Constituent and Ply Level Understanding of Electrical Resistance in Si-Containing SIC/SIC Composites

Electrical resistance, also known as direct current potential drop (DCPD), has been demonstrated as an enabling means to monitor damage evolution in SiC-based ceramic matrix composites. For laminate composites, it has become apparent that the location and orientation of SiC fibers, free Si and in some cases insertion of C rods can greatly affect the measured resistance. In addition, the nature of crack growth through the different plies which consist of different constituents will have different effects on the change in resistance. Therefore, both experimental and modeling approaches as to the resistance and change in resistance for different laminate architectures based on the nature of constituent content and orientation are needed to utilize and optimize electrical resistance as a health-monitoring technique. In this work, unidirectional and cross-ply laminate composites have been analyzed using a ply-based electrical model. Based on a ply-level circuit model, the change in resistance was modeled for damage development. It is believed that this can serve as a basis for tailoring the architecture/constituent content to create a "smarter" composite.

Experimental Investigation of Acoustic Characteristic on Orifice Shaped With Bias Flow

Combustion dynamics has been a significant problem for a lean, premixed, prevaporized (LPP) combustor. Understanding the acoustic characteristics of combustor components is essential to modeling thermoacoustic behavior in a gas turbine combustion system. Acoustic characteristics such as impedance and scattering matrix elements are experimentally determined for different-shape orifices with an emphasis on the effect of the flow field on them. These orifices are used to represent premixed swirl cups in LP combustors. The validity and limitation of two different methodologies are evaluated by comparing measured results with those of others. Consistent with analytical predictions, the measured resistance through an orifice increases as the bias flow increases. Different types of orifices considered in this study behave similarly to a thin orifice at high bias flow even though the discharge coefficients vary as much as 30% between them. The conventional method produces impedance values independent of waves reflected from the end boundary condition only when the scattering elements at the orifice downstream are roughly equal to those upstream of the orifice. However, the scattering matrix method produces impedance values that are not affected by the source or reflected waves at the system’s boundary. The scattering matrix measurements show that the reflection and transmission elements increases and decreases, respectively, as the bias flow through an orifice increases.

Constituent and Ply Level Understanding of Electrical Resistance in Si-Containing SiC/SiC Composites

Electrical resistance, also known as direct current potential drop (DCPD), has been demonstrated as an enabling means to monitor damage evolution in SiC-based ceramic matrix composites. For laminate composites, it has become apparent that the location and orientation of SiC fibers, free Si and in some cases insertion of C rods can greatly affect the measured resistance. In addition, the nature of crack growth through the different plies which consist of different constituents will have different effects on the change in resistance. Therefore, both experimental and modeling approaches as to the resistance and change in resistance for different laminate architectures based on the nature of constituent content and orientation are needed to utilize and optimize electrical resistance as a health-monitoring technique. In this work, unidirectional and cross-ply laminate composites have been analyzed using a ply-based electrical model. Based on a ply-level circuit model, the change in resistance was modeled for damage development. It is believed that this can serve as a basis for tailoring the architecture/constituent content to create a “smarter” composite.

CORRECTION OF THE TEMPERATURE DRIFT IN THE GEOPHYSICAL INSTRUMENT OF GROUND-BASED INDUCTION FREQUENCY SOUNDING

A technique for correcting the temperature drift in the measurements of the geophysical instrument of ground-based induction frequency sounding has been developed. The device is considered as a measure of the apparent electrical resistivity of the conducting half-space. In the process of manufacturing the equipment, the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of the device is experimentally measured for each frequency separately. The TCR of the device is used to bring the measured resistance values to a certain normalized temperature, for example, 20 °C. The results of the tests performed were processed and systematized using Microsoft Excel. The graphs of the dependence of resistance on temperature are built. The developed methods are intended to improve the accuracy of data processing obtained with the help of equipment operating under conditions of changing ambient temperatures.

Electrical conductivity determination of semiconductors by utilizing photography, finite element simulation and resistance measurement

A new method is developed to measure precisely and reliably the electrical conductivity of a block-shaped semiconductor specimen using four-wire technique with electrodes in arbitrary shape and position. No effort for accurate electrode preparation is necessary anymore. This method may be especially applied to measure the conductivity of ceramics at high temperatures, when typical spring-contacts or clamp-contacts are not possible and instead wound wires are used for electrically contacting the specimen. The method comprises the following: An image of the specimen is processed to a 3D model. By applying a finite element simulation on this 3D model, a form factor (also called geometry factor) that considers the effect of the non-infinitesimally small electrodes is calculated. Together with the measured resistance (preferably in four-wire technique), the actual conductivity of the sample is derived. Experimental results confirmed the validity of the proposed method. As a limitation of the method, the conductivity of the specimen should be within the range of 0.01 Sm−1 and 106 Sm−1.

