Intermittent operation of ultra-low pressure ultrafiltration for decentralized drinking water treatment.

PubMed

Peter-Varbanets, Maryna; Gujer, Willi; Pronk, Wouter

2012-06-15

River water was treated by ultrafiltration at a relatively low transmembrane pressure (40 mbar). As observed before, flux stabilization occurred after several days of operation although no back-flushing or cross flow was applied. Interruptions in flux were applied by temporary offset of the transmembrane pressure. After restoration of the transmembrane pressure, the initial flux was higher than the stable flux level, and the flux recovery depended on the standstill time. Furthermore, if a short cross flow was applied after standstill, the flux was restored to an even higher level. In all cases, the flux decreased again during operation to reach finally the same stable level as before standstill. In order to evaluate the influence of intermittent operation as practiced for water treatment on a household level, daily interruptions of flux were applied. An optimum of total daily water production rate was obtained at 21 h of operation and 3 h of standstill per day. A model was developed which can describe the impact of intermittent operation on the flux depending on the duration of the standstill and operating periods. This enables the prediction of production capacity of the system operated intermittently. The flux increase during standstill could be explained by a relaxation and expansion of the biofouling layer, while the higher flux after forward-flushing was caused by this layer being partially sloughed off. Household water treatment with the process presented here will generally be operated on a discontinuous basis. The results show that such operation schemes do not compromise the permeability of the system, but actually lead to higher fluxes after standstill. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Optimization of protein fractionation by skim milk microfiltration: Choice of ceramic membrane pore size and filtration temperature.

PubMed

Jørgensen, Camilla Elise; Abrahamsen, Roger K; Rukke, Elling-Olav; Johansen, Anne-Grethe; Schüller, Reidar B; Skeie, Siv B

2016-08-01

The objective of this study was to investigate how ceramic membrane pore size and filtration temperature influence the protein fractionation of skim milk by cross flow microfiltration (MF). Microfiltration was performed at a uniform transmembrane pressure with constant permeate flux to a volume concentration factor of 2.5. Three different membrane pore sizes, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20µm, were used at a filtration temperature of 50°C. Furthermore, at pore size 0.10µm, 2 different filtration temperatures were investigated: 50 and 60°C. The transmission of proteins increased with increasing pore size, giving the permeate from MF with the 0.20-µm membrane a significantly higher concentration of native whey proteins compared with the permeates from the 0.05- and 0.10-µm membranes (0.50, 0.24, and 0.39%, respectively). Significant amounts of caseins permeated the 0.20-µm membrane (1.4%), giving a permeate with a whitish appearance and a casein distribution (αS2-CN: αS1-CN: κ-CN: β-CN) similar to that of skim milk. The 0.05- and 0.10-µm membranes were able to retain all caseins (only negligible amounts were detected). A permeate free from casein is beneficial in the production of native whey protein concentrates and in applications where transparency is an important functional characteristic. Microfiltration of skim milk at 50°C with the 0.10-µm membrane resulted in a permeate containing significantly more native whey proteins than the permeate from MF at 60°C. The more rapid increase in transmembrane pressure and the significantly lower concentration of caseins in the retentate at 60°C indicated that a higher concentration of caseins deposited on the membrane, and consequently reduced the native whey protein transmission. Optimal protein fractionation of skim milk into a casein-rich retentate and a permeate with native whey proteins were obtained by 0.10-µm MF at 50°C. Copyright © 2016 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Selenium-containing organic nanoparticles as silent precursors for ultra-sensitive thiol-responsive transmembrane anion transport.

PubMed

Lang, Chao; Zhang, Xin; Dong, Zeyuan; Luo, Quan; Qiao, Shanpeng; Huang, Zupeng; Fan, Xiaotong; Xu, Jiayun; Liu, Junqiu

2016-02-07

An anion transporter with a selenoxide group was able to form nanoparticles in water, whose activity was fully turned off due to the aggregation effect. The formed nanoparticles have a uniform size and can be readily dispersed in water at high concentrations. Turn-on of the nanoparticles by reducing molecules is proposed to be a combined process, including the reduction of selenoxide to selenide, disassembly of the nanoparticles and location of the transporter to the lipid membrane. Accordingly, a special acceleration phase can be observed in the turn-on kinetic curves. Since turn-on of the nanoparticles is quantitatively related to the amount of reductant, the nanoparticles can be activated in a step-by-step manner. Due to the sensibility of this system to thiols, cysteine can be detected at low nanomolar concentrations. This ultra-sensitive thiol-responsive transmembrane anion transport system is quite promising in biological applications.

Blood flow/pump rotation ratio as an artificial lung performance monitoring tool during extracorporeal respiratory support using centrifugal pumps

PubMed Central

Park, Marcelo; Mendes, Pedro Vitale; Hirota, Adriana Sayuri; dos Santos, Edzangela Vasconcelos; Costa, Eduardo Leite Vieira; Azevedo, Luciano Cesar Pontes

2015-01-01

Objective To analyze the correlations of the blood flow/pump rotation ratio and the transmembrane pressure, CO2 and O2 transfer during the extracorporeal respiratory support. Methods Five animals were instrumented and submitted to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a five-step protocol, including abdominal sepsis and lung injury. Results This study showed that blood flow/pump rotations ratio variations are dependent on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation blood flow in a positive logarithmic fashion. Blood flow/pump rotation ratio variations are negatively associated with transmembrane pressure (R2 = 0.5 for blood flow = 1500mL/minute and R2 = 0.4 for blood flow = 3500mL/minute, both with p < 0.001) and positively associated with CO2 transfer variations (R2 = 0.2 for sweep gas flow ≤ 6L/minute, p < 0.001, and R2 = 0.1 for sweep gas flow > 6L/minute, p = 0.006), and the blood flow/pump rotation ratio is not associated with O2 transfer variations (R2 = 0.01 for blood flow = 1500mL/minute, p = 0.19, and R2 = - 0.01 for blood flow = 3500 mL/minute, p = 0.46). Conclusion Blood flow/pump rotation ratio variation is negatively associated with transmembrane pressure and positively associated with CO2 transfer in this animal model. According to the clinical situation, a decrease in the blood flow/pump rotation ratio can indicate artificial lung dysfunction without the occurrence of hypoxemia. PMID:26340159

Structural studies of the HIV-1 accessory protein Vpu in langmuir monolayers: synchrotron X-ray reflectivity.

PubMed Central

Zheng, S; Strzalka, J; Ma, C; Opella, S J; Ocko, B M; Blasie, J K

2001-01-01

Vpu is an 81 amino acid integral membrane protein encoded by the HIV-1 genome with a N-terminal hydrophobic domain and a C-terminal hydrophilic domain. It enhances the release of virus from the infected cell and triggers degradation of the virus receptor CD4. Langmuir monolayers of mixtures of Vpu and the phospholipid 1,2-dilignoceroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DLgPC) at the water-air interface were studied by synchrotron radiation-based x-ray reflectivity over a range of mole ratios at constant surface pressure and for several surface pressures at a maximal mole ratio of Vpu/DLgPC. Analysis of the x-ray reflectivity data by both slab model-refinement and model-independent box-refinement methods firmly establish the monolayer electron density profiles. The electron density profiles as a function of increasing Vpu/DLgPC mole ratio at a constant, relatively high surface pressure indicated that the amphipathic helices of the cytoplasmic domain lie on the surface of the phospholipid headgroups and the hydrophobic transmembrane helix is oriented approximately normal to the plane of monolayer within the phospholipid hydrocarbon chain layer. At maximal Vpu/DLgPC mole ratio, the tilt of the transmembrane helix with respect to the monolayer normal decreases with increasing surface pressure and the conformation of the cytoplasmic domain varies substantially with surface pressure. PMID:11259297

Study on the mode-transition of nanosecond-pulsed dielectric barrier discharge between uniform and filamentary by controlling pressures and pulse repetition frequencies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Sizhe; Lu, Xinpei

2016-09-01

We investigate the temporally resolved evolution of the nanosecond pulsed dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in a moderate 6mm gap under various pressures and pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs) by intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) images, using synthetic air and its components oxygen and nitrogen. It is found that the pressures are very different when the DBD mode transits between uniform and filamentary in air, oxygen, and nitrogen. The PRFs can also obviously affect the mode-transition. The transition mechanism in the pulsed DBD is not Townsend-to-streamer, which is dominant in the traditional alternating-voltage DBDs. The pulsed DBD in a uniform mode develops in the form of plane ionization wave, due to overlap of primary avalanches, while the increase in pressure disturbs the overlap and DBD develops in streamer instead, corresponding to the filamentary mode. Increasing the initiatory electron density by pre-ionization methods may contribute to discharge uniformity at higher pressures. We also find that the dependence of uniformity upon PRF is non-monotonic.

A reliability analysis of cardiac repolarization time markers.

PubMed

Scacchi, S; Franzone, P Colli; Pavarino, L F; Taccardi, B

2009-06-01

Only a limited number of studies have addressed the reliability of extracellular markers of cardiac repolarization time, such as the classical marker RT(eg) defined as the time of maximum upslope of the electrogram T wave. This work presents an extensive three-dimensional simulation study of cardiac repolarization time, extending the previous one-dimensional simulation study of a myocardial strand by Steinhaus [B.M. Steinhaus, Estimating cardiac transmembrane activation and recovery times from unipolar and bipolar extracellular electrograms: a simulation study, Circ. Res. 64 (3) (1989) 449]. The simulations are based on the bidomain - Luo-Rudy phase I system with rotational fiber anisotropy and homogeneous or heterogeneous transmural intrinsic membrane properties. The classical extracellular marker RT(eg) is compared with the gold standard of fastest repolarization time RT(tap), defined as the time of minimum derivative during the downstroke of the transmembrane action potential (TAP). Additionally, a new extracellular marker RT90(eg) is compared with the gold standard of late repolarization time RT90(tap), defined as the time when the TAP reaches 90% of its resting value. The results show a good global match between the extracellular and transmembrane repolarization markers, with small relative mean discrepancy (or=0.92), ensuring a reasonably good global match between the associated repolarization sequences. However, large local discrepancies of the extracellular versus transmembrane markers may ensue in regions where the curvature of the repolarization front changes abruptly (e.g. near front collisions) or is negligible (e.g. where repolarization proceeds almost uniformly across fiber). As a consequence, the spatial distribution of activation-recovery intervals (ARI) may provide an inaccurate estimate of (and weakly correlated with) the spatial distribution of action potential durations (APD).

Effects of transmembrane hydraulic pressure on performance of forward osmosis membranes.

PubMed

Coday, Bryan D; Heil, Dean M; Xu, Pei; Cath, Tzahi Y

2013-03-05

Forward osmosis (FO) is an emerging membrane separation process that continues to be tested and implemented in various industrial water and wastewater treatment applications. The growing interests in the technology have prompted laboratories and manufacturers to adopt standard testing methods to ensure accurate comparison of membrane performance under laboratory-controlled conditions; however, standardized methods might not capture specific operating conditions unique to industrial applications. Experiments with cellulose triacetate (CTA) and polyamide thin-film composite (TFC) FO membranes demonstrated that hydraulic transmembrane pressure (TMP), common in industrial operation of FO membrane elements, could affect membrane performance. Experiments were conducted with three FO membranes and with increasing TMP up to a maximum of 50 psi (3.45 bar). The feed solution was a mixture of salts and the draw solution was either a NaCl solution or concentrated seawater at similar osmotic pressure. Results revealed that TMP minimally affected water flux, reverse salt flux (RSF), and solute rejection of the CTA membrane. However, water flux through TFC membranes might slightly increase with increasing TMP, and RSF substantially declines with increasing TMP. It was observed that rejection of feed constituents was influenced by TMP and RSF.

The correlation between biofilm biopolymer composition and membrane fouling in submerged membrane bioreactors.

PubMed

Luo, Jinxue; Zhang, Jinsong; Tan, Xiaohui; McDougald, Diane; Zhuang, Guoqiang; Fane, Anthony G; Kjelleberg, Staffan; Cohen, Yehuda; Rice, Scott A

2014-10-01

Biofouling, the combined effect of microorganism and biopolymer accumulation, significantly reduces the process efficiency of membrane bioreactors (MBRs). Here, four biofilm components, alpha-polysaccharides, beta-polysaccharides, proteins and microorganisms, were quantified in MBRs. The biomass of each component was positively correlated with the transmembrane pressure increase in MBRs. Proteins were the most abundant biopolymer in biofilms and showed the fastest rate of increase. The spatial distribution and co-localization analysis of the biofouling components indicated at least 60% of the extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) components were associated with the microbial cells when the transmembrane pressure (TMP) entered the jump phase, suggesting that the EPS components were either secreted by the biofilm cells or that the deposition of these components facilitated biofilm formation. It is suggested that biofilm formation and the accumulation of EPS are intrinsically coupled, resulting in biofouling and loss of system performance. Therefore, strategies that control biofilm formation on membranes may result in a significant improvement of MBR performance.

Stepwise Synthesis of Giant Unilamellar Vesicles on a Microfluidic Assembly Line

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Among the molecular milieu of the cell, the membrane bilayer stands out as a complex and elusive synthetic target. We report a microfluidic assembly line that produces uniform cellular compartments from droplet, lipid, and oil/water interface starting materials. Droplets form in a lipid-containing oil flow and travel to a junction where the confluence of oil and extracellular aqueous media establishes a flow-patterned interface that is both stable and reproducible. A triangular post mediates phase transfer bilayer assembly by deflecting droplets from oil, through the interface, and into the extracellular aqueous phase to yield a continuous stream of unilamellar phospholipid vesicles with uniform and tunable size. The size of the droplet precursor dictates vesicle size, encapsulation of small-molecule cargo is highly efficient, and the single bilayer promotes functional insertion of a bacterial transmembrane pore. PMID:21309555

Protein fouling in microfiltration: deposition mechanism as a function of pressure for different pH.

PubMed

Velasco, C; Ouammou, M; Calvo, J I; Hernández, A

2003-10-01

The influence of applied pressure on the fouling mechanism during bovine serum albumin (BSA) dead-end microfiltration (MF) has been investigated for a polyethersulfone acidic negatively charged membrane (ICE-450) from Pall Co. BSA solutions at pH values of 4, 5 (almost equal to the protein isoelectric point, IEP), and 6 were microfiltered through the membrane at different applied transmembrane pressures. Results have been analyzed in terms of the usual blocking filtration laws and a substantial change in the fouling mechanism was observed as the pressure was increased, this change can be related to the specific membrane-protein and protein-protein interactions.

Compartment Venting Analyses of Ares I First Stage Systems Tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, Qunzhen; Arner, Stephen

2009-01-01

Compartment venting analyses have been performed for the Ares I first stage systems tunnel using both the lumped parameter method and the three-dimensional (31)) transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. The main objective of venting analyses is to predict the magnitudes of differential pressures across the skin so the integrity of solid walls can be evaluated and properly designed. The lumped parameter method assumes the gas pressure and temperature inside the systems tunnel are spatially uniform, which is questionable since the tunnel is about 1,700 in. long and 4 in. wide. Therefore, 31) transient CFD simulations using the commercial CFD code FLUENT are performed in order to examine the gas pressure and temperature variations inside the tunnel. It was found that the uniform pressure and temperature assumptions inside the systems tunnel are valid during ascent. During reentry, the uniform pressure assumption is also reasonable but the uniform temperature assumption is not valid. Predicted pressure and temperature inside the systems tunnel using CFD are also compared with those from the lumped parameter method using the NASA code CHCHVENT. In general, the average pressure and temperature inside the systems tunnel from CFD are between the burst and crush results from CHCHVENT during both ascent and reentry. The skin differential pressure and pressure inside the systems tunnel relative to freestream pressure from CHCHVENT as well as velocity vectors and streamlines are also discussed in detail.

Magnetron cathodes in plasma electrode Pockels cells

DOEpatents

Rhodes, M.A.

1995-04-25

Magnetron cathodes, which produce high current discharges, form greatly improved plasma electrodes on each side of an electro-optic crystal. The plasma electrode has a low pressure gas region on both sides of the crystal. When the gas is ionized, e.g., by a glow discharge in the low pressure gas, the plasma formed is a good conductor. The gas electrode acts as a highly uniform conducting electrode. Since the plasma is transparent to a high energy laser beam passing through the crystal, the plasma is transparent. A crystal exposed from two sides to such a plasma can be charged up uniformly to any desired voltage. A typical configuration utilizes helium at 50 millitorr operating pressure and 2 kA discharge current. The magnetron cathode produces a more uniform plasma and allows a reduced operating pressure which leads to lower plasma resistivity and a more uniform charge on the crystal. 5 figs.

Magnetron cathodes in plasma electrode pockels cells

DOEpatents

Rhodes, Mark A.

1995-01-01

Magnetron cathodes, which produce high current discharges, form greatly improved plasma electrodes on each side of an electro-optic crystal. The plasma electrode has a low pressure gas region on both sides of the crystal. When the gas is ionized, e.g., by a glow discharge in the low pressure gas, the plasma formed is a good conductor. The gas electrode acts as a highly uniform conducting electrode. Since the plasma is transparent to a high energy laser beam passing through the crystal, the plasma is transparent. A crystal exposed from two sides to such a plasma can be charged up uniformly to any desired voltage. A typical configuration utilizes helium at 50 millitorr operating. pressure and 2 kA discharge current. The magnetron cathode produces a more uniform plasma and allows a reduced operating pressure which leads to lower plasma resistivity and a more uniform charge on the crystal.

Unique battery with an active membrane separator having uniform physico-chemically functionalized ion channels and a method making the same

DOEpatents

Gerald, II, Rex E.; Ruscic, Katarina J [Chicago, IL; Sears, Devin N [Spruce Grove, CA; Smith, Luis J [Natick, MA; Klingler, Robert J [Glenview, IL; Rathke, Jerome W [Homer Glen, IL

2012-02-21

The invention relates to a unique battery having an active, porous membrane and method of making the same. More specifically the invention relates to a sealed battery system having a porous, metal oxide membrane with uniform, physicochemically functionalized ion channels capable of adjustable ionic interaction. The physicochemically-active porous membrane purports dual functions: an electronic insulator (separator) and a unidirectional ion-transporter (electrolyte). The electrochemical cell membrane is activated for the transport of ions by contiguous ion coordination sites on the interior two-dimensional surfaces of the trans-membrane unidirectional pores. The membrane material is designed to have physicochemical interaction with ions. Control of the extent of the interactions between the ions and the interior pore walls of the membrane and other materials, chemicals, or structures contained within the pores provides adjustability of the ionic conductivity of the membrane.

Plasma puff initiation of high Coulomb transfer switches

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Venable, D. D.; Choi, E. H.

1990-01-01

The plasma-puff triggering mechanism based on a hypocycloidal pinch geometry was investigated to determine the optimal operating conditions for the azimuthally uniform surface flashover which initiates plasma-puff under wide range of fill gas pressure of Ar, He and N2. The optimal fill gas pressure for the azimuthally uniform plasma-puff was about 120 mTorr and 450 Torr for He and N2, and between 120 mTorr and 5 Torr for Ar. The inverse pinch switch was triggered with the plasma-puff and the switching capability under various electrical parameters and working gas pressures of Ar, He and N2 was determined. It was also shown that the azimuthally uniform switching discharges were dependent on the type of fill gas and its fill pressure. A new concept of plasma-focus driven plasma-puff was also discussed in comparison with the hypocycloidal pinch plasma-puff triggering. The main discharge of inverse pinch switch with plasma-focus driven plasma-puff trigger is found to be more azimuthally uniform than that with hypocycloidal pinch plasma-puff trigger in a gas pressure region between 80 mTorr and 1 Torr.

Study on the mode-transition of nanosecond-pulsed dielectric barrier discharge between uniform and filamentary by controlling pressures and pulse repetition frequencies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, S.; Pei, X.; Hasnain, Q.; Nie, L.; Lu, X.

2016-02-01

In this paper, we investigate the temporally resolved evolution of the nanosecond pulsed dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in a moderate 6 mm discharge gap under various pressures and pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs) by intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) images, using dry air and its components oxygen and nitrogen. It is found that the pressures are very different when the mode transits between uniform and filamentary in air, oxygen, and nitrogen. The PRFs can also obviously affect the mode-transition. The transition mechanism in the pulsed DBD is not Townsend-to-Streamer, which is dominant in the traditional alternating-voltage DBD. The pulsed DBD in a uniform mode develops in the form of plane ionization wave due to overlap of primary avalanches, while the increase in pressure disturbs the overlap and discharge develops in streamer, corresponding to the filamentary mode. Increasing the initial electron density by pre-ionization may contribute to discharge uniformity at higher pressures. We also found that the dependence of homogeneity upon PRF is a non-monotonic one.

Partial dealcoholization of red wine by nanofiltration and its effect on anthocyanin and resveratrol levels.

PubMed

Banvolgyi, Szilvia; Savaş Bahçeci, K; Vatai, Gyula; Bekassy, Sandor; Bekassy-Molnar, Erika

2016-12-01

The present work studies the use of nanofiltration for the production of red wine concentrate with low alcohol content. Factorial design was applied to measure the influences of transmembrane pressure (10-20 bar) and temperature (20-40 ℃) on the retention of valuable components such as anthocyanins and resveratrol, and on the nanofiltration membrane performance. The highest retention of anthocyanin and resveratrol was achieved at low temperature (20 ℃), while the high transmembrane pressure (20 bar) was found to increase the permeate flux considerably. The experiments demonstrated that nanofiltration appears as a valid technique for the production of low alcohol content red wine concentrate. Reduction of volume by a factor of 4, leads to 2.5-3 times more anthocyanins and resveratrol in the wine concentrates. The final new wine products - obtained by using various forms of reconstitution of the concentrated wine - had low alcohol content (4-6 % by volume) and their sensory attributes were similar to those of the original wine. © The Author(s) 2016.

Concentration of Immunoglobulins in Microfiltration Permeates of Skim Milk: Impact of Transmembrane Pressure and Temperature on the IgG Transmission Using Different Ceramic Membrane Types and Pore Sizes.

PubMed

Heidebrecht, Hans-Jürgen; Toro-Sierra, José; Kulozik, Ulrich

2018-06-28

The use of bioactive bovine milk immunoglobulins (Ig) has been found to be an alternative treatment for certain human gastrointestinal diseases. Some methodologies have been developed with bovine colostrum. These are considered in laboratory scale and are bound to high cost and limited availability of the raw material. The main challenge remains in obtaining high amounts of active IgG from an available source as mature cow milk by the means of industrial processes. Microfiltration (MF) was chosen as a process variant, which enables a gentle and effective concentration of the Ig fractions (ca. 0.06% in raw milk) while reducing casein and lactose at the same time. Different microfiltration membranes (ceramic standard and gradient), pore sizes (0.14⁻0.8 µm), transmembrane pressures (0.5⁻2.5 bar), and temperatures (10, 50 °C) were investigated. The transmission of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and casein during the filtration of raw skim milk (<0.1% fat) was evaluated during batch filtration using a single channel pilot plant. The transmission levels of IgG (~160 kDa) were measured to be at the same level as the reference major whey protein β-Lg (~18 kDa) at all evaluated pore sizes and process parameters despite the large difference in molecular mass of both fractions. Ceramic gradient membranes with a pore sizes of 0.14 µm showed IgG-transmission rates between 45% to 65% while reducing the casein fraction below 1% in the permeates. Contrary to the expectations, a lower pore size of 0.14 µm yielded fluxes up to 35% higher than 0.2 µm MF membranes. It was found that low transmembrane pressures benefit the Ig transmission. Upscaling the presented results to a continuous MF membrane process offers new possibilities for the production of immunoglobulin enriched supplements with well-known processing equipment for large scale milk protein fractionation.

Could the peristaltic transition zone be caused by non-uniform esophageal muscle fiber architecture? A simulation study.

PubMed

Kou, W; Pandolfino, J E; Kahrilas, P J; Patankar, N A

2017-06-01

Based on a fully coupled computational model of esophageal transport, we analyzed how varied esophageal muscle fiber architecture and/or dual contraction waves (CWs) affect bolus transport. Specifically, we studied the luminal pressure profile in those cases to better understand possible origins of the peristaltic transition zone. Two groups of studies were conducted using a computational model. The first studied esophageal transport with circumferential-longitudinal fiber architecture, helical fiber architecture and various combinations of the two. In the second group, cases with dual CWs and varied muscle fiber architecture were simulated. Overall transport characteristics were examined and the space-time profiles of luminal pressure were plotted and compared. Helical muscle fiber architecture featured reduced circumferential wall stress, greater esophageal distensibility, and greater axial shortening. Non-uniform fiber architecture featured a peristaltic pressure trough between two high-pressure segments. The distal pressure segment showed greater amplitude than the proximal segment, consistent with experimental data. Dual CWs also featured a pressure trough between two high-pressure segments. However, the minimum pressure in the region of overlap was much lower, and the amplitudes of the two high-pressure segments were similar. The efficacy of esophageal transport is greatly affected by muscle fiber architecture. The peristaltic transition zone may be attributable to non-uniform architecture of muscle fibers along the length of the esophagus and/or dual CWs. The difference in amplitude between the proximal and distal pressure segments may be attributable to non-uniform muscle fiber architecture. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Air Bag Applies Uniform Bonding Pressure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gillespie, C. A.

1982-01-01

Air-bag box applies constant uniform pressure to tiles and other objects undergoing adhesive bonding. Box is basically a compliant clamp with adjustable force and position. Can be used on irregular surfaces as well as on flat ones. Pressurized air is fed to bag through a tube so that it expands, filling the box and pressing against work. Bag adopts a contour that accommodates surface under open side of box.

Failure Mechanisms of Hollow Fiber Supported Ionic Liquid Membranes

PubMed Central

Zeh, Matthew; Wickramanayake, Shan; Hopkinson, David

2016-01-01

Hollow fiber supported ionic liquid membranes (SILMs) were tested using the bubble point method to investigate potential failure modes, including the maximum transmembrane pressure before loss of the ionic liquid from the support. Porous hollow fiber supports were fabricated with different pore morphologies using Matrimid® and Torlon® as the polymeric material and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidalzolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C6mim][Tf2N]) as the ionic liquid (IL) component. Hollow fiber SILMs were tested for their maximum pressure before failure, with pressure applied either from the bore side or shell side. It was found that the membranes exhibited one or more of three different modes of failure when pressurized: liquid loss (occurring at the bubble point), rupture, and collapse. PMID:27023620

Regional volume changes in canine lungs suspended in air

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbrecht, Peter H.; Kyle, Richard R.; Bryant, Howard J.; Feuerstein, Irwin

1995-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the absence of a pleural pressure gradient (simulating the presumed condition found in microgravity) upon regional expansion of the lung. We attempted to produce a uniform pressure over the surface of the lung by suspending excised lungs in air. Such studies should help determine whether or not the absence of a pleural pressure gradient leads to uniform ventilation. A preparation in which there is no pleural pressure gradient should also be useful in studying non-gravitational effects on ventilation distribution.

Analytic approximations of Von Kármán plate under arbitrary uniform pressure—equations in integral form

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, XiaoXu; Liao, ShiJun

2018-01-01

Analytic approximations of the Von Kármán's plate equations in integral form for a circular plate under external uniform pressure to arbitrary magnitude are successfully obtained by means of the homotopy analysis method (HAM), an analytic approximation technique for highly nonlinear problems. Two HAM-based approaches are proposed for either a given external uniform pressure Q or a given central deflection, respectively. Both of them are valid for uniform pressure to arbitrary magnitude by choosing proper values of the so-called convergence-control parameters c 1 and c 2 in the frame of the HAM. Besides, it is found that the HAM-based iteration approaches generally converge much faster than the interpolation iterative method. Furthermore, we prove that the interpolation iterative method is a special case of the first-order HAM iteration approach for a given external uniform pressure Q when c 1 = - θ and c 2 = -1, where θ denotes the interpolation iterative parameter. Therefore, according to the convergence theorem of Zheng and Zhou about the interpolation iterative method, the HAM-based approaches are valid for uniform pressure to arbitrary magnitude at least in the special case c 1 = - θ and c 2 = -1. In addition, we prove that the HAM approach for the Von Kármán's plate equations in differential form is just a special case of the HAM for the Von Kármán's plate equations in integral form mentioned in this paper. All of these illustrate the validity and great potential of the HAM for highly nonlinear problems, and its superiority over perturbation techniques.

Design and development of novel bandages for compression therapy.

PubMed

Rajendran, Subbiyan; Anand, Subhash

2003-03-01

During the past few years there have been increasing concerns relating to the performance of bandages, especially their pressure distribution properties for the treatment of venous leg ulcers. This is because compression therapy is a complex system and requires two or multi-layer bandages, and the performance properties of each layer differs from other layers. The widely accepted sustained graduated compression mainly depends on the uniform pressure distribution of different layers of bandages, in which textile fibres and bandage structures play a major role. This article examines how the fibres, fibre blends and structures influence the absorption and pressure distribution properties of bandages. It is hoped that the research findings will help medical professionals, especially nurses, to gain an insight into the development of bandages. A total of 12 padding bandages have been produced using various fibres and fibre blends. A new technique that would facilitate good resilience and cushioning properties, higher and more uniform pressure distribution and enhanced water absorption and retention was adopted during the production. It has been found that the properties of developed padding bandages, which include uniform pressure distribution around the leg, are superior to existing commercial bandages and possess a number of additional properties required to meet the criteria stipulated for an ideal padding bandage. Results have indicated that none of the mostly used commercial padding bandages provide the required uniform pressure distribution around the limb.

Conformal Nitrogen-Doped TiO 2 Photocatalytic Coatings for Sunlight-Activated Membranes

DOE PAGES

Lee, Anna; Libera, Joseph A.; Waldman, Ruben Z.; ...

2017-01-24

Photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants is enticing for addressing challenging, nontraditional water sources. A novel nitrogen-doping method is utilized to grow conformal titania coatings with visible-light activity on porous membranes. Here, the resulting membranes exhibit effective degradation of model organic species in simulated sunlight while at the same time requiring substantially lower transmembrane pressure than undoped membranes.

Effect of skim milk treated with high hydrostatic pressure on permeate flux and fouling during ultrafiltration.

PubMed

Leu, Mathilde; Marciniak, Alice; Chamberland, Julien; Pouliot, Yves; Bazinet, Laurent; Doyen, Alain

2017-09-01

Ultrafiltration (UF) is largely used in the dairy industry to generate milk and whey protein concentrate for standardization of milk or production of dairy ingredients. Recently, it was demonstrated that high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) extended the shelf life of milk and improved rennet coagulation and cheese yield. Pressurization also modified casein micelle size distribution and promoted aggregation of whey proteins. These changes are likely to affect UF performance. Consequently, this study determined the effect of skim milk pressurization (300 and 600 MPa, 5 min) on UF performance in terms of permeate flux decline and fouling. The effect of HHP on milk proteins was first studied and UF was performed in total recycle mode at different transmembrane pressures to determine optimal UF operational parameters and to evaluate the effect of pressurization on critical and limiting fluxes. Ultrafiltration was also performed in concentration mode at a transmembrane pressure of 345 kPa for 130 or 140 min to evaluate the decline of permeate flux and to determine fouling resistances. It was observed that average casein micelle size decreased by 32 and 38%, whereas β-lactoglobulin denaturation reached 30 and 70% at 300 and 600 MPa, respectively. These results were directly related to UF performance because initial permeate fluxes in total recycle mode decreased by 25% at 300 and 600 MPa compared with nonpressurized milk, critical flux, and limiting flux, which were lower during UF of milk treated with HHP. During UF in concentration mode, initial permeate fluxes were 30% lower at 300 and 600 MPa compared with the control, but the total flux decline was higher for nonpressurized milk (62%) compared with pressure-treated milk (30%). Fouling resistances were similar, whatever the treatment, except at 600 MPa where irreversible fouling was higher. Characterization of the fouling layer showed that caseins and β-lactoglobulin were mainly involved in membrane fouling after UF of pressure-treated milk. Our results demonstrate that HHP treatment of skim milk drastically decreased UF performance. Copyright © 2017 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Regulation from within: the cytoskeleton in transmembrane signaling

PubMed Central

Jaqaman, Khuloud; Grinstein, Sergio

2013-01-01

There is mounting evidence that the plasma membrane is highly dynamic and organized in a complex manner. The cortical cytoskeleton is proving to be a particularly important regulator of plasmalemmal organization, modulating the mobility of proteins and lipids in the membrane, facilitating their segregation and influencing their clustering. This organization plays a critical role in receptor-mediated signaling, especially in the case of immunoreceptors, which require lateral clustering for their activation. Based on recent developments, we discuss the structures and mechanisms whereby the cortical cytoskeleton regulates membrane dynamics and organization, and how the non-uniform distribution of immunoreceptors and their self-association may affect activation and signaling. PMID:22917551

A kinetic theory treatment of heat transfer in plane Poiseuille flow with uniform pressure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bahrami, Parviz A.

1992-01-01

Plane compressible Poiseuille flow with uniform pressure (Couette flow with stationary boundaries) is revisited where the Lees two-steam method with the Enskog equation of change is applied. Single particle velocity distribution functions are chosen, which preserve the essential physical features of this flow with arbitrary but uniform plate temperatures and gas pressure. Lower moments are shown to lead to expressions for the parameter functions, molecular number densities, and temperatures which are entirely in agreement with those obtained in the analysis of Lees for compressible plane Couette flow in the limit of low Mach number and vanishing mean gas velocity. Important simplifications result, which are helpful in gaining insight into the power of kinetic theory in fluid mechanics. The temperature distribution, heat flux, as well as density, are completely determined for the whole range of Knudson numbers from free molecular flow to the continuum regime, when the pressure level is specified.

The stability of the three transmembrane and the four transmembrane human vitamin K epoxide reductase models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Sangwook

2016-04-01

The three transmembrane and the four transmembrane helix models are suggested for human vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKOR). In this study, we investigate the stability of the human three transmembrane/four transmembrane VKOR models by employing a coarse-grained normal mode analysis and molecular dynamics simulation. Based on the analysis of the mobility of each transmembrane domain, we suggest that the three transmembrane human VKOR model is more stable than the four transmembrane human VKOR model.

Evaluation of fuel preparation systems for lean premixing-prevaporizing combustors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dodds, W. J.; Ekstedt, E. E.

1985-01-01

A series of experiments was carried out in order to produce design data for a premixing prevaporizing fuel-air mixture preparation system for aircraft gas turbine engine combustors. The fuel-air mixture uniformity of four different system design concepts was evaluated over a range of conditions representing the cruise operation of a modern commercial turbofan engine. Operating conditions including pressure, temperature, fuel-to-air ratio, and velocity, exhibited no clear effect on mixture uniformity of systems using pressure-atomizing fuel nozzles and large-scale mixing devices. However, the performance of systems using atomizing fuel nozzles and large-scale mixing devices was found to be sensitive to operating conditions. Variations in system design variables were also evaluated and correlated. Mixing uniformity was found to improve with system length, pressure drop, and the number of fuel injection points per unit area. A premixing system capable of providing mixing uniformity to within 15 percent over a typical range of cruise operating conditions is demonstrated.

Main rotor-body action for virtual blades model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kusyumov, Alexander; Kusyumov, Sergey; Mikhailov, Sergey; Romanova, Elena; Phayzullin, Konstantin; Lopatin, Evgeny; Barakos, G.

2018-06-01

This research aims to investigate a virtual blade model and assess rotor influence on helicopter fuselage aerodynamics. The rotor disk is discretized in the azimuthal direction, and a time-varied pressure jump is applied in regions occupied by the blades. To obtain the pressure jump, an actuator disk is employed using uniform and non-uniform blade load distribution, based on momentum theory.

76 FR 30399 - Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, Oconee Nuclear Station, Units 1, 2, and 3, Notice of Consideration of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-25

... the use of fiber reinforced polymer on masonry walls for uniform pressure loads resulting from a... fail as a result of damage caused by natural phenomena. The in-fill masonry walls to be strengthened... system on existing Auxiliary Building masonry walls will allow them to resist uniform pressure loads...

Preliminary Results of the Determination of Inlet-Pressure Distortion Effects on Compressor Stall and Altitude Operating Limits of the J57-P-1 Turbojet Engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wallner, L. E.; Lubick, R. J.; Chelko, L. J.

1955-01-01

During an investigation of the J57-P-1 turbojet engine in the Lewis altitude wind tunnel, effects of inlet-flow distortion on engine stall characteristics and operating limits were determined. In addition to a uniform inlet-flow profile, the inlet-pressure distortions imposed included two radial, two circumferential, and one combined radial-circumferential profile. Data were obtained over a range of compressor speeds at an altitude of 50,000 and a flight Mach number of 0.8; in addition, the high- and low-speed engine operating limits were investigated up to the maximum operable altitude. The effect of changing the compressor bleed position on the stall and operating limits was determined for one of the inlet distortions. The circumferential distortions lowered the compressor stall pressure ratios; this resulted in less fuel-flow margin between steady-state operation and compressor stall. Consequently, the altitude operating Limits with circumferential distortions were reduced compared with the uniform inlet profile. Radial inlet-pressure distortions increased the pressure ratio required for compressor stall over that obtained with uniform inlet flow; this resulted in higher altitude operating limits. Likewise, the stall-limit fuel flows required with the radial inlet-pressure distortions were considerably higher than those obtained with the uniform inlet-pressure profile. A combined radial-circumferential inlet distortion had effects on the engine similar to the circumferential distortion. Bleeding air between the two compressors eliminated the low-speed stall limit and thus permitted higher altitude operation than was possible without compressor bleed.

Inhibition of Sphingosine Kinase 1 Ameliorates Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertension and Inhibits Transmembrane Calcium Entry via Store-Operated Calcium Channel

PubMed Central

Wilson, Parker C.; Fitzgibbon, Wayne R.; Garrett, Sara M.; Jaffa, Ayad A.; Luttrell, Louis M.; Brands, Michael W.

2015-01-01

Angiotensin II (AngII) plays a critical role in the regulation of vascular tone and blood pressure mainly via regulation of Ca2+ mobilization. Several reports have implicated sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1)/sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) in the mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ through a yet-undefined mechanism. Here we demonstrate that AngII-induces biphasic calcium entry in vascular smooth muscle cells, consisting of an immediate peak due to inositol tris-phosphate-dependent release of intracellular calcium, followed by a sustained transmembrane Ca2+ influx through store-operated calcium channels (SOCs). Inhibition of SK1 attenuates the second phase of transmembrane Ca2+ influx, suggesting a role for SK1 in AngII-dependent activation of SOC. Intracellular S1P triggers SOC-dependent Ca2+ influx independent of S1P receptors, whereas external application of S1P stimulated S1P receptor-dependent Ca2+ influx that is insensitive to inhibitors of SOCs, suggesting that the SK1/S1P axis regulates store-operated calcium entry via intracellular rather than extracellular actions. Genetic deletion of SK1 significantly inhibits both the acute hypertensive response to AngII in anaesthetized SK1 knockout mice and the sustained hypertensive response to continuous infusion of AngII in conscious animals. Collectively these data implicate SK1 as the missing link that connects the angiotensin AT1A receptor to transmembrane Ca2+ influx and identify SOCs as a potential intracellular target for SK1. PMID:25871850

Differences in evolutionary pressure acting within highly conserved ortholog groups.

PubMed

Przytycka, Teresa M; Jothi, Raja; Aravind, L; Lipman, David J

2008-07-17

In highly conserved widely distributed ortholog groups, the main evolutionary force is assumed to be purifying selection that enforces sequence conservation, with most divergence occurring by accumulation of neutral substitutions. Using a set of ortholog groups from prokaryotes, with a single representative in each studied organism, we asked the question if this evolutionary pressure is acting similarly on different subgroups of orthologs defined as major lineages (e.g. Proteobacteria or Firmicutes). Using correlations in entropy measures as a proxy for evolutionary pressure, we observed two distinct behaviors within our ortholog collection. The first subset of ortholog groups, called here informational, consisted mostly of proteins associated with information processing (i.e. translation, transcription, DNA replication) and the second, the non-informational ortholog groups, mostly comprised of proteins involved in metabolic pathways. The evolutionary pressure acting on non-informational proteins is more uniform relative to their informational counterparts. The non-informational proteins show higher level of correlation between entropy profiles and more uniformity across subgroups. The low correlation of entropy profiles in the informational ortholog groups suggest that the evolutionary pressure acting on the informational ortholog groups is not uniform across different clades considered this study. This might suggest "fine-tuning" of informational proteins in each lineage leading to lineage-specific differences in selection. This, in turn, could make these proteins less exchangeable between lineages. In contrast, the uniformity of the selective pressure acting on the non-informational groups might allow the exchange of the genetic material via lateral gene transfer.

Tank depletion flow controller

DOEpatents

Georgeson, Melvin A.

1976-10-26

A flow control system includes two bubbler tubes installed at different levels within a tank containing such as radioactive liquid. As the tank is depleted, a differential pressure transmitter monitors pressure differences imparted by the two bubbler tubes at a remote, shielded location during uniform time intervals. At the end of each uniform interval, balance pots containing a dense liquid are valved together to equalize the pressures. The resulting sawtooth-shaped signal generated by the differential pressure transmitter is compared with a second sawtooth signal representing the desired flow rate during each time interval. Variations in the two signals are employed by a control instrument to regulate flow rate.

Transmembrane adenylyl cyclase regulates amphibian sperm motility through Protein Kinase A activation

PubMed Central

O’Brien, Emma D.; Krapf, Darío; Cabada, Marcelo O.; Visconti, Pablo E.; Arranz, Silvia E.

2014-01-01

Sperm motility is essential for achieving fertilization. In animals with external fertilization as amphibians, spermatozoa are stored in a quiescent state in the testis. Spermiation to hypotonic fertilization media triggers activation of sperm motility. Bufo arenarum sperm are immotile in artificial seminal plasma (ASP) but acquire in situ flagellar beating upon dilution. In addition to the effect of low osmolarity on sperm motility activation, we report that diffusible factors of the egg jelly coat (EW) regulate motility patterns, switching from in situ to progressive movement. The signal transduction pathway involved in amphibian sperm motility activation is mostly unknown. In the present study, we show a correlation between motility activation triggered by low osmotic pressure and activation of protein kinase A (PKA). Moreover, this is the first study to present strong evidences that point toward a role of a transmembrane adenyl-cyclase (tmAC) in the regulation of amphibian sperm motility through PKA activation. PMID:21126515

Generalized cable equation model for myelinated nerve fiber.

PubMed

Einziger, Pinchas D; Livshitz, Leonid M; Mizrahi, Joseph

2005-10-01

Herein, the well-known cable equation for nonmyelinated axon model is extended analytically for myelinated axon formulation. The myelinated membrane conductivity is represented via the Fourier series expansion. The classical cable equation is thereby modified into a linear second order ordinary differential equation with periodic coefficients, known as Hill's equation. The general internal source response, expressed via repeated convolutions, uniformly converges provided that the entire periodic membrane is passive. The solution can be interpreted as an extended source response in an equivalent nonmyelinated axon (i.e., the response is governed by the classical cable equation). The extended source consists of the original source and a novel activation function, replacing the periodic membrane in the myelinated axon model. Hill's equation is explicitly integrated for the specific choice of piecewise constant membrane conductivity profile, thereby resulting in an explicit closed form expression for the transmembrane potential in terms of trigonometric functions. The Floquet's modes are recognized as the nerve fiber activation modes, which are conventionally associated with the nonlinear Hodgkin-Huxley formulation. They can also be incorporated in our linear model, provided that the periodic membrane point-wise passivity constraint is properly modified. Indeed, the modified condition, enforcing the periodic membrane passivity constraint on the average conductivity only leads, for the first time, to the inclusion of the nerve fiber activation modes in our novel model. The validity of the generalized transmission-line and cable equation models for a myelinated nerve fiber, is verified herein through a rigorous Green's function formulation and numerical simulations for transmembrane potential induced in three-dimensional myelinated cylindrical cell. It is shown that the dominant pole contribution of the exact modal expansion is the transmembrane potential solution of our generalized model.

Evaluation of Characteristic Energy Scales of Pressure Stabilized Oxygen Chain States in YBa2Cu3Ox Films

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-14

2], and [4]. In the case of YBa2Cu3O∇x, the application of sufficient uniaxial pressure results in the film having discrete regions of uniform...that discrete regions of uniform oxygen content are stabilized where x ≈ [6, 6.5, 6.72, 6.81, 7]. The latter four oxygen content levels correspond to...associated energy levels of the stabilized lattice states ᝺>, �>, >, and ə>, and find evidence for discrete energy levels of the pressure

Non-axisymmetric flow characteristics in centrifugal compressor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Leilei; Lao, Dazhong; Liu, Yixiong; Yang, Ce

2015-06-01

The flow field distribution in centrifugal compressor is significantly affected by the non-axisymmetric geometry structure of the volute. The experimental and numerical simulation methods were adopted in this work to study the compressor flow field distribution with different flow conditions. The results show that the pressure distributionin volute is characterized by the circumferential non-uniform phenomenon and the pressure fluctuation on the high static pressure zone propagates reversely to upstream, which results in the non-axisymmetric flow inside the compressor. The non-uniform level of pressure distribution in large flow condition is higher than that in small flow condition, its effect on the upstream flow field is also stronger. Additionally, the non-uniform circumferential pressure distribution in volute brings the non-axisymmetric flow at impeller outlet. In different flow conditions,the circumferential variation of the absolute flow angle at impeller outlet is also different. Meanwhile, the non-axisymmetric flow characteristics in internal impeller can be also reflected by the distribution of the mass flow. The high static pressure region of the volute corresponds to the decrease of mass flow in upstream blade channel, while the low static pressure zone of the volute corresponds to the increase of the mass flow. In small flow condition, the mass flow difference in the blade channel is bigger than that in the large flow condition.

Characteristics of plasma-puff trigger for a inverse-pinch plasma switch

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choi, Eun H.; Venable, Demetrius D.; Han, Kwang S.; Lee, Ja H.

1993-01-01

The plasma-puff triggering mechanism based on a hypocycloidal pinch geometry was investigated to determine the optimal operating conditions for the azimuthally uniform surface flashover which initiates plasma-puff under wide ranges of fill gas pressure of Ar, He and N2. The optimal fill-gas pressure range for the azimuthally uniform plasma-puff was about 120 mTorr less than or equal to P(sub op) less than or equal to 450 Torr for He and N2. For Argon 120 mTorr is less than or equal to P(sub op) is less than or equal to 5 Torr. The inverse-pinch switch was triggered with the plasma-puff and the switching capability under various electrical parameters and working gas pressures of Ar, He and N2 was determined. The azimuthally uniform switching discharges were dependent on the type of fill gas and its fill pressure. A new concept of plasma-focus driven plasma-puff will be discussed in comparison with the current hypocycloidal-pinch plasma-puff triggering.

Self-organization of cosmic radiation pressure instability. II - One-dimensional simulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hogan, Craig J.; Woods, Jorden

1992-01-01

The clustering of statistically uniform discrete absorbing particles moving solely under the influence of radiation pressure from uniformly distributed emitters is studied in a simple one-dimensional model. Radiation pressure tends to amplify statistical clustering in the absorbers; the absorbing material is swept into empty bubbles, the biggest bubbles grow bigger almost as they would in a uniform medium, and the smaller ones get crushed and disappear. Numerical simulations of a one-dimensional system are used to support the conjecture that the system is self-organizing. Simple statistics indicate that a wide range of initial conditions produce structure approaching the same self-similar statistical distribution, whose scaling properties follow those of the attractor solution for an isolated bubble. The importance of the process for large-scale structuring of the interstellar medium is briefly discussed.

The Use of Hypertonic Solutions to Resuscitate Animals from Hypovolemic Shock.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-03-18

halothane/nitrous oxide and surgically prepared with chronic cannulations of the thoracic aorta and superior vena cava using silastic catheters placed...and on skeletal muscle inferior vena cava . Heart rate was recorded resting transmembrane potentials. These ef- and blood press.ure was monitored with...nitrous oxide and surgically prepared with chronic cannulations of the thoracic aorta and superior vena cava using silastic catheters placed through a

Hydrogen-Selective Membrane

DOEpatents

Collins, John P.; Way, J. Douglas

1995-09-19

A hydrogen-selective membrane comprises a tubular porous ceramic support having a palladium metal layer deposited on an inside surface of the ceramic support. The thickness of the palladium layer is greater than about 10 .mu.m but typically less than about 20 .mu.m. The hydrogen permeation rate of the membrane is greater than about 1.0 moles/m.sup.2.s at a temperature of greater than about 500.degree. C. and a transmembrane pressure difference of about 1,500 kPa. Moreover, the hydrogen-to-nitrogen selectivity is greater than about 600 at a temperature of greater than about 500.degree. C. and a transmembrane pressure of about 700 kPa. Hydrogen can be separated from a mixture of gases using the membrane. The method may include the step of heating the mixture of gases to a temperature of greater than about 400.degree. C. and less than about 1000.degree. C. before the step of flowing the mixture of gases past the membrane. The mixture of gases may include ammonia. The ammonia typically is decomposed to provide nitrogen and hydrogen using a catalyst such as nickel. The catalyst may be placed inside the tubular ceramic support. The mixture of gases may be supplied by an industrial process such as the mixture of exhaust gases from the IGCC process.

Hydrogen-selective membrane

DOEpatents

Collins, J.P.; Way, J.D.

1995-09-19

A hydrogen-selective membrane comprises a tubular porous ceramic support having a palladium metal layer deposited on an inside surface of the ceramic support. The thickness of the palladium layer is greater than about 10 {micro}m but typically less than about 20 {micro}m. The hydrogen permeation rate of the membrane is greater than about 1.0 moles/m{sup 2}s at a temperature of greater than about 500 C and a transmembrane pressure difference of about 1,500 kPa. Moreover, the hydrogen-to-nitrogen selectivity is greater than about 600 at a temperature of greater than about 500 C and a transmembrane pressure of about 700 kPa. Hydrogen can be separated from a mixture of gases using the membrane. The method may include the step of heating the mixture of gases to a temperature of greater than about 400 C and less than about 1000 C before the step of flowing the mixture of gases past the membrane. The mixture of gases may include ammonia. The ammonia typically is decomposed to provide nitrogen and hydrogen using a catalyst such as nickel. The catalyst may be placed inside the tubular ceramic support. The mixture of gases may be supplied by an industrial process such as the mixture of exhaust gases from the IGCC process. 9 figs.

Hydrogen-selective membrane

DOEpatents

Collins, J.P.; Way, J.D.

1997-07-29

A hydrogen-selective membrane comprises a tubular porous ceramic support having a palladium metal layer deposited on an inside surface of the ceramic support. The thickness of the palladium layer is greater than about 10 {micro}m but typically less than about 20 {micro}m. The hydrogen permeation rate of the membrane is greater than about 1.0 moles/m{sup 2} s at a temperature of greater than about 500 C and a transmembrane pressure difference of about 1,500 kPa. Moreover, the hydrogen-to-nitrogen selectivity is greater than about 600 at a temperature of greater than about 500 C and a transmembrane pressure of about 700 kPa. Hydrogen can be separated from a mixture of gases using the membrane. The method may include the step of heating the mixture of gases to a temperature of greater than about 400 C and less than about 1000 C before the step of flowing the mixture of gases past the membrane. The mixture of gases may include ammonia. The ammonia typically is decomposed to provide nitrogen and hydrogen using a catalyst such as nickel. The catalyst may be placed inside the tubular ceramic support. The mixture of gases may be supplied by an industrial process such as the mixture of exhaust gases from the IGCC process. 9 figs.

Hydrogen-selective membrane

DOEpatents

Collins, John P.; Way, J. Douglas

1997-01-01

A hydrogen-selective membrane comprises a tubular porous ceramic support having a palladium metal layer deposited on an inside surface of the ceramic support. The thickness of the palladium layer is greater than about 10 .mu.m but typically less than about 20 .mu.m. The hydrogen permeation rate of the membrane is greater than about 1.0 moles/m.sup.2. s at a temperature of greater than about 500.degree. C. and a transmembrane pressure difference of about 1,500 kPa. Moreover, the hydrogen-to-nitrogen selectivity is greater than about 600 at a temperature of greater than about 500.degree. C. and a transmembrane pressure of about 700 kPa. Hydrogen can be separated from a mixture of gases using the membrane. The method may include the step of heating the mixture of gases to a temperature of greater than about 400.degree. C. and less than about 1000.degree. C. before the step of flowing the mixture of gases past the membrane. The mixture of gases may include ammonia. The ammonia typically is decomposed to provide nitrogen and hydrogen using a catalyst such as nickel. The catalyst may be placed inside the tubular ceramic support. The mixture of gases may be supplied by an industrial process such as the mixture of exhaust gases from the IGCC process.

Thermoelastic analysis of non-uniform pressurized functionally graded cylinder with variable thickness using first order shear deformation theory(FSDT) and perturbation method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khoshgoftar, M. J.; Mirzaali, M. J.; Rahimi, G. H.

2015-11-01

Recently application of functionally graded materials(FGMs) have attracted a great deal of interest. These materials are composed of various materials with different micro-structures which can vary spatially in FGMs. Such composites with varying thickness and non-uniform pressure can be used in the aerospace engineering. Therefore, analysis of such composite is of high importance in engineering problems. Thermoelastic analysis of functionally graded cylinder with variable thickness under non-uniform pressure is considered. First order shear deformation theory and total potential energy approach is applied to obtain the governing equations of non-homogeneous cylinder. Considering the inner and outer solutions, perturbation series are applied to solve the governing equations. Outer solution for out of boundaries and more sensitive variable in inner solution at the boundaries are considered. Combining of inner and outer solution for near and far points from boundaries leads to high accurate displacement field distribution. The main aim of this paper is to show the capability of matched asymptotic solution for different non-homogeneous cylinders with different shapes and different non-uniform pressures. The results can be used to design the optimum thickness of the cylinder and also some properties such as high temperature residence by applying non-homogeneous material.

Use of the ventricular propagated excitation model in the magnetocardiographic inverse problem for reconstruction of electrophysiological properties.

PubMed

Ohyu, Shigeharu; Okamoto, Yoshiwo; Kuriki, Shinya

2002-06-01

A novel magnetocardiographic inverse method for reconstructing the action potential amplitude (APA) and the activation time (AT) on the ventricular myocardium is proposed. This method is based on the propagated excitation model, in which the excitation is propagated through the ventricle with nonuniform height of action potential. Assumption of stepwise waveform on the transmembrane potential was introduced in the model. Spatial gradient of transmembrane potential, which is defined by APA and AT distributed in the ventricular wall, is used for the computation of a current source distribution. Based on this source model, the distributions of APA and AT are inversely reconstructed from the QRS interval of magnetocardiogram (MCG) utilizing a maximum a posteriori approach. The proposed reconstruction method was tested through computer simulations. Stability of the methods with respect to measurement noise was demonstrated. When reference APA was provided as a uniform distribution, root-mean-square errors of estimated APA were below 10 mV for MCG signal-to-noise ratios greater than, or equal to, 20 dB. Low-amplitude regions located at several sites in reference APA distributions were correctly reproduced in reconstructed APA distributions. The goal of our study is to develop a method for detecting myocardial ischemia through the depression of reconstructed APA distributions.

Uniform lateral etching of tungsten in deep trenches utilizing reaction-limited NF3 plasma process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kofuji, Naoyuki; Mori, Masahito; Nishida, Toshiaki

2017-06-01

The reaction-limited etching of tungsten (W) with NF3 plasma was performed in an attempt to achieve the uniform lateral etching of W in a deep trench, a capability required by manufacturing processes for three-dimensional NAND flash memory. Reaction-limited etching was found to be possible at high pressures without ion irradiation. An almost constant etching rate that showed no dependence on NF3 pressure was obtained. The effect of varying the wafer temperature was also examined. A higher wafer temperature reduced the threshold pressure for reaction-limited etching and also increased the etching rate in the reaction-limited region. Therefore, the control of the wafer temperature is crucial to controlling the etching amount by this method. We found that the uniform lateral etching of W was possible even in a deep trench where the F radical concentration was low.

Improving uniformity of atmospheric-pressure dielectric barrier discharges using dual frequency excitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Y.; Peeters, F. J. J.; Starostin, S. A.; van de Sanden, M. C. M.; de Vries, H. W.

2018-01-01

This letter reports a novel approach to improve the uniformity of atmospheric-pressure dielectric barrier discharges using a dual-frequency excitation consisting of a low frequency (LF) at 200 kHz and a radio frequency (RF) at 13.56 MHz. It is shown that due to the periodic oscillation of the RF electric field, the electron acceleration and thus the gas ionization is temporally modulated, i.e. enhanced and suppressed during each RF cycle. As a result, the discharge development is slowed down with a lower amplitude and a longer duration of the LF discharge current. Hence, the RF electric field facilitates improved stability and uniformity simultaneously allowing a higher input power.

Pressure loss modulus correlation for Delta p across uniformly distributed-loss devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nunz, Gregory J.

1994-01-01

A dimensionless group, called a pressure loss modulus (N(sub PL)), is introduced that, in conjunction with an appropriately defined Reynolds number, is of considerable engineering utility in correlating steady-state Delta p vs flow calibration data and subsequently as a predictor, using the same or a different fluid, in uniformly distributed pressure loss devices. It is particularly useful under operation in the transition regime. Applications of this simple bivariate correlation to three diverse devices of particular interest for small liquid rocket engine fluid systems are discussed: large L/D capillary tube restrictors, packed granular catalyst beds, and stacked vortex-loss disk restrictors.

Ultrasound pressure distributions generated by high frequency transducers in large reactors.

PubMed

Leong, Thomas; Coventry, Michael; Swiergon, Piotr; Knoerzer, Kai; Juliano, Pablo

2015-11-01

The performance of an ultrasound reactor chamber relies on the sound pressure level achieved throughout the system. The active volume of a high frequency ultrasound chamber can be determined by the sound pressure penetration and distribution provided by the transducers. This work evaluated the sound pressure levels and uniformity achieved in water by selected commercial scale high frequency plate transducers without and with reflector plates. Sound pressure produced by ultrasonic plate transducers vertically operating at frequencies of 400 kHz (120 W) and 2 MHz (128 W) was characterized with hydrophones in a 2 m long chamber and their effective operating distance across the chamber's vertical cross section was determined. The 2 MHz transducer produced the highest pressure amplitude near the transducer surface, with a sharp decline of approximately 40% of the sound pressure occurring in the range between 55 and 155 mm from the transducer. The placement of a reflector plate 500 mm from the surface of the transducer was shown to improve the sound pressure uniformity of 2 MHz ultrasound. Ultrasound at 400 kHz was found to penetrate the fluid up to 2 m without significant losses. Furthermore, 400 kHz ultrasound generated a more uniform sound pressure distribution regardless of the presence or absence of a reflector plate. The choice of the transducer distance to the opposite reactor wall therefore depends on the transducer plate frequency selected. Based on pressure measurements in water, large scale 400 kHz reactor designs can consider larger transducer distance to opposite wall and larger active cross-section, and therefore can reach higher volumes than when using 2 MHz transducer plates. Crown Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Experimental Nanofluidics in an individual Nanotube

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siria, Alessandro; Poncharal, Philippe; Biance, Anne Laure; Fulcrand, Remy; Purcell, Stephen; Bocquet, Lyderic

2012-11-01

Building new devices that benefit from the strange transport behavior of fluids at nanoscales is an open and worthy challenge that may lead to new scientific and technological paradigms. We present here a new class of nanofluidic device, made of individual Boron-Nitride (BN) nanotube inserted in a pierced membrane and connecting two macroscopic reservoirs. We explore fluidic transport inside a single BN nanotube under electric fields, pressure drops, chemical gradients, and combinations of these. We show that in this transmembrane geometry, the pressure-driven streaming current is voltage gated, with an apparent electro-osmotic zeta potential raising up to one volt. Further, we measured the current induced by ion concentration gradients and show its dependency on the surface charge.

On the Pressure of a Neutron Gas Interacting with the Non-Uniform Magnetic Field of a Neutron Star

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skobelev, V. V.

2018-04-01

On the basis of simple arguments, practically not going beyond the scope of an undergraduate course in general physics, we estimate the additional pressure (at zero temperature) of degenerate neutron matter due to its interaction with the non-uniform magnetic field of a neutron star. This work has methodological and possibly scientific value as an intuitive application of the content of such a course to a solution of topical problems of astrophysics.

Homologue Structure of the SLAC1 Anion Channel for Closing Stomata in Leaves

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

Y Chen; L Hu; M Punta

2011-12-31

The plant SLAC1 anion channel controls turgor pressure in the aperture-defining guard cells of plant stomata, thereby regulating the exchange of water vapour and photosynthetic gases in response to environmental signals such as drought or high levels of carbon dioxide. Here we determine the crystal structure of a bacterial homologue (Haemophilus influenzae) of SLAC1 at 1.20 {angstrom} resolution, and use structure-inspired mutagenesis to analyse the conductance properties of SLAC1 channels. SLAC1 is a symmetrical trimer composed from quasi-symmetrical subunits, each having ten transmembrane helices arranged from helical hairpin pairs to form a central five-helix transmembrane pore that is gated bymore » an extremely conserved phenylalanine residue. Conformational features indicate a mechanism for control of gating by kinase activation, and electrostatic features of the pore coupled with electrophysiological characteristics indicate that selectivity among different anions is largely a function of the energetic cost of ion dehydration.« less

Bacteriophage Infectivity Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Saline Conditions

PubMed Central

Scarascia, Giantommaso; Yap, Scott A.; Kaksonen, Anna H.; Hong, Pei-Ying

2018-01-01

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous member of marine biofilm, and reduces thiosulfate to produce toxic hydrogen sulfide gas. In this study, lytic bacteriophages were isolated and applied to inhibit the growth of P. aeruginosa in planktonic mode at different temperature, pH, and salinity. Bacteriophages showed optimal infectivity at a multiplicity of infection of 10 in saline conditions, and demonstrated lytic abilities over all tested temperature (25, 30, 37, and 45°C) and pH 6–9. Planktonic P. aeruginosa exhibited significantly longer lag phase and lower specific growth rates upon exposure to bacteriophages. Bacteriophages were subsequently applied to P. aeruginosa-enriched biofilm and were determined to lower the relative abundance of Pseudomonas-related taxa from 0.17 to 5.58% in controls to 0.01–0.61% in treated microbial communities. The relative abundance of Alphaproteobacteria, Pseudoalteromonas, and Planococcaceae decreased, possibly due to the phage-induced disruption of the biofilm matrix. Lastly, when applied to mitigate biofouling of ultrafiltration membranes, bacteriophages were determined to reduce the transmembrane pressure increase by 18% when utilized alone, and by 49% when used in combination with citric acid. The combined treatment was more effective compared with the citric acid treatment alone, which reported ca. 30% transmembrane pressure reduction. Collectively, the findings demonstrated that bacteriophages can be used as a biocidal agent to mitigate undesirable P. aeruginosa-associated problems in seawater applications. PMID:29770130

Membrane-integrated physico-chemical treatment of coke-oven wastewater: transport modelling and economic evaluation.

