Lifetime and relative g factor measurements in 104 , 106 , 108Pd isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilie, G.; Werner, V.; Radeck, D.; Ahn, T.; Beausang, C. W.; Bettermann, L.; Casperson, R. J.; Chevrier, R.; Cooper, N.; Bonniwell, T. C.; Heinz, A.; Holland, E.; McCarthy, D.; Pauerstein, B.; Smith, M. K.; Terry, J. R.; Williams, E.

2011-10-01

The purpose of this research was the proof-of-principle for the new g-plunger technique to measure the deorientation and the lifetime of a state after an inverse kinematics reaction. The deorientation effect is due to the hyperfine interaction between the nuclear spin and the surrounding electron configurations. The attenuation of γ-ray angular distributions has been measured for the 21+ and 41+ states of 104Pd, 106Pd and 108Pd. The beams with energies of 324 MeV, 330 MeV and 336 MeV, respectively, were Coulomb excited into their 21+ state on a 24Mg target. Forward scattered Mg was detected after passing a Cu foil, which served as a stopper for the beam. We measured the time-dependence of the attenuation as a function of distance, in parallel to measuring the lifetimes of the 21+ and 41+ states. This attenuation is used to measure the g factor of the decaying states relative to each other. In this work, hyperfine parameters have been calibrated for the Pd isotopes. The results of this work and a discussion of the parameterization used to fit the data in this work will be presented. Research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under Grant No. DE-FG02-91ER-40609.

Self-reported racial discrimination and endothelial reactivity to acute stress in women.

PubMed

Wagner, Julie A; Tennen, Howard; Finan, Patrick H; Ghuman, Nimrta; Burg, Matthew M

2013-08-01

This study investigated the effect of self-reported racial discrimination on endothelial responses to acute laboratory mental stress among post-menopausal women. One-hundred thirteen women (n = 94 self-identified as White and n = 19 self-identified as racial/ethnic minority), 43% with type 2 diabetes, reported lifetime experiences of racial/ethnic discrimination. Repeated assessments of flow-mediated dilation were performed at baseline, immediately after 5 min of mental arithmetic and at 20-min recovery. Both White and racial/ethnic minority women reported lifetime discrimination, with rates significantly higher among minorities. Self-reported lifetime discrimination was associated with attenuated flow-mediated dilation at recovery. Confounding variables, including clinical characteristics, mood, personality traits, other life stressors and general distress, did not better account for the effect of racial discrimination. Neither race/ethnicity nor diabetes status moderated the effect. The perceived stressfulness of the mental arithmetic was not associated with the endothelial response. In conclusion, self-reported lifetime discrimination is associated with attenuated endothelial recovery from acute mental stress. Elucidating the effects of discrimination and the biological mechanisms through which it affects the vasculature may suggest interventions to improve health. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The influence of parental divorce and alcohol abuse on adult offspring risk of lifetime suicide attempt in the United States.

PubMed

Alonzo, Dana; Thompson, Ronald G; Stohl, Mahlki; Hasin, Deborah

2014-05-01

The influences of parental divorce and alcohol abuse on adult offspring lifetime suicide attempt have not been examined in national data. This study analyzed data from the 2001-2002 NESARC to estimate main and interaction effects of parental divorce and alcohol abuse on lifetime suicide attempt. Adjusted for controls, parental divorce and parental alcohol abuse independently increased odds of lifetime suicide attempt. The effect of parental divorce was not significantly moderated by parental alcohol abuse. Further research is needed to examine whether additional parental and offspring psychiatric and substance use covariates attenuate the association between parental divorce and lifetime suicide attempt. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved

Magnetic moment and lifetime measurements of Coulomb-excited states in 106Cd

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benczer-Koller, N.; Kumbartzki, G. J.; Speidel, K.-H.; Torres, D. A.; Robinson, S. J. Q.; Sharon, Y. Y.; Allmond, J. M.; Fallon, P.; Abramovic, I.; Bernstein, L. A.; Bevins, J. E.; Crawford, H. L.; Guevara, Z. E.; Hurst, A. M.; Kirsch, L.; Laplace, T. A.; Lo, A.; Matthews, E. F.; Mayers, I.; Phair, L. W.; Ramirez, F.; Wiens, A.

2016-09-01

Background: The Cd isotopes are well studied, but experimental data for the rare isotopes are sparse. At energies above the Coulomb barrier, higher states become accessible. Purpose: Remeasure and supplement existing lifetimes and magnetic moments of low-lying states in 106Cd. Methods: In an inverse kinematics reaction, a 106Cd beam impinging on a 12C target was used to Coulomb excite the projectiles. The high recoil velocities provide a unique opportunity to measure g factors with the transient-field technique and to determine lifetimes from lineshapes by using the Doppler-shift-attenuation method. Large-scale shell-model calculations were carried out for 106Cd. Results: The g factors of the 21+ and 41+ states in 106Cd were measured to be g (21+)=+0.398 (22 ) and g (41+)=+0.23 (5 ) . A lineshape analysis yielded lifetimes in disagreement with published values. The new results are τ (106Cd;21+)=7.0 (3 )ps and τ (106Cd;41+)=2.5 (2 )ps . The mean life τ (106Cd;22+)=0.28 (2 )ps was determined from the fully-Doppler-shifted γ line. Mean lives of τ (106Cd;43+)=1.1 (1 )ps and τ (106Cd;31-)=0.16 (1 )ps were determined for the first time. Conclusions: The newly measured g (41+) of 106Cd is found to be only 59% of the g (21+) . This difference cannot be explained by either shell-model or collective-model calculations.

Practicing DSAM in aberrant domain: use of multi-disciplinary techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, S.; Samanta, S.; Bhattacharjee, R.; Raut, R.; Ghugre, S. S.; Sinha, A. K.; Garg, U.; Chakrabarti, R.; Mukhopadhyay, S.; Madhavan, N.; Muralithar, S.; Singh, R. P.; Sethi, J.; Saha, S.; Palit, R.

2016-10-01

Measurement of level lifetime of nuclear states is of relevance in nuclear structure research as it provides us with an unique probe into the underlying microscopic structure of these states. Of the several experimental techniques for lifetime measurements, the Doppler Shift Attenuation Method (DSAM) is the one adopted for measuring lifetimes typically in the range of few tens of fs to few ps. The technique is based on the analysis of the observed Doppler affected gamma rays emitted by the recoils in flight. The crucial component in the related analysis is the simulation of the stopping process, of the residues of interest, in the target and the backing media. This requires calculation of the corresponding stopping powers and the same has been identified as one of the principal uncertainties in the extracted lifetime in DSAM. Traditionally the method is pursued with a thin target, for production of nuclei of interest, on a thick elemental backing wherein stopping process is perceived to occur. The present work in light of it's objectives uses a setup which is in sharp variance with the conventional scenario, such as the use of a thick molecular target, which contributes both to the production of the residues as well as their subsequent slowing down. This demanded extensive developments in the analysis procedure particularly in the domain of simulating the stopping process with due incorporation of the nuances of nuclear reaction kinematics besides subjecting the molecular medium to a detailed structural characterization, routinely carried out in the domain of material science. These developments have been used to extract the level lifetimes of nuclei at the interface of the sd & pf shells such as 26Mg, 29Si, and 32P.

Intravital microscopy of biosensor activities and intrinsic metabolic states

PubMed Central

Winfree, Seth; Hato, Takashi; Day, Richard N.

