Measuring cognitive load: mixed results from a handover simulation for medical students.

PubMed

Young, John Q; Irby, David M; Barilla-LaBarca, Maria-Louise; Ten Cate, Olle; O'Sullivan, Patricia S

2016-02-01

The application of cognitive load theory to workplace-based activities such as patient handovers is hindered by the absence of a measure of the different load types. This exploratory study tests a method for measuring cognitive load during handovers. The authors developed the Cognitive Load Inventory for Handoffs (CLI4H) with items for intrinsic, extraneous, and germane load. Medical students completed the measure after participating in a simulated handover. Exploratory factor and correlation analyses were performed to collect evidence for validity. Results yielded a two-factor solution for intrinsic and germane load that explained 50 % of the variance. The extraneous load items performed poorly and were removed from the model. The score for intrinsic load correlated with the Paas Cognitive Load scale (r = 0.31, p = 0.004) and was lower for students with more prior handover training (p = 0.036). Intrinsic load did not, however, correlate with performance. Germane load did not correlate with the Paas Cognitive Load scale but did correlate as expected with performance (r = 0.30, p = 0.005) and was lower for those students with more prior handover training (p = 0.03). The CLI4H yielded mixed results with some evidence for validity of the score from the intrinsic load items. The extraneous load items performed poorly and the use of only a single item for germane load limits conclusions. The instrument requires further development and testing. Study results and limitations provide guidance to future efforts to measure cognitive load during workplace-based activities, such as handovers.

Manufacture and Drug Delivery Applications of Silk Nanoparticles.

PubMed

Wongpinyochit, Thidarat; Johnston, Blair F; Seib, F Philipp

2016-10-08

Silk is a promising biopolymer for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications due to its outstanding mechanical properties, biocompatibility and biodegradability, as well its ability to protect and subsequently release its payload in response to a trigger. While silk can be formulated into various material formats, silk nanoparticles are emerging as promising drug delivery systems. Therefore, this article covers the procedures for reverse engineering silk cocoons to yield a regenerated silk solution that can be used to generate stable silk nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are subsequently characterized, drug loaded and explored as a potential anticancer drug delivery system. Briefly, silk cocoons are reverse engineered first by degumming the cocoons, followed by silk dissolution and clean up, to yield an aqueous silk solution. Next, the regenerated silk solution is subjected to nanoprecipitation to yield silk nanoparticles - a simple but powerful method that generates uniform nanoparticles. The silk nanoparticles are characterized according to their size, zeta potential, morphology and stability in aqueous media, as well as their ability to entrap a chemotherapeutic payload and kill human breast cancer cells. Overall, the described methodology yields uniform silk nanoparticles that can be readily explored for a myriad of applications, including their use as a potential nanomedicine.

High-Yield Production of Levulinic Acid from Pretreated Cow Dung in Dilute Acid Aqueous Solution.

PubMed

Su, Jialei; Shen, Feng; Qiu, Mo; Qi, Xinhua

2017-02-14

Agricultural waste cow dung was used as feedstock for the production of a high value-added chemical levulinic acid (LA) in dilute acid aqueous solutions. A high LA yield of 338.9 g/kg was obtained from the pretreated cow dung, which was much higher than that obtained from the crude cow dung (135 g/kg), mainly attributed to the breakage of the lignin fraction in the lignocellulose structure of the cow dung by potassium hydroxide (KOH) pretreatment, and thus enhanced the accessibility of cow dung to the acid sites in the catalytic reaction. Meanwhile, another value-added chemical formic acid could be obtained with a yield of ca. 160 g/kg in the process, implying a total production of ca. 500 g/kg yield for LA and formic acid from the pretreated cow dung with the proposed process. The developed process was shown to be tolerant to high initial substrate loading with a satisfied LA yield. This work provides a promising strategy for the value-increment utilization of liglocellulosic agricultural residues.

Are strategies in physics discrete? A remote controlled investigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heck, Robert; Sherson, Jacob F.; www. scienceathome. org Team; players Team

2017-04-01

In science, strategies are formulated based on observations, calculations, or physical insight. For any given physical process, often several distinct strategies are identified. Are these truly distinct or simply low dimensional representations of a high dimensional continuum of solutions? Our online citizen science platform www.scienceathome.org used by more than 150,000 people recently enabled finding solutions to fast, 1D single atom transport [Nature2016]. Surprisingly, player trajectories bunched into discrete solution strategies (clans) yielding clear, distinct physical insight. Introducing the multi-dimensional vector in the direction of other local maxima we locate narrow, high-yield ``bridges'' connecting the clans. This demonstrates for this problem that a continuum of solutions with no clear physical interpretation does in fact exist. Next, four distinct strategies for creating Bose-Einstein condensates were investigated experimentally: hybrid and crossed dipole trap configurations in combination with either large volume or dimple loading from a magnetic trap. We find that although each conventional strategy appears locally optimal, ``bridges'' can be identified. In a novel approach, the problem was gamified allowing 750 citizen scientists to contribute to the experimental optimization yielding nearly a factor two improvement in atom number.

Analysis of unclad and sub-clad semi-elliptical flaws in pressure vessel steels

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

Irizarry-Quinones, H.; Macdonald, B.D.; McAfee, W.J.

This study was conducted to support warm prestressing experiments on unclad and sub-clad flawed beams loaded in pure bending. Two cladding yield strengths were investigated: 0.6 Sy and 0.8 Sy, where Sy is the yield strength of the base metal. Cladding and base metal were assumed to be stress free at the stress relief temperature for the 3D elastic-plastic finite element analysis used to model the experiments. The model results indicated that when cooled from the stress relief temperature, the cladding was put in tension due to its greater coefficient of thermal expansion. When cooled, the cladding exhibited various amountsmore » of tensile yielding. The degree of yielding depended on the amount of cooling and the strength of the cladding relative to that of the base metal. When subjected to tensile bending stress, the sub-clad flaw elastic-plastic stress intensity factor, K{sub I}(J), was at first dominated by crack closing force due to tensile yielding in the cladding. Thus, imposed loads initially caused no increase in K{sub I}(J) near the clad-base interface. However, K{sub I}(J) at the flaw depth was little affected. When the cladding residual stress was overcome, K{sub I}(J) gradually increased until the cladding began to flow. Thereafter, the rate at which K{sub I}(J) increased with load was the same as that of an unclad beam. A plastic zone corrected K{sub I} approximation for the unclad flaw was found by the superposition of standard Newman and Raju solutions with those due to a cladding crack closure force approximated by the Kaya and Erdogan solution. These elastic estimates of the effect of cladding in reducing the crack driving force were quite in keeping with the 3D elastic-plastic finite element solution for the sub-clad flaw. The results were also compared with the analysis of clad beam experiments by Keeney and the conclusions by Miyazaki, et al. A number of sub-clad flaw specimens not subjected to warm prestressing were thought to have suffered degraded toughness caused by locally intensified strain aging embrittlement (LISAE) due to welding over the preexisting flaw.« less

Determination of Yield and Flow Surfaces for Inconel 718 Under Axial-Torsional Loading at Temperatures Up to 649 C

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gil, Christopher M.

1998-01-01

An experimental program to determine flow surfaces has been established and implemented for solution annealed and aged IN718. The procedure involved subjecting tubular specimens to various ratios of axial-torsional stress at temperatures between 23 and 649 C and measuring strain with a biaxial extensometer. Each stress probe corresponds to a different direction in stress space, and unloading occurs when a 30 microstrain (1 micro eplison = 10(exp -6) mm/mm) offset is detected. This technique was used to map out yield loci in axial-torsional stress space. Flow surfaces were determined by post-processing the experimental data to determine the inelastic strain rate components. Surfaces of constant inelastic strain rate (SCISRS) and surfaces of constant inelastic power (SCIPS) were mapped out in the axial-shear stress plane. The von Mises yield criterion appeared to closely fit the initial loci for solutioned IN718 at 23 C. However, the initial loci for solutioned IN718 at 371 and 454 C, and all of the initial loci for aged IN718 were offset in the compression direction. Subsequent loci showed translation, distortion, and for the case of solutioned IN718, a slight cross effect. Aged IN718 showed significantly more hardening behavior than solutioned IN718.

Traction of elastohydrodynamic contacts with thermal shearing flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jakobsen, J.; Winer, W. O.

1974-01-01

The formulation and solution for the shear stress and temperature in heavily loaded sliding elastohydrodynamic contacts is presented. The solutions are presented in dimensionless design charts. Integration over the contact area will yield the traction. Accuracy is expected to be very good over the nearly flat part of the contact area where the majority of the sliding traction is generated. The procedure presented is not appropriate for thick film lubrication, for the inlet region, or for the rolling friction of elastohydrodynamic contacts.

Evaluation of swabs and transport media for the recovery of ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Journal Article Two Y. pestis strains (virulent and avirulent), four swab types (polyester, macrofoam, rayon, and cotton), two pre-moistening solutions, six transport media, three temperatures, two levels of organic load, and four processing methods were evaluated to determine the conditions that would yield the highest percent of cultivable Y. pestis cells after storage.

Voltera's Solution of the Wave Equation as Applied to Three-Dimensional Supersonic Airfoil Problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heslet, Max A; Lomax, Harvard; Jones, Arthur L

1947-01-01

A surface integral is developed which yields solutions of the linearized partial differential equation for supersonic flow. These solutions satisfy boundary conditions arising in wing theory. Particular applications of this general method are made, using acceleration potentials, to flat surfaces and to uniformly loaded lifting surfaces. Rectangular and trapezoidal plan forms are considered along with triangular forms adaptable to swept-forward and swept-back wings. The case of the triangular plan form in sideslip is also included. Emphasis is placed on the systematic application of the method to the lifting surfaces considered and on the possibility of further application.

High-Z Nanoparticle/Polymer Nanocomposites for Gamma-Ray Scintillation Detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Chao

An affordable and reliable solution for spectroscopic gamma-ray detection has long been sought after due to the needs from research, defense, and medical applications. Scintillators resolve gamma energy by proportionally converting a single high-energy photon into a number of photomultiplier-tube-detectable low-energy photons, which is considered a more affordable solution for general purposes compared to the delicate semiconductor detectors. An ideal scintillator should simultaneously exhibit the following characteristics: 1) high atomic number (Z) for high gamma stopping power and photoelectron production; 2) high light yield since the energy resolution is inversely proportional to the square root of light yield; 3) short emission decay lifetime; and 4) low cost and scalable production. However, commercial scintillators made from either inorganic single crystals or plastics fail to satisfy all requirements due to their intrinsic material properties and fabrication limitations. The concept of adding high-Z constituents into plastic scintillators to harness high Z, low cost, and fast emission in the resulting nanocomposite scintillators is not new in and of itself. Attempts have been made by adding organometallics, quantum dots, and scintillation nanocrystals into the plastic matrix. High-Z organometallics have long been used to improve the Z of plastic scintillators; however, their strong spin-orbit coupling effect entails careful triplet energy matching using expensive triplet emitters to avoid severe quenching of the light yield. On the other hand, reported quantum dot- and nanocrystal-polymer nanocomposites suffer from moderate Z and high optical loss due to aggregation and self-absorption at loadings higher than 10 wt%, limiting their potential for practical application. This dissertation strives to improve the performance of nanoparticle-based nanocomposite scintillators. One focus is to synthesize transparent nanocomposites with higher loadings of high-Z inorganic nanoparticles. A facile single-precursor method is first developed to synthesize HfO2 nanoparticles, the highest-Z simple oxide with band gap larger than polyvinyltoluene, with uniform size distribution around 5 nm. A nanoparticle-surface-modification protocol is then developed for the fabrication of transparent nanocomposite monoliths with high nanoparticle loadings (up to 40 wt%). Using this method, transparent HfO2-loaded blue-emitting nanocomposite scintillators (2 mm thick, transmittance at 550 nm >75%) have been fabricated capable of producing a full energy photopeak for 662 keV gamma rays, with the best deconvoluted photopeak energy resolution < 8%, representing a significant improvement over previous nanoparticle-based nanocomposite scintillators. Although the HfO2 work represents a great improvement over previous reports, it is also found in this system that the light yield deteriorates at higher nanoparticle loadings. This is attributed to the trapping of fast electron energy deposited in the non-emitting nanoparticles. To overcome this deterioration issue, a revisit to the previously proposed quantum-dot-loaded nanocomposite scintillator is made with significant improvements. Transparent, ultra-high-loading (up to 60 wt%) CdxZn1-xS/ZnS core/shell quantum dot/polymer nanocomposite monoliths are first synthesized by in situ copolymerization of the partially mathacrylate-functionalized quantum dots in a monomer solution. With efficient Forster resonance energy transfer from the high-atomic-number quantum dots to lower-band-gap organic dyes, quantum-dot-borne excitons are extracted for photon production. The resulting nanocomposites thus exhibit unprecedented simultaneous enhancements in both light yield (visible photons produced per MeV of gamma photon energy) and gamma attenuation power. In a best demonstration, a 60 wt% quantum-dot nanocomposite scintillator exhibits a light yield of 9255 photons/MeV and a photopeak resolution of 9.8% under 662 keV Cs-137 gamma irradiation, demonstrating the potential of this model system for future high-performance low-cost spectroscopic gamma detectors.

Method for simultaneous measurement of mass loading and fluid property changes using a quartz crystal microbalance

DOEpatents

Granstaff, Victoria E.; Martin, Stephen J.

1993-01-01

A method, using a quartz crystal microbalance, to obtain simultaneous measurement of solid mass accumulation and changes in liquid density-viscosity product. The simultaneous real-time measurements of electrical parameters yields that changes in surface mass can be differentiated from changes in solution properties. Two methods to obtain the admittance/frequency data are employed.

Modification of Immobead 150 support for protein immobilization: effects on the properties of immobilized Aspergillus oryzae β-galactosidase.

PubMed

Gennari, Adriano; Herrmann Mobayed, Francielle; da Silva Rafael, Ruan; Rodrigues, Rafael C; Sperotto, Raul Antonio; Volpato, Giandra; Volken de Souza, Claucia Fernanda

2018-05-01

We studied the modification of Immobead 150 support by either introducing aldehyde groups using glutaraldehyde (Immobead-Glu) or carboxyl groups through acid solution (Immobead-Ac) for enzyme immobilization by covalent attachment or ion exchange, respectively. These two types of immobilization were compared with the use of epoxy groups that are now provided on a commercial support. We used Aspergillus oryzae β-galactosidase (Gal) as a model protein, immobilizing it on unmodified (epoxy groups, Immobead-Epx) and modified supports. Immobilization yield and efficiency were tested as a function of protein loading (10 to 500 mg.g -1 support). Gal was efficiently immobilized on the Immobeads with an immobilization efficiency higher than 75% for almost all supports and protein loads. Immobilization yields significantly decreased when protein loadings were higher than 100 mg.g -1 support. Gal immobilized on Immobead-Glu and Immobead-Ac retained approximately 60% of its initial activity after 90 days of storage at 4°C. The three immobilized Gal derivatives presented higher half-lifes than the soluble enzyme, where the half-lifes were twice higher than the free Gal at 73°C. All the preparations were moderately operationally stable when tested in lactose solution, whey permeate, cheese whey, and skim milk, and retained approximately 50% of their initial activity after 20 cycles of hydrolyzing lactose solution. The modification of the support with glutaraldehyde provided the most stable derivative during cycling in cheese whey hydrolysis. Our results suggest that the Immobead 150 is a promising support for Gal immobilization. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Near-infrared fluorescent aza-BODIPY dye-loaded biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles for optical cancer imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamon, Casey L.; Dorsey, Christopher L.; Özel, Tuğba; Barnes, Eugenia M.; Hudnall, Todd W.; Betancourt, Tania

2016-07-01

Nanoparticles are being readily investigated as carriers for the delivery of imaging and therapeutic agents for the detection, monitoring, and treatment of cancer and other diseases. In the present work, the preparation of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles loaded with a near-infrared fluorescent aza-boron dipyrromethene (NIR-BODIPY ) derivative, and their use as contrast agents for optical imaging in cancer are described. Nanoparticles were prepared by nanoprecipitation of amphiphilic block copolymers of poly(lactic acid) and poly(ethylene glycol). The size, morphology, dye loading, spectral properties, quantum yield, cytocompatibility, and in vitro NIR imaging potential of the nanoparticles in breast and ovarian cancer cells were evaluated. Spherical nanoparticles of 30-70 nm in diameter were loaded with 0.73 w/w% BODIPY derivative. At this loading, the dye presented a fluorescence quantum yield in the same order of magnitude as in solution. Nanoparticle suspensions at concentrations up to 580 μg/mL were cytocompatible to breast (MDA-MB-231) and ovarian (SKOV-3 and Caov-3) cancer cells after a four-hour incubation period. Fluorescence microscopy images demonstrated the ability of the nanoparticles to act as imaging agents in all three cell lines in as little as 1 hour. The results shown indicate the potential of these NIR-BODIPY-loaded nanoparticles as contrast agents for near-infrared optical imaging in cancer.

Dynamic strain aging and plastic instabilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mesarovic, Sinisa Dj.

1995-05-01

A constitutive model proposed by McCormick [(1988) Theory of flow localization due to dynamic strain ageing. Acta. Metall.36, 3061-3067] based on dislocation-solute interaction and describing dynamic strain aging behavior, is analyzed for the simple loading case of uniaxial tension. The model is rate dependent and includes a time-varying state variable, representing the local concentration of the impurity atoms at dislocations. Stability of the system and its post-instability behavior are considered. The methods used include analytical and numerical stability and bifurcation analysis with a numerical continuation technique. Yield point behavior and serrated yielding are found to result for well defined intervals of temperature and strain rate. Serrated yielding emerges as a branch of periodic solutions of the relaxation oscillation type, similar to frictional stick-slip. The distinction between the temporal and spatial (loss of homogeneity of strain) instability is emphasized. It is found that a critical machine stiffness exists above which a purely temporal instability cannot occur. The results are compared to the available experimental data.

Alkaline/peracetic acid as a pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass for ethanol fuel production

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teixeira, Lincoln Cambraia

Peracetic acid is a lignin oxidation pretreatment with low energy input by which biomass can be treated in a silo type system for improving enzymatic digestibility of lignocellulosic materials for ethanol production. Experimentally, ground hybrid poplar wood and sugar cane bagasse are placed in plastic bags and a peracetic acid solution is added to the biomass in different concentrations based on oven-dry biomass. The ratio of solution to biomass is 6:1; after initial mixing of the resulting paste, a seven-day storage period at about 20°C is used in this study. As a complementary method, a series of pre-pretreatments using stoichiometric amounts of sodium hydroxide and ammonium hydroxide based on 4-methyl-glucuronic acid and acetyl content in the biomass is been performed before addition of peracetic acid. The alkaline solutions are added to the biomass in a ratio of 14:1 solution to biomass; the slurry is mixed for 24 hours at ambient temperature. The above procedures give high xylan content substrates. Consequently, xylanase/beta-glucosidase combinations are more effective than cellulase preparations in hydrolyzing these materials. The pretreatment effectiveness is evaluated using standard enzymatic hydrolysis and simultaneous saccharification and cofermentation (SSCF) procedures. Hybrid poplar wood pretreated with 15 and 21% peracetic acid based on oven-dry weight of wood gives glucan conversion yields of 76.5 and 98.3%, respectively. Sugar cane bagasse pretreated with the same loadings gives corresponding yields of 85.9 and 93.1%. Raw wood and raw bagasse give corresponding yields of 6.8 and 28.8%, respectively. The combined 6% NaOH/15% peracetic acid pretreatments increase the glucan conversion yields from 76.5 to 100.0% for hybrid poplar wood and from 85.9 to 97.6% for sugar cane bagasse. Respective ethanol yields of 92.8 and 91.9% are obtained from 6% NaOH/15% peracetic acid pretreated materials using recombinant Zymomonas mobilis CP4/pZB5. Peracetic acid pretreatment improves enzymatic digestibility of hybrid poplar wood and sugar cane bagasse. Based on reduction of acetyl groups in the two lignocellulosic materials, alkaline pre-pretreatments are helpful in reducing peracetic acid requirements in the pretreatment and consequently diminishing growth inhibition of the bacteria that was observed using higher peracetic acid loadings.

Finite element analysis of elasto-plastic soils. Report no. 4: Finite element analysis of elasto-plastic frictional materials for application to lunar earth sciences

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marr, W. A., Jr.

1972-01-01

The behavior of finite element models employing different constitutive relations to describe the stress-strain behavior of soils is investigated. Three models, which assume small strain theory is applicable, include a nondilatant, a dilatant and a strain hardening constitutive relation. Two models are formulated using large strain theory and include a hyperbolic and a Tresca elastic perfectly plastic constitutive relation. These finite element models are used to analyze retaining walls and footings. Methods of improving the finite element solutions are investigated. For nonlinear problems better solutions can be obtained by using smaller load increment sizes and more iterations per load increment than by increasing the number of elements. Suitable methods of treating tension stresses and stresses which exceed the yield criteria are discussed.

Local stresses in metal matrix composites subjected to thermal and mechanical loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Highsmith, Alton L.; Shin, Donghee; Naik, Rajiv A.

1990-01-01

An elasticity solution has been used to analyze matrix stresses near the fiber/matrix interface in continuous fiber-reinforced metal-matrix composites, modeling the micromechanics in question in terms of a cylindrical fiber and cylindrical matrix sheath which is embedded in an orthotropic medium representing the composite. The model's predictions for lamina thermal and mechanical properties are applied to a laminate analysis determining ply-level stresses due to thermomechanical loading. A comparison is made between these results, which assume cylindrical symmetry, and the predictions yielded by a FEM model in which the fibers are arranged in a square array.

Approximate analytical solution for induction heating of solid cylinders

DOE PAGES

Jankowski, Todd Andrew; Pawley, Norma Helen; Gonzales, Lindsey Michal; ...

2015-10-20

An approximate solution to the mathematical model for induction heating of a solid cylinder in a cylindrical induction coil is presented here. The coupled multiphysics model includes equations describing the electromagnetic field in the heated object, a heat transfer simulation to determine temperature of the heated object, and an AC circuit simulation of the induction heating power supply. A multiple-scale perturbation method is used to solve the multiphysics model. The approximate analytical solution yields simple closed-form expressions for the electromagnetic field and heat generation rate in the solid cylinder, for the equivalent impedance of the associated tank circuit, and formore » the frequency response of a variable frequency power supply driving the tank circuit. The solution developed here is validated by comparing predicted power supply frequency to both experimental measurements and calculated values from finite element analysis for heating of graphite cylinders in an induction furnace. The simple expressions from the analytical solution clearly show the functional dependence of the power supply frequency on the material properties of the load and the geometrical characteristics of the furnace installation. In conclusion, the expressions developed here provide physical insight into observations made during load signature analysis of induction heating.« less

Annual estimates of water and solute export from 42 tributaries to the Yukon River

USGS Publications Warehouse

Frederick Zanden,; Suzanne P. Anderson,; Striegl, Robert G.

2012-01-01

Annual export of 11 major and trace solutes for the Yukon River is found to be accurately determined based on summing 42 tributary contributions. These findings provide the first published estimates of tributary specific distribution of solutes within the Yukon River basin. First, we show that annual discharge of the Yukon River can be computed by summing calculated annual discharges from 42 tributaries. Annual discharge for the tributaries is calculated from the basin area and average annual precipitation over that area using a previously published regional regression equation. Based on tributary inputs, we estimate an average annual discharge for the Yukon River of 210 km3 year–1. This value is within 1% of the average measured annual discharge at the U.S. Geological Survey gaging station near the river terminus at Pilot Station, AK, for water years 2001 through 2005. Next, annual loads for 11 solutes are determined by combining annual discharge with point measurements of solute concentrations in tributary river water. Based on the sum of solutes in tributary water, we find that the Yukon River discharges approximately 33 million metric tons of dissolved solids each year at Pilot Station. Discharged solutes are dominated by cations calcium and magnesium (5.65 × 109 and 1.42 × 109 g year–1) and anions bicarbonate and sulphate (17.3 × 109 and 5.40 × 109 g year–1). These loads compare well with loads calculated independently at the three continuous gaging stations along the Yukon River. These findings show how annual solute yields vary throughout a major subarctic river basin and that accurate estimates of total river export can be determined from calculated tributary contributions.

Method for simultaneous measurement of mass loading and fluid property changes using a quartz crystal microbalance

DOEpatents

Granstaff, V.E.; Martin, S.J.

1993-04-13

A method is described, using a quartz crystal microbalance, to obtain simultaneous measurement of solid mass accumulation and changes in liquid density-viscosity product. The simultaneous real-time measurements of electrical parameters yields that changes in surface mass can be differentiated from changes in solution properties. Two methods to obtain the admittance/frequency data are employed.

On stress field near a stationary crack tip

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nemat-Nasser, S.; Obata, M.

1984-01-01

It is well known that the stress and elastic-plastic deformation fields near a crack tip have important roles in the corresponding fracture process. For elastic-perfectly-plastic solids, different solutions are given in the literature. In this work several of these solutions are examined and compared for Mode I (tension), Mode II (shear), and mixed Modes I and II loading conditions in plane strain. By consideration of the dynamic solution, it is shown that the assumption that the material is yielding all around a crack tip may not be reasonable in all cases. By admitting the existence of some elastic sectors, continuous stress fields are obtained even for mixed Modes I and II.

Relationship between Yield Point Phenomena and the Nanoindentation Pop-in Behavior of Steel

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

Ahn, T.-H.; Oh, C.-S.; Lee, K.

2012-01-01

Pop-ins on nanoindentation load-displacement curves of a ferritic steel were correlated with yield drops on its tensile stress-strain curves. To investigate the relationship between these two phenomena, nanoindentation and tensile tests were performed on annealed specimens, prestrained specimens, and specimens aged for various times after prestraining. Clear nanoindentation pop-ins were observed on annealed specimens, which disappeared when specimens were indented right after the prestrain, but reappeared to varying degrees after strain aging. Yield drops in tensile tests showed similar disappearance and appearance, indicating that the two phenomena, at the nano- and macro-scale, respectively, are closely related and influenced by dislocationmore » locking by solutes (Cottrell atmospheres).« less

Kinetic studies of the stress corrosion cracking of D6AC steel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Noronha, P. J.

1975-01-01

The effect of load interactions on the crack growth velocity of D6AC steel under stress corrosion cracking conditions was determined. The environment was a 3.5 percent salt solution. The modified-wedge opening load specimens were fatigue precracked and subjected to a deadweight loading in creep machines. The effects of load shedding on incubation times and crack growth rates were measured using high-sensitivity compliance measurement techniques. Load shedding results in an incubation time, the length of which depends on the amount of load shed and the baseline stress intensity. The sequence of unloading the specimen also controls the subsequent incubation period. The incubation period is shorter when load shedding passes through zero load than when it does not if the specimen initially had the same baseline stress intensity. The crack growth rates following the incubation period are also different from the steady-state crack growth rate at the operating stress intensity. These data show that the susceptibility of this alloy system to stress corrosion cracking depends on the plane-strain fracture toughness and on the yield strength of the material.

Influence of Mixed Mode I-Mode II Loading on Fatigue Delamination Growth Characteristics of a Graphite Epoxy Tape Laminate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ratcliffe, James G.; Johnston, William M., Jr.

2014-01-01

Mixed mode I-mode II interlaminar tests were conducted on IM7/8552 tape laminates using the mixed-mode bending test. Three mixed mode ratios, G(sub II)/G(sub T) = 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8, were considered. Tests were performed at all three mixed-mode ratios under quasi-static and cyclic loading conditions, where the former static tests were used to determine initial loading levels for the latter fatigue tests. Fatigue tests at each mixed-mode ratio were performed at four loading levels, Gmax, equal to 0.5G(sub c), 0.4G(sub c), 0.3G(sub c), and 0.2G(sub c), where G(sub c) is the interlaminar fracture toughness of the corresponding mixed-mode ratio at which a test was performed. All fatigue tests were performed using constant-amplitude load control and delamination growth was automatically documented using compliance solutions obtained from the corresponding quasi-static tests. Static fracture toughness data yielded a mixed-mode delamination criterion that exhibited monotonic increase in Gc with mixed-mode ratio, G(sub II)/G(sub T). Fatigue delamination onset parameters varied monotonically with G(sub II)/G(sub T), which was expected based on the fracture toughness data. Analysis of non-normalized data yielded a monotonic change in Paris law exponent with mode ratio. This was not the case when normalized data were analyzed. Fatigue data normalized by the static R-curve were most affected in specimens tested at G(sub II)/G(sub T)=0.2 (this process has little influence on the other data). In this case, the normalized data yielded a higher delamination growth rate compared to the raw data for a given loading level. Overall, fiber bridging appeared to be the dominant mechanism, affecting delamination growth rates in specimens tested at different load levels and differing mixed-mode ratios.

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

Unseren, M.A.

A general framework for solving the dynamic load distribution when two manipulators hold a rigid object is proposed. The underspecified problem of solving for the contact forces and torques based on the object`s equations of motion is transformed into a well specified problem. This is accomplished by augmenting the object`s equations of motion with additional equations which relate a new vector variable quantifying the internal contact force and torque degrees of freedom (DOF) as a linear function of the contact forces and torques. The resulting augmented system yields a well specified solution for the contact forces and torques in whichmore » they are separated into their motion inducing and internal components. A particular solution is suggested which enables the designer to conveniently specify what portion of the payload`s mass each manipulator is to bear. It is also shown that the results of the previous work are just a special case of the general load distribution framework described here.« less

Use of Chelex-100 for selectively removing Y-90 from its parent Sr-90

DOEpatents

Huntley, Mark W.

1996-01-01

A method for selectively removing yttrium-90 from its parent strontium-90 contained in an environmental sample includes loading the sample onto a column containing a chelating ion-exchange resin capable of retaining yttrium-90; washing the column with a solution capable of removing strontium, calcium, and other contaminants from the yttrium-90 fraction retained on the column; removing excess acetate salts from the column; eluting yttrium-90 solution from the column and adjusting the pH of this solution to about 2.7; filtering the yttrium-90 solution and weighing this solution for gravimetric yield; and, counting the yttrium-90 containing solution with a radiological counter for a time sufficient to achieve the statistical accuracy desired. It is preferred that the chelating ion-exchange resin is a bidente ligand having the chemical name iminodiacetic acid mounted on a divinyl benzene substrate, converted from sodium form to ammonia form.

Use of Chelex-100 for selectively removing Y-90 from its parent Sr-90

DOEpatents

Huntley, M.W.

1996-02-27

A method for selectively removing yttrium-90 from its parent strontium-90 contained in an environmental sample includes loading the sample onto a column containing a chelating ion-exchange resin capable of retaining yttrium-90; washing the column with a solution capable of removing strontium, calcium, and other contaminants from the yttrium-90 fraction retained on the column; removing excess acetate salts from the column; eluting yttrium-90 solution from the column and adjusting the pH of this solution to about 2.7; filtering the yttrium-90 solution and weighing this solution for gravimetric yield; and, counting the yttrium-90 containing solution with a radiological counter for a time sufficient to achieve the statistical accuracy desired. It is preferred that the chelating ion-exchange resin is a ligand having the chemical name iminodiacetic acid mounted on a divinyl benzene substrate, converted from sodium form to ammonia form.

A new database on urban runoff pollution: comparison of separate and combined sewer systems.

PubMed

Brombach, H; Weiss, G; Fuchs, S

2005-01-01

For a long time people have questioned what the "best" sewer system is for limiting the pollution load released into the receiving waters. In this paper the traditional separate and combined sewer systems are compared using a pollution load balance. The investigation is based on measured concentration data for a range of pollutant parameters in the sewer from the new database "ATV-DVWK Datenpool 2001". The approach also accounted for the wastewater treatment plant outflow which contributes to the total pollutant load considerably. In spite of a number of neglected effects, the results show that the separate system is superior to the combined for some parameters only, such as nutrients, whereas for other parameters, e.g. heavy metals and COD, the combined system yields less total loads. Any uncritical preference of the separate system as a particularly advantageous solution is thus questionable. Individual investigations case by case are recommended.

Automatic yield-line analysis of slabs using discontinuity layout optimization

PubMed Central

Gilbert, Matthew; He, Linwei; Smith, Colin C.; Le, Canh V.

2014-01-01

The yield-line method of analysis is a long established and extremely effective means of estimating the maximum load sustainable by a slab or plate. However, although numerous attempts to automate the process of directly identifying the critical pattern of yield-lines have been made over the past few decades, to date none has proved capable of reliably analysing slabs of arbitrary geometry. Here, it is demonstrated that the discontinuity layout optimization (DLO) procedure can successfully be applied to such problems. The procedure involves discretization of the problem using nodes inter-connected by potential yield-line discontinuities, with the critical layout of these then identified using linear programming. The procedure is applied to various benchmark problems, demonstrating that highly accurate solutions can be obtained, and showing that DLO provides a truly systematic means of directly and reliably automatically identifying yield-line patterns. Finally, since the critical yield-line patterns for many problems are found to be quite complex in form, a means of automatically simplifying these is presented. PMID:25104905

Electric and magnetic polarization saturations for a thermally loaded penny-shaped crack in a magneto-electro-thermo-elastic medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, P.-D.; Li, X.-Y.; Kang, G.-Z.; Müller, R.

2017-09-01

This paper is devoted to investigating the thermal-induced electric and magnetic polarization saturations (PS) at the tip of a penny-shaped crack embedded in an infinite space of magneto-electro-thermo-elastic medium. In view of the symmetry with respect to the cracked plane, this crack problem is formulated by a mixed boundary value problem. By virtue of the solution to the Abel type integral equation, the governing equations corresponding to the present problem are analytically solved and the generalized crack surface displacement and field intensity factors are obtained in closed-forms. Applying the hypothesis of the electric and magnetic PS model to the analytical results, the sizes of the electric and magnetic yielding zones are determined. Numerical calculations are carried out to reveal the influences of the thermal load and the electric and magnetic yielding strengths on the results, and to show the distributions of the electric and magnetic potentials on the crack surfaces. It is found that the sizes of electric and magnetic yielding zones are mainly dependent on the electric and magnetic yielding strengths, respectively. Since the multi-ferroic media are widely used in various complex thermal environments, the present work could serve as a reference for the designs of various magneto-electric composite structures.

Dilute acid/metal salt hydrolysis of lignocellulosics

DOEpatents

Nguyen, Quang A.; Tucker, Melvin P.

2002-01-01

A modified dilute acid method of hydrolyzing the cellulose and hemicellulose in lignocellulosic material under conditions to obtain higher overall fermentable sugar yields than is obtainable using dilute acid alone, comprising: impregnating a lignocellulosic feedstock with a mixture of an amount of aqueous solution of a dilute acid catalyst and a metal salt catalyst sufficient to provide higher overall fermentable sugar yields than is obtainable when hydrolyzing with dilute acid alone; loading the impregnated lignocellulosic feedstock into a reactor and heating for a sufficient period of time to hydrolyze substantially all of the hemicellulose and greater than 45% of the cellulose to water soluble sugars; and recovering the water soluble sugars.

Continuous 'Passive' Registration of Non-Point Contaminant Loads Via Agricultural Subsurface Drain Tubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rozemeijer, J.; Jansen, S.; de Jonge, H.; Lindblad Vendelboe, A.

2014-12-01

Considering their crucial role in water and solute transport, enhanced monitoring and modeling of agricultural subsurface tube drain systems is important for adequate water quality management. For example, previous work in lowland agricultural catchments has shown that subsurface tube drain effluent contributed up to 80% of the annual discharge and 90-92% of the annual NO3 loads from agricultural fields towards the surface water. However, existing monitoring techniques for flow and contaminant loads from tube drains are expensive and labor-intensive. Therefore, despite the unambiguous relevance of this transport route, tube drain monitoring data are scarce. The presented study aimed developing a cheap, simple, and robust method to monitor loads from tube drains. We are now ready to introduce the Flowcap that can be attached to the outlet of tube drains and is capable of registering total flow, contaminant loads, and flow-averaged concentrations. The Flowcap builds on the existing SorbiCells, a modern passive sampling technique that measures average concentrations over longer periods of time (days to months) for various substances. By mounting SorbiCells in our Flowcap, a flow-proportional part of the drain effluent is sampled from the main stream. Laboratory testing yielded good linear relations (R-squared of 0.98) between drainage flow rates and sampling rates. The Flowcap was tested in practice for measuring NO3 loads from two agricultural fields and one glasshouse in the Netherlands. The Flowcap registers contaminant loads from tube drains without any need for housing, electricity, or maintenance. This enables large-scale monitoring of non-point contaminant loads via tube drains, which would facilitate the improvement of contaminant transport models and would yield valuable information for the selection and evaluation of mitigation options to improve water quality.

Encapsulation of enzyme via one-step template-free formation of stable organic-inorganic capsules: A simple and efficient method for immobilizing enzyme with high activity and recyclability.

PubMed

Huang, Renliang; Wu, Mengyun; Goldman, Mark J; Li, Zhi

2015-06-01

Enzyme encapsulation is a simple, gentle, and general method for immobilizing enzyme, but it often suffers from one or more problems regarding enzyme loading efficiency, enzyme leakage, mechanical stability, and recyclability. Here we report a novel, simple, and efficient method for enzyme encapsulation to overcome these problems by forming stable organic-inorganic hybrid capsules. A new, facile, one-step, and template-free synthesis of organic-inorganic capsules in aqueous phase were developed based on PEI-induced simultaneous interfacial self-assembly of Fmoc-FF and polycondensation of silicate. Addition of an aqueous solution of Fmoc-FF and sodium silicate into an aqueous solution of PEI gave a new class of organic-inorganic hybrid capsules (FPSi) with multi-layered structure in high yield. The capsules are mechanically stable due to the incorporation of inorganic silica. Direct encapsulation of enzyme such as epoxide hydrolase SpEH and BSA along with the formation of the organic-inorganic capsules gave high yield of enzyme-containing capsules (∼1.2 mm in diameter), >90% enzyme loading efficiency, high specific enzyme loading (158 mg protein g(-1) carrier), and low enzyme leakage (<3% after 48 h incubation). FPSi-SpEH capsules catalyzed the hydrolysis of cyclohexene oxide to give (1R, 2R)-cyclohexane-1,2-diol in high yield and concentration, with high specific activity (6.94 U mg(-1) protein) and the same high enantioselectivity as the free enzyme. The immobilized SpEH demonstrated also excellent operational stability and recyclability: retaining 87% productivity after 20 cycles with a total reaction time of 80 h. The new enzyme encapsulation method is efficient, practical, and also better than other reported encapsulation methods. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose dissolved in N-methyl morpholine oxide/water solutions.

PubMed

Ramakrishnan, S; Collier, J; Oyetunji, R; Stutts, B; Burnett, R

2010-07-01

In situ hydrolysis of cellulose (dissolving pulp) in N-methyl morpholine oxide (NMMO) solutions by commercially available Accellerase1000 is carried out. The yield of reducing sugars is followed as a function of time at three different temperatures and four different enzyme loadings to study the effect of system parameters on enzymatic hydrolysis. Initial results show that rates of hydrolysis of cellulose and yields of reducing sugars in the presence of NMMO-water is superior initially (ratio of initial reaction rates approximately 4) and comparable to that of regenerated cellulose (for times greater than 5h) when suspended in aqueous solutions. The usage of Accellerase1000 results predominantly in the formation of glucose with minimal amounts of cellobiose. This study proves the ability of cellulases to remain active in NMMO to carry out an in situ saccharification of cellulose thus eliminating the need to recover regenerated cellulose. Thus this work will form the basis for developing a continuous process for conversion of biomass to hydrogen, ethanol and other hydrocarbons. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Transparent Ultra-High-Loading Quantum Dot/Polymer Nanocomposite Monolith for Gamma Scintillation.

PubMed

Liu, Chao; Li, Zhou; Hajagos, Tibor Jacob; Kishpaugh, David; Chen, Dustin Yuan; Pei, Qibing

2017-06-27

Spectroscopic gamma-photon detection has widespread applications for research, defense, and medical purposes. However, current commercial detectors are either prohibitively expensive for wide deployment or incapable of producing the characteristic gamma photopeak. Here we report the synthesis of transparent, ultra-high-loading (up to 60 wt %) Cd x Zn 1-x S/ZnS core/shell quantum dot/polymer nanocomposite monoliths for gamma scintillation by in situ copolymerization of the partially methacrylate-functionalized quantum dots in a monomer solution. The efficient Förster resonance energy transfer of the high-atomic-number quantum dots to lower-band-gap organic dyes enables the extraction of quantum-dot-borne excitons for photon production, resolving the problem of severe light yield deterioration found in previous nanoparticle-loaded scintillators. As a result, the nanocomposite scintillator exhibited simultaneous improvements in both light yield (visible photons produced per MeV of gamma-photon energy) and gamma attenuation. With these enhancements, a 662 keV Cs-137 gamma photopeak with 9.8% resolution has been detected using a 60 wt % quantum-dot nanocomposite scintillator, demonstrating the potential of such a nanocomposite system in the development of high-performance low-cost spectroscopic gamma detectors.

Changing fluxes of carbon and other solutes from the Mekong River

PubMed Central

Li, Siyue; Bush, Richard T.

2015-01-01

Rivers are an important aquatic conduit that connects terrestrial sources of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and other elements with oceanic reservoirs. The Mekong River, one of the world’s largest rivers, is firstly examined to explore inter-annual fluxes of dissolved and particulate constituents during 1923–2011 and their associated natural or anthropogenic controls. Over this period, inter-annual fluxes of dissolved and particulate constituents decrease, while anthropogenic activities have doubled the relative abundance of SO42−, Cl− and Na+. The estimated fluxes of solutes from the Mekong decrease as follows (Mt/y): TDS (40.4) > HCO3− (23.4) > Ca2+ (6.4) > SO42− (3.8) > Cl− (1.74)~Na+ (1.7) ~ Si (1.67) > Mg2+ (1.2) > K+ (0.5). The runoff, land cover and lithological composition significantly contribute to dissolved and particulate yields globally. HCO3− and TDS yields are readily predicted by runoff and percent of carbonate, while TSS yield by runoff and population density. The Himalayan Rivers, including the Mekong, are a disproportionally high contributor to global riverine carbon and other solute budgets, and are of course underlined. The estimated global riverine HCO3− flux (Himalayan Rivers included) is 34014 × 109 mol/y (0.41 Pg C/y), 3915 Mt/y for solute load, including HCO3−, and 13553 Mt/y for TSS. Thereby this study illustrates the importance of riverine solute delivery in global carbon cycling. PMID:26522820

Changing fluxes of carbon and other solutes from the Mekong River.

PubMed

Li, Siyue; Bush, Richard T

2015-11-02

Rivers are an important aquatic conduit that connects terrestrial sources of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and other elements with oceanic reservoirs. The Mekong River, one of the world's largest rivers, is firstly examined to explore inter-annual fluxes of dissolved and particulate constituents during 1923-2011 and their associated natural or anthropogenic controls. Over this period, inter-annual fluxes of dissolved and particulate constituents decrease, while anthropogenic activities have doubled the relative abundance of SO4(2-), Cl(-) and Na(+). The estimated fluxes of solutes from the Mekong decrease as follows (Mt/y): TDS (40.4) > HCO3(-) (23.4) > Ca(2+) (6.4) > SO4(2-) (3.8) > Cl(-) (1.74)~Na(+) (1.7) ~ Si (1.67) > Mg(2+) (1.2) > K(+ 0.5). The runoff, land cover and lithological composition significantly contribute to dissolved and particulate yields globally. HCO3(-) and TDS yields are readily predicted by runoff and percent of carbonate, while TSS yield by runoff and population density. The Himalayan Rivers, including the Mekong, are a disproportionally high contributor to global riverine carbon and other solute budgets, and are of course underlined. The estimated global riverine HCO3(-) flux (Himalayan Rivers included) is 34,014 × 10(9) mol/y (0.41 Pg C/y), 3915 Mt/y for solute load, including HCO3(-), and 13,553 Mt/y for TSS. Thereby this study illustrates the importance of riverine solute delivery in global carbon cycling.

Retrofitting impervious urban infrastructure with green technology for rainfall-runoff restoration, indirect reuse and pollution load reduction.

PubMed

Sansalone, John; Raje, Saurabh; Kertesz, Ruben; Maccarone, Kerrilynn; Seltzer, Karl; Siminari, Michele; Simms, Peter; Wood, Brandon

2013-12-01

The built environs alter hydrology and water resource chemistry. Florida is subject to nutrient criteria and is promulgating "no-net-load-increase" criteria for runoff and constituents (nutrients and particulate matter, PM). With such criteria, green infrastructure, hydrologic restoration, indirect reuse and source control are potential design solutions. The study simulates runoff and constituent load control through urban source area re-design to provide long-term "no-net-load-increases". A long-term continuous simulation of pre- and post-development response for an existing surface parking facility is quantified. Retrofits include a biofiltration area reactor (BAR) for hydrologic and denitrification control. A linear infiltration reactor (LIR) of cementitious permeable pavement (CPP) provides infiltration, adsorption and filtration. Pavement cleaning provided source control. Simulation of climate and source area data indicates re-design achieves "no-net-load-increases" at lower costs compared to standard construction. The retrofit system yields lower cost per nutrient load treated compared to Best Management Practices (BMPs). Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Analysis of rock mass dynamic impact influence on the operation of a powered roof support control system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szurgacz, Dawid; Brodny, Jaroław

2018-01-01

A powered roof support is a machine responsible for protection of an underground excavation against deformation generated by rock mass. In the case of dynamic impact of rock mass, the proper level of protection is hard to achieve. Therefore, the units of the roof support and its components are subject to detailed tests aimed at acquiring greater reliability, efficiency and efficacy. In the course of such test, however, it is not always possible to foresee values of load that may occur in actual conditions. The article presents a case of a dynamic load impacting the powered roof support during a high-energy tremor in an underground hard coal mine. The authors discuss the method for selecting powered roof support units proper for specific forecasted load conditions. The method takes into account the construction of the support and mining and geological conditions of an excavation. Moreover, the paper includes tests carried out on hydraulic legs and yield valves which were responsible for additional yielding of the support. Real loads impacting the support unit during tremors are analysed. The results indicated that the real registered values of the load were significantly greater than the forecasted values. The analysis results of roof support operation during dynamic impact generated by the rock mass (real life conditions) prompted the authors to develop a set of recommendations for manufacturers and users of powered roof supports. These include, inter alia, the need for innovative solutions for testing hydraulic section systems.

Finite element solutions for crack-tip behavior in small-scale yielding

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tracey, D. M.

1976-01-01

The subject considered is the stress and deformation fields in a cracked elastic-plastic power law hardening material under plane strain tensile loading. An incremental plasticity finite element formulation is developed for accurate analysis of the complete field problem including the extensively deformed near tip region, the elastic-plastic region, and the remote elastic region. The formulation has general applicability and was used to solve the small scale yielding problem for a set of material hardening exponents. Distributions of stress, strain, and crack opening displacement at the crack tip and through the elastic-plastic zone are presented as a function of the elastic stress intensity factor and material properties.

Separation and Recovery of Cobalt from Copper Leach Solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeffers, T. H.

1985-01-01

Significant amounts of cobalt, a strategic and critical metal, are present in readily accessible copper recycling leach solutions. However, cost-effective technology is not available to separate and recover the cobalt from this low-grade domestic source. The Bureau of Mines has developed a procedure using a chelating ion-exchange resin from Dow Chemical Co. to successfully extract cobalt from a pH 3.0 copper recycling solution containing only 30 mg/1 cobalt. Cyclic tests with the commercial resin XFS-4195 in 4-ft-high by 1-in.-diameter columns gave an average cobalt extraction of 95% when 65 bed volumes of solution were processed at a flow rate of 4 gpm/ft.2 Elution of the cobalt using a 50 g/l H2SO4 solution yielded an eluate containing 0.5 gli Co. Selective elution of the loaded resin and solvent extraction procedures using di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) and Cyanex 272 removed the impurities and produced a cobalt sulfate solution containing 25 g/l Co.

Tailoring MCM-41 mesoporous silica particles through modified sol-gel process for gas separation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sang, Wong Yean; Ching, Oh Pei

2017-10-01

Mobil Composition of Matter-41 (MCM-41) is recognized as a potential filler to enhance permeability of mixed matrix membrane (MMM). However, the required loading for available micron-sized MCM-41 was considerably high in order to achieve desired separation performance. In this work, reduced-size MCM-41 was synthesized to minimize filler loading, improve surface modification and enhance polymer-filler compatibility during membrane fabrication. The effect of reaction condition, stirring rate and type of post-synthesis washing solution used on particle diameter of resultant MCM-41 were investigated. It was found that MCM-41 produced at room temperature condition yield particles with smaller diameter, higher specific surface area and enhanced mesopore structure. Increase of stirring rate up to 500 rpm during synthesis also reduced the particle diameter. In addition, replacing water with methanol as the post-synthesis washing solution to remove bromide ions from the precipitate was able to further reduce the particle size by inhibiting polycondensation reaction.

Improvement of drug loading onto ion exchange resin by cyclodextrin inclusion complex.

PubMed

Samprasit, Wipada; Rojanarata, Theerasak; Akkaramongkolporn, Prasert; Ngawhirunpat, Tanasait; Sila-on, Warisada; Opanasopit, Praneet

2013-11-01

Ion exchange resins have ability to exchange their counter ions for ionized drug in the surrounding medium, yielding "drug resin complex." Cyclodextrin can be applied for enhancement of drug solubility and stability. Cyclodextrin inclusion complex of poorly water-soluble NSAIDs, i.e. meloxicam and piroxicam, was characterized and its novel application for improving drug loading onto an anionic exchange resin, i.e. Dowex® 1×2, was investigated. β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD) and hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) were used for the preparation of inclusion complex with drugs in solution state at various pH. The inclusion complex was characterized by phase solubility, continuous variation, spectroscopic and electrochemistry methods. Then, the drug with and without cyclodextrin were equilibrated with resin at 1:1 and 1:2 weight ratio of drug and resin. Solubility of the drugs was found to increase with increasing cyclodextrin concentration and pH. The increased solubility was explained predominantly due to the formation of inclusion complex at low pH and the increased ionization of drug at high pH. According to characterization studies, the inclusion complex was successfully formed with a 1:1 stoichiometry. The presence of cyclodextrin in the loading solution resulted in the improvement of drug loading onto resin. Enhancing drug loading onto ion-exchange resin via the formation of cyclodextrin inclusion complex is usable in the development of ion-exchange based drug delivery systems, which will beneficially reduce the use of harmful acidic or basic and organic chemicals.

Lung-targeting drug delivery system of baicalin-loaded nanoliposomes: development, biodistribution in rabbits, and pharmacodynamics in nude mice bearing orthotopic human lung cancer

PubMed Central

Wei, Yumeng; Liang, Jing; Zheng, Xiaoli; Pi, Chao; Liu, Hao; Yang, Hongru; Zou, Yonggen; Ye, Yun; Zhao, Ling

2017-01-01

The present study aims to develop a kind of novel nanoliposomes for the lung-targeting delivery system of baicalin as a Chinese medicine monomer. Baicalin-loaded nanoliposomes were prepared by the effervescent dispersion and lyophilized techniques. Baicalin-loaded nanoliposomes had an average particle size of 131.7±11.7 nm with 0.19±0.02 polydispersity index, 82.8%±1.24% entrapment efficiency and 90.47%±0.93% of yield and sustaining drug release effect over 24 h and were stable for 12 months at least. In vitro no hemolytic activity was observed for the experimental drug concentration. After intravenous administration of baicalin-loaded nanoliposomes to rabbits, drug concentration in the lungs was the highest among the tested organs at all time points and was significantly higher than that of its solution. For the targeting parameters, the relative intake rate and the ratio of peak concentration of lung were 4.837 and 2.789, respectively. Compared with plasma, liver, spleen, and kidney, the ratios of targeting efficacy (Te)liposomes to (Te)injection of lung were increased by a factor of 14.131, 1.893, 3.357, and 3.470, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed that the baicalin-loaded nanoliposomes did not induce lung injury. Importantly, baicalin-loaded nanoliposomes showed better antitumor therapeutic efficacy in the nude mice bearing orthotopic human lung cancer with the median survival time of blank liposomes (11.40±0.16 days), baicalin solution (17.30±0.47 days), and baicalin-loaded nanoliposomes (25.90±0.53 days). Therefore, the liposome is a promising drug carrier with an excellent lung-targeting property and therapeutic effect for the treatment of lung disease, such as lung cancer. PMID:28096670

Plastic zone size and crack tip opening displacement of a Dugdale crack interacting with a coated circular inclusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoh, H. J.; Xiao, Z. M.; Luo, J.

2010-09-01

An analytical investigation on the plastic zone size of a crack near a coated circular inclusion under three different loading conditions of uniaxial tension, uniform tension and pure shear was carried out. Both the crack and coated circular inclusion are embedded in an infinite matrix, with the crack oriented along the radial direction of the inclusion. In the solution procedure, the crack is simulated as a continuous distribution of edge dislocations. With the Dugdale model of small-scale yielding [J. Mech. Phys. Solids 8 (1960) p. 100], two thin strips of yielded plastic zones are introduced at both crack tips. Using the solution for a coated circular inclusion interacting with a single dislocation as the Green's function, the physical problem is formulated into a set of singular integral equations. Using the method of Erdogan and Gupta [Q. J. Appl. Math. 29 (1972) p. 525] and iterative numerical procedures, the singular integral equations are solved numerically for the plastic zone sizes and crack tip opening displacement.

Simultaneous saccharification and cofermentation of peracetic acid-pretreated biomass.

PubMed

Teixeira, L C; Linden, J C; Schroeder, H A

2000-01-01

Previous work in our laboratories has demonstrated the effectiveness of peracetic acid for improving enzymatic digestibility of lignocellulosic materials. The use of dilute alkali solutions as a pre-pretreatment prior to peracetic acid lignin oxidation increased carbohydrate hydrolysis yields in a synergistic as opposed to additive manner. Deacetylation of xylan is easily achieved using dilute alkali solutions under mild conditions. In this article, we evaluate the effectiveness of peracetic acid combined with an alkaline pre-pretreatment through simultaneous saccharification and cofermentation (SSCF) of pretreated hybrid poplar wood and sugar cane bagasse. Respective ethanol yields of 92.8 and 91.9% of theoretical are achieved using 6% NaOH/15% peracetic acid-pretreated substrates and recombinant Zymomonas mobilis CP4/pZB5. Reduction of acetyl groups of the lignocellulosic materials is demonstrated following alkaline pre-pretreatments. Such processing may be helpful in reducing peracetic acid requirements. The influence of deacetylation is more significant in combined pretreatments using lower peracetic acid loadings.

Effect of poultry litter biochar on Saccharomyces cerevisiae growth and ethanol production from steam-exploded poplar and corn stover

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diallo, Oumou

The use of ethanol produced from lignocellulosic biomass for transportation fuel offers solutions in reducing environmental emission and the use of non-renewable fuels. However, lignocellulosic ethanol production is still hampered by economic and technical obstacles. For instance, the inhibitory effect of toxic compounds produced during biomass pretreatment was reported to inhibit the fermenting microorganisms, hence there was a decrease in ethanol yield and productivity. Thus, there is a need to improve the bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol in order to promote its commercialization. The research reported here investigated the use of poultry litter biochar to improve the ethanol production from steam-exploded poplar and corn stover. The effect of poultry litter biochar was first studied on Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 204508/S288C growth, and second on the enzyme hydrolysis and fermentation of two steam-exploded biomasses: (poplar and corn stover). The third part of the study investigated optimal process parameters (biochar loading, biomass loading, and enzyme loading) on the reducing sugars production, and ethanol yield from steam-exploded corn stover. In this study, it has been shown that poultry litter biochar improved the S. cerevisiae growth and ethanol productivity; therefore poultry litter biochar could potentially be used to improve the ethanol production from steam-exploded lignocellulosic biomass.

Sharing the rivers: Balancing the needs of people and fish against the backdrop of heavy sediment loads downstream from Mount Rainier, Washington

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magirl, C. S.; Czuba, J. A.; Czuba, C. R.; Curran, C. A.

2012-12-01

Despite heavy sediment loads, large winter floods, and floodplain development, the rivers draining Mount Rainier, a 4,392-m glaciated stratovolcano within 85 km of sea level at Puget Sound, Washington, support important populations of anadromous salmonids, including Chinook salmon and steelhead trout, both listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Aggressive river-management approaches of the early 20th century, such as bank armoring and gravel dredging, are being replaced by more ecologically sensitive approaches including setback levees. However, ongoing aggradation rates of up to 8 cm/yr in lowland reaches present acute challenges for resource managers tasked with ensuring flood protection without deleterious impacts to aquatic ecology. Using historical sediment-load data and a recent reservoir survey of sediment accumulation, rivers draining Mount Rainer were found to carry total sediment yields of 350 to 2,000 tonnes/km2/yr, notably larger than sediment yields of 50 to 200 tonnes/km2/yr typical for other Cascade Range rivers. An estimated 70 to 94% of the total sediment load in lowland reaches originates from the volcano. Looking toward the future, transport-capacity analyses and sediment-transport modeling suggest that large increases in bedload and associated aggradation will result from modest increases in rainfall and runoff that are predicted under future climate conditions. If large sediment loads and associated aggradation continue, creative solutions and long-term management strategies are required to protect people and structures in the floodplain downstream of Mount Rainier while preserving aquatic ecosystems.

An unsteady aerodynamic formulation for efficient rotor tonal noise prediction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gennaretti, M.; Testa, C.; Bernardini, G.

2013-12-01

An aerodynamic/aeroacoustic solution methodology for predction of tonal noise emitted by helicopter rotors and propellers is presented. It is particularly suited for configurations dominated by localized, high-frequency inflow velocity fields as those generated by blade-vortex interactions. The unsteady pressure distributions are determined by the sectional, frequency-domain Küssner-Schwarz formulation, with downwash including the wake inflow velocity predicted by a three-dimensional, unsteady, panel-method formulation suited for the analysis of rotors operating in complex aerodynamic environments. The radiated noise is predicted through solution of the Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings equation. The proposed approach yields a computationally efficient solution procedure that may be particularly useful in preliminary design/multidisciplinary optimization applications. It is validated through comparisons with solutions that apply the airloads directly evaluated by the time-marching, panel-method formulation. The results are provided in terms of blade loads, noise signatures and sound pressure level contours. An estimation of the computational efficiency of the proposed solution process is also presented.

Production of Y-86 and other radiometals for research purposes using a solution target system.

PubMed

Oehlke, Elisabeth; Hoehr, Cornelia; Hou, Xinchi; Hanemaayer, Victoire; Zeisler, Stefan; Adam, Michael J; Ruth, Thomas J; Celler, Anna; Buckley, Ken; Benard, Francois; Schaffer, Paul

2015-11-01

Diagnostic radiometals are typically obtained from cyclotrons by irradiating solid targets or from radioisotope generators. These methods have the advantage of high production yields, but require additional solid target handling infrastructure that is not readily available to many cyclotron facilities. Herein, we provide an overview of our results regarding the production of various positron-emitting radiometals using a liquid target system installed on a 13 MeV cyclotron at TRIUMF. Details about the production, purification and quality control of (89)Zr, (68)Ga and for the first time (86)Y are discussed. Aqueous solutions containing 1.35-1.65 g/mL of natural-abundance zinc nitrate, yttrium nitrate, and strontium nitrate were irradiated on a 13 MeV cyclotron using a standard liquid target. Different target body and foil materials were investigated for corrosion. Production yields were calculated using theoretical cross-sections from the EMPIRE code and compared with experimental results. The radioisotopes were extracted from irradiated target material using solid phase extraction methods adapted from previously reported methods, and used for radiolabelling experiments. We demonstrated production quantities that are sufficient for chemical and biological studies for three separate radiometals, (89)Zr (Asat = 360 MBq/μA and yield = 3.17 MBq/μA), (86)Y (Asat = 31 MBq/μA and yield = 1.44 MBq/μA), and (68)Ga (Asat = 141 MBq/μA and yield = 64 MBq/μA) from one hour long irradiations on a typical medical cyclotron. (68)Ga yields were sufficient for potential clinical applications. In order to avoid corrosion of the target body and target foil, nitrate solutions were chosen as well as niobium as target-body material. An automatic loading system enabled up to three production runs per day. The separation efficiency ranged from 82 to 99%. Subsequently, (68)Ga and (86)Y were successfully used to radiolabel DOTA-based chelators while deferoxamine was used to coordinate (89)Zr. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Equivalent Dynamic Models.

PubMed

Molenaar, Peter C M

2017-01-01

Equivalences of two classes of dynamic models for weakly stationary multivariate time series are discussed: dynamic factor models and autoregressive models. It is shown that exploratory dynamic factor models can be rotated, yielding an infinite set of equivalent solutions for any observed series. It also is shown that dynamic factor models with lagged factor loadings are not equivalent to the currently popular state-space models, and that restriction of attention to the latter type of models may yield invalid results. The known equivalent vector autoregressive model types, standard and structural, are given a new interpretation in which they are conceived of as the extremes of an innovating type of hybrid vector autoregressive models. It is shown that consideration of hybrid models solves many problems, in particular with Granger causality testing.

Porous media fracturing dynamics: stepwise crack advancement and fluid pressure oscillations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Toan D.; Hussain, Fazle; Schrefler, Bernhard A.

2018-02-01

We present new results explaining why fracturing in saturated porous media is not smooth and continuous but is a distinct stepwise process concomitant with fluid pressure oscillations. All exact solutions and almost all numerical models yield smooth fracture advancement and fluid pressure evolution, while recent experimental results, mainly from the oil industry, observation from geophysics and a very few numerical results for the quasi-static case indeed reveal the stepwise phenomenon. We summarize first these new experiments and these few numerical solutions for the quasi-static case. Both mechanical loading and pressure driven fractures are considered because their behaviours differ in the direction of the pressure jumps. Then we explore stepwise crack tip advancement and pressure fluctuations in dynamic fracturing with a hydro-mechanical model of porous media based on the Hybrid Mixture Theory. Full dynamic analyses of examples dealing with both hydraulic fracturing and mechanical loading are presented. The stepwise fracture advancement is confirmed in the dynamic setting as well as in the pressure fluctuations, but there are substantial differences in the frequency contents of the pressure waves in the two loading cases. Comparison between the quasi-static and fully dynamic solutions reveals that the dynamic response gives much more information such as the type of pressure oscillations and related frequencies and should be applied whenever there is a doubt about inertia forces playing a role - the case in most fracturing events. In the absence of direct relevant dynamic tests on saturated media some experimental results on dynamic fracture in dry materials, a fast hydraulic fracturing test and observations from geophysics confirm qualitatively the obtained results such as the type of pressure oscillations and the substantial difference in the behaviour under the two loading cases.

Impact of sampling strategy on stream load estimates in till landscape of the Midwest

USGS Publications Warehouse

Vidon, P.; Hubbard, L.E.; Soyeux, E.

2009-01-01

Accurately estimating various solute loads in streams during storms is critical to accurately determine maximum daily loads for regulatory purposes. This study investigates the impact of sampling strategy on solute load estimates in streams in the US Midwest. Three different solute types (nitrate, magnesium, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC)) and three sampling strategies are assessed. Regardless of the method, the average error on nitrate loads is higher than for magnesium or DOC loads, and all three methods generally underestimate DOC loads and overestimate magnesium loads. Increasing sampling frequency only slightly improves the accuracy of solute load estimates but generally improves the precision of load calculations. This type of investigation is critical for water management and environmental assessment so error on solute load calculations can be taken into account by landscape managers, and sampling strategies optimized as a function of monitoring objectives. ?? 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Estimating total maximum daily loads with the Stochastic Empirical Loading and Dilution Model

USGS Publications Warehouse

Granato, Gregory; Jones, Susan Cheung

2017-01-01

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Rhode Island DOT are assessing and addressing roadway contributions to total maximum daily loads (TMDLs). Example analyses for total nitrogen, total phosphorus, suspended sediment, and total zinc in highway runoff were done by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with FHWA to simulate long-term annual loads for TMDL analyses with the stochastic empirical loading and dilution model known as SELDM. Concentration statistics from 19 highway runoff monitoring sites in Massachusetts were used with precipitation statistics from 11 long-term monitoring sites to simulate long-term pavement yields (loads per unit area). Highway sites were stratified by traffic volume or surrounding land use to calculate concentration statistics for rural roads, low-volume highways, high-volume highways, and ultraurban highways. The median of the event mean concentration statistics in each traffic volume category was used to simulate annual yields from pavement for a 29- or 30-year period. Long-term average yields for total nitrogen, phosphorus, and zinc from rural roads are lower than yields from the other categories, but yields of sediment are higher than for the low-volume highways. The average yields of the selected water quality constituents from high-volume highways are 1.35 to 2.52 times the associated yields from low-volume highways. The average yields of the selected constituents from ultraurban highways are 1.52 to 3.46 times the associated yields from high-volume highways. Example simulations indicate that both concentration reduction and flow reduction by structural best management practices are crucial for reducing runoff yields.

Chitosan Ascorbate Nanoparticles for the Vaginal Delivery of Antibiotic Drugs in Atrophic Vaginitis

PubMed Central

Vigani, Barbara; Puccio, Antonella; Ferrari, Franca

2017-01-01

The aim of the present work was the development of chitosan ascorbate nanoparticles (CSA NPs) loaded into a fast-dissolving matrix for the delivery of antibiotic drugs in the treatment of atrophic vaginitis. CSA NPs loaded with amoxicillin trihydrate (AX) were obtained by ionotropic gelation in the presence of pentasodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). Different CSA:TPP and CSA:AX weight ratios were considered and their influence on the particle size, polydispersion index and production yield were investigated. CSA NPs were characterized for mucoadhesive, wound healing and antimicrobial properties. Subsequently, CSA NPs were loaded in polymeric matrices, whose composition was optimized using a DoE (Design of Experiments) approach (simplex centroid design). Matrices were obtained by freeze-drying aqueous solutions of three hydrophilic excipients, polyvinylpirrolidone, mannitol and glycin. They should possess a mechanical resistance suitable for the administration into the vaginal cavity and should readily dissolve in the vaginal fluid. In addition to antioxidant properties, due to the presence of ascorbic acid, CSA NPs showed in vitro mucoadhesive, wound healing and antimicrobial properties. In particular, nanoparticles were characterized by an improved antimicrobial activity with respect to a chitosan solution, prepared at the same concentration. The optimized matrix was characterized by mechanical resistance and by the fast release in simulated vaginal fluid of nanoparticles characterized by unchanged size. PMID:29048359

Double-Row Capsulolabral Repair Increases Load to Failure and Decreases Excessive Motion.

PubMed

McDonald, Lucas S; Thompson, Matthew; Altchek, David W; McGarry, Michelle H; Lee, Thay Q; Rocchi, Vanna J; Dines, Joshua S

2016-11-01

Using a cadaver shoulder instability model and load-testing device, we compared biomechanical characteristics of double-row and single-row capsulolabral repairs. We hypothesized a greater reduction in glenohumeral motion and translation and a higher load to failure in a mattress double-row capsulolabral repair than in a single-row repair. In 6 matched pairs of cadaveric shoulders, a capsulolabral injury was created. One shoulder was repaired with a single-row technique, and the other with a double-row mattress technique. Rotational range of motion, anterior-inferior translation, and humeral head kinematics were measured. Load-to-failure testing measured stiffness, yield load, deformation at yield load, energy absorbed at yield load, load to failure, deformation at ultimate load, and energy absorbed at ultimate load. Double-row repair significantly decreased external rotation and total range of motion compared with single-row repair. Both repairs decreased anterior-inferior translation compared with the capsulolabral-injured condition, however, no differences existed between repair types. Yield load in the single-row group was 171.3 ± 110.1 N, and in the double-row group it was 216.1 ± 83.1 N (P = .02). Ultimate load to failure in the single-row group was 224.5 ± 121.0 N, and in the double-row group it was 373.9 ± 172.0 N (P = .05). Energy absorbed at ultimate load in the single-row group was 1,745.4 ± 1,462.9 N-mm, and in the double-row group it was 4,649.8 ± 1,930.8 N-mm (P = .02). In cases of capsulolabral disruption, double-row repair techniques may result in decreased shoulder rotational range of motion and improved load-to-failure characteristics. In cases of capsulolabral disruption, repair techniques with double-row mattress repair may provide more secure fixation. Double-row capsulolabral repair decreases shoulder motion and increases load to failure, yield load, and energy absorbed at yield load more than single-row repair. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Optimization of test parameters for quantitative stress measurements using the miniaturized disk-bend test

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

Meyers, D.E.; Chen, F.C.; Zhang, J.

A recently-developed miniaturized disk-bend test (MDBT) has been successfully used to evaluate the mechanical properties of a variety of materials, using specimens 3 mm in diameter. The load is applied either by a solid ball (the ball-on ring (BOR) mode), or by a hollow cylinder (the ring-on-ring (ROR) mode). They authors have reproduced the yield stresses of ordered intermetallic compounds and the fracture toughness of several ceramics using analytical solutions to the equations of elasticity theory. Despite this success there are several curious features involved in the analysis of data; for example, in previous tests conducted in the BOR modemore » correct values of the yield stress were obtained using the equations appropriate to clamped specimens, whether or not hey were actually clamped in the test fixture. They show that this is ubiquitous to tests in the BOR mode, and does not arise because of frictional constraints at the supporting ring. They have also completed a thorough evaluation of testing in the ROR mode, in which the yield stresses of cold-rolled or annealed AISI type 302 stainless steel were measured using various combinations of specimen thickness and radii of the loading and supporting rings, and compared to those of tensile specimens machined from the same material. The most accurate and reproducible measurements of the yield strength were obtained for specific combinations of specimen thickness and geometry of the apparatus.« less

BSA treatment to enhance enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose in lignin containing substrates.

PubMed

Yang, Bin; Wyman, Charles E

2006-07-05

Cellulase and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were added to Avicel cellulose and solids containing 56% cellulose and 28% lignin from dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment of corn stover. Little BSA was adsorbed on Avicel cellulose, while pretreated corn stover solids adsorbed considerable amounts of this protein. On the other hand, cellulase was highly adsorbed on both substrates. Adding a 1% concentration of BSA to dilute acid pretreated corn stover prior to enzyme addition at 15 FPU/g cellulose enhanced filter paper activity in solution by about a factor of 2 and beta-glucosidase activity in solution by about a factor of 14. Overall, these results suggested that BSA treatment reduced adsorption of cellulase and particularly beta-glucosidase on lignin. Of particular note, BSA treatment of pretreated corn stover solids prior to enzymatic hydrolysis increased 72 h glucose yields from about 82% to about 92% at a cellulase loading of 15 FPU/g cellulose or achieved about the same yield at a loading of 7.5 FPU/g cellulose. Similar improvements were also observed for enzymatic hydrolysis of ammonia fiber explosion (AFEX) pretreated corn stover and Douglas fir treated by SO(2) steam explosion and for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of BSA pretreated corn stover. In addition, BSA treatment prior to hydrolysis reduced the need for beta-glucosidase supplementation of SSF. The results are consistent with non-specific competitive, irreversible adsorption of BSA on lignin and identify promising strategies to reduce enzyme requirements for cellulose hydrolysis. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Suspended-Sediment Loads and Yields in the North Santiam River Basin, Oregon, Water Years 1999-2004

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bragg, Heather M.; Sobieszczyk, Steven; Uhrich, Mark A.; Piatt, David R.

2007-01-01

The North Santiam River provides drinking water to the residents and businesses of the city of Salem, Oregon, and many surrounding communities. Since 1998, water-quality data, including turbidity, were collected continuously at monitoring stations throughout the basin as part of the North Santiam River Basin Turbidity and Suspended Sediment Study. In addition, sediment samples have been collected over a range of turbidity and streamflow values. Regression models were developed between the instream turbidity and suspended-sediment concentration from the samples collected from each monitoring station. The models were then used to estimate the daily and annual suspended-sediment loads and yields. For water years 1999-2004, suspended-sediment loads and yields were estimated for each station. Annual suspended-sediment loads and yields were highest during water years 1999 and 2000. A drought during water year 2001 resulted in the lowest suspended-sediment loads and yields for all monitoring stations. High-turbidity events that were unrelated or disproportional to increased streamflow occurred at several of the monitoring stations during the period of study. These events highlight the advantage of estimating suspended-sediment loads and yields from instream turbidity rather than from streamflow alone.

Parallel DSMC Solution of Three-Dimensional Flow Over a Finite Flat Plate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nance, Robert P.; Wilmoth, Richard G.; Moon, Bongki; Hassan, H. A.; Saltz, Joel

1994-01-01

This paper describes a parallel implementation of the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. Runtime library support is used for scheduling and execution of communication between nodes, and domain decomposition is performed dynamically to maintain a good load balance. Performance tests are conducted using the code to evaluate various remapping and remapping-interval policies, and it is shown that a one-dimensional chain-partitioning method works best for the problems considered. The parallel code is then used to simulate the Mach 20 nitrogen flow over a finite-thickness flat plate. It is shown that the parallel algorithm produces results which compare well with experimental data. Moreover, it yields significantly faster execution times than the scalar code, as well as very good load-balance characteristics.

Dynamic stability of unidirectional fiber-reinforced viscoelastic composite plates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chandiramani, N. K.; Librescu, L.

1989-01-01

This paper deals with a dynamic stability analysis of unidirectional fiber-reinforced composite viscoelastic plates subjected to compressive edge loads. The integrodifferential equations governing the stability problem are obtained by using, in conjunction with a Boltzmann hereditary constitutive law for a three-dimensional viscoelastic medium, a higher-order shear deformation theory of orthotropic plates. Such a theory incorporates transverse shear deformation, transverse normal stress, and rotatory inertia effects. The solution of the stability problem as considered within this paper concerns the determination of the critical in-plane edge loads yielding the asymptotic instability. Numerical applications, based on material properties derived within the framework of Aboudi's micromechanical model, are presented and pertinent conclusions concerning the nature of the loss of stability and the influence of various parameters are outlined.

A thermomechanical anisotropic model for shock loading of elastic-plastic and elastic-viscoplastic materials with application to jointed rock

DOE PAGES

Rubin, M. B.; Vorobiev, O.; Vitali, E.

2016-04-21

Here, a large deformation thermomechanical model is developed for shock loading of a material that can exhibit elastic and inelastic anisotropy. Use is made of evolution equations for a triad of microstructural vectors m i(i=1,2,3) which model elastic deformations and directions of anisotropy. Specific constitutive equations are presented for a material with orthotropic elastic response. The rate of inelasticity depends on an orthotropic yield function that can be used to model weak fault planes with failure in shear and which exhibits a smooth transition to isotropic response at high compression. Moreover, a robust, strongly objective numerical algorithm is proposed formore » both rate-independent and rate-dependent response. The predictions of the continuum model are examined by comparison with exact steady-state solutions. Also, the constitutive equations are used to obtain a simplified continuum model of jointed rock which is compared with high fidelity numerical solutions that model a persistent system of joints explicitly in the rock medium.« less

Drug-beta-cyclodextrin containing pellets prepared with a high-shear mixer.

PubMed

Gainotti, Alessandro; Bettini, Ruggero; Gazzaniga, Andrea; Colombo, Paolo; Giordano, Ferdinando

2004-01-01

This work was aimed at investigating the preparation of beta-cyclodextrin-microcrystalline cellulose pellets by means of a high-shear mixer, both in the absence or in the presence of ibuprofen as model drug. Drug loading of pellets was accomplished by means of two alternative techniques: 1) solution layering or 2) powder layering. The prepared pellets were characterised in terms of size distribution, shape factor, friability and dissolution rate. The interaction between ibuprofen and beta-cyclodextrin was monitored by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Micro Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (MicroFTIR) was applied to determine the distribution of components within each pellet on a micro scale. Pellets with narrow size distribution and containing up to about 90% of BCD were prepared using water as binder. The process yield resulted around 84 and 63% for drug-free and medicate pellets respectively. Drug loaded pellets with favourable technological and biopharmaceutical characteristics can be obtained both by powder or solution layering techniques. The latter proved to be more suitable for producing pellets with high drug contents, reduced friability and high drug dissolution rates.

Investigation of the three-dimensional flow field within a transonic fan rotor: Experiment and analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pierzga, M. J.; Wood, J. R.

1984-01-01

An experimental investigation of the three dimensional flow field through a low aspect ratio, transonic, axial flow fan rotor has been conducted using an advanced laser anemometer (LA) system. Laser velocimeter measurements of the rotor flow field at the design operating speed and over a range of through flow conditions are compared to analytical solutions. The numerical technique used herein yields the solution to the full, three dimensional, unsteady Euler equations using an explicit time marching, finite volume approach. The numerical analysis, when coupled with a simplified boundary layer calculation, generally yields good agreement with the experimental data. The test rotor has an aspect ratio of 1.56, a design total pressure ratio of 1.629 and a tip relative Mach number of 1.38. The high spatial resolution of the LA data matrix (9 radial by 30 axial by 50 blade to blade) permits details of the transonic flow field such as shock location, turning distribution and blade loading levels to be investigated and compared to analytical results.

A paradigm for peptide vaccine delivery using viral epitopes encapsulated in degradable polymer hydrogel capsules.

PubMed

Chong, Siow-Feng; Sexton, Amy; De Rose, Robert; Kent, Stephen J; Zelikin, Alexander N; Caruso, Frank

2009-10-01

We report on the use of degradable polymer capsules as carriers for the delivery of oligopeptide antigens to professional antigen presenting cells (APCs). To achieve encapsulation, oligopeptide sequences were covalently linked to a negatively charged carrier polymer via biodegradable linkages and the resulting conjugate was then adsorbed onto amine-functionalized silica particles. These peptide-coated particles were then used as templates for the layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition of thiolated poly(methacrylic acid) (PMA(SH)) and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVPON) multilayers. Removal of the silica core and disruption of the hydrogen bonding between PMA(SH) and PVPON by altering the solution pH yielded disulfide-stabilized PMA capsules that retain the encapsulated cargo in an oxidative environment. In the presence of a natural reducing agent, glutathione, cleavage of the disulfide bonds causes release of the peptide from the capsules. The developed strategy provides control over peptide loading into polymer capsules and yields colloidally stable micron- and submicron-sized carriers with uniform size and peptide loading. The conjugation and encapsulation procedures were proven to be non-degrading to the peptide vaccines. The peptide-loaded capsules were successfully used to deliver their cargo to APCs and activate CD8 T lymphocytes in a non-human primate model of SIV infection ex vivo. The reported approach represents a novel paradigm in the delivery of peptide vaccines and other therapeutic agents.

Fatigue crack growth under general-yielding cyclic-loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Minzhong, Z.; Liu, H. W.

1986-01-01

In low cycle fatigue, cracks are initiated and propagated under general yielding cyclic loading. For general yielding cyclic loading, Dowling and Begley have shown that fatigue crack growth rate correlates well with the measured delta J. The correlation of da/dN with delta J was also studied by a number of other investigators. However, none of thse studies have correlated da/dN with delta J calculated specifically for the test specimens. Solomon measured fatigue crack growth in specimens in general yielding cyclic loading. The crack tips fields for Solomon's specimens are calculated using the finite element method and the J values of Solomon's tests are evaluated. The measured crack growth rate in Solomon's specimens correlates very well with the calculated delta J.

A simple theory of motor protein kinetics and energetics. II.

PubMed

Qian, H

2000-01-10

A three-state stochastic model of motor protein [Qian, Biophys. Chem. 67 (1997) pp. 263-267] is further developed to illustrate the relationship between the external load on an individual motor protein in aqueous solution with various ATP concentrations and its steady-state velocity. A wide variety of dynamic motor behavior are obtained from this simple model. For the particular case of free-load translocation being the most unfavorable step within the hydrolysis cycle, the load-velocity curve is quasi-linear, V/Vmax = (cF/Fmax-c)/(1-c), in contrast to the hyperbolic relationship proposed by A.V. Hill for macroscopic muscle. Significant deviation from the linearity is expected when the velocity is less than 10% of its maximal (free-load) value--a situation under which the processivity of motor diminishes and experimental observations are less certain. We then investigate the dependence of load-velocity curve on ATP (ADP) concentration. It is shown that the free load Vmax exhibits a Michaelis-Menten like behavior, and the isometric Fmax increases linearly with ln([ATP]/[ADP]). However, the quasi-linear region is independent of the ATP concentration, yielding an apparently ATP-independent maximal force below the true isometric force. Finally, the heat production as a function of ATP concentration and external load are calculated. In simple terms and solved with elementary algebra, the present model provides an integrated picture of biochemical kinetics and mechanical energetics of motor proteins.

