GRA12, a Toxoplasma dense granule protein associated with the intravacuolar membranous nanotubular network.

PubMed

Michelin, Adeline; Bittame, Amina; Bordat, Yann; Travier, Laetitia; Mercier, Corinne; Dubremetz, Jean-François; Lebrun, Maryse

2009-02-01

The intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii develops within the parasitophorous vacuole (PV), an intracellular niche in which it secretes proteins from secretory organelles named dense granules and rhoptries. Here, we describe a new dense granule protein that should now be referred to as GRA12, and that displays no homology with other proteins. Immunofluorescence and immuno-electron microscopy showed that GRA12 behaves similarly to both GRA2 and GRA6. It is secreted into the PV from the anterior pole of the parasite soon after the beginning of invasion, transits to the posterior invaginated pocket of the parasite where a membranous tubulovesicular network is first assembled, and finally resides throughout the vacuolar space, associated with the mature membranous nanotubular network. GRA12 fails to localise at the parasite posterior end in the absence of GRA2. Within the vacuolar space, like the other GRA proteins, GRA12 exists in both a soluble and a membrane-associated form. Using affinity chromatography experiments, we showed that in both the parasite and the PV soluble fractions, GRA12 is purified with the complex of GRA proteins associated with a tagged version of GRA2 and that this association is lost in the PV membranous fraction.

Evaluation of recombinant granule antigens GRA1 and GRA7 for serodiagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Toxoplasmosis, caused by the obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is an important zoonotic disease worldwide. The precise detection of T. gondii infection in dogs has important public health significance. In this study, recombinant granule antigen proteins GRA1 and GRA7 were evaluated as potential diagnostic markers for T. gondii infection in dogs by an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results GRA1 and GRA7 were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant GRA1, GRA7- and Toxoplasma lysate antigen (TLA)-based ELISAs were developed and evaluated using the canine positive and negative serum samples for anti-T. gondii antibodies determined by modified agglutination test (MAT) and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), showing a seroprevalence of 15.1% by TLA- and GRA1-ELISA, and 15.8% by GRA7-ELISA, and no significant difference was observed (P > 0.05). When compared with the two reference assays, MAT and IFAT, the GRA7-ELISA showed the highest co-positivity and co-negativity rates. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed a largest area under curve (AUC) of 0.973 (95% CI, 0.955 to 0.991), and a highest relative sensitivity (93.2%) and specificity (94.0%) for a cut-off value of 0.809 in GRA7-ELISA. Conclusions The results of the present study showed that GRA7-ELISA is highly sensitive and specific, and GRA7 is a potential serodiagnostic marker for the detection of T. gondii infection in dogs. PMID:25016474

Mutation of RNA polymerase beta subunit (rpoB) promotes hVISA-to-VISA phenotypic conversion of strain Mu3.

PubMed

Matsuo, Miki; Hishinuma, Tomomi; Katayama, Yuki; Cui, Longzhu; Kapi, Maria; Hiramatsu, Keiichi

2011-09-01

The clinical vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) strain Mu50 carries two mutations in the vraSR and graRS two-component regulatory systems (TCRSs), namely, vraS(I5N) and graR(N197S) (hereinafter designated graR). The clinical heterogeneously vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (hVISA) strain Mu3 shares with Mu50 the mutation in vraS that encodes the VraS two-component histidine kinase. Previously, we showed that introduction of the plasmid pgraR, carrying the mutated two-component response regulator graR, converted the hVISA strain Mu3 into VISA (vancomycin MIC = 4 mg/liter). Subsequently, however, we found that the introduction of a single copy of graR into the Mu3 chromosome by a gene replacement method did not confer on Mu3 the VISA phenotype. The gene-replaced strain Mu3graR thus obtained remained hVISA (MIC ≤ 2 mg/liter), although a small increase in vancomycin MIC was observed compared to that of the parent strain Mu3. Reevaluation of the Mu3 and Mu50 genomes revealed the presence of another mutation responsible for the expression of the VISA phenotype in Mu50. Here, we demonstrate that in addition to the two regulator mutations, a third mutation found in the Mu50 rpoB gene, encoding the RNA polymerase β subunit, was required for Mu3 to achieve the level of vancomycin resistance of Mu50. The selection of strain Mu3graR with rifampin gave rise to rpoB mutants with various levels of increased vancomycin resistance. Furthermore, 3 (33%) of 10 independently isolated VISA strains established from the heterogeneous subpopulations of Mu3graR were found to possess rpoB mutations with or without an accompanying rifampin-resistance phenotype. The data indicate that a sizable proportion of the resistant hVISA cell subpopulations is composed of spontaneous rpoB mutants with various degrees of increased vancomycin resistance.

Transcriptomic analysis reveals Toxoplasma gondii strain-specific differences in host cell response to dense granule protein GRA15.

PubMed

Liu, Qing; Gao, Wen-Wei; Elsheikha, Hany M; He, Jun-Jun; Li, Fa-Cai; Yang, Wen-Bin; Zhu, Xing-Quan

2018-06-19

Growth and replication of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii within host cell entail the production of several effector proteins, which the parasite exploits for counteracting the host's immune response. Despite considerable research to define the host signaling pathways manipulated by T. gondii and their effectors, there has been limited progress into understanding how individual members of the dense granule proteins (GRAs) modulate gene expression within host cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether T. gondii GRA15 protein plays any role in regulating host gene expression. Baby hamster kidney cells (BHK-21) were transfected with plasmids encoding GRA15 genes of either type I GT1 strain (GRA15 I ) or type II PRU strain (GRA15 II ). Gene expression patterns of transfected and nontransfected BHK-21 cells were investigated using RNA-sequencing analysis. GRA15 I and GRA15 II induced both known and novel transcriptional changes in the transfected BHK-21 cells compared with nontransfected cells. Pathway analysis revealed that GRA15 II was mainly involved in the regulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), NF-κB, HTLV-I infection, and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways. GRA15 I preferentially influenced the synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids in host cells. Our findings support the hypothesis that certain functions of GRA15 protein are strain dependent and that GRA15 modulates the expression of signaling pathways and genes with important roles in T. gondii pathophysiology. A greater understanding of host signaling pathways influenced by T. gondii effectors would allow the development of more efficient anti-T. gondii therapeutic schemes, capitalizing on disrupting parasite virulence factors to advance the treatment of toxoplasmosis.

The optimal mixture of Toxoplasma gondii recombinant antigens (GRA1, P22, ROP1) for diagnosis of ovine toxoplasmosis.

PubMed

Holec-Gąsior, Lucyna; Ferra, Bartłomiej; Hiszczyńska-Sawicka, Elżbieta; Kur, Józef

2014-12-15

Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is the major parasitic disease affecting sheep. Infection not only results in significant reproductive losses in these animals, but has public health implications since consumption of infected meat can facilitate zoonotic transmission. Although several serological tests are currently used for diagnosis of ovine toxoplasmosis, production of reliable reagents is a constraint and therefore there is a need to develop new diagnostic tools. In this paper, we assess for the first time, the preliminary diagnostic utility of 19 T. gondii recombinant antigens (GRA1, GRA2ex2, GRA4, GRA5, GRA6, GRA9, SAG1, SAG4, BSR4, P22, ROP1, P36, MIC1ex2, MIC1ex34, MIC3, MAG1, BAG1, LDH1, and LDH2) in immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (IgG ELISAs). Following an initial evaluation, eight recombinant antigens (GRA1, GRA9, SAG1, SAG4, P22, MIC1ex2, MIC3, ROP1) were chosen for subsequent testing and comparison against the native Toxoplasma lysate antigen (TLA) in IgG ELISAs using 88 sera from naturally infected sheep and 20 sera from healthy animals. The reactivity of these antigens was variable with the best results for GRA1, P22, ROP1 and TLA. High sensitivity and specificity (100%) was noted for GRA1, ROP1 and TLA; P22 showed a slightly lower sensitivity (98.9%) but the same high specificity (100%). Four different combinations of these antigens (M1: GRA1+ROP1; M2: GRA1+P22; M3: P22+ROP1; M4: GRA1+P22+ROP1) were tested against the same pool of ovine sera; all IgG-positive serum samples were detected by all of the mixtures. However, the most effective for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in sheep, based on the highest absorbance values, was the mixture M4 containing three proteins. High sensitivity and specificity (100%) was observed from tests containing either M4 or TLA antigens with a new pool of sera (93 seropositive and 35 seronegative). Thus, the present study shows that a cocktail of GRA1+P22+ROP1 recombinant proteins can be used to diagnose T. gondii infection in sheep, and consequently will assist in epidemiological studies. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Semiquantitative Dot Blot with the GRA8 antigen to differentiate the stages of toxoplasmosis infection.

PubMed

Costa, Juan Gabriel; Vilariño, María Julia

2018-06-01

In this work we present a novel methodology to differentiate the phases of toxoplasmosis infection: the "semiquantitative Dot Blot". It is a simple technique that does not require expensive equipment, does not involve a long technique development, and can be used in a low-complexity laboratory. In this study, two recombinant sequences of Toxoplasma gondii GRA8 antigen were used, and specific IgG antibodies were detected in selected patient samples. This method makes it possible to obtain a score for each serum and define whether the patient is in the acute or chronic phase of the infection. The sensitivity and specificity results varied depending on the antigenic sequence used. With GRA8A, 62.1% and 72.7% were obtained, while with GRA8B, 82.8% and 72.1% were obtained, respectively. Although the sensitivity and specificity values were not close to 100%, they were similar to those reported with the same antigens in ELISA. Therefore, this quantitative technique would be a good alternative to ELISA. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical Mapping of Vesta

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prettyman, Thomas H.; Mittlefehldt, D. W.; Yamashita, N.; Lawrence, D. J.; Beck, A. W.; McSween, H. Y.; Feldman, W. C.; McCoy, T. J.; Titus, T. N.; Toplis, M. J.;

Theoretical Investigation of Absorptive Processes.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-05-01

sections are plotted (log-log scale, MKS units throughout) vs. wavelength over the range from 0 . 1 to 100 microns, for a specified radius, length, and...long compared to wavelength (although one should note that no difficulties arise in the example shown, provided kL I’ 3. 5 ). It was thus decided to use...of the fiber, in that n is chosen as AoceslonFor n = Nearest integer to (ki + 1). 1NTIS GRA&I (1) jDTIC TAB 0 Unnnounced By __ 2 -vo-.-. ---. 1-- MS

An Approximately 4.35 Ga Ar-Ar Age for GRA 8 and the Complex Chronology of its Parent Body

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Park, J.; Nyquist, Laurence E.; Bogard, D. D.; Garrison, D. H.; Shih, C.-Y.; Reese, Y. D.

2010-01-01

GRA06128 and GRA06129 (hereafter GRA 8 and GRA 9) are partial melts of a parent body of approximately chondritic composition. We reported a conventional Sm-147-Nd-143 isochron age of 4.559+/-0.096 Ga and a 146 Sm-142Nd model age of 4.549+/-0.036 for combined data for the two rocks. Plagioclase plus whole rock and leachate (approx.phosphate) samples gave a secondary Sm-147-Nd-143 age of 3.4+/-0.4 Ga. An Ar-39-Ar-40 age of 4.460+/-0.028 Ga was interpreted as dating metamorphism in GRA 9. We report Ar-39-Ar-40 ages in the range approx.4344-4366 Ma for GRA 8, establishing similar but different Ar-39-Ar-40 ages for the two rocks, consistent with their different Sr-isotopic systematics, and discuss these ages in the context of the complex sequence of events that affected these samples.

An Approximately 4.35 Ga Ar-Ar Age for GRA 8 and the Complex Chronology of its Parent Body

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Park, J.; Nyquist, L. E.; Bogard, D. D.; Garrison, D. H.; Shih, C.-Y.; Reese, Y. D.

2010-01-01

GRA06128 and GRA06129 (hereafter GRA 8 and GRA 9) are partial melts of a parent body of approximately chondritic composition. We reported a conventional SM-147Sm-ND_143 isochron age of 4.559 +/-.096 Ga and a SM-146-142Nd model age of 4.549 +/- 0.036 for combined data for the two rocks. Plagioclase plus whole rock and leachate (approximately phosphate) samples gave a secondary SM-147-ND-143 age of 3.4 +/-0.4 Ga. An Ar-39-Ar-40 age of 4.460+/-0.028 Ga was interpreted by as dating metamorphism in GRA 9. We report Ar-39-Ar-40 ages in the range approximately 4344-4366 Ma for GRA 8, establishing similar but different Ar-39-Ar-40 ages for the two rocks, consistent with their different Sr-istopic systematics, and discuss these ages in the context of the complex sequence of events that affected these samples

HLA-DP, HLA-DQ, and HLA-DR-restricted epitopes in GRA5 of toxoplasma gondii strains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haryati, S.; Sari, Y.; Prasetyo, A. A.; Sariyatun, R.

2016-01-01

The dense granular (GRA) proteins of Toxoplasma gondii(T. gondii) have been demonstrated as potential sources of T. gondii vaccine antigens. However, data of the GRA5 protein are limited. This study analyzed twenty-one complete GRA5 sequences of T. gondii GT1, RH, ME49, VEG, MAS, RUB, FOU, p89, VAND, and GAB2-2007-GAL-DOM2 strains to identify potential epitopes restricted by Major Histocompatibility Complex class II (MHC- II) molecules (human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DP, HLA-DQ, and HLA-DR) in the protein. In all T. gondii strains, peptides positioned at amino acid (aa) 15-29, 16-30, 17-31, 18-32, 19-33, 83-97, 84-98, 86-100, 87-101, 89-103, and 90-104 were predicted to pose high affinity and binding with HLA-DRB1*0101, HLA-DRB1*0301 (DR17), HLA-DRB1*0401 (DR4Dw4), HLA-DRB1*0701, HLA-DRB1*1101, HLA-DRB1*1501 (DR2b), and/or HLA-DRB5*0101. Considering the epitope's affinity, ligation strength, and hydrophilicity, LRLLRRRRRRAIQEE sequence (aa 90-104) restricted by HLA-DRB1*0101, HlA- DRB1*0301 (DR17), and HLA-DRB1*0401 (DR4Dw4) was considered as the most potential MHC-II epitope in GRA5 of T. gondii. These results would be useful for studies concerning in developing T. gondii vaccine and diagnostic method.

K/TH in Achondrites and Interpretation of Grand Data for the Dawn Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Usui, T.; McSween, H. Y., Jr.; Mittlefehldt, D. W.; Prettyman, T. H.

2008-01-01

The Dawn mission will explore 4 Vesta [1], a highly differentiated asteroid believed to be the parent body of the howardite, eucrite and diogenite (HED) meteorite suite [e.g. 2]. The Dawn spacecraft is equipped with a gamma-ray and neutron detector (GRaND), which will enable measurement and mapping of elemental abundances on Vesta s surface [3]. Drawing on HED geochemistry, Usui and McSween [4] proposed a linear mixing model for interpretation of GRaND data. However, the HED suite is not the only achondrite suite representing asteroidal basaltic crusts; others include the mesosiderites, angrites, NWA 011, and possibly Ibitira, each of which is thought to have a distinct parental asteroid [5]. Here we critically examine the variability of GRaND-analyzed elements, K and Th, in HED meteorites, and propose a method based on the K-Th systematics to distinguish between HED and the other differentiated achondrites. Maps of these elements might also recognize incompatible element enriched areas such as mapped locally on the Moon (KREEP) [6], and variations in K/Th ratios might indicate impact volatilization of K. We also propose a new mixing model using elements that will be most reliably measured by GRaND, including K.

Optimizing the static-dynamic performance of the body-in-white using a modified non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm coupled with grey relational analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Dengfeng; Cai, Kefang

2018-04-01

This article presents a hybrid method combining a modified non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (MNSGA-II) with grey relational analysis (GRA) to improve the static-dynamic performance of a body-in-white (BIW). First, an implicit parametric model of the BIW was built using SFE-CONCEPT software, and then the validity of the implicit parametric model was verified by physical testing. Eight shape design variables were defined for BIW beam structures based on the implicit parametric technology. Subsequently, MNSGA-II was used to determine the optimal combination of the design parameters that can improve the bending stiffness, torsion stiffness and low-order natural frequencies of the BIW without considerable increase in the mass. A set of non-dominated solutions was then obtained in the multi-objective optimization design. Finally, the grey entropy theory and GRA were applied to rank all non-dominated solutions from best to worst to determine the best trade-off solution. The comparison between the GRA and the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) illustrated the reliability and rationality of GRA. Moreover, the effectiveness of the hybrid method was verified by the optimal results such that the bending stiffness, torsion stiffness, first order bending and first order torsion natural frequency were improved by 5.46%, 9.30%, 7.32% and 5.73%, respectively, with the mass of the BIW increasing by 1.30%.

Petrography and Origin of the Unique Achondrite GRA 06128 and 06129: Preliminary Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Treiman, A. H.; Morris, R. V.; Kring, D. A.; Mittlefehldt, D. W.; Jones, J. H.

2008-01-01

GRA 06128 & 06129 are paired achondrites [1], with unique mineral proportions (75% oligoclase), mineral compositions, and oxygen isotope ratios. They appear to represent alkalic igneous rock from a hitherto unsampled differentiated parent body, modified significantly by thermal and shock metamorphism. Samples and Methods: Bulk samples were examined at JSC during splitting for consortium analyses. Microscope and BSE images here are on thick section GRA06128,40. Chemical analyses of minerals were acquired at Johnson Space Center with the Cameca SX100, operated at 15 kV. Feldspar was analyzed with a defocused 5 micron beam @ 5 nA; other minerals were analyzed with a focused beam @ 20 nA. Moessbauer spectra were obtained at ARES, JSC [2]. Intrinsic radioactivity was measured in the low-level counting facility at ARES JSC [3]. An estimated abundance of Al-26 of approx. 70 dpm/kg is within the range determined for eucrites.

A chloroplast-derived Toxoplasma gondii GRA4 antigen used as an oral vaccine protects against toxoplasmosis in mice.

PubMed

Del L Yácono, María; Farran, Inmaculada; Becher, Melina L; Sander, Valeria; Sánchez, Vanesa R; Martín, Valentina; Veramendi, Jon; Clemente, Marina

2012-12-01

The parasitic protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, the causal agent of toxoplasmosis, can infect most mammals and birds. In human medicine, T. gondii can cause complications in pregnant women and immunodeficient individuals, while in veterinary medicine, T. gondii infection has economic importance due to abortion and neonatal loss in livestock. Thus, the development of an effective anti-Toxoplasma vaccine would be of great value. In this study, we analysed the expression of T. gondii GRA4 antigen by chloroplast transformation (chlGRA4) in tobacco plants and evaluated the humoral and cellular responses and the grade of protection after oral administration of chlGRA4 in a murine model. The Western blot analysis revealed a specific 34-kDa band mainly present in the insoluble fractions. The chlGRA4 accumulation levels were approximately 6 μg/g of fresh weight (equivalent to 0.2% of total protein). Oral immunization with chlGRA4 resulted in a decrease of 59% in the brain cyst load of mice compared to control mice. ChlGRA4 immunization elicited both a mucosal immune response characterized by the production of specific IgA, and IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 secretion by mesenteric lymph node cells, and a systemic response in terms of GRA4-specific serum antibodies and secretion of IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 by splenocytes. Our results indicate that oral administration of chlGRA4 promotes the elicitation of both mucosal and systemic balanced Th1/Th2 responses that control Toxoplasma infection, reducing parasite loads. © 2012 The Authors Plant Biotechnology Journal © 2012 Society for Experimental Biology, Association of Applied Biologists and Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Low-Degree Partial Melting Experiments of CR and H Chondrite Compositions: Implications for Asteroidal Magmatism Recorded in GRA 06128 and GRA 06129 T

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Usui, T.; Jones, John H.; Mittlefehldt, D. W.

2010-01-01

Studies of differentiated meteorites have revealed a diversity of differentiation processes on their parental asteroids; these differentiation mechanisms range from whole-scale melting to partial melting without the core formation [e.g., 1]. Recently discovered paired achondrites GRA 06128 and GRA 06129 (hereafter referred to as GRA) represent unique asteroidal magmatic processes. These meteorites are characterized by high abundances of sodic plagioclase and alkali-rich whole-rock compositions, implying that they could originate from a low-degree partial melt from a volatile-rich oxidized asteroid [e.g., 2, 3, 4]. These conditions are consistent with the high abundances of highly siderophile elements, suggesting that their parent asteroid did not segregate a metallic core [2]. In this study, we test the hypothesis that low-degree partial melts of chondritic precursors under oxidizing conditions can explain the whole-rock and mineral chemistry of GRA based on melting experiments of synthesized CR- and H-chondrite compositions.

An Integrated Multi-Omics Approach Reveals the Effects of Supplementing Grass or Grass Hay with Vitamin E on the Rumen Microbiome and Its Function

PubMed Central

Belanche, Alejandro; Kingston-Smith, Alison H.; Newbold, Charles J.

2016-01-01

Rumen function is generally suboptimal leading to losses in methane and nitrogen. Analysis of the rumen microbiome is thus important to understanding the underlying microbial activity under different feeding strategies. This study investigated the effect of forage conservation method and vitamin E supplementation on rumen function using a rumen simulation technique. Ryegrass (GRA) or ryegrass hay (HAY) was supplemented with 20% concentrate containing zero or 50 IU/d vitamin E, as α-tocopheryl acetate, according to a 2 × 2 factorial design. The forage conservation method did not substantially change the nutrient composition but had a profound impact on the structure and diversity of the rumen microbiome. HAY diets promoted a more complex bacterial community (+38 OTUs) dominated by Firmicutes. This bacterial adaptation, together with increased rumen protozoa levels and methanogen diversity, was associated with greater fiber disappearance (+12%) in HAY diets, but also with greater rumen true N degradability (+7%) than GRA diets. HAY diets also had a higher metabolic H recovery and methane production (+35%) suggesting more efficient inter-species H transfer between bacteria, protozoa and methanogens. Contrarily, GRA diets promoted more simplified methanogen and bacterial communities, which were dominated by Bacteroidetes and Lactobacillus, thus lactate formation may have acted as an alternative H sink in GRA diets. Moreover the structure of the bacterial community with GRA diets was highly correlated with N utilization, and GRA diets promoted greater bacterial growth and microbial protein synthesis (+16%), as well as a more efficient microbial protein synthesis (+22%). A dose-response experiment using batch cultures revealed that vitamin E supplementation increased rumen fermentation in terms of total VFA and gas production, with protozoal activity higher when supplying α-tocopheryl acetate vs. α-tocopherol. Moreover, α-tocopheryl acetate promoted a small increase in feed degradability (+8%), possibly as a result of its antioxidant properties which led to higher bacterial and protozoal levels. Vitamin E supplementation also modified the levels of some methanogen species indicating that they may be particularly sensitive to oxidative stresses. Our findings suggested that when possible, grass should be fed instead of grass hay, in order to improve rumen function and to decrease the environmental impact of livestock agriculture. PMID:27375609

The aspartyl protease TgASP5 mediates the export of the Toxoplasma GRA16 and GRA24 effectors into host cells.

PubMed

Curt-Varesano, Aurélie; Braun, Laurence; Ranquet, Caroline; Hakimi, Mohamed-Ali; Bougdour, Alexandre

2016-02-01

Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium species are obligatory intracellular parasites that export proteins into the infected cells in order to interfere with host-signalling pathways, acquire nutrients or evade host defense mechanisms. With regard to export mechanism, a wealth of information in Plasmodium spp. is available, while the mechanisms operating in T. gondii remain uncertain. The recent discovery of exported proteins in T. gondii, mainly represented by dense granule resident proteins, might explain this discrepancy and offers a unique opportunity to study the export mechanism in T. gondii. Here, we report that GRA16 export is mediated by two protein elements present in its N-terminal region. Because the first element contains a putative Plasmodium export element linear motif (RRLAE), we hypothesized that GRA16 export depended on a maturation process involving protein cleavage. Using both N- and C-terminal epitope tags, we provide evidence for protein proteolysis occurring in the N-terminus of GRA16. We show that TgASP5, the T. gondii homolog of Plasmodium plasmepsin V, is essential for GRA16 export and is directly responsible for its maturation in a Plasmodium export element-dependent manner. Interestingly, TgASP5 is also involved in GRA24 export, although the GRA24 maturation mechanism is TgASP5-independent. Our data reveal different modus operandi for protein export, in which TgASP5 should play multiple functions. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Interactions of carbon nanotubes and/or graphene with manganese peroxidase during biodegradation of endocrine disruptors and triclosan.

PubMed

Chen, Ming; Zeng, Guangming; Lai, Cui; Zhang, Chang; Xu, Piao; Yan, Min; Xiong, Weiping

2017-10-01

Molecular-level biodegradation processes of bisphenol A (BPA), nonylphenol (NP) and triclosan (TCS) mediated by manganese peroxidase (MnP) were investigated with and without single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and/or graphene (GRA). Although the incorporation of SWCNT, GRA or their combination (SWCNT+GRA) did not break up the complexes composed of manganese peroxidase (MnP) and these substrates, they had different effects on the native contacts between the substrates and MnP. GRA tended to decrease the overall stability of the binding between MnP and its substrates. SWCNT or SWCNT+GRA generally had a minor impact on the mean binding energy between MnP and its substrates. We detected some sensitive residues from MnP that were dramatically disturbed by the GRA, SWCNT or SWCNT+GRA. Nanomaterials changed the number and behavior of water molecules adjacent to both MnP and its substrates, which was not due to the destruction of H-bond network formed by sensitive regions and water molecules. The present results are useful for understanding the molecular basis of pollutant biodegradation affected by the nanomaterials in the environment, and are also helpful in assessing the risks of these materials to the environment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Immunization of C57BL/6 Mice with GRA2 Combined with MPL Conferred Partial Immune Protection against Toxoplasma gondii

PubMed

Babaie, Jalal; Amiri, Samira; Homayoun, Robab; Azimi, Ebrahim; Mohabati, Reyhaneh; Berizi, Mahboobe; Sadaie, M. Reza; Golkar, Majid

2018-01-01

We have previously reported that immunization with GRA2 antigen of Toxoplasma gondii induces protective immunity in CBA/J (H2k) and BALB/c mice (H2d). We aimed to examine whether immunization of a distinct strain of rodent with recombinant dense granule antigens (GRA2) combined with monophosphorryl lipid A (MPL) adjuvant elicits protective immune response against T. gondii. C57BL/6 (H2b haplotype) mice were immunized with GRA2, formulated in MPL adjuvant. Strong humoral response, predominantly of IgG1 subclass and cellular response, IFN-γ, was detected at three weeks post immunization. Mice immunized with GRA2 had significantly (p < 0.01) fewer brain cysts than those in the adjuvant group, upon challenge infection. Despite the production of a strong antibody response, IFN-γ production and brain cyst reduction were not significant when the immunized mice were infected four months after the immunization. We can conclude that GRA2 immunization partially protects against T. gondii infection in C57BL/6 mice, though the potency and longevity of this antigen as a standalone vaccine may vary in distinct genetic backgrounds. This observation further emphasizes the utility of GRA2 for incorporation into a multi-antigenic vaccine against T. gondii.

High efficiency solid state dye sensitized solar cells with graphene-polyethylene oxide composite electrolytes.

PubMed

Akhtar, M Shaheer; Kwon, Soonji; Stadler, Florian J; Yang, O Bong

2013-06-21

Novel and highly effective composite electrolytes were prepared by combining the two dimensional graphene (Gra) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) for the solid electrolyte of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Gra sheets were uniformly coated by the polymer layer through the ester carboxylate bonding between oxygenated species on Gra sheets and PEO. The Gra-PEO composite electrolyte showed the large scale generation of iodide ions in a redox couple. From rheological analysis, the decrease in viscosity after the addition of LiI and I2 in the Gra-PEO electrolyte might be explained by the dipolar interactions being severely disrupted by the ionic interactions of Li(+), I(-), and I3(-) ions. A composite electrolyte with 0.5 wt% Gra presented a higher ionic conductivity (3.32 mS cm(-1)) than those of PEO and other composite electrolytes at room temperature. A high overall conversion efficiency (∼5.23%) with a very high short circuit current (JSC) of 18.32 mA cm(-2), open circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.592 V and fill factor (FF) of 0.48 was achieved in DSSCs fabricated with the 0.5 wt% Gra-PEO composite electrolyte. This enhanced photovoltaic performance might be attributed to the large scale formation of iodide ions in the redox electrolyte and the relatively high ionic conductivity.

Global resilience analysis of water distribution systems.

PubMed

Diao, Kegong; Sweetapple, Chris; Farmani, Raziyeh; Fu, Guangtao; Ward, Sarah; Butler, David

2016-12-01

Evaluating and enhancing resilience in water infrastructure is a crucial step towards more sustainable urban water management. As a prerequisite to enhancing resilience, a detailed understanding is required of the inherent resilience of the underlying system. Differing from traditional risk analysis, here we propose a global resilience analysis (GRA) approach that shifts the objective from analysing multiple and unknown threats to analysing the more identifiable and measurable system responses to extreme conditions, i.e. potential failure modes. GRA aims to evaluate a system's resilience to a possible failure mode regardless of the causal threat(s) (known or unknown, external or internal). The method is applied to test the resilience of four water distribution systems (WDSs) with various features to three typical failure modes (pipe failure, excess demand, and substance intrusion). The study reveals GRA provides an overview of a water system's resilience to various failure modes. For each failure mode, it identifies the range of corresponding failure impacts and reveals extreme scenarios (e.g. the complete loss of water supply with only 5% pipe failure, or still meeting 80% of demand despite over 70% of pipes failing). GRA also reveals that increased resilience to one failure mode may decrease resilience to another and increasing system capacity may delay the system's recovery in some situations. It is also shown that selecting an appropriate level of detail for hydraulic models is of great importance in resilience analysis. The method can be used as a comprehensive diagnostic framework to evaluate a range of interventions for improving system resilience in future studies. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Multi-response optimization of T300/epoxy prepreg tape-wound cylinder by grey relational analysis coupled with the response surface method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, Chao; Shi, Yaoyao; He, Xiaodong; Yu, Tao; Deng, Bo; Zhang, Hongji; Sun, Pengcheng; Zhang, Wenbin

2017-09-01

This study investigates the multi-objective optimization of quality characteristics for a T300/epoxy prepreg tape-wound cylinder. The method integrates the Taguchi method, grey relational analysis (GRA) and response surface methodology, and is adopted to improve tensile strength and reduce residual stress. In the winding process, the main process parameters involving winding tension, pressure, temperature and speed are selected to evaluate the parametric influences on tensile strength and residual stress. Experiments are conducted using the Box-Behnken design. Based on principal component analysis, the grey relational grades are properly established to convert multi-responses into an individual objective problem. Then the response surface method is used to build a second-order model of grey relational grade and predict the optimum parameters. The predictive accuracy of the developed model is proved by two test experiments with a low prediction error of less than 7%. The following process parameters, namely winding tension 124.29 N, pressure 2000 N, temperature 40 °C and speed 10.65 rpm, have the highest grey relational grade and give better quality characteristics in terms of tensile strength and residual stress. The confirmation experiment shows that better results are obtained with GRA improved by the proposed method than with ordinary GRA. The proposed method is proved to be feasible and can be applied to optimize the multi-objective problem in the filament winding process.

Antibacterial Effects of Glycyrrhetinic Acid and Its Derivatives on Staphylococcus aureus

PubMed Central

Oyama, Kentaro; Kawada-Matsuo, Miki; Oogai, Yuichi; Hayashi, Tetsuya; Nakamura, Norifumi; Komatsuzawa, Hitoshi

2016-01-01

Staphylococcus aureus is a major pathogen in humans and causes serious problems due to antibiotic resistance. We investigated the antimicrobial effect of glycyrrhetinic acid (GRA) and its derivatives against 50 clinical S. aureus strains, including 18 methicillin-resistant strains. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of GRA, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, disodium succinoyl glycyrrhetinate (GR-SU), stearyl glycyrrhetinate and glycyrrhetinyl stearate were evaluated against various S. aureus strains. Additionally, we investigated the bactericidal effects of GRA and GR-SU against two specific S. aureus strains. DNA microarray analysis was also performed to clarify the mechanism underlying the antibacterial activity of GR-SU. We detected the antimicrobial activities of five agents against S. aureus strains. GRA and GR-SU showed strong antibacterial activities compared to the other three agents tested. At a higher concentration (above 2x MIC), GRA and GR-SU showed bactericidal activity, whereas at a concentration of 1x MIC, they showed a bacteriostatic effect. Additionally, GRA and GR-SU exhibited a synergistic effect with gentamicin. The expression of a large number of genes (including transporters) and metabolic factors (carbohydrates and amino acids) was altered by the addition of GR-SU, suggesting that the inhibition of these metabolic processes may influence the degree of the requirement for carbohydrates or amino acids. In fact, the requirement for carbohydrates or amino acids was increased in the presence of either GRA or GR-SU. GRA and GR-SU exhibited strong antibacterial activity against several S. aureus strains, including MRSA. This activity may be partly due to the inhibition of several pathways involved in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. PMID:27820854

Intravacuolar Membranes Regulate CD8 T Cell Recognition of Membrane-Bound Toxoplasma gondii Protective Antigen.

PubMed

Lopez, Jodie; Bittame, Amina; Massera, Céline; Vasseur, Virginie; Effantin, Grégory; Valat, Anne; Buaillon, Célia; Allart, Sophie; Fox, Barbara A; Rommereim, Leah M; Bzik, David J; Schoehn, Guy; Weissenhorn, Winfried; Dubremetz, Jean-François; Gagnon, Jean; Mercier, Corinne; Cesbron-Delauw, Marie-France; Blanchard, Nicolas

2015-12-15

Apicomplexa parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii target effectors to and across the boundary of their parasitophorous vacuole (PV), resulting in host cell subversion and potential presentation by MHC class I molecules for CD8 T cell recognition. The host-parasite interface comprises the PV limiting membrane and a highly curved, membranous intravacuolar network (IVN) of uncertain function. Here, using a cell-free minimal system, we dissect how membrane tubules are shaped by the parasite effectors GRA2 and GRA6. We show that membrane association regulates access of the GRA6 protective antigen to the MHC I pathway in infected cells. Although insertion of GRA6 in the PV membrane is key for immunogenicity, association of GRA6 with the IVN limits presentation and curtails GRA6-specific CD8 responses in mice. Thus, membrane deformations of the PV regulate access of antigens to the MHC class I pathway, and the IVN may play a role in immune modulation. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Host cell subversion by Toxoplasma GRA16, an exported dense granule protein that targets the host cell nucleus and alters gene expression.

PubMed

Bougdour, Alexandre; Durandau, Eric; Brenier-Pinchart, Marie-Pierre; Ortet, Philippe; Barakat, Mohamed; Kieffer, Sylvie; Curt-Varesano, Aurélie; Curt-Bertini, Rose-Laurence; Bastien, Olivier; Coute, Yohann; Pelloux, Hervé; Hakimi, Mohamed-Ali

2013-04-17

After invading host cells, Toxoplasma gondii multiplies within a parasitophorous vacuole (PV) that is maintained by parasite proteins secreted from organelles called dense granules. Most dense granule proteins remain within the PV, and few are known to access the host cell cytosol. We identify GRA16 as a dense granule protein that is exported through the PV membrane and reaches the host cell nucleus, where it positively modulates genes involved in cell-cycle progression and the p53 tumor suppressor pathway. GRA16 binds two host enzymes, the deubiquitinase HAUSP and PP2A phosphatase, which exert several functions, including regulation of p53 and the cell cycle. GRA16 alters p53 levels in a HAUSP-dependent manner and induces nuclear translocation of the PP2A holoenzyme. Additionally, certain GRA16-deficient strains exhibit attenuated virulence, indicating the importance of these host alterations in pathogenesis. Therefore, GRA16 represents a potentially emerging subfamily of exported dense granule proteins that modulate host function. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Oxidation Stability of Pig Liver Pâté with Increasing Levels of Natural Antioxidants (Grape and Tea)

PubMed Central

Pateiro, Mirian; Lorenzo, José M.; Vázquez, José A.; Franco, Daniel

2015-01-01

The present study investigated the effect of the addition of increasing levels of the natural antioxidants tea (TEA) and grape seed extracts (GRA) on the physiochemical and oxidative stability of refrigerated stored pig pâtés. In addition, a synthetic antioxidant and a control batch were used, thus a total of eight batches of liver pâté were prepared: CON, BHT, TEA (TEA50, TEA200 and TEA1000) and GRA (GRA50, GRA200 and GRA1000). Pâté samples were analyzed following 0, 4, 8 and 24 weeks of storage. Color parameters were affected by storage period and level of antioxidant extract. Samples with TEA200 and GRA1000 levels of extracts showed lower total color difference between 0 and 24 weeks. At the end of storage period, the lower TBARs values were obtained in samples with the highest concentration on natural extract. Overall, the evolution of volatile compounds showed an increase in those ones that arise from the lipid oxidation and samples with TEA1000 extract showed the lowest values. PMID:26785340

Integrating service user and practitioner expertise within a web-based system for collaborative mental-health risk and safety management.

PubMed

Buckingham, Christopher D; Adams, Ann; Vail, Laura; Kumar, Ashish; Ahmed, Abu; Whelan, Annie; Karasouli, Eleni

2015-10-01

To develop a decision support system (DSS), myGRaCE, that integrates service user (SU) and practitioner expertise about mental health and associated risks of suicide, self-harm, harm to others, self-neglect, and vulnerability. The intention is to help SUs assess and manage their own mental health collaboratively with practitioners. An iterative process involving interviews, focus groups, and agile software development with 115 SUs, to elicit and implement myGRaCE requirements. Findings highlight shared understanding of mental health risk between SUs and practitioners that can be integrated within a single model. However, important differences were revealed in SUs' preferred process of assessing risks and safety, which are reflected in the distinctive interface, navigation, tool functionality and language developed for myGRaCE. A challenge was how to provide flexible access without overwhelming and confusing users. The methods show that practitioner expertise can be reformulated in a format that simultaneously captures SU expertise, to provide a tool highly valued by SUs. A stepped process adds necessary structure to the assessment, each step with its own feedback and guidance. The GRiST web-based DSS (www.egrist.org) links and integrates myGRaCE self-assessments with GRiST practitioner assessments for supporting collaborative and self-managed healthcare. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Serodiagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in farm animals (horses, swine, and sheep) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using chimeric antigens.

PubMed

Ferra, Bartłomiej; Holec-Gąsior, Lucyna; Kur, Józef

2015-10-01

Toxoplasma gondii infects all warm-blooded animals including humans, causing serious public health problems and great economic loss in the animal husbandry. Commonly used serological tests for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis involve preparation of whole Toxoplasma lysate antigen (TLA) from tachyzoites. The production of this antigen is associated with high costs and lengthy preparation and the possibility of staff infection. There are also some difficulties in the standardization of such tests. One approach in order to improve the diagnosis of T. gondii infection is to use recombinant chimeric antigens in place of the TLA, which was confirmed by studies in the serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis in humans. In this paper, we assess, for the first time, the diagnostic utility of five T. gondii recombinant chimeric antigens (MIC1-MAG1-SAG1S, SAG1L-MIC1-MAG1, SAG2-GRA1-ROP1S, SAG2-GRA1-ROP1L, and GRA1-GRA2-GRA6) in immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (IgG ELISAs) with sera from three different groups of livestock animals (horses, pigs, and sheep). The reactivity of individual chimeric antigens was analyzed in relation to the results obtained in IgG ELISAs based on a mixture of three antigens (M1: rSAG1+rMIC1+rMAG1, M2: rSAG2+rGRA1+rROP1, and M3: rGRA1+rGRA2+rGRA6) and referenced to TLA. All chimeric antigens were characterized by high specificity (100%), and the sensitivity of the IgG ELISAs based on chimeric antigens was variable (between 28.4% and 100%) and mainly dependent on the animal species. The chimeric antigens were generally more reactive than mixtures of three antigens. The most effective for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis was SAG2-GRA1-ROP1L, which can detect specific anti-T. gondii antibodies in 100%, 93.8%, and 100% of positive serum samples from horses, pigs, and sheep, respectively. The present study shows that recombinant chimeric antigens can be successfully used to diagnose T. gondii infection in farm animals, and can replace the commonly used TLA. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

The GraS Sensor in Staphylococcus aureus Mediates Resistance to Host Defense Peptides Differing in Mechanisms of Action.

PubMed

Chaili, Siyang; Cheung, Ambrose L; Bayer, Arnold S; Xiong, Yan Q; Waring, Alan J; Memmi, Guido; Donegan, Niles; Yang, Soo-Jin; Yeaman, Michael R

2016-02-01

Staphylococcus aureus uses the two-component regulatory system GraRS to sense and respond to host defense peptides (HDPs). However, the mechanistic impact of GraS or its extracellular sensing loop (EL) on HDP resistance is essentially unexplored. Strains with null mutations in the GraS holoprotein (ΔgraS) or its EL (ΔEL) were compared for mechanisms of resistance to HDPs of relevant immune sources: neutrophil α-defensin (human neutrophil peptide 1 [hNP-1]), cutaneous β-defensin (human β-defensin 2 [hBD-2]), or the platelet kinocidin congener RP-1. Actions studied by flow cytometry included energetics (ENR); membrane permeabilization (PRM); annexin V binding (ANX), and cell death protease activation (CDP). Assay conditions simulated bloodstream (pH 7.5) or phagolysosomal (pH 5.5) pH contexts. S. aureus strains were more susceptible to HDPs at pH 7.5 than at pH 5.5, and each HDP exerted a distinct effect signature. The impacts of ΔgraS and ΔΕL on HDP resistance were peptide and pH dependent. Both mutants exhibited defects in ANX response to hNP-1 or hBD-2 at pH 7.5, but only hNP-1 did so at pH 5.5. Both mutants exhibited hyper-PRM, -ANX, and -CDP responses to RP-1 at both pHs and hypo-ENR at pH 5.5. The actions correlated with ΔgraS or ΔΕL hypersusceptibility to hNP-1 or RP-1 (but not hBD-2) at pH 7.5 and to all study HDPs at pH 5.5. An exogenous EL mimic protected mutant strains from hNP-1 and hBD-2 but not RP-1, indicating that GraS and its EL play nonredundant roles in S. aureus survival responses to specific HDPs. These findings suggest that GraS mediates specific resistance countermeasures to HDPs in immune contexts that are highly relevant to S. aureus pathogenesis in humans. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Neutron Absorption Measurements Constrain Eucrite-Diogenite Mixing in Vesta's Regolith

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prettyman, T. H.; Mittlefehldt, D. W.; Feldman, W. C.; Hendricks, J. S.; Lawrence, D. J.; Peplowski, P. N.; Toplis, M. J.; Yamashita, N.; Beck, A.; LeCorre, L.;

The Group Reminiscence Approach Can Increase Self-Awareness of Memory Deficits and Evoke a Life Review in People With Mild Cognitive Impairment: The Kurihara Project Data.

PubMed

Nakamura, Kei; Kasai, Mari; Nakai, Megumi; Nakatsuka, Masahiro; Meguro, Kenichi

2016-06-01

The group reminiscence approach (GRA) and reality orientation (RO) are common psychosocial interventions for patients with dementia. As a qualitative evaluation of the reminiscence approach in patients with dementia, the Patient Report Outcome (PRO) is useful. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of GRA-RO for participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) using the PRO. A cluster randomized controlled trial. Community-based study. Ninety-four patients with MCI (39 GRA-RO, 23 physical activity, and 32 cognitive training) described their impressions. Based on the database of the Kurihara Project, we retrospectively analyzed the participants' descriptions of their impressions as a PRO in the nonpharmacological interventions: GRA-RO, physical activity, and cognitive training. We categorized the descriptions according to the following 2 types: impression with content and reminiscence with life review. We assessed what they wrote regarding memory loss. The content on their life reviews was also a particular focus for the GRA-RO group. PRO. Compared with the physical activity and the clinical training groups, the GRA-RO patients described their reminiscence with life review and their own memory problems. There was no confusion of the order of events of their autobiographical memories. There was a significant time effect between the 2 family involvement groups in quality-of-life (QOL) scores, and the postintervention QOL scores were significantly better than preintervention. This study suggests that the GRA-RO in participants with MCI not only stimulates life review but also increases self-awareness of memory deficits without confusion of the order of events. Thus, the GRA-RO may improve self-esteem and develop self-awareness. Copyright © 2016 AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Compact Graphical Representation of Phylogenetic Data and Metadata with GraPh1An

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-09-12

pipelines . This allows for a higher degree of analysis reproducibility, but the software must correspondingly be available for local installation and callable...these operations are available in the GraPhlAn software repository). Reproducible integration with existing analysis tools and pipelines Graphical...from different analysis pipelines , generating the necessary input files for GraPhlAn. Export2graphlan directly supports MetaPhlAn2, LEfSe, and HUMAnN

iGRaND: an invariant frame for RGBD sensor feature detection and descriptor extraction with applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Willis, Andrew R.; Brink, Kevin M.

2016-06-01

This article describes a new 3D RGBD image feature, referred to as iGRaND, for use in real-time systems that use these sensors for tracking, motion capture, or robotic vision applications. iGRaND features use a novel local reference frame derived from the image gradient and depth normal (hence iGRaND) that is invariant to scale and viewpoint for Lambertian surfaces. Using this reference frame, Euclidean invariant feature components are computed at keypoints which fuse local geometric shape information with surface appearance information. The performance of the feature for real-time odometry is analyzed and its computational complexity and accuracy is compared with leading alternative 3D features.

Ordered and layered structure of liquid nitromethane within a graphene bilayer: toward stabilization of energetic materials through nanoscale confinement.

PubMed

Liu, Yingzhe; Yu, Tao; Lai, Weipeng; Kang, Ying; Ge, Zhongxue

2015-03-01

The structural characteristics involving thermal stabilities of liquid nitromethane (NM)—one of the simplest energetic materials—confined within a graphene (GRA) bilayer were investigated by means of all-atom molecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory calculations. The results show that ordered and layered structures are formed at the confinement of the GRA bilayer induced by the van der Waals attractions of NM with GRA and the dipole-dipole interactions of NM, which is strongly dependent on the confinement size, i.e., the GRA bilayer distance. These unique intermolecular arrangements and preferred orientations of confined NM lead to higher stabilities than bulk NM revealed by bond dissociation energy calculations.

Investigation of terbium in the ferroelectric crystal, gadolinium molybdate, as a potential laser

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Crouch, J.E.

A preliminary non-stimulated study of the laser host combination Gd(2 - x)Tb(x)(MoO4)3 is made. The host material, gadolinium molybdate (GMO), is a ferroelectric/ferroelastic crystal. An investigation of temperature and external electric field affects on the absorption and fluorescence of the crystal did not produce any unusual results. The terbium ion, Tb(3+), peak cross section in GMO for the 5D sub 4 to 7F sub 5 transition is 10 x 10 to the minus twenty first power sq. cm. at 300K. The wavelength of this four level laser transition is 543 nm. (GRA)

Effects of gramicidin-A on the adsorption of phospholipids to the air–water interface

PubMed Central

Biswas, Samares C.; Rananavare, Shankar B.; Hall, Stephen B.

2012-01-01

Prior studies suggest that the hydrophobic surfactant proteins, SP-B and SP-C, promote adsorption of the lipids in pulmonary surfactant to an air–water interface by stabilizing a negatively curved rate-limiting structure that is intermediate between bilayer vesicles and the surface film. This model predicts that other peptides capable of stabilizing negative curvature should also promote lipid adsorption. Previous reports have shown that under appropriate conditions, gramicidin-A (GrA) induces dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine (DOPC), but not dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC), to form the negatively curved hexagonal-II (HII) phase. The studies reported here determined if GrA would produce the same effects on adsorption of DMPC and DOPC that the hydrophobic surfactant proteins have on the surfactant lipids. Small angle X-ray scattering and 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance confirmed that at the particular conditions used to study adsorption, GrA induced DOPC to form the HII phase, but DMPC remained lamellar. Measurements of surface tension showed that GrA in vesicles produced a general increase in the rate of adsorption for both phospholipids. When restricted to the interface, however, in preexisting films, GrA with DOPC, but not with DMPC, replicated the ability of the surfactant proteins to promote adsorption of vesicles containing only the lipids. The correlation between the structural and functional effects of GrA with the two phospholipids, and the similar effects on adsorption of GrA with DOPC and the hydrophobic surfactant proteins with the surfactant lipids fit with the model in which SP-B and SP-C facilitate adsorption by stabilizing a rate-limiting intermediate with negative curvature. PMID:16242116

The parasite Toxoplasma sequesters diverse Rab host vesicles within an intravacuolar network

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Many intracellular pathogens subvert host membrane trafficking pathways to promote their replication. Toxoplasma multiplies in a membrane-bound parasitophorous vacuole (PV) that interacts with mammalian host organelles and intercepts Golgi Rab vesicles to acquire sphingolipids. The mechanisms of host vesicle internalization and processing within the PV remain undefined. We demonstrate that Toxoplasma sequesters a broad range of Rab vesicles into the PV. Correlative light and electron microscopy analysis of infected cells illustrates that intravacuolar Rab1A vesicles are surrounded by the PV membrane, suggesting a phagocytic-like process for vesicle engulfment. Rab11A vesicles concentrate to an intravacuolar network (IVN), but this is reduced in Δgra2 and Δgra2Δgra6 parasites, suggesting that tubules stabilized by the TgGRA2 and TgGRA6 proteins secreted by the parasite within the PV contribute to host vesicle sequestration. Overexpression of a phospholipase TgLCAT, which is localized to the IVN, results in a decrease in the number of intravacuolar GFP-Rab11A vesicles, suggesting that TgLCAT controls lipolytic degradation of Rab vesicles for cargo release. PMID:29070609

Advanced Wireless Integrated Navy Network - AWINN

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-06-30

de Sousa, GRA (5/15/05-6/30/05) George C. Hadjichristofi, GRA (4/1/05-5/14/05) Unghee Lee, GRA (33% for 4/1/05-5/14/05, 100% for 5/15/05-6/30/05...and initial implementation of test bed conversion to support Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). In this section, we also report on accomplishments in...below. 2.1.2 Task Activities for the Period Subtask 2. la Policy-based Quality of Service Task Obiective: The objectives of this subtask are to

The Grand Geochemistry of 4 Vesta: First Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prettyman, T. H.; Beck, A.; Feldman, W. C.; Forni, O.; Joy, S. P.; Lawrence, D. J.; McCoy T. J.; McFadden, L. A.; McSween, H. Y.; Mittlefehldt, D. W.;

Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in snakes.

PubMed

Nasiri, Vahid; Teymurzadeh, Shohreh; Karimi, Gholamreza; Nasiri, Mehdi

2016-10-01

Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, is responsible for one of the most common zoonotic parasitic diseases in almost all warm-blooded vertebrates worldwide, and it is estimated that about one-third of the world human population is chronically infected with this parasite. Little is known about the circulation of T. gondii in snakes and this study for the first time aimed to evaluate the infection rates of snakes by this parasite by PCR methods. The brain of 68 Snakes, that were collected between May 2012 and September 2015 and died after the hold in captivity, under which they were kept for taking poisons, were examined for the presence of this parasite. DNA was extracted and Nested-PCR method was carried out with two of pairs of primers to detect the 344 bp fragment of T. gondii GRA6 gene. Five positive nested-PCR products were directly sequenced in the forward and reverse directions by Sequetech Company (Mountain View, CA). T. gondii GRA6 gene were detected from 55 (80.88%) of 68 snakes brains. Sequencing of the GRA6 gene revealed 98-100% of similarity with T. gondii sequences deposited in GenBank. To our knowledge, this is the first study of molecular detection of T. gondii in snakes and our findings show a higher frequency of this organism among them. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Simultaneous determination of L-ascorbic acid, dopamine and uric acid with gold nanoparticles-β-cyclodextrin-graphene-modified electrode by square wave voltammetry.

PubMed

Tian, Xianqing; Cheng, Changming; Yuan, Hongyan; Du, Juan; Xiao, Dan; Xie, Shunping; Choi, Martin M F

2012-05-15

Graphene decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-β-CD-Gra) has been synthesized by in situ thermal reduction of graphene oxide and HAuCl(4) with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) under alkaline condition. The AuNPs-β-CD-Gra product was well characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and selected area electron diffraction. This material was used to fabricate an AuNPs-β-CD-Gra-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) which showed excellent electro-oxidation of l-ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) in 0.10 M NaH(2)PO(4)-HCl buffer solution (pH 2.0) by square wave voltammetry (SWV). Three well-resolved oxidation peaks of AA and DA and UA were obtained. The AuNPs-β-CD-Gra/GCE exhibits linear responses to AA, DA and UA in the ranges 30-2000, 0.5-150 and 0.5-60 μM, respectively. The detection limits (based on S/N=3 and preconcentration time=3.0 min) for AA, DA and UA are 10, 0.15 and 0.21 μM, respectively. The AuNPs-β-CD-Gra/GCE has been successfully applied to determine UA in human urine with satisfactory results. Our work provides a simple, convenient and green route to synthesize AuNPs on Gra which is potentially useful in electroanalysis. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

18β-glycyrrhetinic acid suppresses gastric cancer by activation of miR-149-3p-Wnt-1 signaling.

PubMed

Cao, Donghui; Jia, Zhifang; You, Lili; Wu, Yanhua; Hou, Zhen; Suo, Yueer; Zhang, Houjun; Wen, Simin; Tsukamoto, Tetsuya; Oshima, Masanobu; Jiang, Jing; Cao, Xueyuan

2016-11-01

18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GRA) exerts anti-tumor effects on various types of cancer. In the present study, we found that GRA attenuated the severity of gastritis and suppressed gastric tumorigenesis in transgenic mice. We also discovered that miR-149-3p was downregulated in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines as compared to normal gastric tissues and epithelial cells, but was upregulated by GRA. miR-149-3p expression also correlated negatively with lymphnode metastasis. Our functional assays showed that miR-149-3p overexpression inhibited cell proliferation and cell cycle progression while inducing apoptosis, while inhibition of miR-149-3p had the opposite effects. In addition, we identified Wnt-1 as a direct target of miR-149-3p. These data suggest that GRA inhibits the initiation and progression of gastric tumors by ameliorating the inflammatory microenvironment through downregulation of COX-2 expression and by inhibiting Wnt-1 expression through the upregulation of tumor suppressor miR-149-3p. GRA may thus have the potential to serve as a useful therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer.

High efficiency and stability of quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized ZnO solar cells using graphene incorporated soluble polystyrene gel electrolytes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bi, Shi-Qing; Meng, Fan-Li; Zheng, Yan-Zhen; Han, Xue; Tao, Xia; Chen, Jian-Feng

2014-12-01

We report on the preparation of highly effective composite electrolytes by combining the two-dimensional graphene (Gra) and soluble polystyrene (PS) nanobeads on Pt counter electrode for the quasi-solid-state electrolytes of ZnO based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Under an optimized Gra/electrolyte ratio of 12 mg mL-1, the ionic conductivity (σ) of Gra-PS electrolyte was significantly improved from 32.8 mS cm-1 to 39.8 mS cm-1. And the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis proved that the ZnO-DSC with the optimized composite electrolyte possessed the lowest impedance value. As a result, the overall power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of quasi-solid-state ZnO-DSCs significantly enhanced to 5.08% from initial 4.09%. Moreover, the results of long-term stability assays showed that the gel-state Gra-PS ZnO-DSC could retain over 90% of its initial PCE after radiation of 1000 h under full sunlight outdoors. It is anticipated that this work may provide an effective way to increase the cell efficiency by the introduction of Gra into gel electrolyte as well as a great potential for practical application.

18β-glycyrrhetinic acid suppresses gastric cancer by activation of miR-149-3p-Wnt-1 signaling

PubMed Central

Cao, Donghui; Jia, Zhifang; You, Lili; Wu, Yanhua; Hou, Zhen; Suo, Yueer; Zhang, Houjun; Wen, Simin; Tsukamoto, Tetsuya; Oshima, Masanobu; Jiang, Jing; Cao, Xueyuan

2016-01-01

18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GRA) exerts anti-tumor effects on various types of cancer. In the present study, we found that GRA attenuated the severity of gastritis and suppressed gastric tumorigenesis in transgenic mice. We also discovered that miR-149-3p was downregulated in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines as compared to normal gastric tissues and epithelial cells, but was upregulated by GRA. miR-149-3p expression also correlated negatively with lymphnode metastasis. Our functional assays showed that miR-149-3p overexpression inhibited cell proliferation and cell cycle progression while inducing apoptosis, while inhibition of miR-149-3p had the opposite effects. In addition, we identified Wnt-1 as a direct target of miR-149-3p. These data suggest that GRA inhibits the initiation and progression of gastric tumors by ameliorating the inflammatory microenvironment through downregulation of COX-2 expression and by inhibiting Wnt-1 expression through the upregulation of tumor suppressor miR-149-3p. GRA may thus have the potential to serve as a useful therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer. PMID:27713126

Origin of felsic achondrites Graves Nunataks 06128 and 06129, and ultramafic brachinites and brachinite-like achondrites by partial melting of volatile-rich primitive parent bodies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Day, James M. D.; Walker, Richard J.; Ash, Richard D.; Liu, Yang; Rumble, Douglas; Irving, Anthony J.; Goodrich, Cyrena A.; Tait, Kimberly; McDonough, William F.; Taylor, Lawrence A.

2012-03-01

New major- and trace-element abundances, highly siderophile element (HSE: Os, Ir, Ru, Pt, Pd, Re) abundances, and oxygen and rhenium-osmium isotope data are reported for oligoclase-rich meteorites Graves Nunataks 06128 and 06129 (GRA 06128/9), six brachinites (Brachina; Elephant Morraine 99402/7; Northwest Africa (NWA) 1500; NWA 3151; NWA 4872; NWA 4882) and three olivine-rich achondrites, which are referred to here as brachinite-like achondrites (NWA 5400; NWA 6077; Zag (b)). GRA 06128/9 represent examples of felsic and highly-sodic melt products from an asteroid that may provide a differentiation complement to brachinites and/or brachinite-like achondrites. The new data, together with our petrological observations, are consistent with derivation of GRA 06128/9, brachinites and the three brachinite-like achondrites from nominally volatile-rich and oxidised 'chondritic' precursor sources within their respective parent bodies. Furthermore, the range of Δ17O values (˜0‰ to -0.3‰) among the meteorites indicates generation from isotopically heterogeneous sources that never completely melted, or isotopically homogenised. It is possible to generate major- and trace-element compositions similar to brachinites and the three studied brachinite-like achondrites as residues of moderate degrees (13-30%) of partial melting of primitive chondritic sources. This process was coupled with inefficient removal of silica-saturated, high Fe/Mg felsic melts with compositions similar to GRA 06128/9. Melting of the parent bodies of GRA 06128/9, brachinites and brachinite-like achondrites halted well before extensive differentiation, possibly due to the exhaustion of the short-lived radionuclide 26Al by felsic melt segregation. This mechanism provides a potential explanation for the cessation of run-away melting in asteroids to preserve achondrites such as GRA 06128/9, brachinites, brachinite-like achondrites, acapulcoite-lodranites, ureilites and aubrites. Moderate degrees of partial melting of chondritic material and generation of Fe-Ni-S-bearing melts are generally consistent with HSE abundances that are within factors of ˜2-10 × CI-chondrite abundances for GRA 06128/9, brachinites and the three brachinite-like achondrites. However, in detail, brachinite-like achondrites NWA 5400, NWA 6077 and Zag (b) are interpreted to have witnessed single-stage S-rich metal segregation, whereas HSE in GRA 06128/9 and brachinites have more complex heritages. The HSE compositions of GRA 06128/9 and brachinites require either: (1) multiple phases in the residue (e.g., metal and sulphide); (2) fractionation after generation of an initial melt, again involving multiple phases; (3) fractional fusion, or; (4) a parent body with non-chondritic relative HSE abundances. Petrological and geochemical observations permit genetic links (i.e., same parent body) between GRA 06128/9 and brachinites and similar formation mechanisms for brachinites and brachinite-like achondrites.

An alternative nested-PCR assay for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii strains based on GRA7 gene sequences.

PubMed

Costa, Maria Eduarda S M; Oliveira, Claudio Bruno S; Andrade, Joelma Maria de A; Medeiros, Thatiany A; Neto, Valter F Andrade; Lanza, Daniel C F

2016-07-01

Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread parasite able to infect virtually any nucleated cells of warm-blooded hosts. In some cases, T. gondii detection using already developed PCR primers can be inefficient in routine laboratory tests, especially to detect atypical strains. Here we report a new nested-PCR protocol able to detect virtually all T. gondii isolates. Analyzing 685 sequences available in GenBank, we determine that GRA7 is one of the most conserved genes of T. gondii genome. Based on an alignment of 85 GRA7 sequences new primer sets that anneal in the highly conserved regions of this gene were designed. The new GRA7 nested-PCR assay providing sensitivity and specificity equal to or greater than the gold standard PCR assays for T. gondii detection, that amplify the B1 sequence or the repetitive 529bp element. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A note on NMHV form factors from the Graßmannian and the twistor string

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Meidinger, David; Nandan, Dhritiman; Penante, Brenda

In this note we investigate Graßmannian formulas for form factors of the chiral part of the stress-tensor multiplet in N = 4 superconformal Yang-Mills theory. We present an all-n contour for the G(3, n + 2) Graßmannian integral of NMHV form factors derived from on-shell diagrams and the BCFW recursion relation. In addition, we study other G(3, n + 2) formulas obtained from the connected prescription introduced recently. We find a recursive expression for all n and study its properties. For n ≥ 6, our formula has the same recursive structure as its amplitude counterpart, making its soft behaviour manifest.more » Finally, we explore the connection between the two Graßmannian formulations, using the global residue theorem, and find that it is much more intricate compared to scattering amplitudes.« less

A note on NMHV form factors from the Graßmannian and the twistor string

DOE PAGES

Meidinger, David; Nandan, Dhritiman; Penante, Brenda; ...

