Sample records for working potential window
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Window-assisted nanosphere lithography for vacuum micro-nano-electronics
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Li, Nannan; Institute of Electronic Engineering, Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621900; Pang, Shucai
2015-04-15
Development of vacuum micro-nano-electronics is quite important for combining the advantages of vacuum tubes and solid-state devices but limited by the prevailing fabricating techniques which are expensive, time consuming and low-throughput. In this work, window-assisted nanosphere lithography (NSL) technique was proposed and enabled the low-cost and high-efficiency fabrication of nanostructures for vacuum micro-nano-electronic devices, thus allowing potential applications in many areas. As a demonstration, we fabricated high-density field emitter arrays which can be used as cold cathodes in vacuum micro-nano-electronic devices by using the window-assisted NSL technique. The details of the fabricating process have been investigated. This work provided amore » new and feasible idea for fabricating nanostructure arrays for vacuum micro-nano-electronic devices, which would spawn the development of vacuum micro-nano-electronics.« less
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An aqueous electrolyte of the widest potential window and its superior capability for capacitors.
Tomiyasu, Hiroshi; Shikata, Hirokazu; Takao, Koichiro; Asanuma, Noriko; Taruta, Seiichi; Park, Yoon-Yul
2017-03-21
A saturated aqueous solution of sodium perchlorate (SSPAS) was found to be electrochemically superior, because the potential window is remarkably wide to be approximately 3.2 V in terms of a cyclic voltammetry. Such a wide potential window has never been reported in any aqueous solutions, and this finding would be of historical significance for aqueous electrolyte to overcome its weak point that the potential window is narrow. In proof of this fact, the capability of SSPAS was examined for the electrolyte of capacitors. Galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements showed that a graphite-based capacitor containing SSPAS as an electrolyte was stable within 5% deviation for the 10,000 times repetition at the operating voltage of 3.2 V without generating any gas. The SSPAS worked also as a functional electrolyte in the presence of an activated carbon and metal oxides in order to increase an energy density. Indeed, in an asymmetric capacitor containing MnO 2 and Fe 3 O 4 mixtures in the positive and negative electrodes, respectively, the energy density enlarged to be 36.3 Whkg -1 , which belongs to the largest value in capacitors. Similar electrochemical behaviour was also confirmed in saturated aqueous solutions of other alkali and alkaline earth metal perchlorate salts.
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An aqueous electrolyte of the widest potential window and its superior capability for capacitors
Tomiyasu, Hiroshi; Shikata, Hirokazu; Takao, Koichiro; Asanuma, Noriko; Taruta, Seiichi; Park, Yoon-Yul
2017-01-01
A saturated aqueous solution of sodium perchlorate (SSPAS) was found to be electrochemically superior, because the potential window is remarkably wide to be approximately 3.2 V in terms of a cyclic voltammetry. Such a wide potential window has never been reported in any aqueous solutions, and this finding would be of historical significance for aqueous electrolyte to overcome its weak point that the potential window is narrow. In proof of this fact, the capability of SSPAS was examined for the electrolyte of capacitors. Galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements showed that a graphite-based capacitor containing SSPAS as an electrolyte was stable within 5% deviation for the 10,000 times repetition at the operating voltage of 3.2 V without generating any gas. The SSPAS worked also as a functional electrolyte in the presence of an activated carbon and metal oxides in order to increase an energy density. Indeed, in an asymmetric capacitor containing MnO2 and Fe3O4 mixtures in the positive and negative electrodes, respectively, the energy density enlarged to be 36.3 Whkg−1, which belongs to the largest value in capacitors. Similar electrochemical behaviour was also confirmed in saturated aqueous solutions of other alkali and alkaline earth metal perchlorate salts. PMID:28322349
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Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
2010-12-01
.... Actual pile driving time during this work window will depend on a number of factors, such as sediments... period beginning in November 2010, and ending in February 2011. This work window was selected to coincide.... The work window also coincides with the USFWS' required construction work window to avoid the peak...
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HPC in a HEP lab: lessons learned from setting up cost-effective HPC clusters
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Husejko, Michal; Agtzidis, Ioannis; Baehler, Pierre; Dul, Tadeusz; Evans, John; Himyr, Nils; Meinhard, Helge
2015-12-01
In this paper we present our findings gathered during the evaluation and testing of Windows Server High-Performance Computing (Windows HPC) in view of potentially using it as a production HPC system for engineering applications. The Windows HPC package, an extension of Microsofts Windows Server product, provides all essential interfaces, utilities and management functionality for creating, operating and monitoring a Windows-based HPC cluster infrastructure. The evaluation and test phase was focused on verifying the functionalities of Windows HPC, its performance, support of commercial tools and the integration with the users work environment. We describe constraints imposed by the way the CERN Data Centre is operated, licensing for engineering tools and scalability and behaviour of the HPC engineering applications used at CERN. We will present an initial set of requirements, which were created based on the above constraints and requests from the CERN engineering user community. We will explain how we have configured Windows HPC clusters to provide job scheduling functionalities required to support the CERN engineering user community, quality of service, user- and project-based priorities, and fair access to limited resources. Finally, we will present several performance tests we carried out to verify Windows HPC performance and scalability.
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climwin: An R Toolbox for Climate Window Analysis.
Bailey, Liam D; van de Pol, Martijn
2016-01-01
When studying the impacts of climate change, there is a tendency to select climate data from a small set of arbitrary time periods or climate windows (e.g., spring temperature). However, these arbitrary windows may not encompass the strongest periods of climatic sensitivity and may lead to erroneous biological interpretations. Therefore, there is a need to consider a wider range of climate windows to better predict the impacts of future climate change. We introduce the R package climwin that provides a number of methods to test the effect of different climate windows on a chosen response variable and compare these windows to identify potential climate signals. climwin extracts the relevant data for each possible climate window and uses this data to fit a statistical model, the structure of which is chosen by the user. Models are then compared using an information criteria approach. This allows users to determine how well each window explains variation in the response variable and compare model support between windows. climwin also contains methods to detect type I and II errors, which are often a problem with this type of exploratory analysis. This article presents the statistical framework and technical details behind the climwin package and demonstrates the applicability of the method with a number of worked examples.
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Adaptive windowing and windowless approaches to estimate dynamic functional brain connectivity
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Yaesoubi, Maziar; Calhoun, Vince D.
2017-08-01
In this work, we discuss estimation of dynamic dependence of a multi-variate signal. Commonly used approaches are often based on a locality assumption (e.g. sliding-window) which can miss spontaneous changes due to blurring with local but unrelated changes. We discuss recent approaches to overcome this limitation including 1) a wavelet-space approach, essentially adapting the window to the underlying frequency content and 2) a sparse signal-representation which removes any locality assumption. The latter is especially useful when there is no prior knowledge of the validity of such assumption as in brain-analysis. Results on several large resting-fMRI data sets highlight the potential of these approaches.
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Churruca, Kate; Ellis, Louise A; Braithwaite, Jeffrey
2018-03-22
Research in criminology and social-psychology supports the idea that visible signs of disorder, both physical and social, may perpetuate further disorder, leading to neighborhood incivilities, petty violations, and potentially criminal behavior. This theory of 'broken windows' has now also been applied to more enclosed environments, such as organizations. This paper debates whether the premise of broken windows theory, and the concept of 'disorder', might also have utility in the context of health services. There is already a body of work on system migration, which suggests a role for violations and workarounds in normalizing unwarranted deviations from safe practices in healthcare organizations. Studies of visible disorder may be needed in healthcare, where the risks of norm violations and disorderly environments, and potential for harm to patients, are considerable. Everyday adjustments and flexibility is mostly beneficial, but in this paper, we ask: how might deviations from the norm escalate from necessary workarounds to risky violations in care settings? Does physical or social disorder in healthcare contexts perpetuate further disorder, leading to downstream effects, including increased risk of harm to patients? We advance a model of broken windows in healthcare, and a proposal to study this phenomenon.
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Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
2012-09-10
... and are expected to occur for approximately 20 days over the course of this work window. Other work... log boom haul-outs located in the action area. Other potential disturbance could result from the..., primarily by flushing seals off log booms, or by causing short-term avoidance of the area or similar short...
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Low-E Retrofit Demonstration and Educational Program
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Culp, Thomas D; Wiehagen, Joseph; Drumheller, S Craig
The objective of this project was to demonstrate the capability of low-emissivity (low-E) storm windows / panels and low-E retrofit glazing systems to significantly and cost effectively improve the energy efficiency of both existing residential and commercial buildings. The key outcomes are listed below: RESIDENTIAL CASE STUDIES: (a) A residential case study in two large multifamily apartment buildings in Philadelphia showed a substantial 18-22% reduction in heating energy use and a 9% reduction in cooling energy use by replacing old clear glass storm windows with modern low-E storm windows. Furthermore, the new low-E storm windows reduced the overall apartment airmore » leakage by an average of 10%. (b) Air leakage testing on interior low-E panels installed in a New York City multifamily building over windows with and without AC units showed that the effective leakage area of the windows was reduced by 77-95%. (c) To study the use of low-E storm windows in a warmer mixed climate with a balance of both heating and cooling, 10 older homes near Atlanta with single pane windows were tested with three types of exterior storm windows: clear glass, low-E glass with high solar heat gain, and low-E glass with lower solar heat gain. The storm windows significantly reduced the overall home air leakage by an average of 17%, or 3.7 ACH50. Considerably high variability in the data made it difficult to draw strong conclusions about the overall energy usage, but for heating periods, the low-E storm windows showed approximately 15% heating energy savings, whereas clear storm windows were neutral in performance. For cooling periods, the low-E storm windows showed a wide range of performance from 2% to over 30% cooling energy savings. Overall, the study showed the potential for significantly more energy savings from using low-E glass versus no storm window or clear glass storm windows in warmer mixed climates, but it is difficult to conclusively say whether one type of low-E performed better than the other. COMMERCIAL CASE STUDIES: (a) A 12-story office building in Philadelphia was retrofitted by adding a double-pane low-E insulating glass unit to the existing single pane windows, to create a triple glazed low-E system. A detailed side-by-side comparison in two pairs of perimeter offices facing north and east showed a 39-60% reduction in heating energy use, a 9-36% reduction in cooling energy use, and a 10% reduction in peak electrical cooling demand. An analysis of utility bills estimated the whole building heating and cooling energy use was reduced by over 25%. Additionally, the retrofit window temperatures were commonly 20 degrees warmer on winter days, and 10-20 degrees cooler on summer days, leading to increased occupant comfort. (b) Two large 4-story office buildings in New Jersey were retrofitted with a similar system, but using two low-E coatings in the retrofit system. The energy savings are being monitored by a separate GPIC project; this work quantified the changes in glass surface temperatures, thermal comfort, and potential glass thermal stress. The low-E retrofit panels greatly reduced daily variations in the interior window surface temperatures, lowering the maximum temperature and raising the minimum temperature by over 20F compared to the original single pane windows with window film. The number of hours of potential thermal discomfort, as measured by deviation between mean radiant temperature and ambient air temperature by more than 3F, were reduced by 93 percent on the south orientation and over two-thirds on the west orientation. Overall, the low-E retrofit led to substantially improved occupant comfort with less periods of both overheating and feeling cold. (c) No significant thermal stress was observed in the New Jersey office building test window when using the low-E retrofit system over a variety of weather conditions. The surface temperature difference only exceeded 10F (500 psi thermal stress) for less than 1.5% of the monitored time, and in all cases, the maximum surface temperature difference never exceeded 35F (1,750 psi thermal stress). LOW-E STORM WINDOW OUTREACH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM: (a) The project team assisted the State of Pennsylvania in adding low-E storm windows as a cost effective weatherization measure on its priority list for the state weatherization assistance program. (b) No technical barriers that could hinder widespread application were identified in the case studies. However, educational barriers have been identified, in that weatherization personnel commonly misunderstand how the application of low-E storm windows is very different than much more expensive full window replacement. (c) A package of educational materials was developed to help communicate the benefits of low-E storm windows and retrofits as a cost effective tool for weatherization personnel. (d) Using detailed thermal simulations, more accurate U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) values were determined for low-E storm windows installed over different primary windows. IN SUMMARY, this work confirmed the potential for low-E storm windows, panels, and retrofit systems to provide significant energy savings, reductions in air leakage, and improvements in thermal comfort in both residential and commercial existing buildings.« less
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Whitmore, Alexander Jason
Concentrating solar power systems are currently the predominant solar power technology for generating electricity at the utility scale. The central receiver system, which is a concentrating solar power system, uses a field of mirrors to concentrate solar radiation onto a receiver where a working fluid is heated to drive a turbine. Current central receiver systems operate on a Rankine cycle, which has a large demand for cooling water. This demand for water presents a challenge for the current central receiver systems as the ideal locations for solar power plants have arid climates. An alternative to the current receiver technology is the small particle receiver. The small particle receiver has the potential to produce working fluid temperatures suitable for use in a Brayton cycle which can be more efficient when pressurized to 0.5 MPa. Using a fused quartz window allows solar energy into the receiver while maintaining a pressurized small particle receiver. In this thesis, a detailed numerical investigation for a spectral, three dimensional, cylindrical glass window for a small particle receiver was performed. The window is 1.7 meters in diameter and 0.0254 meters thick. There are three Monte Carlo Ray Trace codes used within this research. The first MCRT code, MIRVAL, was developed by Sandia National Laboratory and modified by a fellow San Diego State University colleague Murat Mecit. This code produces the solar rays on the exterior surface of the window. The second MCRT code was developed by Steve Ruther and Pablo Del Campo. This code models the small particle receiver, which creates the infrared spectral direction flux on the interior surface of the window used in this work. The third MCRT, developed for this work, is used to model radiation heat transfer within the window itself and is coupled to an energy equation solver to produce a temperature distribution. The MCRT program provides a source term to the energy equation. This in turn, produces a new temperature field for the MCRT program; together the equations are solved iteratively. These iterations repeat until convergence is reached for a steady state temperature field. The energy equation was solved using a finite volume method. The window's thermal conductivity is modeled as a function of temperature. This thermal model is used to investigate the effects of different materials, receiver geometries, interior convection coefficients and exterior convection coefficients. To prevent devitrification and the ultimate failure of the window, the window needs to stay below the devitrification temperature of the material. In addition, the temperature gradients within the window need to be kept to a minimum to prevent thermal stresses. A San Diego State University colleague E-Fann Saung uses these temperature maps to insure that the mounting of the window does not produce thermal stresses which can cause cracking in the brittle fused quartz. The simulations in this thesis show that window temperatures are below the devitrification temperature of the window when there are cooling jets on both surfaces of the window. Natural convection on the exterior window surface was explored and it does not provide adequate cooling; therefore forced convection is required. Due to the low thermal conductivity of the window, the edge mounting thermal boundary condition has little effect on the maximum temperature of the window. The simulations also showed that the solar input flux absorbed less than 1% of the incoming radiation while the window absorbed closer to 20% of the infrared radiation emitted by the receiver. The main source of absorbed power in the window is located directly on the interior surface of the window where the infrared radiation is absorbed. The geometry of the receiver has a large impact on the amount of emitted power which reached the interior surface of the window, and using a conical shaped receiver dramatically reduced the receiver's infrared flux on the window. The importance of internal emission is explored within this research. Internal emission produces a more even emission field throughout the receiver than applying radiation surface emission only. Due to a majority of the infrared receiver re-radiation being absorbed right at the interior surface, the surface emission only approximation method produces lower maximum temperatures.
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Microeconomics of process control in semiconductor manufacturing
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Monahan, Kevin M.
2003-06-01
Process window control enables accelerated design-rule shrinks for both logic and memory manufacturers, but simple microeconomic models that directly link the effects of process window control to maximum profitability are rare. In this work, we derive these links using a simplified model for the maximum rate of profit generated by the semiconductor manufacturing process. We show that the ability of process window control to achieve these economic objectives may be limited by variability in the larger manufacturing context, including measurement delays and process variation at the lot, wafer, x-wafer, x-field, and x-chip levels. We conclude that x-wafer and x-field CD control strategies will be critical enablers of density, performance and optimum profitability at the 90 and 65nm technology nodes. These analyses correlate well with actual factory data and often identify millions of dollars in potential incremental revenue and cost savings. As an example, we show that a scatterometry-based CD Process Window Monitor is an economically justified, enabling technology for the 65nm node.
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Critical Evaluations and Instructional Potential of Authoring and Titled Program Software.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Reppert, James E.
This paper describes and evaluates the instructional uses of the Claris Works and Ultimedia Tools Series authoring programs and the following titled software programs: CNN Time Capsule: 100 Defining Moments of 1993; Windows Magazine: 1994; Ultimate Digital Studio; Data Trek Manager Series; and Cinemania '95. (AEF)
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Early Warning for Large Magnitude Earthquakes: Is it feasible?
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zollo, A.; Colombelli, S.; Kanamori, H.
2011-12-01
The mega-thrust, Mw 9.0, 2011 Tohoku earthquake has re-opened the discussion among the scientific community about the effectiveness of Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) systems, when applied to such large events. Many EEW systems are now under-testing or -development worldwide and most of them are based on the real-time measurement of ground motion parameters in a few second window after the P-wave arrival. Currently, we are using the initial Peak Displacement (Pd), and the Predominant Period (τc), among other parameters, to rapidly estimate the earthquake magnitude and damage potential. A well known problem about the real-time estimation of the magnitude is the parameter saturation. Several authors have shown that the scaling laws between early warning parameters and magnitude are robust and effective up to magnitude 6.5-7; the correlation, however, has not yet been verified for larger events. The Tohoku earthquake occurred near the East coast of Honshu, Japan, on the subduction boundary between the Pacific and the Okhotsk plates. The high quality Kik- and K- networks provided a large quantity of strong motion records of the mainshock, with a wide azimuthal coverage both along the Japan coast and inland. More than 300 3-component accelerograms have been available, with an epicentral distance ranging from about 100 km up to more than 500 km. This earthquake thus presents an optimal case study for testing the physical bases of early warning and to investigate the feasibility of a real-time estimation of earthquake size and damage potential even for M > 7 earthquakes. In the present work we used the acceleration waveform data of the main shock for stations along the coast, up to 200 km epicentral distance. We measured the early warning parameters, Pd and τc, within different time windows, starting from 3 seconds, and expanding the testing time window up to 30 seconds. The aim is to verify the correlation of these parameters with Peak Ground Velocity and Magnitude, respectively, as a function of the length of the P-wave window. The entire rupture process of the Tohoku earthquake lasted more than 120 seconds, as shown by the source time functions obtained by several authors. When a 3 second window is used to measure Pd and τc the result is an obvious underestimation of the event size and final PGV. However, as the time window increases up to 27-30 seconds, the measured values of Pd and τc become comparable with those expected for a magnitude M≥8.5 earthquake, according to the τc vs. M and the PGV vs. Pd relationships obtained in a previous work. Since we did not observe any saturation effect for the predominant period and peak displacement measured within a P-wave, 30-seconds window, we infer that, at least from a theoretical point of view, the estimation of earthquake damage potential through the early warning parameters is still feasible for large events, provided that a longer time window is used for parameter measurement. The off-line analysis of the Tohoku event records shows that reliable estimations of the damage potential could have been obtained 40-50 seconds after the origin time, by updating the measurements of the early warning parameters in progressively enlarged P-wave time windows from 3 to 30 seconds.
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DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Wang, Yuxin; Wen, Wenhui; Wang, Kai
2016-01-11
1700-nm window has been demonstrated to be a promising excitation window for deep-tissue multiphoton microscopy (MPM). Long working-distance water immersion objective lenses are typically used for deep-tissue imaging. However, absorption due to immersion water at 1700 nm is still high and leads to dramatic decrease in signals. In this paper, we demonstrate measurement of absorption spectrum of deuterium oxide (D{sub 2}O) from 1200 nm to 2600 nm, covering the three low water-absorption windows potentially applicable for deep-tissue imaging (1300 nm, 1700 nm, and 2200 nm). We apply this measured result to signal enhancement in MPM at the 1700-nm window. Compared with water immersion, D{sub 2}O immersionmore » enhances signal levels in second-harmonic generation imaging, 3-photon fluorescence imaging, and third-harmonic generation imaging by 8.1, 24.8, and 24.7 times with 1662-nm excitation, in good agreement with theoretical calculation based on our absorption measurement. This suggests D{sub 2}O a promising immersion medium for deep-tissue imaging.« less
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Hassan, Md Mahamudul; Cheng, Ka Yu; Ho, Goen; Cord-Ruwisch, Ralf
2017-01-15
Microbial biofilms are significant ecosystems where the existence of redox gradients drive electron transfer often via soluble electron mediators. This study describes the use of two interfacing working electrodes (WEs) to simulate redox gradients within close proximity (250µm) for the detection and quantification of electron mediators. By using a common counter and reference electrode, the potentials of the two WEs were independently controlled to maintain a suitable "voltage window", which enabled simultaneous oxidation and reduction of electron mediators as evidenced by the concurrent anodic and cathodic currents, respectively. To validate the method, the electrochemical properties of different mediators (hexacyanoferrate, HCF, riboflavin, RF) were characterized by stepwise shifting the "voltage window" (ranging between 25 and 200mV) within a range of potentials after steady equilibrium current of both WEs was established. The resulting differences in electrical currents between the two WEs were recorded across a defined potential spectrum (between -1V and +0.5V vs. Ag/AgCl). Results indicated that the technique enabled identification (by the distinct peak locations at the potential scale) and quantification (by the peak of current) of the mediators for individual species as well as in an aqueous mixture. It enabled a precise determination of mid-potentials of the externally added mediators (HCF, RF) and mediators produced by pyocyanin-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (WACC 91) culture. The twin working electrode described is particularly suitable for studying mediator-dependent microbial electron transfer processes or simulating redox gradients as they exist in microbial biofilms. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kaplan, J. I.
1980-11-01
The work effort to design, build, install, and evaluate an inside storm window (ISW) is presented. The ISW, made of two separated layers of mylar (like a thermopane window) which, when not in use can be rolled up in a shade, is described. The work effort included: development of a prototype model; the development of production facilities to turn out a small number (50) of ISW's; the production of the windows; the installation of the windows into buildings; the building of a test chamber to determine the R value of the ISW and the subsequent determination of the R value; and a survey to determine how the residents of the homes in which ISW's were installed felt about the windows.
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Du, Jia-Ren; Chen, Nian-Ke; Li, Xian-Bin; Xie, Sheng-Yi; Tian, Wei Quan; Wang, Xian-Yin; Tu, Hai-Ling; Sun, Hong-Bo
2016-02-23
Long-wave infrared (8-12 μm) transmitting materials play critical roles in space science and electronic science. However, the paradox between their mechanical strength and infrared transmitting performance seriously prohibits their applications in harsh external environment. From the experimental view, searching a good window material compatible with both properties is a vast trail-and-error engineering project, which is not readily achieved efficiently. In this work, we propose a very simple and efficient method to explore potential infrared window materials with suitable mechanical property by first-principles gene-like searching. Two hundred and fifty-three potential materials are evaluated to find their bulk modulus (for mechanical performance) and phonon vibrational frequency (for optical performance). Seven new potential candidates are selected, namely TiSe, TiS, MgS, CdF2, HgF2, CdO, and SrO. Especially, the performances of TiS and CdF2 can be comparable to that of the most popular commercial ZnS at high temperature. Finally, we propose possible ranges of infrared transmission for halogen, chalcogen and nitrogen compounds respectively to guide further exploration. The present strategy to explore IR window materials can significantly speed up the new development progress. The same idea can be used for other material rapid searching towards special functions and applications.
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Nano-materials enabled thermoelectricity from window glasses.
Inayat, Salman B; Rader, Kelly R; Hussain, Muhammad M
2012-01-01
With a projection of nearly doubling up the world population by 2050, we need wide variety of renewable and clean energy sources to meet the increased energy demand. Solar energy is considered as the leading promising alternate energy source with the pertinent challenge of off sunshine period and uneven worldwide distribution of usable sun light. Although thermoelectricity is considered as a reasonable renewable energy from wasted heat, its mass scale usage is yet to be developed. Here we show, large scale integration of nano-manufactured pellets of thermoelectric nano-materials, embedded into window glasses to generate thermoelectricity using the temperature difference between hot outside and cool inside. For the first time, this work offers an opportunity to potentially generate 304 watts of usable power from 9 m(2) window at a 20°C temperature gradient. If a natural temperature gradient exists, this can serve as a sustainable energy source for green building technology.
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Jabeen, Nawishta; Hussain, Ahmad; Xia, Qiuying; Sun, Shuo; Zhu, Junwu; Xia, Hui
2017-08-01
The voltage limit for aqueous asymmetric supercapacitors is usually 2 V, which impedes further improvement in energy density. Here, high Na content Birnessite Na 0.5 MnO 2 nanosheet assembled nanowall arrays are in situ formed on carbon cloth via electrochemical oxidation. It is interesting to find that the electrode potential window for Na 0.5 MnO 2 nanowall arrays can be extended to 0-1.3 V (vs Ag/AgCl) with significantly increased specific capacitance up to 366 F g -1 . The extended potential window for the Na 0.5 MnO 2 electrode provides the opportunity to further increase the cell voltage of aqueous asymmetric supercapacitors beyond 2 V. To construct the asymmetric supercapacitor, carbon-coated Fe 3 O 4 nanorod arrays are synthesized as the anode and can stably work in a negative potential window of -1.3 to 0 V (vs Ag/AgCl). For the first time, a 2.6 V aqueous asymmetric supercapacitor is demonstrated by using Na 0.5 MnO 2 nanowall arrays as the cathode and carbon-coated Fe 3 O 4 nanorod arrays as the anode. In particular, the 2.6 V Na 0.5 MnO 2 //Fe 3 O 4 @C asymmetric supercapacitor exhibits a large energy density of up to 81 Wh kg -1 as well as excellent rate capability and cycle performance, outperforming previously reported MnO 2 -based supercapacitors. This work provides new opportunities for developing high-voltage aqueous asymmetric supercapacitors with further increased energy density. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
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Music@Microsoft.Windows: Composing Ambience
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Rickert, Thomas
2010-01-01
It is well known, of course, that all Windows versions except for 3.1 have a brief (four to six second) piece of music indicating that Windows is booted and ready for use. While the music may indicate Windows has booted, it bears no immediately discernable relation to the various uses we might actually put Windows to--working, gaming,…
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Estimating fuel consumption for the upper coastal plain of South Carolina
S.L. Goodrick; D. Shea; J. Blake
2010-01-01
Recent changes in air quality regulations present a potential obstacle to continued use of prescribed fire as a land management tool. towering of the acceptable daily concentration of particulate matter from 6510 35 jig/m' will bring much closer scrutiny of prescribed burning practices from the air quality community. To work within this narrow window, land...
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Habitus and the Psychosocial: Bourdieu with Feelings
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Reay, Diane
2015-01-01
This paper explores the potential of habitus to provide a window on the psychosocial. The paper works with a notion of psychosocial study as inquiry into the mutual constitution of the individual and the social relations within which they are enmeshed. At the same time it attempts to deepen and enrich notions of habitus. Although the strong focus…
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Design of activated carbon/activated carbon asymmetric capacitors
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Piñeiro-Prado, Isabel; Salinas-Torres, David; Ruiz Rosas, Ramiro; Morallon, Emilia; Cazorla-Amoros, Diego
2016-03-01
Supercapacitors are energy storage devices that offer a high power density and a low energy density in comparison with batteries. Their limited energy density can be overcome by using asymmetric configuration in mass electrodes, where each electrode works within their maximum available potential window, rendering the maximum voltage output of the system. Such asymmetric capacitors must be optimized through careful electrochemical characterization of the electrodes for accurate determination of the capacitance and the potential stability limits. The results of the characterization are then used for optimizing mass ratio of the electrodes from the balance of stored charge. The reliability of the design largely depends on the approach taken for the electrochemical characterization. Therefore, the performance could be lower than expected and even the system could break down, if a well thought out procedure is not followed. In this work, a procedure for the development of asymmetric supercapacitors based on activated carbons is detailed. Three activated carbon materials with different textural properties and surface chemistry have been systematically characterized in neutral aqueous electrolyte. The asymmetric configuration of the masses of both electrodes in the supercapacitor has allowed to cover a higher potential window, resulting in an increase of the energy density of the three devices studied when compared with the symmetric systems, and an improved cycle life.
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Bora, Anindita; Mohan, Kiranjyoti; Doley, Simanta; Dolui, Swapan Kumar
2018-03-07
Flexible energy storage devices are in great demand since the advent of flexible electronics. Until now, flexible supercapacitors based on graphene analogues usually have had low operating potential windows. To this end, two dissimilar electrode materials with complementary potential ranges are employed to obtain an optimum cell voltage of 1.8 V. A low-temperature organic sol-gel method is used to prepare two different types of functionalized reduced graphene oxide aerogels (rGOA) where Ag nanorod functionalized rGOA acts as a negative electrode while polyaniline nanotube functionalized rGOA acts as a positive electrode. Both materials comprehensively exploit their unique properties to produce a device that has high energy and power densities. An assembled all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor gives a high energy density of 52.85 W h kg -1 and power density of 31.5 kW kg -1 with excellent cycling and temperature stability. The device also performs extraordinarily well under different bending conditions, suggesting its potential to meet the requirements for flexible electronics.
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Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
2010-07-01
..., art work, work in advertising departments, window trimming, and comparative shopping; (3) Price...) Cashiering, selling, modeling, art work, work in advertising departments, window trimming, and comparative... or portable machines or tools driven by power and used or designed for cutting, shaping, forming...
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NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Padula, Santo, II
2009-01-01
The ability to sufficiently measure orbiter window defects to allow for window recertification has been an ongoing challenge for the orbiter vehicle program. The recent Columbia accident has forced even tighter constraints on the criteria that must be met in order to recertify windows for flight. As a result, new techniques are being investigated to improve the reliability, accuracy and resolution of the defect detection process. The methodology devised in this work, which is based on the utilization of a vertical scanning interferometric (VSI) tool, shows great promise for meeting the ever increasing requirements for defect detection. This methodology has the potential of a 10-100 fold greater resolution of the true defect depth than can be obtained from the currently employed micrometer based methodology. An added benefit is that it also produces a digital elevation map of the defect, thereby providing information about the defect morphology which can be utilized to ascertain the type of debris that induced the damage. However, in order to successfully implement such a tool, a greater understanding of the resolution capability and measurement repeatability must be obtained. This work focused on assessing the variability of the VSI-based measurement methodology and revealed that the VSI measurement tool was more repeatable and more precise than the current micrometer based approach, even in situations where operator variation could affect the measurement. The analysis also showed that the VSI technique was relatively insensitive to the hardware and software settings employed, making the technique extremely robust and desirable
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Dunning, Jonathan P; Parvaz, Muhammad A; Hajcak, Greg; Maloney, Thomas; Alia-Klein, Nelly; Woicik, Patricia A; Telang, Frank; Wang, Gene-Jack; Volkow, Nora D; Goldstein, Rita Z
2011-05-01
Event-related potentials (ERPs) are a direct measure of neural activity and are ideally suited to study the time-course of attentional engagement with emotional and drug-related stimuli in addiction. In particular, the late positive potential (LPP) appears to be enhanced following cocaine-related compared with neutral stimuli in human participants with cocaine use disorders (CUD). However, previous studies have not directly compared cocaine-related with emotional stimuli while examining potential differences between abstinent and current cocaine users. The present study examined ERPs in 55 CUD (27 abstinent and 28 current users) and 29 matched healthy controls while they passively viewed pleasant, unpleasant, neutral and cocaine-related pictures. To examine the time-course of attention to these stimuli, we analysed both an early and later window in the LPP as well as the early posterior negativity (EPN), established in assessing motivated attention. Cocaine pictures elicited increased electrocortical measures of motivated attention in ways similar to affectively pleasant and unpleasant pictures in all CUD, an effect that was no longer discernible during the late LPP window for the current users. This group also exhibited deficient processing of the other emotional stimuli (early LPP window - pleasant pictures; late LPP window - pleasant and unpleasant pictures). Results were unique to the LPP and not EPN. Taken together, results support a relatively early attention bias to cocaine stimuli in cocaine-addicted individuals, further suggesting that recent cocaine use decreases such attention bias during later stages of processing but at the expense of deficient processing of other emotional stimuli. European Journal of Neuroscience © 2011 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies and Blackwell Publishing Ltd. No claim to original US government works.
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High-impact resistance optical sensor windows
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Askinazi, Joel; Ceccorulli, Mark L.; Goldman, Lee
2011-06-01
Recent field experience with optical sensor windows on both ground and airborne platforms has shown a significant increase in window fracturing from foreign object debris (FOD) impacts and as a by-product of asymmetrical warfare. Common optical sensor window materials such as borosilicate glass do not typically have high impact resistance. Emerging advanced optical window materials such as aluminum oxynitride offer the potential for a significant improvement in FOD impact resistance due to their superior surface hardness, fracture toughness and strength properties. To confirm the potential impact resistance improvement achievable with these emerging materials, Goodrich ISR Systems in collaboration with Surmet Corporation undertook a set of comparative FOD impact tests of optical sensor windows made from borosilicate glass and from aluminum oxynitride. It was demonstrated that the aluminum oxynitride windows could withstand up to three times the FOD impact velocity (as compared with borosilicate glass) before fracture would occur. These highly encouraging test results confirm the utility of this new highly viable window solution for use on new ground and airborne window multispectral applications as well as a retrofit to current production windows. We believe that this solution can go a long way to significantly reducing the frequency and life cycle cost of window replacement.
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GeoWorks Considered. Part I: A GUI for the Rest of Us. Part II: Doing Windows Right.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Flanders, Bruce; Lewis, Paul
1991-01-01
Describes GeoWorks, a new graphical user interface (GUI) that works on older, less powerful IBM PCs and compatibles. The PC/GEOS (PC/Graphical Environment Operating System) is explained, user friendliness is emphasized, comparisons are made to Microsoft Windows, and GeoWorks applications software is described. (LRW)
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Shuttle Hypervelocity Impact Database
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Hyde, James L.; Christiansen, Eric L.; Lear, Dana M.
2011-01-01
With three missions outstanding, the Shuttle Hypervelocity Impact Database has nearly 3000 entries. The data is divided into tables for crew module windows, payload bay door radiators and thermal protection system regions, with window impacts compromising just over half the records. In general, the database provides dimensions of hypervelocity impact damage, a component level location (i.e., window number or radiator panel number) and the orbiter mission when the impact occurred. Additional detail on the type of particle that produced the damage site is provided when sampling data and definitive analysis results are available. Details and insights on the contents of the database including examples of descriptive statistics will be provided. Post flight impact damage inspection and sampling techniques that were employed during the different observation campaigns will also be discussed. Potential enhancements to the database structure and availability of the data for other researchers will be addressed in the Future Work section. A related database of returned surfaces from the International Space Station will also be introduced.
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19 CFR 10.52 - Painted, colored or stained glass windows for religious institutions.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR
2011-04-01
... 19 Customs Duties 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Painted, colored or stained glass windows for.... General Provisions Works of Art § 10.52 Painted, colored or stained glass windows for religious institutions. When painted, colored, or stained glass windows or parts thereof, are claimed free of duty under...
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19 CFR 10.52 - Painted, colored or stained glass windows for religious institutions.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
2010-04-01
... 19 Customs Duties 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Painted, colored or stained glass windows for.... General Provisions Works of Art § 10.52 Painted, colored or stained glass windows for religious institutions. When painted, colored, or stained glass windows or parts thereof, are claimed free of duty under...
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Important parameters affecting the cell voltage of aqueous electrical double-layer capacitors
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wu, Tzu-Ho; Hsu, Chun-Tsung; Hu, Chi-Chang; Hardwick, Laurence J.
2013-11-01
This study discusses and demonstrates how the open-circuit potential and charges stored in the working potential window on positive and negative electrodes affect the cell voltage of carbon-based electrical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) in aqueous electrolytes. An EDLC consisting of two activated carbon electrodes is employed as the model system for identifying these key parameters although the potential window of water decomposition can be simply determined by voltammetric methods. First, the capacitive performances of an EDLC with the same charge on positive and negative electrodes are evaluated by cyclic voltammetric, charge-discharge, electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) analyses, and inductance-capacitance-resistance meter (LCR meter). The principles for obtaining the highest acceptable cell voltage of such symmetric ECs with excellent reversibility and capacitor-like behaviour are proposed. Aqueous charge-balanced EDLCs can be operated as high as 2.0 V with high energy efficiency (about 90%) and only 4% capacitance loss after the 600-cycle stability checking. The necessity of charge balance (but not capacitance balance) for positive and negative electrodes is substantiated from the lower acceptable cell voltage of charge-unbalanced EDLCs.
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Hernández, Oscar E; Zurek, Eduardo E
2013-05-15
We present a software tool called SENB, which allows the geometric and biophysical neuronal properties in a simple computational model of a Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) axon to be changed. The aim of this work is to develop a didactic and easy-to-use computational tool in the NEURON simulation environment, which allows graphical visualization of both the passive and active conduction parameters and the geometric characteristics of a cylindrical axon with HH properties. The SENB software offers several advantages for teaching and learning electrophysiology. First, SENB offers ease and flexibility in determining the number of stimuli. Second, SENB allows immediate and simultaneous visualization, in the same window and time frame, of the evolution of the electrophysiological variables. Third, SENB calculates parameters such as time and space constants, stimuli frequency, cellular area and volume, sodium and potassium equilibrium potentials, and propagation velocity of the action potentials. Furthermore, it allows the user to see all this information immediately in the main window. Finally, with just one click SENB can save an image of the main window as evidence. The SENB software is didactic and versatile, and can be used to improve and facilitate the teaching and learning of the underlying mechanisms in the electrical activity of an axon using the biophysical properties of the squid giant axon.
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14 CFR 417.229 - Far-field overpressure blast effects analysis.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
2010-01-01
... characteristics; (2) The potential for broken windows due to peak incident overpressures below 1.0 psi and related... the potentially affected windows, including their size, location, orientation, glazing material, and...
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Upadhyaya, A. S.; Bandyopadhyay, P. K.
2012-11-01
In state of art technology, integrated devices are widely used or their potential advantages. Common system reduces weight as well as total space covered by its various parts. In the state of art surveillance system integrated SWIR and night vision system used for more accurate identification of object. In this system a common optical window is used, which passes the radiation of both the regions, further both the spectral regions are separated in two channels. ZnS is a good choice for a common window, as it transmit both the region of interest, night vision (650 - 850 nm) as well as SWIR (0.9 - 1.7 μm). In this work a broad band anti reflection coating is developed on ZnS window to enhance the transmission. This seven layer coating is designed using flip flop design method. After getting the final design, some minor refinement is done, using simplex method. SiO2 and TiO2 coating material combination is used for this work. The coating is fabricated by physical vapour deposition process and the materials were evaporated by electron beam gun. Average transmission of both side coated substrate from 660 to 1700 nm is 95%. This coating also acts as contrast enhancement filter for night vision devices, as it reflect the region of 590 - 660 nm. Several trials have been conducted to check the coating repeatability, and it is observed that transmission variation in different trials is not very much and it is under the tolerance limit. The coating also passes environmental test for stability.
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A large, switchable optical clearing skull window for cerebrovascular imaging
Zhang, Chao; Feng, Wei; Zhao, Yanjie; Yu, Tingting; Li, Pengcheng; Xu, Tonghui; Luo, Qingming; Zhu, Dan
2018-01-01
Rationale: Intravital optical imaging is a significant method for investigating cerebrovascular structure and function. However, its imaging contrast and depth are limited by the turbid skull. Tissue optical clearing has a great potential for solving this problem. Our goal was to develop a transparent skull window, without performing a craniotomy, for use in assessing cerebrovascular structure and function. Methods: Skull optical clearing agents were topically applied to the skulls of mice to create a transparent window within 15 min. The clearing efficacy, repeatability, and safety of the skull window were then investigated. Results: Imaging through the optical clearing skull window enhanced both the contrast and the depth of intravital imaging. The skull window could be used on 2-8-month-old mice and could be expanded from regional to bi-hemispheric. In addition, the window could be repeatedly established without inducing observable inflammation and metabolic toxicity. Conclusion: We successfully developed an easy-to-handle, large, switchable, and safe optical clearing skull window. Combined with various optical imaging techniques, cerebrovascular structure and function can be observed through this optical clearing skull window. Thus, it has the potential for use in basic research on the physiopathologic processes of cortical vessels. PMID:29774069
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EnviroAtlas - Austin, TX - Residents with Minimal Potential Window Views of Trees by Block Group
This EnviroAtlas dataset shows the total block group population and the percentage of the block group population that has little access to potential window views of trees at home. Having little potential access to window views of trees is defined as having no trees & forest land cover within 50 meters. The window views are considered potential because the procedure does not account for presence or directionality of windows in one's home. Forest is defined as Trees & Forest. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).
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Indium Phosphide Window Layers for Indium Gallium Arsenide Solar Cells
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Jain, Raj K.
2005-01-01
Window layers help in reducing the surface recombination at the emitter surface of the solar cells resulting in significant improvement in energy conversion efficiency. Indium gallium arsenide (In(x)Ga(1-x)As) and related materials based solar cells are quite promising for photovoltaic and thermophotovoltaic applications. The flexibility of the change in the bandgap energy and the growth of InGaAs on different substrates make this material very attractive for multi-bandgap energy, multi-junction solar cell approaches. The high efficiency and better radiation performance of the solar cell structures based on InGaAs make them suitable for space power applications. This work investigates the suitability of indium phosphide (InP) window layers for lattice-matched In(0.53)Ga(0.47)As (bandgap energy 0.74 eV) solar cells. We present the first data on the effects of the p-type InP window layer on p-on-n lattice-matched InGaAs solar cells. The modeled quantum efficiency results show a significant improvement in the blue region with the InP window. The bare InGaAs solar cell performance suffers due to high surface recombination velocity (10(exp 7) cm/s). The large band discontinuity at the InP/InGaAs heterojunction offers a great potential barrier to minority carriers. The calculated results demonstrate that the InP window layer effectively passivates the solar cell front surface, hence resulting in reduced surface recombination and therefore, significantly improving the performance of the InGaAs solar cell.
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Wheeler, Lance M.; Moore, David T.; Ihly, Rachelle; ...
2017-11-23
Materials with switchable absorption properties have been widely used for smart window applications to reduce energy consumption and enhance occupant comfort in buildings. In this work, we combine the benefits of smart windows with energy conversion by producing a photovoltaic device with a switchable absorber layer that dynamically responds to sunlight. Upon illumination, photothermal heating switches the absorber layer - composed of a metal halide perovskite-methylamine complex - from a transparent state (68% visible transmittance) to an absorbing, photovoltaic colored state (less than 3% visible transmittance) due to dissociation of methylamine. After cooling, the methylamine complex is re-formed, returning themore » absorber layer to the transparent state in which the device acts as a window to visible light. The thermodynamics of switching and performance of the device are described. In conclusion, this work validates a photovoltaic window technology that circumvents the fundamental tradeoff between efficient solar conversion and high visible light transmittance that limits conventional semitransparent PV window designs.« less
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Wheeler, Lance M; Moore, David T; Ihly, Rachelle; Stanton, Noah J; Miller, Elisa M; Tenent, Robert C; Blackburn, Jeffrey L; Neale, Nathan R
2017-11-23
Materials with switchable absorption properties have been widely used for smart window applications to reduce energy consumption and enhance occupant comfort in buildings. In this work, we combine the benefits of smart windows with energy conversion by producing a photovoltaic device with a switchable absorber layer that dynamically responds to sunlight. Upon illumination, photothermal heating switches the absorber layer-composed of a metal halide perovskite-methylamine complex-from a transparent state (68% visible transmittance) to an absorbing, photovoltaic colored state (less than 3% visible transmittance) due to dissociation of methylamine. After cooling, the methylamine complex is re-formed, returning the absorber layer to the transparent state in which the device acts as a window to visible light. The thermodynamics of switching and performance of the device are described. This work validates a photovoltaic window technology that circumvents the fundamental tradeoff between efficient solar conversion and high visible light transmittance that limits conventional semitransparent PV window designs.
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DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Wheeler, Lance M.; Moore, David T.; Ihly, Rachelle
Materials with switchable absorption properties have been widely used for smart window applications to reduce energy consumption and enhance occupant comfort in buildings. In this work, we combine the benefits of smart windows with energy conversion by producing a photovoltaic device with a switchable absorber layer that dynamically responds to sunlight. Upon illumination, photothermal heating switches the absorber layer - composed of a metal halide perovskite-methylamine complex - from a transparent state (68% visible transmittance) to an absorbing, photovoltaic colored state (less than 3% visible transmittance) due to dissociation of methylamine. After cooling, the methylamine complex is re-formed, returning themore » absorber layer to the transparent state in which the device acts as a window to visible light. The thermodynamics of switching and performance of the device are described. In conclusion, this work validates a photovoltaic window technology that circumvents the fundamental tradeoff between efficient solar conversion and high visible light transmittance that limits conventional semitransparent PV window designs.« less
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Do windows or natural views affect outcomes or costs among patients in ICUs?
Kohn, Rachel; Harhay, Michael O; Cooney, Elizabeth; Small, Dylan S; Halpern, Scott D
2013-07-01
To determine whether potential exposure to natural light via windows or to more pleasing views through windows affects outcomes or costs among critically ill patients. Retrospective cohort study. An academic hospital in Philadelphia, PA. Six thousand one hundred thirty-eight patients admitted to a 24-bed medical ICU and 6,631 patients admitted to a 24-bed surgical ICU from July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2010. Assignment to medical ICU rooms with vs. without windows and to surgical ICU rooms with natural vs. industrial views based on bed availability. In primary analyses adjusting for patient characteristics, medical ICU patients admitted to rooms with (n = 4,093) versus without (n = 2,243) windows did not differ in rates of ICU (p = 0.25) or in-hospital (p = 0.94) mortality, ICU readmissions (p = 0.37), or delirium (p = 0.56). Surgical ICU patients admitted to rooms with natural (n = 3,072) versus industrial (n = 3,588) views experienced slightly shorter ICU lengths of stay and slightly lower variable costs. Instrumental variable analyses based on initial bed assignment and exposure time did not show any differences in any outcomes in either the medical ICU or surgical ICU cohorts, and none of the differences noted in primary analyses remained statistically significant when adjusting for multiple comparisons. In a prespecified subgroup analysis among patients with ICU length of stay greater than 72 hours, MICU windows were associated with reduced ICU (p = 0.02) and hospital mortality (p = 0.04); these results did not meet criteria for significance after adjustment for multiple comparisons. ICU rooms with windows or natural views do not improve outcomes or reduce costs of in-hospital care for general populations of medical and surgical ICU patients. Future work is needed to determine whether targeting light from windows directly toward patients influences outcomes and to explore these effects in patients at high risk for adverse outcomes.
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ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Roman, Harry T.
2010-01-01
Skyscrapers sure do have a lot of windows, and these windows are cleaned and checked regularly. All this takes time, money, and puts workers at potential risk. Might there be a better way to do it? In this article, the author discusses a window-washing challenge and describes how students can tackle this task, pick up the challenge, and creatively…
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2009-06-10
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Work continues on removing the louvers and replacing the windows on the Firing Room windows in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. New, hurricane-rated window systems for the four Firing Rooms and the vestibule areas between Firing Rooms 1 & 2 and Firing Rooms 3 & 4 are being installed. In order to avoid operational impacts the new windows are being installed on the outside of the existing windows, enclosing the space formerly occupied by the louvers. The old windows will remain in place until the new windows are completely installed and leak tested. This approach will continue to keep the firing rooms from being exposed to the elements. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
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A multimodal logistics service network design with time windows and environmental concerns
Zhang, Dezhi; He, Runzhong; Wang, Zhongwei
2017-01-01
The design of a multimodal logistics service network with customer service time windows and environmental costs is an important and challenging issue. Accordingly, this work established a model to minimize the total cost of multimodal logistics service network design with time windows and environmental concerns. The proposed model incorporates CO2 emission costs to determine the optimal transportation mode combinations and investment selections for transfer nodes, which consider transport cost, transport time, carbon emission, and logistics service time window constraints. Furthermore, genetic and heuristic algorithms are proposed to set up the abovementioned optimal model. A numerical example is provided to validate the model and the abovementioned two algorithms. Then, comparisons of the performance of the two algorithms are provided. Finally, this work investigates the effects of the logistics service time windows and CO2 emission taxes on the optimal solution. Several important management insights are obtained. PMID:28934272
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A multimodal logistics service network design with time windows and environmental concerns.
Zhang, Dezhi; He, Runzhong; Li, Shuangyan; Wang, Zhongwei
2017-01-01
The design of a multimodal logistics service network with customer service time windows and environmental costs is an important and challenging issue. Accordingly, this work established a model to minimize the total cost of multimodal logistics service network design with time windows and environmental concerns. The proposed model incorporates CO2 emission costs to determine the optimal transportation mode combinations and investment selections for transfer nodes, which consider transport cost, transport time, carbon emission, and logistics service time window constraints. Furthermore, genetic and heuristic algorithms are proposed to set up the abovementioned optimal model. A numerical example is provided to validate the model and the abovementioned two algorithms. Then, comparisons of the performance of the two algorithms are provided. Finally, this work investigates the effects of the logistics service time windows and CO2 emission taxes on the optimal solution. Several important management insights are obtained.
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Mouse Driven Window Graphics for Network Teaching.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Makinson, G. J.; And Others
Computer enhanced teaching of computational mathematics on a network system driving graphics terminals is being redeveloped for a mouse-driven, high resolution, windowed environment of a UNIX work station. Preservation of the features of networked access by heterogeneous terminals is provided by the use of the X Window environment. A dmonstrator…
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Off-Line Quality Control In Integrated Circuit Fabrication Using Experimental Design
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Phadke, M. S.; Kackar, R. N.; Speeney, D. V.; Grieco, M. J.
1987-04-01
Off-line quality control is a systematic method of optimizing production processes and product designs. It is widely used in Japan to produce high quality products at low cost. The method was introduced to us by Professor Genichi Taguchi who is a Deming-award winner and a former Director of the Japanese Academy of Quality. In this paper we will i) describe the off-line quality control method, and ii) document our efforts to optimize the process for forming contact windows in 3.5 Aim CMOS circuits fabricated in the Murray Hill Integrated Circuit Design Capability Laboratory. In the fabrication of integrated circuits it is critically important to produce contact windows of size very near the target dimension. Windows which are too small or too large lead to loss of yield. The off-line quality control method has improved both the process quality and productivity. The variance of the window size has been reduced by a factor of four. Also, processing time for window photolithography has been substantially reduced. The key steps of off-line quality control are: i) Identify important manipulatable process factors and their potential working levels. ii) Perform fractional factorial experiments on the process using orthogonal array designs. iii) Analyze the resulting data to determine the optimum operating levels of the factors. Both the process mean and the process variance are considered in this analysis. iv) Conduct an additional experiment to verify that the new factor levels indeed give an improvement.
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Transmission in near-infrared optical windows for deep brain imaging.
Shi, Lingyan; Sordillo, Laura A; Rodríguez-Contreras, Adrián; Alfano, Robert
2016-01-01
Near-infrared (NIR) radiation has been employed using one- and two-photon excitation of fluorescence imaging at wavelengths 650-950 nm (optical window I) for deep brain imaging; however, longer wavelengths in NIR have been overlooked due to a lack of suitable NIR-low band gap semiconductor imaging detectors and/or femtosecond laser sources. This research introduces three new optical windows in NIR and demonstrates their potential for deep brain tissue imaging. The transmittances are measured in rat brain tissue in the second (II, 1,100-1,350 nm), third (III, 1,600-1,870 nm), and fourth (IV, centered at 2,200 nm) NIR optical tissue windows. The relationship between transmission and tissue thickness is measured and compared with the theory. Due to a reduction in scattering and minimal absorption, window III is shown to be the best for deep brain imaging, and windows II and IV show similar but better potential for deep imaging than window I. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
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2013-01-01
Background We present a software tool called SENB, which allows the geometric and biophysical neuronal properties in a simple computational model of a Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) axon to be changed. The aim of this work is to develop a didactic and easy-to-use computational tool in the NEURON simulation environment, which allows graphical visualization of both the passive and active conduction parameters and the geometric characteristics of a cylindrical axon with HH properties. Results The SENB software offers several advantages for teaching and learning electrophysiology. First, SENB offers ease and flexibility in determining the number of stimuli. Second, SENB allows immediate and simultaneous visualization, in the same window and time frame, of the evolution of the electrophysiological variables. Third, SENB calculates parameters such as time and space constants, stimuli frequency, cellular area and volume, sodium and potassium equilibrium potentials, and propagation velocity of the action potentials. Furthermore, it allows the user to see all this information immediately in the main window. Finally, with just one click SENB can save an image of the main window as evidence. Conclusions The SENB software is didactic and versatile, and can be used to improve and facilitate the teaching and learning of the underlying mechanisms in the electrical activity of an axon using the biophysical properties of the squid giant axon. PMID:23675833
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Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
2010-12-22
... maintenance activities. SGRLPS proposes to transport visitors to the Station during the Sunday work window... two times per year within the proposed work window. Scheduled light maintenance activities would... light. For each emergency repair event, the SGRLPS proposes to conduct a maximum of four flights (two...
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Highly Insulating Windows Volume Purchase Program Final Report
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
None
2013-04-01
This report documents the development, execution outcomes and lessons learned of the Highly Insulating Windows Volume Purchase (WVP) Program carried out over a three-year period from 2009 through 2012. The primary goals of the program were met: 1) reduce the incremental cost of highly insulating windows compared to ENERGY STAR windows; and 2) raise the public and potential buyers’ awareness of highly insulating windows and their benefits. A key outcome of the program is that the 2013 ENERGY STAR Most Efficient criteria for primary residential windows were adopted from the technical specifications set forth in the WVP program.
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Probing potential Li-ion battery electrolyte through first principles simulation of atomic clusters
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kushwaha, Anoop Kumar; Sahoo, Mihir Ranjan; Nayak, Saroj
2018-04-01
Li-ion battery has wide area of application starting from low power consumer electronics to high power electric vehicles. However, their large scale application in electric vehicles requires further improvement due to their low specific power density which is an essential parameter and is closely related to the working potential windows of the battery system. Several studies have found that these parameters can be taken care of by considering different cathode/anode materials and electrolytes. Recently, a unique approach has been reported on the basis of cluster size in which the use of Li3 cluster has been suggested as a potential component of the battery electrode material. The cluster based approach significantly enhances the working electrode potential up to 0.6V in the acetonitrile solvent. In the present work, using ab-initio quantum chemical calculation and the dielectric continuum model, we have investigated various dielectric solvent medium for the suitable electrolyte for the potential component Li3 cluster. This study suggests that high dielectric electrolytic solvent (ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate) could be better for lithium cluster due to improvement in the total electrode potential in comparison to the other dielectric solvent.
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Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
2011-12-21
... during the Sunday work window period. Although some of these flights would be conducted solely for the... or up to two times per year within the proposed work window. Scheduled light maintenance activities... people to the Station by helicopter to repair the beacon light. For each emergency repair event, the...
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Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
2013-01-09
... Sunday work window period. Although some of these flights would be conducted solely for the... at least once or up to two times per year within the proposed work window. Scheduled light... emergency repair event, the Society proposes to conduct a maximum of four flights (two arrivals and two...
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Windows in direct dissociative recombination cross sections
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Guberman, Steven L.
1986-01-01
Model potential curves are used to show that large windows are present in direct dissociative-recombination cross sections from excited molecular-ion vibrational levels. The windows are due to the overlap of vibrational wave functions of the repulsive neutral states with the nodes of the ion vibrational wave function.
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VISUAL PLUMES CONCEPTS TO POTENTIALLY ADAPT OR ADOPT IN MODELING PLATFORMS SUCH AS VISJET
Windows-based programs share many familiar features and components. For example, file dialogue windows are familiar to most Windows-based personal computer users. Such program elements are desirable because the user is already familiar with how they function, obviating the need f...
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Designing intuitive dialog boxes in Windows environments
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Souetova, Natalia
2000-01-01
There were analyzed some approaches to user interface design. Most existing interfaces seem to be difficult for understanding and studying for newcomers. There were defined some ways for designing interfaces based on psychology of computer image perception and experience got while working with artists and designers without special technique education. Some applications with standard Windows interfaces, based on these results, were developed. Windows environment was chosen because they are very popular now. This increased quality and speed of users' job and reduced quantity of troubles and mistakes. Now high-qualified employers do not spend their working time for explanation and help.
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Photoacoustic imaging at 1064nm wavelength with exogenous contrast agents
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Upputuri, Paul Kumar; Jiang, Yuyan; Pu, Kanyi; Pramanik, Manojit
2018-02-01
Photoacoustic (PA) imaging is a promising imaging modality for both preclinical research and clinical practices. Laser wavelengths in the first near infrared window (NIR-I, 650-950 nm) have been widely used for photoacoustic imaging. As compared with NIR-I window, scattering of photons by biological tissues is largely reduced in the second NIR (NIR-II) window, leading to enhanced imaging fidelity. However, the lack of biocompatible NIR-II absorbing exogenous agents prevented the use of this window for in vivo imaging. In recent years, few studies have been reported on photoacoustic imaging in NIR-II window using exogenous contrast agents. In this work, we discuss the recent work on PA imaging using 1064 nm wavelength, the fundamental of Nd:YAG laser, as an excitation wavelength. The PA imaging at 1064 nm is advantageous because of the low and homogeneous signal from tissue background, enabling high contrast in PA imaging when NIR-II absorbing contrast agents are employed.
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Greenhouse gas emissions for refrigerant choices in room air conditioner units.
Galka, Michael D; Lownsbury, James M; Blowers, Paul
2012-12-04
In this work, potential replacement refrigerants for window-mounted room air conditioners (RACs) in the U.S. have been evaluated using a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions analysis. CO(2)-equivalent emissions for several hydrofluoroethers (HFEs) and other potential replacements were compared to the most widely used refrigerants today. Included in this comparison are pure refrigerants that make up a number of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) mixtures, pure hydrocarbons, and historically used refrigerants such as propane and ammonia. GHG emissions from direct and indirect sources were considered in this thermodynamic analysis. Propylene, dimethyl ether, ammonia, R-152a, propane, and HFE-152a all performed effectively in a 1 ton window unit and produced slightly lower emissions than the currently used R-22 and R-134a. The results suggest that regulation of HFCs in this application would have some effect on reducing emissions since end-of-life emissions remain at 55% of total refrigerant charge despite EPA regulations that mandate 80% recovery. Even so, offsite emissions due to energy generation dominate over direct GHG emissions and all the refrigerants perform similarly in totals of indirect GHG emissions.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Dwi Prastyo, Dedy; Handayani, Dwi; Fam, Soo-Fen; Puteri Rahayu, Santi; Suhartono; Luh Putu Satyaning Pradnya Paramita, Ni
2018-03-01
Risk assessment and evaluation becomes essential for financial institution to measure the potential risk of their counterparties. In middle of 2016 until first quarter of 2017, there is national program from Indonesian government so-called Tax Amnesty. One subsector that has potential to receive positive impact from the Tax Amnesty program is property and real estate. This work evaluates the risk of top five companies in term of capital share listed in Indonesia stock exchange (IDX). To do this, the Value-at-Risk (VaR) with ARMAX-GARCHX approach is employed. The ARMAX-GARCHX simultaneously models the adaptive mean and variance of stock return of each company considering exogenous variables, i.e. IDR/USD exchange rate and Jakarta Composite Index (JCI). The risk is evaluated in scheme of time moving window. The risk evaluation using 5% quantile with window size 500 transaction days perform better result compare to other scenarios. In addition, duration test is used to test the dependency between shortfalls. It informs that series of shortfall are independent.
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1991-01-01
either the metallic or plastic composite pressure envelope. The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section 8 provides such design criteria, and the...fabricated of metallic or piastic composite materials. To preclude potential catastrophic failures of windows designed on the basis of inadequate data, in...pressure-resistant acrylic windows (reference 12). Acrylic windows are usually machined from Plexiglas G plate, which is limited in thickness to 4 inches
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Fourth near-infrared optical window for assessment of bone and other tissues
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sordillo, Diana C.; Sordillo, Laura A.; Sordillo, Peter P.; Alfano, Robert R.
2016-02-01
Recently, additional near-infrared (NIR) optical windows beyond the conventional first therapeutic window have been utilized for deep tissue imaging through scattering media. Biomedical applications using a second optical window (1100 to 1300 nm) and a third (1600 to 1870 nm) are emerging. A fourth window (2100 to 2300 nm) has been largely ignored due to high water absorption and a lack of high sensitivity imaging detectors and ultrafast laser sources. In this study, optical properties of bone in this fourth NIR optical window, were investigated. Results were compared to those seen at the first, second and third windows, and are consistent with our previous work on malignant and benign breast and prostate tissues. Bone and malignant tissues showed highest uptake in the third and fourth windows. As collagen is a major chromophore with prominent spectral peaks between 2100 and 2300 nm, it may be that the fourth optical window is particularly useful for studying tissues with a higher collagen content, such as bone or malignant tumors.
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2016-03-01
work included installing new doors and windows, new plumbing fixtures, and overhead lighting, fresh paint, and tile work in 15 buildings and new...ceramic tile work in some buildings. These issues can largely be attributed to USACE’s failure to (1) fully monitor the implementation of its three-phase...and 3 support structures. The building renovations largely consisted of replacing doors, windows, carpeting, tiles , bathroom fixtures, and fans, as
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wang, X.; Meier, D.; Oya, P.; Maehlum, G. E.; Wagenaar, D. J.; Tsui, B. M. W.; Patt, B. E.; Frey, E. C.
2010-04-01
The overall aim of this work was to evaluate the potential for improving in vivo small animal microCT through the use of an energy resolved photon-counting detector. To this end, we developed and evaluated a prototype microCT system based on a second-generation photon-counting x-ray detector which simultaneously counted photons with energies above six energy thresholds. First, we developed a threshold tuning procedure to reduce the dependence of detector uniformity and to reduce ring artifacts. Next, we evaluated the system in terms of the contrast-to-noise ratio in different energy windows for different target materials. These differences provided the possibility to weight the data acquired in different windows in order to optimize the contrast-to-noise ratio. We also explored the ability of the system to use data from different energy windows to aid in distinguishing various materials. We found that the energy discrimination capability provided the possibility for improved contrast-to-noise ratios and allowed separation of more than two materials, e.g., bone, soft-tissue and one or more contrast materials having K-absorption edges in the energy ranges of interest.
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The thermoregulatory theory of yawning: what we know from over 5 years of research
Gallup, Andrew C.; Eldakar, Omar T.
2012-01-01
Over the past 5 years numerous reports have confirmed and replicated the specific brain cooling and thermal window predictions derived from the thermoregulatory theory of yawning, and no study has found evidence contrary to these findings. Here we review the comparative research supporting this model of yawning among homeotherms, while highlighting a recent report showing how the expression of contagious yawning in humans is altered by seasonal climate variation. The fact that yawning is constrained to a thermal window of ambient temperature provides unique and compelling support in favor of this theory. Heretofore, no existing alternative hypothesis of yawning can explain these results, which have important implications for understanding the potential functional role of this behavior, both physiologically and socially, in humans and other animals. In discussion we stress the broader applications of this work in clinical settings, and counter the various criticisms of this theory. PMID:23293583
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Chen, De-Chao; Li, Hong-Ju; Xia, Sheng-Xuan; Qin, Meng; Zhai, Xiang; Wang, Ling-Ling
2017-08-01
A tunable electromagnetically-induced-transparency-like (EIT-like) device is proposed numerically and theoretically in the mid-infrared region, which is composed of periodically patterned ring and disk graphene. Distinguished from the commonly used three-level system, the hybridization of the plasmon mode is applied to describing and explaining the EIT-like phenomenon in the proposed systems. What is more, further researches have revealed that the spectral position of the transparency window can be tuned not only by geometrically changing the couple distance in graphene nanostructures, but also by dynamically altering the radius of the graphene nanodisk and the chemical potential of the graphene. At the transparency window, there exist large optical delays, which can slow down the speed of light in vacuum. This work may pave the way to the development of applications including tunable sensors, slow-light devices, and optical switches.
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Developmental programming of the metabolic syndrome - critical windows for intervention
Vickers, Mark H
2011-01-01
Metabolic disease results from a complex interaction of many factors, including genetic, physiological, behavioral and environmental influences. The recent rate at which these diseases have increased suggests that environmental and behavioral influences, rather than genetic causes, are fuelling the present epidemic. In this context, the developmental origins of health and disease hypothesis has highlighted the link between the periconceptual, fetal and early infant phases of life and the subsequent development of adult obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Although the mechanisms are yet to be fully elucidated, this programming was generally considered an irreversible change in developmental trajectory. Recent work in animal models suggests that developmental programming of metabolic disorders is potentially reversible by nutritional or targeted therapeutic interventions during the period of developmental plasticity. This review will discuss critical windows of developmental plasticity and possible avenues to ameliorate the development of postnatal metabolic disorders following an adverse early life environment. PMID:21954418
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Osadchii, Oleg E.