2018-01-01

Intravital microscopy (IVM) is an imaging tool that is capable of detecting subcellular signaling or metabolic events as they occur in tissues in the living animal. Imaging in highly scattering biological tissues, however, is challenging because of the attenuation of signal in images acquired at increasing depths. Depth-dependent signal attenuation is the major impediment to IVM, limiting the depth from which significant data can be obtained. Therefore, making quantitative measurements by IVM requires methods that use internal calibration, or alternatively, a completely different way of evaluating the signals. Here, we describe how ratiometric imaging of genetically encoded biosensor probes can be used to make quantitative measurements of changes in the activity of cell signaling pathways. Then, we describe how fluorescence lifetime imaging can be used for label-free measurements of the metabolic states of cells within the living animal. PMID:28434902

Lifetime measurements in N=Z 72Kr

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andreoiu, C.; Svensson, C. E.; Austin, R. A. E.; Carpenter, M. P.; Dashdorj, D.; Finlay, P.; Freeman, S. J.; Garrett, P. E.; Görgen, A.; Greene, J.; Grinyer, G. F.; Hyland, B.; Jenkins, D.; Johnston-Theasby, F.; Joshi, P.; Machiavelli, A. O.; Moore, F.; Mukherjee, G.; Phillips, A. A.; Reviol, W.; Sarantites, D. G.; Schumaker, M. A.; Seweryniak, D.; Smith, M. B.; Valiente-Dobón, J. J.; Wadsworth, R.

2006-07-01

High-spin states in the N=Z nucleus 72Kr have been populated in the 40Ca(40Ca, 2α)72Kr fusion-evaporation reaction at a beam energy of 165 MeV and using a thin isotopically enriched 40Ca target. The experiment, performed at Argonne National Laboratory close to Chicago, USA, employed the Gammasphere array for γ-ray detection coupled to the Microball array for charged particle detection. The previously observed bands in 72Kr were extended to a higher excitation energy of ~24 MeV and higher angular momentum of 30planck. Using the Doppler-shift attenuation method, the lifetimes of high-spin states were measured for the first time in order to investigate deformation changes associated with the g9/2 proton and neutron alignments in this N=Z nucleus. An excellent agreement with theoretical calculations including only standard t=1 np pairing was observed.

High-spin lifetime measurements in the N=Z nucleus Kr72

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andreoiu, C.; Svensson, C. E.; Afanasjev, A. V.; Austin, R. A. E.; Carpenter, M. P.; Dashdorj, D.; Finlay, P.; Freeman, S. J.; Garrett, P. E.; Greene, J.; Grinyer, G. F.; Görgen, A.; Hyland, B.; Jenkins, D.; Johnston-Theasby, F.; Joshi, P.; Machiavelli, A. O.; Moore, F.; Mukherjee, G.; Phillips, A. A.; Reviol, W.; Sarantites, D. G.; Schumaker, M. A.; Seweryniak, D.; Smith, M. B.; Valiente-Dobón, J. J.; Wadsworth, R.

2007-04-01

High-spin states in the N=Z nucleus Kr72 have been populated in the Ca40(Ca40, 2α)Kr72 fusion-evaporation reaction at a beam energy of 165 MeV using the Gammasphere array for γ-ray detection coupled to the Microball array for charged particle detection. The previously observed bands in Kr72 were extended to an excitation energy of ˜24 MeV and angular momentum of 30ℏ. Using the Doppler shift attenuation method the lifetimes of high-spin states were measured for the first time. Excellent agreement between the results of calculations within the isovector mean field theory and experiment is observed both for rotational and deformation properties. No enhancement of quadrupole deformation expected in the presence of isoscalar t=0 np pairing is observed. Current data do not show any evidence for the existence of the isoscalar np pairing.

Magnetic moment and lifetime measurements of Coulomb-excited states in Cd 106

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

Benczer-Koller, N.; Kumbartzki, G. J.; Speidel, K. -H.

2016-09-06

The Cd isotopes are well studied, but experimental data for the rare isotopes are sparse. At energies above the Coulomb barrier, higher states become accessible. Remeasure and supplement existing lifetimes and magnetic moments of low-lying states in 106Cd. Methods: In an inverse kinematics reaction, a 106Cd beam impinging on a 12C target was used to Coulomb excite the projectiles. The high recoil velocities provide a unique opportunity to measure g factors with the transient-field technique and to determine lifetimes from lineshapes by using the Doppler-shift-attenuation method. Large-scale shell-model calculations were carried out for 106Cd. As a result, the g factorsmore » of the 2 + 1 and 4 + 1 states in 106Cd were measured to be g(2 + 1) = +0.398(22) and g(4 + 1) = +0.23(5). A lineshape analysis yielded lifetimes in disagreement with published values. The new results are τ( 106Cd; 2 + 1) = 7.0(3) ps and τ( 106Cd; 4 + 1) = 2.5(2) ps. The mean life τ( 106Cd; 2 + 2) = 0.28(2) ps was determined from the fully-Doppler-shifted γ line. Mean lives of τ( 106Cd; 4 + 3) = 1.1(1) ps and τ( 106Cd; 3 – 1) = 0.16(1) ps were determined for the first time. In conclusion, the newly measured g(4 + 1) of 106Cd is found to be only 59% of the g(2 + 1). This difference cannot be explained by either shell-model or collective-model calculations.« less

Prospective study of cannabis use in adolescents at clinical high risk for psychosis: impact on conversion to psychosis and functional outcome.

PubMed

Auther, A M; McLaughlin, D; Carrión, R E; Nagachandran, P; Correll, C U; Cornblatt, B A

2012-12-01

Clinical and epidemiological studies suggest an association between cannabis use and psychosis but this relationship remains controversial. Clinical high-risk (CHR) subjects (age 12-22 years) with attenuated positive symptoms of psychosis (CHR+, n=101) were compared to healthy controls (HC, n=59) on rates of substance use, including cannabis. CHR+ subjects with and without lifetime cannabis use (and abuse) were compared on prodromal symptoms and social/role functioning at baseline. Participants were followed an average of 2.97 years to determine psychosis conversion status and functional outcome. At baseline, CHR+ subjects had significantly higher rates of lifetime cannabis use than HC. CHR+ lifetime cannabis users (n=35) were older (p=0.015, trend), more likely to be Caucasian (p=0.002), less socially anhedonic (p<0.001) and had higher Global Functioning: Social (GF:Social) scores (p<0.001) than non-users (n=61). CHR+ cannabis users continued to have higher social functioning than non-users at follow-up (p<0.001) but showed no differences in role functioning. A small sample of CHR+ cannabis abusers (n=10) showed similar results in that abusers were older (p=0.008), less socially anhedonic (p=0.017, trend) and had higher baseline GF:Social scores (p=0.006) than non-abusers. Logistic regression analyses revealed that conversion to psychosis in CHR+ subjects (n=15) was not related to lifetime cannabis use or abuse. The current data do not indicate that low to moderate lifetime cannabis use is a major contributor to psychosis or poor social and role functioning in clinical high-risk youth with attenuated positive symptoms of psychosis.

New measurement of the lifetime of the 2 + 1 state of 12Be

DOE PAGES

Morse, C.; McCutchan, E. A.; Iwasaki, H.; ...

2017-05-03

The lifetime of themore » $$2_1^+$$ state at 2.1 MeV in $$^{12}$$Be has been measured using inelastic scattering of a $$^{12}$$Be beam at 43 MeV/nucleon with a gold target. Through the Doppler shift attenuation method, the mean-life of the $$2_1^+$$ state has been determined as 2.5±0.7(stat)±0.3 (syst) ps, which gives a B(E2; $$2_1^+$$ → $$0_{g.s.}^+$$)) value of 4.9±1.3±0.5 in Weisskopf units. The result shows a large quadrupole strength in the ground state transition, providing further evidence on the disappearance of the N=8 magic number. The B(E2; $$2_1^+$$ → $$0_{g.s.}^+$$) value together with the deformation length measured by proton inelastic scattering yields a neutron quadrupole matrix element two times larger than those for $$^{14}$$C and $${16}$$O.« less

On the equivalence of experimental B(E2) values determined by various techniques

DOE PAGES

Birch, M.; Pritychenko, B.; Singh, B.

