788 research outputs found
The scaling of carbon dioxide release and respiratory water loss in flying fruit flies (Drosophila spp.)
By simultaneously measuring carbon dioxide release, water loss and flight force in several species of fruit flies in the genus Drosophila, we have investigated respiration and respiratory transpiration during elevated locomotor activity. We presented tethered flying flies with moving visual stimuli in a virtual flight arena, which induced them to vary both flight force and energetic output. In response to the visual motion, the flies altered their energetic output as measured by changes in carbon dioxide release and concomitant changes in respiratory water loss. We examined the effect of absolute body size on respiration and transpiration by studying four different-sized species of fruit flies. In resting flies, body-mass-specific CO(2) release and water loss tend to decrease more rapidly with size than predicted according to simple allometric relationships. During flight, the mass-specific metabolic rate decreases with increasing body size with an allometric exponent of -0.22, which is slightly lower than the scaling exponents found in other flying insects. In contrast, the mass-specific rate of water loss appears to be proportionately greater in small animals than can be explained by a simple allometric model for spiracular transpiration. Because fractional water content does not change significantly with increasing body size, the smallest species face not only larger mass-specific energetic expenditures during flight but also a higher risk of desiccation than their larger relatives. Fruit flies lower their desiccation risk by replenishing up to 75 % of the lost bulk water by metabolic water production, which significantly lowers the risk of desiccation for animals flying under xeric environmental conditions
Trends in the magnetic properties of Fe, Co and Ni clusters and monolayers on Ir(111), Pt(111) and Au(111)
We present a detailed theoretical investigation on the magnetic properties of
small single-layered Fe, Co and Ni clusters deposited on Ir(111), Pt(111) and
Au(111). For this a fully relativistic {\em ab-initio} scheme based on density
functional theory has been used. We analyse the element, size and geometry
specific variations of the atomic magnetic moments and their mutual exchange
interactions as well as the magnetic anisotropy energy in these systems. Our
results show that the atomic spin magnetic moments in the Fe and Co clusters
decrease almost linearly with coordination on all three substrates, while the
corresponding orbital magnetic moments appear to be much more sensitive to the
local atomic environment. The isotropic exchange interaction among the cluster
atoms is always very strong for Fe and Co exceeding the values for bulk bcc Fe
and hcp Co, whereas the anisotropic Dzyaloshinski-Moriya interaction is in
general one or two orders of magnitude smaller when compared to the isotropic
one. For the magnetic properties of Ni clusters the magnetic properties can
show quite a different behaviour and we find in this case a strong tendency
towards noncollinear magnetism
Electronic structure and x-ray magnetic dichroism in random substitutional alloys of f-electron elements
The Koringa-Kohn-Rostoker —coherent-potential-approximation method combines multiple-scattering theory and the coherent-potential approximation to calculate the electronic structure of random substitutional alloys of transition metals. In this paper we describe the generalization of this theory to describe f-electron alloys. The theory is illustrated with a calculation of the electronic structure and magnetic dichroism curves for a random substitutional alloy containing rare-earth or actinide elements from first principles
Strictosidine, the common precursor for monoterpenoid indole alkaloids with 3 α and 3 β configuration
Recently we reported that strictosidine (l> is the key intermediate in the formation of the three classes (ASDidOf3DeIm5, Iboga, Corynanthe) of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids In Catharanthus roseus and a variety of other plant species in cell culture using in vivo and in vitro techniques"2. These results were independently confirmed In Manchester 394 and subsequently also Scott et a1.5 were able to confirm the precursor role of (1) using Catharanthus material. All these results are in accord with reports on the biosynthesis of an alkaloid of taxonomically distant origin, camptothecln, for which strictosidine la&am6 was previously found to be a precursor, and recently7 also (1). The key intermediate in the biosynthesis of the majority of mono-terpenoid alkaloids is therefore (1) with 3 a (2) configuration, rather than vincoside (2) with 3 13 (lX> configuration as had previously been assumeda. However, a generalization of this precursor function of (1
Recommended from our members
Evaluation of Distribution Analysis Software for DER Applications
The term ''Distributed energy resources'' or DER refers to a variety of compact, mostly self-contained power-generating technologies that can be combined with energy management and storage systems and used to improve the operation of the electricity distribution system, whether or not those technologies are connected to an electricity grid. Implementing DER can be as simple as installing a small electric generator to provide backup power at an electricity consumer's site. Or it can be a more complex system, highly integrated with the electricity grid and consisting of electricity generation, energy storage, and power management systems. DER devices provide opportunities for greater local control of electricity delivery and consumption. They also enable more efficient utilization of waste heat in combined cooling, heating and power (CHP) applications--boosting efficiency and lowering emissions. CHP systems can provide electricity, heat and hot water for industrial processes, space heating and cooling, refrigeration, and humidity control to improve indoor air quality. DER technologies are playing an increasingly important role in the nation's energy portfolio. They can be used to meet base load power, peaking power, backup power, remote power, power quality, as well as cooling and heating needs. DER systems, ranging in size and capacity from a few kilowatts up to 50 MW, can include a number of technologies (e.g., supply-side and demand-side) that can be located at or near the location where the energy is used. Information pertaining to DER technologies, application solutions, successful installations, etc., can be found at the U.S. Department of Energy's DER Internet site [1]. Market forces in the restructured electricity markets are making DER, both more common and more active in the distribution systems throughout the US [2]. If DER devices can be made even more competitive with central generation sources this trend will become unstoppable. In response, energy providers will be forced to both fully acknowledge the trend and plan for accommodating DER [3]. With bureaucratic barriers [4], lack of time/resources, tariffs, etc. still seen in certain regions of the country, changes still need to be made. Given continued technical advances in DER, the time is fast approaching when the industry, nation-wide, must not only accept DER freely but also provide or review in-depth technical assessments of how DER should be integrated into and managed throughout the distribution system. Characterization studies are needed to fully understand how both the utility system and DER devices themselves will respond to all reasonable events (e.g., grid disturbances, faults, rapid growth, diverse and multiple DER systems, large reactive loads). Some of this work has already begun as it relates to operation and control of DER [5] and microturbine performance characterization [6,7]. One of the most urgently needed tools that can provide these types of analyses is a distribution network analysis program in combination with models for various DER. Together, they can be used for (1) analyzing DER placement in distribution networks and (2) helping to ensure that adequate transmission reliability is maintained. Surveys of the market show products that represent a partial match to these needs; specifically, software that has been developed to plan electrical distribution systems and analyze reliability (in a near total absence of DER). The first part of this study (Sections 2 and 3 of the report) looks at a number of these software programs and provides both summary descriptions and comparisons. The second part of this study (Section 4 of the report) considers the suitability of these analysis tools for DER studies. It considers steady state modeling and assessment work performed by ORNL using one commercially available tool on feeder data provided by a southern utility. Appendix A provides a technical report on the results of this modeling effort
The temperature dependence of FeRh's transport properties
The finite-temperature transport properties of FeRh compounds are
investigated by first-principles Density Functional Theory-based calculations.