Facile purification and click labeling with 2-[ 18F]fluoroethyl azide using solid phase extraction cartridges

DOE PAGES

Zhou, Dong; Chu, Wenhua; Peng, Xin; ...

2014-11-04

In this paper, a facile method was developed to purify 2-[ 18F]fluoroethyl azide ([ 18F]FEA) using a C18 cartridge and an Oasis® HLB cartridge in series, in which [18F]FEA was exclusively trapped on the HLB cartridge. [ 18F]FEA can be eluted for reactions in solution; alternatively click labeling can be carried out on the HLB cartridge itself by loading an alkyne substrate and copper (I) catalyst dissolved in DMF onto the cartridge. Finally, this solid phase extraction methodology for purification and click labeling with [ 18F]FEA, either in solution or on the cartridge, is safe, simple, reproducible in high yield,more » and compatible with automated synthesis of 18F-labeled PET tracers.« less

Loads and yields of selected constituents in streams and rivers of Monroe County, New York, 1984-2001

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sherwood, Donald A.

2004-01-01

Hydrologic data collected in Monroe County since the 1980s and earlier, including long-term records of streamflow and chemical loads, provide a basis for assessment of water-management practices. All monitored streams except Northrup Creek showed a slight (nonsignificant) overall decrease in annual streamflow over their period of record; Northrup Creek showed a slight increase.The highest yields of all constituents except chloride and sulfate were at Northrup Creek; these values exceeded those of the seven Irondequoit Creek basin sites and the Genesee River site. The highest yields of dissolved chloride were at the most highly urbanized site (Allen Creek), whereas the highest yields of dissolved sulfate were at the most upstream Irondequoit Creek sites -- Railroad Mills (active) and Pittsford (inactive). Yields of all constituents in the Genesee River at the Charlotte Pump Station were within the range of those at the Irondequoit Creek basin sites.The four active Irondequoit Creek basin sites showed significant downward trends in flow-adjusted loads of ammonia + organic nitrogen, possibly from the conversion of agricultural land to suburban land. Two active sites (Allen Creek and Blossom Road) and one inactive site (Thomas Creek) showed downward trends in loads of ammonia. All active sites showed significant upward trends in dissolved chloride loads. Northrup Creek showed a significant downward trend in total phosphorus load since the improvement in phosphorus removal at the Spencerport wastewater-treatment plant, and upward trends in dissolved chloride and sulfate loads. The Genesee River at the Charlotte Pump Station showed significant downward trends in loads of ammonia + organic nitrogen and chloride, and an upward trend in loads of orthophosphate.The improved treatment or diversion of sewage-treatment-plant-effluent has produced decreased yields of some constituents throughout the county, particularly in the Irondequoit Creek basin, where the loads of nutrients delivered to Irondequoit Bay have been decreased.

Effect of sewage sledge and their bio-char on some soil qualities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fathi, Hamed; Movahedi Naeini, Seyed Alireza; Mirzanejad, Mojan

2015-04-01

Bio char (BC) application as a soil amendment has achieved much interest and has been found that considerably improves soil nutrient status and crop yields on poor soils. However, information on the effect of BC on illitic soils in temperate climates is still insufficient. The primary objective in this study was to assess the influence of biochar on the soil physical properties, nutrient status and plant production. The result may also provide a reference for the use of biochars as a solution in agricultural waste management when sludge with considerable load of pathogens are involved. Soybean was already grown one year and will be repeated one more year with same treatments. The investigated soil properties included soil water content and mechanical resistance, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), calcium- acetate-lactate (CAL)-extractable P (PCAL) and K (KCAL), C, N, and nitrogen-supplying potential (NSP). The results show soil water content, potassium uptake and plant yield were increased. Heating sludge removed all pathogens and soybean yield was increased by 6%.

Dynamic Loading of Immature Epiphyseal Cartilage Pumps Nutrients out of Vascular Canals

PubMed Central

Albro, Michael B.; Banerjee, Rajan E.; Li, Roland; Oungoulian, Sevan R.; Chen, Bo; del Palomar, Amaya P.; Hung, Clark T.; Ateshian, Gerard A.

2011-01-01

The potential influence of mechanical loading on transvascular transport in vascularized soft tissues has not been explored extensively. This experimental investigation introduced and explored the hypothesis that dynamic mechanical loading can pump solutes out of blood vessels and into the surrounding tissue, leading to faster uptake and higher solute concentrations than could otherwise be achieved under unloaded conditions. Immature epiphyseal cartilage was used as a model tissue system, with fluorescein (332 Da), dextran (3, 10 and 70 kDa) and transferrin (80 kDa) as model solutes. Cartilage disks were either dynamically loaded (±10% compression over a 10% static offset strain, at 0.2 Hz) or maintained unloaded in solution for up to 20 hours. Results demonstrated statistically significant solute uptake in dynamically loaded (DL) explants relative to passive diffusion (PD) controls for all solutes except unbound fluorescein, as evidenced by the DL:PD concentration ratios after 20 hours (1.0 ± 0.2, 2.4 ± 1.1, 6.1 ± 3.3, 9.0 ± 4.0, and 5.5±1.6 for fluorescein, 3, 10, and 70 kDa dextran, and transferrin). Significant uptake enhancements were also observed within the first 30 seconds of loading. Termination of dynamic loading produced dissipation of enhanced solute uptake back to PD control values. Confocal images confirmed that solute uptake occurred from cartilage canals into their surrounding extracellular matrix. The incidence of this loading-induced transvascular solute pumping mechanism may significantly alter our understanding of the interaction of mechanical loading and tissue metabolism. PMID:21481875

Solute load concentrations in some streams in the Upper Osun and Owena drainage basins, central western Nigeria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeje, L. K.; Ogunkoya, O. O.; Oluwatimilehin, J. M.

1999-12-01

The solute load dynamics of 12 third-order streams in central western Nigeria are presented, during storm and non-storm runoff events. The relevance of the Walling and Foster model for explaining storm period solute load dynamics in the humid tropical environment was assessed and it was found that this model was generally applicable to the study area. Exceptions appear to be streams draining settlements and/or farms where fertilizers are applied heavily. The solute load ranged from 5 mg l -1 to 580 mg l -1 with streams draining basins with tree-crop plantations ( Theobroma cacao, Cola sp.) as the dominant land cover having the highest solute load.

An Attempt to Shorten Loading Time of Epirubicin into DC Beads® Using Vibration and a Sieve.

PubMed

Sonoda, Akinaga; Nitta, Norihisa; Yamamoto, Takefumi; Tomozawa, Yuki; Ohta, Shinichi; Watanabe, Shobu; Murata, Kiyoshi

2017-04-01

We investigated the possibility of shortening the time required for loading epirubicin into calibrated polyvinyl alcohol-based hydrogel beads (DC Beads ® ) to be used for transarterial chemoembolization. After separating the beads suspended in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution by the use of a sieve (clearance 75 µm), epirubicin hydrochloride (EH) was loaded for 20, 30, or 60 s under vibration into DC beads. The EH loading rate into conventionally prepared (control) beads, i.e., beads loaded for 30 min without vibration, and vibration-loaded beads were calculated from the residual EH concentration in the bead-depleted EH solution. The amount of EH eluted from conventionally and vibration-loaded samples into a PBS solution (pH 7.0) was measured at 15 and 30 min and 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h. We also recorded the inhibitory effect of the PBS solution on the loading time. Using frozen sections, the EH load in the beads was evaluated visually under a fluorescence microscope. Spectrophotometry (495 nm) showed that the loading rate was 98.98 ± 0.34, 99.02 ± 0.32, and 99.50 ± 0.11 % with 20-, 30-, and 60-s vibration, respectively. The eluted rate was statistically similar between vibration- and statically loaded (control) beads. The PBS solution hampered EH loading into the beads. Visually, the distribution of EH in conventionally and vibration-loaded DC beads was similar. The use of vibration and the removal of PBS solution when epirubicin hydrochloride was loaded into DC beads dramatically shortened the loading time of epirubicin hydrochloride into DC beads.

Estimated nitrogen loads from selected tributaries in Connecticut draining to Long Island Sound, 1999–2009

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mullaney, John R.; Schwarz, Gregory E.

2013-01-01

The total nitrogen load to Long Island Sound from Connecticut and contributing areas to the north was estimated for October 1998 to September 2009. Discrete measurements of total nitrogen concentrations and continuous flow data from 37 water-quality monitoring stations in the Long Island Sound watershed were used to compute total annual nitrogen yields and loads. Total annual computed yields and basin characteristics were used to develop a generalized-least squares regression model for use in estimating the total nitrogen yields from unmonitored areas in coastal and central Connecticut. Significant variables in the regression included the percentage of developed land, percentage of row crops, point-source nitrogen yields from wastewater-treatment facilities, and annual mean streamflow. Computed annual median total nitrogen yields at individual monitoring stations ranged from less than 2,000 pounds per square mile in mostly forested basins (typically less than 10 percent developed land) to more than 13,000 pounds per square mile in urban basins (greater than 40 percent developed) with wastewater-treatment facilities and in one agricultural basin. Medians of computed total annual nitrogen yields for water years 1999–2009 at most stations were similar to those previously computed for water years 1988–98. However, computed medians of annual yields at several stations, including the Naugatuck River, Quinnipiac River, and Hockanum River, were lower than during 1988–98. Nitrogen yields estimated for 26 unmonitored areas downstream from monitoring stations ranged from less than 2,000 pounds per square mile to 34,000 pounds per square mile. Computed annual total nitrogen loads at the farthest downstream monitoring stations were combined with the corresponding estimates for the downstream unmonitored areas for a combined estimate of the total nitrogen load from the entire study area. Resulting combined total nitrogen loads ranged from 38 to 68 million pounds per year during water years 1999–2009. Total annual loads from the monitored basins represent 63 to 74 percent of the total load. Computed annual nitrogen loads from four stations near the Massachusetts border with Connecticut represent 52 to 54 percent of the total nitrogen load during water years 2008–9, the only years with data for all the border sites. During the latter part of the 1999–2009 study period, total nitrogen loads to Long Island Sound from the study area appeared to increase slightly. The apparent increase in loads may be due to higher than normal streamflows, which consequently increased nonpoint nitrogen loads during the study, offsetting major reductions of nitrogen from wastewater-treatment facilities. Nitrogen loads from wastewater treatment facilities declined as much as 2.3 million pounds per year in areas of Connecticut upstream from the monitoring stations and as much as 5.8 million pounds per year in unmonitored areas downstream in coastal and central Connecticut.

DC bead: in vitro characterization of a drug-delivery device for transarterial chemoembolization.

PubMed

Lewis, Andrew L; Gonzalez, M Victoria; Lloyd, Andrew W; Hall, Brenda; Tang, Yiqing; Willis, Sean L; Leppard, Simon W; Wolfenden, Laura C; Palmer, Rosemary R; Stratford, Peter W

2006-02-01

The purpose of this investigation is to present the in vitro characterization and detailed drug-loading procedure for DC Bead, a microsphere product that can be loaded with chemotherapeutic agents for embolization. DC Bead is an embolic microsphere product that is capable of being loaded with anthracycline drugs such as doxorubicin just before administration in a transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) procedure. Beads can be loaded from solutions prepared from doxorubicin powder or the doxorubicin HCl formulation. In this evaluation, bead sizes were measured by optical microscopy with video imaging. Gravimetric analysis demonstrated the effect of drug loading on bead water content, and its consequent impact on bead compressibility was determined. The subsequent deliverability of the beads was assessed by mixing the beads with contrast medium and saline solution and passing the beads through an appropriately sized microcatheter. A T-cell apparatus was used to monitor the in vitro elution of the drug from the beads over a period of 24 hours in various elution media. DC Bead spheres could be easily loaded with doxorubicin to a recommended level of 25 mg/mL of hydrated beads by immersion of the beads in the drug solution for 10-120 minutes depending on microsphere size. Other commercial embolic microspheres were shown not to load doxorubicin to the same extent or release it in the same fashion and were considered unsuitable for local drug delivery. Maximum theoretic capacity for DC Bead was approximately 45 mg/mL. Increase in doxorubicin loading resulted in a concomitant decrease in water content and consequential increase in bead resistance to compression force. Drug loading also resulted in a decrease in the average size of the beads, which was dependent on bead size and drug dose. This did not impact bead delivery at any drug loading level to a maximum of 37.5 mg/mL. Beads 100-700 microm in size could be delivered through 2.7-F microcatheters, whereas the 700-900-microm range required 3-F catheters. Modeling of the kinetics of drug elution from the beads in vitro at a loading dose of 25 mg/mL yielded calculated half-lives of 150 hours for the 100-300-microm range to a maximum of 1,730 hours for the 700-900-microm size range, which was dependent on the ionic strength of the elution medium. For comparison, there was a rapid loss of drug from an unstable Lipiodol emulsion with a half-life of approximately 1 hour. DC Bead can be loaded with doxorubicin to provide an accurate dosage of drug per unit volume of beads. Drug elution is dependent on ion exchange with the surrounding environment and is controlled and sustained, unlike the rapid separation of the drug from Lipiodol. Drug loading has no impact on the handling and deliverability of the beads, making them suitable for superselective TACE.

Selective photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to methanol in CuO-loaded NaTaO3 nanocubes in isopropanol

PubMed Central

Xiang, Tianyu; Chen, Jingshuai; Wang, Yuwen; Yin, Xiaohong; Shao, Xiao

2016-01-01

Summary A series of NaTaO3 photocatalysts were prepared with Ta2O5 and NaOH via a hydrothermal method. CuO was loaded onto the surface of NaTaO3 as a cocatalyst by successive impregnation and calcination. The obtained photocatalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM, UV–vis, EDS and XPS and used to photocatalytically reduce CO2 in isopropanol. This worked to both absorb CO2 and as a sacrificial reagent to harvest CO2 and donate electrons. Methanol and acetone were generated as the reduction product of CO2 and the oxidation product of isopropanol, respectively. NaTaO3 nanocubes loaded with 2 wt % CuO and synthesized in 2 mol/L NaOH solution showed the best activity. The methanol and acetone yields were 137.48 μmol/(g·h) and 335.93 μmol/(g·h), respectively, after 6 h of irradiation. Such high activity could be attributed to the good crystallinity, morphology and proper amount of CuO loading, which functioned as reductive sites for selective formation of methanol. The reaction mechanism was also proposed and explained by band theory. PMID:27335766

Batch and multi-step fed-batch enzymatic saccharification of Formiline-pretreated sugarcane bagasse at high solid loadings for high sugar and ethanol titers.

PubMed

Zhao, Xuebing; Dong, Lei; Chen, Liang; Liu, Dehua

2013-05-01

Formiline pretreatment pertains to a biomass fractionation process. In the present work, Formiline-pretreated sugarcane bagasse was hydrolyzed with cellulases by batch and multi-step fed-batch processes at 20% solid loading. For wet pulp, after 144 h incubation with cellulase loading of 10 FPU/g dry solid, fed-batch process obtained ~150 g/L glucose and ~80% glucan conversion, while batch process obtained ~130 g/L glucose with corresponding ~70% glucan conversion. Solid loading could be further increased to 30% for the acetone-dried pulp. By fed-batch hydrolysis of the dried pulp in pH 4.8 buffer solution, glucose concentration could be 247.3±1.6 g/L with corresponding 86.1±0.6% glucan conversion. The enzymatic hydrolyzates could be well converted to ethanol by a subsequent fermentation using Saccharomices cerevisiae with ethanol titer of 60-70 g/L. Batch and fed-batch SSF indicated that Formiline-pretreated substrate showed excellent fermentability. The final ethanol concentration was 80 g/L with corresponding 82.7% of theoretical yield. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microfracture and changes in energy absorption to fracture of young vertebral cancellous bone following physiological fatigue loading.

PubMed

Lu, W W; Luk, K D K; Cheung, K C M; Gui-Xing, Qiu; Shen, J X; Yuen, L; Ouyang, J; Leong, J C Y

2004-06-01

Fifty-five human thoracolumbar vertebrae were randomly fatigue loaded and analyzed. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between fatigue loading, trabecular microfracture, and energy absorption to fracture in human cadaveric thoracolumbar vertebrae. Although trabecular microfractures are found in vivo and have been produced by fatigue loading in vitro, the effect of the level of physiologic fatigue loading on microfracture and energy absorption has not been investigated. Fifty-five human thoracolumbar vertebrae (T11-L4) were randomly divided into 5 groups: 1) control (no loading, n = 6); 2) axial compression to yield (n = 7); and 3-5) 20,000 cycles of fatigue loading at 2 Hz (each n = 14). The level of fatigue loading was determined as a proportion of the yield load of Group 2 as follows: 10% (Group 3), 20% (Group 4), and 30% (Group 5). Half of the specimens in groups 3 to 5 were used for radiographic and histomorphometric analysis to determine microfracture density and distribution, whereas the other half were tested to determine the energy absorption to yield failure. No radiographic evidence of gross fracture was found in any of the groups following fatigue loading. A mean 7.5% increase in stiffness was found in specimens subject to cyclic loading at 10% of yield stress (Group 3). Fatigue at 20% (Group 4) and 30% of yield stress (Group 5) caused significantly higher (P < 0.05) increases in mean stiffness of 23.6% and 24.2%, respectively. Microfracture density increased from 0.46/mm in Group 3 to 0.66/mm in Group 4 and 0.94/mm in Group 5 (P < 0.05). The energy absorbed to failure decreased from 21.9 J in Group 3 to 18.1 J and 19.6 J in Groups 4 and 5, respectively (P < 0.05). Fatigue loading at physiologic levels produced microfractures that are not detectable by radiography. Increased fatigue load results in an increase in microfracture density and decrease energy absorbed to fracture, indicating a reduced resistance to further fatigue loading.

Time-dependent edge notch sensitivity of Inconel 718 sheet in the temperature range 900 to 1400 F (482 to 760 C)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, D. J.

1972-01-01

Time-dependent notch sensitivity of Inconel 718 sheet occurred at 900 to 1200 F when notched specimens were loaded below the yield strength, and tests on smooth specimens showed that small amounts of creep consumed large fractions of creep-rupture life. The severity of the notch sensitivity decreased with decreasing solution treatment temperature and increasing time and/or temperature of the aging treatment. Elimination of the notch sensitivity was correlated with a change in the dislocation mechanism from shearing to by-passing precipitate particles.

On the hyperbolic nature of the equations of alluvial river hydraulics and the equivalence of stable and energy dissipating shocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zanraea, D. D. L.; Needham, D. J.

The depth-averaged hydraulic equations augmented with a suitable bed-load sediment transport function form a closed system which governs the one-dimensional flow in an alluvial river or channel. In this paper, it is shown that this system is hyperbolic and yields three families of shock-wave solutions. These are determined to be temporally stable in restricted regions of the (H, F0)-plane, via the Lax shock inequalities. Further, it is demonstrated that this criterion is equivalent to the energy dissipation criterion developed by Needham and Hey (1991).

Modeling ramp-hold indentation measurements based on Kelvin-Voigt fractional derivative model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Hongmei; zhe Zhang, Qing; Ruan, Litao; Duan, Junbo; Wan, Mingxi; Insana, Michael F.

2018-03-01

Interpretation of experimental data from micro- and nano-scale indentation testing is highly dependent on the constitutive model selected to relate measurements to mechanical properties. The Kelvin-Voigt fractional derivative model (KVFD) offers a compact set of viscoelastic features appropriate for characterizing soft biological materials. This paper provides a set of KVFD solutions for converting indentation testing data acquired for different geometries and scales into viscoelastic properties of soft materials. These solutions, which are mostly in closed-form, apply to ramp-hold relaxation, load-unload and ramp-load creep-testing protocols. We report on applications of these model solutions to macro- and nano-indentation testing of hydrogels, gastric cancer cells and ex vivo breast tissue samples using an atomic force microscope (AFM). We also applied KVFD models to clinical ultrasonic breast data using a compression plate as required for elasticity imaging. Together the results show that KVFD models fit a broad range of experimental data with a correlation coefficient typically R 2  >  0.99. For hydrogel samples, estimation of KVFD model parameters from test data using spherical indentation versus plate compression as well as ramp relaxation versus load-unload compression all agree within one standard deviation. Results from measurements made using macro- and nano-scale indentation agree in trend. For gastric cell and ex vivo breast tissue measurements, KVFD moduli are, respectively, 1/3-1/2 and 1/6 of the elasticity modulus found from the Sneddon model. In vivo breast tissue measurements yield model parameters consistent with literature results. The consistency of results found for a broad range of experimental parameters suggest the KVFD model is a reliable tool for exploring intrinsic features of the cell/tissue microenvironments.

Elastic-plastic models for multi-site damage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Actis, Ricardo L.; Szabo, Barna A.

1994-01-01

This paper presents recent developments in advanced analysis methods for the computation of stress site damage. The method of solution is based on the p-version of the finite element method. Its implementation was designed to permit extraction of linear stress intensity factors using a superconvergent extraction method (known as the contour integral method) and evaluation of the J-integral following an elastic-plastic analysis. Coarse meshes are adequate for obtaining accurate results supported by p-convergence data. The elastic-plastic analysis is based on the deformation theory of plasticity and the von Mises yield criterion. The model problem consists of an aluminum plate with six equally spaced holes and a crack emanating from each hole. The cracks are of different sizes. The panel is subjected to a remote tensile load. Experimental results are available for the panel. The plasticity analysis provided the same limit load as the experimentally determined load. The results of elastic-plastic analysis were compared with the results of linear elastic analysis in an effort to evaluate how plastic zone sizes influence the crack growth rates. The onset of net-section yielding was determined also. The results show that crack growth rate is accelerated by the presence of adjacent damage, and the critical crack size is shorter when the effects of plasticity are taken into consideration. This work also addresses the effects of alternative stress-strain laws: The elastic-ideally-plastic material model is compared against the Ramberg-Osgood model.

Three-Dimensional Printing of Vitrification Loop Prototypes for Aquatic Species.

PubMed

Tiersch, Nolan J; Childress, William M; Tiersch, Terrence R

2018-05-16

Vitrification is a method of cryopreservation that freezes samples rapidly, while forming an amorphous solid ("glass"), typically in small (μL) volumes. The goal of this project was to create, by three-dimensional (3D) printing, open vitrification devices based on an elliptical loop that could be efficiently used and stored. Vitrification efforts can benefit from the application of 3D printing, and to begin integration of this technology, we addressed four main variables: thermoplastic filament type, loop length, loop height, and method of loading. Our objectives were to: (1) design vitrification loops with varied dimensions; (2) print prototype loops for testing; (3) evaluate loading methods for the devices; and (4) classify vitrification responses to multiple device configurations. The various configurations were designed digitally using 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) software, and prototype devices were produced with MakerBot ® 3D printers. The thermoplastic filaments used to produce devices were acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA). Vitrification devices were characterized by the film volumes formed with different methods of loading (pipetting or submersion). Frozen films were classified to determine vitrification quality: zero (opaque, or abundant crystalline ice formation); one (translucent, or partial vitrification), or two (transparent, or substantial vitrification, glass). A published vitrification solution was used to conduct experiments. Loading by pipetting formed frozen films more reliably than by submersion, but submersion yielded fewer filling problems and was more rapid. The loop designs that yielded the highest levels of vitrification enabled rapid transfer of heat, and most often were characterized as being longer and consisting of fewer layers (height). 3D printing can assist standardization of vitrification methods and research, yet can also provide the ability to quickly design and fabricate custom devices when needed.

Mechanical and hydraulic properties of Nankai accretionary prism sediments: Effect of stress path

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kitajima, Hiroko; Chester, Frederick M.; Biscontin, Giovanna

2012-10-01

We have conducted triaxial deformation experiments along different loading paths on prism sediments from the Nankai Trough. Different load paths of isotropic loading, uniaxial strain loading, triaxial compression (at constant confining pressure, Pc), undrained Pc reduction, drained Pc reduction, and triaxial unloading at constant Pc, were used to understand the evolution of mechanical and hydraulic properties under complicated stress states and loading histories in accretionary subduction zones. Five deformation experiments were conducted on three sediment core samples for the Nankai prism, specifically from older accreted sediments at the forearc basin, underthrust slope sediments beneath the megasplay fault, and overthrust Upper Shikoku Basin sediments along the frontal thrust. Yield envelopes for each sample were constructed based on the stress paths of Pc-reduction using the modified Cam-clay model, and in situ stress states of the prism were constrained using the results from the other load paths and accounting for horizontal stress. Results suggest that the sediments in the vicinity of the megasplay fault and frontal thrust are highly overconsolidated, and thus likely to deform brittle rather than ductile. The porosity of sediments decreases as the yield envelope expands, while the reduction in permeability mainly depends on the effective mean stress before yield, and the differential stress after yield. An improved understanding of sediment yield strength and hydromechanical properties along different load paths is necessary to treat accurately the coupling of deformation and fluid flow in accretionary subduction zones.

A method to approximate a closest loadability limit using multiple load flow solutions

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

Yorino, Naoto; Harada, Shigemi; Cheng, Haozhong

A new method is proposed to approximate a closest loadability limit (CLL), or closest saddle node bifurcation point, using a pair of multiple load flow solutions. More strictly, the obtainable points by the method are the stationary points including not only CLL but also farthest and saddle points. An operating solution and a low voltage load flow solution are used to efficiently estimate the node injections at a CLL as well as the left and right eigenvectors corresponding to the zero eigenvalue of the load flow Jacobian. They can be used in monitoring loadability margin, in identification of weak spotsmore » in a power system and in the examination of an optimal control against voltage collapse. Most of the computation time of the proposed method is taken in calculating the load flow solution pair. The remaining computation time is less than that of an ordinary load flow.« less

Kinetic study of dry anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and cardboard for methane production.

PubMed

Capson-Tojo, Gabriel; Rouez, Maxime; Crest, Marion; Trably, Eric; Steyer, Jean-Philippe; Bernet, Nicolas; Delgenès, Jean-Philippe; Escudié, Renaud

2017-11-01

Dry anaerobic digestion is a promising option for food waste treatment and valorization. However, accumulation of ammonia and volatile fatty acids often occurs, leading to inefficient processes and digestion failure. Co-digestion with cardboard may be a solution to overcome this problem. The effect of the initial substrate to inoculum ratio (0.25 to 1gVS·gVS -1 ) and the initial total solids contents (20-30%) on the kinetics and performance of dry food waste mono-digestion and co-digestion with cardboard was investigated in batch tests. All the conditions produced methane efficiently (71-93% of the biochemical methane potential). However, due to lack of methanogenic activity, volatile fatty acids accumulated at the beginning of the digestion and lag phases in the methane production were observed. At increasing substrate to inoculum ratios, the initial acid accumulation was more pronounced and lower cumulative methane yields were obtained. Higher amounts of soluble organic matter remained undegraded at higher substrate loads. Although causing slightly longer lag phases, high initial total solids contents did not jeopardize the methane yields. Cardboard addition reduced acid accumulation and the decline in the yields at increasing substrate loads. However, cardboard addition also caused higher concentrations of propionic acid, which appeared as the most last acid to be degraded. Nevertheless, dry co-digestion of food waste and cardboard in urban areas is demonstrated asan interesting feasible valorization option. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Double and multiple contacts of similar elastic materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sundaram, Narayan K.

Ongoing fretting fatigue research has focussed on developing robust contact mechanics solutions for complicated load histories involving normal, shear, moment and bulk loads. For certain indenter profiles and applied loads, the contact patch separates into two disconnected regions. Existing Singular Integral Equation (SIE) techniques do not address these situations. A fast numerical tool is developed to solve such problems for similar elastic materials for a wide range of profiles and load paths including applied moments and remote bulk-stress effects. This tool is then used to investigate two problems in double contacts. The first, to determine the shear configuration space for a biquadratic punch for the generalized Cattaneo-Mindlin problem. The second, to obtain quantitative estimates of the interaction between neighboring cylindrical contacts for both the applied normal load and partial slip problems up to the limits of validity of the halfspace assumption. In double contact problems without symmetry, obtaining a unique solution requires the satisfaction of a condition relating the contact ends, rigid-body rotation and profile function. This condition has the interpretation that a rigid-rod connecting the inner contact ends of an equivalent frictionless double contact of a rigid indenter and halfspace may only undergo rigid body motions. It is also found that the ends of stick-zones, local slips and remote-applied strains in double contact problems are related by an equation expressing tangential surface-displacement continuity. This equation is essential to solve partial-slip problems without contact equivalents. Even when neighboring cylindrical contacts may be treated as non-interacting for the purpose of determining the pressure tractions, this is not generally true if a shear load is applied. The mutual influence of neighboring contacts in partial slip problems is largest at small shear load fractions. For both the pressure and partial slip problems, the interactions are stronger with increasing strength of loading and contact proximity. A new contact algorithm is developed and the SIE method extended to tackle contact problems with an arbitrary number of contact patches with no approximations made about contact interactions. In the case of multiple contact problems determining the correct contact configuration is significantly more complicated than in double contacts, necessitating a new approach. Both the normal contact and partial slip problems are solved. The tool is then used to study contacts of regular rough cylinders, a flat with rounded punch with superimposed sinusoidal roughness and is also applied to analyze the contact of an experimental rough surface with a halfspace. The partial slip results for multiple-contacts are generally consistent with Cattaneo-Mindlin continuum scale results, in that the outermost contacts tend to be in full sliding. Lastly, the influence of plasticity on frictionless multiple contact problems is studied using FEM for two common steel and aluminum alloys. The key findings are that the plasticity decreases the peak pressure and increases both real and apparent contact areas, thus 'blunting' the sharp pressures caused by the contact asperities in pure elasticity. Further, it is found that contact plasticity effects and load for onset of first yield are strongly dependent on roughness amplitude, with higher plasticity effects and lower yield-onset load at higher roughness amplitudes.

Skeletal Benefits of Pre-Menarcheal Gymnastics Are Retained After Activity Cessation

PubMed Central

Scerpella, Tamara A.; Dowthwaite, Jodi N.; Gero, Nicole M.; Kanaley, Jill A.; Ploutz-Snyder, Robert J.

2015-01-01

Mechanical loading during childhood and adolescence may yield skeletal benefits that persist beyond activity cessation and menarche. At 1 year pre- and 2 years post-menarche, non-dominant forearm areal bone mineral density (aBMD), bone mineral content (BMC) and projected area (area) were compared in gymnasts (n=9), ex-gymnasts (n=8) and non-gymnasts (n=13). At both observations, gymnasts and ex-gymnasts had higher forearm aBMD, BMC and area than non-gymnasts. gymnasts had higher post-menarcheal means than ex-gymnasts for all three parameters. Childhood mechanical loading yields skeletal advantages that persist at least 24 months after loading cessation and menarche. Continued post-menarcheal loading yields additional benefit. PMID:20332537

[Contrast of Z-Pinch X-Ray Yield Measure Technique].

PubMed

Li, Mo; Wang, Liang-ping; Sheng, Liang; Lu, Yi

2015-03-01

Resistive bolometer and scintillant detection system are two mainly Z-pinch X-ray yield measure techniques which are based on different diagnostic principles. Contrasting the results from two methods can help with increasing precision of X-ray yield measurement. Experiments with different load material and shape were carried out on the "QiangGuang-I" facility. For Al wire arrays, X-ray yields measured by the two techniques were largely consistent. However, for insulating coating W wire arrays, X-ray yields taken from bolometer changed with load parameters while data from scintillant detection system hardly changed. Simulation and analysis draw conclusions as follows: (1) Scintillant detection system is much more sensitive to X-ray photons with low energy and its spectral response is wider than the resistive bolometer. Thus, results from the former method are always larger than the latter. (2) The responses of the two systems are both flat to Al plasma radiation. Thus, their results are consistent for Al wire array loads. (3) Radiation form planar W wire arrays is mainly composed of sub-keV soft X-ray. X-ray yields measured by the bolometer is supposed to be accurate because of the nickel foil can absorb almost all the soft X-ray. (4) By contrast, using planar W wire arrays, data from scintillant detection system hardly change with load parameters. A possible explanation is that while the distance between wires increases, plasma temperature at stagnation reduces and spectra moves toward the soft X-ray region. Scintillator is much more sensitive to the soft X-ray below 200 eV. Thus, although the total X-ray yield reduces with large diameter load, signal from the scintillant detection system is almost the same. (5) Both Techniques affected by electron beams produced by the loads.

The effect of carbon distribution on deformation and cracking of Ni-16Cr-9Fe-C alloys

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

Hertzberg, J.L.; Was, G.S.

1995-12-31

Constant extension rate tensile (CERT) tests and constant load tensile (CLT) tests were conducted on controlled purity Ni-16Cr-9Fe-C alloys. The amount and form of carbon were varied in order to investigate the roles of carbon in solution and as intergranular (IG) carbides in the deformation and IG cracking behavior in 360 C argon and primary water environments. Results show that the strength, ductility and creep resistance of these alloys are increased with carbon present in solid solution, while IG cracking on the fracture surface is suppressed. Alloys containing carbon in the form of IG carbides, however, exhibit reduced strength andmore » ductility relative to carbon in solution, while maintaining high IG cracking resistance with respect to carbon-free alloys. CERT results of commercial alloy 600 and controlled purity, carbon containing alloys yield comparable failure strains and IG cracking amounts. CLT comparisons with creep tests of alloy 600 suggest that alloys containing IG carbides are more susceptible to creep than those containing all carbon in solid solution.« less

The impact of particle size and initial solid loading on thermochemical pretreatment of wheat straw for improving sugar recovery.

PubMed

Rojas-Rejón, Oscar A; Sánchez, Arturo

2014-07-01

This work studies the effect of initial solid load (4-32 %; w/v, DS) and particle size (0.41-50 mm) on monosaccharide yield of wheat straw subjected to dilute H(2)SO(4) (0.75 %, v/v) pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on a full factorial design (FFD) was used for the statistical analysis of pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. The highest xylose yield obtained during pretreatment (ca. 86 %; of theoretical) was achieved at 4 % (w/v, DS) and 25 mm. The solid fraction obtained from the first set of experiments was subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis at constant enzyme dosage (17 FPU/g); statistical analysis revealed that glucose yield was favored with solids pretreated at low initial solid loads and small particle sizes. Dynamic experiments showed that glucose yield did not increase after 48 h of enzymatic hydrolysis. Once established pretreatment conditions, experiments were carried out with several initial solid loading (4-24 %; w/v, DS) and enzyme dosages (5-50 FPU/g). Two straw sizes (0.41 and 50 mm) were used for verification purposes. The highest glucose yield (ca. 55 %; of theoretical) was achieved at 4 % (w/v, DS), 0.41 mm and 50 FPU/g. Statistical analysis of experiments showed that at low enzyme dosage, particle size had a remarkable effect over glucose yield and initial solid load was the main factor for glucose yield.

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

Sonoda, Akinaga, E-mail: akinagasonoda@yahoo.co.jp; Nitta, Norihisa; Yamamoto, Takefumi

PurposeWe investigated the possibility of shortening the time required for loading epirubicin into calibrated polyvinyl alcohol-based hydrogel beads (DC Beads{sup ®}) to be used for transarterial chemoembolization.MethodAfter separating the beads suspended in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution by the use of a sieve (clearance 75 µm), epirubicin hydrochloride (EH) was loaded for 20, 30, or 60 s under vibration into DC beads. The EH loading rate into conventionally prepared (control) beads, i.e., beads loaded for 30 min without vibration, and vibration-loaded beads were calculated from the residual EH concentration in the bead-depleted EH solution. The amount of EH eluted from conventionally and vibration-loadedmore » samples into a PBS solution (pH 7.0) was measured at 15 and 30 min and 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h. We also recorded the inhibitory effect of the PBS solution on the loading time. Using frozen sections, the EH load in the beads was evaluated visually under a fluorescence microscope.ResultsSpectrophotometry (495 nm) showed that the loading rate was 98.98 ± 0.34, 99.02 ± 0.32, and 99.50 ± 0.11 % with 20-, 30-, and 60-s vibration, respectively. The eluted rate was statistically similar between vibration- and statically loaded (control) beads. The PBS solution hampered EH loading into the beads. Visually, the distribution of EH in conventionally and vibration-loaded DC beads was similar.DiscussionThe use of vibration and the removal of PBS solution when epirubicin hydrochloride was loaded into DC beads dramatically shortened the loading time of epirubicin hydrochloride into DC beads.« less

Limit load solution for electron beam welded joints with single edge weld center crack in tension

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Wei; Shi, Yaowu; Li, Xiaoyan; Lei, Yongping

2012-05-01

Limit loads are widely studied and several limit load solutions are proposed to some typical geometry of weldments. However, there are no limit load solutions exist for the single edge crack weldments in tension (SEC(T)), which is also a typical geometry in fracture analysis. The mis-matching limit load for thick plate with SEC(T) are investigated and the special limit load solutions are proposed based on the available mis-matching limit load solutions and systematic finite element analyses. The real weld configurations are simplified as a strip, and different weld strength mis-matching ratio M, crack depth/width ratio a/ W and weld width 2H are in consideration. As a result, it is found that there exists excellent agreement between the limit load solutions and the FE results for almost all the mis-matching ration M, a/ W and ligament-to-weld width ratio ( W-a)/ H. Moreover, useful recommendations are given for evaluating the limit loads of the EBW structure with SEC(T). For the EBW joints with SEC(T), the mis-matching limit loads can be obtained assuming that the components are wholly made of base metal, when M changing from 1.6 to 0.6. When M decreasing to 0.4, the mis-matching limit loads can be obtained assuming that the components are wholly made of base metal only for large value of ( W-a)/ H. The recommendations may be useful for evaluating the limit loads of the EBW structures with SEC(T). The engineering simplifications are given for assessing the limit loads of electron beam welded structure with SEC(T).

A recursive algorithm for the three-dimensional imaging of brain electric activity: Shrinking LORETA-FOCUSS.

PubMed

Liu, Hesheng; Gao, Xiaorong; Schimpf, Paul H; Yang, Fusheng; Gao, Shangkai

2004-10-01

Estimation of intracranial electric activity from the scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) requires a solution to the EEG inverse problem, which is known as an ill-conditioned problem. In order to yield a unique solution, weighted minimum norm least square (MNLS) inverse methods are generally used. This paper proposes a recursive algorithm, termed Shrinking LORETA-FOCUSS, which combines and expands upon the central features of two well-known weighted MNLS methods: LORETA and FOCUSS. This recursive algorithm makes iterative adjustments to the solution space as well as the weighting matrix, thereby dramatically reducing the computation load, and increasing local source resolution. Simulations are conducted on a 3-shell spherical head model registered to the Talairach human brain atlas. A comparative study of four different inverse methods, standard Weighted Minimum Norm, L1-norm, LORETA-FOCUSS and Shrinking LORETA-FOCUSS are presented. The results demonstrate that Shrinking LORETA-FOCUSS is able to reconstruct a three-dimensional source distribution with smaller localization and energy errors compared to the other methods.

Electricity Load Forecasting Using Support Vector Regression with Memetic Algorithms

PubMed Central

Hu, Zhongyi; Xiong, Tao

2013-01-01

Electricity load forecasting is an important issue that is widely explored and examined in power systems operation literature and commercial transactions in electricity markets literature as well. Among the existing forecasting models, support vector regression (SVR) has gained much attention. Considering the performance of SVR highly depends on its parameters; this study proposed a firefly algorithm (FA) based memetic algorithm (FA-MA) to appropriately determine the parameters of SVR forecasting model. In the proposed FA-MA algorithm, the FA algorithm is applied to explore the solution space, and the pattern search is used to conduct individual learning and thus enhance the exploitation of FA. Experimental results confirm that the proposed FA-MA based SVR model can not only yield more accurate forecasting results than the other four evolutionary algorithms based SVR models and three well-known forecasting models but also outperform the hybrid algorithms in the related existing literature. PMID:24459425

Electricity load forecasting using support vector regression with memetic algorithms.

PubMed

Hu, Zhongyi; Bao, Yukun; Xiong, Tao

2013-01-01

Electricity load forecasting is an important issue that is widely explored and examined in power systems operation literature and commercial transactions in electricity markets literature as well. Among the existing forecasting models, support vector regression (SVR) has gained much attention. Considering the performance of SVR highly depends on its parameters; this study proposed a firefly algorithm (FA) based memetic algorithm (FA-MA) to appropriately determine the parameters of SVR forecasting model. In the proposed FA-MA algorithm, the FA algorithm is applied to explore the solution space, and the pattern search is used to conduct individual learning and thus enhance the exploitation of FA. Experimental results confirm that the proposed FA-MA based SVR model can not only yield more accurate forecasting results than the other four evolutionary algorithms based SVR models and three well-known forecasting models but also outperform the hybrid algorithms in the related existing literature.

Constituent concentrations, loads, and yields to Beaver Lake, Arkansas, water years 1999-2008

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bolyard, Susan E.; De Lanois, Jeanne L.; Green, W. Reed

2010-01-01

Beaver Lake is a large, deep-storage reservoir used as a drinking-water supply and considered a primary watershed of concern in the State of Arkansas. As such, information is needed to assess water quality, especially nutrient enrichment, nutrient-algal relations, turbidity, and sediment issues within the reservoir system. Water-quality samples were collected at three main inflows to Beaver Lake: the White River near Fayetteville, Richland Creek at Goshen, and War Eagle Creek near Hindsville. Water-quality samples collected over the period represented different flow conditions (from low to high). Constituent concentrations, flow-weighted concentrations, loads, and yields from White River, Richland Creek, and War Eagle Creek to Beaver Lake for water years 1999-2008 were documented for this report. Constituents include total ammonia plus organic nitrogen, dissolved nitrite plus nitrate nitrogen, dissolved orthophosphorus (soluble reactive phosphorus), total phosphorus, total nitrogen, dissolved organic carbon, total organic carbon, and suspended sediment. Linear regression models developed by computer program S-LOADEST were used to estimate loads for each constituent for the 10-year period at each station. Constituent yields and flow-weighted concentrations for each of the three stations were calculated for the study. Constituent concentrations and loads and yields varied with time and varied among the three tributaries contributing to Beaver Lake. These differences can result from differences in precipitation, land use, contributions of nutrients from point sources, and variations in basin size. Load and yield estimates varied yearly during the study period, water years 1999-2008, with the least nutrient and sediment load and yields generally occurring in water year 2006, and the greatest occurring in water year 2008, during a year with record amounts of precipitation. Flow-weighted concentrations of most constituents were greatest at War Eagle Creek near Hindsville than White River near Fayetteville and Richland Creek at Goshen. Loads and yields of most constituents were greater at the War Eagle Creek and White River stations than at the Richland Creek Station.

Loads of suspended sediment and nutrients from local nonpoint sources to the tidal Potomac River and Estuary, Maryland and Virginia, 1979-81 water years

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hickman, R. Edward

1987-01-01

Loads of suspended sediment, phosphorus, nitrogen, biochemical oxygen demand, and dissolved silica discharged to the tidal Potomac River and Estuary during the !979-81 water years from three local nonpoint sources have been calculated. The loads in rain falling directly upon the tidal water surface and from overflows of the combined sewer system of the District of Columbia were determined from available information. Loads of materials in the streamflow from local watersheds draining directly to the tidal Potomac River and Estuary downstream from Chain Bridge in Washington, D.C., were calculated from samples of streamflow leaving five monitored watersheds. Average annual yields of substances leaving three urban watersheds (Rock Creek and the Northwest and Northeast Branches of the Anacostia River) and the rural Saint Clements Creek watershed were calculated either by developing relationships between concentration and streamflow or by using the mean of measured concentrations. Yields calculated for the 1979-81 water years are up to 2.3 times period-of-record yields because of greater than average streamflow and stormflow during this 3-year period. Period-of-record yields of suspended sediment from the three urban watersheds and the Saint Clements Creek watershed do not agree with yields reported by other studies. The yields from the urban watersheds are 17 to 51 percent of yields calculated using sediment-concentration data collected during the 1960-62 water years. Previous studies suggest that this decrease is at least partly due to the imposition of effective sediment controls at construction sites and to the construction of two multipurpose reservoirs. The yield calculated for the rural Saint Clements Creek watershed is at least twice the yields calculated for other rural watersheds, a result that may be due to most of the samples of this stream being taken during the summer of the 1981 water year, a very dry period. Loads discharged from all local tributary watersheds to the tidal Potomac River and Estuary during the 1979-81 water years were calculated by applying to the unsampled watersheds the yields determined for the monitored watersheds. The resulting loads are 2.7 million megagrams of suspended sedi- ment, 3,100 megagrams of phosphorus, 14,000 megagrams of nitrogen, 74,000 megagrams of ultimate biochemical oxygen demand, and 68,000 megagrams of dissolved silica. The value for the load of sediment is probably an overestimate because the sediment yield calculated for the Saint Clements Creek watershed does not appear to be representative of rural watersheds. Summed, the loads discharged from all local nonpoint sources (local tributary watersheds, rainfall, and combined sewer overflows) to the tidal Potomac River and Estuary during the 1979-81 water years are 2.7 million megagrams of suspended sediment, 3,300 megagrams of phosphorus, 18,000 megagrams of nitrogen, 78,000 megagrams of ultimate biochemical oxygen demand, and 69,000 megagrams of dissolved silica. These loads accounted for 17 to 38 percent of the loads discharged by major sources during this period.

The plasticity of extracellular fluid homeostasis in insects.

PubMed

Beyenbach, Klaus W

2016-09-01

In chemistry, the ratio of all dissolved solutes to the solution's volume yields the osmotic concentration. The present Review uses this chemical perspective to examine how insects deal with challenges to extracellular fluid (ECF) volume, solute content and osmotic concentration (pressure). Solute/volume plots of the ECF (hemolymph) reveal that insects tolerate large changes in all three of these ECF variables. Challenges beyond those tolerances may be 'corrected' or 'compensated'. While a correction simply reverses the challenge, compensation accommodates the challenge with changes in the other two variables. Most insects osmoregulate by keeping ECF volume and osmotic concentration within a wide range of tolerance. Other insects osmoconform, allowing the ECF osmotic concentration to match the ambient osmotic concentration. Aphids are unique in handling solute and volume loads largely outside the ECF, in the lumen of the gut. This strategy may be related to the apparent absence of Malpighian tubules in aphids. Other insects can suspend ECF homeostasis altogether in order to survive extreme temperatures. Thus, ECF homeostasis in insects is highly dynamic and plastic, which may partly explain why insects remain the most successful class of animals in terms of both species number and biomass. © 2016. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Vertical load capacities of roof truss cross members.

PubMed

Gearhart, David F; Morsy, Mohamed Khaled

2016-05-01

Trusses used for roof support in coal mines are constructed of two grouted bolts installed at opposing forty-five degree angles into the roof and a cross member that ties the angled bolts together. The load on the cross member is vertical, which is transverse to the longitudinal axis, and therefore the cross member is loaded in the weakest direction. Laboratory tests were conducted to determine the vertical load capacity and deflection of three different types of cross members. Single-point load tests, with the load applied in the center of the specimen and double-point load tests, with a span of 2.4 m, were conducted. For the single-point load configuration, the yield of the 25 mm solid bar cross member was nominally 98 kN of vertical load, achieved at 42 cm of deflection. For cable cross members, yield was not achieved even after 45 cm of deflection. Peak vertical loads were about 89 kN for 17 mm cables and 67 kN for the 15 mm cables. For the double-point load configurations, the 25 mm solid bar cross members yielded at 150 kN of vertical load and 25 cm of deflection. At 25 cm of deflection individual cable strands started breaking at 133 and 111 kN of vertical load for the 17 and 15 mm cable cross members respectively.

A biomechanical comparison of 2 techniques of footprint reconstruction for rotator cuff repair: the SwiveLock-FiberChain construct versus standard double-row repair.

PubMed

Burkhart, Stephen S; Adams, Christopher R; Burkhart, Sarah S; Schoolfield, John D

2009-03-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical fixation parameters of a standard double-row rotator cuff repair with those of a knotless footprint reconstruction using the double-row SwiveLock-FiberChain technique (Arthrex, Naples, FL). Seven matched pairs of human cadaveric shoulders were used for testing (mean age, 48 +/- 10.3 years). A shoulder from each matched pair was randomly selected to receive a standard 4-anchor double-row repair of the supraspinatus tendon, and the contralateral shoulder received a 4-anchor double-row SwiveLock-FiberChain repair. The tendon was cycled from 10 N to 100 N at 1 Hz for 500 cycles, followed by a single-cycle pull to failure at 33 mm/s. Yield load, ultimate load, cyclic displacement, and mode of failure were recorded. Yield load and ultimate load were higher for the SwiveLock-FiberChain repair compared with the standard double-row repair for 6 of the 7 treatment pairs; however, 1 cadaver had a contrary outcome, so the overall mean differences in yield load and ultimate load were not significantly different from 0 by Student t test (P > .15). Furthermore, smaller differences between yield load and ultimate load for the SwiveLock-FiberChain repair in 5 of the 7 treatment pairs showed a self-reinforcing mechanism. Double-row footprint reconstruction with the knotless SwiveLock-FiberChain system in this study had yield loads, ultimate loads, and cyclic displacements that were statistically equivalent to those of standard double-row rotation cuff reconstructions. The SwiveLock-FiberChain system's combination of strength, self-reinforcement, and decreased operating time may offer advantages to the surgeon, particularly when dealing with older patients in whom poor tissue quality and total operative time are important considerations.

Yield surface evolution for columnar ice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Zhiwei; Ma, Wei; Zhang, Shujuan; Mu, Yanhu; Zhao, Shunpin; Li, Guoyu

A series of triaxial compression tests, which has capable of measuring the volumetric strain of the sample, were conducted on columnar ice. A new testing approach of probing the experimental yield surface was performed from a single sample in order to investigate yield and hardening behaviors of the columnar ice under complex stress states. Based on the characteristic of the volumetric strain, a new method of defined the multiaxial yield strengths of the columnar ice is proposed. The experimental yield surface remains elliptical shape in the stress space of effective stress versus mean stress. The effect of temperature, loading rate and loading path in the initial yield surface and deformation properties of the columnar ice were also studied. Subsequent yield surfaces of the columnar ice have been explored by using uniaxial and hydrostatic paths. The evolution of the subsequent yield surface exhibits significant path-dependent characteristics. The multiaxial hardening law of the columnar ice was established experimentally. A phenomenological yield criterion was presented for multiaxial yield and hardening behaviors of the columnar ice. The comparisons between the theoretical and measured results indicate that this current model is capable of giving a reasonable prediction for the multiaxial yield and post-yield properties of the columnar ice subjected to different temperature, loading rate and path conditions.

Alkaline-sulfite pretreatment and use of surfactants during enzymatic hydrolysis to enhance ethanol production from sugarcane bagasse.

PubMed

Mesquita, Jéssica Faria; Ferraz, André; Aguiar, André

2016-03-01

Sugarcane bagasse is a by-product from the sugar and ethanol industry which contains approximately 70 % of its dry mass composed by polysaccharides. To convert these polysaccharides into fuel ethanol it is necessary a pretreatment step to increase the enzymatic digestibility of the recalcitrant raw material. In this work, sugarcane bagasse was pretreated by an alkaline-sulfite chemithermomechanical process for increasing its enzymatic digestibility. Na2SO3 and NaOH ratios were fixed at 2:1, and three increasing chemical loads, varying from 4 to 8 % m/m Na2SO3, were used to prepare the pretreated materials. The increase in the alkaline-sulfite load decreased the lignin content in the pretreated material up to 35.5 % at the highest chemical load. The pretreated samples presented enhanced glucose yields during enzymatic hydrolysis as a function of the pretreatment severity. The maximum glucose yield (64 %) was observed for the samples pretreated with the highest chemical load. The use of 2.5 g l(-1) Tween 20 in the hydrolysis step further increased the glucose yield to 75 %. Semi-simultaneous hydrolysis and fermentation of the pretreated materials indicated that the ethanol yield was also enhanced as a function of the pretreatment severity. The maximum ethanol yield was 56 ± 2 % for the sample pretreated with the highest chemical load. For the sample pretreated with the lowest chemical load (2 % m/m NaOH and 4 % m/m Na2SO3), adding Tween 20 during the hydrolysis process increased the ethanol yield from 25 ± 3 to 39.5 ± 1 %.

Simulation of water-quality data at selected stream sites in the Missouri River Basin, Montana

USGS Publications Warehouse

Knapton, J.R.; Jacobson, M.A.

1980-01-01

Modification of sampling programs at some water-quality stations in the Missouri River basin in Montana has eliminated the means by which solute loads have been directly obtained in past years. To compensate for this loss, water-quality and streamflow data were statistically analyzed and solute loads were simulated using computer techniques.Functional relationships existing between specific conductance and solute concentration for monthly samples were used to develop linear regression models. The models were then used to simulate daily solute concentrations using daily specific conductance as the independent variable. Once simulated, the solute concentrations, in milligrams per liter, were transformed into daily solute loads, in tons, using mean daily streamflow records.Computer output was formatted into tables listing simulated mean monthly solute concentrations, in milligrams per liter, and the monthly and annual solute loads, in tons, for water years 1975-78.

Combined Municipal Solid Waste and biomass system optimization for district energy applications.

PubMed

Rentizelas, Athanasios A; Tolis, Athanasios I; Tatsiopoulos, Ilias P

2014-01-01

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) disposal has been a controversial issue in many countries over the past years, due to disagreement among the various stakeholders on the waste management policies and technologies to be adopted. One of the ways of treating/disposing MSW is energy recovery, as waste is considered to contain a considerable amount of bio-waste and therefore can lead to renewable energy production. The overall efficiency can be very high in the cases of co-generation or tri-generation. In this paper a model is presented, aiming to support decision makers in issues relating to Municipal Solid Waste energy recovery. The idea of using more fuel sources, including MSW and agricultural residue biomass that may exist in a rural area, is explored. The model aims at optimizing the system specifications, such as the capacity of the base-load Waste-to-Energy facility, the capacity of the peak-load biomass boiler and the location of the facility. Furthermore, it defines the quantity of each potential fuel source that should be used annually, in order to maximize the financial yield of the investment. The results of an energy tri-generation case study application at a rural area of Greece, using mixed MSW and biomass, indicate positive financial yield of investment. In addition, a sensitivity analysis is performed on the effect of the most important parameters of the model on the optimum solution, pinpointing the parameters of interest rate, investment cost and heating oil price, as those requiring the attention of the decision makers. Finally, the sensitivity analysis is enhanced by a stochastic analysis to determine the effect of the volatility of parameters on the robustness of the model and the solution obtained. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Optimization of cryoprotectant loading into murine and human oocytes.

PubMed

Karlsson, Jens O M; Szurek, Edyta A; Higgins, Adam Z; Lee, Sang R; Eroglu, Ali

2014-02-01

Loading of cryoprotectants into oocytes is an important step of the cryopreservation process, in which the cells are exposed to potentially damaging osmotic stresses and chemical toxicity. Thus, we investigated the use of physics-based mathematical optimization to guide design of cryoprotectant loading methods for mouse and human oocytes. We first examined loading of 1.5 M dimethyl sulfoxide (Me(2)SO) into mouse oocytes at 23°C. Conventional one-step loading resulted in rates of fertilization (34%) and embryonic development (60%) that were significantly lower than those of untreated controls (95% and 94%, respectively). In contrast, the mathematically optimized two-step method yielded much higher rates of fertilization (85%) and development (87%). To examine the causes for oocyte damage, we performed experiments to separate the effects of cell shrinkage and Me(2)SO exposure time, revealing that neither shrinkage nor Me(2)SO exposure single-handedly impairs the fertilization and development rates. Thus, damage during one-step Me(2)SO addition appears to result from interactions between the effects of Me(2)SO toxicity and osmotic stress. We also investigated Me(2)SO loading into mouse oocytes at 30°C. At this temperature, fertilization rates were again lower after one-step loading (8%) in comparison to mathematically optimized two-step loading (86%) and untreated controls (96%). Furthermore, our computer algorithm generated an effective strategy for reducing Me(2)SO exposure time, using hypotonic diluents for cryoprotectant solutions. With this technique, 1.5 M Me(2)SO was successfully loaded in only 2.5 min, with 92% fertilizability. Based on these promising results, we propose new methods to load cryoprotectants into human oocytes, designed using our mathematical optimization approach. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Optimization of Cryoprotectant Loading into Murine and Human Oocytes

PubMed Central

Karlsson, Jens O.M.; Szurek, Edyta A.; Higgins, Adam Z.; Lee, Sang R.; Eroglu, Ali

2014-01-01

Loading of cryoprotectants into oocytes is an important step of the cryopreservation process, in which the cells are exposed to potentially damaging osmotic stresses and chemical toxicity. Thus, we investigated the use of physics-based mathematical optimization to guide design of cryoprotectant loading methods for mouse and human oocytes. We first examined loading of 1.5 M dimethylsulfoxide (Me2SO) into mouse oocytes at 23°C. Conventional one-step loading resulted in rates of fertilization (34%) and embryonic development (60%) that were significantly lower than those of untreated controls (95% and 94%, respectively). In contrast, the mathematically optimized two-step method yielded much higher rates of fertilization (85%) and development (87%). To examine the causes for oocyte damage, we performed experiments to separate the effects of cell shrinkage and Me2SO exposure time, revealing that neither shrinkage nor Me2SO exposure single-handedly impairs the fertilization and development rates. Thus, damage during one-step Me2SO addition appears to result from interactions between the effects of Me2SO toxicity and osmotic stress. We also investigated Me2SO loading into mouse oocytes at 30°C. At this temperature, fertilization rates were again lower after one-step loading (8%) in comparison to mathematically optimized two-step loading (86%) and untreated controls (96%). Furthermore, our computer algorithm generated an effective strategy for reducing Me2SO exposure time, using hypotonic diluents for cryoprotectant solutions. With this technique, 1.5 M Me2SO was successfully loaded in only 2.5 min, with 92% fertilizability. Based on these promising results, we propose new methods to load cryoprotectants into human oocytes, designed using our mathematical optimization approach. PMID:24246951

Tissue-engineered articular cartilage exhibits tension-compression nonlinearity reminiscent of the native cartilage.

PubMed

Kelly, Terri-Ann N; Roach, Brendan L; Weidner, Zachary D; Mackenzie-Smith, Charles R; O'Connell, Grace D; Lima, Eric G; Stoker, Aaron M; Cook, James L; Ateshian, Gerard A; Hung, Clark T

2013-07-26

The tensile modulus of articular cartilage is much larger than its compressive modulus. This tension-compression nonlinearity enhances interstitial fluid pressurization and decreases the frictional coefficient. The current set of studies examines the tensile and compressive properties of cylindrical chondrocyte-seeded agarose constructs over different developmental stages through a novel method that combines osmotic loading, video microscopy, and uniaxial unconfined compression testing. This method was previously used to examine tension-compression nonlinearity in native cartilage. Engineered cartilage, cultured under free-swelling (FS) or dynamically loaded (DL) conditions, was tested in unconfined compression in hypertonic and hypotonic salt solutions. The apparent equilibrium modulus decreased with increasing salt concentration, indicating that increasing the bath solution osmolarity shielded the fixed charges within the tissue, shifting the measured moduli along the tension-compression curve and revealing the intrinsic properties of the tissue. With this method, we were able to measure the tensile (401±83kPa for FS and 678±473kPa for DL) and compressive (161±33kPa for FS and 348±203kPa for DL) moduli of the same engineered cartilage specimens. These moduli are comparable to values obtained from traditional methods, validating this technique for measuring the tensile and compressive properties of hydrogel-based constructs. This study shows that engineered cartilage exhibits tension-compression nonlinearity reminiscent of the native tissue, and that dynamic deformational loading can yield significantly higher tensile properties. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Analysis of doxorubicin distribution in MCF-7 cells treated with drug-loaded nanoparticles by combination of two fluorescence-based techniques, confocal spectral imaging and capillary electrophoresis.

PubMed

Gautier, Juliette; Munnier, Emilie; Soucé, Martin; Chourpa, Igor; Douziech Eyrolles, Laurence

2015-05-01

The intracellular distribution of the antiancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) was followed qualitatively by fluorescence confocal spectral imaging (FCSI) and quantitatively by capillary electrophoresis (CE). FCSI permits the localization of the major fluorescent species in cell compartments, with spectral shifts indicating the polarity of the respective environment. However, distinction between drug and metabolites by FCSI is difficult due to their similar fluorochromes, and direct quantification of their fluorescence is complicated by quantum yield variation between different subcellular environments. On the other hand, capillary electrophoresis with fluorescence detection (CE-LIF) is a quantitative method capable of separating doxorubicin and its metabolites. In this paper, we propose a method for determining drug and metabolite concentration in enriched nuclear and cytosolic fractions of cancer cells by CE-LIF, and we compare these data with those of FCSI. Significant differences in the subcellular distribution of DOX are observed between the drug administered as a molecular solution or as a suspension of drug-loaded iron oxide nanoparticles coated with polyethylene glycol. Comparative analysis of the CE-LIF vs FCSI data may lead to a tentative calibration of this latter method in terms of DOX fluorescence quantum yields in the nucleus and more or less polar regions of the cytosol.

Hypericin-loaded lipid nanocapsules for photodynamic cancer therapy in vitro

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barras, Alexandre; Boussekey, Luc; Courtade, Emmanuel; Boukherroub, Rabah

2013-10-01

Hypericin (Hy), a naturally occurring photosensitizer (PS), is extracted from Hypericum perforatum plants, commonly known as St. John's wort. The discovery of the in vitro and in vivo photodynamic activities of hypericin as a photosensitizer generated great interest, mainly to induce a very potent antitumoral effect. However, this compound belongs to the family of naphthodianthrones which are known to be poorly soluble in physiological solutions and produce non-fluorescent aggregates (A. Wirz et al., Pharmazie, 2002, 57, 543; A. Kubin et al., Pharmazie, 2008, 63, 263). These phenomena can reduce its efficiency as a photosensitizer for the clinical application. In the present contribution, we have prepared, characterized, and studied the photochemical properties of Hy-loaded lipid nanocapsule (LNC) formulations. The amount of singlet oxygen (1O2) generated was measured by the use of p-nitroso-dimethylaniline (RNO) as a selective scavenger under visible light irradiation. Our results showed that Hy-loaded LNCs suppressed aggregation of Hy in aqueous media, increased its apparent solubility, and enhanced the production of singlet oxygen in comparison with free drug. Indeed, encapsulation of Hy in LNCs led to an increase of 1O2 quantum yield to 0.29-0.44, as compared to 0.02 reported for free Hy in water. Additionally, we studied the photodynamic activity of Hy-loaded LNCs on human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) and Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK) cells. The cell viability decreased radically to 10-20% at 1 μM, reflecting Hy-loaded LNC25 phototoxicity.Hypericin (Hy), a naturally occurring photosensitizer (PS), is extracted from Hypericum perforatum plants, commonly known as St. John's wort. The discovery of the in vitro and in vivo photodynamic activities of hypericin as a photosensitizer generated great interest, mainly to induce a very potent antitumoral effect. However, this compound belongs to the family of naphthodianthrones which are known to be poorly soluble in physiological solutions and produce non-fluorescent aggregates (A. Wirz et al., Pharmazie, 2002, 57, 543; A. Kubin et al., Pharmazie, 2008, 63, 263). These phenomena can reduce its efficiency as a photosensitizer for the clinical application. In the present contribution, we have prepared, characterized, and studied the photochemical properties of Hy-loaded lipid nanocapsule (LNC) formulations. The amount of singlet oxygen (1O2) generated was measured by the use of p-nitroso-dimethylaniline (RNO) as a selective scavenger under visible light irradiation. Our results showed that Hy-loaded LNCs suppressed aggregation of Hy in aqueous media, increased its apparent solubility, and enhanced the production of singlet oxygen in comparison with free drug. Indeed, encapsulation of Hy in LNCs led to an increase of 1O2 quantum yield to 0.29-0.44, as compared to 0.02 reported for free Hy in water. Additionally, we studied the photodynamic activity of Hy-loaded LNCs on human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) and Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK) cells. The cell viability decreased radically to 10-20% at 1 μM, reflecting Hy-loaded LNC25 phototoxicity. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr02724d

A Thin Film Nanocomposite Membrane with MCM-41 Silica Nanoparticles for Brackish Water Purification.

PubMed

Kadhom, Mohammed; Yin, Jun; Deng, Baolin

2016-12-06

Thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes containing MCM-41 silica nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by the interfacial polymerization (IP) process. An m -phenylenediamine (MPD) aqueous solution and an organic phase with trimesoyl chloride (TMC) dissolved in isooctane were used in the IP reaction, occurring on a nanoporous polysulfone (PSU) support layer. Isooctane was introduced as the organic solvent for TMC in this work due to its intermediate boiling point. MCM-41 silica NPs were loaded in MPD and TMC solutions in separate experiments, in a concentration range from 0 to 0.04 wt %, and the membrane performance was assessed and compared based on salt rejection and water flux. The prepared membranes were characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), contact angle measurement, and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) analysis. The results show that adding MCM-41 silica NPs into an MPD solution yields slightly improved and more stable results than adding them to a TMC solution. With 0.02% MCM-41 silica NPs in the MPD solution, the water flux was increased from 44.0 to 64.1 L/m²·h, while the rejection virtually remained the same at 95% (2000 ppm NaCl saline solution, 25 °C, 2068 kPa (300 psi)).

An approximate solution for interlaminar stresses in laminated composites: Applied mechanics program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rose, Cheryl A.; Herakovich, Carl T.

1992-01-01

An approximate solution for interlaminar stresses in finite width, laminated composites subjected to uniform extensional, and bending loads is presented. The solution is based upon the principle of minimum complementary energy and an assumed, statically admissible stress state, derived by considering local material mismatch effects and global equilibrium requirements. The stresses in each layer are approximated by polynomial functions of the thickness coordinate, multiplied by combinations of exponential functions of the in-plane coordinate, expressed in terms of fourteen unknown decay parameters. Imposing the stationary condition of the laminate complementary energy with respect to the unknown variables yields a system of fourteen non-linear algebraic equations for the parameters. Newton's method is implemented to solve this system. Once the parameters are known, the stresses can be easily determined at any point in the laminate. Results are presented for through-thickness and interlaminar stress distributions for angle-ply, cross-ply (symmetric and unsymmetric laminates), and quasi-isotropic laminates subjected to uniform extension and bending. It is shown that the solution compares well with existing finite element solutions and represents an improved approximate solution for interlaminar stresses, primarily at interfaces where global equilibrium is satisfied by the in-plane stresses, but large local mismatch in properties requires the presence of interlaminar stresses.

Effect of sewage sledge and their bio-char on some soil qualities in Second year cropping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

fathi dokht, hamed; Movahedi Naeini, Seyed Alireza; Dordipor, Esmaeil; mirzanejad, moujan

2016-04-01

Bio char (BC) application as a soil amendment has achieved much interest and has been found that considerably improves soil nutrient status and crop yields on poor soils. However, information on the effect of BC on illitic soils in temperate climates is still insufficient. The primary objective in this study was to assess the influence of sewage sledge and their bio-char on the soil physical properties, nutrient status and plant production in Second year cropping. The result may also provide a reference for the use of biochars as a solution in agricultural waste management when sludge with considerable load of pathogens are involved. Soybean was already grown one year and will be repeated one more year with same treatments. The investigated soil properties included soil water content and mechanical resistance, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), calcium- acetate-lactate (CAL)-extractable P (PCAL) and K (KCAL), C, N, and nitrogen-supplying potential (NSP). The results show soil water content, potassium uptake and plant yield were increased. Heating sludge removed all pathogens and soybean yield was increased by 7%.

Continuous Passive Sampling of Solutes from Agricultural Subsurface Drainage Tubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lindblad Vendelboe, Anders; de Jonge, Hubert; Rozemeijer, Joachim; Wollesen de Jonge, Lis

2015-04-01

Agricultural subsurface tube drain systems play an important role in water and solute transport. One study, focusing on lowland agricultural catchments, showed that subsurface tube drainage contributed up to 80% of the annual discharge and 90% of the annual NO3 load from agricultural fields to the receiving water bodies. Knowledge of e.g. nutrient loads and drainage volumes, based on measurements and modelling, are important for adequate water quality management. Despite the importance of tube drain transport of solutes, monitoring data are scarce. This scarcity is a result of the existing monitoring techniques for flow and contaminant load from tube drains being expensive and labor-extensive. The study presented here aimed at developing a cheap, simple, and robust method to monitor solute loads from tube drains. The method is based on the newly developed Flowcap, which can be attached to existing tube drain outlets and can measure total flow, contaminant load and flow-averaged concentrations of solutes in the drainage. The Flowcap builds on the existing Sorbicell principle, a passive sampling system that measures average concentrations over longer periods of time (days to months) for various compounds. The Sorbicell consists of two compartments permeable to water. One compartment contains an adsorbent and one contains a tracer. When water passes through the Sorbicell the compound of interest is absorbed while a tracer is released. Using the tracer loss to calculate the volume of water that has passed the Sorbicell it is possible to calculate the average concentration of the compound. When mounting Sorbicells in the Flowcap, a flow-proportional part of the drainage is sampled from the main stream. To accommodate the wide range of drainage flow rates two Flowcaps with different capacities were tested in the laboratory: one with a capacity of 25 L min-1 (Q25) and one with a capacity of 256 L min-1 (Q256). In addition, Sorbicells with two different hydraulic resistances were tested, again to accommodate a large range of potential drainage flows rates. The experiment was continued until the Sorbicell's capacity was exhausted, which gave experimentation times from 6 to 34 days, while continuously changing the drainage flow rate to simulate field drainage conditions, and to test the range of the Flowcap. The laboratory testing yielded a very good linear correlation between drainage flow rates and Sorbicell sampling rates, giving r = 0.99 for both the Q25 and the Q256 Flowcap. The Sorbicells in this experiment were designed to measure NO3, but the Flowcap can be used with any Sorbicell and thus be used to measure any compound of interest. The Flowcap does not need housing, electricity, or maintenance and continuously register drainage volumes and contaminant loads for periods up to one month. This, in addition to the low cost of the monitoring system, enables large-scale monitoring of contaminant loads via tube drains, giving valuable data for the improvement of contaminant transport models. Further, these data will help select and evaluate the different mitigation option to improve water quality.

Nutrient concentrations and loads in the northeastern United States - Status and trends, 1975-2003

USGS Publications Warehouse

Trench, Elaine C. Todd; Moore, Richard B.; Ahearn, Elizabeth A.; Mullaney, John R.; Hickman, R. Edward; Schwarz, Gregory E.

2012-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA) began regional studies in 2003 to synthesize information on nutrient concentrations, trends, stream loads, and sources. In the northeastern United States, a study area that extends from Maine to central Virginia, nutrient data were evaluated for 130 USGS water-quality monitoring stations. Nutrient data were analyzed for trends in flow-adjusted concentrations, modeled instream (non-flow-adjusted) concentrations, and stream loads for 32 stations with 22 to 29 years of water-quality and daily mean streamflow record during 1975-2003 (termed the long-term period), and for 46 stations during 1993-2003 (termed the recent period), by using a coupled statistical model of streamflow and water quality developed by the USGS. Recent trends in flow-adjusted concentrations of one or more nutrients also were analyzed for 90 stations by using Tobit regression. Annual stream nutrient loads were estimated, and annual nutrient yields were calculated, for 47 stations for the long-term and recent periods, and for 37 additional stations that did not have a complete streamflow and water-quality record for 1993-2003. Nutrient yield information was incorporated for 9 drainage basins evaluated in a national NAWQA study, for a total of 93 stations evaluated for nutrient yields. Long-term downward trends in flow-adjusted concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus (18 and 19 of 32 stations, respectively) indicate regional improvements in nutrient-related water-quality conditions. Most of the recent trends detected for total phosphorus were upward (17 of 83 stations), indicating possible reversals to the long-term improvements. Concentrations of nutrients in many streams persist at levels that are likely to affect aquatic habitat adversely and promote freshwater or coastal eutrophication. Recent trends for modeled instream concentrations, and modeled reference concentrations, were evaluated relative to ecoregion-based nutrient criteria proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Instream concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus persist at levels higher than proposed criteria at more than one-third and about one-half, respectively, of the 46 stations analyzed. Long-term trends in nutrient loads were primarily downward, with downward trends in total nitrogen and total phosphorus loads detected at 12 and 17 of 32 stations, respectively. Upward trends were rare, with one upward trend for total nitrogen loads and none for total phosphorus. Trends in loads of nitrite-plus-nitrate nitrogen included 7 upward and 8 downward trends among 32 stations. Downward trends in loads of ammonia nitrogen and total Kjeldahl nitrogen were detected at all six stations evaluated. Long-term downward trends detected in four of the five largest drainage basins evaluated include: total nitrogen loads for the Connecticut, Delaware, and James Rivers; total Kjeldahl nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen loads for the Susquehanna River; ammonia nitrogen and nitrite-plus-nitrate nitrogen loads for the James River; and total phosphorus loads for the Connecticut and Delaware Rivers. No trends in load were detected for the Potomac River. Nutrient yields were evaluated relative to the extent of land development in 93 drainage basins. The undeveloped land-use category included forested drainage basins with undeveloped land ranging from 75 to 100 percent of basin area. Median total nitrogen yields for the 27 undeveloped drainage basins evaluated, including 9 basins evaluated in a national NAWQA study, ranged from 290 to 4,800 pounds per square mile per year (lb/mi2/yr). Total nitrogen yields even in the most pristine drainage basins may be elevated relative to natural conditions, because of high rates of atmospheric deposition of nitrogen in parts of the northeastern United States. Median total phosphorus yields ranged from 12 to 330 lb/mi2/yr for the 26 undeveloped basins evaluated. The undeveloped category includes some large drainage basins with point-source discharges and small percentages of developed land; in these basins, streamflow from undeveloped headwater areas dilutes streamflow in more urbanized reaches, and dampens but does not eliminate the point-source "signal" of higher nutrient loads. Median total nitrogen yields generally do not exceed 1,700 lb/mi2/yr, and median total phosphorus yields generally do not exceed 100 lb/mi2/yr, in the drainage basins that are least affected by human land-use and waste-disposal practices. Agricultural and urban land use has increased nutrient yields substantially relative to undeveloped drainage basins. Median total nitrogen yields for 24 agricultural basins ranged from 1,700 to 26,000 lb/mi2/yr, and median total phosphorus yields ranged from 94 to 1,000 lb/mi2/yr. The maximum estimated total nitrogen and total phosphorus yields, 32,000 and 16,000 lb/mi2/yr, respectively, for all stations in the region were in small (less than 50 square miles (mi2)) agricultural drainage basins. Median total nitrogen yields ranged from 1,400 to 17,000 lb/mi2/yr in 26 urbanized drainage basins, and median total phosphorus yields ranged from 43 to 1,900 lb/mi2/yr. Urbanized drainage basins with the highest nutrient yields are generally small (less than 300 mi2) and are drained by streams that receive major point-source discharges. Instream nutrient loads were evaluated relative to loads from point-source discharges in four drainage basins: the Quinebaug River Basin in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island; the Raritan River Basin in New Jersey; the Patuxent River Basin in Maryland; and the James River Basin in Virginia. Long-term downward trends in nutrient loads, coupled with similar trends in flow-adjusted nutrient concentrations, indicate long-term reductions in the delivery of most nutrients to these streams. However, the absence of recent downward trends in load for most nutrients, coupled with instream concentrations that exceed proposed nutrient criteria in several of these waste-receiving streams, indicates that challenges remain in reducing delivery of nutrients to streams from point sources. During dry years, the total nutrient load from point sources in some of the drainage basins approached or equaled the nutrient load transported by the stream.

Relationship of mechanical characteristics and microstructural features to the time-dependent edge notch sensitivity of inconel 718 sheet

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, D. J.

1971-01-01

Time-dependent notch sensitivity of Inconel 718 sheet was observed at 900 F to 1200 F (482 - 649 C). It occurred when edge-notched specimens were loaded below the yield strength and smooth specimen tests showed that small amounts of creep consumed large rupture life fractions. The severity of the notch sensitivity was reduced by decreasing the solution temperature, increasing the time and/or temperature of aging and increasing the test temperature to 1400 F (760 C). Elimination of time-dependent notch sensitivity correlated with a change in dislocation motion mechanism from shearing to by-passing precipitate particles.

Photophysics of aggregated 9-methylthiacarbocyanine bound to polyanions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chibisov, Alexander K.; Görner, Helmut

2002-05-01

The photophysical properties of 3,3 '-diethyl-9-methylthiacarbocyanine (DTC) were studied in the presence of polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), polyacrylic acid (PAA) and polymethacrylic acid (PMA). The absorption spectra reflect a monomer/dimer equilibrium in neat aqueous solution and a shift towards bound H-aggregates, bound dimers and bound monomers on increasing the ratio of polyanion residue to dye concentrations ( r). These equilibria also determine the photodeactivation modes of DTC. The fluorescence intensity is reduced, when dimers and aggregates are present and strongly enhanced for low dye loading ( r=10 4). In contrast, the quantum yield of intersystem crossing is enhanced for bound dimers ( r=10 3).

Effect of emplaced nZVI mass and groundwater velocity on PCE dechlorination and hydrogen evolution in water-saturated sand.

PubMed

Kim, Hye-Jin; Leitch, Megan; Naknakorn, Bhanuphong; Tilton, Robert D; Lowry, Gregory V

2017-01-15

The effect of nZVI mass loading and groundwater velocity on the tetrachloroethylene (PCE) dechlorination rate and the hydrogen evolution rate for poly(maleic acid-co-olefin) (MW=12K) coated nZVI was examined. In batch reactors, the PCE reaction rate constant (3.7×10 -4 Lhr -1 m -2 ) and hydrogen evolution rate constant (1.4 nanomolLhr -1 m -2 ) were independent of nZVI concentration above 10g/L, but the PCE dechlorination rate decreased and the hydrogen evolution rate increased for nZVI concentration below 10g/L. The nonlinearity between nZVI mass loading and PCE dechlorination and H 2 evolution was explained by differences in pH and E h at each nZVI mass loading; PCE reactivity increased when solution E h decreased, and the H 2 evolution rate increased with decreasing pH. Thus, nZVI mass loading of <5g/L yields lower reactivity with PCE and lower efficiency of Fe° utilization than for higher nZVI mass loading. The PCE dechlorination rate increased with increasing pore-water velocity, suggesting that mass transfer limits the reaction at low porewater velocity. Overall, this work suggests that design of nZVI-based reactive barriers for groundwater treatment should consider the non-linear effects of both mass loading and flow velocity on performance and expected reactive lifetime. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Controlled synthesis and photocatalytic investigation of different-shaped one-dimensional titanic acid nanomaterials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Qiuye; Lu, Gongxuan

Different-shaped one-dimensional (1D) titanic acid nanomaterials (TANs) were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis. By changing the reaction temperature (120, 170 and 200 °C), three kinds of 1D TAN, short-nanotubes (SNT), long-nanotubes (LNT), and nanorods (NR), were obtained. The obtained TANs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and solid-stated diffuse reflectance UV-vis spectra (UV-vis DRS) techniques. Based on these 1D TAN, Eosin Y-sensitized Pt-loaded TAN were prepared by the in situ impregnation and photo-reduction method. Their photocatalytic activity for hydrogen generation was evaluated in triethanolamine (TEOA) aqueous solution under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm). The results indicated that the morphology difference led to a significant variation of photocatalytic performance for hydrogen generation, with the activity order as follows: Eosin Y-sensitized Pt-loaded LNT > Eosin Y-sensitized Pt-loaded NR > Eosin Y-sensitized Pt-loaded SNT. The experimental conditions for photocatalytic hydrogen generation such as Pt loading content, the mass ratio of Eosin Y to TAN, and so on, were optimized. As a result, the highest apparent quantum yields of hydrogen generation for Eosin Y-sensitized Pt-loaded SNT, LNT, and NR were 6.65, 17.36, and 15.04%, respectively. The stability of these photocatalysts and the reaction mechanism of the photocatalytic hydrogen generation are also discussed in detail.

