions where the vapor would circumvent the graphite foam. This baffle configuration increased the amount of vapor flow through the inner graphite fins and cold water pipes, which gave this configuration the highest heat transfer. The results from experimental tests using the condenser system confirmed that using three baffles will increase performance consistent with the simulation results. The experimental data showed that the condenser using graphite foam had five times the heat transfer compared to the condenser using only aluminum fins. Incorporating baffles into the condenser using graphite foam enabled this system to conduct nearly ten times more heat transfer than the condenser system which only had aluminum fins without baffles. The results from this research indicate that graphite foam is a far superior material heat transfer enhancement material for heat transfer compared to aluminum used as an extended surface. The longitudinal and horizontal baffles incorporated into the condenser system greatly enhanced the heat transfer because of the increased interaction with the porous graphite foam fins.

Mechanical Flexibility of Zinc Oxide Thin-Film Transistors Prepared by Transfer Printing Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eun, K. T.; Hwang, W. J.; Sharma, B. K.; Ahn, J. H.; Lee, Y. K.; Choa, S. H.

In the present study, we demonstrate the performance of Zinc oxide thin film transistors (ZnO TFTs) array subjected to the strain under high bending test and the reliability of TFTs was confirmed for the bending fatigue test of 2000 cycles. Initially, ZnO TFTs were fabricated on Si substrate and subsequently transferred on flexible PET substrate using transfer printing process. It was observed that when the bending radius reached ≥ 11 mm then cracks start to initiate first at SiO2 bridges, acting as interconnecting layers among individual TFT. Whatever the strain is applied to the devices, it is almost equivalently adopted by the SiO2 bridges, as they are relatively weak compared to rest of the part. The initial cracking of destructed SiO2 bridge leads to the secondary cracks to the ITO electrodes upon further increment of bending radius. Numerical simulation suggested that the strain of SiO2 layer reached to fracture level of 0.55% which was concentrated at the edge of SiO2 bridge layer. It also suggests that the round shape of SiO2 bridge can be more fruitful to compensate the stress concentration and to prevent failure of device.

Transfer of fallout radionuclides derived from Fukushima NPP accident: 1 year study on transfer of radionuclides through hydrological processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Onda, Yuichi; Kato, Hiroaki; Patin, Jeremy; Yoshimura, Kazuya; Tsujimura, Maki; Wakahara, Taeko; Fukushima, Takehiko

2013-04-01

Previous experiences such as Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident have confirmed that fallout radionuclides on the ground surface migrate through natural environment including soils and rivers. Therefore, in order to estimate future changes in radionuclide deposition, migration process of radionuclides in forests, soils, ground water, rivers should be monitored. However, such comprehensive studies on migration through forests, soils, ground water and rivers have not been conducted so far. Here, we present the following comprehensive investigation was conducted to confirm migration of radionuclides through natural environment including soils and rivers. 1)Study on depth distribution of radiocaesium in soils within forests, fields, and grassland 2)Confirmation of radionuclide distribution and investigation on migration in forests 3)Study on radionuclide migration due to soil erosion under different land use 4)Measurement of radionuclides entrained from natural environment including forests and soils 5)Investigation on radionuclide migration through soil water, ground water, stream water, spring water under different land use 6)Study on paddy-to-river transfer of radionuclides through suspended sediments 7)Study on river-to-ocean transfer of radionuclides via suspended sediments 8)Confirmation of radionuclide deposition in ponds and reservoirs

“Life-like” assessment of antimicrobial surfaces by a new touch transfer assay displays strong superiority of a copper alloy compared to silver containing surfaces

PubMed Central

Tofern, Sabrina; Kunz, Wladimir; Schütze, Sara; Riecke, Michael; Solbach, Werner; Wuske, Thomas

2017-01-01

Transmission of bacteria from inanimate surfaces in healthcare associated environments is an important source of hospital acquired infections. A number of commercially available medical devices promise to fulfill antibacterial activity to reduce environmental contamination. In this study we developed a touch transfer assay modeling fingerprint transmission to investigate the antibacterial activity of surfaces, with confirmed antibacterial activity by a modified ISO 22196 (JIS Z 2801) assay to test such surfaces under more realistic conditions. Bacteria were taken up from a dry standardized primary contaminated surface (PCS) with disinfected fingers or fingers covered with sterile and moistened cotton gloves. Subsequently, bacteria were transferred by pressing on secondary contaminated surfaces (SCS) with or without potential antibacterial activity and the relative reduction rate was determined after 24 h. A stable transmission rate between PCS and SCS was observed using moistened sterile gloves. A copper containing alloy displayed at least a tenfold reduction of the bacterial load consistently reaching less than 2.5 cfu/cm2. In contrast, no significant reduction of bacterial contamination by silver containing surfaces and matured pure silver was observed in the touch transfer assay. With the touch transfer assay we successfully established a new reproducible method modeling cross contamination. Using the new method we were able to demonstrate that several surfaces with confirmed antimicrobial activity in a modified ISO 22196 (JIS Z 2801) assay lacked effectiveness under defined ambient conditions. This data indicate that liquid based assays like the ISO 22196 should be critically reviewed before claiming antibacterial activity for surfaces in the setting of contamination of dry surfaces by contact to the human skin. We suggest the newly developed touch transfer assay as a new additional tool for the assessment of potential antimicrobial surfaces prior utilization in hospital environments. PMID:29135999

Hydrodynamics, mass transfer, and yeast culture performance of a column bioreactor with ejector.

PubMed

Prokop, A; Janík, P; Sobotka, M; Krumphanzl, V

1983-04-01

A bubble column fitted with an ejector has been tested for its physical and biological performance. The axial diffusion coefficient of the liquid phase in the presence of electrolytes and ethanol was measured by a stimulus-response technique with subsequent evaluation by means of a diffusion model. In contrast to ordinary bubble columns, the coefficient of axial mixing is inversely dependent on the superficial air velocity. The liquid velocity acts in an opposite direction to the backmixing flow in the column. The measurement of volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient in the presence of electrolytes and ethanol was performed using a dynamic gassing-in method adapted for a column. The data were correlated with the superficial air and liquid velocities, total power input, and power for aeration and mixing; the economy coefficient of oxygen transfer was used for finding an optimum ratio of power for aeration and pumping. Growth experiments with Candida utilis on ethanol confirmed some of the above results. Biomass productivity of 2.5 g L(-1) h(-1) testifies about a good transfer capability of the column. Columns fitted with pneumatic and/or hydraulic energy input may be promising for aerobic fermentations considering their mass transfer and mixing characteristics.

Chaotic oscillation and random-number generation based on nanoscale optical-energy transfer.

PubMed

Naruse, Makoto; Kim, Song-Ju; Aono, Masashi; Hori, Hirokazu; Ohtsu, Motoichi

2014-08-12

By using nanoscale energy-transfer dynamics and density matrix formalism, we demonstrate theoretically and numerically that chaotic oscillation and random-number generation occur in a nanoscale system. The physical system consists of a pair of quantum dots (QDs), with one QD smaller than the other, between which energy transfers via optical near-field interactions. When the system is pumped by continuous-wave radiation and incorporates a timing delay between two energy transfers within the system, it emits optical pulses. We refer to such QD pairs as nano-optical pulsers (NOPs). Irradiating an NOP with external periodic optical pulses causes the oscillating frequency of the NOP to synchronize with the external stimulus. We find that chaotic oscillation occurs in the NOP population when they are connected by an external time delay. Moreover, by evaluating the time-domain signals by statistical-test suites, we confirm that the signals are sufficiently random to qualify the system as a random-number generator (RNG). This study reveals that even relatively simple nanodevices that interact locally with each other through optical energy transfer at scales far below the wavelength of irradiating light can exhibit complex oscillatory dynamics. These findings are significant for applications such as ultrasmall RNGs.

A linear stability analysis for nonlinear, grey, thermal radiative transfer problems

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

Wollaber, Allan B., E-mail: wollaber@lanl.go; Larsen, Edward W., E-mail: edlarsen@umich.ed

2011-02-20

We present a new linear stability analysis of three time discretizations and Monte Carlo interpretations of the nonlinear, grey thermal radiative transfer (TRT) equations: the widely used 'Implicit Monte Carlo' (IMC) equations, the Carter Forest (CF) equations, and the Ahrens-Larsen or 'Semi-Analog Monte Carlo' (SMC) equations. Using a spatial Fourier analysis of the 1-D Implicit Monte Carlo (IMC) equations that are linearized about an equilibrium solution, we show that the IMC equations are unconditionally stable (undamped perturbations do not exist) if {alpha}, the IMC time-discretization parameter, satisfies 0.5 < {alpha} {<=} 1. This is consistent with conventional wisdom. However, wemore » also show that for sufficiently large time steps, unphysical damped oscillations can exist that correspond to the lowest-frequency Fourier modes. After numerically confirming this result, we develop a method to assess the stability of any time discretization of the 0-D, nonlinear, grey, thermal radiative transfer problem. Subsequent analyses of the CF and SMC methods then demonstrate that the CF method is unconditionally stable and monotonic, but the SMC method is conditionally stable and permits unphysical oscillatory solutions that can prevent it from reaching equilibrium. This stability theory provides new conditions on the time step to guarantee monotonicity of the IMC solution, although they are likely too conservative to be used in practice. Theoretical predictions are tested and confirmed with numerical experiments.« less

A linear stability analysis for nonlinear, grey, thermal radiative transfer problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wollaber, Allan B.; Larsen, Edward W.

2011-02-01

We present a new linear stability analysis of three time discretizations and Monte Carlo interpretations of the nonlinear, grey thermal radiative transfer (TRT) equations: the widely used “Implicit Monte Carlo” (IMC) equations, the Carter Forest (CF) equations, and the Ahrens-Larsen or “Semi-Analog Monte Carlo” (SMC) equations. Using a spatial Fourier analysis of the 1-D Implicit Monte Carlo (IMC) equations that are linearized about an equilibrium solution, we show that the IMC equations are unconditionally stable (undamped perturbations do not exist) if α, the IMC time-discretization parameter, satisfies 0.5 < α ⩽ 1. This is consistent with conventional wisdom. However, we also show that for sufficiently large time steps, unphysical damped oscillations can exist that correspond to the lowest-frequency Fourier modes. After numerically confirming this result, we develop a method to assess the stability of any time discretization of the 0-D, nonlinear, grey, thermal radiative transfer problem. Subsequent analyses of the CF and SMC methods then demonstrate that the CF method is unconditionally stable and monotonic, but the SMC method is conditionally stable and permits unphysical oscillatory solutions that can prevent it from reaching equilibrium. This stability theory provides new conditions on the time step to guarantee monotonicity of the IMC solution, although they are likely too conservative to be used in practice. Theoretical predictions are tested and confirmed with numerical experiments.

Efficient gene transfer into nondividing cells by adeno-associated virus-based vectors.

PubMed Central

Podsakoff, G; Wong, K K; Chatterjee, S

1994-01-01

Gene transfer vectors based on adeno-associated virus (AAV) are emerging as highly promising for use in human gene therapy by virtue of their characteristics of wide host range, high transduction efficiencies, and lack of cytopathogenicity. To better define the biology of AAV-mediated gene transfer, we tested the ability of an AAV vector to efficiently introduce transgenes into nonproliferating cell populations. Cells were induced into a nonproliferative state by treatment with the DNA synthesis inhibitors fluorodeoxyuridine and aphidicolin or by contact inhibition induced by confluence and serum starvation. Cells in logarithmic growth or DNA synthesis arrest were transduced with vCWR:beta gal, an AAV-based vector encoding beta-galactosidase under Rous sarcoma virus long terminal repeat promoter control. Under each condition tested, vCWR:beta Gal expression in nondividing cells was at least equivalent to that in actively proliferating cells, suggesting that mechanisms for virus attachment, nuclear transport, virion uncoating, and perhaps some limited second-strand synthesis of AAV vectors were present in nondividing cells. Southern hybridization analysis of vector sequences from cells transduced while in DNA synthetic arrest and expanded after release of the block confirmed ultimate integration of the vector genome into cellular chromosomal DNA. These findings may provide the basis for the use of AAV-based vectors for gene transfer into quiescent cell populations such as totipotent hematopoietic stem cells. Images PMID:8057446

Efficient gene transfer into nondividing cells by adeno-associated virus-based vectors.

PubMed

Podsakoff, G; Wong, K K; Chatterjee, S

1994-09-01

Gene transfer vectors based on adeno-associated virus (AAV) are emerging as highly promising for use in human gene therapy by virtue of their characteristics of wide host range, high transduction efficiencies, and lack of cytopathogenicity. To better define the biology of AAV-mediated gene transfer, we tested the ability of an AAV vector to efficiently introduce transgenes into nonproliferating cell populations. Cells were induced into a nonproliferative state by treatment with the DNA synthesis inhibitors fluorodeoxyuridine and aphidicolin or by contact inhibition induced by confluence and serum starvation. Cells in logarithmic growth or DNA synthesis arrest were transduced with vCWR:beta gal, an AAV-based vector encoding beta-galactosidase under Rous sarcoma virus long terminal repeat promoter control. Under each condition tested, vCWR:beta Gal expression in nondividing cells was at least equivalent to that in actively proliferating cells, suggesting that mechanisms for virus attachment, nuclear transport, virion uncoating, and perhaps some limited second-strand synthesis of AAV vectors were present in nondividing cells. Southern hybridization analysis of vector sequences from cells transduced while in DNA synthetic arrest and expanded after release of the block confirmed ultimate integration of the vector genome into cellular chromosomal DNA. These findings may provide the basis for the use of AAV-based vectors for gene transfer into quiescent cell populations such as totipotent hematopoietic stem cells.

A multicontext approach to promoting transfer of strategy use and self regulation after brain injury: An exploratory study.

PubMed

Toglia, Joan; Johnston, Mark V; Goverover, Yael; Dain, Barry

2010-01-01

Persons with brain injury frequently demonstrate decreased ability to monitor and apply strategies learned in treatment to everyday situations. The aim of this study is to refine, explore and provide preliminary testing of the multicontext approach in promoting strategy use across situations and increasing self-regulation, awareness and functional performance. This study used a single-subject design with repeated measures pre- and post-intervention, with data analysed descriptively and graphically. Four persons with difficulty following multi-step directions, 3-5 years post-TBI, received a nine session intervention programme. Outcome measures included the Awareness Questionnaire, Self-Regulation Skills Interview, Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Multiple Errands Test and an Executive Function Performance Test sub-task. The process of change within each treatment session was examined with strategy and awareness ratings. All participants demonstrated positive changes in self-regulatory skills and strategy use that was observed across tasks. As expected, general awareness of deficits remained unchanged. Examination of individual participants revealed important, varying patterns of change in strategy use, learning transfer and self-awareness across intervention. Results provide preliminary support for the feasibility and efficacy of the multicontext approach in promoting transfer of strategy use to enhance functional performance and selective aspects of awareness. Further investigation, including a larger controlled study, is needed to confirm or limit these observations.

Effects of cognitive training on the structure of intelligence.

PubMed

Protzko, John

2017-08-01

Targeted cognitive training, such as n-back or speed of processing training, in the hopes of raising intelligence is of great theoretical and practical importance. The most important theoretical contribution, however, is not about the malleability of intelligence. Instead, I argue the most important and novel theoretical contribution is understanding the causal structure of intelligence. The structure of intelligence, most often taken as a hierarchical factor structure, necessarily prohibits transfer from subfactors back up to intelligence. If this is the true structure, targeted cognitive training interventions will fail to increase intelligence not because intelligence is immutable, but simply because there is no causal connection between, say, working memory and intelligence. Seeing the structure of intelligence for what it is, a causal measurement model, allows us to focus testing on the presence and absence of causal links. If we can increase subfactors without transfer to other facets, we may be confirming the correct causal structure more than testing malleability. Such a blending into experimental psychometrics is a strong theoretical pursuit.

Diagnostic Performance of Placental Growth Factor in Women With Suspected Preeclampsia Attending Antenatal Facilities in Maputo, Mozambique.

PubMed

Ukah, U Vivian; Mbofana, Francisco; Rocha, Beatriz Manriquez; Loquiha, Osvaldo; Mudenyanga, Chishamiso; Usta, Momade; Urso, Marilena; Drebit, Sharla; Magee, Laura A; von Dadelszen, Peter

2017-03-01

In well-resourced settings, reduced circulating maternal-free placental growth factor (PlGF) aids in either predicting or confirming the diagnosis of preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, stillbirth, preterm birth, and delivery within 14 days of testing when preeclampsia is suspected. This blinded, prospective cohort study of maternal plasma PlGF in women with suspected preeclampsia was conducted in antenatal clinics in Maputo, Mozambique. The primary outcome was the clinic-to-delivery interval. Other outcomes included: confirmed diagnosis of preeclampsia, transfer to higher care, mode of delivery, intrauterine fetal death, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Of 696 women, 95 (13.6%) and 601 (86.4%) women had either low (<100 pg/mL) or normal (≥100 pg/mL) plasma PlGF, respectively. The clinic-to-delivery interval was shorter in low PlGF, compared with normal PlGF, women (median 24 days [interquartile range, 10-49] versus 44 [24-81], P =0.0042). Also, low PlGF was associated with a confirmed diagnosis of preeclampsia, higher blood pressure, transfer for higher care, earlier gestational age delivery, delivery within 7 and 14 days, preterm birth, cesarean delivery, lower birth weight, and perinatal loss. In urban Mozambican women with symptoms or signs suggestive of preeclampsia, low maternal plasma PlGF concentrations are associated with increased risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes, whether the diagnosis of preeclampsia is confirmed. Therefore, PlGF should improve the provision of precision medicine to individual women and improve pregnancy outcomes for those with preeclampsia or related placenta-mediated complications. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

A Comparison of Theory and Experiment for High-speed Free-molecule Flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stalder, Jackson R; Goodwin, Glen; Creager, Marcus O

1951-01-01

A comparison is made of free-molecule-flow theory with the results of wind-tunnel tests performed to determine the drag and temperature-rise characteristics of a transverse circular cylinder. The measured values of the cylinder center-point temperature confirmed the salient point of the heat-transfer analysis which was the prediction that an insulated cylinder would attain a temperature higher than the stagnation temperature of the stream. Good agreement was obtained between the theoretical and the experimental values for the drag coefficient.

Thermo-aerodynamic efficiency of non-circular ducts with vortex enhancement of heat exchange in different types of compact heat exchangers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vasilev, V. Ya; Nikiforova, S. A.

2018-03-01

Experimental studies of thermo-aerodynamic characteristics of non-circular ducts with discrete turbulators on walls and interrupted channels have confirmed the rational enhancement of convective heat transfer, in which the growth of heat transfer outstrips or equals the growth of aerodynamic losses. Determining the regularities of rational (energy-saving) enhancement of heat transfer and the proposed method for comparing the characteristics of smooth-channel (without enhancement) heat exchangers with effective analogs provide new results, confirming the high efficiency of vortex enhancement of convective heat transfer in non-circular ducts of plate-finned heat exchange surfaces. This allows creating heat exchangers with much smaller mass and volume for operation in energy-saving modes.

Calibration of the modulation transfer function of surface profilometers with binary pseudo-random test standards: expanding the application range

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

Yashchuk, Valeriy V.; Anderson, Erik H.; Barber, Samuel K.

2011-03-14

A modulation transfer function (MTF) calibration method based on binary pseudo-random (BPR) gratings and arrays [Proc. SPIE 7077-7 (2007), Opt. Eng. 47, 073602 (2008)] has been proven to be an effective MTF calibration method for a number of interferometric microscopes and a scatterometer [Nucl. Instr. and Meth. A616, 172 (2010)]. Here we report on a further expansion of the application range of the method. We describe the MTF calibration of a 6 inch phase shifting Fizeau interferometer. Beyond providing a direct measurement of the interferometer's MTF, tests with a BPR array surface have revealed an asymmetry in the instrument's datamore » processing algorithm that fundamentally limits its bandwidth. Moreover, the tests have illustrated the effects of the instrument's detrending and filtering procedures on power spectral density measurements. The details of the development of a BPR test sample suitable for calibration of scanning and transmission electron microscopes are also presented. Such a test sample is realized as a multilayer structure with the layer thicknesses of two materials corresponding to BPR sequence. The investigations confirm the universal character of the method that makes it applicable to a large variety of metrology instrumentation with spatial wavelength bandwidths from a few nanometers to hundreds of millimeters.« less

Liquid Hydrogen Recirculation System for Forced Flow Cooling Test of Superconducting Conductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shirai, Y.; Kainuma, T.; Shigeta, H.; Shiotsu, M.; Tatsumoto, H.; Naruo, Y.; Kobayashi, H.; Nonaka, S.; Inatani, Y.; Yoshinaga, S.

2017-12-01

The knowledge of forced flow heat transfer characteristics of liquid hydrogen (LH2) is important and necessary for design and cooling analysis of high critical temperature superconducting devices. However, there are few test facilities available for LH2 forced flow cooling for superconductors. A test system to provide a LH2 forced flow (∼10 m/s) of a short period (less than 100 s) has been developed. The test system was composed of two LH2 tanks connected by a transfer line with a controllable valve, in which the forced flow rate and its period were limited by the storage capacity of tanks. In this paper, a liquid hydrogen recirculation system, which was designed and fabricated in order to study characteristics of superconducting cables in a stable forced flow of liquid hydrogen for longer period, was described. This LH2 loop system consists of a centrifugal pump with dynamic gas bearings, a heat exchanger which is immersed in a liquid hydrogen tank, and a buffer tank where a test section (superconducting wires or cables) is set. The buffer tank has LHe cooled superconducting magnet which can produce an external magnetic field (up to 7T) at the test section. A performance test was conducted. The maximum flow rate was 43.7 g/s. The lowest temperature was 22.5 K. It was confirmed that the liquid hydrogen can stably circulate for 7 hours.

Optimization of Wireless Power Transfer Systems Enhanced by Passive Elements and Metasurfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lang, Hans-Dieter; Sarris, Costas D.

2017-10-01

This paper presents a rigorous optimization technique for wireless power transfer (WPT) systems enhanced by passive elements, ranging from simple reflectors and intermedi- ate relays all the way to general electromagnetic guiding and focusing structures, such as metasurfaces and metamaterials. At its core is a convex semidefinite relaxation formulation of the otherwise nonconvex optimization problem, of which tightness and optimality can be confirmed by a simple test of its solutions. The resulting method is rigorous, versatile, and general -- it does not rely on any assumptions. As shown in various examples, it is able to efficiently and reliably optimize such WPT systems in order to find their physical limitations on performance, optimal operating parameters and inspect their working principles, even for a large number of active transmitters and passive elements.

Transfer and expression of the rabbit defensin NP-1 gene in lettuce (Lactuca sativa).

PubMed

Song, D; Xiong, X; Tu, W F; Yao, W; Liang, H W; Chen, F J; He, Z Q

2017-01-23

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is an annual plant of the daisy family, Asteraceae, with high food and medicinal value. However, the crop is susceptible to several viruses that are transmitted by aphids and is highly vulnerable to post-harvest diseases, as well as insect and mammal pests and fungal and bacterial diseases. Here, the rabbit defensin gene NP-1 was transferred into lettuce by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to obtain a broad-spectrum disease-resistant lettuce. Transgenic lettuce plants were selected and regenerated on selective media. The presence of the NP-1 gene in these plants was confirmed by western blot analyses. Resistance tests revealed native defensin NP-1 expression conferred partial resistance to Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which suggests new possibilities for lettuce disease resistance.

Conceptual design for spacelab two-phase flow experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bradshaw, R. D.; King, C. D.

1977-01-01

KC-135 aircraft tests confirmed the gravity sensitivity of two phase flow correlations. The prime component of the apparatus is a 1.5 cm dia by 90 cm fused quartz tube test section selected for visual observation. The water-cabin air system with water recycle was a clear choice for a flow regime-pressure drop test since it was used satisfactorily on KC-135 tests. Freon-11 with either overboard dump or with liquid-recycle will be used for the heat transfer test. The two experiments use common hardware. The experimental plan covers 120 data points in six hours with mass velocities from 10 to 640 kg/sec-sq m and qualities 0.01 to 0.64. The apparatus with pump, separator, storage tank and controls is mounted in a double spacelab rack. Supporting hardware, procedures, measured variables and program costs are defined.

Confirmation of quasi-static approximation in SAR evaluation for a wireless power transfer system.

PubMed

Hirata, Akimasa; Ito, Fumihiro; Laakso, Ilkka

2013-09-07

The present study discusses the applicability of the magneto-quasi-static approximation to the calculation of the specific absorption rate (SAR) in a cylindrical model for a wireless power transfer system. Resonant coils with different parameters were considered in the 10 MHz band. A two-step quasi-static method that is comprised of the method of moments and the scalar-potential finite-difference methods is applied, which can consider the effects of electric and magnetic fields on the induced SAR separately. From our computational results, the SARs obtained from our quasi-static method are found to be in good agreement with full-wave analysis for different positions of the cylindrical model relative to the wireless power transfer system, confirming the applicability of the quasi-static approximation in the 10 MHz band. The SAR induced by the external electric field is found to be marginal as compared to that induced by the magnetic field. Thus, the dosimetry for the external magnetic field, which may be marginally perturbed by the presence of biological tissue, is confirmed to be essential for SAR compliance in the 10 MHz band or lower. This confirmation also suggests that the current in the coil rather than the transferred power is essential for SAR compliance.

Synthesis, structural, spectroscopic and optical studies of charge transfer complex salts.

PubMed

Manikandan, Maruthappan; Mahalingam, Thaiyan; Hayakawa, Yasuhiro; Ravi, Ganesan

2013-01-15

New charge transfer molecular complex adducts of picric acid (C6H3N3O7) with triethylamine (C6H15N) and dimethylformamide (HCON(CH3)2) were synthesized successfully for the first time. Chemical composition and stoichiometry of the synthesized complex salts were verified by CHN elemental analysis. Solubility of the complex salts have been determined by gravimetric method and single crystals of two new salts were grown by low temperature solution growth technique. Crystal system, crystalline nature and cell parameters of the grown crystals were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analyses. The formations of the charge-transfer complex, functional groups and the modes of vibrations have been confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. In order to know the linear and nonlinear optical suitability for device fabrication, UV-Vis (UV) spectral analysis and relative second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency test were performed for the grown crystals. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cue-elicited food seeking is eliminated with aversive outcomes following outcome devaluation.

PubMed

Eder, Andreas B; Dignath, David

2016-01-01

In outcome-selective Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT), stimuli that are predictive of specific outcomes prime instrumental responses that are associated with these outcomes. Previous human studies yielded mixed evidence in respect to whether the PIT effect is affected by a posttraining devaluation of an outcome, with the PIT effect being preserved after a devaluation of a primary reinforcer (food, drugs) but not following the devaluation of a secondary reinforcer (money). The present research examined whether outcome-selective transfer is eliminated when the devaluation of a primary (liquid) reinforcer is strong and aversive. Experiment 1 confirmed these expectations following a devaluation with bad tasting Tween 20. However, outcome-selective transfer was still observed when the earned (devalued) outcome was not consumed immediately after each test (Experiment 2). These results suggest that the capacity of a Pavlovian cue to motivate a specific response is affected by the incentive value of the shared outcome only when the devaluation yields an aversive outcome that is consumed immediately.

A Randomized Clinical Trial of Methadone Maintenance for Prisoners: Results at Twelve-Months Post-Release

PubMed Central

Kinlock, Timothy W.; Gordon, Michael S.; Schwartz, Robert P.; Fitzgerald, Terrence T.; O’Grady, Kevin E.

2009-01-01

This study examined the impact of prison-initiated methadone maintenance at 12-months post-release. Males with pre-incarceration heroin dependence (n=204) were randomly assigned to: 1) Counseling Only: counseling in prison, with passive referral to treatment upon release; 2) Counseling+Transfer: counseling in prison with transfer to methadone maintenance treatment upon release; and 3) Counseling+Methadone: counseling and methadone maintenance in prison, continued in the community upon release. The mean number of days in community-based drug abuse treatment were, respectively, Counseling Only 23.1, Counseling+Transfer 91.3, and Counseling+Methadone 166.0, p <.01; all pairwise comparisons were statistically significant (all ps < .01). Counseling+Methadone participants were also significantly less likely than participants in each of the other two groups to be opioid-positive or cocaine-positive according to urine drug testing. These results support the effectiveness of prison-initiated methadone for males in the United States. Further study is required to confirm the findings for women. PMID:19339140

Synthesis, structural, spectroscopic and optical studies of charge transfer complex salts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manikandan, Maruthappan; Mahalingam, Thaiyan; Hayakawa, Yasuhiro; Ravi, Ganesan

2013-01-01

New charge transfer molecular complex adducts of picric acid (C6H3N3O7) with triethylamine (C6H15N) and dimethylformamide (HCON(CH3)2) were synthesized successfully for the first time. Chemical composition and stoichiometry of the synthesized complex salts were verified by CHN elemental analysis. Solubility of the complex salts have been determined by gravimetric method and single crystals of two new salts were grown by low temperature solution growth technique. Crystal system, crystalline nature and cell parameters of the grown crystals were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analyses. The formations of the charge-transfer complex, functional groups and the modes of vibrations have been confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. In order to know the linear and nonlinear optical suitability for device fabrication, UV-Vis (UV) spectral analysis and relative second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency test were performed for the grown crystals.

A randomized clinical trial of methadone maintenance for prisoners: results at 12 months postrelease.

PubMed

Kinlock, Timothy W; Gordon, Michael S; Schwartz, Robert P; Fitzgerald, Terrence T; O'Grady, Kevin E

2009-10-01

This study examined the impact of prison-initiated methadone maintenance at 12 months postrelease. Males with pre-incarceration heroin dependence (N = 204) were randomly assigned to (a) Counseling Only: counseling in prison, with passive referral to treatment upon release; (b) Counseling + Transfer: counseling in prison with transfer to methadone maintenance treatment upon release; and (c) Counseling + Methadone: counseling and methadone maintenance in prison, continued in the community upon release. The mean number of days in community-based drug abuse treatment were, respectively, Counseling Only, 23.1; Counseling + Transfer, 91.3; and Counseling + Methadone, 166.0 (p < .01); all pairwise comparisons were statistically significant (all ps < .01). Counseling + Methadone participants were also significantly less likely than participants in each of the other two groups to be opioid-positive or cocaine-positive according to urine drug testing. These results support the effectiveness of prison-initiated methadone for males in the United States. Further study is required to confirm the findings for women.

Ten-day observation of live rabies suspected dogs.

PubMed

Tepsumethanon, V; Wilde, H; Sitprija, V

2008-01-01

This study aimed at analyzing a ten-day observation period of rabies suspected dogs and cats according to six criteria. Dogs and cats suspected of being rabid were brought for observation when they had either bitten a person or another animal or when abnormal behaviour or unusual illness was observed. Between 1985 and 2005, retrospective and prospective data from 1,222 dogs and 303 cats was collected during the ten-day observation period. If an animal had died, brain examination using fluorescent antibody testing was routinely performed. If an animal had survived for > or =10 days, it was released to its owner or transferred to the municipal dog shelter. A total of 644 dogs and 58 cats found rabid died within 10 days of observation. In addition, for 208 dogs confirmed rabid with laboratory tests between 1997 and 2005, six criteria were analysed from the day of submission. This experience with the implemented 10-day observation period confirms the WHO recommendation on identifying suspected rabid dogs or cats under veterinary supervision following a human exposure.

Interhemispheric Transfer Time Asymmetry of Visual Information Depends on Eye Dominance: An Electrophysiological Study

PubMed Central

Chaumillon, Romain; Blouin, Jean; Guillaume, Alain

2018-01-01

The interhemispheric transfer of information is a fundamental process in the human brain. When a visual stimulus appears eccentrically in one visual-hemifield, it will first activate the contralateral hemisphere but also the ipsilateral one with a slight delay due to the interhemispheric transfer. This interhemispheric transfer of visual information is believed to be faster from the right to the left hemisphere in right-handers. Such an asymmetry is considered as a relevant fact in the context of the lateralization of the human brain. We show here using current source density (CSD) analyses of visually evoked potential (VEP) that, in right-handers and, to a lesser extent in left-handers, this asymmetry is in fact dependent on the sighting eye dominance, the tendency we have to prefer one eye for monocular tasks. Indeed, in right-handers, a faster interhemispheric transfer of visual information from the right to left hemisphere was observed only in participants with a right dominant eye (DE). Right-handers with a left DE showed the opposite pattern, with a faster transfer from the left to the right hemisphere. In left-handers, albeit a smaller number of participants has been tested and hence confirmation is required, only those with a right DE showed an asymmetrical interhemispheric transfer with a faster transfer from the right to the left hemisphere. As a whole these results demonstrate that eye dominance is a fundamental determinant of asymmetries in interhemispheric transfer of visual information and suggest that it is an important factor of brain lateralization. PMID:29515351

Interhemispheric Transfer Time Asymmetry of Visual Information Depends on Eye Dominance: An Electrophysiological Study.

PubMed

Chaumillon, Romain; Blouin, Jean; Guillaume, Alain

2018-01-01

The interhemispheric transfer of information is a fundamental process in the human brain. When a visual stimulus appears eccentrically in one visual-hemifield, it will first activate the contralateral hemisphere but also the ipsilateral one with a slight delay due to the interhemispheric transfer. This interhemispheric transfer of visual information is believed to be faster from the right to the left hemisphere in right-handers. Such an asymmetry is considered as a relevant fact in the context of the lateralization of the human brain. We show here using current source density (CSD) analyses of visually evoked potential (VEP) that, in right-handers and, to a lesser extent in left-handers, this asymmetry is in fact dependent on the sighting eye dominance, the tendency we have to prefer one eye for monocular tasks. Indeed, in right-handers, a faster interhemispheric transfer of visual information from the right to left hemisphere was observed only in participants with a right dominant eye (DE). Right-handers with a left DE showed the opposite pattern, with a faster transfer from the left to the right hemisphere. In left-handers, albeit a smaller number of participants has been tested and hence confirmation is required, only those with a right DE showed an asymmetrical interhemispheric transfer with a faster transfer from the right to the left hemisphere. As a whole these results demonstrate that eye dominance is a fundamental determinant of asymmetries in interhemispheric transfer of visual information and suggest that it is an important factor of brain lateralization.

The pumping oxygenator: design criteria and first in vitro results.

PubMed

Fiore, G B; Costantino, M L; Fumero, R; Montevecchi, F M

2000-10-01

A new project is presented, the pumping oxygenator, functionally integrating pulsatile pumping and blood oxygenation in a single device. Solid, semipermeable silicone membranes allow gas exchange and simultaneously transfer energy from pressurized gas to blood thanks to their distensibility and to inlet and outlet 1-way valves. Two small-sized (1 m2 exchange surface area) prototypes were designed, constructed, hydraulically characterized, and subjected to gas transfer evaluation tests. Blood flow rates (Q(b)) up to 1,250 ml/min were obtained with 30 mm Hg static preload and 130 mm Hg afterload with 0.7 m upstream and 2.1 m downstream 3/8 inch pipes. Physiological oxygen transfer (VO2 = 5 ml/dl, ml of transferred O2/dl of treated blood) was delivered at Q(b) < 900 ml/min, about 4 ml/dl at Q(b) = 1,250 ml/min. VO2 also was significantly increased by increasing percent systolic time. CO2 transfer decreased regularly with increasing Q(b) from VCO2 = 4.8 ml/dl at Q(b) = 400 ml/min to VCO 2 = 2.1 ml/dl at Q(b) = 1,250 ml/min. The results confirm the possibility of integrating oxygenation and pulsatile pumping. The pumping oxygenator represents a promising project deserving further improvements.

Kinetically designed conditions for the catalytic formation of disfavored products. The reaction of ({eta}{sup 5}-C{sub 5}H{sub 5})Mo(CO){sub 3}* with N,N,N{prime},N{prime}-tetramethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine

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

Balla, J.; Espenson, J.H.; Bakac, A.

1995-03-16

In the absence of other reagents, the 17e molybdenum radical, ($eta{sup 5}-C{sub 5}H{sub 5})Mo(CO){sub 3}*, combines to form the stable dimer, [CpMo(CO){sub 3}]{sub 2}. In the presence of TMPD, however, an electron transfer process ensues, in which the normally persistent radical TMPD*{sup +} is produced. Under these conditions, the absorbance of the TMPD*{sup +} radical disappear shortly thereafter. Various kinetic tests have been applied to show that this is the result of a sequence of two electron transfer steps. One is the reaction between CpMo(CO){sub 3}* (Mo*) and TMPD, and the other is the reaction between Mo* and TMPD*{sup +}.more » The net result of the two reactions occurring in sequence is the disproportionation of the molybdenum radical, rather than the combination reaction that occurs in the absence of this redox-active amine. To the contrary, PhNMe{sub 2} shows no such effect, confirming that these observations are correctly attributed to electron transfer and not to ligand-catalyzed disproportionation. That the TMPD-catalyzed sequence really is disproportionation was confirmed by the chemical identification of the products, CpMo(CO){sub 3}{sup -} and CpMo(CO){sub 3}NCCH{sub 3}{sup +}. 40 refs., 8 figs., 1 tab.« less

Transfer of fallout radionuclides derived from Fukushima NPP accident: 1 year study on transfer of radionuclides through geomorphic processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Onda, Y.; Kato, H.; Fukushima, T.; Wakahara, T.; Kita, K.; Takahashi, Y.; Sakaguchi, A.; Tanaka, K.; Yamashiki, Y.; Yoshida, N.

2012-12-01

After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant acciden, fallout radionuclides on the ground surface will transfer through geomorphic processes. Therefore, in order to estimate future changes in radionuclide deposition, migration process of radionuclides in forests, soils, ground water, rivers, and entrainment from trees and soils should be confirmed. We (FMWSE group) was funded by MEXT, Japanese government, and 1 year following monitoring has been conducted about 1 year. 1 Migration study of radionuclides in natural environment including forests and rivers 1) Study on depth distribution of radiocaesium in soils within forests, fields, and grassland. 2) Confirmation of radionuclide distribution and investigation on migration in forests. 3) Study on radionuclide migration due to soil erosion under different land use. 4) Measurement of radionuclides entrained from natural environment including forests and soils. 2 Migration study of radionuclides through hydrological cycle such as soil water, rivers, lakes and ponds, ground water. 1) Investigation on radionuclide migration through soil water, ground water, stream water, spring water under different land use. 2) Study on paddy-to-river transfer of radionuclides through suspended sediment. 3) Study on river-to-ocean transfer of radionuclides via suspended sediment. 4) Confirmation of radionuclide deposition in ponds and reservoirs. We will present how and where the fallout radionulides transfter through geomorphic processes.

Hybrid Origins of Citrus Varieties Inferred from DNA Marker Analysis of Nuclear and Organelle Genomes.

PubMed

Shimizu, Tokurou; Kitajima, Akira; Nonaka, Keisuke; Yoshioka, Terutaka; Ohta, Satoshi; Goto, Shingo; Toyoda, Atsushi; Fujiyama, Asao; Mochizuki, Takako; Nagasaki, Hideki; Kaminuma, Eli; Nakamura, Yasukazu

2016-01-01

Most indigenous citrus varieties are assumed to be natural hybrids, but their parentage has so far been determined in only a few cases because of their wide genetic diversity and the low transferability of DNA markers. Here we infer the parentage of indigenous citrus varieties using simple sequence repeat and indel markers developed from various citrus genome sequence resources. Parentage tests with 122 known hybrids using the selected DNA markers certify their transferability among those hybrids. Identity tests confirm that most variant strains are selected mutants, but we find four types of kunenbo (Citrus nobilis) and three types of tachibana (Citrus tachibana) for which we suggest different origins. Structure analysis with DNA markers that are in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium deduce three basic taxa coinciding with the current understanding of citrus ancestors. Genotyping analysis of 101 indigenous citrus varieties with 123 selected DNA markers infers the parentages of 22 indigenous citrus varieties including Satsuma, Temple, and iyo, and single parents of 45 indigenous citrus varieties, including kunenbo, C. ichangensis, and Ichang lemon by allele-sharing and parentage tests. Genotyping analysis of chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes using 11 DNA markers classifies their cytoplasmic genotypes into 18 categories and deduces the combination of seed and pollen parents. Likelihood ratio analysis verifies the inferred parentages with significant scores. The reconstructed genealogy identifies 12 types of varieties consisting of Kishu, kunenbo, yuzu, koji, sour orange, dancy, kobeni mikan, sweet orange, tachibana, Cleopatra, willowleaf mandarin, and pummelo, which have played pivotal roles in the occurrence of these indigenous varieties. The inferred parentage of the indigenous varieties confirms their hybrid origins, as found by recent studies.

Hybrid Origins of Citrus Varieties Inferred from DNA Marker Analysis of Nuclear and Organelle Genomes

PubMed Central

Kitajima, Akira; Nonaka, Keisuke; Yoshioka, Terutaka; Ohta, Satoshi; Goto, Shingo; Toyoda, Atsushi; Fujiyama, Asao; Mochizuki, Takako; Nagasaki, Hideki; Kaminuma, Eli; Nakamura, Yasukazu

2016-01-01

Most indigenous citrus varieties are assumed to be natural hybrids, but their parentage has so far been determined in only a few cases because of their wide genetic diversity and the low transferability of DNA markers. Here we infer the parentage of indigenous citrus varieties using simple sequence repeat and indel markers developed from various citrus genome sequence resources. Parentage tests with 122 known hybrids using the selected DNA markers certify their transferability among those hybrids. Identity tests confirm that most variant strains are selected mutants, but we find four types of kunenbo (Citrus nobilis) and three types of tachibana (Citrus tachibana) for which we suggest different origins. Structure analysis with DNA markers that are in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium deduce three basic taxa coinciding with the current understanding of citrus ancestors. Genotyping analysis of 101 indigenous citrus varieties with 123 selected DNA markers infers the parentages of 22 indigenous citrus varieties including Satsuma, Temple, and iyo, and single parents of 45 indigenous citrus varieties, including kunenbo, C. ichangensis, and Ichang lemon by allele-sharing and parentage tests. Genotyping analysis of chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes using 11 DNA markers classifies their cytoplasmic genotypes into 18 categories and deduces the combination of seed and pollen parents. Likelihood ratio analysis verifies the inferred parentages with significant scores. The reconstructed genealogy identifies 12 types of varieties consisting of Kishu, kunenbo, yuzu, koji, sour orange, dancy, kobeni mikan, sweet orange, tachibana, Cleopatra, willowleaf mandarin, and pummelo, which have played pivotal roles in the occurrence of these indigenous varieties. The inferred parentage of the indigenous varieties confirms their hybrid origins, as found by recent studies. PMID:27902727

Rocky Flats CAAS System Recalibrated, Retested, and Analyzed to Install in the Criticality Experiments Facility at the Nevada Test Site

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

Kim, S; Heinrichs, D; Biswas, D

2009-05-27

Neutron detectors and control panels transferred from the Rocky Flats Plant (RFP) were recalibrated and retested for redeployment to the CEF. Testing and calibration were successful with no failure to any equipment. Detector sensitivity was tested at a TRIGA reactor, and the response to thermal neutron flux was satisfactory. MCNP calculated minimum fission yield ({approx} 2 x 10{sup 15} fissions) was applied to determine the thermal flux at selected detector positions at the CEF. Thermal flux levels were greater than 6.39 x 10{sup 6} (n/cm{sup 2}-sec), which was about four orders of magnitude greater than the minimum alarm flux. Calculationsmore » of detector survivable distances indicate that, to be out of lethal area, a detector needs to be placed greater than 15 ft away from a maximum credible source. MCNP calculated flux/dose results were independently verified by COG. CAAS calibration and the testing confirmed that the RFP CAAS system is performing its functions as expected. New criteria for the CAAS detector placement and 12-rad zone boundaries at the CEF are established. All of the CAAS related documents and hardware have been transferred from LLNL to NSTec for installation at the CEF high bay areas.« less

Operational test report -- Project W-320 cathodic protection systems

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

Bowman, T.J.

1998-06-16

Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 173-303-640 specifies that corrosion protection must be designed into tank systems that treat or store dangerous wastes. Project W-320, Waste Retrieval Sluicing System (WRSS), utilizes underground encased waste transfer piping between tanks 241-C-106 and 241-AY-102. Corrosion protection is afforded to the encasements of the WRSS waste transfer piping through the application of earthen ionic currents onto the surface of the piping encasements. Cathodic protection is used in conjunction with the protective coatings that are applied upon the WRSS encasement piping. WRSS installed two new two rectifier systems (46 and 47) and modified one rectifier system (31).more » WAC 173-303-640 specifies that the proper operation of cathodic protection systems must be confirmed within six months after initial installation. The WRSS cathodic protection systems were energized to begin continuous operation on 5/5/98. Sixteen days after the initial steady-state start-up of the WRSS rectifier systems, the operational testing was accomplished with procedure OTP-320-006 Rev/Mod A-0. This operational test report documents the OTP-320-006 results and documents the results of configuration testing of integrated piping and rectifier systems associated with the W-320 cathodic protection systems.« less

Hypervelocity flows of argon produced in a free piston driven expansion tube

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neely, A. J.; Stalker, R. J.

1992-01-01

An expansion tube with a free piston driver has been used to generate quasi-steady hypersonic flows in argon at flow velocities in excess of 9 km/s. Irregular test flow unsteadiness has limited the performance of previous expansion tubes. Test section measurements of pitot pressure, static pressure, and flat plate heat transfer rates are used to confirm the presence of quasi-steady flow, and comparisons are made with predictions for the equilibrium flow of an ideal, ionizing, monatomic gas. The results of this work indicate that expansion tubes can be used to generate quasi-steady hypersonic flows in argon at speeds in excess of Earth orbital velocity.

Trophic transfer potential of two different crystalline phases of TiO2 NPs from Chlorella sp. to Ceriodaphnia dubia.

PubMed

Iswarya, V; Bhuvaneshwari, M; Chandrasekaran, N; Mukherjee, Amitava

2018-04-01

Owing to the increase in the usage of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 NPs), their release into the aquatic environment is inevitable. In the aquatic ecosystem, TiO 2 NPs can bio-magnify at various trophic levels in the food chain through dietary exposure. In the current study, the trophic transfer potential of two crystalline phases of TiO 2, anatase and rutile nanoparticles (individual as well as a binary mixture) has been evaluated in the lake water matrix using algae-daphnia system. Chlorella sp. and Ceriodaphnia dubia were used as test organisms to represent the algae-daphnia food chain of the freshwater ecosystem. Other than crystallinity, the effect of irradiation (visible and UV-A) was also investigated at the test concentrations, 75, 300, and 1200 μM. TiO 2 NPs treated algal diet produced significant mortality only at the test concentrations, 300 and 1200 μM. The type of irradiation and crystallinity doesn't have any impact on the mortality of daphnids through the dietary exposure of TiO 2 NPs. Comparing the mixture with individual NPs, binary mixture induced less mortality on C. dubia which signifies the antagonistic effect of NPs when they coexist. Statistical modeling confirmed the antagonistic effect of the binary mixture on C. dubia. As individual NPs, anatase and rutile forms showed a maximum Ti accumulation under UV-A and visible irradiation, respectively. BMF of TiO 2 NPs has been in validation with the bioaccumulation noted in C. dubia. Individual NPs (75 μM) showed higher BMF value of ∼23 under both UV-A (anatase) and visible (rutile) irradiation. Individual NPs showing higher BMF confirmed their trophic transfer potential in the aquatic food chain, primarily through the diet. In contrast, the binary mixture obtained a higher BMF of 1.9 and 0.79 at 75 and 300 μM under visible and UV-A irradiation, respectively. The plausible reason behind this decrement was the antagonistic effect of the mixture which significantly reduced their Ti bioaccumulation on C. dubia. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Field investigation of low-temperature cracking and stiffness moduli on selected roads with conventional and high modulus asphalt concrete

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Judycki, Józef; Jaczewski, Mariusz; Ryś, Dawid; Pszczoła, Marek; Jaskuła, Piotr; Glinicki, Adam

2017-09-01

High Modulus Asphalt Concrete (HMAC) was introduced in Poland as a one of the solutions to the problem of rutting, type of deterioration common in the 1990s. After first encouraging trials in 2002 HMAC was widely used for heavily loaded national roads and motorways. However some concerns were raised about low-temperature cracking of HMAC. This was the main reason of the studies presented in this article were started. The article presents the comparison of performance of pavements constructed in typical contract conditions with the road bases made of HMAC and conventional asphalt concrete (AC). The field investigation was focused on the number of low-temperature cracks, bearing capacity (based on FWD test) of road sections localized in coldest region of Poland. Also load transfer efficiency of selected low-temperature cracks was assessed. FWD test confirmed lower deflections of pavements with HMAC and two times higher stiffness modulus of asphalt courses in comparison to pavements constructed with conventional AC mixtures. Relation of stiffness of asphalt layers and amount of low-temperature cracks showed that the higher stiffness modulus of asphalt layers could lead to increase of the number of low-temperature cracks. FWD test results showed that the load transfer efficiency of low-temperature cracks on pavements with HMAC presents very low values, very close to lack of load transfer. It was surprising as section with HMAC road base were aged from 2 to 5 years and presented very good bearing capacity.

Acute-Onset Panhypopituitarism Nearly Missed by Initial Cosyntropin Testing.

PubMed

Blum, Claudine A; Schneeberger, Daniel; Lang, Matthias; Rakic, Janko; Michot, Marc Philippe; Müller, Beat

2017-01-01

Diagnosis of adrenal crisis and panhypopituitarism in patients with septic shock is difficult but crucial for outcome. A 66-year-old woman with metastasized breast cancer presented to the ED with respiratory insufficiency and septic shock after a 2-day history of the flu. After transfer to the ICU, corticosteroids were started in addition to antibiotics, as the patient was vasopressor-nonresponsive. Diabetes insipidus was diagnosed due to polyuria and treated with 4 mg desmopressin. Thereafter, norepinephrine could be tapered rapidly. On day 2, basal cortisol was 136 nmol/L with an increase to 579 nmol/L in low-dose cosyntropin testing. Polyuria had not developed again. Therefore, corticosteroids were stopped. On day 3, the patient developed again nausea, vomiting, and polyuria. Adrenal crisis and diabetes insipidus were postulated. Corticosteroids and desmopressin were restarted. Further testing confirmed panhypopituitarism. MRI showed a new sellar metastasis. After 2 weeks, stimulated cortisol in cosyntropin testing reached only 219 nmol/l, confirming adrenal insufficiency. The time course showed that the adrenal glands took 2 weeks to atrophy after loss of pituitary ACTH secretion. Therefore, a misleading result of the cosyntropin test in the initial phase with low basal cortisol and allegedly normal response to exogenous ACTH may be seen. Cosyntropin testing in the critically ill should be interpreted with caution and in the corresponding clinical setting.

Improved multilayer insulation applications. [spacecraft thermal control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mikk, G.

1982-01-01

Multilayer insulation blankets used for the attenuation of radiant heat transfer in spacecraft are addressed. Typically, blanket effectiveness is degraded by heat leaks in the joints between adjacent blankets and by heat leaks caused by the blanket fastener system. An approach to blanket design based upon modular sub-blankets with distributed seams and upon an associated fastener system that practically eliminates the through-the-blanket conductive path is described. Test results are discussed providing confirmation of the approach. The specific case of the thermal control system for the optical assembly of the Space Telescope is examined.

The transfer of technology to measure skin burn depth in humans

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yost, William T.; Cantrell, John H.

1991-01-01

Discussed here is the use of ultrasonic techniques originally used to locate cracks in metal structues to measure burn wound depth in humans. Acoustic impedance, performance tests, and the theoretical model are discussed. Measurements of skin burns on anesthetized pigs made with the the ultrasonic instrumentation were in agreement with diagnoses made by a physician, and subsequently confirmed by the healing process. Researchers felt that the concept proved useful in a clinical setting and that the instrument and concept were ready to extend to the manufacturer.

Transfer between local and global processing levels by pigeons (Columba livia) and humans (Homo sapiens) in exemplar- and rule-based categorization tasks.

PubMed

Aust, Ulrike; Braunöder, Elisabeth

2015-02-01

The present experiment investigated pigeons' and humans' processing styles-local or global-in an exemplar-based visual categorization task in which category membership of every stimulus had to be learned individually, and in a rule-based task in which category membership was defined by a perceptual rule. Group Intact was trained with the original pictures (providing both intact local and global information), Group Scrambled was trained with scrambled versions of the same pictures (impairing global information), and Group Blurred was trained with blurred versions (impairing local information). Subsequently, all subjects were tested for transfer to the 2 untrained presentation modes. Humans outperformed pigeons regarding learning speed and accuracy as well as transfer performance and showed good learning irrespective of group assignment, whereas the pigeons of Group Blurred needed longer to learn the training tasks than the pigeons of Groups Intact and Scrambled. Also, whereas humans generalized equally well to any novel presentation mode, pigeons' transfer from and to blurred stimuli was impaired. Both species showed faster learning and, for the most part, better transfer in the rule-based than in the exemplar-based task, but there was no evidence of the used processing mode depending on the type of task (exemplar- or rule-based). Whereas pigeons relied on local information throughout, humans did not show a preference for either processing level. Additional tests with grayscale versions of the training stimuli, with versions that were both blurred and scrambled, and with novel instances of the rule-based task confirmed and further extended these findings. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved.

Calibration of the modulation transfer function of surface profilometers with binary pseudo-random test standards: Expanding the application range

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

Yashchuk, Valeriy V; Anderson, Erik H.; Barber, Samuel K.

2010-07-26

A modulation transfer function (MTF) calibration method based on binary pseudo-random (BPR) gratings and arrays [Proc. SPIE 7077-7 (2007), Opt. Eng. 47(7), 073602-1-5 (2008)] has been proven to be an effective MTF calibration method for a number of interferometric microscopes and a scatterometer [Nucl. Instr. and Meth. A 616, 172-82 (2010]. Here we report on a significant expansion of the application range of the method. We describe the MTF calibration of a 6 inch phase shifting Fizeau interferometer. Beyond providing a direct measurement of the interferometer's MTF, tests with a BPR array surface have revealed an asymmetry in the instrument'smore » data processing algorithm that fundamentally limits its bandwidth. Moreover, the tests have illustrated the effects of the instrument's detrending and filtering procedures on power spectral density measurements. The details of the development of a BPR test sample suitable for calibration of scanning and transmission electron microscopes are also presented. Such a test sample is realized as a multilayer structure with the layer thicknesses of two materials corresponding to BPR sequence. The investigations confirm the universal character of the method that makes it applicable to a large variety of metrology instrumentation with spatial wavelength bandwidths from a few nanometers to hundreds of millimeters.« less

Semidefinite Relaxation-Based Optimization of Multiple-Input Wireless Power Transfer Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lang, Hans-Dieter; Sarris, Costas D.

2017-11-01

An optimization procedure for multi-transmitter (MISO) wireless power transfer (WPT) systems based on tight semidefinite relaxation (SDR) is presented. This method ensures physical realizability of MISO WPT systems designed via convex optimization -- a robust, semi-analytical and intuitive route to optimizing such systems. To that end, the nonconvex constraints requiring that power is fed into rather than drawn from the system via all transmitter ports are incorporated in a convex semidefinite relaxation, which is efficiently and reliably solvable by dedicated algorithms. A test of the solution then confirms that this modified problem is equivalent (tight relaxation) to the original (nonconvex) one and that the true global optimum has been found. This is a clear advantage over global optimization methods (e.g. genetic algorithms), where convergence to the true global optimum cannot be ensured or tested. Discussions of numerical results yielded by both the closed-form expressions and the refined technique illustrate the importance and practicability of the new method. It, is shown that this technique offers a rigorous optimization framework for a broad range of current and emerging WPT applications.

Highly bacterial resistant silver nanoparticles: synthesis and antibacterial activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chudasama, Bhupendra; Vala, Anjana K.; Andhariya, Nidhi; Mehta, R. V.; Upadhyay, R. V.

2010-06-01

In this article, we describe a simple one-pot rapid synthesis route to produce uniform silver nanoparticles by thermal reduction of AgNO3 using oleylamine as reducing and capping agent. To enhance the dispersal ability of as-synthesized hydrophobic silver nanoparticles in water, while maintaining their unique properties, a facile phase transfer mechanism has been developed using biocompatible block co-polymer pluronic F-127. Formation of silver nanoparticles is confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis spectroscopy. Hydrodynamic size and its distribution are obtained from dynamic light scattering (DLS). Hydrodynamic size and size distribution of as-synthesized and phase transferred silver nanoparticles are 8.2 ± 1.5 nm (σ = 18.3%) and 31.1 ± 4.5 nm (σ = 14.5%), respectively. Antimicrobial activities of hydrophilic silver nanoparticles is tested against two Gram positive ( Bacillus megaterium and Staphylococcus aureus), and three Gram negative ( Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris and Shigella sonnei) bacteria. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values obtained in the present study for the tested microorganisms are found much better than those reported for commercially available antibacterial agents.

Imported human rabies in Switzerland, 2012: a diagnostic conundrum.

PubMed

Deubelbeiss, A N; Trachsel, Ch; Bachli, E B; Kuffer, A; Budka, H; Eniseyskiy, P; Zimmermann, H; Wallace, R M; Farley, S; Zanoni, R G

2013-06-01

Human rabies is rare in Western Europe. It is not easily recognized in the absence of a history of exposure. We describe the clinical course, diagnosis and follow-up of an imported human rabies case in Switzerland. The patient, a U.S. citizen, presented at an outpatient clinic in Iraq with pain in his right shoulder on July 5, 2012. On July 8 he was transferred to a hospital in the United Arab Emirates, where he exhibited progressive encephalitis with coma. On July 29, he was transferred to a hospital in Switzerland, where he died on July 31, 2012. The autopsy showed severe encephalitis. Rabies was diagnosed by the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT) and confirmed by fluorescence antibody testing (FAT) in brain smears and immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded brain sections. The viral strain was characterized by RT-PCR followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis as an American bat rabies strain associated with Tadarida brasiliensis. Close contacts and exposed health care workers received postexposure prophylaxis (PEP). Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

From Olive Fruits to Olive Oil: Phenolic Compound Transfer in Six Different Olive Cultivars Grown under the Same Agronomical Conditions.

PubMed

Talhaoui, Nassima; Gómez-Caravaca, Ana María; León, Lorenzo; De la Rosa, Raúl; Fernández-Gutiérrez, Alberto; Segura-Carretero, Antonio

2016-03-04

Phenolic compounds are responsible of the nutritional and sensory quality of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO). The composition of phenolic compounds in EVOO is related to the initial content of phenolic compounds in the olive-fruit tissues and the activity of enzymes acting on these compounds during the industrial process to produce the oil. In this work, the phenolic composition was studied in six major cultivars grown in the same orchard under the same agronomical and environmental conditions in an effort to test the effects of cultivars on phenolic composition in fruits and oils as well as on transfer between matrices. The phenolic fractions were identified and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry. A total of 33 phenolic compounds were determined in the fruit samples and a total of 20 compounds in their corresponding oils. Qualitative and quantitative differences in phenolic composition were found among cultivars in both matrices, as well as regarding the transfer rate of phenolic compounds from fruits to oil. The results also varied according to the different phenolic groups evaluated, with secoiridoids registering the highest transfer rates from fruits to oils. Moreover, wide-ranging differences have been noticed between cultivars for the transfer rates of secoiridoids (4.36%-65.63% of total transfer rate) and for flavonoids (0.18%-0.67% of total transfer rate). 'Picual' was the cultivar that transferred secoiridoids to oil at the highest rate, whereas 'Changlot Real' was the cultivar that transferred flavonoids at the highest rates instead. Principal-component analysis confirmed a strong genetic effect on the basis of the phenolic profile both in the olive fruits and in the oils.

KPC-2 carbapenemase and DHA-1 AmpC determinants carried on the same plasmid in Enterobacter aerogenes.

PubMed

Kuai, Shougang; Shao, Haifeng; Huang, Lihua; Pei, Hao; Lu, Zhonghua; Wang, Weiping; Liu, Jun

2014-03-01

This study was conducted to analyse the presence of a plasmid-mediated carbapenem resistance mechanism in a clinical Enterobacter aerogenes isolate from a patient from Jiangsu province, People's Republic of China. PCR and sequencing confirmed that the isolate harboured Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-2, DHA-1 and TEM-1 β-lactamase genes. Both the KPC-2 and DHA-1 genes were transferred to Escherichia coli C600 by transconjugation, and Southern blotting confirmed that these two genes were located on the same plasmid, which was of approximately 56 kb in size. The Enterobacter aerogenes isolate was resistant to carbapenems and other tested antimicrobial agents. The Escherichia coli transconjugant showed reduced susceptibility but not resistance to carbapenems and other β-lactams, indicating the presence of another, possibly permeability-related, resistance mechanism in the clinical isolate.

Evaluation of the induced electric field and compliance procedure for a wireless power transfer system in an electrical vehicle.

PubMed

Laakso, Ilkka; Hirata, Akimasa

2013-11-07

In this study, an induced electric field in a human body is evaluated for the magnetic field leaked from a wireless power transfer system for charging an electrical vehicle. The magnetic field from the wireless power transfer system is modelled computationally, and its effectiveness is confirmed by comparison with the field measured in a previous study. The induced electric field in a human standing around the vehicle is smaller than the allowable limit prescribed in international guidelines, although the magnetic field strength in the human body is locally higher than the allowable external field strength. Correlation between the external magnetic field and the induced electric field is confirmed to be reasonable at least in the standing posture, which is the case discussed in the international standard. Based on this finding, we discussed and confirmed the applicability of a three-point magnetic field measurement at heights of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 m for safety compliance.

Regulatory RNAs derived from transfer RNA?

PubMed

Pederson, Thoru

2010-10-01

Four recent studies suggest that cleavages of transfer RNAs generate products with microRNA-like features, with some evidence of function. If their regulatory functions were to be confirmed, these newly revealed RNAs would add to the expanding repertoire of small noncoding RNAs and would also provide new perspectives on the coevolution of transfer RNA and messenger RNA.

Flavins contained in yeast extract are exploited for anodic electron transfer by Lactococcus lactis.

PubMed

Masuda, Masaki; Freguia, Stefano; Wang, Yung-Fu; Tsujimura, Seiya; Kano, Kenji

2010-06-01

Cyclic voltammograms of yeast extract-containing medium exhibit a clear redox peak around -0.4V vs. Ag|AgCl. Fermentative bacterium Lactococcus lactis was hereby shown to exploit this redox compound for extracellular electron transfer towards a graphite anode using glucose as an electron donor. High performance liquid chromatography revealed that this may be a flavin-type compound. The ability of L. lactis to exploit exogenous flavins for anodic glucose oxidation was confirmed by tests where flavin-type compounds were supplied to the bacterium in well defined media. Based on its mid-point potential, riboflavin can be regarded as a near-optimal mediator for microbially catalyzed anodic electron transfer. Riboflavin derivative flavin mononucleotide (FMN) was also exploited by L. lactis as a redox shuttle, unlike flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), possibly due to the absence of a specific transporter for the latter. The use of yeast extract in microbial fuel cell media is herein discouraged based on the related unwanted artificial addition of redox mediators which may distort experimental results. Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Do all barium stars have a white dwarf companion?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dominy, J. F.; Lambert, D. L.

1983-01-01

International Ultraviolet Explorer short-wavelength, low-dispersion spectra were analyzed for four barium, two mild barium, and one R-type carbon star in order to test the hypothesis that the barium and related giants are produced by mass transfer from a companion now present as a white dwarf. An earlier tentative identification of a white dwarf companion to the mild barium star Zeta Cyg is confirmed. For the other stars, no ultraviolet excess attributable to a white dwarf is seen. Limits are set on the bolometric magnitude and age of a possible white dwarf companion. Since the barium stars do not have obvious progenitors among main-sequence and subgiant stars, mass transfer must be presumed to occur when the mass-gaining star is already on the giant branch. This restriction, and the white dwarf's minimum age, which is greater than 8 x 10 to the 8th yr, determined for several stars, effectively eliminates the hypothesis that mass transfer from an asymptotic giant branch star creates a barium star. Speculations are presented on alternative methods of producing a barium star in a binary system.

Charge-transfer modified embedded atom method dynamic charge potential for Li-Co-O system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kong, Fantai; Longo, Roberto C.; Liang, Chaoping; Nie, Yifan; Zheng, Yongping; Zhang, Chenxi; Cho, Kyeongjae

2017-11-01

To overcome the limitation of conventional fixed charge potential methods for the study of Li-ion battery cathode materials, a dynamic charge potential method, charge-transfer modified embedded atom method (CT-MEAM), has been developed and applied to the Li-Co-O ternary system. The accuracy of the potential has been tested and validated by reproducing a variety of structural and electrochemical properties of LiCoO2. A detailed analysis on the local charge distribution confirmed the capability of this potential for dynamic charge modeling. The transferability of the potential is also demonstrated by its reliability in describing Li-rich Li2CoO2 and Li-deficient LiCo2O4 compounds, including their phase stability, equilibrium volume, charge states and cathode voltages. These results demonstrate that the CT-MEAM dynamic charge potential could help to overcome the challenge of modeling complex ternary transition metal oxides. This work can promote molecular dynamics studies of Li ion cathode materials and other important transition metal oxides systems that involve complex electrochemical and catalytic reactions.

Charge-transfer modified embedded atom method dynamic charge potential for Li-Co-O system.

PubMed

Kong, Fantai; Longo, Roberto C; Liang, Chaoping; Nie, Yifan; Zheng, Yongping; Zhang, Chenxi; Cho, Kyeongjae

2017-11-29

To overcome the limitation of conventional fixed charge potential methods for the study of Li-ion battery cathode materials, a dynamic charge potential method, charge-transfer modified embedded atom method (CT-MEAM), has been developed and applied to the Li-Co-O ternary system. The accuracy of the potential has been tested and validated by reproducing a variety of structural and electrochemical properties of LiCoO 2 . A detailed analysis on the local charge distribution confirmed the capability of this potential for dynamic charge modeling. The transferability of the potential is also demonstrated by its reliability in describing Li-rich Li 2 CoO 2 and Li-deficient LiCo 2 O 4 compounds, including their phase stability, equilibrium volume, charge states and cathode voltages. These results demonstrate that the CT-MEAM dynamic charge potential could help to overcome the challenge of modeling complex ternary transition metal oxides. This work can promote molecular dynamics studies of Li ion cathode materials and other important transition metal oxides systems that involve complex electrochemical and catalytic reactions.

