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At least 271 records · Page 15

Observations of Smoke Aerosol from Biomass Burning in Mexico: Effect of Particle Aging on Radiative Forcing and Remote Sensing

We take advantage of the May 1998 biomass burning event in Southern Mexico to test the global applicability of a smoke aerosol size model developed from data observed in South America. The Mexican event is an unique opportunity to observe well-aged, residual smoke. Observations of smoke aerosol size distribution made from vertical profiles of airborne in situ measurements show an inverse relationship between concentration and particle size that suggests the aging process continues more than a week after the smoke is separated from its fire sources. The ground-based radiometer retrievals show that the column-averaged, aged, Mexican smoke particles are larger (diameter = 0.28 - 0.33 micrometers) than the mean smoke particles in South America (diameter = 0.22 - 0.30 micrometers). However, the difference (delta - 0.06 micrometer) translates into differences in backscattering coefficient of only 4-7% and an increase of direct radiative forcing of only 10%.

Remer, Lorraine A.↗

Space Age Tools for Effective Water Management: NASA's Contribution Today and Tomorrow

This slide presentation reviews NASA's responses to Earth's hydrological needs as part of the Earth Science Mission. The mission's assets are the 20 operational missions, 6 in development and 5 under study. There is a view of the four space missions that are designed to assist in gathering information about hydrometeorology, explaining briefly what each does. There is also information about the airborne science instruments that also gather information to assist in improving our knowledge of hydrology and improving the short term (i.e., 0-24 hr) weather predictions at regional and local scales.

Laymon, Candice R.↗

The Effects of Contaminant-Aging on Decontamination Efficacy for Rapid Remediation of Concrete Surfaces - 20412

Understanding the relationship between decontamination efficacy and contaminant aging is imperative for developing effective remediation strategies following a large-scale contamination event. Non-destructive decontamination of concrete following a contamination incident becomes more difficult with increased time between contamination and decontamination because contaminants may chemically bind to concrete and/or penetrate into the concrete subsurface. In this work, we evaluated the decontamination efficacy of two decontamination methods on concrete samples contaminated with soluble Cesium-137 (Cs-137) and silica particles with 0.5 μm and 2 μm diameters. Concrete samples were aged between 1 and 59 days, with half of the coupons receiving 1 mL of artificial rainwater about once every three days. After aging, coupons were either decontaminated or analyzed to determine contaminant penetration depths. Coupons were decontaminated with 0.1 M Potassium Chloride (KCI) solution applied either by flowing solution across the contaminated coupon face or non-destructive power washing. Contaminant depth profiles were created by removing the top surface of the coupon at least 15 times, measuring the activity in each removed layer, normalizing the total activity removed to the measured decontamination efficacy following the last layer removal, and determining the penetration thickness using the coupon dimensions, bulk density, and mass of material removed for each layer. Pressurized washing effectively removed particles, but not soluble cesium, despite the majority of Cs-137 being located within the first millimeter of the subsurface. Soluble cesium removal by flowing 0.1 M KCI solution across the contaminated surface dropped to less than 12% within the first ten days. This drop in Cs-137 removal efficacy occurred within the first five days for coupons experiencing artificial rainfall events. Flowing 0.1 M KCI solution across the contaminated face was ineffective at removing particles, likely because particles had localized in surface depressions. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Combined Effects of Spaceflight and Age in Astronauts as Assessed by Areal Bone Mineral Density [BMD] and Trabecular Bone Score

Spaceflight is a potential risk factor for secondary osteoporosis in astronauts. Although lumbar spine (LS) BMD declines rapidly, more than expected for age, there have been no fragility fractures in astronauts that can clearly be attributed to spaceflight. Recently, astronauts have been returning from 6‐month spaceflights with absolute BMD still above young adult mean BMD. In spite of these BMD measurements, we project that the rapid loss in bone mass over long‐duration spaceflight affects the bone microarchitecture of the LS which might predispose astronauts to premature vertebral fractures. Thus, we evaluated TBS, a novel texture index correlated with vertebral bone microarchitecture, as a means of monitoring changes to bone microarchitecture in astronauts as they age. We previously reported that TBS detects an effect of spaceflight (~6‐month duration), independent of BMD, in 51 astronauts (47+/‐4 y) (Smith et al, J Clin Densitometry 2014). Hence, TBS was evaluated in serial DXA scans (Hologic Discovery W) conducted triennially in all active and retired astronauts and more frequently (before spaceflight, after spaceflight and until recovery) in the subset of astronauts flying 4‐6‐ month missions. We used non‐linear models to describe trends in observations (BMD or TBS) plotted as a function of astronaut age. We fitted 1175 observations of 311 astronauts, pre‐flight and then postflight starting 3 years after landing or after astronaut's BMD for LS was restored to within 2% of preflight BMD. Observations were then grouped and defined as follows: 1) LD: after exposure to at least one long‐duration spaceflight > 100 days and 2) SD: before LD and after exposure to at least one short-duration spaceflight < 30 days. Data from males and females were analyzed separately. Models of SD observations revealed that TBS and BMD had similar curvilinear declines with age for both male and female astronauts. However, models of LD observations showed TBS declining with age while BMD appeared stable or trending upward. For females (n=8) LD observations were too few to discern a trend. Notably, models describing trends in TBS appeared to be more sensitive to the effects of age than the models for BMD. We conclude that TBS may provide an additional index for the lumbar spine to monitor the combined changes due to spaceflight and due to aging. This increased knowledge may enhance the ability to identify an intervention trigger for premature vertebral fractures in astronauts.