PubMed

Kumar, Ramesh; Chakrabortty, Sankha; Pal, Parimal

2015-04-01

A modelling and simulation study with economic evaluation was carried out for an advanced membrane-integrated hybrid treatment process that ensures reuse of water with recovery of ammoniacal nitrogen as struvite from coke-oven wastewater. Linearized transport model was developed based on extended Nernst-Plank and concentration polarization modulus equation. Effects of pH, transmembrane pressure and cross-flow rate of interest on membrane charge density, solute rejection and solvent flux were investigated. The membrane module was successful in yielding a pure water flux as high as 120 L m(-2) h(-1) removing more than 95 and 96% of the cyanide and phenol, respectively, while permeating more than 90% NH4 (+)-N at a transmembrane pressure of only 15 × 10(2) KPa and at a pH of 10 for a volumetric cross-flow rate of 800 L h(-1). The Fenton's reagents were used to degrade more than 99% of pollutants present in the concentrated stream. The developed model could successfully predict the plant performance as reflected in the very low relative error (0.01-0.12) and overall high correlation coefficient (R(2) > 0.96). Economic analysis indicated that such a membrane-integrated hybrid system could be quite promising in coke wastewater treatment at low cost i.e. $0.934/m(2) of wastewater.

Validation and implementation of Planova™ BioEX virus filters in the manufacture of a new liquid intravenous immunoglobulin in China.

PubMed

Ma, Shan; Pang, Guang Li; Shao, Yu Juan; Hongo-Hirasaki, Tomoko; Shang, Meng Xian; Inouye, Marcus; Jian, Chang Yong; Zhu, Meng Zhao; Yang, Hu Hu; Gao, Jian Feng; Xi, Zhi Ying; Song, Dian Wei

2018-03-01

There is a continuous need to improve the viral safety of plasma products, and we here report the development and optimization of a manufacturing-scale virus removal nanofiltration step for intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) using the recently introduced Planova™ BioEX filter. IVIG throughput was examined for various operating parameters: transmembrane pressure, temperature, protein concentration, and prefiltration methods. The developed procedure was based on filtering undiluted process solution (50.0 g/l IVIG) under constant transmembrane pressure filtration at 294 kPa and 25 °C following prefiltration with a 0.1 μm MILLEX VV filter. The recovery of IgG was approximately 98%, and no substantial changes in biochemical characteristics were observed before and after nanofiltration in scaled-up production. A viral clearance validation study with parvovirus under worst-case conditions performed at the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control of China (NIFDC) showed PPV logarithmic reduction value (LRV) > 4. Improved viral safety of IVIG can be assured by implementing a Planova BioEX nanofiltration step to ensure effective parvovirus clearance under conditions providing excellent protein recovery and no detectable impact on product biochemical properties. This plasma-derived IVIG product is the first to be certified for parvovirus safety by the NIFDC in China. Copyright © 2018 International Alliance for Biological Standardization. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The energy density distribution of an ideal gas and Bernoulli’s equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santos, Leonardo S. F.

2018-05-01

This work discusses the energy density distribution in an ideal gas and the consequences of Bernoulli’s equation and the corresponding relation for compressible fluids. The aim of this work is to study how Bernoulli’s equation determines the energy flow in a fluid, although Bernoulli’s equation does not describe the energy density itself. The model from molecular dynamic considerations that describes an ideal gas at rest with uniform density is modified to explore the gas in motion with non-uniform density and gravitational effects. The difference between the component of the speed of a particle that is parallel to the gas speed and the gas speed itself is called ‘parallel random speed’. The pressure from the ‘parallel random speed’ is denominated as parallel pressure. The modified model predicts that the energy density is the sum of kinetic and potential gravitational energy densities plus two terms with static and parallel pressures. The application of Bernoulli’s equation and the corresponding relation for compressible fluids in the energy density expression has resulted in two new formulations. For incompressible and compressible gas, the energy density expressions are written as a function of stagnation, static and parallel pressures, without any dependence on kinetic or gravitational potential energy densities. These expressions of the energy density are the main contributions of this work. When the parallel pressure was uniform, the energy density distribution for incompressible approximation and compressible gas did not converge to zero for the limit of null static pressure. This result is rather unusual because the temperature tends to zero for null pressure. When the gas was considered incompressible and the parallel pressure was equal to static pressure, the energy density maintained this unusual behaviour with small pressures. If the parallel pressure was equal to static pressure, the energy density converged to zero for the limit of the null pressure only if the gas was compressible. Only the last situation describes an intuitive behaviour for an ideal gas.

Gravitational Influences on Flame Propagation Through Non-Uniform, Premixed Gas Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Fletcher J.; Easton, John; Marchese, Anthony; Hovermann, Fred

2003-01-01

Flame propagation through non-uniformly premixed (or layered) gases has importance both in useful combustion systems and in unintentional fires. As summarized recently and in previous Microgravity Workshop papers, non-uniform premixed gas combustion receives scant attention compared to the more usual limiting cases of diffusion or uniformly premixed flames, especially regarding the role gravity plays. This paper summarizes our recent findings on gravitational effects on layered combustion along a floor, in which the fuel concentration gradient exists normal to the direction of flame spread. In an effort to understand the mechanism by which the flames spread faster in microgravity (and much faster, in laboratory coordinates, than the laminar burning velocity for uniform mixtures), we have begun making pressure measurements across the spreading flame front that are described here. Earlier researchers, testing in 1g, claimed that hydrostatic pressure differences could account for the rapid spread rates. Additionally, we present the development of a new apparatus to study flame spread in free (i.e., far from walls), non-homogeneous fuel layers formed in a flow tunnel behind an airfoil that has been tested in normal gravity.

Study of a Compression-Molding Process for Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diode Exposure Systems via Finite-Element Analysis

PubMed Central

Wu, Kuo-Tsai; Hwang, Sheng-Jye; Lee, Huei-Huang

2017-01-01

Although wafer-level camera lenses are a very promising technology, problems such as warpage with time and non-uniform thickness of products still exist. In this study, finite element simulation was performed to simulate the compression molding process for acquiring the pressure distribution on the product on completion of the process and predicting the deformation with respect to the pressure distribution. Results show that the single-gate compression molding process significantly increases the pressure at the center of the product, whereas the multi-gate compressing molding process can effectively distribute the pressure. This study evaluated the non-uniform thickness of product and changes in the process parameters through computer simulations, which could help to improve the compression molding process. PMID:28617315

On testing models for the pressure-strain correlation of turbulence using direct simulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Speziale, Charles G.; Gatski, Thomas B.; Sarkar, Sutanu

1992-01-01

Direct simulations of homogeneous turbulence have, in recent years, come into widespread use for the evaluation of models for the pressure-strain correlation of turbulence. While work in this area has been beneficial, the increasingly common practice of testing the slow and rapid parts of these models separately in uniformly strained turbulent flows is shown in this paper to be unsound. For such flows, the decomposition of models for the total pressure-strain correlation into slow and rapid parts is ambiguous. Consequently, when tested in this manner, misleading conclusions can be drawn about the performance of pressure-strain models. This point is amplified by illustrative calculations of homogeneous shear flow where other pitfalls in the evaluation of models are also uncovered. More meaningful measures for testing the performance of pressure-strain models in uniformly strained turbulent flows are proposed and the implications for turbulence modeling are discussed.

Buckling analysis of Big Dee Vacuum Vessel

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

Lightner, S.; Gallix, R.

1983-12-01

A simplified three-dimensional shell buckling analysis of the GA Technologies Inc., Big Dee Vacuum Vessel (V/V) was performed using the finite element program TRICO. A coarse-mesh linear elastic model, which accommodated the support boundary conditions, was used to determine the buckling mode shape under a uniform external pressure. Using this buckling mode shape, refined models were used to calculate the linear buckling load (P/sub crit/) more accurately. Several different designs of the Big Dee V/V were considered in this analysis. The supports for the V/V were equally-spaced radial pins at the outer diameter of the mid-plane. For all the casesmore » considered, the buckling mode was axisymmetric in the toroidal direction. Therefore, it was possible to use only a small angular sector of a toric shell for the refined analysis. P/sub crit/ for the Big Dee is about 60 atm for a uniform external pressure. Also investigated in this analysis were the effects of geometrical imperfections and non-uniform pressure distributions.« less

Design study of an advanced gas generator. [which can be ignited during start-up period of turbine engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, S.; Trinh, H. P.

1993-01-01

A gas generator which can be ignited reliably during the initial start-up period and offers fairly uniform gas temperature at the exit was studied numerically. Various sizes and shapes of the mixing enhancement devices and their positions were examined to evaluate the uniformity of the exit gas temperature and the change of internal pressure drop incurred by introducing the mixing enhancement devices. By introducing a turbulence ring and a splash plate with an appropriate size and position, it was possible to obtain fairly uniform gas temperature distributions and a maximum gas temperature that is within the design limit temperature of 1600 R at the generator exit. However, with the geometry studied, the pressure drop across the generator was great, approximately 1150 psi, to satisfy the assigned design limit temperature. If the design limit temperature is increased to 1650 R, the pressure drop across the generator could be lowered by as much as 350 psi.

Some properties of electrolyte solutions in nanoconfinement revealed by the measurement of transient filtration potential after pressure switch off.

PubMed

Yaroshchuk, Andriy E; Boiko, Yuriy P; Makovetskiy, Alexandre L

2005-08-16

We have demonstrated that with a composite nanoporous ceramic membrane in a batch membrane cell it is technically feasible to switch off the trans-membrane hydrostatic pressure difference within tens of milliseconds. That enabled us to resolve practically the whole time evolution of transient filtration potential. Measurements of the latter have been complemented by measurements of steady-state salt rejection by the composite membrane and by measurements of the streaming potential and hydraulic permeability of membrane supports available separately. A theory has been developed in terms of network thermodynamics for the electrical response of a bilayer membrane to a pressure perturbation. In combination with the results of salt rejection measurements, from the time transients of filtration potential we could determine the ion transport numbers within the nanoporous layer. Besides that, from the dependence of steady-state salt rejection on the trans-membrane volume flow, we have determined the diffusion permeability of and the salt reflection coefficient in the nanoporous layer. This has enabled us to estimate the contributions of Donnan and non-Donnan mechanisms to the rejection of ions by the nanoporous membrane used in this study. It has been unexpectedly found that the Donnan exclusion played only a secondary role. Our hypothesis is that the non-Donnan exclusion of ions from the nanopores might be caused by changes in water properties in nanoconfinement. Proceeding from the results of steady-state filtration experiments with the membrane and the support, we also concluded that the nanoporous layer was imperfection-free and had a quite narrow pore size distribution, which made it a suitable object for fundamental studies of ion transfer mechanisms in nanopores.

Collapse of Corroded Pipelines under Combined Tension and External Pressure

PubMed Central

Ye, Hao; Yan, Sunting; Jin, Zhijiang

2016-01-01

In this work, collapse of corroded pipeline under combined external pressure and tension is investigated through numerical method. Axially uniform corrosion with symmetric imperfections is firstly considered. After verifying with existing experimental results, the finite element model is used to study the effect of tension on collapse pressure. An extensive parametric study is carried out using Python script and FORTRAN subroutine to investigate the influence of geometric parameters on the collapse behavior under combined loads. The results are used to develop an empirical equation for estimating the collapse pressure under tension. In addition, the effects of loading path, initial imperfection length, yielding anisotropy and corrosion defect length on the collapse behavior are also investigated. It is found that tension has a significant influence on collapse pressure of corroded pipelines. Loading path and anisotropic yielding are also important factors affecting the collapse behavior. For pipelines with relatively long corrosion defect, axially uniform corrosion models could be used to estimate the collapse pressure. PMID:27111544

Reforming the Exhaust Passage of Low-pressure Cylinder for 330MW Steam Turbine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Tao; Cai, Wen; Chen, Wen; Lu, Jin; Hong-yan, Yang

2018-06-01

In concern of the velocity distribution of the exhaust passage of 330MW turbine is not uniform, which results in higher the upper temperature difference of the condenser and higher exhaust pressure. It is introduced in this article that based on mathematical simulation, steam-equalizing equipment is augmented at the exhaust area of the condenser which makes the decrease in the steam resistance, much more uniform velocity distribution, and the increase of the heat transfer coefficient. By comparison of the condenser performance test before the amending and after, the result shows that after the amending, the upper temperature difference of the condenser and the exhaust pressure decreases dramatically.

Wave height estimates from pressure and velocity data at an intermediate depth in the presence of uniform currents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basu, Biswajit

2017-12-01

Bounds on estimates of wave heights (valid for large amplitudes) from pressure and flow measurements at an arbitrary intermediate depth have been provided. Two-dimensional irrotational steady water waves over a flat bed with a finite depth in the presence of underlying uniform currents have been considered in the analysis. Five different upper bounds based on a combination of pressure and velocity field measurements have been derived, though there is only one available lower bound on the wave height in the case of the speed of current greater than or less than the wave speed. This article is part of the theme issue 'Nonlinear water waves'.

Experimental performance of the regenerator for the Chrysler upgraded automotive gas turbine engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Winter, J. M.; Nussle, R. C.

1982-01-01

Automobile gas turbine engine regenerator performance was studied in a regenerator test facility that provided a satisfactory simulation of the actual engine operating environment but with independent control of airflow and gas flow. Velocity and temperature distributions were measured immediately downstream of both the core high-pressure-side outlet and the core low-pressure-side outlet. For the original engine housing, the regenerator temperature effectiveness was 1 to 2 percent higher than the design value, and the heat transfer effectiveness was 2 to 4 percent lower than the design value over the range of test conditions simulating 50 to 100 percent of gas generator speed. Recalculating the design values to account for seal leakage decreased the design heat transfer effectiveness to values consistent with those measured herein. A baffle installed in the engine housing high-pressure-side inlet provided more uniform velocities out of the regenerator but did not improve the effectiveness. A housing designed to provide more uniform axial flow to the regenerator was also tested. Although temperature uniformity was improved, the effectiveness values were not improved. Neither did 50-percent flow blockage (90 degree segment) applied to the high-pressure-side inlet change the effectiveness significantly.

Automated electronic monitoring of circuit pressures during continuous renal replacement therapy: a technical report.

PubMed

Zhang, Ling; Baldwin, Ian; Zhu, Guijun; Tanaka, Aiko; Bellomo, Rinaldo

2015-03-01

Automated electronic monitoring and analysis of circuit pressures during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) has the potential to predict failure and allow intervention to optimise function. Current CRRT machines can measure and store pressure readings for downloading into databases and for analysis. We developed a procedure to obtain such data at intervals of 1 minute and analyse them using the Prismaflex CRRT machine, and we present an example of such analysis. We obtained data on pressures obtained at intervals of 1 minute in a patient with acute kidney injury and sepsis treated with continuous haemofiltration at 2 L/hour of ultrafiltration and a blood flow of 200 mL/minute. Data analysis identified progressive increases in transmembrane pressure (TMP) and prefilter pressure (PFP) from time 0 until 33 hours or clotting. TMP increased from 104 mmHg to 313 mmHg and PFP increased from from 131 mmHg to 185 mmHg. Effluent pressure showed a progressive increase in the negative pressure applied to achieve ultrafiltration from 0 mmHg to -168 mmHg. The inflection point for such changes was also identified. Blood pathway pressures for access and return remained unchanged throughout. Automated electronic monitoring of circuit pressure during CRRT is possible and provides useful information on the evolution of circuit clotting.

Pressure Measurement Studies on a 1:1.5:7 Rectangular High Rise Building Model under Uniform Flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarath Kumar, H.; Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy, P.

2017-08-01

This paper presents the experimental results of evaluate wind pressure distributions on all four faces of a rectangular tall building with 1:1.5:7 ratio. The model is made up of acrylic sheet with a geometric scale of 1:300 with plan dimension of 10 cm x 15 cm and height of 70 cm. The model is tested using a Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel (BLWT) twelve angles (0°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 25°, 33.5°, 45°, 56.5°, 60°, 75°, 87.5° & 90°) of wind incidence under uniform flow condition. Mean and standard deviation of pressure coefficients, drag & lift coefficients along wind direction and perpendicular to wind direction, mean moment coefficient are calculated from pressure measurement on the model.

Effect of Lipid-Based Nanostructure on Protein Encapsulation within the Membrane Bilayer Mimetic Lipidic Cubic Phase Using Transmembrane and Lipo-proteins from the Beta-Barrel Assembly Machinery.

PubMed

van 't Hag, Leonie; Shen, Hsin-Hui; Lin, Tsung-Wu; Gras, Sally L; Drummond, Calum J; Conn, Charlotte E

2016-11-29

A fundamental understanding of the effect of amphiphilic protein encapsulation on the nanostructure of the bicontinuous cubic phase is crucial to progressing biomedical and biological applications of these hybrid protein-lipid materials, including as drug delivery vehicles, as biosensors, biofuel cells and for in meso crystallization. The relationship between the lipid nanomaterial and the encapsulated protein, however, remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of incorporating the five transmembrane and lipo-proteins which make up the β-barrel assembly machinery from Gram-negative bacteria within a series of bicontinuous cubic phases. The transmembrane β-barrel BamA caused an increase in lattice parameter of the cubic phase upon encapsulation. By contrast, the mainly hydrophilic lipo-proteins BamB-E caused the cubic phase lattice parameters to decrease, despite their large size relative to the diameter of the cubic phase water channels. Analysis of the primary amino acid sequence was used to rationalize this effect, based on specific interactions between aromatic amino acids within the proteins and the polar-apolar interface. Other factors that were found to have an effect were lateral bilayer pressure and rigidity within the lipid bilayer, water channel diameter, and size and structure of the lipo-proteins. The data presented suggest that hydrophilic bioactive molecules can be selectively encapsulated within the cubic phase by using a lipid anchor or aromatic amino acids, for drug delivery or biosensing applications.

Hidden markov model for the prediction of transmembrane proteins using MATLAB.

PubMed

Chaturvedi, Navaneet; Shanker, Sudhanshu; Singh, Vinay Kumar; Sinha, Dhiraj; Pandey, Paras Nath

2011-01-01

Since membranous proteins play a key role in drug targeting therefore transmembrane proteins prediction is active and challenging area of biological sciences. Location based prediction of transmembrane proteins are significant for functional annotation of protein sequences. Hidden markov model based method was widely applied for transmembrane topology prediction. Here we have presented a revised and a better understanding model than an existing one for transmembrane protein prediction. Scripting on MATLAB was built and compiled for parameter estimation of model and applied this model on amino acid sequence to know the transmembrane and its adjacent locations. Estimated model of transmembrane topology was based on TMHMM model architecture. Only 7 super states are defined in the given dataset, which were converted to 96 states on the basis of their length in sequence. Accuracy of the prediction of model was observed about 74 %, is a good enough in the area of transmembrane topology prediction. Therefore we have concluded the hidden markov model plays crucial role in transmembrane helices prediction on MATLAB platform and it could also be useful for drug discovery strategy. The database is available for free at bioinfonavneet@gmail.comvinaysingh@bhu.ac.in.

Research and Development of Anti-G Life Support Systems. Part 1. Development and Evaluation of Uniform-Pressure Anti-G Suits

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-04-01

Pressure Switch Control Circuit . . . . . . ........ 14 13. Pressure Switch Calibration Fixture . . .......... 16...with the pressure switch control oirouit boards. The solenoid oonneoto (SOL) interfaces with the PCD, while the function of the pressure switch (PRESS...signal out 4 Pressure switch (415 VDC) 5 Pressure switch return 6 + 15 VDC CVCC) V 15 VDC (VEE) 8 Instrument ground 9 open 10 Open 11 115 VAC hot (Blk)

Optimization of Heat Exchangers with Dimpled Surfaces to Improve the Performance in Thermoelectric Generators Using a Kriging Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Shuai; Wang, Yiping; Wang, Tao; Yang, Xue; Deng, Yadong; Su, Chuqi

2017-05-01

Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) have become a topic of interest for vehicle exhaust energy recovery. Electrical power generation is deeply influenced by temperature differences, temperature uniformity and topological structures of TEGs. When the dimpled surfaces are adopted in heat exchangers, the heat transfer rates can be augmented with a minimal pressure drop. However, the temperature distribution shows a large gradient along the flow direction which has adverse effects on the power generation. In the current study, the heat exchanger performance was studied in a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. The dimple depth, dimple print diameter, and channel height were chosen as design variables. The objective function was defined as a combination of average temperature, temperature uniformity and pressure loss. The optimal Latin hypercube method was used to determine the experiment points as a method of design of the experiment in order to analyze the sensitivity of the design variables. A Kriging surrogate model was built and verified according to the database resulting from the CFD simulation. A multi-island genetic algorithm was used to optimize the structure in the heat exchanger based on the surrogate model. The results showed that the average temperature of the heat exchanger was most sensitive to the dimple depth. The pressure loss and temperature uniformity were most sensitive to the parameter of channel rear height, h 2. With an optimal design of channel structure, the temperature uniformity can be greatly improved compared with the initial exchanger, and the additional pressure loss also increased.

Study of VTOL in ground-effect flow field including temperature effect

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hill, W. G.; Jenkins, R. C.; Kalemaris, S. G.; Siclari, M. J.

1982-01-01

Detailed pressure, temperature, and velocity data were obtained for twin-fan configurations in-ground-effect and flow models to aid in predicting pressures and upwash forces on aircraft surfaces were developed. For the basic experiments, 49.5 mm-diameter jets were used, oriented normal to a simulated round plane, with pressurized, heated air providing a jet. The experimental data consisted of: (1) the effect of jet height and temperature on the ground, model, and upwash pressures, and temperatures, (2) the effect of simulated aircraft surfaces on the isolated flow field, (3) the jet-induced forces on a three-dimensional body with various strakes, (4) the effects of non-uniform coannular jets. For the uniform circular jets, temperature was varied from room temperature (24 C) to 232 C. Jet total pressure was varied between 9,300 Pascals and 31,500 Pascals. For the coannular jets, intended to represent turbofan engines, fan temperature was maintained at room temperature while core temperature was varied from room temperature to 437 C. Results are presented.

Giant osmotic energy conversion measured in a single transmembrane boron nitride nanotube.

PubMed

Siria, Alessandro; Poncharal, Philippe; Biance, Anne-Laure; Fulcrand, Rémy; Blase, Xavier; Purcell, Stephen T; Bocquet, Lydéric

2013-02-28

New models of fluid transport are expected to emerge from the confinement of liquids at the nanoscale, with potential applications in ultrafiltration, desalination and energy conversion. Nevertheless, advancing our fundamental understanding of fluid transport on the smallest scales requires mass and ion dynamics to be ultimately characterized across an individual channel to avoid averaging over many pores. A major challenge for nanofluidics thus lies in building distinct and well-controlled nanochannels, amenable to the systematic exploration of their properties. Here we describe the fabrication and use of a hierarchical nanofluidic device made of a boron nitride nanotube that pierces an ultrathin membrane and connects two fluid reservoirs. Such a transmembrane geometry allows the detailed study of fluidic transport through a single nanotube under diverse forces, including electric fields, pressure drops and chemical gradients. Using this device, we discover very large, osmotically induced electric currents generated by salinity gradients, exceeding by two orders of magnitude their pressure-driven counterpart. We show that this result originates in the anomalously high surface charge carried by the nanotube's internal surface in water at large pH, which we independently quantify in conductance measurements. The nano-assembly route using nanostructures as building blocks opens the way to studying fluid, ionic and molecule transport on the nanoscale, and may lead to biomimetic functionalities. Our results furthermore suggest that boron nitride nanotubes could be used as membranes for osmotic power harvesting under salinity gradients.

ESTIMATION OF EFFECTIVE SHEAR STRESS WORKING ON FLAT SHEET MEMBRANE USING FLUIDIZED MEDIA IN MBRs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zaw, Hlwan Moe; Li, Tairi; Nagaoka, Hiroshi; Mishima, Iori

This study was aimed at estimating effective shear stress working on flat sheet membrane by the addition of fluidized media in MBRs. In both of laboratory-scale aeration tanks with and without fluidized media, shear stress variations on membrane surface and water phase velocity variations were measured and MBR operation was conducted. For the evaluation of the effective shear stress working on membrane surface to mitigate membrane surface, simulation of trans-membrane pressure increase was conducted. It was shown that the time-averaged absolute value of shear stress was smaller in the reactor with fluidized media than without fluidized media. However, due to strong turbulence in the reactor with fluidized media caused by interaction between water-phase and media and also due to the direct interaction between membrane surface and fluidized media, standard deviation of shear stress on membrane surface was larger in the reactor with fluidized media than without media. Histograms of shear stress variation data were fitted well to normal distribution curves and mean plus three times of standard deviation was defined to be a maximum shear stress value. By applying the defined maximum shear stress to a membrane fouling model, trans-membrane pressure curve in the MBR experiment was simulated well by the fouling model indicting that the maximum shear stress, not time-averaged shear stress, can be regarded as an effective shear stress to prevent membrane fouling in submerged flat-sheet MBRs.

Two dimensional radial gas flows in atmospheric pressure plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Gwihyun; Park, Seran; Shin, Hyunsu; Song, Seungho; Oh, Hoon-Jung; Ko, Dae Hong; Choi, Jung-Il; Baik, Seung Jae

2017-12-01

Atmospheric pressure (AP) operation of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) is one of promising concepts for high quality and low cost processing. Atmospheric plasma discharge requires narrow gap configuration, which causes an inherent feature of AP PECVD. Two dimensional radial gas flows in AP PECVD induces radial variation of mass-transport and that of substrate temperature. The opposite trend of these variations would be the key consideration in the development of uniform deposition process. Another inherent feature of AP PECVD is confined plasma discharge, from which volume power density concept is derived as a key parameter for the control of deposition rate. We investigated deposition rate as a function of volume power density, gas flux, source gas partial pressure, hydrogen partial pressure, plasma source frequency, and substrate temperature; and derived a design guideline of deposition tool and process development in terms of deposition rate and uniformity.

Radiation pressure acceleration of corrugated thin foils by Gaussian and super-Gaussian beams

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

Adusumilli, K.; Goyal, D.; Tripathi, V. K.

Rayleigh-Taylor instability of radiation pressure accelerated ultrathin foils by laser having Gaussian and super-Gaussian intensity distribution is investigated using a single fluid code. The foil is allowed to have ring shaped surface ripples. The radiation pressure force on such a foil is non-uniform with finite transverse component F{sub r}; F{sub r} varies periodically with r. Subsequently, the ripple grows as the foil moves ahead along z. With a Gaussian beam, the foil acquires an overall curvature due to non-uniformity in radiation pressure and gets thinner. In the process, the ripple perturbation is considerably washed off. With super-Gaussian beam, the ripplemore » is found to be more strongly washed out. In order to avoid transmission of the laser through the thinning foil, a criterion on the foil thickness is obtained.« less

Biological amine transport in chromaffin ghosts. Coupling to the transmembrane proton and potential gradients.

PubMed

Johnson, R G; Pfister, D; Carty, S E; Scarpa, A

1979-11-10

The effect of the transmembrane proton gradient (delta pH) and potential gradient (delta psi) upon the rate and extent of amine accumulation was investigated in chromaffin ghosts. The chromaffin ghosts were formed by hypo-osmotic lysis of isolated bovine chromaffin granules and extensive dialysis in order to remove intragranular binding components and dissipate the endogenous electrochemical gradients. Upon ATP addition to suspensions of chromaffin ghosts, a transmembrane proton gradient alone, a transmembrane gradient alone, or both, could be established, depending upon the compositions of the media in which the ghosts were formed and resuspended. When chloride was present in the medium, addition of ATP resulted in the generation of a transmembrane proton gradient, acidic inside of 1 pH unit (measured by [14C]methylamine distribution), and no transmembrane potential (measured by [14C]-thiocyanate distribution). When ATP was added to chromaffin ghosts suspended in a medium in which chloride was substituted by isethionate, a transmembrane potential, inside positive, of 45 mV and no transmembrane proton gradient, was measured. In each medium, the addition of agents known to affect proton or potential gradients, respectively, exerted a predictable mechanism of action. Accumulation of [14C]epinephrine or [14C]5-hydroxytryptamine was over 1 order of magnitude greater in the presence of the transmembrane proton gradient or the transmembrane potential than in the absence of any gradient and, moreover, was related to the magnitude of the proton or potential gradient in a dose-dependent manner. When ghosts were added to a medium containing chloride and isethionate, both a delta pH and delta psi could be generated upon addition of ATP. In this preparation, the maximal rate of amine accumulation was observed. The results indicate that amine accumulation into chromaffin ghosts can occur in the presence of either a transmembrane proton gradient, or a transmembrane potential gradient, and that the maximal rate of accumulation may exist when both components of the protonmotive force are present.

In-situ biogas sparging enhances the performance of an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) with mesh filter in low-strength wastewater treatment.

PubMed

Li, Na; Hu, Yi; Lu, Yong-Ze; Zeng, Raymond J; Sheng, Guo-Ping

2016-07-01

In the recent years, anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) technology is being considered as a very attractive alternative for wastewater treatment due to the striking advantages such as upgraded effluent quality. However, fouling control is still a problem for the application of AnMBR. This study investigated the performance of an AnMBR using mesh filter as support material to treat low-strength wastewater via in-situ biogas sparging. It was found that mesh AnMBR exhibited high and stable chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies with values of 95 ± 5 % and an average methane yield of 0.24 L CH4/g CODremoved. Variation of transmembrane pressure (TMP) during operation indicated that mesh fouling was mitigated by in-situ biogas sparging and the fouling rate was comparable to that of aerobic membrane bioreactor with mesh filter reported in previous researches. The fouling layer formed on the mesh exhibited non-uniform structure; the porosity became larger from bottom layer to top layer. Biogas sparging could not change the composition but make thinner thickness of cake layer, which might be benefit for reducing membrane fouling rate. It was also found that ultrasonic cleaning of fouled mesh was able to remove most foulants on the surface or pores. This study demonstrated that in-situ biogas sparging enhanced the performance of AnMBRs with mesh filter in low-strength wastewater treatment. Apparently, AnMBRs with mesh filter can be used as a promising and sustainable technology for wastewater treatment.

Development and shelf-life determination of pasteurized, microfiltered, lactose hydrolyzed skim milk.

PubMed

Antunes, A E C; Silva E Alves, A T; Gallina, D A; Trento, F K H S; Zacarchenco, P B; Van Dender, A G F; Moreno, I; Ormenese, R C S C; Spadoti, L M

2014-09-01

The segment of the world population showing permanent or temporary lactose intolerance is quite significant. Because milk is a widely consumed food with an high nutritional value, technological alternatives have been sought to overcome this dilemma. Microfiltration combined with pasteurization can not only extend the shelf life of milk but can also maintain the sensory, functional, and nutritional properties of the product. This studied developed a pasteurized, microfiltered, lactose hydrolyzed (delactosed) skim milk (PMLHSM). Hydrolysis was performed using β-galactosidase at a concentration of 0.4mL/L and incubation for approximately 21h at 10±1°C. During these procedures, the degree of hydrolysis obtained (>90%) was accompanied by evaluation of freezing point depression, and the remaining quantity of lactose was confirmed by HPLC. Milk was processed using a microfiltration pilot unit equipped with uniform transmembrane pressure (UTP) ceramic membranes with a mean pore size of 1.4 μm and UTP of 60 kPa. The product was submitted to physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory evaluations, and its shelf life was estimated. Microfiltration reduced the aerobic mesophilic count by more than 4 log cycles. We were able to produce high-quality PMLHSM with a shelf life of 21 to 27d when stored at 5±1°C in terms of sensory analysis and proteolysis index and a shelf life of 50d in regard to total aerobic mesophile count and titratable acidity. Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Stirling engine piston ring

DOEpatents

Howarth, Roy B.

1983-01-01

A piston ring design for a Stirling engine wherein the contact pressure between the piston and the cylinder is maintained at a uniform level, independent of engine conditions through a balancing of the pressure exerted upon the ring's surface and thereby allowing the contact pressure on the ring to be predetermined through the use of a preloaded expander ring.

A Highly Sensitive Resistive Pressure Sensor Based on a Carbon Nanotube-Liquid Crystal-PDMS Composite.

PubMed

Pan, Jin; Liu, Shiyu; Yang, Yicheng; Lu, Jiangang

2018-06-08

Resistive pressure sensors generally employ microstructures such as pores and pyramids in the active layer or on the electrodes to reduce the Young’s modulus and improve the sensitivity. However, such pressure sensors always exhibit complex fabrication process and have difficulties in controlling the uniformity of microstructures. In this paper, we demonstrated a highly sensitive resistive pressure sensor based on a composite comprising of low-polarity liquid crystal (LPLC), multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer. The LPLC in the PDMS forms a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) structure which can not only reduce the Young’s modulus but also contribute to the construction of conductive paths in the active layer. By optimizing the concentration of LC in PDMS elastomer, the resistive pressure sensor shows a high sensitivity of 5.35 kPa −1 , fast response (<150 ms), and great durability. Fabrication process is also facile and the uniformity of the microstructures can be readily controlled. The pressure sensor offers great potential for applications in emerging wearable devices and electronic skins.

On the correlation of buoyancy-influenced turbulent convective heat transfer to fluids at supercritical pressure

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

Jackson, J. D.; Jiang, P. X.; Liu, B.

2012-07-01

This paper is concerned with buoyancy-influenced turbulent convective heat transfer in vertical tubes for conditions where the physical properties vary strongly with temperature as in fluids at supercritical pressure in the pseudocritical temperature region. An extended physically-based, semi-empirical model is described which has been developed to account for the extreme non-uniformity of properties which can be present in such fluids and lead to strong influences of buoyancy which cause the mean flow and turbulence fields to be modified in such a manner that has a very profound effect on heat transfer. Data for both upward and downward flow from experimentsmore » using carbon dioxide at supercritical pressure (8.80, MPa, p/pc=1.19) in a uniformly heated tube of internal diameter 2 mm and length 290 mm, obtained under conditions of strong non-uniformity of fluid properties, are being correlated and fitted using an approach based on the model. It provides a framework for describing the complex heat transfer behaviour which can be encountered in such experiments by means of an equation of simple form. Buoyancy-induced impairment and enhancement of heat transfer is successfully reproduced by the model. Similar studies are in progress using experimental data for both carbon dioxide and water from other sources. The aim is to obtain an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms by which deterioration of heat transfer might arise in sensitive applications involving supercritical pressure fluids, such as high pressure, water-cooled reactors operating above the critical pressure. (authors)« less

Complete topology inversion can be part of normal membrane protein biogenesis.

PubMed

Woodall, Nicholas B; Hadley, Sarah; Yin, Ying; Bowie, James U

2017-04-01

The topology of helical membrane proteins is generally defined during insertion of the transmembrane helices, yet it is now clear that it is possible for topology to change under unusual circumstances. It remains unclear, however, if topology reorientation is part of normal biogenesis. For dual topology dimer proteins such as the multidrug transporter EmrE, there may be evolutionary pressure to allow topology flipping so that the populations of both orientations can be equalized. We previously demonstrated that when EmrE is forced to insert in a distorted topology, topology flipping of the first transmembrane helix can occur during translation. Here, we show that topological malleability also extends to the C-terminal helix and that even complete topology inversion of the entire EmrE protein can occur after the full protein is translated and inserted. Thus, topology rearrangements are possible during normal biogenesis. Wholesale topology flipping is remarkable given the physical constraints of the membrane and expands the range of possible membrane protein folding pathways, both productive and detrimental. © 2017 The Protein Society.

Transmembrane peptides as sensors of the membrane physical state

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piotto, Stefano; Di Biasi, Luigi; Sessa, Lucia; Concilio, Simona

2018-05-01

Cell membranes are commonly considered fundamental structures having multiple roles such as confinement, storage of lipids, sustain and control of membrane proteins. In spite of their importance, many aspects remain unclear. The number of lipid types is orders of magnitude larger than the number of amino acids, and this compositional complexity is not clearly embedded in any membrane model. A diffused hypothesis is that the large lipid palette permits to recruit and organize specific proteins controlling the formation of specialized lipid domains and the lateral pressure profile of the bilayer. Unfortunately, a satisfactory knowledge of lipid abundance remains utopian because of the technical difficulties in isolating definite membrane regions. More importantly, a theoretical framework where to fit the lipidomic data is still missing. In this work, we wish to utilize the amino acid sequence and frequency of the membrane proteins as bioinformatics sensors of cell bilayers. The use of an alignment-free method to find a correlation between the sequences of transmembrane portion of membrane proteins with the membrane physical state suggested a new approach for the discovery of antimicrobial peptides.

Stress intensity factors in a hollow cylinder containing a radial crack

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Delale, F.

1980-01-01

An exact formulation of the plane elasticity problem for a hollow cylinder or a disk containing a radial crack is given. The crack may be an external edge crack, an internal edge crack, or an embedded crack. It is assumed that on the crack surfaces the shear traction is zero and the normal traction is an arbitrary function of r. For various crack geometries and radius ratios, the numerical results are obtained for a uniform crack surface pressure, for a uniform pressure acting on the inside wall of the cylinder, and for a rotating disk.

Stress intensity factors in a hollow cylinder containing a radial crack

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Delale, F.; Erdogan, F.

1982-01-01

In this paper, an exact formulation of the plane elasticity problem for a hollow cylinder or a disk containing a radial crack is given. The crack may be an external edge crack, an internal edge crack, or an embedded crack. It is assumed that on the crack surfaces the shear traction is zero, and the normal traction is an arbitrary function of radius. For various crack geometries and radius ratios, the numerical results are obtained for a uniform crack surface pressure, for a uniform pressure acting on the inside wall of the cylinder, and for a rotating disk.

Magnetic field effects on peristaltic flow of blood in a non-uniform channel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Latha, R.; Rushi Kumar, B.

2017-11-01

The objective of this paper is to carry out the effect of the MHD on the peristaltic transport of blood in a non-uniform channel have been explored under long wavelength approximation with low (zero) Reynolds number. Blood is made of an incompressible, viscous and electrically conducting. Explicit expressions for the axial velocity, axial pressure gradient are derived using long wavelength assumptions with slip and regularity conditions. It is determined that the pressure gradient diminishes as the couple stress parameter increments and it decreases as the magnetic parameter increments. We additionally concentrate the embedded parameters through graphs.

Sensitivity of tire response to variations in material and geometric parameters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Noor, Ahmed K.; Tanner, John A.; Peters, Jeanne M.

1992-01-01

A computational procedure is presented for evaluating the analytic sensitivity derivatives of the tire response with respect to material and geometric parameters of the tire. The tire is modeled by using a two-dimensional laminated anisotropic shell theory with the effects of variation in material and geometric parameters included. The computational procedure is applied to the case of uniform inflation pressure on the Space Shuttle nose-gear tire when subjected to uniform inflation pressure. Numerical results are presented showing the sensitivity of the different response quantities to variations in the material characteristics of both the cord and the rubber.

Analytical solution for heat transfer in three-dimensional porous media including variable fluid properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Siegel, R.; Goldstein, M. E.

1972-01-01

An analytical solution is obtained for flow and heat transfer in a three-dimensional porous medium. Coolant from a reservoir at constant pressure and temperature enters one portion of the boundary of the medium and exits through another portion of the boundary which is at a specified uniform temperature and uniform pressure. The variation with temperature of coolant density and viscosity are both taken into account. A general solution is found that provides the temperature distribution in the medium and the mass and heat fluxes along the portion of the surface through which the coolant is exiting.

Improved Zirconia Oxygen-Separation Cell

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walsh, John V.; Zwissler, James G.

1988-01-01

Cell structure distributes feed gas more evenly for more efficent oxygen production. Multilayer cell structure containing passages, channels, tubes, and pores help distribute pressure evenly over zirconia electrolytic membrane. Resulting more uniform pressure distribution expected to improve efficiency of oxygen production.

School Uniform Revisited: Procedure, Pressure and Equality

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carney, Damian; Sinclair, Adele

2006-01-01

The House of Lords' decision in "R. (on the application of Begum) v. The Headteacher and Governors of Denbigh High School" considered whether a particular school uniform policy infringed a student's right to manifest her religion under Article 9. This paper analyses the content of this decision, and explores how schools should approach…

Method of Obtaining Uniform Coatings on Graphite

DOEpatents

Campbell, I. E.

1961-04-01

A method is given for obtaining uniform carbide coatings on graphite bodies. According to the invention a metallic halide in vapor form is passed over the graphite body under such conditions of temperature and pressure that the halide reacts with the graphite to form a coating of the metal carbide on the surface of the graphite.

METHOD OF OBTAINING UNIFORM COATINGS ON GRAPHITE

DOEpatents

Campbell, I.E.

1961-04-01

A method is given for obtaining uniform carbide coatings on graphite bodies. According to the invention a metallic halide in vapor form is passed over the graphite body under such conditions of temperature and pressure that the halide reacts with the graphite to form a coating of the metal carbide on the surface of the graphite.

Free-surface flow of liquid oxygen under non-uniform magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bao, Shi-Ran; Zhang, Rui-Ping; Wang, Kai; Zhi, Xiao-Qin; Qiu, Li-Min

2017-01-01

The paramagnetic property of oxygen makes it possible to control the two-phase flow at cryogenic temperatures by non-uniform magnetic fields. The free-surface flow of vapor-liquid oxygen in a rectangular channel was numerically studied using the two-dimensional phase field method. The effects of magnetic flux density and inlet velocity on the interface deformation, flow pattern and pressure drop were systematically revealed. The liquid level near the high-magnetic channel center was lifted upward by the inhomogeneous magnetic field. The interface height difference increased almost linearly with the magnetic force. For all inlet velocities, pressure drop under 0.25 T was reduced by 7-9% due to the expanded local cross-sectional area, compared to that without magnetic field. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of employing non-uniform magnetic field to control the free-surface flow of liquid oxygen. This non-contact method may be used for promoting the interface renewal, reducing the flow resistance, and improving the flow uniformity in the cryogenic distillation column, which may provide a potential for enhancing the operating efficiency of cryogenic air separation.

Electrostatic interactions as governing the fouling in protein microfiltration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ouammou, M.; Tijani, N.; Calvo, J. I.; Palacio, L.; Prádanos, P.; Hernández, A.

2005-03-01

The influence of pH and electrostatic interactions on the fouling mechanism during protein dead-end microfiltration (MF) has been investigated for two charged membranes. Polyethersulfone acidic membranes (ICE-450), being negatively charged, and basic ones (SB-6407), these positively charged, both from Pall Co., have been used in the investigations. BSA and Lysozyme solutions at different pH values (3.0, 5.0, 7.0, 8.5 and 10.0) were microfiltered through the membranes at a constant applied transmembrane pressure. Results have been analysed in terms of usual blocking filtration laws and a substantial change in the fouling behaviour has been observed when solution pH and/or membrane charge as the pressure was changed, this change being clearly related with the specific membrane-protein and protein-protein interactions.

Organic fluid permeation through fluoropolymer membranes

DOEpatents

Nemser, Stuart M.; Kosaraju, Praveen; Bowser, John

2015-07-14

Separation of the components of liquid mixtures is achieved by contacting a liquid mixture with a nonporous membrane having a fluoropolymer selectively permeable layer and imposing a pressure gradient across the membrane from feed side to permeate side. Unusually high transmembrane flux is obtained when the membrane is subjected to one or more process conditions prior to separation. These include (a) leaving some residual amount of membrane casting solvent in the membrane, and (b) contacting the membrane with a component of the mixture to be separated for a duration effective to saturate the membrane with the component.

Double acting stirling engine piston ring

DOEpatents

Howarth, Roy B.

1986-01-01

A piston ring design for a Stirling engine wherein the contact pressure between the piston and the cylinder is maintained at a uniform level, independent of engine conditions through a balancing of the pressure exerted upon the ring's surface and thereby allowing the contact pressure on the ring to be predetermined through the use of a preloaded expander ring.

Uniform pressures in gas fields (in Spanish)

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

Bravo, G.

1966-08-01

Throughout the huge Reynosa Field, petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) is equalizing gas-well pressures to reduce the expense of gas-compressing equipment. This solution was proposed by the Department of Gas and Gasoline. Tests were taken on 4 specially selected wells. The results show production to be much less than the potential; by equalizing pressure, production is increased at less cost.

Modeling of low pressure plasma sources for microelectronics fabrication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agarwal, Ankur; Bera, Kallol; Kenney, Jason; Likhanskii, Alexandre; Rauf, Shahid

2017-10-01

Chemically reactive plasmas operating in the 1 mTorr-10 Torr pressure range are widely used for thin film processing in the semiconductor industry. Plasma modeling has come to play an important role in the design of these plasma processing systems. A number of 3-dimensional (3D) fluid and hybrid plasma modeling examples are used to illustrate the role of computational investigations in design of plasma processing hardware for applications such as ion implantation, deposition, and etching. A model for a rectangular inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source is described, which is employed as an ion source for ion implantation. It is shown that gas pressure strongly influences ion flux uniformity, which is determined by the balance between the location of plasma production and diffusion. The effect of chamber dimensions on plasma uniformity in a rectangular capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) is examined using an electromagnetic plasma model. Due to high pressure and small gap in this system, plasma uniformity is found to be primarily determined by the electric field profile in the sheath/pre-sheath region. A 3D model is utilized to investigate the confinement properties of a mesh in a cylindrical CCP. Results highlight the role of hole topology and size on the formation of localized hot-spots. A 3D electromagnetic plasma model for a cylindrical ICP is used to study inductive versus capacitive power coupling and how placement of ground return wires influences it. Finally, a 3D hybrid plasma model for an electron beam generated magnetized plasma is used to understand the role of reactor geometry on plasma uniformity in the presence of E  ×  B drift.

Transmural gradients of myocardial structure and mechanics: Implications for fiber stress and strain in pressure overload.

PubMed

Carruth, Eric D; McCulloch, Andrew D; Omens, Jeffrey H

2016-12-01

Although a truly complete understanding of whole heart activation, contraction, and deformation is well beyond our current reach, a significant amount of effort has been devoted to discovering and understanding the mechanisms by which myocardial structure determines cardiac function to better treat patients with cardiac disease. Several experimental studies have shown that transmural fiber strain is relatively uniform in both diastole and systole, in contrast to predictions from traditional mechanical theory. Similarly, mathematical models have largely predicted uniform fiber stress across the wall. The development of this uniform pattern of fiber stress and strain during filling and ejection is due to heterogeneous transmural distributions of several myocardial structures. This review summarizes these transmural gradients, their contributions to fiber mechanics, and the potential functional effects of their remodeling during pressure overload hypertrophy. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization of Hall effect thruster propellant distributors with flame visualization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Langendorf, S.; Walker, M. L. R.

2013-01-01

A novel method for the characterization and qualification of Hall effect thruster propellant distributors is presented. A quantitative measurement of the azimuthal number density uniformity, a metric which impacts propellant utilization, is obtained from photographs of a premixed flame anchored on the exit plane of the propellant distributor. The technique is demonstrated for three propellant distributors using a propane-air mixture at reservoir pressure of 40 psi (gauge) (377 kPa) exhausting to atmosphere, with volumetric flow rates ranging from 15-145 cfh (7.2-68 l/min) with equivalence ratios from 1.2 to 2.1. The visualization is compared with in-vacuum pressure measurements 1 mm downstream of the distributor exit plane (chamber pressure held below 2.7 × 10-5 Torr-Xe at all flow rates). Both methods indicate a non-uniformity in line with the propellant inlet, supporting the validity of the technique of flow visualization with flame luminosity for propellant distributor characterization. The technique is applied to a propellant distributor with a manufacturing defect in a known location and is able to identify the defect and characterize its impact. The technique is also applied to a distributor with numerous small orifices at the exit plane and is able to resolve the resulting non-uniformity. Luminosity data are collected with a spatial resolution of 48.2-76.1 μm (pixel width). The azimuthal uniformity is characterized in the form of standard deviation of azimuthal luminosities, normalized by the mean azimuthal luminosity. The distributors investigated achieve standard deviations of 0.346 ± 0.0212, 0.108 ± 0.0178, and 0.708 ± 0.0230 mean-normalized luminosity units respectively, where a value of 0 corresponds to perfect uniformity and a value of 1 represents a standard deviation equivalent to the mean.

Spin-echo based diagonal peak suppression in solid-state MAS NMR homonuclear chemical shift correlation spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Kaiyu; Zhang, Zhiyong; Ding, Xiaoyan; Tian, Fang; Huang, Yuqing; Chen, Zhong; Fu, Riqiang

2018-02-01

The feasibility of using the spin-echo based diagonal peak suppression method in solid-state MAS NMR homonuclear chemical shift correlation experiments is demonstrated. A complete phase cycling is designed in such a way that in the indirect dimension only the spin diffused signals are evolved, while all signals not involved in polarization transfer are refocused for cancellation. A data processing procedure is further introduced to reconstruct this acquired spectrum into a conventional two-dimensional homonuclear chemical shift correlation spectrum. A uniformly 13C, 15N labeled Fmoc-valine sample and the transmembrane domain of a human protein, LR11 (sorLA), in native Escherichia coli membranes have been used to illustrate the capability of the proposed method in comparison with standard 13C-13C chemical shift correlation experiments.

Comparison of alternative designs for reducing complex neurons to equivalent cables.

PubMed

Burke, R E

2000-01-01

Reduction of the morphological complexity of actual neurons into accurate, computationally efficient surrogate models is an important problem in computational neuroscience. The present work explores the use of two morphoelectrotonic transformations, somatofugal voltage attenuation (AT cables) and signal propagation delay (DL cables), as bases for construction of electrotonically equivalent cable models of neurons. In theory, the AT and DL cables should provide more accurate lumping of membrane regions that have the same transmembrane potential than the familiar equivalent cables that are based only on somatofugal electrotonic distance (LM cables). In practice, AT and DL cables indeed provided more accurate simulations of the somatic transient responses produced by fully branched neuron models than LM cables. This was the case in the presence of a somatic shunt as well as when membrane resistivity was uniform.

Reed Valve Regulates Welding Back-Purge Pressure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coby, J. Ben, Jr.; Weeks, Jack L.

1991-01-01

Simple modification yields welds of better quality. Reed valve halves fluctuations in pressure in back-purge chamber attached to workpiece undergoing keyhole plasma arc welding. Identical to one used in fuel system of two-cycle gasoline engine. Backbead smoother, and weld penetrates more uniformly.

Model to Design Drip Hose Lateral Line

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ludwig, Rafael; Cury Saad, João Carlos

2014-05-01

Introduction The design criterion for non-pressure compensating drip hose is normally to have 10% of flow variation (Δq) in the lateral line, corresponding to 20% of head pressure variation (ΔH). Longer lateral lines in drip irrigation systems using conventional drippers provide cost reduction, but it is necessary to obtain to the uniformity of irrigation [1]. The use of Δq higher levels can provide longer lateral lines. [4] proposes the use of a 30% Δq and he found that this value resulted in distribution uniformity over 80%. [1] considered it is possible to extend the lateral line length using two emitters spacing in different section. He assumed that the spacing changing point would be at 40% of the total length, because this is approximately the location of the average flow according with [2]. [3] found that, for practical purposes, the average pressure is located at 40% of the length of the lateral line and that until this point it has already consumed 75% of total pressure head loss (hf ). In this case, the challenge for designers is getting longer lateral lines with high values of uniformity. Objective The objective of this study was to develop a model to design longer lateral lines using non-pressure compensating drip hose. Using the developed model, the hypotheses to be evaluated were: a) the use of two different spacing between emitters in the same lateral line allows longer length; b) it is possible to get longer lateral lines using high values of pressure variation in the lateral lines since the distribution uniformity stays below allowable limits. Methodology A computer program was developed in Delphi® based on the model developed and it is able to design lateral lines in level using non-pressure compensating drip hose. The input data are: desired distribution uniformity (DU); initial and final pressure in the lateral line; coefficients of relationship between emitter discharge and pressure head; hose internal diameter; pipe cross-sectional area with the dripper; and roughness coefficient for the Hazen-Williams equation. The program allows calculate the lateral line length with three possibilities: selecting two spacing between emitters and defining the exchange point; using two pre-established spacing between emitters and calculating the length of each section with different spacing; using one emitter spacing. Results Results showed that the use of two sections with different spacing between drippers in the lateral line didn't allow longer length but got better uniformity when compared with lateral line with one spacing between emitters. The adoption of two spacing increased the flow rate per meter in the final section which represented approximately 80% of the lateral line total length and this justifies their use. The software allowed DU above 90% with pressure head variation of 40% and the use of two spacing between emitters. Conclusions The developed model/software showed to be accurate, easy to handle and useful for lateral line design using non-pressure compensating drip hose. References [1] ANDRADE, L. A. D. Estudo de uniformidade de emissão de água utilizando diferentes espaçamentos entre gotejadores na linha lateral. 2009. 87 f. Tese (Doutorado em Agronomia/Irigação e Drenagem) - Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista 'Julio de Mesquita Filho', Botucatu, (2009). [2] KELLER, J.; BLIESNER, R. D. Sprinkle and trickle irrigation. Caldwell: Blackburn Press, (1990). 652 p. [3] TALENS, J. A. M. Riego localizado y fertirrigacion. Madrid: Mundi-Prensa, (2002). 533 p. [4] WU, I. P. An assessment of hydraulic design of micro-irrigation systems. Agricultural Water Management, Amsterdan, v. 32, n. 3

Single-stage experimental evaluation of tandem-airfoil rotor stator blading for compressors. Part 6: Data and performance for stage D

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clemmons, D. R.

1973-01-01

An axial flow compressor stage, having single-airfoil blading, was designed for zero rotor prewhirl, constant rotor work across the span, and axial discharge flow. The stage was designed to produce a pressure ratio of 1.265 at a rotor tip velocity of 757 ft/sec. The rotor had an inlet hub/tip ratio of 0.8. The design procedure accounted for the rotor inlet boundary layer and included the effects of axial velocity ratio and secondary flow on blade row performance. The objectives of this experimental program were: (1) to obtain performance with uniform and distorted inlet flow for comparison with the performance of a stage consisting of tandem-airfoil blading designed for the same vector diagrams; and (2) to evaluate the effectiveness of accounting for the inlet boundary layer, axial velocity ratio, and secondary flows in the stage design. With uniform inlet flow, the rotor achieved a maximum adiabatic efficiency of 90.1% at design equivalent rotor speed and a pressure ratio of 1.281. The stage maximum adiabatic efficiency at design equivalent rotor speed with uniform inlet flow was 86.1% at a pressure ratio of 1.266. Hub radial, tip radial, and circumferential distortion of the inlet flow caused reductions in surge pressure ratio of approximately 2, 10 and 5%, respectively, at design rotor speed.

Preliminary Data on the Effects of Inlet Pressure Distortions on the J57-P-1 Turbojet Engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wallner, Lewis E.; Lubick, Robert J.; Einstein, Thomas H.

1954-01-01

An investigation to determine the steady-state and surge characteristics of the J57-P-1 two-spool turbojet engine with various inlet air-flow distortions was conducted in the altitude wind tunnel at the NACA Lewis laboratory. Along with a uniform inlet total-pressure distribution, one circumferential and three radial pressure distortions were investigated. Data were obtained over a complete range of compressor speeds both with and without intercompressor air bleed at a flight Mach number of 0.8 and at altitudes of 35,000 and 50,000 feet. Total-pressure distortions of the magnitudes investigated had very little effect on the steady-state operating line for either the outer or inner compressor. The small radial distortions investigated also had engine over that obtained with the uniform inlet pressure distribution. The circumferential distortion, however, raised the minimum speed at which the engine could operate without encountering surge when the intercompressor bleeds were closed. This increase in minimum speed resulted in a substantial reduction in the operable speed range accompanied by a reduction in the altitude operating limit.

NASA Glenn Icing Research Tunnel: 2014 Cloud Calibration Procedure and Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Van Zante, Judith F.; Ide, Robert F.; Steen, Laura E.; Acosta, Waldo J.

2014-01-01

The results of the December 2013 to February 2014 Icing Research Tunnel full icing cloud calibration are presented. The calibration steps included establishing a uniform cloud and conducting drop size and liquid water content calibrations. The goal of the calibration was to develop a uniform cloud, and to generate a transfer function from the inputs of air speed, spray bar atomizing air pressure and water pressure to the outputs of median volumetric drop diameter and liquid water content. This was done for both 14 CFR Parts 25 and 29, Appendix C ('typical' icing) and soon-to-be released Appendix O (supercooled large drop) conditions.

NASA Glenn Icing Research Tunnel: Upgrade and Cloud Calibration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

VanZante, Judith Foss; Ide, Robert F.; Steen, Laura E.

2012-01-01

In 2011, NASA Glenn s Icing Research Tunnel underwent a major modification to it s refrigeration plant and heat exchanger. This paper presents the results of the subsequent full cloud calibration. Details of the calibration procedure and results are presented herein. The steps include developing a nozzle transfer map, establishing a uniform cloud, conducting a drop sizing calibration and finally a liquid water content calibration. The goal of the calibration is to develop a uniform cloud, and to build a transfer map from the inputs of air speed, spray bar atomizing air pressure and water pressure to the output of median volumetric droplet diameter and liquid water content.

NASA Glenn Icing Research Tunnel: 2012 Cloud Calibration Procedure and Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

VanZante, Judith Foss; Ide, Robert F.; Steen, Laura E.

2012-01-01

In 2011, NASA Glenn s Icing Research Tunnel underwent a major modification to it s refrigeration plant and heat exchanger. This paper presents the results of the subsequent full cloud calibration. Details of the calibration procedure and results are presented herein. The steps include developing a nozzle transfer map, establishing a uniform cloud, conducting a drop sizing calibration and finally a liquid water content calibration. The goal of the calibration is to develop a uniform cloud, and to build a transfer map from the inputs of air speed, spray bar atomizing air pressure and water pressure to the output of median volumetric droplet diameter and liquid water content.

Method and apparatus for spraying molten materials

DOEpatents

Glovan, R.J.; Tierney, J.C.; McLean, L.L.; Johnson, L.L.; Nelson, G.L.; Lee, Y.M.

1996-06-25

A metal spray apparatus is provided with a supersonic nozzle. Molten metal is injected into a gas stream flowing through the nozzle under pressure. By varying the pressure of the injected metal, the droplet can be made in various selected sizes with each selected size having a high degree of size uniformity. A unique one piece graphite heater provides easily controlled uniformity of temperature in the nozzle and an attached tundish which holds the pressurized molten metal. A unique U-shaped gas heater provides extremely hot inlet gas temperatures to the nozzle. A particularly useful application of the spray apparatus is coating of threads of a fastener with a shape memory alloy. This permits a fastener to be easily inserted and removed but provides for a secure locking of the fastener in high temperature environments. 12 figs.

Stress singularities in a model of a wood disk under sinusoidal pressure

Treesearch

Jay A. Johnson; John C. Hermanson; Steven M. Cramer; Charles Amundson

2005-01-01

A thin, solid, circular wood disk, cut from the transverse plane of a tree stem, can be modeled as a cylindrically orthotropic elastic material. It is known that a stress singularity can occur at the center of a cylindrically orthotropic disk subjected to uniform pressure. If a solid cylindrically orthotropic disk is subjected to sinusoidal pressure distributions, then...

10 CFR 431.76 - Uniform test method for the measurement of energy efficiency of commercial warm air furnaces.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... Gases), 2.5 (Test Pressures and Burner Adjustments), 2.6 (Static Pressure and Air Flow Adjustments), 2... pressure, as specified in Section 2.5.1 of ANSI Standard Z21.47-1998, (Incorporated by reference, see § 431... thermal efficiency test), 41 (Initial Test Conditions), 42 (Combustion Test—Burner and Furnace), 43.2...

10 CFR 431.76 - Uniform test method for the measurement of energy efficiency of commercial warm air furnaces.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... Gases), 2.5 (Test Pressures and Burner Adjustments), 2.6 (Static Pressure and Air Flow Adjustments), 2... pressure, as specified in Section 2.5.1 of ANSI Standard Z21.47-1998, (Incorporated by reference, see § 431... thermal efficiency test), 41 (Initial Test Conditions), 42 (Combustion Test—Burner and Furnace), 43.2...

Micro-structure and Air-tightness of Squeeze Casting Motor housing for New Energy Vehicle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Y. F.; Kang, Z. Q.; Jiang, W. F.; Wang, K. W.; Sha, D. L.; Li, M. L.; Sun, J.

2018-05-01

In order to improve the performance of automobile parts, the influence of squeeze casting process parameters on casting defects, material structure and air-tightness of aluminum alloy motor housing for new energy vehicle was studied. The results show that the density of the castings increases with the increase in pressure and mold temperature. With increase in pouring temperature, it increases first and then decreases. Pressure has the greatest influence on the density of the castings. Under a certain pressure, with moderate increase in casting temperature and mold temperature, the grain growth begins to increase; the dendrites become less, the new α - Al grains are spherical and granular, the micro-structure is uniform. Also, with increase in pressure, this effect is more pronounced, the air-tightness of castings improve. In conclusion, when the pressure is 110MPa, pouring temperature is 680° C, mold temperature is 280° C, pressure holding for 30s, and punch speed of 0.1m/s, there is no clear shrinkage in the casting, the structure is uniform, the qualified rate of air-tightness of production reaches 86%, and the performance is excellent.

Identification of Extracellular Segments by Mass Spectrometry Improves Topology Prediction of Transmembrane Proteins.

PubMed

Langó, Tamás; Róna, Gergely; Hunyadi-Gulyás, Éva; Turiák, Lilla; Varga, Julia; Dobson, László; Várady, György; Drahos, László; Vértessy, Beáta G; Medzihradszky, Katalin F; Szakács, Gergely; Tusnády, Gábor E

2017-02-13

Transmembrane proteins play crucial role in signaling, ion transport, nutrient uptake, as well as in maintaining the dynamic equilibrium between the internal and external environment of cells. Despite their important biological functions and abundance, less than 2% of all determined structures are transmembrane proteins. Given the persisting technical difficulties associated with high resolution structure determination of transmembrane proteins, additional methods, including computational and experimental techniques remain vital in promoting our understanding of their topologies, 3D structures, functions and interactions. Here we report a method for the high-throughput determination of extracellular segments of transmembrane proteins based on the identification of surface labeled and biotin captured peptide fragments by LC/MS/MS. We show that reliable identification of extracellular protein segments increases the accuracy and reliability of existing topology prediction algorithms. Using the experimental topology data as constraints, our improved prediction tool provides accurate and reliable topology models for hundreds of human transmembrane proteins.

