Simulation and experimental study of aspect ratio limitation in Fresnel zone plates for hard-x-ray optics.

PubMed

Liu, Jianpeng; Shao, Jinhai; Zhang, Sichao; Ma, Yaqi; Taksatorn, Nit; Mao, Chengwen; Chen, Yifang; Deng, Biao; Xiao, Tiqiao

2015-11-10

For acquiring high-contrast and high-brightness images in hard-x-ray optics, Fresnel zone plates with high aspect ratios (zone height/zone width) have been constantly pursued. However, knowledge of aspect ratio limits remains limited. This work explores the achievable aspect ratio limit in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) by electron-beam lithography (EBL) under 100 keV, and investigates the lithographic factors for this limitation. Both Monte Carlo simulation and EBL on thick PMMA are applied to investigate the profile evolution with exposure doses over 100 nm wide dense zones. A high-resolution scanning electron microscope at low acceleration mode for charging free is applied to characterize the resultant zone profiles. It was discovered for what we believe is the first time that the primary electron-beam spreading in PMMA and the proximity effect due to extra exposure from neighboring areas could be the major causes of limiting the aspect ratio. Using the optimized lithography condition, a 100 nm zone plate with aspect ratio of 15/1 was fabricated and its focusing property was characterized at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility. The aspect ratio limit found in this work should be extremely useful for guiding further technical development in nanofabrication of high-quality Fresnel zone plates.

[C, N and P stoichiometric characteristics of different root orders for three dominant tree species in subalpine forests of western Sichuan, China].

PubMed

Tang, Shi-shan; Yang, Wan-qin; Xiong, Li; Yin, Rui; Wang, Hai-peng; Zhang, Yan; Xu, Zhen-feng

2015-02-01

Fine root order was classified according to Pregitzer's method. This study measured carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations of the 1-5 root orders (diameter < 2 mm) in three dominant subalpine tree species (Betula albosinensis, Abies faxoniana and Picea asperata) of western Sichuan. Their stoichiometric ratios of different root orders were also calculated. The results showed that C concentration, C/N and C/P increased, but N and P concentrations decreased from the first to fifth order of fine root for all tree species. No significant changes in N/P among root orders were detected in each species. There were significant differences in C, N, P concentrations and their stoichiometric ratios among the tree species. The species-associated differences were dependent on root order. There were significant correlations between C, N, P concentrations and their stoichiometric ratios in the three tree species.

Oxygen chemical diffusion in hypo-stoichiometric MOX

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kato, Masato; Morimoto, Kyoichi; Tamura, Tetsuya; Sunaoshi, Takeo; Konashi, Kenji; Aono, Shigenori; Kashimura, Motoaki

2009-06-01

Kinetics of the oxygen-to-metal ratio change in (U 0.8Pu 0.2)O 2-x and (U 0.7Pu 0.3)O 2-x was evaluated in the temperature range of 1523-1623 K using a thermo-gravimetric technique. The oxygen chemical diffusion coefficients were decided as a function of temperature from the kinetics of the reduction process under a hypo-stoichiometric composition. The diffusion coefficient of (U 0.7Pu 0.3)O 2-x was smaller than that of (U 0.8Pu 0.2)O 2-x. No strong dependence was observed for the diffusion coefficient on the O/M variation of samples.

High-aspect ratio zone plate fabrication for hard x-ray nanoimaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parfeniukas, Karolis; Giakoumidis, Stylianos; Akan, Rabia; Vogt, Ulrich

2017-08-01

We present our results in fabricating Fresnel zone plate optics for the NanoMAX beamline at the fourth-generation synchrotron radiation facility MAX IV, to be used in the energy range of 6-10 keV. The results and challenges of tungsten nanofabrication are discussed, and an alternative approach using metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) of silicon is showcased. We successfully manufactured diffraction-limited zone plates in tungsten with 30 nm outermost zone width and an aspect ratio of 21:1. These optics were used for nanoimaging experiments at NanoMAX. However, we found it challenging to further improve resolution and diffraction efficiency using tungsten. High efficiency is desirable to fully utilize the advantage of increased coherence on the optics at MAX IV. Therefore, we started to investigate MACE of silicon for the nanofabrication of high-resolution and high-efficiency zone plates. The first type of structures we propose use the silicon directly as the phase-shifting material. We have achieved 6 μm deep dense vertical structures with 100 nm linewidth. The second type of optics use iridium as the phase material. The structures in the silicon substrate act as a mold for iridium coating via atomic layer deposition (ALD). A semi-dense pattern is used with line-to-space ratio of 1:3 for a so-called frequency-doubled zone plate. This way, it is possible to produce smaller structures with the tradeoff of the additional ALD step. We have fabricated 45 nm-wide and 3.6 μm-tall silicon/iridium structures.

Carbon and nutrient use efficiencies optimally balance stoichiometric imbalances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manzoni, Stefano; Čapek, Petr; Lindahl, Björn; Mooshammer, Maria; Richter, Andreas; Šantrůčková, Hana

2016-04-01

Decomposer organisms face large stoichiometric imbalances because their food is generally poor in nutrients compared to the decomposer cellular composition. The presence of excess carbon (C) requires adaptations to utilize nutrients effectively while disposing of or investing excess C. As food composition changes, these adaptations lead to variable C- and nutrient-use efficiencies (defined as the ratios of C and nutrients used for growth over the amounts consumed). For organisms to be ecologically competitive, these changes in efficiencies with resource stoichiometry have to balance advantages and disadvantages in an optimal way. We hypothesize that efficiencies are varied so that community growth rate is optimized along stoichiometric gradients of their resources. Building from previous theories, we predict that maximum growth is achieved when C and nutrients are co-limiting, so that the maximum C-use efficiency is reached, and nutrient release is minimized. This optimality principle is expected to be applicable across terrestrial-aquatic borders, to various elements, and at different trophic levels. While the growth rate maximization hypothesis has been evaluated for consumers and predators, in this contribution we test it for terrestrial and aquatic decomposers degrading resources across wide stoichiometry gradients. The optimality hypothesis predicts constant efficiencies at low substrate C:N and C:P, whereas above a stoichiometric threshold, C-use efficiency declines and nitrogen- and phosphorus-use efficiencies increase up to one. Thus, high resource C:N and C:P lead to low C-use efficiency, but effective retention of nitrogen and phosphorus. Predictions are broadly consistent with efficiency trends in decomposer communities across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

A new multidimensional stoichiometric classification of compounds: moving beyond the van Krevelen diagram.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rivas-Ubach, A.; Liu, Y.; Bianchi, T. S.; Tolic, N.; Jansson, C.; Paša-Tolić, L.

2017-12-01

The role of nutrients in organisms, especially primary producers, has been a topic of special interest in ecosystem research for understanding the ecosystem structure and function. The majority of macro-elements in organisms, such as C, H, O, N and P, do not act as single elements but are components of organic compounds (lipids, peptides, carbohydrates, etc), which are more directly related to the physiology of organisms and thus to the ecosystem function. However, accurately deciphering the overall content of the main compound classes (lipids, proteins, carbohydrates,…) in organisms is still a major challenge. van Krevelen (vK) diagrams have been widely used as an estimation of the main compound categories present in environmental samples based on O:C vs H:C molecular ratios, but a stoichiometric classification based exclusively on O:C and H:C ratios is feeble. Different compound classes show large O:C and H:C ratio overlapping and other heteroatoms, such as N and P, should be considered to robustly distinguish the different classes. We propose a new compound classification for biological/environmental samples based on the C:H:O:N:P stoichiometric ratios of thousands of molecular formulas of characterized compounds from 6 different main categories: lipids, peptides, amino-sugars, carbohydrates, nucleotides and phytochemical compounds (oxy-aromatic compounds). This new multidimensional stoichiometric compound constraints classification (MSCC) can be applied to data obtained with high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), allowing an accurate overview of the relative abundances of the main compound categories present in organismal samples. The MSCC has been optimized for plants, but it could be also applied to different organisms and serve as a strong starting point to further investigate other environmental complex matrices (soils, aerosols, etc). The proposed MSCC advances environmental research, especially eco-metabolomics, ecophysiology and ecological

Assessment of environmentally friendly fuel emissions from in-use vehicle exhaust: low-blend iso-stoichiometric GEM mixture as example.

PubMed

Schifter, Isaac; Díaz-Gutiérrez, Luis; Rodríguez-Lara, René; González-Macías, Carmen; González-Macías, Uriel

2017-05-01

Gasoline-ethanol-methanol fuel blends were formulated with the same stoichiometric air-to-fuel ratio and volumetric energy concentration as any binary ethanol-gasoline blend. When the stoichiometric blends operated in a vehicle, the time period, injector voltage, and pressure for each fuel injection event in the engine corresponded to a given stoichiometric air-to-fuel ratio, and the load was essentially constant. Three low oxygen content iso-stoichiometric ternary gasoline-ethanol-methanol fuel blends were prepared, and the properties were compared with regular-type fuel without added oxygen. One of the ternary fuels was tested using a fleet of in-use vehicles for15 weeks and compared to neat gasoline without oxygenated compounds as a reference. Only a small number of publications have compared these ternary fuels in the same engine, and little data exist on the performance and emissions of in-use spark-ignition engines. The total hydrocarbon emissions observed was similar in both fuels, in addition to the calculated ozone forming potential of the tailpipe and evaporative emissions. In ozone non-attainment areas, the original purpose for oxygenate gasolines was to decrease carbon monoxide emissions. The results suggest that the strategy is less effective than expected because there still exist a great number of vehicles that have suffered the progressive deterioration of emissions and do not react to oxygenation, while new vehicles are equipped with sophisticated air/fuel control systems, and oxygenation does not improve combustion because the systems adjust the stoichiometric point, making it insensitive to the origin of the added excess oxygen (fuel or excess air). Graphical abstract Low level ternary blend of gasoline-ethanol-methanol were prepared with the same stoichiometric air-fuel ratio and volumetric energy concentration, based on the volumetric energy density of the pre-blended components. Exhaust and evaporative emissions was compared with a blend

Intrinsic high electrical conductivity of stoichiometric SrNb O3 epitaxial thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oka, Daichi; Hirose, Yasushi; Nakao, Shoichiro; Fukumura, Tomoteru; Hasegawa, Tetsuya

2015-11-01

SrV O3 and SrNb O3 are perovskite-type transition-metal oxides with the same d1 electronic configuration. Although SrNb O3 (4 d1 ) has a larger d orbital than SrV O3 (3 d1 ), the reported electrical resistivity of SrNb O3 is much higher than that of SrV O3 , probably owing to nonstoichiometry. In this paper, we grew epitaxial, high-conductivity stoichiometric SrNb O3 using pulsed laser deposition. The growth temperature strongly affected the Sr/Nb ratio and the oxygen content of the films, and we obtained stoichiometric SrNb O3 at a very narrow temperature window around 630 °C. The stoichiometric SrNb O3 epitaxial thin films grew coherently on KTa O3 (001) substrates with high crystallinity. The room-temperature resistivity of the stoichiometric film was 2.82 ×10-5Ω cm , one order of magnitude lower than the lowest reported value of SrNb O3 and comparable with that of SrV O3 . We observed a T -square dependence of resistivity below T*=180 K and non-Drude behavior in near-infrared absorption spectroscopy, attributable to the Fermi-liquid nature caused by electron correlation. Analysis of the T -square coefficient A of resistivity experimentally revealed that the 4 d orbital of Nb that is larger than the 3 d ones certainly contributes to the high electrical conduction of SrNb O3 .

Calcium to phosphate ratio measurements in calcium phosphates using LIBS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tariq, U.; Haider, Z.; Chaudhary, K.; Hussain, R.; Ali, J.

2018-05-01

In this study, we report the measurement of Ca/P ratio of hydroxyapatite using LIBS. Hydroxyapatite was prepared by wet chemical precipitation method with different stoichiometric ratios of Ca and P (1.5, 1.6, 1.67, 1.70, 1.80). Samples were then pelletized using KBr as a binder under a hydraulic press. Samples were irradiated with a laser beam and corresponding spectra were recorded. Spectra were further analyzed to calculate the Ca/P ratio which was then compared with the EDX for validation. LIBS results showed promise with a deviation of < 5% with the Stoichiometric ratios and EDX results.

C, N and P fertilization in an Amazonian rainforest supports stoichiometric dissimilarity as a driver of litter diversity effects on decomposition

PubMed Central

Barantal, Sandra; Schimann, Heidy; Fromin, Nathalie; Hättenschwiler, Stephan

2014-01-01

Plant leaf litter generally decomposes faster as a group of different species than when individual species decompose alone, but underlying mechanisms of these diversity effects remain poorly understood. Because resource C : N : P stoichiometry (i.e. the ratios of these key elements) exhibits strong control on consumers, we supposed that stoichiometric dissimilarity of litter mixtures (i.e. the divergence in C : N : P ratios among species) improves resource complementarity to decomposers leading to faster mixture decomposition. We tested this hypothesis with: (i) a wide range of leaf litter mixtures of neotropical tree species varying in C : N : P dissimilarity, and (ii) a nutrient addition experiment (C, N and P) to create stoichiometric similarity. Litter mixtures decomposed in the field using two different types of litterbags allowing or preventing access to soil fauna. Litter mixture mass loss was higher than expected from species decomposing singly, especially in presence of soil fauna. With fauna, synergistic litter mixture effects increased with increasing stoichiometric dissimilarity of litter mixtures and this positive relationship disappeared with fertilizer addition. Our results indicate that litter stoichiometric dissimilarity drives mixture effects via the nutritional requirements of soil fauna. Incorporating ecological stoichiometry in biodiversity research allows refinement of the underlying mechanisms of how changing biodiversity affects ecosystem functioning. PMID:25320173

Experimental investigation of aerodynamics, combustion, and emissions characteristics within the primary zone of a gas turbine combustor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elkady, Ahmed M.

2006-04-01

The present work investigates pollutant emissions production, mainly nitric oxides and carbon monoxide, within the primary zone of a highly swirling combustion and methods with which to reduce their formation. A baseline study was executed at different equivalence ratios and different inlet air temperatures. The study was then extended to investigate the effects of utilizing transverse air jets on pollutant emission characteristics at different jet locations, jet mass ratio, and overall equivalence ratio as well as to investigate the jets' overall interactions with the recirculation zone. A Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer was employed to measure emissions concentrations generated during combustion of Jet-A fuel in a swirl-cup assembly. Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) was employed to investigate the mean flow aerodynamics within the combustor. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) was utilized to capture the instantaneous aerodynamic behavior of the non-reacting primary zone. Results illustrate that NOx production is a function of both the recirculation zone and the flame length. At low overall equivalence ratios, the recirculation zone is found to be the main producer of NOx. At near stoichiometric conditions, the post recirculation zone appears to be responsible for the majority of NOx produced. Results reveal the possibility of injecting air into the recirculation zone without altering flame stability to improve emission characteristics. Depending on the jet location and strength, nitric oxides as well as carbon monoxide can be reduced simultaneously. Placing the primary air jet just downstream of the fuel rich recirculation zone can lead to a significant reduction in both nitric oxides and carbon monoxide. In the case of fuel lean recirculation zone, reduction of nitric oxides can occur by placing the jets below the location of maximum radius of the recirculation zone.

Two novel kinases phosphorylate tau and the KSP site of heavy neurofilament subunits in high stoichiometric ratios.

PubMed

Roder, H M; Ingram, V M

1991-11-01

We have identified, purified, and characterized two neurofilament/tau kinases from bovine brain, PK36 and PK40, with apparent Mr of 36,000 and 40,000 and with novel biochemical properties. A specially designed immunoassay for phosphorylated epitopes in neurofilament (NF) proteins was used in the early stages of the purification. Neither kinase is closely associated with the cytoskeleton. Both kinases phosphorylate bovine intermediate (NF-M) and heavy (NF-H) NF subunits and also bovine tau at the expected KSP sequences, though other sites cannot be ruled out. In human paired helical filaments, tau, phosphorylated at these same KSP sites, is a major characterized constituent. Neither kinase is activated by the usual second messengers. Tau and the above NF subunits are phosphorylated in high stoichiometric ratios. In the intermediate NF subunit, all the expected sites appear to be phosphorylated, but in the heavy NF subunit only 7 out of the greater than 40 expected sites can be phosphorylated by our kinases. We demonstrate that both kinases can induce considerable shifts of apparent Mr with SDS-PAGE for tau and, for the first time in vitro, also for the intermediate NF subunit. Interestingly, PK36 and particularly PK40 are strongly inhibited by an excess of free ATP. We propose that during normal aging, and in Alzheimer's disease, age-related mitochondrial dysfunction would reduce ATP levels, which in turn might release the neurofilament/tau kinase from inhibition with consequent paired helical filament formation.

C, N and P fertilization in an Amazonian rainforest supports stoichiometric dissimilarity as a driver of litter diversity effects on decomposition.

PubMed

Barantal, Sandra; Schimann, Heidy; Fromin, Nathalie; Hättenschwiler, Stephan

2014-12-07

Plant leaf litter generally decomposes faster as a group of different species than when individual species decompose alone, but underlying mechanisms of these diversity effects remain poorly understood. Because resource C : N : P stoichiometry (i.e. the ratios of these key elements) exhibits strong control on consumers, we supposed that stoichiometric dissimilarity of litter mixtures (i.e. the divergence in C : N : P ratios among species) improves resource complementarity to decomposers leading to faster mixture decomposition. We tested this hypothesis with: (i) a wide range of leaf litter mixtures of neotropical tree species varying in C : N : P dissimilarity, and (ii) a nutrient addition experiment (C, N and P) to create stoichiometric similarity. Litter mixtures decomposed in the field using two different types of litterbags allowing or preventing access to soil fauna. Litter mixture mass loss was higher than expected from species decomposing singly, especially in presence of soil fauna. With fauna, synergistic litter mixture effects increased with increasing stoichiometric dissimilarity of litter mixtures and this positive relationship disappeared with fertilizer addition. Our results indicate that litter stoichiometric dissimilarity drives mixture effects via the nutritional requirements of soil fauna. Incorporating ecological stoichiometry in biodiversity research allows refinement of the underlying mechanisms of how changing biodiversity affects ecosystem functioning. © 2014 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

Atomically Precise Interfaces from Non-stoichiometric Deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nie, Yuefeng; Zhu, Ye; Lee, Che-Hui; Kourkoutis, Lena; Mundy, Julia; Junquera, Javier; Ghosez, Philippe; Baek, David; Sung, Suk Hyun; Xi, Xiaoxing; Shen, Kyle; Muller, David; Schlom, Darrell

2015-03-01

Complex oxide heterostructures display some of the most chemically abrupt, atomically precise interfaces, which is advantageous when constructing new interface phases with emergent properties by juxtaposing incompatible ground states. One might assume that atomically precise interfaces result from stoichiometric growth. Here we show that the most precise control is, however, obtained by using deliberate and specific non-stoichiometric growth conditions. For the precise growth of Srn+1TinO3n+1 Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) phases, stoichiometric deposition leads to the loss of the first RP rock-salt double layer, but growing with a strontium-rich surface layer restores the bulk stoichiometry and ordering of the subsurface RP structure. Our results dramatically expand the materials that can be prepared in epitaxial heterostructures with precise interface control--from just the n = 1 end members (perovskites) to the entire RP homologous series--enabling the exploration of novel quantum phenomena at a richer variety of oxide interfaces.

Atomically precise interfaces from non-stoichiometric deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nie, Y. F.; Zhu, Y.; Lee, C.-H.; Kourkoutis, L. F.; Mundy, J. A.; Junquera, J.; Ghosez, Ph.; Baek, D. J.; Sung, S.; Xi, X. X.; Shen, K. M.; Muller, D. A.; Schlom, D. G.

2014-08-01

Complex oxide heterostructures display some of the most chemically abrupt, atomically precise interfaces, which is advantageous when constructing new interface phases with emergent properties by juxtaposing incompatible ground states. One might assume that atomically precise interfaces result from stoichiometric growth. Here we show that the most precise control is, however, obtained by using deliberate and specific non-stoichiometric growth conditions. For the precise growth of Srn+1TinOn+1 Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) phases, stoichiometric deposition leads to the loss of the first RP rock-salt double layer, but growing with a strontium-rich surface layer restores the bulk stoichiometry and ordering of the subsurface RP structure. Our results dramatically expand the materials that can be prepared in epitaxial heterostructures with precise interface control—from just the n=∞ end members (perovskites) to the entire RP homologous series—enabling the exploration of novel quantum phenomena at a richer variety of oxide interfaces.

Stoichiometric Mismatch between Consumers and Resources Mediates the Growth of Rocky Intertidal Suspension Feeders

PubMed Central

Bracken, Matthew E. S.

2017-01-01

The concept of ecological stoichiometry—the balancing of elemental ratios in ecological interactions—has transformed our thinking about processes in natural systems. Here, this perspective is applied to rocky shore ecosystems to explore the consequences of variation in internal nutrient ratios across two trophic levels. Specifically, I measured the internal concentrations of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in mussels (Mytilus spp.) and particulate organic matter (POM) to evaluate the effects of stoichiometric mismatch—the difference in the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C:N) between a consumer and its resources—on mussel growth at sites on the coasts of Oregon, USA, and the South Island of New Zealand. As POM quality (i.e., Chl a, a proxy for phytoplankton availability in the POM) increased, C:N of the POM declined, but C:N of mussels increased. This resulted in a greater mismatch in C:N between mussels and their food source at low Chl a. Mussel growth across sites was positively associated with Chl a, particulate organic carbon (POC), and particulate organic nitrogen (PON) but negatively associated with stoichiometric mismatch. Overall, as the elemental ratios of consumers became more different from those of their resources, growth declined, likely due to the energetic cost associated with processing lower quality food. Furthermore, the effect of food quantity on growth depended on stoichiometric mismatch. In New Zealand, where mismatch was high—i.e., consumer C:N differed substantially from resource C:N—consumer growth was strongly affected by resource quantity (Chl a or POC). However, in Oregon, where mismatch was low, the relationship between resource quantity and growth was considerably weaker. This interaction between resource quantity and mismatch was not apparent for PON, which is consistent with variation in PON underlying variation in POM C:N and highlights the role of N in limiting growth. Previous research has neglected the importance of ecological

Targeted Proteomics and Absolute Protein Quantification for the Construction of a Stoichiometric Host-Pathogen Surface Density Model*

PubMed Central

Sjöholm, Kristoffer; Kilsgård, Ola; Teleman, Johan; Happonen, Lotta; Malmström, Lars; Malmström, Johan

2017-01-01

Sepsis is a systemic immune response responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality. Molecular modeling of host-pathogen interactions in the disease state represents a promising strategy to define molecular events of importance for the transition from superficial to invasive infectious diseases. Here we used the Gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes as a model system to establish a mass spectrometry based workflow for the construction of a stoichiometric surface density model between the S. pyogenes surface, the surface virulence factor M-protein, and adhered human blood plasma proteins. The workflow relies on stable isotope labeled reference peptides and selected reaction monitoring mass spectrometry analysis of a wild-type strain and an M-protein deficient mutant strain, to generate absolutely quantified protein stoichiometry ratios between S. pyogenes and interacting plasma proteins. The stoichiometry ratios in combination with a novel targeted mass spectrometry method to measure cell numbers enabled the construction of a stoichiometric surface density model using protein structures available from the protein data bank. The model outlines the topology and density of the host-pathogen protein interaction network on the S. pyogenes bacterial surface, revealing a dense and highly organized protein interaction network. Removal of the M-protein from S. pyogenes introduces a drastic change in the network topology, validated by electron microscopy. We propose that the stoichiometric surface density model of S. pyogenes in human blood plasma represents a scalable framework that can continuously be refined with the emergence of new results. Future integration of new results will improve the understanding of protein-protein interactions and their importance for bacterial virulence. Furthermore, we anticipate that the general properties of the developed workflow will facilitate the production of stoichiometric surface density models for other types of host

Targeted Proteomics and Absolute Protein Quantification for the Construction of a Stoichiometric Host-Pathogen Surface Density Model.

PubMed

Sjöholm, Kristoffer; Kilsgård, Ola; Teleman, Johan; Happonen, Lotta; Malmström, Lars; Malmström, Johan

2017-04-01

Sepsis is a systemic immune response responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality. Molecular modeling of host-pathogen interactions in the disease state represents a promising strategy to define molecular events of importance for the transition from superficial to invasive infectious diseases. Here we used the Gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes as a model system to establish a mass spectrometry based workflow for the construction of a stoichiometric surface density model between the S. pyogenes surface, the surface virulence factor M-protein, and adhered human blood plasma proteins. The workflow relies on stable isotope labeled reference peptides and selected reaction monitoring mass spectrometry analysis of a wild-type strain and an M-protein deficient mutant strain, to generate absolutely quantified protein stoichiometry ratios between S. pyogenes and interacting plasma proteins. The stoichiometry ratios in combination with a novel targeted mass spectrometry method to measure cell numbers enabled the construction of a stoichiometric surface density model using protein structures available from the protein data bank. The model outlines the topology and density of the host-pathogen protein interaction network on the S. pyogenes bacterial surface, revealing a dense and highly organized protein interaction network. Removal of the M-protein from S. pyogenes introduces a drastic change in the network topology, validated by electron microscopy. We propose that the stoichiometric surface density model of S. pyogenes in human blood plasma represents a scalable framework that can continuously be refined with the emergence of new results. Future integration of new results will improve the understanding of protein-protein interactions and their importance for bacterial virulence. Furthermore, we anticipate that the general properties of the developed workflow will facilitate the production of stoichiometric surface density models for other types of host

Moving beyond the van Krevelen Diagram: A New Stoichiometric Approach for Compound Classification in Organisms

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

Rivas-Ubach, Albert; Liu, Yina; Bianchi, Thomas S.

van Krevelen diagrams (O:C vs H:C ratios of elemental formulas) have been widely used in studies to obtain an estimation of the main compound categories present in environmental samples. However, the limits defining a specific compound category based solely on O:C and H:C ratios of elemental formulas have never been accurately listed or proposed to classify metabolites in biological samples. Furthermore, while O:C vs. H:C ratios of elemental formulas can provide an overview of the compound categories, such classification is inefficient because of the large overlap among different compound categories along both axes. We propose a more accurate compound classificationmore » for biological samples analyzed by high-resolution mass spectrometry-based on an assessment of the C:H:O:N:P stoichiometric ratios of over 130,000 elemental formulas of compounds classified in 6 main categories: lipids, peptides, amino-sugars, carbohydrates, nucleotides and phytochemical compounds (oxy-aromatic compounds). Our multidimensional stoichiometric compound classification (MSCC) constraints showed a highly accurate categorization of elemental formulas to the main compound categories in biological samples with over 98% of accuracy representing a substantial improvement over any classification based on the classic van Krevelen diagram. This method represents a significant step forward in environmental research, especially ecological stoichiometry and eco-metabolomics studies, by providing a novel and robust tool to further our understanding the ecosystem structure and function through the chemical characterization of different biological samples.« less

Comprehensive analysis of proton range uncertainties related to patient stopping-power-ratio estimation using the stoichiometric calibration

PubMed Central

Yang, M; Zhu, X R; Park, PC; Titt, Uwe; Mohan, R; Virshup, G; Clayton, J; Dong, L

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to analyze factors affecting proton stopping-power-ratio (SPR) estimations and range uncertainties in proton therapy planning using the standard stoichiometric calibration. The SPR uncertainties were grouped into five categories according to their origins and then estimated based on previously published reports or measurements. For the first time, the impact of tissue composition variations on SPR estimation was assessed and the uncertainty estimates of each category were determined for low-density (lung), soft, and high-density (bone) tissues. A composite, 95th percentile water-equivalent-thickness uncertainty was calculated from multiple beam directions in 15 patients with various types of cancer undergoing proton therapy. The SPR uncertainties (1σ) were quite different (ranging from 1.6% to 5.0%) in different tissue groups, although the final combined uncertainty (95th percentile) for different treatment sites was fairly consistent at 3.0–3.4%, primarily because soft tissue is the dominant tissue type in human body. The dominant contributing factor for uncertainties in soft tissues was the degeneracy of Hounsfield Numbers in the presence of tissue composition variations. To reduce the overall uncertainties in SPR estimation, the use of dual-energy computed tomography is suggested. The values recommended in this study based on typical treatment sites and a small group of patients roughly agree with the commonly referenced value (3.5%) used for margin design. By using tissue-specific range uncertainties, one could estimate the beam-specific range margin by accounting for different types and amounts of tissues along a beam, which may allow for customization of range uncertainty for each beam direction. PMID:22678123

Linking Stoichiometric Homeostasis of Microorganisms with Soil Phosphorus Dynamics in Wetlands Subjected to Microcosm Warming

PubMed Central

Wang, Hang; Li, HongYi; Zhang, ZhiJian; Muehlbauer, Jeffrey D.; He, Qiang; Xu, XinHua; Yue, ChunLei; Jiang, DaQian

2014-01-01

Soil biogeochemical processes and the ecological stability of wetland ecosystems under global warming scenarios have gained increasing attention worldwide. Changes in the capacity of microorganisms to maintain stoichiometric homeostasis, or relatively stable internal concentrations of elements, may serve as an indicator of alterations to soil biogeochemical processes and their associated ecological feedbacks. In this study, an outdoor computerized microcosm was set up to simulate a warmed (+5°C) climate scenario, using novel, minute-scale temperature manipulation technology. The principle of stoichiometric homeostasis was adopted to illustrate phosphorus (P) biogeochemical cycling coupled with carbon (C) dynamics within the soil-microorganism complex. We hypothesized that enhancing the flux of P from soil to water under warming scenarios is tightly coupled with a decrease in homeostatic regulation ability in wetland ecosystems. Results indicate that experimental warming impaired the ability of stoichiometric homeostasis (H) to regulate biogeochemical processes, enhancing the ecological role of wetland soil as an ecological source for both P and C. The potential P flux from soil to water ranged from 0.11 to 34.51 mg m−2 d−1 in the control and 0.07 to 61.26 mg m−2 d−1 in the warmed treatment. The synergistic function of C-P acquisition is an important mechanism underlying C∶P stoichiometric balance for soil microorganisms under warming. For both treatment groups, strongly significant (p<0.001) relationships fitting a negative allometric power model with a fractional exponent were found between n-HC∶P (the specialized homeostatic regulation ability as a ratio of soil highly labile organic carbon to dissolved reactive phosphorus in porewater) and potential P flux. Although many factors may affect soil P dynamics, the n-HC∶P term fundamentally reflects the stoichiometric balance or interactions between the energy landscape (i.e., C) and flow of resources

Effect of Flame Stabilizer Design on Performance and Exhaust Pollutants of a Two-Row Swirl-Can Combustor Operated to Near-Stoichiometric Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Biaglow, James A.; Trout, Arthur M.

1977-01-01

Emissions and performance characteristics were determined for two full annulus modular combustors operated to near stoichiometric fuel air ratios. The tests were conducted to obtain stoichiometric data at inlet air temperatures from 756 to 894 K and to determine the effects of a flat plate circular flame stabilizer with upstream fuel injection and a contraswirl flame stabilizer with downstream fuel injection. Levels of unburned hydrocarbons were below 0.50 gram per kilogram of fuel for both combustors and thus there was no detectable difference in the two methods of fuel injection. The contraswirl flame stabilizer did not produce the level of mixing obtained with a flat plate circular flame stabilizer. It did produce higher levels of oxides of nitrogen, which peaked at a fuel air ratio of 0.037. For the flat plate circular flame stabilizer, oxides of nitrogen emission levels were still increasing with fuel air ratio to the maximum tested value of 0.045.

Non-stoichiometric AB5 alloys for metal hydride electrodes

DOEpatents

Reilly, James J.; Adzic, Gordana D.; Johnson, John R.; Vogt, Thomas; McBreen, James

2001-01-01

The present invention provides a non-stoichiometric alloy comprising a composition having the formula AB.sub.5+X an atomic ratio wherein A is selected from the group consisting of the rare earth metals, yttrium, mischmetal, or a combination thereof; B is nickel and tin, or nickel and tin and at least a third element selected from the group consisting of the elements in group IVA of the periodic table, aluminum, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, antimony or a combination thereof; X is greater than 0 and less than or equal to about 2.0; and wherein at least one substituted A site is occupied by at least one of the B elements. An electrode incorporating said alloy and an electrochemical cell incorporating said electrode are also described.

Nebular dead zone effects on the D/H ratio in chondrites and comets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ali-Dib, Mohamad; Martin, R. G.; Petit, J.-M.; Mousis, O.; Vernazza, P.; Lunine, J. I.

2015-11-01

Comets and chondrites show non-monotonic behaviour of their Deuterium to Hydrogen (D/H) ratio as a function of their formation location from the Sun. This is difficult to explain with a classical protoplanetary disk model that has a decreasing temperature structure with radius from the Sun.We want to understand if a protoplanetary disc with a dead zone, a region of zero or low turbulence, can explain the measured D/H values in comets and chondrites. We use time snapshots of a vertically layered disk model with turbulent surface layers and a dead zone at the midplane. The disc has a non-monotonic temperature structure due to increased heating from self-gravity in the outer parts of the dead zone. We couple this to a D/H ratio evolution model in order to quantify the effect of such thermal profiles on D/H enrichment in the nebula.We find that the local temperature peak in the disk can explain the diversity in the D/H ratios of different chondritic families. This disk temperature profile leads to a non-monotonic D/H enrichment evolution, allowing these families to acquire their different D/H values while forming in close proximity. The formation order we infer for these families is compatible with that inferred from their water abundances. However, we find that even for very young disks, the thermal profile reversal is too close to the Sun to be relevant for comets.[1] Ali-Dib, M., Martin, R. G., Petit, J.-M., Mousis, O., Vernazza, P., and Lunine, J. I. (2015, in press A&A). arXiv:1508.00263.

Advantage of low-temperature hydrothermal synthesis to grow stoichiometric crednerite crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poienar, Maria; Martin, Christine; Lebedev, Oleg I.; Maignan, Antoine

2018-06-01

This work reports a new approach for the growth of stoichiometric crednerite CuMnO2 crystals. The hydrothermal reaction, starting from soluble metal sulphates as precursors, is assisted by ethylene glycol and the formation of crednerite is found to depend strongly on pH and temperature. This method allows obtaining small hexagonal platelets with the larger dimension about 1.0-1.5 μm and with a composition characterized by a Cu/Mn ratio of 1. Thus, these crystals differ from the needle-like millimetric ones obtained by the flux technique for which the composition departs from the expected one and is close to Cu1.04Mn0.96. This monitoring of the cationic composition in crednerite, using hydrothermal synthesis, is important as the Cu/Mn ratio controls the low temperature antiferromagnetic ground-state.

UV-light-induced one-color and two-color photorefractive effects in congruent and near-stoichiometric LiNbO 3:Mg crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiao, Haijun; Xu, Jingjun; Tomita, Yasuo; Zhu, Dengsong; Fu, Bo; Zhang, Guoquan; Zhang, Guangyin

2007-03-01

We describe the ultraviolet-light one-color photorefraction (UV-OPR) at 351 nm in LiNbO3 crystals with different Mg-doping concentrations and [Li]/[Nb] ratios. It is shown that as the Mg-doping concentration and/or the [Li]/[Nb] ratio increase, the refractive index change and the two-beam coupling gain increase but the response time decreases. It is also shown that the recording sensitivity as large as ∼27 cm/J is obtainable at a recording intensity of ∼1 W/cm2 in near-stoichiometric LiNbO3 doped with 2 mol% Mg. This sensitivity is approximately one order of magnitude higher than those for other LiNbO3 crystals. We also describe the ultraviolet-light-gating two-color photorefraction (UV-TPR) using 365 nm gating and 633 nm recording beams in LiNbO3 crystals with different Mg-doping concentrations and [Li]/[Nb] ratios. It is shown that UV-TPR is only observed in near-stoichiometric crystals and the grating-formation dynamics strongly depend on the Mg concentration.

Method of operating a coal gasifier

DOEpatents

Blaskowski, Henry J.

1979-01-01

A method of operating an entrained flow coal gasifier which comprises the steps of firing coal at two levels in a combustion zone with near stoichiometric air, removing molten ash from the combustion zone, conveying combustion products upwardly from the combustion zone through a reduction zone, injecting additional coal into the combustion products in the reduction zone and gasifying at least a portion of the coal to form low BTU gas, conveying the gas to a point of use, including also reducing gasifier output by modifying the ratio of air to coal supplied to the upper level of the combustion zone so that the ratio becomes increasingly substoichiometric thereby extending the gasification of coal from the reduction zone into the upper level of the combustion zone, and maintaining the lower level of coal in the combustion zone at near stoichiometric conditions so as to provide sufficient heat to maintain effective slagging conditions.

Thermoelectric properties of non-stoichiometric lanthanum sulfides

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shapiro, E.; Danielson, L. R.

1983-01-01

The lanthanum sulfides are promising candidate materials for high-efficiency thermoelectric applications at temperatures up to 1300 C. The non-stoichiometric lanthanum sulfides (LaS(x), where x is in the range 1.33-1.50) appear to possess the most favorable thermoelectric properties. The Seebeck coefficient and resistivity vary significantly with composition, so that an optimum value of alpha sq/rho (where alpha is the Seebeck coefficient and rho is the resistivity) can be chosen. The thermal conductivity remains approximately constant with stoichiometry, so a material with an optimum value of alpha sq/rho should possess the optimum figure-of-merit. Data for the Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity of non-stoichiometric lanthanum sulfides will be pressed, together with structural properties of these materials.

Cathodoluminescence of SiOx under-stoichiometric silica layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salh, Roushdey; von Czarnowski, A.; Zamoryanskaya, M. V.; Kolesnikova, E. V.; Fitting, H.-J.

2006-06-01

Under-stoichiometric thin silica layers SiOx with different stoichiometric degree 1 x 2, were prepared by thermal evaporation of silicon monoxide in vacuum and in ambient oxygen atmosphere of various pressure onto crystalline silicon substrates. The chemical composition has been determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). A special formula is derived to correlate the stoichiometric degree x with the wavenumber of the main TO stretching mode (Si-O-Si) in silica, finally to determine the actual composition values x of the layers. Cathodoluminescence (CL) of these layers shows the development of typical amorphous SiO2 luminescence bands at the composition threshold x > 1.5 and then onwards to x = 2. These luminescence bands were observed at 4.3, 2.7, 2.15, and 1.9 eV. The green-yellow luminescence (2.15 eV) is strongly increasing with the annealing temperature up to 1300 °C and is assigned to phase separation of SiOx into Si and SiO2 and formation of hexamer silicon rings in the understoichiometric silica network. Finally we observe Si nanoclusters by means of transmission elec- tron microscopy (TEM) micrographs.

Influence of free carbon on the characteristics of ZrC and deposition of near-stoichiometric ZrC in TRISO coated particle fuel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Daejong; Ko, Myeong Jin; Park, Ji Yeon; Cho, Moon Sung; Kim, Weon-Ju

2014-08-01

Advanced TRISO coated particles with a ZrC coating layer as a main pressure boundary were fabricated by a fluidized-bed chemical vapor deposition (FBCVD) method using a chloride process. Experiments were performed to determine the effect of codeposition of graphitic carbon on the hardness and obtain the stoichiometric ZrC phase. The ZrC coating layer was composed of a mixture of ZrC and graphitic carbon phases at a low ZrCl4/CH4 ratio. A near-stoichiometric ZrC without the free carbon can be obtained by employing an impeller-driven ZrCl4 vaporizer. The codeposition of the graphitic carbon significantly lowered the hardness of ZrC while increasing the fraction of the carbon. The hardness reached its maximum when ZrC was in a slight carbon deficit without free carbon. As the graphitic carbon increased up to 12 vol%, the hardness was reduced by approximately 50% compared to the near-stoichiometric ZrC.

Stoichiometric Effects on the Photoelectric Properties of LiInSe 2 Crystals for Neutron Detection

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

Guo, Lijian; Xu, Yadong; Zheng, Hongjian

6LiInSe 2 is a promising semiconductor candidate for thermal neutron detection due to its large capture cross-section. However, the charge collection efficiency is still insufficient for high resolution for the grown-in defects induced by the stoichiometric deviation. In this work, we report photoelectric properties of stoichiometric LiInSe 2 crystal boules up to 70 mm in length and 20 mm in diameter grown by the vertical Bridgman method. Inductively coupled plasma measurements demonstrate that the ratio of Li, In, and Se of the as-grown crystal is very close to 1:1:2, which is optimized by low temperature synthesis processing. The obtained singlemore » crystals display high bulk resistivity in the range of 10 11–10 12 Ω·cm and a direct band gap of 2.01–2.83 eV with a changeable color from red to yellow. The electronic structure of LiInSe 2 was studied using first-principles density functional theory calculations, which predicts that the antisite defects of In Li and Li In are the dominant factor for the different crystal colors observed. The stoichiometric LiInSe 2 crystal gives an improved energy resolution, for a semiconductor detector when illuminated with a 241Am@5.48 MeV α source, of 23.3%. In conclusion, the electron mobility-lifetime product (μτ) is ~2.5 × 10 –5 cm 2 V –1.« less

Stoichiometric Effects on the Photoelectric Properties of LiInSe 2 Crystals for Neutron Detection

DOE PAGES

Guo, Lijian; Xu, Yadong; Zheng, Hongjian; ...

2018-04-16

6LiInSe 2 is a promising semiconductor candidate for thermal neutron detection due to its large capture cross-section. However, the charge collection efficiency is still insufficient for high resolution for the grown-in defects induced by the stoichiometric deviation. In this work, we report photoelectric properties of stoichiometric LiInSe 2 crystal boules up to 70 mm in length and 20 mm in diameter grown by the vertical Bridgman method. Inductively coupled plasma measurements demonstrate that the ratio of Li, In, and Se of the as-grown crystal is very close to 1:1:2, which is optimized by low temperature synthesis processing. The obtained singlemore » crystals display high bulk resistivity in the range of 10 11–10 12 Ω·cm and a direct band gap of 2.01–2.83 eV with a changeable color from red to yellow. The electronic structure of LiInSe 2 was studied using first-principles density functional theory calculations, which predicts that the antisite defects of In Li and Li In are the dominant factor for the different crystal colors observed. The stoichiometric LiInSe 2 crystal gives an improved energy resolution, for a semiconductor detector when illuminated with a 241Am@5.48 MeV α source, of 23.3%. In conclusion, the electron mobility-lifetime product (μτ) is ~2.5 × 10 –5 cm 2 V –1.« less

Stoichiometric vs hydroclimatic controls on soil biogeochemical processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manzoni, Stefano; Porporato, Amilcare

2010-05-01

Soil nutrient cycles are controlled by both stoichiometric constraints (e.g., carbon to nutrient ratios) and hydroclimatic conditions (e.g., soil moisture and temperature). Both controls tend to act in a nonlinear manner and give rise to complex dynamics in soil biogeochemistry at different space-time scales. We first review the theoretical basis of soil biogeochemical models, looking for the general principles underlying these models across space-time scales and scientific disciplines. By comparing more than 250 models, we show that similar kinetic and stoichiometric laws, formulated to mechanistically represent the complex biochemical constraints to decomposition, are common to most models, providing a basis for their classification. Moreover, a historic analysis reveals that the complexity (e.g., phase space dimension, model architecture) and degree and number of nonlinearities generally increased with date, while they decreased with increasing spatial and temporal scale of interest. Soil biogeochmical dynamics may be suitable conceptualized using a number of compartments (e.g., decomposers, organic substrates, inorganic ions) interacting among each other at rates that depend (nonlinearly) on climatic drivers. As a consequence, hydroclimatic-induced fluctuations at the daily scale propagate through the various soil compartments leading to cascading effects ranging from short-term fluctuations in the smaller pools to long-lasting changes in the larger ones. Such cascading effects are known to occur in dryland ecosystems, and are increasingly being recongnized to control the long-term carbon and nutrient balances in more mesic ecosystems. We also show that separating biochemical from climatic impacts on organic matter decomposition results in universal curves describing data of plant residue decomposition and nutrient mineralization across the globe. Future extensions to larger spatial scales and managed ecosystems are also briefly outlined. It is critical that

Eco-Stoichiometric Alterations in Paddy Soil Ecosystem Driven by Phosphorus Application

PubMed Central

Li, Xia; Wang, Hang; Gan, ShaoHua; Jiang, DaQian; Tian, GuangMing; Zhang, ZhiJian

2013-01-01

Agricultural fertilization may change processes of elemental biogeochemical cycles and alter the ecological function. Ecoenzymatic stoichiometric feature plays a critical role in global soil carbon (C) metabolism, driving element cycles, and mediating atmospheric composition in response to agricultural nutrient management. Despite the importance on crop growth, the role of phosphorous (P) in compliance with eco-stoichiometry on soil C and nitrogen (N) sequestration in the paddy field remains poorly understood in the context of climate change. Here, we collected soil samples from a field experiment after 6 years of chemical P application at a gradient of 0 (P-0), 30 (P-30), 60 (P-60), and 90 (P-90) kg ha−1 in order to evaluate the role of P on stoichiometric properties in terms of soil chemical, microbial biomass, and eco-enzyme activities as well as greenhouse gas (GHG: CO2, N2O and CH4) emissions. Continuous P input increased soil total organic C and N by 1.3–9.2% and 3%–13%, respectively. P input induced C and N limitations as indicated by the decreased ratio of C:P and N:P in the soil and microbial biomass. A synergistic mechanism among the ecoenzymatic stoichiometry, which regulated the ecological function of microbial C and N acquisition and were stoichiometrically related to P input, stimulated soil C and N sequestration in the paddy field. The lower emissions of N2O and CH4 under the higher P application (P-60 and P-90) in July and the insignificant difference in N2O emission in August compared to P-30; however, continuous P input enhanced CO2 fluxes for both samplings. There is a technical conflict for simultaneously regulating three types of GHGs in terms of the eco-stoichiometry mechanism under P fertilization. Thus, it is recommended that the P input in paddy fields not exceed 60 kg ha−1 may maximize soil C sequestration, minimize P export, and guarantee grain yields. PMID:23667435

Recirculation zone length in renal artery is affected by flow spirality and renal-to-aorta flow ratio.

PubMed

Javadzadegan, Ashkan; Fulker, David; Barber, Tracie

2017-07-01

Haemodynamic perturbations such as flow recirculation zones play a key role in progression and development of renal artery stenosis, which typically originate at the aorta-renal bifurcation. The spiral nature of aortic blood flow, division of aortic blood flow in renal artery as well as the exercise conditions have been shown to alter the haemodynamics in both positive and negative ways. This study focuses on the combinative effects of spiral component of blood flow, renal-to-aorta flow ratio and the exercise conditions on the size and distribution of recirculation zones in renal branches using computational fluid dynamics technique. Our findings show that the recirculation length was longest when the renal-to-aorta flow ratio was smallest. Spiral flow and exercise conditions were found to be effective in reducing the recirculation length in particular in small renal-to-aorta flow ratios. These results support the hypothesis that in renal arteries with small flow ratios where a stenosis is already developed an artificially induced spiral flow within the aorta may decelerate the progression of stenosis and thereby help preserve kidney function.

Raman analysis of non stoichiometric Ni1-δO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dubey, Paras; Choudhary, K. K.; Kaurav, Netram

2018-04-01

Thermal decomposition method was used to synthesize non-stoichiometric nickel oxide at different sintering temperatures upto 1100 °C. The structure of synthesized compounds were analyzed by X ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and magnetic ordering was studied with the help of Raman scattering spectroscopy for the samples sintered at different temperature. It was found that due to change in sintering temperature the stoichiometry of the sample changes and hence intensity of two magnon band changes. These results were interpreted as the decomposition temperature increases, which heals the defects present in the non-stoichiometric nickel oxide and antiferromagnetic spin correlation changes accordingly.

Mixing properties of coaxial jets with large velocity ratios and large inverse density ratios

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexander Schumaker, S.; Driscoll, James F.

2012-05-01

An experimental study was conducted to better understand the mixing properties of coaxial jets as several parameters were systematically varied, including the velocity ratio, density ratio, and the Reynolds number. Diameters of the inner and outer jet were also varied. Coaxial jets are commonly used to mix fluids due to the simplicity of their geometry and the rapid mixing that they provide. A measure of the overall mixing efficiency is the stoichiometric mixing length (Ls), which is the distance along the jet centerline where the two fluids have mixed to some desired concentration, which was selected to be the stoichiometric concentration for H2/O2 and CH4/O2 in this case. For 56 cases, the profiles of mean mixture fraction, rms mixture fraction fluctuations (unmixedness), and Ls were measured using acetone planar laser induced fluorescence diagnostics. Results were compared to three mixing models. The entrainment model of Villermaux and Rehab showed good agreement with the data, indicating that the proper non-dimensional scaling parameter is the momentum flux ratio M. The work extends the existing database of coaxial jet scalar mixing properties because it considers the specific regime of large values of both the velocity ratio and the inverse density ratio, which is the regime in which rocket injectors operate. Also the work focuses on the mixing up to Ls where previous work focused on the mixing up to the end of the inner core. The Reynolds numbers achieved for a number of cases were considerably larger than previous gas mixing studies, which insures that the jet exit boundary conditions are fully turbulent.

Thermal behavior in the cracking reaction zone of scramjet cooling channels at different channel aspect ratios

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Silong; Feng, Yu; Jiang, Yuguang; Qin, Jiang; Bao, Wen; Han, Jiecai; Haidn, Oskar J.

2016-10-01

To study the thermal behavior in the cracking reaction zone of regeneratively cooled scramjet cooling channels at different aspect ratios, 3-D model of fuel flow in terms of the fuel's real properties and cracking reaction is built and validated through experiments. The whole cooling channel is divided into non-cracking and cracking reaction zones. Only the cracking reaction zone is studied in this article. The simulation results indicate that the fuel conversion presents a similar distribution with temperature because the fuel conversion in scramjet cooling channels is co-decided by the temperature and velocity but the temperature plays the dominate role. For the cases given in this paper, increasing the channel aspect ratio will increase the pressure drop and it is not beneficial for reducing the wall temperature because of the much severer thermal stratification, larger conversion non-uniformity, the corresponding M-shape velocity profile which will cause local heat transfer deterioration and the decreased chemical heat absorption. And the decreased chemical heat absorption caused by stronger temperature and conversion non-uniformities is bad for the utilization of chemical heat sink, chemical recuperation process and the ignition performance.

Pulsed laser deposition of chalcogenide sulfides from multi- and single-component targets: the non-stoichiometric material transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schou, Jørgen; Gansukh, Mungunshagai; Ettlinger, Rebecca B.; Cazzaniga, Andrea; Grossberg, Maarja; Kauk-Kuusik, Marit; Canulescu, Stela

2018-01-01

The mass transfer from target to films is incongruent for chalcogenide sulfides in contrast to the expectations of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) as a stoichiometric film growth process. Films produced from a CZTS (Cu2ZnSnS4) multi-component target have no Cu below a fluence threshold of 0.2 J/cm2, and the Cu content is also very low at low fluence from a single-component target. Above this threshold, the Cu content in the films increases almost linearly up to a value above the stoichiometric value, while the ratio of the concentration of the other metals Zn to Sn (Zn/Sn) remains constant. Films of a similar material CTS (Cu2SnS3) have been produced by PLD from a CTS target and exhibits a similar trend in the same fluence region. The results are discussed on the basis of solid-state data and the existing data from the literature.

Self-adjusted flux for the traveling solvent floating zone growth of YBaCuFeO5 crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lai, Yen-Chung; Shu, Guo-Jiun; Chen, Wei-Tin; Du, Chao-Hung; Chou, Fang-Cheng

2015-03-01

A modified traveling solvent floating zone (TSFZ) technique was used to successfully grow a large size and high quality single crystal of multiferroic material YBaCuFeO5. This modified TSFZ growth uses a stoichiometric feed rod and pure copper oxide as the initial flux without prior knowledge of the complex phase diagram involving four elements, and the optimal flux for the growth of incongruently melt crystal is self-adjusted after a prolonged stable pulling. The wetting of the feed rod edge that often perturbs the molten zone stability was avoided by adding 2 wt% B2O3. The optimal flux concentration for the YBaCuFeO5 growth can be extracted to be near YBaCuFeO5:CuO=13:87 in molar ratio. The crystal quality was confirmed by the satisfactory refinement of crystal structure of space group P4mm and the two consecutive anisotropic antiferromagnetic phase transitions near 455 K and 170 K.

Effect of fuel-air-ratio nonuniformity on emissions of nitrogen oxides

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lyons, V. J.

1981-01-01

The inlet fuel-air ratio nonuniformity is studied to deterine how nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are affected. An increase in NOx emissions with increased fuel-air ratio nonuniformity for average equivalence ratios less than 0.7 and a decrease in NOx emissions for average equivalence ratios near stoichiometric is predicted. The degree of uniformityy of fuel-air ratio profiles that is necessary to achieve NOx emissions goals for actual engines that use lean, premixed, prevaporized combustion systems is determined.

Exhaust particle characterization for lean and stoichiometric DI vehicles operating on ethanol-gasoline blends

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

Storey, John Morse; Barone, Teresa L; Thomas, John F

2012-01-01

Gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines can offer better fuel economy and higher performance over their port fuel-injected (PFI) counterparts, and are now appearing in increasingly more U.S. and European vehicles. Small displacement, turbocharged GDI engines are replacing large displacement engines, particularly in light-duty trucks and sport utility vehicles, in order for manufacturers to meet the U.S. fuel economy standards for 2016. Furthermore, lean-burn GDI engines can offer even higher fuel economy than stoichiometric GDI engines and have overcome challenges associated with cost-effective aftertreatment for NOx control. Along with changes in gasoline engine technology, fuel composition may increase in ethanol contentmore » beyond the current 10% due to the recent EPA waiver allowing 15% ethanol. In addition, the Renewable Fuels Standard passed as part of the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) mandates the use of biofuels in upcoming years. GDI engines are of environmental concern due to their high particulate matter (PM) emissions relative to port-fuel injected (PFI) gasoline vehicles; widespread market penetration of GDI vehicles may result in additional PM from mobile sources at a time when the diesel contribution is declining. In this study, we characterized particulate emissions from a European certified lean-burn GDI vehicle operating on ethanol-gasoline blends. Particle mass and particle number concentration emissions were measured for the Federal Test Procedure urban driving cycle (FTP 75) and the more aggressive US06 driving cycle. Particle number-size distributions and organic to elemental carbon ratios (OC/EC) were measured for 30 MPH and 80 MPH steady-state operation. In addition, particle number concentration was measured during wide open throttle accelerations (WOTs) and gradual accelerations representative of the FTP 75. Fuels included certification gasoline and 10% (E10) and 20% (E20) ethanol blends from the same supplier. The

An optimality framework to predict decomposer carbon-use efficiency trends along stoichiometric gradients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manzoni, S.; Capek, P.; Mooshammer, M.; Lindahl, B.; Richter, A.; Santruckova, H.

2016-12-01

Litter and soil organic matter decomposers feed on substrates with much wider C:N and C:P ratios then their own cellular composition, raising the question as to how they can adapt their metabolism to such a chronic stoichiometric imbalance. Here we propose an optimality framework to address this question, based on the hypothesis that carbon-use efficiency (CUE) can be optimally adjusted to maximize the decomposer growth rate. When nutrients are abundant, increasing CUE improves decomposer growth rate, at the expense of higher nutrient demand. However, when nutrients are scarce, increased nutrient demand driven by high CUE can trigger nutrient limitation and inhibit growth. An intermediate, `optimal' CUE ensures balanced growth at the verge of nutrient limitation. We derive a simple analytical equation that links this optimal CUE to organic substrate and decomposer biomass C:N and C:P ratios, and to the rate of inorganic nutrient supply (e.g., fertilization). This equation allows formulating two specific hypotheses: i) decomposer CUE should increase with widening organic substrate C:N and C:P ratios with a scaling exponent between 0 (with abundant inorganic nutrients) and -1 (scarce inorganic nutrients), and ii) CUE should increase with increasing inorganic nutrient supply, for a given organic substrate stoichiometry. These hypotheses are tested using a new database encompassing nearly 2000 estimates of CUE from about 160 studies, spanning aquatic and terrestrial decomposers of litter and more stabilized organic matter. The theoretical predictions are largely confirmed by our data analysis, except for the lack of fertilization effects on terrestrial decomposer CUE. While stoichiometric drivers constrain the general trends in CUE, the relatively large variability in CUE estimates suggests that other factors could be at play as well. For example, temperature is often cited as a potential driver of CUE, but we only found limited evidence of temperature effects

Electronic and thermal properties of non-stoichiometric and doped cobaltum antimonide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Velasco-Soto, Diego; Menéndez-Proupin, Eduardo; Realyvazquez-Guevara, Rebeca; Andrés Matutes-Aquino, José

2018-02-01

The electronic, vibrational and thermal properties of stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric cobalt antimonide CoSb x (x = 2.81, 2.875, and 3) are investigated by means of first principle calculations and thermal measurements. The molar heat capacity, electrical conductivity, and the electronic thermal conductivity are increased by the effect of Sb vacancies. Doping with Te and Ge also increases the electrical and thermal conductivity, suggesting that it can be used to enhance cobaltum antimonide as a thermoelectric material.

A method and example of seismically imaging near‐surface fault zones in geologically complex areas using Vp, Vs, and their ratios

USGS Publications Warehouse

Catchings, Rufus D.; Rymer, Michael J.; Goldman, Mark R.; Sickler, Robert R.; Criley, Coyn J.

2014-01-01

The determination of near‐surface (vadose zone and slightly below) fault locations and geometries is important because assessment of ground rupture, strong shaking, geologic slip rates, and rupture histories occurs at shallow depths. However, seismic imaging of fault zones at shallow depths can be difficult due to near‐surface complexities, such as weathering, groundwater saturation, massive (nonlayered) rocks, and vertically layered strata. Combined P‐ and S‐wave seismic‐refraction tomography data can overcome many of the near‐surface, fault‐zone seismic‐imaging problems because of differences in the responses of elastic (bulk and shear) moduli of P and S waves to shallow‐depth, fault‐zone properties. We show that high‐resolution refraction tomography images of P‐ to S‐wave velocity ratios (VP/VS) can reliably identify near‐surface faults. We demonstrate this method using tomography images of the San Andreas fault (SAF) surface‐rupture zone associated with the 18 April 1906 ∼M 7.9 San Francisco earthquake on the San Francisco peninsula in California. There, the SAF cuts through Franciscan mélange, which consists of an incoherent assemblage of greywacke, chert, greenstone, and serpentinite. A near‐vertical zone (∼75° northeast dip) of high P‐wave velocities (up to 3000  m/s), low S‐wave velocities (∼150–600  m/s), high VP/VS ratios (4–8.8), and high Poisson’s ratios (0.44–0.49) characterizes the main surface‐rupture zone to a depth of about 20 m and is consistent with nearby trench observations. We suggest that the combined VP/VSimaging approach can reliably identify most near‐surface fault zones in locations where many other seismic methods cannot be applied.

Direct observation of vast off-stoichiometric defects in single crystalline SnSe

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

Wu, Di; Wu, Lijun; He, Dongsheng

Single crystalline tin selenide (SnSe) recently emerged as a very promising thermoelectric material for waste heat harvesting and thermoelectric cooling, due to its record high figure of merit ZT in mediate temperature range. The most striking feature of SnSe lies in its extremely low lattice thermal conductivity as ascribed to the anisotropic and highly distorted Sn-Se bonds as well as the giant bond anharmonicity by previous studies, yet no theoretical models so far can give a quantitative explanation to such low a lattice thermal conductivity. Here, we presented direct observation of an astonishingly vast number of off-stoichiometric Sn vacancies andmore » Se interstitials, using sophisticated aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscope; and credited the previously reported ultralow thermal conductivity of the SnSe single crystalline samples partly to their off-stoichiometric feature. In order to further validate the conclusion, we also synthesized stoichiometric SnSe single crystalline samples, and illustrated that the lattice thermal conductivity is deed much higher as compared with the off-stoichiometric single crystals. Finally, the scattering efficiency of individual point defect on heat-carrying phonons was then discussed in the state-of-art Debye-Callaway model.« less

Direct observation of vast off-stoichiometric defects in single crystalline SnSe

DOE PAGES

Wu, Di; Wu, Lijun; He, Dongsheng; ...

2017-04-06

Single crystalline tin selenide (SnSe) recently emerged as a very promising thermoelectric material for waste heat harvesting and thermoelectric cooling, due to its record high figure of merit ZT in mediate temperature range. The most striking feature of SnSe lies in its extremely low lattice thermal conductivity as ascribed to the anisotropic and highly distorted Sn-Se bonds as well as the giant bond anharmonicity by previous studies, yet no theoretical models so far can give a quantitative explanation to such low a lattice thermal conductivity. Here, we presented direct observation of an astonishingly vast number of off-stoichiometric Sn vacancies andmore » Se interstitials, using sophisticated aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscope; and credited the previously reported ultralow thermal conductivity of the SnSe single crystalline samples partly to their off-stoichiometric feature. In order to further validate the conclusion, we also synthesized stoichiometric SnSe single crystalline samples, and illustrated that the lattice thermal conductivity is deed much higher as compared with the off-stoichiometric single crystals. Finally, the scattering efficiency of individual point defect on heat-carrying phonons was then discussed in the state-of-art Debye-Callaway model.« less

Removal ratio of gaseous toluene and xylene transported from air to root zone via the stem by indoor plants.

PubMed

Kim, K J; Kim, H J; Khalekuzzaman, M; Yoo, E H; Jung, H H; Jang, H S

2016-04-01

This work was designed to investigate the removal efficiency as well as the ratios of toluene and xylene transported from air to root zone via the stem and by direct diffusion from the air into the medium. Indoor plants (Schefflera actinophylla and Ficus benghalensis) were placed in a sealed test chamber. Shoot or root zone were sealed with a Teflon bag, and gaseous toluene and xylene were exposed. Removal efficiency of toluene and total xylene (m, p, o) was 13.3 and 7.0 μg·m(-3)·m(-2) leaf area over a 24-h period in S. actinophylla, and was 13.0 and 7.3 μg·m(-3)·m(-2) leaf area in F. benghalensis. Gaseous toluene and xylene in a chamber were absorbed through leaf and transported via the stem, and finally reached to root zone, and also transported by direct diffusion from the air into the medium. Toluene and xylene transported via the stem was decreased with time after exposure. Xylene transported via the stem was higher than that by direct diffusion from the air into the medium over a 24-h period. The ratios of toluene transported via the stem versus direct diffusion from the air into the medium were 46.3 and 53.7% in S. actinophylla, and 46.9 and 53.1% in F. benghalensis, for an average of 47 and 53% for both species. The ratios of m,p-xylene transported over 3 to 9 h via the stem versus direct diffusion from the air into the medium was 58.5 and 41.5% in S. actinophylla, and 60.7 and 39.3% in F. benghalensis, for an average of 60 and 40% for both species, whereas the ratios of o-xylene transported via the stem versus direct diffusion from the air into the medium were 61 and 39%. Both S. actinophylla and F. benghalensis removed toluene and xylene from the air. The ratios of toluene and xylene transported from air to root zone via the stem were 47 and 60 %, respectively. This result suggests that root zone is a significant contributor to gaseous toluene and xylene removal, and transported via the stem plays an important role in this process.

High-temperature deformation of stoichiometric /sup 239/PuO/sub 2/

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

Petrovic, J.J.; Land, C.C.

1980-03-01

The deformation behavior of stoichiometric /sup 239/PuO/sub 2/ was examined at 800/sup 0/ to 1500/sup 0/C, using direct and diametral compression. Maximum ductility was observed at 1000/sup 0/C, but above this temperature both strength and ductility decreased and the fracture mode changed from transgranular to intergranular. The deformation activation energy measured at 1000/sup 0/C was 598 kJ/mol. Comparison to the deformation behavior of hypostoichiometric /sup 239/PuO/sub 2-x/ suggests that high-temperature dislocation motion becomes more difficult with increasing O/Pu ratio due to effects of stoichiometry on diffusion rates. Deformation mechanisms in /sup 239/PuO/sub 2/ appear to be a combination of dislocationmore » motion and grain-boundary sliding.« less

40 CFR 1065.362 - Non-stoichiometric raw exhaust FID O2 interference verification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 33 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Non-stoichiometric raw exhaust FID O2... Measurements § 1065.362 Non-stoichiometric raw exhaust FID O2 interference verification. (a) Scope and frequency. If you use FID analyzers for raw exhaust measurements from engines that operate in a non...

40 CFR 1065.362 - Non-stoichiometric raw exhaust FID O2 interference verification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Non-stoichiometric raw exhaust FID O2... Measurements § 1065.362 Non-stoichiometric raw exhaust FID O2 interference verification. (a) Scope and frequency. If you use FID analyzers for raw exhaust measurements from engines that operate in a non...

Stoichiometric network theory for nonequilibrium biochemical systems.

PubMed

Qian, Hong; Beard, Daniel A; Liang, Shou-dan

2003-02-01

We introduce the basic concepts and develop a theory for nonequilibrium steady-state biochemical systems applicable to analyzing large-scale complex isothermal reaction networks. In terms of the stoichiometric matrix, we demonstrate both Kirchhoff's flux law sigma(l)J(l)=0 over a biochemical species, and potential law sigma(l) mu(l)=0 over a reaction loop. They reflect mass and energy conservation, respectively. For each reaction, its steady-state flux J can be decomposed into forward and backward one-way fluxes J = J+ - J-, with chemical potential difference deltamu = RT ln(J-/J+). The product -Jdeltamu gives the isothermal heat dissipation rate, which is necessarily non-negative according to the second law of thermodynamics. The stoichiometric network theory (SNT) embodies all of the relevant fundamental physics. Knowing J and deltamu of a biochemical reaction, a conductance can be computed which directly reflects the level of gene expression for the particular enzyme. For sufficiently small flux a linear relationship between J and deltamu can be established as the linear flux-force relation in irreversible thermodynamics, analogous to Ohm's law in electrical circuits.

Laser-Heated Floating Zone Production of Single-Crystal Fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ritzert, Frank; Westfall, Leonard

1996-01-01

This report describes how a laser-heated floating zone apparatus can be used to investigate single-crystal fibers of various compositions. A feedrod with a stoichiometric composition of high-purity powders was connected to a pedestal and fed into a laser scan where it combined with a single-crystal fiber seed. A molten zone was formed at this junction. As the feedrod was continuously fed into the laser scan, a single-crystal fiber of a prescribed orientation was withdrawn from the melt. The resultant fibers, whose diameters ranged from 100 to 250 gm, could then be evaluated on the basis of their growth behavior, physical properties, mechanical properties, and fiber perfection.

Extensive Natural Intraspecific Variation in Stoichiometric (C:N:P) Composition in Two Terrestrial Insect Species

PubMed Central

Bertram, S. M.; Bowen, M.; Kyle, M.; Schade, J. D.

2008-01-01

Heterotrophic organisms must obtain essential elements in sufficient quantities from their food. Because plants naturally exhibit extensive variation in their elemental content, it is important to quantify the within-species stoichiometric variation of consumers. If extensive stoichiometric variation exists, it may help explain consumer variation in life-history strategy and fitness. To date, however, research on stoichiometric variation has focused on interspecific differences and assumed minimal intraspecific differences. Here this assumption is tested. Natural variation is quantified in body stoichiometry of two terrestrial insects: the generalist field cricket, Gryllus texensis Cade and Otte (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) and a specialist curculionid weevil, Sabinia setosa (Le Conte) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Both species exhibited extensive intraspecific stoichiometric variation. Cricket body nitrogen content ranged from 8–12% and there was a four-fold difference in body phosphorus content, ranging from 0.32–1.27%. Body size explained half this stoichiometric variation, with larger individuals containing less nitrogen and phosphorus. Weevils exhibited an almost three-fold difference in body phosphorus content, ranging from 0.38–0.97%. Overall, the variation observed within each of these species is comparable to the variation previously observed across almost all terrestrial insect species. PMID:20298114

Ultraviolet photorefractive effect in Mg-doped near-stoichiometric LiNbO 3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Dengsong; Xu, Jingjun; Qiao, Haijun; Shi, Yanli; Gao, Feng; Li, Wei; Fu, Bo; Zhang, Guaquan; Zheng, Ke

2006-10-01

The ultraviolet photorefractive effect of Mg-doped near-stoichiometric LiNbO3 crystals prepared by vapor transport equilibration (VTE) technique was studied at 351 nm. It was found in the near-stoichiometric LiNbO3 crystals that the ultraviolet photorefractive effect could be enhanced greatly with the increase of Mg concentration. Based on the activation energy of dark decay of the photorefractive grating, possible centers responsible for the ultraviolet photorefractive effect were also discussed.