Sibonga, Jean D.↗

Components of the ice age circulation

The effects of ice age boundary conditions on atmospheric dynamics and regional climate patterns are investigated using four GCM simulations. Particular consideration is given to sea surface temperature-sea ice distribution, the appearance of land ice, and the increased elevation of land ice. It is observed that the ice-age sea surface temperature stabilizes the atmosphere over the oceans, increases the frequency of storm tracking through central North America, and amplifies transient eddy energy without increasing baroclinic generation. It is detected that low-elevation ice generates low pressure over eastern North America and southern Europe in winter, while increasing cloud cover and cooling the land in summer. Elevation of the ice sheets cools the land in winter, further intensifies storms off northeastern North America, induces subsidence warming downstream of the European ice sheets in summer, and increases the transient and stationary eddy energy through increased baroclinicity.

Rind, D.↗

Time dependent behavior of a graphite/thermoplastic composite and the effects of stress and physical aging

Two complimentary studies were performed to determine the effects of stress and physical aging on the matrix dominated time dependent properties of IM7/8320 composite. The first of these studies, experimental in nature, used isothermal tensile creep/aging test techniques developed for polymers and adapted them for testing of the composite material. From these tests, the time dependent transverse (S22) and shear (S66) compliance's for an orthotropic plate were found from short term creep compliance measurements at constant, sub-T(sub g) temperatures. These compliance terms were shown to be affected by physical aging. Aging time shift factors and shift rates were found to be a function of temperature and applied stress. The second part of the study relied upon isothermal uniaxial tension tests of IM7/8320 to determine the effects of physical aging on the nonlinear material behavior at elevated temperature. An elastic/viscoplastic constitutive model was used to quantify the effects of aging on the rate-independent plastic and rate-dependent viscoplastic response. Sensitivity of the material constants required by the model to aging time were determined for aging times up to 65 hours. Verification of the analytical model indicated that the effects of prior aging on the nonlinear stress/strain/time data of matrix dominated laminates can be predicted.

Gates, Thomas S.↗

Effect of set size, age, and mode of stimulus presentation on information-processing speed.

First, second, and third grade pupils served as subjects in an experiment designed to show the effect of age, mode of stimulus presentation, and information value on recognition time. Stimuli were presented in picture and printed word form and in groups of 2, 4, and 8. The results of the study indicate that first graders are slower than second and third graders who are nearly equal. There is a gross shift in reaction time as a function of mode of stimulus presentation with increase in age. The first graders take much longer to identify words than pictures, while the reverse is true of the older groups. With regard to set size, a slope appears in the pictures condition in the older groups, while for first graders, a large slope occurs in the words condition and only a much smaller one for pictures.

Norton, J. C.↗

Mechanical behavior of polyamide-6 after combined photo-oxidative and hygrothermal aging

The effect of moisture on the photo-oxidative degradation of polyamide-6 (PA-6) was studied by analyzing the mechanical response after two different accelerated aging procedures. In the first aging procedure, the PA-6 was only exposed to ultra-violet (UV) radiation at 60 °C. In the second procedure, the same duration of UV radiation was periodically interrupted while the relative humidity was raised to 100%. Diffusion-limited and nominally homogeneous degradation conditions were investigated using bulk and film specimens, respectively. Accelerated UV aging reduced the ductility of PA-6, but the additional hygrothermal exposure had no effect on the ductility or strength, indicating that humidity did not influence the photo-oxidation of PA-6. In conclusion, this finding contrasts with previous studies that found thermo-oxidation of PA-6 was accelerated by moisture.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The effect of Ti content on age hardening and mechanical properties of uranium-titanium alloys