2014-01-01
Normal hearts exhibit a positive time difference between the end of ventricular contraction and the end of QT interval, which is referred to as the electromechanical (EM) window. Drug-induced prolongation of repolarization may lead to the negative EM window, which was proposed to be a novel proarrhythmic marker. This study examined whether abnormal changes in the EM window may account for arrhythmogenic effects produced by hypokalemia. Left ventricular pressure, electrocardiogram, and epicardial monophasic action potentials were recorded in perfused hearts from guinea-pig and rabbit. Hypokalemia (2.5 mM K+) was found to prolong repolarization, reduce the EM window, and promote tachyarrhythmia. Nevertheless, during both regular pacing and extrasystolic excitation, the increased QT interval invariably remained shorter than the duration of mechanical systole, thus yielding positive EM window values. Hypokalemia-induced arrhythmogenicity was associated with slowed ventricular conduction, and shortened effective refractory periods, which translated to a reduced excitation wavelength index. Hypokalemia also evoked non-uniform prolongation of action potential duration in distinct epicardial regions, which resulted in increased spatial variability in the repolarization time. These findings suggest that arrhythmogenic effects of hypokalemia are not accounted for by the negative EM window, and are rather attributed to abnormal changes in ventricular conduction times, refractoriness, excitation wavelength, and spatial repolarization gradients. PMID:25141124
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hu, Shan
This research explores the application of carbon nanotube (CNT) films for active noise cancellation, solar energy harvesting and energy storage in building windows. The CNT-based components developed herein can be integrated into a solar-powered active noise control system for a building window. First, the use of a transparent acoustic transducer as both an invisible speaker for auxiliary audio playback and for active noise cancellation is accomplished in this work. Several challenges related to active noise cancellation in the window are addressed. These include secondary path estimation and directional cancellation of noise so as to preserve auxiliary audio and internal sounds while preventing transmission of external noise into the building. Solar energy can be harvested at a low rate of power over long durations while acoustic sound cancellation requires short durations of high power. A supercapacitor based energy storage system is therefore considered for the window. Using CNTs as electrode materials, two generations of flexible, thin, and fully solid-state supercapacitors are developed that can be integrated into the window frame. Both generations consist of carbon nanotube films coated on supporting substrates as electrodes and a solid-state polymer gel layer for the electrolyte. The first generation is a single-cell parallel-plate supercapacitor with a working voltage of 3 Volts. Its energy density is competitive with commercially available supercapacitors (which use liquid electrolyte). For many applications that will require higher working voltage, the second-generation multi-cell supercapacitor is developed. A six-cell device with a working voltage as high as 12 Volts is demonstrated here. Unlike the first generation's 3D structure, the second generation has a novel planar (2D) architecture, which makes it easy to integrate multiple cells into a thin and flexible supercapacitor. The multi-cell planar supercapacitor has energy density exceeding that of other planar supercapacitors in literature by more than one order of magnitude. All-solution fabrication processes were developed for both generations to achieve economical and scalable production. In addition to carbon nanotubes, nickel/nickel oxide core-shell nanowires were also studied as electrode materials for supercapacitors, for which high specific capacitance but low working voltage were obtained. Semi-transparent solar cells with carbon nanotube counter electrodes are developed to power the active noise cancellation system. They can be directly mounted on the glass panes and become part of the home window. The 2.67% efficiency achieved is higher than the 1.8% efficiency required for harvesting adequate energy to cancel noise of 70dB Day-Night-Level, which impacts on a north-facing window. In summary, this project develops several fundamental technologies that together can contribute to a solar-powered active noise cancellation system for a building window. At the same time, since the component technologies being developed are fundamental, it is also likely that they will have wider applications in other domains beyond building windows.
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Field Evaluation of Highly Insulating Windows in the Lab Homes: Winter Experiment
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Parker, Graham B.; Widder, Sarah H.; Bauman, Nathan N.
2012-06-01
This field evaluation of highly insulating windows was undertaken in a matched pair of 'Lab Homes' located on the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) campus during the 2012 winter heating season. Improving the insulation and solar heat gain characteristics of a home's windows has the potential to significantly improve the home's building envelope and overall thermal performance by reducing heat loss (in the winter), and cooling loss and solar heat gain (in the summer) through the windows. A high quality installation and/or window retrofit will also minimize or reduce air leakage through the window cavity and thus also contribute tomore » reduced heat loss in the winter and cooling loss in the summer. These improvements all contribute to decreasing overall annual home energy use. Occupant comfort (non-quantifiable) can also be increased by minimizing or eliminating the cold 'draft' (temperature) many residents experience at or near window surfaces that are at a noticeably lower temperature than the room air temperature. Lastly, although not measured in this experiment, highly insulating windows (triple-pane in this experiment) also have the potential to significantly reduce the noise transmittance through windows compared to standard double-pane windows. The metered data taken in the Lab Homes and data analysis presented here represent 70 days of data taken during the 2012 heating season. As such, the savings from highly insulating windows in the experimental home (Lab Home B) compared to the standard double-pane clear glass windows in the baseline home (Lab Home A) are only a portion of the energy savings expected from a year-long experiment that would include a cooling season. The cooling season experiment will take place in the homes in the summer of 2012, and results of that experiment will be reported in a subsequent report available to all stakeholders.« less
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Lobster eye as a collector for water window microscopy
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pina, L.; Maršíková, V.; Inneman, A.; Nawaz, M. F.; Jančárek, A.; Havlíková, R.
2017-08-01
Imaging in EUV, SXR and XR spectral bands of radiation is of increasing interest. Material science, biology and hot plasma are examples of relevant fast developing areas. Applications include spectroscopy, astrophysics, Soft X-ray Ray metrology, Water Window microscopy, radiography and tomography. Especially Water Window imaging has still not fully recognized potential in biology and medicine microscopy applications. Theoretical study and design of Lobster Eye (LE) optics as a collector for water window (WW) microscopy and comparison with a similar size ellipsoidal mirror condensor are presented.
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DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Stoessel, Chris
2013-11-13
This project developed a new high-performance R-10/high SHGC window design, reviewed market positioning and evaluated manufacturing solutions required for broad market adoption. The project objectives were accomplished by: identifying viable technical solutions based on modeling of modern and potential coating stacks and IGU designs; development of new coating material sets for HM thin film stacks, as well as improved HM IGU designs to accept multiple layers of HM films; matching promising new coating designs with new HM IGU designs to demonstrate performance gains; and, in cooperation with a window manufacturer, assess the potential for high-volume manufacturing and cost efficiency ofmore » a HM-based R-10 window with improved solar heat gain characteristics. A broad view of available materials and design options was applied to achieve the desired improvements. Gated engineering methodologies were employed to guide the development process from concept generation to a window demonstration. The project determined that a slightly de-rated window performance allows formulation of a path to achieve the desired cost reductions to support end consumer adoption.« less
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ToF-SIMS characterization of robust window material for use in diode pumped alkali lasers
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Fletcher, Aaron; Turner, David; Fairchild, Steven; Rice, Christopher; Pitz, Gregory
2018-03-01
Developments in diode pumped alkali laser (DPAL) systems have been impeded because of the catastrophic failure of laser windows. The window's failure is caused by localized laser-induced heating of window material. This heating is believed to occur due to increases in absorption on or near the surface of the window. This increase is believed to be caused by either adsorption of carbon-based soot from the collisional gas or by the diffusion of rubidium into the bulk material. The work presented here will focus on the diffusion of Rb into the bulk window materials and will strive to identify a superior material to use as windows. The results of this research indicate that aluminum oxynitride (ALON), sapphire, MgAl2O4 (spinel), and ZrO2 are resistant to alkali-induced changes in optical properties.
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1. WEST SIDE. VIEW SHOWS CLERESTORY WINDOWS IN ROOF AND ...
1. WEST SIDE. VIEW SHOWS CLERESTORY WINDOWS IN ROOF AND RELATIONSHIP WITH BUILDING 13 AT RIGHT. - Chollas Heights Naval Radio Transmitting Facility, Public Works Shop, 6410 Zero Road, San Diego, San Diego County, CA
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Energy Savings of Low-E Storm Windows and Panels across US Climate Zones
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Culp, Thomas D.; Cort, Katherine A.
This report builds off of previous modeling work related to low-e storm windows used to create a "Database of U.S. Climate-Based Analysis for Low-E Storm Windows." This work updates similar studies using new fuel costs and examining the separate contributions of reduced air leakage and reduced coefficients of overall heat transfer and solar heat gain. In this report we examine the energy savings and cost effectiveness of low-E storm windows in residential homes across a broad range of U.S. climates, excluding the impact from infiltration reductions, which tend to vary using the National Energy Audit Tool (NEAT) and RESFEN modelmore » calculations. This report includes a summary of the results, NEAT and RESFEN background, methodology, and input assumptions, and an appendix with detailed results and assumptions by climate zone.« less
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Mousavi, Maral P S; Wilson, Benjamin E; Kashefolgheta, Sadra; Anderson, Evan L; He, Siyao; Bühlmann, Philippe; Stein, Andreas
2016-02-10
Key parameters that influence the specific energy of electrochemical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) are the double-layer capacitance and the operating potential of the cell. The operating potential of the cell is generally limited by the electrochemical window of the electrolyte solution, that is, the range of applied voltages within which the electrolyte or solvent is not reduced or oxidized. Ionic liquids are of interest as electrolytes for EDLCs because they offer relatively wide potential windows. Here, we provide a systematic study of the influence of the physical properties of ionic liquid electrolytes on the electrochemical stability and electrochemical performance (double-layer capacitance, specific energy) of EDLCs that employ a mesoporous carbon model electrode with uniform, highly interconnected mesopores (3DOm carbon). Several ionic liquids with structurally diverse anions (tetrafluoroborate, trifluoromethanesulfonate, trifluoromethanesulfonimide) and cations (imidazolium, ammonium, pyridinium, piperidinium, and pyrrolidinium) were investigated. We show that the cation size has a significant effect on the electrolyte viscosity and conductivity, as well as the capacitance of EDLCs. Imidazolium- and pyridinium-based ionic liquids provide the highest cell capacitance, and ammonium-based ionic liquids offer potential windows much larger than imidazolium and pyridinium ionic liquids. Increasing the chain length of the alkyl substituents in 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonimide does not widen the potential window of the ionic liquid. We identified the ionic liquids that maximize the specific energies of EDLCs through the combined effects of their potential windows and the double-layer capacitance. The highest specific energies are obtained with ionic liquid electrolytes that possess moderate electrochemical stability, small ionic volumes, low viscosity, and hence high conductivity, the best performing ionic liquid tested being 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide.
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7. WINDOW DETAIL SOUTHERN WALL OF BUILDING. (SOUTH SIDE OF ...
7. WINDOW DETAIL SOUTHERN WALL OF BUILDING. (SOUTH SIDE OF BUILDING 4 IS NOW WITHIN BUILDING 40 GARAGE.) - Chollas Heights Naval Radio Transmitting Facility, Public Works Shop, 6410 Zero Road, San Diego, San Diego County, CA
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A refined technique to calculate finite helical axes from rigid body trackers.
McLachlin, Stewart D; Ferreira, Louis M; Dunning, Cynthia E
2014-12-01
Finite helical axes (FHAs) are a potentially effective tool for joint kinematic analysis. Unfortunately, no straightforward guidelines exist for calculating accurate FHAs using prepackaged six degree-of-freedom (6 DOF) rigid body trackers. Thus, this study aimed to: (1) describe a protocol for calculating FHA parameters from 6 DOF rigid body trackers using the screw matrix and (2) to maximize the number of accurate FHAs generated from a given data set using a moving window analysis. Four Optotrak® Smart Markers were used as the rigid body trackers, two moving and two fixed, at different distances from the hinge joint of a custom-machined jig. 6D OF pose information was generated from 51 static positions of the jig rotated and fixed in 0.5 deg increments up to 25 deg. Output metrics included the FHA direction cosines, the rotation about the FHA, the translation along the axis, and the intercept of the FHA with the plane normal to the jig's hinge joint. FHA metrics were calculated using the relative tracker rotation from the starting position, and using a moving window analysis to define a minimum acceptable rotational displacement between the moving tracker data points. Data analysis found all FHA rotations calculated from the starting position were within 0.15 deg of the prescribed jig rotation. FHA intercepts were most stable when determined using trackers closest to the hinge axis. Increasing the moving window size improved the FHA direction cosines and center of rotation accuracy. Window sizes larger than 2 deg had an intercept deviation of less than 1 mm. Furthermore, compared to the 0 deg window size, the 2 deg window had a 90% improvement in FHA intercept precision while generating almost an equivalent number of FHA axes. This work identified a solution to improve FHA calculations for biomechanical researchers looking to describe changes in 3D joint motion.
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Adaptive synchrosqueezing based on a quilted short-time Fourier transform
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Berrian, Alexander; Saito, Naoki
2017-08-01
In recent years, the synchrosqueezing transform (SST) has gained popularity as a method for the analysis of signals that can be broken down into multiple components determined by instantaneous amplitudes and phases. One such version of SST, based on the short-time Fourier transform (STFT), enables the sharpening of instantaneous frequency (IF) information derived from the STFT, as well as the separation of amplitude-phase components corresponding to distinct IF curves. However, this SST is limited by the time-frequency resolution of the underlying window function, and may not resolve signals exhibiting diverse time-frequency behaviors with sufficient accuracy. In this work, we develop a framework for an SST based on a "quilted" short-time Fourier transform (SST-QSTFT), which allows adaptation to signal behavior in separate time-frequency regions through the use of multiple windows. This motivates us to introduce a discrete reassignment frequency formula based on a finite difference of the phase spectrum, ensuring computational accuracy for a wider variety of windows. We develop a theoretical framework for the SST-QSTFT in both the continuous and the discrete settings, and describe an algorithm for the automatic selection of optimal windows depending on the region of interest. Using synthetic data, we demonstrate the superior numerical performance of SST-QSTFT relative to other SST methods in a noisy context. Finally, we apply SST-QSTFT to audio recordings of animal calls to demonstrate the potential of our method for the analysis of real bioacoustic signals.
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Optical Evaluation of DMDs with UV-Grade FS, Sapphire, MgF2 Windows and Reflectance of Bare Devices
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Quijada, Manuel A.; Heap, Sara; Travinsky, Anton; Vorobiev, Dmitry; Ninkov, Zoran; Raisanen, Alan; Roberto, Massimo
2016-01-01
Digital Micro-mirror Devices (DMDs) have been identified as an alternative to microshutter arrays for space-based multi-object spectrometers (MOS). Specifically, the MOS at the heart of a proposed Galactic Evolution Spectroscopic Explorer (GESE) that uses the DMD as a reprogrammable slit mask. Unfortunately, the protective borosilicate windows limit the use of DMDs in the UV and IR regimes, where the glass has insufficient throughput. In this work, we present our efforts to replace standard DMD windows with custom windows made from UV-grade fused silica, Low Absorption Optical Sapphire (LAOS) and magnesium fluoride. We present reflectance measurements of the antireflection coated windows and a reflectance study of the DMDs active area (window removed). Furthermore, we investigated the long-term stability of the DMD reflectance and recoating device with fresh Al coatings.
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22. DETAIL INTERIOR VIEW OF OFFICE, SHOWING ORIGINAL SASH WINDOWS ...
22. DETAIL INTERIOR VIEW OF OFFICE, SHOWING ORIGINAL SASH WINDOWS AND DUCT WORK (OTHER OFFICE INTERIORS ARE GREATLY ALTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL) - Oakland Army Base, Transit Shed, East of Dunkirk Street & South of Burma Road, Oakland, Alameda County, CA
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Amasawa, Eri
With the growing global energy demands, electrochromic window (ECW) technology has attracted great attention for its ability to reversibly change the transmittance of incoming light through applied moderate potential. While ECW has a great potential to conserve energy from lighting and air conditioning in buildings, ECW still consumes energy; ECW should be self-powered for further energy conservation. In this study, a new design of energy-harvesting electrochromic window (EH-ECW) based on fusion of two technologies, organic electrochromic window and dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is presented. Unlike other self-powered smart windows such as photoelectrochromic device that only contains two states (i.e. closed circuit colored state and open circuit bleaching state), EH-ECW allows active tuning of transmittance through varying applied potential and function as a photovoltaic cell based on DSSC. The resulting device demonstrates fast switching rate of 1 second in both bleaching and coloring process through the use of electrochromic polymer as a counter electrode layer. In order to increase the transmittance of the device, cobalt redox couple and light colored yet efficient organic dye are employed. The organic dye utilized contains polymeric structure, which contributes to high cyclic stability. The device exhibits power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.5 % under AM 1.5 irradiation (100 mW/cm2), change in transmittance (Delta T = Tmax - Tmin) of 34 % upon applied potential, and shows only 3 % degradation in PCE after 5000 cycles.
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Operationalizing Cyberspace for Today’s Combat Air Force
2010-04-01
rootkit techniques to run inside common Windows services (sometimes bundled with fake antivirus software ) or in Windows safe mode, and it can hide...has shifted to downloading other malware, with its main focus on fake alerts and rogue antivirus software . 5. TR/Dldr.Agent.JKH - Compromised U.S...patch, software update, or security breech away from failure. In short, what works AU/ACSC/SIMMONS/AY10 5 today, may not work tomorrow; this fact
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Impact of window decrement rate on TCP performance in an adhoc network
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Suherman; Hutasuhut, Arief T. W.; Badra, Khaldun; Al-Akaidi, Marwan
2017-09-01
Transmission control protocol (TCP) is a reliable transport protocol handling end to end connection in TCP/IP stack. It works well in copper or optical fibre link, but experiences increasing delay in wireless network. Further, TCP experiences multiple retransmissions due to higher collision probability within wireless network. The situation may get worsen in an ad hoc network. This paper examines the impact half window or window reduction rate to the overall TCP performances. The evaluation using NS-2 simulator shows that the smaller the window decrement rate results the smaller end to end delay. Delay is reduced to 17.05% in average when window decrement rate decreases. Average jitter also decreases 4.15%, while packet loss is not affected.
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Carbon Smackdown: Smart Windows (LBNL Summer Lecture Series)
Milliron, Delia; Selkowitz, Stephen
2017-12-09
August 3, 2010 Berkeley Lab talk: In the fourth of five Carbon Smackdown matches, Berkeley Lab researchers Delia Milliron of the Materials Sciences Division and Stephen Selkowitz of the Environmental Energy Technologies Division talk about their work on energy-saving smart windows.
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Oscillatory integration windows in neurons
Gupta, Nitin; Singh, Swikriti Saran; Stopfer, Mark
2016-01-01
Oscillatory synchrony among neurons occurs in many species and brain areas, and has been proposed to help neural circuits process information. One hypothesis states that oscillatory input creates cyclic integration windows: specific times in each oscillatory cycle when postsynaptic neurons become especially responsive to inputs. With paired local field potential (LFP) and intracellular recordings and controlled stimulus manipulations we directly test this idea in the locust olfactory system. We find that inputs arriving in Kenyon cells (KCs) sum most effectively in a preferred window of the oscillation cycle. With a computational model, we show that the non-uniform structure of noise in the membrane potential helps mediate this process. Further experiments performed in vivo demonstrate that integration windows can form in the absence of inhibition and at a broad range of oscillation frequencies. Our results reveal how a fundamental coincidence-detection mechanism in a neural circuit functions to decode temporally organized spiking. PMID:27976720
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Abiy, Lidet; Telischi, Fred; Parel, Jean-Marie A.; Manns, Fabrice; Saettele, Ralph; Morawski, Krzysztof; Ozdamar, Ozcan; Borgos, John; Delgado, Rafael; Miskiel, Edward; Yavuz, Erdem
2003-06-01
The aim of this project is the development of a microsurgical laser Doppler (LD) probe that simultaneously monitors blood flow and Electrocochleography (ECochG) from the round window of the ear. The device will prevent neurosensory hearing loss during acoustic neuroma surgery by preventing damage to the internal auditory nerve and to the cochlear blood flow supply. A commercially available 0.5 mm diameter Laser-Doppler velocimetry probe (LaserFlo, Vasamedics) was modified to integrate an ECochG electrode. A tube for suction and irrigation was incorporated into a sheath of the probe shaft, to facilitate cleaning of the round window (RW) and allow drug delivery to the round window membrane. The prototype microprobe was calibrated on a single vessel model and tested in vivo in a rabbit model. Preliminary results indicate that the microprobe was able to measure changes in cochlear blood flow (CBF) and ECochG potentials from the round window of rabbits in vivo. The microprobe is suitable for monitoring cochlear blood flow and auditory cochlear potentials during human surgery.
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13. DETAIL OF THE EAST WING ARCADE WALL. SHOWS REMOVABLE ...
13. DETAIL OF THE EAST WING ARCADE WALL. SHOWS REMOVABLE WOODEN WINDOWS, A PERMANENT CONCRETE WINDOW, AND BUILT-IN CONCRETE STORAGE BINS. - Moravian Pottery & Tile Works, Southwest side of State Route 313 (Swamp Road), Northwest of East Court Street, Doylestown, Bucks County, PA
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Optical spectroscopy of cobalt-doped cadmium telluride
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Turner, Eric J.; Evans, Jonathan; Harris, Thomas
2018-02-01
Spectroscopic investigation of Co2+:CdTe was performed to evaluate it's potential as a lasing medium. The sample had a targeted doping concentration of 2% and measurements were performed from 10 - 120K. Cross-sections for Co:CdTe were calculated using Füchtbauer-Ladenburg and reciprocity methods. Calculations suggest the potential for efficient lasing at 3.7μm when pumped by a 3μm laser source on the 4A2 <-> 4T2 transition. The fluorescence lifetime was measured to quantify the temperature dependence of the non-radiative relaxation rate. This work aims to characterize Co:CdTe as a novel gain medium for compact, tunable mid-infrared lasers operating within the atmospheric transmission window.
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Acquisition and visualization techniques for narrow spectral color imaging.
Neumann, László; García, Rafael; Basa, János; Hegedüs, Ramón
2013-06-01
This paper introduces a new approach in narrow-band imaging (NBI). Existing NBI techniques generate images by selecting discrete bands over the full visible spectrum or an even wider spectral range. In contrast, here we perform the sampling with filters covering a tight spectral window. This image acquisition method, named narrow spectral imaging, can be particularly useful when optical information is only available within a narrow spectral window, such as in the case of deep-water transmittance, which constitutes the principal motivation of this work. In this study we demonstrate the potential of the proposed photographic technique on nonunderwater scenes recorded under controlled conditions. To this end three multilayer narrow bandpass filters were employed, which transmit at 440, 456, and 470 nm bluish wavelengths, respectively. Since the differences among the images captured in such a narrow spectral window can be extremely small, both image acquisition and visualization require a novel approach. First, high-bit-depth images were acquired with multilayer narrow-band filters either placed in front of the illumination or mounted on the camera lens. Second, a color-mapping method is proposed, using which the input data can be transformed onto the entire display color gamut with a continuous and perceptually nearly uniform mapping, while ensuring optimally high information content for human perception.
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Automatic Multi-sensor Data Quality Checking and Event Detection for Environmental Sensing
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
LIU, Q.; Zhang, Y.; Zhao, Y.; Gao, D.; Gallaher, D. W.; Lv, Q.; Shang, L.
2017-12-01
With the advances in sensing technologies, large-scale environmental sensing infrastructures are pervasively deployed to continuously collect data for various research and application fields, such as air quality study and weather condition monitoring. In such infrastructures, many sensor nodes are distributed in a specific area and each individual sensor node is capable of measuring several parameters (e.g., humidity, temperature, and pressure), providing massive data for natural event detection and analysis. However, due to the dynamics of the ambient environment, sensor data can be contaminated by errors or noise. Thus, data quality is still a primary concern for scientists before drawing any reliable scientific conclusions. To help researchers identify potential data quality issues and detect meaningful natural events, this work proposes a novel algorithm to automatically identify and rank anomalous time windows from multiple sensor data streams. More specifically, (1) the algorithm adaptively learns the characteristics of normal evolving time series and (2) models the spatial-temporal relationship among multiple sensor nodes to infer the anomaly likelihood of a time series window for a particular parameter in a sensor node. Case studies using different data sets are presented and the experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can effectively identify anomalous time windows, which may resulted from data quality issues and natural events.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zeng, Dong; Bian, Zhaoying; Gong, Changfei; Huang, Jing; He, Ji; Zhang, Hua; Lu, Lijun; Feng, Qianjin; Liang, Zhengrong; Ma, Jianhua
2016-03-01
Multienergy computed tomography (MECT) has the potential to simultaneously offer multiple sets of energy- selective data belonging to specific energy windows. However, because sufficient photon counts are not available in the specific energy windows compared with that in the whole energy window, the MECT images reconstructed by the analytical approach often suffer from poor signal-to-noise (SNR) and strong streak artifacts. To eliminate this drawback, in this work we present a penalized weighted least-squares (PWLS) scheme by incorporating the new concept of structure tensor total variation (STV) regularization to improve the MECT images quality from low-milliampere-seconds (low-mAs) data acquisitions. Henceforth the present scheme is referred to as `PWLS- STV' for simplicity. Specifically, the STV regularization is derived by penalizing the eigenvalues of the structure tensor of every point in the MECT images. Thus it can provide more robust measures of image variation, which can eliminate the patchy artifacts often observed in total variation regularization. Subsequently, an alternating optimization algorithm was adopted to minimize the objective function. Experiments with a digital XCAT phantom clearly demonstrate that the present PWLS-STV algorithm can achieve more gains than the existing TV-based algorithms and the conventional filtered backpeojection (FBP) algorithm in terms of noise-induced artifacts suppression, resolution preservation, and material decomposition assessment.
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Electron beam extraction on plasma cathode electron sources system
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Purwadi, Agus; Taufik, M., Lely Susita R.; Suprapto, Saefurrochman, H., Anjar A.; Wibowo, Kurnia; Aziz, Ihwanul; Siswanto, Bambang
2017-03-01
ELECTRON BEAM EXTRACTION ON PLASMA CATHODE ELECTRON SOURCES SYSTEM. The electron beam extraction through window of Plasma Generator Chamber (PGC) for Pulsed Electron Irradiator (PEI) device and simulation of plasma potential has been studied. Plasma electron beam is extracted to acceleration region for enlarging their power by the external accelerating high voltage (Vext) and then it is passed foil window of the PEI for being irradiated to any target (atmospheric pressure). Electron beam extraction from plasma surface must be able to overcome potential barrier at the extraction window region which is shown by estimate simulation (Opera program) based on data of plasma surface potential of 150 V with Ueks values are varied by 150 kV, 175 kV and 200 kV respectively. PGC is made of 304 stainless steel with cylindrical shape in 30 cm of diameter, 90 cm length, electrons extraction window as many as 975 holes on the area of (15 × 65) cm2 with extraction hole cell in 0.3 mm of radius each other, an cylindrical shape IEP chamber is made of 304 stainless steel in 70 cm diameter and 30 cm length. The research result shown that the acquisition of electron beam extraction current depends on plasma parameters (electron density ne, temperature Te), accelerating high voltage Vext, the value of discharge parameter G, anode area Sa, electron extraction window area Se and extraction efficiency value α.
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Qualitative mechanism models and the rationalization of procedures
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Farley, Arthur M.
1989-01-01
A qualitative, cluster-based approach to the representation of hydraulic systems is described and its potential for generating and explaining procedures is demonstrated. Many ideas are formalized and implemented as part of an interactive, computer-based system. The system allows for designing, displaying, and reasoning about hydraulic systems. The interactive system has an interface consisting of three windows: a design/control window, a cluster window, and a diagnosis/plan window. A qualitative mechanism model for the ORS (Orbital Refueling System) is presented to coordinate with ongoing research on this system being conducted at NASA Ames Research Center.
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SWUIS - Robinson works with telescope mounted in the side hatch window
1997-08-12
S85-E-5046 (12 August 1997) --- Astronaut Stephen K. Robinson, mission specialist, makes observations with the Southwest Ultraviolet Imaging System (SWUIS) through the Space Shuttle Discovery's hatch window during flight day six. The photograph was taken with the Electronic Still Camera (ESC).
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Evaluation of an Out-of-the-Window Air Traffic Control Tower Simulation for Controller Training
DOT National Transportation Integrated Search
1996-09-01
This study gathered evidence concerning the potential usefulness of out-of-the-window air traffic control tower : simulation for training tower controllers. Data were collected from all ten developmental controllers who completed : simulation trainin...
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Zhang, Fei-Ruo; He, Li-Hua; Wu, Shan-Shan; Li, Jing-Yun; Ye, Kang-Pin; Wang, Sheng
2011-11-01
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have high prevalence in sewing machine operators employed in the garment industry. Long work duration, sustained low level work and precise hand work are the main risk factors of neck-shoulder disorders for sewing machine operators. Surface electromyogram (sEMG) offers a valuable tool to determine muscle activity (internal exposure) and quantify muscular load (external exposure). During sustained and/or repetitive muscle contractions, typical changes of muscle fatigue in sEMG, as an increase in amplitude or a decrease as a shift in spectrum towards lower frequencies, can be observed. In this paper, we measured and quantified the muscle load and muscular activity patterns of neck-shoulder muscles in female sewing machine operators during sustained sewing machine operating tasks using sEMG. A total of 18 healthy women sewing machine operators volunteered to participate in this study. Before their daily sewing machine operating task, we measured the maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) and 20%MVC of bilateral cervical erector spinae (CES) and upper trapezius (UT) respectively, then the sEMG signals of bilateral UT and CES were monitored and recorded continuously during 200 minutes of sustained sewing machine operating simultaneously which equals to 20 time windows with 10 minutes as one time window. After 200 minutes' work, we retest 20%MVC of four neck-shoulder muscles and recorded the sEMG signals. Linear analysis, including amplitude probability distribution frequency (APDF), amplitude analysis parameters such as roof mean square (RMS) and spectrum analysis parameter as median frequency (MF), were used to calculate and indicate muscle load and muscular activity of bilateral CES and UT. During 200 minutes of sewing machine operating, the median load for the left cervical erector spinae (LCES), right cervical erector spinae (RCES), left upper trapezius (LUT) and right upper trapezius (RUT) were 6.78%MVE, 6.94%MVE, 6.47%MVE and 5.68%MVE, respectively. Work load of right muscles are significantly higher than that of the left muscles (P < 0.05); sEMG signal analysis of isometric contractions indicated that the amplitude value before operating was significantly higher than that of after work (P < 0.01), and the spectrum value of bilateral CES and UT were significantly lower than those of after work (P < 0.01); according to the sEMG signal data of 20 time windows, with operating time pass by, the muscle activity patterns of bilateral CES and UT showed dynamic changes, the maximal amplitude of LCES, RCES, LUT occurred at the 20th time window, RUT at 16th time window, spectrum analysis showed that the lower value happened at 7th, 16th, 20th time windows. Female sewing machine operators were exposed to high sustained static load on bilateral neck-shoulder muscles; left neck and shoulder muscles were held in more static positions; the 7th, 16th, and 20th time windows were muscle fatigue period that ergonomics intervention can protocol at these periods.
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VO2 thermochromic smart window for energy savings and generation
Zhou, Jiadong; Gao, Yanfeng; Zhang, Zongtao; Luo, Hongjie; Cao, Chuanxiang; Chen, Zhang; Dai, Lei; Liu, Xinling
2013-01-01
The ability to achieve energy saving in architectures and optimal solar energy utilisation affects the sustainable development of the human race. Traditional smart windows and solar cells cannot be combined into one device for energy saving and electricity generation. A VO2 film can respond to the environmental temperature to intelligently regulate infrared transmittance while maintaining visible transparency, and can be applied as a thermochromic smart window. Herein, we report for the first time a novel VO2-based smart window that partially utilises light scattering to solar cells around the glass panel for electricity generation. This smart window combines energy-saving and generation in one device, and offers potential to intelligently regulate and utilise solar radiation in an efficient manner. PMID:24157625
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VO₂ thermochromic smart window for energy savings and generation.
Zhou, Jiadong; Gao, Yanfeng; Zhang, Zongtao; Luo, Hongjie; Cao, Chuanxiang; Chen, Zhang; Dai, Lei; Liu, Xinling
2013-10-24
The ability to achieve energy saving in architectures and optimal solar energy utilisation affects the sustainable development of the human race. Traditional smart windows and solar cells cannot be combined into one device for energy saving and electricity generation. A VO2 film can respond to the environmental temperature to intelligently regulate infrared transmittance while maintaining visible transparency, and can be applied as a thermochromic smart window. Herein, we report for the first time a novel VO2-based smart window that partially utilises light scattering to solar cells around the glass panel for electricity generation. This smart window combines energy-saving and generation in one device, and offers potential to intelligently regulate and utilise solar radiation in an efficient manner.
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SNS Proton Beam Window Disposal
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Popova, Irina; Gallmeier, Franz X.; Trotter, Steven
2017-09-01
In order to support the disposal of the proton beam window assembly of the Spallation Neutron Source beamline to the target station, waste classification analyses are performed. The window has a limited life-time due to radiation-induced material damage. Analyses include calculation of the radionuclide inventory and shielding analyses for the transport package/container to ensure that the container is compliant with the transportation and waste management regulations. In order to automate this procedure and minimize manual work a script in Perl language was written.
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Removal of Noise from a Voice Signal by Synthesis
1973-05-01
for 102.4 millisecond windows is about five times as great as the cost of computing for 25.6 millisecond windows. Hammett in his work on an adaptive...spectrum analysis vocoder, has examined the selection of data window widths in detail [18]. The solution Hammett used to optimize the trade off between...result is: n s(t) E Ri(t - i . T) i-1 In this equation n is the number of impulse responses under consideration, s(t) is the resulting synthetic signal
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Interview with Violet Oaklander, Author of "Windows to Our Children."
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Campbell, Chari A.
1993-01-01
Presents interview with Dr. Violent Oaklander, experienced child therapist and author of "Windows to Our Children: A Gestalt Therapy with Children and Adolescents." Discusses critical components of successful therapy with children. Explains how developmental stage of child affects therapeutic process, and provides specific examples of working with…
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This workgroup report addresses the central question: what are the critical windows during development (pre-conception through puberty) when exposure to xenobiotics may have the greatest adverse impact on subsequent reproductive health. The reproductive system develops in stages...
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wang, Liping; Qin, Kaiqiang; Li, Jiajun; Zhao, Naiqin; Shi, Chunsheng; Ma, Liying; He, Chunnian; He, Fang; Liu, Enzuo
2018-01-01
High quality free-standing 3D nanoporous graphene (3DNG) films were fabricated using nanoporous nickel as template and catalyst. The effect of heteroatom doping and pore size on the electrochemical performance of the 3D graphene films as supercapacitor electrodes are systematically studied. Compared with macroporous graphene films, nanoporous graphene films exhibit an extraordinarily large operational window in neutral, acidic and alkaline aqueous electrolytes, as well as high packing density. Nitrogen and oxygen doping play different roles in different aqueous electrolytes on the electrical conductivity and pseudocapacitance of 3DNG. The realization of both high packing density, 3.65 mg/cm2, and the maximum working window, as well as the synergistic effect between N and O doping, gives rise to a high areal capacitance of 435 mF/cm2 in neutral electrolyte and excellent cycle stability up to 5000 cycles. The results provide a potential strategy to further increase the volumetric or areal energy density of carbon-based aqueous supercapacitor.
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Improved hybrid information filtering based on limited time window
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Song, Wen-Jun; Guo, Qiang; Liu, Jian-Guo
2014-12-01
Adopting the entire collecting information of users, the hybrid information filtering of heat conduction and mass diffusion (HHM) (Zhou et al., 2010) was successfully proposed to solve the apparent diversity-accuracy dilemma. Since the recent behaviors are more effective to capture the users' potential interests, we present an improved hybrid information filtering of adopting the partial recent information. We expand the time window to generate a series of training sets, each of which is treated as known information to predict the future links proven by the testing set. The experimental results on one benchmark dataset Netflix indicate that by only using approximately 31% recent rating records, the accuracy could be improved by an average of 4.22% and the diversity could be improved by 13.74%. In addition, the performance on the dataset MovieLens could be preserved by considering approximately 60% recent records. Furthermore, we find that the improved algorithm is effective to solve the cold-start problem. This work could improve the information filtering performance and shorten the computational time.
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Spuler, Martin
2015-08-01
A Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) allows to control a computer by brain activity only, without the need for muscle control. In this paper, we present an EEG-based BCI system based on code-modulated visual evoked potentials (c-VEPs) that enables the user to work with arbitrary Windows applications. Other BCI systems, like the P300 speller or BCI-based browsers, allow control of one dedicated application designed for use with a BCI. In contrast, the system presented in this paper does not consist of one dedicated application, but enables the user to control mouse cursor and keyboard input on the level of the operating system, thereby making it possible to use arbitrary applications. As the c-VEP BCI method was shown to enable very fast communication speeds (writing more than 20 error-free characters per minute), the presented system is the next step in replacing the traditional mouse and keyboard and enabling complete brain-based control of a computer.
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Kim, Jeehwan; Abou-Kandil, Ahmed; Fogel, Keith; Hovel, Harold; Sadana, Devendra K
2010-12-28
Addition of carbon into p-type "window" layers in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) solar cells enhances short circuit currents and open circuit voltages by a great deal. However, a-Si:H solar cells with high carbon-doped "window" layers exhibit poor fill factors due to a Schottky barrier-like impedance at the interface between a-SiC:H windows and transparent conducting oxides (TCO), although they show maximized short circuit currents and open circuit voltages. The impedance is caused by an increasing mismatch between the work function of TCO and that of p-type a-SiC:H. Applying ultrathin high-work-function metals at the interface between the two materials results in an effective lowering of the work function mismatch and a consequent ohmic behavior. If the metal layer is sufficiently thin, then it forms nanodots rather than a continuous layer which provides light-scattering effect. We demonstrate 31% efficiency enhancement by using high-work-function materials for engineering the work function at the key interfaces to raise fill factors as well as photocurrents. The use of metallic interface layers in this work is a clear contrast to previous work where attempts were made to enhance the photocurrent using plasmonic metal nanodots on the solar cell surface.
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Chen, Gao-Feng; Li, Xian-Xia; Zhang, Li-Yi; Li, Nan; Ma, Tian Yi; Liu, Zhao-Qing
2016-09-01
A bottom-up synthetic strategy is developed to fabricate a highly porous wave-superposed perchlorate-doped polypyrrole nanocoating on nickel nanotube arrays. The delicate nanostructure and the unique surface chemistry synergistically endow the obtained electrode with revealable pseudocapacitance, large operating potential window, and excellent cycling stability, which are highly promising for both asymmetric and symmetric supercapacitors. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
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Burriel-Valencia, Jordi; Martinez-Roman, Javier; Sapena-Bano, Angel
2018-01-01
The aim of this paper is to introduce a new methodology for the fault diagnosis of induction machines working in the transient regime, when time-frequency analysis tools are used. The proposed method relies on the use of the optimized Slepian window for performing the short time Fourier transform (STFT) of the stator current signal. It is shown that for a given sequence length of finite duration, the Slepian window has the maximum concentration of energy, greater than can be reached with a gated Gaussian window, which is usually used as the analysis window. In this paper, the use and optimization of the Slepian window for fault diagnosis of induction machines is theoretically introduced and experimentally validated through the test of a 3.15-MW induction motor with broken bars during the start-up transient. The theoretical analysis and the experimental results show that the use of the Slepian window can highlight the fault components in the current’s spectrogram with a significant reduction of the required computational resources. PMID:29316650
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Burriel-Valencia, Jordi; Puche-Panadero, Ruben; Martinez-Roman, Javier; Sapena-Bano, Angel; Pineda-Sanchez, Manuel
2018-01-06
The aim of this paper is to introduce a new methodology for the fault diagnosis of induction machines working in the transient regime, when time-frequency analysis tools are used. The proposed method relies on the use of the optimized Slepian window for performing the short time Fourier transform (STFT) of the stator current signal. It is shown that for a given sequence length of finite duration, the Slepian window has the maximum concentration of energy, greater than can be reached with a gated Gaussian window, which is usually used as the analysis window. In this paper, the use and optimization of the Slepian window for fault diagnosis of induction machines is theoretically introduced and experimentally validated through the test of a 3.15-MW induction motor with broken bars during the start-up transient. The theoretical analysis and the experimental results show that the use of the Slepian window can highlight the fault components in the current's spectrogram with a significant reduction of the required computational resources.
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NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Forssen, B.; Wang, Y. S.; Crocker, M. J.
1981-01-01
Several aspects were studied. The SEA theory was used to develop a theoretical model to predict the transmission loss through an aircraft window. This work mainly consisted of the writing of two computer programs. One program predicts the sound transmission through a plexiglass window (the case of a single partition). The other program applies to the case of a plexiglass window window with a window shade added (the case of a double partition with an air gap). The sound transmission through a structure was measured in experimental studies using several different methods in order that the accuracy and complexity of all the methods could be compared. Also, the measurements were conducted on the simple model of a fuselage (a cylindrical shell), on a real aircraft fuselage, and on stiffened panels.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Forssen, B.; Wang, Y. S.; Crocker, M. J.
1981-12-01
Several aspects were studied. The SEA theory was used to develop a theoretical model to predict the transmission loss through an aircraft window. This work mainly consisted of the writing of two computer programs. One program predicts the sound transmission through a plexiglass window (the case of a single partition). The other program applies to the case of a plexiglass window window with a window shade added (the case of a double partition with an air gap). The sound transmission through a structure was measured in experimental studies using several different methods in order that the accuracy and complexity of all the methods could be compared. Also, the measurements were conducted on the simple model of a fuselage (a cylindrical shell), on a real aircraft fuselage, and on stiffened panels.
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Li, Rongxia; Stewart, Brock; Weintraub, Eric
2016-01-01
The self-controlled case series (SCCS) and self-controlled risk interval (SCRI) designs have recently become widely used in the field of post-licensure vaccine safety monitoring to detect potential elevated risks of adverse events following vaccinations. The SCRI design can be viewed as a subset of the SCCS method in that a reduced comparison time window is used for the analysis. Compared to the SCCS method, the SCRI design has less statistical power due to fewer events occurring in the shorter control interval. In this study, we derived the asymptotic relative efficiency (ARE) between these two methods to quantify this loss in power in the SCRI design. The equation is formulated as [Formula: see text] (a: control window-length ratio between SCRI and SCCS designs; b: ratio of risk window length and control window length in the SCCS design; and [Formula: see text]: relative risk of exposed window to control window). According to this equation, the relative efficiency declines as the ratio of control-period length between SCRI and SCCS methods decreases, or with an increase in the relative risk [Formula: see text]. We provide an example utilizing data from the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) to study the potential elevated risk of febrile seizure following seasonal influenza vaccine in the 2010-2011 season.
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Novel windowing technique realized in FPGA for radar system
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Escamilla-Hernandez, E.; Kravchenko, V. F.; Ponomaryov, V. I.; Ikuo, Arai
2006-02-01
To improve the weak target detection ability in radar applications a pulse compression is usually used that in the case linear FM modulation can improve the SNR. One drawback in here is that it can add the range side-lobes in reflectivity measurements. Using weighting window processing in time domain it is possible to decrease significantly the side-lobe level (SLL) and resolve small or low power targets those are masked by powerful ones. There are usually used classical windows such as Hamming, Hanning, etc. in window processing. Additionally to classical ones in this paper we also use a novel class of windows based on atomic functions (AF) theory. For comparison of simulation and experimental results we applied the standard parameters, such as coefficient of amplification, maximum level of side-lobe, width of main lobe, etc. To implement the compression-windowing model on hardware level it has been employed FPGA. This work aims at demonstrating a reasonably flexible implementation of FM-linear signal, pulse compression and windowing employing FPGA's. Classical and novel AF window technique has been investigated to reduce the SLL taking into account the noise influence and increasing the detection ability of the small or weak targets in the imaging radar. Paper presents the experimental hardware results of windowing in pulse compression radar resolving several targets for rectangular, Hamming, Kaiser-Bessel, (see manuscript for formula) functions windows. The windows created by use the atomic functions offer sufficiently better decreasing of the SLL in case of noise presence and when we move away of the main lobe in comparison with classical windows.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ganter, John H.; Reeves, Paul C.
2017-05-01
Processing remote sensing data is the epitome of computation, yet real-time collection systems remain human-labor intensive. Operator labor is consumed by both overhead tasks (cost) and value-added production (benefit). In effect, labor is taxed and then lost. When an operator comes on-shift, they typically duplicate setup work that their teammates have already performed many times. "Pass down" of state information can be difficult if security restrictions require total logouts and blank screens - hours or even days of valuable history and context are lost. As work proceeds, duplicative effort is common because it is typically easier for operators to "do it over" rather than share what others have already done. As we begin a major new system version, we are refactoring the user interface to reduce time and motion losses. Working with users, we are developing "click budgets" to streamline interface use. One basic function is shared clipboards to reduce the use of sticky notes and verbal communication of data strings. We illustrate two additional designs to share work: window copying and window sharing. Copying (technically, shallow or deep object cloning) allows any system user to duplicate a window and configuration for themselves or another to use. Sharing allows a window to have multiple users: shareholders with read-write functionality and viewers with read-only. These solutions would allow windows to persist across multiple shifts, with a rotating cast of shareholders and viewers. Windows thus become durable objects of shared effort and persistent state. While these are low-tech functions, the cumulative labor savings in a 24X7 crew position (525,000 minutes/year spread over multiple individuals) would be significant. New design and implementation is never free and these investments typically do not appeal to government acquisition officers with short-term acquisition-cost concerns rather than a long-term O and M (operations and maintenance) perspective. We share some successes in educating some officers, in collaboration with system users, about the human capital involved in operating the systems they are acquiring.
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An electrophysiological signature for proactive interference resolution in working memory.
Du, Yingchun; Xiao, Zhuangwei; Song, Yan; Fan, Silu; Wu, Renhua; Zhang, John X
2008-08-01
We used event-related potentials (ERPs) to study the temporal dynamics of proactive interference in working memory. Participants performed a Sternberg item-recognition task to determine whether a probe was in a target memory set. Familiar negative probes were found to be more difficult to reject than less familiar ones. A fronto-central N2 component peaking around 300 ms post-probe-onset differentiated among target probes, familiar and less familiar non-target probes. The study identifies N2 as the ERP signature for proactive interference resolution. It also indicates that the resolution process occurs in the same time window as target/non-target discrimination and provides the first piece of electrophysiological evidence supporting a recent interference resolution model based on localization data [Jonides, J., Nee, D.E., 2006. Brain mechanisms of proactive interference in working memory. Neuroscience 139, 181-193].
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Progress Towards Highly Efficient Windows for Zero—Energy Buildings
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Selkowitz, Stephen
2008-09-01
Energy efficient windows could save 4 quads/year, with an additional 1 quad/year gain from daylighting in commercial buildings. This corresponds to 13% of energy used by US buildings and 5% of all energy used by the US. The technical potential is thus very large and the economic potential is slowly becoming a reality. This paper describes the progress in energy efficient windows that employ low-emissivity glazing, electrochromic switchable coatings and other novel materials. Dynamic systems are being developed that use sensors and controls to modulate daylighting and shading contributions in response to occupancy, comfort and energy needs. Improving the energy performance of windows involves physics in a variety of application: optics, heat transfer, materials science and applied engineering. Technical solutions must also be compatible with national policy, codes and standards, economics, business practice and investment, real and perceived risks, comfort, health, safety, productivity, amenities, and occupant preference and values. The challenge is to optimize energy performance by understanding and reinforcing the synergetic coupling between these many issues.
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Old practices, new windows: reflections on a communications skills innovation.
Cantillon, Peter
2017-03-01
Most of the great innovations in communication skills education, from Balint's concept of the 'doctor as drug' to the Calgary Cambridge conceptualisation of the consultation, were founded in general practice. It can be argued however, that there has been a hiatus in the development of new approaches to analysing the consultation since the mid-1990s. It is most welcome therefore that in this issue of the journal two papers are presented that describe and evaluate a novel approach to consultation analysis entitled 'the windows method'. Building on the more structured approaches that preceded it, the windows method offers some genuine innovations in terms of its emphasis on emotional knowledge and the manner in which it addresses many of the potential deficiencies in feedback practice associated with older methods. The new approach is very much in step with current thinking about emotional development and the establishment of appropriate environments for feedback. The windows method has the potential to breathe fresh life into old and well-established communication skills education practices.
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The effects of window shape and reticle presence on performance in a vertical alignment task
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Rosenberg, Erika L.; Haines, Richard F.; Jordan, Kevin
1989-01-01
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of selected interior work-station orientational cuing upon the ability to align a target image with local vertical in the frontal plane. Angular error from gravitational vertical in an alignment task was measured for 20 observers viewing through two window shapes (square, round), two initial orientations of a computer-generated space shuttle image, and the presence or absence of a stabilized optical alignment reticle. In terms of overall accuracy, it was found that observer error was significantly smaller for the square window and reticle-present conditions than for the round window and reticle-absent conditions. Response bias data reflected an overall tendency to undershoot and greater variability of response in the round window/no reticle condition. These results suggest that environmental cuing information, such as that provided by square window frames and alignment reticles, may aid in subjective orientation and increase accuracy of response in a Space Station proximity operations alignment task.
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Foo, Lee Kien; McGree, James; Duffull, Stephen
2012-01-01
Optimal design methods have been proposed to determine the best sampling times when sparse blood sampling is required in clinical pharmacokinetic studies. However, the optimal blood sampling time points may not be feasible in clinical practice. Sampling windows, a time interval for blood sample collection, have been proposed to provide flexibility in blood sampling times while preserving efficient parameter estimation. Because of the complexity of the population pharmacokinetic models, which are generally nonlinear mixed effects models, there is no analytical solution available to determine sampling windows. We propose a method for determination of sampling windows based on MCMC sampling techniques. The proposed method attains a stationary distribution rapidly and provides time-sensitive windows around the optimal design points. The proposed method is applicable to determine sampling windows for any nonlinear mixed effects model although our work focuses on an application to population pharmacokinetic models. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Mechanisms of Gain Control by Voltage-Gated Channels in Intrinsically-Firing Neurons
Patel, Ameera X.; Burdakov, Denis
2015-01-01
Gain modulation is a key feature of neural information processing, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In single neurons, gain can be measured as the slope of the current-frequency (input-output) relationship over any given range of inputs. While much work has focused on the control of basal firing rates and spike rate adaptation, gain control has been relatively unstudied. Of the limited studies on gain control, some have examined the roles of synaptic noise and passive somatic currents, but the roles of voltage-gated channels present ubiquitously in neurons have been less explored. Here, we systematically examined the relationship between gain and voltage-gated ion channels in a conductance-based, tonically-active, model neuron. Changes in expression (conductance density) of voltage-gated channels increased (Ca2+ channel), reduced (K+ channels), or produced little effect (h-type channel) on gain. We found that the gain-controlling ability of channels increased exponentially with the steepness of their activation within the dynamic voltage window (voltage range associated with firing). For depolarization-activated channels, this produced a greater channel current per action potential at higher firing rates. This allowed these channels to modulate gain by contributing to firing preferentially at states of higher excitation. A finer analysis of the current-voltage relationship during tonic firing identified narrow voltage windows at which the gain-modulating channels exerted their effects. As a proof of concept, we show that h-type channels can be tuned to modulate gain by changing the steepness of their activation within the dynamic voltage window. These results show how the impact of an ion channel on gain can be predicted from the relationship between channel kinetics and the membrane potential during firing. This is potentially relevant to understanding input-output scaling in a wide class of neurons found throughout the brain and other nervous systems. PMID:25816008
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An external milli-beam for archaeometric applications on the AGLAE IBA facility of the Louvre museum
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Calligaro, T.; Dran, J.-C.; Hamon, H.; Moignard, B.; Salomon, J.
1998-03-01
External beam lines have been built on numerous IBA facilities for the analysis of works of art to avoid sampling and vacuum potentially detrimental to the integrity of such precious objects. On the other hand, growing interest lies on microprobe systems which provide a high lateral resolution but which usually work under vacuum. Until recently, the AGLAE facility was equipped with separate external beam and microprobe lines. The need of a better spatial resolution in the external beam mode has led us to combine them into a single system which exhibits numerous advantages and allows the analysis of small heterogeneities like inclusions in gemstones or tiny components of composite samples. The triplet of quadrupole lenses bought from Oxford is used to focus the beam. By using a 0.75 μm thick Al foil as the exit window, blowing a helium flow around the beam spot and reducing the window-sample distance below 3 mm, a beam size of about 30 μm can be reached. The experimental setup includes two Si(Li), a HPGe and a Si surface barrier detectors for the simultaneous implementation of PIXE, NRA and RBS. The full description of this device is given as well as a few applications to highlight its capability.
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Pilot case-control study of paediatric falls from windows.
Johnston, Brian D; Quistberg, D Alexander; Shandro, Jamie R; Partridge, Rebecca L; Song, Hyun Rae; Ebel, Beth E
2011-12-01
Unintentional falls from windows are an important cause of paediatric morbidity. There have been no controlled studies to identify modifiable environmental risk factors for window falls in young children. The authors have piloted a case-control study to test procedures for case identification, subject enrolment, and environmental data collection. Case windows were identified when a child 0-9 years old presented for care after a fall from that window. Control windows were identified (1) from the child's home and (2) from the home of an age- and gender-matched child seeking care for an injury diagnosis not related to a window fall. Study staff visited enrolled homes to collect window measurements and conduct window screen performance tests. The authors enrolled and collected data on 18 case windows, 18 in-home controls, and 14 matched community controls. Six potential community controls were contacted for every one enrolled. Families who completed the home visit viewed study procedures positively. Case windows were more likely than community controls to be horizontal sliders (100% vs 50%), to have deeper sills (6.28 vs 4.31 inches), to be higher above the exterior surface (183 vs 82 inches), and to have screens that failed below a threshold derived from the static pressure of a 3-year-old leaning against the mesh (60.0% vs 16.7%). Case windows varied very little from in-home controls. Case-control methodology can be used to study risk factors for paediatric falls from windows. Recruitment of community controls is challenging but essential, because in-home controls tend to be over-matched on important variables. A home visit allows direct measurement of window type, height, sill depth, and screen performance. These variables should all be investigated in subsequent, larger studies covering major housing markets.
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Computer Architecture's Changing Role in Rebooting Computing
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
DeBenedictis, Erik P.
In this paper, Windows 95 started the Wintel era, in which Microsoft Windows running on Intel x86 microprocessors dominated the computer industry and changed the world. Retaining the x86 instruction set across many generations let users buy new and more capable microprocessors without having to buy software to work with new architectures.
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BEDROOM 2. NOTE THE WINDOWS IN THE UPPER PORTION OF ...
BEDROOM 2. NOTE THE WINDOWS IN THE UPPER PORTION OF THE EXTERIOR WALL. VIEW FACING NORTH - Camp H.M. Smith and Navy Public Works Center Manana Title VII (Capehart) Housing, Three-Bedroom Single-Family Types 8 and 11, Birch Circle, Elm Drive, Elm Circle, and Date Drive, Pearl City, Honolulu County, HI
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Computer Architecture's Changing Role in Rebooting Computing
DeBenedictis, Erik P.
2017-04-26
In this paper, Windows 95 started the Wintel era, in which Microsoft Windows running on Intel x86 microprocessors dominated the computer industry and changed the world. Retaining the x86 instruction set across many generations let users buy new and more capable microprocessors without having to buy software to work with new architectures.
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Heidlmayr, Karin; Hemforth, Barbara; Moutier, Sylvain; Isel, Frédéric
2015-01-01
The present study was designed to examine the impact of bilingualism on the neuronal activity in different executive control processes namely conflict monitoring, control implementation (i.e., interference suppression and conflict resolution) and overcoming of inhibition. Twenty-two highly proficient but non-balanced successive French-German bilingual adults and 22 monolingual adults performed a combined Stroop/Negative priming task while event-related potential (ERP) were recorded online. The data revealed that the ERP effects were reduced in bilinguals in comparison to monolinguals but only in the Stroop task and limited to the N400 and the sustained fronto-central negative-going potential time windows. This result suggests that bilingualism may impact the process of control implementation rather than the process of conflict monitoring (N200). Critically, our study revealed a differential time course of the involvement of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in conflict processing. While the ACC showed major activation in the early time windows (N200 and N400) but not in the latest time window (late sustained negative-going potential), the PFC became unilaterally active in the left hemisphere in the N400 and the late sustained negative-going potential time windows. Taken together, the present electroencephalography data lend support to a cascading neurophysiological model of executive control processes, in which ACC and PFC may play a determining role.
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Heidlmayr, Karin; Hemforth, Barbara; Moutier, Sylvain; Isel, Frédéric
2015-01-01
The present study was designed to examine the impact of bilingualism on the neuronal activity in different executive control processes namely conflict monitoring, control implementation (i.e., interference suppression and conflict resolution) and overcoming of inhibition. Twenty-two highly proficient but non-balanced successive French–German bilingual adults and 22 monolingual adults performed a combined Stroop/Negative priming task while event-related potential (ERP) were recorded online. The data revealed that the ERP effects were reduced in bilinguals in comparison to monolinguals but only in the Stroop task and limited to the N400 and the sustained fronto-central negative-going potential time windows. This result suggests that bilingualism may impact the process of control implementation rather than the process of conflict monitoring (N200). Critically, our study revealed a differential time course of the involvement of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in conflict processing. While the ACC showed major activation in the early time windows (N200 and N400) but not in the latest time window (late sustained negative-going potential), the PFC became unilaterally active in the left hemisphere in the N400 and the late sustained negative-going potential time windows. Taken together, the present electroencephalography data lend support to a cascading neurophysiological model of executive control processes, in which ACC and PFC may play a determining role. PMID:26124740
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Surgical anatomy of round window and its implications for cochlear implantation.
Singla, A; Sahni, D; Gupta, A K; Loukas, M; Aggarwal, A
2014-04-01
The objective of this work was to study the morphometry and morphology of the round window (RW) and its relationships with the internal carotid artery, jugular bulb (JB), facial nerve and oval window (OW). Fifty cadaveric temporal bones were microdissected to expose the medial wall of the middle ear. The areas around the RW were cleared and its shape, height and width were noted. Its distances from the carotid canal (CC), jugular fossa (JF), facial canal (FC), and OW were measured. Oval, round, triangular, comma, quadrangular, and pear shapes of RW were observed. The average height and width of the RW were 1.62 ± 0.77 mm and 1.15 ± 0.39 mm, respectively. There was a statistically significant correlation (r = 0.4, P < 0.01) between the height and width. The distances between the RW and the CC, JF, FC, and OW were in the ranges 4.39-11.05 mm, 0.38-8.65 mm, 2.99-6.3 mm, and 1.39-3.57 mm, respectively. In 8% of cases, the distance between the RW and the JF was <1 mm. There were no statistically significant differences with regard to age group, gender, or side. Electrode insertion can be challenging in cases where the height and width of the RW are <1 mm. The thin bone separating the roof of the JF from the RW (<1 mm in 8%) highlights a potential risk of injury to the JB during cochleostomy placement. This information could be useful for selecting cochlear implant electrodes in order to avoid potential risks to vital neurovascular structures during implant surgery. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Dynamic compression of synthetic diamond windows (final report for LDRD project 93531).
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Dolan, Daniel H.,
2008-09-01
Diamond is an attractive dynamic compression window for many reasons: high elastic limit,large mechanical impedance, and broad transparency range. Natural diamonds, however, aretoo expensive to be used in destructive experiments. Chemical vapor deposition techniquesare now able to produce large single-crystal windows, opening up many potential dynamiccompression applications. This project studied the behavior of synthetic diamond undershock wave compression. The results suggest that synthetic diamond could be a usefulwindow in this field, though complete characterization proved elusive.3
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Addressing scale dependence in roughness and morphometric statistics derived from point cloud data.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Buscombe, D.; Wheaton, J. M.; Hensleigh, J.; Grams, P. E.; Welcker, C. W.; Anderson, K.; Kaplinski, M. A.
2015-12-01
The heights of natural surfaces can be measured with such spatial density that almost the entire spectrum of physical roughness scales can be characterized, down to the morphological form and grain scales. With an ability to measure 'microtopography' comes a demand for analytical/computational tools for spatially explicit statistical characterization of surface roughness. Detrended standard deviation of surface heights is a popular means to create continuous maps of roughness from point cloud data, using moving windows and reporting window-centered statistics of variations from a trend surface. If 'roughness' is the statistical variation in the distribution of relief of a surface, then 'texture' is the frequency of change and spatial arrangement of roughness. The variance in surface height as a function of frequency obeys a power law. In consequence, roughness is dependent on the window size through which it is examined, which has a number of potential disadvantages: 1) the choice of window size becomes crucial, and obstructs comparisons between data; 2) if windows are large relative to multiple roughness scales, it is harder to discriminate between those scales; 3) if roughness is not scaled by the texture length scale, information on the spacing and clustering of roughness `elements' can be lost; and 4) such practice is not amenable to models describing the scattering of light and sound from rough natural surfaces. We discuss the relationship between roughness and texture. Some useful parameters which scale vertical roughness to characteristic horizontal length scales are suggested, with examples of bathymetric point clouds obtained using multibeam from two contrasting riverbeds, namely those of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, and the Snake River in Hells Canyon. Such work, aside from automated texture characterization and texture segmentation, roughness and grain size calculation, might also be useful for feature detection and classification from point clouds.
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Kink dynamics in a parametric Φ 6 system: a model with controllably many internal modes
Demirkaya, A.; Decker, R.; Kevrekidis, P. G.; ...
2017-12-14
We explore a variant of the Φ 6 model originally proposed in Phys. Rev.D 12 (1975) 1606 as a prototypical, so-called, “bag” model in which domain walls play the role of quarks within hadrons. We examine the steady state of the model, namely an apparent bound state of two kink structures. We explore its linearization, and we find that, as a function of a parameter controlling the curvature of the potential, an effectively arbitrary number of internal modes may arise in the point spectrum of the linearization about the domain wall profile. We explore some of the key characteristics ofmore » kink-antikink collisions, such as the critical velocity and the multi-bounce windows, and how they depend on the principal parameter of the model. We find that the critical velocity exhibits a non-monotonic dependence on the parameter controlling the curvature of the potential. For the multi-bounce windows, we find that their range and complexity decrease as the relevant parameter decreases (and as the number of internal modes in the model increases). We use a modified collective coordinates method [in the spirit of recent works such as Phys. Rev.D 94 (2016) 085008] in order to capture the relevant phenomenology in a semi-analytical manner.« less
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Kink dynamics in a parametric Φ 6 system: a model with controllably many internal modes
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Demirkaya, A.; Decker, R.; Kevrekidis, P. G.
We explore a variant of the Φ 6 model originally proposed in Phys. Rev.D 12 (1975) 1606 as a prototypical, so-called, “bag” model in which domain walls play the role of quarks within hadrons. We examine the steady state of the model, namely an apparent bound state of two kink structures. We explore its linearization, and we find that, as a function of a parameter controlling the curvature of the potential, an effectively arbitrary number of internal modes may arise in the point spectrum of the linearization about the domain wall profile. We explore some of the key characteristics ofmore » kink-antikink collisions, such as the critical velocity and the multi-bounce windows, and how they depend on the principal parameter of the model. We find that the critical velocity exhibits a non-monotonic dependence on the parameter controlling the curvature of the potential. For the multi-bounce windows, we find that their range and complexity decrease as the relevant parameter decreases (and as the number of internal modes in the model increases). We use a modified collective coordinates method [in the spirit of recent works such as Phys. Rev.D 94 (2016) 085008] in order to capture the relevant phenomenology in a semi-analytical manner.« less
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Kink dynamics in a parametric ϕ 6 system: a model with controllably many internal modes
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Demirkaya, A.; Decker, R.; Kevrekidis, P. G.; Christov, I. C.; Saxena, A.
2017-12-01
We explore a variant of the ϕ 6 model originally proposed in Phys. Rev. D 12 (1975) 1606 as a prototypical, so-called, "bag" model in which domain walls play the role of quarks within hadrons. We examine the steady state of the model, namely an apparent bound state of two kink structures. We explore its linearization, and we find that, as a function of a parameter controlling the curvature of the potential, an effectively arbitrary number of internal modes may arise in the point spectrum of the linearization about the domain wall profile. We explore some of the key characteristics of kink-antikink collisions, such as the critical velocity and the multi-bounce windows, and how they depend on the principal parameter of the model. We find that the critical velocity exhibits a non-monotonic dependence on the parameter controlling the curvature of the potential. For the multi-bounce windows, we find that their range and complexity decrease as the relevant parameter decreases (and as the number of internal modes in the model increases). We use a modified collective coordinates method [in the spirit of recent works such as Phys. Rev. D 94 (2016) 085008] in order to capture the relevant phenomenology in a semi-analytical manner.
