Direct Laser Sintering of Metals

The use of a directed laser bealn source to selectively sinter multiple layers of binderless metal powder for the purposes of rapid prototyping is described. The work in this paper is restricted to -325 mesh iron powder, which was sintered using a C\V 50 W Nd:YAG laser to approximately 3.5% density. A subsequent post-treatlnent was perfornled to achieve a fully dense saulple. It is envisioned that such a system can be used to manufacture functional metallic prototypes directly from CAD without part-specific tooling.Mechanical Engineerin

PyPhi: A toolbox for integrated information theory

Integrated information theory provides a mathematical framework to fully characterize the cause-effect structure of a physical system. Here, we introduce PyPhi, a Python software package that implements this framework for causal analysis and unfolds the full cause-effect structure of discrete dynamical systems of binary elements. The software allows users to easily study these structures, serves as an up-to-date reference implementation of the formalisms of integrated information theory, and has been applied in research on complexity, emergence, and certain biological questions. We first provide an overview of the main algorithm and demonstrate PyPhi's functionality in the course of analyzing an example system, and then describe details of the algorithm's design and implementation. PyPhi can be installed with Python's package manager via the command 'pip install pyphi' on Linux and macOS systems equipped with Python 3.4 or higher. PyPhi is open-source and licensed under the GPLv3; the source code is hosted on GitHub at https://github.com/wmayner/pyphi . Comprehensive and continually-updated documentation is available at https://pyphi.readthedocs.io/ . The pyphi-users mailing list can be joined at https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/pyphi-users . A web-based graphical interface to the software is available at http://integratedinformationtheory.org/calculate.html .Comment: 22 pages, 4 figures, 6 pages of appendices. Supporting information "S1 Calculating Phi" can be found in the ancillary file

HST Scattered Light Imaging and Modeling of the Edge-on Protoplanetary Disk ESO-Hα\alpha 569

We present new HST ACS observations and detailed models for a recently discovered edge-on protoplanetary disk around ESO H$\alpha$ 569 (a low-mass T Tauri star in the Cha I star forming region). Using radiative transfer models we probe the distribution of the grains and overall shape of the disk (inclination, scale height, dust mass, flaring exponent and surface/volume density exponent) by model fitting to multiwavelength (F606W and F814W) HST observations together with a literature compiled spectral energy distribution. A new tool set was developed for finding optimal fits of MCFOST radiative transfer models using the MCMC code emcee to efficiently explore the high dimensional parameter space. It is able to self-consistently and simultaneously fit a wide variety of observables in order to place constraints on the physical properties of a given disk, while also rigorously assessing the uncertainties in those derived properties. We confirm that ESO H$\alpha$ 569 is an optically thick nearly edge-on protoplanetary disk. The shape of the disk is well described by a flared disk model with an exponentially tapered outer edge, consistent with models previously advocated on theoretical grounds and supported by millimeter interferometry. The scattered light images and spectral energy distribution are best fit by an unusually high total disk mass (gas+dust assuming a ratio of 100:1) with a disk-to-star mass ratio of 0.16.Comment: Accepted for publication in Ap

Physics of windblown particles

A laboratory facility proposed for the Space Station to investigate fundamental aspects of windblown particles is described. The experiments would take advantage of the environment afforded in earth orbit and would be an extension of research currently being conducted on the geology and physics of windblown sediments on earth, Mars, and Venus. Aeolian (wind) processes are reviewed in the planetary context, the scientific rational is given for specific experiments to be conducted, the experiment apparatus (the Carousel Wind Tunnel, or CWT) is described, and a plan presented for implementing the proposed research program

Anisotropic Small-Polaron Hopping In W:Bivo4 Single Crystals

DC electrical conductivity, Seebeck and Hall coefficients are measured between 300 and 450 K on single crystals of monoclinic bismuth vanadate that are doped n-type with 0.3% tungsten donors (W:BiVO4). Strongly activated small-polaron hopping is implied by the activation energies of the Arrhenius conductivities (about 300 meV) greatly exceeding the energies characterizing the falls of the Seebeck coefficients' magnitudes with increasing temperature (about 50 meV). Small-polaron hopping is further evidenced by the measured Hall mobility in the ab-plane (10(-1) cm(2) V-1 s(-1) at 300 K) being larger and much less strongly activated than the deduced drift mobility (about 5 x 10(-5) cm(2) V-1 s(-1) at 300 K). The conductivity and n-type Seebeck coefficient is found to be anisotropic with the conductivity larger and the Seebeck coefficient's magnitude smaller and less temperature dependent for motion within the ab-plane than that in the c-direction. These anisotropies are addressed by considering highly anisotropic next-nearest-neighbor (approximate to 5 angstrom) transfers in addition to the somewhat shorter (approximate to 4 angstrom), nearly isotropic nearest-neighbor transfers. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), DE-FG02-09ER16119Welch Foundation Grant F-1436Hemphill-Gilmore Endowed FellowshipNSF MIRT DMR 1122603Chemical EngineeringTexas Materials InstituteChemistr

The expert panel report to Texas health resources leadership on the 2014 ebola events

Full text attached hereThis report is the work of an Expert Panel convened by Texas Health Resources (THR) Chief Executive Officer Barclay Berdan, with the authorization and support of the THR and Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas (THD) Board of Trustees, following the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) events of 2014. Under the leadership of Dr. Denis Cortese, the Expert Panel—including Patricia Abbott RN PhD, Mark Chassin, MD, Marshall Lyon MD, andWayne Riley MD—were charged with reviewing the fact pattern associated with events surrounding the care and ultimate death of Mr. Thomas Eric Duncan from EVD and the transmission of the virus to two nurses. This report outlines recommendations to the Board and to THR and Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas (THD) leadership for improving the hospital’s and health system’s performance and preparation for similar unforeseen, novel and rare but significant future events.While specifically directed toward the future operations of THD and Texas Health Resources, these recommendations also present an opportunity for other hospitals and health systems to review and learn so that they also may prepare for unanticipated and potentially catastrophic events. It is critically important that healthcare providers with the primary role of caring for patients work as a cohesive team. It is equally important that hospitals and health systems understand clearly how to plan and work with local, state, and federal government agencies as well as public health partners at all levels to ensure that each health facility across the U.S. healthcare system is prepared for novel events such as the nation experienced last fall when the first Ebola patient was diagnosed in the United States.Texas Health Resourceshttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145616/1/Expert_Panel_Report_to_THR_on_EVD_response.pdfDescription of Expert_Panel_Report_to_THR_on_EVD_response.pdf : Ebola Report from Blue Ribbon Pane

Growth and Feeding Studies on the Algal Feeding Stage of a Pfiesteria-like Dinoflagellate

The dinoflagellate Cryptoperidiniopsis sp. was isolated from sediment samples taken from Virginia estuaries, and established in culture for subsequent growth and feeding studies. The maximum abundance, or yield, of Cryptoperidiniopsis is exponentially related to the concentration of algal prey and is saturated at about 4.00 X 105 mL-1. Salinity from 10-20 ppt and temperature between 15-25 C have no effect on the yield of this form of Cryptoperidiniopsis. Light intensity has a secondary effect in that the algal prey reproduces more quickly in higher light as they are being grazed. Growth rates of Cryptoperidiniopsis were highest with a cryptophyte, Cryptomonas, as food, but growth was also demonstrated utilizing both diatoms and chlorophytes. Cryptoperidiniopsis sp. is similar to Pfiesteria in that it feeds myzocytotically with a peduncle, is similar in size and shape, has a complex life cycle, and is distinguished only by plates hidden under membranes

Growth and Feeding Studies on the Algal Feeding Stage of a Pfiesteria-like Dinoflagellate

The dinoflagellate Cryptoperidiniopsis sp. was isolated from sediment samples taken from Virginia estuaries, and established in culture for subsequent growth and feeding studies. The maximum abundance, or yield, of Cryptoperidiniopsis is exponentially related to the concentration of algal prey and is saturated at about 4.00 X 105 mL-1. Salinity from 10-20 ppt and temperature between 15-25 C have no effect on the yield of this form of Cryptoperidiniopsis. Light intensity has a secondary effect in that the algal prey reproduces more quickly in higher light as they are being grazed. Growth rates of Cryptoperidiniopsis were highest with a cryptophyte, Cryptomonas, as food, but growth was also demonstrated utilizing both diatoms and chlorophytes. Cryptoperidiniopsis sp. is similar to Pfiesteria in that it feeds myzocytotically with a peduncle, is similar in size and shape, has a complex life cycle, and is distinguished only by plates hidden under membranes