2017-09-06

In this note we investigate Graßmannian formulas for form factors of the chiral part of the stress-tensor multiplet in N = 4 superconformal Yang-Mills theory. We present an all-n contour for the G(3, n + 2) Graßmannian integral of NMHV form factors derived from on-shell diagrams and the BCFW recursion relation. In addition, we study other G(3, n + 2) formulas obtained from the connected prescription introduced recently. We find a recursive expression for all n and study its properties. For n ≥ 6, our formula has the same recursive structure as its amplitude counterpart, making its soft behaviour manifest.more » Finally, we explore the connection between the two Graßmannian formulations, using the global residue theorem, and find that it is much more intricate compared to scattering amplitudes.« less

Comparative analysis of techniques for detection of quiescent Botrytis cinerea in grapes by quantitative PCR

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Quantitative PCR (qPCR) can be used to detect and monitor pathogen colonization, but early attempts to apply the technology to quiescent Botrytis cinerea infections of grape berries identified some specific limitations. In this study, four DNA extraction methods, two tissue-grinding methods, two gra...

18β-glycyrrhetinic acid suppresses experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis through inhibition of microglia activation and promotion of remyelination.

PubMed

Zhou, Jieru; Cai, Wei; Jin, Min; Xu, Jingwei; Wang, Yanan; Xiao, Yichuan; Hao, Li; Wang, Bei; Zhang, Yanyun; Han, Jie; Huang, Rui

2015-09-02

Microglia are intrinsic immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS). The under controlled microglia activation plays important roles in inflammatory demyelination diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the means to modulate microglia activation as a therapeutic modality and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here we show that administration of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GRA), by using both preventive and therapeutic treatment protocols, significantly suppresses disease severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in C57BL/6 mice. The treatment effect of GRA on EAE is attributed to its regulatory effect on microglia. GRA-modulated microglia significantly decreased pro-inflammatory profile in the CNS through suppression of MAPK signal pathway. The ameliorated CNS pro-inflammatory profile prevented the recruitment of encephalitogenic T cells into the CNS, which alleviated inflammation-induced demyelination. In addition, GRA treatment promoted remyelination in the CNS of EAE mice. The induced remyelination can be mediated by the overcome of inflammation-induced blockade of brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in microglia, as well as enhancing oligodendrocyte precursor cell proliferation. Collectively, our results demonstrate that GRA-modulated microglia suppresses EAE through inhibiting microglia activation-mediated CNS inflammation, and promoting neuroprotective effect of microglia, which represents a potential therapeutic strategy for MS and maybe other neuroinflammatory diseases associated with microglia activation.

Could the eucrite Graves Nunataks 98098 be Vesta's equivalent to Lunar KREEP?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarafian, A. R.; Marschall, H.; Nielsen, S.

2013-12-01

Basaltic eucrites, members of the HED achondrite clan, are thought to derive from the asteroid 4-Vesta [1]. Most eucrites show little compositional and petrographic variability, thus anomalous eucrite could provide key insights into differentiation processes that operated on Vesta. The eucrite Graves Nunataks (GRA) 98098 is an unbrecciated eucrite with cross cutting white tabular veins consisting of mainly equigranular tridymite and euhedral plagioclase with some pyroxene [2]. In addition, GRA has the second highest modal (volume) abundance of apatite in a eucrite studied thus far. The apatite is associated with the veins [2]. The GRA bulk rock composition is enriched in incompatible elements with concentrations ca. 3-5 times higher than in most basaltic eucrites [3]. Additionally, GRA has 10-20 times more Cl than any other analyzed eucritic apatite [2]. Here we measured the trace-element concentrations of plagioclase and pyroxene by laser ablation ICP-MS and the D/H ratio of the apatites by SIMS. In the domains of GRA cut by veins, the trace elements in plagioclase and pyroxene show an up to 15x enrichment in incompatible elements compared to other basaltic eucrites [4]. Here we report the first D/H measurement of any magmatic material from Vesta. The D/H of apatite in GRA is relatively light compared to vSMOW. Based on the high abundance of incompatible elements in GRA and the high Cl content found in apatites, Sarafian et al. [2] suggested that GRA could be akin to Lunar KREEP (lunar rocks enriched in K, REEs and P). With the additional evidence of enriched incompatible elements in plagioclase and pyroxene and the similarity in D/H compared to KREEP, it is likely that GRA was infiltrated by a late-stage melt enriched in incompatible elements, similar to Lunar KREEP. Further study is needed to determine if this late-stage melt formed in a similar manner as KREEP. 1. Consolmango, G.J. and M.J. Drake, Composition and evolution of the eucrite parent body: Evidence from rare earth elements. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 1977. 41: p. 1271-1282. 2. Sarafian, A.R., M.F. Roden, and A.E. Patiño Douce, The nature of volatiles in eucrites: Clues from apatite. Meteoritics and Planetary Science, 2013. in press. 3. Mittlefehldt, D.W. and M.M. Lindstrom, Geochemistry of eucrites: genesis of basaltic eucrites, and Hf and Ta as petrogenetic indicators for altered antarctic eucrites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 2003. 67(10): p. 1911-1934. 4. Hsu, W. and G. Crozaz, Mineral chemistry and the petrogenesis of eucrites: I. Noncumulate eucrites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 1996. 60(22): p. 4571-4591.

Effect of carbamate pesticides on perforin, granzymes A-B-3/K, and granulysin in human natural killer cells.

PubMed

Li, Qing; Kobayashi, Maiko; Kawada, Tomoyuki

2015-09-01

We previously found that ziram, a carbamate pesticide, significantly reduced perforin, granzyme A (GrA), granzyme B (GrB), granzyme 3/K (Gr3/K), and granulysin (GRN) levels in NK-92MI cells, a human natural killer (NK) cell line. To investigate whether other carbamate pesticides also show similar toxicity on human NK cells, we conducted further experiments with NK-92CI cells, a human NK cell line, using a more sensitive assay. We previously confirmed that NK-92CI cells express CD56, perforin, GrA, GrB, Gr3/K, and GRN and are highly cytotoxic to K562 cells in a chromium release assay, which are more sensitive to organophosphorus pesticides and ziram than the NK-92MI cell line. NK-92CI cells were treated with ziram, thiram, maneb, or carbaryl at various concentrations for 4-24 h at 37°C in vitro. Thereafter, intracellular levels of perforin, GrA, GrB, Gr3/K, and GRN were determined by flow cytometry. It was found that all carbamate pesticides significantly reduced the intracellular levels of perforin, GrA, GrB, Gr3/K, and GRN in NK-92CI cells in a dose-dependent manner. However, the strength of the effect differed among the pesticides, and the order was thiram > ziram > maneb > carbaryl. In addition, it was also found that the degree of the reductions differed among the five proteins, with perforin more sensitive to pesticides than GRN, GrA, GrB, and Gr3/K, and the order was perforin > GRN > Gr3/K ≒ GrA ≒ GrB. © The Author(s) 2015.

Optimization of Maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) Nano-Powder Mixed micro-EDM of CoCrMo with Multiple Responses Using Gray Relational Analysis (GRA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mejid Elsiti, Nagwa; Noordin, M. Y.; Idris, Ani; Saed Majeed, Faraj

2017-10-01

This paper presents an optimization of process parameters of Micro-Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) process with (γ-Fe2O3) nano-powder mixed dielectric using multi-response optimization Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) method instead of single response optimization. These parameters were optimized based on 2-Level factorial design combined with Grey Relational Analysis. The machining parameters such as peak current, gap voltage, and pulse on time were chosen for experimentation. The performance characteristics chosen for this study are material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR), Taper and Overcut. Experiments were conducted using electrolyte copper as the tool and CoCrMo as the workpiece. Experimental results have been improved through this approach.

Petrography and Origin of the Unique Achondrite GRA 06128 & 06129: Preliminary Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Treiman, A. H.; Morris, R. V.; Kring, D. A.; Mittlefehldt, D. W.; Jones, J. H.

2007-01-01

GRA 06128 and 06129 are paired achondrites with unique mineral proportions (75% oligoclase), mineral compositions, and oxygen isotope ratios. They appear to represent alkalic igneous rock from a hitherto unsampled differentiated parent body, modified significantly by thermal and shock metamorphism.

Fluids on differentiated asteroids: Evidence from phosphates in differentiated meteorites GRA 06128 and GRA 06129

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shearer, Charles K.; Burger, Paul V.; Papike, James J.; Sharp, Zachary D.; McKeegan, Kevin D.

2011-09-01

Abstract- Paired meteorites Graves Nunatak 06128 and 06129 (GRA) represent an ancient cumulate lithology (4565.9 Ma ± 0.3) containing high abundances of sodic plagioclase. Textures and stable isotope compositions of GRA indicate that superimposed on the igneous lithology is a complex history of subsolidus reequilibration and low-temperature alteration that may have extended over a period of 150 Myr. In GRA, apatite is halogen-rich with Cl between 4.5 and 5.5 wt% and F between 0.3 and 0.9 wt%. The Cl/(Cl+F+OH) ratio of the apatite is between 0.65 and 0.82. The Cl and F are negatively correlated and are heterogeneously distributed in the apatite. Merrillite is low in halogens with substantial Na in the 6-fold coordinated Na-site (≈2.5%) and Mg in the smaller octahedral site. The merrillite has a negative Eu anomaly, whereas the apatite has a positive Eu anomaly. The chlorine isotope composition of the bulk GRA leachate is +1.2‰ relative to standard mean ocean chloride (SMOC). Ion microprobe chlorine isotope analyses of the apatite range between -0.5 and +1.2‰. Textural relationships between the merrillite and apatite, and the high-Cl content of the apatite, suggest that the merrillite is magmatic in origin, whereas the apatite is a product of the interaction between merrillite and a Cl-rich fluid. If the replacement of merrillite by apatite occurred at approximately 800 °C, the fluid composition is f(HCl)/f(H2O) = 0.0383 and a HCl molality of 2.13 and f(HCl)/f(HF) = 50-100. It is anticipated that the calculated f(HCl)/f(H2O) and a HCl molality are minimum values due to assumptions made on the OH component in apatite and basing the calculations on the apatite with the lowest XCl. The bulk δ37Cl of GRA is a >2σ outlier from chondritic meteorites and suggests that parent body processes resulted in fractionation of the Cl isotopes.

Fundamental Roles of the Golgi-Associated Toxoplasma Aspartyl Protease, ASP5, at the Host-Parasite Interface

PubMed Central

Hammoudi, Pierre-Mehdi; Jacot, Damien; Mueller, Christina; Di Cristina, Manlio; Dogga, Sunil Kumar; Marq, Jean-Baptiste; Romano, Julia; Tosetti, Nicolò; Dubrot, Juan; Emre, Yalin; Lunghi, Matteo; Coppens, Isabelle; Yamamoto, Masahiro; Sojka, Daniel; Pino, Paco; Soldati-Favre, Dominique

2015-01-01

Toxoplasma gondii possesses sets of dense granule proteins (GRAs) that either assemble at, or cross the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) and exhibit motifs resembling the HT/PEXEL previously identified in a repertoire of exported Plasmodium proteins. Within Plasmodium spp., cleavage of the HT/PEXEL motif by the endoplasmic reticulum-resident protease Plasmepsin V precedes trafficking to and export across the PVM of proteins involved in pathogenicity and host cell remodelling. Here, we have functionally characterized the T. gondii aspartyl protease 5 (ASP5), a Golgi-resident protease that is phylogenetically related to Plasmepsin V. We show that deletion of ASP5 causes a significant loss in parasite fitness in vitro and an altered virulence in vivo. Furthermore, we reveal that ASP5 is necessary for the cleavage of GRA16, GRA19 and GRA20 at the PEXEL-like motif. In the absence of ASP5, the intravacuolar nanotubular network disappears and several GRAs fail to localize to the PVM, while GRA16 and GRA24, both known to be targeted to the host cell nucleus, are retained within the vacuolar space. Additionally, hypermigration of dendritic cells and bradyzoite cyst wall formation are impaired, critically impacting on parasite dissemination and persistence. Overall, the absence of ASP5 dramatically compromises the parasite’s ability to modulate host signalling pathways and immune responses. PMID:26473595

Applying GRA and QFD to Improve Library Service Quality

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Yen-Ting; Chou, Tsung-Yu

2011-01-01

This paper applied Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) to Quality Function Deployment (QFD) to identify service improvement techniques for an academic library. First, reader needs and their importance, and satisfaction degrees were examined via questionnaires. Second, the service improvement techniques for satisfying the reader needs were developed by…

Yeast three-hybrid screen identifies TgBRADIN/GRA24 as a negative regulator of Toxoplasma gondii bradyzoite differentiation.

PubMed

Odell, Anahi V; Tran, Fanny; Foderaro, Jenna E; Poupart, Séverine; Pathak, Ravi; Westwood, Nicholas J; Ward, Gary E

2015-01-01

Differentiation of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii into its latent bradyzoite stage is a key event in the parasite's life cycle. Compound 2 is an imidazopyridine that was previously shown to inhibit the parasite lytic cycle, in part through inhibition of parasite cGMP-dependent protein kinase. We show here that Compound 2 can also enhance parasite differentiation, and we use yeast three-hybrid analysis to identify TgBRADIN/GRA24 as a parasite protein that interacts directly or indirectly with the compound. Disruption of the TgBRADIN/GRA24 gene leads to enhanced differentiation of the parasite, and the TgBRADIN/GRA24 knockout parasites show decreased susceptibility to the differentiation-enhancing effects of Compound 2. This study represents the first use of yeast three-hybrid analysis to study small-molecule mechanism of action in any pathogenic microorganism, and it identifies a previously unrecognized inhibitor of differentiation in T. gondii. A better understanding of the proteins and mechanisms regulating T. gondii differentiation will enable new approaches to preventing the establishment of chronic infection in this important human pathogen.

GraXe, graphene and xenon for neutrinoless double beta decay searches

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gómez-Cadenas, J.J.; Martín-Albo, J.; Monrabal, F.

2012-02-01

We propose a new detector concept, GraXe (to be pronounced as grace), to search for neutrinoless double beta decay in {sup 136}XE. GraXe combines a popular detection medium in rare-event searches, liquid xenon, with a new, background-free material, graphene. In our baseline design of GraXe, a sphere made of graphene-coated titanium mesh and filled with liquid xenon (LXe) enriched in the {sup 136}XE isotope is immersed in a large volume of natural LXe instrumented with photodetectors. Liquid xenon is an excellent scintillator, reasonably transparent to its own light. Graphene is transparent over a large frequency range, and impermeable to themore » xenon. Event position could be deduced from the light pattern detected in the photosensors. External backgrounds would be shielded by the buffer of natural LXe, leaving the ultra-radiopure internal volume virtually free of background. Industrial graphene can be manufactured at a competitive cost to produce the sphere. Enriching xenon in the isotope {sup 136}XE is easy and relatively cheap, and there is already near one ton of enriched xenon available in the world (currently being used by the EXO, KamLAND-Zen and NEXT experiments). All the cryogenic know-how is readily available from the numerous experiments using liquid xenon. An experiment using the GraXe concept appears realistic and affordable in a short time scale, and its physics potential is enormous.« less

Geochemistry at 4 Vesta: Observations Using Fast Neutrons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lawrence, David J.; Prettyman, Thomas H.; Feldman, William C.; Bazell, David; Mittlefehldt, David W.; Peplowski, Patrick N.; Reedy, Robert C.

2012-01-01

Dawn is currently in orbit around the asteroid 4 Vesta, and one of the major objectives of the mission is to probe the relationship of Vesta to the Howardite, Eucrite, and Diogenite (HED) meteorites. As Vesta is an example of a differentiated planetary embryo, Dawn will also provide fundamental information about planetary evolution in the early solar system [1]. To help accomplish this overall goal, the Dawn spacecraft carries the Gamma-Ray and Neutron Detector (GRaND). GRaND uses planetary gamma-ray and neutron spectroscopy to measure the surface elemental composition of Vesta and will provide information that is unique and complementary to that provided by the other Dawn instruments and investigations. Gamma-ray and neutron spectroscopy is a standard technique for measuring planetary compositions [2], having successfully made measurements at near-Earth asteroids, the Moon, Mars, Mercury and now Vesta. GRaND has made the first measurements of the neutron spectrum from any asteroid (previous asteroid measurements were only made with gamma-rays). Dawn has been collecting data at Vesta since July 2011. The prime data collection period for GRaND is the Low-Altitude Mapping Orbit (LAMO), which started on 12 December 2011 and will last through spring 2012. During LAMO, the Dawn spacecraft orbits at an average altitude of 210 km above the surface of Vesta, which allows good neutron and gamma-ray signals to be detected from Vesta. A description of the overall goals of GRaND and a summary of the initial findings are given elsewhere [3,4]. The subject of this study is to present the information that will be returned from GRaND using fast neutron measurements. Here, we discuss what fast neutrons can reveal about Vesta s surface composition, how such data can address Dawn science goals, and describe fast neutron measurements made in the early portion of the Vesta LAMO phase.

Dawn's Gamma Ray and Neutron Detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prettyman, Thomas H.; Feldman, William C.; McSween, Harry Y.; Dingler, Robert D.; Enemark, Donald C.; Patrick, Douglas E.; Storms, Steven A.; Hendricks, John S.; Morgenthaler, Jeffery P.; Pitman, Karly M.; Reedy, Robert C.

2011-12-01

The NASA Dawn Mission will determine the surface composition of 4 Vesta and 1 Ceres, providing constraints on their formation and thermal evolution. The payload includes a Gamma Ray and Neutron Detector (GRaND), which will map the surface elemental composition at regional spatial scales. Target elements include the constituents of silicate and oxide minerals, ices, and the products of volcanic exhalation and aqueous alteration. At Vesta, GRaND will map the mixing ratio of end-members of the howardite, diogenite, and eucrite (HED) meteorites, determine relative proportions of plagioclase and mafic minerals, and search for compositions not well sampled by the meteorite collection. The large south polar impact basin may provide an opportunity to determine the composition of Vesta’s mantle and lower crust. At Ceres, GRaND will provide chemical information needed to test different models of Ceres’ origin and thermal and aqueous evolution. GRaND is also sensitive to hydrogen layering and can determine the equivalent H2O/OH content of near-surface hydrous minerals as well as the depth and water abundance of an ice table, which may provide information about the state of water in the interior of Ceres. Here, we document the design and performance of GRaND with sufficient detail to interpret flight data archived in the Planetary Data System, including two new sensor designs: an array of CdZnTe semiconductors for gamma ray spectroscopy, and a loaded-plastic phosphor sandwich for neutron spectroscopy. An overview of operations and a description of data acquired from launch up to Vesta approach is provided, including annealing of the CdZnTe sensors to remove radiation damage accrued during cruise. The instrument is calibrated using data acquired on the ground and in flight during a close flyby of Mars. Results of Mars flyby show that GRaND has ample sensitivity to meet science objectives at Vesta and Ceres. Strategies for data analysis are described and prospective results for Vesta are presented for different operational scenarios and compositional models.

Gamma-resonance Contraband Detection using a high current tandem accelerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milton, B. F.; Beis, J.; Dale, D.; Debiak, T.; Kamykowski, E.; Melnychuk, S.; Rathke, J.; Rogers, J.; Ruegg, R.; Sredniawski, J.

1999-04-01

TRIUMF and Northrop Grumman have developed a new system for the detection of concealed explosives and drugs. This Contraband Detection System (CDS) is based on the resonant absorption by 14N of gammas produced using 13C(p,γ)14N. The chosen reaction uses protons at 1.75 MeV and the gammas have an energy of 9.17 MeV. By measuring both the resonant and the non-resonant absorption using detectors with good spatial resolution, and applying standard tomographic techniques, we are able to produce 3D images of both the nitrogen partial density and the total density. The images together may be utilized with considerable confidence to determine if small amounts of nitrogen based explosives, heroin or cocaine are present in the interrogated containers. Practical Gamma Resonant Absorption (GRA) scanning requires an intense source of protons. However this proton source must also be very stable, have low energy spread, and have good spatial definition. These demands suggested a tandem as the accelerator of choice. We have therefore constructed a 2 MeV H- tandem optimized for high current (10 mA) operation, while minimizing the overall size of the accelerator. This has required several special innovations which will be presented in the paper. We will also present initial commissioning results.

BILATERAL RETINOCHOROIDITIS CAUSED BY AN ATYPICAL STRAIN OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII

PubMed Central

Bottós, Juliana; Miller, Robin H.; Belfort, Rubens N.; Macedo, Ana Carolina; Belfort, Rubens; Grigg, Michael E.

2012-01-01

Background A 53-year-old man presented with an acute bilateral posterior uveitis with extensive necrotizing retinochoroiditis but without chorioretinal scarring. A thorough workup did not reveal any underlying disease. The possibilities of atypical ocular toxoplasmosis as well as herpetic retinal necrosis were considered and specific therapy instituted, with little improvement. The patient died within two months as result of an undifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Methods Histopathological examination, immunohistochemistry and multi-locus polymerase chain reaction confirmed T. gondii infection of the retina Results Macroscopic examination of enucleated globe showed extensive retinal necrosis and vitreous detachment. Histological examination of retinal tissue identified numerous round–to-elliptical toxoplasmic cysts within the retina, with retinal necrosis and minimal choroidal inflammation. Immunohistochemical analyses confirmed the cysts were due to Toxoplasma gondii. DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections was subjected to multi-locus PCR analysis at the following typing loci: SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, SAG4, B1, NTS2, GRA6, and GRA7. DNA sequencing of positive PCR products at the NTS2, SAG1, and GRA7 loci confirmed the presence of a non-archetypal strain of T. gondii infecting the eye of the patient experiencing a severe, atypical ocular toxoplasmosis Conclusion A highly divergent, non-archetypal strain of Toxoplasma gondii was responsible for causing a severe, atypical bilateral retinochoroiditis in a patient from Brazil. PMID:19666926

Evaluating the Roles of Technology in the Global Read Aloud Project

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carpenter, Jeffrey P.; Justice, Julie Ellison

2017-01-01

Computer applications readily available to many of today's teachers and students offer new possibilities for teaching and learning. One example of this can be found in the Global Read Aloud (GRA) project. Since its 2010 creation, more than one million PK-12 students from at least 60 countries have reportedly participated in the GRA, an annual…

Structural Equation Models in a Redundancy Analysis Framework With Covariates.

PubMed

Lovaglio, Pietro Giorgio; Vittadini, Giorgio

2014-01-01

A recent method to specify and fit structural equation modeling in the Redundancy Analysis framework based on so-called Extended Redundancy Analysis (ERA) has been proposed in the literature. In this approach, the relationships between the observed exogenous variables and the observed endogenous variables are moderated by the presence of unobservable composites, estimated as linear combinations of exogenous variables. However, in the presence of direct effects linking exogenous and endogenous variables, or concomitant indicators, the composite scores are estimated by ignoring the presence of the specified direct effects. To fit structural equation models, we propose a new specification and estimation method, called Generalized Redundancy Analysis (GRA), allowing us to specify and fit a variety of relationships among composites, endogenous variables, and external covariates. The proposed methodology extends the ERA method, using a more suitable specification and estimation algorithm, by allowing for covariates that affect endogenous indicators indirectly through the composites and/or directly. To illustrate the advantages of GRA over ERA we propose a simulation study of small samples. Moreover, we propose an application aimed at estimating the impact of formal human capital on the initial earnings of graduates of an Italian university, utilizing a structural model consistent with well-established economic theory.

Antarctic Meteorite Newsletter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lindstrom, Marilyn

2000-01-01

This newsletter contains something for everyone! It lists classifications of about 440 meteorites mostly from the 1997 and 1998 ANSMET (Antarctic Search for Meteorites) seasons. It also gives descriptions of about 45 meteorites of special petrologic type. These include 1 iron, 17 chondrites (7 CC, 1 EC, 9 OC) and 27 achondrites (25 HED, UR). Most notable are an acapoloite (GRA98028) and an olivine diogenite (GRA98108).

Optimization of Micro Metal Injection Molding By Using Grey Relational Grade

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ibrahim, M. H. I.; Precision Process Research Group, Dept. of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; Muhamad, N.

2011-01-17

Micro metal injection molding ({mu}MIM) which is a variant of MIM process is a promising method towards near net-shape of metallic micro components of complex geometry. In this paper, {mu}MIM is applied to produce 316L stainless steel micro components. Due to highly stringent characteristic of {mu}MIM properties, the study has been emphasized on optimization of process parameter where Taguchi method associated with Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) will be implemented as it represents novel approach towards investigation of multiple performance characteristics. Basic idea of GRA is to find a grey relational grade (GRG) which can be used for the optimization conversionmore » from multi objectives case which are density and strength to a single objective case. After considering the form 'the larger the better', results show that the injection time(D) is the most significant followed by injection pressure(A), holding time(E), mold temperature(C) and injection temperature(B). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is also employed to strengthen the significant of each parameter involved in this study.« less

The feasibility of solar energy usage on Red River Army Depot. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Crowder, G.W.

This feasibility study considers the usage of solar energy to heat and cool the main office buildings on the Red River Army Depot, Texarkana Texas. Solar energy costs are compared with the present heating and cooling system costs with an economic analysis using the annual worth and present worth methods. (GRA)

Relationships between SAP-flow measurements, whole-canopy transpiration and reference evapotranspiration in field-grown papaya (Carica papaya L.)

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Whole-canopy gas exchange measurement in papaya can provide a scientific basis to optimize irrigation, and fruit yield and quality. The objectives of this study were to: 1) verify the relationship between xylem sap flow measured by the heat coefficient method and whole canopy transpiration in ‘Gra...

Fieldpath Lunar Meteorite Graves Nunataks 06157, a Magnesian Piece of the Lunar Highlands Crust

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zeigler, Ryan A.; Korotev, R. L.; Korotev, R. L.

2012-01-01

To date, 49 feldspathic lunar meteorites (FLMs) have been recovered, likely representing a minimum of 35 different sample locations in the lunar highlands. The compositional variability among FLMs far exceeds the variability observed among highland samples in the Apollo and Luna sample suites. Here we will discuss in detail one of the compositional end members of the FLM suite, Graves Nunataks (GRA) 06157, which was collected by the 2006-2007 ANSMET field team. At 0.79 g, GRA 06157 is the smallest lunar meteorite so far recovered. Despite its small size, its highly feldspathic and highly magnesian composition are intriguing. Although preliminary bulk compositions have been reported, thus far no petrographic descriptions are in the literature. Here we expand upon the bulk compositional data, including major-element compositions, and provide a detailed petrographic description of GRA 06157.

Dual-Mission Large Aircraft Feasibility Study and Aerodynamic Investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mavris, Dimitri

1997-01-01

A Dual-Mission Large Aircraft, or DMLA, represents the possibility of a single aircraft capable of fulfilling both a Global Reach Aircraft (GRA) and Very Large Transport (VLT) roles. The DMLA, by combining the GRA and VLT into a single new aircraft, could possibly lower the aircraft manufacturer's production costs through the resulting increase in production quantity. This translates into lower aircraft acquisition costs, a primary concern for both the Air Force and commercial airlines. This report outlines the first steps taken in this study, namely the assessment of technical and economic feasibility of the DMLA concept. In the course of this project, specialized GRA and VLT aircraft were sized for their respective missions, using baseline conventional (i.e., lacking advanced enabling technologies) aircraft models from previous work for the Air Force's Wright Laboratory and NASA-Langley. DMLA baseline aircraft were then also developed, by first sizing the aircraft for the more critical of the two missions and then analyzing the aircraft's performance over the other mission. The resulting aircraft performance values were then compared to assess technical feasibility. Finally, the life-cycle costs of each aircraft (GRA, VLT, and DMLA) were analyzed to quantify economic feasibility. These steps were applied to both a two-engine aircraft set, and a four-engine aircraft set.

Gamma-resonance Contraband Detection using a high current tandem accelerator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Milton, B. F.; Beis, J.; Dale, D.

1999-04-26

TRIUMF and Northrop Grumman have developed a new system for the detection of concealed explosives and drugs. This Contraband Detection System (CDS) is based on the resonant absorption by {sup 14}N of gammas produced using {sup 13}C(p,{gamma}){sup 14}N. The chosen reaction uses protons at 1.75 MeV and the gammas have an energy of 9.17 MeV. By measuring both the resonant and the non-resonant absorption using detectors with good spatial resolution, and applying standard tomographic techniques, we are able to produce 3D images of both the nitrogen partial density and the total density. The images together may be utilized with considerablemore » confidence to determine if small amounts of nitrogen based explosives, heroin or cocaine are present in the interrogated containers. Practical Gamma Resonant Absorption (GRA) scanning requires an intense source of protons. However this proton source must also be very stable, have low energy spread, and have good spatial definition. These demands suggested a tandem as the accelerator of choice. We have therefore constructed a 2 MeV H{sup -} tandem optimized for high current (10 mA) operation, while minimizing the overall size of the accelerator. This has required several special innovations which will be presented in the paper. We will also present initial commissioning results.« less

A High Current Tandem Accelerator for Gamma-Resonance Contraband Detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milton, Bruce

1997-05-01

TRIUMF and Northrop Grumman have developed a new system for the detection of concealed explosives and drugs. This Contraband Detection System (CDS) is based on the resonant absorption by ^14N of gammas produced using ^13C(p,γ)^14N. The chosen reaction uses protons at 1.75 MeV and the gammas have an energy of 9.17 MeV. By measuring both the resonant and the non -resonant absorption using detectors with good spatial resolution, and applying standard tomographic techniques, we are able to produce 3D images of both the nitrogen partial density and the total density. The images together may be utilized with considerable confidence to determine if small amounts of nitrogen based explosives, heroin or cocaine are present in the interrogated containers. Practical Gamma Resonant Absorption (GRA) scanning requires an intense source of protons. However this proton source must also be very stable, have low energy spread, and have good spatial definition. These demands suggested a tandem as the accelerator of choice. We have therefore constructed a 2 MeV H^- tandem optimized for high current (10 mA) operation, while minimizing the overall size of the accelerator. This has required several special innovations which will be presented in the paper. We will also present initial commissioning results.

The effect of phloretin on human γδ T cells killing colon cancer SW-1116 cells.

PubMed

Zhu, Sheng-Ping; Liu, Gang; Wu, Xiao-Ting; Chen, Fu-Xing; Liu, Jun-Quan; Zhou, Zhong-Hai; Zhang, Jian-Fu; Fei, Su-Juan

2013-01-01

To explore the effect and mechanism of Phloretin on human γδ T cells killing colon cancer SW-1116 cells. γδ T cells were amplified in vitro from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells through isopentenyl pyrophosphate method (IPP). After cocultured different concentrations of Phloretin with γδ T cells or SW-1116 cells for 48h respectively, MTT assay was used to test the growth curve of these two cells; Flow cytometry to test the expression of Granzyme B (GraB), perforin (PFP), CD107a and IFN-γ of γδ T cells; Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay to test the cytotoxic activity of the γδ T cells on SW-1116 cells; and Western blot to test the Wnt3a expression of the γδ T cells. After cultured with IPP for ten days, the percentage of γδ T cells increased from 3.31±3.00% to 78.40±10.30%. Compared to the control group, when the concentration of Phloretin increased from 2.35μg/ml to 18.75μg/ml, it could significantly proliferate the γδ T cell growth (P<0.05) and inhibit the growth of SW-1116 cells in dose-response, and the expression of GraB, PFP, CD107a and Wnt3a significantly increased (P<0.05). Significant positive relationships were observed among CD107a and PFP, GraB, cytotoxicity (P<0.05). The percentage of IFN-γ producing γδ T cells treated with Phloretin was significantly higher than control group. Phloretin can enhance the killing effect of γδ T cells on SW-1116 cells; the mechanism may be that Phloretin could proliferate the γδ T cell growth, increase the expression of PFP and GraB, activate the Wnt signaling pathway, and produce higher level of IFN-γ. Indeed CD107a expression probably correlates quite well with antitumor activity. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical Mapping of Vesta and Ceres

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prettyman, Thomas H.; Mittlefehldt, David W.; Yamashita, Naoyuki; McSween, Harry Y.; Feldman, William C.; Lawrence, David J.; Beck, Andrew W.; McCoy, Timothy J.; Toplis, Michael J.; Mizzon, Hugau;

A VVWBO-BVO-based GM (1,1) and its parameter optimization by GRA-IGSA integration algorithm for annual power load forecasting

PubMed Central

Wang, Hongguang

2018-01-01

Annual power load forecasting is not only the premise of formulating reasonable macro power planning, but also an important guarantee for the safety and economic operation of power system. In view of the characteristics of annual power load forecasting, the grey model of GM (1,1) are widely applied. Introducing buffer operator into GM (1,1) to pre-process the historical annual power load data is an approach to improve the forecasting accuracy. To solve the problem of nonadjustable action intensity of traditional weakening buffer operator, variable-weight weakening buffer operator (VWWBO) and background value optimization (BVO) are used to dynamically pre-process the historical annual power load data and a VWWBO-BVO-based GM (1,1) is proposed. To find the optimal value of variable-weight buffer coefficient and background value weight generating coefficient of the proposed model, grey relational analysis (GRA) and improved gravitational search algorithm (IGSA) are integrated and a GRA-IGSA integration algorithm is constructed aiming to maximize the grey relativity between simulating value sequence and actual value sequence. By the adjustable action intensity of buffer operator, the proposed model optimized by GRA-IGSA integration algorithm can obtain a better forecasting accuracy which is demonstrated by the case studies and can provide an optimized solution for annual power load forecasting. PMID:29768450

History of Metal Veins in Acapulcoite-Lodranite Clan Meteorite GRA 95209

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herrin, J. S.; Mittlefehldt, D. W.; Humayun, M.

2006-01-01

Graves Nunataks (GRA) 95209 has been hailed as the missing link of core formation processes in the acapulcoitelodranite parent asteroid because of the presence of a complex cm-scale metal vein network. Because the apparent liquid temperature of the metal vein (approximately 1500 C) is higher than inferred for the metamorphic grade of the meteorite, questions regarding the vein s original composition, temperature, and mechanism of emplacement have arisen. We have determined trace siderophile element compositions of metals in veins and surrounding matrix in an effort to clarify matters. We analyzed metals in GRA 95209 in a portion of thick metal vein and adjacent metal-rich (30-40 modal%), sulfide poor (less than 1%) matrix by EPMA and LA-ICP-MS for major and trace siderophile elements using methods described by [3]. We also examined metals from a metal-poor (approximately 15 modal%) and relatively sulfide-rich (2-5 modal%) region of the sample. Kamacite is the dominant metal phase in all portions of the sample. In comparison to matrix metal, vein metal contains more schreibersite and less tetrataenite, and is less commonly associated with Fe,Mn,Mg-bearing phosphates and graphite. Vein kamacite contains higher Co, P, and Cr and lower Cu and Ge. These minor variations aside, all metal types in GRA 95209 are fairly homogeneous in terms of their levels of enrichment of compatible siderophile elements (e.g. Pt, Ir, Os) relative to incompatible siderophile elements (e.g. As, Pd, Au), consistent with the loss of metal-sulfide partial melt that characterizes much of the clan. Whatever compositional differences between matrix and vein metal that may have originally existed, they have since largely co-equilibrated to similar restitic trace element compositions. We agree with [2] that metal veins, in their present state, do not represent a liquid composition. The original vein liquid was much more S-rich and emplaced at correspondingly lower liquid temperatures. Much of the Fe,Ni component solidified in cm scale conduits while S-rich melts were expelled and continued to migrate by percolation. The higher troilite content in metal poor regions of the sample results mostly from trapping of a small portion of these melts. The troilite is not remnant primary sulfide. Strong depletions of W, Mo, and especially Ga (greater than 50%, greater than 60%, and greater than 90% depletion, respectively) in metals of the metalpoor GRA 95209 lithology are localized at scales of 10-100 micrometers in the vicinity of graphite spherules. These depletions must have occurred below the temperatures at which cm-scale equilibration occurred, and future work will seek to determine their cause.

Getting to Know Vesta

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martel, L. M. V.

2007-11-01

The howardite-eucrite-diogenite class of meteorites (called the HEDs) are rocks formed from basaltic magmas. What makes them special is that the HEDs have reflectance spectra in the visible and near-infrared that match spectra from asteroid 4 Vesta, implying Vesta is their parent body. We will soon have new data from Vesta from NASA's Dawn orbiting spacecraft, which carries a gamma ray and neutron detector, dubbed the GRaND instrument. GRaND will orbit asteroid 4 Vesta and dwarf planet Ceres and map the near-surface abundances of major and minor elements, and volatiles found in ices (in the case of Ceres) such as hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen. Tomohiro Usui and Harry Y. (Hap) McSween, Jr. (University of Tennessee) have proposed a way to interpret the upcoming GRaND data from Vesta based on well-analyzed samples of HED meteorites and a mixing model they devised that uses element ratios of the three expected rock types. In turn, the new data from Vesta may help scientists better understand the geologic context for HED meteorites.

Hidden pattern discovery on epileptic EEG with 1-D local binary patterns and epileptic seizures detection by grey relational analysis.

PubMed

Kaya, Yılmaz

2015-09-01

This paper proposes a novel approach to detect epilepsy seizures by using Electroencephalography (EEG), which is one of the most common methods for the diagnosis of epilepsy, based on 1-Dimension Local Binary Pattern (1D-LBP) and grey relational analysis (GRA) methods. The main aim of this paper is to evaluate and validate a novel approach, which is a computer-based quantitative EEG analyzing method and based on grey systems, aimed to help decision-maker. In this study, 1D-LBP, which utilizes all data points, was employed for extracting features in raw EEG signals, Fisher score (FS) was employed to select the representative features, which can also be determined as hidden patterns. Additionally, GRA is performed to classify EEG signals through these Fisher scored features. The experimental results of the proposed approach, which was employed in a public dataset for validation, showed that it has a high accuracy in identifying epileptic EEG signals. For various combinations of epileptic EEG, such as A-E, B-E, C-E, D-E, and A-D clusters, 100, 96, 100, 99.00 and 100% were achieved, respectively. Also, this work presents an attempt to develop a new general-purpose hidden pattern determination scheme, which can be utilized for different categories of time-varying signals.

An electrochemical aptasensor for thrombin detection based on direct electrochemistry of glucose oxidase using a functionalized graphene hybrid for amplification.

PubMed

Bai, Lijuan; Yan, Bin; Chai, Yaqin; Yuan, Ruo; Yuan, Yali; Xie, Shunbi; Jiang, Liping; He, Ying

2013-11-07

In this work, we reported a new label-free electrochemical aptasensor for highly sensitive detection of thrombin using direct electron transfer of glucose oxidase (GOD) as a redox probe and a gold nanoparticle-polyaniline-graphene (Au-PANI-Gra) hybrid for amplification. The Au-PANI-Gra hybrid with large surface area provided a biocompatible sensing platform for the immobilization of GOD. GOD was encapsulated into the three-dimensional netlike (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTS) to form the MPTS-GOD biocomposite, which not only retained the native functions and properties, but also exhibited tunable porosity, high thermal stability, and chemical inertness. With abundant thiol tail groups on MPTS, MPTS-GOD was able to chemisorb onto the surface of the Au-PANI-Gra modified electrode through the strong affinity of the Au-S bond. The electrochemical signal originated from GOD, avoiding the addition or labeling of other redox mediators. After immobilizing the thiolated thrombin binding aptamer through gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), GOD as a blocking reagent was employed to block the remaining active sites of the AuNPs and avoid the nonspecific adsorption. The proposed method avoided the labeling process of redox probes and increased the amount of electroactive GOD. The concentration of thrombin was monitored based on the decrease of current response through cyclic voltammetry (CV) in 0.1 M PBS (pH 7.4). With the excellent direct electron transfer of double layer GOD membranes, the resulting aptasensor exhibited high sensitivity for detection of thrombin with a wide linear range from 1.0 × 10(-12) to 3.0 × 10(-8) M. The proposed aptasensor also showed good stability, satisfactory reproducibility and high specificity, which provided a promising strategy for electrochemical aptamer-based detection of other biomolecules.

Randomized Multicenter Feasibility Trial of Myofascial Physical Therapy for Treatment of Urologic Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

PubMed Central

FitzGerald, Mary P; Anderson, Rodney U; Potts, Jeannette; Payne, Christopher K; Peters, Kenneth M; Clemens, J Quentin; Kotarinos, Rhonda; Fraser, Laura; Cosby, Annamarie; Fortman, Carole; Neville, Cynthia; Badillo, Suzanne; Odabachian, Lisa; Sanfield, Anna; O’Dougherty, Betsy; Halle-Podell, Rick; Cen, Liyi; Chuai, Shannon; Landis, J Richard; Kusek, John W; Nyberg, Leroy M

2010-01-01

Objectives To determine the feasibility of conducting a randomized clinical trial designed to compare two methods of manual therapy (myofascial physical therapy (MPT) and global therapeutic massage (GTM)) among patients with urologic chronic pelvic pain syndromes. Materials and Methods Our goal was to recruit 48 subjects with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome or interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome at six clinical centers. Eligible patients were randomized to either MPT or GTM and were scheduled to receive up to 10 weekly treatments, each 1 hour in duration. Criteria to assess feasibility included adherence of therapists to prescribed therapeutic protocol as determined by records of treatment, adverse events which occurred during study treatment, and rate of response to therapy as assessed by the Patient Global Response Assessment (GRA). Primary outcome analysis compared response rates between treatment arms using Mantel-Haenszel methods. Results Twenty-three (49%) men and 24 (51%) women were randomized over a six month period. Twenty-four (51%) patients were randomized to GTM, 23 (49%) to MPT; 44 (94%) patients completed the study. Therapist adherence to the treatment protocols was excellent. The GRA response rate of 57% in the MPT group was significantly higher than the rate of 21% in the GTM treatment group (p=0.03). Conclusions The goals to judge feasibility of conducting a full-scale trial of physical therapy methods were met. The preliminary findings of a beneficial effect of MPT warrants further study. PMID:19535099

Machinability assessment of commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) during turning operation: Application potential of GRA method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khan, Akhtar; Maity, Kalipada

2018-03-01

This paper explores some of the vital machinability characteristics of commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) grade 2. Experiments were conducted based on Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array. The selected material was machined on a heavy duty lathe (Model: HMT NH26) using uncoated carbide inserts in dry cutting environment. The selected inserts were designated by ISO as SNMG 120408 (Model: K313) and manufactured by Kennametal. These inserts were rigidly mounted on a right handed tool holder PSBNR 2020K12. Cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut were selected as three input variables whereas tool wear (VBc) and surface roughness (Ra) were the major attentions. In order to confirm an appreciable machinability of the work part, an optimal parametric combination was attained with the help of grey relational analysis (GRA) approach. Finally, a mathematical model was developed to exhibit the accuracy and acceptability of the proposed methodology using multiple regression equations. The results indicated that, the suggested model is capable of predicting overall grey relational grade within acceptable range.

A Systems Biology Approach Reveals Differences in the Dynamics of Colonization and Degradation of Grass vs. Hay by Rumen Microbes with Minor Effects of Vitamin E Supplementation

PubMed Central

Belanche, Alejandro; Newbold, Charles J.; Lin, Wanchang; Rees Stevens, Pauline; Kingston-Smith, Alison H.

2017-01-01

Increasing the efficiency of utilization of fresh and preserved forage is a key target for ruminant science. Vitamin E is often used as additive to improve product quality but its impact of the rumen function is unknown. This study investigated the successional microbial colonization of ryegrass (GRA) vs. ryegrass hay (HAY) in presence of zero or 50 IU/d supplementary vitamin E, using a rumen simulation technique. A holistic approach was used to link the dynamics of feed degradation with the structure of the liquid-associated (LAB) and solid-associated bacteria (SAB). Results showed that forage colonization by SAB was a tri-phasic process highly affected by the forage conservation method: Early colonization (0–2 h after feeding) by rumen microbes was 2× faster for GRA than HAY diets and dominated by Lactobacillus and Prevotella which promoted increased levels of lactate (+56%) and ammonia (+18%). HAY diets had lower DM degradation (-72%) during this interval being Streptococcus particularly abundant. During secondary colonization (4–8 h) the SAB community increased in size and decreased in diversity as the secondary colonizers took over (Pseudobutyrivibrio) promoting the biggest differences in the metabolomics profile between diets. Secondary colonization was 3× slower for HAY vs. GRA diets, but this delay was compensated by a greater bacterial diversity (+197 OTUs) and network complexity resulting in similar feed degradations. Tertiary colonization (>8 h) consisted of a slowdown in the colonization process and simplification of the bacterial network. This slowdown was less evident for HAY diets which had higher levels of tertiary colonizers (Butyrivibrio and Ruminococcus) and may explain the higher DM degradation (+52%) during this interval. The LAB community was particularly active during the early fermentation of GRA and during the late fermentation for HAY diets indicating that the availability of nutrients in the liquid phase reflects the dynamics of feed degradation. Vitamin E supplementation had minor effects but promoted a simplification of the LAB community and a slight acceleration in the SAB colonization sequence which could explain the higher DM degradation during the secondary colonization. Our findings suggest that when possible, grass should be fed instead of hay, in order to accelerate feed utilization by rumen microbes. PMID:28824585

Chemical Mixing Model and K-Th-Ti Systematics and HED Meteorites for the Dawn Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Usui, T.; McSween, H. Y., Jr.; Mittlefehldt, D. W.; Prettyman, T. H.

2009-01-01

The Dawn mission will explore 4 Vesta, a large differentiated asteroid believed to be the parent body of the howardite, eucrite and diogenite (HED) meteorite suite. The Dawn spacecraft carries a gamma-ray and neutron detector (GRaND), which will measure the abundances of selected elements on the surface of Vesta. This study provides ways to leverage the large geochemical database on HED meteorites as a tool for interpreting chemical analyses by GRaND of mapped units on the surface of Vesta.

Nitrite/Nitrate responses to endotoxin in calves.

PubMed

Hüsler, B R; Blum, J W

2001-10-01

Plasma concentrations and urinary excretions of nitrite plus nitrate (NOx) increase in heifers after endotoxin-induced nitric oxide synthase activation. The rise can be enhanced by administration of arginine, the substrate for the production of nitric oxide, whose effects may be modified by the iron status. In 10-week-old veal calves (six Simmental x Red Holstein) arginine (0.5 g/kg body weight for 6 h) was intravenously infused. At 2 h after the start of the infusions Escherichia coli endotoxin O26:B6 (2 microg/kg body weight) was intravenously injected. This caused a rise of rectal temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, and of urinary NOx excretion, but not of plasma NOx concentrations, in contrast to the experience with older cattle to which the same amounts of arginine were infused before and during endotoxin administration. In 8-week-old veal calves (18 Simmental x Red Holstein) the question of whether oral supplementation with arginine and iron modifies NOx responses to endotoxin (2 microg/kg) was also investigated. The calves were divided between three groups (GrA-, GirA+, GrC) and before endotoxin injections GrA- was fed 0.5 g arginine/kg for 4 days, GrA+ was fed 0.5 g arginine/kg for 4 days plus 80 mg iron/kg milk for 2 weeks, whereas GrC was not supplemented with arginine or iron. Iron supplementation increased plasma iron concentrations and arginine supplementation increased plasma arginine and urea concentrations and urinary urea excretion. Ensuing administration of endotoxin enhanced plasma tumour necrosis factor-alpha concentrations, rectal temperature, heart rate, and respiration rate, but not plasma NOx concentrations in GrC and GrA- and only transiently and slightly increased plasma NOx concentrations in GrA+ but did not affect urinary NOx excretions. In conclusion, the expected stimulation of NOx responses to endotoxin by intravenous arginine infusion appears to be much weaker in young veal calves than in older cattle. The NOx responses in young veal calves were not modified if arginine was orally administered and plasma NOx were barely enhanced by combined oral supplementation of arginine and iron.

A Neospora caninum vaccine using recombinant proteins fails to prevent foetal infection in pregnant cattle after experimental intravenous challenge.

PubMed

Hecker, Yanina P; Cóceres, Verónica; Wilkowsky, Silvina E; Jaramillo Ortiz, José M; Morrell, Eleonora L; Verna, Andrea E; Ganuza, Agustina; Cano, Dora B; Lischinsky, Lilian; Angel, Sergio O; Zamorano, Patricia; Odeón, Anselmo C; Leunda, María R; Campero, Carlos M; Morein, Bror; Moore, Dadín P

2014-12-15

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20 and rNcGRA7 recombinant proteins formulated with immune stimulating complexes (ISCOMs) in pregnant heifers against vertical transmission of Neospora caninum. Twelve pregnant heifers were divided into 3 groups of 4 heifers each, receiving different formulations before mating. Immunogens were administered twice subcutaneously: group A animals were inoculated with three recombinant proteins (rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20, rNcGRA7) formulated with ISCOMs; group B animals received ISCOM-MATRIX (without antigen) and group C received sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) only. The recombinant proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified nickel resin. All groups were intravenously challenged with the NC-1 strain of N. caninum at Day 70 of gestation and dams slaughtered at week 17 of the experiment. Heifers from group A developed specific antibodies against rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20 and rNcGRA7 prior to the challenge. Following immunization, an statistically significant increase of antibodies against rNcSAG1 and rNcHSP20 in all animals of group A was detected compared to animals in groups B and C at weeks 5, 13 and 16 (P<0.001). Levels of antibodies against rNcGRA7 were statistical higher in group A animals when compared with groups B and C at weeks 5 and 16 (P>0.001). There were no differences in IFN-γ production among the experimental groups at any time point (P>0.05). Transplacental transmission was determined in all foetuses of groups A, B and C by Western blot, immunohistochemistry and nested PCR. This work showed that rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20 and rNcGRA7 proteins while immunogenic in cattle failed to prevent the foetal infection in pregnant cattle challenged at Day 70 of gestation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Proceedings of the ARPA/AFML Review of Progress in Quantitative Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE)

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-09-01

degradation mechanisms. TABLE II. Experimental Methods for Study of Kolsture Effects Part 1: Malattira Dairadatlon Motatura taka up Intarlaalaat ahaar...1) To determine the effects of moisture de- gradation on the mechanical properties of a gra- phlte-epoxy composite under study for use on B-l. 2...a larger degree of reversibility in moisture damage effects . These are early results; further study of these Interesting results are required

Combat Development Study. Close Support Study Group 2 (CSSG 2). Volume 3. Main Report. Chapters 8-14 and Appendices A-G

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-02-01

support structure with respect to laser designation and acquistion systems and laser/guided munitions? Discussion, The advanced attack helicopter cu...times to practically zero even under the heavy load conditions described herein. The AMSAA analysis results, described In a preceding paragraph, were...M113A1 (1) AN/VRC-47 (1) GLLD (1) AN/VRC-47 (2) AN/GRC-160 (1) PADS (2) AN/GRC-160 (1) AN/GRA-39 (1) AN/VRC-47 (2) AN/GRA-39 (1) KY-38 (2) AN/GRC-160

Human innate immunity to Toxoplasma gondii is mediated by host caspase-1 and ASC and parasite GRA15.

PubMed

Gov, Lanny; Karimzadeh, Alborz; Ueno, Norikiyo; Lodoen, Melissa B

2013-07-09

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) functions as a key regulator of inflammation and innate immunity. The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii actively infects human blood monocytes and induces the production of IL-1β; however, the host and parasite factors that mediate IL-1β production during T. gondii infection are poorly understood. We report that T. gondii induces IL-1β transcript, processing/cleavage, and release from infected primary human monocytes and THP-1 cells. Treating monocytes with the caspase-1 inhibitor Ac-YVAD-CMK reduced IL-1β release, suggesting a role for the inflammasome in T. gondii-induced IL-1β production. This was confirmed by performing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdown of caspase-1 and of the inflammasome adaptor protein ASC. IL-1β induction required active parasite invasion of monocytes, since heat-killed or mycalolide B-treated parasites did not induce IL-1β. Among the type I, II, and III strains of T. gondii, the type II strain induced substantially more IL-1β mRNA and protein release than did the type I and III strains. Since IL-1β transcript is known to be induced downstream of NF-κB signaling, we investigated a role for the GRA15 protein, which induces sustained NF-κB signaling in a parasite strain-specific manner. By infecting human monocytes with a GRA15-knockout type II strain and a type I strain stably expressing type II GRA15, we determined that GRA15 is responsible for IL-1β induction during T. gondii infection of human monocytes. This research defines a pathway driving human innate immunity by describing a role for the classical inflammasome components caspase-1 and ASC and the parasite GRA15 protein in T. gondii-induced IL-1β production. Monocytes are immune cells that protect against infection by increasing inflammation and antimicrobial activities in the body. Upon infection with the parasitic pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, human monocytes release interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a "master regulator" of inflammation, which amplifies immune responses. Although inflammatory responses are critical for host defense against infection, excessive inflammation can result in tissue damage and pathology. This delicate balance underscores the importance of understanding the mechanisms that regulate IL-1β during infection. We have investigated the molecular pathway by which T. gondii induces the synthesis and release of IL-1β in human monocytes. We found that specific proteins in the parasite and the host cell coordinate to induce IL-1β production. This research is significant because it contributes to a greater understanding of human innate immunity to infection and IL-1β regulation, thereby enhancing our potential to modulate inflammation in the body.

[Control of postoperative hemorrhage in isolated coronary bypass surgery: comparison of tranexamic acid effects in off-pump surgery with aprotinin effects in conventional surgery].

PubMed

Bordalo, Alvaro D B; Nobre, Angelo L; Silva, Fernanda; Serpa, Carlos; Cravino, João

2011-01-01

In spite of the strong criticism elicited thereafter, the results of a multicentric study on the consequences of several perioperative anti-hemorrhagic strategies in cardiac surgery, published five years ago, led to the aprotinin (Aprot) withdrawal from the market and its progressive replacement by tranexamic acid (TrAc) in many surgical departments. To evaluate the hemostatic effects and clinical consequences of TrAc use or non-use in off-pump coronary bypass surgery (CABG) and compare them with those of Aprot use or non-use in conventional (conv) CABG. Retrospective analysis of 2 groups (Gr) of patients (pts): GrA - 252 pts undergoing isolated conv CABG (GrA1 - 185 pts submitted to an intra-operative full-dose Aprot protocol; GrA2 - 67 pts operated without Aprot); GrB - 383 pts undergoing isolated off-pump CABG (GrB1 - 136 pts submitted to an intra-operative low-dose TrAc protocol; GrB2 - 247 pts operated in absence of TrAc). Pre-operative clinical characteristics (GrA1 vs GrA2, GrB1 vs GrB2): mean age (years) - 65 vs 64 (NS), 64 vs 64; female gender - 20% vs 21% (NS), 23% vs 20% (NS); logistic Euroscore - 5.1% vs 6.2% (NS), 6.3% vs 5.5% (NS); chronic renal failure - 21% vs 27% (NS), 27% vs 25% (NS); diffuse coronary artery disease - 34% vs 42% (NS), 36% vs 30% (NS); pre-operative betablocker treatment - 64% vs 55% (NS), 74% vs 71% (NS); statin therapy for > 3 months - 78% vs 82% (NS), 81% vs 85% (NS). Pts have been operated by 4 surgeons largely experienced in both CABG modalities. Antiplatelet therapy was stopped => 4 days prior to surgery (but aspirin was maintained in high-risk pts). Results (GrA1 vs GrA2, GrB1 vs GrB2): 1) Bleeding (mL/pt - mean): 783 vs 1375 (p < 0.001), 1061 vs 1368 (p < 0.001); blood loss > 1500 mL (%pts) - 5.4% vs 34% (p < 0.0001), 12% vs 28% (p < 0.001); surgical re-exploration for bleeding - 1.1% vs 3.0% (NS), 2.2% vs 2.0% (NS). 2) Transfusion of blood products (U/pt - mean): plasma - 0.56 vs 2.19 (p < 0.001), 1.45 vs 1.03 (p < 0.05); platelets - 0.09 vs 0.22 (p < 0.02), 0.24 vs 0.15 (NS). 3) Renal function (%pts): increased serum cre- atinine - 56% vs 56%, 55% vs 38% (p < 0.001); hemofiltration use - 1.1% vs 1.5% (NS), 1.5% vs 0.4% (NS). 4) Perioperative myocardial infarction - 21.6% vs 17.9% (NS), 17.6% vs 14.6% (NS); other ischemic events - 3.2% vs 3.0% (NS), 1.5% vs 1.2% (NS). 5) Hospital mortality: 4.8% vs 4.5% (NS), 4.4% vs 1.6% (NS). 1) TrAc does not reduce the risk of surgical re-exploration for bleeding. 2) Taking into account the differences between conv CABG and off-pump CABG, TrAc hemostatic effect seems to be inferior to that of Aprot, without offering a better safety profile in terms of lesser renal or ischemic risk as a counterpart.

The Sensitivity of Wave Force Computations to Common Errors, Uncertainties, and Hydrodynamic Approximations.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-09-10

32 Appendix B - EXPERIMENTAL SYSTEMS AND METHODS .......................... 36 Accession For NTIS GRA&I DTIC TAB 0 Unannounced...structure exposed to a wave/current system or one experiencing oscillatory motion as well. The history term will not be considered further in this...Analysis of Wave Loading Data Obtained from Model Tests," NPL Report Mar Sci R136 (June 1976). 3. Morison, J.R., O’Brien, M.P., Johnson, J.W., and

A Study of the Flow Structure of Tip Vortices on a Hydrofoil

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-11-28

as measured from the flow visualization imager. . . 0 . . . 61 III.10 The vertical location of the tip vortex center as measured from the flow...pressure gra- dients of opposite sign exist on both sides of an airfoil . These gradients induce an inward lateral flow on the suc- tion side and an...And most recently, Cebeci et al. (1986) developed a viscous/inviscid interaction method to calculate the flow around airfoils , emphasizing the

Annual Report on Electronics Research at The University of Texas at Austin.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-05-15

of Dimolybdenum-Tetracetate and Investigation of the Temperature Dependence of the Molecular Structure of Sulfur-Hexafluoride by Gas Phase Electron...1979, "A Relative Efficiency Study of Some Popular Detectors" Ernesto Pacas -Skewes, EE, Ph.D., May 1979, "A Design Method- ology for Digital Systems...Support," to appear in SIAM Journal of Applied Mathematics, June 1980. J.P. Stark, "Concentration of Vacancies in a Temperature Gra- dient," Phys

Fullerene-Grafted Graphene for Efficient Bulk Heterojunction Polymer Photovoltaic Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-04-22

in recent years. Owing to its unique electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties, graphene and its derivatives (e.g., gra- phene oxide, GO ) have...produced through reduction of GO (Figure 1a) in pure hydrazine accord- ing to the previously reported method.27 The success of the chemical reduction of GO ...through Lithiation Reaction with n-Butyllithium Figure 1. (a) AFM image of the as-prepared GO sheets. (b) high- resolution C1s XPS spectrum of graphene

Control of nausea with palonosetron versus granisetron, both combined with dexamethasone, in patients receiving cisplatin- or anthracycline plus cyclophosphamide-based regimens.

PubMed

Kubota, Kaoru; Saito, Mitsue; Aogi, Kenjiro; Sekine, Ikuo; Yoshizawa, Hirohisa; Yanagita, Yasuhiro; Sakai, Hiroshi; Inoue, Kenichi; Kitagawa, Chiyoe; Ogura, Takashi

2016-09-01

In a comparative phase 3 study involving 1114 Japanese patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC), palonosetron (PALO) was found to be superior to granisetron (GRA) for the prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in the delayed phase. This post hoc analysis of the phase 3 study evaluated the efficacy of PALO for the control of nausea. The proportion of patients without nausea was assessed at 24-h intervals during the acute phase (0-24 h), delayed phase (24-120 h), and overall (0-120 h). No nausea rates were also evaluated by sex, type of chemotherapy (cisplatin or doxorubicin/epirubicin plus cyclophosphamide [AC/EC]), and age (<55 vs. ≥55 years). Nausea severity was categorized using a 4-point Likert scale (0 = no nausea to 3 = severe nausea). The proportion of patients without nausea was significantly higher in the PALO arm than in the GRA arm in the delayed phase (37.8 % vs. 27.2 %; p = 0.002) and overall (31.9 % vs. 25.0 %; p = 0.0117). When analyzed by stratification factors, the proportion of patients without nausea was significantly higher in the PALO arm in the delayed phase and overall in patients who were female, younger, or treated with cisplatin and in the delayed phase in patients who were older or treated with doxorubicin or epirubicin plus cyclophosphamide (all p < 0.05). PALO was more effective than GRA in prophylaxis of HEC-induced nausea in the delayed phase and overall. In addition, PALO was more effective than GRA in young and female patients, who are at high risk of CINV, both in the delayed phase and overall.