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Mind the Gap: Summary of Window Residential Retrofit Solutions
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Petersen, Joseph M.; Cort, Katherine A.; Widder, Sarah H.
Improving the insulation, solar heat gain, and infiltration characteristics of windows in a home has the potential to significantly improve the overall thermal performance by reducing heat transfer through the window and also by decreasing infiltration of outdoor air into the home. As approximately 43% of existing homes still have single-pane clear windows (~50 million houses) and millions of other homes have only double-pane clear windows (Cort 2013), improving window performance also presents a significant opportunity for energy savings in the residential sector. Today, various energy-saving window retrofit opportunities are available to homeowners, ranging from window coverings and storm panelsmore » to highly-insulating triple-pane R-5 window replacements. Many of these technologies have been evaluated in the field, in the “Lab Homes” at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and through modeling to prove their cost-effectiveness and performance in different climate regions. Recently, the Pacific Northwest’s Regional Technical Forum approved a utility measure for low- emissivity storm windows based on such data. This action represents a watershed moment for increasing the variety and prevalence of fenestration options in utility programs, especially for the low-income demographic. This paper will review various window retrofit options, the most recent field test and modeling data regarding their performance and cost-effectiveness, and discuss future rating efforts. This information is useful for utilities and energy-efficiency program managers to help effectively implement incentive measures for these technologies.« less
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Effects of Functional Groups in Redox-Active Organic Molecules: A High-Throughput Screening Approach
Pelzer, Kenley M.; Cheng, Lei; Curtiss, Larry A.
2016-12-08
Nonaqueous redox flow batteries have attracted recent attention with their potential for high electrochemical storage capacity, with organic electrolytes serving as solvents with a wide electrochemical stability window. Organic molecules can also serve as electroactive species, where molecules with low reduction potentials or high oxidation potentials can provide substantial chemical energy. To identify promising electrolytes in a vast chemical space, high-throughput screening (HTS) of candidate molecules plays an important role, where HTS is used to calculate properties of thousands of molecules and identify a few organic molecules worthy of further attention in battery research. Here, in this work, we presentmore » reduction and oxidation potentials obtained from HTS of 4178 molecules. The molecules are composed of base groups of five- or six-membered rings with one or two functional groups attached, with the set of possible functional groups including both electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups. In addition to observing the trends in potentials that result from differences in organic base groups and functional groups, we analyze the effects of molecular characteristics such as multiple bonds, Hammett parameters, and functional group position. In conclusion, this work provides useful guidance in determining how the identities of the base groups and functional groups are correlated with desirable reduction and oxidation potentials.« less
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Effects of Functional Groups in Redox-Active Organic Molecules: A High-Throughput Screening Approach
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Pelzer, Kenley M.; Cheng, Lei; Curtiss, Larry A.
Nonaqueous redox flow batteries have attracted recent attention with their potential for high electrochemical storage capacity, with organic electrolytes serving as solvents with a wide electrochemical stability window. Organic molecules can also serve as electroactive species, where molecules with low reduction potentials or high oxidation potentials can provide substantial chemical energy. To identify promising electrolytes in a vast chemical space, high-throughput screening (HTS) of candidate molecules plays an important role, where HTS is used to calculate properties of thousands of molecules and identify a few organic molecules worthy of further attention in battery research. Here, in this work, we presentmore » reduction and oxidation potentials obtained from HTS of 4178 molecules. The molecules are composed of base groups of five- or six-membered rings with one or two functional groups attached, with the set of possible functional groups including both electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups. In addition to observing the trends in potentials that result from differences in organic base groups and functional groups, we analyze the effects of molecular characteristics such as multiple bonds, Hammett parameters, and functional group position. In conclusion, this work provides useful guidance in determining how the identities of the base groups and functional groups are correlated with desirable reduction and oxidation potentials.« less
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Window Design Criteria to Avoid Overheating by Excessive Solar Heat Gains.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Loudon, A. G.
Building Research studies show that overheating because of excessive solar heat gains can be troublesome in buildings of lightweight construction with large areas of glazing. The work being done at the Building Research Station provides the data for calculation of peak temperatures resulting from solar heat gain. Attention is given to window size…
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DINING ROOM WITH WINDOWS TO THE ENCLOSED CARPORT AT REAR ...
DINING ROOM WITH WINDOWS TO THE ENCLOSED CARPORT AT REAR WALL. NOTE JALOUSIE PANEL DOOR TO THE LANAI. VIEW FACING NORTHWEST - Camp H.M. Smith and Navy Public Works Center Manana Title VII (Capehart) Housing, Four-Bedroom, Single-Family Type 10, Birch Circle, Elm Drive, Elm Circle, and Date Drive, Pearl City, Honolulu County, HI
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MASTER BEDROOM SHOWING THE WINDOWS IN THE UPPER PORTION OF ...
MASTER BEDROOM SHOWING THE WINDOWS IN THE UPPER PORTION OF THE EXTERIOR WALL AND THE SLIDING CLOSET DOORS. VIEW FACING WEST - Camp H.M. Smith and Navy Public Works Center Manana Title VII (Capehart) Housing, U-Shaped Two-Bedroom Single-Family Type 6, Birch Circle, Elm Drive, Elm Circle, and Date Drive, Pearl City, Honolulu County, HI
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CLOSEUP OF REAR TERRACE, WITH LIVING ROOM WINDOWS ON LEFT ...
CLOSEUP OF REAR TERRACE, WITH LIVING ROOM WINDOWS ON LEFT SIDE, AND ADDED DOOR TO ENCLOSED CARPORT ON RIGHT SIDE. VIEW FACING WEST - Camp H.M. Smith and Navy Public Works Center Manana Title VII (Capehart) Housing, Four-Bedroom, Single-Family Type 10, Birch Circle, Elm Drive, Elm Circle, and Date Drive, Pearl City, Honolulu County, HI
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ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Cahan, Sorel; Mor, Yaniv
2007-01-01
Narrow Window theory, suggested by Y. Kareev ten years ago, has so far focused on one central implication of the limited capacity of working memory on intuitive correlation estimation, namely, overestimation of the distal population correlation. This paper points to additional and perhaps more dramatic implications due to the large dispersion of…
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Electrophysiological evidence for phenomenal consciousness.
Revonsuo, Antti; Koivisto, Mika
2010-09-01
Abstract Recent evidence from event-related brain potentials (ERPs) lends support to two central theses in Lamme's theory. The earliest ERP correlate of visual consciousness appears over posterior visual cortex around 100-200 ms after stimulus onset. Its scalp topography and time window are consistent with recurrent processing in the visual cortex. This electrophysiological correlate of visual consciousness is mostly independent of later ERPs reflecting selective attention and working memory functions. Overall, the ERP evidence supports the view that phenomenal consciousness of a visual stimulus emerges earlier than access consciousness, and that attention and awareness are served by distinct neural processes.
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Wide electrochemical window of supercapacitors from coffee bean-derived phosphorus-rich carbons.
Huang, Congcong; Sun, Ting; Hulicova-Jurcakova, Denisa
2013-12-01
Phosphorus-rich carbons (PCs) were prepared by phosphoric acid activation of waste coffee grounds in different impregnation ratios. PCs were characterized by nitrogen and carbon dioxide adsorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results indicate that the activation step not only creates a porous structure, but also introduces various phosphorus and oxygen functional groups to the surface of carbons. As evidenced by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge, and wide potential window tests, a supercapacitor constructed from PC-2 (impregnation ratio of 2), with the highest phosphorus content, can operate very stably in 1 M H2 SO4 at 1.5 V with only 18 % degradation after 10 000 cycles at a current density of 5 A g(-1) . Due to the wide electrochemical window, a supercapacitor assembled with PC-2 has a high energy density of 15 Wh kg(-1) at a power density of 75 W kg(-1) . The possibility of widening the potential window above the theoretical potential for the decomposition of water is attributed to reversible electrochemical hydrogen storage in narrow micropores and the positive effect of phosphorus-rich functional groups, particularly the polyphosphates on the carbon surface. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
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IDG - INTERACTIVE DIF GENERATOR
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Preheim, L. E.
1994-01-01
The Interactive DIF Generator (IDG) utility is a tool used to generate and manipulate Directory Interchange Format files (DIF). Its purpose as a specialized text editor is to create and update DIF files which can be sent to NASA's Master Directory, also referred to as the International Global Change Directory at Goddard. Many government and university data systems use the Master Directory to advertise the availability of research data. The IDG interface consists of a set of four windows: (1) the IDG main window; (2) a text editing window; (3) a text formatting and validation window; and (4) a file viewing window. The IDG main window starts up the other windows and contains a list of valid keywords. The keywords are loaded from a user-designated file and selected keywords can be copied into any active editing window. Once activated, the editing window designates the file to be edited. Upon switching from the editing window to the formatting and validation window, the user has options for making simple changes to one or more files such as inserting tabs, aligning fields, and indenting groups. The viewing window is a scrollable read-only window that allows fast viewing of any text file. IDG is an interactive tool and requires a mouse or a trackball to operate. IDG uses the X Window System to build and manage its interactive forms, and also uses the Motif widget set and runs under Sun UNIX. IDG is written in C-language for Sun computers running SunOS. This package requires the X Window System, Version 11 Revision 4, with OSF/Motif 1.1. IDG requires 1.8Mb of hard disk space. The standard distribution medium for IDG is a .25 inch streaming magnetic tape cartridge in UNIX tar format. It is also available on a 3.5 inch diskette in UNIX tar format. The program was developed in 1991 and is a copyrighted work with all copyright vested in NASA. SunOS is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. X Window System is a trademark of Massachusetts Institute of Technology. OSF/Motif is a trademark of the Open Software Foundation, Inc. UNIX is a trademark of Bell Laboratories.
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Hanse, J J; Forsman, M
2001-02-01
A method for psychosocial evaluation of potentially stressful or unsatisfactory situations in manual work was developed. It focuses on subjective responses regarding specific situations and is based on interactive worker assessment when viewing video recordings of oneself. The worker is first video-recorded during work. The video is then displayed on the computer terminal, and the filmed worker clicks on virtual controls on the screen whenever an unsatisfactory psychosocial situation appears; a window of questions regarding psychological demands, mental strain and job control is then opened. A library with pictorial information and comments on the selected situations is formed in the computer. The evaluation system, called PSIDAR, was applied in two case studies, one of manual materials handling in an automotive workshop and one of a group of workers producing and testing instrument panels. The findings indicate that PSIDAR can provide data that are useful in a participatory ergonomic process of change.
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Zhang, Fei-ruo; Wang, Sheng; He, Li-hua; Zhang, Ying; Wu, Shan-shan; Li, Jing-yun; Hu, Guang-yi; Ye, Kang-ping
2011-03-01
To study neck and shoulder work-related muscle fatigue of female sewing machine operators. 18 health female sewing machine operators without musculoskeletal disorders work in Beijing garment industry factory as volunteers in participate of this study. The maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and 20% MVC of bilateral upper trapezium and cervical erectors spinae was tested before sewing operations, then the whole 20 time windows (1 time window = 10 min) sewing machine operations was monitored and the surface electromyography (sEMG) signals simultaneously was recorded after monitoring the 20%MVC was tested. Use amplitude analysis method to reduction recorded EMG signals. During work, the median load for the left cervical erector spinae (LCES), right cervical erector spinae (RCES), left upper trapezium (LUT) and right upper trapezium (RUT) respectively was 6.78 ± 1.05, 6.94 ± 1.12, 5.68 ± 2.56 and 6.47 ± 3.22, work load of right is higher than the left; static load analysis indicated the value of RMS(20%MVC) before work was higher than that value after work, the increase of right CES and UT RMS(20%MVC) was more; the largest 20%MVE of bilateral CES occurred at 20th time window, and that of bilateral UT happened at 16th. The work load of female sewing machine operators is sustained "static" load, and work load of right neck-shoulder is higher than left, right neck-shoulder muscle is more fatigable and much serious once fatigued.
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Sound isolation performance of interior acoustical sash
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tocci, Gregory
2002-05-01
In existing, as well as new buildings, an interior light of glass mounted on the inside of a prime window is used to improve the sound transmission loss otherwise obtained by the prime window alone. Interior acoustical sash is most often 1/4 in. (6 mm) monolithic or laminated glass, and is typically spaced 3 in. to 6 in. from the glass of the prime window. This paper presents TL data measured at Riverbank Acoustical Laboratories by Solutia (formerly Monsanto) for lightweight prime windows of various types, with and without interior acoustical sash glazed with 1/4 in. laminated glass. The TL data are used to estimate the A-weighted insertion loss of interior acoustical sash when applied to prime windows glazed with lightweight glass for four transportation noise source types-highway traffic, aircraft, electric rail, and diesel rail. The analysis also has been extended to determine the insertion loss expressed as a change in OITC. The data also exhibit the reductions in insertion loss that can result from short-circuiting the interior acoustical sash with the prime window. [Work supported by Solutia, Inc.
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High performance sapphire windows
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Bates, Stephen C.; Liou, Larry
1993-01-01
High-quality, wide-aperture optical access is usually required for the advanced laser diagnostics that can now make a wide variety of non-intrusive measurements of combustion processes. Specially processed and mounted sapphire windows are proposed to provide this optical access to extreme environment. Through surface treatments and proper thermal stress design, single crystal sapphire can be a mechanically equivalent replacement for high strength steel. A prototype sapphire window and mounting system have been developed in a successful NASA SBIR Phase 1 project. A large and reliable increase in sapphire design strength (as much as 10x) has been achieved, and the initial specifications necessary for these gains have been defined. Failure testing of small windows has conclusively demonstrated the increased sapphire strength, indicating that a nearly flawless surface polish is the primary cause of strengthening, while an unusual mounting arrangement also significantly contributes to a larger effective strength. Phase 2 work will complete specification and demonstration of these windows, and will fabricate a set for use at NASA. The enhanced capabilities of these high performance sapphire windows will lead to many diagnostic capabilities not previously possible, as well as new applications for sapphire.
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High performance sapphire windows
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bates, Stephen C.; Liou, Larry
1993-02-01
High-quality, wide-aperture optical access is usually required for the advanced laser diagnostics that can now make a wide variety of non-intrusive measurements of combustion processes. Specially processed and mounted sapphire windows are proposed to provide this optical access to extreme environment. Through surface treatments and proper thermal stress design, single crystal sapphire can be a mechanically equivalent replacement for high strength steel. A prototype sapphire window and mounting system have been developed in a successful NASA SBIR Phase 1 project. A large and reliable increase in sapphire design strength (as much as 10x) has been achieved, and the initial specifications necessary for these gains have been defined. Failure testing of small windows has conclusively demonstrated the increased sapphire strength, indicating that a nearly flawless surface polish is the primary cause of strengthening, while an unusual mounting arrangement also significantly contributes to a larger effective strength. Phase 2 work will complete specification and demonstration of these windows, and will fabricate a set for use at NASA. The enhanced capabilities of these high performance sapphire windows will lead to many diagnostic capabilities not previously possible, as well as new applications for sapphire.
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Improving the Performance of PbS Quantum Dot Solar Cells by Optimizing ZnO Window Layer
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Yang, Xiaokun; Hu, Long; Deng, Hui; Qiao, Keke; Hu, Chao; Liu, Zhiyong; Yuan, Shengjie; Khan, Jahangeer; Li, Dengbing; Tang, Jiang; Song, Haisheng; Cheng, Chun
2017-04-01
Comparing with hot researches in absorber layer, window layer has attracted less attention in PbS quantum dot solar cells (QD SCs). Actually, the window layer plays a key role in exciton separation, charge drifting, and so on. Herein, ZnO window layer was systematically investigated for its roles in QD SCs performance. The physical mechanism of improved performance was also explored. It was found that the optimized ZnO films with appropriate thickness and doping concentration can balance the optical and electrical properties, and its energy band align well with the absorber layer for efficient charge extraction. Further characterizations demonstrated that the window layer optimization can help to reduce the surface defects, improve the heterojunction quality, as well as extend the depletion width. Compared with the control devices, the optimized devices have obtained an efficiency of 6.7% with an enhanced V oc of 18%, J sc of 21%, FF of 10%, and power conversion efficiency of 58%. The present work suggests a useful strategy to improve the device performance by optimizing the window layer besides the absorber layer.
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NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Johnson, Walter W.; Kaiser, Mary K.
2003-01-01
Perspective synthetic displays that supplement, or supplant, the optical windows traditionally used for guidance and control of aircraft are accompanied by potentially significant human factors problems related to the optical geometric conformality of the display. Such geometric conformality is broken when optical features are not in the location they would be if directly viewed through a window. This often occurs when the scene is relayed or generated from a location different from the pilot s eyepoint. However, assuming no large visual/vestibular effects, a pilot cad often learn to use such a display very effectively. Important problems may arise, however, when display accuracy or consistency is compromised, and this can usually be related to geometrical discrepancies between how the synthetic visual scene behaves and how the visual scene through a window behaves. In addition to these issues, this paper examines the potentially critical problem of the disorientation that can arise when both a synthetic display and a real window are present in a flight deck, and no consistent visual interpretation is available.
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Transparency of 2μ m window of Titan's atmosphere
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Rannou, P.; Seignovert, B.; Le Mouélic, S.; Maltagliati, L.; Rey, M.; Sotin, C.
2018-02-01
Titan's atmosphere is optically thick and hides the surface and the lower layers from the view at almost all wavelengths. However, because gaseous absorptions are spectrally selective, some narrow spectral intervals are relatively transparent and allow to probe the surface. To use these intervals (called windows) a good knowledge of atmospheric absorption is necessary. Once gas spectroscopic linelists are well established, the absorption inside windows depends on the way the far wings of the methane absorption lines are cut-off. We know that the intensity in all the windows can be explained with the same cut-off parameters, except for the window at 2 μm. This discrepancy is generally treated with a workaround which consists in using a different cut-off description for this specific window. This window is relatively transparent and surface may have specific spectral signatures that could be detected. Thus, a good knowledge of atmosphere opacities is essential and our scope is to better understand what causes the difference between the 2 μm window and the other windows. In this work, we used scattered light at the limb and transmissions in occultation observed with VIMS (Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer) onboard Cassini, around the 2 μm window. Data shows an absorption feature that participates to the shape of this window. Our atmospheric model fits well the VIMS data at 2 μm with the same cut-off than for the other windows, provided an additional absorption is introduced in the middle of the window around ≃ 2.065 μm. It explains well the discrepency between the cut-off used at 2 μm, and we show that a gas with a fairly constant mixing ratio, possibly ethane, may be the cause of this absorption. Finally, we studied the impact of this absorption on the retrieval of the surface reflectivity and found that it is significant.
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Low-E Storm Windows Gain Acceptance as a Home Weatherization Measure
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Gilbride, Theresa L.; Cort, Katherine A.
This article for Home Energy Magazine describes work by the U.S. Department of Energy to develop low-emissivity storm windows as an energy efficiency-retrofit option for existing homes. The article describes the low-emissivity invisible silver metal coatings on the glass, which reflect heat back into the home in winter or back outside in summer and the benefits of low-e storm windows including insulation, air sealing, noise blocking, protection of antique windows, etc. The article also describes Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's efforts on behalf of DOE to overcome market barriers to adoption of the technology, including performance validation studies in the PNNLmore » Lab Homes, cost effectiveness analysis, production of reports, brochures, how-to guides on low-e storm window installation for the Building America Solution Center, and a video posted on YouTube. PNNL's efforts were reviewed by the Pacific Northwest Regional Technical Forum (RTF), which serves as the advisory board to the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning Council and Bonneville Power Administration. In late July 2015, the RTF approved the low-e storm window measure’s savings and specifications, a critical step in integrating low-e storm windows into energy-efficiency planning and utility weatherization and incentive programs. PNNL estimates that more than 90 million homes in the United States with single-pane or low-performing double-pane windows would benefit from the technology. Low-e storm windows are suitable not only for private residences but also for small commercial buildings, historic properties, and facilities that house residents, such as nursing homes, dormitories, and in-patient facilities. To further assist in the market transformation of low-e storm windows and other high-efficiency window attachments, DOE helped found the window Attachment Energy Rating Council (AERC) in 2015. AERC is an independent, public interest, non-profit organization whose mission is to rate, label, and certify the performance of window attachments.« less
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Chang, Nai-Fu; Chiang, Cheng-Yi; Chen, Tung-Chien; Chen, Liang-Gee
2011-01-01
On-chip implementation of Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) has great impact to analyze the non-linear and non-stationary biomedical signals on wearable or implantable sensors for the real-time applications. Cubic spline interpolation (CSI) consumes the most computation in HHT, and is the key component for the HHT processor. In tradition, CSI in HHT is usually performed after the collection of a large window of signals, and the long latency violates the realtime requirement of the applications. In this work, we propose to keep processing the incoming signals on-line with small and overlapped data windows without sacrificing the interpolation accuracy. 58% multiplication and 73% division of CSI are saved after the data reuse between the data windows.
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LIVING ROOM. NOTE THE WINDOWS IN THE UPPER PORTION OF ...
LIVING ROOM. NOTE THE WINDOWS IN THE UPPER PORTION OF THE EXTERIOR WALL (LEFT) AND SLIDING DOORS TO THE DINING ROOM. VIEW FACING SOUTHWEST - Camp H.M. Smith and Navy Public Works Center Manana Title VII (Capehart) Housing, Four-Bedroom, Single-Family Type 10, Birch Circle, Elm Drive, Elm Circle, and Date Drive, Pearl City, Honolulu County, HI
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Beyond the Time Window of Intravenous Thrombolysis: Standing by or by Stenting?
Liu, Xinfeng
2012-01-01
Intravenous administration of tissue plasminogen activator within 4.5 h of symptom onset is presently the ‘golden rule’ for treating acute ischemic stroke. However, many patients miss the time window and others reject this treatment due to a long list of contraindications. Mechanical embolectomy has recently progressed as a potential alternative for treating patients beyond the time window for IV thrombolysis. In this paper, recent progress in mechanical embolectomy, angioplasty, and stenting in acute stroke is reviewed. Despite worries concerning the long-term clinical outcomes and increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage, favorable clinical outcomes may be achieved after mechanical embolectomy in carefully selected patients even 4.5 h after stroke onset. Potential steps should be prepared and attempted in these patients whose opportunity for recovery will elapse in a flash. PMID:25187761
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RF-driven ion source with a back-streaming electron dump
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Kwan, Joe; Ji, Qing
A novel ion source is described having an improved lifetime. The ion source, in one embodiment, is a proton source, including an external RF antenna mounted to an RF window. To prevent backstreaming electrons formed in the beam column from striking the RF window, a back streaming electron dump is provided, which in one embodiment is formed of a cylindrical tube, open at one end to the ion source chamber and capped at its other end by a metal plug. The plug, maintained at the same electrical potential as the source, captures these backstreaming electrons, and thus prevents localized heatingmore » of the window, which due to said heating, might otherwise cause window damage.« less
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Psychoanalysis and art: artistic representations in patients' dreams.
Pazzagli, Adolfo; Rossi Monti, Mario
2010-07-01
The authors explore the psychic passages that were opened up within a patient, Ada, thanks to her contact with two works of art, Signorelli's frescoes in Orvieto and Picasso's painting La Nageuse--their themes, formal structures, and the conventions governing their creation. A work of art can be considered as a kind of window that allows one to look upon the imaginary world created by the artist. One can peer out of this window from the other side, permitting a look at the viewer (the patient), who is caught in a web of associations that are yet to be explored.
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Free-breathing 3D Cardiac MRI Using Iterative Image-Based Respiratory Motion Correction
Moghari, Mehdi H.; Roujol, Sébastien; Chan, Raymond H.; Hong, Susie N.; Bello, Natalie; Henningsson, Markus; Ngo, Long H.; Goddu, Beth; Goepfert, Lois; Kissinger, Kraig V.; Manning, Warren J.; Nezafat, Reza
2012-01-01
Respiratory motion compensation using diaphragmatic navigator (NAV) gating with a 5 mm gating window is conventionally used for free-breathing cardiac MRI. Due to the narrow gating window, scan efficiency is low resulting in long scan times, especially for patients with irregular breathing patterns. In this work, a new retrospective motion compensation algorithm is presented to reduce the scan time for free-breathing cardiac MRI that increasing the gating window to 15 mm without compromising image quality. The proposed algorithm iteratively corrects for respiratory-induced cardiac motion by optimizing the sharpness of the heart. To evaluate this technique, two coronary MRI datasets with 1.3 mm3 resolution were acquired from 11 healthy subjects (7 females, 25±9 years); one using a NAV with a 5 mm gating window acquired in 12.0±2.0 minutes and one with a 15 mm gating window acquired in 7.1±1.0 minutes. The images acquired with a 15 mm gating window were corrected using the proposed algorithm and compared to the uncorrected images acquired with the 5 mm and 15 mm gating windows. The image quality score, sharpness, and length of the three major coronary arteries were equivalent between the corrected images and the images acquired with a 5 mm gating window (p-value>0.05), while the scan time was reduced by a factor of 1.7. PMID:23132549
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Corresponding states law for a generalized Lennard-Jones potential.
Orea, P; Romero-Martínez, A; Basurto, E; Vargas, C A; Odriozola, G
2015-07-14
It was recently shown that vapor-liquid coexistence densities derived from Mie and Yukawa models collapse to define a single master curve when represented against the difference between the reduced second virial coefficient at the corresponding temperature and that at the critical point. In this work, we further test this proposal for another generalization of the Lennard-Jones pair potential. This is carried out for vapor-liquid coexistence densities, surface tension, and vapor pressure, along a temperature window set below the critical point. For this purpose, we perform molecular dynamics simulations by varying the potential softness parameter to produce from very short to intermediate attractive ranges. We observed all properties to collapse and yield master curves. Moreover, the vapor-liquid curve is found to share the exact shape of the Mie and attractive Yukawa. Furthermore, the surface tension and the logarithm of the vapor pressure are linear functions of this difference of reduced second virial coefficients.
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Sliding window prior data assisted compressed sensing for MRI tracking of lung tumors.
Yip, Eugene; Yun, Jihyun; Wachowicz, Keith; Gabos, Zsolt; Rathee, Satyapal; Fallone, B G
2017-01-01
Hybrid magnetic resonance imaging and radiation therapy devices are capable of imaging in real-time to track intrafractional lung tumor motion during radiotherapy. Highly accelerated magnetic resonance (MR) imaging methods can potentially reduce system delay time and/or improves imaging spatial resolution, and provide flexibility in imaging parameters. Prior Data Assisted Compressed Sensing (PDACS) has previously been proposed as an acceleration method that combines the advantages of 2D compressed sensing and the KEYHOLE view-sharing technique. However, as PDACS relies on prior data acquired at the beginning of a dynamic imaging sequence, decline in image quality occurs for longer duration scans due to drifts in MR signal. Novel sliding window-based techniques for refreshing prior data are proposed as a solution to this problem. MR acceleration is performed by retrospective removal of data from the fully sampled sets. Six patients with lung tumors are scanned with a clinical 3 T MRI using a balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) sequence for 3 min at approximately 4 frames per second, for a total of 650 dynamics. A series of distinct pseudo-random patterns of partial k-space acquisition is generated such that, when combined with other dynamics within a sliding window of 100 dynamics, covers the entire k-space. The prior data in the sliding window are continuously refreshed to reduce the impact of MR signal drifts. We intended to demonstrate two different ways to utilize the sliding window data: a simple averaging method and a navigator-based method. These two sliding window methods are quantitatively compared against the original PDACS method using three metrics: artifact power, centroid displacement error, and Dice's coefficient. The study is repeated with pseudo 0.5 T images by adding complex, normally distributed noise with a standard deviation that reduces image SNR, relative to original 3 T images, by a factor of 6. Without sliding window implemented, PDACS-reconstructed dynamic datasets showed progressive increases in image artifact power as the 3 min scan progresses. With sliding windows implemented, this increase in artifact power is eliminated. Near the end of a 3 min scan at 3 T SNR and 5× acceleration, implementation of an averaging (navigator) sliding window method improves our metrics by the following ways: artifact power decreases from 0.065 without sliding window to 0.030 (0.031), centroid error decreases from 2.64 to 1.41 mm (1.28 mm), and Dice coefficient agreement increases from 0.860 to 0.912 (0.915). At pseudo 0.5 T SNR, the improvements in metrics are as follows: artifact power decreases from 0.110 without sliding window to 0.0897 (0.0985), centroid error decreases from 2.92 mm to 1.36 mm (1.32 mm), and Dice coefficient agreements increases from 0.851 to 0.894 (0.896). In this work we demonstrated the negative impact of slow changes in MR signal for longer duration PDACS dynamic scans, namely increases in image artifact power and reductions of tumor tracking accuracy. We have also demonstrated sliding window implementations (i.e., refreshing of prior data) of PDACS are effective solutions to this problem at both 3 T and simulated 0.5 T bSSFP images. © 2016 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.
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Persistent luminescence nanothermometers
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Martín Rodríguez, Emma; López-Peña, Gabriel; Montes, Eduardo; Lifante, Ginés; García Solé, José; Jaque, Daniel; Diaz-Torres, Luis Armando; Salas, Pedro
2017-08-01
Persistent phosphorescence nanoparticles emitting in the red and near-infrared spectral regions are strongly demanded as contrast nanoprobes for autofluorescence free bioimaging and biosensing. In this work, we have developed Sr4Al14O25:Eu2+, Cr3+, Nd3+ nanopowders that produce persistent red phosphorescence peaking at 694 nm generated by Cr3+ ions. This emission displays temperature sensitivity in the physiological temperature range (20-60 °C), which makes these nanoparticles potentially useful as fluorescence (contactless) nanothermometers operating without requiring optical excitation. Nd3+ ions, which act as shallow electron traps for the red Cr3+ persistent emission, also display infrared emission bands, extending the fluorescence imaging capability to the second biological window. This unique combination of properties makes these nanoparticles multifunctional luminescent probes with great potential applications in nanomedicine.
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Diamond-Based Supercapacitors: Realization and Properties.
Gao, Fang; Nebel, Christoph E
2016-10-26
In this Spotlight on Applications, we describe our recent progress on the fabrication of surface-enlarged boron-doped polycrystalline diamond electrodes, and evaluate their performance in supercapacitor applications. We begin with a discussion of the fabrication methods of porous diamond materials. The diamond surface enlargement starts with a top-down plasma etching method. Although the extra surface area provided by surface roughening or nanostructuring provides good outcome for sensing applications, a capacitance value <1 mF cm -2 or a surface-enlargement factor <100 fail to meet the requirement of a practical supercapacitor. Driven by the need for large surface areas, we recently focused on the tempated-growth method. We worked on both supported and free-standing porous diamond materials to enhance the areal capacitance to the "mF cm -2 " range. With our newly developed free-standing diamond paper, areal capacitance can be multiplied by stacking multilayers of the electrode material. Finally, considering the fact that there is no real diamond-based supercapacitor device up to now, we fabricated the first prototype pouch-cell device based on the free-standing diamond paper to evaluate its performance. The results reveal that the diamond paper is suitable for operation in high potential windows (up to 2.5 V) in aqueous electrolyte with a capacitance of 0.688 mF cm -2 per layer of paper (or 0.645 F g -1 ). Impedance spectroscopy revealed that the operation frequency of the device exceeds 30 Hz. Because of the large potential window and the ability to work at high frequency, the specific power of the device reached 1 × 10 5 W kg -1 . In the end, we made estimations on the future target performance of diamond supercapacitors based on the existing information.
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Detection of Splice Sites Using Support Vector Machine
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Varadwaj, Pritish; Purohit, Neetesh; Arora, Bhumika
Automatic identification and annotation of exon and intron region of gene, from DNA sequences has been an important research area in field of computational biology. Several approaches viz. Hidden Markov Model (HMM), Artificial Intelligence (AI) based machine learning and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) techniques have extensively and independently been used by various researchers to cater this challenging task. In this work, we propose a Support Vector Machine based kernel learning approach for detection of splice sites (the exon-intron boundary) in a gene. Electron-Ion Interaction Potential (EIIP) values of nucleotides have been used for mapping character sequences to corresponding numeric sequences. Radial Basis Function (RBF) SVM kernel is trained using EIIP numeric sequences. Furthermore this was tested on test gene dataset for detection of splice site by window (of 12 residues) shifting. Optimum values of window size, various important parameters of SVM kernel have been optimized for a better accuracy. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves have been utilized for displaying the sensitivity rate of the classifier and results showed 94.82% accuracy for splice site detection on test dataset.
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Car glass microphones using piezoelectric transducers for external alarm detection and localization
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bolzmacher, Christian; Le Guelvouit, Valentin
2015-05-01
This work describes the potential use of car windows as a long range acoustic sensing device for external alarm signals. The goal is to detect and localize siren signals (e.g. ambulances and police cars) and to alert presbycusic drivers of its presence by visual and acoustic feedback in order to improve individual mobility and increase the sense of security. The glass panes of a Renault Zoé operating as an acoustic antenna have been equipped with large 50 mm outer diameter piezoceramic rings, hidden in the lower part of the door structure and the lower part of the windshield and the rear window. The response of the glass to quasi-static signals and sweep excitation has been recorded. In general, the glass pane is acting as a high pass filter due to its inherent stiffness and provides only little damping. This effect is compensated by using a charge amplifier electronic circuit. The detection capability up to 120 m as well as a dynamic test where the car is moving towards the sound source is reported.
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Band gap engineering of hydrogenated amorphous carbon thin films for solar cell application
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Dwivedi, Neeraj; Kumar, Sushil; Dayal, Saurabh; Rauthan, C. M. S.; Panwar, O. S.; Malik, Hitendra K.
2012-10-01
In this work, self bias variation, nitrogen introduction and oxygen plasma (OP) treatment approaches have been used for tailoring the band gap of hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) thin films. The band gap of a-C:H and modified a- C:H films is varied in the range from 1.25 eV to 3.45 eV, which is found to be nearly equal to the full solar spectrum (1 eV- 3.5 eV). Hence, such a-C:H and modified a-C:H films are found to be potential candidate for the development of full spectrum solar cells. Besides this, computer aided simulation with considering variable band gap a-C:H and modified a- C:H films as window layer for amorphous silicon p-i-n solar cells is also performed by AFORS-HET software and maximum efficiency as ~14 % is realized. Since a-C:H is hard material, hence a-C:H and modified a-C:H films as window layer may avoid the use of additional hard and protective coating particularly in n-i-p configuration.
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Near real-time vaccine safety surveillance with partially accrued data.
Greene, Sharon K; Kulldorff, Martin; Yin, Ruihua; Yih, W Katherine; Lieu, Tracy A; Weintraub, Eric S; Lee, Grace M
2011-06-01
The Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) Project conducts near real-time vaccine safety surveillance using sequential analytic methods. Timely surveillance is critical in identifying potential safety problems and preventing additional exposure before most vaccines are administered. For vaccines that are administered during a short period, such as influenza vaccines, timeliness can be improved by undertaking analyses while risk windows following vaccination are ongoing and by accommodating predictable and unpredictable data accrual delays. We describe practical solutions to these challenges, which were adopted by the VSD Project during pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccine safety surveillance in 2009/2010. Adjustments were made to two sequential analytic approaches. The Poisson-based approach compared the number of pre-defined adverse events observed following vaccination with the number expected using historical data. The expected number was adjusted for the proportion of the risk window elapsed and the proportion of inpatient data estimated to have accrued. The binomial-based approach used a self-controlled design, comparing the observed numbers of events in risk versus comparison windows. Events were included in analysis only if they occurred during a week that had already passed for both windows. Analyzing data before risk windows fully elapsed improved the timeliness of safety surveillance. Adjustments for data accrual lags were tailored to each data source and avoided biasing analyses away from detecting a potential safety problem, particularly early during surveillance. The timeliness of vaccine and drug safety surveillance can be improved by properly accounting for partially elapsed windows and data accrual delays. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Round window plugging in the treatment of superior semicircular canal dehiscence.
Succar, Eric F; Manickam, Periakaruppan V; Wing, Sara; Walter, Jeffrey; Greene, Joseph S; Azeredo, William J
2018-06-01
Objectives were to describe the use of round window plugging for superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome and review further recommendations regarding the procedure based on our experience and to compare results with recent literature on round window plugging. Retrospective case series. Fourteen patients underwent round window plugging for superior semicircular canal dehiscence at our institution from 2012 to 2015. All patients underwent the same surgical procedure. Available pre- and postoperative data were reviewed. Fourteen patient charts were reviewed. Symptoms of autophony improved in nine of 14 (64%) patients. Symptoms of pressure-induced vertigo improved in seven of 12 (58%) patients. Hennebert's sign that was positive preoperatively only improved in one of six (17%) patients. A positive preoperative vestibular evoked myogenic potential improved in only one of six (17%) patients. Six of 13 (46%) patients had increased air conduction thresholds postoperatively. Round window plugging has been described as a less-invasive treatment for patients with superior semicircular canal dehiscence. Although the procedure did benefit some of our patients, successful outcomes were not predictable. Improvement in at least one objective finding was seen in only 21% of the patients studied. Hennebert's sign and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials that were positive preoperatively only improved in 17% of patients. At our institution, round window plugging is no longer considered a reasonable treatment option for most patients with superior semicircular canal dehiscence. We recommend that further study on this topic follow a standardized pre- and postoperative assessment. 4. Laryngoscope, 128:1445-1452, 2018. © 2017 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.
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Park, Edward; Amoodi, Hosam; Kuthubutheen, Jafri; Chen, Joseph M; Nedzelski, Julian M; Lin, Vincent Y W
2015-05-28
Cochlear implantation has become a mainstream treatment option for patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. During cochlear implant, there are key surgical steps which are influenced by anatomical variations between each patient. The aim of this study is to determine if there are potential predictors of difficulties that may be encountered during the cortical mastoidectomy, facial recess approach and round window access in cochlear implant surgery based upon pre-operative temporal bone CT scan. Fifty seven patients undergoing unilateral cochlear implantation were analyzed. Difficulty with 1) cortical mastoidectomy, 2) facial recess approach, and 3) round window access were scored intra-operatively by the surgeon in a blinded fashion (1 = "easy", 2 = "moderate", 3 = "difficult"). Pre-operative temporal bone CT scans were analyzed for 1) degree of mastoid aeration; 2) location of the sigmoid sinus; 3) height of the tegmen; 4) the presence of air cells in the facial recess, and 5) degree of round window bony overhang. Poor mastoid aeration and lower tegmen position, but not the location of sigmoid sinus, are associated with greater difficulty with the cortical mastoidectomy. Presence of an air cell around the facial nerve was predictive of easier facial recess access. However, the degree of round window bony overhang was not predictive of difficulty associated with round window access. Certain parameters on the pre-operative temporal bone CT scan may be useful in predicting potential difficulties encountered during the key steps involved in cochlear implant surgery.
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Boswell, Paul G.; Abate-Pella, Daniel; Hewitt, Joshua T.
2015-01-01
Compound identification by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is a tedious process, mainly because authentic standards must be run on a user’s system to be able to confidently reject a potential identity from its retention time and mass spectral properties. Instead, it would be preferable to use shared retention time/index data to narrow down the identity, but shared data cannot be used to reject candidates with an absolute level of confidence because the data are strongly affected by differences between HPLC systems and experimental conditions. However, a technique called “retention projection” was recently shown to account for many of the differences. In this manuscript, we discuss an approach to calculate appropriate retention time tolerance windows for projected retention times, potentially making it possible to exclude candidates with an absolute level of confidence, without needing to have authentic standards of each candidate on hand. In a range of multi-segment gradients and flow rates run among seven different labs, the new approach calculated tolerance windows that were significantly more appropriate for each retention projection than global tolerance windows calculated for retention projections or linear retention indices. Though there were still some small differences between the labs that evidently were not taken into account, the calculated tolerance windows only needed to be relaxed by 50% to make them appropriate for all labs. Even then, 42% of the tolerance windows calculated in this study without standards were narrower than those required by WADA for positive identification, where standards must be run contemporaneously. PMID:26292624
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Boswell, Paul G; Abate-Pella, Daniel; Hewitt, Joshua T
2015-09-18
Compound identification by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is a tedious process, mainly because authentic standards must be run on a user's system to be able to confidently reject a potential identity from its retention time and mass spectral properties. Instead, it would be preferable to use shared retention time/index data to narrow down the identity, but shared data cannot be used to reject candidates with an absolute level of confidence because the data are strongly affected by differences between HPLC systems and experimental conditions. However, a technique called "retention projection" was recently shown to account for many of the differences. In this manuscript, we discuss an approach to calculate appropriate retention time tolerance windows for projected retention times, potentially making it possible to exclude candidates with an absolute level of confidence, without needing to have authentic standards of each candidate on hand. In a range of multi-segment gradients and flow rates run among seven different labs, the new approach calculated tolerance windows that were significantly more appropriate for each retention projection than global tolerance windows calculated for retention projections or linear retention indices. Though there were still some small differences between the labs that evidently were not taken into account, the calculated tolerance windows only needed to be relaxed by 50% to make them appropriate for all labs. Even then, 42% of the tolerance windows calculated in this study without standards were narrower than those required by WADA for positive identification, where standards must be run contemporaneously. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Absorption of solar radiation by alkali vapors. [for efficient high temperature energy converters
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Mattick, A. T.
1978-01-01
A theoretical study of the direct absorption of solar radiation by the working fluid of high temperature, high efficiency energy converters has been carried out. Alkali vapors and potassium vapor in particular were found to be very effective solar absorbers and suitable thermodynamically for practical high temperature cycles. Energy loss via reradiation from a solar boiler was shown to reduce the overall efficiency of radiation-heated energy converters, although a simple model of radiation transfer in a potassium vapor solar boiler revealed that self-trapping of the reradiation may reduce this loss considerably. A study was also made of the requirements for a radiation boiler window. It was found that for sapphire, one of the best solar transmitting materials, the severe environment in conjunction with high radiation densities will require some form of window protection. An aerodynamic shield is particularly advantageous in this capacity, separating the window from the absorbing vapor to prevent condensation and window corrosion and to reduce the radiation density at the window.
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Thermal Stress in HFEF Hot Cell Windows Due to an In-Cell Metal Fire
Solbrig, Charles W.; Warmann, Stephen A.
2016-01-01
This work investigates an accident during the pyrochemical extraction of Uranium and Plutonium from PWR spent fuel in an argon atmosphere hot cell. In the accident, the heavy metals (U and Pu) being extracted are accidentally exposed to air from a leaky instrument penetration which goes through the cell walls. The extracted pin size pieces of U and Pu metal readily burn when exposed to air. Technicians perform the electrochemical extraction using manipulators through a 4 foot thick hot cell concrete wall which protects them from the radioactivity of the spent fuel. Four foot thick windows placed in the wallmore » allow the technicians to visually control the manipulators. These windows would be exposed to the heat of the metal fire. As a result, this analysis determines if the thermal stress caused by the fire would crack the windows and if the heat would degrade the window seals allowing radioactivity to escape from the cell.« less
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Thermal Stress in HFEF Hot Cell Windows Due to an In-Cell Metal Fire
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Solbrig, Charles W.; Warmann, Stephen A.
This work investigates an accident during the pyrochemical extraction of Uranium and Plutonium from PWR spent fuel in an argon atmosphere hot cell. In the accident, the heavy metals (U and Pu) being extracted are accidentally exposed to air from a leaky instrument penetration which goes through the cell walls. The extracted pin size pieces of U and Pu metal readily burn when exposed to air. Technicians perform the electrochemical extraction using manipulators through a 4 foot thick hot cell concrete wall which protects them from the radioactivity of the spent fuel. Four foot thick windows placed in the wallmore » allow the technicians to visually control the manipulators. These windows would be exposed to the heat of the metal fire. As a result, this analysis determines if the thermal stress caused by the fire would crack the windows and if the heat would degrade the window seals allowing radioactivity to escape from the cell.« less
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Web interfaces to relational databases
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Carlisle, W. H.
1996-01-01
This reports on a project to extend the capabilities of a Virtual Research Center (VRC) for NASA's Advanced Concepts Office. The work was performed as part of NASA's 1995 Summer Faculty Fellowship program and involved the development of a prototype component of the VRC - a database system that provides data creation and access services within a room of the VRC. In support of VRC development, NASA has assembled a laboratory containing the variety of equipment expected to be used by scientists within the VRC. This laboratory consists of the major hardware platforms, SUN, Intel, and Motorola processors and their most common operating systems UNIX, Windows NT, Windows for Workgroups, and Macintosh. The SPARC 20 runs SUN Solaris 2.4, an Intel Pentium runs Windows NT and is installed on a different network from the other machines in the laboratory, a Pentium PC runs Windows for Workgroups, two Intel 386 machines run Windows 3.1, and finally, a PowerMacintosh and a Macintosh IIsi run MacOS.
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Electrolyte and Electrode Passivation for Thin Film Batteries
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
West, W.; Whitacre, J.; Ratnakumar, B.; Brandon, E.; Blosiu, J.; Surampudi, S.
2000-01-01
Passivation films for thin film batteries have been prepared and the conductivity and voltage stability window have been measured. Thin films of Li2CO3 have a large voltage stability window of 4.8V, which facilitates the use of this film as a passivation at both the lithium anode-electrolyte interface at high cathodic potentials.
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Abdoun, Khalid A; Samara, Emad M; Okab, Aly B; Al-Haidary, Ahmed A
2012-07-01
It was the aim of this study to investigate the regional variations in surface temperature and sweating rate and to visualize body thermal windows responsible for the dissipation of excess body heat in dromedary camels. This study was conducted on five dromedary camels with mean body weight of 450 ± 20.5 kg and 2 years of age. Sweating rate, skin and body surface temperature showed significant (P < 0.001) circadian variation together with the variation in ambient temperature. However, daily mean values of sweating rate, skin and body surface temperature measured on seven regions of the camel body did not significantly differ. The variation in body surface temperature compared to the variation in skin temperature was higher in the hump compared to the axillary and flank regions, indicating the significance of camel's fur in protecting the skin from daily variation in ambient temperature. Infrared thermography revealed that flank and axillary regions had lower thermal gradients at higher ambient temperature (T(a) ) and higher thermal gradients at lower T(a) , which might indicate the working of flank and axillary regions as thermal windows dissipating heat during the night. Sweating rate showed moderate correlation to skin and body surface temperatures, which might indicate their working as potential thermal drivers of sweating in camels. © 2012 The Authors. Animal Science Journal © 2012 Japanese Society of Animal Science.
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Impact of floating windows on the accuracy of depth perception in games
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Stanfield, Brodie; Zerebecki, Christopher; Hogue, Andrew; Kapralos, Bill; Collins, Karen
2013-03-01
The floating window technique is commonly employed by stereoscopic 3D filmmakers to reduce the effects of window violations by masking out portions of the screen that contain visual information that doesn't exist in one of the views. Although widely adopted in the film industry, and despite its potential benefits, the technique has not been adopted by video game developers to the same extent possibly because of the lack of understanding of how the floating window can be utilized in such an interactive medium. Here, we describe a quantitative study that investigates how the floating window technique affects users' depth perception in a simple game-like environment. Our goal is to determine how various stereoscopic 3D parameters such as the existence, shape, and size of the floating window affect the user experience and to devise a set of guidelines for game developers wishing to develop stereoscopic 3D content. Providing game designers with quantitative knowledge of how these parameters can affect user experience is invaluable when choosing to design interactive stereoscopic 3D content.
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Window decompression in laser-heated MagLIF targets
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Woodbury, Daniel; Peterson, Kyle; Sefkow, Adam
2015-11-01
The Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) concept requires pre-magnetized fuel to be pre-heated with a laser before undergoing compression by a thick solid liner. Recent experiments and simulations suggest that yield has been limited to date by poor laser preheat and laser-induced mix in the fuel region. In order to assess laser energy transmission through the pressure-holding window, as well as resultant mix, we modeled window disassembly under different conditions using 1D and 2D simulations in both Helios and HYDRA. We present results tracking energy absorption, time needed for decompression, risk of laser-plasma interaction (LPI) that may scatter laser light, and potential for mix from various window thicknesses, laser spot sizes and gas fill densities. These results indicate that using thinner windows (0.5-1 μm windows) and relatively large laser spot radii (600 μm and above) can avoid deleterious effects and improve coupling with the fuel. Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company, for the National Nuclear Security Administration under DE-AC04- 94AL85000.
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EnviroAtlas - Austin, TX - Potential Window Views of Water by Block Group
This EnviroAtlas dataset describes the block group population and the percentage of the block group population that has potential views of water bodies. A potential view of water is defined as having a body of water that is greater than 300m2 within 50m of a residential location. The window views are considered potential because the procedure does not account for presence or directionality of windows in one's home. The residential locations are defined using the EnviroAtlas Dasymetric (2011/October 2015 version) map. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).
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Technical improvements in 19th century Belgian window glass production
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lauriks, Leen; Collette, Quentin; Wouters, Ine; Belis, Jan
Glass was used since the Roman age in the building envelope, but it became widely applied together with iron since the 19th century. Belgium was a major producer of window glass during the nineteenth century and the majority of the produced window glass was exported all over the world. Investigating the literature on the development of 19th century Belgian window glass production is therefore internationally relevant. In the 17th century, wood was replaced as a fuel by coal. In the 19th century, the regenerative tank furnace applied gas as a fuel in a continuous glass production process. The advantages were a clean production, a more constant and higher temperature in the furnace and a fuel saving. The French chemist Nicolas Leblanc (1787-1793) and later the Belgian chemist Ernest Solvay (1863) invented processes to produce alkali out of common salt. The artificial soda ash improved the quality and aesthetics of the glass plates. During the 19th century, the glass production was industrialized, influencing the operation of furnaces, the improvement of raw materials as well as the applied energy sources. Although the production process was industrialized, glassblowing was still the work of an individual. By improving his work tools, he was able to create larger glass plates. The developments in the annealing process followed this evolution. The industry had to wait until the invention of the drawn glass in the beginning of the 20th century to fully industrialise the window glass manufacture process.
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Titanium Dioxide Films Prepared by Screen-Printing Technique for Self-Powered Electrochromic Windows
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Salleh, Muhamad Mat; Yahaya, Muhamad; Mursyidah
Electrochromic windows could reduce air-conditioning costs by being darkened to absorb sunlight and reject unwanted solar heat. These windows change their color and light transmissivity due to the action of an electric field and can change back to the original state by a field reversal. To save the cost, the electrical power may be supplied by a solar cell that integrated with the electrochromic window in a single device. This paper reports the potential of using titanium oxide, TiO2 as solar cells and as electrochromic windows. The TiO2 films were deposited by screen-printing a paste, consisting of TiO2 particles and an organic binder, onto ITO-covered glass substrates. Then the films were tempered at 400 °C to bum out the organic parts. A solar cell of ITO/TiO2/electrolyte/ITO was fabricated using a mixed ammonium iodide and iodine solution as electrolyte. The cell was illuminated through the TiO2 film. The cells showed rectifier properties in the dark and produced electrical current when illuminated. The short circuit photocurrent and the open circuit voltage of the cell in a 100-mW/cm2 tungsten light source were 2.3 μA and 17.0 mV respectively. The electrochromic behavior of the TiO2 films in a lithium perchlorate solution was examined. When the electrochromic film cell was given a forward bias potential of 5.0 V, the original colorless TiO2 film immediately changed to brown. The color of the film bleached to the original when the applied potential was reversed.
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The Case for an Open Data Model
1998-08-01
Microsoft Word, Pagemaker, and Framemaker , and the drawing programs MacDraw, Adobe Illustrator, and Microsoft PowerPoint, use their own proprietary...needs a custom word counting tool, since no utility could work in Word and other word processors. Framemaker for Windows does not have a word counting...supplied in 2 At least none that I could find in Framemaker 5.5 for Windows. Another problem with
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Michelle C. Kondo; Danya Keene; Bernadette C. Hohl; John M. MacDonald; Charles C. Branas
2015-01-01
Vacant and abandoned buildings pose significant challenges to the health and safety of communities. In 2011 the City of Philadelphia began enforcing a Doors and Windows Ordinance that required property owners of abandoned buildings to install working doors and windows in all structural openings or face significant fines. We tested the effects of the new ordinance on...
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Tuning the emission of aqueous Cu:ZnSe quantum dots to yellow light window
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wang, Chunlei; Hu, Zhiyang; Xu, Shuhong; Wang, Yanbin; Zhao, Zengxia; Wang, Zhuyuan; Cui, Yiping
2015-07-01
Synthesis of internally doped Cu:ZnSe QDs in an aqueous solution still suffers from narrow tunable emissions from the blue to green light window. In this work, we extended the emission window of aqueous Cu:ZnSe QDs to the yellow light window. Our results show that high solution pH, multiple injections of Zn precursors, and nucleation doping strategy are three key factors for preparing yellow emitted Cu:ZnSe QDs. All these factors can depress the reactivity of CuSe nuclei and Zn monomers, promoting ZnSe growth outside CuSe nuclei rather than form ZnSe nuclei separately. With increased ZnSe QD size, the conduction band and nearby trap state energy levels shift to higher energy sites, causing Cu:ZnSe QDs to have a much longer emission.
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The origin of blue-green window and the propagation of radiation in ocean waters
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Reghunath, A. T.; Venkataramanan, V.; Suviseshamuthu, D. Victor; Krishnamohan, R.; Prasad, B. Raghavendra
1991-01-01
A review of the present knowledge about the origin of blue-green window in the attenuation spectrum of ocean waters is presented. The various physical mechanisms which contribute to the formation of the window are dealt separately and discussed. The typical values of attenuation coefficient arising out of the various processes are compiled to obtain the total beam attenuation coefficient. These values are then compared with measured values of attenuation coefficient for ocean waters collected from Arabian sea and Bay of Bengal. The region of minimum attenuation in pure particle-free sea water is found to be at 450 to 500 nm. It is shown that in the presence of suspended particles and chlorophyll, the window shifts to longer wavelength side. Some suggestions for future work in this area are also given in the concluding section.
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Remembering the Important Things: Semantic Importance in Stream Reasoning
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Yan, Rui; Greaves, Mark T.; Smith, William P.
Reasoning and querying over data streams rely on the abil- ity to deliver a sequence of stream snapshots to the processing algo- rithms. These snapshots are typically provided using windows as views into streams and associated window management strategies. Generally, the goal of any window management strategy is to preserve the most im- portant data in the current window and preferentially evict the rest, so that the retained data can continue to be exploited. A simple timestamp- based strategy is rst-in-rst-out (FIFO), in which items are replaced in strict order of arrival. All timestamp-based strategies implicitly assume that a temporalmore » ordering reliably re ects importance to the processing task at hand, and thus that window management using timestamps will maximize the ability of the processing algorithms to deliver accurate interpretations of the stream. In this work, we explore a general no- tion of semantic importance that can be used for window management for streams of RDF data using semantically-aware processing algorithms like deduction or semantic query. Semantic importance exploits the infor- mation carried in RDF and surrounding ontologies for ranking window data in terms of its likely contribution to the processing algorithms. We explore the general semantic categories of query contribution, prove- nance, and trustworthiness, as well as the contribution of domain-specic ontologies. We describe how these categories behave using several con- crete examples. Finally, we consider how a stream window management strategy based on semantic importance could improve overall processing performance, especially as available window sizes decrease.« less
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Jia, Xinlei; Yan, Xiaobing; Wang, Hong; Yang, Tao; Zhou, Zhenyu; Zhao, Jianhui
2018-06-01
In this work, we have investigated two kinds of charge trapping memory devices with Pd/Al2O3/ZnO/SiO2/p-Si and Pd/Al2O3/ZnO/graphene oxide quantum-dots (GOQDs)/ZnO/SiO2/p-Si structure. Compared with the single ZnO sample, the memory window of the ZnO-GOQDs-ZnO sample reaches a larger value (more than doubled) of 2.7 V under the sweeping gate voltage ± 7 V, indicating a better charge storage capability and the significant charge trapping effects by embedding the GOQDs trapping layer. The ZnO-GOQDs-ZnO devices have better date retention properties with the high and low capacitances loss of ˜ 1.1 and ˜ 6.9%, respectively, as well as planar density of the trapped charges of 1.48 × 1012 cm- 2. It is proposed that the GOQDs play an important role in the outstanding memory characteristics due to the deep quantum potential wells and the discrete distribution of the GOQDs. The long date retention time might have resulted from the high potential barrier which suppressed both the back tunneling and the leakage current. Intercalating GOQDs in the memory device is a promising method to realize large memory window, low-power consumption and excellent retention properties.
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Passivating Window/First Layer AR Coating for Space Solar Cells
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Faur, Mircea; Faur, Maria; Bailey, S. G.; Flood, D. J.; Brinker, D. J.; Alterovitz, S. A.; Wheeler, D. R.; Matesscu, G.; Goradia, C.; Goradia, M.
2004-01-01
Chemically grown oxides, if well designed, offer excellent surface passivation of the emitter surface of space solar cells and can be used as effective passivating window/first layer AR coating. In this paper, we demonstrate the effectiveness of using a simple room temperature wet chemical technique to grow cost effective passivating layers on solar cell front surfaces after the front grid metallization step. These passivating layers can be grown both on planar and porous surfaces. Our results show that these oxide layers: (i) can effectively passivate the from the surface, (ii) can serve as an effective optical window/first layer AR coating, (iii) are chemically, thermally and UV stable, and (iv) have the potential of improving the BOL and especially the EOL efficiency of space solar cells. The potential of using this concept to simplify the III-V based space cell heterostructures while increasing their BOL and EOL efficiency is also discussed.
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Chi 3 dispersion in planar tantalum pentoxide waveguides in the telecommunications window.
Chen, Ruiqi Y; Charlton, Martin D B; Lagoudakis, Pavlos G
2009-04-01
We report on the dispersion of the third-order nonlinear susceptibility (chi(3) or "Chi 3") in planar Ta2O5 waveguides in the telecommunications spectral window. We utilize the observation of third-harmonic generation under ultrashort pulsed excitation as a reference-free characterization method of chi(3) and obtain a large nonlinear coefficient, 2x10(-13) esu, at 1550 nm. Our observation of efficient third-harmonic generation in Ta2O5 waveguides in the telecoms window reveals the potential of this material system in high-speed integrated nonlinear optical switches.
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'This year I will not put her to work': the production/reproduction nexus in Burkina Faso.
Storeng, Katerini Tagmatarchi; Akoum, Mélanie Stephanie; Murray, Susan F
2013-04-01
Global advocacy campaigns increasingly highlight the negative impact of reproductive morbidity on economic productivity and development in order to justify donor investment in maternal health. Anthropological approaches nuance such narrow economic estimations of reproductive health. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork from Burkina Faso in West Africa, this paper analyses the dynamic, and sometimes contradictory, relationship between women's work and reproductive health in impoverished communities. Specifically, it examines the consequences of life-threatening 'near-miss' obstetric complications for women's work across domestic, agricultural and economic spheres over a four-year period. Such events provide a window onto the diverse ways in which production and reproduction are intimately linked within women's everyday lives. Reproduction and production entail sources of potential empowerment and enhancement, as well as potential threats, to health and well-being. In the aftermath of 'near-miss' events, the realms of reproduction and production sometimes jeopardise each other and at other times reinforce each other, while strength in one domain can compensate for weakness in the other. Women's experiences thus reveal how 'production' and 'reproduction' are mutually constituted, challenging the purely instrumental accounts of pregnancy-related 'productivity loss' that dominate current global health discourse.
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NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Chase, W. D.
1975-01-01
The calligraphic chromatic projector described was developed to improve the perceived realism of visual scene simulation ('out-the-window visuals'). The optical arrangement of the projector is illustrated and discussed. The device permits drawing 2000 vectors in as many as 500 colors, all above critical flicker frequencies, and use of high scene resolution and brightness at an acceptable level to the pilot, with the maximum system capabilities of 1000 lines and 1000 fL. The device for generating the colors is discussed, along with an experiment conducted to demonstrate potential improvements in performance and pilot opinion. Current research work and future research plans are noted.
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A Search for the Transit of HD 168443b: Improved Orbital Parameters and Photometry
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pilyavsky, Genady; Mahadevan, Suvrath; Kane, Stephen R.; Howard, Andrew W.; Ciardi, David R.; de Pree, Chris; Dragomir, Diana; Fischer, Debra; Henry, Gregory W.; Jensen, Eric L. N.; Laughlin, Gregory; Marlowe, Hannah; Rabus, Markus; von Braun, Kaspar; Wright, Jason T.; Wang, Xuesong X.
2011-12-01
The discovery of transiting planets around bright stars holds the potential to greatly enhance our understanding of planetary atmospheres. In this work we present the search for transits of HD 168443b, a massive planet orbiting the bright star HD 168443 (V = 6.92) with a period of 58.11 days. The high eccentricity of the planetary orbit (e = 0.53) significantly enhances the a priori transit probability beyond that expected for a circular orbit, making HD 168443 a candidate for our ongoing Transit Ephemeris Refinement and Monitoring Survey. Using additional radial velocities from Keck High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer, we refined the orbital parameters of this multi-planet system and derived a new transit ephemeris for HD 168443b. The reduced uncertainties in the transit window make a photometric transit search practicable. Photometric observations acquired during predicted transit windows were obtained on three nights. Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory 1.0 m photometry acquired on 2010 September 7 had the required precision to detect a transit but fell just outside of our final transit window. Nightly photometry from the T8 0.8 m automated photometric telescope at Fairborn Observatory, acquired over a span of 109 nights, demonstrates that HD 168443 is constant on a timescale of weeks. Higher-cadence photometry on 2011 April 28 and June 25 shows no evidence of a transit. We are able to rule out a non-grazing transit of HD 168443b.
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Ding, Jun; Arigong, Bayaner; Ren, Han; Zhou, Mi; Shao, Jin; Lu, Meng; Chai, Yang; Lin, Yuankun; Zhang, Hualiang
2014-01-01
Novel graphene-based tunable plasmonic metamaterials featuring single and multiple transparency windows are numerically studied in this paper. The designed structures consist of a graphene layer perforated with quadrupole slot structures and dolmen-like slot structures printed on a substrate. Specifically, the graphene-based quadrupole slot structure can realize a single transparency window, which is achieved without breaking the structure symmetry. Further investigations have shown that the single transparency window in the proposed quadrupole slot structure is more likely originated from the quantum effect of Autler-Townes splitting. Then, by introducing a dipole slot to the quadrupole slot structure to form the dolmen-like slot structure, an additional transmission dip could occur in the transmission spectrum, thus, a multiple-transparency-window system can be achieved (for the first time for graphene-based devices). More importantly, the transparency windows for both the quadrupole slot and the dolmen-like slot structures can be dynamically controlled over a broad frequency range by varying the Fermi energy levels of the graphene layer (through electrostatic gating). The proposed slot metamaterial structures with tunable single and multiple transparency windows could find potential applications in many areas such as multiple-wavelength slow-light devices, active plasmonic switching, and optical sensing. PMID:25146672
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Ding, Jun; Arigong, Bayaner; Ren, Han; Zhou, Mi; Shao, Jin; Lu, Meng; Chai, Yang; Lin, Yuankun; Zhang, Hualiang
2014-08-22
Novel graphene-based tunable plasmonic metamaterials featuring single and multiple transparency windows are numerically studied in this paper. The designed structures consist of a graphene layer perforated with quadrupole slot structures and dolmen-like slot structures printed on a substrate. Specifically, the graphene-based quadrupole slot structure can realize a single transparency window, which is achieved without breaking the structure symmetry. Further investigations have shown that the single transparency window in the proposed quadrupole slot structure is more likely originated from the quantum effect of Autler-Townes splitting. Then, by introducing a dipole slot to the quadrupole slot structure to form the dolmen-like slot structure, an additional transmission dip could occur in the transmission spectrum, thus, a multiple-transparency-window system can be achieved (for the first time for graphene-based devices). More importantly, the transparency windows for both the quadrupole slot and the dolmen-like slot structures can be dynamically controlled over a broad frequency range by varying the Fermi energy levels of the graphene layer (through electrostatic gating). The proposed slot metamaterial structures with tunable single and multiple transparency windows could find potential applications in many areas such as multiple-wavelength slow-light devices, active plasmonic switching, and optical sensing.
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DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Al-Sallal, K.A.
