Anisotropic Aerogels for Studying Superfluid 3^3He

It may be possible to stabilize new superfluid phases of $^{3}$He with anisotropic silica aerogels. We discuss two methods that introduce anisotropy in the aerogel on length scales relevant to superfluid $^{3}$He. First, anisotropy can be induced with uniaxial strain. A second method generates anisotropy during the growth and drying stages. We have grown cylindrical $\sim$98% aerogels with anisotropy indicated by preferential radial shrinkage after supercritical drying and find that this shrinkage correlates with small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). The growth-induced anisotropy was found to be $\sim90^\circ$ out of phase relative to that induced by strain. This has implications for the possible stabilization of superfluid phases with specific symmetry.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Quantum Fluids and Solids (QFS) conference 200

Method for acquiring, storing and analyzing crystal images

A system utilizing a digital computer for acquiring, storing and evaluating crystal images. The system includes a video camera (12) which produces a digital output signal representative of a crystal specimen positioned within its focal window (16). The digitized output from the camera (12) is then stored on data storage media (32) together with other parameters inputted by a technician and relevant to the crystal specimen. Preferably, the digitized images are stored on removable media (32) while the parameters for different crystal specimens are maintained in a database (40) with indices to the digitized optical images on the other data storage media (32). Computer software is then utilized to identify not only the presence and number of crystals and the edges of the crystal specimens from the optical image, but to also rate the crystal specimens by various parameters, such as edge straightness, polygon formation, aspect ratio, surface clarity, crystal cracks and other defects or lack thereof, and other parameters relevant to the quality of the crystals

Deactivating climate activism? The seven strategies oil and gas majors use to counter rising shareholder action

International oil companies (IOCs) are facing mounting pressure to transition towards low-carbon business models in line with the Paris Agreement's goals to limit global warming. Shareholder activism in oil and gas companies has increased rapidly over the past decade but has not yet been widely researched. This study explores company communication strategies within the context of climate and transition-related shareholder activism at IOC annual general meetings (AGMs). We analyse 123 relevant proxy statements produced by ExxonMobil, Chevron, and BP at their AGMs from 2006 to 2022. This yielded 10 distinct categories of resolution request, and seven common themes of communicative strategy deployed by IOCs. IOCs were generally successful at minimising the impact of climate-related and environmental shareholder activism, with most resolutions unsuccessful, and even successful ones having limited impact on company performance. However, recent shareholder revolts reveal the oil and gas (O&G) sector is experiencing more instances of, and more successful, investor pressure to improve environmental performance. Cases of voluntary changes in company policy and behaviour further indicate the potential for shareholder activism to influence low-carbon transitions. Further research of the phenomenon itself to gain greater understanding of IOC response strategies can yield insights into the nature and likelihood of a transition away from fossil fuels in the future

Integrating Al with NiO nano honeycomb to realize an energetic material on silicon substrate

Nano energetic materials offer improved performance in energy release, ignition, and mechanical properties compared to their bulk or micro counterparts. In this study, the authors propose an approach to synthesize an Al/NiO based nano energetic material which is fully compatible with a microsystem. A two-dimensional NiO nano honeycomb is first realized by thermal oxidation of a Ni thin film deposited onto a silicon substrate by thermal evaporation. Then the NiO nano honeycomb is integrated with an Al that is deposited by thermal evaporation to realize an Al/NiO based nano energetic material. This approach has several advantages over previous investigations, such as lower ignition temperature, enhanced interfacial contact area, reduced impurities and Al oxidation, tailored dimensions, and easier integration into a microsystem to realize functional devices. The synthesized Al/NiO based nano energetic material is characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry

Oncogenic ras induces gastrin gene expression in colon cancer

AbstractBackground & Aims: The expression of gastrin, as a tumor growth factor, is significantly increased in some colon cancers compared with the low levels found in normal mucosa. The aim of this study was to elucidate the transcriptional mechanisms of gastrin induction in colon cancer. Methods: Gastrin messenger (mRNA) levels and K-ras genotype were determined in colon cancer cell lines and surgical specimens. Colon cancer cells were transfected with oncogenic ras expression vectors, and transcriptional activity was assayed with gastrin-luciferase reporter genes. Results: Colon cancer cell lines and tissues with K-ras mutations all had significantly higher gastrin mRNA levels than those that were ras wild type. Treatment of several ras mutant cell lines with PD98059, an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, resulted in a decrease in endogenous gastrin mRNA levels. The effects of ras on gastrin expression appeared to be mediated through the gastrin promoter because transfection of oncogenic ras and activated raf expression vectors both induced gastrin-promoter, luciferase-reporter genes. The inductive effects of oncogenic ras could be blocked by the coexpression of dominant negative forms of raf and extracellular regulated kinase. Conclusions: Oncogenic ras induces gastrin gene expression through activation of the Raf-MEK-ERK signal transduction pathway.GASTROENTEROLOGY 1998;115:1144-115

Actinide partitioning studies using dihexyl-N,N-diethycarbamolymehtyl phosphonate and dissolved zirconium calcine

A baseline flowsheet capable of partitioning the transuranic (TRU) elements from dissolved zirconium calcines has been developed. The goal of the TRU partitioning process is to remove the TRUs from solutions of dissolved zirconium calcines to below the 10 CFR 61.55 Class A waste limit of 10 nCi/g. Extraction, scrub, strip, and wash distribution coefficients for several elements, including the actinides, were measured in the laboratory by performing equal volume batch contacts. A solvent containing diheyl-N, N- diethylcarbamoylmethyl phosphonate (CMP), tributylphosphate (TBP), and a branched chain hydrocarbon as the diluent were used to develop this process. A non-radioactive zirconium pilot-plant calcine was spiked with the TRUs, U, Tc, or a radioactive isotope of zirconium to simulate the behavior of these elements in actual dissolved zirconium calcine feed. Distribution coefficient data obtained from laboratory testing were used to recommend: (1) solvent composition, (2) scrub solutions capable of selectively removing extracted zirconium while minimizing actinide recycle, (3) optimized strip solutions which quantitatively recover extracted actinides, and (4) feed adjustments necessary for flowsheet efficiency. Laboratory distribution coefficients were used in conjunction with the Generic TRUEX Model (GTM) to develop and recommend a flowsheet for testing in the 5.5-cm Centrifugal Contractor Mockup. GTM results indicate that the recommended flowsheet should remove the actinides from dissolved zirconium calcine feed to below the Class A waste limit of 10 nCi/g. Less than 0.01 wt% of the extracted zirconium will report to the high- activity waste (HAW) fraction using the 0.05 M H{sub 2}C{sub 2}O{sub 4} in 3.0 M HNO{sub 3} scrub, and greater than 99% of the extracted actinides are recovered with 0.001 M HEDPA