Unprecedented concentrations of indigenous amino acids in primitive CR meteorites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ehrenfreund, Pascale; Martins, Zita; Alexander, Conel; Orzechowska, Grazyna; Fogel, Marylin

CR meteorites are among the most primitive meteorites. We have performed pioneering work determining the compositional characteristics of amino acids in this type of carbonaceous chondrites. We report the first measurements of amino acids in Antarctic CR meteorites, two of which show the highest amino acid concentrations ever found in a chondrite. We have analyzed the amino acid content of the Antarctic CRs EET92042, GRA95229 and GRO95577 using high performance liquid chromatography with UV fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Additionally, compound-specific carbon isotopic measurements for most of the individual amino acids from the EET92042 and GRA95229 meteorites were achieved by gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS). Our data show that EET92042 and GRA95229 are the most amino acid-rich chondrites ever analyzed, with total amino acid concentrations of 180 and 249 parts-per-million (ppm), respectively. GRO95577, however, is depleted in amino acids (<1 ppm). The most abundant amino acids present in the EET92042 and GRA95229 meteorites are the α-amino acids glycine, isovaline, α-aminoisobutyric acid (α-AIB), and alanine, with δ 13 C values ranging from +31.6% to +50.5%. The highly enriched carbon isotope results together with racemic enantiomeric ratios determined for most amino acids indicate that primitive organic matter was preserved in these meteorites. In addition, the relative abundances of α-AIB and β-alanine amongst Antarctic CR meteorites appear to correspond to the degree of aqueous alteration on their respective parent body. Investigating the abundances and isotopic composition of amino acids in primitive chondrites helps to understand the role of meteorites as a source of extraterrestrial prebiotic organic compounds to the early Earth.

Improving the accuracy of Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculation for homolysis bond dissociation energies of Y-NO bond: generalized regression neural network based on grey relational analysis and principal component analysis.

PubMed

Li, Hong Zhi; Tao, Wei; Gao, Ting; Li, Hui; Lu, Ying Hua; Su, Zhong Min

2011-01-01

We propose a generalized regression neural network (GRNN) approach based on grey relational analysis (GRA) and principal component analysis (PCA) (GP-GRNN) to improve the accuracy of density functional theory (DFT) calculation for homolysis bond dissociation energies (BDE) of Y-NO bond. As a demonstration, this combined quantum chemistry calculation with the GP-GRNN approach has been applied to evaluate the homolysis BDE of 92 Y-NO organic molecules. The results show that the ull-descriptor GRNN without GRA and PCA (F-GRNN) and with GRA (G-GRNN) approaches reduce the root-mean-square (RMS) of the calculated homolysis BDE of 92 organic molecules from 5.31 to 0.49 and 0.39 kcal mol(-1) for the B3LYP/6-31G (d) calculation. Then the newly developed GP-GRNN approach further reduces the RMS to 0.31 kcal mol(-1). Thus, the GP-GRNN correction on top of B3LYP/6-31G (d) can improve the accuracy of calculating the homolysis BDE in quantum chemistry and can predict homolysis BDE which cannot be obtained experimentally.

Soil-Release Finishes for Potential Use in the White Certified Navy Twill Uniforms.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-01-01

motor oil, frgit juices, and lipstick from the white, 100% texturized polyester, 7.0 oz/yd , Certified Navy Twill (CNT) used in the manufacture of Navy...subjected to. Although the use of French dressing, grape juice, lipstick , and shoe polish are self-explanatory, the use of gra- phite motor oil was...with this procedure. Solid Stains A new method, which had to be developed to apply the solid stains (shoe polish and lipstick ), involved using the

Speech Envelope Normalization, a Method to Improve SNR and Suppress Noise in Present and Future Radio Systems.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-12-01

GRA&IT--4 I DTIC TAB U:.r.nnoincee Distr±iatic !/ KAvnilr,1.llty Codes AvRUJ and/or Dist S pecial 1 AN 𔄃 . .. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The success of the...evaluated. Two different approaches emerged, one employing cascaded active all-pass networks, and the other using a charged coupled device sampled data delay...Wideband 900 Phase-Shifters 38 * 5.2 Samples Data Direct Hilbert Transforms 43 5.3 Charge Coupled Device (CCD) Implementation 45 5.4 Digital

Application of GRA for Sustainable Material Selection and Evaluation Using LCA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jayakrishna, Kandasamy; Vinodh, Sekar; Sakthi Sanghvi, Vijayaselvan; Deepika, Chinadurai

2016-07-01

Material selection is identified as a successful key parameter in establishing any product to be sustainable, considering its end of life (EoL) characteristics. An accurate understanding of expected service conditions and environmental considerations are crucial in the selection of material plays a vital role with overwhelming customer expectations and stringent laws. Therefore, this article presents an integrated approach for sustainable material selection using grey relational analysis (GRA) considering the EoL disposal strategies with respect to an automotive product. GRA, an impact evaluation model measures the degree of similarity between the comparability (choice of material) sequence and reference (EoL strategies) sequence based on the relational grade. The ranking result shows that the outranking relationships in the order, ABS-REC > PP-INC > AL-REM > PP-LND > ABS-LND > ABS-INC > PU-LND > AL-REC > AL-LND > PU-INC > AL-INC. The best sustainable material selected was ABS and recycling was selected as the best EoL strategy with the grey relational value of 2.43856. The best material selected by this approach, ABS was evaluated for its viability using life cycle assessment and the estimated impacts also proved the practicability of the selected material highlighting the focus on dehumidification step in the manufacturing of the case product using this developed multi-criteria approach.

Nondestructive continuous physical property measurements of core samples recovered from hole B, Taiwan Chelungpu-Fault Drilling Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hirono, Tetsuro; Yeh, En-Chao; Lin, Weiren; Sone, Hiroki; Mishima, Toshiaki; Soh, Wonn; Hashimoto, Yoshitaka; Matsubayashi, Osamu; Aoike, Kan; Ito, Hisao; Kinoshita, Masataka; Murayama, Masafumi; Song, Sheng-Rong; Ma, Kuo-Fong; Hung, Jih-Hao; Wang, Chien-Ying; Tsai, Yi-Ben; Kondo, Tomomi; Nishimura, Masahiro; Moriya, Soichi; Tanaka, Tomoyuki; Fujiki, Toru; Maeda, Lena; Muraki, Hiroaki; Kuramoto, Toshikatsu; Sugiyama, Kazuhiro; Sugawara, Toshikatsu

2007-07-01

The Taiwan Chelungpu-Fault Drilling Project was undertaken in 2002 to investigate the faulting mechanism of the 1999 Mw 7.6 Taiwan Chi-Chi earthquake. Hole B penetrated the Chelungpu fault, and core samples were recovered from between 948.42- and 1352.60-m depth. Three major zones, designated FZB1136 (fault zone at 1136-m depth in hole B), FZB1194, and FZB1243, were recognized in the core samples as active fault zones within the Chelungpu fault. Nondestructive continuous physical property measurements, conducted on all core samples, revealed that the three major fault zones were characterized by low gamma ray attenuation (GRA) densities and high magnetic susceptibilities. Extensive fracturing and cracks within the fault zones and/or loss of atoms with high atomic number, but not a measurement artifact, might have caused the low GRA densities, whereas the high magnetic susceptibility values might have resulted from the formation of magnetic minerals from paramagnetic minerals by frictional heating. Minor fault zones were characterized by low GRA densities and no change in magnetic susceptibility, and the latter may indicate that these minor zones experienced relatively low frictional heating. Magnetic susceptibility in a fault zone may be key to the determination that frictional heating occurred during an earthquake on the fault.

Suppressors for Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2/4 (HER2/4): A New Family of Anti-Toxoplasmic Agents in ARPE-19 Cells

PubMed Central

Kim, Yeong Hoon; Bhatt, Lokraj; Ahn, Hye-Jin; Yang, Zhaoshou; Lee, Won-Kyu; Nam, Ho-Woo

2017-01-01

The effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) were evaluated on growth inhibition of intracellular Toxoplasma gondii in host ARPE-19 cells. The number of tachyzoites per parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (PVM) was counted after treatment with TKIs. T. gondii protein expression was assessed by western blot. Immunofluorescence assay was performed using Programmed Cell Death 4 (PDCD4) and T. gondii GRA3 antibodies. The TKIs were divided into 3 groups; non-epidermal growth factor receptor (non-EGFR), anti-human EGFR 2 (anti-HER2), and anti-HER2/4 TKIs, respectively. Group I TKIs (nintedanib, AZD9291, and sunitinib) were unable to inhibit proliferation without destroying host cells. Group II TKIs (lapatinib, gefitinib, erlotinib, and AG1478) inhibited proliferation up to 98% equivalent to control pyrimethamine (5 μM) at 20 μM and higher, without affecting host cells. Group III TKIs (neratinib, dacomitinib, afatinib, and pelitinib) inhibited proliferation up to 98% equivalent to pyrimethamine at 1–5 μM, but host cells were destroyed at 10–20 μM. In Group I, TgHSP90 and SAG1 inhibitions were weak, and GRA3 expression was moderately inhibited. In Group II, TgHSP90 and SAG1 expressions seemed to be slightly enhanced, while GRA3 showed none to mild inhibition; however, AG1478 inhibited all proteins moderately. Protein expression was blocked in Group III, comparable to pyrimethamine. PDCD4 and GRA3 were well localized inside the nuclei in Group I, mildly disrupted in Group II, and were completely disrupted in Group III. This study suggests the possibility of a vital T. gondii TK having potential HER2/4 properties, thus anti-HER2/4 TKIs may inhibit intracellular parasite proliferation with minimal adverse effects on host cells. PMID:29103264

Suppressors for Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2/4 (HER2/4): A New Family of Anti-Toxoplasmic Agents in ARPE-19 Cells.

PubMed

Kim, Yeong Hoon; Bhatt, Lokraj; Ahn, Hye-Jin; Yang, Zhaoshou; Lee, Won-Kyu; Nam, Ho-Woo

2017-10-01

The effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) were evaluated on growth inhibition of intracellular Toxoplasma gondii in host ARPE-19 cells. The number of tachyzoites per parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (PVM) was counted after treatment with TKIs. T. gondii protein expression was assessed by western blot. Immunofluorescence assay was performed using Programmed Cell Death 4 (PDCD4) and T. gondii GRA3 antibodies. The TKIs were divided into 3 groups; non-epidermal growth factor receptor (non-EGFR), anti-human EGFR 2 (anti-HER2), and anti-HER2/4 TKIs, respectively. Group I TKIs (nintedanib, AZD9291, and sunitinib) were unable to inhibit proliferation without destroying host cells. Group II TKIs (lapatinib, gefitinib, erlotinib, and AG1478) inhibited proliferation up to 98% equivalent to control pyrimethamine (5 μM) at 20 μM and higher, without affecting host cells. Group III TKIs (neratinib, dacomitinib, afatinib, and pelitinib) inhibited proliferation up to 98% equivalent to pyrimethamine at 1-5 μM, but host cells were destroyed at 10-20 μM. In Group I, TgHSP90 and SAG1 inhibitions were weak, and GRA3 expression was moderately inhibited. In Group II, TgHSP90 and SAG1 expressions seemed to be slightly enhanced, while GRA3 showed none to mild inhibition; however, AG1478 inhibited all proteins moderately. Protein expression was blocked in Group III, comparable to pyrimethamine. PDCD4 and GRA3 were well localized inside the nuclei in Group I, mildly disrupted in Group II, and were completely disrupted in Group III. This study suggests the possibility of a vital T. gondii TK having potential HER2/4 properties, thus anti-HER2/4 TKIs may inhibit intracellular parasite proliferation with minimal adverse effects on host cells.

Contribution of Selected Gene Mutations to Resistance in Clinical Isolates of Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus

PubMed Central

Hafer, Cory; Lin, Ying; Kornblum, John; Lowy, Franklin D.

2012-01-01

Infections with vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) have been associated with vancomycin treatment failures and poor clinical outcomes. Routine identification of clinical isolates with increased vancomycin MICs remains challenging, and no molecular marker exists to aid in diagnosis of VISA strains. We tested vancomycin susceptibilities by using microscan, Etest, and population analyses in a collection of putative VISA, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (VSSA) infectious isolates from community- or hospital-associated S. aureus infections (n = 77) and identified 22 VISA and 9 heterogeneous VISA (hVISA) isolates. Sequencing of VISA candidate loci vraS, vraR, yvqF, graR, graS, walR, walK, and rpoB revealed a high diversity of nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). For vraS, vraR, yvqF, walK, and rpoB, SNPs were more frequently present in VISA and hVISA than in VSSA isolates, whereas mutations in graR, graS, and walR were exclusively detected in VISA isolates. For each of the individual loci, SNPs were only detected in about half of the VISA isolates. All but one VISA isolate had at least one SNP in any of the genes sequenced, and isolates with an MIC of 6 or 8 μg/ml harbored at least 2 SNPs. Overall, increasing vancomycin MICs were paralleled by a higher proportion of isolates with SNPs. Depending on the clonal background, SNPs appeared to preferentially accumulate in vraS and vraR for sequence type 8 (ST8) and in walK and walR for ST5 isolates. Taken together, by comparing VISA, hVISA, and VSSA controls, we observed preferential clustering of SNPs in VISA candidate genes, with an unexpectedly high diversity across these loci. Our results support a polygenetic etiology of VISA. PMID:22948864

Vaccine potential of antigen cocktails composed of recombinant Toxoplasma gondii TgPI-1, ROP2 and GRA4 proteins against chronic toxoplasmosis in C3H mice.

PubMed

Picchio, Mariano S; Sánchez, Vanesa R; Arcon, Nadia; Soto, Ariadna S; Perrone Sibilia, Matías; Aldirico, María de Los Angeles; Urrutia, Mariela; Moretta, Rosalía; Fenoy, Ignacio M; Goldman, Alejandra; Martin, Valentina

2018-02-01

The development of an effective and safe vaccine to prevent Toxoplasma gondii infection is an important aim due to the great clinical and economic impact of this parasitosis. We have previously demonstrated that immunization with the serine protease inhibitor-1 (TgPI-1) confers partial protection to C3H/HeN and C57BL/6 mice. In order to improve the level of protection, in this work, we combined this novel antigen with ROP2 and/or GRA4 recombinant proteins (rTgPI-1+rROP2, rTgPI-1+rGRA4, rTgPI-1+rROP2+rGRA4) to explore the best combination against chronic toxoplasmosis in C3H/HeN mice. All tested vaccine formulations, administered following a homologous prime-boost protocol that combines intradermal and intranasal routes, conferred partial protection as measured by the reduction of brain cyst burden following oral challenge with tissue cysts of Me49 T. gondii strain. The highest level of protection was achieved by the mixture of rTgPI-1 and rROP2 proteins with an average parasite burden reduction of 50% compared to the unvaccinated control group. The vaccine-induced protective effect was related to the elicitation of systemic cellular and humoral immune responses that included antigen-specific spleen cell proliferation, the release of Th1/Th2 cytokines, and the generation of antigen-specific antibodies in serum. Additionally, mucosal immune responses were also induced, characterized by secretion of antigen-specific IgA antibodies in intestinal lavages and specific mesenteric lymph node cell proliferation. Our results demonstrate that rTgPI-1+rROP2 antigens seem a promising mixture to be combined with other immunogenic proteins in a multiantigenic vaccine formulation against toxoplasmosis. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A comparative analysis of 9 multi-model averaging approaches in hydrological continuous streamflow simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arsenault, Richard; Gatien, Philippe; Renaud, Benoit; Brissette, François; Martel, Jean-Luc

2015-10-01

This study aims to test whether a weighted combination of several hydrological models can simulate flows more accurately than the models taken individually. In addition, the project attempts to identify the most efficient model averaging method and the optimal number of models to include in the weighting scheme. In order to address the first objective, streamflow was simulated using four lumped hydrological models (HSAMI, HMETS, MOHYSE and GR4J-6), each of which were calibrated with three different objective functions on 429 watersheds. The resulting 12 hydrographs (4 models × 3 metrics) were weighted and combined with the help of 9 averaging methods which are the simple arithmetic mean (SAM), Akaike information criterion (AICA), Bates-Granger (BGA), Bayes information criterion (BICA), Bayesian model averaging (BMA), Granger-Ramanathan average variant A, B and C (GRA, GRB and GRC) and the average by SCE-UA optimization (SCA). The same weights were then applied to the hydrographs in validation mode, and the Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency metric was measured between the averaged and observed hydrographs. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the accuracy of weighted methods to that of individual models. A Kruskal-Wallis test and a multi-objective optimization algorithm were then used to identify the most efficient weighted method and the optimal number of models to integrate. Results suggest that the GRA, GRB, GRC and SCA weighted methods perform better than the individual members. Model averaging from these four methods were superior to the best of the individual members in 76% of the cases. Optimal combinations on all watersheds included at least one of each of the four hydrological models. None of the optimal combinations included all members of the ensemble of 12 hydrographs. The Granger-Ramanathan average variant C (GRC) is recommended as the best compromise between accuracy, speed of execution, and simplicity.

Application of the Deming Management Method to Implement Total Quality Management in the DoD

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-09-01

of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government. b T; Aocesslon For NTIS GRA&I...Plans should be made bhiat reflect the long-term well-being of a firm , not just the next quarterly report. Investments must.be made in the...world leaders. While this was happening U.S. firms continued ’ith their post WWII mindset. Industries in the U.S. must realize they can not survive

A new human IgG avidity test, using mixtures of recombinant antigens (rROP1, rSAG2, rGRA6), for the diagnosis of difficult-to-identify phases of toxoplasmosis.

PubMed

Drapała, Dorota; Holec-Gąsior, Lucyna; Kur, Józef; Ferra, Bartłomiej; Hiszczyńska-Sawicka, Elżbieta; Lautenbach, Dariusz

2014-07-01

The preliminary diagnostic utility of two mixtures of Toxoplasma gondii recombinant antigens (rROP1+rSAG2 and rROP1+rGRA6) in IgG ELISA and IgG avidity test has been evaluated. A total of 173 serum samples from patients with toxoplasmosis and seronegative people were examined. The sensitivity of IgG ELISA for rROP1+rSAG2 and rROP1+rGRA6 was 91.1% and 76.7%, respectively, while the reactivity for sera from patients where acute toxoplasmosis was suspected was higher, at 100% and 95.4%, respectively, than for people with chronic infection, at 88.2% and 70.6%. In this study a different trend in avidity maturation of IgG antibodies for two mixtures of proteins in comparison with native antigen was observed. The results suggest that a new IgG avidity test using the mixtures of recombinant antigens may be useful for the diagnosis of difficult-to-identify phases of toxoplasmosis. For this reason, selected mixtures after the additional tests on groups of sera with well-defined dates of infection could be used as a better alternative to the native antigens of the parasite in the serodiagnosis of human T. gondii infection. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Intra-operatively measured spastic semimembranosus forces of children with cerebral palsy.

PubMed

Yucesoy, Can A; Temelli, Yener; Ateş, Filiz

2017-10-01

The knee kept forcibly in a flexed position is typical in cerebral palsy. Using a benchmark, we investigate intra-operatively if peak spastic hamstring force is measured in flexed knee positions. This tests the assumed shift of optimal length due to adaptation of spastic muscle and a decreasing force trend towards extension. Previously we measured spastic gracilis (GRA) and semitendinosus (ST) forces. Presently, we studied spastic semimembranosus (SM) and tested the following hypotheses: spastic SM forces are (1) high in flexed and (2) low in extended positions. We compared the data to those of GRA and ST to test (3) if percentages of peak force produced in flexed positions are different. During muscle lengthening surgery of 8 CP patients (9years, 4months; GMFCS levels=II-IV; limbs tested=13) isometric SM forces were measured from flexion (120°) to full extension (0°). Spastic SM forces were low in flexed knee positions (only 4.2% (3.4%) and 10.7% (9.7%) of peak force at KA=120° and KA=90° respectively, indicating less force production compared to the GRA or ST) and high in extended knee positions (even 100% of peak force at KA=0°). This indicates an absence of strong evidence for a shift of optimal muscle length of SM towards flexion. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Geochemistry of Vesta and Ceres: In-flight calibration of Dawn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prettyman, T. H.; Feldman, W. C.; McSween, H. Y.

2009-04-01

The purpose of the Dawn mission is to investigate processes that contributed to the formation and early evolution of solid bodies in the solar system by exploring Vesta and Ceres, which are the two largest bodies in the main astreroid belt. Because they were formed at different heliocentric distances, Vesta and Ceres incorporated different amounts of water and other volatiles, which strongly influenced their thermal evolution. Vesta, which is thought to be the source of the basaltic, Howardite, Eucrite, and Diogenite (HED) meteorites, is dry and underwent igneous differentiation. In contrast, low-temperature, aqueous processing must have played an important role in the evolution of Ceres, which is rich in water and other volatiles, and may still contain subsurface liquid water. By exploring both Vesta and Ceres, the gradient in the composition of the solar nebula and role of water in planetary evolution can be investigated. The Dawn payload includes redundant framing cameras (FC), a visible and infrared spectrometer (VIR), and a gamma ray and neutron detector (GRaND), which, along with radio science, will measure surface geomorphology, composition, and mineralogy, and provide constraints on the internal structure of Vesta and Ceres. For both Vesta and Ceres, global mapping data will be acquired from circular polar orbits. In low altitude orbits, GRaND will map the elemental composition of Vesta and Ceres to depths less than one meter, including major rock forming elements and light elements (such as H, C, and N), which are the primary constituents of ices. GRaND consists of 21 radiation sensors, which measure the spectrum of neutrons and gamma rays originating from interactions between galactic cosmic rays and the material constituents of the asteroids and, separately, backgrounds from spacecraft materials. GRaND uses a bismuth germanate (BGO) scintillator for gamma ray spectroscopy, which has high efficiency, enabling the measurement of gamma rays up to 10 MeV, including capture gamma rays from Fe and Ti. Below 3 MeV, the BGO sensor works in combination with a 16-element array of CdZnTe semiconductors, which have relatively high resolution, enabling accurate measurement of the densely populated, low energy region of the gamma ray spectrum, which contains gamma rays from radioactive decay (K, Th, and U) and from nuclear reactions (for example, with Mg, Si, and H). Thermal, epithermal, and fast neutrons are measured using a combination of boron-loaded plastic and lithium-loaded glass scintillators. At Vesta, gamma ray and neutron spectroscopy will be used to determine geochemical trends that can be compared with HED data. For example, a scatter plot of the average atomic mass (determined from fast neutrons) and magnesium number can be used to tell the difference between diogenite and eucrite compositions, which are HED end-members. Correlations with MgO (for example, with FeO or SiO2) also strongly differentiate between diogenite and eucrite, and, in combination with optical spectroscopy, can be used to determine whether an olivine-rich mantle is exposed in Vesta's large south polar crater. At Ceres, neutron spectroscopy can be used to determine water abundance and layering (for example, ice may be present in the shallow subsurface at high latitudes), which will provide constraints on recharge and loss mechanisms (for example, emplacement via water volcanism vs. gradual replenishment from a subsurface acquifer). In addition, nuclear spectroscopy can be used to determine the possible presence of CO2 and NH3 ices on the surface of Ceres as well as the composition of non-icy materials, including the hydration state and composition of surface minerals. GRaND was calibrated in the laboratory prior to delivery to the spacecraft. In addition, the response of the instrument to the space radiation environment was measured during Earth-Mars cruise, which followed launch in September of 2007. Because the data were acquired when the energetic particle flux was minimal, the measurements are ideal for determining the background from galactic cosmic rays under conditions that would be ideal for science data acquisition at Vesta and Ceres. In February of 2009, the spacecraft will fly by Mars. At closest approach, the spacecraft will be within 500 km of Mars, providing GRaND with a strong source of planetary neutrons and gamma rays, which will be used to cross-calibrate GRaND against elemental abundance data acquired by the Mars Odyssey Gamma Ray Spectrometer instrument suite. Here, we describe the instrument response model and its application to the analysis of the space radiation background during cruise and cross-calibration against Odyssey data at Mars. The model is applied to determine the expected performance of GRaND at Vesta and Ceres.

Addition of Lubiprostone to polyethylene glycol(PEG) enhances the quality & efficacy of colonoscopy preparation: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial.

PubMed

Banerjee, Rupa; Chaudhari, Hrushikesh; Shah, Nirish; Saravanan, Arjunan; Tandan, Manu; Reddy, D Nageshwar

2016-10-13

Adequate bowel preparation is an essential prerequisite for complete mucosal visualization during colonoscopy. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions are commonly used. However the large volume of the solution is often poorly tolerated. Addition of Lubiprostone (LB) could improve the adequacy of standard PEG preparation & reduce requirement. The aims to assess adequacy of PEG preparation with addition of single dose LB (24mcg) vs placebo and efficacy of reduced dose PEG + LB compared with full dose PEG + LB. Single center prospective double blind randomized controlled trial. Part I: 442 patients for colonoscopy randomized to receive placebo (GrA) or single dose of LB (GrB) prior to PEG preparation. Quality of bowel preparation graded 0-9 according to Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). BBPS-9: excellent and BBPS 0-4: repeat procedure. Part II: 146 patients randomized to receive LB + 1.5 L PEG (GrC; 75) or LB + 1 L PEG (GrD; 71). BBPS score compared with GrB (2 L PEG). Part I: 442 patients (221 GrA & 221 Gr B). LB resulted in significant improvement in total BBPS (7.44 + 0.14 vs. 6.36 + 0.16, p < 0.0001). 66.5 % Gr B vs 38 % Gr A had excellent prep; 42.5 % GrB vs 24 % GrA had adequate prep. Repeat procedure needed 9.5 % Gr B vs 16.7 % Gr A (P < 0.01). Part II: No difference in BBPS scores with lower doses (Gr C&D) compared to standard (GrB) (Mean BBPS 7.44 + 0.14 GrA,7.30 + 0.25 GrC;7.25 + 0.26 GrD;p >0.05). Single dose LB prior to PEG significantly enhanced bowel preparation compared to PEG alone. There was no significant difference in quality of preparation with lower doses of PEG when combined with LB. The study protocol was approved by institutional review board and the trial was registered on March 22, 2011 with clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT01324284 ).

Illinois highway statistics sheet : 1999

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-01-01

Data available on Population, Licensed Drivers, Vehciles registered, Annual Vehicle Miles of Travel, Gallons of Fuel Consumed, Miles of Highways & Streets, Highway Structures Greater Than 20', Public Railroad Grade Crossings, and Private Railroad Gra...

Illinois highway statistics sheet : 2004

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2005-01-01

Data available on Population, Licensed Drivers, Vehciles Registered, Annual Vehicle Miles of Travel, Gallons of Fuel Consumed, Miles of Highways & Streets, Highway Structures Greater Than 20', Public Railroad Grade Crossings, and Private Railroad Gra...

Illinois highway statistics sheet : 2003

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2004-01-01

Data available on Population, Licensed Drivers, Vehciles Registered, Annual Vehicle Miles of Travel, Gallons of Fuel Consumed, Miles of Highways & Streets, Highway Structures Greater Than 20', Public Railroad Grade Crossings, and Private Railroad Gra...

Illinois highway statistics sheet : 2002

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2003-01-01

Data available on Population, Licensed Drivers, Vehciles Registered, Annual Vehicle Miles of Travel, Gallons of Fuel Consumed, Miles of Highways & Streets, Highway Structures Greater Than 20', Public Railroad Grade Crossings, and Private Railroad Gra...

Genetic diversity among sea otter isolates of Toxoplasma gondii

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sundar, N.; Cole, Rebecca A.; Thomas, N.J.; Majumdar, D.; Dubey, J.P.; Su, C.

2008-01-01

Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) have been reported to become infected with Toxoplasma gondiiand at times succumb to clinical disease. Here, we determined genotypes of 39 T. gondiiisolates from 37 sea otters in two geographically distant locations (25 from California and 12 from Washington). Six genotypes were identified using 10 PCR-RFLP genetic markers including SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico, and by DNA sequencing of loci SAG1 and GRA6 in 13 isolates. Of these 39 isolates, 13 (33%) were clonal Type II which can be further divided into two groups at the locus Apico. Two of the 39 isolates had Type II alleles at all loci except a Type I allele at locus L358. One isolate had Type II alleles at all loci except the Type I alleles at loci L358 and Apico. One isolate had Type III alleles at all loci except Type II alleles at SAG2 and Apico. Two sea otter isolates had a mixed infection. Twenty-one (54%) isolates had an unique allele at SAG1 locus. Further genotyping or DNA sequence analysis for 18 of these 21 isolates at loci SAG1 and GRA6 revealed that there were two different genotypes, including the previously identified Type X (four isolates) and a new genotype named Type A (14 isolates). The results from this study suggest that the sea otter isolates are genetically diverse.

Atypical Strain of Toxoplasma gondii Causing Fatal Reactivation after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantion in a Patient with an Underlying Immunological Deficiency

PubMed Central

Štajner, Tijana; Vasiljević, Zorica; Vujić, Dragana; Marković, Marija; Ristić, Goran; Mićić, Dragan; Pašić, Srdjan; Ivović, Vladimir; Ajzenberg, Daniel

2013-01-01

In immunocompromized patients, including hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients, life-threatening toxoplasmosis may result from reactivation of previous infection. We report a case of severe disseminated toxoplasmosis that developed early after allogeneic HSCT for T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma in a 15-year-old Toxoplasma gondii-seropositive boy with Nijmegen breakage syndrome, a rare genetic DNA repair disorder associated with immunodeficiency. The donor was the patient's HLA-identical brother. Prophylaxis with cotrimoxazole was discontinued a day before the HSCT procedure. Signs of lung infection appeared as early as day 14 post-HSCT. The presence of tachyzoite-like structures on Giemsa-stained bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid smears suggested toxoplasmosis. Real-time PCR targeted at the T. gondii AF146527 gene revealed extremely high parasite burdens in both blood and BAL fluid. Although immediate introduction of specific treatment resulted in a marked reduction of the parasite load and transient clinical improvement, the patient deteriorated and died of multiple organ failure on day 39 post-HSCT. Direct genotyping of T. gondii DNA from blood and BAL fluid with the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method revealed type II alleles with SAG1, SAG2, and GRA6 markers but alleles of both type I and type II with GRA7. Additional analysis with 15 microsatellite markers showed that the T. gondii DNA was atypical and genetically divergent from that of the clonal type I, II, and III strains. This is the first report of increased clinical severity of toxoplasmosis associated with an atypical strain in the setting of immunosuppression, which emphasizes the need to diagnose and monitor toxoplasmosis by quantitative molecular methods in cases of reactivation risk. PMID:23761151

35 years of Ambient Noise: Can We Evidence Daily to Climatic Relative Velocity Changes ?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lecocq, T.; Pedersen, H.; Brenguier, F.; Stammler, K.

2014-12-01

The broadband Grafenberg array (Germany) has been installed in 1976 and, thanks to visionary scientists and network maintainers, the continuous data acquired has been preserved until today. Using state of the art pre-processing and cross-correlation techniques, we are able to extract cross-correlation functions (CCF) between sensor pairs. It has been shown recently that, provided enough computation power is available, there is no need to define a reference CCF to compare all days to. Indeed, one can compare each day to all days, computing the "all-doublet". The number of calculations becomes huge (N vs ref = N calculations, N vs N= N*N), but the result, once inverted, is way more stable because of the N observations per day. This analysis has been done on a parallelized version of MSNoise (http://msnoise.org), running on the VEGA cluster hosted at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB, Belgium). Here, we present preliminary results of the analysis of two stations, GRA1 and GRA2, the first two stations installed in March 1976. The interferogram (observation of the CCF through time, see Figure) already shows interesting features in the ballistic wave shape, highly correlated to the seasons. A reasonably high correlation can still be seen outside the ballistic arrival, after +-5 second lag time. The lag times between 5 and 25 seconds are then used to compute the dv/v using the all-doublet method. We expect to evidence daily to seasonal, or even to longer period dv/v variations and/or noise source position changes using this method. Once done with 1 sensor pair, the full data of the Grafenberg array will be used to enhance the resolution even more.

Antarctic Meteorite Newsletter. Volume 20

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lindstrom, Marilyn M.; Satterwhite, Cecilia E.

1997-01-01

The availability of 116 new meteorites from the 1994-1996 collections is announced. There are 4 special chondrites, 2 carbonaceous chondrites, and 1 achondrite among the new meteorites. Also included is a redescription of Lodranite GRA95209.

Reconstruction of railroads and highways with in-situ reclamation materials.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-03-01

The resilient modulus and plastic deformation of recycled roadway materials with and without fly ash stabilization were characterized using a large-scale model experiment (LSME). Stabilization of recycled pavement materials (RPM) and road surface gra...

Pervious Pavement System Evaluation- Abstract

EPA Science Inventory

Porous pavement is a low impact development stormwater control. The Urban Watershed Management Branch is evaluating interlocking concrete pavers as a popular implementation. The pavers themselves are impermeable, but the spaces between the pavers are backfilled with washed, gra...

Pervious Pavement System Evaluation- Abstract 1

EPA Science Inventory

Porous pavement is a low impact development stormwater control. The Urban Watershed Management Branch is evaluating interlocking concrete pavers as a popular implementation. The pavers themselves are impermeable, but the spaces between the pavers are backfilled with washed, gra...

GraDit: graph-based data repair algorithm for multiple data edits rule violations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ode Zuhayeni Madjida, Wa; Gusti Bagus Baskara Nugraha, I.

2018-03-01

Constraint-based data cleaning captures data violation to a set of rule called data quality rules. The rules consist of integrity constraint and data edits. Structurally, they are similar, where the rule contain left hand side and right hand side. Previous research proposed a data repair algorithm for integrity constraint violation. The algorithm uses undirected hypergraph as rule violation representation. Nevertheless, this algorithm can not be applied for data edits because of different rule characteristics. This study proposed GraDit, a repair algorithm for data edits rule. First, we use bipartite-directed hypergraph as model representation of overall defined rules. These representation is used for getting interaction between violation rules and clean rules. On the other hand, we proposed undirected graph as violation representation. Our experimental study showed that algorithm with undirected graph as violation representation model gave better data quality than algorithm with undirected hypergraph as representation model.

Antarctic Meteorite Newsletter, Volume 31, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Satterwhite, Cecilia (Editor); Righter, Kevin (Editor)

2008-01-01

This newsletter reports 418 new meteorites from the 2004 and 2006 ANSMET seasons from the Cumulus Hills (CMS), LaPaz Ice Field (LAP), Graves Nunataks (GRA), Grosvenor Mountains (GRO), Larkman Nunatak (LAR), MacAlpine Hills (MAC), Miller Range (MIL), Roberts Massif (RBT), and Scott Glacier (SCO). These new samples include one iron, 1 eucrite, 1 mesosiderite, 6 CK chondrites (2 with pairing), 2 CV3 chondrites, 1 CM1, 7 CM2 (4 with pairing), 3 CR2 (2 with pairing), and one each of a type 3 L and H chondrites. The CK6 chondrites (LAR 06869, 06872, 06873) are unusual in that they have no discernable chondrules, extremely fine-grained texture, and are full of veins. This newsletter represents a break from recent newsletters in which we have announced many unusual and popular samples, including new lunar and martian meteorites, an unusual achondrite (GRA 06128 and 06129 the topic of a special session at this years LPSC).

Clinical and molecular evidence of the consumption of broccoli, glucoraphanin and sulforaphane in humans.

PubMed

Conzatti, Adriana; Fróes, Fernanda Carolina Telles da Silva; Schweigert Perry, Ingrid Dalira; Souza, Carolina Guerini de

2014-11-30

Sulforaphane (SFN) is an isothiocyanate derived from glucoraphanin (GRA), which is found in great amounts especially in broccoli. Its consumption has been reported to be associated with a lower risk of myocardial infarction and cancer development. Additionally, its effects have been studied in neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and atherosclerosis, most of the times using animal models and cell cultures. Given the promising results of SFN, this review aimed to investigate evidence documented in human intervention studies with broccoli, GRA and SFN. A search was performed on PubMed and Virtual Health Library databases by two independent researchers using the descriptors "broccoli" or "glucoraphanin" or "sulforaphane", which should appear on the study's title or abstract. This review included randomized clinical trials performed in humans that were published in English and Portuguese from 2003 to 2013 and that considered clinical and molecular parameters of cell damage as outcomes of interest. Seventeen studies were selected, and the predominant type of intervention was broccoli sprouts. More consistent results were obtained for the clinical parameters blood glucose and lipid profile and for molecular parameters of oxidative stress, indicating that there was an improvement in these parameters after intervention. Less solid evidence was found with regard to decreased inflammation, Helicobacter pylori colonization, and protection against cancer. Although being relevant, the evidence for the use of broccoli, GRA and SFN in humans are limited; thus, further intervention studies are needed to evaluate outcomes more consistently and reach better grounded conclusions. Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.

Production and evaluation of sugar cane fiber geotextiles : report 2 : field testing.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-03-01

Prior research involved the production and laboratory testing of sugar cane fiber geotextiles for soil erosion control. Comparative preliminary studies were conducted on test slopes to determine slope stability, in horticulture plots to determine gra...

Understanding Volatile Occurrence on Vesta Using Bistatic Radar and GRaND Observations by the Dawn Mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palmer, E. M.; Heggy, E.; Kofman, W. W.

2016-12-01

The first orbital bistatic radar experiment was conducted by Dawn at Asteroid Vesta, where Dawn's HGA was used to transmit X-band radio waves and Earth's Deep Space Network (DSN) 70-meter antennas were used to receive. Due to the opportunistic nature of the experiment, the HGA remained in a fixed orientation toward the Earth such that surface radar reflections occurred at grazing incidence angles of 89° just before and after Dawn's occultation behind Vesta. Among the 16 observed echo sites, we find that σ0ranges from -12 dB to -20 dB and has corresponding RMS slopes ranging from 1°- 8°. To assess potential volatile presence, we compare the distribution of RMS slopes to subsurface hydrogen concentrations observed by Dawn's Gamma Ray and Neutron Detector (GRaND) to 1 m depth. While Vesta's surface is thought to have been largely depleted of volatiles during its differentiation, observations by Dawn'sGRaND and VIR instruments suggest the potential introduction of hydrated material through meteoritic impacts. We identify seven sites of potential volatile occurrence—where low roughness (<5°) is observed to be coupled with high content of hydrated materials (0.025 - 0.04 wt%). Such sites support the possibility of volatile presence, as the regolith should otherwise be particularly rough in the absence of smoothening processes such as the melting, run-off and recrystallization of water ice after an impact. The sites correspond to occultation entry orbit numbers 635, 644 and 719—which overlap Divalia Fossae, Marcia crater ejecta and Octavia crater, respectively—and exit orbit numbers 377, 406, 407 and 720—overlapping northern cratered trough terrain, dark material near Aruntia crater and the cratered highlands. Toward comparing volatile occurrence on other small bodies, Dawn'sBSR experiment at Asteroid Ceres raises new questions. How does the range of decimeter-scale RMS slopes compare with Vesta's surface? How well does the distribution of RMS slopes correlate with GRaND's map of subsurface hydrogen concentration? In addition to optimizing future missions' landing and surface trafficability, characterizing small body surface roughness using BSR will enable further investigation into the relationship between volatile presence and decimeter-scale surface roughness.

Ancient graphite in the Eoarchean quartz-pyroxene rocks from Akilia in southern West Greenland II: Isotopic and chemical compositions and comparison with Paleoproterozoic banded iron formations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papineau, Dominic; De Gregorio, Bradley T.; Stroud, Rhonda M.; Steele, Andrew; Pecoits, Ernesto; Konhauser, Kurt; Wang, Jianhua; Fogel, Marilyn L.

2010-10-01

We present detailed petrographic surveys of apatite grains in association with carbonaceous material (CM) in two banded iron formations (BIFs) from the Paleoproterozoic of Uruguay and Michigan for comparison with similar mineral associations in the highly debated Akilia Quartz-pyroxene (Qp) rock. Petrographic and Raman spectroscopic surveys of these Paleoproterozoic BIFs show that apatite grains typically occur in bands parallel to bedding and are more often associated with CM when concentrations of organic matter are high. Carbonaceous material in the Vichadero BIF from Uruguay is generally well-crystallized graphite and occurs in concentrations around 0.01 wt% with an average δ 13C gra value of -28.6 ± 4.4‰ (1 σ). In this BIF, only about 5% of apatite grains are associated with graphite. In comparison, CM in the Bijiki BIF from Michigan is also graphitic, but occurs in concentrations around 2.4 wt% with δ 13C gra values around -24.0 ± 0.3‰ (1 σ). In the Bijiki BIF, more than 78% of apatite grains are associated with CM. Given the geologic context and high levels of CM in the Bijiki BIF, the significantly higher proportion of apatite grains associated with CM in this rock is interpreted to represent diagenetically altered biomass and shows that such diagenetic mineral associations can survive metamorphism up to the amphibolite facies. Isotope compositions of CM in muffled acidified whole-rock powders from the Akilia Qp rock have average δ 13C gra values of -17.5 ± 2.5‰ (1 σ), while δ 13C carb values in whole-rock powders average -4.0 ± 1.0‰ (1 σ). Carbon isotope compositions of graphite associated with apatite and other minerals in the Akilia Qp rock were also measured with the NanoSIMS to have similar ranges of δ 13C gra values averaging -13.8 ± 5.6‰ (1 σ). The NanoSIMS was also used to semi-quantitatively map the distributions of H, N, O, P, and S in graphite from the Akilia Qp rock, and relative abundances were found to be similar for graphite associated with apatite or with hornblende, calcite, and sulfides. These analyses revealed generally lower abundances of trace elements in the Akilia graphite compared to graphite associated with apatite from Paleoproterozoic BIFs. Graphite associated with hornblende, calcite, and sulfides in the Akilia Qp rock was fluid-deposited at high-temperature from carbon-bearing fluids, and since this graphite has similar ranges of δ 13C gra values and of trace elements compared to graphite associated with apatite, we conclude that the Akilia graphite in different mineral associations formed from the same source(s) of CM. Collectively our results do not exclude a biogenic origin of the carbon in the Akilia graphite, but because some observations can not exclude graphitization of abiogenic carbon from CO 2- and CH 4-bearing mantle fluids, there remain ambiguities with respect to the exact origin of carbon in this ancient metasedimentary rock. Accordingly, there may have been several generations of graphite formation along with possibly varying mixtures of CO 2- and CH 4-bearing fluids that may have resulted in large ranges of δ 13C gra values. The possibility of fluid-deposited graphite associated with apatite should be a focus of future investigations as this may prove to be an alternative pathway of graphitization from phosphate-bearing fluids. Correlated micro-analytical approaches tested on terrestrial rocks in this work provide insights into the origin of carbon in ancient graphite and will pave the way for the search for life on other ancient planetary surfaces.

Durability of lightweight concrete : Phase I : concrete temperature study.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1968-08-01

This report describes a study conducted to determine the temperature gradient throughout the depth of a six inch concrete bridge deck. The bridge deck selected for study was constructed using lightweight concrete for the center spans and sand and gra...

Application of blind source separation to gamma ray spectra acquired by GRaND around Vesta

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mizzon, H.; Toplis, M. J.; Forni, O.; Prettyman, T. H.; Raymond, C. A.; Russell, C. T.

2012-12-01

The bismuth germinate (BGO) scintillator is one of the sensors of the gamma ray and neutron detector (GRaND)1 on board the Dawn spacecraft, that has spent just over one year in orbit around the asteroid 4-Vesta. The BGO detector is excited by energetic gamma-rays produced by galactic cosmic rays (GCR) or energetic solar particles interacting either with Vesta and/or the Dawn spacecraft. In detail, during periods of quiet solar activity, gamma ray spectra produced by the scintillator can be considered as consisting of three signals: i) a contribution of gamma-rays from Vesta produced by GCR interactions at the asteroid's surface, ii) a contribution from the spacecraft excited by neutrons coming from Vesta, and iii) a contribution of the spacecraft excited by local interaction with galactic cosmic rays. While the first two contributions should be positive functions of the solid angle of Vesta in the field of view during acquisition, the last one should have a negative dependence because Vesta partly shields the spacecraft from GCR. This theoretical mix can be written formally as: S=aΩSV+bΩSSCNV+c(4π-Ω)SSCGCR (1) where S is the series of recorded spectra, Ω is the solid angle, SV is the contribution of gamma rays coming from Vesta, SSCNV is the contribution of gamma rays coming from the spacecraft excited by the neutron coming from Vesta and SSCGCR is the contribution of gamma rays coming from the spacecraft excited by GCR. A blind source separation method called independent component analysis enables separating additive subcomponents supposing the mutual statistical independence of the non-Gaussian source signals2. Applying this method to BGO spectra acquired during the first three months of the low-altitude measurement orbit (LAMO) reveals two main independent components. The first one is dominated by the positron electron annihilation peak and is positively correlated to the solid angle. The second is negatively correlated to the solid angle and displays peaks of elements present in the spacecraft, of energy in the range 1 to 3.5 MeV. At energy >3.5 MeV, the dominant independent component highlighted by this method has no significant peaks, suggesting that it is not influenced by Vesta itself which is known to have a strong signal associated with iron at 7.6 MeV. Our method therefore represents a first step in retrieving the contribution of the spacecraft that could be used in conjunction with the mixing equation (1) to determine the contribution from the planet itself. 1 : Prettyman, T. H., Mcsween, Jr., H. Y., Feldman, W. C., JUN 2010. Dawn's GRaND to map the chemical composition of asteroids Vesta and Ceres. Geochimica and Cosmochimica Acta 74 (12, 1), A832, Con- ference on Goldschmidt 2010 - Earth, Energy, and the Environment, Knoxville, TN, JUN 13-18, 2010. 2 : Hyvarinen, A., Oja, E., May-Jun 2000. Independent component analysis: algorithms and applications. Neural Networks 13 (4-5), 411-430.

Antibody to hepatitis b core antigen

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Allen, R.G.; Irwin, G.R.

1976-01-01

The work presented in this paper describes the production of HBcAg in chimpanzees, the development of a sensitive radioimmune test for anti-HBc, and the application of the test to the diagnosis and ultimately, to the prevention of HBV in the military. (GRA)

A Novel Secreted Protein, MYR1, Is Central to Toxoplasma ’s Manipulation of Host Cells

DOE PAGES

Franco, Magdalena; Panas, Michael W.; Marino, Nicole D.; ...

2016-02-02

The intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii dramatically reprograms the transcriptome of host cells it infects, including substantially up-regulating the host oncogene c-myc. By applying a flow cytometry-based selection to infected mouse cells expressing green fluorescent protein fused to c-Myc (c-Myc–GFP), we isolated mutant tachyzoites defective in this host c-Myc up-regulation. Whole-genome sequencing of three such mutants led to the identification of MYR1 (Myc regulation 1; TGGT1_254470) as essential for c-Myc induction. MYR1 is a secreted protein that requires TgASP5 to be cleaved into two stable portions, both of which are ultimately found within the parasitophorous vacuole and at the parasitophorous vacuolemore » membrane. Deletion of MYR1 revealed that in addition to its requirement for c-Myc up-regulation, the MYR1 protein is needed for the ability of Toxoplasma tachyzoites to modulate several other important host pathways, including those mediated by the dense granule effectors GRA16 and GRA24. This result, combined with its location at the parasitophorous vacuole membrane, suggested that MYR1 might be a component of the machinery that translocates Toxoplasma effectors from the parasitophorous vacuole into the host cytosol. Support for this possibility was obtained by showing that transit of GRA24 to the host nucleus is indeed MYR1-dependent. As predicted by this pleiotropic phenotype, parasites deficient in MYR1 were found to be severely attenuated in a mouse model of infection. We conclude, therefore, that MYR1 is a novel protein that plays a critical role in how Toxoplasma delivers effector proteins to the infected host cell and that this is crucial to virulence.« less

A comparison of the imaging characteristics of the new Kodak Hyper Speed G film with the current T-MAT G/RA film and the CR 9000 system.

PubMed

Monnin, P; Gutierrez, D; Bulling, S; Lepori, D; Verdun, F R

2005-10-07

Three standard radiation qualities (RQA 3, RQA 5 and RQA 9) and two screens, Kodak Lanex Regular and Insight Skeletal, were used to compare the imaging performance and dose requirements of the new Kodak Hyper Speed G and the current Kodak T-MAT G/RA medical x-ray films. The noise equivalent quanta (NEQ) and detective quantum efficiencies (DQE) of the four screen-film combinations were measured at three gross optical densities and compared with the characteristics for the Kodak CR 9000 system with GP (general purpose) and HR (high resolution) phosphor plates. The new Hyper Speed G film has double the intrinsic sensitivity of the T-MAT G/RA film and a higher contrast in the high optical density range for comparable exposure latitude. By providing both high sensitivity and high spatial resolution, the new film significantly improves the compromise between dose and image quality. As expected, the new film has a higher noise level and a lower signal-to-noise ratio than the standard film, although in the high frequency range this is compensated for by a better resolution, giving better DQE results--especially at high optical density. Both screen-film systems outperform the phosphor plates in terms of MTF and DQE for standard imaging conditions (Regular screen at RQA 5 and RQA 9 beam qualities). At low energy (RQA 3), the CR system has a comparable low-frequency DQE to screen-film systems when used with a fine screen at low and middle optical densities, and a superior low-frequency DQE at high optical density.

Preliminary multiplex microarray IgG immunoassay for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and rubella.

PubMed

Baschirotto, Priscila T; Krieger, Marco A; Foti, Leonardo

2017-06-01

During pregnancy, toxoplasmosis and rubella can cause serious damage to the mother and the foetus through vertical transmission. Early diagnosis enables implementation of health measures aimed at preventing vertical transmission and minimising damage caused by these diseases. Here, we report the development of a multiplex assay for simultaneous detection of IgG antibodies produced during toxoplasmosis and rubella infection. This assay is based on xMap technology. Initially, by singleplex assays, we evaluated the following antigens: one Toxoplasma gondii lysate; two antigenic extracts of T. gondii (TOX8131 and TOX8122); fragments of T. gondii antigens [SAG-1 (amino acids 45-198), GRA-7 (24-100), GRA-1 (57-149), ROP-4, and MIC-3 (234-306)]; two chimeric antigens composed of fragments of SAG-1, GRA-7, and P35 (CTOX and CTOXH); and fragments of Rubella virus antigens [E-1 (157-176, 213-239, 374-390), E-2 (31-105), and C (1-123)]. A multiplex assay to simultaneously diagnose toxoplasmosis and rubella was designed with the best-performing antigens in singleplex and multiplex assays, which included CTOXH, T. gondii lysate, TOX8131, E-1, and E-2. The multiplex assay showed 100% sensitivity and specificity for anti-T. gondii IgG detection and 95.6% sensitivity and 100% specificity for anti-R. virus IgG detection. We found that, despite the difficulties related to developing multiplex systems, different types of antigens (extracts and recombinant proteins) can be used to develop high-performance diagnostic tests. The assay developed is suitable to screen for prior T. gondii and R. virus infections, because it is a rapid, high-throughput, low-cost alternative to the current standard diagnostic tools, which require multiple individual tests.

Properties of uvrE mutants of Escherichia coli K12. Part 2. Construction and properties of pol and rec derivatives

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mattern, I.E.; Houtman, P.C.

1974-01-01

Viability and sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation and x-rays as well as frequency of spontaneous mutations was investigated for some double mutant strains of Escherichia coli and compared with parent strains. (GRA)

Anhydrous hydrogen fluoride electrolyte battery. [Patent application

DOEpatents

Not Available

1972-06-26

It is an object of the invention to provide a primary cell or battery using ammonium fluoride--anhydrous hydrogen fluoride electrolyte having improved current and power production capabilities at low temperatures. It is operable at temperatures substantially above the boiling point of hydrogen fluoride. (GRA)

BIODEGRADATIVE ANALYSIS OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE IN LABORATORY-SCALE LANDFILLS

EPA Science Inventory

The report gives results of research to characterize the anaerobic biodegradability of the major biodegradable components of municipal solid waste (MSW). Tests were conducted in quadruplicate in 2-L reactors operated to obtain maximum yields. Measured methane (CH4) yields for gra...

Evolutionarily distinct bacteriophage endolysins featuring conserved peptidoglycan cleavage sites protect mice from MRSA infection

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive pathogen relevant for both human and animal health. With multi-drug resistant S. aureus strains becoming increasingly prevalent, alternative therapeutics are urgently needed. Bacteriophage endolysins (peptidoglycan hydrolases, PGH) are capable of killing Gra...

Variation of glucosinolates and quinone reductase activity among different varieties of Chinese kale and improvement of glucoraphanin by metabolic engineering.

PubMed

Qian, Hongmei; Sun, Bo; Miao, Huiying; Cai, Congxi; Xu, Chaojiong; Wang, Qiaomei

2015-02-01

The variation of glucosinolates and quinone reductase (QR) activity in fourteen varieties of Chinese kale (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra Bailey) was investigated in the present study. Results showed that gluconapin (GNA), instead of glucoraphanin (GRA), was the most predominant glucosinolate in all varieties, and QR activity was remarkably positively correlated with the glucoraphanin level. AOP2, a tandem 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase, catalyzes the conversion of glucoraphanin to gluconapin in glucosinolate biosynthesis. Here, antisense AOP2 was transformed into Gailan-04, the variety with the highest gluconapin content and ratio of GNA/GRA. The glucoraphanin content and corresponding QR activity were notably increased in transgenic plants, while no significant difference at the level of other main nutritional compounds (total phenolics, vitamin C, carotenoids and chlorophyll) was observed between the transgenic lines and the wide-type plants. Taken together, metabolic engineering is a good practice for improvement of glucoraphanin in Chinese kale. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Toothbrushing alters the surface roughness and gloss of composite resin CAD/CAM blocks.

PubMed

Kamonkhantikul, Krid; Arksornnukit, Mansuang; Lauvahutanon, Sasipin; Takahashi, Hidekazu

2016-01-01

This study investigated the surface roughness and gloss of composite resin CAD/CAM blocks after toothbrushing. Five composite resin blocks (Block HC, Cerasmart, Gradia Block, KZR-CAD Hybrid Resin Block, and Lava Ultimate), one hybrid ceramic (Vita Enamic), one feldspar ceramic (Vitablocs Mark II), one PMMA block (Telio CAD), and one conventional composite resin (Filtek Z350 XT) were evaluated. Surface roughness (Ra) and gloss were determined for each group of materials (n=6) after silicon carbide paper (P4000) grinding, 10k, 20k, and 40k toothbrushing cycles. One-way repeated measures ANOVA indicated significant differences in the Ra and gloss of each material except for the Ra of GRA. After 40k toothbrushing cycles, the Ra of BLO and TEL showed significant increases, while CER, KZR, ULT, and Z350 showed significant decreases. GRA, ENA, and VIT maintained their Ra. All of the materials tested, except CER, demonstrated significant decreases in gloss after 40k toothbrushing cycles.

Impact of regulated secretion on anti-parasitic CD8 T cell responses

PubMed Central

Grover, Harshita Satija; Chu, H. Hamlet; Kelly, Felice D.; Yang, Soo Jung; Reese, Michael L.; Blanchard, Nicolas; Gonzalez, Federico; Chan, Shiao Wei; Boothroyd, John C.; Shastri, Nilabh; Robey, Ellen A.

2014-01-01

Summary CD8 T cells play a key role in defense against the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma but why certain CD8 responses are more potent than others is not well understood. Here, we describe a parasite antigen ROP5 that elicits a modest CD8 T cell response in genetically susceptible mice. ROP5 is secreted via parasite organelles termed rhoptries that are injected directly into host cells during invasion, whereas the protective, dense granule antigen, GRA6, is constitutively secreted into the parasitophorous vacuole. Transgenic parasites in which the ROP5 antigenic epitope was targeted for secretion through dense granules led to enhanced CD8 T cell responses, whereas targeting the GRA6 epitope to rhoptries led to reduced CD8 responses. CD8 T cell responses to the dense granule-targeted ROP5 epitope resulted in reduced parasite load in the brain. These data suggest that the mode of secretion impacts the efficacy of parasite-specific CD8 T cell responses. PMID:24857659

Thermal Constraints from Siderophile Trace Elements in Acapulcoite-Lodranite Metals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herrin, Jason S.; Mittlefehldt, D. W.; Humayun, M.

2006-01-01

A fundamental process in the formation of differentiated bodies is the segregation of metal-sulfide and silicate phases, leading to the formation of a metallic core. The only known direct record of this process is preserved in some primitive achondrites, such as the acapulcoite-lodranites. Meteorites of this clan are the products of thermal metamorphism of a chondritic parent. Most acapulcoites have experienced significant partial melting of the metal-sulfide system but not of silicates, while lodranites have experienced partial melting and melt extraction of both. The clan has experienced a continuum of temperatures relevant to the onset of metal mobility in asteroidal bodies and thus could yield insight into the earliest stages of core formation. Acapulcoite GRA 98028 contains relict chondrules, high modal sulfide/metal, has the lowest 2-pyroxene closure temperature, and represents the least metamorphosed state of the parent body among the samples examined. Comparison of the metal-sulfide component of other clan members to GRA 98028 can give an idea of the effects of metamorphism.

Analysis and optimization of machining parameters of laser cutting for polypropylene composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deepa, A.; Padmanabhan, K.; Kuppan, P.

2017-11-01

Present works explains about machining of self-reinforced Polypropylene composite fabricated using hot compaction method. The objective of the experiment is to find optimum machining parameters for Polypropylene (PP). Laser power and Machining speed were the parameters considered in response to tensile test and Flexure test. Taguchi method is used for experimentation. Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) is used for multiple process parameter optimization. ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) is used to find impact for process parameter. Polypropylene has got the great application in various fields like, it is used in the form of foam in model aircraft and other radio-controlled vehicles, thin sheets (∼2-20μm) used as a dielectric, PP is also used in piping system, it is also been used in hernia and pelvic organ repair or protect new herrnis in the same location.

The economic cost of noxious weeds on Montana grazing lands

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

We distributed a 16-question survey concerning noxious weed abundances, impacts and management to livestock producers grazing on privately-owned or leased grazing lands in Montana. The noxious weeds most commonly reported as being present on respondents’ grazing units were Canada thistle (64% of gra...

Developing Self-Instructional Materials for NTIS Users.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Howison, Beulah C.

A package of information was developed to inform vocational, technical, and adult education teachers how to find information relevant to their occupational interests. Instructions were provided for the use of three indexes: Government Reports Announcements (GRA), Government Reports Index (GRI), and National Technical Information service (NTIS).…

The use of recycled concrete aggregate in a dense graded aggregate base course.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-03-01

The research project was broken up into 2 different parts. The first part involved evaluating the potential use of the Time : Domain Reflectometry, TDR (ASTM D6780), as a non-nuclear means for determining the dry density and moisture content of : gra...

Influence of ionizing radiation on the immune response

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brocadeszaalberg, O.

1974-01-01

The effects of ionizing radiation on the immune response are reviewed. Following an introduction on the function of the immune apparatus, the effect of radiation in the different cell types of the immune system is described. The possible consequences of these effects on the prognosis of radiation victims are discussed. (GRA)

Adaptive Logistics Support for Combat

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-09-01

parts allocation within budget constraints, or for achieving required operational availability with minimum Cost are described. Accession For NTIS GRA&I...is, then max (AC + Ss7 )- a#,(.Q(T’) I St ci Si: B (5.5) Si 0 51 VI. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS In this thesis several mathematical models for

Marine transportation of liquefied natural gas. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Curt, R.P.; Delaney, T.D.

1973-01-01

This report covers in some detail most of the major areas of consideration involved in the marine carriage of LNG. Some of the fields investigated and reviewed are the world's total energy picture and the particular requirements of natural gas in the United States in the near future. (GRA)

Evidence for the use of low-grade weirs in drainage ditches to improve nutrient reductions from agriculture

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The essential function of drainage ditches is to remove water from the agricultural landscape to avoid crop senescence through flooding and soil saturation. Commonly used slotted board risers provide drainage management strategies over the dormant season; however, by introducing innovative, low-gra...

An Empirical Study of Education Divide Diminishment through Online Learning Courses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hsieh, Ming-Yuan

2017-01-01

According to the swift development of education system, Taiwanese government is always devoting diminishing the educational divide between rural and urban regions. This research focuses on this educational divide by cross-employing the Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) of quantitative analysis and the Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis…

EFFECTS OF PLANT SIZE ON PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND WATER RELATIONS IN THE DESERT SHRUB PROSOPIS GLANDULOSA (FABACEAE)

EPA Science Inventory

The Jornada del Muerto basin of the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico, USA, has undergone a marked transition of plant communities. Shrubs such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) have greatly increased or now dominate in areas that were previously dominated by perennial gra...

Regulated deficit irrigation on Malbec and Syrah grape and wine volatiles

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Previous studies have shown that water deficit influenced physiological parameters of the vine, changed berry composition and improved sensory attribute of wines by increasing fruity aroma and decreasing vegetal aromas. The objective of this study is to determine the influence of water stress on gra...

Ductile Alloy Encapsulated Ceramic Armor Development

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-01-01

ACCESSION NO. 3. RECIPIENT’S CATALOG NUMBER MTL TR 90-2 4. TITLE (and Subtitle) S. TYPE OF. REPORT & PERIOO COVERED Final Report - June 1987 DUCTILE ALLOY...Ronald Biederman of Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Dr. Gordon Chu for their valuable contributions to this work. Accession For NTIS GRA&I DTIC TAB

Fuel feasibility study for Red River Army Depot boiler plant. Final report. [Economic breakeven points for conversion to fossil fuels

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ables, L.D.