An insight into the mechanism of charge transfer properties of hybrid organic (MEH-PPV): Inorganic (TiO{sub 2}) nanocomposites

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

Mittal, Tanu, E-mail: chemtanu9@gmail.com; Tiwari, Sangeeta, E-mail: stiwari2@amity.edu; Mehta, Aarti, E-mail: aks302117@gmail.com

2016-04-13

Now a days, inorganic nanoparticles are gaining importance and are potential candidate in different organic electronic device application like (LEDs, PVs) due to their novel properties and confinement in Nano-dimensions. {sup [1,} {sup 2]} In the present work, we have compared the properties of titanium di oxide (TiO{sub 2}) nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized by using two different chemical routes aqueous and ethanol respectively. These synthesized TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles have been characterized by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) for phase confirmation. It was observed that synthesized nanoparticles are in anatase phase for both preparation routes. Morphological information was collected by scanning electron microscopymore » (SEM) which confirms that particles are almost spherical in shape and distributed uniformly which is further ensured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique was also used for further confirmation of size distribution of as-synthesized nanoparticles. Optical properties were also investigated by photoluminescence and UV-Vis spectroscopy and calculated bandgap was found to be in the range of 3.3-3.5eV for TiO{sub 2} (aq/eth) nanoparticles. The increase in bandgap values with respect to bulk (3.2 eV) confirms that as- synthesized nanoparticles are confined in nanodimensions. As synthesized nanoparticles were interacted with MEHPPV polymer (donor) matrix to make their respective MEHPPV: TiO{sub 2} nanocomposites and to confirm the charge transfer mechanism from polymer to nanoparticles. It can be observed from photoluminescence (PL) quenching experiments that continuous quenching obtained for respective nanocomposites confirms better charge transfer from polymer to inorganic TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles respectively. Because of, better quenching and simultaneously enhanced charge transfer of respective nanocomposites, ensures that these nanocomposites are greatly applicable for photovoltaics (PVs) especially in Hybrid Solar cells (HSCs).« less

Impact of helicopter transport and hospital level on mortality of polytrauma patients.

PubMed

Biewener, Achim; Aschenbrenner, Ulf; Rammelt, Stefan; Grass, René; Zwipp, Hans

2004-01-01

Despite numerous studies analyzing this topic, specific advantages of helicopter transport of blunt polytrauma patients as compared with ground ambulances have not yet been identified unequivocally. Four possible pathways in 403 polytrauma patients (Injury Severity Score [ISS] > 16) who were in reach of the helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) Dresden were analyzed as follows: HEMS-UNI group (n = 140), transfer by HEMS into a university hospital; AMB-REG group (n = 102), transfer by ground ambulance into a regional (Level II or III) hospital; AMB-UNI group (n = 70), transfer by ground ambulance into the university hospital; and INTER group (n = 91), transfer by ground ambulance into a regional hospital, followed by transfer to the university hospital. Scores used were the ISS and the TRISS. Tests used for statistical analysis included chi2 and Fisher's tests. Statistical significance was set at p > 0.05. Age, gender, and mean ISS (range, 33.3-35.6) revealed extensive homogeneity of the groups. Mortality of the AMB-REG group was almost doubled (41.2%) compared with HEMS-UNI (22.1%) patients (p = 0.002). The AMB-UNI group displayed the lowest mortality (15.7%, p = not significant). TRISS analysis (PRE-Chart) revealed identical outcome for AMB-UNI and HEMS-UNI patients. Rescue time averaged 90 +/- 29 minutes for HEMS-UNI patients, 68 +/- 25 minutes for AMB-UNI patients, and 69 +/- 26 minutes for the AMB-REG group. Primary transfer by HEMS into a Level I trauma center reduces mortality markedly. In principle, this benefit can be attributed to superior preclinical therapy, primary admission to a Level I trauma center, or both. However, the identical probability of survival of the AMB-UNI and HEMS-UNI groups in this and comparable studies does not confirm generally better survival rates on account of a more aggressive on-site approach.

Moderate peripheral neuropathy impairs weight transfer and unipedal balance in the elderly.

PubMed

Richardson, J K; Ashton-Miller, J A; Lee, S G; Jacobs, K

1996-11-01

To quantitatively assess the performance of elderly with and without moderate, electrodiagnostically confirmed peripheral neuropathy (PN) on tasks of weight shifting and maintenance of unipedal balance. A case control study with PN subjects selected from a computerized data bank of all patients who had undergone electrodiagnostic studies at a university-based referral center. Control subjects of similar age and same gender were selected from the same source. Clinical examination included neurological and gross motor components. Quantitative evaluation included testing while the subjects stood with a force plate under each foot. Center of reaction (CR) excursions and ground reaction forces were quantified in: (1) six trials as subjects transferred their weight from bipedal stance to unipedal stance, on command, and attempted to maintain it for at least 3 seconds; and (2) in two additional trials in which subjects held unipedal stance for as long as possible. No subjects in either group had difficulty with level gait, a 180-degree turn, or required examiner assistance during an eyes-closed Romberg test. Biomechanical testing revealed that although the PN group used the same time to transfer their weight onto one foot as the C group, they achieved a significantly (1) lower rate of success in reliably maintaining 3 seconds of unipedal stance (.12 vs .58, p = .021), and (2) shorter mean maximum unipedal stance time (3.8 vs 32.3sec, p < .001). Furthermore, the PN group experienced greater difficulty in maintaining unipedal stance, as evidenced by significantly greater fluctuations in their ground reaction forces. The demonstrated impairment in reliability of unipedal stance in elderly with PN likely contributes to their known high rate of falls. Furthermore, unipedal stance testing serves to sharpen the physical examination by verifying the functional significance of impaired distal sensation-a common finding in the elderly.

Local measurement and numerical modeling of mass/heat transfer from a turbine blade in a linear cascade with tip clearance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Peitong

2000-11-01

Local mass/heat transfer measurements from the turbine blade near-tip and the tip surfaces are performed using the naphthalene sublimation technique. The experiments are conducted in a linear cascade consisting of five high-pressure blades with a central test-blade configuration. The incoming flow conditions are close to those of the gas turbine engine environment (boundary layer displacement thickness is about 0.01 of chord) with an exit Reynolds number of 6.2 x 105. The effects of tip clearance level (0.86%--6.90% of chord), mainstream Reynolds number and turbulence intensity (0.2 and 12.0%) are investigated. Two methods of flow visualization---oil and lampblack, laser light sheet smoke wire---as well as static pressure measurement on the blade surface are used to study the tip leakage flow and vortex in the cascade. In addition, numerical modeling of the flow and heat transfer processes in the linear cascade with different tip clearances is conducted using commercial software incorporating advanced turbulence models. The present study confirms many important results on the tip leakage flow and vortex from the literature, contributes to the current understanding in the effects of tip leakage flow and vortex on local heat transfer from the blade near-tip and the tip surfaces, and provides detailed local and average heat/mass transfer data applicable to turbine blade tip cooling design.

Direct geoelectrical evidence of mass transfer at the laboratory scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swanson, Ryan D.; Singha, Kamini; Day-Lewis, Frederick D.; Binley, Andrew; Keating, Kristina; Haggerty, Roy

2012-10-01

Previous field-scale experimental data and numerical modeling suggest that the dual-domain mass transfer (DDMT) of electrolytic tracers has an observable geoelectrical signature. Here we present controlled laboratory experiments confirming the electrical signature of DDMT and demonstrate the use of time-lapse electrical measurements in conjunction with concentration measurements to estimate the parameters controlling DDMT, i.e., the mobile and immobile porosity and rate at which solute exchanges between mobile and immobile domains. We conducted column tracer tests on unconsolidated quartz sand and a material with a high secondary porosity: the zeolite clinoptilolite. During NaCl tracer tests we collected nearly colocated bulk direct-current electrical conductivity (σb) and fluid conductivity (σf) measurements. Our results for the zeolite show (1) extensive tailing and (2) a hysteretic relation between σf and σb, thus providing evidence of mass transfer not observed within the quartz sand. To identify best-fit parameters and evaluate parameter sensitivity, we performed over 2700 simulations of σf, varying the immobile and mobile domain and mass transfer rate. We emphasized the fit to late-time tailing by minimizing the Box-Cox power transformed root-mean square error between the observed and simulated σf. Low-field proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements provide an independent quantification of the volumes of the mobile and immobile domains. The best-fit parameters based on σf match the NMR measurements of the immobile and mobile domain porosities and provide the first direct electrical evidence for DDMT. Our results underscore the potential of using electrical measurements for DDMT parameter inference.

Direct geoelectrical evidence of mass transfer at the laboratory scale

USGS Publications Warehouse

Swanson, Ryan D.; Singha, Kamini; Day-Lewis, Frederick D.; Binley, Andrew; Keating, Kristina; Haggerty, Roy

2012-01-01

Previous field-scale experimental data and numerical modeling suggest that the dual-domain mass transfer (DDMT) of electrolytic tracers has an observable geoelectrical signature. Here we present controlled laboratory experiments confirming the electrical signature of DDMT and demonstrate the use of time-lapse electrical measurements in conjunction with concentration measurements to estimate the parameters controlling DDMT, i.e., the mobile and immobile porosity and rate at which solute exchanges between mobile and immobile domains. We conducted column tracer tests on unconsolidated quartz sand and a material with a high secondary porosity: the zeolite clinoptilolite. During NaCl tracer tests we collected nearly colocated bulk direct-current electrical conductivity (σb) and fluid conductivity (σf) measurements. Our results for the zeolite show (1) extensive tailing and (2) a hysteretic relation between σf and σb, thus providing evidence of mass transfer not observed within the quartz sand. To identify best-fit parameters and evaluate parameter sensitivity, we performed over 2700 simulations of σf, varying the immobile and mobile domain and mass transfer rate. We emphasized the fit to late-time tailing by minimizing the Box-Cox power transformed root-mean square error between the observed and simulated σf. Low-field proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements provide an independent quantification of the volumes of the mobile and immobile domains. The best-fit parameters based on σf match the NMR measurements of the immobile and mobile domain porosities and provide the first direct electrical evidence for DDMT. Our results underscore the potential of using electrical measurements for DDMT parameter inference.

Digital in-line holography for the characterization of flowing particles in astigmatic optical systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sentis, Matthias P. L.; Bruel, Laurent; Charton, Sophie; Onofri, Fabrice R. A.; Lamadie, Fabrice

2017-01-01

An extended Generalized Fresnel Transform (GFT) is proposed to account for the astigmatism introduced by optical elements described, in the paraxial approximation, with a ray transfer matrix analysis. Generalized impulse response and generalized Fresnel transfer function propagators as well as sampling conditions are derived to properly implement this transformation. As a test case, the near-field diffraction patterns and in-line holograms produced by droplets flowing in a tube with cylindrical interfaces have been simulated. A best fitting approach is introduced to retrieve, from the propagated holograms, the 3D position and size of the droplets. Several hologram focusing indicators based on the analysis of droplets focus region are also proposed to further improve the estimation of the droplets position along the optical axis. Numerical simulations and experimental results confirm the applicability and accuracy of the proposed methods.

Enhanced vanadium (V) reduction and bioelectricity generation in microbial fuel cells with biocathode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiu, Rui; Zhang, Baogang; Li, Jiaxin; Lv, Qing; Wang, Song; Gu, Qian

2017-08-01

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a promising approach for remediation of toxic vanadium (V) contaminated environment. Herein, enhanced V(V) reduction and bioelectricity generation are realized in MFCs with biocathode. Synergistically electrochemical and microbial reductions result in the nearly complete removals of V(V) within 7 d operation with initial concentration of 200 mg L-1. Maximum power density of 529 ± 12 mW m-2 is obtained. Electrochemical tests reveal that biocathode promotes electron transfers and reduces charge transfer resistance. XPS analysis confirms that V(IV) is the main reduction product, which precipitates naturally under neutral conditions. High-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis indicates that the newly appeared Dysgonomonas is responsible for V(V) reduction and Klebsiella contributes mainly to bioelectricity generation in MFCs with biocathode. This study further improves the performance of remediating V(V) contaminated environment based on MFC technology.

Rearing the Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster Under Axenic and Gnotobiotic Conditions.

PubMed

Koyle, Melinda L; Veloz, Madeline; Judd, Alec M; Wong, Adam C-N; Newell, Peter D; Douglas, Angela E; Chaston, John M

2016-07-30

The influence of microbes on myriad animal traits and behaviors has been increasingly recognized in recent years. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a model for understanding microbial interactions with animal hosts, facilitated by approaches to rear large sample sizes of Drosophila under microorganism-free (axenic) conditions, or with defined microbial communities (gnotobiotic). This work outlines a method for collection of Drosophila embryos, hypochlorite dechorionation and sterilization, and transfer to sterile diet. Sterilized embryos are transferred to sterile diet in 50 ml centrifuge tubes, and developing larvae and adults remain free of any exogenous microbes until the vials are opened. Alternatively, flies with a defined microbiota can be reared by inoculating sterile diet and embryos with microbial species of interest. We describe the introduction of 4 bacterial species to establish a representative gnotobiotic microbiota in Drosophila. Finally, we describe approaches for confirming bacterial community composition, including testing if axenic Drosophila remain bacteria-free into adulthood.

Heat transfer and hydrodynamic analysis in an industrial circulating fluidized bed boiler

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

Di Maggio, T.; Piedfer, O.; Jestin, L.

In order to scale-up Circulating Fluidized Bed boilers (up to 600 MWe), Electricite de France has initiated a Research and Development program including: laboratory work on mock-up, numerical modeling and on-site tests in the 125 MWe CFB Emile Huchet plant. This paper is devoted to on-site measurements analysis in two main components of this industrial unit: the external fluidized bed heat exchangers and the backpass. This study particularly concerns hydrodynamics and heat transfer with the final target of developing a physical model of a CFB unit. The first part of this paper describes the specific instrumentation set up on externalmore » fluidized bed heat exchangers. The comparison between experimental data collected on these heat exchangers and the theoretical heat transfer models mainly used, shows a great difference about the value of the overall heat transfer coefficient. To explain this discrepancy, the particle flow pattern initially used in the thermal balance calculation is modified and a solid bypass is introduced. The analysis of the by-pass behavior, connected to the geometrical and operating parameters of each exchanger, confirms the particle flow pattern suggested. The second part of this paper shows an analysis of the specific measurements set up on the backpass to study heat transfer. The physical model of heat transfer used to assess the importance of each convection, radiation and conduction components is presented. This model allows one to assess the influence of heat exchangers design on heat transfer. Moreover, the analysis of heat transfer variations during sweeping cycles gives the amount of dust that is removed from the heat exchanger tubes. These results are used to evaluate the amount of power that can be recovered by optimizing both design and sweeping of the backpass.« less

Polyacrylamide hydrogels: an effective tool for delivering liquid baits to pest ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

PubMed

Buczkowski, Grzegorz; Roper, Elray; Chin, Darren

2014-04-01

Ant management in urban and natural areas often relies on toxic baits. Liquid baits are highly attractive to pest ants because they mimic natural food sources such as honeydew and nectar, the principal dietary components of many ants. However, liquid bait use has been limited owing to the lack of bait dispensers that are effective, inexpensive, and easy to service. The current study evaluated the potential of water-storing crystals (polyacrylamide spheres) to effectively deliver liquid thiamethoxam baits to laboratory colonies of Argentine ants, Linepithema humile Mayr. Results of laboratory trials show that bait crystals saturated in 25% sucrose solution containing 0.007% thiamethoxam are highly attractive to Argentine ants and highly effective against all castes and life stages, including workers, queens, and brood. Fresh bait crystals were highly effective and required approximately 2 d to kill all workers and approximately 6 d to achieve complete mortality in queens and brood. Results of bait aging tests show that the crystals lose approximately 70% of moisture in 8 h and the duration of outdoor exposure has a significant effect on moisture loss and subsequently bait acceptance and bait efficacy. A gradual decrease in mortality was observed for all castes and life stages as bait age increased. In general, fresh baits and those aged for < 8 h retained their efficacy and caused substantial mortality. Baits aged longer than 8 h were substantially less attractive and less effective. Horizontal transfer tests examined the transfer of thiamethoxam from live treated donors to live untreated recipients. The results show that donor ants that obtain thiamethoxam by feeding on bait crystals effectively transfer it to untreated recipient ants. The level of secondary mortality depended on the donor:recipient ratio, with approximately 40% recipient worker mortality with the 1:5 ratio and 15% recipient worker mortality with 1:10 or 1:20 ratios. However, no queens died in any transfer tests, suggesting that multiple feedings from multiple donors may be necessary to produce queen mortality. The results of the transfer tests demonstrate the role of trophallaxis in the distribution of thiamethoxam and confirm that thiamethoxam is effectively transferred in Argentine ant colonies. The distribution of thiamethoxam within Argentine ant colonies was further examined using protein marking coupled with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect the marker. The distribution of thiamethoxam was highly efficient, with 79 +/- 13% of workers testing positive at 15 min and 100 +/- 0% of workers testing positive at 6 h. In summary, the results of this study demonstrate that water-storing crystals effectively deliver thiamethoxam to all castes and life stages of Argentine ants and may offer an effective tool for Argentine ant management.

Characterizing the magnetic memory signals on the surface of plasma transferred arc cladding coating under fatigue loads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Haihong; Han, Gang; Qian, Zhengchun; Liu, Zhifeng

2017-12-01

The metal magnetic memory signals were measured during dynamic tension tests on the surfaces of the cladding coatings by plasma transferred arc (PTA) welding and the 0.45% C steel. Results showed that the slope of the normal component Hp(y) of magnetic signal and the average value of the tangential component Hp(x) reflect the magnetization of the specimens. The signals increased sharply in the few initial cycles; and then fluctuated around a constant value during fatigue process until fracture. For the PTA cladding coating, the slope of Hp(y) was steeper and the average of Hp(x) was smaller, compared with the 0.45% C steel. The hysteresis curves of cladding layer, bonding layer and substrate were measured by vibrating sample magnetometer testing, and then saturation magnetization, initial susceptibility and coercivity were further calculated. The stress-magnetization curves were also plotted based on the J-A model, which showed that the PTA cladding coating has smaller remanence and coercivity compared with the 0.45% C steel. The microstructures of cladding coating confirmed that the dendritic structure and second-phase of alloy hinder the magnetic domain motion, which was the main factor influencing the variation of magnetic signal during the fatigue tests.

TIME-DEPENDENT MULTI-GROUP MULTI-DIMENSIONAL RELATIVISTIC RADIATIVE TRANSFER CODE BASED ON SPHERICAL HARMONIC DISCRETE ORDINATE METHOD

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

Tominaga, Nozomu; Shibata, Sanshiro; Blinnikov, Sergei I., E-mail: tominaga@konan-u.ac.jp, E-mail: sshibata@post.kek.jp, E-mail: Sergei.Blinnikov@itep.ru

We develop a time-dependent, multi-group, multi-dimensional relativistic radiative transfer code, which is required to numerically investigate radiation from relativistic fluids that are involved in, e.g., gamma-ray bursts and active galactic nuclei. The code is based on the spherical harmonic discrete ordinate method (SHDOM) which evaluates a source function including anisotropic scattering in spherical harmonics and implicitly solves the static radiative transfer equation with ray tracing in discrete ordinates. We implement treatments of time dependence, multi-frequency bins, Lorentz transformation, and elastic Thomson and inelastic Compton scattering to the publicly available SHDOM code. Our code adopts a mixed-frame approach; the source functionmore » is evaluated in the comoving frame, whereas the radiative transfer equation is solved in the laboratory frame. This implementation is validated using various test problems and comparisons with the results from a relativistic Monte Carlo code. These validations confirm that the code correctly calculates the intensity and its evolution in the computational domain. The code enables us to obtain an Eddington tensor that relates the first and third moments of intensity (energy density and radiation pressure) and is frequently used as a closure relation in radiation hydrodynamics calculations.« less

The transfer of category knowledge by macaques (Macaca mulatta) and humans (Homo sapiens).

PubMed

Zakrzewski, Alexandria C; Church, Barbara A; Smith, J David

2018-02-01

Cognitive psychologists distinguish implicit, procedural category learning (stimulus-response associations learned outside declarative cognition) from explicit-declarative category learning (conscious category rules). These systems are dissociated by category learning tasks with either a multidimensional, information-integration (II) solution or a unidimensional, rule-based (RB) solution. In the present experiments, humans and two monkeys learned II and RB category tasks fostering implicit and explicit learning, respectively. Then they received occasional transfer trials-never directly reinforced-drawn from untrained regions of the stimulus space. We hypothesized that implicit-procedural category learning-allied to associative learning-would transfer weakly because it is yoked to the training stimuli. This result was confirmed for humans and monkeys. We hypothesized that explicit category learning-allied to abstract category rules-would transfer robustly. This result was confirmed only for humans. That is, humans displayed explicit category knowledge that transferred flawlessly. Monkeys did not. This result illuminates the distinctive abstractness, stimulus independence, and representational portability of humans' explicit category rules. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Routine handling methods affect behaviour of three-spined sticklebacks in a novel test of anxiety

PubMed Central

Thompson, Ralph R.J.; Paul, Elizabeth S.; Radford, Andrew N.; Purser, Julia; Mendl, Michael

2016-01-01

Fish are increasingly popular subjects in behavioural and neurobiological research. It is therefore important that they are housed and handled appropriately to ensure good welfare and reliable scientific findings, and that species-appropriate behavioural tests (e.g. of cognitive/affective states) are developed. Routine handling of captive animals may cause physiological stress responses that lead to anxiety-like states (e.g. increased perception of danger). In fish, these may be particularly pronounced when handling during tank-to-tank transfer involves removal from water into air. Here we develop and use a new combined scototaxis (preference for dark over light areas) and novel-tank-diving test, alongside conventional open-field and novel-object tests, to measure the effects of transferring three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) between tanks using a box or net (in and out of water respectively). Preference tests for dark over light areas confirmed the presence of scototaxis in this species. Open-field and novel-object tests failed to detect any significant differences between net and box-handled fish. However, the combined diving and scototaxis detected consistent differences between the treatments. Net-handled fish spent less time on the dark side of the tank, less time in the bottom third, and kept a greater distance from the ‘safe’ bottom dark area than box-handled fish. Possible explanations for this reduction in anxiety-like behaviour in net-handled fish are discussed. The combined diving and scototaxis test may be a sensitive and taxon-appropriate method for measuring anxiety-like states in fish. PMID:26965568

Assessing the ability of mechanistic volatilization models to simulate soil surface conditions: a study with the Volt'Air model.

PubMed

Garcia, L; Bedos, C; Génermont, S; Braud, I; Cellier, P

2011-09-01

Ammonia and pesticide volatilization in the field is a surface phenomenon involving physical and chemical processes that depend on the soil surface temperature and water content. The water transfer, heat transfer and energy budget sub models of volatilization models are adapted from the most commonly accepted formalisms and parameterizations. They are less detailed than the dedicated models describing water and heat transfers and surface status. The aim of this work was to assess the ability of one of the available mechanistic volatilization models, Volt'Air, to accurately describe the pedo-climatic conditions of a soil surface at the required time and space resolution. The assessment involves: (i) a sensitivity analysis, (ii) an evaluation of Volt'Air outputs in the light of outputs from a reference Soil-Vegetation-Atmosphere Transfer model (SiSPAT) and three experimental datasets, and (iii) the study of three tests based on modifications of SiSPAT to establish the potential impact of the simplifying assumptions used in Volt'Air. The analysis confirmed that a 5 mm surface layer was well suited, and that Volt'Air surface temperature correlated well with the experimental measurements as well as with SiSPAT outputs. In terms of liquid water transfers, Volt'Air was overall consistent with SiSPAT, with discrepancies only during major rainfall events and dry weather conditions. The tests enabled us to identify the main source of the discrepancies between Volt'Air and SiSPAT: the lack of gaseous water transfer description in Volt'Air. They also helped to explain why neither Volt'Air nor SiSPAT was able to represent lower values of surface water content: current classical water retention and hydraulic conductivity models are not yet adapted to cases of very dry conditions. Given the outcomes of this study, we discuss to what extent the volatilization models can be improved and the questions they pose for current research in water transfer modeling and parameterization. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Experimental Study of Combined Forced and Free Laminar Convection in a Vertical Tube

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hallman, Theodore M.

1961-01-01

An apparatus was built to verify an analysis of combined forced and free convection in a vertical tube with uniform wall heat flux and to determine the limits of the analysis. The test section was electrically heated by resistance heating of the tube wall and was instrumented with thermocouples in such a way that detailed thermal entrance heat-transfer coefficients could be obtained for both upflow and downflow and any asymmetry in wall temperature could be detected. The experiments showed that fully developed heat-transfer results, predicted by a previous analysis, were confirmed over the range of Rayleigh numbers investigated. The concept of "locally fully developed" heat transfer was established. This concept involves the assumption that the fully developed heat-transfer analysis can be applied locally even though the Rayleigh number is varying along the tube because of physical-property variations with temperature. Thermal entrance region data were obtained for pure forced convection and for combined forced and free convection. The analysis of laminar pure forced convection in the thermal entrance region conducted by Siegel, Sparrow, and Hallman was experimentally confirmed. A transition to an eddy motion, indicated by a fluctuation in wall temperature was found in many of the upflow runs. A stability correlation was found. The fully developed Nusselt numbers in downflow were below those for pure forced convection but fell about 10 percent above the analytical curve. Quite large circumferential variations in wall temperature were observed in downflow as compaired with those encountered in upflow, and the fully developed Nussalt numbers reported are based on average wall temperatures determined by averaging the readings of two diametrically opposite wall thermocouples at each axial position. With larger heating rates in downflow the wall temperature distributions strongly suggested a cell flow near the bottom. At still larger heating rates the wall temperatures varied in a periodic way.

Detection of Antibiotic Resistance Determinants and their Transmissibility among Clinically-isolated Carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli from South India.

PubMed

Mahalingam, Niranjana; Manivannan, Bhavani; Khamari, Balaram; Siddaramappa, Shivakumara; Adak, Sudeshna; Bulagonda, Eswarappa Pradeep

2018-05-08

The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of CTX-M, TEM, SHV, VIM, NDM and OXA genes in carbapenemase-producing E. coli and their transmissibility at a tertiary care hospital in south India. Twenty-one carbapenem-resistant E. coli (CRE) were collected from Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthigram, India. Resistance to antibiotics was analyzed by Vitek-2, and identity of the isolates was confirmed by 16S rDNA sequencing. RAPD and ERIC-PCR was performed for molecular typing. Metallo beta-lactamase production was confirmed by double disc synergy test. Presence of the extended spectrum beta lactamases CTX-M, TEM and SHV, and the carbapenemases NDM, VIM and OXA were determined by PCR. Carbapenemase variants were further confirmed by sequencing. Transmissibility of the genes was tested by conjugation. Twelve of the twenty-one (57%) carbapenem-resistant E. coli isolates were community-acquired, indicating the spread of CRE in environmental samples. TEM and NDM-5 were found to be the major beta-lactamases produced by the pathogens. OXA-181 was found in five of the isolates. All the 21 isolates were found to harbor more than one of the tested beta-lactamases, and all the isolates were found to have the capacity to participate in conjugation; fifteen of the transconjugants were found to have acquired the tested beta-lactamases, substantiating their ability to get transferred to other strains of bacteria. Monitoring of community-acquired carbapenem-resistant bacteria is very important as the association of resistance determinants with mobile genetic elements would present a serious clinical challenge. ©2018The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.

COBRA-WC pretest predictions and post-test analysis of the FOTA temperature distribution during FFTF natural-circulation transients

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

Khan, E.U.; George, T.L.; Rector, D.R.

The natural circulation tests of the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) demonstrated a safe and stable transition from forced convection to natural convection and showed that natural convection may adequately remove decay heat from the reactor core. The COBRA-WC computer code was developed by the Pacific Northwest laboratory (PNL) to account for buoyancy-induced coolant flow redistribution and interassembly heat transfer, effects that become important in mitigating temperature gradients and reducing reactor core temperatures when coolant flow rate in the core is low. This report presents work sponsored by the US Department of Energy (DOE) with the objective of checking themore » validity of COBRA-WC during the first 220 seconds (sec) of the FFTF natural-circulation (plant-startup) tests using recorded data from two instrumented Fuel Open Test Assemblies (FOTAs). Comparison of COBRA-WC predictions of the FOTA data is a part of the final confirmation of the COBRA-WC methodology for core natural-convection analysis.« less

Antimicrobial resistance in coagulase-negative staphylococci from Nigerian traditional fermented foods.

PubMed

Fowoyo, P T; Ogunbanwo, S T

2017-01-31

Coagulase-negative staphylococci have become increasingly recognized as the etiological agent of some infections. A significant characteristic of coagulase-negative staphylococci especially strains isolated from animals and clinical samples is their resistance to routinely used antibiotics although, resistant strains isolated from fermented foods have not been fully reported. A total of two hundred and fifty-five CoNS isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test using the disc diffusion technique. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the isolates to the tested antibiotics was determined using the microbroth dilution method. Methicillin resistant strains were confirmed by detection of methicillin resistant genes (mecA) and also employing cefoxitin screening test. The isolates were confirmed to be methicillin resistant by the detection of mecA genes and the cefoxitin screening test. The isolates demonstrated appreciable resistance to ampicillin (86.7%), sulfomethoxazole-trimethoprim (74.9%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (52.5%) and oxacillin (35.7%). Methicillin resistance was exhibited by 13 out of the 255 isolates although no mecA gene was detected. It was also observed that the methicillin resistant isolates were prevalent in these traditional foods; iru, kindirmo, nono and wara. This study has ameliorated the incidence of multiple antibiotic resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci in Nigerian fermented foods and if not tackled adequately might lead to horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance from food to man.

Study of superconducting magnetic bearing applicable to the flywheel energy storage system that consist of HTS-bulks and superconducting-coils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seino, Hiroshi; Nagashima, Ken; Tanaka, Yoshichika; Nakauchi, Masahiko

2010-06-01

The Railway Technical Research Institute conducted a study to develop a superconducting magnetic bearing applicable to the flywheel energy-storage system for railways. In the first step of the study, the thrust rolling bearing was selected for application, and adopted liquid-nitrogen-cooled HTS-bulk as a rotor, and adopted superconducting coil as a stator for the superconducting magnetic bearing. Load capacity of superconducting magnetic bearing was verified up to 10 kN in the static load test. After that, rotation test of that approximately 5 kN thrust load added was performed with maximum rotation of 3000rpm. In the results of bearing rotation test, it was confirmed that position in levitation is able to maintain with stability during the rotation. Heat transfer properties by radiation in vacuum and conductivity by tenuous gas were basically studied by experiment by the reason of confirmation of rotor cooling method. The experimental result demonstrates that the optimal gas pressure is able to obtain without generating windage drag. In the second stage of the development, thrust load capacity of the bearing will be improved aiming at the achievement of the energy capacity of a practical scale. In the static load test of the new superconducting magnetic bearing, stable 20kN-levitation force was obtained.

Application of EIS and SECM Studies for Investigation of Anticorrosion Properties of Epoxy Coatings Containing Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Mild Steel in 3.5% NaCl Solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raj, X. Joseph

2017-07-01

The effect of corrosion protection performance of epoxy coatings containing ZnO nanoparticle on mild steel in 3.5% NaCl solution was analyzed using scanning electrochemical microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Line profile and topographic image analysis were measured by applying -0.70 and +0.60 V as the tip potential for the cathodic and anodic reactions, respectively. The tip current at -0.70 V for the epoxy-coated sample with ZnO nanoparticles decreased rapidly, which is due to cathodic reduction in dissolved oxygen. The EIS measurements were taken in 3.5% NaCl after wet and dry cyclic corrosion test. The increase in the film resistance ( R f) and charge transfer resistance ( R ct) values was confirmed by the addition of ZnO nanoparticles in the epoxy coating. SEM/EDX analysis showed that complex oxide layer of zinc was enriched in corrosion products at a scratched area of the coated steel after corrosion testing. FIB-TEM analysis confirmed the presence of the nanoscale complex oxide layer of Zn in the rust of the steel that had a beneficial effect on the corrosion resistance of coated steel by forming protective corrosion products in the wet/dry cyclic test.

Development of an autodissemination strategy for the deployment of novel control agents targeting the common malaria mosquito, Anopheles quadrimaculatus say (Diptera: Culicidae).

PubMed

Swale, Daniel R; Li, Zhilin; Kraft, Jake Z; Healy, Kristen; Liu, Mei; David, Connie M; Liu, Zhijun; Foil, Lane D

2018-04-01

The reduced efficacy of current Anopheline mosquito control methods underscores the need to develop new methods of control that exploit unique target sites and/or utilizes novel deployment methods. Autodissemination methodologies using insect growth regulators (IGRs) is growing in interest and has been shown to be effective at controlling Aedes mosquitoes in semi-field and field environments, yet little information exists for Anopheline mosquitoes. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that female-driven autodissemination of an IGR combined with a new mechanism of action insecticide (Kir channel inhibitor) could be employed to reduce Anopheline populations. We studied the ability of three IGRs to be transferred to the larval habitat during oviposition in laboratory and semi-field environments. Adult mosquitoes were exposed to the chemicals for 4 hours immediately after blood feeding and efficacy was tested using classical methodologies, including adult emergence inhibition and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). A complete autodissemination design was tested in a semi-field environment. Larval survivability and adult emergence were significantly reduced in habitats that were visited by novaluron treated adults, but no statistical differences were observed with pyriproxyfen or triflumuron. These data suggested novaluron, but not pyriproxyfen or triflumuron, was horizontally transferred from the adult mosquito to the larval habitat during oviposition. HPLC studies supported the toxicity data and showed that novaluron was present in the majority of larval habitats, suggesting that novaluron can be horizontally transferred by Anopheles quadrimaculatus. Importantly, the combination of novaluron and the Kir channel inhibitor, VU041, was capable of reducing adult and larval populations in semi-field environments. Novaluron can be transferred to the adult at a greater efficacy and/or is not degraded as quickly during the gonotropic cycle when compared to pyriproxyfen or triflumuron. Pending field confirmation, autodissemination approaches with novaluron may be a suitable tool to manage Anopheles populations.

Verification of the electron/proton coupled mechanism for phenolic H-atom transfer using a triplet π,π ∗ carbonyl

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamaji, Minoru; Oshima, Juro; Hidaka, Motohiko

2009-06-01

Evidence for the coupled electron/proton transfer mechanism of the phenolic H-atom transfer between triplet π,π ∗ 3,3'-carbonylbis(7-diethylaminocoumarin) and phenol derivatives is obtained by using laser photolysis techniques. It was confirmed that the quenching rate constants of triplet CBC by phenols having positive Hammett constants do not follow the Rehm-Weller equation for electron transfer while those by phenols with negative Hammett constants do it. From the viewpoint of thermodynamic parameters for electron transfer, the crucial factors for phenolic H-atom transfer to π,π ∗ triplet are discussed.

Lack of passive transfer of renal tubulointerstitial disease by serum or monoclonal antibody specific for renal tubular antigens in the mouse.

PubMed

Evans, B D; Dilwith, R L; Balaban, S L; Rudofsky, U H

1988-01-01

Mice immunized with rabbit renal basement membranes form autoantibodies to their kidney glomerular and tubular basement membranes (GBM/TBM). Development of renal tubular disease (RTD) consists of deposition of autoantibodies along the GBM/TBM with the inter- and intratubular accumulation of lymphocytes and macrophages and destruction of the TBM. Transfer of this disease in mice with either serum or monoclonal antibodies, however, has been difficult to demonstrate and, therefore, attempts were made to confirm a report that RTD is passively transferred by anti-TBM autoantibodies. Using the revised protocol in this later report, we found that 12 weeks after transfer autoantibodies were deposited along the GBM and/or TBM of the recipients, yet RTD was not observed. Although qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the antibody may play a role in the pathogenesis in the murine model of RTD, we could not obtain evidence to support and confirm this study.

Impact of Drilling Operations on Lunar Volatiles Capture: Thermal Vacuum Tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kleinhenz, Julie E.; Paulsen, Gale; Zacny, Kris; Smith, Jim

2015-01-01

In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) enables future planetary exploration by using local resources to supply mission consumables. This idea of 'living off the land' has the potential to reduce mission cost and risk. On the moon, water has been identified as a potential resource (for life support or propellant) at the lunar poles, where it exists as ice in the subsurface. However, the depth and content of this resource has yet to be confirmed on the ground; only remote detection data exists. The upcoming Resource Prospector mission (RP) will 'ground-truth' the water using a rover, drill, and the RESOLVE science package. As the 2020 planned mission date nears, component level hardware is being tested in relevant lunar conditions (thermal vacuum). In August 2014 a series of drilling tests were performed using the Honeybee Robotics Lunar Prospecting Drill inside a 'dirty' thermal vacuum chamber at the NASA Glenn Research Center. The drill used a unique auger design to capture and retain the lunar regolith simulant. The goal of these tests was to investigate volatiles (water) loss during drilling and sample transfer to a sample crucible in order to validate this regolith sampling method. Twelve soil samples were captured over the course of two tests at pressures of 10(exp-5) Torr and ambient temperatures between -80C to -20C. Each sample was obtained from a depth of 40 cm to 50 cm within a cryogenically frozen bed of NU-LHT-3M lunar regolith simulant doped with 5 wt% water. Upon acquisition, each sample was transferred and hermetically sealed inside a crucible. The samples were later baked out to determine water wt% and in turn volatile loss by following ASTM standard practices. Of the twelve tests, four sealed properly and lost an average of 30% of their available water during drilling and transfer. The variability in the results correlated well with ambient temperature (lower the temperature lower volatiles loss) and the trend agreed with the sublimation rates for the same temperature. Moisture retention also correlated with quantity of sample: a larger amount of material resulted in less water loss. The drilling process took an average of 10 minutes to capture and transfer each sample. The drilling power was approximately 20 Watt with a Weight on Bit of approximately 30 N. The bit temperature indicated little heat input into formation during the drilling process.

Hybrid Encapsulated Ionic Liquids for Post-Combustion Carbon Dioxide (CO 2) Capture

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

Brennecke, Joan F; Degnan, Jr, Thomas Francis; McCready, Mark J.

Ionic liquids (ILs) and Phase Change Ionic Liquids (PCILs) are excellent materials for selective removal of carbon dioxide from dilute post-combustion streams. However, they are typically characterized as having high viscosities, which impairs their effectiveness due to mass transfer limitations, caused by the high viscosities. In this project, we are examining the benefits of encapsulating ILs and PCILs in thin polymeric shells to produce particles of approximately 100 to 600 µm in diameter that can be used in a fluidized bed absorber. The particles are produced by microencapsulation of the ILs and PCILs in CO 2-permeable polymer shells. Here wemore » report on the encapsulation of the IL and PCIL materials, thermodynamic testing of the encapsulated materials, mass transfer measurements in both a fluidized bed and a packed bed, determination of the effect of impurities (SO 2, NO x and water) on the free and encapsulated IL and PCIL, recyclability of the CO 2 uptake, selection and synthesis of kg quantities of the IL and PCIL, identification of scale-up methods for encapsulation and production of a kg quantity of the PCIL, construction and shakedown of the laboratory scale unit to test the encapsulated particles for CO 2 capture ability and efficiency, use of our mass transfer model to predict mass transfer and identify optimal properties of the encapsulated particles, and initial testing of the encapsulated particles in the laboratory scale unit. We also show our attempts at developing shell materials that are resistant to water permeation. Overall, we have shown that the selected IL and PCIL can be successfully encapsulated in polymer shells and the methods scaled up to production levels. The IL/PCIL and encapsulated IL/PCIL react irreversibly with SO 2 and NO x so the CO 2 capture unit would need to be placed after the flue gas desulfurization and NO x reduction units. However, the reaction with CO 2 in the presence of water is completely reversible. Therefore, it is not necessary to exclude water from the capsules. Mass transfer in the fluidized and packed beds confirm that the fluidized bed arrangement is preferred and that the mass transfer can be predicted accurately by the rate based model that we have developed. Absorption and desorption experiments in the laboratory scale unit show good uptake and recyclability.« less

Migration of inorganic ions from the leachate of the Rio das Ostras landfill: a comparison of three different configurations of protective barriers.

PubMed

Lacerda, Cláudia Virgínia; Ritter, Elisabeth; Pires, João Antônio da Costa; de Castro, José Adilson

2014-11-01

Batch tests and diffusion tests were performed to analyze the efficiency of a protective barrier in a landfill consisting of compacted soil with 10% bentonite compared to the results obtained for only compacted soil and for compacted soil covered with a 1-mm-thick HDPE geomembrane; the soil and leachate were collected from the Rio das Ostras Landfill in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The diffusion tests were performed for periods of 3, 10 and 60 days. After the test period, the soil pore water was analyzed and the profiles for chloride, potassium and ammonium were determined along a 6-cm soil depth. The results of the batch tests performed to define sorption parameters were used to adjust the profiles obtained in the diffusion cell experiment by applying an ion transfer model between the interstitial solution and the soil particles. The MPHMTP model (Multi Phase Heat and Mass Transfer Program), which is based upon the solution of the transport equations of the ionic contaminants, was used to solve the inverse problem of simultaneously determining the effective diffusion coefficients. The results of the experimental tests and of the model simulation confirmed that the compacted soil with 10% bentonite was moderately efficient in the retention of chloride, potassium and ammonium ions compared to the configurations of compacted soil with a geomembrane and compacted soil alone, representing a solution that is technically feasible and requires potentially lower costs for implementation in landfills. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nearly Perfect Triplet-Triplet Energy Transfer from Wannier Excitons to Naphthalene in Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Quantum-Well Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ema, K.; Inomata, M.; Kato, Y.; Kunugita, H.; Era, M.

2008-06-01

We report the observation of extremely efficient energy transfer (greater than 99%) in an organic-inorganic hybrid quantum-well structure consisting of perovskite-type lead bromide well layers and naphthalene-linked ammonium barrier layers. Time-resolved photoluminescence measurements confirm that the transfer is triplet-triplet Dexter-type energy transfer from Wannier excitons in the inorganic well to the triplet state of naphthalene molecules in the organic barrier. Using measurements in the 10 300 K temperature range, we also investigated the temperature dependence of the energy transfer.

Microsatellites for Oenothera gayleana and O. hartwegii subsp. filifolia (Onagraceae), and their utility in section Calylophus.

PubMed

Lewis, Emily M; Fant, Jeremie B; Moore, Michael J; Hastings, Amy P; Larson, Erica L; Agrawal, Anurag A; Skogen, Krissa A

2016-02-01

Eleven nuclear and four plastid microsatellite markers were screened for two gypsum endemic species, Oenothera gayleana and O. hartwegii subsp. filifolia, and tested for cross-amplification in the remaining 11 taxa within Oenothera sect. Calylophus (Onagraceae). Microsatellite markers were tested in two to three populations spanning the ranges of both O. gayleana and O. hartwegii subsp. filifolia. The nuclear microsatellite loci consisted of both di- and trinucleotide repeats with one to 17 alleles per population. Several loci showed significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, which may be evidence of chromosomal rings. The plastid microsatellite markers identified one to seven haplotypes per population. The transferability of these markers was confirmed in all 11 taxa within Oenothera sect. Calylophus. The microsatellite loci characterized here are the first developed and tested in Oenothera sect. Calylophus. These markers will be used to assess whether pollinator foraging distance influences population genetic parameters in predictable ways.

Evidence for TiO2 nanoparticle transfer in a hard-rock aquifer.

PubMed

Cary, Lise; Pauwels, Hélène; Ollivier, Patrick; Picot, Géraldine; Leroy, Philippe; Mougin, Bruno; Braibant, Gilles; Labille, Jérôme

2015-08-01

Water flow and TiO2 nanoparticle (NP) transfer in a fractured hard-rock aquifer were studied in a tracer test experiment at a pilot site in Brittany, France. Results from the Br tracer test show that the schist aquifer can be represented by a two-layer medium comprising i) fractures with low longitudinal dispersivity in which water and solute transport is relatively fast, and ii) a network of small fissures with high longitudinal dispersivity in which transport is slower. Although a large amount of NPs was retained within the aquifer, a significant TiO2 concentration was measured in a well 15m downstream of the NP injection well, clearly confirming the potential for TiO2 NPs to be transported in groundwater. The Ti concentration profile in the downstream well was modelled using a two-layer medium approach. The delay used for the TiO2 NPs simulation compared to the Br concentration profiles in the downstream well indicate that the aggregated TiO2 NPs interacted with the rock. Unlike Br, NPs do not penetrate the entire pore network during transfer because of electrostatic interactions between NP aggregates and the rock and also to the aggregate size and the hydrodynamic conditions, especially where the porosity is very low; NPs with a weak negative charge can be attached onto the rock surface, and more particularly onto the positively charged iron oxyhydroxides coating the main pathways due to natural denitrification. Nevertheless, TiO2 NPs are mobile and transfer within fracture and fissure media. Any modification of the aquifer's chemical conditions is likely to impact the groundwater pH and, the nitrate content and the denitrification process, and thus affect NP aggregation and attachment. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of ultraviolet light irradiation on the corrosion behavior of carbon steel AISI 1015

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riazi, H. R.; Danaee, I.; Peykari, M.

2013-03-01

Corrosion of carbon steel in sodium chloride solution was studied under ultraviolet illumination using weight loss, polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and current transient tests. The polarization test revealed an increase in the corrosion current density observed under UV illumination. The impedance spectroscopy indicated that the charge transfer resistance of the system was decreased by irradiation of UV light on a carbon steel electrode. The weight loss of carbon steel in solution increased under UV light, which confirms the results obtained from electrochemical measurements. We propose that the main effect of UV irradiation is on the oxide film, which forms on the surface. Thus, in presence of UV, the conductivity of oxide film might increase and lead to higher metal dissolution and corrosion rate.

Gene transfer of high-mobility group box 1 box-A domain in a rat acute liver failure model.

PubMed

Tanaka, Masayuki; Shinoda, Masahiro; Takayanagi, Atsushi; Oshima, Go; Nishiyama, Ryo; Fukuda, Kazumasa; Yagi, Hiroshi; Hayashida, Tetsu; Masugi, Yohei; Suda, Koichi; Yamada, Shingo; Miyasho, Taku; Hibi, Taizo; Abe, Yuta; Kitago, Minoru; Obara, Hideaki; Itano, Osamu; Takeuchi, Hiroya; Sakamoto, Michiie; Tanabe, Minoru; Maruyama, Ikuro; Kitagawa, Yuko

2015-04-01

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) has recently been identified as an important mediator of various kinds of acute and chronic inflammation. The protein encoded by the box-A domain of the HMGB1 gene is known to act as a competitive inhibitor of HMGB1. In this study, we investigated whether box-A gene transfer results in box-A protein production in rats and assessed therapeutic efficacy in vivo using an acute liver failure (ALF) model. Three types of adenovirus vectors were constructed-a wild type and two mutants-and a mutant vector was then selected based on the secretion from HeLa cells. The secreted protein was subjected to a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production inhibition test in vitro. The vector was injected via the portal vein in healthy Wistar rats to confirm box-A protein production in the liver. The vector was then injected via the portal vein in rats with ALF. Western blot analysis showed enhanced expression of box-A protein in HeLa cells transfected with one of the mutant vectors. The culture supernatant from HeLa cells transfected with the vector inhibited TNF-α production from macrophages. Expression of box-A protein was confirmed in the transfected liver at 72 h after transfection. Transfected rats showed decreased hepatic enzymes, plasma HMGB1, and hepatic TNF-α messenger RNA levels, and histologic findings and survival were significantly improved. HMGB1 box-A gene transfer results in box-A protein production in the liver and appears to have a beneficial effect on ALF in rats. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Targeting CD6 for the treatment of experimental autoimmune uveitis.

PubMed

Zhang, Lingjun; Li, Yan; Qiu, Wen; Bell, Brent A; Dvorina, Nina; Baldwin, William M; Singer, Nora; Kern, Timothy; Caspi, Rachel R; Fox, David A; Lin, Feng

2018-06-01

CD6 is emerging as a new target for treating many pathological conditions in which T cells are integrally involved, but even the latest data from studies of CD6 gene engineered mice were still contradictory. To address this issue, we studied experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), a model of autoimmune uveitis, in wild-type (WT) and CD6 knockout (KO) mice. After EAU induction in WT and CD6 KO mice, we evaluated ocular inflammation and compared retinal antigen-specific T-cell responses using scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, histopathology, and T cell recall assays. Uveitogenic T cells from WT and CD6 KO mice were adoptively transferred into WT naïve mice to confirm the impact of CD6 on T cells. In addition, we immunized CD6 KO mice with recombinant CD6 protein to develop mouse anti-mouse CD6 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in which functional antibodies exhibiting cross-reactivity with human CD6 were screened and identified for treatment studies. In CD6 KO mice with EAU, we found significantly decreased retinal inflammation and reduced autoreactive T-cell responses, and confirmed the impaired uveitogenic capacity of T cells from these mice in an adoptive transfer experiment. Notably, one of these cross-reactive mAbs significantly ameliorated retinal inflammation in EAU induced by the adoptive transfer of uveitogenic T cells. Together, these data strongly suggest that CD6 plays a previously unknown, but pivotal role in autoimmune uveitis, and may be a promising new treatment target for this blinding disease. In addition, the newly developed mouse anti-mouse/human CD6 mAbs could be valuable tools for testing CD6-targeted therapies in other mouse models of human diseases. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Assessing the evolution of redundancy/synergy of spontaneous variability regulation with age.

PubMed

Porta, Alberto; Bari, Vlasta; De Maria, Beatrice; Perseguini, Natália M; Milan, Juliana; Rehder-Santos, Patricia; Minatel, Vinícius; Takahashi, Anielle C M; Catai, Aparecida M

2017-05-01

We exploited a model-based Wiener-Granger causality method in the information domain for the evaluation of the transfer entropy (TE) and interaction TE (ITE), the latter taken as a measure of the net balance between redundancy and synergy, to describe the interactions between the spontaneous variability of heart period (HP) and systolic arterial pressure (SAP) and the effect of respiration (R) on both variables. Cardiac control was typified via the genuine TE from SAP to HP, that from R to HP, and the ITE from SAP and R to HP, while vascular control was characterized via the genuine TE from HP to SAP, that from R to SAP, and the ITE from HP and R to SAP. The approach was applied to study age-related modifications of cardiac and vascular controls in a cohort of 100 healthy humans (age from 21 to 70 years, 54 males) recorded at supine rest (REST) and during active standing (STAND). A surrogate approach was exploited to test the significance of the computed quantities. Trends of the genuine information transfer with age, already present in literature, were here confirmed. We originally found that: (i) at REST redundancy was predominant over synergy in both vascular and cardiac controls; (ii) the predominance of redundancy of the cardiac control was not affected by postural challenge, while STAND reduced redundancy of vascular control; (iii) the net redundancy of the cardiac control at REST gradually decreased with age, while that of vascular control remained stable; (iv) during STAND net redundancy of both cardiac and vascular controls was stable with age. The study confirms the relevance of computing genuine information transfer in cardiovascular control analysis and stresses the importance of evaluating the ITE to quantify the degree of redundancy of physiological mechanisms operating to maintain cardiovascular homeostasis.

Clinical validity of a relocation stress scale for the families of patients transferred from intensive care units.

PubMed

Oh, HyunSoo; Lee, Seul; Kim, JiSun; Lee, EunJu; Min, HyoNam; Cho, OkJa; Seo, WhaSook

2015-07-01

This study was conducted to develop a family relocation stress scale by modifying the Son's Relocation Stress Syndrome Scale, to examine its clinical validity and reliability and to confirm its suitability for measuring family relocation stress. The transfer of ICU patients to general wards is a significant anxiety-producing event for family members. However, no relocation stress scale has been developed specifically for families. A nonexperimental, correlation design was adopted. The study subjects were 95 family members of 95 ICU patients at a university hospital located in Incheon, South Korea. Face and construct validities of the devised family relocation stress scale were examined. Construct validity was examined using factor analysis and by using a nomological validity test. Reliability was also examined. Face and content validity of the scale were verified by confirming that its items adequately measured family relocation stress. Factor analysis yielded four components, and the total variance explained by these four components was 63·0%, which is acceptable. Nomological validity was well supported by significant relationships between relocation stress and degree of preparation for relocation, patient self-care ability, family burden and satisfaction with the relocation process. The devised scale was also found to have good reliability. The family relocation stress scale devised in this study was found to have good validity and reliability, and thus, is believed to offer a means of assessing family relocation stress. The findings of this study provide a reliable and valid assessment tool when nurses prepare families for patient transfer from an ICU to a ward setting, and may also provide useful information to those developing an intervention programme for family relocation stress management. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Enhancing Mo:BiVO 4 Solar Water Splitting with Patterned Au Nanospheres by Plasmon-Induced Energy Transfer [Rational Nanopositioning for BiVO 4 Solar Water Splitting by Plasmon-induced Energy Transfer

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

Kim, Jung Kyu; Shi, Xinjian; Jeong, Myung Jin

Here, plasmonic metal nanostructures have been extensively investigated to improve the performance of metal oxide photoanodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar water splitting cells. Most of these studies have focused on the effects of those metal nanostructures on enhancing light absorption and enabling direct energy transfer via hot electrons. However, several recent studies have shown that plasmonic metal nanostructures can improve the PEC performance of metal oxide photoanodes via another mechanism known as plasmon–induced resonant energy transfer (PIRET). However, this PIRET effect has not yet been tested for the molybdenum–doped bismuth vanadium oxide (Mo:BiVO 4), regarded as one of the bestmore » metal oxide photoanode candidates. Here, this study constructs a hybrid Au nanosphere/Mo:BiVO 4 photoanode interwoven in a hexagonal pattern to investigate the PIRET effect on the PEC performance of Mo:BiVO 4. This study finds that the Au nanosphere array not only increases light absorption of the photoanode as expected, but also improves both its charge transport and charge transfer efficiencies via PIRET, as confirmed by time–correlated single photon counting and transient absorption studies. As a result, incorporating the Au nanosphere array increases the photocurrent density of Mo:BiVO 4 at 1.23 V versus RHE by ≈2.2–fold (2.83 mA cm –2).« less

Enhancing Mo:BiVO 4 Solar Water Splitting with Patterned Au Nanospheres by Plasmon-Induced Energy Transfer [Rational Nanopositioning for BiVO 4 Solar Water Splitting by Plasmon-induced Energy Transfer

DOE PAGES

Kim, Jung Kyu; Shi, Xinjian; Jeong, Myung Jin; ...

2017-10-04

Here, plasmonic metal nanostructures have been extensively investigated to improve the performance of metal oxide photoanodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar water splitting cells. Most of these studies have focused on the effects of those metal nanostructures on enhancing light absorption and enabling direct energy transfer via hot electrons. However, several recent studies have shown that plasmonic metal nanostructures can improve the PEC performance of metal oxide photoanodes via another mechanism known as plasmon–induced resonant energy transfer (PIRET). However, this PIRET effect has not yet been tested for the molybdenum–doped bismuth vanadium oxide (Mo:BiVO 4), regarded as one of the bestmore » metal oxide photoanode candidates. Here, this study constructs a hybrid Au nanosphere/Mo:BiVO 4 photoanode interwoven in a hexagonal pattern to investigate the PIRET effect on the PEC performance of Mo:BiVO 4. This study finds that the Au nanosphere array not only increases light absorption of the photoanode as expected, but also improves both its charge transport and charge transfer efficiencies via PIRET, as confirmed by time–correlated single photon counting and transient absorption studies. As a result, incorporating the Au nanosphere array increases the photocurrent density of Mo:BiVO 4 at 1.23 V versus RHE by ≈2.2–fold (2.83 mA cm –2).« less

Development of frozen-thawed demi-embryos and production of identical twin calves of different ages.

PubMed

Seike, N; Sakai, M; Kanagawa, H

1991-02-01

The percentages of morphologically transferable embryos obtained from frozen-thawed demi-embryos which were embedded with or without agar, and from those with or without zonae pellucidae were 26.3% (5/19), 36.4% (8/22), 39.5% (15/38) and 40.0% (22/55), respectively. No significant differences were observed between these groups. Development to calves of frozen-thawed demi-embryos with or without zonae pellucidae was 25.0% (3/12) and 26.7% (4/15), respectively. There was also no significant difference between them. On the trial for production of identical twin calves of different ages, the pregnancy rates of fresh and frozen demi-embryos after transfer were 69.2% (9/13) and 11.1% (1/9), respectively. Out of 13 fresh demi-embryos and 9 frozen demi-embryos transferred, only one pair of identical twin male calves of different ages were produced. This frozen-thawed demi-embryo was stored for 43 days in liquid nitrogen before thawing and transfer. These twin calves were confirmed to be identical by blood typing. Although these calves had different birth dates, their growth rates indicated similar developmental patterns. We suggest that it is possible to produce identical twin calves of different ages. This possibility would be useful for predicting the sex, milk producing ability and progeny test of a pair of demi-embryos before a decision to transfer the other half of a pair is made.

Accuracy and Precision of USNO GPS Carrier-Phase Time Transfer

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

values. Comparison measures used include estimates obtained from two-way satellite time/frequency transfer ( TWSTFT ), and GPS-based estimates obtained...the IGS are used as a benchmark in the computation. Frequency values have a few times 10 -15 fractional frequency uncertainty. TWSTFT values confirm...obtained from two-way satellite time/frequency transfer ( TWSTFT ), BIPM Circular T, and the International GNSS Service (IGS). At present, it is known that

Ultrafast electron and hole transfer dynamics of a solar cell dye containing hole acceptors on mesoporous TiO2 and Al2O3.

PubMed

Scholz, Mirko; Flender, Oliver; Boschloo, Gerrit; Oum, Kawon; Lenzer, Thomas

2017-03-08

The stability of dye cations against recombination with conduction band electrons in mesoporous TiO 2 electrodes is a key property for improving light harvesting in dye-sensitised solar cells. Using ultrafast transient broadband absorption spectroscopy, we monitor efficient intramolecular hole transfer in the solar cell dye E6 having two peripheral triarylamine acceptors. After photoexcitation, two hole transfer mechanisms are identified: a concerted mechanism for electron injection and hole transfer (2.4 ps) and a sequential mechanism with time constants of 3.9 ps and 30 ps. This way the dye retards unwanted recombination with a TiO 2 conduction band electron by quickly moving the hole further away from the surface. Contact of the E6/TiO 2 surface with the solvent acetonitrile has almost no influence on the electron injection and hole transfer kinetics. Fast hole transfer (2.8 ps) is also observed on a "non-injecting" Al 2 O 3 surface generating a radical cation-radical anion species with a lifetime of 530 ps. The findings confirm the good intramolecular hole transfer properties of this dye on both thin films. In contrast, intramolecular hole transfer does not occur in the mid-polar organic solvent methyl acetate. This is confirmed by TDDFT calculations suggesting a polarity-induced reduction of the driving force for hole transfer. In methyl acetate, only the relaxation of the initially photoexcited core chromophore is observed including solvent relaxation processes of the electronically excited state S 1 /ICT.

Charge transfer complex between 2,3-diaminopyridine with chloranilic acid. Synthesis, characterization and DFT, TD-DFT computational studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Ahmary, Khairia M.; Habeeb, Moustafa M.; Al-Obidan, Areej H.

2018-05-01

New charge transfer complex (CTC) between the electron donor 2,3-diaminopyridine (DAP) with the electron acceptor chloranilic (CLA) acid has been synthesized and characterized experimentally and theoretically using a variety of physicochemical techniques. The experimental work included the use of elemental analysis, UV-vis, IR and 1H NMR studies to characterize the complex. Electronic spectra have been carried out in different hydrogen bonded solvents, methanol (MeOH), acetonitrile (AN) and 1:1 mixture from AN-MeOH. The molecular composition of the complex was identified to be 1:1 from Jobs and molar ratio methods. The stability constant was determined using minimum-maximum absorbances method where it recorded high values confirming the high stability of the formed complex. The solid complex was prepared and characterized by elemental analysis that confirmed its formation in 1:1 stoichiometric ratio. Both IR and NMR studies asserted the existence of proton and charge transfers in the formed complex. For supporting the experimental results, DFT computations were carried out using B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) method to compute the optimized structures of the reactants and complex, their geometrical parameters, reactivity parameters, molecular electrostatic potential map and frontier molecular orbitals. The analysis of DFT results strongly confirmed the high stability of the formed complex based on existing charge transfer beside proton transfer hydrogen bonding concordant with experimental results. The origin of electronic spectra was analyzed using TD-DFT method where the observed λmax are strongly consisted with the computed ones. TD-DFT showed the contributed states for various electronic transitions.

External Control of Knowledge of Results: Learner Involvement Enhances Motor Skill Transfer.

PubMed

Figueiredo, L S; Ugrinowitsch, H; Freire, A B; Shea, J B; Benda, R N

2018-04-01

Providing the learner control over aspects of practice has improved the process of motor skill acquisition, and self-controlled knowledge of results (KR) schedules have shown specific advantages over externally controlled ones. A possible explanation is that self-controlled KR schedules lead learners to more active task involvement, permitting deeper information processing. This study tested this explanatory hypothesis. Thirty undergraduate volunteers of both sexes, aged 18 to 35, all novices in the task, practiced transporting a tennis ball in a specified sequence within a time goal. We compared a high-involvement group (involvement yoked, IY), notified in advance about upcoming KR trials, to self-controlled KR (SC) and yoked KR (YK) groups. The experiment consisted of three phases: acquisition, retention, and transfer. We found both IY and SC groups to be superior to YK for transfer of learning. Postexperiment participant questionnaires confirmed a preference for receiving KR after learner-perceived good trials, even though performance on those trials did not differ from performance on trials without KR. Equivalent IY and SC performances provide support for the benefits of task involvement and deeper information processing when KR is self-controlled in motor skill acquisition.

Preimplantation diagnosis for neurofibromatosis.

PubMed

Verlinsky, Yury; Rechitsky, Svetlana; Verlinsky, Oleg; Chistokhina, Anna; Sharapova, Tatyana; Masciangelo, Christina; Levy, Michael; Kaplan, Brian; Lederer, Kevin; Kuliev, Anver

2002-01-01

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has recently been performed for inherited cancer predisposition determined by p53 tumour suppressor gene mutations, suggesting the usefulness of PGD for late onset disorders with genetic predisposition, including those caused by the germline mutations of other tumour suppressor genes. Here PGD was performed for two couples, one at risk for producing a child with maternally derived neurofibromatosis type I (NF1), and the other with paternally derived neurofibromatosis type II (NF2). The procedure involved a standard IVF protocol, combined with testing of oocytes or embryos prior to their transfer back to the patients. Maternal mutation Trp-->Ter (TGG-->TGA) in exon 29 of the NF1 gene was tested by sequential PCR analysis of the first and second polar bodies, and paternal L141P mutation in exon 4 of the NF2 gene by embryo biopsy at the cleavage stage. In both cases, multiplex nested PCR was applied, involving NF1 and NF2 mutation analysis simultaneously with the 3 and 2 linked markers, respectively. Of 57 oocytes tested in four PGD cycles for NF1 mutation, 26 mutation-free oocytes were detected, from which eight were preselected for transfer, two in each cycle. These produced two clinical pregnancies, one confirmed to be mutation free by chorionic villus sampling but ending in a stillbirth, and the other still ongoing. Of 18 embryos analysed in a cycle performed for NF2 mutation, eight mutation-free embryos were detected, three of which were transferred back to the patient, resulting in a singleton pregnancy and the birth of a mutation-free child. This suggests that PGD is a useful approach for avoiding the birth of children with inherited cancer predisposition, determined by NF1 and NF2 gene mutations.

A Radiation Transfer Solver for Athena Using Short Characteristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, Shane W.; Stone, James M.; Jiang, Yan-Fei

2012-03-01

We describe the implementation of a module for the Athena magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) code that solves the time-independent, multi-frequency radiative transfer (RT) equation on multidimensional Cartesian simulation domains, including scattering and non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) effects. The module is based on well known and well tested algorithms developed for modeling stellar atmospheres, including the method of short characteristics to solve the RT equation, accelerated Lambda iteration to handle scattering and non-LTE effects, and parallelization via domain decomposition. The module serves several purposes: it can be used to generate spectra and images, to compute a variable Eddington tensor (VET) for full radiation MHD simulations, and to calculate the heating and cooling source terms in the MHD equations in flows where radiation pressure is small compared with gas pressure. For the latter case, the module is combined with the standard MHD integrators using operator splitting: we describe this approach in detail, including a new constraint on the time step for stability due to radiation diffusion modes. Implementation of the VET method for radiation pressure dominated flows is described in a companion paper. We present results from a suite of test problems for both the RT solver itself and for dynamical problems that include radiative heating and cooling. These tests demonstrate that the radiative transfer solution is accurate and confirm that the operator split method is stable, convergent, and efficient for problems of interest. We demonstrate there is no need to adopt ad hoc assumptions of questionable accuracy to solve RT problems in concert with MHD: the computational cost for our general-purpose module for simple (e.g., LTE gray) problems can be comparable to or less than a single time step of Athena's MHD integrators, and only few times more expensive than that for more general (non-LTE) problems.

Effect of Similarity-Based Guided Discovery Learning on Conceptual Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mandrin, Pierre-A; Preckel, Daniel

2009-01-01

Analogies are known to foster concept learning, whereas discovery learning is effective for transfer. By combining discovery learning and analogies or similarities of concepts, attractive new arrangements emerge, but do they maintain both concept and transfer effects? Unfortunately, there is a lack of data confirming such combined effectiveness.…

Testing promotes effector transfer.

PubMed

Boutin, Arnaud; Panzer, Stefan; Salesse, Robin N; Blandin, Yannick

2012-11-01

The retrieval of information from memory during testing has recently been shown to promote transfer in the verbal domain. Motor-related research, however, has ignored testing as a relevant method to enhance motor transfer. We thus investigated whether testing has the potential to induce generalised motor memories by favouring effector transfer. Participants were required to reproduce a spatial-temporal pattern of elbow extensions and flexions with their dominant right arm. We tested the ability of participants to transfer the original pattern (extrinsic transformation; i.e., goal-based configuration) or the mirrored pattern (intrinsic transformation; i.e., movement-based configuration) to the unpractised non-dominant left arm. To evaluate how testing affects motor transfer at 24-h testing, participants were either administered an initial testing session during early practice (early testing group) or shortly after the end of practice (late testing group; i.e., no alternation between practice and testing sessions). No initial testing session was completed for the control group. We found better effector transfer at 24-h testing for the early testing group for both extrinsic and intrinsic transformations of the movement pattern when compared with the control group, while no testing benefit was observed for the late testing group. This indicates that testing positively affects motor learning, yielding enhanced long-term transfer capabilities. We thus demonstrate the critical role of retrieval practice via testing during the process of motor memory encoding, and provide the conditions under which testing effectively contributes to the generalisation of motor memories. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Crystalline TiO 2 grafted with poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) via surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Yuancong; Tu, Qiufen; Wang, Jin; Huang, Qiongjian; Huang, Nan

2010-12-01

Crystalline TiO 2 films were prepared by unbalanced magnetron sputtering and the structure was confirmed by XRD. An organic layer of 11-hydroxyundecylphosphonic acid (HUPA) was prepared on the TiO 2 films by self-assembling, and the HUPA on TiO 2 films was confirmed by FTIR analysis. Simultaneously, hydroxyl groups were introduced in the phosphonic acid molecules to provide a functionality for further chemical modification. 2-Methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC), a biomimetic monomer, was chemically grafted on the HUPA surfaces at room temperature by surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization. The surface characters of TiO 2 films modified by poly-MPC were confirmed by FTIR, XPS and SEM analysis. Platelet adhesion experiment revealed that poly-MPC modified surface was effective to inhibit platelet adhesion in vitro.

Smooth information flow in temperature climate network reflects mass transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hlinka, Jaroslav; Jajcay, Nikola; Hartman, David; Paluš, Milan

2017-03-01

A directed climate network is constructed by Granger causality analysis of air temperature time series from a regular grid covering the whole Earth. Using winner-takes-all network thresholding approach, a structure of a smooth information flow is revealed, hidden to previous studies. The relevance of this observation is confirmed by comparison with the air mass transfer defined by the wind field. Their close relation illustrates that although the information transferred due to the causal influence is not a physical quantity, the information transfer is tied to the transfer of mass and energy.