Studies on the O-polysaccharide of Escherichia albertii O2 characterized by non-stoichiometric O-acetylation and non-stoichiometric side-chain l-fucosylation.

PubMed

Naumenko, Olesya I; Zheng, Han; Xiong, Yanwen; Senchenkova, Sof'ya N; Wang, Hong; Shashkov, Alexander S; Li, Qun; Wang, Jianping; Knirel, Yuriy A

2018-05-22

An O-polysaccharide was isolated from the lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia albertii O2 and studied by chemical methods and 1D and 2D 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopy. The following structure of the O-polysaccharide was established: . The O-polysaccharide is characterized by masked regularity owing to a non-stoichiometric O-acetylation of an l-fucose residue in the main chain and a non-stoichiometric side-chain l-fucosylation of a β-GlcNAc residue. A regular linear polysaccharide was obtained by sequential Smith degradation and alkaline O-deacetylation of the O-polysaccharide. The content of the O-antigen gene cluster of E. albertii O2 was found to be essentially consistent with the O-polysaccharide structure established. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fluorescent tagged episomals for stoichiometric induced pluripotent stem cell reprogramming.

PubMed

Schmitt, Christopher E; Morales, Blanca M; Schmitz, Ellen M H; Hawkins, John S; Lizama, Carlos O; Zape, Joan P; Hsiao, Edward C; Zovein, Ann C

2017-06-05

Non-integrating episomal vectors have become an important tool for induced pluripotent stem cell reprogramming. The episomal vectors carrying the "Yamanaka reprogramming factors" (Oct4, Klf, Sox2, and L-Myc + Lin28) are critical tools for non-integrating reprogramming of cells to a pluripotent state. However, the reprogramming process remains highly stochastic, and is hampered by an inability to easily identify clones that carry the episomal vectors. We modified the original set of vectors to express spectrally separable fluorescent proteins to allow for enrichment of transfected cells. The vectors were then tested against the standard original vectors for reprogramming efficiency and for the ability to enrich for stoichiometric ratios of factors. The reengineered vectors allow for cell sorting based on reprogramming factor expression. We show that these vectors can assist in tracking episomal expression in individual cells and can select the reprogramming factor dosage. Together, these modified vectors are a useful tool for understanding the reprogramming process and improving induced pluripotent stem cell isolation efficiency.

Stoichiometric control of DNA-grafted colloid self-assembly

DOE PAGES

Vo, Thi; Venkatasubramanian, Venkat; Kumar, Sanat; ...

2015-04-06

In this study, there has been considerable interest in understanding the self-assembly of DNA-grafted nanoparticles into different crystal structures, e.g., CsCl, AlB₂, and Cr₃Si. Although there are important exceptions, a generally accepted view is that the right stoichiometry of the two building block colloids needs to be mixed to form the desired crystal structure. To incisively probe this issue, we combine experiments and theory on a series of DNA-grafted nanoparticles at varying stoichiometries, including noninteger values. We show that stoichiometry can couple with the geometries of the building blocks to tune the resulting equilibrium crystal morphology. As a concrete example,more » a stoichiometric ratio of 3:1 typically results in the Cr₃Si structure. However, AlB₂ can form when appropriate building blocks are used so that the AlB₂ standard-state free energy is low enough to overcome the entropic preference for Cr₃Si. These situations can also lead to an undesirable phase coexistence between crystal polymorphs. Thus, whereas stoichiometry can be a powerful handle for direct control of lattice formation, care must be taken in its design and selection to avoid polymorph coexistence.« less

Combined slope ratio analysis and linear-subtraction: An extension of the Pearce ratio method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Waal, Sybrand A.

1996-07-01

A new technique, called combined slope ratio analysis, has been developed by extending the Pearce element ratio or conserved-denominator method (Pearce, 1968) to its logical conclusions. If two stoichiometric substances are mixed and certain chemical components are uniquely contained in either one of the two mixing substances, then by treating these unique components as conserved, the composition of the substance not containing the relevant component can be accurately calculated within the limits allowed by analytical and geological error. The calculated composition can then be subjected to rigorous statistical testing using the linear-subtraction method recently advanced by Woronow (1994). Application of combined slope ratio analysis to the rocks of the Uwekahuna Laccolith, Hawaii, USA, and the lavas of the 1959-summit eruption of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, USA, yields results that are consistent with field observations.

An image of P- to S-wave velocity ratios in the forearc of the Central Andean subduction zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wasja Bloch, Nikolai; Kummerow, Jörn; Wigger, Peter; Shapiro, Serge

2014-05-01

The ratio of seismic P- to S-wave velocities (the Vp/Vs ratio) of a given rock volume is a sensitive proxy for the detection of fluids and melts. In subduction regimes it has often been inferred from seismic tomography and been used, e.g., to detect pathways of ascending melt above the seismogenic zone, where tomographic methods have their highest resolution. We present Vp/Vs ratios that were computed using only seismic arrival time observations following the approach of Lin and Shearer (2007). This approach has its highest sensitivity in the source volume of a set of nearby seismic events and is hence particularly well suited to directly probe the plate interface. We present data from a temporary local network of short period seismometers that was in operation in the forearc of the Central Andean subduction zone at 21° S between 2005 and 2012. From this database we were able to localize 3253 seismic events (Ml ~0.5--4) with high precision, yielding a detailed image of the seismicity distribution in this region. Seismicity is pervasive within the entire crust of the South American continental plate and exhibits three distinct bands in the subducting slab, the lowermost one being located in the lithospheric mantle of the subducting plate. The highest concentration of seismic events is found in the contact zone between the continental and the oceanic lithosphere at depths between 30 and 50 km. We group seismic events into approximately 100 subsets of nearby events that origin from the same geological structure. For about half of these subsets we are able to extract a reliable local Vp/Vs ratio. In the middle continental crust, Vp/Vs ratios show slightly enhanced values (~1.75). In the lower continental crust towards the plate interface they tend to increase from this value updip and decrease downdip. At the plate interface itself, we observe higher Vp/Vs ratios (>1.8) at shallower depths (between 20 and 40 km). Downdip (40--60 km depth) Vp/Vs ratios decrease to

Influence of fuel-nitrate ratio on the structural and magnetic properties of Fe and Cr based spinels prepared by solution self combustion method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sijo, A. K.

2017-11-01

In this study, we report the synthesis of nano-sized CoCrFeO4 and NiCrFeO4 using the solution self combustion method and the variation in the magnetic and structural properties with different fuel to nitrate ratios-fuel lean, fuel rich and stoichiometric. Citric acid is used as the fuel. XRD analysis of the samples confirms the formation of pure spinel phased nanoparticles in fuel rich and stoichiometric cases. But CoCrFeO4 and NiCrFeO4 samples prepared under the fuel lean condition show the presence of a small amount of impurity phases: α-Ni in fuel lean NiCrFeO4 and α-Co in fuel lean CoCrFeO4. Fuel lean samples possess high magnetic saturation. The stoichiometric ratio results in finest nano-particles and structural and magnetic properties are very critically dependent on fuel to nitrate ratio.

Foraging behavior by Daphnia in stoichiometric gradients of food quality.

PubMed

Schatz, Greg S; McCauley, Edward

2007-10-01

Mismatches in the elemental composition of herbivores and their resources can impact herbivore growth and reproduction. In aquatic systems, the ratio of elements, such as C, P, and N, is used to characterize the food quality of algal prey. For example, large increases in the C:P ratio of edible algae can decrease rates of growth and reproduction in Daphnia. Current theory emphasizes that Daphnia utilize only assimilation and respiration processes to maintain an optimal elemental composition, yet studies of terrestrial herbivores implicate behavioral processes in coping with local variation in food quality. We tested the ability of juvenile and adult Daphnia to locate regions of high-quality food within a spatial gradient of algal prey differing in C:P ratio, while holding food density constant over space. Both juveniles and adults demonstrated similar behavior by quickly locating (i.e., <10 min) the region of high food quality. Foraging paths were centred on regions of high food quality and these differed significantly from paths of individuals exposed to a homogeneous environment of both food density and food quality. Ingestion rate experiments on algal prey of differing stoichiometric ratio show that individuals can adjust their intake rate over fast behavioral time-scales, and we use these data to examine how individuals choose foraging locations when presented with a spatial gradient that trades off food quality and food quantity. Daphnia reared under low food quality conditions chose to forage in regions of high food quality even though they could attain the same C ingestion rate elsewhere along a spatial gradient. We argue that these aspects of foraging behavior by Daphnia have important implications for how these herbivores manage their elemental composition and our understanding of the dynamics of these herbivore-plant systems in lakes and ponds where spatial variation in food quality is present.

Optical excitation of carbon nanotubes drives stoichiometric reaction with diazonium salts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Powell, Lyndsey; Piao, Yanmei; Wang, Yuhuang; YuHuang Wang Research Group Team

Covalent chemistry is known to lack the precision required to tailor the physical properties of carbon nanostructures. Here we show that, for the first time, light can be used to drive a typically inefficient reaction with single-walled carbon nanotubes in a more stoichiometric fashion. Specifically, our experimental results suggest that light can enhance the reaction rate of diazonium salt with carbon nanotubes by as much as 35-fold, making possible stoichiometric control of the covalent bonding of a functional group to the sp2 carbon lattice. This light-controlled reaction paves the way for the possibility of highly selective and precise chemistry on single-walled carbon nanotubes and other graphitic nanostructures.

Physiological tolerance and stoichiometric potential of cyanobacteria for hydrocarbon fuel production.

PubMed

Kämäräinen, Jari; Knoop, Henning; Stanford, Natalie J; Guerrero, Fernando; Akhtar, M Kalim; Aro, Eva-Mari; Steuer, Ralf; Jones, Patrik R

2012-11-30

Cyanobacteria are capable of directly converting sunlight, carbon dioxide and water into hydrocarbon fuel or precursors thereof. Many biological and non-biological factors will influence the ability of such a production system to become economically sustainable. We evaluated two factors in engineerable cyanobacteria which could potentially limit economic sustainability: (i) tolerance of the host to the intended end-product, and (ii) stoichiometric potential for production. Alcohols, when externally added, inhibited growth the most, followed by aldehydes and acids, whilst alkanes were the least inhibitory. The growth inhibition became progressively greater with increasing chain-length for alcohols, whilst the intermediate C6 alkane caused more inhibition than both C3 and C11 alkane. Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 was more tolerant to some of the tested chemicals than Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942, particularly ethanol and undecane. Stoichiometric evaluation of the potential yields suggested that there is no difference in the potential productivity of harvestable energy between any of the studied fuels, with the exception of ethylene, for which maximal stoichiometric yield is considerably lower. In summary, it was concluded that alkanes would constitute the best choice metabolic end-product for fuel production using cyanobacteria if high-yielding strains can be developed. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Proximate biochemical composition and caloric content calculated from elemental CHN analysis: a stoichiometric concept.

PubMed

Gnaiger, E; Bitterlich, G

1984-06-01

Carbohydrate, lipid, and protein compositions are stoichiometrically related to organic CHN (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen) contents. Elemental CHN analyses of total biomass and ash, therefore, provide a basis for the calculation of proximate biochemical composition and bomb caloric value. The classical nitrogen to protein conversion factor (6.25) should be replaced by 5.8±0.13. A linear relation exists between the mass fraction of non-protein carbon and the carbohydrate and lipid content. Residual water in dry organic matter can be estimated with the additional information derived from hydrogen measurements.The stoichiometric CHN method and direct biochemical analysis agreed within 10% of ash-free dry biomass (for muscle, liver and fat tissue of silver carp; gut contents composed of detritus and algae; commercial fish food). The detrital material, however, had to be corrected for non-protein nitrogen.A linear relationship between bomb caloric value and organic carbon fractions was derived on the basis of thermodynamic and stoichiometric principles, in agreement with experimental data published for bacteria, algae, protozoa and invertebrates. The highly automatic stoichiometric CHN method for the separation of nutrient contents in biomass extends existing ecophysiological concepts for the construction of balanced carbon and nitrogen, as well as biochemical and energy budgets.

Light and spectral properties as determinants of C:N:P-ratios in phytoplankton

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hessen, Dag O.; Leu, Eva; Færøvig, Per J.; Falk Petersen, Stig

2008-10-01

Light is a major determinant not only for carbon (C)-fixation in autotrophs, but also for the cellular proportions of major elements like C, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). High intensities of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) increase C:P-ratios in experiments with arctic marine and freshwater phytoplankton species. While high levels of PAR promote high autotrophic productivity, the increased C:P may invoke a "paradox of enrichment" effect since this means lower stoichiometric food quality for herbivores. In contrast, exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) gave reduced cellular C:P-ratios (and N:P) in phytoplankton. This was partly owing to a strong reduction in C-fixation under UVR, but also due to enhanced uptake of P, presumably in response to increased demands for nucleotide repair under UVR stress. The net outcome of these opposing effects will depend on optical properties and mixing depth in the water column. These stoichiometric responses could cause deviations from Redfield ratio in phytoplankton as well as affecting biogeochemical cycling and trophic transfer efficiency in aquatic food-webs.

A stoichiometric calibration method for dual energy computed tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bourque, Alexandra E.; Carrier, Jean-François; Bouchard, Hugo

2014-04-01

The accuracy of radiotherapy dose calculation relies crucially on patient composition data. The computed tomography (CT) calibration methods based on the stoichiometric calibration of Schneider et al (1996 Phys. Med. Biol. 41 111-24) are the most reliable to determine electron density (ED) with commercial single energy CT scanners. Along with the recent developments in dual energy CT (DECT) commercial scanners, several methods were published to determine ED and the effective atomic number (EAN) for polyenergetic beams without the need for CT calibration curves. This paper intends to show that with a rigorous definition of the EAN, the stoichiometric calibration method can be successfully adapted to DECT with significant accuracy improvements with respect to the literature without the need for spectrum measurements or empirical beam hardening corrections. Using a theoretical framework of ICRP human tissue compositions and the XCOM photon cross sections database, the revised stoichiometric calibration method yields Hounsfield unit (HU) predictions within less than ±1.3 HU of the theoretical HU calculated from XCOM data averaged over the spectra used (e.g., 80 kVp, 100 kVp, 140 kVp and 140/Sn kVp). A fit of mean excitation energy (I-value) data as a function of EAN is provided in order to determine the ion stopping power of human tissues from ED-EAN measurements. Analysis of the calibration phantom measurements with the Siemens SOMATOM Definition Flash dual source CT scanner shows that the present formalism yields mean absolute errors of (0.3 ± 0.4)% and (1.6 ± 2.0)% on ED and EAN, respectively. For ion therapy, the mean absolute errors for calibrated I-values and proton stopping powers (216 MeV) are (4.1 ± 2.7)% and (0.5 ± 0.4)%, respectively. In all clinical situations studied, the uncertainties in ion ranges in water for therapeutic energies are found to be less than 1.3 mm, 0.7 mm and 0.5 mm for protons, helium and carbon ions respectively, using a generic

On the stability of sub-stoichiometric uranium oxides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winer, K.; Colmenares, C. A.; Smith, R. L.; Wooten, F.

1986-12-01

The oxidation of clean, high-purity polycrystalline uranium metal surfaces for low exposures to dry oxygen was studied with AES and XPS in an attempt to substantiate claims for the formation of a stable UO surface phase at ambient temperatures. We found no evidence for such a surface phase and found instead that grossly sub-stoichiometric surface oxides were formed after sequential oxygen saturation and heating.

Exhaustive identification of steady state cycles in large stoichiometric networks

PubMed Central

Wright, Jeremiah; Wagner, Andreas

2008-01-01

Background Identifying cyclic pathways in chemical reaction networks is important, because such cycles may indicate in silico violation of energy conservation, or the existence of feedback in vivo. Unfortunately, our ability to identify cycles in stoichiometric networks, such as signal transduction and genome-scale metabolic networks, has been hampered by the computational complexity of the methods currently used. Results We describe a new algorithm for the identification of cycles in stoichiometric networks, and we compare its performance to two others by exhaustively identifying the cycles contained in the genome-scale metabolic networks of H. pylori, M. barkeri, E. coli, and S. cerevisiae. Our algorithm can substantially decrease both the execution time and maximum memory usage in comparison to the two previous algorithms. Conclusion The algorithm we describe improves our ability to study large, real-world, biochemical reaction networks, although additional methodological improvements are desirable. PMID:18616835

Size Dependence of Metal-Insulator Transition in Stoichiometric Fe₃O4₄Nanocrystals.

PubMed

Lee, Jisoo; Kwon, Soon Gu; Park, Je-Geun; Hyeon, Taeghwan

2015-07-08

Magnetite (Fe3O4) is one of the most actively studied materials with a famous metal-insulator transition (MIT), so-called the Verwey transition at around 123 K. Despite the recent progress in synthesis and characterization of Fe3O4 nanocrystals (NCs), it is still an open question how the Verwey transition changes on a nanometer scale. We herein report the systematic studies on size dependence of the Verwey transition of stoichiometric Fe3O4 NCs. We have successfully synthesized stoichiometric and uniform-sized Fe3O4 NCs with sizes ranging from 5 to 100 nm. These stoichiometric Fe3O4 NCs show the Verwey transition when they are characterized by conductance, magnetization, cryo-XRD, and heat capacity measurements. The Verwey transition is weakly size-dependent and becomes suppressed in NCs smaller than 20 nm before disappearing completely for less than 6 nm, which is a clear, yet highly interesting indication of a size effect of this well-known phenomena. Our current work will shed new light on this ages-old problem of Verwey transition.

In-place oil shale resources of the Mahogany zone sorted by grade, overburden thickness and stripping ratio, Green River Formation, Piceance Basin, Colorado and Uinta Basin, Utah

USGS Publications Warehouse

Birdwell, Justin E.; Mercier, Tracey J.; Johnson, Ronald C.; Brownfield, Michael E.

2015-01-01

A range of geological parameters relevant to mining oil shale have been examined for the Mahogany zone of the Green River Formation in the Piceance Basin, Colorado, and Uinta Basin, Utah, using information available in the U.S. Geological Survey Oil Shale Assessment database. Basinwide discrete and cumulative distributions of resource in-place as a function of (1) oil shale grade, (2) Mahogany zone thickness, (3) overburden thickness, and (4) stripping ratio (overburden divided by zone thickness) were determined for both basins on a per-acre basis, and a resource map showing the areal distribution of these properties was generated. Estimates of how much of the Mahogany zone resource meets various combinations of these parameters were also determined. Of the 191.7 billion barrels of Mahogany zone oil in-place in the Piceance Basin, 32.3 percent (61.8 billion barrels) is associated with oil shale yielding at least 25 gallons of oil per ton (GPT) of rock processed, is covered by overburden 1,000 feet thick or less, and has a stripping ratio of less than 10. In the Uinta Basin, 14.0 percent (29.9 billion barrels) of the 214.5 billion barrels of Mahogany zone oil in-place meets the same overburden and stripping ratio criteria but only for the lower grade cutoff of 15 GPT.

Oxygen transport in off-stoichiometric uranium dioxide mediated by defect clustering dynamics

DOE PAGES

Yu, Jianguo; Bai, Xian -Ming; El-Azab, Anter; ...

2015-03-05

In this study, oxygen transport is central to many properties of oxides such as stoichiometric changes, phase transformation and ionic conductivity. In this paper, we report a mechanism for oxygen transport in uranium dioxide (UO 2) in which the kinetics is mediated by defect clustering dynamics. In particular, the kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) method has been used to investigate the kinetics of oxygen transport in UO 2 under the condition of creation and annihilation of oxygen vacancies and interstitials as well as oxygen interstitial clustering, with variable offstoichiometry and temperature conditions. It is found that in hypo-stoichiometric UO 2-x, oxygenmore » transport is well described by the vacancy diffusion mechanism while in hyper-stoichiometric UO 2+x, oxygen interstitial cluster diffusion contributes significantly to oxygen transport kinetics, particularly at high temperatures and high off-stoichiometry levels. It is also found that diinterstitial clusters and single interstitials play dominant roles in oxygen diffusion while other larger clusters have negligible contributions. However, the formation, coalescence and dissociation of these larger clusters indirectly affects the overall oxygen diffusion due to their interactions with mono and di-interstitials, thus providing a explanation of the experimental observation of saturation or even drop of oxygen diffusivity at high off-stoichiometry.« less

Denitrification rates and excess nitrogen gas concentrations in the Arabian Sea oxygen deficient zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Devol, A. H.; Uhlenhopp, A. G.; Naqvi, S. W. A.; Brandes, J. A.; Jayakumar, D. A.; Naik, H.; Gaurin, S.; Codispoti, L. A.; Yoshinari, T.

2006-09-01

Rates of canonical, i.e. heterotrophic, water-column denitrification were measured by 15N incubation techniques at a number of coastal and open ocean stations in the Arabian Sea. Measurements of N 2:Ar gas ratios were also made to obtain independent estimates of N 2 excess resulting from denitrification. Measured denitrification rates ( 15NO 3-→15-14N 2) at open ocean stations averaged 9.1±1.0 nmol N l -1 d -1 ( n=15), and coastal rates averaged 33.2±12.4 nmol N l -1 d -1 ( n=18). When extrapolated to the entire Arabian Sea, deep measurements within the offshore perennial suboxic zone indicate an overall denitrification rate of 41 Tg N a -1±18 Tg N a -1, which is within the range (10-44 Tg N a -1) of previous estimates for canonical denitrification in the region based on stoichiometric calculations and electron transport system activity. Nitrogen excess gas measurements predict a larger nitrogen anomaly than estimated by classical stoichiometric methods (maximum anomaly=23 μg at N l -1 vs. 13 μg at N l -1, respectively). This mismatch may result from incorrect assumptions of Redfield stoichiometry inherent in the nitrate deficit calculation, inputs of new nitrogen through N-fixation, N 2 contributions from sedimentary denitrification along continental margins, the anammox reaction, and metal catalyzed denitrification reactions. Nevertheless, if denitrification is defined as the conversion of combined nitrogen to a gaseous end product, then the data suggest that denitrification in the Arabian Sea may have been underestimated so far.

Stoichiometric network constraints on xylose metabolism by recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Treesearch

Yong-Su Jin; Thomas W. Jeffries

2004-01-01

Metabolic pathway engineering is constrained by the thermodynamic and stoichiometric feasibility of enzymatic activities of introduced genes. Engineering of xylose metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has focused on introducing genes for the initial xylose assimilation steps from Pichia stipitis, a xylose-fermenting yeast, into S. cerevisiae, a yeast raditionally...

The generalized mean zone plate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Tian; Cheng, Shubo; Tao, Shaohua

2018-06-01

In this paper a generalized mean zone plate is proposed, which generates twin foci located at the positions satisfying the expression of the generalized mean, which includes the m-golden mean, precious mean, and so on. The generalized mean zone plate can be designed to generate twin foci with various position ratios. The diffraction properties of the generalized mean zone plates have been investigated with simulations and experiments. The results show that the ratio of the positions of the twin foci for the generalized mean zone plate can be designed with the selected zone plate parameters.

On the Chemistry and Physical Properties of Flux and Floating Zone Grown SmB6 Single Crystals

PubMed Central

Phelan, W. A.; Koohpayeh, S. M.; Cottingham, P.; Tutmaher, J. A.; Leiner, J. C.; Lumsden, M. D.; Lavelle, C. M.; Wang, X. P.; Hoffmann, C.; Siegler, M. A.; Haldolaarachchige, N.; Young, D. P.; McQueen, T. M.

2016-01-01

Recent theoretical and experimental findings suggest the long-known but not well understood low temperature resistance plateau of SmB6 may originate from protected surface states arising from a topologically non-trivial bulk band structure having strong Kondo hybridization. Yet others have ascribed this feature to impurities, vacancies, and surface reconstructions. Given the typical methods used to prepare SmB6 single crystals, flux and floating-zone procedures, such ascriptions should not be taken lightly. We demonstrate how compositional variations and/or observable amounts of impurities in SmB6 crystals grown using both procedures affect the physical properties. From X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, and X-ray computed tomography experiments we observe that natural isotope containing (SmB6) and doubly isotope enriched (154Sm11B6) crystals prepared using aluminum flux contain co-crystallized, epitaxial aluminum. Further, a large, nearly stoichiometric crystal of SmB6 was successfully grown using the float-zone technique; upon continuing the zone melting, samarium vacancies were introduced. These samarium vacancies drastically alter the resistance and plateauing magnitude of the low temperature resistance compared to stoichiometric SmB6. These results highlight that impurities and compositional variations, even at low concentrations, must be considered when collecting/analyzing physical property data of SmB6. Finally, a more accurate samarium-154 coherent neutron scattering length, 8.9(1) fm, is reported. PMID:26892648

Advanced Stoichiometric Analysis of Metabolic Networks of Mammalian Systems

PubMed Central

Orman, Mehmet A.; Berthiaume, Francois; Androulakis, Ioannis P.; Ierapetritou, Marianthi G.

2013-01-01

Metabolic engineering tools have been widely applied to living organisms to gain a comprehensive understanding about cellular networks and to improve cellular properties. Metabolic flux analysis (MFA), flux balance analysis (FBA), and metabolic pathway analysis (MPA) are among the most popular tools in stoichiometric network analysis. Although application of these tools into well-known microbial systems is extensive in the literature, various barriers prevent them from being utilized in mammalian cells. Limited experimental data, complex regulatory mechanisms, and the requirement of more complex nutrient media are some major obstacles in mammalian cell systems. However, mammalian cells have been used to produce therapeutic proteins, to characterize disease states or related abnormal metabolic conditions, and to analyze the toxicological effects of some medicinally important drugs. Therefore, there is a growing need for extending metabolic engineering principles to mammalian cells in order to understand their underlying metabolic functions. In this review article, advanced metabolic engineering tools developed for stoichiometric analysis including MFA, FBA, and MPA are described. Applications of these tools in mammalian cells are discussed in detail, and the challenges and opportunities are highlighted. PMID:22196224

Variations in eco-enzymatic stoichiometric and microbial characteristics in paddy soil as affected by long-term integrated organic-inorganic fertilization

PubMed Central

Lin, Sen; Wang, Shaoxian; Si, Yuanli; Yang, Wenhao; Zhu, Shaowei

2017-01-01

To investigate the effects of different nutrient management regimes on the soil chemical, eco-enzymatic stoichiometric and microbial characteristics, soil samples were collected from a 30-year, long-term field experiment with six plots growing rice. The results showed that as integrated fertilization increased, so did the concentrations of soil total or available nutrients and microbial biomass carbon (MBC). Our results also found enhanced soil basal respiration and cumulative carbon mineralization compared to chemical fertilization alone at the same nutrient doses. The activities of soil protease (Pro), β-glucosidase (βG), N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG) and acid phosphatase (AP) from the integrated fertilization treatments were significantly higher than those of the treatments without organic manure, so did the activities of soil leucyl aminopeptidase (LAP) and urease (Ure) from the treatment with organic manure in addition to farmer practise fertilization (NPKM2). The stoichiometric ratios, expressed as lnβG/ln(NAG+LAP)/lnPro/lnUre/lnAP, ranged from 1:0.94:1.04:0.67:1.01 to 1:0.98:1.10:0.78:1.25, indicating that the acquisition of C, N and P changed consistently and synchronously under different nutrient management strategies. Integrated fertilization was more beneficial to the acquisition and utilization of soil organic carbon compared to low-molecular-weight organic nitrogen. We concluded that protease and urease should be considered in eco-enzymatic stoichiometric assessments for the hydrolysis of proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates and phosphomonoesters in soil, and integrated fertilization with chemical fertilizers and organic manure should be recommended as a preferable nutrient management system for intensive rice cultivation. PMID:29253000

Variations in eco-enzymatic stoichiometric and microbial characteristics in paddy soil as affected by long-term integrated organic-inorganic fertilization.

PubMed

Lin, Sen; Wang, Shaoxian; Si, Yuanli; Yang, Wenhao; Zhu, Shaowei; Ni, Wuzhong

2017-01-01

To investigate the effects of different nutrient management regimes on the soil chemical, eco-enzymatic stoichiometric and microbial characteristics, soil samples were collected from a 30-year, long-term field experiment with six plots growing rice. The results showed that as integrated fertilization increased, so did the concentrations of soil total or available nutrients and microbial biomass carbon (MBC). Our results also found enhanced soil basal respiration and cumulative carbon mineralization compared to chemical fertilization alone at the same nutrient doses. The activities of soil protease (Pro), β-glucosidase (βG), N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG) and acid phosphatase (AP) from the integrated fertilization treatments were significantly higher than those of the treatments without organic manure, so did the activities of soil leucyl aminopeptidase (LAP) and urease (Ure) from the treatment with organic manure in addition to farmer practise fertilization (NPKM2). The stoichiometric ratios, expressed as lnβG/ln(NAG+LAP)/lnPro/lnUre/lnAP, ranged from 1:0.94:1.04:0.67:1.01 to 1:0.98:1.10:0.78:1.25, indicating that the acquisition of C, N and P changed consistently and synchronously under different nutrient management strategies. Integrated fertilization was more beneficial to the acquisition and utilization of soil organic carbon compared to low-molecular-weight organic nitrogen. We concluded that protease and urease should be considered in eco-enzymatic stoichiometric assessments for the hydrolysis of proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates and phosphomonoesters in soil, and integrated fertilization with chemical fertilizers and organic manure should be recommended as a preferable nutrient management system for intensive rice cultivation.

Identification of New Cocrystal Systems with Stoichiometric Diversity of Salicylic Acid Using Thermal Methods.

PubMed

Zhou, Zhengzheng; Chan, Hok Man; Sung, Herman H-Y; Tong, Henry H Y; Zheng, Ying

2016-04-01

The purpose of this work was to develop thermal methods to identify cocrystal systems with stoichiometric diversity. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and hot stage microscopy (HSM) have been applied to study the stoichiometric diversity phenomenon on cocrystal systems of the model compound salicylic acid (SA) with different coformers (CCFs). The DSC method was particularly useful in the identification of cocrystal re-crystallization, especially to improve the temperature resolution using a slower heating rate. HSM was implemented as a complementary protocol to confirm the DSC results. The crystal structures were elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD). Two new cocrystal systems consisting of salicylic acid-benzamide (SA-BZD, 1:1, 1:2) and salicylic acid-isonicotinamide (SA-ISN, 1:1, 2:1) have been identified in the present work. The chemical structures of the newly discovered cocrystals SA-BZD (1:2) and SA-ISN (2:1) have been elucidated using X-ray single crystal and powder diffraction methods. The developed thermal methods could rapidly identify cocrystal systems with stoichiometric diversity, with the potential to discover new pharmaceutical cocrystals in the future.

Effect of primary-zone equivalence ratio and hydrogen addition on exhaust emission in a hydrocarbon-fueled combustor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Norgren, C. T.; Ingebo, R. D.

1974-01-01

The effects of reducing the primary-zone equivalence ratio on the exhaust emission levels of oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and unburned hydrocarbons in experimental hydrocarbon-fueled combustor segments at simulated supersonic cruise and idle conditions were investigated. In addition, the effects of the injection of hydrogen fuel (up to 4 percent of the total weight of fuel) on the stability of the hydrocarbon flame and exhaust emissions were studied and compared with results obtained without hydrogen addition.

Electrical Conducting and Mechanism of Oxygen-Deficient Tin Oxide Films Deposited by RF Magnetron Sputtering at Various O2/Ar Ratios

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Qi; Wang, Chengbiao; Lv, Changchun; Wang, Yang; Peng, Zhijian; Fu, Xiuli

Oxygen-deficient tin oxide thin films were prepared by radiofrequency magnetron sputtering with a sintered non-stoichiometric tin oxide ceramic target under an atmosphere of various ratios of O2/Ar from pure Ar to 1:1. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the thin films were polycrystalline with relatively strong (1 1 0), (1 0 1) and (2 1 1) diffraction peaks. Scanning electron microscopy observation revealed that the thin films prepared at different O2/Ar ratios were all of relatively dense and homogeneous structure. With increasing O2/Ar ratio, the grain size of the films decreased slightly, and their chemical composition became close to the stoichiometric SnO2; but the deposition rate as well as film thickness increased first and then decreased sharply. It was revealed that the main defect in obtained films was oxygen vacancy (VO), and as the O2/Ar ratio increased, the concentration of VO fell down monotonously, which would lead to an increased electrical resistivity.

Stoichiometric Lithium Niobate (SLN) Based Linearized Electro-Optic (EO) Modulator

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-01-01

AFRL-SN-RS-TR-2006-15 Final Technical Report January 2006 STOICHIOMETRIC LITHIUM NIOBATE (SLN) BASED LINEARIZED ELECTRO - OPTIC (EO...LITHIUM NIOBATE (SLN) BASED LINEARIZED ELECTRO - OPTIC (EO) MODULATOR 6. AUTHOR(S) Dr Stuart Kingsley, Dr Sri Sriram 5. FUNDING NUMBERS C...SUBJECT TERMS electro - optic modulator, linearization, directional coupler, variable coupling, optical waveguide, Mach-Zehnder, photonic link, lithium

Vaporization chemistry of hypo-stoichiometric (U,Pu)O 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Viswanathan, R.; Krishnaiah, M. V.

2001-04-01

Calculations were performed on hypo-stoichiometric uranium plutonium di-oxide to examine its vaporization behavior as a function of O/ M ( M= U+ Pu) ratio and plutonium content. The phase U (1- y) Pu yO z was treated as an ideal solid solution of (1- y)UO 2+ yPuO (2- x) such that x=(2- z)/ y. Oxygen potentials for different desired values of y, z, and temperature were used as the primary input to calculate the corresponding partial pressures of various O-, U-, and Pu-bearing gaseous species. Relevant thermodynamic data for the solid phases UO 2 and PuO (2- x) , and the gaseous species were taken from the literature. Total vapor pressure varies with O/M and goes through a minimum. This minimum does not indicate a congruently vaporizing composition. Vaporization behavior of this system can at best be quasi-congruent. Two quasi-congruently vaporizing compositions (QCVCs) exist, representing the equalities (O/M) vapor=(O/M) mixed-oxide and (U/Pu) vapor=(U/Pu) mixed-oxide, respectively. The (O/M) corresponding to QCVC1 is lower than that corresponding to QCVC2, but very close to the value where vapor pressure minimum occurs. The O/M values of both QCVCs increase with decrease in plutonium content. The vaporization chemistry of this system, on continuous vaporization under dynamic condition, is discussed.

Global dynamics in a stoichiometric food chain model with two limiting nutrients.

PubMed

Chen, Ming; Fan, Meng; Kuang, Yang

2017-07-01

Ecological stoichiometry studies the balance of energy and multiple chemical elements in ecological interactions to establish how the nutrient content affect food-web dynamics and nutrient cycling in ecosystems. In this study, we formulate a food chain with two limiting nutrients in the form of a stoichiometric population model. A comprehensive global analysis of the rich dynamics of the targeted model is explored both analytically and numerically. Chaotic dynamic is observed in this simple stoichiometric food chain model and is compared with traditional model without stoichiometry. The detailed comparison reveals that stoichiometry can reduce the parameter space for chaotic dynamics. Our findings also show that decreasing producer production efficiency may have only a small effect on the consumer growth but a more profound impact on the top predator growth. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ultra-hard AlMgB14 coatings fabricated by RF magnetron sputtering from a stoichiometric target

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grishin, A. M.; Khartsev, S. I.; Böhlmark, J.; Ahlgren, M.

2015-01-01

For the first time hard aluminum magnesium boride films were fabricated by RF magnetron sputtering from a single stoichiometric ceramic AlMgB14 target. Optimized processing conditions (substrate temperature, target sputtering power and target-to-substrate distance) enable fabrication of stoichiometric in-depth compositionally homogeneous films with the peak values of nanohardness 88 GPa and Young's modulus 517 GPa at the penetration depth of 26 nm and, respectively, 35 and 275 GPa at 200 nm depth in 2 μm thick film.

On the Chemistry and Physical Properties of Flux and Floating Zone Grown SmB 6 Single Crystals

DOE PAGES

Phelan, W. A.; Koohpayeh, S. M.; Cottingham, P.; ...

2016-02-19

Recent theoretical and experimental findings suggest the long-known but not well understood low temperature resistance plateau of SmB 6 may originate from protected surface states arising from a topologically non-trivial bulk band structure having strong Kondo hybridization. Yet others have ascribed this feature to impurities, vacancies, and surface reconstructions. Given the typical methods used to prepare SmB 6 single crystals, flux and floating-zone procedures, such ascriptions should not be taken lightly. We demonstrate how compositional variations and/or observable amounts of impurities in SmB 6 crystals grown using both procedures affect the physical properties. From X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, and X-raymore » computed tomography experiments we observe that natural isotope containing (SmB 6) and doubly isotope enriched ( 154Sm 11B 6) crystals prepared using aluminum flux contain co-crystallized, epitaxial aluminum. Further, a large, nearly stoichiometric crystal of SmB 6 was successfully grown using the float-zone technique; upon continuing the zone melting, samarium vacancies were introduced. These samarium vacancies drastically alter the resistance and plateauing magnitude of the low temperature resistance compared to stoichiometric SmB 6. Finally, these results highlight that impurities and compositional variations, even at low concentrations, must be considered when collecting/analyzing physical property data of SmB 6. Finally, a more accurate samarium-154 coherent neutron scattering length, 8.9(1) fm, is reported.« less

Ultranarrow Optical Inhomogeneous Linewidth in a Stoichiometric Rare-Earth Crystal.

PubMed

Ahlefeldt, R L; Hush, M R; Sellars, M J

2016-12-16

We obtain a low optical inhomogeneous linewidth of 25 MHz in the stoichiometric rare-earth crystal EuCl_{3}·6H_{2}O by isotopically purifying the crystal in ^{35}Cl. With this linewidth, an important limit for stoichiometric rare-earth crystals is surpassed: the hyperfine structure of ^{153}Eu is spectrally resolved, allowing the whole population of ^{153}Eu^{3+} ions to be prepared in the same hyperfine state using hole-burning techniques. This material also has a very high optical density, and can have long coherence times when deuterated. This combination of properties offers new prospects for quantum information applications. We consider two of these: quantum memories and quantum many-body studies. We detail the improvements in the performance of current memory protocols possible in these high optical depth crystals, and describe how certain memory protocols, such as off-resonant Raman memories, can be implemented for the first time in a solid-state system. We explain how the strong excitation-induced interactions observed in this material resemble those seen in Rydberg systems, and describe how these interactions can lead to quantum many-body states that could be observed using standard optical spectroscopy techniques.

Problem Solving Instruction for Overcoming Students' Difficulties in Stoichiometric Problems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shadreck, Mandina; Enunuwe, Ochonogor Chukunoye

2017-01-01

The study sought to find out difficulties encountered by high school chemistry students when solving stoichiometric problems and how these could be overcome by using a problem-solving approach. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design. 485 participants drawn from 8 highs schools in a local education district in Zimbabwe participated in the…

Nodeless multiband superconductivity in stoichiometric single-crystalline CaKFe 4 As 4

DOE PAGES

Cho, Kyuil; Fente, A.; Teknowijoyo, S.; ...

2017-03-08

Measurements of the London penetration depth Δλ(T) and tunneling conductance in single crystals of the recently discovered stoichiometric iron-based superconductor CaKFe 4As 4 (CaK1144) show nodeless, two-effective-gap superconductivity with a larger gap of about 6–10 meV and a smaller gap of about 1–4 meV. Having a critical temperature T c,onset ≈ 35.8 K, this material behaves similar to slightly overdoped (Ba 1–xK x)Fe 2As 2 (e.g., x = 0.54,T c ≈ 34 K), a known multigap s ± superconductor. Here, we conclude that the superconducting behavior of stoichiometric CaK1144 demonstrates that two-gap s± superconductivity is an essential property of high-temperaturemore » superconductivity in iron-based superconductors, independent of the degree of substitutional disorder.« less

Methanol oxidation on stoichiometric and oxygen-rich RuO2(110).

PubMed

Rai, Rahul; Weaver, Jason F

2017-07-26

We used temperature-programmed reaction spectroscopy (TPRS) to investigate the adsorption and oxidation of methanol on stoichiometric and O-rich RuO 2 (110) surfaces. We find that the complete oxidation of CH 3 OH is strongly preferred on stoichiometric RuO 2 (110) during TPRS for initial CH 3 OH coverages below ∼0.33 ML (monolayer), and that partial oxidation to mainly CH 2 O becomes increasingly favored with increasing CH 3 OH coverage from 0.33 to 1.0 ML. We present evidence that an adsorbed CH 2 O 2 species serves as the key intermediate to complete oxidation and that CH 2 O 2 formation is intrinsically facile but becomes limited by the availability of bridging O-atoms on stoichiometric RuO 2 (110) at initial CH 3 OH coverages above 0.33 ML. We show that methanol molecules adsorbed in excess of 0.33 ML dehydrogenate to mainly CH 2 O and desorb during TPRS, with adsorbed CH 3 O groups mediating the evolution of both CH 2 O and CH 3 OH. We find that O-rich RuO 2 (110) surfaces are also highly active toward methanol oxidation and that selectivity toward the complete oxidation of methanol increases markedly with increasing coverage of on-top O-atoms (O ot ) on RuO 2 (110). Our results demonstrate that CH 3 OH species adsorbed within O ot -rich domains react efficiently during TPRS, in parallel with reaction of CH 3 OH adsorbed initially on cus-Ru sites. The data suggests that the facile hydrogenation of O ot atoms and the resulting desorption of H 2 O at low-temperature (<∼400 K) provides an efficient pathway for restoring reactive O-atoms and thereby promoting complete oxidation of methanol on the O-rich RuO 2 (110) surface.

Femtosecond laser ablation-based mass spectrometry. An ideal tool for stoichiometric analysis of thin films

DOE PAGES

LaHaye, Nicole L.; Kurian, Jose; Diwakar, Prasoon K.; ...

2015-08-19

An accurate and routinely available method for stoichiometric analysis of thin films is a desideratum of modern materials science where a material’s properties depend sensitively on elemental composition. We thoroughly investigated femtosecond laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (fs-LA-ICP-MS) as an analytical technique for determination of the stoichiometry of thin films down to the nanometer scale. The use of femtosecond laser ablation allows for precise removal of material with high spatial and depth resolution that can be coupled to an ICP-MS to obtain elemental and isotopic information. We used molecular beam epitaxy-grown thin films of LaPd (x)Sb 2 and T´-La 2CuOmore » 4 to demonstrate the capacity of fs-LA-ICP-MS for stoichiometric analysis and the spatial and depth resolution of the technique. Here we demonstrate that the stoichiometric information of thin films with a thickness of ~10 nm or lower can be determined. Furthermore, our results indicate that fs-LA-ICP-MS provides precise information on the thin film-substrate interface and is able to detect the interdiffusion of cations.« less

Evidence for the bias-driven migration of oxygen vacancies in amorphous non-stoichiometric gallium oxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, D. Y.; Qian, Y. P.; Su, Y. L.; Shi, H. Z.; Li, P. G.; Wu, J. T.; Wang, S. L.; Cui, C.; Tang, W. H.

2017-06-01

The conductivity of gallium oxide thin films is strongly dependent on the growth temperature when they deposited by pulsed laser deposition under vacuum environment, exhibiting an insulative-to-metallic transition with the decrease of the temperature. The high conductive gallium oxide films deposited at low temperature are amorphous, non-stoichiometric, and rich in oxygen vacancy. Large changes in electrical resistance are observed in these non-stoichiometric thin films. The wide variety of hysteretic shapes in the I-V curves depend on the voltage-sweep rate, evidencing that the time-dependent redistribution of oxygen vacancy driven by bias is the controlling parameter for the resistance of gallium oxide.

Photoluminescence properties of non-stoichiometric strontium zirconate powder phosphor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jarý, V.; Boháček, P.; Mihóková, E.; Havlák, L.; Trunda, B.; Nikl, M.

2013-03-01

Excitation and emission spectra and decay kinetics of non-stoichiometric strontium zirconate powder phosphor were measured in the 8-500 K temperature interval. Phenomenological model was applied to extract quantitative parameters of the excited state levels and nonradiative quenching pathways related to the luminescence centre. Delayed recombination integrals measurement was employed to investigate the occurrence of thermally induced ionization of the excited state of the emission centre. The nature of the emission centre itself is suggested. Suitability for phosphor and scintillation application is discussed.

Using Garnet to Reconstruct Subduction Zone Dehydration Flux

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baxter, E. F.; Dragovic, B.; Samanta, L. M.; Selverstone, J.; Caddick, M. J.

2011-12-01

Coupled geodynamic-thermodynamic models make predictions about the progressive dehydration flux from subducted lithologies. However, it has been difficult to test or confirm these predictions through direct petrologic assessment of natural systems. We have developed a method that may be used to reconstruct the rate, timing, and flux of dehydration from diverse lithologies within subduction zones. Here, we summarize the fundamentals of the method and highlight data from two blueschist facies lithologies from the island of Sifnos, Greece. The data indicate that garnet growth and related dehydration from individual lithologies can be focused into relatively brief (100,000s of years) pulses. In general, most garnet forming reactions (in initially hydrous lithologies) also involve the consumption of hydrous minerals (including chlorite, biotite, chloritoid, amphibole, epidote, lawsonite) and the consequent liberation of water. Depending on the exact reaction and on the pressure and temperature vector over which the reaction occurs, the stoichiometric (i.e. molar) ratio between garnet produced and water produced can vary. If this stoichiometry can be constrained via thermodynamic and textural reaction analysis, then garnet may be used as a direct monitor of the progressive dehydration of the rock for the P-T-t span over which garnet grew. To a first order, rocks with greater modal proportion of garnet have released greater amounts of water. Modern techniques are available to directly date the span of garnet growth from single crystals larger than about 5mm diameter. Sm-Nd geochronology of chemically contoured microsampled prograde garnet growth zones from single crystals can produce constraints on garnet growth duration at better than 1 million year resolution. Integration of zoned garnet geochronology and thermodynamic reaction analysis permits reconstruction of the dehydration rate and duration from individual samples. Recent studies of contrasting lithologies on

Mixing of Pure Air Jets with a Reacting Fuel-Rich Crossflow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leong, M. Y.; Samuelsen, G. S.; Holdeman, J. D.

1997-01-01

Jets in a crossflow play an integral role in practical combustion systems such as can and annular gas turbine combustors in conventional systems, and the Rich-burn/Quick-mix/Lean-burn (RQL) combustor utilized in stationary applications and proposed for advanced subsonic and supersonic transports. The success of the RQL combustor rests with the performance of the quick-mixing section that bridges the rich and lean zones. The mixing of jet air with a rich crossflow to bring the reaction to completion in the lean zone must be performed rapidly and thoroughly in order to decrease the extent of near-stoichiometric fluid pocket formation. Fluid pockets at near-stoichiometric equivalence ratios are undesirable because the high temperatures attained accelerate pollutant formation kinetics associated with nitric oxide (NO). The present study develops a model experiment designed to reveal the processes that occur when jet air is introduced into hot effluent emanating from a fuel-rich reaction zone.

Intrinsic point defects in off-stoichiometric Cu2ZnSnSe4: A neutron diffraction study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gurieva, Galina; Valle Rios, Laura Elisa; Franz, Alexandra; Whitfield, Pamela; Schorr, Susan

2018-04-01

This work is an experimental study of intrinsic point defects in off-stoichiometric kesterite type CZTSe by means of neutron powder diffraction. We revealed the existence of copper vacancies (VCu), various cation anti site defects (CuZn, ZnCu, ZnSn, SnZn, and CuZn), as well as interstitials (Cui, Zni) in a wide range of off-stoichiometric polycrystalline powder samples synthesized by the solid state reaction. The results show that the point defects present in off-stoichiometric CZTSe agree with the off-stoichiometry type model, assuming certain cation substitutions accounting for charge balance. In addition to the known off-stoichiometry types A-H, new types (I-L) have been introduced. For the very first time, a correlation between the chemical composition of the CZTSe kesterite type phase and the occurring intrinsic point defects is presented. In addition to the off-stoichiometry type specific defects, the Cu/Zn disorder is always present in the CZTSe phase. In Cu-poor/Zn-rich CZTSe, a composition considered as the one that delivers the best photovoltaic performance, mainly copper vacancies, ZnCu and ZnSn anti sites are present. Also, this compositional region shows the lowest degree of Cu/Zn disorder.

Model-based metabolism design: constraints for kinetic and stoichiometric models

PubMed Central

Stalidzans, Egils; Seiman, Andrus; Peebo, Karl; Komasilovs, Vitalijs; Pentjuss, Agris

2018-01-01

The implementation of model-based designs in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology may fail. One of the reasons for this failure is that only a part of the real-world complexity is included in models. Still, some knowledge can be simplified and taken into account in the form of optimization constraints to improve the feasibility of model-based designs of metabolic pathways in organisms. Some constraints (mass balance, energy balance, and steady-state assumption) serve as a basis for many modelling approaches. There are others (total enzyme activity constraint and homeostatic constraint) proposed decades ago, but which are frequently ignored in design development. Several new approaches of cellular analysis have made possible the application of constraints like cell size, surface, and resource balance. Constraints for kinetic and stoichiometric models are grouped according to their applicability preconditions in (1) general constraints, (2) organism-level constraints, and (3) experiment-level constraints. General constraints are universal and are applicable for any system. Organism-level constraints are applicable for biological systems and usually are organism-specific, but these constraints can be applied without information about experimental conditions. To apply experimental-level constraints, peculiarities of the organism and the experimental set-up have to be taken into account to calculate the values of constraints. The limitations of applicability of particular constraints for kinetic and stoichiometric models are addressed. PMID:29472367

Two-Dimensional Stoichiometric Boron Oxides as a Versatile Platform for Electronic Structure Engineering.

PubMed

Zhang, Ruiqi; Li, Zhenyu; Yang, Jinlong

2017-09-21

Oxides of two-dimensional (2D) atomic crystals have been widely studied due to their unique properties. In most 2D oxides, oxygen acts as a functional group, which makes it difficult to control the degree of oxidation. Because borophene is an electron-deficient system, it is expected that oxygen will be intrinsically incorporated into the basal plane of borophene, forming stoichiometric 2D boron oxide (BO) structures. By using first-principles global optimization, we systematically explore structures and properties of 2D BO systems with well-defined degrees of oxidation. Stable B-O-B and OB 3 tetrahedron structure motifs are identified in these structures. Interesting properties, such as strong linear dichroism, Dirac node-line (DNL) semimetallicity, and negative differential resistance, have been predicted for these systems. Our results demonstrate that 2D BO represents a versatile platform for electronic structure engineering via tuning the stoichiometric degree of oxidation, which leads to various technological applications.

Trophic and stoichiometric consequences of nutrification for the intertidal tropical zoanthid Zoanthus sociatus.

PubMed

Leal, Miguel C; Rocha, Rui J M; Anaya-Rojas, Jaime M; Cruz, Igor C S; Ferrier-Pagès, Christine

2017-06-15

Zoanthids are conspicuous and abundant members of intertidal environments, where they are exposed to large environmental fluctuations and subject to increasing loads of anthropogenic nutrients. Here we assess the trophic ecology and stoichiometric consequences of nutrient loading for symbiotic zoanthids inhabiting different intertidal habitats. More specifically, we analysed the stable isotope signature (δ 13 C and δ 15 N), elemental composition (C, N and P) and stoichiometry (C:N, C:P, N:P) of Zoanthus sociatus differently exposed to nutrification. Results suggest that autotrophy is the main feeding mode of zoanthids and that the effect water nutrient content differently affects the elemental phenotype of zoanthids depending on tidal habitat. Additionally, habitat effects on Z. sociatus P-related stoichiometric traits highlight functional differences likely associated with variation in Symbiodinium density. These findings provide an innovative approach to assess how cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbioses response to ecosystem changes in environmentally dynamic reef flats, particularly nutrient loading. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fungal Transformation of Tree Stumps into a Suitable Resource for Xylophagous Beetles via Changes in Elemental Ratios

PubMed Central

Filipiak, Michał; Sobczyk, Łukasz; Weiner, January

2016-01-01

The elements present in dead pine stumps inhabited by larvae of wood-boring beetles (Stictoleptura rubra, Arhopalus rusticus and Chalcophora mariana) were analyzed over the initial (first 5 years; a chronosequence) stages of wood decay. The quantities of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu and Na (but not S) increased with increases in the content of ergosterol (used as a proxy for the amount of fungal tissue). In fact, the amounts of P, N, K, Fe and Cu presented marked increases. These findings show that fungi stoichiometrically rearrange dead wood by importing externally occurring nutrients to decaying stumps. During the first years of wood decay, the ratios of C to other elements decrease substantially, but differently, for various elements, whereas the N:Fe, N:Cu, N:P and N:K ratios remain relatively stable. Therefore, the stoichiometric mismatch between xylophages and their food is greatly reduced. By changing the nutritional stoichiometry of dead wood, fungi create a nutritional niche for wood-eaters, and these changes enable the development of xylophages.

Technical Note: Improving proton stopping power ratio determination for a deformable silicone-based 3D dosimeter using dual energy CT

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

Taasti, Vicki Trier, E-mail: victaa@rm.dk; Høye, Ellen Marie; Hansen, David Christoffer

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the stopping power ratio (SPR) of a deformable, silicone-based 3D dosimeter could be determined more accurately using dual energy (DE) CT compared to using conventional methods based on single energy (SE) CT. The use of SECT combined with the stoichiometric calibration method was therefore compared to DECT-based determination. Methods: The SPR of the dosimeter was estimated based on its Hounsfield units (HUs) in both a SECT image and a DECT image set. The stoichiometric calibration method was used for converting the HU in the SECT image to a SPR valuemore » for the dosimeter while two published SPR calibration methods for dual energy were applied on the DECT images. Finally, the SPR of the dosimeter was measured in a 60 MeV proton by quantifying the range difference with and without the dosimeter in the beam path. Results: The SPR determined from SECT and the stoichiometric method was 1.10, compared to 1.01 with both DECT calibration methods. The measured SPR for the dosimeter material was 0.97. Conclusions: The SPR of the dosimeter was overestimated by 13% using the stoichiometric method and by 3% when using DECT. If the stoichiometric method should be applied for the dosimeter, the HU of the dosimeter must be manually changed in the treatment planning system in order to give a correct SPR estimate. Using a wrong SPR value will cause differences between the calculated and the delivered treatment plans.« less

Method of operating a two-stage coal gasifier

DOEpatents

Tanca, Michael C.

1982-01-01

A method of operating an entrained flow coal gasifier (10) via a two-stage gasification process. A portion of the coal (18) to be gasified is combusted in a combustion zone (30) with near stoichiometric air to generate combustion products. The combustion products are conveyed from the combustion zone into a reduction zone (32) wherein additional coal is injected into the combustion products to react with the combustion products to form a combustible gas. The additional coal is injected into the reduction zone as a mixture (60) consisting of coal and steam, preferably with a coal-to-steam weight ratio of approximately ten to one.

The Use of Capacity Ratios in Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences

PubMed Central

Haswell, Jamie L.; Byrd, Debbie C.; Foster, Stephan

2012-01-01

Objective. To describe the use of capacity ratios following the assignment of introductory pharmacy practice experiences (IPPEs) to a rising third-year pharmacy (P3) class. Methods. Practice experience availability for IPPEs was collected by means of preceptor response to requests. Following assignment of IPPEs to the rising P3 class, capacity ratios from the IPPEs available across the entire state and within each of 4 geographic zones were calculated. Capacity ratios for both community pharmacy and institutional pharmacy also were calculated. Results. The capacity ratio for IPPEs across the entire state was 2.11, which documents solvency. When the capacity ratios were calculated individually for community pharmacy and institutional pharmacy, solvency was also achieved. Likewise, IPPE capacity ratios were solvent in all 4 geographic zones. Conclusions. Capacity ratios are helpful in evaluating IPPE availability as they can be used to determine practice experience need in either type of practice experience or geographic zone. PMID:23193336

Raman spectroscopic studies of defect structures and phase transition in hyper-stoichiometric UO(2+x).

PubMed

He, Heming; Shoesmith, David

2010-07-28

A method to determine the defect structures in hyper-stoichiometric UO(2+x) using a combination of XRD and Raman spectroscopy has been developed. A sequence of phase transitions, from cubic to tetragonal symmetry, occurs with increasing degree of non-stoichiometry. This sequence proceeds from a cubic phase through an intermediate t''-type tetragonal (axial ratio c/a = 1) phase to a final t-type tetragonal (c/a not = 1) phase. Four distinct structural defect regions can be identified in the stoichiometry range, UO(2) to U(3)O(7): (i) a random point defect structure (x (in UO(2+x)) < or = 0.05); (ii) a non-stoichiometry region (0.05 < or = x < or = 0.15) over which point defects are gradually eliminated and replaced by the Willis 2:2:2 cluster; (iii) a mixture of Willis and cuboctahedral clusters (0.15 < or = x < or = 0.23); (iv) the cuboctahedral cluster (x > or = 0.23). The geometry and steric arrangement of these defects is primarily determined by the concentration of the excess-oxygen interstitials.

Regional Vp, Vs, Vp/Vs, and Poisson's ratios across earthquake source zones from Memphis, Tennessee, to St. Louis, Missouri

USGS Publications Warehouse

Catchings, R.D.

1999-01-01

Models of P- and S-wave velocity, Vp/Vs ratios, Poisson's ratios, and density for the crust and upper mantle are presented along a 400-km-long profile trending from Memphis, Tennessee, to St. Louis, Missouri. The profile crosses the New Madrid seismic zone and reveals distinct regional variations in the crustal velocity structure north and south of the latitude of New Madrid. In the south near Memphis, the upper few kilometers of the crust are dominated by upper crustal sedimentary basins or graben with P-wave velocities less than 5 km/sec and S-wave velocities of about 2 km/sec. P-wave velocities of the upper and middle crust range from 6.0 to 6.5 km/sec at depths above 25 km, and corresponding S-wave velocities range from 3.5 to 3.7 km/sec. The lower crust consists of a high-velocity layer (Vp = 7.4 km/sec; Vs ~4.2 km/sec) that is up to 20-km thick at the latitude of New Madrid but thins to about 15 km near Memphis. To the north, beneath the western-most Illinois basin, low-velocity (Vp < 5 km/sec; Vs < 2.3 km/sec) sedimentary basins are less than 1-km deep. The average velocities (Vp = 6.0 km/sec; Vs = 3.5 km/sec) of the underlying, near-surface rocks argue against large thickness of unconsolidated noncarbonate sediments within 50 km of the western edge of the Illinois basin. Most of the crust beneath the Illinois basin is modeled as one layer, with velocities up to 6.8 km/sec (Vs = 3.7 km/sec) at 37-km depth. The thick, high-velocity (Vp = 7.4 km/sec; Vs ~4.2 km/sec) lower crustal layer thins from about 20 km near New Madrid to about 6 km beneath the western Illinois basin. Refractions from the Moho and upper mantle occur as first arrivals over distances as a great as 160 km and reveal upper mantle layering to 60 km depth. Upper mantle layers with P-wave velocities of 8.2 km/sec (Vs = 4.5 km/sec) and 8.4 km/sec (Vs = 4.7 km/sec) are modeled at 43 and 60 km depth, respectively. Crustal Vp/Vs ratios range between 1.74 and 1.83, and upper mantle Vp/V s ratios

Revisiting the concept of Redfield ratios applied to plankton stoichiometry - Addressing model uncertainties with respect to the choice of C:N:P ratios for phytoplankton

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kreus, Markus; Paetsch, Johannes; Grosse, Fabian; Lenhart, Hermann; Peck, Myron; Pohlmann, Thomas

2017-04-01

Ongoing Ocean Acidification (OA) and climate change related trends impact on physical (temperature), chemical (CO2 buffer capacity) and biological (stoichiometric) properties of the marine environment. These threats affect the global ocean but they appear particularly pronounced in marginal and shelf seas. Marine biogeochemical models are often used to investigate the impacts of climate change and changes in OA on the marine system as well as its exchange with the atmosphere. Different studies showed that both the structural composition of the models and the elemental ratios of particulate organic matter in the surface ocean affect the key processes controlling the ocean's efficiency storing atmospheric excess carbon. Recent studies focus on the variability of the elemental ratios of phytoplankton and found that the high plasticity of C:N:P ratios enables the storage of large amounts of carbon by incorporation into carbohydrates and lipids. Our analysis focuses on the North Sea, a temperate European shelf sea, for the period 2000-2014. We performed an ensemble of model runs differing only in phytoplankton stoichiometry, representing combinations of C:P = [132.5, 106, 79.5] and N:P=[20, 16, 12] (i.e., Redfield ratio +/- 25%). We examine systematically the variations in annual averages of net primary production (NPP), net ecosystem production in the upper 30 m (NEP30), export production below 30 m depth (EXP30), and the air-sea flux of CO2 (ASF). Ensemble average fluxes (and standard deviations) resulted in NPP = 15.4 (2.8) mol C m-2 a-1, NEP30 = 5.4 (1.1) mol C m-2 a-1, EXP30 = 8.1 (1.1) mol C m-2 a-1 and ASF = 1.1 (0.5) mol C m-2 a-1. All key parameters exhibit only minor variations along the axis of constant C:N, but correlate positively with increasing C:P and decreasing N:P ratios. Concerning regional differences, lowest variations in local fluxes due to different stoichiometric ratios can be found in the shallow southern and coastal North Sea. Highest

A formulation of tissue- and water-equivalent materials using the stoichiometric analysis method for CT-number calibration in radiotherapy treatment planning.

PubMed

Yohannes, Indra; Kolditz, Daniel; Langner, Oliver; Kalender, Willi A

2012-03-07

Tissue- and water-equivalent materials (TEMs) are widely used in quality assurance and calibration procedures, both in radiodiagnostics and radiotherapy. In radiotherapy, particularly, the TEMs are often used for computed tomography (CT) number calibration in treatment planning systems. However, currently available TEMs may not be very accurate in the determination of the calibration curves due to their limitation in mimicking radiation characteristics of the corresponding real tissues in both low- and high-energy ranges. Therefore, we are proposing a new formulation of TEMs using a stoichiometric analysis method to obtain TEMs for the calibration purposes. We combined the stoichiometric calibration and the basic data method to compose base materials to develop TEMs matching standard real tissues from ICRU Report 44 and 46. First, the CT numbers of six materials with known elemental compositions were measured to get constants for the stoichiometric calibration. The results of the stoichiometric calibration were used together with the basic data method to formulate new TEMs. These new TEMs were scanned to validate their CT numbers. The electron density and the stopping power calibration curves were also generated. The absolute differences of the measured CT numbers of the new TEMs were less than 4 HU for the soft tissues and less than 22 HU for the bone compared to the ICRU real tissues. Furthermore, the calculated relative electron density and electron and proton stopping powers of the new TEMs differed by less than 2% from the corresponding ICRU real tissues. The new TEMs which were formulated using the proposed technique increase the simplicity of the calibration process and preserve the accuracy of the stoichiometric calibration simultaneously.

Synthesis, Hardness, and Electronic Properties of Stoichiometric VN and CrN

DOE PAGES

Wang, Shanmin; Yu, Xiaohui; Zhang, Jianzhong; ...

2015-11-09

Here, we report synthesis of single-crystal VN and CrN through high-pressure ionexchange reaction routes. The final products are stoichiometric and have crystallite sizes in the range of 50-120 mu m. We also prepared VN and TiN crystals using high-pressure sintering of nitride powders. On the basis of single-crystal indentation testing, the determined asymptotic Vickers hardness for TiN, VN, and CrN is 18 (1), 10 (1), and 16 (1) GPa, respectively. Moreover, the relatively low hardness in VN indicates that the metallic bonding prevails due to the overfilled metallic a bonds, although the cation-anion covalent hybridization in this compound is muchmore » stronger than that in TiN and CrN. All three nitrides are intrinsically excellent metals at ambient pressure. In particular, VN exhibits superconducting transition at T-c approximate to 7.8 K, which is slightly lower than the reported values for nitrogen-deficient or crystallinedisordered samples due to unsuppressed "spin fluctuation" in the well-crystallized stoichiometric VN. The magnetostructural transition in CrN correlates with a metal metal transition at T-N = 240(5) K and is accompanied by a similar to 40% drop in electrical resistivity. Additionally, more detailed electronic properties are presented with new insights into these nitrides.« less

Structural and electronic properties of extremely long perylene bisimide nanofibers formed through a stoichiometrically mismatched, hydrogen-bonded complexation.

PubMed

Yagai, Shiki; Seki, Tomohiro; Murayama, Haruno; Wakikawa, Yusuke; Ikoma, Tadaaki; Kikkawa, Yoshihiro; Karatsu, Takashi; Kitamura, Akihide; Honsho, Yoshihito; Seki, Shu

2010-12-06

Extremely long nanofibers, whose lengths reach the millimeter regime, are generated via co-aggregation of a melamine-appended perylene bisimide semiconductor and a substituted cyanurate, both of which are ditopic triple-hydrogen-bonding building blocks; they co-aggregate in an unexpected stoichiometrically mismatched 1:2 ratio. Various microscopic and X-ray diffraction studies suggest that hydrogen-bonded polymeric chains are formed along the long axis of the nanofibers by the 1:2 complexation of the two components, which further stack along the short axis of the nanofibers. The photocarrier generation mechanism in the nanofibers is investigated by time-of-flight (TOF) experiments under electric and magnetic fields, revealing the birth and efficient recombination of singlet geminate electron-hole pairs. Flash-photolysis time-resolved microwave conductivity (FP-TRMC) measurements revealed intrinsic 1D electron mobilities up to 0.6 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) within nanofibers.

Density Functional Studies of Stoichiometric Surfaces of Orthorhombic Hybrid Perovskite CH3NH3PbI3

DOE PAGES

Wang, Yun; Huang, Jingsong; Sumpter, Bobby G.; ...

2014-12-19

Organic/inorganic hybrid perovskite materials are highly attractive for dye-sensitized solar cells as demonstrated by their rapid advances in energy conversion efficiency. In this work, the structures, energetics, and electronic properties for a range of stoichiometric surfaces of the orthorhombic perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 are theoretically studied using density functional theory. Various possible spatially and constitutionally isomeric surfaces are considered by diversifying the spatial orientations and connectivities of surface Pb-I bonds. The comparison of the surface energies for the most stable configurations identified for various surfaces shows that the stabilities of stoichiometric surfaces are mainly dictated by the coordination numbers of surface atoms,more » which are directly correlated with the numbers of broken bonds. Additionally, Coulombic interactions between I anions and organic countercations on the surface also contribute to the stabilization. Electronic properties are compared between the most stable (100) surface and the bulk phase, showing generally similar features except for the lifted band degeneracy and the enhanced bandgap energy for the surface. These studies on the stoichiometric surfaces serve as the first step toward gaining a fundamental understanding of the interfacial properties in the current structural design of perovskite based solar cells, in order to achieve further breakthroughs in solar conversion efficiencies.« less

Microbial limitation in a changing world: A stoichiometric approach for predicting microbial resource limitation and fluxes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Midgley, M.; Phillips, R.