1999-07-01
The study aims to explore the effect of different climates on window and skylight design in residential buildings. The study house is evaluated against climates that have design opportunities for passive systems, with emphasis on passive cooling. The study applies a variety of methods to evaluate the design. It has found that earth sheltering and night ventilation have the potential to provide 12--29% and 25--77% of the cooling requirements respectively for the study house in the selected climates. The reduction of the glazing area from 174 ft{sup 2} to 115 ft{sup 2} has different impacts on the cooling energy costmore » in the different climates. In climates such Fresno and Tucson, one should put the cooling energy savings as a priority for window design, particularly when determining the window size. In other climates such as Albuquerque, the priority of window design should be first given to heating savings requirements.« less
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Windows Instant Messaging App Forensics: Facebook and Skype as Case Studies
Yang, Teing Yee; Dehghantanha, Ali; Choo, Kim-Kwang Raymond; Muda, Zaiton
2016-01-01
Instant messaging (IM) has changed the way people communicate with each other. However, the interactive and instant nature of these applications (apps) made them an attractive choice for malicious cyber activities such as phishing. The forensic examination of IM apps for modern Windows 8.1 (or later) has been largely unexplored, as the platform is relatively new. In this paper, we seek to determine the data remnants from the use of two popular Windows Store application software for instant messaging, namely Facebook and Skype on a Windows 8.1 client machine. This research contributes to an in-depth understanding of the types of terrestrial artefacts that are likely to remain after the use of instant messaging services and application software on a contemporary Windows operating system. Potential artefacts detected during the research include data relating to the installation or uninstallation of the instant messaging application software, log-in and log-off information, contact lists, conversations, and transferred files. PMID:26982207
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Windows Instant Messaging App Forensics: Facebook and Skype as Case Studies.
Yang, Teing Yee; Dehghantanha, Ali; Choo, Kim-Kwang Raymond; Muda, Zaiton
2016-01-01
Instant messaging (IM) has changed the way people communicate with each other. However, the interactive and instant nature of these applications (apps) made them an attractive choice for malicious cyber activities such as phishing. The forensic examination of IM apps for modern Windows 8.1 (or later) has been largely unexplored, as the platform is relatively new. In this paper, we seek to determine the data remnants from the use of two popular Windows Store application software for instant messaging, namely Facebook and Skype on a Windows 8.1 client machine. This research contributes to an in-depth understanding of the types of terrestrial artefacts that are likely to remain after the use of instant messaging services and application software on a contemporary Windows operating system. Potential artefacts detected during the research include data relating to the installation or uninstallation of the instant messaging application software, log-in and log-off information, contact lists, conversations, and transferred files.
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Parity-time-symmetry enhanced optomechanically-induced-transparency
Li, Wenlin; Jiang, Yunfeng; Li, Chong; Song, Heshan
2016-01-01
We propose and analyze a scheme to enhance optomechanically-induced-transparency (OMIT) based on parity-time-symmetric optomechanical system. Our results predict that an OMIT window which does not exist originally can appear in weak optomechanical coupling and driving system via coupling an auxiliary active cavity with optical gain. This phenomenon is quite different from these reported in previous works in which the gain is considered just to damage OMIT phenomenon even leads to electromagnetically induced absorption or inverted-OMIT. Such enhanced OMIT effects are ascribed to the additional gain which can increase photon number in cavity without reducing effective decay. We also discuss the scheme feasibility by analyzing recent experiment parameters. Our work provide a promising platform for the coherent manipulation and slow light operation, which has potential applications for quantum information processing and quantum optical device. PMID:27489193
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Earthquake response of heavily damaged historical masonry mosques after restoration
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Altunışık, Ahmet Can; Fuat Genç, Ali
2017-10-01
Restoration works have been accelerated substantially in Turkey in the last decade. Many historical buildings, mosques, minaret, bridges, towers and structures have been restored. With these restorations an important issue arises, namely how restoration work affects the structure. For this reason, we aimed to investigate the restoration effect on the earthquake response of a historical masonry mosque considering the openings on the masonry dome. For this purpose, we used the Hüsrev Pasha Mosque, which is located in the Ortakapı district in the old city of Van, Turkey. The region of Van is in an active seismic zone; therefore, earthquake analyses were performed in this study. Firstly a finite element model of the mosque was constructed considering the restoration drawings and 16 window openings on the dome. Then model was constructed with eight window openings. Structural analyses were performed under dead load and earthquake load, and the mode superposition method was used in analyses. Maximum displacements, maximum-minimum principal stresses and shear stresses are given with contours diagrams. The results are analyzed according to Turkish Earthquake Code (TEC, 2007) and compared between 8 and 16 window openings cases. The results show that reduction of the window openings affected the structural behavior of the mosque positively.
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Development of a spectro-electrochemical cell for soft X-ray photon-in photon-out spectroscopy
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ishihara, Tomoko; Tokushima, Takashi; Horikawa, Yuka; Kato, Masaru; Yagi, Ichizo
2017-10-01
We developed a spectro-electrochemical cell for X-ray absorption and X-ray emission spectroscopy, which are element-specific methods to study local electronic structures in the soft X-ray region. In the usual electrochemical measurement setup, the electrode is placed in solution, and the surface/interface region of the electrode is not normally accessible by soft X-rays that have low penetration depth in liquids. To realize soft X-ray observation of electrochemical reactions, a 15-nm-thick Pt layer was deposited on a 150-nm-thick film window with an adhesive 3-nm-thick Ti layer for use as both the working electrode and the separator window between vacuum and a sample liquid under atmospheric pressure. The designed three-electrode electrochemical cell consists of a Pt film on a SiC window, a platinized Pt wire, and a commercial Ag|AgCl electrode as the working, counter, and reference electrodes, respectively. The functionality of the cell was tested by cyclic voltammetry and X-ray absorption and emission spectroscopy. As a demonstration, the electroplating of Pb on the Pt/SiC membrane window was measured by X-ray absorption and real-time monitoring of fluorescence intensity at the O 1s excitation.
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Energy Conservation Experiments You Can Do...from Edison.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Thomas Alva Edison Foundation, Southfield, MI.
Background information, lists of materials needed, and procedures are provided for 11 energy conservation experiments. They include: (1) five experiments on heating and cooling (investigating how insulation works, investigating how weatherstripping works, investigating how storm windows work, building a draftometer, and letting sun heat a house);…
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Fenestration system energy performance research, implementation, and international harmonization
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
McGowan, Raymond F
The research conducted by the NFRC and its contractors adds significantly to the understanding of several areas of investigation. NFRC enables manufacturers to rate fenestration energy performance to comply with building energy codes, participate in ENERGY STAR, and compete fairly. NFRC continuously seeks to improve its ratings and also seeks to simplify the rating process. Several research projects investigated rating improvement potential such as • Complex Product VT Rating Research • Window 6 and Therm 6 Validation Research Project • Complex Product VT Rating Research Conclusions from these research projects led to important changes and increased confidence in the existingmore » NFRC rating process. Conclusions from the Window 6/Therm 6 project will enable window manufacturers to rate an expanded array of products and improve existing ratings. Some research lead to an improved new rating method called the Component Modeling Approach. A primary goal of the CMA was a simplification of the commercial energy rating process to increase participation and make the commercial industry more competitive and code compliant. The project below contributed towards CMA development: • Component Modeling Approach Condensation Resistance Research NFRC continues to implement the Component Modeling Approach program. The program includes the CMA software tool, CMAST, and several procedural documents to govern the certification process. This significant accomplishment was a response the commercial fenestration industry’s need for a simplification of the present NFRC energy rating method (named site built). To date, most commercial fenestration is self-rated by a variety of techniques. The CMA enables commercial fenestration manufacturers to rate according to the NFRC 100/200 as most commercial energy codes require. International Harmonization NFRC achieved significant international harmonization success by continuing its licensing agreements with the Australian Fenestration Rating Council and the Association of Architectural Aluminum Manufacturers of South Africa (AAAMSA) to produce NFRC certified product ratings in their respective nations. NFRC worked in several other nations to introduce the NFRC ratings system: • India • China • Japan • Canada • Thailand • South Africa • Brazil • Korea NFRC attended or hosted several meetings in each of these nations establishing academic, commercial, industrial, and governmental contacts. NFRC presented the NFRC process and then necessary infrastructure steps necessary to achieve harmonization with the NFRC labeling system. NFRC looks forward to continued work toward harmonization in these nations and potentially others.« less
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Iconic Meaning in Music: An Event-Related Potential Study.
Cai, Liman; Huang, Ping; Luo, Qiuling; Huang, Hong; Mo, Lei
2015-01-01
Although there has been extensive research on the processing of the emotional meaning of music, little is known about other aspects of listeners' experience of music. The present study investigated the neural correlates of the iconic meaning of music. Event-related potentials (ERP) were recorded while a group of 20 music majors and a group of 20 non-music majors performed a lexical decision task in the context of implicit musical iconic meaning priming. ERP analysis revealed a significant N400 effect of congruency in time window 260-510 ms following the onset of the target word only in the group of music majors. Time-course analysis using 50 ms windows indicated significant N400 effects both within the time window 410-460 ms and 460-510 ms for music majors, whereas only a partial N400 effect during time window 410-460 ms was observed for non-music majors. There was also a trend for the N400 effects in the music major group to be stronger than those in the non-major group in the sub-windows of 310-360 ms and 410-460 ms. Especially in the sub-window of 410-460 ms, the topographical map of the difference waveforms between congruent and incongruent conditions revealed different N400 distribution between groups; the effect was concentrated in bilateral frontal areas for music majors, but in central-parietal areas for non-music majors. These results imply probable neural mechanism differences underlying automatic iconic meaning priming of music. Our findings suggest that processing of the iconic meaning of music can be accomplished automatically and that musical training may facilitate the understanding of the iconic meaning of music.
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Iconic Meaning in Music: An Event-Related Potential Study
Luo, Qiuling; Huang, Hong; Mo, Lei
2015-01-01
Although there has been extensive research on the processing of the emotional meaning of music, little is known about other aspects of listeners’ experience of music. The present study investigated the neural correlates of the iconic meaning of music. Event-related potentials (ERP) were recorded while a group of 20 music majors and a group of 20 non-music majors performed a lexical decision task in the context of implicit musical iconic meaning priming. ERP analysis revealed a significant N400 effect of congruency in time window 260-510 ms following the onset of the target word only in the group of music majors. Time-course analysis using 50 ms windows indicated significant N400 effects both within the time window 410-460 ms and 460-510 ms for music majors, whereas only a partial N400 effect during time window 410-460 ms was observed for non-music majors. There was also a trend for the N400 effects in the music major group to be stronger than those in the non-major group in the sub-windows of 310-360ms and 410-460ms. Especially in the sub-window of 410-460 ms, the topographical map of the difference waveforms between congruent and incongruent conditions revealed different N400 distribution between groups; the effect was concentrated in bilateral frontal areas for music majors, but in central-parietal areas for non-music majors. These results imply probable neural mechanism differences underlying automatic iconic meaning priming of music. Our findings suggest that processing of the iconic meaning of music can be accomplished automatically and that musical training may facilitate the understanding of the iconic meaning of music. PMID:26161561
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Multilayered microelectronic device package with an integral window
Peterson, Kenneth A.; Watson, Robert D.
2003-01-01
An apparatus for packaging of microelectronic devices is disclosed, wherein the package includes an integral window. The microelectronic device can be a semiconductor chip, a CCD chip, a CMOS chip, a VCSEL chip, a laser diode, a MEMS device, or a IMEMS device. The package can comprise, for example, a cofired ceramic frame or body. The package has an internal stepped structure made of a plurality of plates, with apertures, which are patterned with metallized conductive circuit traces. The microelectronic device can be flip-chip bonded on the plate to these traces, and oriented so that the light-sensitive side is optically accessible through the window. A cover lid can be attached to the opposite side of the package. The result is a compact, low-profile package, having an integral window that can be hermetically-sealed. The package body can be formed by low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) or high-temperature cofired ceramic (HTCC) multilayer processes with the window being simultaneously joined (e.g. cofired) to the package body during LTCC or HTCC processing. Multiple chips can be located within a single package, according to some embodiments. The cover lid can include a window. The apparatus is particularly suited for packaging of MEMS devices, since the number of handling steps is greatly reduced, thereby reducing the potential for contamination. The integral window can further include a lens for optically transforming light passing through the window. The package can include an array of binary optic lenslets made integral with the window. The package can include an electrically-switched optical modulator, such as a lithium niobate window attached to the package, for providing a very fast electrically-operated shutter.
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Khreis, Haneen; Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark J
2017-03-17
Background : Current levels of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) are associated with the development of childhood asthma, although some inconsistencies and heterogeneity remain. An important part of the uncertainty in studies of TRAP-associated asthma originates from uncertainties in the TRAP exposure assessment and assignment methods. In this work, we aim to systematically review the exposure assessment methods used in the epidemiology of TRAP and childhood asthma, highlight recent advances, remaining research gaps and make suggestions for further research. Methods : We systematically reviewed epidemiological studies published up until 8 September 2016 and available in Embase, Ovid MEDLINE (R), and "Transport database". We included studies which examined the association between children's exposure to TRAP metrics and their risk of "asthma" incidence or lifetime prevalence, from birth to the age of 18 years old. Results : We found 42 studies which examined the associations between TRAP and subsequent childhood asthma incidence or lifetime prevalence, published since 1999. Land-use regression modelling was the most commonly used method and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) was the most commonly used pollutant in the exposure assessments. Most studies estimated TRAP exposure at the residential address and only a few considered the participants' mobility. TRAP exposure was mostly assessed at the birth year and only a few studies considered different and/or multiple exposure time windows. We recommend that further work is needed including e.g., the use of new exposure metrics such as the composition of particulate matter, oxidative potential and ultra-fine particles, improved modelling e.g., by combining different exposure assessment models, including mobility of the participants, and systematically investigating different exposure time windows. Conclusions : Although our previous meta-analysis found statistically significant associations for various TRAP exposures and subsequent childhood asthma, further refinement of the exposure assessment may improve the risk estimates, and shed light on critical exposure time windows, putative agents, underlying mechanisms and drivers of heterogeneity.
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Khreis, Haneen; Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark J.
2017-01-01
Background: Current levels of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) are associated with the development of childhood asthma, although some inconsistencies and heterogeneity remain. An important part of the uncertainty in studies of TRAP-associated asthma originates from uncertainties in the TRAP exposure assessment and assignment methods. In this work, we aim to systematically review the exposure assessment methods used in the epidemiology of TRAP and childhood asthma, highlight recent advances, remaining research gaps and make suggestions for further research. Methods: We systematically reviewed epidemiological studies published up until 8 September 2016 and available in Embase, Ovid MEDLINE (R), and “Transport database”. We included studies which examined the association between children’s exposure to TRAP metrics and their risk of “asthma” incidence or lifetime prevalence, from birth to the age of 18 years old. Results: We found 42 studies which examined the associations between TRAP and subsequent childhood asthma incidence or lifetime prevalence, published since 1999. Land-use regression modelling was the most commonly used method and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was the most commonly used pollutant in the exposure assessments. Most studies estimated TRAP exposure at the residential address and only a few considered the participants’ mobility. TRAP exposure was mostly assessed at the birth year and only a few studies considered different and/or multiple exposure time windows. We recommend that further work is needed including e.g., the use of new exposure metrics such as the composition of particulate matter, oxidative potential and ultra-fine particles, improved modelling e.g., by combining different exposure assessment models, including mobility of the participants, and systematically investigating different exposure time windows. Conclusions: Although our previous meta-analysis found statistically significant associations for various TRAP exposures and subsequent childhood asthma, further refinement of the exposure assessment may improve the risk estimates, and shed light on critical exposure time windows, putative agents, underlying mechanisms and drivers of heterogeneity. PMID:28304360
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Thermohydraulic behavior of the liquid metal target of a spallation neutron source
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Takeda, Y.
1996-06-01
The author presents work done on three main problems. (1) Natural circulation in double coaxial cylindircal container: The thermohydraulic behaviour of the liquid metal target of the spallation neutron source at PSI has been investigated. The configuration is a natural-circulation loop in a concentric double-tube-type container. The results show that the natural-circulation loop concept is valid for the design phase of the target construction, and the current specified design criteria will be fulfilled with the proposed parameter values. (2) Flow around the window: Water experiments were performed for geometry optimisation of the window shape of the SINQ container for avoidingmore » generating recirculation zones at peripheral area and the optimal cooling of the central part of the beam entrance window. Flow visualisation technique was mainly used for various window shapes, gap distance between the window and the guide tube edge. (3) Flow in window cooling channels: Flows in narrow gaps of cooling channels of two different types of windows were studied by flow visualisation techniques. One type is a slightly curved round cooling channel and the other is hemispherical shape, both of which have only 2 mm gap distance and the water inlet is located on one side and flows out from the opposite side. In both cases, the central part of the flow area has lower velocity than peripheral area.« less
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Effect of smoothing on robust chaos.
Deshpande, Amogh; Chen, Qingfei; Wang, Yan; Lai, Ying-Cheng; Do, Younghae
2010-08-01
In piecewise-smooth dynamical systems, situations can arise where the asymptotic attractors of the system in an open parameter interval are all chaotic (e.g., no periodic windows). This is the phenomenon of robust chaos. Previous works have established that robust chaos can occur through the mechanism of border-collision bifurcation, where border is the phase-space region where discontinuities in the derivatives of the dynamical equations occur. We investigate the effect of smoothing on robust chaos and find that periodic windows can arise when a small amount of smoothness is present. We introduce a parameter of smoothing and find that the measure of the periodic windows in the parameter space scales linearly with the parameter, regardless of the details of the smoothing function. Numerical support and a heuristic theory are provided to establish the scaling relation. Experimental evidence of periodic windows in a supposedly piecewise linear dynamical system, which has been implemented as an electronic circuit, is also provided.
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[Computerized monitoring system in the operating center with UNIX and X-window].
Tanaka, Y; Hashimoto, S; Chihara, E; Kinoshita, T; Hirose, M; Nakagawa, M; Murakami, T
1992-01-01
We previously reported the fully automated data logging system in the operating center. Presently, we revised the system using a highly integrated operating system, UNIX instead of OS/9. With this multi-task and multi-window (X-window) system, we could monitor all 12 rooms in the operating center at a time. The system in the operating center consists of 2 computers, SONY NEWS1450 (UNIX workstation) and Sord M223 (CP/M, data logger). On the bitmapped display of the workstation, using X-window, the data of all the operating rooms can be visualized. Furthermore, 2 other minicomputers (Fujitsu A50 in the conference room, and A60 in the ICU) and a workstation (Sun3-80 in the ICU) were connected with ethernet. With the remote login function (NFS), we could easily obtain the data during the operation from outside the operating center. This system works automatically and needs no routine maintenance.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hoshino, Masato; Aoki, Sadao
2006-02-01
A laser plasma soft X-ray microscope with Wolter mirrors was developed so that specimens could be set in the atmosphere. Silicon nitride membranes 100 nm thick were used as vacuum-tight windows. Using relatively large windows (0.46× 0.46 mm2), an adequate working distance for samples, which was approximately 1.2 mm, was assured. The endurance of the vacuum-tight window was measured briefly. Dry biological cells could be observed with resolution better than 100 nm. A preliminary observation of wet biological cells was carried out using a wet environmental sample holder which was composed of only two sheets of silicon nitride membrane. An X-ray micrograph of wet red blood cells from a chicken was obtained without apparent effects of radiation damage. The properties of a vacuum-tight window and a wet sample holder are discussed.
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Bhandarkar, Suhas; Fair, Jim; Haid, Ben; ...
2018-01-19
Many of the early cryogenic shots on NIF were plagued by buildup of considerable mass of extraneous ice on the LEH windows, a consequence of condensation of the residual air in the surrounding chamber. Thickness of this ice depended on the exact chamber pressure and the target fielding time duration, both extremely difficult to keep constant given the broad range of target types being shot. In this paper, we describe our work in designing a robust solution in the form of a second thin film that shielded the LEH window from the contaminating ice. Several detailed cryogenic considerations were requiredmore » to ensure the proper functioning of this new window, which were simulated and verified experimentally. Data from numerous subsequent shots showed marked improvement in performance, which made this new feature an essential component for all cryogenic NIF targets.« less
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Comparison of the Window-Frame RHIC-abort kicker with C-type Kicker
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Tsoupas, N.; Hahn, H.; Meng, W.
2014-08-26
The high intensity proton bunches (~2.5x10 11 p/bunch ) circulating in RHIC increase the temperature of the ferrite-made RHIC-abort-kickers above the Curie point; as a result, the kickers cannot provide the required field to abort the beam at the beam dump. A team of experts in the CAD department worked on modifying the design of the window-frame RHIC-abort kicker to minimize the hysteresis losses responsible for the increase of the ferrite’s temperature. In this technical note we report some results from the study of two possible modifications of the window-frame RHIC-abort kicker, and we compare these results with those ofmore » a propose C-type RHIC-abort kicker. We also include an Appendix where we describe a method which may further reduce the hysteresis losses of the window-frame kicker.« less
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DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Bhandarkar, Suhas; Fair, Jim; Haid, Ben
Many of the early cryogenic shots on NIF were plagued by buildup of considerable mass of extraneous ice on the LEH windows, a consequence of condensation of the residual air in the surrounding chamber. Thickness of this ice depended on the exact chamber pressure and the target fielding time duration, both extremely difficult to keep constant given the broad range of target types being shot. In this paper, we describe our work in designing a robust solution in the form of a second thin film that shielded the LEH window from the contaminating ice. Several detailed cryogenic considerations were requiredmore » to ensure the proper functioning of this new window, which were simulated and verified experimentally. Data from numerous subsequent shots showed marked improvement in performance, which made this new feature an essential component for all cryogenic NIF targets.« less
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Specifications for Supplementary Classroom Units, Stressed Skin Panel.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Waring, Robert B.; And Others
Complete outline specifications are given for the construction of supplementary classroom units using stressed skin panels. Sections included are--(1) concrete and related work, (2) masonry, (3) structural and miscellaneous metal, (4) curtain walls and metal windows, (5) carpentry and related work, (6) roofing, sheet metal, and related work, (7)…
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Rausch, Alexander M; Küng, Vera E; Pobel, Christoph; Markl, Matthias; Körner, Carolin
2017-09-22
The resulting properties of parts fabricated by powder bed fusion additive manufacturing processes are determined by their porosity, local composition, and microstructure. The objective of this work is to examine the influence of the stochastic powder bed on the process window for dense parts by means of numerical simulation. The investigations demonstrate the unique capability of simulating macroscopic domains in the range of millimeters with a mesoscopic approach, which resolves the powder bed and the hydrodynamics of the melt pool. A simulated process window reveals the influence of the stochastic powder layer. The numerical results are verified with an experimental process window for selective electron beam-melted Ti-6Al-4V. Furthermore, the influence of the powder bulk density is investigated numerically. The simulations predict an increase in porosity and surface roughness for samples produced with lower powder bulk densities. Due to its higher probability for unfavorable powder arrangements, the process stability is also decreased. This shrinks the actual parameter range in a process window for producing dense parts.
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Rausch, Alexander M.; Küng, Vera E.; Pobel, Christoph; Körner, Carolin
2017-01-01
The resulting properties of parts fabricated by powder bed fusion additive manufacturing processes are determined by their porosity, local composition, and microstructure. The objective of this work is to examine the influence of the stochastic powder bed on the process window for dense parts by means of numerical simulation. The investigations demonstrate the unique capability of simulating macroscopic domains in the range of millimeters with a mesoscopic approach, which resolves the powder bed and the hydrodynamics of the melt pool. A simulated process window reveals the influence of the stochastic powder layer. The numerical results are verified with an experimental process window for selective electron beam-melted Ti-6Al-4V. Furthermore, the influence of the powder bulk density is investigated numerically. The simulations predict an increase in porosity and surface roughness for samples produced with lower powder bulk densities. Due to its higher probability for unfavorable powder arrangements, the process stability is also decreased. This shrinks the actual parameter range in a process window for producing dense parts. PMID:28937633
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The effect of exit beam phase aberrations on parallel beam coherent x-ray reconstructions
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hruszkewycz, S. O.; Harder, R.; Xiao, X.; Fuoss, P. H.
2010-12-01
Diffraction artifacts from imperfect x-ray windows near the sample are an important consideration in the design of coherent x-ray diffraction measurements. In this study, we used simulated and experimental diffraction patterns in two and three dimensions to explore the effect of phase imperfections in a beryllium window (such as a void or inclusion) on the convergence behavior of phasing algorithms and on the ultimate reconstruction. A predictive relationship between beam wavelength, sample size, and window position was derived to explain the dependence of reconstruction quality on beryllium defect size. Defects corresponding to this prediction cause the most damage to the sample exit wave and induce signature error oscillations during phasing that can be used as a fingerprint of experimental x-ray window artifacts. The relationship between x-ray window imperfection size and coherent x-ray diffractive imaging reconstruction quality explored in this work can play an important role in designing high-resolution in situ coherent imaging instrumentation and will help interpret the phasing behavior of coherent diffraction measured in these in situ environments.
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The effect of exit beam phase aberrations on parallel beam coherent x-ray reconstructions.
Hruszkewycz, S O; Harder, R; Xiao, X; Fuoss, P H
2010-12-01
Diffraction artifacts from imperfect x-ray windows near the sample are an important consideration in the design of coherent x-ray diffraction measurements. In this study, we used simulated and experimental diffraction patterns in two and three dimensions to explore the effect of phase imperfections in a beryllium window (such as a void or inclusion) on the convergence behavior of phasing algorithms and on the ultimate reconstruction. A predictive relationship between beam wavelength, sample size, and window position was derived to explain the dependence of reconstruction quality on beryllium defect size. Defects corresponding to this prediction cause the most damage to the sample exit wave and induce signature error oscillations during phasing that can be used as a fingerprint of experimental x-ray window artifacts. The relationship between x-ray window imperfection size and coherent x-ray diffractive imaging reconstruction quality explored in this work can play an important role in designing high-resolution in situ coherent imaging instrumentation and will help interpret the phasing behavior of coherent diffraction measured in these in situ environments.
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Investigation of the Redox Chemistry of Anthraquinone Derivatives Using Density Functional Theory
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Bachman, Jonathan E.; Curtiss, Larry A.; Assary, Rajeev S.
2014-09-25
Application of density functional calculations to compute electrochemical properties such as redox windows, effect of substitution by electron donating and electron withdrawing groups on redox windows, and solvation free energies for ~50 anthraquinone (AQ) derivatives are presented because of their potential as anolytes in all-organic redox flow batteries. Computations suggest that lithium ions can increase (by ~0.4 V) the reduction potential of anthraquinone due to the lithium ion pairing by forming a Lewis base-Lewis acid complex. To design new redox active species, the substitution by electron donating groups are essential to improve the reduction window of AQ with adequate oxidativemore » stability. For instance, a complete methylation of AQ can improve its reduction window by ~0.4 V. The quantum chemical studies of the ~50 AQ derivatives are used to derive a relationship that connects the computed LUMO energy and the reduction potential that can be applied as a descriptor for screening thousands of AQ derivatives. Our computations also suggest that incorporating oxy-methyl dioxolane substituents in the AQ framework can increase its interaction with non-aqueous solvent and improve its solubility. Thermochemical calculations for likely bond breaking decomposition reactions of un-substituted AQ anions suggest that the dianions are relatively stable in the solution. These studies provide ideal platform to perform further combined experimental and theoretical studies to understand the electrochemical reversibility and solubility of new quinone molecules as energy storage materials.« less
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Results from new multi-megabar shockless compression experiments at the Z machine
Davis, Jean-Paul; Knudson, Marcus D.; Brown, Justin L.
2017-01-01
Sandia’s Z Machine has been used to magnetically drive shockless compression of materials in a planar configuration to multi-megabar pressure levels, allowing accurate measurements of quasi-isentropic mechanical response at relatively low temperatures in the solid phase. This work details recent improvements to design and analysis of such experiments, including the use of new data on the mechanical and optical response of lithium fluoride windows. Comparison of windowed and free-surface data on copper to 350 GPa lends confidence to the window correction method. Preliminary results are presented on gold to 500 GPa and platinum to 450 GPa; both appear stiffer thanmore » existing models.« less
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A new concept of imaging system: telescope windows
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bourgenot, Cyril; Cowie, Euan; Young, Laura; Love, Gordon; Girkin, John; Courtial, Johannes
2018-02-01
A Telescope window is a novel concept of transformation-optics consisting of an array of micro-telescopes, in our configuration, of a Galilean type. When the array is considered as one multifaceted device, it acts as a traditional Galilean telescope with distinctive and attractive properties such as compactness and modularity. Each lenslet, can in principle, be independently designed for a specific optical function. In this paper, we report on the design, manufacture and prototyping, by diamond precision machining, of 2 concepts of telescope windows, and discuss both their performances and limitations with a view to use them as potential low vision aid devices to support patients with macular degeneration.
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Wide memory window in graphene oxide charge storage nodes
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wang, Shuai; Pu, Jing; Chan, Daniel S. H.; Cho, Byung Jin; Loh, Kian Ping
2010-04-01
Solution-processable, isolated graphene oxide (GO) monolayers have been used as a charge trapping dielectric in TaN gate/Al2O3/isolated GO sheets/SiO2/p-Si memory device (TANOS). The TANOS type structure serves as memory device with the threshold voltage controlled by the amount of charge trapped in the GO sheet. Capacitance-Voltage hysteresis curves reveal a 7.5 V memory window using the sweep voltage of -5-14 V. Thermal reduction in the GO to graphene reduces the memory window to 1.4 V. The unique charge trapping properties of GO points to the potential applications in flexible organic memory devices.
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NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Pannell, C. E.; Magner, J. E.
1973-01-01
A polymer has been developed that has excellent potential for use as windows in spacecraft as well as conventional aircraft. This polymer, phenolphthalein polycarbonate, has outstanding thermal properties, e.g., in place of melting or burning, it produces an insulating charred foam that closes off transmission of radiant heat through the window. This fact, coupled with an oxygen index of 0.43 and a 177 C tensile strength of 58 mega Newtons/sq m, makes this polymer a prime candidate for further development. Pilot plant preparation in a 20 gallon Pfaudler kettle was accomplished and large test specimens were prepared for evaluations.
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Empirical assessment of a prismatic daylight-redirecting window film in a full-scale office testbed
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Thanachareonkit, Anothai; Lee, Eleanor S.; McNeil, Andrew
2013-08-31
Daylight redirecting systems with vertical windows have the potential to offset lighting energy use in deep perimeter zones. Microstructured prismatic window films can be manufactured using low-cost, roll-to-roll fabrication methods and adhered to the inside surface of existing windows as a retrofit measure or installed as a replacement insulating glass unit in the clerestory portion of the window wall. A clear film patterned with linear, 50-250 micrometer high, four-sided asymmetrical prisms was fabricated and installed in the south-facing, clerestory low-e, clear glazed windows of a full-scale testbed facility. Views through the film were distorted. The film was evaluated in amore » sunny climate over a two-year period to gauge daylighting and visual comfort performance. The daylighting aperture was small (window-towall ratio of 0.18) and the lower windows were blocked off to isolate the evaluation to the window film. Workplane illuminance measurements were made in the 4.6 m (15 ft) deep room furnished as a private office. Analysis of discomfort glare was conducted using high dynamic range imaging coupled with the evalglare software tool, which computes the daylight glare probability and other metrics used to evaluate visual discomfort. The window film was found to result in perceptible levels of discomfort glare on clear sunny days from the most conservative view point in the rear of the room looking toward the window. Daylight illuminance levels at the rear of the room were significantly increased above the reference window condition, which was defined as the same glazed clerestory window but with an interior Venetian blind (slat angle set to the cut-off angle), for the equinox to winter solstice period on clear sunny days. For partly cloudy and overcast sky conditions, daylight levels were improved slightly. To reduce glare, the daylighting film was coupled with a diffusing film in an insulating glazing unit. The diffusing film retained the directionality of the redirected light spreading it within a small range of outgoing angles. This solution was found to reduce glare to imperceptible levels while retaining for the most part the illuminance levels achieved solely by the daylighting film.« less
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Li, Xiaoyan; Wang, Jun; Zhao, Yaping; Ge, Fengyan; Komarneni, Sridhar; Cai, Zaisheng
2016-10-05
The proposed approach for fabricating ultralight self-sustained electrodes facilitates the structural integration of highly flexible carbon nanofibers, amino-modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (AM-MWNT), and MnO 2 nanoflakes for potential use in wearable supercapacitors. Because of the higher orientation of AM-MWNT and the sublimation of terephthalic acid (PTA) in the carbonization process, freestanding electrodes could be realized with high porosity and flexibility and could possess remarkable electrochemical properties without using polymer substrates. Wearable symmetric solid-state supercapacitors were further assembled using a LiCl/PVA gel electrolyte, which exhibit a maximum energy density of 44.57 Wh/kg (at a power density of 337.1 W/kg) and a power density of 13330 W/kg (at an energy density of 19.64 Wh/kg) with a working voltage as high as 1.8 V. Due to the combination of several favorable traits such as flexibility, high energy density, and excellent electrochemical cyclability, the presently developed wearable supercapacitors with wide potential windows are expected to be useful for new kinds of portable electric devices.
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JPRS Report, Soviet Union, International Affairs
1990-05-17
was built to produce enriched uranium , and work has been completed on a plant to refine plutonium received from the nuclear electric power plant in... oil . "Have a look," Mikhail Aleksandrovich couldn’t resist saying, summoning his visitor to the window. The latter approached the window slowly...would like to exchange 1,200 metric tons of processed sunflower-seed oil for imports of common consumer goods. But without the permission of the
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JEFI: a cash flow analysis program (Version 3.0 for Windows). [Computer program].
Bruce Hansen; Jeff Palmer
1998-01-01
JEFFI/3 is a Windows-version of JEFFI/2. The differences between the two versions are the new interface, an investment term of 1 to 30 years (instead of 4 to 30), and a rich set of detailed online help documents. JEFFI/3 still retains a number of unique features of JEFFII2 related to treatment of the final year cash flows, depreciation, working capital, and derivation...
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Absolute Two-Photon Absorption Coefficients in UltraViolet Window Materials
1977-12-01
fvtt* tld » II ntctHB,-y md Idtnlll’ by block number; The absolute two-photon absorption coefficiehts of u. v. transmitting materials have been...measured using well-calibrated single picosecond pulses, at the third and fourth harmonic of a mode locked Nd:YAG laser systems. Twc photon...30, 1977. Work in the area of laser induced breakdown and multiphoton absorption in ultraviolet and infrared laser window materials was carried
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Cavallaro, Gennara; Giammona, Gaetano; Pasotti, Luca; Pallavicini, Piersandro
2011-09-12
A new approach is presented to obtain fluorescent sensors for pH windows that work in water and under biomimetic conditions. A single molecule that features all-covalently linked components is used, thus making it capable of working as a fluorescent sensor with an OFF/ON/OFF response to pH value. The components are a tertiary amine, a pyridine, and a fluorophore (pyrene). The forms with both protonated bases or both neutral bases quench the pyrene fluorescence, whereas the form with the neutral pyridine and protonated amine groups is fluorescent. The molecular sensor is also equipped with a long alkyl chain to make it highly hydrophobic in all its protonated and unprotonated forms, that is, either when neutral or charged. Accordingly, it can be confined at any pH value either in traditional (i.e., low-molecular-weight) nonionic surfactant micelles or inside polymeric, biocompatible micellar containers. Relevant for future applications in vivo, thanks to its strong hydrophobicity, no leakage of the molecular sensor is observed from the polymeric biocompatible micelles. Due to the proximity of the pyridine and amine functions in the molecular structure and the poor hydration inside the micelles, the observed pK(a) values are low so that the ON window is positioned at very low pH values. However, the window can be shifted to biologically relevant values by comicellization of anionic species. In particular, in the micelles of the nonionic surfactant TritonX-100, a shift of the ON window to pH 4-6 is obtained by addition of the anionic sodium dodecyl sulphate surfactant, whose negative charge promotes the stability of the protonated forms of the pyridine and amine fragments. In the case of the polymeric micelles, we introduce the use of the amphiphilic polystyrene sulfonate anionic polyelectrolyte, the comicellization of which induces a shift and sharpening of the ON window that is centered at pH 4. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
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Fida, Benish; Bernabucci, Ivan; Bibbo, Daniele; Conforto, Silvia; Schmid, Maurizio
2015-07-01
Accuracy of systems able to recognize in real time daily living activities heavily depends on the processing step for signal segmentation. So far, windowing approaches are used to segment data and the window size is usually chosen based on previous studies. However, literature is vague on the investigation of its effect on the obtained activity recognition accuracy, if both short and long duration activities are considered. In this work, we present the impact of window size on the recognition of daily living activities, where transitions between different activities are also taken into account. The study was conducted on nine participants who wore a tri-axial accelerometer on their waist and performed some short (sitting, standing, and transitions between activities) and long (walking, stair descending and stair ascending) duration activities. Five different classifiers were tested, and among the different window sizes, it was found that 1.5 s window size represents the best trade-off in recognition among activities, with an obtained accuracy well above 90%. Differences in recognition accuracy for each activity highlight the utility of developing adaptive segmentation criteria, based on the duration of the activities. Copyright © 2015 IPEM. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Quijada, Manuel A.; Travinsky, Anton; Vorobiev, Dmitry; Ninkov, Zoran; Raisanen, Alan; Robberto, Massimo; Heap, Sara
2016-01-01
Digital micromirror devices (DMDs) are commercial micro-electromechanical systems, consisting of millions of mirrors which can be individually addressed and tilted into one of two states (+/-12deg). These devices were developed to create binary patterns in video projectors, in the visible range. Commercially available DMDs are hermetically sealed and extremely reliable. Recently, DMDs have been identified as an alternative to microshutter arrays for space-based multi-object spectrometers (MOS). Specifically, the MOS at the heart of the proposed Galactic Evolution Spectroscopic Explorer (GESE) uses the DMD as a reprogrammable slit mask. Unfortunately, the protective borosilicate windows limit the use of DMDs in the UV and IR regimes, where the glass has insufficient throughput. In this work, we present our efforts to replace standard DMD windows with custom windows made from UV-grade fused silica, low-absorption optical sapphire (LAOS) and magnesium fluoride (MgF2). We present transmission measurements of the antireflection coated windows and the reflectance of bare (window removed) DMDs. Furthermore, we investigated the long-term stability of the DMD reflectance and experiments for coating DMD active area with a layer of pure aluminum (Al) to boost reflectance performance in the UV spectral range (200-400 nm).
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Quijada, Manuel A.; Travinsky, Anton; Vorobiev, Dmitry; Ninkov, Zoran; Raisanen, Alan; Robberto, Massimo; Heap, Sara
2016-07-01
Digital micromirror devices (DMDs) are commercial micro-electromechanical systems, consisting of millions of mirrors which can be individually addressed and tilted into one of two states (+/-12°). These devices were developed to create binary patterns in video projectors, in the visible range. Commercially available DMDs are hermetically sealed and extremely reliable. Recently, DMDs have been identified as an alternative to microshutter arrays for space-based multi-object spectrometers (MOS). Specifically, the MOS at the heart of the proposed Galactic Evolution Spectroscopic Explorer (GESE) uses the DMD as a reprogrammable slit mask. Unfortunately, the protective borosilicate windows limit the use of DMDs in the UV and IR regimes, where the glass has insufficient throughput. In this work, we present our efforts to replace standard DMD windows with custom windows made from UV-grade fused silica, low-absorption optical sapphire (LAOS) and magnesium fluoride (MgF2). We present transmission measurements of the antireflection coated windows and the reflectance of bare (window removed) DMDs. Furthermore, we investigated the long-term stability of the DMD reflectance and experiments for coating DMD active area with a layer of pure aluminum (Al) to boost reflectance performance in the UV spectral range (200-400 nm).
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Wavelet Statistical Analysis of Low-Latitude Geomagnetic Measurements
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Papa, A. R.; Akel, A. F.
2009-05-01
Following previous works by our group (Papa et al., JASTP, 2006), where we analyzed a series of records acquired at the Vassouras National Geomagnetic Observatory in Brazil for the month of October 2000, we introduced a wavelet analysis for the same type of data and for other periods. It is well known that wavelets allow a more detailed study in several senses: the time window for analysis can be drastically reduced if compared to other traditional methods (Fourier, for example) and at the same time allow an almost continuous accompaniment of both amplitude and frequency of signals as time goes by. This advantage brings some possibilities for potentially useful forecasting methods of the type also advanced by our group in previous works (see for example, Papa and Sosman, JASTP, 2008). However, the simultaneous statistical analysis of both time series (in our case amplitude and frequency) is a challenging matter and is in this sense that we have found what we consider our main goal. Some possible trends for future works are advanced.
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Transportable Applications Environment Plus, Version 5.1
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1994-01-01
Transportable Applications Environment Plus (TAE+) computer program providing integrated, portable programming environment for developing and running application programs based on interactive windows, text, and graphical objects. Enables both programmers and nonprogrammers to construct own custom application interfaces easily and to move interfaces and application programs to different computers. Used to define corporate user interface, with noticeable improvements in application developer's and end user's learning curves. Main components are; WorkBench, What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) software tool for design and layout of user interface; and WPT (Window Programming Tools) Package, set of callable subroutines controlling user interface of application program. WorkBench and WPT's written in C++, and remaining code written in C.
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Controlling EPICS from a web browser.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Evans, K., Jr.
1999-04-13
An alternative to using a large graphical display manager like MEDM [1,2] to interface to a control system, is to use individual control objects, such as text boxes, meters, etc., running in a browser. This paper presents three implementations of this concept, one using ActiveX controls, one with Java applets, and another with Microsoft Agent. The ActiveX controls have performance nearing that of MEDM, but they only work on Windows platforms. The Java applets require a server to get around Web security restrictions and are not as fast, but they have the advantage of working on most platforms and withmore » both of the leading Web browsers. The agent works on Windows platforms with and without a browser and allows voice recognition and speech synthesis, making it somewhat more innovative than MEDM.« less
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An Evaluation of Potential Operating Systems for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
2013-02-01
Remotely Operated Vehicle RTOS Real-Time Operating System SAUC -E Student Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Challenge - Europe TCP Transmission Control Protocol...popularity, with examples including the Student Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Challenge - Europe ( SAUC -E) [7] and the AUVSI robosub competition [8]. For...28] for entry into AUV competitions such as SAUC -E [7], and AUVSI [8]. 8 UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED DSTO–TN–1194 3.4 Windows CE Windows CE
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Work climate and work load measurement in production room of Batik Merak Manis Laweyan
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Suhardi, Bambang; Simanjutak, Sry Yohana; Laksono, Pringgo Widyo; Herjunowibowo, Dewanto
2017-11-01
The work environment is everything around the labours that can affect them in the exercise of duties and work that is charged. In a work environment, there are workplace climate and workload which affect the labour in force carrying out its work. The working climate is one of the physical factors that could potentially cause health problems towards labour at extreme conditions of hot and cold that exceed the threshold limit value allowed by the standards of health. The climate works closely related to the workload accepted by workers in the performance of their duties. The influence of workload is pretty dominant against the performance of human resources and may cause negative effects to the safety and health of the labours. This study aims to measure the effect of the work climate and the workload against workers productivity. Furthermore, some suggestions to increase the productivity also been recommended. The research conducted in production room of Batik Merak Manis Laweyan. The results showed that the workplace climate and the workload at eight stations in production room of Merak Manis does not agree to the threshold limit value that has been set. Therefore, it is recommended to add more opening windows to add air velocity inside the building thus the humidity and temperature might be reduced.
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Brain surface temperature under a craniotomy
Kalmbach, Abigail S.
2012-01-01
Many neuroscientists access surface brain structures via a small cranial window, opened in the bone above the brain region of interest. Unfortunately this methodology has the potential to perturb the structure and function of the underlying brain tissue. One potential perturbation is heat loss from the brain surface, which may result in local dysregulation of brain temperature. Here, we demonstrate that heat loss is a significant problem in a cranial window preparation in common use for electrical recording and imaging studies in mice. In the absence of corrective measures, the exposed surface of the neocortex was at ∼28°C, ∼10°C below core body temperature, and a standing temperature gradient existed, with tissue below the core temperature even several millimeters into the brain. Cooling affected cellular and network function in neocortex and resulted principally from increased heat loss due to convection and radiation through the skull and cranial window. We demonstrate that constant perfusion of solution, warmed to 37°C, over the brain surface readily corrects the brain temperature, resulting in a stable temperature of 36–38°C at all depths. Our results indicate that temperature dysregulation may be common in cranial window preparations that are in widespread use in neuroscience, underlining the need to take measures to maintain the brain temperature in many physiology experiments. PMID:22972953
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Ultra-broadband THz time-domain spectroscopy of common polymers using THz air photonics.
D'Angelo, Francesco; Mics, Zoltán; Bonn, Mischa; Turchinovich, Dmitry
2014-05-19
Terahertz-range dielectric properties of the common polymers low-density polyethylene (LDPE), cyclic olefin/ethylene copolymer (TOPAS®), polyamide-6 (PA6), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon®) are characterized in the ultra-broadband frequency window 2-15 THz, using a THz time-domain spectrometer employing air-photonics for the generation and detection of single-cycle sub-50 fs THz transients. The time domain measurements provide direct access to both the absorption and refractive index spectra. The polymers LDPE and TOPAS® demonstrate negligible absorption and spectrally-flat refractive index across the entire spectroscopy window, revealing the high potential of these polymers for applications in THz photonics such as ultra-broadband polymer-based dielectric mirrors, waveguides, and fibers. Resonant high-frequency polar vibrational modes are observed and assigned in polymers PA6 and PTFE, and their dielectric functions in the complete frequency window 2-15 THz are theoretically reproduced. Our results demonstrate the potential of ultra-broadband air-photonics-based THz time domain spectroscopy as a valuable analytic tool for materials science.
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Analysis of Environmentally Friendly Refrigerant Options for Window Air Conditioners
Bansal, Pradeep; Shen, Bo
2015-03-12
This paper presents a technical assessment of environmentally friendly refrigerants as alternatives to R410A for window air conditioners. The alternative refrigerants that are studied for its replacement include R32, a mixture of R32/R125 with 90%/10% molar concentration, R600a, R290, R1234yf, R1234ze and R134a. Baseline experiments were performed on a window unit charged with R410A. The heat pump design model (HPDM) was modified and calibrated with the baseline data and was used to evaluate the comparative performance of the WAC with alternative refrigerants. The paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each refrigerants and their suitability for window air conditioners. Amongmore » all the refrigerants studied, R32 offers the best efficiency and the lowest Global Warming Potential (GWP), and hence its use will result in the overall environmental friendliness.« less
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DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Ruther, Rose E.; Sun, Che -Nan; Holliday, Adam
A simple electrolyte consisting of NaPF 6 salt in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) can extend the voltage window of electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) to >3.5 V. DME does not passivate carbon electrodes at very negative potentials (near Na/Na +), extending the practical voltage window by about 1.0 V compared to standard, non-aqueous electrolytes based on acetonitrile. The voltage window is demonstrated in two- and three-electrode cells using a combination of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), charge-discharge cycling, and measurements of leakage current. DME-based electrolytes cannot match the high conductivity of acetonitrile solutions, but they can satisfy applications that demand high energy density atmore » moderate power. The conductivity of NaPF 6 in DME is comparable to commercial lithium-ion battery electrolytes and superior to most ionic liquids. Lastly, factors that limit the voltage window and EDLC energy density are discussed, and strategies to further boost energy density are proposed.« less
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BE-PLUS: a new base editing tool with broadened editing window and enhanced fidelity.
Jiang, Wen; Feng, Songjie; Huang, Shisheng; Yu, Wenxia; Li, Guanglei; Yang, Guang; Liu, Yajing; Zhang, Yu; Zhang, Lei; Hou, Yu; Chen, Jia; Chen, Jieping; Huang, Xingxu
2018-06-06
Base editor (BE), containing a cytidine deaminase and catalytically defective Cas9, has been widely used to perform base editing. However, the narrow editing window of BE limits its utility. Here, we developed a new editing technology named as base editor for programming larger C to U (T) scope (BE-PLUS) by fusing 10 copies of GCN4 peptide to nCas9(D10A) for recruiting scFv-APOBEC-UGI-GB1 to the target sites. The new system achieves base editing with a broadened window, resulting in an increased genome-targeting scope. Interestingly, the new system yielded much fewer unwanted indels and non-C-to-T conversions. We also demonstrated its potential use in gene disruption across the whole genome through induction of stop codons (iSTOP). Taken together, the BE-PLUS system offers a new editing tool with increased editing window and enhanced fidelity.
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Li, Wenwen; Zhang, Sanpei; Wang, Bangrun; Gu, Sui; Xu, Dong; Wang, Jianing; Chen, Chunhua; Wen, Zhaoyin
2018-06-19
Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) have shown extraordinary promise for all-solid-state lithium metal batteries with high energy density and flexibility but are mainly limited by the low ionic conductivity and their poor stability with lithium metal anode. In this work, we propose a highly ordered porous electrolyte additive derived from SSZ-13 for high-rate all-solid-state lithium metal batteries. The nanoporous adsorption effect provided by the highly ordered porous nanoparticles in the poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) electrolyte are found to significantly improve the Li + conductivity (1.91×10 -3 S cm -1 at 60°C, 4.43×10 -5 S cm -1 at 20°C) and widen the electrochemical stability window to 4.7 V vs Li + /Li. Meanwhile, the designed PEO-based electrolyte demonstrates enhanced stability with the lithium metal anode. Through systematically increasing Li + diffusion, widening the electrochemical stability window and enhancing the stability of the SSZ-CPE electrolyte, the LiFePO4/SSZ-CPE/Li cell is optimized to deliver high-rate capability and stable cycling performance, which demonstrates great potential for all-solid-state energy storage application.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Rai, A.; Minsker, B. S.
2016-12-01
In this work we introduce a novel dataset GRID: GReen Infrastructure Detection Dataset and a framework for identifying urban green storm water infrastructure (GI) designs (wetlands/ponds, urban trees, and rain gardens/bioswales) from social media and satellite aerial images using computer vision and machine learning methods. Along with the hydrologic benefits of GI, such as reducing runoff volumes and urban heat islands, GI also provides important socio-economic benefits such as stress recovery and community cohesion. However, GI is installed by many different parties and cities typically do not know where GI is located, making study of its impacts or siting new GI difficult. We use object recognition learning methods (template matching, sliding window approach, and Random Hough Forest method) and supervised machine learning algorithms (e.g., support vector machines) as initial screening approaches to detect potential GI sites, which can then be investigated in more detail using on-site surveys. Training data were collected from GPS locations of Flickr and Instagram image postings and Amazon Mechanical Turk identification of each GI type. Sliding window method outperformed other methods and achieved an average F measure, which is combined metric for precision and recall performance measure of 0.78.
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Embossing of optical document security devices
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Muke, Sani
2004-06-01
Embossing in the transparent window area of polymer banknotes, such as those seen on the Australian, New Zealand and Romanian currencies, have enormous potential for the development of novel optical security devices. The intaglio printing process can provide an efficient means for embossing of optical security structures such as micro lenses. Embossed micro lens arrays in the transparent window of a polymer banknote can be folded over a corresponding printed image array elsewhere on the note to reveal a series of moire magnified images. Analysis of samples of embossed micro lenses showed that the engraving side and impression side had a similar embossed profile. The embossed micro lens profiles were modelled using Optalix-LX commercial optical ray tracing software in order to determine the focal length of the lenses and compare with the focal length of desired embossed lenses. A fundamental understanding of how the polymer deforms during the embossing process is critical towards developing a micro lens embossing tool which can achieve the desired embossed micro lenses. This work also looks at extending the early research of the Intaglio Research Group (IRG) to better understand the embossibility of polymer substrates such as biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP).
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Neuroendocrine models of social anxiety disorder
van Honk, Jack; Bos, Peter A.; Terburg, David; Heany, Sarah; Stein, Dan J.
2015-01-01
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a highly prevalent and disabling disorder with key behavioral traits of social fearfulness, social avoidance, and submissiveness. Here we argue that hormonal systems play a key role in mediating social anxiety, and so may be important in SAD. Hormonal alterations, often established early in development through the interaction between biological and psychological factors (eg, genetic predisposition x early trauma), predispose to socially fearful, avoidant, and submissive behavior. However, whereas gene variants and histories of trauma persist, hormonal systems can be remodeled over the course of life. Hormones play a key role during the periods of all sensitive developmental windows (ie, prenatal, neonatal, puberty, aging), and are capable of opening up new developmental windows in adulthood. Indeed, the developmental plasticity of our social brain, and thus of social behavior in adulthood, critically depends on steroid hormones such as testosterone and peptide hormones such as oxytocin. These steroid and peptide hormones in interaction with social experiences may have potential for reprogramming the socially anxious brain. Certainly, single administrations of oxytocin and testosterone in humans reduce socially fearful, avoidant, and submissive behavior. Such work may ultimately lead to new approaches to the treatment of SAD. PMID:26487809
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DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Sun, Xiaoran, E-mail: sxr0806@gmail.com; School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Western Australia, Crawley WA 6009; Small, Michael, E-mail: michael.small@uwa.edu.au
In this work, we propose a novel method to transform a time series into a weighted and directed network. For a given time series, we first generate a set of segments via a sliding window, and then use a doubly symbolic scheme to characterize every windowed segment by combining absolute amplitude information with an ordinal pattern characterization. Based on this construction, a network can be directly constructed from the given time series: segments corresponding to different symbol-pairs are mapped to network nodes and the temporal succession between nodes is represented by directed links. With this conversion, dynamics underlying the timemore » series has been encoded into the network structure. We illustrate the potential of our networks with a well-studied dynamical model as a benchmark example. Results show that network measures for characterizing global properties can detect the dynamical transitions in the underlying system. Moreover, we employ a random walk algorithm to sample loops in our networks, and find that time series with different dynamics exhibits distinct cycle structure. That is, the relative prevalence of loops with different lengths can be used to identify the underlying dynamics.« less
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Hester, Nathan; Li, Ke; Schramski, John R; Crittenden, John
2012-04-30
Globally, residential energy consumption continues to rise due to a variety of trends such as increasing access to modern appliances, overall population growth, and the overall increase of electricity distribution. Currently, residential energy consumption accounts for approximately one-fifth of total U.S. energy consumption. This research analyzes the effectiveness of a range of energy-saving measures for residential houses in semi-arid climates. These energy-saving measures include: structural insulated panels (SIP) for exterior wall construction, daylight control, increased window area, efficient window glass suitable for the local weather, and several combinations of these. Our model determined that energy consumption is reduced by up to 6.1% when multiple energy savings technologies are combined. In addition, pre-construction technologies (structural insulated panels (SIPs), daylight control, and increased window area) provide roughly 4 times the energy savings when compared to post-construction technologies (window blinds and efficient window glass). The model also illuminated the importance variations in local climate and building configuration; highlighting the site-specific nature of this type of energy consumption quantification for policy and building code considerations. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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Yang, Peihua; Sun, Peng; Chai, Zhisheng; Huang, Langhuan; Cai, Xiang; Tan, Shaozao; Song, Jinhui; Mai, Wenjie
2014-10-27
Multifunctional glass windows that combine energy storage and electrochromism have been obtained by facile thermal evaporation and electrodeposition methods. For example, WO3 films that had been deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass exhibited a high specific capacitance of 639.8 F g(-1). Their color changed from transparent to deep blue with an abrupt decrease in optical transmittance from 91.3% to 15.1% at a wavelength of 633 nm when a voltage of -0.6 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) was applied, demonstrating its excellent energy-storage and electrochromism properties. As a second example, a polyaniline-based pseudocapacitive glass was also developed, and its color can change from green to blue. A large-scale pseudocapacitive WO3-based glass window (15×15 cm(2)) was fabricated as a prototype. Such smart pseudocapacitive glass windows show great potential in functioning as electrochromic windows and concurrently powering electronic devices, such as mobile phones or laptops. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
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Optimal dredge fleet scheduling within environmental work windows.
DOT National Transportation Integrated Search
2016-09-15
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) annually spends more than 100 million dollars on dredging hundreds of navigation projects on more than 12,000 miles of inland and intra-coastal waterways. Building on previous work with USACE, this project exp...
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Costas, Rodrigo; van Leeuwen, Thed N; van Raan, Anthony F J
2011-10-01
The obsolescence and "durability" of scientific literature have been important elements of debate during many years, especially regarding the proper calculation of bibliometric indicators. The effects of "delayed recognition" on impact indicators have importance and are of interest not only to bibliometricians but also among research managers and scientists themselves. It has been suggested that the "Mendel syndrome" is a potential drawback when assessing individual researchers through impact measures. If publications from particular researchers need more time than "normal" to be properly acknowledged by their colleagues, the impact of these researchers may be underestimated with common citation windows. In this paper, we answer the question whether the bibliometric indicators for scientists can be significantly affected by the Mendel syndrome. Applying a methodology developed previously for the classification of papers according to their durability (Costas et al., J Am Soc Inf Sci Technol 61(8):1564-1581, 2010a; J Am Soc Inf Sci Technol 61(2):329-339, 2010b), the scientific production of 1,064 researchers working at the Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) in three different research areas has been analyzed. Cases of potential "Mendel syndrome" are rarely found among researchers and these cases do not significantly outperform the impact of researchers with a standard pattern of reception in their citations. The analysis of durability could be included as a parameter for the consideration of the citation windows used in the bibliometric analysis of individuals.
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Zhang, Zhengyi; Zhang, Gaoyan; Zhang, Yuanyuan; Liu, Hong; Xu, Junhai; Liu, Baolin
2017-12-01
This study aimed to investigate the functional connectivity in the brain during the cross-modal integration of polyphonic characters in Chinese audio-visual sentences. The visual sentences were all semantically reasonable and the audible pronunciations of the polyphonic characters in corresponding sentences contexts varied in four conditions. To measure the functional connectivity, correlation, coherence and phase synchronization index (PSI) were used, and then multivariate pattern analysis was performed to detect the consensus functional connectivity patterns. These analyses were confined in the time windows of three event-related potential components of P200, N400 and late positive shift (LPS) to investigate the dynamic changes of the connectivity patterns at different cognitive stages. We found that when differentiating the polyphonic characters with abnormal pronunciations from that with the appreciate ones in audio-visual sentences, significant classification results were obtained based on the coherence in the time window of the P200 component, the correlation in the time window of the N400 component and the coherence and PSI in the time window the LPS component. Moreover, the spatial distributions in these time windows were also different, with the recruitment of frontal sites in the time window of the P200 component, the frontal-central-parietal regions in the time window of the N400 component and the central-parietal sites in the time window of the LPS component. These findings demonstrate that the functional interaction mechanisms are different at different stages of audio-visual integration of polyphonic characters.
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Simulation of a Real-Time Brain Computer Interface for Detecting a Self-Paced Hitting Task.
Hammad, Sofyan H; Kamavuako, Ernest N; Farina, Dario; Jensen, Winnie
2016-12-01
An invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) is a promising neurorehabilitation device for severely disabled patients. Although some systems have been shown to work well in restricted laboratory settings, their utility must be tested in less controlled, real-time environments. Our objective was to investigate whether a specific motor task could be reliably detected from multiunit intracortical signals from freely moving animals in a simulated, real-time setting. Intracortical signals were first obtained from electrodes placed in the primary motor cortex of four rats that were trained to hit a retractable paddle (defined as a "Hit"). In the simulated real-time setting, the signal-to-noise-ratio was first increased by wavelet denoising. Action potentials were detected, and features were extracted (spike count, mean absolute values, entropy, and combination of these features) within pre-defined time windows (200 ms, 300 ms, and 400 ms) to classify the occurrence of a "Hit." We found higher detection accuracy of a "Hit" (73.1%, 73.4%, and 67.9% for the three window sizes, respectively) when the decision was made based on a combination of features rather than on a single feature. However, the duration of the window length was not statistically significant (p = 0.5). Our results showed the feasibility of detecting a motor task in real time in a less restricted environment compared to environments commonly applied within invasive BCI research, and they showed the feasibility of using information extracted from multiunit recordings, thereby avoiding the time-consuming and complex task of extracting and sorting single units. © 2016 International Neuromodulation Society.
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Optical coherence microscopy of mouse cortical vasculature surrounding implanted electrodes
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hammer, Daniel X.; Lozzi, Andrea; Abliz, Erkinay; Greenbaum, Noah; Turner, Kevin P.; Pfefer, T. Joshua; Agrawal, Anant; Krauthamer, Victor; Welle, Cristin G.
2014-03-01
Optical coherence microscopy (OCM) provides real-time, in-vivo, three-dimensional, isotropic micron-resolution structural and functional characterization of tissue, cells, and other biological targets. Optical coherence angiography (OCA) also provides visualization and quantification of vascular flow via speckle-based or phase-resolved techniques. Performance assessment of neuroprosthetic systems, which allow direct thought control of limb prostheses, may be aided by OCA. In particular, there is a need to examine the underlying mechanisms of chronic functional degradation of implanted electrodes. Angiogenesis, capillary network remodeling, and changes in flow velocity are potential indicators of tissue changes that may be associated with waning electrode performance. The overall goal of this investigation is to quantify longitudinal changes in vascular morphology and capillary flow around neural electrodes chronically implanted in mice. We built a 1315-nm OCM system to image vessels in neocortical tissue in a cohort of mice. An optical window was implanted on the skull over the primary motor cortex above a penetrating shank-style microelectrode array. The mice were imaged bi-weekly to generate vascular maps of the region surrounding the implanted microelectrode array. Acute effects of window and electrode implantation included vessel dilation and profusion of vessels in the superficial layer of the cortex (0-200 μm). In deeper layers surrounding the electrode, no qualitative differences were seen in this early phase. These measurements establish a baseline vascular tissue response from the cortical window preparation and lay the ground work for future longitudinal studies to test the hypothesis that vascular changes will be associated with chronic electrode degradation.
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NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Craig, Roger A.; Davy, William C.; Whiting, Ellis E.
1994-01-01
The Radiative Heating Experiment, RHE, aboard the Aeroassist Flight Experiment, AFE, (now cancelled) was to make in-situ measurements of the stagnation region shock layer radiation during an aerobraking maneuver from geosynchronous to low earth orbit. The measurements were to provide a data base to help develop and validate aerothermodynamic computational models. Although cancelled, much work was done to develop the science requirements and to successfully meet RHE technical challenges. This paper discusses the RHE scientific objectives and expected science performance of a small sapphire window for the RHE radiometers. The spectral range required was from 170 to 900 nm. The window size was based on radiometer sensitivity requirements including capability of on-orbit solar calibration.
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HVI Ballistic Limit Charaterization of Fused Silica Thermal Pane
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Bohl, William E.; Miller, Joshua E.; Christiansen, Eric L.; Deighton, Kevin.; Davis, Bruce
2015-01-01
The Orion spacecraft's windows are exposed to the micrometeroid and orbital debris (MMOD) space environments while in space as well as the Earth entry environment at the mission's conclusion. The need for a low-mass spacecraft window design drives the need to reduce conservatism when assessing the design for loss of crew due to MMOD impact and subsequent Earth entry. Therefore, work is underway at NASA and Lockheed Martin to improve characterization of the complete penetration ballistic limit of an outer fused silica thermal pane. Hypervelocity impact tests of the window configuration at up to 10 km/s and hydrocode modeling have been performed with a variety of projectile materials to enable refinement of the fused silica ballistic limit equation.
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Sobolik, Tammy; Su, Ying-Jun; Ashby, Will; Schaffer, David K.; Wells, Sam; Wikswo, John P.; Zijlstra, Andries; Richmond, Ann
2016-01-01
ABSTRACT We developed mammary imaging windows (MIWs) to evaluate leukocyte infiltration and cancer cell dissemination in mouse mammary tumors imaged by confocal microscopy. Previous techniques relied on surgical resection of a skin flap to image the tumor microenvironment restricting imaging time to a few hours. Utilization of mammary imaging windows offers extension of intravital imaging of the tumor microenvironment. We have characterized strengths and identified some previously undescribed potential weaknesses of MIW techniques. Through iterative enhancements of a transdermal portal we defined conditions for improved quality and extended confocal imaging time for imaging key cell-cell interactions in the tumor microenvironment. PMID:28243517
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Sobolik, Tammy; Su, Ying-Jun; Ashby, Will; Schaffer, David K; Wells, Sam; Wikswo, John P; Zijlstra, Andries; Richmond, Ann
2016-01-01
We developed mammary imaging windows (MIWs) to evaluate leukocyte infiltration and cancer cell dissemination in mouse mammary tumors imaged by confocal microscopy. Previous techniques relied on surgical resection of a skin flap to image the tumor microenvironment restricting imaging time to a few hours. Utilization of mammary imaging windows offers extension of intravital imaging of the tumor microenvironment. We have characterized strengths and identified some previously undescribed potential weaknesses of MIW techniques. Through iterative enhancements of a transdermal portal we defined conditions for improved quality and extended confocal imaging time for imaging key cell-cell interactions in the tumor microenvironment.
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Dynamic vehicle routing with time windows in theory and practice.