Transfer of function and prior derived-relations testing.

PubMed

Doughty, Adam H; Best, Lauren

2017-10-01

This experiment assessed transfer of function through equivalence relations with and without prior derived-stimulus-relations (DSR) testing. In a DSR-Testing Group, eight college students learned A-B and A-C discriminations in baseline. They then derived the B-C and C-B equivalence relations before being exposed to a transfer-of-function manipulation and test. Eight participants in a No-DSR Testing Group were exposed to the transfer-of-function manipulation and test immediately after learning the baseline discriminations (i.e., B-C and C-B testing were omitted). In the transfer-of-function manipulation, participants learned to respond differently in the presence of B1 and B2 to avoid money loss. In the transfer-of-function test, responding in the presence of C1 and C2 was measured in the absence of differential consequences. Transfer of function occurred reliably only in the DSR-Testing Group (i.e., participants responding to C1 and C2 in the manner they learned to respond to B1 and B2, respectively). These findings support the notion that prior DSR testing can be critical to observing transfer of function. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Aerogel Insulation Applications for Liquid Hydrogen Launch Vehicle Tanks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fesmire, J. E.; Sass, J.

2007-01-01

Aerogel based insulation systems for ambient pressure environments were developed for liquid hydrogen (LH2) tank applications. Solutions to thermal insulation problems were demonstrated for the Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) through extensive testing at the Cryogenics Test Laboratory. Demonstration testing was performed using a 1/10th scale ET LH2 intertank unit and liquid helium as the coolant to provide the 20 K cold boundary temperature. Cryopumping tests in the range of 20K were performed using both constant mass and constant pressure methods. Long-duration tests (up to 10 hours) showed that the nitrogen mass taken up inside the intertank is reduced by a factor of nearly three for the aerogel insulated case as compared to the un-insulated (bare metal flight configuration) case. Test results including thermal stabilization, heat transfer effectiveness, and cryopumping confirm that the aerogel system eliminates free liquid nitrogen within the intertank. Physisorption (or adsorption) of liquid nitrogen within the fine pore structure of aerogel materials was also investigated. Results of a mass uptake method show that the sorption ratio (liquid nitrogen to aerogel beads) is about 62 percent by volume. A novel liquid nitrogen production method of testing the liquid nitrogen physical adsorption capacity of aerogel beads was also performed to more closely approximate the actual launch vehicle cooldown and thermal stabilization effects within the aerogel material. The extraordinary insulating effectiveness of the aerogel material shows that cryopumping is not an open-cell mass transport issue but is strictly driven by thermal communication between warm and cold surfaces. The new aerogel insulation technology is useful to solve heat transfer problem areas and to augment existing thermal protection systems on launch vehicles. Examples are given and potential benefits for producing launch systems that are more reliable, robust, reusable, and efficient are outlined.

Routine handling methods affect behaviour of three-spined sticklebacks in a novel test of anxiety.

PubMed

Thompson, Ralph R J; Paul, Elizabeth S; Radford, Andrew N; Purser, Julia; Mendl, Michael

2016-06-01

Fish are increasingly popular subjects in behavioural and neurobiological research. It is therefore important that they are housed and handled appropriately to ensure good welfare and reliable scientific findings, and that species-appropriate behavioural tests (e.g. of cognitive/affective states) are developed. Routine handling of captive animals may cause physiological stress responses that lead to anxiety-like states (e.g. increased perception of danger). In fish, these may be particularly pronounced when handling during tank-to-tank transfer involves removal from water into air. Here we develop and use a new combined scototaxis (preference for dark over light areas) and novel-tank-diving test, alongside conventional open-field and novel-object tests, to measure the effects of transferring three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) between tanks using a box or net (in and out of water respectively). Preference tests for dark over light areas confirmed the presence of scototaxis in this species. Open-field and novel-object tests failed to detect any significant differences between net and box-handled fish. However, the combined diving and scototaxis detected consistent differences between the treatments. Net-handled fish spent less time on the dark side of the tank, less time in the bottom third, and kept a greater distance from the 'safe' bottom dark area than box-handled fish. Possible explanations for this reduction in anxiety-like behaviour in net-handled fish are discussed. The combined diving and scototaxis test may be a sensitive and taxon-appropriate method for measuring anxiety-like states in fish. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Passive Rocket Diffuser Testing: Reacting Flow Performance of Four Second-Throat Geometries

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, Daniel R.; Allgood, Daniel C.; Saunders, Grady P.

2016-01-01

Second-throat diffusers serve to isolate rocket engines from the effects of ambient back pressure. As one of the nation's largest rocket testing facilities, the performance and design limitations of diffusers are of great interest to NASA's Stennis Space Center. This paper describes a series of tests conducted on four diffuser configurations to better understand the effects of inlet geometry and throat area on starting behavior and boundary layer separation. The diffusers were tested for a duration of five seconds with a 1455-pound thrust, LO2/GH2 thruster to ensure they each reached aerodynamic steady state. The effects of a water spray ring at the diffuser exits and a water-cooled deflector plate were also evaluated. Static pressure and temperature measurements were taken at multiple axial locations along the diffusers, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were used as a tool to aid in the interpretation of data. The hot combustion products were confirmed to enable the diffuser start condition with tighter second throats than predicted by historical cold-flow data or the theoretical normal shock method. Both aerodynamic performance and heat transfer were found to increase with smaller diffuser throats. Spray ring and deflector cooling water had negligible impacts on diffuser boundary layer separation. CFD was found to accurately capture diffuser shock structures and full-flowing diffuser wall pressures, and the qualitative behavior of heat transfer. However, the ability to predict boundary layer separated flows was not consistent.

Transitive inference in adults with autism spectrum disorders

PubMed Central

Solomon, Marjorie; Frank, Michael J.; Smith, Anne C.; Ly, Stanford; Carter, Cameron S.

2012-01-01

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) exhibit intact rote learning with impaired generalization. A transitive inference paradigm, involving training on four sequentially presented stimulus pairs containing overlapping items, with subsequent testing on two novel pairs, was used to investigate this pattern of learning in 27 young adults with ASDs and 31 matched neurotypical individuals (TYPs). On the basis of findings about memory and neuropathology, we hypothesized that individuals with ASDs would use a relational flexibility/conjunctive strategy reliant on an intact hippocampus, versus an associative strength/value transfer strategy requiring intact interactions between the prefrontal cortex and the striatum. Hypotheses were largely confirmed. ASDs demonstrated reduced interference from intervening pairs in early training; only TYPs formed a serial position curve by test; and ASDs exhibited impairments on the novel test pair consisting of end items with intact performance on the inner test pair. However, comparable serial position curves formed for both groups by the end of the first block. PMID:21656344

Synergistic effect of tungsten carbide and palladium on graphene for promoted ethanol electrooxidation.

PubMed

Yang, Jun; Xie, Ying; Wang, Ruihong; Jiang, Baojiang; Tian, Chungui; Mu, Guang; Yin, Jie; Wang, Bo; Fu, Honggang

2013-07-24

The synergistic effect of WC and Pd has large benefit for ethanol electrooxidation. The small-sized Pd nanoparticles (NPs) decorated tungsten carbide on graphene (Pd-WC/GN) will be a promising anode catalyst for the direct ethanol fuel cells. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the strong interaction exists at the interface between Pd and WC, which induces the electron transfer from WC to Pd. Fortunately, the nanoscale architecture of Pd-WC/GN has been successfully fabricated in our experiments. X-ray photoelectron spectrum further confirms the existence of electron transfer from WC to Pd in a Pd-WC/GN nanohybrid. Notably, electrochemical tests show that the Pd-WC/GN catalyst exhibits low onset potential, a large electrochemical surface area, high activity, and stability for ethanol electrooxidation in alkaline solution compared with Pd/graphene and Pd/commercial Vulcan 72R carbon catalysts. The enhancement can be attributed to the synergistic effect of Pd and WC on graphene. At the interface between Pd and WC, the electron transfer from WC to Pd leads to the increased electron densities of surface Pd, which is available for weakening adsorption of intermediate oxygen-containing species such as CO and activating catalyst. Meanwhile, the increased tungsten oxide induced by electron transfer can facilitate the effective removal of intermediate species adsorbed on the Pd surface through a bifunctional mechanism or hydrogen spillover effect.

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

Keren, Y.; Bemporad, G.A.; Rubin, H.

This paper concerns an experimental evaluation of the basic aspects of operation of the advanced solar pond (ASP). Experiments wee carried out in a laboratory test section in order to assess the feasibility of the density gradient maintenance in stratified flowing layers. The density stratification was caused by a non uniform distribution of temperatures in the flow field. Results of the experiments are reported and analyzed in the paper. Experimental data were used in order to calibrate the numerical model able to simulate heat and momentum transfer in the ASP. The numerical results confirmed the validity of the numerical modelmore » adopted, and proved the latter applicability for the simulation of the ASP performance.« less

Application of higher harmonic blade feathering for helicopter vibration reduction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Powers, R. W.

1978-01-01

Higher harmonic blade feathering for helicopter vibration reduction is considered. Recent wind tunnel tests confirmed the effectiveness of higher harmonic control in reducing articulated rotor vibratory hub loads. Several predictive analyses developed in support of the NASA program were shown to be capable of calculating single harmonic control inputs required to minimize a single 4P hub response. In addition, a multiple-input, multiple-output harmonic control predictive analysis was developed. All techniques developed thus far obtain a solution by extracting empirical transfer functions from sampled data. Algorithm data sampling and processing requirements are minimal to encourage adaptive control system application of such techniques in a flight environment.

Comprehensive heat transfer correlation for water/ethylene glycol-based graphene (nitrogen-doped graphene) nanofluids derived by artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savari, Maryam; Moghaddam, Amin Hedayati; Amiri, Ahmad; Shanbedi, Mehdi; Ayub, Mohamad Nizam Bin

2017-10-01

Herein, artificial neural network and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system are employed for modeling the effects of important parameters on heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics of a car radiator and followed by comparing with those of the experimental results for testing data. To this end, two novel nanofluids (water/ethylene glycol-based graphene and nitrogen-doped graphene nanofluids) were experimentally synthesized. Then, Nusselt number was modeled with respect to the variation of inlet temperature, Reynolds number, Prandtl number and concentration, which were defined as the input (design) variables. To reach reliable results, we divided these data into train and test sections to accomplish modeling. Artificial networks were instructed by a major part of experimental data. The other part of primary data which had been considered for testing the appropriateness of the models was entered into artificial network models. Finally, predictad results were compared to the experimental data to evaluate validity. Confronted with high-level of validity confirmed that the proposed modeling procedure by BPNN with one hidden layer and five neurons is efficient and it can be expanded for all water/ethylene glycol-based carbon nanostructures nanofluids. Finally, we expanded our data collection from model and could present a fundamental correlation for calculating Nusselt number of the water/ethylene glycol-based nanofluids including graphene or nitrogen-doped graphene.

Film Boiling Heat Transfer Properties of Liquid Hydrogen in Natural Convection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horie, Y.; Shirai, Y.; Shiotsu, M.; Matsuzawa, T.; Yoneda, K.; Shigeta, H.; Tatsumoto, H.; Hata, K.; Naruo, Y.; Kobayashi, H.; Inatani, Y.

Film boiling heat transfer properties of LH2 for various pressures and subcooling conditions were measured by applying electric current to give an exponential heat input to a PtCo wire with a diameter of 1.2 mm submerged in LH2. The heated wire was set to be horizontal to the ground. The heat transfer coefficient in the film boiling region was higher for higher pressure and higher subcooling. The experimental results are compared with the equation of pool film boiling heat transfer. It is confirmed that the pool film boiling heat transfer coefficients in LH2 can be expressed by this equation.

Resolution of concerted versus sequential mechanisms in photo-induced double-proton transfer reaction in 7-azaindole H-bonded dimer

PubMed Central

Catalán, Javier; del Valle, Juan Carlos; Kasha, Michael

1999-01-01

The experimental and theoretical bases for a synchronous or concerted double-proton transfer in centro-symmetric H-bonded electronically excited molecular dimers are presented. The prototype model is the 7-azaindole dimer. New research offers confirmation of a concerted mechanism for excited-state biprotonic transfer. Recent femtosecond photoionization and coulombic explosion techniques have given rise to time-of-flight MS observations suggesting sequential two-step biprotonic transfer for the same dimer. We interpret the overall species observed in the time-of-flight experiments as explicable without conflict with the concerted mechanism of proton transfer. PMID:10411876

Applications of aerospace technology in industry: A technology transfer profile, nondestructive testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The development of nondestructive testing procedures by NASA and the transfer of nondestructive testing to technology to civilian industry are discussed. The subjects presented are: (1) an overview of the nondestructive testing field, (2) NASA contributions to the field of nondestructive testing, (3) dissemination of NASA contributions, and (4) a transfer profile. Attachments are included which provide a brief description of common nondestructive testing methods and summarize the technology transfer reports involving NASA generated nondestructive testing technology.

Detection of Gene Flow from Sexual to Asexual Lineages in Thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

PubMed Central

Li, Xiao-Wei; Wang, Ping; Fail, Jozsef; Shelton, Anthony M.

2015-01-01

Populations of Thrips tabaci are known to have two sympatric but genetically isolated reproductive modes, arrhenotoky (sexual reproduction) and thelytoky (asexual reproduction). Herein, we report behavioral, ecological and genetic studies to determine whether there is gene flow between arrhenotokous and thelytokous T. tabaci. We did not detect significant preference by arrhenotokous males to mate with females of a particular reproductive mode, nor did we detect significant behavioral differences between arrhenotokous males mated with arrhenotokous or thelytokous females in their pre-copulation, copulation duration and mating frequency. Productive gene transfer resulting from the mating between the two modes was experimentally confirmed. Gene transfer from arrhenotokous T. tabaci to thelytokous T. tabaci was further validated by confirmation of the passage of the arrhenotokous male-originated nuclear gene (histone H3 gene) allele to the F2 generation. These behavioral, ecological and genetic studies confirmed gene transfer from the sexual arrhenotokous mode to the asexual thelytokous mode of T. tabaci in the laboratory. These results demonstrate that asexual T. tabaci populations may acquire genetic variability from sexual populations, which could offset the long-term disadvantage of asexual reproduction. PMID:26375283

A Conceptual Design Study on the Application of Liquid Metal Heat Transfer Technology to the Solar Thermal Power Plant

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zimmerman, W. F.; Robertson, C. S.; Ehde, C. L.; Divakaruni, S. M.; Stacy, L. E.

1979-01-01

Alkali metal heat transfer technology was used in the development of conceptual designs for the transport and storage of sensible and latent heat thermal energy in distributed concentrator, solar Stirling power conversion systems at a power level of 15 kWe per unit. Both liquid metal pumped loop and heat pipe thermal transport were considered; system configurations included: (1) an integrated, focal mounted sodium heat pipe solar receiver (HPSR) with latent heat thermal energy storage; (2) a liquid sodium pumped loop with the latent heat storage, Stirling engine-generator, pump and valves located on the back side of the concentrator; and (3) similar pumped loops serving several concentrators with more centralized power conversion and storage. The focus mounted HPSR was most efficient, lightest and lowest in estimated cost. Design confirmation testing indicated satisfactory performance at all angles of inclination of the primary heat pipes to be used in the solar receiver.

78 FR 17053 - Indirect Stock Transfers and the Coordination Rule Exceptions; Transfers of Stock or Securities...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-19

... IRS issued final regulations under section 367 (2009 final regulations) concerning gain recognition... without the recognition of a corresponding amount of gain or income inclusion. Notice 2008-10 announced... the revised regulations would confirm that to the extent the appropriate amount of built-in gain in...

Rapid Stencil Mask Fabrication Enabled One-Step Polymer-Free Graphene Patterning and Direct Transfer for Flexible Graphene Devices

PubMed Central

Yong, Keong; Ashraf, Ali; Kang, Pilgyu; Nam, SungWoo

2016-01-01

We report a one-step polymer-free approach to patterning graphene using a stencil mask and oxygen plasma reactive-ion etching, with a subsequent polymer-free direct transfer for flexible graphene devices. Our stencil mask is fabricated via a subtractive, laser cutting manufacturing technique, followed by lamination of stencil mask onto graphene grown on Cu foil for patterning. Subsequently, micro-sized graphene features of various shapes are patterned via reactive-ion etching. The integrity of our graphene after patterning is confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. We further demonstrate the rapid prototyping capability of a stretchable, crumpled graphene strain sensor and patterned graphene condensation channels for potential applications in sensing and heat transfer, respectively. We further demonstrate that the polymer-free approach for both patterning and transfer to flexible substrates allows the realization of cleaner graphene features as confirmed by water contact angle measurements. We believe that our new method promotes rapid, facile fabrication of cleaner graphene devices, and can be extended to other two dimensional materials in the future. PMID:27118249

An Online Scheduling Algorithm with Advance Reservation for Large-Scale Data Transfers

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

Balman, Mehmet; Kosar, Tevfik

Scientific applications and experimental facilities generate massive data sets that need to be transferred to remote collaborating sites for sharing, processing, and long term storage. In order to support increasingly data-intensive science, next generation research networks have been deployed to provide high-speed on-demand data access between collaborating institutions. In this paper, we present a practical model for online data scheduling in which data movement operations are scheduled in advance for end-to-end high performance transfers. In our model, data scheduler interacts with reservation managers and data transfer nodes in order to reserve available bandwidth to guarantee completion of jobs that aremore » accepted and confirmed to satisfy preferred time constraint given by the user. Our methodology improves current systems by allowing researchers and higher level meta-schedulers to use data placement as a service where theycan plan ahead and reserve the scheduler time in advance for their data movement operations. We have implemented our algorithm and examined possible techniques for incorporation into current reservation frameworks. Performance measurements confirm that the proposed algorithm is efficient and scalable.« less

Charge transfer complex of some nervous and brain drugs - Part 1: Synthesis, spectroscopic, analytical and biological studies on the reaction between haloperidol antipsychotic drugs with π-acceptors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Habeeb, Abeer A.; Al-Saif, Foziah A.; Refat, Moamen S.

2013-02-01

Donor-acceptor interactions between the electron donor haloperidol (HPL) and π-acceptors like 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) and picric acid (PA) have been studied spectrophotometrically in CH3OH solvent. The donor-acceptor (charge transfer complexes) were discussed in terms of formation constant (KCT), molar extinction coefficient (ɛCT), standard free energy (ΔGo), oscillator strength (ƒ), transition dipole moment (μ), resonance energy (RN) and ionization potential (ID). The stoichiometry of these complexes was found to be 1:1 M ratio and having the formulas [(HPL)(TCNQ)] and [(HPL)(PA)], respectively. The charge transfer interaction was successfully applied to determine of HPL drug using mentioned common π-acceptors also, the results obtained herein are satisfactory for estimation of HPL compound in the pharmaceutical form. The formed solid charge-transfer complexes were also isolated and characterized using elemental analysis, conductivity, (infrared, Raman, and 1H NMR) spectra and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The experimental data of elemental analyses are in agreement with calculated data. The infrared spectra of both HPL complexes are confirming the participation of sbnd OH of 4-hydroxy-1-piperidyl moiety in the donor-acceptor chelation. The morphological surface of the resulted charge transfer complexes were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques were performed to give knowledge about the thermal stability behavior of the synthesized charge transfer complexes. Thermodynamic parameters were computed from the thermal decomposition data. These complexes were also tested for their antimicrobial activity against six different microorganisms, and the results were compared with the parent drug.

Unintentional transfer of vaccinia virus associated with smallpox vaccines: ACAM2000(®) compared with Dryvax(®).

PubMed

Tack, Danielle M; Karem, Kevin L; Montgomery, Jay R; Collins, Limone; Bryant-Genevier, Marthe G; Tiernan, Rosemary; Cano, Maria; Lewis, Paige; Engler, Renata J M; Damon, Inger K; Reynolds, Mary G

2013-07-01

Routine vaccination against smallpox (variola) ceased in the US in 1976. However, in 2002 limited coverage for military personnel and some healthcare workers was reinstituted. In March 2008, ACAM2000® replaced Dryvax® as the vaccine used in the United States against smallpox. Unintentional transfer of vaccinia virus from a vaccination site by autoinoculation or contact transmission, can have significant public health implications. We summarize unintentional virus transfer AEs associated with ACAM2000® since March 2008 and compare with Dryvax®. We identified 309 reports for ACAM2000® with skin or ocular involvement, of which 93 were autoinoculation cases and 20 were contact transmission cases. The rate for reported cases of autoinoculation was 20.6 per 100,000 vaccinations and for contact transmission was 4.4 per 100,000 vaccinations. Eighteen contact transmission cases could be attributed to contact during a sporting activity (45%) or intimate contact (45%). Of the 113 unintentional transfer cases, 6 met the case definition for ocular vaccinia. The most common locations for all autoinoculation and contact cases were arm/elbow/shoulder (35/113; 31%) and face (24/113; 21%). Methods We reviewed 753 reports associated with smallpox in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System and CDC Poxvirus consultation log, reported from March 2008 to August 2010. Reports were classified into categories based upon standard case definitions. Overall, unintentional transfer events for ACAM2000® and Dryvax® are similar. We recommend continued efforts to prevent transfer events and continuing education for healthcare providers focused on recognition of vaccinia lesions, proper sample collection, and laboratory testing to confirm diagnosis.

Low-energy plasma immersion ion implantation to induce DNA transfer into bacterial E. coli

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sangwijit, K.; Yu, L. D.; Sarapirom, S.; Pitakrattananukool, S.; Anuntalabhochai, S.

2015-12-01

Plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) at low energy was for the first time applied as a novel biotechnology to induce DNA transfer into bacterial cells. Argon or nitrogen PIII at low bias voltages of 2.5, 5 and 10 kV and fluences ranging from 1 × 1012 to 1 × 1017 ions/cm2 treated cells of Escherichia coli (E. coli). Subsequently, DNA transfer was operated by mixing the PIII-treated cells with DNA. Successes in PIII-induced DNA transfer were demonstrated by marker gene expressions. The induction of DNA transfer was ion-energy, fluence and DNA-size dependent. The DNA transferred in the cells was confirmed functioning. Mechanisms of the PIII-induced DNA transfer were investigated and discussed in terms of the E. coli cell envelope anatomy. Compared with conventional ion-beam-induced DNA transfer, PIII-induced DNA transfer was simpler with lower cost but higher efficiency.

Endangered wolves cloned from adult somatic cells.

PubMed

Kim, Min Kyu; Jang, Goo; Oh, Hyun Ju; Yuda, Fibrianto; Kim, Hye Jin; Hwang, Woo Suk; Hossein, Mohammad Shamim; Kim, Joung Joo; Shin, Nam Shik; Kang, Sung Keun; Lee, Byeong Chun

2007-01-01

Over the world, canine species, including the gray wolf, have been gradually endangered or extinct. Many efforts have been made to recover and conserve these canids. The aim of this study was to produce the endangered gray wolf with somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) for conservation. Adult ear fibroblasts from a female gray wolf (Canis lupus) were isolated and cultured in vitro as donor cells. Because of limitations in obtaining gray wolf matured oocytes, in vivo matured canine oocytes obtained by flushing the oviducts from the isthmus to the infundibulum were used. After removing the cumulus cells, the oocyte was enucleated, microinjected, fused with a donor cell, and activated. The reconstructed cloned wolf embryos were transferred into the oviducts of the naturally synchronized surrogate mothers. Two pregnancies were detected by ultrasonography at 23 days of gestation in recipient dogs. In each surrogate dog, two fetal sacs were confirmed by early pregnancy diagnosis at 23 days, but only two cloned wolves were delivered. The first cloned wolf was delivered by cesarean section on October 18, 2005, 60 days after embryo transfer. The second cloned wolf was delivered on October 26, 2005, at 61 days postembryo transfer. Microsatellite analysis was performed with genomic DNA from the donor wolf, the two cloned wolves, and the two surrogate female recipients to confirm the genetic identity of the cloned wolves. Analysis of 19 microsatellite loci confirmed that the cloned wolves were genetically identical to the donor wolf. In conclusion, we demonstrated live birth of two cloned gray wolves by nuclear transfer of wolf somatic cells into enucleated canine oocyte, indicating that SCNT is a practical approach for conserving endangered canids.

Test results of the STI GPS time transfer receiver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, D. L.; Handlan, J.; Wheeler, P.

1983-01-01

Global time transfer, or synchronization, between a user clock and USNO UTC time can be performed using the Global Positioning System (GPS), and commercially available time transfer receivers. This paper presents the test results of time transfer using the GPS system and a Stanford Telecommunications, Inc. (STI) Time Transfer System (TTS) Model 502. Tests at the GPS Master Control Site (MCS) in Vandenburg, California and at the United States Naval Observatory (USNO) in Washington, D.C. are described. An overview of GPS, and the STI TTS 502 is presented. A discussion of the time transfer process and test concepts is included.

Study of GO-Cu2O and RGO-Cu nanocomposite monolayer sheets prepared by modified Langmuir Blodgett route

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Botcha, V. Divakar; Sutar, D. S.; Major, S. S.

2018-07-01

The modified Langmuir-Blodgett (MLB) technique has been improvised and extended to transfer GO-Cu2O nanocomposite monolayer sheets, by introducing Cu2+ ions into the subphase at room temperature. Morphological studies of as-transferred sheets revealed the presence of closely spaced GO monolayer sheets, with slightly enhanced roughness. XPS studies of as-transferred sheets confirmed the presence of copper, either as metallic Cu or Cu2O, along with significant Cu(OH)2 component, but TEM results confirmed the formation of Cu2O nanocrystallites of size (7 ± 2) nm, distributed uniformly over GO sheets. After heat treatment in vacuum at 400 °C, the nanocomposite sheets were covered with a uniform distribution of larger size nanoparticles. Based on Raman, XPS and TEM studies it has been confirmed that heat treatment at 400 °C in vacuum results in the formation of agglomerated Cu nanoparticles of size (23 ± 9) nm distributed uniformly over reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets. The electrical characterization of nanocomposite sheets on SiO2/Si in back-gated FET geometry revealed that the electrical conductivity of as-transferred GO-Cu2O sheets was similar to that usually observed for GO monolayer sheets. The RGO-Cu sheets also displayed electrical conductivity and field effect mobility values comparable to those reported for RGO sheets obtained by chemical/thermal reduction, and was unaffected by the presence of Cu nanoparticles.

Activation of Two Sequential H-transfers in the Thymidylate Synthase Catalyzed Reaction

PubMed Central

Islam, Zahidul; Strutzenberg, Timothy S.; Ghosh, Ananda K.; Kohen, Amnon

2015-01-01

Thymidylate synthase (TSase) catalyzes the de novo biosynthesis of thymidylate, a precursor for DNA, and is thus an important target for chemotherapeutics and antibiotics. Two sequential C-H bond cleavages catalyzed by TSase are of particular interest: a reversible proton abstraction from the 2′-deoxy-uridylate substrate, followed by an irreversible hydride transfer forming the thymidylate product. QM/MM calculations of the former predicted a mechanism where the abstraction of the proton leads to formation of a novel nucleotide-folate intermediate that is not covalently bound to the enzyme (Wang, Z.; Ferrer, S.; Moliner, V.; Kohen, A. Biochemistry 2013, 52, 2348–2358). Existence of such intermediate would hold promise as a target for a new class of drugs. Calculations of the subsequent hydride transfer predicted a concerted H-transfer and elimination of the enzymatic cysteine (Kanaan, N.; Ferrer, S.; Marti, S.; Garcia-Viloca, M.; Kohen, A.; Moliner, V. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133, 6692–6702). A key to both C-H activations is a highly conserved arginine (R166) that stabilizes the transition state of both H-transfers. Here we test these predictions by studying the R166 to lysine mutant of E. coli TSase (R166K) using intrinsic kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) and their temperature dependence to assess effects of the mutation on both chemical steps. The findings confirmed the predictions made by the QM/MM calculations, implicate R166 as an integral component of both reaction coordinates, and thus provide critical support to the nucleotide-folate intermediate as a new target for rational drug design. PMID:26576323

Titanium honeycomb acoustic lining structural and thermal test report. [for acoustic tailpipe for JT8D engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Joynes, D.; Balut, J. P.

1974-01-01

The results are presented of static, fatigue and thermal testing of titanium honeycomb acoustic panels representing the acoustic tailpipe for the Pratt and Whitney Aircraft JT8D Refan engine which is being studied for use on the Boeing 727-200 airplane. Test specimens represented the engine and tailpipe flange joints, the rail to which the thrust reverser is attached and shear specimens of the tailpipe honeycomb. Specimens were made in four different batches with variations in configuration, materials and processes in each. Static strength of all test specimens exceeded the design ultimate load requirements. Fatigue test results confirmed that aluminum brazed titanium, as used in the Refan tailpipe design, meets the fatigue durability objectives. Quality of welding was found to be critical to life, with substandard welding failing prematurely, whereas welding within the process specification exceeded the panel skin life. Initial fatigue testing used short grip length bolts which failed prematurely. These were replaced with longer bolts and subsequent testing demonstrated the required life. Thermal tests indicate that perforated skin acoustic honeycomb has approximately twice the heat transfer of solid skin honeycomb.

Toward Construct Validation of a Transfer Climate Instrument. [and] Improving Positive Transfer: A Test of Relapse Prevention Training on Transfer Outcomes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holton, Elwood F., III; And Others

1997-01-01

Includes "Toward Construct Validation of a Transfer Climate Instrument" (Holton et al.); "Improving Positive Transfer: A Test of Relapse Prevention Training on Transfer Outcomes" (Burke); "Invited Reaction: Progress or Relapse?" (Newstrom); "Invited Reaction: Theory, Research, and Practice" (Tang);…

12 CFR 208.34 - Recordkeeping and confirmation of certain securities transactions effected by State member banks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... reflect appropriate information and provide an adequate basis for an audit of the information. (b... when the bank transfers the security into the account of the customer; and (ii) For sale transactions, the time when the bank transfers the security out of the account of the customer or, if the security...

An Archival Research Comparing Learning Effectiveness and Training Transfer Perceptions between Classroom Technical Training and Synchronous Online Technical Training

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jordan, Charles L.

2016-01-01

Synchronous online training has become one of the preferred training modes for organizations. Despite organizations increasing their use of online training, there is still little data to confirm that synchronous online technical training is as effective as classroom technical training for training transfer. Although learning effectiveness between…

Integrating quantitative thinking into an introductory biology course improves students' mathematical reasoning in biological contexts.

PubMed

Hester, Susan; Buxner, Sanlyn; Elfring, Lisa; Nagy, Lisa

2014-01-01

Recent calls for improving undergraduate biology education have emphasized the importance of students learning to apply quantitative skills to biological problems. Motivated by students' apparent inability to transfer their existing quantitative skills to biological contexts, we designed and taught an introductory molecular and cell biology course in which we integrated application of prerequisite mathematical skills with biology content and reasoning throughout all aspects of the course. In this paper, we describe the principles of our course design and present illustrative examples of course materials integrating mathematics and biology. We also designed an outcome assessment made up of items testing students' understanding of biology concepts and their ability to apply mathematical skills in biological contexts and administered it as a pre/postcourse test to students in the experimental section and other sections of the same course. Precourse results confirmed students' inability to spontaneously transfer their prerequisite mathematics skills to biological problems. Pre/postcourse outcome assessment comparisons showed that, compared with students in other sections, students in the experimental section made greater gains on integrated math/biology items. They also made comparable gains on biology items, indicating that integrating quantitative skills into an introductory biology course does not have a deleterious effect on students' biology learning.

Binary pseudo-random patterned structures for modulation transfer function calibration and resolution characterization of a full-field transmission soft x-ray microscope

DOE PAGES

Yashchuk, V. V.; Fischer, P. J.; Chan, E. R.; ...

2015-12-09

We present a modulation transfer function (MTF) calibration method based on binary pseudo-random (BPR) one-dimensional sequences and two-dimensional arrays as an effective method for spectral characterization in the spatial frequency domain of a broad variety of metrology instrumentation, including interferometric microscopes, scatterometers, phase shifting Fizeau interferometers, scanning and transmission electron microscopes, and at this time, x-ray microscopes. The inherent power spectral density of BPR gratings and arrays, which has a deterministic white-noise-like character, allows a direct determination of the MTF with a uniform sensitivity over the entire spatial frequency range and field of view of an instrument. We demonstrate themore » MTF calibration and resolution characterization over the full field of a transmission soft x-ray microscope using a BPR multilayer (ML) test sample with 2.8 nm fundamental layer thickness. We show that beyond providing a direct measurement of the microscope's MTF, tests with the BPRML sample can be used to fine tune the instrument's focal distance. Finally, our results confirm the universality of the method that makes it applicable to a large variety of metrology instrumentation with spatial wavelength bandwidths from a few nanometers to hundreds of millimeters.« less

Integrating Quantitative Thinking into an Introductory Biology Course Improves Students’ Mathematical Reasoning in Biological Contexts

PubMed Central

Hester, Susan; Buxner, Sanlyn; Elfring, Lisa; Nagy, Lisa

2014-01-01

Recent calls for improving undergraduate biology education have emphasized the importance of students learning to apply quantitative skills to biological problems. Motivated by students’ apparent inability to transfer their existing quantitative skills to biological contexts, we designed and taught an introductory molecular and cell biology course in which we integrated application of prerequisite mathematical skills with biology content and reasoning throughout all aspects of the course. In this paper, we describe the principles of our course design and present illustrative examples of course materials integrating mathematics and biology. We also designed an outcome assessment made up of items testing students’ understanding of biology concepts and their ability to apply mathematical skills in biological contexts and administered it as a pre/postcourse test to students in the experimental section and other sections of the same course. Precourse results confirmed students’ inability to spontaneously transfer their prerequisite mathematics skills to biological problems. Pre/postcourse outcome assessment comparisons showed that, compared with students in other sections, students in the experimental section made greater gains on integrated math/biology items. They also made comparable gains on biology items, indicating that integrating quantitative skills into an introductory biology course does not have a deleterious effect on students’ biology learning. PMID:24591504

Measurement Of Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) Detector Characteristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Seongtae; Baldelomar, Edwin; Park, Kwangjune; Sosebee, Mark; White, Andy; Yu, Jaehoon

2011-06-01

The High Energy Physics group of the University of Texas at Arlington has been developing gas electron multiplier detectors to use them as sensitive gap detectors in digital hadron calorimeters for the International Linear Collider, a future high energy particle accelerator. For this purpose, we constructed numerous GEM detectors that employ double GEM layers. In this study, two kinds of prototype GEM detectors were tested; one with 28×28 cm2 active area double GEM structure with a 3 mm drift gap, a 1 mm transfer gap and a 1 mm induction gap and the other with two 3×3 cm2 GEM foils in the amplifier stage with a 5 mm drift gap, a 2 mm transfer gap and a 1 mm induction gap. The detectors' characteristics from exposure to high-energy charged particles and other radiations were measured using cosmic rays and 55Fe radioactive source. From the 55Fe tests, we observed two well separated characteristic X-ray emission peaks and confirmed the detectors' functionality. We also measured chamber gains to be over 6000 at a high voltage of 395 V across each GEM electrode. The responses to cosmic rays show the spectra that fit well to Landau distributions as expected from minimum ionizing particles.

Learning to inhibit the response during instrumental (operant) extinction

PubMed Central

Bouton, Mark E.; Trask, Sydney; Carranza-Jasso, Rodrigo

2016-01-01

Five experiments tested implications of the idea that instrumental (operant) extinction involves learning to inhibit the learned response. All experiments used a discriminated operant procedure in which rats were reinforced for lever pressing or chain pulling in the presence of a discriminative stimulus (S), but not in its absence. In Experiment 1, extinction of the response (R) in the presence of S weakened responding in S, but equivalent nonreinforced exposure to S (without the opportunity to make R) did not. Experiment 2 replicated that result and found that extinction of R had no effect on a different R that had also been reinforced in the stimulus. In Experiments 3 and 4, rats first learned to perform several different stimulus and response combinations (S1R1, S2R1, S3R2, and S4R2). Extinction of a response in one stimulus (i.e., S1R1) transferred and weakened the same response, but not a different response, when it was tested in another stimulus (i.e., S2R1 but not S3R2). In Experiment 5, extinction still transferred between S1 and S2 when the stimuli set the occasion for R's association with different types of food pellets. The results confirm the importance of response inhibition in instrumental extinction: Nonreinforcement of the response in S causes the most effective suppression of responding, and response suppression is specific to the response but transfers and influences performance of the same response when it is occasioned by other stimuli. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. PMID:27379715

Theory after experiment on sensing mechanism of a newly developed sensor molecule: Converging or diverging?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paul, Suvendu; Karar, Monaj; Das, Biswajit; Mallick, Arabinda; Majumdar, Tapas

2017-12-01

Fluoride ion sensing mechanism of 3,3‧-bis(indolyl)-4-chlorophenylmethane has been analyzed with density functional and time-dependent density functional theories. Extensive theoretical calculations on molecular geometry & energy, charge distribution, orbital energies & electronic distribution, minima on potential energy surface confirmed strong hydrogen bonded sensor-anion complex with incomplete proton transfer in S0. In S1, strong hydrogen bonding extended towards complete ESDPT. The distinct and single minima on the PES of the sensor-anion complex for both ground and first singlet excited states confirmed the concerted proton transfer mechanism. Present study well reproduced the experimental spectroscopic data and provided ESDPT as probable fluoride sensing mechanism.

Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction into Syngas Boosted by a Partially Delocalized Charge in Molybdenum Sulfide Selenide Alloy Monolayers.

PubMed

Xu, Jiaqi; Li, Xiaodong; Liu, Wei; Sun, Yongfu; Ju, Zhengyu; Yao, Tao; Wang, Chengming; Ju, Huanxin; Zhu, Junfa; Wei, Shiqiang; Xie, Yi

2017-07-24

Structural parameters of ternary transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) alloy usually obey Vegard law well, while interestingly it often exhibits boosted electrocatalytic performances relative to its two pristine binary TMDs. To unveil the underlying reasons, we propose an ideal model of ternary TMDs alloy monolayer. As a prototype, MoSeS alloy monolayers are successfully synthesized, in which X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy manifests their shortened Mo-S and lengthened Mo-Se bonds, helping to tailor the d-band electronic structure of Mo atoms. Density functional theory calculations illustrate an increased density of states near their conduction band edge, which ensures faster electron transfer confirmed by their lower work function and smaller charge-transfer resistance. Energy calculations show the off-center charge around Mo atoms not only benefits for stabilizing COOH* intermediate confirmed by its most negative formation energy, but also facilitates the rate-limiting CO desorption step verified by CO temperature programmed desorption and electro-stripping tests. As a result, MoSeS alloy monolayers attain the highest 45.2 % Faradaic efficiency for CO production, much larger than that of MoS 2 monolayers (16.6 %) and MoSe 2 monolayers (30.5 %) at -1.15 V vs. RHE. This work discloses how the partially delocalized charge in ternary TMDs alloys accelerates electrocatalytic performances at atomic level, opening new horizons for manipulating CO 2 electroreduction properties. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Enhanced MicroChannel Heat Transfer in Macro-Geometry using Conventional Fabrication Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ooi, KT; Goh, AL

2016-09-01

This paper presents studies on passive, single-phase, enhanced microchannel heat transfer in conventionally sized geometry. The intention is to allow economical, simple and readily available conventional fabrication techniques to be used for fabricating macro-scale heat exchangers with microchannel heat transfer capability. A concentric annular gap between a 20 mm diameter channel and an 19.4 mm diameter insert forms a microchannel where heat transfer occurs. Results show that the heat transfer coefficient of more than 50 kW/m·K can be obtained for Re≈4,000, at hydraulic diameter of 0.6 mm. The pressure drop values of the system are kept below 3.3 bars. The present study re-confirms the feasibility of fabricating macro-heat exchangers with microchannel heat transfer capability.

Comparison of two cash transfer strategies to prevent catastrophic costs for poor tuberculosis-affected households in low- and middle-income countries: An economic modelling study.

PubMed

Rudgard, William E; Evans, Carlton A; Sweeney, Sedona; Wingfield, Tom; Lönnroth, Knut; Barreira, Draurio; Boccia, Delia

2017-11-01

Illness-related costs for patients with tuberculosis (TB) ≥20% of pre-illness annual household income predict adverse treatment outcomes and have been termed "catastrophic." Social protection initiatives, including cash transfers, are endorsed to help prevent catastrophic costs. With this aim, cash transfers may either be provided to defray TB-related costs of households with a confirmed TB diagnosis (termed a "TB-specific" approach); or to increase income of households with high TB risk to strengthen their economic resilience (termed a "TB-sensitive" approach). The impact of cash transfers provided with each of these approaches might vary. We undertook an economic modelling study from the patient perspective to compare the potential of these 2 cash transfer approaches to prevent catastrophic costs. Model inputs for 7 low- and middle-income countries (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, Mexico, Tanzania, and Yemen) were retrieved by literature review and included countries' mean patient TB-related costs, mean household income, mean cash transfers, and estimated TB-specific and TB-sensitive target populations. Analyses were completed for drug-susceptible (DS) TB-related costs in all 7 out of 7 countries, and additionally for drug-resistant (DR) TB-related costs in 1 of the 7 countries with available data. All cost data were reported in 2013 international dollars ($). The target population for TB-specific cash transfers was poor households with a confirmed TB diagnosis, and for TB-sensitive cash transfers was poor households already targeted by countries' established poverty-reduction cash transfer programme. Cash transfers offered in countries, unrelated to TB, ranged from $217 to $1,091/year/household. Before cash transfers, DS TB-related costs were catastrophic in 6 out of 7 countries. If cash transfers were provided with a TB-specific approach, alone they would be insufficient to prevent DS TB catastrophic costs in 4 out of 6 countries, and when increased enough to prevent DS TB catastrophic costs would require a budget between $3.8 million (95% CI: $3.8 million-$3.8 million) and $75 million (95% CI: $50 million-$100 million) per country. If instead cash transfers were provided with a TB-sensitive approach, alone they would be insufficient to prevent DS TB-related catastrophic costs in any of the 6 countries, and when increased enough to prevent DS TB catastrophic costs would require a budget between $298 million (95% CI: $219 million-$378 million) and $165,367 million (95% CI: $134,085 million-$196,425 million) per country. DR TB-related costs were catastrophic before and after TB-specific or TB-sensitive cash transfers in 1 out of 1 countries. Sensitivity analyses showed our findings to be robust to imputation of missing TB-related cost components, and use of 10% or 30% instead of 20% as the threshold for measuring catastrophic costs. Key limitations were using national average data and not considering other health and social benefits of cash transfers. A TB-sensitive cash transfer approach to increase all poor households' income may have broad benefits by reducing poverty, but is unlikely to be as effective or affordable for preventing TB catastrophic costs as a TB-specific cash transfer approach to defray TB-related costs only in poor households with a confirmed TB diagnosis. Preventing DR TB-related catastrophic costs will require considerable additional investment whether a TB-sensitive or a TB-specific cash transfer approach is used.

Comparison of two cash transfer strategies to prevent catastrophic costs for poor tuberculosis-affected households in low- and middle-income countries: An economic modelling study

PubMed Central

Lönnroth, Knut; Boccia, Delia

2017-01-01

Background Illness-related costs for patients with tuberculosis (TB) ≥20% of pre-illness annual household income predict adverse treatment outcomes and have been termed “catastrophic.” Social protection initiatives, including cash transfers, are endorsed to help prevent catastrophic costs. With this aim, cash transfers may either be provided to defray TB-related costs of households with a confirmed TB diagnosis (termed a “TB-specific” approach); or to increase income of households with high TB risk to strengthen their economic resilience (termed a “TB-sensitive” approach). The impact of cash transfers provided with each of these approaches might vary. We undertook an economic modelling study from the patient perspective to compare the potential of these 2 cash transfer approaches to prevent catastrophic costs. Methods and findings Model inputs for 7 low- and middle-income countries (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, Mexico, Tanzania, and Yemen) were retrieved by literature review and included countries' mean patient TB-related costs, mean household income, mean cash transfers, and estimated TB-specific and TB-sensitive target populations. Analyses were completed for drug-susceptible (DS) TB-related costs in all 7 out of 7 countries, and additionally for drug-resistant (DR) TB-related costs in 1 of the 7 countries with available data. All cost data were reported in 2013 international dollars ($). The target population for TB-specific cash transfers was poor households with a confirmed TB diagnosis, and for TB-sensitive cash transfers was poor households already targeted by countries’ established poverty-reduction cash transfer programme. Cash transfers offered in countries, unrelated to TB, ranged from $217 to $1,091/year/household. Before cash transfers, DS TB-related costs were catastrophic in 6 out of 7 countries. If cash transfers were provided with a TB-specific approach, alone they would be insufficient to prevent DS TB catastrophic costs in 4 out of 6 countries, and when increased enough to prevent DS TB catastrophic costs would require a budget between $3.8 million (95% CI: $3.8 million–$3.8 million) and $75 million (95% CI: $50 million–$100 million) per country. If instead cash transfers were provided with a TB-sensitive approach, alone they would be insufficient to prevent DS TB-related catastrophic costs in any of the 6 countries, and when increased enough to prevent DS TB catastrophic costs would require a budget between $298 million (95% CI: $219 million–$378 million) and $165,367 million (95% CI: $134,085 million–$196,425 million) per country. DR TB-related costs were catastrophic before and after TB-specific or TB-sensitive cash transfers in 1 out of 1 countries. Sensitivity analyses showed our findings to be robust to imputation of missing TB-related cost components, and use of 10% or 30% instead of 20% as the threshold for measuring catastrophic costs. Key limitations were using national average data and not considering other health and social benefits of cash transfers. Conclusions A TB-sensitive cash transfer approach to increase all poor households’ income may have broad benefits by reducing poverty, but is unlikely to be as effective or affordable for preventing TB catastrophic costs as a TB-specific cash transfer approach to defray TB-related costs only in poor households with a confirmed TB diagnosis. Preventing DR TB-related catastrophic costs will require considerable additional investment whether a TB-sensitive or a TB-specific cash transfer approach is used. PMID:29112693

Gut microbiota can transfer fiber characteristics and lipid metabolic profiles of skeletal muscle from pigs to germ-free mice.

PubMed

Yan, Honglin; Diao, Hui; Xiao, Yi; Li, Wenxia; Yu, Bing; He, Jun; Yu, Jie; Zheng, Ping; Mao, Xiangbing; Luo, Yuheng; Zeng, Benhua; Wei, Hong; Chen, Daiwen

2016-08-22

Obesity causes changes in microbiota composition, and an altered gut microbiota can transfer obesity-associated phenotypes from donors to recipients. Obese Rongchang pigs (RP) exhibited distinct fiber characteristics and lipid metabolic profiles in their muscle compared with lean Yorkshire pigs (YP). However, whether RP have a different gut microbiota than YP and whether there is a relationship between the microbiota and muscle properties are poorly understood. The present study was conducted to test whether the muscle properties can be transferred from pigs to germ-free (GF) mice. High-throughput pyrosequencing confirms the presence of distinct core microbiota between pig breeds, with alterations in taxonomic distribution and modulations in β diversity. RP displayed a significant higher Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and apparent genera differences compared with YP. Transplanting the porcine microbiota into GF mice replicated the phenotypes of the donors. RP and their GF mouse recipients exhibited a higher body fat mass, a higher slow-contracting fiber proportion, a decreased fiber size and fast IIb fiber percentage, and enhanced lipogenesis in the gastrocnemius muscle. Furthermore, the gut microbiota composition of colonized mice shared high similarity with their donor pigs. Taken together, the gut microbiota of obese pigs intrinsically influences skeletal muscle development and the lipid metabolic profiles.

Gas dynamic design of the pipe line compressor with 90% efficiency. Model test approval

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galerkin, Y.; Rekstin, A.; Soldatova, K.

2015-08-01

Gas dynamic design of the pipe line compressor 32 MW was made for PAO SMPO (Sumy, Ukraine). The technical specification requires compressor efficiency of 90%. The customer offered favorable scheme - single-stage design with console impeller and axial inlet. The authors used the standard optimization methodology of 2D impellers. The original methodology of internal scroll profiling was used to minimize efficiency losses. Radically improved 5th version of the Universal modeling method computer programs was used for precise calculation of expected performances. The customer fulfilled model tests in a 1:2 scale. Tests confirmed the calculated parameters at the design point (maximum efficiency of 90%) and in the whole range of flow rates. As far as the authors know none of compressors have achieved such efficiency. The principles and methods of gas-dynamic design are presented below. The data of the 32 MW compressor presented by the customer in their report at the 16th International Compressor conference (September 2014, Saint- Petersburg) and later transferred to the authors.

Microsatellites for Oenothera gayleana and O. hartwegii subsp. filifolia (Onagraceae), and their utility in section Calylophus1

PubMed Central

Lewis, Emily M.; Fant, Jeremie B.; Moore, Michael J.; Hastings, Amy P.; Larson, Erica L.; Agrawal, Anurag A.; Skogen, Krissa A.

2016-01-01

Premise of the study: Eleven nuclear and four plastid microsatellite markers were screened for two gypsum endemic species, Oenothera gayleana and O. hartwegii subsp. filifolia, and tested for cross-amplification in the remaining 11 taxa within Oenothera sect. Calylophus (Onagraceae). Methods and Results: Microsatellite markers were tested in two to three populations spanning the ranges of both O. gayleana and O. hartwegii subsp. filifolia. The nuclear microsatellite loci consisted of both di- and trinucleotide repeats with one to 17 alleles per population. Several loci showed significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, which may be evidence of chromosomal rings. The plastid microsatellite markers identified one to seven haplotypes per population. The transferability of these markers was confirmed in all 11 taxa within Oenothera sect. Calylophus. Conclusions: The microsatellite loci characterized here are the first developed and tested in Oenothera sect. Calylophus. These markers will be used to assess whether pollinator foraging distance influences population genetic parameters in predictable ways. PMID:26949578

Fully Implantable Deep Brain Stimulation System with Wireless Power Transmission for Long-term Use in Rodent Models of Parkinson's Disease.

PubMed

Heo, Man Seung; Moon, Hyun Seok; Kim, Hee Chan; Park, Hyung Woo; Lim, Young Hoon; Paek, Sun Ha

2015-03-01

The purpose of this study to develop new deep-brain stimulation system for long-term use in animals, in order to develop a variety of neural prostheses. Our system has two distinguished features, which are the fully implanted system having wearable wireless power transfer and ability to change the parameter of stimulus parameter. It is useful for obtaining a variety of data from a long-term experiment. To validate our system, we performed pre-clinical test in Parkinson's disease-rat models for 4 weeks. Through the in vivo test, we observed the possibility of not only long-term implantation and stability, but also free movement of animals. We confirmed that the electrical stimulation neither caused any side effect nor damaged the electrodes. We proved possibility of our system to conduct the long-term pre-clinical test in variety of parameter, which is available for development of neural prostheses.

The status of assisted reproductive technology in Korea in 2012.

PubMed

Lee, Gyoung Hoon; Song, Hyun Jin; Choi, Young Min; Han, Hyuck Dong

2017-03-01

This study was designed to report the status of assisted reproductive technology (ART) therapy in South Korea between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012. A localized online survey, originally developed by the International Committee Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies, was first launched and provided to all available ART centers via email in 2015. Fresh embryo transfer (FET) cases were categorized as standard in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), or half-ICSI. Thawed embryo transfer (TET) and other related procedures, including surgical sperm retrieval, were surveyed. Data from 33,956 ovum pick-up procedures were provided by 75 clinics in 2012. Of the 33,088 cycles in which ovums were retrieved, a complete transfer was performed in 90.5% (29,932 cycles). In addition, 10,079 FET cycles were confirmed to have resulted in clinical pregnancy, representing a pregnancy rate of 30.5% per ovum pick-up and 33.7% per ET. The most common number of embryos transferred in FET was 2 (41.6%), followed by 3 (34.0%), and non-elective single ETs (10.0%). Of the 10,404 TET cycles in which transfer was completed, 3,760 clinical pregnancies (36.1%) were confirmed by ultrasonography. The overall clinical pregnancy rate for FET and TET cycles in 2012 was higher than in 2011 (33.7% vs. 33.2% and 36.1% vs. 31.1%, respectively). The most common number of embryos transferred in FET cycles was 2, unlike in 2011.

The status of assisted reproductive technology in Korea in 2012

PubMed Central

Lee, Gyoung Hoon; Song, Hyun Jin; Han, Hyuck Dong

2017-01-01

Objective This study was designed to report the status of assisted reproductive technology (ART) therapy in South Korea between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012. Methods A localized online survey, originally developed by the International Committee Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies, was first launched and provided to all available ART centers via email in 2015. Fresh embryo transfer (FET) cases were categorized as standard in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), or half-ICSI. Thawed embryo transfer (TET) and other related procedures, including surgical sperm retrieval, were surveyed. Results Data from 33,956 ovum pick-up procedures were provided by 75 clinics in 2012. Of the 33,088 cycles in which ovums were retrieved, a complete transfer was performed in 90.5% (29,932 cycles). In addition, 10,079 FET cycles were confirmed to have resulted in clinical pregnancy, representing a pregnancy rate of 30.5% per ovum pick-up and 33.7% per ET. The most common number of embryos transferred in FET was 2 (41.6%), followed by 3 (34.0%), and non-elective single ETs (10.0%). Of the 10,404 TET cycles in which transfer was completed, 3,760 clinical pregnancies (36.1%) were confirmed by ultrasonography. Conclusion The overall clinical pregnancy rate for FET and TET cycles in 2012 was higher than in 2011 (33.7% vs. 33.2% and 36.1% vs. 31.1%, respectively). The most common number of embryos transferred in FET cycles was 2, unlike in 2011. PMID:28428944

A quantum chemical study of the mechanism for proton-coupled electron transfer leading to proton pumping in cytochrome c oxidase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blomberg, Margareta R. A.; Siegbahn, Per E. M.

2010-10-01

The proton pumping mechanism in cytochrome c oxidase, the terminal enzyme in the respiratory chain, has been investigated using hybrid DFT with large chemical models. In previous studies, a gating mechanism was suggested based on electrostatic interpretations of kinetic experiments. The predictions from that analysis are tested here. The main result is that the suggestion of a positively charged transition state for proton transfer is confirmed, while some other suggestions for the gating are not supported. It is shown that a few critical relative energy values from the earlier studies are reproduced with quite high accuracy using the present model calculations. Examples are the forward barrier for proton transfer from the N-side of the membrane to the pump-loading site when the heme a cofactor is reduced, and the corresponding back leakage barrier when heme a is oxidised. An interesting new finding is an unexpected double-well potential for proton transfer from the N-side to the pump-loading site. In the intermediate between the two transition states found, the proton is bound to PropD on heme a. A possible purpose of this type of potential surface is suggested here. The accuracy of the present values are discussed in terms of their sensitivity to the choice of dielectric constant. Only one energy value, which is not critical for the present mechanism, varies significantly with this choice and is therefore less certain.

Does test-enhanced learning transfer for triple associates?

PubMed

Pan, Steven C; Wong, Carol M; Potter, Zachary E; Mejia, Jonathan; Rickard, Timothy C

2016-01-01

Test-enhanced learning and transfer for triple-associate word stimuli was assessed in three experiments. In each experiment, training and final-test trials involved the presentation of two words per triple associate (triplet), with the third word having to be retrieved. In agreement with the prior literature on different stimuli, training through testing with feedback yielded markedly better final-test performance than did restudy. However, in contrast to the positive transfer reported for paired associate stimuli, minimal or no positive transfer was observed, relative to a restudy control, from a trained cue combination (e.g., A, B, ?) to other cue combinations from the same triplet that required a different response (e.g., B, C, ?). That result also held when two unique cue combinations per triplet were tested during training, and for triplets with low and high average associative strengths. Supplementary analyses provided insight into the overall transfer effect: An incorrect response during training appears to yield positive transfer relative to restudy, whereas a correct response appears to yield no, or even negative, transfer. Cross-experiment analyses indicated that test-enhanced learning is not diminished when two or three cue combinations are presented during training. Thus, even though learning through testing is highly specific, testing on all possible stimulus-response combinations remains the most efficient strategy for the learning of triple associates.

Information transfer in auditoria and room-acoustical quality.

PubMed

Summers, Jason E

2013-04-01

It is hypothesized that room-acoustical quality correlates with the information-transfer rate. Auditoria are considered as multiple-input multiple-output communication channels and a theory of information-transfer is outlined that accounts for time-variant multipath, spatial hearing, and distributed directional sources. Source diversity and spatial hearing are shown to be the mechanisms through which multipath increases the information-transfer rate by overcoming finite spatial resolution. In addition to predictions that are confirmed by recent and historical findings, the theory provides explanations for the influence of factors such as musical repertoire and ensemble size on subjective preference and the influence of multisource, multichannel auralization on perceived realism.

Use of magnetic nanoparticles to enhance bioethanol production in syngas fermentation.

PubMed

Kim, Young-Kee; Lee, Haryeong

2016-03-01

The effect of two types of nanoparticles on the enhancement of bioethanol production in syngas fermentation by Clostridium ljungdahlii was examined. Methyl-functionalized silica and methyl-functionalized cobalt ferrite-silica (CoFe2O4@SiO2-CH3) nanoparticles were used to improve syngas-water mass transfer. Of these, CoFe2O4@SiO2-CH3 nanoparticles showed better enhancement of syngas mass transfer. The nanoparticles were recovered using a magnet and reused five times to evaluate reusability, and it was confirmed that their capability for mass transfer enhancement was maintained. Both types of nanoparticles were applied to syngas fermentation, and production of biomass, ethanol, and acetic acid was enhanced. CoFe2O4@SiO2-CH3 nanoparticles were more efficient for the productivity of syngas fermentation due to improved syngas mass transfer. The biomass, ethanol, and acetic acid production compared to a control were increased by 227.6%, 213.5%, and 59.6%, respectively by addition of CoFe2O4@SiO2-CH3 nanoparticles. The reusability of the nanoparticles was confirmed by reuse of recovered nanoparticles for fermentation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A novel investigation of heat transfer characteristics in rifled tubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jegan, C. Dhayananth; Azhagesan, N.

2018-05-01

The experimental investigation of heat transfer of water flowing in a rifled tube was explored at different pressures and at various operating conditions in a rifled tube heat exchanger. The specifications for the inner and outer diameters of the inner tube are 25.8 and 50.6 mm, respectively. The working fluids used in shell side and tube side are cold and hot water. The rifled tube was made of the stainless steel with 4 ribs, 50.6 mm outer diameter, 0.775 mm rib height, 58o helix angle and the length 1500 mm. The effect of pressure, wall heat flux and friction factor were discussed. The results confirm that even at low pressures the rifled tubes has an obvious enhancement in heat transfer compared with smooth tube. Results depicts that the Nusselt number increases with Reynolds number and the friction factor decreases with increase in Reynolds number and the heat transfer rate is higher for the rifled tube when compared to smooth tube, because of strong swirl flow due to centrifugal action. It also confirms that, the friction factor obtained from the rifled tube is significantly higher than that of smooth tube.

Volume-energy parameters for heat transfer to supercritical fluids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kumakawa, A.; Niino, M.; Hendricks, R. C.; Giarratano, P. J.; Arp, V. D.

1986-01-01

Reduced Nusselt numbers of supercritical fluids from different sources were grouped by several volume-energy parameters. A modified bulk expansion parameter was introduced based on a comparative analysis of data scatter. Heat transfer experiments on liquefied methane were conducted under near-critical conditions in order to confirm the usefulness of the parameters. It was experimentally revealed that heat transfer characteristics of near-critical methane are similar to those of hydrogen. It was shown that the modified bulk expansion parameter and the Gibbs-energy parameter grouped the heat transfer data of hydrogen, oxygen and methane including the present data on near-critical methane. It was also indicated that the effects of surface roughness on heat transfer were very important in grouping the data of high Reynolds numbers.

Conceptual design for spacelab pool boiling experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lienhard, J. H.; Peck, R. E.

1978-01-01

A pool boiling heat transfer experiment to be incorporated with a larger two-phase flow experiment on Spacelab was designed to confirm (or alter) the results of earth-normal gravity experiments which indicate that the hydrodynamic peak and minimum pool boiling heat fluxes vanish at very low gravity. Twelve small sealed test cells containing water, methanol or Freon 113 and cylindrical heaters of various sizes are to be built. Each cell will be subjected to one or more 45 sec tests in which the surface heat flux on the heaters is increased linearly until the surface temperature reaches a limiting value of 500 C. The entire boiling process will be photographed in slow-motion. Boiling curves will be constructed from thermocouple and electric input data, for comparison with the motion picture records. The conduct of the experiment will require no more than a few hours of operator time.

Photoluminescence and energy transfer process in Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Eu{sup 3+}, Tb{sup 3+}

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

Selvalakshmi, T.; Bose, A. Chandra, E-mail: acbose@nitt.edu

2016-05-23

Variation in photoluminescence (PL) properties of Eu{sup 3+} and Tb{sup 3+} as a function of co-dopant (Tb{sup 3+}) concentration are studied for Gd{sub 2-x-y}O{sub 3}: Eu{sup 3+}{sub x} Tb{sup 3+}{sub y} (x = 0.02, y = 0.01, 0.03, 0.05). The crystal structure analysis is carried out by X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Absence of addition peaks corresponding europium or terbium phase confirms the phase purity. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) reveals the absorption peaks corresponding to host matrix, Eu{sup 3+} and Tb{sup 3+}. The bandgap calculated from Kubelka – Munk function is also reported. PL spectra are recorded at the excitation wavelength ofmore » 307 nm and the emission peak corresponding to Eu{sup 3+} confirms the energy transfer from Tb{sup 3+} to Eu{sup 3+}. The agglomeration of particles acts as quenching centres for energy transfer at higher concentrations.« less

Transferring learning from faculty development to the classroom.

PubMed

Rock, Kim Z

2014-12-01

This study’s purpose was to better understand the transfer of learning by uncovering how various factors supported the integration of health information technology knowledge and skills gleaned from the Health Resources and Services Administration–funded faculty development programs into nursing education curricula. Through interviews with 20 participants from four programs, this study confirmed the importance of findings related to faculty, program, and work environment characteristics for supporting successful transfer of learning and substantiates a variety of other transfer-of-learning research. New or seldom discussed supportive individual characteristics were found, including leadership abilities, lifelong learning, ability to recognize limitations, persistence, creativity, and risk taking. The importance of networking, diversity of perspectives, postconference support, and teams in program designs were found to positively influence transfer. The variety of supportive factors and barriers in the participants’ work environments strengthens the assertions that transfer may be context dependent. Findings provided insight for recommendations to improve learning transfer. Copyright 2014, SLACK Incorporated.

Food Antioxidants: Chemical Insights at the Molecular Level.

PubMed

Galano, Annia; Mazzone, Gloria; Alvarez-Diduk, Ruslán; Marino, Tiziana; Alvarez-Idaboy, J Raúl; Russo, Nino

2016-01-01

In this review, we briefly summarize the reliability of the density functional theory (DFT)-based methods to accurately predict the main antioxidant properties and the reaction mechanisms involved in the free radical-scavenging reactions of chemical compounds present in food. The analyzed properties are the bond dissociation energies, in particular those involving OH bonds, electron transfer enthalpies, adiabatic ionization potentials, and proton affinities. The reaction mechanisms are hydrogen-atom transfer, proton-coupled electron transfer, radical adduct formation, single electron transfer, sequential electron proton transfer, proton-loss electron transfer, and proton-loss hydrogen-atom transfer. Furthermore, the chelating ability of these compounds and its role in decreasing or inhibiting the oxidative stress induced by Fe(III) and Cu(II) are considered. Comparisons between theoretical and experimental data confirm that modern theoretical tools are not only able to explain controversial experimental facts but also to predict chemical behavior.

High frequency, high power capacitor development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White, C. W.; Hoffman, P. S.

1983-03-01

A program to develop a special high energy density, high power transfer capacitor to operate at frequency of 40 kHz, 600 V rms at 125 A rms plus 600 V dc bias for space operation. The program included material evaluation and selection, a capacitor design was prepared, a thermal analysis performed on the design. Fifty capacitors were manufactured for testing at 10 kHz and 40 kHz for 50 hours at Industrial Electric Heating Co. of Columbus, Ohio. The vacuum endurance test used on environmental chamber and temperature plate furnished by Maxwell. The capacitors were energized with a special power conditioning apparatus developed by Industrial Electric Heating Co. Temperature conditions of the capacitors were monitored by IEHCo test equipment. Successful completion of the vacuum endurance test series confirmed achievement of the main goal of producing a capacitor or reliable operation at high frequency in an environment normally not hospitable to electrical and electronic components. The capacitor developed compared to a typical commercial capacitor at the 40 kHz level represents a decrease in size and weight by a factor of seven.

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

Yashchuk, V.V.; Takacs, P.; Anderson, E.H.

A modulation transfer function (MTF) calibration method based on binary pseudorandom (BPR) gratings and arrays has been proven to be an effective MTF calibration method for interferometric microscopes and a scatterometer. Here we report on a further expansion of the application range of the method. We describe the MTF calibration of a 6 in. phase shifting Fizeau interferometer. Beyond providing a direct measurement of the interferometer's MTF, tests with a BPR array surface have revealed an asymmetry in the instrument's data processing algorithm that fundamentally limits its bandwidth. Moreover, the tests have illustrated the effects of the instrument's detrending andmore » filtering procedures on power spectral density measurements. The details of the development of a BPR test sample suitable for calibration of scanning and transmission electron microscopes are also presented. Such a test sample is realized as a multilayer structure with the layer thicknesses of two materials corresponding to the BPR sequence. The investigations confirm the universal character of the method that makes it applicable to a large variety of metrology instrumentation with spatial wavelength bandwidths from a few nanometers to hundreds of millimeters.« less

High frequency, high power capacitor development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

White, C. W.; Hoffman, P. S.

1983-01-01

A program to develop a special high energy density, high power transfer capacitor to operate at frequency of 40 kHz, 600 V rms at 125 A rms plus 600 V dc bias for space operation. The program included material evaluation and selection, a capacitor design was prepared, a thermal analysis performed on the design. Fifty capacitors were manufactured for testing at 10 kHz and 40 kHz for 50 hours at Industrial Electric Heating Co. of Columbus, Ohio. The vacuum endurance test used on environmental chamber and temperature plate furnished by Maxwell. The capacitors were energized with a special power conditioning apparatus developed by Industrial Electric Heating Co. Temperature conditions of the capacitors were monitored by IEHCo test equipment. Successful completion of the vacuum endurance test series confirmed achievement of the main goal of producing a capacitor or reliable operation at high frequency in an environment normally not hospitable to electrical and electronic components. The capacitor developed compared to a typical commercial capacitor at the 40 kHz level represents a decrease in size and weight by a factor of seven.