Current research on shear buckling and thermal loads with PASCO: Panel Analysis and Sizing Code

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stroud, W. J.; Greene, W. H.; Anderson, M. S.

1981-01-01

The PASCO computer program to obtain the detailed dimensions of optimum stiffened composite structural panels is described. Design requirements in terms of inequality constraints can be placed on buckling loads or vibration frequencies, lamina stresses and strains, and overall panel stiffness for each of many load conditions. General panel cross sections can be treated. An analysis procedure involving a smeared orthotropic solution was investigated. The conservatism in the VIPASA solution and the danger in a smeared orthotropic solution is explored. PASCO's capability to design for thermal loadings is also described. It is emphasized that design studies illustrate the importance of the multiple load condition capability when thermal loads are present.

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

Rubin, M. B.; Vorobiev, O.; Vitali, E.

Here, a large deformation thermomechanical model is developed for shock loading of a material that can exhibit elastic and inelastic anisotropy. Use is made of evolution equations for a triad of microstructural vectors m i(i=1,2,3) which model elastic deformations and directions of anisotropy. Specific constitutive equations are presented for a material with orthotropic elastic response. The rate of inelasticity depends on an orthotropic yield function that can be used to model weak fault planes with failure in shear and which exhibits a smooth transition to isotropic response at high compression. Moreover, a robust, strongly objective numerical algorithm is proposed formore » both rate-independent and rate-dependent response. The predictions of the continuum model are examined by comparison with exact steady-state solutions. Also, the constitutive equations are used to obtain a simplified continuum model of jointed rock which is compared with high fidelity numerical solutions that model a persistent system of joints explicitly in the rock medium.« less

Finite Element Modeling of a Cylindrical Contact Using Hertzian Assumptions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knudsen, Erik

2003-01-01

The turbine blades in the high-pressure fuel turbopump/alternate turbopump (HPFTP/AT) are subjected to hot gases rapidly flowing around them. This flow excites vibrations in the blades. Naturally, one has to worry about resonance, so a damping device was added to dissipate some energy from the system. The foundation is now laid for a very complex problem. The damper is in contact with the blade, so now there are contact stresses (both normal and tangential) to contend with. Since these stresses can be very high, it is not all that difficult to yield the material. Friction is another non-linearity and the blade is made out of a Nickel-based single-crystal superalloy that is orthotropic. A few approaches exist to solve such a problem and computer models, using contact elements, have been built with friction, plasticity, etc. These models are quite cumbersome and require many hours to solve just one load case and material orientation. A simpler approach is required. Ideally, the model should be simplified so the analysis can be conducted faster. When working with contact problems determining the contact patch and the stresses in the material are the main concerns. Closed-form solutions for non-conforming bodies, developed by Hertz, made out of isotropic materials are readily available. More involved solutions for 3-D cases using different materials are also available. The question is this: can Hertzian1 solutions be applied, or superimposed, to more complicated problems-like those involving anisotropic materials? That is the point of the investigation here. If these results agree with the more complicated computer models, then the analytical solutions can be used in lieu of the numerical solutions that take a very long time to process. As time goes on, the analytical solution will eventually have to include things like friction and plasticity. The models in this report use no contact elements and are essentially an applied load problem using Hertzian assumptions to determine the contact patch dimensions.

Hydrostatic Stress Effect On the Yield Behavior of Inconel 100

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, Phillip A.; Wilson, Christopher D.

2002-01-01

Classical metal plasticity theory assumes that hydrostatic stress has no effect on the yield and postyield behavior of metals. Recent reexaminations of classical theory have revealed a significant effect of hydrostatic stress on the yield behavior of notched geometries. New experiments and nonlinear finite element analyses (FEA) of Inconel 100 (IN 100) equal-arm bend and double-edge notch tension (DENT) test specimens have revealed the effect of internal hydrostatic tensile stresses on yielding. Nonlinear FEA using the von Mises (yielding is independent of hydrostatic stress) and the Drucker-Prager (yielding is linearly dependent on hydrostatic stress) yield functions was performed. In all test cases, the von Mises constitutive model, which is independent of hydrostatic pressure, overestimated the load for a given displacement or strain. Considering the failure displacements or strains, the Drucker-Prager FEMs predicted loads that were 3% to 5% lower than the von Mises values. For the failure loads, the Drucker Prager FEMs predicted strains that were 20% to 35% greater than the von Mises values. The Drucker-Prager yield function seems to more accurately predict the overall specimen response of geometries with significant internal hydrostatic stress influence.

Sediment transport, particle size, and loads in North Fish Creek in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, water years 1990-91

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rose, W.J.; Graczyk, D.J.

1996-01-01

There was little relation between watershed area and sediment loads for the three sites. The watershed of site C is about 41 percent of that of site A, but the sand load at site C was only 1 percent of that at site A. The watershed area between sites B and C is 40 percent of that above site A, but this area yielded 49 percent of the sand load at site A. Nineteen percent of the watershed above site A is between sites A and B, yet this area yielded about 50 percent of the sand load at site A.

Strengthening of Fe3Al Aluminides by One or Two Solute Elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kratochvíl, Petr; Daniš, Stanislav; Minárik, Peter; Pešička, Josef; Král, Robert

2017-09-01

The compressive yield stress of Fe-26Al with additives Ti (0.5 to 4 at. pct), Cr (0.5 to 8 at. pct), Mo (0.5 to 4 at. pct), and V (0.5 to 8 at. pct) at 1073 K (800 °C) has been determined. The effect of the concentration of diverse solutes on the yield stress at 1073 K (800 °C) was compared, and the additivity of the effects of solutes was tested. The effects in iron aluminides with two solutes (V and Ti, Ti and Cr, V and Cr) are compared with those of a single solute V, Ti, and Cr. It is found that the additivity of yield stress increments is valid only for lower solute concentrations. When the amount of the solute atoms increases, the yield stress increment is substantially higher than the sum of the yield stress increments of single solutes. This behavior is related to the high-temperature order in iron aluminides.

The yield and post-yield behavior of high-density polyethylene

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Semeliss, M. A.; Wong, R.; Tuttle, M. E.

1990-01-01

An experimental and analytical evaluation was made of the yield and post-yield behavior of high-density polyethylene, a semi-crystalline thermoplastic. Polyethylene was selected for study because it is very inexpensive and readily available in the form of thin-walled tubes. Thin-walled tubular specimens were subjected to axial loads and internal pressures, such that the specimens were subjected to a known biaxial loading. A constant octahederal shear stress rate was imposed during all tests. The measured yield and post-yield behavior was compared with predictions based on both isotropic and anisotropic models. Of particular interest was whether inelastic behavior was sensitive to the hydrostatic stress level. The major achievements and conclusions reached are discussed.

A mathematical framework for yield (vs. rate) optimization in constraint-based modeling and applications in metabolic engineering.

PubMed

Klamt, Steffen; Müller, Stefan; Regensburger, Georg; Zanghellini, Jürgen

2018-05-01

The optimization of metabolic rates (as linear objective functions) represents the methodical core of flux-balance analysis techniques which have become a standard tool for the study of genome-scale metabolic models. Besides (growth and synthesis) rates, metabolic yields are key parameters for the characterization of biochemical transformation processes, especially in the context of biotechnological applications. However, yields are ratios of rates, and hence the optimization of yields (as nonlinear objective functions) under arbitrary linear constraints is not possible with current flux-balance analysis techniques. Despite the fundamental importance of yields in constraint-based modeling, a comprehensive mathematical framework for yield optimization is still missing. We present a mathematical theory that allows one to systematically compute and analyze yield-optimal solutions of metabolic models under arbitrary linear constraints. In particular, we formulate yield optimization as a linear-fractional program. For practical computations, we transform the linear-fractional yield optimization problem to a (higher-dimensional) linear problem. Its solutions determine the solutions of the original problem and can be used to predict yield-optimal flux distributions in genome-scale metabolic models. For the theoretical analysis, we consider the linear-fractional problem directly. Most importantly, we show that the yield-optimal solution set (like the rate-optimal solution set) is determined by (yield-optimal) elementary flux vectors of the underlying metabolic model. However, yield- and rate-optimal solutions may differ from each other, and hence optimal (biomass or product) yields are not necessarily obtained at solutions with optimal (growth or synthesis) rates. Moreover, we discuss phase planes/production envelopes and yield spaces, in particular, we prove that yield spaces are convex and provide algorithms for their computation. We illustrate our findings by a small example and demonstrate their relevance for metabolic engineering with realistic models of E. coli. We develop a comprehensive mathematical framework for yield optimization in metabolic models. Our theory is particularly useful for the study and rational modification of cell factories designed under given yield and/or rate requirements. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Simulation of relationship between river discharge and sediment yield in the semi-arid river watersheds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khaleghi, Mohammad Reza; Varvani, Javad

2018-02-01

Complex and variable nature of the river sediment yield caused many problems in estimating the long-term sediment yield and problems input into the reservoirs. Sediment Rating Curves (SRCs) are generally used to estimate the suspended sediment load of the rivers and drainage watersheds. Since the regression equations of the SRCs are obtained by logarithmic retransformation and have a little independent variable in this equation, they also overestimate or underestimate the true sediment load of the rivers. To evaluate the bias correction factors in Kalshor and Kashafroud watersheds, seven hydrometric stations of this region with suitable upstream watershed and spatial distribution were selected. Investigation of the accuracy index (ratio of estimated sediment yield to observed sediment yield) and the precision index of different bias correction factors of FAO, Quasi-Maximum Likelihood Estimator (QMLE), Smearing, and Minimum-Variance Unbiased Estimator (MVUE) with LSD test showed that FAO coefficient increases the estimated error in all of the stations. Application of MVUE in linear and mean load rating curves has not statistically meaningful effects. QMLE and smearing factors increased the estimated error in mean load rating curve, but that does not have any effect on linear rating curve estimation.

Nutrient and Suspended-Sediment Transport and Trends in the Columbia River and Puget Sound Basins, 1993-2003

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wise, Daniel R.; Rinella, Frank A.; Rinella, Joseph F.; Fuhrer, Greg J.; Embrey, Sandra S.; Clark, Gregory M.; Schwarz, Gregory E.; Sobieszczyk, Steven

2007-01-01

This study focused on three areas that might be of interest to water-quality managers in the Pacific Northwest: (1) annual loads of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and suspended sediment (SS) transported through the Columbia River and Puget Sound Basins, (2) annual yields of TN, TP, and SS relative to differences in landscape and climatic conditions between subbasin catchments (drainage basins), and (3) trends in TN, TP, and SS concentrations and loads in comparison to changes in landscape and climatic conditions in the catchments. During water year 2000, an average streamflow year in the Pacific Northwest, the Columbia River discharged about 570,000 pounds per day of TN, about 55,000 pounds per day of TP, and about 14,000 tons per day of SS to the Pacific Ocean. The Snake, Yakima, Deschutes, and Willamette Rivers contributed most of the load discharged to the Columbia River. Point-source nutrient loads to the catchments (almost exclusively from municipal wastewater treatment plants) generally were a small percentage of the total in-stream nutrient loads; however, in some reaches of the Spokane, Boise, Walla Walla, and Willamette River Basins, point sources were responsible for much of the annual in-stream nutrient load. Point-source nutrient loads generally were a small percentage of the total catchment nutrient loads compared to nonpoint sources, except for a few catchments where point-source loads comprised as much as 30 percent of the TN load and as much as 80 percent of the TP load. The annual TN and TP loads from point sources discharging directly to the Puget Sound were about equal to the annual loads from eight major tributaries. Yields of TN, TP, and SS generally were greater in catchments west of the Cascade Range. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that TN yields were significantly (p < 0.05) and positively related to precipitation, atmospheric nitrogen load, fertilizer and manure load, and point-source load, and were negatively related to average slope. TP yields were significantly related positively to precipitation, and point-source load and SS yields were significantly related positively to precipitation. Forty-eight percent of the available monitoring sites for TN had significant trends in concentration (2 increasing, 19 decreasing), 32 percent of the available sites for TP had significant trends in concentration (7 increasing, 9 decreasing), and 40 percent of the available sites for SS had significant trends in concentration (4 increasing, 15 decreasing). The trends in load followed a similar pattern, but with fewer sites showing significant trends. The results from this study indicate that inputs from nonpoint sources of nutrients probably have decreased over time in many of the catchments. Despite the generally small contribution of point-source nutrient loads, they still may have been partially responsible for the significant decreasing trends for nutrients at sites where the total point-source nutrient loads to the catchments equaled a substantial proportion of the in-stream load.

An in vitro biomechanical comparison of two fixation methods for transverse osteotomies of the medial proximal forelimb sesamoid bones in horses.

PubMed

Wilson, D A; Keegan, K G; Carson, W L

1999-01-01

This study compared the mechanical properties of the normal intact suspensory apparatus and two methods of fixation for repair of transverse, midbody fractures of the proximal sesamoid bones of adult horses: transfixation wiring (TW) and screws placed in lag fashion (LS). An in vitro, paired study using equine cadaver limbs mounted in a loading apparatus was used to test the mechanical properties of TW and LS. Seventeen paired (13 repaired, 4 normal) equine cadaver limbs consisting of the suspensory apparatus third metacarpal bone, and first and second phalanges. The two methods of repair and normal intact specimens were evaluated in single cycle-to-failure loading. Yield failure was defined to occur at the first notable discontinuity (>50 N) in the load-displacement curve, the first visible failure as evident on the videotape, or a change in the slope of the moment-fetlock angle curve. Ultimate failure was defined to occur at the highest load resisted by the specimen. Corresponding resultant force and force per kg of body weight on the suspensory apparatus, fetlock joint moment, and angle of fetlock dorsiflexion were calculated by use of specimen dimensions and applied load. These were compared along with specimen stiffness, and ram displacement. Load on the suspensory apparatus, load on the suspensory apparatus per kg of body weight, moment, applied load, and angle of fetlock dorsiflexion at yield failure were significantly greater for the TW-repaired than for the LS-repaired specimens. A 3 to 5 mm gap was observed before yield failure in most TW-repaired osteotomies. Transfixation wiring provided greater strength to yield failure than screws placed in lag fashion in single cycle load-to-failure mechanical testing of repaired transverse osteotomized specimens of the medial proximal forelimb sesamoid bone.

A progress report on suspended sediment in several western Oregon and western Washington streams.

Treesearch

Manes Barton

1951-01-01

Streams transport their loads by traction (the bed load) in suspension (the suspended load) and as salts in solution (the solution load). The total load is the sum of these three and is commonly called the water quality. The amounts of and variation in stream flow and water quality have become in the past few years accepted criteria for evaluating watershed conditions...

Development and Characterization of Improved NiTiPd High-Temperature Shape-Memory Alloys by Solid-Solution Strengthening and Thermomechanical Processing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bigelow, Glen; Noebe, Ronald; Padula, Santo, II; Garg, Anita; Olson, David

2006-01-01

The need for compact, solid-state actuation systems for use in the aerospace, automotive, and other transportation industries is currently motivating research in high-temperature shape-memory alloys (HTSMA) with transformation temperatures greater than 100 C. One of the basic high-temperature alloys investigated to fill this need is Ni(19.5)Ti(50.5)Pd30. Initial testing has indicated that this alloy, while having acceptable work characteristics, suffers from significant permanent deformation (or ratcheting) during thermal cycling under load. In an effort to overcome this deficiency, various solid-solution alloying and thermomechanical processing schemes were investigated. Solid-solution strengthening was achieved by substituting 5at% gold or platinum for palladium in Ni(19.5)Ti(50.5)Pd30, the so-called baseline alloy, to strengthen the martensite and austenite phases against slip processes and improve thermomechanical behavior. Tensile properties, work behavior, and dimensional stability during repeated thermal cycling under load for the ternary and quaternary alloys were compared. The relative difference in yield strength between the martensite and austenite phases and the dimensional stability of the alloy were improved by the quaternary additions, while work output was only minimally impacted. The three alloys were also thermomechanically processed by cycling repeatedly through the transformation range under a constant stress. This so-called training process dramatically improved the dimensional stability in these samples and also recovered the slight decrease in work output caused by quaternary alloying. An added benefit of the solid-solution strengthening was maintenance of enhanced dimensional stability of the trained material to higher temperatures compared to the baseline alloy, providing a greater measure of over-temperature capability.

3D FSE Cube and VIPR-aTR 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging predicts canine cranial cruciate ligament structural properties.

PubMed

Racette, Molly; Al saleh, Habib; Waller, Kenneth R; Bleedorn, Jason A; McCabe, Ronald P; Vanderby, Ray; Markel, Mark D; Brounts, Sabrina H; Block, Walter F; Muir, Peter

2016-03-01

Estimation of cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) structural properties in client-owned dogs with incipient cruciate rupture would be advantageous. The objective of this study was to determine whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurement of normal CrCL volume in an ex-vivo canine model predicts structural properties. Stifles from eight dogs underwent 3.0 Tesla 3D MRI. CrCL volume and normalized median grayscale values were determined using 3D Fast Spin Echo (FSE) Cube and Vastly under-sampled Isotropic PRojection (VIPR)-alternative repetition time (aTR) sequences. Stifles were then mechanically tested. After joint laxity testing, CrCL structural properties were determined, including displacement at yield, yield load, load to failure, and stiffness. Yield load and load to failure (R(2)=0.56, P <0.01) were correlated with CrCL volume determined by VIPR-aTR. Yield load was also correlated with CrCL volume determined by 3D FSE Cube (R(2)=0.32, P <0.05). Structural properties were not related to median grayscale values. Joint laxity and CrCL stiffness were not related to MRI parameters, but displacement at yield load was related to CrCL volume for both sequences during testing (R(2)>0.57, P <0.005). In conclusion, 3D MRI offers a predictive method for estimating canine CrCL structural properties. 3D MRI may be useful for monitoring CrCL properties in clinical trials. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ca2+ transients in cardiac myocytes measured with high and low affinity Ca2+ indicators.

PubMed Central

Berlin, J R; Konishi, M

1993-01-01

Intracellular calcium ion ([Ca2+]i) transients were measured in voltage-clamped rat cardiac myocytes with fura-2 or furaptra to quantitate rapid changes in [Ca2+]i. Patch electrode solutions contained the K+ salt of fura-2 (50 microM) or furaptra (300 microM). With identical experimental conditions, peak amplitude of stimulated [Ca2+]i transients in furaptra-loaded myocytes was 4- to 6-fold greater than that in fura-2-loaded cells. To determine the reason for this discrepancy, intracellular fura-2 Ca2+ buffering, kinetics of Ca2+ binding, and optical properties were examined. Decreasing cellular fura-2 concentration by lowering electrode fura-2 concentration 5-fold, decreased the difference between the amplitudes of [Ca2+]i transients in fura-2 and furaptra-loaded myocytes by twofold. Thus, fura-2 buffers [Ca2+]i under these conditions; however, Ca2+ buffering is not the only factor that explains the different amplitudes of the [Ca2+]i transients measured with these indicators. From the temporal comparison of the [Ca2+]i transients measured with fura-2 and furaptra, the apparent reverse rate constant for Ca2+ binding of fura-2 was at least 65s-1, much faster than previously reported in skeletal muscle fibers. These binding kinetics do not explain the difference in the size of the [Ca2+]i transients reported by fura-2 and furaptra. Parameters for fura-2 calibration, Rmin, Rmax, and beta, were obtained in salt solutions (in vitro) and in myocytes exposed to the Ca2+ ionophore, 4-Br A23187, in EGTA-buffered solutions (in situ). Calibration of fura-2 fluorescence signals with these in situ parameters yielded [Ca2+]i transients whose peak amplitude was 50-100% larger than those calculated with in vitro parameters. Thus, in vitro calibration of fura-2 fluorescence significantly underestimates the amplitude of the [Ca2+]i transient. These data suggest that the difference in amplitude of [Ca2+]i transients in fura-2 and furaptra-loaded myocytes is due, in part, to Ca2+ buffering by fura-2 and use of in vitro calibration parameters. PMID:8274651

New Design Concept for an Excavator Arms by Using Composite Material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solazzi, L.; Assi, A.; Ceresoli, F.

2018-06-01

The purpose of the present paper is to lightweight design an excavator arms, by using a different materials and in particular composite material. Specifically, the research is based on the study of a commercial excavator, by determining its geometry and analyzing the load conditions to which it is exposed. These are determined in relation to either the load diagram of the machine or the possible utilities of the excavator, such as the rotation of the machine. The materials used and implemented in the different analytical and numerical elaborations are classic construction steel S 355 (UNI EN 10025-3), high-resistance steel S 890 (UNI EN 10025-6), aluminum Al 6063 T6 (UNI EN 573-3) and the composite material made by carbon fiber and epoxy resin. The adopted constraints for the design of new arms with different materials, non-conventional for these applications, are numerous. The new solutions must present a safety factor either with respect to the yield tensile strength or to the critical load of buckling greater than or equal to the one determined for the excavator in its original geometrical conformation. Another criterion, which has heavily conditioned the geometry of the arms, was given by the fact that the developed solutions must present a very similar value of the maximum displacement in the different load conditions analyzed. A new geometry for arms made by composite material was developed. It was an elliptical conic section, instead of the classic rectangular section, in order to use the filament winding technological process. As for the adoption of the composite material, we focused on the study and the design of this material as long as the interaction with the extremities (made of aluminum) which are interfaced either with the link between the arms or with the elements of the hydraulic plant which serves for the arms movement. From the results developed, it emerges that the solution developed by adopting composite materials is the one that permits the maximum weight reduction for all arms, about 68.1%, which can be seen as an increment of the maximum mass transportable about 45.5% i.e. passing from 5000 kg to 7277 kg.

Hybrid state vector methods for structural dynamic and aeroelastic boundary value problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lehman, L. L.

1982-01-01

A computational technique is developed that is suitable for performing preliminary design aeroelastic and structural dynamic analyses of large aspect ratio lifting surfaces. The method proves to be quite general and can be adapted to solving various two point boundary value problems. The solution method, which is applicable to both fixed and rotating wing configurations, is based upon a formulation of the structural equilibrium equations in terms of a hybrid state vector containing generalized force and displacement variables. A mixed variational formulation is presented that conveniently yields a useful form for these state vector differential equations. Solutions to these equations are obtained by employing an integrating matrix method. The application of an integrating matrix provides a discretization of the differential equations that only requires solutions of standard linear matrix systems. It is demonstrated that matrix partitioning can be used to reduce the order of the required solutions. Results are presented for several example problems in structural dynamics and aeroelasticity to verify the technique and to demonstrate its use. These problems examine various types of loading and boundary conditions and include aeroelastic analyses of lifting surfaces constructed from anisotropic composite materials.

Thermal activation parameters of plastic flow reveal deformation mechanisms in the CrMnFeCoNi high-entropy alloy

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

Laplanche, Guillaume; Bonneville, J.; Varvenne, C.

To reveal the operating mechanisms of plastic deformation in an FCC high-entropy alloy, the activation volumes in CrMnFeCoNi have been measured as a function of plastic strain and temperature between 77 K and 423 K using repeated load relaxation experiments. At the yield stress, σ y, the activation volume varies from ~60 b3 at 77 K to ~360 b 3 at 293 K and scales inversely with yield stress. With increasing plastic strain, the activation volume decreases and the trends follow the Cottrell-Stokes law, according to which the inverse activation volume should increase linearly with σ - σ y (Haasenmore » plot). This is consistent with the notion that hardening due to an increase in the density of forest dislocations is naturally associated with a decrease in the activation volume because the spacing between dislocations decreases. The values and trends in activation volume agree with theoretical predictions that treat the HEA as a high-concentration solid-solution-strengthened alloy. Lastly, these results demonstrate that this HEA deforms by the mechanisms typical of solute strengthening in FCC alloys, and thus indicate that the high compositional/structural complexity does not introduce any new intrinsic deformation mechanisms.« less

Thermal activation parameters of plastic flow reveal deformation mechanisms in the CrMnFeCoNi high-entropy alloy

DOE PAGES

Laplanche, Guillaume; Bonneville, J.; Varvenne, C.; ...

2017-10-06

To reveal the operating mechanisms of plastic deformation in an FCC high-entropy alloy, the activation volumes in CrMnFeCoNi have been measured as a function of plastic strain and temperature between 77 K and 423 K using repeated load relaxation experiments. At the yield stress, σ y, the activation volume varies from ~60 b3 at 77 K to ~360 b 3 at 293 K and scales inversely with yield stress. With increasing plastic strain, the activation volume decreases and the trends follow the Cottrell-Stokes law, according to which the inverse activation volume should increase linearly with σ - σ y (Haasenmore » plot). This is consistent with the notion that hardening due to an increase in the density of forest dislocations is naturally associated with a decrease in the activation volume because the spacing between dislocations decreases. The values and trends in activation volume agree with theoretical predictions that treat the HEA as a high-concentration solid-solution-strengthened alloy. Lastly, these results demonstrate that this HEA deforms by the mechanisms typical of solute strengthening in FCC alloys, and thus indicate that the high compositional/structural complexity does not introduce any new intrinsic deformation mechanisms.« less

High-resolution mapping of yield curve shape and evolution for high porosity sandstones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bedford, J. D.; Faulkner, D.; Wheeler, J.; Leclere, H.

2017-12-01

The onset of permanent inelastic deformation for porous rock is typically defined by a yield curve plotted in P-Q space, where P is the effective mean stress and Q is the differential stress. Sandstones usually have broadly elliptical shaped yield curves, with the low pressure side of the ellipse associated with localized brittle faulting (dilation) and the high pressure side with distributed ductile deformation (compaction). However recent works have shown that these curves might not be perfectly elliptical and that significant evolution in shape occurs with continued deformation. We therefore use a novel stress-probing methodology to map in high-resolution the yield curve shape for Boise and Idaho Gray sandstones (36-38% porosity) and also investigate curve evolution with increasing deformation. The data reveal yield curves with a much flatter geometry than previously recorded for porous sandstone and that the compactive side of the curve is partly comprised of a near vertical limb. The yield curve evolution is found to be strongly dependent on the nature of inelastic strain. Samples that were compacted under a deviatoric load, with a component of inelastic shear strain, were found to have yield curves with peaks that are approximately 50% higher than similar porosity samples that were hydrostatically compacted (i.e. purely volumetric strain). The difference in yield curve evolution along the different loading paths is attributed to mechanical anisotropy that develops during deviatoric loading by the closure of preferentially orientated fractures. Increased shear strain also leads to the formation of a plateau at the peak of the yield curve as samples deform along the deviatoric loading path. These results have important implications for understanding how the strength of porous rock evolves along different stress paths, including during fluid extraction from hydrocarbon reservoirs where the stress state is rarely isotropic.

Spatial variability in nutrient transport by HUC8, state, and subbasin based on Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin SPARROW models

USGS Publications Warehouse

Robertson, Dale M.; Saad, David A.; Schwarz, Gregory E.

2014-01-01

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loading from the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin (MARB) has been linked to hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. With geospatial datasets for 2002, including inputs from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and monitored loads throughout the MARB, SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) watershed models were constructed specifically for the MARB, which reduced simulation errors from previous models. Based on these models, N loads/yields were highest from the central part (centered over Iowa and Indiana) of the MARB (Corn Belt), and the highest P yields were scattered throughout the MARB. Spatial differences in yields from previous studies resulted from different descriptions of the dominant sources (N yields are highest with crop-oriented agriculture and P yields are highest with crop and animal agriculture and major WWTPs) and different descriptions of downstream transport. Delivered loads/yields from the MARB SPARROW models are used to rank subbasins, states, and eight-digit Hydrologic Unit Code basins (HUC8s) by N and P contributions and then rankings are compared with those from other studies. Changes in delivered yields result in an average absolute change of 1.3 (N) and 1.9 (P) places in state ranking and 41 (N) and 69 (P) places in HUC8 ranking from those made with previous national-scale SPARROW models. This information may help managers decide where efforts could have the largest effects (highest ranked areas) and thus reduce hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico.

Alkaline peroxide pretreatment of corn stover: effects of biomass, peroxide, and enzyme loading and composition on yields of glucose and xylose

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Pretreatment is a critical step in the conversion of lignocellulose to fermentable sugars. Although many pretreatment processes are currently under investigation, none of them are entirely satisfactory in regard to effectiveness, cost, or environmental impact. The use of hydrogen peroxide at pH 11.5 (alkaline hydrogen peroxide (AHP)) was shown by Gould and coworkers to be an effective pretreatment of grass stovers and other plant materials in the context of animal nutrition and ethanol production. Our earlier experiments indicated that AHP performed well when compared against two other alkaline pretreatments. Here, we explored several key parameters to test the potential of AHP for further improvement relevant to lignocellulosic ethanol production. Results The effects of biomass loading, hydrogen peroxide loading, residence time, and pH control were tested in combination with subsequent digestion with a commercial enzyme preparation, optimized mixtures of four commercial enzymes, or optimized synthetic mixtures of pure enzymes. AHP pretreatment was performed at room temperature (23°C) and atmospheric pressure, and after AHP pretreatment the biomass was neutralized with HCl but not washed before enzyme digestion. Standard enzyme digestion conditions were 0.2% glucan loading, 15 mg protein/g glucan, and 48 h digestion at 50°C. Higher pretreatment biomass loadings (10% to 20%) gave higher monomeric glucose (Glc) and xylose (Xyl) yields than the 2% loading used in earlier studies. An H2O2 loading of 0.25 g/g biomass was almost as effective as 0.5 g/g, but 0.125 g/g was significantly less effective. Optimized mixtures of four commercial enzymes substantially increased post-AHP-pretreatment enzymatic hydrolysis yields at all H2O2 concentrations compared to any single commercial enzyme. At a pretreatment biomass loading of 10% and an H2O2 loading of 0.5 g/g biomass, an optimized commercial mixture at total protein loadings of 8 or 15 mg/g glucan gave monomeric Glc yields of 83% or 95%, respectively. Yields of Glc and Xyl after pretreatment at a low hydrogen peroxide loading (0.125 g H2O2/g biomass) could be improved by extending the pretreatment residence time to 48 h and readjusting the pH to 11.5 every 6 h during the pretreatment. A Glc yield of 77% was obtained using a pretreatment of 15% biomass loading, 0.125 g H2O2/g biomass, and 48 h with pH adjustment, followed by digestion with an optimized commercial enzyme mixture at an enzyme loading of 15 mg protein/g glucan. Conclusions Alkaline peroxide is an effective pretreatment for corn stover. Particular advantages are the use of reagents with low environmental impact and avoidance of special reaction chambers. Reasonable yields of monomeric Glc can be obtained at an H2O2 concentration one-quarter of that used in previous AHP research. Additional improvements in the AHP process, such as peroxide stabilization, peroxide recycling, and improved pH control, could lead to further improvements in AHP pretreatment. PMID:21658263

The role of non-covalent interactions in anticancer drug loading and kinetic stability of polymeric micelles.

PubMed

Yang, Chuan; Attia, Amalina B Ebrahim; Tan, Jeremy P K; Ke, Xiyu; Gao, Shujun; Hedrick, James L; Yang, Yi-Yan

2012-04-01

A new series of acid- and urea-functionalized polycarbonate block copolymers were synthesized via organocatalytic living ring-opening polymerization using methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a macroinitiator to form micelles as drug delivery carriers. The micelles were characterized for critical micelle concentration, particle size and size distribution, kinetic stability and loading capacity for a model anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX) having an amine group. The acid/urea groups were placed in block forms (i.e. acid as the middle block or the end block) or randomly distributed in the polycarbonate block to investigate molecular structure effect. The micelles formed from the polymers in both random and block forms provided high drug loading capacity due to strong ionic interaction between the acid in the polymer and the amine in DOX. However, the polymers with acid and urea groups placed in the block forms formed micelles with wider size distribution (two size populations), and their DOX-loaded micelles were less stable. The number of acid/urea groups in the random form was further varied from 5 to 8, 13 and 19 to study its effects on self-assembly behaviors and DOX loading. An increased number of acid/urea groups yielded DOX-loaded micelles with smaller size and enhanced kinetic stability because of improved inter-molecular polycarbonate-polycarbonate (urea-urea and urea-acid) hydrogen-bonding and polycarbonate-DOX (acid-amine) ionic interactions. However, when the number of acid/urea groups was 13 or higher, micelles aggregated in a serum-containing medium, and freeze-dried DOX-loaded micelles were unable to re-disperse in an aqueous solution. Among all the polymers synthesized in this study, 1b with 8 acid/urea groups in the random form had the optimum properties. In vitro release studies showed that DOX release from 1b micelles was sustained over 7 h without significant initial burst release. MTT assays demonstrated that the polymer was not toxic towards HepG2 and HEK293 cells. Importantly, DOX-loaded micelles were potent against HepG2 cells with IC(50) of 0.26 mg/L, comparable to that of free DOX (IC(50): 0.20 mg/L). In addition, DOX-loaded 1b micelles yielded lower DOX content in the heart tissue of the tested mice as compared to free DOX formulation after i.v. injection. These findings signify that 1b micelles may be a promising carrier for delivery of anticancer drugs that contain amine groups. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Optimization of Enzymatic Saccharification of Alkali Pretreated Parthenium sp. Using Response Surface Methodology

PubMed Central

Pandiyan, K.; Tiwari, Rameshwar; Singh, Surender; Nain, Pawan K. S.; Rana, Sarika; Arora, Anju; Singh, Shashi B.; Nain, Lata

2014-01-01

Parthenium sp. is a noxious weed which threatens the environment and biodiversity due to its rapid invasion. This lignocellulosic weed was investigated for its potential in biofuel production by subjecting it to mild alkali pretreatment followed by enzymatic saccharification which resulted in significant amount of fermentable sugar yield (76.6%). Optimization of enzymatic hydrolysis variables such as temperature, pH, enzyme, and substrate loading was carried out using central composite design (CCD) in response to surface methodology (RSM) to achieve the maximum saccharification yield. Data obtained from RSM was validated using ANOVA. After the optimization process, a model was proposed with predicted value of 80.08% saccharification yield under optimum conditions which was confirmed by the experimental value of 85.80%. This illustrated a good agreement between predicted and experimental response (saccharification yield). The saccharification yield was enhanced by enzyme loading and reduced by temperature and substrate loading. This study reveals that under optimized condition, sugar yield was significantly increased which was higher than earlier reports and promises the use of Parthenium sp. biomass as a feedstock for bioethanol production. PMID:24900917

Characteristics of sediment data and annual suspended-sediment loads and yields for selected lower Missouri River mainstem and tributary stations, 1976-2008

USGS Publications Warehouse

Heimann, David C.; Rasmussen, Patrick P.; Cline, Teri L.; Pigue, Lori M.; Wagner, Holly R.

2010-01-01

Suspended-sediment data from 18 selected surface-water monitoring stations in the lower Missouri River Basin downstream from Gavins Point Dam were used in the computation of annual suspended-sediment and suspended-sand loads for 1976 through 2008. Three methods of suspended-sediment load determination were utilized and these included the subdivision method, regression of instantaneous turbidity with suspended-sediment concentrations at selected stations, and regression techniques using the Load Estimator (LOADEST) software. Characteristics of the suspended-sediment and streamflow data collected at the 18 monitoring stations and the tabulated annual suspended-sediment and suspended-sand loads and yields are presented.

A constitutive model for AS4/PEEK thermoplastic composites under cyclic loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rui, Yuting; Sun, C. T.

1990-01-01

Based on the basic and essential features of the elastic-plastic response of the AS4/PEEK thermoplastic composite subjected to off-axis cyclic loadings, a simple rate-independent constitutive model is proposed to describe the orthotropic material behavior for cyclic loadings. A one-parameter memory surface is introduced to distinguish the virgin deformation and the subsequent deformation process and to characterize the loading range effect. Cyclic softening is characterized by the change of generalized plastic modulus. By the vanishing yield surface assumption, a yield criterion is not needed and it is not necessary to consider loading and unloading separately. The model is compared with experimental results and good agreement is obtained.

46 CFR 153.1065 - Sodium chlorate solutions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Sodium chlorate solutions. 153.1065 Section 153.1065... Procedures § 153.1065 Sodium chlorate solutions. (a) No person may load sodium chlorate solutions into a... before loading. (b) The person in charge of cargo transfer shall make sure that spills of sodium chlorate...

46 CFR 153.1065 - Sodium chlorate solutions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 46 Shipping 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Sodium chlorate solutions. 153.1065 Section 153.1065... Procedures § 153.1065 Sodium chlorate solutions. (a) No person may load sodium chlorate solutions into a... before loading. (b) The person in charge of cargo transfer shall make sure that spills of sodium chlorate...

46 CFR 153.1065 - Sodium chlorate solutions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 46 Shipping 5 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Sodium chlorate solutions. 153.1065 Section 153.1065... Procedures § 153.1065 Sodium chlorate solutions. (a) No person may load sodium chlorate solutions into a... before loading. (b) The person in charge of cargo transfer shall make sure that spills of sodium chlorate...

Single-molecule studies of oligomer extraction and uptake of dyes in poly(dimethylsiloxane) films.

PubMed

Lange, Jeffrey J; Collinson, Maryanne M; Culbertson, Christopher T; Higgins, Daniel A

2009-12-15

Single-molecule microscopic methods were used to probe the uptake, mobility, and entrapment of dye molecules in cured poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) films as a function of oligomer extraction. The results are relevant to the use of PDMS in microfluidic separations, pervaporation, solid-phase microextraction, and nanofiltration. PDMS films were prepared by spin-casting dilute solutions of Sylgard 184 onto glass coverslips, yielding approximately 1.4 microm thick films after curing. Residual oligomers were subsequently extracted from the films by "spin extraction". In this procedure, 200 microL aliquots of isopropyl alcohol were repeatedly dropped onto the film surface and spun off at 2000 rpm. Samples extracted 5, 10, 20, and 40 times were investigated. Dye molecules were loaded into these films by spin-casting nanomolar dye solutions onto the films. Both neutral perylene diimide (N,N'-bis(butoxypropyl)perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide) and cationic rhodamine 6G (R6G) dyes were employed. The films were imaged by confocal fluorescence microscopy. The images obtained depict nonzero populations of fixed and mobile molecules in all films. Cross-correlation methods were used to quantitatively determine the population of fixed molecules in a given region, while a Bayesian burst analysis was used to obtain the total population of molecules. The results show that the total amount of dye loaded increases with increased oligomer extraction, while the relative populations of fixed and mobile molecules decrease and increase, respectively. Bulk R6G data also show greater dye loading with increased oligomer extraction.

QUANTIFYING LOAD-INDUCED SOLUTE TRANSPORT AND SOLUTE-MATRIX INTERACTIONS WITHIN THE OSTEOCYTE LACUNAR-CANALICULAR SYSTEM

PubMed Central

Wang, Bin; Zhou, Xiaozhou; Price, Christopher; Li, Wen; Pan, Jun; Wang, Liyun

2012-01-01

Osteocytes, the most abundant cells in bone, are critical in maintaining tissue homeostasis and orchestrating bone’s mechanical adaptation. Osteocytes depend upon load-induced convection within the lacunar-canalicular system (LCS) to maintain viability and to sense their mechanical environment. Using the fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) imaging approach, we previously quantified the convection of a small tracer (sodium fluorescein, 376Da) in the murine tibial LCS for an intermittent cyclic loading (Price et al., 2011. JBMR 26:277-85). In the present study we first expanded the investigation of solute transport using a larger tracer (parvalbumin, 12.3kDa), which is comparable in size to some signaling proteins secreted by osteocytes. Murine tibiae were subjected to sequential FRAP tests under rest-inserted cyclic loading while the loading magnitude (0, 2.8, or 4.8N) and frequency (0.5, 1, or 2 Hz) were varied. The characteristic transport rate k and the transport enhancement relative to diffusion (k/k0) were measured under each loading condition, from which the peak solute velocity in the LCS was derived using our LCS transport model. Both the transport enhancement and solute velocity increased with loading magnitude and decreased with loading frequency. Furthermore, the solute-matrix interactions, quantified in terms of the reflection coefficient through the osteocytic pericellular matrix (PCM), were measured and theoretically modeled. The reflection coefficient of parvalbumin (σ=0.084) was derived from the differential fluid and solute velocities within loaded bone. Using a newly developed PCM sieving model, the PCM’s fiber configurations accounting for the measured interactions were obtained for the first time. The present study provided not only new data on the micro-fluidic environment experienced by osteocytes in situ, but also a powerful quantitative tool for future study of the PCM, the critical interface that controls both outside-in and inside-out signaling in osteocytes during normal bone adaptation and in pathological conditions. PMID:23109140

Tensile and compressive behavior of Borsic/aluminum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herakovich, C. T.; Davis, J. G., Jr.; Viswanathan, C. N.

1977-01-01

The results of an experimental investigation of the mechanical behavior of Borsic/aluminum are presented. Composite laminates were tested in tension and compression for monotonically increasing load and also for variable loading cycles in which the maximum load was increased in each successive cycle. It is shown that significant strain-hardening, and corresponding increase in yield stress, is exhibited by the metal matrix laminates. For matrix dominated laminates, the current yield stress is essentially identical to the previous maximum stress, and unloading is essentially linear with large permanent strains after unloading. For laminates with fiber dominated behavior, the yield stress increases with increase in the previous maximum stress, but the increase in yield stress does not keep pace with the previous maximum stress. These fiber dominated laminates exhibit smaller nonlinear strains, reversed nonlinear behavior during unloading, and smaller permanent strains after unloading. Compression results from sandwich beams and flat coupons are shown to differ considerably. Results from beam specimens tend to exhibit higher values for modulus, yield stress, and strength.

Spherical shells buckling to the sound of music

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Anna; Marthelot, Joel; Reis, Pedro

We study how the critical buckling load of spherical elastic shells can be modified by a fluctuating external pressure field. In our experiments, we employ thin elastomeric shells of nearly uniform thickness fabricated by the coating of a hemispherical mold with a polymer solution, which upon curing yields elastic structures. A shell is submerged in a water bath and loaded quasi-statically until buckling occurs by reducing its inner volume with a syringe pump. Simultaneously, a plunger connected to an electromagnetic shaker is placed above the shell and driven sinusoidally to create a fluctuating external pressure field that can excite dynamic vibration modes of the shell. These dynamic modes induce effective compressive stresses, in addition to those from the inner pressure loading, which can modify the critical conditions for the onset of buckling. We systematically quantify how the frequency and amplitude of the external driving affects the buckling strength of our shells. In specific regions of the parameter space, we find that pressure fluctuations can result in large reductions of the critical buckling pressure. This is analogous to the classic knock-down effect in shells due to intrinsic geometric imperfections, albeit now in a way that can be controlled externally.

Birnessite-induced mechanochemical degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol.

PubMed

Nasser, A; Mingelgrin, U

2014-07-01

DCP (2,4-dichlorophenol) is the key-intermediate in the synthesis of some widely used pesticides and is an EPA priority pollutant. The mechanochemical breakdown of DCP loaded on birnessite (δ-MnO2), montmorillonite saturated with Na(+) or Cu(2+) and hematite was investigated. Mechanical force was applied by grinding of mixtures of DCP and the minerals, using mortar and pestle. Grinding of DCP for 5 min with the montmorillonites or with hematite resulted in negligible degradation during grinding, while grinding with birnessite induced the immediate degradation of 90% of the loaded DCP. Incubation for 24h after grinding did result in up to 30% degradation of the DCP loaded on the other minerals tested. HPLC and LC-MS analysis revealed that the transformation of DCP yielded oligomerization products as well as partial dechlorination. DCP degradation on birnessite was accompanied with a substantial increase in the extractability of manganese from the mineral into an acidic aqueous solution, indicating that Mn(IV) in the mineral transformed into Mn(II) and that birnessite served as an electron acceptor in the transformation. The oligomerization and partial dechlorination brought about by grinding, suggest a reduction in bioavailability and toxicity. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Elastic-Plastic J-Integral Solutions or Surface Cracks in Tension Using an Interpolation Methodology. Appendix C -- Finite Element Models Solution Database File, Appendix D -- Benchmark Finite Element Models Solution Database File

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, Phillip A.; Wells, Douglas N.

2013-01-01

No closed form solutions exist for the elastic-plastic J-integral for surface cracks due to the nonlinear, three-dimensional nature of the problem. Traditionally, each surface crack must be analyzed with a unique and time-consuming nonlinear finite element analysis. To overcome this shortcoming, the authors have developed and analyzed an array of 600 3D nonlinear finite element models for surface cracks in flat plates under tension loading. The solution space covers a wide range of crack shapes and depths (shape: 0.2 less than or equal to a/c less than or equal to 1, depth: 0.2 less than or equal to a/B less than or equal to 0.8) and material flow properties (elastic modulus-to-yield ratio: 100 less than or equal to E/ys less than or equal to 1,000, and hardening: 3 less than or equal to n less than or equal to 20). The authors have developed a methodology for interpolating between the goemetric and material property variables that allows the user to reliably evaluate the full elastic-plastic J-integral and force versus crack mouth opening displacement solution; thus, a solution can be obtained very rapidly by users without elastic-plastic fracture mechanics modeling experience. Complete solutions for the 600 models and 25 additional benchmark models are provided in tabular format.

Development and Validation of a Six-Item Version of the Interpersonal Dependency Inventory.

PubMed

McClintock, Andrew S; McCarrick, Shannon M; Anderson, Timothy; Himawan, Lina; Hirschfeld, Robert

2017-04-01

The Interpersonal Dependency Inventory (IDI) is a frequently used, 48-item measure of maladaptive dependency. Our goal was to develop and psychometrically evaluate a very brief version of the IDI. An exploratory factor analysis of the IDI in Study 1 ( N = 838) yielded a six-item IDI (IDI-6), with three items loading on an emotional dependency factor (IDI-6-ED), and the other three items loading on a functional dependency factor (IDI-6-FD). This factor solution was validated by confirmatory factor analysis in Study 2 ( N = 916). The IDI-6-ED and IDI-6-FD demonstrated good convergent and divergent validity in Study 3 ( N = 100). In Study 4 ( N = 22-43), the IDI-6-ED and IDI-6-FD were generally stable over 4-week and 8-week intervals and were found to be responsive to the effects of psychological treatment. These results have implications for dependency conceptualizations and support the IDI-6 as a brief, psychometrically sound instrument.

Algae inhibition experiment and load characteristics of the algae solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiong, L.; Gao, J. X.; Zhang, Y. X.; Yang, Z. K.; Zhang, D. Q.; He, W.

2016-08-01

It is necessary to inhibit microbial growth in an industrial cooling water system. This paper has developed a Monopolar/Bipolar polarity high voltage pulser with load adaptability for an algal experimental study. The load characteristics of the Chlorella pyrenoidosa solution were examined, and it was found that the solution load is resistive. The resistance is related to the plate area, concentration, and temperature of the solution. Furthermore, the pulser's treatment actually inhibits the algae cell growth. This article also explores the influence of various parameters of electric pulses on the algal effect. After the experiment, the optimum pulse parameters were determined to be an electric field intensity of 750 V/cm, a pulse width per second of 120μs, and monopolar polarity.

On the numerical solution of the dynamically loaded hydrodynamic lubrication of the point contact problem

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lim, Sang G.; Brewe, David E.; Prahl, Joseph M.

1990-01-01

The transient analysis of hydrodynamic lubrication of a point-contact is presented. A body-fitted coordinate system is introduced to transform the physical domain to a rectangular computational domain, enabling the use of the Newton-Raphson method for determining pressures and locating the cavitation boundary, where the Reynolds boundary condition is specified. In order to obtain the transient solution, an explicit Euler method is used to effect a time march. The transient dynamic load is a sinusoidal function of time with frequency, fractional loading, and mean load as parameters. Results include the variation of the minimum film thickness and phase-lag with time as functions of excitation frequency. The results are compared with the analytic solution to the transient step bearing problem with the same dynamic loading function. The similarities of the results suggest an approximate model of the point contact minimum film thickness solution.

A Distributed Dynamic Programming-Based Solution for Load Management in Smart Grids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Wei; Xu, Yinliang; Li, Sisi; Zhou, MengChu; Liu, Wenxin; Xu, Ying

2018-03-01

Load management is being recognized as an important option for active user participation in the energy market. Traditional load management methods usually require a centralized powerful control center and a two-way communication network between the system operators and energy end-users. The increasing user participation in smart grids may limit their applications. In this paper, a distributed solution for load management in emerging smart grids is proposed. The load management problem is formulated as a constrained optimization problem aiming at maximizing the overall utility of users while meeting the requirement for load reduction requested by the system operator, and is solved by using a distributed dynamic programming algorithm. The algorithm is implemented via a distributed framework and thus can deliver a highly desired distributed solution. It avoids the required use of a centralized coordinator or control center, and can achieve satisfactory outcomes for load management. Simulation results with various test systems demonstrate its effectiveness.

Ethanol production from mixtures of sugarcane bagasse and Dioscorea composita extracted residue with high solid loading.

PubMed

Ye, Guangying; Zeng, Defu; Zhang, Shuaishuai; Fan, Meishan; Zhang, Hongdan; Xie, Jun

2018-06-01

Various mixing ratios of alkali pretreated sugarcane bagasse and starch-rich waste Dioscorea composita hemls extracted residue (DER) were evaluated via simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) with 12% (w/w) solid loading, and the mixture ratio of 1:1 achieved the highest ethanol concentration and yield. When the solid loading was increased from 12% to 32%, the ethanol concentration was increased to 72.04 g/L, whereas the ethanol yield was reduced from 84.40% to 73.71%. With batch feeding and the addition of 0.1% (w/v) Tween 80, the final ethanol concentration and yield of SSF at 34% loading were 82.83 g/L and 77.22%, respectively. Due to the integration with existing starch-based ethanol industry, the co-fermentation is expected to be a competitive alternative form for cellulosic ethanol production. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Elastic-Plastic J-Integral Solutions or Surface Cracks in Tension Using an Interpolation Methodology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, P. A.; Wells, D. N.

2013-01-01

No closed form solutions exist for the elastic-plastic J-integral for surface cracks due to the nonlinear, three-dimensional nature of the problem. Traditionally, each surface crack must be analyzed with a unique and time-consuming nonlinear finite element analysis. To overcome this shortcoming, the authors have developed and analyzed an array of 600 3D nonlinear finite element models for surface cracks in flat plates under tension loading. The solution space covers a wide range of crack shapes and depths (shape: 0.2 less than or equal to a/c less than or equal to 1, depth: 0.2 less than or equal to a/B less than or equal to 0.8) and material flow properties (elastic modulus-to-yield ratio: 100 less than or equal to E/ys less than or equal to 1,000, and hardening: 3 less than or equal to n less than or equal to 20). The authors have developed a methodology for interpolating between the goemetric and material property variables that allows the user to reliably evaluate the full elastic-plastic J-integral and force versus crack mouth opening displacement solution; thus, a solution can be obtained very rapidly by users without elastic-plastic fracture mechanics modeling experience. Complete solutions for the 600 models and 25 additional benchmark models are provided in tabular format.

[Optimization on trehalose loading technique as protective conditioning for lyophilization of human platelets].

PubMed

Liu, Jing-Han; Zhou, Jun; Ouyang, Xi-Lin; Li, Xi-Jin; Lu, Fa-Qiang

2005-08-01

This study was aimed to further optimize trehalose loading technique including loading temperature, loading time, loading solution and loading concentration of trehalose, based on the established parameters. Loading efficiency in plasma was compared with that in buffer at 37 degrees C; the curves of intracellular trehalose concentration versus loading time at 37 degrees C and 16 degrees C were measured; curves of mean platelet volume (MPV) versus loading time and loading concentration were investigated and compared. According to results obtained, the loaing time, loading temperature, loading solution and trehalose concentration were ascertained for high loading efficiency of trehalose into human platelet. The results showed that the loading efficiency in plasma was markedly higher than that in buffer at 37 degrees C, the loading efficiency in plasma at 37 degrees C was significantly higher than that at 16 degrees C and reached 19.51% after loading for 4 hours, but 6.16% at 16 degrees C. MPV at 16 degrees C was increased by 43.2% than that at 37 degrees C, but had no distinct changes with loading time and loading concentration. In loading at 37 degrees C, MPV increased with loading time and loading concentration positively. Loading time and loading concentration displayed synergetic effect on MPV. MPV increased with loading time and concentration while trehalose loading concentration was above 50 mmol/L. It is concluded that the optimization parameters of trehalose loading technique are 37 degrees C (temperature), 4 hours (leading time), plasma (loading solution), 50 mmol/L (feasible trehalose concentration). The trehalose concentration can be adjusted to meet the requirement of lyophilization.

Large volume preconcentration and determination of nanomolar concentrations of iron in seawater using a renewable cellulose 8-hydroquinoline sorbent microcolumn and universal approach of post-column eluate utilization in a Lab-on-Valve system.

PubMed

Horstkotte, Burkhard; Chocholouš, Petr; Solich, Petr

2016-04-01

We report on a Lab-On-Valve (LOV) configuration for analyte preconcentration from milliliter sample volumes using confluent mixing in the holding coil for in-line addition of loading buffer. The system was applied to the spectrophotometric determination of iron(II) in acidified seawater using 1,10-phenanthroline as color reagent. A cellulose-based chelating sorbent containing 8-hydroxyquinoline was used for the first time in LOV and excellent retention behavior and loading capacity were found. The flow system employs a syringe pump for handling all solutions (sorbent suspension, loading buffer, water, eluent, and color reagent) and a peristaltic pump for sample propulsion and includes a fit-for-purpose 14 cm long detection glass flow cell and a bubble trap for in-line carrier degasification. Advantage was taken of the LOV flow-through port to keep the eluted analytes for re-aspiration for subsequent chromogenic reaction. In effect, a universal analyzer configuration and preconcentration procedure was developed, which is combinable with other analytes, sorbents, and reagents. Among the studied parameters were the compositions, pH, volumes, and flow rates of loading buffer, eluent, and color reagent, as well as the microcolumn size, repeatability, and system stability. Reproducibility of 4.1% RSD over the entire working range, a LOD of down to 5 nmol L(-1), sampling frequency of 12h(-1), and linearity up to 1 µmol L(-1) for 3.3 mL of sample were obtained and applicability to real samples was demonstrated. It was proven that both Fe(III) and Fe(II) were retained and yielded similar recovery and sensitivity values. The method was applied to coastal seawater samples and spiking experiments yielded recovery values close to 100%. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparison of heavy metal loads in stormwater runoff from major and minor urban roads using pollutant yield rating curves.

PubMed

Davis, Brett; Birch, Gavin

2010-08-01

Trace metal export by stormwater runoff from a major road and local street in urban Sydney, Australia, is compared using pollutant yield rating curves derived from intensive sampling data. The event loads of copper, lead and zinc are well approximated by logarithmic relationships with respect to total event discharge owing to the reliable appearance of a first flush in pollutant mass loading from urban roads. Comparisons of the yield rating curves for these three metals show that copper and zinc export rates from the local street are comparable with that of the major road, while lead export from the local street is much higher, despite a 45-fold difference in traffic volume. The yield rating curve approach allows problematic environmental data to be presented in a simple yet meaningful manner with less information loss. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

High-precision solution to the moving load problem using an improved spectral element method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Shu-Rui; Wu, Zhi-Jing; Lu, Nian-Li

2018-02-01

In this paper, the spectral element method (SEM) is improved to solve the moving load problem. In this method, a structure with uniform geometry and material properties is considered as a spectral element, which means that the element number and the degree of freedom can be reduced significantly. Based on the variational method and the Laplace transform theory, the spectral stiffness matrix and the equivalent nodal force of the beam-column element are established. The static Green function is employed to deduce the improved function. The proposed method is applied to two typical engineering practices—the one-span bridge and the horizontal jib of the tower crane. The results have revealed the following. First, the new method can yield extremely high-precision results of the dynamic deflection, the bending moment and the shear force in the moving load problem. In most cases, the relative errors are smaller than 1%. Second, by comparing with the finite element method, one can obtain the highly accurate results using the improved SEM with smaller element numbers. Moreover, the method can be widely used for statically determinate as well as statically indeterminate structures. Third, the dynamic deflection of the twin-lift jib decreases with the increase in the moving load speed, whereas the curvature of the deflection increases. Finally, the dynamic deflection, the bending moment and the shear force of the jib will all increase as the magnitude of the moving load increases.

Microdomain Yield Behaviour in an Ultra-High Strength Low Alloy Steel for Marine Use with Low Sensitivity of SCC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, Jiang; Tao, Anxiang; Xu, Pingguang; Ping, Dehai

The present paper involves a fundamental research on microdomain yield behavior of an ultrahigh strength low alloy steel with high temperature tempered bainite. The smooth cylinder specimen was took from deep water mooring chain links from the steel with the chemical composition of 0.23C-0.25Si -0.70Mn-3.55 (Cr+Ni+Mo) -0.13 (V+Nb+Ti) (mass %) ,which was quenched from 1253K and then tempered at 873K Its macroscopic yield strength is 1120MPa and the tensile strength is 1250MPa In-situ neutron diffraction measurements of loading tension have suggested that a good linear elastic deformation can be kept up to 500MPa stress, and then (200) priority non-linear elastic strain, that is the yield of crystal lattice occur at 700MPa and the (110) non-linear elastic strain was found at 800MPa. The (200) and (110) nonlinear elastic strain increases gradually when the stress was further increased, however, the (211) kept its linear elastic deformation stage as before. The sub-microstructural analysis carried out using TEM and additional determine the nature and quantitative analysis has revealed that there are three kinds of alloy carbides: (1) θ-M3C cementites with an average particle size of less than 50 nm which inside laths and lath boundaries; (2) ɛ-M2C formed uniformly within the ferrites with a length of less than 200 nm and width of less than 20 nm; (3) ultra-fine high density MC cohered with matrix α-Fe and its particle size is about 2 nm. The whole microdomain yield behaviour of the material was possibly influenced by the fcc-MC with high density. The results of CLT (constant load), SSRT (slow strain rate) and KIscc test of the present chain in seawater solution indicate, that threshold value of SCC (stress corrosion cracking) stress exceed 0.8 tensile strength and the chain's KIscc value is double of KIscc value of 4340 steel type parts. MC not only form strong hydrogen trap, but also slow down microdomain yield likely by means of increasing yield strength of crystal lattice, thus reduce SCC sensibility of the steel.

Improved enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass through pretreatment with plasma electrolysis.

PubMed

Gao, Jing; Chen, Li; Zhang, Jian; Yan, Zongcheng

2014-11-01

A comprehensive research on plasma electrolysis as pretreatment method for water hyacinth (WH) was performed based on lignin content, crystalline structure, surface property, and enzymatic hydrolysis. A large number of active particles, such as HO and H2O2, generated by plasma electrolysis could decompose the lignin of the biomass samples and reduce the crystalline index. An efficient pretreatment process made use of WH pretreated at a load of 48 wt% (0.15-0.18 mm) in FeCl3 solution for 30 min at 450 V. After the pretreatment, the sugar yield of WH was increased by 126.5% as compared with unpretreated samples. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Continuous D-tagatose production by immobilized thermostable L-arabinose isomerase in a packed-bed bioreactor.

PubMed

Ryu, Se-Ah; Kim, Chang Sup; Kim, Hye-Jung; Baek, Dae Heoun; Oh, Deok-Kun

2003-01-01

D-Tagatose was continuously produced using thermostable L-arabinose isomerase immobilized in alginate with D-galactose solution in a packed-bed bioreactor. Bead size, L/D (length/diameter) of reactor, dilution rate, total loaded enzyme amount, and substrate concentration were found to be optimal at 0.8 mm, 520/7 mm, 0.375 h(-1), 5.65 units, and 300 g/L, respectively. Under these conditions, the bioreactor produced about 145 g/L tagatose with an average productivity of 54 g tagatose/L x h and an average conversion yield of 48% (w/w). Operational stability of the immobilized enzyme was demonstrated, with a tagatose production half-life of 24 days.

Adsorptive removal of fermentation inhibitors from concentrated acid hydrolyzates of lignocellulosic biomass.

PubMed

Sainio, Tuomo; Turku, Irina; Heinonen, Jari

2011-05-01

Adsorptive purification of concentrated acid hydrolyzate of lignocellulose was investigated. Cation exchange resin (CS16GC), neutral polymer adsorbent (XAD-16), and granulated activated carbon (GAC) were studied to remove furfural, HMF, and acetic acid from a synthetic hydrolyzate containing 20 wt.% H(2)SO(4). Adsorption isotherms were determined experimentally. Loading and regeneration were investigated in a laboratory scale column. GAC has the highest adsorption capacity, but regeneration with water was not feasible. XAD-16 and CS16GC had lower adsorption capacities but also shorter cycle times due to easier regeneration. Productivity increased when regenerating with 50 wt.% EtOH(aq) solution. To compare adsorbents, process performance was quantified by productivity and fraction of inhibitors removed. GAC yields highest performance when high purity is required and ethanol can be used in regeneration. For lower purities, XAD-16 and GAC yield approximately equal performance. When using ethanol must be avoided, CS16GC offers highest productivity. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Recovery of acetic acid from dilute aqueous solutions using catalytic dehydrative esterification with ethanol.

PubMed

Yagyu, Daisuke; Ohishi, Tetsuo; Igarashi, Takeshi; Okumura, Yoshikuni; Nakajo, Tetsuo; Mori, Yuichiro; Kobayashi, Shū

2013-03-01

We have developed a direct esterification of aqueous acetic acid with ethanol (molar ratio=1:1) catalyzed by polystyrene-supported or homogeneous sulfonic acids toward the recovery of acetic acid from wastewater in chemical plants. The equilibrium yield was significantly increased by the addition of toluene, which had a high ability to extract ethyl acetate from the aqueous phase. It was shown that low-loading and alkylated polystyrene-supported sulfonic acid efficiently accelerated the reaction. These results suggest that the construction of hydrophobic reaction environments in water was critical in improving the chemical yield. Addition of inorganic salts was also effective for the reaction under not only biphasic conditions (toluene-water) but also toluene-free conditions, because the mutual solubility of ethyl acetate and water was suppressed by the salting-out effect. Among the tested salts, CaCl(2) was found to be the most suitable for this reaction system. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Simultaneous biosorption of chromium(VI) and copper(II) on Rhizopus arrhizus in packed column reactor: Application of the competitive Freundlich model

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

Sag, Y.; Atacoglu, I.; Kutsal, T.

1999-12-01

The simultaneous biosorption of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) on free Rhizopus arrhizus in a packed column operated in the continuous mode was investigated and compared to the single metal ion situation. The breakthrough curves were measured as a function of feed flow rate, feed pH, and different combinations of metal ion concentrations in the feed solutions. Column competitive biosorption data were evaluated in terms of the maximum (equilibrium) capacity in the column, the amount of metal loading on the R. arrhizus surface, the adsorption yield, and the total adsorption yield. In the single-ion situation the adsorption isotherms were developed for optimummore » conditions, and it was seen that the adsorption equilibrium data fit the noncompetitive Freundlich model. For the multicomponent adsorption equilibrium the competitive adsorption isotherms were also developed. The competitive Freundlich model for binary metal mixtures represented most the column adsorption equilibrium data of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) on R. arrhizus satisfactorily.« less

Method for loading resin beds

DOEpatents

Notz, Karl J.; Rainey, Robert H.; Greene, Charles W.; Shockley, William E.

1978-01-01

An improved method of preparing nuclear reactor fuel by carbonizing a uranium loaded cation exchange resin provided by contacting a H.sup.+ loaded resin with a uranyl nitrate solution deficient in nitrate, comprises providing the nitrate deficient solution by a method comprising the steps of reacting in a reaction zone maintained between about 145.degree.-200.degree. C, a first aqueous component comprising a uranyl nitrate solution having a boiling point of at least 145.degree. C with a second aqueous component to provide a gaseous phase containing HNO.sub.3 and a reaction product comprising an aqueous uranyl nitrate solution deficient in nitrate.

A finite difference method for off-fault plasticity throughout the earthquake cycle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erickson, Brittany A.; Dunham, Eric M.; Khosravifar, Arash

2017-12-01

We have developed an efficient computational framework for simulating multiple earthquake cycles with off-fault plasticity. The method is developed for the classical antiplane problem of a vertical strike-slip fault governed by rate-and-state friction, with inertial effects captured through the radiation-damping approximation. Both rate-independent plasticity and viscoplasticity are considered, where stresses are constrained by a Drucker-Prager yield condition. The off-fault volume is discretized using finite differences and tectonic loading is imposed by displacing the remote side boundaries at a constant rate. Time-stepping combines an adaptive Runge-Kutta method with an incremental solution process which makes use of an elastoplastic tangent stiffness tensor and the return-mapping algorithm. Solutions are verified by convergence tests and comparison to a finite element solution. We quantify how viscosity, isotropic hardening, and cohesion affect the magnitude and off-fault extent of plastic strain that develops over many ruptures. If hardening is included, plastic strain saturates after the first event and the response during subsequent ruptures is effectively elastic. For viscoplasticity without hardening, however, successive ruptures continue to generate additional plastic strain. In all cases, coseismic slip in the shallow sub-surface is diminished compared to slip accumulated at depth during interseismic loading. The evolution of this slip deficit with each subsequent event, however, is dictated by the plasticity model. Integration of the off-fault plastic strain from the viscoplastic model reveals that a significant amount of tectonic offset is accommodated by inelastic deformation ( ∼ 0.1 m per rupture, or ∼ 10% of the tectonic deformation budget).

Alkaline twin-screw extrusion pretreatment for fermentable sugar production.

PubMed

Liu, Chao; van der Heide, Evert; Wang, Haisong; Li, Bin; Yu, Guang; Mu, Xindong

2013-01-01

The inevitable depletion of fossil fuels has resulted in an increasing worldwide interest in exploring alternative and sustainable energy sources. Lignocellulose, which is the most abundant biomass on earth, is widely regarded as a promising raw material to produce fuel ethanol. Pretreatment is an essential step to disrupt the recalcitrance of lignocellulosic matrix for enzymatic saccharification and bioethanol production. This paper established an ATSE (alkaline twin-screw extrusion pretreatment) process using a specially designed twin-screw extruder in the presence of alkaline solution to improve the enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency of corn stover for the production of fermentable sugars. The ATSE pretreatment was conducted with a biomass/liquid ratio of 1/2 (w/w) at a temperature of 99°C without heating equipment. The results indicated that ATSE pretreatment is effective in improving the enzymatic digestibility of corn stover. Sodium hydroxide loading is more influential factor affecting both sugar yield and lignin degradation than heat preservation time. After ATSE pretreatment under the proper conditions (NaOH loading of 0.06 g/g biomass during ATSE and 1 hour heat preservation after extrusion), 71% lignin removal was achieved and the conversions of glucan and xylan in the pretreated biomass can reach to 83% and 89% respectively via subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis (cellulase loading of 20 FPU/g-biomass and substrate consistency of 2%). About 78% of the original polysaccharides were converted into fermentable sugars. With the physicochemical functions in extrusion, the ATSE method can effectively overcome the recalcitrance of lignocellulose for the production of fermentable sugars from corn stover. This process can be considered as a promising pretreatment method due to its relatively low temperature (99°C), high biomass/liquid ratio (1/2) and satisfied total sugar yield (78%), despite further study is needed for process optimization and cost reduction.

Nano and microparticle engineering of water insoluble drugs using a novel spray-drying process.

PubMed

Schafroth, Nina; Arpagaus, Cordin; Jadhav, Umesh Y; Makne, Sushil; Douroumis, Dennis

2012-02-01

In the current study nano and microparticle engineering of water insoluble drugs was conducted using a novel piezoelectric spray-drying approach. Cyclosporin A (CyA) and dexamethasone (DEX) were encapsulated in biodegradable poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) grades of different molecular weights. Spray-drying studies carried out with the Nano Spray Dryer B-90 employed with piezoelectric driven actuator. The processing parameters including inlet temperature, spray mesh diameter, sample flow rate, spray rate, applied pressure and sample concentration were examined in order to optimize the particle size and the obtained yield. The process parameters and the solute concentration showed a profound effect on the particle engineering and the obtained product yield. The produced powder presented consistent and reproducible spherical particles with narrow particle size distribution. Cyclosporin was found to be molecularly dispersed while dexamethasone was in crystalline state within the PLGA nanoparticles. Further evaluation revealed excellent drug loading, encapsulation efficiency and production yield. In vitro studies demonstrated sustained release patterns for the active substances. This novel spray-drying process proved to be efficient for nano and microparticle engineering of water insoluble active substances. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A viscoplastic shear-zone model for episodic slow slip events in oceanic subduction zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, A.; Meng, L.

2016-12-01

Episodic slow slip events occur widely along oceanic subduction zones at the brittle-ductile transition depths ( 20-50 km). Although efforts have been devoted to unravel their mechanical origins, it remains unclear about the physical controls on the wide range of their recurrence intervals and slip durations. In this study we present a simple mechanical model that attempts to account for the observed temporal evolution of slow slip events. In our model we assume that slow slip events occur in a viscoplastic shear zone (i.e., Bingham material), which has an upper static and a lower dynamic plastic yield strength. We further assume that the hanging wall deformation is approximated as an elastic spring. We envision the shear zone to be initially locked during forward/landward motion but is subsequently unlocked when the elastic and gravity-induced stress exceeds the static yield strength of the shear zone. This leads to backward/trenchward motion damped by viscous shear-zone deformation. As the elastic spring progressively loosens, the hanging wall velocity evolves with time and the viscous shear stress eventually reaches the dynamic yield strength. This is followed by the termination of the trenchward motion when the elastic stress is balanced by the dynamic yield strength of the shear zone and the gravity. In order to account for the zig-saw slip-history pattern of typical repeated slow slip events, we assume that the shear zone progressively strengthens after each slow slip cycle, possibly caused by dilatancy as commonly assumed or by progressive fault healing through solution-transport mechanisms. We quantify our conceptual model by obtaining simple analytical solutions. Our model results suggest that the duration of the landward motion increases with the down-dip length and the static yield strength of the shear zone, but decreases with the ambient loading velocity and the elastic modulus of the hanging wall. The duration of the backward/trenchward motion depends on the thickness, viscosity, and dynamic yield strength of the shear zone. Our model predicts a linear increase in slip with time during the landward motion and an exponential decrease in slip magnitude during the trenchward motion.

Novel Method for Loading Microporous Ceramics Bone Grafts by Using a Directional Flow

PubMed Central

Seidenstuecker, Michael; Kissling, Steffen; Ruehe, Juergen; Suedkamp, Norbert P.; Mayr, Hermann O.; Bernstein, Anke

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was the development of a process for filling the pores of a β-tricalcium phosphate ceramic with interconnected porosity with an alginate hydrogel. For filling of the ceramics, solutions of alginate hydrogel precursors with suitable viscosity were chosen as determined by rheometry. For loading of the porous ceramics with the gel the samples were placed at the flow chamber and sealed with silicone seals. By using a vacuum induced directional flow, the samples were loaded with alginate solutions. The loading success was controlled by ESEM and fluorescence imaging using a fluorescent dye (FITC) for staining of the gel. After loading of the pores, the alginate is transformed into a hydrogel through crosslinking with CaCl2 solution. The biocompatibility of the obtained composite material was tested with a live dead cell staining by using MG-63 Cells. The loading procedure via vacuum assisted directional flow allowed complete filling of the pores of the ceramics within a few minutes (10 ± 3 min) while loading through simple immersion into the polymer solution or through a conventional vacuum method only gave incomplete filling. PMID:26703749

Earthquake Clustering in Noisy Viscoelastic Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dicaprio, C. J.; Simons, M.; Williams, C. A.; Kenner, S. J.

2006-12-01

Geologic studies show evidence for temporal clustering of earthquakes on certain fault systems. Since post- seismic deformation may result in a variable loading rate on a fault throughout the inter-seismic period, it is reasonable to expect that the rheology of the non-seismogenic lower crust and mantle lithosphere may play a role in controlling earthquake recurrence times. Previously, the role of rheology of the lithosphere on the seismic cycle had been studied with a one-dimensional spring-dashpot-slider model (Kenner and Simons [2005]). In this study we use the finite element code PyLith to construct a two-dimensional continuum model a strike-slip fault in an elastic medium overlying one or more linear Maxwell viscoelastic layers loaded in the far field by a constant velocity boundary condition. Taking advantage of the linear properties of the model, we use the finite element solution to one earthquake as a spatio-temporal Green's function. Multiple Green's function solutions, scaled by the size of each earthquake, are then summed to form an earthquake sequence. When the shear stress on the fault reaches a predefined yield stress it is allowed to slip, relieving all accumulated shear stress. Random variation in the fault yield stress from one earthquake to the next results in a temporally clustered earthquake sequence. The amount of clustering depends on a non-dimensional number, W, called the Wallace number. For models with one viscoelastic layer, W is equal to the standard deviation of the earthquake stress drop divided by the viscosity times the tectonic loading rate. This definition of W is modified from the original one used in Kenner and Simons [2005] by using the standard deviation of the stress drop instead of the mean stress drop. We also use a new, more appropriate, metric to measure the amount of temporal clustering of the system. W is the ratio of the viscoelastic relaxation rate of the system to the tectonic loading rate of the system. For values of W greater than the critical value of about 10, the clustered earthquake behavior is due to the rapid reloading of the fault due to viscoelastic recycling of stress. A model with multiple viscoelastic layers has more complex clustering behavior than a system with only one viscosity. In this case, multiple clustering modes exist; the size and mean period of which are influenced by the viscosities and relative thicknesses of the viscoelastic layers. Kenner, S.J. and Simons, M., (2005), Temporal cluster of major earthquakes along individual faults due to post-seismic reloading, Geophysical Journal International, 160, 179-194.

Solubilization and Upgrading of High Polyethylene Terephthalate Loadings in a Low-Costing Bifunctional Ionic Liquid

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

Sun, Jian; Liu, Dajiang; Young, Robert P.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is of significant commercial importance, but is difficult to recycle. Chemical inertness and resistance to biodegradation make the recycling of PET challenging and most solvents for PET are highly toxic. In this work, we demonstrate for the first time that a low cost (~$1.2/kg) and biocompatible ionic liquid (IL), cholinium phosphate ([Ch]3[PO4]) can play bifunctional roles in PET solubilization and glycolytic degradation. High loading of PET (10 wt%) is readily dissolved in [Ch]3[PO4] at relatively low temperatures (120 °C, 1h) and even in water-rich conditions. Tandem in situ confocal microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy studiesmore » give detailed information on the solubilization mechanism in terms of morphological and chemical changes that occur. In depth analysis of PET-IL solution reveals that the high PET solubilization in [Ch]3[PO4] can be ascribed to significant PET depolymerization. Acid precipitation yields terephthalic acid as the dominant depolymerized monomer with a theoretical yield of ~95%. Further exploration shows that in the presence of ethylene glycol, [Ch]3[PO4] catalyzed glycolysis of PET can efficiently occur with ~100% PET conversion and ~60.6% bis(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalate (BHET) yield under metal free conditions. The IL can be reused at least three times without an apparent decrease in activity. NMR analysis reveals that strong hydrogen bond interactions between EG and the IL play an important role for EG activation and promotion of the glycolysis reaction. This study opens up avenues for exploring environmentally benign and efficient technology of ILs for solubilizing and recycling postconsumer polyester plastics.« less

Simultaneous or separated; comparison approach for saccharification and fermentation process in producing bio-ethanol from EFB

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bardant, Teuku Beuna; Dahnum, Deliana; Amaliyah, Nur

2017-11-01

Simultaneous Saccharification Fermentation (SSF) of palm oil (Elaeis guineensis) empty fruit bunch (EFB) pulp were investigated as a part of ethanol production process. SSF was investigated by observing the effect of substrate loading variation in range 10-20%w, cellulase loading 5-30 FPU/gr substrate and yeast addition 1-2%v to the ethanol yield. Mathematical model for describing the effects of these three variables to the ethanol yield were developed using Response Surface Methodology-Cheminformatics (RSM-CI). The model gave acceptable accuracy in predicting ethanol yield for Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF) with coefficient of determination (R2) 0.8899. Model validation based on data from previous study gave (R2) 0.7942 which was acceptable for using this model for trend prediction analysis. Trend prediction analysis based on model prediction yield showed that SSF gave trend for higher yield when the process was operated in high enzyme concentration and low substrate concentration. On the other hand, even SHF model showed better yield will be obtained if operated in lower substrate concentration, it still possible to operate in higher substrate concentration with slightly lower yield. Opportunity provided by SHF to operate in high loading substrate make it preferable option for application in commercial scale.

Solvent extraction employing a static micromixer: a simple, robust and versatile technology for the microencapsulation of proteins.

PubMed

Freitas, S; Walz, A; Merkle, H P; Gander, B

2003-01-01

The potential of a static micromixer for the production of protein-loaded biodegradable polymeric microspheres by a modified solvent extraction process was examined. The mixer consists of an array of microchannels and features a simple set-up, consumes only very small space, lacks moving parts and offers simple control of the microsphere size. Scale-up from lab bench to industrial production is easily feasible through parallel installation of a sufficient number of micromixers ('number-up'). Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres loaded with a model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), were prepared. The influence of various process and formulation parameters on the characteristics of the microspheres was examined with special focus on particle size distribution. Microspheres with monomodal size distributions having mean diameters of 5-30 micro m were produced with excellent reproducibility. Particle size distributions were largely unaffected by polymer solution concentration, polymer type and nominal BSA load, but depended on the polymer solvent. Moreover, particle mean diameters could be varied in a considerable range by modulating the flow rates of the mixed fluids. BSA encapsulation efficiencies were mostly in the region of 75-85% and product yields ranged from 90-100%. Because of its simple set-up and its suitability for continuous production, static micromixing is suggested for the automated and aseptic production of protein-loaded microspheres.

Patellar Tendon Repair Augmentation With a Knotless Suture Anchor Internal Brace: A Biomechanical Cadaveric Study.

PubMed

Rothfeld, Alex; Pawlak, Amanda; Liebler, Stephenie A H; Morris, Michael; Paci, James M

2018-04-01

Patellar tendon repair with braided polyethylene suture alone is subject to knot slippage and failure. Several techniques to augment the primary repair have been described. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to evaluate a novel patellar tendon repair technique augmented with a knotless suture anchor internal brace with suture tape (SAIB). The hypothesis was that this technique would be biomechanically superior to a nonaugmented repair and equivalent to a standard augmentation with an 18-gauge steel wire. Controlled laboratory study. Midsubstance patellar tendon tears were created in 32 human cadaveric knees. Two comparison groups were created. Group 1 compared #2 supersuture repair without augmentation to #2 supersuture repair with SAIB augmentation. Group 2 compared #2 supersuture repair with an 18-gauge stainless steel cerclage wire augmentation to #2 supersuture repair with SAIB augmentation. The specimens were potted and biomechanically loaded on a materials testing machine. Yield load, maximum load, mode of failure, plastic displacement, elastic displacement, and total displacement were calculated for each sample. Standard statistical analysis was performed. There was a statistically significant increase in the mean ± SD yield load and maximum load in the SAIB augmentation group compared with supersuture alone (mean yield load: 646 ± 202 N vs 229 ± 60 N; mean maximum load: 868 ± 162 N vs 365 ± 54 N; P < .001). Group 2 showed no statistically significant differences between the augmented repairs (mean yield load: 495 ± 213 N vs 566 ± 172 N; P = .476; mean maximum load: 737 ± 210 N vs 697 ± 130 N; P = .721). Patellar tendon repair augmented with SAIB is biomechanically superior to repair without augmentation and is equivalent to repair with augmentation with an 18-gauge stainless steel cerclage wire. This novel patellar tendon repair augmentation is equivalent to standard 18-gauge wire augmentation at time zero. It does not require a second surgery for removal, and it is biomechanically superior to primary repair alone.

Hydrostatic Stress Effect on the Yield Behavior of Inconel 100

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, Phillip A.; Wilson, Christopher D.