2016-06-30

In this paper, we establish the equivalence of the various techniques for measuring B(E2) values using a statistical analysis. Data used in this work come from the recent compilation by B. Pritychenko et al. (2016). We consider only those nuclei for which the B(E2) values were measured by at least two different methods, with each method being independently performed at least twice. Our results indicate that most prevalent methods of measuring B(E2) values are equivalent, with some weak evidence that Doppler-shift attenuation method (DSAM) measurements may differ from Coulomb excitation (CE) and nuclear resonance fluorescence (NRF) measurements. However, such anmore » evidence appears to arise from discrepant DSAM measurements of the lifetimes for 60Ni and some Sn nuclei rather than a systematic deviation in the method itself.« less

Z =50 core stability in 110Sn from magnetic-moment and lifetime measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumbartzki, G. J.; Benczer-Koller, N.; Speidel, K.-H.; Torres, D. A.; Allmond, J. M.; Fallon, P.; Abramovic, I.; Bernstein, L. A.; Bevins, J. E.; Crawford, H. L.; Guevara, Z. E.; Gürdal, G.; Hurst, A. M.; Kirsch, L.; Laplace, T. A.; Lo, A.; Matthews, E. F.; Mayers, I.; Phair, L. W.; Ramirez, F.; Robinson, S. J. Q.; Sharon, Y. Y.; Wiens, A.

2016-04-01

Background: The structure of the semimagic 50Sn isotopes were previously studied via measurements of B (E 2 ;21+→01+ ) and g factors of 21+ states. The values of the B (E 2 ;21+ ) in the isotopes below midshell at N = 66 show an enhancement in collectivity, contrary to predictions from shell-model calculations. Purpose: This work presents the first measurement of the 2 1+ and 4 1+ states' magnetic moments in the unstable neutron-deficient 110Sn. The g factors provide complementary structure information to the interpretation of the observed B (E 2 ) values. Methods: The 110Sn nuclei have been produced in inverse kinematics in an α -particle transfer reaction from 12C to 106Cd projectiles at 390, 400, and 410 MeV. The g factors have been measured with the transient field technique. Lifetimes have been determined from line shapes using the Doppler-shift attenuation method. Results: The g factors of the 21+ and 41+ states in 110Sn are g (21+) = +0.29(11) and g (41+) = +0.05(14), respectively. In addition, the g (41+) = +0.27(6) in 106Cd has been measured for the first time. A line-shape analysis yielded τ (110Sn ; 21+) = 0.81(10) ps and a lifetime of τ (110Sn ; 31-) = 0.25(5) ps was calculated from the fully Doppler-shifted γ line. Conclusions: No evidence has been found in 110Sn that would require excitation of protons from the closed Z =50 core.

Lifetime Measurement of Nickel-58 Using RDM with GRETINA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loelius, Charles

2014-09-01

The structure of nuclei near the doubly magic 56Ni has provided a sensitive probe of configuration mixing across the N=Z=28 shell gap. The shell model description of nuclei in this region is well established, with the gxpf1 interaction accurately reproducing the energy levels and transition strengths of Nuclei in the vicinity of 56Ni. However, there remain open questions as to the effects of higher lying orbitals beyond the pf shell. These can be addressed by a study of the B(E2)'s of nuclei in near the shell gap, particularly the B(E2;4+ -->2+) where effects of high l orbitals may be enhanced. 58Ni provides a strong candidate for study, as the only previous B(E2;4+ -->2+) measurement using the Doppler Shift Attenuation Method resulted in a B(E2) three times larger than that predicted by theory. In order to determine the possible effects of higher lying orbitals, a second measurement of the lifetime of 58Ni was undertaken at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory using the the Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking in Beam Nuclear Array (GRETINA) and the Recoil Distance Method (RDM). Preliminary results of this measurement will be presented.

Tidal waves in 102Pd: a rotating condensate of multiple d bosons.

PubMed

Ayangeakaa, A D; Garg, U; Caprio, M A; Carpenter, M P; Ghugre, S S; Janssens, R V F; Kondev, F G; Matta, J T; Mukhopadhyay, S; Patel, D; Seweryniak, D; Sun, J; Zhu, S; Frauendorf, S

2013-03-08

Low-lying collective excitations in even-even vibrational and transitional nuclei may be described semiclassically as quadrupole running waves on the surface of the nucleus ("tidal waves"), and the observed vibrational-rotational behavior can be thought of as resulting from a rotating condensate of interacting d bosons. These concepts have been investigated by measuring lifetimes of the levels in the yrast band of the (102)Pd nucleus with the Doppler shift attenuation method. The extracted B(E2) reduced transition probabilities for the yrast band display a monotonic increase with spin, in agreement with the interpretation based on rotation-induced condensation of aligned d bosons.

A portable time-domain LED fluorimeter for nanosecond fluorescence lifetime measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hongtao; Qi, Ying; Mountziaris, T. J.; Salthouse, Christopher D.

2014-05-01

Fluorescence lifetime measurements are becoming increasingly important in chemical and biological research. Time-domain lifetime measurements offer fluorescence multiplexing and improved handling of interferers compared with the frequency-domain technique. In this paper, an all solid-state, filterless, and highly portable light-emitting-diode based time-domain fluorimeter (LED TDF) is reported for the measurement of nanosecond fluorescence lifetimes. LED based excitation provides more wavelengths options compared to laser diode based excitation, but the excitation is less effective due to the uncollimated beam, less optical power, and longer latency in state transition. Pulse triggering and pre-bias techniques were implemented in our LED TDF to improve the peak optical power to over 100 mW. The proposed pulsing circuit achieved an excitation light fall time of less than 2 ns. Electrical resetting technique realized a time-gated photo-detector to remove the interference of the excitation light with fluorescence. These techniques allow the LED fluorimeter to accurately measure the fluorescence lifetime of fluorescein down to concentration of 0.5 μM. In addition, all filters required in traditional instruments are eliminated for the non-attenuated excitation/emission light power. These achievements make the reported device attractive to biochemical laboratories seeking for highly portable lifetime detection devices for developing sensors based on fluorescence lifetime changes. The device was initially validated by measuring the lifetimes of three commercial fluorophores and comparing them with reported lifetime data. It was subsequently used to characterize a ZnSe quantum dot based DNA sensor.

Er3+ phosphate glass optical waveguide amplifiers at 1.5 μm on silicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Yingchao; Faber, Anne J.; de Waal, Henk

1996-01-01

RF-sputtering techniques were employed to produce Er-doped phosphate glass films on thermally oxidized silicon wafers. Film compositions were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. As-deposited films showed very low Er luminescence lifetimes. By postannealing of deposited films in pure oxygen, Er photoluminescence emission lifetime of the 4I13/2 - 4I15/2 transition could be increased from 1 - 2 ms to 8 - 9 ms. The long Er lifetime of the deposited films is very promising for achieving an optical gain. A dependence of measured lifetimes on pump power was observed which are related to a up-conversion quenching process. After postannealing, the sputtered waveguides showed relatively low attenuation loss at the potential pumping and signaling wavelengths. The loss spectrum from 700 nm to 1600 nm was measured by two-prism coupling. The films were easy to be patterned by lithography and ridge channel waveguides were developed by argon plasma etching.

Evidence of nontermination of collective rotation near the maximum angular momentum in Rb75

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davies, P. J.; Afanasjev, A. V.; Wadsworth, R.; Andreoiu, C.; Austin, R. A. E.; Carpenter, M. P.; Dashdorj, D.; Finlay, P.; Freeman, S. J.; Garrett, P. E.; Görgen, A.; Greene, J.; Grinyer, G. F.; Hyland, B.; Jenkins, D. G.; Johnston-Theasby, F. L.; Joshi, P.; Macchiavelli, A. O.; Moore, F.; Mukherjee, G.; Phillips, A. A.; Reviol, W.; Sarantites, D.; Schumaker, M. A.; Seweryniak, D.; Smith, M. B.; Svensson, C. E.; Valiente-Dobon, J. J.; Ward, D.