Study of toluene rotary fluid management device and shear flow condenser performance for a space-based organic Rankine power system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Havens, Vance; Ragaller, Dana

1988-01-01

Management of two-phase fluid and control of the heat transfer process in microgravity is a technical challenge that must be addressed for an orbital Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) application. A test program was performed in 1-g that satisfactorily demonstrated the two-phase management capability of the rotating fluid management device (RFMD) and shear-flow condenser. Operational tests of the RFMD and shear flow condenser in adverse gravity orientations, confirmed that the centrifugal forces in the RFMD and the shear forces in the condenser were capable of overcoming gravity forces. In a microgravity environment, these same forces would not have to compete against gravity and would therefore be dominant. The specific test program covered the required operating range of the Space Station Solar Dynamic Rankine Cycle power system. Review of the test data verified that: fluid was pumped from the RFMD in all attitudes; subcooled states in the condenser were achieved; condensate was pushed uphill against gravity; and noncondensible gases were swept through the condenser.

Screening fungicides for use in fish culture: Evaluation of the agar plug transfer, cellophane transfer, and agar dilution methods

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bailey, Tom A.

1983-01-01

The reliability, reproducibility, and usefulness of three screening methods -- the cellophane transfer, the agar plug transfer, and the agar dilution -- to screen aquatic fungicides were evaluated. Achlya flagellata and Saprolegnia hypogyna were exposed to 1, 10, and 100 mg/L of malachite green to test each method. The cellophane transfer and agar plug transfer techniques had similar reliability and reproducibility in rating fungicidal activity, and were both superior to the agar dilution technique. The agar plug transfer and agar dilution techniques adequately projected in vivo activity of malachite green, but the cellophane transfer technique overestimated its activity. Overall, the agar plug transfer technique most accurately rated the activity of malachite green and was the easiest test to perform. It therefore appears to be the method of choice for testing aquatic fungicides.

Automated Dissolution for Enteric-Coated Aspirin Tablets: A Case Study for Method Transfer to a RoboDis II.

PubMed

Ibrahim, Sarah A; Martini, Luigi

2014-08-01

Dissolution method transfer is a complicated yet common process in the pharmaceutical industry. With increased pharmaceutical product manufacturing and dissolution acceptance requirements, dissolution testing has become one of the most labor-intensive quality control testing methods. There is an increased trend for automation in dissolution testing, particularly for large pharmaceutical companies to reduce variability and increase personnel efficiency. There is no official guideline for dissolution testing method transfer from a manual, semi-automated, to automated dissolution tester. In this study, a manual multipoint dissolution testing procedure for an enteric-coated aspirin tablet was transferred effectively and reproducibly to a fully automated dissolution testing device, RoboDis II. Enteric-coated aspirin samples were used as a model formulation to assess the feasibility and accuracy of media pH change during continuous automated dissolution testing. Several RoboDis II parameters were evaluated to ensure the integrity and equivalency of dissolution method transfer from a manual dissolution tester. This current study provides a systematic outline for the transfer of the manual dissolution testing protocol to an automated dissolution tester. This study further supports that automated dissolution testers compliant with regulatory requirements and similar to manual dissolution testers facilitate method transfer. © 2014 Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening.

LUT observations of the mass-transferring binary AI Dra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, Wenping; Qian, Shengbang; Li, Linjia; Zhou, Xiao; Zhao, Ergang; Liu, Nianping

2016-06-01

Complete UV band light curve of the eclipsing binary AI Dra was observed with the Lunar-based Ultraviolet Telescope (LUT) in October 2014. It is very useful to adopt this continuous and uninterrupted light curve to determine physical and orbital parameters of the binary system. Photometric solutions of the spot model are obtained by using the W-D (Wilson and Devinney) method. It is confirmed that AI Dra is a semi-detached binary with secondary component filling its critical Roche lobe, which indicates that a mass transfer from the secondary component to the primary one should happen. Orbital period analysis based on all available eclipse times suggests a secular period increase and two cyclic variations. The secular period increase was interpreted by mass transfer from the secondary component to the primary one at a rate of 4.12 ×10^{-8}M_{⊙}/yr, which is in agreement with the photometric solutions. Two cyclic oscillations were due to light travel-time effect (LTTE) via the presence of two cool stellar companions in a near 2:1 mean-motion resonance. Both photometric solutions and orbital period analysis confirm that AI Dra is a mass-transferring binary, the massive primary is filling 69 % of its critical Roche lobe. After the primary evolves to fill the critical Roche lobe, the mass transfer will be reversed and the binary will evolve into a contact configuration.

33 CFR 150.405 - How must a cargo transfer system be tested and inspected?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false How must a cargo transfer system..., DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) DEEPWATER PORTS DEEPWATER PORTS: OPERATIONS Cargo Transfer Operations § 150.405 How must a cargo transfer system be tested and inspected? (a) No person may transfer oil...

33 CFR 150.405 - How must a cargo transfer system be tested and inspected?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false How must a cargo transfer system..., DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) DEEPWATER PORTS DEEPWATER PORTS: OPERATIONS Cargo Transfer Operations § 150.405 How must a cargo transfer system be tested and inspected? (a) No person may transfer oil...

33 CFR 150.405 - How must a cargo transfer system be tested and inspected?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false How must a cargo transfer system..., DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) DEEPWATER PORTS DEEPWATER PORTS: OPERATIONS Cargo Transfer Operations § 150.405 How must a cargo transfer system be tested and inspected? (a) No person may transfer oil...

Transfer coefficients in ultracold strongly coupled plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bobrov, A. A.; Vorob'ev, V. S.; Zelener, B. V.

2018-03-01

We use both analytical and molecular dynamic methods for electron transfer coefficients in an ultracold plasma when its temperature is small and the coupling parameter characterizing the interaction of electrons and ions exceeds unity. For these conditions, we use the approach of nearest neighbor to determine the average electron (ion) diffusion coefficient and to calculate other electron transfer coefficients (viscosity and electrical and thermal conductivities). Molecular dynamics simulations produce electronic and ionic diffusion coefficients, confirming the reliability of these results. The results compare favorably with experimental and numerical data from earlier studies.

Stable radio frequency transfer in 114 km urban optical fiber link.

PubMed

Kumagai, Motohiro; Fujieda, Miho; Nagano, Shigeo; Hosokawa, Mizuhiko

2009-10-01

An rf dissemination system using an optical fiber link has been developed. The phase noise induced during optical fiber transmission has been successfully cancelled using what we believe to be a novel fiber-noise compensation system with a combination of electrical and optical compensations. We have performed rf transfer in a 114 km urban telecom fiber link in Tokyo with a transfer stability of 10(-18) level at an averaging time of 1 day. Additionally, a high degree of continuous operation robustness has been confirmed.

Good reliability and validity for a new utility instrument measuring the birth experience, the Labor and Delivery Index.

PubMed

Gärtner, Fania R; de Miranda, Esteriek; Rijnders, Marlies E; Freeman, Liv M; Middeldorp, Johanna M; Bloemenkamp, Kitty W M; Stiggelbout, Anne M; van den Akker-van Marle, M Elske

2015-10-01

To validate the Labor and Delivery Index (LADY-X), a new delivery-specific utility measure. In a test-retest design, women were surveyed online, 6 to 8 weeks postpartum and again 1 to 2 weeks later. For reliability testing, we assessed the standard error of measurement (S.E.M.) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). For construct validity, we tested hypotheses on the association with comparison instruments (Mackey Childbirth Satisfaction Rating Scale and Wijma Delivery Experience Questionnaire), both on domain and total score levels. We assessed known-group differences using eight obstetrical indicators: method and place of birth, induction, transfer, control over pain medication, complications concerning mother and child, and experienced control. The questionnaire was completed by 308 women, 257 (83%) completed the retest. The distribution of LADY-X scores was skewed. The reliability was good, as the ICC exceeded 0.80 and the S.E.M. was 0.76. Requirements for good construct validity were fulfilled: all hypotheses for convergent and divergent validity were confirmed, and six of eight hypotheses for known-group differences were confirmed as all differences were statistically significant (P-values: <0.001-0.023), but for two tests, difference scores did not exceed the S.E.M. The LADY-X demonstrates good reliability and construct validity. Despite its skewed distribution, the LADY-X can discriminate between groups. With the preference weights available, the LADY-X might fulfill the need for a utility measure for cost-effectiveness studies for perinatal care interventions. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cloning of Macaque Monkeys by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer.

PubMed

Liu, Zhen; Cai, Yijun; Wang, Yan; Nie, Yanhong; Zhang, Chenchen; Xu, Yuting; Zhang, Xiaotong; Lu, Yong; Wang, Zhanyang; Poo, Muming; Sun, Qiang

2018-02-08

Generation of genetically uniform non-human primates may help to establish animal models for primate biology and biomedical research. In this study, we have successfully cloned cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). We found that injection of H3K9me3 demethylase Kdm4d mRNA and treatment with histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A at one-cell stage following SCNT greatly improved blastocyst development and pregnancy rate of transplanted SCNT embryos in surrogate monkeys. For SCNT using fetal monkey fibroblasts, 6 pregnancies were confirmed in 21 surrogates and yielded 2 healthy babies. For SCNT using adult monkey cumulus cells, 22 pregnancies were confirmed in 42 surrogates and yielded 2 babies that were short-lived. In both cases, genetic analyses confirmed that the nuclear DNA and mitochondria DNA of the monkey offspring originated from the nucleus donor cell and the oocyte donor monkey, respectively. Thus, cloning macaque monkeys by SCNT is feasible using fetal fibroblasts. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Transfert de nickel, de cuivre et de zinc lors de la manipulation de pièces de monnaie : le cas du dirham marocain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fournier, Paul-Guy; Nourtier, Alain; Monkade, Mohammed; Berrada, Khalid; Boughaleb, Hichame; Outzourhit, Abdelkader; Pichon, Rémy; Haut, Christian; Govers, Thomas

2006-03-01

When the euro was introduced, the fact that some coins contain nickel, which is known to be an allergen, gave rise to controversy. More generally, this raises the question of metal transfer from coins to skin. Morocco has used for decades one-dirham coins made of pure or alloyed nickel. Studying their wear, the labile metal on their surface and the transfer to fingers in handling may therefore be especially instructive. Weighing statistics for a sample of 401 coins confirm that cupronickel coins wear out more quickly than pure nickel coins and reveal that the dirham suffers a much stronger wear than other currencies for which wear statistics are available. SEM studies supplemented by ICP quantitative analyses show that the labile metal is mainly made up of chips, even after many handlings. These chips are often cupronickel, even on pure nickel coins, which shows that they are produced by the friction of coins against one another. Secondly, the surface of coins presents sweat residue with an important proportion of copper and a little nickel, which confirms that sweat dissolves surface copper. Depending on the alloy and date, coins have between 20 and 140 μg of labile copper and nickel, with a content of one quarter of nickel on cupronickel coins and about one half on pure nickel coins. The most worn cupronickel coins are the coins that present the largest amount of labile metal, and even labile nickel. In our experiments, the metal transfer to fingers when a cupronickel coin is handled for the first time represents between 4 and 9% of the labile metal and 0.05% of the annual wear. A simple and reliable test of nickel contamination consists in measuring the labile nickel. To cite this article: P.-G. Fournier et al., C. R. Physique 7 (2006).

Hybrid MR-PET of brain tumours using amino acid PET and chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI.

PubMed

da Silva, N A; Lohmann, P; Fairney, J; Magill, A W; Oros Peusquens, A-M; Choi, C-H; Stirnberg, R; Stoffels, G; Galldiks, N; Golay, X; Langen, K-J; Jon Shah, N

2018-06-01

PET using radiolabelled amino acids has become a promising tool in the diagnostics of gliomas and brain metastasis. Current research is focused on the evaluation of amide proton transfer (APT) chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MR imaging for brain tumour imaging. In this hybrid MR-PET study, brain tumours were compared using 3D data derived from APT-CEST MRI and amino acid PET using O-(2- 18 F-fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine ( 18 F-FET). Eight patients with gliomas were investigated simultaneously with 18 F-FET PET and APT-CEST MRI using a 3-T MR-BrainPET scanner. CEST imaging was based on a steady-state approach using a B 1 average power of 1μT. B 0 field inhomogeneities were corrected a Prametric images of magnetisation transfer ratio asymmetry (MTR asym ) and differences to the extrapolated semi-solid magnetisation transfer reference method, APT# and nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE#), were calculated. Statistical analysis of the tumour-to-brain ratio of the CEST data was performed against PET data using the non-parametric Wilcoxon test. A tumour-to-brain ratio derived from APT# and 18 F-FET presented no significant differences, and no correlation was found between APT# and 18 F-FET PET data. The distance between local hot spot APT# and 18 F-FET were different (average 20 ± 13 mm, range 4-45 mm). For the first time, CEST images were compared with 18 F-FET in a simultaneous MR-PET measurement. Imaging findings derived from 18 F-FET PET and APT CEST MRI seem to provide different biological information. The validation of these imaging findings by histological confirmation is necessary, ideally using stereotactic biopsy.

BIOLOGICALLY ENHANCED OXYGEN TRANSFER IN THE ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS (JOURNAL)

EPA Science Inventory

Biologically enhanced oxgyen transfer has been a hypothesis to explain observed oxygen transfer rates in activated sludge systems that were well above that predicted from aerator clean-water testing. The enhanced oxygen transfer rates were based on tests using BOD bottle oxygen ...

Transfer of Learning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

1999

This document contains four symposium papers on transfer of learning. In "Learning Transfer in a Social Service Agency: Test of an Expectancy Model of Motivation" (Reid A. Bates) structural equation modeling is used to test the validity of a valence-instrumentality-expectancy approach to motivation to transfer learning. "The…

Subjective Learning Discounts Test Type: Evidence from an Associative Learning and Transfer Task

PubMed Central

Touron, Dayna R.; Hertzog, Christopher; Speagle, James Z.

2011-01-01

We evaluated the extent to which memory test format and test transfer influence the dynamics of metacognitive judgments. Participants completed 2 study-test phases for paired-associates, with or without transferring test type, in one of four conditions: (1) recognition then recall, (2) recall then recognition, (3) recognition throughout, or (4) recall throughout. Global judgments were made pre-study, post-study, and post-test for each phase; judgments of learning (JOLs) following item study were also collected. Results suggest that metacognitive judgment accuracy varies substantially by memory test type. Whereas underconfidence in JOLs and global predictions increases with recall practice (Koriat’s underconfidence-with-practice effect), underconfidence decreases with recognition practice. Moreover, performance changes when transferring test type were not fully anticipated by pre-test judgments. PMID:20178957

Isolation and molecular identification of endophytic diazotrophs from seeds and stems of three cereal crops.

PubMed

Liu, Huawei; Zhang, Lei; Meng, Aihua; Zhang, Junbiao; Xie, Miaomiao; Qin, Yaohong; Faulk, Dylan Chase; Zhang, Baohong; Yang, Shushen; Qiu, Li

2017-01-01

Ten strains of endophytic diazotroph were isolated and identified from the plants collected from three different agricultural crop species, wheat, rice and maize, using the nitrogen-free selective isolation conditions. The nitrogen-fixing ability of endophytic diazotroph was verified by the nifH-PCR assay that showed positive nitrogen fixation ability. These identified strains were classified by 879F-RAPD and 16S rRNA sequence analysis. RAPD analyses revealed that the 10 strains were clustered into seven 879F-RAPD groups, suggesting a clonal origin. 16S rRNA sequencing analyses allowed the assignment of the 10 strains to known groups of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, including organisms from the genera Paenibacillus, Enterobacter, Klebsiella and Pantoea. These representative genus are not endophytic diazotrophs in the conventional sense. They may have obtained nitrogen fixation ability through lateral gene transfer, however, the evolutionary forces of lateral gene transfer are not well known. Molecular identification results from 16S rRNA analyses were also confirmed by morphological and biochemical data. The test strains SH6A and MZB showed positive effect on the growth of plants.

A RADIATION TRANSFER SOLVER FOR ATHENA USING SHORT CHARACTERISTICS

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

Davis, Shane W.; Stone, James M.; Jiang Yanfei

2012-03-01

We describe the implementation of a module for the Athena magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) code that solves the time-independent, multi-frequency radiative transfer (RT) equation on multidimensional Cartesian simulation domains, including scattering and non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) effects. The module is based on well known and well tested algorithms developed for modeling stellar atmospheres, including the method of short characteristics to solve the RT equation, accelerated Lambda iteration to handle scattering and non-LTE effects, and parallelization via domain decomposition. The module serves several purposes: it can be used to generate spectra and images, to compute a variable Eddington tensor (VET) for full radiationmore » MHD simulations, and to calculate the heating and cooling source terms in the MHD equations in flows where radiation pressure is small compared with gas pressure. For the latter case, the module is combined with the standard MHD integrators using operator splitting: we describe this approach in detail, including a new constraint on the time step for stability due to radiation diffusion modes. Implementation of the VET method for radiation pressure dominated flows is described in a companion paper. We present results from a suite of test problems for both the RT solver itself and for dynamical problems that include radiative heating and cooling. These tests demonstrate that the radiative transfer solution is accurate and confirm that the operator split method is stable, convergent, and efficient for problems of interest. We demonstrate there is no need to adopt ad hoc assumptions of questionable accuracy to solve RT problems in concert with MHD: the computational cost for our general-purpose module for simple (e.g., LTE gray) problems can be comparable to or less than a single time step of Athena's MHD integrators, and only few times more expensive than that for more general (non-LTE) problems.« less

Dumb and Lazy? A Comparison of Color Learning and Memory Retrieval in Drones and Workers of the Buff-Tailed Bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, by Means of PER Conditioning

PubMed Central

Lichtenstein, Leonie; Sommerlandt, Frank M. J.; Spaethe, Johannes

2015-01-01

More than 100 years ago, Karl von Frisch showed that honeybee workers learn and discriminate colors. Since then, many studies confirmed the color learning capabilities of females from various hymenopteran species. Yet, little is known about visual learning and memory in males despite the fact that in most bee species males must take care of their own needs and must find rewarding flowers to obtain food. Here we used the proboscis extension response (PER) paradigm to study the color learning capacities of workers and drones of the bumblebee, Bombus terrestris. Light stimuli were paired with sucrose reward delivered to the insects’ antennae and inducing a reflexive extension of the proboscis. We evaluated color learning (i.e. conditioned PER to color stimuli) in absolute and differential conditioning protocols and mid-term memory retention was measured two hours after conditioning. Different monochromatic light stimuli in combination with neutral density filters were used to ensure that the bumblebees could only use chromatic and not achromatic (e.g. brightness) information. Furthermore, we tested if bees were able to transfer the learned information from the PER conditioning to a novel discrimination task in a Y-maze. Both workers and drones were capable of learning and discriminating between monochromatic light stimuli and retrieved the learned stimulus after two hours. Drones performed as well as workers during conditioning and in the memory test, but failed in the transfer test in contrast to workers. Our data clearly show that bumblebees can learn to associate a color stimulus with a sugar reward in PER conditioning and that both workers and drones reach similar acquisition and mid-term retention performances. Additionally, we provide evidence that only workers transfer the learned information from a Pavlovian to an operant situation. PMID:26230643

Dumb and Lazy? A Comparison of Color Learning and Memory Retrieval in Drones and Workers of the Buff-Tailed Bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, by Means of PER Conditioning.

PubMed

Lichtenstein, Leonie; Sommerlandt, Frank M J; Spaethe, Johannes

2015-01-01

More than 100 years ago, Karl von Frisch showed that honeybee workers learn and discriminate colors. Since then, many studies confirmed the color learning capabilities of females from various hymenopteran species. Yet, little is known about visual learning and memory in males despite the fact that in most bee species males must take care of their own needs and must find rewarding flowers to obtain food. Here we used the proboscis extension response (PER) paradigm to study the color learning capacities of workers and drones of the bumblebee, Bombus terrestris. Light stimuli were paired with sucrose reward delivered to the insects' antennae and inducing a reflexive extension of the proboscis. We evaluated color learning (i.e. conditioned PER to color stimuli) in absolute and differential conditioning protocols and mid-term memory retention was measured two hours after conditioning. Different monochromatic light stimuli in combination with neutral density filters were used to ensure that the bumblebees could only use chromatic and not achromatic (e.g. brightness) information. Furthermore, we tested if bees were able to transfer the learned information from the PER conditioning to a novel discrimination task in a Y-maze. Both workers and drones were capable of learning and discriminating between monochromatic light stimuli and retrieved the learned stimulus after two hours. Drones performed as well as workers during conditioning and in the memory test, but failed in the transfer test in contrast to workers. Our data clearly show that bumblebees can learn to associate a color stimulus with a sugar reward in PER conditioning and that both workers and drones reach similar acquisition and mid-term retention performances. Additionally, we provide evidence that only workers transfer the learned information from a Pavlovian to an operant situation.

Intramolecular Long-Distance Electron Transfer in Organic Molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Closs, Gerhard L.; Miller, John R.

1988-04-01

Intramolecular long-distance electron transfer (ET) has been actively studied in recent years in order to test existing theories in a quantitative way and to provide the necessary constants for predicting ET rates from simple structural parameters. Theoretical predictions of an ``inverted region,'' where increasing the driving force of the reaction will decrease its rate, have begun to be experimentally confirmed. A predicted nonlinear dependence of ET rates on the polarity of the solvent has also been confirmed. This work has implications for the design of efficient photochemical charge-separation devices. Other studies have been directed toward determining the distance dependence of ET reactions. Model studies on different series of compounds give similar distance dependences. When different stereochemical structures are compared, it becomes apparent that geometrical factors must be taken into account. Finally, the mechanism of coupling between donor and acceptor in weakly interacting systems has become of major importance. The theoretical and experimental evidence favors a model in which coupling is provided by the interaction with the orbitals of the intervening molecular fragments, although more experimental evidence is needed. Studies on intramolecular ET in organic model compounds have established that current theories give an adequate description of the process. The separation of electronic from nuclear coordinates is only a convenient approximation applied to many models, but in long-distance ET it works remarkably well. It is particularly gratifying to see Marcus' ideas finally confirmed after three decades of skepticism. By obtaining the numbers for quantitative correlations between rates and distances, these experiments have shown that saturated hydrocarbon fragments can ``conduct'' electrons over tens of angstroms. A dramatic demonstration of this fact has recently been obtained by tunneling electron microscopy on Langmuir-Blodgett films, showing in a pictorial fashion that electrons prefer to travel from cathode to anode through the fatty-acid chains (46).

Film transfer enabled by nanosheet seed layers on arbitrary sacrificial substrates

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

Dral, A. P.; Nijland, M.; Koster, G.

An approach for film transfer is demonstrated that makes use of seed layers of nanosheets on arbitrary sacrificial substrates. Epitaxial SrTiO{sub 3}, SrRuO{sub 3}, and BiFeO{sub 3} films were grown on Ca{sub 2}Nb{sub 3}O{sub 10} nanosheet seed layers on phlogopite mica substrates. Cleavage of the mica substrates enabled film transfer to flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrates. Electron backscatter diffraction, X-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy confirmed that crystal orientation and film morphology remained intact during transfer. The generic nature of this approach is illustrated by growing films on zinc oxide substrates with a nanosheet seed layer. Film transfer to a flexiblemore » substrate was accomplished via acid etching.« less

Charge carrier transfer in tungsten disulfide—black phosphorus heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Siqi; He, Dawei; Wang, Yongsheng; Zhang, Xinwu; He, Jiaqi

2017-11-01

Photocarrier dynamics in tungsten disulfide—black phosphorus (BP) heterostructures were studied by time-resolved differential reflection measurements. The heterostructures were fabricated by stacking together monolayer WS2 and BP flakes that are both fabricated by mechanical exfoliation. Efficient and ultrafast transfer of photocarriers from WS2 to BP flakes was observed. This confirms the type-I band alignment of WS2/BP heterostructures that was predicted by theory. Accompanied with the photocarrier interlayer transfer process from WS2 to BP flakes, the change of the absorption of WS2 persists for several nanoseconds. These results promote the consciousness about the carrier dynamics of interlayer transfer process in van der Waals heterostructures and its application in optoelectronic devices.

Kinetic Characteristics of Hydrogen Transfer Through Palladium-Modified Membrane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petriev, I. S.; Frolov, V. Yu.; Bolotin, S. N.; Baryshev, M. G.; Kopytov, G. F.

2018-01-01

The paper deals with hydrogen transfer through Pd-23%Ag alloy membrane, the surface of which is modified by the electrolytic deposition of highly dispersed palladium. The dependence between the density of hydrogen flow and its excess pressure on the input surface of membrane is well approximated by the first-order curve. This fact indicates that the process of hydrogen permeability is defined by its dissociation on the input surface. Activation energy of this process is 47.9 kJ/mol which considerably exceeds that of the process of hydrogen transfer through palladium (22-30 kJ/mol). This confirms the fact that the chemisorption is a rate-controlling step of the hydrogen transfer through membrane.

Ceramic Strain Gages for Use at Temperatures up to 1500 Celsius

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gregory, Otto; Fralick, Gustave (Technical Monitor)

2003-01-01

Indium-tin-oxide (ITO) thin film strain gages were successfully demonstrated at temperatures beyond 1500 C. High temperature static strain tests revealed that the piezoresistive response and electrical stability of the ceramic sensors depended on the thickness of the ITO films comprising the active strain elements. When 2.5 microns-thick ITO films were employed as the active strain elements, the piezoresistive response became unstable at temperatures above 1225 C. In contrast to this, ceramic sensors prepared with 5 microns-thick ITO were stable beyond 1430 C and sensors prepared with 8 microns-thick ITO survived more than 20 hr of operation at 1481 C. Very thick (10 microns) ITo strain gages were extremely stable and responsive at 1528 C. ESCA depth profiles confirmed that an interfacial reaction between the ITO strain gage and alumina substrate was responsible for the high temperature electrical stability observed. Similar improvements in high temperature stability were achieved by doping the active ITO strain elements with aluminum. Several Sic-Sic CMC constant strain beams were instrumented with ITO strain gages and delivered to NASA for testing. Due to the extreme surface roughness of the CMC substrates, new lithography techniques and surface preparation methods were developed. These techniques relied heavily on a combination of Sic and A12O3 cement layers to provide the necessary surface finish for efficient pattern transfer. Micro-contact printing using soft lithography and PDMS stamps was also used to successfully transfer the thin film strain gage patterns to the resist coated CMC substrates. This latter approach has considerable potential for transferring the thin film strain gage patterns to the extremely rough surfaces associated with the CMC's.

Learning to inhibit the response during instrumental (operant) extinction.

PubMed

Bouton, Mark E; Trask, Sydney; Carranza-Jasso, Rodrigo

2016-07-01

Five experiments tested implications of the idea that instrumental (operant) extinction involves learning to inhibit the learned response. All experiments used a discriminated operant procedure in which rats were reinforced for lever pressing or chain pulling in the presence of a discriminative stimulus (S), but not in its absence. In Experiment 1, extinction of the response (R) in the presence of S weakened responding in S, but equivalent nonreinforced exposure to S (without the opportunity to make R) did not. Experiment 2 replicated that result and found that extinction of R had no effect on a different R that had also been reinforced in the stimulus. In Experiments 3 and 4, rats first learned to perform several different stimulus and response combinations (S1R1, S2R1, S3R2, and S4R2). Extinction of a response in one stimulus (i.e., S1R1) transferred and weakened the same response, but not a different response, when it was tested in another stimulus (i.e., S2R1 but not S3R2). In Experiment 5, extinction still transferred between S1 and S2 when the stimuli set the occasion for R's association with different types of food pellets. The results confirm the importance of response inhibition in instrumental extinction: Nonreinforcement of the response in S causes the most effective suppression of responding, and response suppression is specific to the response but transfers and influences performance of the same response when it is occasioned by other stimuli. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Cyclic Nanostructures of Tungsten Oxide (WO3) n   (n = 2-6) as NO x Gas Sensor: A Theoretical Study.

PubMed

Izadyar, Mohammad; Jamsaz, Azam

2014-01-01

Today's WO3-based gas sensors have received a lot of attention, because of important role as a sensitive layer for detection of the small quantities of  NO x . In this research, a theoretical study has been done on the sensing properties of different cyclic nanoclusters of (WO3) n   (n = 2-6) for NO x   (x = 1,2) gases. Based on the calculated adsorption energies by B3LYP and X3LYP functionals, from the different orientations of  NO x molecule on the tungsten oxide clusters, O-N⋯W was preferred. Different sizes of the mentioned clusters have been analyzed and W2O6 cluster was chosen as the best candidate for NO x detection from the energy viewpoint. Using the concepts of the chemical hardness and electronic charge transfer, some correlations between the energy of adsorption and interaction energy have been established. These analyses confirmed that the adsorption energy will be boosted with charge transfer enhancement. However, the chemical hardness relationship is reversed. Finally, obtained results from the natural bond orbital and electronic density of states analysis confirmed the electronic charge transfer from the adsorbates to WO3 clusters and Fermi level shifting after adsorption, respectively. The last parameter confirms that the cyclic clusters of tungsten oxide can be used as NO x gas sensors.

Cyclic Nanostructures of Tungsten Oxide (WO3)n  (n = 2–6) as NOx Gas Sensor: A Theoretical Study

PubMed Central

Izadyar, Mohammad; Jamsaz, Azam

2014-01-01

Today's WO3-based gas sensors have received a lot of attention, because of important role as a sensitive layer for detection of the small quantities of  NOx. In this research, a theoretical study has been done on the sensing properties of different cyclic nanoclusters of (WO3)n  (n = 2–6) for NOx  (x = 1,2) gases. Based on the calculated adsorption energies by B3LYP and X3LYP functionals, from the different orientations of  NOx molecule on the tungsten oxide clusters, O–N⋯W was preferred. Different sizes of the mentioned clusters have been analyzed and W2O6 cluster was chosen as the best candidate for NOx detection from the energy viewpoint. Using the concepts of the chemical hardness and electronic charge transfer, some correlations between the energy of adsorption and interaction energy have been established. These analyses confirmed that the adsorption energy will be boosted with charge transfer enhancement. However, the chemical hardness relationship is reversed. Finally, obtained results from the natural bond orbital and electronic density of states analysis confirmed the electronic charge transfer from the adsorbates to WO3 clusters and Fermi level shifting after adsorption, respectively. The last parameter confirms that the cyclic clusters of tungsten oxide can be used as NOx gas sensors. PMID:25544841

Water table tests of proposed heat transfer tunnels for small turbine vanes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meitner, P. L.

1974-01-01

Water-table flow tests were conducted for proposed heat-transfer tunnels which were designed to provide uniform flow into their respective test sections of a single core engine turbine vane and a full annular ring of helicopter turbine vanes. Water-table tests were also performed for the single-vane test section of the core engine tunnel. The flow in the heat-transfer tunnels was shown to be acceptable.

Apomixis and ploidy barrier suppress pollen-mediated gene flow in field grown transgenic turf and forage grass (Paspalum notatum Flüggé).

PubMed

Sandhu, Sukhpreet; Blount, Ann R; Quesenberry, Kenneth H; Altpeter, Fredy

2010-09-01

Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flüggé) is the predominant forage grass in the southeastern US. The commercially important bahiagrass cultivar 'Argentine' is preferred for genetic transformation over sexual diploid cytotypes, since it produces uniform seed progeny through apomixis. Pseudogamous apomictic seed production in Argentine bahiagrass may contribute to transgene confinement. It is characterized by embryo development which is independent of fertilization of the egg cell, but requires fertilization with compatible pollen to produce the endosperm. Pollen-mediated gene transfer from transgenic, glufosinate-resistant apomictic bahiagrass as pollen donor at close proximity (0.5-3.5 m) with non-transgenic sexual or apomictic bahiagrass cultivars as pollen receptors was evaluated under field conditions. Hybridization frequency was evaluated by glufosinate herbicide resistance in >23,300 seedlings derived from open-pollinated (OP) pollen receptor plants. Average gene transfer between transgenic apomictic, tetraploid and sexual diploid bahiagrass was 0.03%. Herbicide-resistant hybrids confirmed by immuno-chromatographic detection of the PAT protein displayed a single copy bar gene identical to the pollen parent. Hybrids resulting from diploid pollen receptors were confirmed as triploids or aneu-triploids with significantly reduced vigor and seed set as compared to the parents. Transmission of transgenes to sexual bahiagrass is severely restricted by the ploidy difference between tetraploid apomicts and diploid sexual bahiagrass. Average gene transfer between transgenic apomictic tetraploid and non-transgenic, apomictic tetraploid bahiagrass was 0.17%, confirming a very low frequency of amphimixis in apomictic bahiagrass cultivars. While not providing complete transgene containment, gene transfer between transgenic apomictic and non-transgenic bahiagrass occurs at a much lower frequency than reported for other cross-pollinating or facultative apomictic grasses.

Using 25 Percent / 75 Percent ATJ/JP-8 Blend Rotary Fuel Injection Pump Wear Testing at Elevated Temperature

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-01

Transfer Pump Liner before Testing with 25/75 ATJ/JP-8 Fuel with 9-ppm CI/LI...46 Figure 26. Pump SN:16756534 Transfer Pump Liner with 251-hours Testing with 25/75 ATJ/JP-8 Fuel...Transfer Pump Liner before Testing with 25/75 ATJ/JP-8 Fuel with 9-ppm CI/LI

Testing of Prototype Magnetic Suspension Cryogenic Transfer Line

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fesmire, J. E.; Augustynowicz, S. D.; Nagy, Z. F.; Sojourner, S. J.; Shu, Q. S.; Cheng, G.; Susta, J. T.

2006-04-01

A 6-meter prototype cryogenic transfer line with magnetic suspension was tested for its mechanical and thermal performance at the Cryogenics Test Laboratory of NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC). A test facility with two cryogenic end-boxes was designed and commissioned for the testing. Suspension mechanisms were verified through a series of tests with liquid nitrogen. The thermal performance of the prototype was determined using the new test apparatus. The tested prototype has incorporated temperature and vacuum pressure data acquisition ports, customized interfaces to cryogenic end-boxes, and instrumentation. All tests were conducted under simulated onsite transfer line working conditions. A static (boiloff rate measurement) testing method was employed to demonstrate the gross heat leak in the tested article. The real-time temperature distribution, vacuum level, levitation distance, and mass flow rate were measured. The main purpose of this paper is to summarize the testing facility design and preparation, test procedure, and primary test results. Special arrangements (such as turning on/off mechanical support units, observing levitation gap, and setting up the flowmeter) in testing of such a magnetically levitated transfer line are also discussed. Preliminary results show that the heat leak reduction of approximately one-third to one-half is achievable through such transfer lines with a magnetic suspension system.

Thermocapillary flow contribution to dropwise condensation heat transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phadnis, Akshay; Rykaczewski, Konrad

2017-11-01

With recent developments of durable hydrophobic materials potentially enabling industrial applications of dropwise condensation, accurate modeling of heat transfer during this phase change process is becoming increasingly important. Classical steady state models of dropwise condensation are based on the integration of heat transfer through individual droplets over the entire drop size distribution. These models consider only the conduction heat transfer inside the droplets. However, simple scaling arguments suggest that thermocapillary flows might exist in such droplets. In this work, we used Finite Element heat transfer model to quantify the effect of Marangoni flow on dropwise condensation heat transfer of liquids with a wide range of surface tensions ranging from water to pentane. We confirmed that the Marangoni flow is present for a wide range of droplet sizes, but only has quantifiable effects on heat transfer in drops larger than 10 µm. By integrating the single drop heat transfer simulation results with drop size distribution for the cases considered, we demonstrated that Marangoni flow contributes a 10-30% increase in the overall heat transfer coefficient over conduction only model.

Immune Rejection after Pancreatic Islet Cell Transplantation: In Vivo Dual Contrast-enhanced MR Imaging in a Mouse Model

PubMed Central

Wang, Ping; Schuetz, Christian; Ross, Alana; Dai, Guangping; Markmann, James F.

2013-01-01

Purpose: To detect adoptively transferred immune attack in a mouse model of islet cell transplantation by using a long-circulating paramagnetic T1 contrast agent, a protected graft copolymer (PGC) that is covalently linked to gadolinium–diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid with fluorescein isothiocyanate (Gd-DTPA-F), which accumulates in the sites of inflammation that are characterized by vascular disruption. Materials and Methods: All animal experiments were performed in compliance with institutional guidelines and approved by the subcommittee on research animal care. Six nonobese diabetic severe combined immunodeficiency mice received transplanted human islet cells under the kidney capsule and adoptively transferred 5 × 106 splenocytes from 6-week-old nonobese diabetic mice. These mice also served as control subjects for comparison of pre- and postadoptive transfer MR imaging results. Mice that received phosphate-buffered saline solution only were included as nonadoptive-transfer control subjects (n = 2). In vivo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed before and 17 hours after intravenous injections of PGC-Gd-DTPA-F, followed by histologic examination. Statistical differences were analyzed by means of a paired Student t test and repeated two-way analysis of variance. Results: MR imaging results showed significantly greater accumulation of PGC-Gd-DTPA-F in the graft area after immune attack initiated by adoptive transfer of splenocytes compared with that of the same area before the transfer (T1, 137.2 msec ± 39.3 and 239.5 msec ± 17.6, respectively; P < .001). These results were confirmed at histologic examination, which showed considerable leakage of the contrast agent into the islet cell interstitium. Conclusion: PGC-Gd-DTPA-F–enhanced MR imaging allows for the in vivo assessment of vascular damage of the graft T cell challenge. © RSNA, 2012 Supplemental material: http://radiology.rsna.org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1148/radiol.12121129/-/DC1 PMID:23264346

Does self-efficacy mediate transfer effects in the learning of easy and difficult motor skills?

PubMed

Stevens, David; Anderson, David I; O'Dwyer, Nicholas J; Mark Williams, A

2012-09-01

The effect of task difficulty on inter-task transfer is a classic issue in motor learning. We examined the relation between self-efficacy and transfer of learning after practicing different versions of a stick balancing task. Practicing the same task or an easier version led to significant pre- to post-test transfer of learning, whereas practicing a more difficult version did not. Self-efficacy increased modestly from pre- to post-test with easy practice, but decreased significantly with difficult practice. In addition, self-efficacy immediately prior to the post-test was significantly lower after difficult practice than easy or intermediate practice. Self-efficacy immediately prior to the post-test, performance at the end of practice, and pre-test performance explained 75% of the variance in post-test performance. The mediating role of self-efficacy on transfer of learning offers an alternative explanation for recent findings on the superiority of easy-to-difficult transfer and may help clarify inconsistencies in earlier research. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Rifampicin-induced adrenal crisis in a patient with tuberculosis: a therapeutic challenge.

PubMed

Denny, Nicholas; Raghunath, Sarika; Bhatia, Praveen; Abdelaziz, Muntasir

2016-11-29

A 55-year-old Indian man presented with productive cough and a large left pleural effusion. Pleural fluid culture grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and he was started on antituberculosis therapy. One week later, the patient presented to hospital with drowsiness, dehydration and hypotension. He was transferred to critical care and only improved after starting hydrocortisone and stopping rifampicin. His short synACTHen test subsequently confirmed primary adrenal insufficiency, and a CT of the abdomen showed bilateral adrenal enlargement. Rifampicin is known to accelerate cortisol metabolism. We report the rare case of a rifampicin-induced adrenal crisis as a first presentation of Addison's disease in a patient with tuberculous infiltration of the adrenal glands. 2016 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

MTF evaluation of white pixel sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lindner, Albrecht; Atanassov, Kalin; Luo, Jiafu; Goma, Sergio

2015-01-01

We present a methodology to compare image sensors with traditional Bayer RGB layouts to sensors with alternative layouts containing white pixels. We focused on the sensors' resolving powers, which we measured in the form of a modulation transfer function for variations in both luma and chroma channels. We present the design of the test chart, the acquisition of images, the image analysis, and an interpretation of results. We demonstrate the approach at the example of two sensors that only differ in their color filter arrays. We confirmed that the sensor with white pixels and the corresponding demosaicing result in a higher resolving power in the luma channel, but a lower resolving power in the chroma channels when compared to the traditional Bayer sensor.

[Isolation of a carbapenem-resistant K1 serotype Klebsiella pneumonia strain and the study of resistance mechanism].

PubMed

Zhang, Rong; Wang, Xuan; Lü, Jianxin

2014-12-16

To study the virulence and mechanism of carbapenem resistance of a clinical isolate of carbapenem-resistant K1 serotype Klebsiella pneumonia strain. Identification of isolate was carried out with VITEK-2 compact system. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by E-test; Metallo β-lactamases and carbapenemases screening were conducted by imipenem-EDTA double disc synergy test and modified Hodge test, respectively.Specific polymerehse chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing were preformed to detect the virulence genes including K1, K2, K5, K20, K54, K57, magA, rmpA, wcaG and a series of β-lactamase resistence genes. Conjunction experiment was also performed. The plasmids of transconjugants were submitted to PCR-based replicon typing (PBRT) method. Molecular typing was performed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that the Klebsiella pneumonia strain was resistant to most of the antibiotics used in clinic. Phynotype confirmary rest revealed the production of carbapanemases, while Metallo β-lactamases were negative; PCR and DNA sequencing confirmed the isolate was positive for blaKPC-2, blaCTX-M-15, blaTEM-1, blaSHV-1 and virulence genes K1, magA, rmpA, wcaG simultaneously; blaKPC-2 was transferred from donor to Escherichia EC600 by conjunction experiment, while no virulence genes were found in the transconjugants. PBRT revealed that Frep plasmid was found in transconjugants. MLST analysis revealed that this strain belonged to ST23. K1 serotype Klebsiella pneumonia strain carries virulence genes and carbapenem resistance gene blaKPC-2, noteworthily the carbapenem resistance genes can be transferred through horizontal transmission on plasmids.

An Experimental Test Facility to Support Development of the Fluoride Salt Cooled High Temperature Reactor

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

Yoder Jr, Graydon L; Aaron, Adam M; Cunningham, Richard Burns

2014-01-01

The need for high-temperature (greater than 600 C) energy exchange and delivery systems is significantly increasing as the world strives to improve energy efficiency and develop alternatives to petroleum-based fuels. Liquid fluoride salts are one of the few energy transport fluids that have the capability of operating at high temperatures in combination with low system pressures. The Fluoride Salt-Cooled High-Temperature Reactor design uses fluoride salt to remove core heat and interface with a power conversion system. Although a significant amount of experimentation has been performed with these salts, specific aspects of this reactor concept will require experimental confirmation during themore » development process. The experimental facility described here has been constructed to support the development of the Fluoride Salt Cooled High Temperature Reactor concept. The facility is capable of operating at up to 700 C and incorporates a centrifugal pump to circulate FLiNaK salt through a removable test section. A unique inductive heating technique is used to apply heat to the test section, allowing heat transfer testing to be performed. An air-cooled heat exchanger removes added heat. Supporting loop infrastructure includes a pressure control system; trace heating system; and a complement of instrumentation to measure salt flow, temperatures, and pressures around the loop. The initial experiment is aimed at measuring fluoride salt heat transfer inside a heated pebble bed similar to that used for the core of the pebble bed advanced high-temperature reactor. This document describes the details of the loop design, auxiliary systems used to support the facility, the inductive heating system, and facility capabilities.« less

[Cow's milk protein allergy through human milk].

PubMed

Denis, M; Loras-Duclaux, I; Lachaux, A

2012-03-01

Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) is the first allergy that affects infants. In this population, the incidence rate reaches 7.5%. The multiplicity and aspecificity of the symptoms makes its diagnosis sometimes complicated, especially in the delayed type (gastrointestinal, dermatological, and cutaneous). CMPA symptoms can develop in exclusively breastfed infants with an incidence rate of 0.5%. It, therefore, raises questions about sensitization to cow's milk proteins through breast milk. Transfer of native bovine proteins such as β-lactoglobulin into the breast milk is controversial: some authors have found bovine proteins in human milk but others point to cross-reactivity between human milk proteins and cow's milk proteins. However, it seems that a small percentage of dietary proteins can resist digestion and become potentially allergenic. Moreover, some authors suspect the transfer of some of these dietary proteins from the maternal bloodstream to breast milk, but the mechanisms governing sensitization are still being studied. Theoretically, CMPA diagnosis is based on clinical observations, prick-test or patch-test results, and cow's milk-specific IgE antibody concentration. A positive food challenge test usually confirms the diagnosis. No laboratory test is available to make a certain diagnosis, but the detection of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in the mother's milk, for example, seems to be advantageous since it is linked to CMA. Excluding cow's milk from the mother's diet is the only cure when she still wants to breastfeed. Usually, cow's milk proteins are reintroduced after 6 months of exclusion. Indeed, the prognosis for infants is very good: 80% acquire a tolerance before the age of 3 or 4 years. Mothers should not avoid dairy products during pregnancy and breastfeeding as preventive measures against allergy. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

SHOOT performance testing. [Superfluid Helium On-Orbit Transfer Flight Demonstration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dipirro, M. J.; Shirron, P. J.; Volz, S. M.; Schein, M. E.

1991-01-01

The Superfluid Helium On-Orbit Transfer (SHOOT) Flight Demonstration is a shuttle attached payload designed to demonstrate the technology necessary to resupply liquid helium dewars in space. Many SHOOT components will also have use in other aerospace cryogenic systems. The first of two SHOOT dewar systems has been fabricated. The ground performance testing of this dewar is described. The performance tests include measurements of heat leak, impedances of the two vent lines, heat pulse mass gauging accuracy, and superfluid transfer parameters such as flow rate and efficiency. A laboratory dewar was substituted for the second flight dewar for the transfer tests. These tests enable a precise analytical model of the transfer process to be verified. SHOOT performance is thus quantified, except for components such as the liquid acquisition devices and a phase separator which cannot be verified in one gravity.

Auxin Does Not Alter the Permeability of Pea Segments to Tritium-labeled Water.

PubMed

Dowler, M J; Rayle, D L

1974-02-01

The possibility of an auxin effect on the permeability of pea (Pisum sativum L. ev. Alaska) segments to tritium-labeled water has been investigated by three separate laboratories, and the combined results are presented. We were unable to obtain any indication of a rapid effect of indoleacetic acid on the efflux of (3)HHO when pea segments previously "loaded" for 90 minutes with (3)HHO were transferred to unlabeled aqueous medium with indoleacetic acid. We were able to confirm that segments pretreated with (3)HHO plus indoleacetic acid for 60 to 90 minutes can show an enhanced (3)HHO release as compared with minus indoleacetic acid controls. However, this phenomenon appears to be due to an increased uptake of (3)HHO during the prolonged indoleacetic acid pretreatment, and therefore we conclude that auxin does not alter the permeability of pea segments to (3)HHO in either short term or long term tests. We confirm previous reports that the uptake of (3)HHO in pea segments proceeds largely through the cut surfaces, and that the cuticle is a potent barrier to (3)HHO flux.

Statistical mechanics of a time-homogeneous system of money and antimoney

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmitt, Matthias; Schacker, Andreas; Braun, Dieter

2014-03-01

Financial crises appear throughout human history. While there are many schools of thought on what the actual causes of such crises are, it has been suggested that the creation of credit money might be a source of financial instability. We discuss how the credit mechanism in a system of fractional reserve banking leads to non-local transfers of purchasing power that also affect non-involved agents. To overcome this issue, we impose the local symmetry of time homogeneity on the monetary system. A bi-currency system of non-bank assets (money) and bank assets (antimoney) is considered. A payment is either made by passing on money or by receiving antimoney. As a result, a free floating exchange rate between non-bank assets and bank assets is established. Credit creation is replaced by the simultaneous transfer of money and antimoney at a negotiated exchange rate. This is in contrast to traditional discussions of full reserve banking, which stalls creditary lending. With money and antimoney, the problem of credit crunches is mitigated while a full time symmetry of the monetary system is maintained. As a test environment for such a monetary system, we discuss an economy of random transfers. Random transfers are a strong criterion to probe the stability of monetary systems. The analysis using statistical physics provides analytical solutions and confirms that a money-antimoney system could be functional. Equally important to the probing of the stability of such a monetary system is the question of how to implement the credit default dynamics. This issue remains open.

Reward and Toxicity of Cocaine Metabolites Generated by Cocaine Hydrolase.

PubMed

Murthy, Vishakantha; Geng, Liyi; Gao, Yang; Zhang, Bin; Miller, Jordan D; Reyes, Santiago; Brimijoin, Stephen

2015-08-01

Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) gene therapy is emerging as a promising concept for treatment of cocaine addiction. BChE levels after gene transfer can rise 1000-fold above those in untreated mice, making this enzyme the second most abundant plasma protein. For months or years, gene transfer of a BChE mutated into a cocaine hydrolase (CocH) can maintain enzyme levels that destroy cocaine within seconds after appearance in the blood stream, allowing little to reach the brain. Rapid enzyme action causes a sharp rise in plasma levels of two cocaine metabolites, benzoic acid (BA) and ecgonine methyl ester (EME), a smooth muscle relaxant that is mildly hypotensive and, at best, only weakly rewarding. The present study, utilizing Balb/c mice, tested reward effects and cardiovascular effects of administering EME and BA together at molar levels equivalent to those generated by a given dose of cocaine. Reward was evaluated by conditioned place preference. In this paradigm, cocaine (20 mg/kg) induced a robust positive response but the equivalent combined dose of EME + BA failed to induce either place preference or aversion. Likewise, mice that had undergone gene transfer with mouse CocH (mCocH) showed no place preference or aversion after repeated treatments with a near-lethal 80 mg/kg cocaine dose. Furthermore, a single administration of that same high cocaine dose failed to affect blood pressure as measured using the noninvasive tail-cuff method. These observations confirm that the drug metabolites generated after CocH gene transfer therapy are safe even after a dose of cocaine that would ordinarily be lethal.

Gene transfer, expression, and sarcomeric incorporation of a headless myosin molecule in cardiac myocytes: evidence for a reserve in myofilament motor function

PubMed Central

Vandenboom, Rene; Herron, Todd; Favre, Elizabeth; Albayya, Faris P.

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to implement a living myocyte in vitro model system to test whether a motor domain-deleted headless myosin construct could be incorporated into the sarcomere and affect contractility. To this end we used gene transfer to express a “headless” myosin heavy chain (headless-MHC) in complement with the native full-length myosin motors in the cardiac sarcomere. An NH2-terminal Flag epitope was used for unique detection of the motor domain-deleted headless-MHC. Total MHC content (i.e., headless-MHC + endogenous MHC) remained constant, while expression of the headless-MHC in transduced myocytes increased from 24 to 72 h after gene transfer until values leveled off at 96 h after gene transfer, at which time the headless-MHC comprised ∼20% of total MHC. Moreover, immunofluorescence labeling and confocal imaging confirmed expression and demonstrated incorporation of the headless-MHC in the A band of the cardiac sarcomere. Functional measurements in intact myocytes showed that headless-MHC modestly reduced amplitude of dynamic twitch contractions compared with controls (P < 0.05). In chemically permeabilized myocytes, maximum steady-state isometric force and the tension-pCa relationship were unaltered by the headless-MHC. These data suggest that headless-MHC can express to 20% of total myosin and incorporate into the sarcomere yet have modest to no effects on dynamic and steady-state contractile function. This would indicate a degree of functional tolerance in the sarcomere for nonfunctional myosin molecules. PMID:21112946

Simple, green, and clean removal of a poly(methyl methacrylate) film on chemical vapor deposited graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, J.-H.; Jung, W.; Cho, D.; Seo, J.-T.; Moon, Y.; Woo, S. H.; Lee, C.; Park, C.-Y.; Ahn, J. R.

2013-10-01

The clean removal of a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) film on graphene has been an essential part of the process of transferring chemical vapor deposited graphene to a specific substrate, influencing the quality of the transferred graphene. Here we demonstrate that the clean removal of PMMA can be achieved by a single heat-treatment process without the chemical treatment that was adopted in other methods of PMMA removal. The cleanness of the transferred graphene was confirmed by four-point probe measurements, synchrotron radiation x-ray photoemission spectroscopy, optical images, and Raman spectroscopy.

Microfabrication of plastic-PDMS microfluidic devices using polyimide release layer and selective adhesive bonding

DOE PAGES

Wang, Shuyu; Yu, Shifeng; Lu, Ming; ...

2017-03-15

In this study, we present an improved method to bond poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) with polyimide (PI) to develop flexible substrate microfluidic devices. The PI film was separately fabricated on a silicon wafer by spin coating followed by thermal treatment to avoid surface unevenness of the flexible substrate. In this way, we could also integrate flexible substrate into standard micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication. Meanwhile, the adhesive epoxy was selectively transferred to the PDMS microfluidic device by a stamp-and-stick method to avoid epoxy clogging the microfluidic channels. To spread out the epoxy evenly on the transferring substrate, we used superhydrophilic vanadium oxide filmmore » coated glass as the transferring substrate. After the bonding process, the flexible substrate could easily be peeled off from the rigid substrate. Contact angle measurement was used to characterize the hydrophicity of the vanadium oxide film. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis was conducted to study the surface of the epoxy. We further evaluated the bonding quality by peeling tests, which showed a maximum bonding strength of 100 kPa. By injecting with black ink, the plastic microfluidic device was confirmed to be well bonded with no leakage for a day under 1 atm. Finally, this proposed versatile method could bond the microfluidic device and plastic substrate together and be applied in the fabrication of some biosensors and lab-on-a-chip systems.« less

Dynamic MTF measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bardoux, Alain; Gimenez, Thierry; Jamin, Nicolas; Seve, Frederic

2017-11-01

MTF (Modulation Transfer Frequency) of a detector is a key parameter for imagers. When image is not moving on the detector, MTF can be measured by some methods (knife edge, slanted slit,…). But with LEO satellites, image is moving on the surface of the detector, and MTF has to be measured in the same way: that is what we call "dynamic MTF". CNES (French Space Agency) has built a specific bench in order to measure dynamic MTF of detectors (CCD and CMOS), especially with component working in TDI (Time delay and integration) mode. The method is based on a moving edge, synchronized with the movement of charges inside the TDI detector. The moving part is a rotating cube, allowing a very stable movement of the image on the surface of the detector The main difficulties were: - stability of the rotating speed - synchronization between cube speed and charge transfer inside the detectors - synchronization between cube position and data acquisition. Different methods have been tested for the displacement of the knife edge: - geometrical displacement - electrical shift of the charge transfer clocks. Static MTF has been performed before dynamic measurements, in order to fix a reference measurement, Then dynamic MTF bench has been set up. The results, for a TDI CCD show a very good precision. So this bench is validated, and the dynamic MTF value of the TDI CCD is confirmed.

Microfabrication of plastic-PDMS microfluidic devices using polyimide release layer and selective adhesive bonding

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

Wang, Shuyu; Yu, Shifeng; Lu, Ming

In this study, we present an improved method to bond poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) with polyimide (PI) to develop flexible substrate microfluidic devices. The PI film was separately fabricated on a silicon wafer by spin coating followed by thermal treatment to avoid surface unevenness of the flexible substrate. In this way, we could also integrate flexible substrate into standard micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication. Meanwhile, the adhesive epoxy was selectively transferred to the PDMS microfluidic device by a stamp-and-stick method to avoid epoxy clogging the microfluidic channels. To spread out the epoxy evenly on the transferring substrate, we used superhydrophilic vanadium oxide filmmore » coated glass as the transferring substrate. After the bonding process, the flexible substrate could easily be peeled off from the rigid substrate. Contact angle measurement was used to characterize the hydrophicity of the vanadium oxide film. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis was conducted to study the surface of the epoxy. We further evaluated the bonding quality by peeling tests, which showed a maximum bonding strength of 100 kPa. By injecting with black ink, the plastic microfluidic device was confirmed to be well bonded with no leakage for a day under 1 atm. Finally, this proposed versatile method could bond the microfluidic device and plastic substrate together and be applied in the fabrication of some biosensors and lab-on-a-chip systems.« less

A facile alternative technique for large-area graphene transfer via sacrificial polymer

DOE PAGES

Auchter, Eric; Marquez, Justin; Yarbro, Stephen L.; ...

2017-12-07

A novel method of transferring large-area graphene sheets onto a variety of substrates using Formvar (polyvinyl formal) is presented. Due to the ease at which formvar can be dissolved in chloroform this method allows for a consistent, a clean, and a more rapid transfer than other techniques including the PMMA assisted one. This novel transfer method is demonstrated by transferring large-area graphene onto a range of substrates including commercial TEM grids, silicon dioxide and glass. Raman spectroscopy was used to confirm the presence of graphene and characterize the morphological properties of the large-area sheets. SEM and AFM analyses demonstrated themore » effectiveness of our rapid transfer technique for clean crystalline large-area graphene sheets. The removal of the sacrificial polymer was found to be one to two orders of magnitude faster than PMMA methods. Ultimately this facile transfer technique offers new opportunities for a wide range of applications for large-area graphene through the utilization of a new sacrificial polymer.« less

A facile alternative technique for large-area graphene transfer via sacrificial polymer

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

Auchter, Eric; Marquez, Justin; Yarbro, Stephen L.

A novel method of transferring large-area graphene sheets onto a variety of substrates using Formvar (polyvinyl formal) is presented. Due to the ease at which formvar can be dissolved in chloroform this method allows for a consistent, a clean, and a more rapid transfer than other techniques including the PMMA assisted one. This novel transfer method is demonstrated by transferring large-area graphene onto a range of substrates including commercial TEM grids, silicon dioxide and glass. Raman spectroscopy was used to confirm the presence of graphene and characterize the morphological properties of the large-area sheets. SEM and AFM analyses demonstrated themore » effectiveness of our rapid transfer technique for clean crystalline large-area graphene sheets. The removal of the sacrificial polymer was found to be one to two orders of magnitude faster than PMMA methods. Ultimately this facile transfer technique offers new opportunities for a wide range of applications for large-area graphene through the utilization of a new sacrificial polymer.« less

Effect of air bubble localization after transfer on embryo transfer outcomes.

PubMed

Tiras, Bulent; Korucuoglu, Umit; Polat, Mehtap; Saltik, Ayse; Zeyneloglu, Hulusi Bulent; Yarali, Hakan

2012-09-01

Our study aimed to provide information about the effects of air bubble localization after transfer on embryo transfer outcomes. Retrospective analysis of 7489 ultrasound-guided embryo transfers. Group 1 included 6631 embryo transfers in which no movement of the air bubbles was observed after transfer. Group 2 consisted of 407 embryo transfers in which the air bubbles moved towards the uterine fundus spontaneously, a little time after transfer. Group 3 included 370 embryo transfers in which the air bubbles moved towards the uterine fundus with ejection, immediately after transfer. Group 4 consisted of 81 embryo transfers in which the air bubbles moved towards the cervical canal. The four patient groups were different from one another with respect to positive pregnancy tests. Post hoc test revealed that this difference was between group 4 and other groups. An initial finding of our study was significantly decreased positive pregnancy test rates and clinical pregnancy rates with air bubbles moving towards the cervical canal after transfer. Although air bubbles moving towards the uterine fundus with ejection were associated with higher pregnancy rates, higher miscarriage rates and similar live birth rates were observed compared to air bubbles remaining stable after transfer. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Academic profile of students who transferred to Zagreb School of Medicine from other medical schools in Croatia.

PubMed

Dusek, Davorka; Dolovcak, Svjetlana; Kljaković-Gaspić, Marko

2004-02-01

To assess the academic performance of students who transferred to the Zagreb School of Medicine from other three medical schools in Croatia. Academic performance of medical students who moved from Rijeka, Osijek, or Split University Medical Schools to the Zagreb University School of Medicine at the second or third year was compared with academic performance of students enrolled at the Zagreb University School of Medicine. Using the Zagreb Medical School's registry, we made a list of 57 transfer students to Zagreb Medical School in the 1985-1994 period. Control group was formed of students enrolled at the Zagreb School of Medicine in the same period, whose names followed in alphabetical order after the names of transfer students. Students' performance was analyzed according to their grade average before transfer, grade average in the first year after transfer, total grade average after transfer, overall grade average, and duration of studies. We also analyzed the proportion of students in each group who did not pass the admission test at the Zagreb School of Medicine in the year before the enrollment in Zagreb, Osijek, Rijeka, and Split Medical Schools. Nineteen transfer students, transferred between 1985 and 1988, and their controls were excluded from the analysis because of incomplete data. Transfer students had significantly lower grade average before transfer (3.2-/+0.6 vs 3.5-/+0.7, p=0.03, Student t-test), lower grade average in the first year after transfer (3.2-/+0.6 vs 3.5-/+0.7, p=0.03), lower total grade average after transfer (3.6-/+0.5 vs 4.0-/+0.6, p<0.001), and lower overall grade average (3.5-/+0.5 vs 3.9-/+0.6, p<0.001) than control students. Median time to graduate for transfer students was 7 years (range, 5-9) and 6 years (range, 5-9) for control students (p=0.375, Mann-Whitney test). There were significantly more students among transfer students who did not pass the admission test at the Zagreb School of Medicine in the year before the final enrollment than their controls (15/38 vs 4/38, p=0.009, chi-square test). Transfer students had poorer academic performance than students who passed the admission test and were enrolled at the Zagreb School of Medicine from the first year of studies.

Experimental and quantum chemical studies of a new organic proton transfer compound, 1H-imidazole-3-ium-3-hydroxy-2,4,6-trinitrophenolate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhamodharan, P.; Sathya, K.; Dhandapani, M.

2018-02-01

A new proton transfer compound, 1H-imidazole-3-ium-3-hydroxy-2,4,6-trinitrophenolate (IMHTP), was crystallized by slow evaporation-solution growth technique. 1H and 13C NMR spectral studies confirm the molecular structure of the grown crystal. Single crystal X-ray diffraction study confirms that IMHTP crystallizes in monoclinic system with space group P21/c. Thermal curves (TG/DTA) show that the material is thermally stable up to 198 °C. The crystal emits fluorescence at 510 nm, proving its utility in making green light emitting materials in optical applications. The stable molecular structure was optimized by Gaussian 09 program with B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of basis set. The frontier molecular orbital study shows that the charge transfer interaction occurs within the complex. The calculated first-order hyperpolarizability value of IMHTP is 44 times higher than that the reference material, urea. The electrostatic potential map was used to probe into electrophilic and nucleophilic reactive sites present in the molecule.

Knowing How and Knowing Why: Testing the Effect of Instruction Designed for Cognitive Integration on Procedural Skills Transfer

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cheung, Jeffrey J. H.; Kulasegaram, Kulamakan M.; Woods, Nicole N.; Moulton, Carol-anne; Ringsted, Charlotte V.; Brydges, Ryan

2018-01-01

Transfer is a desired outcome of simulation-based training, yet evidence for how instructional design features promote transfer is lacking. In clinical reasoning, transfer is improved when trainees experience instruction integrating basic science explanations with clinical signs and symptoms. To test whether integrated instruction has similar…

Track/train dynamics test procedure transfer function test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vigil, R. A.

1975-01-01

A transfer function vibration test was made on an 80 ton open hopper freight car in an effort to obtain validation data on the car's nonlinear elastic model. Test configuration, handling, test facilities, test operations, and data acquisition/reduction activities necessary to meet the conditions of test requirements are given.

The transfer of skills from cognitive and physical training to activities of daily living: a randomised controlled study.

PubMed

Hagovska, Magdalena; Nagyova, Iveta

2017-06-01

Ageing is associated with the deterioration of all cognitive functions, including attention, memory and psychomotor speed. It has not yet been clearly confirmed whether the effects of cognitive and physical interventions can improve activities of daily living (ADL). This study compared the effectiveness of cognitive and physical training on cognitive functions and the transfer to ADL. Eighty older people with mild cognitive impairment (mean age 67.07 ± 4.3 years) were randomly divided into an experimental group ( n  = 40) and a control group ( n  = 40). Data were collected in an outpatient psychiatric clinic in a randomised controlled trial. Primary outcome measures included the following: cognitive functions were evaluated using the mini mental state examination, the AVLT-Auditory verbal learning test, the Stroop test, the TMT-trail making test, the DRT-disjunctive reaction time and the NHPT-nine hole peg test. Secondary outcome measure was the Bristol activities of daily living scale. The experimental group underwent a CogniPlus and physical training; consisting of 20 training sessions over 10 weeks. Both groups went through 30 min of daily physical training for 10 weeks. After the training, significant differences in favour of the experimental group were found in almost all the tests. In memory (AVLT) (p ≤ 0.0001, effect size (ES) η 2  = 0.218. In reduction of the response time on attention tasks (Stroop tasks) ( p  ≤ 0.006, ES = 0.092-0.115). In lower error rates in all tests: Stroop tasks, DRT, TMT, NHPT ( p  ≤ 0.02-0.001, ES = 0.062-0.176). In ADL ( p  ≤ 0.0001, ES = 0.176). The combined cognitive and physical training had better efficacy for most cognitive functions and for ADL when compared with the physical training only.

Effects of the histamine H₃ receptor antagonist ABT-239 on cognition and nicotine-induced memory enhancement in mice.

PubMed

Kruk, Marta; Miszkiel, Joanna; McCreary, Andrew C; Przegaliński, Edmund; Filip, Małgorzata; Biała, Grażyna

2012-01-01

The strong correlation between central histaminergic and cholinergic pathways on cognitive processes has been reported extensively. However, the role of histamine H(3) receptor mechanisms interacting with nicotinic mechanisms has not previously been extensively investigated. The current study was conducted to determine the interactions of nicotinic and histamine H(3) receptor systems with regard to learning and memory function using a modified elevated plus-maze test in mice. In this test, the latency for mice to move from the open arm to the enclosed arm (i.e., transfer latency) was used as an index of memory. We tested whether ABT-239 (4-(2-{2-[(2R)-2-methylpyrrolidinyl]ethyl}-benzofuran-5-yl), an H(3) receptor antagonist/inverse agonist, had influence on two different stages of memory, i.e., memory acquisition and consolidation (administered prior to or immediately after the first trial, respectively) and whether ABT-239 influenced nicotine-induced memory enhancement. Our results revealed that the acute administration of nicotine (0.035 and 0.175 mg/kg), but not of ABT-239 (0.1-3 mg/kg) reduced transfer latency in the acquisition and consolidation phases. In combination studies, concomitant administration of either ABT-239 (1 and 3 mg/kg) and nicotine (0.035 mg/kg), or ABT-239 (0.1 mg/kg) and nicotine (0.0175 mg/kg) further increased nicotine-induced improvement in both memory acquisition and consolidation. The present data confirm an important role for H(3) receptors in regulating nicotine-induced mnemonic effects since inhibition of H(3) receptors augmented nicotine-induced memory enhancement in mice.

Image transfer properties by photonic crystal slab with negative refractive index

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Hongbo; Chen, Xiaoshuang; Zhou, Renlong; Lu, Wei

2008-04-01

We have studied the properties of image transferred by photonic crystal (PhC) slab with negative refractive index n=-1 and confirmed the negative refractive phonomenon, but not found the saturated image properties as expected. It is found that real images will not be formed when the source distance larger than the thickness of PhC, and the transferred images are virtual images. Furthermore, comparing the quality of images transferred by a PhC slab and a cascaded stack of photonic crystal slab (CSPS), we found that the transferred images are distorted in both situations. The image resolution is good along the direction parallel to the slab interface, but bad along the direction normal to the slab interface. Simulation results show that the image formed by a CSPS is no better than a PhC slab.

[Psychoanalytic therapy of sexually abused adolescents].