2003-01-01

Classical metal plasticity theory assumes that hydrostatic stress has negligible effect on the yield and postyield behavior of metals. Recent reexaminations of classical theory have revealed a significant effect of hydrostatic stress on the yield behavior of various geometries. Fatigue tests and nonlinear finite element analyses (FEA) of Inconel 100 (IN100) equal-arm bend specimens and new monotonic tests and nonlinear finite element analyses of IN100 smooth tension, smooth compression, and double-edge notch tension (DENT) test specimens have revealed the effect of internal hydrostatic tensile stresses on yielding. Nonlinear FEA using the von Mises (yielding is independent of hydrostatic stress) and the Drucker-Prager (yielding is linearly dependent on hydrostatic stress) yield functions were performed. A new FEA constitutive model was developed that incorporates a pressure-dependent yield function with combined multilinear kinematic and multilinear isotropic hardening using the ABAQUS user subroutine (UMAT) utility. In all monotonic tensile test cases, the von Mises constitutive model, overestimated the load for a given displacement or strain. Considering the failure displacements or strains for the DENT specimen, the Drucker-Prager FEM s predicted loads that were approximately 3% lower than the von Mises values. For the failure loads, the Drucker Prager FEM s predicted strains that were up to 35% greater than the von Mises values. Both the Drucker-Prager model and the von Mises model performed equally-well in simulating the equal-arm bend fatigue test.

Co-production of bio-ethanol, xylonic acid and slow-release nitrogen fertilizer from low-cost straw pulping solid residue.

PubMed

Huang, Chen; Ragauskas, Arthur J; Wu, Xinxing; Huang, Yang; Zhou, Xuelian; He, Juan; Huang, Caoxing; Lai, Chenhuan; Li, Xin; Yong, Qiang

2018-02-01

A novel bio-refinery sequence yielding varieties of co-products was developed using straw pulping solid residue. This process utilizes neutral sulfite pretreatment which under optimal conditions (160 °C and 3% (w/v) sulfite charge) provides 64.3% delignification while retaining 90% of cellulose and 67.3% of xylan. The pretreated solids exhibited excellent enzymatic digestibility, with saccharification yields of 86.9% and 81.1% for cellulose and xylan, respectively. After pretreatment, the process of semi-simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (S-SSF) and bio-catalysis was investigated. The results revealed that decreased ethanol yields were achieved when solid loading increased from 5% to 30%. An acceptable ethanol yield of 76.8% was obtained at 20% solid loading. After fermentation, bio-catalysis of xylose remaining in fermentation broth resulted in near 100% xylonic acid (XA) yield at varied solid loadings. To complete the co-product portfolio, oxidation ammoniation of the dissolved lignin successfully transformed it into biodegradable slow-release nitrogen fertilizer with excellent agricultural properties. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Enhancing the solid-state anaerobic digestion of fallen leaves through simultaneous alkaline treatment.

PubMed

Liew, Lo Niee; Shi, Jian; Li, Yebo

2011-10-01

Previous studies have shown that alkali pretreatment prior to anaerobic digestion (AD) can increase the digestibility of lignocellulosic biomass and methane yield. In order to simplify the process and reduce the capital cost, simultaneous alkali treatment and anaerobic digestion was evaluated for methane production from fallen leaves. The highest methane yield of 82 L/kg volatile solids (VS) was obtained at NaOH loading of 3.5% and substrate-to-inoculum (S/I) ratio of 4.1. The greatest enhancement in methane yield was achieved at S/I ratio of 6.2 with NaOH loading of 3.5% which was 24-fold higher than that of the control (without NaOH addition). Reactors at S/I ratio of 8.2 resulted in failure of the AD process. In addition, increasing the total solid (TS) content from 20% to 26% reduced biogas yield by 35% at S/I ratio of 6.2 and NaOH loading of 3.5%. Cellulose and hemicellulose degradation and methane yields are highly related. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Stress-Constrained Structural Topology Optimization with Design-Dependent Loads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Edmund

Topology optimization is commonly used to distribute a given amount of material to obtain the stiffest structure, with predefined fixed loads. The present work investigates the result of applying stress constraints to topology optimization, for problems with design-depending loading, such as self-weight and pressure. In order to apply pressure loading, a material boundary identification scheme is proposed, iteratively connecting points of equal density. In previous research, design-dependent loading problems have been limited to compliance minimization. The present study employs a more practical approach by minimizing mass subject to failure constraints, and uses a stress relaxation technique to avoid stress constraint singularities. The results show that these design dependent loading problems may converge to a local minimum when stress constraints are enforced. Comparisons between compliance minimization solutions and stress-constrained solutions are also given. The resulting topologies of these two solutions are usually vastly different, demonstrating the need for stress-constrained topology optimization.

Indentation cracking of composite matrix materials.

PubMed

Baran, G; Shin, W; Abbas, A; Wunder, S

1994-08-01

Composite restorative materials wear by a fatigue mechanism in the occlusal contact area. Here, tooth cusps and food debris cyclically indent the restoration. Modeling this phenomenon requires an understanding of material response to indentation. The question in this study was whether material response depends on indenter size and geometry, and also, whether polymers used in restorative materials should be considered elastic and brittle, or plastic and ductile for modeling purposes. Three resins used as matrices in proprietary restorative composites were the experimental materials. To ascertain the influence of glass transition temperature, liquid sorption, and small amounts of filler on indentation response, we prepared materials with various degrees of cure; some samples were soaked in a 50/50 water/ethanol solution, and 3 vol% silica was added in some cases. Indentation experiments revealed that no cracking occurred in any material after indentation by Vickers pyramid or spherical indenters with diameters equal to or smaller than 0.254 mm. Larger spherical indenters induced subsurface median and surface radial and/or ring cracks. Critical loads causing subsurface cracks were measured. Indentation with suitably large spherical indenters provoked an elastoplastic response in polymers, and degree of cure and Tg had less influence on critical load than soaking in solution. Crack morphology was correlated with yield strain. Commonly held assumptions regarding the brittle elastic behavior of composite matrix materials may be incorrect.

A Simplified Approach for the Rapid Generation of Transient Heat-Shield Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wurster, Kathryn E.; Zoby, E. Vincent; Mills, Janelle C.; Kamhawi, Hilmi

2007-01-01

A simplified approach has been developed whereby transient entry heating environments are reliably predicted based upon a limited set of benchmark radiative and convective solutions. Heating, pressure and shear-stress levels, non-dimensionalized by an appropriate parameter at each benchmark condition are applied throughout the entry profile. This approach was shown to be valid based on the observation that the fully catalytic, laminar distributions examined were relatively insensitive to altitude as well as velocity throughout the regime of significant heating. In order to establish a best prediction by which to judge the results that can be obtained using a very limited benchmark set, predictions based on a series of benchmark cases along a trajectory are used. Solutions which rely only on the limited benchmark set, ideally in the neighborhood of peak heating, are compared against the resultant transient heating rates and total heat loads from the best prediction. Predictions based on using two or fewer benchmark cases at or near the trajectory peak heating condition, yielded results to within 5-10 percent of the best predictions. Thus, the method provides transient heating environments over the heat-shield face with sufficient resolution and accuracy for thermal protection system design and also offers a significant capability to perform rapid trade studies such as the effect of different trajectories, atmospheres, or trim angle of attack, on convective and radiative heating rates and loads, pressure, and shear-stress levels.

Temperature-induced labelling of Fluo-3 AM selectively yields brighter nucleus in adherent cells

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

Meng, Guixian; Pan, Leiting, E-mail: plt@nankai.edu.cn; Li, Cunbo

2014-01-17

Highlights: •We detailedly examine temperature effects of Fluo-3 AM labelling in adherent cells. •4 °C Loading and 20 °C de-esterification of Fluo-3 AM yields brighter nuclei. •Brighter nuclei labelling by Fluo-3 AM also depends on cell adhesion quality. •A qualitative model of the brighter nucleus is proposed. -- Abstract: Fluo-3 is widely used to study cell calcium. Two traditional approaches: (1) direct injection and (2) Fluo-3 acetoxymethyl ester (AM) loading, often bring conflicting results in cytoplasmic calcium ([Ca{sup 2+}]{sub c}) and nuclear calcium ([Ca{sup 2+}]{sub n}) imaging. AM loading usually yields a darker nucleus than in cytoplasm, while direct injectionmore » always induces a brighter nucleus which is more responsive to [Ca{sup 2+}]{sub n} detection. In this work, we detailedly investigated the effects of loading and de-esterification temperatures on the fluorescence intensity of Fluo-3 in response to [Ca{sup 2+}]{sub n} and [Ca{sup 2+}]{sub c} in adherent cells, including osteoblast, HeLa and BV2 cells. Interestingly, it showed that fluorescence intensity of nucleus in osteoblast cells was about two times larger than that of cytoplasm when cells were loaded with Fluo-3 AM at 4 °C and allowed a subsequent step for de-esterification at 20 °C. Brighter nuclei were also acquired in HeLa and BV2 cells using the same experimental condition. Furthermore, loading time and adhesion quality of cells had effect on fluorescence intensity. Taken together, cold loading and room temperature de-esterification treatment of Fluo-3 AM selectively yielded brighter nucleus in adherent cells.« less

Assessment of diesel-contaminated domestic wastewater treated by constructed wetlands for irrigation of chillies grown in a greenhouse.

PubMed

Al-Isawi, Rawaa H K; Scholz, Miklas; Al-Faraj, Furat A M

2016-12-01

In order to avoid environmental pollution and eliminate the need for using fertiliser, this study assessed for the first time the optimum performance of mature (in operation since 2011) vertical flow constructed wetlands in treating domestic wastewater (with and without hydrocarbon) and the subsequent recycling of the outflow to irrigate chillies (De Cayenne; Capsicum annuum (Linnaeus) Longum Group 'De Cayenne') grown in a greenhouse. Various variables were investigated to assess the treatment performance. Concerning chilli fruit numbers, findings showed that the highest fruit yields for all wetland filters were associated with those that received inflow wastewater with a high loading rate, reflecting the high nutrient availability in treated wastewater, which is of obvious importance for yield production. Findings also indicated that wetlands without hydrocarbon, small aggregate size, low contact time and low inflow loading rate provided high marketable yields (expressed in economic return). In comparison, chillies irrigated by filters with hydrocarbon contamination, small aggregate size, high contact time and high loading rate also resulted in high marketable yields of chillies, which pointed out the role of high contact time and high inflow load for better diesel degradation rates.

Linear and nonlinear dynamic analysis of redundant load path bearingless rotor systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murthy, V. R.

1985-01-01

The bearingless rotorcraft offers reduced weight, less complexity and superior flying qualities. Almost all the current industrial structural dynamic programs of conventional rotors which consist of single load path rotor blades employ the transfer matrix method to determine natural vibration characteristics because this method is ideally suited for one dimensional chain like structures. This method is extended to multiple load path rotor blades without resorting to an equivalent single load path approximation. Unlike the conventional blades, it isk necessary to introduce the axial-degree-of-freedom into the solution process to account for the differential axial displacements in the different load paths. With the present extension, the current rotor dynamic programs can be modified with relative ease to account for the multiple load paths without resorting to the equivalent single load path modeling. The results obtained by the transfer matrix method are validated by comparing with the finite element solutions. A differential stiffness matrix due to blade rotation is derived to facilitate the finite element solutions.

Computation of major solute concentrations and loads in German rivers using regression analysis.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Steele, T.D.

1980-01-01

Regression functions between concentrations of several inorganic solutes and specific conductance and between specific conductance and stream discharge were derived from intermittent samples collected for 2 rivers in West Germany. These functions, in conjunction with daily records of streamflow, were used to determine monthly and annual solute loadings. -from Author

Approaches to stream solute load estimation for solutes with varying dynamics from five diverse small watershed

USGS Publications Warehouse

Aulenbach, Brent T.; Burns, Douglas A.; Shanley, James B.; Yanai, Ruth D.; Bae, Kikang; Wild, Adam; Yang, Yang; Yi, Dong

2016-01-01

Estimating streamwater solute loads is a central objective of many water-quality monitoring and research studies, as loads are used to compare with atmospheric inputs, to infer biogeochemical processes, and to assess whether water quality is improving or degrading. In this study, we evaluate loads and associated errors to determine the best load estimation technique among three methods (a period-weighted approach, the regression-model method, and the composite method) based on a solute's concentration dynamics and sampling frequency. We evaluated a broad range of varying concentration dynamics with stream flow and season using four dissolved solutes (sulfate, silica, nitrate, and dissolved organic carbon) at five diverse small watersheds (Sleepers River Research Watershed, VT; Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, NH; Biscuit Brook Watershed, NY; Panola Mountain Research Watershed, GA; and Río Mameyes Watershed, PR) with fairly high-frequency sampling during a 10- to 11-yr period. Data sets with three different sampling frequencies were derived from the full data set at each site (weekly plus storm/snowmelt events, weekly, and monthly) and errors in loads were assessed for the study period, annually, and monthly. For solutes that had a moderate to strong concentration–discharge relation, the composite method performed best, unless the autocorrelation of the model residuals was <0.2, in which case the regression-model method was most appropriate. For solutes that had a nonexistent or weak concentration–discharge relation (modelR2 < about 0.3), the period-weighted approach was most appropriate. The lowest errors in loads were achieved for solutes with the strongest concentration–discharge relations. Sample and regression model diagnostics could be used to approximate overall accuracies and annual precisions. For the period-weighed approach, errors were lower when the variance in concentrations was lower, the degree of autocorrelation in the concentrations was higher, and sampling frequency was higher. The period-weighted approach was most sensitive to sampling frequency. For the regression-model and composite methods, errors were lower when the variance in model residuals was lower. For the composite method, errors were lower when the autocorrelation in the residuals was higher. Guidelines to determine the best load estimation method based on solute concentration–discharge dynamics and diagnostics are presented, and should be applicable to other studies.

Reducing adverse effects from UV sunscreens by zeolite encapsulation: comparison of oxybenzone in solution and in zeolites.

PubMed

Chrétien, Michelle N; Heafey, Eve; Scaiano, Juan C

2010-01-01

Oxybenzone (OXB) is one of the most widely employed sunscreen ingredients, yet its allowed load is limited to a maximum of 6% reflecting the frequency with which adverse effects are reported. From a spectroscopic point of view, OXB has excellent absorption properties in both the UVB and UVA regions. We propose that zeolite encapsulation can lead to a sunscreen composite ingredient, that we describe as a supramolecular sunscreen, that will retain the excellent spectroscopic properties of OXB, while preventing contact between the skin and the active ingredient. OXB is very photostable, with the only photodegradative pathway observed being the monophotonic photoejection of electrons that leads to trace yields of phenoxyl radicals; this trace reaction is so minor that it cannot be detected from the recovery of unreacted OXB following UV exposure. Solution, as well as powder and in vitro studies of the supramolecular sunscreen, demonstrate that the protective properties of OXB are totally preserved when encapsulated in zeolite NaY.

Effect of the oxygen content in solution on the static and cyclic deformation of titanium foams.

PubMed

Lefebvre, L P; Baril, E; Bureau, M N

2009-11-01

It is well known that interstitials affect the mechanical properties of titanium and titanium alloys. Their effects on the fatigue properties of titanium foams have not, however, been documented in the literature. This paper presents the effect of the oxygen content on the static and dynamic compression properties of titanium foams. Increasing the oxygen content from 0.24 to 0.51 wt% O in solution significantly increases the yield strength and reduces the ductility of the foams. However, the fatigue limit is not significantly affected by the oxygen content and falls within the 92 MPa +/- 12 MPa range for all specimens investigated in this study. During cyclic loading, deformation is initially coming from cumulative creep followed by the formation of microcracks. The coalescence of these microcracks is responsible for the rupture of the specimens. Fracture surfaces of the specimens having lower oxygen content show a more ductile aspect than the specimens having higher oxygen content.

Formulation and characterization of Turkish oregano microcapsules prepared by spray-drying technology.

PubMed

Baranauskaite, Juste; Ivanauskas, Liudas; Masteikova, Ruta; Kopustinskiene, Dalia; Baranauskas, Algirdas; Bernatoniene, Jurga

2017-09-01

The aim of this study was optimization of spray-drying process conditions for microencapsulation of Turkish oregano extract. Different concentrations of maltodextrin and gum arabic as encapsulating agents (wall material) as well as influence of selected processing variables were evaluated. The optimal conditions were maintained on the basis of the load of main bioactive compounds - ursolic, rosmarinic acids and carvacrol - in prepared microparticles after comparison of all significant response variables using desirability function. Physicomechanical properties of powders such as flowability, wettability, solubility, moisture content as well as product yield, encapsulation efficiency (EE), density, morphology and size distribution of prepared microparticles have been determined. The results demonstrated that the optimal conditions for spray-drying mixture consisted of two parts of wall material solution and one part of ethanolic oregano extract when the feed flow rate was 40 mL/min and air inlet temperature -170 °C. Optimal concentration of wall materials in solution was 20% while the ratio of maltodextrin and gum arabic was 8.74:1.26.

A closed-form trim solution yielding minimum trim drag for airplanes with multiple longitudinal-control effectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goodrich, Kenneth H.; Sliwa, Steven M.; Lallman, Frederick J.

1989-01-01

Airplane designs are currently being proposed with a multitude of lifting and control devices. Because of the redundancy in ways to generate moments and forces, there are a variety of strategies for trimming each airplane. A linear optimum trim solution (LOTS) is derived using a Lagrange formulation. LOTS enables the rapid calculation of the longitudinal load distribution resulting in the minimum trim drag in level, steady-state flight for airplanes with a mixture of three or more aerodynamic surfaces and propulsive control effectors. Comparisons of the trim drags obtained using LOTS, a direct constrained optimization method, and several ad hoc methods are presented for vortex-lattice representations of a three-surface airplane and two-surface airplane with thrust vectoring. These comparisons show that LOTS accurately predicts the results obtained from the nonlinear optimization and that the optimum methods result in trim drag reductions of up to 80 percent compared to the ad hoc methods.

Biopharmaceutical characterisation of insulin and recombinant human growth hormone loaded lipid submicron particles produced by supercritical gas micro-atomisation.

PubMed

Salmaso, Stefano; Bersani, Sara; Elvassore, Nicola; Bertucco, Alberto; Caliceti, Paolo

2009-09-08

Homogeneous dispersions of insulin and recombinant human growth hormone (rh-GH) in tristearin/phosphatidylcholine/PEG mixtures (1.3:1.3:0.25:0.15 w/w ratio) were processed by supercritical carbon dioxide gas micro-atomisation to produce protein-loaded lipid particles. The process yielded spherical particles, with a 197+/-94 nm mean diameter, and the insulin and rh-GH recovery in the final product was 57+/-8% and 48+/-5%, respectively. In vitro, the proteins were slowly released for about 70-80 h according to a diffusive mechanism. In vivo, the insulin and glucose profiles in plasma obtained by subcutaneous administration of a dose of particles containing 2 microg insulin to diabetic mice overlapped that obtained with 2 microg of insulin in solution. Administration of a dose of particles containing 5 microg insulin resulted in faster and longer glycaemia reduction. Oral administration of 20 and 50 microg insulin equivalent particles produced a significant hypoglycaemic effect. The glucose levels decreased since 2h after administration, reaching about 50% and 70% glucose reduction in 1-2h with the lower and higher dose, respectively. As compared to subcutaneous administration, the relative pharmacological bioavailability obtained with 20 and 50 microg equivalent insulin particles was 7.7% and 6.7%, respectively. Daily subcutaneous administration of 40 microg of rh-GH-loaded particles to hypophysectomised rats induced similar body weight increase as 40 microg rh-GH in solution. The daily oral administration of 400 microg rh-GH equivalent particles elicited a slight body weight increase, which corresponded to a relative pharmacological bioavailability of 3.4% compared to subcutaneous administration.

Self-sensing of elastic strain, matrix yielding and plasticity in multiwall carbon nanotube/vinyl ester composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ku-Herrera, J. J.; Avilés, F.; Seidel, G. D.

2013-08-01

The piezoresistive response of multiwalled carbon nanotube/vinyl ester composites containing 0.3, 0.5 and 1% w/w carbon nanotubes (CNTs) loaded in tension and compression is investigated. The change in electrical resistance (ΔR) under tension loading was positive and showed a linear relationship with the applied strain up to failure, with slightly increased sensitivity for decreased CNT content. In compression, a nonlinear and non-monotonic piezoresistive behavior was observed, with ΔR initially decreasing in the elastic regime, leveling off at the onset of yielding and increasing after matrix yielding. The piezoresistive response of the composite is more sensitive to the CNT content for compression than for tension, and the calculated gage factors are higher in the compressive plastic regime. The results show that the piezoresistive signal is dependent on the CNT concentration, loading type and material elastoplastic behavior, and that recording ΔR during mechanical loading can allow self-identification of the elastic and plastic regimes of the composite.

Pretreatment solution recycling and high-concentration output for economical production of bioethanol.

PubMed

Han, Minhee; Moon, Se-Kwon; Choi, Gi-Wook

2014-11-01

The purpose of this study was to enhance the economic efficiency of producing bioethanol. Pretreatment solution recycling is expected to increase economic efficiency by reducing the cost of pretreatment and the amount of wastewater. In addition, the production of high-concentration bioethanol could increase economic efficiency by reducing the energy cost of distillation. The pretreatment conditions were 95 °C, 0.72 M NaOH, 80 rpm twin-screw speed, and flow rate of 90 mL/min at 18 g/min of raw biomass feeding for pretreatment solution recycling. The pretreatment with NaOH solution recycling was conducted five times. All of the components and the pretreatment efficiency were similar, despite reuse. In addition, we developed a continuous biomass feeding system for production of high-concentration bioethanol. Using this reactor, the bioethanol productivity was investigated using various pretreated biomass feeding rates in a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process. The maximum ethanol concentration, yield, and productivity were 74.5 g/L, 89.5%, and 1.4 g/L h, respectively, at a pretreated biomass loading of approximately 25% (w/v) with an enzyme dosage of 30 FPU g/cellulose. The results presented here constitute an important contribution toward the production of bioethanol from Miscanthus.

Anaerobic slurry co-digestion of poultry manure and straw: effect of organic loading and temperature

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

In order to obtain basic design criteria for anaerobic digestion of a mixture of poultry manure and wheat straw, the effects of different temperatures and organic loading rates on the biogas yield and methane contents were evaluated. Since poultry manure is a poor substrate, in term of the availability of the nutrients, external supplementation of carbon has to be regularly performed, in order to achieve a stable and efficient process. The complete-mix, pilot-scale digester with working volume of 70 L was used. The digestion operated at 25°C, 30°C and 35°C with organic loading rates of 1.0, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 kg Volatile solid/m3d and a HRT of 15 days. At a temperature of 35°C, the methane yield was increased by 43% compared to 25°C. Anaerobic co-digestion appeared feasible with a loading rate of 3.0 kg VS/m3d at 35°C. At this state, the specific methane yield was calculated about 0.12 m3/kg VS with a methane content of 53–70.2% in the biogas. The volatile solid (VS) removal was 72%. As a result of volatile fatty acid accumulation and decrease in pH, when the loading rate was less than 1 or greater than 4 kg VS/m3d, the process was inhibited or overloaded, respectively. Both the lower and higher loading rates resulted in a decline in the methane yield. PMID:24502409

Simultaneous Detection and Classification of Acoustic Emissions in Integrated Diagnostics with Yield in Aluminum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parmar, Devendra

2006-04-01

Acoustic emission (AE) experiments were conducted on a strained aluminum (10 cm x 9 cm x 0.25 cm) specimen. Studies were conducted with the goal to characterize AE associated with material yield developed due to high loading and to correlate the course of the yield with AE signals. The American Association of State Highway and Transport Officials (AASHTO) listed aluminum as one of the structural components of highway brides^1 with unit weight of 2800 kg.m-3. The specimen, mounted on the load frame, was held on each end by the wedge grips and was electromechanically tested in a tension mode at rates of extension of 0.0333 mm/s and 0.0666 mm/s. Load was applied to the test frame via moving cross heads. A load transducer (load cell) mounted in series with the specimen measured the applied load by converting it into an electrical signal. Results are analyzed using defect zone model in which location of the defect is determined from the measurement of the arrival time of the signal at two different sensors placed at strategically around the source of emission from the test object. The sensor that detects the signal first is identified to be in the defect zone. ^1AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, 1994.

Concentrations, loads, and yields of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in the Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor watershed, New Jersey, 1989-2011, at multiple spatial scales

USGS Publications Warehouse

Baker, Ronald J.; Wieben, Christine M.; Lathrop, Richard G.; Nicholson, Robert S.

2014-01-01

Concentrations, loads, and yields of nutrients (total nitrogen and total phosphorus) were calculated for the Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor (BB-LEH) watershed for 1989–2011 at annual and seasonal (growing and nongrowing) time scales. Concentrations, loads, and yields were calculated at three spatial scales: for each of the 81 subbasins specified by 14-digit hydrologic unit codes (HUC-14s); for each of the three BB-LEH watershed segments, which coincide with segmentation of the BB-LEH estuary; and for the entire BB-LEH watershed. Base-flow and runoff values were calculated separately and were combined to provide total values. Available surface-water-quality data for all streams in the BB-LEH watershed for 1980–2011 were compiled from existing datasets and quality assured. Precipitation and streamflow data were used to distinguish between water-quality samples that were collected during base-flow conditions and those that were collected during runoff conditions. Base-flow separation of hydrographs of six streams in the BB-LEH watershed indicated that base flow accounts for about 72 to 94 percent of total flow in streams in the watershed. Base-flow mean concentrations (BMCs) of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) for each HUC-14 subbasin were calculated from relations between land use and measured base-flow concentrations. These relations were developed from multiple linear regression models determined from water-quality data collected at sampling stations in the BB-LEH watershed under base-flow conditions and land-use percentages in the contributing drainage basins. The total watershed base-flow volume was estimated for each year and season from continuous streamflow records for 1989–2011 and relations between precipitation and streamflow during base-flow conditions. For each year and season, the base-flow load and yield were then calculated for each HUC-14 subbasin from the BMCs, total base-flow volume, and drainage area. The watershed-loading application PLOAD was used to calculate runoff concentrations, loads, and yields of TN and TP at the HUC-14 scale. Flow-weighted event-mean concentrations (EMCs) for runoff were developed for each major land-use type in the watershed using storm sampling data from four streams in the BB-LEH watershed and three streams outside the watershed. The EMCs were developed separately for the growing and nongrowing seasons, and were typically greater during the growing season. The EMCs, along with annual and seasonal precipitation amounts and percent imperviousness associated with land-use types, were used as inputs to PLOAD to calculate annual and seasonal runoff concentrations, loads, and yields at the HUC-14 scale. Over the period of study (1989–2011), total surface-water loads (base flow plus runoff) for the entire BB-LEH watershed for TN ranged from about 455,000 kilograms (kg) as N (1995) to 857,000 kg as N (2010). For TP, total loads for the watershed ranged from about 17,000 (1995) to 32,000 kg as P (2010). On average, the north segment accounted for about 66 percent of the annual TN load and 63 percent of the annual TP load, and the central and south segments each accounted for less than 20 percent of the nutrient loads. Loads and yields were strongly associated with precipitation patterns, ensuing hydrologic conditions, and land use. HUC-14 subbasins with the highest yields of nutrients are concentrated in the northern part of the watershed, and have the highest percentages of urban or agricultural land use. Subbasins with the lowest TN and TP yields are dominated by forest cover. Percentages of turf (lawn) cover and nonturf cover were estimated for the watershed. Of the developed land in the watershed, nearly one quarter (24.9 percent) was mapped as turf cover. Because there is a strong relation between percent turf and percent developed land, percent turf in the watershed typically increases with percent development, and the amount of development can be considered a reasonable predictor of the amount of turf cover in the watershed. In the BB-LEH watershed, calculated concentrations of TN and TP were greater for developed–turf areas than for developed–nonturf areas, which, in turn, were greater than those for undeveloped areas.

Suspended-sediment loads from major tributaries to the Missouri River between Garrison Dam and Lake Oahe, North Dakota, 1954-98

USGS Publications Warehouse

Macek-Rowland, Kathleen M.

2000-01-01

Annual suspended-sediment loads for water years 1954 through 1998 were estimated for the major tributaries in the Missouri River Basin between Garrison Dam and Lake Oahe in North Dakota and for the Missouri River at Garrison Dam and the Missouri River at Bismarck, N. Dak.  The major tributaries are the Knife River, Turtle Creek, Painted Woods Creek, Square Butte Creek, Burnt Creek, Heart River, and Apple Creek.  Sediment and streamflow data used to estimate the suspended-sediment loads were from selected U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging stations located within each basin.  Some of the stations had no sediment data available and limited continuous streamflow data for water years 1954 through 1998.  Therefore, data from nearby streamflow-gaging stations were assumed for the calculations. The Heart River contributed the largest amount of suspended sediment to the Missouri River for 1954-98.  Annual suspended-sediment loads in the Heart River near Mandan ranged from less than 1 to 40 percent of the annual suspended-sediment load in the Missouri River. The Knife River contributed the second largest amount of suspended sediment to the Missouri River.  Annual suspended-sediment loads in the Knife River at Hazen ranged from less than 1 to 19 percent of the annual suspended-sediment load in the Missouri River.  Apple Creek, Turtle Creek, Painted Woods Creek, Square Butte Creek, and Burnt Creek all contributed 2 percent or less of the annual suspended-sediment load in the Missouri River.  The Knife River and the Heart River also had the largest average suspended-sediment yields for the seven tributaries.  The yield for the Knife River was 91.1 tons per square mile, and the yield for the Heart River was 133 tons per square mile.  The remaining five tributaries had yields of less than 24 tons per square mile based on total drainage area. 

Correlation of cervical endplate strength with CT measured subchondral bone density

PubMed Central

Ordway, Nathaniel R.; Lu, Yen-Mou; Zhang, Xingkai; Cheng, Chin-Chang; Fang, Huang

2007-01-01

Cervical interbody device subsidence can result in screw breakage, plate dislodgement, and/or kyphosis. Preoperative bone density measurement may be helpful in predicting the complications associated with anterior cervical surgery. This is especially important when a motion preserving device is implanted given the detrimental effect of subsidence on the postoperative segmental motion following disc replacement. To evaluate the structural properties of the cervical endplate and examine the correlation with CT measured trabecular bone density. Eight fresh human cadaver cervical spines (C2–T1) were CT scanned and the average trabecular bone densities of the vertebral bodies (C3–C7) were measured. Each endplate surface was biomechanically tested for regional yield load and stiffness using an indentation test method. Overall average density of the cervical vertebral body trabecular bone was 270 ± 74 mg/cm3. There was no significant difference between levels. The yield load and stiffness from the indentation test of the endplate averaged 139 ± 99 N and 156 ± 52 N/mm across all cervical levels, endplate surfaces, and regional locations. The posterior aspect of the endplate had significantly higher yield load and stiffness in comparison to the anterior aspect and the lateral aspect had significantly higher yield load in comparison to the midline aspect. There was a significant correlation between the average yield load and stiffness of the cervical endplate and the trabecular bone density on regression analysis. Although there are significant regional variations in the endplate structural properties, the average of the endplate yield loads and stiffnesses correlated with the trabecular bone density. Given the morbidity associated with subsidence of interbody devices, a reliable and predictive method of measuring endplate strength in the cervical spine is required. Bone density measures may be used preoperatively to assist in the prediction of the strength of the vertebral endplate. A threshold density measure has yet to be established where the probability of endplate fracture outweighs the benefit of anterior cervical procedure. PMID:17712574

Thermal Buckling Analysis of Rectangular Panels Subjected to Humped Temperature Profile Heating

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ko, William I.

2004-01-01

This research investigates thermal buckling characteristics of rectangular panels subjected to different types of humped temperature profile heating. Minimum potential energy and finite-element methods are used to calculate the panel buckling temperatures. The two methods give fairly close thermal buckling solutions. 'Buckling temperature magnification factor of the first kind, eta' is established for the fixed panel edges to scale up the buckling solution of uniform temperature loading case to give the buckling solution of the humped temperature profile loading cases. Also, 'buckling temperature magnification factor of the second kind, xi' is established for the free panel edges to scale up the buckling solution of humped temperature profile loading cases with unheated boundary heat sinks to give the buckling solutions when the boundary heat sinks are heated up.

Protein Carbamylation in Peritoneal Dialysis and the Effect of Low Glucose Plus Amino Acid Solutions.

PubMed

Trottier, Caitlin; Perl, Jeffrey; Freeman, Megan; Thadhani, Ravi; Berg, Anders; Kalim, Sahir

2018-01-01

Protein carbamylation is a post-translational urea-driven protein modification associated with mortality. Free amino acids (AAs) competitively inhibit protein carbamylation and parenteral AA therapy reduces carbamylation in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) yields differences in urea clearance and AA balance compared with HD, but the influence of PD and intraperitoneal AA solutions on carbamylation is unclear. Thus, we first measured carbamylated albumin (C-Alb; a marker of carbamylation load) in 100 diabetic HD patients frequency-matched by age, sex, and race to 98 diabetic PD subjects from the IMPENDIA trial, which originally compared the metabolic effects of low-glucose PD solutions (incorporating icodextrin and AAs) to a control group (dextrose-only solutions). We then determined the effects of the AA-enriched PD solutions by measuring the 6-month change in C-Alb within the IMPENDIA cohort by treatment allocation (48 treated vs 50 controls). Peritoneal dialysis patients, when compared with HD patients, had higher baseline urea and higher C-Alb. Among IMPENDIA participants, there was no difference in C-Alb change in either arm, but treated subjects showed a trend towards increased carbamylation. Treated subjects also demonstrated an increase in urea, possibly explaining the carbamylation trend. In summary, carbamylation levels in PD patients appeared higher than in matched HD patients. A regimen of AA and low-glucose PD solutions did not reduce C-Alb in IMPENDIA subjects. Copyright © 2018 International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis.

The role of irrigation runoff and winter rainfall on dissolved organic carbon loads in an agricultural watershed

USGS Publications Warehouse

Oh, Neung-Hwan; Pellerin, Brian A.; Bachand, Philip A.M.; Hernes, Peter J.; Bachand, Sandra M.; Ohara, Noriaki; Kavvas, M. Levent; Bergamaschi, Brian A.; Horwath, William R.

2013-01-01

We investigated the role of land use/land cover and agriculture practices on stream dissolved organic carbon (DOC) dynamics in the Willow Slough watershed (WSW) from 2006 to 2008. The 415 km2watershed in the northern Central Valley, California is covered by 31% of native vegetation and the remaining 69% of agricultural fields (primarily alfalfa, tomatoes, and rice). Stream discharge and weekly DOC concentrations were measured at eight nested subwatersheds to estimate the DOC loads and yields (loads/area) using the USGS developed stream load estimation model, LOADEST. Stream DOC concentrations peaked at 18.9 mg L−1 during summer irrigation in the subwatershed with the highest percentage of agricultural land use, demonstrating the strong influence of agricultural activities on summer DOC dynamics. These high concentrations contributed to DOC yields increasing up to 1.29 g m−2 during the 6 month period of intensive agricultural activity. The high DOC yields from the most agricultural subwatershed during the summer irrigation period was similar throughout the study, suggesting that summer DOC loads from irrigation runoff would not change significantly in the absence of major changes in crops or irrigation practices. In contrast, annual DOC yields varied from 0.89 to 1.68 g m−2 yr−1 for the most agricultural watershed due to differences in winter precipitation. This suggests that variability in the annual DOC yields will be largely determined by the winter precipitation, which can vary significantly from year to year. Changes in precipitation patterns and intensities as well as agricultural practices have potential to considerably alter the DOC dynamics.

Solution of the advection-dispersion equation: Continuous load of finite duration

USGS Publications Warehouse

Runkel, R.L.

1996-01-01

Field studies of solute fate and transport in streams and rivers often involve an. experimental release of solutes at an upstream boundary for a finite period of time. A review of several standard references on surface-water-quality modeling indicates that the analytical solution to the constant-parameter advection-dispersion equation for this type of boundary condition has been generally overlooked. Here an exact analytical solution that considers a continuous load of unite duration is compared to an approximate analytical solution presented elsewhere. Results indicate that the exact analytical solution should be used for verification of numerical solutions and other solute-transport problems wherein a high level of accuracy is required. ?? ASCE.

Application of the unsteady vortex-lattice method to the nonlinear two-degree-of-freedom aeroelastic equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strganac, T. W.; Mook, D. T.

1986-01-01

A means of numerically simulating flutter is established by implementing a predictor-corrector algorithm to solve the equations of motion. Aerodynamic loads are provided by the unsteady vortex lattice method (UVLM). This method is illustrated via the obtainment of stable and unstable responses to initial disturbances in the case of two-degree-of-freedom motion. It was found that for some angles of attack and dynamic pressure, the initial disturbance decays, for others it grows (flutter). When flutter occurs, the solution yields the amplitude and period of the resulting limit cycle. The preliminaray results attest to the feasibility of this method for studying flutter in cases that would be difficult to treat using a classical approach.

Application of local linearization and the transonic equivalence rule to the flow about slender analytic bodies at Mach numbers near 1.0

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tyson, R. W.; Muraca, R. J.

1975-01-01

The local linearization method for axisymmetric flow is combined with the transonic equivalence rule to calculate pressure distribution on slender bodies at free-stream Mach numbers from .8 to 1.2. This is an approximate solution to the transonic flow problem which yields results applicable during the preliminary design stages of a configuration development. The method can be used to determine the aerodynamic loads on parabolic arc bodies having either circular or elliptical cross sections. It is particularly useful in predicting pressure distributions and normal force distributions along the body at small angles of attack. The equations discussed may be extended to include wing-body combinations.

Development of an Intermediate-Scale Aerobic Bioreactor to Regenerate Nutrients from Inedible Crop Residues

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Finger, Barry W.; Strayer, Richard F.

1994-01-01

Three Intermediate-Scale Aerobic Bioreactors were designed, fabricated, and operated. They utilized mixed microbial communities to bio-degrade plant residues. The continuously stirred tank reactors operated at a working volume of 8 L, and the average oxygen mass transfer coefficient, k(sub L)a, was 0.01 s(exp -1). Mixing time was 35 s. An experiment using inedible wheat residues, a replenishment rate of 0.125/day, and a solids loading rate of 20 gdw/day yielded a 48% reduction in biomass. Bioreactor effluent was successfully used to regenerate a wheat hydroponic nutrient solution. Over 80% of available potassium, calcium, and other minerals were recovered and recycled in the 76-day wheat growth experiment.

Sandia fracture challenge 2: Sandia California's modeling approach

DOE PAGES

Karlson, Kyle N.; James W. Foulk, III; Brown, Arthur A.; ...

2016-03-09

The second Sandia Fracture Challenge illustrates that predicting the ductile fracture of Ti-6Al-4V subjected to moderate and elevated rates of loading requires thermomechanical coupling, elasto-thermo-poro-viscoplastic constitutive models with the physics of anisotropy and regularized numerical methods for crack initiation and propagation. We detail our initial approach with an emphasis on iterative calibration and systematically increasing complexity to accommodate anisotropy in the context of an isotropic material model. Blind predictions illustrate strengths and weaknesses of our initial approach. We then revisit our findings to illustrate the importance of including anisotropy in the failure process. Furthermore, mesh-independent solutions of continuum damage modelsmore » having both isotropic and anisotropic yields surfaces are obtained through nonlocality and localization elements.« less

Template synthesis of test tube nanoparticles using non-destructive replication

PubMed Central

Wagner, Jonathan; Yao, Jingyuan; Rodgers, David; Hinds, Bruce

2013-01-01

Nano test tubes are a promising delivery vehicle for a range of therapeutics including small molecule drugs and biologics. However, current template synthesis methods of producing nano test tubes are prohibitively expensive and time consuming. Here, non-destructive template replication was used to increase nano test tube yield from porous alumina by more than a hundredfold. We demonstrate how to produce nano test tubes of several sizes and compositions including hybrid tubes with different inner and outer surfaces for targeted surface chemistry. Nano test tubes were readily suspended and stored in aqueous solutions without the need for chemical treatment. These nano test tubes should find application as delivery vehicles for therapeutics, particularly for processive “bionanoreactors” loaded with enzymes. PMID:23376956

Efficient entrapment of large and small compounds during vesiculation of intestinal microvilli.

PubMed Central

van Dommelen, F S; Hamer, C M; De Jonge, H R

1986-01-01

An efficient method is described permitting the encapsulation of membrane-impermeable compounds at the interior of intestinal microvilli during vesicle formation. Rat intestinal epithelial cells were isolated by high-frequency vibration and exposed transiently to iso-osmotic medium containing 5 mM-EDTA. Vesiculation of microvilli was effected by freeze-thawing instead of mechanical fragmentation or hypo-osmotic lysis. Solutes to be entrapped were mixed with the extracellular medium before freezing in liquid N2. Microvillous vesicles were isolated from thawed cell suspensions by Ca2+- or Mg2+-aggregation of contaminants and differential centrifugation. The yield, purity, orientation and transport properties of the vesicles were similar, or superior, to preparations described in the literature. A high loading efficiency was demonstrated for small impermeants (cyclic GMP, ATP, Arsenazo III) as well as proteins (albumin); in contrast, loading of isolated vesicles by hypo-osmotic shock was only partially effective (cyclic GMP, ATP) or ineffective (albumin). Entrapment of an ATP-regenerating system could partially block a Mg2+-dependent conversion of intravesicular ATP into ADP. No evidence was obtained for the contribution of a proton pump to the intrinsic Mg2+-ATPase of the vesicle. Potential applications of the vesicle-loading technique in studies of brush-border transport regulation by intramicrovillar factors are discussed. Images Fig. 1. Fig. 2. PMID:3024625

The Use of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as Possible Carrier in Drug Delivery System for Aspirin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yusof, Alias Mohd.; Buang, Nor Aziah; Yean, Lee Sze; Ibrahim, Mohd. Lokman

2009-06-01

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have raised great interest in a number of applications, including field emission, energy storage, molecular electronics, sensors, biochips and drug delivery systems. This is due to their remarkable mechanical properties, chemical stability and biofunctionalizability. This nanomaterial is low in weight, has high strength and a high aspect ratio (long length compared to a small diameter). This paper will present a brief overview of drugs adsorbed onto the surface of carbon nanotubes via sonication method. The surface area of carbon nanotubes was measured by methylene blue method, Carbon nanotubes synthesized by catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) method were purified and functionalized in a mixture of concentrated acids (H2SO4:HNO3 = 3:1) at room temperature (25° C) via sonication in water bath, yielding carboxylic acid group on the CNTs' surface. CNT was successfully loaded with 48 %(w/w) aspirin molecules by suspending CNTs in a solution of aspirin in alcohol. Analysis of loaded CNTs by Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrum (FITR) and UV-visible Spectroscopy confirmed the loading of the drug onto the CNTs. The work presented is a prelude to the direction of using carbon nanotubes as a drug delivery system to desired sites in human body.

Drug Loading Capacity of Environmentally Sensitive Polymeric Microgels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McDonough, Ryan; Streletzky, Kiril; Bayachou, Mekki; Peiris, Pubudu

2009-10-01

Microgel nanoparticles consisting of cross-linked polymer hydroxypropyl cellulose chains have a temperature dependent volume phase transition, prompting the use of microgels for controlled drug transport. Drug particles aggregate in the slightly hydrophobic interior of microgels. Microgels are stored in equilibrium until the critical temperature (Tv) is reached and the volume phase transition limits available space, thus expelling the drugs. Our study was designed to test this property of microgels using amperometric electrochemical methods. A critical assumption was that small molecules inside microgels would not interact via diffusion with the electrode surface and thus total current would be decreased across the electrodes in a microgel sample. A room temperature (Troom) flow amperometric measurement comparing microgel/tylenol solution with control tylenol samples yielded about 20% tylenol concentration reduction of the microgel sample. Results from the steady state electrochemical experiment confirm the presence of about 20% tylenol concentration drop of the microgel sample compared to control sample at Troom. Using the steady-state experiment with a cyclic temperature ramp from Troom to beyond Tv showed that the tylenol concentration change between the temperature extremes was greater for the microgel solution than for the control solution.

Nutrient and sediment concentrations, yields, and loads in impaired streams and rivers in the Taunton River Basin, Massachusetts, 1997-2008

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barbaro, Jeffrey R.; Sorenson, Jason R.

2013-01-01

Rapid development, population growth, and the changes in land and water use accompanying development are placing increasing stress on water resources in the Taunton River Basin. An assessment by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection determined that a number of tributary streams to the Taunton River are impaired for a variety of beneficial uses because of nutrient enrichment. Most of the impaired reaches are in the Matfield River drainage area in the vicinity of the City of Brockton. In addition to impairments of stream reaches in the basin, discharge of nutrient-rich water from the Taunton River contributes to eutrophication of Mount Hope and Narragansett Bays. To assess water quality and loading in the impaired tributary stream reaches in the basin, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection compiled existing water-quality data from previous studies for the period 1997-2006, developed and calibrated a Hydrological Simulation Program-FORTRAN (HSPF) precipitation-runoff model to simulate streamflow in areas of the basin that contain the impaired reaches for the same time period, and collected additional streamflow and water-quality data from sites on the Matfield and Taunton Rivers in 2008. A majority of the waterquality samples used in the study were collected between 1999 and 2006. Overall, the concentration, yield, and load data presented in this report represent water-quality conditions in the basin for the period 1997-2008. Water-quality data from 52 unique sites were used in the study. Most of the samples from previous studies were collected between June and September under dry weather conditions. Simulated or measured daily mean streamflow and water-quality data were used to estimate constituent yields and loads in the impaired tributary stream reaches and the main stem of the Taunton River and to develop yield-duration plots for reaches with sufficient water-quality data. Total phosphorus concentrations in the impaired-reach areas ranged from 0.0046 to 0.91 milligrams per liter (mg/L) in individual samples (number of samples (n)=331), with a median of 0.090 mg/L; total nitrogen concentrations ranged from 0.34 to 14 mg/L in individual samples (n=139), with a median of 1.35 mg/L; and total suspended solids concentrations ranged from 2/d) for total phosphorus and 100 lb/mi2/d for total nitrogen in these reaches. In most of the impaired reaches not affected by the Brockton Advanced Water Reclamation Facility outfall, yields were lower than in reaches downstream from the outfall, and the difference between measured and threshold yields was fairly uniform over a wide range of flows, suggesting that multiple processes contribute to nonpoint loading in these reaches. The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic SPAtially-Referenced Regression On Watershed (SPARROW) models for total phosphorus and total nitrogen also were used to estimate annual nutrient loads in the impaired tributary stream reaches and main stem of the Taunton River and predict the distribution of these loads among point and diffuse sources in reach drainage areas. SPARROW is a regional, statistical model that relates nutrient loads in streams to upstream sources and land-use characteristics and can be used to make predictions for streams that do not have nutrient-load data. The model predicts mean annual loads based on longterm streamflow and water-quality data and nutrient source conditions for the year 2002. Predicted mean annual nutrient loads from the SPARROW models were consistent with the measured yield and load data from sampling sites in the basin. For conditions in 2002, the Brockton Advanced Water Reclamation Facility outfall accounted for over 75 percent of the total nitrogen load and over 93 percent of the total phosphorus load in the Salisbury Plain and Matfield Rivers downstream from the outfall. Municipal point sources also accounted for most of the load in the main stem of the Taunton River. Multiple municipal wastewater discharges in the basin accounted for about 76 and 46 percent of the delivered loads of total phosphorus and total nitrogen, respectively, to Mount Hope Bay. For similarly sized watersheds, total delivered loads were lower in watersheds without point sources compared to those with point sources, and sources associated with developed land accounted for most of the delivered phosphorus and nitrogen loads to the impaired reaches. The concentration, yield, and load data evaluated in this study may not be representative of current (2012) point-source loading in the basin; in particular, most of the water-quality data used in the study (1999-2006) were collected prior to completion of upgrades to the Brockton Advanced Water Reclamation Facility that reduced total phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations in treated effluent. Effluent concentration data indicate that, for a given flow rate, effluent loads of total phosphorus and total nitrogen declined by about 80 and 30 percent, respectively, between the late 1990s and 2008 in response to plant upgrades. Consequently, current (2012) water-quality conditions in the impaired reaches downstream from the facility likely have improved compared to conditions described in the report.

Stiffness and relaxation components of the exponential and logistic time constants may be used to derive a load-independent index of isovolumic pressure decay.

PubMed

Shmuylovich, Leonid; Kovács, Sándor J

2008-12-01

In current practice, empirical parameters such as the monoexponential time constant tau or the logistic model time constant tauL are used to quantitate isovolumic relaxation. Previous work indicates that tau and tauL are load dependent. A load-independent index of isovolumic pressure decline (LIIIVPD) does not exist. In this study, we derive and validate a LIIIVPD. Recently, we have derived and validated a kinematic model of isovolumic pressure decay (IVPD), where IVPD is accurately predicted by the solution to an equation of motion parameterized by stiffness (Ek), relaxation (tauc), and pressure asymptote (Pinfinity) parameters. In this study, we use this kinematic model to predict, derive, and validate the load-independent index MLIIIVPD. We predict that the plot of lumped recoil effects [Ek.(P*max-Pinfinity)] versus resistance effects [tauc.(dP/dtmin)], defined by a set of load-varying IVPD contours, where P*max is maximum pressure and dP/dtmin is the minimum first derivative of pressure, yields a linear relation with a constant (i.e., load independent) slope MLIIIVPD. To validate the load independence, we analyzed an average of 107 IVPD contours in 25 subjects (2,669 beats total) undergoing diagnostic catheterization. For the group as a whole, we found the Ek.(P*max-Pinfinity) versus tauc.(dP/dtmin) relation to be highly linear, with the average slope MLIIIVPD=1.107+/-0.044 and the average r2=0.993+/-0.006. For all subjects, MLIIIVPD was found to be linearly correlated to the subject averaged tau (r2=0.65), tauL(r2=0.50), and dP/dtmin (r2=0.63), as well as to ejection fraction (r2=0.52). We conclude that MLIIIVPD is a LIIIVPD because it is load independent and correlates with conventional IVPD parameters. Further validation of MLIIIVPD in selected pathophysiological settings is warranted.

Proximal bicarbonate absorption independent of Na+-H+ exchange: effect of bicarbonate load.

PubMed

Bank, N; Aynedjian, H S; Mutz, B F

1989-04-01

To study proximal tubule bicarbonate absorption that is not due to the neutral Na+-H+ antiporter, mid to late proximal convolutions of the rat kidney were microperfused in vivo with a sodium-free choline solution containing 10(-3) M amiloride. The average sodium concentration resulting from sodium influx was 12 mM. At such low intraluminal [Na+], 10(-3) M amiloride should have inhibited the Na+-H+ antiporter by greater than 95%. When 25 mM HCO3- was in the perfusion fluid, measured total CO2 absorption was 100 pmol.mm-1.min-1. When luminal [HCO3-] was raised to 50 mM, and blood [HCO3-] was also raised to approximately 50 mM to avoid a transepithelial HCO3- concentration gradient, total CO2 absorption increased to greater than 300 pmol.mm-1.min-1. Thus raising intraluminal HCO3- concentration caused a marked increase in total CO2 absorption even though intraluminal [Na+] was low and amiloride was present. Control perfusions containing 140 mM Na+ yielded total CO2 absorption that was approximately 100 pmol.mm-1.min-1 higher than with the respective sodium-free perfusion solutions. In additional experiments, either DCCD or NEM was added to sodium-free perfusion solutions to inhibit H+-ATPase. These inhibitors reduced Na+-H+ independent total CO2 absorption markedly. Our observations suggest that under physiological acid-base conditions, sodium-independent H+ secretion can account for approximately 50% of total HCO3- absorption in mid to late proximal convolutions. This mechanism is stimulated by an increase in ambient HCO(-3) concentration to a degree that might account for the load-dependency of proximal HCO(-3) absorption in these segments of the proximal tubule.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Determination of the Fracture Parameters in a Stiffened Composite Panel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, Chung-Yi

2000-01-01

A modified J-integral, namely the equivalent domain integral, is derived for a three-dimensional anisotropic cracked solid to evaluate the stress intensity factor along the crack front using the finite element method. Based on the equivalent domain integral method with auxiliary fields, an interaction integral is also derived to extract the second fracture parameter, the T-stress, from the finite element results. The auxiliary fields are the two-dimensional plane strain solutions of monoclinic materials with the plane of symmetry at x(sub 3) = 0 under point loads applied at the crack tip. These solutions are expressed in a compact form based on the Stroh formalism. Both integrals can be implemented into a single numerical procedure to determine the distributions of stress intensity factor and T-stress components, T11, T13, and thus T33, along a three-dimensional crack front. The effects of plate thickness and crack length on the variation of the stress intensity factor and T-stresses through the thickness are investigated in detail for through-thickness center-cracked plates (isotropic and orthotropic) and orthotropic stiffened panels under pure mode-I loading conditions. For all the cases studied, T11 remains negative. For plates with the same dimensions, a larger size of crack yields larger magnitude of the normalized stress intensity factor and normalized T-stresses. The results in orthotropic stiffened panels exhibit an opposite trend in general. As expected, for the thicker panels, the fracture parameters evaluated through the thickness, except the region near the free surfaces, approach two-dimensional plane strain solutions. In summary, the numerical methods presented in this research demonstrate their high computational effectiveness and good numerical accuracy in extracting these fracture parameters from the finite element results in three-dimensional cracked solids.

On computing the geoelastic response to a disk load

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bevis, M.; Melini, D.; Spada, G.

2016-06-01

We review the theory of the Earth's elastic and gravitational response to a surface disk load. The solutions for displacement of the surface and the geoid are developed using expansions of Legendre polynomials, their derivatives and the load Love numbers. We provide a MATLAB function called diskload that computes the solutions for both uncompensated and compensated disk loads. In order to numerically implement the Legendre expansions, it is necessary to choose a harmonic degree, nmax, at which to truncate the series used to construct the solutions. We present a rule of thumb (ROT) for choosing an appropriate value of nmax, describe the consequences of truncating the expansions prematurely and provide a means to judiciously violate the ROT when that becomes a practical necessity.

A computer software system for the generation of global ocean tides including self-gravitation and crustal loading effects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Estes, R. H.

1977-01-01

A computer software system is described which computes global numerical solutions of the integro-differential Laplace tidal equations, including dissipation terms and ocean loading and self-gravitation effects, for arbitrary diurnal and semidiurnal tidal constituents. The integration algorithm features a successive approximation scheme for the integro-differential system, with time stepping forward differences in the time variable and central differences in spatial variables. Solutions for M2, S2, N2, K2, K1, O1, P1 tidal constituents neglecting the effects of ocean loading and self-gravitation and a converged M2, solution including ocean loading and self-gravitation effects are presented in the form of cotidal and corange maps.

Purification of proteins from solutions containing residual host cell proteins via preparative crystallization.

PubMed

Hekmat, Dariusch; Breitschwerdt, Peter; Weuster-Botz, Dirk

2015-09-01

To investigate quantitatively and reproducibly a scalable, preparative crystallization method in novel stirred tanks using three different protein solutions containing residual microbial host cell proteins (HCP). Lysozyme from solutions being spiked with up to 15% host cell proteins (HCP) (corresponding to 176,500 ppm) was crystallized within a 2.4-4.6 h at 93.7% yield using NaCl and glycerol. Lipase was crystallized under comparable conditions using NaCl and a mixture of two polyethylene glycols (PEG). Enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) was overexpressed in E. coli yielding a solution containing 23% target protein. Residual HCP content after pre-treatment was 7-16%. eGFP was crystallized from these solutions within 1.75-4 h at 88.7% step yield using ethanol and the same mixture of two PEG as in the case of lipase. HCP contained in the solvent channels of the protein crystals could be removed by diffusive washing yielding final purities at or above 99%. Preparative crystallization can be carried out with fast kinetics and high yields from solutions containing residual impurities and may represent an attractive alternative purification method compared to preparative chromatography, especially at large production scales.

Reverse Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Fixation: A Biomechanical Comparison Study of Tibial Cross-Pin and Femoral Interference Screw Fixation.

PubMed

Lawley, Richard J; Klein, Samuel E; Chudik, Steven C

2017-03-01

To evaluate the biomechanical performance of tibial cross-pin (TCP) fixation relative to femoral cross-pin (FCP), femoral interference screw (FIS), and tibial interference screw (TIS) fixation. We randomized 40 porcine specimens (20 tibias and 20 femurs) to TIS fixation (group 1, n = 10), FIS fixation (group 2, n = 10), TCP fixation (group 3, n = 10), or FCP fixation (group 4, n = 10) and performed biomechanical testing to compare ultimate load, stiffness, yield load, cyclic displacement, and load at 5-mm displacement. We performed cross-pin fixation of the looped end and interference screw fixation of the free ends of 9-mm-diameter bovine extensor digitorum communis tendon grafts. Graft fixation constructs were cyclically loaded and then loaded to failure in line with the tunnels. Regarding yield load, FIS was superior to TIS (704 ± 125 N vs 504 ± 118 N, P = .002), TCP was superior to TIS (1,449 ± 265 N vs 504 ± 118 N, P < .001), and TCP was superior to FCP (1,449 ± 265 N vs 792 ± 397 N, P < .001). Cyclic displacement for FCP was superior to TCP. Cyclic displacement for TIS versus FIS showed no statistically significant difference (2.5 ± 1.0 mm vs 2.2 ± 0.6 mm, P = .298). Interference screw fixation consistently failed by graft slippage, whereas TCP fixation failed by tibial bone failure. FCP fixation failed by either femoral bone failure or failure elsewhere in the testing apparatus. Regarding yield load, TCP fixation performed biomechanically superior to the clinically proven FCP at time zero. Because TIS fixation shows the lowest yield strength, it represents the weak link, and combined TCP-FIS fixation theoretically would be biomechanically superior relative to combined FCP-TIS fixation with regard to yield load. Cyclic displacement showed a small difference in favor of FCP over TCP fixation and no difference between TIS and FIS. Time-zero biomechanics of TCP fixation paired with FIS fixation show that this method of fixation can be considered a potential alternative to current practice and may pose clinical benefits in different clinical scenarios of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Copyright © 2016 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Influence of substrate surface loading on the kinetic behaviour of aerobic granules.

PubMed

Liu, Yu; Liu, Yong-Qiang; Wang, Zhi-Wu; Yang, Shu-Fang; Tay, Joo-Hwa

2005-06-01

In the aerobic granular sludge reactor, the substrate loading is related to the size of the aerobic granules cultivated. This study investigated the influence of substrate surface loading on the growth and substrate-utilization kinetics of aerobic granules. Results showed that microbial surface growth rate and surface biodegradation rate are fairly related to the substrate surface loading by the Monod-type equation. In this study, both the theoretical maximum growth yield and the Pirt maintenance coefficient were determined. It was found that the estimated theoretical maximum growth yield of aerobic granules was as low as 0.2 g biomass g(-1) chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 10-40% of input substrate-COD was consumed through the maintenance metabolism, while experimental results further showed that the unit oxygen uptake by aerobic granules was 0.68 g oxygen g(-1) COD, which was much higher than that reported in activated sludge processes. Based on the growth yield and unit oxygen uptake determined, an oxidative assimilation equation of acetate-fed aerobic granules was derived; and this was confirmed by respirometric tests. In aerobic granular culture, about 74% of the input substrate-carbon was converted to carbon dioxide. The growth yield of aerobic granules was three times lower than that of activated sludge. It is likely that high carbon dioxide production is the main cause of the low growth yield of aerobic granules, indicating a possible energy uncoupling in aerobic granular culture.

[Nasal submicron emulsion of Scutellariae Radix extract preparation technology research based on phase transfer of solute technology].

PubMed

Shi, Ya-jun; Shi, Jun-hui; Chen, Shi-bin; Yang, Ming

2015-07-01

Based on the demand of nasal drug delivery high drug loadings, using the unique phase transfer of solute, integrating the phospholipid complex preparation and submicron emulsion molding process of Scutellariae Radix extract, the study obtained the preparation of the high drug loadings submicron emulsion of Scutellariae Radix extract. In the study of drug solution dispersion method, the uniformity of drug dispersed as the evaluation index, the traditional mixing method, grinding, homogenate and solute phase transfer technology were investigated, and the solute phase transfer technology was adopted in the last. With the adoption of new technology, the drug loading capacity reached 1.33% (phospholipid complex was 4%). The drug loading capacity was improved significantly. The transfer of solute method and timing were studied as follows,join the oil phase when the volume of phospholipid complex anhydrous ethanol solution remaining 30%, the solute phase transfer was completed with the continued recycling of anhydrous ethanol. After drug dissolved away to oil phase, the preparation technology of colostrum was determined with the evaluation index of emulsion droplet form. The particle size of submicron emulsion, PDI and stability parameters were used as evaluation index, orthogonal methodology were adopted to optimize the submicron emulsion ingredient and main influential factors of high pressure homogenization technology. The optimized preparation technology of Scutellariae Radix extract nasal submicron emulsion is practical and stable.

A VERSATILE FAMILY OF GALACTIC WIND MODELS

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

Bustard, Chad; Zweibel, Ellen G.; D’Onghia, Elena, E-mail: bustard@wisc.edu

2016-03-01

We present a versatile family of model galactic outflows including non-uniform mass and energy source distributions, a gravitational potential from an extended mass source, and radiative losses. The model easily produces steady-state wind solutions for a range of mass-loading factors, energy-loading factors, galaxy mass, and galaxy radius. We find that, with radiative losses included, highly mass-loaded winds must be driven at high central temperatures, whereas low mass-loaded winds can be driven at low temperatures just above the peak of the cooling curve, meaning radiative losses can drastically affect the wind solution even for low mass-loading factors. By including radiative losses,more » we are able to show that subsonic flows can be ignored as a possible mechanism for expelling mass and energy from a galaxy compared to the more efficient transonic solutions. Specifically, the transonic solutions with low mass loading and high energy loading are the most efficient. Our model also produces low-temperature, high-velocity winds that could explain the prevalence of low-temperature material in observed outflows. Finally, we show that our model, unlike the well-known Chevalier and Clegg model, can reproduce the observed linear relationship between wind X-ray luminosity and star formation rate (SFR) over a large range of SFR from 1–1000 M{sub ⊙} yr{sup −1} assuming the wind mass-loading factor is higher for low-mass, and hence, low-SFR galaxies. We also constrain the allowed mass-loading factors that can fit the observed X-ray luminosity versus SFR trend, further suggesting an inverse relationship between mass loading and SFR as explored in advanced numerical simulations.« less

Inelastic response of metal matrix composites under biaxial loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mirzadeh, F.; Pindera, Marek-Jerzy; Herakovich, Carl T.

1990-01-01

Elements of the analytical/experimental program to characterize the response of silicon carbide titanium (SCS-6/Ti-15-3) composite tubes under biaxial loading are outlined. The analytical program comprises prediction of initial yielding and subsequent inelastic response of unidirectional and angle-ply silicon carbide titanium tubes using a combined micromechanics approach and laminate analysis. The micromechanics approach is based on the method of cells model and has the capability of generating the effective thermomechanical response of metal matrix composites in the linear and inelastic region in the presence of temperature and time-dependent properties of the individual constituents and imperfect bonding on the initial yield surfaces and inelastic response of (0) and (+ or - 45)sub s SCS-6/Ti-15-3 laminates loaded by different combinations of stresses. The generated analytical predictions will be compared with the experimental results. The experimental program comprises generation of initial yield surfaces, subsequent stress-strain curves and determination of failure loads of the SCS-6/Ti-15-3 tubes under selected loading conditions. The results of the analytical investigation are employed to define the actual loading paths for the experimental program. A brief overview of the experimental methodology is given. This includes the test capabilities of the Composite Mechanics Laboratory at the University of Virginia, the SCS-6/Ti-15-3 composite tubes secured from McDonnell Douglas Corporation, a text fixture specifically developed for combined axial-torsional loading, and the MTS combined axial-torsion loader that will be employed in the actual testing.

Optical, thermal and combustion properties of self-colored polyamide nanocomposites reinforced with azo dye surface modified ZnO nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hajibeygi, Mohsen; Shabanian, Meisam; Omidi-Ghallemohamadi, Mehrdad; Khonakdar, Hossein Ali

2017-09-01

New self-colored aromatic-polyamide (PA) nanocomposites containing azo and naphthalene chromophores were prepared with azo-dye surface-modified ZnO nanoparticles (SMZnO) using solution method in dimethylformamide. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results showed the uniform distribution for ZnO nanoparticles in the PA matrix. The UV-vis spectra of PA/ZnO nanocomposites (PANC) showed a blue shift as well as reduction in absorbance intensities and the photoluminescence studies revealed that the increasing intensities of the violet emission in SMZnO loading. From thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), the temperature at 10% mass loss (T10) increased from 291.8 °C to 387.6 °C for PANC containing 8 mass% of SMZnO, as well as the char yield enhanced significantly, which was about 23.5% higher than the neat PA. The peak heat release rate resulted from microscale combustion calorimeter (MCC), by 8 mass% loading of SMZnO, decreased about 56.9% lower than the neat PA.

Arginine-glycine-aspartic acid-conjugated dendrimer-modified quantum dots for targeting and imaging melanoma.

PubMed

Li, Zhiming; Huang, Peng; Lin, Jing; He, Rong; Liu, Bing; Zhang, Xiaomin; Yang, Sen; Xi, Peng; Zhang, Xuejun; Ren, Qiushi; Cui, Daxiang

2010-08-01

Angiogenesis is essential for the development of malignant tumors and provides important targets for tumor diagnosis and therapy. Quantum dots have been broadly investigated for their potential application in cancer molecular imaging. In present work, CdSe quantum dots were synthesized, polyamidoamine dendrimers were used to modify surface of quantum dots and improve their solubility in water solution. Then, dendrimer-modified CdSe quantum dots were conjugated with arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptides. These prepared nanoprobes were injected into nude mice loaded with melanoma (A375) tumor xenografts via tail vessels, IVIS imaging system was used to image the targeting and bio-distribution of as-prepared nanoprobes. The dendrimer-modified quantum dots exhibit water-soluble, high quantum yield, and good biocompatibility. RGD-conjugated quantum dots can specifically target human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and A375 melanoma cells, as well as nude mice loaded with A735 melanoma cells. High-performance RGD-conjugated dendrimers modified quantum dot-based nanoprobes have great potential in application such as tumor diagnosis and therapy.

Concentrations, loads, and yields of nutrients and suspended sediment in the South Pacolet, North Pacolet, and Pacolet Rivers, northern South Carolina and southwestern North Carolina, October 2005 to September 2009

USGS Publications Warehouse

Journey, Celeste A.; Caldwell, Andral W.; Feaster, Toby D.; Petkewich, Mattew D.; Bradley, Paul M.

2011-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Spartanburg Water, evaluated the concentrations, loads, and yields of suspended sediment, dissolved ammonia, dissolved nitrate plus nitrite, total organic nitrogen, total nitrogen, dissolved orthophosphate, dissolved phosphorus, and total phosphorus at sites in the South Pacolet, North Pacolet, and Pacolet Rivers in northern South Carolina and southwestern North Carolina from October 1, 2005, to September 30, 2009 (water years 2006 to 2009). Nutrient and sediment loads and yields also were computed for the intervening subbasin of the Pacolet River not represented by the South and North Pacolet River Basins. Except for a few outliers, the majority of the measurements of total nitrogen concentrations were well below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommended guideline of 0.69 milligram per liter for streams and rivers in the nutrient ecoregion IX, which includes the study area within the Pacolet River Basin. Dissolved orthophosphate, dissolved phosphorus, and total phosphorus concentrations were significantly lower at the South Pacolet River site compared to the North Pacolet and Pacolet River sites. About 90 percent of the total phosphorus concentrations at the South Pacolet River site were below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommended guideline of 0.37 milligram per liter, and more than 75 percent of the total phosphorus concentrations at the North Pacolet and Pacolet River sites were above that guideline. At all sites, minimum annual nutrient loads for the estimation period were observed during water year 2008 when severe drought conditions were present. An estimated mean annual total nitrogen load of 37,770 kilograms per year and yield of 2.63 kilograms per hectare per year were determined for the South Pacolet River site for the estimation period. The North Pacolet River site had a mean annual total nitrogen load of 65,890 kilograms per year and yield of 2.19 kilograms per hectare per year. The Pacolet River had a mean annual total nitrogen load of 99,780 kilograms per year and yield of 1.82 kilograms per hectare per year. Mean annual total phosphorus loads of 2,576; 9,404; and 11,710 kilograms per year and yields of 0.180, 0.313, and 0.213 kilograms per hectare per year were estimated at the South Pacolet, North Pacolet, and Pacolet River sites, respectively. Annually, the intervening subbasin of the Pacolet River contributed negligible amounts of total nitrogen and total phosphorus loads, and large losses of dissolved nitrate plus nitrite and orthophosphate loads were determined for the subbasin. Biological (algal) uptake in the two reservoirs in this intervening area was considered the likely explanation for the loss of these constituents. Estimated mean annual suspended-sediment loads were 21,190,000; 9,895,000; and 6,547,000 kilograms per year at the South Pacolet, North Pacolet, and Pacolet River sites, respectively. In the intervening Pacolet River subbasin, computed annual suspended-sediment loads were consistently negative, indicating large percentage losses in annual suspended-sediment load. Sedimentation processes in the two reservoirs are the most likely explanations for these apparent losses. At all sites, the winter season tended to have the highest estimated seasonal dissolved orthophosphate and dissolved nitrate plus nitrite fluxes, and the summer and fall seasons tended to have the lowest fluxes. The reverse pattern, however, was observed in the intervening drainage area in the Pacolet River where the lowest fluxes of dissolved orthophosphate and nitrate plus nitrite occurred during the winter and spring seasons and the highest occurred during the summer and fall seasons. Synoptic samples were collected during a high-flow event in August 2009 at eight sites that represented shoreline and minor tributary drainages. The South Pacolet River site was identified as contributing greater than 80 percent of the cumulative nutrient and sediment l

Evaluation of multiple muscle loads through multi-objective optimization with prediction of subjective satisfaction level: illustration by an application to handrail position for standing.

PubMed

Chihara, Takanori; Seo, Akihiko

2014-03-01

Proposed here is an evaluation of multiple muscle loads and a procedure for determining optimum solutions to ergonomic design problems. The simultaneous muscle load evaluation is formulated as a multi-objective optimization problem, and optimum solutions are obtained for each participant. In addition, one optimum solution for all participants, which is defined as the compromise solution, is also obtained. Moreover, the proposed method provides both objective and subjective information to support the decision making of designers. The proposed method was applied to the problem of designing the handrail position for the sit-to-stand movement. The height and distance of the handrails were the design variables, and surface electromyograms of four muscles were measured. The optimization results suggest that the proposed evaluation represents the impressions of participants more completely than an independent use of muscle loads. In addition, the compromise solution is determined, and the benefits of the proposed method are examined. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.

Comparison of 2-Octanol and Tributyl Phosphate in Recovery of Tungsten from Sulfuric-Phosphoric Acid Leach Solution of Scheelite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, Yulong; Zhao, Zhongwei

2018-04-01

Tungsten was recovered from sulfuric-phosphoric acid leach solution of scheelite using 2-octanol and tributyl phosphate (TBP). Approximately 76% of the tungsten and less than 6.2% of the iron were extracted when using 70% 2-octanol, showing good selectivity for tungsten over iron; the tungsten extraction could not be significantly enhanced using a three-stage countercurrent simulation test. Moreover, more than 99.2% of the W and 91.0% of the Fe were extracted when using 70% TBP, showing poor selectivity, but after pretreating the leach solution with iron powder, less than 5.5% of the Fe was extracted. The loaded phases were stripped using deionized water and ammonia solution. The maximum stripping rate of tungsten from loaded 2-octanol was 45.6% when using water, compared with only 13.1% from loaded TBP. Tungsten was efficiently stripped from loaded phases using ammonia solution without formation of Fe(OH)3 precipitate. Finally, a flow sheet for recovery of tungsten with TBP is proposed.

Improving the yield from fermentative hydrogen production.

PubMed

Kraemer, Jeremy T; Bagley, David M

2007-05-01

Efforts to increase H(2) yields from fermentative H(2) production include heat treatment of the inoculum, dissolved gas removal, and varying the organic loading rate. Although heat treatment kills methanogens and selects for spore-forming bacteria, the available evidence indicates H(2) yields are not maximized compared to bromoethanesulfonate, iodopropane, or perchloric acid pre-treatments and spore-forming acetogens are not killed. Operational controls (low pH, short solids retention time) can replace heat treatment. Gas sparging increases H(2) yields compared to un-sparged reactors, but no relationship exists between the sparging rate and H(2) yield. Lower sparging rates may improve the H(2) yield with less energy input and product dilution. The reasons why sparging improves H(2) yields are unknown, but recent measurements of dissolved H(2) concentrations during sparging suggest the assumption of decreased inhibition of the H(2)-producing enzymes is unlikely. Significant disagreement exists over the effect of organic loading rate (OLR); some studies show relatively higher OLRs improve H(2) yield while others show the opposite. Discovering the reasons for higher H(2) yields during dissolved gas removal and changes in OLR will help improve H(2) yields.

Antimicrobial efficiency of PAA/(PVP/CHI) erodible polysaccharide multilayer through loading and controlled release of antibiotics.

PubMed

Xu, Qingwen; Liu, Huihua; Ye, Zi; Nan, Kaihui; Lin, Sen; Chen, Hao; Wang, Bailiang

2017-04-01

The adhesion of bacteria and subsequent formation of biofilm on the surface of implants greatly affect the long-term use of the implants. The low molar mass gentamicin (GS) cations could hardly be directly incorporated into the multilayer films through alternately deposition with a polyanion. Herein, we have designed and constructed a (poly(acrylic acid)/(polyvinylpyrrolidone/chitosan)) n ((PAA/(PVP/CHI)) n ) multilayer films through layer-by-layer self-assembly method. Through increasing the pH to destroy hydrogen bonding between PAA and PVP, PVP released into the solution and GS simultaneously combined with PAA through electrostatic interactions. The loading dosage of GS into the (PAA/(PVP/CHI)) 10 multilayer film was up to 153.84±18.64μg/cm 2 and could be precisely tuned through changing the thickness of the films. The release behaviour of GS in phosphate buffer saline could also be regulated through thermal cross-linking of the films. The drug-loaded multilayer films displayed efficient against three kinds of Gram-positive and three kinds of Gram-negative bacteria and one kind of fungi, and good biocompatibility towards human lens epithelial cells. GS-loaded multilayer films-coated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were compared with pristine PDMS in the rabbit subcutaneous S. aureus infection model. The antimicrobial-coated implants yielded a much lower degree of infections than pristine implants at day seven. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Loading-unloading response of circular GLARE fiber-metal laminates under lateral indentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsamasphyros, George J.; Bikakis, George S.

2015-01-01

GLARE is a Fiber-Metal laminated material used in aerospace structures which are frequently subjected to various impact damages. Hence, the response of GLARE plates subjected to lateral indentation is very important. In this paper, analytical expressions are derived and a non-linear finite element modeling procedure is proposed in order to predict the static load-indentation curves of circular GLARE plates during loading and unloading by a hemispherical indentor. We have recently published analytical formulas and a finite element procedure for the static indentation of circular GLARE plates which are now used during the loading stage. Here, considering that aluminum layers are in a state of membrane yield and employing energy balance during unloading, the unloading path is determined. Using this unloading path, an algebraic equation is derived for calculating the permanent dent depth of the GLARE plate after the indentor's withdrawal. Furthermore, our finite element procedure is modified in order to simulate the unloading stage as well. The derived formulas and the proposed finite element modeling procedure are applied successfully to GLARE 2-2/1-0.3 and to GLARE 3-3/2-0.4 circular plates. The analytical results are compared with corresponding FEM results and a good agreement is found. The analytically calculated permanent dent depth is within 6 % for the GLARE 2 plate, and within 7 % for the GLARE 3 plate, of the corresponding numerically calculated result. No other solution of this problem is known to the authors.

Load-Flow in Multiphase Distribution Networks: Existence, Uniqueness, Non-Singularity, and Linear Models

DOE PAGES

Bernstein, Andrey; Wang, Cong; Dall'Anese, Emiliano; ...

2018-01-01

This paper considers unbalanced multiphase distribution systems with generic topology and different load models, and extends the Z-bus iterative load-flow algorithm based on a fixed-point interpretation of the AC load-flow equations. Explicit conditions for existence and uniqueness of load-flow solutions are presented. These conditions also guarantee convergence of the load-flow algorithm to the unique solution. The proposed methodology is applicable to generic systems featuring (i) wye connections; (ii) ungrounded delta connections; (iii) a combination of wye-connected and delta-connected sources/loads; and, (iv) a combination of line-to-line and line-to-grounded-neutral devices at the secondary of distribution transformers. Further, a sufficient condition for themore » non-singularity of the load-flow Jacobian is proposed. Finally, linear load-flow models are derived, and their approximation accuracy is analyzed. Theoretical results are corroborated through experiments on IEEE test feeders.« less

Load-Flow in Multiphase Distribution Networks: Existence, Uniqueness, Non-Singularity, and Linear Models

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

Bernstein, Andrey; Wang, Cong; Dall'Anese, Emiliano

This paper considers unbalanced multiphase distribution systems with generic topology and different load models, and extends the Z-bus iterative load-flow algorithm based on a fixed-point interpretation of the AC load-flow equations. Explicit conditions for existence and uniqueness of load-flow solutions are presented. These conditions also guarantee convergence of the load-flow algorithm to the unique solution. The proposed methodology is applicable to generic systems featuring (i) wye connections; (ii) ungrounded delta connections; (iii) a combination of wye-connected and delta-connected sources/loads; and, (iv) a combination of line-to-line and line-to-grounded-neutral devices at the secondary of distribution transformers. Further, a sufficient condition for themore » non-singularity of the load-flow Jacobian is proposed. Finally, linear load-flow models are derived, and their approximation accuracy is analyzed. Theoretical results are corroborated through experiments on IEEE test feeders.« less

Procedure for chromatography involving sample solvent with higher elution strength than the mobile phase.

PubMed

Patil, Nitin S; Mendhe, Rakesh B; Sankar, Ajeet A; Iyer, Harish

2008-01-11

In preparative chromatography, often the solubility of the sample in the mobile phase is limited, making the mobile phase unsuitable as a solvent for preparation of load. Generally, solvents that have high solubility for the sample also have higher elution strengths than the mobile phase. Additionally, at high loading volumes, these strong sample solvents are known to adversely affect the band profiles leading to poor chromatographic performance. Here, we show that controlling the mobile phase strength during loading and post-load elution resulted in improved band profiles when the sample solvent was stronger than the mobile phase. Such an approach improves performance in preparative chromatography by allowing either higher sample loading or higher organic content in mobile phase (without loss of yield). Alternately, the approach can be used for improvement in performance by increase in yield or product purity.

Effects of Land-Applied Ammonia Scrubber Solutions on Yield, Nitrogen Uptake, Soil Test Phosphorus, and Phosphorus Runoff.

PubMed

Martin, Jerry W; Moore, Philip A; Li, Hong; Ashworth, Amanda J; Miles, Dana M

2018-03-01

Ammonia (NH) scrubbers reduce amounts of NH and dust released from animal rearing facilities while generating nitrogen (N)-rich solutions, which may be used as fertilizers. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of various NH scrubber solutions on forage yields, N uptake, soil-test phosphorus (P), and P runoff. A small plot study was conducted using six treatments: (i) an unfertilized control, (ii) potassium bisulfate (KHSO) scrubber solution, (iii) aluminum sulfate [Al(SO) ⋅14HO, alum] scrubber solution, (iv) sodium bisulfate (NaHSO) scrubber solution, (v) sulfuric acid (HSO) scrubber solution, and (vi) ammonium nitrate (NHNO) fertilizer. The scrubber solutions were obtained from ARS Air Scrubbers attached to commercial broiler houses. All N sources were applied at a rate of 112 kg N ha. Plots were harvested approximately every 4 wk and soil-test P measurements were made, then a rainfall simulation study was conducted. Cumulative forage yields were greater ( < 0.05) for KHSO (7.6 Mg ha) and NaHSO (7.5 Mg ha) scrubber solutions than for alum (6.7 Mg ha) or HSO (6.5 Mg ha) scrubber solutions or for NHNO (6.9 Mg ha). All N sources resulted in higher yields than the control (5.1 Mg ha). The additional potassium in the KHSO treatment likely resulted in higher yields. Although Mehlich-III-extractable P was not affected, water-extractable P in soil was lowered by the alum-based scrubber solution, which also resulted in lower P runoff. This study demonstrates that N captured using NH scrubbers is a viable N fertilizer. Copyright © by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Inc.