Yang, Zhiwei; van Osta, Jan-Paul; van Veen, Barry; van Krevelen, Rick; van Klaveren, Richard; Stam, Andries; Kok, Joost; Bäck, Thomas; Emmerich, Michael
2017-01-01
The vehicle routing problem is a classical combinatorial optimization problem. This work is about a variant of the vehicle routing problem with dynamically changing orders and time windows. In real-world applications often the demands change during operation time. New orders occur and others are canceled. In this case new schedules need to be generated on-the-fly. Online optimization algorithms for dynamical vehicle routing address this problem but so far they do not consider time windows. Moreover, to match the scenarios found in real-world problems adaptations of benchmarks are required. In this paper, a practical problem is modeled based on the procedure of daily routing of a delivery company. New orders by customers are introduced dynamically during the working day and need to be integrated into the schedule. A multiple ant colony algorithm combined with powerful local search procedures is proposed to solve the dynamic vehicle routing problem with time windows. The performance is tested on a new benchmark based on simulations of a working day. The problems are taken from Solomon's benchmarks but a certain percentage of the orders are only revealed to the algorithm during operation time. Different versions of the MACS algorithm are tested and a high performing variant is identified. Finally, the algorithm is tested in situ: In a field study, the algorithm schedules a fleet of cars for a surveillance company. We compare the performance of the algorithm to that of the procedure used by the company and we summarize insights gained from the implementation of the real-world study. The results show that the multiple ant colony algorithm can get a much better solution on the academic benchmark problem and also can be integrated in a real-world environment.
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DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Joo, Youngdo, E-mail: Ydjoo77@postech.ac.kr; Yu, Inha; Park, Insoo
After three years of upgrading work, the Pohang Light Source-II (PLS-II) is now successfully operating. The final quantitative goal of PLS-II is a top-up user-service operation with beam current of 400 mA to be completed by the end of 2014. During the beam store test up to 400 mA in the storage ring (SR), it was observed that the vacuum pressure around the radio frequency (RF) window of the superconducting cavity rapidly increases over the interlock level limiting the availability of the maximum beam current storing. Although available beam current is enhanced by setting a higher RF accelerating voltage, it is bettermore » to keep the RF accelerating voltage as low as possible in the long time top-up operation. We investigated the cause of the window vacuum pressure increment by studying the changes in the electric field distribution at the superconducting cavity and waveguide according to the beam current. In our simulation, an equivalent physical modeling was developed using a finite-difference time-domain code. The simulation revealed that the electric field amplitude at the RF window is exponentially increased as the beam current increases, thus this high electric field amplitude causes a RF breakdown at the RF window, which comes with the rapid increase of window vacuum pressure. The RF accelerating voltage of PLS-II RF system was set to 4.95 MV, which was estimated using the maximum available beam current that works as a function of RF voltage, and the top-up operation test with the beam current of 400 mA was successfully carried out.« less
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SU-E-T-430: Modeling MLC Leaf End in 2D for Sliding Window IMRT and Arc Therapy
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Liang, X; Zhu, T
2014-06-01
Purpose: To develop a 2D geometric model for MLC accounting for leaf end dose leakage for dynamic IMRT and Rapidarc therapy. Methods: Leaf-end dose leakage is one of the problems for MLC dose calculation and modeling. Dosimetric leaf gap used to model the MLC and to count for leakage in dose calculation, but may not be accurate for smaller leaf gaps. We propose another geometric modeling method to compensate for the MLC round-shape leaf ends dose leakage, and improve the accuracy of dose calculation and dose verification. A triangular function is used to geometrically model the MLC leaf end leakagemore » in the leaf motion direction, and a step function is used in the perpendicular direction. Dose measurements with different leaf gap, different window width, and different window height were conducted, and the results were used to fit the analytical model to get the model parameters. Results: Analytical models have been obtained for stop-and-shoot and dynamic modes for MLC motion. Parameters a=0.4, lw'=5.0 mm for 6X and a=0.54, lw'=4.1 mm for 15x were obtained from the fitting process. The proposed MLC leaf end model improves the dose profile at the two ends of the sliding window opening. This improvement is especially significant for smaller sliding window openings, which are commonly used for highly modulated IMRT plans and arc therapy plans. Conclusion: This work models the MLC round leaf end shape and movement pattern for IMRT dose calculation. The theory, as well as the results in this work provides a useful tool for photon beam IMRT dose calculation and verification.« less
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Microelectronic device package with an integral window
Peterson, Kenneth A.; Watson, Robert D.
2002-01-01
An apparatus for packaging of microelectronic devices, including an integral window. The microelectronic device can be a semiconductor chip, a CCD chip, a CMOS chip, a VCSEL chip, a laser diode, a MEMS device, or a IMEMS device. The package can include a cofired ceramic frame or body. The package can have an internal stepped structure made of one or more plates, with apertures, which are patterned with metallized conductive circuit traces. The microelectronic device can be flip-chip bonded on the plate to these traces, and oriented so that the light-sensitive side is optically accessible through the window. A cover lid can be attached to the opposite side of the package. The result is a compact, low-profile package, having an integral window that can be hermetically-sealed. The package body can be formed by low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) or high-temperature cofired ceramic (HTCC) multilayer processes with the window being simultaneously joined (e.g. cofired) to the package body during LTCC or HTCC processing. Multiple chips can be located within a single package. The cover lid can include a window. The apparatus is particularly suited for packaging of MEMS devices, since the number of handling steps is greatly reduced, thereby reducing the potential for contamination.
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High-Power X-Band Semiconductor RF Switch for Pulse Compression Systems of Future Colliders
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tantawi, Sami G.; Tamura, Fumihiko
2000-04-01
We describe the potential of semiconductor X-band RF switch arrays as a means of developing high power RF pulse compression systems for future linear colliders. The switch systems described here have two designs. Both designs consist of two 3dB hybrids and active modules. In the first design the module is composed of a cascaded active phase shifter. In the second design the module uses arrays of SPST (Single Pole Single Throw) switches. Each cascaded element of the phase shifter and the SPST switch has similar design. The active element consists of symmetrical three-port tee-junctions and an active waveguide window in the symmetrical arm of the tee-junction. The design methodology of the elements and the architecture of the whole switch system are presented. We describe the scaling law that governs the relation between power handling capability and number of elements. The design of the active waveguide window is presented. The waveguide window is a silicon wafer with an array of four hundred PIN/NIP diodes covering the surface of the window. This waveguide window is located in an over-moded TE01 circular waveguide. The results of high power RF measurements of the active waveguide window are presented. The experiment is performed at power levels of tens of megawatts at X-band.
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Letter-sound processing deficits in children with developmental dyslexia: An ERP study.
Moll, Kristina; Hasko, Sandra; Groth, Katharina; Bartling, Jürgen; Schulte-Körne, Gerd
2016-04-01
The time course during letter-sound processing was investigated in children with developmental dyslexia (DD) and typically developing (TD) children using electroencephalography. Thirty-eight children with DD and 25 TD children participated in a visual-auditory oddball paradigm. Event-related potentials (ERPs) elicited by standard and deviant stimuli in an early (100-190 ms) and late (560-750 ms) time window were analysed. In the early time window, ERPs elicited by the deviant stimulus were delayed and less left lateralized over fronto-temporal electrodes for children with DD compared to TD children. In the late time window, children with DD showed higher amplitudes extending more over right frontal electrodes. Longer latencies in the early time window and stronger right hemispheric activation in the late time window were associated with slower reading and naming speed. Additionally, stronger right hemispheric activation in the late time window correlated with poorer phonological awareness skills. Deficits in early stages of letter-sound processing influence later more explicit cognitive processes during letter-sound processing. Identifying the neurophysiological correlates of letter-sound processing and their relation to reading related skills provides insight into the degree of automaticity during letter-sound processing beyond behavioural measures of letter-sound-knowledge. Copyright © 2016 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Switchable skin window induced by optical clearing method for dermal blood flow imaging
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wang, Jing; Shi, Rui; Zhu, Dan
2013-06-01
Optical imaging techniques have shown tremendous potential for assessing cutaneous microcirculation, but the imaging depth and contrast is limited by the strong scattering of skin. Current skin windows have to be fulfilled by surgical operation and suffer from some side effects. In this study, a switchable skin window was developed by topical application of an optical clearing agent (OCA) and saline on rat skin in vivo. The validity of the skin window was evaluated by the laser speckle contrast imaging technique, and the safety of OCA to the body was tested through histologic examinations. The results indicated that administration of OCA or saline on rat skin in vivo can open or close the window of skin repeatedly for three days. With the repair effect of hyaluronic acid and Vaseline, it is able to repeatedly visualize the dermal blood vessels and flow distribution. Long-term observation shows that there is no abnormal reflection in micro-structure, body weight, organ coefficients, histopathologic lesions, or toxic reactions compared with a control group. This switchable window will provide an effective tool not only for cutaneous microcirculation with laser speckle contrast imaging, but also for diagnosis and treatment of peripheral vascular diseases, including tumor research with various optical imaging techniques.
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Domestic and Industrial Water Disinfection Using Boron-Doped Diamond Electrodes
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Rychen, Philippe; Provent, Christophe; Pupunat, Laurent; Hermant, Nicolas
This chapter first describes main properties and manufacturing process (production using HF-CVD, quality-control measurements, etc.) of diamond electrodes and more specifically boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes. Their exceptional properties make such electrodes particularly suited for many disinfection applications as thanks to their wide working potential window and their high anodic potential, they allow generating a mixture of powerful oxidizing species mainly based on active oxygen and peroxides. Such mixture of disinfecting agents is far more efficient than conventional chemical or physical known techniques. Their efficiency was tested against numerous microorganisms and then proved to be greater than conventional methods. All bacteria and viruses tested up to date were inactivated 3-5 times faster with a treatment based on with BDD electrodes and the DiaCellⓇ technology than with other techniques. Several applications, either industrial or private (wellness and home use), are discussed with a focus on the dedicated products and the main technology advantages.
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Neural correlates of active controlled retrieval development: An exploratory ERP study.
Simard, France; Cadoret, Geneviève
2018-07-01
Working memory is composed of different processes and encompasses not only the temporary storage of information but also its manipulation in order to perform complex cognitive activities. During childhood, one of these manipulation processes, namely active controlled retrieval, improves significantly between the age of 6 to 10, suggesting that the neuronal network supporting this function undergoes substantial maturational changes. The present study examined the neural activity of 14 healthy children and 14 adults while performing an active controlled retrieval task. Results showed differences in brain activity according to active controlled retrieval in a 300-500 ms window corresponding to the retrieval period. Active controlled retrieval was associated with a P3b-like potential in parietal sites for both children and adults. In fronto-central sites, children demonstrated a "N400 like" potential associated with active retrieval processing. These results are discussed in terms of maturational development. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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A thesis investigating the impact of energy related environmental factors on domestic window design
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
McEvoy, Michael Edward
In recent years the extent of glazing in houses has been tightly controlled by the Building Regulations in order to save energy. In addition guidelines derived from passive solar principles prescribe the distribution of domestic windows between elevations according to their orientation. This thesis studies the impact of these energy-related environmental factors on domestic window design. The first of these investigations determined the degree to which limitations on the area and arrangement of windows are significant in terms of daylighting. The experiments measured the effect that passive solar requirements and detailed aspects of window design have on the quality of daylighting in houses. The volume of background ventilation required for domestic accommodation has recently been increased. As a result, in a well-sealed construction, heat loss due to background ventilation becomes a larger part of the total heat loss and larger air movements become a potential cause of draughts. The ventilation experiment sought to establish the impact of these more onerous requirements on comfort within rooms. The third experiment combines these factors and asks the question: Could windows be actively involved in overcoming some of these difficulties by being used to preheat ventilation air in order to diminish the extent of heat loss and to alleviate the problem of cold draughts? Also by designing the window to reclaim heat from the room might it be possible to offset the window's thermal inadequacy? Through analysis of responses to a questionnaire and the use of optimisation techniques, scenarios were suggested for the future modification of windows in relation to energy and health expectations. The conclusions form a commentary on recent and future revisions to the Building Regulations and determine whether or not the Regulations facilitate the environmental engineering of windows as an active component of a building's whole environmental system.
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Minimal Window Duration for Accurate HRV Recording in Athletes.
Bourdillon, Nicolas; Schmitt, Laurent; Yazdani, Sasan; Vesin, Jean-Marc; Millet, Grégoire P
2017-01-01
Heart rate variability (HRV) is non-invasive and commonly used for monitoring responses to training loads, fitness, or overreaching in athletes. Yet, the recording duration for a series of RR-intervals varies from 1 to 15 min in the literature. The aim of the present work was to assess the minimum record duration to obtain reliable HRV results. RR-intervals from 159 orthostatic tests (7 min supine, SU, followed by 6 min standing, ST) were analyzed. Reference windows were 4 min in SU (min 3-7) and 4 min in ST (min 9-13). Those windows were subsequently divided and the analyses were repeated on eight different fractioned windows: the first min (0-1), the second min (1-2), the third min (2-3), the fourth min (3-4), the first 2 min (0-2), the last 2 min (2-4), the first 3 min (0-3), and the last 3 min (1-4). Correlation and Bland & Altman statistical analyses were systematically performed. The analysis window could be shortened to 0-2 instead of 0-4 for RMSSD only, whereas the 4-min window was necessary for LF and total power. Since there is a need for 1 min of baseline to obtain a steady signal prior the analysis window, we conclude that studies relying on RMSSD may shorten the windows to 3 min (= 1+2) in SU or seated position only and to 6 min (= 1+2 min SU plus 1+2 min ST) if there is an orthostatic test. Studies relying on time- and frequency-domain parameters need a minimum of 5 min (= 1+4) min SU or seated position only but require 10 min (= 1+4 min SU plus 1+4 min ST) for the orthostatic test.
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Zadeh, Rana Sagha; Shepley, Mardelle McCuskey; Williams, Gary; Chung, Susan Sung Eun
2014-01-01
To investigate the physiological and psychological effects of windows and daylight on registered nurses. To date, evidence has indicated that appropriate environmental lighting with characteristics similar to natural light can improve mood, alertness, and performance. The restorative effects of windows also have been documented. Hospital workspaces generally lack windows and daylight, and the impact of the lack of windows and daylight on healthcare employees' well being has not been thoroughly investigated. Data were collected using multiple methods with a quasi-experimental approach (i.e., biological measurements, behavioral mapping, and analysis of archival data) in an acute-care nursing unit with two wards that have similar environmental and organizational conditions, and similar patient populations and acuity, but different availability of windows in the nursing stations. Findings indicated that blood pressure (p < 0.0001) decreased and body temperature increased (p = 0.03). Blood oxygen saturation increased (p = 0.02), but the difference was clinically insignificant. Communication (p < 0.0001) and laughter (p = 0.03) both increased, and the subsidiary behavior indicators of sleepiness and deteriorated mood (p = 0.02) decreased. Heart rate (p = 0.07), caffeine intake (p = 0.3), self-reported sleepiness (p = 0.09), and the frequency of medication errors (p = 0.14) also decreased, but insignificantly. The findings support evidence from laboratory and field settings of the benefits of windows and daylight. A possible micro-restorative effect of windows and daylight may result in lowered blood pressure and increased oxygen saturation and a positive effect on circadian rhythms (as suggested by body temperature) and morning sleepiness. Critical care/intensive care, lighting, nursing, quality care, work environment.
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Method of high speed flow field influence and restrain on laser communication
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Meng, Li-xin; Wang, Chun-hui; Qian, Cun-zhu; Wang, Shuo; Zhang, Li-zhong
2013-08-01
For laser communication performance which carried by airplane or airship, due to high-speed platform movement, the air has two influences in platform and laser communication terminal window. The first influence is that aerodynamic effect causes the deformation of the optical window; the second one is that a shock wave and boundary layer would be generated. For subsonic within the aircraft, the boundary layer is the main influence. The presence of a boundary layer could change the air density and the temperature of the optical window, which causes the light deflection and received beam spot flicker. Ultimately, the energy hunting of the beam spot which reaches receiving side increases, so that the error rate increases. In this paper, aerodynamic theory is used in analyzing the influence of the optical window deformation due to high speed air. Aero-optics theory is used to analyze the influence of the boundary layer in laser communication link. Based on this, we focused on working on exploring in aerodynamic and aero-optical effect suppression method in the perspective of the optical window design. Based on planning experimental aircraft types and equipment installation location, we optimized the design parameters of the shape and thickness of the optical window, the shape and size of air-management kit. Finally, deformation of the optical window and air flow distribution were simulated by fluid simulation software in the different mach and different altitude fly condition. The simulation results showed that the optical window can inhibit the aerodynamic influence after optimization. In addition, the boundary layer is smoothed; the turbulence influence is reduced, which meets the requirements of the airborne laser communication.
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Tang, Xiaohui; Lui, Yu Hui; Merhi, Abdul Rahman; Chen, Bolin; Ding, Shaowei; Zhang, Bowei; Hu, Shan
2017-12-27
To enhance the energy density of solid-state supercapacitors, a novel solid-state cell, made of redox-active poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel electrolytes and functionalized carbon nanotube-coated cellulose paper electrodes, was investigated in this work. Briefly, acidic PVA-[BMIM]Cl-lactic acid-LiBr and neutral PVA-[BMIM]Cl-sodium acetate-LiBr hydrogel polymer electrolytes are used as catholyte and anolyte, respectively. The acidic condition of the catholyte contributes to suppression of the undesired irreversible reaction of Br - and extension of the oxygen evolution reaction potential to a higher value than that of the redox potential of Br - /Br 3 - reaction. The observed Br - /Br 3 - redox activity at the cathode contributes to enhance the cathode capacitance. The neutral condition of the anolyte helps extend the operating voltage window of the supercapacitor by introducing hydrogen evolution reaction overpotential to the anode. The electrosorption of nascent H on the negative electrode also increases the anode capacitance. As a result, the prepared solid-state hybrid supercapacitor shows a broad voltage window of 1.6 V, with a high Coulombic efficiency of 97.6% and the highest energy density of 16.3 Wh/kg with power density of 932.6 W/kg at 2 A/g obtained. After 10 000 cycles of galvanostatic charge and discharge tests at the current density of 10 A/g, it exhibits great cyclic stability with 93.4% retention of the initial capacitance. In addition, a robust capacitive performance can also be observed from the solid-state supercapacitor at different bending angles, indicating its great potential as a flexible energy storage device.
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Floquet states of a kicked particle in a singular potential: Exponential and power-law profiles
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Paul, Sanku; Santhanam, M. S.
2018-03-01
It is well known that, in the chaotic regime, all the Floquet states of kicked rotor system display an exponential profile resulting from dynamical localization. If the kicked rotor is placed in an additional stationary infinite potential well, its Floquet states display power-law profile. It has also been suggested in general that the Floquet states of periodically kicked systems with singularities in the potential would have power-law profile. In this work, we study the Floquet states of a kicked particle in finite potential barrier. By varying the height of finite potential barrier, the nature of transition in the Floquet state from exponential to power-law decay profile is studied. We map this system to a tight-binding model and show that the nature of decay profile depends on energy band spanned by the Floquet states (in unperturbed basis) relative to the potential height. This property can also be inferred from the statistics of Floquet eigenvalues and eigenvectors. This leads to an unusual scenario in which the level spacing distribution, as a window in to the spectral correlations, is not a unique characteristic for the entire system.
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10. Interior view of open work station area looking from ...
10. Interior view of open work station area looking from southwest corner of space; showing opened doorway to office with exterior window; center of north wing; view to northeast. - Ellsworth Air Force Base, Administration Office, 2704 George Drive, Blackhawk, Meade County, SD
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The Sound of Stigmatization: Sonic Habitus, Sonic Styles, and Boundary Work in an Urban Slum.
Schwarz, Ori
2015-07-01
Based on focus groups and interviews with student renters in an Israeli slum, the article explores the contributions of differences in sonic styles and sensibilities to boundary work, social categorization, and evaluation. Alongside visual cues such as broken windows, bad neighborhoods are characterized by sonic cues, such as shouts from windows. Students understand "being ghetto" as being loud in a particular way and use loudness as a central resource in their boundary work. Loudness is read as a performative index of class and ethnicity, and the performance of middle-class studentship entails being appalled by stigmatized sonic practices and participating in their exoticization. However, the sonic is not merely yet another resource of boundary work. Paying sociological attention to senses other than vision reveals complex interactions between structures anchored in the body, structures anchored in language, and actors' identification strategies, which may refine theorizations of the body and the senses in social theory.
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The "Suicide Guard Rail": a minimal structural intervention in hospitals reduces suicide jumps.
Mohl, Andreas; Stulz, Niklaus; Martin, Andrea; Eigenmann, Franz; Hepp, Urs; Hüsler, Jürg; Beer, Jürg H
2012-08-04
Jumping from heights is a readily available and lethal method of suicide. This study examined the effectiveness of a minimal structural intervention in preventing suicide jumps at a Swiss general teaching hospital. Following a series of suicide jumps out of the hospital's windows, a metal guard rail was installed at each window of the high-rise building. In the 114 months prior to the installation of the metal guard rail, 10 suicides by jumping out of the hospital's windows occurred among 119,269 inpatients. This figure was significantly reduced to 2 fatal incidents among 104,435 inpatients treated during the 78 months immediately following the installation of the rails at the hospital's windows (χ2 = 4.34, df = 1, p = .037). Even a minimal structural intervention might prevent suicide jumps in a general hospital. Further work is needed to examine the effectiveness of minimal structural interventions in preventing suicide jumps.
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The “Suicide Guard Rail”: a minimal structural intervention in hospitals reduces suicide jumps
2012-01-01
Background Jumping from heights is a readily available and lethal method of suicide. This study examined the effectiveness of a minimal structural intervention in preventing suicide jumps at a Swiss general teaching hospital. Following a series of suicide jumps out of the hospital’s windows, a metal guard rail was installed at each window of the high-rise building. Results In the 114 months prior to the installation of the metal guard rail, 10 suicides by jumping out of the hospital’s windows occurred among 119,269 inpatients. This figure was significantly reduced to 2 fatal incidents among 104,435 inpatients treated during the 78 months immediately following the installation of the rails at the hospital’s windows (χ2 = 4.34, df = 1, p = .037). Conclusions Even a minimal structural intervention might prevent suicide jumps in a general hospital. Further work is needed to examine the effectiveness of minimal structural interventions in preventing suicide jumps. PMID:22862804
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Kakooei, Hossein; Shahtaheri, Seyed Jamaleddin; Karbasi, Hossein-Ali
2006-01-01
Evaluation of personal inhalation exposure to methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) among 39 employees, working in the window fixation and window glue processes in an automobile manufacturing company was performed. This study was conducted for both case and control groups. After sampling and sample preparation processes, MDI was determined with a UV-VIS spectrophotometer at 590 nm; the lung function was assessed with a digital spirometer, too. The average concentration of MDI in the window fixation, and window glue workplaces were 34.53 and 27.37 micro g/m3, respectively, which was lower than the threshold limit value (TLV) recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) (51 micro g/m3). Respiratory symptoms in the exposed group were significantly different compared to the unexposed group (p < .05). Lung capacities in the case group were lower than in the control group (p < .05). Therefore, MDI can be easily measured making it possible to evaluate the adverse effects caused by occupational exposure.
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Bruno, Oscar P.; Turc, Catalin; Venakides, Stephanos
2016-01-01
This work, part I in a two-part series, presents: (i) a simple and highly efficient algorithm for evaluation of quasi-periodic Green functions, as well as (ii) an associated boundary-integral equation method for the numerical solution of problems of scattering of waves by doubly periodic arrays of scatterers in three-dimensional space. Except for certain ‘Wood frequencies’ at which the quasi-periodic Green function ceases to exist, the proposed approach, which is based on smooth windowing functions, gives rise to tapered lattice sums which converge superalgebraically fast to the Green function—that is, faster than any power of the number of terms used. This is in sharp contrast to the extremely slow convergence exhibited by the lattice sums in the absence of smooth windowing. (The Wood-frequency problem is treated in part II.) This paper establishes rigorously the superalgebraic convergence of the windowed lattice sums. A variety of numerical results demonstrate the practical efficiency of the proposed approach. PMID:27493573
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Feature-Oriented Domain Analysis (FODA) Feasibility Study
1990-11-01
controlling the synchronous behavior of the task. A task may wait for one or more synchronizing or message queue events. "* Each task is designed using the...Comparative Study 13 2.2.1. The Genesis System 13 2.2.2. MCC Work 15 2.2.2.1. The DESIRE Design Recovery Tool 15 0 2.2.2.2. Domain Analysis Method 1f...Illustration 43 Figure 6-1: Architectural Layers 48 Figure 6-2: Window Management Subsystem Design Structure 49 Figure 7-1: Function of a Window Manager
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Demand-type gas supply system for rocket borne thin-window proportional counters
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Acton, L. W.; Caravalho, R.; Catura, R. C.; Joki, E. G.
1977-01-01
A simple closed loop control system has been developed to maintain the gas pressure in thin-window proportional counters during rocket flights. This system permits convenient external control of detector pressure and system flushing rate. The control system is activated at launch with the sealing of a reference volume at the existing system pressure. Inflight control to plus or minus 2 torr at a working pressure of 760 torr has been achieved on six rocket flights.
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General view of the flight deck of the Orbiter Discovery ...
General view of the flight deck of the Orbiter Discovery looking from a low angle up and aft from approximately behind the commander's station. In the view you can see the overhead aft observation windows, the payload operations work area and in this view the payload bay observation windows have protective covers on them. This view was taken at Kennedy Space Center. - Space Transportation System, Orbiter Discovery (OV-103), Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX
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Modeling of an argon cascaded arc plasma by ANSYS FLUENT
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wei, Guodong; Qi, Xin; Yang, Lei
2014-04-01
In this work, an argon cascaded arc plasma is simulated by the business software ANSYS FLUENT. In fact, thus plasma is a high temperature arc (plasma window) with an average temperature of 12000 °C, which can be used as a medium between high pressure and vacuum mainly due to its characteristics of high temperature. According to the simulating results, the temperature can reach as high as 11500 °C which is in great agreement with that of other reports about plasma window.
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1998-03-01
a point of embarkation to a point of debarkation. This study develops an alternative hub-and-spoke combined location-routing integer linear...programming prototype model, and uses this model to determine what advantages a hub-and-spoke system offers, and in which scenarios it is better-suited than the...extension on the following works: the hierarchical model of Perl and Daskin (1983), time windows features of Chan (1991), combining subtour-breaking and range
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Canonical Probability Distributions for Model Building, Learning, and Inference
2006-07-14
hand , are for Ranked nodes set at Unobservable and Auxiliary nodes. The value of alpha is set in the diagnostic window by moving the slider in the upper...right hand side of the window. The upper bound of alpha can be modified by typing the new value in the small edit box to the right of the slider. f...TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER University of Pittsburgh
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Q14 - Standards Development Plan, Ada Interfaces to X Window System, Analysis and Recommendations
1989-03-20
portability and reusability. -, . /- , ... ’ 4t. I-,: 2 Introduction Two major thrusts of the STARS program, and industry as a whole, are application...and IEEE, and in industry consortiums to show the directions X is taking and the opportunities for Ada to utilize this work. X is not the only window...and actually prohibit portability, but to avoid this the X developers formed the X Consortium, consisting of industry and academic members, who define
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PIV Data Validation Software Package
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Blackshire, James L.
1997-01-01
A PIV data validation and post-processing software package was developed to provide semi-automated data validation and data reduction capabilities for Particle Image Velocimetry data sets. The software provides three primary capabilities including (1) removal of spurious vector data, (2) filtering, smoothing, and interpolating of PIV data, and (3) calculations of out-of-plane vorticity, ensemble statistics, and turbulence statistics information. The software runs on an IBM PC/AT host computer working either under Microsoft Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 operating systems.
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An evaluation of potential decompression hazards in small pressurized aircraft.
DOT National Transportation Integrated Search
1967-06-01
Over 300 decompression tests were conducted to determine potential hazards of ejection or incapacitating or fatal head injuries in small volume pressurized aircraft in the event of sudden decompression following the loss of a window, emergency exit, ...
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DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Xie, X; Cao, D; Housley, D
2014-06-01
Purpose: In this work, we have tested the performance of new respiratory gating solutions for Elekta linacs. These solutions include the Response gating and the C-RAD Catalyst surface mapping system.Verification measurements have been performed for a series of clinical cases. We also examined the beam on latency of the system and its impact on delivery efficiency. Methods: To verify the benefits of tighter gating windows, a Quasar Respiratory Motion Platform was used. Its vertical-motion plate acted as a respiration surrogate and was tracked by the Catalyst system to generate gating signals. A MatriXX ion-chamber array was mounted on its longitudinal-movingmore » platform. Clinical plans are delivered to a stationary and moving Matrix array at 100%, 50% and 30% gating windows and gamma scores were calculated comparing moving delivery results to the stationary result. It is important to note that as one moves to tighter gating windows, the delivery efficiency will be impacted by the linac's beam-on latency. Using a specialized software package, we generated beam-on signals of lengths of 1000ms, 600ms, 450ms, 400ms, 350ms and 300ms. As the gating windows get tighter, one can expect to reach a point where the dose rate will fall to nearly zero, indicating that the gating window is close to beam-on latency. A clinically useful gating window needs to be significantly longer than the latency for the linac. Results: As expected, the use of tighter gating windows improved delivery accuracy. However, a lower limit of the gating window, largely defined by linac beam-on latency, exists at around 300ms. Conclusion: The Response gating kit, combined with the C-RAD Catalyst, provides an effective solution for respiratorygated treatment delivery. Careful patient selection, gating window design, even visual/audio coaching may be necessary to ensure both delivery quality and efficiency. This research project is funded by Elekta.« less
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Bilican, Doga; Fornell, Jordina; Sort, Jordi; Pellicer, Eva
2017-01-01
Bismuth (Bi) electrodeposition was studied on Si/Ti/Au, FTO-, and ITO-coated glasses from acidic nitrate solutions with and without gluconate within a narrow potential window (ΔE = 80 mV). This potential range was sufficient to observe a change in particle shape, from polyhedrons (including hexagons) to dendrites, the trend being slightly different depending on substrate activity. In all cases, though, the formation of dendrites was favoured as the applied potential was made more negative. Bi particles were more uniformly distributed over the substrate when sodium gluconate was added to the electrolyte. X-ray diffraction analyses of dendrites grown at −0.28 V indicated that they exhibit the rhombohedral phase of Bi and are predominantly oriented along the (003) plane. This orientation is exacerbated at the lowest applied potential (−0.20 V vs. Ag|AgCl) on glass/ITO substrate, for which completed and truncated hexagons are observed from the top view scanning electron microscopy images. PMID:28772402
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Angeli, Roberto D; Lavinsky, Joel; Setogutti, Enio T; Lavinsky, Luiz
2017-01-01
The aim of this work was to describe the dimensions of the crista fenestra and determine its presence by means of high-resolution computed tomography (CT) for the purpose of cochlear implantation via the round window approach. A series of 10 adult human temporal bones underwent high-resolution CT scanning and were further dissected for microscopic study of the round window niche. In all of the specimens, the round window membrane was fully visualized after the complete removal of bony overhangs. The crista fenestra was identified as a sharp bony crest located in the anterior and inferior borders of the niche; its area ranged from 0.28 to 0.80 mm2 (mean 0.51 ± 0.18). The proportion of the area occupied by the crista fenestra in the whole circumference of the round window ranged from 23 to 50% (mean 36%). We found a moderate positive correlation between the area of the niche and the dimensions of the crista fenestra (Spearman rho: 0.491). In every case, high-resolution CT scanning was unable to determine the presence of the crista fenestra. The crista fenestra occupies a variable but expressive area within the bony round window niche. Narrower round window niches tended to house smaller crests. The presence of the crista fenestra is an important obstacle to adequate access to the scala tympani. Nevertheless, a high-resolution CT scan provides no additional preoperative information with regard to its presence for the purpose of surgical access to the scala tympani via the round window niche. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.
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Khandelwal, Hitesh; Loonen, Roel C G M; Hensen, Jan L M; Debije, Michael G; Schenning, Albertus P H J
2015-07-01
Electrically switchable broadband infrared reflectors that are relatively transparent in the visible region have been fabricated using polymer stabilised cholesteric liquid crystals. The IR reflectors can change their reflection/transmission properties by applying a voltage in response to changes in environmental conditions. Simulations predict that a significant amount of energy can be saved on heating, cooling and lighting of buildings in places such as Madrid by using this switchable IR reflector. We have also fabricated a switchable IR reflector which can also generate electricity. These polymer based switchable IR reflectors are of high potential as windows of automobiles and buildings to control interior temperatures and save energy.
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Khandelwal, Hitesh; Loonen, Roel C. G. M.; Hensen, Jan L. M.; Debije, Michael G.; Schenning, Albertus P. H. J.
2015-01-01
Electrically switchable broadband infrared reflectors that are relatively transparent in the visible region have been fabricated using polymer stabilised cholesteric liquid crystals. The IR reflectors can change their reflection/transmission properties by applying a voltage in response to changes in environmental conditions. Simulations predict that a significant amount of energy can be saved on heating, cooling and lighting of buildings in places such as Madrid by using this switchable IR reflector. We have also fabricated a switchable IR reflector which can also generate electricity. These polymer based switchable IR reflectors are of high potential as windows of automobiles and buildings to control interior temperatures and save energy. PMID:26132328
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Mandell, Jacob C; Khurana, Bharti; Folio, Les R; Hyun, Hyewon; Smith, Stacy E; Dunne, Ruth M; Andriole, Katherine P
2017-06-01
A methodology is described using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Extendscript to process DICOM images with a Relative Attenuation-Dependent Image Overlay (RADIO) algorithm to visualize the full dynamic range of CT in one view, without requiring a change in window and level settings. The potential clinical uses for such an algorithm are described in a pictorial overview, including applications in emergency radiology, oncologic imaging, and nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.
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Polarization gating of high harmonic generation in the water window
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Li, Jie; Ren, Xiaoming; Yin, Yanchun
2016-06-06
We implement the polarization gating (PG) technique with a two-cycle, 1.7 μm driving field to generate an attosecond supercontinuum extending to the water window spectral region. The ellipticity dependence of the high harmonic yield over a photon energy range much broader than previous work is measured and compared with a semi-classical model. When PG is applied, the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) is swept to study its influence on the continuum generation. PG with one-cycle (5.7 fs) and two-cycle (11.3 fs) delay are tested, and both give continuous spectra spanning from 50 to 450 eV under certain CEP values, strongly indicating the generation ofmore » isolated attosecond pulses in the water window region.« less
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Rodríguez-Yáñez, Alicia Berenice; Méndez-Vázquez, Yaileen
2014-01-01
Process windows in injection molding are habitually built with only one performance measure in mind. In reality, a more realistic picture can be obtained when considering multiple performance measures at a time, especially in the presence of conflict. In this work, the construction of process windows for injection molding (IM) is undertaken considering two and three performance measures in conflict simultaneously. The best compromises between the criteria involved are identified through the direct application of the concept of Pareto-dominance in multiple criteria optimization. The aim is to provide a formal and realistic strategy to set processing conditions in IM operations. The resulting optimization approach is easily implementable in MS Excel. The solutions are presented graphically to facilitate their use in manufacturing plants. PMID:25530927
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Rodríguez-Yáñez, Alicia Berenice; Méndez-Vázquez, Yaileen; Cabrera-Ríos, Mauricio
2014-01-01
Process windows in injection molding are habitually built with only one performance measure in mind. In reality, a more realistic picture can be obtained when considering multiple performance measures at a time, especially in the presence of conflict. In this work, the construction of process windows for injection molding (IM) is undertaken considering two and three performance measures in conflict simultaneously. The best compromises between the criteria involved are identified through the direct application of the concept of Pareto-dominance in multiple criteria optimization. The aim is to provide a formal and realistic strategy to set processing conditions in IM operations. The resulting optimization approach is easily implementable in MS Excel. The solutions are presented graphically to facilitate their use in manufacturing plants.
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Use of a Si(Li) detector as β spectrometer.
Dryák, P; Kovář, P
2014-05-01
The aim of this work is to demonstrate the capability of a Si(Li) detector for the measurement of β spectra, despite the energy absorption in air and in the Be window. A simple source holder fixes the source on the symmetry axis at 3mm from the detector window. The β-sources are produced by evaporation on a plastic backing plate. Absorbing materials between the source and the sensitive volume of the detector are 3 mm of air, a Be window, 0.1 μm Si and 20 nm of gold. A model of the detector was created for β spectra simulation using the MCNP 4A code. Experimental spectra of (14)C, (147)Pm, (204)Tl, (90)Sr/(90)Y were compared with simulated spectra. © 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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Evaluation of Aged Garlic Extract Neuroprotective Effect in a Focal Model of Cerebral Ischemia
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Aguilera, Penélope; Maldonado, Perla D.; Ortiz-Plata, Alma; Barrera, Diana; Chánez-Cárdenas, María Elena
2008-02-01
The oxidant species generated in cerebral ischemia have been implicated as important mediators of neuronal injury through damage to lipids, DNA, and proteins. Since ischemia as well as reperfusion insults generate oxidative stress, the administration of antioxidants may limit oxidative damage and ameliorate disease progression. The present work shows the transitory neuroprotective effect of the aged garlic extract (AGE) administration (a proposed antioxidant compound) in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model in rats and established its therapeutic window. To determine the optimal time of administration, animal received AGE (1.2 mL/kg) intraperitoneally 30 min before onset of reperfusion (-0.5 R), at the beginning of reperfusion (0R), or 1 h after onset of reperfusion (1R). Additional doses were administrated after 1, 2, or 3 h after onset of reperfusion. To establish the therapeutic window of AGE, the infarct area was determined for each treatment after different times of reperfusion. Results show that the administration of AGE at the onset of reperfusion reduced the infarct area by 70% (evaluated after 2 h reperfusion). The therapeutic window of AGE was determined. Repeated doses did not extend the temporal window of protection. A significant reduction in the nitrotyrosine level was observed in the brain tissue subjected to MCAO after AGE treatment at the onset of reperfusion. Data in the present work show that AGE exerts a transitory neuroprotective effect in response to ischemia/reperfusion-induced neuronal injury.
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Heavy liquid metals: Research programs at PSI
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Takeda, Y.
1996-06-01
The author describes work at PSI on thermohydraulics, thermal shock, and material tests for mechnical properties. In the presentation, the focus is on two main programs. (1) SINQ LBE target: The phase II study program for SINQ is planned. A new LBE loop is being constructed. The study has the following three objectives: (a) Pump study - design work on an electromagnetic pump to be integrated into the target. (b) Heat pipe performance test - the use of heat pipes as an additional component of the target cooling system is being considered, and it may be a way to futhermore » decouple the liquid metal and water coolant loops. (c) Mixed convection experiment - in order to find an optimal configuration of the additional flow guide for window cooling, mixed convection around the window is to be studied. The experiment will be started using water and then with LBE. (2) ESS Mercury target: For ESS target study, the following experimental studies are planned, some of which are exampled by trial experiments. (a) Flow around the window: Flow mapping around the hemi-cylindrical window will be made for optimising the flow channels and structures, (b) Geometry optimisation for minimizing a recirculation zone behind the edge of the flow separator, (c) Flow induced vibration and buckling problem for a optimised structure of the flow separator and (d) Gas-liquid two-phase flow will be studied by starting to establish the new experimental method of measuring various kinds of two-phase flow characteristics.« less
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Maximizing the Benefits of Training by Example and Direct Instruction
2008-01-08
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review , 13, 474-479. This work follows from behavioral and simulation work published in December of 2004 on a similar topic...isolation. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review , 13, 474-479. Jones, M., Love, B. C., & Maddox, W. T. (2006) Recency as a window to generalization: Separating
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Instruction and Learning through Formative Assessments
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bossé, Michael J.; Lynch-Davis, Kathleen; Adu-Gyamfi, Kwaku; Chandler, Kayla
2016-01-01
Assessment and instruction are interwoven in mathematically rich formative assessment tasks, so employing these tasks in the classrooms is an exciting and time-efficient opportunity. To provide a window into how these tasks work in the classroom, this article analyzes summaries of student work on such a task and considers several students'…
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Stamping an AA5754 Train Window Panel with High Dent Resistance Using Locally Annealed Blanks
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Piccininni, A.; Guglielmi, P.; Lo Franco, A.; Palumbo, G.
2017-09-01
The warm stamping of an AA5754-H32 window panel for railway vehicles applications has been proposed in the present work. The adoption of increased working temperatures can be surely considered the most effective solution for this alloy to overcome the limited material formability at room temperature [Palumbo et al. “Warm Forming of an AA5754 Component for Railway Vehicle Applications”, Procedia Engineering, Vol. 183, 2017, Pages 351-356] but, in order to improve the overall dent resistance of the component, the initial wrought conditions have been chosen in the present work. The manufacturing of the window panel was thus subdivided into a preliminary local heat treatment (assumed to be performed by laser) to anneal the material and a subsequent warm stamping step using heated tools. The best combination of temperature and holding time able to produce the annealing of the investigated alloy was determined using the physical simulator Gleeble 3180. On the contrary, the warm forming step was designed by means of thermo-mechanical simulations: in order to model the AA5754-H32 blank with annealed regions, an extensive experimental campaign (tensile and formability tests) was conducted using specimens in the annealed (H111) and in the wrought (H32) conditions. Through the numerical approach it was thus possible define: (i) the extent of the annealed regions; (ii) the punch speed to get a sound component.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Xiao, Fan; Chen, Zhijun; Chen, Jianguo; Zhou, Yongzhang
2016-05-01
In this study, a novel batch sliding window (BSW) based singularity mapping approach was proposed. Compared to the traditional sliding window (SW) technique with disadvantages of the empirical predetermination of a fixed maximum window size and outliers sensitivity of least-squares (LS) linear regression method, the BSW based singularity mapping approach can automatically determine the optimal size of the largest window for each estimated position, and utilizes robust linear regression (RLR) which is insensitive to outlier values. In the case study, tin geochemical data in Gejiu, Yunnan, have been processed by BSW based singularity mapping approach. The results show that the BSW approach can improve the accuracy of the calculation of singularity exponent values due to the determination of the optimal maximum window size. The utilization of RLR method in the BSW approach can smoothen the distribution of singularity index values with few or even without much high fluctuate values looking like noise points that usually make a singularity map much roughly and discontinuously. Furthermore, the student's t-statistic diagram indicates a strong spatial correlation between high geochemical anomaly and known tin polymetallic deposits. The target areas within high tin geochemical anomaly could probably have much higher potential for the exploration of new tin polymetallic deposits than other areas, particularly for the areas that show strong tin geochemical anomalies whereas no tin polymetallic deposits have been found in them.
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Warren, Joshua L; Son, Ji-Young; Pereira, Gavin; Leaderer, Brian P; Bell, Michelle L
2018-05-01
Identifying periods of increased vulnerability to air pollution during pregnancy with respect to the development of adverse birth outcomes can improve understanding of possible mechanisms of disease development and provide guidelines for protection of the child. Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy is typically based on the mother's residence at delivery, potentially resulting in exposure misclassification and biasing the estimation of critical windows of pregnancy. In this study, we determined the impact of maternal residential mobility during pregnancy on defining weekly exposure to particulate matter less than or equal to 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10) and estimating windows of susceptibility to term low birth weight. We utilized data sets from 4 Connecticut birth cohorts (1988-2008) that included information on all residential addresses between conception and delivery for each woman. We designed a simulation study to investigate the impact of increasing levels of mobility on identification of critical windows. Increased PM10 exposure during pregnancy weeks 16-18 was associated with an increased probability of term low birth weight. Ignoring residential mobility when defining weekly exposure had only a minor impact on the identification of critical windows for PM10 and term low birth weight in the data application and simulation study. Identification of critical pregnancy windows was robust to exposure misclassification caused by ignoring residential mobility in these Connecticut birth cohorts.
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Effect of the time window on the heat-conduction information filtering model
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Guo, Qiang; Song, Wen-Jun; Hou, Lei; Zhang, Yi-Lu; Liu, Jian-Guo
2014-05-01
Recommendation systems have been proposed to filter out the potential tastes and preferences of the normal users online, however, the physics of the time window effect on the performance is missing, which is critical for saving the memory and decreasing the computation complexity. In this paper, by gradually expanding the time window, we investigate the impact of the time window on the heat-conduction information filtering model with ten similarity measures. The experimental results on the benchmark dataset Netflix indicate that by only using approximately 11.11% recent rating records, the accuracy could be improved by an average of 33.16% and the diversity could be improved by 30.62%. In addition, the recommendation performance on the dataset MovieLens could be preserved by only considering approximately 10.91% recent records. Under the circumstance of improving the recommendation performance, our discoveries possess significant practical value by largely reducing the computational time and shortening the data storage space.
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Stable electrolyte for high voltage electrochemical double-layer capacitors
Ruther, Rose E.; Sun, Che -Nan; Holliday, Adam; ...
2016-12-28
A simple electrolyte consisting of NaPF 6 salt in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) can extend the voltage window of electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) to >3.5 V. DME does not passivate carbon electrodes at very negative potentials (near Na/Na +), extending the practical voltage window by about 1.0 V compared to standard, non-aqueous electrolytes based on acetonitrile. The voltage window is demonstrated in two- and three-electrode cells using a combination of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), charge-discharge cycling, and measurements of leakage current. DME-based electrolytes cannot match the high conductivity of acetonitrile solutions, but they can satisfy applications that demand high energy density atmore » moderate power. The conductivity of NaPF 6 in DME is comparable to commercial lithium-ion battery electrolytes and superior to most ionic liquids. Lastly, factors that limit the voltage window and EDLC energy density are discussed, and strategies to further boost energy density are proposed.« less
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Hypothermia as an Adjunct Therapy to Vesicant-induced Skin Injury
Sawyer, Thomas W; Nelson, Peggy
2008-01-01
Objective: The notion that cooling vesicant-exposed tissue may ameliorate or prevent resultant injury is not a novel concept. During both World Wars, studies were conducted that investigated this potential mode of therapy with sulfur mustard and seemed to conclude that there might be merit in pursuing this research direction. However, it does not appear that these studies were followed up vigorously, and the literature that describes this work is not readily accessible. In this report, we compare the toxicities of lewisite and sulfur mustard in vitro and in vivo and also provide an overview of historical and recent work on the effect of temperature on the toxicity of these vesicating chemical warfare agents.Methods: Tissue culture and animal studies were utilized to examine the effects of hypothermia on vesicant-induced toxicity. Results: Cytotoxicity was either significantly delayed (lewisite) or prevented (sulfur mustard) when cultures were maintained at 25°C. However, the effects of hypothermia on sulfur mustard–induced cell death were reversible when the cells were returned to 37°C. Despite these in vitro results, animal studies demonstrated that the therapeutic cooling of both mustard sulfur–exposed and lewisite-exposed skin resulted in dramatic and permanent protection against injury. Cooling also increased the therapeutic window in which drugs were effective against vesicant agents in tissue culture and lewisite-induced skin injury. Conclusions: The simple and noninvasive application of cooling measures may not only provide significant therapeutic relief to vesicant-exposed skin but also increase the therapeutic window in which medical countermeasures against vesicant agents are useful. PMID:18516227
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Continuation of research in software for space operations support
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Collier, Mark D.
1989-01-01
Software technologies relevant to workstation executives are discussed. Evaluations of problems, potential or otherwise, seen with IBM's Workstation Executive (WEX) 2.5 preliminary design and applicable portions of the 2.5 critical design are presented. Diverse graphics requirements of the Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center Upgrade (MCCU) are also discussed. The key is to use tools that are portable, compatible with the X window system, and best suited to the requirements of the associated application. This will include a User Interface Language (UIL), an interactive display builder, and a graphic plotting/modeling system. Work sheets are provided for POSIX 1003.4 real-time extensions and the requirements for the Center's automated information systems security plan, referred to as POSIX 1003.6, are discussed.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Meola, Joseph; Absi, Anthony; Leonard, James D.; Ifarraguerri, Agustin I.; Islam, Mohammed N.; Alexander, Vinay V.; Zadnik, Jerome A.
2013-05-01
A fundamental limitation of current visible through shortwave infrared hyperspectral imaging systems is the dependence on solar illumination. This reliance limits the operability of such systems to small windows during which the sun provides enough solar radiation to achieve adequate signal levels. Similarly, nighttime collection is infeasible. This work discusses the development and testing of a high-powered super-continuum laser for potential use as an on-board illumination source coupled with a hyperspectral receiver to allow for day/night operability. A 5-watt shortwave infrared supercontinuum laser was developed, characterized in the lab, and tower-tested along a 1.6km slant path to demonstrate propagation capability as a spectral light source.
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Non-haloaluminate room-temperature ionic liquids in electrochemistry--a review.
Buzzeo, Marisa C; Evans, Russell G; Compton, Richard G
2004-08-20
Some twenty-five years after they first came to prominence as alternative electrochemical solvents, room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) are currently being employed across an increasingly wide range of chemical fields. This review examines the current state of ionic liquid-based electrochemistry, with particular focus on the work of the last decade. Being composed entirely of ions and possesing wide electrochemical windows (often in excess of 5 volts), it is not difficult to see why these compounds are seen by electrochemists as attractive potential solvents. Accordingly, an examination of the pertinent properties of ionic liquids is presented, followed by an assessment of their application to date across the various electrochemical disciplines, concluding with an outlook viewing current problems and directions.
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Advances in asthma and allergy genetics in 2007.
Vercelli, Donata
2008-08-01
This review discusses the main advances in the genetics of asthma and allergy published in the Journal in 2007. The association studies discussed herein addressed 3 main topics: the effect of the environment and gene-environment interactions on asthma/allergy susceptibility, the contribution of T(H)2 immunity gene variants to allergic inflammation, and the role of filaggrin mutations in atopic dermatitis and associated phenotypes. Other articles revealed novel, potentially important candidate genes or confirmed known ones. Collectively, the works published in 2007 reiterate that allergy and asthma are typical complex diseases; that is, they are disorders in which intricate interactions among environmental and genetic factors modify disease susceptibility by altering the fundamental structural and functional properties of target organs at critical developmental windows.
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Gopalakrishnan, Kalpana; Teitelbaum, Susan L; Lambertini, Luca; Wetmur, James; Manservisi, Fabiana; Falcioni, Laura; Panzacchi, Simona; Belpoggi, Fiorella; Chen, Jia
2017-01-01
Exposure to environmental chemicals has been linked to altered mammary development and cancer risk at high doses using animal models. Effects at low doses comparable to human exposure remain poorly understood, especially during critical developmental windows. We investigated the effects of two environmental phenols commonly used in personal care products - methyl paraben (MPB) and triclosan (TCS) - on the histology and transcriptome of normal mammary glands at low doses mimicking human exposure during critical windows of development. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed during perinatal, prepubertal and pubertal windows, as well as from birth to lactation. Low-dose exposure to MPB and TCS induced measurable changes in both mammary histology (by Masson's Trichrome Stain) and transcriptome (by microarrays) in a window-specific fashion. Puberty represented a window of heightened sensitivity to MPB, with increased glandular tissue and changes of expression in 295 genes with significant enrichment in functions such as DNA replication and cell cycle regulation. Long-term exposure to TCS from birth to lactation was associated with increased adipose and reduced glandular and secretory tissue, with expression alterations in 993 genes enriched in pathways such as cholesterol synthesis and adipogenesis. Finally, enrichment analyses revealed that genes modified by MPB and TCS were over-represented in human breast cancer gene signatures, suggesting possible links with breast carcinogenesis. These findings highlight the issues of critical windows of susceptibility that may confer heightened sensitivity to environmental insults and implicate the potential health effects of these ubiquitous environmental chemicals in breast cancer. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Gopalakrishnan, Kalpana; Teitelbaum, Susan L.; Lambertini, Luca; Wetmur, James; Manservisi, Fabiana; Falcioni, Laura; Panzacchi, Simona; Belpoggi, Fiorella; Chen, Jia
2016-01-01
Exposure to environmental chemicals has been linked to altered mammary development and cancer risk at high doses using animal models. Effects at low doses comparable to human exposure remain poorly understood, especially during critical developmental windows. We investigated the effects of two environmental phenols commonly used in personal care products – methyl paraben (MPB) and triclosan (TCS) – on the histology and transcriptome of normal mammary glands at low doses mimicking human exposure during critical windows of development. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed during perinatal, prepubertal and pubertal windows, as well as from birth to lactation. Low-dose exposure to MPB and TCS induced measurable changes in both mammary histology (by Masson’s Trichrome Stain) and transcriptome (by microarrays) in a window-specific fashion. Puberty represented a window of heightened sensitivity to MPB, with increased glandular tissue and changes of expression in 295 genes with significant enrichment in functions such as DNA replication and cell cycle regulation. Long-term exposure to TCS from birth to lactation was associated with increased adipose and reduced glandular and secretory tissue, with expression alterations in 993 genes enriched in pathways such as cholesterol synthesis and adipogenesis. Finally, enrichment analyses revealed that genes modified by MPB and TCS were over-represented in human breast cancer gene signatures, suggesting possible links with breast carcinogenesis. These findings highlight the issues of critical windows of susceptibility that may confer heightened sensitivity to environmental insults and implicate the potential health effects of these ubiquitous environmental chemicals in breast cancer. PMID:27810681
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10. DETAILED VIEW OF THE EAST ELEVATION. THE UPPER SET ...
10. DETAILED VIEW OF THE EAST ELEVATION. THE UPPER SET OF WINDOWS PROVIDE LIGHT FOR THE DELIVERY LEVEL. THE LOWER SETS OF WINDOWS PROVIDE LIGHT TO THREE STORY SPACE BENEATH THE DELIVERY LEVEL AND BEHIND THE ORE STORAGE BINS. NOTE THE ORE DELIVER TRESTLE AT THE TIME THE PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN, THE MODERN CEMENT MIXER AND WHEELBARROWS WERE FOR THIS WORK. NOTE THE MORTAR BOXES ON THEIR SIDES. IT IS UNCLEAR IF THESE WERE FROM EARLIER STAMPS AT THIS MILL OR IF THEY WERE BROUGHT TO THE SITE FROM OTHER MILLS IN THE REGION. RISDON IRON WORKS IS CAST INTO THE MORTARS AND THEY ALSO BEAR A PLATE: WHITE, ROGERS AND CO. MILL WRIGHTS. - Standard Gold Mill, East of Bodie Creek, Northeast of Bodie, Bodie, Mono County, CA
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Boubekri, Mohamed; Cheung, Ivy N; Reid, Kathryn J; Wang, Chia-Hui; Zee, Phyllis C
2014-06-15
This research examined the impact of daylight exposure on the health of office workers from the perspective of subjective well-being and sleep quality as well as actigraphy measures of light exposure, activity, and sleep-wake patterns. Participants (N = 49) included 27 workers working in windowless environments and 22 comparable workers in workplaces with significantly more daylight. Windowless environment is defined as one without any windows or one where workstations were far away from windows and without any exposure to daylight. Well-being of the office workers was measured by Short Form-36 (SF-36), while sleep quality was measured by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). In addition, a subset of participants (N = 21; 10 workers in windowless environments and 11 workers in workplaces with windows) had actigraphy recordings to measure light exposure, activity, and sleep-wake patterns. Workers in windowless environments reported poorer scores than their counterparts on two SF-36 dimensions--role limitation due to physical problems and vitality--as well as poorer overall sleep quality from the global PSQI score and the sleep disturbances component of the PSQI. Compared to the group without windows, workers with windows at the workplace had more light exposure during the workweek, a trend toward more physical activity, and longer sleep duration as measured by actigraphy. We suggest that architectural design of office environments should place more emphasis on sufficient daylight exposure of the workers in order to promote office workers' health and well-being.
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PROPERTIES OF PHANTOM TISSUE-LIKE POLYMETHYLPENTENE IN THE FREQUENCY RANGE 20–70 MHZ
Madsen, Ernest L; Deaner, Meagan E; Mehi, James
2011-01-01
Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) has been employed to characterize soft tissues at ordinary abdominal ultrasound frequencies (2–15 MHz) and is beginning application at high frequencies (20–70 MHz). For example, backscatter and attenuation coefficients can be estimated in vivo using a reference phantom. At high frequencies it is crucial that reverberations do not compromise the measurements. Such reverberations can occur between the phantom's scanning window and transducer components as well as within the scanning window between its surfaces. Transducers are designed to minimize reverberations between the transducer and soft tissue. Thus, the acoustic impedance of a phantom scanning window should be tissue-like; polymethylpentene (TPX) is commonly used because of its tissue-like acoustic impedance. For QUS it is also crucial to correct for the transmission coefficient of the scanning window. Computation of the latter requires knowledge of the ultrasonic properties, viz, density, speed and attenuation coefficients. This work reports values for the ultrasonic properties of two versions of TPX over the high frequency range. One form (TPX film) is used as a scanning window on high frequency phantoms, and at 40 MHz and 22°C was found to have an attenuation coefficient of 120 dB/cm and a propagation speed of 2093 m/s. PMID:21723451
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Interactive floating windows: a new technique for stereoscopic video games
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zerebecki, Chris; Stanfield, Brodie; Tawadrous, Mina; Buckstein, Daniel; Hogue, Andrew; Kapralos, Bill
2012-03-01
The film industry has a long history of creating compelling experiences in stereoscopic 3D. Recently, the video game as an artistic medium has matured into an effective way to tell engaging and immersive stories. Given the current push to bring stereoscopic 3D technology into the consumer market there is considerable interest to develop stereoscopic 3D video games. Game developers have largely ignored the need to design their games specifically for stereoscopic 3D and have thus relied on automatic conversion and driver technology. Game developers need to evaluate solutions used in other media, such as film, to correct perceptual problems such as window violations, and modify or create new solutions to work within an interactive framework. In this paper we extend the dynamic floating window technique into the interactive domain enabling the player to position a virtual window in space. Interactively changing the position, size, and the 3D rotation of the virtual window, objects can be made to 'break the mask' dramatically enhancing the stereoscopic effect. By demonstrating that solutions from the film industry can be extended into the interactive space, it is our hope that this initiates further discussion in the game development community to strengthen their story-telling mechanisms in stereoscopic 3D games.
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Ultra-high resolution water window x ray microscope optics design and analysis
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Shealy, David L.; Wang, C.
1993-01-01
This project has been focused on the design and analysis of an ultra-high resolution water window soft-x-ray microscope. These activities have been accomplished by completing two tasks contained in the statement of work of this contract. The new results from this work confirm: (1) that in order to achieve resolutions greater than three times the wavelength of the incident radiation, it will be necessary to use spherical mirror surfaces and to use graded multilayer coatings on the secondary in order to accommodate the large variations of the angle of incidence over the secondary when operating the microscope at numerical apertures of 0.35 or greater; (2) that surface contour errors will have a significant effect on the optical performance of the microscope and must be controlled to a peak-to-valley variation of 50-100 A and a frequency of 8 periods over the surface of a mirror; and (3) that tolerance analysis of the spherical Schwarzschild microscope has been shown that the water window operations will require 2-3 times tighter tolerances to achieve a similar performance of operations with 130 A radiation. These results have been included in a manuscript included in the appendix.
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Boubekri, Mohamed; Cheung, Ivy N.; Reid, Kathryn J.; Wang, Chia-Hui; Zee, Phyllis C.
2014-01-01
Study Objective: This research examined the impact of daylight exposure on the health of office workers from the perspective of subjective well-being and sleep quality as well as actigraphy measures of light exposure, activity, and sleep-wake patterns. Methods: Participants (N = 49) included 27 workers working in windowless environments and 22 comparable workers in workplaces with significantly more daylight. Windowless environment is defined as one without any windows or one where workstations were far away from windows and without any exposure to daylight. Well-being of the office workers was measured by Short Form-36 (SF-36), while sleep quality was measured by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). In addition, a subset of participants (N = 21; 10 workers in windowless environments and 11 workers in workplaces with windows) had actigraphy recordings to measure light exposure, activity, and sleep-wake patterns. Results: Workers in windowless environments reported poorer scores than their counterparts on two SF-36 dimensions—role limitation due to physical problems and vitality—as well as poorer overall sleep quality from the global PSQI score and the sleep disturbances component of the PSQI. Compared to the group without windows, workers with windows at the workplace had more light exposure during the workweek, a trend toward more physical activity, and longer sleep duration as measured by actigraphy. Conclusions: We suggest that architectural design of office environments should place more emphasis on sufficient daylight exposure of the workers in order to promote office workers' health and well-being. Citation: Boubekri M, Cheung IN, Reid KJ, Wang CH, Zee PC. Impact of windows and daylight exposure on overall health and sleep quality of office workers: a case-control pilot study. J Clin Sleep Med 2014;10(6):603-611. PMID:24932139
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Water vapor self-continuum absorption measurements in the 4.0 and 2.1 μm transparency windows
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Richard, L.; Vasilchenko, S.; Mondelain, D.; Ventrillard, I.; Romanini, D.; Campargue, A.
2017-11-01
In a recent contribution [A. Campargue, S. Kassi, D. Mondelain, S. Vasilchenko, D. Romanini, Accurate laboratory determination of the near infrared water vapor self-continuum: A test of the MT_CKD model. J. Geophys. Res. Atmos., 121,13,180-13,203, doi:10.1002/2016JD025531], we reported accurate water vapor absorption continuum measurements by Cavity Ring-down Spectroscopy (CRDS) and Optical-Feedback-Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (OF-CEAS) at selected spectral points of 4 near infrared transparency windows. In the present work, the self-continuum cross-sections, CS, are determined for two new spectral points. The 2491 cm-1 spectral point in the region of maximum transparency of the 4.0 μm window was measured by OF-CEAS in the 23-52 °C temperature range. The 4435 cm-1 spectral point of the 2.1 μm window was measured by CRDS at room temperature. The self-continuum cross-sections were determined from the pressure squared dependence of the continuum absorption. Comparison to the literature shows a reasonable agreement with 1970 s and 1980 s measurements using a grating spectrograph in the 4.0 μm window and a very good consistency with our previous laser measurements in the 2.1 μm window. For both studied spectral points, our values are much smaller than previous room temperature measurements by Fourier Transform Spectroscopy. Significant deviations (up to about a factor 4) are noted compared to the widely used semi empirical MT_CKD model of the absorption continuum. The measured temperature dependence at 2491 cm-1 is consistent with previous high temperature measurements in the 4.0 μm window and follows an exp(D0/kT) law, D0 being the dissociation energy of the water dimer.
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Inner ear injury caused by air intrusion to the scala vestibuli of the cochlea.
Kobayashi, T; Sakurada, T; Ohyama, K; Takasaka, M
1993-11-01
In a previous communication, we demonstrated that the introduction of air into the scala tympani of the cochlea causes a decrease of cochlear potentials; however, the change in endocochlear dc potential (EP) was mild and the decreased cochlear microphonics (CM) and compound action potentials (CAP) were, at least partially, reversible. In contrast, we have now found that air perfusion (3-60 microliters/min) in the scala vestibuli decreased cochlear potentials more drastically than that in the scala tympani. The change in the EP after air perfusion in the scala vestibuli was characterized by a decrease of the negative EP in response to anoxia. The CM drastically decreased upon the initiation of air perfusion and no recovery was observed after refilling of the perilymph. Histological examination showed collapse of Reissner's membrane in 12 out of 17 cochleas examined. The extent and frequency of the collapse increased with an increase in the amount of air perfused in the scala vestibuli. As the minimal amount of air needed to cause inner ear damage by air perfusion in the scala vestibuli is as small as 3 microliters, it is possible that the prognosis is worse in cases with fistula of the oval window compared to that of the round window area, if the pneumolabyrinth is involved in the pathophysiology of perilymphatic fistula. It is also indicated that air inflation of the middle ear is dangerous in cases with fistula in the oval window.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wang, Meng; Jiang, Chunlei; Zhang, Songquan; Song, Xiaohe; Tang, Yongbing; Cheng, Hui-Ming
2018-06-01
Calcium-ion batteries (CIBs) are attractive candidates for energy storage because Ca2+ has low polarization and a reduction potential (-2.87 V versus standard hydrogen electrode, SHE) close to that of Li+ (-3.04 V versus SHE), promising a wide voltage window for a full battery. However, their development is limited by difficulties such as the lack of proper cathode/anode materials for reversible Ca2+ intercalation/de-intercalation, low working voltages (<2 V), low cycling stability, and especially poor room-temperature performance. Here, we report a CIB that can work stably at room temperature in a new cell configuration using graphite as the cathode and tin foils as the anode as well as the current collector. This CIB operates on a highly reversible electrochemical reaction that combines hexafluorophosphate intercalation/de-intercalation at the cathode and a Ca-involved alloying/de-alloying reaction at the anode. An optimized CIB exhibits a working voltage of up to 4.45 V with capacity retention of 95% after 350 cycles.
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Safonkina, S G
2009-01-01
The paper describes problems in the organization of the interaction of the Russian Inspectorate for the Protection of Consumer Rights and Human Welfare in Moscow and the Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in Moscow to perform sanitary-and-epidemiological examinations and to issue sanitary-and-epidemiological opinions. The goals of setting up a one-window service and measures required for its effective work are defined. Positive results of one-window activities are shown.
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Optical Transient Monitor (OTM) for BOOTES Project
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Páta, P.; Bernas, M.; Castro-Tirado, A. J.; Hudec, R.