Analysis and calculation by integral methods of laminar compressible boundary-layer with heat transfer and with and without pressure gradient

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morduchow, Morris

1955-01-01

A survey of integral methods in laminar-boundary-layer analysis is first given. A simple and sufficiently accurate method for practical purposes of calculating the properties (including stability) of the laminar compressible boundary layer in an axial pressure gradient with heat transfer at the wall is presented. For flow over a flat plate, the method is applicable for an arbitrarily prescribed distribution of temperature along the surface and for any given constant Prandtl number close to unity. For flow in a pressure gradient, the method is based on a Prandtl number of unity and a uniform wall temperature. A simple and accurate method of determining the separation point in a compressible flow with an adverse pressure gradient over a surface at a given uniform wall temperature is developed. The analysis is based on an extension of the Karman-Pohlhausen method to the momentum and the thermal energy equations in conjunction with fourth- and especially higher degree velocity and stagnation-enthalpy profiles.

Renewable energy powered membrane technology. 1. Development and characterization of a photovoltaic hybrid membrane system.

PubMed

Schäfer, A I; Broeckmann, A; Richards, B S

2007-02-01

In isolated communities where potable water sources as well as energy grids are limited or nonexistent, treating brackish groundwater aquifers with small-scale desalination systems can be a viable alternative to existing water infrastructures. Given the unavailability of power in many such situations, renewable energy is an obvious solution to power such systems. However, renewable energy is an intermittent power supply and with regards to the performance of intermittently operated desalination systems, only very limited experience exists, both with regards to efficiency as well as water quality. In this paper, this lack of knowledge is addressed by evaluating a system operated with varying parameters (pressure and flow) with constant power as a step toward defining a safe operating window, and they provide a basis for interpreting future data obtained with a renewable energy source. Field trials were performed on a brackish (5300 mg/L TDS; 8290 microS/cm) bore in Central Australia with a photovoltaic-powered membrane filtration (PV-membrane) system. Four nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes (BW30, ESPA4, NF90, TFC-S) and a number of operation parameter combinations (transmembrane pressure, feed flow, TFC-S) and operating parameters transmembrane pressure and feed flow were investigated to find the best operating conditions for maximum drinking water production and minimum specific energy consumption (SEC). The ESPA4 membrane performed best for this brackish source, producing 250 L/h of excellent drinking water (257 mg/L TDS; 400 microS/ cm) at an SEC of 1.2 kWh/m3. The issue of brine disposal or reuse is also discussed and the article compares the salinity of the produced brine with livestock water. Since the feedwater is disinfected physically using ultrafiltration (UF), the brine is free from bacteria and most viruses and hence can be seen more as a reusable product stream than a waste stream with a disposal problem.

Expression and Purification of a Matrix Metalloprotease Transmembrane Domain in Escherichia coli.

PubMed

Galea, Charles A

2017-01-01

Membrane tethered matrix metalloproteases are bound to the plasma membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor or a transmembrane domain. To date, most studies of membrane-bound matrix metalloprotease have focused on the globular catalytic and protein-protein interaction domains of these enzymes. However, the transmembrane domains have been poorly studied even though they are known to mediate intracellular signaling via interaction with various cellular proteins. The expression and purification of the transmembrane domain of these proteins can be challenging due to their hydrophobic nature. In this chapter we describe the purification of a transmembrane domain for a membrane-bound matrix metalloprotease expressed in E. coli and its initial characterization by NMR spectroscopy.

Design of a Collapse-Mode CMUT With an Embossed Membrane for Improving Output Pressure.

PubMed

Yu, Yuanyu; Pun, Sio Hang; Mak, Peng Un; Cheng, Ching-Hsiang; Wang, Jiujiang; Mak, Pui-In; Vai, Mang I

2016-06-01

Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) have emerged as a competitive alternative to piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers, especially in medical ultrasound imaging and therapeutic ultrasound applications, which require high output pressure. However, as compared with piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers, the output pressure capability of CMUTs remains to be improved. In this paper, a novel structure is proposed by forming an embossed vibrating membrane on a CMUT cell operating in the collapse mode to increase the maximum output pressure. By using a beam model in undamped conditions and finite-element analysis simulations, the proposed embossed structure showed improvement on the maximum output pressure of the CMUT cell when the embossed pattern was placed on the estimated location of the peak deflection. As compared with a uniform membrane CMUT cell worked in the collapse mode, the proposed CMUT cell can yield the maximum output pressure by 51.1% and 88.1% enhancement with a single embossed pattern made of Si3N4 and nickel, respectively. The maximum output pressures were improved by 34.9% (a single Si3N4 embossed pattern) and 46.7% (a single nickel embossed pattern) with the uniform membrane when the center frequencies of both original and embossed CMUT designs were similar.

Investigation of thickness uniformity of thin metal films by using α-particle energy loss method and successive scanning measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Gang; Xu, Jiayun; Bai, Lixin

2017-03-01

The metal films are widely used in the Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) experiments to obtain the radiation opacity, and the accuracy of the measuring results mainly depends on the accuracy of the film thickness and thickness uniformity. The traditional used measuring methods all have various disadvantages, the optical method and stylus method cannot provide mass thickness which reflects the internal density distribution of the films, and the weighing method cannot provide the uniformity of the thickness distribution. This paper describes a new method which combines the α-particle energy loss (AEL) method and the successive scanning measurements to obtain the film thickness and thickness uniformity. The measuring system was partly installed in the vacuum chamber, and the relationship of chamber pressure and energy loss caused by the residual air in the vacuum chamber was studied for the source-to-detector distance ranging from 1 to 5 cm. The results show that the chamber pressure should be less than 10 Pa for the present measuring system. In the process of measurement, the energy spectrum of α-particles transmitted through each different measuring point were obtained, and then recorded automatically by a self-developed multi-channel analysis software. At the same time, the central channel numbers of the spectrum (CH) were also saved in a text form document. In order to realize the automation of data processing and represent the thickness uniformity visually in a graphic 3D plot, a software package was developed to convert the CH values into film thickness and thickness uniformity. The results obtained in this paper make the film thickness uniformity measurements more accurate and efficient in the ICF experiments.

Explosive laser light initiation of propellants

DOEpatents

Piltch, Martin S.

1993-01-01

A improved initiator for artillery shell using an explosively generated laser light to uniformly initiate the propellent. A small quantity of a high explosive, when detonated, creates a high pressure and temperature, causing the surrounding noble gas to fluoresce. This fluorescence is directed into a lasing material, which lases, and directs laser light into a cavity in the propellant, uniformly initiating the propellant.

Explosive laser light initiation of propellants

DOEpatents

Piltch, M.S.

1993-05-18

A improved initiator for artillery shell using an explosively generated laser light to uniformly initiate the propellent. A small quantity of a high explosive, when detonated, creates a high pressure and temperature, causing the surrounding noble gas to fluoresce. This fluorescence is directed into a lasing material, which lases, and directs laser light into a cavity in the propellant, uniformly initiating the propellant.

Pressure regulator

DOEpatents

Ebeling, Jr., Robert W.; Weaver, Robert B.

1979-01-01

The pressure within a pressurized flow reactor operated under harsh environmental conditions is controlled by establishing and maintaining a fluidized bed of uniformly sized granular material of selected density by passing the gas from the reactor upwardly therethrough at a rate sufficient to fluidize the bed and varying the height of the bed by adding granular material thereto or removing granular material therefrom to adjust the backpressure on the flow reactor.

Pressure fluctuations on the surface of a cylinder in uniform flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ayoub, A.; Karamcheti, K.

1976-01-01

The problem of determining the pressure fluctuations induced on the surface of a cylinder by the fluctuating wake behind it is formulated. A formal solution relating the unsteady surface pressure field to the velocity field in the wake is derived and used to obtain general results independent of cylinder shape and Reynolds number. The case of the circular cylinder is then examined in detail.

Method for making nanomaterials

DOEpatents

Fan, Hongyou; Wu, Huimeng

2013-06-04

A method of making a nanostructure by preparing a face centered cubic-ordered metal nanoparticle film from metal nanoparticles, such as gold and silver nanoparticles, exerting a hydrostatic pressure upon the film at pressures of several gigapascals, followed by applying a non-hydrostatic stress perpendicularly at a pressure greater than approximately 10 GPA to form an array of nanowires with individual nanowires having a relatively uniform length, average diameter and density.

Orientational preferences of neighboring helices can drive ER insertion of a marginally hydrophobic transmembrane helix

PubMed Central

Öjemalm, Karin; Halling, Katrin K.; Nilsson, IngMarie; von Heijne, Gunnar

2013-01-01

Summary α-helical integral membrane proteins critically depend on the correct insertion of their transmembrane α-helices into the lipid bilayer for proper folding, yet a surprisingly large fraction of the transmembrane α-helices in multispanning integral membrane proteins are not sufficiently hydrophobic to insert into the target membrane by themselves. How can such marginally hydrophobic segments nevertheless form transmembrane helices in the folded structure? Here, we show that a transmembrane helix with a strong orientational preference (Ncyt-Clum or Nlum-Ccyt) can both increase and decrease the hydrophobicity threshold for membrane insertion of a neighboring, marginally hydrophobic helix. This effect helps explain the ‘missing hydrophobicity’ in polytopic membrane proteins. PMID:22281052

The first transmembrane domain (TM1) of β2-subunit binds to the transmembrane domain S1 of α-subunit in BK potassium channels

PubMed Central

Morera, Francisco J.; Alioua, Abderrahmane; Kundu, Pallob; Salazar, Marcelo; Gonzalez, Carlos; Martinez, Agustin D.; Stefani, Enrico; Toro, Ligia; Latorre, Ramon

2012-01-01

The BK channel is one of the most broadly expressed ion channels in mammals. In many tissues, the BK channel pore-forming α-subunit is associated to an auxiliary β-subunit that modulates the voltage- and Ca2+-dependent activation of the channel. Structural components present in β-subunits that are important for the physical association with the α-subunit are yet unknown. Here, we show through co-immunoprecipitation that the intracellular C-terminus, the second transmembrane domain (TM2) and the extracellular loop of the β2-subunit are dispensable for association with the α-subunit pointing transmembrane domain 1 (TM1) as responsible for the interaction. Indeed, the TOXCAT assay for transmembrane protein–protein interactions demonstrated for the first time that TM1 of the β2-subunit physically binds to the transmembrane S1 domain of the α-subunit. PMID:22710124

Insight of Transmembrane Processes of Self-Assembling Nanotubes Based on a Cyclic Peptide Using Coarse Grained Molecular Dynamics Simulation.

PubMed

Fu, Yankai; Yan, Tingxuan; Xu, Xia

2017-09-28

Transmembrane self-assembling cyclic peptide (SCP) nanotubes are promising candidates for delivering specific molecules through cell membranes. The detailed mechanisms behind the transmembrane processes, as well as stabilization factors of transmembrane structures, are difficult to elucidate through experiments. In this study, the effects of peptide sequence and oligomeric state on the transmembrane capabilities of SCP nanotubes and the perturbation of embedded SCP nanotubes acting on the membrane were investigated based on coarse grained molecular dynamics simulation. The simulation results reveal that hydrophilic SCP oligomers result in the elevation of the energy barrier while the oligomerization of hydrophobic SCPs causes the reduction of the energy barrier, further leading to membrane insertion. Once SCP nanotubes are embedded, membrane properties such as density, thickness, ordering state and lateral mobility are adjusted along the radial direction. This study provides insight into the transmembrane strategy of SCP nanotubes and sheds light on designing novel transport systems.

[Efficient extraction of transmembrane proteins using ProteoExtract Transmembrane Protein Extraction Kit].

PubMed

Błachnio, Karina

2010-01-01

Detergents commonly used for solubilization of membrane proteins may be ionic or non-ionic. Exposing membrane proteins to detergents, however, can adversely affect their native structure, which can be a major hindrance for functional studies. This is especially true for proteins with multiple transmembrane domains. The ProteoExtract Transmembrane Protein Extraction Kit (TM-PEK), offered by Merck, provides a detergent-free novel reagents to enable the mild and efficient extraction of proteins containing seven transmembrane domains, such as GPCRs (G-Protein Coupled Receptors) e.g.: Frizzled-4 and CELSR-3, from mammalian cells. The fraction enriched in transmembrane proteins using TM-PEK is directly compatible with enzyme assays, non-denaturing gel electrophoresis, 1- and 2-D SDS-PAGE, MS analysis, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation and ELISA. Unlike many alternatives, TM-PEK extraction procedure does not require sonication, extended rigorous vortexing, ultracentrifugation, or incubation of samples at elevated temperatures--thus minimizing the risk of post-extraction degradation or modifications.

Temperature stratification and insect pest populations in stored wheat with suction versus pressure aeration

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

A three-year study was conducted to compare temperature profiles in the headspace and in the bulk mass of wheat aerated through pressure aeration and suction aeration. Insect pitfall traps were used to measure naturally-occurring populations of stored product insects. Results show uniform distributi...

Transparent electrode for optical switch

DOEpatents

Goldhar, Julius; Henesian, Mark A.

1986-01-01

A low pressure gas electrode utilizing ionized gas in a glow discharge regime forms a transparent electrode for electro-optical switches. The transparent electrode comprises a low pressure gas region on both sides of the crystal. When the gas is ionized, e.g., by a glow discharge in the low pressure gas, the plasma formed is a good conductor. The gas electrode acts as a highly uniform conducting electrode. Since the plasma is transparent to a high energy laser beam passing through the crystal, the electrode is a transparent electrode. A crystal exposed from two sides to such a plasma can be charged up uniformly to any desired voltage. The plasma can be created either by the main high voltage pulser used to charge up the crystal or by auxiliary discharges or external sources of ionization. A typical configuration utilizes 10 torr argon in the discharge region adjacent to each crystal face.

Metal spray apparatus with a U-shaped electric inlet gas heater and a one-piece electric heater surrounding a nozzle

DOEpatents

Glovan, Ronald J.; Tierney, John C.; McLean, Leroy L.; Johnson, Lawrence L.; Verbael, David J.

1995-01-01

An electrically heated metal spray apparatus is provided with a supersonic nozzle. Molten metal is injected into a gas stream flowing through the nozzle under pressure. By varying the pressure of the injected metal, the droplet can be made in various selected sizes with each selected size having a high degree of size uniformity. A unique one piece graphite heater provides easily controlled uniformity of temperature in the nozzle and an attached tundish which holds the pressurized molten metal. A unique U-shaped gas heater provides extremely hot inlet gas temperatures to the nozzle. A particularly useful application of the spray apparatus is coating of threads of a fastener with a shape memory alloy. This permits a fastener to be easily inserted and removed but provides for a secure locking of the fastener in high temperature environments.

Miniature all-silica optical fiber pressure sensor with an ultrathin uniform diaphragm.

PubMed

Wang, Wenhui; Wu, Nan; Tian, Ye; Niezrecki, Christopher; Wang, Xingwei

2010-04-26

This paper presents an all-silica miniature optical fiber pressure/acoustic sensor based on the Fabry-Perot (FP) interferometric principle. The endface of the etched optical fiber tip and silica thin diaphragm on it form the FP structure. The uniform and thin silica diaphragm was fabricated by etching away the silicon substrate from a commercial silicon wafer that has a thermal oxide layer. The thin film was directly thermally bonded to the endface of the optical fiber thus creating the Fabry-Perot cavity. Thin films with a thickness from 1microm to 3microm have been bonded successfully. The sensor shows good linearity and hysteresis during measurement. A sensor with 0.75 microm-thick diaphragm thinned by post silica etching was demonstrated to have a sensitivity of 11 nm/kPa. The new sensor has great potential to be used as a non-intrusive pressure sensor in a variety of sensing applications.

Metal spray apparatus with a U-shaped electric inlet gas heater and a one-piece electric heater surrounding a nozzle

DOEpatents

Glovan, R.J.; Tierney, J.C.; McLean, L.L.; Johnson, L.L.; Verbael, D.J.

1995-10-17

An electrically heated metal spray apparatus is provided with a supersonic nozzle. Molten metal is injected into a gas stream flowing through the nozzle under pressure. By varying the pressure of the injected metal, the droplet can be made in various selected sizes with each selected size having a high degree of size uniformity. A unique one piece graphite heater provides easily controlled uniformity of temperature in the nozzle and an attached tundish which holds the pressurized molten metal. A unique U-shaped gas heater provides extremely hot inlet gas temperatures to the nozzle. A particularly useful application of the spray apparatus is coating of threads of a fastener with a shape memory alloy. This permits a fastener to be easily inserted and removed but provides for a secure locking of the fastener in high temperature environments. 12 figs.

Graphene Nanopores for Protein Sequencing.

PubMed

Wilson, James; Sloman, Leila; He, Zhiren; Aksimentiev, Aleksei

2016-07-19

An inexpensive, reliable method for protein sequencing is essential to unraveling the biological mechanisms governing cellular behavior and disease. Current protein sequencing methods suffer from limitations associated with the size of proteins that can be sequenced, the time, and the cost of the sequencing procedures. Here, we report the results of all-atom molecular dynamics simulations that investigated the feasibility of using graphene nanopores for protein sequencing. We focus our study on the biologically significant phenylalanine-glycine repeat peptides (FG-nups)-parts of the nuclear pore transport machinery. Surprisingly, we found FG-nups to behave similarly to single stranded DNA: the peptides adhere to graphene and exhibit step-wise translocation when subject to a transmembrane bias or a hydrostatic pressure gradient. Reducing the peptide's charge density or increasing the peptide's hydrophobicity was found to decrease the translocation speed. Yet, unidirectional and stepwise translocation driven by a transmembrane bias was observed even when the ratio of charged to hydrophobic amino acids was as low as 1:8. The nanopore transport of the peptides was found to produce stepwise modulations of the nanopore ionic current correlated with the type of amino acids present in the nanopore, suggesting that protein sequencing by measuring ionic current blockades may be possible.

Characterization of Hydrophobic Peptides in the Presence of Detergent by Photoionization Mass Spectrometry

PubMed Central

Bagag, Aïcha; Jault, Jean-Michel; Sidahmed-Adrar, Nazha; Réfrégiers, Matthieu; Giuliani, Alexandre; Le Naour, François

2013-01-01

The characterization of membrane proteins is still challenging. The major issue is the high hydrophobicity of membrane proteins that necessitates the use of detergents for their extraction and solubilization. The very poor compatibility of mass spectrometry with detergents remains a tremendous obstacle in studies of membrane proteins. Here, we investigated the potential of atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) for mass spectrometry study of membrane proteins. This work was focused on the tetraspanin CD9 and the multidrug transporter BmrA. A set of peptides from CD9, exhibiting a broad range of hydropathicity, was investigated using APPI as compared to electrospray ionization (ESI). Mass spectrometry experiments revealed that the most hydrophobic peptides were hardly ionized by ESI whereas all peptides, including the highly hydrophobic one that corresponds to the full sequence of the first transmembrane domain of CD9, were easily ionized by APPI. The native protein BmrA purified in the presence of the non-ionic detergent beta-D-dodecyl maltoside (DDM) was digested in-solution using trypsin. The resulting peptides were investigated by flow injection analysis of the mixture followed by mass spectrometry. Upon ESI, only detergent ions were detected and the ionic signals from the peptides were totally suppressed. In contrast, APPI allowed many peptides distributed along the sequence of the protein to be detected. Furthermore, the parent ion corresponding to the first transmembrane domain of the protein BmrA was detected under APPI conditions. Careful examination of the APPI mass spectrum revealed a-, b-, c- and y- fragment ions generated by in-source fragmentation. Those fragment ions allowed unambiguous structural characterization of the transmembrane domain. In conclusion, APPI–MS appears as a versatile method allowing the ionization and fragmentation of hydrophobic peptides in the presence of detergent. PMID:24236085

Structure, signaling mechanism and regulation of the natriuretic peptide receptor guanylate cyclase.

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

Misono, K. S.; Philo, J. S.; Arakawa, T.

2011-06-01

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and the homologous B-type natriuretic peptide are cardiac hormones that dilate blood vessels and stimulate natriuresis and diuresis, thereby lowering blood pressure and blood volume. ANP and B-type natriuretic peptide counterbalance the actions of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and neurohormonal systems, and play a central role in cardiovascular regulation. These activities are mediated by natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPRA), a single transmembrane segment, guanylyl cyclase (GC)-linked receptor that occurs as a homodimer. Here, we present an overview of the structure, possible chloride-mediated regulation and signaling mechanism of NPRA and other receptor GCs. Earlier, we determined the crystal structures ofmore » the NPRA extracellular domain with and without bound ANP. Their structural comparison has revealed a novel ANP-induced rotation mechanism occurring in the juxtamembrane region that apparently triggers transmembrane signal transduction. More recently, the crystal structures of the dimerized catalytic domain of green algae GC Cyg12 and that of cyanobacterium GC Cya2 have been reported. These structures closely resemble that of the adenylyl cyclase catalytic domain, consisting of a C1 and C2 subdomain heterodimer. Adenylyl cyclase is activated by binding of G{sub s}{alpha} to C2 and the ensuing 7{sup o} rotation of C1 around an axis parallel to the central cleft, thereby inducing the heterodimer to adopt a catalytically active conformation. We speculate that, in NPRA, the ANP-induced rotation of the juxtamembrane domains, transmitted across the transmembrane helices, may induce a similar rotation in each of the dimerized GC catalytic domains, leading to the stimulation of the GC catalytic activity.« less

Effect on Non-Uniform Heat Generation on Thermionic Reactions

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

Schock, Alfred

The penalty resulting from non-uniform heat generation in a thermionic reactor is examined. Operation at sub-optimum cesium pressure is shown to reduce this penalty, but at the risk of a condition analogous to burnout. For high pressure diodes, a simple empirical correlation between current, voltage and heat flux is developed and used to analyze the performance penalty associated with two different heat flux profiles, for series-and parallel-connected converters. The results demonstrate that series-connected converters require much finer power flattening than parallel converters. For example, a ±10% variation in heat generation across a series array can result in a 25 tomore » 50% power penalty.« less

Three-dimensional modelling of horizontal chemical vapor deposition. I - MOCVD at atmospheric pressure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ouazzani, Jalil; Rosenberger, Franz

1990-01-01

A systematic numerical study of the MOCVD of GaAs from trimethylgallium and arsine in hydrogen or nitrogen carrier gas at atmospheric pressure is reported. Three-dimensional effects are explored for CVD reactors with large and small cross-sectional aspect ratios, and the effects on growth rate uniformity of tilting the susceptor are investigated for various input flow rates. It is found that, for light carrier gases, thermal diffusion must be included in the model. Buoyancy-driven three-dimensional flow effects can greatly influence the growth rate distribution through the reactor. The importance of the proper design of the lateral thermal boundary conditions for obtaining layers of uniform thickness is emphasized.

Experimental investigation on large-area dielectric barrier discharge in atmospheric nitrogen and air assisted by the ultraviolet lamp.

PubMed

Zhang, Yan; Gu, Biao; Wang, Wenchun; Wang, Dezhen; Peng, Xuwen

2009-04-01

In this paper, ultraviolet radiation produced by the ultraviolet lamp is employed to supply pre-ionization for the dielectric barrier discharge in N(2) or air at atmospheric pressure. The effect of the ultraviolet pre-ionization on improving the uniformity of the dielectric barrier discharge is investigated experimentally. The atmospheric pressure glow discharge of the large area (270 mm x 120 mm) is obtained successfully via the ultraviolet pre-ionization in atmospheric DBD in N(2) when the gas gap decrease to 3mm. Based on the emission spectra, the mechanism which ultraviolet pre-ionization improves the uniformity of the dielectric barrier discharge is discussed.

Characterization of Dust-Plasma Interactions In Non-Thermal Plasmas Under Low Pressure and the Atmospheric Pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bilik, Narula

This dissertation research focuses on the experimental characterization of dust-plasma interactions at both low and atmospheric pressure. Its goal is to fill the knowledge gaps in (1) the fundamental research of low pressure dusty plasma electrons, which mainly relied on models with few experimental results; and (2) the nanoparticle synthesis process in atmospheric pressure uniform glow plasmas (APGDs), which is largely unexplored in spite of the economical advantage of APGDs in nanotechnology. The low pressure part of the dissertation research involves the development of a complete diagnostic process for an argon-siline capacitively-coupled RF plasma. The central part of the diagnostic process is the Langmuir probe measurement of the electron energy probability function (EEPF) in a dusty plasma, which has never been measured before. This is because the dust particles in the plasma cause severe probe surface contamination and consequently distort the measurement. This problem is solved by adding a solenoid-actuated shield structure to the Langmuir probe, which physically protects the Langmuir probe from the dust particle deposition to ensure reliable EEPF measurements. The dusty plasma EEPFs are characterized by lower electron density and higher electron temperature accompanied by a drop in the low energy electron population. The Langmuir probe measurement is complemented with other characterizations including the capacitive probe measurement, power measurement, and dust particle collection. The complete diagnostic process then gives a set of local plasma parameters as well as the details of the dust-electron interactions reflected in the EEPFs. This set of data serves as input for an analytical model of nanoparticle charging to yield the time evolution of nanoparticle size and charge in the dusty plasma. The atmospheric pressure part of the dissertation focuses on the design and development of an APGD for zinc oxide nanocrystal synthesis. One of the main difficulties in maintaining an APGD is ensuring its uniformity over large discharge volume. By examining past atmospheric pressure plasma reactor designs and looking into the details of the atmospheric pressure gas breakdown mechanism, three design features are proposed to ensure the APGD uniformity. These include the use of a dielectric barrier and the RF driving frequency, as well as a pre-ionization technique achieved by having a non-uniform gap spacing in a capacitively-coupled concentric cylinder reactor. The resulting APGD reactor operates stably in the abnormal glow regime using either helium or argon as the carrier gas. Diethylzinc (DEZ) and oxygen precursors are injected into the APGD to form zinc oxide nanocrystals. The physical and optical properties of these nanocrystals are characterized, and the system parameters that impact the nanoparticle size and deposition rate are identified.

Large-scale self-assembly of uniform submicron silver sulfide material driven by precise pressure control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qi, Juanjuan; Chen, Ke; Zhang, Shuhao; Yang, Yun; Guo, Lin; Yang, Shihe

2017-03-01

The controllable self-assembly of nanosized building blocks into larger specific structures can provide an efficient method of synthesizing novel materials with excellent properties. The self-assembly of nanocrystals by assisted means is becoming an extremely active area of research, because it provides a method of producing large-scale advanced functional materials with potential applications in the areas of energy, electronics, optics, and biologics. In this study, we applied an efficient strategy, namely, the use of ‘pressure control’ to the assembly of silver sulfide (Ag2S) nanospheres with a diameter of approximately 33 nm into large-scale, uniform Ag2S sub-microspheres with a size of about 0.33 μm. More importantly, this strategy realizes the online control of the overall reaction system, including the pressure, reaction time, and temperature, and could also be used to easily fabricate other functional materials on an industrial scale. Moreover, the thermodynamics and kinetics parameters for the thermal decomposition of silver diethyldithiocarbamate (Ag(DDTC)) are also investigated to explore the formation mechanism of the Ag2S nanosized building blocks which can be assembled into uniform sub-micron scale architecture. As a method of producing sub-micron Ag2S particles by means of the pressure-controlled self-assembly of nanoparticles, we foresee this strategy being an efficient and universally applicable option for constructing other new building blocks and assembling novel and large functional micromaterials on an industrial scale.

Direction-of-arrival estimation for a uniform circular acoustic vector-sensor array mounted around a cylindrical baffle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, DeSen; Zhu, ZhongRui

2012-12-01

This work investigates the direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation for a uniform circular acoustic Vector-Sensor Array (UCAVSA) mounted around a cylindrical baffle. The total pressure field and the total particle velocity field near the surface of the cylindrical baffle are analyzed theoretically by applying the method of spatial Fourier transform. Then the so-called modal vector-sensor array signal processing algorithm, which is based on the decomposed wavefield representations, for the UCAVSA mounted around the cylindrical baffle is proposed. Simulation and experimental results show that the UCAVSA mounted around the cylindrical baffle has distinct advantages over the same manifold of traditional uniform circular pressure-sensor array (UCPSA). It is pointed out that the acoustic Vector-Sensor (AVS) could be used under the condition of the cylindrical baffle and that the UCAVSA mounted around the cylindrical baffle could also combine the anti-noise performance of the AVS with spatial resolution performance of array system by means of modal vector-sensor array signal processing algorithms.

Active membrane having uniform physico-chemically functionalized ion channels

DOEpatents

Gerald, II, Rex E; Ruscic, Katarina J; Sears, Devin N; Smith, Luis J; Klingler, Robert J; Rathke, Jerome W

2012-09-24

The present invention relates to a physicochemically-active porous membrane for electrochemical cells that purports dual functions: an electronic insulator (separator) and a unidirectional ion-transporter (electrolyte). The electrochemical cell membrane is activated for the transport of ions by contiguous ion coordination sites on the interior two-dimensional surfaces of the trans-membrane unidirectional pores. One dimension of the pore surface has a macroscopic length (1 nm-1000 .mu.m) and is directed parallel to the direction of an electric field, which is produced between the cathode and the anode electrodes of an electrochemical cell. The membrane material is designed to have physicochemical interaction with ions. Control of the extent of the interactions between the ions and the interior pore walls of the membrane and other materials, chemicals, or structures contained within the pores provides adjustability of the ionic conductivity of the membrane.

Sputter coating of microspherical substrates by levitation

DOEpatents

Lowe, A.T.; Hosford, C.D.

Microspheres are substantially uniformly coated with metals or nonmetals by simltaneously levitating them and sputter coating them at total chamber pressures less than 1 torr. A collimated hole structure comprising a parallel array of upwardly projecting individual gas outlets is machined out to form a dimple. Glass microballoons,, which are particularly useful in laser fusion applications, can be substantially uniformly coated using the coating method and apparatus.

Modular Exhaust Design and Manufacturing Techniques for Low Cost Mid Volume Rapid Buidl to Order Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-08-06

the pressure field is uniform across them, but which allow mass flow to be diverted. Series elements have a constant mass flow across the ports...they can be used to calculate the pressure and mass flow after the element from the pressure and mass flow prior to the element, as shown in...the matrix product of each transfer matrix in turn. The final matrix gives no information about the pressures and mass flows within the element

Compliant head probe for positioning electroencephalography electrodes and near-infrared spectroscopy optodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giacometti, Paolo; Diamond, Solomon G.

2013-02-01

A noninvasive head probe that combines near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and electroencephalography (EEG) for simultaneous measurement of neural dynamics and hemodynamics in the brain is presented. It is composed of a compliant expandable mechanism that accommodates a wide range of head size variation and an elastomeric web that maintains uniform sensor contact pressure on the scalp as the mechanism expands and contracts. The design is intended to help maximize optical and electrical coupling and to maintain stability during head movement. Positioning electrodes at the inion, nasion, central, and preauricular fiducial locations mechanically shapes the probe to place 64 NIRS optodes and 65 EEG electrodes following the 10-5 scalp coordinates. The placement accuracy, precision, and scalp pressure uniformity of the sensors are evaluated. A root-mean-squared (RMS) positional precision of 0.89±0.23 mm, percent arc subdivision RMS accuracy of 0.19±0.15%, and mean normal force on the scalp of 2.28±0.88 N at 5 mm displacement were found. Geometric measurements indicate that the probe will accommodate the full range of adult head sizes. The placement accuracy, precision, and uniformity of sensor contact pressure of the proposed head probe are important determinants of data quality in noninvasive brain monitoring with simultaneous NIRS-EEG.

Applying a uniform layer of disinfectant by wiping.

PubMed

Cooper, D W

2000-01-01

Disinfection or sterilization often requires applying a film of liquid to a surface, frequently done by using a wiper as the applicator. The wiper must not only hold a convenient amount of liquid, it must deposit it readily and uniformly. Contact time is critical to disinfection efficacy. Evaporation can limit the contact time. To lengthen the contact time, thickly applied layers are generally preferred. The thickness of such layers can be determined by using dyes or other tracers, as long as the tracers do not significantly affect the liquid's surface tension and viscosity and thus do not affect the thickness of the applied layer. Alternatively, as done here, the thickness of the layer can be inferred from the weight loss of the wiper. Results are reported of experiments on thickness of the layers applied under various conditions. Near saturation, hydrophilic polyurethane foam wipers gave layers roughly 10 microns thick, somewhat less than expected from hydrodynamic theory, but more than knitted polyester or woven cotton. Wipers with large liquid holding capacity, refilled often, should produce more nearly uniform layers. Higher pressures increase saturation in the wiper, tending to thicken the layer, but higher pressures also force liquid from the interface, tending to thin the layer, so the net result could be thicker or thinner layers, and there is likely to be an optimal pressure.

Analytical considerations and dimensionless analysis for a description of particle interactions in high pressure processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rauh, Cornelia; Delgado, Antonio

2010-12-01

High pressures of up to several hundreds of MPa are utilized in a wide range of applications in chemical, bio-, and food engineering, aiming at selective control of (bio-)chemical reactions. Non-uniformity of process conditions may threaten the safety and quality of the resulting products because processing conditions such as pressure, temperature, and treatment history are crucial for the course of (bio-)chemical reactions. Therefore, thermofluid-dynamical phenomena during the high pressure process have to be examined, and numerical tools to predict process uniformity and to optimize the processes have to be developed. Recently applied mathematical models and numerical simulations of laboratory and industrial scale high pressure processes investigating the mentioned crucial phenomena are based on continuum balancing models of thermofluid dynamics. Nevertheless, biological systems are complex fluids containing the relevant (bio-)chemical compounds (enzymes and microorganisms). These compounds are particles that interact with the surrounding medium and between each other. This contribution deals with thermofluid-dynamical interactions of the relevant particulate (bio-)chemical compounds (enzymes and microorganisms) with the surrounding fluid. By consideration of characteristic time and length scales and particle forces, the motion of the (bio-)chemical compounds is characterized.

10 CFR 431.76 - Uniform test method for the measurement of energy efficiency of commercial warm air furnaces.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... Arrangements), 2.3 (Test Ducts and Plenums), 2.4 (Test Gases), 2.5 (Test Pressures and Burner Adjustments), 2.6 (Static Pressure and Air Flow Adjustments), 2.39 (Thermal Efficiency) (note, this is 2.38 in ANSI Z21.47... test must be conducted only at the normal inlet test pressure, as specified in section 2.5.1 of ANSI...

10 CFR 431.76 - Uniform test method for the measurement of energy efficiency of commercial warm air furnaces.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... Arrangements), 2.3 (Test Ducts and Plenums), 2.4 (Test Gases), 2.5 (Test Pressures and Burner Adjustments), 2.6 (Static Pressure and Air Flow Adjustments), 2.39 (Thermal Efficiency) (note, this is 2.38 in ANSI Z21.47... test must be conducted only at the normal inlet test pressure, as specified in section 2.5.1 of ANSI...

Pressure Roller For Tape-Lift Tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abrams, Eve

1991-01-01

Rolling device applies nearly constant, uniform pressure to surface. Simple tool exerts nearly constant pressure via compression of sheath by fixed amount. Pins hold wheels on cylinder and cylinder on tangs of handle. Cylinder and handle made of metal or plastic. Sheath press-fit or glued to cylinder. End pins attached to cylinder by adhesive or screw threads. Device intended for use in taking tape-lift samples of particulate contamination on surface.

Spiral inlets for steam turbines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Škach, Radek; Uher, Jan

2017-09-01

This paper deals with the design process of special nozzle blades for spiral inlets. Spiral inlets are used for the first stages of high pressure and intermediate pressure steam turbines with both reaction and impulse blades when throttling or sliding pressure control is applied. They improve the steam flow uniformity from the inlet pipe and thus decrease the aerodynamic losses. The proposed evaluation of the inlet angle is based on the free vortex law.

Pore-scale Analysis of the effects of Contact Angle Hysteresis on Blob Mobilization in a Pore Doublet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsu, Shao-Yiu; Glantz, Roland; Hilpert, Markus

2011-11-01

The mobilization of residual oil blobs in porous media is of major interest to the petroleum industry. We studied the Jamin effect, which hampers the blob mobilization, experimentally in a pore doublet model and explain the Jamin effect through contact angle hysteresis. A liquid blob was trapped in one of the tubes of the pore doublet model and then subjected to different pressure gradients. We measured the contact angles (in 2D and 3D) as well as the mean curvatures of the blob. Due to gravity effects and hysteresis, the contact angles of the blob were initially (zero pressure gradient) non-uniform and exhibited a pronounced altitude dependence. As the pressure gradient was increased, the contact angles became more uniform and the altitude dependence of the contact angle decreased. At the same time, the mean curvature of the drainage interface increased, and the mean curvature of the imbibition interface decreased. The pressure drops across the pore model, which we inferred with our theory from the measured contact angles and mean curvatures, were in line with the directly measured pressure data. We not only show that a trapped blob can sustain a finite pressure gradient but also develop methods to measure the contact angles and mean curvatures in 3D.

Coupling of Low Speed Fan Stator Vane Unsteady Pressures to Duct Modes: Measured versus Predicted

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sutliff, Daniel L.; Heidelberg, Laurence J.; Envia, Edmane

1999-01-01

Uniform-flow annular-duct Green's functions are the essential elements of the classical acoustic analogy approach to the problem of computing the noise generated by rotor-stator interaction inside the fan duct. This paper investigates the accuracy of this class of Green's functions for predicting the duct noise levels when measured stator vane unsteady surface pressures are used as input to the theoretical formulation. The accuracy of the method is evaluated by comparing the predicted and measured acoustic power levels for the NASA 48 inch low speed Active Noise Control Fan. The unsteady surface pressures are measured,by an array of microphones imbedded in the suction and pressure sides of a single vane, while the duct mode levels are measured using a rotating rake system installed in the inlet and exhaust sections of the fan duct. The predicted levels are computed using properly weighted integrals of measured surface pressure distribution. The data-theory comparisons are generally quite good particularly when the mode cut-off criterion is carefully interpreted. This suggests that, at least for low speed fans, the uniform-flow annular-duct Green's function theory can be reliably used for prediction of duct mode levels if the cascade surface pressure distribution is accurately known.

High intensity ultrasound transducer used in gene transfection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morrison, Kyle P.; Keilman, George W.; Noble, Misty L.; Brayman, Andrew A.; Miao, Carol H.

2012-11-01

This paper describes a novel therapeutic high intensity non-focused ultrasound (HIU) transducer designed with uniform pressure distribution to aid in accelerated gene transfer in large animal liver tissues in vivo. The underlying HIU transducer was used to initiate homogeneous cavitation throughout the tissue while delivering up to 2.7 MPa at 1.1 MHz across its radiating surface. The HIU transducer was built into a 6 cm diameter x 1.3 cm tall housing ergonomically designed to avoid collateral damage to the surrounding anatomy during dynamic motion. The ultrasound (US) radiation was applied in a 'paintbrush-like' manner to the surface of the liver. The layers and geometry of the transducer were carefully selected to maximize the active diameter (5.74 cm), maximize the electrical to acoustic conversion efficiency (85%) to achieve 2.7 MPa of peak negative pressure, maximize the frequency operating band at the fundamental resonance to within a power transfer delta of 1 dB, and reduce the pressure delta to within 2 dB across the radiating surface. For maximum peak voltage into the transducer, a high performance piezoceramic was chosen and a DC bias circuit was built integral to the system. An apodized two element annular pattern was made from a single piezoceramic element, resulting in significant pressure uniformity enhancement. In addition to using apodization for pressure uniformity, a proprietary multi-layered structure was used to improve efficiency while sustaining an operating band from 900 kHz to 1.3 MHz. The resultant operating band allowed for dithering techniques using frequency modulation. The underlying HIU transducer for use in large animals enhances gene expression up to 6300-fold.

Hydrostatic pulpal pressure effect upon microleakage.

PubMed

Roberts, Howard W; Pashley, David H

2012-02-01

To evaluate if hydrostatic pulpal pressure plays a role in reducing microleakage. Uniform Class 5 preparations were accomplished on human molars with one margin on root dentin. Prepared teeth were randomly placed in one of three groups: (1) Hydrostatic pressure simulation at 20 cm pulpal pressure; (2) Hydrostatic pressure simulation but no pressure applied (positive control); and (3) Conventional microleakage method. Specimens were subjected to 24 hours methylene blue dye, sectioned, and microleakage assessed as a function of microleakage length versus entire preparation wall length using a traveling microscope. Hydrostatic pressure specimens demonstrated less gingival wall microleakage than the control groups while no difference was found between occlusal preparation walls.

Dynamic measurements in non-uniform flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ershov, A. P.

2017-12-01

The response of gauges registering the flow velocity and pressure in highly non-uniform media (for example, a powder under shock compression or powdered low-density explosive) is simulated. The modeling employs an acoustic approach. Against the average level of the signal, the fluctuations generated by the heterogeneity of the medium are observed which may distort the results completely. For reliable measurements, gauges larger than the characteristic scale of the medium non-uniformity are required. Under this condition, electromagnetic flow measurements and the velocity interferometer system for any reflector (VISAR) produce quite similar flow velocity profiles with small level of noise.

Dynamic measurements in non-uniform flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ershov, A. P.

2018-07-01

The response of gauges registering the flow velocity and pressure in highly non-uniform media (for example, a powder under shock compression or powdered low-density explosive) is simulated. The modeling employs an acoustic approach. Against the average level of the signal, the fluctuations generated by the heterogeneity of the medium are observed which may distort the results completely. For reliable measurements, gauges larger than the characteristic scale of the medium non-uniformity are required. Under this condition, electromagnetic flow measurements and the velocity interferometer system for any reflector (VISAR) produce quite similar flow velocity profiles with small level of noise.

Analytic models of ducted turbomachinery tone noise sources. Volume 2: Subprogram documentation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clark, T. L.; Ganz, U. W.; Graf, G. A.; Westall, J. S.

1974-01-01

Analytical models were developed for computing the periodic sound pressures of subsonic fans in an infinite hardwall annular duct with uniform flow. The computer programs are described which are used for numerical computations of sound pressure mode amplitudes. The data are applied to the acoustic properties of turbomachinery.

Highly oriented NdFeCoB nanocrystalline magnets from partially disproportionated compacts by reactive deformation under low pressure

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

Zheng, Qing; Li, Jun; Liu, Ying, E-mail: liuying5536@163.com

2014-05-07

In the present investigation, we take advantage of the ultrafine grain size of NdFeCoB partially hydrogen-disproportionated phases, and prepare anisotropic nanocrystalline magnets with full density and homogenous microstructure and texture by reactive deformation under low pressure. Our results suggest that the pressure could properly promote an occurrence of desorption-recombination reaction due to a shorter-range rearrangement of the atoms, and the newly recombined Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B grains with fine grain size could undergo deformation immediately after the phase transformation, and then an obvious anisotropy and uniform alignment would be obtained. The maximum magnetic properties, (BH){sub max} = 25.8 MGOe, Br = 11.8 kG, H{sub cj} = 5.5more » kOe, were obtained after being treated for 5 min at 820 °C in vacuum. The present study highlights the feasibility to prepare anisotropic nanocrystalline magnets with homogeneous microstructure and a strong (00l) texture of uniform grain size under low pressure.« less

Effects of pressure and electrical charge on macromolecular transport across bovine lens basement membrane.

PubMed

Ferrell, Nicholas; Cameron, Kathleen O; Groszek, Joseph J; Hofmann, Christina L; Li, Lingyan; Smith, Ross A; Bian, Aihua; Shintani, Ayumi; Zydney, Andrew L; Fissell, William H

2013-04-02

Molecular transport through the basement membrane is important for a number of physiological functions, and dysregulation of basement membrane architecture can have serious pathological consequences. The structure-function relationships that govern molecular transport in basement membranes are not fully understood. The basement membrane from the lens capsule of the eye is a collagen IV-rich matrix that can easily be extracted and manipulated in vitro. As such, it provides a convenient model for studying the functional relationships that govern molecular transport in basement membranes. Here we investigate the effects of increased transmembrane pressure and solute electrical charge on the transport properties of the lens basement membrane (LBM) from the bovine eye. Pressure-permeability relationships in LBM transport were governed primarily by changes in diffusive and convective contributions to solute flux and not by pressure-dependent changes in intrinsic membrane properties. The solute electrical charge had a minimal but statistically significant effect on solute transport through the LBM that was opposite of the expected electrokinetic behavior. The observed transport characteristics of the LBM are discussed in the context of established membrane transport modeling and previous work on the effects of pressure and electrical charge in other basement membrane systems. Copyright © 2013 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Water Dynamics in Shewanella oneidensis at Ambient and High Pressure using Quasi-Elastic Neutron Scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foglia, Fabrizia; Hazael, Rachael; Simeoni, Giovanna G.; Appavou, Marie-Sousai; Moulin, Martine; Haertlein, Michael; Trevor Forsyth, V.; Seydel, Tilo; Daniel, Isabelle; Meersman, Filip; McMillan, Paul F.

2016-01-01

Quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) is an ideal technique for studying water transport and relaxation dynamics at pico- to nanosecond timescales and at length scales relevant to cellular dimensions. Studies of high pressure dynamic effects in live organisms are needed to understand Earth’s deep biosphere and biotechnology applications. Here we applied QENS to study water transport in Shewanella oneidensis at ambient (0.1 MPa) and high (200 MPa) pressure using H/D isotopic contrast experiments for normal and perdeuterated bacteria and buffer solutions to distinguish intracellular and transmembrane processes. The results indicate that intracellular water dynamics are comparable with bulk diffusion rates in aqueous fluids at ambient conditions but a significant reduction occurs in high pressure mobility. We interpret this as due to enhanced interactions with macromolecules in the nanoconfined environment. Overall diffusion rates across the cell envelope also occur at similar rates but unexpected narrowing of the QENS signal appears between momentum transfer values Q = 0.7-1.1 Å-1 corresponding to real space dimensions of 6-9 Å. The relaxation time increase can be explained by correlated dynamics of molecules passing through Aquaporin water transport complexes located within the inner or outer membrane structures.

Water Dynamics in Shewanella oneidensis at Ambient and High Pressure using Quasi-Elastic Neutron Scattering.

PubMed

Foglia, Fabrizia; Hazael, Rachael; Simeoni, Giovanna G; Appavou, Marie-Sousai; Moulin, Martine; Haertlein, Michael; Trevor Forsyth, V; Seydel, Tilo; Daniel, Isabelle; Meersman, Filip; McMillan, Paul F

2016-01-07

Quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) is an ideal technique for studying water transport and relaxation dynamics at pico- to nanosecond timescales and at length scales relevant to cellular dimensions. Studies of high pressure dynamic effects in live organisms are needed to understand Earth's deep biosphere and biotechnology applications. Here we applied QENS to study water transport in Shewanella oneidensis at ambient (0.1 MPa) and high (200 MPa) pressure using H/D isotopic contrast experiments for normal and perdeuterated bacteria and buffer solutions to distinguish intracellular and transmembrane processes. The results indicate that intracellular water dynamics are comparable with bulk diffusion rates in aqueous fluids at ambient conditions but a significant reduction occurs in high pressure mobility. We interpret this as due to enhanced interactions with macromolecules in the nanoconfined environment. Overall diffusion rates across the cell envelope also occur at similar rates but unexpected narrowing of the QENS signal appears between momentum transfer values Q = 0.7-1.1 Å(-1) corresponding to real space dimensions of 6-9 Å. The relaxation time increase can be explained by correlated dynamics of molecules passing through Aquaporin water transport complexes located within the inner or outer membrane structures.

Bidirectional Transformation of a Metamorphic Protein between the Water-Soluble and Transmembrane Native States.

PubMed

Tanaka, Koji; Caaveiro, Jose M M; Tsumoto, Kouhei

2015-11-24

The bidirectional transformation of a protein between its native water-soluble and integral transmembrane conformations is demonstrated for FraC, a hemolytic protein of the family of pore-forming toxins. In the presence of biological membranes, the water-soluble conformation of FraC undergoes a remarkable structural reorganization generating cytolytic transmembrane nanopores conducive to cell death. So far, the reverse transformation from the native transmembrane conformation to the native water-soluble conformation has not been reported. We describe the use of detergents with different physicochemical properties to achieve the spontaneous conversion of transmembrane pores of FraC back into the initial water-soluble state. Thermodynamic and kinetic stability data suggest that specific detergents cause an asymmetric change in the energy landscape of the protein, allowing the bidirectional transformation of a membrane protein.

A physicochemical investigation of membrane fouling in cold microfiltration of skim milk.

PubMed

Tan, T J; Wang, D; Moraru, C I

2014-01-01

The main challenge in microfiltration (MF) is membrane fouling, which leads to a significant decline in permeate flux and a change in membrane selectivity over time. This work aims to elucidate the mechanisms of membrane fouling in cold MF of skim milk by identifying and quantifying the proteins and minerals involved in external and internal membrane fouling. Microfiltration was conducted using a 1.4-μm ceramic membrane, at a temperature of 6±1°C, cross-flow velocity of 6m/s, and transmembrane pressure of 159kPa, for 90min. Internal and external foulants were extracted from a ceramic membrane both after a brief contact between the membrane and skim milk, to evaluate instantaneous adsorption of foulants, and after MF. Four foulant streams were collected: weakly attached external foulants, weakly attached internal foulants, strongly attached external foulants, and strongly attached internal foulants. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry analysis showed that all major milk proteins were present in all foulant streams. Proteins did appear to be the major cause of membrane fouling. Proteomics analysis of the foulants indicated elevated levels of serum proteins as compared with milk in the foulant fractions collected from the adsorption study. Caseins were preferentially introduced into the fouling layer during MF, when transmembrane pressure was applied, as confirmed both by proteomics and mineral analyses. The knowledge generated in this study advances the understanding of fouling mechanisms in cold MF of skim milk and can be used to identify solutions for minimizing membrane fouling and increasing the efficiency of milk MF. Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ion-rejection, electrokinetic and electrochemical properties of a nanoporous track-etched membrane and their interpretation by means of space charge model.

PubMed

Yaroshchuk, Andriy; Boiko, Yuriy; Makovetskiy, Alexandre

2009-08-18

Due to their straight cylindrical pores, nanoporous track-etched membranes are suitable materials for studies of the fundamentals of nanofluidics. In contrast to single nanochannels, the nano/micro interface, in this case, can be quantitatively considered within the scope of macroscopically 1D models. The pressure-induced changes in the concentration of dilute KCl solutions (salt rejection phenomenon) have been studied experimentally with a commercially available nanoporous track-etched membrane of poly (ethylene terephthalate) (pore diameter ca. 21 nm). Besides that, we have also studied the concomitant stationary transmembrane electrical phenomenon (filtration potential) and carried out time-resolved measurements of the electrical response to a rapid pressure switch-off (within 5-10 ms). The latter has enabled us to split the filtration potential into the streaming potential and membrane potential components. In this way, we could also confirm that the observed nonlinearity of filtration potential, as a function of the transmembrane volume flow, was primarily caused by the salt rejection. The results of experimental measurements have been interpreted by means of a space charge model with the surface charge density being a single fitting parameter (the pore size was estimated from the membrane hydraulic permeability). By using the surface charge density fitted to the salt rejection data, the results of electrical measurements could be reproduced theoretically with a typical accuracy of 10% or better. Taking into account the simplifications made in the modeling, this accuracy appears to be good and confirms the quantitative applicability of the basic concept of space charge model to the description of transport properties of dilute electrolyte solutions in nanochannels of ca. 20 nm.

Production of Hypoallergenic Antibacterial Peptides from Defatted Soybean Meal in Membrane Bioreactor: A Bioprocess Engineering Study with Comprehensive Product Characterization

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Summary Hypoallergenic antibacterial low-molecular-mass peptides were produced from defatted soybean meal in a membrane bioreactor. In the first step, soybean meal proteins were digested with trypsin in the bioreactor, operated in batch mode. For the tryptic digestion of soybean meal protein, optimum initial soybean meal concentration of 75 g/L, temperature of 40 °C and pH=9.0 were determined. After enzymatic digestion, low-molecular-mass peptides were purified with cross-flow flat sheet membrane (pore size 100 µm) and then with tubular ceramic ultrafiltration membrane (molecular mass cut-off 5 kDa). Effects of transmembrane pressure and the use of a static turbulence promoter to reduce the concentration polarization near the ultrafiltration membrane surface were examined and their positive effects were proven. For the filtration with ultrafiltration membrane, transmembrane pressure of 3·105 Pa with 3-stage discontinuous diafiltration was found optimal. The molecular mass distribution of purified peptides using ultrafiltration membrane was determined by a liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry setup. More than 96% of the peptides (calculated as relative frequency) from the ultrafiltration membrane permeate had the molecular mass M≤1.7 kDa and the highest molecular mass was found to be 3.1 kDa. The decrease of allergenic property due to the tryptic digestion and membrane filtration was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and it was found to exceed 99.9%. It was also found that the peptides purified in the ultrafiltration membrane promoted the growth of Pediococcus acidilactici HA6111-2 and they possessed antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus. PMID:29089846

Rotating reverse osmosis: a dynamic model for flux and rejection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, S.; Lueptow, R. M.

2001-01-01

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a compact process for the removal of ionic and organic pollutants from contaminated water. However, flux decline and rejection deterioration due to concentration polarization and membrane fouling hinders the application of RO technology. In this study, a rotating cylindrical RO membrane is theoretically investigated as a novel method to reduce polarization and fouling. A dynamic model based on RO membrane transport incorporating concentration polarization is used to predict the performance of rotating RO system. Operating parameters such as rotational speed and transmembrane pressure play an important role in determining the flux and rejection in rotating RO. For a given geometry, a rotational speed sufficient to generate Taylor vortices in the annulus is essential to maintain high flux as well as high rejection. The flux and rejection were calculated for wide range of operating pressures and rotational speeds. c 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

System and methods for predicting transmembrane domains in membrane proteins and mining the genome for recognizing G-protein coupled receptors

DOEpatents

Trabanino, Rene J; Vaidehi, Nagarajan; Hall, Spencer E; Goddard, William A; Floriano, Wely

2013-02-05

The invention provides computer-implemented methods and apparatus implementing a hierarchical protocol using multiscale molecular dynamics and molecular modeling methods to predict the presence of transmembrane regions in proteins, such as G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCR), and protein structural models generated according to the protocol. The protocol features a coarse grain sampling method, such as hydrophobicity analysis, to provide a fast and accurate procedure for predicting transmembrane regions. Methods and apparatus of the invention are useful to screen protein or polynucleotide databases for encoded proteins with transmembrane regions, such as GPCRs.

Hydrostatic bearings for a turbine fluid flow metering device

DOEpatents

Fincke, J.R.

1980-05-02

A rotor assembly fluid metering device has been improved by development of a hydrostatic bearing fluid system which provides bearing fluid at a common pressure to rotor assembly bearing surfaces. The bearing fluid distribution system produces a uniform film of fluid distribution system produces a uniform film of fluid between bearing surfaces and allows rapid replacement of bearing fluid between bearing surfaces, thereby minimizing bearing wear and corrosion.

Sputter coating of microspherical substrates by levitation

DOEpatents

Lowe, Arthur T.; Hosford, Charles D.

1981-01-01

Microspheres are substantially uniformly coated with metals or nonmetals by simultaneously levitating them and sputter coating them at total chamber pressures less than 1 torr. A collimated hole structure 12 comprising a parallel array of upwardly projecting individual gas outlets 16 is machined out to form a dimple 11. Glass microballoons, which are particularly useful in laser fusion applications, can be substantially uniformly coated using the coating method and apparatus.

Methods and apparatus for producing cryogenic inertially driven fusion targets

DOEpatents

Miller, John R.

1981-01-01

A new technique for producing uniform layers of solid DT on microballoon surfaces. Local heating of the target, typically by means of a focused laser, within an isothermal freezing cell containing a low pressure cryogenic exchange gas such as helium, vaporizes the DT fuel. Removal of the laser heating source causes the DT gas to rapidly condense and freeze in a layer which exhibits a good degree of uniformity.

Effects of Non-Equilibrium Plasmas on Low-Pressure, Premixed Flames. Part 1: CH* Chemiluminescence, Temperature, and OH

DTIC Science & Technology

2018-01-16

1    Effects of Non -Equilibrium Plasmas on Low-Pressure, Premixed Flames. Part 1: CH* Chemiluminescence, Temperature, and OH Ting Li, Igor V...investigate the effects of nanosecond, repetitively-pulsed, non -equilibrium plasma discharges on laminar, low-pressure, premixed burner-stabilized hydrogen/O2...sources, both of which generate uniform, low-temperature, volumetric, non -equilibrium plasma discharges, are used to study changes in

Temperature compensated high-temperature/high-pressure Merrill--Bassett diamond anvil cell

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

Schiferl, D.

1987-07-01

A Merrill--Bassett diamond anvil cell for high-temperature/high-pressure studies up to 5 GPa at 1000 K and 13 GPa at 725 K is described. To maintain uniform, well-characterized temperatures, and to protect the diamond anvils from oxidation and graphitization, the entire cell is heated in a vacuum oven. The materials are chosen so that the pressure remains constant to within +-10% over the entire temperature range.

Influence of movable test section elements configuration on its drag and flow field uniformity at transonic speeds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glazkov, S. A.; Gorbushin, A. R.; Osipova, S. L.; Semenov, A. V.

2016-10-01

The report describes the results of flow field experimental research in TsAGI T-128 transonic wind tunnel. During the tests Mach number, stagnation pressure, test section wall perforation ratio, angles between the test section panels and mixing chamber flaps varied. Based on the test results one determined corrections to the free-stream Mach number related to the flow speed difference in the model location and in the zone of static pressure measurement on the test section walls, nonuniformity of the longitudinal velocity component in the model location, optimal position of the movable test section elements to provide flow field uniformity in the test section and minimize the test leg drag.

A new treatment of the albedo radiation pressure in the case of a uniform albedo and of a spherical satellite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Borderies, Nicole; Longaretti, Pierre-Yves

1990-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to present a model for the radiation pressure acceleration of a spherical satellite, due to the radiation reflected by a planet with a uniform albedo. A particular choice of variables allows one to reduce the surface integrals over the lit portion of the planet visible to the satellite to one-dimensional integrals. Exact analytical expressions are found for the integrals corresponding to the case where the spacecraft does not 'see' the terminator. The other integrals can be computer either numerically, or analytical in an approximate form. The results are compared with those of Lochry (1966). The model is applied to Magellan, a spacecraft orbiting Venus.

Spatial Variation of Pressure in the Lyophilization Product Chamber Part 2: Experimental Measurements and Implications for Scale-up and Batch Uniformity.

PubMed

Sane, Pooja; Varma, Nikhil; Ganguly, Arnab; Pikal, Michael; Alexeenko, Alina; Bogner, Robin H

2017-02-01

Product temperature during the primary drying step of freeze-drying is controlled by a set point chamber pressure and shelf temperature. However, recent computational modeling suggests a possible variation in local chamber pressure. The current work presents an experimental verification of the local chamber pressure gradients in a lab-scale freeze-dryer. Pressure differences between the center and the edges of a lab-scale freeze-dryer shelf were measured as a function of sublimation flux and clearance between the sublimation front and the shelf above. A modest 3-mTorr difference in pressure was observed as the sublimation flux was doubled from 0.5 to 1.0 kg·h -1 ·m -2 at a clearance of 2.6 cm. Further, at a constant sublimation flux of 1.0 kg·h -1 ·m -2 , an 8-fold increase in the pressure drop was observed across the shelf as the clearance was decreased from 4 to 1.6 cm. Scale-up of the pressure variation from lab- to a manufacturing-scale freeze-dryer predicted an increased uniformity in drying rates across the batch for two frequently used pharmaceutical excipients (mannitol and sucrose at 5% w/w). However, at an atypical condition of shelf temperature of +10°C and chamber pressure of 50 mTorr, the product temperature in the center vials was calculated to be a degree higher than the edge vial for a low resistance product, thus reversing the typical edge and center vial behavior. Thus, the effect of local pressure variation is more significant at the manufacturing-scale than at a lab-scale and accounting for the contribution of variations in the local chamber pressures can improve success in scale-up.

Reconstituted asbestos matrix for fuel cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcbryar, H.

1975-01-01

Method is described for reprocessing commercially available asbestos matrix stock to yield greater porosity and bubble pressure (due to increased surface tension), improved homogeneity, and greater uniformity.

Numerical Modeling of Fluid Flow in Solid Tumors

PubMed Central

Soltani, M.; Chen, P.

2011-01-01

A mathematical model of interstitial fluid flow is developed, based on the application of the governing equations for fluid flow, i.e., the conservation laws for mass and momentum, to physiological systems containing solid tumors. The discretized form of the governing equations, with appropriate boundary conditions, is developed for a predefined tumor geometry. The interstitial fluid pressure and velocity are calculated using a numerical method, element based finite volume. Simulations of interstitial fluid transport in a homogeneous solid tumor demonstrate that, in a uniformly perfused tumor, i.e., one with no necrotic region, because of the interstitial pressure distribution, the distribution of drug particles is non-uniform. Pressure distribution for different values of necrotic radii is examined and two new parameters, the critical tumor radius and critical necrotic radius, are defined. Simulation results show that: 1) tumor radii have a critical size. Below this size, the maximum interstitial fluid pressure is less than what is generally considered to be effective pressure (a parameter determined by vascular pressure, plasma osmotic pressure, and interstitial osmotic pressure). Above this size, the maximum interstitial fluid pressure is equal to effective pressure. As a consequence, drugs transport to the center of smaller tumors is much easier than transport to the center of a tumor whose radius is greater than the critical tumor radius; 2) there is a critical necrotic radius, below which the interstitial fluid pressure at the tumor center is at its maximum value. If the tumor radius is greater than the critical tumor radius, this maximum pressure is equal to effective pressure. Above this critical necrotic radius, the interstitial fluid pressure at the tumor center is below effective pressure. In specific ranges of these critical sizes, drug amount and therefore therapeutic effects are higher because the opposing force, interstitial fluid pressure, is low in these ranges. PMID:21673952

[Recording of ventricular pressure by conventional catheter manometer systems. Efficiency of several combinations of conventional catheters, modern transducers and catheter-flush systems (author's transl)].

PubMed

Hellige, G

1976-01-01

The experimentally in vitro determined dynamic response characteristics of 38 catheter manometer systems were uniform in the worst case to 5 c.p.s. and optimally to 26 c.p.s. Accordingly, some systems are only satisfactory for ordinary pressure recording in cardiac rest, while better systems record dp/dt correct up to moderate inotropic stimulation of the heart. In the frequency range of uniform response (amplitude error less +/- 5%) the phase distortion is also negligible. In clinical application the investigator is often restricted to special type of cardiac catheter. In this case a low compliant transducer yields superior results. In all examined systems the combination with MSD 10 transducers is best, whereas the combination with P 23 Db transducers leads to minimal results. An inadequate system for recording ventricular pressure pulses leads in most cases to overestimations of dp/dtmax. The use of low frequency pass filters to attenuate higher frequency artefacts is, under clinical conditions, not suitable for extending the range of uniform frequency response. The dynamic response of 14 catheter manometer systems with two types of continuous self flush units was determined. The use of the P 37 flush unit in combination with small internal diameter catheters leads to serious error in ordinary pressure recording, due to amplitude distortion of the lower harmonics. The frequency response characteristics of the combination of an Intraflow flush system and MSD 10 transducer was similar to the non-flushing P 23 Db transducer feature.

