Observations of high temperature impinging-jet boiling phenomena

A high-speed video camera and microphone were used to capture the flow behavior and boiling sound of a free-surface water jet impinging on a high temperature surface during quench cooling. It was found that depending on the superheat of the surface considerably different flow patterns appeared. For cases where the initial surface temperature was above about 300 °C an almost explosive pattern appeared. This was in contrast to slightly lower temperatures where a liquid sheet flow structure was apparent. The change in phenomena was accompanied by a sudden change in the boiling sound and an increase in the heat transfer rate.     

Miscible polymer blends containing poly(vinyl chloride)

Polymer blends have received particular interest in the past several decades in both industrial and academic research. An initial survey of miscible polymer pairs (1) (1968) revealed 12 combinations. A later survey (2) (1979) noted approximately 180 miscible pairs. Today possibly over 500 miscible combinations have been noted in the open and patent literature (3). However, the vast majority of possible polymer blend combinations are not miscible (thus phase separated). A significant number of diverse polymer structures have been shown to exhibit miscibility with PVC. Several of these blends have been studied in detail and have shown specific interactions primarily involving the α-hydrogen and PVC (considered the proton donor in proton donor-proton acceptor hydrogen bonding type interactions). The blend of poly(?-caprolactone) with PVC illustrates this interaction and has been reported in many published papers. While polymer miscibility in PVC blends offers significant academic interest, industrial utility is also of considerable importance. The addition of low T_g, miscible polymers to PVC offers permanent plasticization. The addition of high T_g, miscible polymers to PVC yields the desired heat distortion temperature enhancement of rigid PVC. A specific example of permanent plasticization involves nitrile rubber blends which have been commercial since the early 1940's. This presentation will review the growing number of polymers noted to be miscible with PVC. The importance of specific interactions will be discussed.     

CLTC: a cluster-based topology control for ad hoc networks

The topology of an ad hoc network has a significant impact on its performance in that a dense topology may induce high interference and low capacity, while a sparse topology is vulnerable to link failure and network partitioning. Topology control aims to maintain a topology that optimizes network performance while minimizing energy consumption. Existing topology control algorithms utilize either a purely centralized or a purely distributed approach. A centralized approach, although able to achieve strong connectivity (k-connectivity for k /spl ges/ 2), suffers from scalability problems. In contrast, a distributed approach, although scalable, lacks strong connectivity guarantees. We propose a hybrid topology control framework, cluster-based topology control (CLTC) that achieves both scalability and strong connectivity. By varying the algorithms utilized in each of the three phases of the framework, a variety of optimization objectives and topological properties can be achieved. In this paper, we present the CLTC framework; describe topology control algorithms based on CLTC and prove that k-connectivity is achieved using those algorithms; analyze the message complexity of an implementation of CLTC, namely, CLTC-A, and present simulation studies that evaluate the effectiveness of CLTC-A for a range of networks.     

Modelling of electrostatic gate operations in the Kane solid state quantum computer

The nuclear spin quantum computer proposed by Kane [Nature 393 (1998) 133] exploits as a qubit array ³¹P dopants embedded within a silicon matrix. Single-qubit operations are controlled by the application of electrostatic potentials via a set of metallic ‘A’ gates, situated above the donors, on the silicon surface, that tune the resonance frequency of individual nuclear spins, and a globally applied RF magnetic field that flips spins at resonance. Coupling between qubits is controlled by the application of potentials via a set of ‘J’ gates, between the donors, that induce an electron-mediated coupling between nuclear spins. We report the results of the study of the electric field and potential profiles arising within the Kane device from typical gate operations. The extent to which a single nuclear spin can be tuned independently of its neighbours, by operation of an associated A-gate, is examined and key design parameters in the Kane architecture are addressed. Implications for current fabrication strategies involving the implantation of ³¹P atoms are discussed. Solution of the Poisson equation has been carried out by simulation using a TCAD modelling package (Integrated Systems Engineering AG).     