2014-12-01

Microbes mediate fluxes of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in soils depending on ratios of available C, N, and P relative to microbial demand. Hence, characterizing microbial C and nutrient limitation in soils is critical for predicting how ecosystems will respond to human alterations of climate and nutrient availability. Here, we take a stoichiometric approach to assessing microbial C, N, and P limitation by using threshold element ratios (TERs). TERs enable shifting resource limitation to be assessed by matching C, N and P ratios from microbial biomass, extracellular enzyme activities, and soil nutrient concentrations. We assessed microbial nutrient limitation in temperate forests dominated by trees that associate with one of two mycorrhizal symbionts: arbsucular mycorrhizal (AM) or ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi. We found that both ECM and AM microbial communities were co-limited by C and N, supporting conventional wisdom that microbes are C-limited and temperate forests are N-limited. However, AM microbial communities were relatively more C-limited than ECM communities (P=0.001). In response to chronic field N fertilization, both AM and ECM communities became relatively more P-limited (P=0.011), but they remained N- and C-limited overall. Thus, realistic levels of N deposition may not dampen microbial N limitation. Reflecting differences in relative limitation, N mineralization rates were higher in AM soils than in ECM soils (P=0.004) while C mineralization rates were higher in ECM soils than in AM soils (P=0.023). There were no significant differences in P flux between AM and ECM soils or detectable mineralization responses to N addition, indicating that mineralization rates are closely tied to C and nutrient limitation. Overall, we found that 1) microbial resource limitation can be detected without resource addition; and 2) TERs and ratios of labile resources are viable tools for predicting mineralization responses to resource additions.

Self-assembly of Carbon Vacancies in Sub-stoichiometric ZrC1−x

PubMed Central

Zhang, Yanhui; Liu, Bin; Wang, Jingyang

2015-01-01

Sub-stoichiometric interstitial compounds, including binary transition metal carbides (MC1−x), maintain structural stability even if they accommodate abundant anion vacancies. This unique character endows them with variable-composition, diverse-configuration and controllable-performance through composition and structure design. Herein, the evolution of carbon vacancy (VC) configuration in sub-stoichiometric ZrC1−x is investigated by combining the cluster expansion method and first-principles calculations. We report the interesting self-assembly of VCs and the fingerprint VC configuration (VC triplet constructed by 3rd nearest neighboring vacancies) in all the low energy structures of ZrC1−x. When VC concentration is higher than the critical value of 0.5 (x > 0.5), the 2nd nearest neighboring VC configurations with strongly repulsive interaction inevitably appear, and meanwhile, the system energy (or formation enthalpy) of ZrC1−x increases sharply which suggests the material may lose phase stability. The present results clarify why ZrC1−x bears a huge amount of VCs, tends towards VC ordering, and retains stability up to a stoichiometry of x = 0.5. PMID:26667083

Reference of Temperature and Time during tempering process for non-stoichiometric FTO films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, J. K.; Liang, B.; Zhao, M. J.; Gao, Y.; Zhang, F. C.; Zhao, H. L.

2015-10-01

In order to enhance the mechanical strength of Low-E glass, Fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) films have to be tempered at high temperatures together with glass substrates. The effects of tempering temperature (600 °C ~ 720 °C) and time (150 s ~ 300 s) on the structural and electrical properties of FTO films were investigated. The results show all the films consist of non-stoichiometric, polycrystalline SnO2 without detectable amounts of fluoride. 700 °C and 260 s may be the critical tempering temperature and time, respectively. FTO films tempered at 700 °C for 260 s possesses the resistivity of 7.54 × 10-4 Ω•cm, the average transmittance in 400 ~ 800 nm of ~80%, and the calculated emissivity of 0.38. Hall mobility of FTO films tempered in this proper condition is mainly limited by the ionized impurity scattering. The value of [O]/[Sn] at the film surface is much higher than the stoichiometric value of 2.0 of pure crystalline SnO2.

Protein-scaffold Directed Nanoscale Assembly of T Cell Ligands: Artificial Antigen Presentation with Defined Valency, Density and Ratio.

PubMed

Smith, Mason R; Tolbert, Stephanie V; Wen, Fei

2018-05-07

Tuning antigen presentation to T cells is a critical step in investigating key aspects of T cell activation. However, existing technologies have limited ability to control the spatial and stoichiometric organization of T cell ligands on 3D surfaces. Here, we developed an artificial antigen presentation platform based on protein-scaffold directed assembly that allows fine control over the spatial and stoichiometric organization of T cell ligands on a 3D yeast-cell surface. Using this system, we observed that the T cell activation threshold on a 3D surface is independent of peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) valency, but instead determined by the overall pMHC surface density. When intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) was co-assembled with pMHC, it enhanced antigen recognition sensitivity by 6-fold. Further, T cells responded with different magnitudes to varying ratios of pMHC and ICAM-1 and exhibited a maximum response at a ratio of 15% pMHC and 85% ICAM-1, introducing an additional parameter for tuning T cell activation. This protein-scaffold directed assembly technology is readily transferrable to acellular surfaces for translational research as well as large-scale T-cell manufacturing.

Catalytic Exhaust Gas Recirculation-Loop Reforming for High Efficiency in a Stoichiometric Spark-Ignited Engine through Thermochemical Recuperation and Dilution Limit Extension, Part 2: Engine Performance

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

Chang, Yan; Szybist, James P.; Pihl, Josh A.

This is the second part of a two-part investigation of on-board catalytic fuel reforming to increase the brake efficiency of a multicylinder, stoichiometric spark-ignited (SI) engine. In Part 1 of the investigation, we analytically and experimentally characterized the energetics and kinetics of a candidate reforming catalyst over a range of reforming equivalence ratios and oxygen concentration conditions to identify the best conditions for efficient reforming. In the present part of our investigation, we studied an engine strategy that combined exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)–loop reforming with dilution limit extension of the combustion. In our experiments, we found that, under an enginemore » operating condition of 2000 rpm and brake mean effective pressure (4 bar), catalytic EGR reforming made it possible to sustain stable combustion with a volumetric equivalent of 45%–55% EGR. Under this same operating condition with stoichiometric engine exhaust (and no reforming), we were only able to sustain stable combustion with EGR under 25%. In conclusion, these results indicate that multicylinder gasoline engine efficiency can be increased substantially with catalytic reforming combined with and higher EGR operation, resulting in a decrease of more than 8% in fuel consumption, compared to baseline operation.« less

Catalytic Exhaust Gas Recirculation-Loop Reforming for High Efficiency in a Stoichiometric Spark-Ignited Engine through Thermochemical Recuperation and Dilution Limit Extension, Part 2: Engine Performance

DOE PAGES

Chang, Yan; Szybist, James P.; Pihl, Josh A.; ...

2018-01-17

This is the second part of a two-part investigation of on-board catalytic fuel reforming to increase the brake efficiency of a multicylinder, stoichiometric spark-ignited (SI) engine. In Part 1 of the investigation, we analytically and experimentally characterized the energetics and kinetics of a candidate reforming catalyst over a range of reforming equivalence ratios and oxygen concentration conditions to identify the best conditions for efficient reforming. In the present part of our investigation, we studied an engine strategy that combined exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)–loop reforming with dilution limit extension of the combustion. In our experiments, we found that, under an enginemore » operating condition of 2000 rpm and brake mean effective pressure (4 bar), catalytic EGR reforming made it possible to sustain stable combustion with a volumetric equivalent of 45%–55% EGR. Under this same operating condition with stoichiometric engine exhaust (and no reforming), we were only able to sustain stable combustion with EGR under 25%. In conclusion, these results indicate that multicylinder gasoline engine efficiency can be increased substantially with catalytic reforming combined with and higher EGR operation, resulting in a decrease of more than 8% in fuel consumption, compared to baseline operation.« less

The influence of Ca/P ratio on the properties of hydroxyapatite bioceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramesh, S.; Tan, C. Y.; Hamdi, M.; Sopyan, I.; Teng, W. D.

2007-07-01

The paper reports on the effect of Ca/P ratio (1.57, 1.67 and 1.87) on the densification behaviour of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (HA) prepared by a chemical precipitation method. Green compacts were prepared and sintered at temperatures ranging from 1000°C to 1350°C. The sintered samples were characterized to determine the HA phase stability, bulk density, hardness, fracture toughness and Young's modulus. XRD analysis revealed that the phase stability was not disrupted throughout the sintering regime employed for HA having Ca/P ratio of 1.57 and 1.67. However, secondary phases were observed for HA having a Ca/P ratio of 1.87 when sintered at high temperatures. In general, regardless of Ca/P ratio, the HA bodies achieved > 95% relative density when sintered at 1100°C-1250°C. The results indicated that the stoichiometric HA (Ca/P ratio = 1.67) exhibited the overall best properties, with the highest hardness of 7.23 GPa and fracture toughness of 1.28 MPam1/2 being attained when sintered at 1000°C-1050°C.

Influence of multiband sign-changing superconductivity on vortex cores and vortex pinning in stoichiometric high-Tc CaKFe4As4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fente, Antón; Meier, William R.; Kong, Tai; Kogan, Vladimir G.; Bud'ko, Sergey L.; Canfield, Paul C.; Guillamón, Isabel; Suderow, Hermann

2018-04-01

We use a scanning tunneling microscope to study the superconducting density of states and vortex lattice of single crystals of CaKFe4As4 . This material has a critical temperature of Tc=35 K, one of the highest among stoichiometric iron based superconductors (FeBSCs), and is comparable to Tc found near optimal doping in other FeBSCs. We observe quasiparticle scattering from defects with a pattern related to interband scattering between zone centered hole sheets. We measure the tunneling conductance in vortex cores and find a peak due to Caroli-de Gennes-Matricon bound states. The peak is located above the Fermi level, showing that CaKFe4As4 is a clean superconductor with vortex core bound states close to the so-called extreme quantum limit. We identify locations where the superconducting order parameter is strongly suppressed due to pair breaking. Vortices are pinned at these locations, and the length scale of the suppression of the order parameter is of order of the vortex core size. As a consequence, the vortex lattice is disordered up to 8 T.

High/variable mixture ratio O2/H2 engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adams, A.; Parsley, R. C.

1988-01-01

Vehicle/engine analysis studies have identified the High/Dual Mixture Ratio O2/H2 Engine cycle as a leading candidate for an advanced Single Stage to Orbit (SSTO) propulsion system. This cycle is designed to allow operation at a higher than normal O/F ratio of 12 during liftoff and then transition to a more optimum O/F ratio of 6 at altitude. While operation at high mixture ratios lowers specific impulse, the resultant high propellant bulk density and high power density combine to minimize the influence of atmospheric drag and low altitude gravitational forces. Transition to a lower mixture ratio at altitude then provides improved specific impulse relative to a single mixture ratio engine that must select a mixture ratio that is balanced for both low and high altitude operation. This combination of increased altitude specific impulse and high propellant bulk density more than offsets the compromised low altitude performance and results in an overall mission benefit. Two areas of technical concern relative to the execution of this dual mixture ratio cycle concept are addressed. First, actions required to transition from high to low mixture ratio are examined, including an assessment of the main chamber environment as the main chamber mixture ratio passes through stoichiometric. Secondly, two approaches to meet a requirement for high turbine power at high mixture ratio condition are examined. One approach uses high turbine temperature to produce the power and requires cooled turbines. The other approach incorporates an oxidizer-rich preburner to increase turbine work capability via increased turbine mass flow.

C, N and P stoichiometric mismatch between resources and consumers influence the dynamics of a marine microbial food web model and its response to atmospheric N and P inputs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pondaven, P.; Pivière, P.; Ridame, C.; Guien, C.

2014-02-01

Results from the DUNE experiments reported in this issue have shown that nutrient input from dust deposition in large mesocosms deployed in the western Mediterranean induced a response of the microbial food web, with an increase of primary production rates (PP), bacterial respiration rates (BR), as well as autotrophic and heterotrophic biomasses. Additionally, it was found that nutrient inputs strengthened the net heterotrophy of the system, with NPP : BR ratios < 1. In this study we used a simple microbial food web model, inspired from previous modelling studies, to explore how C, N and P stoichiometric mismatch between producers and consumers along the food chain can influence the dynamics and the trophic status of the ecosystem. Attention was paid to the mechanisms involved in the balance between net autotrophy vs. net heterotrophy. Although the model was kept simple, predicted changes in biomass and PP were qualitatively consistent with observations from DUNE experiments. Additionally, the model shed light on how ecological stoichiometric mismatch between producers and consumers can control food web dynamics and drive the system toward net heterotrophy. In the model, net heterotrophy was notably driven by the parameterisation of the production and excretion of extra DOC from phytoplankton under nutrient-limited conditions. This mechanism yielded to high C : P and C : N ratios of the DOM pool, and subsequent postabsorptive respiration of C by bacteria. The model also predicted that nutrient inputs from dust strengthened the net heterotrophy of the system; a pattern also observed during two of the three DUNE experiments (P and Q). However, the model was not able to account for the low NPP : BR ratios (down to 0.1) recorded during the DUNE experiments. Possible mechanisms involved in this discrepancy were discussed.

Impact of glyphosate-resistant corn, glyphosate applications and tillage on soil nutrient ratios, exoenzyme activities and nutrient acquisition ratios.

PubMed

Jenkins, Michael B; Locke, Martin A; Reddy, Krishna N; McChesney, Daniel S; Steinriede, R Wade

2017-01-01

We report results of the last two years of a 7 year field experiment designed to test the null hypothesis: applications of glyphosate on glyphosate-resistant (GR) and non-resistant (non-GR) corn (Zea mays L.) under conventional tillage and no-till would have no effect on soil exoenzymes and microbial activity. Bulk soil (BS) and rhizosphere soil (RS) macronutrient ratios were not affected by either GR or non-GR corn, or glyphosate applications. Differences observed between exoenzyme activities were associated with tillage rather than glyphosate applications. In 2013, nutrient acquisition ratios for bulk and rhizosphere soils indicated P limitations, but sufficient assimilable N. In 2014, P limitations were observed for bulk and rhizosphere soils, in contrast to balanced C and N acquisition ratios in rhizosphere soils. Stoichiometric relationships indicated few differences between glyphosate and non-glyphosate treatments. Negative correlations between C:P and N:P nutrient ratios and nutrient acquisition ratios underscored the inverse relation between soil nutrient status and microbial community exoenzyme activities. Inconsistent relationships between microbial community metabolic activity and exoenzyme activity indicated an ephemeral effect of glyphosate on BS exoenzyme activity. Except for ephemeral effects, glyphosate applications appeared not to affect the function of the BS and RS exoenzymes under conventional tillage or no-till. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Design of suitable carrier buffer for free-flow zone electrophoresis by charge-to-mass ratio and band broadening analysis.

PubMed

Kong, Fan-Zhi; Yang, Ying; He, Yu-Chen; Zhang, Qiang; Li, Guo-Qing; Fan, Liu-Yin; Xiao, Hua; Li, Shan; Cao, Cheng-Xi

2016-09-01

In this work, charge-to-mass ratio (C/M) and band broadening analyses were combined to provide better guidance for the design of free-flow zone electrophoresis carrier buffer (CB). First, the C/M analyses of hemoglobin and C-phycocyanin (C-PC) under different pH were performed by CLC Protein Workbench software. Second, band dispersion due to the initial bandwidth, diffusion, and hydrodynamic broadening were discussed, respectively. Based on the analyses of the C/M and band broadening, a better guidance for preparation of free-flow zone electrophoresis CB was obtained. Series of experiments were performed to validate the proposed method. The experimental data showed high accordance with our prediction allowing the CB to be prepared easily with our proposed method. To further evaluate this method, C-PC was purified from crude extracts of Spirulina platensis with the selected separation condition. Results showed that C-PC was well separated from other phycobiliproteins that have similar physicochemical properties, and analytical grade product with purity up to 4.5 (A620/A280) was obtained. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Creep Behavior of Near-Stoichiometric Polycrystalline Binary NiAl

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raj, S. V.

2002-01-01

New and published constant load creep and constant engineering strain rate data on near-stoichiometric binary NiAl in the intermediate temperature range 700 to 1300 K are reviewed. Both normal and inverse primary creep curves are observed depending on stress and temperature. Other characteristics relating to creep of NiAl involving grain size, stress and temperature dependence are critically examined and discussed. At stresses below 25 MPa and temperatures above 1000 K, a new grain boundary sliding mechanism was observed with n approx. 2, Qc approx. 100 kJ/ mol and a grain size exponent of about 2. It is demonstrated that Coble creep and accommodated grain boundary sliding models fail to predict the experimental creep rates by several orders of magnitude.

Thermodynamics of aragonite-strontianite solid solutions: Results from stoichiometric solubility at 25 and 76°C

USGS Publications Warehouse

Plummer, Niel; Busenberg, E.

1987-01-01

Neither equilibrium nor stoichiometric saturation is observed at 76°C during laboratory recrystallization of strontianite-aragonite solid solutions even after apparent 100 percent conversion to a narrow secondary composition and demonstration of a nearly constant composition system for periods of 300 hours.

CO2-induced photosynthetic and stoichiometric responses to phosphorus limitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Boer, Hugo; di Lallo, Giacomo; van Dijk, Jerry

2017-04-01

Carbon fertilisation from rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations increases the productivity of plants globally. Meanwhile, the global cycles of Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) are also altered due to anthropogenic emissions. In general, the additional supply of N is expected to exceed that of P, leading to an increase in P limitation in natural ecosystems. Although the direct carbon fertilisation effect and the interaction with available N is relatively well understood, it remains uncertain how carbon fertilisation is confounded by the availability of P. It is hypothesised that (i) the photosynthetic P-use efficiency increases at elevated CO2 owing to a direct increase in photosynthesis and (ii) the photosynthetic maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax) and electron transport rate (Jmax) are down-regulated in response to a combination of elevated CO2 and P-limitation via a coordinated reduction of leaf N and P content per unit leaf area. In this study we examined the hypothesised effects of P limitation and CO2 fertilisation on the photosynthetic and stoichiometric responses of three plant species: Holcus lanatus (C3 grass), Panicum miliaceum (C4 grass) and Solanum dulcamara (C3 herb). Individuals of these species were grown at sub-ambient (150 ppm), modern (450 ppm) and elevated CO2 concentrations (800 ppm) and exposed to an N:P treatment consisting of either severe nitrogen limitation at an N:P ratio of 1:1, or severe P limitation at an N:P ratio of 45:1, with a similar supply rate of N. Our results show significant effects of growth CO2 and P supply on Vcmax and Jmax, as well as the whole-plant biomass at the point of harvest. Interaction effects between growth CO2 and P supply were observed for the light-saturated photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, leaf P content, and the N:P ratio of the leaf. No significant change in the leaf N content was observed across treatments. These results suggest that limited availability of P constrains the biochemical potential

A hidden variable in shear transformation zone volume versus Poisson's ratio relation in metallic glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, S. Y.; Oh, H. S.; Park, E. S.

2017-10-01

Herein, we elucidate a hidden variable in a shear transformation zone (STZ) volume (Ω) versus Poisson's ratio (ν) relation and clarify the correlation between STZ characteristics and the plasticity of metallic glasses (MGs). On the basis of cooperative shear model and atomic stress theories, we carefully formulate Ω as a function of molar volume (Vm) and ν. The twofold trend in Ω and ν is attributed to a relatively large variation of Vm as compared to that of ν as well as an inverse relation between Vm and ν. Indeed, the derived equation reveals that the number of atoms in an STZ instead of Ω is a microstructural characteristic which has a close relationship with plasticity since it reflects the preference of atomistic behaviors between cooperative shearing and the generation of volume strain fluctuation under stress. The results would deepen our understanding of the correlation between microscopic behaviors (STZ activation) and macroscopic properties (plasticity) in MGs and enable a quantitative approach in associating various STZ-related macroscopic behaviors with intrinsic properties of MGs.

Zero-Field Ambient-Pressure Quantum Criticality in the Stoichiometric Non-Fermi Liquid System CeRhBi

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anand, Vivek K.; Adroja, Devashibhai T.; Hillier, Adrian D.; Shigetoh, Keisuke; Takabatake, Toshiro; Park, Je-Geun; McEwen, Keith A.; Pixley, Jedediah H.; Si, Qimiao

2018-06-01

We present the spin dynamics study of a stoichiometric non-Fermi liquid (NFL) system CeRhBi, using low-energy inelastic neutron scattering (INS) and muon spin relaxation (μSR) measurements. It shows evidence for an energy-temperature (E/T) scaling in the INS dynamic response and a time-field (t/Hη) scaling of the μSR asymmetry function indicating a quantum critical behavior in this compound. The E/T scaling reveals a local character of quantum criticality consistent with the power-law divergence of the magnetic susceptibility, logarithmic divergence of the magnetic heat capacity and T-linear resistivity at low temperature. The occurrence of NFL behavior and local criticality over a very wide dynamical range at zero field and ambient pressure without any tuning in this stoichiometric heavy fermion compound is striking, making CeRhBi a model system amenable to in-depth studies for quantum criticality.

Nutrient recycling and the stoichiometric relationship among C, N, and P in Paleozoic anoxic sediments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tuite, M. L., Jr.

2016-12-01

Remineralized organic N and P diffused into the water column from underlying anoxic sediments were important sources of macronutrients for primary production in shallow Paleozoic epicontinental seas. Ratios of total organic C to total N or P in ancient sediments that are greater than Redfield-like values are often cited as evidence for macronutrient recycling. We propose that the stoichiometric relationship among C, N, and P in anoxic Paleozoic sediments was mediated primarily by heterotrophic bacterial alkaline phosphatases. Bacterial heterotrophy in organic-rich anaerobic sediments is frequently limited by the availability of labile (low C/N) organic matter. In response, bacterial heterotrophs invest scarce C and N to produce alkaline phosphatases in order to alleviate labile organic matter limitation by hydrolysis of organophosphates. This suggests that sediment organic C/N may represent a threshold beyond which the investment of intracellular C and N in the production of alkaline phosphatase no longer results in a stoichiometrically favorable return on the investment. If this is the case, then C/P likely represents the point in the diagenesis of organic matter at which the effectiveness of alkaline phosphatase in procuring labile organic matter by remineralization of P is constrained by the lability of the organic matter itself. Because alkaline phosphatase activity is expressed in inverse proportion to the porewater concentration of phosphate, at a given distance from the terrestrial source of weathered P, an equilibrium determined by total phosphate influx results in consistent total P burial rates and consistent organic C/N values independent of the total organic content of the sediment. To account for consistent C/N in spite of variable total organic carbon at a given location, we propose that variations in the absolute abundance of organic C in organic-rich Devonian sediments were largely a function of the lipid content of algal primary producers. The

Application of a data reconciliation method to the stoichiometric analysis of Fibrobacter succinogenes growth.

PubMed

Guiavarch, Erell; Pons, Agnes; Creuly, Catherine; Dussap, Claude-Gilles

2008-12-01

Fibrobacter succinogenes S85, a strictly anaerobic Gram-negative bacterium, was grown in continuous culture in a bioreactor at different dilution rates (0.02 to 0.092 h(-1)) on a fully synthetic culture medium with glucose as carbon source. Glucose and ammonium sulfate consumption, as well as biomass, succinate, acetate, formate, and carbohydrate production were regularly measured. The relevant biomass elemental compositions were established for each dilution rate. Robustness of the experimental information was checked by C and N mass balances estimation, which were satisfactory. A detailed overall stoichiometry analysis of the process, including all substrates and products of the culture, was proposed. Online and off-line parameters measured during the culture brought a large number of data which were weighted by their respective variance associated to the measured value. The material balance resulted in an overdetermined linear system of equations made of weighted relationships including experimental data, elemental balances (C, H, O, N, S, Na), and an additional constraint. The mass balances involved in stoichiometric equations were solved using data reconciliation and linear algebra methods to take into account error measurements. This methodology allowed to establish the overall stoichiometric equation for each dilution rate studied.

Achieving a golden mean: mechanisms by which coronaviruses ensure synthesis of the correct stoichiometric ratios of viral proteins.

PubMed

Plant, Ewan P; Rakauskaite, Rasa; Taylor, Deborah R; Dinman, Jonathan D

2010-05-01

In retroviruses and the double-stranded RNA totiviruses, the efficiency of programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting is critical for ensuring the proper ratios of upstream-encoded capsid proteins to downstream-encoded replicase enzymes. The genomic organizations of many other frameshifting viruses, including the coronaviruses, are very different, in that their upstream open reading frames encode nonstructural proteins, the frameshift-dependent downstream open reading frames encode enzymes involved in transcription and replication, and their structural proteins are encoded by subgenomic mRNAs. The biological significance of frameshifting efficiency and how the relative ratios of proteins encoded by the upstream and downstream open reading frames affect virus propagation has not been explored before. Here, three different strategies were employed to test the hypothesis that the -1 PRF signals of coronaviruses have evolved to produce the correct ratios of upstream- to downstream-encoded proteins. Specifically, infectious clones of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus harboring mutations that lower frameshift efficiency decreased infectivity by >4 orders of magnitude. Second, a series of frameshift-promoting mRNA pseudoknot mutants was employed to demonstrate that the frameshift signals of the SARS-associated coronavirus and mouse hepatitis virus have evolved to promote optimal frameshift efficiencies. Finally, we show that a previously described frameshift attenuator element does not actually affect frameshifting per se but rather serves to limit the fraction of ribosomes available for frameshifting. The findings of these analyses all support a "golden mean" model in which viruses use both programmed ribosomal frameshifting and translational attenuation to control the relative ratios of their encoded proteins.

A study of tumour growth based on stoichiometric principles: a continuous model and its discrete analogue.

PubMed

Saleem, M; Agrawal, Tanuja; Anees, Afzal

2014-01-01

In this paper, we consider a continuous mathematically tractable model and its discrete analogue for the tumour growth. The model formulation is based on stoichiometric principles considering tumour-immune cell interactions in potassium (K (+))-limited environment. Our both continuous and discrete models illustrate 'cancer immunoediting' as a dynamic process having all three phases namely elimination, equilibrium and escape. The stoichiometric principles introduced into the model allow us to study its dynamics with the variation in the total potassium in the surrounding of the tumour region. It is found that an increase in the total potassium may help the patient fight the disease for a longer period of time. This result seems to be in line with the protective role of the potassium against the risk of pancreatic cancer as has been reported by Bravi et al. [Dietary intake of selected micronutrients and risk of pancreatic cancer: An Italian case-control study, Ann. Oncol. 22 (2011), pp. 202-206].

A study of tumour growth based on stoichiometric principles: a continuous model and its discrete analogue

PubMed Central

Saleem, M.; Agrawal, Tanuja; Anees, Afzal

2014-01-01

In this paper, we consider a continuous mathematically tractable model and its discrete analogue for the tumour growth. The model formulation is based on stoichiometric principles considering tumour-immune cell interactions in potassium (K +)-limited environment. Our both continuous and discrete models illustrate ‘cancer immunoediting’ as a dynamic process having all three phases namely elimination, equilibrium and escape. The stoichiometric principles introduced into the model allow us to study its dynamics with the variation in the total potassium in the surrounding of the tumour region. It is found that an increase in the total potassium may help the patient fight the disease for a longer period of time. This result seems to be in line with the protective role of the potassium against the risk of pancreatic cancer as has been reported by Bravi et al. [Dietary intake of selected micronutrients and risk of pancreatic cancer: An Italian case-control study, Ann. Oncol. 22 (2011), pp. 202–206]. PMID:24963981

Gas dynamics of reactive gases in swirling-type furnace

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akhmetshina, A. I.; Pavlov, G. I.; Sabirzyanov, A. N.; Tikhonov, O. A.

2017-09-01

It is known from the literature that for the complete reaction of two gases (fuel and oxidizer), it is necessary to fulfill three basic conditions: the stoichiometric ratio of reactive gases, qualitative mixing and ensuring the cooling of combustion products without "quenching". Of the above-stated conditions it is more difficult to organize a qualitative mixture formation. This physical process requires additional expenditure of energy flow. In this work we present the results of experimental and theoretical studies of the gas dynamics of a reactive gas mixture in a swirling-type furnace. The design scheme of the furnace includes two reaction zones for combustible components: the first zone is the zone of generation of combustible gases which composition is constant; the second zone of the furnace - zone of a homogeneous combustion reaction.

Achieving a Golden Mean: Mechanisms by Which Coronaviruses Ensure Synthesis of the Correct Stoichiometric Ratios of Viral Proteins▿

PubMed Central

Plant, Ewan P.; Rakauskaitė, Rasa; Taylor, Deborah R.; Dinman, Jonathan D.

2010-01-01

In retroviruses and the double-stranded RNA totiviruses, the efficiency of programmed −1 ribosomal frameshifting is critical for ensuring the proper ratios of upstream-encoded capsid proteins to downstream-encoded replicase enzymes. The genomic organizations of many other frameshifting viruses, including the coronaviruses, are very different, in that their upstream open reading frames encode nonstructural proteins, the frameshift-dependent downstream open reading frames encode enzymes involved in transcription and replication, and their structural proteins are encoded by subgenomic mRNAs. The biological significance of frameshifting efficiency and how the relative ratios of proteins encoded by the upstream and downstream open reading frames affect virus propagation has not been explored before. Here, three different strategies were employed to test the hypothesis that the −1 PRF signals of coronaviruses have evolved to produce the correct ratios of upstream- to downstream-encoded proteins. Specifically, infectious clones of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus harboring mutations that lower frameshift efficiency decreased infectivity by >4 orders of magnitude. Second, a series of frameshift-promoting mRNA pseudoknot mutants was employed to demonstrate that the frameshift signals of the SARS-associated coronavirus and mouse hepatitis virus have evolved to promote optimal frameshift efficiencies. Finally, we show that a previously described frameshift attenuator element does not actually affect frameshifting per se but rather serves to limit the fraction of ribosomes available for frameshifting. The findings of these analyses all support a “golden mean” model in which viruses use both programmed ribosomal frameshifting and translational attenuation to control the relative ratios of their encoded proteins. PMID:20164235

Vickers indentation hardness of stoichiometric and reduced single crystal TiO2 (rutile) from 25 to 800 C

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dellacorte, Christopher; Deadmore, Daniel L.

1993-01-01

The indentation microhardness of stoichiometric and reduced single crystal rutile (TiO2) from 25 to 800 C is presented in this paper. The results serve two main purposes. One is to assess the effect of rutile's stoichiometry on its hardness. The other is to test recently suggested theory on solid lubrication with sub Stoichiometric rutile in an effort to better understand shear controlled phenomenon. Microhardness was measured using a Vickers diamond indentor on both vacuum and hydrogen reduced single crystal rutile from 25 to 800 C. The results indicate that stoichiometry and temperature have a pronounced effect on rutile's hardness. The measured effects lend support to theory on solid lubrication by enhanced crystallographic slip and suggest that solid lubricant materials may be produced by careful atomic level tailoring (stoichiometry control).

Stoichiometric evaluation of partial nitritation, anammox and denitrification processes in a sequencing batch reactor and interpretation of online monitoring parameters.

PubMed

Langone, Michela; Ferrentino, Roberta; Cadonna, Maria; Andreottola, Gianni

2016-12-01

A laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) performing partial nitritation - anammox and denitrification was used to treat anaerobic digester effluents. The SBR cycle consisted of a short mixing filling phase followed by oxic and anoxic reaction phases. Working at 25 °C, an ammonium conversion efficiency of 96.5%, a total nitrogen removal efficiency of 88.6%, and an organic carbon removal efficiency of 63.5% were obtained at a nitrogen loading rate of 0.15 kg N m -3 d -1 , and a biodegradable organic carbon to nitrogen ratio of 0.37. The potential contribution of each biological process was evaluated by using a stoichiometric model. The nitritation contribution decreased as the temperature decreased, while the contribution from anammox depended on the wastewater type and soluble carbon to nitrogen ratio. Denitrification improved the total nitrogen removal efficiency, and it was influenced by the biodegradable organic carbon to nitrogen ratio. The characteristic patterns of conductivity, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and pH in the SBR cycle were well related to biological processes. Conductivity profiles were found to be directly related to the decreasing profiles of ammonium. Positive ORP values at the end of the anoxic phases were detected for total nitrogen removal efficiency of lower than 85%, and the occurrence of bending points on the ORP curves during the anoxic phases was associated with nitrite depletion by the anammox process. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nanostructured Metal Oxides for Stoichiometric Degradation of Chemical Warfare Agents.

PubMed

Štengl, Václav; Henych, Jiří; Janoš, Pavel; Skoumal, Miroslav

2016-01-01

Metal oxides have very important applications in many areas of chemistry, physics and materials science; their properties are dependent on the method of preparation, the morphology and texture. Nanostructured metal oxides can exhibit unique characteristics unlike those of the bulk form depending on their morphology, with a high density of edges, corners and defect surfaces. In recent years, methods have been developed for the preparation of metal oxide powders with tunable control of the primary particle size as well as of a secondary particle size: the size of agglomerates of crystallites. One of the many ways to take advantage of unique properties of nanostructured oxide materials is stoichiometric degradation of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) pollutants on their surfaces.

Community Characteristics and Leaf Stoichiometric Traits of Desert Ecosystems Regulated by Precipitation and Soil in an Arid Area of China.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiaolong; Guan, Tianyu; Zhou, Jihua; Cai, Wentao; Gao, Nannan; Du, Hui; Jiang, Lianhe; Lai, Liming; Zheng, Yuanrun

2018-01-10

Precipitation is a key environmental factor determining plant community structure and function. Knowledge of how community characteristics and leaf stoichiometric traits respond to variation in precipitation is crucial for assessing the effects of global changes on terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, we measured community characteristics, leaf stoichiometric traits, and soil properties along a precipitation gradient (35-209 mm) in a desert ecosystem of Northwest China to explore the drivers of these factors. With increasing precipitation, species richness, aboveground biomass, community coverage, foliage projective cover (FPC), and leaf area index (LAI) all significantly increased, while community height decreased. The hyperarid desert plants were characterized by lower leaf carbon (C) and nitrogen/phosphorus (N/P) levels, and stable N and P, and these parameters did not change significantly with precipitation. The growth of desert plants was limited more by N than P. Soil properties, rather than precipitation, were the main drivers of desert plant leaf stoichiometric traits, whereas precipitation made the biggest contribution to vegetation structure and function. These results test the importance of precipitation in regulating plant community structure and composition together with soil properties, and provide further insights into the adaptive strategy of communities at regional scale in response to global climate change.

Community Characteristics and Leaf Stoichiometric Traits of Desert Ecosystems Regulated by Precipitation and Soil in an Arid Area of China

PubMed Central

Guan, Tianyu; Zhou, Jihua; Cai, Wentao; Gao, Nannan; Du, Hui; Jiang, Lianhe; Lai, Liming; Zheng, Yuanrun

2018-01-01

Precipitation is a key environmental factor determining plant community structure and function. Knowledge of how community characteristics and leaf stoichiometric traits respond to variation in precipitation is crucial for assessing the effects of global changes on terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, we measured community characteristics, leaf stoichiometric traits, and soil properties along a precipitation gradient (35–209 mm) in a desert ecosystem of Northwest China to explore the drivers of these factors. With increasing precipitation, species richness, aboveground biomass, community coverage, foliage projective cover (FPC), and leaf area index (LAI) all significantly increased, while community height decreased. The hyperarid desert plants were characterized by lower leaf carbon (C) and nitrogen/phosphorus (N/P) levels, and stable N and P, and these parameters did not change significantly with precipitation. The growth of desert plants was limited more by N than P. Soil properties, rather than precipitation, were the main drivers of desert plant leaf stoichiometric traits, whereas precipitation made the biggest contribution to vegetation structure and function. These results test the importance of precipitation in regulating plant community structure and composition together with soil properties, and provide further insights into the adaptive strategy of communities at regional scale in response to global climate change. PMID:29320458

Study of non-stoichiometric BaSrTiFeO3 oxide dedicated to semiconductor gas sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fasquelle, D.; Verbrugghe, N.; Deputier, S.

2016-11-01

Developing instrumentation systems compatible with the European RoHS directive (restriction of hazardous substances) to monitor our environment is of great interest for our society. Our research therefore aims at developing innovating integrated systems of detection dedicated to the characterization of various environmental exposures. These systems, which integrate new gas sensors containing lead-free oxides, are dedicated to the detection of flammable and toxic gases. We have firstly chosen to study semiconductor gas sensors implemented with lead-free oxides in view to develop RoHS devices. Therefore thick films deposited by spin-coating and screen-printing have been chosen for their robustness, ease to realize and ease to finally obtain cost-effective sensors. As crystalline defects and ionic vacancies are of great interest for gas detection, we have decided to study a non-stoichiometric composition of the BaSrTiFeO3 sensible oxide. Nonstoichiometric BaSrTiFeO3 lead-free oxide thick films were deposited by screen-printing on polycrystalline AFO3 substrates covered by a layer of Ag-Pd acting as bottom electrode. The physical characterizations have revealed a crystalline structure mainly composed of BaTiO3 pseudo-cubic phase and Ba4Ti12O27 monoclinic phase for the powder, and a porous microstructure for the thick films. When compared to a BSTF thick film with a stoichiometric composition, a notable increase in the BSTF dielectric constant value was observed when taking into account of a similar microstructure and grain size. The loss tangent mean value varies more softly for the non-stoichiometric BaSrTiFeO3 films than for the perovskite BSTF film as tanδ decreases from 0.45 to 0.04 when the frequency increases from 100 Hz to 1 MHz.

Soil C and N availability determine the priming effect: microbial N mining and stoichiometric decomposition theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Ruirui; Senbayram, Mehmet; Blagodatsky, Sergey; Dittert, Klaus; Lin, Xiangui; Blagodatskaya, Evgenia; Kuzyakov, Yakov

2014-05-01

The increasing input of anthropogenically derived nitrogen (N) to ecosystems raises a crucial question: how does available N modify the decomposer community and thus affects the mineralization of soil organic matter (SOM). Moreover, N input modifies the priming effect (PE), that is, the effect of fresh organics on the microbial decomposition of SOM. We studied the interactive effects of C and N on SOM mineralization (by natural 13C labelling adding C4-sucrose or C4-maize straw to C3-soil) in relation to microbial growth kinetics and to the activities of five hydrolytic enzymes. This encompasses the groups of parameters governing two mechanisms of priming effects - microbial N mining and stoichiometric decomposition theories. In sole C treatments, positive PE was accompanied by a decrease in specific microbial growth rates, confirming a greater contribution of K-strategists to the decomposition of native SOM. Sucrose addition with N significantly accelerated mineralization of native SOM, whereas mineral N added with plant residues accelerated decomposition of plant residues. This supports the microbial mining theory in terms of N limitation. Sucrose addition with N was accompanied by accelerated microbial growth, increased activities of β-glucosidase and cellobiohydrolase, and decreased activities of xylanase and leucine amino peptidase. This indicated an increased contribution of r-strategists to the PE and to decomposition of cellulose but the decreased hemicellulolytic and proteolytic activities. Thus, the acceleration of the C cycle was primed by exogenous organic C and was controlled by N. This confirms the stoichiometric decomposition theory. Both K- and r-strategists were beneficial for priming effects, with an increasing contribution of K-selected species under N limitation. Thus, the priming phenomenon described in 'microbial N mining' theory can be ascribed to K-strategists. In contrast, 'stoichiometric decomposition' theory, that is, accelerated OM

Fluid chemistry and evolution of hydrothermal fluids in an Archaean transcrustal fault zone network: The case of the Cadillac Tectonic Zone, Abitibi greenstone belt, Canada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Neumayr, P.; Hagemann, S.G.; Banks, D.A.; Yardley, B.W.D.; Couture, J.-F.; Landis, G.P.; Rye, R.

2007-01-01

Detailed fluid geochemistry studies on hydrothermal quartz veins from the Rouyn-Noranda and Val-d'Or areas along the transcrustal Cadillac Tectonic Zone (CTZ) indicate that unmineralized (with respect to gold) sections of the CTZ contained a distinct CO2-dominated, H2S-poor hydrothermal fluid. In contrast, both gold mineralized sections of the CTZ (e.g., at Orenada #2) and associated higher order shear zones have a H2O-CO2 ?? CH4-NaCl hydrothermal fluid. Their CO2/H2S ratios indicate H2S-rich compositions. The Br/Cl compositions in fluid inclusions trapped in these veins indicate that hydrothermal fluids have been equilibrated with the crust. Oxygen isotope ratios from hydrothermal quartz veins in the CTZ are consistently 2??? more enriched than those of associated higher order shear zones, which are interpreted to be a function of greater fluid/rock ratios in the CTZ and lower fluid/rock ratios, and more efficient equilibration of the hydrothermal fluid with the wall rock, in higher order shear zones. An implication from this study is that the lower metal endowment of the transcrustal CTZ, when compared with the higher metal endowment in higher order shear zones (ratio of about 1 : 1000), may be the result of the lack of significant amounts of H2O-H2S rich fluids in most of the CTZ. In contrast, gold mineralization in the higher order shear zones appear to be controlled by the high H2S activity of the aqueous fluids, because gold was likely transported in a bisulfide complex and was deposited during sulfidation reactions in the wall rock and phase separation in the quartz veins. ?? 2007 NRC Canada.

Fatigue crack closure behavior at high stress ratios

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, C. Christopher; Carman, C. Davis; Hillberry, Ben M.

1988-01-01

Fatigue crack delay behavior at high stress ratio caused by single peak overloads was investigated in two thicknesses of 7475-T731 aluminum alloy. Closure measurements indicated no closure occurred before or throughout the overload plastic zones following the overload. This was further substantiated by comparing the specimen compliance following the overload with the compliance of a low R ratio test when the crack was fully open. Scanning electron microscope studies revealed that crack tunneling and possibly reinitiation of the crack occurred, most likely a result of crack-tip blunting. The number of delay cycles was greater for the thinner mixed mode stress state specimen than for the thicker plane strain stress state specimen, which is similar to low R ratio test results and may be due to a larger plastic zone for the mixed mode cased.

Intense Photosensitized Emission from Stoichiometric Compounds Featuring Mn(2+) in Seven- and Eightfold Coordination Environments.

PubMed

Reid, Howard O. N.; Kahwa, Ishenkumba A.; White, Andrew J. P.; Williams, David J.

1998-07-27

Synthetic, structural and luminescence studies of stoichiometric crown ether compounds of Mn(2+) in well-defined coordination environments were undertaken in an effort to understand the origin of emitting crystal defects found in cubic F23 [(K18C6)(4)MnBr(4)][TlBr(4)](2) crystals (Fender, N. S.; et al. Inorg. Chem. 1997, 36, 5539). The new compound [Mn(12C4)(2)][MnBr(4)](2)[N(CH(3))(4)](2) (3) features Mn(2+) ions in eight- and fourfold coordination environments of [Mn(12C4)(2)](2+) and MnBr(4)(2)(-) respectively, while Mn(2+) in [Mn(15C5)(H(2)O)(2)][TlBr(5)] (4) is in the sevenfold coordination polyhedron of [Mn(15C5)(H(2)O)(2)](2+). Crystal data for 3: monoclinic, P2(1)/c (No. 14); a = 14.131(3) Å, b = 12.158(1) Å, c = 14.239(2) Å, beta = 110.37(1) degrees, Z = 2, R1 = 0.039 and wR2 = 0.083. For 3, long-lived emission (77 K decay rate approximately 3 x 10 s(-)(1)) from [Mn(12C4)(2)](2+) (the first for eight-coordinate Mn(2+) in stoichiometric compounds) is observed (lambda(max) approximately 546 nm) along with that of the sensitizing MnBr(4)(2)(-) (lambda(max) approximately 513 nm), which is partially quenched. Emission from the seven-coordinate [Mn(15C5)(H(2)O)(2)](2+) species of 4 and [Mn(15C5)(H(2)O)(2)][MnBr(4)] (the first for seven-coordinate Mn(2+) in stoichiometric compounds) peaks at lambda(max) approximately 592 nm. Unusually intense absorptions attributable to the seven-coordinate species are observed at 317 ((2)T(2)((2)I) <-- (6)A(1)), 342 ((4)T(1)((4)P) <-- (6)A(1)), 406 ((4)E((4)G) <-- (6)A(1)), and 531 ((4)T(1)((4)G) <-- (6)A(1)) nm.

Evaluation of I/Ca ratios in benthic foraminifera from the Peruvian oxygen minimum zone as proxy for redox conditions in the ambient water masses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glock, N.; Liebetrau, V.; Eisenhauer, A.

2014-12-01

Tropical oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) are most important areas of oxygen depletion in today´s oceans and nutrient cycling in these regions has a large socio-economic impact because they account for about 17% of the global commercial fish catches(1). Possibly increasing magnitude and area of oxygen depletion in these regions, might endanger rich pelagic fish habitats in the future threatening the global marine food supply. By the use of a quantitative redox proxy in OMZs, reconstruction of the temporal variation in OMZ extension eventually providing information about past and future changes in oxygenation and the anthropogenic role in the recent trend of expanding OMZs(2). Recent work has shown that iodine/calcium (I/Ca) ratios in marine carbonates are a promising proxy for ambient oxygen concentration(3). Our study explores the correlation of I/Ca ratios in four benthic foraminiferal species (three calcitic, one aragonitic) from the Peruvian OMZ to bottom water oxygen concentrations ([O2]BW) and evaluates foraminiferal I/Ca ratios as a possible redox proxy for the ambient water masses. Our results show that all species have a positive trend in the I/Ca ratios as a function of [O2]BW. Only for the aragonitic species Hoeglundina elegans this trend is not significant. The highest significance has been found for Uvigerina striata (I/Ca = 0.032(±0.004).[O2]BW + 0.29(±0.03), R² = 0.61, F = 75, P < 0.0001). Although I/Ca ratios in benthic foraminifera appear to be a robust redox proxy there are some methodical issues which have to be considered. These "pitfalls" include: (i) the volatility of iodine in acidic solutions, (ii) a species dependency of the I/Ca-[O2]BW relationship which is either related to a strong vital effect or toa species dependency on the calcification depth within sediment, and (iii) the inter-test variability of I/Ca between different specimens from the same species and habitat. (1): FAO FishStat: Fisheries and aquaculture software. In: FAO

Stoichiometric sensing to opt between gelation and crystallization.

PubMed

Vidyasagar, Adiyala; Sureshan, Kana M

2015-10-05

A new class of organogelators having a cyclohexane-1a,3a-diol motif capable of congealing non-polar liquids was developed. These gelators underwent crystallization at low concentration and gelation above the critical gelation concentration (CGC) in the same solvent. The crystals and gel fibers were analyzed by single crystal XRD and PXRD respectively, which revealed their different modes of assembly. The XRD studies and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed that the crystals contain a water of crystallization whereas the gel fibers do not. A systematic study revealed that when the concentration of the gelator exceeds that of adventitious water in the solvent, it congeals the solvent and when the concentration of the gelator is less than water, it undergoes crystallization. This unprecedented stoichiometric sensing behavior in deciding the mode of self-assembly offers a handle to opt between mutually competing gelation and crystallization. We have confirmed that the system can be biased to congeal or crystallize by varying the amount of water. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

High-Yield Synthesis of Stoichiometric Boron Nitride Nanostructures

DOE PAGES

Nocua, José E.; Piazza, Fabrice; Weiner, Brad R.; ...

2009-01-01

Boron nimore » tride (BN) nanostructures are structural analogues of carbon nanostructures but have completely different bonding character and structural defects. They are chemically inert, electrically insulating, and potentially important in mechanical applications that include the strengthening of light structural materials. These applications require the reliable production of bulk amounts of pure BN nanostructures in order to be able to reinforce large quantities of structural materials, hence the need for the development of high-yield synthesis methods of pure BN nanostructures. Using borazine ( B 3 N 3 H 6 ) as chemical precursor and the hot-filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) technique, pure BN nanostructures with cross-sectional sizes ranging between 20 and 50 nm were obtained, including nanoparticles and nanofibers. Their crystalline structure was characterized by (XRD), their morphology and nanostructure was examined by (SEM) and (TEM), while their chemical composition was studied by (EDS), (FTIR), (EELS), and (XPS). Taken altogether, the results indicate that all the material obtained is stoichiometric nanostructured BN with hexagonal and rhombohedral crystalline structure.« less

Charge ordering in stoichiometric FeTe: Scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy

DOE PAGES

Li, Wei; Yin, Wei -Guo; Wang, Lili; ...

2016-01-04

In this study, we use scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy to reveal a unique stripy charge order in a parent phase of iron-based superconductors in stoichiometric FeTe epitaxy films. The charge order has unusually the same—usually half—period as the spin order. We also found highly anisotropic electron band dispersions being large and little along the ferromagnetic (crystallographic b) and antiferromagnetic (a) directions, respectively. Our data suggest that the microscopic mechanism is likely of the Stoner type driven by interatomic Coulomb repulsion V ij, and that V ij and charge fluctuations, so far much neglected, are important to the understanding ofmore » iron-based superconductors.« less

Limitation of egg production in Calanus finmarchicus in the field: A stoichiometric analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mayor, Daniel J.; Anderson, Thomas R.; Pond, David W.; Irigoien, Xabier

2009-11-01

The egg production of marine copepods correlates with a range of variables, including the availability of organic carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) 20:5( n-3) (EPA) and 22:6( n-3) (DHA). However, an understanding of which substrates limit egg production in the natural environment has yet to be reached. The quantities of C, N, EPA and DHA ingested, derived from parental biomass, and invested in eggs by female Calanus finmarchicus during a 5-day incubation experiment were examined using stoichiometric theory to determine which substrate was limiting. The majority of each substrate was derived from parental biomass, and therefore the existing stoichiometric theory is developed to include this route of supply. The females were essentially devoid of lipid reserves, as evidenced by the lack of the storage fatty acids 20:1( n-9) and 22:1( n-11), and carbon limitation was predicted under most of the scenarios examined. Nitrogen limitation was only apparent when carbon and nitrogen utilisation efficiencies were assumed to be high (0.5) and low (0.4) respectively. PUFAs were assumed to be utilised with high efficiency (0.9), and were never predicted to limit production. This work highlights the need for a more detailed understanding of the maintenance requirements that marine copepods have for C, N, EPA, and DHA and hence the efficiencies with these substrates can be utilised for growth.

Flame structure of methane/oxygen shear coaxial jet with velocity ratio using high-speed imaging and OH*, CH* chemiluminescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shim, Myungbo; Noh, Kwanyoung; Yoon, Woongsup

2018-06-01

In this study, the effects of gaseous methane/oxygen injection velocity ratio on the shear coaxial jet flame structure are analyzed using high-speed imaging along with OH* and CH* chemiluminescence. The images show that, as the velocity ratio is increased, the visual flame length increases and wrinkles of the flame front are developed further downstream. The region near the equivalence ratio 1 condition in the flame could be identified by the maximum OH* position, and this region is located further downstream as the velocity ratio is increased. The dominant CH* chemiluminescence is found in the near-injector region. As the velocity ratio is decreased, the signal intensity is higher at the same downstream distance in each flame. From the results, as the velocity ratio is decreased, there is increased entrainment of the external jet, the mixing of the two jets is enhanced, the region near the stoichiometric mixture condition is located further upstream, and consequently, the flame length decreases.

Optimization of operation conditions and configurations for solid-propellant ducted rocket combustors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Onn, Shing-Chung; Chiang, Hau-Jei; Hwang, Hang-Che; Wei, Jen-Ko; Cherng, Dao-Lien

1993-06-01

The dynamic behavior of a 2D turbulent mixing and combustion process has been studied numerically in the main combustion chamber of a solid-propellant ducted rocket (SDR). The mathematical model is based on the Favre-averaged conservation equations developed by Cherng (1990). Combustion efficiency, rather than specific impulse from earlier studies, is applied successfully to optimize the effects of two parameters by a multiple linear regression model. Specifically, the fuel-air equivalence ratio of the operating conditions and the air inlet location of configurations for the SDR combustor have been studied. For a equivalence ratio near the stoichiometric condition, the use of specific impulse or combustion efficiency will show similar trend in characterizing the reacting flow field in the combustor. For the overall fuel lean operating conditions, the change of combustion efficiency is much more sensitive to that of air inlet location than specific impulse does, suggesting combustion efficiency a better property than specific impulse in representing the condition toward flammability limits. In addition, the air inlet for maximum efficiency, in general, appears to be located at downstream of that for highest specific impulse. The optimal case for the effects of two parameters occurs at fuel lean condition, which shows a larger recirculation zone in front, deeper penetration of ram air into the combustor and much larger high temperature zone near the centerline of the combustor exit than those shown in the optimal case for overall equivalence ratio close to stoichiometric.

Determination of the pore fluid pressure ratio at seismogenic megathrusts in subduction zones: Implications for strength of asperities and Andean-type mountain building

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seno, Tetsuzo

2009-05-01

We construct the differential stress profile across the fore arc in a subduction zone from the force balance between the shear stress, τ, at seismogenic megathrust and the lithostatic pressure. We assume that τ is written by μ (1 - λ) σn, where λ is the pore fluid pressure ratio, μ is the coefficient of static friction, and σn is the normal stress. Given a density structure of the fore-arc wedge, we determine λ by comparing calculated fore-arc stresses with observed ones, as 0.95-0.98 in Shikoku, Miyagi, Peru, north Chile, and south Chile and 0.90-0.93 in south Vancouver Island and Washington. The parameter τ averaged over the seismogenic megathrust is of the order of ˜10 MPa. Stress drops of great earthquakes in these zones occupy 14-87% and not a constant fraction of τ. They, on the other hand, increase linearly with 1 - λ. We propose a simple fault model in which the area of asperities as a fraction of the total fault area is proportional to 1 - λ. Variation of fractional area of asperities thus may explain the observed correlation and the regional variation of λ. Assuming that the differential stress at summit of the Andean mountains is zero, not at the coast as observed at present, we determine λ to be 0.84 in north Chile in the mountain building stage. Such a smaller value of λ, along with λ < ˜0.4 in collision zones previously obtained and >˜0.9 in subduction zones, would suggest that variation of λ controls the tectonic style of the Earth.

Stoichiometric control for heteroepitaxial growth of smooth ɛ-Ga2O3 thin films on c-plane AlN templates by mist chemical vapor deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tahara, Daisuke; Nishinaka, Hiroyuki; Morimoto, Shota; Yoshimoto, Masahiro

2017-07-01

Epitaxial ɛ-Ga2O3 thin films with smooth surfaces were successfully grown on c-plane AlN templates by mist chemical vapor deposition. Using X-ray diffraction 2θ-ω and φ scans, the out-of-plane and in-plane epitaxial relationship was determined to be (0001) ɛ-Ga2O3 [10\\bar{1}0] ∥ (0001)AlN[10\\bar{1}0]. The gallium/oxygen ratio was controlled by varying the gallium precursor concentration in the solution. While scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of large grains on the surfaces of the films formed for low concentrations of oxygen species, no large grains were observed under stoichiometric conditions. Cathodoluminescence measurements showed a deep-level emission ranging from 1.55-3.7 eV; however, no band-edge emission was observed.

Thermodynamic assessment of oxygen diffusion in non-stoichiometric UO2±x from experimental data and Frenkel pair modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berthinier, C.; Rado, C.; Chatillon, C.; Hodaj, F.

2013-02-01

The self and chemical diffusion of oxygen in the non-stoichiometric domain of the UO2 compound is analyzed from the point of view of experimental determinations and modeling from Frenkel pair defects. The correlation between the self-diffusion and the chemical diffusion coefficients is analyzed using the Darken coefficient calculated from a thermodynamic description of the UO2±x phase. This description was obtained from an optimization of thermodynamic and phase diagram data and modeling with different point defects, including the Frenkel pair point defects. The proposed diffusion coefficients correspond to the 300-2300 K temperature range and to the full composition range of the non stoichiometric UO2 compound. These values will be used for the simulation of the oxidation and ignition of the uranium carbide in different oxygen atmospheres that starts at temperatures as low as 400 K.

Curie temperature, exchange integrals, and magneto-optical properties in off-stoichiometric bismuth iron garnet epitaxial films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vertruyen, B.; Cloots, R.; Abell, J. S.; Jackson, T. J.; da Silva, R. C.; Popova, E.; Keller, N.

2008-09-01

We have studied the influence of the stoichiometry on the structural, magnetic, and magneto-optical properties of bismuth iron garnet (Bi3Fe5O12) thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition. Films with different stoichiometries have been obtained by varying the Bi/Fe ratio of the target and the oxygen pressure during deposition. Stoichiometry variations influence the Curie temperature TC by tuning the (Fe)-O-[Fe] geometry: TC increases when the lattice parameter decreases, contrary to what happens in the case of stoichiometric rare-earth iron garnets. The thermal variation of the magnetization, the Faraday rotation, and the Faraday ellipticity have been analyzed in the frame of the Néel two-sublattice magnetization model giving energies of -48K (4.1 meV), -29K (2.5 meV), and 84 K (7.3 meV) for the three magnetic exchange integrals jaa , jdd , and jad , respectively. Magneto-optical spectroscopy linked to compositional analysis by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy shows that Bi and/or Fe deficiencies also affect the spectral variation (between 1.77 and 3.1 eV). Our results suggest that bismuth deficiency has an effect on the magneto-optical response of the tetrahedral Fe sublattice, whereas small iron deficiencies affect predominantly the magneto-optical response of the octahedral sublattice.

Modelling the Stoichiometric Regulation of C-Rich Toxins in Marine Dinoflagellates.

PubMed

Pinna, Adriano; Pezzolesi, Laura; Pistocchi, Rossella; Vanucci, Silvana; Ciavatta, Stefano; Polimene, Luca

2015-01-01

Toxin production in marine microalgae was previously shown to be tightly coupled with cellular stoichiometry. The highest values of cellular toxin are in fact mainly associated with a high carbon to nutrient cellular ratio. In particular, the cellular accumulation of C-rich toxins (i.e., with C:N > 6.6) can be stimulated by both N and P deficiency. Dinoflagellates are the main producers of C-rich toxins and may represent a serious threat for human health and the marine ecosystem. As such, the development of a numerical model able to predict how toxin production is stimulated by nutrient supply/deficiency is of primary utility for both scientific and management purposes. In this work we have developed a mechanistic model describing the stoichiometric regulation of C-rich toxins in marine dinoflagellates. To this purpose, a new formulation describing toxin production and fate was embedded in the European Regional Seas Ecosystem Model (ERSEM), here simplified to describe a monospecific batch culture. Toxin production was assumed to be composed by two distinct additive terms; the first is a constant fraction of algal production and is assumed to take place at any physiological conditions. The second term is assumed to be dependent on algal biomass and to be stimulated by internal nutrient deficiency. By using these assumptions, the model reproduced the concentrations and temporal evolution of toxins observed in cultures of Ostreopsis cf. ovata, a benthic/epiphytic dinoflagellate producing C-rich toxins named ovatoxins. The analysis of simulations and their comparison with experimental data provided a conceptual model linking toxin production and nutritional status in this species. The model was also qualitatively validated by using independent literature data, and the results indicate that our formulation can be also used to simulate toxin dynamics in other dinoflagellates. Our model represents an important step towards the simulation and prediction of marine algal

Stoichiometric determination of moisture in edible oils by Mid-FTIR spectroscopy.

PubMed

van de Voort, F R; Tavassoli-Kafrani, M H; Curtis, J M

2016-04-28

A simple and accurate method for the determination of moisture in edible oils by differential FTIR spectroscopy has been devised based on the stoichiometric reaction of the moisture in oil with toluenesulfonyl isocyanate (TSI) to produce CO2. Calibration standards were devised by gravimetrically spiking dry dioxane with water, followed by the addition of neat TSI and examination of the differential spectra relative to the dry dioxane. In the method, CO2 peak area changes are measured at 2335 cm(-1) and were shown to be related to the amount of moisture added, with any CO2 inherent to residual moisture in the dry dioxane subtracted ratioed out. CO2 volatility issues were determined to be minimal, with the overall SD of dioxane calibrations being ∼18 ppm over a range of 0-1000 ppm. Gravimetrically blended dry and water-saturated oils analysed in a similar manner produced linear CO2 responses with SD's of <15 ppm on average. One set of dry-wet blends was analysed in duplicate by FTIR and by two independent laboratories using coulometric Karl Fischer (KF) procedures. All 3 methods produced highly linear moisture relationships with SD's of 7, 16 and 28 ppm, respectively over a range of 200-1500 ppm. Although the absolute moisture values obtained by each method did not exactly coincide, each tracked the expected moisture changes proportionately. The FTIRTSI-H2O method provides a simple and accurate instrumental means of determining moisture in oils rivaling the accuracy and specificity of standard KF procedures and has the potential to be automated. It could also be applied to other hydrophobic matrices and possibly evolve into a more generalized method, if combined with polar aprotic solvent extraction. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Thermal-induced domain wall motion of tip-inverted micro/nanodomains in near-stoichiometric LiNbO3 crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, X. Y.; Kitamura, K.; Liu, Y. M.; Ohuchi, F. S.; Li, J. Y.

2011-09-01

Thermal-induced domain wall motion of tip-inverted micro/nanodomains in near-stoichiometric LiNbO3 single crystals was investigated using piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). The domain wall motion was observed in PFM phase and amplitude images at room temperature after the sample was subjected to a thermal process at a heating temperature higher than 100 °C. In hexagonal domains with only y walls, predetermined nucleation with layer-by-layer growth is the main mechanism for the domain wall motion. In the domains composed of both x walls and y walls, the x walls are more mobile than the y walls, and the domain wall motion starts from the random nucleation of steps along the x walls that finally grow into y walls. The domain wall motion in the near-stoichiometric LiNbO3 crystal is attributed to the energy-preferable domain wall orientation, the pyroelectric effect, and the screening charge variation caused by the thermal process.

Model for the Vaporization of Mixed Organometallic Compounds in the Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition of High Temperature Superconducting Films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meng, Guangyao; Zhou, Gang; Schneider, Roger L.; Sarma, Bimal K.; Levy, Moises

1993-01-01

A model of the vaporization and mass transport of mixed organometallics from a single source for thin film metalorganic chemical vapor deposition is presented. A stoichiometric gas phase can be obtained from a mixture of the organometallics in the desired mole ratios, in spite of differences in the volatilities of the individual compounds. Proper film composition and growth rates are obtained by controlling the velocity of a carriage containing the organometallics through the heating zone of a vaporizer.

Tracking magmatic processes through Zr/Hf ratios in rocks and Hf and Ti zoning in zircons: An example from the Spirit Mountain batholith, Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lowery, Claiborne L.E.; Miller, C.F.; Walker, B.A.; Wooden, J.L.; Mazdab, F.K.; Bea, F.

2006-01-01

Zirconium and Hf are nearly identical geochemically, and therefore most of the crust maintains near-chondritic Zr/Hf ratios of ???35-40. By contrast, many high-silica rhyolites and granites have anomalously low Zr/Hf (15-30). As zircon is the primary reservoir for both Zr and Hf and preferentially incorporates Zr, crystallization of zircon controls Zr/ Hf, imprinting low Zr/Hf on coexisting melt. Thus, low Zr/Hf is a unique fingerprint of effective magmatic fractionation in the crust. Age and compositional zonation in zircons themselves provide a record of the thermal and compositional histories of magmatic systems. High Hf (low Zr/ Hf) in zircon zones demonstrates growth from fractionated melt, and Ti provides an estimate of temperature of crystallization (TTiZ) (Watson and Harrison, 2005). Whole-rock Zr/Hf and zircon zonation in the Spirit Mountain batholith, Nevada, document repeated fractionation and thermal fluctuations. Ratios of Zr/Hf are ???30-40 for cumulates and 18-30 for high-SiO2 granites. In zircons, Hf (and U) are inversely correlated with Ti, and concentrations indicate large fluctuations in melt composition and TTiZ (>100??C) for individual zircons. Such variations are consistent with field relations and ion-probe zircon geochronology that indicate a >1 million year history of repeated replenishment, fractionation, and extraction of melt from crystal mush to form the low Zr/Hf high-SiO2 zone. ?? 2006 The Mineralogical Society.

Experiment and mechanism investigation on advanced reburning for NO(x) reduction: influence of CO and temperature.

PubMed

Wang, Zhi-Hua; Zhou, Jun-Hu; Zhang, Yan-Wei; Lu, Zhi-Min; Fan, Jian-Ren; Cen, Ke-Fa

2005-03-01

Pulverized coal reburning, ammonia injection and advanced reburning in a pilot scale drop tube furnace were investigated. Premix of petroleum gas, air and NH3 were burned in a porous gas burner to generate the needed flue gas. Four kinds of pulverized coal were fed as reburning fuel at constant rate of 1g/min. The coal reburning process parameters including 15% approximately 25% reburn heat input, temperature range from 1100 degrees C to 1400 degrees C and also the carbon in fly ash, coal fineness, reburn zone stoichiometric ratio, etc. were investigated. On the condition of 25% reburn heat input, maximum of 47% NO reduction with Yanzhou coal was obtained by pure coal reburning. Optimal temperature for reburning is about 1300 degrees C and fuel-rich stoichiometric ratio is essential; coal fineness can slightly enhance the reburning ability. The temperature window for ammonia injection is about 700 degrees C approximately 1100 degrees C. CO can improve the NH3 ability at lower temperature. During advanced reburning, 72.9% NO reduction was measured. To achieve more than 70% NO reduction, Selective Non-catalytic NO(x) Reduction (SNCR) should need NH3/NO stoichiometric ratio larger than 5, while advanced reburning only uses common dose of ammonia as in conventional SNCR technology. Mechanism study shows the oxidization of CO can improve the decomposition of H2O, which will rich the radical pools igniting the whole reactions at lower temperatures.

Experiment and mechanism investigation on advanced reburning for NOx reduction: influence of CO and temperature

PubMed Central

Wang, Zhi-hua; Zhou, Jun-hu; Zhang, Yan-wei; Lu, Zhi-min; Fan, Jian-ren; Cen, Ke-fa

2005-01-01

Pulverized coal reburning, ammonia injection and advanced reburning in a pilot scale drop tube furnace were investigated. Premix of petroleum gas, air and NH3 were burned in a porous gas burner to generate the needed flue gas. Four kinds of pulverized coal were fed as reburning fuel at constant rate of 1g/min. The coal reburning process parameters including 15%~25% reburn heat input, temperature range from 1100 °C to 1400 °C and also the carbon in fly ash, coal fineness, reburn zone stoichiometric ratio, etc. were investigated. On the condition of 25% reburn heat input, maximum of 47% NO reduction with Yanzhou coal was obtained by pure coal reburning. Optimal temperature for reburning is about 1300 °C and fuel-rich stoichiometric ratio is essential; coal fineness can slightly enhance the reburning ability. The temperature window for ammonia injection is about 700 °C~1100 °C. CO can improve the NH3 ability at lower temperature. During advanced reburning, 72.9% NO reduction was measured. To achieve more than 70% NO reduction, Selective Non-catalytic NOx Reduction (SNCR) should need NH3/NO stoichiometric ratio larger than 5, while advanced reburning only uses common dose of ammonia as in conventional SNCR technology. Mechanism study shows the oxidization of CO can improve the decomposition of H2O, which will rich the radical pools igniting the whole reactions at lower temperatures. PMID:15682503

Effect of non-stoichiometric solution chemistry on improving the performance of wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells

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

Yang, Mengjin; Kim, Dong Hoe; Yu, Yue

A high-efficiency wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskite solar cell is critical for developing perovskite-related (e.g., all-perovskite, perovskite/Si, or perovskite/Cu(In,Ga)Se 2) tandem devices. Here, we demonstrate the use of non-stoichiometric precursor chemistry with excess methylammonium halides (MAX; X = I, Br, or Cl) for preparing high-quality ~1.75-eV FA 0.83Cs 0.17Pb(I 0.6Br 0.4) 3 perovskite solar cells. Among various methylammonium halides, using excess MABr in the non-stoichiometric precursor exhibits the strongest effect on improving perovskite crystallographic properties and device characteristics without affecting the perovskite composition. In contrast, using excess MAI significantly reduces the bandgap of perovskite due to the replacement of Br with I.more » Using 40% excess MABr, we demonstrate a single-junction WBG perovskite solar cell with stabilized efficiency of 16.4%. We further demonstrate a 20.3%-efficient 4-terminal tandem device by using a 14.7%-efficient semi-transparent WBG perovskite top cell and an 18.6%-efficient unfiltered (5.6%-efficient filtered) Si bottom cell.« less

Effect of non-stoichiometric solution chemistry on improving the performance of wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells

DOE PAGES

Yang, Mengjin; Kim, Dong Hoe; Yu, Yue; ...