2010-12-01

Two of the four known rotational bands in Rb75 were studied via the Ca40(Ca40,αp)Rb75 reaction at a beam energy of 165 MeV. Transitions were observed up to the maximum spin Imax of the assigned configuration in one case and one-transition short of Imax in the other. Lifetimes were determined using the residual Doppler shift attenuation method. The deduced transition quadrupole moments show a small decrease with increasing spin, but remain large at the highest spins. The results obtained are in good agreement with cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations, which indicate that these rotational bands do not terminate, but remain collective at Imax.

The Lifetime Effect of Residential School Attendance on Indigenous Health Status

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Objectives. I examined the health impact of lifetime Indian Residential school (IRS) attendance and the mediating influences of socioeconomic status and community adversity on health outcomes in a national sample of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. Methods. In an analysis of data on 13 881 Inuit, Métis, and off-reserve First Nations or North American Indian adults responding to the postcensus 2006 Aboriginal Peoples Survey administered October 2006 to March 2007, I tested the direct effect of IRS attendance on health and indirect effects through socioeconomic and community factors using logistic regression procedures. Results. Negative health status was significantly more likely with IRS attendance than nonattendance. The direct effect of IRS attendance remained significant although it attenuated substantially when adjusting for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, and community-level adversities. Community adversity and socioeconomic factors, primarily income, employment status, and educational attainment mediated the effect of IRS on health. Conclusions. Residential school attendance is a significant health determinant in the Indigenous population and is adversely associated with subsequent health status both directly and through the effects of attendance on socioeconomic and community-level risks. PMID:24328622

A portable time-domain LED fluorimeter for nanosecond fluorescence lifetime measurements

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

Wang, Hongtao; Salthouse, Christopher D., E-mail: salthouse@ecs.umass.edu; Center for Personalized Health Monitoring, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003

2014-05-15

Fluorescence lifetime measurements are becoming increasingly important in chemical and biological research. Time-domain lifetime measurements offer fluorescence multiplexing and improved handling of interferers compared with the frequency-domain technique. In this paper, an all solid-state, filterless, and highly portable light-emitting-diode based time-domain fluorimeter (LED TDF) is reported for the measurement of nanosecond fluorescence lifetimes. LED based excitation provides more wavelengths options compared to laser diode based excitation, but the excitation is less effective due to the uncollimated beam, less optical power, and longer latency in state transition. Pulse triggering and pre-bias techniques were implemented in our LED TDF to improve themore » peak optical power to over 100 mW. The proposed pulsing circuit achieved an excitation light fall time of less than 2 ns. Electrical resetting technique realized a time-gated photo-detector to remove the interference of the excitation light with fluorescence. These techniques allow the LED fluorimeter to accurately measure the fluorescence lifetime of fluorescein down to concentration of 0.5 μM. In addition, all filters required in traditional instruments are eliminated for the non-attenuated excitation/emission light power. These achievements make the reported device attractive to biochemical laboratories seeking for highly portable lifetime detection devices for developing sensors based on fluorescence lifetime changes. The device was initially validated by measuring the lifetimes of three commercial fluorophores and comparing them with reported lifetime data. It was subsequently used to characterize a ZnSe quantum dot based DNA sensor.« less

Shape coexistence and collective low-spin states in Sn,114112 studied with the (p ,p'γ ) Doppler-shift attenuation coincidence technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spieker, M.; Petkov, P.; Litvinova, E.; Müller-Gatermann, C.; Pickstone, S. G.; Prill, S.; Scholz, P.; Zilges, A.

2018-05-01

Background: The semimagic Sn (Z =50 ) isotopes have been subject to many nuclear-structure studies. Signatures of shape coexistence have been observed and attributed to two-proton-two-hole (2p-2h) excitations across the Z =50 shell closure. In addition, many low-lying nuclear-structure features have been observed which have effectively constrained theoretical models in the past. One example are so-called quadrupole-octupole coupled states (QOC) caused by the coupling of the collective quadrupole and octupole phonons. Purpose: Proton-scattering experiments followed by the coincident spectroscopy of γ rays have been performed at the Institute for Nuclear Physics of the University of Cologne to excite low-spin states in 112Sn and 114Sn to determine their lifetimes and extract reduced transition strengths B (Π L ) . Methods: The combined spectroscopy setup SONIC@HORUS has been used to detect the scattered protons and the emitted γ rays of excited states in coincidence. The novel (p ,p'γ ) Doppler-shift attenuation (DSA) coincidence technique was employed to measure sub-ps nuclear level lifetimes. Results: Seventy-four (74) level lifetimes τ of states with J =0 -6 were determined. In addition, branching ratios were deduced which allowed the investigation of the intruder configuration in both nuclei. Here, s d IBM-2 mixing calculations were added which support the coexistence of the two configurations. Furthermore, members of the expected QOC quintuplet are proposed in 114Sn for the first time. The 1- candidate in 114Sn fits perfectly into the systematics observed for the other stable Sn isotopes. Conclusions: The E 2 transition strengths observed for the low-spin members of the so-called intruder band support the existence of shape coexistence in Sn,114112. The collectivity in this configuration is comparable to the one observed in the Pd nuclei, i.e., the 0p-4h nuclei. Strong mixing between the 0+ states of the normal and intruder configuration might be observed in 114Sn. The general existence of QOC states in Sn,114112 is supported by the observation of QOC candidates with J ≠1 .

Epigenetic Priming of Memory Updating during Reconsolidation to Attenuate Remote Fear Memories

PubMed Central

Gräff, Johannes; Joseph, Nadine F.; Horn, Meryl E.; Samiei, Alireza; Meng, Jia; Seo, Jinsoo; Rei, Damien; Bero, Adam W.; Phan, Trongha X.; Wagner, Florence; Holson, Edward; Xu, Jinbin; Sun, Jianjun; Neve, Rachael L.; Mach, Robert H.; Haggarty, Stephen J.; Tsai, Li-Huei

2014-01-01

Summary Traumatic events generate some of the most enduring forms of memories. Despite the elevated lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders, effective strategies to attenuate long-term traumatic memories are scarce. The most efficacious treatments to diminish recent (i.e., day-old) traumata capitalize on memory updating mechanisms during reconsolidation that are initiated upon memory recall. Here, we show that, in mice, successful reconsolidation-updating paradigms for recent memories fail to attenuate remote (i.e., month-old) ones. We find that, whereas recent memory recall induces a limited period of hippocampal neuroplasticity mediated, in part, by S-nitrosylation of HDAC2 and histone acetylation, such plasticity is absent for remote memories. However, by using an HDAC2-targeting inhibitor (HDACi) during reconsolidation, even remote memories can be persistently attenuated. This intervention epigenetically primes the expression of neuroplasticity-related genes, which is accompanied by higher metabolic, synaptic, and structural plasticity. Thus, applying HDACis during memory reconsolidation might constitute a treatment option for remote traumata. PMID:24439381

Probing the structure of the stable Xe isotopes with inelastic neutron scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peters, Erin E.; Ross, Timothy J.; Crider, Benjamin P.; Yates, Steven W.

2018-05-01

The stable isotopes of xenon, which have attracted interest for a number of reasons, span a transitional region that evolves from γ-soft structures for the lighter mass isotopes to nearly spherical 136Xe with a closed neutron shell. The nature of this transition, which is gradual, is not well understood. To provide detailed spectroscopic information on the Xe isotopes, we have studied 130,132,134,136Xe at the University of Kentucky Accelerator Laboratory using inelastic neutron scattering and γ-ray detection. These measurements yielded γ-ray angular distributions, branching ratios, multipole mixing ratios, and level lifetimes (from the Doppler-shift attenuation method), which allowed the determination of reduced transition probabilities and provided insight into the structure of these nuclei.