This paper establishes economic breakeven points for the conversion to various fossil fuels as a function of time and pollution constraints for the main boiler plant at Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, Texas. In carrying out the objectives of this paper, the author develops what he considers to be the basic conversion costs and operating costs for each fossil fuel under investigation. These costs are analyzed by the use of the present worth comparison method, and the minimum cost difference between the present fuel and the proposed fuel which would justify the conversion to the proposed fuel is calculated.more » These calculated breakeven points allow a fast and easy method of determining the feasibility of a fuel by merely knowing the relative price difference between the fuels under consideration. (GRA)« less

Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis, toxocariasis and cysticercosis in a rural settlement, São Paulo State, Brazil

PubMed Central

Prestes-Carneiro, Luiz Euribel; Rubinsky-Elefant, Guita; Ferreira, Antonio Walter; Araujo, Patricia Regina; Troiani, Charlene; Zago, Sueli Cristina; Kaiahara, Marcia; Sasso, Leticia; Iha, Alberto; Vaz, Adelaide

2013-01-01

Background The goal of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of Toxocara spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Taenia solium metacestode infection and determine some of the associated risk factors for people living in the Dona Carmen settlement, Pontal of Paranapanema, São Paulo, Brazil. Methods Serum samples from 194 subjects were tested and participants answered a questionnaire. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system based on Toxocara spp. excretory-secretory antigens obtained from the cultured second-stage larvae of Toxocara canis or vesicular fluid (VF) antigen from Taenia crassiceps metacestode was used to detect anti-Toxocara spp. IgG and IgE and anti-T. solium metacestode, respectively. For cysticercosis, the reactive ELISA samples were assayed by Western blotting using 18 kDa and 14 kDa proteins purified from VF. For T. gondii-specific IgG and IgM antibodies, anti-SAG-1, GRA-1, and GRA-7 epitope specificity was determined by ELISA. Results Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies were found in 102/194 individuals (52.6%) with increased infections in females (P  =  0.02) and those with ≤US$300 monthly income (P  =  0.01). Positive IgM antibodies were detected in 21/194 individuals (10.8%). Antibodies specific to Toxocara spp. were found in 28/194 subjects (14.4%). All the individuals with Toxocara spp. also had T. gondii-specific IgG antibodies. Taenia solium metacestode antibodies were detected in 11 subjects (5.7%), but none were reactive based on Western blotting. Conclusion In spite of environmental, educational, and socioeconomic factors favoring parasite infection, the seropositivity rates of T. gondii, Toxocara spp., and T. solium metacestode-specific IgG antibodies are similar to the rates found in studies conducted in different populations in Brazil. PMID:23683335

ANALYSIS OF BACTERIAL COMMUNITIES IN SEAGRASS BED SEDIMENTS BY DOUBLE-GRADIENT DENATURING GRADIENT GEL ELECTROPHORESIS OF PCR-AMPLIFIED 16SRRNA GENES

EPA Science Inventory

Bacterial communities associated with seagrass bed sediments are not well studied. The work presented here investigated several factors, including the presence or absence of vegetation, depth into sediment, and season, and their impact on bacterial community diversity. Double gra...

Workshop on Plasma Experiments in the Laboratory and in Space. Abstracts

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-01-01

The AMPTE IRM satellite revealed in the region of overlap between plasmaspheric and ring current plasmas a gra- dual decrease of cold plasna density...names UMKD generator, "Alive wine , or 4unipolar Inductor’ For space physics, the breakdown of this tid picture is a( Interest because it results in the

Home page | prc.gatech.edu | Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta, GA

Science.gov Websites

Interconnections & Assembly Low Cost Glass Interposers & Packages MEMS and Sensors GRA Opportunities addressing electrical, mechanical and thermal barriers. Low-cost Glass Interposer and Package Panel-based ultra-thin glass as a high performance, high I/O density, and low cost platform. Interconnections and

Wave-Mean Flow Interaction in the Storm-Time Thermosphere Using a Two-Dimensional Model

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-01-01

Hunsucker, 1982; Richmond, 1978, 1979a; Rees et. al., 1984; Roble et. al., 1978; Testud , 1970). 3) A global meridional circulation driven by the...theory of oscillatory waves. Trans. Cambridge Phil. Snc., 8, 441-455. Testud , J., 1970: Gra.ity waves generated during magnetic substorms. J. Atmos. Terr

The GraVent DDT database

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boeck, Lorenz R.; Katzy, Peter; Hasslberger, Josef; Kink, Andreas; Sattelmayer, Thomas

2016-09-01

An open-access online platform containing data from experiments on deflagration-to-detonation transition conducted at the Institute of Thermodynamics, Technical University of Munich, has been developed and is accessible at http://www.td.mw.tum.de/ddt. The database provides researchers working on explosion dynamics with data for theoretical analyses and for the validation of numerical simulations.

Preparation of starch-sodium lignosulfonate graft copolymers via laccase catalysis and characterization of antioxidant activity

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Graft copolymers of waxy maize starch and sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) were prepared by Trametes Versicolor laccase catalysis in aqueous solution. Amount of SLS grafted based on phenol analysis was 0.5% and 1.0% in the absence and presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT), respectively. Starch-SLS gra...

Multi-response optimization of process parameters for GTAW process in dissimilar welding of Incoloy 800HT and P91 steel by using grey relational analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

vellaichamy, Lakshmanan; Paulraj, Sathiya

2018-02-01

The dissimilar welding of Incoloy 800HT and P91 steel using Gas Tungsten arc welding process (GTAW) This material is being used in the Nuclear Power Plant and Aerospace Industry based application because Incoloy 800HT possess good corrosion and oxidation resistance and P91 possess high temperature strength and creep resistance. This work discusses on multi-objective optimization using gray relational analysis (GRA) using 9CrMoV-N filler materials. The experiment conducted L9 orthogonal array. The input parameter are current, voltage, speed. The output response are Tensile strength, Hardness and Toughness. To optimize the input parameter and multiple output variable by using GRA. The optimal parameter is combination was determined as A2B1C1 so given input parameter welding current at 120 A, voltage at 16 V and welding speed at 0.94 mm/s. The output of the mechanical properties for best and least grey relational grade was validated by the metallurgical characteristics.

An outbreak of toxoplasmosis in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) in South Korea.

PubMed

Oh, Hanseul; Eo, Kyung-Yeon; Gumber, Sanjeev; Hong, Jung Joo; Kim, C-Yoon; Lee, Hyun-Ho; Jung, Young-Mok; Kim, Jin; Whang, Gyu-Whan; Lee, Ji-Min; Yeo, Yong-Gu; Ryu, Bokyeong; Ryu, Ji-Sook; Lee, Seul-Kee; Kim, Ukjin; Kang, Sin-Geun; Park, Jae-Hak

2018-04-30

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an intracellular protozoan parasite that can infect warm-blooded animals including humans. New World monkeys, such as squirrel monkeys, are more susceptible to T. gondii than Old World monkeys, often developing fatal disease. In this study, seven of thirteen dead squirrel monkeys at Seoul Grand Park were tested to find the cause of sudden death. The main histopathological findings included interstitial pneumonia, necrotizing hepatitis, and splenitis. Periodic acid-Schiff staining of liver, spleen, and lung revealed cyst structures consistent with bradyzoites. Amplification of the B1 gene was detected in the liver or spleen of all monkeys. Additionally, a restriction fragment length polymorphism assay and phylogenetic analysis of the GRA6 amplicon revealed a consistent clustering with the type II strain of T. gondii. This study is the first report of T. gondii infection of squirrel monkeys in Korea, and the first report of type II T. gondii based on GRA6 analysis in Korea. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Effect of ractopamine-HCl supplementation for 28 days on carcass characteristics, muscle fiber morphometrics, and whole muscle yields of six distinct muscles of the loin and round.

PubMed

Gonzalez, J M; Johnson, S E; Stelzleni, A M; Thrift, T A; Savell, J D; Warnock, T M; Johnson, D D

2010-07-01

This study evaluated the effects of ractopamine-HCl (RAC) supplementation on carcass characteristics, muscle fiber morphometrics, and tenderness. Thirty-four steers (2 groups, 4 replicates) were fed RAC or carrier for 28 days prior to harvest. Seventy-two hours postmortem, the Longissimus lumborum (LL), Gracilis (GRA), Vastus lateralis (VL), Rectus femoris (RF), Semimembranosus (SM), and Adductor (ADD) were dissected from each carcass. Commodity weight, denuded weight, and muscle dimensions were collected. RAC supplementation tended to affect dressing percentage (P=0.15) and muscle firmness (P<0.15), and significantly affected lean maturity (P<0.05) and marbling score (P<0.05). With the exception of the LL and GRA (P<0.05), RAC had no effect on muscle dimensions. RAC did not influence the tenderness of vacuum-packaged, aged steaks as measured by Warner-Bratzler shear force. Muscle fiber size within the six muscles was unchanged (P>0.05) by RAC. Thus, RAC improves carcass parameters without a negative impact on tenderness. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Green material selection for sustainability: A hybrid MCDM approach.

PubMed

Zhang, Honghao; Peng, Yong; Tian, Guangdong; Wang, Danqi; Xie, Pengpeng

2017-01-01

Green material selection is a crucial step for the material industry to comprehensively improve material properties and promote sustainable development. However, because of the subjectivity and conflicting evaluation criteria in its process, green material selection, as a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problem, has been a widespread concern to the relevant experts. Thus, this study proposes a hybrid MCDM approach that combines decision making and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), analytical network process (ANP), grey relational analysis (GRA) and technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) to select the optimal green material for sustainability based on the product's needs. A nonlinear programming model with constraints was proposed to obtain the integrated closeness index. Subsequently, an empirical application of rubbish bins was used to illustrate the proposed method. In addition, a sensitivity analysis and a comparison with existing methods were employed to validate the accuracy and stability of the obtained final results. We found that this method provides a more accurate and effective decision support tool for alternative evaluation or strategy selection.

Green material selection for sustainability: A hybrid MCDM approach

PubMed Central

Zhang, Honghao; Peng, Yong; Tian, Guangdong; Wang, Danqi; Xie, Pengpeng

2017-01-01

Green material selection is a crucial step for the material industry to comprehensively improve material properties and promote sustainable development. However, because of the subjectivity and conflicting evaluation criteria in its process, green material selection, as a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problem, has been a widespread concern to the relevant experts. Thus, this study proposes a hybrid MCDM approach that combines decision making and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), analytical network process (ANP), grey relational analysis (GRA) and technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) to select the optimal green material for sustainability based on the product's needs. A nonlinear programming model with constraints was proposed to obtain the integrated closeness index. Subsequently, an empirical application of rubbish bins was used to illustrate the proposed method. In addition, a sensitivity analysis and a comparison with existing methods were employed to validate the accuracy and stability of the obtained final results. We found that this method provides a more accurate and effective decision support tool for alternative evaluation or strategy selection. PMID:28498864

A systematic evaluation of three different cardiac T2-mapping sequences at 1.5 and 3T in healthy volunteers.

PubMed

Baeßler, Bettina; Schaarschmidt, Frank; Stehning, Christian; Schnackenburg, Bernhard; Maintz, David; Bunck, Alexander C

2015-11-01

Previous studies showed that myocardial T2 relaxation times measured by cardiac T2-mapping vary significantly depending on sequence and field strength. Therefore, a systematic comparison of different T2-mapping sequences and the establishment of dedicated T2 reference values is mandatory for diagnostic decision-making. Phantom experiments using gel probes with a range of different T1 and T2 times were performed on a clinical 1.5T and 3T scanner. In addition, 30 healthy volunteers were examined at 1.5 and 3T in immediate succession. In each examination, three different T2-mapping sequences were performed at three short-axis slices: Multi Echo Spin Echo (MESE), T2-prepared balanced SSFP (T2prep), and Gradient Spin Echo with and without fat saturation (GraSEFS/GraSE). Segmented T2-Maps were generated according to the AHA 16-segment model and statistical analysis was performed. Significant intra-individual differences between mean T2 times were observed for all sequences. In general, T2prep resulted in lowest and GraSE in highest T2 times. A significant variation with field strength was observed for mean T2 in phantom as well as in vivo, with higher T2 values at 1.5T compared to 3T, regardless of the sequence used. Segmental T2 values for each sequence at 1.5 and 3T are presented. Despite a careful selection of sequence parameters and volunteers, significant variations of the measured T2 values were observed between field strengths, MR sequences and myocardial segments. Therefore, we present segmental T2 values for each sequence at 1.5 and 3T with the inherent potential to serve as reference values for future studies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Immunization with inactivated antigens of Neospora caninum induces toll-like receptors 3, 7, 8 and 9 in maternal-fetal interface of infected pregnant heifers.

PubMed

Marin, M S; Hecker, Y P; Quintana, S; Pérez, S E; Leunda, M R; Cantón, G J; Cobo, E R; Moore, D P; Odeón, A C

2017-08-30

Neospora caninum is an obligate parasite and a major cause of abortion in cattle. Pregnancy failures appear to be associated with weak innate defences on the maternal-fetal interface during infection with N. caninum. Herein, we studied the gene expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in pregnant heifers immunized with different vaccine formulations against N. caninum before mating and then challenged the heifers with live N. caninum on day 70 of gestation. TLR7 and TLR8 expression was upregulated in the placental caruncle of infected-pregnant heifers previously exposed to live N. caninum as immunogen. However, TLR7 and 8 expression in both placenta and caruncle as well as, TLR3 and 9 expression in caruncle were upregulated when heifers were previously immunized with inactivated soluble whole antigens and recombinant NcSAG1, NcHSP20 and NcGRA7 proteins. All dams were carrying viable fetuses when they were culled at day 104 of gestation. Upregulation of TLR7 and IFNγ expression was detected in fetal spleen when their mothers where previously vaccinated with soluble antigens and recombinant NcSAG1, NcHSP20 and NcGRA7 proteins. These studies demonstrate that soluble or recombinant NcSAG1, NcHSP20 and NcGRA7 antigens induce key TLRs expression at the maternal-fetal interface, probably triggering damaging inflammatory cellular immune responses associated with abortion. Previous infection with N. caninum seems to attenuate the innate immune response at the maternal-fetal interface, which could favour pregnancy maintenance and perpetuation of the disease. This finding represents novel information on how N. caninum vaccination and infection modulate TLRs expression at the placenta and fetal spleen, the possible role in the pregnancy outcomes and transplacental transmission of the protozoa. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Genotypes and Mouse Virulence of Toxoplasma gondii Isolates from Animals and Humans in China

PubMed Central

Liu, Daohua; Huo, Xingxing; Gao, Jiangmei; Song, Xiaorong; Xu, Xiucai; Huang, Kaiquan; Liu, Wenqi; Wang, Yong; Lu, Fangli; Lun, Zhao-Rong; Luo, Qingli; Wang, Xuelong; Shen, Jilong

2013-01-01

Background Recent population structure studies of T. gondii revealed that a few major clonal lineages predominated in different geographical regions. T. gondii in South America is genetically and biologically divergent, whereas this parasite is remarkably clonal in North America and Europe with a few major lineages including Types I, II and III. Information on genotypes and mouse virulence of T. gondii isolates from China is scarce and insufficient to investigate its population structure, evolution, and transmission. Methodology/Principal Findings Genotyping of 23 T. gondii isolates from different hosts using 10 markers for PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses (SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1 and Apico) revealed five genotypes; among them three genotypes were atypical and two were archetypal. Fifteen strains belong to the Chinese 1 lineage, which has been previously reported as a widespread lineage from swine, cats, and humans in China. Two human isolates fall into the type I and II lineages and the remaining isolates belong to two new atypical genotypes (ToxoDB#204 and #205) which has never been reported in China. Our results show that these genotypes of T. gondii isolates are intermediately or highly virulent in mice except for the strain TgCtwh6, which maintained parasitemia in mice for 35 days post infection although it possesses the uniform genotype of Chinese 1. Additionally, phylogenetic network analyses of all isolates of genotype Chinese 1 are identical, and there is no variation based on the sequence data generated for four introns (EF1, HP2, UPRT1 and UPRT7) and two dense granule proteins (GRA6 and GRA7). Conclusion/Significance A limited genetic diversity was found and genotype Chinese 1 (ToxoDB#9) is dominantly circulating in mainland China. The results will provide a useful profile for deep insight to the population structure, epidemiology and biological characteristics of T. gondii in China. PMID:23308233

Relict chondrules in primitive achondrites: Remnants from their precursor parent bodies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schrader, Devin L.; McCoy, Timothy J.; Gardner-Vandy, Kathryn

2017-05-01

We studied the petrography, analyzed the chemical compositions, constrained the closure temperatures (via geothermometry), and determined the oxidation states of relict chondrules in Campo del Cielo (IAB iron meteorite), Graves Nunataks (GRA) 98028 (acapulcoite), and Netschaëvo (IIE iron meteorite) to constrain their formation conditions and investigate links to known meteorite groups. Despite having been thermally metamorphosed, mineral phases within relict chondrules retain information about their precursor compositions. The sizes and textures of relict chondrules, and silicate and chromite compositions indicate that Campo del Cielo, GRA 98028, and Netschaëvo had distinct parent bodies that were similar to, but different from, known chondrite groups. To determine the utility of relict chondrule sizes in thermally metamorphosed meteorites, we determined the chondrule size distributions in the LL chondrites Semarkona (LL3.00), Soko-Banja (LL4), Siena (LL5), and Saint-Séverin (LL6), and the H chondrites Clovis (No. 1) (H3.6), Kesen (H4), Arbol Solo (H5), and Estacado (H6). As expected, mean chondrule diameters increase with degree of thermal metamorphism. We find that Campo del Cielo and GRA 98028 were reduced during thermal metamorphism, consistent with previous studies, indicating that their precursors were initially more FeO-rich than their current compositions. In contrast to previous studies, we find no evidence for reduction of silicates in Netschaëvo. Normal zoning of olivine in Netschaëvo is consistent with crystallization and suggests its silicates are near their primary FeO-contents. The presence of elongated chromite grains along olivine grain boundaries in Netschaëvo indicates formation during thermal metamorphism under oxidizing conditions. Due to the absence of reduction and the composition of chromite being distinct from that of metamorphosed H chondrites, we conclude that Netschaëvo, and by extension the IIE iron meteorites, are not from the H chondrite parent body.

Development of an Operational Data Assimilation Package using NAAPS and NAVDAS

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-09-30

2008, SRef-ID: 1607-7962/gra/EGU2008-A­ 11193, EGU General Assembly 2008. Reid, J. S., H. J. Hyer, D. L. Westphal, R. Scheffe, J. Zhang, and E. M...gauge model improvement. Included is not only the collection 5 over ocean, but also the NRL provided over land aerosol products generated by Edward Hyer

Detection of T-2 Toxin by an Improved Radioimmunoassay

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-02-01

M. A. Mehlman led.). Mycotoxins in human and animal health . of the extraction steps, the shorter incubation Pathotox Publishers Inc., Park Forest...and animal health . Pathotox 742. Publishers Inc.. Park Forest South. Ill. Accession For NTIS GRA&I DTIC TAB 0 Unannounced 5 DTIC Justification ELECTE 117_ _ Distribution/ OC Availability Codes B DIt special ,41 - .

Mapping a Domain Model and Architecture to a Generic Design

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-05-01

Code 103 Aooession Fol [TIS GRA&I Or DTIC TAB 0 Uaannouneed 0 hTst ifI catlon DIstributiqoj.- A Availability 0Qede Avail and,(o viaa~ CMLVSBI44-TF#4...this step is a record (in no specific form) of the selected features. This record (list, highlighted features diagram, or other media ) is used

Remote air pollution measurement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Byer, R. L.

1975-01-01

This paper presents a discussion and comparison of the Raman method, the resonance and fluorescence backscatter method, long path absorption methods and the differential absorption method for remote air pollution measurement. A comparison of the above remote detection methods shows that the absorption methods offer the most sensitivity at the least required transmitted energy. Topographical absorption provides the advantage of a single ended measurement, and differential absorption offers the additional advantage of a fully depth resolved absorption measurement. Recent experimental results confirming the range and sensitivity of the methods are presented.

Biodegradation of Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene, and Their Derivatives.

PubMed

Chen, Ming; Qin, Xiaosheng; Zeng, Guangming

2017-09-01

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene (GRA), and their derivatives are promising materials for a wide range of applications such as pollutant removal, enzyme immobilization, bioimaging, biosensors, and drug delivery and are rapidly increasing in use and increasingly mass produced. The biodegradation of carbon nanomaterials by microbes and enzymes is now of great importance for both reducing their toxicity to living organisms and removing them from the environment. Here we review recent progress in the biodegradation field from the point of view of the primary microbes and enzymes that can degrade these nanomaterials, along with experimental and molecular simulation methods for the exploration of nanomaterial degradation. Further efforts should primarily aim toward expanding the repertoire of microbes and enzymes and exploring optimal conditions for the degradation of nanomaterials. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Some reactions of the hydroxyl adduct of adenine

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vanhemmen, J.J.

1975-01-01

The chemical reactions of purine derivatives resulting from pulse radiolysis were studied. Some reactions of the hydroxyl adduct of adenine are described and one of these reactions was compared with similar reactions of hydroxyl adducts of other purine derivatives. Evidence is given that in various purines opening of the imidazole ring is due to unimolecular rearrangements of the hydroxyl adducts. (GRA)

78 FR 6772 - Failure To File Gain Recognition Agreements and Other Required Filings

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-31

... regulations that would amend the existing rules governing the consequences to U.S. persons for failing to file... current law, if a U.S. transferor fails to timely file an initial GRA, or fails to comply in any material... fails to timely file an annual certification), the U.S. transferor is subject to full gain recognition...

An Empirical Analysis of the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC)

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-12-01

o_ _ion For NTIS GRA&I DTIC TAB 0 Ula•ncnmwood [] , ,, Juutiriou~iozl Dis !tribution/ Availability (,’ odk 3 Alra .taI / Diat ~~za V. TABLE OF CONTENTS...followingq: I. The overall total 2. The row totals 3. The column totals "Supertables" were also extensively used. A supertable is essentially a collection

Hammondia hammondi harbors functional orthologs of the host-modulating effectors GRA15 and ROP16 but is distinguished from toxoplasma gondii by a unique transcriptional profile

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The mechanisms underlying the phenotypic differences between the human pathogen Toxoplasma gondii and its nearest extant relative, Hammondia hammondi are unknown, but they are likely to be due to both gene content and gene expression differences. To address thisfurther we tested whether two known ho...

Establishing a Global Radiation Oncology Collaboration in Education (GRaCE): Objectives and priorities.

PubMed

Turner, Sandra; Eriksen, Jesper G; Trotter, Theresa; Verfaillie, Christine; Benstead, Kim; Giuliani, Meredith; Poortmans, Philip; Holt, Tanya; Brennan, Sean; Pötter, Richard

2015-10-01

Representatives from countries and regions world-wide who have implemented modern competency-based radiation- or clinical oncology curricula for training medical specialists, met to determine the feasibility and value of an ongoing international collaboration. In this forum, educational leaders from the ESTRO School, encompassing many European countries adopting the ESTRO Core Curriculum, and clinician educators from Canada, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand considered the training and educational arrangements within their jurisdictions, identifying similarities and challenges between programs. Common areas of educational interest and need were defined, which included development of new competency statements and assessment tools, and the application of the latter. The group concluded that such an international cooperation, which might expand to include others with similar goals, would provide a valuable vehicle to ensure training program currency, through sharing of resources and expertise, and enhance high quality radiation oncology education. Potential projects for the Global Radiation Oncology Collaboration in Education (GRaCE) were agreed upon, as was a strategy designed to maintain momentum. This paper describes the rationale for establishing this collaboration, presents a comparative view of training in the jurisdictions represented, and reports early goals and priorities. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

GraPhoBox: Gravitropism and phototropism in Arabidopsis thaliana

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buizer, K.

2007-09-01

The morphology of plants is directed by the directional growth of roots and shoots. Gravity and light direction are the two major environmental stimuli important for directional growth. The 'GraPhoBox' experiment, flown on the Dutch DELTA mission to the ISS in April 2004, tries to elucidate the different effects of gravitropism and phototropism on plants, and their combined effects on plant morphology. Wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana (L.), phototropic-deficient mutants phot1 and gravitropic-deficient mutant pgm1 seeds were germinated in microgravity and in Earth gravity, in low light conditions and darkness. The angle of directional growth of roots and shoots was then assessed. Light is -even in the absense of gravity- the most important environmental cue for directional growth of shoots, while for roots gravity is by far the most important cue, and light is only a very minor factor due to their poor phototropic capacity. Compared to roots, shoots are deviated more than roots in microgravity and therefore less gravity-dependent. All results together suggests that environmental cues are differently percepted by roots and shoots which also adapt differently. Furthermore, environmental cues are probably transferred little or not to the opposite side of the plant.

The Diversity of Anomalous HEDs: Isotopic Constraints on the Connection of EET 92023, GRA 98098, and Dhofar 700 With Vesta

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sanborn, M. E.; Yin, Q.-Z.; Mittlefehldt, D. W.

2016-01-01

The possibility for multiple parent bodies, instead of a common parent body of Vesta, for eucrites has been suggested based on the variable oxygen isotopic composition observed in some eucrites.. Recently, we added an extra dimension to the discussion based on the (epsilon)54Cr composition of the same eucrites with known (delta)17O to compare with the normal eucrites. The combined (delta)17O and (epsilon)54Cr isotope systematics for Pasamonte, PCA 91007, A-881394, and Ibitira indicate their likely origin from multiple different parent bodies than the normal eucrites. Often the qualifier anomalous is used to identify HEDs with (delta)17O values that deviate significantly (>3(sigma)) from the mean HED (delta)17O. However, variations in eucrites and diogenites also include unique geochemical characteristics such as bulk composition, trace element abundances, or volatile concentrations, in addition to (delta)17O. Here, we investigate three such geochemically anomalous HEDs: Elephant Moraine (EET) 92023, Graves Nunataks (GRA) 98098, and Dhofar 700. In addition, to verify the homogeneity of (epsilon)54Cr observed for normal HEDs thus far, a set of seven eucrites and diogenites considered normal samples were also investigated.

Statistics of fully turbulent impinging jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilke, Robert; Sesterhenn, Jörn

2017-08-01

Direct numerical simulations of sub- and supersonic impinging jets with Reynolds numbers of 3300 and 8000 are carried out to analyse their statistical properties. The influence of the parameters Mach number, Reynolds number and ambient temperature on the mean velocity and temperature fields are studied. For the compressible subsonic cold impinging jets into a heated environment, different Reynolds analogies are assesses. It is shown, that the (original) Reynolds analogy as well as the Chilton Colburn analogy are in good agreement with the DNS data outside the impinging area. The generalised Reynolds analogy (GRA) and the Crocco-Busemann relation are not suited for the estimation of the mean temperature field based on the mean velocity field of impinging jets. Furthermore, the prediction of fluctuating temperatures according to the GRA fails. On the contrary, the linear relation between thermodynamic fluctuations of entropy, density and temperature as suggested by Lechner et al. (2001) can be confirmed for the entire wall jet. The turbulent heat flux and Reynolds stress tensor are analysed and brought into coherence with the primary and secondary ring vortices of the wall jet. Budget terms of the Reynolds stress tensor are given as data base for the improvement of turbulence models.

Water Ice Abundance on Ceres

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-12-15

This frame from an animation shows dwarf planet Ceres overlaid with the concentration of hydrogen determined from data acquired by the gamma ray and neutron detector GRaND instrument aboard NASA Dawn spacecraft. The hydrogen is in the upper yard (or meter) of regolith, the loose surface material on Ceres. The color scale gives hydrogen content in water-equivalent units, which assumes all of the hydrogen is in the form of H2O. Blue indicates where hydrogen content is higher, near the poles, while red indicates lower content at lower latitudes. In reality, some of the hydrogen is in the form of water ice, while a portion of the hydrogen is in the form of hydrated minerals (such as OH, in serpentine group minerals). The color information is superimposed on shaded relief map for context. A second animation (Figure 2) compares the hydrogen content of Ceres' regolith with that of the giant asteroid Vesta, which Dawn orbited from 2011 to 2012. These data show Vesta is a much drier world, with a much lower percent of hydrogen in its regolith. Both maps were produced from data acquired by GRaND. Videos are available at http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21081

The formation and alteration of the Renazzo-like carbonaceous chondrites I: Implications of bulk-oxygen isotopic composition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schrader, Devin L.; Franchi, Ian A.; Connolly, Harold C., Jr.; Greenwood, Richard C.; Lauretta, Dante S.; Gibson, Jenny M.

2011-01-01

To better understand the role of aqueous alteration on the CR chondrite parent asteroid, a whole-rock oxygen isotopic study of 20 meteorites classified as Renazzo-like carbonaceous chondrites (CR) was conducted. The CR chondrites analyzed for their oxygen isotopes were Dhofar 1432, Elephant Moraine (EET) 87770, EET 92042, EET 96259, Gao-Guenie (b), Graves Nunataks (GRA) 95229, GRA 06100, Grosvenor Mountains (GRO) 95577, GRO 03116, LaPaz Ice Field (LAP) 02342, LAP 04720, Meteorite Hills (MET) 00426, North West Africa (NWA) 801, Pecora Escarpment (PCA) 91082, Queen Alexandra Range (QUE) 94603, QUE 99177, and Yamato-793495 (Y-793495). Three of the meteorites, Asuka-881595 (A-881595), GRA 98025, and MET 01017, were found not to be CR chondrites. The remaining samples concur petrographically and with the well-established oxygen-isotope mixing line for the CR chondrites. Their position along this mixing line is controlled both by the primary oxygen-isotopic composition of their individual components and their relative degree of aqueous alteration. Combined with literature data and that of this study, we recommend the slope for the CR-mixing line to be 0.70 ± 0.04 (2σ), with a δ 17O-intercept of -2.23 ± 0.14 (2σ). Thin sections of Al Rais, Shişr 033, Renazzo, and all but 3 samples analyzed for oxygen isotopes were studied petrographically. The abundance of individual components is heterogeneous among the CR chondrites, but FeO-poor chondrules and matrix are the most abundant constituents and therefore, dominate the whole-rock isotopic composition. The potential accreted ice abundance, physico-chemical conditions of aqueous alteration (e.g. temperature and composition of the fluid) and its duration control the degree of alteration of individual CR chondrites. Combined with literature data, we suggest that LAP 02342 was exposed to lower temperature fluid during alteration than GRA 95229. With only two falls, terrestrial alteration of the CR chondrites complicates the interpretation of their whole rock isotopic composition, particularly in the most aqueously altered samples, and those with relatively higher matrix abundances. We report that QUE 99177 is the isotopically lightest whole rock CR chondrite known (δ 18O = -2.29‰, δ 17O = -4.08‰), possibly due to isotopically light unaltered matrix; which shows that the anhydrous component of the CR chondrites is isotopically lighter than previously thought. Although it experienced aqueous alteration, QUE 99177 provides the best approximation of the pristine CR-chondrite parent body's oxygen-isotopic composition, before aqueous alteration took place. Using this value as a new upper limit on the anhydrous component of the CR chondrites, water/rock ratios were recalculated and found to be higher than previously thought; ratios now range from 0.281 to 1.157. We also find that, according to their oxygen isotopes, a large number of CR chondrites appear to be minimally aqueously altered; although sample heterogeneity complicates this interpretation.

Radionuclide bone imaging in the evaluation of osseous allograft systems. Scientific report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kelly, J.F.; Cagle, J.D.; Stevenson, J.S.

1975-02-01

Evaluation of the progress of osteogenic activity in mandibular bone grafts in dogs by a noninvasive, nondestructive radionuclide method is feasible. The method provides a meaningful sequential interpretation of osseous repair more sensitive than conventional radiography. It is presumed that accumulating hydroxyapatite is being labelled by the imaging agent technetium diphosphonate. The osseous allograft systems studied were comparable to or exceeded autografts in their repair activity in mandibular discontinuity defects as judged by radionuclide imaging. A lyophilized mandibular allograft segment augmented with autologous cancellous marrow was more active than autograft controls at 3 and 6 weeks and was the mostmore » active system studied. Allograft segments augmented with lyophilized crushed cortical allogeneic bone particles were equal to controls at 3 weeks and more active than controls at 6 weeks. Lyophilized crushed cortical allogeneic bone particles retained in a Millipore filter while not clinically stable at 6 weeks did show osteogenic activity equal to control autografts at this interval. (GRA)« less

Fatal Toxoplasma gondii infection in the giant panda.

PubMed

Ma, Hongyu; Wang, Zedong; Wang, Chengdong; Li, Caiwu; Wei, Feng; Liu, Quan

2015-01-01

Toxoplasma gondii can infect nearly all warm-blooded animals. We report an acute fatal T. gondii infection in the endangered giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in a zoo in China, characterized by acute gastroenteritis and respiratory symptoms. T. gondii infection was confirmed by immunological and molecular methods. Multilocus nested PCR-RFLP revealed clonal type I at the SAG1 and c29-2 loci, clonal type II at the SAG2, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, and L358 loci, and clonal type III at the alternative SAG2 and SAG3 loci, thus, a potential new genotype of T. gondii in the giant panda. Other possible pathogens were not detected. To our knowledge, this is the first report of clinical toxoplasmosis in a giant panda. © H. Ma et al., published by EDP Sciences, 2015.

Legal institutions for the allocation of water and their impact on coal conversion operations in Kentucky. Research report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ausness, R.C.; Callahan, G.W.; Dills, S.W.

1976-08-01

Coal conversion plants require large quantities of water for cooling purposes and for use as a raw material. Three types of water allocation are presently used in the United States: riparianism, prior appropriation, and administrative permit systems. Kentucky presently has such a system of administrative allocation and this is described in the report. (GRA)

100 Companies Receiving the Largest Dollar Volume of Prime Contract Awards, fiscal Year 1989

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-01-01

Fiscal Year 1989 Accession For NTIS GRA&I DTIC TAB0 Unannounced ju3t if iat ion Distribution/ AvailabilitY Codes Dit special. TABLE OF CONTENTS Invir...CORPORATION 9,625 TOTAL 118,089 0.09 66.11 98 CONTINENTAL MARITIME INDS 33,818 CONTINNTAL MRTIME OF SAN DIEGO 82,791 TOTAL 116,609 0 09 66.20 99

Facepiece Material Survey

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-07-01

be the best selection to meet the facepiece criteria. Accession For NTIS GRA&I DTIC TAB I] Unannounced 13 Just ifcatio By Distribution/ Availability...considered the most important factor in material selection . HD and GD resistance were recently reported for a broad range of elastomers. 1 While these...not be an issue. The concept of multiple strippable layers does not appear feasible for the facepiece. This concept calls for incorporating

Engineering Materials for Very High Temperatures: An ONRL Workshop

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-08-29

solving various pro- blems related to high temperature applications in which thermostructural ( turbojet and motor engines) or special (electromagnetic wave...the carbon (glassy carbon, polycrystalline gra- phite, pyrolytic carbon...) and mainly upon the temperature range of use. For the 1000-20000C...Bundesministerium fir Forschung und Technologie, Federal Ministry for Research and Technology), no doubt scared by the oil crisis and encouraged by the activity

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Information Centres and Services

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-09-01

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INFORMATION CENTRES AND SERVICES Accession For ZTIS GRA&I DTIC TAB Unarnnounoed 0- Justilfication By Distribution/ Availability...Recommending effective ways for the member nations to use their research and development capabilities for the common benefit of the NATO community; - Providing...evaluation is done. It proposes various strategies for altering the centres and services so that effectiveness is improved; in so doing, it covers

Development of a high resolution stepper motor prototype. volume 1: general presentation. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1975-12-01

This motor could be used to drive large solar panels of future satellites. Its main performance characteristics are as follows: 1,200 steps per revolution, relaxation torque greater than 0.3 mN, holding torque greater than 1mN, and input power at full torque less than 1.5 W. For volume 2 and 3; see ESR-97067. (GRA)

Therapeutic Efficacy of a New Procedure for Male Urinary Incontinence Combining a Suburethral Polypropylene Mesh and Cardiovascular Patch

PubMed Central

Jiang, Yuan-Hong

2017-01-01

Purpose Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in men is a complication secondary to prostatectomy or resulting from neurological lesions. This study presents our experiences with male suburethral slings over the past decade. Methods In this study, we considered patients who presented with SUI and were diagnosed with an intrinsic sphincteric deficiency due to postprostatectomy incontinence (PPI) or other causes (non-PPI). Patients who underwent the suburethral sling procedure using a polypropylene mesh and a cardiovascular patch were retrospectively included. An urodynamic study was performed before and after the operation. Global response assessment (GRA) and SUI grading were used for surgical outcome. The revision rate and the infection rate were also evaluated. Results A total 31 patients were enrolled in this study; the mean patient age was 59.5±18.9 years, and the mean follow-up period was 36.9±29.4 months. Fourteen patients comprised the non-PPI group and 17 were in the PPI group. The preoperative SUI of all patients were categorized as a moderate to severe problem according to the SUI grade, with a mean score of 2.32±0.48 before the operation and 0.48±0.57 after the operation. With a mean score of 2.35±0.71, GRA showed that the patients were satisfied with the treatment. After the sling procedure, 4 patients (13%) reported a mild improvement, 12 (38.7%) a moderate improvement, while 15 (48.4%) reported an excellent improvement. Six patients (19.4%), including 5 from the non-PPI group (35.7%) and 1 (5.9%) from the PPI group (P=0.037), underwent sling removal because of infection. Conclusions The male suburethral sling procedure using a polypropylene mesh and a cardiovascular patch is a safe, efficacious, and inexpensive surgical procedure for PPI. In cases of neurological incontinence, however, the higher infection rate in non-PPI patients means that they should be carefully managed. PMID:28361511

Determination of gold in geologic materials by solvent extraction and atomic-absorption spectrometry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Huffman, Claude; Mensik, J.D.; Riley, L.B.

1967-01-01

The two methods presented for the determination of traces of gold in geologic materials are the cyanide atomic-absorption method and the fire-assay atomic-absorption method. In the cyanide method gold is leached with a sodium-cyanide solution. The monovalent gold is then oxidized to the trivalent state and concentrated by extracting into methyl isobutyl ketone prior to estimation by atomic absorption. In the fire-assay atomic-absorption method, the gold-silver bead obtained from fire assay is dissolved in nitric and hydrochloric acids. Gold is then concentrated by extracting into methyl isobutyl ketone prior to determination by atomic absorption. By either method concentrations as low as 50 parts per billion of gold can be determined in a 15-gram sample.

Manning the Army in 1990.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-06-01

IIIIIIIIIIIIIl IIIIIIIII IIIIIIIluuumIIIII IIIIIIIIII 111 .0-0i MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART NATION4AL BUREAU OF STANOARD$- 1963 - .°~ 2 NAVAL POSTGRADUATE...be encountered in attaining a sufficient number who can qualify in AFQT test categories I-111A. Accession For NTIS GRA&I DTIC- TAB U’nnnnounced El J...AFQT test categories I-IIIA 𔃾 TABLE OF ZONTENTS Io INTRODUCTION ................... 11 II. MANPOWER REQUI REMENT S .. .. . .. .. .. . .. 15 A

A Microprocessor-Based Real-Time Simulator of a Turbofan Engine

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-01-01

NASA AVSCOM Technical Memorandum 100889 Technical Report 88-C-011 Lfl A Microprocessor-Based Real-Time Simulator of a Turbofan Engine CD I Jonathan S...Accession For NTIS GRA&I A MICROPROCESSOR-BASED REAL-TIME SIMULATOR DTIC TABUnannounced OF A TURBOFAN ENGINE Justifiaation, Jonathan S. Litt Propulsion...the F100 engine without augmentation (without afterburning). HYTESS is a simplified simulation written in FORTRAN of a generalized turbofan engine . To

Joint Services Electronics Program.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-01-01

89 IAooeston ? N1TIS GRA&If : i TC TAB 17 Distribuitioll/ Avatlabllity Codes_. iAv il and/or Dist Special . iii V’/-. *’V*. ’/ ’ 2 ...Similar structures were also studied by direct reflectance measurements at 2 K where the excitonic transitions are so strong that modu- lation is...separate investigation. single quantum wells of varying sizes were grown and studied [ 2 ]. The binding energies of acceptors were also determined. \\ore

Prairie du Chien: Historical and Architectural Resources Support Agreement

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-01-01

Crawford County. Springfield, Illinois: Union Publishing Company , 1884. Kellogg , Louis Phelps. The British Regime in Wisconsin and the Noithwest. Madison...INTERIOR V.. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240 ,2.i Accession For 1NTIS GRA&I DTIC TAR0 Ju , -~ ~ Codes ’al - uO- S ...HISTORICAL & APCHITECTUPAL RESOURCES SUPPORT AGREEMENlT. -’’, 6 PERFORMING ORG. REPORT NUMBER 7. AUTHOR( s ) 8. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER( s ) Alison K

Application of Earth Sciences Products for use in Next Generation Numerical Aerosol Prediction Models

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-09-30

retrievals, Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 10, EGU2008-A-11193, 2008, SRef-ID: 1607-7962/gra/EGU2008-A­ 11193, EGU General Assembly 2008. Liu, M...Application of Earth Sciences Products for use in Next Generation Numerical Aerosol...can be generated and predicted. Through this system, we will be able to advance a number of US Navy Applied Science needs in the areas of improved

Kinematic and Dynamic Analysis of High-Speed Intermittent-Motion Mechanisms.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-01-16

intermittent-motion mechanisms which -"have potential application to the high-speed automatic weapon system , and an investigation on the workspace of a robotic...manipulator system . The problems of this investigation belong to a selected group of unsolved or partially solved problems which are relevant and...design of high-speed machinery and automated manufacturing systems . Accession For IiTIS GRA&I DTIC TAB Unamounced 0 Justificatio By_, Distribut ion

French space program: report to Cospar

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1975-01-01

Programs and results obtained are reviewed for all French laboratories working in areas of research related to space. Main topics include lunar specimen studies; spectroscopic planetology; space radiation; ionospheric and magnetospherics; aeronomy; meteorology, comprising the Meteosat program and the Eole experiment and earth resources investigations; geodesy; and geodynamics-research covering space biology and exobiology is also discussed. French satellites and sounding rockets are listed, as well as French experiments onboard foreign spacecraft. (GRA)

Development of a high resolution stepper motor prototype. Volume 2. Detailed results. Volume 3. Development rapport final relatif a un prototype de moteur pas a pas a grande resolution. Volume 2. Resultats detailles. Volume 3. Developpement. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1975-12-01

This motor could be used to drive large solar panels of future satellites. Results of investigations concerning a breadboard model without a relaxation torque and a prototype with a relaxation torque are presented. For volume 1; see ESR-97066. (GRA)

Polysulfide-Scission Reagents for the Suppression of the Shuttle Effect in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

PubMed

Hua, Wuxing; Yang, Zhi; Nie, Huagui; Li, Zhongyu; Yang, Jizhang; Guo, Zeqing; Ruan, Chunping; Chen, Xi'an; Huang, Shaoming

2017-02-28

Lithium-sulfur batteries have become an appealing candidate for next-generation energy-storage technologies because of their low cost and high energy density. However, one of their major practical problems is the high solubility of long-chain lithium polysulfides and their infamous shuttle effect, which causes low Coulombic efficiency and sulfur loss. Here, we introduced a concept involving the dithiothreitol (DTT) assisted scission of polysulfides into lithium-sulfur system. Our designed porous carbon nanotube/S cathode coupling with a lightweight graphene/DTT interlayer (PCNTs-S@Gra/DTT) exhibited ultrahigh cycle-ability even at 5 C over 1100 cycles, with a capacity degradation rate of 0.036% per cycle. Additionally, the PCNTs-S@Gra/DTT electrode with a 3.51 mg cm -2 sulfur mass loading delivered a high initial areal capacity of 5.29 mAh cm -2 (1509 mAh g -1 ) at current density of 0.58 mA cm -2 , and the reversible areal capacity of the cell was maintained at 3.45 mAh cm -2 (984 mAh g -1 ) over 200 cycles at a higher current density of 1.17 mA cm -2 . Employing this molecule scission principle offers a promising avenue to achieve high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries.

Genetic Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii Isolates from Pigs in Jilin Province, Northeastern China.

PubMed

Jiang, Hai-Hai; Wang, Shu-Chao; Huang, Si-Yang; Zhao, Lei; Wang, Ze-Dong; Zhu, Xing-Quan; Liu, Quan

2016-02-01

Toxoplasma gondii is prevalent in humans and animals worldwide. The present study aimed to determine the genetic diversity of T. gondii isolates from pigs in Jilin province, northeastern China. A total of 100 DNA samples were extracted from the hilar lymph nodes of slaughtered pigs, and 9 (9.0%, 95% confidence interval: 3.4-14.6%) were detected positive for T. gondii B1 gene by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The positive DNA samples were typed at 11 genetic markers, including 10 nuclear loci (SAG1, 5'-SAG2, and 3'-SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, and PK1) and an apicoplast locus (Apico) using the multilocus PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism technology. Only three isolates were completely typed at all loci, showing that they all belonged to the clonal type I. One isolate was typed at five loci, including 5' +3'-SAG2, SAG2, SAG3, GRA6, and L358, revealing the possible clonal type I. This is the first report of the genetic characterization of T. gondii isolates in pigs in Jilin province, northeastern China, which has implications for better understanding the population structure of T. gondii infection in China.

Optimization to Develop Multiple Response Microstructure and Hardness of Ductile Iron Casting by using GRA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kabnure, Bahubali Bhupal; Shinde, Vasudev Dhondiram; Kolhapure, Rakesh Ramchandra

2018-05-01

Ductile irons are important engineering materials because of its high strength to weight ratio and castability. The ductile iron castings are used widely for automobile applications due to their wide spectrum of property range. Weight reduction is important in automobile to improve its fuel efficiency which can be achieved by thinning down the casting sections without altering its functionality. Generally, automobile castings are having varying section thickness. Varying thickness castings offers different cooling rates while solidification of the casting. The solidification cooling rate decides the final microstructure of the cast components. Cooling rate was found to affect directly the amount of pearlite and ultimately the as cast properties in varying thickness ductile iron castings. In view of this, the automobile impeller casting is selected for study in the present work as it consists of varying section thickness in which small sections are connected to central hub. The casting solidification simulations were performed and analyzed. The solidification cooling rates were analyzed further to correlate the experimental processing parameters. The samples from poured castings were analyzed for microstructure and hardness at different section thickness. Multiple response optimization of microstructure and hardness was carried out by combined Taguchi and Grey Relational Analysis (GRA). Contribution of input variables on the output variables is attained using ANOVA.

Estimation of the absorption coefficients of two-layered media by a simple method using spatially and time-resolved reflectances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimada, M.; Sato, C.; Hoshi, Y.; Yamada, Y.

2009-08-01

Our newly developed method using spatially and time-resolved reflectances can easily estimate the absorption coefficients of each layer in a two-layered medium if the thickness of the upper layer and the reduced scattering coefficients of the two layers are known a priori. We experimentally validated this method using phantoms and examined its possibility of estimating the absorption coefficients of the tissues in human heads. In the case of a homogeneous plastic phantom (polyacetal block), the absorption coefficient estimated by our method agreed well with that obtained by a conventional method. Also, in the case of two-layered phantoms, our method successfully estimated the absorption coefficients of the two layers. Furthermore, the absorption coefficients of the extracerebral and cerebral tissue inside human foreheads were estimated under the assumption that the human heads were two-layered media. It was found that the absorption coefficients of the cerebral tissues were larger than those of the extracerebral tissues.

Conceptual Design of a New Damage Assessment Capability

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-03-01

DDRES 0. ROetGRA ELEEN. RPRCT TAKN Decison -Scence pplictions1Inc 9 MONIORING ORAENCYI NAME ANDES~i ADiffREtoSS uto fte 10. SECURITY CLASSNT (Of ET...1_ . . -_ _- =.. = : -- L -_%_ ’_ The structure of the system makes it possible to evaluate the i variability and uncertainty in the damage...assumptions. The computational efficiency of ie system makes it possible to t use more detailed weapons-effects models and more accurate and complete

National Program for Inspection of Non-Federal Dams. Singletary Pond Dam (MA 00144), Blackstone River Basin, Millbury, Massachusetts. Phase I Inspection Report.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-02-01

to a gra- vel access drive. There are two wood-framed gate structures at the crest of the dam. The intake gate house is on the upstream edge of the...Reservoirs. Nov,. 19 *ILI Inspected by L..Q..: aden . .. Date JuI7~ 3.7,12bDamn No.-3- 1.6 Town ...... LLuy... . ... : ......... Location. , ) j ~.. 3lier

A postulated mechanism that leads to materialization and dematerialization of matter and to antigravity. Technical report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bearden, T.E.

1975-10-08

This report presents a discussion of the postulated mechanism that leads to the materialization and dematerialization of matter and to antigravity. The mechanism also explains why an orbital electron does not radiate energy, in contradiction to classical electromagnetic theory. One of the paradoxes of special relativity is explained. A new model of a photon is advanced. The relativistic increase of mass with velocity is explained. (GRA)

MX Siting Investigation Geotechnical Siting Status Report. Volume I.

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-06-21

and have moderate shear strength. GNU. HAl SUNAL, INC ENGINEERING AND GEOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES Int rrniatd.an. ungur . Aluvial Lacustrine /oNan gdotlS t...an unvarnished, active surface of sediment transport gra A53 stream channel and floodplain deposits. A52 - Unconsolidated to poorly consolidated sand...silt, and sandy gravel, with va c.0 A52 surface gravels forming isolated areas of desert pavement. This fan is in vario Cc surface of sediment

The TRIGA Reactor Facility at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute: A Simplified Technical Description.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-05-01

COUNT Technical FROM_ TO May 1986 20 16. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTATION 17. COSATI CODES 18. SUBJECT TERMS iConitinue on reverse if neceasary and identify by...Reactor, Modes of Operation, The AFRRI Reactor, Exposure Facilities, and Cerenkov Radiation. I- 20 DISTRISUTIONIAVAILABILITY OF ABSTRACT 21. ABSTRACT...6 Exposure Facilities 12 Cerenkov Radiation 17 Acoessiofl For NTIS GRA&I DT.C TABUnamnnounced [] UusnriOfltond -. By IZ Distribution/ Availability

Psorophora (Grabhamia) varinervis (Diptera: Culicidae) morphological description including pupa and fourth-stage larva previously unknown.

PubMed

Rossi, Gustavo C; Stein, Marina; Almirón, Walter R

2008-05-01

Psorophora (Grabhamia) varinervis Edwards (Diptera: Culicidae) is redescribed in the adult stage. Pupa and fourth-stage larva are described and illustrated for the first time. Information about distribution, bionomics, and taxonomy also is included. Adults of Ps. varinervis can be separated from the closely related species Ps. (Gra.) discolor (Coquillett) on the basis of the wing characters, and the larva by the siphon and antenna characters.

Military Knowledge Handbook for Commanders (Selected Section)

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-03-28

8217 Accession For NTIS GRA&I DTIC TAB 0l Unannoun ed 0] ju,.it . " t ation Distri’muti on/ Availabilit %Codes Dist cSpeial GRAPHICS DISCLAIMER...cloud layers, the energy of ray radiation on the ground will increase due to reflection effect of the cloud layers. Water surface, ice, accumulated... water flow can direct the radioactive fallout into defense works and water sources to worsen contaminations; radioactive fallout can easily be retained in

Semiconductor Based Transverse Bragg Resonance (TBR) Optical Amplifiers and Lasers

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-02-14

modes with small modal angles experience zero or very low radiation loss. We call these modes small modal angle (SMA) modes. SMA modes include both...lossless effective index-guided modes and low loss leaky modes. They are almost parallel to the graing and do not radiate significantly. As the modal...angle increases, all the modes experience higher radiation loss. However, around the transverse resonance angle of 13.80, low loss modes exist. These

The Evolution of the Soviet Navy (As Seen by Admiral S. G. Gorshkov).

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-06-01

T GRA&I CLEAE SEP 2 1 19S I~ US ARMY RUSSIAN INSTITUTE 1 Garmisch, Germany 2S32 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY U.S. ARMY RUSSIAN INSTITUTE APO NEW YORK 09053...Table of Contents INTRODUCTION. ..... ........................ 1 CIVIL WAR ... ............................ 2 REBUILDING PERIOD...the entire front. The Communist Party immediately replaced the Red Guard and other 2 partisan units with the Red Army and Red Navy of Workers and

Functional and Database Architecture Design.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-09-26

I AD-At3.N 275 FUNCTIONAL AND D ATABASE ARCHITECTURE DESIGN (U) ALPHA / OMEGA GROUP INC HARVARD MA 26 SEP 83 NODS 4-83-C 0525 UNCLASSIFIED FG52 N EE...0525 REPORT AOO1 FUNCTIONAL AND DATABASE ARCHITECTURE DESIGN Submitted to: Office of Naval Research Department of the Navy 800 N. Quincy Street...ZNTIS GRA& I DTIC TAB Unannounced 0 Justification REPORT ON Distribution/ Availability Codes Avail and/or FUNCTIONAL AND DATABASE ARCHITECTURE DESIGN Dist

[Study of the Detecting System of CH4 and SO2 Based on Spectral Absorption Method and UV Fluorescence Method].

PubMed

Wang, Shu-tao; Wang, Zhi-fang; Liu, Ming-hua; Wei, Meng; Chen, Dong-ying; Wang, Xing-long

2016-01-01

According to the spectral absorption characteristics of polluting gases and fluorescence characteristics, a time-division multiplexing detection system is designed. Through this system we can detect Methane (CH4) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) by using spectral absorption method and the SO2 can be detected by using UV fluorescence method. The system consists of four parts: a combination of a light source which could be switched, the common optical path, the air chamber and the signal processing section. The spectral absorption characteristics and fluorescence characteristics are measured first. Then the experiment of detecting CH4 and SO2 through spectral absorption method and the experiment of detecting SO2 through UV fluorescence method are conducted, respectively. Through measuring characteristics of spectral absorption and fluorescence, we get excitation wavelengths of SO2 and CH4 measured by spectral absorption method at the absorption peak are 280 nm and 1.64 μm, respectively, and the optimal excitation wavelength of SO2 measured by UV fluorescence method is 220 nm. we acquire the linear relation between the concentration of CH4 and relative intensity and the linear relation between the concentration of SO2 and output voltage after conducting the experiment of spectral absorption method, and the linearity are 98.7%, 99.2% respectively. Through the experiment of UV fluorescence method we acquire that the relation between the concentration of SO2 and the voltage is linear, and the linearity is 99.5%. Research shows that the system is able to be applied to detect the polluted gas by absorption spectrum method and UV fluorescence method. Combing these two measurement methods decreases the costing and the volume, and this system can also be used to measure the other gases. Such system has a certain value of application.

Noninvasive photoacoustic measurement of absorption coefficient using internal light irradiation of cylindrical diffusing fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Dong-qing; Zhu, Li-li; Li, Zhi-fang; Li, Hui

2017-09-01

Absorption coefficient of biological tissue is an important parameter in biomedicine, but its determination remains a challenge. In this paper, we propose a method using focusing photoacoustic imaging technique and internal light irradiation of cylindrical diffusing fiber (CDF) to quantify the target optical absorption coefficient. Absorption coefficients for ink absorbers are firstly determined through photoacoustic and spectrophotometric measurements at the same excitation, which demonstrates the feasibility of this method. Also, the optical absorption coefficients of ink absorbers with several concentrations are measured. Finally, the two-dimensional scanning photoacoustic image is obtained. Optical absorption coefficient measurement and simultaneous photoacoustic imaging of absorber non-invasively are the typical characteristics of the method. This method can play a significant role for non-invasive determination of blood oxygen saturation, the absorption-based imaging and therapy.

Novel atomic absorption spectrometric and rapid spectrophotometric methods for the quantitation of paracetamol in saliva: application to pharmacokinetic studies.

PubMed

Issa, M M; Nejem, R M; El-Abadla, N S; Al-Kholy, M; Saleh, Akila A

2008-01-01

A novel atomic absorption spectrometric method and two highly sensitive spectrophotometric methods were developed for the determination of paracetamol. These techniques based on the oxidation of paracetamol by iron (III) (method I); oxidation of p-aminophenol after the hydrolysis of paracetamol (method II). Iron (II) then reacts with potassium ferricyanide to form Prussian blue color with a maximum absorbance at 700 nm. The atomic absorption method was accomplished by extracting the excess iron (III) in method II and aspirates the aqueous layer into air-acetylene flame to measure the absorbance of iron (II) at 302.1 nm. The reactions have been spectrometrically evaluated to attain optimum experimental conditions. Linear responses were exhibited over the ranges 1.0-10, 0.2-2.0 and 0.1-1.0 mug/ml for method I, method II and atomic absorption spectrometric method, respectively. A high sensitivity is recorded for the proposed methods I and II and atomic absorption spectrometric method value indicate: 0.05, 0.022 and 0.012 mug/ml, respectively. The limit of quantitation of paracetamol by method II and atomic absorption spectrometric method were 0.20 and 0.10 mug/ml. Method II and the atomic absorption spectrometric method were applied to demonstrate a pharmacokinetic study by means of salivary samples in normal volunteers who received 1.0 g paracetamol. Intra and inter-day precision did not exceed 6.9%.

Novel Atomic Absorption Spectrometric and Rapid Spectrophotometric Methods for the Quantitation of Paracetamol in Saliva: Application to Pharmacokinetic Studies

PubMed Central

Issa, M. M.; Nejem, R. M.; El-Abadla, N. S.; Al-Kholy, M.; Saleh, Akila. A.

2008-01-01

A novel atomic absorption spectrometric method and two highly sensitive spectrophotometric methods were developed for the determination of paracetamol. These techniques based on the oxidation of paracetamol by iron (III) (method I); oxidation of p-aminophenol after the hydrolysis of paracetamol (method II). Iron (II) then reacts with potassium ferricyanide to form Prussian blue color with a maximum absorbance at 700 nm. The atomic absorption method was accomplished by extracting the excess iron (III) in method II and aspirates the aqueous layer into air-acetylene flame to measure the absorbance of iron (II) at 302.1 nm. The reactions have been spectrometrically evaluated to attain optimum experimental conditions. Linear responses were exhibited over the ranges 1.0-10, 0.2-2.0 and 0.1-1.0 μg/ml for method I, method II and atomic absorption spectrometric method, respectively. A high sensitivity is recorded for the proposed methods I and II and atomic absorption spectrometric method value indicate: 0.05, 0.022 and 0.012 μg/ml, respectively. The limit of quantitation of paracetamol by method II and atomic absorption spectrometric method were 0.20 and 0.10 μg/ml. Method II and the atomic absorption spectrometric method were applied to demonstrate a pharmacokinetic study by means of salivary samples in normal volunteers who received 1.0 g paracetamol. Intra and inter-day precision did not exceed 6.9%. PMID:20046743

A Novel Secreted Protein, MYR1, Is Central to Toxoplasma ’s Manipulation of Host Cells

DOE PAGES

Franco, Magdalena; Panas, Michael W.; Marino, Nicole D.; ...

2016-02-02

ABSTRACT The intracellular protozoanToxoplasma gondiidramatically reprograms the transcriptome of host cells it infects, including substantially up-regulating the host oncogene c-myc. By applying a flow cytometry-based selection to infected mouse cells expressing green fluorescent protein fused to c-Myc (c-Myc–GFP), we isolated mutant tachyzoites defective in this host c-Myc up-regulation. Whole-genome sequencing of three such mutants led to the identification ofMYR1(Mycregulation1;TGGT1_254470) as essential for c-Myc induction. MYR1 is a secreted protein that requires TgASP5 to be cleaved into two stable portions, both of which are ultimately found within the parasitophorous vacuole and at the parasitophorous vacuole membrane. Deletion ofMYR1revealed that in additionmore » to its requirement for c-Myc up-regulation, the MYR1 protein is needed for the ability ofToxoplasmatachyzoites to modulate several other important host pathways, including those mediated by the dense granule effectors GRA16 and GRA24. This result, combined with its location at the parasitophorous vacuole membrane, suggested that MYR1 might be a component of the machinery that translocatesToxoplasmaeffectors from the parasitophorous vacuole into the host cytosol. Support for this possibility was obtained by showing that transit of GRA24 to the host nucleus is indeed MYR1-dependent. As predicted by this pleiotropic phenotype, parasites deficient inMYR1were found to be severely attenuated in a mouse model of infection. We conclude, therefore, that MYR1 is a novel protein that plays a critical role in howToxoplasmadelivers effector proteins to the infected host cell and that this is crucial to virulence. IMPORTANCEToxoplasma gondiiis an important human pathogen and a model for the study of intracellular parasitism. Infection of the host cell withToxoplasmatachyzoites involves the introduction of protein effectors, including many that are initially secreted into the parasitophorous vacuole but must ultimately translocate to the host cell cytosol to function. The work reported here identified a novel protein that is required for this translocation. These results give new insight into a very unusual cell biology process as well as providing a potential handle on a pathway that is necessary for virulence and, therefore, a new potential target for chemotherapy.« less

A Novel Technique for Performing Space Based Radiation Dosimetry Using DNA-Results from GRaDEx-I and the Design of GRaDEx-II

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ritter, Joe; Branly, R.; Theodorakis, C.; Bickham, J.; Swartz, C.; Friedfeld, R.; Ackerman, E.; Carruthers, C.; DiGirolamo, A.; Faranda, J.

1999-01-01

Because of the large amounts of cosmic radiation in the space environment relative to that on earth, the effects of radiation on the physiology of astronauts is of major concern. Doses of radiation which can cause acute or chronic biological effects are to be avoided, therefore determination of the amount of radiation exposure encountered during space flight and assessment of its impact on biological systems is critical. Quantifying the radiation dosage and damage to biological systems, especially to humans during repetitive high altitude flight and during long duration space flight is important for several reasons. Radiation can cause altered biosynthesis and long term genotoxicity resulting in cancer and birth defects etc. Radiation damage to biological systems depends in a complex way on incident radiation species and their energy spectra. Typically non-biological, i.e. film or electronic monitoring systems with narrow energy band sensitivity are used to perform dosimetry and then results are extrapolated to biological models. For this reason it may be desirable to perform radiation dosimetry by using biological molecules e.g. DNA or RNA strands as passive sensors. A lightweight genotoxicology experiment was constructed to determine the degree to which in vitro naked DNA extracted from tissues of a variety of vertebrate organisms is damaged by exposure to radiation in a space environment. The DNA is assayed by means of agarose gel electrophoresis to determine damage such as strand breakage caused by high momentum particles and photons, and base oxidation caused by free radicals. The length distribution of DNA fragments is directly correlated with the radiation dose. It is hoped that a low mass, low cost, passive biological system to determine dose response relationship (increase in strand breaks with increase in exposure) can be developed to perform radiation dosimetry in support of long duration space flight, and to predict negative effects on biological systems (e.g. astronauts and greenhouses) in space. The payload was flown in a 2.5 cubic foot Get Away Special (GAS) container through NASA's GAS program. It was subjected to the environment of the space shuttle cargo bay for the duration of the STS-91 mission (9 days). Results of the genotoxicology and radiation dosimetry experiment (GRaDEx-1) as well as the design of an improved follow on payload are presented.