PubMed

Hirsch, M

1997-12-01

Sexual abuse as an extreme childhood trauma produces distorted object-images, introjects of violence which reproduce the trauma permanently through symptoms and acting-out. Although the traumatic power should be relived in transference, psychoanalytic therapy does not always mean permanent interpretation of transference, rather supporting, confirming, valuing activity is indicated. The following scopes can be differentiated: idealization, changing the therapeutic object into a triangulating one; negative transference of an archaic destructive mother imago, nevertheless also of the traumatic object, setting free hidden aggressive affects; emerging of the specific sexual trauma in transference and counter-transference. In the whole course of therapy, especially at the end, working through of guilt-feelings, shame and mourning permits the separation from the traumatic objects, although the danger of returning to them, often represented by the real actual objects, does not guarantee a full success in all cases.

Magnetic field concentration using ferromagnetic material to propel a wireless power transfer based micro-robot

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Dongwook; Park, Bumjin; Park, Jaehyoung; Park, Hyun Ho; Ahn, Seungyoung

2018-05-01

In this paper, we propose a novel coil structure, using a ferromagnetic material which concentrates the magnetic field, as the propulsion system of a wireless power transfer (WPT) based micro-robot. This structure uses an incident magnetic field to induce current during wireless power transfer, to generate a Lorentz force. To prevent net cancelation of the Lorentz force in the load coil, ferrite films were applied to one side of the coil segment. The demonstrated simplicity and effectiveness of the proposed micro-robot showed its suitability for applications. Simulation and experimental results confirmed a velocity of 1.02 mm/s with 6 mW power transfer capacity for the 3 mm sized micro-robot.

First report of nosocomial infection caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae ST147 producing OXA-48 and VEB-8 β-lactamases in Tunisia.

PubMed

Ouertani, Rym; Limelette, Anne; Guillard, Thomas; Brasme, Lucien; Jridi, Yahia; Barguellil, Farouk; El Salabi, Allaaeddin; de Champs, Christophe; Chouchani, Chedly

2016-03-01

The aim of this study was to determine the origin of virulence and multiresistance of a Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate from an abdominal wound infection of a patient with a gunshot injury in the thoracoabdominal region. The isolate was identified using biochemical tests and Phoenix™ automated system and was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS). MICs of each antibiotic were determined by Etest. Screening for carbapenemase production was performed by the modified Hodge test and was confirmed by PCR amplification. Virulence factors were also studied. Plasmid replicon typing was used to classify Incompatibility (Inc) plasmids harbouring the resistance genes. The transferability of each plasmid was determined by conjugation using Escherichia coli J53. Finally, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed to determine the ST of the strain. The bacterial isolate was identified as K. pneumoniae and was named KPM2, carrying entB, ybtS, mrkD and ycfM virulence genes, but it did not overexpress OqxAB. Isolate KPM2 belonged to ST147 and was classified as resistant to all of the tested antibiotics with MICs above the clinical breakpoints. These resistances were due to production of OXA-48, CMY-2, TEM-1, CTX-M-15 and VEB-8 β-lactamases. Genetic and molecular studies showed that blaOXA-48 was embedded in transposon Tn1999.2 and was carried by a conjugative IncL/M plasmid of ca. 60kb; blaVEB-8 was harboured on a conjugative IncA/C plasmid of ca. 120kb. This study confirmed that the resistance conferred by OXA-48 and VEB-8 contributed to the failure of antibiotic treatment and consequently death of the patient. Copyright © 2015 International Society for Chemotherapy of Infection and Cancer. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Development, validation and testing of a nursing home to emergency room transfer checklist.

PubMed

Tsai, Hsiu-Hsin; Tsai, Yun-Fang

2018-01-01

To develop and test the feasibility of an instrument to support patients' nursing home to emergency room transfer. Transfers from a nursing home care facility to an acute care facility such as a hospital emergency room are common. However, the prevalence of an information gap for transferring residents' health data to acute care facility is high. An evidence-based transfer instrument, which could fill this gap, is lacking. Development of a nursing home to emergency room transfer checklist, validation of items using the Delphi method and testing the feasibility and benefits of using the nursing home to emergency room transfer checklist. Items were developed based on qualitative data from previous research. Delphi validation, retrospective chart review (baseline data) and a 6-month prospective study design were applied to test the feasibility of using the checklist. Variables for testing the feasibility of the checklist included residents' 30-day readmission rate and length of hospital stay. Development of the nursing home to emergency room transfer checklist resulted in four main parts: (i) demographic data of the nursing home resident; (ii) critical data for nursing home to emergency room transfer; (iii) contact information and (iv) critical data for emergency room to nursing home transfer. Two rounds of Delphi validation resulted in a mean score (standard deviation) ranging from 4.39 (1.13)-4.98 (.15). Time required to complete the checklist was 3-5 min. Use of the nursing home to emergency room transfer checklist resulted in a 30-day readmission rate of 13.4%, which was lower than the baseline rate of 15.9%. The nursing home to emergency room transfer checklist was developed for transferring nursing home residents to an emergency room. The instrument was found to be an effective tool for this process. Use of the nursing home to emergency room transfer checklist for nursing home transfers could fill the information gap that exists when transferring older adults between facilities such as nursing homes and hospitals. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Multiple transfer standard for calibration and characterization of test setups for LED lamps and luminaires in industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sperling, A.; Meyer, M.; Pendsa, S.; Jordan, W.; Revtova, E.; Poikonen, T.; Renoux, D.; Blattner, P.

2018-04-01

Proper characterization of test setups used in industry for testing and traceable measurement of lighting devices by the substitution method is an important task. According to new standards for testing LED lamps, luminaires and modules, uncertainty budgets are requested because in many cases the properties of the device under test differ from the transfer standard used, which may cause significant errors, for example if a LED-based lamp is tested or calibrated in an integrating sphere which was calibrated with a tungsten lamp. This paper introduces a multiple transfer standard, which was designed not only to transfer a single calibration value (e.g. luminous flux) but also to characterize test setups used for LED measurements with additional provided and calibrated output features to enable the application of the new standards.

Recover Act. Verification of Geothermal Tracer Methods in Highly Constrained Field Experiments

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

Becker, Matthew W.

2014-05-16

The prediction of the geothermal system efficiency is strong linked to the character of the flow system that connects injector and producer wells. If water flow develops channels or “short circuiting” between injection and extraction wells thermal sweep is poor and much of the reservoir is left untapped. The purpose of this project was to understand how channelized flow develops in fracture geothermal reservoirs and how it can be measured in the field. We explored two methods of assessing channelization: hydraulic connectivity tests and tracer tests. These methods were tested at a field site using two verification methods: ground penetratingmore » radar (GPR) images of saline tracer and heat transfer measurements using distributed temperature sensing (DTS). The field site for these studies was the Altona Flat Fractured Rock Research Site located in northeastern New York State. Altona Flat Rock is an experimental site considered a geologic analog for some geothermal reservoirs given its low matrix porosity. Because soil overburden is thin, it provided unique access to saturated bedrock fractures and the ability image using GPR which does not effectively penetrate most soils. Five boreholes were drilled in a “five spot” pattern covering 100 m2 and hydraulically isolated in a single bedding plane fracture. This simple system allowed a complete characterization of the fracture. Nine small diameter boreholes were drilled from the surface to just above the fracture to allow the measurement of heat transfer between the fracture and the rock matrix. The focus of the hydraulic investigation was periodic hydraulic testing. In such tests, rather than pumping or injection in a well at a constant rate, flow is varied to produce an oscillating pressure signal. This pressure signal is sensed in other wells and the attenuation and phase lag between the source and receptor is an indication of hydraulic connection. We found that these tests were much more effective than constant pumping tests in identifying a poorly connected well. As a result, we were able to predict which well pairs would demonstrate channelized flow. The focus of the tracer investigation was multi-ionic tests. In multi-ionic tests several ionic tracers are injected simultaneously and the detected in a nearby pumping well. The time history of concentration, or breakthrough curve, will show a separation of the tracers. Anionic tracers travel with the water but cationic tracer undergo chemical exchange with cations on the surface of the rock. The degree of separation is indicative of the surface area exposed to the tracer. Consequently, flow channelization will tend to decrease the separation in the breakthrough. Estimation of specific surface area (the ration of fracture surface area to formation volume) is performed through matching the breakthrough curve with a transport model. We found that the tracer estimates of surface area were confirmed the prediction of channelized flow between well pairs produced by the periodic hydraulic tests. To confirm that the hydraulic and tracer tests were correctly predicting channelize flow, we imaged the flow field using surface GPR. Saline water was injected between the well pairs which produced a change in the amplitude and phase of the reflected radar signal. A map was produced of the migration of saline tracer from these tests which qualitatively confirmed the flow channelization predicted by the hydraulic and tracer tests. The resolution of the GPR was insufficient to quantitatively estimate swept surface area, however. Surface GPR is not applicable in typical geothermal fields because the penetration depths do not exceed 10’s of meters. Nevertheless, the method of using of phase to measure electrical conductivity and the assessment of antennae polarization represent a significant advancement in the field of surface GPR. The effect of flow character on fracture / rock thermal exchange was evaluated using heated water as a tracer. Water elevated 30 degrees C above the formation water was circulated between two wells pairs. One well pair had been identified in hydraulic and tracer testing as well connected and the other poorly connected. Temperature rise was measured in the adjacent rock matrix using coiled fiber optic cable interrogated for temperature using a DTS. This experimental design produced over 4000 temperature measurements every hour. We found that heat transfer between the fracture and the rock matrix was highly impacted by the character of the flow field. The strongly connected wells which had demonstrated flow channelization produced heat rise in a much more limited area than the more poorly connected wells. In addition, the heat increase followed the natural permeability of the fracture rather than the induced flow field. The primary findings of this work are (1) even in a single relatively planar fracture, the flow field can be highly heterogeneous and exhibit flow channeling, (2) channeling results from a combination of fracture permeability structure and the induced flow field, and (3) flow channeling leads to reduced heat transfer. Multi-ionic tracers effectively estimate relative surface area but an estimate of ion-exchange coefficients are necessary to provide an absolute measure of specific surface area. Periodic hydraulic tests also proved a relative indicator of connectivity but cannot prove an absolute measure of specific surface area.« less

The Constrained Vapor Bubble Experiment - Interfacial Flow Region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kundan, Akshay; Wayner, Peter C., Jr.; Plawsky, Joel L.

2015-01-01

Internal heat transfer coefficient of the CVB correlated to the presence of the interfacial flow region. Competition between capillary and Marangoni flow caused Flooding and not a Dry-out region. Interfacial flow region growth is arrested at higher power inputs. 1D heat model confirms the presence of interfacial flow region. 1D heat model confirms the arresting phenomena of interfacial flow region Visual observations are essential to understanding.

Terahertz Science & Technology: Sensing Bio-Molecular Nanostructures & Photoinduces Transitions Between Metastable States

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-07-31

differences between species, and to show the response of spores to vacuum and response of cultured cells to heat . The results of this work confirmed...06_01_2012 (Accepted). Technology Transfer - 1 - Report Type: Final Technical Report Proposal Number: 54518EL Agreement Number...the response of spores to vacuum and response of cultured cells to heat . The results of this work confirmed that observed spectroscopic features

49 CFR 40.251 - What are the first steps in an alcohol confirmation test?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false What are the first steps in an alcohol... What are the first steps in an alcohol confirmation test? As the BAT for an alcohol confirmation test, you must follow these steps to begin the confirmation test process: (a) You must carry out a...

Numerical study on the flow and heat transfer characteristics of slush nitrogen in a corrugated pipe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Y. J.; Wu, S. Q.; Jin, T.

2017-12-01

Slush nitrogen has lower temperature, higher density and higher heat capacity than that of liquid nitrogen at normal boiling point. It is considered to be a potential coolant for high-temperature superconductive cables (HTS) that would decrease nitrogen consumption and storage cost. The corrugated pipe can help with the enhancement of heat transfer and flexibility of the coolants for HTS cables. In this paper, a 3-D Euler-Euler two-fluid model has been developed to study the flow and heat transfer characteristics of slush nitrogen in a horizontal helically corrugated pipe. By comparing with the empirical formula for pressure drop, the numerical model is confirmed to be effective for the prediction of slush nitrogen flow in corrugated pipes. The flow and heat transfer characteristics of slush nitrogen in a horizontal pipe at various working conditions (inlet solid fraction of 0-20%, inlet velocity of 0-3 m/s, heat flux of 0-12 kW/m2) have been analyzed. The friction factor of slush nitrogen is lower than that of subcooled liquid nitrogen when the slush Reynolds number is higher than 4.2×104. Moreover, the heat transfer coefficient of slush nitrogen flow in the corrugated pipe is higher than that of subcooled liquid nitrogen at velocities which is higher than that 1.76 m/s, 0.91 m/s and 0.55 m/s for slush nitrogen with solid fraction of 5%, 10% and 20%, respectively. The slush nitrogen has been confirmed to have better heat transfer performance and lower pressure drop instead of using liquid nitrogen flowing through a helically corrugated pipe.

Direct electrochemistry and intramolecular electron transfer of ascorbate oxidase confined on L-cysteine self-assembled gold electrode.

PubMed

Patil, Bhushan; Kobayashi, Yoshiki; Fujikawa, Shigenori; Okajima, Takeyoshi; Mao, Lanqun; Ohsaka, Takeo

2014-02-01

A direct electrochemistry and intramolecular electron transfer of multicopper oxidases are of a great importance for the fabrication of these enzyme-based bioelectrochemical-devices. Ascorbate oxidase from Acremonium sp. (ASOM) has been successfully immobilized via a chemisorptive interaction on the l-cysteine self-assembled monolayer modified gold electrode (cys-SAM/AuE). Thermodynamics and kinetics of adsorption of ASOM on the cys-SAM/AuE were studied using cyclic voltammetry. A well-defined redox wave centered at 166±3mV (vs. Ag│AgCl│KCl(sat.)) was observed in 5.0mM phosphate buffer solution (pH7.0) at the fabricated ASOM electrode, abbreviated as ASOM/cys-SAM/AuE, confirming a direct electrochemistry, i.e., a direct electron transfer (DET) between ASOM and cys-SAM/AuE. The direct electrochemistry of ASOM was further confirmed by taking into account the chemical oxidation of ascorbic acid (AA) by O2 via an intramolecular electron transfer in the ASOM as well as the electrocatalytic oxidation of AA at the ASOM/cys-SAM/AuE. Thermodynamics and kinetics of the adsorption of ASOM on the cys-SAM/AuE have been elaborated along with its direct electron transfer at the modified electrodes on the basis of its intramolecular electron transfer and electrocatalytic activity towards ascorbic acid oxidation and O2 reduction. ASOM saturated surface area was obtained as 2.41×10(-11)molcm(-2) with the apparent adsorption coefficient of 1.63×10(6)Lmol(-1). The ASOM confined on the cys-SAM/AuE possesses its essential enzymatic function. © 2013.

Vent System Analysis for the Cryogenic Propellant Storage Transfer Ground Test Article

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hedayat, A

2013-01-01

To test and validate key capabilities and technologies required for future exploration elements such as large cryogenic propulsion stages and propellant depots, NASA is leading the efforts to develop and design the Cryogenic Propellant Storage and Transfer (CPST) Cryogenic Fluid Management (CFM) payload. The primary objectives of CPST payload are to demonstrate: 1) in-space storage of cryogenic propellants for long duration applications; and 2) in-space transfer of cryogenic propellants. The Ground Test Article (GTA) is a technology development version of the CPST payload. The GTA consists of flight-sized and flight-like storage and transfer tanks, liquid acquisition devices, transfer, and pressurization systems with all of the CPST functionality. The GTA is designed to perform integrated passive and active thermal storage and transfer performance testing with liquid hydrogen (LH2) in a vacuum environment. The GTA storage tank is designed to store liquid hydrogen and the transfer tank is designed to be 5% of the storage tank volume. The LH2 transfer subsystem is designed to transfer propellant from one tank to the other utilizing pressure or a pump. The LH2 vent subsystem is designed to prevent over-pressurization of the storage and transfer tanks. An in-house general-purpose computer program was utilized to model and simulate the vent subsystem operation. The modeling, analysis, and the results will be presented in the final paper.

TRANSFER OF AVERSIVE RESPONDENT ELICITATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH EQUIVALENCE RELATIONS

PubMed Central

Valverde, Miguel RodrÍguez; Luciano, Carmen; Barnes-Holmes, Dermot

2009-01-01

The present study investigates the transfer of aversively conditioned respondent elicitation through equivalence classes, using skin conductance as the measure of conditioning. The first experiment is an attempt to replicate Experiment 1 in Dougher, Augustson, Markham, Greenway, and Wulfert (1994), with different temporal parameters in the aversive conditioning procedure employed. Match-to-sample procedures were used to teach 17 participants two 4-member equivalence classes. Then, one member of one class was paired with electric shock and one member of the other class was presented without shock. The remaining stimuli from each class were presented in transfer tests. Unlike the findings in the original study, transfer of conditioning was not achieved. In Experiment 2, similar procedures were used with 30 participants, although several modifications were introduced (formation of five-member classes, direct conditioning with several elements of each class, random sequences of stimulus presentation in transfer tests, reversal in aversive conditioning contingencies). More than 80% of participants who had shown differential conditioning also showed the transfer of function effect. Moreover, this effect was replicated within subjects for 3 participants. This is the first demonstration of the transfer of aversive respondent elicitation through stimulus equivalence classes with the presentation of transfer test trials in random order. The latter prevents the possibility that transfer effects are an artefact of transfer test presentation order. PMID:20119523

Evaporation heat transfer of carbon dioxide at low temperature inside a horizontal smooth tube

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoon, Jung-In; Son, Chang-Hyo; Jung, Suk-Ho; Jeon, Min-Ju; Yang, Dong-Il

2017-05-01

In this paper, the evaporation heat transfer coefficient of carbon dioxide at low temperature of -30 to -20 °C in a horizontal smooth tube was investigated experimentally. The test devices consist of mass flowmeter, pre-heater, magnetic gear pump, test section (evaporator), condenser and liquid receiver. Test section is made of cooper tube. Inner and outer diameter of the test section is 8 and 9.52 mm, respectively. The experiment is conducted at mass fluxes from 100 to 300 kg/m2 s, saturation temperature from -30 to -20 °C. The main results are summarized as follows: In case that the mass flux of carbon dioxide is 100 kg/m2 s, the evaporation heat transfer coefficient is almost constant regardless of vapor quality. In case of 200 and 300 kg/m2 s, the evaporation heat transfer coefficient increases steadily with increasing vapor quality. For the same mass flux, the evaporation heat transfer coefficient increases as the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant decreases. In comparison of heat transfer correlations with the experimental result, the evaporation heat transfer correlations do not predict them exactly. Therefore, more accurate heat transfer correlation than the previous one is required.

Use of immuno assays during the development of a Hemophilus influenzae type b vaccine for technology transfer to emerging vaccine manufacturers.

PubMed

Hamidi, Ahd; Kreeftenberg, Hans

2014-01-01

Quality control of Hemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccines is mainly dependent on physicochemical methods. Overcoming sample matrix interference when using physicochemical tests is very challenging, these tests are therefore only used to test purified samples of polysaccharide, protein, bulk conjugate, and final product. For successful development of a Hib conjugate vaccine, several ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) methods were needed as an additional tool to enable testing of in process (IP) samples. In this paper, three of the ELISA's that have been very valuable during the process development, implementation and scaling up are highlighted. The PRP-ELISA, was a very efficient tool in testing in process (IP) samples generated during the development of the cultivation and purification process of the Hib-polysaccharide. The antigenicity ELISA, was used to confirm the covalent linkage of PRP and TTd in the conjugate. The anti-PRP IgG ELISA was developed as part of the immunogenicity test, used to demonstrate the ability of the Hib conjugate vaccine to elicit a T-cell dependent immune response in mice. ELISA methods are relatively cheap and easy to implement and therefore very useful during the development of polysaccharide conjugate vaccines.

Bio-Inspired Photon Absorption and Energy Transfer for Next Generation Photovoltaic Devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magsi, Komal

Nature's solar energy harvesting system, photosynthesis, serves as a model for photon absorption, spectra broadening, and energy transfer. Photosynthesis harvests light far differently than photovoltaic cells. These differences offer both engineering opportunity and scientific challenges since not all of the natural photon absorption mechanisms have been understood. In return, solar cells can be a very sensitive probe for the absorption characteristics of molecules capable of transferring charge to a conductive interface. The objective of this scientific work is the advancement of next generation photovoltaics through the development and application of natural photo-energy transfer processes. Two scientific methods were used in the development and application of enhancing photon absorption and transfer. First, a detailed analysis of photovoltaic front surface fluorescent spectral modification and light scattering by hetero-structure was conducted. Phosphor based spectral down-conversion is a well-known laser technology. The theoretical calculations presented here indicate that parasitic losses and light scattering within the spectral range are large enough to offset any expected gains. The second approach for enhancing photon absorption is based on bio-inspired mechanisms. Key to the utilization of these natural processes is the development of a detailed scientific understanding and the application of these processes to cost effective systems and devices. In this work both aspects are investigated. Dye type solar cells were prepared and tested as a function of Chlorophyll (or Sodium-Copper Chlorophyllin) and accessory dyes. Forster has shown that the fluorescence ratio of Chlorophyll is modified and broadened by separate photon absorption (sensitized absorption) through interaction with nearby accessory pigments. This work used the dye type solar cell as a diagnostic tool by which to investigate photon absorption and photon energy transfer. These experiments shed some doubt on the Foster Resonant Energy Transfer mechanism since energy relay dye architecture-photosensitizer mixtures do not broaden the response of solar cells. Spectral absorption characterization of chromophore-Chlorophyll solutions in varying solvent polarity confirm the lack of cooperative absorption via a Foster-like mechanism and point the way to new concepts of cooperative absorption in natural systems and the development of a new photovoltaic paradigm.

Specificity and Transfer in Learning How to Follow Navigation Instructions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Healy, Alice F.; Schneider, Vivian L.; Barshi, Immanuel

2012-01-01

We report a series of experiments that use a navigation task in which instructions for navigating in a space displayed as grids on a computer screen are given to subjects who then attempt to follow them by mouse clicking on the grids. The navigation task was broken down into component dimensions (e.g., presentation mode of the instructions, length of the instructions, characteristics of the display, size of the grids, response type). For each task dimension, one condition was used at training and the same or another condition was used at test. Each task dimension was examined in terms of two measures. One measure provided an index of transfer (i.e., better performance at test than at training when test and training involved different conditions), and the other provided an index of specificity (i.e., better performance at test when training and test conditions were the same than when training and test conditions were different). By and large, these two indices were complementary, so there was evidence of either transfer or specificity but not both. For one dimension transfer but no specificity was evident, and for another dimension specificity but no transfer was evident. For the remaining dimensions, however, there was asymmetrical transfer, with transfer evident for some conditions and specificity evident for others. The findings are interpreted within the procedural reinstatement framework. They have practical implications concerning how to optimize training and how much fidelity to the testing situation is necessary when training.

Intermanual transfer characteristics of dynamic learning: direction, coordinate frame, and consolidation of interlimb generalization

PubMed Central

Thürer, Benjamin; Focke, Anne; Stein, Thorsten

2015-01-01

Intermanual transfer, i.e., generalization of motor learning across hands, is a well-accepted phenomenon of motor learning. Yet, there are open questions regarding the characteristics of this transfer, particularly the intermanual transfer of dynamic learning. In this study, we investigated intermanual transfer in a force field adaptation task concerning the direction and the coordinate frame of transfer as well as the influence of a 24-h consolidation period on the transfer. We tested 48 healthy human subjects for transfer from dominant to nondominant hand, and vice versa. We considered two features of transfer. First, we examined transfer to the untrained hand using force channel trials that suppress error feedback and learning mechanisms to assess intermanual transfer in the form of a practice-dependent bias. Second, we considered transfer by exposing the subjects to the force field with the untrained hand to check for faster learning of the dynamics (interlimb savings). Half of the subjects were tested for transfer immediately after adaptation, whereas the other half were tested after a 24-h consolidation period. Our results showed intermanual transfer both from dominant to nondominant hand and vice versa in extrinsic coordinates. After the consolidation period, transfer effects were weakened. Moreover, the transfer effects were negligible compared with the subjects' ability to rapidly adapt to the force field condition. We conclude that intermanual transfer is a bidirectional phenomenon that vanishes with time. However, the ability to transfer motor learning seems to play a minor role compared with the rapid adaptation processes. PMID:26424581

Transfer of test-enhanced learning: Meta-analytic review and synthesis.

PubMed

Pan, Steven C; Rickard, Timothy C

2018-05-07

Attempting recall of information from memory, as occurs when taking a practice test, is one of the most potent training techniques known to learning science. However, does testing yield learning that transfers to different contexts? In the present article, we report the findings of the first comprehensive meta-analytic review into that question. Our review encompassed 192 transfer effect sizes extracted from 122 experiments and 67 published and unpublished articles (N = 10,382) that together comprise more than 40 years of research. A random-effects model revealed that testing can yield transferrable learning as measured relative to a nontesting reexposure control condition (d = 0.40, 95% CI [0.31, 0.50]). That transfer of learning is greatest across test formats, to application and inference questions, to problems involving medical diagnoses, and to mediator and related word cues; it is weakest to rearranged stimulus-response items, to untested materials seen during initial study, and to problems involving worked examples. Moderator analyses further indicated that response congruency and elaborated retrieval practice, as well as initial test performance, strongly influence the likelihood of positive transfer. In two assessments for publication bias using PET-PEESE and various selection methods, the moderator effect sizes were minimally affected. However, the intercept predictions were substantially reduced, often indicating no positive transfer when none of the aforementioned moderators are present. Overall, our results motivate a three-factor framework for transfer of test-enhanced learning and have practical implications for the effective use of practice testing in educational and other training contexts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Pedigree construction and disease confirmation: a pilot study in Wales exploring the role of nonclinical personnel.

PubMed

Tempest, Vanessa; Iredale, Rachel; Gray, Jonathon; France, Liz; Anstey, Sally; Steward, John

2005-09-01

Pedigree construction and disease confirmation are the means by which reported family histories are translated into a verified clinical tool informing risk assessment and management decisions by clinical genetics staff. In this study, we hypothesised that pedigree generation data processes do not generally require the clinical expertise of genetic counsellors and that they could be successfully transferred to nonclinical data administrators. We made a pragmatic comparison of two processes of pedigree generation by different personnel from 14 consecutive family history questionnaires containing 88 living and decease affected individuals. The pedigrees generated by the genetic counsellor and the data administrator were compared; discrepancies were quantified and their source determined. The information gathered by the data administrator mirrored that of the genetic counsellors in 89% of cases. Time was saved by permitting direct access to cancer registry and local oncology centre databases. Constructing a pedigree is not always a case of transferring clear-cut data. Decisions need to be made about which cancers to confirm. Notable differences emerged in the number of pieces of information not transferred. Ambiguous information was often interpreted differently, suggesting the need for clinical staff to review pedigrees after their initial plotting by the data administrator. This study demonstrates a good degree of concordance between pedigrees constructed by a nonclinical data administrator and those of experienced genetic counsellors. However, the redirection of all pedigree activity to nonclinical personnel up to the point of risk review is not possible at present.

Mechanisms for surface contamination of soils and bottom sediments in the Shagan River zone within former Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site.

PubMed

Aidarkhanov, A O; Lukashenko, S N; Lyakhova, O N; Subbotin, S B; Yakovenko, Yu Yu; Genova, S V; Aidarkhanova, A K

2013-10-01

The Shagan River is the only surface watercourse within the former Semipalatinsk Test Site (STS). Research in the valley of the Shagan River was carried out to study the possible migration of artificial radionuclides with surface waters over considerable distances, with the possibility these radionuclides may have entered the Irtysh River. The investigations revealed that radioactive contamination of soil was primarily caused by the first underground nuclear test with soil outburst conducted at the "Balapan" site in Borehole 1004. The surface nuclear tests carried out at the "Experimental Field" site and global fallout made insignificant contributions to contamination. The most polluted is the area in the immediate vicinity of the "Atomic" Lake crater. Contamination at the site is spatial. The total area of contamination is limited to 10-12 km from the crater piles. The ratio of plutonium isotopes was useful to determine the source of soil contamination. There was virtual absence of artificial radionuclide migration with surface waters, and possible cross-border transfer of radionuclides with the waters of Shagan and Irtysh rivers was not confirmed. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Allergic proctocolitis refractory to maternal hypoallergenic diet in exclusively breast-fed infants: a clinical observation.

PubMed

Lucarelli, Sandra; Di Nardo, Giovanni; Lastrucci, Ginevra; D'Alfonso, Ylenia; Marcheggiano, Adriana; Federici, Tatiana; Frediani, Simone; Frediani, Tullio; Cucchiara, Salvatore

2011-07-16

Allergic proctocolitis (APC) in exclusively breast-fed infants is caused by food proteins, deriving from maternal diet, transferred through lactation. In most cases a maternal cow milk-free diet leads to a prompt resolution of rectal bleeding, while in some patients a multiple food allergy can occur. The aim of this study was to assess whether the atopy patch test (APT) could be helpful to identify this subgroup of patients requiring to discontinue breast-feeding due to polisensitization. Additionally, we assessed the efficacy of an amino acid-based formula (AAF) when multiple food allergy is suspected. amino acid-based formula We have prospectively enrolled 14 exclusively breast-fed infants with APC refractory to maternal allergen avoidance. The diagnosis was confirmed by endoscopy with biopsies. Skin prick tests and serum specific IgE for common foods, together with APTs for common foods plus breast milk, were performed. After a 1 month therapy of an AAF all patients underwent a follow-up rectosigmoidoscopy. Prick tests and serum specific IgE were negative. APTs were positive in 100% infants, with a multiple positivity in 50%. Sensitization was found for breast milk in 100%, cow's milk (50%), soy (28%), egg (21%), rice (14%), wheat (7%). Follow-up rectosigmoidoscopy confirmed the remission of APC in all infants. These data suggest that APT might become a useful tool to identify subgroups of infants with multiple gastrointestinal food allergy involving a delayed immunogenic mechanism, with the aim to avoid unnecessary maternal dietary restrictions before discontinuing breast-feeding.

Experimental study on heat transfer to supercritical water flowing through tubes

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

Zhao, M.; Gu, H.; Cheng, X.

2012-07-01

A test facility named SWAMUP (Supercritical Water Multi-Purpose Loop) has been constructed in Shanghai Jiao Tong Univ. to investigate heat transfer and pressure drop through tubes and rod bundles. SWAMUP is a closed loop with operating pressure up to 30 MPa, outlet-water temperature up to 550 deg. C, and mass flow rate up to 5 t/h. In this paper, experimental study has been carried out on heat transfer of supercritical water flowing vertically through tubes (ID=7.6 and 10 mm). A large number of test points in tubes has been obtained with a wide range of heat flux (200-1500 kw/m{sup 2})more » and mass flux (450-2000 kg/m{sup 2}s). Test results showed that heat transfer deterioration (HTD) caused by buoyancy effect only appears in upward flow and HTD caused by acceleration effect appears both in upward flow and downward flow. The heat transfer coefficients (HTC) produced in tube tests were compared with existing heat transfer correlations. (authors)« less

A generalized analytical model for radiative transfer in vacuum thermal insulation of space vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krainova, Irina V.; Dombrovsky, Leonid A.; Nenarokomov, Aleksey V.; Budnik, Sergey A.; Titov, Dmitry M.; Alifanov, Oleg M.

2017-08-01

The previously developed spectral model for radiative transfer in vacuum thermal insulation of space vehicles is generalized to take into account possible thermal contact between a fibrous spacer and one of the neighboring aluminum foil layers. An approximate analytical solution based on slightly modified two-flux approximation for radiative transfer in a semi-transparent fibrous spacer is derived. It was shown that thermal contact between the spacer and adjacent foil may decrease significantly the quality of thermal insulation because of an increase in radiative flux to/from the opposite aluminum foil. Theoretical predictions are confirmed by comparison with new results of laboratory experiments.

Inner reorganization limiting electron transfer controlled hydrogen bonding: intra- vs. intermolecular effects.

PubMed

Martínez-González, Eduardo; Frontana, Carlos

2014-05-07

In this work, experimental evidence of the influence of the electron transfer kinetics during electron transfer controlled hydrogen bonding between anion radicals of metronidazole and ornidazole, derivatives of 5-nitro-imidazole, and 1,3-diethylurea as the hydrogen bond donor, is presented. Analysis of the variations of voltammetric EpIcvs. log KB[DH], where KB is the binding constant, allowed us to determine the values of the binding constant and also the electron transfer rate k, confirmed by experiments obtained at different scan rates. Electronic structure calculations at the BHandHLYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) level for metronidazole, including the solvent effect by the Cramer/Truhlar model, suggested that the minimum energy conformer is stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding. In this structure, the inner reorganization energy, λi,j, contributes significantly (0.5 eV) to the total reorganization energy of electron transfer, thus leading to a diminishment of the experimental k.

Energy transfer mechanism and probability analysis of submarine pipe laterally impacted by dropped objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Jing; Yu, Jian-xing; Yu, Yang; Lam, W.; Zhao, Yi-yu; Duan, Jing-hui

2016-06-01

Energy transfer ratio is the basic-factor affecting the level of pipe damage during the impact between dropped object and submarine pipe. For the purpose of studying energy transfer and damage mechanism of submarine pipe impacted by dropped objects, series of experiments are designed and carried out. The effective yield strength is deduced to make the quasi-static analysis more reliable, and the normal distribution of energy transfer ratio caused by lateral impact on pipes is presented by statistic analysis of experimental results based on the effective yield strength, which provides experimental and theoretical basis for the risk analysis of submarine pipe system impacted by dropped objects. Failure strains of pipe material are confirmed by comparing experimental results with finite element simulation. In addition, impact contact area and impact time are proved to be the major influence factors of energy transfer by sensitivity analysis of the finite element simulation.

Time-dependent mean-field determination of the excitation energy in transfer reactions: Application to the reaction 238U on 12C at 6.14 MeV/nucleon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scamps, G.; Rodríguez-Tajes, C.; Lacroix, D.; Farget, F.

2017-02-01

The internal excitation of nuclei after multinucleon transfer is estimated by using the time-dependent mean-field theory. Transfer probabilities for each channel as well as the energy loss after reseparation are calculated. By combining these two pieces of information, we show that the excitation energy distribution of the transfer fragments can be obtained separately for the different transfer channels. The method is applied to the reaction involving a 238U beam on a 12C target, which has recently been measured at GANIL. It is shown that the excitation energy calculated with the microscopic theory compares well with the experimental observation, provided that the competition with fusion is properly taken into account. The reliability of the excitation energy is further confirmed by the comparison with the phenomenological heavy-ion phase-space model at higher center-of-mass energies.

Affecting others: social appraisal and emotion contagion in everyday decision making.

PubMed

Parkinson, Brian; Simons, Gwenda

2009-08-01

In a diary study of interpersonal affect transfer, 41 participants reported on decisions involving other people over 3 weeks. Reported anxiety and excitement were reliably related to the perceived anxiety and excitement of another person who was present during decision making. Risk and importance appraisals partially mediated effects of other's anxiety on own anxiety as predicted by social appraisal theory. However, other's emotion remained a significant independent predictor of own emotion after controlling for appraisals, supporting the additional impact of more direct forms of affect transfer such as emotion contagion. Significant affect-transfer effects remained even after controlling for participants' perceptions of the other's emotion in addition to all measured appraisals, confirming that affect transfer does not require explicit registration of someone else's feelings. This research provides some of the clearest evidence for the operation of both social appraisal and automatic affect transfer in everyday social life.

Dynamic Modulation of Radiative Heat Transfer beyond the Blackbody Limit.

PubMed

Ito, Kota; Nishikawa, Kazutaka; Miura, Atsushi; Toshiyoshi, Hiroshi; Iizuka, Hideo

2017-07-12

Dynamic control of electromagnetic heat transfer without changing mechanical configuration opens possibilities in intelligent thermal management in nanoscale systems. We confirmed by experiment that the radiative heat transfer is dynamically modulated beyond the blackbody limit. The near-field electromagnetic heat exchange mediated by phonon-polariton is controlled by the metal-insulator transition of tungsten-doped vanadium dioxide. The functionalized heat flux is transferred over an area of 1.6 cm 2 across a 370 nm gap, which is maintained by the microfabricated spacers and applied pressure. The uniformity of the gap is validated by optical interferometry, and the measured heat transfer is well modeled as the sum of the radiative and the parasitic conductive components. The presented methodology to form a nanometric gap with functional heat flux paves the way to the smart thermal management in various scenes ranging from highly integrated systems to macroscopic apparatus.

Hydride Transfer in DHFR by Transition Path Sampling, Kinetic Isotope Effects, and Heavy Enzyme Studies

PubMed Central

Wang, Zhen; Antoniou, Dimitri; Schwartz, Steven D.; Schramm, Vern L.

2016-01-01

Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase (ecDHFR) is used to study fundamental principles of enzyme catalysis. It remains controversial whether fast protein motions are coupled to the hydride transfer catalyzed by ecDHFR. Previous studies with heavy ecDHFR proteins labeled with 13C, 15N, and nonexchangeable 2H reported enzyme mass-dependent hydride transfer kinetics for ecDHFR. Here, we report refined experimental and computational studies to establish that hydride transfer is independent of protein mass. Instead, we found the rate constant for substrate dissociation to be faster for heavy DHFR. Previously reported kinetic differences between light and heavy DHFRs likely arise from kinetic steps other than the chemical step. This study confirms that fast (femtosecond to picosecond) protein motions in ecDHFR are not coupled to hydride transfer and provides an integrative computational and experimental approach to resolve fast dynamics coupled to chemical steps in enzyme catalysis. PMID:26652185

They can interact, but can they learn? Toddlers' transfer learning from touchscreens and television.

PubMed

Moser, Alecia; Zimmermann, Laura; Dickerson, Kelly; Grenell, Amanda; Barr, Rachel; Gerhardstein, Peter

2015-09-01

Despite the ubiquity of touchscreen applications and television programs for young children, developmental research suggests that learning in this context is degraded relative to face-to-face interactions. Most previous research has been limited to transfer of learning from videos, making it difficult to isolate the relative perceptual and social influences for transfer difficulty, and has not examined whether the transfer deficit persists across early childhood when task complexity increases. The current study examined whether the transfer deficit persists in older children using a complex puzzle imitation task constructed to investigate transfer from video demonstrations. The current test adapted this task to permit bidirectional transfer from touchscreens as well. To test for bidirectional transfer deficits, 2.5- and 3-year-olds were shown how to assemble a three-piece puzzle on either a three-dimensional magnetic board or a two-dimensional touchscreen (Experiment 1). Unidirectional transfer from video was also tested (Experiment 2). Results indicate that a bidirectional transfer deficit persists through 3 years, with younger children showing a greater transfer deficit; despite high perceptual similarities and social engagement, children learned less in transfer tasks, supporting the memory flexibility account of the transfer deficit. Implications of these findings for use of screen media (e.g., video, tablets) in early education are discussed. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Developing an appropriate digital hearing aid for low-resource countries: a case study.

PubMed

Israsena, P; Isaradisaikul, S; Noymai, A; Boonyanukul, S; Hemakom, A; Chinnarat, C; Navacharoen, N; Lekagul, S

2013-01-01

This paper reviews the development process and discusses the key findings which resulted from our multidisciplinary research team's effort to develop an alternative digital hearing suitable for low-resource countries such as Thailand. A cost-effective, fully programmable digital hearing aid, with its specifications benchmarking against WHO's recommendations, was systematically designed, engineered, and tested. Clinically it had undergone a full clinical trial that employed the outcome measurement protocol adopted from the APHAB, the first time implemented in Thai language. Results indicated that using the hearing aid improves user's satisfaction in terms of ease of communication, background noises, and reverberation, with clear benefit after 3 and 6 months, confirming its efficacy. In terms of engineering, the hearing aid also proved to be robust, passing all the designated tests. As the technology has successfully been transferred to a local company for the production phase, we also discuss other challenges that may arise before the device can be introduced into the market.

Soft-template-synthesis of hollow CuO/Co3O4 composites for pseudo-capacitive electrode: A synergetic effect on electrochemical performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Kuaibing; Lv, Bo; Wu, Hua; Luo, Xuefei; Xu, Jiangyan; Geng, Zhirong

2016-12-01

Hollow CuO/Co3O4 hybrids, which inherited from its coordination polymer precursor consisting of sheets layer and nanoparticles layer composites, were synthesized and characterized by SEM, EDX, XRD and XPS. To assess its electrochemical capacitive performances, cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charging-discharging measurements and A.C. impedance tests were performed successively. The CuO/Co3O4 hybrids had higher capacitance and lower charge transfer resistance than bare Co3O4 nanostructures, revealing that it provided a protection layer and produced a synergistic effect due to the existence of CuO layer. The distinct synergistic effect could be further confirmed by endurance cycling tests. The capacitance of the CuO/Co3O4 hybrids was 111% retained after 500 cycles at a charging rate of 1.0 A g-1 and remained an intense growth trend after 2000 cycles at scan rate of 200 mV s-1.

Enhanced resistance to stripe rust disease in transgenic wheat expressing the rice chitinase gene RC24.

PubMed

Huang, Xuan; Wang, Jian; Du, Zhen; Zhang, Chen; Li, Lan; Xu, Ziqin

2013-10-01

Stripe rust is a devastating fungal disease of wheat worldwide which is primarily caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp tritici. Transgenic wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) expressing rice class chitinase gene RC24 were developed by particle bombardment of immature embryos and tested for resistance to Puccinia striiformis f.sp tritici. under greenhouse and field conditions. Putative transformants were selected on kanamycin-containing media. Polymease chain reaction indicated that RC24 was transferred into 17 transformants obtained from bombardment of 1,684 immature embryos. Integration of RC24 was confirmed by Southern blot with a RC24-labeled probe and expression of RC24 was verified by RT-PCR. Nine transgenic T1 lines exhibited enhanced resistance to stripe rust infection with lines XN8 and BF4 showing the highest level of resistance. Southern blot hybridization confirmed the stable inheritance of RC24 in transgenic T1 plants. Resistance to stripe rust in transgenic T2 and T3 XN8 and BF4 plants was confirmed over two consecutive years in the field. Increased yield (27-36 %) was recorded for transgenic T2 and T3 XN8 and BF4 plants compared to controls. These results suggest that rice class I chitinase RC24 can be used to engineer stripe rust resistance in wheat.

RNAi Mediated curcin precursor gene silencing in Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.).

PubMed

Patade, Vikas Yadav; Khatri, Deepti; Kumar, Kamal; Grover, Atul; Kumari, Maya; Gupta, Sanjay Mohan; Kumar, Devender; Nasim, Mohammed

2014-07-01

Curcin, a type I ribosomal inhibiting protein-RIP, encoded by curcin precursor gene, is a phytotoxin present in Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.). Here, we report designing of RNAi construct for the curcin precursor gene and further its genetic transformation of Jatropha to reduce its transcript expression. Curcin precursor gene was first cloned from Jatropha strain DARL-2 and part of the gene sequence was cloned in sense and antisense orientation separated by an intron sequence in plant expression binary vector pRI101 AN. The construction of the RNAi vector was confirmed by double digestion and nucleotide sequencing. The vector was then mobilized into Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain GV 3101 and used for tissue culture independent in planta transformation protocol optimized for Jatropha. Germinating seeds were injured with a needle before infection with Agrobacterium and then transferred to sterilized sand medium. The seedlings were grown for 90 days and genomic DNA was isolated from leaves for transgenic confirmation based on real time PCR with NPT II specific dual labeled probe. Result of the transgenic confirmation analysis revealed presence of the gene silencing construct in ten out of 30 tested seedlings. Further, quantitative transcript expression analysis of the curcin precursor gene revealed reduction in the transcript abundance by more than 98% to undetectable level. The transgenic plants are being grown in containment for further studies on reduction in curcin protein content in Jatropha seeds.

Abstract to Action: Targeted Learning System Theory Applied to Adaptive Flight Training

DTIC Science & Technology

2018-04-18

complete the VRLE trained task in the real world confirming a good transfer of spatial knowledge from VR to reality.39 A VRLE was also used in a...opportunities if the technology was customized to produce the necessary datasets for the required education or training outcomes. The TLST maximizes...the simulator staging area to confirm your Virtual Reality training times. Good Luck! ` 92 Pre-Virtual Reality (VR) Instructions You are

Maintenance of the Maxillomandibular Position with Digital Workflow in Oral Rehabilitation: A Technical Note.

PubMed

Li, Zhongjie; Xia, Yingfeng; Chen, Kai; Zhao, Hanchi; Liu, Yang

Prosthodontic oral rehabilitation procedures are time consuming and require efforts to maintain the confirmed maxillomandibular relationship. Several occlusal registrations and impressions are needed, and cross-mounting is performed to transfer the diagnostic wax-up to master working casts. The introduction of a digital workflow protocol reduces steps in the required process, and occlusal registrations with less deformation are used. The outcome is a maintained maxillomandibular position that is accurately and conveniently transferred.

Electrical conductivity measurements of bacterial nanowires from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maruthupandy, Muthusamy; Anand, Muthusamy; Maduraiveeran, Govindhan; Sait Hameedha Beevi, Akbar; Jeeva Priya, Radhakrishnan

2015-12-01

The extracellular appendages of bacteria (flagella) that transfer electrons to electrodes are called bacterial nanowires. This study focuses on the isolation and separation of nanowires that are attached via Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial culture. The size and roughness of separated nanowires were measured using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. The obtained bacterial nanowires indicated a clear image of bacterial nanowires measuring 16 nm in diameter. The formation of bacterial nanowires was confirmed by microscopic studies (AFM and TEM) and the conductivity nature of bacterial nanowire was investigated by electrochemical techniques. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), which are nondestructive voltammetry techniques, suggest that bacterial nanowires could be the source of electrons—which may be used in various applications, for example, microbial fuel cells, biosensors, organic solar cells, and bioelectronic devices. Routine analysis of electron transfer between bacterial nanowires and the electrode was performed, providing insight into the extracellular electron transfer (EET) to the electrode. CV revealed the catalytic electron transferability of bacterial nanowires and electrodes and showed excellent redox activities. CV and EIS studies showed that bacterial nanowires can charge the surface by producing and storing sufficient electrons, behave as a capacitor, and have features consistent with EET. Finally, electrochemical studies confirmed the development of bacterial nanowires with EET. This study suggests that bacterial nanowires can be used to fabricate biomolecular sensors and nanoelectronic devices.

Roll-to-roll continuous patterning and transfer of graphene via dispersive adhesion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Taejun; Kim, Sang Jin; Park, Subeom; Hwang, Taek Yong; Jeon, Youngro; Hong, Byung Hee

2015-04-01

We present a roll-to-roll, continuous patterning and transfer of graphene sheets capable of residue-free and fast patterning. The graphene sheet is supported with dispersive adhesion. Graphene is continuously patterned by the difference in adhesion forces with a pre-defined embossed roller. The patterned graphene sheet adheres to the polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/silicone with very low strength and can be easily transferred to various substrates without the aid of any heating mechanism. The width of the patterned film was 120 mm and a production rate of 15 m min-1 for patterning was achieved. Large-area uniformity was confirmed by observing the optical images on 4 inch Si wafer and Raman mapping spectra for 50 × 50 mm2.We present a roll-to-roll, continuous patterning and transfer of graphene sheets capable of residue-free and fast patterning. The graphene sheet is supported with dispersive adhesion. Graphene is continuously patterned by the difference in adhesion forces with a pre-defined embossed roller. The patterned graphene sheet adheres to the polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/silicone with very low strength and can be easily transferred to various substrates without the aid of any heating mechanism. The width of the patterned film was 120 mm and a production rate of 15 m min-1 for patterning was achieved. Large-area uniformity was confirmed by observing the optical images on 4 inch Si wafer and Raman mapping spectra for 50 × 50 mm2. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr06991a

Current status of assisted reproductive technology in Korea, 2011.

PubMed

Lee, Gyoung Hoon; Song, Hyun Jin; Lee, Kyu Sup; Choi, Young Min

2016-03-01

The number of assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics, ART cycles, clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), and number of newborns conceived using ART have steadily increased in South Korea. This aim of this study was to describe the status of ART in South Korea between January 1 and December 31, 2011. A localized online survey was created and sent to all available ART centers via email in 2015. Fresh embryo transfer (FET) cases were categorized depending on whether standard in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), or half-ICSI procedures were used. Thawed embryo transfer (TET) and other related procedures were surveyed. Data from 36,990 ART procedures were provided by 74 clinics. Of the 30,410 cycles in which oocytes were retrieved, a complete transfer was performed in 91.0% (n=27,683). In addition, 9,197 cycles were confirmed to be clinical pregnancies in the FET cycles, representing a pregnancy rate of 30.2% per oocyte pick-up and 33.2% per ET. The most common number of embryos transferred in the FET procedures was three (38.1%), followed by two (34.7%) and one (14.3%). Of the 8,826 TET cycles, 3,137 clinical pregnancies (31.1%) were confirmed by ultrasonography. While the overall clinical pregnancy rate for the TET cycles performed was lower than the rate reported in 2010 (31.1% vs. 35.4%), the overall CPR for the FET cycles was higher than in 2010 (33.2% in 2011 and 32.9% in 2010). The most common number of embryos transferred in FET cycles was three, as was the case in 2010.

Extraction or adsorption? Voltammetric assessment of protamine transfer at ionophore-based polymeric membranes.

PubMed

Garada, Mohammed B; Kabagambe, Benjamin; Amemiya, Shigeru

2015-01-01

Cation-exchange extraction of polypeptide protamine from water into an ionophore-based polymeric membrane has been hypothesized as the origin of a potentiometric sensor response to this important heparin antidote. Here, we apply ion-transfer voltammetry not only to confirm protamine extraction into ionophore-doped polymeric membranes but also to reveal protamine adsorption at the membrane/water interface. Protamine adsorption is thermodynamically more favorable than protamine extraction as shown by cyclic voltammetry at plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) membranes containing dinonylnaphthalenesulfonate as a protamine-selective ionophore. Reversible adsorption of protamine at low concentrations down to 0.038 μg/mL is demonstrated by stripping voltammetry. Adsorptive preconcentration of protamine at the membrane/water interface is quantitatively modeled by using the Frumkin adsorption isotherm. We apply this model to ensure that stripping voltammograms are based on desorption of all protamine molecules that are transferred across the interface during a preconcentration step. In comparison to adsorption, voltammetric extraction of protamine requires ∼0.2 V more negative potentials, where a potentiometric super-Nernstian response to protamine is also observed. This agreement confirms that the potentiometric protamine response is based on protamine extraction. The voltammetrically reversible protamine extraction results in an apparently irreversible potentiometric response to protamine because back-extraction of protamine from the membrane extremely slows down at the mixed potential based on cation-exchange extraction of protamine. Significantly, this study demonstrates the advantages of ion-transfer voltammetry over potentiometry to quantitatively and mechanistically assess protamine transfer at ionophore-based polymeric membranes as foundation for reversible, selective, and sensitive detection of protamine.

Project W-314 specific test and evaluation plan for transfer line SN-633 (241-AX-B to 241-AY-02A)

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

Hays, W.H.

1998-03-20

The purpose of this Specific Test and Evaluation Plan (STEP) is to provide a detailed written plan for the systematic testing of modifications made by the addition of the SN-633 transfer line by the W-314 Project. The STEP develops the outline for test procedures that verify the system`s performance to the established Project design criteria. The STEP is a lower tier document based on the W-314 Test and Evaluation Plan (TEP). This STEP encompasses all testing activities required to demonstrate compliance to the project design criteria as it relates to the addition of transfer line SN-633. The Project Design Specificationsmore » (PDS) identify the specific testing activities required for the Project. Testing includes Validations and Verifications (e.g., Commercial Grade Item Dedication activities), Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs), installation tests and inspections, Construction Acceptance Tests (CATs), Acceptance Test Procedures (ATPs), Pre-Operational Test Procedures (POTPs), and Operational Test Procedures (OTPs). It should be noted that POTPs are not required for testing of the transfer line addition. The STEP will be utilized in conjunction with the TEP for verification and validation.« less

H2 and acetate transfers during xylan fermentation between a butyrate-producing xylanolytic species and hydrogenotrophic microorganisms from the human gut.

PubMed

Chassard, Christophe; Bernalier-Donadille, Annick

2006-01-01

The aim of this work was to investigate in vitro interrelationships during xylan fermentation between an H2 and butyrate-producing xylanolytic species recently isolated in our laboratory from human faeces and identified as Roseburia intestinalis and the H2-utilizing acetogen Ruminococcus hydrogenotrophicus or the methanogen Methanobrevibacter smithii. H2 transfer between M. smithii or Ru. hydrogenotrophicus and the xylanolytic species was evidenced, confirming the great potential of these H2-consuming microorganisms to reutilize fermentative H2 during fibre fermentation in the gut. In addition, acetate transfer was demonstrated between the xylanolytic Roseburia sp. and the acetogenic species, both metabolites transfers leading to butyric fermentation of oat xylan without production of H2.

Charge transfer properties of pentacene adsorbed on silver: DFT study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

N, Rekha T.; Rajkumar, Beulah J. M.

2015-06-01

Charge transfer properties of pentacene adsorbed on silver is investigated using DFT methods. Optimized geometry of pentacene after adsorption on silver indicates distortion in hexagonal structure of the ring close to the silver cluster and deviations in co-planarity of carbon atoms due to the variations in bond angles and dihedral angles. Theoretically simulated absorption spectrum has a symmetric surface plasmon resonance peak around 486nm corresponding to the transfer of charge from HOMO-2 to LUMO. Theoretical SERS confirms the process of adsorption, tilted orientation of pentacene on silver surface and the charge transfers reported. Localization of electron density arising from redistribution of electrostatic potential together with a reduced bandgap of pentacene after adsorption on silver suggests its utility in the design of electro active organic semiconducting devices.

Heat transfer tests of the McDonnell-Douglas delta wing orbiter mated with -17A booster at Mach number 8

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Matthews, R. K.; Martindale, W. R.; Warmbrod, J. D.

1972-01-01

A wind tunnel test program to determine aerodynamic heat transfer distributions on the McDonnell-Douglas configurations is reported. The tests were conducted at the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) in Tunnel B of the von Karman Gas Dynamics Facility (VKF). Heat-transfer rates were determined by the phase-change paint technique on 0.011-scale Stycast models using Tempilaq as the surface temperature indicator. The nominal test conditions were; Mach 8, freestream unit Reynolds numbers of 0.8 x one million, 2.5 x one million, and 3.7 x one million, and angles of attack of -5 deg, 0 deg, +5deg. Model details, test conditions, phase-change paint photographs and reduced heat-transfer coefficients are presented.

Study of fuel cell powerplant with heat recovery

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

King, J. M.; Grasso, A. P.; Clausi, J. V.

1975-01-01

It was shown that heat can be recovered from fuel cell power plants by replacing the air-cooled heat exchangers in present designs with units which transfer the heat to the integrated utility system. Energy availability for a 40-kW power plant was studied and showed that the total usable energy at rated power represents 84 percent of the fuel lower heating value. The effects of design variables on heat availability proved to be small. Design requirements were established for the heat recovery heat exchangers, including measurement of the characteristics of two candidate fuel cell coolants after exposure to fuel cell operating conditions. A heat exchanger test program was defined to assess fouling and other characteristics of fuel cell heat exchangers needed to confirm heat exchanger designs for heat recovery.

Mass Transfer Testing of a 12.5-cm Rotor Centrifugal Contactor

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

D. H. Meikrantz; T. G. Garn; J. D. Law

2008-09-01

TRUEX mass transfer tests were performed using a single stage commercially available 12.5 cm centrifugal contactor and stable cerium (Ce) and europium (Eu). Test conditions included throughputs ranging from 2.5 to 15 Lpm and rotor speeds of 1750 and 2250 rpm. Ce and Eu extraction forward distribution coefficients ranged from 13 to 19. The first and second stage strip back distributions were 0.5 to 1.4 and .002 to .004, respectively, throughout the dynamic test conditions studied. Visual carryover of aqueous entrainment in all organic phase samples was estimated at < 0.1 % and organic carryover into all aqueous phase samplesmore » was about ten times less. Mass transfer efficiencies of = 98 % for both Ce and Eu in the extraction section were obtained over the entire range of test conditions. The first strip stage mass transfer efficiencies ranged from 75 to 93% trending higher with increasing throughput. Second stage mass transfer was greater than 99% in all cases. Increasing the rotor speed from 1750 to 2250 rpm had no significant effect on efficiency for all throughputs tested.« less

Nominal and functional task difficulty in skill acquisition: Effects on performance in two tests of transfer.

PubMed

Sanli, Elizabeth A; Lee, Timothy D

2015-06-01

The influence of nominal and functional task difficulty during the acquisition of a motor skill was examined in two tests of transfer of learning. The task involved a ballistic, target-directed, finger action. Nominal task difficulty was defined as the distance of the target from the home position. Functional task difficulty was created by manipulating the progression of target distances during practice. Based on the challenge point framework (Guadagnoli & Lee, 2004), we predicted that practice with a set of targets farther away from the performer would benefit from less functional task difficulty, while practice with a closer set of targets would benefit from more functional task difficulty. In single-task transfer tests, learners who practiced using the high nominal task difficulty targets benefitted in terms of persistence of performance over time. In dual-task transfer tests, groups with an intermediate combined (nominal and functional) task difficulty performed with greater persistence over time on tests of transfer than those who practiced with the highest or lowest combined difficulty. Together these findings suggest that the influences of nominal and functional task difficulty during acquisition are weighted differentially depending upon the transfer test context. The challenge point framework does not accurately capture this complex relationship in its current form. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A flight test facility design for examining digital information transfer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knox, Charles E.

1990-01-01

Information is given in viewgraph form on a flight test facility design for examining digital information transfer. Information is given on aircraft/ground exchange, data link research activities, data link display format, a data link flight test, and the flight test setup.

Scheduling observational and physical practice: influence on the coding of simple motor sequences.

PubMed

Ellenbuerger, Thomas; Boutin, Arnaud; Blandin, Yannick; Shea, Charles H; Panzer, Stefan

2012-01-01

The main purpose of the present experiment was to determine the coordinate system used in the development of movement codes when observational and physical practice are scheduled across practice sessions. The task was to reproduce a 1,300-ms spatial-temporal pattern of elbow flexions and extensions. An intermanual transfer paradigm with a retention test and two effector (contralateral limb) transfer tests was used. The mirror effector transfer test required the same pattern of homologous muscle activation and sequence of limb joint angles as that performed or observed during practice, and the non-mirror effector transfer test required the same spatial pattern movements as that performed or observed. The test results following the first acquisition session replicated the findings of Gruetzmacher, Panzer, Blandin, and Shea (2011) . The results following the second acquisition session indicated a strong advantage for participants who received physical practice in both practice sessions or received observational practice followed by physical practice. This advantage was found on both the retention and the mirror transfer tests compared to the non-mirror transfer test. These results demonstrate that codes based in motor coordinates can be developed relatively quickly and effectively for a simple spatial-temporal movement sequence when participants are provided with physical practice or observation followed by physical practice, but physical practice followed by observational practice or observational practice alone limits the development of codes based in motor coordinates.

The ejector-loop fermenter: Description and performance of the apparatus.

PubMed

Moresi, M; Bartolo Gianturco, G; Sebastiani, E

1983-12-01

A novel fermentation unit, the ejector-loop fermenter (ELF), consisting of an outer-loop tower fermenter, a centrifugal pump, a plate-heat exchanger, and a gas-liquid ejector, was designed and constructed. Aeration was achieved by continuously recirculating the fermentation medium through two different nozzle devices instead of using the traditional expensive air compressor. By carrying out a whey fermentation with Kluyveromyces fragilis as the test organism, either in the ELF or in conventional stirred fermenter, it was possible to confirm that the high sheat streses and mixing shock occurring in the ejector nozzle and diffuser sections did not affect microbial growth. Within the range of experimental power consumption per unit volume (-0.1-5 kW/m(3)), the oxygen transfer capability of the ELF per unit power input was found to vary from 1 to 2.5 kg O(2) kW(-1)h(-1). Moreover, it is shown that there is suficient room for improvement in the performance of the ELF unit by care fully designing the aeration device. In fact, at constant volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient, the power consumpotion per unit volume in a 4-mm nozzle was found to be about 40% less than that in a 6-mm nozzle.

Teaching the blind to find their way by playing video games.

PubMed

Merabet, Lotfi B; Connors, Erin C; Halko, Mark A; Sánchez, Jaime

2012-01-01

Computer based video games are receiving great interest as a means to learn and acquire new skills. As a novel approach to teaching navigation skills in the blind, we have developed Audio-based Environment Simulator (AbES); a virtual reality environment set within the context of a video game metaphor. Despite the fact that participants were naïve to the overall purpose of the software, we found that early blind users were able to acquire relevant information regarding the spatial layout of a previously unfamiliar building using audio based cues alone. This was confirmed by a series of behavioral performance tests designed to assess the transfer of acquired spatial information to a large-scale, real-world indoor navigation task. Furthermore, learning the spatial layout through a goal directed gaming strategy allowed for the mental manipulation of spatial information as evidenced by enhanced navigation performance when compared to an explicit route learning strategy. We conclude that the immersive and highly interactive nature of the software greatly engages the blind user to actively explore the virtual environment. This in turn generates an accurate sense of a large-scale three-dimensional space and facilitates the learning and transfer of navigation skills to the physical world.

Familial hypercholesterolemia: etiology, diagnosis and new treatment options.

PubMed

Gouni-Berthold, Ioanna; Berthold, Heiner K

2014-01-01

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common genetic disorder that presents with robust increases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and can lead to premature cardiovascular disease. There are heterozygous and homozygous forms. The diagnosis is usually made based on blood cholesterol levels, clinical signs and family history. Genetic testing can be used to confirm the diagnosis. Effective lowering of LDL-C in FH can prevent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, however, the disease remains greatly underdiagnosed. The mainstay of pharmacologic therapy in FH patients is high-dose statins, which are often combined with other lipid-lowering agents. The homozygous form is mainly treated with lipid apheresis. Guideline-recommended target levels of LDL-C are often not reached, making new treatment options desirable. Four classes of newer lipid-lowering drugs offer promising advances in treating FH, namely the apolipoprotein-B synthesis inhibitors (mipomersen), the microsomal transfer protein inhibitors (lomitapide), the cholesterol ester transfer protein inhibitors (anacetrapib, evacetrapib) and the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (evolocumab, alirocumab). In this review, the available evidence regarding the use of these drugs in patients with FH is discussed, with particular focus on their efficacy and safety.

Alcohol and drugs use among drivers injured in road accidents in Campania (Italy): A 8-years retrospective analysis.

PubMed

Carfora, Anna; Campobasso, Carlo Pietro; Cassandro, Paola; Petrella, Raffaella; Borriello, Renata

2018-05-09

A recent update of the Italian Road Traffic Law (RTL 41/2016), established severe penal sanctions when drivers, driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) or drugs (DUID), are involved in road accident that results in death or injuries. A study was carried out to assess the trends of consumption of alcohol, illicit drugs or pharmaceutical among injured drivers suspected for DUI or DUID from 2009 to 2016 in the region of Campania (Italy). Confirmation toxicological analyses were performed on 780 blood samples and 1017 urine samples collected from 1797 injured drivers. These drivers all tested positive for alcohol or drug use through immunoassay screening applied at hospital emergency units and their biological samples transferred to the Forensic Reference Laboratory (FRL) for confirmation analysis. The GC/HS-FID methodology was used to test Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). Qualitative and quantitative analyses for drugs were performed using the GC/MS or LC-MS/MS methodology. The BAC >0.5g/L was confirmed in 91.5% of drivers suspected for DUI cases and in 93% of DUID respectively. In DUI cases, results show an increasing incidence of road accidents involving drivers with BAC above 1.5g/L while at concentrations above 0.8g/L alcohol and drugs are both used. Among the suspected DUID cases, the intake of alcohol in association with drugs has consistently increased over time and positive results on blood samples was confirmed for multiple drugs (20%) or cannabis and cocaine alone (18%) followed by benzodiazepines (6%) and methadone (3.5%) respectively. The majority of injured drivers suspected for DUID (1017 cases) did not authorize blood sampling, therefore only urine was analyzed showing the prevalent use of cannabis, followed by multiple drug>cocaine>benzodiazepines>opiates. Among 1797 drivers, suspected at screening for DUI or DUID, 15.4% of cases (64 blood and 213 urine samples) were not confirmed by GC/HS, GC/MS or LC-MS/MS analysis. In forensic toxicological investigations, it is mandatory to satisfy the best quality standards, which is not achievable if immunochemical screening is only performed on urine. Therefore, only confirmed positive results of alcohol or drugs on blood samples can represent conclusive evidence to demonstrate the DUI or DUID related offences. An improvement of the protocols currently applied in Italy for the assessment of DUI or DUID crimes is needed and the confirmation analysis on blood should be considered mandatory. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparative study of alkylthiols and alkylamines for the phase transfer of gold nanoparticles from an aqueous phase to n-hexane.

PubMed

Li, Lingxiangyu; Leopold, Kerstin; Schuster, Michael

2013-05-01

An efficient ligand-assisted phase transfer method has been developed to transfer gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs, d: 5-25 nm) from an aqueous solution to n-hexane. Four different ligands, namely 1-dodecanethiol (DDT), 1-octadecanethiol (ODT), dodecylamine (DDA), and octadecylamine (ODA) were investigated, and DDT was found to be the most efficient ligand. It appears that the molar ratio of DDT to Au-NPs is a critical factor affecting the transfer efficiency, and 270-310 is found to be the optimum range, under which the transfer efficiency is >96%. Moreover, the DDT-assisted phase transfer can preserve the shape and size of the Au-NPs, which was confirmed by UV-vis spectra and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Additionally, the transferred Au-NPs still can be well dispersed in the n-hexane phase and remain stable for at least 2 weeks. On the other hand, the ODT-, DDA-, and ODA-assisted phase transfer is fraught with problems either related to transfer efficiency or NPs aggregation. Overall, the DDT-assisted phase transfer of Au-NPs provides a rapid and efficient method to recover Au-NPs from an aqueous solution to n-hexane. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Electrostatic transfer of epitaxial graphene to glass.

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

Ohta, Taisuke; Pan, Wei; Howell, Stephen Wayne

2010-12-01

We report on a scalable electrostatic process to transfer epitaxial graphene to arbitrary glass substrates, including Pyrex and Zerodur. This transfer process could enable wafer-level integration of graphene with structured and electronically-active substrates such as MEMS and CMOS. We will describe the electrostatic transfer method and will compare the properties of the transferred graphene with nominally-equivalent 'as-grown' epitaxial graphene on SiC. The electronic properties of the graphene will be measured using magnetoresistive, four-probe, and graphene field effect transistor geometries [1]. To begin, high-quality epitaxial graphene (mobility 14,000 cm2/Vs and domains >100 {micro}m2) is grown on SiC in an argon-mediated environmentmore » [2,3]. The electrostatic transfer then takes place through the application of a large electric field between the donor graphene sample (anode) and the heated acceptor glass substrate (cathode). Using this electrostatic technique, both patterned few-layer graphene from SiC(000-1) and chip-scale monolayer graphene from SiC(0001) are transferred to Pyrex and Zerodur substrates. Subsequent examination of the transferred graphene by Raman spectroscopy confirms that the graphene can be transferred without inducing defects. Furthermore, the strain inherent in epitaxial graphene on SiC(0001) is found to be partially relaxed after the transfer to the glass substrates.« less

Newly acquired kiwi fruit allergy after bone marrow transplantation from a kiwi-allergic donor.