Electron Attenuation Measurement using Cosmic Ray Muons at the MicroBooNE LArTPC

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

Meddage, Varuna

2017-10-01

The MicroBooNE experiment at Fermilab uses liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) technology to study neutrino interactions in argon. A fundamental requirement for LArTPCs is to achieve and maintain a low level of electronegative contaminants in the liquid to minimize the capture of drifting ionization electrons. The attenuation time for the drifting electrons should be long compared to the maximum drift time, so that the signals from particle tracks that generate ionization electrons with long drift paths can be detected efficiently. In this talk we present MicroBooNE measurement of electron attenuation using cosmic ray muons. The result yields a minimummore » electron 1/e lifetime of 18 ms under typical operating conditions, which is long compared to the maximum drift time of 2.3 ms.« less

Discrimination, arrest history, and major depressive disorder in the U.S. Black population.

PubMed

Anglin, Deidre M; Lighty, Quenesha; Yang, Lawrence H; Greenspoon, Michelle; Miles, Rashun J; Slonim, Tzachi; Isaac, Kathleen; Brown, Monique J

2014-09-30

Everyday discrimination contributes negatively to depressive symptomatology among Blacks in the US and being arrested could add to this depression. Using data from the National Survey on American Life, the present study determined the association between an arrest history and major depressive disorder (MDD), while accounting for discrimination among African Americans, US-born Afro-Caribbeans and first-generation Black immigrants. Findings from logistic regression analyses adjusted for discrimination suggested an arrest history is associated with 12-month MDD (Adjusted OR=1.47; 95% CI=1.02-2.10) and lifetime MDD (Adjusted OR=1.56 CI=1.17-2.09). Accounting for drug and alcohol dependence attenuated the association between arrest history and 12-month MDD, but not lifetime MDD. The associations between arrest history and both 12-month and lifetime MDD, and discrimination and lifetime MDD varied by ethnic/immigrant group. Specifically, while the association between arrest history and MDD (both 12-month and lifetime) was strongest among US-born Afro-Caribbeans, evidence consistent with the immigrant paradox, the association between discrimination and lifetime MDD was particularly relevant for first-generation Black immigrants, suggesting discrimination may hinder the protection of first-generation status. Mental health prevention and treatment programs should target the stress associated with being arrested and experiencing discrimination among US Blacks. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Low collectivity of the first 2+ states of 212,210Po

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kocheva, D.; Rainovski, G.; Jolie, J.; Pietralla, N.; Blazhev, A.; Astier, A.; Altenkirch, R.; Bast, M.; Beckers, M.; Ansari, S.; Braunroth, Th.; Cappellazzo, M.; Cortés, M. L.; Dewald, A.; Diel, F.; Djongolov, M.; Fransen, C.; Gladnishki, K.; Goldkuhle, A.; Hennig, A.; Karayonchev, V.; Keatings, J. M.; Kluge, E.; Kröll, Th.; Litzinger, J.; Moschner, K.; Müller-Gatermann, C.; Petkov, P.; Rudigier, M.; Scheck, M.; Spagnoletti, P.; Scholz, Ph.; Schmidt, T.; Spieker, M.; Stahl, C.; Stegmann, R.; Stolz, A.; Vogt, A.; Stoyanova, M.; Thöle, P.; Warr, N.; Werner, V.; Witt, W.; Wölk, D.; Zamora, J. C.; Zell, K. O.; Van Isacker, P.; Ponomarev, V. Yu.

2018-05-01

The lifetimes of the first 2+ excited states of 212,210Po were measured in two transfer reactions 208Pb(12C,8Be)212Po and 208Pb(12C,10Be)210Po by the Recoil Distance Doppler Shift (RDDS) method and by the Doppler Shift Attenuation method (DSAM), respectively. The derived absolute B(E2) values of 2.6(3) W.u. for 212Po and 1.83(28) W.u. for 210Po indicate low collectivity. It is shown that the properties of the yrast {2}1+, {4}1+, {6}1+ and {8}1+ states in both nuclei cannot be described consistently in the framework of nuclear shell models. It is also demonstrated in the case of 210Po that Quasi-particle Phonon Model (QPM) calculations cannot overcome this problem thus indicating the existence of a peculiarity which is neglected in both theoretical approaches.

Determination of γ -ray widths in 15N using nuclear resonance fluorescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szücs, T.; Bemmerer, D.; Caciolli, A.; Fülöp, Zs.; Massarczyk, R.; Michelagnoli, C.; Reinhardt, T. P.; Schwengner, R.; Takács, M. P.; Ur, C. A.; Wagner, A.; Wagner, L.

2015-07-01

Background: The stable nucleus 15N is the mirror of 15O, the bottleneck in the hydrogen burning CNO cycle. Most of the 15N level widths below the proton emission threshold are known from just one nuclear resonance fluorescence (NRF) measurement, with limited precision in some cases. A recent experiment with the AGATA demonstrator array determined level lifetimes using the Doppler shift attenuation method in 15O. As a reference and for testing the method, level lifetimes in 15N have also been determined in the same experiment. Purpose: The latest compilation of 15N level properties dates back to 1991. The limited precision in some cases in the compilation calls for a new measurement to enable a comparison to the AGATA demonstrator data. The widths of several 15N levels have been studied with the NRF method. Method: The solid nitrogen compounds enriched in 15N have been irradiated with bremsstrahlung. The γ rays following the deexcitation of the excited nuclear levels were detected with four high-purity germanium detectors. Results: Integrated photon-scattering cross sections of 10 levels below the proton emission threshold have been measured. Partial γ -ray widths of ground-state transitions were deduced and compared to the literature. The photon-scattering cross sections of two levels above the proton emission threshold, but still below other particle emission energies have also been measured, and proton resonance strengths and proton widths were deduced. Conclusions: Gamma and proton widths consistent with the literature values were obtained, but with greatly improved precision.

Self-reported experiences of discrimination and inflammation among men and women: The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis.

PubMed

Kershaw, Kiarri N; Lewis, Tené T; Diez Roux, Ana V; Jenny, Nancy S; Liu, Kiang; Penedo, Frank J; Carnethon, Mercedes R

2016-04-01

To examine associations of lifetime and everyday discrimination with inflammation independent of sociodemographic characteristics. Cross-sectional associations of self-reported experiences of everyday discrimination and lifetime discrimination with interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were examined by gender in a multiethnic sample of 3,099 men and 3,468 women aged 45-84 years. Everyday discrimination, lifetime discrimination due to any attribution, and lifetime discrimination attributed to race/ethnicity were based on self-report, and IL-6 and CRP were assayed from blood samples. Among women, higher levels of all 3 discrimination measures were significantly associated with higher IL-6 in models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, recent infection, anti-inflammatory medication use, and hormone replacement therapy use. All associations were attenuated with adjustment for body mass index (BMI). For men, everyday discrimination was inversely associated with IL-6 in all adjusted models. Lifetime discrimination was not related to IL-6 among men. Discrimination was unassociated with CRP in all models for both men and women. The association between discrimination and inflammation varied by gender and marker of inflammation. These findings highlight the complex relationship between discrimination and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and point to areas in need of further research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Embryonic attenuated Wnt/β-catenin signaling defines niche location and long-term stem cell fate in hair follicle

PubMed Central

Xu, Zijian; Wang, Wenjie; Jiang, Kaiju; Yu, Zhou; Huang, Huanwei; Wang, Fengchao; Zhou, Bin; Chen, Ting

2015-01-01

Long-term adult stem cells sustain tissue regeneration throughout the lifetime of an organism. They were hypothesized to originate from embryonic progenitor cells that acquire long-term self-renewal ability and multipotency at the end of organogenesis. The process through which this is achieved often remains unclear. Here, we discovered that long-term hair follicle stem cells arise from embryonic progenitor cells occupying a niche location that is defined by attenuated Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Hair follicle initiation is marked by placode formation, which depends on the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Soon afterwards, a region with attenuated Wnt/β-catenin signaling emerges in the upper follicle. Embryonic progenitor cells residing in this region gain expression of adult stem cell markers and become definitive long-term hair follicle stem cells at the end of organogenesis. Attenuation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a prerequisite for hair follicle stem cell specification because it suppresses Sox9, which is required for stem cell formation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.10567.001 PMID:26653852

Sexual orientation disparities in mental health: the moderating role of educational attainment.