A Novel Technique for Performing Space Based Radiation Dosimetry Using DNA: Results from GRaDEx-I and the Design of GRaDEx-II

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ritter, Joe; Branly, R.; Theodorakis, C.; Bickham, J.; Swartz, C.; Friedfeld, R.; Ackerman, E.; Carruthers, C.; DiGirolamo, A.; Faranda, J.;

Examination of the Measurement of Absorption Using the Reverberant Room Method for Highly Absorptive Acoustic Foam

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hughes, William O.; McNelis, Anne M.; Chris Nottoli; Eric Wolfram

2015-01-01

The absorption coefficient for material specimens are needed to quantify the expected acoustic performance of that material in its actual usage and environment. The ASTM C423-09a standard, "Standard Test Method for Sound Absorption and Sound Absorption Coefficients by the Reverberant Room Method" is often used to measure the absorption coefficient of material test specimens. This method has its basics in the Sabine formula. Although widely used, the interpretation of these measurements are a topic of interest. For example, in certain cases the measured Sabine absorption coefficients are greater than 1.0 for highly absorptive materials. This is often attributed to the diffraction edge effect phenomenon. An investigative test program to measure the absorption properties of highly absorbent melamine foam has been performed at the Riverbank Acoustical Laboratories. This paper will present and discuss the test results relating to the effect of the test materials' surface area, thickness and edge sealing conditions. A follow-on paper is envisioned that will present and discuss the results relating to the spacing between multiple piece specimens, and the mounting condition of the test specimen.

Curvatures Estimation in Orientation Selection

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-01-31

processes are run at the same scale ). Not only is the L/L edge operator as accurate, it makes explicit a great deal of information which is either...Figure 11: An artificial image used to test the image operators. This is an anti-alia sed grey- scale image of lines and curves, which represent the...MacKay, "Influence of luminance gra- dient reversal on simple cells in feline striate cortex," J. Physiology (London), vol. 337, pp. 69--87, 1983

Soviet Perceptions of U.S. Antisubmarine Warfare Capabilities. Volume III. Appendices.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-09-30

amount is planned for 1970. "American specialists who have worked out the so-called concept of ’ balanced antisubmarine forces’ assign a significant role...the MSS sys- tem /of more durable sonobuoys/.ൽ/ - In 1971 the Canadian Navy started work in the region of Lincoln Bay for establishing a barrier...Government indexes such as Government Reports Announcements & Index (GRA & I). 10. Project/Task/ Work Unit Number. Use the project, task and work unit

A Predictive Statistical Model of Navy Career Enlisted Retention Behavior Utilizing Economic Variables.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-12-01

career retention rates , and to predict future career retention rates in the Navy. The statistical model utilizes economic variables as predictors...The model developed r has a high correlation with Navy career retention rates . The problem of Navy career retention has not been adequately studied, 0D...findings indicate Navy policymakers must be cognizant of the relationships of economic factors to Navy career retention rates . Accrzsiofl ’or NTIS GRA&I

Signal Processing with Degenerate Four-Wave Mixing.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-12-07

MONITORING ORGANIZATION Optical Sciences Center j (i applicable) 6c. ADDRESS (City, State, and ZIPCode) 7b. ADDRESS (City, State, and ZIP Cod...apOliable) AFOSR I j AFOSR-84-0277 I, ADDRESS (City, State and ZIP Code) 10. SOURCE OF FUNDING NUMBERS Bulig40PROGRAM IPROJECT TASK I WORK UNIT Buling...5 Accesson Fo I - __ 0 4.Z- NTIS GRA. D__t _______r_!_ ________I,,* k AccessiondFor Dist.~~ .ipe i 45 rix’ _ _____ _____ __ j

Influence of Composition and Process Selection on Densification of Silicon Nitride.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-05-01

9 Accession For NTIS -GRA&I DTIC TAB F] Unannounced 0 Justificatio, Distribution/ Availability Codes Avail and/or Dist 1 Spec ial NI ...concerned with microstructural development and its influence on resultant properties of Si3 N4. Since the early observation that high alpha phase starting...pressed Si3N4 . Knoch and Gazza (2) subsequently investigated the influence of Si3 N4 starting powders with different alpha/beta phase content on the

Natural Pressure-Driven Passive Bioventing

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-09-01

8217 300’ PFFA SCALE : 1 "= 300’ LEGEND 0 ABOVE GROUND STORAGE TANK I BUILDING FENCE = = = : DRAINAGE CHANNEL \\731272\\REPORT\\FINAL\\GRA PHICS...preparation for full- scale design of a conventional bioventing system at the PFFA, a bioventing pilot test was conducted in the demonstration area prior...PFFAVW02 @ @ PFFABOS02 PFFAVMP14..6. @ PFFABOS04 • PFFABOS06 CPT-BOSSA @ PFFABOS08 ~ JM11 ~? r 1,o v SCALE IN FEET FIGURE 6 SITE PLAN PFFA

The Security of the South Atlantic: Is It a Case for ’SATO’--South Atlantic Treaty Organization

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-05-10

Studies , Georgetown University, 1976. Nitze, Paul H., and Leonard Sullivan Jr., and the Atlantic Council Working Group on Securing the Seas. Securing...to this study should include the foregoing statement.) Accession For FTIS( GRA&I DTIC TAR Uuannwouncd e "• Jus;tification. 00 Distribution...Center for Strategic and International Studies , Georgetown University, 1976), p. 1. 2. Paul H. Nitze, Leonard Sullivan Jr and the Atlantic Council

Research Abstracts of 1980.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-12-01

ABSTRACTS OF 1980. 9 - DTIC ELECTEf ii S AN3O 1981j _NAVAL DISTRIBUTION SMT:MIT DENTAL RESEARCH Approved for PUbDiC T INSTITE iii~2 YA3 It81 Naval...Medical Research apd Development Command 30 £ Bethesda, Maryland ( *- i - NTIS - GRA&I DTIC TAB - Urrannouneed NAVAL DENTAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE...r1 w American Assoctat/ion for Dental Research, 58th Annual Session, Los Angeles, California, March 20-23, 1980. 1. AV6ERSON*, D. N., LANGELAND, K

High-Level Operations in Nonprocedural Programming Languages.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-12-01

defining type specific operators. Abstract data type has been applied to the nonprocedural language NOPAL [Sang8O]. It was primarily used as a tool...level operation is transformed using the integral operation MATINV as follows: 1 GA IS GROUP, 2 GRA(*) IS GROUP, 3 AUX(*) IS FIELD (DEC FLOAT); I GI...IS GROUP, 2 GRI(*) IS GROUP, 3 INV(*) IS FIELD (DEC FLOAT); AUX = A; GI = MATINV( GA ); C = INV; In code generation, the assertion GI=MATINV( GA ) is

Using Dawn to Observe SEP Events Past 2 AU

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Villarreal, M. N.; Russell, C. T.; Prettyman, T. H.

2017-12-01

The launch of the STEREO spacecraft provided much insight into the longitudinal and radial distribution of solar energetic particles (SEPs) relative to their origin site. However, almost all of the observations of SEP events have been made exclusively near 1 AU. The Dawn mission, which orbited around Vesta before arriving at Ceres, provides an opportunity to analyze these events at much further distances. Although Dawn's Gamma Ray and Neutron Detector (GRaND) is not optimized for SEP characterization, it is sensitive to protons greater than 4 MeV, making it capable of detecting a solar energetic particle event in its vicinity. Solar energetic particles in this area of the solar system are important as they are believed to cause sputtering at bodies such as Ceres and comets (Villarreal et al., 2017; Wurz et al., 2015). In this study, we use Dawn's GRaND data from 2011-2015 when Dawn was at distances between 2-3 AU. We compare the SEP events seen by Dawn with particle measurements at 1 AU using STEREO, Wind, and ACE to understand how the SEP events evolved past 1 AU.References: Villarreal, M. N., et al. (2017), The dependence of the Cerean exosphere on solar energetic particle events, Astrophys. J. Lett., 838, L8.Wurz, P. et al. (2015), Solar wind sputtering of dust on the surface of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, A&A, 583, A22.

Vesta's Elemental Composition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prettyman, T. H.; Beck, A. W.; Feldman, W. C.; Lawrence, D. J.; McCoy, T. J.; McSween, H. Y.; Mittlefehldt, D. W.; Peplowski, P. N.; Raymond, C. A.; Reedy, R. C.;

Using Dawn to Observe SEP Events Past 2 AU

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Villarreal, Michaela; Russell, Christopher T.; Prettyman, Thomas H.

2017-10-01

The launch of the STEREO spacecraft provided much insight into the longitudinal and radial distribution of solar energetic particles (SEPs) relative to their origin site. However, almost all of the observations of SEP events have been made exclusively near 1 AU. The Dawn mission, which orbited around Vesta before arriving at Ceres, provides an opportunity to analyze these events at much further distances. Although Dawn's Gamma Ray and Neutron Detector (GRaND) is not optimized for SEP characterization, it is sensitive to protons greater than 4 MeV, making it capable of detecting a solar energetic particle event in its vicinity. Solar energetic particles in this area of the solar system are important as they are believed to cause sputtering at bodies such as Ceres and comets (Villarreal et al., 2017; Wurz et al., 2015). In this study, we use Dawn’s GRaND data from 2011-2015 when Dawn was at distances between 2-3 AU. We compare the SEP events seen by Dawn with particle measurements at 1 AU using STEREO, Wind, and ACE to understand how the SEP events evolved past 1 AU.References: Villarreal, M. N., et al. (2017), The dependence of the Cerean exosphere on solar energetic particle events, Astrophys. J. Lett., 838, L8.Wurz, P. et al. (2015), Solar wind sputtering of dust on the surface of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, A&A, 583, A22.

Toxoplasma exports dense granule proteins beyond the vacuole to the host cell nucleus and rewires the host genome expression.

PubMed

Bougdour, Alexandre; Tardieux, Isabelle; Hakimi, Mohamed-Ali

2014-03-01

Toxoplasma gondii is the most widespread apicomplexan parasite and occupies a large spectrum of niches by infecting virtually any warm-blooded animals. As an obligate intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma has evolved a repertoire of strategies to fine-tune the cellular environment in an optimal way to promote growth and persistence in host tissues hence increasing the chance to be transmitted to new hosts. Short and long-term intracellular survival is associated with Toxoplasma ability to both evade the host deleterious immune defences and to stimulate a beneficial immune balance by governing host cell gene expression. It is only recently that parasite proteins responsible for driving these transcriptional changes have been identified. While proteins contained in the apical secretory Rhoptry organelle have already been identified as bona fide secreted effectors that divert host signalling pathways, recent findings revealed that dense granule proteins should be added to the growing list of effectors as they reach the host cell cytoplasm and nucleus and target various host cell pathways in the course of cell infection. Herein, we emphasize on a novel subfamily of dense granule residentproteins, exemplified with the GRA16 and GRA24 members we recently discovered as both are exported beyond the vacuole-containing parasites and reach the host cell nucleus to reshape the host genome expression. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Improved determination of particulate absorption from combined filter pad and PSICAM measurements.

PubMed

Lefering, Ina; Röttgers, Rüdiger; Weeks, Rebecca; Connor, Derek; Utschig, Christian; Heymann, Kerstin; McKee, David

2016-10-31

Filter pad light absorption measurements are subject to two major sources of experimental uncertainty: the so-called pathlength amplification factor, β, and scattering offsets, o, for which previous null-correction approaches are limited by recent observations of non-zero absorption in the near infrared (NIR). A new filter pad absorption correction method is presented here which uses linear regression against point-source integrating cavity absorption meter (PSICAM) absorption data to simultaneously resolve both β and the scattering offset. The PSICAM has previously been shown to provide accurate absorption data, even in highly scattering waters. Comparisons of PSICAM and filter pad particulate absorption data reveal linear relationships that vary on a sample by sample basis. This regression approach provides significantly improved agreement with PSICAM data (3.2% RMS%E) than previously published filter pad absorption corrections. Results show that direct transmittance (T-method) filter pad absorption measurements perform effectively at the same level as more complex geometrical configurations based on integrating cavity measurements (IS-method and QFT-ICAM) because the linear regression correction compensates for the sensitivity to scattering errors in the T-method. This approach produces accurate filter pad particulate absorption data for wavelengths in the blue/UV and in the NIR where sensitivity issues with PSICAM measurements limit performance. The combination of the filter pad absorption and PSICAM is therefore recommended for generating full spectral, best quality particulate absorption data as it enables correction of multiple errors sources across both measurements.

Equivalent modulus method for finite element simulation of the sound absorption of anechoic coating backed with orthogonally rib-stiffened plate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Zhongkun; Yin, Yao; Liu, Bilong

2016-03-01

The finite element method is often used to investigate the sound absorption of anechoic coating backed with orthogonally rib-stiffened plate. Since the anechoic coating contains cavities, the number of grid nodes of a periodic unit cell is usually large. An equivalent modulus method is proposed to reduce the large amount of nodes by calculating an equivalent homogeneous layer. Applications of this method in several models show that the method can well predict the sound absorption coefficient of such structure in a wide frequency range. Based on the simulation results, the sound absorption performance of such structure and the influences of different backings on the first absorption peak are also discussed.

CR chondrites: Shock, aqueous alteration and terrestrial weathering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abreu, N. M.

2012-12-01

CR chondrite are a group asteroidal meteorites, whose importance lies in the exotic organic and presolar material [1] found in its most pristine members and in the broad range of alteration features represented in the remaining specimens in this group [2]. This FE-SEM, EMPA, FIB/TEM study takes advantage of the CR's mineralogical diversity to define different trends of secondary alteration, by comparing the CR3s to the Antarctic CRs: MIL 07525, MIL 07513, GRA 06100, LAP 04516, GRO 03116, GRO 95577, and EET 96259. Collisions and subsequent annealing have affected MIL 07513, GRA 06100, and GRO 03116. Shock stages are often assigned based on progressive changes in the textures of olivines and feldspars. However, the large olivines in shocked CRs do not appear to record these process. Opaques, on the other hand, preserve hallmark signatures of impacts, such as crystalline metal/sulfide veins. Opaque nodules in MIL 07513, GRA 06100, GRO 03116 consist of intergrowths of μm-sub μm FeNi-rich metal, kamacite, Fe-sulfides, Fe-oxides, nm-sized metallic Cu and CuFe (~85 wt.% Cu, 14 wt.% Fe ± < 1wt.% Co, Ni, S) alloys. MIL 07525, GRO 03116, EET 96259, LAP 04516, and GRO 95577 show increasing signs of aqueous alteration, such as increasing amounts of ordered phyllosilicates. Although most phyllosilicates are intergrowths of Fe-rich serpentine and saponite, LAP 04516 also contains large (μm-sized), interpenetrating, Fe-rich (cronstedtite-like) phyllosilicates packages with 14Å basal spacings, similar to those observed in CI chondrites by [3]. Heterogeneously interspersed within phyllosilicates are amorphous Fe-rich silicates and small grains (<50nm) of Fe-rich sulfides, partly oxidized sulfides, and in LAP 04516, tochilinite. Tochilinite shows consistent enrichments in Si (~5 wt.%), suggesting that this meteorite has undergone similar pathways of aqueous alteration as CM chondrites [e.g., 4-5]. Despite the myriad of mineralogical changes triggered by secondary and tertiary process affecting the CRs, the relationship between the average S and Fe contents of matrices are good indicators of the alteration histories of these chondrites. The average S versus Fe contents of CR matrices follow a roughly linear trend. The most aqueously altered CRs (e.g., LAP 04516) have the lowest Fe and the highest S content. The matrices in shocked CRs, MIL 07513, GRA 06100, GRO 03116, have the lowest S content of the studied CRs. They are also the most Fe-rich. The CR3 chondrites fall somewhere in the middle of the S vs. Fe plot. Terrestrial weathering creates some scattering due to its contribution to the Fe-content of the matrix. If the precursor materials of the shocked CRs composi-tionally resemble CR3 chondrites, low S content of shocked CR matrices probably resulted from volatile losses driven by shock and annealing. Whereas increasing Fe-contents are probably linked to impact-driven hydrothermal mobilization of Fe from kamacite nodules. References: [1] Floss et al. 2009. Ap. J. 697: 1242-1255. [2] Abreu N. M. 2007. [3] Tomeoka K. & Buseck P. R. 1988. GCA 52: 1627-1640. [4] Tomeoka K. & Buseck P. R. 1985. GCA 49: 21-49-2163. [5] Rubin A. et al. 2007. GCA 71: 2361-2382. Acknowledgements: Funded by NNX11AH10G grant and conducted at Penn State and ARES-JSC. Meteorite kindly pro-vided by the JSC Antarctic meteorite curators.

Developments in Methods for Measuring the Intestinal Absorption of Nanoparticle-Bound Drugs

PubMed Central

Liu, Wei; Pan, Hao; Zhang, Caiyun; Zhao, Liling; Zhao, Ruixia; Zhu, Yongtao; Pan, Weisan

2016-01-01

With the rapid development of nanotechnology, novel drug delivery systems comprising orally administered nanoparticles (NPs) have been paid increasing attention in recent years. The bioavailability of orally administered drugs has significant influence on drug efficacy and therapeutic dosage, and it is therefore imperative that the intestinal absorption of oral NPs be investigated. This review examines the various literature on the oral absorption of polymeric NPs, and provides an overview of the intestinal absorption models that have been developed for the study of oral nanoparticles. Three major categories of models including a total of eight measurement methods are described in detail (in vitro: dialysis bag, rat gut sac, Ussing chamber, cell culture model; in situ: intestinal perfusion, intestinal loops, intestinal vascular cannulation; in vivo: the blood/urine drug concentration method), and the advantages and disadvantages of each method are contrasted and elucidated. In general, in vitro and in situ methods are relatively convenient but lack accuracy, while the in vivo method is troublesome but can provide a true reflection of drug absorption in vivo. This review summarizes the development of intestinal absorption experiments in recent years and provides a reference for the systematic study of the intestinal absorption of nanoparticle-bound drugs. PMID:27455239

Determination of optical absorption coefficient with focusing photoacoustic imaging.

PubMed

Li, Zhifang; Li, Hui; Zeng, Zhiping; Xie, Wenming; Chen, Wei R

2012-06-01

Absorption coefficient of biological tissue is an important factor for photothermal therapy and photoacoustic imaging. However, its determination remains a challenge. In this paper, we propose a method using focusing photoacoustic imaging technique to quantify the target optical absorption coefficient. It utilizes the ratio of the amplitude of the peak signal from the top boundary of the target to that from the bottom boundary based on wavelet transform. This method is self-calibrating. Factors, such as absolute optical fluence, ultrasound parameters, and Grüneisen parameter, can be canceled by dividing the amplitudes of the two peaks. To demonstrate this method, we quantified the optical absorption coefficient of a target with various concentrations of an absorbing dye. This method is particularly useful to provide accurate absorption coefficient for predicting the outcomes of photothermal interaction for cancer treatment with absorption enhancement.

Measuring the radon concentration in air meting van de radonconcentratie in lucht

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Aten, J.B.T.; Bierhuizen, H.W.J.; Vanhoek, L.P.

1975-01-01

A simple transportable apparatus for measurement of the radon concentration in the air of a workshop was developed. An air sample is sucked through a filter and the decay curve of the alpha activity is measured. The counting speed 40 min after sampling gives an indication of the radon activity. The apparatus was calibrated by analyzing an analogous decay curve obtained with a big filter and a big air sample, the activity being measured with an anti-coincidence counter. (GRA)

Radiosensitization of biologically active DNA in cellular extracts by oxygen. Evidence that the presence of SH-compounds is not required

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vanhemmen, J.J.; Meuling, W.J.A.; Bleichrodt, J.F.

1974-01-01

The radiosensitization by oxygen of biological active bacteriophage DNA in bacterial extracts was studied. The oxygen effect in such a system appeared not to be due or due only to a minor extent to the presence of endogenous sulfhydryl compounds. The components in a cell extract which enable oxygen and other sensitizers to sensitize DNA could not be destroyed by extremely high doses of gamma radiation. (Author) (GRA)

Comprehensive Action: A Whole of Government Solution to Fighting Transnational Terrorism

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-06-01

THUNDER, DESERT FOX a n d n u m erou s opera t ion a l exercis es . Ma jor Ba qu et is a gra du a te of US Air Force Squ a dron Officer Sch ool...per wa s developed . Ma jor Ba qu et is a s qu a dron com m a n der a t th e 27 th Specia l Opera t ion s Win g, Ca n n on AFB New

Mobilization and Defense Management Technical Reports Series. The Use of Reactivation Networks to Improve Mobilization Preparedness of the Ammunition Industry

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-05-01

additional measures that if implemented • .could make the technique more effective . •j• . SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF THIS PAGE t•’/en Data Ente red) qqp...preparedness, and recommends additional measures that if implemented could make the technique more effective . Accession For NTIS GRA&I DTIC .TAB...related to mobilization preparedness. I decided to limit this report to the effects of the application of VERM on the prepiredness of the ammunition

High-Energy Laser for Detection, Inspection, and Non-Destructive Testing

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-21

at the gra odes. The -2 at 0.1 Hz -cm-2, and mage thre n array of beam. Th burns on pled to a to measur laser is eq micron lev ent beam ( rget...project or resulting research?  Defense Threat Reduction Agency, “Compact Source of Laser -Driven Monoenergetic Gamma-Rays” --$2,982,685... LASER FOR DETECTION, INSPECTION, AND NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING 3) Grant/Contract Number: FA9550-07-1-0521 4) Reporting Period Start: 06/21/2007

Experience in Using a Finite Element Stress and Vibration Package on a Minicomputer,

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-01-01

as the Gra’phics Oricntat.ed Interactive Finite Element Time Sharing Pacl’age ( GIFTS ). This packge has been running on a PDP11/60 minicomputer...Unlike many other FEM packages, GIFTS consists of a collecticon E of fully compatible special purpose programns operating on a se. ef files on disk known...matrix is initiated by running the appropriate ptrojrF:’. from the GIFTS library. The following if, a list of the major (IFtS library programs with a

An Analysis of the Small and Disadvantaged Business Set-Aside Program in the US Air Force

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-09-01

O pftno" 911 ~5 O7 1/ AFIT/GSM/LSY/90S-30 AN ANALYSIS OF THE SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS SET-ASIDE PROGRAM IN THE US AIR FORCE THESIS Kenneth L...For NTIS GRA & t DTIC TAB 0 Unannounced ;Arl an~d/or Uist I Sp o3ia -. . . AFIT/GSM/LSY/90S-30 AN ANALYSIS OF THE SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS... Disadvantages ............. 29 Effectiveness .................. 31 Alternatives. .................. 32 Conclusion. ................... 33 III. Methodology

Final Environmental Impact Statement. Disposal and Reuse of Portions of Grissom Air Force Base, Indiana

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-09-01

Mus musculus Long-tailed weasel Mustela frenata White-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus Muskrat Ondatra zibethica White-footed mouse Peromyscus... phase ) 36 208 366 64 34 68 Direct Employment 633 3,098 6,991 454 1,622 3,709 Secondary Employment 300 2,244 5,541 234 622 1,397 Population Increase 908...uses. In February 1993, the GRA submitted to the Air Force a Concept Development Draft Phase Il-B Report (RKG Associates, Inc., 1993). This plan

Time Dependent Pulse Amplification in a Three Level Gas.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-12-01

02912 I Accession For NTIS GRA&I DTIC TA January 1, 1980 - December 31, 1980 Utuiaouneed D • "" ~justiflteatl Jietributlio/ A’vailabilit- #odes...U. Huebner, and G. Schinn, Gain in CW Laser Pumped FIR Laser Gases, IEEE J. Quant. Electon., Vol. QE-16, p. 392, 1980 . 13. G. D. Willenberg, U...Huebner, and J. Heppner, Far-Infrared CW Lasing in NH3 , Optics Comm., Vol, 33, p. 193, 1980 . 14. J. Heppner and U. Huebner, Gain saturation of CW Laser

Officer Career Development: Measures and Samples in the 1981-1989 Research Program

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-03-01

and Samples in the 1981-1989 Research Program Gerry L. Wilcove William C . Wilson DTIC S ELECTE APR25 19911 EU Approved for public release: distibution...Wilcove William C . Wilson A oosst~on For NIS GRA&I ’ -DTIC TAB Unannounced Q Just if I cation-,--, Reviewed by Distribution/ Robert F. Morrison...1989 Program Element 0602233N, Research Program Work Unit RM33M20.06 6. AUTHOR(S) Gerry L. Wilcove, William C . Wilson 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME

Fault Tolerant Signal Processing Using Finite Fields and Error-Correcting Codes.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-06-01

Decimation in Frequency Form, Fast Inverse Transform F-18 F-4 Part of Decimation in Time Form, Fast Inverse Transform F-21 I . LIST OF TABLES fable Title Page...F-2 Intermediate Variables In A Fast Inverse Transform F-14 Accession For NTIS GRA&il DTIC TAB E Unannounced El ** Dist ribut ion/ ____ AvailabilitY...component polynomials may be transformed to an equiva- lent series of multiplications of the related transform ’.. coefficients. The inverse transform of

What Good Are Warfare Models?

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-05-01

PROFESSIONAL PAPER 306 / May 1981 WHAT GOOD ARE WARFARE MODELS? Thomas E. Anger DTICS E LECTE ,JUN 2198 1 j CENTER FOR NAVAL ANALYSES 81 6 19 025 V...WHAT GOOD ARE WARFARE MODELS? Thomas E. /Anger J Accession For !ETIS GRA&I DTIC TAB thonnounceldŕ 5 By-C Availability Codes iAva il aand/or Di1st...least flows from a life-or-death incenLive to make good guesses when choosing weapons, forces, or strategies. It is not surprising, however, that

Successes in the Small Business Innovative Research Program

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-03-01

SUCCESSES IN THE SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM IC Report PL806R1 4. , March 1989 Aooession For I NTIS GRA&I DTIC TAB Unannounced 13 Just...pursuant to Department of Defense Contract MDA903-85-C-0139. The views expressed here are those of the Logistics Management Institute at the time of issue...obtained f om the Logistics Management Ins itute. F L TF LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE S 1 Y0? 6400 Goldsboro Road Bethesda, Maryland 20817-5886 r0w89 5

Study to Determine the CB (Chemical/Biological) Threat and Define Alternative Crew Protection Systems for the Advanced Attack Helicopter (AAH). Volume 1

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-12-01

NTIS GRA&I DTIC TAR Unannou.nced _ Just if i cat i o Distribution/ Availability Codes Avail and/or Dist Special ii -.- ,-4. ,S... -. UNCLASSIFIED...fighting ability. U Biological agents consist of living micro-organisms including bacteria, rickettsia and viruses . These agents are affected by their...six hours when worn with a protective hood. While virus particles are normally extremely minute, it is assumed in this study that they must be

Report of the Defense Science Board 1981 Summer Study Panel on Operational Readiness with High Performance Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-04-01

Research and Engineering Colonel Francis D. Bettinger , USA Deputy Director, Soldier Support Center, National Capitol Region Major Andrew A . Gorman...WASHINGTON, D.C. NTIS GRA&I DTIC TABj Urlka ounced [] A 3Lstifi"•°to - APRIL 1982 COPY Distribution/__ Availability Codes Avail and/or 4o...SDSTRIBUTION STATEMENT A Appioved fox public teeoazel . Distribution Unlimited OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF Dm_..g TI- OFFICE Or WASHINGTON, D.C. Z0301 £ . 13

Installation Restoration Program Records Search for Mather Air Force Base, California.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-06-01

Board, Central Valley Region Sacramento, California Mr. Stan Phillippe, Mr. Tom Pinkos, Mr. Bob Matteoli, Ms. Liese Schadt, Mr. Gregory Vaughn 916/ 322 ...Grant Ardell 916/ 322 -7166 7. California Department of Fish and Game Sacramento, California Mr. Jack Linn 916/355-7030 8. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service...34 " A23 " Fire bluea sar.d ... ." ".......443 " S gra vel If additional space is :equired, continue on DWR Form No. 246-Soppement. -ind attach to zesp :sive

Development of a new free radical absorption capacity assay method for antioxidants: aroxyl radical absorption capacity (ARAC).

PubMed

Nagaoka, Shin-ichi; Nagai, Kanae; Fujii, Yuko; Ouchi, Aya; Mukai, Kazuo

2013-10-23

A new free radical absorption capacity assay method is proposed with use of an aroxyl radical (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-(4'-methoxyphenyl)phenoxyl radical) and stopped-flow spectroscopy and is named the aroxyl radical absorption capacity (ARAC) assay method. The free radical absorption capacity (ARAC value) of each tocopherol was determined through measurement of the radical-scavenging rate constant in ethanol. The ARAC value could also be evaluated through measurement of the half-life of the aroxyl radical during the scavenging reaction. For the estimation of the free radical absorption capacity, the aroxyl radical was more suitable than the DPPH radical, galvinoxyl, and p-nitrophenyl nitronyl nitroxide. The ARAC value in tocopherols showed the same tendency as the free radical absorption capacities reported previously, and the tendency was independent of an oxygen radical participating in the scavenging reaction and of a medium surrounding the tocopherol and oxygen radical. The ARAC value can be directly connected to the free radical-scavenging rate constant, and the ARAC method has the advantage of treating a stable and isolable radical (aroxyl radical) in a user-friendly organic solvent (ethanol). The ARAC method was also successfully applied to a palm oil extract. Accordingly, the ARAC method would be useful in free radical absorption capacity assay of antioxidative reagents and foods.

Glucose absorption in acute peritoneal dialysis.

PubMed

Podel, J; Hodelin-Wetzel, R; Saha, D C; Burns, G

2000-04-01

During acute peritoneal dialysis (APD), it is known that glucose found in the dialysate solution contributes to the provision of significant calories. It has been well documented in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) that glucose absorption occurs. In APD, however, it remains unclear how much glucose absorption actually does occur. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether it is appropriate to use the formula used to calculate glucose absorption in CAPD (Grodstein et al) among patients undergoing APD. Actual measurements of glucose absorption (Method I) were calculated in 9 patients undergoing APD treatment for >24 hours who were admitted to the intensive care unit. Glucose absorption using the Grodstein et al formula (Method II) was also determined and compared with the results of actual measurements. The data was then further analyzed based on the factors that influence glucose absorption, specifically dwell time and concentration. The mean total amount of glucose absorbed was 43% +/- 15%. However, when dwell time and concentration were further examined, significant differences were noted. Method I showed a cumulative increase over time. Method II showed that absorption was fixed. This suggests that with the variation in dwell time commonly seen in the acute care setting, the use of Method II may not be accurate. In each of the 2 methods, a significant difference in glucose absorption was noted when comparing the use of 1.5% and 4.25% dialysate concentrations. The established formula designed for CAPD should not be used for calculating glucose absorption in patients receiving APD because variation in dwell time and concentration should be taken into account. Because of the time constraints and staffing required to calculate each exchange individually, combined with the results of the study, we recommend the use of the percentage estimate of 40% to 50%.

Estimation of absorption rate constant (ka) following oral administration by Wagner-Nelson, Loo-Riegelman, and statistical moments in the presence of a secondary peak.

PubMed

Mahmood, Iftekhar

2004-01-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of Wagner-Nelson, Loo-Reigelman, and statistical moments methods in determining the absorption rate constant(s) in the presence of a secondary peak. These methods were also evaluated when there were two absorption rates without a secondary peak. Different sets of plasma concentration versus time data for a hypothetical drug following one or two compartment models were generated by simulation. The true ka was compared with the ka estimated by Wagner-Nelson, Loo-Riegelman and statistical moments methods. The results of this study indicate that Wagner-Nelson, Loo-Riegelman and statistical moments methods may not be used for the estimation of absorption rate constants in the presence of a secondary peak or when absorption takes place with two absorption rates.

Measurements of the Absorption by Auditorium SEATING—A Model Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

BARRON, M.; COLEMAN, S.

2001-01-01

One of several problems with seat absorption is that only small numbers of seats can be tested in standard reverberation chambers. One method proposed for reverberation chamber measurements involves extrapolation when the absorption coefficient results are applied to actual auditoria. Model seat measurements in an effectively large model reverberation chamber have allowed the validity of this extrapolation to be checked. The alternative barrier method for reverberation chamber measurements was also tested and the two methods were compared. The effect on the absorption of row-row spacing as well as absorption by small numbers of seating rows was also investigated with model seats.

Systems having optical absorption layer for mid and long wave infrared and methods for making the same

DOEpatents

Kuzmenko, Paul J

2013-10-01

An optical system according to one embodiment includes a substrate; and an optical absorption layer coupled to the substrate, wherein the optical absorption layer comprises a layer of diamond-like carbon, wherein the optical absorption layer absorbs at least 50% of mid wave infrared light (3-5 .mu.m wavelength) and at least 50% of long wave infrared light (8-13 .mu.m wavelength). A method for applying an optical absorption layer to an optical system according to another embodiment includes depositing a layer of diamond-like carbon of an optical absorption layer above a substrate using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, wherein the optical absorption layer absorbs at least 50% of mid wave infrared light (3-5 .mu.m wavelength) and at least 50% of long wave infrared light (8-13 .mu.m wavelength). Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Determination of Calcium in Cereal with Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: An Experiment for a Quantitative Methods of Analysis Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bazzi, Ali; Kreuz, Bette; Fischer, Jeffrey

2004-01-01

An experiment for determination of calcium in cereal using two-increment standard addition method in conjunction with flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) is demonstrated. The experiment is intended to introduce students to the principles of atomic absorption spectroscopy giving them hands on experience using quantitative methods of…

An analytical pipeline to compare and characterise the anthocyanin antioxidant activities of purple sweet potato cultivars.

PubMed

Hu, Yijie; Deng, Liqing; Chen, Jinwu; Zhou, Siyu; Liu, Shuang; Fu, Yufan; Yang, Chunxian; Liao, Zhihua; Chen, Min

2016-03-01

Purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is rich in anthocyanin pigments, which are valuable constituents of the human diet. Techniques to identify and quantify anthocyanins and their antioxidant potential are desirable for cultivar selection and breeding. In this study, we performed a quantitative and qualitative chemical analysis of 30 purple sweet potato (PSP) cultivars, using various assays to measure reducing power radical-scavenging activities, and linoleic acid autoxidation inhibition activity. Grey relational analysis (GRA) was applied to establish relationships between the antioxidant activities and the chemical fingerprints, in order to identify key bioactive compounds. The results indicated that four peonidin-based anthocyanins and three cyanidin-based anthocyanins make significant contributions to antioxidant activity. We conclude that the analytical pipeline described here represents an effective method to evaluate the antioxidant potential of, and the contributing compounds present in, PSP cultivars. This approach may be used to guide future breeding strategies. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Application of dragonfly algorithm for optimal performance analysis of process parameters in turn-mill operations- A case study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vikram, K. Arun; Ratnam, Ch; Lakshmi, VVK; Kumar, A. Sunny; Ramakanth, RT

2018-02-01

Meta-heuristic multi-response optimization methods are widely in use to solve multi-objective problems to obtain Pareto optimal solutions during optimization. This work focuses on optimal multi-response evaluation of process parameters in generating responses like surface roughness (Ra), surface hardness (H) and tool vibration displacement amplitude (Vib) while performing operations like tangential and orthogonal turn-mill processes on A-axis Computer Numerical Control vertical milling center. Process parameters like tool speed, feed rate and depth of cut are considered as process parameters machined over brass material under dry condition with high speed steel end milling cutters using Taguchi design of experiments (DOE). Meta-heuristic like Dragonfly algorithm is used to optimize the multi-objectives like ‘Ra’, ‘H’ and ‘Vib’ to identify the optimal multi-response process parameters combination. Later, the results thus obtained from multi-objective dragonfly algorithm (MODA) are compared with another multi-response optimization technique Viz. Grey relational analysis (GRA).

Optical measurements of absorption changes in two-layered diffusive media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fabbri, Francesco; Sassaroli, Angelo; Henry, Michael E.; Fantini, Sergio

2004-04-01

We have used Monte Carlo simulations for a two-layered diffusive medium to investigate the effect of a superficial layer on the measurement of absorption variations from optical diffuse reflectance data processed by using: (a) a multidistance, frequency-domain method based on diffusion theory for a semi-infinite homogeneous medium; (b) a differential-pathlength-factor method based on a modified Lambert-Beer law for a homogeneous medium and (c) a two-distance, partial-pathlength method based on a modified Lambert-Beer law for a two-layered medium. Methods (a) and (b) lead to a single value for the absorption variation, whereas method (c) yields absorption variations for each layer. In the simulations, the optical coefficients of the medium were representative of those of biological tissue in the near-infrared. The thickness of the first layer was in the range 0.3-1.4 cm, and the source-detector distances were in the range 1-5 cm, which is typical of near-infrared diffuse reflectance measurements in tissue. The simulations have shown that (1) method (a) is mostly sensitive to absorption changes in the underlying layer, provided that the thickness of the superficial layer is ~0.6 cm or less; (2) method (b) is significantly affected by absorption changes in the superficial layer and (3) method (c) yields the absorption changes for both layers with a relatively good accuracy of ~4% for the superficial layer and ~10% for the underlying layer (provided that the absorption changes are less than 20-30% of the baseline value). We have applied all three methods of data analysis to near-infrared data collected on the forehead of a human subject during electroconvulsive therapy. Our results suggest that the multidistance method (a) and the two-distance partial-pathlength method (c) may better decouple the contributions to the optical signals that originate in deeper tissue (brain) from those that originate in more superficial tissue layers.

[Ecological risk assessment of typical karst basin based on land use change: A case study of Lijiang River basin, Southern China].

PubMed

Hu, Jin Long; Zhou, Zhi Xiang; Teng, Ming Jun; Luo, Nan

2017-06-18

Taking Lijiang River basin as study area, and based on the remote sensing images of 1973, 1986, 2000 and 2013, the land-use data were extracted, the ecological risk index was constructed, and the characteristics of spatiotemporal variation of ecological risk were analyzed by "3S" technique. The results showed that land use structure of Lijiang River basin was under relatively reasonable state and it was constantly optimizing during 1973-2013. Overall, the ecological risk of Lijiang River basin was maintained at a low level. Lowest and lower ecological risk region was dominant in Lijiang River basin, but the area of highest ecological risk expanded quickly. The spatial distribution of ecological risk was basically stable and showed an obvious ring structure, which gra-dually decreased from the axis of Xingan County Town-Lingchuan County Town-Guilin City-Yangshuo County Town to other regions. Region with lowest ecological risk mainly distributed in natural mountain forest area of the north and mid-eastern parts of Lijiang River basin, and region with highe-st ecological risk concentrated in Guilin City. The ecological risk distribution of Lijiang River basin presented significant slope and altitude differences, and it decreased with increasing slope and altitude. During the study period, the area of low ecological risk converted to high ecological risk gra-dually decreased and vice versa. On the whole, the ecological risk tended to decline rapidly in the Lijiang River basin.

High durability solar absorptive coating and methods for making same

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hall, Aaron C.; Adams, David P.

The present invention relates to solar absorptive coatings including a ceramic material. In particular, the coatings of the invention are laser-treated to further enhance the solar absorptivity of the material. Methods of making and using such materials are also described.

Spindle Thermal Error Optimization Modeling of a Five-axis Machine Tool

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Qianjian; Fan, Shuo; Xu, Rufeng; Cheng, Xiang; Zhao, Guoyong; Yang, Jianguo

2017-05-01

Aiming at the problem of low machining accuracy and uncontrollable thermal errors of NC machine tools, spindle thermal error measurement, modeling and compensation of a two turntable five-axis machine tool are researched. Measurement experiment of heat sources and thermal errors are carried out, and GRA(grey relational analysis) method is introduced into the selection of temperature variables used for thermal error modeling. In order to analyze the influence of different heat sources on spindle thermal errors, an ANN (artificial neural network) model is presented, and ABC(artificial bee colony) algorithm is introduced to train the link weights of ANN, a new ABC-NN(Artificial bee colony-based neural network) modeling method is proposed and used in the prediction of spindle thermal errors. In order to test the prediction performance of ABC-NN model, an experiment system is developed, the prediction results of LSR (least squares regression), ANN and ABC-NN are compared with the measurement results of spindle thermal errors. Experiment results show that the prediction accuracy of ABC-NN model is higher than LSR and ANN, and the residual error is smaller than 3 μm, the new modeling method is feasible. The proposed research provides instruction to compensate thermal errors and improve machining accuracy of NC machine tools.

Study on the prediction of visible absorption maxima of azobenzene compounds

PubMed Central

Liu, Jun-na; Chen, Zhi-rong; Yuan, Shen-feng

2005-01-01

The geometries of azobenzene compounds are optimized with B3LYP/6-311G* method, and analyzed with nature bond orbital, then their visible absorption maxima are calculated with TD-DFT method and ZINDO/S method respectively. The results agree well with the observed values. It was found that for the calculation of visible absorption using ZINDO/S method could rapidly yield better results by adjusting OWFπ-π (the relationship between π-π overlap weighting factor) value than by the TD-DFT method. The method of regression showing the linear relationship between OWFπ-π and BLN-N (nitrogen-nitrogen bond lengths) as OWF π-π=−8.1537+6.5638BL N-N, can be explained in terms of quantum theory, and also be used for prediction of visible absorption maxima of other azobenzne dyes in the same series. This study on molecules’ orbital geometry indicates that their visible absorption maxima correspond to the electron transition from HOMO (the highest occupied molecular orbital) to LUMO (the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital). PMID:15909349

Deriving brown carbon from multiwavelength absorption measurements: Method and application to AERONET and Aethalometer observations

DOE PAGES

Wang, X.; Heald, C. L.; Sedlacek, A.; ...

2016-10-13

The radiative impact of organic aerosols (OA) is a large source of uncertainty in estimating the global direct radiative effect (DRE) of aerosols. This radiative impact includes not only light scattering but also light absorption from a subclass of OA referred to as brown carbon (BrC). However the absorption properties of BrC are poorly understood leading to large uncertainties in modelling studies. To obtain observational constraints from measurements, a simple Absorption Ångström Exponent (AAE) method is often used to separate the contribution of BrC absorption from that of black carbon (BC). However, this attribution method is based on assumptions regardingmore » the spectral dependence of BC that are often violated in the ambient atmosphere. Here we develop a new method that decreases the uncertainties associated with estimating BrC absorption. By applying this method to multi-wavelength absorption aerosol optical depth (AAOD) measurements at AERONET sites worldwide and surface aerosol absorption measurements at multiple ambient sites, we estimate that BrC globally contributes 6-40% of the absorption at 440nm. We find that the mass absorption coefficient of OA (OA-MAC) is positively correlated with BC/OA mass ratio. Based on the variability of BC properties and BC/OA emission ratio, we estimate a range of 0.05-1.2 m 2/g for OA-MAC at 440nm. Using the combination of AERONET and OMI UV absorption observations we estimate that the AAE 388/440nm for BrC is generally ~4 world-wide, with a smaller value in Europe (< 2). Our analyses of two surface sites (Cape Cod, to the southeast of Boston, and the GoAmazon2014/5 T3 site, to the west of Manaus, Brazil) reveal no significant relationship between BrC absorptivity and photochemical aging in typical urban influenced conditions. However, the absorption of BrC measured during the biomass burning season near Manaus is found to decrease with photochemical aging with a lifetime of ~1 day. This lifetime is comparable to previous observations within a biomass burning plume but much slower than estimated from laboratory studies.« less

Nitrogen dioxide and kerosene-flame soot calibration of photoacoustic instruments for measurement of light absorption by aerosols

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Arnott, W. Patrick; Moosmu''ller, Hans; Walker, John W.

2000-12-01

A nitrogen dioxide calibration method is developed to evaluate the theoretical calibration for a photoacoustic instrument used to measure light absorption by atmospheric aerosols at a laser wavelength of 532.0 nm. This method uses high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide so that both a simple extinction and the photoacoustically obtained absorption measurement may be performed simultaneously. Since Rayleigh scattering is much less than absorption for the gas, the agreement between the extinction and absorption coefficients can be used to evaluate the theoretical calibration, so that the laser gas spectra are not needed. Photoacoustic theory is developed to account for strong absorptionmore » of the laser beam power in passage through the resonator. Findings are that the photoacoustic absorption based on heat-balance theory for the instrument compares well with absorption inferred from the extinction measurement, and that both are well within values represented by published spectra of nitrogen dioxide. Photodissociation of nitrogen dioxide limits the calibration method to wavelengths longer than 398 nm. Extinction and absorption at 532 and 1047 nm were measured for kerosene-flame soot to evaluate the calibration method, and the single scattering albedo was found to be 0.31 and 0.20 at these wavelengths, respectively.« less

Abnormal Circulation Changes in the Winter Stratosphere, Detected Through Variations of D Region Ionospheric Absorption

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Delamorena, B. A.

1984-01-01

A method to detect stratospheric warmings using ionospheric absorption records obtained by an Absorption Meter (method A3) is introduced. The activity of the stratospheric circulation and the D region ionospheric absorption as well as other atmospheric parameters during the winter anomaly experience an abnormal variation. A simultaneity was found in the beginning of abnormal variation in the mentioned parameters, using the absorption records for detecting the initiation of the stratospheric warming. Results of this scientific experience of forecasting in the El Arenosillo Range, are presented.

Simultaneous optimization method for absorption spectroscopy postprocessing.

PubMed

Simms, Jean M; An, Xinliang; Brittelle, Mack S; Ramesh, Varun; Ghandhi, Jaal B; Sanders, Scott T

2015-05-10

A simultaneous optimization method is proposed for absorption spectroscopy postprocessing. This method is particularly useful for thermometry measurements based on congested spectra, as commonly encountered in combustion applications of H2O absorption spectroscopy. A comparison test demonstrated that the simultaneous optimization method had greater accuracy, greater precision, and was more user-independent than the common step-wise postprocessing method previously used by the authors. The simultaneous optimization method was also used to process experimental data from an environmental chamber and a constant volume combustion chamber, producing results with errors on the order of only 1%.

Determination of the optical absorption spectra of thin layers from their photoacoustic spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bychto, Leszek; Maliński, Mirosław; Patryn, Aleksy; Tivanov, Mikhail; Gremenok, Valery

2018-05-01

This paper presents a new method for computations of the optical absorption coefficient spectra from the normalized photoacoustic amplitude spectra of thin semiconductor samples deposited on the optically transparent and thermally thick substrates. This method was tested on CuIn(Te0.7Se0.3)2 thin films. From the normalized photoacoustic amplitude spectra, the optical absorption coefficient spectra were computed with the new formula as also with the numerical iterative method. From these spectra, the value of the energy gap of the thin film material and the type of the optical transitions were determined. From the experimental optical transmission spectra, the optical absorption coefficient spectra were computed too, and compared with the optical absorption coefficient spectra obtained from photoacoustic spectra.

[Acoustic detection of absorption of millimeter-band electromagnetic waves in biological objects].

PubMed

Polnikov, I G; Putvinskiĭ, A V

1988-01-01

Principles of photoacoustic spectroscopy were applied to elaborate a new method for controlling millimeter electromagnetic waves absorption in biological objects. The method was used in investigations of frequency dependence of millimeter wave power absorption in vitro and in vivo in the commonly used experimental irradiation systems.

Study report on a double isotope method of calcium absorption

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

Some of the pros and cons of three methods to study gastrointestinal calcium absorption are briefly discussed. The methods are: (1) a balance study; (2) a single isotope method; and (3) a double isotope method. A procedure for the double isotope method is also included.

A method of predicting the energy-absorption capability of composite subfloor beams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farley, Gary L.

1987-01-01

A simple method of predicting the energy-absorption capability of composite subfloor beam structure was developed. The method is based upon the weighted sum of the energy-absorption capability of constituent elements of a subfloor beam. An empirical data base of energy absorption results from circular and square cross section tube specimens were used in the prediction capability. The procedure is applicable to a wide range of subfloor beam structure. The procedure was demonstrated on three subfloor beam concepts. Agreement between test and prediction was within seven percent for all three cases.

Determination of K-shell absorption jump factors and jump ratios for La2O3, Ce and Gd using two different methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akman, Ferdi; Durak, Rıdvan; Kaçal, Mustafa Recep; Turhan, Mehmet Fatih; Akdemir, Fatma

2015-02-01

The K shell absorption jump factors and jump ratios for La2O3, Ce and Gd samples have been determined using the gamma or X-ray attenuation and EDXRF methods. It is the first time that the K shell absorption jump factor and jump ratio have been discussed for present elements using two different methods. To detect K X-rays, a high resolution Si(Li) detector was used. The experimental results of K shell absorption jump factors and jump ratios were compared with the theoretically calculated ones.

Principles of Organization in Intuitive and Analytical Cognition.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-02-15

t al., 1980, for comment). These strategies are organizing principles , or heuristics, that are "good enough." Such organizing principles are to Le ...AD-AO% 570 COLOADO UNIV AT BOULDER CENTER FOR RESEARCH ON JUD -ETC F/6 5/10 PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIZATION IN INTUITIVE AND ANALYTICAL COGNITIO-ETC(U...X’i 2k7 I S 3 U A CENTRFO RE&AR LEVEL 7 PRINCIPLES OF 6RGANIZATION IN INTUITIVE AND ANAL.2ICAL COGNITION Kenneth R./Hammond j Acession For I’IT GRA&I

An Analysis of the Depot Material Management Overhead in the VAMOSC (Visibility and Management of Operating Support Cost System) Component Support Cost System.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-09-01

University, the United States Air Force, or the Department of JDefense. Accession For NTIS GRA&I DTIC TAB Uliannouncedj u s t i f i c a t i o n...114 VI vi W,7% WN T "Vyn An r % List of Tables Table Page 1. ALCs Operation and Maintenance Costs ....... 53 2...CSCS deals strictly with aircraft com- ponents and subsystems that have been designated reparable, which means they are economical to repair. As part

Changes to the Army National Guard Full-Time Force

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-02-01

Office of Manpower Division, National Guard Bureau, letter to author, 4 December 1990. 22. John R . Schermerhorn , Jr., James G. Hunt, and Richard N. Osborn...34 National Guard, Vol. 43, No. 8, August 1989. Schermerhorn , John R . Jr; Hunt, James G: and Osborn, Richard N. Managing Organizational Behavior. New...soldier. Acces ion F r -NTIS GRA&l DTI" TAB ] uti ., k. i c tn ---- By D i s t r i b u t i o n ! -.. . . JD OIJ- B y "i CHANGES TO THE ARNY NATIONAL

Swell Across the Continental Shelf

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-09-01

Arlington, VA The views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense ...le terme de source, tandis que les effets de la réfraction et du levage causés par les variations de profondeur aux échelles sous-maille sont...précisement pris en compte grâce aux rayons pré- calculés. Ainsi ce modèle peut être appliqué à de vastes zones côtières avec des maillages

Radiation resistance of asporogenous bacteria in frozen beef. Final report, Sep 1974--Feb 1975

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Maxcy, R.B.; Rowley, D.B.; Annellis, A.

1976-03-01

A scheme was developed to isolate the most radiation resistant vegetative microbial cells occurring in beef. Selection of pure cultures and enrichment provided 16 apparently different isolates with higher radiation resistance than spores of Clostridium botulinum. Most of these bacteria were found to be Moraxella or Acinetobacter. They grew over a temperature range of 2 - 50 C. Preliminary data indicated the isolates to be relatively sensitive to heat and to limited oxygen. It would appear these organisms are rather widespread and frequent in nature. (GRA)

National Program for Inspection of Non-Federal Dams. Williams Pond Dam (CT 00551), Thames River Basin, Lebanon, Connecticut. Phase I Inspection Program.

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-10-01

GRA&I UnTucea B WILLIAMS POND DAM ~~1Z~ CT 00551 _ Distribution/ Availabilit Y Codes Avail and/or Dis~tj pecialS RIVER BASIN ~lIILEBANON, COXNNECTICUT...Inspection Report. Alternatives to these recommendations r 1 would include reducing the Williams Pond water levels during expected periods of intense storm...Materials Branch Engi’neering Division FRED J. VNS. Jr., Member Chief, De ’ggn Branch Engineering Division SAUL COOPER, -r Chief, Water Control Branch

National Dam Safety Program. No Name 165 (Crystal Lake Dam) (MO 10580), Missouri - Kansas City Basin, Jackson County, Missouri. Phase I Inspection Report.

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-07-01

For NTIS GRA&I DTIC TAB >0 Unannounced [D Just ification- D T C ELECTE By Distribution/ NOV 20 1981 Avail and/orS Availabilit CodesD=-Dist Spca D NO...Hutton, Engineering Geologist. Impoundment of water began in 1970. h. Normal Operating Procedure. Normal rainfall, runoff, transpir- ation, and...evaporation all combine to maintain a relatively stable water surface elevation. 1.3 PERTINENT DATA a. Drainage Area - 9,900 acres of which approximately 15

Department of the Navy Supporting Data for Fiscal Year 1985 Budget Estimates. Submitted to Congress February 1984. Operating Appropriations, Navy and Marine Corps

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-02-01

DATA BOOK TABLE OF CONTENTS Paae No. Appropriation Suluary 2 Interappropriation Transfers Reimbursable Program 10 U,,A Accession For NTIS GRA&t...Stock Fund Supp & Mat 145,238 4.5 6,540 -8,107 143,671 592 Direct Reimbursement : Fuel -300,000 -159,000 -459,000...OLA Managed Supp & at 164,543 .7 1,152 12,404 178.099 523 Other Stock Fund Supp & Mat 143,671 4.8 6,896 17,991 166,558 591 Direct Reimbursement : Non

An Analysis of Proposed Alternatives to the Defense Technical Information Center’s Announcement Products and Services

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-10-01

Aberdeen - 22 Jun 84 W. J. Hammett - Center for Naval Analyses - 14 Mar 85 -40- Marilyn Harned - Naval Air Systems Command - 10 Jan 84 Jan... Equations lor Airmail Simulation. ADA119 543 GRASI ARL’AERO-TM-340 Design of a New Contraction. Wide Angle Dif- ’user and Flow Manipulators for...In the Burnthrough Ranga Equation . Al, A119 557 GRA&I Application ol Rapidly Solidilied Alloys. A:in.x;.’’>i’.t Ftd-Opii/6 Application ol the

Saint Louis Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills: A Collaborative Air Force-Civilian Trauma Skills Training Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-05-19

NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) Jason W. Grimm , Karen Johnson 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION...ABSTRACT SAR 18. NUMBER OF PAGES 5 19a. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE PERSON Jason Grimm a. REPORT U b. ABSTRACT U c. THIS PAGE U 19b... Grimm Karen Johns For correspo Vista at Gra J Emerg Nu 0099-1767 Published b http://dx.do ■ ■ • ■SAINT LOUIS CENTER FOR SUSTAINMENT OF TRAUMA AND

Civilian Availability Model.

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-07-01

23 Accession For NTIS GRA&I / DTIC TAB Unannounced El Justificatio By-- _DI!A; tr 1tit Ion/ Av~h-.b111ty Codes Avrail and/or Dist p.Cq FIGURES Figure...N3 :EGM.ENTATION1 EN T;;Y ~MSTA NZ AP ZS S 7’-’AT E S A’ POTENTIAL YATS I__ _ DATA INTEGRATED TRENCS AND0 DATA EC. -NIIIA E M T NC IC AT CPS DA TA 7...Coefficient ( TIC ). For an extended discussion of these three measures, refer to Appendix A of Stone, Looper, and McGarrity, 1989. The equation

Conference on Stochastic Processes and Their Applications (18) Held in Madison, Wisconsin on 25 June - 1 July 1989

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-07-01

chairman), A. de Acosta, M. Bramson, P.Glynn, F. Kelly, M. Pinsky , and R. Williams. Local arrangements were handled by D. Griffeath, T. Kurtz, J...other research support. Accession For NTIS GRA&I DTIC TAB LI Uiwunounced 0] Just I f obtion By Distribution/- AveI1nbilit y Codes tI l m m ir m mmmln...A. de Acosta 14 Bramson P. Glynn F. Kelly M. Pinsky P. Williams h ii Table of Contents Daily Schedule of Events

OSRD Reports: Bibliography and Index of Declassified Reports Having OSRD Numbers

DTIC Science & Technology

1947-06-01

Jln 191114. • sbp photo., dl.gra. HI $2.00 Ph $8.00. Bibliography OSRO 3312 Pll 12023 (1-831) The Psychological CO~POl𔃽t Ion. Mew York Info...tltl 16 ~ It fire control- n (a) tra inIng couru upon tlle lr vl.ual pra- flc l ncy. (Applied psychology plnll: lee- tlon and tra In Ing of rengeflnder...other. Ex_lnation of en8llV . atar ! el (0D-113: fitrn: "-119): Metallurgical elornlnlltlon of a tall "".,.;1 u,.bly ... d lending gear hydraulle

Single-shot measurement of nonlinear absorption and nonlinear refraction.

PubMed

Jayabalan, J; Singh, Asha; Oak, Shrikant M

2006-06-01

A single-shot method for measurement of nonlinear optical absorption and refraction is described and analyzed. A spatial intensity variation of an elliptical Gaussian beam in conjugation with an array detector is the key element of this method. The advantages of this single-shot technique were demonstrated by measuring the two-photon absorption and free-carrier absorption in GaAs as well as the nonlinear refractive index of CS2 using a modified optical Kerr setup.

Probing excitons in transition metal dichalcogenides by Drude-like exciton intraband absorption.

PubMed

Zhao, Siqi; He, Dawei; He, Jiaqi; Zhang, Xinwu; Yi, Lixin; Wang, Yongsheng; Zhao, Hui

2018-05-24

Understanding excitonic dynamics in two-dimensional semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides is important for developing their optoelectronic applications. Recently, transient absorption techniques based on resonant excitonic absorption have been used to study various aspects of excitonic dynamics in these materials. The transient absorption in such measurements originates from phase-space state filling, bandgap renormalization, or screening effects. Here we report a new method to probe excitonic dynamics based on exciton intraband absorption. In this Drude-like process, probe photons are absorbed by excitons in their intraband excitation to higher energy states, causing a transient absorption signal. Although the magnitude of the transient absorption is lower than that of the resonant techniques, the new method is less restrictive on the selection of probe wavelength, has a larger linear range, and can provide complementary information on photocarrier dynamics. Using the WS2 monolayer and bulk samples as examples, we show that the new method can probe exciton-exciton annihilation at high densities and reveal exciton formation processes. We also found that the exciton intraband absorption cross section of the WS2 monolayer is on the order of 10-18 cm2.

Simplification of the laser absorption process in the particle simulation for the laser-induced shockwave processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimamura, Kohei

2016-09-01

To reduce the computational cost in the particle method for the numerical simulation of the laser plasma, we examined the simplification of the laser absorption process. Because the laser frequency is sufficiently larger than the collision frequency between the electron and heavy particles, we assumed that the electron obtained the constant value from the laser irradiation. First of all, the simplification of the laser absorption process was verified by the comparison of the EEDF and the laser-absorptivity with PIC-FDTD method. Secondary, the laser plasma induced by TEA CO2 laser in Argon atmosphere was modeled using the 1D3V DSMC method with the simplification of the laser-absorption. As a result, the LSDW was observed with the typical electron and neutral density distribution.

Incipient fire detection system

DOEpatents

Brooks, Jr., William K.

1999-01-01

A method and apparatus for an incipient fire detection system that receives gaseous samples and measures the light absorption spectrum of the mixture of gases evolving from heated combustibles includes a detector for receiving gaseous samples and subjecting the samples to spectroscopy and determining wavelengths of absorption of the gaseous samples. The wavelengths of absorption of the gaseous samples are compared to predetermined absorption wavelengths. A warning signal is generated whenever the wavelengths of absorption of the gaseous samples correspond to the predetermined absorption wavelengths. The method includes receiving gaseous samples, subjecting the samples to light spectroscopy, determining wavelengths of absorption of the gaseous samples, comparing the wavelengths of absorption of the gaseous samples to predetermined absorption wavelengths and generating a warning signal whenever the wavelengths of absorption of the gaseous samples correspond to the predetermined absorption wavelengths. In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus includes a series of channels fluidically connected to a plurality of remote locations. A pump is connected to the channels for drawing gaseous samples into the channels. A detector is connected to the channels for receiving the drawn gaseous samples and subjecting the samples to spectroscopy. The wavelengths of absorption are determined and compared to predetermined absorption wavelengths is provided. A warning signal is generated whenever the wavelengths correspond.

Determination of absorption coefficient of nanofluids with unknown refractive index from reflection and transmission spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Joong Bae; Lee, Seungyoon; Lee, Kyungeun; Lee, Ikjin; Lee, Bong Jae

2018-07-01

It has been shown that the absorption coefficient of a nanofluid can be actively tuned by changing material, size, shape, and concentration of the nanoparticle suspension. In applications of engineered nanofluids for the direct absorption of solar radiation, it is important to experimentally characterize the absorption coefficient of nanofluids in the solar spectrum. If the refractive index of the base fluid (i.e., the solution without nanoparticles) is known a priori, the absorption coefficient of nanofluids can be easily determined from the transmission spectrum. However, if the refractive index of the base fluid is not known, it is not straightforward to extract the absorption coefficient solely from the transmission spectrum. The present work aims to develop an analytical method of determining the absorption coefficient of nanofluids with unknown refractive index by measuring both reflection and transmission spectra. The proposed method will be validated with deionized water, and the effect of measurement uncertainty will be carefully examined. Finally, the general applicability of the proposed method will also be demonstrated for Therminol VP-1 as well as the Therminol VP-1 - graphite nanofluid.