Here, the effect of Ti content on age hardening and the resulting mechanical properties are described for -quenched U-Ti alloys containing 0.3 wt.% to 2.0 wt.%Ti. Age hardening occurs between ~250°C and ~450°C. Overaging occurs at higher temperatures by cellular decomposition. Age hardening kinetics suggest that different mechanisms occur depending on Ti content and initial microstructure. Strengthening in 'a acicular martensites begins by the formation of Ti clusters which evolve into thin U 2 Ti disc shaped precipitates and later mature into continuous U 2 Ti rods beginning at peak hardness. The mechanism of hardening in 'b banded martensite is more elusive, as significant hardening occurs where atomic mobility is lower than that required for precipitate formation, similar to that reported for age hardening in ''b banded martensite in U-6%Nb. The activation energy for aging varies with Ti content and microstructure. In fully martensitic alloys containing 0.75% to 2.0%Ti it is in the vicinity of ~44 kcal/mole (184 kJ/mole). But it is lower in alloys containing less than 0.6%Ti where quenched microstructures are less than fully martensitic. Tensile ductility is high prior to aging, decreases with age hardening, is effectively zero at peak hardness, and remains low in overaged conditions. Attractive combinations of strength and ductility are best obtained in alloys containing 0.6% to 1.0%Ti which have been partially aged to fractional hardening levels no greater than ~0.6. This corresponds to the very early stages of aging, associated with clustering and the earliest stages of U 2 Ti disc formation. Alloys containing 0.45%Ti or less are not as responsive to age hardening. Alloys containing 1.5% and 2.0%Ti can be aged to higher strengths, but extreme quench rate sensitivity prevents them from being effectively heat treated in realistic section thicknesses.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effect of radiation and age on immunoglobulin levels in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

We report the results of a study on the immunoglobulin levels of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) in a colony consisting of the survivors of monkeys that received a single whole-body exposure to protons, electrons or X rays between 1964 and 1969. This colony has been maintained to assess the long-term effects of ionizing radiation on astronauts and high-flying pilots. Of the original 358 monkeys that were retained for lifetime studies, 129 (97 irradiated and 32 controls) were available for our study. We found no significant difference between the irradiated and control monkeys in mean levels of IgA, IgG and IgM, irrespective of the radiation treatment. The availability of these aged monkeys provided a unique opportunity to compare their immunoglobulin levels to those of other monkeys of various ages, and thus assess the effect of age on immunoglobulin levels. We found that only the IgA levels increase with age.

Non-NASA Center↗

Centrosome and microtubule instability in aging Drosophila cells

Several cytoskeletal changes are associated with aging which includes alterations in muscle structure leading to muscular atrophy, and weakening of the microtubule network which affects cellular secretion and maintenance of cell shape. Weakening of the microtubule network during meiosis in aging oocytes can result in aneuploidy or trisomic zygotes with increasing maternal age. Imbalances of cytoskeletal organization can lead to disease such as Alzheimer's, muscular disorders, and cancer. Because many cytoskeletal diseases are related to age we investigated the effects of aging on microtubule organization in cell cultures of the Drosophila cell model system (Schneider S-1 and Kc23 cell lines). This cell model is increasingly being used as an alternative system to mammalian cell cultures. Drosophila cells are amenable to genetic manipulations and can be used to identify and manipulate genes which are involved in the aging processes. Immunofluorescence, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy were employed for the analysis of microtubule organizing centers (centrosomes) and microtubules at various times after subculturing cells in fresh medium. Our results reveal that centrosomes and the microtubule network becomes significantly affected in aging cells after 5 days of subculture. At 5-14 days of subculture, 1% abnormal out of 3% mitoses were noted which were clearly distinguishable from freshly subcultured control cells in which 3% of cells undergo normal mitosis with bipolar configurations. Microtubules are also affected in the midbody during cell division. The midbody in aging cells becomes up to 10 times longer when compared with midbodies in freshly subcultured cells. During interphase, microtubules are often disrupted and disorganized, which may indicate improper function related to transport of cell organelles along microtubules. These results are likely to help explain some cytoskeletal disorders and diseases related to aging.

Non-NASA Center↗

Effect of Dual Environment Aging on Flexible Polyurethane Based Adhesive

Abstract Environmental degradation of adhesives naturally increases with the intensity of the ambient weathering agents involved. During service life, these materials are never subjected to a constant environmental loading. Real-time applications expose the material to multiple weather conditions, ranging from dry to humid or fully wet conditions. While some understanding exists about aging environments in isolation, we intend to investigate the effect of multiple environments on the constitutive behavior of the materials in question. The extent of damage can be accessed by analyzing the changes in constitutive behavior and toughness of aged material. Therefore, this aging experiment was designed around two-way aging regimes involving combinations of thermo-oxidation, hydrolytic and hygrothermal aging environments. We selected a polyurethane based flexible adhesive which is commonly used in the automotive industry as a glass sealant. The aged specimens were subjected to uniaxial tensile tests, and variation in material toughness and constitutive behavior was analyzed to ascertain the mechanics involved in the case of each environmental exposure. We outlined how different environments affect the material in isolation and how they interact with other weathering conditions. This study will help better understand and model the damage mechanics involved in exposure to multiple environmental conditions.

Shaafaey, Mamoon↗

Effects of alloying on aging and hardening processes of steel with 20% nickel

Measurements of hardness, thermal emf, and electrical resistance were used to study the effects of Co, Mo, Ti and Al contents on aging and hardening processes in Fe 20%Ni steel. It is shown that the effects of these alloying elements differ substantially. Anomalies which arise in the temperature dependence of physical properties due to the presence of cobalt and molybdenum are reduced by the inclusion of titanium and aluminum (and vice versa).

Bogachev, I. N.↗

Time-Dependent Behavior of a Graphite/Thermoplastic Composite and the Effects of Stress and Physical Aging

Experimental studies were performed to determine the effects of stress and physical aging on the matrix dominated time dependent properties of IM7/8320 composite. Isothermal tensile creep/aging test techniques developed for polymers were adapted for testing of the composite material. Time dependent transverse and shear compliance's for an orthotropic plate were found from short term creep compliance measurements at constant, sub-T(8) temperatures. These compliance terms were shown to be affected by physical aging. Aging time shift factors and shift rates were found to be a function of temperature and applied stress.

Gates, Thomas S.↗

Investigation of Inverse Temperature Effects During Thermal-Radiation Aging of Semicrystalline Cable Insulation

Inverse temperature effects were observed for semi-crystalline polymers subjected to combined thermal and irradiation aging. The mechanical durability of materials aged at low temperatures degrades with dose faster than at high temperatures. In this paper, two crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) and two ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) type nuclear cable insulations were exposed to thermal-radiation aging at 100Gy/h up to 30Mrad and three temperatures (26°C, 50°C, 90°C). Their mass change and color change after aging were analyzed.

Ni, Yelin↗

The combined effects of hydrogen and aging condition on the deformation and fracture behavior of a precipitation-hardened nickel-base superalloy

The effect of hydrogen (H) on the deformation behavior of Monel K-500 in various isothermal heat treatment conditions (non-aged, under-aged, peak-aged, and over-aged) was assessed via uniaxial mechanical testing. H-charged and non-charged specimens were strained to failure to facilitate a comparison of ductility, fracture surface morphology, strength, and work hardening behavior. For all examined heat treatment conditions, H charging leads to a significant reduction in ductility, which is accompanied by a consistent change in fracture surface morphology from ductile microvoid coalescence to brittle intergranular fracture. While H charging led to a systematic enhancement in the yield strength of all heat treatments, the three age-hardened conditions exhibited a more than 2-fold increase relative to the non-aged heat treatment. This suggests that H modifies the dislocation–precipitate interactions, which also manifest themselves through changes in work hardening metrics related to the dislocation storage and recovery rates. In particular, the H-charged peak-aged specimen exhibited a significant increase in initial hardening (dislocation storage) rate relative to the H-charged under-aged specimen. Transmission electron microscopy of these samples revealed the onset of widespread dislocation looping in the H-charged peak-aged sample, in addition to the planar slip bands characteristic of the non-charged condition. This result suggests that hydrogen induces the particle shearing-to-looping transition at smaller particle sizes. Possible mechanistic explanations for this observed behavior are presented.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Structure and dynamics of small polyimide oligomers with silicon as a function of aging

The effect of UV curing and shearing on the structure and behavior of a polyimide (PI) binder as it disperses silicon particles in a battery electrode slurry was investigated. PI dispersant effectiveness increases with UV curing time, which controls the overall binder molecular weight. Here, the shear force during electrode casting causes higher molecular weight PI to agglomerate, resulting in battery anodes with poorly dispersed Si particles that do not cycle well. It is hypothesized that when PI binder is added above a critical amount, it conformally coats the silicon particles and greatly impedes Li ion transport. There is an “interzonal region” for binder loading where it disperses silicon well and provides a coverage that facilitates Li transport through the anode material and into the silicon particles. These results have implications in ensuring reproducible electrode manufacturing and increasing cell performance by optimizing the PI structure and coordination with the silicon precursor.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