2017-10-02

A high-efficiency wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskite solar cell is critical for developing perovskite-related (e.g., all-perovskite, perovskite/Si, or perovskite/Cu(In,Ga)Se 2) tandem devices. Here, we demonstrate the use of non-stoichiometric precursor chemistry with excess methylammonium halides (MAX; X = I, Br, or Cl) for preparing high-quality ~1.75-eV FA 0.83Cs 0.17Pb(I 0.6Br 0.4) 3 perovskite solar cells. Among various methylammonium halides, using excess MABr in the non-stoichiometric precursor exhibits the strongest effect on improving perovskite crystallographic properties and device characteristics without affecting the perovskite composition. In contrast, using excess MAI significantly reduces the bandgap of perovskite due to the replacement of Br with I.more » Using 40% excess MABr, we demonstrate a single-junction WBG perovskite solar cell with stabilized efficiency of 16.4%. We further demonstrate a 20.3%-efficient 4-terminal tandem device by using a 14.7%-efficient semi-transparent WBG perovskite top cell and an 18.6%-efficient unfiltered (5.6%-efficient filtered) Si bottom cell.« less

Influence of multiband sign-changing superconductivity on vortex cores and vortex pinning in stoichiometric high- T c   CaKFe 4 As 4

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

Fente, Anton; Meier, William R.; Kong, Tai

We use a scanning tunneling microscope to study the superconducting density of states and vortex lattice of single crystals of CaKFe 4As 4. This material has a critical temperature of T c = 35 K, one of the highest among stoichiometric iron based superconductors (FeBSCs), and is comparable to T c found near optimal doping in other FeBSCs. We observe quasiparticle scattering from defects with a pattern related to interband scattering between zone centered hole sheets. We measure the tunneling conductance in vortex cores and find a peak due to Caroli–de Gennes–Matricon bound states. The peak is located above themore » Fermi level, showing that CaKFe 4As 4 is a clean superconductor with vortex core bound states close to the so-called extreme quantum limit. We identify locations where the superconducting order parameter is strongly suppressed due to pair breaking. Vortices are pinned at these locations, and the length scale of the suppression of the order parameter is of order of the vortex core size. Finally, as a consequence, the vortex lattice is disordered up to 8 T.« less

Influence of multiband sign-changing superconductivity on vortex cores and vortex pinning in stoichiometric high- T c   CaKFe 4 As 4

DOE PAGES

Fente, Anton; Meier, William R.; Kong, Tai; ...

2018-04-02

We use a scanning tunneling microscope to study the superconducting density of states and vortex lattice of single crystals of CaKFe 4As 4. This material has a critical temperature of T c = 35 K, one of the highest among stoichiometric iron based superconductors (FeBSCs), and is comparable to T c found near optimal doping in other FeBSCs. We observe quasiparticle scattering from defects with a pattern related to interband scattering between zone centered hole sheets. We measure the tunneling conductance in vortex cores and find a peak due to Caroli–de Gennes–Matricon bound states. The peak is located above themore » Fermi level, showing that CaKFe 4As 4 is a clean superconductor with vortex core bound states close to the so-called extreme quantum limit. We identify locations where the superconducting order parameter is strongly suppressed due to pair breaking. Vortices are pinned at these locations, and the length scale of the suppression of the order parameter is of order of the vortex core size. Finally, as a consequence, the vortex lattice is disordered up to 8 T.« less

Soil C and N availability determine the priming effect: microbial N mining and stoichiometric decomposition theories.

PubMed

Chen, Ruirui; Senbayram, Mehmet; Blagodatsky, Sergey; Myachina, Olga; Dittert, Klaus; Lin, Xiangui; Blagodatskaya, Evgenia; Kuzyakov, Yakov

2014-07-01

The increasing input of anthropogenically derived nitrogen (N) to ecosystems raises a crucial question: how does available N modify the decomposer community and thus affects the mineralization of soil organic matter (SOM). Moreover, N input modifies the priming effect (PE), that is, the effect of fresh organics on the microbial decomposition of SOM. We studied the interactive effects of C and N on SOM mineralization (by natural (13) C labelling adding C4 -sucrose or C4 -maize straw to C3 -soil) in relation to microbial growth kinetics and to the activities of five hydrolytic enzymes. This encompasses the groups of parameters governing two mechanisms of priming effects - microbial N mining and stoichiometric decomposition theories. In sole C treatments, positive PE was accompanied by a decrease in specific microbial growth rates, confirming a greater contribution of K-strategists to the decomposition of native SOM. Sucrose addition with N significantly accelerated mineralization of native SOM, whereas mineral N added with plant residues accelerated decomposition of plant residues. This supports the microbial mining theory in terms of N limitation. Sucrose addition with N was accompanied by accelerated microbial growth, increased activities of β-glucosidase and cellobiohydrolase, and decreased activities of xylanase and leucine amino peptidase. This indicated an increased contribution of r-strategists to the PE and to decomposition of cellulose but the decreased hemicellulolytic and proteolytic activities. Thus, the acceleration of the C cycle was primed by exogenous organic C and was controlled by N. This confirms the stoichiometric decomposition theory. Both K- and r-strategists were beneficial for priming effects, with an increasing contribution of K-selected species under N limitation. Thus, the priming phenomenon described in 'microbial N mining' theory can be ascribed to K-strategists. In contrast, 'stoichiometric decomposition' theory, that is, accelerated OM

Magnetic moment distribution modeling in non stoichiometric Ni-Mn-Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lázpita, P.; Gutiérrez, J.; Barandiarán, J. M.; Chernenko, V. A.; Mondelli, C.; Chapon, L.

2014-11-01

Neutron polarized diffraction technique has been used to elucidate the magnetic moment distribution density in non stoichiometric Ni—Mn—Ga single crystals. These experiments allow us to determine a localized magnetic moment in the Mn position in the austenitic phase, and to validity qualitatively previous models of magnetic distributions where there are antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic coupling for Mn atoms that are sited out of their properly positions. This measurements show the deep dependence of the magnetic moment with the composition and the atomic order.

He isotope ratios in the Nankai Trough and Costa Rica subduction zones - implications for volatile cycling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kastner, M.; Hilton, D. R.; Jenkins, W. J.; Solomon, E. A.; Spivack, A. J.

2013-12-01

The noble gas 3He is a clear indicator of primordial volatile flux from the mantle, thus providing important insights on the interaction between Earth's interior and exterior reservoirs. Volatile cycling at ridge-crests and its impact on the evolution of seawater chemistry is rather well known as constrained by the 3He flux, whereas the impact of volatile cycling at subduction zones (SZs) on seawater chemistry is as yet poorly known. Constraining chemical and isotopic cycling at SZs is important for understanding the evolution of the mantle-crust and ocean-atmosphere systems. To gain insights on volatile cycling in SZs, pore fluids were sampled for He concentration and isotopic analyses at two tectonically contrasting SZs, Nankai Trough (offshore Japan, Muroto and Kumano transects), an accretionary SZ, and Costa Rica (Offshore Osa Peninsula), an erosional SZ. Sampling for He was achieved by rapidly subsampling core sediments, cleaning and transferring these samples into Ti squeezers in a glove bag, and storing the squeezed pore fluids in crimped Cu tubes for shore-based He concentration and isotope ratio analyses. At the Nankai Trough SZ there is a remarkable range of He isotopic values. The 3He/4He ratios relative to atmospheric ratio (RA) range from mostly crustal 0.47 RA to 4.30 RA which is ~55% of the MORB value of 8 RA. Whereas at the Costa Rica SZ, offshore Osa Peninsula, the ratios range from 0.86 to 1.14 RA, indicating the dominance of crustal radiogenic 4He that is from U and Th decay. The distribution of the He isotope values at Nankai Trough is most interesting, fluids that contain significant mantle 3He components (3He/4He >1) were sampled along and adjacent to fluid conduits that were identified by several chemical and isotopic data (i.e. Cl, B, and Li), including the presence of thermogenic hydrocarbons. Whereas the fluids dominated by 4He (3He/4He ≤1) were obtained from sediment sections that were between the fluid conduits. At Costa Rica, however

Superconductivity in La-deficient and stoichiometric La/sub 2/CuO/sub 4/

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

Shaheen, S.A.; Jisrawi, N.; Lee, Y.H.

The effects of La deficiency and of impurities on the occurrence of filamentary superconductivity in La/sub 2/CuO/sub 4/ have been investigated by magnetic-susceptibility and electrical-resistivity measurements. Reducing the purity of the starting material degrades the superconductivity. La deficiency causes a fully reentrant superconducting-to-normal-state transition with decreasing temperature at temperatures below T/sub c/. This behavior clarifies the incipient reentrance which is observed in nominally stoichiometric La/sub 2/CuO/sub 4/. We associate the reentrant transition with the recently observed structural transformation from the orthorhombic to a semiconducting monoclinic phase.

Effect of the Cu/Ba ratio for the YBCO deposition onto IBAD template by the MOCVD method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, J. K.; Kim, H. J.; Jun, B. H.; Kim, C. J.

2005-10-01

YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) thin films were fabricated by the metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) using a single liquid source. The copper/barium (Cu/Ba) ratio was varied from 1.26 to 1.38 to optimize the deposition condition. The IBAD template (CeO2/YSZ/stainless steel) was used as a substrate. The growth features of the YBCO films were not significantly influenced by the Cu/Ba ratio, while the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) and critical current (Ic) depended on the Cu/Ba ratio. When Cu/Ba ratio was between 1.26 and 1.29, Tc was as low as 80 K, while as Cu/Ba ratio increased to 1.38, it increased to above 85 K. The highest Tc (89.0 K) and Ic (46.3 A/cm-width) were achieved at the Cu/Ba ratio of 1.38 (Y:Ba:Cu = 1:2.1:2.9). It indicates that the optimum Cu/Ba ratio which differs from stoichiometric balance exists for the formation of the superconducting phase with a high Tc and Ic in MOCVD method.

Experimental Investigation of Premixed Turbulent Hydrocarbon/Air Bunsen Flames

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamadonfar, Parsa

fuel consumption rate were systematically evaluated from the experimental data. The normalized preheat zone and reaction zone thicknesses decreased with increasing non-dimensional turbulence intensity in ultra-lean premixed turbulent flames under a constant equivalence ratio of 0.6, whereas they increased with increasing equivalence ratios from 0.6 to 1.0 under a constant bulk flow velocity. The normalized preheat zone and reaction zone thicknesses showed no overall trend with increasing non-dimensional longitudinal integral length scale. The normalized preheat zone and reaction zone thicknesses decreased by increasing the Karlovitz number, suggesting that increasing the total stretch rate is the controlling mechanism in the reduction of flame front thickness for the experimental conditions studied in this thesis. In general, the leading edge and half-burning surface turbulent burning velocities were enhanced with increasing equivalence ratio from lean to stoichiometric mixtures, whereas they decreased with increasing equivalence ratio for rich mixtures. These velocities were enhanced with increasing total turbulence intensity. The leading edge and half-burning surface turbulent burning velocities for lean/stoichiometric mixtures were observed to be smaller than that for rich mixtures. The mean turbulent flame stretch factor displayed a dependence on the equivalence ratio and turbulence intensity. Results show that the mean turbulent flame stretch factors for lean/stoichiometric and rich mixtures were not equal when the unstrained premixed laminar burning velocity, non-dimensional bulk flow velocity, non-dimensional turbulence intensity, and non-dimensional longitudinal integral length scale were kept constant.

Beta-Zone parapapillary atrophy and the velocity of glaucoma progression.

PubMed

Teng, Christopher C; De Moraes, Carlos Gustavo V; Prata, Tiago S; Tello, Celso; Ritch, Robert; Liebmann, Jeffrey M

2010-05-01

Beta-Zone parapapillary atrophy (PPA) occurs more commonly in eyes with glaucoma. Rates of glaucomatous visual field (VF) progression in eyes with and without beta-zone PPA at the time of baseline assessment were compared. Retrospective, comparative study. Two hundred forty-five patients from the New York Glaucoma Progression Study. Subjects with glaucomatous optic neuropathy and repeatable VF loss were assessed for eligibility. Eyes with a Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II (HRT) examination, at least 5 visual field tests after the HRT in either eye, optic disc photographs, and <6 diopters of myopia were enrolled. beta-Zone PPA was defined as a region of chorioretinal atrophy with visible sclera and choroidal vessels adjacent to the optic disc. Global rates of VF progression were determined by automated pointwise linear regression analysis. Univariate analysis included age, gender, ethnicity, central corneal thickness (CCT), refractive error, baseline mean deviation, baseline intraocular pressure (IOP), mean IOP, IOP fluctuation, disc area, rim area, rim area-to-disc area ratio, beta-zone PPA area, beta-zone PPA area-to-disc area ratio, and presence or absence of beta-zone PPA. The relationship between beta-zone PPA and the rate and risk of glaucoma progression. Two hundred forty-five eyes of 245 patients (mean age, 69.6+/-12.3 years) were enrolled. The mean follow-up was 4.9+/-1.4 years and the mean number of VFs after HRT was 9.3+/-2.7. beta-Zone PPA was present in 146 eyes (65%). Eyes with beta-zone PPA progressed more rapidly (-0.84+/-0.8 dB/year) than eyes without it (-0.51+/-0.6 dB/year; P<0.01). Multivariate regression showed significant influence of mean IOP (hazard ratio [HR], 1.11; P<0.01), IOP fluctuation (HR, 1.17; P = 0.02), and presence of beta-zone PPA (HR, 2.59; P<0.01) on VF progression. Moderate (0.5-1.5 dB/year; P = 0.01) and fast (>1.5 dB/year; P = 0.08) global rates of progression occurred more commonly in eyes with beta-zone PPA than in eyes

Heavy-Duty Stoichiometric Compression Ignition Engine with Improved Fuel Economy over Alternative Technologies for Meeting 2010 On-Highway Emission

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

Kirby J. Baumgard; Richard E. Winsor

2009-12-31

The objectives of the reported work were: to apply the stoichiometric compression ignition (SCI) concept to a 9.0 liter diesel engine; to obtain engine-out NO{sub x} and PM exhaust emissions so that the engine can meet 2010 on-highway emission standards by applying a three-way catalyst for NO{sub x} control and a particulate filter for PM control; and to simulate an optimize the engine and air system to approach 50% thermal efficiency using variable valve actuation and electric turbo compounding. The work demonstrated that an advanced diesel engine can be operated at stoichiometric conditions with reasonable particulate and NOx emissions atmore » full power and peak torque conditions; calculated that the SCI engine will operate at 42% brake thermal efficiency without advanced hardware, turbocompounding, or waste heat recovery; and determined that EGR is not necessary for this advanced concept engine, and this greatly simplifies the concept.« less

Determination of pumper truck intervention ratios in zones with high fire potential by using geographical information system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aricak, Burak; Kucuk, Omer; Enez, Korhan

2014-01-01

Fighting forest fires not only depends on the forest type, topography, and weather conditions, but is also closely related to the technical properties of fire-fighting equipment. Firefighting is an important part of fire management planning. However, because of the complex nature of forests, creating thematic layers to generate potential fire risk maps is difficult. The use of remote sensing data has become an efficient method for the discrete classification of potential fire risks. The study was located in the Central District of the Kastamonu Regional Forest Directorate, covering an area of 24,320 ha, 15,685 ha of which is forested. On the basis of stand age, crown closure, and tree species, the sizes and distributions of potential fire risk zones within the study area were determined using high-resolution GeoEye satellite imagery and geographical information system data. The status of pumper truck intervention in zones with high fire risk and the sufficiency of existing forest roads within an existing forest network were discussed based on combustible matter characteristics. Pumper truck intervention was 83% for high-risk zones, 79% for medium-risk zones, and 78% for low-risk zones. A pumper truck intervention area map along existing roads was also created.

Enhancement of L-Threonine Production by Controlling Sequential Carbon-Nitrogen Ratios during Fermentation.

PubMed

Lee, Hyeok-Won; Lee, Hee-Suk; Kim, Chun-Suk; Lee, Jin-Gyeom; Kim, Won-Kyo; Lee, Eun-Gyo; Lee, Hong-Weon

2018-02-28

Controlling the residual glucose concentration is important for improving productivity in L-threonine fermentation. In this study, we developed a procedure to automatically control the feeding quantity of glucose solution as a function of ammonia-water consumption rate. The feeding ratio (R C/N ) of glucose and ammonia water was predetermined via a stoichiometric approach, on the basis of glucose-ammonia water consumption rates. In a 5-L fermenter, 102 g/l L -threonine was obtained using our glucose-ammonia water combined feeding strategy, which was then successfully applied in a 500-L fermenter (89 g/l). Therefore, we conclude that an automatic combination feeding strategy is suitable for improving L-threonine production.

Trojans in habitable zones.

PubMed

Schwarz, Richard; Pilat-Lohinger, Elke; Dvorak, Rudolf; Erdi, Balint; Sándor, Zsolt

2005-10-01

With the aid of numerical experiments we examined the dynamical stability of fictitious terrestrial planets in 1:1 mean motion resonance with Jovian-like planets of extrasolar planetary systems. In our stability study of the so-called "Trojan" planets in the habitable zone, we used the restricted three-body problem with different mass ratios of the primary bodies. The application of the three-body problem showed that even massive Trojan planets can be stable in the 1:1 mean motion resonance. From the 117 extrasolar planetary systems only 11 systems were found with one giant planet in the habitable zone. Out of this sample set we chose four planetary systems--HD17051, HD27442, HD28185, and HD108874--for further investigation. To study the orbital behavior of the stable zone in the different systems, we used direct numerical computations (Lie Integration Method) that allowed us to determine the escape times and the maximum eccentricity of the fictitious "Trojan planets."

Quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation of 532 nm radiation in 25 degrees -rotated, x-cut, near-stoichiometric, lithium tantalate fabricated by vapor transport equilibration.

PubMed

Hum, D S; Route, R K; Fejer, M M

2007-04-15

Quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation of 532 nm radiation in 25 degrees -rotated, x-cut, near-stoichiometric lithium tantalate has been performed. Using a face-normal topology for frequency conversion applications allows scalable surface area to avoid surface and volume damage in high-power interactions. First-order, quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation was achieved using near-stoichiometric lithium tantalate fabricated by vapor transport equilibration. These crystals supported 1 J of 1064 nm radiation and generated 21 mJ of 532 nm radiation from a 7 ns, Q-switched Nd:YAG laser within a factor of 4.2 of expectation.

Palladium-catalyzed double carbonylation using near stoichiometric carbon monoxide: expedient access to substituted 13C2-labeled phenethylamines.

PubMed

Nielsen, Dennis U; Neumann, Karoline; Taaning, Rolf H; Lindhardt, Anders T; Modvig, Amalie; Skrydstrup, Troels

2012-07-20

A novel and general approach for (13)C(2)- and (2)H-labeled phenethylamine derivatives has been developed, based on a highly convergent single-step assembly of the carbon skeleton. The efficient incorporation of two carbon-13 isotopes into phenethylamines was accomplished using a palladium-catalyzed double carbonylation of aryl iodides with near stoichiometric carbon monoxide.

Analysis and optimization of chlorocarbon incineration through use of a detailed reaction mechanism

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

Ho, W.; Booty, M.R.; Magee, R.S.

1995-12-01

Chemical species profiles are calculated by using a detailed reaction mechanism and a reactor code that simulates a well-mixed, three-zone incineration process. The chemical systems include CH{sub 3}Cl/CH{sub 4} and CH{sub 2}Cl{sub 2}/CH{sub 4} oxidation in air at fuel equivalence ratios {phi} from 0.8 to 1.1, with additives injected at downstream positions. Combustion is characterized for temperature, principal organic hazardous constituent (POHC), and product of incomplete combustion (PIC) levels. Major PICs comprise Cl, CL{sub 2}, CO, HOCl, and COCl{sub 2} and are calculated versus time, temperature, fuel equivalence ratio, and feed conditions. Steam, H{sub 2}O{sub 2}, O{sub 2}, air, andmore » other species are injected as additives in the burnout region to discern changes i the combustion chemistry. Steam addition improves or decreases the CO/CO{sub 2} ratio at an additive mole fraction of 0.1. Atomic Cl is the active radical species of highest concentration in the initial high-temperature reaction zone when CH{sub 3}Cl is the POHC at a feed concentration above 1,200 ppm and {phi} {le} 1. Cl{sub 2} is found to be a major PIC under fuel-lean and stoichiometric conditions, while CO is a major PIC under fuel-rich conditions. Reduction of combined CO and Cl{sub 2} levels in the incinerator stack effluent is achieved by operation at stoichiometric conditions or slightly fuel-lean with the controlled addition of high-temperature steam.« less

Study of intensification zones in a rectangular acoustic cavity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peretti, Linda F.; Dowell, Earl H.

1992-01-01

The interior acoustic field of a rectangular acoustic cavity, which is excited by the structural vibration of one of its walls, or a portion of the wall, has been studied. Particularly, the spatial variations of sound pressure levels from the peak levels at the boundaries (intensification zones) to the uniform interior are considered. Analytical expressions, which describe the intensification zones, are obtained using the methodology of asymptotic modal analysis. These results agree well with results computed by a discrete summation over all of the modes. The intensification zones were also modeled as a set of oblique waves incident upon a surface. The result for a rigid surface agrees with the asymptotic modal analysis result. In the presence of an absorptive surface, the character of the intensification zone is dramatically changed. The behavior of the acoustic field near an absorptive wall is described by an expression containing the rigid wall result plus additional terms containing impedance information. The important parameter in the intensification zone analysis is the bandwidth to center frequency ratio. The effect of bandwidth is separated from that of center frequency by expanding the expression about the center frequency wave number. The contribution from the bandwidth is second order in bandwidth to center frequency ratio.

Thermal effects in high-power CW second harmonic generation in Mg-doped stoichiometric lithium tantalate.

PubMed

Tovstonog, Sergey V; Kurimura, Sunao; Suzuki, Ikue; Takeno, Kohei; Moriwaki, Shigenori; Ohmae, Noriaki; Mio, Norikatsu; Katagai, Toshio

2008-07-21

We investigated thermal behaviors of single-pass second-harmonic generation of continuous wave green radiation with high efficiency by quasi-phase matching in periodically poled Mg-doped stoichiometric lithium tantalate (PPMgSLT). Heat generation turned out to be directly related to the green light absorption in the material. Strong relation between an upper limit of the second harmonic power and confocal parameter was found. Single-pass second-harmonic generation of 16.1 W green power was achieved with 17.6% efficiency in Mg:SLT at room temperature.

Stoichiometric requirements for trapping and gating of Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels by stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1).

PubMed

Hoover, Paul J; Lewis, Richard S

2011-08-09

Store-operated Ca(2+) entry depends critically on physical interactions of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca(2+) sensor stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) and the Ca(2+) release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) channel protein Orai1. Recent studies support a diffusion-trap mechanism in which ER Ca(2+) depletion causes STIM1 to accumulate at ER-plasma membrane (PM) junctions, where it binds to Orai1, trapping and activating mobile CRAC channels in the overlying PM. To determine the stoichiometric requirements for CRAC channel trapping and activation, we expressed mCherry-STIM1 and Orai1-GFP at varying ratios in HEK cells and quantified CRAC current (I(CRAC)) activation and the STIM1:Orai1 ratio at ER-PM junctions after store depletion. By competing for a limited amount of STIM1, high levels of Orai1 reduced the junctional STIM1:Orai1 ratio to a lower limit of 0.3-0.6, indicating that binding of one to two STIM1s is sufficient to immobilize the tetrameric CRAC channel at ER-PM junctions. In cells expressing a constant amount of STIM1, CRAC current was a highly nonlinear bell-shaped function of Orai1 expression and the minimum stoichiometry for channel trapping failed to evoke significant activation. Peak current occurred at a ratio of ∼2 STIM1:Orai1, suggesting that maximal CRAC channel activity requires binding of eight STIM1s to each channel. Further increases in Orai1 caused channel activity and fast Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation to decline in parallel. The data are well described by a model in which STIM1 binds to Orai1 with negative cooperativity and channels open with positive cooperativity as a result of stabilization of the open state by STIM1.

Inhalation exposure to cleaning products: application of a two-zone model.

PubMed

Earnest, C Matt; Corsi, Richard L

2013-01-01

In this study, modifications were made to previously applied two-zone models to address important factors that can affect exposures during cleaning tasks. Specifically, we expand on previous applications of the two-zone model by (1) introducing the source in discrete elements (source-cells) as opposed to a complete instantaneous release, (2) placing source cells in both the inner (near person) and outer zones concurrently, (3) treating each source cell as an independent mixture of multiple constituents, and (4) tracking the time-varying liquid concentration and emission rate of each constituent in each source cell. Three experiments were performed in an environmentally controlled chamber with a thermal mannequin and a simplified pure chemical source to simulate emissions from a cleaning product. Gas phase concentration measurements were taken in the bulk air and in the breathing zone of the mannequin to evaluate the model. The mean ratio of the integrated concentration in the mannequin's breathing zone to the concentration in the outer zone was 4.3 (standard deviation, σ = 1.6). The mean ratio of measured concentration in the breathing zone to predicted concentrations in the inner zone was 0.81 (σ = 0.16). Intake fractions ranged from 1.9 × 10(-3) to 2.7 × 10(-3). Model results reasonably predict those of previous exposure monitoring studies and indicate the inadequacy of well-mixed single-zone model applications for some but not all cleaning events.

Effect of [Li]/[Nb] ratio on composition and defect structure of Zr:Yb:Tm:LiNbO3 crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Chunrui; Dai, Li; Wang, Luping; Shao, Yu; Yan, Zhehua; Xu, Yuheng

2018-04-01

Zr:Yb:Tm:LiNbO3 crystals with various [Li]/[Nb] ratios (0.946, 1.05, 1.20 and 1.38) were grown by the Czochralski technique. Distribution coefficients of Zr4+, Yb3+ and Tm3+ ions were analyzed by the inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES). The influence of [Li]/[Nb] ratio on the composition and defect structure of Zr:Yb:Tm:LiNbO3 crystals was investigated by X-ray diffraction and IR transmission spectrum. The results show that as the [Li]/[Nb] ratio increases in the melt, the distribution coefficients of Yb3+ and Tm3+ ions both increase while that of Zr4+ ion deceases. When the [Li]/[Nb] ratio increases to 1.20 in the melt, Zr:Yb:Tm:LiNbO3 crystal is nearly stoichiometric. In addition, when the [Li]/[Nb] ratio reaches up to 1.38, NbLi4+ are completely replaced and Li+ starts to impel the Zr4+, Yb3+ and Tm3+ into the normal Li sites.

Ratios of molecular hydrogen line intensities in shocked gas - Evidence for cooling zones

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brand, P. W. J. L.; Moorhouse, A.; Bird, M.; Burton, M. G.; Geballe, T. R.

1988-01-01

Column densities of molecular hydrogen have been calculated from 19 infrared vibration-rotation and pure rotational line intensities measured at peak 1 of the Orion molecular outflow. The run of column density with energy level is similar to a simple coolng zone model of the line-emitting region, but is not well fitted by predictions of C-shock models current in the literature.

Predicting Biological Information Flow in a Model Oxygen Minimum Zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Louca, S.; Hawley, A. K.; Katsev, S.; Beltran, M. T.; Bhatia, M. P.; Michiels, C.; Capelle, D.; Lavik, G.; Doebeli, M.; Crowe, S.; Hallam, S. J.

2016-02-01

Microbial activity drives marine biochemical fluxes and nutrient cycling at global scales. Geochemical measurements as well as molecular techniques such as metagenomics, metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics provide great insight into microbial activity. However, an integration of molecular and geochemical data into mechanistic biogeochemical models is still lacking. Recent work suggests that microbial metabolic pathways are, at the ecosystem level, strongly shaped by stoichiometric and energetic constraints. Hence, models rooted in fluxes of matter and energy may yield a holistic understanding of biogeochemistry. Furthermore, such pathway-centric models would allow a direct consolidation with meta'omic data. Here we present a pathway-centric biogeochemical model for the seasonal oxygen minimum zone in Saanich Inlet, a fjord off the coast of Vancouver Island. The model considers key dissimilatory nitrogen and sulfur fluxes, as well as the population dynamics of the genes that mediate them. By assuming a direct translation of biocatalyzed energy fluxes to biosynthesis rates, we make predictions about the distribution and activity of the corresponding genes. A comparison of the model to molecular measurements indicates that the model explains observed DNA, RNA, protein and cell depth profiles. This suggests that microbial activity in marine ecosystems such as oxygen minimum zones is well described by DNA abundance, which, in conjunction with geochemical constraints, determines pathway expression and process rates. Our work further demonstrates how meta'omic data can be mechanistically linked to environmental redox conditions and biogeochemical processes.

The acceleration of dissolved cobalt's ecological stoichiometry due to biological uptake, remineralization, and scavenging in the Atlantic Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saito, Mak A.; Noble, Abigail E.; Hawco, Nicholas; Twining, Benjamin S.; Ohnemus, Daniel C.; John, Seth G.; Lam, Phoebe; Conway, Tim M.; Johnson, Rod; Moran, Dawn; McIlvin, Matthew

2017-10-01

The stoichiometry of biological components and their influence on dissolved distributions have long been of interest in the study of the oceans. Cobalt has the smallest oceanic inventory of inorganic micronutrients and hence is particularly vulnerable to influence by internal oceanic processes including euphotic zone uptake, remineralization, and scavenging. Here we observe not only large variations in dCo : P stoichiometry but also the acceleration of those dCo : P ratios in the upper water column in response to several environmental processes. The ecological stoichiometry of total dissolved cobalt (dCo) was examined using data from a US North Atlantic GEOTRACES transect and from a zonal South Atlantic GEOTRACES-compliant transect (GA03/3e and GAc01) by Redfieldian analysis of its statistical relationships with the macronutrient phosphate. Trends in the dissolved cobalt to phosphate (dCo : P) stoichiometric relationships were evident in the basin-scale vertical structure of cobalt, with positive dCo : P slopes in the euphotic zone and negative slopes found in the ocean interior and in coastal environments. The euphotic positive slopes were often found to accelerate towards the surface and this was interpreted as being due to the combined influence of depleted phosphate, phosphorus-sparing (conserving) mechanisms, increased alkaline phosphatase metalloenzyme production (a zinc or perhaps cobalt enzyme), and biochemical substitution of Co for depleted Zn. Consistent with this, dissolved Zn (dZn) was found to be drawn down to only 2-fold more than dCo, despite being more than 18-fold more abundant in the ocean interior. Particulate cobalt concentrations increased in abundance from the base of the euphotic zone to become ˜ 10 % of the overall cobalt inventory in the upper euphotic zone with high stoichiometric values of ˜ 400 µmol Co mol-1 P. Metaproteomic results from the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) station found cyanobacterial isoforms of the

Three Skin Zones in the Asian Upper Eyelid Pertaining to the Asian Blepharoplasty.

PubMed

Choi, Yeop; Kang, Hyun Gu; Nam, Yong Seok

2017-06-01

Natural looking double fold is an essential and aesthetically pleasing masterpiece in Asian blepharoplasty. This study aims to emphasize the 3 skin zone concept in the Asian upper blepharoplasty. The authors examined the anterior lamella of each skin zone microscopically by performing 31 double-eyelid surgeries and 11 infrabrow lifts. Characteristics of dermal components, subcutaneous tissue, and outer fascia of OOM (OFOOM) at each skin zone were documented. The authors evaluated the vertical scales of each skin zone in young and aged Asian patients who visited the first author's clinic for the primary or secondary upper blepharoplasty with ×3.5 magnifying surgical loupe. The thickness of OOM had no difference among zones 1, 2, and 3. The skin and subdermal tissue had varying characteristics according to its skin zone. At zone 1, it seemed that only thin skin was on the OOM. The anterior lamella of zone 2 seemed to consist of skin, white fascia (OFOOM) including a venous network, and OOM in a gross field. At zone 3, thick skin, thick subcutaneous fatty layer, and OOM were magnified. The OFOOM of zone 3 was not significantly identified due to a sticky adherence with OOM. At the point of vertical scales of skin zone, good eyelids have lower zone 3 ratio and higher zones 1 and 2 ratio with qualified topographic condition. The authors classified the Asian upper eyelid as with 3 skin zones. Based on its anatomical investigation, the authors can afford anthropometric data and supplemental theory for the creation of aesthetic folds.

Formation and stability of water-soluble, molecular polyelectrolyte complexes: effects of charge density, mixing ratio, and polyelectrolyte concentration.

PubMed

Shovsky, Alexander; Varga, Imre; Makuska, Ricardas; Claesson, Per M

2009-06-02

The formation of complexes with stoichiometric (1:1) as well as nonstoichiometric (2:1) and (1:2) compositions between oppositely charged synthetic polyelectrolytes carrying strong ionic groups and significantly different molecular weights is reported in this contribution. Poly(sodium styrenesulfonate) (NaPSS) was used as polyanion, and a range of copolymers with various molar ratios of the poly(methacryloxyethyltrimethylammonium) chloride, poly(METAC), and the nonionic poly(ethylene oxide) ether methacrylate, poly(PEO45MEMA), were used as polycations. Formation and stability of PECs have been investigated by dynamic and static light scattering (LS), turbidity, and electrophoretic mobility measurements as a function of polyelectrolyte solution concentration, charge density of the cationic polyelectrolyte, and mixing ratio. The data obtained demonstrate that in the absence of PEO45 side chains the 100% charged polymer (polyMETAC) formed insoluble PECs with PSS that precipitate from solution when exact stoichiometry is achieved. In nonstoichiometric complexes (1:2) and (2:1) large colloidally stable aggregates were formed. The presence of even a relatively small amount of PEO45 side chains (25%) in the cationic copolymer was sufficient for preventing precipitation of the formed stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric complexes. These PEC's are sterically stabilized by the PEO45 chains. By further increasing the PEO45 side-chain content (50 and 75%) of the cationic copolymer, small, water-soluble molecular complexes could be formed. The data suggest that PSS molecules and the charged backbone of the cationic brush form a compact core, and with sufficiently high PEO45 chain density (above 25%) molecular complexes are formed that are stable over prolonged times.

Purification of Germanium Crystals by Zone Refining

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kooi, Kyler; Yang, Gang; Mei, Dongming

2016-09-01

Germanium zone refining is one of the most important techniques used to produce high purity germanium (HPGe) single crystals for the fabrication of nuclear radiation detectors. During zone refining the impurities are isolated to different parts of the ingot. In practice, the effective isolation of an impurity is dependent on many parameters, including molten zone travel speed, the ratio of ingot length to molten zone width, and number of passes. By studying the theory of these influential factors, perfecting our cleaning and preparation procedures, and analyzing the origin and distribution of our impurities (aluminum, boron, gallium, and phosphorous) identified using photothermal ionization spectroscopy (PTIS), we have optimized these parameters to produce HPGe. We have achieved a net impurity level of 1010 /cm3 for our zone-refined ingots, measured with van der Pauw and Hall-effect methods. Zone-refined ingots of this purity can be processed into a detector grade HPGe single crystal, which can be used to fabricate detectors for dark matter and neutrinoless double beta decay detection. This project was financially supported by DOE Grant (DE-FG02-10ER46709) and the State Governor's Research Center.

The Influence of Water Vapor on the Stability and Processing of Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cells Made from Non-Stoichiometric Precursor Mixtures.

PubMed

Petrus, Michiel L; Hu, Yinghong; Moia, Davide; Calado, Philip; Leguy, Aurélien M A; Barnes, Piers R F; Docampo, Pablo

2016-09-22

We investigated the influence of moisture on methylammonium lead iodide perovskite (MAPbI 3 ) films and solar cells derived from non-stoichiometric precursor mixtures. We followed both the structural changes under controlled air humidity through in situ X-ray diffraction, and the electronic behavior of devices prepared from these films. A small PbI 2 excess in the films improved the stability of the perovskite compared to stoichiometric samples. We assign this to excess PbI 2 layers at the perovskite grain boundaries or to the termination of the perovskite crystals with Pb and I. In contrast, the MAI-excess films composed of smaller perovskite crystals showed increased electronic disorder and reduced device performance owing to poor charge collection. Upon exposure to moisture followed by dehydration (so-called solvent annealing), these films recrystallized to form larger, highly oriented crystals with fewer electronic defects and a remarkable improvement in photocurrent and photovoltaic efficiency. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Constraint-based stoichiometric modelling from single organisms to microbial communities

PubMed Central

Olivier, Brett G.; Bruggeman, Frank J.; Teusink, Bas

2016-01-01

Microbial communities are ubiquitously found in Nature and have direct implications for the environment, human health and biotechnology. The species composition and overall function of microbial communities are largely shaped by metabolic interactions such as competition for resources and cross-feeding. Although considerable scientific progress has been made towards mapping and modelling species-level metabolism, elucidating the metabolic exchanges between microorganisms and steering the community dynamics remain an enormous scientific challenge. In view of the complexity, computational models of microbial communities are essential to obtain systems-level understanding of ecosystem functioning. This review discusses the applications and limitations of constraint-based stoichiometric modelling tools, and in particular flux balance analysis (FBA). We explain this approach from first principles and identify the challenges one faces when extending it to communities, and discuss the approaches used in the field in view of these challenges. We distinguish between steady-state and dynamic FBA approaches extended to communities. We conclude that much progress has been made, but many of the challenges are still open. PMID:28334697

Plant–herbivore–decomposer stoichiometric mismatches and nutrient cycling in ecosystems

PubMed Central

Cherif, Mehdi; Loreau, Michel

2013-01-01

Plant stoichiometry is thought to have a major influence on how herbivores affect nutrient availability in ecosystems. Most conceptual models predict that plants with high nutrient contents increase nutrient excretion by herbivores, in turn raising nutrient availability. To test this hypothesis, we built a stoichiometrically explicit model that includes a simple but thorough description of the processes of herbivory and decomposition. Our results challenge traditional views of herbivore impacts on nutrient availability in many ways. They show that the relationship between plant nutrient content and the impact of herbivores predicted by conceptual models holds only at high plant nutrient contents. At low plant nutrient contents, the impact of herbivores is mediated by the mineralization/immobilization of nutrients by decomposers and by the type of resource limiting the growth of decomposers. Both parameters are functions of the mismatch between plant and decomposer stoichiometries. Our work provides new predictions about the impacts of herbivores on ecosystem fertility that depend on critical interactions between plant, herbivore and decomposer stoichiometries in ecosystems. PMID:23303537

Capacity Ratios to Assess the Solvency of a College’s Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience Program

PubMed Central

McClellan, Nicole H.; Byrd, Debbie C.

2013-01-01

Objective. To use the capacity ratio to determine solvency in 10 advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) offered by a college of pharmacy. Methods. Availability in each APPE was determined based on preceptor responses, and student need was tabulated from 3 preference forms. Capacity ratios were calculated by dividing preceptor availability by the sum of student requests plus 20% of student requests; ratios ≥ 1 indicated solvency. For the 3 required APPEs, minimum capacity ratios were calculated by dividing availability by the sum of student number plus 20% of the student number. When possible, the capacity ratio for the APPE was calculated by geographic zone. Results. The 3 required APPEs had statewide minimum capacity ratios that were consistent with solvency: advanced community (2.8), advanced institutional (1.6), and ambulatory care (2.5). Only 3 of 7 elective APPEs demonstrated solvency. The elective APPEs for which requests exceeded availability were association management (0.8), emergency medicine (0.8), cardiology (0.6), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) ambulatory care clinic (0.4). Analysis by zone revealed additional insolvent practice experiences in some locations. Conclusions. The capacity ratio allowed for assessment of 10 APPEs and identification of practice experience areas that need expansion. While the capacity ratio is a proposed standardized assessment, it does have some limitations, such as an inability to account for practice experience quality, scheduling conflicts, and geographic zone issues. PMID:23519687

Mineralogical and chemical characteristics of some natural jarosites

USGS Publications Warehouse

Desborough, G.A.; Smith, K.S.; Lowers, H.A.; Swayze, G.A.; Hammarstrom, J.M.; Diehl, S.F.; Leinz, R.W.; Driscoll, R.L.

2010-01-01

This paper presents a detailed study of the mineralogical, microscopic, thermal, and spectral characteristics of jarosite and natrojarosite minerals. Systematic mineralogic and chemical examination of a suite of 32 natural stoichiometric jarosite and natrojarosite samples from diverse supergene and hydrothermal environments indicates that there is only limited solid solution between Na and K at low temperatures, which suggests the presence of a solvus in the jarosite-natrojarosite system at temperatures below about 140 ??C. The samples examined in this study consist of either end members or coexisting end-member pairs of jarosite and natrojarosite. Quantitative electron-probe microanalysis data for several natural hydrothermal samples show only end-member compositions for individual grains or zones, and no detectable alkali-site deficiencies, which indicates that there is no hydronium substitution within the analytical uncertainty of the method. In addition, there is no evidence of Fe deficiencies in the natural hydrothermal samples. Hydronium-bearing jarosite was detected in only one relatively young supergene sample suggesting that terrestrial hydronium-bearing jarosites generally are unstable over geologic timescales. Unit-cell parameters of the 20 natural stoichiometric jarosites and 12 natural stoichiometric natrojarosites examined in this study have distinct and narrow ranges in the a- and c-cell dimensions. There is no overlap of these parameters at the 1?? level for the two end-member compositions. Several hydrothermal samples consist of fine-scale (2-10 ??m) intimate intergrowths of jarosite and natrojarosite, which could have resulted from solid-state diffusion segregation or growth zoning due to variations in the Na/K activity ratio of hydrothermal solutions.

Effect of shoulder to pin ratio on magnesium alloy Friction Stir Welding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Othman, N. H.; Ishak, M.; Shah, L. H.

2017-09-01

This study focuses on the effect of shoulder to pin diameter ratio on friction stir welding of magnesium alloy AZ31. Two pieces of AZ31 alloy with thickness of 2 mm were friction stir welded by using conventional milling machine. The shoulder to pin diameter ratio used in this experiment are 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.33, 3.66, 4.5, 5 and 5.5. The rotational speed and welding speed used in this study are 1000 rpm and 100 mm/min, respectively. Microstructure observation of welded area was studied by using optical microscope. Equiaxed grains were observed at the TMAZ and stir zone indicating fully plastic deformation. The grain size of stir zone increased with decreasing shoulder to pin ratio from ratio 3.33 to 5.5 due to higher heat input. It is observed that, surface galling and faying surface defect is produced when excessive heat input is applied. To evaluate the mechanical properties of this specimen, tensile test was used in this study. Shoulder to pin ratio 5.5 shows lowest tensile strength while shoulder to pin diameter ratio 3.33 shows highest tensile strength with weld efficiency 91 % from based metal.

Environmental modeling of uranium interstitial compositions of non-stoichiometric oxides: experimental and theoretical analysis.

PubMed

Ivanova, Bojidarka

2016-10-01

Study of uranium interstitial compositions of non-stoichiometric oxides UO2+x (x ∈ 0.1-0.02) in gas and condense phases has been presented, using various soft-ionization mass spectrometric methods such as ESI-, APCI-, and MALDI-MS at a wide dynamic temperature gradient (∈ 25-300 °C). Linearly polarized vibrational spectroscopy has been utilized in order to assign unambiguously, the vibrational frequencies of uranium non-stoichiometric oxides. Experimental design has involved xUO2.66·yUO2.33, xUO2.66·yUO2.33/SiO2, xUO2.66·yUO2.33/SiO2 (NaOH) and SiO2/x'NaOH·y'UO2(NO3)2·6H2O, multicomponent systems (x = 1, y ∈ 0.1-1.0 and x' = 1, y' ∈ 0.1-0.6) as well as phase transitions UO2(NO3)2·6H2O → {U4O9(UO2.25)} → U3O7(UO2.33) → U3O8(UO2.66) → {UO3}, thus ensuring a maximal representativeness to real environmental conditions, where diverse chemical, geochemical and biochemical reactions, including complexation and sorption onto minerals have occurred. Experimental factors such as UV-irradiation, pH, temperature, concentration levels, solvent types and ion strength have been taken into consideration, too. As far as uranium speciation represents a challenging analytical task in terms of chemical identification diverse coordination species, mechanistic aspects relating incorporation of oxygen into UO 2+x form the shown full methods validation significantly impacts the field of environmental radioanalytical chemistry. UO2 is the most commonly used fuel in nuclear reactors around the globe; however, a large non-stoichiometric range ∈ UO1.65-UO2.25 has occurred due to radiolysis of water on UO2 surface yielding to H2O2, OH(·), and more. Each of those compositions has different oxygen diffusion. And in this respect enormous effort has been concentrated to study the potential impact of hazardous radionuclide on the environment, encompassing from the reprocessing to the disposal stages of the fuel waste, including the waste itself, the

Thermodynamics of stoichiometric biochemical networks in living systems far from equilibrium.

PubMed

Qian, Hong; Beard, Daniel A

2005-04-22

The principles of thermodynamics apply to both equilibrium and nonequilibrium biochemical systems. The mathematical machinery of the classic thermodynamics, however, mainly applies to systems in equilibrium. We introduce a thermodynamic formalism for the study of metabolic biochemical reaction (open, nonlinear) networks in both time-dependent and time-independent nonequilibrium states. Classical concepts in equilibrium thermodynamics-enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy of biochemical reaction systems-are generalized to nonequilibrium settings. Chemical motive force, heat dissipation rate, and entropy production (creation) rate, key concepts in nonequilibrium systems, are introduced. Dynamic equations for the thermodynamic quantities are presented in terms of the key observables of a biochemical network: stoichiometric matrix Q, reaction fluxes J, and chemical potentials of species mu without evoking empirical rate laws. Energy conservation and the Second Law are established for steady-state and dynamic biochemical networks. The theory provides the physiochemical basis for analyzing large-scale metabolic networks in living organisms.

Ultraviolet-infrared laser-induced domain inversion in MgO-doped congruent LiNbO3 and near stoichiometric LiTaO3 crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhi, Ya'nan; Qu, Weijuan; Liu, De'an; Sun, Jianfeng; Yan, Aimin; Liu, Liren

2008-08-01

Laser-induced domain inversion is a promising technique for domain engineering in LiNbO3 and LiTaO3. The ultraviolet-infrared laser induced domain inversions in MgO-doped congruent LiNbO3 and near stoichiometric LiTaO3 crystals are investigated for the first time here. Within the wavelength range from 351 to 799 nm, the different reductions of nucleation field induced by the focused continuous laser irradiation are systematically investigated in the MgO-doped congruent LiNbO3 crystals. The investigation of ultrashort-pulse laser-induced domain inversion in MgO-doped congruent LiNbO3 is performed with 800 nm wavelength irradiation. The focused continuous ultraviolet laser-induced ferroelectric domain inversion in the near stoichiometric LiTaO3 is also investigated. The different physical explanations, based on space charge field and defect formation, are presented for the laser-induced domain inversion, and the solid experimental proofs are also presented. The results provide the solid experimental proofs and feasible schemes for the further investigation of laser-induced domain engineering in MgO-doped LiNbO3 and near stoichiometric LiTaO3 crystals. The important characteristics of domain inversion, including domain wall and internal field, in LiNbO3 crystals are also investigated by the digital holographic interferometry with an improved reconstruction method, and some creative experimental results and conclusions are achieved.

Composition-ratio influence on resistive switching behavior of solution-processed InGaZnO-based thin-film.

PubMed

Hwang, Yeong-Hyeon; Hwang, Inchan; Cho, Won-Ju

2014-11-01

The influence of composition ratio on the bipolar resistive switching behavior of resistive switching memory devices based on amorphous indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (a-IGZO) using the spin-coating process was investigated. To study the stoichiometric effects of the a-IGZO films on device characteristics, four devices with In/Ga/Zn stoichiometries of 1:1:1, 3:1:1, 1:3:1, and 1:1:3 were fabricated and characterized. The 3:1:1 film showed an ohmic behavior and the 1:1:3 film showed a rectifying switching behavior. The current-voltage characteristics of the a-IGZO films with stoichiometries of 1:1:1 and 1:3:1, however, showed a bipolar resistive memory switching behavior. We found that the three-fold increase in the gallium content ratio reduces the reset voltage from -0.9 to - 0.4 V and enhances the current ratio of high to low resistive states from 0.7 x 10(1) to 3 x 10(1). Our results show that the increase in the Ga composition ratio in the a-IGZO-based ReRAM cells effectively improves the device performance and reliability by increasing the initial defect density in the a-IGZO films.

DNA flow cytometry of human spermatozoa: consistent stoichiometric staining of sperm DNA using a novel decondensation protocol.

PubMed

Kovács, Tamás; Békési, Gyöngyi; Fábián, Akos; Rákosy, Zsuzsa; Horváth, Gábor; Mátyus, László; Balázs, Margit; Jenei, Attila

2008-10-01

Rapid flow cytometric measurement of the frequency of aneuploid human sperms is in increasing demand but development of an exploitable method is hindered by difficulties of stoichiometric staining of sperm DNA. An aggressive decondensation protocol is needed after which cell integrity still remains intact. We used flow cytometry to examine the effect of lithium diiodosalicylate (LIS, chaotropic agent) on fluorescence intensity of propidium iodide-treated human spermatozoa from 10 normozoospermic men. When flow cytometric identification of diploid spermatozoa was achieved, validation was performed after sorting by three-color FISH. In contrast with the extremely variable histograms of nondecondensed sperms, consistent identification of haploid and diploid spermatozoa was possible if samples were decondensed with LIS prior to flow cytometry. A 76-fold enrichment of diploid sperms was observed in the sorted fractions by FISH. A significant correlation was found between the proportion of sorted cells and of diploid sperms by FISH. Application of LIS during the preparation of sperm for flow cytometry appears to ensure the stoichiometric staining of sperm DNA, making quantification of aneuploid sperm percentage possible. To our knowledge this is the first report in terms of separating spermatozoa with confirmedly abnormal chromosomal content. High correlation between the proportion of cells identified as having double DNA content by flow cytometry and diploid sperm by FISH allows rapid calculation of diploidy rate. Copyright 2008 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.

Enhanced hexose fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae through integration of stoichiometric modeling and genetic screening.

PubMed

Quarterman, Josh; Kim, Soo Rin; Kim, Pan-Jun; Jin, Yong-Su

2015-01-20

In order to determine beneficial gene deletions for ethanol production by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we performed an in silico gene deletion experiment based on a genome-scale metabolic model. Genes coding for two oxidative phosphorylation reactions (cytochrome c oxidase and ubiquinol cytochrome c reductase) were identified by the model-based simulation as potential deletion targets for enhancing ethanol production and maintaining acceptable overall growth rate in oxygen-limited conditions. Since the two target enzymes are composed of multiple subunits, we conducted a genetic screening study to evaluate the in silico results and compare the effect of deleting various portions of the respiratory enzyme complexes. Over two-thirds of the knockout mutants identified by the in silico study did exhibit experimental behavior in qualitative agreement with model predictions, but the exceptions illustrate the limitation of using a purely stoichiometric model-based approach. Furthermore, there was a substantial quantitative variation in phenotype among the various respiration-deficient mutants that were screened in this study, and three genes encoding respiratory enzyme subunits were identified as the best knockout targets for improving hexose fermentation in microaerobic conditions. Specifically, deletion of either COX9 or QCR9 resulted in higher ethanol production rates than the parental strain by 37% and 27%, respectively, with slight growth disadvantages. Also, deletion of QCR6 led to improved ethanol production rate by 24% with no growth disadvantage. The beneficial effects of these gene deletions were consistently demonstrated in different strain backgrounds and with four common hexoses. The combination of stoichiometric modeling and genetic screening using a systematic knockout collection was useful for narrowing a large set of gene targets and identifying targets of interest. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electrodeposited non-stoichiometric tungstic acid for electrochromic applications: film growth modes, crystal structure, redox behavior and stability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pugolovkin, Leonid V.; Cherstiouk, Olga V.; Plyasova, Lyudmila M.; Molina, Irina Yu.; Kardash, Tatyana Yu.; Stonkus, Olga A.; Yatsenko, Dmitriy A.; Kaichev, Vasily V.; Tsirlina, Galina A.

2016-12-01

Bath composition for cathodic electrodeposition of non-stoichiometric hydrated tungstic acid with high electrochromic efficiency is optimized with account for selective electroreduction of certain isopolytungstates. XRD data for thin electrodeposited films and chemically synthesized bulk tungstic acid dihydrate are compared in the context of reversible oxidation and reduction in hydrogen atmosphere, in presence of Pt catalyst. XPS and TEM techniques are attracted to understand the nature of reversible and less reversible transformations of films in the course of their storage and operation.

Evaluation of electrical impedance ratio measurements in accuracy of electronic apex locators.

PubMed

Kim, Pil-Jong; Kim, Hong-Gee; Cho, Byeong-Hoon

2015-05-01

The aim of this paper was evaluating the ratios of electrical impedance measurements reported in previous studies through a correlation analysis in order to explicit it as the contributing factor to the accuracy of electronic apex locator (EAL). The literature regarding electrical property measurements of EALs was screened using Medline and Embase. All data acquired were plotted to identify correlations between impedance and log-scaled frequency. The accuracy of the impedance ratio method used to detect the apical constriction (APC) in most EALs was evaluated using linear ramp function fitting. Changes of impedance ratios for various frequencies were evaluated for a variety of file positions. Among the ten papers selected in the search process, the first-order equations between log-scaled frequency and impedance were in the negative direction. When the model for the ratios was assumed to be a linear ramp function, the ratio values decreased if the file went deeper and the average ratio values of the left and right horizontal zones were significantly different in 8 out of 9 studies. The APC was located within the interval of linear relation between the left and right horizontal zones of the linear ramp model. Using the ratio method, the APC was located within a linear interval. Therefore, using the impedance ratio between electrical impedance measurements at different frequencies was a robust method for detection of the APC.

Fracture process zone in granite

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zang, A.; Wagner, F.C.; Stanchits, S.; Janssen, C.; Dresen, G.

2000-01-01

In uniaxial compression tests performed on Aue granite cores (diameter 50 mm, length 100 mm), a steel loading plate was used to induce the formation of a discrete shear fracture. A zone of distributed microcracks surrounds the tip of the propagating fracture. This process zone is imaged by locating acoustic emission events using 12 piezoceramic sensors attached to the samples. Propagation velocity of the process zone is varied by using the rate of acoustic emissions to control the applied axial force. The resulting velocities range from 2 mm/s in displacement-controlled tests to 2 ??m/s in tests controlled by acoustic emission rate. Wave velocities and amplitudes are monitored during fault formation. P waves transmitted through the approaching process zone show a drop in amplitude of 26 dB, and ultrasonic velocities are reduced by 10%. The width of the process zone is ???9 times the grain diameter inferred from acoustic data but is only 2 times the grain size from optical crack inspection. The process zone of fast propagating fractures is wider than for slow ones. The density of microcracks and acoustic emissions increases approaching the main fracture. Shear displacement scales linearly with fracture length. Fault plane solutions from acoustic events show similar orientation of nodal planes on both sides of the shear fracture. The ratio of the process zone width to the fault length in Aue granite ranges from 0.01 to 0.1 inferred from crack data and acoustic emissions, respectively. The fracture surface energy is estimated from microstructure analysis to be ???2 J. A lower bound estimate for the energy dissipated by acoustic events is 0.1 J. Copyright 2000 by the American Geophysical Union.

Effect of reservoir zones and hedging factor dynamism on reservoir adaptive capacity for climate change impacts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adeloye, Adebayo J.; Soundharajan, Bankaru-Swamy

2018-06-01

When based on the zones of available water in storage, hedging has traditionally used a single hedged zone and a constant rationing ratio for constraining supply during droughts. Given the usual seasonality of reservoir inflows, it is also possible that hedging could feature multiple hedged zones and temporally varying rationing ratios but very few studies addressing this have been reported especially in relation to adaptation to projected climate change. This study developed and tested Genetic Algorithms (GA) optimised zone-based operating policies of various configurations using data for the Pong reservoir, Himachal Pradesh, India. The results show that hedging does lessen vulnerability, which dropped from ≥ 60 % without hedging to below 25 % with the single stage hedging. More complex hedging policies, e.g. two stage and/or temporally varying rationing ratios only produced marginal improvements in performance. All this shows that water hedging policies do not have to be overly complex to effectively offset reservoir vulnerability caused by water shortage resulting from e.g. projected climate change.

Msn2 Coordinates a Stoichiometric Gene Expression Program

PubMed Central

Stewart-Ornstein, Jacob; Nelson, Christopher; DeRisi, Joe; Weissman, Jonathan S.; El-Samad, Hana

2014-01-01

Summary Background Many cellular processes operate in an “analog” regime in which the magnitude of the response is precisely tailored to the intensity of the stimulus. In order to maintain the coherence of such responses, the cell must provide for proportional expression of multiple target genes across a wide dynamic range of induction states. Our understanding of the strategies used to achieve graded gene regulation is limited. Results In this work, we document a relationship between stress responsive gene expression and the transcription factor Msn2 that is graded over a large range of Msn2 cocnentrations. We use computational modeling, in vivo, and in vitro analysis to dissect the roots of this relationship. Our studies reveal a simple and general strategy based on non-cooperative low-affinity interactions between Msn2 and its cognate binding sites, as well as competition over a large number of Msn2 binding sites in the genome relative to the number of Msn2 molecules. Conclusions In addition to enabling precise tuning of gene expression to the state of the environment, this strategy ensures co-linear activation of target genes, allowing for stoichiometric expression of large groups of genes without extensive promoter tuning. Furthermore, such a strategy enables precise modulation of the activity of any given promoter by addition of binding sites without altering the qualitative relationship between different genes in a regulon. This feature renders a given regulon highly ‘evolvable’. PMID:24210615

Sedimentation and mobility of PDCs: a reappraisal of ignimbrites' aspect ratio.

PubMed

Giordano, Guido; Doronzo, Domenico M

2017-06-30

The aspect ratio of ignimbrites is a commonly used parameter that has been related to the energy of the parent pyroclastic density currents (PDCs). However this parameter, calculated as the ratio between the average thickness and the average lateral extent of ignimbrites, does not capture fundamental differences in pyroclastic flow mobility nor relates to lithofacies variations of the final deposits. We herein introduce the "topological aspect ratio" (ARt) as the ratio of the local deposit thickness (Ht) to the distance between the local site and the maximum runout distance (Lt), where Ht is a proxy for the PDC tendency to deposit, and Lt a proxy for the PDC mobility or its tendency to further transport the pyroclastic material. The positive versus negative spatial gradient d(ARt)/dx along flow paths discriminate zones where PDCs are forced (i.e. where they transport the total energy under the action of mass discharge rate) from zones where they are inertial (i.e. where they transport the total energy under the action of viscous or turbulent fluidization). Though simple to apply, the topological aspect ratio and its spatial gradient are powerful descriptors of the interplay between sedimentation and mobility of PDCs, and of the resulting lithofacies variations.

A dual-slot microwave antenna for more spherical ablation zones: ex vivo and in vivo validation.

PubMed

Chiang, Jason; Hynes, Kieran A; Bedoya, Mariajose; Brace, Christopher L

2013-08-01

To compare the performance of a microwave antenna design with two annular slots to that of a monopole antenna design in creating a more spherical ablation zone. Animal care and use committee approval was obtained before in vivo experiments were performed. Microwave ablation zones were created by using dual-slot and monopole control antennas for 2, 5, and 10 minutes at 50 and 100 W in ex vivo bovine livers. Dual-slot and monopole antennas were then used to create ablation zones at 100 W for 5 minutes in in vivo porcine livers, which also underwent intraprocedural imaging. Ablation diameter, length, and aspect ratio (diameter ÷ length) were measured at gross pathologic examination and compared at each combination of power and time by using the paired Student t test. A P value less than .05 was considered to indicate a significant difference. Aspect ratios closer to 1 reflected a more spherical ablation zone. The dual-slot antenna created ablation zones with a higher aspect ratio at 50 W for 2 minutes (0.75 vs 0.53, P = .003) and 5 minutes (0.82 vs 0.63, P = .053) than did the monopole antenna in ex vivo liver tissue, although the difference was only significant at 2 minutes. At 100 W, the dual-slot antenna had a significantly higher aspect ratio at 2 minutes (0.52 vs 0.42, P = .002). In vivo studies showed significantly higher aspect ratios at 100 W for 5 minutes (0.63 vs 0.53, respectively, P = .029). Intraprocedural imaging confirmed this characterization, showing higher rates of ablation zone growth and heating primarily at the early stages of the ablation procedure when the dual-slot antenna was used. The dual-slot microwave antenna created a more spherical ablation zone than did the monopole antenna both in vivo and ex vivo liver tissue. Greater control over power delivery can potentially extend the advantages of the dual-slot antenna design to higher power and longer treatment times.

Martensitic transformation in as-grown and annealed near-stoichiometric epitaxial Ni2MnGa thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Machain, P.; Condó, A. M.; Domenichini, P.; Pozo López, G.; Sirena, M.; Correa, V. F.; Haberkorn, N.

2015-08-01

Magnetic shape memory nanostructures have a great potential in the field of the nanoactuators. The relationship between dimensionality, microstructure and magnetism characterizes the materials performance. Here, we study the martensitic transformation in supported and free-standing epitaxial Ni47Mn24Ga29 films grown by sputtering on (0 0 1) MgO using a stoichiometric Ni2MnGa target. The films have a Curie temperature of ~390 K and a martensitic transition temperature of ~120 K. Similar transition temperatures have been observed in films with thicknesses of 1, 3 and 4 μm. Thicker films (with longer deposition time) present a wider martensitic transformation range that can be associated with small gradients in their chemical concentration due to the high vapour pressure of Mn and Ga. The magnetic anisotropy of the films shows a strong change below the martensitic transformation temperature. No features associated with variant reorientation induced by magnetic field have been observed. Annealed films in the presence of a Ni2MnGa bulk reference change their chemical composition to Ni49Mn26Ga25. The change in the chemical composition increases the martensitic transformation temperature, being closer to the stoichiometric compound, and reduces the transformation hysteresis. In addition, sharper transformations are obtained, which indicate that chemical inhomogeneities and defects are removed. Our results indicate that the properties of Ni-Mn-Ga thin films grown by sputtering can be optimized (fixing the chemical concentration and removing crystalline defects) by the annealing process, which is promising for the development of micromagnetic shape memory devices.

Low Temperature Creep of Hot-Extruded Near-Stoichiometric NiTi Shape Memory Alloy. Part I; Isothermal Creep

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raj, S. V.; Noebe, R. D.

2013-01-01

This two-part paper is the first published report on the long term, low temperature creep of hot-extruded near-stoichiometric NiTi. Constant load tensile creep tests were conducted on hot-extruded near-stoichiometric NiTi at 300, 373 and 473 K under initial applied stresses varying between 200 and 350 MPa as long as 15 months. These temperatures corresponded to the martensitic, two-phase and austenitic phase regions, respectively. Normal primary creep lasting several months was observed under all conditions indicating dislocation activity. Although steady-state creep was not observed under these conditions, the estimated creep rates varied between 10(exp -10) and 10(exp -9)/s. The creep behavior of the two phases showed significant differences. The martensitic phase exhibited a large strain on loading followed by a primary creep region accumulating a small amount of strain over a period of several months. The loading strain was attributed to the detwinning of the martensitic phase whereas the subsequent strain accumulation was attributed to dislocation glide-controlled creep. An "incubation period" was observed before the occurrence of detwinning. In contrast, the austenitic phase exhibited a relatively smaller loading strain followed by a primary creep region, where the creep strain continued to increase over several months. It is concluded that the creep of the austenitic phase occurs by a dislocation glide-controlled creep mechanism as well as by the nucleation and growth of deformation twins.

Aerodynamic and heat transfer analysis of the low aspect ratio turbine using a 3D Navier-Stokes code

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, D.; Knight, C. J.

1991-06-01

The single-stage, high-pressure ratio Garrett Low Aspect Ratio Turbine (LART) test data obtained in a shock tunnel are employed as a basis for evaluating a new three-dimensional Navier Stokes code based on the O-H grid system. It uses Coakley's two-equation turbulence modeling with viscous sublayer resolution. For the nozzle guide vanes, calculations were made based on two grid zones: an O-grid zone wrapping around airfoil and an H-grid zone outside of the O-grid zone, including the regions upstream of the leadig edge and downstream of the trailing edge. For the rotor blade row, a third O-grid zone was added for the tip-gap region leakage flow. The computational results compare well with experiment. These comparisons include heat transfer distributions on the airfoils and end-walls. The leakage flow through the tip-gap clearance is well resolved.

Small Gas Turbine Combustor Primary Zone Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sullivan, R. E.; Young, E. R.; Miles, G. A.; Williams, J. R.

1983-01-01

A development process is described which consists of design, fabrication, and preliminary test evaluations of three approaches to internal aerodynamic primary zone flow patterns: (1) conventional double vortex swirl stabilization; (2) reverse flow swirl stabilization; and (3) large single vortex flow system. Each concept incorporates special design features aimed at extending the performance capability of the small engine combustor. Since inherent geometry of these combustors result in small combustion zone height and high surface area to volume ratio, design features focus on internal aerodynamics, fuel placement, and advanced cooling. The combustors are evaluated on a full scale annular combustor rig. A correlation of the primary zone performance with the overall performance is accomplished using three intrusion type gas sampling probes located at the exit of the primary zone section. Empirical and numerical methods are used for designing and predicting the performance of the three combustor concepts and their subsequent modifications. The calibration of analytical procedures with actual test results permits an updating of the analytical design techniques applicable to small reverse flow annular combustors.

Comparison of the Tensile, Creep, and Rupture Strength Properties of Stoichiometric SiC Fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yun, H. M.; DiCarlo, J. A.

1999-01-01

Tensile strength, creep strength, and rupture strength properties were measured for the following types of polymer-derived stoichiometric SiC fibers: Hi-Nicalon Type S from Nippon Carbon, Tyranno SA from Ube, and Sylramic from Dow Corning. Also included in this study were an earlier version of the SA fiber plus two recent developmental versions of the Sylramic fiber. The tensile strength measurements were made at room temperature on as-received fibers and on fibers after high-temperature inert exposure. The creep-rupture property data were obtained at 1400 deg C in air as well as, argon. Some fiber types showed strong effects of environment on their strength properties. These results are compared and discussed in terms of underlying mechanisms and implications for ceramic composites.

EPR of Nd3+ in congruent and nearly stoichiometric lithium niobate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malovichko, G.; Grachev, V.; Okulov, S.; Kokanyan, E.; Henecker, F.; Hofstaetter, A.; Schirmer, O.

2006-02-01

The cover picture refers to the article by Galina Malovichko et al. which has been selected as Editor's Choice for this issue [1]. The lower part of the figure shows a section of the angular dependence of the EPR spectra in the xy-plane for nearly stoichiometric LiNbO3:Nd3+. The solid lines correspond to non-magnetic neodymium isotopes of axial C3 symmetry (green) and low C1 symmetry (purple and blue), respectively; the symbols represent experimental data. The upper part of the figure shows possible structures of the nearest surrounding for the C3 and C1 centers and their correspondence to the observed line positions.The first author Galina Malovichko is Associate Professor in the Physics Department at the Montana State University, USA. Her scientific activity is devoted to experimental condensed matter physics, particularly to the study of structures of extrinsic, intrinsic and radiation defects and their influence on crystal prop-erties. Her group is involved in the characterization of various materials and optimization of their parameters for advanced ap-plications.

Enrichment in a stoichiometric model of two producers and one consumer.

PubMed

Lin, Laurence Hao-Ran; Peckham, Bruce B; Stech, Harlan W; Pastor, John

2012-01-01

We consider a stoichiometric population model of two producers and one consumer. Stoichiometry can be thought of as the tracking of food quality in addition to food quantity. Our model assumes a reduced rate of conversion of biomass from producer to consumer when food quality is low. The model is open for carbon but closed for nutrient. The introduction of the second producer, which competes with the first, leads to new equilibria, new limit cycles, and new bifurcations. The focus of this paper is on the bifurcations which are the result of enrichment. The primary parameters we vary are the growth rates of both producers. Secondary variable parameters are the total nutrients in the system, and the producer nutrient uptake rates. The possible equilibria are: no-life, one-producer, coexistence of both producers, the consumer coexisting with either producer, and the consumer coexisting with both producers. We observe limit cycles in the latter three coexistence combinations. Bifurcation diagrams along with corresponding representative time series summarize the behaviours observed for this model.

Characterization of stoichiometric nanocrystalline spinel ferrites dispersed on porous silica aerogel.