Design and development of a low cost, high current density power supply for streamer free atmospheric pressure DBD plasma generation in air.

PubMed

Jain, Vishal; Visani, Anand; Srinivasan, R; Agarwal, Vivek

2018-03-01

This paper presents a new power supply architecture for generating a uniform dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma in air medium at atmospheric pressure. It is quite a challenge to generate atmospheric pressure uniform glow discharge plasma, especially in air. This is because air plasma needs very high voltage for initiation of discharge. If the high voltage is used along with high current density, it leads to the formation of streamers, which is undesirable for most applications like textile treatment, etc. Researchers have tried to generate high-density plasma using a RF source, nanosecond pulsed DC source, and medium frequency AC source. However, these solutions suffer from low current discharge and low efficiency due to the addition of an external resistor to control the discharge current. Moreover, they are relatively costly and bulky. This paper presents a new power supply configuration which is very compact and generates high average density (∼0.28 W/cm 2 ) uniform glow DBD plasma in air at atmospheric pressure. The efficiency is also higher as no external resistor is required to control the discharge current. An inherent feature of this topology is that it can drive higher current oscillations (∼50 A peak and 2-3 MHz frequency) into the plasma that damp out due to the plasma dissipation only. A newly proposed model has been used with experimental validation in this paper. Simulations and experimental validation of the proposed topology are included. Also, the application of the generated plasma for polymer film treatment is demonstrated.

Design and development of a low cost, high current density power supply for streamer free atmospheric pressure DBD plasma generation in air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jain, Vishal; Visani, Anand; Srinivasan, R.; Agarwal, Vivek

2018-03-01

This paper presents a new power supply architecture for generating a uniform dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma in air medium at atmospheric pressure. It is quite a challenge to generate atmospheric pressure uniform glow discharge plasma, especially in air. This is because air plasma needs very high voltage for initiation of discharge. If the high voltage is used along with high current density, it leads to the formation of streamers, which is undesirable for most applications like textile treatment, etc. Researchers have tried to generate high-density plasma using a RF source, nanosecond pulsed DC source, and medium frequency AC source. However, these solutions suffer from low current discharge and low efficiency due to the addition of an external resistor to control the discharge current. Moreover, they are relatively costly and bulky. This paper presents a new power supply configuration which is very compact and generates high average density (˜0.28 W/cm2) uniform glow DBD plasma in air at atmospheric pressure. The efficiency is also higher as no external resistor is required to control the discharge current. An inherent feature of this topology is that it can drive higher current oscillations (˜50 A peak and 2-3 MHz frequency) into the plasma that damp out due to the plasma dissipation only. A newly proposed model has been used with experimental validation in this paper. Simulations and experimental validation of the proposed topology are included. Also, the application of the generated plasma for polymer film treatment is demonstrated.

Numerical simulation for the magnetic force distribution in electromagnetic forming of small size flat sheet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xiaowei; Wang, Wenping; Wan, Min

2013-12-01

It is essential to calculate magnetic force in the process of studying electromagnetic flat sheet forming. Calculating magnetic force is the basis of analyzing the sheet deformation and optimizing technical parameters. Magnetic force distribution on the sheet can be obtained by numerical simulation of electromagnetic field. In contrast to other computing methods, the method of numerical simulation has some significant advantages, such as higher calculation accuracy, easier using and other advantages. In this paper, in order to study of magnetic force distribution on the small size flat sheet in electromagnetic forming when flat round spiral coil, flat rectangular spiral coil and uniform pressure coil are adopted, the 3D finite element models are established by software ANSYS/EMAG. The magnetic force distribution on the sheet are analyzed when the plane geometries of sheet are equal or less than the coil geometries under fixed discharge impulse. The results showed that when the physical dimensions of sheet are less than the corresponding dimensions of the coil, the variation of induced current channel width on the sheet will cause induced current crowding effect that seriously influence the magnetic force distribution, and the degree of inhomogeneity of magnetic force distribution is increase nearly linearly with the variation of induced current channel width; the small size uniform pressure coil will produce approximately uniform magnetic force distribution on the sheet, but the coil is easy to early failure; the desirable magnetic force distribution can be achieved when the unilateral placed flat rectangular spiral coil is adopted, and this program can be take as preferred one, because the longevity of flat rectangular spiral coil is longer than the working life of small size uniform pressure coil.

Design of a Mach-15 Total-Enthalpy Nozzle With Non-uniform Inflow Using Rotational MOC

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaffney, Richard L., Jr.

2004-01-01

A new computer program to design nozzles with non-uniform inflow has been developed using the rotational method of characteristics (MOC). This program has been used to design a nozzle for the NASA's HYPULSE shock-expansion tunnel for use in scramjet engine tests at a Mach-15 flight-enthalpy condition. The nozzle has an area ratio of 9.5:1 that expands the inflow from Mach 6 along the centerline to Mach 8.7. Although the density and Mach number vary radially at the exit due to the non-uniformities of the inflow, the MOC procedure produces exit flow that is parallel and has uniform static pressure. The design has been verified with CFD which compares favorably with the MOC solution.

Multi-hole pressure probes to wind tunnel experiments and air data systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shevchenko, A. M.; Shmakov, A. S.

2017-10-01

The problems to develop a multihole pressure system to measure flow angularity, Mach number and dynamic head for wind tunnel experiments or air data systems are discussed. A simple analytical model with separation of variables is derived for the multihole spherical pressure probe. The proposed model is uniform for small subsonic and supersonic speeds. An error analysis was performed. The error functions are obtained, allowing to estimate the influence of the Mach number, the pitch angle, the location of the pressure ports on the uncertainty of determining the flow parameters.

Topology of membrane proteins-predictions, limitations and variations.

PubMed

Tsirigos, Konstantinos D; Govindarajan, Sudha; Bassot, Claudio; Västermark, Åke; Lamb, John; Shu, Nanjiang; Elofsson, Arne

2017-10-26

Transmembrane proteins perform a variety of important biological functions necessary for the survival and growth of the cells. Membrane proteins are built up by transmembrane segments that span the lipid bilayer. The segments can either be in the form of hydrophobic alpha-helices or beta-sheets which create a barrel. A fundamental aspect of the structure of transmembrane proteins is the membrane topology, that is, the number of transmembrane segments, their position in the protein sequence and their orientation in the membrane. Along these lines, many predictive algorithms for the prediction of the topology of alpha-helical and beta-barrel transmembrane proteins exist. The newest algorithms obtain an accuracy close to 80% both for alpha-helical and beta-barrel transmembrane proteins. However, lately it has been shown that the simplified picture presented when describing a protein family by its topology is limited. To demonstrate this, we highlight examples where the topology is either not conserved in a protein superfamily or where the structure cannot be described solely by the topology of a protein. The prediction of these non-standard features from sequence alone was not successful until the recent revolutionary progress in 3D-structure prediction of proteins. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ram-pressure scaling and non-uniformity characterization of a spherically imploding liner formed by hypervelocity plasma jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cassibry, Jason; Dougherty, Jesse; Thompson, Seth; Hsu, Scott; Witherspoon, F. D.; University of AL in Huntsville Team; Los Alamos National Laboratory Team; HyperV Technologies Corp. Team

2014-10-01

Three-dimensional modeling of plasma liner formation and implosion is performed using the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics Code (SPHC) with radiation, thermal transport, and tabular equations of state (EOS), accounting for ionization, in support of a proposed 60-gun plasma liner formation experiment for plasma-jet driven magneto-inertial fusion (PJMIF). Previous SPHC modeling showed that ideal gas law scaling of peak stagnation pressure increased linearly with density and number of jets, quadratically with jet radius and velocity, and inversely with the initial jet length, while results with tabular EOS, thermal transport, and radiation have greater sensitivity to the initial jet distribution. A series of simulations are conducted to study the effects of initial jet conditions on peak ram pressure and liner non-uniformity during plasma liner implosion. The growth rate of large-amplitude density perturbations introduced by the discrete jets are computed and compared with predictions by the Bell-Plesset equation.

Apparatus for producing cryogenic inertially driven fusion targets

DOEpatents

Miller, John R.

1981-01-01

A new technique for producing uniform layers of solid DT on microballoon surfaces. Local heating of the target, typically by means of a focused laser, within an isothermal freezing cell containing a low pressure cryogenic exchange gas such as helium, vaporizes the DT fuel contained within the microballoon. Removal of the laser heating source causes the DT gas to rapidly condense and freeze in a layer which exhibits a good degree of uniformity.

Single stage experimental evaluation of tandem-airfoil rotor and stator blading for compressors. Part 4: Data and performance for stage B

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brent, J. A.; Cheatham, J. G.

1973-01-01

Stage B, composed of tandem-airfoil rotor B and stator B, was tested with uniform inlet flow and with hub radial, tip radial and 90 degree one-per-revolution circumferential distortion of the inlet flow as part of an overall program to evaluate the effectiveness of tandem airfoils for increasing the design point loading capability and stable operating range of rotor and stator blading. The results of this series of tests provide overall performance and blade element data for evaluating: (1) the potential of tandem blading for extending the loading limit and stable operating range of a stage representative of a middle stage of an advanced high pressure compressor, (2) the effect of loading split between the two airfoils in tandem on the performance of tandem blading, and (3) the effects of inlet flow distortion on the stage performance. The rotor had an inlet hub/tip ratio of 0.8 and a design tip velocity of 757 ft/sec. With uniform inlet flow, rotor B achieved a maximum adiabatic efficiency of 88.4% at design equivalent rotor speed and a pressure ratio of 1.31. The stage maximum adiabatic efficiency at design equivalent rotor speed with uniform inlet flow was 82.5% at a pressure ratio of 1.28. Tip radial and circumferential distortion of the inlet flow caused substantial reductions in surge margin.

Improving the side-to-side stapled anastomosis: comparison of staplers for robust crotch formation.

PubMed

Kimura, Masahiro; Kuwabara, Yoshiyuki; Taniwaki, Satoshi; Mitsui, Akira; Shibata, Yasuyuki; Ueno, Shuhei

2018-01-01

Few studies have investigated the burst pressure of side-to-side anastomoses comparing different stapling devices that are commercially available. We conducted side-to-side anastomoses with a variety of staplers and compared burst pressure in the crotch of the anastomoses. Nagoya City East Medical Center. We conducted side-to-side anastomoses with 9 staplers with different shapes and forms. Fresh pig small intestines were used. A side-to-side anastomosis was performed between 2 intestine specimens using a linear stapler. The burst pressure of the anastomosis was recorded. In total, 45 staplers were used for this experiment. The site of leakage in all cases was the crotch. Regarding the influence of the number of staple rows, the burst pressure in 3-row staplers was significantly higher than in 2-row staplers. With regard to the relationship between staple height and burst pressure, staples with a height slightly shorter than the intestinal thickness showed the highest burst pressure. In a comparison of staplers with uniform staple heights and stamplers with staples of 3 different heights, the latter had significantly lower burst pressures. Neoveil significantly increased the burst pressure in the crotch and contributed to the highest burst pressure of all the staplers used in this experiment. In this experiment, we defined the important factors that influence burst pressure at the crotch of a stapled, side-to-side anastomosis. These factors include the number of staple rows, the height of the staple compared with the thickness of the tissue, uniformity of staple height, and reinforcement of the staple line. In any surgical case requiring intestinal anastomosis, selection of a stapler is a critical step. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of Magnetic field on Peristalsis transport of a Carreau Fluid in a tapered asymmetric channel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prakash, J.; Balaji, N.; Siva, E. P.; Kothandapani, M.; Govindarajan, A.

2018-04-01

The paper is concerned with effects of a uniform applied magnetic field on a Carreau fluid flow in a tapered asymmetric channel with peristalsis. The channel non-uniform & asymmetry are formed by choosing the peristaltic wave train on the tapered walls to have different amplitude and phase (ϕ). The governing equations of the Carreau model in two - dimensional peristaltic flow phenomena are constructed under assumptions of long wave length and low Reynolds number approximations. The simplified non - linear governing equations are solved by regular perturbation method. The expressions for pressure rise, frictional force, velocity and stream function are determined and the effects of different parameters like non-dimensional amplitudes walls (a and b), non - uniform parameter (m), Hartmann number (M), phase difference (ϕ),power law index (n) and Weissenberg numbers (We) on the flow characteristics are discussed. It is viewed that the rheological parameter for large (We), the curves of the pressure rise are not linear but it behaves like a Newtonian fluid for very small Weissenberg number.

Uniformity studies of inductively coupled plasma etching in fabrication of HgCdTe detector arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bommena, R.; Velicu, S.; Boieriu, P.; Lee, T. S.; Grein, C. H.; Tedjojuwono, K. K.

2007-04-01

Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) chemistry based on a mixture of CH 4, Ar, and H II was investigated for the purpose of delineating HgCdTe mesa structures and vias typically used in the fabrication of second and third generation infrared photo detector arrays. We report on ICP etching uniformity results and correlate them with plasma controlling parameters (gas flow rates, total chamber pressure, ICP power and RF power). The etching rate and surface morphology of In-doped MWIR and LWIR HgCdTe showed distinct dependences on the plasma chemistry, total pressure and RF power. Contact stylus profilometry and cross-section scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the anisotropy of the etched profiles obtained after various processes and a standard deviation of 0.06 μm was obtained for etch depth on 128 x 128 format array vias. The surface morphology and the uniformity of the etched surfaces were studied by plan view SEM. Atomic force microscopy was used to make precise assessments of surface roughness.

Two-stage fan. 2: Data and performance with redesigned second stage rotor uniform and distorted inlet flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Messenger, H. E.; Keenan, M. J.

1974-01-01

A two-stage fan with a first rotor tip speed of 1450 ft/sec (441.96 m/sec) and no inlet guide vanes was tested with uniform and distorted inlet flows, with a redesigned second rotor having a part span shroud to prevent flutter, with variable-stagger stators set in nominal positions, and without rotor casing treatment. The fan achieved a pressure ratio 2.8 at a corrected flow of 185.4 lbm/sec (84.0 kg/sec), an adiabatic efficiency of 85.0 percent, and a stall margin of 12 percent. The redesigned second rotor did not flutter. Tip radial distortion reduced the stall margin at intermediate speed, but had little effect on stall margin at high or low speeds. Hub radial distortion reduced the stall margin at design speed but increased stall margin at low speed. Circumferential distortion reduced stall pressure ratio and flow to give approximately the same stall lines with uniform inlet flow. Distortions were attenuated by the fan. For Vol. 1, see N74-11421.

NIM gas controlled sodium heat pipe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, X.; Zhang, J. T.; Merlone, A.; Duan, Y.; Wang, W.

2013-09-01

Gas controlled heat pipes (GCHPs) provide a uniform, stable and reproducible temperature zone to calibrate thermometers and thermocouples, and to realize defining fixed points using a calorimetric method. Therefore, to perform such investigations, a GCHP furnace using sodium as its working fluid was constructed at the National Institute of Metrology (NIM), China. Also, investigations into the thermal characteristics of the NIM gas controlled sodium heat pipe were carried out. The temperature stability over 5 hours was better than ±0.25 mK while controlling the pressure at 111250 Pa. The temperature uniformity within 14 cm from the bottom of the thermometer well was within 0.3 mK. While keeping the pressure stable at the same value, 17 temperature determinations were performed over 14 days, obtaining a temperature reproducibility of 1.27 mK. Additionally, the NIM gas controlled sodium heat pipe was compared with the sodium heat pipe produced by INRiM. The temperature in the INRiM sodium heat pipe operating at 111250 Pa was determined, obtaining a difference of 21 mK with respect to the NIM GCHP. This difference was attributed to sodium impurities, pressure controller capabilities and reproducibility, and instabilities of high temperature standard platinum resistance thermometers (HTSPRTs). Further investigations will be carried out on extending the pressure/temperature range and connecting both GCHPs to the same pressure line.

Comparison of characteristics and downstream uniformity of linear-field and cross-field atmospheric pressure plasma jet array in He

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Bo; Fang, Zhi; Liu, Feng; Zhou, Renwu; Zhou, Ruoyu

2018-06-01

Using an atmospheric pressure plasma jet array is an effective way for expanding the treatment area of a single jet, and generating arrays with well downstream uniformity is of great interest for its applications. In this paper, a plasma jet array in helium is generated in a linear-field jet array with a ring-ring electrode structure excited by alternating current. The characteristics and downstream uniformity of the array and their dependence on the applied voltage and gas flow rate are investigated through optical, electrical, and Schlieren diagnostics. The results are compared with those of our reported work of a cross-field jet array with a needle-ring electrode structure. The results show that the linear-field jet array can generate relatively large-scale plasma with better uniformity and longer plumes than the cross-field case. The divergences observed in gas channels and the plasma plume trajectories are much less than those of the cross-field one. The deflection angle of lateral plumes is less than 6°, which is independent of the gas flow rate and applied voltage. The maximum downstream plumes of 23 mm can be obtained at 7 kV peak applied voltage and 4 l/min gas flow rate. The better uniformity of linear-field jet arrays is due to the effective suppression of hydrodynamic and electrical interactions among the jets in the arrays with a more uniform electric field distribution. The hydrodynamic interaction induced by the gas heating in the linear-field jet array is less than that of the cross-field one. The more uniform electric field distribution in the linear-field jet arrays can reduce the divergence of the propagation trajectories of the plasma plumes. It will generate less residual charge between the adjacent discharges and thus can reduce the accumulation effect of Coulomb force between the plasma plumes. The reported results can help design controllable and scalable plasma jet arrays with well uniformity for material surface and biomedical treatments.

Single-cell transcriptome analysis of fish immune cells provides insight into the evolution of vertebrate immune cell types

PubMed Central

Ferreira, Lauren; Macaulay, Iain C.; Stubbington, Michael J.T.

2017-01-01

The immune system of vertebrate species consists of many different cell types that have distinct functional roles and are subject to different evolutionary pressures. Here, we first analyzed conservation of genes specific for all major immune cell types in human and mouse. Our results revealed higher gene turnover and faster evolution of trans-membrane proteins in NK cells compared with other immune cell types, and especially T cells, but similar conservation of nuclear and cytoplasmic protein coding genes. To validate these findings in a distant vertebrate species, we used single-cell RNA sequencing of lck:GFP cells in zebrafish and obtained the first transcriptome of specific immune cell types in a nonmammalian species. Unsupervised clustering and single-cell TCR locus reconstruction identified three cell populations, T cells, a novel type of NK-like cells, and a smaller population of myeloid-like cells. Differential expression analysis uncovered new immune-cell–specific genes, including novel immunoglobulin-like receptors, and neofunctionalization of recently duplicated paralogs. Evolutionary analyses confirmed the higher gene turnover of trans-membrane proteins in NK cells compared with T cells in fish species, suggesting that this is a general property of immune cell types across all vertebrates. PMID:28087841

Effect of mean cell residence time on transmembrane flux, mixed-liquor characteristics and overall performance of a submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor.

PubMed

Pacheco-Ruiz, Santiago; Heaven, Sonia; Banks, Charles J

2017-05-01

Kinetic control of Mean Cell Residence Time (MCRT) was shown to have a significant impact on membrane flux under steady-state conditions. Two laboratory-scale flat-plate submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactors were operated for 245 days on a low-to-intermediate strength substrate with high suspended solids. Transmembrane pressure was maintained at 2.2 kPa throughout four experimental phases, while MCRT in one reactor was progressively reduced. This allowed very accurate measurement of sustainable membrane flux rates at different MCRTs, and hence the degree of membrane fouling. Performance data were gathered on chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency, and a COD mass balance was constructed accounting for carbon converted into new biomass and that lost in the effluent as dissolved methane. Measurements of growth yield at each MCRT were made, with physical characterisation of each mixed liquor based on capillary suction time. The results showed membrane flux and MLSS filterability was highest at short MCRT, although specific methane production (SMP) was lower since a proportion of COD removal was accounted for by higher biomass yield. There was no advantage in operating at an MCRT <25 days. When considering the most suitable MCRT there is thus a trade-off between membrane performance, SMP and waste sludge yield.

Perturbations of a close-earth satellite due to sunlight diffusely reflected from the earth. I - Uniform albedo

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lautman, D. A.

1977-01-01

A semianalytic method has been developed to calculate the radiation-pressure perturbations of a close-earth satellite due to sunlight reflected from the earth. The assumptions made are that the satellite is spherically symmetric and that the solar radiation is reflected from the earth according to Lambert's Law with uniform albedo. By using expressions for the components of the radiation-pressure force due to Lochry, the expressions for the perturbations of the elements were developed into series in the true anomaly. The perturbations within a given revolution can be obtained analytically by integrating with respect to v while holding all slowly varying quantities constant. The long-range perturbations are then obtained by accumulating the net perturbations at the end of each revolution.

Three-electrode low pressure discharge apparatus and method for uniform ionization of gaseous media

DOEpatents

McLellan, Edward J.

1983-01-01

Uniform, transverse electrical discharges are produced in gaseous media without the necessity of switching the main discharge voltage with an external device which carries the entire discharge current. A three-electrode low pressure discharge tube is charged across its anode (1) and cathode (2) to below breakdown voltage using a dc voltage source (3). An array of resistors (4) or capacitors can be made to discharge to the wire screen anode by means of a low energy high voltage pulse circuit (5) producing sufficient preionization in the region between the anode and cathode to initiate and control the main discharge. The invention has been demonstrated to be useful as a CO.sub.2 laser oscillator and pulse-smoother. It can be reliably operated in the sealed-off mode.

Spherization of the remnants of asymmetrical SN explosions in a uniform medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bisnovatyi-Kogan, G. S.; Blinnikov, S. I.

A 'snow-plow' approximation is used to project a spherical shape for a supernova remnant (SNR) after a shock wave has traveled through a uniform medium following an asymmetrical SN explosion. The asymmetry arises as magnetorotation causes the explosion. It is assumed that the main part of the mass remains in a thin layer after the explosion and that the layer can be described by 1,5-dimensional hydrodynamics. The cavity pressure inside the shock is assumed much greater than the pressure of the outside medium. The snow-plow model accounts for asymmetrical particle velocities in the expanding layer and the tangential velocity averaged across the shock. The equations are configured to conserve mass and momentum and have specific initial conditions. The calculations are in agreement with observations of Cas A.

An anti-barotrauma system for preventing barotrauma during hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

PubMed

Song, Moon; Hoon, Se Jeon; Shin, Tae Min

2018-01-01

In the present study, a tympanometry-based anti-barotrauma (ABT) device was designed using eardrum admittance measurements to develop an objective method of preventing barotrauma that occurs during hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) therapy. The middle ear space requires active equalization, and barotrauma of these tissues during HBO₂therapy constitutes the most common treatment-associated injury. Decongestant nasal sprays and nasal steroids are used, but their efficacy is questionable to prevent middle ear barotrauma (MEB) during HBO₂ treatment. Accordingly, a tympanometry-based ABT device was designed using eardrum admittance measurements to develop an objective method for preventing MEB, which causes pain and injury, and represents one of the principal reasons for patients to stop treatment. This study was conducted to test a novel technology that can be used to measure transmembrane pressures, and provide chamber attendants with real-time feedback regarding the patient's equalization status prior to the onset of pain or injury. Eardrum admittance values were measured according to pressure changes inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber while the system was fitted to the subject. When the pressure increased to above 200 daPa, eardrum admittance decreased to 16.255% of prepressurization levels. After pressure equalization was achieved, eardrum admittance recovered to 95.595% of prepressurization levels. A one-way repeated measures analysis of variance contrast test was performed on eardrum admittance before pressurization versus during pressurization, and before pressurization versus after pressure equalization. The analysis revealed significant differences at all points during pressurization (P⟨0.001), but no significant difference after pressure equalization was achieved. This ABT device can provide objective feedback reflecting eardrum condition to the patient and the chamber operator during HBO₂ therapy. Copyright© Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society.

Productive interaction between transmembrane mutants of the bovine papillomavirus E5 protein and the platelet-derived growth factor beta receptor.

PubMed

Lai, Char-Chang; Edwards, Anne P B; DiMaio, Daniel

2005-02-01

The bovine papillomavirus E5 protein is a 44-amino-acid transmembrane protein that transforms cells by binding to the transmembrane region of the cellular platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) beta receptor, resulting in sustained receptor signaling. However, there are published reports that certain mutants with amino acid substitutions in the membrane-spanning segment of the E5 protein transform cells without activating the PDGF beta receptor. We re-examined several of these transmembrane mutants, and here we present five lines of evidence that these mutants do in fact activate the PDGF beta receptor, resulting in cellular signaling and transformation.

Effects of Non-Uniform Inlet Temperature Distribution on High-Pressure Turbine Blade Loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Craig I.; Chang, Dongil; Tavoularis, Stavros

2012-09-01

The effects of a non-uniform inlet field on the performance of a commercial, transonic, single-stage, high-pressure, axial turbine with a curved inlet duct have been investigated numerically by solving the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with the shear stress transport (SST) turbulence model. By adjusting the alignment of the experimentally-based inlet temperature field with respect to the stator vanes, two clocking configurations were generated: a Vane-Impinging (VI) case, in which each hot streak impinged on a vane and a Mid-Pitch (MP) case, in which each hot streak passed between two vanes. An additional case with a purely radial (PR) variation of inlet temperature was also investigated. In the VI case, it was observed that, as the hot streaks impinged on the stator vanes, they spread spanwise due to the actions of the casing passage vortices and the radial pressure gradient; this resulted in a stream entering the rotor with relatively low temperature variations. In the MP case, the hot streaks were convected undisturbed past the relatively cool vane section. Relatively high time-averaged enthalpy values were found to occur on the pressure side of the blades in the MP configuration.

Trimethylamine alane for low-pressure MOVPE growth of AlGaAs-based materials and device structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider, R. P.; Bryan, R. P.; Jones, E. D.; Biefield, R. M.; Olbright, G. R.

The use of trimethylamine alane (TMAA1) as an alternative to trimethylaluminum (TMA1) for low-pressure metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE) of AlGaAs thin films as well as complex optoelectronic device structures has been studied in detail. AlGaAs layers were grown in a horizontal reaction chamber at 20 - 110 mbar with growth temperatures in the range 650 C less than or equal to T(sub G) less than or equal to 750 C. Wafer thickness uniformity is strongly dependent on growth pressure, and is acceptable only for the highest linear flow velocities. The 12 K photoluminescence (PL) spectra of AlGaAs layers grown using TMAA1 and TEGa exhibit uniformly intense and narrow bound-exciton emission throughout the growth temperature range investigated. To assess the viability of this new source for the low-pressure OMVPE growth of advanced optoelectronic devices, several optically-pumped vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) structures were grown using TMAA1 extensively. Room temperature lasing at 850 nm was reproducibly obtained from the VCSEL structures, with a threshold pumping power comparable to similar structures grown by molecular beam epitaxy in our laboratories.

Simple technique of talc delivery for video-assisted talc pleurodesis.

PubMed

Jutley, Rajwinder S; Waqar, Salman; Raha, Neil; Fenton, Paul; Sarkar, Pradip K

2009-02-01

It has been proven that talc is the sclerosant of choice for pleurodesis, especially for malignant effusions. Uniform talc deposition on the visceral pleura is often difficult, resulting in clump deposition with the use of an atomizer or bladder syringe delivery apparatus. We have devised a simple sterile apparatus that allows the operator to retain full control over the talc delivery rate and coat the lung uniformly under direct vision using a pressurized system.

Modelling in vivo action potential propagation along a giant axon.

PubMed

George, Stuart; Foster, Jamie M; Richardson, Giles

2015-01-01

A partial differential equation model for the three-dimensional current flow in an excitable, unmyelinated axon is considered. Where the axon radius is significantly below a critical value R(crit) (that depends upon intra- and extra-cellular conductivity and ion channel conductance) the resistance of the intracellular space is significantly higher than that of the extracellular space, such that the potential outside the axon is uniformly small whilst the intracellular potential is approximated by the transmembrane potential. In turn, since the current flow is predominantly axial, it can be shown that the transmembrane potential is approximated by a solution to the one-dimensional cable equation. It is noted that the radius of the squid giant axon, investigated by (Hodgkin and Huxley 1952e), lies close to R(crit). This motivates us to apply the three-dimensional model to the squid giant axon and compare the results thus found to those obtained using the cable equation. In the context of the in vitro experiments conducted in (Hodgkin and Huxley 1952e) we find only a small difference between the wave profiles determined using these two different approaches and little difference between the speeds of action potential propagation predicted. This suggests that the cable equation approximation is accurate in this scenario. However when applied to the it in vivo setting, in which the conductivity of the surrounding tissue is considerably lower than that of the axoplasm, there are marked differences in both wave profile and speed of action potential propagation calculated using the two approaches. In particular, the cable equation significantly over predicts the increase in the velocity of propagation as axon radius increases. The consequences of these results are discussed in terms of the evolutionary costs associated with increasing the speed of action potential propagation by increasing axon radius.

Effect of pre-drying treatments on solution-coated organic thin films for active-matrix organic light-emitting diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, Dongkyun; Hong, Ki-Young; Park, Jongwoon

2017-12-01

Due to capillary rise, organic thin films fabricated by solution coating exhibit the concave thickness profile. It is found that the thickness and emission uniformities within pixels vary depending sensitively on the pre-drying treatment that has been done before hard bake. We investigate its effect on the film quality by varying the temperature, time, pressure, fluid flow-related solute concentration, and evaporation-related solvent. To this end, we carry out spin coatings of a non-aqueous poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) for a hole transporting blanket layer. With a low-boiling-point (BP) organic solvent, the pre-drying makes no significant impact on the thickness profiles. With a high-BP organic solvent, the PVK films pre-dried in a vacuum for a sufficient time exhibit very uniform light emission in the central region, but non-emission phenomenon near the perimeter of pixels. It is addressed that such a non-emission phenomenon can be suppressed to some extent by decreasing the vacuum pressure. However, the rapid evaporation by heat conduction during the pre-drying degrades the thickness uniformity due to a rapid microflow of solute from the edge to the center. No further enhancement in the thickness uniformity is obtained by varying the solute concentration and using a mixture of low- and high-BP solvents.

Topology of transmembrane channel-like gene 1 protein.

PubMed

Labay, Valentina; Weichert, Rachel M; Makishima, Tomoko; Griffith, Andrew J

2010-10-05

Mutations of transmembrane channel-like gene 1 (TMC1) cause hearing loss in humans and mice. TMC1 is the founding member of a family of genes encoding proteins of unknown function that are predicted to contain multiple transmembrane domains. The goal of our study was to define the topology of mouse TMC1 expressed heterologously in tissue culture cells. TMC1 was retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane of five tissue culture cell lines that we tested. We used anti-TMC1 and anti-HA antibodies to probe the topologic orientation of three native epitopes and seven HA epitope tags along full-length TMC1 after selective or complete permeabilization of transfected cells with digitonin or Triton X-100, respectively. TMC1 was present within the ER as an integral membrane protein containing six transmembrane domains and cytosolic N- and C-termini. There is a large cytoplasmic loop, between the fourth and fifth transmembrane domains, with two highly conserved hydrophobic regions that might associate with or penetrate, but do not span, the plasma membrane. Our study is the first to demonstrate that TMC1 is a transmembrane protein. The topologic organization revealed by this study shares some features with that of the shaker-TRP superfamily of ion channels.

Transmembrane Mucins: Signaling Receptors at the Intersection of Inflammation and Cancer

PubMed Central

van Putten, Jos P.M.; Strijbis, Karin

2017-01-01

Mucosal surfaces line our body cavities and provide the interaction surface between commensal and pathogenic microbiota and the host. The barrier function of the mucosal layer is largely maintained by gel-forming mucin proteins that are secreted by goblet cells. In addition, mucosal epithelial cells express cell-bound mucins that have both barrier and signaling functions. The family of transmembrane mucins consists of diverse members that share a few characteristics. The highly glycosylated extracellular mucin domains inhibit invasion by pathogenic bacteria and can form a tight mesh structure that protects cells in harmful conditions. The intracellular tails of transmembrane mucins can be phosphorylated and connect to signaling pathways that regulate inflammation, cell-cell interactions, differentiation, and apoptosis. Transmembrane mucins play important roles in preventing infection at mucosal surfaces, but are also renowned for their contributions to the development, progression, and metastasis of adenocarcinomas. In general, transmembrane mucins seem to have evolved to monitor and repair damaged epithelia, but these functions can be highjacked by cancer cells to yield a survival advantage. This review presents an overview of the current knowledge of the functions of transmembrane mucins in inflammatory processes and carcinogenesis in order to better understand the diverse functions of these multifunctional proteins. PMID:28052300

Re-Introduction of Transmembrane Serine Residues Reduce the Minimum Pore Diameter of Channelrhodopsin-2

PubMed Central

Richards, Ryan; Dempski, Robert E.

2012-01-01

Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) is a microbial-type rhodopsin found in the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Under physiological conditions, ChR2 is an inwardly rectifying cation channel that permeates a wide range of mono- and divalent cations. Although this protein shares a high sequence homology with other microbial-type rhodopsins, which are ion pumps, ChR2 is an ion channel. A sequence alignment of ChR2 with bacteriorhodopsin, a proton pump, reveals that ChR2 lacks specific motifs and residues, such as serine and threonine, known to contribute to non-covalent interactions within transmembrane domains. We hypothesized that reintroduction of the eight transmembrane serine residues present in bacteriorhodopsin, but not in ChR2, will restrict the conformational flexibility and reduce the pore diameter of ChR2. In this work, eight single serine mutations were created at homologous positions in ChR2. Additionally, an endogenous transmembrane serine was replaced with alanine. We measured kinetics, changes in reversal potential, and permeability ratios in different alkali metal solutions using two-electrode voltage clamp. Applying excluded volume theory, we calculated the minimum pore diameter of ChR2 constructs. An analysis of the results from our experiments show that reintroducing serine residues into the transmembrane domain of ChR2 can restrict the minimum pore diameter through inter- and intrahelical hydrogen bonds while the removal of a transmembrane serine results in a larger pore diameter. Therefore, multiple positions along the intracellular side of the transmembrane domains contribute to the cation permeability of ChR2. PMID:23185520

Transmembrane proteins in the Protein Data Bank: identification and classification.

PubMed

Tusnády, Gábor E; Dosztányi, Zsuzsanna; Simon, István

2004-11-22

Integral membrane proteins play important roles in living cells. Although these proteins are estimated to constitute 25% of proteins at a genomic scale, the Protein Data Bank (PDB) contains only a few hundred membrane proteins due to the difficulties with experimental techniques. The presence of transmembrane proteins in the structure data bank, however, is quite invisible, as the annotation of these entries is rather poor. Even if a protein is identified as a transmembrane one, the possible location of the lipid bilayer is not indicated in the PDB because these proteins are crystallized without their natural lipid bilayer, and currently no method is publicly available to detect the possible membrane plane using the atomic coordinates of membrane proteins. Here, we present a new geometrical approach to distinguish between transmembrane and globular proteins using structural information only and to locate the most likely position of the lipid bilayer. An automated algorithm (TMDET) is given to determine the membrane planes relative to the position of atomic coordinates, together with a discrimination function which is able to separate transmembrane and globular proteins even in cases of low resolution or incomplete structures such as fragments or parts of large multi chain complexes. This method can be used for the proper annotation of protein structures containing transmembrane segments and paves the way to an up-to-date database containing the structure of all known transmembrane proteins and fragments (PDB_TM) which can be automatically updated. The algorithm is equally important for the purpose of constructing databases purely of globular proteins.

Recombinant Expression Screening of P. aeruginosa Bacterial Inner Membrane Proteins

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Transmembrane proteins (TM proteins) make up 25% of all proteins and play key roles in many diseases and normal physiological processes. However, much less is known about their structures and molecular mechanisms than for soluble proteins. Problems in expression, solubilization, purification, and crystallization cause bottlenecks in the characterization of TM proteins. This project addressed the need for improved methods for obtaining sufficient amounts of TM proteins for determining their structures and molecular mechanisms. Results Plasmid clones were obtained that encode eighty-seven transmembrane proteins with varying physical characteristics, for example, the number of predicted transmembrane helices, molecular weight, and grand average hydrophobicity (GRAVY). All the target proteins were from P. aeruginosa, a gram negative bacterial opportunistic pathogen that causes serious lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis. The relative expression levels of the transmembrane proteins were measured under several culture growth conditions. The use of E. coli strains, a T7 promoter, and a 6-histidine C-terminal affinity tag resulted in the expression of 61 out of 87 test proteins (70%). In this study, proteins with a higher grand average hydrophobicity and more transmembrane helices were expressed less well than less hydrophobic proteins with fewer transmembrane helices. Conclusions In this study, factors related to overall hydrophobicity and the number of predicted transmembrane helices correlated with the relative expression levels of the target proteins. Identifying physical characteristics that correlate with protein expression might aid in selecting the "low hanging fruit", or proteins that can be expressed to sufficient levels using an E. coli expression system. The use of other expression strategies or host species might be needed for sufficient levels of expression of transmembrane proteins with other physical characteristics. Surveys like this one could aid in overcoming the technical bottlenecks in working with TM proteins and could potentially aid in increasing the rate of structure determination. PMID:21114855

Determination of vertical pressures on running wheels of freight trolleys of bridge type cranes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goncharov, K. A.; Denisov, I. A.

2018-03-01

The problematic issues of the design of the bridge-type trolley crane, connected with ensuring uniform load distribution between the running wheels, are considered. The shortcomings of the existing methods of calculation of reference pressures are described. The results of the analytical calculation of the pressure of the support wheels are compared with the results of the numerical solution of this problem for various schemes of trolley supporting frames. Conclusions are given on the applicability of various methods for calculating vertical pressures, depending on the type of metal structures used in the trolley.

Lower body negative pressure chamber: Design and specifications for tilt-table mounting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Salamacha, Laura; Gundo, D.; Mulenburg, G. M.; Greenleaf, J. E.

1995-01-01

Specifications for a lower body negative pressure chamber for mounting on a tilting table are presented. The main plate is made from HEXEL honeycomb board 1.0 inch thick. The plate, supported at three edges, will be subjected to a uniform pressure differential of -4.7 lb/sq in. A semi-cylindrical Plexiglass top (chamber) is attached to the main plate; the pressure within the chamber will be about 10lb/sq in during operation. The stresses incurred by the main plate with this partial vacuum were calculated. All linear dimensions are in inches.

Boundary Layer Flow Control with a One Atmosphere Uniform Glow Discharge Surface Plasma

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roth, J. Reece; Sherman, Daniel M.; Wilkinson, Stephen P.

1998-01-01

Low speed wind tunnel data have been acquired for planar panels covered by a uniform, glow-discharge surface plasma in atmospheric pressure air known as the One Atmosphere Uniform Glow Discharge Plasma (OAUGDP). Streamwise and spanwise arrays of flush, plasma-generating surface electrodes have been studied in laminar, transitional, and fully turbulent boundary layer flow. Plasma between symmetric streamwise electrode strips caused large increases in panel drag, whereas asymmetric spanwise electrode configurations produced a significant thrust. Smoke wire flow visualization and mean velocity diagnostics show the primary cause of the phenomena to be a combination of mass transport and vortical structures induced by strong paraelectric ElectroHydroDynamic (EHD) body forces on the flow.

Pressure and Temperature Effects on the Activity and Structure of the Catalytic Domain of Human MT1-MMP

PubMed Central

Decaneto, Elena; Suladze, Saba; Rosin, Christopher; Havenith, Martina; Lubitz, Wolfgang; Winter, Roland

2015-01-01

Membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP or MMP-14) is a zinc-transmembrane metalloprotease involved in the degradation of extracellular matrix and tumor invasion. While changes in solvation of MT1-MMP have been recently studied, little is known about the structural and energetic changes associated with MT1-MMP while interacting with substrates. Steady-state kinetic and thermodynamic data (including activation energies and activation volumes) were measured over a wide range of temperatures and pressures by means of a stopped-flow fluorescence technique. Complementary temperature- and pressure-dependent Fourier-transform infrared measurements provided corresponding structural information of the protein. MT1-MMP is stable and active over a wide range of temperatures (10–55°C). A small conformational change was detected at 37°C, which is responsible for the change in activity observed at the same temperature. Pressure decreases the enzymatic activity until complete inactivation occurs at 2 kbar. The inactivation is associated with changes in the rate-limiting step of the reaction caused by additional hydration of the active site upon compression and/or minor conformational changes in the active site region. Based on these data, an energy and volume diagram could be established for the various steps of the enzymatic reaction. PMID:26636948

Seven-pass transmembrane cadherins: roles and emerging mechanisms in axonal and dendritic patterning.

PubMed

Berger-Müller, Sandra; Suzuki, Takashi

2011-12-01

The Flamingo/Celsr seven-transmembrane cadherins represent a conserved subgroup of the cadherin superfamily involved in multiple aspects of development. In the developing nervous system, Fmi/Celsr control axonal blueprint and dendritic morphogenesis from invertebrates to mammals. As expected from their molecular structure, seven-transmembrane cadherins can induce cell-cell homophilic interactions but also intracellular signaling. Fmi/Celsr is known to regulate planar cell polarity (PCP) through interactions with PCP proteins. In the nervous system, Fmi/Celsr can function in collaboration with or independently of other PCP genes. Here, we focus on recent studies which show that seven-transmembrane cadherins use distinct molecular mechanisms to achieve diverse functions in the development of the nervous system.

PDB_TM: selection and membrane localization of transmembrane proteins in the protein data bank.

PubMed

Tusnády, Gábor E; Dosztányi, Zsuzsanna; Simon, István

2005-01-01

PDB_TM is a database for transmembrane proteins with known structures. It aims to collect all transmembrane proteins that are deposited in the protein structure database (PDB) and to determine their membrane-spanning regions. These assignments are based on the TMDET algorithm, which uses only structural information to locate the most likely position of the lipid bilayer and to distinguish between transmembrane and globular proteins. This algorithm was applied to all PDB entries and the results were collected in the PDB_TM database. By using TMDET algorithm, the PDB_TM database can be automatically updated every week, keeping it synchronized with the latest PDB updates. The PDB_TM database is available at http://www.enzim.hu/PDB_TM.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Membranes and a Transmembrane Helix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duong, Tap Ha; Mehler, Ernest L.; Weinstein, Harel

1999-05-01

Three molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of 1.5-ns length were carried out on fully hydrated patches of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) bilayers in the liquid-crystalline phase. The simulations were performed using different ensembles and electrostatic conditions: a microcanonical ensemble or constant pressure-temperature ensemble, with or without truncated electrostatic interactions. Calculated properties of the membrane patches from the three different protocols were compared to available data from experiments. These data include the resulting overall geometrical dimensions, the order characteristics of the lipid hydrocarbon chains, as well as various measures of the conformations of the polar head groups. The comparisons indicate that the simulation carried out within the microcanonical ensemble with truncated electrostatic interactions yielded results closest to the experimental data, provided that the initial equilibration phase preceding the production run was sufficiently long. The effects of embedding a non-ideal helical protein domain in the membrane patch were studied with the same MD protocols. This simulation was carried out for 2.5 ns. The protein domain corresponds to the seventh transmembrane segment (TMS7) of the human serotonin 5HT 2Areceptor. The peptide is composed of two α-helical segments linked by a hinge domain around a perturbing Asn-Pro motif that produces at the end of the simulation a kink angle of nearly 80° between the two helices. Several aspects of the TMS7 structure, such as the bending angle, backbone Φ and Ψ torsion angles, the intramolecular hydrogen bonds, and the overall conformation, were found to be very similar to those determined by NMR for the corresponding transmembrane segment of the tachykinin NK-1 receptor. In general, the simulations were found to yield structural and dynamic characteristics that are in good agreement with experiment. These findings support the application of simulation methods to the study of the complex biomolecular systems at the membrane interface of cells.

10 CFR Appendix C to Subpart B of... - Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Dishwashers

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... Preconditioning cycle means any cycle that includes a fill, circulation, and drain to ensure that the water lines... truncated normal cycle without a test load if the dishwasher does not heat water in the normal cycle. 2.6.2... water temperatures encountered in the test cycle. 3.4 Water pressure gauge. The water pressure gauge...

Circular array of stable atmospheric pressure microplasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, C.; Zhang, Z.-B.; Hoskinson, A.; Hopwood, J.

2010-12-01

A circular array composed of six quarter-wavelength microstripline resonators sustains a stable ring-shaped microplasma in atmospheric pressure argon. A single power source (1 GHz, <5 W) drives all six resonators. The operation of the array is modeled by coupled mode theory (CMT) and confirmed by electromagnetic simulations. Non-uniformities in the plasma ring are attributed to parasitic plasma sheath capacitance and confirmed by CMT.

Laboratory investigations of steam flow in a porous medium

USGS Publications Warehouse

Herkelrath, W.N.; Moench, A.F.; O'Neal, II

1983-01-01

Experiments were carried out in the laboratory to test a theory of transient flow of pure steam in a uniform porous medium. This theory is used in modeling pressure transient behavior in vapor dominated geothermal systems. Transient, superheated steam flow experiments were run by bringing a cylinder of porous material to a uniform initial pressure and then making a step increase in pressure at one end of the sample while monitoring the pressure transient breakthrough at the other end. It was found in experiments run at 100°, 125°, and 146°C that the time required for steam pressure transients to propagate through an unconsolidated material containing sand, silt, and clay was 10–25 times longer than predicted by conventional superheated steam flow theory. It is hypothesized that the delay in the steam pressure transient was caused by adsorption of steam in the porous sample. In order to account for steam adsorption, a sink term was included in the conservation of mass equation. In addition, energy transfer in the system has to be considered because latent heat is released when steam adsorption occurs, increasing the sample temperature by as much as 10°C. Finally, it was recognized that the steam pressure was a function of both the temperature and the amount of adsorption in the sample. This function was assumed to be an equilibrium adsorption isotherm, which was determined by experiment. By solving the modified mass and energy equations numerically, subject to the empirical adsorption isotherm relationship, excellent theoretical simulation of the experiments was achieved.

Three-electrode low pressure discharge apparatus and method for uniform ionization of gaseous media. [CO/sub 2/ laser oscillator and pulse smoother

DOEpatents

McLellan, E.J.

1980-10-17

Uniform, transverse electrical discharges are produced in gaseous media without the necessity of switching the main discharge voltage with an external device which carries the entire discharge current. A three-electrode low pressure discharge tube is charged across its anode and cathode to below breakdown voltage using a dc voltage source. An array of resistors or capacitors can be made to discharge to the wire screen anode by means of a low energy high voltage pulse circuit producing sufficient preionization in the region between the anode and cathode to initiate and control the main discharge. The invention has been demonstrated to be useful as a CO/sub 2/ laser oscillator and pulse-smoother. It can be reliably operated in the sealed-off mode.

Investigation of blown boundary layers with an improved wall jet system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

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

1980-01-01

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

Material removal and surface figure during pad polishing of fused silica

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

Suratwala, T I; Feit, M D; Steele, W A

2009-05-04

The material removal and surface figure after ceria pad polishing of fused silica glass have been measured and analyzed as a function of kinematics, loading conditions, and polishing time. Also, the friction at the workpiece/lap interface, the slope of the workpiece relative to the lap plane, and lap viscoelastic properties have been measured and correlated to material removal. The results show that the relative velocity between the workpiece & lap (determined by the kinematics) and the pressure distribution determine the spatial and temporal material removal and hence the final surface figure of the workpiece. In the case where the appliedmore » loading and relative velocity distribution over the workpiece are spatially uniform, a significant non-uniform spatial material removal from the workpiece surface is observed. This is due to a non-uniform pressure distribution resulting from: (1) a moment caused by a pivot point and interface friction forces; (2) viscoelastic relaxation of the polyurethane lap; and (3) a physical workpiece/lap interface mismatch. Both the kinematics and these contributions to the pressure distribution are quantitatively described, and then combined to form a spatial and temporal Preston model & code for material removal (called Surface Figure or SurF{copyright}). The surface figure simulations are consistent with the experiment for a wide variety of polishing conditions. This study is an important step towards deterministic full-aperture polishing, which would allow optical glass fabrication to be performed in a more repeatable, less iterative, and hence more economical manner.« less

A theoretical model of fuselage pressure levels due to fan tones radiated from the intake of an installed turbofan aero-engine.

PubMed

Gaffney, James; McAlpine, Alan; Kingan, Michael J

2018-06-01

An existing theoretical model to predict the pressure levels on an aircraft's fuselage is improved by incorporating a more physically realistic method to predict fan tone radiation from the intake of an installed turbofan aero-engine. Such a model can be used as part of a method to assess cabin noise. Fan tone radiation from a turbofan intake is modelled using the exact solution for the radiated pressure from a spinning mode exiting a semi-infinite cylindrical duct immersed in a uniform flow. This approach for a spinning duct mode incorporates scattering/diffraction by the intake lip, enabling predictions of the radiated pressure valid in both the forward and aft directions. The aircraft's fuselage is represented by an infinitely long, rigid cylinder. There is uniform flow aligned with the cylinder, except close to the cylinder's surface where there is a constant-thickness boundary layer. In addition to single mode calculations it is shown how the model may be used to rapidly calculate a multi-mode incoherent radiation from the engine intake. Illustrative results are presented which demonstrate the relative importance of boundary-layer shielding both upstream and downstream of the source, as well as examples of the fuselage pressure levels due to a multi-mode tonal source at high Helmholtz number.

Ejector Enhanced Pulsejet Based Pressure Gain Combustors: An Old Idea With a New Twist

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paxson, Daniel E.; Dougherty, Kevin T.

2005-01-01

An experimental investigation of pressure-gain combustion for gas turbine application is described. The test article consists of an off-the-shelf valved pulsejet, and an optimized ejector, both housed within a shroud. The combination forms an effective can combustor across which there is a modest total pressure rise rather than the usual loss found in conventional combustors. Although the concept of using a pulsejet to affect semi-constant volume (i.e., pressure-gain) combustion is not new, that of combining it with a well designed ejector to efficiently mix the bypass flow is. The result is a device which to date has demonstrated an overall pressure rise of approximately 3.5 percent at an overall temperature ratio commensurate with modern gas turbines. This pressure ratio is substantially higher than what has been previously reported in pulsejet-based combustion experiments. Flow non-uniformities in the downstream portion of the device are also shown to be substantially reduced compared to those within the pulsejet itself. The standard deviation of total pressure fluctuations, measured just downstream of the ejector was only 5.0 percent of the mean. This smoothing aspect of the device is critical to turbomachinery applications since turbine performance is, in general, negatively affected by flow non-uniformities and unsteadiness. The experimental rig will be described and details of the performance measurements will be presented. Analyses showing the thermodynamic benefits from this level of pressure-gain performance in a gas turbine will also be assessed for several engine types. Issues regarding practical development of such a device are discussed, as are potential emissions reductions resulting from the rich burning nature of the pulsejet and the rapid mixing (quenching) associated with unsteady ejectors.

Laboratory investigations of the physics of steam flow in a porous medium

USGS Publications Warehouse

Herkelrath, W.N.; Moench, A.F.

1982-01-01

Experiments were carried out in the laboratory to test a theory of transient flow of pure steam in a uniform porous medium. This theory is used extensively in modeling pressure-transient behavior in vapor-dominated geothermal systems. Transient, superheated steam-flow experiments were run by bringing a cylinder of porous material to a uniform initial pressure, and then making a step increase in pressure at one end of the sample, while monitoring the pressure-transient breakthrough at the other end. It was found in experiments run at 100?, 125?, and 146?C that the time required for steam-pressure transients to propagate through an unconsolidated material containing sand, silt, and clay was 10 to 25 times longer than predicted by theory. It is hypothesized that the delay in the steam-pressure transient was caused by adsorption of steam in the porous sample. In order to account for steam adsorption, a sink term was included in the conservation of mass equation. In addition, energy transfer in the system has to be considered because latent heat is released when steam adsorption occurs, increasing the sample temperature by as much as 10?C. Finally, it was recognized that the steam pressure was a function of both the temperature and the amount of adsorption in the sample. For simplicity, this function was assumed to be in equilibrium adsorption isotherm, which was determined by experiment. By solving the modified mass and energy equations numerically, subject to the empirical adsorption isotherm relationship, excellent theoretical simulation of the experiments was achieved. The experiments support the hypothesis that adsorption of steam can strongly influence steam pressure-transient behavior in porous media; the results suggest that the modified steam-flow theory, which includes steam adsorption terms, should be used in modeling steam flow in vapor-dominated geothermal systems.

[Bacterial synthesis, purification, and solubilization of transmembrane segments of ErbB family members].

PubMed

Goncharuk, M V; Shul'ga, A A; Ermoliuk, Ia S; Tkach, E N; Goncharuk, S A; Pustovalova, Iu E; Mineev, K S; Bocharov, É V; Maslennikov, I V; Arsen'ev, A S; Kirpichnikov, M P

2011-01-01

A family of epidermal growth factor receptors, ErbB, represents an important class of receptor tyrosine kinases, playing a leading role in cellular growth, development and differentiation. Transmembrane domains of these receptors transduce biochemical signals across plasma membrane via lateral homo- and heterodimerization. Relatively small size of complexes of ErbB transmembrane domains with detergents or lipids allows one to study their detailed spatial structure using three-dimensional heteronuclear high-resolution NMR spectroscopy. Here, we describe the effective expression system and purification procedure for preparative-scale production of transmembrane peptides from four representatives of ErbB family, ErbB1, ErbB2, ErbB3, ErbB4, for structural studies. The recombinant peptides were produced in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)pLysS as C-terminal extensions of thioredoxin A. The fusion protein cleavage was accomplished with the light subunit of human enterokinase. Several (10-30) milligrams of purified isotope-labeled transmembrane peptides were isolated with the use of a simple and convenient procedure, which consists of consecutive steps of immobilized metal affinity chromatography and cation-exchange chromatography. The purified peptides were reconstituted in lipid/detergent environment (micelles or bicelles) and characterized using dynamic light scattering, CD and NMR spectroscopy. The data obtained indicate that the purified ErbB transmembrane peptides are suitable for structural and dynamic studies of their homo- and heterodimer complexes using high resolution NMR spectroscopy.

The cytoplasmic end of transmembrane domain 3 regulates the activity of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae G-protein-coupled alpha-factor receptor.

PubMed Central

Parrish, William; Eilers, Markus; Ying, Weiwen; Konopka, James B

2002-01-01

The binding of alpha-factor to its receptor (Ste2p) activates a G-protein-signaling pathway leading to conjugation of MATa cells of the budding yeast S. cerevisiae. We conducted a genetic screen to identify constitutively activating mutations in the N-terminal region of the alpha-factor receptor that includes transmembrane domains 1-5. This approach identified 12 unique constitutively activating mutations, the strongest of which affected polar residues at the cytoplasmic ends of transmembrane domains 2 and 3 (Asn84 and Gln149, respectively) that are conserved in the alpha-factor receptors of divergent yeast species. Targeted mutagenesis, in combination with molecular modeling studies, suggested that Gln149 is oriented toward the core of the transmembrane helix bundle where it may be involved in mediating an interaction with Asn84. These residues appear to play specific roles in maintaining the inactive conformation of the protein since a variety of mutations at either position cause constitutive receptor signaling. Interestingly, the activity of many mammalian G-protein-coupled receptors is also regulated by conserved polar residues (the E/DRY motif) at the cytoplasmic end of transmembrane domain 3. Altogether, the results of this study suggest a conserved role for the cytoplasmic end of transmembrane domain 3 in regulating the activity of divergent G-protein-coupled receptors. PMID:11861550

Method to produce large, uniform hollow spherical shells

DOEpatents

Hendricks, C.D.

1983-09-26

The invention is a method to produce large uniform hollow spherical shells by (1) forming uniform size drops of heat decomposable or vaporizable material, (2) evaporating the drops to form dried particles, (3) coating the dried particles with a layer of shell forming material and (4) heating the composite particles to melt the outer layer and to decompose or vaporize the inner particle to form an expanding inner gas bubble. The expanding gas bubble forms the molten outer layer into a shell of relatively large diameter. By cycling the temperature and pressure on the molten shell, nonuniformities in wall thickness can be reduced. The method of the invention is utilized to produce large uniform spherical shells, in the millimeter to centimeter diameter size range, from a variety of materials and of high quality, including sphericity, concentricity and surface smoothness, for use as laser fusion or other inertial confinement fusion targets as well as other applications.

The Nike KrF laser facility: Performance and initial target experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Obenschain, S. P.; Bodner, S. E.; Colombant, D.; Gerber, K.; Lehmberg, R. H.; McLean, E. A.; Mostovych, A. N.; Pronko, M. S.; Pawley, C. J.; Schmitt, A. J.; Sethian, J. D.; Serlin, V.; Stamper, J. A.; Sullivan, C. A.; Dahlburg, J. P.; Gardner, J. H.; Chan, Y.; Deniz, A. V.; Hardgrove, J.; Lehecka, T.; Klapisch, M.

1996-05-01

Krypton-fluoride (KrF) lasers are of interest to laser fusion because they have both the large bandwidth capability (≳THz) desired for rapid beam smoothing and the short laser wavelength (1/4 μm) needed for good laser-target coupling. Nike is a recently completed 56-beam KrF laser and target facility at the Naval Research Laboratory. Because of its bandwidth of 1 THz FWHM (full width at half-maximum), Nike produces more uniform focal distributions than any other high-energy ultraviolet laser. Nike was designed to study the hydrodynamic instability of ablatively accelerated planar targets. First results show that Nike has spatially uniform ablation pressures (Δp/p<2%). Targets have been accelerated for distances sufficient to study hydrodynamic instability while maintaining good planarity. In this review we present the performance of the Nike laser in producing uniform illumination, and its performance in correspondingly uniform acceleration of targets.

On numerical heat transfer characteristic study of flat surface subjected to variation in geometric thickness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Umair, Siddique Mohammed; Kolawale, Abhijeet Rangnath; Bhise, Ganesh Anurath; Gulhane, Nitin Parashram

Thermal management in the looming world of electronic packaging system is the most prior and conspicuous issue as far as the working efficiency of the system is concerned. The cooling in such systems can be achieved by impinging air jet over the heat sink as jet impingement cooling is one of the cooling technologies which are widely studied now. Here the modulation in impinging and geometric parameters results in the establishment of the characteristic cooling rate over the target surface. The characteristic cooling curve actually resembles non-uniformity in cooling rate. This non-uniformity favors the area average heat dissipation rate. In order to study the non-uniformity in cooling characteristic, the present study takes an initiative in plotting the local Nusselt number magnitude against the non-dimensional radial distance of the different thickness of target surfaces. For this, the steady temperature distribution over the target surface under the impingement of air jet is being determined numerically. The work is completely inclined towards the determination of critical value of geometric thickness below which the non-uniformity in the Nusselt profile starts. This is done by numerically examining different target surfaces under constant Reynolds number and nozzle-target spacing. The occurrences of non-uniformity in Nusselt profile contributes to over a 42% enhancement in area average Nusselt magnitude. The critical value of characteristic thickness (t/d) reported in the present investigation approximate to 0.05. Below this value, the impingement of air jet generates a discrete pressure zones over the target surface in the form of pressure spots. As a result of this, the air flowing in contact with the target surface experiences a damping potential, in due of which it gets more time and contact with the surface to dissipate heat.

Small angle x-ray scattering study on the conformation of polystyrene in toluene during adding anti-solvent CO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yi; Chen, Dong-Feng; Wang, Hong-Li; Chen, Na; Li, Dan; Han, Bu-Xing; Rong, Li-Xia; Zhao, Hui; Wang, Jun; Dong, Bao-Zhong

2002-10-01

The conformation of polystyrene in the anti-solvent process of supercritical fluids (compressed CO2 + polystyrene + toluene) has been studied by small angle x-ray scattering with synchrotron radiation as an x-ray source. Coil-to-globule transformation of the polystyrene chain was observed with the increase of the anti-solvent CO2 pressure; i.e. polystyrene coiled at a pressure lower than the cloud point pressure (Pc) and turned into a globule with a uniform density at pressures higher than Pc. Fractal behaviour was also found in the chain contraction and the mass fractal dimension increased with increasing CO2 pressure.

The Structure of Barmah Forest Virus as Revealed by Cryo-Electron Microscopy at a 6-Angstrom Resolution Has Detailed Transmembrane Protein Architecture and Interactions ▿ †

PubMed Central

Kostyuchenko, Victor A.; Jakana, Joanita; Liu, Xiangan; Haddow, Andrew D.; Aung, Myint; Weaver, Scott C.; Chiu, Wah; Lok, Shee-Mei

2011-01-01

Barmah Forest virus (BFV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus that infects humans. A 6-Å-resolution cryo-electron microscopy three-dimensional structure of BFV exhibits a typical alphavirus organization, with RNA-containing nucleocapsid surrounded by a bilipid membrane anchored with the surface proteins E1 and E2. The map allows details of the transmembrane regions of E1 and E2 to be seen. The C-terminal end of the E2 transmembrane helix binds to the capsid protein. Following the E2 transmembrane helix, a short α-helical endodomain lies on the inner surface of the lipid envelope. The E2 endodomain interacts with E1 transmembrane helix from a neighboring E1-E2 trimeric spike, thereby acting as a spacer and a linker between spikes. In agreement with previous mutagenesis studies, the endodomain plays an important role in recruiting other E1-E2 spikes to the budding site during virus assembly. The E2 endodomain may thus serve as a target for antiviral drug design. PMID:21752915

Effect of plasma proteins on the sieving spectra of hemofilters.

PubMed

Feldhoff, P; Turnham, T; Klein, E

1984-05-01

qoffxture of neutral maltodextrins with a continuous molecular weight distribution from 340 to 120,000 daltons has been used alone or in the presence of plasma to determine solute rejection by four hemofilters and the effect of plasma on such rejection. High pressure liquid chromatographic analyses were utilized to establish concentration ratios of feed and filtrate solutions over a wide molecular weight range. At equal transmembrane velocities, the boundary layer-corrected rejection of each hemofilter was determined as a function of molecular weight. The presence of plasma increased rejection by the Amicon Diafilter 30, the Hospal RP-6, and the Gambro FH202 hemofilters , but the Fresenius D-6 was virtually unaffected.

Two-phase flow pressure drop and heat transfer during condensation in microchannels with uniform and converging cross-sections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuo, Ching Yi; Pan, Chin

2010-09-01

This study experimentally investigates steam condensation in rectangular microchannels with uniform and converging cross-sections and a mean hydraulic diameter of 135 µm. The steam flow in the microchannels was cooled by water cross-flowing along its bottom surface, which is different from other methods reported in the literature. The flow patterns, two-phase flow pressure drop and condensation heat transfer coefficient are determined. The microchannels with the uniform cross-section design have a higher heat transfer coefficient than those with the converging cross-section under condensation in the mist/annular flow regimes, although the latter work best for draining two-phase fluids composed of uncondensed steam and liquid water, which is consistent with the result of our previous study. From the experimental results, dimensionless correlations of condensation heat transfer for the mist and annular flow regions and a two-phase frictional multiplier are developed for the microchannels with both types of cross-section designs. The experimental data agree well with the obtained correlations, with the maximum mean absolute errors of 6.4% for the two-phase frictional multiplier and 6.0% for the condensation heat transfer.

Vehicle cabin cooling system for capturing and exhausting heated boundary layer air from inner surfaces of solar heated windows

DOEpatents

Farrington, Robert B.; Anderson, Ren

2001-01-01

The cabin cooling system includes a cooling duct positioned proximate and above upper edges of one or more windows of a vehicle to exhaust hot air as the air is heated by inner surfaces of the windows and forms thin boundary layers of heated air adjacent the heated windows. The cabin cooling system includes at least one fan to draw the hot air into the cooling duct at a flow rate that captures the hot air in the boundary layer without capturing a significant portion of the cooler cabin interior air and to discharge the hot air at a point outside the vehicle cabin, such as the vehicle trunk. In a preferred embodiment, the cooling duct has a cross-sectional area that gradually increases from a distal point to a proximal point to the fan inlet to develop a substantially uniform pressure drop along the length of the cooling duct. Correspondingly, this cross-sectional configuration develops a uniform suction pressure and uniform flow rate at the upper edge of the window to capture the hot air in the boundary layer adjacent each window.

Gaussian step-pressure loading of rigid viscoplastic plates. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hayduk, R. J.; Durling, B. J.

1978-01-01

The response of a thin, rigid viscoplastic plate subjected to a spatially axisymmetric Gaussian step pressure impulse loading was studied analytically. A Gaussian pressure distribution in excess of the collapse load was applied to the plate, held constant for a length of time, and then suddenly removed. The plate deforms with monotonically increasing deflections until the dynamic energy is completely dissipated in plastic work. The simply supported plate of uniform thickness obeys the von Mises yield criterion and a generalized constitutive equation for rigid viscoplastic materials. For the small deflection bending response of the plate, the governing system of equations is essentially nonlinear. Transverse shear stress is neglected in the yield condition and rotary inertia in the equations of dynamic equilibrium. A proportional loading technique, known to give excellent approximations of the exact solution for the uniform load case, was used to linearize the problem and to obtain the analytical solutions in the form of eigenvalue expansions. The effects of load concentration, of an order of magnitude change in the viscosity of the plate material, and of load duration were examined while holding the total impulse constant.

Non-enveloped virus reduction with quaternized chitosan nanofibers containing graphene.

PubMed

Bai, Bingyu; Mi, Xue; Xiang, Xu; Heiden, Patricia A; Heldt, Caryn L

2013-10-18

Membranes are an accepted technology for water purification. Membrane filtration can remove pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, by size. For small viruses that can have a diameter <25nm, removal by size leads to large membrane areas, high transmembrane pressures, low water flux, and frequent changing of membranes. In this work, we discovered that electrospun nanofibers made of chitosan and functionalized with a quaternary amine (HTCC) have the ability to adsorb a model non-enveloped virus, porcine parvovirus (PPV). To improve the virus removal of HTCC, we added graphene. Graphene both enhanced the ability to form nanofibers with HTCC and improved the virus removal. The hydrophobicity of graphene and the high charge of the HTCC create a system that can bind 95% of PPV. The HTCC/graphene nanofibers could be incorporated into microfiltration membranes and remove virus by adsorption. This would create a low pressure system that is more likely to benefit areas in need of fresh water. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Natural Organic Matter Removal and Fouling in a Low Pressure Hybrid Membrane Systems

PubMed Central

Uyak, Vedat; Akdagli, Muge; Cakmakci, Mehmet; Koyuncu, Ismail

2014-01-01

The objective of this study was to investigate powdered activated carbon (PAC) contribution to natural organic matter (NOM) removal by a submerged MF and UF hybrid systems. It was found that filtration of surface waters by a bare MF and UF membranes removed negligible TOC; by contrast, significant amounts of TOC were removed when daily added PAC particles were predeposited on the membrane surfaces. These results support the assumption that the membranes surface properties and PAC layer structure might have considerably influential factor on NOM removal. Moreover, it was concluded that the dominant removal mechanism of hybrid membrane system is adsorption of NOM within PAC layer rather than size exclusion of NOM by both of membrane pores. Transmembrane pressure (TMP) increases with PAC membrane systems support the view that PAC adsorption pretreatment will not prevent the development of membrane pressure; on the contrary, PAC particles themselves caused membrane fouling by blocking the entrance of pores of MF and UF membranes. Although all three source waters have similar HPI content, it appears that the PAC interaction with the entrance of membrane pores was responsible for offsetting the NOM fractional effects on membrane fouling for these source waters. PMID:24523651

Transmembrane Polyproline Helix.

PubMed

Kubyshkin, Vladimir; Grage, Stephan L; Bürck, Jochen; Ulrich, Anne S; Budisa, Nediljko

2018-05-03

The third most abundant polypeptide conformation in nature, the polyproline-II helix, is a polar, extended secondary structure with a local organization stabilized by intercarbonyl interactions within the peptide chain. Here we design a hydrophobic polyproline-II helical peptide based on an oligomeric octahydroindole-2-carboxylic acid scaffold and demonstrate its transmembrane alignment in model lipid bilayers by means of solid-state 19 F NMR. As result, we provide a first example of a purely artificial transmembrane peptide with a structural organization that is not based on hydrogen-bonding.

Secondary scintillation yield from GEM and THGEM gaseous electron multipliers for direct dark matter search

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monteiro, C. M. B.; Fernandes, L. M. P.; Veloso, J. F. C. A.; Oliveira, C. A. B.; dos Santos, J. M. F.

2012-07-01

The search for alternatives to PMTs as photosensors in optical TPCs for rare event detection has significantly increased in the last few years. In particular, in view of the next generation large volume detectors, the use of photosensors with lower natural radioactivity, such as large area APDs or GM-APDs, with the additional possibility of sparse surface coverage, triggered the intense study of secondary scintillation production in micropattern electron multipliers, such as GEMs and THGEMs, as alternatives to the commonly used uniform electric field region between two parallel meshes. The much higher scintillation output obtained from the electron avalanches in such microstructures presents an advantage in those situations. The accurate knowledge of the amount of such scintillation is important for correct detector simulation and optimization. It will also serve as a benchmark for software tools developed and/or under development for the calculation of the amount of such scintillation.The secondary scintillation yield, or electroluminescence yield, in the electron avalanches of GEMs and THGEMs operating in gaseous xenon and argon has been determined for different gas pressures. At 1 bar, THGEMs deliver electroluminescence yields that are more than one order of magnitude higher when compared to those achieved in GEMs and two orders of magnitude when compared to those achieved in a uniform field gap. The THGEM electroluminescence yield presents a faster decrease with pressure when comparing to the GEM electroluminescence yield, reaching similar values to what is achieved in GEMs for xenon pressures of 2.5 bar, but still one order of magnitude higher than that produced in a uniform field gap. Another exception is the GEM operating in argon, which presents an electroluminescence yield similar to that produced in a uniform electric field gap, while the THGEM achieves yields that are more than one order of magnitude higher.

Impedance Eduction in Sound Fields With Peripherally Varying Liners and Flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Watson, W. R.; Jones, M. G.

2015-01-01

A two-dimensional impedance eduction theory is extended to three-dimensional sound fields and peripherally varying duct liners. The approach is to first measure the acoustic pressure field at a series of flush-mounted wall microphones located around the periphery of the flow duct. The numerical solution for the acoustic pressure field at these microphones is also obtained by solving the three-dimensional convected Helmholtz equation using the finite element method. A quadratic objective function based on the difference between the measured and finite element solution is constructed and the unknown impedance function is obtained by minimizing this objective function. Impedance spectra educed for two uniform-structure liners (a wire-mesh and a conventional liner) and a hard-soft-hard peripherally varying liner (for which the soft segment is that of the conventional liner) are presented. Results are presented at three mean flow Mach numbers and fourteen sound source frequencies. The impedance spectra of the uniform-structure liners are also computed using a two-dimensional impedance eduction theory. The primary conclusions of the study are: 1) when measured data is used with the uniform-structure liners, the three-dimensional theory reproduces the same impedance spectra as the two-dimensional theory except for frequencies corresponding to very low or very high liner attenuation; and 2) good agreement between the educed impedance spectra of the uniform structure conventional liner and the soft segment of the peripherally varying liner is obtained.

10 CFR Appendix C to Subpart B of... - Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Dishwashers

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

....8Preconditioning cycle means any cycle that includes a fill, circulation, and drain to ensure that the water lines... cycle without a test load if the dishwasher does not heat water in the normal cycle. 2.6.2Non-soil... cycle. 3.4Water pressure gauge. The water pressure gauge must have a resolution of one pound per square...

10 CFR Appendix C to Subpart B of... - Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Dishwashers

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... water heating to above 120 °F in at least one wash phase of the normal cycle. 2.Testing conditions: 2... dishwasher does not heat water in the normal cycle. 2.6.2Non-soil-sensing dishwashers to be tested at a... cycle. 3.4Water pressure gauge. The water pressure gauge must have a resolution of one pound per square...

Plasma Assisted Combustion

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-02-28

these pulses was uniform. Dependence of the energy contribution on pressure is showed in the Figure 3.5. It is clearly seen that for the pressure of...note that water–ions kinetics is more important than kinetics of initial substances– ions because water has higher proton affinity energy than... pulsed discharge. 4.3.2 Kinetic model To calculate the densities of active particles, one has to determine electron energy dis- tribution function (EEDF

A preliminary assessment of the effects of heat flux distribution and penetration on the creep rupture of a reactor vessel lower head

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

Chu, T.Y.; Bentz, J.; Simpson, R.

1997-02-01

The objective of the Lower Head Failure (LHF) Experiment Program is to experimentally investigate and characterize the failure of the reactor vessel lower head due to thermal and pressure loads under severe accident conditions. The experiment is performed using 1/5-scale models of a typical PWR pressure vessel. Experiments are performed for various internal pressure and imposed heat flux distributions with and without instrumentation guide tube penetrations. The experimental program is complemented by a modest modeling program based on the application of vessel creep rupture codes developed in the TMI Vessel Investigation Project. The first three experiments under the LHF programmore » investigated the creep rupture of simulated reactor pressure vessels without penetrations. The heat flux distributions for the three experiments are uniform (LHF-1), center-peaked (LHF-2), and side-peaked (LHF-3), respectively. For all the experiments, appreciable vessel deformation was observed to initiate at vessel wall temperatures above 900K and the vessel typically failed at approximately 1000K. The size of failure was always observed to be smaller than the heated region. For experiments with non-uniform heat flux distributions, failure typically occurs in the region of peak temperature. A brief discussion of the effect of penetration is also presented.« less

Plasma-puff initiation of high Coulomb transfer switches

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Han, Kwang S.; Venable, Demetrius D.; Lee, Ja H.; Choi, Eun H.; Kim, Y. K.; Kim, J. H.; Nguyen, D. X.

1993-01-01

The plasma-puff triggering mechanism based on a hypocycloidal pinch geometry was investigated to determine the optimal operating conditions for an azimuthally uniform surface flashover which initiates plasma-puff under wide ranges of fill gas pressures of Ar, He and N2. The optimal fill gas pressures for the azimuthally uniform plasma-puff were about 120 mTorr less than P(sub opt) less than 450 Torr for He and N2. For Argon 20 mTorr is less than P(sub opt) is less than 5 Torr. The inverse pinch switch was triggered with the plasma-puff and the switching capability under various electrical parameters and working gas pressures of Ar, He and N2 was determined. It was also shown that the azimuthally uniform switching discharges were dependent on the type of fill gas and its fill pressure. A new concept of plasma-focus driven plasma-puff was also discussed in comparison with hypocycloidal pinch plasma-puff triggering. The main discharge of the inverse pinch switch with the plasma-focus driven plasma-puff trigger is found to be more azimuthally uniform than that with the hypocycloidal pinch plasma-puff trigger in a gas pressure region between 80 mTorr and 1 Torr. In order to assess the effects of plasma current density on material erosion of electrodes, emissions from both an inverse-pinch plasma switch (INPIStron) and from a spark gap switch under test were studied with an optical multichannel analyzer (OMA). The color temperature of the argon plasma was approximately 4,000 K which corresponded with the peak continuum emission near 750 nm. There are the strong line emissions of argon in the 650 - 800 nm range and a lack of line emissions of copper and other solid material used in the switch. This indicates that the plasma current density during closing is low and the hot spot or hot filament in the switch is negligible. This result also indicates considerable reduction of line emission with the INPIStron switch over that of a spark-gap switch. However, a strong carbon line emission exists due to vaporization of the plastic insulator used. In order to reduce the vaporization of the insulator, the plexiglass insulating material of INPIStron was replaced with Z-9 material. A comparative study of the INPIStron and a spark gap also reveals that the INPIStron, with a low impedance of Z = 9 ohms, can transfer a high voltage pulse with a superior pulse-shape fidelity over that of a spark gap with Z = 100 ohms.

Plasma-puff initiation of high Coulomb transfer switches

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Venable, D. D.; Han, K. S.

1993-01-01

The plasma-puff triggering mechanism based on a hypocycloidal pinch geometry was investigated to determine the optimal operating conditions for an azimuthally uniform surface flashover which initiates plasma-puff under wide ranges of fill gas pressures of Ar, He and N2. The optimal fill gas pressures for the azimuthally uniform plasma-puff were about 120 mTorr less than P(opt) less than 450 Torr for He and N2. For Argon 120 mTorr less than P(opt) less than 5 Torr for argon. The inverse pinch switch was triggered with the plasma-puff and the switching capability under various electrical parameters and working gas pressures of Ar, He and N2 was determined. It was also shown that the azimuthally uniform switching discharges were dependent on the type of fill gas and its fill pressure. A new concept of plasma-focus driven plasma-puff was also discussed in comparison with hypocycloidal pinch plasma-puff triggering. The main discharge of the inverse pinch switch with the plasma-focus driven plasma-puff trigger is found to be more azimuthally uniform than that with the hypocycloidal pinch plasma-puff trigger in a gas pressure region between 80 mTorr and 1 Torr. In order to assess the effects of plasma current density on material erosion of electrodes, emissions from both an inverse-pinch plasma switch (INPIStron) and from a spark gap switch under test were studied with an optical multichannel analyzer (OMA). The color temperature of the argon plasma was approximately 4,000 K which corresponded with the peak continuum emission near 750 nm. There are the strong line emissions of argon in the 650 - 800 nm range and a lack of line emissions of copper and other solid material used in the switch. This indicates that the plasma current density during closing is low and the hot spot or hot filament in the switch is negligible. This result also indicates considerable reduction of line emission with the INPIStron switch over that of a spark-gap switch. However, a strong carbon line emission exists due to vaporization of the plastic insulator used. In order to reduce the vaporization of the insulator, the plexiglass insulating material of INPIStron was replaced with Z-9 material. A comparative study of the INPIStron and a spark gap also reveals that the INPIStron, with a low impedance of Z equals 9 ohms, can transfer a high voltage pulse with a superior pulse-shape fidelity over that of a spark gap with Z equals 100 ohms.

Short and prolonged exposure to hyperglycaemia in human fibroblasts and endothelial cells: metabolic and osmotic effects.

PubMed

Moruzzi, Noah; Del Sole, Marianna; Fato, Romana; Gerdes, Jantje M; Berggren, Per-Olof; Bergamini, Christian; Brismar, Kerstin

2014-08-01

High blood glucose levels are the main feature of diabetes. However, the underlying mechanism linking high glucose concentration to diabetic complications is still not fully elucidated, particularly with regard to human physiology. Excess of glucose is likely to trigger a metabolic response depending on the cell features, activating deleterious pathways involved in the complications of diabetes. In this study, we aim to elucidate how acute and prolonged hyperglycaemia alters the biology and metabolism in human fibroblasts and endothelial cells. We found that hyperglycaemia triggers a metabolic switch from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis that is maintained over prolonged time. Moreover, osmotic pressure is a major factor in the early metabolic response, decreasing both mitochondrial transmembrane potential and cellular proliferation. After prolonged exposure to hyperglycaemia we observed decreased mitochondrial steady-state and uncoupled respiration, together with a reduced ATP/ADP ratio. At the same time, we could not detect major changes in mitochondrial transmembrane potential and reactive oxygen species. We suggest that the physiological and metabolic alterations observed in healthy human primary fibroblasts and endothelial cells are an adaptive response to hyperglycaemia. The severity of metabolic and bioenergetics impairment associated with diabetic complications may occur after longer glucose exposure or due to interactions with cell types more sensitive to hyperglycaemia. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

21 CFR 866.5900 - Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutation detection system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES IMMUNOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY DEVICES Immunological Test Systems § 866.5900 Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR...

Computational Approaches for Revealing the Structure of Membrane Transporters: Case Study on Bilitranslocase.

PubMed

Venko, Katja; Roy Choudhury, A; Novič, Marjana

2017-01-01

The structural and functional details of transmembrane proteins are vastly underexplored, mostly due to experimental difficulties regarding their solubility and stability. Currently, the majority of transmembrane protein structures are still unknown and this present a huge experimental and computational challenge. Nowadays, thanks to X-ray crystallography or NMR spectroscopy over 3000 structures of membrane proteins have been solved, among them only a few hundred unique ones. Due to the vast biological and pharmaceutical interest in the elucidation of the structure and the functional mechanisms of transmembrane proteins, several computational methods have been developed to overcome the experimental gap. If combined with experimental data the computational information enables rapid, low cost and successful predictions of the molecular structure of unsolved proteins. The reliability of the predictions depends on the availability and accuracy of experimental data associated with structural information. In this review, the following methods are proposed for in silico structure elucidation: sequence-dependent predictions of transmembrane regions, predictions of transmembrane helix-helix interactions, helix arrangements in membrane models, and testing their stability with molecular dynamics simulations. We also demonstrate the usage of the computational methods listed above by proposing a model for the molecular structure of the transmembrane protein bilitranslocase. Bilitranslocase is bilirubin membrane transporter, which shares similar tissue distribution and functional properties with some of the members of the Organic Anion Transporter family and is the only member classified in the Bilirubin Transporter Family. Regarding its unique properties, bilitranslocase is a potentially interesting drug target.

The role of proline residues in the dynamics of transmembrane helices: the case of bacteriorhodopsin.

PubMed

Perálvarez-Marín, Alex; Bourdelande, José-Luis; Querol, Enric; Padrós, Esteve

2006-01-01

Proline residues in transmembrane helices have been found to have important roles in the functioning of membrane proteins. Moreover, Pro residues occur with high frequency in transmembrane alpha-helices, as compared to alpha-helices for soluble proteins. Here, we report several properties of the bacteriorhodopsin mutants P50A (helix B), P91A (helix C) and P186A (helix F). Compared to wild type, strongly perturbed behaviour has been found for these mutants. In the resting state, increased hydroxylamine accessibility and altered Asp-85 pKa and light-dark adaptation were observed. On light activation, hydroxylamine accessibility was increased and proton transport activity, M formation kinetics and FTIR difference spectra of M and N intermediates showed clear distortions. On the basis of these alterations and the near identity of the crystalline structures of mutants with that of wild type, we conclude that the transmembrane proline residues of bacteriorhodopsin fulfil a dynamic role in both the resting and the light-activated states. Our results are consistent with the notion that mutation of Pro to Ala allows the helix to increase its flexibility towards the direction originally hindered by the steric clash between the ring Cgamma and the carbonyl O of the i-4 residue, at the same time decreasing the mobility towards the opposite direction. Due to their properties, transmembrane Pro residues may serve as transmission elements of conformational changes during the transport process. We propose that these concepts can be extended to other transmembrane proteins.

New nut and sleeve improve flared connections

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garrard, J. S.

1965-01-01

Improved nut and sleeve of standard stainless steel flared tube connection allows forces on the mating surfaces to be uniformly applied. This can be applied to pressurized fluid systems such as refrigeration, air conditioning, and hydraulic systems.

Investigation the Amplitude Uniformity on the Surface of the Wide-Blade Ultrasonic Plastic Welding Horn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hai Nguyen, Thanh; Thanh Quang, Quang; Luat Tran, Cong; Loc Nguyen, Huu

2017-10-01

Ultrasonic welding has been applied for joining thermoplastic components due to their advantages such as clean, fast and reliable. The basic principle is to use the mechanical energy of ultrasonic frequency vibration to produce the molten pool at the interface of the joined components under high pressure to create solid-state welding joints. Depending on the specific application, the ultrasonic horn is designed to generate suitable amplitudes on the surface of the welding zone. Uniformity of the amplitudes can be a challenge as the welding area increases. Therefore, design a welding horn in order to obtain the uniform amplitudes at the large area is significant difficult. This work presents a method for obtaining the uniform amplitudes at the working surface of the stepped wide-blade horn. Finite element method is used to analyze the amplitude distribution at the horn surface of 250 × 34 mm2 with working frequency of 15 kHz and aluminum alloy 7075. The uniformity of amplitude is obtained by changing the shape of the horn.

First-Order System Least Squares for the Stokes Equations, with Application to Linear Elasticity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cai, Z.; Manteuffel, T. A.; McCormick, S. F.

1996-01-01

Following our earlier work on general second-order scalar equations, here we develop a least-squares functional for the two- and three-dimensional Stokes equations, generalized slightly by allowing a pressure term in the continuity equation. By introducing a velocity flux variable and associated curl and trace equations, we are able to establish ellipticity in an H(exp 1) product norm appropriately weighted by the Reynolds number. This immediately yields optimal discretization error estimates for finite element spaces in this norm and optimal algebraic convergence estimates for multiplicative and additive multigrid methods applied to the resulting discrete systems. Both estimates are uniform in the Reynolds number. Moreover, our pressure-perturbed form of the generalized Stokes equations allows us to develop an analogous result for the Dirichlet problem for linear elasticity with estimates that are uniform in the Lame constants.

Microelectrode-assisted low-voltage atmospheric pressure glow discharge in air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Wenzheng; Zhao, Shuai; Niu, Jiangqi; Chai, Maolin

2017-09-01

During the process of discharge, appropriately changing the paths corresponding to electric field lines and the field strength distribution along these paths, as well as increasing the number of initial electrons, can effectively enhance the uniformity of discharge and inhibit the formation of filamentary discharge. A method is proposed that uses a microelectrode to initiate the macroscopic discharge phenomenon. An asymmetric structure was designed comprising a single electrode of carbon fiber; this electrode structure is of helical-contact type. Benefitting from the special electric field distribution and the microdischarge process, a three-dimensional atmospheric pressure glow discharge was achieved in air, characterized by low discharge voltage, low energy consumption, good diffusion performance, and less ozone generation. The plasma studied is uniform and stable with good diffusion characteristics and low levels of contaminants and hence has potential applications in the field of air purification.

Stability of Triggering of the Switch with Sharply Non-Uniform Electric Field at the Electrode with Negative Potential

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kovalchuk, B. M.; Zherlitsyn, A. A.; Kumpyak, E. V.

2017-12-01

Results of investigations into a two-electrode high-pressure gas switch with sharply non-uniform field at the electrode with negative potential operating in the self-breakdown regime with pulsed charging of a highvoltage capacitive energy storage for 100 μs to voltage exceeding 200 kV are presented. It is demonstrated that depending on the air pressure and the gap length, the corona-streamer discharge, whose current increases with voltage, arises in the switch at a voltage of 0.2-0.3 of the self-breakdown voltage. At the moment of switch self-breakdown, the corona-streamer discharge goes over to one or several spark channels. The standard deviation of the triggering moment can be within 1.5 μs, which corresponds to the standard deviation of the self-breakdown voltage less than 2 kV. The voltage stability can be better than 1.5%.

Progressive Fracture of [0/90/ + or - Theta]s Composite Structure Under Uniform Pressure Load

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gotsis, Pascalis K.; Chamis, Christos C.; Gotsis, Christos K.; Mouratidis, Ericos

2007-01-01

S-Glass/epoxy [0/90/plus or minus theta]s for theta =45 deg., 60 deg., and 75 deg. laminated fiber-reinforced composite stiffened plate was simulated to investigated for damage and fracture progression under uniform pressure. An integrated computer code was augmented for the simulation of the damage initiation, growth, accumulation, and propagation to fracture and to structural collapse. Results show in detail the damage progression sequence and structural fracture resistance during different degradation stages. Damage through the thickness of the laminate initiated first at [0/90/plus or minus 45]s at 15.168 MPa (2200 psi), followed by [0/90/plus or minus 60]s at 16.96 MPa (2460 psi) and finally by [0/90/plus or minus 75]s at 19.3 MPa (2800 psi). After damage initiation happened the cracks propagate rapidly to structural fracture.

Effects of Discrete Charge Clustering in Simulations of Charged Interfaces.

PubMed

Grime, John M A; Khan, Malek O

2010-10-12

A system of counterions between charged surfaces is investigated, with the surfaces represented by uniform charged planes and three different arrangements of discrete surface charges - an equispaced grid and two different clustered arrangements. The behaviors of a series of systems with identical net surface charge density are examined, with particular emphasis placed on the long ranged corrections via the method of "charged slabs" and the effects of the simulation cell size. Marked differences are observed in counterion distributions and the osmotic pressure dependent on the particular representation of the charged surfaces; the uniformly charged surfaces and equispaced grids of discrete charge behave in a broadly similar manner, but the clustered systems display a pronounced decrease in osmotic pressure as the simulation size is increased. The influence of the long ranged correction is shown to be minimal for all but the very smallest of system sizes.

Influences of non-uniform pressure field outside bubbles on the propagation of acoustic waves in dilute bubbly liquids.

PubMed

Zhang, Yuning; Du, Xiaoze

2015-09-01

Predictions of the propagation of the acoustic waves in bubbly liquids is of great importance for bubble dynamics and related applications (e.g. sonochemistry, sonochemical reactor design, biomedical engineering). In the present paper, an approach for modeling the propagation of the acoustic waves in dilute bubbly liquids is proposed through considering the non-uniform pressure field outside the bubbles. This approach is validated through comparing with available experimental data in the literature. Comparing with the previous models, our approach mainly improves the predictions of the attenuation of acoustic waves in the regions with large kR0 (k is the wave number and R0 is the equilibrium bubble radius). Stability of the oscillating bubbles under acoustic excitation are also quantitatively discussed based on the analytical solution. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Atmospheric-pressure glow plasma synthesis of plasmonic and photoluminescent zinc oxide nanocrystals

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

Bilik, N., E-mail: bilik006@umn.edu, E-mail: kortshagen@umn.edu; Greenberg, B. L.; Yang, J.

In this paper, we present a large-volume (non-micro) atmospheric pressure glow plasma capable of rapid, large-scale zinc oxide nanocrystal synthesis and deposition (up to 400 μg/min), whereas in the majority of the literature, nanoparticles are synthesized using micro-scale or filamentary plasmas. The reactor is an RF dielectric barrier discharge with a non-uniform gap spacing. This design encourages pre-ionization during the plasma breakdown, making the discharge uniform over a large volume. The produced zinc oxide nanocrystals typically have diameters ranging from 4 to 15 nm and exhibit photoluminescence at ≈550 nm and localized surface plasmon resonance at ≈1900 cm{sup −1} due to oxygen vacancies. Themore » particle size can be tuned to a degree by varying the gas temperature and the precursor mixing ratio.« less

Investigation to optimize the passive shock wave-boundary layer control for supercritical airfoil drag reduction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nagamatsu, H. T.; Ficarra, R.; Orozco, R.

1983-01-01

The optimization of passive shock wave/boundary layer control for supercritical airfoil drag reduction was investigated in a 3 in. x 15.4 in. Transonic Blowdown Wind Tunnel. A 14% thick supercritical airfoil was tested with 0%, 1.42% and 2.8% porosities at Mach numbers of .70 to .83. The 1.42% case incorporated a linear increase in porosity with the flow direction while the 2.8% case was uniform porosity. The static pressure distributions over the airfoil, the wake impact pressure data for determining the profile drag, and the Schlieren photographs for porous surface airfoils are presented and compared with the results for solid-surface airfoils. While the results show that linear 1.42% porosity actually led to a slight increase in drag it was found that the uniform 2.8% porosity can lead to a drag reduction of 46% at M = .81.

Multiphysics Model of Palladium Hydride Isotope Exchange Accounting for Higher Dimensionality

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

Gharagozloo, Patricia E.; Eliassi, Mehdi; Bon, Bradley Luis

2015-03-01

This report summarizes computational model developm ent and simulations results for a series of isotope exchange dynamics experiments i ncluding long and thin isothermal beds similar to the Foltz and Melius beds and a lar ger non-isothermal experiment on the NENG7 test bed. The multiphysics 2D axi-symmetr ic model simulates the temperature and pressure dependent exchange reactio n kinetics, pressure and isotope dependent stoichiometry, heat generation from the r eaction, reacting gas flow through porous media, and non-uniformities in the bed perme ability. The new model is now able to replicate the curved reaction front and asy mmetry of themore » exit gas mass fractions over time. The improved understanding of the exchange process and its dependence on the non-uniform bed properties and te mperatures in these larger systems is critical to the future design of such sy stems.« less

Moderate KMnO4-Fe(II) pre-oxidation for alleviating ultrafiltration membrane fouling by algae during drinking water treatment.

PubMed

Ma, Baiwen; Qi, Jing; Wang, Xing; Ma, Min; Miao, Shiyu; Li, Wenjiang; Liu, Ruiping; Liu, Huijuan; Qu, Jiuhui

2018-05-21

Although ultrafiltration (UF) membranes are highly beneficial for removing algae, the removal process causes serious UF membrane fouling. To avoid the unfavorable effects of algal cells that have been damaged by oxidants, our previous study reported a novel, moderate pre-oxidation method (KMnO 4 -Fe(II) process) that aimed to achieve a balance between the release of intracellular organic matter and enhanced algae removal. This study further investigated the performance of a UF membrane with KMnO 4 -Fe(II) pretreatment in the presence of algae-laden reservoir water after a long running time. We found that algae could be completely removed, membrane fouling was significantly alleviated, and the overall performance was much better than that of Fe(III) coagulation alone. The transmembrane pressure (TMP) during Fe(III) coagulation increased to 42.8 kPa, however, that of the KMnO 4 -Fe(II) process only increased to 25.1 kPa for after running for 90 d. The slower transmembrane pressure was attributed to the larger floc size, higher surface activity, and inactivation of algae. Although there was little effect on microorganism development, lower microorganism abundance (20.7%) was observed during the KMnO 4 -Fe(II) process than during coagulation alone (44.9%) due to the release of extracellular polymeric substances. We also found that the floc cake layer was easily removed by washing, and many of the original membrane pores were clearly observed. Further analysis demonstrated that the effluent quality was excellent, especially its turbidity, chromaticity, and Mn and Fe concentrations. Based on the outstanding UF membrane performance, it may be concluded that the KMnO 4 -Fe(II) process exhibits considerable potential for application in the treatment of algae-laden water. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

C. botulinum inactivation kinetics implemented in a computational model of a high-pressure sterilization process.

PubMed

Juliano, Pablo; Knoerzer, Kai; Fryer, Peter J; Versteeg, Cornelis

2009-01-01

High-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) processing is effective for microbial spore inactivation using mild preheating, followed by rapid volumetric compression heating and cooling on pressure release, enabling much shorter processing times than conventional thermal processing for many food products. A computational thermal fluid dynamic (CTFD) model has been developed to model all processing steps, including the vertical pressure vessel, an internal polymeric carrier, and food packages in an axis-symmetric geometry. Heat transfer and fluid dynamic equations were coupled to four selected kinetic models for the inactivation of C. botulinum; the traditional first-order kinetic model, the Weibull model, an nth-order model, and a combined discrete log-linear nth-order model. The models were solved to compare the resulting microbial inactivation distributions. The initial temperature of the system was set to 90 degrees C and pressure was selected at 600 MPa, holding for 220 s, with a target temperature of 121 degrees C. A representation of the extent of microbial inactivation throughout all processing steps was obtained for each microbial model. Comparison of the models showed that the conventional thermal processing kinetics (not accounting for pressure) required shorter holding times to achieve a 12D reduction of C. botulinum spores than the other models. The temperature distribution inside the vessel resulted in a more uniform inactivation distribution when using a Weibull or an nth-order kinetics model than when using log-linear kinetics. The CTFD platform could illustrate the inactivation extent and uniformity provided by the microbial models. The platform is expected to be useful to evaluate models fitted into new C. botulinum inactivation data at varying conditions of pressure and temperature, as an aid for regulatory filing of the technology as well as in process and equipment design.

Plantar pressure relief under the metatarsal heads: therapeutic insole design using three-dimensional finite element model of the foot.

PubMed

Chen, Wen-Ming; Lee, Sung-Jae; Lee, Peter Vee Sin

2015-02-26

Therapeutic footwear with specially-made insoles is often used in people with diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis to relieve ulcer risks and pain due to high pressures from areas beneath bony prominences of the foot, in particular to the metatarsal heads (MTHs). In a three-dimensional finite element study of the foot and footwear with sensitivity analysis, effects of geometrical variations of a therapeutic insole, in terms of insole thicknesses and metatarsal pad (MP) placements, on local peak plantar pressure under MTHs and stress/strain states within various forefoot tissues, were determined. A validated musculoskeletal finite element model of the human foot was employed. Analyses were performed in a simulated muscle-demanding instant in gait. For many design combinations, increasing insole thicknesses consistently reduce peak pressures and internal tissue strain under MTHs, but the effects reach a plateau when insole becomes very thick (e.g., a value of 12.7mm or greater). Altering MP placements, however, showed a proximally- and a distally-placed MP could result in reverse effects on MTH pressure-relief. The unsuccessful outcome due to a distally-placed MP may attribute to the way it interacts with plantar tissue (e.g., plantar fascia) adjacent to the MTH. A uniform pattern of tissue compression under metatarsal shaft is necessary for a most favorable pressure-relief under MTHs. The designated functions of an insole design can best be achieved when the insole is very thick, and when the MP can achieve a uniform tissue compression pattern adjacent to the MTH. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Wake orientation and its influence on the performance of diffusers with inlet distortion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coffman, Jesse M.

Distortion at the inlet to diffusers is very common in internal flow applications. Inlet velocity distortion influences the pressure recovery and flow regimes of diffusers. This work introduced a centerline wake at the square inlet of a plane wall diffuser in two orthogonal orientations to investigate its influence on the diffuser performance. Two different wakes were generated. One was from a mesh strip which produced a velocity deficit with low turbulence intensity and two shear layers. The other wake generator was a D-shaped cylinder which produced a wake with high turbulence intensity and large length scales. These inlet conditions were generated for a diffuser with a diffusion angle of 3° and 6°. A pair of RANS simulations were used to investigate the influence of the orthogonal inlet orientations on the solution. The inlet conditions were taken from the inlet velocity field measured for the mesh strip. The flow development and exit conditions showed some similarities and some differences with the experimental results. The performance of a diffuser is typically measured through the static pressure recovery coefficient and the total pressure losses. The definition of these metrics commonly found in the literature were insufficient to discern differences between the wake orientations. New metrics were derived using the momentum flux profile parameter which related the static pressure recovery, the total pressure losses, and the velocity uniformity at the inlet and exit of the diffuser. These metrics revealed a trade-off between the total pressure losses and the uniformity of the velocity field.

Structural Analysis of a Peptide Fragment of Transmembrane Transporter Protein Bilitranslocase

PubMed Central

Župerl, Špela; Sikorska, Emilia; Zhukov, Igor; Solmajer, Tom; Novič, Marjana

2012-01-01

Using a combination of genomic and post-genomic approaches is rapidly altering the number of identified human influx carriers. A transmembrane protein bilitranslocase (TCDB 2.A.65) has long attracted attention because of its function as an organic anion carrier. It has also been identified as a potential membrane transporter for cellular uptake of several drugs and due to its implication in drug uptake, it is extremely important to advance the knowledge about its structure. However, at present, only the primary structure of bilitranslocase is known. In our work, transmembrane subunits of bilitranslocase were predicted by a previously developed chemometrics model and the stability of these polypeptide chains were studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Furthermore, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles were used as a model of cell membrane and herein we present a high-resolution 3D structure of an 18 amino acid residues long peptide corresponding to the third transmembrane part of bilitranslocase obtained by use of multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. It has been experimentally confirmed that one of the transmembrane segments of bilitranslocase has alpha helical structure with hydrophilic amino acid residues oriented towards one side, thus capable of forming a channel in the membrane. PMID:22745694

Predicting the transmembrane secondary structure of ligand-gated ion channels.

PubMed

Bertaccini, E; Trudell, J R

2002-06-01

Recent mutational analyses of ligand-gated ion channels (LGICs) have demonstrated a plausible site of anesthetic action within their transmembrane domains. Although there is a consensus that the transmembrane domain is formed from four membrane-spanning segments, the secondary structure of these segments is not known. We utilized 10 state-of-the-art bioinformatics techniques to predict the transmembrane topology of the tetrameric regions within six members of the LGIC family that are relevant to anesthetic action. They are the human forms of the GABA alpha 1 receptor, the glycine alpha 1 receptor, the 5HT3 serotonin receptor, the nicotinic AChR alpha 4 and alpha 7 receptors and the Torpedo nAChR alpha 1 receptor. The algorithms utilized were HMMTOP, TMHMM, TMPred, PHDhtm, DAS, TMFinder, SOSUI, TMAP, MEMSAT and TOPPred2. The resulting predictions were superimposed on to a multiple sequence alignment of the six amino acid sequences created using the CLUSTAL W algorithm. There was a clear statistical consensus for the presence of four alpha helices in those regions experimentally thought to span the membrane. The consensus of 10 topology prediction techniques supports the hypothesis that the transmembrane subunits of the LGICs are tetrameric bundles of alpha helices.

Free energy barrier for melittin reorientation from a membrane-bound state to a transmembrane state.

PubMed

Irudayam, Sheeba J; Pobandt, Tobias; Berkowitz, Max L

2013-10-31

An important step in a phospholipid membrane pore formation by melittin antimicrobial peptide is a reorientation of the peptide from a surface into a transmembrane conformation. Experiments measure the fraction of peptides in the surface state and the transmembrane state, but no computational study exists that quantifies the free energy curve for the reorientation. In this work we perform umbrella sampling simulations to calculate the potential of mean force (PMF) for the reorientation of melittin from a surface-bound state to a transmembrane state and provide a molecular level insight in understanding the peptide-lipid properties that influence the existence of the free energy barrier. The PMFs were calculated for a peptide to lipid (P/L) ratio of 1/128 and 4/128. We observe that the free energy barrier is reduced when the P/L ratio increases. In addition, we study the cooperative effect; specifically we investigate if the reorientation barrier is smaller for a second melittin, given that another neighboring melittin was already in the transmembrane orientation. We observe that indeed the barrier of the PMF curve is reduced in this case, thus confirming the presence of a cooperative effect.

Activation gating kinetics of GIRK channels are mediated by cytoplasmic residues adjacent to transmembrane domains.

PubMed

Sadja, Rona; Reuveny, Eitan

2009-01-01

G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels (GIRK/Kir3.x) are involved in neurotransmission-mediated reduction of excitability. The gating mechanism following G protein activation of these channels likely proceeds from movement of inner transmembrane helices to allow K(+) ions movement through the pore of the channel. There is limited understanding of how the binding of G-protein betagamma subunits to cytoplasmic regions of the channel transduces the signal to the transmembrane regions. In this study, we examined the molecular basis that governs the activation kinetics of these channels, using a chimeric approach. We identified two regions as being important in determining the kinetics of activation. One region is the bottom of the outer transmembrane helix (TM1) and the cytoplasmic domain immediately adjacent (the slide helix); and the second region is the bottom of the inner transmembrane helix (TM2) and the cytoplasmic domain immediately adjacent. Interestingly, both of these regions are sufficient in mediating the kinetics of fast activation gating. This result suggests that there is a cooperative movement of either one of these domains to allow fast and efficient activation gating of GIRK channels.

Biomechanical analysis of the circular friction hand massage.

PubMed

Ryu, Jeseong; Son, Jongsang; Ahn, Soonjae; Shin, Isu; Kim, Youngho

2015-01-01

A massage can be beneficial to relieve muscle tension on the neck and shoulder area. Various massage systems have been developed, but their motions are not uniform throughout different body parts nor specifically targeted to the neck and shoulder areas. Pressure pattern and finger movement trajectories of the circular friction hand massage on trapezius, levator scapulae, and deltoid muscles were determined to develop a massage system that can mimic the motion and the pressure of the circular friction massage. During the massage, finger movement trajectories were measured using a 3D motion capture system, and finger pressures were simultaneously obtained using a grip pressure sensor. Results showed that each muscle had different finger movement trajectory and pressure pattern. The trapezius muscle experienced a higher pressure, longer massage time (duration of pressurization), and larger pressure-time integral than the other muscles. These results could be useful to design a better massage system simulating human finger movements.

Foot Modeling and Smart Plantar Pressure Reconstruction from Three Sensors

PubMed Central

Ghaida, Hussein Abou; Mottet, Serge; Goujon, Jean-Marc

2014-01-01

In order to monitor pressure under feet, this study presents a biomechanical model of the human foot. The main elements of the foot that induce the plantar pressure distribution are described. Then the link between the forces applied at the ankle and the distribution of the plantar pressure is established. Assumptions are made by defining the concepts of a 3D internal foot shape, which can be extracted from the plantar pressure measurements, and a uniform elastic medium, which describes the soft tissues behaviour. In a second part, we show that just 3 discrete pressure sensors per foot are enough to generate real time plantar pressure cartographies in the standing position or during walking. Finally, the generated cartographies are compared with pressure cartographies issued from the F-SCAN system. The results show 0.01 daN (2% of full scale) average error, in the standing position. PMID:25400713

Foot modeling and smart plantar pressure reconstruction from three sensors.

PubMed

Ghaida, Hussein Abou; Mottet, Serge; Goujon, Jean-Marc

2014-01-01

In order to monitor pressure under feet, this study presents a biomechanical model of the human foot. The main elements of the foot that induce the plantar pressure distribution are described. Then the link between the forces applied at the ankle and the distribution of the plantar pressure is established. Assumptions are made by defining the concepts of a 3D internal foot shape, which can be extracted from the plantar pressure measurements, and a uniform elastic medium, which describes the soft tissues behaviour. In a second part, we show that just 3 discrete pressure sensors per foot are enough to generate real time plantar pressure cartographies in the standing position or during walking. Finally, the generated cartographies are compared with pressure cartographies issued from the F-SCAN system. The results show 0.01 daN (2% of full scale) average error, in the standing position.

Investigation of iron spin crossover pressure in Fe-bearing MgO using hybrid functional

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Ya; Wang, Xianlong; Zhang, Jie; Yang, Kaishuai; Zhang, Chuanguo; Zeng, Zhi; Lin, Haiqin

2018-04-01

Pressure-induced spin crossover behaviors of Fe-bearing MgO were widely investigated by using an LDA  +  U functional for describing the strongly correlated Fe–O bonding. Moreover, the simulated spin crossover pressures depend on the applied U values, which are sensitive to environments and parameters. In this work, the spin crossover pressures of (Mg1‑x ,Fe x )O are investigated by using the hybrid functional with a uniform parameter. Our results indicate that the spin crossover pressures increase with increasing iron concentration. For example, the spin crossover pressure of (Mg0.03125,Fe0.96875)O and FeO was 56 GPa and 127 GPa, respectively. The calculated crossover pressures agreed well with the experimental observations. Therefore, the hybrid functional should be an effective method for describing the pressure-induced spin crossover behaviors in transition metal oxides.

Flow Control Application on a Submerged Inlet Characterized by Three-Component LDV

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-12-01

boundary layer deficit accounted for less variation in stresses experienced by the compressor blades . These studies demonstrate the effect of geometry on... deficit region provided the best results. The airspeed and inlet velocity simulated takeoff and landing conditions; velocities ranged from Mach 0.1-0.3...uniformity of the total pressure profile at the compressor face prevents fatigue loading of the blades as they rotate.(5) Pressure recovery directly

Approximate Pressure Distribution in an Accelerating Launch-Vehicle Fuel Tank

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nemeth, Michael P.

2010-01-01

A detailed derivation of the equations governing the pressure in a generic liquid-fuel launch vehicle tank subjected to uniformly accelerated motion is presented. The equations obtained are then for the Space Shuttle Superlightweight Liquid-Oxygen Tank at approximately 70 seconds into flight. This generic derivation is applicable to any fuel tank in the form of a surface of revolution and should be useful in the design of future launch vehicles

Design and fabrication of brayton cycle solar heat receiver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mendelson, I.

1971-01-01

A detail design and fabrication of a solar heat receiver using lithium fluoride as the heat storage material was completed. A gas flow analysis was performed to achieve uniform flow distribution within overall pressure drop limitations. Structural analyses and allowable design criteria were developed for anticipated environments such as launch, pressure containment, and thermal cycling. A complete heat receiver assembly was fabricated almost entirely from the refractory alloy, niobium-1% zirconium.

All-Atom Structural Models of the Transmembrane Domains of Insulin and Type 1 Insulin-Like Growth Factor Receptors

PubMed Central

Mohammadiarani, Hossein; Vashisth, Harish

2016-01-01

The receptor tyrosine kinase superfamily comprises many cell-surface receptors including the insulin receptor (IR) and type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R) that are constitutively homodimeric transmembrane glycoproteins. Therefore, these receptors require ligand-triggered domain rearrangements rather than receptor dimerization for activation. Specifically, binding of peptide ligands to receptor ectodomains transduces signals across the transmembrane domains for trans-autophosphorylation in cytoplasmic kinase domains. The molecular details of these processes are poorly understood in part due to the absence of structures of full-length receptors. Using MD simulations and enhanced conformational sampling algorithms, we present all-atom structural models of peptides containing 51 residues from the transmembrane and juxtamembrane regions of IR and IGF1R. In our models, the transmembrane regions of both receptors adopt helical conformations with kinks at Pro961 (IR) and Pro941 (IGF1R), but the C-terminal residues corresponding to the juxtamembrane region of each receptor adopt unfolded and flexible conformations in IR as opposed to a helix in IGF1R. We also observe that the N-terminal residues in IR form a kinked-helix sitting at the membrane–solvent interface, while homologous residues in IGF1R are unfolded and flexible. These conformational differences result in a larger tilt-angle of the membrane-embedded helix in IGF1R in comparison to IR to compensate for interactions with water molecules at the membrane–solvent interfaces. Our metastable/stable states for the transmembrane domain of IR, observed in a lipid bilayer, are consistent with a known NMR structure of this domain determined in detergent micelles, and similar states in IGF1R are consistent with a previously reported model of the dimerized transmembrane domains of IGF1R. Our all-atom structural models suggest potentially unique structural organization of kinase domains in each receptor. PMID:27379020

Residues within the Transmembrane Domain of the Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Involved in Ligand Binding and Receptor Activation: Modelling the Ligand-Bound Receptor

PubMed Central

Coopman, K.; Wallis, R.; Robb, G.; Brown, A. J. H.; Wilkinson, G. F.; Timms, D.

2011-01-01

The C-terminal regions of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) bind to the N terminus of the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R), facilitating interaction of the ligand N terminus with the receptor transmembrane domain. In contrast, the agonist exendin-4 relies less on the transmembrane domain, and truncated antagonist analogs (e.g. exendin 9–39) may interact solely with the receptor N terminus. Here we used mutagenesis to explore the role of residues highly conserved in the predicted transmembrane helices of mammalian GLP-1Rs and conserved in family B G protein coupled receptors in ligand binding and GLP-1R activation. By iteration using information from the mutagenesis, along with the available crystal structure of the receptor N terminus and a model of the active opsin transmembrane domain, we developed a structural receptor model with GLP-1 bound and used this to better understand consequences of mutations. Mutation at Y152 [transmembrane helix (TM) 1], R190 (TM2), Y235 (TM3), H363 (TM6), and E364 (TM6) produced similar reductions in affinity for GLP-1 and exendin 9–39. In contrast, other mutations either preferentially [K197 (TM2), Q234 (TM3), and W284 (extracellular loop 2)] or solely [D198 (TM2) and R310 (TM5)] reduced GLP-1 affinity. Reduced agonist affinity was always associated with reduced potency. However, reductions in potency exceeded reductions in agonist affinity for K197A, W284A, and R310A, while H363A was uncoupled from cAMP generation, highlighting critical roles of these residues in translating binding to activation. Data show important roles in ligand binding and receptor activation of conserved residues within the transmembrane domain of the GLP-1R. The receptor structural model provides insight into the roles of these residues. PMID:21868452

78 FR 77656 - Aerosols and Similar Pressurized Containers-Meeting To Discuss the Method of Sale for Packages...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-24

..., Packaging and Labeling Regulation (UPLR) in NIST Handbook 130, ``Uniform Laws and Regulations in the Areas... permit price and quantity comparison is forbidden.'' Products using BOV technology versus traditional...

Viscoelastic cushion for patient support

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sauers, D. G.

1971-01-01

Flexible container, filled with liquid, provides supportive device which conforms to patient's anatomy. Uniform cushion pressure prevents formation of decubitus ulcers, while the porous sponge substructure damps fluid movement through cushion response so that patient is not dumped when his weight shifts.

Fabrication of long-focal-length plano-convex microlens array by combining the micro-milling and injection molding processes.

PubMed

Chen, Lei; Kirchberg, Stefan; Jiang, Bing-Yan; Xie, Lei; Jia, Yun-Long; Sun, Lei-Lei

2014-11-01

A uniform plano-convex spherical microlens array with a long focal length was fabricated by combining the micromilling and injection molding processes in this work. This paper presents a quantitative study of the injection molding process parameters on the uniformity of the height of the microlenses. The variation of the injection process parameters, i.e., barrel temperature, mold temperature, injection speed, and packing pressure, was found to have a significant effect on the uniformity of the height of the microlenses, especially the barrel temperature. The filling-to-packing switchover point is also critical to the uniformity of the height of the microlenses. The optimal uniformity was achieved when the polymer melts completely filled the mold cavity, or even a little excessively filled the cavity, during the filling stage. In addition, due to the filling resistance, the practical filling-to-packing switchover point can vary with the change of the filling processing conditions and lead to a non-negligible effect on the uniformity of the height of the microlenses. Furthermore, the effect of injection speed on the uniformity of the height of the microlenses was analyzed in detail. The results indicated that the effect of injection speed on the uniformity of the height of the microlenses is mainly attributed to the two functions of injection speed: transferring the filling-to-packing switchover point and affecting the distribution of residual flow stress in the polymer melt.

Suppression of LRRC19 promotes cutaneous wound healing in pressure ulcers in mice.

PubMed

Sun, Jie; Wang, Zhijing; Wang, Xirui

2018-02-20

The ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) induced skin lesion has been identified as primary cause of pressure ulcer. Better understanding of the mechanism is required for new therapy development. Leucine rich repeat containing protein 19 (LRRC19) is a recently discovered transmembrane protein containing leucine-rich repeats and plays a role in immune response. To investigate the role of LRRC19 in pressure ulcers, mouse ulcer model was established with two cycles of I/R. The expression of LRRC19 was assessed during injury. siRNA mediated LRRC19 downregulation was applied to investigate the disease severity, immune cell infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokines production. The primary skin fibroblasts were stimulated with IL-1β to dissect the molecular mechanism. LRRC19 was readily induced in I/R induced lesion site in a pattern mimicking the disease progress as measured by wound area. Knockdown of LRRC19 by siRNA significantly alleviated the disease severity and attenuated immune cell infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokines production. In primary skin fibroblast model, siRNA knockdown of LRRC19 suppressed IL-1β mediated NFκB activation and its downstream cytokines production. LRRC19 was a novel factor for I/R-induced tissue damage by promoting NFκB dependent pro-inflammatory response. Our results supported that LRRC19 could be a potential therapeutic target for pressure ulcers.

MOS1 Osmosensor of Metarhizium anisopliae Is Required for Adaptation to Insect Host Hemolymph▿

PubMed Central

Wang, Chengshu; Duan, Zhibing; St. Leger, Raymond J.

2008-01-01

Entomopathogenic fungi such as Metarhizium anisopliae infect insects by direct penetration of the cuticle, after which the fungus adapts to the high osmotic pressure of the hemolymph and multiplies. Here we characterize the M. anisopliae Mos1 gene and demonstrate that it encodes the osmosensor required for this process. MOS1 contains transmembrane regions and a C-terminal Src homology 3 domain similar to those of yeast osmotic adaptor proteins, and homologs of MOS1 are widely distributed in the fungal kingdom. Reverse transcription-PCR demonstrated that Mos1 is up-regulated in insect hemolymph as well as artificial media with high osmotic pressure. Transformants containing an antisense vector directed to the Mos1 mRNA depleted transcript levels by 80%. This produced selective alterations in regulation of genes involved in hyphal body formation, cell membrane stiffness, and generation of intracellular turgor pressure, suggesting that these processes are mediated by MOS1. Consistent with a role in stress responses, transcript depletion of Mos1 increased sensitivity to osmotic and oxidative stresses and to compounds that interfere with cell wall biosynthesis. It also disrupted developmental processes, including formation of appressoria and hyphal bodies. Insect bioassays confirmed that Mos1 knockdown significantly reduces virulence. Overall, our data show that M. anisopliae MOS1 mediates cellular responses to high osmotic pressure and subsequent adaptations to colonize host hemolymph. PMID:18055914

Accurate computational design of multipass transmembrane proteins.

PubMed

Lu, Peilong; Min, Duyoung; DiMaio, Frank; Wei, Kathy Y; Vahey, Michael D; Boyken, Scott E; Chen, Zibo; Fallas, Jorge A; Ueda, George; Sheffler, William; Mulligan, Vikram Khipple; Xu, Wenqing; Bowie, James U; Baker, David

2018-03-02

The computational design of transmembrane proteins with more than one membrane-spanning region remains a major challenge. We report the design of transmembrane monomers, homodimers, trimers, and tetramers with 76 to 215 residue subunits containing two to four membrane-spanning regions and up to 860 total residues that adopt the target oligomerization state in detergent solution. The designed proteins localize to the plasma membrane in bacteria and in mammalian cells, and magnetic tweezer unfolding experiments in the membrane indicate that they are very stable. Crystal structures of the designed dimer and tetramer-a rocket-shaped structure with a wide cytoplasmic base that funnels into eight transmembrane helices-are very close to the design models. Our results pave the way for the design of multispan membrane proteins with new functions. Copyright © 2018 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

Functionalized nanocompartments (Synthosomes): limitations and prospective applications in industrial biotechnology.

PubMed

Onaca, Ozana; Nallani, Madhavan; Ihle, Saskia; Schenk, Alexander; Schwaneberg, Ulrich

2006-01-01

Synthosomes are mechanically stable vesicles with a block copolymer membrane and an engineered transmembrane protein acting as selective gate. The polymer vesicles are nanometer-sized (50-1000 nm) and functionalized by loading them with enzymes for bioconversions or encapsulating charged macromolecules for selective compound recovery/release. The Synthosome system might become a novel technology platform for biocatalysis and selective product recovery. Progress in Synthosome research comprises employed block copolymers, transmembrane channel engineering, and functionalizations, which are discussed here in detail. The challenges in transmembrane protein engineering, as well as cost-effective production, in block copolymer design and the state of the art in Synthosome characterization comprising quantification of encapsulated protein, translocation efficiency, number of transmembrane channels per vesicle, and enzyme kinetics are also presented and discussed. An assessment of the Synthosome technology platform for prospective applications in industrial (white) biotechnology concludes this review.

Structure elucidation of dimeric transmembrane domains of bitopic proteins.

PubMed

Bocharov, Eduard V; Volynsky, Pavel E; Pavlov, Konstantin V; Efremov, Roman G; Arseniev, Alexander S

2010-01-01

The interaction between transmembrane helices is of great interest because it directly determines biological activity of a membrane protein. Either destroying or enhancing such interactions can result in many diseases related to dysfunction of different tissues in human body. One much studied form of membrane proteins known as bitopic protein is a dimer containing two membrane-spanning helices associating laterally. Establishing structure-function relationship as well as rational design of new types of drugs targeting membrane proteins requires precise structural information about this class of objects. At present time, to investigate spatial structure and internal dynamics of such transmembrane helical dimers, several strategies were developed based mainly on a combination of NMR spectroscopy, optical spectroscopy, protein engineering and molecular modeling. These approaches were successfully applied to homo- and heterodimeric transmembrane fragments of several bitopic proteins, which play important roles in normal and in pathological conditions of human organism.

Conformational rearrangements in the transmembrane domain of CNGA1 channels revealed by single-molecule force spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maity, Sourav; Mazzolini, Monica; Arcangeletti, Manuel; Valbuena, Alejandro; Fabris, Paolo; Lazzarino, Marco; Torre, Vincent

2015-05-01

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are activated by binding of cyclic nucleotides. Although structural studies have identified the channel pore and selectivity filter, conformation changes associated with gating remain poorly understood. Here we combine single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) with mutagenesis, bioinformatics and electrophysiology to study conformational changes associated with gating. By expressing functional channels with SMFS fingerprints in Xenopus laevis oocytes, we were able to investigate gating of CNGA1 in a physiological-like membrane. Force spectra determined that the S4 transmembrane domain is mechanically coupled to S5 in the closed state, but S3 in the open state. We also show there are multiple pathways for the unfolding of the transmembrane domains, probably caused by a different degree of α-helix folding. This approach demonstrates that CNG transmembrane domains have dynamic structure and establishes SMFS as a tool for probing conformational change in ion channels.

Comparison of the seafloor displacement from uniform and non-uniform slip models on tsunami simulation of the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ulutas, Ergin

2013-01-01

The numerical simulations of recent tsunami caused by 11 March 2011 off-shore Pacific coast of Tohoku-Oki earthquake (Mw 9.0) using diverse co-seismic source models have been performed. Co-seismic source models proposed by various observational agencies and scholars are further used to elucidate the effects of uniform and non-uniform slip models on tsunami generation and propagation stages. Non-linear shallow water equations are solved with a finite difference scheme, using a computational grid with different cell sizes over GEBCO30 bathymetry data. Overall results obtained and reported by various tsunami simulation models are compared together with the available real-time kinematic global positioning system (RTK-GPS) buoys, cabled deep ocean-bottom pressure gauges (OBPG), and Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami (DART) buoys. The purpose of this study is to provide a brief overview of major differences between point-source and finite-fault methodologies on generation and simulation of tsunamis. Tests of the assumptions of uniform and non-uniform slip models designate that the average uniform slip models may be used for the tsunami simulations off-shore, and far from the source region. Nevertheless, the heterogeneities of the slip distribution within the fault plane are substantial for the wave amplitude in the near field which should be investigated further.

Fabrication of ultrathin and highly uniform silicon on insulator by numerically controlled plasma chemical vaporization machining.

PubMed

Sano, Yasuhisa; Yamamura, Kazuya; Mimura, Hidekazu; Yamauchi, Kazuto; Mori, Yuzo

2007-08-01

Metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer operate faster and at a lower power than those fabricated on a bulk silicon wafer. Scaling down, which improves their performances, demands thinner SOI wafers. In this article, improvement on the thinning of SOI wafers by numerically controlled plasma chemical vaporization machining (PCVM) is described. PCVM is a gas-phase chemical etching method in which reactive species generated in atmospheric-pressure plasma are used. Some factors affecting uniformity are investigated and methods for improvements are presented. As a result of thinning a commercial 8 in. SOI wafer, the initial SOI layer thickness of 97.5+/-4.7 nm was successfully thinned and made uniform at 7.5+/-1.5 nm.

Two-Dimensional Imaging of OH in a Lean Burning High Pressure Combustor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Locke, R. J.; Hicks, Y. R.; Anderson, R. C.; Ockunzzi, K. A.; North, G. L.

1995-01-01

Planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) images of OH have been obtained from an optically accessible, lean burning high pressure combustor burning Jet-A fuel. These images were obtained using various laser excitation lines of the OH A (reverse arrow) X (1,0) band for several fuel injector configurations with pressures ranging from 1013 kPa (10 atm) to 1419 kPa (14 atm). Non-uniformities in the combusting flow, attributed to differences in fuel injector configuration, are revealed by these images. Contributions attributable to fluorescent aromatic hydrocarbons and complex fuel chemistries are also not evident.

Composite prepreg application device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sandusky, Donald A. (Inventor); Marchello, Joseph M. (Inventor)

1995-01-01

A heated shoe and cooled pressure roller assembly for composite prepreg application is provided. The shoe assembly includes a heated forward contact surface having a curved pressure surface. The following cooled roller provides a continuous pressure to the thermoplastic while reducing the temperature to approximately 5 C below glass transition temperature. Electric heating coils inside the forward portion of the shoe heat a thermoplastic workpiece to approximately 100 C above the glass transition. Immediately following the heated contact surface, a cooled roller cools the work. The end sharpened shape of the heated shoe trailing edge tends to prevent slag buildup and maintain a uniform, relaxed stress fabrication.

Detergent-mediated incorporation of transmembrane proteins in giant unilamellar vesicles with controlled physiological contents

PubMed Central

Dezi, Manuela; Di Cicco, Aurelie; Bassereau, Patricia; Lévy, Daniel

2013-01-01

Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are convenient biomimetic systems of the same size as cells that are increasingly used to quantitatively address biophysical and biochemical processes related to cell functions. However, current approaches to incorporate transmembrane proteins in the membrane of GUVs are limited by the amphiphilic nature or proteins. Here, we report a method to incorporate transmembrane proteins in GUVs, based on concepts developed for detergent-mediated reconstitution in large unilamellar vesicles. Reconstitution is performed either by direct incorporation from proteins purified in detergent micelles or by fusion of purified native vesicles or proteoliposomes in preformed GUVs. Lipid compositions of the membrane and the ionic, protein, or DNA compositions in the internal and external volumes of GUVs can be controlled. Using confocal microscopy and functional assays, we show that proteins are unidirectionally incorporated in the GUVs and keep their functionality. We have successfully tested our method with three types of transmembrane proteins. GUVs containing bacteriorhodopsin, a photoactivable proton pump, can generate large transmembrane pH and potential gradients that are light-switchable and stable for hours. GUVs with FhuA, a bacterial porin, were used to follow the DNA injection by T5 phage upon binding to its transmembrane receptor. GUVs incorporating BmrC/BmrD, a bacterial heterodimeric ATP-binding cassette efflux transporter, were used to demonstrate the protein-dependent translocation of drugs and their interactions with encapsulated DNA. Our method should thus apply to a wide variety of membrane or peripheral proteins for producing more complex biomimetic GUVs. PMID:23589883

Structural elucidation of transmembrane transporter protein bilitranslocase: conformational analysis of the second transmembrane region TM2 by molecular dynamics and NMR spectroscopy.