PubMed

Barnes, David M; Hatzenbuehler, Mark L; Hamilton, Ava D; Keyes, Katherine M

2014-09-01

Mental health disparities between sexual minorities and heterosexuals remain inadequately understood, especially across levels of educational attainment. The purpose of the present study was to test whether education modifies the association between sexual orientation and mental disorder. We compared the odds of past 12-month and lifetime psychiatric disorder prevalence (any Axis-I, any mood, any anxiety, any substance use, and comorbidity) between lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) and heterosexual individuals by educational attainment (those with and without a bachelor's degree), adjusting for covariates, and tested for interaction between sexual orientation and educational attainment. Data are drawn from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, a nationally representative survey of non-institutionalized US adults (N = 34,653; 577 LGB). Sexual orientation disparities in mental health are smaller among those with a college education. Specifically, the disparity in those with versus those without a bachelor's degree was attenuated by 100 % for any current mood disorder, 82 % for any current Axis-I disorder, 76 % for any current anxiety disorder, and 67 % for both any current substance use disorder and any current comorbidity. Further, the interaction between sexual orientation and education was statistically significant for any current Axis-I disorder, any current mood disorder, and any current anxiety disorder. Our findings for lifetime outcomes were similar. The attenuated mental health disparity at higher education levels underscores the particular risk for disorder among LGBs with less education. Future studies should consider selection versus causal factors to explain the attenuated disparity we found at higher education levels.

The Use of Chlorophyll Fluorescence Lifetime to Assess Phytoplankton Physiology within a River-Dominated Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, Callie M.; Miller, Richard L.; Redalje, Donald G.; Fernandez, Salvador M.

2002-01-01

Chlorophyll a fluorescence lifetime was measured for phytoplankton populations inhabiting the three physical zones surrounding the Mississippi River's terminus in the Gulf of Mexico. Observations of river discharge volume, nitrate + nitrite, silicate, phosphate, PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) diffuse attenuation within the water column, salinity, temperature, SPM, and chl a concentration were used to characterize the distribution of chl fluorescence lifetime within a given region within restricted periods of time. 33 stations extending from the Mississippi River plume to the shelf break of the Louisiana coast were surveyed for analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence lifetime during two cruises conducted March 31 - April 6, 2000, and October 24 - November 1, 2000. At each station, two to three depths were chosen for fluorescence lifetime measurement to represent the vertical characteristics of the water column. Where possible, samples were taken from just below the surface and from just above and below the pycnocline. All samples collected were within the 1% light level of the water column (the euphotic zone). Upon collection, samples were transferred to amber Nalgene bottles and left in the dark for at least 15 minutes to reduce the effects of non-photochemical quenching and to insure that photosynthetic reaction centers were open. Before measurements within the phase fluorometer were begun, the instrument was allowed to warm up for no less than one hour.

Deployment-based lifetime optimization for linear wireless sensor networks considering both retransmission and discrete power control.

PubMed

Li, Ruiying; Ma, Wenting; Huang, Ning; Kang, Rui

2017-01-01

A sophisticated method for node deployment can efficiently reduce the energy consumption of a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) and prolong the corresponding network lifetime. Pioneers have proposed many node deployment based lifetime optimization methods for WSNs, however, the retransmission mechanism and the discrete power control strategy, which are widely used in practice and have large effect on the network energy consumption, are often neglected and assumed as a continuous one, respectively, in the previous studies. In this paper, both retransmission and discrete power control are considered together, and a more realistic energy-consumption-based network lifetime model for linear WSNs is provided. Using this model, we then propose a generic deployment-based optimization model that maximizes network lifetime under coverage, connectivity and transmission rate success constraints. The more accurate lifetime evaluation conduces to a longer optimal network lifetime in the realistic situation. To illustrate the effectiveness of our method, both one-tiered and two-tiered uniformly and non-uniformly distributed linear WSNs are optimized in our case studies, and the comparisons between our optimal results and those based on relatively inaccurate lifetime evaluation show the advantage of our method when investigating WSN lifetime optimization problems.

A Novel Energy-Aware Distributed Clustering Algorithm for Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks in the Mobile Environment

PubMed Central

Gao, Ying; Wkram, Chris Hadri; Duan, Jiajie; Chou, Jarong

2015-01-01

In order to prolong the network lifetime, energy-efficient protocols adapted to the features of wireless sensor networks should be used. This paper explores in depth the nature of heterogeneous wireless sensor networks, and finally proposes an algorithm to address the problem of finding an effective pathway for heterogeneous clustering energy. The proposed algorithm implements cluster head selection according to the degree of energy attenuation during the network’s running and the degree of candidate nodes’ effective coverage on the whole network, so as to obtain an even energy consumption over the whole network for the situation with high degree of coverage. Simulation results show that the proposed clustering protocol has better adaptability to heterogeneous environments than existing clustering algorithms in prolonging the network lifetime. PMID:26690440

Modeling of BN Lifetime Prediction of a System Based on Integrated Multi-Level Information

PubMed Central

Wang, Xiaohong; Wang, Lizhi

2017-01-01

Predicting system lifetime is important to ensure safe and reliable operation of products, which requires integrated modeling based on multi-level, multi-sensor information. However, lifetime characteristics of equipment in a system are different and failure mechanisms are inter-coupled, which leads to complex logical correlations and the lack of a uniform lifetime measure. Based on a Bayesian network (BN), a lifetime prediction method for systems that combine multi-level sensor information is proposed. The method considers the correlation between accidental failures and degradation failure mechanisms, and achieves system modeling and lifetime prediction under complex logic correlations. This method is applied in the lifetime prediction of a multi-level solar-powered unmanned system, and the predicted results can provide guidance for the improvement of system reliability and for the maintenance and protection of the system. PMID:28926930

Modeling of BN Lifetime Prediction of a System Based on Integrated Multi-Level Information.

PubMed

Wang, Jingbin; Wang, Xiaohong; Wang, Lizhi

2017-09-15

Predicting system lifetime is important to ensure safe and reliable operation of products, which requires integrated modeling based on multi-level, multi-sensor information. However, lifetime characteristics of equipment in a system are different and failure mechanisms are inter-coupled, which leads to complex logical correlations and the lack of a uniform lifetime measure. Based on a Bayesian network (BN), a lifetime prediction method for systems that combine multi-level sensor information is proposed. The method considers the correlation between accidental failures and degradation failure mechanisms, and achieves system modeling and lifetime prediction under complex logic correlations. This method is applied in the lifetime prediction of a multi-level solar-powered unmanned system, and the predicted results can provide guidance for the improvement of system reliability and for the maintenance and protection of the system.

Scenario for Hollow Cathode End-Of-Life

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sarver-Verhey, Timothy R.

2000-01-01

Recent successful hollow cathode life tests have demonstrated that lifetimes can meet the requirements of several space applications. However, there are no methods for assessing cathode lifetime short of demonstrating the requirement. Previous attempts to estimate or predict cathode lifetime were based on relatively simple chemical depletion models derived from the dispenser cathode community. To address this lack of predicative capability, a scenario for hollow cathode lifetime under steady-state operating conditions is proposed. This scenario has been derived primarily from the operating behavior and post-test condition of a hollow cathode that was operated for 28,000 hours. In this scenario, the insert chemistry evolves through three relatively distinct phases over the course of the cathode lifetime. These phases are believed to correspond to demonstrable changes in cathode operation. The implications for cathode lifetime limits resulting from this scenario are examined, including methods to assess cathode lifetime without operating to End-of- Life and methods to extend the cathode lifetime.

Lifetime and diffusion length measurements on silicon material and solar cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Othmer, S.; Chen, S. C.