PubMed

Garzorz, N; Thomas, J; Eberlein, B; Haferlach, C; Ring, J; Biedermann, T; Schmidt-Weber, C; Eyerich, K; Seifert, F; Eyerich, S

2016-07-01

The phenomenon of allergy transfer from an allergic donor to a non-allergic recipient via hematopoietic cell transplantation has been described by several reports. However, it could not yet been conclusively shown that allergic reaction of the recipient is elicited by the donor's cells. In the case of a 46-year-old male patient who - for the first time in his life - had two episodes of oral allergic syndrome upon kiwi consumption after having received myeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) from his kiwi-allergic sister, we aimed to clarify the origin of allergen reactive cells in the donor. We not only intended to demonstrate if allergy was transferred by HCT but also to present an experimental workup for the analysis of allergy transfer by HCT. Allergic sensitization to kiwi in recipient and donor was proven by ImmunoCAP. Furthermore, origin of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was analyzed by chromosomal fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). To confirm allergic reaction and activation of hematopoietic cells by customized kiwi extract, we performed basophil activation test from whole blood as well as T cell proliferation assays from purified PBMCs of both recipient and donor. Basophil activation upon kiwi extract was demonstrated in both recipient and donor. Besides, we showed proliferation of CD4(+) T cells after incubation with kiwi extract. FISH analysis proved that hematopoietic cells of the male recipient completely originated from the female donor. Exemplified in this patient, we show for the first time that allergy transfer is mediated by the donor's cells. Moreover, our experimental approach using customized kiwi extract to prove contribution of kiwi-specific T and B cells in both kiwi-allergic recipient and donor could serve as a model approach for future studies. © 2016 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

Constraining global air-sea gas exchange for CO2 with recent bomb 14C measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sweeney, Colm; Gloor, Emanuel; Jacobson, Andrew R.; Key, Robert M.; McKinley, Galen; Sarmiento, Jorge L.; Wanninkhof, Rik

2007-06-01

The 14CO2 released into the stratosphere during bomb testing in the early 1960s provides a global constraint on air-sea gas exchange of soluble atmospheric gases like CO2. Using the most complete database of dissolved inorganic radiocarbon, DI14C, available to date and a suite of ocean general circulation models in an inverse mode we recalculate the ocean inventory of bomb-produced DI14C in the global ocean and confirm that there is a 25% decrease from previous estimates using older DI14C data sets. Additionally, we find a 33% lower globally averaged gas transfer velocity for CO2 compared to previous estimates (Wanninkhof, 1992) using the NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis 1 1954-2000 where the global mean winds are 6.9 m s-1. Unlike some earlier ocean radiocarbon studies, the implied gas transfer velocity finally closes the gap between small-scale deliberate tracer studies and global-scale estimates. Additionally, the total inventory of bomb-produced radiocarbon in the ocean is now in agreement with global budgets based on radiocarbon measurements made in the stratosphere and troposphere. Using the implied relationship between wind speed and gas transfer velocity ks = 0.27(Sc/660)-0.5 and standard partial pressure difference climatology of CO2 we obtain an net air-sea flux estimate of 1.3 ± 0.5 PgCyr-1 for 1995. After accounting for the carbon transferred from rivers to the deep ocean, our estimate of oceanic uptake (1.8 ± 0.5 PgCyr-1) compares well with estimates based on ocean inventories, ocean transport inversions using ocean concentration data, and model simulations.

Effects of heterospecific pollen from a wind-pollinated and pesticide-treated plant on reproductive success of an insect-pollinated species.

PubMed

Arceo-Gómez, Gerardo; Jameel, Mohammad I; Ashman, Tia-Lynn

2018-05-01

Studies on the effects of heterospecific pollen (HP) transfer have been focused mainly on insect-pollinated species, despite evidence of insect visitation to wind-pollinated species and transfer of their pollen onto stigmas of insect-pollinated plants. Thus, the potential consequences of HP transfer from wind-pollinated species remain largely unknown. Furthermore, accumulation of pesticide residues in pollen of wind-pollinated crops has been documented, but its potential effects on wild plant species via HP transfer have not been tested. We evaluated the effect of wind-dispersed Zea mays pollen on pollen tube growth of the insect-pollinated Mimulus nudatus via hand pollinations. We further evaluated whether pesticide-contaminated Z. mays pollen has larger effects on M. nudatus pollen success than non-contaminated Z. mays pollen. We found a significant negative effect of Z. mays pollen on M. nudatus pollen tube growth even when deposited in small amounts. However, we did not observe any difference in the magnitude of this effect between pesticide-laden Z. mays pollen and non-contaminated Z. mays pollen. Our results suggest that wind-pollinated species can have negative effects as HP donors on insect-pollinated recipients. Thus, their role in shaping co-flowering interactions for wind- and insect-pollinated species deserves more attention. Although we did not find evidence that pesticide contamination increased HP effects, we cannot fully rule out the existence of such an effect, because pollen load and thus the pesticide dose applied to stigmas was low. This result should be confirmed using other HP donors and across a range of HP loads, pesticide types, and concentrations. © 2018 Botanical Society of America.

Correlative FRET: new method improves rigor and reproducibility in determining distances within synaptic nanoscale architecture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shinogle-Decker, Heather; Martinez-Rivera, Noraida; O'Brien, John; Powell, Richard D.; Joshi, Vishwas N.; Connell, Samuel; Rosa-Molinar, Eduardo

2018-02-01

A new correlative Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) microscopy method using FluoroNanogold™, a fluorescent immunoprobe with a covalently attached Nanogold® particle (1.4nm Au), overcomes resolution limitations in determining distances within synaptic nanoscale architecture. FRET by acceptor photobleaching has long been used as a method to increase fluorescence resolution. The transfer of energy from a donor to an acceptor generally occurs between 10-100Å, which is the relative distance between the donor molecule and the acceptor molecule. For the correlative FRET microscopy method using FluoroNanogold™, we immuno-labeled GFP-tagged-HeLa-expressing Connexin 35 (Cx35) with anti-GFP and with anti-Cx35/36 antibodies, and then photo-bleached the Cx before processing the sample for electron microscopic imaging. Preliminary studies reveal the use of Alexa Fluor® 594 FluoroNanogold™ slightly increases FRET distance to 70Å, in contrast to the 62.5Å using AlexaFluor 594®. Preliminary studies also show that using a FluoroNanogold™ probe inhibits photobleaching. After one photobleaching session, Alexa Fluor 594® fluorescence dropped to 19% of its original fluorescence; in contrast, after one photobleaching session, Alexa Fluor 594® FluoroNanogold™ fluorescence dropped to 53% of its original intensity. This result confirms that Alexa Fluor 594® FluoroNanogold™ is a much better donor probe than is Alexa Fluor 594®. The new method (a) creates a double confirmation method in determining structure and orientation of synaptic architecture, (b) allows development of a two-dimensional in vitro model to be used for precise testing of multiple parameters, and (c) increases throughput. Future work will include development of FluoroNanogold™ probes with different sizes of gold for additional correlative microscopy studies.

Structural Confirmation of a Bent and Open Model for the Initiation Complex of T7 RNA Polymerase

PubMed Central

Turingan, Rosemary S.; Liu, Cuihua; Hawkins, Mary E.; Martin, Craig T.

2008-01-01

T7 RNA polymerase is known to induce bending of its promoter DNA upon binding, as evidenced by gel-shift assays and by recent end-to-end fluorescence energy transfer distance measurements. Crystal structures of promoter-bound and initially transcribing complexes, however, lack downstream DNA, providing no information on the overall path of the DNA through the protein. Crystal structures of the elongation complex do include downstream DNA and provide valuable guidance in the design of models for the complete melted bubble structure at initiation. In the current study, we test a specific structural model for the initiation complex, obtained by alignment of the C-terminal regions of the protein structures from both initiation and elongation and then simple transferal of the downstream DNA from the elongation complex onto the initiation complex. FRET measurement of distances from a point upstream on the promoter DNA to various points along the downstream helix reproduce the expected helical periodicity in the distances and support the model’s orientation and phasing of the downstream DNA. The model also makes predictions about the extent of melting downstream of the active site. By monitoring fluorescent base analogs incorporated at various positions in the DNA we have mapped the downstream edge of the bubble, confirming the model. The initially melted bubble, in the absence of substrate, encompasses 7–8 bases and is sufficient to allow synthesis of a 3 base transcript before further melting is required. The results demonstrate that despite massive changes in the N-terminal portion of the protein and in the DNA upstream of the active site, the DNA downstream of the active site is virtually identical in both initiation and elongation complexes. PMID:17253774

High Temperature Heat Exchanger Design and Fabrication for Systems with Large Pressure Differentials

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

Chordia, Lalit; Portnoff, Marc A.; Green, Ed

The project’s main purpose was to design, build and test a compact heat exchanger for supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO 2) power cycle recuperators. The compact recuperator is required to operate at high temperature and high pressure differentials, 169 bar (~2,500 psi), between streams of sCO 2. Additional project tasks included building a hot air-to-sCO 2 Heater heat exchanger (HX) and design, build and operate a test loop to characterize the recuperator and heater heat exchangers. A novel counter-current microtube recuperator was built to meet the high temperature high differential pressure criteria and tested. The compact HX design also incorporated amore » number of features that optimize material use, improved reliability and reduced cost. The air-to-sCO 2 Heater HX utilized a cross flow, counter-current, micro-tubular design. This compact HX design was incorporated into the test loop and exceeded design expectations. The test loop design to characterize the prototype Brayton power cycle HXs was assembled, commissioned and operated during the program. Both the prototype recuperator and Heater HXs were characterized. Measured results for the recuperator confirmed the predictions of the heat transfer models developed during the project. Heater HX data analysis is ongoing.« less

Investigations of Control Surface Seals for Re-entry Vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunlap, Patrick H., Jr.; Steinetz, Bruce M.; Curry, Donald M.; DeMange, Jeffrey J.; Rivers, H. Kevin; Hsu, Su-Yuen

2002-01-01

Re-entry vehicles generally require control surfaces (e.g., rudders, body flaps) to steer them during flight. Control surface seals are installed along hinge lines and where control surface edges move close to the vehicle body. These seals must operate at high temperatures and limit heat transfer to underlying structures to prevent them from overheating and causing possible loss of vehicle structural integrity. This paper presents results for thermal analyses and mechanical testing conducted on the baseline rudder/fin seal design for the X-38 re-entry vehicle. Exposure of the seals in a compressed state at the predicted peak seal temperature of 1900 F resulted in loss of seal resiliency. The vertical Inconel rudder/fin rub surface was re-designed to account for this loss of resiliency. Room temperature compression tests revealed that seal unit loads and contact pressures were below limits set to protect Shuttle thermal tiles on the horizontal sealing surface. The seals survived an ambient temperature 1000 cycle scrub test over sanded Shuttle tiles and were able to disengage and re-engage the tile edges during testing. Arc jet tests confirmed the need for seals in the rudder/fin gap location because a single seal caused a large temperature drop (delta T = 1710 F) in the gap.

Mass transfer in a 1370 C (2500 F) lithium thermal convection loop

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scheuermann, C. M.

1974-01-01

Experimental results from a test to evaluate interstitial element mass transfer effects on T-111, ASTAR 811C, and ASTAR 1211C after 5000 hours in flowing lithium at 1370 C (2500 F) are presented. No gross corrosion effects were observed. However, hafnium and nitrogen transfer to cooler regions within the loop were noted. Oxygen was in general removed from test specimens, but there was no evidence to indicate that it was a major factor in the mass transfer process. Carbon and hydrogen transfer were not detected.

Deciphering the Translation Initiation Factor 5A Modification Pathway in Halophilic Archaea

PubMed Central

Graf, Michael; Blaby, Ian K.; Makkay, Andrea M.; Starosta, Agata L.; Papke, R. Thane; Oshima, Tairo; Wilson, Daniel N.

2016-01-01

Translation initiation factor 5A (IF5A) is essential and highly conserved in Eukarya (eIF5A) and Archaea (aIF5A). The activity of IF5A requires hypusine, a posttranslational modification synthesized in Eukarya from the polyamine precursor spermidine. Intracellular polyamine analyses revealed that agmatine and cadaverine were the main polyamines produced in Haloferax volcanii in minimal medium, raising the question of how hypusine is synthesized in this halophilic Archaea. Metabolic reconstruction led to a tentative picture of polyamine metabolism and aIF5A modification in Hfx. volcanii that was experimentally tested. Analysis of aIF5A from Hfx. volcanii by LC-MS/MS revealed it was exclusively deoxyhypusinylated. Genetic studies confirmed the role of the predicted arginine decarboxylase gene (HVO_1958) in agmatine synthesis. The agmatinase-like gene (HVO_2299) was found to be essential, consistent with a role in aIF5A modification predicted by physical clustering evidence. Recombinant deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) from S. cerevisiae was shown to transfer 4-aminobutyl moiety from spermidine to aIF5A from Hfx. volcanii in vitro. However, at least under conditions tested, this transfer was not observed with the Hfx. volcanii DHS. Furthermore, the growth of Hfx. volcanii was not inhibited by the classical DHS inhibitor GC7. We propose a model of deoxyhypusine synthesis in Hfx. volcanii that differs from the canonical eukaryotic pathway, paving the way for further studies. PMID:28053595

Production of transgenic pigs using a pGFAP-CreERT2/EGFP LoxP inducible system for central nervous system disease models.

PubMed

Hwang, Seon-Ung; Eun, Kiyoung; Yoon, Junchul David; Kim, Hyunggee; Hyun, Sang-Hwan

2018-05-31

Transgenic (TG) pigs are important in biomedical research and are used in disease modeling, pharmaceutical toxicity testing, and regenerative medicine. In this study, we constructed two vector systems by using the promoter of the pig glial fibrillary acidic protein ( pGFAP ) gene, which is an astrocyte cell marker. We established donor TG fibroblasts with pGFAP-CreER T2 /LCMV-EGFP LoxP and evaluated the effect of the transgenes on TG-somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryo development. Cleavage rates were not significantly different between control and transgene-donor groups. Embryo transfer was performed thrice just before ovulation of the surrogate sows. One sow delivered 5 TG piglets at 115 days after pregnancy. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis with genomic DNA isolated from skin tissues of TG pigs revealed that all 5 TG pigs had the transgenes. EGFP expression in all organs tested was confirmed by immunofluorescence staining and PCR. Real-time PCR analysis showed that pGFAP promoter-driven Cre fused to the mutated human ligand-binding domain of the estrogen receptor ( CreER T2 ) mRNA was highly expressed in the cerebrum. Semi-nested PCR analysis revealed that CreER T2 -mediated recombination was induced in cerebrum and cerebellum but not in skin. Thus, we successfully generated a TG pig with a 4-hydroxytamoxifen (TM)-inducible pGFAP-CreER T2 /EGFP LoxP recombination system via SCNT.

From SNOMED CT to Uberon: Transferability of evaluation methodology between similarly structured ontologies.

PubMed

Elhanan, Gai; Ochs, Christopher; Mejino, Jose L V; Liu, Hao; Mungall, Christopher J; Perl, Yehoshua

2017-06-01

To examine whether disjoint partial-area taxonomy, a semantically-based evaluation methodology that has been successfully tested in SNOMED CT, will perform with similar effectiveness on Uberon, an anatomical ontology that belongs to a structurally similar family of ontologies as SNOMED CT. A disjoint partial-area taxonomy was generated for Uberon. One hundred randomly selected test concepts that overlap between partial-areas were matched to a same size control sample of non-overlapping concepts. The samples were blindly inspected for non-critical issues and presumptive errors first by a general domain expert whose results were then confirmed or rejected by a highly experienced anatomical ontology domain expert. Reported issues were subsequently reviewed by Uberon's curators. Overlapping concepts in Uberon's disjoint partial-area taxonomy exhibited a significantly higher rate of all issues. Clear-cut presumptive errors trended similarly but did not reach statistical significance. A sub-analysis of overlapping concepts with three or more relationship types indicated a much higher rate of issues. Overlapping concepts from Uberon's disjoint abstraction network are quite likely (up to 28.9%) to exhibit issues. The results suggest that the methodology can transfer well between same family ontologies. Although Uberon exhibited relatively few overlapping concepts, the methodology can be combined with other semantic indicators to expand the process to other concepts within the ontology that will generate high yields of discovered issues. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The WRAIR projectile concussive impact model of mild traumatic brain injury: re-design, testing and preclinical validation.

PubMed

Leung, Lai Yee; Larimore, Zachary; Holmes, Larry; Cartagena, Casandra; Mountney, Andrea; Deng-Bryant, Ying; Schmid, Kara; Shear, Deborah; Tortella, Frank

2014-08-01

The WRAIR projectile concussive impact (PCI) model was developed for preclinical study of concussion. It represents a truly non-invasive closed-head injury caused by a blunt impact. The original design, however, has several drawbacks that limit the manipulation of injury parameters. The present study describes engineering advancements made to the PCI injury model including helmet material testing, projectile impact energy/head kinematics and impact location. Material testing indicated that among the tested materials, 'fiber-glass/carbon' had the lowest elastic modulus and yield stress for providing an relative high percentage of load transfer from the projectile impact, resulting in significant hippocampal astrocyte activation. Impact energy testing of small projectiles, ranging in shape and size, showed the steel sphere produced the highest impact energy and the most consistent impact characteristics. Additional tests confirmed the steel sphere produced linear and rotational motions on the rat's head while remaining within a range that meets the criteria for mTBI. Finally, impact location testing results showed that PCI targeted at the temporoparietal surface of the rat head produced the most prominent gait abnormalities. Using the parameters defined above, pilot studies were conducted to provide initial validation of the PCI model demonstrating quantifiable and significant increases in righting reflex recovery time, axonal damage and astrocyte activation following single and multiple concussions.

A rapid, accurate and robust particle-based assay for the simultaneous screening of plasma samples for the presence of five different anti-cytokine autoantibodies.

PubMed

Guldager, Daniel Kring Rasmussen; von Stemann, Jakob Hjorth; Larsen, Rune; Bay, Jakob Thaning; Galle, Pia Søndergaard; Svenson, Morten; Ullum, Henrik; Hansen, Morten Bagge

2015-10-01

To establish and validate a rapid, cost-effective and accurate screening assay for the simultaneous testing of human naturally occurring anti-cytokine autoantibodies (c-aAb) targeting interleukin-1α (IL-1α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and interferon α (IFNα). Because the c-aAbs can be transferred to patients through blood transfusion, the assay was used to assess c-aAb levels in a cohort of patients who were receiving blood transfusions and subsequently presented with or without febrile reactions. The microsphere-based Luminex platform was used. Recombinant forms of human IL-1α, IL-6, IL-10, GM-CSF, and IFNα were gently coupled to MAG-PLEX beads. Plasma IgG binding was measured with phycoerythrin (PE)-labeled secondary antibodies. Previously confirmed c-aAb positive and negative donor plasma samples and pooled normal immunoglobulin preparations were used to validate the assay. Plasma samples from 98 transfusion recipients, half of whom presented with febrile reactions, were tested by the assay. The assay detected specific and saturable immunoglobulin G (IgG) binding to each of the tested cytokines in previously confirmed c-aAb positive plasmas and in preparations of pooled normal immunoglobulin. Confirmed c-aAb negative plasmas gave no saturable binding. The detection limit of the cytokine autoantibodies was estimated to be between 1 pM and 10 pM. The recovery of confirmed cytokine autoantibodies quantities in the negative plasma samples ranged between 80% and 125%. The analytical intra- and inter-assay variations were 4% and 11%, respectively. Varying c-aAb levels were detectable in the transfusion recipients. There was no difference in c-aAb frequency between the patients with or without febrile transfusion reactions. The c-aAb level before and after the blood transfusions varied only slightly and in an irregular manner. This assay simultaneously detected up to five different c-aAbs in pooled human IgG and in plasma from individual blood donors, and it was deemed suitable for larger screenings. Based on confirmed antibody binding characteristics and the resultant reactivity in this multiplex assay, a classification of the c-aAb levels was suggested. The screening results of the recipients who received blood transfusions indicate that more studies are needed to clarify the role of antibodies, if any, in transfusion medicine and in high-dose immunoglobulin treatment. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cascading electron and hole transfer dynamics in a CdS/CdTe core-shell sensitized with bromo-pyrogallol red (Br-PGR): slow charge recombination in type II regime.

PubMed

Maity, Partha; Debnath, Tushar; Chopra, Uday; Ghosh, Hirendra Nath

2015-02-14

Ultrafast cascading hole and electron transfer dynamics have been demonstrated in a CdS/CdTe type II core-shell sensitized with Br-PGR using transient absorption spectroscopy and the charge recombination dynamics have been compared with those of CdS/Br-PGR composite materials. Steady state optical absorption studies suggest that Br-PGR forms strong charge transfer (CT) complexes with both the CdS QD and CdS/CdTe core-shell. Hole transfer from the photo-excited QD and QD core-shell to Br-PGR was confirmed by both steady state and time-resolved emission spectroscopy. Charge separation was also confirmed by detecting electrons in the conduction band of the QD and the cation radical of Br-PGR as measured from femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. Charge separation in the CdS/Br-PGR composite materials was found to take place in three different pathways, by transferring the photo-excited hole of CdS to Br-PGR, electron injection from the photo-excited Br-PGR to the CdS QD, and direct electron transfer from the HOMO of Br-PGR to the conduction band of the CdS QD. However, in the CdS/CdTe/Br-PGR system hole transfer from the photo-excited CdS to Br-PGR and electron injection from the photo-excited Br-PGR to CdS take place after cascading through the CdTe shell QD. Charge separation also takes place via direct electron transfer from the Br-PGR HOMO to the conduction band of CdS/CdTe. Charge recombination (CR) dynamics between the electron in the conduction band of the CdS QD and the Br-PGR cation radical were determined by monitoring the bleach recovery kinetics. The CR dynamics were found to be much slower in the CdS/CdTe/Br-PGR system than in the CdS/Br-PGR system. The formation of the strong CT complex and the separation of charges cascading through the CdTe shell help to slow down charge recombination in the type II regime.

Heat transfer and pressure drop measurements in prototypic heat exchanges for the supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton power cycles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kruizenga, Alan Michael

An experimental facility was built to perform heat transfer and pressure drop measurements in supercritical carbon dioxide. Inlet temperatures ranged from 30--125 °C with mass velocities ranging from 118--1050 kg/m2s and system pressures of 7.5--10.2 MPa. Tests were performed in horizontal, upward, and downward flow conditions to test the influence of buoyancy forces on the heat transfer. Horizontal tests showed that for system pressures of 8.1 MPa and up standard Nusselt correlations predicted the heat transfer behavior with good agreement. Tests performed at 7.5 MPa were not well predicted by existing correlations, due to large property variations. The data collected in this work can be used to better understand heat transfer near the critical point. The CFD package FLUENT was found to yield adequate prediction for the heat transfer behavior for low pressure cases, where standard correlations were inaccurate, however it was necessary to have fine mesh spacing (y+˜1) in order to capture the observed behavior. Vertical tests found, under the test conditions considered, that flow orientation had little or no effect on the heat transfer behavior, even in flow regions where buoyancy forces should result in a difference between up and down flow heat transfer. CFD results found that for a given set of boundary conditions a large increase in the gravitational acceleration could cause noticeable heat transfer deterioration. Studies performed with CFD further led to the hypothesis that typical buoyancy induced heat transfer deterioration exhibited in supercritical flows were mitigated through a complex interaction with the inertial force, which is caused by bulk cooling of the flow. This hypothesis to explain the observed data requires further investigation. Prototypic heat exchangers channels (i.e. zig-zag) proved that the heat transfer coefficient was consistently three to four times higher as compared to straight channel geometry. However, the form pressure loss due to the presence of the corners within the channels caused an increase in pressure drop by four to five times the pressure drop measured in the straight channel. Based on the results, more innovative geometries were recommended for future testing to reduce form losses found in the typical prototypic geometries.

Transgene expression of green fluorescent protein and germ line transmission in cloned pigs derived from in vitro transfected adult fibroblasts.

PubMed

Brunetti, Dario; Perota, Andrea; Lagutina, Irina; Colleoni, Silvia; Duchi, Roberto; Calabrese, Fiorella; Seveso, Michela; Cozzi, Emanuele; Lazzari, Giovanna; Lucchini, Franco; Galli, Cesare

2008-12-01

The pig represents the xenogeneic donor of choice for future organ transplantation in humans for anatomical and physiological reasons. However, to bypass several immunological barriers, strong and stable human genes expression must occur in the pig's organs. In this study we created transgenic pigs using in vitro transfection of cultured cells combined with somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to evaluate the ubiquitous transgene expression driven by pCAGGS vector in presence of different selectors. pCAGGS confirmed to be a very effective vector for ubiquitous transgene expression, irrespective of the selector that was used. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression observed in transfected fibroblasts was also maintained after nuclear transfer, through pre- and postimplantation development, at birth and during adulthood. Germ line transmission without silencing of the transgene was demonstrated. The ubiquitous expression of GFP was clearly confirmed in several tissues including endothelial cells, thus making it a suitable vector for the expression of multiple genes relevant to xenotransplantation where tissue specificity is not required. Finally cotransfection of green and red fluorescence protein transgenes was performed in fibroblasts and after nuclear transfer blastocysts expressing both fluorescent proteins were obtained.

Growth Scenarios for the City of Guangzhou, China: Transferability and Confirmability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lehner, A.; Kraus, V.; Wei, C.; Steinnocher, K.

2016-09-01

This work deals with the development of urban growth scenarios and the prevision of the spatial distribution of built-up area and population for the urban area of the city of Guangzhou in China. Using freely-available data, including remotely sensed data as well as census data from the ground, expenditure of time and costs shall remain low. Guangzhou, one of the biggest cities within the Pearl River Delta, has faced an enormous economic and urban growth during the last three decades. Due to its economical and spatial characteristics it is a promising candidate for urban growth scenarios. The monitoring and prediction of urban growth comprises data of population and give them a spatial representation. The model, originally applied for the Indian city Ahmedabad, is used for urban growth scenarios. Therefore, transferability and confirmability of the model are evaluated. Challenges that may occur by transferring a model for urban growth from one region to another are discussed. With proposing the use of urban remote sensing and freely available data, urban planners shall be fitted with a comprehensible and simple tool to be able to contribute to the future challenge Smart Growth.

MSG test report-steady-state heat transfer. [LMFBR

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

Harty, R.B.

This report documents the results of the Steady-State Heat Transfer Tests conducted on the AI Modular Steam Generator (MSG), at the Sodium Component Test Installation (SCTI) of the Liquid Metal Engineering Center. Heat transfer and pressure drop performance data are given along with current predictions of performance. Departure from nucleate boiling characteristics is given. A dispersed flow film boiling model, employing thermal nonequilibrium, was used to analyze data in the film boiling region.

In vivo quantitative magnetization transfer imaging correlates with histology during de- and remyelination in cuprizone-treated mice.

PubMed

Turati, Laura; Moscatelli, Marco; Mastropietro, Alfonso; Dowell, Nicholas G; Zucca, Ileana; Erbetta, Alessandra; Cordiglieri, Chiara; Brenna, Greta; Bianchi, Beatrice; Mantegazza, Renato; Cercignani, Mara; Baggi, Fulvio; Minati, Ludovico

2015-03-01

The pool size ratio measured by quantitative magnetization transfer MRI is hypothesized to closely reflect myelin density, but their relationship has so far been confirmed mostly in ex vivo conditions. We investigate the correspondence between this parameter measured in vivo at 7.0 T, with Black Gold II staining for myelin fibres, and with myelin basic protein and beta-tubulin immunofluorescence in a hybrid longitudinal study of C57BL/6 and SJL/J mice treated with cuprizone, a neurotoxicant causing relatively selective myelin loss followed by spontaneous remyelination upon treatment suspension. Our results confirm that pool size ratio measurements correlate with myelin content, with the correlation coefficient depending on strain and staining method, and demonstrate the in vivo applicability of this MRI technique to experimental mouse models of multiple sclerosis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Transfer-free synthesis of multilayer graphene using a single-step process in an evaporator and formation confirmation by laser mode-locking.

PubMed

Kim, Won-Jun; Debnath, Pulak C; Lee, Junsu; Lee, Ju Han; Lim, Dae-Soon; Song, Yong-Won

2013-09-13

Multilayer graphene is synthesized by a simplified process employing an evaporator in which a target substrate is deposited with a Ni catalyst layer before being heated to grow graphene directly. Carbon atoms adsorbed onto the surface of the Ni source as impurities from the atmosphere are incorporated into the catalyst layer during the deposition, and diffuse toward the catalyst/substrate interface, where they crystallize as graphene with a thickness of less than 2 nm. The need for a transfer process and external carbon supply is eliminated. The graphene is characterized by conventional analysis approaches, including nano-scale visualization and Raman spectroscopy, and utilizing photonics, graphene-functionalized passive laser mode-locking is demonstrated to confirm the successful synthesis of the graphene layer, resulting in an operating center wavelength of 1569.4 nm, a pulse duration of 1.35 ps, and a repetition rate of 31.6 MHz.

Priority design parameters of industrialized optical fiber sensors in civil engineering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Huaping; Jiang, Lizhong; Xiang, Ping

2018-03-01

Considering the mechanical effects and the different paths for transferring deformation, optical fiber sensors commonly used in civil engineering have been systematically classified. Based on the strain transfer theory, the relationship between the strain transfer coefficient and allowable testing error is established. The proposed relationship is regarded as the optimal control equation to obtain the optimal value of sensors that satisfy the requirement of measurement precision. Furthermore, specific optimization design methods and priority design parameters of the classified sensors are presented. This research indicates that (1) strain transfer theory-based optimization design method is much suitable for the sensor that depends on the interfacial shear stress to transfer the deformation; (2) the priority design parameters are bonded (sensing) length, interfacial bonded strength, elastic modulus and radius of protective layer and thickness of adhesive layer; (3) the optimization design of sensors with two anchor pieces at two ends is independent of strain transfer theory as the strain transfer coefficient can be conveniently calibrated by test, and this kind of sensors has no obvious priority design parameters. Improved calibration test is put forward to enhance the accuracy of the calibration coefficient of end-expanding sensors. By considering the practical state of sensors and the testing accuracy, comprehensive and systematic analyses on optical fiber sensors are provided from the perspective of mechanical actions, which could scientifically instruct the application design and calibration test of industrialized optical fiber sensors.

Design Method For Ultra-High Resolution Linear CCD Imagers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheu, Larry S.; Truong, Thanh; Yuzuki, Larry; Elhatem, Abdul; Kadekodi, Narayan

1984-11-01

This paper presents the design method to achieve ultra-high resolution linear imagers. This method utilizes advanced design rules and novel staggered bilinear photo sensor arrays with quadrilinear shift registers. Design constraint in the detector arrays and shift registers are analyzed. Imager architecture to achieve ultra-high resolution is presented. The characteristics of MTF, aliasing, speed, transfer efficiency and fine photolithography requirements associated with this architecture are also discussed. A CCD imager with advanced 1.5 um minimum feature size was fabricated. It is intended as a test vehicle for the next generation small sampling pitch ultra-high resolution CCD imager. Standard double-poly, two-phase shift registers were fabricated at an 8 um pitch using the advanced design rules. A special process step that blocked the source-drain implant from the shift register area was invented. This guaranteed excellent performance of the shift registers regardless of the small poly overlaps. A charge transfer efficiency of better than 0.99995 and maximum transfer speed of 8 MHz were achieved. The imager showed excellent performance. The dark current was less than 0.2 mV/ms, saturation 250 mV, adjacent photoresponse non-uniformity ± 4% and responsivity 0.7 V/ μJ/cm2 for the 8 μm x 6 μm photosensor size. The MTF was 0.6 at 62.5 cycles/mm. These results confirm the feasibility of the next generation ultra-high resolution CCD imagers.

A small scale remote cooling system for a superconducting cyclotron magnet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haug, F.; Berkowitz Zamorra, D.; Michels, M.; Gomez Bosch, R.; Schmid, J.; Striebel, A.; Krueger, A.; Diez, M.; Jakob, M.; Keh, M.; Herberger, W.; Oesterle, D.

2017-02-01

Through a technology transfer program CERN is involved in the R&D of a compact superconducting cyclotron for future clinical radioisotope production, a project led by the Spanish research institute CIEMAT. For the remote cooling of the LTc superconducting magnet operating at 4.5 K, CERN has designed a small scale refrigeration system, the Cryogenic Supply System (CSS). This refrigeration system consists of a commercial two-stage 1.5 W @ 4.2 K GM cryocooler and a separate forced flow circuit. The forced flow circuit extracts the cooling power of the first and the second stage cold tips, respectively. Both units are installed in a common vacuum vessel and, at the final configuration, a low loss transfer line will provide the link to the magnet cryostat for the cooling of the thermal shield with helium at 40 K and the two superconducting coils with two-phase helium at 4.5 K. Currently the CSS is in the testing phase at CERN in stand-alone mode without the magnet and the transfer line. We have added a “validation unit” housed in the vacuum vessel of the CSS representing the thermo-hydraulic part of the cyclotron magnet. It is equipped with electrical heaters which allow the simulation of the thermal loads of the magnet cryostat. A cooling power of 1.4 W at 4.5 K and 25 W at the thermal shield temperature level has been measured. The data produced confirm the design principle of the CSS which could be validated.

Postexposure protection of macaques from vaginal SHIV infection by topical integrase inhibitors.

PubMed

Dobard, Charles; Sharma, Sunita; Parikh, Urvi M; West, Rolieria; Taylor, Andrew; Martin, Amy; Pau, Chou-Pong; Hanson, Debra L; Lipscomb, Jonathan; Smith, James; Novembre, Francis; Hazuda, Daria; Garcia-Lerma, J Gerardo; Heneine, Walid

2014-03-12

Coitally delivered microbicide gels containing antiretroviral drugs are important for HIV prevention. However, to date, microbicides have contained entry or reverse transcriptase inhibitors that block early steps in virus infection and thus need to be given as a preexposure dose that interferes with sexual practices and may limit compliance. Integrase inhibitors block late steps after virus infection and therefore are more suitable for post-coital dosing. We first determined the kinetics of strand transfer in vitro and confirmed that integration begins about 6 hours after infection. We then used a repeat-challenge macaque model to assess efficacy of vaginal gels containing integrase strand transfer inhibitors when applied before or after simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) challenge. We showed that gel containing the strand transfer inhibitor L-870812 protected two of three macaques when applied 30 min before SHIV challenge. We next evaluated the efficacy of 1% raltegravir gel and demonstrated its ability to protect macaques when applied 3 hours after SHIV exposure (five of six protected; P < 0.05, Fisher's exact test). Breakthrough infections showed no evidence of drug resistance in plasma or vaginal secretions despite continued gel dosing after infection. We documented rapid vaginal absorption reflecting a short pharmacological lag time and noted that vaginal, but not plasma, virus load was substantially reduced in the breakthrough infection after raltegravir gel treatment. We provide a proof of concept that topically applied integrase inhibitors protect against vaginal SHIV infection when administered shortly before or 3 hours after virus exposure.

Isolation of pulmonary veins using a thermoreactive implantable device with external energy transfer: Evaluation in a porcine model.

PubMed

Boussy, Tim; Vandecasteele, Tim; Vera, Lisse; Schauvliege, Stijn; Philpott, Matthew; Clement, Eli; van Loon, Gunther; Willenz, Udi; Granada, Juan F; Stone, Gregg W; Reddy, Vivek Y; Van Langenhove, Glenn

2018-06-01

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is a well-established method for the treatment of symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, but is only partly successful with a high rate of electrical reconnection. We introduce a novel technique in which PVI is accomplished by noninvasive heating of a dedicated thermoresponse implant inserted into the pulmonary veins (PV), demonstrated in a porcine model. A self-expanding nitinol-based implant was positioned in the common inferior PV of 11 pigs, using a fluoroscopy-guided transatrial appendage approach. Ablation was performed through contactless energy transfer from a primary extracorporal coil to a secondary heat ring (HR) embedded in the proximal part of the implant. Electrophysiological conduction was assessed prior to and postablation, and at 3 months. Histological samples were obtained acutely (n  =  4) and after 3 months (n  =  7). In total, 13 PV implants were successfully positioned in the inferior PVs of 11 animals. Ablation was performed without injury of adjacent structures. PVI and bidirectional block was electrophysiologically confirmed in all cases immediately at the time of implantation and 3 months later in seven chronic animals in whom testing was repeated. Marked evidence of ablation around the proximal HR was evident at 3 months postprocedure, with scar tissue formation and only mild neointimal proliferation. Successful PVI can be obtained by external electromagnetic heat transfer to a novel pulmonary vein implant. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Birth of a normal child after in vitro fertilization treatment followed by dengue fever.

PubMed

Geber, Selmo; Coimbra, Bruna Barbosa; Geber, Guilherme Primo; Sampaio, Marcos

2014-11-01

Dengue is a serious public health issue due to its escalating aspect. It is also not yet established whether dengue has any impact on the outcome of assisted reproductive technique for infertility treatments. To our knowledge there are no published data in this subject. Therefore we describe a successful case of birth after in vitro fertilization (IVF) followed by dengue fever. A couple with primary unexplained infertility was submitted to IVF. The patient was submitted to ovulation induction with long protocol. A total of 12 oocytes were retrieved and two embryos were transferred. On the evening of the embryo transfer the patient started with headache and retro-orbital pain, followed by fever and nausea. Two days later she started with vomiting and diarrhea and epistaxis. The tourniquet test was positive. After patient's exams showed hemoconcentration and low platelet count (<50,000/mm(3)) the diagnosis of dengue hemorrhagic fever was confirmed and she was hospitalized and parenterally hydrated. As there was a good response to treatment, the patient was discharged the next day. A serum βhCG concentration 14 days after oocyte retrieval was positive. A healthy infant was born at the thirty-ninth gestational week by cesarean section. To our knowledge this is the first successful case reported on a patient who had dengue fever immediately after embryo transfer in an IVF treatment cycle. As dengue becomes a public health problem, it is important to bring attention to the subject.

A Dynamic Image Quality Evaluation of Videofluoroscopy Images: Considerations for Telepractice Applications.

PubMed

Burns, Clare L; Keir, Benjamin; Ward, Elizabeth C; Hill, Anne J; Farrell, Anna; Phillips, Nick; Porter, Linda

2015-08-01

High-quality fluoroscopy images are required for accurate interpretation of videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) by speech pathologists and radiologists. Consequently, integral to developing any system to conduct VFSS remotely via telepractice is ensuring that the quality of the VFSS images transferred via the telepractice system is optimized. This study evaluates the extent of change observed in image quality when videofluoroscopic images are transmitted from a digital fluoroscopy system to (a) current clinical equipment (KayPentax Digital Swallowing Workstation, and b) four different telepractice system configurations. The telepractice system configurations consisted of either a local C20 or C60 Cisco TelePresence System (codec unit) connected to the digital fluoroscopy system and linked to a second remote C20 or C60 Cisco TelePresence System via a network running at speeds of either 2, 4 or 6 megabits per second (Mbit/s). Image quality was tested using the NEMA XR 21 Phantom, and results demonstrated some loss in spatial resolution, low contrast detectability and temporal resolution for all transferred images when compared to the fluoroscopy source. When using higher capacity codec units and/or the highest bandwidths to support data transmission, image quality transmitted through the telepractice system was found to be comparable if not better than the current clinical system. This study confirms that telepractice systems can be designed to support fluoroscopy image transfer and highlights important considerations when developing telepractice systems for VFSS analysis to ensure high-quality radiological image reproduction.

Testate amoeba transfer function performance along localised hydrological gradients.

PubMed

Tsyganov, Andrey N; Mityaeva, Olga A; Mazei, Yuri A; Payne, Richard J

2016-09-01

Testate amoeba transfer functions are widely used for reconstruction of palaeo-hydrological regime in peatlands. However, the limitations of this approach have become apparent with increasing attention to validation and assessing sources of uncertainty. This paper investigates effects of peatland type and sampling depth on the performance of a transfer function using an independent test-set from four Sphagnum-dominated sites in European Russia (Penza Region). We focus on transfer function performance along localised hydrological gradients, which is a useful analogue for predictive ability through time. The performance of the transfer function with the independent test-set was generally weaker than for the leave-one-out or bootstrap cross-validations. However, the transfer function was robust for the reconstruction of relative changes in water-table depth, provided the presence of good modern analogues and overlap in water-table depth ranges. When applied to subsurface samples, the performance of the transfer function was reduced due to selective decomposition, the presence of deep-dwelling taxa or vertical transfer of shells. Our results stress the importance of thorough testing of transfer functions, and highlight the role of taphonomic processes in determining results. Further studies of stratification, taxonomy and taphonomy of testate amoebae will be needed to improve the robustness of transfer function output. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Metallocene-Containing Homopolymers and Heterobimetallic Block Copolymers via Photoinduced RAFT Polymerization

PubMed Central

Yang, Peng; Pageni, Parasmani; Kabir, Mohammad Pabel; Zhu, Tianyu; Tang, Chuanbing

2017-01-01

We report the synthesis of cationic cobaltocenium and neutral ferrocene containing homopolymers mediated by photoinduced reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization with a photocatalyst fac-[Ir(ppy)3]. The homopolymers were further used as macromolecular chain transfer agents to synthesize diblock copolymers via chain extension. Controlled/“living” feature of photoinduced RAFT polymerization was confirmed by kinetic studies even without prior deoxygenation. A light switch between ON and OFF provided a spatiotemporal control of polymerization. PMID:29276651

Transgenic Rat Models for Breast Cancer Research

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-10-01

OF LIVE MICE PRODUCED BY TRANSFER OF REPRODUCTIVE ACTIVITY IN NATIVE EMBRYOS DERIVED BY IN VITRO FERTILIZATION USING CRIOLLO GOATS. CRYOPRESERVED...unspecified or low and published observations have been difficult in psimiparous Criollo goats The experiment was earried out at Rio to confirm. The...cryopreservation were: CPA-EY: 15.7 ± 1.4, Criollo goats. 12A1 ± 0.9 and 11.3 ± 0.7; CPA-BSA: 57 + 0.8, 5.1 ± 1.0 and 5.9 ± 1.8. Transfer of blastocysts

Polarimetry of hot-Jupiter systems and radiative transfer models of planetary atmospheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bott, Kimberly; Bailey, Jeremy; Kedziora-Chudczer, Lucyna; Cotton, Daniel; Marshall, Jonathan

2016-01-01

Thousands of exoplanets and planet candidates have been detected. The next important step in the contexts of astrobiology, planetary classification and planet formation is to characterise them. My dissertation aims to provide further characterisation to four hot Jupiter exoplanets: the relatively well-characterised HD 189733b, WASP-18b which is nearly large enough to be a brown dwarf, and two minimally characterised non-transiting hot Jupiters: HD 179949b and tau Bootis b.For the transiting planets, this is done through two means. First, published data from previous observations of the secondary eclipse (and transit for HD 189733b) are compared to models created with the Versatile Software for the Transfer of Atmospheric Radiation (VSTAR). Second, new polarimetric observations from the HIgh Precision Polarimetric Instrument are compared to Lambert-Rayleigh polarised light phase curves. For the non-transiting planets, only the polarimetric measurements are compared to models, but toy radiative transfer models are produced for concept. As an introduction to radiative transfer models, VSTAR is applied to the planet Uranus to measure its D/H isotope ratio. A preliminary value is derived for D/H in one part of the atmosphere.Fitting a single atmospheric model to the transmitted, reflected, and emitted light, I confirm the presence of water on HD 189733b, and present a new temperature profile and cloud profile for the planet. For WASP-18b, I confirm the general shape of the temperature profile. No conclusions can be drawn from the polarimetric measurements for the non-transiting planets. I detect a possible variation with phase for transiting planet WASP-18b but cannot confirm it at this time. Alternative sources to the planet are discussed. For HD 189733b, I detect possible variability in the polarised light at the scale expected for the planet. However, the data are also statistically consistent with no variability and are not matched to the phase of the planet.

Teaching Analytical Method Transfer through Developing and Validating Then Transferring Dissolution Testing Methods for Pharmaceuticals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kimaru, Irene; Koether, Marina; Chichester, Kimberly; Eaton, Lafayette

2017-01-01

Analytical method transfer (AMT) and dissolution testing are important topics required in industry that should be taught in analytical chemistry courses. Undergraduate students in senior level analytical chemistry laboratory courses at Kennesaw State University (KSU) and St. John Fisher College (SJFC) participated in development, validation, and…

Conditional Cash Transfers and School Dropout Rates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dearden, Lorraine; Emmerson, Carl; Frayne, Christine; Meghir, Costas

2009-01-01

This paper evaluates a United Kingdom pilot study designed to test whether a means-tested conditional cash transfer paid to 16- to 18-year-olds for staying in full-time education is an effective way of reducing the proportion of school dropouts. The transfer's impact is substantial: In the first year, full-time education participation rates…

Experimental and numerical study of two dimensional heat and mass transfer in unsaturated soil with and application to soil thermal energy storage (SBTES) systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moradi, A.; Smits, K. M.

2014-12-01

A promising energy storage option to compensate for daily and seasonal energy offsets is to inject and store heat generated from renewable energy sources (e.g. solar energy) in the ground, oftentimes referred to as soil borehole thermal energy storage (SBTES). Nonetheless in SBTES modeling efforts, it is widely recognized that the movement of water vapor is closely coupled to thermal processes. However, their mutual interactions are rarely considered in most soil water modeling efforts or in practical applications. The validation of numerical models that are designed to capture these processes is difficult due to the scarcity of experimental data, limiting the testing and refinement of heat and water transfer theories. A common assumption in most SBTES modeling approaches is to consider the soil as a purely conductive medium with constant hydraulic and thermal properties. However, this simplified approach can be improved upon by better understanding the coupled processes at play. Consequently, developing new modeling techniques along with suitable experimental tools to add more complexity in coupled processes has critical importance in obtaining necessary knowledge in efficient design and implementation of SBTES systems. The goal of this work is to better understand heat and mass transfer processes for SBTES. In this study, we implemented a fully coupled numerical model that solves for heat, liquid water and water vapor flux and allows for non-equilibrium liquid/gas phase change. This model was then used to investigate the influence of different hydraulic and thermal parameterizations on SBTES system efficiency. A two dimensional tank apparatus was used with a series of soil moisture, temperature and soil thermal properties sensors. Four experiments were performed with different test soils. Experimental results provide evidences of thermally induced moisture flow that was also confirmed by numerical results. Numerical results showed that for the test conditions applied here, moisture flow is more influenced by thermal gradients rather than hydraulic gradients. The results also demonstrate that convective fluxes are higher compared to conductive fluxes indicating that moisture flow has more contribution to the overall heat flux than conductive fluxes.

World's first telepathology experiments employing WINDS ultra-high-speed internet satellite, nicknamed “KIZUNA”

PubMed Central

Sawai, Takashi; Uzuki, Miwa; Miura, Yasuhiro; Kamataki, Akihisa; Matsumura, Tsubasa; Saito, Kenji; Kurose, Akira; Osamura, Yoshiyuki R.; Yoshimi, Naoki; Kanno, Hiroyuki; Moriya, Takuya; Ishida, Yoji; Satoh, Yohichi; Nakao, Masahiro; Ogawa, Emiko; Matsuo, Satoshi; Kasai, Hiroyuki; Kumagai, Kazuhiro; Motoda, Toshihiro; Hopson, Nathan

2013-01-01

Background: Recent advances in information technology have allowed the development of a telepathology system involving high-speed transfer of high-volume histological figures via fiber optic landlines. However, at present there are geographical limits to landlines. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has developed the “Kizuna” ultra-high speed internet satellite and has pursued its various applications. In this study we experimented with telepathology in collaboration with JAXA using Kizuna. To measure the functionality of the Wideband InterNet working engineering test and Demonstration Satellite (WINDS) ultra-high speed internet satellite in remote pathological diagnosis and consultation, we examined the adequate data transfer speed and stability to conduct telepathology (both diagnosis and conferencing) with functionality, and ease similar or equal to telepathology using fiber-optic landlines. Materials and Methods: We performed experiments for 2 years. In year 1, we tested the usability of the WINDS for telepathology with real-time video and virtual slide systems. These are state-of-the-art technologies requiring massive volumes of data transfer. In year 2, we tested the usability of the WINDS for three-way teleconferencing with virtual slides. Facilities in Iwate (northern Japan), Tokyo, and Okinawa were connected via the WINDS and voice conferenced while remotely examining and manipulating virtual slides. Results: Network function parameters measured using ping and Iperf were within acceptable limits. However; stage movement, zoom, and conversation suffered a lag of approximately 0.8 s when using real-time video, and a delay of 60-90 s was experienced when accessing the first virtual slide in a session. No significant lag or inconvenience was experienced during diagnosis and conferencing, and the results were satisfactory. Our hypothesis was confirmed for both remote diagnosis using real-time video and virtual slide systems, and also for teleconferencing using virtual slide systems with voice functionality. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the feasibility of ultra-high-speed internet satellite networks for use in telepathology. Because communications satellites have less geographical and infrastructural requirements than landlines, ultra-high-speed internet satellite telepathology represents a major step toward alleviating regional disparity in the quality of medical care. PMID:24244882

Evaluation of the effectiveness of a transfer (interhemispheric) training programme in the early stages of fencing training.

PubMed

Witkowski, Mateusz; Bronikowski, Michał; Nowik, Agnieszka; Tomczak, Maciej; Strugarek, Jan

2017-07-24

A high level of motor coordination (with an emphasis on the accuracy of hand movements) is an important part of fencers' training. Research on motor coordination shows that both hemispheres of the brain are involved in controlling the action of each of the upper limbs. As the physical training of one hand is believed to significantly increase the performance of the other (untrained) hand [14], the authors attempt to verify the hypothesis that specialized training of the nondominant limb can improve the performance of the dominant hand in fencing. The study was carried out in Poznań, Poland, in 2015 and involved the experimental (N=8) and control (N=8) groups of cadets (12.7±0.5 years old); body mass 38.69±4.08; body height 153.47±6.17), who were randomly selected from fencers belonging to the Fencing Club "Warta" in Poznań, Poland. Participants in the study belonged to one training group with a similar training experience of about six years. All participants in the study (N = 16) declared righthandedness during trainings and duels. Their right lateralization was also confirmed in a survey, which was conducted using the Edinburgh Questionnaire [21]. The experimental training programme included six weeks of specialized training of the coordination skills of the nondominant side. It was carried out five times a week. Each session took 30 minutes. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of transfer (interhemispheric) training with the use of the nondominant hand in particular, on the performance of the dominant hand in fencing. The results indicate that the transfer (interhemispheric) training reduced test accomplishment time in tasks performed with the right upper limb during accuracy tests. The procedures applied in the study also reduced test accomplishment time in tasks performed with the left upper limb. The study demonstrates that an interhemispheric training programme can effectively improve the accuracy of fencing actions, at least in the early stages of training.

Test-Anchored Vibration Response Predictions for an Acoustically Energized Curved Orthogrid Panel with Mounted Components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frady, Gregory P.; Duvall, Lowery D.; Fulcher, Clay W. G.; Laverde, Bruce T.; Hunt, Ronald A.

2011-01-01

A rich body of vibroacoustic test data was recently generated at Marshall Space Flight Center for a curved orthogrid panel typical of launch vehicle skin structures. Several test article configurations were produced by adding component equipment of differing weights to the flight-like vehicle panel. The test data were used to anchor computational predictions of a variety of spatially distributed responses including acceleration, strain and component interface force. Transfer functions relating the responses to the input pressure field were generated from finite element based modal solutions and test-derived damping estimates. A diffuse acoustic field model was employed to describe the assumed correlation of phased input sound pressures across the energized panel. This application demonstrates the ability to quickly and accurately predict a variety of responses to acoustically energized skin panels with mounted components. Favorable comparisons between the measured and predicted responses were established. The validated models were used to examine vibration response sensitivities to relevant modeling parameters such as pressure patch density, mesh density, weight of the mounted component and model form. Convergence metrics include spectral densities and cumulative root-mean squared (RMS) functions for acceleration, velocity, displacement, strain and interface force. Minimum frequencies for response convergence were established as well as recommendations for modeling techniques, particularly in the early stages of a component design when accurate structural vibration requirements are needed relatively quickly. The results were compared with long-established guidelines for modeling accuracy of component-loaded panels. A theoretical basis for the Response/Pressure Transfer Function (RPTF) approach provides insight into trends observed in the response predictions and confirmed in the test data. The software modules developed for the RPTF method can be easily adapted for quick replacement of the diffuse acoustic field with other pressure field models; for example a turbulent boundary layer (TBL) model suitable for vehicle ascent. Wind tunnel tests have been proposed to anchor the predictions and provide new insight into modeling approaches for this type of environment. Finally, component vibration environments for design were developed from the measured and predicted responses and compared with those derived from traditional techniques such as Barrett scaling methods for unloaded and component-loaded panels.

Quality issues with malaria rapid diagnostic test accessories and buffer packaging: findings from a 5-country private sector project in Africa.

PubMed

Harvey, Steven A; Incardona, Sandra; Martin, Nina; Lussiana, Cristina; Streat, Elizabeth; Dolan, Stephanie; Champouillon, Nora; Kyabayinze, Daniel J; Mugerwa, Robert; Nakanwagi, Grace; Njoki, Nancy; Rova, Ratsimandisa; Cunningham, Jane

2017-04-20

Use of antigen-detecting malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) has increased exponentially over the last decade. WHO's Global Malaria Programme, FIND, and other collaborators have established a quality assurance scheme to guide product selection, lot verification, transport, storage, and training procedures. Recent concerns over the quality of buffer packaging and test accessories suggest a need to include these items in product assessments. This paper describes quality problems with buffer and accessories encountered in a project promoting private sector RDT use in five African countries and suggests steps to avoid or more rapidly identify and resolve such problems. Private provider complaints about RDT buffer vials and kit accessories were collected during supervisory visits, and a standard assessment process was developed. Using 100 tests drawn from six different lots produced by two manufacturers, lab technicians visually assessed alcohol swab packaging, blood transfer device (BTD) usability, and buffer appearance, then calculated mean blood volume from 10 BTD transfers and mean buffer volume from 10 individual buffer vials. WHO guided complaint reporting and follow-up with manufacturers. Supervisory visits confirmed user reports of dry alcohol swabs, poorly functioning BTDs, and non-uniform volumes of buffer. Lot testing revealed further evidence of quality problems, leading one manufacturer to replace buffer vials and accessories for 40,000 RDTs. In December 2014, WHO issued an Information Notice for Users regarding variable buffer volumes in single-use vials and recommended against procurement of these products until defects were addressed. Though not necessarily comprehensive or generalizable, the findings presented here highlight the need for extending quality assessment to all malaria RDT test kit contents. Defects such as those described in this paper could reduce test accuracy and increase probability of invalid, false positive, or false negative results. Such deficiencies could undermine provider confidence in RDTs, prompting a return to presumptive treatment or reliance on poor quality microscopy. In partial response to this experience, WHO, FIND, and other project partners have developed guidance on documenting, troubleshooting, reporting, and resolving such problems when they occur.

Neurophysiological evidence for transfer appropriate processing of memory: processing versus feature similarity.

PubMed

Schendan, Haune E; Kutas, Malra

2007-08-01

Transfer appropriate processing (TAP) accounts propose that memory is a function of the degree to which the same neural processes transfer appropriately from the study experience to the memory test. However, in prior research, study and test stimuli were often similar physically. In two experiments, event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were recorded to fragmented objects during an indirect memory test to isolate transfer of a specific perceptual process from overlap of physical features between experiences. An occipitotemporoparietal P2(00) at 200 msec showed implicit memory effects only when similar perceptual grouping processes of good continuation were repeatedly engaged-despite physical feature differences--as TAP accounts hypothesize. This result provides direct neurophysiological evidence for the critical role of process transfer across experiences for memory.

Singlet oxygen Triplet Energy Transfer based imaging technology for mapping protein-protein proximity in intact cells

PubMed Central

To, Tsz-Leung; Fadul, Michael J.; Shu, Xiaokun

2014-01-01

Many cellular processes are carried out by large protein complexes that can span several tens of nanometers. Whereas Forster resonance energy transfer has a detection range of <10 nm, here we report the theoretical development and experimental demonstration of a new fluorescence imaging technology with a detection range of up to several tens of nanometers: singlet oxygen triplet energy transfer. We demonstrate that our method confirms the topology of a large protein complex in intact cells, which spans from the endoplasmic reticulum to the outer mitochondrial membrane and the matrix. This new method is thus suited for mapping protein proximity in large protein complexes. PMID:24905026

Redescriptions of Hypogastruridae and Onychiuridae (Collembola) described by David L. Wray.

PubMed

Bernard, Ernest C

2015-02-12

Species of Hypogastruridae and Onychiuridae described by D. L. Wray were reexamined and redescribed where necessary from type material and other specimens. Mitchellania hermosa is redescribed and transferred to Ceratophysella. Hypogastrura ireneae is redescribed and H. gravesi is validated with additional material. Hypogastrura gami is synonymized with H. humi and H. utahensis is synonymized with H. promatro. A lectotype is designated for Schoettella (Knowltonella) idahoensis. Achorutes magnoliana is confirmed as a synonym of Schoettella glasgowi. Xenylla carolinensis is synonymized with Xenyllodes armatus Axelson (Odontellidae). Onychiurus mai is transferred to the genus Leeonychiurus and becomes L. mai, and O. magninus is transferred to Heteraphorura and becomes H. magnina. Additional details are given for Onychiurus wilchi.

A 43-year-old woman with unexplained elevation of hCG.

PubMed

Johnson, Lisa M; Gniadek, Thomas J; Cohn, Claudia S; Bachowski, Gary; Karger, Amy B

2018-05-01

This case report investigates an unusual hCG result in a woman who is not pregnant. A 43-year-old woman was admitted for recurrence of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) was initiated. Prior to transitioning the patient from TPE to immunosuppressive therapy, a serum qualitative hCG test was performed and was positive. Several etiologies for elevated hCG were considered and investigated, including heterophile antibody interference, endogenous hCG from pituitary or malignancy, and exogenous hCG. Retrospective measurement of hCG levels in remnant samples, including a sample obtained prior to TPE initiation, demonstrated that the hCG elevation occurred with plasma administration for TPE. Further investigation with the American Red Cross confirmed that a plasma donor was unknowingly pregnant and in the latter half of the first trimester at the time of donation, when hCG levels peak. In plasma recipients with unexplained hCG elevation, passive transfer of hCG from plasma should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Retrospective measurement of hCG in remnant samples obtained prior to plasma exchange can assist in confirming the source. Copyright © 2018 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Maghemite nanoparticles with enhanced magnetic properties: one-pot preparation and ultrastable dextran shell.

PubMed

Di Corato, Riccardo; Aloisi, Alessandra; Rella, Simona; Greneche, Jean-Marc; Pugliese, Giammarino; Pellegrino, Teresa; Malitesta, Cosimino; Rinaldi, Rosaria

2018-05-10

In the field on nanomedicine, superparamagnetic nanoparticles are one of the most studied nanomaterials for theranostics. In this paper, a one-pot synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles is presented, with elevated control on particles size from 10 to 40 nm. The monitoring of vacuum level is here introduced as a crucial parameter for achieving a fine particle morphology. Magnetic properties of these nanoparticles are highly affected by disorders or mismatches in crystal structure. A prolonged oxidation step is applied to the obtained nanoparticles to transform the magnetic phases into a pure maghemite one, confirmed by a high resolution XPS analysis, by Mössbauer spectrometry and, indirectly, by increased performances in magnetization curves and in relaxation times. Afterward, the attained nanoparticles are transferred in water by a non-derivatized dextran coating. The thermogravimetric analysis confirms that the polysaccharide molecules replace the oleic acid on the surface by stabilizing the particles in aqueous phase and culture media. Preliminary in vitro test reveals as the dextran coated nanoparticles are not passively internalized from the cells. As proof of concept, a secondary layer of chitosan assures a positive charge to the nanoparticle surface, thus enhancing the cellular internalization.

Hydride transfer catalysed by Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis dihydrofolate reductase: coupled motions and distal mutations.

PubMed

Hammes-Schiffer, Sharon; Watney, James B

2006-08-29

This paper reviews the results from hybrid quantum/classical molecular dynamics simulations of the hydride transfer reaction catalysed by wild-type (WT) and mutant Escherichia coli and WT Bacillus subtilis dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). Nuclear quantum effects such as zero point energy and hydrogen tunnelling are significant in these reactions and substantially decrease the free energy barrier. The donor-acceptor distance decreases to ca 2.7 A at transition-state configurations to enable the hydride transfer. A network of coupled motions representing conformational changes along the collective reaction coordinate facilitates the hydride transfer reaction by decreasing the donor-acceptor distance and providing a favourable geometric and electrostatic environment. Recent single-molecule experiments confirm that at least some of these thermally averaged equilibrium conformational changes occur on the millisecond time-scale of the hydride transfer. Distal mutations can lead to non-local structural changes and significantly impact the probability of sampling configurations conducive to the hydride transfer, thereby altering the free-energy barrier and the rate of hydride transfer. E. coli and B. subtilis DHFR enzymes, which have similar tertiary structures and hydride transfer rates with 44% sequence identity, exhibit both similarities and differences in the equilibrium motions and conformational changes correlated to hydride transfer, suggesting a balance of conservation and flexibility across species.

The Anatomy of the Global Football Player Transfer Network: Club Functionalities versus Network Properties

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Professional association football is a game of talent. The success of a professional club hinges largely on its ability of assembling the best team. Building on a dataset of player transfer records among more than 400 clubs in 24 world-wide top class leagues from 2011 to 2015, this study aims to relate a club’s success to its activities in the player transfer market from a network perspective. We confirm that modern professional football is indeed a money game, in which larger investment spent on the acquisition of talented players generally yields better team performance. However, further investigation shows that professional football clubs can actually play different strategies in surviving or even excelling this game, and the success of strategies is strongly associated to their network properties in the football player transfer network. PMID:27253198

Readout Electronics for the Central Drift Chamber of the Belle-II Detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uchida, Tomohisa; Taniguchi, Takashi; Ikeno, Masahiro; Iwasaki, Yoshihito; Saito, Masatoshi; Shimazaki, Shoichi; Tanaka, Manobu M.; Taniguchi, Nanae; Uno, Shoji

2015-08-01

We have developed readout electronics for the central drift chamber (CDC) of the Belle-II detector. The space near the endplate of the CDC for installation of the electronics was limited by the detector structure. Due to the large amounts of data generated by the CDC, a high-speed data link, with a greater than one gigabit transfer rate, was required to transfer the data to a back-end computer. A new readout module was required to satisfy these requirements. This module processes 48 signals from the CDC, converts them to digital data and transfers it directly to the computer. All functions that transfer digital data via the high speed link were implemented on the single module. We have measured its electrical characteristics and confirmed that the results satisfy the requirements of the Belle-II experiment.

The Anatomy of the Global Football Player Transfer Network: Club Functionalities versus Network Properties.

PubMed

Liu, Xiao Fan; Liu, Yu-Liang; Lu, Xin-Hang; Wang, Qi-Xuan; Wang, Tong-Xing

2016-01-01

Professional association football is a game of talent. The success of a professional club hinges largely on its ability of assembling the best team. Building on a dataset of player transfer records among more than 400 clubs in 24 world-wide top class leagues from 2011 to 2015, this study aims to relate a club's success to its activities in the player transfer market from a network perspective. We confirm that modern professional football is indeed a money game, in which larger investment spent on the acquisition of talented players generally yields better team performance. However, further investigation shows that professional football clubs can actually play different strategies in surviving or even excelling this game, and the success of strategies is strongly associated to their network properties in the football player transfer network.

Thermal energy and charge currents in multi-terminal nanorings

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

Kramer, Tobias; Konrad-Zuse-Zentrum für Informationstechnik Berlin, 14195 Berlin; Kreisbeck, Christoph

2016-06-15

We study in experiment and theory thermal energy and charge transfer close to the quantum limit in a ballistic nanodevice, consisting of multiply connected one-dimensional electron waveguides. The fabricated device is based on an AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructure and is covered by a global top-gate to steer the thermal energy and charge transfer in the presence of a temperature gradient, which is established by a heating current. The estimate of the heat transfer by means of thermal noise measurements shows the device acting as a switch for charge and thermal energy transfer. The wave-packet simulations are based on the multi-terminal Landauer-Büttiker approachmore » and confirm the experimental finding of a mode-dependent redistribution of the thermal energy current, if a scatterer breaks the device symmetry.« less

Syngas fermentation to biofuel: evaluation of carbon monoxide mass transfer and analytical modeling using a composite hollow fiber (CHF) membrane bioreactor.

PubMed

Munasinghe, Pradeep Chaminda; Khanal, Samir Kumar

2012-10-01

In this study, the volumetric mass transfer coefficients (Ka) for CO were examined in a composite hollow fiber (CHF) membrane bioreactor. The mass transfer experiments were conducted at various inlet gas pressures (from 5 to 30 psig (34.5-206.8 kPa(g))) and recirculation flow rates (300, 600, 900, 1200 and 1500 mL/min) through CHF module. The highest Ka value of 946.6 1/h was observed at a recirculation rate of 1500 mL/min and at an inlet gas pressure of 30 psig(206.8 kPa(g)). The findings of this study confirm that the use of CHF membranes is effective and improves the efficiency CO mass transfer into the aqueous phase. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Transfer of piano practice in fast performance of skilled finger movements.

PubMed

Furuya, Shinichi; Nakamura, Ayumi; Nagata, Noriko

2013-11-01

Transfer of learning facilitates the efficient mastery of various skills without practicing all possible sensory-motor repertoires. The present study assessed whether motor practice at a submaximal speed, which is typical in sports and music performance, results in an increase in a maximum speed of finger movements of trained and untrained skills. Piano practice of sequential finger movements at a submaximal speed over days progressively increased the maximum speed of trained movements. This increased maximum speed of finger movements was maintained two months after the practice. The learning transferred within the hand to some extent, but not across the hands. The present study confirmed facilitation of fast finger movements following a piano practice at a submaximal speed. In addition, the findings indicated the intra-manual transfer effects of piano practice on the maximum speed of skilled finger movements.

Transfer effects of manipulating temporal constraints on learning a two-choice reaction time task with low stimulus-response compatibility.

PubMed

Chen, David D; Pei, Laura; Chan, John S Y; Yan, Jin H

2012-10-01

Recent research using deliberate amplification of spatial errors to increase motor learning leads to the question of whether amplifying temporal errors may also facilitate learning. We investigated transfer effects caused by manipulating temporal constraints on learning a two-choice reaction time (CRT) task with varying degrees of stimulus-response compatibility. Thirty-four participants were randomly assigned to one of the three groups and completed 120 trials during acquisition. For every fourth trial, one group was instructed to decrease CRT by 50 msec. relative to the previous trial and a second group was instructed to increase CRT by 50 msec. The third group (the control) was told not to change their responses. After a 5-min. break, participants completed a 40-trial no-feedback transfer test. A 40-trial delayed transfer test was administered 24 hours later. During acquisition, the Decreased Reaction Time group responded faster than the two other groups, but this group also made more errors than the other two groups. In the 5-min. delayed test (immediate transfer), the Decreased Reaction Time group had faster reaction times than the other two groups, while for the 24-hr. delayed test (delayed transfer), both the Decreased Reaction Time group and Increased Reaction Time group had significantly faster reaction times than the control. For delayed transfer, both Decreased and Increased Reaction Time groups reacted significantly faster than the control group. Analyses of error scores in the transfer tests indicated revealed no significant group differences. Results were discussed with regard to the notion of practice variability and goal-setting benefits.