PubMed

Roy Choudhury, Amrita; Perdih, Andrej; Zuperl, Spela; Sikorska, Emilia; Solmajer, Tom; Jurga, Stefan; Zhukov, Igor; Novič, Marjana

2013-11-01

Membrane proteins represent about a third of the gene products in most organisms, as revealed by the genome sequencing projects. They account for up to two thirds of known drugable targets, which emphasizes their critical pharmaceutical importance. Here we present a study on bilitranslocase (BTL) (TCDB 2.A.65), a membrane protein primarily involved in the transport of bilirubin from blood to liver cells. Bilitranslocase has also been identified as a potential membrane transporter for cellular uptake of several drugs and due to its implication in drug uptake, it is extremely important to advance the knowledge about its 3D structure. However, at present, only a limited knowledge is available beyond the primary structure of BTL. It has been recently confirmed experimentally that one of the four computationally predicted transmembrane segments of bilitranslocase, TM3, has a helical structure with hydrophilic amino acid residues oriented towards one side, which is typical for transmembrane domains of membrane proteins. In this study we confirmed by the use of multidimensional NMR spectroscopy that the second transmembrane segment, TM2, also appears in a form of α-helix. The stability of this polypeptide chain was verified by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation in dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline (DPPC) and in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles. The two α-helices, TM2 corroborated in this study, and TM3 confirmed in our previous investigation, provide reasonable building blocks of a potential transmembrane channel for transport of bilirubin and small hydrophilic molecules, including pharmaceutically active compounds. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Pressure Drop Across Woven Screens Under Uniform and Nonuniform Flow Conditions. [flow characteristics of water through Dutch twill and square weave fabrics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ludewig, M.; Omori, S.; Rao, G. L.

1974-01-01

Tests were conducted to determine the experimental pressure drop and velocity data for water flowing through woven screens. The types of materials used are dutch twill and square weave fabrics. Pressure drop measures were made at four locations in a rectangular channel. The data are presented as change in pressure compared with the average entry velocity and the numerical relationship is determined by dividing the volumetric flow rate by the screen area open to flow. The equations of continuity and momentum are presented. A computer program listing an extension of a theoretical model and data from that computer program are included.

Effect of membrane properties on the performance of a hybrid GAC and ultrafiltration process for water treatment.

PubMed

Qiao, Tiejun; Wu, Guangxue; Zhang, Xihui; Au, Doris W T; Zhang, Jinsong

2012-06-01

The performance of a hybrid granular activated carbon (GAC) and ultrafiltration (UF) process for water treatment was investigated using five types of UF membranes. The removal percentages for chemical oxygen demand (COD(Mn)), particles (> or = 2 microm) and total bacteria by the hybrid process were 30-40%, 98-99% and 76-92%, respectively. No invertebrates were detected in the hybrid process effluent. Transmembrane pressure and specific permeate flux (SPF) of the five types of membranes varied. With decreasing membrane pore sizes, removal of COD(Mn) and particles increased, whereas SPF firstly decreased and then increased. Hydrophilic membranes had a relatively high COD(Mn) removal potential, but did not obviously affect particle removal or SPF.

A numerical method for osmotic water flow and solute diffusion with deformable membrane boundaries in two spatial dimension

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Lingxing; Mori, Yoichiro

2017-12-01

Osmotic forces and solute diffusion are increasingly seen as playing a fundamental role in cell movement. Here, we present a numerical method that allows for studying the interplay between diffusive, osmotic and mechanical effects. An osmotically active solute obeys a advection-diffusion equation in a region demarcated by a deformable membrane. The interfacial membrane allows transmembrane water flow which is determined by osmotic and mechanical pressure differences across the membrane. The numerical method is based on an immersed boundary method for fluid-structure interaction and a Cartesian grid embedded boundary method for the solute. We demonstrate our numerical algorithm with the test case of an osmotic engine, a recently proposed mechanism for cell propulsion.

Instrumentation, control, and automation for submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactors.

PubMed

Robles, Ángel; Durán, Freddy; Ruano, María Victoria; Ribes, Josep; Rosado, Alfredo; Seco, Aurora; Ferrer, José

2015-01-01

A submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) demonstration plant with two commercial hollow-fibre ultrafiltration systems (PURON®, Koch Membrane Systems, PUR-PSH31) was designed and operated for urban wastewater treatment. An instrumentation, control, and automation (ICA) system was designed and implemented for proper process performance. Several single-input-single-output (SISO) feedback control loops based on conventional on-off and PID algorithms were implemented to control the following operating variables: flow-rates (influent, permeate, sludge recycling and wasting, and recycled biogas through both reactor and membrane tanks), sludge wasting volume, temperature, transmembrane pressure, and gas sparging. The proposed ICA for AnMBRs for urban wastewater treatment enables the optimization of this new technology to be achieved with a high level of process robustness towards disturbances.

Investigation of the Effect of the Non-uniform Flow Distribution After Compressor of Gas Turbine Engine on Inlet Parameters of the Turbine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orlov, M. Yu; Lukachev, S. V.; Anisimov, V. M.

2018-01-01

The position of combustion chamber between compressor and turbine and combined action of these elements imply that the working processes of all these elements are interconnected. One of the main requirements of the combustion chamber is the formation of the desirable temperature field at the turbine inlet, which can realize necessary durability of nozzle assembly and blade wheel of the first stage of high-pressure turbine. The method of integrated simulation of combustion chamber and neighboring nodes (compressor and turbine) was developed. On the first stage of the study, this method was used to investigate the influence of non-uniformity of flow distribution, occurred after compressor blades on combustion chamber workflow. The goal of the study is to assess the impact of non-uniformity of flow distribution after the compressor on the parameters before the turbine. The calculation was carried out in a transient case for some operation mode of the engine. The simulation showed that the inclusion of compressor has an effect on combustion chamber workflow and allows us to determine temperature field at the turbine inlet and assesses its durability more accurately. In addition, the simulation with turbine showed the changes in flow velocity distribution and pressure in combustion chamber.

Streamline similarity method for flow distributions and shock losses at the impeller inlet of the centrifugal pump

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zh.

2018-02-01

An analytical method is presented, which enables the non-uniform velocity and pressure distributions at the impeller inlet of a pump to be accurately computed. The analyses are based on the potential flow theory and the geometrical similarity of the streamline distribution along the leading edge of the impeller blades. The method is thus called streamline similarity method (SSM). The obtained geometrical form of the flow distribution is then simply described by the geometrical variable G( s) and the first structural constant G I . As clearly demonstrated and also validated by experiments, both the flow velocity and the pressure distributions at the impeller inlet are usually highly non-uniform. This knowledge is indispensible for impeller blade designs to fulfill the shockless inlet flow condition. By introducing the second structural constant G II , the paper also presents the simple and accurate computation of the shock loss, which occurs at the impeller inlet. The introduction of two structural constants contributes immensely to the enhancement of the computational accuracies. As further indicated, all computations presented in this paper can also be well applied to the non-uniform exit flow out of an impeller of the Francis turbine for accurately computing the related mean values.

Application of Atmospheric-Pressure Microwave Line Plasma for Low Temperature Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, Haruka; Nakano, Suguru; Itoh, Hitoshi; Sekine, Makoto; Hori, Masaru; Toyoda, Hirotaka

2015-09-01

Atmospheric pressure (AP) plasmas have been given much attention because of its high cost benefit and a variety of possibilities for industrial applications. In various kinds of plasma production technique, pulsed-microwave discharge plasma using slot antenna is attractive due to its ability of high-density and stable plasma production. In this plasma source, however, size of the plasma has been limited up to a few cm in length due to standing wave inside a waveguide. To solve this, we have proposed a newly-developed AP microwave plasma source that utilizes not standing wave but travelling wave. By using this plasma source, spatially-uniform AP line plasma with 40 cm in length was realized by pure helium discharge in 60 cm slot and with nitrogen gas additive of 1%. Furthermore, gas temperature as low as 400 K was realized in this device. In this study, as an example of low temperature processes, hydrophilic treatment of PET films was performed. Processing speed increased with pulse frequency and a water contact angle of ~20° was easily obtained within 5 s with no thermal damage to the substrate. To evaluate treatment-uniformity of long line length, PET films were treated by 90 cm slot-antenna plasma and uniform treatment performance was confirmed.

Numerical simulation of operation modes in atmospheric pressure uniform barrier discharge excited by a saw-tooth voltage

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

Li Xuechen; Niu Dongying; Yin Zengqian

2012-08-15

The characteristics of dielectric barrier discharge excited by a saw-tooth voltage are simulated in atmospheric pressure helium based on a one-dimensional fluid model. A stepped discharge is obtained per half voltage cycle with gas gap width less than 2 mm by the simulation, which is different to the pulsed discharge excited by a sinusoidal voltage. For the stepped discharge, the plateau duration increases with increasing the voltage amplitude and decreasing the gas gap. Therefore, uniform discharge with high temporal duty ratio can be realized with small gap through increasing the voltage amplitude. The maximal densities of both electron and ionmore » appear near the anode and the electric field is almost uniformly distributed along the gap, which indicates that the stepped discharge belongs to a Townsend mode. In contrast to the stepped discharge with small gas gap, a pulsed discharge can be obtained with large gas gap. Through analyzing the spatial density distributions of electron and ion and the electric field, the pulsed discharge is in a glow mode. The voltage-current (V-I) characteristics are analyzed for the above mentioned discharges under different gas gaps, from which the different discharge modes are verified.« less

Fabrication strategy for amphiphilic microcapsules with narrow size distribution by premix membrane emulsification.

PubMed

Wei, Yi; Wang, Yuxia; Wang, Lianyan; Hao, Dongxia; Ma, Guanghui

2011-10-15

Amphiphilic co-polymer, which can maintain the stability of proteins and increase the protein loading efficiency, is considered as an exploring-worthy biodegrade polymer for drug delivery. However, amphiphilic microcapsules prepared by conventional methods, such like mechanical stirring and spray-drying methods, exhibit broad size distributions due to its hydrophilic sequences, leading to poor reproducibility. In this study, we employed poly(monomethoxypoly ethylene glycol-co-D,L-lactide) (mPEG-PLA, PELA), one of common amphiphilic polymers, as model to focus on investigating the process parameters and mechanisms to prepare PELA microcapsules with narrow size distribution and regular sphericity by combining premix membrane emulsification and double emulsion technique. The coarse double emulsion with broad size distribution was repeatedly pressed through Shirasu Porous Glass (SPG) membrane with relatively high pressure to form the fine emulsion with narrow size distribution. Then, the microcapsules with narrow size distribution can be obtained by solvent extraction method. It was found that it was more difficult to obtain PELA microcapsules with narrow size distribution and smooth surface due to its amphiphilic property, compared with the cases of PLA and PLGA. The smooth surface morphology was found to be related to several factors including internal water phase with less volume, slower stirring rate during solidification and using ethyl acetate as oil phase. It was also found that mass ratio of hydrophilic mPEG, stabilizer PVA concentration in external water phase and transmembrane pressure played important role on the distribution of microcapsules size. The suitable preparation conditions were determined as follows: for the membrane with pore size of 2.8 μm, the mass ratio of PLA/mPEG was 19:1, volume ratio of W(1)/O was 1:10 and O/W(2) was 1:5, PVA concentration (w/v) was 1.0%, magnetic stirring rate during solidification was 60 rpm and 300 kPa was chosen as transmembrane pressure. There was a linear relationship between the diameter of microcapsules and the pore size of the membranes. Finally, by manipulating the process parameters, PELA microcapsules with narrow size distributions (coefficient of variation was less than 15%), smooth morphology and various sizes, were obtained. Most importantly, the key factors affecting fabrication have been revealed and mechanisms were illustrated in detail, which would shed light on the research of amphiphilic polymer formulation. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Catalytic wet air oxidation of coke-plant wastewater on ruthenium-based eggshell catalysts in a bubbling bed reactor.

PubMed

Yang, M; Sun, Y; Xu, A H; Lu, X Y; Du, H Z; Sun, C L; Li, C

2007-07-01

Catalytic wet air of coke-plant wastewater was studied in a bubbling bed reactor. Two types of supported Ru-based catalysts, eggshell and uniform catalysts, were employed. Compared with the results in the wet air oxidation of coke-plant wastewater, supported Ru uniform catalysts showed high activity for chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia/ammonium compounds (NH3-N) removal at temperature of 250 degrees C and pressure of 4.8 MPa, and it has been demonstrated that the catalytic activity of uniform catalyst depended strongly on the distribution of active sites of Ru on catalyst. Compared to the corresponding uniform catalysts with the same Ru loading (0.25 wt.% and 0.1 wt.%, respectively), the eggshell catalysts showed higher activities for CODcr removal and much higher activities for NH3-N degradation. The high activity of eggshell catalyst for treatment of coke-plant wastewater can be attributed to the higher density of active Ru sites in the shell layer than that of the corresponding uniform catalyst with the same Ru loading. It has been also evidenced that the active Ru sites in the internal core of uniform catalyst have very little or no contribution to CODcr and NH3-N removal in the total oxidation of coke-plant wastewater.

Open-air direct current plasma jet: Scaling up, uniformity, and cellular control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, S.; Wang, Z.; Huang, Q.; Lu, X.; Ostrikov, K.

2012-10-01

Atmospheric-pressure plasma jets are commonly used in many fields from medicine to nanotechnology, yet the issue of scaling the discharges up to larger areas without compromising the plasma uniformity remains a major challenge. In this paper, we demonstrate a homogenous cold air plasma glow with a large cross-section generated by a direct current power supply. There is no risk of glow-to-arc transitions, and the plasma glow appears uniform regardless of the gap between the nozzle and the surface being processed. Detailed studies show that both the position of the quartz tube and the gas flow rate can be used to control the plasma properties. Further investigation indicates that the residual charges trapped on the inner surface of the quartz tube may be responsible for the generation of the air plasma plume with a large cross-section. The spatially resolved optical emission spectroscopy reveals that the air plasma plume is uniform as it propagates out of the nozzle. The remarkable improvement of the plasma uniformity is used to improve the bio-compatibility of a glass coverslip over a reasonably large area. This improvement is demonstrated by a much more uniform and effective attachment and proliferation of human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells on the plasma-treated surface.

Characterization and Processing of Non-Uniformities in Back-Illuminated CCDs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lemm, Alia D.; Della-Rose, Devin J.; Maddocks, Sally

2018-01-01

In astronomical photometry, Charged Coupled Device (CCD) detectors are used to achieve high precision photometry and must be properly calibrated to correct for noise and pixel non-uniformities. Uncalibrated images may contain bias offset, dark current, bias structure and uneven illumination. In addition, standard data reduction is often not sufficient to “normalize” imagery to single-digit millimagnitude (mmag) precision. We are investigating an apparent non-uniformity, or interference pattern, in a back-illuminated sensor, the Alta U-47, attached to a DFM Engineering 41-cm Ritchey-Chrétien f/8 telescope. Based on the amplitude of this effect, we estimate that instrument magnitude peak-to-valley deviations of 50 mmag or more may result. Our initial testing strongly suggests that reflected skylight from high pressure sodium city lights may be the cause of this interference pattern. Our research goals are twofold: to fully characterize this non-uniformity and to determine the best method to remove this interference pattern from our reduced CCD images.

Method for nanoencapsulation of aerogels and nanoencapsulated aerogels produced by such method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sullivan, Thomas A. (Inventor)

2007-01-01

A method for increasing the compressive modulus of aerogels comprising: providing aerogel substrate comprising a bubble matrix in a chamber; providing monomer to the chamber, the monomer comprising vapor phase monomer which polymerizes substantially free of polymerization byproducts; depositing monomer from the vapor phase onto the surface of the aerogel substrate under deposition conditions effective to produce a vapor pressure sufficient to cause the vapor phase monomer to penetrate into the bubble matrix and deposit onto the surface of the aerogel substrate, producing a substantially uniform monomer film; and, polymerizing the substantially uniform monomer film under polymerization conditions effective to produce polymer coated aerogel comprising a substantially uniform polymer coating substantially free of polymerization byproducts.Polymer coated aerogel comprising aerogel substrate comprising a substantially uniform polymer coating, said polymer coated aerogel comprising porosity and having a compressive modulus greater than the compressive modulus of the aerogel substrate, as measured by a 100 lb. load cell at 1 mm/minute in the linear range of 20% to 40% compression.

Repulsion Between Finite Charged Plates with Strongly Overlapped Electric Double Layers.

PubMed

Ghosal, Sandip; Sherwood, John D

2016-09-20

Screened Coulomb interactions between uniformly charged flat plates are considered at very small plate separations for which the Debye layers are strongly overlapped, in the limit of small electrical potentials. If the plates are of infinite length, the disjoining pressure between the plates decays as an inverse power of the plate separation. If the plates are of finite length, we show that screening Debye layer charges close to the edge of the plates are no longer constrained to stay between the plates, but instead spill out into the surrounding electrolyte. The resulting change in the disjoining pressure is calculated analytically: the force between the plates is reduced by this edge correction when the charge density is uniform over the surface of the plates, and is increased when the surface is at constant potential. A similar change in disjoining pressure due to loss of lateral confinement of the Debye layer charges should occur whenever the sizes of the interacting charged objects become small enough to approach the Debye scale. We investigate the effect here in the context of a two-dimensional model problem that is sufficiently simple to yield analytical results.

Flowfield measurements in the NASA Lewis Research Center 9- by 15-foot low-speed wind tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hughes, Christopher E.

1989-01-01

An experimental investigation was conducted in the NASA Lewis 9- by 15-Foot Low-Speed Wind Tunnel to determine the flow characteristics in the test section during wind tunnel operation. In the investigation, a 20-probe horizontally-mounted Pitot-static flow survey rake was used to obtain cross-sectional total and static pressure surveys at four axial locations in the test section. At each axial location, the cross-sectional flowfield surveys were made by repositioning the Pitot-static flow survey rake vertically. In addition, a calibration of the new wind tunnel rake instrumentation, used to determine the wind tunnel operating conditions, was performed. Boundary laser surveys were made at three axial locations in the test section. The investigation was conducted at tunnel Mach numbers 0.20, 0.15, 0.10, and 0.05. The test section profile results from the investigation indicate that fairly uniform total pressure profiles (outside the test section boundary layer) and fairly uniform static pressure and Mach number profiles (away from the test section walls and downstream of the test section entrance) exist throughout in the wind tunnel test section.

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

Trianti, Nuri, E-mail: nuri.trianti@gmail.com; Nurjanah,; Su’ud, Zaki

Thermalhydraulic of reactor core is the thermal study on fluids within the core reactor, i.e. analysis of the thermal energy transfer process produced by fission reaction from fuel to the reactor coolant. This study include of coolant temperature and reactor power density distribution. The purposes of this analysis in the design of nuclear power plant are to calculate the coolant temperature distribution and the chimney height so natural circulation could be occurred. This study was used boiling water reactor (BWR) with cylinder type reactor core. Several reactor core properties such as linear power density, mass flow rate, coolant density andmore » inlet temperature has been took into account to obtain distribution of coolant density, flow rate and pressure drop. The results of calculation are as follows. Thermal hydraulic calculations provide the uniform pressure drop of 1.1 bar for each channels. The optimum mass flow rate to obtain the uniform pressure drop is 217g/s. Furthermore, from the calculation it could be known that outlet temperature is 288°C which is the saturated fluid’s temperature within the system. The optimum chimney height for natural circulation within the system is 14.88 m.« less

The Nike Laser Facility and its Capabilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Serlin, V.; Aglitskiy, Y.; Chan, L. Y.; Karasik, M.; Kehne, D. M.; Oh, J.; Obenschain, S. P.; Weaver, J. L.

2013-10-01

The Nike laser is a 56-beam krypton fluoride (KrF) system that provides 3 to 4 kJ of laser energy on target. The laser uses induced spatial incoherence to achieve highly uniform focal distributions. 44 beams are overlapped onto target with peak intensities up to 1016 W/cm2. The effective time-averaged illumination nonuniformity is < 0 . 2 %. Nike produces highly uniform ablation pressures on target allowing well-controlled experiments at pressures up to 20 Mbar. The other 12 laser beams are used to generate diagnostic x-rays radiographing the primary laser-illuminated target. The facility includes a front end that generates the desired temporal and spatial laser profiles, two electron-beam pumped KrF amplifiers, a computer-controlled optical system, and a vacuum target chamber for experiments. Nike is used to study the physics and technology issues of direct-drive laser fusion, such as, hydrodynamic and laser-plasma instabilities, studies of the response of materials to extreme pressures, and generation of X rays from laser-heated targets. Nike features a computer-controlled data acquisition system, high-speed, high-resolution x-ray and visible imaging systems, x-ray and visible spectrometers, and cryogenic target capability. Work supported by DOE/NNSA.

Conformational and orientational order and disorder in solid polytetrafluoroethylene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sprik, Michiel; Rothlisberger, Ursula; Klein, Michael L.

The low pressure phase diagram of solid polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE/Teflon) has been investigated using constant temperature-constant pressure molecular dynamics techniques and a new all-atom potential model for fluorocarbons. The simulation was started in an ordered low temperature phase in which the molecules are parallel and have a helical conformation with a pitch of uniform magnitude and sign (chirality). In accordance with experiment, a transition to an orientationally disordered state is observed upon heating. The coherent helical winding of CF2 groups also disappears abruptly at the transition but short helical segments remain and become equally distributed between left and right chirality with increasing temperature. The orientational and conformational disorder is accompanied by translational diffusion along the chain direction. At a still higher temperature melting sets in. On cooling, the disordered solid phase is recovered and its structure is shown to be identical to that generated on heating. On further cooling, a spontaneous ordering transition is observed but the system fails to recover a uniform helical ground state. Instead, the high pressure ordered monoclinic all- trans (alkane-like) structure is obtained: an observation that indicates a deficiency in the potential model.

An Evaluation of the Softperm Contact Lens in the Simulated Aircraft Environment

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-01-01

potential effect on the eye of low atmospheric pressure and resultant low oxygen pressure that occurs with increased altitude. The cornea, which is avascular ... avascularity as well as its morphology and chemical composition. The epithelial cells are not keratinized and their components have a uniform index of refraction...noted that cell damage and/or necrosis was much less likely to occur if cellular swelling does not occur. They observed no epithelial staining in their

Overall Heat Transfer Coefficients for a Horizontal Cylinder in a Fluidized Bed.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-04-01

The distribution system is composed of 2 in. PVC pipe and fittings arranged in a convenient air-tight geometry. Pressure regulators, pressure gauges...uniform fluidization. After i£ A_ 4 passing through the beads, the air is exhausted to the outside by means of galvanized duct work. Fluidized Bed...design is the matching with the copper cylinder of outer diameters, the fastening with recessed set screws , their length and the material selection. In

An Investigation into Performance Modelling of a Small Gas Turbine Engine

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-10-01

b = Combustor part load constant f = Fuel to mass flow ratio or scale factor h = Enthalpy F = Force P = Pressure T = Temperature W = Mass flow...HP engine performance parameters[5,6] Parameter Condition (ISA, SLS) Value Thrust 108000 rpm 230 N Pressure Ratio 108000 rpm 4 Mass Flow Rate...system. The reasons for removing the electric starter were to ensure uniform flow through the bell- mouth for mass flow rate measurement, eliminate a

Ultra Uniform Pb0.865La0.09(Zr0.65Ti0.35)O3 Thin Films with Tunable Optical Properties Fabricated via Pulsed Laser Deposition

PubMed Central

Jiang, Shenglin; Huang, Chi; Gu, Honggang; Liu, Shiyuan; Zhu, Shuai; Li, Ming-Yu; Yao, Lingmin; Wu, Yunyi; Zhang, Guangzu

2018-01-01

Ferroelectric thin films have been utilized in a wide range of electronic and optical applications, in which their morphologies and properties can be inherently tuned by a qualitative control during growth. In this work, we demonstrate the evolution of the Pb0.865La0.09(Zr0.65Ti0.35)O3 (PLZT) thin films on MgO (200) with high uniformity and optimized optical property via the controls of the deposition temperatures and oxygen pressures. The perovskite phase can only be obtained at the deposition temperature above 700 °C and oxygen pressure over 50 Pa due to the improved crystallinity. Meanwhile, the surface morphologies gradually become smooth and compact owing to spontaneously increased nucleation sites with the elevated temperatures, and the crystallization of PLZT thin films also sensitively respond to the oxygen vacancies with the variation of oxygen pressures. Correspondingly, the refractive indices gradually develop with variations of the deposition temperatures and oxygen pressures resulted from the various slight loss, and the extinction coefficient for each sample is similarly near to zero due to the relatively smooth morphology. The resulting PLZT thin films exhibit the ferroelectricity, and the dielectric constant sensitively varies as a function of electric filed, which can be potentially applied in the electronic and optical applications. PMID:29596398

Industrial ion source technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaufman, H. R.; Robinson, R. S.

1979-01-01

In reactive ion etching of Si, varying amounts of O2 were added to the CF4 background. The experimental results indicated an etch rate less than that for Ar up to an O2 partial pressure of about .00006 Torr. Above this O2 pressure, the etch rate with CF4 exceeded that with Ar alone. For comparison the random arrival rate of O2 was approximately equal to the ion arrival rate at a partial pressure of about .00002 Torr. There were also ion source and ion pressure gauge maintenance problems as a result of the use of CF4. Large scale (4 sq cm) texturing of Si was accomplished using both Cu and stainless steel seed. The most effective seeding method for this texturing was to surround the sample with large inclined planes. Designing, fabricating, and testing a 200 sq cm rectangular beam ion source was emphasized. The design current density was 6 mA/sq cm with 500 eV argon ions, although power supply limitations permitted operation to only 2 mA/sq cm. The use of multiple rectangular beam ion sources for continuous processing of wider areas than would be possible with a single source was also studied. In all cases investigated, the most uniform coverage was obtained with 0 to 2 cm beam overlay. The maximum departure from uniform processing at optimum beam overlap was found to be +15%.

Resource for structure related information on transmembrane proteins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tusnády, Gábor E.; Simon, István

Transmembrane proteins are involved in a wide variety of vital biological processes including transport of water-soluble molecules, flow of information and energy production. Despite significant efforts to determine the structures of these proteins, only a few thousand solved structures are known so far. Here, we review the various resources for structure-related information on these types of proteins ranging from the 3D structure to the topology and from the up-to-date databases to the various Internet sites and servers dealing with structure prediction and structure analysis. Abbreviations: 3D, three dimensional; PDB, Protein Data Bank; TMP, transmembrane protein.

Peptide microarray analysis of substrate specificity of the transmembrane Ser/Thr kinase KPI-2 reveals reactivity with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and phosphorylase.

PubMed

Wang, Hong; Brautigan, David L

2006-11-01

Human lemur (Lmr) kinases are predicted to be Tyr kinases based on sequences and are related to neurotrophin receptor Trk kinases. This study used homogeneous recombinant KPI-2 (Lmr2, LMTK2, Cprk, brain-enriched protein kinase) kinase domain and a library of 1,154 peptides on a microarray to analyze substrate specificity. We found that KPI-2 is strictly a Ser/Thr kinase that reacts with Ser either preceded by or followed by Pro residues but unlike other Pro-directed kinases does not strictly require an adjacent Pro residue. The most reactive peptide in the library corresponds to Ser-737 of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, and the recombinant R domain of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator was a preferred substrate. Furthermore the KPI-2 kinase phosphorylated peptides corresponding to the single site in phosphorylase and purified phosphorylase b, making this only the second known phosphorylase b kinase. Phosphorylase was used as a specific substrate to show that KPI-2 is inhibited in living cells by addition of nerve growth factor or serum. The results demonstrate the utility of the peptide library to probe specificity and discover kinase substrates and offer a specific assay that reveals hormonal regulation of the activity of this unusual transmembrane kinase.

Predicting Transmembrane Helix Packing Arrangements using Residue Contacts and a Force-Directed Algorithm

PubMed Central

Nugent, Timothy; Jones, David T.

2010-01-01

Alpha-helical transmembrane proteins constitute roughly 30% of a typical genome and are involved in a wide variety of important biological processes including cell signalling, transport of membrane-impermeable molecules and cell recognition. Despite significant efforts to predict transmembrane protein topology, comparatively little attention has been directed toward developing a method to pack the helices together. Here, we present a novel approach to predict lipid exposure, residue contacts, helix-helix interactions and finally the optimal helical packing arrangement of transmembrane proteins. Using molecular dynamics data, we have trained and cross-validated a support vector machine (SVM) classifier to predict per residue lipid exposure with 69% accuracy. This information is combined with additional features to train a second SVM to predict residue contacts which are then used to determine helix-helix interaction with up to 65% accuracy under stringent cross-validation on a non-redundant test set. Our method is also able to discriminate native from decoy helical packing arrangements with up to 70% accuracy. Finally, we employ a force-directed algorithm to construct the optimal helical packing arrangement which demonstrates success for proteins containing up to 13 transmembrane helices. This software is freely available as source code from http://bioinf.cs.ucl.ac.uk/memsat/mempack/. PMID:20333233

Delineation of the peptide binding site of the human galanin receptor.

PubMed Central

Kask, K; Berthold, M; Kahl, U; Nordvall, G; Bartfai, T

1996-01-01

Galanin, a neuroendocrine peptide of 29 amino acids, binds to Gi/Go-coupled receptors to trigger cellular responses. To determine which amino acids of the recently cloned seven-transmembrane domain-type human galanin receptor are involved in the high-affinity binding of the endogenous peptide ligand, we performed a mutagenesis study. Mutation of the His264 or His267 of transmembrane domain VI to alanine, or of Phe282 of transmembrane domain VII to glycine, results in an apparent loss of galanin binding. The substitution of Glu271 to serine in the extracellular loop III of the receptor causes a 12-fold loss in affinity for galanin. We combined the mutagenesis results with data on the pharmacophores (Trp2, Tyr9) of galanin and with molecular modelling of the receptor using bacteriorhodopsin as a model. Based on these studies, we propose a binding site model for the endogenous peptide ligand in the galanin receptor where the N-terminus of galanin hydrogen bonds with Glu271 of the receptor, Trp2 of galanin interacts with the Zn2+ sensitive pair of His264 and His267 of transmembrane domain VI, and Tyr9 of galanin interacts with Phe282 of transmembrane domain VII, while the C-terminus of galanin is pointing towards the N-terminus of th Images PMID:8617199

Buckling of Thin Cylindrical Shell Subject to Uniform External Pressure

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

Forasassi, G.; Lo Frano, R.

2006-07-01

The buckling of cylindrical shells under uniform external pressure loading has been widely investigated. In general, when tubes are subjected to external pressure, collapse is initiated by yielding, but interaction with instability is significant, in that imperfections associated with fabrication of shells reduce the load bearing capacity by a significant amount even when thickness is considerable. A specific buckling analysis is used to predict collapse failure of long pressure vessels and pipelines when they are subjected to external over-pressure. The problem of buckling for variable load conditions is relevant for the optimisation of several Nuclear Power Plant applications as, formore » instance, the IRIS (International Reactor Innovative and Secure) LWR integrated Steam Generator (SG) tubes. In this paper, we consider in addition to the usual assumptions of thin shell, homogeneous and isotropic material, also the tube geometric imperfections and plastic deformations that may affect the limit load. When all those conditions are considered at present, a complete theoretical analysis was not founding the literature. At Pisa University a research activity is being carried out on the buckling of thin walled metal specimen, with reference to several geometries and two different stainless steel materials. A test equipment (with the necessary data acquisition facility), suitable for carrying out many test on this issue, as well as numerical models implemented on the MARC FEM code, were set up. In this report, the results of the performed analyses of critical pressure load determination with different numerical and experimental approaches are presented. The numerical results obtained are compared with the experimental results, for the same geometry and loading conditions, showing a good agreement between these two approaches. (authors)« less

The Organization as a Filter of Institutional Diffusion

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Penuel, William R.; Frank, Kenneth A.; Sun, Min; Kim, Chong Min; Singleton, Corrine

2013-01-01

Background/Context: Institutional theories sometimes characterize the normative influence of institutions as diffusing like waves and as exerting uniform pressures on individuals. This article contributes to a growing literature on the microfoundations of institutions, investigating how intraorganizational networks mediate the diffusion of…

Investigation on inlet recirculation characteristics of double suction centrifugal compressor with unsymmetrical inlet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Ce; Wang, Yingjun; Lao, Dazhong; Tong, Ding; Wei, Longyu; Liu, Yixiong

2016-08-01

The inlet recirculation characteristics of double suction centrifugal compressor with unsymmetrical inlet structures were studied in numerical method, mainly focused on three issues including the amounts and differences of the inlet recirculation in different working conditions, the circumferential non-uniform distributions of the inlet recirculation, the recirculation velocity distributions of the upstream slot of the rear impeller. The results show that there are some differences between the recirculation of the front impeller and that of the rear impeller in whole working conditions. In design speed, the recirculation flow rate of the rear impeller is larger than that of the front impeller in the large flow range, but in the small flow range, the recirculation flow rate of the rear impeller is smaller than that of the front impeller. In different working conditions, the recirculation velocity distributions of the front and rear impeller are non-uniform along the circumferential direction and their non-uniform extents are quite different. The circumferential non-uniform extent of the recirculation velocity varies with the working conditions change. The circumferential non-uniform extent of the recirculation velocity of front impeller and its distribution are determined by the static pressure distribution of the front impeller, but that of the rear impeller is decided by the coupling effects of the inlet flow distortion of the rear impeller, the circumferential unsymmetrical distribution of the upstream slot and the asymmetric structure of the volute. In the design flow and small flow conditions, the recirculation velocities at different circumferential positions of the mean line of the upstream slot cross-section of the rear impeller are quite different, and the recirculation velocities distribution forms at both sides of the mean line are different. The recirculation velocity distributions in the cross-section of the upstream slot depend on the static pressure distributions in the intake duct.

R248G cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator mutation in three siblings presenting with recurrent acute pancreatitis and reproductive issues: a case series.

PubMed

Villalona, Seiichi; Glover-López, Guillermo; Ortega-García, Juan Antonio; Moya-Quiles, Rosa; Mondejar-López, Pedro; Martínez-Romero, Maria C; Rigabert-Montiel, Mariano; Pastor-Vivero, María D; Sánchez-Solís, Manuel

2017-02-15

Mutational combinations of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, CFTR, gene have different phenotypic manifestations at the molecular level with varying clinical consequences for individuals possessing such mutations. Reporting cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator mutations is important in understanding the genotype-phenotype correlations and associated clinical presentations in patients with cystic fibrosis. Understanding the effects of mutations is critical in developing appropriate treatments for individuals affected with cystic fibrosis, non-classic cystic fibrosis, or cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator-related disorders. This is the first report of related individuals possessing the R248G missense cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator mutation and we present their associated clinical histories. All three patients are of Spanish descent. Deoxyribonucleic acid analysis revealed that all three siblings possessed a novel c.742A>G mutation, resulting in a p.Arg248Gly (R248G) amino acid change in exon 6 in trans with the known N1303K mutant allele. Case 1 patient is a 39-year-old infertile man presenting with congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens and recurrent episodes of epigastric pain. Case 2 patient is a 32-year-old woman presenting with periods of infertility, two previous spontaneous abortions, recurrent epigastric pain, and recurrent pancreatitis. Case 3 patient is a 29-year-old woman presenting with recurrent pancreatitis and epigastric pain. We report the genotype-phenotype correlations and clinical manifestations of a novel R248G cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator mutation: congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens in males, reduced female fertility, and recurrent acute pancreatitis. In addition, we discuss the possible functional consequences of the mutations at the molecular level.

Conductance of P2X4 purinergic receptor is determined by conformational equilibrium in the transmembrane region.

PubMed

Minato, Yuichi; Suzuki, Shiho; Hara, Tomoaki; Kofuku, Yutaka; Kasuya, Go; Fujiwara, Yuichiro; Igarashi, Shunsuke; Suzuki, Ei-Ichiro; Nureki, Osamu; Hattori, Motoyuki; Ueda, Takumi; Shimada, Ichio

2016-04-26

Ligand-gated ion channels are partially activated by their ligands, resulting in currents lower than the currents evoked by the physiological full agonists. In the case of P2X purinergic receptors, a cation-selective pore in the transmembrane region expands upon ATP binding to the extracellular ATP-binding site, and the currents evoked by α,β-methylene ATP are lower than the currents evoked by ATP. However, the mechanism underlying the partial activation of the P2X receptors is unknown although the crystal structures of zebrafish P2X4 receptor in the apo and ATP-bound states are available. Here, we observed the NMR signals from M339 and M351, which were introduced in the transmembrane region, and the endogenous alanine and methionine residues of the zebrafish P2X4 purinergic receptor in the apo, ATP-bound, and α,β-methylene ATP-bound states. Our NMR analyses revealed that, in the α,β-methylene ATP-bound state, M339, M351, and the residues that connect the ATP-binding site and the transmembrane region, M325 and A330, exist in conformational equilibrium between closed and open conformations, with slower exchange rates than the chemical shift difference (<100 s(-1)), suggesting that the small population of the open conformation causes the partial activation in this state. Our NMR analyses also revealed that the transmembrane region adopts the open conformation in the state bound to the inhibitor trinitrophenyl-ATP, and thus the antagonism is due to the closure of ion pathways, except for the pore in the transmembrane region: i.e., the lateral cation access in the extracellular region.

Conductance of P2X4 purinergic receptor is determined by conformational equilibrium in the transmembrane region

PubMed Central

Minato, Yuichi; Suzuki, Shiho; Hara, Tomoaki; Kofuku, Yutaka; Kasuya, Go; Fujiwara, Yuichiro; Igarashi, Shunsuke; Suzuki, Ei-ichiro; Nureki, Osamu; Hattori, Motoyuki; Ueda, Takumi; Shimada, Ichio

2016-01-01

Ligand-gated ion channels are partially activated by their ligands, resulting in currents lower than the currents evoked by the physiological full agonists. In the case of P2X purinergic receptors, a cation-selective pore in the transmembrane region expands upon ATP binding to the extracellular ATP-binding site, and the currents evoked by α,β-methylene ATP are lower than the currents evoked by ATP. However, the mechanism underlying the partial activation of the P2X receptors is unknown although the crystal structures of zebrafish P2X4 receptor in the apo and ATP-bound states are available. Here, we observed the NMR signals from M339 and M351, which were introduced in the transmembrane region, and the endogenous alanine and methionine residues of the zebrafish P2X4 purinergic receptor in the apo, ATP-bound, and α,β-methylene ATP-bound states. Our NMR analyses revealed that, in the α,β-methylene ATP-bound state, M339, M351, and the residues that connect the ATP-binding site and the transmembrane region, M325 and A330, exist in conformational equilibrium between closed and open conformations, with slower exchange rates than the chemical shift difference (<100 s−1), suggesting that the small population of the open conformation causes the partial activation in this state. Our NMR analyses also revealed that the transmembrane region adopts the open conformation in the state bound to the inhibitor trinitrophenyl-ATP, and thus the antagonism is due to the closure of ion pathways, except for the pore in the transmembrane region: i.e., the lateral cation access in the extracellular region. PMID:27071117

Highly robust thin-film composite pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) hollow fiber membranes with high power densities for renewable salinity-gradient energy generation.

PubMed

Han, Gang; Wang, Peng; Chung, Tai-Shung

2013-07-16

The practical application of pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) technology for renewable blue energy (i.e., osmotic power generation) from salinity gradient is being hindered by the absence of effective membranes. Compared to flat-sheet membranes, membranes with a hollow fiber configuration are of great interest due to their high packing density and spacer-free module fabrication. However, the development of PRO hollow fiber membranes is still in its infancy. This study aims to open up new perspectives and design strategies to molecularly construct highly robust thin film composite (TFC) PRO hollow fiber membranes with high power densities. The newly developed TFC PRO membranes consist of a selective polyamide skin formed on the lumen side of well-constructed Matrimid hollow fiber supports via interfacial polymerization. For the first time, laboratory PRO power generation tests demonstrate that the newly developed PRO hollow fiber membranes can withstand trans-membrane pressures up to 16 bar and exhibit a peak power density as high as 14 W/m(2) using seawater brine (1.0 M NaCl) as the draw solution and deionized water as the feed. We believe that the developed TFC PRO hollow fiber membranes have great potential for osmotic power harvesting.

A 2D model of axial symmetry for proximal tubule of an average human nephron: indicative results of diffusion, convection and absorption processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Insfrán, J. F.; Ubal, S.; Di Paolo, y. J.

2016-04-01

A simplified model of a proximal convoluted tubule of an average human nephron is presented. The model considers the 2D axisymmetric flow of the luminal solution exchanging matter with the tubule walls and the peritubular fluid by means of 0D models for the epithelial cells. The tubule radius is considered to vary along the conduit due to the trans-epithelial pressure difference. The fate of more than ten typical solutes is tracked down by the model. The Navier-Stokes and Reaction-Diffusion-Advection equations (considering the electro-neutrality principle) are solved in the lumen, giving a detailed picture of the velocity, pressure and concentration fields, along with trans-membrane fluxes and tubule deformation, via coupling with the 0D model for the tubule wall. The calculations are carried out numerically by means of the finite element method. The results obtained show good agreement with those published by other authors using models that ignore the diffusive transport and disregard a detailed calculation of velocity, pressure and concentrations. This work should be seen as a first approach towards the development of a more comprehensive model of the filtration process taking place in the kidneys, which ultimately helps in devising a device that can mimic/complement the renal function.

Computational and theoretical analysis of free surface flow in a thin liquid film under zero and normal gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Faghri, Amir; Swanson, Theodore D.

1988-01-01

The results of a numerical computation and theoretical analysis are presented for the flow of a thin liquid film in the presence and absence of a gravitational body force. Five different flow systems were used. Also presented are the governing equations and boundary conditions for the situation of a thin liquid emanating from a pressure vessel; traveling along a horizontal plate with a constant initial height and uniform initial velocity; and traveling radially along a horizontal disk with a constant initial height and uniform initial velocity.

Trajectories of charged particles in radial electric and uniform axial magnetic fields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Englert, G. W.

1979-01-01

Trajectories of charged particles were determined over a wide range of parameters characterizing motion in cylindrical low-pressure gas discharges and plasma heating devices which have steady radial electric fields perpendicular to uniform steady magnetic fields. Consideration was given to radial distributions characteristic of fields measured in a modified Penning discharge, in two NASA Lewis burnout-type plasma heating devices, and that estimated for the Ixion device. Numerical calculations of trajectories for such devices showed that differences between cyclotron frequency and qB/m and between azimuthal drift and a guiding center approximation are appreciable.

Flow Characterization Studies of the 10-MW TP3 Arc-Jet Facility: Probe Sweeps

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goekcen, Tahir; Alunni, Antonella I.

2016-01-01

This paper reports computational simulations and analysis in support of calibration and flow characterization tests in a high enthalpy arc-jet facility at NASA Ames Research Center. These tests were conducted in the NASA Ames 10-MW TP3 facility using flat-faced stagnation calorimeters at six conditions corresponding to the steps of a simulated flight heating profile. Data were obtained using a conical nozzle test configuration in which the models were placed in a free jet downstream of the nozzle. Experimental surveys of arc-jet test flow with pitot pressure and heat flux probes were also performed at these arc-heater conditions, providing assessment of the flow uniformity and valuable data for the flow characterization. Two different sets of pitot pressure and heat probes were used: 9.1-mm sphere-cone probes (nose radius of 4.57 mm or 0.18 in) with null-point heat flux gages, and 15.9-mm (0.625 in) diameter hemisphere probes with Gardon gages. The probe survey data clearly show that the test flow in the TP3 facility is not uniform at most conditions (not even axisymmetric at some conditions), and the extent of non-uniformity is highly dependent on various arc-jet parameters such as arc current, mass flow rate, and the amount of cold-gas injection at the arc-heater plenum. The present analysis comprises computational fluid dynamics simulations of the nonequilibrium flowfield in the facility nozzle and test box, including the models tested. Comparisons of computations with the experimental measurements show reasonably good agreement except at the extreme low pressure conditions of the facility envelope.

The rotating heat pipe - Implementation as a uniform-temperature heat source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Limoges, R. F.

1981-11-01

A wickless rotating heat pipe, if properly controlled, is a uniform heat source. The data presented are based on work done with 12.7 cm diameter x 76 cm long rotating heat pipes operating between 120 and 140 C. The major areas reviewed are: materials of fabrication, working fluids, sealing, temperature control, heaters, and safety. The optimum rotating heat pipe defined by these studies is fabricated of type 304 stainless steel, uses water as the working fluid, is sealed with welded joints, and utilizes a pressure switch and a fast-response quartz lamp for temperature control. Surface-temperature control of + or - 0.15 C and temperature uniformity within 0.8 C are obtained. Results of experiments designed to study the effects of hydrogen in the enclosed volume of the heat pipe are presented.

A chirped-pulse Fourier-transform microwave/pulsed uniform flow spectrometer. I. The low-temperature flow system.

PubMed

Oldham, James M; Abeysekera, Chamara; Joalland, Baptiste; Zack, Lindsay N; Prozument, Kirill; Sims, Ian R; Park, G Barratt; Field, Robert W; Suits, Arthur G

2014-10-21

We report the development of a new instrument that combines chirped-pulse microwave spectroscopy with a pulsed uniform supersonic flow. This combination promises a nearly universal detection method that can deliver isomer and conformer specific, quantitative detection and spectroscopic characterization of unstable reaction products and intermediates, product vibrational distributions, and molecular excited states. This first paper in a series of two presents a new pulsed-flow design, at the heart of which is a fast, high-throughput pulsed valve driven by a piezoelectric stack actuator. Uniform flows at temperatures as low as 20 K were readily achieved with only modest pumping requirements, as demonstrated by impact pressure measurements and pure rotational spectroscopy. The proposed technique will be suitable for application in diverse fields including fundamental studies in spectroscopy, kinetics, and reaction dynamics.

Photosensitized electron transport across lipid vesicle walls: Enhancement of quantum yield by ionophores and transmembrane potentials

PubMed Central

Laane, Colja; Ford, William E.; Otvos, John W.; Calvin, Melvin

1981-01-01

The photosensitized reduction of heptylviologen in the bulk aqueous phase of phosphatidylcholine vesicles containing EDTA inside and a membrane-bound tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(2+) derivative is enhanced by a factor of 6.5 by the addition of valinomycin in the presence of K+. A 3-fold stimulation by gramicidin and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone is observed. The results suggest that, under these conditions, the rate of photoinduced electron transfer across vesicle walls in the absence of ion carriers is limited by cotransport of cations. The rate of electron transfer across vesicle walls could be influenced further by generating transmembrane potentials with K+ gradients in the presence of valinomycin. When vesicles are made with transmembrane potentials, interior more negative, the quantum yield of heptylviologen reduction is doubled, and, conversely, when vesicles are made with transmembrane potentials, interior more positive, the quantum yield is decreased and approaches the value found in the absence of valinomycin. PMID:16593002

THGS: a web-based database of Transmembrane Helices in Genome Sequences

PubMed Central

Fernando, S. A.; Selvarani, P.; Das, Soma; Kumar, Ch. Kiran; Mondal, Sukanta; Ramakumar, S.; Sekar, K.

2004-01-01

Transmembrane Helices in Genome Sequences (THGS) is an interactive web-based database, developed to search the transmembrane helices in the user-interested gene sequences available in the Genome Database (GDB). The proposed database has provision to search sequence motifs in transmembrane and globular proteins. In addition, the motif can be searched in the other sequence databases (Swiss-Prot and PIR) or in the macromolecular structure database, Protein Data Bank (PDB). Further, the 3D structure of the corresponding queried motif, if it is available in the solved protein structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank, can also be visualized using the widely used graphics package RASMOL. All the sequence databases used in the present work are updated frequently and hence the results produced are up to date. The database THGS is freely available via the world wide web and can be accessed at http://pranag.physics.iisc.ernet.in/thgs/ or http://144.16.71.10/thgs/. PMID:14681375

On the self-association potential of transmembrane tight junction proteins.

PubMed

Blasig, I E; Winkler, L; Lassowski, B; Mueller, S L; Zuleger, N; Krause, E; Krause, G; Gast, K; Kolbe, M; Piontek, J

2006-02-01

Tight junctions seal intercellular clefts via membrane-related strands, hence, maintaining important organ functions. We investigated the self-association of strand-forming transmembrane tight junction proteins. The regulatory tight junction protein occludin was differently tagged and cotransfected in eucaryotic cells. These occludins colocalized within the plasma membrane of the same cell, coprecipitated and exhibited fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Differently tagged strand-forming claudin-5 also colocalized in the plasma membrane of the same cell and showed fluorescence resonance energy transfer. This demonstrates self-association in intact cells both of occludin and claudin-5 in one plasma membrane. In search of dimerizing regions of occludin, dimerization of its cytosolic C-terminal coiledcoil domain was identified. In claudin-5, the second extracellular loop was detected as a dimer. Since the transmembrane junctional adhesion molecule also is known to dimerize, the assumption that homodimerization of transmembrane tight junction proteins may serve as a common structural feature in tight junction assembly is supported.

Structure of FGFR3 transmembrane domain dimer: implications for signaling and human pathologies.

PubMed

Bocharov, Eduard V; Lesovoy, Dmitry M; Goncharuk, Sergey A; Goncharuk, Marina V; Hristova, Kalina; Arseniev, Alexander S

2013-11-05

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) transduces biochemical signals via lateral dimerization in the plasma membrane, and plays an important role in human development and disease. Eight different pathogenic mutations, implicated in cancers and growth disorders, have been identified in the FGFR3 transmembrane segment. Here, we describe the dimerization of the FGFR3 transmembrane domain in membrane-mimicking DPC/SDS (9/1) micelles. In the solved NMR structure, the two transmembrane helices pack into a symmetric left-handed dimer, with intermolecular stacking interactions occurring in the dimer central region. Some pathogenic mutations fall within the helix-helix interface, whereas others are located within a putative alternative interface. This implies that although the observed dimer structure is important for FGFR3 signaling, the mechanism of FGFR3-mediated transduction across the membrane is complex. We propose an FGFR3 signaling mechanism that is based on the solved structure, available structures of isolated soluble FGFR domains, and published biochemical and biophysical data. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Experimental and numerical study of heterogeneous pressure-temperature-induced lethal and sublethal injury of Lactococcus lactis in a medium scale high-pressure autoclave.

PubMed

Kilimann, K V; Kitsubun, P; Delgado, A; Gänzle, M G; Chapleau, N; Le Bail, A; Hartmann, C

2006-07-05

The present contribution is dedicated to experimental and theoretical assessment of microbiological process heterogeneities of the high-pressure (HP) inactivation of Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris MG 1363. The inactivation kinetics are determined in dependence of pressure, process time, temperature and absence or presence of co-solutes in the buffer system namely 4 M sodium chloride and 1.5 M sucrose. The kinetic analysis is carried out in a 0.1-L autoclave in order to minimise thermal and convective effects. Upon these data, a deterministic inactivation model is formulated with the logistic equation. Its independent variables represent the counts of viable cells (viable but injured) and of the stress-resistant cells (viable and not injured). This model is then coupled to a thermo-fluiddynamical simulation method, high-pressure computer fluid dynamics technique (HP-CFD), which yields spatiotemporal temperature and flow fields occurring during the HP application inside any considered autoclave. Besides the thermo-fluiddynamic quantities, the coupled model predicts also the spatiotemporal distribution of both viable (VC) and stress-resistant cell counts (SRC). In order to assess the process non-uniformity of the microbial inactivation in a 3.3-L autoclave experimentally, microbial samples are placed at two distinct locations and are exposed to various process conditions. It can be shown with both, experimental and theoretical models that thermal heterogeneities induce process non-uniformities of more than one decimal power in the counts of the viable cells at the end of the treatment. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Heat transfer deterioration in tubes caused by bulk flow acceleration due to thermal and frictional influences

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

Jackson, J. D.

2012-07-01

Severe deterioration of forced convection heat transfer can be encountered with compressible fluids flowing through strongly heated tubes of relatively small bore as the flow accelerates and turbulence is reduced because of the fluid density falling (as the temperature rises and the pressure falls due to thermal and frictional influence). The model presented here throws new light on how the dependence of density on both temperature and pressure can affect turbulence and heat transfer and it explains why the empirical equations currently available for calculating effectiveness of forced convection heat transfer under conditions of strong non-uniformity of fluid properties sometimesmore » fail to reproduce observed behaviour. It provides a criterion for establishing the conditions under which such deterioration of heat transfer might be encountered and enables heat transfer coefficients to be determined when such deterioration occurs. The analysis presented here is for a gaseous fluid at normal pressure subjected strong non-uniformity of fluid properties by the application of large temperature differences. Thus the model leads to equations which describe deterioration of heat transfer in terms of familiar parameters such as Mach number, Reynolds number and Prandtl number. It is applicable to thermal power plant systems such as rocket engines, gas turbines and high temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactors. However, the ideas involved apply equally well to fluids at supercritical pressure. Impairment of heat transfer under such conditions has become a matter of growing interest with the active consideration now being given to advanced water-cooled nuclear reactors designed to operate at pressures above the critical value. (authors)« less

Glycerin purification using asymmetric nano-structured ceramic membranes from production of waste fish oil biodiesel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maghami, M.; Sadrameli, S. M.; Shamloo, M.

2018-02-01

Biodiesel is an environmental friendly alternative liquid transportation fuel that can be used in diesel engines without major modifications. The scope of this research work is to produce biodiesel from waste fish oil and its purification from the byproducts using a ceramic membrane. Transesterification of waste fish oil was applied for the biodiesel production using methanol in the presence of KOH as a catalyst. Effect of catalyst weight percent, temperature and methanol to oil molar ratio (MR) on the biodiesel yield have been studied and the results show that highest methyl ester yield of 79.2% has been obtained at 60 °C, MR: 6 and 1% KOH. The produced biodiesel purified by a ceramic membrane. Membrane flux and glycerin removal at different operating conditions such as temperature, trans-membrane pressures and cross flow velocities have been measured. Glycerin purity by membrane method is 99.97% by weight at the optimum condition. The highest membrane flux occurred at 50 °C temperature, 1 bar pressure and 3 m/s velocity.

Membrane filtration device for studying compression of fouling layers in membrane bioreactors

PubMed Central

Bugge, Thomas Vistisen; Larsen, Poul; Nielsen, Per Halkjær; Christensen, Morten Lykkegaard

2017-01-01

A filtration devise was developed to assess compressibility of fouling layers in membrane bioreactors. The system consists of a flat sheet membrane with air scouring operated at constant transmembrane pressure to assess the influence of pressure on resistance of fouling layers. By fitting a mathematical model, three model parameters were obtained; a back transport parameter describing the kinetics of fouling layer formation, a specific fouling layer resistance, and a compressibility parameter. This stands out from other on-site filterability tests as model parameters to simulate filtration performance are obtained together with a characterization of compressibility. Tests on membrane bioreactor sludge showed high reproducibility. The methodology’s ability to assess compressibility was tested by filtrations of sludges from membrane bioreactors and conventional activated sludge wastewater treatment plants from three different sites. These proved that membrane bioreactor sludge showed higher compressibility than conventional activated sludge. In addition, detailed information on the underlying mechanisms of the difference in fouling propensity were obtained, as conventional activated sludge showed slower fouling formation, lower specific resistance and lower compressibility of fouling layers, which is explained by a higher degree of flocculation. PMID:28749990

Kinematics of red cell aspiration by fluorescence-imaged microdeformation.

PubMed

Discher, D E; Mohandas, N

1996-10-01

Maps of fluorescing red cell membrane components on a pipette-aspirated projection are quantitated in an effort to elucidate and unify the heterogeneous kinematics of deformation. Transient gradients of diffusing fluorescent lipid first demonstrate the fluidity of an otherwise uniform-density bilayer and corroborate a "universal" calibration scale for relative surface density. A steep but smooth and stable gradient in the densities of the skeleton components spectrin, actin, and protein 4.1 is used to estimate large elastic strains along the aspirated skeleton. The deformation fields are argued to be an unhindered response to loading in the surface normal direction. Density maps intermediate to those of the compressible skeleton and fluid bilayer are exhibited by particular transmembrane proteins (e.g., Band 3) and yield estimates for the skeleton-connected fractions. Such connected proteins appear to occupy a significant proportion of the undeformed membrane surface and can lead to steric exclusion of unconnected integral membrane proteins from regions of network condensation. Consistent with membrane repatterning kinematics in reversible deformation, final vesiculation of the projection tip produces a cell fragment concentrated in freely diffusing proteins but depleted of skeleton.

Site-specific vibrational dynamics of the CD3ζ membrane peptide using heterodyned two-dimensional infrared photon echo spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukherjee, Prabuddha; Krummel, Amber T.; Fulmer, Eric C.; Kass, Itamar; Arkin, Isaiah T.; Zanni, Martin T.

2004-06-01

Heterodyned two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy has been used to study the amide I vibrational dynamics of a 27-residue peptide in lipid vesicles that encompasses the transmembrane domain of the T-cell receptor CD3ζ. Using 1-13C=18O isotope labeling, the amide I mode of the 49-Leucine residue was spectroscopically isolated and the homogeneous and inhomogeneous linewidths of this mode were measured by fitting the 2D IR spectrum collected with a photon echo pulse sequence. The pure dephasing and inhomogeneous linewidths are 2 and 32 cm-1, respectively. The population relaxation time of the amide I band was measured with a transient grating, and it contributes 9 cm-1 to the linewidth. Comparison of the 49-Leucine amide I mode and the amide I band of the entire CD3ζ peptide reveals that the vibrational dynamics are not uniform along the length of the peptide. Possible origins for the large amount of inhomogeneity present at the 49-Leucine site are discussed.

An early cytoplasmic step of peptidoglycan synthesis is associated to MreB in Bacillus subtilis.

PubMed

Rueff, Anne-Stéphanie; Chastanet, Arnaud; Domínguez-Escobar, Julia; Yao, Zhizhong; Yates, James; Prejean, Maria-Victoria; Delumeau, Olivier; Noirot, Philippe; Wedlich-Söldner, Roland; Filipe, Sergio R; Carballido-López, Rut

2014-01-01

MreB proteins play a major role during morphogenesis of rod-shaped bacteria by organizing biosynthesis of the peptidoglycan cell wall. However, the mechanisms underlying this process are not well understood. In Bacillus subtilis, membrane-associated MreB polymers have been shown to be associated to elongation-specific complexes containing transmembrane morphogenetic factors and extracellular cell wall assembly proteins. We have now found that an early intracellular step of cell wall synthesis is also associated to MreB. We show that the previously uncharacterized protein YkuR (renamed DapI) is required for synthesis of meso-diaminopimelate (m-DAP), an essential constituent of the peptidoglycan precursor, and that it physically interacts with MreB. Highly inclined laminated optical sheet microscopy revealed that YkuR forms uniformly distributed foci that exhibit fast motion in the cytoplasm, and are not detected in cells lacking MreB. We propose a model in which soluble MreB organizes intracellular steps of peptidoglycan synthesis in the cytoplasm to feed the membrane-associated cell wall synthesizing machineries. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Trimodal Control of Ion-Transport Activity on Cyclo-oligo-(1→6)-β-D-glucosamine-Based Artificial Ion-Transport Systems.

PubMed

Roy, Arundhati; Saha, Tanmoy; Gening, Marina L; Titov, Denis V; Gerbst, Alexey G; Tsvetkov, Yury E; Nifantiev, Nikolay E; Talukdar, Pinaki

2015-11-23

Cyclo-oligo-(1→6)-β-D-glucosamines functionalized with hydrophobic tails are reported as a new class of transmembrane ion-transport system. These macrocycles with hydrophilic cavities were introduced as an alternative to cyclodextrins, which are supramolecular systems with hydrophobic cavities. The transport activities of these glycoconjugates were manipulated by altering the oligomericity of the macrocycles, as well as the length and number of attached tails. Hydrophobic tails of 3 different sizes were synthesized and coupled with each glucosamine scaffold through the amide linkage to obtain 18 derivatives. The ion-transport activity increased from di- to tetrameric glucosamine macrocycles, but decreased further when flexible pentameric glucosamine was introduced. The ion-transport activity also increased with increasing length of attached linkers. For a fixed length of linkers, the transport activity decreased when the number of such tails was reduced. All glycoconjugates displayed a uniform anion-selectivity sequence: Cl(-) >Br(-) >I(-) . From theoretical studies, hydrogen bonding between the macrocycle backbone and the anion bridged through water molecules was observed. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Porous matrix structures for alkaline electrolyte fuel cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vine, R. W.; Narsavage, S. T.

1975-01-01

A number of advancements have been realized by a continuing research program to develop higher chemically stable porous matrix structures with high bubble pressure (crossover resistance) for use as separators in potassium hydroxide electrolyte fuel cells. More uniform, higher-bubble-pressure asbestos matrices were produced by reconstituting Johns-Manville asbestos paper; Fybex potassium titanate which was found compatible with 42% KOH at 250 F for up to 3000 hr; good agreement was found between bubble pressures predicted by an analytical study and those measured with filtered structures; Teflon-bonded Fybex matrices with bubble pressures greater than 30 psi were obtained by filtering a water slurry of the mixture directly onto fuel cell electrodes; and PBI fibers have satisfactory compatibility with 42% KOH at 250 F.

Analysis of Dependence of the Properties of Alloy V95 on the Pressure Applied to Crystallizing Metal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korostelev, V. F.; Khromova, L. P.; Denisov, M. S.

2017-05-01

Results of a study aimed at formation of a single-phase fine-grained structure in pistons from aluminum alloy V95 in the process of their fabrication, which involves isostatic pressing of liquid metal before the start of crystallization, application of pressure to the crystallizing metal, and holding under pressure in the process of cooling to the shop temperature, are presented. The ultimate strength and the structure of alloy V95 after casting with imposition of pressure are determined. An example of application of the method suggested for fabricating cast billets ∅ 82 × 70 mm in size with a uniform dense structure without gas shrinkage defects, volume and dendritic segregation is considered.

Method for reducing pressure drop through filters, and filter exhibiting reduced pressure drop

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

Sappok, Alexander; Wong, Victor

Methods for generating and applying coatings to filters with porous material in order to reduce large pressure drop increases as material accumulates in a filter, as well as the filter exhibiting reduced and/or more uniform pressure drop. The filter can be a diesel particulate trap for removing particulate matter such as soot from the exhaust of a diesel engine. Porous material such as ash is loaded on the surface of the substrate or filter walls, such as by coating, depositing, distributing or layering the porous material along the channel walls of the filter in an amount effective for minimizing ormore » preventing depth filtration during use of the filter. Efficient filtration at acceptable flow rates is achieved.« less

Metalclad Airship Hull Study. Volume 1 and Volume 2

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-12-01

37.5% weight saving of the hull skin with a maximim pressure of 8.75 in. of water column and maximum-minimum pressure ratio still at comfortable 3.5. The...overall height of 118.98 in.to no more than 100.Oin. with considerable weight saving . Instead of the geometrical height of main frames equal to (.108...changed slightly to obtain uniform spacing. This has negligible effect on the result, but saves a considerable analysis timie. For the purpose of this

Ice Loads and Ship Response to Ice. Summer 1982/Winter 1983 Test Program

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-12-01

approximately 100 ft2 (9.2 M 2) was instrumented to measure ice pressures by measuring compressive strains in the webs of transverse frames. The panel...compressive strains in the webs of transverse frames. The panel was divided into 60 sub-panel areas, six rows of,-ten frames, over which uniform pressures...the Web and the Selection of Gage Spacing . . .............. 18 4.3 Across the Frame Influence on Strain .......... 20 4.4 Construction of the Data

Rectangular Shell Plating Under Uniformly Distributed Hydrostatic Pressure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neubert, M; Sommer, A

1940-01-01

A check of the calculation methods used by Foppl and Henky for investigating the reliability of shell plating under hydrostatic pressure has proved that the formulas yield practical results within the elastic range of the material. Foppl's approximate calculation leaves one on the safe side. It further was found on the basis of the marked ductility of the shell plating under tensile stress that the strength is from 50 to 100 percent higher in the elastic range than expected by either method.

Pressure letdown method and device for coal conversion systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kendal, J. M.; Walsh, J. V. (Inventor)

1983-01-01

In combination with a reactor for a coal utilization system, a pressure letdown device accepts from a reactor, a polyphase fluid at an entrance pressure and an entrance velocity, and discharges the fluid from the device at a discharge pressure substantially lower than the entrance pressure and at a discharge temperature and a discharge velocity substantially equal to the entrance temperature and entrance velocity. The device is characterized by a series of pressure letdown stages including several symmetrical baffles, disposed in coaxially nested alignment. In each baffle several ports or apertures of uniform dimensions are defined. The number of ports or apertures for each baffle plate is unique with respect to the number of ports or apertures defined in each of the other baffles. The mass rate of flow for each port is a function of the area of the port, the pressure of the fluid as applied to the port, and a common pressure ratio established across the ports.

Uniform shock waves in disordered granular matter.

PubMed

Gómez, Leopoldo R; Turner, Ari M; Vitelli, Vincenzo

2012-10-01

The confining pressure P is perhaps the most important parameter controlling the properties of granular matter. Strongly compressed granular media are, in many respects, simple solids in which elastic perturbations travel as ordinary phonons. However, the speed of sound in granular aggregates continuously decreases as the confining pressure decreases, completely vanishing at the jamming-unjamming transition. This anomalous behavior suggests that the transport of energy at low pressures should not be dominated by phonons. In this work we use simulations and theory to show how the response of granular systems becomes increasingly nonlinear as pressure decreases. In the low-pressure regime the elastic energy is found to be mainly transported through nonlinear waves and shocks. We numerically characterize the propagation speed, shape, and stability of these shocks and model the dependence of the shock speed on pressure and impact intensity by a simple analytical approach.

Gradual pressure-induced change in the magnetic structure of the noncollinear antiferromagnet Mn3Ge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sukhanov, A. S.; Singh, Sanjay; Caron, L.; Hansen, Th.; Hoser, A.; Kumar, V.; Borrmann, H.; Fitch, A.; Devi, P.; Manna, K.; Felser, C.; Inosov, D. S.

2018-06-01

By means of powder neutron diffraction we investigate changes in the magnetic structure of the coplanar noncollinear antiferromagnet Mn3Ge caused by an application of hydrostatic pressure up to 5 GPa. At ambient conditions the kagomé layers of Mn atoms in Mn3Ge order in a triangular 120∘ spin structure. Under high pressure the spins acquire a uniform out-of-plane canting, gradually transforming the magnetic texture to a noncoplanar configuration. With increasing pressure the canted structure fully transforms into the collinear ferromagnetic one. We observed that magnetic order is accompanied by a noticeable magnetoelastic effect, namely, spontaneous magnetostriction. The latter induces an in-plane magnetostrain of the hexagonal unit cell at ambient pressure and flips to an out-of-plane strain at high pressures in accordance with the change of the magnetic structure.

[Application of a trans-membrane migration method in the study of human sperm motility: a review].

PubMed

Hong, C Y

1991-09-01

Transmembrane migration method is a bioassay specifically designed to study drug effect on human sperm motility. It was first used in the study of sperm immobilizing agents which have a membrane stabilizing effect. Then it was used to investigate the relationship between calcium ion and sperm motility. Recently, this method has been used to screen drugs that stimulate sperm motility. It has also been modified for the study of porcine sperm motility. Computer assisted semen analysis showed that the transmembrane migration method is most suitable for studying drug effect on rapid and straight-forward motility of sperm.

Tracking of pigment accumulation and secretion in extractive fermentation of Monascus anka GIM 3.592.

PubMed

Chen, Gong; Bei, Qi; Huang, Tao; Wu, Zhenqiang

2017-10-04

Monascus pigments are promising sources for food and medicine due to their natural food-coloring functions and pharmaceutical values. The innovative technology of extractive fermentation is used to promote pigment productivity, but reports of pigment trans-membrane secretion mechanism are rare. In this study, tracking of pigment accumulation and secretion in extractive fermentation of Monascus anka GIM 3.592 was investigated. The increased vacuole size in mycelia correlated with fluorescence intensity (r > 0.85, p < 0.05), which indicates that intracellular pigments with strong fluorescence accumulated in the cytoplasmic vacuole. After adding nonionic surfactant Triton X-100, the uptake of rhodamine123 (Rh123) and 1-N-phenylnaphthylamine (NPN) and the release of K + and Na + rapidly increased, demonstrating that the physiological performances of the cell membrane varied upon damaging the integrity, increasing the permeability, and changing the potential. Simultaneously, the fatty acid composition also varied, which caused a weak fluidity in the membrane lipids. Therefore, the intracellular pigments embedded in Triton X-100 were secreted through the ion channels of the cell membrane. Dense, spherical pigment-surfactant micelles with an average size of 21 nm were distributed uniformly in the extraction broth. Based on the different pigment components between extractive fermentation and batch fermentation, a threefold decrease in the NAD + /NADH ratio in mycelia and a more than 200-fold increase in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity in extracellular broth occurred, further suggesting that a reduction reaction for pigment conversion from orange pigments to yellow pigments occurred in non-aqueous phase solution. A putative model was established to track the localization of Monascus pigment accumulation and its trans-membrane secretion in extractive fermentation. This finding provides a theoretical explanation for microbial extractive fermentation of Monascus pigments, as well as other non-water-soluble products.

Calibration of pavement response models for the mechanistic-empirical pavement design method

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2007-09-01

Most pavement design methodologies assume that the tire-pavement contact stress is equal to the tire inflation pressure and uniformly distributed over a circular contact area. However, tire-pavement contact area is not in a circular shape and the con...

Structural Stability of a Stiffened Aluminum Fuselage Panel Subjected to Combined Mechanical and Internal Pressure Loads

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rouse, Marshall; Young, Richard D.; Gehrki, Ralph R.

2003-01-01

Results from an experimental and analytical study of a curved stiffened aluminum panel subjected to combined mechanical and internal pressure loads are presented. The panel loading conditions were simulated using a D-box test fixture. Analytical buckling load results calculated from a finite element analysis are presented and compared to experimental results. Buckling results presented indicate that the buckling load of the fuselage panel is significantly influenced by internal pressure loading. The experimental results suggest that the stress distribution is uniform in the panel prior to buckling. Nonlinear finite element analysis results correlates well with experimental results up to buckling.

Powder fed sheared dispersal particle generator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morrisette, E. L.; Bushnell, D. M. (Inventor)

1984-01-01

A particle generating system is described which is capable of breaking up agglomerations of particles and producing a cloud of uniform, submicron-sized particles at high pressure and high flow rates. This is achieved by utilizing a tubular structure which has injection microslits on is periphery to accept and disperse the desired particle feed. By suppling a carrying fluid at a pressure, of approximately twice the ambient pressure of the velocimeter's settling chamber, the microslits operate at choked flow conditions. The shearing action of this choked flow is sufficient to overcome interparticle bonding forces, thereby breaking up the agglomerates of the particles feed into individual particles.

Composite prepreg application device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sandusky, Donald A. (Inventor); Marchello, Joseph M. (Inventor)

1996-01-01

A heated shoe and cooled pressure roller assembly for composite prepreg application is provided. The shoe assembly includes a heated forward contact surface having a curved pressure surface. The following cooled roller provides a continuous pressure to the thermoplastic while reducing the temperature to approximately 5.degree. C. below glass transition temperature. Electric heating coils inside the forward portion of the shoe heat a thermoplastic workpiece to approximately 100.degree. C. above the glass transition. Immediately following the heated contact surface, a cooled roller cools the work. The end sharpened shape of the heated shoe trailing edge tends to prevent slag buildup and maintain a uniform, relaxed stress fabrication.

Rotating electric machine with fluid supported parts

DOEpatents

Smith, Jr., Joseph L.; Kirtley, Jr., James L.

1981-01-01

A rotating electric machine in which the armature winding thereof and other parts are supported by a liquid to withstand the mechanical stresses applied during transient overloads and the like. In particular, a narrow gap is provided between the armature winding and the stator which supports it and this gap is filled with an externally pressurized viscous liquid. The liquid is externally pressurized sufficiently to balance the static loads on the armature winding. Transient mechanical loads which deform the armature winding alter the gap dimensions and thereby additionally pressurize the viscous liquid to oppose the armature winding deformation and more nearly uniformly to distribute the resulting mechanical stresses.

TBIEM3D: A Computer Program for Predicting Ducted Fan Engine Noise. Version 1.1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunn, M. H.

1997-01-01

This document describes the usage of the ducted fan noise prediction program TBIEM3D (Thin duct - Boundary Integral Equation Method - 3 Dimensional). A scattering approach is adopted in which the acoustic pressure field is split into known incident and unknown scattered parts. The scattering of fan-generated noise by a finite length circular cylinder in a uniform flow field is considered. The fan noise is modeled by a collection of spinning point thrust dipoles. The program, based on a Boundary Integral Equation Method (BIEM), calculates circumferential modal coefficients of the acoustic pressure at user-specified field locations. The duct interior can be of the hard wall type or lined. The duct liner is axisymmetric, locally reactive, and can be uniform or axially segmented. TBIEM3D is written in the FORTRAN programming language. Input to TBIEM3D is minimal and consists of geometric and kinematic parameters. Discretization and numerical parameters are determined automatically by the code. Several examples are presented to demonstrate TBIEM3D capabilities.

Effects of working pressure and annealing on bulk density and nanopore structures in amorphous In-Ga-Zn-O thin-film transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ide, Keisuke; Kikuchi, Mitsuho; Ota, Masato; Sasase, Masato; Hiramatsu, Hidenori; Kumomi, Hideya; Hosono, Hideo; Kamiya, Toshio

2017-03-01

Microstructures of amorphous In-Ga-Zn-O (a-IGZO) thin films of different densities were analyzed. Device-quality a-IGZO films were deposited under optimum conditions, e.g., the total pressure P tot = 0.55 Pa produced high film densities of ˜6.1 g/cm3, while a very high P tot = 5.0 Pa produced low film densities of 5.5 g/cm3. Both films formed uniform high-density layers in the vicinity of the glass substrate, 10-20 nm in thickness depending on P tot, while their growth mode changed to a sparse columnar structure in thicker regions. X-ray reflectivity and in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry provided different results on densification by post deposition thermal annealing; i.e., the latter has a higher sensitivity. High-Z-contrast images obtained by high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy were also useful for detecting nanometer-size non uniformity even in device-quality a-IGZO films.

Effect of through-plane polytetrafluoroethylene distribution in gas diffusion layers on performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ito, Hiroshi; Iwamura, Takuya; Someya, Satoshi; Munakata, Tetsuo; Nakano, Akihiro; Heo, Yun; Ishida, Masayoshi; Nakajima, Hironori; Kitahara, Tatsumi

2016-02-01

This experimental study identifies the effect of through-plane polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) distribution in gas diffusion backing (GDB) on the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). PTFE-drying under vacuum pressure created a relatively uniform PTFE distribution in GDB compared to drying under atmospheric pressure. Carbon paper samples with different PTFE distributions due to the difference in drying conditions were prepared and used for the cathode gas diffusion layer (GDL) of PEMFCs. Also investigated is the effect of MPL application on the performance for those samples. The current density (i) - voltage (V) characteristics of these PEMFCs measured under high relative humidity conditions clearly showed that, with or without MPL, the cell using the GDL with PTFE dried under vacuum condition showed better performance than that dried under atmospheric condition. It is suggested that this improved performance is caused by the efficient transport of liquid water through the GDB due to the uniform distribution of PTFE.

Fuel-Air Mixing Effect on Nox Emissions for a Lean Premixed-Prevaporized Combustion System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Chi-Ming; Chun, Kue S.; Locke, Randy J.

1995-01-01

The lean premixed-prevaporized (LPP) concept effectively meets low nitrogen oxides (NOx) emission requirements for combustors with the high inlet temperature and pressure typical of the High-Speed Civil Transport (HSCT). For the LPP system fuel-air mixture uniformity is probably the most important factor for low NOx emissions. Previous studies have suggested that the fuel-air mixture uniformity can be severely affected by changing the number and configuration of fuel injection points. Therefore, an experimental study was performed to determine how the number of fuel injection points and their arrangement affect NOx emissions from an LPP system. The NOx emissions were measured by a gas-sampling probe in a flame-tube rig at the following conditions: inlet temperature of 810 K (1000 F), rig pressure of 10 atm, reference velocity of 150 ft/s, and residence time near 0.005 s. Additionally, a focused Schlieren diagnostic technique coupled with a high speed camera was used to provide a qualitative description of the spatial flow field.

Adaptive wing static aeroelastic roll control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ehlers, Steven M.; Weisshaar, Terrence A.

1993-09-01

Control of the static aeroelastic characteristics of a swept uniform wing in roll using an adaptive structure is examined. The wing structure is modeled as a uniform beam with bending and torsional deformation freedom. Aerodynamic loads are obtained from strip theory. The structure model includes coefficients representing torsional and bending actuation provided by embedded piezoelectric material layers. The wing is made adaptive by requiring the electric field applied to the piezoelectric material layers to be proportional to the wing root loads. The proportionality factor, or feedback gain, is used to control static aeroelastic rolling properties. Example wing configurations are used to illustrate the capabilities of the adaptive structure. The results show that rolling power, damping-in-roll and aileron effectiveness can be controlled by adjusting the feedback gain. And that dynamic pressure affects the gain required. Gain scheduling can be used to set and maintain rolling properties over a range of dynamic pressures. An adaptive wing provides a method for active aeroelastic tailoring of structural response to meet changing structural performance requirements during a roll maneuver.

Profile Control by Biased Electrodes in Large Diameter RF Produced Pl asma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shinohara, Shunjiro; Matsuoka, Norikazu; Yoshinaka, Toshiro

1998-10-01

Control of the plasma profile has been carried out, using the voltage biasing method in the large diameter (45 cm) RF (radio frequency) produced plasma in the presence of the uniform magnetic field (less than 1200 G). Under the low filling pressure condition of 0.16 mTorr, changing the biasing voltages to the three individual end plates with concentric circular ring shapes, the radial electron density (about 10^10 cm-3) profile could be changed from the hollow to the peaked one. On the contrary, the nearly flat electron temperature (several eV) profile did not change appreciably. The azimuthal rotation velocity measured by the Mach probe, i.e. directional probe, showed the different radial profiles (but nearly uniform along the axis) depending on the biasing voltage. This velocity became slower with the low magnetic field (less than 200 G) or in the higher pressure regime up to 20 mTorr with the higher electron density. The experimental results by other biasing methods will also be presented.

Mach 4 and Mach 8 axisymmetric nozzles for a shock tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jacobs, P. A.; Stalker, R. J.

1991-01-01

The performance of two axisymmetric nozzles which were designed to produce uniform, parallel flow with nominal Mach numbers of 4 and 8 is examined. A free-piston-driven shock tube was used to supply the nozzle with high-temperature, high-pressure test gas. The inviscid design procedure treated the nozzle expansion in two stages. Close to the nozzle throat, the nozzle wall was specified as conical and the gas flow was treated as a quasi-one-dimensional chemically-reacting flow. At the end of the conical expansion, the gas was assumed to be calorically perfect, and a contoured wall was designed (using method of characteristics) to convert the source flow into a uniform and parallel flow at the end of the nozzle. Performance was assessed by measuring Pitot pressures across the exit plane of the nozzles and, over the range of operating conditions examined, the nozzles produced satisfactory test flows. However, there were flow disturbances in the Mach 8 nozzle flow that persisted for significant times after flow initiation.

Numerical Study of Wave Propagation in a Non-Uniform Flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Povitsky, Alex; Bushnell, Dennis M. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

The propagation of acoustic waves originating from cylindrical and spherical pulses, in a non-uniform mean flow, and in the presence of a reflecting wall is investigated by Hardin and Pope approach using compact approximation of spatial derivatives. The 2-D and 3-D stagnation flows and a flow around a cylinder are taken as prototypes of real world flows with strong gradients of mean pressure and velocity. The intensity and directivity of acoustic wave patterns appear to be quite different from the benchmark solutions obtained in a static environment for the same geometry. The physical reasons for amplification and weakening of sound are discussed in terms of dynamics of wave profile and redistribution of acoustic energy and its potential and kinetic components. For an acoustic wave in the flow around a cylinder, the observed mean acoustic pressure is approximately doubled (upstream pulse position) and halved (downstream pulse position) in comparison with the sound propagation in static ambient conditions.

The influence of fatty acids on the GpA dimer interface by coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation.

PubMed

Flinner, Nadine; Mirus, Oliver; Schleiff, Enrico

2014-08-15

The hydrophobic thickness of membranes, which is manly defined by fatty acids, influences the packing of transmembrane domains of proteins and thus can modulate the activity of these proteins. We analyzed the dynamics of the dimerization of Glycophorin A (GpA) by molecular dynamics simulations to describe the fatty acid dependence of the transmembrane region assembly. GpA represents a well-established model for dimerization of single transmembrane helices containing a GxxxG motif in vitro and in silico. We performed simulations of the dynamics of the NMR-derived dimer as well as self-assembly simulations of monomers in membranes composed of different fatty acid chains and monitored the formed interfaces and their transitions. The observed dimeric interfaces, which also include the one known from NMR, are highly dynamic and converted into each other. The frequency of interface formation and the preferred transitions between interfaces similar to the interface observed by NMR analysis strongly depend on the fatty acid used to build the membrane. Molecular dynamic simulations after adaptation of the helix topology parameters to better represent NMR derived structures of single transmembrane helices yielded an enhanced occurrence of the interface determined by NMR in molecular dynamics simulations. Taken together we give insights into the influence of fatty acids and helix conformation on the dynamics of the transmembrane domain of GpA.

The Influence of Fatty Acids on the GpA Dimer Interface by Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics Simulation

PubMed Central

Flinner, Nadine; Mirus, Oliver; Schleiff, Enrico

2014-01-01

The hydrophobic thickness of membranes, which is manly defined by fatty acids, influences the packing of transmembrane domains of proteins and thus can modulate the activity of these proteins. We analyzed the dynamics of the dimerization of Glycophorin A (GpA) by molecular dynamics simulations to describe the fatty acid dependence of the transmembrane region assembly. GpA represents a well-established model for dimerization of single transmembrane helices containing a GxxxG motif in vitro and in silico. We performed simulations of the dynamics of the NMR-derived dimer as well as self-assembly simulations of monomers in membranes composed of different fatty acid chains and monitored the formed interfaces and their transitions. The observed dimeric interfaces, which also include the one known from NMR, are highly dynamic and converted into each other. The frequency of interface formation and the preferred transitions between interfaces similar to the interface observed by NMR analysis strongly depend on the fatty acid used to build the membrane. Molecular dynamic simulations after adaptation of the helix topology parameters to better represent NMR derived structures of single transmembrane helices yielded an enhanced occurrence of the interface determined by NMR in molecular dynamics simulations. Taken together we give insights into the influence of fatty acids and helix conformation on the dynamics of the transmembrane domain of GpA. PMID:25196522

Formation of functional gap junctions in amniotic fluid-derived stem cells induced by transmembrane co-culture with neonatal rat cardiomyocytes

PubMed Central

Connell, Jennifer Petsche; Augustini, Emily; Moise, Kenneth J; Johnson, Anthony; Jacot, Jeffrey G

2013-01-01

Amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (AFSC) have been reported to differentiate into cardiomyocyte-like cells and form gap junctions when directly mixed and cultured with neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVM). This study investigated whether or not culture of AFSC on the opposite side of a Transwell membrane from NRVM, allowing for contact and communication without confounding factors such as cell fusion, could direct cardiac differentiation and enhance gap junction formation. Results were compared to shared media (Transwell), conditioned media and monoculture media controls. After a 2-week culture period, AFSC did not express cardiac myosin heavy chain or troponin T in any co-culture group. Protein expression of cardiac calsequestrin 2 was up-regulated in direct transmembrane co-cultures and media control cultures compared to the other experimental groups, but all groups were up-regulated compared with undifferentiated AFSC cultures. Gap junction communication, assessed with a scrape-loading dye transfer assay, was significantly increased in direct transmembrane co-cultures compared to all other conditions. Gap junction communication corresponded with increased connexin 43 gene expression and decreased phosphorylation of connexin 43. Our results suggest that direct transmembrane co-culture does not induce cardiomyocyte differentiation of AFSC, though calsequestrin expression is increased. However, direct transmembrane co-culture does enhance connexin-43-mediated gap junction communication between AFSC. PMID:23634988

The Crystal Structure of GXGD Membrane Protease FlaK

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

J Hu; Y Xue; S Lee

2011-12-31

The GXGD proteases are polytopic membrane proteins with catalytic activities against membrane-spanning substrates that require a pair of aspartyl residues. Representative members of the family include preflagellin peptidase, type 4 prepilin peptidase, presenilin and signal peptide peptidase. Many GXGD proteases are important in medicine. For example, type 4 prepilin peptidase may contribute to bacterial pathogenesis, and mutations in presenilin are associated with Alzheimer's disease. As yet, there is no atomic-resolution structure in this protease family. Here we report the crystal structure of FlaK, a preflagellin peptidase from Methanococcus maripaludis, solved at 3.6 {angstrom} resolution. The structure contains six transmembrane helices.more » The GXGD motif and a short transmembrane helix, helix 4, are positioned at the centre, surrounded by other transmembrane helices. The crystal structure indicates that the protease must undergo conformational changes to bring the GXGD motif and a second essential aspartyl residue from transmembrane helix 1 into close proximity for catalysis. A comparison of the crystal structure with models of presenilin derived from biochemical analysis reveals three common transmembrane segments that are similarly arranged around the active site. This observation reinforces the idea that the prokaryotic and human proteases are evolutionarily related. The crystal structure presented here provides a framework for understanding the mechanism of the GXGD proteases, and may facilitate the rational design of inhibitors that target specific members of the family.« less

The crystal structure of GXGD membrane protease FlaK

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

Hu, Jian; Xue, Yi; Lee, Sangwon

2011-09-20

The GXGD proteases are polytopic membrane proteins with catalytic activities against membrane-spanning substrates that require a pair of aspartyl residues. Representative members of the family include preflagellin peptidase, type 4 prepilin peptidase, presenilin and signal peptide peptidase. Many GXGD proteases are important in medicine. For example, type 4 prepilin peptidase may contribute to bacterial pathogenesis, and mutations in presenilin are associated with Alzheimer's disease. As yet, there is no atomic-resolution structure in this protease family. Here we report the crystal structure of FlaK, a preflagellin peptidase from Methanococcus maripaludis, solved at 3.6 {angstrom} resolution. The structure contains six transmembrane helices.more » The GXGD motif and a short transmembrane helix, helix 4, are positioned at the centre, surrounded by other transmembrane helices. The crystal structure indicates that the protease must undergo conformational changes to bring the GXGD motif and a second essential aspartyl residue from transmembrane helix 1 into close proximity for catalysis. A comparison of the crystal structure with models of presenilin derived from biochemical analysis reveals three common transmembrane segments that are similarly arranged around the active site. This observation reinforces the idea that the prokaryotic and human proteases are evolutionarily related. The crystal structure presented here provides a framework for understanding the mechanism of the GXGD proteases, and may facilitate the rational design of inhibitors that target specific members of the family.« less

Structural Insights into Triglyceride Storage Mediated by Fat Storage-Inducing Transmembrane (FIT) Protein 2

PubMed Central

Gross, David A.; Snapp, Erik L.; Silver, David L.

2010-01-01

Fat storage-Inducing Transmembrane proteins 1 & 2 (FIT1/FITM1 and FIT2/FITM2) belong to a unique family of evolutionarily conserved proteins localized to the endoplasmic reticulum that are involved in triglyceride lipid droplet formation. FIT proteins have been shown to mediate the partitioning of cellular triglyceride into lipid droplets, but not triglyceride biosynthesis. FIT proteins do not share primary sequence homology with known proteins and no structural information is available to inform on the mechanism by which FIT proteins function. Here, we present the experimentally-solved topological models for FIT1 and FIT2 using N-glycosylation site mapping and indirect immunofluorescence techniques. These methods indicate that both proteins have six-transmembrane-domains with both N- and C-termini localized to the cytosol. Utilizing this model for structure-function analysis, we identified and characterized a gain-of-function mutant of FIT2 (FLL(157-9)AAA) in transmembrane domain 4 that markedly augmented the total number and mean size of lipid droplets. Using limited-trypsin proteolysis we determined that the FLL(157-9)AAA mutant has enhanced trypsin cleavage at K86 relative to wild-type FIT2, indicating a conformational change. Taken together, these studies indicate that FIT2 is a 6 transmembrane domain-containing protein whose conformation likely regulates its activity in mediating lipid droplet formation. PMID:20520733

Hypercapnia modulates cAMP signalling and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator‐dependent anion and fluid secretion in airway epithelia

PubMed Central

Turner, Mark J.; Saint‐Criq, Vinciane; Patel, Waseema; Ibrahim, Salam H.; Verdon, Bernard; Ward, Christopher; Garnett, James P.; Tarran, Robert; Cann, Martin J.

2015-01-01

Key points Raised arterial blood CO2 (hypercapnia) is a feature of many lung diseases.CO2 has been shown to act as a cell signalling molecule in human cells, notably by influencing the levels of cell signalling second messengers: cAMP and Ca2+.Hypercapnia reduced cAMP‐stimulated cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator‐dependent anion and fluid transport in Calu‐3 cells and primary human airway epithelia but did not affect cAMP‐regulated HCO3 − transport via pendrin or Na+/HCO3 − cotransporters.These results further support the role of CO2 as a cell signalling molecule and suggests CO2‐induced reductions in airway anion and fluid transport may impair innate defence mechanisms of the lungs. Abstract Hypercapnia is clinically defined as an arterial blood partial pressure of CO2 of above 40 mmHg and is a feature of chronic lung disease. In previous studies we have demonstrated that hypercapnia modulates agonist‐stimulated cAMP levels through effects on transmembrane adenylyl cyclase activity. In the airways, cAMP is known to regulate cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)‐mediated anion and fluid secretion, which contributes to airway surface liquid homeostasis. The aim of the current work was to investigate if hypercapnia could modulate cAMP‐regulated ion and fluid transport in human airway epithelial cells. We found that acute exposure to hypercapnia significantly reduced forskolin‐stimulated elevations in intracellular cAMP as well as both adenosine‐ and forskolin‐stimulated increases in CFTR‐dependent transepithelial short‐circuit current, in polarised cultures of Calu‐3 human airway cells. This CO2‐induced reduction in anion secretion was not due to a decrease in HCO3 − transport given that neither a change in CFTR‐dependent HCO3 − efflux nor Na+/HCO3 − cotransporter‐dependent HCO3 − influx were CO2‐sensitive. Hypercapnia also reduced the volume of forskolin‐stimulated fluid secretion over 24 h, yet had no effect on the HCO3 − content of the secreted fluid. Our data reveal that hypercapnia reduces CFTR‐dependent, electrogenic Cl− and fluid secretion, but not CFTR‐dependent HCO3 − secretion, which highlights a differential sensitivity of Cl− and HCO3 − transporters to raised CO2 in Calu‐3 cells. Hypercapnia also reduced forskolin‐stimulated CFTR‐dependent anion secretion in primary human airway epithelia. Based on current models of airways biology, a reduction in fluid secretion, associated with hypercapnia, would be predicted to have important consequences for airways hydration and the innate defence mechanisms of the lungs. PMID:26574187

Starling forces drive intracranial water exchange during normal and pathological states.

PubMed

Linninger, Andreas A; Xu, Colin; Tangen, Kevin; Hartung, Grant

2017-12-31

To quantify the exchange of water between cerebral compartments, specifically blood, tissue, perivascular pathways, and cerebrospinal fluid-filled spaces, on the basis of experimental data and to propose a dynamic global model of water flux through the entire brain to elucidate functionally relevant fluid exchange phenomena. The mechanistic computer model to predict brain water shifts is discretized by cerebral compartments into nodes. Water and species flux is calculated between these nodes across a network of arcs driven by Hagen-Poiseuille flow (blood), Darcy flow (interstitial fluid transport), and Starling's Law (transmembrane fluid exchange). Compartment compliance is accounted for using a pressure-volume relationship to enforce the Monro-Kellie doctrine. This nonlinear system of differential equations is solved implicitly using MATLAB software. The model predictions of intraventricular osmotic injection caused a pressure rise from 10 to 22 mmHg, followed by a taper to 14 mmHg over 100 minutes. The computational results are compared to experimental data with R2=0.929. Moreover, simulated osmotic therapy of systemic (blood) injection reduced intracranial pressure from 25 to 10 mmHg. The modeled volume and intracranial pressure changes following cerebral edema agree with experimental trends observed in animal models with R2=0.997. The model successfully predicted time course and the efficacy of osmotic therapy for clearing cerebral edema. Furthermore, the mathematical model implicated the perivascular pathways as a possible conduit for water and solute exchange. This was a first step to quantify fluid exchange throughout the brain.

Resistance of ascending vasa recta to transport of water.

PubMed

Pallone, T L

1991-03-01

A study was undertaken to determine the effect of increasing capillary pressure on volume flux in ascending vasa recta (AVR). In one experiment (group I), AVR were blocked by a single injection of paraffin wax and subjected to free-flow microperfusion at 10 nl/min. Collected fluid was obtained from the perfused vessels by micropuncture. In a second experiment (group II), AVR segments were isolated between two paraffin blocks and perfused at 10 nl/min. In group II, the collection pipette was pressurized to 0, 10, or 20 mmHg. Transmembrane volume flux was determined by measuring the change in concentration of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran (2 x 10(6) mol wt) from perfusate to collected fluid. In group I, measurements revealed a capillary pressure of 10.3 +/- 0.5 (SE) mmHg and volume flux of 4.3 +/- 1.0 nl.mm-1.min-1. In group II, volume flux was 1.8 +/- 1.3, 5.9 +/- 1.0, and 11.2 +/- 1.1 nl.mm-1.min-1 at collection pressures of 0, 10, or 20 mmHg, respectively. Based on these data and an AVR diameter of 20 microns, AVR hydraulic conductivity is between 12.5 x 10(-6) and 18.7 x 10(-6) cm.s-1.mmHg-1. The papillary AVR have a high hydraulic conductivity. This is consistent with their role as the sole conduit for removal of water from the papillary interstitium.

Alongshore Momentum Balance Over Shoreface-Connected Ridges, Fire Island, NY

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ofsthun, C.; Wu, X.; Voulgaris, G.; Warner, J. C.

2016-12-01

he momentum balance of alongshore flows over straight, uniform shelfs has been analyzed extensively over the last few decades. More recently, the effect of coastline curvature and how this might alter the relative significance of the momentum terms has received additional attention. In this contribution, the alongshore momentum over shelves with straight coastline, but non-uniform bathymetry is examined. Hydrodynamic and hydrographic data collected by the US Geological Survey (Fire Island Coastal Change project) on the inner shelf of Fire Island, NY over a region of shore-face connected ridges (SFCRs) are used to describe wind-induced circulation and the terms of the alongshore momentum balance equation. Analysis of the data revealed a predominantly alongshore circulation, under westward wind forcing, with localized offshore (onshore) current veering over the ridge crests (troughs). Momentum balance analysis hinted that local acceleration, advective acceleration, and bottom stress are balanced by wind stress and regional (>100 km) pressure gradient force. In addition, a numerical model using an idealized SFCR bathymetry, forced by our observed winds, was employed to compare the momentum balance relationships identified by the data and those under steady-state conditions published earlier (Warner et al., 2014). A synthesis of the numerical and experimental data revealed that the true pressure gradient force results from the sum of local pressure gradient force, which maintains a Bernoulli-like relationship with alongshore advective acceleration, and regional pressure gradient force, which maintains a strong, negative relationship with wind stress. The differences between steady-state and realistic conditions is mainly on the contributions of regional scale pressure gradients that develop under realistic conditions, and the reduced contribution of local scale pressure gradients which develop best under steady-state conditions. Our analysis indicates that current veering over ridge crests, a consistent occurrence, is a combination of a cross-shore gradient in the inconsistent relationship between local advective acceleration and pressure gradient and frictional-torque with the latter being the dominant mechanism under realistic forcing.

Influence of Air Discontinuity and Wall Effects on the Measurements of Hydraulic Parameters Under Dynamic Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Looms, M. C.; Jensen, K. H.; Wildenschild, D.; Christensen, B. S.; Gudbjerg, J.

2003-12-01

Both dynamic (one-step) and semi-static (syringe pump) outflow experiments were carried out in the lab to test whether the resulting retention characteristics differed according to experiment type. Three sands of varying uniformity and coarseness were packed in a cylindrical sample holder. Compressed air was used to control the air phase pressure, while water was allowed to drain at atmospheric pressure from the outlet at the bottom of the sample. During the outflow experiments the capillary pressure was measured within the sample holder using a tensiometer connected to a pressure transducer. A medical CT-scanner was used to visualize and quantify the outflow patterns within the sand matrix during selected outflow experiments. Positive vertical shifts in capillary pressure during dynamic experiments were found in all three sand types at saturations close to porosity. The size and shape of the shifts corresponded with the dynamic effects found in previous work on the topic. Furthermore, the shifts were slightly greater in the coarsest and most uniform sand type. Numerical simulations of the one-step experiments using HYDRUS1D and T2VOC showed, however, that one of the basic assumptions when calculating the capillary pressure was most likely violated. The air phase could not be considered to be continuous at all times, and assuming this to be the case would result in positive shifts of the retention curves when running T2VOC. The results of using the CT-scanner showed the importance of achieving a homogeneous packing, since the investigated sand packing turned out to have an area at the edge of the sample holder with a higher porosity. This caused the edge to control the initial drainage. Therefore, the data collected at high saturations could not be expected to adequately describe the hydraulic properties of the inner sand. We also found that the time at which the inner sand commenced drainage coincided with a jump in capillary pressure for the resulting measured retention curve.

Comparison of the performance between a spray gun and a spray boom in ornamentals.

PubMed

Foqué, D; Nuyttens, D

2011-01-01

Flemish greenhouse growers predominantly use handheld spray guns and spray lances for their crop protection purposes although these techniques are known for their heavy workload and their high operator exposure risks. Moreover, when these techniques are compared with spray boom equipment, they are often found to be less effective. On the other hand, handheld spraying techniques are less expensive and more flexible to use. Additionally, many Flemish growers are convinced that a high spray volume and spray pressure is needed to assure a good plant protection. The aim of this work was to evaluate and compare the spray deposition, penetration and uniformity between a manually pulled horizontal spray boom and a spray gun under controlled laboratory conditions. In total, six different spray application techniques were evaluated. In general, the total deposition results were comparable between the spray boom and the spray gun applications but the boom applications resulted in a more uniform spray distribution over the crop. On a plant level, the spray distribution was not uniform for the different techniques with highest deposits on the upper side of the top leaves. Using spray guns at a higher spray pressure did not improve spray penetration and deposition on the bottom side of the leaves. From the different nozzle types, the XR 80 03 gave the best results. Plant density clearly affected crop penetration and deposition on the bottom side of the leaves.

Gas expanded polymer process to anneal nanoparticle dispersion in thin films

DOE PAGES

Ambuken, Preejith V.; Stretz, Holly A.; Dadmun, Mark; ...

2015-04-21

A spin-coating solution comprising poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) nanoparticles used to create organic photovoltaic (OPV) active layers have been shown to adopt a non-uniform concentration profile across the thin film dimension. This inhomogeneous distribution can reduce the efficiency of the device. For our new process, gas expanded polymer (GXP) annealing, is applied to P3HT/PCBM thin film blends, enabling the distribution of the PCBM nanoparticles to be manipulated by varying the GXP processing conditions. Films of 50 nm thickness (nominally) created by spin casting a blend of P3HT mixed with PCBM were annealed by oscillatory GXP andmore » GXP at constant pressure using high pressure CO 2. An increase in P3HT crystallinity (detected by X-ray diffraction and UV-vis spectroscopy) along with a more uniform distribution of PCBM nanoparticles in the thickness dimension, as interpreted from neutron reflectivity measurements, were observed after oscillatory GXP annealing. In addition, static water contact angles suggest that the film/air interface is enriched in PCBM relative to the as-cast film. Finally, these results demonstrate that GXP annealing, which is commercially scalable, can be successfully used to create a uniform distribution of PCBM nanoparticles across the thickness dimension in a P3HT thin film.« less

Quantifying the Relationship between Curvature and Electric Potential in Lipid Bilayers.

PubMed

Bruhn, Dennis S; Lomholt, Michael A; Khandelia, Himanshu

2016-06-02

Cellular membranes mediate vital cellular processes by being subject to curvature and transmembrane electrical potentials. Here we build upon the existing theory for flexoelectricity in liquid crystals to quantify the coupling between lipid bilayer curvature and membrane potentials. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we show that headgroup dipole moments, the lateral pressure profile across the bilayer, and spontaneous curvature all systematically change with increasing membrane potentials. In particular, there is a linear dependence between the bending moment (the product of bending rigidity and spontaneous curvature) and the applied membrane potentials. We show that biologically relevant membrane potentials can induce biologically relevant curvatures corresponding to radii of around 500 nm. The implications of flexoelectricity in lipid bilayers are thus likely to be of considerable consequence both in biology and in model lipid bilayer systems.

Membrane processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Staszak, Katarzyna

2017-11-01

The membrane processes have played important role in the industrial separation process. These technologies can be found in all industrial areas such as food, beverages, metallurgy, pulp and paper, textile, pharmaceutical, automotive, biotechnology and chemical industry, as well as in water treatment for domestic and industrial application. Although these processes are known since twentieth century, there are still many studies that focus on the testing of new membranes' materials and determining of conditions for optimal selectivity, i. e. the optimum transmembrane pressure (TMP) or permeate flux to minimize fouling. Moreover the researchers proposed some calculation methods to predict the membrane processes properties. In this article, the laboratory scale experiments of membrane separation techniques, as well their validation by calculation methods are presented. Because membrane is the "heart" of the process, experimental and computational methods for its characterization are also described.

High pressure flow-rate switch

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gale, G. P.

1970-01-01

Flow-rate switch adjusts easily over a wide switching range and operates uniformly over many cycles. It adapts easily to control of various fluids and has the possibility of introducing multi-point switching. Novel design features include the tapered spool, balanced porting, capillary-bypass lubrication, and capillary-restriction damping.

Air-atomizing splash-cone fuel nozzle reduces pollutant emissions from turbojet engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ingebo, R. D.; Norgren, C. T.

1973-01-01

Advantages of fuel nozzle over conventional pressure-atomizing fuel nozzles: simplicity of construction, ability to distribute fuel-air mixture uniformly across full height of combustor without using auxiliary air supply, reliability when using contaminated fuels, and durability of nozzle at high operating temperatures.

Investigation of side wall effects on an inward scramjet inlet at Mach number 8.6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rolim, Tiago Cavalcanti

Experimental and computational studies were conducted to evaluate the performance of a scramjet inlet as the side cowl length is changed. A slender inward turning inlet of a total length of 304.8 mm, a span of 50.8 mm with the compression at 11.54 deg and CR = 4.79 was used. The side cowl lengths were of 0, 50.8 and 76.2 mm. The UTA Hypersonic Shock Tunnel facility was used in the reflected mode. The model was instrumented with nine piezoelectric pressure transducers, for static and total pressure measurements. A wedge was mounted at the rear of the inlet in order to accommodate a Pitot pressure rake. The driven tube was instrumented with three pressure transducers. Two of them were used to measure the incident shock wave speed, and a third one was used for stagnation pressure measurements during a test. Furthermore, a Pitot probe was installed below the model in order to measure the impact pressure on each run, this reading along with the driven sensor readings, allowed us for the calculation of freestream properties. During the experiments, nominal stagnation enthalpy of 0.67 MJ/kg and stagnation pressure of 3.67 MPa were achieved. Freestream conditions were Mach number 8.6 and Reynolds number of 1.94 million per m. Test times were 300 - 500 microseconds. Numerical simulations using RANS with the Wilcox K-w turbulence model were performed using ANSYS Fluent. The results from the static pressure measurements presented a good agreement with CFD predictions. Moreover, the uniformity at the inlet exit was achieved within the experimental precision. The experiments showed that the cowl length has a pronounced effect in the pressure distribution on the inlet and a minor effect in the exit flow Mach number. The numerical results confirmed these trends and showed that a complex flow structure is formed in the cowl-ramp corners; a non-uniform transverse shock structure was found to be related to the cowl leading edge position. Cross flow due to the side expansion increases the flow angularity as the cowl length decreases.

Reduced pressure ice fog technique for controlled ice nucleation during freeze-drying.

PubMed

Patel, Sajal M; Bhugra, Chandan; Pikal, Michael J

2009-01-01

A method to achieve controlled ice nucleation during the freeze-drying process using an ice fog technique was demonstrated in an earlier report. However, the time required for nucleation was about 5 min, even though only one shelf was used, which resulted in Ostwald ripening (annealing) in some of the vials that nucleated earlier than the others. As a result, the ice structure was not optimally uniform in all the vials. The objective of the present study is to introduce a simple variation of the ice fog method whereby a reduced pressure in the chamber is utilized to allow more rapid and uniform freezing which is also potentially easier to scale up. Experiments were conducted on a lab scale freeze dryer with sucrose as model compound at different concentration, product load, and fill volume. Product resistance during primary drying was measured using manometric temperature measurement. Specific surface area of the freeze-dried cake was also determined. No difference was observed either in average product resistance or specific surface area for the different experimental conditions studied, indicating that with use of the reduced pressure ice fog technique, the solutions nucleated at very nearly the same temperature (-10 degrees C). The striking feature of the "Reduced Pressure Ice Fog Technique" is the rapid ice nucleation (less than a minute) under conditions where the earlier procedure required about 5 min; hence, effects of variable Ostwald ripening were not an issue.

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

Barber, Jacqueline; Aix-Marseille Universite; Brutin, David

Boiling in microchannels remains elusive due to the lack of full understanding of the mechanisms involved. A powerful tool in achieving better comprehension of the mechanisms is detailed imaging and analysis of the two-phase flow at a fundamental level. Boiling is induced in a single microchannel geometry (hydraulic diameter 727 {mu}m), using a refrigerant FC-72, to investigate the effect of channel confinement on bubble growth. A transparent, metallic, conductive deposit has been developed on the exterior of the rectangular microchannel, allowing simultaneous uniform heating and visualisation to be achieved. The data presented in this paper is for a particular casemore » with a uniform heat flux applied to the microchannel and inlet liquid mass flowrate held constant. In conjunction with obtaining high-speed images and videos, sensitive pressure sensors are used to record the pressure drop across the microchannel over time. Bubble nucleation and growth, as well as periodic slug flow, are observed in the microchannel test section. The periodic pressure fluctuations evidenced across the microchannel are caused by the bubble dynamics and instances of vapour blockage during confined bubble growth in the channel. The variation of the aspect ratio and the interface velocities of the growing vapour slug over time, are all observed and analysed. We follow visually the nucleation and subsequent both 'free' and 'confined' growth of a vapour bubble during flow boiling of FC-72 in a microchannel, from analysis of our results, images and video sequences with the corresponding pressure data obtained. (author)« less

Large-area synthesis of high-quality and uniform monolayer WS2 on reusable Au foils

PubMed Central

Gao, Yang; Liu, Zhibo; Sun, Dong-Ming; Huang, Le; Ma, Lai-Peng; Yin, Li-Chang; Ma, Teng; Zhang, Zhiyong; Ma, Xiu-Liang; Peng, Lian-Mao; Cheng, Hui-Ming; Ren, Wencai

2015-01-01

Large-area monolayer WS2 is a desirable material for applications in next-generation electronics and optoelectronics. However, the chemical vapour deposition (CVD) with rigid and inert substrates for large-area sample growth suffers from a non-uniform number of layers, small domain size and many defects, and is not compatible with the fabrication process of flexible devices. Here we report the self-limited catalytic surface growth of uniform monolayer WS2 single crystals of millimetre size and large-area films by ambient-pressure CVD on Au. The weak interaction between the WS2 and Au enables the intact transfer of the monolayers to arbitrary substrates using the electrochemical bubbling method without sacrificing Au. The WS2 shows high crystal quality and optical and electrical properties comparable or superior to mechanically exfoliated samples. We also demonstrate the roll-to-roll/bubbling production of large-area flexible films of uniform monolayer, double-layer WS2 and WS2/graphene heterostructures, and batch fabrication of large-area flexible monolayer WS2 film transistor arrays. PMID:26450174

Compliance Study of Endovascular Stent Grafts Incorporated with Polyester and Polyurethane Graft Materials in both Stented and Unstented Zones

PubMed Central

Guan, Ying; Wang, Lu; Lin, Jing; King, Martin W.

2016-01-01

Compliance mismatch between stent graft and host artery may induce complications and blood flow disorders. However, few studies have been reported on stent graft compliance. This study aims to explore the deformation and compliance of stent graft in stented and unstented zones under three pressure ranges. Compliance of two stent grafts incorporated with polyurethane graft (nitinol-PU) and polyester graft (nitinol-PET) materials respectively were tested; the stents used in the two stent grafts were identical. For the circumferential deformation of the stent grafts under each pressure range, the nitinol-PET stent graft was uniform in both zones. The nitinol-PU stent graft was circumferentially uniform in the stented zone, however, it was nonuniform in the unstented zone. The compliance of the PU graft material was 15 times higher than that of the PET graft. No significant difference in compliance was observed between stented and unstented zones of the nitinol-PET stent graft regardless of the applied pressure range. However, for the nitinol-PU stent graft, compliance of the unstented PU region was approximately twice that of the stented region; thus, compliance along the length of the nitinol-PU stent graft was not constant and different from that of the nitinol-PET stent graft. PMID:28773781

rpSPH: a novel smoothed particle hydrodynamics algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abel, Tom

2011-05-01

We suggest a novel discretization of the momentum equation for smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) and show that it significantly improves the accuracy of the obtained solutions. Our new formulation which we refer to as relative pressure SPH, rpSPH, evaluates the pressure force with respect to the local pressure. It respects Newton's first law of motion and applies forces to particles only when there is a net force acting upon them. This is in contrast to standard SPH which explicitly uses Newton's third law of motion continuously applying equal but opposite forces between particles. rpSPH does not show the unphysical particle noise, the clumping or banding instability, unphysical surface tension and unphysical scattering of different mass particles found for standard SPH. At the same time, it uses fewer computational operations and only changes a single line in existing SPH codes. We demonstrate its performance on isobaric uniform density distributions, uniform density shearing flows, the Kelvin-Helmholtz and Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities, the Sod shock tube, the Sedov-Taylor blast wave and a cosmological integration of the Santa Barbara galaxy cluster formation test. rpSPH is an improvement in these cases. The improvements come at the cost of giving up exact momentum conservation of the scheme. Consequently, one can also obtain unphysical solutions particularly at low resolutions.

An analytical poroelastic model for ultrasound elastography imaging of tumors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tauhidul Islam, Md; Chaudhry, Anuj; Unnikrishnan, Ginu; Reddy, J. N.; Righetti, Raffaella

2018-01-01

The mechanical behavior of biological tissues has been studied using a number of mechanical models. Due to the relatively high fluid content and mobility, many biological tissues have been modeled as poroelastic materials. Diseases such as cancers are known to alter the poroelastic response of a tissue. Tissue poroelastic properties such as compressibility, interstitial permeability and fluid pressure also play a key role for the assessment of cancer treatments and for improved therapies. At the present time, however, a limited number of poroelastic models for soft tissues are retrievable in the literature, and the ones available are not directly applicable to tumors as they typically refer to uniform tissues. In this paper, we report the analytical poroelastic model for a non-uniform tissue under stress relaxation. Displacement, strain and fluid pressure fields in a cylindrical poroelastic sample containing a cylindrical inclusion during stress relaxation are computed. Finite element simulations are then used to validate the proposed theoretical model. Statistical analysis demonstrates that the proposed analytical model matches the finite element results with less than 0.5% error. The availability of the analytical model and solutions presented in this paper may be useful to estimate diagnostically relevant poroelastic parameters such as interstitial permeability and fluid pressure, and, in general, for a better interpretation of clinically-relevant ultrasound elastography results.

Flow-Field Survey in the Test Region of the SR-71 Aircraft Test Bed Configuration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mizukami, Masashi; Jones, Daniel; Weinstock, Vladimir D.

2000-01-01

A flat plate and faired pod have been mounted on a NASA SR-71A aircraft for use as a supersonic flight experiment test bed. A test article can be placed on the flat plate; the pod can contain supporting systems. A series of test flights has been conducted to validate this test bed configuration. Flight speeds to a maximum of Mach 3.0 have been attained. Steady-state sideslip maneuvers to a maximum of 2 deg have been conducted, and the flow field in the test region has been surveyed. Two total-pressure rakes, each with two flow-angle probes, have been placed in the expected vicinity of an experiment. Static-pressure measurements have been made on the flat plate. At subsonic and low supersonic speeds with no sideslip, the flow in the surveyed region is quite uniform. During sideslip maneuvers, localized flow distortions impinge on the test region. Aircraft sideslip does not produce a uniform sidewash over the test region. At speeds faster than Mach 1.5, variable-pressure distortions were observed in the test region. Boundary-layer thickness on the flat plate at the rake was less than 2.1 in. For future experiments, a more focused and detailed flow-field survey than this one would be desirable.

Process optimization of helium cryo plant operation for SST-1 superconducting magnet system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panchal, P.; Panchal, R.; Patel, R.; Mahesuriya, G.; Sonara, D.; Srikanth G, L. N.; Garg, A.; Christian, D.; Bairagi, N.; Sharma, R.; Patel, K.; Shah, P.; Nimavat, H.; Purwar, G.; Patel, J.; Tanna, V.; Pradhan, S.

2017-02-01

Several plasma discharge campaigns have been carried out in steady state superconducting tokamak (SST-1). SST-1 has toroidal field (TF) and poloidal field (PF) superconducting magnet system (SCMS). The TF coils system is cooled to 4.5 - 4.8 K at 1.5 - 1.7 bar(a) under two phase flow condition using 1.3 kW helium cryo plant. Experience revealed that the PF coils demand higher pressure heads even at lower temperatures in comparison to TF coils because of its longer hydraulic path lengths. Thermal run away are observed within PF coils because of single common control valve for all PF coils in distribution system having non-uniform lengths. Thus it is routine practice to stop the cooling of PF path and continue only TF cooling at SCMS inlet temperature of ˜ 14 K. In order to achieve uniform cool down, different control logic is adopted to make cryo stable system. In adopted control logic, the SCMS are cooled down to 80 K at constant inlet pressure of 9 bar(a). After authorization of turbine A/B, the SCMS inlet pressure is gradually controlled by refrigeration J-T valve to achieve stable operation window for cryo system. This paper presents process optimization for cryo plant operation for SST-1 SCMS.

Analysis of automobile engine cylinder pressure and rotation speed from engine body vibration signal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yuhua; Cheng, Xiang; Tan, Haishu

2016-01-01

In order to improve the engine vibration signal process method for the engine cylinder pressure and engine revolution speed measurement instrument, the engine cylinder pressure varying with the engine working cycle process has been regarded as the main exciting force for the engine block forced vibration. The forced vibration caused by the engine cylinder pressure presents as a low frequency waveform which varies with the cylinder pressure synchronously and steadily in time domain and presents as low frequency high energy discrete humorous spectrum lines in frequency domain. The engine cylinder pressure and the rotation speed can been extract form the measured engine block vibration signal by low-pass filtering analysis in time domain or by FFT analysis in frequency domain, the low-pass filtering analysis in time domain is not only suitable for the engine in uniform revolution condition but also suitable for the engine in uneven revolution condition. That provides a practical and convenient way to design motor revolution rate and cylinder pressure measurement instrument.

Variability and repeatability analysis of plantar pressure during gait in older people.

PubMed

Franco, Pedro S; Silva, Caio Borella P da; Rocha, Emmanuel S da; Carpes, Felipe P

2015-01-01

Repeatability and variability of the plantar pressure during walking are important components in the clinical assessment of the elderly. However, there is a lack of information on the uniformity of plantar pressure patterns in the elderly. To analyze the repeatability and variability in plantar pressure considering mean, peak and asymmetries during aged gait. Plantar pressure was monitored in four different days for ten elderly subjects (5 female), with mean±standard-deviation age of 73±6 years, walking barefoot at preferred speed. Data were compared between steps for each day and between different days. Mean and peak plantar pressure values were similar between the different days of evaluation. Asymmetry indexes were similar between the different days evaluated. Plantar pressure presented a consistent pattern in the elderly. However, the asymmetry indexes observed suggest that the elderly are exposed to repetitive asymmetric loading during locomotion. Such result requires further investigation, especially concerning the role of these asymmetries for development of articular injuries. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

Approaches to ab initio molecular replacement of α-helical transmembrane proteins.

PubMed

Thomas, Jens M H; Simkovic, Felix; Keegan, Ronan; Mayans, Olga; Zhang, Chengxin; Zhang, Yang; Rigden, Daniel J

2017-12-01

α-Helical transmembrane proteins are a ubiquitous and important class of proteins, but present difficulties for crystallographic structure solution. Here, the effectiveness of the AMPLE molecular replacement pipeline in solving α-helical transmembrane-protein structures is assessed using a small library of eight ideal helices, as well as search models derived from ab initio models generated both with and without evolutionary contact information. The ideal helices prove to be surprisingly effective at solving higher resolution structures, but ab initio-derived search models are able to solve structures that could not be solved with the ideal helices. The addition of evolutionary contact information results in a marked improvement in the modelling and makes additional solutions possible.

Simulation to coating weight control for galvanizing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Junsheng; Yan, Zhang; Wu, Kunkui; Song, Lei

2013-05-01

Zinc coating weight control is one of the most critical issues for continuous galvanizing line. The process has the characteristic of variable-time large time delay, nonlinear, multivariable. It can result in seriously coating weight error and non-uniform coating. We develop a control system, which can automatically control the air knives pressure and its position to give a constant and uniform zinc coating, in accordance with customer-order specification through an auto-adaptive empirical model-based feed forward adaptive controller, and two model-free adaptive feedback controllers . The proposed models with controller were applied to continuous galvanizing line (CGL) at Angang Steel Works. By the production results, the precise and stability of the control model reduces over-coating weight and improves coating uniform. The product for this hot dip galvanizing line does not only satisfy the customers' quality requirement but also save the zinc consumption.

Ice nucleation triggered by negative pressure.

PubMed

Marcolli, Claudia

2017-11-30

Homogeneous ice nucleation needs supercooling of more than 35 K to become effective. When pressure is applied to water, the melting and the freezing points both decrease. Conversely, melting and freezing temperatures increase under negative pressure, i.e. when water is stretched. This study presents an extrapolation of homogeneous ice nucleation temperatures from positive to negative pressures as a basis for further exploration of ice nucleation under negative pressure. It predicts that increasing negative pressure at temperatures below about 262 K eventually results in homogeneous ice nucleation while at warmer temperature homogeneous cavitation, i. e. bubble nucleation, dominates. Negative pressure occurs locally and briefly when water is stretched due to mechanical shock, sonic waves, or fragmentation. The occurrence of such transient negative pressure should suffice to trigger homogeneous ice nucleation at large supercooling in the absence of ice-nucleating surfaces. In addition, negative pressure can act together with ice-inducing surfaces to enhance their intrinsic ice nucleation efficiency. Dynamic ice nucleation can be used to improve properties and uniformity of frozen products by applying ultrasonic fields and might also be relevant for the freezing of large drops in rainclouds.

Apparatus for forming a continuous lightweight multicell material

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, Taylor G. (Inventor); Elleman, Daniel D. (Inventor); Kendall, James M., Jr. (Inventor)

1984-01-01

An apparatus is described for producing a lightweight structural material (12), by forming gas-filled shells (38) of molten material from a matrix of nozzles (22) that form shells of very uniform size at very uniform rates. The matrix of molten shells coalesce into a multi-cell material of controlled cellular structure. The shells can be of two different sizes (38, 44) that are interspersed, to form a multicell material that has a regular cell pattern but which avoids planes of weakness and localized voids. The gas (50) in the shells can be under a high pressure, and can be a fire extinguishing gas.

Germanium layers grown by zone thermal crystallization from a discrete liquid source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yatsenko, A. N.; Chebotarev, S. N.; Lozovskii, V. N.; Mohamed, A. A. A.; Erimeev, G. A.; Goncharova, L. M.; Varnavskaya, A. A.

2017-11-01

It is proposed and investigated a method for growing thin uniform germanium layers onto large silicon substrates. The technique uses the hexagonally arranged local sources filled with liquid germanium. Germanium evaporates on very close substrate and in these conditions the residual gases vapor pressure highly reduces. It is shown that to achieve uniformity of the deposited layer better than 97% the critical thickness of the vacuum zone must be equal to l cr = 1.2 mm for a hexagonal arranged system of round local sources with the radius of r = 0.75 mm and the distance between the sources of h = 0.5 mm.

Role of protein kinase D in Golgi exit and lysosomal targeting of the transmembrane protein, Mcoln1

PubMed Central

Marks, David L.; Holicky, Eileen L.; Wheatley, Christine L.; Frumkin, Ayala; Bach, Gideon; Pagano, Richard E.

2012-01-01

The targeting of lysosomal transmembrane proteins from the Golgi apparatus to lysosomes is a complex process that is only beginning to be understood. Here, the lysosomal targeting of Mcoln1, the transmembrane protein defective in the autosomal recessive disease, Mucolipidosis, type IV, was studied by over-expressing full length and truncated forms of the protein in human cells, followed by detection using immunofluorescence and immunoblotting. We demonstrated that a 53 amino acid C-terminal region of Mcoln1 is required for efficient exit from the Golgi. Truncations lacking this region exhibited reduced delivery to lysosomes and decreased proteolytic cleavage of Mcoln1 into characteristic ~35 kDa fragments, suggesting that this cleavage occurs in lysosomes. In addition, we found that co-expression of full length Mcoln1 with kinase-inactive protein kinase D (PKD) 1 or 2 inhibited Mcoln1 Golgi exit and transport to lysosomes and decreased Mcoln1 cleavage. These studies suggest that PKDs play a role in the delivery of some lysosomal resident transmembrane proteins from the Golgi to the lysosomes. PMID:22268962

Selective cell-surface labeling of the molecular motor protein prestin

PubMed Central

McGuire, Ryan M.; Silberg, Jonathan J.; Pereira, Fred A.; Raphael, Robert M.

2011-01-01

Prestin, a multipass transmembrane protein whose N- an C-termini are localized to the cytoplasm, must be trafficked to the plasma membrane to fulfill its cellular function as a molecular motor. One challenge in studying prestin sequence-function relationships within living cells is separating the effects of amino acid substitutions on prestin trafficking, plasma membrane localization and function. To develop an approach for directly assessing prestin levels at the plasma membrane, we have investigated whether fusion of prestin to a single pass transmembrane protein results in a functional fusion protein with a surface-exposed N-terminal tag that can be detected in living cells. We find that fusion of the biotin-acceptor peptide (BAP) and transmembrane domain of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) to the N-terminus of prestin-GFP yields a membrane protein that can be metabolically-labeled with biotin, trafficked to the plasma membrane, and selectively detected at the plasma membrane using fluorescently-tagged streptavidin. Furthermore, we show that the addition of a surface detectable tag and a single-pass transmembrane domain to prestin does not disrupt its voltage-sensitive activity. PMID:21651892

Membrane raft association is a determinant of plasma membrane localization.

PubMed

Diaz-Rohrer, Blanca B; Levental, Kandice R; Simons, Kai; Levental, Ilya

2014-06-10

The lipid raft hypothesis proposes lateral domains driven by preferential interactions between sterols, sphingolipids, and specific proteins as a central mechanism for the regulation of membrane structure and function; however, experimental limitations in defining raft composition and properties have prevented unequivocal demonstration of their functional relevance. Here, we establish a quantitative, functional relationship between raft association and subcellular protein sorting. By systematic mutation of the transmembrane and juxtamembrane domains of a model transmembrane protein, linker for activation of T-cells (LAT), we generated a panel of variants possessing a range of raft affinities. These mutations revealed palmitoylation, transmembrane domain length, and transmembrane sequence to be critical determinants of membrane raft association. Moreover, plasma membrane (PM) localization was strictly dependent on raft partitioning across the entire panel of unrelated mutants, suggesting that raft association is necessary and sufficient for PM sorting of LAT. Abrogation of raft partitioning led to mistargeting to late endosomes/lysosomes because of a failure to recycle from early endosomes. These findings identify structural determinants of raft association and validate lipid-driven domain formation as a mechanism for endosomal protein sorting.

Membrane raft association is a determinant of plasma membrane localization

PubMed Central

Diaz-Rohrer, Blanca B.; Levental, Kandice R.; Simons, Kai; Levental, Ilya

2014-01-01

The lipid raft hypothesis proposes lateral domains driven by preferential interactions between sterols, sphingolipids, and specific proteins as a central mechanism for the regulation of membrane structure and function; however, experimental limitations in defining raft composition and properties have prevented unequivocal demonstration of their functional relevance. Here, we establish a quantitative, functional relationship between raft association and subcellular protein sorting. By systematic mutation of the transmembrane and juxtamembrane domains of a model transmembrane protein, linker for activation of T-cells (LAT), we generated a panel of variants possessing a range of raft affinities. These mutations revealed palmitoylation, transmembrane domain length, and transmembrane sequence to be critical determinants of membrane raft association. Moreover, plasma membrane (PM) localization was strictly dependent on raft partitioning across the entire panel of unrelated mutants, suggesting that raft association is necessary and sufficient for PM sorting of LAT. Abrogation of raft partitioning led to mistargeting to late endosomes/lysosomes because of a failure to recycle from early endosomes. These findings identify structural determinants of raft association and validate lipid-driven domain formation as a mechanism for endosomal protein sorting. PMID:24912166

Study on the optimization of the deposition rate of planetary GaN-MOCVD films based on CFD simulation and the corresponding surface model

PubMed Central

Fei, Ze-yuan; Xu, Yi-feng; Wang, Jie; Fan, Bing-feng; Ma, Xue-jin; Wang, Gang

2018-01-01

Metal-organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) is a key technique for fabricating GaN thin film structures for light-emitting and semiconductor laser diodes. Film uniformity is an important index to measure equipment performance and chip processes. This paper introduces a method to improve the quality of thin films by optimizing the rotation speed of different substrates of a model consisting of a planetary with seven 6-inch wafers for the planetary GaN-MOCVD. A numerical solution to the transient state at low pressure is obtained using computational fluid dynamics. To evaluate the role of the different zone speeds on the growth uniformity, single factor analysis is introduced. The results show that the growth rate and uniformity are strongly related to the rotational speed. Next, a response surface model was constructed by using the variables and the corresponding simulation results. The optimized combination of the matching of different speeds is also proposed as a useful reference for applications in industry, obtained by a response surface model and genetic algorithm with a balance between the growth rate and the growth uniformity. This method can save time, and the optimization can obtain the most uniform and highest thin film quality. PMID:29515883

Study on the optimization of the deposition rate of planetary GaN-MOCVD films based on CFD simulation and the corresponding surface model.