Optimising the operational parameters of a spherical steriliser for the treatment of oil palm fresh fruit bunch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumaradevan, D.; Chuah, K. H.; Moey, L. K.; Mohan, V.; Wan, W. T.

2015-09-01

The extraction of crude palm oil (CPO) begins with the sterilization of oil palm fresh fruit bunch (FFB) in a pressurized, saturated-steam chamber. Sterilization loosens the palm fruits from the stalks and deactivates the free fatty acid (FFA)-producing enzymes. Operational parameters affecting the quality and yield of CPO from an industrial spherical sterilizer are studied at a palm oil mill. The factors are the ripeness of FFB, the number of days before treatment of FFB, and the number of pressure peaks applied in the sterilization process. The results indicate that the degree of ripeness of FFB is the most important parameter affecting the quality and yield of CPO. Ripeness is graded based on the fruits’ colour and the presence of loose fruits. Over ripe FFB that goes for the sterilization process has higher FFA content in CPO and more oil loss to the condensate chamber. The spontaneous reaction on FFB due to accumulation at the loading ramp also gives rise to higher FFA content. Oil loss to condensate chamber is reduced using a two-peak sterilization technique for over ripe FFB; the peak refers to the pressure level of stream after a flushing and refilling cycle. Overall, the generated solution improves the quality and yield of the palm oil mill.

Evolution of Mechanical Properties and Microstructures in the Inner Accretionary Prism of the Nankai Subduction Zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuo, S. T.; Kitamura, M.; Kitajima, H.

2016-12-01

Mechanical properties and microstructural characteristics of accretionary prism sediments can provide detailed deformation history and processes in subduction zones. The IODP Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (NanTroSEIZE) Expedition 348 has extended the deep riser hole down to 3058.5 meters below sea floor (mbsf) to the inner accretionary wedge at Site C0002 located 35 km landward from the trench. Here, we conducted deformation experiments on the core samples recovered from 2185 msbf at Site C0002 to understand mechanical behaviors and deformation of inner prism sediments. We deformed the siltstone samples with a porosity of 20% at 25°C or 60°C under isotropic loading path (S1=S2=S3) and triaxial compression (S1>S2=S3). In the isotropic loading test, we step-wisely increased confining pressure (Pc) from 11.5 to 194 MPa and kept pore pressure (Pp) at 10 MPa. In a series of triaxial compression loading tests, we first increased Pc to the targeting 42-78 MPa and Pp to 20 MPa, and then applied the differential load at a constant displacement rate of 0.005 μm/s while keeping Pc and Pp constant. We will analyze the microstructures of the experimentally deformed samples to understand deformation mechanism. We define yield points based on slope changes in relationships between volumetric strain and effective mean stress (p') for isotropic loading and those between differential stress (q) and axial strain for triaxial loading. The sample yields at p' of 100 MPa (q = 0 MPa) in isotropic loading test. In triaxial loading, the samples at effective pressure (Pe) of 22, 28, and 58 MPa yield at q = 30 MPa (p' = 32 MPa), q = 30 MPa (p' = 38 MPa) and q = 45 MPa (p' = 73 MPa), respectively. Upon yield, the samples deformed at Pe of 22 MPa and 28 MPa show brittle behavior with a peak q of 50 MPa and 55 MPa followed by strain weakening to reach q of 36 and 46 MPa at steady state. Both samples show single fracture planes with angles of 30° to S1. On the other hand, the sample at Pe of 58 MPa shows strain hardening after the yield and exhibits barreling. In triaxial loading experiments, all samples show an increase in volumetric strain with increasing Pe. Our experiment results at different Pe are consistent with a critical state soil mechanics theory. We will further correlate the microstructural features of the deformed samples with the mechanical data.

Hydrology, phosphorus, and suspended solids in five agricultural streams in the Lower Fox River and Green Bay Watersheds, Wisconsin, Water Years 2004-06

USGS Publications Warehouse

Graczyk, David J.; Robertson, Dale M.; Baumgart, Paul D.; Fermanich, Kevin J.

2011-01-01

The average annual TSS yields ranged from 111 tons/mi2 in Apple Creek to 45 tons/mi2 in Duck Creek. All five watersheds yielded more TSS than the median value (32.4 tons/mi2) from previous studies in the Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains (SWTP) ecoregion. The average annual TP yields ranged from 663 lbs/mi2 in Baird Creek to 382 lbs/mi2 in Duck Creek. All five watersheds yielded more TP than the median value from previous studies in the SWTP ecoregion, and the Baird Creek watershed yielded more TP than the statewide median of 650 lbs/mi2 from previous studies.Overall, Duck Creek had the lowest median and volumetric weighted concentrations and mean yield of TSS and TP. The same pattern was true for dissolved phosphorus (DP), except the volumetrically weighted concentration was lowest in the East River. In contrast, Ashwaubenon, Baird, and Apple Creeks had greater median and volumetrically weighted concentrations and mean yields of TSS, TP, DP than Duck Creek and the East River. Water quality in Duck Creek and East River were distinctly different from Ashwaubenon, Baird, and Apple Creeks. Loads from individual runoff events for all of these streams were important to the total annual mass transport of the constituents. On average, about 20 percent of the annual TSS loads and about 17 percent of the TP loads were transported in 1-day events in each stream.

An approach for the regularization of a power flow solution around the maximum loading point

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

Kataoka, Y.

1992-08-01

In the conventional power flow solution, the boundary conditions are directly specified by active power and reactive power at each node, so that the singular point coincided with the maximum loading point. For this reason, the computations are often disturbed by ill-condition. This paper proposes a new method for getting the wide-range regularity by giving some modifications to the conventional power flow solution method, thereby eliminating the singular point or shifting it to the region with the voltage lower than that of the maximum loading point. Then, the continuous execution of V-P curves including maximum loading point is realized. Themore » efficiency and effectiveness of the method are tested in practical 598-nodes system in comparison with the conventional method.« less

Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter Export from U.S. Rivers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spencer, R. G.; Aiken, G.; Dornblaser, M.; Butler, K. D.; Holmes, R. M.; Fiske, G.; Mann, P. J.; Stubbins, A.

2012-12-01

Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) fluxes and yields from 15 major U.S. rivers draining an assortment of terrestrial biomes are presented. Utilizing CDOM and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) flux data we establish a robust universal relationship between CDOM and DOC loads. The application of this relationship allows future studies to derive DOC loads from CDOM utilizing emerging in-situ or remote sensing technologies and thus refine river-to-ocean DOC fluxes, as well as exploit historic imagery to examine how fluxes may have changed. Calculated CDOM yields from the 15 U.S. rivers highlight the importance of certain regions with respect to CDOM flux to the coastal ocean. This approach indicates that future studies might predict CDOM and DOC yields for different watershed types that could then be readily converted to loads providing for the estimation of CDOM and DOC export from ungauged watersheds. Examination of CDOM yields also highlights important geographical regions for future study with respect to the role of terrigenous CDOM in ocean color budgets and CDOM's role in biogeochemical processes.

Enhanced Sucrose Loading Improves Rice Yield by Increasing Grain Size1[OPEN

PubMed Central

Wang, Liang; Lu, Qingtao

2015-01-01

Yield in cereals is a function of grain number and size. Sucrose (Suc), the main carbohydrate product of photosynthesis in higher plants, is transported long distances from source leaves to sink organs such as seeds and roots. Here, we report that transgenic rice plants (Oryza sativa) expressing the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) phloem-specific Suc transporter (AtSUC2), which loads Suc into the phloem under control of the phloem protein2 promoter (pPP2), showed an increase in grain yield of up to 16% relative to wild-type plants in field trials. Compared with wild-type plants, pPP2::AtSUC2 plants had larger spikelet hulls and larger and heavier grains. Grain filling was accelerated in the transgenic plants, and more photoassimilate was transported from the leaves to the grain. In addition, microarray analyses revealed that carbohydrate, amino acid, and lipid metabolism was enhanced in the leaves and grain of pPP2::AtSUC2 plants. Thus, enhancing Suc loading represents a promising strategy to improve rice yield to feed the global population. PMID:26504138

Enhanced Sucrose Loading Improves Rice Yield by Increasing Grain Size.

PubMed

Wang, Liang; Lu, Qingtao; Wen, Xiaogang; Lu, Congming

2015-12-01

Yield in cereals is a function of grain number and size. Sucrose (Suc), the main carbohydrate product of photosynthesis in higher plants, is transported long distances from source leaves to sink organs such as seeds and roots. Here, we report that transgenic rice plants (Oryza sativa) expressing the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) phloem-specific Suc transporter (AtSUC2), which loads Suc into the phloem under control of the phloem protein2 promoter (pPP2), showed an increase in grain yield of up to 16% relative to wild-type plants in field trials. Compared with wild-type plants, pPP2::AtSUC2 plants had larger spikelet hulls and larger and heavier grains. Grain filling was accelerated in the transgenic plants, and more photoassimilate was transported from the leaves to the grain. In addition, microarray analyses revealed that carbohydrate, amino acid, and lipid metabolism was enhanced in the leaves and grain of pPP2::AtSUC2 plants. Thus, enhancing Suc loading represents a promising strategy to improve rice yield to feed the global population. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists. All Rights Reserved.

Instability-related delamination growth in thermoset and thermoplastic composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gillespie, John W., Jr.; Carlsson, Leif A.; Rothschilds, Robert J.

1988-01-01

Mixed-mode crack propagation in compressively loaded thermoset and thermoplastic composite columns with an imbedded through-width delamination is investigated. Beam theory is used to analyze the geometrically nonlinear load-deformation relationship of the delaminated subregion. The elastic restraint model (ERM), combined with existing FSM modeling of the crack-tip region, yields expressions for the Mode I and Mode II components of the strain energy release rate G(I) and G(II) to predict the critical load at the onset of delamination growth. Experimental data were generated for geometries yielding a wide range of G(I)/G(II) ratios at the onset of crack growth. A linear mixed-mode crack growth criterion in conjunctuion with the ERM provides good agreement between predicted and measured critical loads for both materials studied.

Waste water from citrus processing as a source of hesperidin by concentration on styrene-divinylbenzene resin.

PubMed

Di Mauro, A; Fallico, B; Passerini, A; Maccarone, E

2000-06-01

This paper describes a procedure for recovering hesperidin from the waste water of orange juice processing, namely, yellow water, by concentration of diluted extracts on styrene-divinylbenzene resin. Turbid raw material flowing out from centrifuges of essential oil separation contains considerable amount of hesperidin ( approximately 1 g/L) mainly associated with solid particles. Yellow water was treated with calcium hydroxide until pH 12 to solubilize hesperidin, filtered, neutralized at pH 6, and loaded on resin up to saturation. Desorption with 10% ethanol aqueous solutions at different NaOH concentrations (0.23-0.92 M) assured high concentration of hesperidin in selected fractions (10-78 g/L), from which it precipitated in high yield and purity immediately after acidification at pH 5. Best results were obtained using 0.46 M NaOH as eluent: 71.5% of the adsorbed hesperidin was desorbed in 300 mL, with an overall 64% yield of isolated product at 95.4% purity (HPLC). These experiments can constitute a useful starting point for an industrial application.

Quantifying yield behaviour in metals by X-ray nanotomography

PubMed Central

Mostafavi, M.; Bradley, R.; Armstrong, D. E. J.; Marrow, T. J.

2016-01-01

Nanoindentation of engineering materials is commonly used to study, at small length scales, the continuum mechanical properties of elastic modulus and yield strength. However, it is difficult to measure strain hardening via nanoindentation. Strain hardening, which describes the increase in strength with plastic deformation, affects fracture toughness and ductility, and is an important engineering material property. The problem is that the load-displacement data of a single nanoindentation do not provide a unique solution for the material’s plastic properties, which can be described by its stress-strain behaviour. Three-dimensional mapping of the displacement field beneath the indentation provides additional information that can overcome this difficulty. We have applied digital volume correlation of X-ray nano-tomographs of a nanoindentation to measure the sub-surface displacement field and so obtain the plastic properties of a nano-structured oxide dispersion strengthened steel. This steel has potential applications in advanced nuclear energy systems, and this novel method could characterise samples where proton irradiation of the surface simulates the effects of fast neutron damage, since facilities do not yet exist that can replicate this damage in bulk materials. PMID:27698472

Experimental Influences in the Accurate Measurement of Cartilage Thickness in MRI.

PubMed

Wang, Nian; Badar, Farid; Xia, Yang

2018-01-01

Objective To study the experimental influences to the measurement of cartilage thickness by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Design The complete thicknesses of healthy and trypsin-degraded cartilage were measured at high-resolution MRI under different conditions, using two intensity-based imaging sequences (ultra-short echo [UTE] and multislice-multiecho [MSME]) and 3 quantitative relaxation imaging sequences (T 1 , T 2 , and T 1 ρ). Other variables included different orientations in the magnet, 2 soaking solutions (saline and phosphate buffered saline [PBS]), and external loading. Results With cartilage soaked in saline, UTE and T 1 methods yielded complete and consistent measurement of cartilage thickness, while the thickness measurement by T 2 , T 1 ρ, and MSME methods were orientation dependent. The effect of external loading on cartilage thickness is also sequence and orientation dependent. All variations in cartilage thickness in MRI could be eliminated with the use of a 100 mM PBS or imaged by UTE sequence. Conclusions The appearance of articular cartilage and the measurement accuracy of cartilage thickness in MRI can be influenced by a number of experimental factors in ex vivo MRI, from the use of various pulse sequences and soaking solutions to the health of the tissue. T 2 -based imaging sequence, both proton-intensity sequence and quantitative relaxation sequence, similarly produced the largest variations. With adequate resolution, the accurate measurement of whole cartilage tissue in clinical MRI could be utilized to detect differences between healthy and osteoarthritic cartilage after compression.

A Three-Phase Microgrid Restoration Model Considering Unbalanced Operation of Distributed Generation

DOE PAGES

Wang, Zeyu; Wang, Jianhui; Chen, Chen

2016-12-07

Recent severe outages highlight the urgency of improving grid resiliency in the U.S. Microgrid formation schemes are proposed to restore critical loads after outages occur. Most distribution networks have unbalanced configurations that are not represented in sufficient detail by single-phase models. This study provides a microgrid formation plan that adopts a three-phase network model to represent unbalanced distribution networks. The problem formulation has a quadratic objective function with mixed-integer linear constraints. The three-phase network model enables us to examine the three-phase power outputs of distributed generators (DGs), preventing unbalanced operation that might trip DGs. Because the DG unbalanced operation constraintmore » is non-convex, an iterative process is presented that checks whether the unbalanced operation limits for DGs are satisfied after each iteration of optimization. We also develop a relatively conservative linear approximation on the unbalanced operation constraint to handle larger networks. Compared with the iterative solution process, the conservative linear approximation is able to accelerate the solution process at the cost of sacrificing optimality to a limited extent. Simulation in the IEEE 34 node and IEEE 123 test feeders indicate that the proposed method yields more practical microgrid formations results. In addition, this paper explores the coordinated operation of DGs and energy storage (ES) installations. The unbalanced three-phase outputs of ESs combined with the relatively balanced outputs of DGs could supply unbalanced loads. In conclusion, the case study also validates the DG-ES coordination.« less

A Three-Phase Microgrid Restoration Model Considering Unbalanced Operation of Distributed Generation

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

Wang, Zeyu; Wang, Jianhui; Chen, Chen

Recent severe outages highlight the urgency of improving grid resiliency in the U.S. Microgrid formation schemes are proposed to restore critical loads after outages occur. Most distribution networks have unbalanced configurations that are not represented in sufficient detail by single-phase models. This study provides a microgrid formation plan that adopts a three-phase network model to represent unbalanced distribution networks. The problem formulation has a quadratic objective function with mixed-integer linear constraints. The three-phase network model enables us to examine the three-phase power outputs of distributed generators (DGs), preventing unbalanced operation that might trip DGs. Because the DG unbalanced operation constraintmore » is non-convex, an iterative process is presented that checks whether the unbalanced operation limits for DGs are satisfied after each iteration of optimization. We also develop a relatively conservative linear approximation on the unbalanced operation constraint to handle larger networks. Compared with the iterative solution process, the conservative linear approximation is able to accelerate the solution process at the cost of sacrificing optimality to a limited extent. Simulation in the IEEE 34 node and IEEE 123 test feeders indicate that the proposed method yields more practical microgrid formations results. In addition, this paper explores the coordinated operation of DGs and energy storage (ES) installations. The unbalanced three-phase outputs of ESs combined with the relatively balanced outputs of DGs could supply unbalanced loads. In conclusion, the case study also validates the DG-ES coordination.« less

Complete mechanical behavior analysis of FG Nano Beam under non-uniform loading using non-local theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghaffari, I.; Parhizkar Yaghoobi, M.; Ghannad, M.

2018-01-01

The purpose of this study is to offer a complete solution to analyze the mechanical behavior (bending, buckling and vibration) of Nano-beam under non-uniform loading. Furthermore, the effects of size (nonlocal parameters), non-homogeneity constants, and different boundary conditions are investigated by using this method. The exact solution presented here reduces costs incurred by experiments. In this research, the displacement field obeys the kinematics of the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and non-local elasticity theory has been used. The governing equations and general boundary conditions are derived for a beam by using energy method. The presented solution enables us to analyze any kind of loading profile and boundary conditions with no limitations. Furthermore, this solution, unlike previous studies, is not a series-solution; hence, there is no limitation prior to existing with the series-solution, nor does it need to check convergence. Based on the developed analytical solution, the influence of size, non-homogeneity and non-uniform loads on bending, buckling and vibration behaviors is discussed. Also, the obtained result is highly accurate and in good agreement with previous research. In theoretical method, the allowable range for non-local parameters can be determined so as to make a major contribution to the reduction of the cost of experiments determining the value of non-local parameters.

(6)Li-loaded liquid scintillators with pulse shape discrimination.

PubMed

Greenwood, L R; Chellew, N R; Zarwell, G A

1979-04-01

Excellent pulse height and pulse shape discrimination performance has been obtained for liquid scintillators containing as much as 10 wt.% (6)Li-salicylate dissolved in a toluene-methanol solvent system using naphthalene and 9,10 diphenylanthracene as intermediate and secondary solutes. This solution has improved performance at higher (6)Li-loading than solutions in dioxane-water solvent systems, and remains stable at temperatures as low as -10 degrees C. Cells as large as 5 cm in diameter and 15.2 deep have been prepared which have a higher light output for slow neutron detection than (10)B-loaded liquids. Neutron efficiency calculations are also presented.

Contact solution algorithms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tielking, John T.

1989-01-01

Two algorithms for obtaining static contact solutions are described in this presentation. Although they were derived for contact problems involving specific structures (a tire and a solid rubber cylinder), they are sufficiently general to be applied to other shell-of-revolution and solid-body contact problems. The shell-of-revolution contact algorithm is a method of obtaining a point load influence coefficient matrix for the portion of shell surface that is expected to carry a contact load. If the shell is sufficiently linear with respect to contact loading, a single influence coefficient matrix can be used to obtain a good approximation of the contact pressure distribution. Otherwise, the matrix will be updated to reflect nonlinear load-deflection behavior. The solid-body contact algorithm utilizes a Lagrange multiplier to include the contact constraint in a potential energy functional. The solution is found by applying the principle of minimum potential energy. The Lagrange multiplier is identified as the contact load resultant for a specific deflection. At present, only frictionless contact solutions have been obtained with these algorithms. A sliding tread element has been developed to calculate friction shear force in the contact region of the rolling shell-of-revolution tire model.

Density and viscosity of some partially carbonated aqueous alkanolamine solutions and their blends

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

Weiland, R.H.; Dingman, J.C.; Cronin, D.B.

1998-05-01

Very little information is available concerning the effect of acid gas loading on the physical properties of amine-treating solutions flowing through the absorption and regeneration columns used in gas processing. The densities and viscosities of partially carbonated monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), and N-methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) solutions were measured at 298 K. With increasing carbon dioxide loadings, significant increases in both density and viscosity were observed. These results were combined with literature data to produce correlations for alkanolamine solution density and viscosity as a function of amine concentration, carbon dioxide loading, and temperature. The resulting single-amine correlations were used to predict themore » densities and viscosities of DEA + MDEA and MEA + MDEA blends. Predictions are compared with data measured for these blends.« less

Arsenic load in rice ecosystem and its mitigation through deficit irrigation.

PubMed

Mukherjee, Arkabanee; Kundu, M; Basu, B; Sinha, B; Chatterjee, M; Bairagya, M Das; Singh, U K; Sarkar, S

2017-07-15

Rice the staple food is a notable intake source of arsenic to the rural population of eastern India through food-chain. A field survey was carried out to study the variation of arsenic load in different parts of rice genotype Shatabdi (most popular genotype of the region) exposed to varying level of arsenic present in the irrigation water and soil. As irrigation is the primary source of arsenic contamination, a study was conducted to assess arsenic load in rice ecosystem under deficit irrigation practices like intermittent ponding (IP), saturation (SAT) and aerobic (AER) imposed during stress allowable stage (16-40 days after transplanting) of the crop (genotype Shatabdi). Present survey showed that arsenic content in water and soil influenced the arsenic load of rice grain. Variation in arsenic among different water and soil samples influenced grain arsenic load to the maximum extent followed by straw. Deviation in root arsenic load due to variation in water and soil arsenic content was lowest. Arsenic concentration of grain is strongly related to the arsenic content of both irrigation water and soil. However, water has 10% higher impact on grain arsenic load over soil. Translocation of arsenic from root to shoot decreased with the increase in arsenic content of water. Imposition of saturated and aerobic environment reduced both yield and grain arsenic load. In contrast under IP a marked decrease in grain arsenic content recorded with insignificant reduction in yield. Deficit irrigation resulted in significant reduction (17.6-25%) in arsenic content of polished rice and the values were lower than that of the toxic level (<0.2 mg kg -1 ). In contrast the decrease in yield was to the tune of 0.9% under IP regime over CP. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mechanical characteristics and comparisons of cerclage wires: introduction of the double-wrap and loop/twist tying methods.

PubMed

Roe, S C

1997-01-01

Evaluate the mechanical properties of twist, loop, double loop, double-wrap and loop/twist cerclage. The initial tension generated by 18 cerclage of each type was determined using a materials testing machine after tying around a testing jig. Six wires from each type were distracted and the initial stiffness and yield load were determined. Yield behavior was further investigated in six wires of each type by determining the load required to reduce cerclage tension below 30 Newton (N) following and incremental (50 N) stepwise load and unload regimen. The amount of collapse of the simulated bone fragments that resulted in the reduction of initial tension to 30 N was measured for the final six wires of each group. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and a multiple comparison test. Twist type cerclage generated less tension than loop-type cerclage. The yield load of these two types was similar. Double-loop and double-wrap cerclage generated superior tension and resisted a greater load before loosening. Loop/twist cerclage had an intermediate initial tension but had the greatest resistance to loading. In the collapse test, the greater the initial tension, the more collapse could occur before the wire was loose. For all types of cerclage wire fixation, a reduction of diameter of the testing jig of more than 1% caused loosening. Double-loop and double-wrap cerclage provide greater compression of fragments and resist loads associated with weight-bearing better than the twist and loop methods. Loop/twist cerclage may have advantages because of their superior resistance to loading. All cerclage will loosen if fracture fragments collapse.

Apportioning riverine DIN load to export coefficients of land uses in an urbanized watershed.

PubMed

Shih, Yu-Ting; Lee, Tsung-Yu; Huang, Jr-Chuan; Kao, Shuh-Ji; Chang

2016-08-01

The apportionment of riverine dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) load to individual land use on a watershed scale demands the support of accurate DIN load estimation and differentiation of point and non-point sources, but both of them are rarely quantitatively determined in small montane watersheds. We introduced the Danshui River watershed of Taiwan, a mountainous urbanized watershed, to determine the export coefficients via a reverse Monte Carlo approach from riverine DIN load. The results showed that the dynamics of N fluctuation determines the load estimation method and sampling frequency. On a monthly sampling frequency basis, the average load estimation of the methods (GM, FW, and LI) outperformed that of individual method. Export coefficient analysis showed that the forest DIN yield of 521.5kg-Nkm(-2)yr(-1) was ~2.7-fold higher than the global riverine DIN yield (mainly from temperate large rivers with various land use compositions). Such a high yield was attributable to high rainfall and atmospheric N deposition. The export coefficient of agriculture was disproportionately larger than forest suggesting that a small replacement of forest to agriculture could lead to considerable change of DIN load. The analysis of differentiation between point and non-point sources showed that the untreated wastewater (non-point source), accounting for ~93% of the total human-associated wastewater, resulted in a high export coefficient of urban. The inclusion of the treated and untreated wastewater completes the N budget of wastewater. The export coefficient approach serves well to assess the riverine DIN load and to improve the understanding of N cascade. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Thick Honeycombs.

PubMed

Hedayati, Reza; Sadighi, Mojtaba; Mohammadi Aghdam, Mohammad; Zadpoor, Amir Abbas

2016-07-23

Honeycombs resemble the structure of a number of natural and biological materials such as cancellous bone, wood, and cork. Thick honeycomb could be also used for energy absorption applications. Moreover, studying the mechanical behavior of honeycombs under in-plane loading could help understanding the mechanical behavior of more complex 3D tessellated structures such as porous biomaterials. In this paper, we study the mechanical behavior of thick honeycombs made using additive manufacturing techniques that allow for fabrication of honeycombs with arbitrary and precisely controlled thickness. Thick honeycombs with different wall thicknesses were produced from polylactic acid (PLA) using fused deposition modelling, i.e., an additive manufacturing technique. The samples were mechanically tested in-plane under compression to determine their mechanical properties. We also obtained exact analytical solutions for the stiffness matrix of thick hexagonal honeycombs using both Euler-Bernoulli and Timoshenko beam theories. The stiffness matrix was then used to derive analytical relationships that describe the elastic modulus, yield stress, and Poisson's ratio of thick honeycombs. Finite element models were also built for computational analysis of the mechanical behavior of thick honeycombs under compression. The mechanical properties obtained using our analytical relationships were compared with experimental observations and computational results as well as with analytical solutions available in the literature. It was found that the analytical solutions presented here are in good agreement with experimental and computational results even for very thick honeycombs, whereas the analytical solutions available in the literature show a large deviation from experimental observation, computational results, and our analytical solutions.

Ultrasound assisted intensification of biodiesel production using enzymatic interesterification.

PubMed

Subhedar, Preeti B; Gogate, Parag R

2016-03-01

Ultrasound assisted intensification of synthesis of biodiesel from waste cooking oil using methyl acetate and immobilized lipase obtained from Thermomyces lanuginosus (Lipozyme TLIM) as a catalyst has been investigated in the present work. The reaction has also been investigated using the conventional approach based on stirring so as to establish the beneficial effects obtained due to the use of ultrasound. Effect of operating conditions such as reactant molar ratio (oil and methyl acetate), temperature and enzyme loading on the yield of biodiesel has been investigated. Optimum conditions for the conventional approach (without ultrasound) were established as reactant molar ratio of 1:12 (oil:methyl acetate), enzyme loading of 6% (w/v), temperature of 40 °C and reaction time of 24 h and under these conditions, 90.1% biodiesel yield was obtained. The optimum conditions for the ultrasound assisted approach were oil to methyl acetate molar ratio of 1:9, enzyme loading of 3% (w/v), and reaction time of 3 h and the biodiesel yield obtained under these conditions was 96.1%. Use of ultrasound resulted in significant reduction in the reaction time with higher yields and lower requirement of the enzyme loading. The obtained results have clearly established that ultrasound assisted interesterification was a fast and efficient approach for biodiesel production giving significant benefits, which can help in reducing the costs of production. Reusability studies for the enzyme were also performed but it was observed that reuse of the catalyst under the optimum experimental condition resulted in reduced enzyme activity and biodiesel yield. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Polyurethane foam loaded with SDS for the adsorption of cationic dyes from aqueous medium: Multivariate optimization of the loading process.

PubMed

Robaina, Nicolle F; Soriano, Silvio; Cassella, Ricardo J

2009-08-15

This paper reports the development of a new procedure for the adsorption of four cationic dyes (Rhodamine B, Methylene Blue, Crystal Violet and Malachite Green) from aqueous medium employing polyurethane foam (PUF) loaded with sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) as solid phase. PUF loading process was based on the stirring of 200mg PUF cylinders with acidic solutions containing SDS. The conditions for loading were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) using a Doehlert design with three variables that were SDS and HCl concentrations and stirring time. Results obtained in the optimization process showed that the stirring time is not a relevant parameter in the PUF loading, evidencing that the transport of SDS from solution to PUF surface is fast. On the other hand, both SDS and HCl concentrations were important parameters causing significant variation in the efficiency of the resulting solid phase for the removal of dyes from solution. At optimized conditions, SDS and HCl concentrations were 4.0 x 10(-4) and 0.90 mol L(-1), respectively. The influence of stirring time was evaluated by univariate methodology. A 20 min stirring time was established in order to make the PUF loading process fast and robust without losing efficiency. The procedure was tested for the removal of the four cationic dyes from aqueous solutions and removal efficiencies always better than 90% were achieved for the two concentrations tested (2.0 x 10(-5) and 1.0 x 10(-4)mol L(-1)).

Computer simulation of concentrated solid solution strengthening

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kuo, C. T. K.; Arsenault, R. J.

1976-01-01

The interaction forces between a straight edge dislocation moving through a three-dimensional block containing a random array of solute atoms were determined. The yield stress at 0 K was obtained by determining the average maximum solute-dislocation interaction force that is encountered by edge dislocation, and an expression relating the yield stress to the length of the dislocation and the solute concentration is provided. The magnitude of the solid solution strengthening due to solute atoms can be determined directly from the numerical results, provided the dislocation line length that moves as a unit is specified.

Cryopreservation of in vitro shoot apices of Oxalis tuberosa Mol.

PubMed

Gonzalez-Benito, M E; Mendoza-Condori, V H; Molina-Garcia, A D

2007-01-01

Oca (Oxalis tuberosa Mol.) is an under-utilized tuber crop from the Andean region. Cryopreservation would allow the safe and long-term preservation of the genetic resources of this crop. A protocol for the cryopreservation of in vitro grown shoots has been developed using the vitrification solution PVS2. Two genotypes were studied (G1 and G27). Nodal segments were cultured on MS medium and incubated at 10 degree C with 16 h photoperiod and 10 mol per square meter per second irradiance, for two weeks. Apices were then excised and cultured on MS+0.15 M sucrose for 3 days at 5 degree C in darkness. Subsequently, apices were immersed in a loading solution (liquid MS medium+2 M glycerol+0.4 M sucrose), and then treated with the vitrification solution PVS2 for 0 to 40 minutes. Cryovials were then immersed in liquid nitrogen. Four weeks after rewarming and culture on recovery medium, genotype G1 showed approximately 60 percent recovery (normal growth) with 20 min PVS2 treatment. Genotype G27 showed lower recovery (30 percent). Differential scanning calorimetry yielded a Tg midpoint for PSV2 solution of ca. -120 degree C. Calorimetric studies on apices at different stages of the cryopreservation protocol showed a change in calorimetric parameters consistent with a decrease in the amount of frozen water as the protocol advanced.

In-plane dynamic Green's functions for inclined and uniformly distributed loads in a multi-layered transversely isotropic half-space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ba, Zhenning; Kang, Zeqing; Liang, Jianwen

2018-04-01

The dynamic stiffness method combined with the Fourier transform is utilized to derive the in-plane Green's functions for inclined and uniformly distributed loads in a multi-layered transversely isotropic (TI) half-space. The loaded layer is fixed to obtain solutions restricted in it and the corresponding reactions forces, which are then applied to the total system with the opposite sign. By adding solutions restricted in the loaded layer to solutions from the reaction forces, the global solutions in the wavenumber domain are obtained, and the dynamic Green's functions in the space domain are recovered by the inverse Fourier transform. The presented formulations can be reduced to the isotropic case developed by Wolf (1985), and are further verified by comparisons with existing solutions in a uniform isotropic as well as a layered TI half-space subjected to horizontally distributed loads which are special cases of the more general problem addressed. The deduced Green's functions, in conjunction with boundary element methods, will lead to significant advances in the investigation of a variety of wave scattering, wave radiation and soil-structure interaction problems in a layered TI site. Selected numerical results are given to investigate the influence of material anisotropy, frequency of excitation, inclination angle and layered on the responses of displacement and stress, and some conclusions are drawn.

Effects of solution volume on hydrogen production by pulsed spark discharge in ethanol solution

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

Xin, Y. B.; Sun, B., E-mail: sunb88@dlmu.edu.cn; Zhu, X. M.

2016-07-15

Hydrogen production from ethanol solution (ethanol/water) by pulsed spark discharge was optimized by varying the volume of ethanol solution (liquid volume). Hydrogen yield was initially increased and then decreased with the increase in solution volume, which achieved 1.5 l/min with a solution volume of 500 ml. The characteristics of pulsed spark discharge were studied in this work; the results showed that the intensity of peak current, the rate of current rise, and energy efficiency of hydrogen production can be changed by varying the volume of ethanol solution. Meanwhile, the mechanism analysis of hydrogen production was accomplished by monitoring the process of hydrogenmore » production and the state of free radicals. The analysis showed that decreasing the retention time of gas production and properly increasing the volume of ethanol solution can enhance the hydrogen yield. Through this research, a high-yield and large-scale method of hydrogen production can be achieved, which is more suitable for industrial application.« less

VLMD - VORTEX-LATTICE CODE FOR DETERMINATION OF MEAN CAMBER SURFACE FOR TRIMMED NONCOPLANER PLANFORMS WITH MINIMUM VORTEX DRAG

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lamar, J. E.

1994-01-01

This program represents a subsonic aerodynamic method for determining the mean camber surface of trimmed noncoplaner planforms with minimum vortex drag. With this program, multiple surfaces can be designed together to yield a trimmed configuration with minimum induced drag at some specified lift coefficient. The method uses a vortex-lattice and overcomes previous difficulties with chord loading specification. A Trefftz plane analysis is used to determine the optimum span loading for minimum drag. The program then solves for the mean camber surface of the wing associated with this loading. Pitching-moment or root-bending-moment constraints can be employed at the design lift coefficient. Sensitivity studies of vortex-lattice arrangements have been made with this program and comparisons with other theories show generally good agreement. The program is very versatile and has been applied to isolated wings, wing-canard configurations, a tandem wing, and a wing-winglet configuration. The design problem solved with this code is essentially an optimization one. A subsonic vortex-lattice is used to determine the span load distribution(s) on bent lifting line(s) in the Trefftz plane. A Lagrange multiplier technique determines the required loading which is used to calculate the mean camber slopes, which are then integrated to yield the local elevation surface. The problem of determining the necessary circulation matrix is simplified by having the chordwise shape of the bound circulation remain unchanged across each span, though the chordwise shape may vary from one planform to another. The circulation matrix is obtained by calculating the spanwise scaling of the chordwise shapes. A chordwise summation of the lift and pitching-moment is utilized in the Trefftz plane solution on the assumption that the trailing wake does not roll up and that the general configuration has specifiable chord loading shapes. VLMD is written in FORTRAN for IBM PC series and compatible computers running MS-DOS. This program requires 360K of RAM for execution. The Ryan McFarland FORTRAN compiler and PLINK86 are required to recompile the source code; however, a sample executable is provided on the diskette. The standard distribution medium for VLMD is a 5.25 inch 360K MS-DOS format diskette. VLMD was originally developed for use on CDC 6000 series computers in 1976. It was originally ported to the IBM PC in 1986, and, after minor modifications, the IBM PC port was released in 1993.

Heterojunction photovoltaics using GaAs nanowires and conjugated polymers.

PubMed

Ren, Shenqiang; Zhao, Ni; Crawford, Samuel C; Tambe, Michael; Bulović, Vladimir; Gradecak, Silvija

2011-02-09

We demonstrate an organic/inorganic solar cell architecture based on a blend of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and narrow bandgap GaAs nanowires. The measured increase of device photocurrent with increased nanowire loading is correlated with structural ordering within the active layer that enhances charge transport. Coating the GaAs nanowires with TiO(x) shells passivates nanowire surface states and further improves the photovoltaic performance. We find that the P3HT/nanowire cells yield power conversion efficiencies of 2.36% under white LED illumination for devices containing 50 wt % of TiO(x)-coated GaAs nanowires. Our results constitute important progress for the use of nanowires in large area solution processed hybrid photovoltaic cells and provide insight into the role of structural ordering in the device performance.

Host-guest chemistry of cyclodextrin carbamates and cellulose derivatives in aqueous solution.

PubMed

Guo, Xin; Jia, Xiangxiang; Du, Jiaojiao; Xiao, Longqiang; Li, Feifei; Liao, Liqiong; Liu, Lijian

2013-10-15

Supramolecular polymer micelles were prepared on basis of the inclusion complexation between cyclodextrin carbamates and cellulose derivatives in aqueous media. Cyclodextrin carbamates were synthesized by microwave-assisted method from cyclodextrin and urea. The urea modified cyclodextrin shows the higher yield than the physical mixture of urea/cyclodextrin in the micellization with cellulose derivatives. The supramolecular structure of the core-shell micelles was demonstrated by (1)H NMR spectra, TEM images, and fluorescence spectra. The drug release behavior of the supramolecular polymer micelles was evaluated using prednisone acetate as a model drug. The drug loaded micelles showed steady and long time drug release behavior. With these properties, the supramolecular polymer micelles are attractive as drug carriers for pharmaceutical applications. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A solution procedure for behavior of thick plates on a nonlinear foundation and postbuckling behavior of long plates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stein, M.; Stein, P. A.

1978-01-01

Approximate solutions for three nonlinear orthotropic plate problems are presented: (1) a thick plate attached to a pad having nonlinear material properties which, in turn, is attached to a substructure which is then deformed; (2) a long plate loaded in inplane longitudinal compression beyond its buckling load; and (3) a long plate loaded in inplane shear beyond its buckling load. For all three problems, the two dimensional plate equations are reduced to one dimensional equations in the y-direction by using a one dimensional trigonometric approximation in the x-direction. Each problem uses different trigonometric terms. Solutions are obtained using an existing algorithm for simultaneous, first order, nonlinear, ordinary differential equations subject to two point boundary conditions. Ordinary differential equations are derived to determine the variable coefficients of the trigonometric terms.

A unified theory for laminated plates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guiamatsia Tafeuvoukeng, Irene

A literature survey on plate and beam theories show how the advent of the finite element method and the variational method circa 1940 have been a great stimulant for the research in this field. The initial thin plate formulation has been incrementally expanded to treat the isotropic thick plate, the anisotropic single layer, and then laminated plates. It appears however that current formulations still fall into one of two categories: (1) The formulation is tailored for a specific laminate and/or loading case; (2) or the formulation is too complicated to be of practical relevance. In this work a new unifying approach to laminated plate formulation is presented. All laminated plates, including sandwich panels, subjected to any surface load and with any boundary conditions are treated within a single model. In addition, the fundamental behavior of the plate as a two-dimensional structural element is explained. The novel idea is the introduction of fundamental state solutions, which are analytical far field stress and strain solutions of the laminated plate subjected to a set of hierarchical primary loads, the fundamental loads. These loads are carefully selected to form a basis of the load space, and corresponding solutions are superposed to obtain extremely accurate predictions of the three dimensional solution. six,y,z =aklx,y sikl z where i = 1,..., 6; 1=1,...,l max is a substate of the kth fundamental state k=1,2,3,... Typically, a fundamental state solution is expressed as a through-thickness function (z), while the amplitudes of each fundamental load are found from two dimensional finite element solution as a function of in-plane coordinates (x,y). Three major contributions are produced in this work: (1) A complete calibration of the plate as a two-dimensional structure is performed with pure bending and constant shear fundamental states. (2) There are four independent ways to apply a constant shear resultant on a plate, as opposed to one for a beam. This makes it impossible to define a unique 2 x 2 transverse shear stiffness matrix. Therefore the traditional problem of the shear correction factor loses all relevance. It is however shown that an explicit transverse constitutive relation can be obtained for isotropic-layered laminates or single-layers. (3) Higher accuracy, three-dimensional solutions are obtained using a two-dimensional finite element model with a complexity level (degrees of freedom) similar to the Reissner-Mindlin plate. The proof of concept is realized using Pagano solution for rectangular plates under sinusoidal load, for a sandwich panel. Additional comparisons are also performed for four and six-layer symmetric and antisymmetric laminates, between the new plate theory results and full three-dimensional finite element solutions.

Global versus Tract-Specific Components of Cerebral White Matter Integrity: Relation to Adult Age and Perceptual-Motor Speed

PubMed Central

Johnson, Micah A.; Diaz, Michele T.; Madden, David J.

2014-01-01

Although age-related differences in white matter have been well documented, the degree to which regional, tract-specific effects can be distinguished from global, brain-general effects is not yet clear. Similarly, the manner in which global and regional differences in white matter integrity contribute to age-related differences in cognition has not been well established. To address these issues, we analyzed diffusion tensor imaging measures from 52 younger adults (18–28) and 64 older adults (60–85). We conducted principal component analysis on each diffusion measure, using data from eight individual tracts. Two components were observed for fractional anisotropy: The first comprised high loadings from the superior longitudinal fasciculi and corticospinal tracts, and the second comprised high loadings from the optic radiations. In contrast, variation in axial, radial, and mean diffusivities yielded a single-component solution in each case, with high loadings from most or all tracts. For fractional anisotropy, the complementary results of multiple components and variability in component loadings across tracts suggest regional variation. However, for the diffusivity indices, the single component with high loadings from most or all of the tracts suggests primarily global, brain-general variation. Further analyses indicated that age was a significant mediator of the relation between each component and perceptual-motor speed. These data suggest that individual differences in white matter integrity, and their relation to age-related differences in perceptual-motor speed, represent influences that are beyond the level of individual tracts, but the extent to which regional or global effects predominate may differ between anisotropy and diffusivity measures. PMID:24972959

Ketoprofen-loaded polymer carriers in bigel formulation: an approach to enhancing drug photostability in topical application forms

PubMed Central

Andonova, Velichka; Peneva, Petya; Georgiev, George S; Toncheva, Vencislava T; Apostolova, Elisaveta; Peychev, Zhivko; Dimitrova, Stela; Katsarova, Mariana; Petrova, Nadia; Kassarova, Margarita

2017-01-01

The purpose of the study was to investigate the stability and biopharmaceutical characteristics of ketoprofen, loaded in polymeric carriers, which were included into a bigel in a semisolid dosage form. The polymer carriers with in situ-included ketoprofen were obtained by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of the monomers in aqueous medium or a solution of the polymers used. The morphological characteristics of the carriers, the in vitro release and the photochemical stability of ketoprofen were evaluated. The model with optimal characteristics was included in a bigel formulation. The bigel was characterized in terms of pH, rheological behavior, spreadability, and in vitro drug release. Acute skin toxicity, antinociceptive activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and antihyperalgesic effects of the prepared bigel with ketoprofen-loaded polymer carrier were evaluated. The carriers of ketoprofen were characterized by a high yield and drug loading. The particle size distribution varied widely according to the polymer used, and a sustained release was provided for up to 6 hours. The polymer mixture poly(vinyl acetate) and hydroxypropyl cellulose as a drug carrier, alone or included in the bigel composition, improved the photostability of the drug compared with unprotected ketoprofen. The bigel with ketoprofen-loaded particles provided sustained release of the drug and had optimal rheological parameters. In vivo experiments on the bigel showed no skin inflammation or irritation. Four hours after its application, a well-defined analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antihyperalgesic effect was registered. The polymer mixture of poly(vinyl acetate) and hydroxypropyl cellulose as a carrier of ketoprofen and the bigel in which it was included provided an enhanced photostability and sustained drug release. PMID:28894363

Ketoprofen-loaded polymer carriers in bigel formulation: an approach to enhancing drug photostability in topical application forms.

PubMed

Andonova, Velichka; Peneva, Petya; Georgiev, George S; Toncheva, Vencislava T; Apostolova, Elisaveta; Peychev, Zhivko; Dimitrova, Stela; Katsarova, Mariana; Petrova, Nadia; Kassarova, Margarita

2017-01-01

The purpose of the study was to investigate the stability and biopharmaceutical characteristics of ketoprofen, loaded in polymeric carriers, which were included into a bigel in a semisolid dosage form. The polymer carriers with in situ-included ketoprofen were obtained by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of the monomers in aqueous medium or a solution of the polymers used. The morphological characteristics of the carriers, the in vitro release and the photochemical stability of ketoprofen were evaluated. The model with optimal characteristics was included in a bigel formulation. The bigel was characterized in terms of pH, rheological behavior, spreadability, and in vitro drug release. Acute skin toxicity, antinociceptive activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and antihyperalgesic effects of the prepared bigel with ketoprofen-loaded polymer carrier were evaluated. The carriers of ketoprofen were characterized by a high yield and drug loading. The particle size distribution varied widely according to the polymer used, and a sustained release was provided for up to 6 hours. The polymer mixture poly(vinyl acetate) and hydroxypropyl cellulose as a drug carrier, alone or included in the bigel composition, improved the photostability of the drug compared with unprotected ketoprofen. The bigel with ketoprofen-loaded particles provided sustained release of the drug and had optimal rheological parameters. In vivo experiments on the bigel showed no skin inflammation or irritation. Four hours after its application, a well-defined analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antihyperalgesic effect was registered. The polymer mixture of poly(vinyl acetate) and hydroxypropyl cellulose as a carrier of ketoprofen and the bigel in which it was included provided an enhanced photostability and sustained drug release.

Improved (10)B-loaded liquid scintillator with pulse-shape discrimination.

PubMed

Greenwood, L R; Chellew, N R

1979-04-01

An improved (10)B-loaded liquid scintillator solution has been developed containing trimethylborate, 1-methylnaphthalene, and 9,10-diphenylanthracene. Cells up to 5 cm in diameter by 15.2 cm long have been prepared and tested with (10)B-loadings up to 7.2% by weight (80% trimethylborate). The solution has excellent light output and pulse-shape discrimination properties and is stable at temperatures as low as -17 degrees C. Neutron efficiency calculations are also presented.

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

Brown, Garrett N.; Russell, Renee L.; Peterson, Reid A.

This report summarizes the work performed to evaluate multiple, cesium loading, and elution cycles for small columns containing SRF resin using a simple, high-level waste (HLW) simulant. Cesium ion exchange loading and elution curves were generated for a nominal 5 M Na, 2.4E-05 M Cs, 0.115 M Al loading solution traced with 134Cs followed by elution with variable HNO3 (0.02, 0.07, 0.15, 0.23, and 0.28 M) containing variable CsNO3 (5.0E-09, 5.0E-08, and 5.0E-07 M) and traced with 137Cs. The ion exchange system consisted of a pump, tubing, process solutions, and a single, small ({approx}15.7 mL) bed of SRF resin withmore » a water-jacketed column for temperature-control. The columns were loaded with approximately 250 bed volumes (BVs) of feed solution at 45 C and at 1.5 to 12 BV per hour (0.15 to 1.2 cm/min). The columns were then eluted with 29+ BVs of HNO3 processed at 25 C and at 1.4 BV/h. The two independent tracers allowed analysis of the on-column cesium interaction between the loading and elution solutions. The objective of these tests was to improve the correlation between the spent resin cesium content and cesium leached out of the resin in subsequent loading cycles (cesium leakage) to help establish acid strength and purity requirements.« less

High pressure solubility of carbon dioxide (CO2) in aqueous solution of piperazine (PZ) activated N-methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) solvent for CO2 capture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khan, Saleem Nawaz; Hailegiorgis, Sintayehu Mekuria; Man, Zakaria; Shariff, Azmi Mohd

2017-10-01

In this study, the solubility of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the aqueous solution of piperazine (PZ) activated N-methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) was investigated. In the aqueous solution the concentrations of the N-methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) and piperazine (PZ) were kept constant at 30 wt. % and 3 wt. %, respectively. The solubility experiments were carried out between the temperatures ranges of 303.15 to 333.15 K. The pressure range was selected as 2-50 bar for solubility of carbon dioxide in the aqueous solution. The solubility of the CO2 is reported in terms of CO2 loading capacity of the solvent. The loading capacity of the solvent is the ratio between the numbers of moles of CO2 absorbed to the numbers of moles of solvent used. The experimental data showed that the CO2 loading increased with increase in CO2 partial pressure, while it decreased with increase in system's temperature. It was also observed from the experimental data that the higher pressure favors the absorption process while the increased temperature hinders the absorption process of CO2 capture. The loading capacity of the investigated solvent was compared with the loading capacity of the solvents reported in the literature. The investigated solvent showed better solubility in terms of loading capacity.

Alkaline twin-screw extrusion pretreatment for fermentable sugar production

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background The inevitable depletion of fossil fuels has resulted in an increasing worldwide interest in exploring alternative and sustainable energy sources. Lignocellulose, which is the most abundant biomass on earth, is widely regarded as a promising raw material to produce fuel ethanol. Pretreatment is an essential step to disrupt the recalcitrance of lignocellulosic matrix for enzymatic saccharification and bioethanol production. This paper established an ATSE (alkaline twin-screw extrusion pretreatment) process using a specially designed twin-screw extruder in the presence of alkaline solution to improve the enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency of corn stover for the production of fermentable sugars. Results The ATSE pretreatment was conducted with a biomass/liquid ratio of 1/2 (w/w) at a temperature of 99°C without heating equipment. The results indicated that ATSE pretreatment is effective in improving the enzymatic digestibility of corn stover. Sodium hydroxide loading is more influential factor affecting both sugar yield and lignin degradation than heat preservation time. After ATSE pretreatment under the proper conditions (NaOH loading of 0.06 g/g biomass during ATSE and 1 hour heat preservation after extrusion), 71% lignin removal was achieved and the conversions of glucan and xylan in the pretreated biomass can reach to 83% and 89% respectively via subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis (cellulase loading of 20 FPU/g-biomass and substrate consistency of 2%). About 78% of the original polysaccharides were converted into fermentable sugars. Conclusions With the physicochemical functions in extrusion, the ATSE method can effectively overcome the recalcitrance of lignocellulose for the production of fermentable sugars from corn stover. This process can be considered as a promising pretreatment method due to its relatively low temperature (99°C), high biomass/liquid ratio (1/2) and satisfied total sugar yield (78%), despite further study is needed for process optimization and cost reduction. PMID:23834726

Slow Crack Growth Analysis of Advanced Structural Ceramics Under Combined Loading Conditions: Damage Assessment in Life Prediction Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choi, S. R.; Gyekenyesi, J. P.

2001-01-01

Slow crack growth analysis was performed with three different loading histories including constant stress- rate/constant stress-rate testing (Case I loading), constant stress/constant stress-rate testing (Case II loading), and cyclic stress/constant stress-rate testing (Case III loading). Strength degradation due to slow crack growth and/or damage accumulation was determined numerically as a function of percentage of interruption time between the two loading sequences for a given loading history. The numerical solutions were examined with the experimental data determined at elevated temperatures using four different advanced ceramic materials, two silicon nitrides, one silicon carbide and one alumina for the Case I loading history, and alumina for the Case II loading history. The numerical solutions were in reasonable agreement with the experimental data, indicating that notwithstanding some degree of creep deformation presented for some test materials slow crack growth was a governing mechanism associated with failure for all the rest materials.

Slow Crack Growth Analysis of Advanced Structural Ceramics Under Combined Loading Conditions: Damage Assessment in Life Prediction Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choi, Sung R.; Gyekenyesi, John P.

2000-01-01

Slow crack growth analysis was performed with three different loading histories including constant stress-rate/constant stress-rate testing (Case 1 loading), constant stress/constant stress-rate testing (Case 2 loading), and cyclic stress/constant stress-rate testing (Case 2 loading). Strength degradation due to slow crack growth and/or damage accumulation was determined numerically as a function of percentage of interruption time between the two loading sequences for a given loading history. The numerical solutions were examined with the experimental data determined at elevated temperatures using four different advanced ceramic materials, two silicon nitrides, one silicon carbide and one alumina for the Case 1 loading history, and alumina for the Case 3 loading history. The numerical solutions were in reasonable agreement with the experimental data, indicating that notwithstanding some degree of creep deformation presented for some test materials slow crack growth was a governing mechanism associated with failure for all the test materials.

Slow Crack Growth Analysis of Advanced Structural Ceramics Under Combined Loading Conditions: Damage Assessment in Life Prediction Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choi, Sung R.; Gyekenyesi, John P.

2000-01-01

Slow crack growth analysis was performed with three different loading histories including constant stress-rate/constant stress-rate testing (Case I loading), constant stress/constant stress-rate testing (Case II loading), and cyclic stress/constant stress-rate testing (Case III loading). Strength degradation due to slow crack growth arid/or damage accumulation was determined numerically as a Function of percentage of interruption time between the two loading sequences for a given loading history. The numerical solutions were examined with the experimental data determined at elevated temperatures using four different advanced ceramic materials, two silicon nitrides, one silicon carbide and one alumina for the Case I loading history, and alumina for the Case II loading history. The numerical solutions were in reasonable agreement with the experimental data, indicating that notwithstanding some degree of creep deformation presented for some test materials slow crack growth was a governing mechanism associated with failure for all the test material&

Spatio-temporal patterns of the effects of precipitation variability and land use/cover changes on long-term changes in sediment yield in the Loess Plateau, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Guangyao; Zhang, Jianjun; Liu, Yu; Ning, Zheng; Fu, Bojie; Sivapalan, Murugesu

2017-09-01

Within China's Loess Plateau there have been concerted revegetation efforts and engineering measures since the 1950s aimed at reducing soil erosion and land degradation. As a result, annual streamflow, sediment yield, and sediment concentration have all decreased considerably. Human-induced land use/cover change (LUCC) was the dominant factor, contributing over 70 % of the sediment load reduction, whereas the contribution of precipitation was less than 30 %. In this study, we use 50-year time series data (1961-2011), showing decreasing trends in the annual sediment loads of 15 catchments, to generate spatio-temporal patterns in the effects of LUCC and precipitation variability on sediment yield. The space-time variability of sediment yield was expressed notionally as a product of two factors representing (i) the effect of precipitation and (ii) the fraction of treated land surface area. Under minimal LUCC, the square root of annual sediment yield varied linearly with precipitation, with the precipitation-sediment load relationship showing coherent spatial patterns amongst the catchments. As the LUCC increased and took effect, the changes in sediment yield pattern depended more on engineering measures and vegetation restoration campaign, and the within-year rainfall patterns (especially storm events) also played an important role. The effect of LUCC is expressed in terms of a sediment coefficient, i.e., the ratio of annual sediment yield to annual precipitation. Sediment coefficients showed a steady decrease over the study period, following a linear decreasing function of the fraction of treated land surface area. In this way, the study has brought out the separate roles of precipitation variability and LUCC in controlling spatio-temporal patterns of sediment yield at catchment scale.

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

Baker, Kyri; Toomey, Bridget

Evolving power systems with increasing levels of stochasticity call for a need to solve optimal power flow problems with large quantities of random variables. Weather forecasts, electricity prices, and shifting load patterns introduce higher levels of uncertainty and can yield optimization problems that are difficult to solve in an efficient manner. Solution methods for single chance constraints in optimal power flow problems have been considered in the literature, ensuring single constraints are satisfied with a prescribed probability; however, joint chance constraints, ensuring multiple constraints are simultaneously satisfied, have predominantly been solved via scenario-based approaches or by utilizing Boole's inequality asmore » an upper bound. In this paper, joint chance constraints are used to solve an AC optimal power flow problem while preventing overvoltages in distribution grids under high penetrations of photovoltaic systems. A tighter version of Boole's inequality is derived and used to provide a new upper bound on the joint chance constraint, and simulation results are shown demonstrating the benefit of the proposed upper bound. The new framework allows for a less conservative and more computationally efficient solution to considering joint chance constraints, specifically regarding preventing overvoltages.« less

Praseodymium hydroxide and oxide nanorods and Au/Pr6O11 nanorod catalysts for CO oxidation.

PubMed

Huang, P X; Wu, F; Zhu, B L; Li, G R; Wang, Y L; Gao, X P; Zhu, H Y; Yan, T Y; Huang, W P; Zhang, S M; Song, D Y

2006-02-02

Praseodymium hydroxide nanorods were synthesized by a two-step approach: First, metallic praseodymium was used to form praseodymium chloride, which reacted subsequently with KOH solution to produce praseodymium hydroxide. In the second step the hydroxide was treated with a concentrated alkaline solution at 180 degrees C for 45 h, yielding nanorods as shown by the scanning and transmission electron microscopy images. The results of X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy experiments indicate that these nanorods are pure praseodymium hydroxide with a hexagonal structure, which can be converted into praseodymium oxide (Pr6O11) nanorods of a face-centered cubic structure after calcination at 600 degrees C for 2 h in air. Gold was loaded on the praseodymium oxide nanorods using HAuCl4 as the gold source, and NaBH4 was used to reduce the gold species to metallic nanoparticles with sizes of 8-12 nm on the nanorod surface. These Au/Pr6O11 nanorods exhibit superior catalytic activity for CO oxidation.

Enhanced energy recovery from cassava ethanol wastewater through sequential dark hydrogen, photo hydrogen and methane fermentation combined with ammonium removal.

PubMed

Lin, Richen; Cheng, Jun; Yang, Zongbo; Ding, Lingkan; Zhang, Jiabei; Zhou, Junhu; Cen, Kefa

2016-08-01

Cassava ethanol wastewater (CEW) was subjected to sequential dark H2, photo H2 and CH4 fermentation to maximize H2 production and energy yield. A relatively low H2 yield of 23.6mL/g soluble chemical oxygen demand (CODs) was obtained in dark fermentation. To eliminate the inhibition of excessive NH4(+) on sequential photo fermentation, zeolite was used to remove NH4(+) in residual dark solution (86.5% removal efficiency). The treated solution from 5gCODs/L of CEW achieved the highest photo H2 yield of 369.7mL/gCODs, while the solution from 20gCODs/L gave the lowest yield of 259.6mL/gCODs. This can be explained that photo H2 yield was correlated to soluble metabolic products (SMPs) yield in dark fermentation, and specific SMPs yield decreased from 38.0 to 18.1mM/g CODs. The total energy yield significantly increased to 8.39kJ/gCODs by combining methanogenesis with a CH4 yield of 117.9mL/gCODs. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Gender-Specific Effects of Cognitive Load on Social Discounting.

PubMed

Strombach, Tina; Margittai, Zsofia; Gorczyca, Barbara; Kalenscher, Tobias

2016-01-01

We live busy, social lives, and meeting the challenges of our complex environments puts strain on our cognitive systems. However, cognitive resources are limited. It is unclear how cognitive load affects social decision making. Previous findings on the effects of cognitive load on other-regarding preferences have been ambiguous, allowing no coherent opinion whether cognitive load increases, decreases or does not affect prosocial considerations. Here, we suggest that social distance between individuals modulates whether generosity towards a recipient increases or decreases under cognitive load conditions. Participants played a financial social discounting task with several recipients at variable social distance levels. In this task, they could choose between generous alternatives, yielding medium financial rewards for the participant and recipient at variable social distances, or between a selfish alternative, yielding larger rewards for the participant alone. We show that the social discount function of male participants was significantly flattened under high cognitive load conditions, suggesting they distinguished less between socially close and socially distant recipients. Unexpectedly, the cognitive-load effect on social discounting was gender-specific: while social discounting was strongly dependent on cognitive load in men, women were nearly unaffected by cognitive load manipulations. We suggest that cognitive load leads men, but not women to simplify the decision problem by neglecting the social distance information. We consider our study a good starting point for further experiments exploring the role of gender in prosocial choice.

Gender-Specific Effects of Cognitive Load on Social Discounting

PubMed Central

Strombach, Tina; Margittai, Zsofia; Gorczyca, Barbara; Kalenscher, Tobias

2016-01-01

We live busy, social lives, and meeting the challenges of our complex environments puts strain on our cognitive systems. However, cognitive resources are limited. It is unclear how cognitive load affects social decision making. Previous findings on the effects of cognitive load on other-regarding preferences have been ambiguous, allowing no coherent opinion whether cognitive load increases, decreases or does not affect prosocial considerations. Here, we suggest that social distance between individuals modulates whether generosity towards a recipient increases or decreases under cognitive load conditions. Participants played a financial social discounting task with several recipients at variable social distance levels. In this task, they could choose between generous alternatives, yielding medium financial rewards for the participant and recipient at variable social distances, or between a selfish alternative, yielding larger rewards for the participant alone. We show that the social discount function of male participants was significantly flattened under high cognitive load conditions, suggesting they distinguished less between socially close and socially distant recipients. Unexpectedly, the cognitive-load effect on social discounting was gender-specific: while social discounting was strongly dependent on cognitive load in men, women were nearly unaffected by cognitive load manipulations. We suggest that cognitive load leads men, but not women to simplify the decision problem by neglecting the social distance information. We consider our study a good starting point for further experiments exploring the role of gender in prosocial choice. PMID:27788192

Embedded class solutions compatible for physical compact stars in general relativity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Newton Singh, Ksh.; Pant, Neeraj; Tewari, Neeraj; Aria, Anil K.

2018-05-01

We have explored a family of new solutions satisfying Einstein's field equations and Karmarkar condition. We have assumed an anisotropic stress-tensor with no net electric charge. Interestingly, the new solutions yield zero values of all the physical quantities for all even integer n > 0. However, for all n >0 (n ≠ even numbers) they yield physically possible solutions. We have tuned the solution for neutron star Vela X-1 so that the solutions matches the observed mass and radius. For the same star we have extensively discussed the behavior of the solutions. The solutions yield a stiffer equation of state for larger values of n since the adiabatic index increases and speed of sound approaches the speed of light. It is also found that the solution is physically possible for Vela X-1 if 1.8 ≤ n < 7 (with n≠ 2,4,6). All the solutions for n ≥ 7 violates the causality condition and all the solutions with 0 < n < 1.8 lead to complex values of transverse sound speed vt. The range of well-behaved n depends on the mass and radius of compact stars.

Mechanical behavior of regular open-cell porous biomaterials made of diamond lattice unit cells.

PubMed

Ahmadi, S M; Campoli, G; Amin Yavari, S; Sajadi, B; Wauthle, R; Schrooten, J; Weinans, H; Zadpoor, A A

2014-06-01

Cellular structures with highly controlled micro-architectures are promising materials for orthopedic applications that require bone-substituting biomaterials or implants. The availability of additive manufacturing techniques has enabled manufacturing of biomaterials made of one or multiple types of unit cells. The diamond lattice unit cell is one of the relatively new types of unit cells that are used in manufacturing of regular porous biomaterials. As opposed to many other types of unit cells, there is currently no analytical solution that could be used for prediction of the mechanical properties of cellular structures made of the diamond lattice unit cells. In this paper, we present new analytical solutions and closed-form relationships for predicting the elastic modulus, Poisson׳s ratio, critical buckling load, and yield (plateau) stress of cellular structures made of the diamond lattice unit cell. The mechanical properties predicted using the analytical solutions are compared with those obtained using finite element models. A number of solid and porous titanium (Ti6Al4V) specimens were manufactured using selective laser melting. A series of experiments were then performed to determine the mechanical properties of the matrix material and cellular structures. The experimentally measured mechanical properties were compared with those obtained using analytical solutions and finite element (FE) models. It has been shown that, for small apparent density values, the mechanical properties obtained using analytical and numerical solutions are in agreement with each other and with experimental observations. The properties estimated using an analytical solution based on the Euler-Bernoulli theory markedly deviated from experimental results for large apparent density values. The mechanical properties estimated using FE models and another analytical solution based on the Timoshenko beam theory better matched the experimental observations. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Homogenization-assisted cavitation hybrid rotation extraction and macroporous resin enrichment of dihydroquercetin from Larix gmelinii.

PubMed

Xia, Yu; Wang, Yinhang; Li, Wei; Ma, Chunhui; Liu, Shouxin

2017-12-01

Cavitation hybrid rotation, which was and is still looked upon as an unavoidable nuisance in the flow systems, for extraction processing intensification of active chemical compounds from natural products. In this study, a homogenization-assisted cavitation hybrid rotation extraction method was applied to extract dihydroquercetin (DHQ) from larch (Larix gmelinii) wood root. The extraction parameters were optimized in single factor experiments with the DHQ extraction yields as the response values. The optimum conditions were as follows: number of extractions, three; ethanol volume fraction for the extraction, 60%; liquid-solid ratio for homogenization, 10mL/g; homogenization time, 8min; liquid-solid ratio for cavitation extraction, 9mL/g, and cavitation extraction time, 35min. Under these conditions, the DHQ content in extract was 4.50±0.02mg/g, and the extraction efficiency was higher than those of traditional techniques. Cavitation can be effectively used to improve the extraction rate by increasing the mass transfer rates and possible rupture of cell wall due to formation of microcavities leading to higher product yields with reduced processing time and solvent consumption. After the extraction process, macroporous resin column chromatography was used to concentrate and purify the DHQ. Three resins were selected from fifteen macroporous resins for further investigation of their performance. Among these resins, AB-8 resin exhibited relatively better adsorption capacities and desorption ratios for DHQ. The ethanol volume fraction of the solutions for sample loading and desorption, and flow rates for loading and desorption were optimized for the macroporous resin column chromatography. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Purifying Nucleic Acids from Samples of Extremely Low Biomass

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

La Duc, Myron; Osman, Shariff; Venkateswaran, Kasthuri

2008-01-01

A new method is able to circumvent the bias to which one commercial DNA extraction method falls prey with regard to the lysing of certain types of microbial cells, resulting in a truncated spectrum of microbial diversity. By prefacing the protocol with glass-bead-beating agitation (mechanically lysing a much more encompassing array of cell types and spores), the resulting microbial diversity detection is greatly enhanced. In preliminary studies, a commercially available automated DNA extraction method is effective at delivering total DNA yield, but only the non-hardy members of the bacterial bisque were represented in clone libraries, suggesting that this method was ineffective at lysing the hardier cell types. To circumvent such a bias in cells, yet another extraction method was devised. In this technique, samples are first subjected to a stringent bead-beating step, and then are processed via standard protocols. Prior to being loaded into extraction vials, samples are placed in micro-centrifuge bead tubes containing 50 micro-L of commercially produced lysis solution. After inverting several times, tubes are agitated at maximum speed for two minutes. Following agitation, tubes are centrifuged at 10,000 x g for one minute. At this time, the aqueous volumes are removed from the bead tubes and are loaded into extraction vials to be further processed via extraction regime. The new method couples two independent methodologies in such as way as to yield the highest concentration of PCR-amplifiable DNA with consistent and reproducible results and with the most accurate and encompassing report of species richness.

The inviscid pressure field on the tip of a semi-infinite wing and its application to the formation of a tip vortex

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, G. F.; Shamroth, S. J.; Mcdonald, H.; Briley, W. R.

1976-01-01

A method was developed for determining the aerodynamic loads on the tip of an infinitely thin, swept, cambered semi-infinite wing at an angle of attack which is operating subsonically in an inviscid medium and is subjected to a sinusoidal gust. Under the assumption of linearized aerodynamics, the loads on the tip are obtained by superposition of the steady aerodynamic results for angle of attack and camber, and the unsteady results for the response to the sinusoidal gust. The near field disturbance pressures in the fluid surrounding the tip are obtained by assuming a dipole representation for the loading on the tip and calculating the pressures accordingly. The near field pressures are used to drive a reduced form of the Navier-Stokes equations which yield the tip vortex formation. The combined viscid-inviscid analysis is applied to determining the pressures and examining the vortex rollup in the vicinity of an unswept, uncambered wing moving steadily at a Mach number of 0.2 at an angle of attack of 0.1 rad. The viscous tip flow calculation shows features expected in the tip flow such as the qualitatively proper development of boundary layers on both the upper and lower airfoil surfaces. In addition, application of the viscous solution leads to the generation of a circular type flow pattern above the airfoil suction surface.

Influence of Yield Stress Determination in Anisotropic Hardening Model on Springback Prediction in Dual-Phase Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, J.; Bong, H. J.; Ha, J.; Choi, J.; Barlat, F.; Lee, M.-G.

2018-05-01

In this study, a numerical sensitivity analysis of the springback prediction was performed using advanced strain hardening models. In particular, the springback in U-draw bending for dual-phase 780 steel sheets was investigated while focusing on the effect of the initial yield stress determined from the cyclic loading tests. The anisotropic hardening models could reproduce the flow stress behavior under the non-proportional loading condition for the considered parametric cases. However, various identification schemes for determining the yield stress of the anisotropic hardening models significantly influenced the springback prediction. The deviations from the measured springback varied from 4% to 13.5% depending on the identification method.

Self-centering connections for traffic sign supporting structures.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-03-01

Steel structures supporting traffic sign panels are designed as intended to dissipate energy by : yielding structural members during severe wind loading (ex. strong hurricanes). Yielding results : in inelastic deformations, which are permanent damage...

Mechanical response of unidirectional boron/aluminum under combined loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Becker, Wolfgang; Pindera, Marek-Jerzy; Herakovich, Carl T.

1987-01-01

Three test methods were employed to characterize the response of unidirectional Boron/Aluminum metal matrix composite material under monotonic and cyclic loading conditions, namely, losipescu shear, off-axis tension and compression. The characterization of the elastic and plastic response includes the elastic material properties, yielding and subsequent hardening of the unidirectional composite under different stress ratios in the material principal coordinate system. Yield loci generated for different stress ratios are compared for the three different test methods, taking into account residual stresses and specimen geometry. Subsequently, the yield locus for in-plane shear is compared with the prediction of an analytical, micromechanical model. The influence of the scatter in the experimental data on the predicted yield surface is also analyzed. Lastly, the experimental material strengths in tension and compression are correlated with the maximum stress and the Tsai-Wu failure criterion.

Compression of freestanding gold nanostructures: from stochastic yield to predictable flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mook, W. M.; Niederberger, C.; Bechelany, M.; Philippe, L.; Michler, J.

2010-02-01

Characterizing the mechanical response of isolated nanostructures is vitally important to fields such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) where the behaviour of nanoscale contacts can in large part determine system reliability and lifetime. To address this challenge directly, single crystal gold nanodots are compressed inside a high resolution scanning electron microscope (SEM) using a nanoindenter equipped with a flat punch tip. These structures load elastically, and then yield in a stochastic manner, at loads ranging from 16 to 110 µN, which is up to five times higher than the load necessary for flow after yield. Yielding is immediately followed by displacement bursts equivalent to 1-50% of the initial height, depending on the yield point. During the largest displacement bursts, strain energy within the structure is released while new surface area is created in the form of localized slip bands, which are evident in both the SEM movies and still-images. A first order estimate of the apparent energy release rate, in terms of fracture mechanics concepts, for bursts representing 5-50% of the structure's initial height is on the order of 10-100 J m-2, which is approximately two orders of magnitude lower than bulk values. Once this initial strain burst during yielding has occurred, the structures flow in a ductile way. The implications of this behaviour, which is analogous to a brittle to ductile transition, are discussed with respect to mechanical reliability at the micro- and nanoscales.

Estimates of nitrate loads and yields from groundwater to streams in the Chesapeake Bay watershed based on land use and geology

USGS Publications Warehouse

Terziotti, Silvia; Capel, Paul D.; Tesoriero, Anthony J.; Hopple, Jessica A.; Kronholm, Scott C.

2018-03-07

The water quality of the Chesapeake Bay may be adversely affected by dissolved nitrate carried in groundwater discharge to streams. To estimate the concentrations, loads, and yields of nitrate from groundwater to streams for the Chesapeake Bay watershed, a regression model was developed based on measured nitrate concentrations from 156 small streams with watersheds less than 500 square miles (mi2 ) at baseflow. The regression model has three predictive variables: geologic unit, percent developed land, and percent agricultural land. Comparisons of estimated and actual values within geologic units were closely matched. The coefficient of determination (R2 ) for the model was 0.6906. The model was used to calculate baseflow nitrate concentrations at over 83,000 National Hydrography Dataset Plus Version 2 catchments and aggregated to 1,966 total 12-digit hydrologic units in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The modeled output geospatial data layers provided estimated annual loads and yields of nitrate from groundwater into streams. The spatial distribution of annual nitrate yields from groundwater estimated by this method was compared to the total watershed yields of all sources estimated from a Chesapeake Bay SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) water-quality model. The comparison showed similar spatial patterns. The regression model for groundwater contribution had similar but lower yields, suggesting that groundwater is an important source of nitrogen for streams in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Plasticity Tool for Predicting Shear Nonlinearity of Unidirectional Laminates Under Multiaxial Loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, John T.; Bomarito, Geoffrey F.

2016-01-01

This study implements a plasticity tool to predict the nonlinear shear behavior of unidirectional composite laminates under multiaxial loadings, with an intent to further develop the tool for use in composite progressive damage analysis. The steps for developing the plasticity tool include establishing a general quadratic yield function, deriving the incremental elasto-plastic stress-strain relations using the yield function with associated flow rule, and integrating the elasto-plastic stress-strain relations with a modified Euler method and a substepping scheme. Micromechanics analyses are performed to obtain normal and shear stress-strain curves that are used in determining the plasticity parameters of the yield function. By analyzing a micromechanics model, a virtual testing approach is used to replace costly experimental tests for obtaining stress-strain responses of composites under various loadings. The predicted elastic moduli and Poisson's ratios are in good agreement with experimental data. The substepping scheme for integrating the elasto-plastic stress-strain relations is suitable for working with displacement-based finite element codes. An illustration problem is solved to show that the plasticity tool can predict the nonlinear shear behavior for a unidirectional laminate subjected to multiaxial loadings.

Alternative formulations of the Laplace transform boundary element (LTBE) numerical method for the solution of diffusion-type equations

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

Moridis, G.

1992-03-01

The Laplace Transform Boundary Element (LTBE) method is a recently introduced numerical method, and has been used for the solution of diffusion-type PDEs. It completely eliminates the time dependency of the problem and the need for time discretization, yielding solutions numerical in space and semi-analytical in time. In LTBE solutions are obtained in the Laplace spare, and are then inverted numerically to yield the solution in time. The Stehfest and the DeHoog formulations of LTBE, based on two different inversion algorithms, are investigated. Both formulations produce comparable, extremely accurate solutions.

Fluid flow and convective transport of solutes within the intervertebral disc.

PubMed

Ferguson, Stephen J; Ito, Keita; Nolte, Lutz P

2004-02-01

Previous experimental and analytical studies of solute transport in the intervertebral disc have demonstrated that for small molecules diffusive transport alone fulfils the nutritional needs of disc cells. It has been often suggested that fluid flow into and within the disc may enhance the transport of larger molecules. The goal of the study was to predict the influence of load-induced interstitial fluid flow on mass transport in the intervertebral disc. An iterative procedure was used to predict the convective transport of physiologically relevant molecules within the disc. An axisymmetric, poroelastic finite-element structural model of the disc was developed. The diurnal loading was divided into discrete time steps. At each time step, the fluid flow within the disc due to compression or swelling was calculated. A sequentially coupled diffusion/convection model was then employed to calculate solute transport, with a constant concentration of solute being provided at the vascularised endplates and outer annulus. Loading was simulated for a complete diurnal cycle, and the relative convective and diffusive transport was compared for solutes with molecular weights ranging from 400 Da to 40 kDa. Consistent with previous studies, fluid flow did not enhance the transport of low-weight solutes. During swelling, interstitial fluid flow increased the unidirectional penetration of large solutes by approximately 100%. Due to the bi-directional temporal nature of disc loading, however, the net effect of convective transport over a full diurnal cycle was more limited (30% increase). Further study is required to determine the significance of large solutes and the timing of their delivery for disc physiology.

Analysis of shell-type structures subjected to time-dependent mechanical and thermal loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simitses, G. J.; Riff, R.

1987-01-01

A general mathematical model and solution methodologies for analyzing structural response of thin, metallic shell-type structures under large transient, cyclic, or static thermomechanical loads are developed. Among the system responses, which are associated with these load conditions, are thermal buckling, creep buckling and ratcheting. Thus, geometric as well as material type nonlinearities (of high order) can be anticipated and must be considered in the development of the mathematical model. Furthermore, this must also be accommodated in the solution procedures.

Analysis of shell-type structures subjected to time-dependent mechanical and thermal loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simitses, G. J.; Carlson, R. L.; Riff, R.

1987-01-01

A general mathematical model and solution methodologies are being developed for analyzing structural response of thin, metallic shell-type structures under large transient, cyclic, or static thermomechanical loads. Among the system responses, which were associated with these load conditions, were thermal buckling, creep buckling, and ratcheting. Thus, geometric as well as material-type nonlinearities (of high order) can be anticipated and must be considered in the development of the mathematical model. Furthermore, this must also be accommodated in the solution process.

Comment of "Event-based soil loss models for construction sites" by Trenouth and Gharabaghi, J. Hydrol. doi: 10.1016/jhydrol.2015.03.010

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kinnell, P. I. A.

2015-09-01

Trenouth and Gharabaghi (2015) present two models which replace the EI30 index used as the event erosivity index in the USLE/RUSLE with ones that include runoff and values of EI30 to powers that differ for 1.0 as the event erosivity factor in modelling soil loss for construction sites. Their analysis on the application of these models focused on data from 5 locations as a whole but did not show how the models worked at each location. Practically, the ability to predict sediment yields at a specific location is more relevant than the capacity of a model to predict sediment yields globally. Also, the mathematical structure of their proposed models shows little regard to the physical processes involved in causing erosion and sediment yield. There is still the need to develop event-based empirical models for construction sites that are robust because they give proper consideration to the erosion process involved, and take account of the fact that sediment yield is usually determined from measurements of suspended load whereas soil loss at the scale for which the USLE/RUSLE model was developed includes both suspended load and bed load.

Enhanced Ethanol Production from De-Ashed Paper Sludge by Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation and Simultaneous Saccharification and Co-Fermentation

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

Kang, L.; Wang, W.; Pallapolu, V. R.

2011-11-01

A previous study demonstrated that paper sludges with high ash contents can be converted to ethanol by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) or simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SSCF). High ash content in the sludge, however, limited solid loading in the bioreactor, causing low product concentration. To overcome this problem, sludges were de-ashed before SSF and SSCF. Low ash content in sludges also increased the ethanol yield to the extent that the enzyme dosage required to achieve 70% yield in the fermentation process was reduced by 30%. High solid loading in SSF and SSCF decreased the ethanol yield. High agitation andmore » de-ashing of the sludges were able to restore the part of the yield loss caused by high solid loading. Substitution of the laboratory fermentation medium (peptone and yeast extract) with corn steep liquor did not bring about any adverse effects in the fermentation. Fed-batch operation of the SSCF and SSF using low-ash content sludges was effective in raising the ethanol concentration, achieving 47.8 g/L and 60.0 g/L, respectively.« less

Concentrations, loads, and yields of select constituents from major tributaries of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers in Iowa, water years 2004-2008

USGS Publications Warehouse

Garrett, Jessica D.