PubMed

Casula, M F; Concas, G; Congiu, F; Corrias, A; Loche, D; Marras, C; Spano, G

2011-11-01

Stoichiometric magnetic nanosized ferrites MFe2O4 (M = Mn, Co, Ni) were prepared in form of nearly spherical nanocrystals supported on a highly porous silica aerogel matrix, by a sol-gel procedure. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy indicate that these materials are made out of non-agglomerated ferrite nanocrystals having size in the 5-10 nm range. Investigation by Mössbauer Spectroscopy was used to gain insights on the superparamagnetic relaxation and on the inversion degree. Magnetic ordering at room temperature varies from superparamagnetic in the NiFe2O4 sample, highly blocked (approximately 70%) in the MnFe2O4 sample and nearly fully blocked in the CoFe2O4 sample. A fitting procedure of the Mössbauer data has been used in order to resolve the spectrum into the tetrahedral and octahedral components; in this way, an inversion degree of 0.68 (very close to bulk values) was obtained for 6 nm silica-supported CoFe2O4 nanocrystals.

Studies on the retention mechanism of solutes in hydrophilic interaction chromatography using stoichiometric displacement theory I. The linear relationship of lgk' vs. lg[H2O].

PubMed

Wang, Fei; Yang, Fan; Tian, Yang; Liu, Jiawei; Shen, Jiwei; Bai, Quan

2018-01-01

A stoichiometric displacement model for retention (SDM-R) of small solutes and proteins based on hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) was presented. A linear equation that related the logarithm of the capacity factor of the solute to the logarithm of the concentration of water in the mobile phase was derived. The stoichiometric displacement parameters, Z (the number of water molecules required to displace a solute from ligands) and lgI (containing a number of constants that relate to the affinity of solute to the ligands) could be obtained from the slope and the intercept of the linear plots of lgk' vs. lg[H 2 O]. The retention behaviors and retention mechanism of 15 kinds of small solutes and 6 kinds of proteins on 5 kinds HILIC columns with different ligands were investigated with SDM-R in typical range of water concentration in mobile phase. A good linear relationship between lgk' and lg[H 2 O] demonstrated that the most rational retention mechanism of solute in HILIC was a stoichiometric displacement process between solute and solvent molecules with water as displacing agents, which was not only valid for small solutes, but also could be used to explain the retention mechanism of biopolymers in HILIC. Comparing with the partition and adsorption models in HILIC, SDM-R was superior to them. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Molecular dynamics simulation of premelting and melting phase transitions in stoichiometric uranium dioxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yakub, Eugene; Ronchi, Claudio; Staicu, Dragos

2007-09-01

Results of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of UO2 in a wide temperature range are presented and discussed. A new approach to the calibration of a partly ionic Busing-Ida-type model is proposed. A potential parameter set is obtained reproducing the experimental density of solid UO2 in a wide range of temperatures. A conventional simulation of the high-temperature stoichiometric UO2 on large MD cells, based on a novel fast method of computation of Coulomb forces, reveals characteristic features of a premelting λ transition at a temperature near to that experimentally observed (Tλ=2670K ). A strong deviation from the Arrhenius behavior of the oxygen self-diffusion coefficient was found in the vicinity of the transition point. Predictions for liquid UO2, based on the same potential parameter set, are in good agreement with existing experimental data and theoretical calculations.

Prediction of a New Phase of Cu x S near Stoichiometric Composition

DOE PAGES

Khatri, Prashant; Huda, Muhammad N.

2015-01-01

Cumore » 2 S is known to be a promising solar absorber material due to its suitable band gap and the abundance of its constituent elements. 2 S is known to have complex phase structures depending on the concentration of vacancies. Its instability of phases is due to favorable formation of vacancies and the mobility of atoms within the crystal. Understanding its phase structures is of crucial important for its application as solar absorber material. In this paper, we have predicted a new crystal phase of copper sulfide ( x S) around chemical composition of x = 1.98 by utilizing crystal database search and density functional theory. We have shown that this new crystal phase of x S is more favorable than low chalcocite structure even at stoichiometric composition of x = 2 . However, vacancy formation probability was found to be higher in this new phase than the low chalcocite structure.« less

Theory of simultaneous excitonic-superconductivity condensation II Experimental evidence and stoichiometric interpretations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, K. W.; Ching, W. Y.

1989-04-01

We discuss a variety of experimental observations which are consistent with theory of the excitonic-enhancement model (EEM) presented earlier. The experimental works discussed are: (1) isotope substitution; (2) fluorinated YBa 2Cu 3O 7- x; (3) infrared optical spectra; (4) specific heat and tunneling gap; (5) Hall effect and nuclear spin relaxation; (6) positron annihilation; (7) utrasound velocity and sound attenuation; (8) Meissner effect and critical current; (9) antiferromagnetism and oxygen deficiency; (10) flux quantization; and (11) photoemission. A simple stoichiometric interpretation on the existing high temperature superconducting oxides based on the specific stacking of chemical subsystems is also presented. It is argued that according to EEM theory, a superconducting oxide must contain two stable oxides, one having excitonic levels such as Cu 2O; the other having intrinsic hole population at the top of the valence band such as CuO. A systematic search for other potential high Tc compounds is also suggested.

Temperature Models for the Mexican Subduction Zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manea, V. C.; Kostoglodov, V.; Currie, C.; Manea, M.; Wang, K.

2002-12-01

It is well known that the temperature is one of the major factors which controls the seismogenic zone. The Mexican subduction zone is characterized by a very shallow flat subducting interplate in its central part (Acapulco, Oaxaca), and deeper subduction slabs northern (Jalisco) and southern (Chiapas). It has been proposed that the seismogenic zone is controlled, among other factors, by a temperature. Therefore, we have developed four two-dimensional steady state thermal models for Jalisco, Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas. The updip limit of the seismogenic zone is taken between 100 §C and 150 §C, while the downdip limit is thought to be at 350 §C because of the transition from stick-slip to stable-sliding. The shape of the subducting plate is inferred from gravity and seismicity. The convergence velocity between oceanic and continental lithospheric plates is taken as the following: 5 cm/yr for Jalisco profile, 5.5 for Guerrero profile, 5.8 for Oaxaca profile, and 7.8 for Chiapas profile. The age of the subducting plates, since they are young, and provides the primary control on the forearc thermal structure, are as the following: 11 My for Jalisco profile, 14.5 My for Guerrero profile, 15 My for Oaxaca profile, and 28 My for Chiapas profile. We also introduced in the models a small quantity of frictional heating (pore pressure ratio 0.98). The value of 0.98 for pore pressure ratio was obtained for the Guerrero profile, in order to fit the intersection between the 350 §C isotherm and the subducting plate at 200 Km from trench. The value of 200 km coupling zone from trench is inferred from GPS data for the steady interseismic period and also for the last slow aseismic slip that occurred in Guerrero in 2002. We have used this value of pore pressure ratio (0.98) for all the other profiles. For the others three profiles we obtained the following coupling extents: Jalisco - 100 km, Oaxaca - 170 km and Chiapas - 125 km (from the trench). Independent constrains of the

Computer-aided design of high-contact-ratio gears for minimum dynamic load and stress

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, Hsiang Hsi; Lee, Chinwai; Oswald, Fred B.; Townsend, Dennis P.

1990-01-01

A computer aided design procedure is presented for minimizing dynamic effects on high contact ratio gears by modification of the tooth profile. Both linear and parabolic tooth profile modifications of high contact ratio gears under various loading conditions are examined and compared. The effects of the total amount of modification and the length of the modification zone were systematically studied at various loads and speeds to find the optimum profile design for minimizing the dynamic load and the tooth bending stress. Parabolic profile modification is preferred over linear profile modification for high contact ratio gears because of its lower sensitivity to manufacturing errors. For parabolic modification, a greater amount of modification at the tooth tip and a longer modification zone are required. Design charts are presented for high contact ratio gears with various profile modifications operating under a range of loads. A procedure is illustrated for using the charts to find the optimum profile design.

125Te NMR and Seebeck Effect in Bi 2Te 3 Synthesized from Stoichiometric and Te-Rich Melts

DOE PAGES

Levin, E. M.; Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA; Riedemann, T. M.; ...

2016-10-14

Bi 2Te 3 is a well-known thermoelectric material and, as a new form of quantum matter, a topological insulator. Variation of local chemical composition in Bi2Te3 results in formation of several types of atomic defects, including Bi and Te vacancies and Bi and Te antisite defects; these defects can strongly affect material functionality via generation of free electrons and/or holes. Nonuniform distribution of atomic defects produces electronic inhomogeneity, which can be detected by 125Te nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Here we report on 125Te NMR and Seebeck effect (heat to electrical energy conversion) for two single crystalline samples: (#1) grown frommore » stoichiometric composition by Bridgman technique and (#2) grown out of Te-rich, high temperature flux. The Seebeck coefficients of these samples show p- and n-type conductivity, respectively, arising from different atomic defects. 125Te NMR spectra and spin–lattice relaxation measurements demonstrate that both Bi 2Te 3 samples are electronically inhomogeneous at the atomic scale, which can be attributed to a different Te environment due to spatial variation of the Bi/Te ratio and formation of atomic defects. In conclusion, correlations between 125Te NMR spectra, spin–lattice relaxation times, the Seebeck coefficients, carrier concentrations, and atomic defects are discussed. Our data demonstrate that 125Te NMR is an effective probe to study antisite defects in Bi 2Te 3.« less

125Te NMR and Seebeck Effect in Bi 2Te 3 Synthesized from Stoichiometric and Te-Rich Melts

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

Levin, E. M.; Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA; Riedemann, T. M.

Bi 2Te 3 is a well-known thermoelectric material and, as a new form of quantum matter, a topological insulator. Variation of local chemical composition in Bi2Te3 results in formation of several types of atomic defects, including Bi and Te vacancies and Bi and Te antisite defects; these defects can strongly affect material functionality via generation of free electrons and/or holes. Nonuniform distribution of atomic defects produces electronic inhomogeneity, which can be detected by 125Te nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Here we report on 125Te NMR and Seebeck effect (heat to electrical energy conversion) for two single crystalline samples: (#1) grown frommore » stoichiometric composition by Bridgman technique and (#2) grown out of Te-rich, high temperature flux. The Seebeck coefficients of these samples show p- and n-type conductivity, respectively, arising from different atomic defects. 125Te NMR spectra and spin–lattice relaxation measurements demonstrate that both Bi 2Te 3 samples are electronically inhomogeneous at the atomic scale, which can be attributed to a different Te environment due to spatial variation of the Bi/Te ratio and formation of atomic defects. In conclusion, correlations between 125Te NMR spectra, spin–lattice relaxation times, the Seebeck coefficients, carrier concentrations, and atomic defects are discussed. Our data demonstrate that 125Te NMR is an effective probe to study antisite defects in Bi 2Te 3.« less

THE FORMATION OF DETONATION IN SATURATED MIXTURES OF KNALLGAS-STEAM AND IN STOICHIOMETRIC MIXTURES OF DEUTERIUM-OXYGEN (HEAVY WATER). Final Report

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

Luker, J.A.; Adler, L.B.; Hobaica, E.C.

1959-01-23

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the reaction characteristics of satuated mixtures of knall gas (stoichiometric mixture of hydrogen and oxygen) --steam and mixtures of heavy knall gas (stoichm-ometric mixture of deuterion and oxygen) saturated with heavy water. These mixtues were studied experimentally over composition ranges from no reaction limit to enriched compositions which supported detonations. (auth)

Competitive coexistence in stoichiometric chaos.

PubMed

Deng, Bo; Loladze, Irakli

2007-09-01

Classical predator-prey models, such as Lotka-Volterra, track the abundance of prey, but ignore its quality. Yet, in the past decade, some new and occasionally counterintuitive effects of prey quality on food web dynamics emerged from both experiments and mathematical modeling. The underpinning of this work is the theory of ecological stoichiometry that is centered on the fact that each organism is a mixture of multiple chemical elements such as carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P). The ratios of these elements can vary within and among species, providing simple ways to represent prey quality as its C:N or C:P ratios. When these ratios modeled to vary, as they frequently do in nature, seemingly paradoxical results can arise such as the extinction of a predator that has an abundant and accessible prey. Here, for the first time, we show analytically that the reduction in prey quality can give rise to chaotic oscillations. In particular, when competing predators differ in their sensitivity to prey quality then all species can coexist via chaotic fluctuations. The chaos generating mechanism is based on the existence of a junction-fold point on the nullcline surfaces of the species. Conditions on parameters are found for such a point, and the singular perturbation method and the kneading sequence analysis are used to demonstrate the existence of a period-doubling cascade to chaos as a result of the point.

A genomic perspective on stoichiometric regulation of soil carbon cycling.

PubMed

Hartman, Wyatt H; Ye, Rongzhong; Horwath, William R; Tringe, Susannah G

2017-12-01

Similar to plant growth, soil carbon (C) cycling is constrained by the availability of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). We hypothesized that stoichiometric control over soil microbial C cycling may be shaped by functional guilds with distinct nutrient substrate preferences. Across a series of rice fields spanning 5-25% soil C (N:P from 1:12 to 1:70), C turnover was best correlated with P availability and increased with experimental N addition only in lower C (mineral) soils with N:P⩽16. Microbial community membership also varied with soil stoichiometry but not with N addition. Shotgun metagenome data revealed changes in community functions with increasing C turnover, including a shift from aromatic C to carbohydrate utilization accompanied by lower N uptake and P scavenging. Similar patterns of C, N and P acquisition, along with higher ribosomal RNA operon copy numbers, distinguished that microbial taxa positively correlated with C turnover. Considering such tradeoffs in genomic resource allocation patterns among taxa strengthened correlations between microbial community composition and C cycling, suggesting simplified guilds amenable to ecosystem modeling. Our results suggest that patterns of soil C turnover may reflect community-dependent metabolic shifts driven by resource allocation strategies, analogous to growth rate-stoichiometry coupling in animal and plant communities.

Theoretical and experimental separation dynamics in capillary zone electrophoresis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thormann, Wolfgang; Michaud, Jon-Pierre; Mosher, Richard A.

1986-01-01

The mathematical model of Bier et al. (1983) is used in a computer aided analysis of the conditions in capillary zone electrophoresis (ZE) under which sample zones migrate noninteractively with the carrier electrolyte. The monitoring of sample zones with a capillary analyzer that features both on-line conductivity and UV detection at the end of the separation trough is discussed. Data from a ZE analysis of a 5-component mixture are presented, and it is noted that all five components can be monitored via their conductivity change if enough sample is present. It is suggested from the results that the concentration ratio of background buffer to sample should be a minimum of 100:1 to effectively apply the plate concept to ZE.

Determination of nitrogen to carbon abundance ratios from transition layer emission lines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boehm-Vitense, Erika

1992-01-01

We have finished studying the nitrogen to carbon abundance ratios for stars with different effective temperatures T(sub eff) and luminosities using transition layer emission lines and using spectra available in the IUE archives. The N/C abundance ratio determinations using transition layer emission lines are as accurate as the photospheric abundance determinations as found by comparison of results obtained by both methods for the same stars. Our measurements confirm photospheric abundance determinations in regions of the HR diagram where they can be obtained. Our studies have extended the temperature range to higher temperatures. They have shown the exact positions in the HR diagram where the mixing due to the outer convection zones reaches deep enough to bring nuclear processed material to the surface. This occurs at effective temperatures which are higher by delta log T(sub eff) approximately 0.04 or roughly 400 K than expected theoretically. Since the depth of the convection zone increases rapidly with decreasing T(sub eff) this may indicate considerable overshoot beyond the lower boundary of the convection zone. Our N/C abundance ratio determinations from transition layer emission lines have confirmed that the actual enrichment observed for some cool giants is larger than expected theoretically, again indicating a larger degree of mixing in several stars either from below or from above. For the supergiants it probably indicates overshoot above the convective core in the progenitor main sequence stars. For the more massive giants this may also be the case, though we did not find a correlation between delta log N/C and the absolute magnitudes, but these are rather uncertain. As byproducts of these studies we also found anomalies in Si/C and N/C abundance ratios for F giants which can be understood as the relict of surface abundance changes for their main sequence progenitors due to diffusion. This anomaly disappears for G giants, for which the depths of the

Type 1a endoleak following Zone 1 and Zone 2 thoracic endovascular aortic repair: effect of bird-beak configuration.

PubMed

Kudo, Tomoaki; Kuratani, Toru; Shimamura, Kazuo; Sakamoto, Tomohiko; Kin, Keiwa; Masada, Kenta; Shijo, Takayuki; Torikai, Kei; Maeda, Koichi; Sawa, Yoshiki

2017-10-01

Type 1a endoleak is one of the most severe complications after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), because it carries the risk of aortic rupture. The association between bird-beak configuration and Type 1a endoleak remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to analyse the predictors of Type 1a endoleak following Zone 1 and Zone 2 TEVAR, with a particular focus on the effect of bird-beak configuration. From April 2008 to July 2015, 105 patients (mean age 68.6 years) who underwent Zone 1 and 2 landing TEVAR were enrolled, with a mean follow-up period of 4.3 years. The patients were categorized into 2 groups, according to the presence (Group B, n = 32) or the absence (Group N, n = 73) of bird-beak configuration on the first postoperative multidetector computed tomography. The Kaplan-Meier event-free rate curve showed that Type 1a endoleak and bird-beak progression occurred less frequently in Group N than in Group B. Five-year freedom from Type 1a endoleak rates were 79.7% and 100% for Groups B and N, respectively (P = 0.007). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that dissecting aortic aneurysm (odds ratio 3.72, 95% confidence interval 1.30-11.0; P = 0.014) and shorter radius of inner curvature (odds ratio 1.09, 95% confidence interval 0.85-0.99; P = 0.025) were significant risk factors for bird-beak configuration. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression showed that Z-type stent graft (hazard ratio 2.69, 95% confidence interval 1.11-6.51; P = 0.030) was a significant risk factor for bird-beak progression. Appropriate stent grafts need to be chosen carefully to prevent Type 1a endoleak and bird-beak configuration after landing Zone 1 and 2 TEVAR. Patients with bird-beak configuration on early postoperative multidetector computed tomography require closer follow-up to screen for Type 1a endoleak. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio

In-situ measurement of sulfur isotopic ratios in zoned apatite crystals via SIMS: a new tool for interpreting dynamic sulfur behavior in magmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Economos, R. C.; Boehnke, P.; Burgisser, A.

2017-12-01

Sulfur is an important element in igneous systems due to its impact on magma redox, its role in the formation of economically valuable ore deposits, and the influence of catastrophic volcanogenic sulfur degassing on global climate. The mobility and geochemical behavior of sulfur in magmas is complex due to its multi-valent (from S2- to S6+) and multi-phase (solid, immiscible liquid, gaseous, dissolved ions) nature. Sulfur behavior is closely linked with the evolution of oxygen fugacity (fO2) in magmas; the record of fO2 evolution is often difficult to extract from rock records, particularly for intrusive systems that undergo cyclical magmatic processes and crystallize to the solidus. We apply a novel method of measuring S isotopic ratios via secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) in zoned apatite crystals that we interpret as a record of open-system magmatic processes. We analyzed the S concentration and isotopic variations preserved in multiple apatite crystals from single hand specimens from the Cadiz Valley Batholith, CA via electron microprobe and ion microprobe at UCLA. A single, isotopically homogeneous crystal of Durango apatite was characterized for absolute isotopic ratio for this study (UCLA-D1). Isotopic variations in single apatite crystals ranged from 0 to 3.8‰ δ34S and total variation within a single hand sample was 6.1‰ δ34S. High S concentration cores yielded high isotopic ratios while low S concentration rims yielded low isotopic ratios. We favor an explanation of a combination of magma mixing and open-system, ascent-driven degassing under moderately reduced conditions: fO2 at or below NNO +1, although the synchronous crystallization of apatite and anhydrite is also a viable scenario. These findings have implications for the coupled S and fO2 evolution of granitic plutons and suggest that in-situ apatite S isotopic measurements could be a powerful new tool for evaluating redox and S systematics in magmatic systems.

Correlation of apparent diffusion coefficient ratio on 3.0 T MRI with prostate cancer Gleason score.

PubMed

Jyoti, Rajeev; Jain, Tarun Pankaj; Haxhimolla, Hodo; Liddell, Heath; Barrett, Sean Edward

2018-01-01

The purpose was to investigate the usefulness of ADC ratio on Diffusion MRI to discriminate between benign and malignant lesions of Prostate. Images of patients who underwent in-gantry MRI guided prostate lesion biopsy were retrospectively analyzed. Prostate Cancers with 20% or more Gleason score (GS) pattern 3 + 3 = 6 in each core or any volume of higher Gleason score pattern were included. ADC ratio was calculated by two reviewers for each lesion. The ADC ratio was calculated for each lesion by dividing the lowest ADC value in a lesion and highest ADC value in normal prostate in peripheral zone (PZ). ADC ratio values were compared with the biopsy result. Data was analysed using independent samples T-test, Spearman correlation, intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. 45 lesions in 33 patients were analyzed. 12 lesions were in transitional zone (TZ) and 33 in perpheral zone PZ. All lesions demonstrated an ADC ratio of 0.45 or lower. GS demonstrated a negative correlation with both the ADC value and ADC ratio . However, ADC ratio (p < 0.001) demonstrated a stronger correlation compared to ADC value alone (p = 0.014). There was no significant statistical difference between GS 3 + 4 and GS 4 + 3 mean ADC tumour value (p = 0.167). However when using ADC ratio , there was a significant difference (p = 0.032). ROC curve analysis demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.83 using ADC ratio and 0.76 when using ADC tumour value when discriminating Gleason 6 from Gleason ≥7 tumours. Inter-observer reliability in the calculation of ADC ratios was excellent, with ICC of 0.964. ADC ratio is a reliable and reproducible tool in quantification of diffusion restriction for clinically significant prostate cancer foci.

Cavity-dumped femtosecond optical parametric oscillator based on periodically poled stoichiometric lithium tantalate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoon, E.; Joo, T.

2016-03-01

A synchronously pumped cavity-dumped femtosecond optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on a periodically poled stoichiometric lithium tantalate (PPSLT) crystal is reported. The OPO runs in positive group velocity dispersion (GVD) mode to deliver high pulse energy at high repetition rate. It delivers pulse energy over 130 nJ up to 500 kHz and 70 nJ at 1 MHz of repetition rate at 1100 nm. Pulse duration is as short as 42 fs, and the OPO is tunable in the near infrared region from 1050 to 1200 nm. Dispersion property of the OPO was also explored. The cavity-dumped output carries a positive GVD, which can be compensated easily by an external prism pair, and large negative third order dispersion (TOD), which results in a pedestal in the pulse shape. Approaches to obtain clean pulse shape by reducing the large TOD are proposed.

Gapless quantum excitations from an icelike splayed ferromagnetic ground state in stoichiometric Yb 2 Ti 2 O 7

DOE PAGES

Gaudet, J.; Ross, K. A.; Kermarrec, E.; ...

2016-02-03

We know the ground state of the quantum spin ice candidate magnet Yb 2Ti 2O 7 to be sensitive to weak disorder at the similar to 1% level which occurs in single crystals grown from the melt. Powders produced by solid state synthesis tend to be stoichiometric and display large and sharp heat capacity anomalies at relatively high temperatures, T-C similar to 0.26 K. We have carried out neutron elastic and inelastic measurements on well characterized and equilibrated stoichiometric powder samples of Yb 2Ti 2O 7 which show resolution-limited Bragg peaks to appear at low temperatures, but whose onset correlatesmore » with temperatures much higher than T-C. The corresponding magnetic structure is best described as an icelike splayed ferromagnet. In the spin dynamics of Yb 2Ti 2O 7 we see the gapless on an energy scale <0.09 meV at all temperatures and organized into a continuum of scattering with vestiges of highly overdamped ferromagnetic spin waves present. These excitations differ greatly from conventional spin waves predicted for Yb 2Ti 2O 7's mean field ordered state, but appear robust to weak disorder as they are largely consistent with those displayed by nonstoichiometric crushed single crystals and single crystals, as well as by powder samples of Yb 2Ti 2O 7's sister quantum magnet Yb 2Ti 2O 7.« less

Catalytic EGR-Loop Reforming for High Efficiency in a Stoichiometric SI Engine through TCR and Dilution Limit Extension. 1. Catalyst Performance and Fuel Effects

DOE PAGES

Chang, Yan; Szybist, James P.; Pihl, Josh A.; ...

2017-12-19

The use of fuel reformate from catalytic processes is known to have beneficial effects on the spark-ignited (SI) combustion process through enhanced dilution tolerance and decreased combustion duration, but in many cases reformate generation can incur a significant fuel penalty. Here, in this two-part investigation, we demonstrate that efficient catalytic fuel reforming can result in improved brake engine efficiency while maintaining stoichiometric exhaust under the right conditions. In part one of this investigation, we used a combination of thermodynamic equilibrium calculations and experimental fuel catalytic reforming measurements on an engine to characterize the best possible reforming performance and energetics overmore » a range of equivalence ratios and O 2 concentrations. Ideally, one might expect the highest levels of thermochemical recuperation for the highest catalyst equivalence ratios. However, reforming under these conditions is highly endothermic, and the available enthalpy for reforming is constrained. Thus for relatively high equivalence ratios, more methane and less H 2 and CO are produced. Our experiments revealed that this suppression of H 2 and CO could be countered by adding small amounts of O 2, yielding as much as 15 vol % H 2 at the catalyst outlet for 4 < Φ catalyst < 7 under quasi-steady-state conditions. Under these conditions the H 2 and CO yields were highest and there was significant water consumption, confirming the presence of steam reforming reactions. Analyses of the experimental catalyst measurements indicated the possibility of both endothermic and exothermic reaction stages and global reaction rates sufficient to enable the utilization of higher space velocities than those employed in our experiments. Finally, in a companion paper detailing part two of this investigation, we present results for the engine dilution tolerance and brake engine efficiency impacts of the reforming levels achieved.« less

Catalytic EGR-Loop Reforming for High Efficiency in a Stoichiometric SI Engine through TCR and Dilution Limit Extension. 1. Catalyst Performance and Fuel Effects

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

Chang, Yan; Szybist, James P.; Pihl, Josh A.

The use of fuel reformate from catalytic processes is known to have beneficial effects on the spark-ignited (SI) combustion process through enhanced dilution tolerance and decreased combustion duration, but in many cases reformate generation can incur a significant fuel penalty. Here, in this two-part investigation, we demonstrate that efficient catalytic fuel reforming can result in improved brake engine efficiency while maintaining stoichiometric exhaust under the right conditions. In part one of this investigation, we used a combination of thermodynamic equilibrium calculations and experimental fuel catalytic reforming measurements on an engine to characterize the best possible reforming performance and energetics overmore » a range of equivalence ratios and O 2 concentrations. Ideally, one might expect the highest levels of thermochemical recuperation for the highest catalyst equivalence ratios. However, reforming under these conditions is highly endothermic, and the available enthalpy for reforming is constrained. Thus for relatively high equivalence ratios, more methane and less H 2 and CO are produced. Our experiments revealed that this suppression of H 2 and CO could be countered by adding small amounts of O 2, yielding as much as 15 vol % H 2 at the catalyst outlet for 4 < Φ catalyst < 7 under quasi-steady-state conditions. Under these conditions the H 2 and CO yields were highest and there was significant water consumption, confirming the presence of steam reforming reactions. Analyses of the experimental catalyst measurements indicated the possibility of both endothermic and exothermic reaction stages and global reaction rates sufficient to enable the utilization of higher space velocities than those employed in our experiments. Finally, in a companion paper detailing part two of this investigation, we present results for the engine dilution tolerance and brake engine efficiency impacts of the reforming levels achieved.« less

TURBULENCE, TRANSPORT, AND WAVES IN OHMIC DEAD ZONES

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

Gole, Daniel; Simon, Jacob B.; Armitage, Philip J.

We use local numerical simulations to study a vertically stratified accretion disk with a resistive mid-plane that damps magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence. This is an idealized model for the dead zones that may be present at some radii in protoplanetary and dwarf novae disks. We vary the relative thickness of the dead and active zones to quantify how forced fluid motions in the dead zone change. We find that the residual Reynolds stress near the mid-plane decreases with increasing dead zone thickness, becoming negligible in cases where the active to dead mass ratio is less than a few percent. This impliesmore » that purely Ohmic dead zones would be vulnerable to episodic accretion outbursts via the mechanism of Martin and Lubow. We show that even thick dead zones support a large amount of kinetic energy, but this energy is largely in fluid motions that are inefficient at angular momentum transport. Confirming results from Oishi and Mac Low, the perturbed velocity field in the dead zone is dominated by an oscillatory, vertically extended circulation pattern with a low frequency compared to the orbital frequency. This disturbance has the properties predicted for the lowest order r mode in a hydrodynamic disk. We suggest that in a global disk similar excitations would lead to propagating waves, whose properties would vary with the thickness of the dead zone and the nature of the perturbations (isothermal or adiabatic). Flows with similar amplitudes would buckle settled particle layers and could reduce the efficiency of pebble accretion.« less

Evidence for a low permeability fluid trap in the Nový Kostel Seismic Zone, Czech Republic, using double-difference tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexandrakis, C.; Calo, M.; Vavrycuk, V.

2012-12-01

The West Bohemia/Vogtland region is the border area between the Czech Republic and Germany known for frequent occurrences of earthquake swarms. The most prominent earthquake swarms occurred recently in 1985/86, 1997, 2000 (Fischer and Horálek, 2003) and 2008 (Fischer et al., 2010). They comprised thousands of microearthquakes, their duration was between 2 weeks to 2 months, and the activity focused typically at depths ranging from 7 to 12 km. The seismic activity is concentrated mostly at the same epicentral area, called the Nový Kostel Zone. This zone is located on the edge of the Cheb Basin, Eger Rift, and at the junction of the Mariánské-Lázně Fault with the Počátky-Plesná Shear Zone. Numerous gas vents and mineral springs within and around the Cheb Basin indicate that uprising magmatic fluids may act as a swarm trigger. In this study, we apply double-difference tomography to investigate the structure within and around the Nový Kostel focal zone. We use data from the 2008 earthquake swarm, as it has been extensively analyzed, and focal mechanisms, principal faults, tectonic stress, source migration and other basic characteristics are known. We selected about 500 microearthquakes recorded at 22 local seismic stations of the West Bohemia Network (WEBNET). The events were inverted for the 3-D seismic structure using the TomoDD code (Zhang and Thurber, 2003) and post-processed using the Weighted Average Model method (Calò et al., 2011). The application of double-difference tomography is advantageous for this setting as swarm foci are closely spaced and form a dense cluster. The geometry of the focal zone and the WEBNET network configuration offer good raypath coverage in all directions. Applying double-difference tomography we produce and interpret 3-D models of the P and S velocities. In this work, we interpret 3-D models of the P velocity and P-to-S ratio in and around the focal zone. The P-to-S model was obtained by calculating directly the ratio

Fate and Transformation of Nitrate in the Unsaturated Zone of Two Soil Distributed Areas in the Huaihe River Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, R.; Ruan, X.; Liu, C. Q.

2016-12-01

Unsaturated zone (UZ) is the most important passageway for nitrogen pollutants transporting from land surface to groundwater, and can be a hotspot for nitrogen transformation due to the transitional redox conditions. Study on the fate of nitrogen in UZ has significant implication for revealing the causes of groundwater nitrate pollution. In this study, we examined two types of UZs in Fluvo-aquic soil (FAS) and lime concretion black soil (LCBS) distributed areas which account for 33.57% and 13.31% of the arable land in the Huaihe River Basin, and determined the isotopic compositions (δ15N and δ18O) of nitrate in soil water extracts of both UZs to reveal the potential nitrification and denitrification processes. The similarity of measured δ18O-NO3- values in both upper UZs to the stoichiometrically calculated δ18O-NO3- value (3.4‰, according to the known nitrification pathway) confirms that the end product of nitrification process had a major contribution to the nitrate pool. Compared to those in the UZ of FAS area, the enrichment of heavy isotopes in nitrate coincided with the decrease of NO3-/Cl- molar ratios in the lower UZ of LCBS area, indicating the occurrence of denitrification therein. Further quantitative analyses showed that as high as 90% of the total nitrate was eliminated via denitrification based upon Rayleigh equation. Our results imply that groundwater in the FAS distributed areas may be more vulnerable to nitrate pollution induced by agricultural activities.

Dopant occupancy and exposure energy in Hf:Nd:LiNbO3 crystal as a function of [Li]/[Nb] ratios

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dai, Li; Liu, Chunrui; Han, Xianbo; Yan, Zhehua; Tan, Chao; Wang, Luping; Xu, Yuheng

2017-09-01

A series of Hf: Nd: LiNbO3 crystals with various [Li]/[Nb] ratios ([Li]/[Nb] = 0.94, 1.05, 1.20, 1.38) in the melt were grown by conventional Czochralski technique. The distribution coefficients of Hf4+ and Nd3+ ions were recorded by an inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES). The effective distribution coefficient of Hf4+ is reduced and that of Nd3+ is increased with the increase of [Li]/[Nb] ratio in the melts. In all cases, the effective distribution coefficients is less than 1. The IR transmission spectroscopy of the Hf: Nd: LiNbO3 crystals were measured, getting the results that Hf: Yb: Ho: LiNbO3 crystals with 1.05 [Li]/[Nb] ratios was the stoichiometric. The optical damage resistance ability of Hf:Nd:LiNbO3 crystals were studied by light-induced scattering exposure energy flux threshold method and it increases with the increasing of [Li]/[Nb] ratios. When the [Li]/[Nb] ratio is 1.38 in the melt (the sample 4#), the exposure energy achieves 687.35 J/cm2, approximately 441 folds than that of the sample 1# ([Li]/[Nb] = 0.94) in magnitude.

Stoichiometric Correlation of Malate Accumulation with Auxin-dependent K+-H+ Exchange and Growth in Avena Coleoptile Segments 12

PubMed Central

Haschke, Hans-Peter; Lüttge, Ulrich

1975-01-01

The action of auxin in the promotion of growth has been suggested in the literature to depend on cell wall acidification. In a former investigation by the present authors the electrochemical balance in auxin-induced proton extrusion was shown to be maintained by potassium net uptake. The present paper reports data demonstrating that the elongation of Avena coleoptile segments is accompanied by an accumulation of malate, which is stoichiometrically correlated with potassium uptake. We concluded that this malate accumulation is required in a mechanism regulating intracellular pH. PMID:16659374

A Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Analysis of Carious Dentin from Transparent Zone to Normal Zone

PubMed Central

Liu, Y.; Yao, X.; Liu, Y.W.; Wang, Y.

2015-01-01

It is well known that caries invasion leads to the differentiation of dentin into zones with altered composition, collagen integrity and mineral identity. However, understanding of these changes from the fundamental perspective of molecular structure has been lacking so far. In light of this, the present work aims to utilize Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to directly extract molecular information regarding collagen's and hydroxyapatite's structural changes as dentin transitions from the transparent zone (TZ) into the normal zone (NZ). Unembedded ultrathin dentin films were sectioned from carious teeth, and an FTIR imaging system was used to obtain spatially resolved FTIR spectra. According to the mineral-to-matrix ratio image generated from large-area low-spectral-resolution scan, the TZ, the NZ and the intermediate subtransparent zone (STZ) were identified. High-spectral-resolution spectra were taken from each zone and subsequently examined with regard to mineral content, carbonate distribution, collagen denaturation and carbonate substitution patterns. The integrity of collagen's triple helical structure was also evaluated based on spectra collected from demineralized dentin films of selected teeth. The results support the argument that STZ is the real sclerotic layer, and they corroborate the established knowledge that collagen in TZ is hardly altered and therefore should be reserved for reparative purposes. Moreover, the close resemblance between the STZ and the NZ in terms of carbonate content, and that between the STZ and the TZ in terms of being A-type carbonate-rich, suggest that the mineral that initially occludes dentin tubules is hydroxyapatite newly generated from odontoblastic activities, which is then transformed into whitlockite in the demineralization/remineralization process as caries progresses. PMID:24556607

A Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of carious dentin from transparent zone to normal zone.

PubMed

Liu, Y; Yao, X; Liu, Y W; Wang, Y

2014-01-01

It is well known that caries invasion leads to the differentiation of dentin into zones with altered composition, collagen integrity and mineral identity. However, understanding of these changes from the fundamental perspective of molecular structure has been lacking so far. In light of this, the present work aims to utilize Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to directly extract molecular information regarding collagen's and hydroxyapatite's structural changes as dentin transitions from the transparent zone (TZ) into the normal zone (NZ). Unembedded ultrathin dentin films were sectioned from carious teeth, and an FTIR imaging system was used to obtain spatially resolved FTIR spectra. According to the mineral-to-matrix ratio image generated from large-area low-spectral-resolution scan, the TZ, the NZ and the intermediate subtransparent zone (STZ) were identified. High-spectral-resolution spectra were taken from each zone and subsequently examined with regard to mineral content, carbonate distribution, collagen denaturation and carbonate substitution patterns. The integrity of collagen's triple helical structure was also evaluated based on spectra collected from demineralized dentin films of selected teeth. The results support the argument that STZ is the real sclerotic layer, and they corroborate the established knowledge that collagen in TZ is hardly altered and therefore should be reserved for reparative purposes. Moreover, the close resemblance between the STZ and the NZ in terms of carbonate content, and that between the STZ and the TZ in terms of being A-type carbonate-rich, suggest that the mineral that initially occludes dentin tubules is hydroxyapatite newly generated from odontoblastic activities, which is then transformed into whitlockite in the demineralization/remineralization process as caries progresses. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

High-frequency sediment-level oscillations in the swash zone

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sallenger, A.H.; Richmond, B.M.

1984-01-01

Sediment-level oscillations with heights of about 6 cm and shore-normal lengths of order 10 m have been measured in the swash zone of a high-energy, coarse-sand beach. Crests of oscillations were shore parallel and continuous alongshore. The oscillations were of such low steepness (height-to-length ratio approximately 0.006) that they were difficult to detect visually. The period of oscillation ranged between 6 and 15 min and decreased landward across the swash zone. The sediment-level oscillations were progressive landward with an average migration rate in the middle to upper swash zone of 0.8 m min-1. Migration was caused mostly by erosion on the seaward flank of the crest of an oscillation during a period of net seaward sediment transport. Thus, the observed migration was a form migration landward rather than a migration involving net landward sediment transport. The observed sediment-level oscillations were different than sand waves or other swash-zone bedforms previously described. ?? 1984.

A variable mixing-length ratio for convection theory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chan, K. L.; Wolff, C. L.; Sofia, S.

1981-01-01

It is argued that a natural choice for the local mixing length in the mixing-length theory of convection has a value proportional to the local density scale height of the convective bubbles. The resultant variable mixing-length ratio (the ratio between the mixing length and the pressure scale height) of this theory is enhanced in the superadiabatic region and approaches a constant in deeper layers. Numerical tests comparing the new mixing length successfully eliminate most of the density inversion that typically plagues conventional results. The new approach also seems to indicate the existence of granular motion at the top of the convection zone.

Light-induced absorption and its relaxation under illumination of continuous wave ultraviolet light in Mn-doped near-stoichiometric LiNbO{sub 3}

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

Liu Youwen; Kitamura, Kenji; Takekawa, Shunji

2005-04-01

The steady-state light-induced absorption and the temporal relaxation behavior under illumination of cw ultraviolet light in Mn-doped near-stoichiometric LiNbO{sub 3} with different crystal compositions are investigated. The ultraviolet-light-induced absorption has been assigned to small polarons Nb{sub Li}{sup 4+} by measuring the absorption spectra at room temperature. The dependences of relaxation behaviors (time constant and stretching factor) of light-induced absorption on various illumination conditions (intensity, polarization) and temperature are presented, which are very different from those observed in Fe-doped LiNbO{sub 3} illuminated with highly intense light pulse, though the temporal relaxation follows the same stretched-exponential decay behavior in both cases. Themore » results are explained reasonably by using the model of distance-dependent electron transition probabilities between localized deep traps and small polarons without any additional assumptions, and discussed to tailor doped near-stoichiometric LiNbO{sub 3} crystals for two-color holographic recording with cw laser light.« less

[Photometric micro-titration model of DPPH radicals scavenging activity and its application].

PubMed

Gao, Yun-tao; Wei, Wei; Ye, Li-qing; Li, Xiao-fen; Liu, Ping; Zhang, Hong-jiao; Yang, Lu; Yu, Jiao-jiao; Cha, Jia-wei

2015-02-01

In the present paper, the stoichiometric ratio (R) for the interreaction of DPPH radicals with the antoxidant was employed as a evaluation index for DPPH radicals scavenging activity of antioxidants. This evaluation index was related only with the stoichiometric relationship between DPPH radicals and the antioxidant, not the relationship with the initial DPPH amount and the volume of sample, which could offer a solution for the problem of poor comparability of EC50 under different conditions. A novel photometric micro-titration method was proposed for the determination of the stoichiometric ratio (R) for the interreaction of DPPH radicals with the antoxidant. The titration equation was established based on the absorbance difference (deltaA) of DPPH radicals in the titration process and the added amount of antoxidant. The stoichiometric ratio (R) for the reaction of DPPH radicals with the addition amount of antoxidant was determined by the titration equation obtained, while, the DPPH median elimination concentration (EC50) of antoxidant can be calculated by the stoichiometric ratio (R). The above photometric micro-titration model was verified using rutin as DPPH radicals scavenger. As experiment results, the stoichiometric ratio (R) of DPPH radicals to rutin was determined to be in the range of 1.817-1.846. The calculated value of EC50 was 1.196 x 10(-3), 2.392 x 10(-3), 4.819 x 10(-3) and 7.292 x 10(-3) mg x mL(-1) for 1.12 x 10(-7), 2.24 x 10(-7), 4.48 x 10(-7) and 6.72 x 10(-7) mol of the additon amount of DPPH radicals, respectively. The proposed method has better precision and reliability with smaller amount of sample than conventional method. While, the obtained stoichiometric ratio value (R) of rutin was employed to calculate the rutin median elimination concentration for DPPH EC50) according to the conditions as reported in the literatures, and the calculated results were consistent with that reported in the literatures.

In Situ NAPL Modification for Contaminant Source-Zone Passivation, Mass Flux Reduction, and Remediation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mateas, D. J.; Tick, G.; Carroll, K. C.

2016-12-01

A remediation method was developed to reduce the aqueous solubility and mass-flux of target NAPL contaminants through the in-situ creation of a NAPL mixture source-zone. This method was tested in the laboratory using equilibrium batch tests and two-dimensional flow-cell experiments. The creation of two different NAPL mixture source zones were tested in which 1) volumes of relatively insoluble n-hexadecane (HEX) or vegetable oil (VO) were injected into a trichloroethene (TCE) contaminant source-zone; and 2) pre-determined HEX-TCE and VO-TCE mixture ratio source zones were emplaced into the flow cell prior to water flushing. NAPL-aqueous phase batch tests were conducted prior to the flow-cell experiments to evaluate the effects of various NAPL mixture ratios on equilibrium aqueous-phase concentrations of TCE and toluene (TOL) and to design optimal NAPL (HEX or VO) injection volumes for the flow-cell experiments. Uniform NAPL mixture source-zones were able to quickly decrease contaminant mass-flux, as demonstrated by the emplaced source-zone experiments. The success of the HEX and VO injections to also decrease mass flux was dependent on the ability of these injectants to homogeneously mix with TCE source-zone. Upon injection, both HEX and VO migrated away from the source-zone, to some extent. However, the lack of a steady-state dissolution phase and the inefficient mass-flux-reduction/mass-removal behavior produced after VO injection suggest that VO was more effective than HEX for mixing and partitioning within the source-zone region to form a more homogeneous NAPL mixture with TCE. VO appears to be a promising source-zone injectant-NAPL due to its negligible long-term toxicity and lower mobilization potential.

Root Apex Transition Zone As Oscillatory Zone

PubMed Central

Baluška, František; Mancuso, Stefano

2013-01-01

Root apex of higher plants shows very high sensitivity to environmental stimuli. The root cap acts as the most prominent plant sensory organ; sensing diverse physical parameters such as gravity, light, humidity, oxygen, and critical inorganic nutrients. However, the motoric responses to these stimuli are accomplished in the elongation region. This spatial discrepancy was solved when we have discovered and characterized the transition zone which is interpolated between the apical meristem and the subapical elongation zone. Cells of this zone are very active in the cytoskeletal rearrangements, endocytosis and endocytic vesicle recycling, as well as in electric activities. Here we discuss the oscillatory nature of the transition zone which, together with several other features of this zone, suggest that it acts as some kind of command center. In accordance with the early proposal of Charles and Francis Darwin, cells of this root zone receive sensory information from the root cap and instruct the motoric responses of cells in the elongation zone. PMID:24106493

The permeability of fault zones in the upper continental crust: statistical analysis from 460 datasets, updated depth-trends, and permeability contrasts between fault damage zones and protoliths.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scibek, J.; Gleeson, T. P.; Ingebritsen, S.; McKenzie, J. M.

2017-12-01

Fault zones are an important part of the hydraulic structure of the Earth's crust and influence a wide range of Earth processes and a large amount of test data has been collected over the years. We conducted a meta-analysis of global of fault zone permeabilities in the upper brittle continental crust, using about 10,000 published research items from a variety of geoscience and engineering disciplines. Using 460 datasets at 340 localities, the in-situ bulk permeabilities (>10's meters scale, including macro-fractures) and matrix permeabilities (drilled core samples or outcrop spot tests) are separated, analyzed, and compared. The values have log-normal distributions and we analyze the log-permeability values. In the fault damage zones of plutonic and metamorphic rocks the mean bulk permeability was 1x10-14m2, compared to matrix mean of 1x10-16m2. In sedimentary siliciclastic rocks the mean value was the same for bulk and matrix permeability (4x10-14m2). More useful insights were determined from the regression analysis of paired permeability data at all sites (fault damage zone vs. protolith). Much of the variation in fault permeability is explained by the permeability of protolith: in relatively weak volcaniclastic and clay-rich rocks up to 70 to 88% of the variation is explained, and only 20-30% in plutonic and metamorphic rocks. We propose a revision at shallow depths for previously published upper-bound curves for the "fault-damaged crust " and the geothermal-metamorphic rock assemblage outside of major fault zones. Although the bounding curves describe the "fault-damaged crust" permeability parameter space adequately, the only statistically significant permeability-depth trend is for plutonic and metamorphic rocks (50% of variation explained). We find a depth-dependent systematic variation of the permeability ratio (fault damage zone / protolith) from the in-situ bulk permeability global data. A moving average of the log-permeability ratio value is 2 to 2

Stimulated Raman scattering in an optical parametric oscillator based on periodically poled MgO-doped stoichiometric LiTaO3.

PubMed

My, T-H; Robin, O; Mhibik, O; Drag, C; Bretenaker, F

2009-03-30

The evolution of the spectrum of a singly resonant optical parametric oscillator based on an MgO-doped periodically poled stoichiometric lithium tantalate crystal is observed when the pump power is varied. The onset of cascade Raman lasing due to stimulated Raman scattering in the nonlinear crystal is analyzed. Spurious frequency doubling and sum-frequency generation phenomena are observed and understood. A strong reduction of the intracavity Raman scattering is obtained by a careful adjustment of the cavity losses.

Mass motions in the solar chromosphere and transition zone

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mein, P.; Simon, G.; Vial, J. C.; Shine, R. A.

1982-01-01

A comparison is made between H-alpha and C IV observations of Active Region 2717 on October 9, 1980. On the basis of this comparison, it is found that upward velocities are present above sunspots in the chromosphere-corona transition zone (20 km/s). The downward velocities are found to be well correlated in both lines. Doppler-shift ratios between C IV and H-alpha levels (approximately 10) are seen to be much smaller than expected from density ratio estimates. The comparison is seen as suggesting that flow lines are probably far from vertical in the transition zone. It is pointed out, however, that this depends on model densities that may not be correct. A simple method for comparing matter flows is presented. The best fit between H-alpha and C IV levels is obtained when C IV Doppler shifts are multiplied by the line intensity to the power 0.5 (approximately) in order to make allowance for density fluctuations.

Short- and long-term behavioural, physiological and stoichiometric responses to predation risk indicate chronic stress and compensatory mechanisms.

PubMed

Van Dievel, Marie; Janssens, Lizanne; Stoks, Robby

2016-06-01

Prey organisms are expected to use different short- and long-term responses to predation risk to avoid excessive costs. Contrasting both types of responses is important to identify chronic stress responses and possible compensatory mechanisms in order to better understand the full impact of predators on prey life history and population dynamics. Using larvae of the damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum, we contrasted the effects of short- and long-term predation risk, with special focus on consequences for body stoichiometry. Under short-term predation risk, larvae reduced growth rate, which was associated with a reduced food intake, increased metabolic rate and reduced glucose content. Under long-term predation risk, larvae showed chronic predator stress as indicated by persistent increases in metabolic rate and reduced food intake. Despite this, larvae were able to compensate for the short-term growth reduction under long-term predation risk by relying on physiological compensatory mechanisms, including reduced energy storage. Only under long-term predation risk did we observe an increase in body C:N ratio, as predicted under the general stress paradigm (GSP). Although this was caused by a predator-induced decrease in N content, there was no associated increase in C content. These stoichiometric changes could not be explained by GSP responses because, under chronic predation risk, there was no decrease in N-rich proteins or increase in C-rich fat and sugars; instead glycogen decreased. Our results highlight the importance of compensatory mechanisms and the value of explicitly integrating physiological mechanisms to obtain insights into the temporal dynamics of non-consumptive effects, including effects on body stoichiometry.

Stope Stability Assessment and Effect of Horizontal to Vertical Stress Ratio on the Yielding and Relaxation Zones Around Underground Open Stopes Using Empirical and Finite Element Methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sepehri, Mohammadali; Apel, Derek; Liu, Wei

2017-09-01

Predicting the stability of open stopes can be a challenging task for underground mine engineers. For decades, the stability graph method has been used as the first step of open stope design around the world. However, there are some shortcomings with this method. For instance, the stability graph method does not account for the relaxation zones around the stopes. Another limitation of the stability graph is that this method cannot to be used to evaluate the stability of the stopes with high walls made of backfill materials. However, there are several analytical and numerical methods that can be used to overcome these limitations. In this study, both empirical and numerical methods have been used to assess the stability of an open stope located between mine levels N9225 and N9250 at Diavik diamond underground mine. It was shown that the numerical methods can be used as complementary methods along with other analytical and empirical methods to assess the stability of open stopes. A three dimensional elastoplastic finite element model was constructed using Abaqus software. In this paper a sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the impact of the stress ratio "k" on the extent of the yielding and relaxation zones around the hangingwall and footwall of the understudy stope.

Zone separator for multiple zone vessels

DOEpatents

Jones, John B.

1983-02-01

A solids-gas contact vessel, having two vertically disposed distinct reaction zones, includes a dynamic seal passing solids from an upper to a lower zone and maintaining a gas seal against the transfer of the separate treating gases from one zone to the other, and including a stream of sealing fluid at the seal.

METHOD FOR PREPARATION OF SPHERICAL UO$sub 4$

DOEpatents

Gregory, J.F. Jr.; Levey, R.P. Jr.

1962-06-01

A method is given for continuously precipitating ura nium peroxide in the form of spherical particles. Seed crystals are formed in a first reaction zone by introducing an acidified aqueous uranyl nitrate solution and an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution at a ratio of 5 to 20 per cent of the stoichiometric amount required for complete precipitation. After a mean residence time of 2 to 5 minutes in the first reaction zone, the resulting mixture is introduced into a second reaction zone, together with a large excess of hydrogen peroxide solution. The resulting UO4 is rapidly separated from the mother liquor after an over-all residence time of 5 to 11 minutes. The first reaction is maintained at a temperature of 85 to 90 deg C and the second zone above 50 deg C. Additional reaction zones may be employed for further crystal growth. The UO/sub 4/ is converted to U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ or UO/sub 2/ by heating in air or hydrogen atmosphere. This method is particularly useful for the preparation of spherical UO/sub 2/ particles 10 to 25 microns in diameter. (AEC)

Zinc isotope systematics of subduction-zone magmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, J.; Zhang, X. C.; Huang, F.; Yu, H.

2016-12-01

Subduction-zone magmas are generated by partial melting of mantle wedge triggered by addition of fluids derived from subducted hydrothermally altered oceanic lithosphere. Source of the fluids may be sediment, altered oceanic crust and serpentinized peridotite/serpentinite. Knowledge of the exact fluid source can facilitate our better understanding of the mechanism of fluid flux, element cycling and crust-mantle interaction in subduction zones. Zinc isotopes have the potential to place a constraint on this issue, because (1) Zn has an intermediate mobility during fluid-rock interaction and is enriched in subduction-zone fluids (e.g., Li et al., 2013); (2) sediment, altered oceanic crust and serpentinite have distinct Zn isotopic compositions (Pons et al., 2011); and (3) the mantle has a homogeneous Zn isotope composition (δ66Zn = 0.28 ± 0.05‰, Chen et al., 2013). Thus, the Zn isotopic composition of subduction-zone magmas reflects the characteristics of slab-derived fluids of different sources. Here, high-precision Zn isotope analyses were conducted on igneous rocks from arcs of Central America, Kamchatka, South Lesser Antilles, and Aleutian. One rhyolite with 75.1 wt.% SiO2 and 0.2 wt.% FeOT displays the heaviest δ66Zn value of 0.394‰ (relative to JMC Lyon) that probably results from the crystallization of Fe-Ti oxides during the late-stage differentiation. The rest of rocks have Zn isotopic compositions (0.161 to 0.339‰) similar to or lighter than those of the mantle. In an individual arc, the δ66Zn values of rocks show broad negative correlations with Ba/Th and 87Sr/86Sr ratios, suggesting that the slab-derived fluids should have lighter δ66Zn as well as higher Ba/Th and 87Sr/86Sr ratios relative to the mantle. These features are in accordance with those of serpentinites. Thus, addition of serpentinite-derived 66Zn-depleted fluids into the mantle wedge can explain the declined δ66Zn of subduction-zone magmas. ReferenceChen et al. (2013) EPSL 369

Combustion Limits and Efficiency of Turbojet Engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barnett, H. C.; Jonash, E. R.

1956-01-01

Combustion must be maintained in the turbojet-engine combustor over a wide range of operating conditions resulting from variations in required engine thrust, flight altitude, and flight speed. Furthermore, combustion must be efficient in order to provide the maximum aircraft range. Thus, two major performance criteria of the turbojet-engine combustor are (1) operatable range, or combustion limits, and (2) combustion efficiency. Several fundamental requirements for efficient, high-speed combustion are evident from the discussions presented in chapters III to V. The fuel-air ratio and pressure in the burning zone must lie within specific limits of flammability (fig. 111-16(b)) in order to have the mixture ignite and burn satisfactorily. Increases in mixture temperature will favor the flammability characteristics (ch. III). A second requirement in maintaining a stable flame -is that low local flow velocities exist in the combustion zone (ch. VI). Finally, even with these requirements satisfied, a flame needs a certain minimum space in which to release a desired amount of heat, the necessary space increasing with a decrease in pressure (ref. 1). It is apparent, then, that combustor design and operation must provide for (1) proper control of vapor fuel-air ratios in the combustion zone at or near stoichiometric, (2) mixture pressures above the minimum flammability pressures, (3) low flow velocities in the combustion zone, and (4) adequate space for the flame.

The ZH ratio method for long-period seismic data: inversion for S-wave velocity structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yano, Tomoko; Tanimoto, T.; Rivera, L.

2009-10-01

The particle motion of surface waves, in addition to phase and group velocities, can provide useful information for S-wave velocity structure in the crust and upper mantle. In this study, we applied a new method to retrieve velocity structure using the ZH ratio, the ratio between vertical and horizontal surface amplitudes of Rayleigh waves. Analysing data from the GEOSCOPE network, we measured the ZH ratios for frequencies between 0.004 and 0.05 Hz (period between 20 and 250s) and inverted them for S-wave velocity structure beneath each station. Our analysis showed that the resolving power of the ZH ratio is limited and final solutions display dependence on starting models; in particular, the depth of the Moho in the starting model is important in order to get reliable results. Thus, initial models for the inversion need to be carefully constructed. We chose PREM and CRUST2.0 in this study as a starting model for all but one station (ECH). The eigenvalue analysis of the least-squares problem that arises for each step of the iterative process shows a few dominant eigenvalues which explains the cause of the inversion's initial-model dependence. However, the ZH ratio is unique in having high sensitivity to near-surface structure and thus provides complementary information to phase and group velocities. Application of this method to GEOSCOPE data suggest that low velocity zones may exist beneath some stations near hotspots. Our tests with different starting models show that the models with low-velocity anomalies fit better to the ZH ratio data. Such low velocity zones are seen near Hawaii (station KIP), Crozet Island (CRZF) and Djibuti (ATD) but not near Reunion Island (RER). It is also found near Echery (ECH) which is in a geothermal area. However, this method has a tendency to produce spurious low velocity zones and resolution of the low velocity zones requires further careful study. We also performed simultaneous inversions for volumetric perturbation and

Iron-absorption band analysis for the discrimination of iron-rich zones

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rowan, L. C. (Principal Investigator)

1973-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. Study has concentrated on the two primary aspects of the project, structural analysis through evaluation of lineaments and circular features and spectral analyses through digital computer-processing techniques. Several previously unrecognized lineaments are mapped which may be the surface manifestations of major fault or fracture zones. Two of these, the Walker Lane and the Midas Trench lineament system, transect the predominantly NNE-NNW-trending moutain ranges for more than 500 km. Correlation of major lineaments with productive mining districts implies a genetic relationship, the 50 circular or elliptical features delineated suggest a related role for Tertiary volcanism. Color-ratio composites have been used to identify limonitic zones and to discriminate mafic and felsic rock by combing diazo color transparencies of three different ratios. EROS Data Center scene identification number for color composite in this report is ER 1 CC 500. Refinement of enhancement procedures for the ratio images is progressing. Fieldwork in coordination with both spectral and structural analyses is underway.

Segregation Coefficients of Impurities in Selenium by Zone Refining

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Su, Ching-Hua; Sha, Yi-Gao

1998-01-01

The purification of Se by zone refining process was studied. The impurity solute levels along the length of a zone-refined Se sample were measured by spark source mass spectrographic analysis. By comparing the experimental concentration levels with theoretical curves the segregation coefficient, defined as the ratio of equilibrium concentration of a given solute in the solid to that in the liquid, k = x(sub s)/x(sub l) for most of the impurities in Se are found to be close to unity, i.e., between 0.85 and 1.15, with the k value for Si, Zn, Fe, Na and Al greater than 1 and that for S, Cl, Ca, P, As, Mn and Cr less than 1. This implies that a large number of passes is needed for the successful implementation of zone refining in the purification of Se.

The role of recharge zones, discharge zones, springs and tile drainage systems in peneplains of Central European highlands with regard to water quality generation processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doležal, František; Kvítek, Tomáš

The hydrogeology, runoff generation and water quality generation in old peneplains of Central Europe built by acid crystalline rocks (such as the Bohemo-Moravian Highland) are described and interpreted in terms of a three-zone concept. The recharge zones are located on flat tops of hills and their soils are mostly permeable. It is mainly through them that the shallow groundwater-bearing formations are loaded with nitrate. The groundwater exfiltrates on the lower parts of slopes (in the so-called transient zone) and in narrow valleys (in the discharge zone), creating dispersed springs and waterlogged areas. In addition, the rapid and shallow flow of perched groundwater down the slope, which takes place during wet periods in the recharge zone and, mainly, in the transient zone, leaches the nitrate from the soil directly to the stream, without necessarily being in contact with the permanent groundwater table of the recharge and the transient zones. Discharge and water quality measurements in the Kopaninský tok experimental catchment (6.7 km 2) were analysed, using a combination of two runoff separation techniques (a digital filter and a simple conceptual model GROUND). Three runoff components were distinguished (direct runoff, interflow and baseflow). There is a weak but significant positive correlation between the stream nitrate concentration on the one hand and either the interflow or the baseflow on the other hand. There is also a weak but significant negative correlation between the stream nitrate concentration on the one hand and either the ratio of direct runoff to total stream flow or the logarithm of this ratio on the other hand, provided that the cases of zero direct runoff are disregarded. A simple mixing model was used to estimate the characteristic nitrate concentrations of individual runoff components. The interflow has the highest characteristic nitrate concentration and is probably the main stream water polluter with nitrate. The baseflow is identified

Analysis of Rapid Multi-Focal Zone ARFI Imaging

PubMed Central

Rosenzweig, Stephen; Palmeri, Mark; Nightingale, Kathryn

2015-01-01

Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging has shown promise for visualizing structure and pathology within multiple organs; however, because the contrast depends on the push beam excitation width, image quality suffers outside of the region of excitation. Multi-focal zone ARFI imaging has previously been used to extend the region of excitation (ROE), but the increased acquisition duration and acoustic exposure have limited its utility. Supersonic shear wave imaging has previously demonstrated that through technological improvements in ultrasound scanners and power supplies, it is possible to rapidly push at multiple locations prior to tracking displacements, facilitating extended depth of field shear wave sources. Similarly, ARFI imaging can utilize these same radiation force excitations to achieve tight pushing beams with a large depth of field. Finite element method simulations and experimental data are presented demonstrating that single- and rapid multi-focal zone ARFI have comparable image quality (less than 20% loss in contrast), but the multi-focal zone approach has an extended axial region of excitation. Additionally, as compared to single push sequences, the rapid multi-focal zone acquisitions improve the contrast to noise ratio by up to 40% in an example 4 mm diameter lesion. PMID:25643078

Primary weathering rates, water transit times and concentration-discharge relations: A theoretical analysis for the critical zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ameli, Ali; Erlandsson, Martin; Beven, Keith; Creed, Irena; McDonnell, Jeffrey; Bishop, Kevin

2017-04-01

The permeability architecture of the critical zone exerts a major influence on the hydrogeochemistry of the critical zone. Water flowpath dynamics drive the spatio-temporal pattern of geochemical evolution and resulting streamflow concentration-discharge (C-Q) relation, but these flowpaths are complex and difficult to map quantitatively. Here, we couple a new integrated flow and particle tracking transport model with a general reversible Transition-State-Theory style dissolution rate-law to explore theoretically how C-Q relations and concentration in the critical zone respond to decline in saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) with soil depth. We do this for a range of flow rates and mineral reaction kinetics. Our results show that for minerals with a high ratio of equilibrium concentration to intrinsic weathering rate, vertical heterogeneity in Ks enhances the gradient of weathering-derived solute concentration in the critical zone and strengthens the inverse stream C-Q relation. As the ratio of equilibrium concentration to intrinsic weathering rate decreases, the spatial distribution of concentration in the critical zone becomes more uniform for a wide range of flow rates, and stream C-Q relation approaches chemostatic behaviour, regardless of the degree of vertical heterogeneity in Ks. These findings suggest that the transport-controlled mechanisms in the hillslope can lead to chemostatic C-Q relations in the stream while the hillslope surface reaction-controlled mechanisms are associated with an inverse stream C-Q relation. In addition, as the ratio of equilibrium concentration to intrinsic weathering rate decreases, the concentration in the critical zone and stream become less dependent on groundwater age (or transit time)

Aggregate-cement paste transition zone properties affecting the salt-frost damage of high-performance concretes

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

Cwirzen, Andrzej; Penttala, Vesa

2005-04-01

The influence of the cement paste-aggregate interfacial transition zone (ITZ) on the frost durability of high-performance silica fume concrete (HPSFC) has been studied. Investigation was carried out on eight non-air-entrained concretes having water-to-binder (W/B) ratios of 0.3, 0.35 and 0.42 and different additions of condensed silica fume. Studies on the microstructure and composition of the cement paste have been made by means of environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM)-BSE, ESEM-EDX and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) analysis. The results showed that the transition zone initiates and accelerates damaging mechanisms by enhancing movement of the pore solution within the concrete during freezing andmore » thawing cycles. Cracks filled with ettringite were primarily formed in the ITZ. The test concretes having good frost-deicing salt durability featured a narrow transition zone and a decreased Ca/Si atomic ratio in the transition zone compared to the bulk cement paste. Moderate additions of silica fume seemed to densify the microstructure of the ITZ.« less

Prediction of recirculation zones in isothermal coaxial jet flows relevant to combustors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nallasamy, M.

1987-01-01

The characteristics of the recirculation zones in confined coaxial turbulent jets are investigated numerically employing the kappa - epsilon turbulence model. The geometrical arrangement corresponds to the experimental study of Owen (AIAA J. 1976) and the investigation is undertaken to provide information for isothermal flow relevant to combustor flows. For the first time, the shape, size, and location of the recirculation zones for the above experimental configuration are correctly predicted. The processes leading to the observed results are explained. Detailed comparisons of the prediction with measurements are made. It is shown that the recirculation zones are very sensitive to the central jet exit configuration and the velocity ratio of the jets.

Effects of Y/Gd Ratio and Boron Excess on Vacuum Ultraviolet Characteristics and Morphology of (Y,Gd)BO3:Eu Phosphor Particles Prepared by Spray Pyrolysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koo, Hye Young; Jung, Dae Soo; Hong, Seung Kwon; Kang, Yun Chan; Jung, Kyeong Youl

2007-06-01

(Y1-xGdx)BO3:Eu (0≤ x≤ 1) phosphor particles were prepared by spray pyrolysis. The optimal amount of boric acid for the high photoluminescence intensity of there particles differed depending on the molar ratio of Y to Gd. With decreasing Y/Gd molar ratio, an increasing amount of excess boric acid was required. The difference in excess quantity of boric acid, which was demanded for the highest photoluminescence intensity according to the Y/Gd ratio, influenced the morphology and mean size of the (Y,Gd)BO3:Eu phosphor particles. The (Y1-xGdx)BO3:Eu (0≤ x≤ 1) phosphor particles had a regular morphology. The mean sizes of the GdBO3:Eu and YBO3:Eu phosphor particles were 1.4 and 1 μm, respectively. The high reactivity of boron and yttrium components produced YBO3:Eu phosphor particles with high photoluminescence intensities by spray pyrolysis using a spray solution with a stoichiometric amount of boric acid.

MAGNETIZED ACCRETION AND DEAD ZONES IN PROTOSTELLAR DISKS

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

Dzyurkevich, Natalia; Henning, Thomas; Turner, Neal J.