Determination of urinary manganese by the direct chelation-extraction method and flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

PubMed Central

Watanabe, T; Tokunaga, R; Iwahana, T; Tati, M; Ikeda, M

1978-01-01

The direct chelation-extraction method, originally developed by Hessel (1968) for blood lead analysis, has been successfully applied to urinalysis for manganese. The analyses of 35 urine samples containing up to 100 microgram/1 of manganese from manganese-exposed workers showed that the data obtained by this method agree well with those by wet digestion-flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry and also by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. PMID:629893

Laser-induced plasma characterization through self-absorption quantification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, JiaJia; Zhang, Lei; Zhao, Yang; Yan, Xingyu; Ma, Weiguang; Dong, Lei; Yin, Wangbao; Xiao, Liantuan; Jia, Suotang

2018-07-01

A self-absorption quantification method is proposed to quantify the self-absorption degree of spectral lines, in which plasma characteristics including electron temperature, elemental concentration ratio, and absolute species number density can be deduced directly. Since there is no spectral intensity involved in the calculation, the analysis results are independent of the self-absorption effects and the additional spectral efficiency calibration is not required. In order to evaluate the practicality, the limitation for application and the precision of this method are also discussed. Experimental results of aluminum-lithium alloy prove that the proposed method is qualified to realize semi-quantitative measurements and fast plasma characteristics diagnostics.

Three-dimensionally patterned energy absorptive material and method of fabrication

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Duoss, Eric; Frank, James M.; Kuntz, Joshua

A three-dimensionally patterned energy absorptive material and fabrication method having multiple layers of patterned filaments extrusion-formed from a curable pre-cursor material and stacked and cured in a three-dimensionally patterned architecture so that the energy absorptive material produced thereby has an engineered bulk property associated with the three-dimensionally patterned architecture.

The volatile content of Vesta: Clues from apatite in eucrites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarafian, Adam Robert; Roden, Michael F.; PatiñO-Douce, Alberto E.

2013-11-01

Apatite was analyzed by electron microprobe in 3 cumulate and 10 basaltic eucrites. Eucritic apatite is fluorine-rich with minor chlorine and hydroxyl (calculated by difference). We confirmed the hydroxyl content by measuring hydroxyl directly in apatites from three representative eucrites using secondary ionization mass spectroscopy. Overall, most eucritic apatites resemble fluorine-rich lunar mare apatites, but intriguing OH- and Cl-rich apatites suggest a role for water and/or hydrothermal fluids in the Vestan interior or on other related differentiated asteroids. Most late-stage apatite found in mesostasis has little hydroxyl or chlorine and is thought to have crystallized from a degassed magma; however, several apatites exhibit atypical compositions and/or textural characteristics. For example, the isotopically anomalous basaltic eucrite Pasamonte has apatite in the mesostasis with significant OH. Apatites in Juvinas also have significant OH and occur as veinlets crosscutting silicates. Euhedral apatites in the Moore County cumulate eucrite occur as inclusions in pyroxene and are also hydroxyl-rich (0.62 wt% OH). The OH was confirmed by SIMS analysis and this apatite clearly points to the presence of water, at least locally, in the Vestan interior. Portions of Elephant Moraine (EET) 90020 have large and abundant apatites, which may be the product of apatite accumulation in a zone of melt-rock reaction. Relatively chlorine-rich apatites occur in basaltic eucrite Graves Nunataks (GRA) 98098 (approximately 1 wt% Cl). Particularly striking is the compositional similarity between apatite in GRA 98098 and apatites in lunar KREEP, which may indicate the presence of residual magmas from an asteroid-wide magma ocean on Vesta.

Phenological and physiological mechanisms underlying interannual variability of terrestrial net ecosystem production

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niu, S.; Luo, Y.; Hui, D.; Chen, J.

2013-12-01

The interannual variability (IAV) of atmospheric CO2 concentration varies substantial and is largely ascribed to IAV of terrestrial ecosystem carbon fluxes. However, we have limited understanding on the mechanisms that control the IAV on the carbon flux of terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we hypothesized that physiological and phonological processes regulate IAV significantly in terrestrial carbon uptake (i.e., net ecosystem production, NEP). To test this hypothesis, we analyzed eddy-covariance data from 24 sites with more than 8 years data in deciduous broadleaf forests (DBF), evergreen forests (EF), and grasslands (GRA) in the northern hemisphere. Ecosystem physiology is represented by the maximum carbon uptake capacity (NEPmax) in one year whereas phonology is represented by carbon uptake period (CUP). We found that yearly anomalies of CUP and NEPmax accounted for 40% and 60% separately, and 73% in combination, of the anomalies in annual NEP across all the 253 site-years, with their relative contributions varying among the sites. The IAV of CUP was determined by the anomalies of spring and autumn carbon uptake phenology, both of which were sensitive to climate changes but controlled by different environmental factors in different biomes. IAV of NEPmax was determined by summer precipitation anomalies in DBF and GRA. The results suggest that IAV of NEP is consistently co-determined by CUP and NEPmax anomalies among sites in the northern hemisphere. Overall, the mechanisms revealed by our study on NEP anomalies through changing in phenology and physiology contribute to predictive understanding of temporal dynamics of terrestrial carbon uptake.

Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot study on the effects of topical blackcurrant emulsion enriched in essential fatty acids, ceramides and 18-beta glycyrrhetinic acid on clinical signs and skin barrier function in dogs with atopic dermatitis.

PubMed

Marsella, Rosanna; Cornegliani, Luisa; Ozmen, Ibrahim; Bohannon, Mary; Ahrens, Kim; Santoro, Domenico

2017-12-01

Lipid-based emulsions can be useful for the management of canine atopic dermatitis (cAD). 18-beta glycyrrhetinic acid (GRA), a component of liquorice root, has anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic effects. To evaluate the effects of a topical lipid emulsion containing ceramides, fatty acids and GRA on clinical signs of cAD and skin barrier in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Client owned (n = 45) dogs with nonseasonal, mild/moderate AD, received either treatment or placebo for three months. Skin lesions, pruritus, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and global assessment (GA) were evaluated. Fourteen dogs receiving treatment and 14 receiving the placebo completed the study. After one month ≥50% reduction in pruritus was seen in seven of 14 dogs (50%) in the Treatment group, and in two of 14 dogs (14.3%) in the Control group (P = 0.047). After two and three months, significant reduction in pruritus was not seen. For Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI), TEWL and GA, there were no significant findings over time or between groups. The emulsion had some transient beneficial clinical effects. However, it was not effective in controlling pruritus as a monotherapy. Further studies should examine whether owner compliance was a factor in the steady decline of effect on pruritus scores. Further studies evaluating its role as an adjunctive therapy are indicated. © 2017 ESVD and ACVD.

Determination of chlorine in atmosphere by kinetic spectrophotometry.

PubMed

Meng, Jian-Xin; Wang, Xiao-Bo; Ruan, Ge-Lan; Li, Guo-Qiang; Deng, Zhao-Xia

2005-03-01

A kinetic method for determination of chlorine in air was described in the present work. The method based on fading of methyl orange (MO) containing solution in air absorption process. A determination limit of 2.64 microg L(-1) was found. With the present method, chlorine concentration could be determined in several minutes with convenient manipulation. As concentration variation of methyl orange in the absorption solution did not affect the experimental results, fabrication and preservation of the stock absorption is also convenient. The present method is promising in monitoring chlorine concentration in atmosphere.

Determination of chlorine in atmosphere by kinetic spectrophotometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meng, Jian-Xin; Wang, Xiao-Bo; Ruan, Ge-Lan; Li, Guo-Qiang; Deng, Zhao-Xia

2005-03-01

A kinetic method for determination of chlorine in air was described in the present work. The method based on fading of methyl orange (MO) containing solution in air absorption process. A determination limit of 2.64 μg L -1 was found. With the present method, chlorine concentration could be determined in several minutes with convenient manipulation. As concentration variation of methyl orange in the absorption solution did not affect the experimental results, fabrication and preservation of the stock absorption is also convenient. The present method is promising in monitoring chlorine concentration in atmosphere.

Influence of dose on particle size and optical properties of colloidal platinum nanoparticles.

PubMed

Gharibshahi, Elham; Saion, Elias

2012-11-12

Attempts to produce colloidal platinum nanoparticles by using steady absorption spectra with various chemical-based reduction methods often resulted in the fast disappearance of the absorption maxima leaving reduced platinum nanoparticles with little information on their optical properties. We synthesized colloidal platinum nanoparticles in an aqueous solution of polyvinyl pyrrolidone by gamma radiolytic reduction method, which produced steady absorption spectra of fully reduced and highly pure platinum nanoparticles free from by-product impurities or reducing agent contamination. The average particle size was found to be in the range of 3.4–5.3 nm and decreased with increasing dose due to the domination of nucleation over ion association in the formation of metal nanoparticles by the gamma radiolytic reduction method. The platinum nanoparticles exhibit optical absorption spectra with two absorption peaks centered at about 216 and 264 nm and the peaks blue shifted to lower wavelengths with decreasing particle size. The absorption spectra of platinum nanoparticles were also calculated using quantum mechanical treatment and coincidently a good agreement was obtained between the calculated and measured absorption peaks at various particle sizes. This indicates that the 216 and 264-nm absorption peaks of platinum nanoparticles conceivably originated from the intra-band transitions of conduction electrons of (n = 5, l = 2) and (n = 6, l = 0) energy states respectively to higher energy states. The absorption energies, i.e., conduction band energies of platinum nanoparticles derived from the absorption peaks increased with increasing dose and decreased with increasing particle size.

Influence of Dose on Particle Size and Optical Properties of Colloidal Platinum Nanoparticles

PubMed Central

Gharibshahi, Elham; Saion, Elias

2012-01-01

Attempts to produce colloidal platinum nanoparticles by using steady absorption spectra with various chemical-based reduction methods often resulted in the fast disappearance of the absorption maxima leaving reduced platinum nanoparticles with little information on their optical properties. We synthesized colloidal platinum nanoparticles in an aqueous solution of polyvinyl pyrrolidone by gamma radiolytic reduction method, which produced steady absorption spectra of fully reduced and highly pure platinum nanoparticles free from by-product impurities or reducing agent contamination. The average particle size was found to be in the range of 3.4–5.3 nm and decreased with increasing dose due to the domination of nucleation over ion association in the formation of metal nanoparticles by the gamma radiolytic reduction method. The platinum nanoparticles exhibit optical absorption spectra with two absorption peaks centered at about 216 and 264 nm and the peaks blue shifted to lower wavelengths with decreasing particle size. The absorption spectra of platinum nanoparticles were also calculated using quantum mechanical treatment and coincidently a good agreement was obtained between the calculated and measured absorption peaks at various particle sizes. This indicates that the 216 and 264-nm absorption peaks of platinum nanoparticles conceivably originated from the intra-band transitions of conduction electrons of (n = 5, l = 2) and (n = 6, l = 0) energy states respectively to higher energy states. The absorption energies, i.e., conduction band energies of platinum nanoparticles derived from the absorption peaks increased with increasing dose and decreased with increasing particle size. PMID:23203091

Recording of absorption spectra by a three-beam integral technique with a tunable laser and external cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korolenko, P. V.; Nikolaev, I. V.; Ochkin, V. N.; Tskhai, S. N.

2014-04-01

An integral method is considered for recording absorption using three laser beams transmitted through and reflected from an external cavity with the absorbing medium (R-ICOS). The method is the elaboration of a known single-beam ICOS method and allows suppression of the influence of radiation phase fluctuations in the resonator on recording weak absorption spectra. First of all, this reduces high-frequency instabilities and gives a possibility to record spectra during short time intervals. In this method, mirrors of the resonator may have moderate reflection coefficients. Capabilities of the method have been demonstrated by the examples of weak absorption spectra of atmospheric methane and natural gas in a spectral range around 1650 nm. With the mirrors having the reflection coefficients of 0.8-0.99, a spectrum can be recorded for 320 μs with the accuracy sufficient for detecting a background concentration of methane in atmosphere. For the acquisition time of 20 s, the absorption coefficients of ~2×10-8 cm-1 can be measured, which corresponds to a 40 times less molecule concentration than the background value.

[Study of high temperature water vapor concentration measurement method based on absorption spectroscopy].

PubMed

Chen, Jiu-ying; Liu, Jian-guo; He, Jun-feng; He, Ya-bai; Zhang, Guang-le; Xu, Zhen-yu; Gang, Qiang; Wang, Liao; Yao, Lu; Yuan, Song; Ruan, Jun; Dai, Yun-hai; Kan, Rui-feng

2014-12-01

Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) has been developed to realize the real-time and dynamic measurement of the combustion temperature, gas component concentration, velocity and other flow parameters, owing to its high sensitivity, fast time response, non-invasive character and robust nature. In order to obtain accurate water vapor concentration at high temperature, several absorption spectra of water vapor near 1.39 μm from 773 to 1273 K under ordinary pressure were recorded in a high temperature experiment setup using a narrow band diode laser. The absorbance of high temperature absorption spectra was calculated by combined multi-line nonlinear least squares fitting method. Two water vapor absorption lines near 7154.35 and 7157.73 cm(-1) were selected for measurement of water vapor at high temperature. A model method for high temperature water vapor concentration was first proposed. Water vapor concentration from the model method at high temperature is in accordance with theoretical reasoning, concentration measurement standard error is less than 0.2%, and the relative error is less than 6%. The feasibility of this measuring method is verified by experiment.

Relative importance of black carbon, brown carbon, and absorption enhancement from clear coatings in biomass burning emissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pokhrel, Rudra P.; Beamesderfer, Eric R.; Wagner, Nick L.; Langridge, Justin M.; Lack, Daniel A.; Jayarathne, Thilina; Stone, Elizabeth A.; Stockwell, Chelsea E.; Yokelson, Robert J.; Murphy, Shane M.

2017-04-01

A wide range of globally significant biomass fuels were burned during the fourth Fire Lab at Missoula Experiment (FLAME-4). A multi-channel photoacoustic absorption spectrometer (PAS) measured dry absorption at 405, 532, and 660 nm and thermally denuded (250 °C) absorption at 405 and 660 nm. Absorption coefficients were broken into contributions from black carbon (BC), brown carbon (BrC), and lensing following three different methodologies, with one extreme being a method that assumes the thermal denuder effectively removes organics and the other extreme being a method based on the assumption that black carbon (BC) has an Ångström exponent of unity. The methodologies employed provide ranges of potential importance of BrC to absorption but, on average, there was a difference of a factor of 2 in the ratio of the fraction of absorption attributable to BrC estimated by the two methods. BrC absorption at shorter visible wavelengths is of equal or greater importance to that of BC, with maximum contributions of up to 92 % of total aerosol absorption at 405 nm and up to 58 % of total absorption at 532 nm. Lensing is estimated to contribute a maximum of 30 % of total absorption, but typically contributes much less than this. Absorption enhancements and the estimated fraction of absorption from BrC show good correlation with the elemental-carbon-to-organic-carbon ratio (EC / OC) of emitted aerosols and weaker correlation with the modified combustion efficiency (MCE). Previous studies have shown that BrC grows darker (larger imaginary refractive index) as the ratio of black to organic aerosol (OA) mass increases. This study is consistent with those findings but also demonstrates that the fraction of total absorption attributable to BrC shows the opposite trend: increasing as the organic fraction of aerosol emissions increases and the EC / OC ratio decreases.

A method for determination mass absorption coefficient of gamma rays by Compton scattering.

PubMed

El Abd, A

2014-12-01

A method was proposed for determination mass absorption coefficient of gamma rays for compounds, alloys and mixtures. It is based on simulating interaction processes of gamma rays with target elements having atomic numbers from Z=1 to Z=92 using the MCSHAPE software. Intensities of Compton scattered gamma rays at saturation thicknesses and at a scattering angle of 90° were calculated for incident gamma rays of different energies. The obtained results showed that the intensity of Compton scattered gamma rays at saturations and mass absorption coefficients can be described by mathematical formulas. These were used to determine mass absorption coefficients for compound, alloys and mixtures with the knowledge of their Compton scattered intensities. The method was tested by calculating mass absorption coefficients for some compounds, alloys and mixtures. There is a good agreement between obtained results and calculated ones using WinXom software. The advantages and limitations of the method were discussed. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Protonation effects on the UV/Vis absorption spectra of imatinib: a theoretical and experimental study.

PubMed

Grante, Ilze; Actins, Andris; Orola, Liana

2014-08-14

An experimental and theoretical investigation of protonation effects on the UV/Vis absorption spectra of imatinib showed systematic changes of absorption depending on the pH, and a new absorption band appeared below pH 2. These changes in the UV/Vis absorption spectra were interpreted using quantum chemical calculations. The geometry of various imatinib cations in the gas phase and in ethanol solution was optimized with the DFT/B3LYP method. The resultant geometries were compared to the experimentally determined crystal structures of imatinib salts. The semi-empirical ZINDO-CI method was employed to calculate the absorption lines and electronic transitions. Our study suggests that the formation of the extra near-UV absorption band resulted from an increase of imatinib trication concentration in the solution, while the rapid increase of the first absorption maximum could be attributed to both the formation of imatinib trication and tetracation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Enrichment process of biogas using simultaneous Absorption - Adsorption methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kusrini, Eny; Lukita, Maya; Gozan, Misri; Susanto, Bambang Heru; Nasution, Dedy Alharis; Rahman, Arif; Gunawan, Cindy

2017-03-01

Removal of CO2 in biogas is an essential methods to the purification and upgrading of biogas. Natural Clinoptilolite zeolites were evaluated as sorbents for purification of biogas that produced from palm oil mill effluent (POME) by anerobic-digestion method. The absorption and adsorption experiments were conducted in a fixed-bed two column adsorption unit by simultaneous absorption-adsorption method. The Ca(OH)2 solution with concentration of 0.062 M was used as absorption method. Sorbent for removal of CO2 in biogas have been prepared by modifying of Clinoptilolite zeolites with an acid (HCl, 2M) and alkaline (NaOH, 2M), calcined at 450°C and then coated using chitosan (0.5 w/v%) in order to increase their adsorption capacity. The removal of CO2 in biogas was achieved about ˜83% using 2.5 g of sorbent zeolite (2M)/chitosan dosage for each column, breakthrough time of 30 min, and flow rate of 100 mL/min. Clinoptilolite zeolites with modifications of an acid-alkaline and chitosan (zeolite (2M)/chitosan) are promising sorbents due to the amine groups from chitosan and high surface-volume ratio are one of important factors in a simultaneous absorption-adsorption method.

Method of determining pH by the alkaline absorption of carbon dioxide

DOEpatents

Hobbs, David T.

1992-01-01

A method for measuring the concentration of hydroxides in alkaline solutions in a remote location using the tendency of hydroxides to absorb carbon dioxide. The method includes the passing of carbon dioxide over the surface of an alkaline solution in a remote tank before and after measurements of the carbon dioxide solution. A comparison of the measurements yields the absorption fraction from which the hydroxide concentration can be calculated using a correlation of hydroxide or pH to absorption fraction.

Establishment and Application of a Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Method for Simple, Specific, Sensitive and Rapid Detection of Toxoplasma gondii

PubMed Central

CAO, Lili; CHENG, Ronghua; YAO, Lin; YUAN, Shuxian; YAO, Xinhua

2013-01-01

ABSTRACT The Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method amplifies DNA with high simply, specificity, sensitivity and rapidity. In this study, A LAMP assay with 6 primers targeting a highly conserved region of the GRA1 gene was developed to diagnose Toxoplasma gondii. The reaction time of the LAMP assay was shortened to 30 min after optimizing the reaction system. The LAMP assay was found to be highly specific and stable. The detection limit of the LAMP assay was 10 copies, the same as that of the conventional PCR. We used the LAMP assay to develop a real-time fluorogenic protocol to quantitate T. gondii DNA and generated a log-linear regression plot by plotting the time-to-threshold values against genomic equivalent copies. Furthermore, the LAMP assay was applied to detect T. gondii DNA in 423 blood samples and 380 lymph node samples from 10 pig farms, and positive results were obtained for 7.8% and 8.2% of samples, respectively. The results showed that the LAMP method is slightly more sensitive than conventional PCR (6.1% and 7.6%). Positive samples obtained from 6 pig farms. The LAMP assay established in this study resulted in simple, specific, sensitive and rapid detection of T. gondii DNA and is expected to play an important role in clinical detection of T. gondii. PMID:23965849

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, X.; Heald, C. L.; Sedlacek, A.

The radiative impact of organic aerosols (OA) is a large source of uncertainty in estimating the global direct radiative effect (DRE) of aerosols. This radiative impact includes not only light scattering but also light absorption from a subclass of OA referred to as brown carbon (BrC). However the absorption properties of BrC are poorly understood leading to large uncertainties in modelling studies. To obtain observational constraints from measurements, a simple Absorption Ångström Exponent (AAE) method is often used to separate the contribution of BrC absorption from that of black carbon (BC). However, this attribution method is based on assumptions regardingmore » the spectral dependence of BC that are often violated in the ambient atmosphere. Here we develop a new method that decreases the uncertainties associated with estimating BrC absorption. By applying this method to multi-wavelength absorption aerosol optical depth (AAOD) measurements at AERONET sites worldwide and surface aerosol absorption measurements at multiple ambient sites, we estimate that BrC globally contributes 6-40% of the absorption at 440nm. We find that the mass absorption coefficient of OA (OA-MAC) is positively correlated with BC/OA mass ratio. Based on the variability of BC properties and BC/OA emission ratio, we estimate a range of 0.05-1.2 m 2/g for OA-MAC at 440nm. Using the combination of AERONET and OMI UV absorption observations we estimate that the AAE 388/440nm for BrC is generally ~4 world-wide, with a smaller value in Europe (< 2). Our analyses of two surface sites (Cape Cod, to the southeast of Boston, and the GoAmazon2014/5 T3 site, to the west of Manaus, Brazil) reveal no significant relationship between BrC absorptivity and photochemical aging in typical urban influenced conditions. However, the absorption of BrC measured during the biomass burning season near Manaus is found to decrease with photochemical aging with a lifetime of ~1 day. This lifetime is comparable to previous observations within a biomass burning plume but much slower than estimated from laboratory studies.« less

Meso-Scale Wetting of Paper Towels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abedsoltan, Hossein

In this study, a new experimental approach is proposed to investigate the absorption properties of some selected retail paper towels. The samples were selected from two important manufacturing processes, conventional wet pressing (CWP) considered value products, and through air drying (TAD) considered as high or premium products. The tested liquids were water, decane, dodecane, and tetradecane with the total volumes in micro-liter range. The method involves the point source injection of liquid with different volumetric flowrates, in the nano-liter per second range. The local site for injection was chosen arbitrarily on the sample surface. The absorption process was monitored and recorded as the liquid advances, with two distinct imaging system methods, infrared imaging and optical imaging. The microscopic images were analyzed to calculate the wetted regions during the absorption test, and the absorption diagrams were generated. These absorption diagrams were dissected to illustrate the absorption phenomenon, and the absorption properties of the samples. The local (regional) absorption rates were computed for Mardi Gras and Bounty Basic as the representative samples for CWP and TAD, respectively in order to be compared with the absorption capacity property of these two samples. Then, the absorption capacity property was chosen as an index factor to compare the absorption properties of all the tested paper towels.

Two-photon or higher-order absorbing optical materials and methods of use

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marder, Seth (Inventor); Perry, Joseph (Inventor)

2012-01-01

Compositions capable of simultaneous two-photon absorption and higher order absorptivities are provided. Compounds having a donor-pi-donor or acceptor-pi-acceptor structure are of particular interest, where the donor is an electron donating group, acceptor is an electron accepting group, and pi is a pi bridge linking the donor and/or acceptor groups. The pi bridge may additionally be substituted with electron donating or withdrawing groups to alter the absorptive wavelength of the structure. Also disclosed are methods of generating an excited state of such compounds through optical stimulation with light using simultaneous absorption of photons of energies individually insufficient to achieve an excited state of the compound, but capable of doing so upon simultaneous absorption of two or more such photons. Applications employing such methods are also provided, including controlled polymerization achieved through focusing of the light source(s) used.

Design considerations for a comprehensive regional energy information system. Working paper

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Naumann, J.D.; Knobloch, P.C.; Chervany, N.L.

1974-07-01

The Regional Energy Information System concerns itself with decision making on sub-state, state, and regional levels in emergencies, for tactical decisions, and long-range strategic policies by both government and industry. Effective access to energy information is critical, and REIS is designed to provide a standardized data base with design goals, constraints, parameters, and schedules. The REIS system is being developed now; many states, the FEA and other agencies are likewise developing energy information systems. Shareability of data must be sought, and both technical and procedural requirements for this are discussed and a plan for action is presented. (GRA)

GraQL: A Query Language for High-Performance Attributed Graph Databases

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chavarría-Miranda, Daniel; Castellana, Vito G.; Morari, Alessandro

Graph databases have gained increasing interest in the last few years due to the emergence of data sources which are not easily analyzable in traditional relational models or for which a graph data model is the natural representation. In order to understand the design and implementation choices for an attributed graph database backend and query language, we have started to design our infrastructure for attributed graph databases. In this paper, we describe the design considerations of our in-memory attributed graph database system with a particular focus on the data definition and query language components.

Institute for Defense Analyses Tactical Warfare (TACWAR) Model. Program Maintenance Manual. Part II.

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-09-06

Accession For XTIS GRA&I DTIC TAB U1nannounced Q Just if latlon B vl an/o .0EgsTe. Distriution l3L-j b ’On/ n4I Availbilit Code CONTENTS Section Page...the TACWAR modeln xx GLOSSARY Abbreviation -Meaning AAA antiaircraft artillery ABA airbase attacker * ABAE airbase attacker escort ABAS airbase...Do011010 End KS: .. US 001102 rsr ll rlOf do 1001) K spoft O tad-mi IDT *)WISIT 10046 ,tca ft K fmUt dhl IST INS ____nl ABA mcNOA Es AZ *in

Proceedings of the drug testing laboratory managers symposium, 28 January--1 February 1974. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Noe, E.R.; Romanchick, W.A.; Ainsworth, C.A. III

1975-06-01

This report deals with broad concepts of managing mass screening programs for drugs of abuse; e.g., morphine, barbiturate, amphetamine, cocaine, and methaqualone. The interactions of the screening process and of the rehabilitation program were covered. Psychotherapy and group therapy are both utilized in rehabilitation programs. The semiautomated radioimmunoassay (RIA) screening procedures are both sensitive and specific at nanogram quantities. Future evaluations of a wafer disk transferral system and of a latex test for morphine are presented. The unique quality control system employed by military drug abuse testing laboratories is discussed. (Author) (GRA)

Application of vascular aquatic plants for pollution removal, energy, and food production in a biological system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wolverton, B.C.; Barlow, R.M.; Mcdonald, R.C.

1975-05-12

Vascular aquatic plants such as water hyacinths (Eichhornia crassipes) (Mart.) Solms and alligator weeds (Alternanthera philoxeroides) (Mart.) Griesb., when utilized in a controlled biological system (including a regular program of harvesting to achieve maximum growth and pollution removal efficiency), may represent a remarkably efficient and inexpensive filtration and disposal system for toxic materials and sewage released into waters near urban and industrial areas. The harvested and processed plant materials are sources of energy, fertilizer, animal feed, and human food. Such a system has industrial, municipal, and agricultural applications. (Author) (GRA)

Phase Conjugation Scaling for High Energy Lasers.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-05-30

PFPORT b PfRiOE) C"v’’’ NV Pnase cor, uqatio. scaling for high. energy’ lasers FIna 718 PF RF06MING OR,’ 04EPOPT NUM14EP C 7. AUHRo. CONTRACT QN GRA#%T...nocoo..wy dind ld9ntalY DY OoCw K~b * - High energy lasers ; phase conjugation; stimulated Brillouin scattering,’ infrared waveguides 2. ABSTRACT...coiw on meoe eti if I r’w~ o ldenIr by block n’.inb..) * Phase conjugation of both cv and pulsed 10.6 micron lasers by stimulated * Brillouin

A Mathematical Theory of Asymptotic Computation.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-12-01

sie, ft Skabog DeselEe fle WkwMorfbeU.S. evsuinee ROkMl AIR DkEELOPM9 CENTER Gra i A1r ForceW =Sm. NY 13441 -6700 This report haa been reviewed by the... Air Development Center (COTC) kc. ADDRESS (City, State, and ZIPCod.) 7b. ADDRESS (City, State, and ZIP Code) 301A Harris B. Dates Drive Griffiss AFB NY...iicclir ill thle eji’Il~l i . ll tavLlll thi (oi𔃻inv’(l. WVe will Call suich a scquu’niCc’: a trace of lie 11’ _n: -I’ iuon oif ;ill trlaces which

Altitude Exposure and the Role of Hypoxia and Arginine Vasopressin in Cerebral Fluid Dynamics.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-12-01

vasopressii in this process is under study. WeLow.. /~iP Cger-e -V𔄃rcAaCQ’ A4-.’ 0 4 P Accession For NTIS GRA&I........ DTIC TAB 1~ Unannounced...in CNS AVP, hypoxia may suppress intraventricular AVP such that the transfer of CSF out of the intracranial compartment is reduced. With no F~~~ °’• P ...F i’ p . V.: : S.~’iiL.iL " i Ii ’ -%_ 11 % ’ " _> " -. . . _’ ’ -. _ . : °,-.-. , .. .- .•. k:-. - 6 change in production, intraventricular pressures

Determination of effects of ambient conditions on aircraft engine emissions engine testing - GTCP 85 APU, TPE 331 turboprop. Volume 1. Final report 20 Dec 1974--20 Dec 1975

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Slogar, G.A.

1976-03-01

Full scale engine tests were conducted on a GTCP85-98CK Auxiliary Power Unit and a TPE331-5-251M Turboprop engine. The purpose of this program was to measure exhaust emission of HC, CO, CO/sub 2/, NO/sub x/, and smoke at controlled (temperature, humidity, and pressure) engine inlet conditions. This data along with other available data will provide the data base for the determination of the effects of ambient conditions on gas turbine engines. (GRA)

Petroleum market shares. Progress report on the retailing of gasoline

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1974-08-06

The report is comprised of three major sections: data currently available from industry; data comparisons; and descriptions and rationale for an FEA market share monitoring program. The latter part of this report is a rationale and description of FEA's development of capabilities to monitor changes of both petroleum marketing and distribution. The objective is to provide an ongoing system that reliably measures market shares. Included in the text are discussions of: Previously reported data on gasoline sales; survey of nonbranded independent marketers; company direct sales and independent marketers; gasoline and diesel fuel; and other petroleum products. (GRA)

National Program for Inspection of Non-Federal Dams. Babson Reservoir Dam (MA 00187), Massachusetts-Rhode Island Coastal Basin, Gloucester, Massachusetts. Phase I Inspection Report.

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-11-01

DIVISION, CORPS OF ENGINEERSWALTHAM, MASS 02154 NTIS GRA&n F NOVEMBER 1978 DTIC TAB Ŕ Justiftcati n r r D stributijon/ Availabilit -" os Dist jSpecial...flashboards removed and can pass the PMF outflow of 1530 cfs (750 csm) with the water level 0.6 ft.Ui below the top of the concrete core wall. Within... water treatment plant and responsible for the day-to-day operation of the dam. He represented the owner during this investigation. His address and

The Consequences of Metric Production for Small Manufacturers. Volume II. Case Studies of Large Business-Small Business Interaction,

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-02-08

II 00 CASE STUDIES OF LARGE BUSINESS - SMALL BUSINESS INTERACTION ’C- DTIC. Henry H1. Hitchcock dlELECTE7 Joseph F. Coates Marcy M. Canavan AUGG261982...J wis&omWWS1ARET N W WASIINGTOW. OC NO$I THE CONSEQUENCES OF METRIC PRODUCTION FOR SMALL MANUFACTURERS Volume 11 CASE STUDIES OF LARGE BUSINESS ... SMALL BUSINESS INTERACTION Accesqi~r, For NTIS GRA&t DTIC TAB Unannoun~ced J’htiI’ctof _ Henry H. Hitchcock vi 1ribr i t o aes Joseph F. Coates Avail arid

International Symposium on Gas Kinetics (10th), Held at the University College of Swansea (United Kingdom). Abstracts of Papers 24-29 July 1988

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-07-29

PHOTOGRAPH THIS SHEET 0" DTI FILE COPY cv) w LEVEL INVENTORY N z DOfENT IDENTIFICATION Appovcd , DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT ACCESSION FOR NTIS GRA DTIC...0.0 ,o. 04 43- A 𔃾Cv 󈧰 0 ’ ’ ’ t >0 0 04.1 065 . 0 441 -P ’a 4,1t 2 a - 1 -1 0 0 0410-A4j 410 C r00. mCQ v’ 0C >1, -VSlS aൾ a00U,4m C a 040000.04

Survey of flue gas desulfurization systems: Hawthorn Station, Kansas City Power and Light Co. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Isaacs, G.A.; Zada, F.K.

1975-09-01

Results are given of a survey of the flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems at Kansas City Power and Light Co.'s Hawthorn Power Station. The FGD systems on Hawthorn boilers 3 and 4 were designed to operate by injection of dry limestone in the boiler's furnace, followed by tail gas scrubbing. Because of tube plugging in boiler 4 the mode of operation of the FGD system on that boiler was modified: ground limestone is now introduced into the flue gas near the gas inlet to the scrubber tower. (GRA)

Gamma Prime Morphology and Creep Properties of Nickel Based Superalloys With Platinum Group Metal Additions (Preprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-04-01

scann bakelite, and s opolish. Samp (C2H4O2), 33% hydrofluoric a o analyze micr onditions. Al age of 20 kV. PGM alloys. and post-creep n the two...spacing Table 1 alloys i only Ir temper amount Alloys from 1 wt%, th window solidus elemen the fig experim arrows indicate from al decreas compos...decreas the poin [2 [1 [3 D1 Figure I alloy wt%) compo the gra oils were prepa to the applie ss using grit olishing at a t used for al ), 10

Experimental studies of a continuous-wave HF(DF) confocal unstable resonator. Interim report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chodzko, R.A.; Cross, E.F.; Durran, D.A.

1976-05-03

A series of experiments were performed on a continuous-wave HF(DF) multiline edge-coupled confocal unstable resonator at The Aerospace Corporation MESA facility. Experimental techniques were developed to measure remotely (from a blockhouse) the output power, the near-field intensity distribution, the spatially resolved spectral content of the near field, and the far-field power distribution. A new technique in which a variable aperture calorimeter absorbing scraper (VACAS) was used for measuring the continuous-wave output power from an unstable resonator with variable-mode geometry and without the use of an output coupling mirror was developed. (GRA)

Xenia Spacecraft Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hopkins, Randy

2009-01-01

This slide presentation reviews the proposed design for the Xenia mission spacecraft. The goal of this study is to perform a mission concept study for the mission. Included in this study are: the overall ground rules and assumptions (GR&A), a mission analysis, the configuration, the mass properties, the guidance, Navigation and control, the proposed avionics, the power system, the thermal protection system, the propulsion system, and the proposed structures. Conclusions from the study indicate that the observatory fits within the Falcon 9 mass and volume envelope for launching from Omelek, the pointing, slow slewing, and fast slewing requirements and the thermal requirements are met.

High prevalence and genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii isolated from goats, from a retail meat store, destined for human consumption in the USA.

PubMed

Dubey, J P; Rajendran, C; Ferreira, L R; Martins, J; Kwok, O C H; Hill, D E; Villena, I; Zhou, H; Su, C; Jones, J L

2011-07-01

Little information is available concerning the presence of viable Toxoplasma gondii in tissues of goats worldwide. In the present study, hearts of 234 goats obtained from a local USA grocery store were examined for T. gondii infection. Blood clot or fluid removed from each heart was tested for antibodies to T. gondii by using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 125 (53.4%) of 234 goats, with titers of 1:5 in 20, 1:10 in 44, 1:20 in 16, 1:40 in five, 1:160 in five, 1:320 in five, and 1:640 or higher in 30 goats. Hearts of 112 goats (46 goats <1:5, and 66 goats 1:10 or higher) were used for isolation of viable T. gondii by bioassays in mice. For bioassays, 50 g of the myocardium were digested in an acid pepsin solution and the digest inoculated into mice; the recipient mice were examined for T. gondii infection. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated from 29 goats; from hearts of one of 46 with titers of <1:5, one of nine with titers of 1:10, one of three with titers of 1:40, and 26 of 40 with titers of 1:160 or higher. Two isolates were highly virulent to outbred Swiss Webster mice; all infected mice died of toxoplasmosis, irrespective of the dose. All T. gondii isolates were subsequently grown in cell cultures. Genotyping of the 29 T. gondii isolates using 10 PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism markers (SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1 and Apico) from DNA obtained from cell culture grown tachyzoites revealed 12 genotypes. Nine isolates were clonal Type II lineage, four isolates had type II alleles at all loci except a type I allele at the Apico locus, and four isolates were clonal Type III. The remaining 12 strains were divided into nine atypical genotypes, including five new and four previously identified genotypes. DNA sequences of four introns (EF1, HP2, UPRT1 and UPRT7) and two genes (GRA6 and GRA7) were generated for the five new genotypes. Comparing these sequences with previously published data revealed no unique sequences in these goat strains. Taken together, these results indicate high parasite prevalence and moderate genetic diversity of T. gondii in goats, which have important implications in public health. We believe this is the first genetic analysis of T. gondii isolates from goats in the USA. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Generator-absorber-heat exchange heat transfer apparatus and method and use thereof in a heat pump

DOEpatents

Phillips, Benjamin A.; Zawacki, Thomas S.; Marsala, Joseph

1994-11-29

Numerous embodiments and related methods for generator-absorber heat exchange (GAX) are disclosed, particularly for absorption heat pump systems. Such embodiments and related methods use the working solution of the absorption system for the heat transfer medium.

Quantitative photoacoustic microscopy of optical absorption coefficients from acoustic spectra in the optical diffusive regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Zijian; Favazza, Christopher; Garcia-Uribe, Alejandro; Wang, Lihong V.

2012-06-01

Photoacoustic (PA) microscopy (PAM) can image optical absorption contrast with ultrasonic spatial resolution in the optical diffusive regime. Conventionally, accurate quantification in PAM requires knowledge of the optical fluence attenuation, acoustic pressure attenuation, and detection bandwidth. We circumvent this requirement by quantifying the optical absorption coefficients from the acoustic spectra of PA signals acquired at multiple optical wavelengths. With the acoustic spectral method, the absorption coefficients of an oxygenated bovine blood phantom at 560, 565, 570, and 575 nm were quantified with errors of <3%. We also quantified the total hemoglobin concentration and hemoglobin oxygen saturation in a live mouse. Compared with the conventional amplitude method, the acoustic spectral method provides greater quantification accuracy in the optical diffusive regime. The limitations of the acoustic spectral method was also discussed.

Experimental study on emission of VOCs from tanker using hollow fiber membrane absorption method with different absorbents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, J. Y.; Wang, B. F.; Nie, L. H.; Lu, J. X.; Hao, Y. J.; Xu, R. R.

2018-01-01

China’s oil dependence is getting higher and higher, 90% of oil import is transported by sea. Tankers will produce a lot of VOCs during loading and unloading, so the prevention of such pollution has become increasingly urgent. The hollow fiber membrane absorption method combined the characteristics of the absorption method for the treatment of high concentration and large flow of VOCs and the advantage of low energy consumption of membrane method. At present, the research on the recovery of oil and gas is relatively few. In this paper, the effect of membrane absorption on the recovery of oil and gas was investigated. The different absorbent affected the oil vapor recovery, the experimental results showed that the performance of absorbent of AbsFOV-97 was better than that of heat conductive oil.

Quantitative photoacoustic microscopy of optical absorption coefficients from acoustic spectra in the optical diffusive regime

PubMed Central

Guo, Zijian; Favazza, Christopher; Garcia-Uribe, Alejandro

2012-01-01

Abstract. Photoacoustic (PA) microscopy (PAM) can image optical absorption contrast with ultrasonic spatial resolution in the optical diffusive regime. Conventionally, accurate quantification in PAM requires knowledge of the optical fluence attenuation, acoustic pressure attenuation, and detection bandwidth. We circumvent this requirement by quantifying the optical absorption coefficients from the acoustic spectra of PA signals acquired at multiple optical wavelengths. With the acoustic spectral method, the absorption coefficients of an oxygenated bovine blood phantom at 560, 565, 570, and 575 nm were quantified with errors of <3%. We also quantified the total hemoglobin concentration and hemoglobin oxygen saturation in a live mouse. Compared with the conventional amplitude method, the acoustic spectral method provides greater quantification accuracy in the optical diffusive regime. The limitations of the acoustic spectral method was also discussed. PMID:22734767

Quantitative photoacoustic microscopy of optical absorption coefficients from acoustic spectra in the optical diffusive regime.

PubMed

Guo, Zijian; Favazza, Christopher; Garcia-Uribe, Alejandro; Wang, Lihong V

2012-06-01

Photoacoustic (PA) microscopy (PAM) can image optical absorption contrast with ultrasonic spatial resolution in the optical diffusive regime. Conventionally, accurate quantification in PAM requires knowledge of the optical fluence attenuation, acoustic pressure attenuation, and detection bandwidth. We circumvent this requirement by quantifying the optical absorption coefficients from the acoustic spectra of PA signals acquired at multiple optical wavelengths. With the acoustic spectral method, the absorption coefficients of an oxygenated bovine blood phantom at 560, 565, 570, and 575 nm were quantified with errors of <3%. We also quantified the total hemoglobin concentration and hemoglobin oxygen saturation in a live mouse. Compared with the conventional amplitude method, the acoustic spectral method provides greater quantification accuracy in the optical diffusive regime. The limitations of the acoustic spectral method was also discussed.

Evaluation about wettability, water absorption or swelling of excipients through various methods and the correlation between these parameters and tablet disintegration.

PubMed

Yang, Baixue; Wei, Chen; Yang, Yang; Wang, Qifang; Li, Sanming

2018-04-06

To evaluate parameters about wettability, water absorption or swelling of excipients in forms of powders or dosage through various methods systematically and explore its correlation with tablet disintegration. The water penetration and swelling of powders with different proportions of excipients including microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), mannitol, low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose (L-HPC), crospolyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPP), carboxymethyl starch sodium (CMS-Na), croscarmellose sodium (CCMC-Na) and magnesium stearate (MgSt) were determined by Washburn capillary rise. Both contact angle of water on the excipient compacts and surface swelling volume were measured by sessile drop technique. Moreover, the test about water absorption and swelling of compacts was fulfilled by a modified method. Eventually, the disintegration of tablets with or without loratadine was performed according to the method described in USP. These parameters were successfully identified by the methods above, which proved that excipient wettability or swelling properties varied with the structure of excipients. For example, MgSt could improve the water uptake, while impeded tablet swelling. Furthermore, in the present study it is verified that tablet disintegration was closely related to these parameters, especially wetting rate and initial water absorption rate. The higher wetting rate of water on tablet or initial water absorption rate, the faster swelling it be, resulting in the shorter tablet disintegration time. The methods utilized in the present study were feasible and effective. The disintegration of tablets did relate to these parameters, especially wetting rate and initial water absorption rate.

Evaluating the influence of process parameters on soluble microbial products formation using response surface methodology coupled with grey relational analysis.

PubMed

Xu, Juan; Sheng, Guo-Ping; Luo, Hong-Wei; Fang, Fang; Li, Wen-Wei; Zeng, Raymond J; Tong, Zhong-Hua; Yu, Han-Qing

2011-01-01

Soluble microbial products (SMPs) present a major part of residual chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the effluents from biological wastewater treatment systems, and the SMP formation is greatly influenced by a variety of process parameters. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with grey relational analysis (GRA) method was used to evaluate the effects of substrate concentration, temperature, NH(4)(+)-N concentration and aeration rate on the SMP production in batch activated sludge reactors. Carbohydrates were found to be the major component of SMP, and the influential priorities of these factors were: temperature>substrate concentration > aeration rate > NH(4)(+)-N concentration. On the basis of the RSM results, the interactive effects of these factors on the SMP formation were evaluated, and the optimal operating conditions for a minimum SMP production in such a batch activated sludge system also were identified. These results provide useful information about how to control the SMP formation of activated sludge and ensure the bioreactor high-quality effluent. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Multi Response Optimization of Process Parameters Using Grey Relational Analysis for Turning of Al-6061

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deepak, Doreswamy; Beedu, Rajendra

2017-08-01

Al-6061 is one among the most useful material used in manufacturing of products. The major qualities of Aluminium are reasonably good strength, corrosion resistance and thermal conductivity. These qualities have made it a suitable material for various applications. While manufacturing these products, companies strive for reducing the production cost by increasing Material Removal Rate (MRR). Meanwhile, the quality of surface need to be ensured at an acceptable value. This paper aims at bringing a compromise between high MRR and low surface roughness requirement by applying Grey Relational Analysis (GRA). This article presents the selection of controllable parameters like longitudinal feed, cutting speed and depth of cut to arrive at optimum values of MRR and surface roughness (Ra). The process parameters for experiments were selected based on Taguchi’s L9 array with two replications. Grey relation analysis being most suited method for multi response optimization, the same is adopted for the optimization. The result shows that feed rate is the most significant factor that influences MRR and Surface finish.

The optimization of microalgal culturing in liquid digestate after struvite precipitation using gray relational analysis.

PubMed

Jiang, Yiqi; Wang, Hong; Wang, Wannan; Deng, Liangwei; Wang, Wenguo

2018-05-01

Liquid digestate (LD) is highly turbid and contains ammonium (NH 4 + -N), which negatively influences microalgal growth. Therefore, a method of reducing LD turbidity and NH 4 + -N content is proposed, using struvite precipitation. To obtain struvite precipitation supernatant with an ideal UV transmittance, NH 4 + -N concentration, and N/P ratio for microalgal growth, the effects of pH and the molar ratio of NH 4 + /Mg 2+ /PO 4 3- were studied. Results show that the optimal NH 4 + /Mg 2+ /PO 4 3- molar ratio was 1:1.5:1.5, with a pH value of 8.5, following NaOH addition. Gray relational analysis (GRA) was applied to obtain a relative gray scale for the evaluation of multiple outputs. Results show that Chlorella regularis FACHB-1068 was the optimal microalgae species to support growth in the struvite precipitation supernatant. Using struvite precipitation and treatment with cultured C. regularis FACHB-1068 for 7 days, the removal efficiencies of NH 4 + -N, PO 4 3- -P, and COD in LD were 96.52, 99.33, and 35.30%, respectively.

A novel chemiluminescent immunoassay based on original acridinium ester labels as better solution for diagnosis of human toxoplasmosis than conventional ELISA test.

PubMed

Holec-Gąsior, Lucyna; Ferra, Bartłomiej; Czechowska, Justyna; Serdiuk, Illia E; Krzymiński, Karol

2018-05-01

Toxoplasma gondii infection is one of the most common human zoonosis. Laboratory diagnosis of this disease is mainly based on the results of serological methods detecting specific antibodies in the patient's sera. In this study we aimed to evaluate the performance of a chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) based on the use of a novel immunochemical reagent in the form of the conjugate of original acridinium label (AL) attached to secondary antibody (IgG-AL) and SAG2-GRA1-ROP1 L chimeric antigen for T. gondii specific antibodies detection. The CLIA test was compared with conventional ELISA, which was based on the same recombinant antigen and differed only in terms of the detection methodology of immune complexes. The new CLIA assay proved to be more sensitive and better differentiated sera of patients with T. gondii infection from sera of healthy individuals, being a promising alternative to more labor, cost-demanding and less versatile ELISA as screening test in toxoplasmosis diagnostics. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Method of analyzing multiple sample simultaneously by detecting absorption and systems for use in such a method

DOEpatents

Yeung, Edward S.; Gong, Xiaoyi

2004-09-07

The present invention provides a method of analyzing multiple samples simultaneously by absorption detection. The method comprises: (i) providing a planar array of multiple containers, each of which contains a sample comprising at least one absorbing species, (ii) irradiating the planar array of multiple containers with a light source and (iii) detecting absorption of light with a detetion means that is in line with the light source at a distance of at leaat about 10 times a cross-sectional distance of a container in the planar array of multiple containers. The absorption of light by a sample indicates the presence of an absorbing species in it. The method can further comprise: (iv) measuring the amount of absorption of light detected in (iii) indicating the amount of the absorbing species in the sample. Also provided by the present invention is a system for use in the abov metho.The system comprises; (i) a light source comrnpising or consisting essentially of at leaat one wavelength of light, the absorption of which is to be detected, (ii) a planar array of multiple containers, and (iii) a detection means that is in line with the light source and is positioned in line with and parallel to the planar array of multiple contiainers at a distance of at least about 10 times a cross-sectional distance of a container.

Optimization of Recycled Glass Fibre-Reinforced Plastics Gear via Integration of the Taguchi Method and Grey Relational Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mizamzul Mehat, Nik; Syuhada Zakarria, Noor; Kamaruddin, Shahrul

2018-03-01

The increase in demand for industrial gears has resulted in the increase in usage of plastic-matrix composites particularly glass fibre-reinforced plastics as the gear materials. The usage of these synthetic fibers is to enhance the mechanical strength and the thermal resistance of the plastic gears. Nevertheless, the production of large quantities of these synthetic fibre-reinforced composites poses a serious threat to the ecosystem. Comprehending to this fact, the present work aimed at investigating the effects of incorporating recycled glass fibre-reinforced plastics in various compositions particularly on dimensional stability and mechanical properties of gear produced with diverse injection moulding processing parameters setting. The integration of Grey relational analysis (GRA) and Taguchi method was adopted to evaluate the influence of recycled glass fibre-reinforced plastics and variation in processing parameters on gear quality. From the experimental results, the blending ratio was found as the most influential parameter of 56.0% contribution in both improving tensile properties as well as in minimizing shrinkage, followed by mould temperature of 24.1% contribution and cooling time of 10.6% contribution. The results obtained from the aforementioned work are expected to contribute to accessing the feasibility of using recycled glass fibre-reinforced plastics especially for gear application.

Automatic Trading Agent. RMT Based Portfolio Theory and Portfolio Selection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Snarska, M.; Krzych, J.

2006-11-01

Portfolio theory is a very powerful tool in the modern investment theory. It is helpful in estimating risk of an investor's portfolio, arosen from lack of information, uncertainty and incomplete knowledge of reality, which forbids a perfect prediction of future price changes. Despite of many advantages this tool is not known and not widely used among investors on Warsaw Stock Exchange. The main reason for abandoning this method is a high level of complexity and immense calculations. The aim of this paper is to introduce an automatic decision-making system, which allows a single investor to use complex methods of Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT). The key tool in MPT is an analysis of an empirical covariance matrix. This matrix, obtained from historical data, biased by such a high amount of statistical uncertainty, that it can be seen as random. By bringing into practice the ideas of Random Matrix Theory (RMT), the noise is removed or significantly reduced, so the future risk and return are better estimated and controlled. These concepts are applied to the Warsaw Stock Exchange Simulator {http://gra.onet.pl}. The result of the simulation is 18% level of gains in comparison with respective 10% loss of the Warsaw Stock Exchange main index WIG.

[The Diagnostics of Detonation Flow External Field Based on Multispectral Absorption Spectroscopy Technology].

PubMed

Lü, Xiao-jing; Li, Ning; Weng, Chun-sheng

2016-03-01

Compared with traditional sampling-based sensing method, absorption spectroscopy technology is well suitable for detonation flow diagnostics, since it can provide with us fast response, nonintrusive, sensitive solution for situ measurements of multiple flow-field parameters. The temperature and concentration test results are the average values along the laser path with traditional absorption spectroscopy technology, while the boundary of detonation flow external field is unknown and it changes all the time during the detonation engine works, traditional absorption spectroscopy technology is no longer suitable for detonation diagnostics. The trend of line strength with temperature varies with different absorption lines. By increasing the number of absorption lines in the test path, more information of the non-uniform flow field can be obtained. In this paper, based on multispectral absorption technology, the reconstructed model of detonation flow external field distribution was established according to the simulation results of space-time conservation element and solution element method, and a diagnostic method of detonation flow external field was given. The model deviation and calculation error of the least squares method adopted were studied by simulation, and the maximum concentration and temperature calculation error was 20.1% and 3.2%, respectively. Four absorption lines of H2O were chosen and detonation flow was scanned at the same time. The detonation external flow testing system was set up for the valveless gas-liquid continuous pulse detonation engine with the diameter of 80 mm. Through scanning H2O absorption lines with a high frequency of 10 kHz, the on-line detection of detonation external flow was realized by direct absorption method combined with time-division multiplexing technology, and the reconstruction of dynamic temperature distribution was realized as well for the first time, both verifying the feasibility of the test method. The test results show that both of the temperature and H2O concentration rose with the arrival of detonation wave. With the increase of the vertical distance between the detonation tube nozzle and the laser path, the time of temperature and concentration coming to the peak delayed, and the temperature variation trend tended to slow down. At 20 cm from detonation tube nozzle, the maximum temperature hit 1 329 K and the maximum H2O concentration of 0.19 occurred at 4 ms after ignition. The research can provide with us the support for expanding the detonation test field with absorption spectroscopy technology, and can also help to promote the detonation mechanism research and to enhance the level of detonation engine control technology.

Determination of UV-visible-NIR absorption coefficient of graphite bulk using direct and indirect methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smausz, T.; Kondász, B.; Gera, T.; Ajtai, T.; Utry, N.; Pintér, M.; Kiss-Albert, G.; Budai, J.; Bozóki, Z.; Szabó, G.; Hopp, B.

2017-10-01

Absorption coefficient of graphite bulk pressed from 1 to 5 μm-sized crystalline grains was measured in UV-Vis-NIR range with three different methods: (i) determination of pulsed laser ablation rate as the function of laser fluence for different wavelengths (248, 337, 532, and 1064 nm, respectively); (ii) production of aerosol particles by UV laser ablation of the bulk graphite in inert atmosphere and determination of the mass-specific absorption coefficient with a four-wavelength (266, 355, 532, and 1064 nm, respectively) photoacoustic spectrometer, and (iii) spectroscopic ellipsometry in 250-1000 nm range. Taking into account the wide range of the absorption coefficients of different carbon structures, an overall relatively good agreement was observed for the three methods. The ellipsometric results fit well with the ablation rate measurement, and the data obtained with photoacoustic method are also similar in the UV and NIR region; however, the values were somewhat higher in visible and near-UV range. Taking into account the limitations of the methods, they can be promising candidates for the determination of absorption coefficient when the samples are strongly scattering and there is no possibility to perform transmissivity measurements.

Precise Determination of the Absorption Maximum in Wide Bands

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eriksson, Karl-Hugo; And Others

1977-01-01

A precise method of determining absorption maxima where Gaussian functions occur is described. The method is based on a logarithmic transformation of the Gaussian equation and is suited for a mini-computer. (MR)

Flameless atomic-absorption determination of gold in geological materials

USGS Publications Warehouse

Meier, A.L.

1980-01-01

Gold in geologic material is dissolved using a solution of hydrobromic acid and bromine, extracted with methyl isobutyl ketone, and determined using an atomic-absorption spectrophotometer equipped with a graphite furnace atomizer. A comparison of results obtained by this flameless atomic-absorption method on U.S. Geological Survey reference rocks and geochemical samples with reported values and with results obtained by flame atomic-absorption shows that reasonable accuracy is achieved with improved precision. The sensitivity, accuracy, and precision of the method allows acquisition of data on the distribution of gold at or below its crustal abundance. ?? 1980.

Method of determining pH by the alkaline absorption of carbon dioxide

DOEpatents

Hobbs, D.T.

1992-10-06

A method is described for measuring the concentration of hydroxides in alkaline solutions in a remote location using the tendency of hydroxides to absorb carbon dioxide. The method includes the passing of carbon dioxide over the surface of an alkaline solution in a remote tank before and after measurements of the carbon dioxide solution. A comparison of the measurements yields the absorption fraction from which the hydroxide concentration can be calculated using a correlation of hydroxide or pH to absorption fraction. 2 figs.

A simple method to incorporate water vapor absorption in the 15 microns remote temperature sounding

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dallu, G.; Prabhakara, C.; Conhath, B. J.

1975-01-01

The water vapor absorption in the 15 micron CO2 band, which can affect the remotely sensed temperatures near the surface, are estimated with the help of an empirical method. This method is based on the differential absorption properties of the water vapor in the 11-13 micron window region and does not require a detailed knowledge of the water vapor profile. With this approach Nimbus 4 IRIS radiance measurements are inverted to obtain temperature profiles. These calculated profiles agree with radiosonde data within about 2 C.

Methods for analysis of selected metals in water by atomic absorption

USGS Publications Warehouse

Fishman, Marvin J.; Downs, Sanford C.

1966-01-01

This manual describes atomic-absorption-spectroscopy methods for determining calcium, copper, lithium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, strontium and zinc in atmospheric precipitation, fresh waters, and brines. The procedures are intended to be used by water quality laboratories of the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey. Detailed procedures, calculations, and methods for the preparation of reagents are given for each element along with data on accuracy, precision, and sensitivity. Other topics discussed briefly are the principle of atomic absorption, instrumentation used, and special analytical techniques.

Using of laser spectroscopy and chemometrics methods for identification of patients with lung cancer, patients with COPD and healthy people from absorption spectra of exhaled air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bukreeva, Ekaterina B.; Bulanova, Anna A.; Kistenev, Yury V.; Kuzmin, Dmitry A.; Nikiforova, Olga Yu.; Ponomarev, Yurii N.; Tuzikov, Sergei A.; Yumov, Evgeny L.

2014-11-01

The results of application of the joint use of laser photoacoustic spectroscopy and chemometrics methods in gas analysis of exhaled air of patients with chronic respiratory diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer) are presented. The absorption spectra of exhaled breath of representatives of the target groups and healthy volunteers were measured; the selection by chemometrics methods of the most informative absorption coefficients in scan spectra in terms of the separation investigated nosology was implemented.

LASER APPLICATIONS AND OTHER TOPICS IN QUANTUM ELECTRONICS: Study of photoinduced absorption by the method of modified laser photothermal radiometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skvortsov, L. A.; Maksimov, E. M.; Tuchkov, A. A.

2008-10-01

The application of the method of modified laser photothermal radiometry for studying the photoinduced absorption in thin films is considered. The sensitivity of the method is estimated. The mechanism of induced near-IR absorption in titanium dioxide films is proposed and the nature of surface defects responsible for this process is explained. It is shown that kinetic equations describing monomolecular recombination are consistent with the experimental dependences for the thermal activation energy of defects equal to 0.17±0.04 eV.

Generator-Absorber heat exchange transfer apparatus and method using an intermediate liquor

DOEpatents

Phillips, Benjamin A.; Zawacki, Thomas S.

1996-11-05

Numerous embodiments and related methods for generator-absorber heat exchange (GAX) are disclosed, particularly for absorption heat pump systems. Such embodiments and related methods use the working solution of the absorption system for the heat transfer medium where the working solution has an intermediate liquor concentration.

Apparatus and method for quantitative measurement of small differences in optical absorptivity between two samples using differential interferometry and the thermooptic effect

DOEpatents

Cremers, David A.; Keller, Richard A.

1984-01-01

An apparatus and method for the measurement of small differences in optical absorptivity of weakly absorbing solutions using differential interferometry and the thermooptic effect has been developed. Two sample cells are placed in each arm of an interferometer and are traversed by colinear probe and heating laser beams. The interrogation probe beams are recombined forming a fringe pattern, the intensity of which can be related to changes in optical pathlength of these laser beams through the cells. This in turn can be related to small differences in optical absorptivity which results in different amounts of sample heating when the heating laser beams are turned on, by the fact that the index of refraction of a liquid is temperature dependent. A critical feature of this invention is the stabilization of the optical path of the probe beams against drift. Background (solvent) absorption can then be suppressed by a factor of approximately 400. Solute absorptivities of about 10.sup.-5 cm.sup.-1 can then be determined in the presence of background absorptions in excess of 10.sup.-3 cm.sup.-1. In addition, the smallest absorption measured with the instant apparatus and method is about 5.times. 10.sup.-6 cm.sup.-1.

Apparatus and method for quantitative measurement of small differences in optical absorptivity between two samples using differential interferometry and the thermooptic effect

DOEpatents

Cremers, D.A.; Keller, R.A.

1982-06-08

An apparatus and method for the measurement of small differences in optical absorptivity of weakly absorbing solutions using differential interferometry and the thermooptic effect has been developed. Two sample cells are placed in each arm of an interferometer and are traversed by colinear probe and heating laser beams. The interrogation probe beams are recombined forming a fringe pattern, the intensity of which can be related to changes in optical pathlength of these laser beams through the cells. This in turn can be related to small differences in optical absorptivity which results in different amounts of sample heating when the heating laser beams are turned on, by the fact that the index of refraction of a liquid is temperature dependent. A critical feature of this invention is the stabilization of the optical path of the probe beams against drift. Background (solvent) absorption can then be suppressed by a factor of approximately 400. Solute absorptivities of about 10/sup -5/ cm/sup -1/ can then be determined in the presence of background absorptions in excess of 10/sup -3/ cm/sup -1/. In addition, the smallest absorption measured with the instant apparatus and method is about 5 x 10/sup -6/ cm/sup -1/.

[Determination of sulfur in plant using a high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometer].