2012-01-01

Excess nutrients, suspended-sediment loads, and the presence of pesticides in Iowa rivers can have deleterious effects on water quality in State streams, downstream major rivers, and the Gulf of Mexico. Fertilizer and pesticides are used to support crop growth on Iowa's highly productive agricultural landscape and for household and commercial lawns and gardens. Water quality was characterized near the mouths of 10 major Iowa tributaries to the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers from March 2004 through September 2008. Stream loads were calculated for select ions, nutrients, and sediment using approximately monthly samples, and samples from storm and snowmelt events. Water-quality samples collected using standard streamflow-integrated protocols were analyzed for major ions, nutrients, carbon, pesticides, and suspended sediment. Statistical data summaries of sample data used parametric and nonparametric techniques to address potential bias related to censored data and multiple levels of censoring of data below analytical detection limits. Constituent stream loads were computed using standard pre-defined models in S-LOADEST that include streamflow and time terms plus additional terms for streamflow variability and streamflow anomalies. Streamflow variability terms describe the difference in streamflow from recent average conditions, whereas streamflow anomaly terms account for deviations from average conditions from long- to short-term sequentially. Streamflow variability or anomaly terms were included in 44 of 80 site/constituent individual models, demonstrating the usefulness of these terms in increasing accuracy of the load estimates. Constituent concentrations in Iowa streams exhibit streamflow, seasonal, and spatial patterns related to the landform and climate gradients across the studied basins. The streamflow-concentration relation indicated dilution for ions such as chloride and sulfate. Other constituent concentrations, such as dissolved organic carbon and suspended sediment, increased with streamflow. Nitrogen concentrations (total nitrogen and nitrate plus nitrite) increased with low and moderate streamflows, but decreased with high streamflows. Seasonal patterns observed in constituent concentrations were affected by streamflow, algae blooms, and pesticide application. The various landform regions produced different water-quality responses across the study basins; for example, total phosphorus, suspended sediment, and turbidity were greatest from the steep, loess-dominated southwestern Iowa basins. Nutrient concentrations, though not regulated for drinking water at the study sites, were high compared to drinking-water limits and criteria for protection of aquatic life proposed for other Midwestern states (Iowa criteria for aquatic life have not been proposed). Nitrate plus nitrite concentrations exceeded the drinking-water limit [10 milligrams per liter (mg/L)] in 11 percent of all samples at the 10 sites, and exceeded Minnesota's proposed aquatic life criteria (4.9 mg/L) in 68 percent of samples. The Wisconsin standard for total phosphorus (0.1 mg/L) was exceeded in 92 percent of samples. Ammonia standards, current during sample collection and at publication of this report, for protection of aquatic life were met for all samples, but draft criteria proposed in 2009 to protect more sensitive species like mussels, were exceeded at three sites. Loads and yields also differed among sites and years. The Big Sioux, Little Sioux, and Des Moines Rivers produced the greatest sulfate yields. Mississippi River tributaries had greater chloride yields than Missouri River tributaries. The Big Sioux River also had the lowest silica yields and total nitrogen and nitrate yields, whereas nitrogen yields were greater in the northeastern rivers. The Boyer and Nishnabotna River total phosphorus yields were the greatest in the study. The Boyer River orthophosphate yields were greatest except in 2008, when the Maquoketa River produced the greatest yield. Rivers in southwestern Iowa's Western Loess Hills and Steeply Rolling Loess Prairie ecoregions had the greatest suspended-sediment yields, whereas the smallest yields were in the Big Sioux and Wapsipinicon Rivers. In the 10 Iowa rivers studied, combined annual total nitrogen stream transport ranged from 3.68 to 9.95 tons per square mile per year, and total phosphorus transport ranged from 0.138 to 0.570 tons per square mile per year. Six-month loads relative to fertilizer use ranged from 8 to 56 percent for nitrogen, and 1.0 to 11.1 percent for phosphorus. The smallest loads relative to fertilizer use for both nitrogen and phosphorus occurred in July-December of dry years, and the largest nitrogen and phosphorus loads relative to use were in wet years from January-June.

Limits to Open Class Performance?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bowers, Albion H.

2008-01-01

This presentation discusses open or unlimited class aircraft performance limitations and design solutions. Limitations in this class of aircraft include slow climbing flight which requires low wing loading, high cruise speed which requires high wing loading, gains in induced or viscous drag alone which result in only half the gain overall and other structural problems (yaw inertia and spins, flutter and static loads integrity). Design solutions include introducing minimum induced drag for a given span (elliptical span load or winglets) and introducing minimum induced drag for a bell shaped span load. It is concluded that open class performance limits (under current rules and technologies) is very close to absolute limits, though some gains remain to be made from unexplored areas and new technologies.

Optimal design method to minimize users' thinking mapping load in human-machine interactions.

PubMed

Huang, Yanqun; Li, Xu; Zhang, Jie

2015-01-01

The discrepancy between human cognition and machine requirements/behaviors usually results in serious mental thinking mapping loads or even disasters in product operating. It is important to help people avoid human-machine interaction confusions and difficulties in today's mental work mastered society. Improving the usability of a product and minimizing user's thinking mapping and interpreting load in human-machine interactions. An optimal human-machine interface design method is introduced, which is based on the purpose of minimizing the mental load in thinking mapping process between users' intentions and affordance of product interface states. By analyzing the users' thinking mapping problem, an operating action model is constructed. According to human natural instincts and acquired knowledge, an expected ideal design with minimized thinking loads is uniquely determined at first. Then, creative alternatives, in terms of the way human obtains operational information, are provided as digital interface states datasets. In the last, using the cluster analysis method, an optimum solution is picked out from alternatives, by calculating the distances between two datasets. Considering multiple factors to minimize users' thinking mapping loads, a solution nearest to the ideal value is found in the human-car interaction design case. The clustering results show its effectiveness in finding an optimum solution to the mental load minimizing problems in human-machine interaction design.

Residential Saudi load forecasting using analytical model and Artificial Neural Networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Harbi, Ahmad Abdulaziz

In recent years, load forecasting has become one of the main fields of study and research. Short Term Load Forecasting (STLF) is an important part of electrical power system operation and planning. This work investigates the applicability of different approaches; Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and hybrid analytical models to forecast residential load in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). These two techniques are based on model human modes behavior formulation. These human modes represent social, religious, official occasions and environmental parameters impact. The analysis is carried out on residential areas for three regions in two countries exposed to distinct people activities and weather conditions. The collected data are for Al-Khubar and Yanbu industrial city in KSA, in addition to Seattle, USA to show the validity of the proposed models applied on residential load. For each region, two models are proposed. First model is next hour load forecasting while second model is next day load forecasting. Both models are analyzed using the two techniques. The obtained results for ANN next hour models yield very accurate results for all areas while relatively reasonable results are achieved when using hybrid analytical model. For next day load forecasting, the two approaches yield satisfactory results. Comparative studies were conducted to prove the effectiveness of the models proposed.

Effects of land-applied ammonia scrubber solutions on yield, nitrogen uptake, soil test phosphorus and phosphorus runoff

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Ammonia (NH3) scrubbers reduce amounts of NH3 and dust released from animal rearing facilities, while generating nitrogen (N) rich solutions, which may be used as fertilizer. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of various NH3 scrubber solutions on yields, N uptake by forage, so...

Aggregation of concentrated monoclonal antibody solutions studied by rheology and neutron scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castellanos, Maria Monica; Pathak, Jai; Colby, Ralph

2013-03-01

Protein solutions are studied using rheology and scattering techniques to investigate aggregation. Here we present a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that aggregates after incubation at 40 °C (below its unfolding temperature), with a decrease in monomer purity of 6% in 10 days. The mAb solution contains surfactant and behaves as a Newtonian fluid when reconstituted into solution from the lyophilized form (before incubation at 40 °C). In contrast, mAb solutions incubated at 40 °C for 1 month exhibit shear yielding in torsional bulk rheometers. Interfacial rheology reveals that interfacial properties are controlled by the surfactant, producing a negligible surface contribution to the bulk yield stress. These results provide evidence that protein aggregates formed in the bulk are responsible for the yield stress. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements show an increase in intensity at low wavevectors (q < 4*10-2 nm-1) that we attribute to protein aggregation, and is not observed in solutions stored at 4 °C for 3 days before the measurement. This work suggests a correlation between the aggregated state of the protein (stability) and the yield stress from rheology. Research funded by MedImmune

Water-quality characteristics in runoff for three discovery farms in North Dakota, 2008-12

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nustad, Rochelle A.; Rowland, Kathleen M.; Wiederholt, Ronald

2015-01-01

Consistent patterns in water quality emerged at each individual farm, but similarities among farms also were observed. Suspended sediment, total phosphorus, and ammonia concentrations generally decreased downstream from feeding areas, and were primarily affected by surface runoff processes such as dilution, settling out of sediment, or vegetative uptake. Because surface runoff affects these constituents, increased annual surface runoff volume tended to result in increased loads and yields. No significant change in nitrate plus nitrite concentration were observed downstream from feeding areas because additional processes such as high solubility, nitrification, denitrification, and surface-groundwater interaction affect nitrate plus nitrite. For nitrate plus nitrite, increases in annual runoff volume did not consistently relate to increases in annual loads and yields. It seems that temporal distribution of precipitation and surface-groundwater interaction affected nitrate plus nitrite loads and yields. For surface drainage sites, the primary form of nitrogen was organic nitrogen whereas for subsurface drainage sites, the primary form of nitrogen was nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen.

Parametric study for the optimization of ionic liquid pretreatment of corn stover

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

Papa, Gabriella; Feldman, Taya; Sale, Kenneth L.

A parametric study of the efficacy of the ionic liquid (IL) pretreatment (PT) of corn stover (CS) using 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C 2C 1Im][OAc] ) and cholinium lysinate ([Ch][Lys] ) was conducted. The impact of 50% and 15% biomass loading for milled and non-milled CS on IL-PT was evaluated, as well the impact of 20 and 5 mg enzyme/g glucan on saccharification efficiency. The glucose and xylose released were generated from 32 conditions – 2 ionic liquids (ILs), 2 temperatures, 2 particle sizes (S), 2 solid loadings, and 2 enzyme loadings. Statistical analysis indicates that sugar yields were correlated with lignin andmore » xylan removal and depends on the factors, where S did not explain variation in sugar yields. Both ILs were effective in pretreating large particle sized CS, without compromising sugar yields. The knowledge from material and energy balances is an essential step in directing optimization of sugar recovery at desirable process conditions.« less

Production of biodiesel from Jatropha curcas L. oil catalyzed by SO₄²⁻/ZrO₂ catalyst: effect of interaction between process variables.

PubMed

Yee, Kian Fei; Lee, Keat Teong; Ceccato, Riccardo; Abdullah, Ahmad Zuhairi

2011-03-01

This study reports the conversion of Jatrophacurcas L. oil to biodiesel catalyzed by sulfated zirconia loaded on alumina catalyst using response surface methodology (RSM), specifically to study the effect of interaction between process variables on the yield of biodiesel. The transesterification process variables studied were reaction temperature, reaction duration, molar ratio of methanol to oil and catalyst loading. Results from this study revealed that individual as well as interaction between variables significantly affect the yield of biodiesel. With this information, it was found that 4h of reaction at 150°C, methanol to oil molar ratio of 9.88 mol/mol and 7.61 wt.% for catalyst loading gave an optimum biodiesel yield of 90.32 wt.%. The fuel properties of Jatropha biodiesel were characterized and it indeed met the specification for biodiesel according to ASTM D6751. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Suspended sediment and bedload in the First Broad River Basin in Cleveland County, North Carolina, 2008-2009

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hazell, William F.; Huffman, Brad A.

2011-01-01

A study was conducted to characterize sediment transport upstream and downstream from a proposed dam on the First Broad River near the town of Lawndale in Cleveland County, North Carolina. Streamflow was measured continuously, and 381 suspended-sediment samples were collected between late March 2008 and September 2009 at two monitoring stations on the First Broad River to determine the suspended-sediment load at each site for the period April 2008-September 2009. In addition, 22 bedload samples were collected at the two sites to describe the relative contribution of bedload to total sediment load during selected events. Instantaneous streamflow, suspended-sediment, and bedload samples were collected at Knob Creek near Lawndale, North Carolina, to describe general suspended-sediment and bedload characteristics at this tributary to the First Broad River. Suspended- and bedload-sediment samples were collected at all three sites during a variety of flow conditions. Streamflow and suspended-sediment measurements were compared with historical data from a long-term (1959-2009) streamflow station located upstream from Lawndale. The mean streamflow at the long-term streamflow station was approximately 60 percent less during the study period than the long-term annual mean streamflow for the site. Suspended-sediment concentrations and continuous records of streamflow were used to estimate suspended-sediment loads and yields at the two monitoring stations on the First Broad River for the period April 2008-September 2009 and for a complete annual cycle (October 2008-September 2009), also known as a water year. Total suspended-sediment loads during water year 2009 were 18,700 and 36,500 tons at the two sites. High-flow events accounted for a large percentage of the total load, suggesting that the bulk of the total suspended-sediment load was transported during these events. Suspended-sediment yields during water year 2009 were 145 and 192 tons per square mile at the two monitoring stations. Historically, the estimated mean annual suspended-sediment yield at the long-term streamflow station during the period 1970-1979 was 250 tons per square mile, with an estimated mean annual suspended-sediment load of 15,000 tons. Drought conditions throughout most of the study period were a potential factor in the smaller yields at the monitoring stations compared to the yields estimated at the long-term streamflow station in the 1970s. During an extreme runoff event on January 7, 2009, bedload was 0.4 percent, 0.8 percent, and 0.1 percent of the total load at the three study sites, which indicates that during extreme runoff conditions the percentage of the total load that is bedload is not significant. The percentages of the total load that is bedload during low-flow conditions ranged from 0.1 to 90.8, which indicate that the bedload is variable both spatially and temporally.

On the Possibility of using Alluminium-Magnesium Alloys with Improved Mechanical Characteristics for Body Elements of Zenit-2S Launch Vehicle Propellant Tanks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sitalo, V.; Lytvyshko, T.

2002-01-01

Yuzhnoye SDO developed several generations of launch vehicles and spacecraft that are characterized by weight perfection, optimal cost, accuracy of output geometrical characteristics, stable strength characteristics, high tightness. The main structural material of launch vehicles are thermally welded non-strengthened aluminium- magnesium alloys. The aluminium-magnesium alloys in the annealed state have insufficiently high strength characteristics. Considerable increase of yield strength of sheets and plates can be reached by cold working but in this case, plasticity reduces. An effective way to improve strength of aluminium-magnesium alloys is their alloying with scandium. The alloying with scandium leads to modification of the structure of ingots (size reduction of cast grain) and formation of supersaturated solid solutions of scandium and aluminium during crystallization. During subsequent heatings (annealing of the ingots, heating for deformation) the solid solution disintegrates with the formation of disperse particles of Al3Sc type, that cause great strengthening of the alloy. High degree of dispersion and density of distribution in the matrix of secondary Al3Sc particles contribute to the considerable increase of the temperature of recrystallization of deformed intermediate products and to the formation of stable non-recrystallized structure. The alloying of alluminium-magnesium alloys with scandium increases their strength and operational characteristics, preserves their technological and corrosion properties, improves weldability. The alloys can be used within the temperature limits ­196-/+150 0C. The experimental structures of propellant tanks made of alluminium-magnesium alloys with scandium have been manufactured and tested. It was ascertained that the propellant tanks have higher margin of safety during loading with internal pressure and higher stability factor of the shrouds during loading with axial compression force which is caused by higher value of yield strength. The analysis of the performed work showed good prospects of using the alluminium-magnesium alloys with increased mechanical characteristics for making body elements of propellant tanks of the Zenit -2S launch vehicles. The use of these alloys can give the increase of structural strength by 20-30% and considerable increase of payload weight.

Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of Eastern redcedar heartwood and sapwood using a novel size reduction technique.

PubMed

Ramachandriya, Karthikeyan D; Wilkins, Mark; Pardo-Planas, Oscar; Atiyeh, Hasan K; Dunford, Nurhan T; Hiziroglu, Salim

2014-06-01

This study investigated the effect of two wood zones (sapwood versus heartwood) and size reduction techniques [Crumbles® (Crumbles® is a registered trademark of Forest Concepts, LLC, Auburn, WA, USA) particles versus ground particles] on wood glucan-to-ethanol yield after acid bisulfite pretreatment and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of Eastern redcedar. SSFs were conducted at 8% solids loading (w/w dry basis) using Accellerase® 1500 at a loading of 46FPU/g glucan and Saccharomyces cerevisiae D5A for ethanol fermentation. The size reduction technique had no effect on ethanol yield. However, sapwood glucan-to-ethanol yields were significantly greater than heartwood yields. The highest wood glucan-to-ethanol yield of 187L/dryMg (95% of theoretical) was achieved with sapwood crumbled particles in 240h. Ground sapwood, crumbled heartwood and ground heartwood achieved ethanol yields of 89%, 81% and 80% of theoretical in 240h, respectively. Preliminary mass balances showed 100% glucan recovery with crumbled sapwood and extensive (72%) delignification. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Subcritical water liquefaction of oil palm fruit press fiber in the presence of sodium hydroxide: an optimisation study using response surface methodology.

PubMed

Mazaheri, Hossein; Lee, Keat Teong; Bhatia, Subhash; Mohamed, Abdul Rahman

2010-12-01

Thermal decomposition of oil palm fruit press fiber (FPF) into a liquid product (LP) was achieved using subcritical water treatment in the presence of sodium hydroxide in a high pressure batch reactor. This study uses experimental design and process optimisation tools to maximise the LP yield using response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite rotatable design (CCRD). The independent variables were temperature, residence time, particle size, specimen loading, and additive loading. The mathematical model that was developed fit the experimental results well for all of the response variables that were studied. The optimal conditions were found to be a temperature of 551 K, a residence time of 40 min, a particle size of 710-1000 microm, a specimen loading of 5 g, and a additive loading of 9 wt.% to achieve a LP yield of 76.16%. 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dry fermentation of manure with straw in continuous plug flow reactor: Reactor development and process stability at different loading rates.

PubMed

Patinvoh, Regina J; Kalantar Mehrjerdi, Adib; Sárvári Horváth, Ilona; Taherzadeh, Mohammad J

2017-01-01

In this work, a plug flow reactor was developed for continuous dry digestion processes and its efficiency was investigated using untreated manure bedded with straw at 22% total solids content. This newly developed reactor worked successfully for 230days at increasing organic loading rates of 2.8, 4.2 and 6gVS/L/d and retention times of 60, 40 and 28days, respectively. Organic loading rates up to 4.2gVS/L/d gave a better process stability, with methane yields up to 0.163LCH 4 /gVS added /d which is 56% of the theoretical yield. Further increase of organic loading rate to 6gVS/L/d caused process instability with lower volatile solid removal efficiency and cellulose degradation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Development of albumin-based nanoparticles for the delivery of abacavir.

PubMed

Wilson, Barnabas; Paladugu, Latishkumar; Priyadarshini, S R Brahmani; Jenita, J Josephine Leno

2015-11-01

The study was designed to prepare and evaluate albumin nanoparticles containing antiviral drug abacavir sulphate. Various batches of albumin nanoparticles containing abacavir sulphate were prepared by desolvation method. The abacavir loaded particles were characterized for their yield, percentage of drug loading, surface morphology, particle size, surface charge, pattern of in vitro drug release and release mechanism studies. Drug loading ranged from 1.2 to 5.9%w/w. The mean particle size and the surface charge were 418.2nm and -40.8mV respectively. The in vitro drug release varied between 38.73 and 51.36%w/w for 24h. The n value for Korsmeyer-Peppas was 0.425 indicating Fickian type drug release. The preliminary findings indicated that albumin nanoparticles of abacavir can be prepared by desolvation method with good yield, high drug loading and sustained release. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

N-trimethyl chitosan nanoparticles and CSKSSDYQC peptide: N-trimethyl chitosan conjugates enhance the oral bioavailability of gemcitabine to treat breast cancer.

PubMed

Chen, Guanyu; Svirskis, Darren; Lu, Weiyue; Ying, Man; Huang, Yuan; Wen, Jingyuan

2018-05-10

Gemcitabine is a nucleoside analogue effective against a number of cancers. However, the full potential of this drug has not been realised, in part due to low oral bioavailability and frequent dosing requirements. This study reports the synthesis, in-vitro, ex-vivo and in-vivo evaluation of trimethyl chitosan (TMC) - CSKSSDYQC (CSK) peptide conjugates capable of enhancing the oral bioavailability of gemcitabine due to the ability to target intestinal goblet cells and promote intestinal cellular uptake. TMC was synthesized by a novel two-step methylation method to improve quanternization and yield. The CSK-TMC conjugates were prepared by ionic gelation to achieve particles sized at 173.6 ± 6.8 nm, zeta potential of +18.5 ± 0.2 mV and entrapment efficiency of 66.4 ± 0.1%, capable of sustained drug release. By encapsulating gemcitabine into CSK-TMC conjugates, an increased amount of drug permeated through porcine intestinal epithelial membranes compared with the unconjugated TMC nanoparticles (NPs). The rate of cellular uptake of drug loaded conjugates into HT29-MTX-E12 intestinal goblet cells, was time- and concentration-dependant. The conjugates underwent active transport associated with adsorptive mediated, clathrin and caveolae mediated endocytosis. In cellular transport studies, drug loaded conjugates had greater drug transport capability compared with drug solution and TMC NPs over the co-cultured Caco-2/HT29-MTX-E12 cell monolayer. The drug loaded conjugates exhibited electrostatic interaction with the intestinal epithelial cells. Both P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multiple resistance protein-2 (MRP2) efflux affected the cellular transport of the conjugates. Importantly, during the pharmacokinetic studies, the orally administrated drug loaded into TMC NPs showed an improved oral bioavailability of 54.0%, compared with gemcitabine solution of 9.9%. Notable, the CSK-TMC conjugates further improved oral bioavailability to 60.1% and reduced the tumour growth rate in a BALB/c nude mouse model, with a 5.1-fold and 3.3-fold reduction compare with the non-treated group and gemcitabine solution group. Furthermore, no major evidence of toxicity was discernible on histologic studies of selected organs. In conclusion, the presented CSK-TMC conjugates and TMC nanoparticles both significantly improve the oral bioavailability of gemcitabine and have the potential for the treatment of breast cancer. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An exact solution of a simplified two-phase plume model. [for solid propellant rocket

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, S.-Y.; Roberts, B. B.

1974-01-01

An exact solution of a simplified two-phase, gas-particle, rocket exhaust plume model is presented. It may be used to make the upper-bound estimation of the heat flux and pressure loads due to particle impingement on the objects existing in the rocket exhaust plume. By including the correction factors to be determined experimentally, the present technique will provide realistic data concerning the heat and aerodynamic loads on these objects for design purposes. Excellent agreement in trend between the best available computer solution and the present exact solution is shown.

An evaluation of flow-stratified sampling for estimating suspended sediment loads

Treesearch

Robert B. Thomas; Jack Lewis

1995-01-01

Abstract - Flow-stratified sampling is a new method for sampling water quality constituents such as suspended sediment to estimate loads. As with selection-at-list-time (SALT) and time-stratified sampling, flow-stratified sampling is a statistical method requiring random sampling, and yielding unbiased estimates of load and variance. It can be used to estimate event...

Effect of Stress Ratio and Loading Frequency on the Corrosion Fatigue Behavior of Smooth Steel Wire in Different Solutions

PubMed Central

Wang, Songquan; Zhang, Dekun; Hu, Ningning; Zhang, Jialu

2016-01-01

In this work, the effects of loading condition and corrosion solution on the corrosion fatigue behavior of smooth steel wire were discussed. The results of polarization curves and weight loss curves showed that the corrosion of steel wire in acid solution was more severe than that in neutral and alkaline solutions. With the extension of immersion time in acid solution, the cathodic reaction of steel wire gradually changed from the reduction of hydrogen ion to the reduction of oxygen, but was always the reduction of hydrogen ion in neutral and alkaline solutions. The corrosion kinetic parameters and equivalent circuits of steel wires were also obtained by simulating the Nyquist diagrams. In corrosion fatigue test, the effect of stress ratio and loading frequency on the crack initiation mechanism was emphasized. The strong corrosivity of acid solution could accelerate the nucleation of crack tip. The initiation mechanism of crack under different conditions was summarized according to the side and fracture surface morphologies. For the crack initiation mechanism of anodic dissolution, the stronger the corrosivity of solution was, the more easily the fatigue crack source formed, while, for the crack initiation mechanism of deformation activation, the lower stress ratio and higher frequency would accelerate the generation of corrosion fatigue crack source. PMID:28773869

A maximum power point tracking algorithm for photovoltaic applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nelatury, Sudarshan R.; Gray, Robert

2013-05-01

The voltage and current characteristic of a photovoltaic (PV) cell is highly nonlinear and operating a PV cell for maximum power transfer has been a challenge for a long time. Several techniques have been proposed to estimate and track the maximum power point (MPP) in order to improve the overall efficiency of a PV panel. A strategic use of the mean value theorem permits obtaining an analytical expression for a point that lies in a close neighborhood of the true MPP. But hitherto, an exact solution in closed form for the MPP is not published. This problem can be formulated analytically as a constrained optimization, which can be solved using the Lagrange method. This method results in a system of simultaneous nonlinear equations. Solving them directly is quite difficult. However, we can employ a recursive algorithm to yield a reasonably good solution. In graphical terms, suppose the voltage current characteristic and the constant power contours are plotted on the same voltage current plane, the point of tangency between the device characteristic and the constant power contours is the sought for MPP. It is subject to change with the incident irradiation and temperature and hence the algorithm that attempts to maintain the MPP should be adaptive in nature and is supposed to have fast convergence and the least misadjustment. There are two parts in its implementation. First, one needs to estimate the MPP. The second task is to have a DC-DC converter to match the given load to the MPP thus obtained. Availability of power electronics circuits made it possible to design efficient converters. In this paper although we do not show the results from a real circuit, we use MATLAB to obtain the MPP and a buck-boost converter to match the load. Under varying conditions of load resistance and irradiance we demonstrate MPP tracking in case of a commercially available solar panel MSX-60. The power electronics circuit is simulated by PSIM software.

Effect of polymers in solution culture on growth and mineral composition of tomatoes. [Lycopersicon esculentum

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

Wallace, A.

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Tropic) plants were grown for 26 days from transplanting in full nutrient solution with and without polymers in nutrient solution at two different pH values. An aninoic polyacrylamide and a polysaccharide (from guar bean) each at 100 mg L/sup -1/ in solution slightly improved yields at both pH values. A cationic polymer at the same concentration decreased yields. There were no apparent nutritional reasons for the effects. 1 table.

Single molecule studies of solvent-dependent diffusion and entrapment in poly(dimethylsiloxane) thin films.

PubMed

Lange, Jeffrey J; Culbertson, Christopher T; Higgins, Daniel A

2008-12-15

Single molecule microscopic and spectroscopic methods are employed to probe the mobility and physical entrapment of dye molecules in dry and solvent-loaded poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) films. PDMS films of approximately 220 nm thickness are prepared by spin casting dilute solutions of Sylgard 184 onto glass coverslips, followed by low temperature curing. A perylene diimide dye (BPPDI) is used to probe diffusion and molecule-matrix interactions. Two classes of dye-loaded samples are investigated: (i) those incorporating dye dispersed throughout the films ("in film" samples) and (ii) those in which the dye is restricted primarily to the PDMS surface ("on film" samples). Experiments are performed under dry nitrogen and at various levels of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) loading from the vapor phase. A PDMS-coated quartz-crystal microbalance is employed to monitor solvent loading and drying of the PDMS and to ensure equilibrium conditions are achieved. Single molecules are shown to be predominantly immobile under dry conditions and mostly mobile under IPA-saturated conditions. Quantitative methods for counting the fluorescent spots produced by immobile single molecules in optical images of the samples demonstrate that the population of mobile molecules increases nonlinearly with IPA loading. Even under IPA saturated conditions, the population of fixed molecules is found to be greater than zero and is greatest for "in film" samples. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy is used to measure the apparent diffusion coefficient for the mobile molecules, yielding a mean value of D = 1.4(+/-0.4) x 10(-8) cm(2)/s that is virtually independent of IPA loading and sample class. It is concluded that a nonzero population of dye molecules is physically entrapped within the PDMS matrix under all conditions. The increase in the population of mobile molecules under high IPA conditions is attributed to the filling of film micropores with solvent, rather than by incorporation of molecularly dispersed solvent into the PDMS.

On Solutions for the Transient Response of Beams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leonard, Robert W.

1959-01-01

Williams type modal solutions of the elementary and Timoshenko beam equations are presented for the response of several uniform beams to a general applied load. Example computations are shown for a free-free beam subject to various concentrated loads at its center. Discussion includes factors influencing the convergence of modal solutions and factors to be considered in a choice of beam theory. Results obtained by two numerical procedures, the traveling-wave method and Houbolt's method, are also presented and discussed.

Concentrations, loads, and yields of total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and suspended sediment and bacteria concentrations in the Wister Lake Basin, Oklahoma and Arkansas, 2011-13

USGS Publications Warehouse

Buck, Stephanie D.

2014-01-01

The Poteau Valley Improvement Authority uses Wister Lake in southeastern Oklahoma as a public water supply. Total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and suspended sediments from agricultural runoff and discharges from wastewater treatment plants and other sources have degraded water quality in the lake. As lake-water quality has degraded, water-treatment cost, chemical usage, and sludge production have increased for the Poteau Valley Improvement Authority. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Poteau Valley Improvement Authority, investigated and summarized concentrations of total phosphorus, total nitrogen, suspended sediment, and bacteria (Escherichia coli and Enterococcus sp.) in surface water flowing to Wister Lake. Estimates of total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and suspended sediment loads, yields, and flow-weighted mean concentrations of total phosphorus and total nitrogen concentrations were made for the Wister Lake Basin for a 3-year period from October 2010 through September 2013. Data from water samples collected at fixed time increments during base-flow conditions and during runoff conditions at the Poteau River at Loving, Okla. (USGS station 07247015), the Poteau River near Heavener, Okla. (USGS station 07247350), and the Fourche Maline near Leflore, Okla. (USGS station 07247650), water-quality stations were used to evaluate water quality over the range of streamflows in the basin. These data also were collected to estimate annual constituent loads and yields by using regression models. At the Poteau River stations, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and suspended sediment concentrations in surface-water samples were significantly larger in samples collected during runoff conditions than in samples collected during base-flow conditions. At the Fourche Maline station, in contrast, concentrations of these constituents in water samples collected during runoff conditions were not significantly larger than concentrations during base-flow conditions. Flow-weighted mean total phosphorus concentrations at all three stations from 2011 to 2013 were several times larger than the Oklahoma State Standard for Scenic Rivers (0.037 milligrams per liter [mg/L]), with the largest flow-weighted phosphorus concentrations typically being measured at the Poteau River at Loving, Okla., station. Flow-weighted mean total nitrogen concentrations did not vary substantially between the Poteau River stations and the Fourche Maline near Leflore, Okla., station. At all of the sampled water-quality stations, bacteria (Escherichia coli and Enterococcus sp.) concentrations were substantially larger in water samples collected during runoff conditions than in water samples collected during base-flow conditions from 2011 to 2013. Estimated annual loads of total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and suspended sediment in the Poteau River stations during runoff conditions ranged from 82 to 98 percent of the total annual loads of those constituents. Estimated annual loads of total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and suspended sediment in the Fourche Maline during runoff conditions ranged from 86 to nearly 100 percent of the total annual loads. Estimated seasonal total phosphorus loads generally were smallest during base-flow and runoff conditions in autumn. Estimated seasonal total phosphorus loads during base-flow conditions tended to be largest in winter and during runoff conditions tended to be largest in the spring. Estimated seasonal total nitrogen loads tended to be smallest in autumn during base-flow and runoff conditions and largest in winter during runoff conditions. Estimated seasonal suspended sediment loads tended to be smallest during base-flow conditions in the summer and smallest during runoff conditions in the autumn. The largest estimated seasonal suspended sediment loads during runoff conditions typically were in the spring. The estimated mean annual total phosphorus yield was largest at the Poteau River at Loving, Okla., water-quality station. The estimated mean annual total phosphorus yield was largest during base flow at the Poteau River at Loving, Okla., water-quality station and at both of the Poteau River water-quality stations during runoff conditions. The estimated mean annual total nitrogen yields were largest at the Poteau River water-quality stations. Estimated mean annual total nitrogen yields were largest during base-flow and runoff conditions at the Poteau River at Loving, Okla., water-quality station. The estimated mean annual suspended sediment yield was largest at the Poteau River near Heavener, Okla., water-quality station during base-flow and runoff conditions. Flow-weighted mean concentrations indicated that total phosphorus inputs from the Poteau River Basin in the Wister Lake Basin were larger than from the Fourche Maline Basin. Flow-weighted mean concentrations of total nitrogen did not vary spatially in a consistent manner. The Poteau River and the Fourche Maline contributed estimated annual total phosphorus loads of 137 to 278 tons per year (tons/yr) to Wister Lake. Between 89 and 95 percent of the annual total phosphorus loads were transported to Wister Lake during runoff conditions. The Poteau River and the Fourche Maline contributed estimated annual total nitrogen loads of 657 to 1,294 tons/yr, with 86 to 94 percent of the annual total nitrogen loads being transported to Wister Lake during runoff conditions. The Poteau River and the Fourche Maline contributed estimated annual total suspended sediment loads of 110,919 to 234,637 tons/yr, with 94 to 99 percent of the annual suspended sediment loads being transported to Wister Lake during runoff conditions. Most of the total phosphorus and suspended sediment were delivered to Wister Lake during runoff conditions in the spring. The majority of the total nitrogen was delivered to Wister Lake during runoff conditions in winter.

Preparation of novel alginate based anion exchanger from Ulva japonica and its application for the removal of trace concentrations of fluoride from water.

PubMed

Paudyal, Hari; Pangeni, Bimala; Inoue, Katsutoshi; Kawakita, Hidetaka; Ohto, Keisuke; Ghimire, Kedar Nath; Alam, Shafiq

2013-11-01

A green seaweed, Ulva japonica, was modified by loading multivalent metal ions such as Zr(IV) and La(III) after CaCl2 cross-linking to produce metal loaded cross-linked seaweed (M-CSW) adsorbents, which were characterized by elemental analysis, functional groups identification, and metal content determination. Maximum sorption potential for fluoride was drastically increased after La(III) and Zr(IV) loading, which were evaluated as 0.58 and 0.95 mmol/g, respectively. Loaded fluoride was quantitatively desorbed by using dilute alkaline solution for its regeneration. Mechanism of fluoride adsorption was inferred in terms of ligand exchange reaction between hydroxyl ion on co-ordination sphere of the loaded metal ions of M-CSW and fluoride ion in aqueous solution. Application of M-CSW for the treatment of actual waste plating solution exhibited successful removal of fluoride to clear the effluent and environmental standards in Japan, suggesting high possibility of its application for the treatment of fluoride rich waste water. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Closed-form Static Analysis with Inertia Relief and Displacement-Dependent Loads Using a MSC/NASTRAN DMAP Alter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barnett, Alan R.; Widrick, Timothy W.; Ludwiczak, Damian R.

1995-01-01

Solving for the displacements of free-free coupled systems acted upon by static loads is commonly performed throughout the aerospace industry. Many times, these problems are solved using static analysis with inertia relief. This solution technique allows for a free-free static analysis by balancing the applied loads with inertia loads generated by the applied loads. For some engineering applications, the displacements of the free-free coupled system induce additional static loads. Hence, the applied loads are equal to the original loads plus displacement-dependent loads. Solving for the final displacements of such systems is commonly performed using iterative solution techniques. Unfortunately, these techniques can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Since the coupled system equations for free-free systems with displacement-dependent loads can be written in closed-form, it is advantageous to solve for the displacements in this manner. Implementing closed-form equations in static analysis with inertia relief is analogous to implementing transfer functions in dynamic analysis. Using a MSC/NASTRAN DMAP Alter, displacement-dependent loads have been included in static analysis with inertia relief. Such an Alter has been used successfully to solve efficiently a common aerospace problem typically solved using an iterative technique.

Estimation of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in streams of the Middle Columbia River Basin (Oregon, Washington, and Idaho) using SPARROW models, with emphasis on the Yakima River Basin, Washington

USGS Publications Warehouse

Johnson, Henry M.; Black, Robert W.; Wise, Daniel R.

2013-01-01

The watershed model SPARROW (Spatially Related Regressions on Watershed attributes) was used to predict total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) loads and yields for the Middle Columbia River Basin in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The new models build on recently published models for the entire Pacific Northwest, and provide revised load predictions for the arid interior of the region by restricting the modeling domain and recalibrating the models. Results from the new TN and TP models are provided for the entire region, and discussed with special emphasis on the Yakima River Basin, Washington. In most catchments of the Yakima River Basin, the TN and TP in streams is from natural sources, specifically nitrogen fixation in forests (TN) and weathering and erosion of geologic materials (TP). The natural nutrient sources are overshadowed by anthropogenic sources of TN and TP in highly agricultural and urbanized catchments; downstream of the city of Yakima, most of the load in the Yakima River is derived from anthropogenic sources. Yields of TN and TP from catchments with nearly uniform land use were compared with other yield values and export coefficients published in the scientific literature, and generally were in agreement. The median yield of TN was greatest in catchments dominated by agricultural land and smallest in catchments dominated by grass and scrub land. The median yield of TP was greatest in catchments dominated by forest land, but the largest yields (90th percentile) of TP were from agricultural catchments. As with TN, the smallest TP yields were from catchments dominated by grass and scrub land.

The effects of climate change on instream nitrogen transport in the contiguous United States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alam, M. J.; Goodall, J. L.

2011-12-01

Excessive nitrogen loading has caused significant environmental impacts such as eutrophication and hypoxia in waterbodies around the world. Nitrogen loading is largely dependent on nonpoint source pollution and nitrogen transport from nonpoint source pollution is greatly impacted by climate conditions. For example, increased precipitation leads to more runoff and a higher nitrogen yield. However, higher temperatures also impact nitrogen transport in that higher temperatures increase denitrification and therefore reduce nitrogen yield. The purpose of this research is to quantify potential changes in nitrogen yield for the contiguous United States under predicted climate change scenarios, specifically changes in precipitation and air temperature. The analysis was performed for high (A2) and low (B1) emission scenarios and for the year 2030, 2050 and 2090. We used 11 different IPCC (The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) models predicted precipitation and temperature estimates to capture uncertainty. The SPARROW model was calibrated using historical nitrogen loading data and used to predict nitrogen yields for future climate conditions. We held nitrogen source data constant in order to isolate the impact of predicted precipitation and temperature changes for each model scenario. Preliminary results suggest an overall decrease in nitrogen yield if climate change impacts are considered in isolation. For the A2 scenario, the model results indicated an overall incremental nitrogen yield decrease of 2-17% by the year 2030, 4-26% by the year 2050, and 11-45% by the year 2090. The B1 emission scenario also indicated an incremental yield decrease, but at lesser amounts of 2-18%, 5-21% and 10-38% by the years 2030, 2050, and 2090, respectively. This decrease is mainly due to higher predicted temperatures that result in increased denitrification rates.

Influence of high loading of cellulose nanocrystals in polyacrylonitrile composite films

Treesearch

Jeffrey Luo; Huibin Chang; Amir A. Bakhtiary Davijani; H. Clive Liu; Po-Hsiang Wang; Robert J. Moon; Satish Kumar

2017-01-01

Polyacrylonitrile-co-methacrylic acid (PAN-co-MAA) and cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite films were produced with up to 40 wt% CNC loading through the solution casting method. The rheological properties of the solution/suspensions and the structural, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the resulting films were investigated. The viscosity of the composite...

In vitro antimicrobial activity of solution blow spun poly(lactic acid)/ polyvinylpyrrolidone nanofibers loaded with Copaiba (Copaifera sp.) oil

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

In this study poly(lactic acid)(PLA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) micro and nanofibers mats loaded with copaiba (Copaifera sp.) oil were produced by solution blow spinning (SBS). The copaiba (Copaifera sp.) oil was characterized by gas chromatography (GC). Neat PLA and four PLA/ PVP blends contain...

Synthesis of camptothecin-loaded gold nanomaterials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xing, Zhimin; Liu, Zhiguo; Zu, Yuangang; Fu, Yujie; Zhao, Chunjian; Zhao, Xiuhua; Meng, Ronghua; Tan, Shengnan

2010-04-01

Camptothecin-loaded gold nanomaterials have been synthesized by the sodium borohydride reduction method under a strong basic condition. The obtained gold nanomaterials have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The camptothecin-loaded gold colloidal solution was very stable and can be stored for more than two months at room temperature without obvious changes. The color of the colloidal solution can change from wine red to purple and blue during the acidifying process. It was revealed that the release of camptothecin and the aggregation of gold nanoparticles can be controlled by tuning the solution pH. The present study implied that the gold nanomaterials can be used as the potential carrier for CPT delivery.

Revealing Dimensions of Thinking in Open-Ended Self-Descriptions: An Automated Meaning Extraction Method for Natural Language

PubMed Central

2008-01-01

A new method for extracting common themes from written text is introduced and applied to 1,165 open-ended self-descriptive narratives. Drawing on a lexical approach to personality, the most commonly-used adjectives within narratives written by college students were identified using computerized text analytic tools. A factor analysis on the use of these adjectives in the self-descriptions produced a 7-factor solution consisting of psychologically meaningful dimensions. Some dimensions were unipolar (e.g., Negativity factor, wherein most loaded items were negatively valenced adjectives); others were dimensional in that semantically opposite words clustered together (e.g., Sociability factor, wherein terms such as shy, outgoing, reserved, and loud all loaded in the same direction). The factors exhibited modest reliability across different types of writ writing samples and were correlated with self-reports and behaviors consistent with the dimensions. Similar analyses with additional content words (adjectives, adverbs, nouns, and verbs) yielded additional psychological dimensions associated with physical appearance, school, relationships, etc. in which people contextualize their self-concepts. The results suggest that the meaning extraction method is a promising strategy that determines the dimensions along which people think about themselves. PMID:18802499

Fabrication of Indocyanine Green and 2H, 3H-perfluoropentane loaded microbubbles for fluorescence and ultrasound imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Yutong; Wu, Qiang; Ma, Rong; Chang, Shufang; Shao, Pengfei; Xu, Ronald

2016-03-01

As a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence dye, Indocyanine Green (ICG) has not gained broader clinical applications, owing to its multiple limitations such as concentration-dependent aggregation, low fluorescence quantum yield, poor physicochemical stability and rapid elimination from the body. In the meanwhile, 2H,3H-perfluoropentane (H-PFP) has been widely studied in ultrasound imaging as a vehicle for targeted delivery of contrast agents and drugs. We synthesized a novel dual-modal fluorescence and ultrasound contrast agent by encapsulating ICG and H-PFP in lipid microbubbles using a liquid-driven coaxial flow focusing (LDCFF) process. Uniform microbubbles with the sizes ranging from 1-10um and great ICG loading efficiency was achieved by this method. Our benchtop experiments showed that ICG/H-PFP microbubbles exhibited less aggregation, increased fluorescence intensity and more stable photostability compared to free ICG aqueous solution. Our phantom experiments demonstrated that ICG/H-PFP microbubbles enhanced the imaging contrasts in fluorescence imaging and ultrasonography. Our animal experiments indicated that ICG/H-PFP microbubbles extended the ICG life time and facilitated dual mode fluorescence and ultrasound imaging in vivo.

Application of artificial intelligent tools to modeling of glucosamine preparation from exoskeleton of shrimp.

PubMed

Valizadeh, Hadi; Pourmahmood, Mohammad; Mojarrad, Javid Shahbazi; Nemati, Mahboob; Zakeri-Milani, Parvin

2009-04-01

The objective of this study was to forecast and optimize the glucosamine production yield from chitin (obtained from Persian Gulf shrimp) by means of genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and artificial neural networks (ANNs) as tools of artificial intelligence methods. Three factors (acid concentration, acid solution to chitin ratio, and reaction time) were used as the input parameters of the models investigated. According to the obtained results, the production yield of glucosamine hydrochloride depends linearly on acid concentration, acid solution to solid ratio, and time and also the cross-product of acid concentration and time and the cross-product of solids to acid solution ratio and time. The production yield significantly increased with an increase of acid concentration, acid solution ratio, and reaction time. The production yield is inversely related to the cross-product of acid concentration and time. It means that at high acid concentrations, the longer reaction times give lower production yields. The results revealed that the average percent error (PE) for prediction of production yield by GA, PSO, and ANN are 6.84, 7.11, and 5.49%, respectively. Considering the low PE, it might be concluded that these models have a good predictive power in the studied range of variables and they have the ability of generalization to unknown cases.

Assessing Sediment Yield and the Effect of Best Management Practices on Sediment Yield Reduction for Tutuila Island, American Samoa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leta, O. T.; Dulai, H.; El-Kadi, A. I.

2017-12-01

Upland soil erosion and sedimentation are the main threats for riparian and coastal reef ecosystems in Pacific islands. Here, due to small size of the watersheds and steep slope, the residence time of rainfall runoff and its suspended load is short. Fagaalu bay, located on the island of Tutuila (American Samoa) has been identified as a priority watershed, due to degraded coral reef condition and reduction of stream water quality from heavy anthropogenic activity yielding high nutrients and sediment loads to the receiving water bodies. This study aimed to estimate the sediment yield to the Fagaalu stream and assess the impact of Best Management Practices (BMP) on sediment yield reduction. For this, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was applied, calibrated, and validated for both daily streamflow and sediment load simulation. The model also estimated the sediment yield contributions from existing land use types of Fagaalu and identified soil erosion prone areas for introducing BMP scenarios in the watershed. Then, three BMP scenarios, such as stone bund, retention pond, and filter strip were treated on bare (quarry area), agricultural, and shrub land use types. It was found that the bare land with quarry activity yielded the highest annual average sediment yield of 133 ton per hectare (t ha-1) followed by agriculture (26.1 t ha-1) while the lowest sediment yield of 0.2 t ha-1 was estimated for the forested part of the watershed. Additionally, the bare land area (2 ha) contributed approximately 65% (207 ha) of the watershed's sediment yield, which is 4.0 t ha-1. The latter signifies the high impact as well as contribution of anthropogenic activity on sediment yield. The use of different BMP scenarios generally reduced the sediment yield to the coastal reef of Fagaalu watershed. However, treating the quarry activity area with stone bund showed the highest sediment yield reduction as compared to the other two BMP scenarios. This study provides an estimate of the impact that each BMP has on specific land use and Fagaalu's reef. It also offers information that may be useful for the coastal water resource management and mitigation measures to reduce sediment yield of the study site and similar areas.

Mathematical characterization of mechanical behavior of porous frictional granular media

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chung, T. J.; Lee, J. K.

1972-01-01

A new definition of loading and unloading along the yield surface of Roscoe and Burland is introduced. This is achieved by noting that the strain-hardening parameter in the plastic potential function is deduced from the yield locus equation of Roscoe and Burland. The analytical results are compared with the experimental results for plate-bearing and cone-penetrometer problems and close agreements are demonstrated. The wheel-soil interaction is studied under dynamic loading. The rate-dependent plasticity or viscoelastoplastic behavior is considered. This is accomplished by the internal (hidden) variables associated with time-dependent viscous properties directly superimposed with inelastic behavior governed by the yield criteria of Roscoe and Burland. Effects of inertia and energy dissipation are properly accounted for. Example problems are presented.

Effect of pH on polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced silk microsphere formation for drug delivery.

PubMed

Wu, Jianbing; Xie, Xusheng; Zheng, Zhaozhu; Li, Gang; Wang, Xiaoqin; Wang, Yansong

2017-11-01

The effects of changing solution pH in the range of 3.6-10.0 during a one-step silk microsphere preparation process, by mixing silk and polyethylene glycol (PEG), was assessed. The microspheres prepared at low pH (3.6) showed a more homogeneous size (1-3μm) and less porous texture than those prepared at neutral pH. High pH (10.0) inhibited microsphere formation, yielding small and inhomogeneous microspheres. Compared to neutral pH, low pH also increased the content of silk crystalline β-sheet structure from approx. 30% to above 40%. As a result, the microspheres produced at low pH were more thermally stable as well as resistant to chemical (8M urea) and enzymatic (protease XIV) degradation when compared to microspheres prepared at neutral pH. Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) and curcumin (CUR) were successfully loaded in silk microspheres via control of solution pH. The loading efficiency of DOX was approx. 95% at pH7.0 and approx. 60% for CUR at pH3.6, attributed to charge-charge interactions and hydrophobic interactions between the silk and drug molecules, respectively. When PBS, pH7.4, was used as a medium for release studies, the pH3.6 microspheres released both drugs more slowly than the pH7.0 microspheres, likely due to the high content of crystalline β-sheet structure that enhanced drug-silk interactions as well as restricted drug molecule diffusion. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Study on Characteristic of Temperature Coefficient of Reactivity for Plutonium Core of Pebbled Bed Reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zuhair; Suwoto; Setiadipura, T.; Bakhri, S.; Sunaryo, G. R.

2018-02-01

As a part of the solution searching for possibility to control the plutonium, a current effort is focused on mechanisms to maximize consumption of plutonium. Plutonium core solution is a unique case in the high temperature reactor which is intended to reduce the accumulation of plutonium. However, the safety performance of the plutonium core which tends to produce a positive temperature coefficient of reactivity should be examined. The pebble bed inherent safety features which are characterized by a negative temperature coefficient of reactivity must be maintained under any circumstances. The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristic of temperature coefficient of reactivity for plutonium core of pebble bed reactor. A series of calculations with plutonium loading varied from 0.5 g to 1.5 g per fuel pebble were performed by the MCNPX code and ENDF/B-VII library. The calculation results show that the k eff curve of 0.5 g Pu/pebble declines sharply with the increase in fuel burnup while the greater Pu loading per pebble yields k eff curve declines slighter. The fuel with high Pu content per pebble may reach long burnup cycle. From the temperature coefficient point of view, it is concluded that the reactor containing 0.5 g-1.25 g Pu/pebble at high burnup has less favorable safety features if it is operated at high temperature. The use of fuel with Pu content of 1.5 g/pebble at high burnup should be considered carefully from core safety aspect because it could affect transient behavior into a fatal accident situation.

Phosphorus Concentrations, Loads, and Yields in the Illinois River Basin, Arkansas and Oklahoma, 2000-2004

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tortorelli, Robert L.; Pickup, Barbara E.

2006-01-01

The Illinois River and tributaries, Flint Creek and Baron Fork, are designated scenic rivers in Oklahoma. Recent phosphorus levels in streams in the basin have resulted in the growth of excess algae, which have limited the aesthetic benefits of water bodies in the basin, especially the Illinois River and Lake Tenkiller. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board has established a standard for total phosphorus not to exceed the 30-day geometric mean concentration of 0.037 milligram per liter in Oklahoma Scenic Rivers. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, conducted an investigation to summarize phosphorus concentrations and provide estimates of phosphorus loads, yields, and flow-weighted concentrations in the Illinois River and tributaries from January 2000 through December 2004. Data from water-quality samples collected from 2000 to 2004 were used to summarize phosphorus concentrations and estimate phosphorus loads, yields, and mean flow-weighted concentrations in the Illinois River basin for three 3-year periods - 2000-2002, 2001-2003, and 2002-2004, to update a previous report that used data from water-quality samples from 1997 to 2001. This report provides information needed to advance knowledge of the regional hydrologic system and understanding of hydrologic processes, and provides hydrologic data and results useful to multiple parties for interstate compacts. Phosphorus concentrations in the Illinois River basin were significantly greater in runoff samples than in base-flow samples. Phosphorus concentrations generally decreased with increasing base flow, from dilution, and decreased in the downstream direction in the Illinois River from the Watts to Tahlequah stations. Phosphorus concentrations generally increased with runoff, possibly because of phosphorus resuspension, stream bank erosion, and the addition of phosphorus from nonpoint sources. Estimated mean annual phosphorus loads were greater at the Illinois River stations than at Flint Creek and Baron Fork. Annual total loads in the Illinois River from Watts to Tahlequah, increased slightly for the period 2000-2002 and decreased slightly for the periods 2001-2003 and 2002-2004. Estimated mean annual base-flow loads at stations on the Illinois River were about 11 to 20 times greater than base-flow loads at the station on Baron Fork and 4 to 10 times greater than base-flow loads at the station on Flint Creek. Estimated mean annual runoff loads ranged from 68 to 96 percent of the estimated mean annual total phosphorus loads from 2000-2004. Estimated mean seasonal base-flow loads were generally greatest in spring (March through May) and were least in fall (September through November). Estimated mean seasonal runoff loads generally were greatest in summer (June through August) for the period 2000-2002, but were greatest in winter (December through February) for the period 2001-2003, and greatest in spring for the period 2002-2004. Estimated mean total yields of phosphorus ranged from 192 to 811 pounds per year per square mile, with greatest yields being reported for Illinois River near Watts (576 to 811 pounds per year per square mile), and the least yields being reported for Baron Fork at Eldon for the periods 2000-2002 and 2001-2003 (501 and 192 pounds per year per square mile) and for Illinois River near Tahlequah for the period 2002-2004 (370 pounds per year per square mile). Estimated mean flow-weighted concentrations were more than 10 times greater than the median (0.022 milligram per liter) and were consistently greater than the 75th percentile of flow-weighted phosphorus concentrations in samples collected at relatively undeveloped basins of the United States (0.037 milligram per liter). In addition, flow-weighted phosphorus concentrations in 2000-2002 at all Illinois River stations and at Flint Creek near Kansas were equal to or greater than the 75th percentile of all National Water-Quality Assessment Program station

Nutrients, Select Pesticides, and Suspended Sediment in the Karst Terrane of the Sinking Creek Basin, Kentucky, 2004-06

USGS Publications Warehouse

Crain, Angela S.

2010-01-01

This report presents the results of a study by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, on nutrients, select pesticides, and suspended sediment in the karst terrane of the Sinking Creek Basin. Streamflow, nutrient, select pesticide, and suspended-sediment data were collected at seven sampling stations from 2004 through 2006. Concentrations of nitrite plus nitrate ranged from 0.21 to 4.9 milligrams per liter (mg/L) at the seven stations. The median concentration of nitrite plus nitrate for all stations sampled was 1.6 mg/L. Total phosphorus concentrations were greater than 0.1 mg/L, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recommended maximum concentration, in 45 percent of the samples. Concentrations of orthophosphates ranged from less than 0.006 to 0.46 mg/L. Concentrations of nutrients generally were larger during spring and summer months, corresponding to periods of increased fertilizer application on agricultural lands. Concentrations of suspended sediment ranged from 1.0 to 1,490 mg/L at the seven stations. Of the 47 pesticides analyzed, 14 were detected above the adjusted method reporting level of 0.01 micrograms per liter (mug/L). Although these pesticides were detected in water-quality samples, they generally were found at less than part-per-billion concentrations. Atrazine was the only pesticide detected at concentrations greater than U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking water standard of 3 mug/L, and the maximum detected concentration was 24.6 mug/L. Loads and yields of nutrients, selected pesticides, and suspended sediment were estimated at two mainstream stations on Sinking Creek, a headwater station (Sinking Creek at Rosetta) and a station at the basin outlet (Sinking Creek near Lodiburg). Mean daily streamflow data were available for the estimation of loads and yields from a stream gage at the basin outlet station; however, only periodic instantaneous flow measurements were available for the headwaters station; mean daily flows at the headwater station were, therefore, estimated using a mathematical record-extension technique known as the Maintenance of Variance-Extension, type 1 (MOVE.1). The estimation of mean daily streamflows introduced a large amount of uncertainty into the loads and yields estimates at the headwater station. Total estimated loads of select (five most commonly detected) pesticides from the Sinking Creek Basin were about 0.01 to 1.2 percent of the estimated application, indicating pesticides possibly are retained within the watershed. Mean annual loads [(in/lb)/yr] for nutrients and suspended sediment were estimated at the two Sinking Creek mainstem sampling stations. The relation between estimated and measured instantaneous loads of nitrite plus nitrate at the Sinking Creek near Lodiburg station indicate a reasonably tight distribution over the range of loads. The model for loads of nitrite plus nitrate at the Sinking Creek at Rosetta station indicates small loads were overestimated and underestimated. Relations between estimated and measured loads of total phosphorus and orthophosphate at both Sinking Creek mainstem stations showed similar patterns to the loads of nitrite plus nitrate at each respective station. The estimated mean annual load of suspended sediment is about 14 times larger at the Sinking Creek near Lodiburg station than at the Sinking Creek near Rosetta station. Estimated yields of nutrients and suspended sediment increased from the headwater to downstream monitoring stations on Sinking Creek. This finding suggests that sources of nutrients and suspended sediment are not evenly distributed throughout the karst terrane of the Sinking Creek Basin. Yields of select pesticides generally were similar from the headwater to downstream monitoring stations. However, the estimated yield of atrazine was about five times higher at the downstream station on Sinking Creek than at the headwater station on Sinking Creek.

Vitrification, encapsulation-vitrification and droplet-vitrification: a review.

PubMed

Sakai, Akira; Engelmann, Florent

2007-01-01

This paper discusses the importance of the successive steps of the vitrification technique and reviews the current development and use of vitrification and of the two derived protocols, encapsulation-vitrification and droplet-vitrification. Vitrification refers to the physical process by which a highly concentrated cryoprotective solution supercools to very low temperatures and finally solidifies into a metastable glass, without undergoing crystallization at a practical cooling rate. Samples are thus cryopreserved without detrimental intracellular ice formation. In a standard vitrification protocol, excised explants are precultured on medium enriched with sucrose, treated (loaded) with a loading solution composed of 2 M glycerol + 0.4 M sucrose, dehydrated with a highly concentrated vitrification solution [e.g. the PVS2 vitrification solution, which contains 30 percent (w/v) glycerol, 15 percent (w/v) ethylene glycol and 15 percent (w/v) DMSO and 0.4 M sucrose], frozen and rewarmed rapidly, unloaded with basal culture medium supplemented with 1.2 M sucrose, and then transferred to standard culture conditions. In the encapsulation-vitrification technique, the explants are encapsulated in alginate beads, loaded and dehydrated with a vitrification solution before rapid immersion in liquid nitrogen. In the droplet-freezing technique, excised explants are loaded, treated with the vitrification solution and frozen in individual microdroplets of vitrification solution placed on aluminium foils, which are immersed rapidly in liquid nitrogen. These three techniques have been applied to different tissues of over 100 plant species from temperate and tropical origins and the number of cases where they are being tested on a large scale or applied routinely is increasing.

Common buffers, media, and stock solutions.

PubMed

2001-05-01

This appendix describes the preparation of selected bacterial media and of buffers and reagents used in the manipulation of nucleic acids and proteins. Recipes for cell culture media and reagents are located elsewhere in the manual. RECIPES: Acids, concentrated stock solutions; Ammonium acetate, 10 M; Ammonium hydroxide, concentrated stock solution; ATP, 100 mM; BCIP, 5% (w/v); BSA (bovine serum albumin), 10% (100 mg/ml); Denhardt solution, 100x; dNTPs: dATP, dTTP, dCTP, and dGTP; DTT, 1 M; EDTA, 0.5 M (pH 8.0); Ethidium bromide solution; Formamide loading buffer, 2x; Gel loading buffer, 6x; HBSS (Hanks balanced salt solution); HCl, 1 M; HEPES-buffered saline, 2x; KCl, 1 M; LB medium; LB plates; Loading buffer; 2-ME, (2-mercaptoethanol)50 mM; MgCl(2), 1 M; MgSO(4), 1 M; NaCl, 5 M; NaOH, 10 M; NBT (nitroblue tetrazolium chloride), 5% (w/v); PCR amplification buffer, 10x; Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), pH approximately 7.3; Potassium acetate buffer, 0.1 M; Potassium phosphate buffer, 0.1 M; RNase a stock solution (DNase-free), 2 mg/ml; SDS, 20%; SOC medium; Sodium acetate, 3 M; Sodium acetate buffer, 0.1 M; Sodium phosphate buffer, 0.1 M; SSC (sodium chloride/sodium citrate), 20x; SSPE (sodium chloride/sodium phosphate/EDTA), 20x; T4 DNA ligase buffer, 10x; TAE buffer, 50x; TBE buffer, 10x; TBS (Tris-buffered saline); TCA (trichloroacetic acid), 100% (w/v); TE buffer; Terrific broth (TB); TrisCl, 1 M; TY medium, 2x; Urea loading buffer, 2x.

Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Thick Honeycombs

PubMed Central

Hedayati, Reza; Sadighi, Mojtaba; Mohammadi Aghdam, Mohammad; Zadpoor, Amir Abbas

2016-01-01

Honeycombs resemble the structure of a number of natural and biological materials such as cancellous bone, wood, and cork. Thick honeycomb could be also used for energy absorption applications. Moreover, studying the mechanical behavior of honeycombs under in-plane loading could help understanding the mechanical behavior of more complex 3D tessellated structures such as porous biomaterials. In this paper, we study the mechanical behavior of thick honeycombs made using additive manufacturing techniques that allow for fabrication of honeycombs with arbitrary and precisely controlled thickness. Thick honeycombs with different wall thicknesses were produced from polylactic acid (PLA) using fused deposition modelling, i.e., an additive manufacturing technique. The samples were mechanically tested in-plane under compression to determine their mechanical properties. We also obtained exact analytical solutions for the stiffness matrix of thick hexagonal honeycombs using both Euler-Bernoulli and Timoshenko beam theories. The stiffness matrix was then used to derive analytical relationships that describe the elastic modulus, yield stress, and Poisson’s ratio of thick honeycombs. Finite element models were also built for computational analysis of the mechanical behavior of thick honeycombs under compression. The mechanical properties obtained using our analytical relationships were compared with experimental observations and computational results as well as with analytical solutions available in the literature. It was found that the analytical solutions presented here are in good agreement with experimental and computational results even for very thick honeycombs, whereas the analytical solutions available in the literature show a large deviation from experimental observation, computational results, and our analytical solutions. PMID:28773735

Strip Yield Model Numerical Application to Different Geometries and Loading Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hatamleh, Omar; Forman, Royce; Shivakumar, Venkataraman; Lyons, Jed

2006-01-01

A new numerical method based on the strip-yield analysis approach was developed for calculating the Crack Tip Opening Displacement (CTOD). This approach can be applied for different crack configurations having infinite and finite geometries, and arbitrary applied loading conditions. The new technique adapts the boundary element / dislocation density method to obtain crack-face opening displacements at any point on a crack, and succeeds by obtaining requisite values as a series of definite integrals, the functional parts of each being evaluated exactly in a closed form.

Mechanical loading of bovine pericardium accelerates enzymatic degradation.

PubMed

Ellsmere, J C; Khanna, R A; Lee, J M

1999-06-01

Bioprosthetic heart valves fail as the result of two simultaneous processes: structural deterioration and calcification. Leaflet deterioration and perforation have been correlated with regions of highest stress in the tissue. The failures have long been assumed to be due to simple mechanical fatigue of the collagen fibre architecture; however, we have hypothesized that local stresses-and particularly dynamic stresses-accelerate local proteolysis, leading to tissue failure. This study addresses that hypothesis. Using a novel, custom-built microtensile culture system, strips of bovine pericardium were subjected to static and dynamic loads while being exposed to solutions of microbial collagenase or trypsin (a non-specific proteolytic enzyme). The time to extend to 30% strain (defined here as time to failure) was recorded. After failure, the percentage of collagen solubilized was calculated based on the amount of hydroxyproline present in solution. All data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). In collagenase, exposure to static load significantly decreased the time to failure (P < 0.002) due to increased mean rate of collagen solubilization. Importantly, specimens exposed to collagenase and dynamic load failed faster than those exposed to collagenase under the same average static load (P = 0.02). In trypsin, by contrast, static load never led to failure and produced only minimal degradation. Under dynamic load, however, specimens exposed to collagenase, trypsin, and even Tris/CaCl2 buffer solution, all failed. Only samples exposed to Hanks' physiological solution did not fail. Failure of the specimens exposed to trypsin and Tris/CaCl2 suggests that the non-collagenous components and the calcium-dependent proteolytic enzymes present in pericardial tissue may play roles in the pathogenesis of bioprosthetic heart valve degeneration.

An evaluation of a computer code based on linear acoustic theory for predicting helicopter main rotor noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, S. J.; Egolf, T. A.

1980-07-01

Acoustic characteristics predicted using a recently developed computer code were correlated with measured acoustic data for two helicopter rotors. The analysis, is based on a solution of the Ffowcs-Williams-Hawkings (FW-H) equation and includes terms accounting for both the thickness and loading components of the rotational noise. Computations are carried out in the time domain and assume free field conditions. Results of the correlation show that the Farrassat/Nystrom analysis, when using predicted airload data as input, yields fair but encouraging correlation for the first 6 harmonics of blade passage. It also suggests that although the analysis represents a valuable first step towards developing a truly comprehensive helicopter rotor noise prediction capability, further work remains to be done identifying and incorporating additional noise mechanisms into the code.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of Pt/CNT nanocomposite electrocatalysts for PEM fuel cells.

PubMed

Zhang, Weimin; Chen, Jun; Swiegers, Gerhard F; Ma, Zi-Feng; Wallace, Gordon G

2010-02-01

Microwave-assisted heating of functionalized, single-wall carbon nanotubes (FCNTs) in ethylene glycol solution containing H(2)PtCl(6), led to the reductive deposition of Pt nanoparticles (2.5-4 nm) over the FCNTs, yielding an active catalyst for proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In single-cell testing, the Pt/FCNT composites displayed a catalytic performance that was superior to Pt nanoparticles supported by raw (unfunctionalized) CNTs (RCNTs) or by carbon black (C), prepared under identical conditions. The supporting single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), functionalized with carboxyl groups, were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and Raman spectroscopy. The loading level, morphology, and crystallinity of the Pt/SWNT catalysts were determined using TGA, SEM, and XRD. The electrochemically active catalytic surface area of the Pt/FCNT catalysts was 72.9 m(2)/g-Pt.

Analysis of shell-type structures subjected to time-dependent mechanical and thermal loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simitses, G. J.; Riff, R.

1988-01-01

This research is performed to develop a general mathematical model and solution methodologies for analyzing structural response of thin, metallic shell-type structures under large transient, cyclic or static thermomechanical loads. Among the system responses, which are associated with these load conditions, are thermal buckling, creep buckling, and ratcheting. Thus, geometric as well as material-type nonlinearities (of high order) can be anticipated and must be considered in the development of the mathematical model. Furthermore, this must also be accommodated in the solution procedures.

Implementation on a nonlinear concrete cracking algorithm in NASTRAN

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herting, D. N.; Herendeen, D. L.; Hoesly, R. L.; Chang, H.

1976-01-01

A computer code for the analysis of reinforced concrete structures was developed using NASTRAN as a basis. Nonlinear iteration procedures were developed for obtaining solutions with a wide variety of loading sequences. A direct access file system was used to save results at each load step to restart within the solution module for further analysis. A multi-nested looping capability was implemented to control the iterations and change the loads. The basis for the analysis is a set of mutli-layer plate elements which allow local definition of materials and cracking properties.

An analytical solution for the squeeze film between a nondeformable sphere and groove

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, C. W.; Wilson, M. P.

1972-01-01

An analysis is presented to compute the film thickness, pressure and load relations between a rigid ball and rigid groove in normal approach when lubricated by a fluid with an exponential pressure-viscosity relationship. The geometry of the ball-groove system is reduced to the equivalent system of a paraboloid approaching a flat plate. Exact and approximate solutions are presented for the load and pressure relations. There is found to be a limiting load for a given geometry and lubricant regardless of the rate of approach.

Simple practical approach for sample loading prior to DNA extraction using a silica monolith in a microfluidic device.

PubMed

Shaw, Kirsty J; Joyce, Domino A; Docker, Peter T; Dyer, Charlotte E; Greenman, John; Greenway, Gillian M; Haswell, Stephen J

2009-12-07

A novel DNA loading methodology is presented for performing DNA extraction on a microfluidic system. DNA in a chaotropic salt solution was manually loaded onto a silica monolith orthogonal to the subsequent flow of wash and elution solutions. DNA was successfully extracted from buccal swabs using electro-osmotic pumping (EOP) coupled with in situ reagents contained within a 1.5% agarose gel matrix. The extracted DNA was of sufficient quantity and purity for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification.

Analysis of shell-type structures subjected to time-dependent mechanical and thermal loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simitses, G. J.

1989-01-01

The objective is to develop a general mathematical model and solution methodologies for analyzing structural response of thin, metallic shell-type structures under large transient, cyclic, or static thermomechanical loads. Among the system responses, which are associated with these load conditions, are thermal buckling, creep buckling, and racheting. Thus, geometric as well as material-type nonlinearities (of high order) can be anticipated and must be considered in the development of the mathematical model. Furthermore, this must also be accommodated in the solution procedures.

Analysis of shell-type structures subjected to time-dependent mechanical and thermal loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simitses, G. J.; Riff, R.

1988-01-01

The objective of this research is to develop a general mathematical model and solution methodologies for analyzing structural response of thin, metallic shell-type structures under large transient, cyclic or static thermomechanical loads. Among the system responses, which are associated with these load conditions, are thermal buckling, creep buckling and racheting. Thus, geometric as well as material-type nonlinearities (of high order) can be anticipated and must be considered in the development of the mathematical model. Furthermore, this must also be accommodated in the solution procedures.

Analytic model to estimate thermonuclear neutron yield in z-pinches using the magnetic Noh problem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allen, Robert C.

The objective was to build a model which could be used to estimate neutron yield in pulsed z-pinch experiments, benchmark future z-pinch simulation tools and to assist scaling for breakeven systems. To accomplish this, a recent solution to the magnetic Noh problem was utilized which incorporates a self-similar solution with cylindrical symmetry and azimuthal magnetic field (Velikovich, 2012). The self-similar solution provides the conditions needed to calculate the time dependent implosion dynamics from which batch burn is assumed and used to calculate neutron yield. The solution to the model is presented. The ion densities and time scales fix the initial mass and implosion velocity, providing estimates of the experimental results given specific initial conditions. Agreement is shown with experimental data (Coverdale, 2007). A parameter sweep was done to find the neutron yield, implosion velocity and gain for a range of densities and time scales for DD reactions and a curve fit was done to predict the scaling as a function of preshock conditions.

The 4D evolution of porosity during ongoing pressure-solution processes in NaCl using x-ray microtomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Macente, Alice; Fusseis, Florian; Butler, Ian; Tudisco, Erika; Hall, Stephen; Andò, Edward

2016-04-01

Pressure-solution creep is a common deformation mechanism in the upper crust. It represents a mass transfer via dissolution-reprecipitation that critically affects the hydraulic properties of rocks. Successful management of safe radioactive storage sites in rock-salt deposits critically depends on an accurate knowledge of the hydro-mechanical behaviour of salt deposits. Despite numerous lab experiments that have been conducted, many aspects of pressure-solution are still poorly understood. There is little knowledge about the spatio-temporal evolution of porosity and permeability during pressure-solution creep. While rates of pressure-solution creep in silicates and carbonates are slow, which makes laboratory investigations of these materials impractical, compaction experiments have demonstrated that NaCl samples deform sufficiently fast to study pressure-solution creep in a lab environment at room temperature and modest loads. We present results from novel experiments that quantify the 4-dimensional (three spatial dimensions plus time) evolution of pressure-solution processes using in-situ x-ray microtomography. Our experiments are performed in custom made x-ray transparent presses. 5 mm diameter NaCl powder samples with a grain size of 250-300 μm are loaded dry into the press and pre-compacted to produce a starting aggregated material. The sample is then flooded with saturated NaCl solution and loaded uniaxially by means of a pneumatic actuator to a constant uniaxial stress. Different sample mixtures were tested, as well as different uniaxial loads. The resulting deformation of the samples is documented in 3-dimensional microtomographic datasets, acquired at regular time intervals. Image analysis allowed characterization of the microstructural evolution of the NaCl grains and the spatio-temporal distribution of porosity during ongoing mechanical and chemical compaction. The microtomography data have also been analysed with 3D Digital Image Correlation (3D-DIC or DVC) to quantify the fields of displacements in each direction, as well as volumetric and maximum shear strain fields. Following the approach described above, we have been able to quantify and characterize in 4D the evolution of pressure-solution creep and porosity distribution in relation to different sample materials and increasing uniaxial load. The presence of phyllosilicates (biotite) and more competent materials (glass beads) allowed pressure-solution to develop in a much shorter time compared to pure halite sample. The same trend is observed in samples experiencing bigger uniaxial loads (6.6 MPa v 1.6 MPa). We also found that, in the presence of phyllosilicates (biotite), pore size distribution clearly reflects the localisation of pressure-solution processes, as for natural stylolites. In the presence of glass beads, pressure-solution has a greater effect on the pore orientations rather than pore sizes. Our results extend the current understanding of the effect of pressure-solution creep on the mechanical and hydraulic properties of rocks, with implications for natural rock-salt, salt-based repository systems (nuclear and chemical waste storage) and salt mining.

Design of advanced beams considering elasto-plastic behaviour of material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tolun, S.

1992-10-01

The paper proposes a computational procedure for precise calculation of limit and ultimate or design loads, which must be carried by an advanced aviation beam, without permanent distortion and without rupture. Among several stress-strain curve representations, one that is suitable for a particular material is chosen for applied loads, yield, and failure load calculations, and then nonlinear analysis is performed.

High solids co-digestion of food and landscape waste and the potential for ammonia toxicity.

PubMed

Drennan, Margaret F; DiStefano, Thomas D

2014-07-01

A pilot-scale study was completed to determine the feasibility of high-solids anaerobic digestion (HSAD) of a mixture of food and landscape wastes at a university in central Pennsylvania (USA). HSAD was stable at low loadings (2g COD/L-day), but developed inhibitory ammonia concentrations at high loadings (15 g COD/L-day). At low loadings, methane yields were 232 L CH4/kg COD fed and 229 L CH4/kg VS fed, and at high loadings yields were 211 L CH4/kg COD fed and 272 L CH4/kg VS fed. Based on characterization and biodegradability studies, food waste appears to be a good candidate for HSAD at low organic loading rates; however, the development of ammonia inhibition at high loading rates suggests that the C:N ratio is too low for use as a single substrate. The relatively low biodegradability of landscape waste as reported herein made it an unsuitable substrate to increase the C:N ratio. Codigestion of food waste with a substrate high in bioavailable carbon is recommended to increase the C:N ratio sufficiently to allow HSAD at loading rates of 15 g COD/L-day. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Enzymatic digestibility and ethanol fermentability of AFEX-treated starch-rich lignocellulosics such as corn silage and whole corn plant

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Corn grain is an important renewable source for bioethanol production in the USA. Corn ethanol is currently produced by steam liquefaction of starch-rich grains followed by enzymatic saccharification and fermentation. Corn stover (the non-grain parts of the plant) is a potential feedstock to produce cellulosic ethanol in second-generation biorefineries. At present, corn grain is harvested by removing the grain from the living plant while leaving the stover behind on the field. Alternatively, whole corn plants can be harvested to cohydrolyze both starch and cellulose after a suitable thermochemical pretreatment to produce fermentable monomeric sugars. In this study, we used physiologically immature corn silage (CS) and matured whole corn plants (WCP) as feedstocks to produce ethanol using ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX) pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis (at low enzyme loadings) and cofermentation (for both glucose and xylose) using a cellulase-amylase-based cocktail and a recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae 424A (LNH-ST) strain, respectively. The effect on hydrolysis yields of AFEX pretreatment conditions and a starch/cellulose-degrading enzyme addition sequence for both substrates was also studied. Results AFEX-pretreated starch-rich substrates (for example, corn grain, soluble starch) had a 1.5-3-fold higher enzymatic hydrolysis yield compared with the untreated substrates. Sequential addition of cellulases after hydrolysis of starch within WCP resulted in 15-20% higher hydrolysis yield compared with simultaneous addition of hydrolytic enzymes. AFEX-pretreated CS gave 70% glucan conversion after 72 h of hydrolysis for 6% glucan loading (at 8 mg total enzyme loading per gram glucan). Microbial inoculation of CS before ensilation yielded a 10-15% lower glucose hydrolysis yield for the pretreated substrate, due to loss in starch content. Ethanol fermentation of AFEX-treated (at 6% w/w glucan loading) CS hydrolyzate (resulting in 28 g/L ethanol at 93% metabolic yield) and WCP (resulting in 30 g/L ethanol at 89% metabolic yield) is reported in this work. Conclusions The current results indicate the feasibility of co-utilization of whole plants (that is, starchy grains plus cellulosic residues) using an ammonia-based (AFEX) pretreatment to increase bioethanol yield and reduce overall production cost. PMID:20534126

Mechanical responses, texture evolution, and yield loci of extruded AZ31 magnesium alloy under various loading conditions: Experiment and modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kabirian, Farhoud

Mechanical responses and texture evolution of extruded AZ31 Mg are measured under uniaxial (tension-compression) and multiaxial (free-end torsion) loadings. Compression loading is carried out in three different directions at temperature and strain rate ranges of 77-423 K and 10-4 -3000 s -1, respectively. Texture evolution at different intermediate strains reveals that crystal reorientation is exhausted at smaller strains with increase in strain rate while increase in temperature retards twinning. In addition to the well-known tension-compression yield asymmetry, a strong anisotropy in strain hardening response is observed. Strain hardening during the compression experiment is intensified with decreasing and increasing temperature and strain rate, respectively. This complex behavior is explained through understanding the roles of deformation mechanisms using the Visco-Plastic Self Consistent (VPSC) model. In order to calibrate the VPSC model's constants as accurate as possible, a vast number of mechanical responses including stress-strain curves in tension, compression in three directions, and free-end torsion, texture evolution at different strains, lateral strains of compression samples, twin volume fraction, and axial strain during the torsion experiment. Modeling results show that depending on the number of measurements used for calibration, roles of different mechanisms in plastic deformation change significantly. In addition, a precise definition of yield is established for the extruded AZ31magnesium alloy after it is subjected to different loading conditions (uniaxial to multiaxial) at four different plastic strains. The yield response is measured in ?-? space. Several yield criteria are studied to predict yield response of extruded AZ31. This study proposes an asymmetrical fourth-order polynomial yield function. Material constants in this model can be directly calculated using mechanical measurements. Convexity of the proposed model is discussed, and domains of constants where convexity holds are determined. Effects of grain refinement induced by Equal Channel Angular Pressing, ECAP, on mechanical responses and texture evolution are investigated. Yield strength in compression increases after ECAP, however, strain-hardening rate drops with number of ECAP passes while failure strain increases. Texture measurements reveal the higher propensity to twinning in the extruded material compared with ECAPed magnesium. Calculated Schmid factor maps are utilized to connect the observed mechanical responses to the texture.

Measurement-based evaluation of noncomposite steel girder bridges.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-02-01

The results from an experimental study into the behavior of noncomposite slab-on-steel girder bridges are presented. Two bridge : units were tested under increasing static loads beyond first yield of the girders with a flatbed trailer loaded with con...

Enhanced active liposomal loading of a poorly soluble ionizable drug using supersaturated drug solutions.

PubMed

Modi, Sweta; Xiang, Tian-Xiang; Anderson, Bradley D

2012-09-10

Nanoparticulate drug carriers such as liposomal drug delivery systems are of considerable interest in cancer therapy because of their ability to passively accumulate in solid tumors. For liposomes to have practical utility for antitumor therapy in patients, however, optimization of drug loading, retention, and release kinetics are necessary. Active loading is the preferred method for optimizing loading of ionizable drugs in liposomes as measured by drug-to-lipid ratios, but the extremely low aqueous solubilities of many anticancer drug candidates may limit the external driving force, thus slowing liposomal uptake during active loading. This report demonstrates the advantages of maintaining drug supersaturation during active loading. A novel method was developed for creating and maintaining supersaturation of a poorly soluble camptothecin analogue, AR-67 (7-t-butyldimethylsilyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin), using a low concentration of a cyclodextrin (sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin) to inhibit crystallization over a 48 h period. Active loading into liposomes containing high concentrations of entrapped sodium or calcium acetate was monitored using drug solutions at varying degrees of supersaturation. Liposomal uptake rates increased linearly with the degree of supersaturation of drug in the external loading solution. A mathematical model was developed to predict the rate and extent of drug loading versus time, taking into account the chemical equilibria inside and outside of the vesicles and the transport kinetics of various permeable species across the lipid bilayer and the dialysis membrane. Intraliposomal sink conditions were maintained by the high internal pH caused by the efflux of acetic acid and exchange with AR-67, which undergoes lactone ring-opening, ionization, and membrane binding in the interior of the vesicles. The highest drug to lipid ratio achieved was 0.17 from a supersaturated solution at a total drug concentration of 0.6 mg/ml. The rate and extent of loading was similar when a different intraliposomal metal cation (sodium) was used instead of calcium. The proposed method may have general application in overcoming the formulation challenges associated with the liposomal delivery of poorly soluble, ionizable anticancer agents. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

New York City green loading zones study.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-07-01

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact and potential benefits of Green Loading Zones (GLZs)a policy solution to incentivize further : electric truck adoption with the creation of curbside loading zones that are exclusively available to...