Textural and mineralogical controls on temperature dependent SIP behavior during freezing and thawing

<p>Geoelectrical methods are increasingly being used for non-invasive characterization and monitoring of permafrost sites, since the electrical properties are sensitive to the phase change of liquid to frozen water. Here, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) is most commonly applied, using resistivity as a proxy for various quantities, such as temperature or ice content. However, it is still challenging to distinguish between air and ice in the pore space of the rock based on resistivity alone due to their similarly low electrical conductivity. Meanwhile, geoelectrical methods that utilize electrical polarization effects to characterize permafrost are also being explored. For example, the usage of the spectral induced polarization (SIP) method, in which the complex, frequency-dependent impedance is measured, can reduce ambiguities in the subsurface conduction properties, considering the SIP signature of ice. These measurements seem to be suitable for the quantification of ice content (and thus the differentiation of ice and air), and for the improved thermal characterization of alpine permafrost sites. However, to improve the interpretation of SIP measurements, it is necessary to understand in more detail the electrical conduction and polarization properties as a function of temperature, ice content, texture, and mineralogy under frozen and partially frozen conditions.</p><p>In the study presented here, electrical impedance was measured continuously using SIP in the frequency range of 10 mHz to 45 kHz on various water-saturated solid rock and loose sediment samples during controlled freeze-thaw cycles (+20°C to -40°C). These measurements were performed on rock samples from different alpine permafrost sites with different mineralogical compositions and textures. For all samples, the resistance (impedance magnitude) shows a similar temperature dependence, with increasing resistance for decreasing temperature. Also, hysteresis between freezing and thawing behavior is observed for all measurements. During freezing, a jump within the temperature-dependent resistance is observed, suggesting a lowering of the freezing point to a critical temperature where an abrupt transition from liquid water to ice occurs. During thawing, on the other hand, there is a continuous decrease in the measured resistance, suggesting a continuous thawing of the sample. The spectra of impedance phase, which is a measure for the polarization, exhibit the same qualitative, well-known temperature-dependent relaxation behaviour of ice at higher frequencies (1 kHz - 45 kHz), with variations in shape and strength for different rock texture and mineralogy. At lower frequencies (1 Hz - 1 kHz), a polarization with a weak frequency dependence is observed in the unfrozen state of the samples. We interpret this response as membrane polarization, which likewise depends on the texture as well as on the mineralogy of the respective sample. This polarization response partially vanishes during freezing. Overall, the investigated SIP spectra do not only show a dependence on texture and mineralogy, but mainly a dependence on the presence of ice in the sample as well as temperature. This indicates the possibility of a thermal characterization, as well as a determination of the ice content, of permafrost rocks using SIP.</p>

Supplemented nutrition decreases helminth burden and increases drug efficacy in a natural host–helminth system

Gastrointestinal (GI) helminths are common parasites of humans, wildlife, and livestock, causing chronic infections. In humans and wildlife, poor nutrition or limited resources can compromise an individual's immune response, predisposing them to higher helminth burdens. This relationship has been tested in laboratory models by investigating infection outcomes following reductions of specific nutrients. However, much less is known about how diet supplementation can impact susceptibility to infection, acquisition of immunity, and drug efficacy in natural host–helminth systems. We experimentally supplemented the diet of wood mice ( Apodemus sylvaticus ) with high-quality nutrition and measured resistance to the common GI nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus . To test whether diet can enhance immunity to reinfection, we also administered anthelmintic treatment in both natural and captive populations. Supplemented wood mice were more resistant to H. polygyrus infection, cleared worms more efficiently after treatment, avoided a post-treatment infection rebound, produced stronger general and parasite-specific antibody responses, and maintained better body condition. In addition, when applied in conjunction with anthelmintic treatment, supplemented nutrition significantly reduced H. polygyrus transmission potential. These results show the rapid and extensive benefits of a well-balanced diet and have important implications for both disease control and wildlife health under changing environmental conditions.

The effect of graphite composition on polyaniline film performance for formalin gas sensor

The invention of formalin gas sensors based on polyaniline (PANI) has been developed which arranged by PANI|graphite composite form. The reaction between amine and formaldehyde produced a Schiff base that alters the resistance of PANI film as a function of formaldehyde concentration. The response of the sensor was measured in variations of graphite composition with 3%, 10%, and 25%. The results showed similar patterns in all concentrations of formalin. However, the sensor response at 10% and 25% graphite decreased dramatically. The formalin with concentration 400 ppm shown the response with 3% graphite was 1.62 times greater than 25%. Addition of too much graphite makes the absorption area on the PANI surface becomes less because the graphite covered it. In this case, the sensor performance was still stable and functional, but the measured resistance seems smaller because the sensor conductivity level more dominated by graphite. Therefore, composites of polyaniline and graphite can be used as sensors to detect the presence of formaldehyde gas. KEY WORDS: Formalin, Graphite, Polyaniline, Resistance, Sensors Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2020, 34(3), 597-604. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v34i3.14

Combined forced oscillation and fractional-order modeling in patients with work-related asthma: a case–control study analyzing respiratory biomechanics and diagnostic accuracy

Background Fractional-order (FrOr) models have a high potential to improve pulmonary science. These models could be useful for biomechanical studies and diagnostic purposes, offering accurate models with an improved ability to describe nature. This paper evaluates the performance of the Forced Oscillation (FO) associated with integer (InOr) and FrOr models in the analysis of respiratory alterations in work-related asthma (WRA). Methods Sixty-two individuals were evaluated: 31 healthy and 31 with WRA with mild obstruction. Patients were analyzed pre- and post-bronchodilation. The diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). To evaluate how well do the studied models correspond to observed data, we analyzed the mean square root of the sum (MSEt) and the relative distance (Rd) of the estimated model values to the measured resistance and reactance measured values. Results and discussion Initially, the use of InOr and FrOr models increased our understanding of the WRA physiopathology, showing increased peripheral resistance, damping, and hysteresivity. The FrOr model (AUC = 0.970) outperformed standard FO (AUC = 0.929), as well as InOr modeling (AUC = 0.838) in the diagnosis of respiratory changes, achieving high accuracy. FrOr improved the curve fitting (MSEt = 0.156 ± 0.340; Rd = 3.026 ± 1.072) in comparison with the InOr model (MSEt = 0.367 ± 0.991; Rd = 3.363 ± 1.098). Finally, we demonstrated that bronchodilator use increased dynamic compliance, as well as reduced damping and peripheral resistance. Conclusions Taken together, these results show clear evidence of the utility of FO associated with fractional-order modeling in patients with WRA, improving our knowledge of the biomechanical abnormalities and the diagnostic accuracy in this disease.

EXTH-36. PHARMACEUTICAL INHIBITION OF CYCLIN DEPENDENT KINASE 4/6 (CDK4/6) IN GLIOBLASTOMA

Potent and selective CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) have potential for treating glioblastoma. Although genomic abnormalities affecting CDK4/6-RB1 signaling axis, such as CDK4 or CDK6 amplification and CDKN2A deletion, which are frequent in GBM, have been proposed to predict response of RB1-wildtype GBM to CDK4/6i, there is not enough data validating these biomarkers as sufficient for patient selection. Here we employ a panel of GBM patient derived cancer stem cells (CSC) representing the most frequent somatic genomic alterations in GBM to test their response to CDK4/6i. Twelve CSC lines were treated in quintuplicate for 4–7 days with 0–10 mM Abemaciclib, Ribociclib or vehicle control. Cell viability was measured using CellTiterGlo and dose response curves were analyzed using GRmetrics in R to determine Area Above the Curve (AAC) and IC50, factoring variable growth rates among cell lines. Experiments were repeated 2–4 times. Abemaciclib was more potent in reducing cell viability, based on the RB1-null CSC line measured resistance (mean AAC = 0.3 +/- 0.06), ribociclib was more specific (mean AAC = 0.05 +/-0.01). 4/7 CSCs with CDKN2A homozygous deletion were sensitive (mean AAC > 0.7) while 3/7 were resistant (mean AAC < 0.33) to 4 and 7-day treatments of abemaciclib. One CSC from a newly diagnosed GBM bearing CDK4, MYC and EGFR amplifications was sensitive to both inhibitors (mean AAC = 0.5 abemaciclib and ribociclib), while CSC from the matched recurrent tumor presenting the same driver genomic alterations was significantly more resistant (mean AAC = 0.2 for abemaciclib and ribociclib) (p < 0.05, t-test). Additionally, we exposed a sensitive cell line to conditioned media from a resistant cohort, resulting in significantly reduced proliferation and increased resistance to CDK4/6i (p< 0.05, Dunn). These findings underscore the importance of a utilizing a robust molecular profiling approach in evaluating which patients will benefit from CDK4/6i therapy.