Laser ion source for multi-nucleon transfer reaction products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hirayama, Y.; Watanabe, Y. X.; Imai, N.; Ishiyama, H.; Jeong, S. C.; Miyatake, H.; Oyaizu, M.; Kimura, S.; Mukai, M.; Kim, Y. H.; Sonoda, T.; Wada, M.; Huyse, M.; Kudryavtsev, Yu.; Van Duppen, P.

2015-06-01

We have developed a laser ion source for the target-like fragments (TLFs) produced in multi-nucleon transfer (MNT) reactions. The operation principle of the source is based on the in-gas laser ionization and spectroscopy (IGLIS) approach. In the source TLFs are thermalized and neutralized in high pressure and high purity argon gas, and are extracted after being selectively re-ionized in a multi-step laser resonance ionization process. The laser ion source has been implemented at the KEK Isotope Separation System (KISS) for β-decay spectroscopy of neutron-rich isotopes with N = 126 of nuclear astrophysical interest. The simulations of gas flow and ion-beam optics have been performed to optimize the gas cell for efficient thermalization and fast transporting the TLFs, and the mass-separator for efficient transport with high mass-resolving power, respectively. To confirm the performances expected at the design stage, off-line experiments have been performed by using 56Fe atoms evaporated from a filament in the gas cell. The gas-transport time of 230 ms in the argon cell and the measured KISS mass-resolving power of 900 are consistent with the designed values. The high purity of the gas-cell system, which is extremely important for efficient and highly-selective production of laser ions, was achieved and confirmed from the mass distribution of the extracted ions. After the off-line tests, on-line experiments were conducted by directly injecting energetic 56Fe beam into the gas cell. After thermalization of the injected 56Fe beam, laser-produced singly-charged 56Fe+ ions were extracted. The extraction efficiency and selectivity of the gas cell in the presence of plasma induced by 56Fe beam injection as well as the time profile of the extracted ions were investigated; extraction efficiency of 0.25%, a beam purity of >99% and an extraction time of 270 ms. It has been confirmed that the performance of the KISS laser ion source is satisfactory to start the measurements of lifetimes of the β-decayed nuclei with N = 126 .

76 FR 12825 - List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: NUHOMS® HD System Revision 1; Confirmation of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-09

... definitions for Damaged Fuel Assembly and Transfer Operations; add definitions for Fuel Class and Reconstituted Fuel Assembly; add Combustion Engineering 16x16 class fuel assemblies as authorized contents...

Microparticle-mediated transfer of the viral receptors CAR and CD46, and the CFTR channel in a CHO cell model confers new functions to target cells.

PubMed

Gonzalez, Gaëlle; Vituret, Cyrielle; Di Pietro, Attilio; Chanson, Marc; Boulanger, Pierre; Hong, Saw-See

2012-01-01

Cell microparticles (MPs) released in the extracellular milieu can embark plasma membrane and intracellular components which are specific of their cellular origin, and transfer them to target cells. The MP-mediated, cell-to-cell transfer of three human membrane glycoproteins of different degrees of complexity was investigated in the present study, using a CHO cell model system. We first tested the delivery of CAR and CD46, two monospanins which act as adenovirus receptors, to target CHO cells. CHO cells lack CAR and CD46, high affinity receptors for human adenovirus serotype 5 (HAdV5), and serotype 35 (HAdV35), respectively. We found that MPs derived from CHO cells (MP-donor cells) constitutively expressing CAR (MP-CAR) or CD46 (MP-CD46) were able to transfer CAR and CD46 to target CHO cells, and conferred selective permissiveness to HAdV5 and HAdV35. In addition, target CHO cells incubated with MP-CD46 acquired the CD46-associated function in complement regulation. We also explored the MP-mediated delivery of a dodecaspanin membrane glycoprotein, the CFTR to target CHO cells. CFTR functions as a chloride channel in human cells and is implicated in the genetic disease cystic fibrosis. Target CHO cells incubated with MPs produced by CHO cells constitutively expressing GFP-tagged CFTR (MP-GFP-CFTR) were found to gain a new cellular function, the chloride channel activity associated to CFTR. Time-course analysis of the appearance of GFP-CFTR in target cells suggested that MPs could achieve the delivery of CFTR to target cells via two mechanisms: the transfer of mature, membrane-inserted CFTR glycoprotein, and the transfer of CFTR-encoding mRNA. These results confirmed that cell-derived MPs represent a new class of promising therapeutic vehicles for the delivery of bioactive macromolecules, proteins or mRNAs, the latter exerting the desired therapeutic effect in target cells via de novo synthesis of their encoded proteins.

Derived Manding in Children with Autism: Synthesizing Skinner's Verbal Behavior with Relational Frame Theory

PubMed Central

2005-01-01

Mand functions for two stimuli (A1 and A2) were trained for 3 children with autism and were then incorporated into two related conditional discriminations (A1-B1/A2 -B2 and B1-C1/B2-C2). Tests were conducted to probe for a derived transfer of mand response functions from A1 and A2 to C1 and C2, respectively. When 1 participant failed to demonstrate derived transfer of mand response functions, transfer training using exemplars was conducted. When participants had demonstrated derived transfer of mand functions, the X1 and X2 tokens that were employed as reinforcers for mand responses were incorporated into two conditional discriminations (X1-Y1/X2-Y2 and Y1-Z1/Y2-Z2). Tests were conducted for derived transfer of reinforcing functions. Finally, tests were conducted to determine if the participants would demonstrate derived manding for the derived reinforcers (present C1 and C2 to mand for Z1 and Z2, respectively). Derived transfer of functions was observed when the sequence of training and testing was reversed (i.e., training and testing reinforcing functions before mand response functions) and when only minimal instructions were provided. PMID:16463526

Space shuttle: Heat transfer rate distributions on McDonnell-Douglas delta wing orbiter determined by phase-change paint technique for nominal Mach number of 8

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Matthews, R. K.; Martindale, W. R.; Warmbrod, J. D.

1972-01-01

The results are reported of the phase-change paint tests conducted at Mach 8, to determine the aerodynamic heat transfer distributions on the McDonnell Douglas delta wing orbiter. Model details, test conditions, and reduced heat transfer data are presented.

[Endocrine abnormalities in a patient with borderline personality disorder--case 8/2014].

PubMed

Gassenmaier, Christoph; Schittenhelm, Jens; Selo, Nadja; Schnauder, Günter

2014-12-01

We report on a 44-year-old woman who was treated for borderline personality disorder in the Department of Psychiatry. In addition, symptoms of hyperthyroidism (anxiety, weight loss, hyperdefecation) were noticeable. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was marginally elevated, free triiodothyronine (T3) and free thyroxine (T4) were clearly elevated. Hence, the patient was transferred to the Department of Endocrinology. Thyroid ultrasound revealed a diffuse goiter with a total volume of 24,8 ml. Antibody screening did not show elevated titers. The thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) test depicted a blunted TSH response. Serum levels of free glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit, prolactin and insulin-like growth factor 1 were increased. In cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a hypointense lesion on the left side of the anterior pituitary gland was detected indicating a thyrotropin-secreting microadenoma with concomitant secretion of prolactin and possible secretion of human growth hormone (HGH). A thyreostatic therapy was initiated aiming at euthyreosis. For symptom control, betablockers were administered. Subsequently, the patient underwent an uncomplicated transsphenoidal resection. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a pituitary adenoma with expression of TSH, prolactin and HGH. As expected, thyroid hormones declined afterwards. TSHoma is rare. Diagnosis is confirmed by endocrinological testing and cranial imaging. Therapeutic options comprise transsphenoidal adenomectomy, drug therapy (somatostatin analogues, dopaminergic agonists) and irradiation. Resistance to thyroid hormones should be included in the differential diagnosis. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

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

Wang, Kuaibing, E-mail: wangkb@njau.edu.cn; State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Coordination Chemistry Institute, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093; Lv, Bo

Hollow CuO/Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} hybrids, which inherited from its coordination polymer precursor consisting of sheets layer and nanoparticles layer composites, were synthesized and characterized by SEM, EDX, XRD and XPS. To assess its electrochemical capacitive performances, cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charging-discharging measurements and A.C. impedance tests were performed successively. The CuO/Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} hybrids had higher capacitance and lower charge transfer resistance than bare Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanostructures, revealing that it provided a protection layer and produced a synergistic effect due to the existence of CuO layer. The distinct synergistic effect could be further confirmed by endurance cycling tests. The capacitancemore » of the CuO/Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} hybrids was 111% retained after 500 cycles at a charging rate of 1.0 A g{sup −1} and remained an intense growth trend after 2000 cycles at scan rate of 200 mV s{sup −1}. - Graphical abstract: Hollow CuO/Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} hybrids are synthesized and display a peculiar synergetic effect on the resulting performances, which can further be evaluated and confirmed by series of electrochemical measurements. - Highlights: • Hollow CuO/Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} hybrids are synthesized from bimetallic-Schiff base polymer precursors. • The capacitance of the CuO/Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} hybrids keeps a growth tendency after 2000 cycles. • A synergetic effect is found for the hybrids in electrochemical energy storage process.« less

Social insect colony as a biological regulatory system: modelling information flow in dominance networks.

PubMed

Nandi, Anjan K; Sumana, Annagiri; Bhattacharya, Kunal

2014-12-06

Social insects provide an excellent platform to investigate flow of information in regulatory systems since their successful social organization is essentially achieved by effective information transfer through complex connectivity patterns among the colony members. Network representation of such behavioural interactions offers a powerful tool for structural as well as dynamical analysis of the underlying regulatory systems. In this paper, we focus on the dominance interaction networks in the tropical social wasp Ropalidia marginata-a species where behavioural observations indicate that such interactions are principally responsible for the transfer of information between individuals about their colony needs, resulting in a regulation of their own activities. Our research reveals that the dominance networks of R. marginata are structurally similar to a class of naturally evolved information processing networks, a fact confirmed also by the predominance of a specific substructure-the 'feed-forward loop'-a key functional component in many other information transfer networks. The dynamical analysis through Boolean modelling confirms that the networks are sufficiently stable under small fluctuations and yet capable of more efficient information transfer compared to their randomized counterparts. Our results suggest the involvement of a common structural design principle in different biological regulatory systems and a possible similarity with respect to the effect of selection on the organization levels of such systems. The findings are also consistent with the hypothesis that dominance behaviour has been shaped by natural selection to co-opt the information transfer process in such social insect species, in addition to its primal function of mediation of reproductive competition in the colony. © 2014 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

Undergraduate Laboratory on a Turbulent Impinging Jet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanosky, Arnaud; Brezzard, Etienne; van Poppel, Bret; Benson, Michael

2017-11-01

An undergraduate thermal sciences laboratory exercise that includes both experimental fluid mechanics and heat transfer measurements of an impinging jet is presented. The flow field is measured using magnetic resonance velocimetry (MRV) of a water flow, while IR thermography is used in the heat transfer testing. Flow Reynolds numbers for both the heat transfer and fluid mechanics tests range from 20,000-50,000 based on the jet diameter for a fully turbulent flow condition, with target surface temperatures in the heat transfer test reaching a maximum of approximately 50 Kelvin. The heat transfer target surface is subject to a measured uniform Joule heat flux, a well-defined boundary condition that allows comparison to existing correlations. The MRV generates a 3-component 3-dimensional data set, while the IR thermography provides a 2-dimensional heat transfer coefficient (or Nusselt number) map. These data sets can be post-processed and compared to existing correlations to verify data quality, and the sets can be juxtaposed to understand how flow features drive heat transfer. The laboratory setup, data acquisition, and analysis procedures are described for the laboratory experience, which can be incorporated as fluid mechanics, experimental methods, and heat transfer courses

Hypervelocity Heat-Transfer Measurements in an Expansion Tube

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hollis, Brian R.; Perkins, John N.

1996-01-01

A series of experiments has been conducted in the NASA HYPULSE Expansion Tube, in both CO2 and air test gases, in order to obtain data for comparison with computational results and to assess the capability for performing hypervelocity heat-transfer studies in this facility. Heat-transfer measurements were made in both test gases on 70 deg sphere-cone models and on hemisphere models of various radii. HYPULSE freestream flow conditions in these test gases were found to be repeatable to within 3-10%, and aerothermodynamic test times of 150 microsec in CO2 and 125 microsec in air were identified. Heat-transfer measurement uncertainty was estimated to be 10-15%. Comparisons were made with computational results from the non-equilibrium Navier-Stokes solver NEQ2D. Measured and computed heat-transfer rates agreed to within 10% on the hemispheres and on the sphere-cone forebodies, and to within 10% in CO2 and 25% in air on the afterbodies and stings of the sphere-cone models.

1. Exterior view of Signal Transfer Building (T28A), looking southwest. ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

1. Exterior view of Signal Transfer Building (T-28A), looking southwest. This structure houses controls for propellant transfer, instrumentation for testing, test data transmission receivers, data verification equipment, and centralized utilities for the Systems Integration Laboratory complex. The gantries of the Systems Integration Laboratory Building (T-28) are visible to the rear of this structure. - Air Force Plant PJKS, Systems Integration Laboratory, Signal Transfer Building, Waterton Canyon Road & Colorado Highway 121, Lakewood, Jefferson County, CO

16 CFR 1633.5 - Prototype pooling and confirmation testing requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 16 Commercial Practices 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Prototype pooling and confirmation testing... Prototype pooling and confirmation testing requirements. (a) Prototype pooling. One or more manufacturers may rely on a qualified prototype produced by another manufacturer or prototype developer provided...

Sensitivity and adaptability of methanogens to perchlorates: Implications for life on Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kral, Timothy A.; Goodhart, Timothy H.; Harpool, Joshua D.; Hearnsberger, Christopher E.; McCracken, Graham L.; McSpadden, Stanley W.

2016-01-01

In 2008, the Mars Phoenix Lander discovered perchlorate at its landing site, and in 2012, the Curiosity rover confirmed the presence of perchlorate on Mars. The research reported here was designed to determine if certain methanogens could grow in the presence of three different perchlorate salt solutions. The methanogens tested were Methanothermobacter wolfeii, Methanosarcina barkeri, Methanobacterium formicicum and Methanococcus maripaludis. Media were prepared containing 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2%, 5% and 10% wt/vol magnesium perchlorate, sodium perchlorate, or calcium perchlorate. Organisms were inoculated into their respective media followed by incubation at each organism's growth temperature. Methane production, commonly used to measure methanogen growth, was measured by gas chromatography of headspace gas samples. Methane concentrations varied with species and perchlorate salt tested. However, all four methanogens produced substantial levels of methane in the presence of up to 1.0% perchlorate, but not higher. The standard procedure for growing methanogens typically includes sodium sulfide, a reducing agent, to reduce residual molecular oxygen. However, the sodium sulfide may have been reducing the perchlorate, thus allowing for growth of the methanogens. To investigate this possibility, experiments were conducted where stainless steel nails were used instead of sodium sulfide as the reducing agent. Prior to the addition of perchlorate and inoculation, the nails were removed from the liquid medium. Just as in the prior experiments, the methanogens produced methane at comparable levels to those seen with sodium sulfide as the reductant, indicating that sodium sulfide did not reduce the perchlorate to any significant extent. Additionally, cells metabolizing in 1% perchlorate were transferred to 2%, cells metabolizing in 2% were transferred to 5%, and finally cells metabolizing in 5% were transferred to 10%. All four species produced methane at 2% and 5%, but not 10% indicating some success in adapting cells to concentrations higher than 1%. The results reported here indicate that the presence of perchlorate on Mars does not rule out the possible existence of methanogens.

ROTARY FUEL INJECTION PUMP WEAR TESTING USING A 30 %/ 70% ATJ/F-24 FUEL BLEND

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-09-30

30/70 ATJ/F-24 with 24-ppm CI/LI Fuel at 77 ºC ............................................... 49 Figure 28. Pump SN:17200043 Transfer Pump Blade ...Pump SN:17200043 Transfer Pump Blade Edges with 1000-Hours Testing with 30/70 ATJ/F-24 with 24-ppm CI/LI Fuel at 77 ºC...50 Figure 30. Pump SN:17200043 Transfer Pump Blade Sides before Testing with 30/70 ATJ/F-24 with 24-ppm CI/LI Fuel at 77 ºC

Factors Affecting the Transfer of Basic Combat Skills Training in the Air Force

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-03-01

Kaiser - Meyer - Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy (KMO) and Bartlett’s test of Sphericity. The items reported a KMO=.87 and χ2 = 5,158.57, p < .01...Results Factor Analysis Table E1 Kaiser - Meyer - Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity for Perceived Training Transfer and Transfer Enhancing...Activities KMO Χ2 df Sig. Kaiser - Meyer - Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy .87 Bartletts Test of Sphericity 5,158.57 66 .000 100

Policy Transfer Among Regional-Level Organizations: Insights from Source Water Protection in Ontario.

PubMed

de Loë, R C; Murray, D; Michaels, S; Plummer, R

2016-07-01

Organizations at the local and regional scales often face the challenge of developing policy mechanisms rapidly and concurrently, whether in response to expanding mandates, newly identified threats, or changes in the political environment. In the Canadian Province of Ontario, rapid, concurrent policy development was considered desirable by 19 regional organizations tasked with developing policies for protection of drinking water sources under very tight and highly prescribed mandates. An explicit policy transfer approach was used by these organizations. Policy transfer refers to using knowledge of policies, programs, and institutions in one context in the development of policies, programs, and institutions in another. This paper assesses three online mechanisms developed to facilitate policy transfer for source water protection in Ontario. Insights are based on a survey of policy planners from the 19 regional organizations who used the three policy transfer tools, supplemented by an analysis of three policies created and transferred among the 19 regional source water protection organizations. Policy planners in the study indicated they had used policy transfer to develop source protection policies for their regions-a finding confirmed by analysis of the text of policies. While the online policy transfer tools clearly facilitated systematic policy transfer, participants still preferred informal, direct exchanges with their peers in other regions over the use of the internet-based policy transfer mechanisms created on their behalf.

Biological assessment for the transfer of the DP land tract

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

Keller, D.C.

1996-10-01

The Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to transfer to the County of Los Alamos up to 10-ha (25-ac) of federal land located in Technical Area-21 to be developed for commercial uses. Previous studies for the proposed land transfer area indicate that potential habitat for four threatened, endangered, and sensitive species occurs in or adjacent to the proposed land transfer area. These include the northern goshawk (federal species of concern), Mexican spotted owl (federal threatened), the spotted bat (federal species of concern, state threatened), die peregrine falcon (federal endangered, state endangered), and the. In order to determine the possible influencesmore » of the land transfer on these organisms, information from species-specific surveys was collected. These surveys were used to confirm the presence of these species or to infer their absence in or near the project area. It was concluded that none of die above mentioned species occur in the project area. Stretches of the stream channel within Los Alamos Canyon have been identified as palustrine and riverine, temporarily flooded wetlands. The proposed land transfer should not affect these wetlands.« less

[Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: Information transfer from the clinic to the doctor's office : Results of a questionnaire study and presentation of a software solution].

PubMed

Lebentrau, S; May, M; Weckermann, D; Speck, T; Wick, A-K; Mathew, M; Schostak, M

2017-02-01

The adjuvant treatment of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is based on the individual risk profile (RP) and its sufficient transfer from the clinic to the doctor's office. The objectives of our study were to verify the importance and degree of transfer of RP and recommendation for risk-adapted adjuvant treatment (RAAT) in patients with NMIBC as well as to develop appropriate tools for this purpose, if necessary. An email-based survey distributed to urologists in Brandenburg, Berlin, Bavaria and Lower Saxony explored the questions mentioned above. In addition, a tool for risk stratification and information transfer for patients with NMIBC was developed and validated. From a total of 134 questionnaires analyzed, 55 were from clinic urologists (CUs) and 79 were from ambulant urologists (AUs). Although 9 out of 10 urologists considered the RP of importance, only 29 % of CUs and 24 % of AUs (p = 0.553) confirmed that the RP was always mentioned in medical reports. The recommendation for RAAT was confirmed from 62 % of CUs and 20 % of AUs (p < 0.001). A recommendation for RAAT in the medical report was requested by 86 % of AUs. The risk calculator presented here - to our knowledge the first with integration of the 2004 WHO grading - is delivered in all mathematically possible constellations a RP, according to guideline recommendations. Urologists in the clinic and doctor's office both attach considerable importance to the determination and transfer of RP and the recommendation for RAAT. There was evidence to suggest an overestimation of the quality of medical reports by the CU. The risk calculator provides an easy and cost-neutral option to improve risk stratification and information transfer from the clinic to the doctor's office.

Conjugation-Mediated Transfer of Antibiotic-Resistance Plasmids Between Enterobacteriaceae in the Digestive Tract of Blaberus craniifer (Blattodea: Blaberidae).

PubMed

Anacarso, I; Iseppi, R; Sabia, C; Messi, P; Condò, C; Bondi, M; de Niederhäusern, S

2016-05-01

Cockroaches, insects of the order Blattodea, seem to play a crucial role in the possible conjugation-mediated genetic exchanges that occur among bacteria that harbor in the cockroach intestinal tract. The gut of these insects can be thought of as an effective in vivo model for the natural transfer of antimicrobial resistance plasmids among bacteria. In our study, we evaluated the conjugation-mediated horizontal transfer of resistance genes between Escherichia coli and other microorganisms of the same Enterobacteriaceae family within the intestinal tract of Blaberus craniifer Burmeister, 1838 (Blattodea: Blaberidae). Different in vivo mating experiments were performed using E. coli RP4 harboring the RP4 plasmid carrying ampicillin, kanamycin, and tetracycline resistance genes as the donor and E. coli K12 resistant to nalidixic acid or Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis IMM39 resistant to streptomycin as the recipients. The RP4 plasmid was successfully transferred to both recipients, producing E. coli K12-RP4 and S. Enteritidis IMM39-RP4 transconjugants. Conjugation frequencies in vivo were similar to those previously observed in vitro. The transfer of the RP4 plasmid in all transconjugants was confirmed by small-scale plasmid isolation and agar gel electrophoresis, suggesting that the intestinal tract of cockroaches is an effective in vivo model for natural gene transfer. Our results confirm that cockroaches allow for the exchange of antimicrobial resistance plasmids among bacteria and may represent a potential reservoir for the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in different environments. These findings are particularly significant to human health in the context of health care settings such as hospitals. © The Authors 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Structural, dynamic, and vibrational properties during heat transfer in Si/Ge superlattices: A Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics study

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

Ji, Pengfei; Zhang, Yuwen, E-mail: zhangyu@missouri.edu; Yang, Mo

The structural, dynamic, and vibrational properties during heat transfer process in Si/Ge superlattices are studied by analyzing the trajectories generated by the ab initio Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics simulation. The radial distribution functions and mean square displacements are calculated and further discussions are made to explain and probe the structural changes relating to the heat transfer phenomenon. Furthermore, the vibrational density of states of the two layers (Si/Ge) are computed and plotted to analyze the contributions of phonons with different frequencies to the heat conduction. Coherent heat conduction of the low frequency phonons is found and their contributions to facilitate heatmore » transfer are confirmed. The Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics simulation outputs in the work show reasonable thermophysical results of the thermal energy transport process and shed light on the potential applications of treating the heat transfer in the superlattices of semiconductor materials from a quantum mechanical molecular dynamics simulation perspective.« less

Cascaded plasmon-plasmon coupling mediated energy transfer across stratified metal-dielectric nanostructures

PubMed Central

Golmakaniyoon, Sepideh; Hernandez-Martinez, Pedro Ludwig; Demir, Hilmi Volkan; Sun, Xiao Wei

2016-01-01

Surface plasmon (SP) coupling has been successfully applied to nonradiative energy transfer via exciton-plasmon-exciton coupling in conventionally sandwiched donor-metal film-acceptor configurations. However, these structures lack the desired efficiency and suffer poor photoemission due to the high energy loss. Here, we show that the cascaded exciton-plasmon-plasmon-exciton coupling in stratified architecture enables an efficient energy transfer mechanism. The overlaps of the surface plasmon modes at the metal-dielectric and dielectric-metal interfaces allow for strong cross-coupling in comparison with the single metal film configuration. The proposed architecture has been demonstrated through the analytical modeling and numerical simulation of an oscillating dipole near the stratified nanostructure of metal-dielectric-metal-acceptor. Consistent with theoretical and numerical results, experimental measurements confirm at least 50% plasmon resonance energy transfer enhancement in the donor-metal-dielectric-metal-acceptor compared to the donor-metal-acceptor structure. Cascaded plasmon-plasmon coupling enables record high efficiency for exciton transfer through metallic structures. PMID:27698422

Structural, dynamic, and vibrational properties during heat transfer in Si/Ge superlattices: A Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ji, Pengfei; Zhang, Yuwen; Yang, Mo

2013-12-01

The structural, dynamic, and vibrational properties during heat transfer process in Si/Ge superlattices are studied by analyzing the trajectories generated by the ab initio Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics simulation. The radial distribution functions and mean square displacements are calculated and further discussions are made to explain and probe the structural changes relating to the heat transfer phenomenon. Furthermore, the vibrational density of states of the two layers (Si/Ge) are computed and plotted to analyze the contributions of phonons with different frequencies to the heat conduction. Coherent heat conduction of the low frequency phonons is found and their contributions to facilitate heat transfer are confirmed. The Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics simulation outputs in the work show reasonable thermophysical results of the thermal energy transport process and shed light on the potential applications of treating the heat transfer in the superlattices of semiconductor materials from a quantum mechanical molecular dynamics simulation perspective.

An educational measure to significantly increase critical knowledge regarding interfacility patient transfers.

PubMed

Becker, Torben K; Skiba, James F; Sozener, Cemal B

2015-06-01

Patient transfers among medical facilities are high-risk situations. Despite this, there is very little training of physicians regarding the medical and legal aspects of transport medicine. To examine the effects of a one hour, educational intervention on Emergency Medicine (EM) residents' and Critical Care (CC) fellows' knowledge regarding the medical and legal aspects of interfacility patient transfers. Prior to the intervention, physician knowledge regarding 12 key concepts in patient transfer was assessed using a pre-test instrument. A one hour, interactive, educational session followed immediately thereafter. Following the intervention, a post-intervention test was given between two and four weeks after delivery. Participants were also asked to describe any prior transportation-medicine-related education, their opinions as they relate to the relevance of the topic, and their comfort levels with patient transfers before and after the intervention. Only a minority of participants had received any formal training in patient transfers prior to the intervention, despite dealing with patient transfers on a frequent, often daily, basis. Both groups improved in several categories on the post-intervention test. They reported improved comfort levels with the medicolegal aspects of interfacility patient transfers after the intervention and felt well-prepared to manage transfers in their daily practice. A one hour, educational intervention objectively increased EM and CC physician trainees' understanding of some of the medicolegal aspects of interfacility patient transfers. The study demonstrated a lack of previous training on this important topic and improved levels of comfort with transfers after study participation.

The transfer of analytical procedures.

PubMed

Ermer, J; Limberger, M; Lis, K; Wätzig, H

2013-11-01

Analytical method transfers are certainly among the most discussed topics in the GMP regulated sector. However, they are surprisingly little regulated in detail. General information is provided by USP, WHO, and ISPE in particular. Most recently, the EU emphasized the importance of analytical transfer by including it in their draft of the revised GMP Guideline. In this article, an overview and comparison of these guidelines is provided. The key to success for method transfers is the excellent communication between sending and receiving unit. In order to facilitate this communication, procedures, flow charts and checklists for responsibilities, success factors, transfer categories, the transfer plan and report, strategies in case of failed transfers, tables with acceptance limits are provided here, together with a comprehensive glossary. Potential pitfalls are described such that they can be avoided. In order to assure an efficient and sustainable transfer of analytical procedures, a practically relevant and scientifically sound evaluation with corresponding acceptance criteria is crucial. Various strategies and statistical tools such as significance tests, absolute acceptance criteria, and equivalence tests are thoroughly descibed and compared in detail giving examples. Significance tests should be avoided. The success criterion is not statistical significance, but rather analytical relevance. Depending on a risk assessment of the analytical procedure in question, statistical equivalence tests are recommended, because they include both, a practically relevant acceptance limit and a direct control of the statistical risks. However, for lower risk procedures, a simple comparison of the transfer performance parameters to absolute limits is also regarded as sufficient. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Incomplete mass transfer processes in 28Si +93Nb reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tripathi, R.; Sodaye, S.; Ramachandran, K.; Sharma, S. K.; Pujari, P. K.

Cross sections of reaction products were measured in 28Si +93Nb reaction using recoil catcher technique involving by off-line gamma-ray spectrometry at beam energies of 105 and 155MeV. At Elab = 155MeV, the contribution from different incomplete mass transfer processes is investigated. Results of the present studies show the contribution from deep inelastic collision (DIC), massive transfer or incomplete fusion (ICF) and quasi-elastic transfer (QET). The contribution from massive transfer reactions was confirmed from the fractional yield of the reaction products in the forward catcher foil. The present results are different from those from the reactions with comparatively higher entrance channel mass asymmetry with lighter projectiles, for which dominant transfer processes are ICF and QET which involve mass transfer predominantly from projectile to target. The N/Z values of the products close to the target mass were observed to be in a wide range, starting from N/Z of the target (93Nb) and extending slightly below the N/Z of the composite system, consistent with the contribution from DIC and QET reactions. At Elab = 105MeV, a small contribution from QET was observed in addition to complete fusion.

Experimental estimation of migration and transfer of organic substances from consumer articles to cotton wipes: Evaluation of underlying mechanisms.

PubMed

Clausen, Per Axel; Spaan, Suzanne; Brouwer, Derk H; Marquart, Hans; le Feber, Maaike; Engel, Roel; Geerts, Lieve; Jensen, Keld Alstrup; Kofoed-Sørensen, Vivi; Hansen, Brian; De Brouwere, Katleen

2016-01-01

The aim of this work was to identify the key mechanisms governing transport of organic chemical substances from consumer articles to cotton wipes. The results were used to establish a mechanistic model to improve assessment of dermal contact exposure. Four types of PVC flooring, 10 types of textiles and one type of inkjet printed paper were used to establish the mechanisms and model. Kinetic extraction studies in methanol demonstrated existence of matrix diffusion and indicated the presence of a substance surface layer on some articles. Consequently, the proposed substance transfer model considers mechanical transport from a surface film and matrix diffusion in an article with a known initial total substance concentration. The estimated chemical substance transfer values to cotton wipes were comparable to the literature data (relative transfer ∼ 2%), whereas relative transfer efficiencies from spiked substrates were high (∼ 50%). For consumer articles, high correlation (r(2)=0.92) was observed between predicted and measured transfer efficiencies, but concentrations were overpredicted by a factor of 10. Adjusting the relative transfer from about 50% used in the model to about 2.5% removed overprediction. Further studies are required to confirm the model for generic use.

Comparison of Theoretical and Experimental Heat-Transfer Characteristics of Bodies of Revolution at Supersonic Speeds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scherrer, Richard

1951-01-01

An investigation of the three important factors that determine convective heat-transfer characteristics at supersonic speeds, location boundary-layer transition, recovery factor, and heat-transfer parameter has been performed at Mach numbers from 1.49 to 1.18. The bodies of revolution that were tested had, in most cases, laminar boundary layers, and the test results have been compared with available theory. Boundary-layer transition was found to be affected by heat transfer. Adding heat to a laminar boundary layer caused transition to move forward on the test body, while removing heat caused transition to move rearward. These experimental results and the implications of boundary-layer-stability theory are in qualitative agreement.

No Vent Tank Fill and Transfer Line Chilldown Analysis by Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program (GFSSP)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Majumdar, Alok

2013-01-01

The purpose of the paper is to present the analytical capability developed to model no vent chill and fill of cryogenic tank to support CPST (Cryogenic Propellant Storage and Transfer) program. Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program (GFSSP) was adapted to simulate charge-holdvent method of Tank Chilldown. GFSSP models were developed to simulate chilldown of LH2 tank in K-site Test Facility and numerical predictions were compared with test data. The report also describes the modeling technique of simulating the chilldown of a cryogenic transfer line and GFSSP models were developed to simulate the chilldown of a long transfer line and compared with test data.

Heat transfer investigation of Langley Research Center transition models at a Mach number of 8, volume 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Matthews, R. K.; Martindale, W. R.; Warmbrod, J. D.; Johnson, C. B.

1972-01-01

The results are presented of a wind tunnel test program to determine aerodynamic heat transfer distributions on delta body and straight body transition models of the space shuttle. Heat transfer rates were determined by the phase-change paint technique on Stycast and RTV models using Tempilag as the surface temperature indicator. The nominal test conditions were: Mach 8, length Reynolds numbers of 5 million and 7.4 million, and angles of attack of 20, 40, and 60 deg. Model details, test conditions, and reduced heat transfer data are included. Data reduction of the phase-change paint photographs was performed by utilizing a new technique.

Development of Advanced Fuel Cell System (Phase 4)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meyer, A. P.; Bell, W. F.

1976-01-01

A multiple-task research and development program was performed to improve the weight, life, and performance characteristics of hydrogen-oxygen alkaline fuel cells for advanced power systems. During Phase 4, the lowest stabilized degradation rate observed in all the testing completed during four phases of the program, 1 microvolt/hour, was demonstrated. This test continues after 5,000 hours of operation. The cell incorporates a PPf anode, a 90Au/10Pt cathode, a hybrid frame, and a Fybex matrix. These elements were developed under this program to extend cell life. The result demonstrated that the 80Au/20Pt cathode is as stable as a 90Au/10Pt cathode of twice the precious metal loading, was confirmed in full-scale cells. A hybrid frame two-cell plaque with dedicated flow fields and manifolds for all fluids was demonstrated to prevent the cell-to cell electrolyte transfer that limited the endurance of multicell plaques. At the conclusion of Phase 4, more than 90,900 hours of testing had been completed and twelve different cell designs had been evaluated. A technology base has been established which is ready for evaluation at the powerplant level.

Fuel savings with conventional hot water space heating systems by incorporating a natural gas powered heat pump. Preliminary project: Development of heat pump technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vanheyden, L.; Evertz, E.

1980-12-01

Compression type air/water heat pumps were developed for domestic heating systems rated at 20 to 150 kW. The heat pump is driven either by a reciprocating piston or rotary piston engine modified to operate on natural gas. Particular features of natural gas engines as prime movers, such as waste heat recovery and variable speed, are stressed. Two systems suitable for heat pump operation were selected from among five different mass produced car engines and were modified to incorporate reciprocating piston compressor pairs. The refrigerants used are R 12 and R 22. Test rig data transferred to field conditions show that the fuel consumption of conventional boilers can be reduced by 50% and more by the installation of engine driven heat pumps. Pilot heat pumps based on a 1,600 cc reciprocating piston engine were built for heating four two-family houses. Pilot pump operation confirms test rig findings. The service life of rotary piston and reciprocating piston engines was investigated. The tests reveal characteristic curves for reciprocating piston engines and include exhaust composition measurements.

Study of Rapid-Regression Liquefying Hybrid Rocket Fuels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zilliac, Greg; DeZilwa, Shane; Karabeyoglu, M. Arif; Cantwell, Brian J.; Castellucci, Paul

2004-01-01

A report describes experiments directed toward the development of paraffin-based hybrid rocket fuels that burn at regression rates greater than those of conventional hybrid rocket fuels like hydroxyl-terminated butadiene. The basic approach followed in this development is to use materials such that a hydrodynamically unstable liquid layer forms on the melting surface of a burning fuel body. Entrainment of droplets from the liquid/gas interface can substantially increase the rate of fuel mass transfer, leading to surface regression faster than can be achieved using conventional fuels. The higher regression rate eliminates the need for the complex multi-port grain structures of conventional solid rocket fuels, making it possible to obtain acceptable performance from single-port structures. The high-regression-rate fuels contain no toxic or otherwise hazardous components and can be shipped commercially as non-hazardous commodities. Among the experiments performed on these fuels were scale-up tests using gaseous oxygen. The data from these tests were found to agree with data from small-scale, low-pressure and low-mass-flux laboratory tests and to confirm the expectation that these fuels would burn at high regression rates, chamber pressures, and mass fluxes representative of full-scale rocket motors.

Evaluation of high-efficiency gas-liquid contactors for natural gas processing. Second semiannual technical progress report, April 1, 1993--September 30, 1993

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

Not Available

1993-12-01

The objective of this proposed program is to evaluate the potential of rotating gas-liquid contactors for natural gas processing by expanding the currently available database. This expansion will focus on application of this technology to environments representative of those typically encountered in natural gas processing plants. Operational and reliability concerns will be addressed while generating pertinent engineering data relating to the mass-transfer process. Work to be performed this reporting period are: complete all negotiations and processing of agreements; complete assembly, modifications, shakedown, and conduct fluid dynamic studies using the plastic rotary contactor unit; confirmation of project test matrix; and locate,more » and transport an amine plant and dehydration plant. Accomplishment for this period are presented.« less

Electrochemical and XPS study of LiFePO4 cathode nanocomposite with PPy/PEG conductive network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fedorková, A.; Oriňáková, R.; Oriňák, A.; Kupková, M.; Wiemhöfer, H.-D.; Audinot, J. N.; Guillot, J.

2012-08-01

High performance PPy/PEG-LiFePO4 nanocomposites as cathode materials were synthesized by solvothermal method and simple chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole (Py) monomer on the surface of LiFePO4 particles. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) and charge-discharge tests. PPyPEG hybrid layers decrease particle to particle contact resistance while the impedance measurements confirmed that the coating of PPy-PEG significantly decreases the charge transfer resistance of the electrode material. The initial discharge capacities of this sample at C/5 and 1C are 150 and 128 mAh/g, respectively. The results show that PPy/PEGLiFePO4 composites are more effective than bare LiFePO4 as cathode material.

Oxytetracycline removal from water by novel microbial embedding gel beads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Nan; Pan, Peng; Zeng, Ming; Wang, Wei; Xu, Chenshan; Zhang, Zongpeng; Liu, Xinyuan; Wang, Yichao

2018-01-01

As a common antibiotic in aquatic environment, excessive oxytetracycline (OTC) is urgent to be removed due to its great biological toxicity. Compared with the traditional activated sludge, microbial embedding can enhance the treating efficiency. In this study, novel microbial embedding gel beads were produced with the additional agent of cyclodextrin (CD). Results show that CD could increase the mass transfer of OTC into gel beads, possibly because of its strong affinity for organic matters. In terms of OTC biodegradation, gel beads with CD were comparable to gel beads without CD, while the former’s sucrose removal efficiency was higher than the latter. The biodegradation of OTC only occurred in the presence of sucrose. The respiration test also confirmed these findings. Overall, the produced novel gel beads modified with CD could improve the removal performance of OTC.

Initial evaluation of discrete orthogonal basis reconstruction of ECT images

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

Moody, E.B.; Donohue, K.D.

1996-12-31

Discrete orthogonal basis restoration (DOBR) is a linear, non-iterative, and robust method for solving inverse problems for systems characterized by shift-variant transfer functions. This simulation study evaluates the feasibility of using DOBR for reconstructing emission computed tomographic (ECT) images. The imaging system model uses typical SPECT parameters and incorporates the effects of attenuation, spatially-variant PSF, and Poisson noise in the projection process. Sample reconstructions and statistical error analyses for a class of digital phantoms compare the DOBR performance for Hartley and Walsh basis functions. Test results confirm that DOBR with either basis set produces images with good statistical properties. Nomore » problems were encountered with reconstruction instability. The flexibility of the DOBR method and its consistent performance warrants further investigation of DOBR as a means of ECT image reconstruction.« less

Millimeter-wave irradiation heating for operation of doped CeO2 electrolyte-supported single solid oxide fuel cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Che Abdullah, Salmie Suhana Binti; Teranishi, Takashi; Hayashi, Hidetaka; Kishimoto, Akira

2018-01-01

High operation temperature of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) results in high cell and operation cost, time consuming and fast cell degradation. Developing high performance SOFC that operates at lower temperature is required. Here we demonstrate 24 GHz microwave as a rapid heating source to replace conventional heating method for SOFC operation using 20 mol% Sm doped CeO2 electrolyte-supported single cell. The tested cell shows improvement of 62% in maximum power density at 630 °C under microwave heating. This improvement governs by bulk conductivity of the electrolyte. Investigation of ionic transference number reveals that the value is unchanged under microwave irradiation, confirming the charge carrier is dominated by oxygen ion species. This work shows a potential new concept of high performance as well as cost and energy effective SOFC.

Performance and economic analysis of a plug and play regenerative brake for improving energy efficiency for traction elevators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeraputra, Chuttchaval; Tiptipakorn, Supun

2017-05-01

This paper presents performance and economic analysis of a plug and play regenerative brake for improving energy efficiency for traction elevators. The proposed regenerative brake recycles the energy loss of a dynamic brake and feeds into the grid while an elevator inverter is operating in the braking mode. According to field measurement of energy consumption, it reveals that the efficiency can be improved as much as 18%. The prototype of a regenerative brake 12 kW, 400V, 3ϕ is developed and tested on an elevator simulator. It is shown that it can transfer energy out of a DC capacitor before the dynamic brake kicks in. Further, an economic analysis is provided to carry out the payback period and the present worth equivalent to confirm economic feasibility.

Working memory training and transfer in older adults.

PubMed

Richmond, Lauren L; Morrison, Alexandra B; Chein, Jason M; Olson, Ingrid R

2011-12-01

There has been a great deal of interest, both privately and commercially, in using working memory training exercises to improve general cognitive function. However, many of the laboratory findings for older adults, a group in which this training is of utmost interest, are discouraging due to the lack of transfer to other tasks and skills. Importantly, improvements in everyday functioning remain largely unexamined in relation to WM training. We trained working memory in older adults using a task that encourages transfer in young adults (Chein & Morrison, 2010). We tested transfer to measures of working memory (e.g., Reading Span), everyday cognitive functioning [the Test of Everyday Attention (TEA) and the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT)], and other tasks of interest. Relative to controls, trained participants showed transfer improvements in Reading Span and the number of repetitions on the CVLT. Training group participants were also significantly more likely to self-report improvements in everyday attention. Our findings support the use of ecological tasks as a measure of transfer in an older adult population.

Interidentity memory transfer in dissociative identity disorder.

PubMed

Kong, Lauren L; Allen, John J B; Glisky, Elizabeth L

2008-08-01

Controversy surrounding dissociative identity disorder (DID) has focused on conflicting findings regarding the validity and nature of interidentity amnesia, illustrating the need for objective methods of examining amnesia that can discriminate between explicit and implicit memory transfer. In the present study, the authors used a cross-modal manipulation designed to mitigate implicit memory effects. Explicit memory transfer between identities was examined in 7 DID participants and 34 matched control participants. After words were presented to one identity auditorily, the authors tested another identity for memory of those words in the visual modality using an exclusion paradigm. Despite self-reported interidentity amnesia, memory for experimental stimuli transferred between identities. DID patients showed no superior ability to compartmentalize information, as would be expected with interidentity amnesia. The cross-modal nature of the test makes it unlikely that memory transfer was implicit. These findings demonstrate that subjective reports of interidentity amnesia are not necessarily corroborated by objective tests of explicit memory transfer. Copyright (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved.

The Superorbital Expansion Tube concept, experiment and analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neely, A. J.; Morgan, R. G.

1995-01-01

In response to the need for ground testing facilities for super orbital re-entry research, a small scale facility has been set up at the University of Queensland to demonstrate the superorbital expansion tube concept. This unique device is a free piston driven, triple diaphragm, impulse shock facility which uses the enthalpy multiplication mechanism of the unsteady expansion process and the addition of a secondary shock driver to further heat the driver gas. The pilot facility has been operated to produce quasi-steady test flows in air with shock velocities in excess of 13 km/s and with a usable test flow duration of the order of 15 micro sec. an experimental condition produced in the facility with total enthalpy of 108 MJ/kg and a total pressure of 335 MPa is reported. A simple analytical flow model which accounts for non-ideal rupture of the light tertiary diaphragm and the resulting entropy increase in the test gas is discussed. It is shown that equilibrium calculations more accurately model the unsteady expansion process than calculations assuming frozen chemistry. This is because the high enthalpy flows produced in the facility can only be achieved if the chemical energy stored in the test flow during shock heating of the test gas is partially returned to the flow during the process of unsteady expansion. Measurements of heat transfer rates to a flat plate demonstrate the usability of test flow for aerothermodynamic testing and comparison of these rates with empirical calculations confirms the usable accuracy of the flow model.

On the Effects of Training Inductive Reasoning: How Far Does It Transfer and How Long Do the Effects Persist?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tomic, Welko; Klauer, Karl Josef

1996-01-01

Reports on two training experiments in which it was expected that training in inductive reasoning would transfer to intelligence tests measuring inductive reasoning and on mathematics performance. Shows that transfer on intelligence tests as well as on mathematics performance was linearly dependent on the amount of prior training. (DSK)

Evaluation of externally heated pulsed MPD thruster cathodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Myers, Roger M.; Domonkos, Matthew; Gallimore, Alec D.

1993-12-01

Recent interest in solar electric orbit transfer vehicles (SEOTV's) has prompted a reevaluation of pulsed magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster systems due to their ease of power scaling and reduced test facility requirements. In this work the use of externally heated cathodes was examined in order to extend the lifetime of these thrusters to the 1000 to 3000 hours required for SEOTV missions. A pulsed MPD thruster test facility was assembled, including a pulse-forming network (PFN), ignitor supply and propellant feed system. Results of cold cathode tests used to validate the facility, PFN, and propellant feed system design are presented, as well as a preliminary evaluation of externally heated impregnated tungsten cathodes. The cold cathode thruster was operated on both argon and nitrogen propellants at peak discharge power levels up to 300 kW. The results confirmed proper operation of the pulsed thruster test facility, and indicated that large amounts of gas were evolved from the BaO-CaO-Al2O3 cathodes during activation. Comparison of the expected space charge limited current with the measured vacuum current when using the heated cathode indicate that either that a large temperature difference existed between the heater and the cathode or that the surface work function was higher than expected.

Evaluation of externally heated pulsed MPD thruster cathodes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Myers, Roger M.; Domonkos, Matthew; Gallimore, Alec D.

1993-01-01

Recent interest in solar electric orbit transfer vehicles (SEOTV's) has prompted a reevaluation of pulsed magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster systems due to their ease of power scaling and reduced test facility requirements. In this work the use of externally heated cathodes was examined in order to extend the lifetime of these thrusters to the 1000 to 3000 hours required for SEOTV missions. A pulsed MPD thruster test facility was assembled, including a pulse-forming network (PFN), ignitor supply and propellant feed system. Results of cold cathode tests used to validate the facility, PFN, and propellant feed system design are presented, as well as a preliminary evaluation of externally heated impregnated tungsten cathodes. The cold cathode thruster was operated on both argon and nitrogen propellants at peak discharge power levels up to 300 kW. The results confirmed proper operation of the pulsed thruster test facility, and indicated that large amounts of gas were evolved from the BaO-CaO-Al2O3 cathodes during activation. Comparison of the expected space charge limited current with the measured vacuum current when using the heated cathode indicate that either that a large temperature difference existed between the heater and the cathode or that the surface work function was higher than expected.

Heat-transfer tests of aqueous ethylene glycol solutions in an electrically heated tube

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bernardo, Everett; Eian, Carroll S

1945-01-01

As part of an investigation of the cooling characteristics of liquid-cooled engines, tests were conducted with an electrically heated single-tube heat exchanger to determine the heat-transfer characteristics of an-e-2 ethylene glycol and other ethylene glycol-water mixtures. Similar tests were conducted with water and commercial butanol (n-butyl alcohol) for check purposes. The results of tests conducted at an approximately constant liquid-flow rate of 0.67 pound per second (Reynolds number, 14,500 to 112,500) indicate that at an average liquid temperature 200 degrees f, the heat-transfer coefficients obtained using water, nominal (by volume) 30 percent-70 percent and 70 percent-30 percent glycol-water mixtures are approximately 3.8, 2.8, and 1.4 times higher, respectively, than the heat-transfer coefficients obtained using an-e-2 ethylene glycol.

An interferometric imaging biosensor using weighted spectrum analysis to confirm DNA monolayer films with attogram sensitivity.

PubMed

Fu, Rongxin; Li, Qi; Wang, Ruliang; Xue, Ning; Lin, Xue; Su, Ya; Jiang, Kai; Jin, Xiangyu; Lin, Rongzan; Gan, Wupeng; Lu, Ying; Huang, Guoliang

2018-05-01

Interferometric imaging biosensors are powerful and convenient tools for confirming the existence of DNA monolayer films on silicon microarray platforms. However, their accuracy and sensitivity need further improvement because DNA molecules contribute to an inconspicuous interferometric signal both in thickness and size. Such weaknesses result in poor performance of these biosensors for low DNA content analyses and point mutation tests. In this paper, an interferometric imaging biosensor with weighted spectrum analysis is presented to confirm DNA monolayer films. The interferometric signal of DNA molecules can be extracted and then quantitative detection results for DNA microarrays can be reconstructed. With the proposed strategy, the relative error of thickness detection was reduced from 88.94% to merely 4.15%. The mass sensitivity per unit area of the proposed biosensor reached 20 attograms (ag). Therefore, the sample consumption per unit area of the target DNA content was only 62.5 zeptomoles (zm), with the volume of 0.25 picolitres (pL). Compared with the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), the measurement veracity of the interferometric imaging biosensor with weighted spectrum analysis is free to the changes in spotting concentration and DNA length. The detection range was more than 1µm. Moreover, single nucleotide mismatch could be pointed out combined with specific DNA ligation. A mutation experiment for lung cancer detection proved the high selectivity and accurate analysis capability of the presented biosensor. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Test-Anchored Vibration Response Predictions for an Acoustically Energized Curved Orthogrid Panel with Mounted Components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frady, Gregory P.; Duvall, Lowery D.; Fulcher, Clay W. G.; Laverde, Bruce T.; Hunt, Ronald A.

2011-01-01

rich body of vibroacoustic test data was recently generated at Marshall Space Flight Center for component-loaded curved orthogrid panels typical of launch vehicle skin structures. The test data were used to anchor computational predictions of a variety of spatially distributed responses including acceleration, strain and component interface force. Transfer functions relating the responses to the input pressure field were generated from finite element based modal solutions and test-derived damping estimates. A diffuse acoustic field model was applied to correlate the measured input sound pressures across the energized panel. This application quantifies the ability to quickly and accurately predict a variety of responses to acoustically energized skin panels with mounted components. Favorable comparisons between the measured and predicted responses were established. The validated models were used to examine vibration response sensitivities to relevant modeling parameters such as pressure patch density, mesh density, weight of the mounted component and model form. Convergence metrics include spectral densities and cumulative root-mean squared (RMS) functions for acceleration, velocity, displacement, strain and interface force. Minimum frequencies for response convergence were established as well as recommendations for modeling techniques, particularly in the early stages of a component design when accurate structural vibration requirements are needed relatively quickly. The results were compared with long-established guidelines for modeling accuracy of component-loaded panels. A theoretical basis for the Response/Pressure Transfer Function (RPTF) approach provides insight into trends observed in the response predictions and confirmed in the test data. The software developed for the RPTF method allows easy replacement of the diffuse acoustic field with other pressure fields such as a turbulent boundary layer (TBL) model suitable for vehicle ascent. Structural responses using a TBL model were demonstrated, and wind tunnel tests have been proposed to anchor the predictions and provide new insight into modeling approaches for this environment. Finally, design load factors were developed from the measured and predicted responses and compared with those derived from traditional techniques such as historical Mass Acceleration Curves and Barrett scaling methods for acreage and component-loaded panels.

Experimental determination of the key heat transfer mechanisms in pharmaceutical freeze-drying.

PubMed

Ganguly, Arnab; Nail, Steven L; Alexeenko, Alina

2013-05-01

The study is aimed at quantifying the relative contribution of key heat transfer modes in lyophilization. Measurements of vial heat transfer rates in a laboratory-scale freeze-dryer were performed using pure water, which was partially sublimed under various conditions. The separation distance between the shelf and the vial was systematically varied, and sublimation rates were determined gravimetrically. The heat transfer rates were observed to be independent of separation distance between the vial and the shelf and linearly dependent on pressure in the free molecular flow limit, realized at low pressures (<50 mTorr). However, under higher pressures (>120 mTorr), heat transfer rates were independent of pressure and inversely proportional to separation distance. Previous heat transfer studies in conventional freeze-drying cycles have attributed a dominant portion of the total heat transfer to radiation, the rest to conduction, whereas convection has been found to be insignificant. Although the measurements reported here confirm the significance of the radiative and gas conduction components, the convective component has been found to be comparable to the gas conduction contribution at pressures greater than 100 mTorr. The current investigation supports the conclusion that the convective component of the heat transfer cannot be ignored in typical laboratory-scale freeze-drying conditions. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Heat Transfer of Confined Impinging Air-water Mist Jet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Shyy Woei; Su, Lo May

This paper describes the detailed heat transfer distributions of an atomized air-water mist jet impinging orthogonally onto a confined target plate with various water-to-air mass-flow ratios. A transient technique was used to measure the full field heat transfer coefficients of the impinging surface. Results showed that the high momentum mist-jet interacting with the water-film and wall-jet flows created a variety of heat transfer contours on the impinging surface. The trade-off between the competing influences of the different heat transfer mechanisms involving in an impinging mist jet made the nonlinear variation tendency of overall heat transfer against the increase of water-to-air mass-flow ratio and extended the effective cooling region. With separation distances of 10, 8, 6 and 4 jet-diameters, the spatially averaged heat transfer values on the target plate could respectively reach about 2.01, 1.83, 2.43 and 2.12 times of the equivalent air-jet values, which confirmed the applicability of impinging mist-jet for heat transfer enhancement. The optimal choices of water-to-air mass-flow ratio for the atomized mist jet required the considerations of interactive and combined effects of separation distance, air-jet Reynolds number and the water-to-air mass-flow ratio into the atomized nozzle.

Track/train dynamics test report transfer function test. Volume 1: Test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vigil, R. A.

1975-01-01

A description is presented of the transfer function test performed on an open hopper freight car loaded with 80 tons of coal. Test data and a post-test update of the requirements document and test procedure are presented. Included are a statement of the test objective, a description of the test configurations, test facilities, test methods, data acquisition/reduction operations, and a chronological test summary. An index to the data for the three test configurations (X, Y, and Z-axis tests) is presented along with test sequence, run number, test reference, and input parameters.

VLBI and GPS-based Time-Transfer Using CONT08 Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rieck, Carsten; Haas, Ruediger; Jaldehag, Kenneth; Jahansson, Jan

2010-01-01

One important prerequisite for geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) is the use of frequency standards with excellent short term stability. This makes VLBI stations, which are often co-located with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiving stations, interesting for studies of time- and frequency-transfer techniques. We present an assessment of VLBI time-transfer based on the data of the two week long consecutive IVS CONT08 VLBI campaign by using GPS Carrier Phase (GPSCP). CONT08 was a 15 day long campaign in August 2008 that involved eleven VLBI stations on five continents. For CONT08 we estimated the worst case VLBI frequency link stability between the stations of Onsala and Wettzell to 1e-15 at one day. Comparisons with GPSCP confirm the VLBI results. We also identify time-transfer related challenges of the VLBI technique as used today.

Enzymatic cellulose oxidation is linked to lignin by long-range electron transfer

PubMed Central

Westereng, Bjørge; Cannella, David; Wittrup Agger, Jane; Jørgensen, Henning; Larsen Andersen, Mogens; Eijsink, Vincent G.H.; Felby, Claus

2015-01-01

Enzymatic oxidation of cell wall polysaccharides by lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) plays a pivotal role in the degradation of plant biomass. While experiments have shown that LPMOs are copper dependent enzymes requiring an electron donor, the mechanism and origin of the electron supply in biological systems are only partly understood. We show here that insoluble high molecular weight lignin functions as a reservoir of electrons facilitating LPMO activity. The electrons are donated to the enzyme by long-range electron transfer involving soluble low molecular weight lignins present in plant cell walls. Electron transfer was confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy showing that LPMO activity on cellulose changes the level of unpaired electrons in the lignin. The discovery of a long-range electron transfer mechanism links the biodegradation of cellulose and lignin and sheds new light on how oxidative enzymes present in plant degraders may act in concert. PMID:26686263

Transfer of piano practice in fast performance of skilled finger movements

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Transfer of learning facilitates the efficient mastery of various skills without practicing all possible sensory-motor repertoires. The present study assessed whether motor practice at a submaximal speed, which is typical in sports and music performance, results in an increase in a maximum speed of finger movements of trained and untrained skills. Results Piano practice of sequential finger movements at a submaximal speed over days progressively increased the maximum speed of trained movements. This increased maximum speed of finger movements was maintained two months after the practice. The learning transferred within the hand to some extent, but not across the hands. Conclusions The present study confirmed facilitation of fast finger movements following a piano practice at a submaximal speed. In addition, the findings indicated the intra-manual transfer effects of piano practice on the maximum speed of skilled finger movements. PMID:24175946

Magnetization transfer from laser-polarized xenon to protons located in the hydrophobic cavity of the wheat nonspecific lipid transfer protein

PubMed Central

Landon, Céline; Berthault, Patrick; Vovelle, Françoise; Desvaux, Hervé

2001-01-01

Nonspecific lipid transfer protein from wheat is studied by liquid-state NMR in the presence of xenon. The gas–protein interaction is indicated by the dependence of the protein proton chemical shifts on the xenon pressure and formally confirmed by the first observation of magnetization transfer from laser-polarized xenon to the protein protons. Twenty-six heteronuclear nOes have allowed the characterization of four interaction sites inside the wheat ns-LTP cavity. Their locations are in agreement with the variations of the chemical shifts under xenon pressure and with solvation simulations. The richness of the information obtained by the noble gas with a nuclear polarization multiplied by ∼12,000 makes this approach based on dipolar cross-relaxation with laser-polarized xenon promising for probing protein hydrophobic pockets at ambient pressure. PMID:11274467

Parametric dependence of ocean wave-radar modulation transfer functions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Plant, W. J.; Keller, W. C.; Cross, A.

1983-01-01

Microwave techniques at X and L band were used to determine the dependence of ocean-wave radar modulation transfer functions (MTFs) on various environmental and radar parameters during the Marine Remote Sensing experiment of 1979 (MARSEN 79). These MIF are presented, as are coherence functions between the AM and FM parts of the backscattered microwave signal. It is shown that they both depend on several of these parameters. Besides confirming many of the properties of transfer functions reported by previous authors, indications are found that MTFs decrease with increasing angle between wave propagation and antenna-look directions but are essentially independent of small changes in air-sea temperature difference. However, coherence functions are much smaller when the antennas are pointed perpendicular to long waves. It is found that X band transfer functions measured with horizontally polarized microwave radiation have larger magnitudes than those obtained by using vertical polarization.

Scalable and reusable micro-bubble removal method to flatten large-area 2D materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pham, Phi H. Q.; Quach, Nhi V.; Li, Jinfeng; Burke, Peter J.

2018-04-01

Bubbles generated during electro-delamination and chemical etch during large-area two-dimensional (2D) material transfer has been shown to cause rippling, and consequently, results in tears and wrinkles in the transferred film. Here, we demonstrate a scalable and reusable method to remove surface adhered micro-bubbles by using hydrophobic surfaces modified by self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Bubble removal allows the 2D film to flatten out and prevents the formation of defects. Electrical characterization was used to verify improved transfer quality and was confirmed by increased field-effect mobility and decreased sheet resistance. Raman spectroscopy was also used to validate enhanced electrical quality following transfer. The bubble removal method can be applied to an assortment of 2D materials using diverse hydrophobic SAM variants. Our studies can be integrated into large scale applications and will lead to improved large-area 2D electronics in general.

Why self-controlled feedback enhances motor learning: Answers from electroencephalography and indices of motivation.

PubMed

Grand, Kirk F; Bruzi, Alessandro T; Dyke, Ford B; Godwin, Maurice M; Leiker, Amber M; Thompson, Andrew G; Buchanan, Taylor L; Miller, Matthew W

2015-10-01

It was tested whether learners who choose when to receive augmented feedback while practicing a motor skill exhibit enhanced augmented feedback processing and intrinsic motivation, along with superior learning, relative to learners who do not control their feedback. Accordingly, participants were assigned to either self-control (Self) or yoked groups and asked to practice a non-dominant arm beanbag toss. Self participants received augmented feedback at their discretion, whereas Yoked participants were given feedback schedules matched to Self counterparts. Participants' visual feedback was occluded, and when they received augmented feedback, their processing of it was indexed with the electroencephalography-derived feedback-related negativity (FRN). Participants self-reported intrinsic motivation via the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) after practice, and completed a retention and transfer test the next day to index learning. Results partially support the hypothesis. Specifically, Self participants reported higher IMI scores, exhibited larger FRNs, and demonstrated better accuracy on the transfer test, but not on the retention test, nor did they exhibit greater consistency on the retention or transfer tests. Additionally, post-hoc multiple regression analysis indicated FRN amplitude predicted transfer test accuracy (accounting for IMI score). Results suggest self-controlled feedback schedules enhance feedback processing, which enhances the transfer of a newly acquired motor skill. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tests of Exoplanet Atmospheric Radiative Transfer Codes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harrington, Joseph; Challener, Ryan; DeLarme, Emerson; Cubillos, Patricio; Blecic, Jasmina; Foster, Austin; Garland, Justin

2016-10-01

Atmospheric radiative transfer codes are used both to predict planetary spectra and in retrieval algorithms to interpret data. Observational plans, theoretical models, and scientific results thus depend on the correctness of these calculations. Yet, the calculations are complex and the codes implementing them are often written without modern software-verification techniques. In the process of writing our own code, we became aware of several others with artifacts of unknown origin and even outright errors in their spectra. We present a series of tests to verify atmospheric radiative-transfer codes. These include: simple, single-line line lists that, when combined with delta-function abundance profiles, should produce a broadened line that can be verified easily; isothermal atmospheres that should produce analytically-verifiable blackbody spectra at the input temperatures; and model atmospheres with a range of complexities that can be compared to the output of other codes. We apply the tests to our own code, Bayesian Atmospheric Radiative Transfer (BART) and to several other codes. The test suite is open-source software. We propose this test suite as a standard for verifying current and future radiative transfer codes, analogous to the Held-Suarez test for general circulation models. This work was supported by NASA Planetary Atmospheres grant NX12AI69G and NASA Astrophysics Data Analysis Program grant NNX13AF38G.

Comparing Tests for Diabetes and Prediabetes: A Quick Reference Guide

MedlinePlus

... Urinary Tract Imaging Urodynamic Testing Virtual Colonoscopy Diabetes & Prediabetes Tests This fact sheet compares the following tests: ... test Confirming Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes Diagnosis must be confirmed unless symptoms are present. ...

Optimizing non-radiative energy transfer in hybrid colloidal-nanocrystal/silicon structures by controlled nanopillar architectures for future photovoltaic cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seitz, O.; Caillard, L.; Nguyen, H. M.; Chiles, C.; Chabal, Y. J.; Malko, A. V.

2012-01-01

To optimize colloidal nanocrystals/Si hybrid structures, nanopillars are prepared and organized via microparticle patterning and Si etching. A monolayer of CdSe nanocrystals is then grafted on the passivated oxide-free nanopillar surfaces, functionalized with carboxy-alkyl chain linkers. This process results to a negligible number of non-radiative surface state defects with a tightly controlled separation between the nanocrystals and Si. Steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements confirm the close-packing nanocrystal arrangement and the dominance of non-radiative energy transfer from nanocrystals to Si. We suggest that radially doped p-n junction devices based on energy transfer offer a viable approach for thin film photovoltaic devices.

Submandibular gland transfer for the prevention of postradiation xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Wu, Fanglong; Weng, Shengxin; Li, Chunjie; Sun, Jun; Li, Longjiang; Gao, Qinghong

2015-01-01

Submandibular gland transfer has been widely used to prevent postradiation xerostomia in head-and-neck cancers. However, there are still some controversies. Six databases were searched, data extraction was performed and the risk of bias was assessed by 2 reviewers independently. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager, version 5.2. A total of 7 trials (12 articles) and 369 participants were included. The present clinical evidence suggests that submandibular gland transfer might be highly effective to prevent postradiation xerostomia in head-and-neck cancers without serious adverse events. However, more randomized controlled trials are still needed to confirm this conclusion. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

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

N, Rekha T.; Rajkumar, Beulah J. M., E-mail: beulah-rajkumar@yahoo.co.in

Charge transfer properties of pentacene adsorbed on silver is investigated using DFT methods. Optimized geometry of pentacene after adsorption on silver indicates distortion in hexagonal structure of the ring close to the silver cluster and deviations in co-planarity of carbon atoms due to the variations in bond angles and dihedral angles. Theoretically simulated absorption spectrum has a symmetric surface plasmon resonance peak around 486nm corresponding to the transfer of charge from HOMO-2 to LUMO. Theoretical SERS confirms the process of adsorption, tilted orientation of pentacene on silver surface and the charge transfers reported. Localization of electron density arising from redistributionmore » of electrostatic potential together with a reduced bandgap of pentacene after adsorption on silver suggests its utility in the design of electro active organic semiconducting devices.« less

Diagnostic criteria for the characterization of quasireversible electron transfer reactions by cyclic square wave voltammetry.

PubMed

Mann, Megan A; Helfrick, John C; Bottomley, Lawrence A

2014-08-19

Theory for cyclic square wave voltammetry of quasireversible electron transfer reactions is presented and experimentally verified. The impact of empirical parameters on the shape of the current-voltage curve is examined. From the trends, diagnostic criteria enabling the use of this waveform as a tool for mechanistic analysis of electrode reaction processes are presented. These criteria were experimentally confirmed using Eu(3+)/Eu(2+), a well-established quasireversible analyte. Using cyclic square wave voltammetry, both the electron transfer coefficient and rate were calculated for this analyte and found to be in excellent agreement with literature. When properly applied, these criteria will enable nonexperts in voltammetry to assign the electrode reaction mechanism and accurately measure electrode reaction kinetics.

Low-Complexity Adaptive Multisine Waveform Design for Wireless Power Transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clerckx, Bruno; Bayguzina, Ekaterina

Far-field Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) has attracted significant attention in the last decade. Recently, channel-adaptive waveforms have been shown to significantly increase the DC power level at the output of the rectifier. However the design of those waveforms is generally computationally complex and does not lend itself easily to practical implementation. We here propose a low-complexity channel-adaptive multisine waveform design whose performance is very close to that of the optimal design. Performance evaluations confirm the benefits of the new design in various rectifier topologies.

Face pumping of thin, solid-state slab lasers with laser diodes.