PubMed

Wang, Yu; Li, Jia-xi

2009-05-01

A method for the analysis of sulfur (S) in plant by molecular absorption of carbon monosulfide (CS) using a high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometer (CS AAS) with a fuel-rich air/acetylene flame has been devised. The strong CS absorption band was found around 258 nm. The half-widths of some absorption bands were of the order of picometers, the same as the common atomic absorption lines. The experimental procedure in this study provided optimized instrumental conditions (the ratio of acetylene to air, the burner height) and parameters, and researched the spectral interferences and chemical interferences. The influence of the organic solvents on the CS absorption signals and the different digestion procedures for the determination of sulfur were also investigated. The limit of detection achieved for sulfur was 14 mg x L(-1), using the CS wavelength of 257. 961 nm and a measurement time of 3 s. The accuracy and precision were verified by analysis of two plant standard reference materials. The major applications of this method have been used for the determination of sulfur in plant materials, such as leaves. Compared to the others, this method for the analysis of sulfur is rapid, easy and simple for sulfur determination in plant.

Improvement of scattering correction for in situ coastal and inland water absorption measurement using exponential fitting approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Huping; Li, Junsheng; Zhu, Jianhua; Shen, Qian; Li, Tongji; Zhang, Fangfang; Yue, Huanyin; Zhang, Bing; Liao, Xiaohan

2017-10-01

The absorption coefficient of water is an important bio-optical parameter for water optics and water color remote sensing. However, scattering correction is essential to obtain accurate absorption coefficient values in situ using the nine-wavelength absorption and attenuation meter AC9. Establishing the correction always fails in Case 2 water when the correction assumes zero absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region and underestimates the absorption coefficient in the red region, which affect processes such as semi-analytical remote sensing inversion. In this study, the scattering contribution was evaluated by an exponential fitting approach using AC9 measurements at seven wavelengths (412, 440, 488, 510, 532, 555, and 715 nm) and by applying scattering correction. The correction was applied to representative in situ data of moderately turbid coastal water, highly turbid coastal water, eutrophic inland water, and turbid inland water. The results suggest that the absorption levels in the red and NIR regions are significantly higher than those obtained using standard scattering error correction procedures. Knowledge of the deviation between this method and the commonly used scattering correction methods will facilitate the evaluation of the effect on satellite remote sensing of water constituents and general optical research using different scattering-correction methods.

Ultrasound-assisted fabrication of nanoporous CdS films.

PubMed

Singh, R S; Sanagapalli, S; Jayaraman, V; Singh, V P

2004-01-01

A new method for fabricating nanoporous CdS films is reported. It involves exposing the CdS solution with ultrasound waves during the process of dip coating. Indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass and plastic (commercial transparency) were used as substrates. In each case three different precursors were used for dip coating. The precursors used were CdCl2 and thiourea in one case and CdS nanoparticles prepared by sonochemical and microwave-assisted methods in the other two cases. X-ray diffraction studies performed on these powders show a phase corresponding to cubic CdS. The Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) images of the films on plastic showed uniform pores with a diameter of 80 nm for all three methods. Optical absorption measurements indicated a blue shift and multiple peaks in the absorption curve. The FE-SEM observations of the films on an ITO/glass substrate indicated a crystalline film with voids. The UV-vis absorption results indicated a blue shift in the absorption with an absorption edge at 435, 380, and 365 nm for CdS films made by solution growth, sonochemical, and microwave routes, respectively. The magnitude of the absorption is dependent on film thickness, and the observed blue shift in the absorption can be explained on the basis of quantum confinement effects.

Development and Validation of UV-Visible Spectrophotometric Method for Simultaneous Determination of Eperisone and Paracetamol in Solid Dosage Form.

PubMed

Khanage, Shantaram Gajanan; Mohite, Popat Baban; Jadhav, Sandeep

2013-01-01

Eperisone Hydrochloride (EPE) is a potent new generation antispasmodic drug which is used in the treatment of moderate to severe pain in combination with Paracetamol (PAR). Both drugs are available in tablet dosage form in combination with a dose of 50 mg for EPE and 325 mg PAR respectively. The method is based upon Q-absorption ratio method for the simultaneous determination of the EPE and PAR. Absorption ratio method is used for the ratio of the absorption at two selected wavelength one of which is the iso-absorptive point and other being the λmax of one of the two components. EPE and PAR shows their iso-absorptive point at 260 nm in methanol, the second wavelength used is 249 nm which is the λmax of PAR in methanol. The linearity was obtained in the concentration range of 5-25 μg/mL for EPE and 2-10 μg/mL for PAR. The proposed method was effectively applied to tablet dosage form for estimation of both drugs. The accuracy and reproducibility results are close to 100% with 2% RSD. RESULTS of the analysis were validated statistically and found to be satisfactory. The results of proposed method have been validated as per ICH guidelines. A simple, precise and economical spectrophotometric method has been developed for the estimation of EPE and PAR in pharmaceutical formulation.

Repeated tender point injections of granisetron alleviate chronic myofascial pain--a randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial.

PubMed

Christidis, Nikolaos; Omrani, Shahin; Fredriksson, Lars; Gjelset, Mattias; Louca, Sofia; Hedenberg-Magnusson, Britt; Ernberg, Malin

2015-01-01

Serotonin (5-HT) mediates pain by peripheral 5-HT3-receptors. Results from a few studies indicate that intramuscular injections of 5-HT3-antagonists may reduce musculoskeletal pain. The aim of this study was to investigate if repeated intramuscular tender-point injections of the 5-HT3-antagonist granisetron alleviate pain in patients with myofascial temporomandibular disorders (M-TMD). This prospective, randomized, controlled, double blind, parallel-arm trial (RCT) was carried out during at two centers in Stockholm, Sweden. The randomization was performed by a researcher who did not participate in data collection with an internet-based application ( www.randomization.com ). 40 patients with a diagnose of M-TMD according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) were randomized to receive repeated injections, one week apart, with either granisetron (GRA; 3 mg) or isotonic saline as control (CTR). The median weekly pain intensities decreased significantly at all follow-ups (1-, 2-, 6-months) in the GRA-group (Friedman test; P < 0.05), but not in the CTR-group (Friedman-test; P > 0.075). The numbers needed to treat (NNT) were 4 at the 1- and 6-month follow-ups, and 3.3 at the 2-month follow-up in favor of granisetron. Repeated intramuscular tender-point injections with granisetron provide a new pharmacological treatment possibility for myofascial pain patients with repeated intramuscular tender-point injections with the serotonin type 3 antagonist granisetron. It showed a clinically relevant pain reducing effect in the temporomandibular region, both in a short- and long-term aspect. European Clinical Trials Database 2005-006042-41 as well as at Clinical Trials NCT02230371 .

Dexamethasone and sex regulate placental glucocorticoid receptor isoforms in mice.

PubMed

Cuffe, James S M; Saif, Zarqa; Perkins, Anthony V; Moritz, Karen M; Clifton, Vicki L

2017-08-01

Maternal dexamethasone exposure in the mouse impairs placental development and programs adult disease in a sexually dimorphic manner. Glucocorticoids bind to different glucocorticoid receptor (GR) isoforms to regulate gene transcription and cellular signaling. We hypothesized that sexually dimorphic placental responses to glucocorticoids are due to differences in GR isoforms present in the placenta. Pregnant C57Bl6 mice were exposed to saline or dexamethasone from E12.5 until E14.5 (1 µg/kg/h) before the collection of placentae. Cytoplasmic and nuclear protein fractions were extracted from placentae of male and female fetuses for Western blot analysis of GR isoforms. Eight known isoforms of the GR were detected in the mouse placenta including the translational isoforms GRα-A, B, C and D1-3 and the splice variants GRA and GRP. The expression of GRA, GRP and each of the GRα isoforms were altered by dexamethasone in relation to fetal sex and cellular location. Placentae of female fetuses had higher GRα-A and GRP expression in the cytoplasm than males, and GRα-C was more highly expressed in the nucleus of females than that in males. Dexamethasone significantly increased the cytoplasmic expression of GRα-A, but reduced the expression of GRα-C in placentae of males. Dexamethasone increased the expression of the GRα-C-regulated genes Sgk1 and Bcl2l11 , particularly in females. The cleaved caspase-3 staining in placental sections indicated GRα-C may mediate sex differences in dexamethasone-induced apoptosis. These findings may underlie the sex-specific placental adaptations that regulate different growth profiles in males and females and different risks for programmed disease outcomes in offspring. © 2017 Society for Endocrinology.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in HIV-infected patients and food animals and direct genotyping of T. gondii isolates, Southern Ghana.

PubMed

Pappoe, Faustina; Cheng, Weisheng; Wang, Lin; Li, Yuanling; Obiri-Yeboah, Dorcas; Nuvor, Samuel Victor; Ambachew, Henock; Hu, Xiaodong; Luo, Qingli; Chu, Deyong; Xu, Yuanhong; Shen, Jilong

2017-06-01

Toxoplasma gondii is of public health and veterinary importance causing severe diseases in immunocompromised individuals including HIV/AIDS patients and in congenital cases and animals. There is limited information on the epidemiology of T. gondii infection in humans, particularly HIV patients and food animals and the parasite genotypes in Ghana. A total of 394 HIV-infected patients from three hospitals were screened for T. gondii anti-IgG and IgM using ELISA. DNAs from blood samples of seropositve participants and 95 brain tissues of food animals were PCR assayed to detect Toxoplasma gra6. DNA positive samples were genotyped using multilocus nested polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism at 10 loci: sag1, alt.sag2, sag3, btub, gra6, l358, c22-8, c29-2, pk1, and apico. The overall seroprevalence was 74.37% (293/394). Toxoplasma DNAs were detected in 3.07% of the seropositive participants and 9.47% of the animals. Six of the human DNA positive samples were partly typed at sag3: 33.33, 50, and 16.67% isolates had type I, II, and III alleles, respectively. All nine isolates from food animals typed at nine loci except apico were atypical: six isolates were identical to ToxoDB #41 and #145, and one was identical to TgCkBrRj2 all identified in Brazil. The genotype of two isolates has not been reported previously and was named as TgCtGh1. T. gondii seroprevalence is high among the HIV-infected individuals with T. gondii circulating in Ghana being genetically diverse.

Igneous lithologies on asteroid (4) Vesta mapped using gamma-ray and neutron data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beck, Andrew W.; Lawrence, David J.; Peplowski, Patrick N.; Viviano-Beck, Christina E.; Prettyman, Thomas H.; McCoy, Timothy J.; McSween, Harry Y.; Yamashita, Naoyuki

2017-04-01

We use data collected by the Dawn Gamma-Ray and Neutron Detector (GRaND) at Vesta to map compositions corresponding to nearly pure igneous lithologies in the howardite, eucrite, diogenite (HED) meteorite clan (samples likely from Vesta). At the ∼300-km spatial scale of GRaND measurements, basaltic eucrite occurs on only 3% of the surface, whereas cumulate eucrite and orthopyroxenitic diogenite are not detected. The basaltic eucrite region is generally coincident with an area of the surface with thick regolith, elevated H, and moderate crater density, and may represent the best compositional sample of primordial vestan crust. We observe an absence of pure orthopyroxenitic diogenite terrains in the Rheasilvia basin and its ejecta, an observation corroborated by VIR (0.1%), which suggests the south-polar crust was a polymict mixture of igneous lithologies (howardite) at the time of the Rheasilvia impact, or was a thick basaltic eucrite crust with heterogeneously distributed orthopyroxenitic diogenite plutons. The most dominant igneous composition detected (11% of the surface) corresponds to one of the least-abundant igneous lithologies in the HED meteorite collection, the Yamato Type B diogenites (plagioclase-bearing pyroxenites). The distribution of Type B diogenite is spatially correlated with post-Rheasilvia craters in the north-polar region that are in close proximity to the Rheasilvia basin antipode. This suggests that north-polar Type B plutonism may have been associated with the Rheasilvia impact event. We propose that this was either through 1) uplift of pre-existing plutons at the antipode through focusing of Rheasilvia impact stress, or 2) Rheasilvia impact antipodal crustal melting, creating magmas that underwent fractionation to produce Type B plutons.

Design And Construction of an Impedance Tube for Measuring Sound Absorptivity and Transmissibility of Materials Using Transfer Function Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gowda, Haarish Kapaninaikappa

Noise is defined as unwanted sound, when perceived in excess can cause many harmful effects such as annoyance, interference with speech, and hearing loss, hence there is a need to control noise in practical situations. Noise can be controlled actively and/or passively, here we discuss the passive noise control techniques. Passive noise control involves using energy dissipating or reflecting materials such as absorbers or barriers respectively. Damping and isolating materials are also used in eliminating structure-borne noise. These materials exhibit properties such as reflection, absorption and transmission loss when incidence is by a sound source. Thus, there is a need to characterize the acoustical properties of these materials for practical use. The theoretical background of the random incident sound absorption with reverberation room and normal incident sound absorption using impedance tube are well documented. The Transfer Matrix method for measuring transmission loss and absorption coefficient using impedance tube is very attractive since it is rather inexpensive and fast. In this research, a low-cost Impedance Tube is constructed using transfer function method to measure both absorption and transmissibility of materials. Equipment and measurement instruments available in the laboratory were used in the construction of the tube, adhering to cost-effectiveness. Care has been taken for precise construction of tube to ensure better measurement results. Further various samples varying from hard non-porous to soft porous materials were tested for absorption and sound transmission loss. Absorption values were also compared with reverberation room method with the available samples further ensuring the reliability of the newly constructed tube for future measurements.

Multispectral imaging of absorption and scattering properties of in vivo exposed rat brain using a digital red-green-blue camera.

PubMed

Yoshida, Keiichiro; Nishidate, Izumi; Ishizuka, Tomohiro; Kawauchi, Satoko; Sato, Shunichi; Sato, Manabu

2015-05-01

In order to estimate multispectral images of the absorption and scattering properties in the cerebral cortex of in vivo rat brain, we investigated spectral reflectance images estimated by the Wiener estimation method using a digital RGB camera. A Monte Carlo simulation-based multiple regression analysis for the corresponding spectral absorbance images at nine wavelengths (500, 520, 540, 560, 570, 580, 600, 730, and 760 nm) was then used to specify the absorption and scattering parameters of brain tissue. In this analysis, the concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin and that of deoxygenated hemoglobin were estimated as the absorption parameters, whereas the coefficient a and the exponent b of the reduced scattering coefficient spectrum approximated by a power law function were estimated as the scattering parameters. The spectra of absorption and reduced scattering coefficients were reconstructed from the absorption and scattering parameters, and the spectral images of absorption and reduced scattering coefficients were then estimated. In order to confirm the feasibility of this method, we performed in vivo experiments on exposed rat brain. The estimated images of the absorption coefficients were dominated by the spectral characteristics of hemoglobin. The estimated spectral images of the reduced scattering coefficients had a broad scattering spectrum, exhibiting a larger magnitude at shorter wavelengths, corresponding to the typical spectrum of brain tissue published in the literature. The changes in the estimated absorption and scattering parameters during normoxia, hyperoxia, and anoxia indicate the potential applicability of the method by which to evaluate the pathophysiological conditions of in vivo brain due to the loss of tissue viability.

Radiation characteristics and effective optical properties of dumbbell-shaped cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heng, Ri-Liang; Pilon, Laurent

2016-05-01

This study presents experimental measurements of the radiation characteristics of unicellular freshwater cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. during their exponential growth in F medium. Their scattering phase function at 633 nm average spectral absorption and scattering cross-sections between 400 and 750 nm were measured. In addition, an inverse method was used for retrieving the spectral effective complex index of refraction of overlapping or touching bispheres and quadspheres from their absorption and scattering cross-sections. The inverse method combines a genetic algorithm and a forward model based on Lorenz-Mie theory, treating bispheres and quadspheres as projected area and volume-equivalent coated spheres. The inverse method was successfully validated with numerically predicted average absorption and scattering cross-sections of suspensions consisting of bispheres and quadspheres, with realistic size distributions, using the T-matrix method. It was able to retrieve the monomers' complex index of refraction with size parameter up to 11, relative refraction index less than 1.3, and absorption index less than 0.1. Then, the inverse method was applied to retrieve the effective spectral complex index of refraction of Synechocystis sp. approximated as randomly oriented aggregates consisting of two overlapping homogeneous spheres. Both the measured absorption cross-section and the retrieved absorption index featured peaks at 435 and 676 nm corresponding to chlorophyll a, a peak at 625 nm corresponding to phycocyanin, and a shoulder around 485 nm corresponding to carotenoids. These results can be used to optimize and control light transfer in photobioreactors. The inverse method and the equivalent coated sphere model could be applied to other optically soft particles of similar morphologies.

Plasmon absorption modulator systems and methods

DOEpatents

Kekatpure, Rohan Deodatta; Davids, Paul

2014-07-15

Plasmon absorption modulator systems and methods are disclosed. A plasmon absorption modulator system includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of quantum well layers stacked on a top surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a metal layer formed on a top surface of the stack of quantum well layers. A method for modulating plasmonic current includes enabling propagation of the plasmonic current along a metal layer, and applying a voltage across the stack of quantum well layers to cause absorption of a portion of energy of the plasmonic current by the stack of quantum well layers. A metamaterial switching system includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of quantum well layers stacked on a top surface of the semiconductor substrate, and at least one metamaterial structure formed on a top surface of the stack of quantum well layers.

Absorption Coefficient of a Semiconductor Thin Film from Photoluminescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rey, G.; Spindler, C.; Babbe, F.; Rachad, W.; Siebentritt, S.; Nuys, M.; Carius, R.; Li, S.; Platzer-Björkman, C.

2018-06-01

The photoluminescence (PL) of semiconductors can be used to determine their absorption coefficient (α ) using Planck's generalized law. The standard method, suitable only for self-supported thick samples, like wafers, is extended to multilayer thin films by means of the transfer-matrix method to include the effect of the substrate and optional front layers. α values measured on various thin-film solar-cell absorbers by both PL and photothermal deflection spectroscopy (PDS) show good agreement. PL measurements are extremely sensitive to the semiconductor absorption and allow us to advantageously circumvent parasitic absorption from the substrate; thus, α can be accurately determined down to very low values, allowing us to investigate deep band tails with a higher dynamic range than in any other method, including spectrophotometry and PDS.

The temperature measurement research for high-speed flow based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di, Yue; Jin, Yi; Jiang, Hong-liang; Zhai, Chao

2013-09-01

Due to the particularity of the high-speed flow, in order to accurately obtain its' temperature, the measurement system should has some characteristics of not interfereing with the flow, non-contact measurement and high time resolution. The traditional measurement method cannot meet the above requirements, however the measurement method based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) technology can meet the requirements for high-speed flow temperature measurement. When the near-infared light of a specific frequency is through the media to be measured, it will be absorbed by the water vapor molecules and then the transmission light intensity is detected by the detector. The temperature of the water vapor which is also the high-speed flow temperature, can be accurately obtained by the Beer-Lambert law. This paper focused on the research of absorption spectrum method for high speed flow temperature measurement with the scope of 250K-500K. Firstly, spectral line selection method for low temperature measurement of high-speed flow is discussed. Selected absorption lines should be isolated and have a high peak absorption within the range of 250-500K, at the same time the interference of the other lines should be avoided, so that a high measurement accuracy can be obtained. According to the near-infrared absorption spectra characteristics of water vapor, four absorption lines at the near 1395 nm and 1409 nm are selected. Secondly, a system for the temperature measurement of the water vapor in the high-speed flow is established. Room temperature are measured through two methods, direct absorption spectroscopy (DAS) and wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) ,the results show that this system can realize on-line measurement of the temperature and the measurement error is about 3%. Finally, the system will be used for temperature measurement of the high-speed flow in the shock tunnel, its feasibility of measurement is analyzed.

Laser absorption of carbon fiber reinforced polymer with randomly distributed carbon fibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Jun; Xu, Hebing; Li, Chao

2018-03-01

Laser processing of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is a non-traditional machining method which has many prospective applications. The laser absorption characteristics of CFRP are analyzed in this paper. A ray tracing model describing the interaction of the laser spot with CFRP is established. The material model contains randomly distributed carbon fibers which are generated using an improved carbon fiber placement method. It was found that CFRP has good laser absorption due to multiple reflections of the light rays in the material’s microstructure. The randomly distributed carbon fibers make the absorptivity of the light rays change randomly in the laser spot. Meanwhile, the average absorptivity fluctuation is obvious during movement of the laser. The experimental measurements agree well with the values predicted by the ray tracing model.

Investigation of nonlinear optical properties of various organic materials by the Z-scan method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ganeev, R. A.; Boltaev, G. S.; Tugushev, R. I.; Usmanov, T.

2012-06-01

We have studied the nonlinear optical properties of various organic materials (vegetable oil, juice, wine, cognac, Coca-Cola and Fanta drinks, Nescafé coffee, tea, gasoline, clock oil, glycerol, and polyphenyl ether) that are used in everyday life. Their nonlinearities have been studied by the Z-scan method in the near-IR and visible spectral ranges. We have shown that the majority of samples possess a nonlinear absorption; however, some of the studied materials show a strong saturated absorption and nonlinear refraction. Red wine and glycerol proved to be the most interesting materials. For these samples, we have observed a change in the sign of the nonlinear absorption with increasing laser intensity, which was attributed to the competition between two-photon absorption and saturated absorption.

Development of simplified procedure for computing the absorption of sound by the atmosphere and applicability to aircraft noise certification : proposed SAE method

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-11-30

This report presents the results of the study to extend the useful attenuation range of the Approximate Method outlined in the American National Standard, Method for Calculation of the Absorption of Sound by the Atmosphere (ANSI S1.26-1995), an...

Two-step reconstruction method using global optimization and conjugate gradient for ultrasound-guided diffuse optical tomography.

PubMed

Tavakoli, Behnoosh; Zhu, Quing

2013-01-01

Ultrasound-guided diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is a promising method for characterizing malignant and benign lesions in the female breast. We introduce a new two-step algorithm for DOT inversion in which the optical parameters are estimated with the global optimization method, genetic algorithm. The estimation result is applied as an initial guess to the conjugate gradient (CG) optimization method to obtain the absorption and scattering distributions simultaneously. Simulations and phantom experiments have shown that the maximum absorption and reduced scattering coefficients are reconstructed with less than 10% and 25% errors, respectively. This is in contrast with the CG method alone, which generates about 20% error for the absorption coefficient and does not accurately recover the scattering distribution. A new measure of scattering contrast has been introduced to characterize benign and malignant breast lesions. The results of 16 clinical cases reconstructed with the two-step method demonstrates that, on average, the absorption coefficient and scattering contrast of malignant lesions are about 1.8 and 3.32 times higher than the benign cases, respectively.

In vivo imaging of scattering and absorption properties of exposed brain using a digital red-green-blue camera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nishidate, Izumi; Yoshida, Keiichiro; Kawauchi, Satoko; Sato, Shunichi; Sato, Manabu

2014-03-01

We investigate a method to estimate the spectral images of reduced scattering coefficients and the absorption coefficients of in vivo exposed brain tissues in the range from visible to near-infrared wavelength (500-760 nm) based on diffuse reflectance spectroscopy using a digital RGB camera. In the proposed method, the multi-spectral reflectance images of in vivo exposed brain are reconstructed from the digital red, green blue images using the Wiener estimation algorithm. The Monte Carlo simulation-based multiple regression analysis for the absorbance spectra is then used to specify the absorption and scattering parameters of brain tissue. In this analysis, the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin and that of deoxygenated hemoglobin are estimated as the absorption parameters whereas the scattering amplitude a and the scattering power b in the expression of μs'=aλ-b as the scattering parameters, respectively. The spectra of absorption and reduced scattering coefficients are reconstructed from the absorption and scattering parameters, and finally, the spectral images of absorption and reduced scattering coefficients are estimated. The estimated images of absorption coefficients were dominated by the spectral characteristics of hemoglobin. The estimated spectral images of reduced scattering coefficients showed a broad scattering spectrum, exhibiting larger magnitude at shorter wavelengths, corresponding to the typical spectrum of brain tissue published in the literature. In vivo experiments with exposed brain of rats during CSD confirmed the possibility of the method to evaluate both hemodynamics and changes in tissue morphology due to electrical depolarization.

Device and method for luminescence enhancement by resonant energy transfer from an absorptive thin film

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Akselrod, Gleb M.; Bawendi, Moungi G.; Bulovic, Vladimir

Disclosed are a device and a method for the design and fabrication of the device for enhancing the brightness of luminescent molecules, nanostructures, and thin films. The device includes a mirror, a dielectric medium or spacer, an absorptive layer, and a luminescent layer. The absorptive layer is a continuous thin film of a strongly absorbing organic or inorganic material. The luminescent layer may be a continuous luminescent thin film or an arrangement of isolated luminescent species, e.g., organic or metal-organic dye molecules, semiconductor quantum dots, or other semiconductor nanostructures, supported on top of the absorptive layer.

Time-resolved absorption and hemoglobin concentration difference maps: a method to retrieve depth-related information on cerebral hemodynamics.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Montcel, Bruno; Chabrier, Renée; Poulet, Patrick

2006-12-01

Time-resolved diffuse optical methods have been applied to detect hemodynamic changes induced by cerebral activity. We describe a near infrared spectroscopic (NIRS) reconstruction free method which allows retrieving depth-related information on absorption variations. Variations in the absorption coefficient of tissues have been computed over the duration of the whole experiment, but also over each temporal step of the time-resolved optical signal, using the microscopic Beer-Lambert law.Finite element simulations show that time-resolved computation of the absorption difference as a function of the propagation time of detected photons is sensitive to the depth profile of optical absorption variations. Differences in deoxyhemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin concentrations can also be calculated from multi-wavelength measurements. Experimental validations of the simulated results have been obtained for resin phantoms. They confirm that time-resolved computation of the absorption differences exhibited completely different behaviours, depending on whether these variations occurred deeply or superficially. The hemodynamic response to a short finger tapping stimulus was measured over the motor cortex and compared to experiments involving Valsalva manoeuvres. Functional maps were also calculated for the hemodynamic response induced by finger tapping movements.

Time-resolved absorption and hemoglobin concentration difference maps: a method to retrieve depth-related information on cerebral hemodynamics.

PubMed

Montcel, Bruno; Chabrier, Renée; Poulet, Patrick

2006-12-11

Time-resolved diffuse optical methods have been applied to detect hemodynamic changes induced by cerebral activity. We describe a near infrared spectroscopic (NIRS) reconstruction free method which allows retrieving depth-related information on absorption variations. Variations in the absorption coefficient of tissues have been computed over the duration of the whole experiment, but also over each temporal step of the time-resolved optical signal, using the microscopic Beer-Lambert law.Finite element simulations show that time-resolved computation of the absorption difference as a function of the propagation time of detected photons is sensitive to the depth profile of optical absorption variations. Differences in deoxyhemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin concentrations can also be calculated from multi-wavelength measurements. Experimental validations of the simulated results have been obtained for resin phantoms. They confirm that time-resolved computation of the absorption differences exhibited completely different behaviours, depending on whether these variations occurred deeply or superficially. The hemodynamic response to a short finger tapping stimulus was measured over the motor cortex and compared to experiments involving Valsalva manoeuvres. Functional maps were also calculated for the hemodynamic response induced by finger tapping movements.

A Novel Acoustic Sensor Approach to Classify Seeds Based on Sound Absorption Spectra

PubMed Central

Gasso-Tortajada, Vicent; Ward, Alastair J.; Mansur, Hasib; Brøchner, Torben; Sørensen, Claus G.; Green, Ole

2010-01-01

A non-destructive and novel in situ acoustic sensor approach based on the sound absorption spectra was developed for identifying and classifying different seed types. The absorption coefficient spectra were determined by using the impedance tube measurement method. Subsequently, a multivariate statistical analysis, i.e., principal component analysis (PCA), was performed as a way to generate a classification of the seeds based on the soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA) method. The results show that the sound absorption coefficient spectra of different seed types present characteristic patterns which are highly dependent on seed size and shape. In general, seed particle size and sphericity were inversely related with the absorption coefficient. PCA presented reliable grouping capabilities within the diverse seed types, since the 95% of the total spectral variance was described by the first two principal components. Furthermore, the SIMCA classification model based on the absorption spectra achieved optimal results as 100% of the evaluation samples were correctly classified. This study contains the initial structuring of an innovative method that will present new possibilities in agriculture and industry for classifying and determining physical properties of seeds and other materials. PMID:22163455

Low absorptance porcelain-on-aluminum coating

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leggett, H.

1979-01-01

Porcelain thermal-control coating for aluminum sheet and foil has solar absorptance of 0.22. Specially formulated coating absorptance is highly stable, changing only 0.03 after 1,000 hours of exposure to simulated sunlight and can be applied by standard commercial methods.

Method 200.12 - Determination of Trace Elements in Marine Waters by StabilizedTemperature Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption

EPA Science Inventory

This method provides procedures for the determination of total recoverable elements by graphite furnace atomic absorption (GFAA) in marine waters, including estuarine, ocean and brines with salinities of up to 35 ppt.

Application of support vector machine method for the analysis of absorption spectra of exhaled air of patients with broncho-pulmonary diseases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bukreeva, Ekaterina B.; Bulanova, Anna A.; Kistenev, Yury V.; Kuzmin, Dmitry A.; Tuzikov, Sergei A.; Yumov, Evgeny L.

2014-11-01

The results of the joint use of laser photoacoustic spectroscopy and chemometrics methods in gas analysis of exhaled air of patients with respiratory diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia and lung cancer) are presented. The absorption spectra of exhaled breath of all volunteers were measured, the classification methods of the scans of the absorption spectra were applied, the sensitivity/specificity of the classification results were determined. It were obtained a result of nosological in pairs classification for all investigated volunteers, indices of sensitivity and specificity.

Diode laser differential absorption spectrometry for measurements of some parameters of condensed media.

PubMed

Liger, V V; Bolshov, M A; Kuritsyn, Yu A; Krivtsun, V M; Zybin, A V; Niemax, K

2007-04-01

A method of diode laser differential absorption spectrometry (DLDAS) is proposed. The method is based on the detection of absorption spectra variations caused by the changes of a parameter of a condensed media (temperature, composition of the components of a mixture, pH, etc.). Some simple theoretical background of the proposed technique is presented. The potentialities of the method are demonstrated in the experiments on remote contactless measurement of the temperature of aqueous solutions and measurement of the deviations of the composition of a mixture of dyes from the equilibrium state.

During air cool process aerosol absorption detection with photothermal interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Baosheng; Xu, Limei; Huang, Junling; Ma, Fei; Wang, Yicheng; Li, Zhengqiang

2014-11-01

This paper studies the basic principle of laser photothermal interferometry method of aerosol particles absorption coefficient. The photothermal interferometry method with higher accuracy and lower uncertainty can directly measure the absorption coefficient of atmospheric aerosols and not be affected by scattered light. With Jones matrix expression, the math expression of a special polarization interferometer is described. This paper using folded Jamin interferometer, which overcomes the influence of vibration on measuring system. Interference come from light polarization beam with two orthogonal and then combine to one beam, finally aerosol absorption induced refractive index changes can be gotten with four beam of phase orthogonal light. These kinds of styles really improve the stability of system and resolution of the system. Four-channel detections interact with interference fringes, to reduce the light intensity `zero drift' effect on the system. In the laboratory, this device typical aerosol absorption index, it shows that the result completely agrees with actual value. After heated by laser, cool process of air also show the process of aerosol absorption. This kind of instrument will be used to monitor ambient aerosol absorption and suspended particulate matter chemical component. Keywords: Aerosol absorption coefficient; Photothermal interferometry; Suspended particulate matter.

The effect of volatility on percutaneous absorption.

PubMed

Rouse, Nicole C; Maibach, Howard I

2016-01-01

Topically applied chemicals may volatilize, or evaporate, from skin leaving behind a chemical residue with new percutaneous absorptive capabilities. Understanding volatilization of topical medications, such as sunscreens, fragrances, insect repellants, cosmetics and other commonly applied topicals may have implications for their safety and efficacy. A systematic review of English language articles from 1979 to 2014 was performed using key search terms. Articles were evaluated to assess the relationship between volatility and percutaneous absorption. A total of 12 articles were selected and reviewed. Key findings were that absorption is enhanced when coupled with a volatile substance, occlusion prevents evaporation and increases absorption, high ventilation increases volatilization and reduces absorption, and pH of skin has an affect on a chemical's volatility. The articles also brought to light that different methods may have an affect on volatility: different body regions; in vivo vs. in vitro; human vs. Data suggest that volatility is crucial for determining safety and efficacy of cutaneous exposures and therapies. Few articles have been documented reporting evaporation in the context of percutaneous absorption, and of those published, great variability exists in methods. Further investigation of volatility is needed to properly evaluate its role in percutaneous absorption.

Measuring Two Key Parameters of H3 Color Centers in Diamond

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roberts, W. Thomas

2005-01-01

A method of measuring two key parameters of H3 color centers in diamond has been created as part of a continuing effort to develop tunable, continuous-wave, visible lasers that would utilize diamond as the lasing medium. (An H3 color center in a diamond crystal lattice comprises two nitrogen atoms substituted for two carbon atoms bonded to a third carbon atom. H3 color centers can be induced artificially; they also occur naturally. If present in sufficient density, they impart a yellow hue.) The method may also be applicable to the corresponding parameters of other candidate lasing media. One of the parameters is the number density of color centers, which is needed for designing an efficient laser. The other parameter is an optical-absorption cross section, which, as explained below, is needed for determining the number density. The present method represents an improvement over prior methods in which optical-absorption measurements have been used to determine absorption cross sections or number densities. Heretofore, in order to determine a number density from such measurements, it has been necessary to know the applicable absorption cross section; alternatively, to determine the absorption cross section from such measurements, it has been necessary to know the number density. If, as in this case, both the number density and the absorption cross section are initially unknown, then it is impossible to determine either parameter in the absence of additional information.

Nondestructive Method For Measuring The Scattering Coefficient Of Bulk Material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Groenhuis, R. A. J.; ten Bosch, J. J.

1981-05-01

During demineralization and remineralization of dental enamel its structure changes resulting in a change of the absorption and scattering coefficients of the enamel. By measuring these coefficients during demineralization and remineralization these processes can be monitored in a non-destructive way. For this purpose an experimental arrangement was made: a fibre illuminates a spot on the sample with monochromatic light with a wave-length between 400 nm and 700 nm; a photomultiplier measures the luminance of the light back-scattered by the sample as a function of the distance from the measuring snot to the spot of illumination. In a Monte Carlo-model this luminance is simulated using the same geometry given the scattering and absorption coefficients in a sample. Then the scattering and absorption coefficients in the sample are determined by selecting the theoretical curve fitting the experimental one. Scattering coefficients below 10 mm-1 and absorption coefficients obtained with this method on calibration samples correspond well with those obtained with another method. Scattering coefficients above 10 mm-1 (paper samples) were measured ton low. This perhaps is caused by the anisotropic structure of paper sheets. The method is very suitable to measure the scattering and absorption coefficients of bulk materials.

Novel ratio difference at coabsorptive point spectrophotometric method for determination of components with wide variation in their absorptivities.

PubMed

Saad, Ahmed S; Abo-Talib, Nisreen F; El-Ghobashy, Mohamed R

2016-01-05

Different methods have been introduced to enhance selectivity of UV-spectrophotometry thus enabling accurate determination of co-formulated components, however mixtures whose components exhibit wide variation in absorptivities has been an obstacle against application of UV-spectrophotometry. The developed ratio difference at coabsorptive point method (RDC) represents a simple effective solution for the mentioned problem, where the additive property of light absorbance enabled the consideration of the two components as multiples of the lower absorptivity component at certain wavelength (coabsorptive point), at which their total concentration multiples could be determined, whereas the other component was selectively determined by applying the ratio difference method in a single step. Mixture of perindopril arginine (PA) and amlodipine besylate (AM) figures that problem, where the low absorptivity of PA relative to AM hinders selective spectrophotometric determination of PA. The developed method successfully determined both components in the overlapped region of their spectra with accuracy 99.39±1.60 and 100.51±1.21, for PA and AM, respectively. The method was validated as per the USP guidelines and showed no significant difference upon statistical comparison with reported chromatographic method. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Apparatus and method for quantitative measurement of small differences in optical absorptivity between two samples using differential interferometry and the thermooptic effect

DOEpatents

Cremers, D.A.; Keller, R.A.

1984-05-08

An apparatus and method for the measurement of small differences in optical absorptivity of weakly absorbing solutions using differential interferometry and the thermooptic effect have been developed. Two sample cells are placed in each arm of an interferometer and are traversed by colinear probe and heating laser beams. The interrogation probe beams are recombined forming a fringe pattern, the intensity of which can be related to changes in optical path length of these laser beams through the cells. This in turn can be related to small differences in optical absorptivity which results in different amounts of sample heating when the heating laser beams are turned on, by the fact that the index of refraction of a liquid is temperature dependent. A critical feature of this invention is the stabilization of the optical path of the probe beams against drift. Background (solvent) absorption can then be suppressed by a factor of approximately 400. Solute absorptivities of about 10[sup [minus]5] cm[sup [minus]1] can then be determined in the presence of background absorptions in excess of 10[sup [minus]3] cm[sup [minus]1]. In addition, the smallest absorption measured with the instant apparatus and method is about 5 [times] 10[sup [minus]6] cm[sup [minus]1]. 6 figs.

Measurement of water absorption capacity in wheat flour by a headspace gas chromatographic technique.

PubMed

Xie, Wei-Qi; Yu, Kong-Xian; Gong, Yi-Xian

2018-04-17

The purpose of this work is to introduce a new method for quantitatively analyzing water absorption capacity in wheat flour by a headspace gas chromatographic technique. This headspace gas chromatographic technique was based on measuring the water vapor released from a series of wheat flour samples with different contents of water addition. According to the different trends between the vapor and wheat flour phase before and after the water absorption capacity in wheat flour, a turning point (corresponding to water absorption capacity in wheat flour) can be obtained by fitting the data of the water gas chromatography peak area from different wheat flour samples. The data showed that the phase equilibrium in the vial can be achieved in 25 min at desired temperature (35°C). The relative standard deviation of the reaction headspace gas chromatographic technique in water absorption capacity determination was within 3.48%, the relative differences has been determined by comparing the water absorption capacity obtained from this new analytical technique with the data from the reference technique (i.e., the filtration method), which are less than 8.92%. The new headspace gas chromatographic method is automated, accurate and be a reliable tool for quantifying water absorption capacity in wheat flour in both laboratory research and mill applications. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

One-step fabrication of N-doped CNTs encapsulating M nanoparticles (M = Fe, Co, Ni) for efficient microwave absorption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ning, Mingqiang; Li, Jingbo; Kuang, Boya; Wang, Chengzhi; Su, Dezhi; Zhao, Yongjie; Jin, Haibo; Cao, Maosheng

2018-07-01

By using a modified non-toxic pyrolysis method, M@NCNTs comprising in-situ formed M nanoparticles encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) have been synthesized. Compared to traditional preparation process of M@CNTs (eg: acid-aid treatment to CNTs then decorating M particles onto), this method holds the advantage of free of complicated treatment processes. The M@NCNTs exhibit tightly connected interfaces of M/NCNTs and contain abundant N dopants, which could contribute interfacial polarization and defect-dipole polarization to improving the microwave absorption performance. An intense dielectric relaxation is observed in Fe@NCNTs samples, which further enhances the dielectric loss. As expected, the as-synthesized M@NCNTs composites demonstrate promising candidates in microwave absorption (MWA) application. The minimum reflection loss (RL) of Fe@NCNTs (with 10 wt% loading) is up to -30.43 dB at 3.2 mm, and the effective absorption bandwidth (RL < -10 dB) is as wide as 5.7 GHz which benefits from the neighboring dual absorption peaks induced by the intense dielectric relaxation. Co@NCNTs and Ni@NCNTs also have satisfactory effective absorption bandwidth ∼4.08 and ∼4.72 GHz, respectively. The modified pyrolysis method is low-cost and non-toxic, which could become an industrial technique to synthesize carbonaceous composites for microwave absorption.

Simplified procedure for computing the absorption of sound by the atmosphere

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2007-10-31

This paper describes a study that resulted in the development of a simplified : method for calculating attenuation by atmospheric-absorption for wide-band : sounds analyzed by one-third octave-band filters. The new method [referred to : herein as the...

Inactivation of biologically active dna by gamma ray induced superoxide radicals and their dismutation products singlet molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vanhemmen, J.J.; Meuling, W.J.A.

1975-01-01

The reactivity of gamma ray induced superoxide radicals and dismutation products (singlet molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide) with DNA were studied. Superoxide dismutase, which removes superoxide radicals and inhibits the formation of singlet oxygen, protects biologically active DNA (OX174 RF) against inactivation by ionizing radiation. Catalase, which removes hydrogen peroxide, also protects the DNA. Attempts with various chemical sources of singlet oxygen to determine whether this species inactivates DNA did not yield an unequivocal answer. It was concluded that a combination of the protonated form of the superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide inactivates DNA. (Author) (GRA)

National Program for Inspection of Non-Federal Dams. James V. Turner Dam (RI 01002), Narragansett Bay Basin, East Providence, Rhode Island. Phase I Inspection Report.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-01-01

IUNCLASSIFIED F/G 13/3 NL mEE~hhhhlEom *~132 111a1112L jji1.25 1111 4 JJ . MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART NATIONAL BREAU Of STANDRDS-Iq 6 3 A r$ e ...PHOTOGRAPH THIS SHEET LEVEL INVENTORY z * z,-~ r 0 ",-Al e5 7,/ 7e ,R,, I-o e ol istrib uni_;a L,,;: DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT ACCESSION FOR NTIS GRA&i...PROGRAM FOR INSPECTION OF NON-FEDERAL 6 PERFORMINOORG. REPORT NUMBER DAMS 7. AUTHOR( e ) 0. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER(&) U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS NEW

Report and Recommendations on Study on the Application of Personnel Research to UMT Program (PR-4107)

DTIC Science & Technology

1947-08-29

personnel testing or m=as- urý &-vices," using existing Army personnel testa wherever possible 8?d projecting as a roonmrdtion any now poraonrol...it vi2J to oe~bLein coolmratiOn with the local highi schools,, twz condu-&ct 1=1al7 m-ach of tho namsary tos~tn*’-1 whch. now ahoorhe so wach of a...t%.’s sfuer the pro gra in undear way,, ’)a stud-ad .fuýr rav! sian., pa-rtcularly looking towaurd -:.-rup teAts to reicutdlld siteat. al tr u Is- a

Evaluation of a Videodisc Delivery System for Teaching Students to Troubleshoot the AN/VRC-12 Medium-Powered Radio Series.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-10-31

Commaznd -- Fo,,.t Motoe, VIti ia 23651 85 8 8 030 NOTICES This report has been reviewed and is approved. FRANK E. GIUNTI F. A. NERONE Chief, Instructional...between the RT-524 antenna coaxial jack and the antenna matching network coaxial jack. 23. (6-1-5) T F Within the MT-1029, the negative side of the...1205 FRE@. SEfjITIVE NETWORKS 16.36 18.00 20.20 - CA2606 SEMrCO4OUCTORS 10.48 9.00 7.2a CR2607 T/S THE At!/GRA-39 19.60 15.00 10.20 CA42&0 SIGNAL

Determination of effects of ambient conditions on aircraft engine emissions engine testing - GTCP 85 APU, TPE 331 turboprop. Volume 2. Final report, 20 Dec 1974--20 Dec 1975

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Slogar, G.A.; Holder, R.C.

1976-03-01

Full scale engine testswere conducted on a GTCP85-98CK Auxiliary Power Unit and a TPE331-5-251M Turboprop engine. The purpose of this program was to measure exhaust emission of HC, CO, CO/sub 2/, NO/sub x/, and smoke at controlled (temperature, humidity, and pressure) engine inlet conditions. This data along with other available data will provide the data base for the determination of the effects of ambient conditions on gas turbine engines. This volume contains the computer programs for volume 2 data. (GRA)

Process for preparing high-transition-temperature superconductors in the Nb-Al-Ge system

DOEpatents

Giorgi, A.L.; Szklarz, E.G.

1973-01-30

The patent describes a process for preparing superconducting materials in the Nb-Al-Ge system having transition temperatures in excess of 19K. The process comprises premixing powdered constituents, pressing them into a plug, heating the plug to 1,450-1,800C for 30 minutes to an hour under vacuum or an inert atmosphere, and annealing at moderate temperatures for reasonably long times (approximately 50 hours). High transition-temperature superconductors, including those in the Nb3(Al,Ge) system, prepared in accordance with this process exhibit little degradation in the superconducting transition temperature on being ground to -200 mesh powder. (GRA)

Physics of High-Altitude Nuclear Burst Effects

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-12-01

W., The Representation, Estimation and Design of Radar Signals, General Research Corp., TM -69 AD 822609L May, 1967. 1-17. Berkowitz, R. S. (ed...lerix l l e? ’.twevl Cle~tIVIiij 1! :111ut p l Ili .11)d it I S J)IOJj󈧅t ioII;I lo~ ~ ~ IIito.ciili yll~ tm dcnote, thle %ibrotional pu 1,t o01 tll...y( :IL’s’:o tao tm "::,,-l.,r\\ ," I "’ Oit tt -- S --Of6. I i l*.’l-Y is s.,2cial i zed to the case of motion alonig a streami1 ine The grA ert

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bunshah, R.F.; Shabaik, A.H.

The process of Activated Reactive Evaporation is used to synthesize superhard materials like carbides, oxides, nitrides, ultrafine grain cermets. The deposits are characterized by hardness, microstructure and lattice parameter measurements. The synthesis and characterization of TiC-Ni cermets, Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ and VC-TiC alloy carbides is given. Tools of different coating characteristics are tested for machining performance at different speeds and feeds. The machining evaluation and the selection of coatings is based on the rate of deterioration of the costing, tool temperature, and cutting forces. Tool life tests show coated high speed steel tools show a 300% improvement in tool life.more » (Author) (GRA)« less

Potential benefits of triethylamine as n-electron donor in the estimation of forskolin by electronic absorption and emission spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raju, Gajula; Ram Reddy, A.

2016-02-01

Diterpenoid forskolin was isolated from Coleus forskolii. The electronic absorption and emission studies of forskolin were investigated in various solvents with an aim to improve its detection limits. The two chromophores present in the diterpenoid are not conjugated leading to the poor absorption and emission of UV light. The absorption and fluorescence spectra were solvent specific. In the presence of a monodentate ligand, triethylamine the detection of forskolin is improved by 3.63 times in ethanol with the fluorescence method and 3.36 times in DMSO by the absorption spectral method. The longer wavelength absorption maximum is blue shifted while the lower energy fluorescence maximum is red shifted in the presence of triethylamine. From the wavelength of fluorescence maxima of the exciplex formed between excited forskolin and triethylamine it is concluded that the order of reactivity of hydroxyl groups in the excited state forskolin is in the reverse order to that of the order of the reactivity of hydroxyl groups in its ground state.

Large-scale synthesis and microwave absorption enhancement of actinomorphic tubular ZnO/CoFe2O4 nanocomposites.

PubMed

Cao, Jing; Fu, Wuyou; Yang, Haibin; Yu, Qingjiang; Zhang, Yanyan; Liu, Shikai; Sun, Peng; Zhou, Xiaoming; Leng, Yan; Wang, Shuangming; Liu, Bingbing; Zou, Guangtian

2009-04-09

Actinomorphic tubular ZnO/CoFe(2)O(4) nanocomposites were fabricated in large scale via a simple solution method at low temperature. The phase structures, morphologies, particle size, shell thickness, chemical compositions of the composites have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The as-synthesized nanocomposites were uniformly dispersed into the phenolic resin then the mixture was pasted on metal plate with the area of 200 mm x 200 mm as the microwave absorption test plate. The test of microwave absorption was carried out by the radar-absorbing materials (RAM) reflectivity far field radar cross-section (RCS) method. The range of microwave absorption is from 2 to 18 Hz and the best microwave absorption reach to 28.2 dB at 8.5 Hz. The results indicate that the composites are of excellence with respect to microwave absorption.

Method and apparatus for aerosol particle absorption spectroscopy

DOEpatents

Campillo, Anthony J.; Lin, Horn-Bond

1983-11-15

A method and apparatus for determining the absorption spectra, and other properties, of aerosol particles. A heating beam source provides a beam of electromagnetic energy which is scanned through the region of the spectrum which is of interest. Particles exposed to the heating beam which have absorption bands within the band width of the heating beam absorb energy from the beam. The particles are also illuminated by light of a wave length such that the light is scattered by the particles. The absorption spectra of the particles can thus be determined from an analysis of the scattered light since the absorption of energy by the particles will affect the way the light is scattered. Preferably the heating beam is modulated to simplify the analysis of the scattered light. In one embodiment the heating beam is intensity modulated so that the scattered light will also be intensity modulated when the particles absorb energy. In another embodiment the heating beam passes through an interferometer and the scattered light reflects the Fourier Transform of the absorption spectra.

Validated spectroscopic methods for determination of anti-histaminic drug azelastine in pure form: Analytical application for quality control of its pharmaceutical preparations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Masry, Amal A.; Hammouda, Mohammed E. A.; El-Wasseef, Dalia R.; El-Ashry, Saadia M.

2018-02-01

Two simple, sensitive, rapid, validated and cost effective spectroscopic methods were established for quantification of antihistaminic drug azelastine (AZL) in bulk powder as well as in pharmaceutical dosage forms. In the first method (A) the absorbance difference between acidic and basic solutions was measured at 228 nm, whereas in the second investigated method (B) the binary complex formed between AZL and Eosin Y in acetate buffer solution (pH 3) was measured at 550 nm. Different criteria that have critical influence on the intensity of absorption were deeply studied and optimized so as to achieve the highest absorption. The proposed methods obeyed Beer's low in the concentration range of (2.0-20.0 μg·mL- 1) and (0.5-15.0 μg·mL- 1) with % recovery ± S.D. of (99.84 ± 0.87), (100.02 ± 0.78) for methods (A) and (B), respectively. Furthermore, the proposed methods were easily applied for quality control of pharmaceutical preparations without any conflict with its co-formulated additives, and the analytical results were compatible with those obtained by the comparison one with no significant difference as insured by student's t-test and the variance ratio F-test. Validation of the proposed methods was performed according the ICH guidelines in terms of linearity, limit of quantification, limit of detection, accuracy, precision and specificity, where the analytical results were persuasive. The absorption spectrum of AZL (16 μg·mL- 1) in 0.1 M HCl. The absorption spectrum of AZL (16 μg·mL- 1) in 0.1 M NaOH. The difference absorption spectrum of AZL (16 μg·mL- 1) in 0.1 M NaOH vs 0.1 M HCl. The absorption spectrum of eosin binary complex with AZL (10 μg·mL- 1).

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wojciech, Blachucki

This work treats of the high energy resolution off-resonant X-ray spectroscopy (HEROS) method of determining the density of unoccupied electronic states in the vicinity of the absorption edge. HEROS is an alternative to the existing X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) methods and opens the way for new studies not achievable before.

Development of new test procedures for measuring fine and coarse aggregates specific gravity.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-09-01

The objective of the research is to develop and evaluate new test methods at determining the specific gravity and absorption of both fine and coarse aggregates. Current methods at determining the specific gravity and absorption of fine and coarse agg...

DETERMINING BERYLLIUM IN DRINKING WATER BY GRAPHITE FURNACE ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY

EPA Science Inventory

A direct graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy method for the analysis of beryllium in drinking water has been derived from a method for determining beryllium in urine. Ammonium phosphomolybdate and ascorbic acid were employed as matrix modifiers. The matrix modifiers s...

Estimation of water absorption coefficient using the TDR method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suchorab, Zbigniew; Majerek, Dariusz; Brzyski, Przemysław; Sobczuk, Henryk; Raczkowski, Andrzej

2017-07-01

Moisture accumulation and transport in the building barriers is an important feature that influences building performance, causing serious exploitation problems as increased energy use, mold and bacteria growth, decrease of indoor air parameters that may lead to sick building syndrome (SBS). One of the parameters that is used to describe moisture characteristic of the material is water absorption coefficient being the measure of capillary behavior of the material as a function of time and the surface area of the specimen. As usual it is determined using gravimetric methods according to EN 1925:1999 standard. In this article we demonstrate the possibility of determination of water absorption coefficient of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) using the Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) method. TDR is an electric technique that had been adopted from soil science and can be successfully used for real-time monitoring of moisture transport in building materials and envelopes. Data achieved using TDR readouts show high correlation with standard method of moisture absorptivity coefficient determination.

Calibrating Laser Gas Measurements by Use of Natural CO2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Webster, Chris

2003-01-01

An improved method of calibration has been devised for instruments that utilize tunable lasers to measure the absorption spectra of atmospheric gases in order to determine the relative abundances of the gases. In this method, CO2 in the atmosphere is used as a natural calibration standard. Unlike in one prior calibration method, it is not necessary to perform calibration measurements in advance of use of the instrument and to risk deterioration of accuracy with time during use. Unlike in another prior calibration method, it is not necessary to include a calibration gas standard (and the attendant additional hardware) in the instrument and to interrupt the acquisition of atmospheric data to perform calibration measurements. In the operation of an instrument of this type, the beam from a tunable diode laser or a tunable quantum-cascade laser is directed along a path through the atmosphere, the laser is made to scan in wavelength over an infrared spectral region that contains one or two absorption spectral lines of a gas of interest, and the transmission (and, thereby, the absorption) of the beam is measured. The concentration of the gas of interest can then be calculated from the observed depth of the absorption line(s), given the temperature, pressure, and path length. CO2 is nearly ideal as a natural calibration gas for the following reasons: CO2 has numerous rotation/vibration infrared spectral lines, many of which are near absorption lines of other gases. The concentration of CO2 relative to the concentrations of the major constituents of the atmosphere is well known and varies slowly and by a small enough amount to be considered constant for calibration in the present context. Hence, absorption-spectral measurements of the concentrations of gases of interest can be normalized to the concentrations of CO2. Because at least one CO2 calibration line is present in every spectral scan of the laser during absorption measurements, the atmospheric CO2 serves continuously as a calibration standard for every measurement point. Figure 1 depicts simulated spectral transmission measurements in a wavenumber range that contains two absorption lines of N2O and one of CO2. The simulations were performed for two different upper-atmospheric pressures for an airborne instrument that has a path length of 80 m. The relative abundance of CO2 in air was assumed to be 360 parts per million by volume (approximately its natural level in terrestrial air). In applying the present method to measurements like these, one could average the signals from the two N2O absorption lines and normalize their magnitudes to that of the CO2 absorption line. Other gases with which this calibration method can be used include H2O, CH4, CO, NO, NO2, HOCl, C2H2, NH3, O3, and HCN. One can also take advantage of this method to eliminate an atmospheric-pressure gauge and thereby reduce the mass of the instrument: The atmospheric pressure can be calculated from the temperature, the known relative abundance of CO2, and the concentration of CO2 as measured by spectral absorption. Natural CO2 levels on Mars provide an ideal calibration standard. Figure 2 shows a second example of the application of this method to Mars atmospheric gas measurements. For sticky gases like H2O, the method is particularly powerful, since water is notoriously difficult to handle at low concentrations in pre-flight calibration procedures.

Optical band gap of thermally deposited Ge-S-Ga thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rana, Anjli; Heera, Pawan; Singh, Bhanu Pratap; Sharma, Raman

2018-05-01

Thin films of Ge20S80-xGax glassy alloy, obtained from melt quenching technique, were deposited on the glass substrate by thermal evaporation technique under a high vacuum conditions (˜ 10-5 Torr). Absorption spectrum fitting method (ASF) is employed to obtain the optical band gap from absorption spectra. This method requires only the measurement of the absorption spectrum of the sample. The width of the band tail was also determined. Optical band gap computed from absorption spectra is found to decrease with an increase in Ga content. The evaluated optical band gap (Eg) is in well agreement with the theoretically predicted Eg and obtained from transmission spectra.

Parameterization of light absorption by components of seawater in optically complex coastal waters of the Crimea Peninsula (Black Sea).

PubMed

Dmitriev, Egor V; Khomenko, Georges; Chami, Malik; Sokolov, Anton A; Churilova, Tatyana Y; Korotaev, Gennady K

2009-03-01

The absorption of sunlight by oceanic constituents significantly contributes to the spectral distribution of the water-leaving radiance. Here it is shown that current parameterizations of absorption coefficients do not apply to the optically complex waters of the Crimea Peninsula. Based on in situ measurements, parameterizations of phytoplankton, nonalgal, and total particulate absorption coefficients are proposed. Their performance is evaluated using a log-log regression combined with a low-pass filter and the nonlinear least-square method. Statistical significance of the estimated parameters is verified using the bootstrap method. The parameterizations are relevant for chlorophyll a concentrations ranging from 0.45 up to 2 mg/m(3).

Techniques For Measuring Absorption Coefficients In Crystalline Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klein, Philipp H.

1981-10-01

Absorption coefficients smaller than 0.001 cm-1 can, with more or less difficulty, be measured by several techniques. With diligence, all methods can be refined to permit measurement of absorption coefficients as small as 0.00001 cm-1. Spectral data are most readily obtained by transmission (spectrophotometric) methods, using multiple internal reflection to increase effective sample length. Emissivity measurements, requiring extreme care in the elimination of detector noise and stray light, nevertheless afford the most accessible spectral data in the 0.0001 to 0.00001 cm-1 range. Single-wavelength informa-tion is most readily obtained with modifications of laser calorimetry. Thermo-couple detection of energy absorbed from a laser beam is convenient, but involves dc amplification techniques and is susceptible to stray-light problems. Photoacoustic detection, using ac methods, tends to diminish errors of these types, but at some expense in experimental complexity. Laser calorimetry has been used for measurements of absorption coefficients as small as 0.000003 cm-1. Both transmission and calorimetric data, taken as functions of intensity, have been used for measurement of nonlinear absorption coefficients.

Spectral parameters and Hamaker constants of silicon hydride compounds and organic solvents.

PubMed

Masuda, Takashi; Matsuki, Yasuo; Shimoda, Tatsuya

2009-12-15

Cyclopentasilane (CPS) and polydihydrosilane, which consist of hydrogen and silicon only, are unique materials that can be used to produce intrinsic silicon film in a liquid process, such as spin coating or an ink-jet method. Wettability and solubility of general organic solvents including the above can be estimated by Hamaker constants, which are calculated according to the Lifshitz theory. In order to calculate a Hamaker constant by the simple spectral method (SSM), it is necessary to obtain absorption frequency and function of oscillator strength in the ultraviolet region. In this report, these physical quantities were obtained by means of an optical method. As a result of examination of the relation between molecular structures and ultraviolet absorption frequencies, which were obtained from various liquid materials, it was concluded that ultraviolet absorption frequencies became smaller as electrons were delocalized. In particular, the absorption frequencies were found to be very small for CPS and polydihydrosilane due to sigma-conjugate of their electrons. The Hamaker constants of CPS and polydihydrosilane were successfully calculated based on the obtained absorption frequency and function of oscillator strength.

Calibration-free self-absorption model for measuring nitric oxide concentration in a pulsed corona discharge.

PubMed

Du, Yanjun; Ding, Yanjun; Liu, Yufeng; Lan, Lijuan; Peng, Zhimin

2014-08-01

The effect of self-absorption on emission intensity distributions can be used for species concentration measurements. A calculation model is developed based on the Beer-Lambert law to quantify this effect. And then, a calibration-free measurement method is proposed on the basis of this model by establishing the relationship between gas concentration and absorption strength. The effect of collision parameters and rotational temperature on the method is also discussed. The proposed method is verified by investigating the nitric oxide emission bands (A²Σ⁺→X²∏) that are generated by a pulsed corona discharge at various gas concentrations. Experiment results coincide well with the expectations, thus confirming the precision and accuracy of the proposed measurement method.

USSR Report, Electronics and Electrical Engineering, No. 102

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-04-29

S. IAbstract] The laser probing method is applied to measurement of absorption , transmission, and reflection coefficients, also insertion losses...electronic clock. The method of measurements is based on absorption of monochromatic radiation from the lasers, the latter being tuned to the fine...Acoustic-Wave Transducer by Laser Probing Method (A. B. Voroshnin, G. S. Felinskiy; IZVESTIYA VYSSHIKH UCHEBNYKH ZAVEDENIY: RADIOELEKTRONIKA, Dec 82

Generator-absorber-heat exchange heat transfer apparatus and method and use thereof in a heat pump

DOEpatents

Phillips, Benjamin A.; Zawacki, Thomas S.

1996-12-03

Numerous embodiments and related methods for generator-absorber heat exchange (GAX) are disclosed, particularly for absorption heat pump systems. Such embodiments and related methods use the working solution of the absorption system for the heat transfer medium. A combination of weak and rich liquor working solution is used as the heat transfer medium.

Generator-absorber-heat exchange heat transfer apparatus and method and use thereof in a heat pump

DOEpatents

Phillips, B.A.; Zawacki, T.S.

1998-07-21

Numerous embodiments and related methods for generator-absorber heat exchange (GAX) are disclosed, particularly for absorption heat pump systems. Such embodiments and related methods use, as the heat transfer medium, the working fluid of the absorption system taken from the generator at a location where the working fluid has a rich liquor concentration. 5 figs.

Generator-absorber-heat exchange heat transfer apparatus and method and use thereof in a heat pump

DOEpatents

Phillips, Benjamin A.; Zawacki, Thomas S.

1998-07-21

Numerous embodiments and related methods for generator-absorber heat exchange (GAX) are disclosed, particularly for absorption heat pump systems. Such embodiments and related methods use, as the heat transfer medium, the working fluid of the absorption system taken from the generator at a location where the working fluid has a rich liquor concentration.

Validation of phenol red versus gravimetric method for water reabsorption correction and study of gender differences in Doluisio's absorption technique.

PubMed

Tuğcu-Demiröz, Fatmanur; Gonzalez-Alvarez, Isabel; Gonzalez-Alvarez, Marta; Bermejo, Marival

2014-10-01

The aim of the present study was to develop a method for water flux reabsorption measurement in Doluisio's Perfusion Technique based on the use of phenol red as a non-absorbable marker and to validate it by comparison with gravimetric procedure. The compounds selected for the study were metoprolol, atenolol, cimetidine and cefadroxil in order to include low, intermediate and high permeability drugs absorbed by passive diffusion and by carrier mediated mechanism. The intestinal permeabilities (Peff) of the drugs were obtained in male and female Wistar rats and calculated using both methods of water flux correction. The absorption rate coefficients of all the assayed compounds did not show statistically significant differences between male and female rats consequently all the individual values were combined to compare between reabsorption methods. The absorption rate coefficients and permeability values did not show statistically significant differences between the two strategies of concentration correction. The apparent zero order water absorption coefficients were also similar in both correction procedures. In conclusion gravimetric and phenol red method for water reabsorption correction are accurate and interchangeable for permeability estimation in closed loop perfusion method. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Assessment of dermal absorption of DEET-containing insect repellent and oxybenzone-containing sunscreen using human urinary metabolites.

PubMed

Yiin, Lih-Ming; Tian, Jia-Ni; Hung, Chien-Che

2015-05-01

Mutual enhancement of dermal absorption of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) and oxybenzone (OBZ) has been reported recently with DEET and OBZ being active ingredients of insect repellent and sunscreen, respectively. To assess the reported enhancing effect directly, we used human urinary metabolites as biomarkers; besides, we also sought to determine the best way for concurrent use of these two products without extra absorption of either. Four dermal application methods were used: DEET only (S1), OBZ only (S2), DEET on top of OBZ (S3), and OBZ on top of DEET (S4). Among the study methods, there was a significant difference (p = 0.013), which was attributed to the difference between S1 and S4, suggesting that applying OBZ over DEET on the skin lead to significantly higher absorption of DEET. Using both products in reverse order, (S3) did not result in extra DEET absorption significantly. As for OBZ permeation, no significant difference was observed among the methods. In summary, the enhancement of DEET absorption is confirmed for OBZ being applied over DEET on the skin; should concurrent use of both be necessary, applying sunscreen (OBZ) first and then insect repellent (DEET) with a 15-min interval is recommended.

In vivo spatial frequency domain spectroscopy of two layer media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yudovsky, Dmitry; Nguyen, John Quan M.; Durkin, Anthony J.

2012-10-01

Monitoring of tissue blood volume and local oxygen saturation can inform the assessment of tissue health, healing, and dysfunction. These quantities can be estimated from the contribution of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin to the absorption spectrum of the dermis. However, estimation of blood related absorption in skin can be confounded by the strong absorption of melanin in the epidermis and epidermal thickness and pigmentation varies with anatomic location, race, gender, and degree of disease progression. Therefore, a method is desired that decouples the effect of melanin absorption in the epidermis from blood absorption in the dermis for a large range of skin types and thicknesses. A previously developed inverse method based on a neural network forward model was applied to simulated spatial frequency domain reflectance of skin for multiple wavelengths in the near infrared. It is demonstrated that the optical thickness of the epidermis and absorption and reduced scattering coefficients of the dermis can be determined independently and with minimal coupling. Then, the same inverse method was applied to reflectance measurements from a tissue simulating phantom and in vivo human skin. Oxygen saturation and total hemoglobin concentrations were estimated from the volar forearms of weakly and strongly pigmented subjects using a standard homogeneous model and the present two layer model.

Micro determination of plasma and erythrocyte copper by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

PubMed Central

Blomfield, Jeanette; Macmahon, R. A.

1969-01-01

The free and total plasma copper and total erythrocyte copper levels have been determined by simple, yet sensitive and highly specific methods, using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. For total copper determination, the copper was split from its protein combination in plasma or red cells by the action of hydrochloric acid at room temperature. The liberated copper was chelated by ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate and extracted into n-butyl acetate by shaking and the organic extract was aspirated into the atomic absorption spectrophotometer flame. The entire procedure was carried out in polypropylene centrifuge tubes, capped during shaking. For the free plasma copper measurement the hydrochloric acid step was omitted. Removal of the plasma or erythrocyte proteins was found to be unnecessary, and, in addition, the presence of trichloracetic acid caused an appreciable lowering of absorption. Using a double-beam atomic absorption spectrophotometer and scale expansion × 10, micro methods have been derived for determining the total copper of plasma or erythrocytes with 0·1 ml of sample, and the free copper of plasma with 0·5 ml. The macro plasma copper method requires 2 ml of plasma and is suitable for use with single-beam atomic absorption spectrophotometers. With blood from 50 blood donors, normal ranges of plasma and erythrocyte copper have been determined. PMID:5776543

Standard Method for Analyzing Gases in Titanium and Titanium Alloys. Standard Method for the Chemical Analysis of Titanium Alloys.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-10-28

form a non- soluble complex. After filtering and burning the non-pure molybdenum trioxide is weighed. Ammonia water is used to dissolve the molybdenum...niobium and tantalum should use the methyl alcohol distillation - curcumin absorption luminosity 66 method for determination. II. The Methyl Alcohol...Distillation - Curcumin Absorption Luminosity Method 1. Summary of Method In a phosphorus sulfate medium, boron and methyl alcohol produce methyl borate

Direct optical band gap measurement in polycrystalline semiconductors: A critical look at the Tauc method

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dolgonos, Alex; Mason, Thomas O.; Poeppelmeier, Kenneth R., E-mail: krp@northwestern.edu

2016-08-15

The direct optical band gap of semiconductors is traditionally measured by extrapolating the linear region of the square of the absorption curve to the x-axis, and a variation of this method, developed by Tauc, has also been widely used. The application of the Tauc method to crystalline materials is rooted in misconception–and traditional linear extrapolation methods are inappropriate for use on degenerate semiconductors, where the occupation of conduction band energy states cannot be ignored. A new method is proposed for extracting a direct optical band gap from absorption spectra of degenerately-doped bulk semiconductors. This method was applied to pseudo-absorption spectramore » of Sn-doped In{sub 2}O{sub 3} (ITO)—converted from diffuse-reflectance measurements on bulk specimens. The results of this analysis were corroborated by room-temperature photoluminescence excitation measurements, which yielded values of optical band gap and Burstein–Moss shift that are consistent with previous studies on In{sub 2}O{sub 3} single crystals and thin films. - Highlights: • The Tauc method of band gap measurement is re-evaluated for crystalline materials. • Graphical method proposed for extracting optical band gaps from absorption spectra. • The proposed method incorporates an energy broadening term for energy transitions. • Values for ITO were self-consistent between two different measurement methods.« less

Accurate and facile determination of the index of refraction of organic thin films near the carbon 1s absorption edge.

PubMed

Yan, Hongping; Wang, Cheng; McCarn, Allison R; Ade, Harald

2013-04-26

A practical and accurate method to obtain the index of refraction, especially the decrement δ, across the carbon 1s absorption edge is demonstrated. The combination of absorption spectra scaled to the Henke atomic scattering factor database, the use of the doubly subtractive Kramers-Kronig relations, and high precision specular reflectivity measurements from thin films allow the notoriously difficult-to-measure δ to be determined with high accuracy. No independent knowledge of the film thickness or density is required. High confidence interpolation between relatively sparse measurements of δ across an absorption edge is achieved. Accurate optical constants determined by this method are expected to greatly improve the simulation and interpretation of resonant soft x-ray scattering and reflectivity data. The method is demonstrated using poly(methyl methacrylate) and should be extendable to all organic materials.

Tissue phantom-based breast cancer detection using continuous near-infrared sensor

PubMed Central

Liu, Dan; Liu, Xin; Zhang, Yan; Wang, Qisong; Lu, Jingyang

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Women's health is seriously threatened by breast cancer. Taking advantage of efficient diagnostic instruments to identify the disease is very meaningful in prolonging life. As a cheap noninvasive radiation-free technology, Near-infrared Spectroscopy is suitable for general breast cancer examination. A discrimination method of breast cancer is presented using the deference between absorption coefficients and applied to construct a blood oxygen detection device based on Modified Lambert-Beer theory. Combined with multi-wavelength multi-path near-infrared sensing technology, the proposed method can quantitatively distinguish the normal breast from the abnormal one by measuring the absorption coefficients of breast tissue and the blood oxygen saturation. An objective judgment about the breast tumor is made according to its high absorption of near-infrared light. The phantom experiment is implemented to show the presented method is able to recognize the absorption differences between phantoms and demonstrates its feasibility in the breast tumor detection. PMID:27459672

Tissue phantom-based breast cancer detection using continuous near-infrared sensor.

PubMed

Liu, Dan; Liu, Xin; Zhang, Yan; Wang, Qisong; Lu, Jingyang

2016-09-02

Women's health is seriously threatened by breast cancer. Taking advantage of efficient diagnostic instruments to identify the disease is very meaningful in prolonging life. As a cheap noninvasive radiation-free technology, Near-infrared Spectroscopy is suitable for general breast cancer examination. A discrimination method of breast cancer is presented using the deference between absorption coefficients and applied to construct a blood oxygen detection device based on Modified Lambert-Beer theory. Combined with multi-wavelength multi-path near-infrared sensing technology, the proposed method can quantitatively distinguish the normal breast from the abnormal one by measuring the absorption coefficients of breast tissue and the blood oxygen saturation. An objective judgment about the breast tumor is made according to its high absorption of near-infrared light. The phantom experiment is implemented to show the presented method is able to recognize the absorption differences between phantoms and demonstrates its feasibility in the breast tumor detection.

New method to determine the refractive index and the absorption coefficient of organic nonlinear crystals in the ultra-wideband THz region.

PubMed

Ohno, Seigo; Miyamoto, Katsuhiko; Minamide, Hiroaki; Ito, Hiromasa

2010-08-02

A method for simultaneously measuring the refractive index and absorption coefficient of nonlinear optical crystals in the ultra-wideband terahertz (THz) region is described. This method is based on the analysis of a collinear difference frequency generation (DFG) process using a tunable, dual-wavelength, optical parametric oscillator. The refractive index and the absorption coefficient in the organic nonlinear crystal DAST were experimentally determined in the frequency range 2.5-26.2 THz by measuring the THz-wave output using DFG. The resultant refractive index in the x-direction was approximately 2.3, while the absorption spectrum was in good agreement with FT-IR measurements. The output of the DAST-DFG THz-wave source was optimized to the phase-matching condition using the measured refractive index spectrum in THz region, which resulted in an improvement in the output power of up to a factor of nine.

Analysis of Dithiocarbamate Fungicides in Vegetable Matrices Using HPLC-UV Followed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.

PubMed

Al-Alam, Josephine; Bom, Laura; Chbani, Asma; Fajloun, Ziad; Millet, Maurice

2017-04-01

A simple method combining ion-pair methylation, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis with detection at 272 nm and atomic absorption spectrometry was developed in order to determine 10 dithiocarbamate fungicides (Dazomet, Metam-sodium, Ferbam, Ziram, Zineb, Maneb, Mancozeb, Metiram, Nabam and Propineb) and distinguish ethylenbisdithiocarbamates (EBDTCs) Zineb, Maneb and Mancozeb in diverse matrices. This method associates reverse phase analysis by HPLC analysis with detection at 272 nm, with atomic absorption spectrometry in order to distinguish, with the same extraction protocol, Maneb, Mancozeb and Zineb. The limits of detection (0.4, 0.8, 0.5, 1.25 and 1.97) and quantification (1.18, 2.5, 1.52, 4.2 and 6.52) calculated in injected nanogram, respectively, for Dazomet, Metam-Na, dimethyldithiocarbamates (DMDTCs), EBDTCs and propylenebisdithiocarbamates (PBDTCs) justify the sensitivity of the method used. The coefficients of determination R2 were 0.9985, 0.9978, 0.9949, 0.988 and 0.9794, respectively, for Dazomet, Metam-Na, DMDTCs, EBDTCs and PBDTCs, and the recovery from fortified apple and leek samples was above 90%. Results obtained with the atomic absorption method in comparison with spectrophotometric analysis focus on the importance of the atomic absorption as a complementary specific method for the distinction between different EBDTCs fungicides. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Promises of Machine Learning Approaches in Prediction of Absorption of Compounds.

PubMed

Kumar, Rajnish; Sharma, Anju; Siddiqui, Mohammed Haris; Tiwari, Rajesh Kumar

2018-01-01

The Machine Learning (ML) is one of the fastest developing techniques in the prediction and evaluation of important pharmacokinetic properties such as absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion. The availability of a large number of robust validation techniques for prediction models devoted to pharmacokinetics has significantly enhanced the trust and authenticity in ML approaches. There is a series of prediction models generated and used for rapid screening of compounds on the basis of absorption in last one decade. Prediction of absorption of compounds using ML models has great potential across the pharmaceutical industry as a non-animal alternative to predict absorption. However, these prediction models still have to go far ahead to develop the confidence similar to conventional experimental methods for estimation of drug absorption. Some of the general concerns are selection of appropriate ML methods and validation techniques in addition to selecting relevant descriptors and authentic data sets for the generation of prediction models. The current review explores published models of ML for the prediction of absorption using physicochemical properties as descriptors and their important conclusions. In addition, some critical challenges in acceptance of ML models for absorption are also discussed. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

Models of filter-based particle light absorption measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamasha, Khadeejeh M.

Light absorption by aerosol is very important in the visible, near UN, and near I.R region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Aerosol particles in the atmosphere have a great influence on the flux of solar energy, and also impact health in a negative sense when they are breathed into lungs. Aerosol absorption measurements are usually performed by filter-based methods that are derived from the change in light transmission through a filter where particles have been deposited. These methods suffer from interference between light-absorbing and light-scattering aerosol components. The Aethalometer is the most commonly used filter-based instrument for aerosol light absorption measurement. This dissertation describes new understanding of aerosol light absorption obtained by the filter method. The theory uses a multiple scattering model for the combination of filter and particle optics. The theory is evaluated using Aethalometer data from laboratory and ambient measurements in comparison with photoacoustic measurements of aerosol light absorption. Two models were developed to calculate aerosol light absorption coefficients from the Aethalometer data, and were compared to the in-situ aerosol light absorption coefficients. The first is an approximate model and the second is a "full" model. In the approximate model two extreme cases of aerosol optics were used to develop a model-based calibration scheme for the 7-wavelength Aethalometer. These cases include those of very strong scattering aerosols (Ammonium sulfate sample) and very absorbing aerosols (kerosene soot sample). The exponential behavior of light absorption in the strong multiple scattering limit is shown to be the square root of the total absorption optical depth rather than linear with optical depth as is commonly assumed with Beer's law. 2-stream radiative transfer theory was used to develop the full model to calculate the aerosol light absorption coefficients from the Aethalometer data. This comprehensive model allows for studying very general cases of particles of various sizes embedded on arbitrary filter media. Application of this model to the Reno Aerosol Optics Study (Laboratory data) shows that the aerosol light absorption coefficients are about half of the Aethalometer attenuation coefficients, and there is a reasonable agreement between the model calculated absorption coefficients at 521 nm and the measured photoacoustic absorption coefficients at 532 nm. For ambient data obtained during the Las Vegas study, it shows that the model absorption coefficients at 521 nm are larger than the photoacoustic coefficients at 532 nm. Use of the 2-stream model shows that particle penetration depth into the filter has a strong influence on the interpretation of filter-based aerosol light absorption measurements. This is likely explanation for the difference found between model results for filter-based aerosol light absorption and those from photoacoustic measurements for ambient and laboratory aerosol.

Absorption Reconstruction Improves Biodistribution Assessment of Fluorescent Nanoprobes Using Hybrid Fluorescence-mediated Tomography

PubMed Central

Gremse, Felix; Theek, Benjamin; Kunjachan, Sijumon; Lederle, Wiltrud; Pardo, Alessa; Barth, Stefan; Lammers, Twan; Naumann, Uwe; Kiessling, Fabian

2014-01-01

Aim: Fluorescence-mediated tomography (FMT) holds potential for accelerating diagnostic and theranostic drug development. However, for proper quantitative fluorescence reconstruction, knowledge on optical scattering and absorption, which are highly heterogeneous in different (mouse) tissues, is required. We here describe methods to assess these parameters using co-registered micro Computed Tomography (µCT) data and nonlinear whole-animal absorption reconstruction, and evaluate their importance for assessment of the biodistribution and target site accumulation of fluorophore-labeled drug delivery systems. Methods: Besides phantoms with varying degrees of absorption, mice bearing A431 tumors were imaged 15 min and 48 h after i.v. injection of a fluorophore-labeled polymeric drug carrier (pHPMA-Dy750) using µCT-FMT. The outer shape of mice and a scattering map were derived using automated segmentation of the µCT data. Furthermore, a 3D absorption map was reconstructed from the trans-illumination data. We determined the absorption of five interactively segmented regions (heart, liver, kidney, muscle, tumor). Since blood is the main near-infrared absorber in vivo, the absorption was also estimated from the relative blood volume (rBV), determined by contrast-enhanced µCT. We compared the reconstructed absorption with the rBV-based values and analyzed the effect of using the absorption map on the fluorescence reconstruction. Results: Phantom experiments demonstrated that absorption reconstruction is possible and necessary for quantitative fluorescence reconstruction. In vivo, the reconstructed absorption showed high values in strongly blood-perfused organs such as the heart, liver and kidney. The absorption values correlated strongly with the rBV-based absorption values, confirming the accuracy of the absorption reconstruction. Usage of homogenous absorption instead of the reconstructed absorption map resulted in reduced values in the heart, liver and kidney, by factors of 3.5, 2.1 and 1.4, respectively. For muscle and subcutaneous tumors, which have a much lower rBV and absorption, absorption reconstruction was less important. Conclusion: Quantitative whole-animal absorption reconstruction is possible and can be validated in vivo using the rBV. Usage of an absorption map is important when quantitatively assessing the biodistribution of fluorescently labeled drugs and drug delivery systems, to avoid a systematic underestimation of fluorescence in strongly absorbing organs, such as the heart, liver and kidney. PMID:25157277

Thermally induced effect on sub-band gap absorption in Ag doped CdSe thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaur, Jagdish; Sharma, Kriti; Bharti, Shivani; Tripathi, S. K.

2015-05-01

Thin films of Ag doped CdSe have been prepared by thermal evaporation using inert gas condensation (IGC) method taking Argon as inert gas. The prepared thin films are annealed at 363 K for one hour. The sub-band gap absorption spectra in the as deposited and annealed thin films have been studied using constant photocurrent method (CPM). The absorption coefficient in the sub-band gap region is described by an Urbach tail in both as deposited and annealed thin films. The value of Urbach energy and number density of trap states have been calculated from the absorption coefficient in the sub-band gap region which have been found to increase after annealing treatment indicating increase in disorderness in the lattice. The energy distribution of the occupied density of states below Fermi level has also been studied using derivative procedure of absorption coefficient.

Prediction of sound absorption in rigid porous media with the lattice Boltzmann method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

da Silva, Andrey Ricardo; Mareze, Paulo; Brandão, Eric

2016-02-01

In this work, sound absorption phenomena associated with the viscous shear stress within rigid porous media is investigated with a simple isothermal lattice Boltzmann BGK model. Simulations are conducted for different macroscopic material properties such as sample thickness and porosity and the results are compared with the exact analytical solution for materials with slit-like structure in terms of acoustic impedance and sound absorption coefficient. The numerical results agree very well with the exact solution, particularly for the sound absorption coefficient. The small deviations found in the low frequency limit for the real part of the acoustic impedance are attributed to the ratio between the thicknesses of the slit and the viscous boundary layer. The results suggest that the lattice Boltzmann method can be a very compelling numerical tool for simulating viscous sound absorption phenomena in the time domain, particularly due to its computational simplicity when compared to traditional continuum based techniques.

Paper area density measurement from forward transmitted scattered light

DOEpatents

Koo, Jackson C.

2001-01-01

A method whereby the average paper fiber area density (weight per unit area) can be directly calculated from the intensity of transmitted, scattered light at two different wavelengths, one being a non-absorpted wavelength. Also, the method makes it possible to derive the water percentage per fiber area density from a two-wavelength measurement. In the optical measuring technique optical transmitted intensity, for example, at 2.1 microns cellulose absorption line is measured and compared with another scattered, optical transmitted intensity reference in the nearby spectrum region, such as 1.68 microns, where there is no absorption. From the ratio of these two intensities, one can calculate the scattering absorption coefficient at 2.1 microns. This absorption coefficient at this wavelength is, then, experimentally correlated to the paper fiber area density. The water percentage per fiber area density can be derived from this two-wavelength measurement approach.

A method for assessing carbohydrate energy absorption and its application to premature infants.

PubMed

Kien, C L; Sumners, J E; Stetina, J S; Heimler, R; Grausz, J P

1982-11-01

A method was developed for assessing indirectly the fecal excretion of carbohydrate-derived energy. Then, eight healthy premature infants (28 to 32 wk gestation, postnatal age 12 to 30 days) were randomly assigned to receive one of two formulas that differed only in the carbohydrate source: 100% lactose or 50% lactose: 50% glucose polymer (lactose + glucose polymer). Excreta collections were analyzed for total nitrogen, urea nitrogen, ammonia, fat, and total energy. Carbohydrate energy absorption was calculated. The formulas were well tolerated and stool frequency, energy intake, weight gain, and nitrogen balance were not different in the two formula groups. Also, there were no significant intergroup (lactose versus lactose + glucose polymer) differences in the coefficients (%) (x +/- SD) of fat absorption (90 +/- 6 versus 93 +/- 5) or carbohydrate energy absorption (96 +/- 1 versus 95 +/- 3). Thus, net carbohydrate-energy absorption appeared normal in these premature infants who showed no clinical formula intolerance.

Two schemes for quantitative photoacoustic tomography based on Monte Carlo simulation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Yubin; Yuan, Zhen, E-mail: zhenyuan@umac.mo

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop novel methods for photoacoustically determining the optical absorption coefficient of biological tissues using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. Methods: In this study, the authors propose two quantitative photoacoustic tomography (PAT) methods for mapping the optical absorption coefficient. The reconstruction methods combine conventional PAT with MC simulation in a novel way to determine the optical absorption coefficient of biological tissues or organs. Specifically, the authors’ two schemes were theoretically and experimentally examined using simulations, tissue-mimicking phantoms, ex vivo, and in vivo tests. In particular, the authors explored these methods using several objects withmore » different absorption contrasts embedded in turbid media and by using high-absorption media when the diffusion approximation was not effective at describing the photon transport. Results: The simulations and experimental tests showed that the reconstructions were quantitatively accurate in terms of the locations, sizes, and optical properties of the targets. The positions of the recovered targets were accessed by the property profiles, where the authors discovered that the off center error was less than 0.1 mm for the circular target. Meanwhile, the sizes and quantitative optical properties of the targets were quantified by estimating the full width half maximum of the optical absorption property. Interestingly, for the reconstructed sizes, the authors discovered that the errors ranged from 0 for relatively small-size targets to 26% for relatively large-size targets whereas for the recovered optical properties, the errors ranged from 0% to 12.5% for different cases. Conclusions: The authors found that their methods can quantitatively reconstruct absorbing objects of different sizes and optical contrasts even when the diffusion approximation is unable to accurately describe the photon propagation in biological tissues. In particular, their methods are able to resolve the intrinsic difficulties that occur when quantitative PAT is conducted by combining conventional PAT with the diffusion approximation or with radiation transport modeling.« less

COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF BIOLOGICALLY RELEVANT ARSENICALS BY PH-SELECTIVE HYDRIDE GENERATION-ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRY

EPA Science Inventory

A method based on pH-selective generation and separation of arsines is commonly used for analysis of inorganic, methylated, and dimethylated trivalent and pentavalent arsenicals by hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS). We have optimized this method to pe...

[Atomic absorption in mercury determination by "Julia-2" analyzer and urine mercury level in children of Moscow suburbs].

PubMed

Pavlovskaia, N A; Vagina, E N; Stepanova, E V

2000-01-01

The authors report on atomic absorption method determining mercury in urine. Being sensitive, with lower determination threshold of 10 nmole/l and correctness of 95.5%, the method was tested on children living in two districts of Moscow suburb.

Sound absorption of metallic sound absorbers fabricated via the selective laser melting process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Li-Wei; Cheng, Chung-Wei; Chung, Kuo-Chun; Kam, Tai-Yan

2017-01-01

The sound absorption capability of metallic sound absorbers fabricated using the additive manufacturing (selective laser melting) method is investigated via both the experimental and theoretical approaches. The metallic sound absorption structures composed of periodic cubic cells were made of laser-melted Ti6Al4 V powder. The acoustic impedance equations with different frequency-independent and frequency-dependent end corrections factors are employed to calculate the theoretical sound absorption coefficients of the metallic sound absorption structures. The calculated sound absorption coefficients are in close agreement with the experimental results for the frequencies ranging from 2 to 13 kHz.

Economic and social measures of biologic and climatic change. CIAP monograph 6. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1975-09-01

The Climatic Impact Assessment Program (CIAP) of the U.S. Department of Transportation is charged with the 'assessment' of the impact of future aircraft fleets and other vehicles operating in, or transiting through the stratosphere. CIAP monograph 6 addresses and conceptualizes socio-economic considerations for evaluating the terrestrial impact of, and potential necessary controls for, pollutant emissions in the stratosphere. It is best viewed as an exercise that utilizes methods developed in cost-benefit analyses and concentrates its attention on the conceptualization and measurement of the environmental costs associated with stratospheric travel. A set of parametric changes in particular climatic variables is considered.more » The results reported in this monograph are not considered definitive, because the monograph as a whole attacks a new problem, and one of a scale not confronted by economics or other social sciences in the past. However, one central fact, essentially independent of the investigative methods used, does emerge: seemingly small changes in mankind's climatic environment may give rise to subtle, diverse, but significant economic impacts and that these impacts, rather than being evenly spread across the economy, are likely to be specialized by activity, by location, or by both within nations and among nations. Discussed is the impact on fuel consumption, agriculture, forestry, materials degradation and wealth. (GRA)« less

Optimization of Process Parameters of Pulsed Electro Deposition Technique for Nanocrystalline Nickel Coating Using Gray Relational Analysis (GRA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Venkatesh, C.; Sundara Moorthy, N.; Venkatesan, R.; Aswinprasad, V.

The moving parts of any mechanism and machine parts are always subjected to a significant wear due to the development of friction. It is an utmost important aspect to address the wear problems in present environment. But the complexity goes on increasing to replace the worn out parts if they are very precise. Technology advancement in surface engineering ensures the minimum surface wear with the introduction of polycrystalline nano nickel coating. The enhanced tribological property of the nano nickel coating was achieved by the development of grain size and hardness of the surface. In this study, it has been decided to focus on the optimized parameters of the pulsed electro deposition to develop such a coating. Taguchi’s method coupled gray relational analysis was employed by considering the pulse frequency, average current density and duty cycle as the chief process parameters. The grain size and hardness were considered as responses. Totally, nine experiments were conducted as per L9 design of experiment. Additionally, response graph method has been applied to determine the most significant parameter to influence both the responses. In order to improve the degree of validation, confirmation test and predicted gray grade were carried out with the optimized parameters. It has been observed that there was significant improvement in gray grade for the optimal parameters.

Minority carrier diffusion lengths and absorption coefficients in silicon sheet material

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dumas, K. A.; Swimm, R. T.

1980-01-01

Most of the methods which have been developed for the measurement of the minority carrier diffusion length of silicon wafers require that the material have either a Schottky or an ohmic contact. The surface photovoltage (SPV) technique is an exception. The SPV technique could, therefore, become a valuable diagnostic tool in connection with current efforts to develop low-cost processes for the production of solar cells. The technique depends on a knowledge of the optical absorption coefficient. The considered investigation is concerned with a reevaluation of the absorption coefficient as a function of silicon processing. A comparison of absorption coefficient values showed these values to be relatively consistent from sample to sample, and independent of the sample growth method.

[Determination of trace cobalt in human urine by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometr].

PubMed

Zhong, L X; Ding, B M; Jiang, D; Liu, D Y; Yu, B; Zhu, B L; Ding, L

2016-05-20

To establish a method to determine cobalt in human urine by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Urine with 2% nitric acid diluted two-fold, to quantify the curve, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric detection. Co was linear within 2.5~40.0 ng/ml with r>0.999. Spike experiment showed that Co received good recovery rate, which was 90.8%~94.8%. Intra-assay precisions were 3.2%~5.1% for Co, inter-assay precisions were 4.4%~5.2% for Co. The method by using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometr to determine urine Co was fast, accurate and with low matrix effect. It could meet the requirement in GBZ/T 210.5-2008.

An Evaluation of the Additional Acoustic Power Needed to Overcome the Effects of a Test-Articles Absorption During Reverberant Chamber Acoustic Testing of Spaceflight Hardware

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hozman, Aron D.; Hughes, William O.

2014-01-01

It is important to realize that some test-articles may have significant sound absorption that may challenge the acoustic power capabilities of a test facility. Therefore, to mitigate this risk of not being able to meet the customers target spectrum, it is prudent to demonstrate early-on an increased acoustic power capability which compensates for this test-article absorption. This paper describes a concise method to reduce this risk when testing aerospace test-articles which have significant absorption. This method was successfully applied during the SpaceX Falcon 9 Payload Fairing acoustic test program at the NASA Glenn Research Center Plum Brook Stations RATF.

Virtual edge illumination and one dimensional beam tracking for absorption, refraction, and scattering retrieval

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vittoria, Fabio A., E-mail: fabio.vittoria.12@ucl.ac.uk; Diemoz, Paul C.; Research Complex at Harwell, Harwell Oxford Campus, OX11 0FA Didcot

2014-03-31

We propose two different approaches to retrieve x-ray absorption, refraction, and scattering signals using a one dimensional scan and a high resolution detector. The first method can be easily implemented in existing procedures developed for edge illumination to retrieve absorption and refraction signals, giving comparable image quality while reducing exposure time and delivered dose. The second method tracks the variations of the beam intensity profile on the detector through a multi-Gaussian interpolation, allowing the additional retrieval of the scattering signal.

Laser absorption spectroscopy - Method for monitoring complex trace gas mixtures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Green, B. D.; Steinfeld, J. I.

1976-01-01

A frequency stabilized CO2 laser was used for accurate determinations of the absorption coefficients of various gases in the wavelength region from 9 to 11 microns. The gases investigated were representative of the types of contaminants expected to build up in recycled atmospheres. These absorption coefficients were then used in determining the presence and amount of the gases in prepared mixtures. The effect of interferences on the minimum detectable concentration of the gases was measured. The accuracies of various methods of solution were also evaluated.

Force-controlled absorption in a fully-nonlinear numerical wave tank

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spinneken, Johannes; Christou, Marios; Swan, Chris

2014-09-01

An active control methodology for the absorption of water waves in a numerical wave tank is introduced. This methodology is based upon a force-feedback technique which has previously been shown to be very effective in physical wave tanks. Unlike other methods, an a-priori knowledge of the wave conditions in the tank is not required; the absorption controller being designed to automatically respond to a wide range of wave conditions. In comparison to numerical sponge layers, effective wave absorption is achieved on the boundary, thereby minimising the spatial extent of the numerical wave tank. In contrast to the imposition of radiation conditions, the scheme is inherently capable of absorbing irregular waves. Most importantly, simultaneous generation and absorption can be achieved. This is an important advance when considering inclusion of reflective bodies within the numerical wave tank. In designing the absorption controller, an infinite impulse response filter is adopted, thereby eliminating the problem of non-causality in the controller optimisation. Two alternative controllers are considered, both implemented in a fully-nonlinear wave tank based on a multiple-flux boundary element scheme. To simplify the problem under consideration, the present analysis is limited to water waves propagating in a two-dimensional domain. The paper presents an extensive numerical validation which demonstrates the success of the method for a wide range of wave conditions including regular, focused and random waves. The numerical investigation also highlights some of the limitations of the method, particularly in simultaneously generating and absorbing large amplitude or highly-nonlinear waves. The findings of the present numerical study are directly applicable to related fields where optimum absorption is sought; these include physical wavemaking, wave power absorption and a wide range of numerical wave tank schemes.

[Determination of the content of sulfur of coal by the infrared absorption method with high acccuracy].

PubMed

Wang, Hai-Feng; Lu, Hai; Li, Jia; Sun, Guo-Hua; Wang, Jun; Dai, Xin-Hua

2014-02-01

The present paper reported the differential scanning calorimetry-thermogravimetry curves and the infrared (IR) absorption spectrometry under the temperature program analyzed by the combined simultaneous thermal analysis-IR spectrometer. The gas products of coal were identified by the IR spectrometry. This paper emphasized on the combustion at high temperature-IR absorption method, a convenient and accurate method, which measures the content of sulfur in coal indirectly through the determination of the content of sulfur dioxide in the mixed gas products by IR absorption. It was demonstrated, when the instrument was calibrated by varied pure compounds containing sulfur and certified reference materials (CRMs) for coal, that there was a large deviation in the measured sulfur contents. It indicates that the difference in chemical speciations of sulfur between CRMs and the analyte results in a systematic error. The time-IR absorption curve was utilized to analyze the composition of sulfur at low temperatures and high temperatures and then the sulfur content of coal sample was determined by using a CRM for coal with a close composition of sulfur. Therefore, the systematic error due to the difference in chemical speciations of sulfur between the CRM and analyte was eliminated. On the other hand, in this combustion at high temperature-IR absorption method, the mass of CRM and analyte were adjusted to assure the sulfur mass equal and then the CRM and the analyte were measured alternately. This single-point calibration method reduced the effect of the drift of the IR detector and improved the repeatability of results, compared with the conventional multi-point calibration method using the calibration curves of signal intensity vs sulfur mass. The sulfur content results and their standard deviations of an anthracite coal and a bituminous coal with a low sulfur content determined by this modified method were 0.345% (0.004%) and 0.372% (0.008%), respectively. The uncertainty (U, k =2) of sulfur contents of two coal samples was evaluated to be 0.019% and 0.021%, respectively. Two main modifications, namely the calibration using the coal CRM with a similar composition of low-temperature sulfur and high temperature sulfur, and the single-point calibration alternating CRM and analyte, endow the combustion at high temperature-IR absorption method with an accuracy obviously better than that of the ASTM method. Therefore, this modified method has a well potential in the analysis of sulfur content.

Application of grey-fuzzy approach in parametric optimization of EDM process in machining of MDN 300 steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Protim Das, Partha; Gupta, P.; Das, S.; Pradhan, B. B.; Chakraborty, S.

2018-01-01

Maraging steel (MDN 300) find its application in many industries as it exhibits high hardness which are very difficult to machine material. Electro discharge machining (EDM) is an extensively popular machining process which can be used in machining of such materials. Optimization of response parameters are essential for effective machining of these materials. Past researchers have already used Taguchi for obtaining the optimal responses of EDM process for this material with responses such as material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR), relative wear ratio (RWR), and surface roughness (SR) considering discharge current, pulse on time, pulse off time, arc gap, and duty cycle as process parameters. In this paper, grey relation analysis (GRA) with fuzzy logic is applied to this multi objective optimization problem to check the responses by an implementation of the derived parametric setting. It was found that the parametric setting derived by the proposed method results in better a response than those reported by the past researchers. Obtained results are also verified using the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). The predicted result also shows that there is a significant improvement in comparison to the results of past researchers.

Microwave absorption properties of gold nanoparticle doped polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, C.; Ouattara, L.; Ingrosso, C.; Curri, M. L.; Krozer, V.; Boisen, A.; Jakobsen, M. H.; Johansen, T. K.

2011-03-01

This paper presents a method for characterizing microwave absorption properties of gold nanoparticle doped polymers. The method is based on on-wafer measurements at the frequencies from 0.5 GHz to 20 GHz. The on-wafer measurement method makes it possible to characterize electromagnetic (EM) property of small volume samples. The epoxy based SU8 polymer and SU8 doped with gold nanoparticles are chosen as the samples under test. Two types of microwave test devices are designed for exciting the samples through electrical coupling and magnetic coupling, respectively. Measurement results demonstrate that the nanocomposites absorb a certain amount of microwave energy due to gold nanoparticles. Higher nanoparticle concentration results in more significant absorption effect.

Optimization of absorption air-conditioning for solar energy applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perry, E. H.

1976-01-01

Improved performance of solar cooling systems using the lithium bromide water absorption cycle is investigated. Included are computer simulations of a solar-cooled house, analyses and measurements of heat transfer rates in absorption system components, and design and fabrication of various system components. A survey of solar collector convection suppression methods is presented.

Remote Sensing of Non-Aerosol (anomalous) Absorption in Cloud Free Atmosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaufman, Yoram J.; Dubovik, Oleg; Smirnov, Alexander; Holben, Brent N.; Lau, William K. M. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

The interaction of sunlight with atmospheric gases, aerosols and clouds is fundamental to the understanding of climate and its variation. Several studies questioned our understanding of atmospheric absorption of sunlight in cloudy or in cloud free atmospheres. Uncertainty in instruments' accuracy and in the analysis methods makes this problem difficult to resolve. Here we use several years of measurements of sky and sun spectral brightness by selected instruments of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET), that have known and high measurement accuracy. The measurements taken in several locations around the world show that in the atmospheric windows 0.44, 0.06, 0.86 and 1.02 microns the only significant absorbers in cloud free atmosphere is aerosol and ozone. This conclusions is reached using a method developed to distinguish between absorption associated with the presence of aerosol and absorption that is not related to the presence of aerosol. Non-aerosol absorption, defined as spectrally independent or smoothly variable, was found to have an optical thickness smaller than 0.002 corresponding to absorption of sunlight less than 1W/sq m, or essentially zero.

Potential benefits of triethylamine as n-electron donor in the estimation of forskolin by electronic absorption and emission spectroscopy.

PubMed

Raju, Gajula; Ram Reddy, A

2016-02-05

Diterpenoid forskolin was isolated from Coleus forskolii. The electronic absorption and emission studies of forskolin were investigated in various solvents with an aim to improve its detection limits. The two chromophores present in the diterpenoid are not conjugated leading to the poor absorption and emission of UV light. The absorption and fluorescence spectra were solvent specific. In the presence of a monodentate ligand, triethylamine the detection of forskolin is improved by 3.63 times in ethanol with the fluorescence method and 3.36 times in DMSO by the absorption spectral method. The longer wavelength absorption maximum is blue shifted while the lower energy fluorescence maximum is red shifted in the presence of triethylamine. From the wavelength of fluorescence maxima of the exciplex formed between excited forskolin and triethylamine it is concluded that the order of reactivity of hydroxyl groups in the excited state forskolin is in the reverse order to that of the order of the reactivity of hydroxyl groups in its ground state. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Microwave resonant and zero-field absorption study of doped magnetite prepared by a co-precipitation method.

PubMed

Aphesteguy, Juan Carlos; Jacobo, Silvia E; Lezama, Luis; Kurlyandskaya, Galina V; Schegoleva, Nina N

2014-06-19

Fe3O4 and ZnxFe3-xO4 pure and doped magnetite magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared in aqueous solution (Series A) or in a water-ethyl alcohol mixture (Series B) by the co-precipitation method. Only one ferromagnetic resonance line was observed in all cases under consideration indicating that the materials are magnetically uniform. The shortfall in the resonance fields from 3.27 kOe (for the frequency of 9.5 GHz) expected for spheres can be understood taking into account the dipolar forces, magnetoelasticity, or magnetocrystalline anisotropy. All samples show non-zero low field absorption. For Series A samples the grain size decreases with an increase of the Zn content. In this case zero field absorption does not correlate with the changes of the grain size. For Series B samples the grain size and zero field absorption behavior correlate with each other. The highest zero-field absorption corresponded to 0.2 zinc concentration in both A and B series. High zero-field absorption of Fe3O4 ferrite magnetic NPs can be interesting for biomedical applications.

Application of Design of Experiments and Surrogate Modeling within the NASA Advanced Concepts Office, Earth-to-Orbit Design Process

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zwack, Mathew R.; Dees, Patrick D.; Holt, James B.

2016-01-01

Decisions made during early conceptual design have a large impact upon the expected life-cycle cost (LCC) of a new program. It is widely accepted that up to 80% of such cost is committed during these early design phases [1]. Therefore, to help minimize LCC, decisions made during conceptual design must be based upon as much information as possible. To aid in the decision making for new launch vehicle programs, the Advanced Concepts Office (ACO) at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) provides rapid turnaround pre-phase A and phase A concept definition studies. The ACO team utilizes a proven set of tools to provide customers with a full vehicle mass breakdown to tertiary subsystems, preliminary structural sizing based upon worst-case flight loads, and trajectory optimization to quantify integrated vehicle performance for a given mission [2]. Although the team provides rapid turnaround for single vehicle concepts, the scope of the trade space can be limited due to analyst availability and the manpower requirements for manual execution of the analysis tools. In order to enable exploration of a broader design space, the ACO team has implemented an advanced design methods (ADM) based approach. This approach applies the concepts of design of experiments (DOE) and surrogate modeling to more exhaustively explore the trade space and provide the customer with additional design information to inform decision making. This paper will first discuss the automation of the ACO tool set, which represents a majority of the development effort. In order to fit a surrogate model within tolerable error bounds a number of DOE cases are needed. This number will scale with the number of variable parameters desired and the complexity of the system's response to those variables. For all but the smallest design spaces, the number of cases required cannot be produced within an acceptable timeframe using a manual process. Therefore, automation of the tools was a key enabler for the successful application of an ADM approach to an ACO design study. Following the overview of the tool set automation, an example problem will be given to illustrate the implementation of the ADM approach. The example problem will first cover the inclusion of ground rules and assumptions (GR&A) for a study. The GR&A are very important to the study as they determine the constraints within which a trade study can be conducted. These trades must ultimately reconcile with the customer's desired output and any anticipated "what if" questions.

Comparison of water absorption methods: testing the water absorption of recently quarried and weathered porous limestone on site and under laboratory conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rozgonyi-Boissinot, Nikoletta; Agárdi, Tamás; Karolina Cebula, Ágnes; Török, Ákos

2017-04-01

The water absorption of weathering sensitive stones is a critical parameter that influences durability. The current paper compares different methods of water absorption tests by using on site and laboratory tests. The aims of the tests were to assess the water absorption of un-weathered quarry stones and various weathering forms occurring on porous limestone monuments. For the tests a Miocene porous limestone was used that occurs in Central and Western Hungary and especially near and in Budapest. Besides the Hungarian occurrences the same or very similar porous limestones are found in Austria, Slovakia and in the Czech Republic. Several quarries were operating in these countries. Due to the high workability the stone have been intensively used as construction material from the Roman period onward. The most prominent monuments made of this stone were built in Vienna and in Budapest during the 18th -19th century and in the early 20th century. The high porosity and the micro-fabric of the stone make it prone to frost- and salt weathering. Three different limestone types were tested representing coarse-, medium- and fine grained lithologies. The test methods included Rilem tube (Karsten tube) tests and capillary water absorption tests. The latter methodology has been described in detail in EN 1925:2000. The test results of on-site tests of weathered porous limestone clearly show that the water absorption of dissolved limestone surfaces and crumbling or micro-cracked limestone is similar. The water absorption curves have similar inclinations marking high amount of absorbed water. To the contrary, the white weathering crusts covered stone blocks and black crusts have significantly lower water absorptions and many of these crusts are considered as very tight almost impermeable surfaces. Capillary water absorption tests in the laboratory allowed the determination of maximum water absorption of quarried porous limestone. Specimens were placed in 3 mm of water column and the absorbed amount of water was detected. The obtained 29-30m% water absorption values compared to the 30-35m% of the total porosity of the stone, clearly suggest that the pores can be saturated with water under standard barometric pressure and therefore the tested porous Miocene limestones are very prone to salt attack.

Excited state X-ray absorption spectroscopy: Probing both electronic and structural dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neville, Simon P.; Averbukh, Vitali; Ruberti, Marco; Yun, Renjie; Patchkovskii, Serguei; Chergui, Majed; Stolow, Albert; Schuurman, Michael S.

2016-10-01

We investigate the sensitivity of X-ray absorption spectra, simulated using a general method, to properties of molecular excited states. Recently, Averbukh and co-workers [M. Ruberti et al., J. Chem. Phys. 140, 184107 (2014)] introduced an efficient and accurate L 2 method for the calculation of excited state valence photoionization cross-sections based on the application of Stieltjes imaging to the Lanczos pseudo-spectrum of the algebraic diagrammatic construction (ADC) representation of the electronic Hamiltonian. In this paper, we report an extension of this method to the calculation of excited state core photoionization cross-sections. We demonstrate that, at the ADC(2)x level of theory, ground state X-ray absorption spectra may be accurately reproduced, validating the method. Significantly, the calculated X-ray absorption spectra of the excited states are found to be sensitive to both geometric distortions (structural dynamics) and the electronic character (electronic dynamics) of the initial state, suggesting that core excitation spectroscopies will be useful probes of excited state non-adiabatic dynamics. We anticipate that the method presented here can be combined with ab initio molecular dynamics calculations to simulate the time-resolved X-ray spectroscopy of excited state molecular wavepacket dynamics.

Microstructure based model for sound absorption predictions of perforated closed-cell metallic foams.

PubMed

Chevillotte, Fabien; Perrot, Camille; Panneton, Raymond

2010-10-01

Closed-cell metallic foams are known for their rigidity, lightness, thermal conductivity as well as their low production cost compared to open-cell metallic foams. However, they are also poor sound absorbers. Similarly to a rigid solid, a method to enhance their sound absorption is to perforate them. This method has shown good preliminary results but has not yet been analyzed from a microstructure point of view. The objective of this work is to better understand how perforations interact with closed-cell foam microstructure and how it modifies the sound absorption of the foam. A simple two-dimensional microstructural model of the perforated closed-cell metallic foam is presented and numerically solved. A rough three-dimensional conversion of the two-dimensional results is proposed. The results obtained with the calculation method show that the perforated closed-cell foam behaves similarly to a perforated solid; however, its sound absorption is modulated by the foam microstructure, and most particularly by the diameters of both perforation and pore. A comparison with measurements demonstrates that the proposed calculation method yields realistic trends. Some design guides are also proposed.

A new proof-of-principle contraband detection system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sredniawski, J.J.; Debiak, T.; Kamykowski, E.

1995-12-01

A new concept for a CDS has been developed under a Phase I ARPA funded program; it uses gamma resonance absorption (GRA) to detect certain illegal drugs that may be transported in man-portable containers. A high detection probability for heroin and cocaine is possible with a device that is also searching for explosives. Elemental detection of both N and Cl is utilized, and with tomography, a 3D density image of the elements is generated. Total density image is also developed. These two together may be used with considerable confidence in determining if heroin or cocaine is present in the interrogatedmore » containers in a small quantity (1 kg). The CDS employs a high current ({ge}10 mA) DC accelerator that produces a beam of 1.75 or 1.89 MeV protons. These protons impact a target with coatings of {sup 13}C and {sup 34}S. Depending on the coating, the resultant resonant gamma rays are preferentially absorbed in either {sup 14}N or {sup 35}Cl. The resonant gammas come off the target in a conical fan at 80.7{degree} for N and 82{degree} for Cl; a common array of segmented BGO detectors is used over an arc of 53{degree} to provide input to an imaging subsystem. The tomography makes use of rotation and vertical translation of a baggage carousel holding typically 18 average sized bags for batch processing of the contents. The single proton accelerator and target can supply multiple detection stations with the appropriate gammas, a feature that may lead to very high throughput potential approaching 2000 bags/hr. Each detection station can operate somewhat independently from the others. This paper presents the overall requirements, design, operating principles, and characteristics of the CDS proof-of-principle device developed in the Phase I program.« less

Geometrical-optics code for computing the optical properties of large dielectric spheres.

PubMed

Zhou, Xiaobing; Li, Shusun; Stamnes, Knut

2003-07-20

Absorption of electromagnetic radiation by absorptive dielectric spheres such as snow grains in the near-infrared part of the solar spectrum cannot be neglected when radiative properties of snow are computed. Thus a new, to our knowledge, geometrical-optics code is developed to compute scattering and absorption cross sections of large dielectric particles of arbitrary complex refractive index. The number of internal reflections and transmissions are truncated on the basis of the ratio of the irradiance incident at the nth interface to the irradiance incident at the first interface for a specific optical ray. Thus the truncation number is a function of the angle of incidence. Phase functions for both near- and far-field absorption and scattering of electromagnetic radiation are calculated directly at any desired scattering angle by using a hybrid algorithm based on the bisection and Newton-Raphson methods. With these methods a large sphere's absorption and scattering properties of light can be calculated for any wavelength from the ultraviolet to the microwave regions. Assuming that large snow meltclusters (1-cm order), observed ubiquitously in the snow cover during summer, can be characterized as spheres, one may compute absorption and scattering efficiencies and the scattering phase function on the basis of this geometrical-optics method. A geometrical-optics method for sphere (GOMsphere) code is developed and tested against Wiscombe's Mie scattering code (MIE0) and a Monte Carlo code for a range of size parameters. GOMsphere can be combined with MIE0 to calculate the single-scattering properties of dielectric spheres of any size.

Application of Internal Standard Method for Several 3d-Transition Metallic Elements in Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Using a Multi-wavelength High-resolution Spectrometer.

PubMed

Toya, Yusuke; Itagaki, Toshiko; Wagatsuma, Kazuaki

2017-01-01

We investigated a simultaneous internal standard method in flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), in order to better the analytical precision of 3d-transition metals contained in steel materials. For this purpose, a new spectrometer system for FAAS, comprising a bright xenon lamp as the primary radiation source and a high-resolution Echelle monochromator, was employed to measure several absorption lines at a wavelength width of ca. 0.3 nm at the same time, which enables the absorbances of an analytical line and also an internal standard line to be estimated. In considering several criteria for selecting an internal standard element and the absorption line, it could be suggested that platinum-group elements: ruthenium, rhodium, or palladium, were suitable for an internal standard element to determine the 3d-transition metal elements, such as titanium, iron, and nickel, by measuring an appropriate pair of these absorption lines simultaneously. Several variances of the absorption signal, such as a variation in aspirated amounts of sample solution and a short-period drift of the primary light source, would be corrected and thus reduced, when the absorbance ratio of the analytical line to the internal standard line was measured. In Ti-Pd, Ni-Rh, and Fe-Ru systems chosen as typical test samples, the repeatability of the signal respnses was investigated with/without the internal standard method, resulting in better precision when the internal standard method was applied in the FAAS with a nitrous oxide-acetylene flame rather than an air-acetylene flame.

A benchmarking method to measure dietary absorption efficiency of chemicals by fish.

PubMed

Xiao, Ruiyang; Adolfsson-Erici, Margaretha; Åkerman, Gun; McLachlan, Michael S; MacLeod, Matthew

2013-12-01

Understanding the dietary absorption efficiency of chemicals in the gastrointestinal tract of fish is important from both a scientific and a regulatory point of view. However, reported fish absorption efficiencies for well-studied chemicals are highly variable. In the present study, the authors developed and exploited an internal chemical benchmarking method that has the potential to reduce uncertainty and variability and, thus, to improve the precision of measurements of fish absorption efficiency. The authors applied the benchmarking method to measure the gross absorption efficiency for 15 chemicals with a wide range of physicochemical properties and structures. They selected 2,2',5,6'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB53) and decabromodiphenyl ethane as absorbable and nonabsorbable benchmarks, respectively. Quantities of chemicals determined in fish were benchmarked to the fraction of PCB53 recovered in fish, and quantities of chemicals determined in feces were benchmarked to the fraction of decabromodiphenyl ethane recovered in feces. The performance of the benchmarking procedure was evaluated based on the recovery of the test chemicals and precision of absorption efficiency from repeated tests. Benchmarking did not improve the precision of the measurements; after benchmarking, however, the median recovery for 15 chemicals was 106%, and variability of recoveries was reduced compared with before benchmarking, suggesting that benchmarking could account for incomplete extraction of chemical in fish and incomplete collection of feces from different tests. © 2013 SETAC.

Constructing Two-, Zero-, and One-Dimensional Integrated Nanostructures: an Effective Strategy for High Microwave Absorption Performance.

PubMed

Sun, Yuan; Xu, Jianle; Qiao, Wen; Xu, Xiaobing; Zhang, Weili; Zhang, Kaiyu; Zhang, Xing; Chen, Xing; Zhong, Wei; Du, Youwei

2016-11-23

A novel "201" nanostructure composite consisting of two-dimensional MoS 2 nanosheets, zero-dimensional Ni nanoparticles and one-dimensional carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was prepared successfully by a two-step method: Ni nanopaticles were deposited onto the surface of few-layer MoS 2 nanosheets by a wet chemical method, followed by chemical vapor deposition growth of CNTs through the catalysis of Ni nanoparticles. The as-prepared 201-MoS 2 -Ni-CNTs composites exhibit remarkably enhanced microwave absorption performance compared to Ni-MoS 2 or Ni-CNTs. The minimum reflection loss (RL) value of 201-MoS 2 -Ni-CNTs/wax composites with filler loading ratio of 30 wt % reached -50.08 dB at the thickness of 2.4 mm. The maximum effective microwave absorption bandwidth (RL< -10 dB) of 6.04 GHz was obtained at the thickness of 2.1 mm. The excellent absorption ability originates from appropriate impedance matching ratio, strong dielectric loss and large surface area, which are attributed to the "201" nanostructure. In addition, this method could be extended to other low-dimensional materials, proving to be an efficient and promising strategy for high microwave absorption performance.

High Ultraviolet Absorption in Colloidal Gallium Nanoparticles Prepared from Thermal Evaporation

PubMed Central

Bravo, Iria; Catalan-Gomez, Sergio; Vázquez, Luis; Lorenzo, Encarnación; Pau, Jose Luis

2017-01-01

New methods for the production of colloidal Ga nanoparticles (GaNPs) are introduced based on the evaporation of gallium on expendable aluminum zinc oxide (AZO) layer. The nanoparticles can be prepared in aqueous or organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran in order to be used in different sensing applications. The particles had a quasi mono-modal distribution with diameters ranging from 10 nm to 80 nm, and their aggregation status depended on the solvent nature. Compared to common chemical synthesis, our method assures higher yield with the possibility of tailoring particles size by adjusting the deposition time. The GaNPs have been studied by spectrophotometry to obtain the absorption spectra. The colloidal solutions exhibit strong plasmonic absorption in the ultra violet (UV) region around 280 nm, whose width and intensity mainly depend on the nanoparticles dimensions and their aggregation state. With regard to the colloidal GaNPs flocculate behavior, the water solvent case has been investigated for different pH values, showing UV-visible absorption because of the formation of NPs clusters. Using discrete dipole approximation (DDA) method simulations, a close connection between the UV absorption and NPs with a diameter smaller than ~40 nm was observed. PMID:28684687

Step-scan differential Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy (DFTIR-PAS): a spectral deconvolution method for weak absorber detection in the presence of strongly overlapping background absorptions.

PubMed

Liu, Lixian; Mandelis, Andreas; Huan, Huiting; Michaelian, Kirk H

2017-04-01

The determination of small absorption coefficients of trace gases in the atmosphere constitutes a challenge for analytical air contaminant measurements, especially in the presence of strongly absorbing backgrounds. A step-scan differential Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy (DFTIR-PAS) method was developed to suppress the coherent external noise and spurious photoacoustic (PA) signals caused by strongly absorbing backgrounds. The infrared absorption spectra of acetylene (C₂H₂) and local air were used to verify the performance of the step-scan DFTIR-PAS method. A linear amplitude response to C₂H₂ concentrations from 100 to 5000 ppmv was observed, leading to a theoretical detection limit of 5 ppmv. The differential mode was capable of eliminating the coherent noise and dominant background gas signals, thereby revealing the presence of the otherwise hidden C₂H₂ weak absorption. Thus, the step-scan DFTIR-PAS modality was demonstrated to be an effective approach for monitoring weakly absorbing gases with absorption bands overlapped by strongly absorbing background species.

Resonant behaviour of MHD waves on magnetic flux tubes. I - Connection formulae at the resonant surfaces. II - Absorption of sound waves by sunspots

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sakurai, Takashi; Goossens, Marcel; Hollweg, Joseph V.

1991-01-01

The present method of addressing the resonance problems that emerge in such MHD phenomena as the resonant absorption of waves at the Alfven resonance point avoids solving the fourth-order differential equation of dissipative MHD by recourse to connection formulae across the dissipation layer. In the second part of this investigation, the absorption of solar 5-min oscillations by sunspots is interpreted as the resonant absorption of sounds by a magnetic cylinder. The absorption coefficient is interpreted (1) analytically, under certain simplifying assumptions, and numerically, under more general conditions. The observed absorption coefficient magnitude is explained over suitable parameter ranges.

Controlling Corrosion in Defence Equipment - Technical Meeting,

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-10-01

methods identify elements. (c) IR absorption spectroscopy. % e The identifies radicals, sometimes compounds. X-ray fluorescence and atomic absorption ...components from this radio. There were 100 sets all with defective - silver plating, with a total value of $5 million. A method of refurbishment was...Assemblies from the FiiC Aircraft Slides of a corroded heat exchanger assembly were shown. A method of refurbishment was suggested. Estimated saving - $0.5

Comparison of 3 estimation methods of mycophenolic acid AUC based on a limited sampling strategy in renal transplant patients.

PubMed

Hulin, Anne; Blanchet, Benoît; Audard, Vincent; Barau, Caroline; Furlan, Valérie; Durrbach, Antoine; Taïeb, Fabrice; Lang, Philippe; Grimbert, Philippe; Tod, Michel

2009-04-01

A significant relationship between mycophenolic acid (MPA) area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and the risk for rejection has been reported. Based on 3 concentration measurements, 3 approaches have been proposed for the estimation of MPA AUC, involving either a multilinear regression approach model (MLRA) or a Bayesian estimation using either gamma absorption or zero-order absorption population models. The aim of the study was to compare the 3 approaches for the estimation of MPA AUC in 150 renal transplant patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus. The population parameters were determined in 77 patients (learning study). The AUC estimation methods were compared in the learning population and in 73 patients from another center (validation study). In the latter study, the reference AUCs were estimated by the trapezoidal rule on 8 measurements. MPA concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography. The gamma absorption model gave the best fit. In the learning study, the AUCs estimated by both Bayesian methods were very similar, whereas the multilinear approach was highly correlated but yielded estimates about 20% lower than Bayesian methods. This resulted in dosing recommendations differing by 250 mg/12 h or more in 27% of cases. In the validation study, AUC estimates based on the Bayesian method with gamma absorption model and multilinear regression approach model were, respectively, 12% higher and 7% lower than the reference values. To conclude, the bicompartmental model with gamma absorption rate gave the best fit. The 3 AUC estimation methods are highly correlated but not concordant. For a given patient, the same estimation method should always be used.

Approach for determining the contributions of phytoplankton, colored organic material, and nonalgal particles to the total spectral absorption in marine waters.

PubMed

Lin, Junfang; Cao, Wenxi; Wang, Guifeng; Hu, Shuibo

2013-06-20

Using a data set of 1333 samples, we assess the spectral absorption relationships of different wave bands for phytoplankton (ph) and particles. We find that a nonlinear model (second-order quadratic equations) delivers good performance in describing their spectral characteristics. Based on these spectral relationships, we develop a method for partitioning the total absorption coefficient into the contributions attributable to phytoplankton [a(ph)(λ)], colored dissolved organic material [CDOM; a(CDOM)(λ)], and nonalgal particles [NAP; a(NAP)(λ)]. This method is validated using a data set that contains 550 simultaneous measurements of phytoplankton, CDOM, and NAP from the NASA bio-Optical Marine Algorithm Dataset. We find that our method is highly efficient and robust, with significant accuracy: the relative root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) are 25.96%, 38.30%, and 19.96% for a(ph)(443), a(CDOM)(443), and the CDOM exponential slope, respectively. The performance is still satisfactory when the method is applied to water samples from the northern South China Sea as a regional case. The computed and measured absorption coefficients (167 samples) agree well with the RMSEs, i.e., 18.50%, 32.82%, and 10.21% for a(ph)(443), a(CDOM)(443), and the CDOM exponential slope, respectively. Finally, the partitioning method is applied directly to an independent data set (1160 samples) derived from the Bermuda Bio-Optics Project that contains relatively low absorption values, and we also obtain good inversion accuracy [RMSEs of 32.37%, 32.57%, and 11.52% for a(ph)(443), a(CDOM)(443), and the CDOM exponential slope, respectively]. Our results indicate that this partitioning method delivers satisfactory performance for the retrieval of a(ph), a(CDOM), and a(NAP). Therefore, this may be a useful tool for extracting absorption coefficients from in situ measurements or remotely sensed ocean-color data.

Laser Ablation of Poly(methylmethacrylate) Doped with Aromatic Compounds: Laser Intensity Dependence of Absorption Coefficient

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jun; Niino, Hiroyuki; Yabe, Akira

1999-02-01

We developed a novel method of obtaining an absorption coefficient which depends on the laser intensity, since a single-photon absorption coefficient of a polymer could not be applied to laser ablation. The relationship between the nonlinear absorption coefficient and the laser intensity was derived from experimental data of transmission and incident laser intensities. Using the nonlinear absorption coefficient of poly(methylmethacrylate) doped with benzil and pyrene, we succeeded in fitting the relationship of etch depth and laser intensity, obtained experimentally, and discussed the energy absorbed by the polymer at the threshold fluence.