Modeling low-coherence enhanced backscattering using Monte Carlo simulation

Constructive interference between coherent waves traveling time-reversed paths in a random medium gives rise to the enhancement of light scattering observed in directions close to backscattering. This phenomenon is known as enhanced backscattering (EBS). According to diffusion theory, the angular width of an EBS cone is proportional to the ratio of the wavelength of light lambda to the transport mean-free-path length l(s)* of a random medium. In biological media a large l(s)* approximately 0.5-2 mm > lambda results in an extremely small (approximately 0.001 degrees ) angular width of the EBS cone, making the experimental observation of such narrow peaks difficult. Recently, the feasibility of observing EBS under low spatial coherence illumination (spatial coherence length Lsc < l(s)*) was demonstrated. Low spatial coherence behaves as a spatial filter rejecting longer path lengths and thus resulting in an increase of more than 100 times in the angular width of low coherence EBS (LEBS) cones. However, a conventional diffusion approximation-based model of EBS has not been able to explain such a dramatic increase in LEBS width. We present a photon random walk model of LEBS by using Monte Carlo simulation to elucidate the mechanism accounting for the unprecedented broadening of the LEBS peaks. Typically, the exit angles of the scattered photons are not considered in modeling EBS in the diffusion regime. We show that small exit angles are highly sensitive to low-order scattering, which is crucial for accurate modeling of LEBS. Our results show that the predictions of the model are in excellent agreement with the experimental data.     

Development of an Instrument to Measure Perspectives of Engineering Education Among College Students

The number of engineering students has been declining for decades and attracting qualified students has become an urgent task for engineering schools in The United States. Perspectives students hold towards engineering play an important role in their college major selection. An effective standardized instrument measuring general perspectives about engineering among college students is designed in this project and survey development, instrument administration, and factor analysis are presented. The statistical analysis reveals that college students in general agree that engineering is beneficial to the society; however, they tend to believe that it takes too much effort to gain an engineering degree and that engineering is a demanding career. Further, they are neutral about the personal benefits of pursuing a degree in engineering, and finally, they do not feel that studying engineering or making engineering as their profession is particularly interesting. These findings provide a good explanation to the declining enrollment and increasing dropout rates in engineering schools in the United States.     

Experimental investigation of dry,wet and cryogenic boring of AA 7075 alloy

In this research work, an attempt has been carried out to examine (investigate) and study the dry, wet and cryogenic boring of AA 7075 alloy, which is predominantly used in transport applications in defense (aeronautical parts), oceanic and automaker industries. To ensure direct supply of the coolant, and real-time measurement of cutting temperature a modified boring bar is used (modification is carried out using EDM to accommodate placement of a thermocouple to obtain real-time measurement of temperature readings during the boring cycle). It is observed that during cryogenic boring of AA 7075 alloy there is a considerable reduction in the cutting force (F_c), cutting temperature (T_c) and surface roughness (R_a) by 56.16%, 84.70%, 58.98% compared to dry boring and 48.43%, 80.70%, 34.70% compared to wet boring, respectively. Decrease in F_c and T_c leads to a reduction in high stresses at localized points during machining and in turn curtail wear in workpiece and tool. Lubrication provided by cryogenic fluids also plays a sizable role in reduction of F_c and T_c. Reduction in lower F_c and T_c has a glaring effect on the surface characteristics of the hole produced during the boring process. Tool wear is reduced in cryogenic boring by 36.96% and 17.57% compared to dry and wet boring, respectively. Taguchi and ANOVA was carried out which helped in determining feed as an important parameter with respect to F_c and R_a during boring of AA 7075 under dry, wet and cryogenic conditions whereas speed as an important parameter in determining T_c in dry and wet conditions and feed for T_c in cryogenic boring condition. TOPSIS analysis highlighted speed of 770 rpm and feed of 0.055 mm/min as the most closest to ideal solution for all three different cutting conditions. Surface morphology study after boring of AA 7075 highlighted better surface characteristics in cryogenic bored surface compared to dry and wet boring. Roughness measured in AFM for tool used in boring highlighted a decrease in 86.79% and 66.01% in cryogenic boring in juxtaposition with dry and wet boring, respectively. A surge in compressive residual stress is observed in cryogenic bored surface by 10.41% and 3.5% in juxtaposition with dry and wet boring, respectively, highlighting an abatement in tensile residual stress and better workpiece integrity as compared to dry and wet boring conditions.     

Effect of formulation composition on the properties of controlled release tablets prepared by roller compaction

This study discusses the effect of formulation composition on the physical characteristics and drug release behavior of controlled-release formulations made by roller compaction. The authors used mixture experimental design to study the effect of formulation components using diclofenac sodium as the model drug substance and varying relative amounts of microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and glyceryl behenate (Compritol). Dissolution studies revealed very little variability in drug release. The t₇₀ values for the 13 formulations were found to vary between 260 and 550 min. A reduced cubic model was found to best fit the t₇₀ data and gave an adjusted r-square of 0.9406. Each of the linear terms, the interaction terms between Compritol and Avicel and between all three of the tested factors were found to be significant. The longest release times were observed for formulations having higher concentrations of HPMC or Compritol. Tablets with higher concentrations of Avicel showed reduced ability to retard the release of the drug from the tablet matrix. Crushing strength showed systematic dependence on the formulation factors and could be modeled using a reduced quadratic model. The crushing strength values were highest at high concentrations of Avicel, while tablets with a high level of Compritol showed the lowest values. A predicted optimum formulation was derived by a numerical, multiresponse optimization technique. The validity of the model for predicting physical attributes of the product was also verified by experiment. The observed responses from the calculated optimum formulation were in very close agreement with values predicted by the model. The utility of a mixture experimental design for selecting formulation components of a roller compacted product was demonstrated. These simple statistical tools can allow a formulator to rationally select levels of various components in a formulation, improve the quality of products, and develop more robust processes.     

