Range and accuracy in backscatter measurements

The relationship between measurement accuracy and signal-to-noise ratio for attenuation, joint loss, link loss and fault location measurements is established for both coherent and incoherent OTDRs. For each parameter, range is defined as the maximum distance over which a minimum acceptable measurement accuracy, or corresponding minimum acceptable signal-to-noise ratio, is attained. Range, defined in this way, serves as a basis for the comparison of different OTDRs. Results are presented which verify the theory.     

Exit plane and suction surface flows in an annular turbine cascade with a skewed inlet boundary layer

The flow in the exit plane and on the suction surface of an annular turbine cascade was examined experimentally for conditions of inlet boundary layer skewing similar to that found in a real turbine and for the collateral inlet as found in most cascade tests. Skewing was introduced by rotating the nose cone ahead of the cascade.At the cascade exit, the loss distribution pattern, as measured by a 3 hole cobra probe, showed that the corner vortex at the hub is displaced radially to almost a mid-span position by the skewed inlet boundary layer. This movement was attributed to the stronger endwall crossflows being radially directed as they strike and rise up onto the suction surface. The radial displacement and endwall crossflow effect was also seen in surface flow visualization studies.The overall cascade loss coefficient and deviation angle are significantly reduced by skewing. Traverses taken on the suction surface confirmed the separated flow effects seen in the flow visualization pictures.The general conclusion is that skewing plays a significant role in determining the flow phenomena in turbine cascades and that these effects should be borne in mind when interpreting the results taken from plane cascades.     

Genetics in primary care: a USA faculty development initiative

The Genetics in Primary Care (GPC) project is a USA national faculty development initiative with the goal of enhancing the training of medical students and primary care residents by developing primary care faculty expertise in genetics. Educational strategies were developed for the project by an executive committee with input from an advisory committee, comprising individuals with primary care, medical education and genetics expertise. These committees identified the key issues in genetics education for primary care as (1) considering inherited disease in the differential diagnosis of common disorders; (2) using appropriate counseling strategies for genetic testing and diagnosis, and (3) understanding the implications of a genetic diagnosis for family members. The group emphasized the importance of a primary care perspective, which suggests that the clinical utility of genetic information is greatest when it has the potential to improve health outcomes. The group also noted that clinical practice already incorporates the use of family history information, providing a basis for discussing the application of genetic concepts in primary care. Genetics and primary care experts agreed that educational efforts will be most successful if they are integrated into existing primary care teaching programs, and use a case-based teaching format that incorporates both clinical and social dimensions of genetic disorders. Three core clinical skills were identified: (1) interpreting family history; (2) recognizing the variable clinical utility of genetic information, and (3) acquiring cultural competency. Three areas of potential controversy were identified as well: (1) the role of nondirective counseling versus shared decision-making in discussions of genetic testing; (2) the intrinsic value of genetic information when it does not influence health outcomes, and (3) indications for a genetics referral. The project provides an opportunity for ongoing discussion about these important issues.     

Synthesis and activity of the archazolid western hemisphere

A convergent and scalable synthesis of the archazolid western hemisphere has been completed. The V-ATPase inhibitory activity of this compound along with a previously prepared eastern domain was then tested using a convenient Arabidopsis-based V-ATPase assay.     

Multiple hindered rotators in a gyroscope-inspired tribenzylamine hemicryptophane

A gyroscope-inspired tribenzylamine hemicryptophane provides a vehicle for exploring the structure and properties of multiple p-phenylene rotators within one molecule. The hemicryptophane was synthesized in three steps in good overall yield using mild conditions. Three rotator-forming linkers were cyclized to form a rigid cyclotriveratrylene (CTV) stator framework, which was then closed with an amine. The gyroscope-like molecule was characterized by (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, and the structure was solved by X-ray crystallography. The rigidity of the two-component CTV-trismethylamine stator was investigated by (1)H variable-temperature (VT) NMR experiments and molecular dynamics simulations. These techniques identified gyration of the three p-phenylene rotators on the millisecond time scale at -93 °C, with more dynamic but still hindered motion at room temperature (27 °C). The activation energy for the p-phenylene rotation was determined to be ~10 kcal mol(-1). Due to the propeller arrangement of the p-phenylenes, their rotation is hindered but not strongly correlated. The compact size, simple synthetic route, and molecular motions of this gyroscope-inspired tribenzylamine hemicryptophane make it an attractive starting point for controlling the direction and coupling of rotators within molecular systems.     

Non-lithographic formation of three dimensional periodic nanostructures by germanium nanowire etching

The intrinsic reactivity of curved nanoscale germanium surfaces, under carefully controlled anodic etch conditions, is exploited to produce intricate three-dimensional helical patterns. Such structures, retaining crystalline Ge character and yielding strong visible emission, demonstrate a feature spacing of a periodic nature that correlates with their measured width.     

Group 4 initiators for the stereoselective ROP of rac-β-butyrolactone and its copolymerization with rac-lactide

In this paper we demonstrate the utility of Group 4 metals for the well-controlled and stereoselective (syndiotactic) ring opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-β-butyrolactone (BBL) and their ability to form copolymers.     

Electrochemically switchable polymerization from surface-anchored molecular catalysts

Redox-switchable polymerizations of lactide and epoxides were extended to the solid state by anchoring an iron-based polymerization catalyst to TiO₂ nanoparticles. The reactivity of the molecular complexes and their redox-switching characteristics were maintained in the solid-state. These properties resulted in surface-initiated polymerization reactions that produced polymer brushes whose chemical composition is dictated by the oxidation state of the iron-based complex. Depositing the catalyst-functionalized TiO₂ nanoparticles on fluorine-doped tin oxide resulted in an electrically addressable surface that could be used to demonstrate spatial control in redox-switchable polymerization reactions. By using a substrate that contained two electrically isolated domains wherein one domain was exposed to an oxidizing potential, patterns of surface-bound polyesters and polyethers were accessible through sequential application of lactide and cyclohexene oxide. The differentially functionalized surfaces demonstrated distinct physical properties that illustrated the promise for using the method to pattern surfaces with multiple, chemically distinct polymer brushes.

Patterns of multiple polymer brushes on surfaces are obtained through application of an electrical potential to a surface functionalized with redox-switchable polymerization catalysts.     

Shape Matters: A Gold Nanoparticle Enabled Shape Memory Polymer Triggered by Laser Irradiation

With incorporation of gold nanoparticles, i.e., nanorods (AuNR) and nanospheres (AuNS), into a polyurethane‐based shape‐memory polymer (SMP) EG‐72D matrix, SMP nanocomposite films capable of being remotely triggered by low‐power laser are fabricated and characterized using UV‐vis‐NIR spectroscopy, X‐ray scattering, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). It is demonstrated that, with incorporation of very low concentration of gold nanorods (≈0.1 wt%), the mechanically programmed EG‐72D/AuNR nanocomposite presents rapid response to low power laser irradiation (785 nm, ≈10 mW). Comparative studies on the laser irradiation response of EG‐72D/AuNS and EG‐72D/AuNR nanocomposite films suggest that AuNRs have significantly higher photothermal conversion efficiency than AuNS and on‐resonance laser irradiation, matching the wavelength of the incident laser with the longitudinal plasmon resonance of AuNR, is necessary to induce the fast response of gold nanoparticle enabled SMP nanocomposites.