Groundwater pumping effects on contaminant loading management in agricultural regions.

PubMed

Park, Dong Kyu; Bae, Gwang-Ok; Kim, Seong-Kyun; Lee, Kang-Kun

2014-06-15

Groundwater pumping changes the behavior of subsurface water, including the location of the water table and characteristics of the flow system, and eventually affects the fate of contaminants, such as nitrate from agricultural fertilizers. The objectives of this study were to demonstrate the importance of considering the existing pumping conditions for contaminant loading management and to develop a management model to obtain a contaminant loading design more appropriate and practical for agricultural regions where groundwater pumping is common. Results from this study found that optimal designs for contaminant loading could be determined differently when the existing pumping conditions were considered. This study also showed that prediction of contamination and contaminant loading management without considering pumping activities might be unrealistic. Motivated by these results, a management model optimizing the permissible on-ground contaminant loading mass together with pumping rates was developed and applied to field investigation and monitoring data from Icheon, Korea. The analytical solution for 1-D unsaturated solute transport was integrated with the 3-D saturated solute transport model in order to approximate the fate of contaminants loaded periodically from on-ground sources. This model was further expanded to manage agricultural contaminant loading in regions where groundwater extraction tends to be concentrated in a specific period of time, such as during the rice-growing season, using a method that approximates contaminant leaching to a fluctuating water table. The results illustrated that the simultaneous management of groundwater quantity and quality was effective and appropriate to the agricultural contaminant loading management and the model developed in this study, which can consider time-variant pumping, could be used to accurately estimate and to reasonably manage contaminant loading in agricultural areas. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

University Engineering Design Challenge

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-01-02

strength its members provide. Trusses are common load - bearing structures, and are found in many modern-day applications due to their simple, strong, and...we ran simulations on was one of the member arms. We applied a bearing load on the surfaces of the holes on one side and tested it for static stress...73.24 ksi yield strength as shown figures 17 below. Figure 17: von Mises stress under static bearing load of 8750 lb. Under the static bearing load

Temporal Variability of Suspended Sediment Load, Dissolved Load, and Bedload for Two Small Oak Forested Catchments with Contrasting Disturbance Levels in the Lesser Himalaya of North-West India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qazi, N. U. Q.; Rai, S. P.; Bruijnzeel, L. A.

2014-12-01

Sediment transfer from mountainous areas to lowland areas is one of the most important geomorphological processes globally with the bulk of the sediment yield from such areas typically deriving from mass wastage processes. This study presents monthly, seasonal and annual variations in sediment transport (both suspended load and bed load) as well as dissolved loads over three consecutive water years (2008-2011) for two small forested watersheds with contrasting levels of forest disturbance in the Lesser Himalaya of Northwest India. Seasonal and annual suspended sediment yields were strongly influenced by amounts of rainfall and stream flow and showed a 23-fold range between wet and dry years. Of the annual load, some 92% was produced on average during the monsoon season (June-September). Sediment production by the disturbed forest catchment was 2.6-fold (suspended sediment) to 5.9-fold (bed load) higher than that for the well-stocked forest catchment. By contrast, dissolved loads varied much less between years, seasons (although minimal during the dry summer season), and degree of forest disturbance. Total mechanical denudation rates were 1.2 times and 4.7 times larger than chemical denudation rates for the little disturbed and the heavily disturbed forest catchment, respectively whereas overall denudation rates were estimated at 0.59 and 1.05 mm per 1000 years, respectively.

Semi-continuous anaerobic digestion of solid poultry slaughterhouse waste: effect of hydraulic retention time and loading.

PubMed

Salminen, Esa A; Rintala, Jukka A

2002-07-01

We studied the effect of hydraulic retention time (HRT) and loading on anaerobic digestion of poultry slaughterhouse wastes, using semi-continuously fed, laboratory-scale digesters at 31 degrees C. The effect on process performance was highly significant: Anaerobic digestion appeared feasible with a loading of up to 0.8 kg volatile solids (VS)/m3 d and an HRT of 50-100 days. The specific methane yield was high, from 0.52 to 0.55 m3/kg VS(added). On the other hand, at a higher loading, in the range from 1.0 to 2.1 kg VS/m3 d, and a shorter HRT, in the range from 25 to 13 days, the process appeared inhibited and/or overloaded, as indicated by the accumulation of volatile fatty acids and long-chain fatty acids and the decline in the methane yield. However, the inhibition was reversible. The nitrogen in the feed, ca. 7.8% of total solids (TS), was organic nitrogen with little ammonia present, whereas in the digested material ammonia accounted for 52-67% (up to 3.8 g/l) of total nitrogen. The TS and VS removals amounted to 76% and 64%, respectively. Our results show that on a continuous basis under the studied conditions and with a loading of up to 0.8 kg VS/m3 d metric ton (wet weight) of the studied waste mixture could yield up to 140 m3 of methane.

Benchmark solution for vibrations from a moving point source in a tunnel embedded in a half-space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Zonghao; Boström, Anders; Cai, Yuanqiang

2017-01-01

A closed-form semi-analytical solution for the vibrations due to a moving point load in a tunnel embedded in a half-space is given in this paper. The tunnel is modelled as an elastic hollow cylinder and the ground surrounding the tunnel as a linear viscoelastic material. The total wave field in the half-space with a cylindrical hole is represented by outgoing cylindrical waves and down-going plane waves. To apply the boundary conditions on the ground surface and at the tunnel-soil interface, the transformation properties between the plane and cylindrical wave functions are employed. The proposed solution can predict the ground vibration from an underground railway tunnel of circular cross-section with a reasonable computational effort and can serve as a benchmark solution for other computational methods. Numerical results for the ground vibrations on the free surface due to a moving constant load and a moving harmonic load applied at the tunnel invert are presented for different load velocities and excitation frequencies. It is found that Rayleigh waves play an important role in the ground vibrations from a shallow tunnel.

Integrated Software for Analyzing Designs of Launch Vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Philips, Alan D.

2003-01-01

Launch Vehicle Analysis Tool (LVA) is a computer program for preliminary design structural analysis of launch vehicles. Before LVA was developed, in order to analyze the structure of a launch vehicle, it was necessary to estimate its weight, feed this estimate into a program to obtain pre-launch and flight loads, then feed these loads into structural and thermal analysis programs to obtain a second weight estimate. If the first and second weight estimates differed, it was necessary to reiterate these analyses until the solution converged. This process generally took six to twelve person-months of effort. LVA incorporates text to structural layout converter, configuration drawing, mass properties generation, pre-launch and flight loads analysis, loads output plotting, direct solution structural analysis, and thermal analysis subprograms. These subprograms are integrated in LVA so that solutions can be iterated automatically. LVA incorporates expert-system software that makes fundamental design decisions without intervention by the user. It also includes unique algorithms based on extensive research. The total integration of analysis modules drastically reduces the need for interaction with the user. A typical solution can be obtained in 30 to 60 minutes. Subsequent runs can be done in less than two minutes.

Simulations of the vortex in the Dellenback abrupt expansion, resembling a hydro turbine draft tube operating at part-load

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nilsson, H.

2012-11-01

This work presents an OpenFOAM case-study, based on the experimental studies of the swirling flow in the abrupt expansion by Dellenback et al.[1]. The case yields similar flow conditions as those of a helical vortex rope in a hydro turbine draft tube working at part-load. The case-study is set up similar to the ERCOFTAC Conical Diffuser and Centrifugal Pump OpenFOAM case-studies [2,3], making all the files available and the results fully reproducable using OpenSource software. The mesh generation is done using m4 scripting and the OpenFOAM built-in blockMesh mesh generator. The swirling inlet boundary condition is specified as an axi-symmetric profile. The outlet boundary condition uses the zeroGradient condition for all variables except for the pressure, which uses the fixed mean value boundary condition. The wall static pressure is probed at a number of locations during the simulations, and post-processing of the time-averaged solution is done using the OpenFOAM sample utility. Gnuplot scripts are provided for plotting the results. The computational results are compared to one of the operating conditions studied by Dellenback, and measurements for all the experimentally studied operating conditions are available in the case-study. Results from five cases are here presented, based on the kEpsilon model, the kOmegaSST model, and a filtered version of the same kOmegaSST model, named kOmegaSSTF [4,5]. Two different inlet boundary conditions are evaluated. It is shown that kEpsilon and kOmegaSST give steady solutions, while kOmegaSSTF gives a highly unsteady solution. The time-averaged solution of the kOmegaSSTF model is much more accurate than the other models. The kEpsilon and kOmegaSST models are thus unable to accurately model the effect of the large-scale unsteadiness, while kOmegaSSTF resolves those scales and models only the smaller scales. The use of two different boundary conditions shows that the boundary conditions are more important than the choice between kEpsilon and kOmegaSST, for the results just after the abrupt expansion.

Corrosion and Corrosion-Fatigue Behavior of 7075 Aluminum Alloys Studied by In Situ X-Ray Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stannard, Tyler

7XXX Aluminum alloys have high strength to weight ratio and low cost. They are used in many critical structural applications including automotive and aerospace components. These applications frequently subject the alloys to static and cyclic loading in service. Additionally, the alloys are often subjected to aggressive corrosive environments such as saltwater spray. These chemical and mechanical exposures have been known to cause premature failure in critical applications. Hence, the microstructural behavior of the alloys under combined chemical attack and mechanical loading must be characterized further. Most studies to date have analyzed the microstructure of the 7XXX alloys using two dimensional (2D) techniques. While 2D studies yield valuable insights about the properties of the alloys, they do not provide sufficiently accurate results because the microstructure is three dimensional and hence its response to external stimuli is also three dimensional (3D). Relevant features of the alloys include the grains, subgrains, intermetallic inclusion particles, and intermetallic precipitate particles. The effects of microstructural features on corrosion pitting and corrosion fatigue of aluminum alloys has primarily been studied using 2D techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) surface analysis along with post-mortem SEM fracture surface analysis to estimate the corrosion pit size and fatigue crack initiation site. These studies often limited the corrosion-fatigue testing to samples in air or specialized solutions, because samples tested in NaCl solution typically have fracture surfaces covered in corrosion product. Recent technological advancements allow observation of the microstructure, corrosion and crack behavior of aluminum alloys in solution in three dimensions over time (4D). In situ synchrotron X-Ray microtomography was used to analyze the corrosion and cracking behavior of the alloy in four dimensions to elucidate crack initiation at corrosion pits for samples of multiple aging conditions and impurity concentrations. Additionally, chemical reactions between the 3.5 wt% NaCl solution and the crack surfaces were quantified by observing the evolution of hydrogen bubbles from the crack. The effects of the impurity particles and age-hardening particles on the corrosion and fatigue properties were examined in 4D.

Pretreating wheat straw by phosphoric acid plus hydrogen peroxide for enzymatic saccharification and ethanol production at high solid loading.

PubMed

Qiu, Jingwen; Ma, Lunjie; Shen, Fei; Yang, Gang; Zhang, Yanzong; Deng, Shihuai; Zhang, Jing; Zeng, Yongmei; Hu, Yaodong

2017-08-01

Wheat straw was pretreated by phosphoric acid plus hydrogen peroxide (PHP) for enzymatic hydrolysis and ethanol fermentation at high solid loadings. Results indicated solid loading could reach 20% with 77.4% cellulose-glucose conversion and glucose concentration of 164.9g/L in hydrolysate, it even was promoted to 25% with only 3.4% decrease on cellulose-glucose conversion as the pretreated-wheat straw was dewatered by air-drying. 72.9% cellulose-glucose conversion still was achieved as the minimized enzyme input of 20mg protein/g cellulose was employed for hydrolysis at 20% solid loading. In the corresponding conditions, 100g wheat straw can yield 11.2g ethanol with concentration of 71.2g/L by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation. Thus, PHP-pretreatment benefitted the glucose or ethanol yield at high solid loadings with lower enzyme input. Additionally, decreases on the maximal cellulase adsorption and the direct-orange/direct-blue indicated drying the PHP-pretreated substrates negatively affected the hydrolysis due to the shrinkage of cellulase-size-accommodable pores. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Skeletal Geometry and Indices of Bone Strength in Artistic Gymnasts

PubMed Central

Dowthwaite, Jodi N.; Scerpella, Tamara A.

2010-01-01

This review addresses bone geometry and indices of skeletal strength associated with exposure to gymnastic loading during growth. A brief background characterizes artistic gymnastics as a mechanical loading model and outlines densitometric techniques, skeletal outcomes and challenges in assessment of skeletal adaptation. The literature on bone geometric adaptation to gymnastic loading is sparse and consists of results for disparate skeletal sites, maturity phases, gender compositions and assessment methods, complicating synthesis of an overriding view. Furthermore, most studies assess only females, with little information on males and adults. Nonetheless, gymnastic loading during growth appears to yield significant enlargement of total and cortical bone geometry (+10 to 30%) and elevation of trabecular density (+20%) in the forearm, yielding elevated indices of skeletal strength (+20 to +50%). Other sites exhibit more moderate geometric and densitometric adaptations (5 to 15%). Mode of adaptation appears to be site-specific; some sites demonstrate marked periosteal and endosteal expansion, whereas other sites exhibit negligible or moderate periosteal expansion coupled with endocortical contraction. Further research is necessary to address sex-, maturity- and bone tissue-specific adaptation, as well as maintenance of benefits beyond loading cessation. PMID:19949278

Effect of amine functionalization of spherical MCM-41 and SBA-15 on controlled drug release

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

Szegedi, A., E-mail: szegedi@chemres.h; Popova, M.; Goshev, I.

2011-05-15

MCM-41 and SBA-15 silica materials with spherical morphology and different particle sizes were synthesized and modified by post-synthesis method with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). A comparative study of the adsorption and release of a model drug, ibuprofen, were carried out. The modified and drug loaded mesoporous materials were characterized by XRD, TEM, N{sub 2} physisorption, thermal analysis, elemental analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy. Surface modification with amino groups resulted in high degree of ibuprofen loading and slow rate of release for MCM-41, whereas it was the opposite for SBA-15. The adsorbed drug content and the delivery rate can be predetermined by the choicemore » of mesoporous material with the appropriate structural characteristics and surface functionality. -- Graphical Abstract: Ibuprofen delivery from the parent and amino-modified spherical MCM-41 materials with 100 nm (small) and 500 nm (large) particle sizes. Display Omitted Highlights: {yields} Spherical type MCM-41 and SBA-15 with different particle sizes were modified by APTES. {yields} Adsorption and release rate of ibuprofen were compared. {yields} High degree of ibuprofen loading, slow release rate for MCM-41, the opposite for SBA-15. {yields} MCM-41 with 100 nm particles was more stable and showed slower release rate« less

Analysis of three variables in sampling solutions used to assay bacteria of hands: type of solution, use of antiseptic neutralizers, and solution temperature.

PubMed Central

Larson, E L; Strom, M S; Evans, C A

1980-01-01

Tests were performed using the sterile bag technique to determine the effects of type of sampling solution, use of antiseptic neutralizers, and solution temperature on the detection and quantitation of bacteria on hands. Using paired hand cultures, three sampling solutions were compared: quarter-strength Ringer solution, a phosphate buffer containing Triton X-100, and the same buffer containing antiseptic neutralizers. The phosphate buffer containing Triton X-100 was significantly better than quarter-strength Ringer solution in mean bacterial yield; the neutralizer-containing sampling solution was slightly better than Triton X-100-containing solution, although differences were not significant at the P = 0.05 level. Temperature (6 or 23 degrees C) of the sampling solution showed no consistent effect on bacterial yield from hands tested with the fluid containing neutralizers. PMID:7012171

Using spatially detailed water-quality data and solute-transport modeling to improve support total maximum daily load development

USGS Publications Warehouse

Walton-Day, Katherine; Runkel, Robert L.; Kimball, Briant A.

2012-01-01

Spatially detailed mass-loading studies and solute-transport modeling using OTIS (One-dimensional Transport with Inflow and Storage) demonstrate how natural attenuation and loading from distinct and diffuse sources control stream water quality and affect load reductions predicted in total maximum daily loads (TMDLs). Mass-loading data collected during low-flow from Cement Creek (a low-pH, metal-rich stream because of natural and mining sources, and subject to TMDL requirements) were used to calibrate OTIS and showed spatially variable effects of natural attenuation (instream reactions) and loading from diffuse (groundwater) and distinct sources. OTIS simulations of the possible effects of TMDL-recommended remediation of mine sites showed less improvement to dissolved zinc load and concentration (14% decrease) than did the TMDL (53-63% decrease). The TMDL (1) assumed conservative transport, (2) accounted for loads removed by remediation by subtracting them from total load at the stream mouth, and (3) did not include diffuse-source loads. In OTIS, loads were reduced near their source; the resulting concentration was decreased by natural attenuation and increased by diffuse-source loads during downstream transport. Thus, by not including natural attenuation and loading from diffuse sources, the TMDL overestimated remediation effects at low flow. Use of the techniques presented herein could improve TMDLs by incorporating these processes during TMDL development.

Optimal Force Control of Vibro-Impact Systems for Autonomous Drilling Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aldrich, Jack B.; Okon, Avi B.

2012-01-01

The need to maintain optimal energy efficiency is critical during the drilling operations performed on future and current planetary rover missions (see figure). Specifically, this innovation seeks to solve the following problem. Given a spring-loaded percussive drill driven by a voice-coil motor, one needs to determine the optimal input voltage waveform (periodic function) and the optimal hammering period that minimizes the dissipated energy, while ensuring that the hammer-to-rock impacts are made with sufficient (user-defined) impact velocity (or impact energy). To solve this problem, it was first observed that when voice-coil-actuated percussive drills are driven at high power, it is of paramount importance to ensure that the electrical current of the device remains in phase with the velocity of the hammer. Otherwise, negative work is performed and the drill experiences a loss of performance (i.e., reduced impact energy) and an increase in Joule heating (i.e., reduction in energy efficiency). This observation has motivated many drilling products to incorporate the standard bang-bang control approach for driving their percussive drills. However, the bang-bang control approach is significantly less efficient than the optimal energy-efficient control approach solved herein. To obtain this solution, the standard tools of classical optimal control theory were applied. It is worth noting that these tools inherently require the solution of a two-point boundary value problem (TPBVP), i.e., a system of differential equations where half the equations have unknown boundary conditions. Typically, the TPBVP is impossible to solve analytically for high-dimensional dynamic systems. However, for the case of the spring-loaded vibro-impactor, this approach yields the exact optimal control solution as the sum of four analytic functions whose coefficients are determined using a simple, easy-to-implement algorithm. Once the optimal control waveform is determined, it can be used optimally in the context of both open-loop and closed-loop control modes (using standard realtime control hardware).

Organic Carbon Trends, Loads, and Yields to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, California, Water Years 1980 to 2000

USGS Publications Warehouse

Saleh, Dina K.; Domagalski, Joseph L.; Kratzer, Charles R.; Knifong, Donna L.

2003-01-01

Organic carbon, nutrient, and suspended sediment concentration data were analyzed for the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins for the period 1980-2000. The data were retrieved from three sources: the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water Information System, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Storage and Retrieval System, and the California Interagency Ecological Program's relational database. Twenty sites were selected, all of which had complete records of daily streamflow data. These data met the minimal requirements of the statistical programs used to estimate trends, loads, and yields. The seasonal Kendall program was used to estimate trends in organic carbon, nutrient, and suspended sediment. At all 20 sites, analyses showed that in the 145 analyses for the seven constituents, 95 percent of the analyses had no significant trend. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations were significant only for four sites: the American River at Sacramento, the Sacramento River sites near Freeport, Orestimba Creek at River Roads near Crows Landing, and the San Joaquin River near Vernalis. Loads were calculated using two programs, ESTIMATOR and LOADEST2. The 1998 water year was selected to describe loads in the Sacramento River Basin. Organic carbon, nutrient, and suspended sediment loads at the Sacramento River sites near Freeport included transported loads from two main upstream sites: the Sacramento River at Verona and the American River at Sacramento. Loads in the Sacramento River Basin were affected by the amount of water diverted to the Yolo Bypass (the amount varies annually, depending on the precipitation and streamflow). Loads at the Sacramento River sites near Freeport were analyzed for two hydrologic seasons: the irrigation season (April to September) and the nonirrigation season (October to March). DOC loads are lower during the irrigation season then they are during the nonirrigation season. During the irrigation season, water with low concentrations of DOC is released from reservoirs and used for irrigation. On the other hand, during the nonirrigation season, streamflow results from surface water runoff and has higher concentrations of organic carbon, nutrients, and suspended sediment. The 1986 and 1987 water years were selected to describe loads in the San Joaquin River Basin. Organic carbon, nutrient, and suspended sediment loads in the San Joaquin River near Vernalis included transported loads from upstream sites, such as the Mud and Salt Sloughs, the Merced River at River Roads Bridge near Newman, the Tuolumne River at Modesto, and the Stanislaus River at Ripon. Loads at the San Joaquin River near Vernalis also were analyzed for the two seasons. The DOC load for the San Joaquin River at Vernalis is slightly higher during the irrigation season. Yields were calculated in an attempt to rank the subbasins in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. Five sites delivered streamflow from agricultural and urban sources that had relatively high yields of organic carbon: Sacramento Slough near Knights Landing, Arcade Creek near Del Paso Heights, Salt Slough, Mud Slough, and Colusa Basin Drain at Road 99E near Knights Landing.

Response of reinforced concrete and corrugated steel pipes to surface load

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lay, Geoff R.

Full-scale simulated live load tests were conducted in a controlled laboratory setting using a single-axle frame on 600-mm-inner-diameter reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) and corrugated steel pipe (CSP) when buried in dense, well-graded sand and gravel. Measurements of the RCP at nominal and working forces and beyond are reported for 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 m of soil cover above the pipe crown. The RCP experienced no cracking when buried at 0.3 m under nominal and working CL-625 and CL-800 single-axle design loads. At these loads, the vertical contraction of the pipe diameter was less than 0.08 and 0.10 mm and the largest tensile strains in the pipe were 75 and 100 muepsilon (50-60% of the cracking strain), respectively. A 0.15 (+/-0.05)-mm-wide axial crack developed at the inner crown in the presence of a 6 kNm/m circumferential bending moment (70% of the theoretical ultimate moment capacity) at the fully factored CL-625 load. This crack did not propagate or widen from 3 series of cyclic load-unload tests. At 1300 kN of applied load the change in pipe diameter was less than 3.5 mm. Increasing soil cover from 0.3 to 0.6 to 0.9 m reduced the circumferential crown bending moment from 6.0 to 3.9 to 2.1 kNm/m, respectively, at 400 kN of axle load. A 1.6- and a 2.8-mm-thick CSP were also subjected to axle loading. No yielding or limit states occurred in the 1.6-mm-thick CSP when buried 0.9-m-deep. However, at 0.6 m of cover a 300 kN axle load caused local yielding at the pipe crown. Increasing soil cover from 0.6 to 0.9 m decreased the vertical diameter change from -3.0 to -1.2 mm and the crown bending moment from 0.7 to 0.2 kNm/m (75% and 20% of the yield moment), respectively, at a 250 kN axle load. Deflections of the thicker CSP were less than the thinner pipe below the CL-625 single-axle load, however further increases in applied load produced a greater response in the thicker pipe, likely due to a haunch support issue. Shallow axle loading produced a greater 3-dimensional response and a larger bending effect in both CSPs.

Low-damage direct patterning of silicon oxide mask by mechanical processing

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

To realize the nanofabrication of silicon surfaces using atomic force microscopy (AFM), we investigated the etching of mechanically processed oxide masks using potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution. The dependence of the KOH solution etching rate on the load and scanning density of the mechanical pre-processing was evaluated. Particular load ranges were found to increase the etching rate, and the silicon etching rate also increased with removal of the natural oxide layer by diamond tip sliding. In contrast, the local oxide pattern formed (due to mechanochemical reaction of the silicon) by tip sliding at higher load was found to have higher etching resistance than that of unprocessed areas. The profile changes caused by the etching of the mechanically pre-processed areas with the KOH solution were also investigated. First, protuberances were processed by diamond tip sliding at lower and higher stresses than that of the shearing strength. Mechanical processing at low load and scanning density to remove the natural oxide layer was then performed. The KOH solution selectively etched the low load and scanning density processed area first and then etched the unprocessed silicon area. In contrast, the protuberances pre-processed at higher load were hardly etched. The etching resistance of plastic deformed layers was decreased, and their etching rate was increased because of surface damage induced by the pre-processing. These results show that etching depth can be controlled by controlling the etching time through natural oxide layer removal and mechanochemical oxide layer formation. These oxide layer removal and formation processes can be exploited to realize low-damage mask patterns. PMID:24948891

MODELING UNCERTAINTY OF RUNOFF AND SEDIMENT YIELD IN TWO EXPERIMENTAL WATERSHEDS

EPA Science Inventory

Sediment loading from agriculture is adversely impacting surface water quality and ecological conditions. In this regard, the use of distributed hydrologic models has gained acceptance in management of soil erosion and sediment yield from agricultural watersheds. Soil infiltrati...

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

Mabe, Andrew N.; Glenn, Andrew M.; Carman, M. Leslie

Transparent plastic scintillators with pulse shape discrimination containing 6Li salicylate have been synthesized by bulk polymerization with a maximum 6Li loading of 0.40 wt%. Photoluminescence and scintillation responses to gamma-rays and neutrons are reported in this paper. Plastics containing 6Li salicylate exhibit higher light yields and permit a higher loading of 6Li as compared to previously reported plastics based on lithium 3-phenylsalicylate. However, pulse shape discrimination performance is reduced in lithium salicylate plastics due to the requirement of adding more nonaromatic monomers to the polymer matrix as compared to those based on lithium 3-phenylsalicylate. Finally, reduction in light yield andmore » pulse shape discrimination performance in lithium-loaded plastics as compared to pulse shape discrimination plastics without lithium is interpreted in terms of energy transfer interference by the aromatic lithium salts.« less

Multistage leaching of metals from spent lithium ion battery waste using electrochemically generated acidic lixiviant.

PubMed

Boxall, N J; Adamek, N; Cheng, K Y; Haque, N; Bruckard, W; Kaksonen, A H

2018-04-01

Lithium ion battery (LIB) waste contains significant valuable resources that could be recovered and reused to manufacture new products. This study aimed to develop an alternative process for extracting metals from LIB waste using acidic solutions generated by electrolysis for leaching. Results showed that solutions generated by electrolysis of 0.5 M NaCl at 8 V with graphite or mixed metal oxide (MMO) electrodes were weakly acidic and leach yields obtained under single stage (batch) leaching were poor (<10%). This was due to the highly acid-consuming nature of the battery waste. Multistage leaching with the graphite electrolyte solution improved leach yields overall, but the electrodes corroded over time. Though yields obtained with both electrolyte leach solutions were low when compared to the 4 M HCl control, there still remains potential to optimise the conditions for the generation of the acidic anolyte solution and the solubilisation of valuable metals from the LIB waste. A preliminary value proposition indicated that the process has the potential to be economically feasible if leach yields can be improved, especially based on the value of recoverable cobalt and lithium. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Porous Chromatographic Materials as Substrates for Preparing Synthetic Nuclear Explosion Debris Particles

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

Harvey, Scott D.; Liezers, Martin; Antolick, Kathryn C.

2013-06-13

In this study, we investigated several porous chromatographic materials as synthetic substrates for preparing surrogate nuclear explosion debris particles. The resulting synthetic debris materials are of interest for use in developing analytical methods. Eighteen metals, including some of forensic interest, were loaded onto materials by immersing them in metal solutions (556 mg/L of each metal) to fill the pores, applying gentle heat (110°C) to drive off water, and then treating them at high temperatures (up to 800°C) in air to form less soluble metal species. High-boiling-point metals were uniformly loaded on spherical controlled-pore glass to emulate early fallout, whereas low-boiling-pointmore » metals were loaded on core-shell silica to represent coated particles formed later in the nuclear fallout-formation process. Analytical studies were applied to characterize solubility, material balance, and formation of recalcitrant species. Dissolution experiments indicated loading was 1.5 to 3 times higher than expected from the pore volume alone, a result attributed to surface coating. Analysis of load solutions before and after filling the material pores revealed that most metals were passively loaded; that is, solutions filled the pores without active metal discrimination. However, niobium and tin concentrations were lower in solutions after pore filling, and were found in elevated concentrations in the final products, indicating some metals were selectively loaded. High-temperature treatments caused reduced solubility of several metal species, and loss of some metals (rhenium and tellurium) because volatile species were formed. Sample preparation reproducibility was high (the inter-batch relative standard deviation was 7.8%, and the intra-batch relative standard deviation was 0.84%) indicating that this material is suitable for use as a working standard for analytical methods development. We anticipate future standardized radionuclide-loaded materials will find use in radioanalytical methods development and/or serve as a starting material for the synthesis of more complex forms of nuclear explosion debris (e.g., Trinitite).« less

Extended Ciprofloxacin Release Using Vitamin E Diffusion Barrier From Commercial Silicone-Based Soft Contact Lenses.

PubMed

Shayani Rad, Maryam; Mohajeri, Seyed Ahmad

2017-03-01

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) is an antibiotic, widely used in form of ophthalmic drops (0.3%) for the treatment of eye infections. In this study, vitamin E was used as a hydrophobic barrier to improve and prolong the amount and time of Cipro release from silicone-based soft contact lenses. Three different commercial contact lenses (Air Optix, Biofinity, and Acuvue Oasys) were soaked in vitamin E solutions (0.1 and 0.2 g/mL). The effect of vitamin E on Cipro loading amount and drug releasing profile was evaluated in artificial tear. Swelling properties and diameter changes of the lenses were also investigated in aqueous media in presence and absence of vitamin E. The data indicated that vitamin E, as a hydrophobic barrier, significantly decreased the water content of silicone-based soft contact lenses. After vitamin E loading, a 5% to 18% increase was observed in lens diameter in the hydrated state, whereas the lens diameter increased by 11% to 23% in the dry state. In all commercial lenses, vitamin E loading in a 0.2-g/mL solution caused a 27.94% to 37.08% increase in Cipro binding. The results indicated that applying vitamin E loading solutions, with 0.1 and 0.2 g/mL concentrations, could effectively enhance Cipro release time from 2 hr (in a pure non-vitamin E-loaded lens) to 14 to 17 and 30 to 33 days, respectively. These values showed an increase by a factor of 168 to 204 and 360 to 396 in Cipro release time after using vitamin E loading solutions with 0.1 and 0.2 g/mL concentrations, respectively, compared with pure non-vitamin E-loaded soft contact lenses. This study indicated that vitamin E acts as an effective hydrophobic barrier, in increasing the Cipro loading capacity of silicone-based contact lenses and prolonging the drug release into the artificial tear.

[Anaerobic co-digestion of corn stalk and vermicompost].

PubMed

Chen, Guang-yin; Zheng, Zheng; Zou, Xing-xing; Fang, Cai-xia; Luo, Yan

2010-02-01

The characteristics of corn stalk digested alone at different total solid (TS) loading rates and co-digestion of various proportions of corn stalk and vermicompost were investigated by batch model at 35 degrees C +/- 1 degrees C. The organic loading rates (OLRs) studied were in the range of 1.2%-6.0% TS and increasing proportions of vermicompost from 20% to 80% TS. A maximum methane yield of corn stalk digested alone was 217.60 mL/g obtained at the TS loading rate of 4.8%. However, when the TS loading rate was 6.0%, the anaerobic system was acidified and the lowest pH value was 5.10 obtained on day 4 and the biogas productivity decreased. Furthermore, co-digestion of vermicompost and corn stalk in varying proportions were investigated at constant of 6.0% TS. Co-digestion with vermicompost improved the biodegradability of corn stalk and the methane yield was improved by 4.42%-58.61%, and led to higher pH values, higher volatile fatty acids (VFAs) concentration and lower alkalinity content compared with corn stalk digested alone. The maximum biogas yield and methane yield of 410.30 mL/g and 259. 35 mL/g were obtained for 40% vermicompost and 60% corn stalk respectively. Compared with corn stalk digested alone, co-digested with vermicompost didn' t affect methane content and the fermentation type, but promoted the destruction of crystalline of cellulose and the highest destruction rate was 29.36% for 40% vermicompost and 60% corn stalk. Therefore, adding vermicompost was beneficial for the decomposition and increasing the biotransformation rate of corn stalk.

Evolution of ion emission yield of alloys with the nature of the solute. 2: Interpretation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blaise, G.; Slodzian, G.

1977-01-01

Solid solutions of transition elements in copper, nickel, cobalt, iron, and aluminum matrices were analyzed by observing secondary ion emissions under bombardment with 6.2-keV argon ions. Enchancement of the production of solute-element ions was observed. An ion emission model is proposed according to which the ion yield is governed by the probability of an atom leaving the metal in a preionized state. The energy distribution of the valence electrons of the solute atoms is the bases of the probability calculation.

The effects of digestion temperature and temperature shock on the biogas yields from the mesophilic anaerobic digestion of swine manure.

PubMed

Chae, K J; Jang, Am; Yim, S K; Kim, In S

2008-01-01

In order to obtain basic design criteria for anaerobic digesters of swine manure, the effects of different digesting temperatures, temperature shocks and feed loads, on the biogas yields and methane content were evaluated. The digester temperatures were set at 25, 30 and 35 degrees C, with four feed loads of 5%, 10%, 20% and 40% (feed volume/digester volume). At a temperature of 30 degrees C, the methane yield was reduced by only 3% compared to 35 degrees C, while a 17.4% reduction was observed when the digestion was performed at 25 degrees C. Ultimate methane yields of 327, 389 and 403 mL CH(4)/g VS(added) were obtained at 25, 30 and 35 degrees C, respectively; with moderate feed loads from 5% to 20% (V/V). From the elemental analysis of swine manure, the theoretical biogas and methane yields at standard temperature and pressure were 1.12L biogas/g VS(destroyed) and 0.724 L CH(4)/g VS(destroyed), respectively. Also, the methane content increased with increasing digestion temperatures, but only to a small degree. Temperature shocks from 35 to 30 degrees C and again from 30 to 32 degrees C led to a decrease in the biogas production rate, but it rapidly resumed the value of the control reactor. In addition, no lasting damage was observed for the digestion performance, once it had recovered.

Continuous fluidized-bed contactor with recycle of sorbent

DOEpatents

Scott, Charles D.; Petersen, James N.; Davison, Brian H.

1996-01-01

A continuous fluidized-bed contactor containing sorbent particles is used to remove solutes from liquid solvents. As the sorbent particles, for example gel beads, sorb the solute, for example metal ion species, the sorbent particles tend to decrease in diameter. These smaller loaded sorbent particles rise to the top of the contactor, as larger sorbent particles remain at the bottom of the contactor as a result of normal hydraulic forces. The smaller loaded sorbent particles are then recovered, regenerated, and reintroduced into the contactor. Alternatively, the loaded sorbent particles may also slightly increase in diameter, or exhibit no change in diameter but an increase in density. As a result of normal hydraulic forces the larger loaded sorbent particles fall to the bottom of the contactor. The larger loaded sorbent particles are then recovered, regenerated, and reintroduced into the contactor.

Continuous fluidized-bed contactor with recycle of sorbent

DOEpatents

Scott, C.D.; Petersen, J.N.; Davison, B.H.

1996-07-09

A continuous fluidized-bed contactor containing sorbent particles is used to remove solutes from liquid solvents. As the sorbent particles, for example gel beads, sorb the solute, for example metal ion species, the sorbent particles tend to decrease in diameter. These smaller loaded sorbent particles rise to the top of the contactor, and larger sorbent particles remain at the bottom of the contactor as a result of normal hydraulic forces. The smaller loaded sorbent particles are then recovered, regenerated, and reintroduced into the contactor. Alternatively, the loaded sorbent particles may also slightly increase in diameter, or exhibit no change in diameter but an increase in density. As a result of normal hydraulic forces the larger loaded sorbent particles fall to the bottom of the contactor. The larger loaded sorbent particles are then recovered, regenerated, and reintroduced into the contactor. 8 figs.

Genetic variants associated with susceptibility to psychosis in late-onset Alzheimer's disease families.

PubMed

Barral, Sandra; Vardarajan, Badri N; Reyes-Dumeyer, Dolly; Faber, Kelley M; Bird, Thomas D; Tsuang, Debby; Bennett, David A; Rosenberg, Roger; Boeve, Bradley F; Graff-Radford, Neill R; Goate, Alison M; Farlow, Martin; Lantigua, Rafael; Medrano, Martin Z; Wang, Xinbing; Kamboh, M Ilyas; Barmada, Mahmud Muhiedine; Schaid, Daniel J; Foroud, Tatiana M; Weamer, Elise A; Ottman, Ruth; Sweet, Robert A; Mayeux, Richard

2015-11-01

Psychotic symptoms are frequent in late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) patients. Although the risk for psychosis in LOAD is genetically mediated, no genes have been identified. To identify loci potentially containing genetic variants associated with risk of psychosis in LOAD, a total of 263 families from the National Institute of Aging-LOAD cohort were classified into psychotic (LOAD+P, n = 215) and nonpsychotic (LOAD-P, n = 48) families based on the presence/absence of psychosis during the course of LOAD. The LOAD+P families yielded strong evidence of linkage on chromosome 19q13 (two-point [2-pt] ​logarithm of odds [LOD] = 3.8, rs2285513 and multipoint LOD = 2.7, rs541169). Joint linkage and association in 19q13 region detected strong association with rs2945988 (p = 8.7 × 10(-7)). Linkage results for the LOAD-P families yielded nonsignificant 19q13 LOD scores. Several 19q13 single-nucleotide polymorphisms generalized the association of LOAD+P in a Caribbean Hispanic (CH) cohort, and the strongest signal was rs10410711 (pmeta = 5.1 × 10(-5)). A variant located 24 kb upstream of rs10410711 and rs10421862 was strongly associated with LOAD+P (pmeta = 1.0 × 10(-5)) in a meta-analysis of the CH cohort and an additional non-Hispanic Caucasian dataset. Identified variants rs2945988 and rs10421862 affect brain gene expression levels. Our results suggest that genetic variants in genes on 19q13, some of which are involved in brain development and neurodegeneration, may influence the susceptibility to psychosis in LOAD patients. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Investigation of Poultry Waste for Anaerobic Digestion: A Case Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salam, Christopher R.

Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is a biological conversion technology which is being used to produce bioenergy all over the world. This energy is created from biological feedstocks, and can often use waste products from various food and agricultural processors. Biogas from AD can be used as a fuel for heating or for co-generation of electricity and heat and is a renewable substitute to using fossil fuels. Nutrient recycling and waste reduction are additional benefits, creating a final product that can be used as a fertilizer in addition to energy benefits. This project was conducted to investigate the viability of three turkey production wastes as AD feedstock: two turkey litters and a material separated from the turkey processing wastewater using dissolved air flotation (DAF) process. The DAF waste contained greases, oils and other non-commodity portions of the turkey. Using a variety of different process methods, types of bacteria, loading rates and food-to-microorganism ratios, optimal loading rates for the digestion of these three materials were obtained. In addition, the co-digestion of these materials revealed additional energy benefits. In this study, batch digestion tests were carried out to treat these three feedstocks, using mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria, using loading rates of 3 and 6 gVS/L They were tested separately and also as a mixture for co-digestion. The batch reactor used in this study had total and working volumes of 1130 mL and 500 mL, respectively. The initial organic loading was set to be 3 gVS/L, and the food to microorganism ratio was either 0.6 or 1.0 for different treatments based on the characteristics of each material. Only thermophilic (50 +/- 2ºC) temperatures were tested for the litter and DAF wastes in continuous digestion, but mesophilic and thermophilic batch digestion experiments were conducted. The optimum digestion time for all experiments was 14 days. The biogas yields of top litter, mixed litter, and DAF waste under mesophilic batch conditions all at 3 gVS/L loading were determined to be 148.6 +/- 7.82, 176.5 +/- 11.1 and 542.0 +/- 37.9 mL/ gVS, respectively and were 201.9 +/- 10.0, 210.4 +/- 29.3, and 419.3 +/- 12.1 mL/gVS, respectively, for initial loading of 6 gVS/L. Under thermophilic batch conditions, the top litter, mixed litter, and DAF waste had the biogas yields of 255.3 +/- 7.9, 313.4 +/- 30.1and 297.4 +/- 33.8 mL/gVS for loading rate of 3 gVS/L and 233.8 +/- 45.3, 306.5 +/- 11.8 and 185.1 +/- 0.85 mL/gVS for loading rate of 6 gVS/L. The biogas yields from co-digestion of the mixed litter and DAF waste at 3 gVS/L were 461.8 +/- 41.3 mL/gVS under thermophilic conditions. The results from batch anaerobic digestion tests were then used for designing continuous digestion experiments. All the continuous digestion experiments were conducted by using an Anaerobic Phase Solids (APS) digester system operated at a thermophilic temperature. The total volume of the continuous digester system was 4.8 L and the working volume was around 4.4 L. The APS digester system had two hydrolysis reactors and one biogasification reactor. Feedstock was loaded into the hydrolysis reactors in batches. The feedstock digestion time was 14 days and the average organic loading rate (OLR) of the system was 3 gVS/L/day. The experiment has three distinct feedstock stages, first with turkey litter waste, a co-digestion of DAF and turkey litter waste, followed by DAF waste. The biogas yields were determined to be 305.2 +/- 70.6 mL/gVS/d for turkey mixed litter, 455.8 +/- 77.2 mL/gVS/d during the mixture of mixed litter and DAF waste, and 382.0 +/- 39.6 mL/gVS for DAF waste. The biogas yields from the thermophilic batch test yields compare with that of the continuous digester yields. For experiments utilizing turkey litter, batch tests yielded 313.4 +/- 30.1mL/gVS biogas and 305.2 +/- 70.6 mL/gVS/d for continuous experiments. For experiments using codigestion of turkey litter and DAF waste, batches yielded 461.8 +/- 41.3 mL/gVS biogas comparing well to continuous digester operation that yielded 455.8 +/- 77.2 mL/gVS/d. It was mainly in the case for DAF that batch vs. continuous digester testing yielded a significant difference in performance. For experiments using DAF waste, batches yielded 297.4 +/- 33.8 mL/gVS biogas and continuous digester operation yielded 455.8 +/- 77.2 mL/gVS/d. For a case study on the APS digester system, mesophilic DAF waste was chosen as the optimum substrate. Using this material and reactor condition, a case study was built using provided information and experimental results to build a simulation. A reactor site needed to process 11,800 kgVS of DAF waste would require 4,800 m3 of tank volume, and use nearly 4,000 m3 as working volume. This reactor was modeled after a 2 stage APS reactor, with 2 hydrolysis reactors and 1 biogasification reactor, and had a 14 day retention time and a 3 gVS/L/d organic loading rate. The expected biogas output was 550 mL/gVS, and expected waste reduction was 20%. The reactor would produce 7,113 m3/d of biogas, and would be burned for 127,223 MJ/d.

Simple new method for effective concentration of 188Re solutions from alumina-based 188W-188Re generator.

PubMed

Guhlke, S; Beets, A L; Oetjen, K; Mirzadeh, S; Biersack, H J; Knapp, F F

2000-07-01

(188)Re is a useful generator-produced radioisotope currently under evaluation for a variety of therapeutic applications, including bone pain palliation and intravascular radiation therapy. Because the (188)W parent is available only in a relatively low specific activity (<0.15-0.19 GBq/mg) from reactor irradiation of enriched (186)W, relatively large volumes of 0.9% saline (>15 mL) are required for elution of the (188)Re daughter from traditional alumina-based (188)W-(188)Re generators. Because these large bolus volumes result in solutions with a relatively low specific volume activity of (188)Re (<1 GBq/mL for the 18.5-GBq generator), the availability of effective methods for eluent concentration is important. Our new approach is based on the use of 0.3 mol/L ammonium acetate as a representative salt of a weak acid instead of saline for generator elution. After generator elution, the ammonium acetate generator eluent (15-20 mL) is passed through a tandem IC-H Plus cation (Dowex-H)-anion (QMA Light) column system. Exchange of ammonium cations with hydrogen ions on the cation column forms an acetic acid solution containing perrhenate anions from which the macroscopic levels of the acetate anion of the eluent have been effectively removed. Because perrhenic acid is fully dissociated at this pH, the QMA Light column specifically traps the (188)Re-perrhenate, which is subsequently eluted with a low volume (<1 mL) of saline. Concentration ratios greater than 20:1 are readily achieved with this method. A typical clinical-scale generator loaded with 19.2 GBq (188)W was used to validate the approach. Saline elution provided (188)Re in a 75%-80% yield. Although elution with 0.15 mol/L NH4OAc gave lower yields (55%-60%), use of 0.3 mol/L NH4OAc provided yields comparable with those of saline (70%-75%). (188)W parent breakthrough was not detected after passage of the bolus through the tandem concentration system. Bolus volumes of 15-20 mL, which initially contained as much as 11.1-14.8 GBq (188)Re, were readily concentrated to less than 1 mL saline using QMA Light cartridges. The generator was evaluated for more than 3 mo with no decrease in performance. This approach represents a simple, rapid, and effective method using inexpensive disposable components of concentrating solutions of (188)Re for preparation of therapeutic agents.

Piezoelectric energy harvester under parquet floor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bischur, E.; Schwesinger, N.

2011-03-01

The design, fabrication and testing of piezoelectric energy harvesting modules for floors is described. These modules are used beneath a parquet floor to harvest the energy of people walking over it. The harvesting modules consist of monoaxial stretched PVDF-foils. Multilayer modules are built up as roller-type capacitors. The fabrication process of the harvesting modules is simple and very suitable for mass production. Due to the use of organic polymers, the modules are characterized by a great flexibility and the possibility to create them in almost any geometrical size. The energy yield was determined depending on the dynamic loading force, the thickness of piezoelectric active material, the size of the piezoelectric modules, their alignment in the walking direction and their position on the floor. An increase of the energy yield at higher loading forces and higher thicknesses of the modules was observed. It was possible to generate up to 2.1mWs of electric energy with dynamic loads of 70kg using a specific module design. Furthermore a test floor was assembled to determine the influence of the size, alignment and position of the modules on the energy yield.

Overview for Design and Construction of Drilled Shafts in Cohesive Soils.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-08-01

water flowing around supporting columns of bridges. Methods for determining the lateral load -deflection behavior of drilled shafts are based on solutions...PROCEDURES. ..... ............... 22 Axial Load Behavior of Single Shafts .... ......... 22 Lateral Load Behavior of Single Shafts .... ........ 54 Load ...on the shaft (Patey 1977, Claessen and Horvat 1974). Large-diameter shafts can be more easily constructed to resist lateral loads than driven piles or

The effect of yield strength and ductility to fatigue damage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yeh, H. Y.

1973-01-01

The cumulative damage of aluminium alloys with different yield strength and various ductility due to seismic loads was studied. The responses of an idealized beam with a centered mass at one end and fixed at the other end to El Centro's and Taft's earthquakes are computed by assuming that the alloys are perfectly elastoplastic materials and by using numerical technique. Consequently, the corresponding residual plastic strain can be obtained from the stress-strain relationship. The revised Palmgren-Miner cumulative damage theorem is utilized to calculate the fatigue damage. The numerical results show that in certain cases, the high ductility materials are more resistant to seismic loads than the high yield strength materials. The results also show that if a structure collapse during the earthquake, the collapse always occurs in the very early stage.

Occurrence, distribution, and transport of nutrients in Eastern Iowa Rivers

USGS Publications Warehouse

Becher, Kent D.

2001-01-01

Total nitrogen loads contributed to the Mississippi River from the Eastern Iowa Basins during 1996, 1997, and 1998 were 97,000, 120,000, and 230,000 metric tons respectively. Total phosphorus loads contributed to the Mississippi River from the Eastern Iowa Basins during 1996, 1997, and 1998 were 6,900, 4,600, and 8,800 metric tons, respectively. The highest nitrogen and phosphorus yields typically occurred in streams draining small watersheds that were dominated by a single land use and geology. Sampling sites located in drainage basins with higher row-crop percentage typically had higher nitrogen and phosphorus yields. Sites that were located in the Des Moines Lobe and the Southern Iowa Drift Plain typically had higher phosphorus yields probably due to more erodible soils and steeper slopes.

FURFURAL YIELD AND DECOMPOSITION IN SODIUM 2,4DIMETHYLBENZENESULFONATE--SULFURIC ACID--WATER SOLUTIONS.

DTIC Science & Technology

Batch-type microreactors (about 1/40 milliliter of reactants) were used to measure furfural yields from acidified xylose solutions containing sodium...It was found that presence of the salt did not affect the quantity of furfural produced, but greatly increased the rate of formation. The regular...increase in rate of furfural formation was directly related to the increase in the rate xylose decomposition, and furfural yields for all salt and acid

Assessment of total nitrogen in the upper Connecticut River basin in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts, December 2002-September 2005

USGS Publications Warehouse

Deacon, Jeffrey R.; Smith, Thor E.; Johnston, Craig M.; Moore, Richard B.; Blake, Laura J.; Weidman, Rebecca M.

2006-01-01

A study of total nitrogen concentrations and loads was conducted from December 2002 to September 2005 at 13 river sites in the upper Connecticut River Basin. Ten sites were selected to represent contributions of nitrogen from forested, agricultural, and urban land. Three sites were distributed spatially on the main stem of the Connecticut River to assess the cumulative total nitrogen loads. To further improve the understanding of the sources and concentrations and loads of total nitrogen in the upper Connecticut River Basin, ambient surface water-quality sampling was supplemented with sampling of effluent from 19 municipal and paper mill wastewater-treatment facilities. Mean concentrations of total nitrogen ranged from 0.19 to 2.8 milligrams per liter (mg/L) at river sampling sites. Instantaneous mean loads of total nitrogen ranged from 162 to 58,300 pounds per day (lb/d). Estimated mean annual loads of total nitrogen ranged from 49,100 to 21.6 million pounds per year (lb/yr) with about 30 to 55 percent of the loads being transported during the spring. The estimated mean annual yields of total nitrogen ranged from 1,190 to 7,300 pounds per square mile per year (lb/mi2)/yr. Mean concentrations of total nitrogen ranged from 4.4 to 30 mg/L at wastewater-treatment sampling sites. Instantaneous mean loads of total nitrogen from municipal wastewater-treatment facilities ranged from 36 to 1,780 lb/d. Instantaneous mean loads of total nitrogen from paper mill wastewater-treatment facilities ranged from 96 to 160 lb/d. The median concentration of total nitrogen was 0.24 mg/L at forested sites, 0.48 mg/L at agricultural sites, 0.54 mg/L at urban sites, 0.48 mg/L at main-stem sites, and 14 mg/L at wastewater-treatment sites. Concentrations of total nitrogen at forested sites were significantly less than at all other site types (p0.05) but were significantly greater (p<0.05) than at forested sites and significantly less than concentrations at wastewater-treatment sites (p<0.05). Total nitrogen concentrations at wastewater-treatment sites were significantly different from all other site types (p<0.05). Annual yields of total nitrogen ranged from 732 to 1,920 (lb/mi2)/yr at forested sites; 1,550 to 2,980 (lb/mi2)/yr at agricultural sites; 1,280 to 1,860 (lb/mi2)/yr at urban sites that were not directly affected by wastewater effluent; 7,090 to 7,770 (lb/mi2)/yr at an urban site directly affected by wastewater effluent; and 1,300 to 2,390 (lb/mi2)/yr at main-stem sites. In this study, the mean annual load and yield of total nitrogen at the Connecticut River at Wells River, VT, was estimated at 4.47 million lb/yr and 1,690 (lb/mi2)/yr, respectively. The mean annual load and yield of total nitrogen at the Connecticut River at North Walpole, NH, was estimated at 9.60 million lb/yr and 1,750 (lb/mi2)/yr, respectively. The mean annual load and yield of total nitrogen leaving the upper Connecticut River Basin, as estimated at the Connecticut River at Thompsonville, CT, was 21.6 million lb/yr and 2,230 (lb/mi2)/yr, respectively.

Estimated loads and yields of suspended soils and water-quality constituents in Kentucky streams

USGS Publications Warehouse

Crain, Angela S.

2001-01-01

Loads and yields of suspended solids, nutrients, major ions, trace elements, organic carbon, fecal coliform, dissolved oxygen, and alkalinity were estimated for 22 streams in 11 major river basins in Kentucky. Mean daily discharge was estimated at ungaged stations or stations with incomplete discharge records using drainage-area ratio, regression analysis, or a combination of the two techniques. Streamflow was partitioned into total and base flow and used to estimate loads and yields for suspended solids and water-quality constituents by use of the ESTIMATOR and FLUX computer programs. The relative magnitude of constituent transport to streams from groundand surface-water sources was determined for the 22 stations. Nutrient and suspended solids yields for drainage basins with relatively homogenous land use were used to estimate the total-flow and base-flow yields of nutrient and suspended solids for forested, agricultural, and urban land. Yields of nutrients?nitrite plus nitrate, ammonia plus organic nitrogen, and total phosphorus?in forested drainage basins were generally less than 1 ton per square mile per year ((ton/mi2)/yr) and were generally less than 2 (ton/mi2)/yr in agricultural drainage basins. The smallest total-flow yields for nitrogen (nitrite plus nitrate) was estimated at Levisa Fork at Paintsville in which 95 percent of the land is forested. This site also had one of the smallest total-flow yields for ammonia plus organic nitrogen. In general, nutrient yields from forested lands were lower than those from urban and agricultural land. Some of the largest estimated total-flow yields of nutrients among agricultural basins were for streams in the Licking River Basin, the North Fork Licking River near Milford, and the South Fork Licking River at Cynthiana. Agricultural land constitutes greater than 75 percent of the drainage area in these two basins. Possible sources of nutrients discharging into the Licking River are farm and residential fertilizers. Estimated base-flow yields of suspended solids and nutrients at several basins in the larger Green River and Lower Cumberland River Basins were about half of their estimated total-flow yields. The karst terrain in these basins makes the ground water highly susceptible to contamination, especially if a confining unit is thin or absent.

A new yield and failure theory for composite materials under static and dynamic loading

DOE PAGES

Daniel, Isaac M.; Daniel, Sam M.; Fenner, Joel S.

2017-09-12

In order to facilitate and accelerate the process of introducing, evaluating and adopting new material systems, it is important to develop/establish comprehensive and effective procedures of characterization, modeling and failure prediction of composite structures based on the properties of the constituent materials, e. g., fibers, matrix, and the single ply or lamina. A new yield/failure theory is proposed for predicting lamina yielding and failure under multi-axial states of stress including strain rate effects. It is based on the equivalent stress concept derived from energy principles and is expressed in terms of a single criterion. It is presented in the formmore » of master yield and failure envelopes incorporating strain rate effects. The theory can be further adapted and extended to the prediction of in situ first ply yielding and failure (FPY and FPF) and progressive damage of multi-directional laminates under static and dynamic loadings. The significance of this theory is that it allows for rapid screening of new composite materials without extensive testing and offers easily implemented design tools.« less

A new yield and failure theory for composite materials under static and dynamic loading

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

Daniel, Isaac M.; Daniel, Sam M.; Fenner, Joel S.

In order to facilitate and accelerate the process of introducing, evaluating and adopting new material systems, it is important to develop/establish comprehensive and effective procedures of characterization, modeling and failure prediction of composite structures based on the properties of the constituent materials, e. g., fibers, matrix, and the single ply or lamina. A new yield/failure theory is proposed for predicting lamina yielding and failure under multi-axial states of stress including strain rate effects. It is based on the equivalent stress concept derived from energy principles and is expressed in terms of a single criterion. It is presented in the formmore » of master yield and failure envelopes incorporating strain rate effects. The theory can be further adapted and extended to the prediction of in situ first ply yielding and failure (FPY and FPF) and progressive damage of multi-directional laminates under static and dynamic loadings. The significance of this theory is that it allows for rapid screening of new composite materials without extensive testing and offers easily implemented design tools.« less

Water resources of Monroe County, New York, water years 2003-08: Streamflow, constituent loads, and trends in water quality

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hayhurst, Brett A.; Coon, William F.; Eckhardt, David A.V.

2010-01-01

This report, the sixth in a series published since 1994, presents analyses of hydrologic data in Monroe County for the period October 2002 through September 2008. Streamflows and water quality were monitored at nine sites by the Monroe County Department of Health and the U.S. Geological Survey. Streamflow yields (flow per unit area) were highest in Northrup Creek, which had sustained flows from year-round inflow from the village of Spencerport wastewater-treatment plant and seasonal releases from the New York State Erie (Barge) Canal. Genesee River streamflow yields also were high, at least in part, as a result of higher rainfall and lower evapotranspiration rates in the upper part of the Genesee River Basin than in the other study basins. The lowest streamflow yields were measured in Honeoye Creek, which reflected a decrease in flows due to the withdrawals from Hemlock and Canadice Lakes for the city of Rochester water supply. Water samples collected at nine monitoring sites were analyzed for nutrients, chloride, sulfate, and total suspended solids. The loads of constituents, which were computed from the concentration data and the daily flows recorded at each of the monitoring sites, are estimates of the mass of the constituents that was transported in the streamflow. Annual yields (loads per unit area) also were computed to assess differences in constituent transport among the study basins. All urban sites - Allen Creek and the two downstream sites on Irondequoit Creek - had seasonally high concentrations and annual yields of chloride. Chloride loads are attributed to the application of road-deicing salts to the county's roadways and are related to population and road densities. The less-urbanized sites in the study - Genesee River, Honeoye Creek, and Oatka Creek - had relatively low concentrations and yields of chloride. The highest concentrations and yields of sulfate were measured in Black Creek, Oatka Creek, and Irondequoit Creek at Railroad Mills and are attributable to dissolution of sulfate from gypsum (calcium sulfate) deposits in Silurian shale bedrock that crops out upstream from these monitoring sites. Northrup Creek had the highest concentrations of phosphorus, orthophosphate, and nitrogen, and high yields of nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen and ammonia plus organic nitrogen. These results are attributed to discharges from the Spencerport wastewater-treatment plant (which ceased operation in June 2008), diversions from the New York State Erie (Barge) Canal, and manure and fertilizers applied to agricultural fields. Concentrations and yields of nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen also were high in Oatka Creek and Black Creek; basins with substantial agricultural land uses. Allen Creek had the second highest yield of ammonia plus organic nitrogen. Honeoye Creek, which drains a relatively undeveloped basin, had the lowest yields of nitrogen constituents. The second highest median concentrations and highest sample concentrations of phosphorus and orthophosphate, as well as the highest phosphorus yields, were measured in the Genesee River. A comparison of the yields computed for the two downstream sites on Irondequoit Creek - above Blossom Road and at Empire Boulevard - permitted an assessment of the mitigative effects of the Ellison Park wetland on constituent loads, which would otherwise be transported to Irondequoit Bay. These effects also include those provided by a flow-control structure (installed mid-way through the wetland during February 1997), which was designed to increase the dispersal and short-term detention of stormflows in the wetland. The wetland decreased yields of particulate constituents - phosphorus and ammonia plus organic nitrogen - but had little effect on the yields of dissolved constituents - chloride, sulfate, and nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen. Trends in flow-adjusted concentrations were identified at all sites for most of the nutrient constituents that were evaluated. All of the linear time tren

Spray Dried Chitosan Microparticles for Intravesical Delivery of Celecoxib: Preparation and Characterization.

PubMed

Lopedota, Angela; Cutrignelli, Annalisa; Laquintana, Valentino; Denora, Nunzio; Iacobazzi, Rosa Maria; Perrone, Mara; Fanizza, Elisabetta; Mastrodonato, Maria; Mentino, Donatella; Lopalco, Antonio; Depalo, Nicoletta; Franco, Massimo

2016-09-01

Chitosan microparticles containing celecoxib (CB), were developed as chemoprevention of bladder cancer. Furthermore two inclusion complexes of CB with methyl-β-cyclodextrin (C1 and C2) were prepared to improve the solubility of the drug. C1 and C2 were obtained by freeze-drying and characterized in the solid state and in solution. Microparticles loaded with CB or C1 or C2 were prepared by spray drying and fully characterized. The yield and encapsulation efficiencies of microparticles depended by both the viscosity and the presence of the inclusion complex in the feed medium nebulised. Generally, the microparticles exhibited a spherical shape with mean diameter of approximately 2 μm which was compatible with local intravesical administration using a catheter. The CB release studies from the microparticles allowed us to identify both immediate release systems (microparticles including the complexes) and prolonged release systems (microparticles including CB alone). The latter exhibited good adhesion to the bladder mucosa, as highlighted by a mucoadhesion study. Histological studies revealed a desquamation of the superficial cells when the bladder mucosa was treated with microparticles loaded with CB, while the morphology of the urothelium did not change when it was treated with microparticles loaded with the inclusion complex. A new CB intravesical formulation than can easily be administered with a catheter and is able to release the drug at the target site for several hours was realized. This new delivery system could be a good alternative to classic oral CB administration.

Benefits from Tween during enzymic hydrolysis of corn stover

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

Kaar, W.E.; Holtzapple, M.T.

1998-08-20

Corn stover is a potential substrate for fermentation processes. Previous work with corn stover demonstrated that lime pretreatment rendered it digestible by cellulase; however, high sugar yields required very high enzyme loadings. Because cellulase is a significant cost in biomass conversion processes, the present study focused on improving the enzyme efficiency using Tween 20 and Tween 80; Tween 20 is slightly more effective than Tween 80. The recommended pretreatment conditions for the biomass remained unchanged regardless of whether Tween was added during the hydrolysis. The recommended Tween loading was 0.15 g Tween/g dry biomass. The critical relationship was the Tweenmore » loading on the biomass, not the Tween concentration in solution. The 72-h enzymic conversion of pretreated corn stover using 5 FPU cellulase/g dry biomass at 50 C with Tween 20 as part of the medium was 0.85 g/g for cellulose, 0.66 g/g for xylan, and 0.75 for total polysaccharide; addition of Tween improved the cellulose, xylan, and total polysaccharide conversions by 42, 40, and 42%, respectively. Kinetic analyses showed that Tween improved the enzymic absorption constants, which increased the effective hydrolysis rate compared to hydrolysis without Tween. Furthermore, Tween prevented thermal deactivation of the enzymes, which allows for the kinetic advantage of higher temperature hydrolysis. Ultimate digestion studies showed higher conversions for samples containing Tween, indicating a substrate effect. It appears that Tween improves corn stover hydrolysis through three effects: enzyme stabilizer, lignocellulose disrupter, and enzyme effector.« less

On the radiation stability of crown ethers in ionic liquids.

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

Shkrob, I.; Marin, T.; Dietz, M.

2011-04-14

Crown ethers (CEs) are macrocyclic ionophores used for the separation of strontium-90 from acidic nuclear waste streams. Room temperature ionic liquids (ILs) are presently being considered as replacements for traditional molecular solvents employed in such separations. It is desirable that the extraction efficacy obtained with such solvents should not deteriorate in the strong radiation fields generated by decaying radionuclides. This deterioration will depend on the extent of radiation damage to both the IL solvent and the CE solute. While radiation damage to ILs has been extensively studied, the issue of the radiation stability of crown ethers, particularly in an ILmore » matrix, has not been adequately addressed. With this in mind, we have employed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to study the formation of CE-related radicals in the radiolysis of selected CEs in ILs incorporating aromatic (imidazolium and pyridinium) cations. The crown ethers have been found to yield primarily hydrogen loss radicals, H atoms, and the formyl radical. In the low-dose regime, the relative yield of these radicals increases linearly with the mole fraction of the solute, suggesting negligible transfer of the excitation energy from the solvent to the solute; that is, the solvent has a 'radioprotective' effect. The damage to the CE in the loading region of practical interest is relatively low. Under such conditions, the main chemical pathway leading to decreased extraction performance is protonation of the macrocycle. At high radiation doses, sufficient to increase the acidity of the IL solvent significantly, such proton complexes compete with the solvent cations as electron traps. In this regime, the CEs will rapidly degrade as the result of H abstraction from the CE ring by the released H atoms. Thus, the radiation dose to which a CE/IL system is exposed must be maintained at a level sufficiently low to avoid this regime.« less

Mechanical behavior of nanostructured and ultrafine-grained materials under shock wave loadings. experimental data and results of computer simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skripnyak, Vladimir

2012-03-01

Features of mechanical behavior of nanostructured and ultrafine-grained metals under quasistatic and shock wave loadings are discussed. Features of mechanical behavior of nanostructured and ultrafine grained metals over a wide range of strain rates are discussed. A constitutive model for mechanical behavior of metal alloys under shock wave loading including a grain size distribution, a precipitate hardening, and physical mechanisms of shear stress relaxation is presented. Strain rate sensitivity of the yield stress of face-centered-cubic, hexagonal close-packed metal alloys depends on grain size, whereas the Hugoniot elastic limits of ultrafine-grained copper, aluminum, and titanium alloys are close to values of coarse-grained counterparts. At quasi-static loading the yield strength and the tensile strength of titanium alloys with grain size from 300 to 500 nm are twice higher than at coarse-grained counterparts. But the spall strength of the UFG titanium alloys exceeds the value of coarse-grained counterparts only for 10 percents.

Failure Maps for Rectangular 17-4PH Stainless Steel Sandwiched Foam Panels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raj, S. V.; Ghosn, L. J.

2007-01-01

A new and innovative concept is proposed for designing lightweight fan blades for aircraft engines using commercially available 17-4PH precipitation hardened stainless steel. Rotating fan blades in aircraft engines experience a complex loading state consisting of combinations of centrifugal, distributed pressure and torsional loads. Theoretical failure plastic collapse maps, showing plots of the foam relative density versus face sheet thickness, t, normalized by the fan blade span length, L, have been generated for rectangular 17-4PH sandwiched foam panels under these three loading modes assuming three failure plastic collapse modes. These maps show that the 17-4PH sandwiched foam panels can fail by either the yielding of the face sheets, yielding of the foam core or wrinkling of the face sheets depending on foam relative density, the magnitude of t/L and the loading mode. The design envelop of a generic fan blade is superimposed on the maps to provide valuable insights on the probable failure modes in a sandwiched foam fan blade.

Screen test for cadmium and nickel plates as developed and used within the Aerospace Corporation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Phan, A. H.; Zimmerman, A. H.

1994-01-01

A new procedure described here was recently developed to quantify loading uniformity of nickel and cadmium plates and to screen finished electrodes prior to cell assembly. The technique utilizes the initial solubility rates of the active material in a standard chemical deloading solution at fixed conditions. The method can provide a reproducible indication of plate loading uniformity in situations where high surface loading limits the free flow of deloading solution into the internal porosity of the sinter plate. A preliminary study indicates that 'good' cell performance is associated with higher deloading rates.

Bed load transport over a broad range of timescales: Determination of three regimes of fluctuations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Hongbo; Heyman, Joris; Fu, Xudong; Mettra, Francois; Ancey, Christophe; Parker, Gary

2014-12-01

This paper describes the relationship between the statistics of bed load transport flux and the timescale over which it is sampled. A stochastic formulation is developed for the probability distribution function of bed load transport flux, based on the Ancey et al. (2008) theory. An analytical solution for the variance of bed load transport flux over differing sampling timescales is presented. The solution demonstrates that the timescale dependence of the variance of bed load transport flux reduces to a three-regime relation demarcated by an intermittency timescale (tI) and a memory timescale (tc). As the sampling timescale increases, this variance passes through an intermittent stage (≪tI), an invariant stage (tI < t < tc), and a memoryless stage (≫ tc). We propose a dimensionless number (Ra) to represent the relative strength of fluctuation, which provides a common ground for comparison of fluctuation strength among different experiments, as well as different sampling timescales for each experiment. Our analysis indicates that correlated motion and the discrete nature of bed load particles are responsible for this three-regime behavior. We use the data from three experiments with high temporal resolution of bed load transport flux to validate the proposed three-regime behavior. The theoretical solution for the variance agrees well with all three sets of experimental data. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the observed fluctuations of bed load transport flux over monosize/multiple-size grain beds, to the characterization of an inherent connection between short-term measurements and long-term statistics, and to the design of appropriate sampling strategies for bed load transport flux.

Spatial optimization of watershed management practices for nitrogen load reduction using a modeling-optimization framework.

PubMed

Yang, Guoxiang; Best, Elly P H

2015-09-15

Best management practices (BMPs) can be used effectively to reduce nutrient loads transported from non-point sources to receiving water bodies. However, methodologies of BMP selection and placement in a cost-effective way are needed to assist watershed management planners and stakeholders. We developed a novel modeling-optimization framework that can be used to find cost-effective solutions of BMP placement to attain nutrient load reduction targets. This was accomplished by integrating a GIS-based BMP siting method, a WQM-TMDL-N modeling approach to estimate total nitrogen (TN) loading, and a multi-objective optimization algorithm. Wetland restoration and buffer strip implementation were the two BMP categories used to explore the performance of this framework, both differing greatly in complexity of spatial analysis for site identification. Minimizing TN load and BMP cost were the two objective functions for the optimization process. The performance of this framework was demonstrated in the Tippecanoe River watershed, Indiana, USA. Optimized scenario-based load reduction indicated that the wetland subset selected by the minimum scenario had the greatest N removal efficiency. Buffer strips were more effective for load removal than wetlands. The optimized solutions provided a range of trade-offs between the two objective functions for both BMPs. This framework can be expanded conveniently to a regional scale because the NHDPlus catchment serves as its spatial computational unit. The present study demonstrated the potential of this framework to find cost-effective solutions to meet a water quality target, such as a 20% TN load reduction, under different conditions. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Kind of Optimization Method of Loading Documents in OpenOffice.org

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lan, Yuqing; Li, Li; Zhou, Wenbin

As a giant in open source community, OpenOffice.org has become the most popular office suite within Linux community. But OpenOffice.org is relatively slow while loading documents. Research shows that the most time consuming part is importing one page of whole document. If there are many pages in a document, the accumulation of time consumed can be astonishing. Therefore, this paper proposes a solution, which has improved the speed of loading documents through asynchronous importing mechanism: a document is not imported as a whole, but only part of the document is imported at first for display, then mechanism in the background is started to asynchronously import the remaining parts, and insert it into the drawing queue of OpenOffice.org for display. In this way, the problem can be solved and users don't have to wait for a long time. Application start-up time testing tool has been used to test the time consumed in loading different pages of documents before and after optimization of OpenOffice.org, then, we adopt the regression theory to analyse the correlation between the page number of documents and the loading time. In addition, visual modeling of the experimental data are acquired with the aid of matlab. An obvious increase in loading speed can be seen after a comparison of the time consumed to load a document before and after the solution is adopted. And then, using Microsoft Office compared with the optimized OpenOffice.org, their loading speeds are almost same. The results of the experiments show the effectiveness of this solution.

Suspended sediment source areas and future climate impact on soil erosion and sediment yield in a New York City water supply watershed, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukundan, Rajith; Pradhanang, Soni M.; Schneiderman, Elliot M.; Pierson, Donald C.; Anandhi, Aavudai; Zion, Mark S.; Matonse, Adão H.; Lounsbury, David G.; Steenhuis, Tammo S.

2013-02-01

High suspended sediment loads and the resulting turbidity can impact the use of surface waters for water supply and other designated uses. Changes in fluvial sediment loads influence material fluxes, aquatic geochemistry, water quality, channel morphology, and aquatic habitats. Therefore, quantifying spatial and temporal patterns in sediment loads is important both for understanding and predicting soil erosion and sediment transport processes as well as watershed-scale management of sediment and associated pollutants. A case study from the 891 km2 Cannonsville watershed, one of the major watersheds in the New York City water supply system is presented. The objective of this study was to apply Soil and Water Assessment Tool-Water Balance (SWAT-WB), a physically based semi-distributed model to identify suspended sediment generating source areas under current conditions and to simulate potential climate change impacts on soil erosion and suspended sediment yield in the study watershed for a set of future climate scenarios representative of the period 2081-2100. Future scenarios developed using nine global climate model (GCM) simulations indicate a sharp increase in the annual rates of soil erosion although a similar result in sediment yield at the watershed outlet was not evident. Future climate related changes in soil erosion and sediment yield appeared more significant in the winter due to a shift in the timing of snowmelt and also due to a decrease in the proportion of precipitation received as snow. Although an increase in future summer precipitation was predicted, soil erosion and sediment yield appeared to decrease owing to an increase in soil moisture deficit and a decrease in water yield due to increased evapotranspiration.

Effect of extended tooth contact on the modeling of spur gear transmissions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oswald, Fred B.; Coy, John J.; Lin, Hsiang Hsi; Wang, Jifeng

1993-01-01

In some gear dynamic models, the effect of tooth flexibility is ignored when the model determines which pairs of teeth are in contact. Deflection of loaded teeth is not introduced until the equations of motion are solved. This means the zone of tooth contact and average tooth meshing stiffness are underestimated and the individual tooth load is overstated, especially for heavily-loaded gears. The static transmission error and dynamic load of heavily-loaded, low-contact-ratio spur gears is compared with this effect both neglected and included. Neglecting the effect yields an underestimate of resonance speeds and an overestimate of the dynamic load.

Enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation of dilute acid pretreated cornstalk to biohydrogen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, C. M.; Fan, Y. T.; Hou, H. W.

2010-03-01

The coupling method of acid pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis of cornstalk for hydrogen production was investigated in this study. Experimental results showed that temperature, pH and enzyme loading all had an individual significant influence on soluble sugar yield and Ps. The optimum condition for soluble sugar was close to that for Ps. The maximum hydrogen yield from cornstalk by anaerobic mixed microflora was 209.8 ml/g-TVS on the optimum enzymatic hydrolysis condition which was 52 °C of temperature, pH4.8 and 9.4 IU/g of enzyme loading.

Reducing sugar production of sweet sorghum bagasse kraft pulp

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solihat, Nissa Nurfajrin; Fajriutami, Triyani; Adi, Deddy Triyono Nugroho; Fatriasari, Widya; Hermiati, Euis

2017-01-01

Kraft pulping of sweet sorghum bagasse (SSB) has been used for effective delignification method for cellulose production. This study was conducted to evaluate the performance pulp kraft of SSB for reducing sugar production. The study intended to investigate the effect of active alkali and sulfidity loading variation of SSB pulp kraft on reducing sugar yield per biomass. The SSB pulp was prepared after pulping using three variations of active alkali (17, 19, and 22%) and sulfidity loading (20, 22, and 24%) at 170°C for 4 h with liquor to wood ratio of 10. A total of 9 pulps were obtained from these pretreatments. Delignification pretreatment has been succesfully removed lignin and hemicellulose more than 90% and 50%, respectively. Increasing active alkali and sulfidity loading has significantly increased lignin removal caused by disruption of the cell wall structure for releasing lignin into black liquor in the cellulose extraction. The enzymatic hydrolysis of pulp was carried out with cellulase loading of 40 FPU per g substrate in the shaking incubator at 50°C and 150 rpm for 78 h. For each 24 h, the reducing sugar yield (DNS assay) has been observed. Even though the lignin and hemicellulose loss occurred along with higher active alkali loading, this condition tends to decrease its yield. The reducing sugar concentration varied between 7-8 g/L. Increasing active alkali and sulfidity was significantly decreased the reducing sugar per biomass. Pulp delignified by 17% active alkali and 20% sulfidity has demonstrated the maximum reducing sugar yield per biomass of 45.57% resulted after 72 h enzymatic hydrolysis. These results indicated that kraft pulping was success to degrade more lignin and hemicellulose content to facilitate the enzyme for breaking down the cellulose into its sugar monomer. A high loss of lignin and hemicellulose are not single factor to improve digestibility of SSB. This sugar has potential for yeast fermented into bioethanol.

Sediment Loads and Yield, and Selected Water-Quality Parameters in Clear Creek, Carson City and Douglas County, Nevada, Water Years 2004-07

USGS Publications Warehouse

Seiler, Ralph L.; Wood, James L.

2009-01-01

Some reaches of Clear Creek above U.S. Highway 395 have experienced severe erosion as a result of fires, extreme precipitation events, and past and current human activities in the basin. Previous evaluations of erosion in the basin have concluded that most of the sediment produced and transported in the basin was associated with U.S. Highway 50, a four-lane highway that roughly parallels Clear Creek through much of the basin. During this study (water years 2004-07), construction of roads and a large residential area and golf course in the area began and are likely to affect water quality and sediment transport in the basin. Sediment data were collected between October 2003 and September 2007 (water years 2004-07) from three sites along Clear Creek. Annual suspended-sediment load was estimated to range from 1,456 tons in water year 2006 to only 100 tons in water year 2004, which corresponds to suspended-sediment yields of 93.9 tons per square mile per year in 2006 to 6.4 tons per square mile per year in 2004. In water year 2006, the suspended-sediment load on December 31, 2005, alone exceeded the combined annual load for water years 2004, 2005, and 2007. Bedload sediment was estimated to comprise 73 percent of total sediment load in the creek. Mean annual suspended-sediment yield in Clear Creek basin was much greater than yields in the Logan House, Edgewood, and Glenbrook Creek basins in the adjacent Lake Tahoe basin. Comparison of data collected during this study with data collected by university researchers in the 1970s is inconclusive as to whether fundamental changes in basin sediment characteristics have occurred during the 30-year period because different methods and sampling locations were used in the earlier studies.

Reduction in bacterial load using hypochlorous acid hygiene solution on ocular skin

PubMed Central

Stroman, David W; Mintun, Keri; Epstein, Arthur B; Brimer, Crystal M; Patel, Chirag R; Branch, James D; Najafi-Tagol, Kathryn

2017-01-01

Purpose To examine the magnitude of bacterial load reduction on the surface of the periocular skin 20 minutes after application of a saline hygiene solution containing 0.01% pure hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Methods Microbiological specimens were collected immediately prior to applying the hygiene solution and again 20 minutes later. Total microbial colonies were counted and each unique colony morphology was processed to identify the bacterial species and to determine the susceptibility profile to 15 selected antibiotics. Results Specimens were analyzed from the skin samples of 71 eyes from 36 patients. Prior to treatment, 194 unique bacterial isolates belonging to 33 different species were recovered. Twenty minutes after treatment, 138 unique bacterial isolates belonging to 26 different species were identified. Staphylococci accounted for 61% of all strains recovered and Staphylococcus epidermidis strains comprised 60% of the staphylococcal strains. No substantial differences in the distribution of Gram-positive, Gram-negative, or anaerobic species were noted before and after treatment. The quantitative data demonstrated a >99% reduction in the staphylococcal load on the surface of the skin 20 minutes following application of the hygiene solution. The total S. epidermidis colony-forming units were reduced by 99.5%. The HOCl hygiene solution removed staphylococcal isolates that were resistant to multiple antibiotics equally well as those isolates that were susceptible to antibiotics. Conclusion The application of a saline hygiene solution preserved with pure HOCl acid reduced the bacterial load significantly without altering the diversity of bacterial species remaining on the skin under the lower eyelid. PMID:28458509

Evaluation of Street Sweeping as a Stormwater-Quality-Management Tool in Three Residential Basins in Madison, Wisconsin

USGS Publications Warehouse

Selbig, William R.; Bannerman, Roger T.