PubMed

Li, Jian; Fei, Ze-Yuan; Xu, Yi-Feng; Wang, Jie; Fan, Bing-Feng; Ma, Xue-Jin; Wang, Gang

2018-02-01

Metal-organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) is a key technique for fabricating GaN thin film structures for light-emitting and semiconductor laser diodes. Film uniformity is an important index to measure equipment performance and chip processes. This paper introduces a method to improve the quality of thin films by optimizing the rotation speed of different substrates of a model consisting of a planetary with seven 6-inch wafers for the planetary GaN-MOCVD. A numerical solution to the transient state at low pressure is obtained using computational fluid dynamics. To evaluate the role of the different zone speeds on the growth uniformity, single factor analysis is introduced. The results show that the growth rate and uniformity are strongly related to the rotational speed. Next, a response surface model was constructed by using the variables and the corresponding simulation results. The optimized combination of the matching of different speeds is also proposed as a useful reference for applications in industry, obtained by a response surface model and genetic algorithm with a balance between the growth rate and the growth uniformity. This method can save time, and the optimization can obtain the most uniform and highest thin film quality.

Study on the optimization of the deposition rate of planetary GaN-MOCVD films based on CFD simulation and the corresponding surface model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jian; Fei, Ze-yuan; Xu, Yi-feng; Wang, Jie; Fan, Bing-feng; Ma, Xue-jin; Wang, Gang

2018-02-01

Metal-organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) is a key technique for fabricating GaN thin film structures for light-emitting and semiconductor laser diodes. Film uniformity is an important index to measure equipment performance and chip processes. This paper introduces a method to improve the quality of thin films by optimizing the rotation speed of different substrates of a model consisting of a planetary with seven 6-inch wafers for the planetary GaN-MOCVD. A numerical solution to the transient state at low pressure is obtained using computational fluid dynamics. To evaluate the role of the different zone speeds on the growth uniformity, single factor analysis is introduced. The results show that the growth rate and uniformity are strongly related to the rotational speed. Next, a response surface model was constructed by using the variables and the corresponding simulation results. The optimized combination of the matching of different speeds is also proposed as a useful reference for applications in industry, obtained by a response surface model and genetic algorithm with a balance between the growth rate and the growth uniformity. This method can save time, and the optimization can obtain the most uniform and highest thin film quality.

Elementary Classroom Management. A Handbook of Excellence in Teaching.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Charles, C. M.

Described as differing from most books about teaching, this handbook deals with what teachers identify as their greatest concerns. These concerns are uniformly matters of classroom management (such as discipline, time, pressure, effectiveness, and working with parents). The first chapter of the handbook, which provides an overview of classroom…

Financial-Ratio Analysis and Medical School Management.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eastaugh, Steven R.

1980-01-01

The value of a uniform program of financial assistance to medical education and research is questioned. Medical schools have an uneven ability to compensate for declining federal capitation and research grants. Financial-ratio analysis and cluster analysis are utilized to suggest four adaptive responses to future financial pressures. (Author/MLW)

The Status of State-Legislated Curricula in the U.S.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ogletree, Earl J.

1979-01-01

Uses a table to present the subjects that are required by law in each state and the percentage of states requiring each subject. Concludes that local school districts, state departments of education, and a myriad of pressure groups appear to provide a relatively uniform national school system. (Author/IRT)

A novel pair of immunoglobulin-like receptors expressed by B cells and myeloid cells

PubMed Central

Kubagawa, Hiromi; Burrows, Peter D.; Cooper, Max D.

1997-01-01

An Fcα receptor probe of human origin was used to identify novel members of the Ig gene superfamily in mice. Paired Ig-like receptors, named PIR-A and PIR-B, are predicted from sequence analysis of the cDNAs isolated from a mouse splenic library. Both type I transmembrane proteins possess similar ectodomains with six Ig-like loops, but have different transmembrane and cytoplasmic regions. The predicted PIR-A protein has a short cytoplasmic tail and a charged Arg residue in the transmembrane region that, by analogy with the FcαR relative, suggests the potential for association with an additional transmembrane protein to form a signal transducing unit. In contrast, the PIR-B protein has an uncharged transmembrane region and a long cytoplasmic tail containing four potential immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs. These features are shared by the related killer inhibitory receptors. PIR-A proteins appear to be highly variable, in that predicted peptide sequences differ for seven randomly selected PIR-A clones, whereas PIR-B cDNA clones are invariant. Southern blot analysis with PIR-B and PIR-A-specific probes suggests only one PIR-B gene and multiple PIR-A genes. The PIR-A and PIR-B genes are expressed in B lymphocytes and myeloid lineage cells, wherein both are expressed simultaneously. The characteristics of the highly-conserved PIR-A and PIR-B genes and their coordinate cellular expression suggest a potential regulatory role in humoral, inflammatory, and allergic responses. PMID:9144225

Important Role for the Transmembrane Domain of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Spike Protein during Entry

PubMed Central

Broer, Rene; Boson, Bertrand; Spaan, Willy; Cosset, François-Loïc; Corver, Jeroen

2006-01-01

The spike protein (S) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is responsible for receptor binding and membrane fusion. It contains a highly conserved transmembrane domain that consists of three parts: an N-terminal tryptophan-rich domain, a central domain, and a cysteine-rich C-terminal domain. The cytoplasmic tail of S has previously been shown to be required for assembly. Here, the roles of the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of S in the infectivity and membrane fusion activity of SARS-CoV have been studied. SARS-CoV S-pseudotyped retrovirus (SARSpp) was used to measure S-mediated infectivity. In addition, the cell-cell fusion activity of S was monitored by a Renilla luciferase-based cell-cell fusion assay. Svsv-cyt, an S chimera with a cytoplasmic tail derived from vesicular stomatitis virus G protein (VSV-G), and Smhv-tmdcyt, an S chimera with the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains of mouse hepatitis virus, displayed wild-type-like activity in both assays. Svsv-tmdcyt, a chimera with the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains of VSV-G, was impaired in the SARSpp and cell-cell fusion assays, showing 3 to 25% activity compared to the wild type, depending on the assay and the cells used. Examination of the oligomeric state of the chimeric S proteins in SARSpp revealed that Svsv-tmdcyt trimers were less stable than wild-type S trimers, possibly explaining the lowered fusogenicity and infectivity. PMID:16415007

PSOFuzzySVM-TMH: identification of transmembrane helix segments using ensemble feature space by incorporated fuzzy support vector machine.

PubMed

Hayat, Maqsood; Tahir, Muhammad

2015-08-01

Membrane protein is a central component of the cell that manages intra and extracellular processes. Membrane proteins execute a diversity of functions that are vital for the survival of organisms. The topology of transmembrane proteins describes the number of transmembrane (TM) helix segments and its orientation. However, owing to the lack of its recognized structures, the identification of TM helix and its topology through experimental methods is laborious with low throughput. In order to identify TM helix segments reliably, accurately, and effectively from topogenic sequences, we propose the PSOFuzzySVM-TMH model. In this model, evolutionary based information position specific scoring matrix and discrete based information 6-letter exchange group are used to formulate transmembrane protein sequences. The noisy and extraneous attributes are eradicated using an optimization selection technique, particle swarm optimization, from both feature spaces. Finally, the selected feature spaces are combined in order to form ensemble feature space. Fuzzy-support vector Machine is utilized as a classification algorithm. Two benchmark datasets, including low and high resolution datasets, are used. At various levels, the performance of the PSOFuzzySVM-TMH model is assessed through 10-fold cross validation test. The empirical results reveal that the proposed framework PSOFuzzySVM-TMH outperforms in terms of classification performance in the examined datasets. It is ascertained that the proposed model might be a useful and high throughput tool for academia and research community for further structure and functional studies on transmembrane proteins.

Interfacial Interaction between Transmembrane Ocular Mucins and Adhesive Polymers and Dendrimers Analyzed by Surface Plasmon Resonance

PubMed Central

Noiray, M.; Briand, E.; Woodward, A. M.; Argüeso, P.; Molina Martínez, I. T.; Herrero-Vanrell, R.; Ponchel, G.

2013-01-01

Purpose Development of the first in vitro method based on biosensor chip technology designed for probing the interfacial interaction phenomena between transmembrane ocular mucins and adhesive polymers and dendrimers intended for ophthalmic administration. Methods The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique was used. A transmembrane ocular mucin surface was prepared on the chip surface and characterized by QCM-D (Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation) and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). The mucoadhesive molecules tested were: hyaluronic acid (HA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC), chitosan (Ch) and polyamidoamine dendrimers (PAMAM). Results While Ch originated interfacial interaction with ocular transmembrane mucins, for HA, CMC and HPMC, chain interdiffusion seemed to be mandatory for bioadherence at the concentrations used in ophthalmic clinical practise. Interestingly, PAMAM dendrimers developed permanent interfacial interactions with transmembrane ocular mucins whatever their surface chemical groups, showing a relevant importance of co-operative effect of these multivalent systems. Polymers developed interfacial interactions with ocular membrane-associated mucins in the following order: Ch(1 %) > G4PAMAM-NH2(2 %) = G4PAMAM-OH(2 %) > G3.5PAMAM-COOH(2 %)≫ CMC(0.5 %) = HA(0.2 %) = HPMC(0.3 %). Conclusions The method proposed is useful to discern between the mucin-polymer chemical interactions at molecular scale. Results reinforce the usefulness of chitosan and den-drimers as polymers able to increase the retention time of drugs on the ocular surface and hence their bioavailability. PMID:22565639

Shape Optimization for Additive Manufacturing of Removable Partial Dentures - A New Paradigm for Prosthetic CAD/CAM

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

With ever-growing aging population and demand for denture treatments, pressure-induced mucosa lesion and residual ridge resorption remain main sources of clinical complications. Conventional denture design and fabrication are challenged for its labor and experience intensity, urgently necessitating an automatic procedure. This study aims to develop a fully automatic procedure enabling shape optimization and additive manufacturing of removable partial dentures (RPD), to maximize the uniformity of contact pressure distribution on the mucosa, thereby reducing associated clinical complications. A 3D heterogeneous finite element (FE) model was constructed from CT scan, and the critical tissue of mucosa was modeled as a hyperelastic material from in vivo clinical data. A contact shape optimization algorithm was developed based on the bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization (BESO) technique. Both initial and optimized dentures were prototyped by 3D printing technology and evaluated with in vitro tests. Through the optimization, the peak contact pressure was reduced by 70%, and the uniformity was improved by 63%. In vitro tests verified the effectiveness of this procedure, and the hydrostatic pressure induced in the mucosa is well below clinical pressure-pain thresholds (PPT), potentially lessening risk of residual ridge resorption. This proposed computational optimization and additive fabrication procedure provides a novel method for fast denture design and adjustment at low cost, with quantitative guidelines and computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) for a specific patient. The integration of digitalized modeling, computational optimization, and free-form fabrication enables more efficient clinical adaptation. The customized optimal denture design is expected to minimize pain/discomfort and potentially reduce long-term residual ridge resorption. PMID:26161878

Computational Simulations of the NASA Langley HyMETS Arc-Jet Facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brune, A. J.; Bruce, W. E., III; Glass, D. E.; Splinter, S. C.

2017-01-01

The Hypersonic Materials Environmental Test System (HyMETS) arc-jet facility located at the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, is primarily used for the research, development, and evaluation of high-temperature thermal protection systems for hypersonic vehicles and reentry systems. In order to improve testing capabilities and knowledge of the test article environment, an effort is underway to computationally simulate the flow-field using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A detailed three-dimensional model of the arc-jet nozzle and free-jet portion of the flow-field has been developed and compared to calibration probe Pitot pressure and stagnation-point heat flux for three test conditions at low, medium, and high enthalpy. The CFD model takes into account uniform pressure and non-uniform enthalpy profiles at the nozzle inlet as well as catalytic recombination efficiency effects at the probe surface. Comparing the CFD results and test data indicates an effectively fully-catalytic copper surface on the heat flux probe of about 10% efficiency and a 2-3 kpa pressure drop from the arc heater bore, where the pressure is measured, to the plenum section, prior to the nozzle. With these assumptions, the CFD results are well within the uncertainty of the stagnation pressure and heat flux measurements. The conditions at the nozzle exit were also compared with radial and axial velocimetry. This simulation capability will be used to evaluate various three-dimensional models that are tested in the HyMETS facility. An end-to-end aerothermal and thermal simulation of HyMETS test articles will follow this work to provide a better understanding of the test environment, test results, and to aid in test planning. Additional flow-field diagnostic measurements will also be considered to improve the modeling capability.

Description and calibration of the Langley Hypersonic CF4 tunnel: A facility for simulating low gamma flow as occurs for a real gas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Midden, Raymond E.; Miller, Charles G., III

1985-01-01

The Langley Hypersonic CF4 Tunnel is a Mach 6 facility which simulates an important aspect of dissociative real-gas phenomena associated with the reentry of blunt vehicles, i.e., the decrease in the ratio of specific heats (gamma) that occurs within the shock layer of the vehicle. A general description of this facility is presented along with a discussion of the basic components, instrumentation, and operating procedure. Pitot-pressure surveys were made at the nozzle exit and downstream of the exit for reservoir temperatures from 1020 to 1495 R and reservoir pressures from 1000 to 2550 psia. A uniform test core having a diameter of circa 11 in. (0.55 times the nozzle-exit diameter) exists at the maximum value of reservoir pressure and temperature. The corresponding free-stream Mach number is 5.9, the unit Reynolds number is 4 x 10 to the 5th power per foot, the ratio of specific heats immediately behind a normal shock is 1.10, and the normal-shock density ratio is 12.6. When the facility is operated at reservoir temperatures below 1440 R, irregularities occur in the pitot-pressure profile within a small region about the nozzle centerline. These variations in pitot pressure indicate the existence of flow distrubances originating in the upstream region of the nozzle. This necessitates testing models off centerline in the uniform flow between the centerline region and either the nozzle boundary layer or the lip shock originating at the nozzle exit. Samples of data obtained in this facility with various models are presented to illustrate the effect of gamma on flow conditions about the model and the importance of knowing the magnitude of this effect.

Development of a paper based roll-to-roll nanoimprinting machine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Son, Byungwook

Nanoimprint lithography (NIL) has been developed and studied since 1995. It is a technique where micro- or nanoscale patterns are transferred to soft materials such as polymer through pressing a stamp with certain patterns into this materials and then solidifying it by cooling at lower temperature or curing under ultra violet excitement. High Cost and low throughput of batch mode nanoimprint lithography (NIL) processes are limiting its wide range of applications in meeting industry manufacturing requirements. The roll-to-roll (R2R) nanoimprinting technology is emerged as a solution to this issue. This thesis study presents the design, build and test of an innovative R2R T-NIL process machine for nanofabrication and MEMS fabrication applications, which consists of individual modules of heating, inking, pressuring, and rotational speed control. The system utilizes PDMS as mold material, PMMA as imprinting material, and paper as substrate material. In order to achieve a uniform pressure on PMMA during imprinting process, an innovative air pressure device (APD) was developed and integrated with R2R machine. The APD replaces the conventional 2-roll line contact pressure approach and can cover one third of the surface of the imprinting roller with a uniform pressure (1-3 psi). During the imprinting experiment, a mixture of PMMA (20w %) and 2-Ethoxyethyl acetate is applied on the paper substrate by an inking roller using capillary force and an IR heater is used for pre-heating and drying of polymer layers before it is fed into the imprinting module. Two 500-Watt cartridge heaters are installed on the roller and provide the heat to raise the PMMA film temperature during the imprinting.

A comprehensive proteomics and genomics analysis reveals novel transmembrane proteins in human platelets and mouse megakaryocytes including G6b-B, a novel ITIM protein

PubMed Central

Senis, Yotis A.; Tomlinson, Michael G.; García, Ángel; Dumon, Stephanie; Heath, Victoria L.; Herbert, John; Cobbold, Stephen P.; Spalton, Jennifer C.; Ayman, Sinem; Antrobus, Robin; Zitzmann, Nicole; Bicknell, Roy; Frampton, Jon; Authi, Kalwant; Martin, Ashley; Wakelam, Michael J.O.; Watson, Stephen P.

2007-01-01

Summary The platelet surface is poorly characterized due to the low abundance of many membrane proteins and the lack of specialist tools for their investigation. In this study we have identified novel human platelet and mouse megakaryocyte membrane proteins using specialist proteomic and genomic approaches. Three separate methods were used to enrich platelet surface proteins prior to identification by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry: lectin affinity chromatography; biotin/NeutrAvidin affinity chromatography; and free flow electrophoresis. Many known, abundant platelet surface transmembrane proteins and several novel proteins were identified using each receptor enrichment strategy. In total, two or more unique peptides were identified for 46, 68 and 22 surface membrane, intracellular membrane and membrane proteins of unknown sub-cellular localization, respectively. The majority of these were single transmembrane proteins. To complement the proteomic studies, we analysed the transcriptome of a highly purified preparation of mature primary mouse megakaryocytes using serial analysis of gene expression in view of the increasing importance of mutant mouse models in establishing protein function in platelets. This approach identified all of the major classes of platelet transmembrane receptors, including multi-transmembrane proteins. Strikingly, 17 of the 25 most megakaryocyte-specific genes (relative to 30 other SAGE libraries) were transmembrane proteins, illustrating the unique nature of the megakaryocyte/platelet surface. The list of novel plasma membrane proteins identified using proteomics includes the immunoglobulin superfamily member G6b, which undergoes extensive alternate splicing. Specific antibodies were used to demonstrate expression of the G6b-B isoform, which contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif. G6b-B undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation and association with the SH2-containing phosphatase, SHP-1, in stimulated platelets suggesting that it may play a novel role in limiting platelet activation. PMID:17186946

A Three-Dimensional Pore-Scale Model for Non-Wetting Phase Mobilization with Ferrofluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, N.; Prodanovic, M.

2017-12-01

Ferrofluid, a stable dispersion of paramagnetic nanoparticles in water, can generate a distributed pressure difference across the phase interface in an immiscible two-phase flow under an external magnetic field. In water-wet porous media, this non-uniform pressure difference may be used to mobilize the non-wetting phase, e.g. oil, trapped in the pores. Previous numerical work by Soares et al. of two-dimensional single-pore model showed enhanced non-wetting phase recovery with water-based ferrofluid under certain magnetic field directions and decreased recovery under other directions. However, the magnetic field selectively concentrates in the high magnetic permeability ferrofluid which fills the small corners between the non-wetting phase and the solid wall. The magnetic field induced pressure is proportional to the square of local magnetic field strength and its normal component, and makes a significant impact on the non-wetting phase deformation. The two-dimensional model omitted the effect of most of these corners and is not sufficient to compute the magnetic-field-induced pressure difference or to predict the non-wetting blob deformation. Further, it is not clear that 3D effects on magnetic field in an irregular geometry can be approximated in 2D. We present a three-dimensional immiscible two-phase flow model to simulate the deformation of a non-wetting liquid blob in a single pore filled with a ferrofluid under a uniform external magnetic field. The ferrofluid is modeled as a uniform single phase because the nanoparticles are 104 times smaller than the pore. The open source CFD solver library OpenFOAM is used for the simulations based on the volume of fluid method. Simulations are performed in a converging-diverging channel model on different magnetic field direction, different initial oil saturations, and different pore shapes. Results indicate that the external magnetic field always stretches the non-wetting blob away from the solid channel wall. A magnetic field transverse to the channel direction may likely provide the best elongation along the channel direction for the non-wetting blob. The pore-throat size ratio has an impact on the deformation of the non-wetting blob.

Structural evolution and mechanical behaviour of Pt nanoparticle superlattices at high pressure

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

Zhu, Jinlong; Quan, Zewei; Wang, Chenyu

High pressure is an effective means for tuning the interparticle distances of nanoparticle (NP) superlattice and thus for modifying their physical properties and functionalities. In this work, we determined the evolutio of inter-NP distances of a Pt NP superlattice with increasing pressure using an in situ synchrotro small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) technique in a diamond-anvil cell (DAC). Transmission electro microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize the microstructures of pre- and post-compression samples Our results demonstrate that the evolution of Pt NP assemblies with increasing pressure consists of fou stages: (1) ligand elastic response, (2) uniform compression, (3) ligand detachment frommore » NP surfaces, an (4) deviatoric compression of ligands between neighboring NPs. Lastly, by controlling the magnitudes of applie pressure and deviatoric stress, one can sinter NPs into novel architectures such as nanowires an nanoceramics.« less

Parametric Study of Pulse-Combustor-Driven Ejectors at High-Pressure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yungster, Shaye; Paxson, Daniel E.; Perkins, Hugh D.

2015-01-01

Pulse-combustor configurations developed in recent studies have demonstrated performance levels at high-pressure operating conditions comparable to those observed at atmospheric conditions. However, problems related to the way fuel was being distributed within the pulse combustor were still limiting performance. In the first part of this study, new configurations are investigated computationally aimed at improving the fuel distribution and performance of the pulse-combustor. Subsequent sections investigate the performance of various pulse-combustor driven ejector configurations operating at high pressure conditions, focusing on the effects of fuel equivalence ratio and ejector throat area. The goal is to design pulse-combustor-ejector configurations that maximize pressure gain while achieving a thermal environment acceptable to a turbine, and at the same time maintain acceptable levels of NO(x) emissions and flow non-uniformities. The computations presented here have demonstrated pressure gains of up to 2.8.

Lipid decorated liquid crystal pressure sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopatkina, Tetiana; Popov, Piotr; Honaker, Lawrence; Jakli, Antal; Mann, Elizabeth; Mann's Group Collaboration; Jakli's Group Collaboration

Surfactants usually promote the alignment of liquid crystal (LC) director parallel to the surfactant chains, and thus on average normal to the substrate (homeotropic), whereas water promotes tangential (planar) alignment. A water-LC interface is therefore very sensitive to the presence of surfactants, such as lipids: this is the principle of LC-based chemical and biological sensing introduced by Abbott et al.Using a modified configuration, we found that at higher than 10 micro molar lipid concentration, the uniformly dark texture seen for homeotropic alignment between left-, and right-handed circular polarizers becomes unstable and slowly brightens again. This texture shows extreme sensitivity to external air pressure variations offering its use for sensitive pressure sensors. Our analysis indicates an osmotic pressure induced bending of the suspended films explaining both the birefringence and pressure sensitivity. In the talk we will discuss the experimental details of these effects. This work was financially supported by NSF DMR No. DMR-0907055.

A general low frequency acoustic radiation capability for NASTRAN

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Everstine, G. C.; Henderson, F. M.; Schroeder, E. A.; Lipman, R. R.

1986-01-01

A new capability called NASHUA is described for calculating the radiated acoustic sound pressure field exterior to a harmonically-excited arbitrary submerged 3-D elastic structure. The surface fluid pressures and velocities are first calculated by coupling a NASTRAN finite element model of the structure with a discretized form of the Helmholtz surface integral equation for the exterior fluid. After the fluid impedance is calculated, most of the required matrix operations are performed using the general matrix manipulation package (DMAP) available in NASTRAN. Far field radiated pressures are then calculated from the surface solution using the Helmholtz exterior integral equation. Other output quantities include the maximum sound pressure levels in each of the three coordinate planes, the rms and average surface pressures and normal velocities, the total radiated power and the radiation efficiency. The overall approach is illustrated and validated using known analytic solutions for submerged spherical shells subjected to both uniform and nonuniform applied loads.

Capillary Pressure of a Liquid Between Uniform Spheres Arranged in a Square-Packed Layer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alexader, J. Iwan D.; Slobozhanin, Lev A.; Collicott, Steven H.

2004-01-01

The capillary pressure in the pores defined by equidimensional close-packed spheres is analyzed numerically. In the absence of gravity the menisci shapes are constructed using Surface Evolver code. This permits calculation the free surface mean curvature and hence the capillary pressure. The dependences of capillary pressure on the liquid volume constructed here for a set of contact angles allow one to determine the evolution of basic capillary characteristics under quasi-static infiltration and drainage. The maximum pressure difference between liquid and gas required for a meniscus passing through a pore is calculated and compared with that for hexagonal packing and with approximate solution given by Mason and Morrow [l]. The lower and upper critical liquid volumes that determine the stability limits for the equilibrium capillary liquid in contact with square packed array of spheres are tabulated for a set of contact angles.

Structural evolution and mechanical behaviour of Pt nanoparticle superlattices at high pressure

DOE PAGES

Zhu, Jinlong; Quan, Zewei; Wang, Chenyu; ...

2016-02-05

High pressure is an effective means for tuning the interparticle distances of nanoparticle (NP) superlattice and thus for modifying their physical properties and functionalities. In this work, we determined the evolutio of inter-NP distances of a Pt NP superlattice with increasing pressure using an in situ synchrotro small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) technique in a diamond-anvil cell (DAC). Transmission electro microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize the microstructures of pre- and post-compression samples Our results demonstrate that the evolution of Pt NP assemblies with increasing pressure consists of fou stages: (1) ligand elastic response, (2) uniform compression, (3) ligand detachment frommore » NP surfaces, an (4) deviatoric compression of ligands between neighboring NPs. Lastly, by controlling the magnitudes of applie pressure and deviatoric stress, one can sinter NPs into novel architectures such as nanowires an nanoceramics.« less

Influence of particle size distribution on the blast pressure profile from explosives buried in saturated soils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rigby, S. E.; Fay, S. D.; Tyas, A.; Clarke, S. D.; Reay, J. J.; Warren, J. A.; Gant, M.; Elgy, I.

2018-05-01

The spatial and temporal distribution of pressure and impulse from explosives buried in saturated cohesive and cohesionless soils has been measured experimentally for the first time. Ten experiments have been conducted at quarter-scale, where localised pressure loading was measured using an array of 17 Hopkinson pressure bars. The blast pressure measurements are used in conjunction with high-speed video filmed at 140,000 fps to investigate in detail the physical processes occurring at the loaded face. Two coarse cohesionless soils and one fine cohesive soil were tested: a relatively uniform sand, a well-graded sandy gravel, and a fine-grained clay. The results show that there is a single fundamental loading mechanism when explosives are detonated in saturated soil, invariant of particle size and soil cohesion. It is also shown that variability in localised loading is intrinsically linked to the particle size distribution of the surrounding soil.

Sound field inside acoustically levitated spherical drop

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, W. J.; Wei, B.

2007-05-01

The sound field inside an acoustically levitated small spherical water drop (radius of 1mm) is studied under different incident sound pressures (amplitude p0=2735-5643Pa). The transmitted pressure ptr in the drop shows a plane standing wave, which varies mainly in the vertical direction, and distributes almost uniformly in the horizontal direction. The maximum of ptr is always located at the lowermost point of the levitated drop. Whereas the secondary maximum appears at the uppermost point if the incident pressure amplitude p0 is higher than an intermediate value (3044Pa), in which there exists a pressure nodal surface in the drop interior. The value of the maximum ptr lies in a narrow range of 2489-3173Pa, which has a lower limit of 2489Pa when p0=3044Pa. The secondary maximum of ptr is rather small and only remarkable at high incident pressures.

Test verification of LOX/RP-1 high-pressure fuel/oxidizer-rich preburner designs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lawver, B. R.

1982-01-01

Two fuel-rich and two oxidizer-rich preburner injectors are tested with LOX/RP-1 in an investigation of performance, stability and gas temperature uniformity over a chamber pressure range from 1292 to 2540 psia. Fuel-rich mixture ratios range from 0.238 to 0.367 and oxidizer-rich mixture ratios range from 27 to 48, and carbon deposition data are collected by measuring the pressure drop across a turbine simulator flow device. The oxidizer-rich testing demonstrates the feasibility of oxidizer-rich preburners, indicating equilibrium combustion as predicted, and the measured fuel-rich gas composition and C-asterisk performance are in excellent agreement with kinetic model predictions indicating kinetically-limited combustion.

A visual study of radial inward choked flow of liquid nitrogen.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hendricks, R. C.; Simoneau, R. J.; Hsu, Y. Y.

1973-01-01

Data and high speed movies were acquired on pressurized subcooled liquid nitrogen flowing radially inward through a 0.0076 cm gap. The stagnation pressure ranged from 0.7 to 4 MN/sq m. Steady radial inward choked flow appears equivalent to steady choked flow through axisymmetric nozzles. Transient choked flows through the radial gap are not uniform and the discharge pattern appears as nonuniform impinging jets. The critical mass flow rate data for the transient case appear different from those for the steady case. On the mass flow rate vs pressure map, the slope and separation of the isotherms appear to be less for transient than for steady radial choked flow.

Bifurcation theory applied to buckling states of a cylindrical shell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaskalovic, J.; Naili, S.

1995-01-01

Veins, bronchii, and many other vessels in the human body are flexible enough to be capable of collapse if submitted to suitable applied external and internal loads. One way to describe this phenomenon is to consider an inextensible elastic and infinite tube, with a circular cross section in the reference configuration, subjected to a uniform external pressure. In this paper, we establish that the nonlinear equilibrium equation for this model has nontrivial solutions which appear for critical values of the pressure. To this end, the tools we use are the Liapunov-Schmidt decomposition and the bifurcation theorem for simple multiplicity. We conclude with the bifurcation diagram, showing the dependence between the cross-sectional area and the pressure.

Asymmetrical electrically induced injury of rabbit ventricular myocytes.

PubMed

Knisley, S B; Grant, A O

1995-05-01

Strong defibrillation-type electric field stimulation may injure myocytes when transmembrane potentials during the pulse exceed the threshold for membrane permeabilization. The location of injury may depend on intrinsic transmembrane potential or influx of calcium by "electro-osmosis" during the stimulation pulse in addition to the transmembrane potential changes induced by the pulse. We have studied injury by examining contracture and changes in transmembrane potential-sensitive dye fluorescence induced by electric field stimulation (St) with a duration of 20 ms and strength of 16-400 V/cm in isolated rabbit ventricular myocytes. St of 100-150 V/cm produced injury in myocytes oriented parallel to the St field frequently without injuring myocytes oriented perpendicular to the field. Injury required calcium in the solution and was asymmetric, occurring first at the myocyte and facing the St anode in 100% of injured myocytes in normal Tyrode's solution. Injury depended significantly on whether the product of the electric field strength and myocyte length exceeded a threshold of 1.1 V (P < 0.05). Asymmetric injury at the end facing the anode was still present in 96% of injured myocytes for stimulation after depolarization by an action potential or 20 mM or 125 mM potassium, suggesting that intrinsic transmembrane potential is not responsible for asymmetry. In 125 mM potassium, eliminating calcium from the bathing solution during the St pulse and introducing calcium after the pulse decreased the fraction of injured myocytes in which injury occurred at the end facing the anode to 62%, suggesting that calcium influx by "electro-osmosis" at the myocyte end facing the anode contributes to asymmetry. Asymmetric injury at the end facing the anode was still present in 100% of injured myocytes after adding 1 mM tetraethylammonium chloride, indicating that asymmetry is not sensitive to the potassium channel blockade. For stimulation pulses stronger than 50 V/cm given after depolarization by an action potential, transmembrane potentials at both myocyte ends decayed after the initial deflection indicating that permeabilization occurred at both ends. In conclusion, injury depends on myocyte orientation and is asymmetric occurring first at the myocyte end facing the anode. Asymmetric injury is not explained by asymmetric permeabilization, is independent of the intrinsic transmembrane potential and may result from "electro-osmosis" during the stimulation pulse.

Enhancement of non-invasive trans-membrane drug delivery using ultrasound and microbubbles during physiologically relevant flow.

PubMed

Shamout, Farah E; Pouliopoulos, Antonios N; Lee, Patrizia; Bonaccorsi, Simone; Towhidi, Leila; Krams, Rob; Choi, James J

2015-09-01

Sonoporation has been associated with drug delivery across cell membranes and into target cells, yet several limitations have prohibited further advancement of this technology. Higher delivery rates were associated with increased cellular death, thus implying a safety-efficacy trade-off. Meanwhile, there has been no reported study of safe in vitro sonoporation in a physiologically relevant flow environment. The objective of our study was not only to evaluate sonoporation under physiologically relevant flow conditions, such as fluid velocity, shear stress and temperature, but also to design ultrasound parameters that exploit the presence of flow to maximize sonoporation efficacy while minimizing or avoiding cellular damage. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EA.hy926) were seeded in flow chambers as a monolayer to mimic the endothelium. A peristaltic pump maintained a constant fluid velocity of 12.5 cm/s. A focused 0.5 MHz transducer was used to sonicate the cells, while an inserted focused 7.5 MHz passive cavitation detector monitored microbubble-seeded cavitation emissions. Under these conditions, propidium iodide, which is normally impermeable to the cell membrane, was traced to determine whether it could enter cells after sonication. Meanwhile, calcein-AM was used as a cell viability marker. A range of focused ultrasound parameters was explored, with several unique bioeffects observed: cell detachment, preservation of cell viability with no membrane penetration, cell death and preservation of cell viability with sonoporation. The parameters were then modified further to produce safe sonoporation with minimal cell death. To increase the number of favourable cavitation events, we lowered the ultrasound exposure pressure to 40 kPapk-neg and increased the number of cavitation nuclei by 50 times to produce a trans-membrane delivery rate of 62.6% ± 4.3% with a cell viability of 95% ± 4.2%. Furthermore, acoustic cavitation analysis showed that the low pressure sonication produced stable and non-inertial cavitation throughout the pulse sequence. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate a high drug delivery rate coupled with high cell viability in a physiologically relevant in vitro flow system. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.

An experimental study of dynamic stall on advanced airfoil section. Volume 2: Pressure and force data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcalister, K. W.; Pucci, S. L.; Mccroskey, W. J.; Carr, L. W.

1982-01-01

Experimentally derived force and moment data are presented for eight airfoil sections that were tested at fixed and varying incidence in a subsonic two dimensional stream. Airfoil incidence was varied through sinusoidal oscillations in pitch over a wide range of amplitude and frequency. The surface pressure distribution, as well as the lift, drag, and pitching moment derived therefrom, are displayed in a uniform fashion to delineate the static and dynamic characteristics of each airfoil both in and out of stall.

Cardiovascular responses to glucagon - Physiologic measurement by external recordings.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Byrne, M. J.; Pigott, V.; Spodick, D. H.

1972-01-01

Assessment by noninvasive polygraphic techniques of the cardiovascular responses of normal subjects to intravenous injections of glucagon and glucagon diluent. A blinding procedure which eliminated observer bias was used during the reading of tracings. Analysis of group results showed that glucagon provoked uniformly significant changes, including increase in heart rate, blood pressure, pressure-rate product, and ejection time index, and decrease in prejection period, mechanical and electromechanical systole, left ventricular ejection time, and the ratio PEP/LVET. The principal results correlated well with those of previous studies of the hemodynamic effects of glucagon.

Fundamental Studies of Subsonic and Transonic Flow Separation. Part I. First Phase Summary Report

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-09-01

Axial Mach Number Distributions for M> 1.•..•.•. 119 A-8 Total Pressure Profile at X = 66.25 Inch Station. 120 A-9 Surface Temperature Distribution... designed wind tunnel wall as the testing model for achieving high Reynolds number flows. The other is to em- ploy a sufficiently long model such that a...external pressure field can be studied in detail. 3.1 UTSI TRANSONIC TUNNEL In general, most wind tunnels have been designed to have a ’uniform flow in

Ion permeation and glutamate residues linked by Poisson-Nernst-Planck theory in L-type calcium channels.

PubMed Central

Nonner, W; Eisenberg, B

1998-01-01

L-type Ca channels contain a cluster of four charged glutamate residues (EEEE locus), which seem essential for high Ca specificity. To understand how this highly charged structure might produce the currents and selectivity observed in this channel, a theory is needed that relates charge to current. We use an extended Poisson-Nernst-Planck (PNP2) theory to compute (mean) Coulombic interactions and thus to examine the role of the mean field electrostatic interactions in producing current and selectivity. The pore was modeled as a central cylinder with tapered atria; the cylinder (i.e., "pore proper") contained a uniform volume density of fixed charge equivalent to that of one to four carboxyl groups. The pore proper was assigned ion-specific, but spatially uniform, diffusion coefficients and excess chemical potentials. Thus electrostatic selection by valency was computed self-consistently, and selection by other features was also allowed. The five external parameters needed for a system of four ionic species (Na, Ca, Cl, and H) were determined analytically from published measurements of thre limiting conductances and two critical ion concentrations, while treating the pore as a macroscopic ion-exchange system in equilibrium with a uniform bath solution. The extended PNP equations were solved with these parameters, and the predictions were compared to currents measured in a variety of solutions over a range of transmembrane voltages. The extended PNP theory accurately predicted current-voltage relations, anomalous mole fraction effects in the observed current, saturation effects of varied Ca and Na concentrations, and block by protons. Pore geometry, dielectric permittivity, and the number of carboxyl groups had only weak effects. The successful prediction of Ca fluxes in this paper demonstrates that ad hoc electrostatic parameters, multiple discrete binding sites, and logistic assumptions of single-file movement are all unnecessary for the prediction of permeation in Ca channels over a wide range of conditions. Further work is needed, however, to understand the atomic origin of the fixed charge, excess chemical potentials, and diffusion coefficients of the channel. The Appendix uses PNP2 theory to predict ionic currents for published "barrier-and-well" energy profiles of this channel. PMID:9726931

Improving the Traceability of Meteorological Measurements at Automatic Weather Stations in Thailand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keawprasert, T.; Sinhaneti, T.; Phuuntharo, P.; Phanakulwijit, S.; Nimsamer, A.

2017-08-01

A joint project between the National Institute of Metrology Thailand (NIMT) and the Thai Meteorology Department (TMD) was established for improving the traceability of meteorology measurements at automatic weather stations (AWSs) in Thailand. The project aimed to improve traceability of air temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure by implementing on-site calibration facilities and developing of new calibration procedures. First, new portable calibration facilities for air temperature, humidity and pressure were set up as working standard of the TMD. A portable humidity calibrator was applied as a uniform and stable source for calibration of thermo-hygrometers. A dew-point hygrometer was employed as reference hygrometer and a platinum resistance thermometer (PRT) traceable to NIMT was used as reference thermometer. The uniformity and stability in both temperature and relative humidity were characterized at NIMT. A transportable pressure calibrator was used for calibration of air pressure sensor. The estimate overall uncertainty of the calibration setup is 0.2 K for air temperature, 1.0 % for relative humidity and 0.2 hPa for atmospheric pressure, respectively. Second, on-site calibration procedures were developed and four AWSs in the central part and the northern of Thailand were chosen as pilot stations for on-site calibration using the new calibration setups and developed calibration procedures. At each station, the calibration was done at the minimum temperature, average temperature and maximum temperature of the year, for air temperature, 20 %, 55 % and 90 % for relative humidity at the average air temperature of that station and at a one-year statistics pressure range for atmospheric pressure at ambient temperature. Additional in-field uncertainty contributions such as the temperature dependence on relative humidity measurement were evaluated and included in the overall uncertainty budget. Preliminary calibration results showed that using a separate PRT probe at these AWSs would be recommended for improving the accuracy of air temperature measurement. In case of relative humidity measurement, the data logger software is needed to be upgraded for achieving higher accuracy of less than 3 %. For atmospheric pressure measurement, a higher accuracy barometer traceable to NIMT could be used to reduce the calibration uncertainty to below 0.2 hPa.

An experimental study of the wall-pressure fluctuations beneath low Reynolds number turbulent boundary layers.

PubMed

Van Blitterswyk, Jared; Rocha, Joana

2017-02-01

A more complete understanding of the physical relationships, between wall-pressure and turbulence, is required for modeling flow-induced noise and developing noise reduction strategies. In this study, the wall-pressure fluctuations, induced by low Reynolds number turbulent boundary layers, are experimentally studied using a high-resolution microphone array. Statistical characteristics obtained using traditional cross-correlation and cross-spectra analyses are complimented with wall-pressure-velocity cross-spectra and wavelet cross-correlations. Wall-pressure-velocity correlations revealed that turbulent activity in the buffer layer contributes at least 40% of the energy to the wall-pressure spectrum at all measured frequencies. As Reynolds number increases, the low-frequency energy shifts from the buffer layer to the logarithmic layer, as expected for regions of uniform streamwise momentum formed by hairpin packets. Conditional cross-spectra suggests that the majority of broadband wall-pressure energy is concentrated within the packets, with the pressure signatures of individual hairpin vortices estimated to decay on average within traveling ten displacement thicknesses, and the packet signature is retained for up to seven boundary layer thicknesses on average.

Water-Pressure Distribution on Seaplane Float

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, F L

1929-01-01

The investigation presented in this report was conducted for the purpose of determining the distribution and magnitude of water pressures likely to be experienced on seaplane hulls in service. It consisted of the development and construction of apparatus for recording water pressures lasting one one-hundredth second or longer and of flight tests to determine the water pressures on a UO-1 seaplane float under various conditions of taxiing, taking off, and landing. The apparatus developed was found to operate with satisfactory accuracy and is suitable for flight tests on other seaplanes. The tests on the UO-1 showed that maximum pressures of about 6.5 pounds per square inch occur at the step for the full width of the float bottom. Proceeding forward from the step the maximum pressures decrease in magnitude uniformly toward the bow, and the region of highest pressures narrows toward the keel. Immediately abaft the step the maximum pressures are very small, but increase in magnitude toward the stern and there once reached a value of about 5 pounds per square inch. (author)

Antifungal activity of gold nanoparticles prepared by solvothermal method

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

Ahmad, Tokeer, E-mail: tahmad3@jmi.ac.in; Wani, Irshad A.; Lone, Irfan H.

2013-01-15

Graphical abstract: Gold nanoparticles (7 and 15 nm) of very high surface area (329 and 269 m{sup 2}/g) have been successfully synthesized through solvothermal method by using tin chloride and sodium borohydride as reducing agents. As-prepared gold nanoparticles shows very excellent antifungal activity against Candida isolates and activity increases with decrease in the particle size. Display Omitted Highlights: ► Effect of reducing agents on the morphology of gold nanoparticles. ► Highly uniform and monodisperse gold nanoparticles (7 nm). ► Highest surface area of gold nanoparticles (329 m{sup 2/}g). ► Excellent antifungal activity of gold nanoparticles against Candida strains. -- Abstract:more » Gold nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by solvothermal method using SnCl{sub 2} and NaBH{sub 4} as reducing agents. X-ray diffraction studies show highly crystalline and monophasic nature of the gold nanoparticles with face centred cubic structure. The transmission electron microscopic studies show the formation of nearly spherical gold nanoparticles of average size of 15 nm using SnCl{sub 2}, however, NaBH{sub 4} produced highly uniform, monodispersed and spherical gold nanoparticles of average grain size of 7 nm. A high surface area of 329 m{sup 2}/g for 7 nm and 269 m{sup 2}/g for 15 nm gold nanoparticles was observed. UV–vis studies assert the excitations over the visible region due to transverse and longitudinal surface plasmon modes. The gold nanoparticles exhibit excellent size dependant antifungal activity and greater biocidal action against Candida isolates for 7 nm sized gold nanoparticles restricting the transmembrane H{sup +} efflux of the Candida species than 15 nm sized gold nanoparticles.« less

Mouse fat storage-inducing transmembrane protein 2 (FIT2) promotes lipid droplet accumulation in plants

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Fat Storage-Inducing Transmembrane protein 2 (FIT2) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized protein that plays an important role in lipid droplet (LD) formation in animal cells. However, no obvious homologue of FIT2 is found in plants. Here, we tested the function of FIT2 in plant cells by ectopi...

First principles design of a core bioenergetic transmembrane electron-transfer protein

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

Goparaju, Geetha; Fry, Bryan A.; Chobot, Sarah E.

Here we describe the design, Escherichia coli expression and characterization of a simplified, adaptable and functionally transparent single chain 4-α-helix transmembrane protein frame that binds multiple heme and light activatable porphyrins. Such man-made cofactor-binding oxidoreductases, designed from first principles with minimal reference to natural protein sequences, are known as maquettes. This design is an adaptable frame aiming to uncover core engineering principles governing bioenergetic transmembrane electron-transfer function and recapitulate protein archetypes proposed to represent the origins of photosynthesis. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Biodesign for Bioenergetics — the design and engineering of electronic transfer cofactors, proteinsmore » and protein networks, edited by Ronald L. Koder and J.L. Ross Anderson.« less

Simulation of micro/nano electroporation for cell transfection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Guocheng; Fan, Na; Jiang, Hai; Guo, Jian; Peng, Bei

2018-03-01

The 3D micro/nano electroporation for transfection has become a powerful biological cell research technique with the development of micro-nano manufacturing technology. The micro channels connected the cells with transfection reagents on the chip were important to the transmemnbrane potentical, which directly influences the electroporation efficiency. In this study, a two-dimensional model for electroporation of cells was designed to address the effects of channels’ sizes and number on transmembrane potential. The simulation results indicated that the transmembrane potential increased with increasing size of channels’ entrances. Moreover, compared with single channel entrance, the transmembrane potential was higher when the cells located at multiple channels entrances. These results suggest that it IS required to develop higher micro manufacturing technology to create channels as we expected size.

TMEM16A Channels Contribute to the Myogenic Response in Cerebral Arteries

PubMed Central

Bulley, Simon; Neeb, Zachary P.; Burris, Sarah K.; Bannister, John P.; Thomas-Gatewood, Candice M.; Jangsangthong, Wanchana; Jaggar, Jonathan H.

2013-01-01

Rationale Pressure-induced arterial depolarization and constriction (the myogenic response), is a smooth muscle cell (myocyte)-specific mechanism that controls regional organ blood flow and systemic blood pressure. Several different non-selective cation channels contribute to pressure-induced depolarization, but signaling mechanisms involved are unclear. Similarly uncertain is the contribution of anion channels to the myogenic response and physiological functions and mechanisms of regulation of recently discovered transmembrane 16A (TMEM16A) chloride (Cl−) channels in arterial myocytes. Objective Investigate the hypothesis that myocyte TMEM16A channels control membrane potential and contractility and contribute to the myogenic response in cerebral arteries. Methods and Results Cell swelling induced by hyposmotic bath solution stimulated Cl− currents in arterial myocytes that were blocked by TMEM16A channel inhibitory antibodies, RNAi-mediated selective TMEM16A channel knockdown, removal of extracellular calcium (Ca2+), replacement of intracellular EGTA with BAPTA, a fast Ca2+ chelator, and Gd3+ and SKF-96365, non-selective cation channel blockers. In contrast, nimodipine, a voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel inhibitor, or thapsigargin, which depletes intracellular Ca2+ stores, did not alter swelling-activated TMEM16A currents. Pressure (−40 mmHg)-induced membrane stretch activated ion channels in arterial myocyte cell-attached patches that were inhibited by TMEM16A antibodies and were of similar amplitude to recombinant TMEM16A channels. TMEM16A knockdown reduced intravascular pressure-induced depolarization and vasoconstriction, but did not alter depolarization (60 mmol/L K+)-induced vasoconstriction. Conclusions Membrane stretch activates arterial myocyte TMEM16A channels, leading to membrane depolarization and vasoconstriction. Data also provide a mechanism by which a local Ca2+ signal generated by non-selective cation channels stimulates TMEM16A channels to induce myogenic constriction. PMID:22872152

Finite element analysis and experiment on high pressure apparatus with split cylinder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Liang; Li, Mingzhe; Yang, Yunfei; Wang, Bolong; Li, Yi

2017-07-01

Ultra-high pressure belt-type die was designed with a large sample volume prism cavity and a split cylinder which was divided into eight segments to eliminate circumferential stress. The cylinder of this type die has no cambered surface on inner wall, and the inner hole is a hexagonal prism-type cavity. The divided bodies squeeze with each other, providing the massive support and lateral support effect of the cylinder. Simulation results indicate that the split cylinder with the prism cavity possesses much smaller stress and more uniform stress distribution. The split cylinder with the prism cavity has been shown to bear larger compressive stresses in radial, circumferential and axial directions due to its structure, and tungsten carbide is most effective in pure compression so this type cylinder could bear higher pressure. Experimental results prove that the high pressure apparatus with a prism-type cavity could bear higher pressure. The apparatus with a prism cavity could bear 52.2% more pressure than the belt-type die.

Objective sea level pressure analysis for sparse data areas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Druyan, L. M.

1972-01-01

A computer procedure was used to analyze the pressure distribution over the North Pacific Ocean for eleven synoptic times in February, 1967. Independent knowledge of the central pressures of lows is shown to reduce the analysis errors for very sparse data coverage. The application of planned remote sensing of sea-level wind speeds is shown to make a significant contribution to the quality of the analysis especially in the high gradient mid-latitudes and for sparse coverage of conventional observations (such as over Southern Hemisphere oceans). Uniform distribution of the available observations of sea-level pressure and wind velocity yields results far superior to those derived from a random distribution. A generalization of the results indicates that the average lower limit for analysis errors is between 2 and 2.5 mb based on the perfect specification of the magnitude of the sea-level pressure gradient from a known verification analysis. A less than perfect specification will derive from wind-pressure relationships applied to satellite observed wind speeds.

Pressure-induced structural change in liquid GaIn eutectic alloy.

PubMed

Yu, Q; Ahmad, A S; Ståhl, K; Wang, X D; Su, Y; Glazyrin, K; Liermann, H P; Franz, H; Cao, Q P; Zhang, D X; Jiang, J Z

2017-04-25

Synchrotron x-ray diffraction reveals a pressure induced crystallization at about 3.4 GPa and a polymorphic transition near 10.3 GPa when compressed a liquid GaIn eutectic alloy up to ~13 GPa at room temperature in a diamond anvil cell. Upon decompression, the high pressure crystalline phase remains almost unchanged until it transforms to the liquid state at around 2.3 GPa. The ab initio molecular dynamics calculations can reproduce the low pressure crystallization and give some hints on the understanding of the transition between the liquid and the crystalline phase on the atomic level. The calculated pair correlation function g(r) shows a non-uniform contraction reflected by the different compressibility between the short (1st shell) and the intermediate (2nd to 4th shells). It is concluded that the pressure-induced liquid-crystalline phase transformation likely arises from the changes in local atomic packing of the nearest neighbors as well as electronic structures at the transition pressure.

High-resolution dynamic pressure sensor array based on piezo-phototronic effect tuned photoluminescence imaging.

PubMed

Peng, Mingzeng; Li, Zhou; Liu, Caihong; Zheng, Qiang; Shi, Xieqing; Song, Ming; Zhang, Yang; Du, Shiyu; Zhai, Junyi; Wang, Zhong Lin

2015-03-24

A high-resolution dynamic tactile/pressure display is indispensable to the comprehensive perception of force/mechanical stimulations such as electronic skin, biomechanical imaging/analysis, or personalized signatures. Here, we present a dynamic pressure sensor array based on pressure/strain tuned photoluminescence imaging without the need for electricity. Each sensor is a nanopillar that consists of InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells. Its photoluminescence intensity can be modulated dramatically and linearly by small strain (0-0.15%) owing to the piezo-phototronic effect. The sensor array has a high pixel density of 6350 dpi and exceptional small standard deviation of photoluminescence. High-quality tactile/pressure sensing distribution can be real-time recorded by parallel photoluminescence imaging without any cross-talk. The sensor array can be inexpensively fabricated over large areas by semiconductor product lines. The proposed dynamic all-optical pressure imaging with excellent resolution, high sensitivity, good uniformity, and ultrafast response time offers a suitable way for smart sensing, micro/nano-opto-electromechanical systems.

Rapid Chemical Vapor Infiltration of Silicon Carbide Minicomposites at Atmospheric Pressure.

PubMed

Petroski, Kenneth; Poges, Shannon; Monteleone, Chris; Grady, Joseph; Bhatt, Ram; Suib, Steven L

2018-02-07

The chemical vapor infiltration technique is one of the most popular for the fabrication of the matrix portion of a ceramic matrix composite. This work focuses on tailoring an atmospheric pressure deposition of silicon carbide onto carbon fiber tows using the methyltrichlorosilane (CH 3 SiCl 3 ) and H 2 deposition system at atmospheric pressure to create minicomposites faster than low pressure systems. Adjustment of the flow rate of H 2 bubbled through CH 3 SiCl 3 will improve the uniformity of the deposition as well as infiltrate the substrate more completely as the flow rate is decreased. Low pressure depositions conducted at 50 Torr deposit SiC at a rate of approximately 200 nm*h -1 , while the atmospheric pressure system presented has a deposition rate ranging from 750 nm*h -1 to 3.88 μm*h -1 . The minicomposites fabricated in this study had approximate total porosities of 3 and 6% for 10 and 25 SCCM infiltrations, respectively.

ATRIAL NATRIURETIC FACTOR RECEPTOR GUANYLATE CYCLASE SIGNALING: NEW ATP- REGULATED TRANSDUCTION MOTIF

PubMed Central

Duda, Teresa; Bharill, Shashank; Wojtas, Ireneusz; Yadav, Prem; Gryczynski, Ignacy; Gryczynski, Zygmunt; Sharma, Rameshwar K.

2010-01-01

ANF-RGC$ membrane guanylate cyclase is the receptor for the hypotensive peptide hormones, atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and type B natriuretic peptide (BNP). It is a single transmembrane spanning protein. Binding the hormone to the extracellular domain activates its intracellular catalytic domain. This results in accelerated production of cyclic GMP, a second messenger in controlling blood pressure, cardiac vasculature and fluid secretion. ATP is the obligatory transducer of the ANF signal. It works through its ATP regulated module, ARM, which is juxtaposed to the C-terminal side of the transmembrane domain. Upon interaction, ATP induces a cascade of temporal and spatial changes in the ARM, which, finally, result in activation of the catalytic module. Although the exact nature and the details of these changes are not known, some of these have been stereographed in the simulated three-dimensional model of the ARM and validated biochemically. Through comprehensive techniques ofsteady-state, time-resolved tryptophan fluorescence and Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), site-directed and deletion-mutagenesis, and reconstitution, the present study validates and explains themechanism of the model-based predicted transduction role of the ARM’s structural motif, 669WTAPELL675. This motif is critical in the ATP-dependent ANF signaling. Molecular modeling shows that ATP binding exposes the 669WTAPELL675 motif, the exposure, in turn, facilitates its interaction and activation of the catalytic module. These principles of the model have been experimentally validated. This knowledge brings us a step closer to our understanding of the mechanism by which the ATP-dependent spatial changes within the ARM cause ANF signaling of ANF-RGC. PMID:19137266

Supercharging Protein Complexes from Aqueous Solution Disrupts their Native Conformations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sterling, Harry J.; Kintzer, Alexander F.; Feld, Geoffrey K.; Cassou, Catherine A.; Krantz, Bryan A.; Williams, Evan R.

2012-02-01

The effects of aqueous solution supercharging on the solution- and gas-phase structures of two protein complexes were investigated using traveling-wave ion mobility-mass spectrometry (TWIMS-MS). Low initial concentrations of m-nitrobenzyl alcohol ( m-NBA) in the electrospray ionization (ESI) solution can effectively increase the charge of concanavalin A dimers and tetramers, but at higher m-NBA concentrations, the increases in charge are accompanied by solution-phase dissociation of the dimers and up to a ~22% increase in the collision cross section (CCS) of the tetramers. With just 0.8% m-NBA added to the ESI solution of a ~630 kDa anthrax toxin octamer complex, the average charge is increased by only ~4% compared with the "native" complex, but it is sufficiently destabilized so that extensive gas-phase fragmentation occurs in the relatively high pressure regions of the TWIMS device. Anthrax toxin complexes exist in either a prechannel or a transmembrane channel state. With m-NBA, the prechannel state of the complex has the same CCS/charge ratio in the gas phase as the transmembrane channel state of the same complex formed without m-NBA, yet undergoes extensive dissociation, indicating that destabilization from supercharging occurs in the ESI droplet prior to ion formation and is not a result of Coulombic destabilization in the gas phase as a result of higher charging. These results demonstrate that the supercharging of large protein complexes is the result of conformational changes induced by the reagents in the ESI droplets, where enrichment of the supercharging reagent during droplet evaporation occurs.

Uniform data system standardizes technical computations and the purchasing of commercially important gases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, V. J.; Mc Carty, R. D.; Roder, H. M.

1970-01-01

Integrated tables of pressure, volume, and temperature for the saturated liquid, from the triple point to the critical point of the gases, have been developed. Tables include definition of saturated liquid curve. Values are presented in metric and practical units. Advantages of the new tables are discussed.

Apparatus and method for spraying liquid materials

DOEpatents

Alvarez, J.L.; Watson, L.D.

1988-01-21

A method for spraying liquids involving a flow of gas which shears the liquid. A flow of gas is introduced in a converging-diverging nozzle where it meets and shears the liquid into small particles which are of a size and uniformity which can be controlled through adjustment of pressures and gas velocity. 5 figs.

Apparatus and method for spraying liquid materials

DOEpatents

Alvarez, Joseph L.; Watson, Lloyd D.

1990-01-01

A method for spraying liquids involving a flow of gas which shears the liquid. A flow of gas is introduced in a converging-diverging nozzle where it meets and shears the liquid into small particles which are of a size and uniformity which can be controlled through adjustment of pressures and gas velocity.

49 CFR 178.50 - Specification 4B welded or brazed steel cylinders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... service pressure of at least 150 but not over 500 psig. Cylinders closed in by spinning process are not authorized. (b) Steel. Open-hearth, electric or basic oxygen process steel of uniform quality must be used... using equipment and processes adequate to ensure that each cylinder produced conforms to the...

49 CFR 178.50 - Specification 4B welded or brazed steel cylinders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... service pressure of at least 150 but not over 500 psig. Cylinders closed in by spinning process are not authorized. (b) Steel. Open-hearth, electric or basic oxygen process steel of uniform quality must be used... using equipment and processes adequate to ensure that each cylinder produced conforms to the...

49 CFR 178.50 - Specification 4B welded or brazed steel cylinders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... service pressure of at least 150 but not over 500 psig. Cylinders closed in by spinning process are not authorized. (b) Steel. Open-hearth, electric or basic oxygen process steel of uniform quality must be used... using equipment and processes adequate to ensure that each cylinder produced conforms to the...

Pneumatic shutoff and time-delay valve operates at controlled rate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Horning, J. L.; Tomlinson, L. E.

1966-01-01

Shutoff and time delay valve, which incorporates a metering spool that moves at constant velocity under pneumatic pressure and spring compression, increases fluid-flow area at a uniform rate. Diaphragm areas, control cavity volume, and bleed-orifice size may be varied to give any desired combination of time delay and spool travel time.

Data for prediction of mechanical properties of aspen flakeboards

Treesearch

C. G. Carll; P. Wang

1983-01-01

This research compared two methods of producing flakeboards with uniform density distribution (which could then be used to predict bending properties of flakeboards with density gradients). One of the methods was suspected of producing weak boards because it involved exertion of high pressures on cold mats. Although differences were found in mechanical properties of...

Class Size, Pre-Kindergarten, and Educational Adequacy: Costs and Funding Options for Florida. Policy Brief.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harris, Douglas N.

2004-01-01

Since 1998, Florida voters have passed three amendments that pressure state officials to increase education spending. The 1998 amendment introduced constitutional language establishing the importance of education to the state and its citizens, requiring "adequate provision?for a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free…

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

Malashin, M. V.; Moshkunkov, S. I.; Khomich, V. Yu.

The spatiotemporal dynamics of a nanosecond atmospheric-pressure dielectric barrier discharge in 1- to 3-mm-long air gaps was studied experimentally. By using a segmented electrode, data on the time evolution of the discharge in different regions of the discharge gap were obtained. The uniformity of the discharge over the cross section is estimated by analyzing the spatial distribution of its glow.

The effect of liquid configuration in porous gas electrodes.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Katan, T.; Grens, E. A., II

1971-01-01

Measurement of the influence of differential pressure on electrode activity in oxygen cathodes made up of beds of uniform silver spheres (156 micron diameter). The extent and nature of this dependence could be explained through use of the concept of pendular and funicular liquid configuration in the pore space of the electrode.

Seeing the Invisible with Schlieren Imaging

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lekholm, Ville; Ramme, Goran; Thornell, Greger

2011-01-01

Schlieren imaging is a method for visualizing differences in refractive index as caused by pressure or temperature non-uniformities within a medium, or as caused by the mixing of two fluids. It is an inexpensive yet powerful and straightforward tool for sensitive and high-resolution visualization of otherwise invisible phenomena. In this article,…

Academic Values, Institutional Management and Public Policies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ward, David

2007-01-01

The impacts of market-related policies and revenues on higher education are not uniform but globalisation has opened most institutions to new pressures. The public funding models developed 50 years ago underestimated the full cost of mass higher education as an entitlement while the sheer scale of resources needed to sustain a comprehensive…

Isochoric Implosions for Fast Ignition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clark, Daniel; Tabak, Max

2006-10-01

Various gain models have shown the potentially great advantages of Fast Ignition (FI) Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) over its conventional hotspot ignition counterpart. These gain models, however, all assume nearly uniform-density fuel assemblies. By contrast, typical ICF implosions yield hollowed fuel assemblies with a high-density shell of fuel surrounding a low-density, high-pressure hotspot. To realize fully the advantages of FI, then, an alternative implosion design must be found which yields nearly isochoric fuel assemblies without substantial hotspots. Here, it is shown that a self-similar spherical implosion of the type originally studied by Guderley [Luftfahrtforschung 19, 302 (1942)] may be employed to yield precisely such quasi-isochoric imploded states. The difficulty remains, however, of accessing these self-similarly imploding configurations from initial conditions representing an actual ICF target, namely a uniform, solid-density shell at rest. Furthermore, these specialized implosions must be realized for practicable drive parameters, i.e., accessible peak pressures, shell aspect ratios, etc. An implosion scheme is presented which meets all of these requirements, suggesting the possibility of genuinely isochoric implosions for FI.