The edges of magnetically dead zones in protostellar disks have been proposed as locations where density bumps may arise, trapping planetesimals and helping form planets. Magneto-rotational turbulence in magnetically active zones provides both accretion of gas on the star and transport of mass to the dead zone. We investigate the location of the magnetically active regions in a protostellar disk around a solar-type star, varying the disk temperature, surface density profile, and dust-to-gas ratio. We also consider stellar masses between 0.4 and 2 M{sub Sun }, with corresponding adjustments in the disk mass and temperature. The dead zone's size andmore » shape are found using the Elsasser number criterion with conductivities including the contributions from ions, electrons, and charged fractal dust aggregates. The charged species' abundances are found using the approach proposed by Okuzumi. The dead zone is in most cases defined by the ambipolar diffusion. In our maps, the dead zone takes a variety of shapes, including a fish tail pointing away from the star and islands located on and off the midplane. The corresponding accretion rates vary with radius, indicating locations where the surface density will increase over time, and others where it will decrease. We show that density bumps do not readily grow near the dead zone's outer edge, independently of the disk parameters and the dust properties. Instead, the accretion rate peaks at the radius where the gas-phase metals freeze out. This could lead to clearing a valley in the surface density, and to a trap for pebbles located just outside the metal freezeout line.« less

Application of nanoindentation testing to study of the interfacial transition zone in steel fiber reinforced mortar

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

Wang Xiaohui; Jacobsen, Stefan; He Jianying

2009-08-15

The characteristics of the profiles of elastic modulus and hardness of the steel fiber-matrix and fiber-matrix-aggregate interfacial zones in steel fiber reinforced mortars have been investigated by using nanoindentation and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), where two sets of parameters, i.e. water/binder ratio and content of silica fume were considered. Different interfacial bond conditions in the interfacial transition zones (ITZ) are discussed. For sample without silica fume, efficient interfacial bonds across the steel fiber-matrix and fiber-matrix-aggregate interfaces are shown in low water/binder ratio mortar; while in high water/binder ratio mortar, due to the discontinuous bleeding voids underneath the fiber, the fiber-matrixmore » bond is not very good. On the other hand, for sample with silica fume, the addition of 10% silica fume leads to no distinct presence of weak ITZ in the steel fiber-matrix interface; but the effect of the silica fume on the steel fiber-matrix-aggregate interfacial zone is not obvious due to voids in the vicinity of steel fiber.« less

Theoretical model of the helium zone plate microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salvador Palau, Adrià; Bracco, Gianangelo; Holst, Bodil

2017-01-01

Neutral helium microscopy is a new technique currently under development. Its advantages are the low energy, charge neutrality, and inertness of the helium atoms, a potential large depth of field, and the fact that at thermal energies the helium atoms do not penetrate into any solid material. This opens the possibility, among others, for the creation of an instrument that can measure surface topology on the nanoscale, even on surfaces with high aspect ratios. One of the most promising designs for helium microscopy is the zone plate microscope. It consists of a supersonic expansion helium beam collimated by an aperture (skimmer) focused by a Fresnel zone plate onto a sample. The resolution is determined by the focal spot size, which depends on the size of the skimmer, the optics of the system, and the velocity spread of the beam through the chromatic aberrations of the zone plate. An important factor for the optics of the zone plate is the width of the outermost zone, corresponding to the smallest opening in the zone plate. The width of the outermost zone is fabrication limited to around 10 nm with present-day state-of-the-art technology. Due to the high ionization potential of neutral helium atoms, it is difficult to build efficient helium detectors. Therefore, it is crucial to optimize the microscope design to maximize the intensity for a given resolution and width of the outermost zone. Here we present an optimization model for the helium zone plate microscope. Assuming constant resolution and width of the outermost zone, we are able to reduce the problem to a two-variable problem (zone plate radius and object distance) and we show that for a given beam temperature and pressure, there is always a single intensity maximum. We compare our model with the highest-resolution zone plate focusing images published and show that the intensity can be increased seven times. Reducing the width of the outermost zone to 10 nm leads to an increase in intensity of more than 8000

Comparisons of Source Characteristics between Recent Inland Crustal Earthquake Sequences inside and outside of Niigata-Kobe Tectonic Zone, Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Somei, K.; Asano, K.; Iwata, T.; Miyakoshi, K.

2012-12-01

After the 1995 Kobe earthquake, many M7-class inland earthquakes occurred in Japan. Some of those events (e.g., the 2004 Chuetsu earthquake) occurred in a tectonic zone which is characterized as a high strain rate zone by the GPS observation (Sagiya et al., 2000) or dense distribution of active faults. That belt-like zone along the coast in Japan Sea side of Tohoku and Chubu districts, and north of Kinki district, is called as the Niigata-Kobe tectonic zone (NKTZ, Sagiya et al, 2000). We investigate seismic scaling relationship for recent inland crustal earthquake sequences in Japan and compare source characteristics between events occurring inside and outside of NKTZ. We used S-wave coda part for estimating source spectra. Source spectral ratio is obtained by S-wave coda spectral ratio between the records of large and small events occurring close to each other from nation-wide strong motion network (K-NET and KiK-net) and broad-band seismic network (F-net) to remove propagation-path and site effects. We carefully examined the commonality of the decay of coda envelopes between event-pair records and modeled the observed spectral ratio by the source spectral ratio function with assuming omega-square source model for large and small events. We estimated the corner frequencies and seismic moment (ratio) from those modeled spectral ratio function. We determined Brune's stress drops of 356 events (Mw: 3.1-6.9) in ten earthquake sequences occurring in NKTZ and six sequences occurring outside of NKTZ. Most of source spectra obey omega-square source spectra. There is no obvious systematic difference between stress drops of events in NKTZ zone and others. We may conclude that the systematic tendency of seismic source scaling of the events occurred inside and outside of NKTZ does not exist and the average source scaling relationship can be effective for inland crustal earthquakes. Acknowledgements: Waveform data were provided from K-NET, KiK-net and F-net operated by

Exploration of spin state and exchange integral of cobalt ions in stoichiometric ZnCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} spinel oxides

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

Che, Xiangli; Li, Liping; Li, Guangshe, E-mail: guangshe@fjirsm.ac.cn

2016-04-04

This work reports on spin state and exchange integral of cobalt ions in stoichiometric ZnCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles with varying particle size from about 24 to 105 nm. Cobalt ions in ZnCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles are present as trivalence in mixed spin state. The effective magnetic moment is distributed in the range of 2.1 ∼ 1.31 μ{sub B} at room temperature with coarsening of nanoparticles. Further, it is demonstrated that stoichiometric ZnCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} undergoes a magnetic transition from paramagnetism to antiferromagnetism with decrease of temperature, showing a transition temperature of about 5 K. The standard molar entropy and enthalpy for 24 nm ZnCo{sub 2}O{sub 4}more » are 170.6 ± 1.7 J K{sup −1} mol{sup −1} and 28.2 ± 0.3 kJ mol{sup −1} at 298.15 K, respectively. Based on the heat capacity data, the exchange integral is determined to be 4.16 × 10{sup −22} J. The results report here are really important for further understanding the magnetic and electronic properties of spinel oxides.« less

Water and the oxidation state of subduction zone magmas.

PubMed

Kelley, Katherine A; Cottrell, Elizabeth

2009-07-31

Mantle oxygen fugacity exerts a primary control on mass exchange between Earth's surface and interior at subduction zones, but the major factors controlling mantle oxygen fugacity (such as volatiles and phase assemblages) and how tectonic cycles drive its secular evolution are still debated. We present integrated measurements of redox-sensitive ratios of oxidized iron to total iron (Fe3+/SigmaFe), determined with Fe K-edge micro-x-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy, and pre-eruptive magmatic H2O contents of a global sampling of primitive undegassed basaltic glasses and melt inclusions covering a range of plate tectonic settings. Magmatic Fe3+/SigmaFe ratios increase toward subduction zones (at ridges, 0.13 to 0.17; at back arcs, 0.15 to 0.19; and at arcs, 0.18 to 0.32) and correlate linearly with H2O content and element tracers of slab-derived fluids. These observations indicate a direct link between mass transfer from the subducted plate and oxidation of the mantle wedge.

Stoichiometric titanium dioxide ion implantation in AISI 304 stainless steel for corrosion protection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartwig, A.; Decker, M.; Klein, O.; Karl, H.

2015-12-01

The aim of this study is to evaluate the applicability of highly chemically inert titanium dioxide synthesized by ion beam implantation for corrosion protection of AISI 304 stainless steel in sodium chloride solution. More specifically, the prevention of galvanic corrosion between carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) and AISI 304 was investigated. Corrosion performance of TiO2 implanted AISI 304 - examined for different implantation and annealing parameters - is strongly influenced by implantation fluence. Experimental results show that a fluence of 5 × 1016 cm-2 (Ti+) and 1 × 1017 cm-2 (O+) is sufficient to prevent pitting corrosion significantly, while galvanic corrosion with CFRP can already be noticeably reduced by an implantation fluence of 5 × 1015 cm-2 (Ti+) and 1 × 1016 cm-2 (O+). Surface roughness, implantation energy and annealing at 200 °C and 400 °C show only little influence on the corrosion behavior. TEM analysis indicates the existence of stoichiometric TiO2 inside the steel matrix for medium fluences and the formation of a separated metal oxide layer for high fluences.

Stoichiometric homeostasis predicts plant species dominance, temporal stability, and responses to global change.

PubMed

Yu, Qiang; Wilcox, Kevin; La Pierre, Kimberly; Knapp, Alan K; Han, Xingguo; Smith, Melinda D

2015-09-01

Why some species are consistently more abundant than others, and predicting how species will respond to global change, are fundamental questions in ecology. Long-term observations indicate that plant species with high stoichiometric homeostasis for nitrogen (HN), i.e., the ability to decouple foliar N levels from variation in soil N availability, were more common and stable through time than low-HN species in a central U.S. grassland. However, with nine years of nitrogen addition, species with high H(N) decreased in abundance, while those with low H(N) increased in abundance. In contrast, in climate change experiments simulating a range of forecast hydrologic changes, e.g., extreme drought (two years), increased rainfall variability (14 years), and chronic increases in rainfall (21 years), plant species with the highest H(N) were least responsive to changes in soil water availability. These results suggest that H(N) may be predictive of plant species success and stability, and how plant species and ecosystems will respond to global-change-driven alterations in resource availability.

Seismogenic width controls aspect ratios of earthquake ruptures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weng, Huihui; Yang, Hongfeng

2017-03-01

We investigate the effect of seismogenic width on aspect ratios of earthquake ruptures by using numerical simulations of strike-slip faulting and an energy balance criterion near rupture tips. If the seismogenic width is smaller than a critical value, then ruptures cannot break the entire fault, regardless of the size of the nucleation zone. The seismic moments of these self-arresting ruptures increase with the nucleation size, forming nucleation-related events. The aspect ratios increase with the seismogenic width but are smaller than 8. In contrast, ruptures become breakaway and tend to have high aspect ratios (>8) if the seismogenic width is sufficiently large. But the critical nucleation size is larger than the theoretical estimate for an unbounded fault. The eventual seismic moments of breakaway ruptures do not depend on the nucleation size. Our results suggest that estimating final earthquake magnitude from the nucleation phase may only be plausible on faults with small seismogenic width.

Pressure Hill and Zone of Influence over Flat-Faced Bluff Bodies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, Yasumasa; Suzuki, Kojiro; Rathakrishnan, Ethirajan

2011-12-01

An experimental visualization has been carried out to study the dependence of the pressure hill height and the influence zone expanse for flow past rectangular blocks of flat square face and varying length, over a Reynolds number range from 1364 to 4931. It is found that, the pressure hill length and the influence zone expanse decrease with the length to width ratio of the block, up to about L/W = 1, for Reynolds number up to 1586. For higher Reynolds numbers, both H/W and Z/W increase with the model length, till L/W = 1. For L/W more than 1, both H/W and Z/W gradually become independent of L/W. The ratio of Z/H is influenced only marginally by L/W up to 1, and for greater values of L/W, Z/H is almost a constant at all Reynolds numbers of the present study.

Vadose zone microbiology

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

Kieft, Thomas L.; Brockman, Fred J.

2001-01-17

The vadose zone is defined as the portion of the terrestrial subsurface that extends from the land surface downward to the water table. As such, it comprises the surface soil (the rooting zone), the underlying subsoil, and the capillary fringe that directly overlies the water table. The unsaturated zone between the rooting zone and the capillary fringe is termed the "intermediate zone" (Chapelle, 1993). The vadose zone has also been defined as the unsaturated zone, since the sediment pores and/or rock fractures are generally not completely water filled, but instead contain both water and air. The latter characteristic results inmore » the term "zone of aeration" to describe the vadose zone. The terms "vadose zone," "unsaturated zone", and "zone of aeration" are nearly synonymous, except that the vadose zone may contain regions of perched water that are actually saturated. The term "subsoil" has also been used for studies of shallow areas of the subsurface immediately below the rooting zone. This review focuses almost exclusively on the unsaturated region beneath the soil layer since there is already an extensive body of literature on surface soil microbial communities and process, e.g., Paul and Clark (1989), Metting (1993), Richter and Markowitz, (1995), and Sylvia et al. (1998); whereas the deeper strata of the unsaturated zone have only recently come under scrutiny for their microbiological properties.« less

Metabolic Response of “Candidatus Accumulibacter Phosphatis” Clade II C to Changes in Influent P/C Ratio

PubMed Central

Welles, Laurens; Abbas, Ben; Sorokin, Dimitry Y.; Lopez-Vazquez, Carlos M.; Hooijmans, Christine M.; van Loosdrecht, Mark C. M.; Brdjanovic, Damir

2017-01-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of a culture highly enriched with the polyphosphate-accumulating organism, “Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis” clade IIC, to adjust their metabolism to different phosphate availabilities. For this purpose the biomass was cultivated in a sequencing batch reactor with acetate and exposed to different phosphate/carbon influent ratios during six experimental phases. Activity tests were conducted to determine the anaerobic kinetic and stoichiometric parameters as well as the composition of the microbial community. Increasing influent phosphate concentrations led to increased poly-phosphate content and decreased glycogen content of the biomass. In response to higher biomass poly-phosphate content, the biomass showed higher specific phosphate release rates. Together with the phosphate release rates, acetate uptake rates also increased up to an optimal poly-phosphate/glycogen ratio of 0.3 P-mol/C-mol. At higher poly-phosphate/glycogen ratios (obtained at influent P/C ratios above 0.051 P-mol/C-mol), the acetate uptake rates started to decrease. The stoichiometry of the anaerobic conversions clearly demonstrated a metabolic shift from a glycogen dominated to a poly-phosphate dominated metabolism as the biomass poly-phosphate content increased. FISH and DGGE analyses confirmed that no significant changes occurred in the microbial community, suggesting that the changes in the biomass activity were due to different metabolic behavior, allowing the organisms to proliferate under conditions with fluctuating phosphate levels. PMID:28111570

What Safe Zone? The Vast Majority of Dislocated THAs Are Within the Lewinnek Safe Zone for Acetabular Component Position.

PubMed

Abdel, Matthew P; von Roth, Philipp; Jennings, Matthew T; Hanssen, Arlen D; Pagnano, Mark W

2016-02-01

Numerous factors influence total hip arthroplasty (THA) stability including surgical approach and soft tissue tension, patient compliance, and component position. One long-held tenet regarding component position is that cup inclination and anteversion of 40° ± 10° and 15° ± 10°, respectively, represent a "safe zone" as defined by Lewinnek that minimizes dislocation after primary THA; however, it is clear that components positioned in this zone can and do dislocate. We sought to determine if these classic radiographic targets for cup inclination and anteversion accurately predicted a safe zone limiting dislocation in a contemporary THA practice. From a cohort of 9784 primary THAs performed between 2003 and 2012 at one institution, we retrospectively identified 206 THAs (2%) that subsequently dislocated. Radiographic parameters including inclination, anteversion, center of rotation, and limb length discrepancy were analyzed. Mean followup was 27 months (range, 0-133 months). The majority (58% [120 of 206]) of dislocated THAs had a socket within the Lewinnek safe zone. Mean cup inclination was 44° ± 8° with 84% within the safe zone for inclination. Mean anteversion was 15° ± 9° with 69% within the safe zone for anteversion. Sixty-five percent of dislocated THAs that were performed through a posterior approach had an acetabular component within the combined acetabular safe zones, whereas this was true for only 33% performed through an anterolateral approach. An acetabular component performed through a posterior approach was three times as likely to be within the combined acetabular safe zones (odds ratio [OR], 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-1.6) than after an anterolateral approach (OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.7; p < 0.0001). In contrast, acetabular components performed through a posterior approach (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-1.9) had an increased risk of dislocation compared with those performed through an anterolateral approach (OR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.7-0.9; p

Sonic logging for detecting the excavation disturbed and fracture zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Y. C.; Chang, Y. F.; Liu, J. W.; Tseng, C. W.

2017-12-01

This study presents a new sonic logging method to detect the excavation disturbed zone (EDZ) and fracture zones in a tunnel. The EDZ is a weak rock zone where its properties and conditions have been changed by excavation, which results such as fracturing, stress redistribution and desaturation in this zone. Thus, the EDZ is considered as a physically less stable and could form a continuous and high-permeable pathway for groundwater flow. Since EDZ and fracture zone have the potential of affecting the safety of the underground openings and repository performance, many studies were conducted to characterize the EDZ and fracture zone by different methods, such as the rock mass displacements and strain measurements, seismic refraction survey, seismic tomography and hydraulic test, etc. In this study, we designed a new sonic logging method to explore the EDZ and fracture zone in a tunnel at eastern Taiwan. A high power and high frequency sonic system was set up which includes a two hydrophones pitch-catch technique with a common-offset immersed in water-filled uncased wells and producing a 20 KHz sound to scan the well rock. Four dominant sonic events were observed in the measurements, they are refracted P- and S-wave along the well rock, direct water wave and the reverberation in the well water. Thus the measured P- and S-wave velocities, the signal-to-noise ratio of the refraction and the amplitudes of reverberation along the well rock were used as indexes to determine the EDZ and fracture zone. Comparing these indexes with core samples shows that significant changes in the indexes are consistent with the EDZ and fracture zone. Thus, the EDZ and fracture zone can be detected by this new sonic method conclusively.

Assessment of chloroethene degradation rates based on ratios of daughter/parent compounds in groundwater plumes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Höhener, Patrick

2014-05-01

Chlorinated solvent spills at industrial and urban sites create groundwater plumes where tetrachloro- and trichloroethene may degrade to their daughter compounds, dichloroethenes, vinyl chloride and ethane. The assessment of degradation and natural attenuation at such sites may be based on the analysis and inverse modelling of concentration data, on the calculation of mass fluxes in transsects, and/or on the analysis of stable isotope ratios in the ethenes. Relatively few work has investigated the possibility of using ratio of concentrations for gaining information on degradation rates. The use of ratios bears the advantage that dilution of a single sample with contaminant-free water does not matter. It will be shown that molar ratios of daughter to parent compounds measured along a plume streamline are a rapid and robust mean of determining whether degradation rates increase or decrease along the degradation chain, and allow furthermore a quantitation of the relative magnitude of degradation rates compared to the rate of the parent compound. Furthermore, ratios of concentration will become constant in zones where degradation is absent, and this allows to sketching the extension of actively degrading zones. The assessment is possible for pure sources and also for mixed sources. A quantification method is proposed in order to estimate first-order degradation rates in zones of constant degradation activity. This quantification method includes corrections that are needed due to longitudinal and transversal dispersivity. The method was tested on a number of real field sites from literature. At the majority of these sites, the first-order degradation rates were decreasing along the degradation chain from tetrachloroethene to vinyl chloride, meaning that the latter was often reaching important concentrations. This is bad news for site owners due to the increased toxicity of vinyl chloride compared to its parent compounds.

Centrifugal study of zone of influence during air-sparging.

PubMed

Hu, Liming; Meegoda, Jay N; Du, Jianting; Gao, Shengyan; Wu, Xiaofeng

2011-09-01

Air sparging (AS) is one of the groundwater remediation techniques for remediating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in saturated soil. However, in spite of the success of air sparging as a remediation technique for the cleanup of contaminated soils, to date, the fundamental mechanisms or the physics of air flow through porous media is not well understood. In this study, centrifugal modeling tests were performed to investigate air flow rates and the evolution of the zone of influence during the air sparging under various g-levels. The test results show that with the increase in sparging pressure the mass flow rate of the air sparging volume increases. The air mass flow rate increases linearly with the effective sparging pressure ratio, which is the difference between sparging pressure and hydrostatic pressure normalized with respect to the effective overburden pressure at the sparging point. Also the slope of mass flow rate with effective sparging pressure ratio increases with higher g-levels. This variation of the slope of mass flow rate of air sparging volume versus effective sparging pressure ratio, M, is linear with g-level confirming that the air flow through soil for a given effective sparging pressure ratio only depends on the g-level. The test results also show that with increasing sparging pressure, the zone of influence (ZOI), which consists of the width at the tip of the cone or lateral intrusion and the cone angle, will lead to an increase in both lateral intrusion and the cone angle. With a further increase in air injection pressure, the cone angle reaches a constant value while the lateral intrusion becomes the main contributor to the enlargement of the ZOI. However, beyond a certain value of effective sparging pressure ratio, there is no further enlargement of the ZOI.

Width of the Surface Rupture Zone for Thrust Earthquakes and Implications for Earthquake Fault Zoning: Chi-Chi 1999 and Wenchuan 2008 Earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boncio, P.; Caldarella, M.

2016-12-01

We analyze the zones of coseismic surface faulting along thrust faults, whit the aim of defining the most appropriate criteria for zoning the Surface Fault Rupture Hazard (SFRH) along thrust faults. Normal and strike-slip faults were deeply studied in the past, while thrust faults were not studied with comparable attention. We analyze the 1999 Chi-Chi, Taiwan (Mw 7.6) and 2008 Wenchuan, China (Mw 7.9) earthquakes. Several different types of coseismic fault scarps characterize the two earthquakes, depending on the topography, fault geometry and near-surface materials. For both the earthquakes, we collected from the literature, or measured in GIS-georeferenced published maps, data about the Width of the coseismic Rupture Zone (WRZ). The frequency distribution of WRZ compared to the trace of the main fault shows that the surface ruptures occur mainly on and near the main fault. Ruptures located away from the main fault occur mainly in the hanging wall. Where structural complexities are present (e.g., sharp bends, step-overs), WRZ is wider then for simple fault traces. We also fitted the distribution of the WRZ dataset with probability density functions, in order to define a criterion to remove outliers (e.g., by selecting 90% or 95% probability) and define the zone where the probability of SFRH is the highest. This might help in sizing the zones of SFRH during seismic microzonation (SM) mapping. In order to shape zones of SFRH, a very detailed earthquake geologic study of the fault is necessary. In the absence of such a very detailed study, during basic (First level) SM mapping, a width of 350-400 m seems to be recommended (95% of probability). If the fault is carefully mapped (higher level SM), one must consider that the highest SFRH is concentrated in a narrow zone, 50 m-wide, that should be considered as a "fault-avoidance (or setback) zone". These fault zones should be asymmetric. The ratio of footwall to hanging wall (FW:HW) calculated here ranges from 1:5 to 1:3.

Shifts in the Physiology and Stoichiometric Needs of Soil Microbial Communities from Subarctic Soils in Response to Warming: Icelandic Geothermal Gradients as a Model.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marañón-Jiménez, S.; Soong, J.; Leblans, N. I. W.; Sigurdsson, B. D.; Peñuelas, J.; Richter, A.; Asensio, D.; Fransen, E.; Janssens, I. A.

2017-12-01

Large amounts of CO2 can be released to the atmosphere from a faster mineralization of soil organic matter at warmer temperatures, thus inducing climate change feedbacks. Specifically, soils at high northern latitudes store more than half of the global surface soil carbon and are particularly vulnerable to temperature-driven C losses, since they warm more rapidly. Alterations to the temperature sensitivity, physiological functioning and stoichiometric constrains of soil microorganisms in response to rising temperatures can play a key role in these soil carbon (C) losses. We present results of several incubation experiments using soils from geothermal soil temperature gradients in Iceland that have undergone a range of warming intensities for seven years, encompassing the full range of IPCC warming scenarios for the northern region. Soil microbes from warmed soils did not show changes in their temperature sensitivity at the physiological level. On the contrary, seven years of chronic soil warming provoked a permanent increase of microbial metabolic quotients (i.e., respiration per unit of biomass), and a subsequent reduction in the C retained in biomass as substrate became limiting. After the initial depletion of labile soil C, increasing energy demands for metabolic maintenance and resource acquisition at higher temperatures may have triggered permanent functional changes or community shifts towards increasing respiratory costs of soil decomposers. Pointing to this, microbial communities showed a strong C limitation even at ambient soil temperatures, obscuring any metabolic response to nitrogen and phosphorous additions. The tight C:N stoichiometric constrains of soil microbial communities and the strong C limitation for microbial biomass may lead to a reduced capacity of microbial N retention, explaining the equivalent soil C and N losses found in response to soil warming. These results highlight the need to incorporate potential changes in microbial physiological

Stoichiometric control of lead chalcogenide nanocrystal solids to enhance their electronic and optoelectronic device performance.

PubMed

Oh, Soong Ju; Berry, Nathaniel E; Choi, Ji-Hyuk; Gaulding, E Ashley; Paik, Taejong; Hong, Sung-Hoon; Murray, Christopher B; Kagan, Cherie R

2013-03-26

We investigate the effects of stoichiometric imbalance on the electronic properties of lead chalcogenide nanocrystal films by introducing excess lead (Pb) or selenium (Se) through thermal evaporation. Hall-effect and capacitance-voltage measurements show that the carrier type, concentration, and Fermi level in nanocrystal solids may be precisely controlled through their stoichiometry. By manipulating only the stoichiometry of the nanocrystal solids, we engineer the characteristics of electronic and optoelectronic devices. Lead chalcogenide nanocrystal field-effect transistors (FETs) are fabricated at room temperature to form ambipolar, unipolar n-type, and unipolar p-type semiconducting channels as-prepared and with excess Pb and Se, respectively. Introducing excess Pb forms nanocrystal FETs with electron mobilities of 10 cm(2)/(V s), which is an order of magnitude higher than previously reported in lead chalcogenide nanocrystal devices. Adding excess Se to semiconductor nanocrystal solids in PbSe Schottky solar cells enhances the power conversion efficiency.

High-Temperature Annealing as a Method for the Silicon Nanoclusters Growth in Stoichiometric Silicon Dioxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanova, E. V.; Dementev, P. A.; Sitnikova, A. A.; Aleksandrov, O. V.; Zamoryanskaya, M. V.

2018-07-01

A method for the growth of nanocomposite layers in stoichiometric amorphous silicon dioxide is proposed. It is shown that, after annealing at a temperature of 1150°C in nitrogen atmosphere, a layer containing silicon nanoclusters is formed. Silicon nanoclusters have a crystal structure and a size of 3-6 nm. In a film grown on a n-type substrate, a layer of silicon nanoclusters with a thickness of about 10 nm is observed. In the case of a film grown on a p-type substrate, a nanocomposite layer with a thickness of about 100 nm is observed. The difference in the formation of a nanocomposite layer in films on various substrates is associated with the doping of silicon dioxide with impurities from the substrate during the growth of the film. The formation of the nanocomposite layer was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, XPS and local cathodoluminescence studies.

Safety Zones

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

These are established primarily to reduce the accidental spread of hazardous substances by workers or equipment from contaminated areas to clean areas. They include the exclusion (hot) zone, contamination reduction (warm) zone, and support (cold) zone.

The energy balance and pressure in the solar transition zone for network and active region features

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nicolas, K. R.; Bartoe, J.-D. F.; Brueckner, G. E.; Vanhoosier, M. E.

1979-01-01

The electron pressure and energy balance in the solar transition zone are determined for about 125 network and active region features on the basis of high spectral and spatial resolution extreme ultraviolet spectra. Si III line intensity ratios obtained from the Naval Research Laboratory high-resolution telescope and spectrograph during a rocket flight are used as diagnostics of electron density and pressure for solar features near 3.5 x 10 to the 4th K. Observed ratios are compared with the calculated dependence of the 1301 A/1312 A and 1301 A/1296 A line intensity ratios on electron density, temperature and pressure. Electron densities ranging from 2 x 10 to the 10th/cu cm to 10 to the 12th/cu cm and active region pressures from 3 x 10 to the 15th to 10 to the 16th/cu cm K are obtained. Energy balance calculations reveal the balance of the divergence of the conductive flux and turbulent energy dissipation by radiative energy losses in a plane-parallel homogeneous transition zone (fill factor of 1), and an energy source requirement for a cylindrical zone geometry (fill factor less than 0.04).

A method to assess the situation of air combat based on the missile attack zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Zhenqing; Liang, Xiao Long; Zhang, Jiaqiang; Liu, Liu

2018-04-01

Aiming at the question that we rarely consider the impact of target's attack zone in traditional situation assessment so that the assessment result is not comprehensive enough, a method that takes target's attack zone into account is presented. This paper has obtained the attack zone and the non-escape zone as the basis for quantitative analysis using the rapid simulation method and the air-to-air missile mathematical model. The situation of air combat is assessed by the ratio of the advantage function values of both sides, and the advantage function is constructed based on some influential factors such as height, speed, distance and angle. The simulation results have shown the effectiveness of this method.

Masking in three pinnipeds: underwater, low-frequency critical ratios.

PubMed

Southall, B L; Schusterman, R J; Kastak, D

2000-09-01

Behavioral techniques were used to determine underwater masked hearing thresholds for a northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris), a harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), and a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus). Octave-band white noise maskers were centered at five test frequencies ranging from 200 to 2500 Hz; a slightly wider noise band was used for testing at 100 Hz. Critical ratios were calculated at one masking noise level for each test frequency. Above 200 Hz, critical ratios increased with frequency. This pattern is similar to that observed in most animals tested, and indicates that these pinnipeds lack specializations for detecting low-frequency tonal sounds in noise. However, the individual pinnipeds in this study, particularly the northern elephant seal, detected signals at relatively low signal-to-noise ratios. These results provide a means of estimating zones of auditory masking for pinnipeds exposed to anthropogenic noise sources.

The Usefulness of Zone Division Using Belt Partition at the Entry Zone of MRI Machine Room: An Analysis of the Restrictive Effect of Dangerous Action Using a Questionnaire.

PubMed

Funada, Tatsuro; Shibuya, Tsubasa

2016-08-01

The American College of Radiology recommends dividing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine rooms into four zones depending on the education level. However, structural limitations restrict us to apply such recommendation in most of the Japanese facilities. This study examines the effectiveness of the usage of a belt partition to create the zonal division by a questionnaire survey including three critical parameters. They are, the influence of individuals' background (relevance to MRI, years of experience, individuals' post, occupation [i.e., nurse or nursing assistant], outpatient section or ward), the presence or absence of a door or belt partition (opening or closing), and any four personnel scenarios that may be encountered during a visit to an MRI site (e.g., from visiting the MRI site to receive a patient) . In this survey, the influence of dangerous action is uncertain on individuals' backgrounds (maximum odds ratio: 6.3, 95% CI: 1.47-27.31) and the scenarios of personnel (maximum risk ratio: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.16-4.85). Conversely, the presence of the door and belt partition influences significantly (maximum risk ratio: 17.4, 95% CI: 7.94-17.38). For that reason, we suggest that visual impression has a strong influence on an individuals' actions. Even if structural limitations are present, zonal division by belt partition will provide a visual deterrent. Then, the partitioned zone will serve as a buffer zone. We conclude that if the belt partition is used properly, it is an inexpensive and effective safety management device for MRI rooms.

The variation of crustal structure along the Song Ma Shear Zone, Northern Vietnam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Chien-Min; Wen, Strong; Tang, Chi-Chia; Yeh, Yu-Lien; Chen, Chau-Huei

2018-06-01

Northern Vietnam is divided into two regions by suture zone. The southwestern region belongs to the Indochina block, and the northeastern region is a portion of the South China block with distinct geological characteristics. From previous studies, the closing the Paleotethys led the collision between the Indochina and South China blocks, and this collision form the suture zone in the Middle Triassic. In the Tertiary, Indian and Eurasian plates started to collide, and this collision caused the extrusion of the Indochina block along the suture zone and a clockwise rotation. Metamorphic rocks associated with the subduction process have been found at the Song Ma Shear Zone (SMSZ) from geological surveys, which indicated that the SMSZ is a possible boundary between the South China and Indochina block. However, according to previous study, there is an argument of whether the SMSZ is a subduction zone of the South China and Indochina plates or not. In this study, we applied the H-κ and the common conversion point (CCP) stacking method using teleseismic converted waves recorded by a seismic broadband array to obtain the Moho depth, VP/VS ratio and the crustal structure along the SMSZ. The CCP results are further used to identify whether the fault extends through the entire crust or not. We have selected two profiles along the SMSZ and a profile across the SMSZ for imaging lateral variations of impedance from stacking. According to H-κ stacking results, crustal thickness vary from 26.0 to 29.3 km, and the average of VP/VS ratio is about 1.77. Finally, the CCP results also show the heterogeneity of crust among the SMSZ. These evidences might support that SMSZ is the suture zone between the South China and Indochina plates.

Where do arc magmas differentiate? A seismic and geochemical search for active, deep crustal MASH zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pu, X.; Delph, J. R.; Shimizu, K.; Rasmussen, D. J.; Ratschbacher, B. C.

2017-12-01

Deep zones of mixing, assimilation, storage, and homogenization (MASH) are thought to be one of the primary locations where primitive arc magmas stall, interact with crustal material, and differentiate. Support for deep crustal MASH zones is found in exposed crustal sections, where mafic-ultramafic lithologies occur in the lower crust. However, geophysical observations of active deep MASH zones are rare, and their ubiquity is difficult to assess solely based on geochemistry. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we investigate the role of deep crustal processing by investigating two contrasting arcs: the Central Volcanic Zone (CVZ) of the Andes, characterized by thick crust ( 60 km) and large volume silicic eruptions that extend into the back arc, and the Cascadia arc, characterized by thinner crust ( 40 km) and less evolved eruptions. In the southern Puna region of the CVZ, shear-wave velocities in the uppermost mantle are slow ( 3.9 km/s) compared to the minimum expected shear velocity for melt-free mantle lithosphere ( 4.2 km/s). This is consistent with the presence of a melt-bearing MASH zone near the crust-mantle transition. Sr isotopes indicate the magmas interacted with continental crust, and elevated Dy/Yb ratios suggest this process occurred in the garnet stability field (> 1 GPa). Major element signatures (e.g., ASI vs. SiO2) also suggest contribution from partial melting of the lower crust. The signature of lower crustal differentiation (high Dy/Yb) is also observed in the nearby ignimbrites from Cerro Galan, despite the presence of a large slow velocity body at depths too shallow for garnet stability, suggesting that the geochemical signatures of deep MASH zones may be retained regardless of whether magmas stall at shallower depths. Similarly elevated Dy/Yb ratios and slow shear-wave velocities in the upper mantle are common in the CVZ, implying deep MASH zones are pervasive there. A similar approach is applied to Cascadia, where seismic and geochemical

Multilayer on-chip stacked Fresnel zone plates: Hard x-ray fabrication and soft x-ray simulations

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

Li, Kenan; Wojcik, Michael J.; Ocola, Leonidas E.

2015-11-01

Fresnel zone plates are widely used as x-ray nanofocusing optics. To achieve high spatial resolution combined with good focusing efficiency, high aspect ratio nanolithography is required, and one way to achieve that is through multiple e-beam lithography writing steps to achieve on-chip stacking. A two-step writing process producing 50 nm finest zone width at a zone thickness of 1.14 µm for possible hard x-ray applications is shown here. The authors also consider in simulations the case of soft x-ray focusing where the zone thickness might exceed the depth of focus. In this case, the authors compare on-chip stacking with, andmore » without, adjustment of zone positions and show that the offset zones lead to improved focusing efficiency. The simulations were carried out using a multislice propagation method employing Hankel transforms.« less

Neutron spectroscopic study of crystalline electric field excitations in stoichiometric and lightly stuffed Yb 2 Ti 2 O 7

DOE PAGES

Gaudet, J.; Maharaj, D. D.; Sala, G.; ...

2015-10-27

Time-of-flight neutron spectroscopy has been used to determine the crystalline electric field Hamiltonian, eigenvalues and eigenvectors appropriate to the J=7/2 Yb 3+ ion in the candidate quantum spin ice pyrochlore magnet Yb 2Ti 2O 7. The precise ground state of this exotic, geometrically frustrated magnet is known to be sensitive to weak disorder associated with the growth of single crystals from the melt. Such materials display weak “stuffing,” wherein a small proportion, approximately 2%, of the nonmagnetic Ti 4+ sites are occupied by excess Yb 3+. We have carried out neutron spectroscopic measurements on a stoichiometric powder sample of Ybmore » 2Ti 2O 7, as well as a crushed single crystal with weak stuffing and an approximate composition of Yb 2+xTi 2–xO 7+y with x = 0.046. All samples display three crystalline electric field transitions out of the ground state, and the ground state doublet itself is identified as primarily composed of m J = ±1/2, as expected. However, stuffing at low temperatures in Yb 2+xTi 2–xO 7+y induces a similar finite crystalline electric field lifetime as is induced in stoichiometric Yb 2Ti 2O 7 by elevated temperature. In conclusion, an extended strain field exists about each local “stuffed” site, which produces a distribution of random crystalline electric field environments in the lightly stuffed Yb 2+xTi 2–xO 7+y, in addition to producing a small fraction of Yb ions in defective environments with grossly different crystalline electric field eigenvalues and eigenvectors.« less

Fuel conditioning facility zone-to-zone transfer administrative controls.

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

Pope, C. L.

2000-06-21

The administrative controls associated with transferring containers from one criticality hazard control zone to another in the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) Fuel Conditioning Facility (FCF) are described. FCF, located at the ANL-West site near Idaho Falls, Idaho, is used to remotely process spent sodium bonded metallic fuel for disposition. The process involves nearly forty widely varying material forms and types, over fifty specific use container types, and over thirty distinct zones where work activities occur. During 1999, over five thousand transfers from one zone to another were conducted. Limits are placed on mass, material form and type, and container typesmore » for each zone. Ml material and containers are tracked using the Mass Tracking System (MTG). The MTG uses an Oracle database and numerous applications to manage the database. The database stores information specific to the process, including material composition and mass, container identification number and mass, transfer history, and the operators involved in each transfer. The process is controlled using written procedures which specify the zone, containers, and material involved in a task. Transferring a container from one zone to another is called a zone-to-zone transfer (ZZT). ZZTs consist of four distinct phases, select, request, identify, and completion.« less

Computational and Experimental Characterization of Five Crystal Forms of Thymine: Packing Polymorphism, Polytypism/Disorder and Stoichiometric 0.8-Hydrate

PubMed Central

Braun, Doris E.; Gelbrich, Thomas; Wurst, Klaus; Griesser, Ulrich J.

2017-01-01

New polymorphs of thymine emerged in an experimental search for solid forms, which was guided by the computationally generated crystal energy landscape. Three of the four anhydrates (AH) are homeoenergetic (A° – C) and their packing modes differ only in the location of oxygen and hydrogen atoms. AHs A° and B are ordered phases, whereas AH C shows disorder (X-ray diffuse scattering). Anhydrates AHs A° and B are ordered phases, whereas AH C shows disorder (X-ray diffuse scattering). Analysis of the crystal energy landscape for alternative AH C hydrogen bonded ribbon motifs identified a number of different packing modes, whose 3D structures were calculated to deviate by less than 0.24 kJ mol–1 in lattice energy. These structures provide models for stacking faults. The three anhydrates A° – C show strong similarity in their powder X-ray diffraction, thermoanalytical and spectroscopic (IR and Raman) characteristics. The already known anhydrate AH A° was identified as the thermodynamically most stable form at ambient conditions; AH B and AH C are metastable but show high kinetic stability. The hydrate of thymine is stable only at water activities (aw) > 0.95 at temperatures ≤ 25 °C. It was found to be a stoichiometric hydrate despite being a channel hydrate with an unusual water:thymine ratio of 0.8:1. Depending on the dehydration conditions, either AH C or AH D is obtained. The hydrate is the only known precursor to AH D. This study highlights the value and complementarity of simultaneous explorations of computationally and experimentally generated solid form landscapes of a small molecule anhydrate ↔ hydrate system. PMID:28663717

Computational and Experimental Characterization of Five Crystal Forms of Thymine: Packing Polymorphism, Polytypism/Disorder and Stoichiometric 0.8-Hydrate.

PubMed

Braun, Doris E; Gelbrich, Thomas; Wurst, Klaus; Griesser, Ulrich J

2016-06-01

New polymorphs of thymine emerged in an experimental search for solid forms, which was guided by the computationally generated crystal energy landscape. Three of the four anhydrates (AH) are homeoenergetic ( A° - C ) and their packing modes differ only in the location of oxygen and hydrogen atoms. AHs A° and B are ordered phases, whereas AH C shows disorder (X-ray diffuse scattering). Anhydrates AHs A° and B are ordered phases, whereas AH C shows disorder (X-ray diffuse scattering). Analysis of the crystal energy landscape for alternative AH C hydrogen bonded ribbon motifs identified a number of different packing modes, whose 3D structures were calculated to deviate by less than 0.24 kJ mol -1 in lattice energy. These structures provide models for stacking faults. The three anhydrates A ° - C show strong similarity in their powder X-ray diffraction, thermoanalytical and spectroscopic (IR and Raman) characteristics. The already known anhydrate AH A ° was identified as the thermodynamically most stable form at ambient conditions; AH B and AH C are metastable but show high kinetic stability. The hydrate of thymine is stable only at water activities ( a w ) > 0.95 at temperatures ≤ 25 °C. It was found to be a stoichiometric hydrate despite being a channel hydrate with an unusual water:thymine ratio of 0.8:1. Depending on the dehydration conditions, either AH C or AH D is obtained. The hydrate is the only known precursor to AH D . This study highlights the value and complementarity of simultaneous explorations of computationally and experimentally generated solid form landscapes of a small molecule anhydrate ↔ hydrate system.

Ferromagnetic resonance study of the non-stoichiometric double perovskite Sr2Fe1+xMo1-xO6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Medina, J. De La Torre; Piraux, L.; Soto, T. E.; Morales, R.; Navarro, O.

2018-02-01

In this work we report a ferromagnetic resonance study on the magnetic properties of double perovskite compounds fab-ricated by solid state reaction. Based on a mean field approach, along with morphological considerations, we accurately determined the saturation magnetization of the non-stoichiometric double perovskite Sr2Fe1+xMo1-xO6. Our approach has revealed a direct in-fluence of composition on the overall magnetic behavior of these materials, providing complementary experimental evidence that corroborates previous theoretical findings. The understanding of the influence of composition is of paramount importance for the design of ferromagnetic oxides with tunable magnetic and magneto-transport behavior.

33 CFR 165.169 - Safety and Security Zones: New York Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Safety and Security Zones: New York Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. 165.169 Section 165.169 Navigation and... Areas First Coast Guard District § 165.169 Safety and Security Zones: New York Marine Inspection Zone...

33 CFR 165.169 - Safety and Security Zones: New York Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Safety and Security Zones: New York Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. 165.169 Section 165.169 Navigation and... Areas First Coast Guard District § 165.169 Safety and Security Zones: New York Marine Inspection Zone...

33 CFR 165.169 - Safety and Security Zones: New York Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Safety and Security Zones: New York Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. 165.169 Section 165.169 Navigation and... Areas First Coast Guard District § 165.169 Safety and Security Zones: New York Marine Inspection Zone...

33 CFR 165.169 - Safety and Security Zones: New York Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Safety and Security Zones: New York Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. 165.169 Section 165.169 Navigation and... Areas First Coast Guard District § 165.169 Safety and Security Zones: New York Marine Inspection Zone...

33 CFR 165.169 - Safety and Security Zones: New York Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Safety and Security Zones: New York Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. 165.169 Section 165.169 Navigation and... Areas First Coast Guard District § 165.169 Safety and Security Zones: New York Marine Inspection Zone...

Theory of phase stabilities and bonding mechanisms in stoichiometric and substoichiometric molybdenum carbide

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

Hugosson, H.W.; Eriksson, O.; Nordstroem, L.

1999-10-01

First principles, total energy methods have been applied to predict the relative stabilities of the four experimentally verified MoC phases: the cubic {delta}(NaCl) phase and the three hexagonal {gamma}(WC), {eta} and {gamma}{sup {prime}}(TiAs) phases. The effect of vacancies on the relative stability of these four phases was investigated using a model structure with ordered vacancies within the carbon sublattice. For stoichiometric MoC, the {gamma} phase was found to be the most stable followed by {gamma}{sup {prime}}, {delta}, and {eta}, but for substoichiometric MoC{sub 0.75}, the order of relative stability was changed and the substoichiometric {delta} phase was found to havemore » the lowest energy followed by {gamma}{sup {prime}} and {gamma}. A study of the electronic structure revealed vacancy induced peaks in the density of state and the electron density attached to these peaks was analyzed and found to emanate from unscreened Mo{endash}Mo bonds through the carbon vacancy site. Finally, the oxygen stabilization of the {gamma}{sup {prime}} MoC phase was studied. {copyright} {ital 1999 American Institute of Physics.}« less

Mantle transition zone structure beneath the Canadian Shield

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thompson, D. A.; Helffrich, G. R.; Bastow, I. D.; Kendall, J. M.; Wookey, J.; Eaton, D. W.; Snyder, D. B.

2010-12-01

The Canadian Shield is underlain by one of the deepest and most laterally extensive continental roots on the planet. Seismological constraints on the mantle structure beneath the region are presently lacking due to the paucity of stations in this remote area. Presented here is a receiver function study on transition zone structure using data from recently deployed seismic networks from the Hudson Bay region. High resolution images based on high signal-to-noise ratio data show clear arrivals from the 410 km and 660 km discontinuities, revealing remarkably little variation in transition zone structure. Transition zone thickness is close to the global average (averaging 245 km across the study area), and any deviations in Pds arrival time from reference Earth models can be readily explained by upper-mantle velocity structure. The 520 km discontinuity is not a ubiquitous feature, and is only weakly observed in localised areas. These results imply that the Laurentian root is likely confined to the upper-mantle and if any mantle downwelling exists, possibly explaining the existence of Hudson Bay, it is also confined to the upper 400 km. Any thermal perturbations at transition zone depths associated with the existence of the root, whether they be cold downwellings or elevated temperatures due to the insulating effect of the root, are thus either non-existent or below the resolution of the study.

Root-zone acidity affects relative uptake of nitrate and ammonium from mixed nitrogen sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vessey, J. K.; Henry, L. T.; Chaillou, S.; Raper, C. D. Jr; Raper CD, J. r. (Principal Investigator)

1990-01-01

Soybean plants (Glycine max [L.] Merr. cv Ransom) were grown for 21 days on 4 sources of N (1.0 mM NO3-, 0.67 mM NO3- plus 0.33 mM NH4+, 0.33 mM NO3- plus 0.67 mM NH4+, and 1.0 mM NH4+) in hydroponic culture with the acidity of the nutrient solution controlled at pH 6.0, 5.5, 5.0, and 4.5. Dry matter and total N accumulation of the plants was not significantly affected by N-source at any of the pH levels except for decreases in these parameters in plants supplied solely with NH4+ at pH 4.5. Shoot-to-root ratios increased in plants which had an increased proportion [correction of proporiton] of NH4(+)-N in their nutrient solutions at all levels of root-zone pH. Uptake of NO3- and NH4+ was monitored daily by ion chromatography as depletion of these ions from the replenished hydroponic solutions. At all pH levels the proportion of either ion that was absorbed increased as the ratio of that ion increased in the nutrient solution. In plants which were supplied with sources of NO3- plus NH4+, NH4+ was absorbed at a ratio of 2:1 over NO3- at pH 6.0. As the pH of the root-zone declined, however, NH4+ uptake decreased and NO3- uptake increased. Thus, the NH4+ to NO3- uptake ratio declined with decreases in root-zone pH. The data indicate a negative effect of declining root-zone pH on NH4+ uptake and supports a hypothesis that the inhibition of growth of plants dependent on NH4(+)-N at low pH is due to a decline in NH4+ uptake and a consequential limitation of growth by N stress.

Non-stoichiometric O-acetylation of Shigella flexneri 2a O-specific polysaccharide: synthesis and antigenicity.

PubMed

Gauthier, Charles; Chassagne, Pierre; Theillet, François-Xavier; Guerreiro, Catherine; Thouron, Françoise; Nato, Farida; Delepierre, Muriel; Sansonetti, Philippe J; Phalipon, Armelle; Mulard, Laurence A

2014-06-28

Synthetic functional mimics of the O-antigen from Shigella flexneri 2a are seen as promising vaccine components against endemic shigellosis. Herein, the influence of the polysaccharide non-stoichiometric di-O-acetylation on antigenicity is addressed for the first time. Three decasaccharides, representing relevant internal mono- and di-O-acetylation profiles of the O-antigen, were synthesized from a pivotal protected decasaccharide designed to tailor late stage site-selective O-acetylation. The latter was obtained via a convergent route involving the imidate glycosylation chemistry. Binding studies to five protective mIgGs showed that none of the acetates adds significantly to broad antibody recognition. Yet, one of the five antibodies had a unique pattern of binding. With IC50 in the micromolar to submicromolar range mIgG F22-4 exemplifies a remarkable tight binding antibody against diversely O-acetylated and non-O-acetylated fragments of a neutral polysaccharide of medical importance.

Accurately tuning the charge on giant polyoxometalate type Keplerates through stoichiometric interaction with cationic surfactants.

PubMed

Kistler, Melissa L; Patel, Komal G; Liu, Tianbo

2009-07-07

We report an approach of exploring the interaction between cationic surfactants and a type of structurally well-defined, spherical "Keplerate" polyoxometalate (POM) macroanionic molecular clusters, {Mo72V30}, in aqueous solution. The effectiveness of the interaction can be determined by monitoring the size change of the "blackberry" supramolecular structures formed by the self-assembly of {Mo72V30} macroions, which is determined by the effective charge density on the macroions. Long-chain surfactants (CTAB and CTAT) can interact with {Mo72V30} macroions stoichiometrically and lower their charge density. Consequently, the blackberry size decreases continuously with increasing surfactant concentration in solution. On the other hand, for short-chain surfactants (e.g., OTAB), a larger fraction of surfactants exist as discrete chains in solution and do not strongly interact with the macroions. This approach shows that a controllable amount of suitable surfactants can accurately tune the charge on large molecular clusters.

Twin defects in thick stoichiometric lithium tantalate crystals prepared by a vapor transport equilibration method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Jinfeng; Sun, Jun; Xu, Jingjun; Li, Qinglian; Shang, Jifang; Zhang, Ling; Liu, Shiguo; Huang, Cunxin

2016-01-01

The twins were observed and investigated in vapor transport equilibration (VTE) treated lithium tantalate crystals by burying congruent lithium tantalate crystals (CLT) in a Li-rich polycrystalline powder. Twins and their etched patterns were observed under an optical polarizing microscope, and the geometry of the twins was discussed. Twin composition planes were the { 01 1 bar 2 } planes. The cause of twinning was analyzed and verified by experiment. The results indicate that the emergence of twins is due to sintering stress, which arises from sintered Li-rich polycrystalline powders at high temperature. 3.2 mm thick stoichiometric lithium tantalate (SLT) crystals without twins were obtained by setting corundum crucibles over the top of the crystals to make crystals free from the sintering stress. In addition, cracks were observed at the intersection of twin bands, and the stress caused by the dislocation pile-up was considered to be the reason for the formation of cracks.

The role of groundwater discharge fluxes on Si:P ratios in a major tributary to Lake Erie.

PubMed

Maavara, Taylor; Slowinski, Stephanie; Rezanezhad, Fereidoun; Van Meter, Kimberly; Van Cappellen, Philippe

2018-05-01

Groundwater discharge can be a major source of nutrients to river systems. Although quantification of groundwater nitrate loading to streams is common, the dependence of surface water silicon (Si) and phosphorus (P) concentrations on groundwater sources has rarely been determined. Additionally, the ability of groundwater discharge to drive surface water Si:P ratios has not been contextualized relative to riverine inputs or in-stream transformations. In this study, we quantify the seasonal dynamics of Si and P cycles in the Grand River (GR) watershed, the largest Canadian watershed draining into Lake Erie, to test our hypothesis that regions of Si-rich groundwater discharge increase surface water Si:P ratios. Historically, both the GR and Lake Erie have been considered stoichiometrically P-limited, where the molar Si:P ratio is greater than the ~16:1 phytoplankton uptake ratio. However, recent trends suggest that eastern Lake Erie may be approaching Si-limitation. We sampled groundwater and surface water for dissolved and reactive particulate Si as well as total dissolved P for 12months within and downstream of a 50-km reach of high groundwater discharge. Our results indicate that groundwater Si:P ratios are lower than the corresponding surface water and that groundwater is a significant source of bioavailable P to surface water. Despite these observations, the watershed remains P-limited for the majority of the year, with localized periods of Si-limitation. We further find that groundwater Si:P ratios are a relatively minor driver of surface water Si:P, but that the magnitude of Si and P loads from groundwater represent a large proportion of the overall fluxes to Lake Erie. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

South Pacific Convergence Zone Changes during the Late Holocene Identified from Hydrogen Isotope Ratios of Terrestrial and Aquatic Biomarkers from Freshwater Lake Sediments in Vanuatu

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maloney, A. E.; Ladd, N.; Nelson, D. B.; Sachs, J. P.; Dubois, N.

2017-12-01

The South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) is one of Earth's major precipitation features. Mean annual rainfall rates are as high as 10 mm/day in the Solomon Islands in the northwest portion of the SPCZ, and decline to 4 mm/day in portions of French Polynesia the southeastern reach of the SPCZ. Coral records suggest that the mean annual position and precipitation intensity associated with the SPCZ have most likely expanded and contracted on decadal to centennial timescales, but existing data is limited, making it difficult to constrain and characterize these changes. Thion Island (15.03 °S, 167.09 °E) is located off the east coast of Espírito Santo in Vanuatu, at an intermediate position in the modern SPCZ. As such, it should be sensitive to major contractions and expansions of the SPCZ, with wetter conditions when the SPCZ expands southeast, and drier conditions when it contracts to the northwest. In order to determine changes in precipitation over the past millennium on Thion Island, we collected sediment cores from two adjacent freshwater lakes on the island, White Lake and Red Lake, and measured compound specific hydrogen isotope ratios (2H/1H) of lipid biomarkers from terrestrial plants (long-chain n-alkanes and n­-alkanoic acids), aquatic plants (mid-chain n­-alkanes and n-alkanoic acids), and microalgae (dinosterol and botryococcenes). For all measured biomarkers, 2H/1H ratios were higher during the Little Ice Age (LIA, late 14th century to early 19th century) relative to the preceding Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) and to the 20th century, suggesting drier conditions at this location during the LIA. The magnitude of decrease in 2H/1H ratios was twice as large for microalgal dinosterol ( 40 ‰ decrease) as for leaf waxes associated with higher plants ( 20 ‰ decrease). The leaf wax data likely reflects changes in precipitation isotopes due to the amount effect, while the microalgal values should change with lake water 2H/1H, which is sensitive to both

Deposition and characterization of stoichiometric films of V2O5 on Pd(111)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Xu; Abdel-Rahman, Mohammed K.; Kruppe, Christopher M.; Trenary, Michael

2017-10-01

A simple and efficient method has been used to grow V2O5 thin films on Pd(111) at a substrate temperature of 300 K through physical vapor deposition by heating a fine powder of V2O5 in a non-oxidative, UHV environment. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) and low energy electron diffraction (LEED) were used to characterize the thin films. When the as-grown films exceed a minimum thickness, characteristic features of V2O5 were revealed by XPS and RAIRS, which confirms the presence of stoichiometric V2O5. LEED indicates no long range order of the as-grown films at 300 K. Annealing to temperatures between 600 and 700 K causes a reduction of V2O5 to VO2 as identified by XPS and the formation of ordered structures as determined by LEED, and VO2 is predominant after annealing to 800 K. After further annealing to 1000 K, only an ordered form of V2O3 is present on Pd(111).

Butt-coupled interface between stoichiometric Si3N4 and thin-film plasmonic waveguides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dabos, G.; Ketzaki, D.; Tsiokos, D.; Pleros, N.

2017-02-01

Plasmonic technology has emerged as the most promising candidate to revolutionize future photonic-integrated-circuits (PICs) and deliver performance breakthroughs in diverse application areas by providing increased light-matter interaction at the nanometer scale, overcoming the diffraction limit. However, high insertion losses of plasmonic devices impede their practical deployment in PICs. To overcome this hurdle, selective integration of individual plasmonic devices on low-loss photonic platforms is considered, allowing for enhanced chip-scale functionalities with realistic power budgets. In this context, highly-efficient and fabrication-tolerant optical interfaces for co-planar plasmonic and photonic waveguides become essential, bridging these two "worlds" and ease combined high-volume manufacturing. Herein, a TM-mode butt-coupled interface for stoichiometric Si3N4 and Au-based thin-film plasmonic waveguides is proposed aiming to be utilized for bio-sensing applications. Following a systematic design process, this new configuration has been analyzed through 3D FDTD numerical simulations demonstrating coupling efficiencies up to 64% at the wavelength of 1.55 μm, with increased fabrication tolerance compared to silicon based waveguide alternatives.

Stoichiometric and Oxygen-Deficient VO2 as Versatile Hole Injection Electrode for Organic Semiconductors.

PubMed

Fu, Keke; Wang, Rongbin; Katase, Takayoshi; Ohta, Hiromichi; Koch, Norbert; Duhm, Steffen

2018-03-28

Using photoemission spectroscopy, we show that the surface electronic structure of VO 2 is determined by the temperature-dependent metal-insulator phase transition and the density of oxygen vacancies, which depends on the temperature and ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions. The atomically clean and stoichiometric VO 2 surface is insulating at room temperature and features an ultrahigh work function of up to 6.7 eV. Heating in UHV just above the phase transition temperature induces the expected metallic phase, which goes in hand with the formation of oxygen defects (up to 6% in this study), but a high work function >6 eV is maintained. To demonstrate the suitability of VO 2 as hole injection contact for organic semiconductors, we investigated the energy-level alignment with the prototypical organic hole transport material N, N'-di(1-naphthyl)- N, N'-diphenyl-(1,1'-biphenyl)-4,4'-diamine (NPB). Evidence for strong Fermi-level pinning and the associated energy-level bending in NPB is found, rendering an Ohmic contact for holes.

Two-octave spanning supercontinuum generation in stoichiometric silicon nitride waveguides pumped at telecom wavelengths.

PubMed

Porcel, Marco A G; Schepers, Florian; Epping, Jörn P; Hellwig, Tim; Hoekman, Marcel; Heideman, René G; van der Slot, Peter J M; Lee, Chris J; Schmidt, Robert; Bratschitsch, Rudolf; Fallnich, Carsten; Boller, Klaus-J

2017-01-23

We demonstrate supercontinuum generation in stoichiometric silicon nitride (Si₃N₄ in SiO₂) integrated optical waveguides, pumped at telecommunication wavelengths. The pump laser is a mode-locked erbium fiber laser at a wavelength of 1.56 µm with a pulse duration of 120 fs. With a waveguide-internal pulse energy of 1.4 nJ and a waveguide with 1.0 µm × 0.9 µm cross section, designed for anomalous dispersion across the 1500 nm telecommunication range, the output spectrum extends from the visible, at around 526 nm, up to the mid-infrared, at least to 2.6 µm, the instrumental limit of our detection. This output spans more than 2.2 octaves (454 THz at the -30 dB level). The measured output spectra agree well with theoretical modeling based on the generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The infrared part of the supercontinuum spectra shifts progressively towards the mid-infrared, well beyond 2.6 µm, by increasing the width of the waveguides.

Using 238U/235U ratios to understand the formation and oxidation of reduced uranium solids in naturally reduced zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jemison, N.; Johnson, T. M.; Druhan, J. L.; Davis, J. A.

2016-12-01

Uranium occurs in groundwater primarily as soluble and mobile U(VI), which can be reduced to immobile U(IV), often observed in sediments as uraninite. Numerous U(VI)-contaminated sites, such as the DOE field site in Rifle, CO, contain naturally reduced zones (NRZ's) that have relatively high concentrations of organic matter. Reduction of heavy metals occurs within NRZ's, producing elevated concentrations of iron sulfides and U(IV). Slow, natural oxidation of U(IV) from NRZ's may prolong U(VI) contamination of groundwater. The reduction of U(VI) produces U(IV) with a higher 238U/235U ratio. Samples from two NRZ sediment cores recovered from the Rifle site revealed that the outer fringes of the NRZ contain U(IV) with a high 238U/235U ratio, while lower values are observed in the center . We suggest that as aqueous U(VI) was reduced in the NRZ, it was driven to lower 238U/235U values, such that U(IV) formed in the core of the NRZ reflects a lower 238U/235U. Two oxidation experiments were conducted by injecting groundwater containing between 14.9 and 21.2 mg/L dissolved O2 as an oxidant into the NRZ. The oxidation of U(IV) from this NRZ increased aqueous U(VI) concentrations and caused a shift to higher 238U/235U in groundwater as U(IV) was oxidized primarily on the outer fringes of the NRZ. In total these observations suggest that the stability of solid phase uranium is governed by coupled reaction and transport processes. To better understand various reactive transport scenarios we developed a model for the formation and oxidation of NRZ's utilizing the reactive transport software CrunchTope. These simulations suggest that the development of isotopically heterogeneous U(IV) within NRZ's is largely controlled by permeability of the NRZ and the U(VI) reduction rate. Oxidation of U(IV) from the NRZ's is constrained by the oxidation rate of U(IV) as well as iron sulfides, which can prevent oxidation of U(IV) by scavenging dissolved oxygen.

Natural realgar and amorphous AsS oxidation kinetics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lengke, Maggy F.; Tempel, Regina N.

2003-03-01

The oxidation rates of natural realgar and amorphous synthetic AsS by dissolved oxygen were evaluated using mixed flow reactors at pH 7.2 to 8.8 and dissolved oxygen contents of 5.9 to 16.5 ppm over a temperature range of 25 to 40°C. The ratios of As/S are stoichiometric for all amorphous AsS oxidation experiments except for two experiments conducted at pH ˜8.8. In these experiments, stoichiometric ratios of As/S were only observed in the early stages of AsS (am) oxidation whereas lower As/S ratios were observed during steady state. For realgar oxidation experiments, the As/S ratio is less than the stoichiometric ratio of realgar, ranging between 0.61 and 0.71. This nonstoichiometric release of As and S to solution indicates that realgar oxidation is more selective for S after the rates of oxidation become constant. All measured oxidation rates at 25°C can be described within experimental uncertainties as follows: Table 1

Personal sound zone reproduction with room reflections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olik, Marek

Loudspeaker-based sound systems, capable of a convincing reproduction of different audio streams to listeners in the same acoustic enclosure, are a convenient alternative to headphones. Such systems aim to generate "sound zones" in which target sound programmes are to be reproduced with minimum interference from any alternative programmes. This can be achieved with appropriate filtering of the source (loudspeaker) signals, so that the target sound's energy is directed to the chosen zone while being attenuated elsewhere. The existing methods are unable to produce the required sound energy ratio (acoustic contrast) between the zones with a small number of sources when strong room reflections are present. Optimization of parameters is therefore required for systems with practical limitations to improve their performance in reflective acoustic environments. One important parameter is positioning of sources with respect to the zones and room boundaries. The first contribution of this thesis is a comparison of the key sound zoning methods implemented on compact and distributed geometrical source arrangements. The study presents previously unpublished detailed evaluation and ranking of such arrangements for systems with a limited number of sources in a reflective acoustic environment similar to a domestic room. Motivated by the requirement to investigate the relationship between source positioning and performance in detail, the central contribution of this thesis is a study on optimizing source arrangements when strong individual room reflections occur. Small sound zone systems are studied analytically and numerically to reveal relationships between the geometry of source arrays and performance in terms of acoustic contrast and array effort (related to system efficiency). Three novel source position optimization techniques are proposed to increase the contrast, and geometrical means of reducing the effort are determined. Contrary to previously published case studies, this

Quantitative analysis of seismic fault zone waves in the rupture zone of the 1992 Landers, California, earthquake: Evidence for a shallow trapping structure

USGS Publications Warehouse

Peng, Z.; Ben-Zion, Y.; Michael, A.J.; Zhu, L.

2003-01-01

We analyse quantitatively a waveform data set of 238 earthquakes recorded by a dense seismic array across and along the rupture zone of the 1992 Landers earthquake. A grid-search method with station delay corrections is used to locate events that do not have catalogue locations. The quality of fault zone trapped waves generated by each event is determined from the ratios of seismic energy in time windows corresponding to trapped waves and direct S waves at stations close to and off the fault zone. Approximately 70 per cent of the events with S-P times of less than 2 s, including many clearly off the fault, produce considerable trapped wave energy. This distribution is in marked contrast with previous claims that trapped waves are generated only by sources close to or inside the Landers rupture zone. The time difference between the S arrival and trapped waves group does not grow systematically with increasing hypocentral distance and depth. The dispersion measured from the trapped waves is weak. These results imply that the seismic trapping structure at the Landers rupture zone is shallow and does not extend continuously along-strike by more than a few kilometres. Synthetic waveform modelling indicates that the fault zone waveguide has depth of approximately 2-4 km, a width of approximately 200 m, an S-wave velocity reduction relative to the host rock of approximately 30-40 per cent and an S-wave attenuation coefficient of approximately 20-30. The fault zone waveguide north of the array appears to be shallower and weaker than that south of the array. The waveform modelling also indicates that the seismic trapping structure below the array is centred approximately 100 m east of the surface break.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Habitable zone code (Valle+, 2014)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valle, G.; Dell'Omodarme, M.; Prada Moroni, P. G.; Degl'Innocenti, S.

2014-06-01

A C computation code that provide in output the distance dm (i for which the duration of habitability is longest, the corresponding duration tm (in Gyr), the width W (in AU) of the zone for which the habitability lasts tm/2, the inner (Ri) and outer (Ro) boundaries of the 4Gyr continuously habitable zone. The code read the input file HZ-input.dat, containing in each row the mass of the host star (range: 0.70-1.10M⊙), its metallicity (either Z (range: 0.005-0.004) or [Fe/H]), the helium-to-metal enrichment ratio (range: 1-3, standard value = 2), the equilibrium temperature for habitable zone outer boundary computation (range: 169-203K) and the planet Bond Albedo (range: 0.0-1.0, Earth = 0.3). The output is printed on-screen. Compilation: just use your favorite C compiler: gcc hz.c -lm -o HZ (2 data files).

Ex situ generation of stoichiometric HCN and its application in the Pd-catalysed cyanation of aryl bromides: evidence for a transmetallation step between two oxidative addition Pd-complexes.

PubMed

Kristensen, Steffan K; Eikeland, Espen Z; Taarning, Esben; Lindhardt, Anders T; Skrydstrup, Troels

2017-12-01

A protocol for the Pd-catalysed cyanation of aryl bromides using near stoichiometric and gaseous hydrogen cyanide is reported for the first time. A two-chamber reactor was adopted for the safe liberation of ex situ generated HCN in a closed environment, which proved highly efficient in the Ni-catalysed hydrocyanation as the test reaction. Subsequently, this setup was exploited for converting a range of aryl and heteroaryl bromides (28 examples) directly into the corresponding benzonitriles in high yields, without the need for cyanide salts. Cyanation was achieved employing the Pd(0) precatalyst, P( t Bu) 3 -Pd-G3 and a weak base, potassium acetate, in a dioxane-water solvent mixture. The methodology was also suitable for the synthesis of 13 C-labelled benzonitriles with ex situ generated 13 C-hydrogen cyanide. Stoichiometric studies with the metal complexes were undertaken to delineate the mechanism for this catalytic transformation. Treatment of Pd(P( t Bu) 3 ) 2 with H 13 CN in THF provided two Pd-hydride complexes, (P( t Bu) 3 ) 2 Pd(H)( 13 CN), and [(P( t Bu) 3 )Pd(H)] 2 Pd( 13 CN) 4 , both of which were isolated and characterised by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystal structure analysis. When the same reaction was performed in a THF : water mixture in the presence of KOAc, only (P( t Bu) 3 ) 2 Pd(H)( 13 CN) was formed. Subjection of this cyano hydride metal complex with the oxidative addition complex (P( t Bu) 3 )Pd(Ph)(Br) in a 1 : 1 ratio in THF led to a transmetallation step with the formation of (P( t Bu) 3 ) 2 Pd(H)(Br) and 13 C-benzonitrile from a reductive elimination step. These experiments suggest the possibility of a catalytic cycle involving initially the formation of two Pd(ii)-species from the oxidative addition of L n Pd(0) into HCN and an aryl bromide followed by a transmetallation step to L n Pd(Ar)(CN) and L n Pd(H)(Br), which both reductively eliminate, the latter in the presence of KOAc, to generate the benzonitrile and L n Pd(0).

WorkZoneQ user guide for two-lane freeway work zones.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-06-01

WorkZoneQ was developed in Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) to implement the results of the previous study, : Queue and Users Costs in Highway Work Zones. This report contains the WorkZoneQ user guide. WorkZoneQ : consists of eight Excel ...