Identification of microstructural zones and thermal cycles in a weldment of modified 9Cr-1Mo steel

This paper presents the results of a study on the microstructural and microchemical variations in a multipass Gas Tungsten Arc weld (GTAW) of modified 9Cr-1Mo steel. The changes brought about in the steel due to the heating and cooling cycles during welding and the subsequent effects due to reheating effects during multipass welding are described. Detailed analytical transmission electron microscopy has been carried to study the type and composition of the primary and secondary phases in this steel. The systematic changes in microstructural parameters such as Prior Austenite Grain Size, martensite lath size, number density, size and microchemistry of carbides, have been understood based on the different transformations that the steel undergoes during the heating and cooling process. Based on the observed microstructure, an attempt has been made to identify distinct microstructural zones and possible thermal cycles experienced by different regions of the weldment.     

Experimental investigation of a thermoacoustic refrigerator driven by a standing wave twin thermoacoustic prime mover

The objective of this study is to analyse the performance of thermoacoustic refrigerator (TAR) measured in terms of hot end temperature and temperature difference across refrigerator stack with two different spacing namely 0.4 mm and 0.8 mm and stack used in refrigerating section was made of low thermal conductivity materials namely Mylar sheet and photographic film & the experiments were carried out at 1 MPa pressure using helium as working fluid. High powered acoustic wave with frequency of 460 Hz and pressure amplitude of $?$0.07 MPa was obtained from twin thermoacoustic prime mover (TAPM) and this acoustic wave produced temperature difference of 16 °C across the Mylar sheet stack made of 0.4 mm spacing in refrigerator section. From this study, it has been inferred that twin TAPM can act as efficient drive for TAR.     

High-sensitivity humidity sensor based on SnO2 nanoparticles synthesized by microwave irradiation method

Tin oxide hexagonal-shaped nanodiscs (SnO) and spherical nanoparticles (SnO₂) have been prepared by using a simple household microwave irradiation method with an operating frequency of 2.45 GHz. This technique permits us to produce gram quantity of homogeneous nanoparticles in just 10 min. The crystallite size was evaluated from powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies and was in the 20 to 25 nm range. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed that the as prepared SnO form as hexagonal-shaped nanodiscs and upon subsequent annealing at 500 °C for 5 h in air, the SnO gets converted to spherical-shaped nanoparticles of SnO₂. The SnO₂ sample shows good sensitivity towards the relative humidity. The calculated response and recovery time were found to be 32 s and 25 s respectively. These results indicate promising applications of SnO₂ nanoparticles in a highly sensitive environmental monitoring and humidity controlled electronic devices. The samples were further subjected to thermal analyses (TG–DTA) and UV–VIS diffusion reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) studies.     

Neonatal benign sacrococcygeal teratoma with N-type rectobulbar fistula

A unique case of benign sacrococcygeal teratoma associated with an N-type rectobulbar fistula is reported.     

Tumor regression in mice following vaccination with human papillomavirus E7 recombinant protein in PROVAX

Induction of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) specific for human papillomavirus (HPV) antigens provides an attractive strategy for immunotherapy of HPV-related cancers in humans. In this study, we investigated the potential of utilizing soluble E7 protein of HPV 16 in an adjuvant formulation, PROVAX as a vaccine against a progressively growing E7 transfected K1735-X21 (H-2k) metastatic melanoma cells (HOPE2) in a mouse model. Vaccination of HOPE2 tumor bearing mice (C3H) with E7 protein in PROVAX resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth, compared to mice vaccinated with E7 in Alum or saline. In vivo depletion of CD8+ or CD4+ cells indicated that CD8+ cells are the major effector cells in mediating the anti-tumor activity in this model. Furthermore, E7-specific CTL activity in vitro was detected in tumor bearing mice vaccinated with E7-PROVAX. Our studies suggest that recombinant HPV antigens in combination with PROVAX could serve as an effective subunit vaccine to stimulate tumor specific CD8+ T cell mediated immunity against HPV-related cancers.     

Components of variation in normal personality.

Applied a random effects linear model to personality data (e.g., the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and the Comrey Personality Scales) gathered from 138 adult Swedish twins and their families. The multiple relationships surrounding the twins allowed for the estimation of variance fractions due to several genetic and environmental factors. A striking pattern of similarity among personality traits emerged. All variables were characterized by having near-zero additive genetic, small–moderate nonadditive genetic, negligible prenatal, small postnatal familial, and quite large postnatal extrafamilial effects. Personality traits were influenced primarily by the environment, especially those outside the home. Genetic influences were confounded by cultural factors. It is suggested that temporal instability, genetic epistasis, or both could be underlying factors that unify the results for personality variables. (22 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)