2007-01-01

Recent technological improvements have increased the ability of street sweepers to remove sediment and other debris from street surfaces; the effect of these technological advancements on stormwater quality is largely unknown. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Madison and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, evaluated three street-sweeper technologies from 2002 through 2006. Regenerative-air, vacuum-assist, and mechanical-broom street sweepers were operated on a frequency of once per week (high frequency) in separate residential basins in Madison, Wis., to measure each sweeper's ability to not only reduce street-dirt yield but also improve the quality of stormwater runoff. A second mechanical-broom sweeper operating on a frequency of once per month (low frequency) was also evaluated to measure reductions in street-dirt yield only. A paired-basin study design was used to compare street-dirt and stormwater-quality samples during a calibration (no sweeping) and a treatment period (weekly sweeping). The basis of this paired-basin approach is that the relation between paired street-dirt and stormwater-quality loads for the control and tests basins is constant until a major change is made at one of the basins. At that time, a new relation will develop. Changes in either street-dirt and/or stormwater quality as a result of street sweeping could then be quantified by use of statistical tests. Street-dirt samples collected weekly during the calibration period and twice per week during the treatment period, once before and once after sweeping, were dried and separated into seven particle-size fractions ranging from less than 63 micrometers to greater than 2 millimeters. Street-dirt yield evaluation was based on a computed mass per unit length of pounds per curb-mile. An analysis of covariance was used to measure the significance of the effect of street sweeping at the end of the treatment period and to quantify any reduction in street-dirt yield. Both the regenerative-air and vacuum-assist sweepers produced reductions in street-dirt yield at the 5-percent significance level. Street-dirt yield was reduced by an average of 76, 63, and 20 percent in the regenerative-air, vacuum-assist, and high-frequency broom basins, respectively. The low-frequency broom basin showed no significant reductions in street-dirt yield. Sand-size particles (greater than 63 micrometers) recorded the greatest overall reduction. Street-sweeper pickup efficiency was determined by computing the difference between weekly street-dirt yields before and after sweeping cleaning. The regenerative-air and vacuum-assist sweepers had similar pickup efficiencies of 25 and 30 percent, respectively. The mechanical broom sweeper operating at high frequency was considerably less efficient, removing an average of 5 percent of street-dirt yield. The effects of street sweeping on stormwater quality were evaluated by use of statistical tests to compare event mean concentrations and loads computed for individual storms at the control and test basins. Loads were computed by multiplying the event mean concentrations by storm-runoff volumes. Only ammonia-nitrogen for the test basin with the vacuum-assist sweeper showed significant load increases over the control basin, at the 10-percent significance level, of 63 percent. Difficulty in detecting significant changes in constituent stormwater-quality loads could be due, in part, to the large amount of variability in the data. Coefficients of variation for the majority of constituent loads were greater than 1, indicating substantial variability. The ability to detect changes in constituent stormwater-quality loads was likely hampered by an inadequate number of samples in the data set. However, sediment transport in the storm-sewer pipe, sediment washing onto the street from other source areas, winter sand application, and sampling challenges were additional sources of variability within each study ba

Synthesis of positively charged hybrid PHMB-stabilized silver nanoparticles: the search for a new type of active substances used in plant protection products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krutyakov, Yurii A.; Kudrinsky, Alexey A.; Gusev, Alexander A.; Zakharova, Olga V.; Klimov, Alexey I.; Yapryntsev, Alexey D.; Zherebin, Pavel M.; Shapoval, Olga A.; Lisichkin, Georgii V.

2017-07-01

Modern agriculture calls for a decrease in pesticide application, particularly in order to decrease the negative impact on the environment. Therefore the development of new active substances and plant protection products (PPP) to minimize the chemical load on ecosystems is a very important problem. Substances based on silver nanoparticles are a promising solution of this problem because of the fact that in correct doses such products significantly increase yields and decrease crop diseases while displaying low toxicity to humans and animals. In this paper we for the first time propose application of polymeric guanidine compounds with varying chain lengths (from 10 to 130 elementary links) for the design and synthesis of modified silver nanoparticles to be used as the basis of a new generation of PPP. Colloidal solutions of nanocrystalline silver containing 0.5 g l-1 of silver and 0.01-0.4 g l-1 of polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride (PHMB) were obtained by reduction of silver nitrate with sodium borohydride in the presence of PHMB. The field experiment has shown that silver-containing solutions have a positive effect on agronomic properties of potato, wheat and apple. Also the increase in activity of such antioxidant system enzymes as peroxidase and catalase in the tissues of plants treated with nanosilver has been registered.

Vitamin-loaded electrospun cellulose acetate nanofiber mats as transdermal and dermal therapeutic agents of vitamin A acid and vitamin E.

PubMed

Taepaiboon, Pattama; Rungsardthong, Uracha; Supaphol, Pitt

2007-09-01

The present contribution reports the use of mats of electrospun cellulose acetate (CA; acetyl content=39.8%; Mw=30,000 Da) nanofibers as carriers for delivery of the model vitamins, all-trans retinoic acid or vitamin A acid (Retin-A) and alpha-tocopherol or vitamin E (Vit-E). The amounts of Vit-E and Retin-A loaded in the base CA solution [17% w/v in 2:1 v/v acetone/N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc)] were 5 and 0.5 wt% (based on the weight of CA), respectively. Cross-sectionally round and smooth fibers were obtained. The average diameters of these fibers ranged between 247 and 265 nm. The total immersion of the vitamin-loaded as-spun CA fiber mats in the acetate buffer solutions containing either 0.5 vol % Tween 80 or 0.5 vol % Tween 80 and 10 vol % methanol was used to arrive at the cumulative release of the vitamins from the fiber mat samples. The same was also conducted on the vitamin-loaded solution-cast CA films for comparison. In most cases, the vitamin-loaded as-spun fiber mats exhibited a gradual and monotonous increase in the cumulative release of the vitamins over the test periods (i.e., 24 h for Vit-E-loaded samples and 6 h for Retin-A-loaded ones), while the corresponding as-cast films exhibited a burst release of the vitamins.

Adhesive-bonded double-lap joints. [analytical solutions for static load carrying capacity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hart-Smith, L. J.

1973-01-01

Explicit analytical solutions are derived for the static load carrying capacity of double-lap adhesive-bonded joints. The analyses extend the elastic solution Volkersen and cover adhesive plasticity, adherend stiffness imbalance and thermal mismatch between the adherends. Both elastic-plastic and bi-elastic adhesive representations lead to the explicit result that the influence of the adhesive on the maximum potential bond strength is defined uniquely by the strain energy in shear per unit area of bond. Failures induced by peel stresses at the ends of the joint are examined. This failure mode is particularly important for composite adherends. The explicit solutions are sufficiently simple to be used for design purposes

Sliding enhances fluid and solute transport into buried articular cartilage contacts.

PubMed

Graham, B T; Moore, A C; Burris, D L; Price, C

2017-12-01

Solutes and interstitial water are naturally transported from cartilage by load-induced interstitial fluid pressures. Fluid and solute recovery during joint articulation have been primarily attributed to passive diffusion and mechanical 'pumping' from dynamic loading. This paper tests if the sliding action of articulation is a significant and independent driver of fluid and solute transport in cartilage. The large osteochondral samples utilized in the present study preserve the convergent wedges necessary for physiological hydrodynamics. Following static load-induced fluid exudation and prior to sliding, a fluorescent solute (AlexaFluor 633) was added to the lubricant bath. In situ confocal microscopy was used to quantify the transport of solute from the bath into the buried stationary contact area (SCA) during sliding. Following static exudation, significant reductions in friction and strain during sliding at 60 mm/s were accompanied by significant solute transport into the inaccessible center of the buried contact; no such transport was detected for the 0- or 1 mm/s sliding conditions. The results suggest that external hydrodynamic pressures from sliding induced advective flows that carried solutes from the bath toward the center of contact. These results provide the first direct evidence that the action of sliding is a significant contributor to fluid and solute recovery by cartilage. Furthermore, they indicate that the sliding-induced transport of solutes into the buried interface was orders of magnitude greater than that attributable to diffusion alone, a result with critical implications for disease prevention and tissue engineering. Copyright © 2017 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Double walled POE/PLGA microspheres: encapsulation of water-soluble and water-insoluble proteins and their release properties.

PubMed

Shi, Meng; Yang, Yi-Yan; Chaw, Cheng-Shu; Goh, Suat-Hong; Moochhala, Shabbir M; Ng, Steve; Heller, Jorge

2003-04-29

The poly(orthoester) (POE)-poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (50:50) (PLGA) double-walled microspheres with 50% POE in weight were loaded with hydrophilic bovine serum albumin (BSA) and hydrophobic cyclosporin A (CyA). Most of the BSA and CyA was entrapped within the shell and core, respectively, because of the difference in their hydrophilicity. The morphologies and release mechanisms of proteins-loaded double-walled POE/PLGA microspheres were investigated. Scanning electron microscope studies revealed that the CyA-BSA-loaded double-walled POE/PLGA microspheres yielded a more porous surface and PLGA shell than those without BSA. The neat POE and PLGA yielded slow and incomplete CyA and BSA release. In contrast, nearly complete BSA and more than 95% CyA were released in a sustained manner from the double-walled POE/PLGA microspheres. Both the BSA- and CyA-BSA-loaded POE/PLGA microspheres yielded a sustained BSA release over 5 days. The CyA release pattern of the CyA-loaded double-walled POE/PLGA microspheres was biphasic, characterized by a slow release over 15 days followed by a sustained release over 27 days. However, the CyA-BSA-loaded double-walled POE/PLGA microspheres provided a more constant and faster CyA release due to their more porous shell. In the CyA-BSA-loaded double-walled POE/PLGA microspheres system, the PLGA layer acted as a carrier for BSA and mild reservoir for CyA. During the first 5 days, most BSA was released from the shell but only 14% CyA was left from the microspheres. Subsequently, more than 80% CyA were released in the next 25 days. The distinct structure of double-walled POE/PLGA microspheres would make an interesting device for controlled delivery of therapeutic agents.

Highly reusability surface loaded metal particles magnetic catalyst microspheres (MCM-MPs) for treatment of dye-contaminated water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Ying; Zhang, Kun; Yin, Xiaoshuang; Yang, Wenzhong; Zhu, Hongjun

2016-04-01

The metal-deposited magnetic catalyst microspheres (MCM-MPs) were successfully synthesized by one facile, high yield and controllable approach. Here, the bare magnetic microspheres were firstly synthesized according to the solvothermal method. Then silica shell were coated on the surface of the magnetic microspheres via sol-gel method, and subsequently with surface modifying with amino in the purpose to form SiO2-NH2 shell. Thus, metal particles were easily adsorbed into the SiO2-NH2 shell and in-situ reduced by NaBH4 solution. All the obtained products (MCM-Cu, MCM-Ag, MCM-Pd) which were monodisperse and constitutionally stable were exhibited high magnetization and excellent catalytic activity towards dyes solution reduction. The catalytic rate ratio of MCM-Pd: MCM-Cu: MCM-Ag could be 10:3:1. Besides, some special coordination compound Cu2(OH)3Br had been generated in the in-situ reduced process of MCM-Cu, which produced superior cyclical stability (>20 times) than that of MCM-Ag and MCM-Pd. In all, those highly reusability and great catalytic efficiency of MCM-MPs show promising and great potential for treatment of dye-contaminated water.

Innovative use of lamella clarifiers for central stormwater treatment in separate sewer systems.

PubMed

Weiss, Gebhard

2014-01-01

Lamella settlers have been used in the past few years for the sedimentation of particles in wastewater and stormwater applications. A new and very innovative approach for the treatment of stormwater flows is proposed which extends the portfolio of solutions beyond traditional settling tanks. Surface runoff is stored in a sewer or a basin and finally treated in a small but continuously operated lamella clarifier. The low throughput flow will yield good treatment efficiency at a small footprint. The possibilities of using existing storage volume in a storm sewer, as well as the structural flexibility of the arrangement are decisive benefits. As a large operational advantage, the lamellae may be cleaned mechanically, e.g. by pivoting under water. Finally, the flow and the sludge which will be sent to the downstream treatment plant will be minimized. A new comparative simulation method is proposed in order to assess an equivalent degree of stormwater treatment, either by achieving an equal annual volume of treated stormwater or, more directly, an equal amount of spilled pollutant load. The new solution is compared with a traditional settling tank according to current German design rules. Additionally, a case study from a real installation will be presented.

In situ X-ray absorption fine structure analysis of redox reactions of nickel species with variable particle sizes supported on silica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamoto, Yusaku; Suzuki, Atsushi; Tsutsumi, Naoki; Katagiri, Masaki; Yamashita, Shohei; Niwa, Yasuhiro; Katayama, Misaki; Inada, Yasuhiro

2018-02-01

The chemical states of Ni species were systematically investigated using an in situ XAFS technique for a series of SiO2-supported Ni catalysts with different Ni particle sizes. The Ni particles were refined by varying the Ni loading in the range between 0.10 and 5 wt% and by adding citric acid into the precursor solution. An in situ observation cell for fluorescence-yield XAFS measurements was developed for the dilute Ni catalysts. The chemical state of the supported Ni species converted between Ni(0) and NiO, and no other stable species were formed during the temperature-programmed oxidation and reduction processes. Refinement of the Ni particles resulted in decreasing the oxidation temperature and increasing the reduction temperature. These shifts were explained by the affinity of NiO to SiO2, and more effective stabilization was thus anticipated for flattened small NiO particles with an increased contact area. In addition, the inhomogeneous distribution of small Ni particles observed for dilute catalysts was explained in terms of the precursor solution volume when nuclei of the precursor compound precipitated on SiO2 during the drying process.

Use of electrochemical potential noise to detect initiation and propagation of stress corrosion cracks in a 17-4 PH steel

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

Gonzalez-Rodriguez, J.G.; Salinas-Bravo, V.M.; Garcia-Ochoa, E.

1997-09-01

Corrosion potential transients were associated with nucleation and propagation of stress corrosion cracks in a 17-4 precipitation-hardenable (PH) martensitic stainless steel (SS) during slow strain rate tests (SSRT) at 90 C in deaerated sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions, Test solutions included 20 wt% NaCl at pH 3 and 7, similar to normal and faulted steam turbine environments, respectively. Time series were analyzed using the fast Fourier transform method. At the beginning of straining, the consistent noise behavior was perturbed with small potential transients, probably associated with rupture of the surface oxide layer. After yielding, these transients increased in intensity. At maximummore » load, the transients were still higher in intensity and frequency. These potential transients were related to crack nucleation and propagation. When the steel did not fail by stress corrosion cracking (SCC), such transients were found only at the beginning of the test. The power spectra showed some differences in all cases in roll-off slope and voltage magnitude, but these were not reliable tools to monitor the initiation and propagation of stress corrosion cracks.« less

Ovarian control of nectar collection in the honey bee (Apis mellifera).

PubMed

Siegel, Adam J; Freedman, Colin; Page, Robert E

2012-01-01

Honey bees are a model system for the study of division of labor. Worker bees demonstrate a foraging division of labor (DOL) by biasing collection towards carbohydrates (nectar) or protein (pollen). The Reproductive ground-plan hypothesis of Amdam et al. proposes that foraging DOL is regulated by the networks that controlled foraging behavior during the reproductive life cycle of honey bee ancestors. Here we test a proposed mechanism through which the ovary of the facultatively sterile worker impacts foraging bias. The proposed mechanism suggests that the ovary has a regulatory effect on sucrose sensitivity, and sucrose sensitivity impacts nectar loading. We tested this mechanism by measuring worker ovary size (ovariole number), sucrose sensitivity, and sucrose solution load size collected from a rate-controlled artificial feeder. We found a significant interaction between ovariole number and sucrose sensitivity on sucrose solution load size when using low concentration nectar. This supports our proposed mechanism. As nectar and pollen loading are not independent, a mechanism impacting nectar load size would also impact pollen load size.

Blocked Force and Loading Calculations for LaRC THUNDER Actuators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Campbell, Joel F.

2007-01-01

An analytic approach is developed to predict the performance of LaRC Thunder actuators under load and under blocked conditions. The problem is treated with the Von Karman non-linear analysis combined with a simple Raleigh-Ritz calculation. From this, shape and displacement under load combined with voltage are calculated. A method is found to calculate the blocked force vs voltage and spring force vs distance. It is found that under certain conditions, the blocked force and displacement is almost linear with voltage. It is also found that the spring force is multivalued and has at least one bifurcation point. This bifurcation point is where the device collapses under load and locks to a different bending solution. This occurs at a particular critical load. It is shown this other bending solution has a reduced amplitude and is proportional to the original amplitude times the square of the aspect ratio.

An improved risk-explicit interval linear programming model for pollution load allocation for watershed management.

PubMed

Xia, Bisheng; Qian, Xin; Yao, Hong

2017-11-01

Although the risk-explicit interval linear programming (REILP) model has solved the problem of having interval solutions, it has an equity problem, which can lead to unbalanced allocation between different decision variables. Therefore, an improved REILP model is proposed. This model adds an equity objective function and three constraint conditions to overcome this equity problem. In this case, pollution reduction is in proportion to pollutant load, which supports balanced development between different regional economies. The model is used to solve the problem of pollution load allocation in a small transboundary watershed. Compared with the REILP original model result, our model achieves equity between the upstream and downstream pollutant loads; it also overcomes the problem of greatest pollution reduction, where sources are nearest to the control section. The model provides a better solution to the problem of pollution load allocation than previous versions.

Integrated bioethanol production to boost low-concentrated cellulosic ethanol without sacrificing ethanol yield.

PubMed

Xu, Youjie; Zhang, Meng; Roozeboom, Kraig; Wang, Donghai

2018-02-01

Four integrated designs were proposed to boost cellulosic ethanol titer and yield. Results indicated co-fermentation of corn flour with hydrolysate liquor from saccharified corn stover was the best integration scheme and able to boost ethanol titers from 19.9 to 123.2 g/L with biomass loading of 8% and from 36.8 to 130.2 g/L with biomass loadings of 16%, respectively, while meeting the minimal ethanol distillation requirement of 40 g/L and achieving high ethanol yields of above 90%. These results indicated integration of first and second generation ethanol production could significantly accelerate the commercialization of cellulosic biofuel production. Co-fermentation of starchy substrate with hydrolysate liquor from saccharified biomass is able to significantly enhance ethanol concentration to reduce energy cost for distillation without sacrificing ethanol yields. This novel method could be extended to any pretreatment of biomass from low to high pH pretreatment as demonstrated in this study. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The effect of high anionomer loading with silver nanowire catalysts on the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lemke, Adam J.; O'Toole, Alexander W.; Phillips, Richard S.; Eisenbraun, Eric T.

2014-06-01

The effect of ionomer content on the oxygen kinetics in fuel cells and metal-oxide batteries was investigated by varying ionomer loading with constant loadings of a silver nanowire catalyst. Silver nanowire inks were produced in which commercially available anionomer solution constituted 10, 25, 40, 50, and 75% of the total ink volume. Constant loadings of Ag nanowire catalyst were then deposited onto glassy carbon electrodes by varying the amount of ink deposited. These were then used in rotating disc electrode (RDE) experiments using a 0.1 M KOH electrolyte solution. From these experiments, using ORR polarization curves and Koutecky-Levich analysis, it was found that not only did the anionomer loading affect the total activity (given a constant Ag nanowire loading) but, that the anionomer content also had an impact upon the apparent kinetic limited current as well as whether the ORR proceeded through the 2e- or 4e- pathway. Although the total activity declined with very high anionomer loadings, the ORR appeared to proceed more through the 4e- pathway with increased anionomer content.

Round Heat-treated Chromium-molybdenum-steel Tubing Under Combined Loads

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Osgood, William R

1943-01-01

The results of tests of round heat-treated chromium-molybdenum-steel tubing are presented. Tests were made on tubing under axial load, bending load, torsional load, combined bending and axial load, combined bending and torsional load, and combined axial, bending, and torsional load. Tensile and compressive tests were made to determine the properties of the material. Formulas are given for the evaluation of the maximum strength of this steel tubing under individual or combined loads. The solution of an example is included to show the procedure to be followed in designing a tubular cantilever member to carry combined loads.

Opening Loads Analyses for Various Disk-Gap-Band Parachutes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cruz, J. R.; Kandis, M.; Witkowski, A.

2003-01-01

Detailed opening loads data is presented for 18 tests of Disk-Gap-Band (DGB) parachutes of varying geometry with nominal diameters ranging from 43.2 to 50.1 ft. All of the test parachutes were deployed from a mortar. Six of these tests were conducted via drop testing with drop test vehicles weighing approximately 3,000 or 8,000 lb. Twelve tests were conducted in the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex 80- by 120-foot wind tunnel at the NASA Ames Research Center. The purpose of these tests was to structurally qualify the parachute for the Mars Exploration Rover mission. A key requirement of all tests was that peak parachute load had to be reached at full inflation to more closely simulate the load profile encountered during operation at Mars. Peak loads measured during the tests were in the range from 12,889 to 30,027 lb. Of the two test methods, the wind tunnel tests yielded more accurate and repeatable data. Application of an apparent mass model to the opening loads data yielded insights into the nature of these loads. Although the apparent mass model could reconstruct specific tests with reasonable accuracy, the use of this model for predictive analyses was not accurate enough to set test conditions for either the drop or wind tunnel tests. A simpler empirical model was found to be suitable for predicting opening loads for the wind tunnel tests to a satisfactory level of accuracy. However, this simple empirical model is not applicable to the drop tests.

Biomechanical differences of the anterior and posterior bands of the ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow.

PubMed

Jackson, Timothy J; Jarrell, Shelby E; Adamson, Gregory J; Chung, Kyung Chil; Lee, Thay Q

2016-07-01

The main purpose of this study was to examine the functional characteristics of the anterior and posterior bands of the anterior bundle of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). Six cadaveric elbows were tested using a digital tracking system to measure the strain in the anterior band and posterior band of the anterior bundle of the UCL throughout a flexion/extension arc. The specimens were then placed in an Instron materials testing machine and loaded to failure to determine yield load and ultimate load of the UCL. The posterior band showed a linear increase in strain with increasing degrees of elbow flexion while the anterior band showed minimal change in strain throughout. The bands showed similar strain at yield load and ultimate load, demonstrating similar intrinsic properties. The anterior band of the anterior bundle of the UCL shows an isometric strain pattern through elbow range of motion, while the posterior band shows an increasing strain pattern in higher degrees of elbow flexion. Both bands show similar strain in a load to failure model, indicating insertion point, not intrinsic differences, of the bands determine the function of the anterior bundle of the UCL. This demonstrates a biomechanical rationale for UCL reconstructions using single point anatomical insertion points.

Effect of gamma irradiation on the microbial load, nutrient composition and free radical scavenging activity of Nelumbo nucifera rhizome

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khattak, Khanzadi Fatima; Simpson, Thomas James; Ihasnullah

2009-03-01

The assurance of microbial quality is necessary to make plant materials suitable for human consumption and commercialization. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possibility to apply the gamma radiation treatment on the rhizome samples of Nelumbo nucifera for microbial decontamination. The radiation processing was carried out at dose levels of 1, 2, 4 and 6 kGy. The irradiated and control samples were analyzed for microbial load, organoleptic acceptance, extraction yield, proximate composition, phenolic contents and DPPH scavenging activity. The results indicated that gamma radiation treatment significantly reduced microbial load and increased the storability of the irradiated samples. The treated samples were also acceptable sensorically. The extraction yield and phenolic contents increased with the increase of radiation dose. Gamma radiation also enhanced the DPPH scavenging activity.

Calculation of cracking under pulsed heat loads in tungsten manufactured according to ITER specifications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arakcheev, A. S.; Skovorodin, D. I.; Burdakov, A. V.; Shoshin, A. A.; Polosatkin, S. V.; Vasilyev, A. A.; Postupaev, V. V.; Vyacheslavov, L. N.; Kasatov, A. A.; Huber, A.; Mertens, Ph; Wirtz, M.; Linsmeier, Ch; Kreter, A.; Löwenhoff, Th; Begrambekov, L.; Grunin, A.; Sadovskiy, Ya

2015-12-01

A mathematical model of surface cracking under pulsed heat load was developed. The model correctly describes a smooth brittle-ductile transition. The elastic deformation is described in a thin-heated-layer approximation. The plastic deformation is described with the Hollomon equation. The time dependence of the deformation and stresses is described for one heating-cooling cycle for a material without initial plastic deformation. The model can be applied to tungsten manufactured according to ITER specifications. The model shows that the stability of stress-relieved tungsten deteriorates when the base temperature increases. This proved to be a result of the close ultimate tensile and yield strengths. For a heat load of arbitrary magnitude a stability criterion was obtained in the form of condition on the relation of the ultimate tensile and yield strengths.

Enhancement of transport of curcumin to brain in mice by poly( n-butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Min; Gao, Yan; Guo, Chenyu; Cao, Fengliang; Song, Zhimei; Xi, Yanwei; Yu, Aihua; Li, Aiguo; Zhai, Guangxi

2010-10-01

Curcumin, a widely used coloring agent and spice in food, has a potential in blocking brain tumor formation and curing Alzheimer's disease. Due to the specific properties of blood-brain barrier (BBB), only traces of curcumin were transported across BBB. The aim of the present study was to design and characterize curcumin loaded polybutylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles (PBCN) coated with polysorbate 80, and to evaluate the effect of PBCN as a delivery system on carrying curcumin across BBB. Curcumin loaded nanoparticles were prepared by an anionic polymerization method, and they presented in a core-shell spherical shape under transmission electron microscopy, with an average diameter of 152.0 nm. The average drug loading was 21.1%. Physicochemical status of curcumin in the nanoparticles was confirmed with differential scanning colorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The in vitro release behavior of drug from the nanoparticles was fitted to a double phase kinetics model. The studies of pharmacokinetic and bio-distribution to brain were conducted in mice after intravenous administration of the nanoparticle formulation at the dose of 5 mg/kg and curcumin solution at the dose of 10 mg/kg via the tail vein. The results showed that in plasma, the area under concentration-time curve (AUC0-∞) for curcumin loaded nanoparticles was greater than that for the control solution, moreover, the mean residence time of curcumin loaded nanoparticles was 14-fold that of the control solution. In brain, AUC0-∞ for curcumin loaded nanoparticles was 2.53-fold that for the control solution. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that PBCN could enhance the transport of curcumin to brain and have a potential as a delivery system to cross the BBB.

Fretting properties of biodegradable Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr alloy in air and in Hank’s solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wenting; Li, Nan; Zheng, Yufeng; Yuan, Guangyin

2016-11-01

Fretting is a significant cause for the failure of orthopedic implants. Currently, since magnesium and its alloys have been developed as promising biodegradable implant materials, the fretting behavior of the Mg alloys is of great research significance. In this study, a Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr alloy (hereafter, denoted as JDBM alloy) was selected as experimental material, and its fretting behaviors were evaluated under 5 N, 10 N and 20 N normal loads with a displacement of 200 μm under the frequency of 10 Hz at 37 °C in air and in Hank’s solution, respectively. The results indicated that while the friction coefficient decreased with the increment of the normal load, the wear volume of the alloy increased with the increment of the normal load both in air and in Hank’s solution. Both the friction coefficients and the wear volume of the fretting in Hank’s solution were much lower than those in air environment. The evolution trend of friction coefficients with time had different performance in air environment and the Hank’s solution group. Although oxidation occurred during the fretting tests in Hank’s solution, the damage of JDBM alloy was still reduced due to the lubrication effects of Hank’s solution. Moreover, the addition of Fetal bovine serum (FBS) could act as lubrication and result in the reduction of the fretting damage.

Polymer Brushes under High Load

PubMed Central

Balko, Suzanne M.; Kreer, Torsten; Costanzo, Philip J.; Patten, Tim E.; Johner, Albert; Kuhl, Tonya L.; Marques, Carlos M.

2013-01-01

Polymer coatings are frequently used to provide repulsive forces between surfaces in solution. After 25 years of design and study, a quantitative model to explain and predict repulsion under strong compression is still lacking. Here, we combine experiments, simulations, and theory to study polymer coatings under high loads and demonstrate a validated model for the repulsive forces, proposing that this universal behavior can be predicted from the polymer solution properties. PMID:23516470

Methotrexate diethyl ester-loaded lipid-core nanocapsules in aqueous solution increased antineoplastic effects in resistant breast cancer cell line.

PubMed

Yurgel, Virginia C; Oliveira, Catiuscia P; Begnini, Karine R; Schultze, Eduarda; Thurow, Helena S; Leon, Priscila M M; Dellagostin, Odir A; Campos, Vinicius F; Beck, Ruy C R; Guterres, Silvia S; Collares, Tiago; Pohlmann, Adriana R; Seixas, Fabiana K

2014-01-01

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer affecting women. Methotrexate (MTX) is an antimetabolic drug that remains important in the treatment of breast cancer. Its efficacy is compromised by resistance in cancer cells that occurs through a variety of mechanisms. This study evaluated apoptotic cell death and cell cycle arrest induced by an MTX derivative (MTX diethyl ester [MTX(OEt)2]) and MTX(OEt)2-loaded lipid-core nanocapsules in two MTX-resistant breast adenocarcinoma cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The formulations prepared presented adequate granulometric profile. The treatment responses were evaluated through flow cytometry. Relying on the mechanism of resistance, we observed different responses between cell lines. For MCF-7 cells, MTX(OEt)2 solution and MTX(OEt)2-loaded lipid-core nanocapsules presented significantly higher apoptotic rates than untreated cells and cells incubated with unloaded lipid-core nanocapsules. For MDA-MB-231 cells, MTX(OEt)2-loaded lipid-core nanocapsules were significantly more efficient in inducing apoptosis than the solution of the free drug. S-phase cell cycle arrest was induced only by MTX(OEt)2 solution. The drug nanoencapsulation improved apoptosis induction for the cell line that presents MTX resistance by lack of transport receptors.

Methotrexate diethyl ester-loaded lipid-core nanocapsules in aqueous solution increased antineoplastic effects in resistant breast cancer cell line

PubMed Central

Yurgel, Virginia C; Oliveira, Catiuscia P; Begnini, Karine R; Schultze, Eduarda; Thurow, Helena S; Leon, Priscila MM; Dellagostin, Odir A; Campos, Vinicius F; Beck, Ruy CR; Guterres, Silvia S; Collares, Tiago; Pohlmann, Adriana R; Seixas, Fabiana K

2014-01-01

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer affecting women. Methotrexate (MTX) is an antimetabolic drug that remains important in the treatment of breast cancer. Its efficacy is compromised by resistance in cancer cells that occurs through a variety of mechanisms. This study evaluated apoptotic cell death and cell cycle arrest induced by an MTX derivative (MTX diethyl ester [MTX(OEt)2]) and MTX(OEt)2-loaded lipid-core nanocapsules in two MTX-resistant breast adenocarcinoma cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The formulations prepared presented adequate granulometric profile. The treatment responses were evaluated through flow cytometry. Relying on the mechanism of resistance, we observed different responses between cell lines. For MCF-7 cells, MTX(OEt)2 solution and MTX(OEt)2-loaded lipid-core nanocapsules presented significantly higher apoptotic rates than untreated cells and cells incubated with unloaded lipid-core nanocapsules. For MDA-MB-231 cells, MTX(OEt)2-loaded lipid-core nanocapsules were significantly more efficient in inducing apoptosis than the solution of the free drug. S-phase cell cycle arrest was induced only by MTX(OEt)2 solution. The drug nanoencapsulation improved apoptosis induction for the cell line that presents MTX resistance by lack of transport receptors. PMID:24741306

The influence of void and porosity on deformation behaviour of nanocrystalline Ni under tensile followed by compressive loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meraj, Md.; Nayak, Shradha; Krishanjeet, Kumar; Pal, Snehanshu

2018-03-01

In this paper, we present a lucid understanding about the deformation behaviour of nanocrystalline (NC) Ni with and without defects subjected to tensile followed by compressive loading using molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. The embedded atom method (EAM) potential have been incorporated in the simulation for three kinds of samples-i.e. for NC Ni (without any defect), porous NC Ni and NC Ni containing a centrally located void. All the three samples, which have been prepared by implementing the Voronoi method and using Atom Eye software, consist of 16 uniform grains. The total number of atoms present in NC Ni, porous NC Ni and NC Ni containing a void are 107021, 105968 and 107012 respectively. The stress-strain response of NC Ni under tensile followed by compressive loading are simulated at a high strain rate of 107 s-1 and at a constant temperature of 300K. The stress-strain curves for the NC Ni with and without defects have been plotted for three different types of loading: (a) tensile loading (b) compressive loading (c) forward tensile loading followed by reverse compressive loading. Prominent change in yield strength of the NC Ni is observed due to the introduction of defects. For tensile followed by compressive loading (during forward loading), the yield point for NC Ni with void is lesser than the yield point of NC Ni and porous NC Ni. The saw tooth shape or serration portion of the stress-strain curve is mainly due to three characteristic phenomena, dislocation generation and its movement, dislocation pile-up at the junctions, and dislocation annihilation. Both twins and stacking faults are observed due to plastic deformation as the deformation mechanism progresses. The dislocation density, number of clusters and number of vacancy of the NC sample with and without defects are plotted against the strain developed in the sample. It is seen that introduction of defects brings about change in mechanical properties of the NC Ni. The crystalline nature of NC Ni is found to decrease with introduction of defects. The findings of this work can thus be extended in bringing a whole new insight related to the deformation behaviour and properties of Nano- materials during cyclic deformation at various temperatures.

Ceramic Near-Net Shaped Processing Using Highly-Loaded Aqueous Suspensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rueschhoff, Lisa

Ceramic materials offer great advantages over their metal counterparts, due to their lower density, higher hardness and wear resistance, and higher melting temperatures. However, the use of ceramics in applications where their properties would offer tremendous advantages are often limited due to the difficulty of forming them into complex and near-net shaped parts. Methods that have been developed to injection-mold or cast ceramics into more complicated shapes often use significant volume fractions of a carrier (often greater than 35 vol.% polymer), elevated temperature processing, or less-than-environmentally friendly chemicals where a complex chemical synthesis reaction must be timed perfectly for the approach to work. Furthermore, the continuing maturation of additive manufacturing methods requires a new approach for flowing/placing ceramic powders into useful designs. This thesis addresses the limitations of the current ceramic forming approaches by developing highly-stabilized and therefore high solids loading ceramic suspensions, with the requisite rheology for a variety of complex and near-net shaped forming techniques. Silicon nitride was chosen as a material of focus due to its high fracture toughness compared to other ceramic materials. Designing ceramic suspensions that are flowable at room temperature greatly simplifies processing as neither heating nor cooling are required during forming. Highly-loaded suspensions (>40 vol.%) are desired because all formed ceramic bodies have to be sintered to remove pores. Finally, using aqueous-based suspensions reduces any detrimental effect on the environment and tooling. The preparation of highly-loaded suspensions requires the development of a suitable dispersant through which particle-particle interactions are controlled. However, silicon nitride is difficult to stabilize in water due to complex surface and solution chemistry. In this study, aqueous silicon nitride suspensions up to 45 vol.% solids loading were dispersed using commercially available comb-type copolymer. These copolymers are used as superplasticizers in the concrete industry and are referred to as water-reducing admixtures (WRAs). Four different WRA dispersants were examined and chemical analysis determined that each was made up of a sodium salt of polyacrylic acid (PAA-Na) backbone with neutral polyethylene oxide (PEO) side chains that afford steric stabilization. The general structures of the WRAs were compared to each other by measuring the relative areas of their prominent FTIR peaks and calculating a PAA-Na/PEO peak ratio. Suspensions were made with as-received silicon nitride powders with 5 wt.% aluminum oxide and 5 wt.% yttrium oxide added as sintering aids. Three of the four WRA dispersants studied were able to produce suspensions with 43 vol.% solids loading and 5 vol.% polymer dispersant, while exhibiting a yield-pseudoplastic behavior for shear rates up to 30 s-1. At higher solids loading (45 to 47 vol.%), a shift to shear thickening behavior was observed at a critical shear rate for these WRAs. Those WRAs with a lower PAA-Na/PEO peak ratio displayed better stabilization and diminished shear thickening behavior. The vol.% of the dispersant was optimized, producing yield-pseudoplastic suspensions containing 45 vol.% solids loading with yield stresses less than 75 Pa, no shear thickening behavior, and viscosities less than 75 Pa-s for shear rates in the range of 1 to 30 s-1. Using suspensions prepared with two of the WRAs investigated in this work, silicon nitride near-net shaped parts were formed via a novel injection molding process by loading each suspension in a syringe and injecting them at a controlled rate into a mold. Each suspensions had carefully tailored yield-pseudoplastic rheology such that they can be injection molded at room temperature and low pressures (< 150 kPa). Four suspensions were studied; two different commercially available concrete water-reducing admixtures (WRAs) were used as dispersants with and without a polymer binder (Polyvinylprolidone, PVP) added for rheological modification and improved green body strength. Test bars formed via this process were sintered to high densities (up to 97% TD) without the use of external pressure, and had complete conversion to the desirable beta-Si3N4 phase with high flexural strengths up to 700 MPa. The specimen sets with the smallest average pore size on the fracture surface (77 mum) had the highest average flexural strengths of 573 MPa. The hardness of all specimens was approximately 16 GPa. The water-based suspensions, ease and low cost of processing, and robust mechanical properties obtained demonstrate this as a viable process for the economical and environmentally friendly production of Si3N4 parts. Finally, additive manufacturing was also used as a method to overcome ceramic forming difficulties and to create near-net shaped dense components via room-temperature direct ink writing. In this processes, highly loaded aqueous alumina suspensions were extruded in a layer-by-layer fashion using a low-cost syringe style 3D printer. With alumina as a model material, the effect of solids loading on rheology, specimen uniformity, density, microstructure, and mechanical properties was studied. All suspensions contained a polymer binder ( 5 vol.%), dispersant, and 51 to 58 vol.% alumina powder. Rheological measurements indicated all suspensions to be yield-pseudoplastic, and both yield stress and viscosity were found to increase with increasing alumina solids loading. Shear rates ranging from 19.5 to 24.2 s-1, corresponding to viscosities of 9.8 to 17.2 Pa·s, for the 53 - 56 vol.% alumina suspensions were found to produce the best results for the 1.25 mm tip employed during writing. All parts were sintered to greater than 98% of true density, with grain sizes ranging from 3.2 to 3.7 mum. The average flexure strength, which ranged from 134 to 157 MPa, was not influenced by the alumina solids loading. In limited study, additive manufacturing of silicon nitride suspensions stabilized with a WRA has been established. These processing routes have been proven as low-cost and viable means for producing robust ceramic parts, both of which can be tailored to many systems to expand the use of ceramics materials. Further studies on utilizing the flow stress behavior during both injection molding and direct ink writing could be beneficial in creating ceramic materials with carefully tailored microstructure to increase mechanical performance.

An evaluation of a computer code based on linear acoustic theory for predicting helicopter main rotor noise. [CH-53A and S-76 helicopters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, S. J.; Egolf, T. A.

1980-01-01

Acoustic characteristics predicted using a recently developed computer code were correlated with measured acoustic data for two helicopter rotors. The analysis, is based on a solution of the Ffowcs-Williams-Hawkings (FW-H) equation and includes terms accounting for both the thickness and loading components of the rotational noise. Computations are carried out in the time domain and assume free field conditions. Results of the correlation show that the Farrassat/Nystrom analysis, when using predicted airload data as input, yields fair but encouraging correlation for the first 6 harmonics of blade passage. It also suggests that although the analysis represents a valuable first step towards developing a truly comprehensive helicopter rotor noise prediction capability, further work remains to be done identifying and incorporating additional noise mechanisms into the code.

Electrochemical wastewater treatment: influence of the type of carbon and of nitrogen on the organic load removal.

PubMed

Fernandes, Annabel; Coelho, João; Ciríaco, Lurdes; Pacheco, Maria José; Lopes, Ana

2016-12-01

Boron-doped diamond (BDD) and Ti/Pt/PbO 2 anodes were utilized to perform the electrodegradation of synthetic samples containing humic acid in the presence of different organic and inorganic carbon-containing and nitrogen-containing compounds. The influence of the chloride ion in the degradation process of the different synthetic samples was also assessed. The results showed that the anodic oxidation process can efficiently degrade recalcitrant compounds such as humic acid. The presence of carbonate in solution enhances the nitrogen removal, whereas it hinders the oxidation of the organic compounds. When organic nitrogen is present, it is converted to NH 4 + , which in turn is oxidized to nitrate and to volatile nitrogen compounds. Hydroxyl radicals are more prone to oxidize the organic nitrogen than the ammonium nitrogen. The presence of chloride enhances the organic matter and nitrogen removal rates, BDD being the anode material that yields the highest removals.

A sealable ultrathin window sample cell for the study of liquids by means of soft X-ray spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grötzsch, D.; Streeck, C.; Nietzold, C.; Malzer, W.; Mantouvalou, I.; Nutsch, A.; Dietrich, P.; Unger, W.; Beckhoff, B.; Kanngießer, B.

2017-12-01

A new sample cell concept for the analysis of liquids or solid-liquid interfaces using soft X-ray spectroscopy is presented, which enables the complete sealing of the cell as well as the transport into vacuum via, for example, a load-lock system. The cell uses pressure monitoring and active as well as passive pressure regulation systems, thereby facilitating the full control over the pressure during filling, sealing, evacuation, and measurement. The cell design and sample preparation as well as the crucial sealing procedure are explained in detail. As a first proof-of-principle experiment, successful nitrogen K-edge fluorescence yield near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure experiments of a biomolecular solution are presented. For this purpose, it is shown that the careful evaluation of all involved parameters, such as window type or photon flux, is desirable for optimizing the experimental result.

A gradient enhanced plasticity-damage microplane model for concrete

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zreid, Imadeddin; Kaliske, Michael

2018-03-01

Computational modeling of concrete poses two main types of challenges. The first is the mathematical description of local response for such a heterogeneous material under all stress states, and the second is the stability and efficiency of the numerical implementation in finite element codes. The paper at hand presents a comprehensive approach addressing both issues. Adopting the microplane theory, a combined plasticity-damage model is formulated and regularized by an implicit gradient enhancement. The plasticity part introduces a new microplane smooth 3-surface cap yield function, which provides a stable numerical solution within an implicit finite element algorithm. The damage part utilizes a split, which can describe the transition of loading between tension and compression. Regularization of the model by the implicit gradient approach eliminates the mesh sensitivity and numerical instabilities. Identification methods for model parameters are proposed and several numerical examples of plain and reinforced concrete are carried out for illustration.

Thermal elastoplastic structural analysis of non-metallic thermal protection systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chung, T. J.; Yagawa, G.

1972-01-01

An incremental theory and numerical procedure to analyze a three-dimensional thermoelastoplastic structure subjected to high temperature, surface heat flux, and volume heat supply as well as mechanical loadings are presented. Heat conduction equations and equilibrium equations are derived by assuming a specific form of incremental free energy, entropy, stresses and heat flux together with the first and second laws of thermodynamics, von Mises yield criteria and Prandtl-Reuss flow rule. The finite element discretization using the linear isotropic three-dimensional element for the space domain and a difference operator corresponding to a linear variation of temperature within a small time increment for the time domain lead to systematic solutions of temperature distribution and displacement and stress fields. Various boundary conditions such as insulated surfaces and convection through uninsulated surface can be easily treated. To demonstrate effectiveness of the present formulation a number of example problems are presented.

Meshless Local Petrov-Galerkin Method for Bending Problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Phillips, Dawn R.; Raju, Ivatury S.

2002-01-01

Recent literature shows extensive research work on meshless or element-free methods as alternatives to the versatile Finite Element Method. One such meshless method is the Meshless Local Petrov-Galerkin (MLPG) method. In this report, the method is developed for bending of beams - C1 problems. A generalized moving least squares (GMLS) interpolation is used to construct the trial functions, and spline and power weight functions are used as the test functions. The method is applied to problems for which exact solutions are available to evaluate its effectiveness. The accuracy of the method is demonstrated for problems with load discontinuities and continuous beam problems. A Petrov-Galerkin implementation of the method is shown to greatly reduce computational time and effort and is thus preferable over the previously developed Galerkin approach. The MLPG method for beam problems yields very accurate deflections and slopes and continuous moment and shear forces without the need for elaborate post-processing techniques.

Simple Test Functions in Meshless Local Petrov-Galerkin Methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raju, Ivatury S.

2016-01-01

Two meshless local Petrov-Galerkin (MLPG) methods based on two different trial functions but that use a simple linear test function were developed for beam and column problems. These methods used generalized moving least squares (GMLS) and radial basis (RB) interpolation functions as trial functions. These two methods were tested on various patch test problems. Both methods passed the patch tests successfully. Then the methods were applied to various beam vibration problems and problems involving Euler and Beck's columns. Both methods yielded accurate solutions for all problems studied. The simple linear test function offers considerable savings in computing efforts as the domain integrals involved in the weak form are avoided. The two methods based on this simple linear test function method produced accurate results for frequencies and buckling loads. Of the two methods studied, the method with radial basis trial functions is very attractive as the method is simple, accurate, and robust.

Elasto-plastic bending of cracked plates, including the effects of crack closure. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, D. P.

1972-01-01

A capability for solving elasto-plastic plate bending problems is developed using assumptions consistent with Kirchhoff plate theory. Both bending and extensional modes of deformation are admitted with the two modes becoming coupled as yielding proceeds. Equilibrium solutions are obtained numerically by determination of the stationary point of a functional which is analogous to the potential strain energy. The stationary value of the functional for each load increment is efficiently obtained through use of the conjugate gradient. This technique is applied to the problem of a large centrally through cracked plate subject to remote circular bending. Comparison is drawn between two cases of the bending problem. The first neglects the possibility of crack face interference with bending, and the second includes a kinematic prohibition against the crack face from passing through the symmetry plane. Results are reported which isolate the effects of elastoplastic flow and crack closure.

Extremely efficient crystallization of HKUST-1 and Keggin-loaded related phases through the epoxide route.

PubMed

Oestreicher, Víctor; Jobbágy, Matías

2017-03-25

Highly crystalline HKUST-1 and COK-16-like phases were obtained based on a mild in situ alkalinization one-pot epoxide driven method. A slurry composed of finely ground trimesic acid, H 3 BTC, dispersed in a CuCl 2 aqueous solution quantitatively developed well crystallized HKUST-1 after the addition of propylene oxide. The use of solid H 3 BTC ensures a low concentration of free linker, favoring crystalline growth over the precipitation of amorphous or metastable impurities. An extreme space-time yield of 2.1 × 10 5 kg m -3 day -1 was reached, with no linker excess and minimum use of solvent. The method was equally efficient in the achievement of pure NENU/COK-16 phases, containing [PW 12 O 40 ] 3- , [PMo 12 O 40 ] 3- and [SiMo 12 O 40 ] 4- polyoxometalates.

Importance of limiting hohlraum leaks at cryogenic temperatures on NIF targets

DOE PAGES

Bhandarkar, Suhas; Teslich, Nick; Haid, Ben; ...

2017-08-18

Inertial confinement fusion targets are complex systems designed to allow fine control of temperature and pressure for making precise spherical ice layers of hydrogen isotopes at cryogenic temperatures. We discuss the various technical considerations for a maximum leak rate based on heat load considerations. This maximum flow rate turns out to bemore » $$5\\times 10^{-6}$$ standard cc per second, which can be caused by an orifice less than half a micron in diameter. This makes the identification of the location and resolution of the leak a significant challenge. To illustrate this, we showcase one example of a peculiar failure mode that appeared suddenly but persisted whereby target production yield was severely lowered. Identification of the leak source and the root cause requires very careful analysis of multiple thermomechanical aspects to ensure that the end solution is indeed the right remedy and is robust.« less

Nonlinear stress waves in a perfectly flexible string. [for aerodynamic decelerating system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fan, D.-N.; Mcgarvey, J. F.

1977-01-01

This paper discusses nonlinear stress-wave propagation in a perfectly flexible string obeying a quasilinear (rate-dependent) constitutive equation. Wave speeds and compatibility relations valid along various families of characteristics were determined. It was shown that the compatibility relations associated with the transverse as well as the longitudinal waves readily yield a physical interpretation when they are expressed in suitable variables and in vector form. Coding based on the present information was completed for the machine solution of a class of mixed initial- and boundary-value problems of practical interest. Computer simulation of the stress-wave interaction in the 40-foot lanyard in the Arcas 'Rocoz' system during deployment was carried out using a stress-strain relation for nylon at the strain rate of 30/second. A method for estimating the maximum tension and strain in a string during the initial loading phase is proposed.

Core/shell, protuberance-free multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyaniline nanocomposites via interfacial chemistry of aryl diazonium salts.

PubMed

Mekki, Ahmed; Samanta, Soumen; Singh, Ajay; Salmi, Zakaria; Mahmoud, Rachid; Chehimi, Mohamed M; Aswal, Dinesh K

2014-03-15

Highly uniform core-shell like multi-walled carbon nanotubes-polyaniline (MWCNT-PANI) nanocomposites were prepared in two steps (i) surface modification of MWCNTs with a 4-aminodiphenylamine group via in situ diazonium generation process; and (ii) polymerization of aniline onto surface modified MWCNTs. This functionalization helped to easily disperse the MWCNTs in acidic solutions; hence it is suitable for the chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline. It was found that MWCNT-PANI nano-composites with higher MWCNTs loading yield PANI chains with more quinoid units than the pure PANI, which results in significant improvement in the conductivity of the composites. This facile approach of synthesizing core-shell nanocomposites highlights the efficiency of the interfacial chemistry of aryl diazonium salts in generating conductive polymer/MWCNT nanocomposites with enhanced conductivity and high surface area. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Biaxial Testing of 2219-T87 Aluminum Alloy Using Cruciform Specimens

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dawicke, D. S.; Pollock, W. D.

1997-01-01

A cruciform biaxial test specimen was designed and seven biaxial tensile tests were conducted on 2219-T87 aluminum alloy. An elastic-plastic finite element analysis was used to simulate each tests and predict the yield stresses. The elastic-plastic finite analysis accurately simulated the measured load-strain behavior for each test. The yield stresses predicted by the finite element analyses indicated that the yield behavior of the 2219-T87 aluminum alloy agrees with the von Mises yield criterion.

Lithospheric flexure under the Hawaiian volcanic load: Internal stresses and a broken plate revealed by earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klein, Fred W.

2016-04-01

Several lines of earthquake evidence indicate that the lithospheric plate is broken under the load of the island of Hawai`i, where the geometry of the lithosphere is circular with a central depression. The plate bends concave downward surrounding a stress-free hole, rather than bending concave upward as with past assumptions. Earthquake focal mechanisms show that the center of load stress and the weak hole is between the summits of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea where the load is greatest. The earthquake gap at 21 km depth coincides with the predicted neutral plane of flexure where horizontal stress changes sign. Focal mechanism P axes below the neutral plane display a striking radial pattern pointing to the stress center. Earthquakes above the neutral plane in the north part of the island have opposite stress patterns; T axes tend to be radial. The M6.2 Honomu and M6.7 Kiholo main shocks (both at 39 km depth) are below the neutral plane and show radial compression, and the M6.0 Kiholo aftershock above the neutral plane has tangential compression. Earthquakes deeper than 20 km define a donut of seismicity around the stress center where flexural bending is a maximum. The hole is interpreted as the soft center where the lithospheric plate is broken. Kilauea's deep conduit is seismically active because it is in the ring of maximum bending. A simplified two-dimensional stress model for a bending slab with a load at one end yields stress orientations that agree with earthquake stress axes and radial P axes below the neutral plane. A previous inversion of deep Hawaiian focal mechanisms found a circular solution around the stress center that agrees with the model. For horizontal faults, the shear stress within the bending slab matches the slip in the deep Kilauea seismic zone and enhances outward slip of active flanks.

Changes in contaminant loading and hydro-chemical storm behavior after the Station Fire

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burke, M. P.; Hogue, T. S.; Barco, J.; Wessel, C. J.

2010-12-01

The 2009 Station Fire, currently noted as the largest fire in Los Angeles County history, consumed over 650 square kilometers of National Forest land in the San Gabriel Mountain Range. These mountains, located on the east side (leeward) of the Los Angeles basin, are known to have some of the highest deposition rates of atmospheric pollutants in the nation. Even pre-fire, urban-fringe basins in this mountain range serve as an upstream source of contaminants to downstream urban streams. Burned watersheds undergo significant physical and chemical changes that dramatically alter hydrologic flowpaths, erosion potential, surface soil chemistry, and pollutant delivery. Much of the degradation in water quality is attributed to the extensive soil erosion during post-fire runoff events which carry large sediment loads, mobilizing and transporting contaminants to and within downstream waters. High resolution storm samples collected from a small front range watershed provide a unique opportunity to investigate the impacts of wildfire contaminant loading in a watershed that is significantly impacted by high atmospheric deposition of urban contaminates. Data includes four events from WY 2009 (pre-fire) and WY 2010 (post-fire), along with inter-storm grab samples from each storm season. Samples were analyzed for basic anions, nutrients, trace metals, and total suspended solids. Following the fire, storms with similar precipitation patterns yielded loads up to three orders of magnitude greater than pre-fire for some toxic metals, including lead and cadmium. Dramatic increases were also observed in trace metal concentrations typically associated with particulates, while weathering solute concentrations decreased. Post fire intra-storm dynamics exhibited a shift back toward pre-fire behavior by the end of the first rainy season for most of the measured constituents. Additionally, some unexpected behaviors were observed; specifically mercury loads continued to increase throughout the first post-fire rainy season regardless of storm size.

Lithospheric flexure under the Hawaiian volcanic load: Internal stresses and a broken plate revealed by earthquakes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Klein, Fred W.

2016-01-01

Several lines of earthquake evidence indicate that the lithospheric plate is broken under the load of the island of Hawai`i, where the geometry of the lithosphere is circular with a central depression. The plate bends concave downward surrounding a stress-free hole, rather than bending concave upward as with past assumptions. Earthquake focal mechanisms show that the center of load stress and the weak hole is between the summits of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea where the load is greatest. The earthquake gap at 21 km depth coincides with the predicted neutral plane of flexure where horizontal stress changes sign. Focal mechanism P axes below the neutral plane display a striking radial pattern pointing to the stress center. Earthquakes above the neutral plane in the north part of the island have opposite stress patterns; T axes tend to be radial. The M6.2 Honomu and M6.7 Kiholo main shocks (both at 39 km depth) are below the neutral plane and show radial compression, and the M6.0 Kiholo aftershock above the neutral plane has tangential compression. Earthquakes deeper than 20 km define a donut of seismicity around the stress center where flexural bending is a maximum. The hole is interpreted as the soft center where the lithospheric plate is broken. Kilauea's deep conduit is seismically active because it is in the ring of maximum bending. A simplified two-dimensional stress model for a bending slab with a load at one end yields stress orientations that agree with earthquake stress axes and radial P axes below the neutral plane. A previous inversion of deep Hawaiian focal mechanisms found a circular solution around the stress center that agrees with the model. For horizontal faults, the shear stress within the bending slab matches the slip in the deep Kilauea seismic zone and enhances outward slip of active flanks.

Palladium-catalyzed coupling of ammonia with aryl chlorides, bromides, iodides, and sulfonates: a general method for the preparation of primary arylamines.

PubMed

Vo, Giang D; Hartwig, John F

2009-08-12

We report that the complex generated from Pd[P(o-tol)(3)](2) and the alkylbisphosphine CyPF-t-Bu is a highly active and selective catalyst for the coupling of ammonia with aryl chlorides, bromides, iodides, and sulfonates. The couplings of ammonia with this catalyst conducted with a solution of ammonia in dioxane form primary arylamines from a variety of aryl electrophiles in high yields. Catalyst loadings as low as 0.1 mol % were sufficient for reactions of many aryl chlorides and bromides. In the presence of this catalyst, aryl sulfonates also coupled with ammonia for the first time in high yields. A comparison of reactions in the presence of this catalyst versus those in the presence of existing copper and palladium systems revealed a complementary, if not broader, substrate scope. The utility of this method to generate amides, imides, and carbamates is illustrated by a one-pot synthesis of a small library of these carbonyl compounds from aryl bromides and chlorides, ammonia, and acid chlorides or anhydrides. Mechanistic studies show that reactions conducted with the combination of Pd[P(o-tol)(3)](2) and CyPF-t-Bu as catalyst occur with faster rates and higher yields than those conducted with CyPF-t-Bu and palladiun(II) as catalyst precursors because of the low concentration of active catalyst that is generated from the combination of palladium(II), ammonia, and base.

[Effect of NaOH-treatment on advanced anaerobic biogasification of Spartina alterniflora].

PubMed

Chen, Guang-Yin; Zheng, Zheng; Chang, Zhi-Zhou; Ye, Xiao-Mei

2011-08-01

In order to improve the biotransformation rate of Sparnina alterniflora, effect of NaOH-treatment on anaerobic dry-mesophilic digestion of Spartina alterniflora and feasibility of NaOH-treatment as a pretreatment of biogas residues of Spartina alterniflora for advanced anaerobic biogasification were conducted under lab-scale conditions. The results indicated that there was less improvement to biogas yield with NaOH-treatment and the cumulative biogas yield of Spartina alterniflora was 358.94 mL/g TS which was 92.42% to that of control (CK). However, the average methane content was improved slightly with 1.84% improvement. After solid-state pretreatment with 5% NaOH solution for 48 h, the biogas residue of Spartina alterniflora was used for advanced biogasification. This experiment was conducted under 35 degrees C +/- 1 degrees C with initial total solid loading of 8%. The cumulative biogas yield was 209.73 mL/g TS with 70.78% of average methane content, but the biotransformation rate was only 23.29% which was much lower than that of Spartina alterniflora. The fermentation type was propionic acid type fermentation. After two-phase fermentation treatment, cellulose content was decreased significantly while lignin and hemicellulose content were increased. The crystalinity of cellulose of biogas residue decreased after two-phase anaerobic fermentation which was consistent to result of FTIR. The comprehensive analysis of experiment indicated that biogas residue of Spartina alterniflora was still a good material for biogas production and NaOH-treatment was a good pretreatment for biogas production.

A biomechanical comparison of conventional dynamic compression plates and string-of-pearls™ locking plates using cantilever bending in a canine Ilial fracture model.

PubMed

Kenzig, Allison R; Butler, James R; Priddy, Lauren B; Lacy, Kristen R; Elder, Steven H

2017-07-13

Fracture of the ilium is common orthopedic injury that often requires surgical stabilization in canine patients. Of the various methods of surgical stabilization available, application of a lateral bone plate to the ilium is the most common method of fixation. Many plating options are available, each having its own advantages and disadvantages. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical properties of a 3.5 mm String-of-Pearls™ plate and a 3.5 mm dynamic compression plate in a cadaveric canine ilial fracture model. Hemipelves were tested in cantilever bending to failure and construct stiffness, yield load, displacement at yield, ultimate load, and mode of failure were compared. The mean stiffness of dynamic compression plate (116 ± 47 N/mm) and String-of-Pearls™ plate (107 ± 18 N/mm) constructs, mean yield load of dynamic compression plate (793 ± 333 N) and String-of-Pearls™ plate (860 ± 207 N) constructs, mean displacement at yield of dynamic compression plate (8.6 ± 3.0 mm) and String-of-Pearls™ plate (10.2 ± 2.8 mm) constructs, and ultimate load at failure of dynamic compression plate (936 ± 320 N) and String-of-Pearls™ plate (939 ± 191 N) constructs were not significantly different. No differences were found between constructs with respect to mode of failure. No significant biomechanical differences were found between String-of-Pearls™ plate and dynamic compression plate constructs in this simplified cadaveric canine ilial fracture model.

Long-term agroecosystem research in the central Mississippi river basin: dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus transport in a high-runoff-potential watershed.

PubMed

Lerch, R N; Baffaut, C; Kitchen, N R; Sadler, E J

2015-01-01

Long-term monitoring data from agricultural watersheds are needed to determine if efforts to reduce nutrient transport from crop and pasture land have been effective. Goodwater Creek Experimental Watershed (GCEW), located in northeastern Missouri, is a high-runoff-potential watershed dominated by claypan soils. The objectives of this study were to: (i) summarize dissolved NH-N, NO-N, and PO-P flow-weighted concentrations (FWC), daily loads, and yields (unit area loads) in GCEW from 1992 to 2010; (ii) assess time trends and relationships between precipitation, land use, and fertilizer inputs and nutrient transport; and (iii) provide context to the GCEW data by comparisons with other Corn Belt watersheds. Significant declines in annual and quarterly FWCs and yields occurred for all three nutrient species during the study, and the decreases were most evident for NO-N. Substantial decreases in first- and fourth-quarter NO-N FWCs and daily loads and modest decreases in first-quarter PO-P daily loads were observed. Declines in NO-N and PO-P transport were attributed to decreased winter wheat ( L.) and increased corn ( L.) production that shifted fertilizer application from fall to spring as well as to improved management, such as increased use of incorporation. Regression models and correlation analyses indicated that precipitation, land use, and fertilizer inputs were critical factors controlling transport. Within the Mississippi River Basin, NO-N yields in GCEW were much lower than in tile-drained areas, but PO-P yields were among the highest in the basin. Overall, results demonstrated that reductions in fall-applied fertilizer and improved fertilizer management reduced N and P transport in GCEW. Copyright © by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Inc.

Modeling sustainable reuse of nitrogen-laden wastewater by poplar.

PubMed

Wang, Yusong; Licht, Louis; Just, Craig

2016-01-01

Numerical modeling was used to simulate the leaching of nitrogen (N) to groundwater as a consequence of irrigating food processing wastewater onto grass and poplar under various management scenarios. Under current management practices for a large food processor, a simulated annual N loading of 540 kg ha(-1) yielded 93 kg ha(-1) of N leaching for grass and no N leaching for poplar during the growing season. Increasing the annual growing season N loading to approximately 1,550 kg ha(-1) for poplar only, using "weekly", "daily" and "calculated" irrigation scenarios, yielded N leaching of 17 kg ha(-1), 6 kg ha(-1), and 4 kg ha(-1), respectively. Constraining the simulated irrigation schedule by the current onsite wastewater storage capacity of approximately 757 megaliters (Ml) yielded N leaching of 146 kg ha(-1) yr(-1) while storage capacity scenarios of 3,024 and 4,536 Ml yielded N leaching of 65 and 13 kg ha(-1) yr(-1), respectively, for a loading of 1,550 kg ha(-1) yr(-1). Further constraining the model by the current wastewater storage volume and the available land area (approximately 1,000 hectares) required a "diverse" irrigation schedule that was predicted to leach a weighted average of 13 kg-N ha(-1) yr(-1) when dosed with 1,063 kg-N ha(-1) yr(-1).

The Role of Trabecular Microarchitecture in the Formation, Accumulation, and Morphology of Microdamage in Human Cancellous Bone

PubMed Central

Karim, Lamya; Vashishth, Deepak

2011-01-01

Alterations in microdamage morphology and accumulation are typically attributed to impaired remodeling, but may also result from changes in microdamage initiation and propagation. Such alterations are relevant for cancellous bone with high metabolic activity and numerous bone quality changes. This study investigates the role of trabecular microarchitecture on morphology and accumulation of microdamage in human cancellous bone. Trabecular bone cores from donors of varying ages and bone volume fraction (BV/TV) were separated into high and low BV/TV groups. Samples were subjected to no load or uniaxial compression to 0.6% (pre-yield) or 1.1% (post-yield) strain. Microdamage was stained with lead uranyl acetate and specimens were imaged via microcomputed tomography to quantify microdamage and determine its morphology in three-dimensions (3D). Donors with high BV/TV had greater post yield strain and were tougher than low BV/TV donors. High BV/TV bone had less microdamage than low BV/TV bone under post- but not pre-yield loading. Microdamage under both loading conditions showed significant correlations with microarchitecture and BV/TV, but the key predictor was structure model index (SMI). As SMI increased (more trabecular rods), microdamage morphology became crack-like. Thus, low BV/TV and increased SMI have strong influences on microdamage accumulation in bone through altered initiation. PMID:21538510

Pyrolysis of polyethylene terephthalate containing real waste plastics using Ni loaded zeolite catalysts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-asadi, M.; Miskolczi, N.

2018-05-01

In this work the pyrolysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containing real waste plastic was investigated using different Ni loaded catalysts: Ni/ZSM-5, Ni/y-zeolite, Ni/β-zeolite and Ni/natural zeolite (clinoptilolite). Raw materials were pyrolyzed in a horizontal tubular reactor between 600 and 900°C using 10% of catalysts. It was found, that both temperature increasing and catalysts presence can increase the gas yields, however owing to gasification reactions, the pyrolysis oil yield decreased with increasing temperature. Ni/y-zeolite catalyst had the most benefit in gas yield increasing at low temperature; however Ni/ZSM-5 showed advanced property in gas yield increasing at high temperature. Gases contained hydrogen, carbon oxides and hydrocarbons, which composition was significantly affected by catalysts. Ni loaded zeolites favoured to the formation of hydrogen and branched hydrocarbons; furthermore the concentrations of both CO and CO2 were also increased as function of elevated temperature. That phenomenon was attributed to the further decomposition of PET, especially to the side chain scission reactions. Owing to the Boudouard reaction, the ratio of CO2/CO can increased with temperature. Pyrolysis oils were the mixtures of n-saturated, n-unsaturated, branched, oxygen free aromatics and oxygenated hydrocarbons. Temperature increasing has a significant effect to the aromatization and isomerization reactions, while the catalysts can efficiently decreased the concentration of oxygen containing compounds.

Coupling Solute and Fine Particle Transport with Sand Bed Morphodynamics within a Field Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phillips, C. B.; Ortiz, C. P.; Schumer, R.; Jerolmack, D. J.; Packman, A. I.

2017-12-01

Fine suspended particles are typically considered to pass through streams and rivers as wash load without interacting with the bed, however experiments have demonstrated that hyporheic flow causes advective exchange of fine particles with the stream bed, yielding accumulation of fine particle deposits within the bed. Ultimately, understanding river morphodynamics and ecosystem dynamics requires coupling both fine particle and solute transport with bed morphodynamics. To better understand the coupling between these processes we analyze a novel dataset from a controlled field experiment conducted on Clear Run, a 2nd order sand bed stream located within the North Carolina coastal plain. Data include concentrations of continuously injected conservative solutes and fine particulate tracers measured at various depths within the stream bed, overhead time lapse images of bed forms, stream discharge, and geomorphological surveys of the stream. We use image analysis of bed morphodynamics to assess exchange, retention, and remobilization of solutes and fine particles during constant discharge and a short duration experimental flood. From the images, we extract a time series of bedform elevations and scour depths for the duration of the experiment. The high-resolution timeseries of bed elevation enables us to assess coupling of bed morphodynamics with both the solute and fine particle flux during steady state mobile bedforms prior to the flood and to changing bedforms during the flood. These data allow the application of a stochastic modeling framework relating bed elevation fluctuations to fine particle residence times. This combined experimental and modeling approach ultimately informs our ability to predict not only the fate of fine particulate matter but also associated nutrient and carbon dynamics within streams and rivers.

Mechanisms of nitrate capture in biochar: Are they related to biochar properties, post-treatment and soil environment?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cimo, Giulia; Haller, Andreas; Spokas, Kurt; Novak, Jeff; Ippolito, Jim; Löhnertz, Otmar; Kammann, Claudia

2017-04-01

Biochar use in soils is assumed to increase soil fertility and the efficiency of nutrient use, particularly nitrogen. It was demonstrated recently that biochar is able to capture considerable amounts of the mobile anion nitrate which was observed in co-composted as well as field aged biochar1,2. Moreover the nitrate was not sufficiently extractable with standard methods from biochar particles; extractions had to be repeated to effectively remove the nitrate1. Subsequently the co-composted nitrate-enriched biochar stimulated plant growth due to N supply to the plants2. However, in a field study in sandy soil in Germany, a different biochar also captured nitrate, increasing the topsoil nitrate concentration and likely reducing nitrate leaching to subsoils1. This was particularly seen after a dry year in the re-picked and analysed particles. However, in the field experiment this aged, nitrate-enriched biochar did not improve crop yields3. To better understand the way biochar interacts with nitrate we undertook several laboratory experiments with 13 well characterized biochars produced from cypress, pine and grapewood at 350, 500, 700 and 900 °C including one Kon-Tiki produced grapewood biochar (600-700°C). Our results showed that (1) pure, pristine (not post-treated) biochar captured more nitrate when they were air-moist and not totally dry; that (2) letting biochar particles dry in nitrate solution forces more nitrate into biochar particles than incubating them in the solution, but (3) that shaking during drying nevertheless caused a higher nitrate uptake into biochar particles; that(4) the counter ion K+ in nitrate solution was more effective than Na+ for N-loading of biochar; (5)that drying a soil-biochar mix in nitrate solution produced a higher nitrate loading of the mixture (i.e. the biochar) than drying both components separately in the same solution; (6)that a higher biochar production temperature caused higher nitrate capture up to 700-900°C. Furthermore we found (7)that this captured nitrate was well protected against leaching, (8)that repeated drying-wetting cycles increased nitrate capture, with the amount protected against leaching remaining more or less constant; and (9) that an organic "coating" (or application of the nitrate in an organic solution, here: black tea) increased biochars' capability of nitrate capture. Our results thus underline that the phenomenon of nitrate capture is not purely due to ionic mechanisms but may partly rely on physical interactions and the pore structure of the biochar. Acknowledgement: JC acknowledges funding by the COST action TD1107 (short term scientific mission), CK acknowledges the financial support of DFG grant no. Ka3442/1-1 and of the HMWK Hessia funded OptiChar4EcoVin project. 1-Haider, G., Steffens, D., Müller, C. & Kammann, C. I. Standard extraction methods may underestimate nitrate stocks captured by field aged biochar. J. Environ. Qual. 45, 1196-1204 (2016). 2-Kammann, C. I. et al. Plant growth improvement mediated by nitrate capture in co-composted biochar. Scientific Reports 5, doi: 10.1038/srep11080 (2015). 3-Haider, G., Steffens, D., Moser, G., Müller, C. & Kammann, C. I. Biochar reduced nitrate leaching and improved soil moisture content without yield improvements in a four-year field study. Agri. Ecosys. Environ. 237, 80-94 (2017).

Enhanced Lipid and Biodiesel Production from Glucose-Fed Activated Sludge: Kinetics an Microbial Community Analysis

EPA Science Inventory

An innovative approach to increase biofuel feedstock lipid yields from municipal sewage sludge via manipulation of carbon:nitrogen (C:N) ratio and glucose loading in activated sludge bioreactors was investigated. Sludge lipid and fatty acid methyl ester (biodiesel) yields (% cel...

Co-precipitation of asiatic acid and poly( l-lactide) using rapid expansion of subcritical solutions into liquid solvents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sane, Amporn; Limtrakul, Jumras

2011-09-01

Poly( l-lactide) (PLLA) nanoparticles loaded with asiatic acid (AA) were successfully produced by rapid expansion of a subcritical solution into an aqueous receiving solution containing a dispersing agent. A mixture of carbon dioxide (CO2) and ethanol (EtOH) with a weight ratio of 1:1 was used as the solvent for AA and PLLA. Two surfactants, Pluronic F127 and sodium dodecyl sulfate were employed. The former was found to be more effective for stabilizing AA-loaded PLLA nanoparticles, as a rapid expansion into a 0.1 wt% Pluronic F127 solution produced a stable nanosuspension consisting mainly of well-dispersed, individual nanoparticles. The effects of rapid expansion-processing conditions—AA to PLLA weight ratio and pre-expansion temperature (Tpre)—on the size and morphology of composite nanoparticles, and the loading capacity and entrapment efficiency of AA in PLLA nanoparticles, were systematically investigated. It was found that AA-loaded PLLA nanoparticles with a size range of 30-100 nm were consistently fabricated by rapid expansion at Tpre of 70-100 °C and AA to PLLA weight ratios of 1:2 and 1:4, and with a constant pre-expansion pressure of 330 bar. The Tpre and AA to PLLA weight ratio had no significant effects on the size of the nanoparticles. The AA to PLLA weight ratio is a controlling parameter for both the loading capacity and the entrapment efficiency of AA in PLLA nanoparticles. The loading capacity and entrapment efficiency increased from 8-11 to 16-21 wt%, and 38-57 to 50-62 wt%, respectively, when the AA to PLLA weight ratio changed from 1:4 to 1:2. However, increasing the Tpre from 70 to 100 °C decreased both the loading capacity and entrapment efficiency of AA in PLLA nanoparticles by 20-30%.

Phosphorus Concentrations, Loads, and Yields in the Illinois River Basin, Arkansas and Oklahoma, 1997-2001

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pickup, Barbara E.; Andrews, William J.; Haggard, Brian E.; Green, W. Reed

2003-01-01

The Illinois River and tributaries, Flint Creek and the Baron Fork, are designated scenic rivers in Oklahoma. Recent phosphorus increases in streams in the basin have resulted in the growth of excess algae, which have limited the aesthetic benefits of water bodies in the basin, especially the Illinois River and Lake Tenkiller. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board has established a standard for total phosphorus not to exceed the 30- day geometric mean concentration of 0.037 milligram per liter in Oklahoma Scenic Rivers. Data from water-quality samples from 1997 to 2001 were used to summarize phosphorus concentrations and estimate phosphorus loads, yields, and flowweighted concentrations in the Illinois River basin. Phosphorus concentrations in the Illinois River basin generally were significantly greater in runoff-event samples than in base-flow samples. Phosphorus concentrations generally decreased with increasing base flow, from dilution, and increased with runoff, possibly because of phosphorus resuspension, stream bank erosion, and the addition of phosphorus from nonpoint sources. Estimated mean annual phosphorus loads were greater at the Illinois River stations than at Flint Creek and the Baron Fork. Loads appeared to generally increase with time during 1997-2001 at all stations, but this increase might be partly attributable to the beginning of runoff-event sampling in the basin in July 1999. Base-flow loads at stations on the Illinois River were about 10 times greater than those on the Baron Fork and 5 times greater than those on Flint Creek. Runoff components of the annual total phosphorus load ranged from 58.7 to 96.8 percent from 1997-2001. Base-flow and runoff loads were generally greatest in spring (March through May) or summer (June through August), and were least in fall (September through November). Total yields of phosphorus ranged from 107 to 797 pounds per year per square mile. Greatest yields were at Flint Creek near Kansas (365 to 797 pounds per year per square mile) and the least yields were at Baron Fork at Eldon (107 to 440 pounds per year per square mile). Estimated mean flow-weighted concentrations were more than 10 times greater than the median and were consistently greater than the 75th percentile of flow-weighted phosphorus concentrations in samples collected at relatively undeveloped basins of the United States (0.022 milligram per liter and 0.037 milligram per liter, respectively). In addition, flow-weighted phosphorus concentrations in 1999-2001 at all Illinois River stations and at Flint Creek near Kansas were equal to or greater than the 75th percentile of all National Water-Quality Assessment program stations in the United States (0.29 milligram per liter). The annual average phosphorus load entering Lake Tenkiller was about 577,000 pounds per year, and more than 86 percent of the load was transported to the lake by runoff.The Illinois River and tributaries, Flint Creek and the Baron Fork, are designated scenic rivers in Oklahoma. Recent phosphorus increases in streams in the basin have resulted in the growth of excess algae, which have limited the aesthetic benefits of water bodies in the basin, especially the Illinois River and Lake Tenkiller. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board has established a standard for total phosphorus not to exceed the 30- day geometric mean concentration of 0.037 milligram per liter in Oklahoma Scenic Rivers. Data from water-quality samples from 1997 to 2001 were used to summarize phosphorus concentrations and estimate phosphorus loads, yields, and flowweighted concentrations in the Illinois River basin. Phosphorus concentrations in the Illinois River basin generally were significantly greater in runoff-event samples than in base-flow samples. Phosphorus concentrations generally decreased with increasing base flow, from dilution, and increased with runoff, possibly because of phosphorus resuspension, stream bank erosion, and the addition of phosphorus

The effect of flow data resolution on sediment yield estimation and channel design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosburg, Tyler T.; Nelson, Peter A.; Sholtes, Joel S.; Bledsoe, Brian P.

2016-07-01

The decision to use either daily-averaged or sub-daily streamflow records has the potential to impact the calculation of sediment transport metrics and stream channel design. Using bedload and suspended load sediment transport measurements collected at 138 sites across the United States, we calculated the effective discharge, sediment yield, and half-load discharge using sediment rating curves over long time periods (median record length = 24 years) with both daily-averaged and sub-daily streamflow records. A comparison of sediment transport metrics calculated with both daily-average and sub-daily stream flow data at each site showed that daily-averaged flow data do not adequately represent the magnitude of high stream flows at hydrologically flashy sites. Daily-average stream flow data cause an underestimation of sediment transport and sediment yield (including the half-load discharge) at flashy sites. The degree of underestimation was correlated with the level of flashiness and the exponent of the sediment rating curve. No consistent relationship between the use of either daily-average or sub-daily streamflow data and the resultant effective discharge was found. When used in channel design, computed sediment transport metrics may have errors due to flow data resolution, which can propagate into design slope calculations which, if implemented, could lead to unwanted aggradation or degradation in the design channel. This analysis illustrates the importance of using sub-daily flow data in the calculation of sediment yield in urbanizing or otherwise flashy watersheds. Furthermore, this analysis provides practical charts for estimating and correcting these types of underestimation errors commonly incurred in sediment yield calculations.

Advanced development of the boundary element method for elastic and inelastic thermal stress analysis. Ph.D. Thesis, 1987 Final Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Henry, Donald P., Jr.

1991-01-01

The focus of this dissertation is on advanced development of the boundary element method for elastic and inelastic thermal stress analysis. New formulations for the treatment of body forces and nonlinear effects are derived. These formulations, which are based on particular integral theory, eliminate the need for volume integrals or extra surface integrals to account for these effects. The formulations are presented for axisymmetric, two and three dimensional analysis. Also in this dissertation, two dimensional and axisymmetric formulations for elastic and inelastic, inhomogeneous stress analysis are introduced. The derivatives account for inhomogeneities due to spatially dependent material parameters, and thermally induced inhomogeneities. The nonlinear formulation of the present work are based on an incremental initial stress approach. Two inelastic solutions algorithms are implemented: an iterative; and a variable stiffness type approach. The Von Mises yield criterion with variable hardening and the associated flow rules are adopted in these algorithms. All formulations are implemented in a general purpose, multi-region computer code with the capability of local definition of boundary conditions. Quadratic, isoparametric shape functions are used to model the geometry and field variables of the boundary (and domain) of the problem. The multi-region implementation permits a body to be modeled in substructured parts, thus dramatically reducing the cost of analysis. Furthermore, it allows a body consisting of regions of different (homogeneous) material to be studied. To test the program, results obtained for simple test cases are checked against their analytic solutions. Thereafter, a range of problems of practical interest are analyzed. In addition to displacement and traction loads, problems with body forces due to self-weight, centrifugal, and thermal loads are considered.

Development of Low Global Warming Potential Refrigerant Solutions for Commercial Refrigeration Systems using a Life Cycle Climate Performance Design Tool

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

Abdelaziz, Omar; Fricke, Brian A; Vineyard, Edward Allan

Commercial refrigeration systems are known to be prone to high leak rates and to consume large amounts of electricity. As such, direct emissions related to refrigerant leakage and indirect emissions resulting from primary energy consumption contribute greatly to their Life Cycle Climate Performance (LCCP). In this paper, an LCCP design tool is used to evaluate the performance of a typical commercial refrigeration system with alternative refrigerants and minor system modifications to provide lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerant solutions with improved LCCP compared to baseline systems. The LCCP design tool accounts for system performance, ambient temperature, and system load; systemmore » performance is evaluated using a validated vapor compression system simulation tool while ambient temperature and system load are devised from a widely used building energy modeling tool (EnergyPlus). The LCCP design tool also accounts for the change in hourly electricity emission rate to yield an accurate prediction of indirect emissions. The analysis shows that conventional commercial refrigeration system life cycle emissions are largely due to direct emissions associated with refrigerant leaks and that system efficiency plays a smaller role in the LCCP. However, as a transition occurs to low GWP refrigerants, the indirect emissions become more relevant. Low GWP refrigerants may not be suitable for drop-in replacements in conventional commercial refrigeration systems; however some mixtures may be introduced as transitional drop-in replacements. These transitional refrigerants have a significantly lower GWP than baseline refrigerants and as such, improved LCCP. The paper concludes with a brief discussion on the tradeoffs between refrigerant GWP, efficiency and capacity.« less