Molecular differences in transition zone and peripheral zone prostate tumors

PubMed Central

Sinnott, Jennifer A.; Rider, Jennifer R.; Carlsson, Jessica; Gerke, Travis; Tyekucheva, Svitlana; Penney, Kathryn L.; Sesso, Howard D.; Loda, Massimo; Fall, Katja; Stampfer, Meir J.; Mucci, Lorelei A.; Pawitan, Yudi; Andersson, Sven-Olof; Andrén, Ove

2015-01-01

Prostate tumors arise primarily in the peripheral zone (PZ) of the prostate, but 20–30% arise in the transition zone (TZ). Zone of origin may have prognostic value or reflect distinct molecular subtypes; however, it can be difficult to determine in practice. Using whole-genome gene expression, we built a signature of zone using normal tissue from five individuals and found that it successfully classified nine tumors of known zone. Hypothesizing that this signature captures tumor zone of origin, we assessed its relationship with clinical factors among 369 tumors of unknown zone from radical prostatectomies (RPs) and found that tumors that molecularly resembled TZ tumors showed lower mortality (P = 0.09) that was explained by lower Gleason scores (P = 0.009). We further applied the signature to an earlier study of 88 RP and 333 transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) tumor samples, also of unknown zone, with gene expression on ~6000 genes. We had observed previously substantial expression differences between RP and TURP specimens, and hypothesized that this might be because RPs capture primarily PZ tumors, whereas TURPs capture more TZ tumors. Our signature distinguished these two groups, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 87% (P < 0.0001). Our findings that zonal differences in normal tissue persist in tumor tissue and that these differences are associated with Gleason score and sample type suggest that subtypes potentially resulting from different etiologic pathways might arise in these zones. Zone of origin may be important to consider in prostate tumor biomarker research. PMID:25870172

The Zone Diet phenomenon: a closer look at the science behind the claims.

PubMed

Cheuvront, Samuel N

2003-02-01

The purported health benefits of low-carbohydrate diets have been advocated intermittently over the last century and have enjoyed increasing popularity over the last decade. Although most revolve around the emphatic theme that carbohydrates are to blame for many chronic diseases, their specific ideologies are more variable and in some cases quite sophisticated. The Zone Diet phenomenon represents a new generation of modern low carbohydrate food fad with sales placing it among the most popular diet books in recent history. The Zone is a 40% carbohydrate, 30% protein and 30% fat eating plan that advocates only sparing use of grains and starches. The precise 0.75 protein to carbohydrate ratio required with each meal is promoted to reduce the insulin to glucagon ratio, which purportedly affects eicosanoid metabolism and ultimately produces a cascade of biological events leading to a reduction in chronic disease risk, enhanced immunity, maximal physical and mental performance, increased longevity and permanent weight loss. There is presently little scientific support for the connections made between diet, endocrinology and eicosanoid metabolism. In fact, a review of the literature suggests that there are scientific contradictions in the Zone Diet hypothesis that cast unquestionable doubt on its potential efficacy. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the scientific merit of the Zone Diet and its health claims in an effort to help delineate what is and what is not sound nutrition science.

Uranium-isotope variations in groundwaters of the Floridan aquifer and Boulder Zone of south Florida

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cowart, J.B.; Kaufman, M.I.; Osmond, J.K.

1978-01-01

Water samples from four wells from the main Floridan aquifer (300-400 m below mean sea level) in southeast Florida exhibit 234U 233U activity ratios that are significantly lower than the secular equilibrium value of 1.00. Such anomalous values have been observed previously only in waters from sedimentary aquifers in the near-surface oxidizing environments. These four wells differ from six others, all producing from the same general horizon, in being located in cavernous highly transmissive zones. We hypothesize that the low activity ratios are indicative of a relic circulation pattern whereby water from the surface aquifer was channelled to lower levels when sea level was much lower. At a deeper cavernous level, known as the Boulder Zone (800-1,000 m below mean sea level), the U isotopes, along with other chemical constituents, show progressive changes with increasing distance from an inferred flow source in the Straits of Florida. This tends to support the hypothesized landward flow (though with a more northerly component) of cold seawater in the extensively transmissive Boulder Zone. ?? 1978.

Stress state and movement potential of the Kar-e-Bas fault zone, Fars, Iran

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarkarinejad, Khalil; Zafarmand, Bahareh

2017-08-01

The Kar-e-Bas or Mengharak basement-inverted fault is comprised of six segments in the Zagros foreland folded belt of Iran. In the Fars region, this fault zone associated with the Kazerun, Sabz-Pushan and Sarvestan faults serves as a lateral transfer zone that accommodates the change in shortening direction from the western central to the eastern Zagros. This study evaluates the recent tectonic stress regime of the Kar-e-Bas fault zone based on inversion of earthquake focal mechanism data, and quantifies the fault movement potential of this zone based on the relationship between fault geometric characteristics and recent tectonic stress regimes. The trend and plunge of σ 1 and σ 3 are S25°W/04°-N31°E/05° and S65°E/04°-N60°W/10°, respectively, with a stress ratio of Φ = 0.83. These results are consistent with the collision direction of the Afro-Arabian continent and the Iranian microcontinent. The near horizontal plunge of maximum and minimum principle stresses and the value of stress ratio Φ indicate that the state of stress is nearly strike-slip dominated with little relative difference between the value of two principal stresses, σ 1 and σ 2. The obliquity of the maximum compressional stress into the fault trend reveals a typical stress partitioning of thrust and strike-slip motion in the Kar-e-Bas fault zone. Analysis of the movement potential of this fault zone shows that its northern segment has a higher potential of fault activity (0.99). The negligible difference between the fault-plane dips of the segments indicates that their strike is a controlling factor in the changes in movement potential.

X-ray microscopy with high-resolution zone plates: recent developments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider, Gerd; Wilhein, Thomas; Niemann, Bastian; Guttman, P.; Schliebe, T.; Lehr, J.; Aschoff, H.; Thieme, Juergen; Rudolph, Dietbert M.; Schmahl, Guenther A.

1995-09-01

In order to expand the applications of x-ray microscopy, developments in the fields of zone plate technology, specimen preparation and imaging techniques have been made. A new cross- linked polymer chain electron beam resist allows us to record zone plate pattern down to 19 nm outermost zone width. High resolution zone plates in germanium with outermost zone widths down to 19 nm have been developed. In addition, phase zone plates in nickel down to 30 nm zone width have been made by electroplating. In order to enhance the image contrast for weak absorbing objects, the phase contrast method for x-ray microscopy was developed and implemented on the Gottingen x-ray microscope at BESSY. The effects of x ray absorption on the structure of biological specimen limits the maximum applicable radiation dose and therefore the achievable signal to noise ratio for an artifact-free x-ray image. To improve the stability especially of biological specimen, a cryogenic object chamber has been developed and tested. It turns out that at the operating temperature T less than or equal to 130 K unfixed biological specimen can be exposed to a radiation dose of 109 - 1010 Gy without any observable structural changes. A multiple-angle viewing stage allows us to take stereoscopic images with the x-ray microscope, giving a 3D-impression of the object. As an example for the applications of x-ray microscopy in biology, erythrocytes infected by malaria parasite have been examined. Studies of the aggregation of hematite by sodium sulfate gives an example for the application of x-ray microscopy in the field of colloid research.

76 FR 63202 - Security Zones; Captain of the Port Lake Michigan Zone

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-12

...-AA87 Security Zones; Captain of the Port Lake Michigan Zone AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: Based on a review of safety and security zones around critical infrastructure in the... Chicago Harbor & Burnham Park Harbor--Safety and Security Zone regulation and the Security Zones; Captain...

Preliminary report on the use of LANDSAT-1 (ERTS-1) reflectance data in locating alteration zones associated with uranium mineralization near Cameron, Arizona

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

Spirakis, C.S.; Condit, C.D.

1975-01-01

LANDSAT-1 (ERTS-1) multispectral reflectance data were used to enhance the detection of alteration around uranium deposits near Cameron, Ariz. The technique involved stretching and ratioing computer-enhanced data from which electronic noise and atmospheric haze had been removed. Using present techniques, the work proves that LANDSAT-1 data are useful in detecting alteration around uranium deposits, but the method may still be improved. Bluish-gray mudstone in the target area could not be differentiated from the altered zones on the ratioed images. Further experiments involving combinations of ratioed and nonratioed data will be required to uniquely define the altered zones.

33 CFR 165.911 - Security Zones; Captain of the Port Buffalo Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Security Zones; Captain of the Port Buffalo Zone. 165.911 Section 165.911 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF... Security Zones; Captain of the Port Buffalo Zone. (a) Location. The following are security zones: (1) Nine...

33 CFR 165.911 - Security Zones; Captain of the Port Buffalo Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Security Zones; Captain of the Port Buffalo Zone. 165.911 Section 165.911 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF... Security Zones; Captain of the Port Buffalo Zone. (a) Location. The following are security zones: (1) Nine...

33 CFR 165.911 - Security Zones; Captain of the Port Buffalo Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Security Zones; Captain of the Port Buffalo Zone. 165.911 Section 165.911 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF... Security Zones; Captain of the Port Buffalo Zone. (a) Location. The following are security zones: (1) Nine...

33 CFR 165.911 - Security Zones; Captain of the Port Buffalo Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Security Zones; Captain of the Port Buffalo Zone. 165.911 Section 165.911 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF... Security Zones; Captain of the Port Buffalo Zone. (a) Location. The following are security zones: (1) Nine...

Oxidation of Benzene by Persulfate in the Presence of Fe(III)- and Mn(IV)-Containing Oxides: Stoichiometric Efficiency and Transformation Products.

PubMed

Liu, Haizhou; Bruton, Thomas A; Li, Wei; Buren, Jean Van; Prasse, Carsten; Doyle, Fiona M; Sedlak, David L

2016-01-19

Sulfate radical (SO4(•-)) is a strong, short-lived oxidant that is produced when persulfate (S2O8(2-)) reacts with transition metal oxides during in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) of contaminated groundwater. Although engineers are aware of the ability of transition metal oxides to activate persulfate, the operation of ISCO remediation systems is hampered by an inadequate understanding of the factors that control SO4(•-) production and the overall efficiency of the process. To address these shortcomings, we assessed the stoichiometric efficiency and products of transition metal-catalyzed persulfate oxidation of benzene with pure iron- and manganese-containing minerals, clays, and aquifer solids. For most metal-containing solids, the stoichiometric efficiency, as determined by the loss of benzene relative to the loss of persulfate, approached the theoretical maximum. Rates of production of SO4(•-) or hydroxyl radical (HO(•)) generated from radical chain reactions were affected by the concentration of benzene, with rates of S2O8(2-) decomposition increasing as the benzene concentration increased. Under conditions selected to minimize the loss of initial transformation products through reaction with radicals, the production of phenol only accounted for 30%-60% of the benzene lost in the presence of O2. The remaining products included a ring-cleavage product that appeared to contain an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde functional group. In the absence of O2, the concentration of the ring-cleavage product increased relative to phenol. The formation of the ring-cleavage product warrants further studies of its toxicity and persistence in the subsurface.

Evidence of Enhanced Subrosion in a Fault Zone and Characterization of Hazard Zones with Elastic Parameters derived from SH-wave reflection Seismics and VSP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wadas, S. H.; Tanner, D. C.; Tschache, S.; Polom, U.; Krawczyk, C. M.

2017-12-01

Subrosion, the dissolution of soluble rocks, e.g., sulfate, salt, or carbonate, requires unsaturated water and fluid pathways that enable the water to flow through the subsurface and generate cavities. Over time, different structures can occur that depend on, e.g., rock solubility, flow rate, and overburden type. The two main structures are sinkholes and depressions. To analyze the link between faults, groundwater flow, and soluble rocks, and to determine parameters that are useful to characterize hazard zones, several shear-wave (SH) reflection seismic profiles were surveyed in Thuringia in Germany, where Permian sulfate rocks and salt subcrop close to the surface. From the analysis of the seismic sections we conclude that areas affected by tectonic deformation phases are prone to enhanced subrosion. The deformation of fault blocks leads to the generation of a damage zone with a dense fracture network. This increases the rock permeability and thus serves as a fluid pathway for, e.g., artesian-confined groundwater. The more complex the fault geometry and the more interaction between faults, the more fractures are generated, e.g., in a strike slip-fault zone. The faults also act as barriers for horizontal groundwater flow perpendicular to the fault surfaces and as conduits for groundwater flow along the fault strike. In addition, seismic velocity anomalies and attenuation of seismic waves are observed. Low velocities <200 m/s and high attenuation may indicate areas affected by subrosion. Other parameters that characterize the underground stability are the shear modulus and the Vp/Vs ratio. The data revealed zones of low shear modulus <100 MPa and high Vp/Vs ratio >2.5, which probably indicate unstable areas due to subrosion. Structural analysis of S-wave seismics is a valuable tool to detect near-surface faults in order to determine whether or not an area is prone to subrosion. The recognition of even small fault blocks can help to better understand the hydrodynamic

Superior Na-ion storage properties of high aspect ratio SnSe nanoplates prepared by a spray pyrolysis process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Gi Dae; Lee, Jong-Heun; Kang, Yun Chan

2016-06-01

SnSe nanoplates with thin and uniform morphology are prepared by one-pot spray pyrolysis, and are examined as anode materials for Na-ion batteries. During the spray pyrolysis process, metallic Se and Sn are prepared from SeO2 and SnO2, respectively, under a reducing atmosphere. Metallic Sn and metalloid Se, with melting points of 232 and 221 °C, respectively, form a melted Sn-Se mixture, which reacts exothermally to form SnSe nanocrystals. Several of these nanocrystals are grown simultaneously forming a micron-sized powder. Complete elimination of the excess amount of metalloid Se, by forming H2Se gas, results in aggregation-free SnSe nanoplates. The aspect ratio of these nanoplates is as high as 11.3. The discharge capacities for the SnSe nanoplates, prepared from spray solutions containing 100, 400, and 800% of the stoichiometric SeO2 content needed to form SnSe, are 407, 558, and 211 mA h g-1, respectively, after 50 cycles at a constant current density of 0.3 A g-1 their capacity retentions calculated from the second cycle onwards are 77, 100, and 60%, respectively. The phase pure SnSe nanoplates with a high aspect ratio show good cycling and rate performances for Na-ion storage.SnSe nanoplates with thin and uniform morphology are prepared by one-pot spray pyrolysis, and are examined as anode materials for Na-ion batteries. During the spray pyrolysis process, metallic Se and Sn are prepared from SeO2 and SnO2, respectively, under a reducing atmosphere. Metallic Sn and metalloid Se, with melting points of 232 and 221 °C, respectively, form a melted Sn-Se mixture, which reacts exothermally to form SnSe nanocrystals. Several of these nanocrystals are grown simultaneously forming a micron-sized powder. Complete elimination of the excess amount of metalloid Se, by forming H2Se gas, results in aggregation-free SnSe nanoplates. The aspect ratio of these nanoplates is as high as 11.3. The discharge capacities for the SnSe nanoplates, prepared from spray solutions

77 FR 50929 - Security Zones; 2012 RNC Bridge Security Zones, Captain of the Port St. Petersburg Zone, Tampa, FL

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-23

...-AA87 Security Zones; 2012 RNC Bridge Security Zones, Captain of the Port St. Petersburg Zone, Tampa, FL... temporary security zones around certain bridges on the waters of Pinellas County and Tampa Bay, Florida..., or mooring on waters within 50 yards of the designated bridges during the times that the security...

Structural Analysis of Active North Bozgush Fault Zone (NW Iran)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saber, R.; Isik, V.; Caglayan, A.

2013-12-01

NW Iran is one of the seismically active regions between Zagros Thrust Belt at the south and Caucasus at the north. Not only large magnitude historical earthquakes (Ms>7), but also 1987 Bozgush, 1997 Ardebil (Mw 6.1) and 2012 Ahar-Varzagan (Mw 6.4) earthquakes reveal that the region is seismically active. The North Bozgush Fault Zone (NBFZ) in this region has tens of kilometers in length and hundreds of meters in width. The zone has produced some large and destructive earthquakes (1593 M:6.1 and 1883 M:6.2). The NBFZ affects the Cenozoic units and along this zone Eocene units thrusted over Miocene and/or Plio-Quaternary sedimentary units. Together with morphologic features (stream offsets and alluvial fan movements) affecting the young unites reveal that the zone is active. The zone is mainly characterized by strike-slip faults with reverse component and reverse faults. Reverse faults striking N55°-85°E and dip of 40°-50° to the SW while strike-slip faults show right lateral slip with N60°-85°W and N60°-80°E directions. Our structural data analysis in NBFZ indicates that the axis direction of σ2 principal stress is vertical and the stress ratio (R) is 0.12. These results suggest that the tectonic regime along the North Bozgush Fault Zone is transpressive. Obtained other principal stresses (σ1, σ3) results are compatible with stress directions and GPS velocity suggested for NW Iran.

Fresnel zone plate stacking in the intermediate field for high efficiency focusing in the hard X-ray regime

DOE PAGES

Gleber, Sophie -Charlotte; Wojcik, Michael; Liu, Jie; ...

2014-11-05

Focusing efficiency of Fresnel zone plates (FZPs) for X-rays depends on zone height, while the achievable spatial resolution depends on the width of the finest zones. FZPs with optimal efficiency and sub-100-nm spatial resolution require high aspect ratio structures which are difficult to fabricate with current technology especially for the hard X-ray regime. A possible solution is to stack several zone plates. To increase the number of FZPs within one stack, we first demonstrate intermediate-field stacking and apply this method by stacks of up to five FZPs with adjusted diameters. Approaching the respective optimum zone height, we maximized efficiencies formore » high resolution focusing at three different energies, 10, 11.8, and 25 keV.« less

Nanoindentation study of interphases in epoxy/amine thermosetting systems modified with thermoplastics.

PubMed

Ramos, Jose Angel; Blanco, Miren; Zalakain, Iñaki; Mondragon, Iñaki

2009-08-15

The characterization of a mixture of epoxy/amine with different stoichiometric ratios was carried out by means of nanoindentation. The epoxy system was composed by diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A and 4,4'-methylene bis-(3-chloro 2,6-diethylaniline). Diffusion through interface formed by epoxy/amine system in stoichiometric ratio and several thermoplastic polymers was also analyzed by means of stiffness analysis, as studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and coupled nanoindentation tests. Used thermoplastics were an amorphous, atactic polystyrene, and two semicrystalline, syndiotactic polystyrene and poly(phenylene sulfide). Larger range diffusion was obtained in epoxy/amine systems modified with atactic polystyrene while the study of the influence of stoichiometric ratio suggests that the excess of epoxy generated stiffer material. In addition, larger indentation loads resulted in higher apparent stiffness because of the more number of polymer chains that had to re-accommodate owing to the increase in contact area.

Slip Zone versus Damage Zone Micromechanics, Arima-Takasuki Tectonic Line, Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White, J. C.; Lin, A.

2017-12-01

The Arima-Takasuki Tectonic Line (ATTL) of southern Honshu, Japan is defined by historically active faults and multiple splays producing M7 earthquakes. The damage zone of the ATTL comprises a broad zone of crushed, comminuted and pulverized granite/rhyolite1,2containing cm-scale slip zones and highly comminuted injection veins. In this presentation, prior work on the ATTL fault rocks is extending to include microstructural characterization by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) from recent trenching of the primary slip zone, as well as secondary slip zones. This is necessary to adequately characterize the extremely fine-grained material (typically less than 1mm) in both damage and core zones. Damage zone material exhibits generally random textures3 whereas slip zones are macroscopically foliated, and compositionally layered, notwithstanding a fairly homogeneous protolith. The latter reflects fluid-rock interaction during both coseismic and interseismic periods. The slip zones are microstructurally heterogeneous at all scales, comprising not only cataclasites and phyllosilicate (clay)-rich gouge zones, but Fe/Mn pellets or clasts that are contained within gouge. These structures appear to have rolled and would suggest rapid recrystallization and/or growth. A central question related to earthquake recurrence along existing faults is the nature of the gouge. In both near-surface exposures and ongoing drilling at depth, "plastic" or "viscous" gouge zones comprise ultra-fine-grained clay-siliciclastic particles that would not necessarily respond in a simple frictional manner. Depending on whether the plastic nature of these slip zones develops during or after slip, subsequent focusing of slip within them could be complicated. 1 Mitchell, T.A., Ben-Zion, Y., Shimamoto, T., 2011. Ear. Planet. Sci. Lett. 308, 284-297. 2 Lin, A., Yamashita, K, Tanaka, M. J., 2013. Struc. Geol. 48, 3-13. 3 White, J.C., Lin, A. 2016. Proc. AGU Fall Mtg., T42-02 San Francisco.

Width of surface rupture zone for thrust earthquakes: implications for earthquake fault zoning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boncio, Paolo; Liberi, Francesca; Caldarella, Martina; Nurminen, Fiia-Charlotta

2018-01-01

function) and define the zone where the likelihood of having surface ruptures is the highest. This might help in sizing the zones of SFRH during seismic microzonation (SM) mapping. In order to shape zones of SFRH, a very detailed earthquake geologic study of the fault is necessary (the highest level of SM, i.e. Level 3 SM according to Italian guidelines). In the absence of such a very detailed study (basic SM, i.e. Level 1 SM of Italian guidelines) a width of ˜ 840 m (90 % probability from "simple thrust" database of distributed ruptures, excluding B-M, F-S and Sy fault ruptures) is suggested to be sufficiently precautionary. For more detailed SM, where the fault is carefully mapped, one must consider that the highest SFRH is concentrated in a narrow zone, ˜ 60 m in width, that should be considered as a fault avoidance zone (more than one-third of the distributed ruptures are expected to occur within this zone). The fault rupture hazard zones should be asymmetric compared to the trace of the principal fault. The average footwall to hanging wall ratio (FW : HW) is close to 1 : 2 in all analysed cases. These criteria are applicable to "simple thrust" faults, without considering possible B-M or F-S fault ruptures due to large-scale folding, and without considering sympathetic slip on distant faults. Areas potentially susceptible to B-M or F-S fault ruptures should have their own zones of fault rupture hazard that can be defined by detailed knowledge of the structural setting of the area (shape, wavelength, tightness and lithology of the thrust-related large-scale folds) and by geomorphic evidence of past secondary faulting. Distant active faults, potentially susceptible to sympathetic triggering, should be zoned as separate principal faults. The entire database of distributed ruptures (including B-M, F-S and Sy fault ruptures) can be useful in poorly known areas, in order to assess the extent of the area within which potential sources of fault displacement hazard can be

Evaluation of Ohio work zone speed zones process.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-06-01

This report describes the methodology and results of analyses performed to determine the effectiveness of Ohio Department of Transportation processes for establishing work zone speed zones. Researchers observed motorists speed choice upstream of a...

Flow structure at low momentum ratio river confluences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moradi, Gelare; Rennie, Colin. D.; Cardot, Romain; Mettra, François; Lane, Stuart. N.

2017-04-01

The flow structure at river confluences is a complex pattern of fluid motion and can be characterized by the formation of secondary circulation. As river confluences play an essential role on flow hydrodynamics and control the movement of sediment through river networks, there has been substantial attention given to this subject in recent decades. However, there is still much debate over how momentum ratio and sediment transport can control secondary circulation and mixing processes. In particular, studies have tended to assume that there is some equilibrium between the bed morphology present and the flow structures that form in the junction region. However, this overlooks the fact that tributaries may be associated with highly varying sediment supply regimes, especially for shorter and steeper tributaries, with temporal changes in sediment delivery ratios (between the main stem and the tributary) that do not follow exactly changes in momentum ratio. This may lead to bed morphologies that are a function of rates of historical sediment supply during sediment transporting events and not the momentum ratio associated with the junction during its measurement. It is quite possible that tributaries with low flow momentum ratio have a relatively higher sediment delivery ratio, such that the tributary is still able to influence significantly secondary circulation in the main channel, long after the sediment transport event, and despite its low flow momentum during measurement. The focus of this paper is low momentum ratio junctions where it is possible that the tributary can deliver large amounts of sediment. Secondary circulation at junctions is thought to be dominated by streamwise-oriented vortical cells. These cells are produced by the convergence of surface flow towards the centre of the main channel, with descending motion in the zone of maximum flow convergence. Once flow arrives at the bed, it diverges and completes its rotation by an upwelling motion through the

Environmental management zoning for coal mining in mainland China based on ecological and resources conditions.

PubMed

Geng, Haiqing; Chen, Fan; Wang, Zhiyuan; Liu, Jie; Xu, Weihua

2017-05-01

The purpose of this research is to establish an environmental management zoning for coal mining industry which is served as a basis for making environmental management policies. Based on the specific impacts of coal mining and regional characteristics of environment and resources, the ecological impact, water resources impact, and arable land impact are chose as the zoning indexes to construct the index system. The ecological sensitivity is graded into three levels of low, medium, and high according to analytical hierarchy processes and gray fixed weight clustering analysis, and the water resources sensitivity is divided into five levels of lower, low, medium, high, and higher according to the weighted sum of sub-indexes, while only the arable land sensitive zone was extracted on the basis of the ratio of arable land to the county or city. By combining the ecological sensitivity zoning and the water resources sensitive zoning and then overlapping the arable-sensitive areas, the mainland China is classified into six types of environmental management zones for coal mining except to the forbidden exploitation areas.

Mantle and crustal contribution in the genesis of Recent basalts from off-rift zones in Iceland: Constraints from Th, Sr and O isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sigmarsson, Olgeir; Condomines, Michel; Fourcade, Serge

1992-05-01

Along the two volcanic off-rift zones in Iceland, the Sn˦fellsnes volcanic zone (SNVZ) and the South Iceland volcanic zone (SIVZ), geochemical parameters vary regularly along the strike towards the centre of the island. Recent basalts from the SNVZ change from alkali basalts to tholeiites where the volcanic zone reaches the active rift axis, and their 87Sr/ 86Sr and Th/U ratios decrease in the same direction. These variations are interpreted as the result of mixing between mantle melts from two distinct reservoirs below Sn˦fellsnes. The mantle melt would be more depleted in incompatible elements, but with a higher 3He/ 4He ratio ( R/Ra≈ 20) beneath the centre of Iceland than at the tip of the Sn˦fellsnes volcanic zone ( R/Ra≈ 7.5). From southwest to northeast along the SIVZ, the basalts change from alkali basalts to FeTi basalts and quartz-normative tholeiites. The Th/U ratio of the Recent basalts increases and both ( 230Th/ 232Th ) and δ 18O values decrease in the same direction. This reflects an important crustal contamination of the FeTi-rich basalts and the quartz tholeiites. The two types of basalts could be produced through assimilation and fractional crystallization in which primary alkali basaltic and olivine tholeiitic melts 'erode' and assimilate the base of the crust. The increasingly tholeiitic character of the basalts towards the centre of Iceland, which reflects a higher degree of partial melting, is qualitatively consistent with increasing geothermal gradient and negative gravity anomaly. The highest Sr isotope ratio in Recent basalts from Iceland is observed inÖr˦fajökull volcano, which has a 3He/ 4He ratio ( R/Ra≈ 7.8) close to the MORB value, and this might represent a mantle source similar to that of Mauna Loa in Hawaii.

An analytical model for non-conservative pollutants mixing in the surf zone.

PubMed

Ki, Seo Jin; Hwang, Jin Hwan; Kang, Joo-Hyon; Kim, Joon Ha

2009-01-01

Accurate simulation of the surf zone is a prerequisite to improve beach management as well as to understand the fundamentals of fate and transport of contaminants. In the present study, a diagnostic model modified from a classic solute model is provided to illuminate non-conservative pollutants behavior in the surf zone. To readily understand controlling processes in the surf zone, a new dimensionless quantity is employed with index of kappa number (K, a ratio of inactivation rate to transport rate of microbial pollutant in the surf zone), which was then evaluated under different environmental frames during a week simulation period. The sensitivity analysis showed that hydrodynamics and concentration gradients in the surf zone mostly depend on n (number of rip currents), indicating that n should be carefully adjusted in the model. The simulation results reveal, furthermore, that large deviation typically occurs in the daytime, signifying inactivation of fecal indicator bacteria is the main process to control surf zone water quality during the day. Overall, the analytical model shows a good agreement between predicted and synthetic data (R(2) = 0.51 and 0.67 for FC and ENT, respectively) for the simulated period, amplifying its potential use in the surf zone modelling. It is recommended that when the dimensionless index is much larger than 0.5, the present modified model can predict better than the conventional model, but if index is smaller than 0.5, the conventional model is more efficient with respect to time and cost.

Fragility and super-strong character of non-stoichiometric chalcogenides: implications on melt homogenization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ravindren, Sriram; Gunasekera, Kapila; Boolchand, Punit; Micoulaut, Matthieu

2014-03-01

The kinetics of homogenization of binary AsxSe100-x melts in the As concentration range 0% stoichiometric As-Se compositions is reported. Fragilities of the Ge-As-Se are reported and a correlation observed with fragilities of As-Se and Ge-Se. Supported by NSF grant DMR 08-53957.

Effect of soil moisture on the sorption of trichloroethene vapor to vadose-zone soil at picatinny arsenal, New Jersey

USGS Publications Warehouse

Smith, J.A.; Chiou, C.T.; Kammer, J.A.; Kile, D.E.

1990-01-01

This report presents data on the sorption of trichloroethene (TCE) vapor to vadose-zone soil above a contaminated water-table aquifer at Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County, NJ. To assess the impact of moisture on TCE sorption, batch experiments on the sorption of TCE vapor by the field soil were carried out as a function of relative humidity. The TCE sorption decreases as soil moisture content increases from zero to saturation soil moisture content (the soil moisture content in equilibrium with 100% relative humidity). The moisture content of soil samples collected from the vadose zone was found to be greater than the saturation soil-moisture content, suggesting that adsorption of TCE by the mineral fraction of the vadose-zone soil should be minimal relative to the partition uptake by soil organic matter. Analyses of soil and soil-gas samples collected from the field indicate that the ratio of the concentration of TCE on the vadose-zone soil to its concentration in the soil gas is 1-3 orders of magnitude greater than the ratio predicted by using an assumption of equilibrium conditions. This apparent disequilibrium presumably results from the slow desorption of TCE from the organic matter of the vadose-zone soil relative to the dissipation of TCE vapor from the soil gas.

Ductile deformation history in Laibid metamorphic rocks, Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone, Iran

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aflaki, Mahtab; Mohajjel, Mohammad

2010-05-01

Sanandaj-Sirjan zone, in northeast of Zagros suture zone, is the metamorphic belt of the Zagros orogen which is metamorphosed during Late Mesozoic, as the active margin of the Neotethys subduction system. Since Late Cretaceous, oblique collision between Afro-Arabian continent and Central Iran micro continent resulted in dextral transpression and Poly-phase deformations of this zone. Laibid area, northwest of Esfahan province, is situated in complexly deformed sub zone of the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone in which structurally exposed Permian metamorphosed rocks are separated from the younger Triassic-Jurassic metamorphic rocks by faulted boundaries. Cretaceous unites do not exist in the study area, but in southern most parts un-metamorphosed Early Cretaceous rocks rest on Jurassic metamorphic units over an angular unconformity. Field observations reveal the existence of 3 folding patterns, folded dikes, semi-ductile to ductile shear zones and also sin-tectonic granite intrusion. Hassan-Robat Alkali-porphyritic-granite is exposed in the eastern part of the area with the possible ages between post-Early Cretaceous to pre-Eocene. In this research, the focus is on ductile structures and their deformation history in the Laibid area. Structural analysis of the folds reveals three deformation stages of a progressive deformation in this area. These folding patterns observed in all pre-Cretaceous metamorphosed unites, but not in Cretaceous rocks. The first stage includes tight to isoclinal folds, S0 || S1, with the aspect ratio changes respectively from tall and short. Although their axial plane and fold axis orientations change due to other two folding stages, but they mostly have moderately dipping to the NE axial plane and moderately plunging fold axis to NW or SE. In the eastern part of the area the trend of F1 foliation changes around the Hassan-Robat granite. The second folding stage includes open to close asymmetric folds which have broad aspect ratio. This folding stage

Electronic and spin structure of the wide-band-gap topological insulator: Nearly stoichiometric Bi2Te2S

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Annese, E.; Okuda, T.; Schwier, E. F.; Iwasawa, H.; Shimada, K.; Natamane, M.; Taniguchi, M.; Rusinov, I. P.; Eremeev, S. V.; Kokh, K. A.; Golyashov, V. A.; Tereshchenko, O. E.; Chulkov, E. V.; Kimura, A.

2018-05-01

We have grown the phase-homogeneous ternary compound with composition Bi2Te1.85S1.15 very close to the stoichiometric Bi2Te2S . The measurements performed with spin- and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy as well as density functional theory and G W calculations revealed a wide-band-gap three-dimensional topological insulator phase. The surface electronic spectrum is characterized by the topological surface state (TSS) with Dirac point located above the valence band and Fermi level lying in the band gap. TSS band dispersion and constant energy contour manifest a weak warping effect near the Fermi level along with in-plane and out-of-plane spin polarization along the Γ ¯-K ¯ line. We identified four additional states at deeper binding energies with high in-plane spin polarization.

Vertical nitrogen flux from the oceanic photic zone by diel migrant zooplankton and nekton

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Longhurst, Alan R.; Glen Harrison, W.

1988-06-01

Where the photic zone is a biological steady-state, the downward flux of organic material across the pycnocline to the interior of the ocean is thought to be balanced by upward turbulent flux of inorganic nitrogen across the nutricline. This model ignores a significant downward dissolved nitrogen flux caused by the diel vertical migration of interzonal zooplankton and nekton that feed in the photic zone at night and excrete nitrogenous compounds at depth by day. In the oligotrophic ocean this flux can be equivalent to the flux of particulate organic nitrogen from the photic zone in the form of faecal pellets and organic flocculates. Where nitrogen is the limiting plant nutrient, and the flux by diel migration of interzonal plankton is significant compared to other nitrogen exports from the photic zone, there must be an upward revision of previous estimates for the ratio of new to total primary production in the photic zone if a nutrient balance is to be maintained. This upward revision is of the order 5-100% depending on the oceanographic regime.

33 CFR 165.154 - Safety and Security Zones; Captain of the Port Long Island Sound Zone Safety and Security Zones.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

...; Captain of the Port Long Island Sound Zone Safety and Security Zones. 165.154 Section 165.154 Navigation... Long Island Sound Zone Safety and Security Zones. The following areas are designated safety and... navigable waters of Long Island Sound, from surface to bottom, North and Northeast of a line running from...

33 CFR 165.154 - Safety and Security Zones: Long Island Sound Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Island Sound Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. 165.154 Section 165.154 Navigation and... Areas First Coast Guard District § 165.154 Safety and Security Zones: Long Island Sound Marine... this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Long, Island Sound. (3) All...

Signal-to-noise ratio application to seismic marker analysis and fracture detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Hui-Qun; Gui, Zhi-Xian

2014-03-01

Seismic data with high signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) are useful in reservoir exploration. To obtain high SNR seismic data, significant effort is required to achieve noise attenuation in seismic data processing, which is costly in materials, and human and financial resources. We introduce a method for improving the SNR of seismic data. The SNR is calculated by using the frequency domain method. Furthermore, we optimize and discuss the critical parameters and calculation procedure. We applied the proposed method on real data and found that the SNR is high in the seismic marker and low in the fracture zone. Consequently, this can be used to extract detailed information about fracture zones that are inferred by structural analysis but not observed in conventional seismic data.

Parapapillary beta zone in primary school children in Beijing: associations with outdoor activity.

PubMed

Guo, Yin; Liu, Li Juan; Xu, Liang; Lv, Yan Yun; Tang, Ping; Feng, Yi; Zhou, Jin Qiong; Meng, Meng; Jonas, Jost B

2014-02-14

To investigate prevalence and size of parapapillary alpha zone and beta zone and associations with myopia-related factors in primary school children in Beijing. The school-based study included 382 grade-1 children and 299 grade-4 children. The children underwent a comprehensive eye examination and the parents, an interview. The examination was repeated after 1 year. Beta zone (prevalence: 44.5% ± 2.1%; mean area: 0.17 ± 0.29 mm(2)) was significantly associated with more time spent indoors with studying (P = 0.004; standardized correlation coefficient β: 0.14; regression coefficient B: 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02, 0.09) after adjusting for longer axial length (P < 0.001; β: 0.22; B: 0.07; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.10), more myopic refractive error (P < 0.001; β: -0.29; B: -0.07; 95% CI: -0.09, -0.04), region of habitation (P = 0.03; β: 0.11; B: 0.07; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.14), and vertical disc diameter (P = 0.03; β: 0.10; B: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.30). As a corollary, indoors studying time was associated with larger area of beta zone (P = 0.01; β: 0.11; B: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.54) after adjusting for higher axial length/corneal curvature radius ratio (AL/CC; P = 0.006; β: 0.12; B: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.27, 1.62) and urban region of habitation (P < 0.001; β: -0.44; B: -0.75; 95% CI: -0.89, -0.61). An increase in AL/CC ratio at 1-year follow-up was associated with more indoors studying time (P = 0.04; β: 0.10; B: 0.01; 95% CI: 0.00, 0.01) and larger beta zone area (P < 0.001; β: 0.19; B: 0.04; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.05) after adjusting for axial length (P < 0.001; β: -0.21; B: -0.01; 95% CI: -0.02, -0.01). Larger parapapillary beta zone area was associated with more indoors studying time after adjustment for axial length, refractive error, and region of habitation, and reversely, more indoors studying time was associated with larger beta zone in multivariate analysis. The results could indicate that parapapillary beta zone is associated with external factors

Increased horizontal viewing zone angle of a hologram by resolution redistribution of a spatial light modulator.

PubMed

Takaki, Yasuhiro; Hayashi, Yuki

2008-07-01

The narrow viewing zone angle is one of the problems associated with electronic holography. We propose a technique that enables the ratio of horizontal and vertical resolutions of a spatial light modulator (SLM) to be altered. This technique increases the horizontal resolution of a SLM several times, so that the horizontal viewing zone angle is also increased several times. A SLM illuminated by a slanted point light source array is imaged by a 4f imaging system in which a horizontal slit is located on the Fourier plane. We show that the horizontal resolution was increased four times and that the horizontal viewing zone angle was increased approximately four times.

Development of sputtering process to deposit stoichiometric zirconia coatings for the inside wall of regeneratively cooled rocket thrust chambers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Busch, R.

1978-01-01

Thermal barrier coatings of yttria stabilized zirconia and zirconia-ceria mixtures were deposited by RF reactive sputtering. Coatings were 1-2 mils thick, and were deposited on copper cylinders intended to simulate the inner wall of a regeneratively cooled thrust chamber. Coating stoichiometry and adherence were investigated as functions of deposition parameters. Modest deposition rates (approximately 0.15 mil/hr) and subambient sustrate temperatures (-80 C) resulted in nearly stoichiometric coatings which remained adherent through thermal cycles between -196 and 400 C. Coatings deposited at higher rates or substrates temperatures exhibited greater oxygen deficiences, while coatings deposited at lower temperatures were not adherent. Substrate bias resulted in structural changes in the coating and high krypton contents; no clear effect on stoichiometry was observed.

Modelling Fault Zone Evolution: Implications for fluid flow.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moir, H.; Lunn, R. J.; Shipton, Z. K.

2009-04-01

which compare well to features observed in mapped exposures. For these simple simulations from a small number of pre-existing joints the fault zone evolves in a predictable way: fault linkage is governed by three key factors: Stress ratio of s1 (maximum compressive stress) to s3(minimum compressive stress), original geometry of the pre-existing structures (contractional vs. dilational geometries) and the orientation of the principle stress direction (σ1) to the pre-existing structures. In this paper we present numerical simulations of the temporal and spatial evolution of fault linkage structures from many pre-existing joints. The initial location, size and orientations of these joints are based on field observations of cooling joints in granite from the Sierra Nevada. We show that the constantly evolving geometry and local stress field perturbations contribute significantly to fault zone evolution. The location and orientations of linkage structures previously predicted by the simple simulations are consistent with the predicted geometries in the more complex fault zones, however, the exact location at which individual structures form is not easily predicted. Markedly different fault zone geometries are predicted when the pre-existing joints are rotated with respect to the maximum compressive stress. In particular, fault surfaces range from evolving smooth linear structures to producing complex ‘stepped' fault zone geometries. These geometries have a significant effect on simulations of along and across-fault flow.

Developing semi-analytical solution for multiple-zone transient storage model with spatially non-uniform storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Baoqing; Si, Yinbing; Wang, Jia

2017-12-01

Transient storages may vary along the stream due to stream hydraulic conditions and the characteristics of storage. Analytical solutions of transient storage models in literature didn't cover the spatially non-uniform storage. A novel integral transform strategy is presented that simultaneously performs integral transforms to the concentrations in the stream and in storage zones by using the single set of eigenfunctions derived from the advection-diffusion equation of the stream. The semi-analytical solution of the multiple-zone transient storage model with the spatially non-uniform storage is obtained by applying the generalized integral transform technique to all partial differential equations in the multiple-zone transient storage model. The derived semi-analytical solution is validated against the field data in literature. Good agreement between the computed data and the field data is obtained. Some illustrative examples are formulated to demonstrate the applications of the present solution. It is shown that solute transport can be greatly affected by the variation of mass exchange coefficient and the ratio of cross-sectional areas. When the ratio of cross-sectional areas is big or the mass exchange coefficient is small, more reaches are recommended to calibrate the parameter.

Crustal thickness and vP/vS ratio in Shanxi Graben, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Yutao; Gao, Yuan; Jing, Honglin

2014-12-01

Shanxi Graben is in the middle part of the North China Craton, from south to north. With the teleseismic data recorded by Regional Seismograph Networks and the temporary ZBnet-W Seismic Array around east part of Shanxi Graben, we measured the crustal thickness and v P/ v S ratio beneath each station using the H-κ stack of receiver functions. The observed crustal thickness shows obvious lateral variation, increasing gradually from east to west in the Shanxi Graben. Beneath the Shanxi Graben the crust is relatively thicker than both sides of the south and the north. In addition, the v P/ v S ratio in the north of study zone is higher than that in the south. The highest v P/ v S ratio exists in the crust of the Xinding basin and the Datong basin. Our study also suggests that high velocity ratio might result from the strong activities of the magmation and volcanism.

Mantle helium along the Newport-Inglewood fault zone, Los Angeles basin, California: A leaking paleo-subduction zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boles, J. R.; Garven, G.; Camacho, H.; Lupton, J. E.

2015-07-01

Mantle helium is a significant component of the helium gas from deep oil wells along the Newport-Inglewood fault zone (NIFZ) in the Los Angeles (LA) basin. Helium isotope ratios are as high as 5.3 Ra (Ra = 3He/4He ratio of air) indicating 66% mantle contribution (assuming R/Ra = 8 for mantle), and most values are higher than 1.0 Ra. Other samples from basin margin faults and from within the basin have much lower values (R/Ra < 1.0). The 3He enrichment inversely correlates with CO2, a potential magmatic carrier gas. The δ13C of the CO2 in the 3He rich samples is between 0 and -10‰, suggesting a mantle influence. The strong mantle helium signal along the NIFZ is surprising considering that the fault is currently in a transpressional rather than extensional stress regime, lacks either recent magma emplacement or high geothermal gradients, and is modeled as truncated by a proposed major, potentially seismically active, décollement beneath the LA basin. Our results demonstrate that the NIFZ is a deep-seated fault directly or indirectly connected with the mantle. Based on a 1-D model, we calculate a maximum Darcy flow rate q ˜ 2.2 cm/yr and a fault permeability k ˜ 6 × 10-17 m2 (60 microdarcys), but the flow rates are too low to create a geothermal anomaly. The mantle leakage may be a result of the NIFZ being a former Mesozoic subduction zone in spite of being located 70 km west of the current plate boundary at the San Andreas fault.

76 FR 22033 - Safety Zone; Red River Safety Zone, Red River, MN

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-20

...-AAOO Safety Zone; Red River Safety Zone, Red River, MN AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Temporary... a temporary safety zone on the Red River, MN. This safety zone is being established to ensure the... Red River in the State of Minnesota north of a line drawn across latitude 46[deg]20'00'' N, including...

Zone lines

Treesearch

Kevin T. Smith

2001-01-01

Zone lines are narrow, usually dark markings formed in decaying wood. Zone lines are found most frequently in advanced white rot of hardwoods, although they occasionally are associated both with brown rot and with softwoods.

Zoned chondrules in Semarkona: Evidence for high-and low-temperature processing

USGS Publications Warehouse

Grossman, J.N.; Alexander, C.M. O'D.; Wang, Jingyuan; Brearley, A.J.

2002-01-01

At least 15% of the low-FeO chondrules in Semarkona (LL3.0) have mesostases that are concentrically zoned in Na, with enrichments near the outer margins. We have studied zoned chondrules using electron microprobe methods (x-ray mapping plus quantitative analysis), ion micropobe analysis for trace elements and hydrogen isotopes, cathodoluminescence imaging, and transmission electron microscopy in order to determine what these objects can tell us about the environment in which chondrules formed and evolved. Mesostases in these chondrules are strongly zoned in all moderately volatile elements and H (interpreted as water). Calcium is depleted in areas of volatile enrichment. Titanium and Cr generally decrease toward the chondrule surfaces, whereas Al and Si may either increase or decrease, generally in opposite directions to one another; Mn follows Na in some chondrules but not in others; Fe and Mg are unzoned. D/H ratios increase in the water-rich areas of zoned chondrules. Mesostasis shows cathodoluminescence zoning in most zoned chondrules, with the brightest yellow color near the outside. Mesostasis in zoned chondrules appears to be glassy, with no evidence for devitrification. Systematic variations in zoning patterns among pyroxene- and olivine-rich chondrules may indicate that fractionation of low- and high-Ca pyroxene played some role in Ti, Cr, Mn, Si, Al, and some Ca zoning. But direct condensation of elements into hot chondrules, secondary melting of late condensates into the outer portions of chondrules, and subsolidus diffusion of elements into warm chondrules cannot account for the sub-parallel zoning profiles of many elements, the presence of H2O, or elemental abundance patterns. Zoning of moderately volatile elements and Ca may have been produced by hydration of chondrule glass without devitrification during aqueous alteration on the parent asteroid. This could have induced structural changes in the glass allowing rapid diffusion and exchange of elements

Evaluation of the normal-to-diseased apparent diffusion coefficient ratio as an indicator of prostate cancer aggressiveness.

PubMed

Lebovici, Andrei; Sfrangeu, Silviu A; Feier, Diana; Caraiani, Cosmin; Lucan, Ciprian; Suciu, Mihai; Elec, Florin; Iacob, Gheorghita; Buruian, Mircea

2014-05-10

We tested the feasibility of a simple method for assessment of prostate cancer (PCa) aggressiveness using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to calculate apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) ratios between prostate cancer and healthy prostatic tissue. The requirement for institutional review board approval was waived. A set of 20 standardized core transperineal saturation biopsy specimens served as the reference standard for placement of regions of interest on ADC maps in tumorous and normal prostatic tissue of 22 men with PCa (median Gleason score: 7; range, 6-9). A total of 128 positive sectors were included for evaluation. Two diagnostic ratios were computed between tumor ADCs and normal sector ADCs: the ADC peripheral ratio (the ratio between tumor ADC and normal peripheral zone tissue, ADC-PR), and the ADC central ratio (the ratio between tumor ADC and normal central zone tissue, ADC-CR). The performance of the two ratios in detecting high-risk tumor foci (Gleason 8 and 9) was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Both ADC ratios presented significantly lower values in high-risk tumors (0.48 ± 0.13 for ADC-CR and 0.40 ± 0.09 for ADC-PR) compared with low-risk tumors (0.66 ± 0.17 for ADC-CR and 0.54 ± 0.09 for ADC-PR) (p < 0.001) and had better diagnostic performance (ADC-CR AUC = 0.77, sensitivity = 82.2%, specificity = 66.7% and ADC-PR AUC = 0.90, sensitivity = 93.7%, specificity = 80%) than stand-alone tumor ADCs (AUC of 0.75, sensitivity = 72.7%, specificity = 70.6%) for identifying high-risk lesions. The ADC ratio as an intrapatient-normalized diagnostic tool may be better in detecting high-grade lesions compared with analysis based on tumor ADCs alone, and may reduce the rate of biopsies.

Magnetic properties of nearly stoichiometric CeAuBi2 heavy fermion compound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adriano, C.; Rosa, P. F. S.; Jesus, C. B. R.; Grant, T.; Fisk, Z.; Garcia, D. J.; Pagliuso, P. G.

2015-05-01

Motivated by the interesting magnetic anisotropy found in the heavy fermion family CeTX2 (T = transition metal and X = pnictogen), here, we study the novel parent compound CeAu1-xBi2-y by combining magnetization, pressure dependent electrical resistivity, and heat-capacity measurements. The magnetic properties of our nearly stoichiometric single crystal sample of CeAu1-xBi2-y (x = 0.92 and y = 1.6) revealed an antiferromagnetic ordering at TN = 12 K with an easy axis along the c-direction. The field dependent magnetization data at low temperatures reveal the existence of a spin-flop transition when the field is applied along the c-axis (Hc ˜ 7.5 T and T = 5 K). The heat capacity and pressure dependent resistivity data suggest that CeAu0.92Bi1.6 exhibits a weak heavy fermion behavior with strongly localized Ce3+ 4f electrons. Furthermore, the systematic analysis using a mean field model including anisotropic nearest-neighbors interactions and the tetragonal crystalline electric field (CEF) Hamiltonian allows us to extract a CEF scheme and two different values for the anisotropic J RKKY exchange parameters between the Ce3+ ions in this compound. Thus, we discuss a scenario, considering both the anisotropic magnetic interactions and the tetragonal CEF effects, in the CeAu1-xBi2-y compounds, and we compare our results with the isostructural compound CeCuBi2.

Geochemistry of NE Atlantic non-rifting zones, Iceland and Jan Mayen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tronnes, R. G.; Waight, T.

2005-12-01

The fertile components of the NE Atlantic mantle are sampled preferentially by alkaline basalts in the volcanic flank zones of Iceland and in the Jan Mayen and Vesteris seamount areas. Our data from primitive flank zone lavas from Iceland and Jan Mayen demonstrate a HIMU-affinity with enrichment of HFSE, U/Pb, Th/U and Nb/Th. In PM-normalized spider diagrams the least enriched samples have weakly positive Sr-anomalies, whereas the most enriched samples have negative Sr-anomalies. The entire sample suite shows negative Sr-Nd-isotope correlation, whereas the samples of each volcanic system or flank zone generally lack such a correlation. Our data confirm the anomalously high 87/86Sr of the Orafajokull volcanic system in the eastern flank zone. The results are consistent with existing data for other primitive flank zone basalts from Iceland and Jan Mayen. Common geochemical features linking alkaline flank zone basalts and high-degree tholeiitic melts include high 87/86Sr (and probably 176/177Hf) for a given 143/144Nd, negative delta-207Pb (except for Orafajokull) and positive delta-Nb. Alkaline flank zone basalts have generally higher 87/86Sr, 206/204Pb and 18/16O and lower 143/144Nd, 187/188Os and 3/4He than rift zone tholeiites. The different 18/16O ratios in flank and rift zone basalts are consistent with seafloor hydrothermal alteration of the upper and lower parts of recycled oceanic lithosphere, respectively. Olivine-melt fractionation may contribute to the difference. Indications of lower 187/188Os in alkaline basalts compared to nearby rift zone tholeiites could be caused by subduction zone loss of Re from the upper part of recycled slabs. The partial melting and volcanic sampling of the fertile mantle components under Iceland and the NE Atlantic is governed by the crustal structure and geometry of the Icelandic volcanic zones and the lateral deflection of the upwelling heterogeneous mantle source originating under central Iceland. Based on the pattern of V

Fault zone architecture within Miocene-Pliocene syn-rift sediments, Northwestern Red Sea, Egypt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zaky, Khairy S.

2017-04-01

The present study focusses on field description of small normal fault zones in Upper Miocene-Pliocene sedimentary rocks on the northwestern side of the Red Sea, Egypt. The trend of these fault zones is mainly NW-SE. Paleostress analysis of 17 fault planes and slickenlines indicate that the tension direction is NE-SW. The minimum ( σ3) and intermediate ( σ2) paleostress axes are generally sub-horizontal and the maximum paleostress axis ( σ1) is sub-vertical. The fault zones are composed of damage zones and fault core. The damage zone is characterized by subsidiary faults and fractures that are asymmetrically developed on the hanging wall and footwall of the main fault. The width of the damage zone varies for each fault depending on the lithology, amount of displacement and irregularity of the fault trace. The average ratio between the hanging wall and the footwall damage zones width is about 3:1. The fault core consists of fault gouge and breccia. It is generally concentrated in a narrow zone of ˜0.5 to ˜8 cm width. The overall pattern of the fault core indicates that the width increases with increasing displacement. The faults with displacement < 1 m have fault cores ranging from 0.5 to 4.0 cm, while the faults with displacements of > 2 m have fault cores ranging from 4.0 to 8.0 cm. The fault zones are associated with sliver fault blocks, clay smear, segmented faults and fault lenses' structural features. These features are mechanically related to the growth and linkage of the fault arrays. The structural features may represent a neotectonic and indicate that the architecture of the fault zones is developed as several tectonic phases.

Providing plastic zone extrusion

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

Manchiraju, Venkata Kiran; Feng, Zhili; David, Stan A.

Plastic zone extrusion may be provided. First, a compressor may generate frictional heat in stock to place the stock in a plastic zone of the stock. Then, a conveyer may receive the stock in its plastic zone from the compressor and transport the stock in its plastic zone from the compressor. Next, a die may receive the stock in its plastic zone from the conveyer and extrude the stock to form a wire.

Quantitative and stoichiometric analysis of the microRNA content of exosomes.

PubMed

Chevillet, John R; Kang, Qing; Ruf, Ingrid K; Briggs, Hilary A; Vojtech, Lucia N; Hughes, Sean M; Cheng, Heather H; Arroyo, Jason D; Meredith, Emily K; Gallichotte, Emily N; Pogosova-Agadjanyan, Era L; Morrissey, Colm; Stirewalt, Derek L; Hladik, Florian; Yu, Evan Y; Higano, Celestia S; Tewari, Muneesh

2014-10-14

Exosomes have been proposed as vehicles for microRNA (miRNA) -based intercellular communication and a source of miRNA biomarkers in bodily fluids. Although exosome preparations contain miRNAs, a quantitative analysis of their abundance and stoichiometry is lacking. In the course of studying cancer-associated extracellular miRNAs in patient blood samples, we found that exosome fractions contained a small minority of the miRNA content of plasma. This low yield prompted us to perform a more quantitative assessment of the relationship between miRNAs and exosomes using a stoichiometric approach. We quantified both the number of exosomes and the number of miRNA molecules in replicate samples that were isolated from five diverse sources (i.e., plasma, seminal fluid, dendritic cells, mast cells, and ovarian cancer cells). Regardless of the source, on average, there was far less than one molecule of a given miRNA per exosome, even for the most abundant miRNAs in exosome preparations (mean ± SD across six exosome sources: 0.00825 ± 0.02 miRNA molecules/exosome). Thus, if miRNAs were distributed homogenously across the exosome population, on average, over 100 exosomes would need to be examined to observe one copy of a given abundant miRNA. This stoichiometry of miRNAs and exosomes suggests that most individual exosomes in standard preparations do not carry biologically significant numbers of miRNAs and are, therefore, individually unlikely to be functional as vehicles for miRNA-based communication. We propose revised models to reconcile the exosome-mediated, miRNA-based intercellular communication hypothesis with the observed stoichiometry of miRNAs associated with exosomes.

Effect of fuel zoning and fuel nozzle design on pollution emissions at ground idle conditions for a double-annular ram-induction combustor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clements, T. R.

1973-01-01

An exhaust emission survey was conducted on a double-annular ram induction combustor at simulated ground idle conditions. The combustor was designed for a large augmented turbofan engine capable of sustained flight speeds up to Mach 3.0. The emission levels of total hydrocarbon (THC), carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitric oxide were measured. The effects of fuel zoning, fuel nozzle design, and operating conditions (inlet temperature and reference Mach number) on the level of these emissions were determined. At an overall combustor fuel/air ratio of 0.007, fuel zoning reduced THC emissions by a factor of 5 to 1. The reduction in THC emissions is attributed to the increase in local fuel/air ratio provided by the fuel zoning. An alternative method of increasing fuel/air ratio would be to operate with larger-than-normal compressor overboard bleed; however, analysis on this method indicated an increase in idle fuel consumption of 20 percent. The use of air-atomizing nozzles reduced the THC emissions by 2 to 1.

Experimental study of boron geochemistry: implications for fluid processes in subduction zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

You, C. F.; Spivack, A. J.; Gieskes, J. M.; Rosenbauer, R.; Bischoff, J. L.

1995-06-01

A comprehensive experimental study, utilizing an autoclave hydrothermal apparatus with a 10B isotopic tracer, has been conducted to monitor the geochemical behavior of sediment B during early subduction zone processes. The partition coefficient of exchangeable B ( K D) was determined over a temperature range of 25-350°C, at 800 bars and a water/rock ratio of 3-1.5 w/w. These K D are shown to be a complex function of temperature, pH, and possibly mineralogy. At low temperatures, K D is significantly high at ˜4 in contrast to the value of essentially zero at temperatures higher than ˜100°C. A K D of zero represents no B adsorption, implying efficient mobilization of exchangeable B at shallow depths during sediment subduction. Our experimental results demonstrate high mobilization of bulk B in sediments (both exchangeable and lattice bound) at elevated temperatures (200-350°C), in good agreement with previous observations of B in metasediments indicating progressive depletion during metamorphism. In addition, this study emphasizes the importance of a possible water/rock ratio dependence of B mobilization. In other words, the degree of sedimentary B mobilization in subduction zones strongly depends on the local thermal structure and porosity distribution. In low geothermal gradient areas, large amounts of porewater are expelled before significant B mobilization has occurred, so that some sedimentary B will survive and get into the deeper parts of the subduction zone. Our results imply that efficient mobilization of B from the subducted slab must occur and that arc magmatism recycles most of the remaining subducted B back to surface reservoirs. A reconsideration of the B budget in subduction zones provides critical information with respect to B sources and sinks in the ocean.

High-resolution high-efficiency multilayer Fresnel zone plates for soft and hard x-rays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanli, Umut T.; Keskinbora, Kahraman; Gregorczyk, Keith; Leister, Jonas; Teeny, Nicolas; Grévent, Corinne; Knez, Mato; Schütz, Gisela

2015-09-01

X-ray microscopy enables high spatial resolutions, high penetration depths and characterization of a broad range of materials. Calculations show that nanometer range resolution is achievable in the hard X-ray regime by using Fresnel zone plates (FZPs) if certain conditions are satisfied. However, this requires, among other things, aspect ratios of several thousands. The multilayer (ML) type FZPs, having virtually unlimited aspect ratios, are strong candidates to achieve single nanometer resolutions. Our research is focused on the fabrication of ML-FZPs which encompasses deposition of multilayers over a glass fiber via the atomic layer deposition (ALD), which is subsequently sliced in the optimum thickness for the X-ray energy by a focused ion beam (FIB). We recently achieved aberration free imaging by resolving 21 nm features with an efficiency of up to 12.5 %, the highest imaging resolution achieved by an ML-FZP. We also showed efficient focusing of 7.9 keV X-rays down to 30 nm focal spot size (FWHM). For resolutions below ~10 nm, efficiencies would decrease significantly due to wave coupling effects. To compensate this effect high efficiency, low stress materials have to be researched, as lower intrinsic stresses will allow fabrication of larger FZPs with higher number of zones, leading to high light intensity at the focus. As a first step we fabricated an ML-FZP with a diameter of 62 μm, an outermost zone width of 12 nm and 452 active zones. Further strategies for fabrication of high resolution high efficiency multilayer FZPs will also be discussed.

Fault zone hydrogeology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bense, V. F.; Gleeson, T.; Loveless, S. E.; Bour, O.; Scibek, J.

2013-12-01

Deformation along faults in the shallow crust (< 1 km) introduces permeability heterogeneity and anisotropy, which has an important impact on processes such as regional groundwater flow, hydrocarbon migration, and hydrothermal fluid circulation. Fault zones have the capacity to be hydraulic conduits connecting shallow and deep geological environments, but simultaneously the fault cores of many faults often form effective barriers to flow. The direct evaluation of the impact of faults to fluid flow patterns remains a challenge and requires a multidisciplinary research effort of structural geologists and hydrogeologists. However, we find that these disciplines often use different methods with little interaction between them. In this review, we document the current multi-disciplinary understanding of fault zone hydrogeology. We discuss surface- and subsurface observations from diverse rock types from unlithified and lithified clastic sediments through to carbonate, crystalline, and volcanic rocks. For each rock type, we evaluate geological deformation mechanisms, hydrogeologic observations and conceptual models of fault zone hydrogeology. Outcrop observations indicate that fault zones commonly have a permeability structure suggesting they should act as complex conduit-barrier systems in which along-fault flow is encouraged and across-fault flow is impeded. Hydrogeological observations of fault zones reported in the literature show a broad qualitative agreement with outcrop-based conceptual models of fault zone hydrogeology. Nevertheless, the specific impact of a particular fault permeability structure on fault zone hydrogeology can only be assessed when the hydrogeological context of the fault zone is considered and not from outcrop observations alone. To gain a more integrated, comprehensive understanding of fault zone hydrogeology, we foresee numerous synergistic opportunities and challenges for the discipline of structural geology and hydrogeology to co-evolve and

Seed zones and breeding zones for sugar pine in southwestern Oregon.

Treesearch

Robert K. Campbell; Albert I. Sugano

1987-01-01

Provisional seed zones and breeding zones were developed for sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana Dougl.) in southwestern Oregon. Zones are based on a map of genetic variation patterns obtained by evaluating genotypes of trees from 142 locations in the region. Genotypes controlling growth vigor and growth rhythm were assessed in a common garden. Within...

Mineral sulphide-lime reactions and effect of CaO/C mole ratio during carbothermic reduction of complex mineral sulphides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hara, Yotamu Stephen Rainford

2014-01-01

Mineral sulphide (MS)-lime (CaO) ion exchange reactions (MS + CaO = MO + CaS) and the effect of CaO/C mole ratio during carbothermic reduction (MS + CaO + C = M + CaS + CO(g)) were investigated for complex froth flotation mineral sulphide concentrates. Phases in the partially and fully reacted samples were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The primary phases during mineral sulphide-lime ion exchange reactions are Fe3O4, CaSO4 Cu2S, and CaS. A complex liquid phase of Ca2CuFeO3S forms during mineral sulphide-lime exchange reactions above 1173 K. The formation mechanisms of Ca2CuFeO3S liquid phase are determined by characterising the partially reacted samples. The reduction rate and extent of mineral sulphides in the presence of CaO and C increase with the increase in CaO/C ratio. The metallic phases are surrounded by the CaS rich phase at CaO/C > 1, but the metallic phases and CaS are found as separate phases at CaO/C < 1. Experimental results show that the stoichiometric ratio of carbon should be slightly higher than that of CaO. The reactions between CaO and gangue minerals (SiO2 and Al2O3) are only observed at CaO/C > 1 and the reacted samples are excessively sintered.

Linear-stability theory of thermocapillary convection in a model of float-zone crystal growth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neitzel, G. P.; Chang, K.-T.; Jankowski, D. F.; Mittelmann, H. D.

1992-01-01

Linear-stability theory has been applied to a basic state of thermocapillary convection in a model half-zone to determine values of the Marangoni number above which instability is guaranteed. The basic state must be determined numerically since the half-zone is of finite, O(1) aspect ratio with two-dimensional flow and temperature fields. This, in turn, means that the governing equations for disturbance quantities will remain partial differential equations. The disturbance equations are treated by a staggered-grid discretization scheme. Results are presented for a variety of parameters of interest in the problem, including both terrestrial and microgravity cases.

A two-dimensional time domain near zone to far zone transformation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Luebbers, Raymond J.; Ryan, Deirdre; Beggs, John H.; Kunz, Karl S.

1991-01-01

A time domain transformation useful for extrapolating three dimensional near zone finite difference time domain (FDTD) results to the far zone was presented. Here, the corresponding two dimensional transform is outlined. While the three dimensional transformation produced a physically observable far zone time domain field, this is not convenient to do directly in two dimensions, since a convolution would be required. However, a representative two dimensional far zone time domain result can be obtained directly. This result can then be transformed to the frequency domain using a Fast Fourier Transform, corrected with a simple multiplicative factor, and used, for example, to calculate the complex wideband scattering width of a target. If an actual time domain far zone result is required, it can be obtained by inverse Fourier transform of the final frequency domain result.

Direct Observations of Reaction Zone Structure in Propagating Detonations

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-02-08

with sufficient spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio were achieved by using a tunable KrF laser with a pulse energy of 450 mJ exciting the OH...self-sustaining waves within the test section. The detonation reaction zone has been visualized by exciting OH fluorescence at about 284 nm with a...in some tests. The UV light for excitation of the OH molecules is produced by frequency dou- bling the output of an excimer-pumped dye laser. The

Bioactivity tests of calcium phosphates with variant molar ratios of main components.

PubMed

Pluta, Klaudia; Sobczak-Kupiec, Agnieszka; Półtorak, Olga; Malina, Dagmara; Tyliszczak, Bożena

2018-03-09

Calcium phosphates constitute attractive materials of biomedical applications. Among them particular attention is devoted to bioactive hydroxyapatite (HAp) and bioresorbable tricalcium phosphate (TCP) that possess ability to bind to living bones and can be used clinically as important bone substitutes. Notably, in vivo bone bioactivity can be predicted from apatite formation of bone immersed in SBF fluids. Thus, analyses of behavior of calcium phosphates immersed in various bio fluids are of great importance. Recently, stoichiometric HAp and TCP structures have been widely studied, whereas only limited number of publications have been devoted to analyses of nonstoichiometric calcium phosphates. Here, we report physicochemical analysis of natural and synthetic phosphates with variable Ca/P molar ratios. Subsequently attained structures were subjected to incubation in either artificial saliva or Ringer's fluids. Both pH and conductivity of such fluids were determined before and after incubation. Furthermore, the influence of the Ca/P values on such parameters was exemplified. Physicochemical analysis of received materials was performed by XRD and FT-IR characterization techniques. Their potential antibacterial activity and behavior in the presence of infectious microorganisms as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was also evaluated. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Stoichiometric network analysis and associated dimensionless kinetic equations. Application to a model of the Bray-Liebhafsky reaction.

PubMed

Schmitz, Guy; Kolar-Anić, Ljiljana Z; Anić, Slobodan R; Cupić, Zeljko D

2008-12-25

The stoichiometric network analysis (SNA) introduced by B. L. Clarke is applied to a simplified model of the complex oscillating Bray-Liebhafsky reaction under batch conditions, which was not examined by this method earlier. This powerful method for the analysis of steady-states stability is also used to transform the classical differential equations into dimensionless equations. This transformation is easy and leads to a form of the equations combining the advantages of classical dimensionless equations with the advantages of the SNA. The used dimensionless parameters have orders of magnitude given by the experimental information about concentrations and currents. This simplifies greatly the study of the slow manifold and shows which parameters are essential for controlling its shape and consequently have an important influence on the trajectories. The effectiveness of these equations is illustrated on two examples: the study of the bifurcations points and a simple sensitivity analysis, different from the classical one, more based on the chemistry of the studied system.

Tunable magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect of off-stoichiometric LaMnO3 nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tola, P. S.; Kim, H. S.; Kim, D. H.; Phan, T. L.; Rhyee, J. S.; Shon, W. H.; Yang, D. S.; Manh, D. H.; Lee, B. W.

2017-12-01

The crystal and electronic structures and the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of off-stoichiometric LaMnO3 nanoparticles (NPs) with various particle sizes D = 20-100 nm were studied. The Rietveld refinement revealed that all NPs were crystallized in the rhombohedral structure, with varied structural parameters dependent on D. Magnetization (M) measurements indicated a considerable difference between zero-field-cooled and field-cooled magnetizations at temperatures below ferromagnetic-paramagnetic (FM-PM) phase transition, particularly for the samples with D = 25-40 nm. These results are ascribed to spin-glass-like behaviors and magnetic inhomogeneity. We also found the possibility of tuning the FM-PM phase transition temperature (TC) from 77 to 262 K, which is dependent on both D and W (the eg-electron bandwidth). Under an applied field of H = 50 kOe, the absolute maximum magnetic entropy change that achieved around TC can be improved from 4.02 J kg-1 K-1 for D = 40 nm to 6.36 Jṡ kg-1ṡ K-1 for D = 100 nm, corresponding to the relative-cooling-power values of 241-245 Jṡ kg-1. We also analyzed the data of M and magnetic entropy change based on theoretical models to further understand the magnetic property and phase-transition type of the NP samples.