Estimating the number of faults: efficiency of removal, recapture,and seeding

Various experimental designs for estimating the number of faults in a system are studied including: (1) removal of each fault as it is detected; (2) marking of each fault as it is detected; and (3) introduction of a known number of faults into the system followed by (1) or (2). A unified framework is developed for comparing these designs; it also produces simplified estimators having high efficiency relative to maximum likelihood estimators. The designs are compared in terms of: (1) statistical accuracy; and (2) the number of failures that need to occur to achieve a given accuracy. On the basis of these comparisons, some general recommendations are made on the level of seeding as well as the choice of removal or recapture designs. When the testing effort is sufficient so that roughly two thirds of the faults are detected, the removal-design is preferred over the recapture-design, and there are no gains from seeding. However, this conclusion depends on assigning unit cost to all fault detections, which might not always be reasonable     

Reduced toxicity of fumonisin B1 in corn grits by single-screw extrusion

Corn grits spiked with 30 microg/g fumonisin B1 and two batches of grits fermented with Fusarium verticillioides (batch 1 contained 33 microg/g, and batch 2 contained 48 microg/g fumonisin B1), which were extruded by a single-screw extruder with and without glucose (10%, dry weight basis) supplementation were fed to rats. Control groups were fed uncontaminated grits. Extrusion with glucose more effectively reduced fumonisin B1 concentrations of the grits (75 to 85%) than did extrusion alone (10 to 28%). With one exception, the fumonisin B1-spiked and fermented extrusion products caused moderately severe kidney lesions and reduced kidney weights, effects typically found in fumonisin-exposed rats. Lesions in rats fed the least contaminated grits (batch 1) after extrusion with 10% glucose were, however, significantly less severe and not accompanied by kidney weight changes. Therefore, extrusion with glucose supplementation is potentially useful for safely reducing the toxicity of fumonisins in corn-based products and studies to determine the optimal conditions for its use are warranted.     

Life cycle economic and environmental implications of using nanocomposites in automobiles

By reducing the energy and materials required to provide goods and services, nanotechnology has the potential to provide more appealing products while improving environmental performance and sustainability. Whether and how soon this potential could be realized depends on phrasing the right research and development (R&D) questions and pursuing commercialization intelligently. A sufficiently broad perspective at the outset is required to understand economic and technical feasibility, estimate life cycle environmental implications, and minimize unanticipated negative impacts. The rapid rise in federally funded nanotechnology R&D dictates that consideration of societal benefits will have a large role in setting the R&D agenda. We estimate potential selected economic and environmental impacts associated with the use of nanotechnology in the automotive industry. In particular, we project the material processing and fuel economy benefits associated with using a clay-polypropylene nanocomposite instead of steel or aluminum in light-duty vehicle body panels. Although the manufacturing cost is currently higher, a life cycle analysis shows potential benefits in reducing energy use and environment discharges by using a nanocomposite design.     

Perichondritis of the ear as a complication of acupuncture

A 54-year-old woman developed pain, tenderness, and swelling at the site where a short acupuncture needle had been placed in the helix of the pinna. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from this LESION. Which was treated with removal of the needle and intravenously administered nafcillin. The patient recovered completely and had no scarring.     

Chromosome studies in "preleukemia". III. Myelofibrosis

Cytogenetic studies were done on 18 patients with myelofibrosis or the closely related syndrome, undifferentiated myeloproliferative disorder (MPD). Clones of cells with chromosome abnormalities were demonstrated in the blood of eight individuals, including two with a history of radiation therapy and two with "acute myelofibrosis". Trisomy 8 was present in the latter two patients, but otherwise, there was no consistent cytogenetic pattern or correlation with specific hematologic findings. Sixteen of these patients have been followed for more than 1 year or until death; none has progressed to leukemia. The results indicate that chromosome abnormalities are relatively common in this disorder, but as with polycythemia vera, and unlike some other "preleukemic" states, the aberrant clones in myelofibrosis do not appear to indicate that clinical leukemia is imminent.