The focus is on the behavior of the longitudinal resistivity with rising
temperature, which exhibits an abrupt decrease at the metamagnetic transition
point, between ferro- and antiferromagnetic phases. A detailed
electronic structure investigation for K explains this feature and
demonstrates the important role of (i) the difference of the electronic
structure at the Fermi level between the two magnetically ordered states and
(ii) the different degree of thermally induced magnetic disorder in the
vicinity of , giving different contributions to the resistivity. To
support these conclusions, we also describe the temperature dependence of the
spin-orbit induced anomalous Hall resistivity and Gilbert damping parameter.
For the various response quantities considered the impact of thermal lattice
vibrations and spin fluctuations on their temperature dependence is
investigated in detail. Comparison with corresponding experimental data finds
in general a very good agreement
Integrated ab initio modelling of atomic order and magnetic anisotropy for rare-earth-free magnet design: effects of alloying additions in FeNi
We describe an integrated modelling approach to accelerate the search for
novel, single-phase, multicomponent materials with high magnetocrystalline
anisotropy (MCA). For a given system we predict the nature of atomic ordering,
its dependence on the magnetic state, and then proceed to describe the
consequent MCA. Crucially, within our modelling framework, the same ab initio
description of the material's electronic structure determines both aspects. We
demonstrate this holistic method by studying the effects of alloying additions
in FeNi, examining systems with the general stoichiometry FeNi,
including Pt, Pd, Al, and Co. The atomic ordering behaviour predicted on
adding these elements, fundamental for determining a material's MCA, is rich
and varied. Equiatomic FeNi has been reported to require ferromagnetic order to
establish the tetragonal order suited for significant MCA. Our
results show that when alloying additions are included in this material,
annealing in an applied magnetic field and/or below a material's Curie
temperature may also promote tetragonal order, along with an appreciable effect
on the predicted MCA.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures, 3 table
Non-Newtonian Mechanics
The classical motion of spinning particles can be described without employing
Grassmann variables or Clifford algebras, but simply by generalizing the usual
spinless theory. We only assume the invariance with respect to the Poincare'
group; and only requiring the conservation of the linear and angular momenta we
derive the zitterbewegung: namely the decomposition of the 4-velocity in the
newtonian constant term p/m and in a non-newtonian time-oscillating spacelike
term. Consequently, free classical particles do not obey, in general, the
Principle of Inertia. Superluminal motions are also allowed, without violating
Special Relativity, provided that the energy-momentum moves along the worldline
of the center-of-mass. Moreover, a non-linear, non-constant relation holds
between the time durations measured in different reference frames. Newtonian
Mechanics is re-obtained as a particular case of the present theory: namely for
spinless systems with no zitterbewegung. Introducing a Lagrangian containing
also derivatives of the 4-velocity we get a new equation of the motion,
actually a generalization of the Newton Law a=F/m. Requiring the rotational
symmetry and the reparametrization invariance we derive the classical spin
vector and the conserved scalar Hamiltonian, respectively. We derive also the
classical Dirac spin and analyze the general solution of the Eulero-Lagrange
equation for Dirac particles. The interesting case of spinning systems with
zero intrinsic angular momentum is also studied.Comment: LaTeX; 27 page
The onset of magnetic order in fcc-Fe films on Cu(100)
On the basis of a first-principles electronic structure theory of finite
temperature metallic magnetism in layered materials, we investigate the onset
of magnetic order in thin (2-8 layers) fcc-Fe films on Cu(100) substrates. The
nature of this ordering is altered when the systems are capped with copper.
Indeed we find an oscillatory dependence of the Curie temperatures as a
function of Cu-cap thickness, in excellent agreement with experimental data.
The thermally induced spin-fluctuations are treated within a mean-field
disordered local moment (DLM) picture and give rise to layer-dependent `local
exchange splittings' in the electronic structure even in the paramagnetic
phase. These features determine the magnetic intra- and interlayer interactions
which are strongly influenced by the presence and extent of the Cu cap.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figure
- …