The Sorong Fault Zone, Indonesia: Mapping a Fault Zone Offshore

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melia, S.; Hall, R.

2017-12-01

The Sorong Fault Zone is a left-lateral strike-slip fault zone in eastern Indonesia, extending westwards from the Bird's Head peninsula of West Papua towards Sulawesi. It is the result of interactions between the Pacific, Caroline, Philippine Sea, and Australian Plates and much of it is offshore. Previous research on the fault zone has been limited by the low resolution of available data offshore, leading to debates over the extent, location, and timing of movements, and the tectonic evolution of eastern Indonesia. Different studies have shown it north of the Sula Islands, truncated south of Halmahera, continuing to Sulawesi, or splaying into a horsetail fan of smaller faults. Recently acquired high resolution multibeam bathymetry of the seafloor (with a resolution of 15-25 meters), and 2D seismic lines, provide the opportunity to trace the fault offshore. The position of different strands can be identified. On land, SRTM topography shows that in the northern Bird's Head the fault zone is characterised by closely spaced E-W trending faults. NW of the Bird's Head offshore there is a fold and thrust belt which terminates some strands. To the west of the Bird's Head offshore the fault zone diverges into multiple strands trending ENE-WSW. Regions of Riedel shearing are evident west of the Bird's Head, indicating sinistral strike-slip motion. Further west, the ENE-WSW trending faults turn to an E-W trend and there are at least three fault zones situated immediately south of Halmahera, north of the Sula Islands, and between the islands of Sanana and Mangole where the fault system terminates in horsetail strands. South of the Sula islands some former normal faults at the continent-ocean boundary with the North Banda Sea are being reactivated as strike-slip faults. The fault zone does not currently reach Sulawesi. The new fault map differs from previous interpretations concerning the location, age and significance of different parts of the Sorong Fault Zone. Kinematic

Correlations between polyamine ratios and growth patterns in seedling roots

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shen, H. J.; Galston, A. W.

1985-01-01

The levels of putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine and spermine were determined in seedling roots of pea, tomato, millet and corn, as well as in corn coleoptiles and pea internodes. In all roots, putrescine content increased as elongation progressed, and the putrescine/spermine ratio closely paralleled the sigmoid growth curve up until the time of lateral root initiation. Spermidine and spermine were most abundant near the apices and declined progressively with increasing age of the cells. In the zone of differentiation of root hairs in pea roots, putrescine rose progressively with increasing age, while cadaverine declined. In both pea internodes and corn coleoptiles, the putrescine/spermidine ratio rises with increasing age and elongation. Thus, a block in the conversion of the diamine putrescine to the triamine spermidine may be an important step in the change from cell division to cell elongation.

A two-dimensional time domain near zone to far zone transformation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Luebbers, Raymond J.; Ryan, Deirdre; Beggs, John H.; Kunz, Karl S.

1991-01-01

In a previous paper, a time domain transformation useful for extrapolating 3-D near zone finite difference time domain (FDTD) results to the far zone was presented. In this paper, the corresponding 2-D transform is outlined. While the 3-D transformation produced a physically observable far zone time domain field, this is not convenient to do directly in 2-D, since a convolution would be required. However, a representative 2-D far zone time domain result can be obtained directly. This result can then be transformed to the frequency domain using a Fast Fourier Transform, corrected with a simple multiplicative factor, and used, for example, to calculate the complex wideband scattering width of a target. If an actual time domain far zone result is required it can be obtained by inverse Fourier transform of the final frequency domain result.

77 FR 6007 - Quarterly Listings; Safety Zones, Security Zones, Special Local Regulations, Drawbridge Operation...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-07

...] Quarterly Listings; Safety Zones, Security Zones, Special Local Regulations, Drawbridge Operation... they could be published in the Federal Register. This notice lists temporary safety zones, security zones, special local regulations, drawbridge operation regulations and regulated navigation areas, all...

Factors influencing the QMF resolution for operation in stability zones 1 and 3.

PubMed

Syed, Sarfaraz U A H; Hogan, Thomas; Gibson, John; Taylor, Stephen

2012-05-01

This study uses a computer model to simulate a quadrupole mass filter (QMF) instrument under different operating conditions for Mathieu stability zones 1 and 3. The investigation considers the factors that limit the maximum resolution (R(max)), which can be obtained for a given QMF for a particular value of scan line. Previously, QMF resolution (R) has been found to be dependent on number (N) of radio frequency (rf) cycles experienced by the ions in the mass filter, according to R = N(n)/K, where n and K are the constants. However, this expression does not predict the limit to QMF resolution observed in practice and is true only for the linear regions of the performance curve for QMF operation in zone 1 and zone 3 of the stability diagram. Here we model the saturated regions of the performance curve for QMF operation in zone 1 according to R = q(1 - 2c(N))/∆q, where c is a constant and ∆q is the width of the intersection of the operating scan line with the stability zone 1, measured at q-axis of the Mathieu stability diagram. Also by careful calculations of the detail of the stability tip of zone 1, the following relationship was established between R(max) and percentage U/V ratio: R(max) = q/(0.9330-0.00933U/V). For QMF operation in zone 3 the expression R = a - bc(N) simulates well the linear and saturated regions of the performance curve for a range of operational conditions, where a, b, and c are constants.

Radiant zone heated particulate filter

DOEpatents

Gonze, Eugene V [Pinckney, MI

2011-12-27

A system includes a particulate matter (PM) filter including an upstream end for receiving exhaust gas and a downstream end. A radiant zoned heater includes N zones, where N is an integer greater than one, wherein each of the N zones includes M sub-zones, where M is an integer greater than or equal to one. A control module selectively activates at least a selected one of the N zones to initiate regeneration in downstream portions of the PM filter from the one of the N zones, restricts exhaust gas flow in a portion of the PM filter that corresponds to the selected one of the N zones, and deactivates non-selected ones of the N zones.

Characterization of the temporal and spatial distribution and reproductive ratio of vesicular stomatitis outbreaks in Mexico in 2008.

PubMed

Arroyo, Montserrat; Perez, Andres M; Rodriguez, Luis L

2011-02-01

To characterize the temporal and spatial distribution and reproductive ratio of vesicular stomatitis (VS) outbreaks reported in Mexico in 2008. Bovine herds in Mexico in which VS outbreaks were officially reported and confirmed from January 1 through December 31, 2008. The Poisson model of the space-time scan statistic was used to identify periods and geographical locations at highest risk for VS in Mexico in 2008. The herd reproductive ratio (R(h)) of the epidemic was computed by use of the doubling-time method. 1 significant space-time cluster of VS was detected in the state of Michoacan from September 4 through December 10, 2008. The temporal extent of the VS outbreaks and the value and pattern of decrease of the R(h) were different in the endemic zone of Tabasco and Chiapas, compared with findings in the region included in the space-time cluster. The large number of VS outbreaks reported in Mexico in 2008 was associated with the spread of the disease from the endemic zone in southern Mexico to areas sporadically affected by the disease. Results suggested that implementation of a surveillance system in the endemic zone of Mexico aimed at early detection of changes in the value of R(h) and space-time clustering of the disease could help predict occurrence of future VS outbreaks originating from this endemic zone. This information will help prevent VS spread into regions of Mexico and neighboring countries that are only sporadically affected by the disease.

Habitable Zone Evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waltham, D.; Lota, J.

2012-12-01

The location of the habitable zone around a star depends upon stellar luminosity and upon the properties of a potentially habitable planet such as its mass and near-surface volatile inventory. Stellar luminosity generally increases as a star ages whilst planetary properties change through time as a consequence of biological and geological evolution. Hence, the location of the habitable zone changes through time as a result of both stellar evolution and planetary evolution. Using the Earth's Phanerozoic temperature history as a constraint, it is shown that changes in our own habitable zone over the last 540 My have been dominated by planetary evolution rather than solar evolution. Furthermore, sparse data from earlier times suggests that planetary evolution may have dominated habitable zone development throughout our biosphere's history. Hence, the existence of a continuously habitable zone depends upon accidents of complex bio-geochemical evolution more than it does upon relatively simple stellar-evolution. Evolution of the inner margin of the habitable zone through time using three different estimates for climate sensitivity. The dashed line shows a typical predicted evolution assuming this was driven simply by a steady increase in solar luminosity. Solar evolution does not account for the observations. Evolution of the outer margin of the habitable zone through time using three different estimates for climate sensitivity. The dashed line shows a typical predicted evolution assuming this was driven simply by a steady increase in solar luminosity. Solar evolution does not account for the observations.

Fibonacci-like zone plate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Shubo; Liu, Mengsi; Xia, Tian; Tao, Shaohua

2018-06-01

We present a new family of diffractive lenses, Fibonacci-like zone plates, generated with a modified Fibonacci sequence. The focusing properties and the evolution of transverse diffraction pattern for the Fibonacci-like zone plates have been analytically investigated both theoretically and experimentally and compared with the corresponding Fresnel zone plates of the same resolution. The results demonstrate that the Fibonacci-like zone plates possess the self-similar property and the multifocal behavior. Furthermore, the Fibonacci-like zone plate beams are found to possess the self-reconstruction property, and would be promising for 3D optical tweezers, laser machining, and optical imaging.

Photo-induced second-order nonlinearity in stoichiometric silicon nitride waveguides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Porcel, Marco A. G.; Mak, Jesse; Taballione, Caterina; Schermerhorn, Victoria K.; Epping, Jörn P.; van der Slot, Peter J. M.; Boller, Klaus-J.

2017-12-01

We report the observation of second-harmonic generation in stoichiometric silicon nitride waveguides grown via low-pressure chemical vapour deposition. Quasi-rectangular waveguides with a large cross section were used, with a height of 1 {\\mu}m and various different widths, from 0.6 to 1.2 {\\mu}m, and with various lengths from 22 to 74 mm. Using a mode-locked laser delivering 6-ps pulses at 1064 nm wavelength with a repetition rate of 20 MHz, 15% of the incoming power was coupled through the waveguide, making maximum average powers of up to 15 mW available in the waveguide. Second-harmonic output was observed with a delay of minutes to several hours after the initial turn-on of pump radiation, showing a fast growth rate between 10$^{-4}$ to 10$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$, with the shortest delay and highest growth rate at the highest input power. After this first, initial build-up, the second-harmonic became generated instantly with each new turn-on of the pump laser power. Phase matching was found to be present independent of the used waveguide width, although the latter changes the fundamental and second-harmonic phase velocities. We address the presence of a second-order nonlinearity and phase matching, involving an initial, power-dependent build-up, to the coherent photogalvanic effect. The effect, via the third-order nonlinearity and multiphoton absorption leads to a spatially patterned charge separation, which generates a spatially periodic, semi-permanent, DC-field-induced second-order susceptibility with a period that is appropriate for quasi-phase matching. The maximum measured second-harmonic conversion efficiency amounts to 0.4% in a waveguide with 0.9 x 1 {\\mu}m$^2$ cross section and 36 mm length, corresponding to 53 {\\mu}W at 532 nm with 13 mW of IR input coupled into the waveguide. The according $\\chi^{(2)}$ amounts to 3.7 pm/V, as retrieved from the measured conversion efficiency.

Annealing effects on the structural and magnetic properties of off-stoichiometric Fe-Mn-Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloys

DOE PAGES

Chen, Yan; Bei, Hongbin; Dela Cruz, Clarina R; ...

2016-05-07

Annealing plays an important role in modifying structures and properties of ferromagnetic shape memory alloys (FSMAs). The annealing effect on the structures and magnetic properties of off-stoichiometric Fe 45Mn 26Ga 29 FSMA has been investigated at different elevated temperatures. Rietveld refinements of neutron diffraction patterns display that the formation of the γ phase in Fe 45Mn 26Ga 29 annealed at 1073 K increases the martensitic transformation temperature and reduces the thermal hysteresis in comparison to the homogenized sample. The phase segregation of a Fe-rich cubic phase and a Ga-rich cubic phase occurs at the annealing temperature of 773 K. Themore » atomic occupancies of the alloys are determined thanks to the neutron's capability of differentiating transition metals. The annealing effects at different temperatures introduce a different magnetic characteristic that is associated with distinctive structural changes in the crystal.« less

76 FR 70342 - Quarterly Listings; Safety Zones, Security Zones, Special Local Regulations, Drawbridge Operation...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-14

...] Quarterly Listings; Safety Zones, Security Zones, Special Local Regulations, Drawbridge Operation... published in the Federal Register. This notice lists temporary safety zones, security zones, special local..., telephone (202) 372-3862. For questions on viewing, or on submitting material to the docket, contact Ms...

Cascadia Subduction Zone

USGS Publications Warehouse

Frankel, Arthur D.; Petersen, Mark D.

2008-01-01

The geometry and recurrence times of large earthquakes associated with the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) were discussed and debated at a March 28-29, 2006 Pacific Northwest workshop for the USGS National Seismic Hazard Maps. The CSZ is modeled from Cape Mendocino in California to Vancouver Island in British Columbia. We include the same geometry and weighting scheme as was used in the 2002 model (Frankel and others, 2002) based on thermal constraints (Fig. 1; Fluck and others, 1997 and a reexamination by Wang et al., 2003, Fig. 11, eastern edge of intermediate shading). This scheme includes four possibilities for the lower (eastern) limit of seismic rupture: the base of elastic zone (weight 0.1), the base of transition zone (weight 0.2), the midpoint of the transition zone (weight 0.2), and a model with a long north-south segment at 123.8? W in the southern and central portions of the CSZ, with a dogleg to the northwest in the northern portion of the zone (weight 0.5). The latter model was derived from the approximate average longitude of the contour of the 30 km depth of the CSZ as modeled by Fluck et al. (1997). A global study of the maximum depth of thrust earthquakes on subduction zones by Tichelaar and Ruff (1993) indicated maximum depths of about 40 km for most of the subduction zones studied, although the Mexican subduction zone had a maximum depth of about 25 km (R. LaForge, pers. comm., 2006). The recent inversion of GPS data by McCaffrey et al. (2007) shows a significant amount of coupling (a coupling factor of 0.2-0.3) as far east as 123.8? West in some portions of the CSZ. Both of these lines of evidence lend support to the model with a north-south segment at 123.8? W.

Rock Magnetic Study in the Methanogenesis Zone, Site U1437, IODP Exp 350, Izu Rear Arc

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kars, M. A. C.; Musgrave, R. J.; Kodama, K.; Jonas, A. S.

2015-12-01

In 2014, IODP Expedition 350 drilled a 1806.5 m deep hole at Site U1437 in the Izu Bonin rear arc. The Site presents an unusual deep methanogenesis zone because of a release of sulfate below the sulfate reduction zone (27-83 mbsf) which may buffer methanogenesis by anaerobic methanogens. Methane abundance gradually increases with depth, with significant abundance at ~750-1459 mbsf with a maximum value at 920 mbsf. The rock magnetic study carried out in Hole U1437D from ~775 to ~1000 mbsf shows a drastic change of the magnetic properties at ~850 mbsf coincidently with a stronger release of methane from < 60 ppm at 841 mbsf to ~300 ppm at 854 mbsf. That also corresponds to a depth interval where no core was recovered (~846-854 mbsf). For the sake of clarity, we call hereafter zone A the depth interval above this non-recovered interval (775-846 mbsf) and zone B the interval below (854-1000 mbsf). Both belong to the same lithostratigraphic unit composed of tuffaceous mudstones intercalated with volcanoclastics. In the zone A, NRM, magnetic susceptibility, ARM, SIRM, HIRM display high values. In the zone B, these parameters show much lower values of one order of magnitude less, except for the interval 936-950 mbsf that corresponds to a local maximum (but still lower values than the zone A). Besides, the rock magnetic parameters for grain size and coercivity, such as ARM/χ, S-ratio and Bcr do not show any variations throughout the entire studied interval, although S-ratio displays slightly lower values from ~850 to ~930 mbsf. Grains are low coercivity pseudo-single domain sized. According to the present data, two preliminary hypotheses can be proposed to explain the observations. 1) The non-recovered interval between the zones A and B can be caused by the presence of a sedimentary hiatus and/or a fault, which may be consistent with the observed change in sedimentation rate. 2) No hiatus in the sedimentation. The changes in the magnetic properties can be explained by a

Ion-absorption band analysis for the discrimination of iron-rich zones. [Nevada

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rowan, L. C. (Principal Investigator); Wetlaufer, P. H.

1974-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. A technique which combines digital computer processing and color composition was devised for detecting hydrothermally altered areas and for discriminating among many rock types in an area in south-central Nevada. Subtle spectral reflectance differences among the rock types are enhanced by ratioing and contrast-stretching MSS radiance values for form ratio images which subsequently are displayed in color-ratio composites. Landform analysis of Nevada shows that linear features compiled without respect to length results in approximately 25 percent coincidence with mapped faults. About 80 percent of the major lineaments coincides with mapped faults, and substantial extension of locally mapped faults is commonly indicated. Seven major lineament systems appear to be old zones of crustal weakness which have provided preferred conduits for rising magma through periodic reactivation.

76 FR 38297 - Safety Zone; Marine Events Requiring Safety Zones in the Captain of the Port Sault Sainte Marie Zone

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-30

...'' W [DATUM: NAD 83]. (ii) Enforcement Period. This safety zone will be enforced on July 4, 2011 from 9...'' N, 086[deg]39'08.52'' W [DATUM: NAD 83]. (ii) Enforcement Period. This safety zone will be enforced...: NAD 83], with the West Bay shoreline forming the South and West boundaries of the zone. (ii...

Creation of short microwave ablation zones: in vivo characterization of single and paired modified triaxial antennas.

PubMed

Lubner, Meghan G; Ziemlewicz, Tim J; Hinshaw, J Louis; Lee, Fred T; Sampson, Lisa A; Brace, Christopher L

2014-10-01

To characterize modified triaxial microwave antennas configured to produce short ablation zones. Fifty single-antenna and 27 paired-antenna hepatic ablations were performed in domestic swine (N = 11) with 17-gauge gas-cooled modified triaxial antennas powered at 65 W from a 2.45-GHz generator. Single-antenna ablations were performed at 2 (n = 16), 5 (n = 21), and 10 (n = 13) minutes. Paired-antenna ablations were performed at 1-cm and 2-cm spacing for 5 (n = 7 and n = 8, respectively) and 10 minutes (n = 7 and n = 5, respectively). Mean transverse width, length, and aspect ratio of sectioned ablation zones were measured and compared. For single antennas, mean ablation zone lengths were 2.9 cm ± 0.45, 3.5 cm ± 0.55, and 4.2 cm ± 0.40 at 2, 5, and 10 minutes, respectively. Mean widths were 1.8 cm ± 0.3, 2.0 cm ± 0.32, and 2.5 cm ± 0.25 at 2, 5, and 10 minutes, respectively. For paired antennas, mean length at 5 minutes with 1-cm and 2-cm spacing and 10 minutes with 1-cm and 2-cm spacing was 4.2 cm ± 0.9, 4.9 cm ± 1.0, 4.8 cm ± 0.5, and 4.8 cm ± 1.3, respectively. Mean width was 3.1 cm ± 1.0, 4.4 cm ± 0.7, 3.8 cm ± 0.4, and 4.5 cm ± 0.7, respectively. Paired-antenna ablations were more spherical (aspect ratios, 0.72-0.79 for 5-10 min) than single-antenna ablations (aspect ratios, 0.57-0.59). For paired-antenna ablations, 1-cm spacing appeared optimal, with improved circularity and decreased clefting compared with 2-cm spacing (circularity, 0.85 at 1 cm, 0.78 at 2 cm). Modified triaxial antennas can generate relatively short, spherical ablation zones. Paired-antenna ablations were rounder and larger in transverse dimension than single antenna ablations, with 1-cm spacing optimal for confluence of the ablation zone. Copyright © 2014 SIR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Structure of the 1906 near-surface rupture zone of the San Andreas Fault, San Francisco Peninsula segment, near Woodside, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rosa, C.M.; Catchings, R.D.; Rymer, M.J.; Grove, Karen; Goldman, M.R.

2016-07-08

High-resolution seismic-reflection and refraction images of the 1906 surface rupture zone of the San Andreas Fault near Woodside, California reveal evidence for one or more additional near-surface (within about 3 meters [m] depth) fault strands within about 25 m of the 1906 surface rupture. The 1906 surface rupture above the groundwater table (vadose zone) has been observed in paleoseismic trenches that coincide with our seismic profile and is seismically characterized by a discrete zone of low P-wave velocities (Vp), low S-wave velocities (Vs), high Vp/Vs ratios, and high Poisson’s ratios. A second near-surface fault strand, located about 17 m to the southwest of the 1906 surface rupture, is inferred by similar seismic anomalies. Between these two near-surface fault strands and below 5 m depth, we observed a near-vertical fault strand characterized by a zone of high Vp, low Vs, high Vp/Vs ratios, and high Poisson’s ratios on refraction tomography images and near-vertical diffractions on seismic-reflection images. This prominent subsurface zone of seismic anomalies is laterally offset from the 1906 surface rupture by about 8 m and likely represents the active main (long-term) strand of the San Andreas Fault at 5 to 10 m depth. Geometries of the near-surface and subsurface (about 5 to 10 m depth) fault zone suggest that the 1906 surface rupture dips southwestward to join the main strand of the San Andreas Fault at about 5 to 10 m below the surface. The 1906 surface rupture forms a prominent groundwater barrier in the upper 3 to 5 m, but our interpreted secondary near-surface fault strand to the southwest forms a weaker barrier, suggesting that there has been less or less-recent near-surface slip on that strand. At about 6 m depth, the main strand of the San Andreas Fault consists of water-saturated blue clay (collected from a hand-augered borehole), which is similar to deeply weathered serpentinite observed within the main strand of the San Andreas Fault at

Evaluation of the normal-to-diseased apparent diffusion coefficient ratio as an indicator of prostate cancer aggressiveness

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background We tested the feasibility of a simple method for assessment of prostate cancer (PCa) aggressiveness using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to calculate apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) ratios between prostate cancer and healthy prostatic tissue. Methods The requirement for institutional review board approval was waived. A set of 20 standardized core transperineal saturation biopsy specimens served as the reference standard for placement of regions of interest on ADC maps in tumorous and normal prostatic tissue of 22 men with PCa (median Gleason score: 7; range, 6–9). A total of 128 positive sectors were included for evaluation. Two diagnostic ratios were computed between tumor ADCs and normal sector ADCs: the ADC peripheral ratio (the ratio between tumor ADC and normal peripheral zone tissue, ADC-PR), and the ADC central ratio (the ratio between tumor ADC and normal central zone tissue, ADC-CR). The performance of the two ratios in detecting high-risk tumor foci (Gleason 8 and 9) was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results Both ADC ratios presented significantly lower values in high-risk tumors (0.48 ± 0.13 for ADC-CR and 0.40 ± 0.09 for ADC-PR) compared with low-risk tumors (0.66 ± 0.17 for ADC-CR and 0.54 ± 0.09 for ADC-PR) (p < 0.001) and had better diagnostic performance (ADC-CR AUC = 0.77, sensitivity = 82.2%, specificity = 66.7% and ADC-PR AUC = 0.90, sensitivity = 93.7%, specificity = 80%) than stand-alone tumor ADCs (AUC of 0.75, sensitivity = 72.7%, specificity = 70.6%) for identifying high-risk lesions. Conclusions The ADC ratio as an intrapatient-normalized diagnostic tool may be better in detecting high-grade lesions compared with analysis based on tumor ADCs alone, and may reduce the rate of biopsies. PMID:24885552

Leaf and root C-to-N ratios are poor predictors of soil microbial biomass C and respiration across 32 tree species.

PubMed

Ferlian, Olga; Wirth, Christian; Eisenhauer, Nico

2017-11-01

Soil microorganisms are the main primary decomposers of plant material and drive biogeochemical processes like carbon and nitrogen cycles. Hence, knowledge of their nutritional demands and limitations for activity and growth is of particular importance. However, potential effects of the stoichiometry of soil and plant species on soil microbial activity and carbon use efficiency are poorly understood. Soil properties and plant traits are assumed to drive microbial carbon and community structure. We investigated the associations between C and N concentrations of leaf, root, and soil as well as their ratios and soil microbial biomass C and activity (microbial basal respiration and specific respiratory quotient) across 32 young native angiosperm tree species at two locations in Central Germany. Correlations between C:N ratios of leaves, roots, and soil were positive but overall weak. Only regressions between root and leaf C:N ratios as well as between root and soil C:N ratios were significant at one site. Soil microbial properties differed significantly between the two sites and were significantly correlated with soil C:N ratio across sites. Soil C concentrations rather than N concentrations drove significant effects of soil C:N ratio on soil microbial properties. No significant correlations between soil microbial properties and leaf as well as root C:N ratios were found. We found weak correlations of C:N ratios between plant aboveground and belowground tissues. Furthermore, microorganisms were not affected by the stoichiometry of plant tissues in the investigated young trees. The results suggest that soil stoichiometry represents a consistent determinant of soil microbial biomass and respiration. Our study indicates that stoichiometric relationships among tree organs can be weak and poor predictors of soil microbial properties in young tree stands. Further research in controlled experimental settings with a wide range of tree species is needed to study the role of

Geophysical and isotopic mapping of preexisting crustal structures that influenced the location and development of the San Jacinto fault zone, southern California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Langenheim, V.E.; Jachens, R.C.; Morton, D.M.; Kistler, R.W.; Matti, J.C.

2004-01-01

We examine the role of preexisting crustal structure within the Peninsular Ranges batholith on determining the location of the San Jacinto fault zone by analysis of geophysical anomalies and initial strontium ratio data. A 1000-km-long boundary within the Peninsular Ranges batholith, separating relatively mafic, dense, and magnetic rocks of the western Peninsular Ranges batholith from the more felsic, less dense, and weakly magnetic rocks of the eastern Peninsular Ranges batholith, strikes north-northwest toward the San Jacinto fault zone. Modeling of the gravity and magnetic field anomalies caused by this boundary indicates that it extends to depths of at least 20 km. The anomalies do not cross the San Jacinto fault zone, but instead trend northwesterly and coincide with the fault zone. A 75-km-long gradient in initial strontium ratios (Sri) in the eastern Peninsular Ranges batholith coincides with the San Jacinto fault zone. Here rocks east of the fault are characterized by Sri greater than 0.706, indicating a source of largely continental crust, sedimentary materials, or different lithosphere. We argue that the physical property contrast produced by the Peninsular Ranges batholith boundary provided a mechanically favorable path for the San Jacinto fault zone, bypassing the San Gorgonio structural knot as slip was transferred from the San Andreas fault 1.0-1.5 Ma. Two historical M6.7 earthquakes may have nucleated along the Peninsular Ranges batholith discontinuity in San Jacinto Valley, suggesting that Peninsular Ranges batholith crustal structure may continue to affect how strain is accommodated along the San Jacinto fault zone. ?? 2004 Geological Society of America.

Li/B ratio in deep fluids an indicator of their generation depth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hirajima, Takao; Sengen, Yoshiteru; Nishimura, Koshi; Ohsawa, Shinji

2010-05-01

Deep fluids derived from subducted terrestrial materials significantly affect and cause various physicochemical processes in the subduction zone, e.g., earthquakes in the subducting plate, partial melting in the mantle wedge, which causes island arc volcanism, the exhumation of high pressure metamorphic rocks, and so on (e.g., Schmidt and Poli, 1998). However, nature of deep fluids is still under the deep veil. To evaluate precisely the effect of deep fluids which affect various subduction processes, following aspects concerning the nature of deep fluids should be evaluated well, 1) the depths and the amounts of fluid release, 2) species and compositions of fluids, 3) the fluid paths and scale of motion, and etc. (e.g., Scambelluri and Philippot, 2001). In recent years, the depths and amounts of fluid release become to be evaluated well by synthetic experiments and thermodynamic calculation in the basaltic system (e.g., Schmidt and Poli, 1998; Hacker et al., 2003). The information on species and compositions of fluids can be obtained directly from fluid inclusions trapping in natural HP/UHP metamorphic rocks, but quantitative analyses of their major and trace element composition are still in the hard task. This paper reports the Li-B-Cl ratio of deep fluids extracted from quartz veins/lenses developing parallel to the main foliation of LT/HP type metamorphic rocks crystallized from 20 to 60 km depths in the Sanbagawa belt, Japan. The quartz veins crosscutting the main foliation, i.e., formed during the retrograde stage, are out of scope in this paper. Raman spectroscopy for fluid inclusions in quartz veins/lenses reveals that most inclusions are composed of aqueous liquid and gas species of CO2, CH4 and/or N2. Aqueous bubble was not detected. Microthermometry for them reveals that freezing temperature varies from -15oC to 0oC .Rough negative correlation is detected between the freezing temperature and homogenization temperature (120-450 oC). These results suggest

76 FR 44803 - Quarterly Listings; Safety Zones, Security Zones, Special Local Regulations, Drawbridge Operation...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-27

... USCG-2009-1081 New Orleans, LA Safety Zone (Part 165)..... 12/23/2009 USCG-2009-1084 Rio Vista, CA...-1096 Port Portland Zone......... Safety Zone (Part 165)..... 7/3/2010 USCG-2009-0040 La Push, WA Safety...-0950 Madisonville, LA Safety Zone (Part 165)..... 12/31/2009 USCG-2009-0951 Lower Mississippi River...

3D near-surface soil response from H/V ambient-noise ratios

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wollery, E.W.; Street, R.

2002-01-01

The applicability of the horizontal-to-vertical (H/V) ambient-noise spectral ratio for characterizing earthquake site effects caused by nearsurface topography and velocity structures was evaluated at sites underlain by thick (i.e. >100 m) sediment deposits near the southern-end of the New Madrid seismic zone in the central United States. Three-component ambient-noise and velocity models derived from seismic (shearwave) refraction/reflection surveys showed that a relatively horizontal, sharp shear-wave velocity interface in the soil column resulted in an H/V spectral ratio with a single well-defined peak. Observations at sites with more than one sharp shear-wave velocity contrast and horizontally arranged soil layers resulted in at least two well-defined H/V spectral ratio peaks. Furthermore, at sites where there were sharp shear-wave velocity contrasts in nonhorizontal, near-surface soil layers, the H/V spectra exhibited a broad-bandwidth, relatively low amplitude signal instead of a single well-defined peak. ?? 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Seismic Evidence of A Widely Distributed West Napa Fault Zone, Hendry Winery, Napa, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goldman, M.; Catchings, R.; Chan, J. H.; Criley, C.

2015-12-01

Following the 24 August 2014 Mw 6.0 South Napa earthquake, surface rupture was mapped along the West Napa Fault Zone (WNFZ) for a distance of ~ 14 km and locally within zones up to ~ 2 km wide. Near the northern end of the surface rupture, however, several strands coalesced to form a narrow, ~100-m-wide zone of surface rupture. To determine the location, width, and shallow (upper few hundred meters) geometry of the fault zone, we acquired an active-source seismic survey across the northern surface rupture in February 2015. We acquired both P- and S-wave data, from which we developed reflection images and tomographic images of Vp, Vs, Vp/Vs, and Poisson's ratio of the upper 100 m. We also used small explosive charges within surface ruptures located ~600 m north of our seismic array to record fault-zone guided waves. Our data indicate that at the latitude of the Hendry Winery, the WNFZ is characterized by at least five fault traces that are spaced 60 to 200 m apart. Zones of low-Vs, low-Vp/Vs, and disrupted reflectors highlight the fault traces on the tomography and reflection images. On peak-ground-velocity (PGV) plots, the most pronounced high-amplitude guided-wave seismic energy coincides precisely with the mapped surface ruptures, and the guided waves also show discrete high PGV zones associated with unmapped fault traces east of the surface ruptures. Although the surface ruptures of the WNFZ were observed only over a 100-m-wide zone at the Hendry Winery, our data indicate that the fault zone is at least 400 m wide, which is probably a minimum width given the 400-m length of our seismic profile. Slip on the WNFZ is generally considered to be low relative to most other Bay Area faults, but we suggest that the West Napa Fault is a zone of widely distributed shear, and to fully account for the total slip on the WNFZ, slip on all traces of this wide fault zone must be considered.

Mojave Compliant Zone Structure and Properties: Constraints from InSAR and Mechanical Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hearn, E. H.; Fialko, Y.; Finzi, Y.

2007-12-01

Long-lived zones with significantly lower elastic strength than their surroundings are associated with active Mojave faults (e.g., Li et al., 1999; Fialko et al., 2002, 2004). In an earthquake these weak features concentrate strain, causing them to show up as anomalous, short length-scale features in SAR interferograms (Fialko et al., 2002). Fault-zone trapped wave studies indicate that the 1999 Hector Mine earthquake caused a small reduction in P- and S-wave velocities in a compliant zone along the Landers earthquake rupture (Vidale and Li, 2003). This suggests that coseismic strain concentration, and the resulting damage, in the compliant zone caused a further reduction in its elastic strength. Even a small coseismic strength drop should make a compliant zone (CZ) deform, in response to the total (not just the coseismic) stress. The strain should be in the sense which is compatible with the orientations and values of the region's principal stresses. However, as indicated by Fialko and co-workers (2002, 2004), the sense of coseismic strain of Mojave compliant zones was consistent with coseismic stress change, not the regional (background) stress. Here we use finite-element models to investigate how InSAR measurements of Mojave compliant zone coseismic strain places limits on their dimensions and on upper crustal stresses. We find that unless the CZ is shallow, narrow, and has a high Poisson's ratio (e.g., 0.4), CZ contraction under lithostatic stress overshadows deformation due to deviatoric background stress or coseismic stress change. We present ranges of CZ dimensions which are compatible with the observed surface deformation and address how these dimensions compare with new results from damage-controlled fault evolution models.

Dissolution of aragonite-strontianite solid solutions in nonstoichiometric Sr (HCO3)2-Ca (HCO3)2-CO2-H2O solutions

USGS Publications Warehouse

Plummer, Niel; Busenberg, E.; Glynn, P.D.; Blum, A.E.

1992-01-01

Synthetic strontianite-aragonite solid-solution minerals were dissolved in CO2-saturated non-stoichiometric solutions of Sr(HCO3)2 and Ca(HCO3)2 at 25??C. The results show that none of the dissolution reactions reach thermodynamic equilibrium. Congruent dissolution in Ca(HCO3)2 solutions either attains or closely approaches stoichiometric saturation with respect to the dissolving solid. In Sr(HCO3)2 solutions the reactions usually become incongruent, precipitating a Sr-rich phase before reaching stoichiometric saturation. Dissolution of mechanical mixtures of solids approaches stoichiometric saturation with respect to the least stable solid in the mixture. Surface uptake from subsaturated bulk solutions was observed in the initial minutes of dissolution. This surficial phase is 0-10 atomic layers thick in Sr(HCO3)2 solutions and 0-4 layers thick in Ca(HCO3)2 solutions, and subsequently dissolves and/or recrystallizes, usually within 6 min of reaction. The initial transient surface precipitation (recrystallization) process is followed by congruent dissolution of the original solid which proceeds to stoichiometric saturation, or until the precipitation of a more stable Sr-rich solid. The compositions of secondary precipitates do not correspond to thermodynamic equilibrium or stoichiometric saturation states. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements indicate the formation of solid solutions on surfaces of aragonite and strontianite single crystals immersed in Sr(HCO3)2 and Ca(HCO3)2 solutions, respectively. In Sr(HCO3)2 solutions, the XPS signal from the outer ~ 60 A?? on aragonite indicates a composition of 16 mol% SrCO3 after only 2 min of contact, and 14-18 mol% SrCO3 after 3 weeks of contact. The strontianite surface averages approximately 22 mol% CaCO3 after 2 min of contact with Ca(HCO3)2 solution, and is 34-39 mol% CaCO3 after 3 weeks of contact. XPS analysis suggests the surface composition is zoned with somewhat greater enrichment in the outer ~25

Shear zones bounding the central zone of the Limpopo Mobile Belt, southern Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCouri, Stephen; Vearncombe, Julian R.

Contrary to previously suggested north-directed thrust emplacement of the central zone of the Limpopo mobile belt, we present evidence indicating west-directed emplacement. The central zone differs from the marginal zones in rock types, structural style and isotopic signature and is an allochthonous thrust sheet. It is bounded in the north by the dextral Tuli-Sabi shear zone and in the south by the sinistral Palala shear zone which are crustal-scale lateral ramps. Published gravity data suggest that the lateral ramps are linked at depth and they probably link at the surface, in a convex westward frontal ramp, in the vicinity of longitude 26°30'E in eastern Botswana. Two phases of movement, the first between 2.7 and 2.6 Ga and the second between 2.0 and 1.8 Ga. occurred on both the Tuli-Sabi and the Palala shear zones.

Freeway work zone lane capacity.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-01-01

The focus of this report is a capacity analysis of two long-term urban freeway Work Zones. Work Zone #1 : tapered four mainline lanes to two, using two separate tapers; Work Zone #2 tapered two mainline lanes to one. : Work Zone throughput was analyz...

The Interplay between Carbon Availability and Growth in Different Zones of the Growing Maize Leaf.

PubMed

Czedik-Eysenberg, Angelika; Arrivault, Stéphanie; Lohse, Marc A; Feil, Regina; Krohn, Nicole; Encke, Beatrice; Nunes-Nesi, Adriano; Fernie, Alisdair R; Lunn, John E; Sulpice, Ronan; Stitt, Mark

2016-10-01

Plants assimilate carbon in their photosynthetic tissues in the light. However, carbon is required during the night and in nonphotosynthetic organs. It is therefore essential that plants manage their carbon resources spatially and temporally and coordinate growth with carbon availability. In growing maize (Zea mays) leaf blades, a defined developmental gradient facilitates analyses in the cell division, elongation, and mature zones. We investigated the responses of the metabolome and transcriptome and polysome loading, as a qualitative proxy for protein synthesis, at dusk, dawn, and 6, 14, and 24 h into an extended night, and tracked whole-leaf elongation over this time course. Starch and sugars are depleted by dawn in the mature zone, but only after an extension of the night in the elongation and division zones. Sucrose (Suc) recovers partially between 14 and 24 h into the extended night in the growth zones, but not the mature zone. The global metabolome and transcriptome track these zone-specific changes in Suc. Leaf elongation and polysome loading in the growth zones also remain high at dawn, decrease between 6 and 14 h into the extended night, and then partially recover, indicating that growth processes are determined by local carbon status. The level of Suc-signaling metabolite trehalose-6-phosphate, and the trehalose-6-phosphate:Suc ratio are much higher in growth than mature zones at dusk and dawn but fall in the extended night. Candidate genes were identified by searching for transcripts that show characteristic temporal response patterns or contrasting responses to carbon starvation in growth and mature zones. © 2016 American Society of Plant Biologists. All Rights Reserved.

Validating Variance Similarity Functions in the Entrainment Zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osman, M.; Turner, D. D.; Heus, T.; Newsom, R. K.

2017-12-01

In previous work, the water vapor variance in the entrainment zone was proposed to be proportional to the convective velocity scale, gradient water vapor mixing ratio and the Brunt-Vaisala frequency in the interfacial layer, while the variance of the vertical wind at in the entrainment zone was defined in terms of the convective velocity scale. The variances in the entrainment zone have been hypothesized to depend on two distinct functions, which also depend on the Richardson number. To the best of our knowledge, these hypotheses have never been tested observationally. Simultaneous measurements of the Eddy correlation surface flux, wind shear profiles from wind profilers, and variance profile measurements of vertical motions and water vapor by Doppler and Raman lidars, respectively, provide a unique opportunity to thoroughly examine the functions used in defining the variances and validate them. These observations were made over the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Southern Great Plains (SGP) site. We have identified about 30 cases from 2016 during which the convective boundary layer (CBL) is quasi-stationary and well mixed for at least 2 hours. The vertical profiles of turbulent fluctuations of the vertical wind and water vapor have been derived using an auto covariance technique to separate out the instrument random error to a set of 2-h period time series. The error analysis of the lidars observations demonstrates that the lidars are capable of resolving the vertical structure of turbulence around the entrainment zone. Therefore, utilizing this unique combination of observations, this study focuses on extensively testing the hypotheses that the second-order moments are indeed proportional to the functions which also depend on Richardson number. The coefficients that are used in defining the functions will also be determined observationally and compared against with the values suggested by Large eddy simulation (LES) studies.

[Sex ratio and environmental influence on population growth rate of Callinectes bellicosus (Decapoda: Portunidae) in the Gulf of California].

PubMed

Rodríguez-Félix, Demetrio; Cisneros-Mata, Miguel Angel; Aragón-Noriega, Eugenio Alberto; Arreola-Lizárraga, José Alfredo

2016-09-01

The brown swimming crab (Callinectes bellicosus) is an economically important species in the Gulf of California, and its fishing activity, held in Sonora from 1986, has been affected by a 20-year declining trend in its biomass. With the aim to understand the possible reasons of this species population changes along time, we estimated population growth rate (r) and sex ratio of C. bellicosus, and combined them with three parameters describing its habitat: sea temperature, wetland extension and habitat size in four areas along the coast of Sonora. For this, monthly mean sex ratio was estimated from crabs samples obtained from commercial catches during 1998-2002 and 2012; mean sea surface temperature for the spawning period (May-August) were derived from remote sensors for the same years; while wetland coverages were obtained from published reports, and habitat size was estimated as the fishing surface. For each area, r was estimated using a method developed for limited data situations using commercial landings (t) from 1986-2013. With data from the four areas, simple and multiple linear regression models were developed to ascertain theoretical sensitivities of r to variations in sex ratio and environmental parameters. A total of 24 556 crabs were sampled; males dominated (68.8 %) over females during the study period and in all areas; a cluster analysis identified two groups according to sex ratio: a Northern group with zones 1 and 2, and a Southern group with zones 3 and 4. r values were different in all zones (P<0.001) as was sex ratio (P=0.037); no differences in temperature were identified within the study years (P>0.995). Both the estimated data and sensitivity analyses suggest the existence of a direct and positive dependence of r on the proportion of female crabs and wetland size. We hypothesize that excess fishing of females caused the declining biomass trend of the brown swimming crab in Sonora, and concluded on the convenience of implementing harvest refugia

Groundwater-surface water interaction in the riparian zone of an incised channel, Walnut Creek, Iowa

USGS Publications Warehouse

Schilling, K.E.; Li, Z.; Zhang, Y.-K.

2006-01-01

Riparian zones of many incised channels in agricultural regions are cropped to the channel edge leaving them unvegetated for large portions of the year. In this study we evaluated surface and groundwater interaction in the riparian zone of an incised stream during a spring high flow period using detailed stream stage and hydraulic head data from six wells, and water quality sampling to determine whether the riparian zone can be a source of nitrate pollution to streams. Study results indicated that bank storage of stream water from Walnut Creek during a large storm water runoff event was limited to a narrow 1.6 m zone immediately adjacent to the channel. Nitrate concentrations in riparian groundwater were highest near the incised stream where the unsaturated zone was thickest. Nitrate and dissolved oxygen concentrations and nitrate-chloride ratios increased during a spring recharge period then decreased in the latter portion of the study. We used MODFLOW and MT3DMS to evaluate dilution and denitrification processes that would contribute to decreasing nitrate concentrations in riparian groundwater over time. MT3DMS model simulations were improved with a denitrification rate of 0.02 1/d assigned to the floodplain sediments implying that denitrification plays an important role in reducing nitrate concentrations in groundwater. We conclude that riparian zones of incised channels can potentially be a source of nitrate to streams during spring recharge periods when the near-stream riparian zone is largely unvegetated. ?? 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of jet-to-mainstream momentum flux ratio on mixing process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, Alka; Ibrahim, Mohamed Saeed; Amano, R. S.

2016-03-01

Temperature uniformity after a mixing process plays a very important role in many applications. Non-uniform temperature at the entrance of the turbine in gas turbine systems has an adverse effect on the life of the blades. These temperature non-uniformities cause thermal stresses in the blades leading to higher maintenance costs. This paper presents experimental and numerical results for mixing process in coaxial ducts. The effect of increased jet-to-mainstream momentum flux ratio on the temperature uniformity of the exit flow was analyzed. It was found that better mixing of primary (or hot) stream and dilution (or cold) stream was achieved at higher flux ratio. Almost 85 % of the equilibrium mixture fraction was achieved at flux ratio of 0.85 after which no significant improvement was achieved while the exergy destruction kept on increasing. A new parameter, `Cooling Rate Number', was defined to identify the potential sites for presence of cold zones within the mixing section. Parametric study reveals that the cooling rate numbers were higher near the dilution holes which may result in rapid cooling of the gases.

Removal of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus from the separated liquid phase of hog manure by the multi-zone BioCAST technology.

PubMed

Yerushalmi, Laleh; Alimahmoodi, Mahmood; Afroze, Niema; Godbout, Stephane; Mulligan, Catherine N

2013-06-15

The removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) at concentrations of 960 ± 38 to 2400 ± 96 mg/L, 143 ± 9 to 235 ± 15 mg/L and 25 ± 2 to 57 ± 4 mg/L, respectively, from the separated liquid phase of hog manure by the multi-zone BioCAST technology is discussed. Despite the inhibitory effect of hog waste toward microbial activities, removal efficiencies up to 89.2% for COD, 69.2% for TN and 47.6% for TP were obtained during 185 d of continuous operation. The free ammonia inhibition was postulated to be responsible for the steady reduction of COD and TP removal with the increase of TN/TP ratio from 3.6 to 5.8. On the contrary, the increase of COD/TN ratio from 4.8 to 14.1 improved the removal of all contaminants. Nitrogen removal did not show any dependence on the COD/TP ratio, despite the steady increase of COD and TP removal with this ratio in the range of 19.3-50.6. The removal efficiencies of organic and inorganic contaminants increased progressively owing to the adaptation of microbial biomass, resulting from the presence of suspended biomass in the mixed liquor that circulated continuously between the three zones of aerobic, microaerophilic and anoxic, as well as the attached biomass immobilized inside the aerobic zone. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

33 CFR 165.503 - Security Zone; Captain of the Port Hampton Roads Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Port Hampton Roads Zone. 165.503 Section 165.503 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED... § 165.503 Security Zone; Captain of the Port Hampton Roads Zone. (a) Definitions. As used in this...

Are H and O Being Lost From the Mars Atmosphere in the H2O Stoichiometric Ratio of 2:1?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jakosky, B. M.; Chaffin, M.; Deighan, J.; Brain, D.; Halekas, J. S.

2017-12-01

Loss of gas from the Mars upper atmosphere to space has been a significant process in the evolution of the Mars atmosphere through time. H is derived from photodissociation of H2O, and is lost by Jeans (thermal) escape. O comes from photodissociation of either H2O or CO2, and is lost by non-thermal processes including dissociative recombination, ion pickup, or sputtering by pick-up ions impacting the atmosphere (in order of importance today). McElroy (1972) proposed that H and O are lost in the ratio of 2:1 that comes from photodissociation of H2O; any imbalance would result in build-up of the lesser-escaping atom that increases its loss rate until the rates were in balance. For the Mars year observed by MAVEN, the large seasonal variation in H loss rate makes this hypothesis difficult to evaluate; however, current best estimates of loss rates suggest that they could be in balance, given the observational uncertainties and seasonal variations (both of which are significant). Even if they are in balance over longer timescales, they still might not be during the "MAVEN" year due to: (i) complications resulting from the interplay between multiple loss processes for O beyond only photochemical loss as considered by McElroy, (ii) interannual and longer-term variations in the lower-atmosphere dust and water cycles that can change the escape rate, (iii) the variation in loss rate expected throughout the 11-year solar cycle, (iv) changes in lower-atmosphere forcing due to the changing orbital elements, or (v) loss of C, H, or O to the crust via reaction with surface minerals. The higher (and unequal) loss rates for all species early in history are likely to have kept H and O from being in balance over the 4-billion-year timescale.

Effect of ceramic calcium-phosphorus ratio on chondrocyte-mediated biosynthesis and mineralization.

PubMed

Boushell, Margaret K; Khanarian, Nora T; LeGeros, Raquel Z; Lu, Helen H

2017-10-01

The osteochondral interface functions as a structural barrier between cartilage and bone, maintaining tissue integrity postinjury and during homeostasis. Regeneration of this calcified cartilage region is thus essential for integrative cartilage healing, and hydrogel-ceramic composite scaffolds have been explored for calcified cartilage formation. The objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that Ca/P ratio of the ceramic phase of the composite scaffold regulates chondrocyte biosynthesis and mineralization potential. Specifically, the response of deep zone chondrocytes to two bioactive ceramics with different calcium-phosphorus ratios (1.35 ± 0.01 and 1.41 ± 0.02) was evaluated in agarose hydrogel scaffolds over two weeks in vitro. It was observed that the ceramic with higher calcium-phosphorus ratio enhanced chondrocyte proliferation, glycosaminoglycan production, and induced an early onset of alkaline phosphorus activity, while the ceramic with lower calcium-phosphorus ratio performed similarly to the ceramic-free control. These results underscore the importance of ceramic bioactivity in directing chondrocyte response, and demonstrate that Ca/P ratio is a key parameter to be considered in osteochondral scaffold design. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2694-2702, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Investigation of the cluster formation in lithium niobate crystals by computer modeling method

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

Voskresenskii, V. M.; Starodub, O. R., E-mail: ol-star@mail.ru; Sidorov, N. V.

The processes occurring upon the formation of energetically equilibrium oxygen-octahedral clusters in the ferroelectric phase of a stoichiometric lithium niobate (LiNbO{sub 3}) crystal have been investigated by the computer modeling method within the semiclassical atomistic model. An energetically favorable cluster size (at which a structure similar to that of a congruent crystal is organized) is shown to exist. A stoichiometric cluster cannot exist because of the electroneutrality loss. The most energetically favorable cluster is that with a Li/Nb ratio of about 0.945, a value close to the lithium-to-niobium ratio for a congruent crystal.

Feasibility of estimating cementation rates in a brittle fault zone using Sr/Ca partition coefficients for sedimentary diagenesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hadizadeh, Jafar; Foit, Franklin F.

2000-04-01

Cement phases such as calcite or quartz often incorporate trace elements from the parent fluids as they crystallize. Experimental sedimentary diagenesis indicates that trace element partition coefficients reflect rates of cementation. The applicability of these findings to fault zone cementation is examined as we make a preliminary attempt to estimate calcite cementation rate in a brittle fault zone directly from the fault-rock composition data. Samples for this study were collected from the Knoxville outcrop of the Saltville fault in Tennessee. The cementation rates for the fault rock samples range from 1×10 -12 to 3×10 -13 m3/ h per m, in agreement with some experimental rates and the rates reported for samples from the DSDP sites. When applied to a non-responsive pore-system model, these rates result in rapid precipitation sealing indicating the influence exerted by the surface-area/volume ratio of the pore network. We find it feasible to obtain a reasonable range of values for the cementation rate using the trace element partition method. However, the study also indicates the need for relatively accurate values for the trace/carrier element ratio in the fault zone syntectonic pore fluid, and exhumed cement.

The origins of thalamic inputs to grasp zones in frontal cortex of macaque monkeys.

PubMed

Gharbawie, Omar A; Stepniewska, Iwona; Kaas, Jon H

2016-07-01

The hand representation in primary motor cortex (M1) is instrumental to manual dexterity in primates. In Old World monkeys, rostral and caudal aspects of the hand representation are located in the precentral gyrus and the anterior bank of the central sulcus, respectively. We previously reported the organization of the cortico-cortical connections of the grasp zone in rostral M1. Here we describe the organization of thalamocortical connections that were labeled from the same tracer injections. Thalamocortical connections of a grasp zone in ventral premotor cortex (PMv) and the M1 orofacial representation are included for direct comparison. The M1 grasp zone was primarily connected with ventral lateral divisions of motor thalamus. The largest proportion of inputs originated in the posterior division (VLp) followed by the medial and the anterior divisions. Thalamic inputs to the M1 grasp zone originated in more lateral aspects of VLp as compared to the origins of thalamic inputs to the M1 orofacial representation. Inputs to M1 from thalamic divisions connected with cerebellum constituted three fold the density of inputs from divisions connected with basal ganglia, whereas the ratio of inputs was more balanced for the grasp zone in PMv. Privileged access of the cerebellothalamic pathway to the grasp zone in rostral M1 is consistent with the connection patterns previously reported for the precentral gyrus. Thus, cerebellar nuclei are likely more involved than basal ganglia nuclei with the contributions of rostral M1 to manual dexterity.

33 CFR 3.35-10 - Sector Miami Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. 3.35-10 Section 3.35-10 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY GENERAL COAST GUARD AREAS, DISTRICTS, SECTORS, MARINE INSPECTION ZONES, AND CAPTAIN OF THE PORT ZONES Seventh Coast Guard District § 3.35-10 Sector Miami Marine Inspection Zone and...

33 CFR 3.40-10 - Sector Mobile Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. 3.40-10 Section 3.40-10 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY GENERAL COAST GUARD AREAS, DISTRICTS, SECTORS, MARINE INSPECTION ZONES, AND CAPTAIN OF THE PORT ZONES Eighth Coast Guard District § 3.40-10 Sector Mobile Marine Inspection Zone and...

33 CFR 3.40-10 - Sector Mobile Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. 3.40-10 Section 3.40-10 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY GENERAL COAST GUARD AREAS, DISTRICTS, SECTORS, MARINE INSPECTION ZONES, AND CAPTAIN OF THE PORT ZONES Eighth Coast Guard District § 3.40-10 Sector Mobile Marine Inspection Zone and...

33 CFR 3.40-10 - Sector Mobile Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. 3.40-10 Section 3.40-10 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY GENERAL COAST GUARD AREAS, DISTRICTS, SECTORS, MARINE INSPECTION ZONES, AND CAPTAIN OF THE PORT ZONES Eighth Coast Guard District § 3.40-10 Sector Mobile Marine Inspection Zone and...

33 CFR 3.35-10 - Sector Miami Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. 3.35-10 Section 3.35-10 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY GENERAL COAST GUARD AREAS, DISTRICTS, SECTORS, MARINE INSPECTION ZONES, AND CAPTAIN OF THE PORT ZONES Seventh Coast Guard District § 3.35-10 Sector Miami Marine Inspection Zone and...

33 CFR 3.35-10 - Sector Miami Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. 3.35-10 Section 3.35-10 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY GENERAL COAST GUARD AREAS, DISTRICTS, SECTORS, MARINE INSPECTION ZONES, AND CAPTAIN OF THE PORT ZONES Seventh Coast Guard District § 3.35-10 Sector Miami Marine Inspection Zone and...

33 CFR 3.40-10 - Sector Mobile Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. 3.40-10 Section 3.40-10 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY GENERAL COAST GUARD AREAS, DISTRICTS, SECTORS, MARINE INSPECTION ZONES, AND CAPTAIN OF THE PORT ZONES Eighth Coast Guard District § 3.40-10 Sector Mobile Marine Inspection Zone and...

33 CFR 3.35-10 - Sector Miami Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. 3.35-10 Section 3.35-10 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY GENERAL COAST GUARD AREAS, DISTRICTS, SECTORS, MARINE INSPECTION ZONES, AND CAPTAIN OF THE PORT ZONES Seventh Coast Guard District § 3.35-10 Sector Miami Marine Inspection Zone and...

33 CFR 3.65-15 - Sector Portland Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. 3.65-15 Section 3.65-15 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY GENERAL COAST GUARD AREAS, DISTRICTS, SECTORS, MARINE INSPECTION ZONES, AND CAPTAIN OF THE PORT ZONES Thirteenth Coast Guard District § 3.65-15 Sector Portland Marine Inspection Zone...

33 CFR 3.35-10 - Sector Miami Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. 3.35-10 Section 3.35-10 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY GENERAL COAST GUARD AREAS, DISTRICTS, SECTORS, MARINE INSPECTION ZONES, AND CAPTAIN OF THE PORT ZONES Seventh Coast Guard District § 3.35-10 Sector Miami Marine Inspection Zone and...

33 CFR 3.40-10 - Sector Mobile Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. 3.40-10 Section 3.40-10 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY GENERAL COAST GUARD AREAS, DISTRICTS, SECTORS, MARINE INSPECTION ZONES, AND CAPTAIN OF THE PORT ZONES Eighth Coast Guard District § 3.40-10 Sector Mobile Marine Inspection Zone and...

Facile hot-injection synthesis of stoichiometric Cu2ZnSnSe4 nanocrystals using bis(triethylsilyl) selenide.

PubMed

Jin, Chunyu; Ramasamy, Parthiban; Kim, Jinkwon

2014-07-07

Cu2ZnSnSe4 is a prospective material as an absorber in thin film solar cells due to its many advantages including direct band gap, high absorption coefficient, low toxicity, and relative abundance (indium-free) of its elements. In this report, CZTSe nanoparticles have been synthesized by the hot-injection method using bis-(triethylsilyl)selenide [(Et3Si)2Se] as the selenium source for the first time. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the stoichiometry of CZTSe nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies showed that the nanocrystals were single phase polycrystalline with their size within the range of 25-30 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy measurements ruled out the existence of secondary phases such as Cu2SnSe3 and ZnSe. The effect of reaction time and precursor injection order on the formation of stoichiometric CZTSe nanoparticles has been studied by Raman spectroscopy. UV-vis-NIR data indicate that the CZTSe nanocrystals have an optical band gap of 1.59 eV, which is optimal for photovoltaic applications.

Chemiluminescence-based multivariate sensing of local equivalence ratios in premixed atmospheric methane-air flames

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

Tripathi, Markandey M.; Krishnan, Sundar R.; Srinivasan, Kalyan K.

Chemiluminescence emissions from OH*, CH*, C2, and CO2 formed within the reaction zone of premixed flames depend upon the fuel-air equivalence ratio in the burning mixture. In the present paper, a new partial least square regression (PLS-R) based multivariate sensing methodology is investigated and compared with an OH*/CH* intensity ratio-based calibration model for sensing equivalence ratio in atmospheric methane-air premixed flames. Five replications of spectral data at nine different equivalence ratios ranging from 0.73 to 1.48 were used in the calibration of both models. During model development, the PLS-R model was initially validated with the calibration data set using themore » leave-one-out cross validation technique. Since the PLS-R model used the entire raw spectral intensities, it did not need the nonlinear background subtraction of CO2 emission that is required for typical OH*/CH* intensity ratio calibrations. An unbiased spectral data set (not used in the PLS-R model development), for 28 different equivalence ratio conditions ranging from 0.71 to 1.67, was used to predict equivalence ratios using the PLS-R and the intensity ratio calibration models. It was found that the equivalence ratios predicted with the PLS-R based multivariate calibration model matched the experimentally measured equivalence ratios within 7%; whereas, the OH*/CH* intensity ratio calibration grossly underpredicted equivalence ratios in comparison to measured equivalence ratios, especially under rich conditions ( > 1.2). The practical implications of the chemiluminescence-based multivariate equivalence ratio sensing methodology are also discussed.« less

Mushy zone modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glicksman, Martin E.; Smith, Richard N.; Marsh, Steven P.; Kuklinski, Robert

A key element of mushy zone modeling is the description of the microscopic evolution of the lengthscales within the mushy zone and the influence of macroscopic transport processes. This paper describes some recent progress in developing a mean-field statistical theory of phase coarsening in adiabatic mushy zones. The main theoretical predictions are temporal scaling laws that indicate that average lengthscale increases as time 1/3, a self-similar distribution of mushy zone lengthscales based on spherical solid particle shapes, and kinetic rate constants which provide the dependences of the coarsening process on material parameters and the volume fraction of the solid phase. High precision thermal decay experiments are described which verify aspects of the theory in pure material mushy zones held under adiabatic conditions. The microscopic coarsening theory is then integrated within a macroscopic heat transfer model of one-dimensional alloy solidification, using the Double Integral Method. The method demonstrates an ability to predict the influence of macroscopic heat transfer on the evolution of primary and secondary dendrite arm spacings in Al-Cu alloys. Finally, some suggestions are made for future experimental and theoretical studies required in developing comprehensive solidification processing models.

Investigation of trimethylacetic acid adsorption on stoichiometric and oxygen-deficient CeO 2 (111) surfaces

DOE PAGES

Sanghavi, Shail; Wang, Weina; Nandasiri, Manjula I.; ...

2016-05-12

We studied the interactions between the carboxylate anchoring group from trimethylacetic acid (TMAA) and CeO 2(111) surfaces as a function of oxygen stoichiometry using in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The stoichiometric CeO 2(111) surface was obtained by annealing the thin film under 2.0 × 10 –5 Torr of oxygen at ~550 °C for 30 min. In order to reduce the CeO 2(111) surface, the thin film was annealed under ~5.0 × 10 –10 Torr vacuum conditions at 550 °C, 650 °C, 750 °C and 850 °C for 30 min to progressively increase the oxygen defect concentration on the surface.more » The saturated TMAA coverage on the CeO 2(111) surface determined from XPS elemental composition is found to increase with increasing oxygen defect concentration. This is attributed to the increase of under-coordinated cerium sites on the surface with the increase in the oxygen defect concentrations. Furthermore, XPS results were in agreement with periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations and indicate a stronger binding between the carboxylate group from TMAA and the oxygen deficient CeO 2–δ(111) surface through dissociative adsorption.« less

Isotopic Ratio, Isotonic Ratio, Isobaric Ratio and Shannon Information Uncertainty

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Chun-Wang; Wei, Hui-Ling

2014-11-01

The isoscaling and the isobaric yield ratio difference (IBD) probes, both of which are constructed by yield ratio of fragment, provide cancelation of parameters. The information entropy theory is introduced to explain the physical meaning of the isoscaling and IBD probes. The similarity between the isoscaling and IBD results is found, i.e., the information uncertainty determined by the IBD method equals to β - α determined by the isoscaling (α (β) is the parameter fitted from the isotopic (isotonic) yield ratio).

47 CFR 73.609 - Zones.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Zones. 73.609 Section 73.609 Telecommunication... Broadcast Stations § 73.609 Zones. (a) For the purpose of allotment and assignment, the United States is divided into three zones as follows: (1) Zone I consists of that portion of the United States located...

47 CFR 73.609 - Zones.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Zones. 73.609 Section 73.609 Telecommunication... Broadcast Stations § 73.609 Zones. (a) For the purpose of allotment and assignment, the United States is divided into three zones as follows: (1) Zone I consists of that portion of the United States located...

47 CFR 73.609 - Zones.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Zones. 73.609 Section 73.609 Telecommunication... Broadcast Stations § 73.609 Zones. (a) For the purpose of allotment and assignment, the United States is divided into three zones as follows: (1) Zone I consists of that portion of the United States located...

47 CFR 73.609 - Zones.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Zones. 73.609 Section 73.609 Telecommunication... Broadcast Stations § 73.609 Zones. (a) For the purpose of allotment and assignment, the United States is divided into three zones as follows: (1) Zone I consists of that portion of the United States located...

47 CFR 73.609 - Zones.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Zones. 73.609 Section 73.609 Telecommunication... Broadcast Stations § 73.609 Zones. (a) For the purpose of allotment and assignment, the United States is divided into three zones as follows: (1) Zone I consists of that portion of the United States located...

Meta-omic signatures of microbial metal and nitrogen cycling in marine oxygen minimum zones.

PubMed

Glass, Jennifer B; Kretz, Cecilia B; Ganesh, Sangita; Ranjan, Piyush; Seston, Sherry L; Buck, Kristen N; Landing, William M; Morton, Peter L; Moffett, James W; Giovannoni, Stephen J; Vergin, Kevin L; Stewart, Frank J

2015-01-01

Iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) are essential cofactors for microbial metalloenzymes, but little is known about the metalloenyzme inventory of anaerobic marine microbial communities despite their importance to the nitrogen cycle. We compared dissolved O2, NO[Formula: see text], NO[Formula: see text], Fe and Cu concentrations with nucleic acid sequences encoding Fe and Cu-binding proteins in 21 metagenomes and 9 metatranscriptomes from Eastern Tropical North and South Pacific oxygen minimum zones and 7 metagenomes from the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Station. Dissolved Fe concentrations increased sharply at upper oxic-anoxic transition zones, with the highest Fe:Cu molar ratio (1.8) occurring at the anoxic core of the Eastern Tropical North Pacific oxygen minimum zone and matching the predicted maximum ratio based on data from diverse ocean sites. The relative abundance of genes encoding Fe-binding proteins was negatively correlated with O2, driven by significant increases in genes encoding Fe-proteins involved in dissimilatory nitrogen metabolisms under anoxia. Transcripts encoding cytochrome c oxidase, the Fe- and Cu-containing terminal reductase in aerobic respiration, were positively correlated with O2 content. A comparison of the taxonomy of genes encoding Fe- and Cu-binding vs. bulk proteins in OMZs revealed that Planctomycetes represented a higher percentage of Fe genes while Thaumarchaeota represented a higher percentage of Cu genes, particularly at oxyclines. These results are broadly consistent with higher relative abundance of genes encoding Fe-proteins in the genome of a marine planctomycete vs. higher relative abundance of genes encoding Cu-proteins in the genome of a marine thaumarchaeote. These findings highlight the importance of metalloenzymes for microbial processes in oxygen minimum zones and suggest preferential Cu use in oxic habitats with Cu > Fe vs. preferential Fe use in anoxic niches with Fe > Cu.

Meta-omic signatures of microbial metal and nitrogen cycling in marine oxygen minimum zones

PubMed Central

Glass, Jennifer B.; Kretz, Cecilia B.; Ganesh, Sangita; Ranjan, Piyush; Seston, Sherry L.; Buck, Kristen N.; Landing, William M.; Morton, Peter L.; Moffett, James W.; Giovannoni, Stephen J.; Vergin, Kevin L.; Stewart, Frank J.

2015-01-01

Iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) are essential cofactors for microbial metalloenzymes, but little is known about the metalloenyzme inventory of anaerobic marine microbial communities despite their importance to the nitrogen cycle. We compared dissolved O2, NO3−, NO2−, Fe and Cu concentrations with nucleic acid sequences encoding Fe and Cu-binding proteins in 21 metagenomes and 9 metatranscriptomes from Eastern Tropical North and South Pacific oxygen minimum zones and 7 metagenomes from the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Station. Dissolved Fe concentrations increased sharply at upper oxic-anoxic transition zones, with the highest Fe:Cu molar ratio (1.8) occurring at the anoxic core of the Eastern Tropical North Pacific oxygen minimum zone and matching the predicted maximum ratio based on data from diverse ocean sites. The relative abundance of genes encoding Fe-binding proteins was negatively correlated with O2, driven by significant increases in genes encoding Fe-proteins involved in dissimilatory nitrogen metabolisms under anoxia. Transcripts encoding cytochrome c oxidase, the Fe- and Cu-containing terminal reductase in aerobic respiration, were positively correlated with O2 content. A comparison of the taxonomy of genes encoding Fe- and Cu-binding vs. bulk proteins in OMZs revealed that Planctomycetes represented a higher percentage of Fe genes while Thaumarchaeota represented a higher percentage of Cu genes, particularly at oxyclines. These results are broadly consistent with higher relative abundance of genes encoding Fe-proteins in the genome of a marine planctomycete vs. higher relative abundance of genes encoding Cu-proteins in the genome of a marine thaumarchaeote. These findings highlight the importance of metalloenzymes for microbial processes in oxygen minimum zones and suggest preferential Cu use in oxic habitats with Cu > Fe vs. preferential Fe use in anoxic niches with Fe > Cu. PMID:26441925

33 CFR 3.65-15 - Sector Columbia River Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. 3.65-15 Section 3.65-15 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST... ZONES, AND CAPTAIN OF THE PORT ZONES Thirteenth Coast Guard District § 3.65-15 Sector Columbia River Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. Sector Columbia River's office is located in Astoria...

33 CFR 3.65-15 - Sector Columbia River Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. 3.65-15 Section 3.65-15 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST... ZONES, AND CAPTAIN OF THE PORT ZONES Thirteenth Coast Guard District § 3.65-15 Sector Columbia River Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone. Sector Columbia River's office is located in Astoria...

33 CFR 3.65-15 - Sector Columbia River Marine Inspection Zone and Captain of the Port Zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR