7,173 research outputs found
Multi-Triplet Magnons in SrCu(BO) Studied by Thermal Conductivity Measurements in Magnetic Fields
We have measured the thermal conductivity parallel to the a-axis of the
Zn-free and 1% Zn-substituted SrCuZn(BO) in magnetic fields
up to 14 T, in order to examine the thermal conductivity due to the
multi-triplet magnons. It has been found that the thermal conductivity peak
observed in the spin gap state is suppressed by the substitution of Zn for Cu
in high magnetic fields above 6 T, while it is not changed in low magnetic
fields below 6 T. The results suggest that the thermal conductivity peak in the
spin-gap state of SrCu(BO) is composed of not only thermal
conductivity due to phonons but also that due to the multi-triplet magnons in
high fields above 6 T.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figure
Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of Homometallic Dinuclear Ruthenium Complex Containing Chloro-Phenanthroline and Bipyridine
This paper deals with the synthesis and spectroscopic investigation of homometallic dinuclear ruthenium(II) complex containing chlorophenanthroline and bipyridine ligands. This bimetallic ruthenium polypyridine complex may be useful for biological electron transfer studies. Heteroleptic ruthenium monomer complex Ru(bpy)2(Cl-phen) (where bpy = 2,2’-bipyridine and Cl-phen = 5-chloro- 1,10-phenanthroline) was prepared in a two step procedure previously developed in our laboratory. This monomer complex was used to prepare the ruthenium dimer complex, (bpy)2Ru(phen-phen)Ru(bpy)2, by utilizing the Ni-catalyzed coupling reaction. Both the complexes were purified by column chromatography. The identity and the integrity of the complexes were confirmed by elemental analysis as well as mass spectroscopy. The calculated and the experimental values for the elemental analysis were in good agreement. The calculated and experimental molar masses of the dimer complex were also identical. UV/Vis absorption, emission spectroscopic method, and cyclic voltammetric method were used to investigate the properties of the dimer complex
Nanographitic coating enables hydrophobicity in lightweight and strong microarchitected carbon
Metamaterials that are lightweight, stiff, strong, scalable and hydrophobic have been achieved separately through different materials and approaches, but achieving them in one material is an outstanding challenge. Here, stereolithography and pyrolysis are employed to create carbon microlattices with cubic topology and a strut width of 60–70 µm, with specific strength and stiffness of up to 468.62 MPa cm3 g−1 and 14.39 GPa cm3 g−1 at a density of 0.55 g cm−3, higher than existing microarchitected materials and approaching those of the strongest truss nanolattices. Subsequent fast Joule-heating then introduces a hierarchical nanographitic skin that enables hydrophobicity, with a water contact angle of 135 ± 2°, improving the hydrophilic response of pyrolytic carbon. As the Joule heating induced sp2-hybridization and nano-texturing predominantly affect the strut sheath, the effect on mechanical response is limited to a reduction in the distribution of compressive strength of as-pyrolyzed architectures by ~80% and the increase of the mean effective stiffness by ~15%. These findings demonstrate a technique to fabricate high strength, low density, and hydrophobic nanographite-coated carbon microlattices
Thermal Conductivity of the Quasi One-Dimensional Spin System Sr_2_V_3_O_9_
We have measured the thermal conductivity along the [101] direction,
kappa_[101]_, along the [10-1] direction, kappa_[10-1]_, and along the b-axis,
kappa_b_, of the quasi one-dimensional S=1/2 spin system Sr_2_V_3_O_9_ in
magnetic fields up to 14 T, in order to find the thermal conductivity due to
spinons and to clarify whether the spin-chains run along the [101] or [10-1]
direction. It has been found that both kappa_[101]_, kappa_[10-1]_ and kappa_b_
show one peak around 10 K in zero field and that the magnitude of kappa_[10-1]_
is larger than those of kappa_[101]_ and kappa_b_. By the application of
magnetic field along the heat current, the peak of kappa_[10-1]_ is markedly
suppressed, while the peaks of kappa_[101]_ and kappa_b_ little change. These
results indicate that there is a large contribution of spinons to kappa_[10-1]_
and suggest that the spin-chains run along the [10-1] direction.Comment: 3 pages, 4 figure
Real-time Loss Estimation for Instrumented Buildings
Motivation. A growing number of buildings have been instrumented to measure and record
earthquake motions and to transmit these records to seismic-network data centers to be archived and
disseminated for research purposes. At the same time, sensors are growing smaller, less expensive to
install, and capable of sensing and transmitting other environmental parameters in addition to
acceleration. Finally, recently developed performance-based earthquake engineering methodologies
employ structural-response information to estimate probabilistic repair costs, repair durations, and
other metrics of seismic performance. The opportunity presents itself therefore to combine these
developments into the capability to estimate automatically in near-real-time the probabilistic seismic
performance of an instrumented building, shortly after the cessation of strong motion. We refer to
this opportunity as (near-) real-time loss estimation (RTLE).
Methodology. This report presents a methodology for RTLE for instrumented buildings. Seismic
performance is to be measured in terms of probabilistic repair cost, precise location of likely physical
damage, operability, and life-safety. The methodology uses the instrument recordings and a Bayesian
state-estimation algorithm called a particle filter to estimate the probabilistic structural response of
the system, in terms of member forces and deformations. The structural response estimate is then
used as input to component fragility functions to estimate the probabilistic damage state of structural
and nonstructural components. The probabilistic damage state can be used to direct structural
engineers to likely locations of physical damage, even if they are concealed behind architectural
finishes. The damage state is used with construction cost-estimation principles to estimate
probabilistic repair cost. It is also used as input to a quantified, fuzzy-set version of the FEMA-356
performance-level descriptions to estimate probabilistic safety and operability levels.
CUREE demonstration building. The procedure for estimating damage locations, repair costs, and
post-earthquake safety and operability is illustrated in parallel demonstrations by CUREE and
Kajima research teams. The CUREE demonstration is performed using a real 1960s-era, 7-story, nonductile
reinforced-concrete moment-frame building located in Van Nuys, California. The building is
instrumented with 16 channels at five levels: ground level, floors 2, 3, 6, and the roof. We used the
records obtained after the 1994 Northridge earthquake to hindcast performance in that earthquake.
The building is analyzed in its condition prior to the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. It is found that,
while hindcasting of the overall system performance level was excellent, prediction of detailed damage
locations was poor, implying that either actual conditions differed substantially from those shown on
the structural drawings, or inappropriate fragility functions were employed, or both. We also found
that Bayesian updating of the structural model using observed structural response above the base of
the building adds little information to the performance prediction. The reason is probably that
Real-Time Loss Estimation for Instrumented Buildings
ii
structural uncertainties have only secondary effect on performance uncertainty, compared with the
uncertainty in assembly damageability as quantified by their fragility functions. The implication is
that real-time loss estimation is not sensitive to structural uncertainties (saving costly multiple
simulations of structural response), and that real-time loss estimation does not benefit significantly
from installing measuring instruments other than those at the base of the building.
Kajima demonstration building. The Kajima demonstration is performed using a real 1960s-era
office building in Kobe, Japan. The building, a 7-story reinforced-concrete shearwall building, was not
instrumented in the 1995 Kobe earthquake, so instrument recordings are simulated. The building is
analyzed in its condition prior to the earthquake. It is found that, while hindcasting of the overall
repair cost was excellent, prediction of detailed damage locations was poor, again implying either that
as-built conditions differ substantially from those shown on structural drawings, or that
inappropriate fragility functions were used, or both. We find that the parameters of the detailed
particle filter needed significant tuning, which would be impractical in actual application. Work is
needed to prescribe values of these parameters in general.
Opportunities for implementation and further research. Because much of the cost of applying
this RTLE algorithm results from the cost of instrumentation and the effort of setting up a structural
model, the readiest application would be to instrumented buildings whose structural models are
already available, and to apply the methodology to important facilities. It would be useful to study
under what conditions RTLE would be economically justified. Two other interesting possibilities for
further study are (1) to update performance using readily observable damage; and (2) to quantify the
value of information for expensive inspections, e.g., if one inspects a connection with a modeled 50%
failure probability and finds that the connect is undamaged, is it necessary to examine one with 10%
failure probability
Effective optical identification of type "0-IIb" early gastric cancer with narrow band imaging magnification endoscopy, successfully treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection
Background Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is currently considered the minimal invasive endoscopic treatment for early gastric cancer. Most superficial gastric neoplastic lesions are depressed type ”0-IIc” (70-80%), while totally flat, classified as type ”0-IIb” early gastric cancer, is rarely reported (0.4%). The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of narrow band imaging (NBI) magnification endoscopy in identifying type “0-IIb” early gastric cancer and ESD treatment with curative intention.Methods Twelve of 615 (2%) patients (10 males, median 72 years), treated by ESD at our center, were diagnosed as type “0-IIb” gastric cancer. Ten had exclusively type “0-IIb”, while two had combined types “0-IIb+IIc” and “0-IIa+IIb” gastric cancer. Initial diagnosis was made during screening gastroscopy, while NBI magnification endoscopy combined with indigo-carmine chromoendoscopy were also used.Results White light endoscopy showed only superficial redness. One patient with signet-ring carcinoma showed whitish appearance. Indigo-carmine chromoendoscopy showed better visualization, while NBI magnification endoscopy revealed abnormal mucosal microsurface and microvascular findings which enabled border marking. ESD with curative intention was completed without complications. Histological examination showed complete (R0) resection, in 10 patients (83%). One patient with positive margins received additional surgery (8%). Mean procedure time was 149 (range 60-190) min. One to six years post-ESD all patients remain alive.Conclusions ESD is considered a safe and effective curative treatment for type “0-IIb” gastric cancer, resulting in long-term disease-free survival. NBI magnification endoscopy is effective for accurate optical identification and border marking of type “0-IIb” early gastric cancer
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