2003-04-01
The Optical Transient Monitor (OTM) is a software for control of three wide and ultra-wide filed cameras of BOOTES (Burst Observer and Optical Transient Exploring System) station. The OTM is a PC based and it is powerful tool for taking images from two SBIG CCD cameras in same time or from one camera only. The control program for BOOTES cameras is Windows 98 or MSDOS based. Now the version for Windows 2000 is prepared. There are five main supported modes of work. The OTM program could control cameras and evaluate image data without human interaction.
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Fused Silica and Other Transparent Window Materials
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Salem, Jon
2016-01-01
Several transparent ceramics, such as spinel and AlONs are now being produced in sufficient large areas to be used in space craft window applications. The work horse transparent material for space missions from Apollo to the International Space Station has been fused silica due in part to its low coefficient of expansion and optical quality. Despite its successful use, fused silica exhibits anomalies in its crack growth behavior, depending on environmental preconditioning and surface damage. This presentation will compare recent optical ceramics to fused silica and discuss sources of variation in slow crack growth behavior.
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85. HENNESSY'S DEPARTMENT STORE (130 NORTH MAIN, 18971898) IS A ...
85. HENNESSY'S DEPARTMENT STORE (130 NORTH MAIN, 1897-1898) IS A STEEL FRAME AND BRICK STRUCTURE DESIGNED BY FREDERICK KEES OF MINNEAPOLIS. IT HAS INLAID MARBLE TILES IN THE HALLS, AND PLATE GLASS WINDOWS FRAMED IN COPPER ON THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS. THERE IS ALSO A CAST-IRON AND ORNAMENTAL GLASS LOWER LEVEL AND TERRA-COTTA DETAILING AROUND THE WINDOWS. THE ENTRANCE IS AN ELLIPTICAL ARCH WITH IRON GRILL WORK. - Butte Historic District, Bounded by Copper, Arizona, Mercury & Continental Streets, Butte, Silver Bow County, MT
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61. Hennessy's Department Store (130 North Main, 18971898) is a ...
61. Hennessy's Department Store (130 North Main, 1897-1898) is a steel frame and brick structure designed by Frederick Kees of Minneapolis. It has inlaid marble tiles in the halls, and plate glass windows framed in copper on the first and second floors. There is also a cast-iron and ornamental glass lower level and terra-cotta detailing around the windows. The entrance is an eliptical arch with iron grill work. - Butte Historic District, Bounded by Copper, Arizona, Mercury & Continental Streets, Butte, Silver Bow County, MT
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Fuh, Yiin-Kuen; Li, Shan-Chien; Chen, Chun-Yu
2017-07-01
In this paper, we demonstrate a hybrid generator, derived from the concurrent adoption of piezoelectric and triboelectric mechanisms in one press-and-release cycle, called a Hybridized Self-Powered sensor (HSPS). A new integration of print circuit board (PCB) technology-based piezoelectric generator (PG) concurrently adopted the direct-write, near-field electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nano/micro-fibers as piezoelectric source materials. On the other hand, triboelectric nanogenerators have the advantages of a high output performance with a simple structure which is also concurrently combined with the PG. The working mechanism of the HSPS includes the PCB-based substrate mounted with parallel aligned piezoelectric PVDF fibers in planar configuration which first bended and generated the electric potential via the effect of piezoelectricity. In what follows, the deformation of a cylindrical rolled-up piezoelectric structure is exercised, and finally, the triboelectric contact of Cu and PTFE layers is physically rubbed against each other with a separation to induce the triboelectric potential. This hybridized generator with a double domed shape design simultaneously combines piezoelectric output and triboelectric output and offers a built-in spacer with automatically spring back capability, which produces a peak output voltage of 100 V, a current of 4 μA, and a maximum power output of 450 nW. A self-powered smart window system was experimentally driven through finger-induced strain of HSPS, showing the optical properties with reversibly tunable transmittances. This research is a substantial advancement in the field of piezoelectric PVDF fibers integration toward the practical application of the whole self-powered system.
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Barnes, Brian B.; Wilson, Michael B.; Carr, Peter W.; Vitha, Mark F.; Broeckling, Corey D.; Heuberger, Adam L.; Prenni, Jessica; Janis, Gregory C.; Corcoran, Henry; Snow, Nicholas H.; Chopra, Shilpi; Dhandapani, Ramkumar; Tawfall, Amanda; Sumner, Lloyd W.; Boswell, Paul G.
2014-01-01
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is a primary tool used to identify compounds in complex samples. Both mass spectra and GC retention times are matched to those of standards, but it is often impractical to have standards on hand for every compound of interest, so we must rely on shared databases of MS data and GC retention information. Unfortunately, retention databases (e.g. linear retention index libraries) are experimentally restrictive, notoriously unreliable, and strongly instrument dependent, relegating GC retention information to a minor, often negligible role in compound identification despite its potential power. A new methodology called “retention projection” has great potential to overcome the limitations of shared chromatographic databases. In this work, we tested the reliability of the methodology in five independent laboratories. We found that even when each lab ran nominally the same method, the methodology was 3-fold more accurate than retention indexing because it properly accounted for unintentional differences between the GC-MS systems. When the labs used different methods of their own choosing, retention projections were 4- to 165-fold more accurate. More importantly, the distribution of error in the retention projections was predictable across different methods and labs, thus enabling automatic calculation of retention time tolerance windows. Tolerance windows at 99% confidence were generally narrower than those widely used even when physical standards are on hand to measure their retention. With its high accuracy and reliability, the new retention projection methodology makes GC retention a reliable, precise tool for compound identification, even when standards are not available to the user. PMID:24205931
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Asgari, Afrouz; Ashoor, Mansour; Sohrabpour, Mostafa; Shokrani, Parvaneh; Rezaei, Ali
2015-05-01
Improving signal to noise ratio (SNR) and qualified images by the various methods is very important for detecting the abnormalities at the body organs. Scatter and attenuation of photons by the organs lead to errors in radiopharmaceutical estimation as well as degradation of images. The choice of suitable energy window and the radionuclide have a key role in nuclear medicine which appearing the lowest scatter fraction as well as having a nearly constant linear attenuation coefficient as a function of phantom thickness. The energy windows of symmetrical window (SW), asymmetric window (ASW), high window (WH) and low window (WL) using Tc-99m and Sm-153 radionuclide with solid water slab phantom (RW3) and Teflon bone phantoms have been compared, and Matlab software and Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP4C) code were modified to simulate these methods and obtaining the amounts of FWHM and full width at tenth maximum (FWTM) using line spread functions (LSFs). The experimental data were obtained from the Orbiter Scintron gamma camera. Based on the results of the simulation as well as experimental work, the performance of WH and ASW display of the results, lowest scatter fraction as well as constant linear attenuation coefficient as a function of phantom thickness. WH and ASW were optimal windows in nuclear medicine imaging for Tc-99m in RW3 phantom and Sm-153 in Teflon bone phantom. Attenuation correction was done for WH and ASW optimal windows and for these radionuclides using filtered back projection algorithm. Results of simulation and experimental show that very good agreement between the set of experimental with simulation as well as theoretical values with simulation data were obtained which was nominally less than 7.07 % for Tc-99m and less than 8.00 % for Sm-153. Corrected counts were not affected by the thickness of scattering material. The Simulated results of Line Spread Function (LSF) for Sm-153 and Tc-99m in phantom based on four windows and TEW method were indicated that the FWHM and FWTM values were approximately the same in TEW method and WH and ASW, but the sensitivity at the optimal window was more than that of the other one. The suitable determination of energy window width on the energy spectra can be useful in optimal design to improve efficiency and contrast. It is found that the WH is preferred to the ASW and the ASW is preferred to the SW.
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Validating computational predictions of night-time ventilation in Stanford's Y2E2 building
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Chen, Chen; Lamberti, Giacomo; Gorle, Catherine
2017-11-01
Natural ventilation can significantly reduce building energy consumption, but robust design is a challenging task. We previously presented predictions of natural ventilation performance in Stanford's Y2E2 building using two models with different levels of fidelity, embedded in an uncertainty quantification framework to identify the dominant uncertain parameters and predict quantified confidence intervals. The results showed a slightly high cooling rate for the volume-averaged temperature, and the initial thermal mass temperature and window discharge coefficients were found to have an important influence on the results. To further investigate the potential role of these parameters on the observed discrepancies, the current study is performing additional measurements in the Y2E2 building. Wall temperatures are recorded throughout the nightflush using thermocouples; flow rates through windows are measured using hotwires; and spatial variability in the air temperature is explored. The measured wall temperatures are found the be within the range of our model assumptions, and the measured velocities agree reasonably well with our CFD predications. Considerable local variations in the indoor air temperature have been recorded, largely explaining the discrepancies in our earlier validation study. Future work will therefore focus on a local validation of the CFD results with the measurements. Center for Integrated Facility Engineering (CIFE).
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High-Speed Operation of Interband Cascade Lasers
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Soibel, Alexander; Hill, Cory J.; Keo, Sam A.; Wright, Malcom W.; Farr, William H.; Yang, Rui Q.; Liu, H. C.
2010-01-01
Optical sources operating in the atmospheric window of 3-5 microns are of particular interest for the development of free-space optical communication link. It is more advantageous to operate the free-space optical communication link in 3-5-microns atmospheric transmission window than at the telecom wavelength of 1.5 m due to lower optical scattering, scintillation, and background radiation. However, the realization of optical communications at the longer wavelength has encountered significant difficulties due to lack of adequate optical sources and detectors operating in the desirable wavelength regions. Interband Cascade (IC) lasers are novel semiconductor lasers that have a great potential for the realization of high-power, room-temperature optical sources in the 3-5-microns wavelength region, yet no experimental work, until this one, was done on high-speed direct modulation of IC lasers. Here, highspeed interband cascade laser, operating at wavelength 3.0 m, has been developed and the first direct measurement of the laser modulation bandwidth has been performed using a unique, highspeed quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP). The developed laser has modulation bandwidth exceeding 3 GHz. This constitutes a significant increase of the IC laser modulation bandwidth over currently existing devices. This result has demonstrated suitability of IC lasers as a mid-IR light source for multi-GHz free-space optical communications links
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DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Chen, Aiping; Zhou, Honghui; Zhu, Yuanyuan
2016-11-10
Growth of unexpected phases from a composite target of BiFeO 3:BiMnO 3 and/or BiFeO 3:BiCrO 3 has been explored using pulsed laser deposition. The Bi 2FeMnO 6 tetragonal phase can be grown directly on SrTiO 3 (STO) substrate, while two phases (S1 and S2) were found to grow on LaAlO 3 (LAO) substrates with narrow growth windows. However, introducing a thin CeO 2 buffer layer effectively broadens the growth window for the pure S1 phase, regardless of the substrate. Moreover, we discovered two new phases (X1 and X2) when growing on STO substrates using a BiFeO 3:BiCrO 3 target. Puremore » X2 phase can be obtained on CeO 2-buffered STO and LAO substrates. This work demonstrates that some unexpected phases can be stabilized in a thin film form by using composite perovskite BiRO 3 (R = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) targets. Moreover, it also indicates that CeO 2 can serve as a general template for the growth of bismuth compounds with potential room-temperature multiferroicity.« less
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Mesh-based phase contrast Fourier transform imaging
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tahir, Sajjad; Bashir, Sajid; MacDonald, C. A.; Petruccelli, Jonathan C.
2017-04-01
Traditional x-ray radiography is limited by low attenuation contrast in materials of low electron density. Phase contrast imaging offers the potential to improve the contrast between such materials, but due to the requirements on the spatial coherence of the x-ray beam, practical implementation of such systems with tabletop (i.e. non-synchrotron) sources has been limited. One phase imaging technique employs multiple fine-pitched gratings. However, the strict manufacturing tolerances and precise alignment requirements have limited the widespread adoption of grating-based techniques. In this work, we have investigated a recently developed technique that utilizes a single grid of much coarser pitch. Our system consisted of a low power 100 μm spot Mo source, a CCD with 22 μm pixel pitch, and either a focused mammography linear grid or a stainless steel woven mesh. Phase is extracted from a single image by windowing and comparing data localized about harmonics of the mesh in the Fourier domain. The effects on the diffraction phase contrast and scattering amplitude images of varying grid types and periods, and of varying the width of the window function used to separate the harmonics were investigated. Using the wire mesh, derivatives of the phase along two orthogonal directions were obtained and combined to form improved phase contrast images.
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Radiation attenuation by single-crystal diamond windows
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Guthrie, M.; Pruteanu, C. G.; Donnelly, M. -E.
As artificial diamond becomes more cost effective it is likely to see increasing use as a window for sample environment equipment used in diffraction experiments. Such windows are particularly useful as they exhibit exceptional mechanical properties in addition to being highly transparent to both X-ray and neutron radiation. A key application is in high-pressure studies, where diamond anvil cells (DACs) are used to access extreme sample conditions. However, despite their utility, an important consideration when using single-crystal diamond windows is their interaction with the incident beam. In particular, the Bragg condition will be satisfied for specific angles and wavelengths, leadingmore » to the appearance of diamond Bragg spots on the diffraction detectors but also, unavoidably, to loss of transmitted intensity of the beam that interacts with the sample. This effect can be particularly significant for energy-dispersive measurements, for example, in time-of-flight neutron diffraction work using DACs. This article presents a semi-empirical approach that can be used to correct for this effect, which is a prerequisite for the accurate determination of diffraction intensities.« less
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Radiation attenuation by single-crystal diamond windows
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Guthrie, Malcolm; Pruteanu, Ciprian G.; Donnelly, Mary -Ellen
As artificial diamond becomes more cost effective it is likely to see increasing use as a window for sample environment equipment used in diffraction experiments. Such windows are particularly useful as they exhibit exceptional mechanical properties in addition to being highly transparent to both X-ray and neutron radiation. A key application is in high-pressure studies, where diamond anvil cells (DACs) are used to access extreme sample conditions. However, despite their utility, an important consideration when using single-crystal diamond windows is their interaction with the incident beam. In particular, the Bragg condition will be satisfied for specific angles and wavelengths, leadingmore » to the appearance of diamond Bragg spots on the diffraction detectors but also, unavoidably, to loss of transmitted intensity of the beam that interacts with the sample. This effect can be particularly significant for energy-dispersive measurements, for example, in time-of-flight neutron diffraction work using DACs. Furthermore, this article presents a semi-empirical approach that can be used to correct for this effect, which is a prerequisite for the accurate determination of diffraction intensities.« less
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Radiation attenuation by single-crystal diamond windows
Guthrie, Malcolm; Pruteanu, Ciprian G.; Donnelly, Mary -Ellen; ...
2017-02-01
As artificial diamond becomes more cost effective it is likely to see increasing use as a window for sample environment equipment used in diffraction experiments. Such windows are particularly useful as they exhibit exceptional mechanical properties in addition to being highly transparent to both X-ray and neutron radiation. A key application is in high-pressure studies, where diamond anvil cells (DACs) are used to access extreme sample conditions. However, despite their utility, an important consideration when using single-crystal diamond windows is their interaction with the incident beam. In particular, the Bragg condition will be satisfied for specific angles and wavelengths, leadingmore » to the appearance of diamond Bragg spots on the diffraction detectors but also, unavoidably, to loss of transmitted intensity of the beam that interacts with the sample. This effect can be particularly significant for energy-dispersive measurements, for example, in time-of-flight neutron diffraction work using DACs. Furthermore, this article presents a semi-empirical approach that can be used to correct for this effect, which is a prerequisite for the accurate determination of diffraction intensities.« less
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Window-Based Channel Impulse Response Prediction for Time-Varying Ultra-Wideband Channels.
Al-Samman, A M; Azmi, M H; Rahman, T A; Khan, I; Hindia, M N; Fattouh, A
2016-01-01
This work proposes channel impulse response (CIR) prediction for time-varying ultra-wideband (UWB) channels by exploiting the fast movement of channel taps within delay bins. Considering the sparsity of UWB channels, we introduce a window-based CIR (WB-CIR) to approximate the high temporal resolutions of UWB channels. A recursive least square (RLS) algorithm is adopted to predict the time evolution of the WB-CIR. For predicting the future WB-CIR tap of window wk, three RLS filter coefficients are computed from the observed WB-CIRs of the left wk-1, the current wk and the right wk+1 windows. The filter coefficient with the lowest RLS error is used to predict the future WB-CIR tap. To evaluate our proposed prediction method, UWB CIRs are collected through measurement campaigns in outdoor environments considering line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) scenarios. Under similar computational complexity, our proposed method provides an improvement in prediction errors of approximately 80% for LOS and 63% for NLOS scenarios compared with a conventional method.
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Window-Based Channel Impulse Response Prediction for Time-Varying Ultra-Wideband Channels
Al-Samman, A. M.; Azmi, M. H.; Rahman, T. A.; Khan, I.; Hindia, M. N.; Fattouh, A.
2016-01-01
This work proposes channel impulse response (CIR) prediction for time-varying ultra-wideband (UWB) channels by exploiting the fast movement of channel taps within delay bins. Considering the sparsity of UWB channels, we introduce a window-based CIR (WB-CIR) to approximate the high temporal resolutions of UWB channels. A recursive least square (RLS) algorithm is adopted to predict the time evolution of the WB-CIR. For predicting the future WB-CIR tap of window wk, three RLS filter coefficients are computed from the observed WB-CIRs of the left wk−1, the current wk and the right wk+1 windows. The filter coefficient with the lowest RLS error is used to predict the future WB-CIR tap. To evaluate our proposed prediction method, UWB CIRs are collected through measurement campaigns in outdoor environments considering line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) scenarios. Under similar computational complexity, our proposed method provides an improvement in prediction errors of approximately 80% for LOS and 63% for NLOS scenarios compared with a conventional method. PMID:27992445
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Moliner, L.; Correcher, C.; Gimenez-Alventosa, V.; Ilisie, V.; Alvarez, J.; Sanchez, S.; Rodríguez-Alvarez, M. J.
2017-11-01
Nowadays, with the increase of the computational power of modern computers together with the state-of-the-art reconstruction algorithms, it is possible to obtain Positron Emission Tomography (PET) images in practically real time. These facts open the door to new applications such as radio-pharmaceuticals tracking inside the body or the use of PET for image-guided procedures, such as biopsy interventions, among others. This work is a proof of concept that aims to improve the user experience with real time PET images. Fixed, incremental, overlapping, sliding and hybrid windows are the different statistical combinations of data blocks used to generate intermediate images in order to follow the path of the activity in the Field Of View (FOV). To evaluate these different combinations, a point source is placed in a dedicated breast PET device and moved along the FOV. These acquisitions are reconstructed according to the different statistical windows, resulting in a smoother transition of positions for the image reconstructions that use the sliding and hybrid window.
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The Impact of Changing Cloud Cover on the High Arctic's Primary Cooling-to-space Windows
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Mariani, Zen; Rowe, Penny; Strong, Kimberly; Walden, Von; Drummond, James
2014-05-01
In the Arctic, most of the infrared energy emitted by the surface escapes to space in two atmospheric windows at 10 and 20 μm. As the Arctic warms, the 20 μm cooling-to-space window becomes increasingly opaque (or "closed"), trapping more surface infrared radiation in the atmosphere, with implications for the Arctic's radiative energy balance. Since 2006, the Canadian Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Change (CANDAC) has measured downwelling infrared radiance with an Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI) at the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL) at Eureka, Canada, providing the first long-term measurements of the 10 and 20 μm windows in the high Arctic. In this work, measurements of the distribution of downwelling 10 and 20 µm brightness temperatures at Eureka are separated based on cloud cover, providing a comparison to an existing climatology from the Southern Great Plains (SGP). Measurements of the downwelling radiance at both 10 and 20 μm exhibit strong seasonal variability as a result of changes in temperature and water vapour, in addition to variability with cloud cover. When separated by season, brightness temperatures in the 20 µm window are found to be independent of cloud thickness in the summertime, indicating that this window is closed in the summer. Radiance trends in three-month averages are positive and are significantly larger (factor > 5) than the trends detected at the SGP, indicating that changes in the downwelling radiance are accelerated in the high Arctic compared to lower latitudes. This statistically significant increase (> 5% / yr) in radiance at 10 μm occurs only when the 20 μm window is mostly transparent, or "open" (i.e., in all seasons except summer), and may have long-term consequences, particularly as warmer temperatures and increased water vapour "close" the dirty window for a prolonged period. These surface-based measurements of radiative forcing can be used to quantify changes in the high-Arctic energy budget and evaluate general circulation model simulations.
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Minimal Window Duration for Accurate HRV Recording in Athletes
Bourdillon, Nicolas; Schmitt, Laurent; Yazdani, Sasan; Vesin, Jean-Marc; Millet, Grégoire P.
2017-01-01
Heart rate variability (HRV) is non-invasive and commonly used for monitoring responses to training loads, fitness, or overreaching in athletes. Yet, the recording duration for a series of RR-intervals varies from 1 to 15 min in the literature. The aim of the present work was to assess the minimum record duration to obtain reliable HRV results. RR-intervals from 159 orthostatic tests (7 min supine, SU, followed by 6 min standing, ST) were analyzed. Reference windows were 4 min in SU (min 3–7) and 4 min in ST (min 9–13). Those windows were subsequently divided and the analyses were repeated on eight different fractioned windows: the first min (0–1), the second min (1–2), the third min (2–3), the fourth min (3–4), the first 2 min (0–2), the last 2 min (2–4), the first 3 min (0–3), and the last 3 min (1–4). Correlation and Bland & Altman statistical analyses were systematically performed. The analysis window could be shortened to 0–2 instead of 0–4 for RMSSD only, whereas the 4-min window was necessary for LF and total power. Since there is a need for 1 min of baseline to obtain a steady signal prior the analysis window, we conclude that studies relying on RMSSD may shorten the windows to 3 min (= 1+2) in SU or seated position only and to 6 min (= 1+2 min SU plus 1+2 min ST) if there is an orthostatic test. Studies relying on time- and frequency-domain parameters need a minimum of 5 min (= 1+4) min SU or seated position only but require 10 min (= 1+4 min SU plus 1+4 min ST) for the orthostatic test. PMID:28848382
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DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Liu, Qingkun; Frazier, Allister W.; Zhao, Xinpeng
Experimental realization of optically transparent, mechanically robust and flexible aerogels has been a longstanding challenge, which limits their practical applications in energy-saving devices, such as thermally insulating films for enhancing energy efficiency of windows. The poor transparency precluded even hypothetical consideration of the possibility of birefringent aerogels. We develop birefringent and optically isotropic aerogels that combine properties of thermal super-insulation, mechanical robustness and flexibility, and transparency to visible-spectrum light. This unusual combination of physical properties is achieved by combining liquid crystalline self-organization of cellulose nanofibers with polysiloxane cross-linking and control of the nanoscale porosity to form hybrid organic-inorganic mesostructured aerogels.more » Potential applications of these inexpensive materials range from single pane window retrofitting to smart fabrics.« less
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sordillo, Laura A.; Sordillo, Peter P.; Budansky, Yury; Leproux, Philippe; Alfano, R. R.
2015-02-01
Many areas of the body such as the tibia have minimal tissue thickness overlying bone. Near-infrared (NIR) optical windows may be used to image more deeply to reveal abnormalities hidden beneath tissue. We report on the potential application of a compact Leukos supercontinuum laser source (model STM-2000-IR) with wavelengths in the four NIR optical windows (from 650 nm to 950 nm, 1,100 nm to 1,350 nm, 1,600 to 1,870, and 2,100 nm to 2,300 nm, respectively) and between 200 - 500 microwatt/nm power, with InGaAs (Goodrich Sensors Inc. SU320- 1.7RT) and InSb detectors (Teledyne Technologies) to image microfractures and abnormalities of bone hidden beneath tissue.
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Borromean Windows for Three-Particle Systems under Screened Coulomb Interactions
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Jiang, Zi-Shi; Song, Xiu-Dan; Zhou, Lin; Kar, Sabyasachi
2017-05-01
We have carried out calculations to search Borromean windows (BWs) for 11 different three-body systems interacting with screened Coulomb (Yukawa-type) potentials using Hylleraas-type wave functions within the framework of a variational approach. The critical values of the screening parameters for the ground states of the systems under consideration are reported for which the three-body systems are stable, while all the possible fragments are unbound; that is, it shows windows for Borromean binding. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 11304086, the University Nursing Program for Young Scholars with Creative Talents in Heilongjiang Province of China under Grant No. UNPYSCT-2015019, and the Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars in Heilongjiang University under Grant No. JCL201503
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Ethical Challenges of Personal Disclosure in Gaining Entry with Religious Congregations.
Todd, Nathan R
2017-12-01
This is a story about learning how to navigate my social identities as a non-religious gay man attempting to conduct data-based consultation with a religious congregation. Beyond my own growth in knowing myself better, this story speaks to the larger ethical challenge of how we build trust in community relationships, and in particular how much of our personal selves we need to disclose in the process of an individual or group deciding to work with us. Individuals and groups make decisions to work with us based on who they perceive us to be; thus, what is our ethical obligation to disclose aspects of who we are to promote full informed consent? To illustrate this ethical challenge of personal disclosure, I tell the story of discussions I had with three different religious leaders and a congregational committee about potentially working together. Throughout these stories, I reflect on my own messy process of growth as a window into the more general question of how we navigate our identities and values as community psychologists in the work we do with communities. © Society for Community Research and Action 2017.
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6. INTERIOR VIEW TO THE EAST OF SOUTHEAST CORNER OF ...
6. INTERIOR VIEW TO THE EAST OF SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE HOT BAY. A LARGE MANIPULATOR ARM AND HORIZONTAL TRACKING SYSTEM IS SHOWN ABOVE SMALLER MANIPULATOR ARM WORK STATIONS. ASSOCIATED WITH THE WORK STATIONS ARE OBSERVATION WINDOWS. - Nevada Test Site, Engine Maintenance Assembly & Disassembly Facility, Area 25, Jackass Flats, Mercury, Nye County, NV
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Ashford, Lori S.; Smith, Rhonda R.; De Souza, Roger-Mark; Fikree, Fariyal F.; Yinger, Nancy V.
2006-01-01
PROBLEM: Because researchers and policy-makers work in different spheres, policy decisions in the health arena are often not based on available scientific evidence. APPROACH: We describe a model that illustrates the policy process and how to work strategically to translate knowledge into policy actions. Several types of activity--agenda-setting, coalition building and policy learning--together can create a window of opportunity for policy change. LOCAL SETTING: Activities were undertaken as part of the Kenyan Ministry of Health's new decentralized planning-process. The objective was to ensure that the results of a national assessment of health services were used in the preparation of district-level health plans. RELEVANT CHANGES: Following the intervention, 70 district-level, evidence-based work plans were developed and approved by the Kenyan Ministry of Health. LESSONS LEARNED: Substantial investment and effort are needed to bring stakeholders together to work towards policy change. More in-depth evaluation of these efforts can aid understanding of how systematic approaches to policy change can be replicated elsewhere. PMID:16917657
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Head posture measurements among work vehicle drivers and implications for work and workplace design.
Eklund, J; Odenrick, P; Zettergren, S; Johansson, H
1994-04-01
An increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders, e.g. from the neck region, has been found among professional drivers of work vehicles. The purpose of this study was to identify causes of postural load and implications for vehicle design and work tasks. A second purpose was to develop the methods for measurement and analysis of head postures. Field measurements of head postures for drivers of fork lift trucks, forestry machines, and cranes were carried out. The equipment used was an electric goniometer measurement system, containing a mechanical transmission between the head and the upper trunk. Methods for data presentation and quantification were developed. The results showed that rotatable and movable driver cabins improved head postures and viewing angles substantially. Narrow window frame structures and large, optimally-placed windows were also advantageous. The steering wheel, controls, and a high backrest restricted shoulder rotation, which increased head rotation in unfavourable viewing angles. Improved workspace layouts and work organization factors such as job enlargement decreased the influence of strenuous postures. The results also showed that head postures should be analysed in two or three dimensions simultaneously, otherwise the postures taken will be underestimated in relation to the maximal voluntary movement.
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Measured daylighting potential of a static optical louver system under real sun and sky conditions
Konis, Kyle; Lee, Eleanor S.
2015-05-04
Side-by-side comparisons were made over solstice-to-solstice changes in sun and sky conditions between an optical louver system (OLS) and a conventional Venetian blind set at a horizontal slat angle and located inboard of a south-facing, small-area, clerestory window in a full-scale office testbed. Daylight autonomy (DA), window luminance, and ceiling luminance uniformity were used to assess performance. The performance of both systems was found to have significant seasonal variation, where performance under clear sky conditions improved as maximum solar altitude angles transitioned from solstice to equinox. Although the OLS produced fewer hours per day of DA on average than themore » Venetian blind, the OLS never exceeded the designated 2000 cd/m2 threshold for window glare. In contrast, the Venetian blind was found to exceed the visual discomfort threshold over a large fraction of the day during equinox conditions. Notably, these peak periods of visual discomfort occurred during the best periods of daylighting performance. Luminance uniformity was analyzed using calibrated high dynamic range luminance images. Under clear sky conditions, the OLS was found to increase the luminance of the ceiling as well as produce a more uniform distribution. Furthermore, compared to conventional venetian blinds, the static optical sunlight redirecting system studied has the potential to significantly reduce the annual electrical lighting energy demand of a daylit space and improve the quality from the perspective of building occupants by consistently transmitting useful daylight while eliminating window glare.« less
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Windows Into the Real World From a Virtual Globe
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Rich, J.; Urban-Rich, J.
2007-12-01
Virtual globes such as Google Earth can be great tools for learning about the geographical variation of the earth. The key to virtual globes is the use of satellite imagery to provide a highly accurate view of the earth's surface. However, because the images are not updated regularly, variations in climate and vegetation over time can not be easily seen. In order to enhance the view of the earth and observe these changes by region and over time we are working to add near real time "windows" into the real world from a virtual globe. For the past 4 years we have been installing web cameras in areas of the world that will provide long term monitoring of global changes. By archiving hourly images from arctic, temperate and tropical regions we are creating a visual data set that is already beginning to tell the story of climate variability. The cameras are currently installed in 10 elementary schools in 3 countries and show the student's view out each window. The Windows Around the World program (http://www.WindowsAroundTheWorld.org) uses the images from these cameras to help students gain a better understanding of earth process and variability in climate and vegetation between different regions and over time. Previously we have used standard web based technologies such as DHTML and AJAX to provide near real-time access to these images and also provide enhanced functionality such as dynamic time lapse movies that allow users to see changes over months, days or hours up to the current hour (http://www.windowsaroundtheworld.org/north_america.aspx). We have integrated the camera images from Windows Around the World into Google Earth. Through network links and models we are creating a way for students to "fly" to another school in the program and see what the current view is out the window. By using a model as a screen, the image can be viewed from the same direction as the students who are sitting in a classroom at the participating school. Once at the school, visiting students can move around the area in three dimensions and gain a better understanding of what they are seeing out the window. Currently time-lapse images can be viewed at a lower resolution for all schools on the globe or when flying into an individual school, higher resolution time-lapse images can be seen. The observation of shadows, precipitation, movement of the sun and changes in vegetation allows the viewer to gain a better understanding of how the earth works and how the environment changes between regions and over time. World.org
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The sonic window: second generation results
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Walker, William F.; Fuller, Michael I.; Brush, Edward V.; Eames, Matthew D. C.; Owen, Kevin; Ranganathan, Karthik; Blalock, Travis N.; Hossack, John A.
2006-03-01
Medical Ultrasound Imaging is widely used clinically because of its relatively low cost, portability, lack of ionizing radiation, and real-time nature. However, even with these advantages ultrasound has failed to permeate the broad array of clinical applications where its use could be of value. A prime example of this untapped potential is the routine use of ultrasound to guide intravenous access. In this particular application existing systems lack the required portability, low cost, and ease-of-use required for widespread acceptance. Our team has been working for a number of years to develop an extremely low-cost, pocket-sized, and intuitive ultrasound imaging system that we refer to as the "Sonic Window." We have previously described the first generation Sonic Window prototype that was a bench-top device using a 1024 element, fully populated array operating at a center frequency of 3.3 MHz. Through a high degree of custom front-end integration combined with multiplexing down to a 2 channel PC based digitizer this system acquired a full set of RF data over a course of 512 transmit events. While initial results were encouraging, this system exhibited limitations resulting from low SNR, relatively coarse array sampling, and relatively slow data acquisition. We have recently begun assembling a second-generation Sonic Window system. This system uses a 3600 element fully sampled array operating at 5.0 MHz with a 300 micron element pitch. This system extends the integration of the first generation system to include front-end protection, pre-amplification, a programmable bandpass filter, four sample and holds, and four A/D converters for all 3600 channels in a set of custom integrated circuits with a combined area smaller than the 1.8 x 1.8 cm footprint of the transducer array. We present initial results from this front-end and present benchmark results from a software beamformer implemented on the Analog Devices BF-561 DSP. We discuss our immediate plans for further integration and testing. This second prototype represents a major reduction in size and forms the foundation of a fully functional, fully integrated, pocket sized prototype.
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Walton, Emily; Casey, Christy; Mitsch, Jurgen; Vázquez-Diosdado, Jorge A; Yan, Juan; Dottorini, Tania; Ellis, Keith A; Winterlich, Anthony; Kaler, Jasmeet
2018-02-01
Automated behavioural classification and identification through sensors has the potential to improve health and welfare of the animals. Position of a sensor, sampling frequency and window size of segmented signal data has a major impact on classification accuracy in activity recognition and energy needs for the sensor, yet, there are no studies in precision livestock farming that have evaluated the effect of all these factors simultaneously. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of position (ear and collar), sampling frequency (8, 16 and 32 Hz) of a triaxial accelerometer and gyroscope sensor and window size (3, 5 and 7 s) on the classification of important behaviours in sheep such as lying, standing and walking. Behaviours were classified using a random forest approach with 44 feature characteristics. The best performance for walking, standing and lying classification in sheep (accuracy 95%, F -score 91%-97%) was obtained using combination of 32 Hz, 7 s and 32 Hz, 5 s for both ear and collar sensors, although, results obtained with 16 Hz and 7 s window were comparable with accuracy of 91%-93% and F -score 88%-95%. Energy efficiency was best at a 7 s window. This suggests that sampling at 16 Hz with 7 s window will offer benefits in a real-time behavioural monitoring system for sheep due to reduced energy needs.
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Walton, Emily; Casey, Christy; Mitsch, Jurgen; Vázquez-Diosdado, Jorge A.; Yan, Juan; Dottorini, Tania; Ellis, Keith A.; Winterlich, Anthony
2018-01-01
Automated behavioural classification and identification through sensors has the potential to improve health and welfare of the animals. Position of a sensor, sampling frequency and window size of segmented signal data has a major impact on classification accuracy in activity recognition and energy needs for the sensor, yet, there are no studies in precision livestock farming that have evaluated the effect of all these factors simultaneously. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of position (ear and collar), sampling frequency (8, 16 and 32 Hz) of a triaxial accelerometer and gyroscope sensor and window size (3, 5 and 7 s) on the classification of important behaviours in sheep such as lying, standing and walking. Behaviours were classified using a random forest approach with 44 feature characteristics. The best performance for walking, standing and lying classification in sheep (accuracy 95%, F-score 91%–97%) was obtained using combination of 32 Hz, 7 s and 32 Hz, 5 s for both ear and collar sensors, although, results obtained with 16 Hz and 7 s window were comparable with accuracy of 91%–93% and F-score 88%–95%. Energy efficiency was best at a 7 s window. This suggests that sampling at 16 Hz with 7 s window will offer benefits in a real-time behavioural monitoring system for sheep due to reduced energy needs. PMID:29515862
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Potential for Bias When Estimating Critical Windows for Air Pollution in Children's Health.
Wilson, Ander; Chiu, Yueh-Hsiu Mathilda; Hsu, Hsiao-Hsien Leon; Wright, Robert O; Wright, Rosalind J; Coull, Brent A
2017-12-01
Evidence supports an association between maternal exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and children's health outcomes. Recent interest has focused on identifying critical windows of vulnerability. An analysis based on a distributed lag model (DLM) can yield estimates of a critical window that are different from those from an analysis that regresses the outcome on each of the 3 trimester-average exposures (TAEs). Using a simulation study, we assessed bias in estimates of critical windows obtained using 3 regression approaches: 1) 3 separate models to estimate the association with each of the 3 TAEs; 2) a single model to jointly estimate the association between the outcome and all 3 TAEs; and 3) a DLM. We used weekly fine-particulate-matter exposure data for 238 births in a birth cohort in and around Boston, Massachusetts, and a simulated outcome and time-varying exposure effect. Estimates using separate models for each TAE were biased and identified incorrect windows. This bias arose from seasonal trends in particulate matter that induced correlation between TAEs. Including all TAEs in a single model reduced bias. DLM produced unbiased estimates and added flexibility to identify windows. Analysis of body mass index z score and fat mass in the same cohort highlighted inconsistent estimates from the 3 methods. © The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
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El-Deftar, Moteaa M; Speers, Naomi; Eggins, Stephen; Foster, Simon; Robertson, James; Lennard, Chris
2014-08-01
A commercially available laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument was evaluated for the determination of elemental composition of twenty Australian window glass samples, consisting of 14 laminated samples and 6 non-laminated samples (or not otherwise specified) collected from broken windows at crime scenes. In this study, the LIBS figures of merit were assessed in terms of accuracy, limits of detection and precision using three standard reference materials (NIST 610, 612, and 1831). The discrimination potential of LIBS was compared to that obtained using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), X-ray microfluorescence spectroscopy (μXRF) and scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX) for the analysis of architectural window glass samples collected from crime scenes in the Canberra region, Australia. Pairwise comparisons were performed using a three-sigma rule, two-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test at 95% confidence limit in order to investigate the discrimination power for window glass analysis. The results show that the elemental analysis of glass by LIBS provides a discrimination power greater than 97% (>98% when combined with refractive index data), which was comparable to the discrimination powers obtained by LA-ICP-MS and μXRF. These results indicate that LIBS is a feasible alternative to the more expensive LA-ICP-MS and μXRF options for the routine forensic analysis of window glass samples. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Zhong, Ying; Chai, Zhisheng; Liang, Zhimin; Sun, Peng; Xie, Weiguang; Zhao, Chuanxi; Mai, Wenjie
2017-10-04
Because of the popularity of smart electronics, multifunctional energy storage devices, especially electrochromic supercapacitors (SCs), have attracted tremendous research interest. Herein, a solid-state electrochromic asymmetric SC (ASC) window is designed and fabricated by introducing WO 3 and polyaniline as the negative and positive electrodes, respectively. The two complementary materials contribute to the outstanding electrochemical and electrochromic performances of the fabricated device. With an operating voltage window of 1.4 V and an areal capacitance of 28.3 mF cm -2 , the electrochromic devices show a high energy density of 7.7 × 10 -3 mW h cm -2 . Meanwhile, they exhibit an obvious and reversible color transition between light green (uncharged state) and dark blue (charged state), with an optical transmittance change between 55 and 12% at a wavelength of 633 nm. Hence, the energy storage level of the ASC is directly related to its color and can be determined by the naked eye, which means it can be incorporated with other energy cells to visual display their energy status. Particularly, a self-powered and color-indicated system is achieved by combining the smart windows with commercial solar cell panels. We believe that the novel electrochromic ASC windows will have great potential application for both smart electronics and smart buildings.
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Gilbert, Kathleen M.; Woodruff, William; Blossom, Sarah J.
2014-01-01
Developmental exposure to environmental toxicants may induce immune system alterations that contribute to adult stage autoimmune disease. We have shown that continuous exposure of MRL+/+ mice to trichloroethylene (TCE) from gestational day (GD) 0 to postnatal day (PND) 49 alters several aspects of CD4+ T cell function. This window of exposure corresponds to conception-adolescence/young adulthood in humans. More narrowly defining the window of TCE developmental exposure causes immunotoxicity that would establish the stage at which avoidance and/or intervention would be most effective. The current study divided continuous TCE exposure into two separate windows, namely, gestation only (GD0 to birth (PND0)) and early-life only (PND0-PND49). The mice were examined for specific alterations in CD4+ T cell function at PND49. One potentially long-lasting effect of developmental exposure, alterations in retrotransposon expression indicative of epigenetic alterations, was found in peripheral CD4+ T cells from both sets of developmentally exposed mice. Interestingly, certain other effects, such as alterations in thymus cellularity, were only found in mice exposed to TCE during gestation. In contrast, expansion of memory/activation cell subset of peripheral CD4+ T cells were only found in mice exposed to TCE during early life. Different windows of developmental TCE exposure can have different functional consequences. PMID:24696780
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Rosowski, John J; Bowers, Peter; Nakajima, Hideko H
2018-03-01
While most models of cochlear function assume the presence of only two windows into the mammalian cochlea (the oval and round windows), a position that is generally supported by several lines of data, there is evidence for additional sound paths into and out of the inner ear in normal mammals. In this report we review the existing evidence for and against the 'two-window' hypothesis. We then determine how existing data and inner-ear anatomy restrict transmission of sound through these additional sound pathways in cat by utilizing a well-tested model of the cat inner ear, together with anatomical descriptions of the cat cochlear and vestibular aqueducts (potential additional windows to the cochlea). We conclude: (1) The existing data place limits on the size of the cochlear and vestibular aqueducts in cat and are consistent with small volume-velocities through these ducts during ossicular stimulation of the cochlea, (2) the predicted volume velocities produced by aqueducts with diameters half the size of the bony diameters match the functional data within ±10 dB, and (3) these additional volume velocity paths contribute to the inner ear's response to non-acoustic stimulation and conductive pathology. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Graphene Reinforced Glassy Carbon (GRGC) Beam Windows
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Renomeron, Lynda L.
Secondary particle beams require beam windows that isolate the target (usually in air) from the primary particle beam vacuum. Advanced beam window solutions are needed that can withstand anticipated increases in beam power and intensity that will result in higher thermal shock on the window and increased oxidative erosion rates on the air-side caused by increased temperatures. Carbon-based windows, in particular, glassy carbon windows are of interest to minimize interaction with the beam. The attractive properties of glassy carbon are: 1. Low atomic number 2. Low thermal expansion 3. High strength and low Young's modulus 4. Low gas permeability andmore » low outgassing for ultrahigh vacuum use The one liability of glassy carbon is its low thermal conductivity, nominally 5 W/mK, which will exacerbate temperature rise, oxidation, and thermal shock concerns as beam powers increase. TA&T proposes the development of graphene reinforced glassy carbon (GRGC) composites to increase the thermal conductivity and address this Achilles heel of glassy carbon. Graphene as a reinforcing phase has shown the capability to increase the thermal conductivity of the matrix material by up to two orders of magnitude. For beam windows this would substantially increase heat spreading away from the beam zone of the window and improve thermal shock resistance, and reduce maximum temperature and air-side oxidation of the window. Increased thermal conductivity would also improve the effectiveness of edge-cooling schemes to minimize temperature increase. In the Phase I effort, graphene oxide (GO) particles were dispersed into glassy carbon precursor at different content levels and cast into solid shapes. The goal was to determine the effect of graphene concentration on the mechanical properties (flexure strength), and thermal (thermal conductivity). The Phase I results indicated that addition of graphene did have a significant effect on thermal conductivity; however the microstructural properties of the composite need further improvement. The Phase II work is designed to address the processing issues found during Phase I, so as to fully realize the benefits of GO within the glassy carbon In addition to enabling improved windows for high energy particle beam experiments, the reinforced glassy carbon material will find various other applications such as thruster bodies for rocket propulsion, more durable carbon-based electrodes for electrochemistry applications, bi-polar plates for advanced batteries, catalyst support structures, and structural bio-implants.« less
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Symmetric supercapacitor: Sulphurized graphene and ionic liquid.
Shaikh, Jasmin S; Shaikh, Navajsharif S; Kharade, Rohini; Beknalkar, Sonali A; Patil, Jyoti V; Suryawanshi, Mahesh P; Kanjanaboos, Pongsakorn; Hong, Chang Kook; Kim, Jin Hyeok; Patil, Pramod S
2018-10-01
Symmetric supercapacitor is advanced over simple supercapacitor device due to their stability over a large potential window and high energy density. Graphene is a desired candidate for supercapacitor application since it has a high surface area, good electronic conductivity and high electro chemical stability. There is a pragmatic use of ionic liquid electrolyte for supercapacitor due to its stability over a large potential window, good ionic conductivity and eco-friendly nature. For high performance supercapacitor, the interaction between ionic liquid electrolyte and graphene are crucial for better charge transportation. In respect of this, a three-dimensional (3D) nanoporous honeycomb shaped sulfur embedded graphene (S-graphene) has been synthesized by simple chemical method. Here, the fabrication of high performance symmetric supercapacitor is done by using S-graphene as an electrode and [BMIM-PF 6 ] as an electrolyte. The particular architecture of S-graphene benefited to reduce the ion diffusion resistance, providing the large surface area for charge transportation and efficient charge storage. The S-graphene and ionic liquid-based symmetric supercapacitor device showed the large potential window of 3.2 V with high energy density 124 Wh kg -1 at 0.2 A g -1 constant applied current density. Furthermore, this device shows good cycling performance (stability) with a capacitive retention of 95% over 20,000 cycles at a higher current density of 2 A g -1 . Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Thomas, Gregory Owen; Poortinga, Wouter; Sautkina, Elena
2016-01-01
Repeated behaviours in stable contexts can become automatic habits. Habits are resistant to information-based techniques to change behaviour, but are contextually cued, so a change in behaviour context (e.g., location) weakens habit strength and can facilitate greater consideration of the behaviour. This idea was demonstrated in previous work, whereby people with strong environmental attitudes have lower car use, but only after recently moving home. We examine the habit discontinuity hypothesis by analysing the Understanding Society dataset with 18,053 individuals representative of the UK population, measuring time since moving home, travel mode to work, and strength of environmental attitudes. Results support previous findings where car use is significantly lower among those with stronger environmental views (but only after recently moving home), and in addition, demonstrate a trend where this effects decays as the time since moving home increases. We discuss results in light of moving into a new home being a potential 'window of opportunity' to promote pro-environmental behaviours.
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Thomas, Gregory Owen; Poortinga, Wouter; Sautkina, Elena
2016-01-01
Repeated behaviours in stable contexts can become automatic habits. Habits are resistant to information-based techniques to change behaviour, but are contextually cued, so a change in behaviour context (e.g., location) weakens habit strength and can facilitate greater consideration of the behaviour. This idea was demonstrated in previous work, whereby people with strong environmental attitudes have lower car use, but only after recently moving home. We examine the habit discontinuity hypothesis by analysing the Understanding Society dataset with 18,053 individuals representative of the UK population, measuring time since moving home, travel mode to work, and strength of environmental attitudes. Results support previous findings where car use is significantly lower among those with stronger environmental views (but only after recently moving home), and in addition, demonstrate a trend where this effects decays as the time since moving home increases. We discuss results in light of moving into a new home being a potential ‘window of opportunity’ to promote pro-environmental behaviours. PMID:27120333
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kepler's dark worlds: A low albedo for an ensemble of Neptunian and Terran exoplanets
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Jansen, Tiffany; Kipping, David
2018-05-01
Photometric phase curves provide an important window onto exoplanetary atmospheres and potentially even their surfaces. With similar amplitudes to occultations but far longer baselines, they have a higher sensitivity to planetary photons at the expense of a more challenging data reduction in terms of long-term stability. In this work, we introduce a novel non-parametric algorithm dubbed phasma to produce clean, robust exoplanet phase curves and apply it to 115 Neptunian and 50 Terran exoplanets observed by kepler. We stack the signals to further improve signal-to-noise, and measure an average Neptunian albedo of Ag < 0.23 to 95% confidence, indicating a lack of bright clouds consistent with theoretical models. Our Terran sample provides the first constraint on the ensemble albedo of exoplanets which are most likely solid, constraining Ag < 0.42 to 95% confidence. In agreement with our constraint on the greenhouse effect, our work implies that kepler's solid planets are unlikely to resemble cloudy Venusian analogs, but rather dark Mercurian rocks.
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ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Science Teacher, 1989
1989-01-01
Reviews a software planetarium package called "Sky Travel." Includes two audiovisuals: "Conquest of Space" and "Windows on Science: Earth Science"; and four books: "Small Energy Sources: Choices that Work,""Stonehenge Complete,""Uneasy Careers and Intimate Lives: Women in Science…
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hua, Hui; Wang, Jingmin; Jiang, Chengbao; Xu, Huibin
2018-05-01
Ni42-xCoxCu8Mn37Ga13 (0 ≤ x ≤ 14) alloys are reported to exhibit a magnetostructural transition from weakly-magnetic martensite to ferromagnetic austenite over a rather wide temperature window ranging from 200 K to 380 K. Simultaneously a large magnetization change Δσ of up to 105 Am2 kg-1 is obtained at the martensitic transformation. A reversible magnetic-field-induced martensitic transformation is realized, resulting in a large magnetocaloric effect related to the high magnetic entropy change with a broad working temperature span. This work shows how it is possible to effectively tailor the magnetostructural transition in Ni-Mn-Ga alloys so as to achieve a reversible magnetic-field-induced martensitic transformation and associated functionalities.
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Berti, Stefan
2016-01-01
The flexible access to information in working memory is crucial for adaptive behavior. It is assumed that this is realized by switching the focus of attention within working memory. Switching of attention is mirrored in the P3a component of the human event-related brain potential (ERP) and it has been argued that the processes reflected by the P3a are also relevant for selecting information within working memory. The aim of the present study was to further evaluate whether the P3a mirrors genuine switching of attention within working memory by applying an object switching task: Participants updated a memory list of four digits either by replacing one item with another digit or by processing the stored digit. ERPs were computed separately for two types of trials: (1) trials in which an object was repeated and (2) trials in which a switch to a new object was required in order to perform the task. Object-switch trials showed increased response times compared with repetition trials in both task conditions. In addition, switching costs were increased in the processing compared with the replacement condition. Pronounced P3a’s were obtained in switching trials but there were no difference between the two updating tasks (replacement or processing). These results were qualified by the finding that the magnitude of the visual location shift also affects the ERPs in the P3a time window. Taken together, the present pattern of results suggest that the P3a reflects an initial process of selecting information in working memory but not the memory updating itself. PMID:26779009
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Percutaneous window chamber method for chronic intravital microscopy of sensor-tissue interactions.
Koschwanez, Heidi E; Klitzman, Bruce; Reichert, W Monty
2008-11-01
A dorsal, two-sided skin-fold window chamber model was employed previously by Gough in glucose sensor research to characterize poorly understood physiological factors affecting sensor performance. We have extended this work by developing a percutaneous one-sided window chamber model for the rodent dorsum that offers both a larger subcutaneous area and a less restrictive tissue space than previous animal models. A surgical procedure for implanting a sensor into the subcutis beneath an acrylic window (15 mm diameter) is presented. Methods to quantify changes in the microvascular network and red blood cell perfusion around the sensors using noninvasive intravital microscopy and laser Doppler flowmetry are described. The feasibility of combining interstitial glucose monitoring from an implanted sensor with intravital fluorescence microscopy was explored using a bolus injection of fluorescein and dextrose to observe real-time mass transport of a small molecule at the sensor-tissue interface. The percutaneous window chamber provides an excellent model for assessing the influence of different sensor modifications, such as surface morphologies, on neovascularization using real-time monitoring of the microvascular network and tissue perfusion. However, the tissue response to an implanted sensor was variable, and some sensors migrated entirely out of the field of view and could not be observed adequately. A percutaneous optical window provides direct, real-time images of the development and dynamics of microvascular networks, microvessel patency, and fibrotic encapsulation at the tissue-sensor interface. Additionally, observing microvessels following combined bolus injections of a fluorescent dye and glucose in the local sensor environment demonstrated a valuable technique to visualize mass transport at the sensor surface.
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Side-by-Side Field Evaluation of Highly Insulating Windows in the PNNL Lab Homes
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Widder, Sarah H.; Parker, Graham B.; Baechler, Michael C.
2012-08-01
To examine the energy, air leakage, and thermal performance of highly insulating windows, a field evaluation was undertaken in a matched pair of all-electric, factory-built “Lab Homes” located on the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) campus in Richland, Washington. The “baseline” Lab Home B was retrofitted with “standard” double-pane clear aluminum-frame slider windows and patio doors, while the “experimental” Lab Home A was retrofitted with Jeld-Wen® triple-pane vinyl-frame slider windows and patio doors with a U-factor of 0.2 and solar heat gain coefficient of 0.19. To assess the window, the building shell air leakage, energy use, and interior temperatures ofmore » each home were compared during the 2012 winter heating and summer cooling seasons. The measured energy savings in Lab Home B averaged 5,821 watt-hours per day (Wh/day) during the heating season and 6,518 Wh/day during the cooling season. The overall whole-house energy savings of Lab Home B compared to Lab Home A are 11.6% ± 1.53% for the heating season and 18.4 ± 2.06% for the cooling season for identical occupancy conditions with no window coverings deployed. Extrapolating these energy savings numbers based on typical average heating degree days and cooling degree days per year yields an estimated annual energy savings of 12.2%, or 1,784 kWh/yr. The data suggest that highly insulating windows are an effective energy-saving measure that should be considered for high-performance new homes and in existing retrofits. However, the cost effectiveness of the measure, as determined by the simple payback period, suggests that highly insulating window costs continue to make windows difficult to justify on a cost basis alone. Additional reductions in costs via improvements in manufacturing and/or market penetration that continue to drive down costs will make highly insulating windows much more viable as a cost-effective energy efficiency measure. This study also illustrates that highly insulating windows have important impacts on peak load, occupant comfort, and condensation potential, which are not captured in the energy savings calculation. More consistent and uniform interior temperature distributions suggest that highly insulated windows, as part of a high performance building envelope, may enable more centralized duct design and downsized HVAC systems. Shorter, more centralized duct systems and smaller HVAC systems to yield additional cost savings, making highly insulating windows more cost effective as part of a package of new construction or retrofit measures which achieve significant reductions in home energy use.« less
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Graphene oxide windows for in situ environmental cell photoelectron spectroscopy.
Kolmakov, Andrei; Dikin, Dmitriy A; Cote, Laura J; Huang, Jiaxing; Abyaneh, Majid Kazemian; Amati, Matteo; Gregoratti, Luca; Günther, Sebastian; Kiskinova, Maya
2011-08-28
The performance of new materials and devices often depends on processes taking place at the interface between an active solid element and the environment (such as air, water or other fluids). Understanding and controlling such interfacial processes require surface-specific spectroscopic information acquired under real-world operating conditions, which can be challenging because standard approaches such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy generally require high-vacuum conditions. The state-of-the-art approach to this problem relies on unique and expensive apparatus including electron analysers coupled with sophisticated differentially pumped lenses. Here, we develop a simple environmental cell with graphene oxide windows that are transparent to low-energy electrons (down to 400 eV), and demonstrate the feasibility of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements on model samples such as gold nanoparticles and aqueous salt solution placed on the back side of a window. These proof-of-principle results show the potential of using graphene oxide, graphene and other emerging ultrathin membrane windows for the fabrication of low-cost, single-use environmental cells compatible with commercial X-ray and Auger microprobes as well as scanning or transmission electron microscopes.
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Novel hermetic packaging methods for MOEMS
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Stark, David
2003-01-01
Hermetic packaging of micro-optoelectromechanical systems (MOEMS) is an immature technology, lacking industry-consensus methods and standards. Off-the-shelf, catalog window assemblies are not yet available. Window assemblies are in general custom designed and manufactured for each new product, resulting in longer than acceptable cycle times, high procurement costs and questionable reliability. There are currently two dominant window-manufacturing methods wherein a metal frame is attached to glass, as well as a third, less-used method. The first method creates a glass-to-metal seal by heating the glass above its Tg to fuse it to the frame. The second method involves first metallizing the glass where it is to be attached to the frame, and then soldering the glass to the frame. The third method employs solder-glass to bond the glass to the frame. A novel alternative with superior features compared to the three previously described window-manufacturing methods is proposed. The new approach lends itself to a plurality of glass-to-metal attachment techniques. Benefits include lower temperature processing than two of the current methods and potentially more cost-effective manufacturing than all three of today"s attachment methods.
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DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Bi, Feng; Huang, Mengchen; Irvin, Patrick
2015-08-24
Complex-oxide heterostructures exhibit rich physical behavior such as emergent conductivity, superconductivity, and magnetism that are intriguing for scientific reasons as well as for potential technological applications. It was recently discovered that in-plane magnetism at the LaAlO{sub 3}/SrTiO{sub 3} (LAO/STO) interface can be electronically controlled at room temperature. Here, we employ magnetic force microscopy to investigate electronically controlled ferromagnetism at the LAO/STO interface with LAO thickness t varied from 4 unit cell (u.c.) to 40 u.c. Magnetic signatures are observed only within a thickness window 8 u.c. ≤ t ≤ 25 u.c. Within this window, the device capacitance corresponds well to the expected geometric value, while for thicknessesmore » outside this window, the capacitance is strongly suppressed. The ability to modulate electronic and magnetic properties of LAO/STO devices depends on the ability to control carrier density, which is in turn constrained by intrinsic tunneling mechanisms.« less
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ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Cahan, Sorel; Mor, Yaniv
2007-01-01
This article challenges Yaakov Kareev's (1995a, 2000) argument regarding the positive bias of intuitive correlation estimates due to working memory capacity limitations and its adaptive value. The authors show that, under narrow window theory's primacy effect assumption, there is a considerable between-individual variability of the effects of…
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The "Working Lives" Project: A Window into Australian Education and Workforce Participation
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Fehring, Heather; Herring, Katherine
2013-01-01
Lifting the rate of workforce participation in Australia has been called "the challenge of the decade". In light of the ageing workforce, changing nature of work demands and workforce attitudes, the need for insight into current patterns of workforce participation has never been more urgent. The following paper offers an overview of an…
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Reading Time Allocation Strategies and Working Memory Using Rapid Serial Visual Presentation
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Busler, Jessica N.; Lazarte, Alejandro A.
2017-01-01
Rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) is a useful method for controlling the timing of text presentations and studying how readers' characteristics, such as working memory (WM) and reading strategies for time allocation, influence text recall. In the current study, a modified version of RSVP (Moving Window RSVP [MW-RSVP]) was used to induce…
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The mammalian respiratory system and critical windows of exposure for children's health.
Pinkerton, K E; Joad, J P
2000-01-01
The respiratory system is a complex organ system composed of multiple cell types involved in a variety of functions. The development of the respiratory system occurs from embryogenesis to adult life, passing through several distinct stages of maturation and growth. We review embryonic, fetal, and postnatal phases of lung development. We also discuss branching morphogenesis and cellular differentiation of the respiratory system, as well as the postnatal development of xenobiotic metabolizing systems within the lungs. Exposure of the respiratory system to a wide range of chemicals and environmental toxicants during perinatal life has the potential to significantly affect the maturation, growth, and function of this organ system. Although the potential targets for exposure to toxic factors are currently not known, they are likely to affect critical molecular signals expressed during distinct stages of lung development. The effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke during critical windows of perinatal growth are provided as an example leading to altered cellular and physiological function of the lungs. An understanding of critical windows of exposure of the respiratory system on children's health requires consideration that lung development is a multistep process and cannot be based on studies in adults. Images Figure 1 Figure 4 PMID:10852845
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Focusing on attention: the effects of working memory capacity and load on selective attention.
Ahmed, Lubna; de Fockert, Jan W
2012-01-01
Working memory (WM) is imperative for effective selective attention. Distractibility is greater under conditions of high (vs. low) concurrent working memory load (WML), and in individuals with low (vs. high) working memory capacity (WMC). In the current experiments, we recorded the flanker task performance of individuals with high and low WMC during low and high WML, to investigate the combined effect of WML and WMC on selective attention. In Experiment 1, distractibility from a distractor at a fixed distance from the target was greater when either WML was high or WMC was low, but surprisingly smaller when both WML was high and WMC low. Thus we observed an inverted-U relationship between reductions in WM resources and distractibility. In Experiment 2, we mapped the distribution of spatial attention as a function of WMC and WML, by recording distractibility across several target-to-distractor distances. The pattern of distractor effects across the target-to-distractor distances demonstrated that the distribution of the attentional window becomes dispersed as WM resources are limited. The attentional window was more spread out under high compared to low WML, and for low compared to high WMC individuals, and even more so when the two factors co-occurred (i.e., under high WML in low WMC individuals). The inverted-U pattern of distractibility effects in Experiment 1, replicated in Experiment 2, can thus be explained by differences in the spread of the attentional window as a function of WM resource availability. The current findings show that limitations in WM resources, due to either WML or individual differences in WMC, affect the spatial distribution of attention. The difference in attentional constraining between high and low WMC individuals demonstrated in the current experiments helps characterise the nature of previously established associations between WMC and controlled attention.
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Remote adjustable focus Raman spectroscopy probe
Schmucker, John E.; Blasi, Raymond J.; Archer, William B.
1999-01-01
A remote adjustable focus Raman spectroscopy probe allows for analyzing Raman scattered light from a point of interest external probe. An environmental barrier including at least one window separates the probe from the point of interest. An optical tube is disposed adjacent to the environmental barrier and includes a long working length compound lens objective next to the window. A beam splitter and a mirror are at the other end. A mechanical means is used to translated the prove body in the X, Y, and Z directions resulting in a variable focus optical apparatus. Laser light is reflected by the beam splitter and directed toward the compound lens objective, then through the window and focused on the point of interest. Raman scattered light is then collected by the compound lens objective and directed through the beam splitter to a mirror. A device for analyzing the light, such as a monochrometer, is coupled to the mirror.
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Ariza, Pedro; Solesio-Jofre, Elena; Martínez, Johann H.; Pineda-Pardo, José A.; Niso, Guiomar; Maestú, Fernando; Buldú, Javier M.
2015-01-01
In this study we used graph theory analysis to investigate age-related reorganization of functional networks during the active maintenance of information that is interrupted by external interference. Additionally, we sought to investigate network differences before and after averaging network parameters between both maintenance and interference windows. We compared young and older adults by measuring their magnetoencephalographic recordings during an interference-based working memory task restricted to successful recognitions. Data analysis focused on the topology/temporal evolution of functional networks during both the maintenance and interference windows. We observed that: (a) Older adults require higher synchronization between cortical brain sites in order to achieve a successful recognition, (b) The main differences between age groups arise during the interference window, (c) Older adults show reduced ability to reorganize network topology when interference is introduced, and (d) Averaging network parameters leads to a loss of sensitivity to detect age differences. PMID:26029079
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Liu, Yun-Hen; Wu, Yi-Cheng; Chen, Tzu-Ping; Ko, Po-Jen
2011-09-01
To evaluate the effectiveness of surgical sealant (CoSeal) in sealing the tracheal assess sites after transtracheal thoracoscopy. Two dogs underwent transtracheal thoracic exploration and pericardial window creation. The thoracic cavity was approached with flexible bronchoscope through a 9-mm tracheal incision. The pericardial window was performed with a needle knife via the working channel of the bronchoscope, and the tracheal assess site was closed with CoSeal using a rubber catheter. The integrity of tracheal healing was evaluated under positive pressure ventilation. Transtracheal creation of pericardial window and closure of tracheal incision with CoSeal was successfully performed in both dogs. There was no evidence of air leaks from the chest tube during positive pressure ventilation. Autopsy revealed no injury to the mediastinum and intrathoracic structure. Endoscopic closure of tracheal access site of NOTES with CoSeal appears to be a feasible technique.
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Polishing techniques for MEGARA pupil elements optics
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Izazaga, R.; Carrasco, E.; Aguirre, D.; Salas, A.; Gil de Paz, A.; Gallego, J.; Iglesias, J.; Arroyo, J. M.; Hernández, M.; López, N.; López, V.; Quechol, J. T.; Salazar, M. F.; Carballo, C.; Cruz, E.; Arriaga, J.; De la Luz, J. A.; Huepa, A.; Jaimes, G. L.; Reyes, J.
2016-07-01
MEGARA (Multi-Espectrógrafo en GTC de Alta Resolución para Astronomía) is the new integral-field and multi-object optical spectrograph for the 10.4m Gran Telescopio Canarias.. It will offer RFWHM 6,000, 12,000 and 18,700 for the low- , mid- and high-resolution, respectively in the wavelength range 3650-9700Å. .The dispersive elements are volume phase holographic (VPH) gratings, sandwiched between two flat Fused Silica windows of high optical precision in large apertures. The design, based in VPHs in combination with Ohara PBM2Y prisms allows to keep the collimator and camera angle fixed. Seventy three optical elements are being built in Mexico at INAOE and CIO. For the low resolution modes, the VPHs windows specifications in irregularity is 1 fringe in 210mm x 170mm and 0.5 fringe in 190mm x 160mm. for a window thickness of 25 mm. For the medium and high resolution modes the irregularity specification is 2 fringes in 220mm x 180mm and 1 fringe in 205mm x 160mm, for a window thickness of 20mm. In this work we present a description of the polishing techniques developed at INAOE optical workshop to fabricate the 36 Fused Silica windows and 24 PBM2Y prisms that allows us to achieve such demanding specifications. We include the processes of mounting, cutting, blocking, polishing and testing.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pollastro, Pasquale; Rampone, Salvatore
The aim of this work is to describe a cleaning procedure of GenBank data, producing material to train and to assess the prediction accuracy of computational approaches for gene characterization. A procedure (GenBank2HS3D) has been defined, producing a dataset (HS3D - Homo Sapiens Splice Sites Dataset) of Homo Sapiens Splice regions extracted from GenBank (Rel.123 at this time). It selects, from the complete GenBank Primate Division, entries of Human Nuclear DNA according with several assessed criteria; then it extracts exons and introns from these entries (actually 4523 + 3802). Donor and acceptor sites are then extracted as windows of 140 nucleotides around each splice site (3799 + 3799). After discarding windows not including canonical GT-AG junctions (65 + 74), including insufficient data (not enough material for a 140 nucleotide window) (686 + 589), including not AGCT bases (29 + 30), and redundant (218 + 226), the remaining windows (2796 + 2880) are reported in the dataset. Finally, windows of false splice sites are selected by searching canonical GT-AG pairs in not splicing positions (271 937 + 332 296). The false sites in a range +/- 60 from a true splice site are marked as proximal. HS3D, release 1.2 at this time, is available at the Web server of the University of Sannio: http://www.sci.unisannio.it/docenti/rampone/.
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Rong, Xing; Du, Yong; Frey, Eric C
2012-06-21
Quantitative Yttrium-90 ((90)Y) bremsstrahlung single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging has shown great potential to provide reliable estimates of (90)Y activity distribution for targeted radionuclide therapy dosimetry applications. One factor that potentially affects the reliability of the activity estimates is the choice of the acquisition energy window. In contrast to imaging conventional gamma photon emitters where the acquisition energy windows are usually placed around photopeaks, there has been great variation in the choice of the acquisition energy window for (90)Y imaging due to the continuous and broad energy distribution of the bremsstrahlung photons. In quantitative imaging of conventional gamma photon emitters, previous methods for optimizing the acquisition energy window assumed unbiased estimators and used the variance in the estimates as a figure of merit (FOM). However, for situations, such as (90)Y imaging, where there are errors in the modeling of the image formation process used in the reconstruction there will be bias in the activity estimates. In (90)Y bremsstrahlung imaging this will be especially important due to the high levels of scatter, multiple scatter, and collimator septal penetration and scatter. Thus variance will not be a complete measure of reliability of the estimates and thus is not a complete FOM. To address this, we first aimed to develop a new method to optimize the energy window that accounts for both the bias due to model-mismatch and the variance of the activity estimates. We applied this method to optimize the acquisition energy window for quantitative (90)Y bremsstrahlung SPECT imaging in microsphere brachytherapy. Since absorbed dose is defined as the absorbed energy from the radiation per unit mass of tissues in this new method we proposed a mass-weighted root mean squared error of the volume of interest (VOI) activity estimates as the FOM. To calculate this FOM, two analytical expressions were derived for calculating the bias due to model-mismatch and the variance of the VOI activity estimates, respectively. To obtain the optimal acquisition energy window for general situations of interest in clinical (90)Y microsphere imaging, we generated phantoms with multiple tumors of various sizes and various tumor-to-normal activity concentration ratios using a digital phantom that realistically simulates human anatomy, simulated (90)Y microsphere imaging with a clinical SPECT system and typical imaging parameters using a previously validated Monte Carlo simulation code, and used a previously proposed method for modeling the image degrading effects in quantitative SPECT reconstruction. The obtained optimal acquisition energy window was 100-160 keV. The values of the proposed FOM were much larger than the FOM taking into account only the variance of the activity estimates, thus demonstrating in our experiment that the bias of the activity estimates due to model-mismatch was a more important factor than the variance in terms of limiting the reliability of activity estimates.
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The impact of short term synaptic depression and stochastic vesicle dynamics on neuronal variability
Reich, Steven
2014-01-01
Neuronal variability plays a central role in neural coding and impacts the dynamics of neuronal networks. Unreliability of synaptic transmission is a major source of neural variability: synaptic neurotransmitter vesicles are released probabilistically in response to presynaptic action potentials and are recovered stochastically in time. The dynamics of this process of vesicle release and recovery interacts with variability in the arrival times of presynaptic spikes to shape the variability of the postsynaptic response. We use continuous time Markov chain methods to analyze a model of short term synaptic depression with stochastic vesicle dynamics coupled with three different models of presynaptic spiking: one model in which the timing of presynaptic action potentials are modeled as a Poisson process, one in which action potentials occur more regularly than a Poisson process (sub-Poisson) and one in which action potentials occur more irregularly (super-Poisson). We use this analysis to investigate how variability in a presynaptic spike train is transformed by short term depression and stochastic vesicle dynamics to determine the variability of the postsynaptic response. We find that sub-Poisson presynaptic spiking increases the average rate at which vesicles are released, that the number of vesicles released over a time window is more variable for smaller time windows than larger time windows and that fast presynaptic spiking gives rise to Poisson-like variability of the postsynaptic response even when presynaptic spike times are non-Poisson. Our results complement and extend previously reported theoretical results and provide possible explanations for some trends observed in recorded data. PMID:23354693
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Hydrothermally formed three-dimensional nanoporous Ni(OH)2 thin-film supercapacitors.
Yang, Yang; Li, Lei; Ruan, Gedeng; Fei, Huilong; Xiang, Changsheng; Fan, Xiujun; Tour, James M
2014-09-23
A three-dimensional nanoporous Ni(OH)2 thin-film was hydrothermally converted from an anodically formed porous layer of nickel fluoride/oxide. The nanoporous Ni(OH)2 thin-films can be used as additive-free electrodes for energy storage. The nanoporous layer delivers a high capacitance of 1765 F g(-1) under three electrode testing. After assembly with porous activated carbon in asymmetric supercapacitor configurations, the devices deliver superior supercapacitive performances with capacitance of 192 F g(-1), energy density of 68 Wh kg(-1), and power density of 44 kW kg(-1). The wide working potential window (up to 1.6 V in 6 M aq KOH) and stable cyclability (∼90% capacitance retention over 10,000 cycles) make the thin-film ideal for practical supercapacitor devices.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Eisele, Andreas; Chabrillat, Sabine; Lau, Ian; Hecker, Christoph; Hewson, Robert; Carter, Dan; Wheaton, Buddy; Ong, Cindy; Cudahy, Thomas John; Kaufmann, Hermann
2014-05-01
Digital soil mapping with the means of passive remote sensing basically relies on the soils' spectral characteristics and an appropriate atmospheric window, where electromagnetic radiation transmits without significant attenuation. Traditionally the atmospheric window in the solar-reflective wavelength region (visible, VIS: 0.4 - 0.7 μm; near infrared, NIR: 0.7 - 1.1 μm; shortwave infrared, SWIR: 1.1 - 2.5 μm) has been used to quantify soil surface properties. However, spectral characteristics of semi-arid soils, typically have a coarse quartz rich texture and iron coatings that can limit the prediction of soil surface properties. In this study we investigated the potential of the atmospheric window in the thermal wavelength region (long wave infrared, LWIR: 8 - 14 μm) to predict soil surface properties such as the grain size distribution (texture) and the organic carbon content (SOC) for coarse-textured soils from the Australian wheat belt region. This region suffers soil loss due to wind erosion processes and large scale monitoring techniques, such as remote sensing, is urgently required to observe the dynamic changes of such soil properties. The coarse textured sandy soils of the investigated area require methods, which can measure the special spectral response of the quartz dominated mineralogy with iron oxide enriched grain coatings. By comparison, the spectroscopy using the solar-reflective region has limitations to discriminate such arid soil mineralogy and associated coatings. Such monitoring is important for observing potential desertification trends associated with coarsening of topsoil texture and reduction in SOC. In this laboratory study we identified the relevant LWIR wavelengths to predict these soil surface properties. The results showed the ability of multivariate analyses methods (PLSR) to predict these soil properties from the soil's spectral signature, where the texture parameters (clay and sand content) could be predicted well in the models using the LWIR-window (sand content: R2 = 0.84 and RMSECV = 1.09 %, and for clay content: R2 = 0.77 and RMSECV = 1.0 %, both with 3 factor models). In comparison, the quantification from the solar-reflective window showed its limitations in its relative complex PLSR models and a lower prediction accuracy (sand content: R2 = 0.69 and RMSECV = 1.5 % with 7 factors, and for clay content: R2 = 0.64 and RMSECV = 1.26 % with 9 factors). The prediction of the SOC content, on the other hand, showed minor disparity between the two atmospheric windows (LWIR: R2 = 0.73 and RMSECV = 0.1 % with 6 factors, VNIR-SWIR: R2 = 0.69 and RMSECV = 0.11 %, with 9 factors). The prospect of the LWIR for determining soil texture was demonstrated to be even more impressive when reduced to the spectral band specifications of airborne (TASI-600) and spaceborne (ASTER) sensors. The results demonstrate the high potential of the LWIR to detect and quantify soil surface properties in the future for a monitoring via LWIR hyperspectral remote sensing.
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Lee, Eleanor; Pang, Xiufeng; McNeil, Andrew; ...
2015-05-29
Here, as rapid growth in the construction industry continues to occur in China, the increased demand for a higher standard living is driving significant growth in energy use and demand across the country. Building codes and standards have been implemented to head off this trend, tightening prescriptive requirements for fenestration component measures using methods similar to the US model energy code American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 90.1. The objective of this study is to (a) provide an overview of applicable code requirements and current efforts within China to enable characterization and comparison of window and shadingmore » products, and (b) quantify the load reduction and energy savings potential of several key advanced window and shading systems, given the divergent views on how space conditioning requirements will be met in the future. System-level heating and cooling loads and energy use performance were evaluated for a code-compliant large office building using the EnergyPlus building energy simulation program. Commercially-available, highly-insulating, low-emittance windows were found to produce 24-66% lower perimeter zone HVAC electricity use compared to the mandated energy-efficiency standard in force (GB 50189-2005) in cold climates like Beijing. Low-e windows with operable exterior shading produced up to 30-80% reductions in perimeter zone HVAC electricity use in Beijing and 18-38% reductions in Shanghai compared to the standard. The economic context of China is unique since the cost of labor and materials for the building industry is so low. Broad deployment of these commercially available technologies with the proper supporting infrastructure for design, specification, and verification in the field would enable significant reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in the near term.« less
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DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Lee, Eleanor; Pang, Xiufeng; McNeil, Andrew
Here, as rapid growth in the construction industry continues to occur in China, the increased demand for a higher standard living is driving significant growth in energy use and demand across the country. Building codes and standards have been implemented to head off this trend, tightening prescriptive requirements for fenestration component measures using methods similar to the US model energy code American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 90.1. The objective of this study is to (a) provide an overview of applicable code requirements and current efforts within China to enable characterization and comparison of window and shadingmore » products, and (b) quantify the load reduction and energy savings potential of several key advanced window and shading systems, given the divergent views on how space conditioning requirements will be met in the future. System-level heating and cooling loads and energy use performance were evaluated for a code-compliant large office building using the EnergyPlus building energy simulation program. Commercially-available, highly-insulating, low-emittance windows were found to produce 24-66% lower perimeter zone HVAC electricity use compared to the mandated energy-efficiency standard in force (GB 50189-2005) in cold climates like Beijing. Low-e windows with operable exterior shading produced up to 30-80% reductions in perimeter zone HVAC electricity use in Beijing and 18-38% reductions in Shanghai compared to the standard. The economic context of China is unique since the cost of labor and materials for the building industry is so low. Broad deployment of these commercially available technologies with the proper supporting infrastructure for design, specification, and verification in the field would enable significant reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in the near term.« less
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Bullich, Santiago; Barthel, Henryk; Koglin, Norman; Becker, Georg A; De Santi, Susan; Jovalekic, Aleksandar; Stephens, Andrew W; Sabri, Osama
2017-11-24
Accurate amyloid PET quantification is necessary for monitoring amyloid-beta accumulation and response to therapy. Currently, most of the studies are analyzed using the static standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) approach because of its simplicity. However, this approach may be influenced by changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) or radiotracer clearance. Full tracer kinetic models require arterial blood sampling and dynamic image acquisition. The objectives of this work were: (1) to validate a non-invasive kinetic modeling approach for 18 F-florbetaben PET using an acquisition protocol with the best compromise between quantification accuracy and simplicity and (2) to assess the impact of CBF changes and radiotracer clearance on SUVRs and non-invasive kinetic modeling data in 18 F-florbetaben PET. Methods: Data from twenty subjects (10 patients with probable Alzheimer's dementia/ 10 healthy volunteers) were used to compare the binding potential (BP ND ) obtained from the full kinetic analysis to the SUVR and to non-invasive tracer kinetic methods (simplified reference tissue model (SRTM), and multilinear reference tissue model 2 (MRTM2)). Different approaches using shortened or interrupted acquisitions were compared to the results of the full acquisition (0-140 min). Simulations were carried out to assess the effect of CBF and radiotracer clearance changes on SUVRs and non-invasive kinetic modeling outputs. Results: A 0-30 and 120-140 min dual time-window acquisition protocol using appropriate interpolation of the missing time points provided the best compromise between patient comfort and quantification accuracy. Excellent agreement was found between BP ND obtained using full and dual time-window (2TW) acquisition protocols (BP ND,2TW =0.01+ 1.00 BP ND,FULL , R2=0.97 (MRTM2); BP ND,2TW = 0.05+ 0.92·BP ND,FULL , R2=0.93 (SRTM)). Simulations showed a limited impact of CBF and radiotracer clearance changes on MRTM parameters and SUVRs. Conclusion: This study demonstrates accurate non-invasive kinetic modeling of 18 F-florbetaben PET data using a dual time-window acquisition protocol, thus providing a good compromise between quantification accuracy, scan duration and patient burden. The influence of CBF and radiotracer clearance changes on amyloid-beta load estimates was small. For most clinical research applications, the SUVR approach is appropriate. However, for longitudinal studies in which a maximum quantification accuracy is desired, this non-invasive dual time-window acquisition protocol and kinetic analysis is recommended. Copyright © 2017 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.
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Potential-dependent, switchable ion selectivity in aqueous media using titanium disulfide.
Srimuk, Pattarachai; Lee, Juhan; Fleischmann, Simon; Aslan, Mesut; Kim, Choonsoo; Presser, Volker
2018-05-01
Selective removal of ions by electrochemical processes is a promising approach to enable various water treatment applications such as water softening or heavy metal removal. Ion intercalation materials have been investigated for their intrinsic ability to prefer one specific ion over others, showing a preference for (small) monovalent ions over multivalent species. In this work, we present for the first time a fundamentally different approach: tunable ion selectivity not by modifying the electrode material, but by changing the operational voltage. We used titanium disulfide which shows distinctly different potentials for the intercalation of different cations and formed thereof binder-free composite electrodes with carbon nanotubes. Capitalizing on this potential difference, we demonstrate controllable cation selectivity by online monitoring the effluent stream during electrochemical operation by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry for aqueous 50 mM CsCl and MgCl2. We obtained a molar selectivity of Mg2+ over Cs+ of 31 (strong Mg preference) in the potential range between -396 mV and -220 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. By adjusting the operational potential window to -219 mV to +26 mV vs. Ag/AgCl, Cs+ is preferred over Mg2+ by 1.7-times (Cs preference). © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Vosoughi, Ehsan; Javaherian, Abdolrahim
2018-01-01
Seismic inversion is a process performed to remove the effects of propagated wavelets in order to recover the acoustic impedance. To obtain valid velocity and density values related to subsurface layers through the inversion process, it is highly essential to perform reliable wavelet estimation such as cumulant matching approach. For this purpose, the seismic data were windowed in this work in such a way that two consecutive windows were only one sample apart. Also, we did not consider any fixed wavelet for any window and let the phase of each wavelet rotate in each sample in the window. Comparing the fourth order cumulant of the whitened trace and fourth-order moment of the all-pass operator in each window generated a cost function that should be minimized with a non-linear optimization method. In this regard, parameters effective on the estimation of the nonstationary mixed-phase wavelets were tested over the created nonstationary seismic trace at 0.82 s and 1.6 s. Besides, we compared the consequences of each parameter on estimated wavelets at two mentioned times. The parameters studied in this work are window length, taper type, the number of iteration, signal-to-noise ratio, bandwidth to central frequency ratio, and Q factor. The results show that applying the optimum values of the effective parameters, the average correlation of the estimated mixed-phase wavelets with the original ones is about 87%. Moreover, the effectiveness of the proposed approach was examined on a synthetic nonstationary seismic section with variable Q factor values alongside the time and offset axis. Eventually, the cumulant matching method was applied on a cross line of the migrated data from a 3D data set of an oilfield in the Persian Gulf. Also, the effect of the wrong Q estimation on the estimated mixed-phase wavelet was considered on the real data set. It is concluded that the accuracy of the estimated wavelet relied on the estimated Q and more than 10% error in the estimated value of Q is acceptable. Eventually, an 88% correlation was found between the estimated mixed-phase wavelets and the original ones for three horizons. The estimated wavelets applied to the data and the result of deconvolution processes was presented.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Rannou, Pascal; Seignovert, Benoit; Le Mouélic, Stéphane; Sotin, Christophe
2016-10-01
The study of Titan properties with remote sensing relies on a good knowledge of the atmosphere properties. The in-situ observations made by Huygens combined with recent advances in the definition of methane properties enable to model and interpret observations with a very good accuracy. Thanks to these progresses, we can analyze in this work the observations made at the limb of Titan in order to retrieve information on the haze properties as its vertical profiles and its spectral behaviour along the VIMS/Cassini range (from 0.88 to 5.1 μm). However, for applications to real atmospheres, one need to account for the widening of the spectroscopic lines (e.g., Voigt profile) and apply an empirical cut-off of the far wings. In general, this is a multiplying function of the wavenumber, f(ν), applied to the Voigt profile that allows a faster decay of the wing profile beyond a given distance from the center of the line ν0 : f(ν)=1 if |ν- ν0| ≤ Δν, and f(ν)=exp(-|ν- ν0|/ σ) if |ν- ν0| > Δν. Although the 2-μm window is apparently straitforward to model, it appears that the standard cut-off parameters (that is Δν ~ 26 cm-1 and σ ~ 120 cm-1) which is used for other windows in Titan's atmosphere is not adequat for this window. Other sets of parameter must be used to reproduce Titan spectrum at 2 μm. However, there is no convergence of the results between these works and a large variety of cut-off parameters are used. Alternatively, it was found that some gas absorptions (ethane and another unknown gas) leave a signature around 2-μm and also affect the transparency in this window. In our study we make an exhaustive investigation on the cut-off parameters to determine which are the best couples of parameters to fit the 2-μm window. We also evaluated how gaseous absorptions can allow to reach a satisfactory agreement and, especially, if it allows to match observations with the standard cut-off. Finally, we investigate the impact of the different solutions (different cut-off, with or without supplementary absorptions) on the retrieved surface albedo.
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ACHP | Sustainability and Historic Preservation Links
Energy) Realizing the Energy Efficiency Potential of Small Buildings: Saving Energy, Money and Jobs Improving the Energy Efficiency of Historic Buildings (National Park Service) Saving Windows, Saving Money
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Effects of leukocyte-platelet rich fibrin on postoperative complications of direct sinus lifting.
Gurler, Gokhan; Delilbasi, Cagri
2016-08-01
Blood products have been widely used in soft tissue and bone regeneration in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of leukocyte-platelet rich fibrin (L-PRF) following direct sinus lifting procedure. Twenty-eight patients were included in the study. Direct sinus lifting was performed via lateral window approach under conscious sedation and local anesthesia. Bony window and sinus floor elevation were performed using piezosurgery device. Two groups were formed. In the first group an allogenous bone graft and L-PRF mixture was used as grafting material. The L-PRF membrane was used to close the lateral window. In the second group, only allogenous bone was used for grafting and resorbable collagen membrane was used to close the lateral window. Pain, swelling, sleeping, eating, phonetics, activities of daily living, missed work days and soft tissue healing were evaluated postoperatively. Data of 24 patients were evaluated. Improvements were seen in the studied parameters in the L-PRF group; however, the difference was not significant between the two groups (P>0.05). The use of L-PRF and allogenous bone graft in combination with L-PRF membrane does not significantly improve postoperative complications following direct sinus lifting.
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Multi-window PIV measurements around a breathing manikin
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Marr, David
2005-11-01
The presented work includes multi-scale measurements via a stereo article Image Velocimetry (PIV) system to view a pair of two-component windows of dissimilar scale using a varied focal length. These measurements are taken in the breathing zone of an isothermal breathing manikin (from mouth) in an environmental chamber of average office cubicle dimensions without ventilation and are analogous to an oscillatory jet. From these phase-averaged measurements, we can extract information concerning length scales, turbulence quantities and low dimensional information in order to both determine correlation between data at different length scales as well as continuing research in exposure assessment for the indoor environment. In this talk we will present these turbulence quantities and interpret their influence on the breathing zone. While the largest scale is that of the room itself, we find that the relevant spatial scales associated with the breathing zone are much lower in magnitude. In future experiments, we will expand the multi window PIV technique to include PIV window configured to obtain scales of order the cubicle simultaneously with those of the breathing zone. This will aid in our understanding of the combined impact of these multiple scales on occupant exposure in the indoor environment.
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Characterization of AFB sapphire single crystal composites for infrared window application
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lee, H.-C.; Meissner, H. E.
2007-04-01
Next generation weapons platforms may require 30" x 30" sapphire windows. Since these sizes exceed what can be manufactured directly, a concept is proposed and experimental data are furnished in this report on the viability of increasing the window dimensions by Adhesive-Free-Bonding (AFB®) of smaller starting components by their edges. The bonding scheme has been evaluated for single crystal sapphire but is expected to also work equally well for other IR window materials. The bonding mechanism is explained with Van der Waals theory of attractive forces and confirmed experimentally by applying the bending plate theory. The gap at the interface between two components is deduced from the measured roughness of the polished surfaces that are brought into optical contact and subsequently heat-treated, and is estimated to be about 2 Å rms. Stress relief at AFB® interfaces has been established. Experimental data of flexural strength determined by four-point bending at room temperature is reported. The data indicates that AFB® composite specimens and equivalently prepared blank samples fracture at statistically same loads under standardized testing conditions. Failure of composites has not been observed at the interface and only at random flaws that are a result of sample preparation.
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Broadband Absorbing Exciton-Plasmon Metafluids with Narrow Transparency Windows.
Yang, Jihua; Kramer, Nicolaas J; Schramke, Katelyn S; Wheeler, Lance M; Besteiro, Lucas V; Hogan, Christopher J; Govorov, Alexander O; Kortshagen, Uwe R
2016-02-10
Optical metafluids that consist of colloidal solutions of plasmonic and/or excitonic nanomaterials may play important roles as functional working fluids or as means for producing solid metamaterial coatings. The concept of a metafluid employed here is based on the picture that a single ballistic photon, propagating through the metafluid, interacts with a large collection of specifically designed optically active nanocrystals. We demonstrate water-based metafluids that act as broadband electromagnetic absorbers in a spectral range of 200-3300 nm and feature a tunable narrow (∼100 nm) transparency window in the visible-to-near-infrared region. To define this transparency window, we employ plasmonic gold nanorods. We utilize excitonic boron-doped silicon nanocrystals as opaque optical absorbers ("optical wall") in the UV and blue-green range of the spectrum. Water itself acts as an opaque "wall" in the near-infrared to infrared. We explore the limits of the concept of a "simple" metafluid by computationally testing and validating the effective medium approach based on the Beer-Lambert law. According to our simulations and experiments, particle aggregation and the associated decay of the window effect are one example of the failure of the simple metafluid concept due to strong interparticle interactions.
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Zhang, Li; Takara, Kazuhiro; Yamakawa, Daishi; Kidoya, Hiroyasu; Takakura, Nobuyuki
2016-01-01
Antiangiogenic agents transiently normalize tumor vessel structure and improve vessel function, thereby providing a window of opportunity for enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Currently, there are no reliable predictors or markers reflecting this vessel normalization window during antiangiogenic therapy. Apelin, the expression of which is regulated by hypoxia, and which has well-described roles in tumor progression, is an easily measured secreted protein. Here, we show that apelin can be used as a marker for the vessel normalization window during antiangiogenic therapy. Mice bearing s.c. tumors resulting from inoculation of the colon adenocarcinoma cell line HT29 were treated with a single injection of bevacizumab, a mAb neutralizing vascular endothelial growth factor. Tumor growth, vessel density, pericyte coverage, tumor hypoxia, and small molecule delivery were determined at four different times after treatment with bevacizumab (days 1, 3, 5, and 8). Tumor growth and vessel density were significantly reduced after bevacizumab treatment, which also significantly increased tumor vessel maturity, and improved tumor hypoxia and small molecule delivery between days 3 and 5. These effects abated by day 8, suggesting that a time window for vessel normalization was opened between days 3 and 5 during bevacizumab treatment in this model. Apelin mRNA expression and plasma apelin levels decreased transiently at day 5 post-treatment, coinciding with vessel normalization. Thus, apelin is a potential indicator of the vessel normalization window during antiangiogenic therapy. © 2015 The Authors. Cancer Science published by Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd on behalf of Japanese Cancer Association.
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Printing of structures less than 0,3 μm by i-line exposure using resists TDMR-AR80 and TDMR-AR95
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Behrendt, A.; Dow, T.; Stoeflin, K.
2007-03-01
There is increasing interest in high resolution i-line resists which allow the printing of structures smaller than 0.3μm. We have evaluated the resists TDMR-AR80 und TDMR-AR95 from TOK Company in order to check their potential concerning minimum line sizes with sufficient process window in regard to focus/exposure process latitude, with our main focus on trench structures. The Bossung Plots of dense lines and semi-dense lines were determined. The resist and etch profiles were characterised both by inline-SEM measurements and cross-sections. The influence of several stepper illumination modes and Off Axis Illumination (OAI) on the focus/exposure process window was investigated. The resists TDMR-AR80 and TDMR-AR95 enable printing of trench structures less than 0.3μm. For 0.3μm lines, our specification limit of 0.3μm +/- 10% was reached within a focus range from - 0.1 to 1.0 microns. OAI illumination mode enlarged the focus window by 20% in comparison to the standard illumination mode. Structures of 0.28μm and 0.26μm were printed with a focus window of 0.7μm which shows the high potential of this resist generation. The implementation of the resist in production provides large amounts of data which enable the calculation of parameters related to process stability (wafer to wafer and lot to lot CD-standard deviation, Cp-, Cpk-values etc.).
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Windows on the brain: the emerging role of atlases and databases in neuroscience
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Van Essen, David C.; VanEssen, D. C. (Principal Investigator)
2002-01-01
Brain atlases and associated databases have great potential as gateways for navigating, accessing, and visualizing a wide range of neuroscientific data. Recent progress towards realizing this potential includes the establishment of probabilistic atlases, surface-based atlases and associated databases, combined with improvements in visualization capabilities and internet access.
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Carolyn Stern Grant - Home Page
;New Windows on the Universe", a slide set of 175 slides of different astronomical objects in different wavelengths, which I did with Christine Jones and Bill Forman. I have also done a lot of work with
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Implementation of the Algorithm for Congestion control in the Dynamic Circuit Network (DCN)
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Nalamwar, H. S.; Ivanov, M. A.; Buddhawar, G. U.
2017-01-01
Transport Control Protocol (TCP) incast congestion happens when a number of senders work in parallel with the same server where the high bandwidth and low latency network problem occurs. For many data center network applications such as a search engine, heavy traffic is present on such a server. Incast congestion degrades the entire performance as packets are lost at a server side due to buffer overflow, and as a result, the response time becomes longer. In this work, we focus on TCP throughput, round-trip time (RTT), receive window and retransmission. Our method is based on the proactive adjust of the TCP receive window before the packet loss occurs. We aim to avoid the wastage of the bandwidth by adjusting its size as per the number of packets. To avoid the packet loss, the ICTCP algorithm has been implemented in the data center network (ToR).
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Han, Su-Ting; Zhou, Ye; Yang, Qing Dan; Zhou, Li; Huang, Long-Biao; Yan, Yan; Lee, Chun-Sing; Roy, Vellaisamy A L
2014-02-25
Tunable memory characteristics are used in multioperational mode circuits where memory cells with various functionalities are needed in one combined device. It is always a challenge to obtain control over threshold voltage for multimode operation. On this regard, we use a strategy of shifting the work function of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in a controlled manner through doping gold chloride (AuCl3) and obtained a gradient increase of rGO work function. By inserting doped rGO as floating gate, a controlled threshold voltage (Vth) shift has been achieved in both p- and n-type low voltage flexible memory devices with large memory window (up to 4 times for p-type and 8 times for n-type memory devices) in comparison with pristine rGO floating gate memory devices. By proper energy band engineering, we demonstrated a flexible floating gate memory device with larger memory window and controlled threshold voltage shifts.
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‘This year I will not put her to work’: the production/reproduction nexus in Burkina Faso
Storeng, Katerini Tagmatarchi; Akoum, Mélanie Stephanie; Murray, Susan F.
2012-01-01
Global advocacy campaigns increasingly highlight the negative impact of reproductive morbidity on economic productivity and development in order to justify donor investment in maternal health. Anthropological approaches nuance such narrow economic estimations of reproductive health. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork from Burkina Faso in West Africa, this paper analyses the dynamic, and sometimes contradictory, relationship between women's work and reproductive health in impoverished communities. Specifically, it examines the consequences of life-threatening ‘near-miss’ obstetric complications for women's work across domestic, agricultural and economic spheres over a four-year period. Such events provide a window onto the diverse ways in which production and reproduction are intimately linked within women's everyday lives. Reproduction and production entail sources of potential empowerment and enhancement, as well as potential threats, to health and well-being. In the aftermath of ‘near-miss’ events, the realms of reproduction and production sometimes jeopardise each other and at other times reinforce each other, while strength in one domain can compensate for weakness in the other. Women's experiences thus reveal how ‘production’ and ‘reproduction’ are mutually constituted, challenging the purely instrumental accounts of pregnancy-related ‘productivity loss’ that dominate current global health discourse. PMID:22897630
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Arshad, Saaid H.; Murphy, Ethan K.; Halter, Ryan J.
2016-03-01
Telemonitoring is becoming increasingly important as the proportion of the population living with cardiovascular disease (CVD) increases. Currently used health parameters in the suite of telemonitoring tools lack the sensitivity and specificity to accurately predict heart failure events, forcing physicians to play a reactive versus proactive role in patient care. A novel cardiac output (CO) monitoring device is proposed that leverages a custom smart phone application and a wearable electrical impedance tomography (EIT) system. The purpose of this work is to explore the potential of using respiratory-gated EIT to quantify stroke volume (SV) and assess its feasibility using real data. Simulations were carried out using the 4D XCAT model to create anatomically realistic meshes and electrical conductivity profiles representing the human thorax and the intrathoracic tissue. A single 5-second period respiration cycle with chest/lung expansion was modeled with end-diastole (ED) and end-systole (ES) heart volumes to evaluate how effective EIT-based conductivity changes represent clinically significant differences in SV. After establishing a correlation between conductivity changes and SV, the applicability of the respiratory-gated EIT was refined using data from the PhysioNet database to estimate the number of useful end-diastole (ED) and end-systole (ES) heart events attained over a 3.3 minute period. The area associated with conductivity changes was found to correlate to SV with a correlation coefficient of 0.92. A window of 12.5% around peak exhalation was found to be the optimal phase of the respiratory cycle from which to record EIT data. Within this window, ~47 useable ED and ES were found with a standard deviation of 28 using 3.3 minutes of data for 20 patients.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Saracino, Martino; Breuer, Stephan; Barati, Gholamreza; Sak, Emilia; Hingerl, Kurt; Müller, Ute; Müller, Manfred; Höger, Sigurd; Wandelt, Klaus
2013-01-01
In the present work the effect of the intramolecular steric flexibility on the structural self-assembly of organic cations and their redox activity at a chloride precovered Cu(100) electrode is investigated. In particular the adsorption of 1,1‧-dibenzyl-4,4‧-(propane-1,3-diyl)dipyridinium (C3-DBDP) is studied by means of cyclic voltametry (CV), in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (EC-STM) and ex situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and the experimental results are compared to previously published findings on related bipyridinium (“viologen”) molecules. The CV measurements reveal a loss of the redox activity of the more flexible C3-DBDP2 + compared to dibenzylviologen (DBV2 +), as the first electron reduction step of C3-DBDP2 + does not appear within the potential window of the Cu(100), but is shifted below the hydrogen evolution regime. This reduced redox activity is the result of the lifting of the extended π-system of the bipyridinium core by introducing the propyl chain between the two pyridinium rings. In agreement with this result, XP spectra prove that the C3-DBDP2 + cations retain their initial dicationic charge within the entire potential window in solution but also upon adsorption on the Cl-c(2x2)/Cu(100) substrate, where they are found to form an inter-linked stripe phase. The building blocks of each stripe are attributed to one pyridinium-benzyl moiety, which represents half of one C3-DBDP2 + molecule. The resulting consecutive arrangement of half C3-DBDP2 + molecules along one stripe is stabilized by electrostatic attraction between the positively charged pyridinium rings and the negatively charged π-system of the benzyl rings.
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Extending Galactic Habitable Zone Modeling to Include the Emergence of Intelligent Life.
Morrison, Ian S; Gowanlock, Michael G
2015-08-01
Previous studies of the galactic habitable zone have been concerned with identifying those regions of the Galaxy that may favor the emergence of complex life. A planet is deemed habitable if it meets a set of assumed criteria for supporting the emergence of such complex life. In this work, we extend the assessment of habitability to consider the potential for life to further evolve to the point of intelligence--termed the propensity for the emergence of intelligent life, φI. We assume φI is strongly influenced by the time durations available for evolutionary processes to proceed undisturbed by the sterilizing effects of nearby supernovae. The times between supernova events provide windows of opportunity for the evolution of intelligence. We developed a model that allows us to analyze these window times to generate a metric for φI, and we examine here the spatial and temporal variation of this metric. Even under the assumption that long time durations are required between sterilizations to allow for the emergence of intelligence, our model suggests that the inner Galaxy provides the greatest number of opportunities for intelligence to arise. This is due to the substantially higher number density of habitable planets in this region, which outweighs the effects of a higher supernova rate in the region. Our model also shows that φI is increasing with time. Intelligent life emerged at approximately the present time at Earth's galactocentric radius, but a similar level of evolutionary opportunity was available in the inner Galaxy more than 2 Gyr ago. Our findings suggest that the inner Galaxy should logically be a prime target region for searches for extraterrestrial intelligence and that any civilizations that may have emerged there are potentially much older than our own.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zhou, Ye; Han, Su-Ting; Xu, Zong-Xiang; Roy, V. A. L.
2013-02-01
The strain and temperature dependent memory effect of organic memory transistors on plastic substrates has been investigated under ambient conditions. The gold (Au) nanoparticle monolayer was prepared and embedded in an atomic layer deposited aluminum oxide (Al2O3) as the charge trapping layer. The devices exhibited low operation voltage, reliable memory characteristics and long data retention time. Experimental analysis of the programming and erasing behavior at various bending states showed the relationship between strain and charging capacity. Thermal-induced effects on these memory devices have also been analyzed. The mobility shows ~200% rise and the memory window increases from 1.48 V to 1.8 V when the temperature rises from 20 °C to 80 °C due to thermally activated transport. The retention capability of the devices decreases with the increased working temperature. Our findings provide a better understanding of flexible organic memory transistors under various operating temperatures and validate their applications in various areas such as temperature sensors, temperature memory or advanced electronic circuits. Furthermore, the low temperature processing procedures of the key elements (Au nanoparticle monolayer and Al2O3 dielectric layer) could be potentially integrated with large area flexible electronics.The strain and temperature dependent memory effect of organic memory transistors on plastic substrates has been investigated under ambient conditions. The gold (Au) nanoparticle monolayer was prepared and embedded in an atomic layer deposited aluminum oxide (Al2O3) as the charge trapping layer. The devices exhibited low operation voltage, reliable memory characteristics and long data retention time. Experimental analysis of the programming and erasing behavior at various bending states showed the relationship between strain and charging capacity. Thermal-induced effects on these memory devices have also been analyzed. The mobility shows ~200% rise and the memory window increases from 1.48 V to 1.8 V when the temperature rises from 20 °C to 80 °C due to thermally activated transport. The retention capability of the devices decreases with the increased working temperature. Our findings provide a better understanding of flexible organic memory transistors under various operating temperatures and validate their applications in various areas such as temperature sensors, temperature memory or advanced electronic circuits. Furthermore, the low temperature processing procedures of the key elements (Au nanoparticle monolayer and Al2O3 dielectric layer) could be potentially integrated with large area flexible electronics. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: UV-vis spectrum of Au nanoparticle aqueous solution, transfer characteristics of the transistors without inserting an Au nanoparticle monolayer, AFM image of the pentacene layer, transfer characteristics at different program voltages and memory windows with respect to the P/E voltage. See DOI: 10.1039/c2nr32579a
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Creating a Parallel Version of VisIt for Microsoft Windows
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Whitlock, B J; Biagas, K S; Rawson, P L
2011-12-07
VisIt is a popular, free interactive parallel visualization and analysis tool for scientific data. Users can quickly generate visualizations from their data, animate them through time, manipulate them, and save the resulting images or movies for presentations. VisIt was designed from the ground up to work on many scales of computers from modest desktops up to massively parallel clusters. VisIt is comprised of a set of cooperating programs. All programs can be run locally or in client/server mode in which some run locally and some run remotely on compute clusters. The VisIt program most able to harness today's computing powermore » is the VisIt compute engine. The compute engine is responsible for reading simulation data from disk, processing it, and sending results or images back to the VisIt viewer program. In a parallel environment, the compute engine runs several processes, coordinating using the Message Passing Interface (MPI) library. Each MPI process reads some subset of the scientific data and filters the data in various ways to create useful visualizations. By using MPI, VisIt has been able to scale well into the thousands of processors on large computers such as dawn and graph at LLNL. The advent of multicore CPU's has made parallelism the 'new' way to achieve increasing performance. With today's computers having at least 2 cores and in many cases up to 8 and beyond, it is more important than ever to deploy parallel software that can use that computing power not only on clusters but also on the desktop. We have created a parallel version of VisIt for Windows that uses Microsoft's MPI implementation (MSMPI) to process data in parallel on the Windows desktop as well as on a Windows HPC cluster running Microsoft Windows Server 2008. Initial desktop parallel support for Windows was deployed in VisIt 2.4.0. Windows HPC cluster support has been completed and will appear in the VisIt 2.5.0 release. We plan to continue supporting parallel VisIt on Windows so our users will be able to take full advantage of their multicore resources.« less
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Leavey, Anna; Reed, Nathan; Patel, Sameer; Bradley, Kevin; Kulkarni, Pramod; Biswas, Pratim
2017-10-01
Advanced automobile technology, developed infrastructure, and changing economic markets have resulted in increasing commute times. Traffic is a major source of harmful pollutants and consequently daily peak exposures tend to occur near roadways or while travelling on them. The objective of this study was to measure simultaneous real-time particulate matter (particle numbers, lung-deposited surface area, PM2.5, particle number size distributions) and CO concentrations outside and in-cabin of an on-road car during regular commutes to and from work. Data was collected for different ventilation parameters (windows open or closed, fan on, AC on), whilst travelling along different road-types with varying traffic densities. Multiple predictor variables were examined using linear mixed-effects models. Ambient pollutants (NOx, PM2.5, CO) and meteorological variables (wind speed, temperature, relative humidity, dew point) explained 5-44% of outdoor pollutant variability, while the time spent travelling behind a bus was statistically significant for PM2.5, lung-deposited SA, and CO (adj-R2 values = 0.12, 0.10, 0.13). The geometric mean diameter (GMD) for outdoor aerosol was 34 nm. Larger cabin GMDs were observed when windows were closed compared to open (b = 4.3, p-value = <0.01). When windows were open, cabin total aerosol concentrations tracked those outdoors. With windows closed, the pollutants took longer to enter the vehicle cabin, but also longer to exit it. Concentrations of pollutants in cabin were influenced by outdoor concentrations, ambient temperature, and the window/ventilation parameters. As expected, particle number concentrations were impacted the most by changes to window position/ventilation, and PM2.5 the least. Car drivers can expect their highest exposures when driving with windows open or the fan on, and their lowest exposures during windows closed or the AC on. Final linear mixed-effects models could explain between 88 and 97% of cabin pollutant concentration variability. An individual may control their commuting exposure by applying dynamic behavior modification to adapt to changing pollutant scenarios.
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Leavey, Anna; Reed, Nathan; Patel, Sameer; Bradley, Kevin; Kulkarni, Pramod; Biswas, Pratim
2017-01-01
Advanced automobile technology, developed infrastructure, and changing economic markets have resulted in increasing commute times. Traffic is a major source of harmful pollutants and consequently daily peak exposures tend to occur near roadways or while traveling on them. The objective of this study was to measure simultaneous real-time particulate matter (particle numbers, lung-deposited surface area, PM2.5, particle number size distributions) and CO concentrations outside and in-cabin of an on-road car during regular commutes to and from work. Data was collected for different ventilation parameters (windows open or closed, fan on, AC on), whilst traveling along different road-types with varying traffic densities. Multiple predictor variables were examined using linear mixed-effects models. Ambient pollutants (NOx, PM2.5, CO) and meteorological variables (wind speed, temperature, relative humidity, dew point) explained 5–44% of outdoor pollutant variability, while the time spent travelling behind a bus was statistically significant for PM2.5, lung-deposited SA, and CO (adj-R2 values = 0.12, 0.10, 0.13). The geometric mean diameter (GMD) for outdoor aerosol was 34 nm. Larger cabin GMDs were observed when windows were closed compared to open (b = 4.3, p-value = <0.01). When windows were open, cabin total aerosol concentrations tracked those outdoors. With windows closed, the pollutants took longer to enter the vehicle cabin, but also longer to exit it. Concentrations of pollutants in cabin were influenced by outdoor concentrations, ambient temperature, and the window/ventilation parameters. As expected, particle number concentrations were impacted the most by changes to window position / ventilation, and PM2.5 the least. Car drivers can expect their highest exposures when driving with windows open or the fan on, and their lowest exposures during windows closed or the AC on. Final linear mixed-effects models could explain between 88–97% of cabin pollutant concentration variability. An individual may control their commuting exposure by applying dynamic behavior modification to adapt to changing pollutant scenarios. PMID:29284988
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Leavey, Anna; Reed, Nathan; Patel, Sameer; Bradley, Kevin; Kulkarni, Pramod; Biswas, Pratim
2017-10-01
Advanced automobile technology, developed infrastructure, and changing economic markets have resulted in increasing commute times. Traffic is a major source of harmful pollutants and consequently daily peak exposures tend to occur near roadways or while traveling on them. The objective of this study was to measure simultaneous real-time particulate matter (particle numbers, lung-deposited surface area, PM 2.5 , particle number size distributions) and CO concentrations outside and in-cabin of an on-road car during regular commutes to and from work. Data was collected for different ventilation parameters (windows open or closed, fan on, AC on), whilst traveling along different road-types with varying traffic densities. Multiple predictor variables were examined using linear mixed-effects models. Ambient pollutants (NO x , PM 2.5 , CO) and meteorological variables (wind speed, temperature, relative humidity, dew point) explained 5-44% of outdoor pollutant variability, while the time spent travelling behind a bus was statistically significant for PM 2.5, lung-deposited SA, and CO (adj-R 2 values = 0.12, 0.10, 0.13). The geometric mean diameter (GMD) for outdoor aerosol was 34 nm. Larger cabin GMDs were observed when windows were closed compared to open (b = 4.3, p-value = <0.01). When windows were open, cabin total aerosol concentrations tracked those outdoors. With windows closed, the pollutants took longer to enter the vehicle cabin, but also longer to exit it. Concentrations of pollutants in cabin were influenced by outdoor concentrations, ambient temperature, and the window/ventilation parameters. As expected, particle number concentrations were impacted the most by changes to window position / ventilation, and PM 2.5 the least. Car drivers can expect their highest exposures when driving with windows open or the fan on, and their lowest exposures during windows closed or the AC on. Final linear mixed-effects models could explain between 88-97% of cabin pollutant concentration variability. An individual may control their commuting exposure by applying dynamic behavior modification to adapt to changing pollutant scenarios.
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Sol-gel antireflective spin-coating process for large-size shielding windows
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Belleville, Philippe F.; Prene, Philippe; Mennechez, Francoise; Bouigeon, Christian
2002-10-01
The interest of the antireflective coatings applied onto large-area glass components increases everyday for the potential application such as building or shop windows. Today, because of the use of large size components, sol-gel process is a competitive way for antireflective coating mass production. The dip-coating technique commonly used for liquid-deposition, implies a safety hazard due to coating solution handling and storage in the case of large amounts of highly flammable solvent use. On the other hand, spin-coating is a liquid low-consumption technique. Mainly devoted to coat circular small-size substrate, we have developed a spin-coating machine able to coat large-size rectangular windows (up to 1 x 1.7 m2). Both solutions and coating conditions have been optimized to deposit optical layers with accurate and uniform thickness and to highly limit the edge effects. Experimental single layer antireflective coating deposition process onto large-area shielding windows (1000 x 1700 x 20 mm3) is described. Results show that the as-developed process could produce low specular reflection value (down to 1% one side) onto white-glass windows over the visible range (460-750 nm). Low-temperature curing process (120°C) used after sol-gel deposition enables antireflective-coating to withstand abrasion-resistance properties in compliance to US-MIL-C-0675C moderate test.
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Attenuating fearful memories: effect of cued extinction on intrusions.
Marks, Elizabeth H; Zoellner, Lori A
2014-12-01
Exposure-based therapies for posttraumatic stress disorder are thought to reduce intrusive memories through extinction processes. Methods that enhance extinction may translate to improved treatment. Rat research suggests retrieving a memory via a conditioned stimulus (CS) cue, and then modifying the retrieved memory within a specific reconsolidation window may enhance extinction. In humans, studies (e.g., Kindt & Soeter, 2013; Schiller et al., 2010) using basic learning paradigms show discrepant findings. Using a distressing film paradigm, participants (N = 148) completed fear acquisition and extinction. At extinction, they were randomized to 1 of 3 groups: CS cue within reconsolidation window, CS cue outside window, or non-CS cue within window. Intrusions were assessed 24 hr after extinction. Participants receiving the CS cue and completing extinction within the reconsolidation window had more intrusions (M = 2.40, SD = 2.54) than those cued outside (M = 1.65, SD = 1.70) or those receiving a non-CS cue (M = 1.24, SD = 1.26), F(2, 145) = 4.52, p = .01, d = 0.55. Consistent with the reconsolidation hypothesis, presenting a CS cue does appear to activate a specific period of time during which a memory can be updated. However, the CS cue caused increased, rather than decreased, frequency of intrusions. Understanding parameters of preextinction cueing may help us better understand reconsolidation as a potential memory updating mechanism.
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Optimization of ramp area aircraft push back time windows in the presence of uncertainty
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Coupe, William Jeremy
It is well known that airport surface traffic congestion at major airports is responsible for increased taxi-out times, fuel burn and excess emissions and there is potential to mitigate these negative consequences through optimizing airport surface traffic operations. Due to a highly congested voice communication channel between pilots and air traffic controllers and a data communication channel that is used only for limited functions, one of the most viable near-term strategies for improvement of the surface traffic is issuing a push back advisory to each departing aircraft. This dissertation focuses on the optimization of a push back time window for each departing aircraft. The optimization takes into account both spatial and temporal uncertainties of ramp area aircraft trajectories. The uncertainties are described by a stochastic kinematic model of aircraft trajectories, which is used to infer distributions of combinations of push back times that lead to conflict among trajectories from different gates. The model is validated and the distributions are included in the push back time window optimization. Under the assumption of a fixed taxiway spot schedule, the computed push back time windows can be integrated with a higher level taxiway scheduler to optimize the flow of traffic from the gate to the departure runway queue. To enable real-time decision making the computational time of the push back time window optimization is critical and is analyzed throughout.
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Tibon, Roni; Levy, Daniel A
2014-03-01
Little is known about the time course of processes supporting episodic cued recall. To examine these processes, we recorded event-related scalp electrical potentials during episodic cued recall following pair-associate learning of unimodal object-picture pairs and crossmodal object-picture and sound pairs. Successful cued recall of unimodal associates was characterized by markedly early scalp potential differences over frontal areas, while cued recall of both unimodal and crossmodal associates were reflected by subsequent differences recorded over frontal and parietal areas. Notably, unimodal cued recall success divergences over frontal areas were apparent in a time window generally assumed to reflect the operation of familiarity but not recollection processes, raising the possibility that retrieval success effects in that temporal window may reflect additional mnemonic processes beyond familiarity. Furthermore, parietal scalp potential recall success differences, which did not distinguish between crossmodal and unimodal tasks, seemingly support attentional or buffer accounts of posterior parietal mnemonic function but appear to constrain signal accumulation, expectation, or representational accounts.
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Gorlin, Yelena; Jaramillo, Thomas F.
2014-01-01
The selection of an appropriate substrate is an important initial step for many studies of electrochemically active materials. In order to help researchers with the substrate selection process, we employ a consistent experimental methodology to evaluate the electrochemical reactivity and stability of seven potential substrate materials for electrocatalyst and photoelectrode evaluation. Using cyclic voltammetry with a progressively increased scan range, we characterize three transparent conducting oxides (indium tin oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide, and aluminum-doped zinc oxide) and four opaque conductors (gold, stainless steel 304, glassy carbon, and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite) in three different electrolytes (sulfuric acid, sodium acetate, and sodium hydroxide). We determine the inert potential window for each substrate/electrolyte combination and make recommendations about which materials may be most suitable for application under different experimental conditions. Furthermore, the testing methodology provides a framework for other researchers to evaluate and report the baseline activity of other substrates of interest to the broader community. PMID:25357131
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Adhesion signals of phospholipid vesicles at an electrified interface.
DeNardis, Nadica Ivošević; Žutić, Vera; Svetličić, Vesna; Frkanec, Ruža
2012-09-01
General adhesion behavior of phospholipid vesicles was examined in a wide range of potentials at the mercury electrode by recording time-resolved adhesion signals. It was demonstrated that adhesion-based detection is sensitive to polar headgroups in phospholipid vesicles. We identified a narrow potential window around the point of zero charge of the electrode where the interaction of polar headgroups of phosphatidylcholine vesicles with the substrate is manifested in the form of bidirectional signals. The bidirectional signal is composed of the charge flow due to the nonspecific interaction of vesicle adhesion and spreading and of the charge flow due to a specific interaction of the negatively charged electrode and the most exposed positively charged choline headgroups. These signals are expected to appear only when the electrode surface charge density is less than the surface charge density of the choline groups at the contact interface. In comparison, for the negatively charged phosphatidylserine vesicles, we identified the potential window at the mercury electrode where charge compensation takes place, and bidirectional signals were not detected.
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Benck, Jesse D.; Pinaud, Blaise A.; Gorlin, Yelena; ...
2014-10-30
The selection of an appropriate substrate is an important initial step for many studies of electrochemically active materials. In order to help researchers with the substrate selection process, we employ a consistent experimental methodology to evaluate the electrochemical reactivity and stability of seven potential substrate materials for electrocatalyst and photoelectrode evaluation. Using cyclic voltammetry with a progressively increased scan range, we characterize three transparent conducting oxides (indium tin oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide, and aluminum-doped zinc oxide) and four opaque conductors (gold, stainless steel 304, glassy carbon, and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite) in three different electrolytes (sulfuric acid, sodium acetate, andmore » sodium hydroxide). Here, we determine the inert potential window for each substrate/electrolyte combination and make recommendations about which materials may be most suitable for application under different experimental conditions. Furthermore, the testing methodology provides a framework for other researchers to evaluate and report the baseline activity of other substrates of interest to the broader community.« less
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Contosta, Alexandra R; Adolph, Alden; Burchsted, Denise; Burakowski, Elizabeth; Green, Mark; Guerra, David; Albert, Mary; Dibb, Jack; Martin, Mary; McDowell, William H; Routhier, Michael; Wake, Cameron; Whitaker, Rachel; Wollheim, Wilfred
2017-04-01
Climate change is altering the timing and duration of the vernal window, a period that marks the end of winter and the start of the growing season when rapid transitions in ecosystem energy, water, nutrient, and carbon dynamics take place. Research on this period typically captures only a portion of the ecosystem in transition and focuses largely on the dates by which the system wakes up. Previous work has not addressed lags between transitions that represent delays in energy, water, nutrient, and carbon flows. The objectives of this study were to establish the sequence of physical and biogeochemical transitions and lags during the vernal window period and to understand how climate change may alter them. We synthesized observations from a statewide sensor network in New Hampshire, USA, that concurrently monitored climate, snow, soils, and streams over a three-year period and supplemented these observations with climate reanalysis data, snow data assimilation model output, and satellite spectral data. We found that some of the transitions that occurred within the vernal window were sequential, with air temperatures warming prior to snow melt, which preceded forest canopy closure. Other transitions were simultaneous with one another and had zero-length lags, such as snowpack disappearance, rapid soil warming, and peak stream discharge. We modeled lags as a function of both winter coldness and snow depth, both of which are expected to decline with climate change. Warmer winters with less snow resulted in longer lags and a more protracted vernal window. This lengthening of individual lags and of the entire vernal window carries important consequences for the thermodynamics and biogeochemistry of ecosystems, both during the winter-to-spring transition and throughout the rest of the year. © 2016 The Authors Global Change Biology Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Multi-window detection for P-wave in electrocardiograms based on bilateral accumulative area.
Chen, Riqing; Huang, Yingsong; Wu, Jian
2016-11-01
P-wave detection is one of the most challenging aspects in electrocardiograms (ECGs) due to its low amplitude, low frequency, and variable waveforms. This work introduces a novel multi-window detection method for P-wave delineation based on the bilateral accumulative area. The bilateral accumulative area is calculated by summing the areas covered by the P-wave curve with left and right sliding windows. The onset and offset of a positive P-wave correspond to the local maxima of the area detector. The position drift and difference in area variation of local extreme points with different windows are used to systematically combine multi-window and 12-lead synchronous detection methods, which are used to screen the optimization boundary points from all extreme points of different window widths and adaptively match the P-wave location. The proposed method was validated with ECG signals from various databases, including the Standard CSE Database, T-Wave Alternans Challenge Database, PTB Diagnostic ECG Database, and the St. Petersburg Institute of Cardiological Technics 12-Lead Arrhythmia Database. The average sensitivity Se was 99.44% with a positive predictivity P+ of 99.37% for P-wave detection. Standard deviations of 3.7 and 4.3ms were achieved for the onset and offset of P-waves, respectively, which is in agreement with the accepted tolerances required by the CSE committee. Compared with well-known delineation methods, this method can achieve high sensitivity and positive predictability using a simple calculation process. The experiment results suggest that the bilateral accumulative area could be an effective detection tool for ECG signal analysis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Hanford, J.W.; Huang, Y.J.
The energy performance of skylights is similar to that of windows in admitting solar heat gain, while at the same time providing a pathway for convective and conductive heat transfer through the building envelope. Since skylights are typically installed at angles ranging from 0{degrees} to 45{degrees}, and differ from windows in both their construction and operation, their conductive and convective heat gains or losses, as well as solar heat gain, will differ for the same rough opening and thermal characteristics. The objective of this work is to quantify the impact of solar gain through skylights on building heating and coolingmore » loads in 45 climates, and to develop a method for including these data into the SP53 residential loads data base previously developed by LBL in support of DOE`s Automated Residential Energy Standard (ARES) program. The authors used the DOE-2.1C program to simulate the heating and cooling loads of a prototypical residential building while varying the size and solar characteristics of skylights and windows. The results are presented as Skylight Solar Loads, which are the contribution of solar gains through skylights to the overall building heating and cooling loads, and as Skylight Solar Load Ratios, which are the ratios of skylight solar loads to those for windows with the same orientation. The study shows that skylight solar loads are larger than those for windows in both heating and cooling. Skylight solar cooling loads are from three to four times greater than those for windows regardless of the skylight tilt, except for those facing north. These cooling loads are largest for south-facing skylights at a tilt angle of approximately 20{degrees}, and drop off at higher tilts and other orientations.« less
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Joint histogram-based cost aggregation for stereo matching.
Min, Dongbo; Lu, Jiangbo; Do, Minh N
2013-10-01
This paper presents a novel method for performing efficient cost aggregation in stereo matching. The cost aggregation problem is reformulated from the perspective of a histogram, giving us the potential to reduce the complexity of the cost aggregation in stereo matching significantly. Differently from previous methods which have tried to reduce the complexity in terms of the size of an image and a matching window, our approach focuses on reducing the computational redundancy that exists among the search range, caused by a repeated filtering for all the hypotheses. Moreover, we also reduce the complexity of the window-based filtering through an efficient sampling scheme inside the matching window. The tradeoff between accuracy and complexity is extensively investigated by varying the parameters used in the proposed method. Experimental results show that the proposed method provides high-quality disparity maps with low complexity and outperforms existing local methods. This paper also provides new insights into complexity-constrained stereo-matching algorithm design.
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Thermochromic halide perovskite solar cells.
Lin, Jia; Lai, Minliang; Dou, Letian; Kley, Christopher S; Chen, Hong; Peng, Fei; Sun, Junliang; Lu, Dylan; Hawks, Steven A; Xie, Chenlu; Cui, Fan; Alivisatos, A Paul; Limmer, David T; Yang, Peidong
2018-03-01
Smart photovoltaic windows represent a promising green technology featuring tunable transparency and electrical power generation under external stimuli to control the light transmission and manage the solar energy. Here, we demonstrate a thermochromic solar cell for smart photovoltaic window applications utilizing the structural phase transitions in inorganic halide perovskite caesium lead iodide/bromide. The solar cells undergo thermally-driven, moisture-mediated reversible transitions between a transparent non-perovskite phase (81.7% visible transparency) with low power output and a deeply coloured perovskite phase (35.4% visible transparency) with high power output. The inorganic perovskites exhibit tunable colours and transparencies, a peak device efficiency above 7%, and a phase transition temperature as low as 105 °C. We demonstrate excellent device stability over repeated phase transition cycles without colour fade or performance degradation. The photovoltaic windows showing both photoactivity and thermochromic features represent key stepping-stones for integration with buildings, automobiles, information displays, and potentially many other technologies.
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Thermochromic halide perovskite solar cells
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lin, Jia; Lai, Minliang; Dou, Letian; Kley, Christopher S.; Chen, Hong; Peng, Fei; Sun, Junliang; Lu, Dylan; Hawks, Steven A.; Xie, Chenlu; Cui, Fan; Alivisatos, A. Paul; Limmer, David T.; Yang, Peidong
2018-03-01
Smart photovoltaic windows represent a promising green technology featuring tunable transparency and electrical power generation under external stimuli to control the light transmission and manage the solar energy. Here, we demonstrate a thermochromic solar cell for smart photovoltaic window applications utilizing the structural phase transitions in inorganic halide perovskite caesium lead iodide/bromide. The solar cells undergo thermally-driven, moisture-mediated reversible transitions between a transparent non-perovskite phase (81.7% visible transparency) with low power output and a deeply coloured perovskite phase (35.4% visible transparency) with high power output. The inorganic perovskites exhibit tunable colours and transparencies, a peak device efficiency above 7%, and a phase transition temperature as low as 105 °C. We demonstrate excellent device stability over repeated phase transition cycles without colour fade or performance degradation. The photovoltaic windows showing both photoactivity and thermochromic features represent key stepping-stones for integration with buildings, automobiles, information displays, and potentially many other technologies.
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poRe: an R package for the visualization and analysis of nanopore sequencing data.
Watson, Mick; Thomson, Marian; Risse, Judith; Talbot, Richard; Santoyo-Lopez, Javier; Gharbi, Karim; Blaxter, Mark
2015-01-01
The Oxford Nanopore MinION device represents a unique sequencing technology. As a mobile sequencing device powered by the USB port of a laptop, the MinION has huge potential applications. To enable these applications, the bioinformatics community will need to design and build a suite of tools specifically for MinION data. Here we present poRe, a package for R that enables users to manipulate, organize, summarize and visualize MinION nanopore sequencing data. As a package for R, poRe has been tested on Windows, Linux and MacOSX. Crucially, the Windows version allows users to analyse MinION data on the Windows laptop attached to the device. poRe is released as a package for R at http://sourceforge.net/projects/rpore/. A tutorial and further information are available at https://sourceforge.net/p/rpore/wiki/Home/. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press.
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Yi, Hyunjung; Ghosh, Debadyuti; Ham, Moon-Ho; Qi, Jifa; Barone, Paul W; Strano, Michael S; Belcher, Angela M
2012-03-14
Second near-infrared (NIR) window light (950-1400 nm) is attractive for in vivo fluorescence imaging due to its deep penetration depth in tissues and low tissue autofluorescence. Here we show genetically engineered multifunctional M13 phage can assemble fluorescent single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and ligands for targeted fluorescence imaging of tumors. M13-SWNT probe is detectable in deep tissues even at a low dosage of 2 μg/mL and up to 2.5 cm in tissue-like phantoms. Moreover, targeted probes show specific and up to 4-fold improved uptake in prostate specific membrane antigen positive prostate tumors compared to control nontargeted probes. This M13 phage-based second NIR window fluorescence imaging probe has great potential for specific detection and therapy monitoring of hard-to-detect areas. © 2012 American Chemical Society
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HAM, MOON-HO; QI, JIFA; BARONE, PAUL W.; STRANO, MICHAEL S.; BELCHER, ANGELA M.
2014-01-01
Second near-infrared (NIR) window light (950-1,400 nm) is attractive for in vivo fluorescence imaging due to its deep penetration depth in tissues and low tissue autofluorescence. Here we show genetically engineered multifunctional M13 phage can assemble fluorescent single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and ligands for targeted fluorescence imaging of tumors. M13-SWNT probe is detectable in deep tissues even at a low dosage of 2 μg/mL and up to 2.5 cm in tissue-like phantoms. Moreover, targeted probes show specific and up to four-fold improved uptake in prostate specific membrane antigen positive prostate tumors compared to control non-targeted probes. This M13 phage-based second NIR window fluorescence imaging probe has great potential for specific detection and therapy monitoring of hard-to-detect areas. PMID:22268625
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NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Moorhead, Robert J., II; Smith, Wayne
1992-01-01
This report is the mid-year report intended for the design concepts for the communication network for the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM) facility being built at Yellow Creek near Iuka, MS. The overall network is to include heterogeneous computers, to use various protocols, and to have different bandwidths. Performance consideration must be given to the potential network applications in the network environment. The performance evaluation of X window applications was given the major emphasis in this report. A simulation study using Bones will be included later. This mid-year report has three parts: Part 1 is an investigation of X window traffic using TCP/IP over Ethernet networks; part 2 is a survey study of performance concepts of X window applications with Macintosh computers; and the last part is a tutorial on DECnet protocols. The results of this report should be useful in the design and operation of the ASRM communication network.
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Tunable far-infrared plasmonically induced transparency in graphene based nano-structures
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Dolatabady, Alireza; Granpayeh, Nosrat
2018-07-01
In this paper, a structure is proposed to show the phenomenon of tunable far-infrared plasmonically induced transparency. The structure includes a nano-ribbon waveguide side-coupled to nano-stub resonators. The realized effect is due to the coupling between the consecutive nano-stub resonators spaced in properly designed distances, providing a constructive interference in the virtually created Fabry–Perot cavity. Due to the Fabry–Perot like cavity created between two consecutive nano-stubs, periodic values of nano-stubs separation can produce transparency windows. Increasing the number of nano-stubs would increase the number of transparency windows in different frequencies. The structure is theoretically investigated and numerically simulated by using the finite difference time domain method. Owing to the chemical potential dependency of graphene conductivity, the transparency windows can be actively tuned. The proposed component can be extensively utilized in nano-scale switching and slow-light systems.
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Risk factors for work-related symptoms in northern California office workers
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Mendell, M.J.
1991-10-01
In most episodes of health complaints reported in office buildings in the last-twenty years, causal factors have not been identified. In order to assess risk factors for work-related symptoms in office workers, a reanalysis was performed of previous studies, and an epidemiologic study was conducted. The reanalysis of data, showed remarkable agreement among studies. Air-conditioned buildings were consistently associated with higher prevalence of headache, lethargy, and eye, nose, or throat problems. Humidification was not a necessary factor for this higher prevalence. Mechanical ventilation without air-conditioning was not associated with higher symptom prevalence. A study was conducted among 880 office workers,more » within 12 office buildings selected without regard to worker complaints, in northern California. A number of factors were found associated with prevalence of work-related symptoms, after adjustment in a logistic regression model for personal, psychosocial, job, workspace, and building factors. Two different ventilation types were associated with increases Ln symptom prevalence, relative to workers in naturally ventilated buildings: mechanical supply and exhaust ventilation, without air conditioning and with operable windows; and air-conditioning with sealed windows. No study buildings were humidified. In both these ventilation types, the highest odds ratios (ORs) found were for skin symptoms (ORs-5.0, 5.6) and for tight chest or difficulty breathing (ORs-3.6, 4.3). Use of carbonless copies or photocopiers, sharing a workspace, carpets, new carpets, new walls, and distance from a window were associated with symptom increases. Cloth partitions and new paint were associated with symptom decreases.« less
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Nawaz, M. F.; Jancarek, Alexandr; Nevrkla, Michal; Duda, Martin Jakub; Pina, Ladislav
2017-05-01
The development and demonstration of a soft X-ray (SXR) microscope, based on a Z-pinching capillary discharge source has been realized. The Z-pinching plasma acts as a source of SXR radiation. A ceramic capacitor bank is pulsed charged up to 80 kV, and discharged through a pre- ionized nitrogen filled ceramic capillary. The discharge current has an amplitude of 25 kA. Working within the water-window spectral region (λ = 2.88 nm), corresponding to the 1s2-1s2p quantum transition of helium-like nitrogen (N5+), the microscope has a potential in exploiting the natural contrast existing between the K-absorption edges of carbon and oxygen as the main constituents of biological materials, and hence imaging them with high spatial resolution. The SXR microscope uses the grazing incidence ellipsoidal condenser mirror for the illumination, and the Fresnel zone plate optics for the imaging of samples onto a BI-CCD camera. The half- pitch spatial resolution of 100 nm [1] was achieved, as demonstrated by the knife-edge test. In order to enhance the photon-flux at the sample plane, a new scheme for focusing the radiation, from multiple capillary sources has been investigated. Details about the source, and the construction of the microscope are presented and discussed.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Thiede, Christian; Niehues, Iris; Schmidt, Anke B.; Donath, Markus
2018-06-01
Inverse photoemission is the most versatile experimental tool to study the unoccupied electronic structure at surfaces of solids. Typically, the experiments are performed in the isochromat mode with bandpass photon detectors. For gas-filled counters, the bandpass behavior is realized by the combination of the photoionization threshold of the counting gas as the high-pass filter and the ultraviolet transmission cutoff of an alkaline earth fluoride entrance window as the low-pass filter. The transmission characteristics of the entrance window determine the optical bandpass. The performance of the counter depends on the composition of the detection gas and the fill-gas pressure, the readout electronics and the counter geometry. For the well-known combination of acetone and CaF2, the detector can be operated in proportional and Geiger–Müller modes. In this work, we review aspects concerning the working principles, the counter construction and the read-out electronics. We identify optimum working parameters and provide a step-by-step recipe how to build, install and operate the device.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Samiphak, Sara
This research investigates why typical strategies for promoting health, prolonging life, and preventing disease do not work in many communities. I use the liver fluke infection endemic in Khon Kaen, Thailand to explore the middle ground between Western science and Eastern culture. Prior work on the O.viverrini infection in Khon Kaen, Thailand has focused almost exclusively on developing effective medical treatment for the liver fluke infection. This dissertation employs a case study designed to explore the conditions that created and perpetuate the problem in the first place. In concrete terms, I analyze how the worldviews of local villagers shape their attitudes toward life (and death), which in turn determine if they engage in the high-risk behavior -- eating undercooked fish -- that makes them vulnerable to the infection. My research focuses on these people in-situ over a three-month period, and includes data from participant-observation, interviews, and video-recordings. This work seeks to illuminate how people's thinking and reasoning skills, and personal/cultural identities affect their abilities to learn and act on new health concepts. This potentially provides a window into future educational strategies in a complex world.
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LD-PACE II: a new cardiomyostimulator for cardiac bioassist.
Chekanov, V S; Chachques, J C; Brum, F; Arzuaga, J; Arzuaga, P; Krum, D P; Hare, J W; Maternowski, M A; Tchekanov, G V; Fiandra, O; Hammond, R; Melamed, V; Chiu, R C; Stephenson, L W
2001-01-01
The LD-PACE II was designed for use in cardiomyoplasty, aortomyoplasty, and skeletal muscle ventricles. All parameters specified as programmable can be changed in a noninvasive manner (using a programming interface wand connected to a computer using the Windows 95/98 environment). Two new functions may be very useful clinically, based on experimental research. 1. Work-rest regimen. The LD-PACE II is able to deliver alternating periods of muscle contractions and rest. Work and rest periods may be programmed independently between 1 and 120 minutes in increments of 1 minute. The work-rest regimen may be useful clinically if muscle contractions are needed for cardiac assist postoperatively. 2. Night/day regimen. This feature allows for a change in the ratio of muscle contractions according to a patient's activity level. During the day the cardiosynchronization ratio may be set from 1:1 to 1:4, and during the night it may be set for 1:8 to 1:16. This allows the muscle to have a long rest period, prevents overuse, and prolongs battery life. These two new features make this cardiomyostimulator very attractive for cardiomyoplasty in particular. The addition of the work-rest and night-day regimens allow the muscle to rest for periods during the day to prevent overuse, subsequent damage, and potential atrophy.
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Formulation of ionic liquid electrolyte to expand the voltage window of supercapacitors
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Van Aken, Katherine L.; Beidaghi, Majid; Gogotsi, Yury
We report an effective method to expand the operating potential window (OPW) of electrochemical capacitors based on formulating the ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes. Moreover, using model electrochemical cells based on two identical onion like carbon (OLC) electrodes and two different IL electrolytes and their mixtures, it was shown that the asymmetric behavior of the electrolyte’s cation and anion toward the two electrodes limits the OPW of the cell and therefore its energy density. Additionally, a general solution to this problem is proposed by formulating the IL electrolyte mixtures to balance the capacitance of electrodes in a symmetric supercapacitor.
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Formulation of Ionic-Liquid Electrolyte To Expand the Voltage Window of Supercapacitors
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Van Aken, Katherine L.; Beidaghi, Majid; Gogotsi, Yury
An effective method to expand the operating potential window (OPW) of electrochemical capacitors based on formulating the ionic-liquid (IL) electrolytes is reported. Using model electrochemical cells based on two identical onion-like carbon (OLC) electrodes and two different IL electrolytes and their mixtures, it was shown that the asymmetric behavior of the electrolyte cation and anion toward the two electrodes limits the OPW of the cell and therefore its energy density. Also, a general solution to this problem is proposed by formulating the IL electrolyte mixtures to balance the capacitance of electrodes in a symmetric supercapacitor.
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Neurophysiology of speech differences in childhood apraxia of speech.
Preston, Jonathan L; Molfese, Peter J; Gumkowski, Nina; Sorcinelli, Andrea; Harwood, Vanessa; Irwin, Julia R; Landi, Nicole
2014-01-01
Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded during a picture naming task of simple and complex words in children with typical speech and with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). Results reveal reduced amplitude prior to speaking complex (multisyllabic) words relative to simple (monosyllabic) words for the CAS group over the right hemisphere during a time window thought to reflect phonological encoding of word forms. Group differences were also observed prior to production of spoken tokens regardless of word complexity during a time window just prior to speech onset (thought to reflect motor planning/programming). Results suggest differences in pre-speech neurolinguistic processes.
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Formulation of ionic liquid electrolyte to expand the voltage window of supercapacitors
Van Aken, Katherine L.; Beidaghi, Majid; Gogotsi, Yury
2015-03-18
We report an effective method to expand the operating potential window (OPW) of electrochemical capacitors based on formulating the ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes. Moreover, using model electrochemical cells based on two identical onion like carbon (OLC) electrodes and two different IL electrolytes and their mixtures, it was shown that the asymmetric behavior of the electrolyte’s cation and anion toward the two electrodes limits the OPW of the cell and therefore its energy density. Additionally, a general solution to this problem is proposed by formulating the IL electrolyte mixtures to balance the capacitance of electrodes in a symmetric supercapacitor.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pellerin, Morgane; Castaing, Victor; Gourier, Didier; Chanéac, Corinne; Viana, Bruno
2018-02-01
Persistent luminescence materials present many applications including security lighting and bio-imaging. Many progresses have been made in the elaboration of persistent luminescent nanoparticles suitable for the first NIR partial transparency window (650 - 950 nm). Moving to the second and third near-infrared partial transparency windows (1000 nm - 1800 nm) allows further reducing of scattering, absorption and tissue autofluorescence effects. In this work, we present the synthesis of Co2+ and Ni2+ doped zinc-gallate nanoparticles with broad emission covering the NIR-II range. Site occupancy, energy levels, optical features and persistent phenomena are presented.
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2003-02-04
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - During processing, workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility work on part of the aeroshell for Mars Exploration Rover 2. Set to launch in 2003, the MER Mission will consist of two identical rovers designed to cover roughly 110 yards each Martian day. Each rover will carry five scientific instruments that will allow it to search for evidence of liquid water that may have been present in the planet's past. The rovers will be identical to each other, but will land at different regions of Mars. The first rover has a launch window opening May 30, and the second rover a window opening June 25, 2003.
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DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Berland, Brian; Hollingsworth, Russell
Five Quads of energy are lost through windows annually in the U.S. Low-e coatings are increasingly employed to reduce the wasted energy. Most commonly, the low-e coating is an oxide material applied directly to the glass at high temperature. With over 100,000,000 existing homes, a retrofit product is crucial to achieve widespread energy savings. Low-e films, i.e. coatings on polymeric substrates, are now also available to meet this need. However, the traditional oxide materials and process is incompatible with low temperature plastics. Alternate high performing low-e films typically incorporate materials that limit visible transmission to 35% or less. Further, themore » cost is high. The objective of this award was to develop a retrofit, integrated low-e/electrochromic window film to dramatically reduce energy lost through windows. While field testing of state-of-the-art electrochromic (EC) windows show the energy savings are maximized if a low-e coating is used in conjunction with the EC, available low-e films have a low visible transmission (~70% or less) that limits the achievable clear state and therefore, appearance and energy savings potential. Comprehensive energy savings models were completed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL). A parametric approach was used to project energy usage for windows with a large range of low-e properties across all U.S. climate zones, without limiting the study to materials that had already been produced commercially or made in a lab. The model enables projection of energy savings for low-e films as well as integrated low-e/EC products. This project developed a novel low-e film, optimized for compatibility with EC windows, using low temperature, high deposition rate processes for the growth of low-e coatings on plastic films by microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Silica films with good density and optical properties were demonstrated at deposition rates as high as 130Å/sec. A simple bi-layer low-e stack of silica and a transparent conductive oxide demonstrated 90% visible transmission with high thermal infrared reflectivity characteristic of conventional low-e coatings. A slightly more complex stack provided high solar infrared reflection without sacrificing visible transmission or thermal infrared reflection. Successful completion of the effort produced a prototype integrated low-e, dynamic window film with characterized energy saving potential. Cost modeling for the passive bi-layer, low-e film projects a manufacturing cost of ~$0.50/ft2 for a plant with 10M ft2/yr capacity. The novel thin film processes developed here enable high deposition rate (low cost), optical quality oxide coatings at low temperatures. When combined with engineered materials, ITN’s coating will result in low-cost, low-e films that reflect a high degree of infrared radiation without substantially reducing the visible transmission. The resultant window film will improve the U-value and achieve SHGC improvements over bare glass. The new low-e coating will be particularly attractive when combined with an electrochromic film. Low-e coating design guided by energy savings modeling allows customization of the product for different climate zones.« less
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2012-07-16
Over the last 30 years, preclinical research focused on evaluating potential pharmacologic therapeutic agents has produced multiple promising... potential therapeutic targets are being identified at a staggering rate as technology advances and our understanding of the pathology behind brain injury... potential therapeutic windows for interventional therapy. VI THE EFFECT OF DIAZOXIDE AND DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE ON BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES AND MARKERS OF
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Xie, Jin; Sendek, Austin D; Cubuk, Ekin D; Zhang, Xiaokun; Lu, Zhiyi; Gong, Yongji; Wu, Tong; Shi, Feifei; Liu, Wei; Reed, Evan J; Cui, Yi
2017-07-25
Modern lithium ion batteries are often desired to operate at a wide electrochemical window to maximize energy densities. While pushing the limit of cutoff potentials allows batteries to provide greater energy densities with enhanced specific capacities and higher voltage outputs, it raises key challenges with thermodynamic and kinetic stability in the battery. This is especially true for layered lithium transition-metal oxides, where capacities can improve but stabilities are compromised as wider electrochemical windows are applied. To overcome the above-mentioned challenges, we used atomic layer deposition to develop a LiAlF 4 solid thin film with robust stability and satisfactory ion conductivity, which is superior to commonly used LiF and AlF 3 . With a predicted stable electrochemical window of approximately 2.0 ± 0.9 to 5.7 ± 0.7 V vs Li + /Li for LiAlF 4 , excellent stability was achieved for high Ni content LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2 electrodes with LiAlF 4 interfacial layer at a wide electrochemical window of 2.75-4.50 V vs Li + /Li.
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Real-time 3-D contrast-enhanced transcranial ultrasound and aberration correction.
Ivancevich, Nikolas M; Pinton, Gianmarco F; Nicoletto, Heather A; Bennett, Ellen; Laskowitz, Daniel T; Smith, Stephen W
2008-09-01
Contrast-enhanced (CE) transcranial ultrasound (US) and reconstructed 3-D transcranial ultrasound have shown advantages over traditional methods in a variety of cerebrovascular diseases. We present the results from a novel ultrasound technique, namely real-time 3-D contrast-enhanced transcranial ultrasound. Using real-time 3-D (RT3D) ultrasound and microbubble contrast agent, we scanned 17 healthy volunteers via a single temporal window and nine via the suboccipital window and report our detection rates for the major cerebral vessels. In 71% of subjects, both of our observers identified the ipsilateral circle of Willis from the temporal window, and in 59% we imaged the entire circle of Willis. From the suboccipital window, both observers detected the entire vertebrobasilar circulation in 22% of subjects, and in 44%, the basilar artery. After performing phase aberration correction on one subject, we were able to increase the diagnostic value of the scan, detecting a vessel not present in the uncorrected scan. These preliminary results suggest that RT3D CE transcranial US and RT3D CE transcranial US with phase aberration correction have the potential to greatly impact the field of neurosonology.
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Real-Time 3D Contrast-Enhanced Transcranial Ultrasound and Aberration Correction
Ivancevich, Nikolas M.; Pinton, Gianmarco F.; Nicoletto, Heather A.; Bennett, Ellen; Laskowitz, Daniel T.; Smith, Stephen W.
2008-01-01
Contrast-enhanced (CE) transcranial ultrasound (US) and reconstructed 3D transcranial ultrasound have shown advantages over traditional methods in a variety of cerebrovascular diseases. We present the results from a novel ultrasound technique, namely real-time 3D contrast-enhanced transcranial ultrasound. Using real-time 3D (RT3D) ultrasound and micro-bubble contrast agent, we scanned 17 healthy volunteers via a single temporal window and 9 via the sub-occipital window and report our detection rates for the major cerebral vessels. In 71% of subjects, both of our observers identified the ipsilateral circle of Willis from the temporal window, and in 59% we imaged the entire circle of Willis. From the sub-occipital window, both observers detected the entire vertebrobasilar circulation in 22% of subjects, and in 44% the basilar artery. After performing phase aberration correction on one subject, we were able to increase the diagnostic value of the scan, detecting a vessel not present in the uncorrected scan. These preliminary results suggest that RT3D CE transcranial US and RT3D CE transcranial US with phase aberration correction have the potential to greatly impact the field of neurosonology. PMID:18395321
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zheng, Zhiwei; Huo, Zongliang; Zhang, Manhong; Zhu, Chenxin; Liu, Jing; Liu, Ming
2011-10-01
This paper reports the simultaneous improvements in erase speed and data retention characteristics in flash memory using a stacked HfO2/Ta2O5 charge-trapping layer. In comparison to a memory capacitor with a single HfO2 trapping layer, the erase speed of a memory capacitor with a stacked HfO2/Ta2O5 charge-trapping layer is 100 times faster and its memory window is enlarged from 2.7 to 4.8 V for the same ±16 V sweeping voltage range. With the same initial window of ΔVFB = 4 V, the device with a stacked HfO2/Ta2O5 charge-trapping layer has a 3.5 V extrapolated 10-year retention window, while the control device with a single HfO2 trapping layer has only 2.5 V for the extrapolated 10-year window. The present results demonstrate that the device with the stacked HfO2/Ta2O5 charge-trapping layer has a strong potential for future high-performance nonvolatile memory application.
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Lun, Aaron T.L.; Smyth, Gordon K.
2016-01-01
Chromatin immunoprecipitation with massively parallel sequencing (ChIP-seq) is widely used to identify binding sites for a target protein in the genome. An important scientific application is to identify changes in protein binding between different treatment conditions, i.e. to detect differential binding. This can reveal potential mechanisms through which changes in binding may contribute to the treatment effect. The csaw package provides a framework for the de novo detection of differentially bound genomic regions. It uses a window-based strategy to summarize read counts across the genome. It exploits existing statistical software to test for significant differences in each window. Finally, it clusters windows into regions for output and controls the false discovery rate properly over all detected regions. The csaw package can handle arbitrarily complex experimental designs involving biological replicates. It can be applied to both transcription factor and histone mark datasets, and, more generally, to any type of sequencing data measuring genomic coverage. csaw performs favorably against existing methods for de novo DB analyses on both simulated and real data. csaw is implemented as a R software package and is freely available from the open-source Bioconductor project. PMID:26578583
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1,000 Days: Mobilizing Investments for Healthier, More Prosperous Futures
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Sullivan, Lucy Martinez; Sakayan, Mannik; Cernak, Kimberly
2018-01-01
Good nutrition during the 1,000-day window between pregnancy and 2 years old can give children the opportunity to reach their full potential. Conversely, malnutrition early in life can cause irreversible damage to a child's brain development and physical growth, leading to a lifetime of poor health and lost potential. Each year, malnutrition costs…
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SU-G-IeP4-12: Performance of In-111 Coincident Gamma-Ray Counting: A Monte Carlo Simulation
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Pahlka, R; Kappadath, S; Mawlawi, O
2016-06-15
Purpose: The decay of In-111 results in a non-isotropic gamma-ray cascade, which is normally imaged using a gamma camera. Creating images with a gamma camera using coincident gamma-rays from In-111 has not been previously studied. Our objective was to explore the feasibility of imaging this cascade as coincidence events and to determine the optimal timing resolution and source activity using Monte Carlo simulations. Methods: GEANT4 was used to simulate the decay of the In-111 nucleus and to model the gamma camera. Each photon emission was assigned a timestamp, and the time delay and angular separation for the second gamma-ray inmore » the cascade was consistent with the known intermediate state half-life of 85ns. The gamma-rays are transported through a model of a Siemens dual head Symbia “S” gamma camera with a 5/8-inch thick crystal and medium energy collimators. A true coincident event was defined as a single 171keV gamma-ray followed by a single 245keV gamma-ray within a specified time window (or vice versa). Several source activities (ranging from 10uCi to 5mCi) with and without incorporation of background counts were then simulated. Each simulation was analyzed using varying time windows to assess random events. The noise equivalent count rate (NECR) was computed based on the number of true and random counts for each combination of activity and time window. No scatter events were assumed since sources were simulated in air. Results: As expected, increasing the timing window increased the total number of observed coincidences albeit at the expense of true coincidences. A timing window range of 200–500ns maximizes the NECR at clinically-used source activities. The background rate did not significantly alter the maximum NECR. Conclusion: This work suggests coincident measurements of In-111 gamma-ray decay can be performed with commercial gamma cameras at clinically-relevant activities. Work is ongoing to assess useful clinical applications.« less
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Occupant-responsive optimal control of smart facade systems
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Park, Cheol-Soo
Windows provide occupants with daylight, direct sunlight, visual contact with the outside and a feeling of openness. Windows enable the use of daylighting and offer occupants a outside view. Glazing may also cause a number of problems: undesired heat gain/loss in winter. An over-lit window can cause glare, which is another major complaint by occupants. Furthermore, cold or hot window surfaces induce asymmetric thermal radiation which can result in thermal discomfort. To reduce the potential problems of window systems, double skin facades and airflow window systems have been introduced in the 1970s. They typically contain interstitial louvers and ventilation openings. The current problem with double skin facades and airflow windows is that their operation requires adequate dynamic control to reach their expected performance. Many studies have recognized that only an optimal control enables these systems to truly act as active energy savers and indoor environment controllers. However, an adequate solution for this dynamic optimization problem has thus far not been developed. The primary objective of this study is to develop occupant responsive optimal control of smart facade systems. The control could be implemented as a smart controller that operates the motorized Venetian blind system and the opening ratio of ventilation openings. The objective of the control is to combine the benefits of large windows with low energy demands for heating and cooling, while keeping visual well-being and thermal comfort at an optimal level. The control uses a simulation model with an embedded optimization routine that allows occupant interaction via the Web. An occupant can access the smart controller from a standard browser and choose a pre-defined mode (energy saving mode, visual comfort mode, thermal comfort mode, default mode, nighttime mode) or set a preferred mode (user-override mode) by moving preference sliders on the screen. The most prominent feature of these systems is the capability of dynamically reacting to the environmental input data through real-time optimization. The proposed occupant responsive optimal control of smart facade systems could provide a breakthrough in this under-developed area and lead to a renewed interest in smart facade systems.
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Angular selective window systems: Assessment of technical potential for energy savings
Fernandes, Luis L.; Lee, Eleanor S.; McNeil, Andrew; ...
2014-10-16
Static angular selective shading systems block direct sunlight and admit daylight within a specific range of incident solar angles. The objective of this study is to quantify their potential to reduce energy use and peak demand in commercial buildings using state-of-the art whole-building computer simulation software that allows accurate modeling of the behavior of optically-complex fenestration systems such as angular selective systems. Three commercial systems were evaluated: a micro-perforated screen, a tubular shading structure, and an expanded metal mesh. This evaluation was performed through computer simulation for multiple climates (Chicago, Illinois and Houston, Texas), window-to-wall ratios (0.15-0.60), building codes (ASHRAEmore » 90.1-2004 and 2010) and lighting control configurations (with and without). The modeling of the optical complexity of the systems took advantage of the development of state-of-the-art versions of the EnergyPlus, Radiance and Window simulation tools. Results show significant reductions in perimeter zone energy use; the best system reached 28% and 47% savings, respectively without and with daylighting controls (ASHRAE 90.1-2004, south facade, Chicago,WWR=0.45). As a result, angular selectivity and thermal conductance of the angle-selective layer, as well as spectral selectivity of low-emissivity coatings, were identified as factors with significant impact on performance.« less
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Independent Orbiter Assessment (IOA): Analysis of the purge, vent and drain subsystem
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Bynum, M. C., III
1987-01-01
The results of the Independent Orbiter Assessment (IOA) of the Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Critical Items List (CIL) are presented. The IOA approach features a top-down analysis of the hardware to determine failure modes, criticality, and potential critical items. To preserve independence, this analysis was accomplished without reliance upon the results contained within the NASA FMEA/CIL documentation. This report documents the independent analysis results corresponding to the Orbiter PV and D (Purge, Vent and Drain) Subsystem hardware. The PV and D Subsystem controls the environment of unpressurized compartments and window cavities, senses hazardous gases, and purges Orbiter/ET Disconnect. The subsystem is divided into six systems: Purge System (controls the environment of unpressurized structural compartments); Vent System (controls the pressure of unpressurized compartments); Drain System (removes water from unpressurized compartments); Hazardous Gas Detection System (HGDS) (monitors hazardous gas concentrations); Window Cavity Conditioning System (WCCS) (maintains clear windows and provides pressure control of the window cavities); and External Tank/Orbiter Disconnect Purge System (prevents cryo-pumping/icing of disconnect hardware). Each level of hardware was evaluated and analyzed for possible failure modes and effects. Criticality was assigned based upon the severity of the effect for each failure mode. Four of the sixty-two failure modes analyzed were determined as single failures which could result in the loss of crew or vehicle. A possible loss of mission could result if any of twelve single failures occurred. Two of the criticality 1/1 failures are in the Window Cavity Conditioning System (WCCS) outer window cavity, where leakage and/or restricted flow will cause failure to depressurize/repressurize the window cavity. Two criticality 1/1 failures represent leakage and/or restricted flow in the Orbiter/ET disconnect purge network which prevent cryopumping/icing of disconnect hardware. Each level of hardware was evaluated and analyzed for possible failure modes and effects. Criticality was assigned based upon the severity of the effect for each failure mode.
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Shrinking windows of opportunity for oak seedling establishment in southern California mountains
Davis, Frank W.; Sweet, Lynn C.; Serra-Diaz, Josep M.; Franklin, Janet; McCullough, Ian M.; Flint, Alan L.; Flint, Lorraine E.; Dingman, John; Regan, Helen M.; Syphard, Alexandra D.; Hannah, Lee; Redmond, Kelly; Moritz, Max A.
2016-01-01
Seedling establishment is a critical step that may ultimately govern tree species’ distribution shifts under environmental change. Annual variation in the location of seed rain and microclimates results in transient “windows of opportunity” for tree seedling establishment across the landscape. These establishment windows vary at fine spatiotemporal scales that are not considered in most assessments of climate change impacts on tree species range dynamics and habitat displacement. We integrate field seedling establishment trials conducted in the southern Sierra Nevada and western Tehachapi Mountains of southern California with spatially downscaled grids of modeled water-year climatic water deficit (CWDwy) and mean August maximum daily temperature (Tmax) to map historical and projected future microclimates suitable for establishment windows of opportunity for Quercus douglasii, a dominant tree species of warm, dry foothill woodlands, and Q. kelloggii, a dominant of cooler, more mesic montane woodlands and forests. Based on quasi-binomial regression models, Q. douglasii seedling establishment is significantly associated with modeled CWDwy and to a lesser degree with modeled Tmax. Q. kelloggii seedling establishment is most strongly associated with Tmax and best predicted by a two-factor model including CWDwy and Tmax. Establishment niche models are applied to explore recruitment window dynamics in the western Tehachapi Mountains, where these species are currently widespread canopy dominants. Establishment windows are projected to decrease by 50–95%, shrinking locally to higher elevations and north-facing slopes by the end of this century depending on the species and climate scenario. These decreases in establishment windows suggest the potential for longer-term regional population declines of the species. While many additional processes regulate seedling establishment and growth, this study highlights the need to account for topoclimatic controls and interannual climatic variation when assessing how seedling establishment and colonization processes could be affected by climate change.
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ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Corso, Marjorie
A qualitative longitudinal study, first of four parts, compared developmental movement levels and academic learning levels in young children. Subjects were 28 children of various ages who were not working up to grade level but who did not qualify for learning disability services. Parents completed a detailed demographic survey and a neurological…
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Robotic Attention Processing And Its Application To Visual Guidance
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Barth, Matthew; Inoue, Hirochika
1988-03-01
This paper describes a method of real-time visual attention processing for robots performing visual guidance. This robot attention processing is based on a novel vision processor, the multi-window vision system that was developed at the University of Tokyo. The multi-window vision system is unique in that it only processes visual information inside local area windows. These local area windows are quite flexible in their ability to move anywhere on the visual screen, change their size and shape, and alter their pixel sampling rate. By using these windows for specific attention tasks, it is possible to perform high speed attention processing. The primary attention skills of detecting motion, tracking an object, and interpreting an image are all performed at high speed on the multi-window vision system. A basic robotic attention scheme using the attention skills was developed. The attention skills involved detection and tracking of salient visual features. The tracking and motion information thus obtained was utilized in producing the response to the visual stimulus. The response of the attention scheme was quick enough to be applicable to the real-time vision processing tasks of playing a video 'pong' game, and later using an automobile driving simulator. By detecting the motion of a 'ball' on a video screen and then tracking the movement, the attention scheme was able to control a 'paddle' in order to keep the ball in play. The response was faster than that of a human's, allowing the attention scheme to play the video game at higher speeds. Further, in the application to the driving simulator, the attention scheme was able to control both direction and velocity of a simulated vehicle following a lead car. These two applications show the potential of local visual processing in its use for robotic attention processing.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zakariasen, Kenneth L.; Barron, Joseph R.; Paton, Barry E.
1992-06-01
Research has shown that low levels of CO2 laser irradiation raise enamel resistance to sub-surface demineralization. Additionally, laser scanned fluorescence analysis of enamel, as well a laser and white light reflection studies, have potential for both clinical diagnosis and comparative research investigations of the caries process. This study was designed to compare laser fluorescence and laser/white light reflection of (1) non-lased/normal with lased/normal enamel and (2) non-lased/normal with non-lased/carious and lased/carious enamel. Specimens were buccal surfaces of extracted third molars, coated with acid resistant varnish except for either two or three 2.25 mm2 windows (two window specimens: non-lased/normal, lased/normal--three window specimens: non-lased/normal, non-lased carious, lased/carious). Teeth exhibiting carious windows were immersed in a demineralizing solution for twelve days. Non-carious windows were covered with wax during immersion. Following immersion, the wax was removed, and fluorescence and laser/white light reflection analyses were performed on all windows utilizing a custom scanning laser fluorescence spectrometer which focuses light from a 25 mWatt He-Cd laser at 442 nm through an objective lens onto a cross-section >= 3 (mu) in diameter. For laser/white light reflection analyses, reflected light intensities were measured. A HeNe laser was used for laser light reflection studies. Following analyses, the teeth are sectioned bucco-lingually into 80 micrometers sections, examined under polarized light microscopy, and the lesions photographed. This permits comparison between fluorescence/reflected light values and the visualized decalcification areas for each section, and thus comparisons between various enamel treatments and normal enamel. The enamel specimens are currently being analyzed.
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Energy Conservation: Three Projects That Worked.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
American School and University, 1981
1981-01-01
Compact design and insulation cut energy use at a junior high school in Rexon (New Brunswick). Loma Linda University in California has reduced consumption of natural gas by installing cogeneration equipment. Morningside College in Sioux City (Iowa) has replaced deteriorating windows. (Author/MLF)
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Helping Foundations Build a Clean Energy Future | Working with Us | NREL
climate change globally deserve to be widely recognized and supported." -Sonia Medina, Director for Climate Change, Children's Investment Foundation Fund Photo of one man holding a small window outside with
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NASA Space Astronomy Update 6: Unconventional Windows on the Universe
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1992-01-01
Professor Stu Bowyer (University of California at Berkeley) explains the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer and its telescope in this video. Both instrument and satellite are kept in perfect working condition. The satellite picks up extra galactic objects outside our galaxy.
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NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Ray, C. S.; Sen, S.; Reis, S. T.; Kim, C. W.
2005-01-01
In-situ resource processing and utilization on planetary bodies is an important and integral part of NASA's space exploration program. Within this scope and context, our general effort is primarily aimed at developing glass and glass-ceramic type materials using lunar and martian soils, and exploring various applications of these materials for planetary surface operations. Our preliminary work to date have demonstrated that glasses can be successfully prepared from melts of the simulated composition of both lunar and martian soils, and the melts have a viscosity-temperature window appropriate for drawing continuous glass fibers. The glasses are shown to have the potential for immobilizing certain types of nuclear wastes without deteriorating their chemical durability and thermal stability. This has a direct impact on successfully and economically disposing nuclear waste generated from a nuclear power plant on a planetary surface. In addition, these materials display characteristics that can be manipulated using appropriate processing protocols to develop glassy or glass-ceramic magnets. Also discussed in this presentation are other potential applications along with a few selected thermal, chemical, and structural properties as evaluated up to this time for these materials.
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1998-02-27
NASA research Dr. Donald Frazier uses a blue laser shining through a quartz window into a special mix of chemicals to generate a polymer film on the inside quartz surface. As the chemicals respond to the laser light, they adhere to the glass surface, forming opticl films. Dr. Frazier and Dr. Mark S. Paley developed the process in the Space Sciences Laboratory at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL. Working aboard the Space Shuttle, a science team led by Dr. Frazier formed thin-films potentially useful in optical computers with fewer impurities than those formed on Earth. Patterns of these films can be traced onto the quartz surface. In the optical computers on the future, these films could replace electronic circuits and wires, making the systems more efficient and cost-effective, as well as lighter and more compact. Photo credit: NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center
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1999-05-26
NASA researcher Dr. Donald Frazier uses a blue laser shining through a quartz window into a special mix of chemicals to generate a polymer film on the inside quartz surface. As the chemicals respond to the laser light, they adhere to the glass surface, forming optical films. Dr. Frazier and Dr. Mark S. Paley developed the process in the Space Sciences Laboratory at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL. Working aboard the Space Shuttle, a science team led by Dr. Frazier formed thin-films potentially useful in optical computers with fewer impurities than those formed on Earth. Patterns of these films can be traced onto the quartz surface. In the optical computers of the future, thee films could replace electronic circuits and wires, making the systems more efficient and cost-effective, as well as lighter and more compact. Photo credit: NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center
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The FEM Simulation on End Mill of Plastic Doors and Windows Corner Cleaning Based on Deform-3D
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Li, Guoping; Huang, Zhenyong; Wang, Xiaohui
2017-12-01
In the plastic doors and windows corner cleaning process, the rotating speed, the feed rate and the milling cutter diameter are the main factors that affect the efficiency and quality of the of corner cleaning. In this paper, SolidWorks will be used to establish the 3D model of end mills, and use Deform-3D to research the end mill milling process. And using orthogonal experiment design method to analyze the effect of rotating speed, the feed rate and the milling cutter diameter on the axial force variation, and to get the overall trend of axial force and the selection of various parameters according to the influence of axial force change. Finally, simulate milling experiment used to get the actual axial force data to verify the reliability of the FEM simulation model. And the conclusion obtained in this paper has important theoretical value in improving the plastic doors and windows corner cleaning efficiency and quality.
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Eigenvector method for umbrella sampling enables error analysis
Thiede, Erik H.; Van Koten, Brian; Weare, Jonathan; Dinner, Aaron R.
2016-01-01
Umbrella sampling efficiently yields equilibrium averages that depend on exploring rare states of a model by biasing simulations to windows of coordinate values and then combining the resulting data with physical weighting. Here, we introduce a mathematical framework that casts the step of combining the data as an eigenproblem. The advantage to this approach is that it facilitates error analysis. We discuss how the error scales with the number of windows. Then, we derive a central limit theorem for averages that are obtained from umbrella sampling. The central limit theorem suggests an estimator of the error contributions from individual windows, and we develop a simple and computationally inexpensive procedure for implementing it. We demonstrate this estimator for simulations of the alanine dipeptide and show that it emphasizes low free energy pathways between stable states in comparison to existing approaches for assessing error contributions. Our work suggests the possibility of using the estimator and, more generally, the eigenvector method for umbrella sampling to guide adaptation of the simulation parameters to accelerate convergence. PMID:27586912
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Fast Human Detection for Intelligent Monitoring Using Surveillance Visible Sensors
Ko, Byoung Chul; Jeong, Mira; Nam, JaeYeal
2014-01-01
Human detection using visible surveillance sensors is an important and challenging work for intruder detection and safety management. The biggest barrier of real-time human detection is the computational time required for dense image scaling and scanning windows extracted from an entire image. This paper proposes fast human detection by selecting optimal levels of image scale using each level's adaptive region-of-interest (ROI). To estimate the image-scaling level, we generate a Hough windows map (HWM) and select a few optimal image scales based on the strength of the HWM and the divide-and-conquer algorithm. Furthermore, adaptive ROIs are arranged per image scale to provide a different search area. We employ a cascade random forests classifier to separate candidate windows into human and nonhuman classes. The proposed algorithm has been successfully applied to real-world surveillance video sequences, and its detection accuracy and computational speed show a better performance than those of other related methods. PMID:25393782
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Acoustic window planning for ultrasound acquisition.
Göbl, Rüdiger; Virga, Salvatore; Rackerseder, Julia; Frisch, Benjamin; Navab, Nassir; Hennersperger, Christoph
2017-06-01
Autonomous robotic ultrasound has recently gained considerable interest, especially for collaborative applications. Existing methods for acquisition trajectory planning are solely based on geometrical considerations, such as the pose of the transducer with respect to the patient surface. This work aims at establishing acoustic window planning to enable autonomous ultrasound acquisitions of anatomies with restricted acoustic windows, such as the liver or the heart. We propose a fully automatic approach for the planning of acquisition trajectories, which only requires information about the target region as well as existing tomographic imaging data, such as X-ray computed tomography. The framework integrates both geometrical and physics-based constraints to estimate the best ultrasound acquisition trajectories with respect to the available acoustic windows. We evaluate the developed method using virtual planning scenarios based on real patient data as well as for real robotic ultrasound acquisitions on a tissue-mimicking phantom. The proposed method yields superior image quality in comparison with a naive planning approach, while maintaining the necessary coverage of the target. We demonstrate that by taking image formation properties into account acquisition planning methods can outperform naive plannings. Furthermore, we show the need for such planning techniques, since naive approaches are not sufficient as they do not take the expected image quality into account.
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In vivo THz imaging of human skin: Accounting for occlusion effects.
Sun, Qiushuo; Parrott, Edward P J; He, Yuezhi; Pickwell-MacPherson, Emma
2018-02-01
In vivo terahertz (THz) imaging of human skin needs to be done in reflection geometry due to the high attenuation of THz light by water in the skin. To aid the measurement procedure, there is typically an imaging window onto which the patient places the area of interest. The window enables better pulse alignment and helps keep the patient correctly positioned during the measurement. In this paper, we demonstrate how the occlusion caused by the skin contact with the imaging window during the measurement affects the THz response. By studying both rapid point measurements and imaging over an area of a human volar forearm, we find that even 5 seconds of occlusion affects the THz response. As the occlusion time increases, the skin surface water content increases, resulting in the reduction of the amplitude of the reflected THz pulse, especially in the first 3 minutes. Furthermore, it was found that the refractive index of the volar forearm increased by 10% to 15% after 20 minutes of occlusion. In this work, we examine and propose a model for the occlusion effects due to the quartz window with a view to compensating for its influence. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ghaly, Michael; Links, Jonathan M.; Frey, Eric
2015-03-01
In this work, we used the ideal observer (IO) and IO with model mismatch (IO-MM) applied in the projection domain and an anthropomorphic Channelized Hotelling Observer (CHO) applied to reconstructed images to optimize the acquisition energy window width and evaluate various scatter compensation methods in the context of a myocardial perfusion SPECT defect detection task. The IO has perfect knowledge of the image formation process and thus reflects performance with perfect compensation for image-degrading factors. Thus, using the IO to optimize imaging systems could lead to suboptimal parameters compared to those optimized for humans interpreting SPECT images reconstructed with imperfect or no compensation. The IO-MM allows incorporating imperfect system models into the IO optimization process. We found that with near-perfect scatter compensation, the optimal energy window for the IO and CHO were similar; in its absence the IO-MM gave a better prediction of the optimal energy window for the CHO using different scatter compensation methods. These data suggest that the IO-MM may be useful for projection-domain optimization when model mismatch is significant, and that the IO is useful when followed by reconstruction with good models of the image formation process.
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Infrared measurements on ultraviolet photolysis products at cryogenic temperatures
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Dong, Weibing; He, Ping; Wang, Jessie; Zhou, Zhaohui; Wang, Hongxin
2013-01-01
Combination of ultraviolet (UV) photolysis with infrared (IR) spectroscopy (or UV/IR for abbreviation) is a powerful tool to study various chemical photoreactions, while cryostat and sample-cell windows define the working ranges for both UV and IR beams. Although diamond window has a very wide transmission range from UV to IR, the extreme cost, the absorptions at 1800-2600 cm-1 and other problems prevent it from being the solution for all cases. In this paper, a gas-exchange cryostat was modified to realize a UV/mid-IR experiment at cryogenic temperatures. Several windows (including diamond) were discussed as options. A di-nitrogen iron complex trans-[Fe(DMeOPrPE)2(N2)H][BPh4] [DMeOPrPE = 1,2-bis(dimethoxypropylphosphino)ethane] was studied as a real photolysis example. Alternatively, a cold-finger cryostat was modified for UV/far-IR compatible experiments. Non-photolysis samples K5[Mo4O11(R,S-Hhomocit)2]Cl·5H2O (H4homocit = homocitric acid) and [(n-Bu)4N]2[Fe4S4(PPh)4] were studied at cryogenic temperatures. Sample cell windows can also be used as a natural way for choosing photolysis wavelength (in addition to the use of optical filters).
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Review of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and its potential “window of opportunity” during which interventions targeting stress-related behavioral factors can influence the survival, health, and well-being of recipients.
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Heat-coping strategies and bedroom thermal satisfaction in New York City.
Lee, W Victoria; Shaman, Jeffrey
2017-01-01
There has been little research into the thermal condition of the sleeping environment. Even less well documented and understood is how the sleeping thermal environment is affected by occupant behaviors such as the use of air-conditioning (AC) and electric fans, or window operations. In this paper we present results from a questionnaire survey administered to assess summertime bedroom thermal satisfaction and heat-coping strategies among New York City (NYC) residents. Specifically, we investigated current AC usage in bedrooms and examined alternate cooling strategies, cooling appliance usage patterns, and the motivations that drove these patterns during the 2015 summer. Among survey respondents (n=706), AC was the preferred heat-coping strategy, and for 30% of respondents was the only strategy used. Electric fan use and window opening were deemed ineffective for cooling by many respondents. Indeed, less than a quarter of all respondents ever opened windows to alleviate heat in their bedrooms. In general, people utilized strategies that modify the environment more than the individual person. Unsurprisingly, the frequency and overall use of AC were significantly associated with greater bedroom thermal satisfaction; however, setting AC to a lower temperature provided no additional benefit. In contrast, more frequent use of electric fans was associated with lower thermal satisfaction. In addition, 14.7% of all respondents did not have AC in their sleeping environment and 5.8% were without any AC at home. Despite the high penetration of AC ownership, usage cost was still a major concern for most. This work contributes to a better understanding of bedtime heat-coping strategies, cooling appliance usage patterns, and associated thermal satisfaction in NYC. The findings of this study suggest resident AC usage patterns may not be optimized for thermal satisfaction. Potential alternative cooling approaches could be explored to better balance maximizing thermal comfort while reducing energy consumption and environmental impact. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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An energy function for dynamics simulations of polypeptides in torsion angle space
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sartori, F.; Melchers, B.; Böttcher, H.; Knapp, E. W.
1998-05-01
Conventional simulation techniques to model the dynamics of proteins in atomic detail are restricted to short time scales. A simplified molecular description, in which high frequency motions with small amplitudes are ignored, can overcome this problem. In this protein model only the backbone dihedrals φ and ψ and the χi of the side chains serve as degrees of freedom. Bond angles and lengths are fixed at ideal geometry values provided by the standard molecular dynamics (MD) energy function CHARMM. In this work a Monte Carlo (MC) algorithm is used, whose elementary moves employ cooperative rotations in a small window of consecutive amide planes, leaving the polypeptide conformation outside of this window invariant. A single of these window MC moves generates local conformational changes only. But, the application of many such moves at different parts of the polypeptide backbone leads to global conformational changes. To account for the lack of flexibility in the protein model employed, the energy function used to evaluate conformational energies is split into sequentially neighbored and sequentially distant contributions. The sequentially neighbored part is represented by an effective (φ,ψ)-torsion potential. It is derived from MD simulations of a flexible model dipeptide using a conventional MD energy function. To avoid exaggeration of hydrogen bonding strengths, the electrostatic interactions involving hydrogen atoms are scaled down at short distances. With these adjustments of the energy function, the rigid polypeptide model exhibits the same equilibrium distributions as obtained by conventional MD simulation with a fully flexible molecular model. Also, the same temperature dependence of the stability and build-up of α helices of 18-alanine as found in MD simulations is observed using the adapted energy function for MC simulations. Analyses of transition frequencies demonstrate that also dynamical aspects of MD trajectories are faithfully reproduced. Finally, it is demonstrated that even for high temperature unfolded polypeptides the MC simulation is more efficient by a factor of 10 than conventional MD simulations.
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Tailored emails prompt electric vehicle owners to engage with tariff switching information
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Nicolson, Moira; Huebner, Gesche M.; Shipworth, David; Elam, Simon
2017-06-01
The carbon intensity of the electricity used to charge an electric vehicle (EV) is dependent on when in the day charging occurs. However, persuading EV owners to adopt incentives to charge during off-peak hours is challenging. Here we show that governments could exploit the 'window of opportunity' created when people purchase their first EV to promote time-of-use tariffs. Email recipients (n = 7,038 EV owners) were more likely to click-through to an information webpage when the email emphasized specific reductions in home-charging costs versus general bill savings. However, the 'window of opportunity' for maximizing potential adoption is short; email open rates declined from over 70% immediately after purchase to 40% for recipients owning their EV for over three months. These results demonstrate the potential of prompts to change behaviours for which opt-out enrolment (where enrolment is automatic unless people explicitly opt out) would be unethical or less effective.
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Bijlenga, Philippe; Liu, Jian-Hui; Espinos, Estelle; Haenggeli, Charles-Antoine; Fischer-Lougheed, Jacqueline; Bader, Charles R.; Bernheim, Laurent
2000-01-01
Mechanisms underlying Ca2+ signaling during human myoblast terminal differentiation were studied using cell cultures. We found that T-type Ca2+ channels (T-channels) are expressed in myoblasts just before fusion. Their inhibition by amiloride or Ni2+ suppresses fusion and prevents an intracellular Ca2+ concentration increase normally observed at the onset of fusion. The use of antisense oligonucleotides indicates that the functional T-channels are formed by α1H subunits. At hyperpolarized potentials, these channels allow a window current sufficient to increase [Ca2+]i. As hyperpolarization is a prerequisite to myoblast fusion, we conclude that the Ca2+ signal required for fusion is produced when the resting potential enters the T-channel window. A similar mechanism could operate in other cell types of which differentiation implicates membrane hyperpolarization. PMID:10861024
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Coral ontogeny affects early symbiont acquisition in laboratory-reared recruits
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
McIlroy, Shelby E.; Coffroth, Mary Alice
2017-09-01
In most coral species, the critical association with a subset of genetically diverse algal endosymbionts, Symbiodinium, is re-established anew each generation in early coral ontogeny. Yet little is known about the window during which these associations are established or the potential for altering symbiont associations through early exposure to non-native, and/or ecologically beneficial (e.g., stress tolerant), symbiont strains. This study examined the ontogenetic window of symbiont uptake in a restoration target species. Orbicella faveolata recruits, maintained aposymbiotic in laboratory tanks for 4 months, showed a significant decrease in symbiont acquisition upon exposure to natural seawater. Recruits initially inoculated with cultured Symbiodinium readily acquired additional strains from environmental symbiont populations upon exposure, but exogenous uptake also decreased in frequency after 4 months of laboratory rearing. Early exposure to Symbiodinium may benefit laboratory-reared recruits (e.g., enhance growth), but the potential for establishing long-term novel symbiotic associations may be limited.
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Accidental strangulation in children by the automatic closing of a car window.
Serena, Kailene; Piva, Jefferson Pedro; Andreolio, Cinara; Carvalho, Paulo Roberto Antonacci; Rocha, Tais Sica da
2018-03-01
Among the main causes of death in our country are car accidents, drowning and accidental burns. Strangulation is a potentially fatal injury and an important cause of homicide and suicide among adults and adolescents. In children, its occurrence is usually accidental. However, in recent years, several cases of accidental strangulation in children around the world have been reported. A 2-year-old male patient was strangled in a car window. The patient was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8 and presented with progressive worsening of respiratory dysfunction and torpor. The patient also presented acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute pulmonary edema and shock. He was managed with protective mechanical ventilation, vasoactive drugs and antibiotic therapy. He was discharged from the intensive care unit without neurological or pulmonary sequelae. After 12 days of hospitalization, he was discharged from the hospital, and his state was very good. The incidence of automobile window strangulation is rare but of high morbidity and mortality due to the resulting choking mechanism. Fortunately, newer cars have devices that stop the automatic closing of the windows if resistance is encountered. However, considering the severity of complications strangulated patients experience, the intensive neuro-ventilatory and hemodynamic management of the pathologies involved is important to reduce morbidity and mortality, as is the need to implement new campaigns for the education of parents and caregivers of children, aiming to avoid easily preventable accidents and to optimize safety mechanisms in cars with electric windows.
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Developmental time windows for axon growth influence neuronal network topology.
Lim, Sol; Kaiser, Marcus
2015-04-01
Early brain connectivity development consists of multiple stages: birth of neurons, their migration and the subsequent growth of axons and dendrites. Each stage occurs within a certain period of time depending on types of neurons and cortical layers. Forming synapses between neurons either by growing axons starting at similar times for all neurons (much-overlapped time windows) or at different time points (less-overlapped) may affect the topological and spatial properties of neuronal networks. Here, we explore the extreme cases of axon formation during early development, either starting at the same time for all neurons (parallel, i.e., maximally overlapped time windows) or occurring for each neuron separately one neuron after another (serial, i.e., no overlaps in time windows). For both cases, the number of potential and established synapses remained comparable. Topological and spatial properties, however, differed: Neurons that started axon growth early on in serial growth achieved higher out-degrees, higher local efficiency and longer axon lengths while neurons demonstrated more homogeneous connectivity patterns for parallel growth. Second, connection probability decreased more rapidly with distance between neurons for parallel growth than for serial growth. Third, bidirectional connections were more numerous for parallel growth. Finally, we tested our predictions with C. elegans data. Together, this indicates that time windows for axon growth influence the topological and spatial properties of neuronal networks opening up the possibility to a posteriori estimate developmental mechanisms based on network properties of a developed network.
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Potentially improved glasses from space environment
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Nichols, R.
1977-01-01
The benefits of processing glasses in a low-gravity space environment are examined. Containerless processing, the absence of gravity driven convection, and lack of sedimentation are seen as potential advantages. Potential applications include the formation of glass-ceramics with a high content of active elements for ferromagnetic devices, the production of ultrapure chalcogenide glasses for laser windows and IR fiber optics, and improved glass products for use in optical systems and laser fusion targets.
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Portland cement based fast-setting concrete demonstration, district 07, Los Angeles County
DOT National Transportation Integrated Search
2001-09-01
The California Department of Transportation currently uses fast-setting concrete to accommodate short working windows. The current special provision for fast-setting concrete requires that the concrete reach a flexural strength of 2.8 MPa (400 psi) b...
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A developmental perspective on the link between parents' employment and children's obesity.
Crosnoe, Robert; Dunifon, Rachel
2017-01-01
Despite public concerns about the negative implications of the increased labor force participation of mothers for child development, decades of research have revealed few risks and some benefits. One potential risk-a consistently observed association between maternal employment and childhood obesity-offers a window into how some dimensions of family health may be undermined by work in an economic and policy context that is not family friendly. The purpose of this article is to identify ways that a developmental perspective can enrich the literature on how children's weight may be related to the work experiences of both mothers and fathers across diverse populations, a literature that heretofore has been dominated by economic and demographic perspectives, focused almost solely on women, and largely ignored racial/ethnic variation. After reviewing the extant literature, we put forward a conceptual model that uses ecological and developmental insights to identify the mechanisms by which parents' employment might matter to children's weight and discuss this model in the context of the contemporary landscape of family policy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).
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Negative Transference Numbers in Polymer Electrolytes
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pesko, Danielle; Timachova, Ksenia; Balsara, Nitash
Energy density and safety of conventional lithium-ion batteries is limited by the use of flammable organic liquids as a solvent for lithium salts. Polymer electrolytes have the potential to address both limitations. The poor performance of batteries with polymer electrolytes is generally attributed to low ionic conductivity. The purpose of our work is to show that another transport property, the cation transference number, t +, of polymer electrolytes is fundamentally different from that of conventional electrolytes. Our experimental approach, based on concentrated solution theory, indicates that t + of mixtures of poly(ethylene oxide) and LiTFSI salt are negative over most of the accessible concentration window. In contrast, approaches based on dilute solution theory suggest that t + in the same system is positive. In addition to presenting a new approach for determining t +, we also present data obtained from the steady-state current method, pulsed-field-gradient NMR, and the current-interrupt method. Discrepancies between different approaches are resolved. Our work implies that in the absence of concentration gradients, the net fluxes of both cations and anions are directed toward the positive electrode. Conventional liquid electrolytes do not suffer from this constraint.
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MAT - MULTI-ATTRIBUTE TASK BATTERY FOR HUMAN OPERATOR WORKLOAD AND STRATEGIC BEHAVIOR RESEARCH
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Comstock, J. R.
1994-01-01
MAT, a Multi-Attribute Task battery, gives the researcher the capability of performing multi-task workload and performance experiments. The battery provides a benchmark set of tasks for use in a wide range of laboratory studies of operator performance and workload. MAT incorporates tasks analogous to activities that aircraft crew members perform in flight, while providing a high degree of experiment control, performance data on each subtask, and freedom to use non-pilot test subjects. The MAT battery primary display is composed of four separate task windows which are as follows: a monitoring task window which includes gauges and warning lights, a tracking task window for the demands of manual control, a communication task window to simulate air traffic control communications, and a resource management task window which permits maintaining target levels on a fuel management task. In addition, a scheduling task window gives the researcher information about future task demands. The battery also provides the option of manual or automated control of tasks. The task generates performance data for each subtask. The task battery may be paused and onscreen workload rating scales presented to the subject. The MAT battery was designed to use a serially linked second computer to generate the voice messages for the Communications task. The MATREMX program and support files, which are included in the MAT package, were designed to work with the Heath Voice Card (Model HV-2000, available through the Heath Company, Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022); however, the MATREMX program and support files may easily be modified to work with other voice synthesizer or digitizer cards. The MAT battery task computer may also be used independent of the voice computer if no computer synthesized voice messages are desired or if some other method of presenting auditory messages is devised. MAT is written in QuickBasic and assembly language for IBM PC series and compatible computers running MS-DOS. The code in MAT is written for Microsoft QuickBasic 4.5 and Microsoft Macro Assembler 5.1. This package requires a joystick and EGA or VGA color graphics. An 80286, 386, or 486 processor machine is highly recommended. The standard distribution medium for MAT is a 5.25 inch 360K MS-DOS format diskette. The files are compressed using the PKZIP file compression utility. PKUNZIP is included on the distribution diskette. MAT was developed in 1992. IBM PC is a registered trademark of International Business Machines. MS-DOS, Microsoft QuickBasic, and Microsoft Macro Assembler are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. PKZIP and PKUNZIP are registered trademarks of PKWare, Inc.
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The impact of hunger on food cue processing: an event-related brain potential study.
Stockburger, Jessica; Schmälzle, Ralf; Flaisch, Tobias; Bublatzky, Florian; Schupp, Harald T
2009-10-01
The present study used event-related brain potentials to examine deprivation effects on visual attention to food stimuli at the level of distinct processing stages. Thirty-two healthy volunteers (16 females) were tested twice 1 week apart, either after 24 h of food deprivation or after normal food intake. Participants viewed a continuous stream of food and flower images while dense sensor ERPs were recorded. As revealed by distinct ERP modulations in relatively earlier and later time windows, deprivation affected the processing of food and flower pictures. Between 300 and 360 ms, food pictures were associated with enlarged occipito-temporal negativity and centro-parietal positivity in deprived compared to satiated state. Of main interest, in a later time window (approximately 450-600 ms), deprivation increased amplitudes of the late positive potential elicited by food pictures. Conversely, flower processing varied by motivational state with decreased positive potentials in the deprived state. Minimum-Norm analyses provided further evidence that deprivation enhanced visual attention to food cues in later processing stages. From the perspective of motivated attention, hunger may induce a heightened state of attention for food stimuli in a processing stage related to stimulus recognition and focused attention.
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Continuous Time Level Crossing Sampling ADC for Bio-Potential Recording Systems
Tang, Wei; Osman, Ahmad; Kim, Dongsoo; Goldstein, Brian; Huang, Chenxi; Martini, Berin; Pieribone, Vincent A.
2013-01-01
In this paper we present a fixed window level crossing sampling analog to digital convertor for bio-potential recording sensors. This is the first proposed and fully implemented fixed window level crossing ADC without local DACs and clocks. The circuit is designed to reduce data size, power, and silicon area in future wireless neurophysiological sensor systems. We built a testing system to measure bio-potential signals and used it to evaluate the performance of the circuit. The bio-potential amplifier offers a gain of 53 dB within a bandwidth of 200 Hz-20 kHz. The input-referred rms noise is 2.8 µV. In the asynchronous level crossing ADC, the minimum delta resolution is 4 mV. The input signal frequency of the ADC is up to 5 kHz. The system was fabricated using the AMI 0.5 µm CMOS process. The chip size is 1.5 mm by 1.5 mm. The power consumption of the 4-channel system from a 3.3 V supply is 118.8 µW in the static state and 501.6 µW with a 240 kS/s sampling rate. The conversion efficiency is 1.6 nJ/conversion. PMID:24163640
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Said-Mohamed, Rihlat; Pettifor, John M; Norris, Shane A
2018-01-01
Life history theory integrates ecological, physiological, and molecular layers within an evolutionary framework to understand organisms' strategies to optimize survival and reproduction. Two life history hypotheses and their implications for child growth, development, and health (illustrated in the South African context) are reviewed here. One hypothesis suggests that there is an energy trade-off between linear growth and brain growth. Undernutrition in infancy and childhood may trigger adaptive physiological mechanisms prioritizing the brain at the expense of body growth. Another hypothesis is that the period from conception to infancy is a critical window of developmental plasticity of linear growth, the duration of which may vary between and within populations. The transition from infancy to childhood may mark the end of a critical window of opportunity for improving child growth. Both hypotheses emphasize the developmental plasticity of linear growth and the potential determinants of growth variability (including the role of parent-offspring conflict in maternal resources allocation). Implications of these hypotheses in populations with high burdens of undernutrition and infections are discussed. In South Africa, HIV/AIDS during pregnancy (associated with adverse birth outcomes, short duration of breastfeeding, and social consequences) may lead to a shortened window of developmental plasticity of growth. Furthermore, undernutrition and infectious diseases in children living in South Africa, a country undergoing a rapid nutrition transition, may have adverse consequences on individuals' cognitive abilities and risks of cardio-metabolic diseases. Studies are needed to identify physiological mechanisms underlying energy allocation between biological functions and their potential impacts on health. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Horndasch, Stefanie; Heinrich, Hartmut; Kratz, Oliver; Moll, Gunther H
2012-12-01
In anorexia nervosa (AN), aspects of motivational salience and reward are increasingly discussed. Event related potentials, particularly the late positive potential (LPP), have been investigated as a marker for motivational salience of stimuli, for example in addictive disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the LPP as a possible indicator of motivated attention towards disease-specific pictures of underweight female bodies in adolescents with AN in comparison to typically developing (TD) adolescent girls. 13 girls with AN and 18 TD adolescent girls (aged 12 to 18 years) viewed pictures of underweight, normal-weight and overweight women while EEG activity was recorded. An earlier (450-680 ms after stimulus onset) as well as a later time window (850-1250 ms after stimulus onset) of the LPP were examined for the different picture categories. Participants were also asked to rate subjective emotions (fear, disgust, happiness) elicited by the pictures. Subjective ratings showed no differential experience of emotions for the two groups. For AN patients, highest LPP amplitudes were found for underweight women in the earlier as well as in the later time window. In TD girls, highest amplitudes for pictures of overweight women were observed in the earlier time window. A differential LPP pattern for girls with AN and TD girls when viewing pictures of women's bodies of different weight categories was obtained. Highest amplitudes in AN patients for pictures of underweight women may reflect motivational significance of strongly underweight body shapes. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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2017-03-06
design of antenna and radar systems, energy absorption and scattering by rough-surfaces. This work has lead to significant new methodologies , including...problems in the field of electromagnetic propagation and scattering, with applicability to design of antenna and radar systems, energy absorption...and scattering by rough-surfaces. This work has lead to significant new methodologies , including introduction of a certain Windowed Green Function
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ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Fine, Sarah M.
2018-01-01
In this article, Sarah M. Fine uses portraiture to explore the undertheorized question of what it means to teach in ways that align with the values of the restorative justice framework. The piece centers around the work of Nora, a veteran teacher-leader who explored this question in the context of her own classroom and, as a result, shifted her…
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IUE Data Analysis Software for Personal Computers
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Thompson, R.; Caplinger, J.; Taylor, L.; Lawton , P.
1996-01-01
This report summarizes the work performed for the program titled, "IUE Data Analysis Software for Personal Computers" awarded under Astrophysics Data Program NRA 92-OSSA-15. The work performed was completed over a 2-year period starting in April 1994. As a result of the project, 450 IDL routines and eight database tables are now available for distribution for Power Macintosh computers and Personal Computers running Windows 3.1.
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Carlson, Joe
2009-11-30
The brutal toll of homicide in their communities has some hospitals working with anti-violence groups to halt the slaughter by trying to stop retaliation. Talking to victims after an attack is "really this golden window of opportunity, when they're open to change", says Marla Becker, left, of Youth Alive.
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Focusing on Attention: The Effects of Working Memory Capacity and Load on Selective Attention
Ahmed, Lubna; de Fockert, Jan W.
2012-01-01
Background Working memory (WM) is imperative for effective selective attention. Distractibility is greater under conditions of high (vs. low) concurrent working memory load (WML), and in individuals with low (vs. high) working memory capacity (WMC). In the current experiments, we recorded the flanker task performance of individuals with high and low WMC during low and high WML, to investigate the combined effect of WML and WMC on selective attention. Methodology/Principal Findings In Experiment 1, distractibility from a distractor at a fixed distance from the target was greater when either WML was high or WMC was low, but surprisingly smaller when both WML was high and WMC low. Thus we observed an inverted-U relationship between reductions in WM resources and distractibility. In Experiment 2, we mapped the distribution of spatial attention as a function of WMC and WML, by recording distractibility across several target-to-distractor distances. The pattern of distractor effects across the target-to-distractor distances demonstrated that the distribution of the attentional window becomes dispersed as WM resources are limited. The attentional window was more spread out under high compared to low WML, and for low compared to high WMC individuals, and even more so when the two factors co-occurred (i.e., under high WML in low WMC individuals). The inverted-U pattern of distractibility effects in Experiment 1, replicated in Experiment 2, can thus be explained by differences in the spread of the attentional window as a function of WM resource availability. Conclusions/Significance The current findings show that limitations in WM resources, due to either WML or individual differences in WMC, affect the spatial distribution of attention. The difference in attentional constraining between high and low WMC individuals demonstrated in the current experiments helps characterise the nature of previously established associations between WMC and controlled attention. PMID:22952636
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DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Curcija, Dragan Charlie; Zhu, Ling; Czarnecki, Stephen
WINDOW features include: - Microsoft Windows TM interface - algorithms for the calculation of total fenestration product U-values and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient consistent with ASHRAE SPC 142, ISO 15099, and the National Fenestration Rating Council - a Condensation Resistance Index in accordance with the NFRC 500 Standard - and integrated database of properties - imports data from other LBNL window analysis software: - Import THERM file into the Frame Library - Import records from IGDB and OPtics5 into the Glass Library for the optical properties of coated and uncoated glazings, laminates, and applied films. Program Capabilities WINDOW 7.2 offersmore » the following features: The ability to analyze products made from any combination of glazing layers, gas layers, frames, spacers, and dividers under any environmental conditions and at any tilt; The ability to model complex glazing systems such as venetian blinds and roller shades. Directly accessible libraries of window system components, (glazing systems, glazing layers, gas fills, frame and divider elements), and environmental conditions; The choice of working in English (IP), or Systeme International (SI) units; The ability to specify the dimensions and thermal properties of each frame element (header, sills, jamb, mullion) in a window; A multi-band (wavelength-by-wavelength) spectral model; A Glass Library which can access spectral data files for many common glazing materials from the Optics5database; A night-sky radiative model; A link with the DOE-2.1E and Energy Plus building energy analysis program. Performance Indices and Other Results For a user-defined fenestration system and user-defined environmental conditions, WINDOW calculates: The U-value, solar heat gain coefficient, shading coefficient, and visible transmittance for the complete window system; The U-value, solar heat gain coefficient, shading coefficient, and visible transmittance for the glazing system (center-of-glass values); The U-values of the frame and divider elements and corresponding edge-of-glass areas (based on generic correlations); The total solar and visible transmittance and reflectances of the glazing system. Color properties, i.e. L*, a*, and b* color coordinates, dominant wavelength, and purity for transmitted and reflected (outdoor) solar radiation; The damage-weighted transmittance of the glazing system between 0.3 an 0.38 microns; The angular dependence of the solar and visible transmittances, solar and visible reflectances, solar absorptance, and solar heat gain coefficient of the glazing system; The percent relative humidity of the inside and outside air for which condensation will occur on the interior and exterior glazing surfaces respectively; The center-of-glass temperature distribution.« less