PubMed

Faulstich, A; Baker, H J; Hall, D R

1996-04-15

A new technique for face pumping of slab lasers uses transfer of light from 10 quasi-cw laser diode bars through a slotted mirror into a rectangular, highly ref lective pump chamber, giving efficient multipass pumping of a thin Nd:glass slab laser. A slope efficiency of 28% and a maximum pulse energy of 65 mJ have been obtained, and gain and loss measurements with thickness t = 0.45-1.04 mm have confirmed the 1/t scaling of gain in thin slabs and the high efficiency of pump light transfer.

30 CFR 7.47 - Deflection temperature test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... which are 4 inches apart and immersed in a heat transfer medium at a test temperature range of 65 °F−80 °F (18.3 °C−26.7 °C). The heat transfer medium must be a liquid which will not chemically affect the... an accuracy of 1% into the heat transfer medium within 1/8 inch of, but not touching, the sample. (4...

The effect of dyad versus individual simulation-based ultrasound training on skills transfer.

PubMed

Tolsgaard, Martin G; Madsen, Mette E; Ringsted, Charlotte; Oxlund, Birgitte S; Oldenburg, Anna; Sorensen, Jette L; Ottesen, Bent; Tabor, Ann

2015-03-01

Dyad practice may be as effective as individual practice during clinical skills training, improve students' confidence, and reduce costs of training. However, there is little evidence that dyad training is non-inferior to single-student practice in terms of skills transfer. This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of simulation-based ultrasound training in pairs (dyad practice) with that of training alone (single-student practice) on skills transfer. In a non-inferiority trial, 30 ultrasound novices were randomised to dyad (n = 16) or single-student (n = 14) practice. All participants completed a 2-hour training programme on a transvaginal ultrasound simulator. Participants in the dyad group practised together and took turns as the active practitioner, whereas participants in the single group practised alone. Performance improvements were evaluated through pre-, post- and transfer tests. The transfer test involved the assessment of a transvaginal ultrasound scan by one of two clinicians using the Objective Structured Assessment of Ultrasound Skills (OSAUS). Thirty participants completed the simulation-based training and 24 of these completed the transfer test. Dyad training was found to be non-inferior to single-student training: transfer test OSAUS scores were significantly higher than the pre-specified non-inferiority margin (delta score 7.8%, 95% confidence interval -3.8-19.6%; p = 0.04). More dyad (71.4%) than single (30.0%) trainees achieved OSAUS scores above a pre-established pass/fail level in the transfer test (p = 0.05). There were significant differences in performance scores before and after training in both groups (pre- versus post-test, p < 0.01) with large effect sizes (Cohen's d = 3.85) and no significant interactions between training type and performance (p = 0.59). The dyad group demonstrated higher training efficiency in terms of simulator score per number of attempts compared with the single-student group (p = 0.03). Dyad practice improves the efficiency of simulation-based training and is non-inferior to individual practice in terms of skills transfer. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Enhanced Charge Separation and FRET at Heterojunctions between Semiconductor Nanoparticles and Conducting Polymer Nanofibers for Efficient Solar Light Harvesting

PubMed Central

Sardar, Samim; Kar, Prasenjit; Remita, Hynd; Liu, Bo; Lemmens, Peter; Kumar Pal, Samir; Ghosh, Srabanti

2015-01-01

Energy harvesting from solar light employing nanostructured materials offer an economic way to resolve energy and environmental issues. We have developed an efficient light harvesting heterostructure based on poly(diphenylbutadiyne) (PDPB) nanofibers and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) via a solution phase synthetic route. ZnO NPs (~20 nm) were homogeneously loaded onto the PDPB nanofibers as evident from several analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The photoinduced electron transfer from PDPB nanofibers to ZnO NPs has been confirmed by steady state and picosecond-resolved photoluminescence studies. The co-sensitization for multiple photon harvesting (with different energies) at the heterojunction has been achieved via a systematic extension of conjugation from monomeric to polymeric diphenyl butadiyne moiety in the proximity of the ZnO NPs. On the other hand, energy transfer from the surface defects of ZnO NPs (~5 nm) to PDPB nanofibers through Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) confirms the close proximity with molecular resolution. The manifestation of efficient charge separation has been realized with ~5 fold increase in photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in comparison to polymer nanofibers counterpart under visible light irradiation. Our results provide a novel approach for the development of nanoheterojunctions for efficient light harvesting which will be helpful in designing future solar devices. PMID:26611253

The Evaluation of Methicillin Resistance in Staphylococcus aboard the International Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ott, C. M.; Bassinger, V. J.; Fontenot, S. L.; Castro, V. A.; Pierson, D. L.

2005-01-01

The International Space Station (ISS) represents a semi-closed environment with a high level of crewmember interaction. As community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has emerged as a health concern in environments with susceptible hosts in close proximity, an evaluation of isolates of clinical and environmental Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative Staphylococcus was performed to determine if this trend was also present in astronauts aboard ISS or the space station itself. Rep-PCR fingerprinting analysis of archived ISS isolates confirmed our earlier studies indicating a transfer of S. aureus between crewmembers. In addition, this fingerprinting also indicated a transfer between crewmembers and their environment. While a variety of S. aureus were identified from both the crewmembers and the environment, phenotypic evaluations indicated minimal methicillin resistance. However, positive results for the Penicillin Binding Protein, indicative of the presence of the mecA gene, were detected in multiple isolates of archived Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. Phenotypic analysis of these isolates confirmed their resistance to methicillin. While MRSA has not been isolated aboard ISS, the potential exists for the transfer of the gene, mecA, from coagulase negative environmental Staphylococcus to S. aureus creating MRSA strains. This study suggests the need to expand environmental monitoring aboard long duration exploration spacecraft to include antibiotic resistance profiling.

Food isolate Listeria monocytogenes harboring tetM gene plasmid-mediated exchangeable to Enterococcus faecalis on the surface of processed cheese.

PubMed

Haubert, Louise; Cunha, Carlos Eduardo Pouey da; Lopes, Graciela Völz; Silva, Wladimir Padilha da

2018-05-01

The genetic basis of tetracycline resistance in a food isolate Listeria monocytogenes (Lm16) was evaluated. Resistance to tetracycline was associated with the presence of the tetM gene in plasmid DNA. The sequence of tetM showed 100% of similarity with the Enterococcus faecalis sequences found in the EMBL database, suggesting that Lm16 received this gene from E. faecalis. Various size bands were detected in the DNA plasmid analysis, the largest being approximately 54.38 kb. Transferability of the tetM gene was achieved in vitro by agar matings between Lm16 and E. faecalis JH2-2, proving the potential for the spread of tetM by horizontal gene transfer. Furthermore, the conjugation experiments were performed on the surface of processed cheese, confirming the transferability in a food matrix. PCR assays were used to confirm the identity of E. faecalis and to detect the tetM gene in transconjugant bacteria. Additionally, the minimal inhibitory concentration for tetracycline and rifampicin and plasmid profiling were performed. This is the first report of a food isolate L. monocytogenes carrying the tetM gene in plasmid DNA, and it highlights the potential risk of spreading antimicrobial resistance genes between different bacteria. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Intergenerational private transfers: Portugal in the European context.

PubMed

Albuquerque, Paula C

2014-12-01

Intergenerational private transfers should be made important as a common occurrence in familialistic societies when establishing the identity of Southern European welfare state regimes. They function as a safety net and as a way of reinforcing the bonds amongst elements in a family. Although Portugal is undoubtedly a Southern European country, it is frequently ignored in comparative studies, and is assumed to share the characteristics of Spain and Italy. But do these countries really belong to a common, distinctive model? Portugal was included in the fourth wave of the survey of health, ageing and retirement in Europe, which provides a large sample for the study of intergenerational private transfers in this country. It also enables comparison with what happens elsewhere in Europe. We examine the upward and downward flows between generations and identify several important determinants of each type of transfers. Additionally, we show that the different types and directions of transfers are positively correlated, pointing to a self-reinforcement of transfer behaviour in families. We find that Portugal has an especially low probability of private transfers of time and money. After taking into consideration the household-level characteristics, none of the countries included in this study has a significantly lower probability of occurrence of any type of transfer than that of Portugal. A Southern European specific pattern of family transfers is only partially confirmed, yet Portugal and Spain do share the same model.

Heat transfer tests of a 0.006-scale thin skin space shuttle model (50-0, 41-T) in the Langley Research Center nitrogen tunnel at Mach 19 (IH19)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walstad, D. G.

1975-01-01

Data are presented from heat transfer tests on an 0.0006-scale space shuttle vehicle in the Langley Research Center Nitrogen Tunnel. The purpose of this test was to obtain ascent heating data at a high hypersonic Mach number. Configurations tested were integrated orbiter and external tank, orbiter alone, and external tank alone. All configurations were tested with and without boundary layer transition. Testing was conducted at a Mach number of 19, a Reynolds number of 0.5 million per foot, and angles of attack of 0, + or - 5, and + or - 10 degrees. Heat transfer data was obtained from 77 orbiter and 90 external tank iron-constantan thermocouples.

Contextual memory and skill transfer in category search.

PubMed

Kole, James A; Healy, Alice F; Fierman, Deanna M; Bourne, Lyle E

2010-01-01

In three experiments, we examined transfer and contextual memory in a category search task. Each experiment included two phases (training and test), during which participants searched through category and exemplar menus for targets. In Experiment 1, the targets were from one of two domains during training (grocery store or department store); the domain was either the same or changed at test. Also, the categories were organized in one of two ways (alphabetically or semantically); the organization either remained the same or changed at test. In Experiments 2 and 3, domain and organization were held constant; however, categories or exemplars were the same, partially replaced, or entirely replaced across phases in order to simulate the dynamic nature of category search in everyday situations. Transfer occurred at test when the category organization or domain was maintained and when the categories or exemplars matched (partially or entirely) those at training. These results demonstrate that transfer is facilitated by overlap in training and testing contexts.

Evaluating lotion transfer from products to skin using the behind-the-knee test.

PubMed

Farage, Miranda A

2010-05-01

Adding lotions or emollients to the surface of a variety of paper products confers a number of benefits to the skin of consumers. A modification of the 'behind-the-knee (BTK)' test model was used as a means of measuring the effectiveness of lotion transfer to the skin. Two series of feminine protection pads were prepared: (1) identically constructed pads differing only in the amount of lotion applied to the surface and (2) pads of various compositions to compare the influence of other product characteristics. For the first series, pads were applied for 3 h using the BTK protocol, and lotion transfer was evaluated. For the second series of products, two sample pads were applied consecutively for 3 h each, and lotion transfer was evaluated a both time points (e.g., 3 and 6 h). In addition, a clinical in-use study was used to evaluate lotion transfer for the second product series. In the BTK model using pads of identical composition, lotion transfer was a function of the amount of lotion placed on the pad. However, results from the second product series indicated that when pads were prepared using different absorbant materials (supreabsorbent gelling material, or AGM and cellulose), pads with the AGM core transferred lotion more effectively than pads with a cellulose core. Other product characteristics, i.e., pad thickness and lotion configuration, did not detectibly influence lotion transfer. The results of an in-use clinical study conducted on the second series of test products were directionally similar to those from the BTK, but statistical significance was not reached. An adaptation of the BTK test method provides an effective means of evaluating the transfer of lotion formulations from feminine protection pads at a fraction of the cost of clinical in-use studies.

Cross-domain and multi-task transfer learning of deep convolutional neural network for breast cancer diagnosis in digital breast tomosynthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samala, Ravi K.; Chan, Heang-Ping; Hadjiiski, Lubomir; Helvie, Mark A.; Richter, Caleb; Cha, Kenny

2018-02-01

We propose a cross-domain, multi-task transfer learning framework to transfer knowledge learned from non-medical images by a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) to medical image recognition task while improving the generalization by multi-task learning of auxiliary tasks. A first stage cross-domain transfer learning was initiated from ImageNet trained DCNN to mammography trained DCNN. 19,632 regions-of-interest (ROI) from 2,454 mass lesions were collected from two imaging modalities: digitized-screen film mammography (SFM) and full-field digital mammography (DM), and split into training and test sets. In the multi-task transfer learning, the DCNN learned the mass classification task simultaneously from the training set of SFM and DM. The best transfer network for mammography was selected from three transfer networks with different number of convolutional layers frozen. The performance of single-task and multitask transfer learning on an independent SFM test set in terms of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.78+/-0.02 and 0.82+/-0.02, respectively. In the second stage cross-domain transfer learning, a set of 12,680 ROIs from 317 mass lesions on DBT were split into validation and independent test sets. We first studied the data requirements for the first stage mammography trained DCNN by varying the mammography training data from 1% to 100% and evaluated its learning on the DBT validation set in inference mode. We found that the entire available mammography set provided the best generalization. The DBT validation set was then used to train only the last four fully connected layers, resulting in an AUC of 0.90+/-0.04 on the independent DBT test set.

ORNL rod-bundle heat-transfer test data. Volume 2. Thermal-Hydraulic Test Facility experimental data report for test 3. 03. 6AR - transient film boiling in upflow

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

Mullins, C. B.; Felde, D. K.; Sutton, A. G.

1982-04-01

Reduced instrument responses are presented for Thermal-Hydraulic Test Facility (THTF) Test 3.03.6AR. This test was conducted by members of the ORNL Pressurized-Water-Reactor (PWR) Blowdown Heat Transfer (BDHT) Separate-Effects Program on May 21, 1980. Objective was to investigate heat transfer phenomena believed to occur in PWRs during accidents, including small and large break loss-of-coolant accidents. Test 3.03.6AR was conducted to obtain transient film boiling data in rod bundle geometry under reactor accident-type conditions. The primary purpose of this report is to make the reduced instrument responses for THTF Test 3.03.6AR available. Included in the report are uncertainties in the instrument responses,more » calculated mass flows, and calculated rod powers.« less

Using the 2011 Mw9.0 Tohoku earthquake to test the Coulomb stress triggering hypothesis and to calculate faults brought closer to failure

USGS Publications Warehouse

Toda, Shinji; Lin, Jian; Stein, Ross S.

2011-01-01

The 11 March 2011 Tohoku Earthquake provides an unprecedented test of the extent to which Coulomb stress transfer governs the triggering of aftershocks. During 11-31 March, there were 177 aftershocks with focal mechanisms, and so the Coulomb stress change imparted by the rupture can be resolved on the aftershock nodal planes to learn whether they were brought closer to failure. Numerous source models for the mainshock have been inverted from seismic, geodetic, and tsunami observations. Here, we show that, among six tested source models, there is a mean 47% gain in positively-stressed aftershock mechanisms over that for the background (1997-10 March 2011) earthquakes, which serve as the control group. An aftershock fault friction of 0.4 is found to fit the data better than 0.0 or 0.8, and among all the tested models, Wei and Sladen (2011) produced the largest gain, 63%. We also calculate that at least 5 of the seven large, exotic, or remote aftershocks were brought ≥0.3 bars closer to failure. With these tests as confirmation, we calculate that large sections of the Japan trench megathrust, the outer trench slope normal faults, the Kanto fragment beneath Tokyo, and the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line, were also brought ≥0.3 bars closer to failure.

Analysis of static and dynamic balance in healthy elderly practitioners of Tai Chi Chuan versus ballroom dancing

PubMed Central

Rahal, Miguel Antônio; Alonso, Angélica Castilho; Andrusaitis, Felix Ricardo; Rodrigues, Thuam Silva; Speciali, Danielli Souza; Greve, Júlia Maria D′Andréa; Leme, Luiz Eugênio Garcez

2015-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether Tai Chi Chuan or ballroom dancing promotes better performance with respect to postural balance, gait, and postural transfer among elderly people. METHODS: We evaluated 76 elderly individuals who were divided into two groups: the Tai Chi Chuan Group and the Dance Group. The subjects were tested using the NeuroCom Balance Master® force platform system with the following protocols: static balance tests (the Modified Clinical Tests of Sensory Interaction on Balance and Unilateral Stance) and dynamic balance tests (the Walk Across Test and Sit-to-stand Transfer Test). RESULTS: In the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance, the Tai Chi Chuan Group presented a lower sway velocity on a firm surface with open and closed eyes, as well as on a foam surface with closed eyes. In the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Unilateral Stance, the Tai Chi Chuan Group presented a lower sway velocity with open eyes, whereas the Dance Group presented a lower sway velocity with closed eyes. In the Walk Across Test, the Tai Chi Chuan Group presented faster walking speeds than those of the Dance Group. In the Sit-to-stand Transfer Test, the Tai Chi Chuan Group presented shorter transfer times from the sitting to the standing position, with less sway in the final standing position. CONCLUSION: The elderly individuals who practiced Tai Chi Chuan had better bilateral balance with eyes open on both types of surfaces compared with the Dance Group. The Dance Group had better unilateral postural balance with eyes closed. The Tai Chi Chuan Group had faster walking speeds, shorter transfer times, and better postural balance in the final standing position during the Sit-to-stand Test. PMID:26017644

Analysis of static and dynamic balance in healthy elderly practitioners of Tai Chi Chuan versus ballroom dancing.

PubMed

Rahal, Miguel Antônio; Alonso, Angélica Castilho; Andrusaitis, Felix Ricardo; Rodrigues, Thuam Silva; Speciali, Danielli Souza; Greve, Júlia Maria D Andréa; Leme, Luiz Eugênio Garcez

2015-03-01

To determine whether Tai Chi Chuan or ballroom dancing promotes better performance with respect to postural balance, gait, and postural transfer among elderly people. We evaluated 76 elderly individuals who were divided into two groups: the Tai Chi Chuan Group and the Dance Group. The subjects were tested using the NeuroCom Balance Master¯ force platform system with the following protocols: static balance tests (the Modified Clinical Tests of Sensory Interaction on Balance and Unilateral Stance) and dynamic balance tests (the Walk Across Test and Sit-to-stand Transfer Test). In the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance, the Tai Chi Chuan Group presented a lower sway velocity on a firm surface with open and closed eyes, as well as on a foam surface with closed eyes. In the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Unilateral Stance, the Tai Chi Chuan Group presented a lower sway velocity with open eyes, whereas the Dance Group presented a lower sway velocity with closed eyes. In the Walk Across Test, the Tai Chi Chuan Group presented faster walking speeds than those of the Dance Group. In the Sit-to-stand Transfer Test, the Tai Chi Chuan Group presented shorter transfer times from the sitting to the standing position, with less sway in the final standing position. The elderly individuals who practiced Tai Chi Chuan had better bilateral balance with eyes open on both types of surfaces compared with the Dance Group. The Dance Group had better unilateral postural balance with eyes closed. The Tai Chi Chuan Group had faster walking speeds, shorter transfer times, and better postural balance in the final standing position during the Sit-to-stand Test.

49 CFR 173.319 - Cryogenic liquids in tank cars.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... increase more than 25 microns during the 24-hour period; or (ii) Calculated heat transfer rate test. The insulation system must be performance tested as prescribed in § 179.400-4 of this subchapter. When the calculated heat transfer rate test is performed, the absolute pressure in the annular space of the loaded...

49 CFR 173.319 - Cryogenic liquids in tank cars.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... increase more than 25 microns during the 24-hour period; or (ii) Calculated heat transfer rate test. The insulation system must be performance tested as prescribed in § 179.400-4 of this subchapter. When the calculated heat transfer rate test is performed, the absolute pressure in the annular space of the loaded...

49 CFR 173.319 - Cryogenic liquids in tank cars.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... increase more than 25 microns during the 24-hour period; or (ii) Calculated heat transfer rate test. The insulation system must be performance tested as prescribed in § 179.400-4 of this subchapter. When the calculated heat transfer rate test is performed, the absolute pressure in the annular space of the loaded...

49 CFR 173.319 - Cryogenic liquids in tank cars.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... increase more than 25 microns during the 24-hour period; or (ii) Calculated heat transfer rate test. The insulation system must be performance tested as prescribed in § 179.400-4 of this subchapter. When the calculated heat transfer rate test is performed, the absolute pressure in the annular space of the loaded...

49 CFR 173.319 - Cryogenic liquids in tank cars.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... increase more than 25 microns during the 24-hour period; or (ii) Calculated heat transfer rate test. The insulation system must be performance tested as prescribed in § 179.400-4 of this subchapter. When the calculated heat transfer rate test is performed, the absolute pressure in the annular space of the loaded...

Social Support and Motivation to Transfer as Predictors of Training Transfer: Testing Full and Partial Mediation Using Meta-Analytic Structural Equation Modelling

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reinhold, Sarah; Gegenfurtner, Andreas; Lewalter, Doris

2018-01-01

Social support and motivation to transfer are important components in conceptual models on transfer of training. Previous research indicates that both support and motivation influence transfer. To date, however, it is not yet clear if social support influences transfer of training directly, or if this influence is mediated by motivation to…

Experimental Waterflow Determination of the Dynamic Hydraulic Transfer Function for the J-2X Oxidizer Turbopump. Part Two; Results and Interpretation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zoladz, Tom; Patel, Sandeep; Lee, Erik; Karon, Dave

2011-01-01

Experimental results describing the hydraulic dynamic pump transfer matrix (Yp) for a cavitating J-2X oxidizer turbopump inducer+impeller tested in subscale waterflow are presented. The transfer function is required for integrated vehicle pogo stability analysis as well as optimization of local inducer pumping stability. Dynamic transfer functions across widely varying pump hydrodynamic inlet conditions are extracted from measured data in conjunction with 1D-model based corrections. Derived Dynamic transfer functions are initially interpreted relative to traditional Pogo pump equations. Water-to-liquid oxygen scaling of measured cavitation characteristics are discussed. Comparison of key dynamic transfer matrix terms derived from waterflow testing are made with those implemented in preliminary Ares Upper Stage Pogo stability modeling. Alternate cavitating pump hydraulic dynamic equations are suggested which better reflect frequency dependencies of measured transfer matrices.

Low-Toxicity Diindol-3-ylmethanes as Potent Antifouling Compounds.

PubMed

Wang, Kai-Ling; Xu, Ying; Lu, Liang; Li, Yongxin; Han, Zhuang; Zhang, Jun; Shao, Chang-Lun; Wang, Chang-Yun; Qian, Pei-Yuan

2015-10-01

In the present study, eight natural products that belonged to di(1H-indol-3-yl)methane (DIM) family were isolated from Pseudovibrio denitrificans UST4-50 and tested for their antifouling activity against larval settlement (including both attachment and metamorphosis) of the barnacle Balanus (=Amphibalanus) amphitrite and the bryozoan Bugula neritina. All diindol-3-ylmethanes (DIMs) showed moderate to strong inhibitory effects against larval settlement of B. amphitrite with EC50 values ranging from 18.57 to 1.86 μM and could be considered as low-toxicity antifouling compounds since their LC50/EC50 ratios were larger than 15. Furthermore, the DIM- and 4-(di(1H-indol-3-yl)methyl)phenol (DIM-Ph-4-OH)-treated larvae completed normal settlement when they were transferred to clean seawater after being exposed to those compounds for 24 h. DIM also showed comparable antifouling performance to the commercial antifouling biocide Sea-Nine 211(™) in the field test over a period of 5 months, which further confirmed that DIMs can be considered as promising candidates of environmentally friendly antifouling compounds.

Teaching the Blind to Find Their Way by Playing Video Games

PubMed Central

Merabet, Lotfi B.; Connors, Erin C.; Halko, Mark A.; Sánchez, Jaime

2012-01-01

Computer based video games are receiving great interest as a means to learn and acquire new skills. As a novel approach to teaching navigation skills in the blind, we have developed Audio-based Environment Simulator (AbES); a virtual reality environment set within the context of a video game metaphor. Despite the fact that participants were naïve to the overall purpose of the software, we found that early blind users were able to acquire relevant information regarding the spatial layout of a previously unfamiliar building using audio based cues alone. This was confirmed by a series of behavioral performance tests designed to assess the transfer of acquired spatial information to a large-scale, real-world indoor navigation task. Furthermore, learning the spatial layout through a goal directed gaming strategy allowed for the mental manipulation of spatial information as evidenced by enhanced navigation performance when compared to an explicit route learning strategy. We conclude that the immersive and highly interactive nature of the software greatly engages the blind user to actively explore the virtual environment. This in turn generates an accurate sense of a large-scale three-dimensional space and facilitates the learning and transfer of navigation skills to the physical world. PMID:23028703

Co-immobilization of gold nanoparticles with glucose oxidase to improve bioelectrocatalytic glucose oxidation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aquino Neto, Sidney; Milton, Ross D.; Crepaldi, Laís B.; Hickey, David P.; de Andrade, Adalgisa R.; Minteer, Shelley D.

2015-07-01

Recently, there has been much effort in developing metal nanoparticle catalysts for fuel oxidation, as well as the development of enzymatic bioelectrocatalysts for fuel oxidation. However, there has been little study of the synergy of hybrid electrocatalytic systems. We report the preparation of hybrid bioanodes based on Au nanoparticles supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) co-immobilized with glucose oxidase (GOx). Mediated electron transfer was achieved by two strategies: ferrocene entrapped within polypyrrole and a ferrocene-modified linear poly(ethylenimine) (Fc-LPEI) redox polymer. Electrochemical characterization of the Au nanoparticles supported on MWCNTs indicate that this catalyst exhibits an electrocatalytic response for glucose even in acidic conditions. Using the redox polymer Fc-LPEI as the mediator, voltammetric and amperometric data demonstrated that these bioanodes can efficiently achieve mediated electron transfer and also indicated higher catalytic currents with the hybrid bioelectrode. From the amperometry, the maximum current density (Jmax) achieved with the hybrid bioelectrode was 615 ± 39 μA cm-2, whereas the bioanode employing GOx only achieved a Jmax of 409 ± 26 μA cm-2. Biofuel cell tests are consistent with the electrochemical characterization, thus confirming that the addition of the metallic species into the bioanode structure can improve fuel oxidation and consequently, improve the power generated by the system.

Potassium ions intercalated into g-C3N4-modified TiO2 nanobelts for the enhancement of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity under visible-light irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Jian; Zhou, Wei; Tan, Xin; Yu, Tao

2018-05-01

Solar-to-chemical energy conversion is a challenging photochemical reaction for renewable energy storage. In recent decades, photocatalytic H2 evolution has been studied extensively. TiO2 is a well-established semiconductor in the field of photocatalytic H2 production; however, its low efficiency for solar energy utilization, and high photocarrier recombination rate, restrict its photocatalytic efficiency. Here, a series of K-intercalated g-C3N4-modified TiO2 nanobelts (TCN–Kx) with different dosages of K atoms were fabricated using a hydrothermal method followed by a calcination process. XRD, TEM and XPS tests indicate that a tight interfacial connection is formed between K–g-C3N4 and the TiO2 nanobelts. DFT calculations indicated that K dopants prefer to be at the interlayer sites of g-C3N4, suggesting increased charge transfer efficiency. The H2 production efficiency of the TCN–Kx composite materials from water splitting under visible-light irradiation was clearly improved. Steady fluorescence spectroscopy and photocurrent measurements confirmed that the improvement in photocatalytic H2 production activity was due to the superior charge separation and electron transfer efficiency of TCN–Kx composite materials.

Optimization and Verification of Droplet Digital PCR Even-Specific Methods for the Quantification of GM Maize DAS1507 and NK603.

PubMed

Grelewska-Nowotko, Katarzyna; Żurawska-Zajfert, Magdalena; Żmijewska, Ewelina; Sowa, Sławomir

2018-05-01

In recent years, digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR), a new molecular biology technique, has been gaining in popularity. Among many other applications, this technique can also be used for the detection and quantification of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and feed. It might replace the currently widely used real-time PCR method (qPCR), by overcoming problems related to the PCR inhibition and the requirement of certified reference materials to be used as a calibrant. In theory, validated qPCR methods can be easily transferred to the dPCR platform. However, optimization of the PCR conditions might be necessary. In this study, we report the transfer of two validated qPCR methods for quantification of maize DAS1507 and NK603 events to the droplet dPCR (ddPCR) platform. After some optimization, both methods have been verified according to the guidance of the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL) on analytical method verification (ENGL working group on "Method Verification." (2011) Verification of Analytical Methods for GMO Testing When Implementing Interlaboratory Validated Methods). Digital PCR methods performed equally or better than the qPCR methods. Optimized ddPCR methods confirm their suitability for GMO determination in food and feed.

Fur versus feathers: pollen delivery by bats and hummingbirds and consequences for pollen production.

PubMed

Muchhala, Nathan; Thomson, James D

2010-06-01

One floral characteristic associated with bat pollination (chiropterophily) is copious pollen production, a pattern we confirmed in a local comparison of hummingbird- and bat-adapted flowers from a cloud forest site in Ecuador. Previous authors have suggested that wasteful pollen transfer by bats accounted for the pattern. Here we propose and test a new hypothesis: bats select for increased pollen production because they can efficiently transfer larger amounts of pollen, which leads to a more linear male fitness gain curve for bat-pollinated plants. Flight cage experiments with artificial flowers and flowers of Aphelandra acanthus provide support for this hypothesis; in both instances, the amount of pollen delivered to stigmas by birds is not related to the amount of pollen removed from anthers on the previous visit, while the same function for bats increases linearly. Thus, increased pollen production will be linearly related to increased male reproductive success for bat flowers, while for bird flowers, increased pollen production leads to rapidly diminishing fitness returns. We speculate that fur takes up and holds more pollen than feathers, which seem to readily shed excess grains. Our gain-curve hypothesis may also explain why evolutionary shifts from bird to bat pollination seem more common than shifts in the opposite direction.

Imported case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection from Oman to Thailand, June 2015

PubMed Central

Plipat, Tanarak; Buathong, Rome; Wacharapluesadee, Supaporn; Siriarayapon, Potjaman; Pittayawonganon, Chakrarat; Sangsajja, Chariya; Kaewpom, Thongchai; Petcharat, Sininat; Ponpinit, Teerada; Jumpasri, Jaruphan; Joyjinda, Yutthana; Rodpan, Apaporn; Ghai, Siriporn; Jittmittraphap, Akanitt; Khongwichit, Sarawut; Smith, Duncan R; Corman, Victor M; Drosten, Christian; Hemachudha, Thiravat

2017-01-01

Thailand reported the first Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) case on 18 June 2015 (day 4) in an Omani patient with heart condition who was diagnosed with pneumonia on hospital admission on 15 June 2015 (day 1). Two false negative RT-PCR on upper respiratory tract samples on days 2 and 3 led to a 48-hour diagnosis delay and a decision to transfer the patient out of the negative pressure unit (NPU). Subsequent examination of sputum later on day 3 confirmed MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection. The patient was immediately moved back into the NPU and then transferred to Bamrasnaradura Infectious Disease Institute. Over 170 contacts were traced; 48 were quarantined and 122 self-monitored for symptoms. High-risk close contacts exhibiting no symptoms, and whose laboratory testing on the 12th day after exposure was negative, were released on the 14th day. The Omani Ministry of Health (MOH) was immediately notified using the International Health Regulation (IHR) mechanism. Outbreak investigation was conducted in Oman, and was both published on the World Health Organization (WHO) intranet and shared with Thailand’s IHR focal point. The key to successful infection control, with no secondary transmission, were the collaborative efforts among hospitals, laboratories and MOHs of both countries. PMID:28840828

Synthesis, Spectra, and Theoretical Investigations of 1,3,5-Triazines Compounds as Ultraviolet Rays Absorber Based on Time-Dependent Density Functional Calculations and three-Dimensional Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship.

PubMed

Wang, Xueding; Xu, Yilian; Yang, Lu; Lu, Xiang; Zou, Hao; Yang, Weiqing; Zhang, Yuanyuan; Li, Zicheng; Ma, Menglin

2018-03-01

A series of 1,3,5-triazines were synthesized and their UV absorption properties were tested. The computational chemistry methods were used to construct quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR), which was used to computer aided design of new 1,3,5-triazines ultraviolet rays absorber compounds. The experimental UV absorption data are in good agreement with those predicted data using the Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) [B3LYP/6-311 + G(d,p)]. A suitable forecasting model (R > 0.8, P < 0.0001) was revealed. Predictive three-dimensional quantitative structure-property relationship (3D-QSPR) model was established using multifit molecular alignment rule of Sybyl program, which conclusion is consistent with the TD-DFT calculation. The exceptional photostability mechanism of such ultraviolet rays absorber compounds was studied and confirmed as principally banked upon their ability to undergo excited-state deactivation via an ultrafast excited-state proton transfer (ESIPT). The intramolecular hydrogen bond (IMHB) of 1,3,5-triazines compounds is the basis for the excited state proton transfer, which was explored by IR spectroscopy, UV spectra, structural and energetic aspects of different conformers and frontier molecular orbitals analysis.

Genetic evidence of intercontinental movement of avian influenza in a migratory bird: The northern pintail (Anas acuta)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Koehler, A.V.; Pearce, J.M.; Flint, Paul L.; Franson, J.C.; Ip, Hon S.

2008-01-01

The role of migratory birds in the movement of the highly pathogenic (HP) avian influenza H5N1 remains a subject of debate. Testing hypotheses regarding intercontinental movement of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses will help evaluate the potential that wild birds could carry Asian-origin strains of HP avian influenza to North America during migration. Previous North American assessments of LPAI genetic variation have found few Asian reassortment events. Here, we present results from whole-genome analyses of LPAI isolates collected in Alaska from the northern pintail (Anas acuta), a species that migrates between North America and Asia. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the genetic divergence between Asian and North American strains of LPAI, but also suggested inter-continental virus exchange and at a higher frequency than previously documented. In 38 isolates from Alaska, nearly half (44.7%) had at least one gene segment more closely related to Asian than to North American strains of LPAI. Additionally, sequences of several Asian LPAI isolates from GenBank clustered more closely with North American northern pintail isolates than with other Asian origin viruses. Our data support the role of wild birds in the intercontinental transfer of influenza viruses, and reveal a higher degree of transfer in Alaska than elsewhere in North America. ?? 2008 The Authors.

Genetic evidence of intercontinental movement of avian influenza in a migratory bird: the northern pintail (Anas acuta).

PubMed

Koehler, Anson V; Pearce, John M; Flint, Paul L; Franson, J Christian; Ip, Hon S

2008-11-01

The role of migratory birds in the movement of the highly pathogenic (HP) avian influenza H5N1 remains a subject of debate. Testing hypotheses regarding intercontinental movement of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses will help evaluate the potential that wild birds could carry Asian-origin strains of HP avian influenza to North America during migration. Previous North American assessments of LPAI genetic variation have found few Asian reassortment events. Here, we present results from whole-genome analyses of LPAI isolates collected in Alaska from the northern pintail (Anas acuta), a species that migrates between North America and Asia. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the genetic divergence between Asian and North American strains of LPAI, but also suggested inter-continental virus exchange and at a higher frequency than previously documented. In 38 isolates from Alaska, nearly half (44.7%) had at least one gene segment more closely related to Asian than to North American strains of LPAI. Additionally, sequences of several Asian LPAI isolates from GenBank clustered more closely with North American northern pintail isolates than with other Asian origin viruses. Our data support the role of wild birds in the intercontinental transfer of influenza viruses, and reveal a higher degree of transfer in Alaska than elsewhere in North America.

Learning effects in the lane change task (LCT)--realistic secondary tasks and transfer of learning.

PubMed

Petzoldt, Tibor; Brüggemann, Stephanie; Krems, Josef F

2014-05-01

Driver distraction is a factor that is heavily involved in traffic crashes. With in-vehicle devices like navigation systems or mobile phones on the rise, the assessment of their potential to distract the driver has become a pressing issue. Several easy-to-use methods have been developed in recent years to allow for such an assessment in the early stages of product development. One of these methods is the lane change task (LCT), a simple driving simulation in which the driver has to change lanes as indicated by different signs along the road. Although the LCT is an ISO sanctioned procedure, there are still open questions. One issue are learning effects which have been found in previous studies and which have the potential to compromise the comparability of test results. In this paper, we present results on two experiments that further explored the effect of previous experience on LCT and secondary task performance. The results confirm that learning effects occur when combining the LCT with a realistic secondary task. Also, we found evidence for the transfer of learning from one secondary task to another to some degree, provided that the two tasks are sufficiently similar. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.

Potassium ions intercalated into g-C3N4-modified TiO2 nanobelts for the enhancement of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity under visible-light irradiation.

PubMed

Ma, Jian; Zhou, Wei; Tan, Xin; Yu, Tao

2018-05-25

Solar-to-chemical energy conversion is a challenging photochemical reaction for renewable energy storage. In recent decades, photocatalytic H 2 evolution has been studied extensively. TiO 2 is a well-established semiconductor in the field of photocatalytic H 2 production; however, its low efficiency for solar energy utilization, and high photocarrier recombination rate, restrict its photocatalytic efficiency. Here, a series of K-intercalated g-C 3 N 4 -modified TiO 2 nanobelts (TCN-Kx) with different dosages of K atoms were fabricated using a hydrothermal method followed by a calcination process. XRD, TEM and XPS tests indicate that a tight interfacial connection is formed between K-g-C 3 N 4 and the TiO 2 nanobelts. DFT calculations indicated that K dopants prefer to be at the interlayer sites of g-C 3 N 4 , suggesting increased charge transfer efficiency. The H 2 production efficiency of the TCN-Kx composite materials from water splitting under visible-light irradiation was clearly improved. Steady fluorescence spectroscopy and photocurrent measurements confirmed that the improvement in photocatalytic H 2 production activity was due to the superior charge separation and electron transfer efficiency of TCN-Kx composite materials.

A NOVEL WEARABLE PUMP-LUNG DEVICE: IN-VITRO AND ACUTE IN-VIVO STUDY

PubMed Central

Zhang, Tao; Wei, Xufeng; Bianchi, Giacomo; Wong, Philip M.; Biancucci, Brian; Griffith, Bartley P.; Wu, Zhongjun J.

2011-01-01

Background To provide long-term ambulatory cardiopulmonary and respiratory support for adult patients, a novel wearable artificial pump-lung device has been developed. The design features, in-vitro and acute in-vivo performance of this device are reported in this paper. Methods This device features a uniquely designed hollow fiber membrane bundle integrated with a magnetically levitated impeller together to form one ultra-compact pump-lung device, which can be placed like current paracorporeal ventricular assist devices to allow ambulatory support. The device is 117 mm in length and 89 mm in diameter and has a priming volume of 115 ml. In-vitro hydrodynamic, gas transfer and biocompatibility experiments were carried out in mock flow loops using ovine blood. Acute in-vivo characterization was conducted in ovine by surgically implanting the device between right atrium and pulmonary artery. Results The in-vitro results showed that the device with a membrane surface area of 0.8 m2 was capable of pumping blood from 1 to 4 L/min against a wide range of pressures and transferring oxygen at a rate of up to 180 ml/min at a blood flow of 3.5 L/min. Standard hemolysis tests demonstrated low hemolysis at the targeted operating condition. The acute in-vivo results also confirmed that the device can provide sufficient oxygen transfer with excellent biocompatibility. Conclusions Base on the in-vitro and acute in-vivo study, this highly integrated wearable pump-lung device can provide efficient respiratory support with good biocompatibility and it is ready for long-term evaluation. PMID:22014451

Evolutionary maintenance of selfish homing endonuclease genes in the absence of horizontal transfer.

PubMed

Yahara, Koji; Fukuyo, Masaki; Sasaki, Akira; Kobayashi, Ichizo

2009-11-03

Homing endonuclease genes are "selfish" mobile genetic elements whose endonuclease promotes the spread of its own gene by creating a break at a specific target site and using the host machinery to repair the break by copying and inserting the gene at this site. Horizontal transfer across the boundary of a species or population within which mating takes place has been thought to be necessary for their evolutionary persistence. This is based on the assumption that they will become fixed in a host population, where opportunities of homing will disappear, and become susceptible to degeneration. To test this hypothesis, we modeled behavior of a homing endonuclease gene that moves during meiosis through double-strand break repair. We mathematically explored conditions for persistence of the homing endonuclease gene and elucidated their parameter dependence as phase diagrams. We found that, if the cost of the pseudogene is lower than that of the homing endonuclease gene, the 2 forms can persist in a population through autonomous periodic oscillation. If the cost of the pseudogene is higher, 2 types of dynamics appear that enable evolutionary persistence: bistability dependent on initial frequency or fixation irrespective of initial frequency. The prediction of long persistence in the absence of horizontal transfer was confirmed by stochastic simulations in finite populations. The average time to extinction of the endonuclease gene was found to be thousands of meiotic generations or more based on realistic parameter values. These results provide a solid theoretical basis for an understanding of these and other extremely selfish elements.

Evolutionary maintenance of selfish homing endonuclease genes in the absence of horizontal transfer

PubMed Central

Yahara, Koji; Fukuyo, Masaki; Sasaki, Akira; Kobayashi, Ichizo

2009-01-01

Homing endonuclease genes are “selfish” mobile genetic elements whose endonuclease promotes the spread of its own gene by creating a break at a specific target site and using the host machinery to repair the break by copying and inserting the gene at this site. Horizontal transfer across the boundary of a species or population within which mating takes place has been thought to be necessary for their evolutionary persistence. This is based on the assumption that they will become fixed in a host population, where opportunities of homing will disappear, and become susceptible to degeneration. To test this hypothesis, we modeled behavior of a homing endonuclease gene that moves during meiosis through double-strand break repair. We mathematically explored conditions for persistence of the homing endonuclease gene and elucidated their parameter dependence as phase diagrams. We found that, if the cost of the pseudogene is lower than that of the homing endonuclease gene, the 2 forms can persist in a population through autonomous periodic oscillation. If the cost of the pseudogene is higher, 2 types of dynamics appear that enable evolutionary persistence: bistability dependent on initial frequency or fixation irrespective of initial frequency. The prediction of long persistence in the absence of horizontal transfer was confirmed by stochastic simulations in finite populations. The average time to extinction of the endonuclease gene was found to be thousands of meiotic generations or more based on realistic parameter values. These results provide a solid theoretical basis for an understanding of these and other extremely selfish elements. PMID:19837694

49 CFR 40.95 - What are the adulterant cutoff concentrations for initial and confirmation tests?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Transportation PROCEDURES FOR TRANSPORTATION WORKPLACE DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING PROGRAMS Drug Testing... laboratory, you must use the cutoff concentrations for the initial and confirmation adulterant testing as...

49 CFR 40.95 - What are the adulterant cutoff concentrations for initial and confirmation tests?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Transportation PROCEDURES FOR TRANSPORTATION WORKPLACE DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING PROGRAMS Drug Testing... laboratory, you must use the cutoff concentrations for the initial and confirmation adulterant testing as...

49 CFR 40.95 - What are the adulterant cutoff concentrations for initial and confirmation tests?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Transportation PROCEDURES FOR TRANSPORTATION WORKPLACE DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING PROGRAMS Drug Testing... laboratory, you must use the cutoff concentrations for the initial and confirmation adulterant testing as...

49 CFR 40.95 - What are the adulterant cutoff concentrations for initial and confirmation tests?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Transportation PROCEDURES FOR TRANSPORTATION WORKPLACE DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING PROGRAMS Drug Testing... laboratory, you must use the cutoff concentrations for the initial and confirmation adulterant testing as...

49 CFR 40.95 - What are the adulterant cutoff concentrations for initial and confirmation tests?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Transportation PROCEDURES FOR TRANSPORTATION WORKPLACE DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING PROGRAMS Drug Testing... laboratory, you must use the cutoff concentrations for the initial and confirmation adulterant testing as...

Targeting Photoinduced DNA Destruction by Ru(II) Tetraazaphenanthrene in Live Cells by Signal Peptide.

PubMed

Burke, Christopher S; Byrne, Aisling; Keyes, Tia E

2018-06-06

Exploiting NF-κB transcription factor peptide conjugation, a Ru(II)-bis-tap complex (tap = 1,4,5,8-tetraazaphenanthrene) was targeted specifically to the nuclei of live HeLa and CHO cells for the first time. DNA binding of the complex  within the nucleus of live cells was evident from gradual extinction of the metal complex luminescence after it had crossed the nuclear envelope, attributed to guanine quenching of the ruthenium emission via photoinduced electron transfer. Resonance Raman imaging confirmed that the complex remained in the nucleus after emission is extinguished. In the dark and under imaging conditions the cells remain viable, but efficient cellular destruction was induced with precise spatiotemporal control by applying higher irradiation intensities to selected cells. Solution studies indicate that the peptide conjugated complex associates strongly with calf thymus DNA ex-cellulo and gel electrophoresis confirmed that the peptide conjugate is capable of singlet oxygen independent photodamage to plasmid DNA. This indicates that the observed efficient cellular destruction likely operates via direct DNA oxidation by photoinduced electron transfer between guanine and the precision targeted Ru(II)-tap probe. The discrete targeting of polyazaaromatic complexes to the cell nucleus and confirmation that they are photocytotoxic after nuclear delivery is an important step toward their application in cellular phototherapy.

A Non-Linear Model of Information Seeking Behaviour

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Foster, Allen

2005-01-01

Introduction:The results of a study of information seeking behaviour of inter-disciplinary academic and postgraduate researchers are reported. Method. The study applied the naturalistic methods recommended by Lincoln and Guba for maximising credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability in data collection and analysis. Sampling…

ADVANCED HEAT TRANSFER TEST FACILITY, TRA666A. ELEVATIONS. ROOF FRAMING PLAN. ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

ADVANCED HEAT TRANSFER TEST FACILITY, TRA-666A. ELEVATIONS. ROOF FRAMING PLAN. CONCRETE BLOCK SIDING. SLOPED ROOF. ROLL-UP DOOR. AIR INTAKE ENCLOSURE ON NORTH SIDE. F.C. TORKELSON 842-MTR-666-A5, 8/1966. INL INDEX NO. 531-0666-00-851-152258, REV. 2. - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Test Reactor Area, Materials & Engineering Test Reactors, Scoville, Butte County, ID

Facile fabrication of BiVO4 nanofilms with controlled pore size and their photoelectrochemical performances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Chenchen; Jiao, Zhengbo; Li, Shaopeng; Zhang, Yan; Bi, Yingpu

2015-12-01

We demonstrate a facile method for the rational fabrication of pore-size controlled nanoporous BiVO4 photoanodes, and confirmed that the optimum pore-size distributions could effectively absorb visible light through light diffraction and confinement functions. Furthermore, in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) reveals more efficient photoexcited electron-hole separation than conventional particle films, induced by light confinement and rapid charge transfer in the inter-crossed worm-like structures.We demonstrate a facile method for the rational fabrication of pore-size controlled nanoporous BiVO4 photoanodes, and confirmed that the optimum pore-size distributions could effectively absorb visible light through light diffraction and confinement functions. Furthermore, in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) reveals more efficient photoexcited electron-hole separation than conventional particle films, induced by light confinement and rapid charge transfer in the inter-crossed worm-like structures. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr06584d

Does confirmed pathogen transfer between sanctuary workers and great apes mean that reintroduction should not occur? Commentary on "Drug-resistant human Staphylococcus aureus findings in sanctuary apes and its threat to wild ape populations".

PubMed

Unwin, Steve; Robinson, Ian; Schmidt, Vanessa; Colin, Chris; Ford, Lisa; Humle, Tatyana

2012-12-01

This commentary discusses the findings and conclusions of the paper "Drug resistant human Staphylococcus aureus findings in sanctuary apes and its threat to wild ape populations." This paper confirms the zoonotic transfer of Staphylococcus aureus in a sanctuary setting. The assertion that this in itself is enough to reconsider the conservation potential of ape reintroduction provides an opportunity to discuss risk analysis of pathogen transmission, following IUCN guidelines, using S. aureus as an example. It is concluded that ape reintroduction projects must have disease risk mitigation strategies that include effective biosecurity protocols and pathogen surveillance. These strategies will assist with creating a well planned and executed reintroduction. This provides one way to enforce habitat protection, to minimise human encroachment and the risks from the illegal wildlife trade. Thus reintroduction must remain a useful tool in the conservation toolbox. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Vibrational spectroscopic investigation and normal coordinate analysis of the fibrate hypolipidemic agent 5-(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)-2,2-dimethyl pentanoic acid (Gemfibrozil)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Priya, M. Siva; Benitta, T. Asenath; James, C.

2011-03-01

Colorless crystals of 5-(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)-2,2-dimethyl pentanoic acid were grown by slow evaporation method and the FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra of the sample were recorded in the region 4000-450 cm -1 and 4000-50 cm -1 respectively. Molecular structure is optimized with the help of B3LYP/6-31G (d) density functional theory method. Stability of the molecule arising from hyperconjugation and charge delocalization is confirmed by the natural bond orbital analysis (NBO). The results show that electron density (ED) in the σ ∗ antibonding orbitals and E (2) energies confirms the occurrence of intra-molecular charge transfer (ICT) within the molecule. The assignments of the vibrational spectra have been carried out with the help of Normal coordinate analysis following the scaled quantum mechanical force field (SQMFF) methodology. Mulliken population analysis on atomic charges is also calculated. The calculated HOMO and LUMO energy gap shows that charge transfer occurs within the molecule.

Rainwater toxicity and contamination study from São Paulo Metropolitan Region, Brazil.

PubMed

Martins, Renata S L; Abessa, Denis M S; Fornaro, Adalgiza; Borrely, Sueli I

2014-02-01

Wet deposition is an important process that removes pollutants from the atmosphere and transfers them to waters and soil. The goal of this study was to assess the biological effects of the atmospheric contamination of rainwater in the metropolitan area of São Paulo (MASP) using Daphnia similis, Ceriodaphnia dubia, and Vibrio fischeri. Experimental assays were carried out according to standard toxicity methodology. Twenty-three rainwater samples were collected from October 2007 to December 2008, at the Nuclear Research Institute (IPEN), in MASP. Major ions were determined by ionic chromatography, which showed NH4(+) and NO3(-) as prevalent ions. Ecotoxicological results confirmed toxic potential of rainwater, as all samples were toxic to D. similis and C. dubia. The V. fischeri luminescence reduction confirmed those negative effects of rainwater and percentage inhibition of relative luminescence ranged from 0.2 to 0.9 for 16 samples. Worse conditions were observed during the rainy season, suggesting convective rains are more effective in transferring contaminants and toxicity from atmosphere to surface.

7 CFR 3300.64 - Application for certificate for new equipment produced or assembled in the United States or in a...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... is sought. “W” must be equal to, or greater than, the increased heat transfer rate, Hi, for the... body: (i) The original or certified true copy of the test report. (ii) The total heat transfer rate of...; “K” is the heat transfer coefficient of the body, from the test report; and, “Δ T” is the difference...

7 CFR 3300.64 - Application for certificate for new equipment produced or assembled in the United States or in a...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... is sought. “W” must be equal to, or greater than, the increased heat transfer rate, Hi, for the... body: (i) The original or certified true copy of the test report. (ii) The total heat transfer rate of...; “K” is the heat transfer coefficient of the body, from the test report; and, “Δ T” is the difference...

Stimulated Electron Desorption Studies from Microwave Vacuum Electronics / High Power Microwave Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-02-11

purchase a new gun. Mr. Mike Ackeret ( Transfer Engineering Inc.) Transfer Engineering’s expertise in specialty UHV work and machining propelled...modifications they helped design for the test stand. With UNLV guidance, Transfer Engineering designed and built the original UNLV SEE Test Stand...Staib electron gun, an isolated beam drift tube, a hexanode delay line with a chevron microchannel plate (MCP) stack, an isolated grid, an isolated

Report for neutral buoyancy simulations of transfer orbit stage contingency extravehicular activities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sexton, J. D.

1992-01-01

The transfer orbit stage (TOS) will propel the advanced communications technology satellite (ACTS) from the Space Shuttle to an Earth geosynchronous transfer orbit. Two neutral buoyancy test series were conducted at MSFC to validate the extravehicular activities (EVA) contingency operations for the ACTS/TOS/mission. The results of the neutral buoyancy tests are delineated and a brief history of the TOS EVA program is given.

The effects of individual differences, prior experience and cognitive load on the transfer of dynamic decision-making performance.

PubMed

Nicholson, Brad; O'Hare, David

2014-01-01

Situational awareness is recognised as an important factor in the performance of individuals and teams in dynamic decision-making (DDM) environments (Salmon et al. 2014 ). The present study was designed to investigate whether the scores on the WOMBAT™ Situational Awareness and Stress Tolerance Test (Roscoe and North 1980 ) would predict the transfer of DDM performance from training under different levels of cognitive load to a novel situation. Participants practised a simulated firefighting task under either low or high conditions of cognitive load and then performed a (transfer) test in an alternative firefighting environment under an intermediate level of cognitive load. WOMBAT™ test scores were a better predictor of DDM performance than scores on the Raven Matrices. Participants with high WOMBAT™ scores performed better regardless of their training condition. Participants with recent gaming experience who practised under low cognitive load showed better practice phase performance but worse transfer performance than those who practised under high cognitive load. The relationship between task experience, situational awareness ability, cognitive load and the transfer of dynamic decision-making (DDM) performance was investigated. Results showed that the WOMBAT™ test predicted transfer of DDM performance regardless of task cognitive load. The effects of cognitive load on performance varied according to previous task-relevant experience.

Effectiveness of Aquaflor (50% florfenicol) administered in feed to control mortality associated with Streptococcus iniae in tilapia at a commercial tilapia production facility

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gaikowski, Mark P.; Schleis, Susan M.; Leis, Eric; Lasee, Becky A.; Endris, Richard G.

2014-01-01

The efficacy of Aquaflor (florfenicol; FFC) to control mortality caused by Streptococcus iniae in tilapia was evaluated under field conditions. The trial was initiated following presumptive diagnosis of S. iniae infection in a mixed group of fingerling (mean, 4.5 g) Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and a hybrid of Nile Tilapia×Blue Tilapia O. aureus. Diagnoses included mortality in source tank; examination of clinical signs and presence or absence of gram-positive cocci in brain, and collection of samples for microbiological review and disease confirmation of 60 moribund fish. Following presumptive diagnosis, tilapia (83/tank) were randomly transferred to each of 20 test tanks receiving the same water as the source tank (test tank water was not reused). Tilapia were offered either nonmedicated control feed or FFC-medicated feed (FFC at 15 mg/kg body weight/d; 10 tanks per regimen) for 10 consecutive days followed by a 14-d observation period during which only the nonmedicated control feed was offered. Streptococcus iniae was presumptively identified during pretreatment necropsy and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction assay; S. iniae was confirmed in samples taken during the dosing period but was not detected during the postdosing period. The FFC disk diffusion zone of inhibition ranged from 29 to 32 mm, while the minimum inhibitory concentration of FFC ranged from 2 to 4 μg/mL for the S. iniae isolates collected. Survival of tilapia assigned to the FFC-dose group was significantly greater at 14 d posttreatment than that of the nonmedicated controls. The odds of tilapia assigned to the FFC-dose group surviving to the end of the postdosing period were 1.34 times the odds of survival of tilapia assigned to the nonmedicated control group. There were no clinically apparent adverse effects associated with the administration of FFC-medicated feed in this study.

141. NITROGEN TEST PANEL ON EAST WALL OF AGENA TRANSFER ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

141. NITROGEN TEST PANEL ON EAST WALL OF AGENA TRANSFER AREA SHELTER (117A), LSB (BLDG. 770) - Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 3, Launch Pad 3 West, Napa & Alden Roads, Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, CA

Identifying the substrate proteins of U-box E3s E4B and CHIP by orthogonal ubiquitin transfer.

PubMed

Bhuripanyo, Karan; Wang, Yiyang; Liu, Xianpeng; Zhou, Li; Liu, Ruochuan; Duong, Duc; Zhao, Bo; Bi, Yingtao; Zhou, Han; Chen, Geng; Seyfried, Nicholas T; Chazin, Walter J; Kiyokawa, Hiroaki; Yin, Jun

2018-01-01

E3 ubiquitin (UB) ligases E4B and carboxyl terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP) use a common U-box motif to transfer UB from E1 and E2 enzymes to their substrate proteins and regulate diverse cellular processes. To profile their ubiquitination targets in the cell, we used phage display to engineer E2-E4B and E2-CHIP pairs that were free of cross-reactivity with the native UB transfer cascades. We then used the engineered E2-E3 pairs to construct "orthogonal UB transfer (OUT)" cascades so that a mutant UB (xUB) could be exclusively used by the engineered E4B or CHIP to label their substrate proteins. Purification of xUB-conjugated proteins followed by proteomics analysis enabled the identification of hundreds of potential substrates of E4B and CHIP in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Kinase MAPK3 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 3), methyltransferase PRMT1 (protein arginine N -methyltransferase 1), and phosphatase PPP3CA (protein phosphatase 3 catalytic subunit alpha) were identified as the shared substrates of the two E3s. Phosphatase PGAM5 (phosphoglycerate mutase 5) and deubiquitinase OTUB1 (ovarian tumor domain containing ubiquitin aldehyde binding protein 1) were confirmed as E4B substrates, and β-catenin and CDK4 (cyclin-dependent kinase 4) were confirmed as CHIP substrates. On the basis of the CHIP-CDK4 circuit identified by OUT, we revealed that CHIP signals CDK4 degradation in response to endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Identifying the substrate proteins of U-box E3s E4B and CHIP by orthogonal ubiquitin transfer

PubMed Central

Bhuripanyo, Karan; Wang, Yiyang; Liu, Xianpeng; Zhou, Li; Liu, Ruochuan; Duong, Duc; Zhao, Bo; Bi, Yingtao; Zhou, Han; Chen, Geng; Seyfried, Nicholas T.; Chazin, Walter J.; Kiyokawa, Hiroaki; Yin, Jun

2018-01-01

E3 ubiquitin (UB) ligases E4B and carboxyl terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP) use a common U-box motif to transfer UB from E1 and E2 enzymes to their substrate proteins and regulate diverse cellular processes. To profile their ubiquitination targets in the cell, we used phage display to engineer E2-E4B and E2-CHIP pairs that were free of cross-reactivity with the native UB transfer cascades. We then used the engineered E2-E3 pairs to construct “orthogonal UB transfer (OUT)” cascades so that a mutant UB (xUB) could be exclusively used by the engineered E4B or CHIP to label their substrate proteins. Purification of xUB-conjugated proteins followed by proteomics analysis enabled the identification of hundreds of potential substrates of E4B and CHIP in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Kinase MAPK3 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 3), methyltransferase PRMT1 (protein arginine N-methyltransferase 1), and phosphatase PPP3CA (protein phosphatase 3 catalytic subunit alpha) were identified as the shared substrates of the two E3s. Phosphatase PGAM5 (phosphoglycerate mutase 5) and deubiquitinase OTUB1 (ovarian tumor domain containing ubiquitin aldehyde binding protein 1) were confirmed as E4B substrates, and β-catenin and CDK4 (cyclin-dependent kinase 4) were confirmed as CHIP substrates. On the basis of the CHIP-CDK4 circuit identified by OUT, we revealed that CHIP signals CDK4 degradation in response to endoplasmic reticulum stress. PMID:29326975

Expectancy of an open-book test decreases performance on a delayed closed-book test.

PubMed

Agarwal, Pooja K; Roediger, Henry L

2011-11-01

Two experiments examined the influence of practice with, and the expectancy of, open-book tests (students viewed studied material while taking the test) versus closed-book tests (students completed the test without viewing the studied material) on delayed retention and transfer. Using GRE materials specifically designed for open-book testing, participants studied passages and then took initial open- or closed-book tests. Open-book testing led to better initial performance than closed-book testing, but on a delayed criterial (closed-book) test both types of testing produced similar retention after a two-day delay in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2 participants were informed in advance about the type of delayed criterial test to expect (open- or closed-book). Expecting an open-book test (relative to a closed-book test) decreased participants' time spent studying and their delayed test performance on closed-book comprehension and transfer tests, demonstrating that test expectancy can influence long-term learning. Expectancy of open-book tests may impair long-term retention and transfer compared to closed-book tests, despite superior initial performance on open-book tests and students' preference for open-book tests.

Carbon transfer from magnesia-graphite ladle refractories to ultra-low carbon steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Russo, Andrew Arthur

Ultra-low carbon steels are utilized in processes which require maximum ductility. Increases in interstitial carbon lower the ductility of steel; therefore, it is important to examine possible sources of carbon. The refractory ladle lining is one such source. Ladle refractories often contain graphite for its desirable thermal shock and slag corrosion resistance. This graphite is a possible source of carbon increase in ultra-low carbon steels. The goal of this research is to understand and evaluate the mechanisms by which carbon transfers to ultra-low carbon steel from magnesia-graphite ladle refractory. Laboratory dip tests were performed in a vacuum induction furnace under an argon atmosphere to investigate these mechanisms. Commercial ladle refractories with carbon contents between 4-12 wt% were used to investigate the effect of refractory carbon content. Slag-free dip tests and slag-containing dip tests with varying MgO concentrations were performed to investigate the influence of slag. Carbon transfer to the steel was controlled by steel penetrating into the refractory and dissolving carbon in dip tests where no slag was present. The rate limiting step for this mechanism is convective mass transport of carbon into the bulk steel. No detectable carbon transfer occurred in dip tests with 4 and 6 wt%C refractories without slag because no significant steel penetration occurred. Carbon transfer was controlled by the corrosion of refractory by slag in dip tests where slag was present.

Heat transfer tests of an 0.006-scale thin-skin space shuttle model (41-OTS) in the Ames 3.5-foot HWT at M equals 5.3 (IH15)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walstad, D. G.; Lockman, W. K.

1974-01-01

Data obtained from heat transfer tests of an 0.006-scale space shuttle vehicle in a 3.5-foot hypersonic wind tunnel are presented. The purpose of these tests was to parametrically investigate the ascent heating of the integrated vehicle. Configurations tested were complete for integrated vehicle, orbiter alone, external tank alone, and SRB alone. All configurations were tested with and without transition grit. Testing was conducted at a Mach number of 5.3, and at Reynolds numbers of 2 and 5 million per foot. The angle of attack range varied from 0 to minus 5 degress, execpt for SRB alone, which was tested from minus 5 to 90 degrees. Heat transfer data were obtained from 223 iron-constantan thermocouples attached to thin-skin stainless steel inserts.

Numerical analysis of fractional MHD Maxwell fluid with the effects of convection heat transfer condition and viscous dissipation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bai, Yu; Jiang, Yuehua; Liu, Fawang; Zhang, Yan

2017-12-01

This paper investigates the incompressible fractional MHD Maxwell fluid due to a power function accelerating plate with the first order slip, and the numerical analysis on the flow and heat transfer of fractional Maxwell fluid has been done. Moreover the deformation motion of fluid micelle is simply analyzed. Nonlinear velocity equation are formulated with multi-term time fractional derivatives in the boundary layer governing equations, and convective heat transfer boundary condition and viscous dissipation are both taken into consideration. A newly finite difference scheme with L1-algorithm of governing equations are constructed, whose convergence is confirmed by the comparison with analytical solution. Numerical solutions for velocity and temperature show the effects of pertinent parameters on flow and heat transfer of fractional Maxwell fluid. It reveals that the fractional derivative weakens the effects of motion and heat conduction. The larger the Nusselt number is, the greater the heat transfer capacity of fluid becomes, and the temperature gradient at the wall becomes more significantly. The lower Reynolds number enhances the viscosity of the fluid because it is the ratio of the viscous force and the inertia force, which resists the flow and heat transfer.

Heat-transfer resistance at solid-liquid interfaces: a tool for the detection of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in DNA.

PubMed

van Grinsven, Bart; Vanden Bon, Natalie; Strauven, Hannelore; Grieten, Lars; Murib, Mohammed; Monroy, Kathia L Jiménez; Janssens, Stoffel D; Haenen, Ken; Schöning, Michael J; Vermeeren, Veronique; Ameloot, Marcel; Michiels, Luc; Thoelen, Ronald; De Ceuninck, Ward; Wagner, Patrick

2012-03-27

In this article, we report on the heat-transfer resistance at interfaces as a novel, denaturation-based method to detect single-nucleotide polymorphisms in DNA. We observed that a molecular brush of double-stranded DNA grafted onto synthetic diamond surfaces does not notably affect the heat-transfer resistance at the solid-to-liquid interface. In contrast to this, molecular brushes of single-stranded DNA cause, surprisingly, a substantially higher heat-transfer resistance and behave like a thermally insulating layer. This effect can be utilized to identify ds-DNA melting temperatures via the switching from low- to high heat-transfer resistance. The melting temperatures identified with this method for different DNA duplexes (29 base pairs without and with built-in mutations) correlate nicely with data calculated by modeling. The method is fast, label-free (without the need for fluorescent or radioactive markers), allows for repetitive measurements, and can also be extended toward array formats. Reference measurements by confocal fluorescence microscopy and impedance spectroscopy confirm that the switching of heat-transfer resistance upon denaturation is indeed related to the thermal on-chip denaturation of DNA. © 2012 American Chemical Society

Heat Transfer Enhancement During Water and Hydrocarbon Condensation on Lubricant Infused Surfaces.

PubMed

Preston, Daniel J; Lu, Zhengmao; Song, Youngsup; Zhao, Yajing; Wilke, Kyle L; Antao, Dion S; Louis, Marcel; Wang, Evelyn N

2018-01-11

Vapor condensation is routinely used as an effective means of transferring heat or separating fluids. Dropwise condensation, where discrete droplets form on the condenser surface, offers a potential improvement in heat transfer of up to an order of magnitude compared to filmwise condensation, where a liquid film covers the surface. Low surface tension fluid condensates such as hydrocarbons pose a unique challenge since typical hydrophobic condenser coatings used to promote dropwise condensation of water often do not repel fluids with lower surface tensions. Recent work has shown that lubricant infused surfaces (LIS) can promote droplet formation of hydrocarbons. In this work, we confirm the effectiveness of LIS in promoting dropwise condensation by providing experimental measurements of heat transfer performance during hydrocarbon condensation on a LIS, which enhances heat transfer by ≈450% compared to an uncoated surface. We also explored improvement through removal of noncondensable gases and highlighted a failure mechanism whereby shedding droplets depleted the lubricant over time. Enhanced condensation heat transfer for low surface tension fluids on LIS presents the opportunity for significant energy savings in natural gas processing as well as improvements in thermal management, heating and cooling, and power generation.

Heat transfer nanofluid based on curly ultra-long multi-wall carbon nanotubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boncel, Sławomir; Zniszczoł, Aurelia; Pawlyta, Mirosława; Labisz, Krzysztof; Dzido, Grzegorz

2018-02-01

The main challenge in the use of multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) as key components of nanofluids is to transfer excellent thermal properties from individual nanotubes into the bulk systems. We present studies on the performance of heat transfer nanofluids based on ultra-long ( 2 mm), curly MWCNTs - in the background of various other nanoC-sp2, i.e. oxidized MWCNTs, commercially available Nanocyl™ MWCNTs and spherical carbon nanoparticles (SCNs). The nanofluids prepared via ultrasonication from water and propylene glycol were studied in terms of heat conductivity and heat transfer in a scaled up thermal circuit containing a copper helical heat exchanger. Ultra-long curly MWCNT (1 wt.%) nanofluids (stabilized with Gum Arabic in water) emerged as the most thermally conducting ones with a 23-30%- and 39%-enhancement as compared to the base-fluids for water and propylene glycol, respectively. For turbulent flows ( Re = 8000-11,000), the increase of heat transfer coefficient for the over-months stable 1 wt.% ultra-long MWCNT nanofluid was found as high as >100%. The findings allow to confirm that longer MWCNTs are promising solid components in nanofluids and hence to predict their broader application in heat transfer media.