1978-01-01

Experimental methods were evaluated for the determination of lifetime and diffusion length in silicon intentionally doped with potentially lifetime-degrading impurities found in metallurgical grade silicon, impurities which may be residual in low-cost silicon intended for use in terrestrial flat-plate arrays. Lifetime measurements were made using a steady-state photoconductivity method. Diffusion length determinations were made using short-circuit current measurements under penetrating illumination. Mutual consistency among all experimental methods was verified, but steady-state photoconductivity was found preferable to photoconductivity decay at short lifetimes and in the presence of traps. The effects of a number of impurities on lifetime in bulk material, and on diffusion length in cells fabricated from this material, were determined. Results are compared with those obtained using different techniques. General agreement was found in terms of the hierarchy of impurities which degrade the lifetime.

Lifetimes of $sup 55$Co excited levels

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

Neal, G.F.; Chagnon, P.R.

1976-02-01

Gamma-rays deexciting $sup 55$CO levels have been studied in coincidence with deuterons detected in a particle telescope, in the $sup 54$Fe($sup 3$He,d$gamma$)$sup 55$Co reaction. Excitation energies, relative $gamma$-ray intensities, and Doppler-shift attenuations of 12 levels have been measured. Mean lifetimes and transition strengths are reported. The Doppler-shifted line shape of the 2164$Yields$0-keV transition has been analyzed and has been found consistent with the assumption of a single level. Lifetimes of selected levels are: 2164 keV, 125$sup +25$/sub -//sub 2//sub 0/ fs; 3301 keV, 50$sup +20$/sub -// sub 1//sub 5/ fs; 3322 keV, 45$sup +15$/sub -//sub 1//sub 0/ fs; 3641 keV,more » 300$sup +150$/sub -//sub 1//sub 0//sub 0/ fs; 4163 keV, 30$sup +15$/sub -//sub 1// sub 0/ fs; 4714 keV, 300$sup +200$/sub -//sub 1//sub 5//sub 0/ fs; 4719 keV, <30 fs; and 5172 keV, 10$sup +10$/sub -//sub 5/ fs. (AIP)« less

What is the lifetime risk of developing cancer?: the effect of adjusting for multiple primaries

PubMed Central

Sasieni, P D; Shelton, J; Ormiston-Smith, N; Thomson, C S; Silcocks, P B

2011-01-01

Background: The ‘lifetime risk' of cancer is generally estimated by combining current incidence rates with current all-cause mortality (‘current probability' method) rather than by describing the experience of a birth cohort. As individuals may get more than one type of cancer, what is generally estimated is the average (mean) number of cancers over a lifetime. This is not the same as the probability of getting cancer. Methods: We describe a method for estimating lifetime risk that corrects for the inclusion of multiple primary cancers in the incidence rates routinely published by cancer registries. The new method applies cancer incidence rates to the estimated probability of being alive without a previous cancer. The new method is illustrated using data from the Scottish Cancer Registry and is compared with ‘gold-standard' estimates that use (unpublished) data on first primaries. Results: The effect of this correction is to make the estimated ‘lifetime risk' smaller. The new estimates are extremely similar to those obtained using incidence based on first primaries. The usual ‘current probability' method considerably overestimates the lifetime risk of all cancers combined, although the correction for any single cancer site is minimal. Conclusion: Estimation of the lifetime risk of cancer should either be based on first primaries or should use the new method. PMID:21772332

FPGA-based multi-channel fluorescence lifetime analysis of Fourier multiplexed frequency-sweeping lifetime imaging

PubMed Central

Zhao, Ming; Li, Yu; Peng, Leilei

2014-01-01

We report a fast non-iterative lifetime data analysis method for the Fourier multiplexed frequency-sweeping confocal FLIM (Fm-FLIM) system [ Opt. Express22, 10221 ( 2014)24921725]. The new method, named R-method, allows fast multi-channel lifetime image analysis in the system’s FPGA data processing board. Experimental tests proved that the performance of the R-method is equivalent to that of single-exponential iterative fitting, and its sensitivity is well suited for time-lapse FLIM-FRET imaging of live cells, for example cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level imaging with GFP-Epac-mCherry sensors. With the R-method and its FPGA implementation, multi-channel lifetime images can now be generated in real time on the multi-channel frequency-sweeping FLIM system, and live readout of FRET sensors can be performed during time-lapse imaging. PMID:25321778

A case study of microphysical structures and hydrometeor phase in convection using radar Doppler spectra at Darwin, Australia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riihimaki, L. D.; Comstock, J. M.; Luke, E.; Thorsen, T. J.; Fu, Q.

2017-07-01

To understand the microphysical processes that impact diabatic heating and cloud lifetimes in convection, we need to characterize the spatial distribution of supercooled liquid water. To address this observational challenge, ground-based vertically pointing active sensors at the Darwin Atmospheric Radiation Measurement site are used to classify cloud phase within a deep convective cloud. The cloud cannot be fully observed by a lidar due to signal attenuation. Therefore, we developed an objective method for identifying hydrometeor classes, including mixed-phase conditions, using k-means clustering on parameters that describe the shape of the Doppler spectra from vertically pointing Ka-band cloud radar. This approach shows that multiple, overlapping mixed-phase layers exist within the cloud, rather than a single region of supercooled liquid. Diffusional growth calculations show that the conditions for the Wegener-Bergeron-Findeisen process exist within one of these mixed-phase microstructures.

Judd-Ofelt Parameters via Bayesian Inference

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silva, Valdeir A.; Silva, José W.; de Morais, Paulo C.; Dantas, Noelio O.

2018-04-01

Bayesian inference was used as a new approach to calculate of rare earth (RE) ion spectroscopic parameters within the Judd-Ofelt theory using the Li2O-B2O3-Al2O3 glass system doped with Nd2O3 and TiO2. This system was synthesized by the fusion method, and the physical properties of the as-synthesized material were investigated. Optical absorption, photoluminescence, micro-Raman, mass density, refractive index, and radiative lifetime calcuations were performed. We investigated the effects of crystal field changes on Nd3+-ions caused due to co-doping with increasing TiO2 content. We observed that co-doping with TiO2 altered the radiative transition rates A( J, J '), favored symmetry enhancement around the Nd3+-ions, and promoted the onset of vibrational modes, contributed to the attenuation of O-H bonds, and substantially increased the spectroscopic quality, χ.

High spin structure and intruder configurations in 31P

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ionescu-Bujor, M.; Iordachescu, A.; Napoli, D. R.; Lenzi, S. M.; Mărginean, N.; Otsuka, T.; Utsuno, Y.; Ribas, R. V.; Axiotis, M.; Bazzacco, D.; Bizzeti-Sona, A. M.; Bizzeti, P. G.; Brandolini, F.; Bucurescu, D.; Cardona, M. A.; De Angelis, G.; De Poli, M.; Della Vedova, F.; Farnea, E.; Gadea, A.; Hojman, D.; Kalfas, C. A.; Kröll, Th.; Lunardi, S.; Martínez, T.; Mason, P.; Pavan, P.; Quintana, B.; Alvarez, C. Rossi; Ur, C. A.; Vlastou, R.; Zilio, S.

2006-02-01

The nucleus 31P has been studied in the 24Mg(16O,2αp) reaction with a 70-MeV 16O beam. A complex level scheme extended up to spins 17/2+ and 15/2-, on positive and negative parity, respectively, has been established. Lifetimes for the new states have been investigated by the Doppler shift attenuation method. Two shell-model calculations have been performed to describe the experimental data, one by using the code ANTOINE in a valence space restricted to the sd shell, and the other by applying the Monte Carlo shell model in a valence space including the sd-fp shells. The latter calculation indicates that intruder excitations, involving the promotion of a T=0 proton-neutron pair to the fp shell, play a dominant role in the structure of the positive-parity high-spin states of 31P.

Attenuation process of the longitudinal phonon mode in a TeO2 crystal in the 20-GHz range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohno, S.; Sonehara, T.; Tatsu, E.; Koreeda, A.; Saikan, S.

2017-06-01

We experimentally investigated the hypersonic attenuation process of a longitudinal mode (L-mode) sound wave in TeO2 from room temperature to a lower temperature using Brillouin scattering and impulsive stimulated thermal scattering (ISTS) measurements. For precise measurement of the Brillouin linewidth at low temperatures, whereby the mean free path of the phonon becomes longer than the sample length, it is indispensable that the phonon should propagate along the phonon-resonance direction. To figure out the suitable direction, we defined two indices characterizing a degree of phonon divergence and a purity of propagation direction. The best direction that we found from these indices is [110] direction in TeO2, and it was used to discuss the temperature and frequency dependences of Brillouin spectra. We extracted the temperature dependence of the attenuation rate of T4 from the modulated Brillouin spectra due to the phonon resonance below Debye temperature. The frequency dependence ω1 of the hypersonic attenuation was also estimated from the polarization dependence of the Brillouin linewidth. Theoretically, it predicted that the L-mode phonon attenuation at low temperatures in TeO2 is a result of Herring's process, which shows the attenuation behavior of ω2T3 . The ω1T4 dependence is not allowed in Herring's process but is allowed by the L +L →L process, which has been considered to be forbidden so far. We evaluated the thermal phonon lifetime using ISTS and established that it was finite even at 20 K, thereby allowing the L +L →L process. Therefore, we conclude that the L +L →L process dominates the attenuation of an L-mode phonon in TeO2 in the low-temperature region.

Economic evaluation of a vaccine for the prevention of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia in older adults in Switzerland

PubMed Central

Szucs, Thomas D; Kressig, Reto W; Kempf, Werner; Michel, Jean-Pierre; Fendl, Anton; Bresse, Xavier

2011-01-01

Background A life-attenuated vaccine aimed at preventing herpes zoster (HZ) and its main complication, post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), will soon be available in Europe. The study's objective was to assess the clinical and economic impact of a vaccination program for adults aged 70–79 years in Switzerland. Results A vaccination strategy compared to a no-vaccination resulted in lifetime incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER s) of 25,538 CHF (23,646 USD) per QALY gained, 6,625 CHF (6,134 USD) per HZ case avoided,and 15,487 CHF (14,340 USD) per PHN3 case avoided under the third-party payer perspective. Sensitivity analyses showed that the model was most sensitive to the discount rates, HZ epidemiological data and vaccine price used. Methods A Markov model, simulating the natural history of HZ and PHN and the lifetime effects of vaccination, previously developed for the UK was adapted to the Swiss context. The model includes several health states including good health, HZ, PHN and death. HZ and PHN states reflected pain severity. Conclusion The model predicts clinical and economic benefits of vaccination in the form of fewer HZ and PHN cases and reductions in healthcare resource use. ICERs were within the commonly accepted thresholds in Switzerland, indicating that a HZ vaccination program would be considered a cost-effective strategy in the Swiss setting. PMID:21606685

On the method of positron lifetime measurement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nishiyama, F.; Shizuma, K.; Nasai, H.; Nishi, M.

1983-01-01

A fast-slow coincidence system was constructed for the measurement of positron lifetimes in material. The time resolution of this system was 270 ps for the (60)Co gamma rays. Positron lifetime spectra for 14 kinds of alkali halides were measured with this system. Two lifetime components and their intensities were derived from analyses of the lifetime spectra.

The relationship between child abuse, parental divorce, and lifetime mental disorders and suicidality in a nationally representative adult sample.

PubMed

Afifi, Tracie O; Boman, Jonathan; Fleisher, William; Sareen, Jitender

2009-03-01

To determine how the experiences of child abuse and parental divorce are related to long-term mental health outcomes using a nationally representative adult sample after adjusting for sociodemographic variables and parental psychopathology. Data were drawn from the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS, n=5,877; age 15-54 years; response rate 82.4%). Logistic regression models were used to determine the odds of experiencing lifetime psychiatric disorders and suicidal ideation and attempts. Parental divorce alone was associated with some psychiatric disorders after adjusting for sociodemographic variables (AOR ranging from 1.30 to 2.37), while child abuse alone was associated with psychiatric disorders (AOR ranging from 1.39 to 6.07) and suicidal ideation (AOR=2.08; 95% CI=1.57-2.77) and attempts (AOR=1.54; 95% CI=1.02-2.31) after adjusting for sociodemographic variables. However, having experienced both parental divorce and child abuse together resulted in significantly increased odds for lifetime PTSD (AOR=9.87; 95% CI=6.69-14.55), conduct disorder (AOR=4.01; 95% CI=2.92-5.51) and suicide attempts (AOR=2.74; 95% CI=1.84-4.08) compared to having experienced either parental divorce or child abuse alone. These results were attenuated when further adjusting for parental psychopathology. When the experience of parental divorce is accompanied with child abuse, the associations with some poor mental health outcomes are significantly greater compared to the impact of either parental divorce or child abuse on its own. Therefore, parental divorce is an additional childhood adversity that significantly contributes to poor mental health outcomes especially when in combination with child abuse. Parental psychopathology attenuated these relationships suggesting that it may be one possible mechanism to explain the relationships between child abuse, parental divorce, and psychiatric disorders and suicide attempts.

Positron lifetime beam for defect studies in thin epitaxial semiconductor structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laakso, A.; Saarinen, K.; Hautojärvi, P.

2001-12-01

Positron annihilation spectroscopies are methods for direct identification of vacancy-type defects by measuring positron lifetime and Doppler broadening of annihilation radiation and providing information about open volume, concentration and atoms surrounding the defect. Both these techniques are easily applied to bulk samples. Only the Doppler broadening spectroscopy can be employed in thin epitaxial samples by utilizing low-energy positron beams. Here we describe the positron lifetime beam which will provide us with a method to measure lifetime in thin semiconductor layers.

Comparison of lifetime-based methods for 2D phosphor thermometry in high-temperature environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Di; Liu, Yingzheng; Zhao, Xiaofeng; Kim, Kyung Chun

2016-09-01

This paper discusses the currently available techniques for 2D phosphor thermometry, and compares the performance of two lifetime-based methods: high-speed imaging and the dual-gate. High-speed imaging resolves luminescent decay with a fast frame rate, and has become a popular method for phosphor thermometry in recent years. But it has disadvantages such as high equipment cost and long data processing time, and it would fail at sufficiently high temperature due to a low signal-to-noise ratio and short lifetime. The dual-gate method only requires two images on the decay curve and therefore greatly reduces cost in hardware and processing time. A dual-gate method for phosphor thermometry has been developed and compared with the high-speed imaging method through both calibration and a jet impingement experiment. Measurement uncertainty has been evaluated for a temperature range of 473-833 K. The effects of several key factors on uncertainty have been discussed, including the luminescent signal level, the decay lifetime and temperature sensitivity. The results show that both methods are valid for 2D temperature sensing within the given range. The high-speed imaging method shows less uncertainty at low temperatures where the signal level and the lifetime are both sufficient, but its performance is degraded at higher temperatures due to a rapidly reduced signal and lifetime. For T  >  750 K, the dual-gate method outperforms the high-speed imaging method thanks to its superiority in signal-to-noise ratio and temperature sensitivity. The dual-gate method has great potential for applications in high-temperature environments where the high-speed imaging method is not applicable.

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

Lea, C.S.; Selvin, S.; Buffler, P.A.

This pilot study uses a unique method to calculate cumulative lifetime exposure to, ultraviolet radiation-b to determine if this refined method would indicate differences in lifetime cumulative UVB exposure between age and sex matched controls. Forty-four age and sex matched cases and controls demonstrated no significant difference in mean cumulative lifetime UVB exposure based on the duration and location of residence. This pilot study suggests that further analysis of the dataset should be conducted to determine if the cumulative lifetime exposure hypothesis is of primary importance regarding the association between UVB exposure and development of cutaneous malignant melanoma.

A new method for measuring the neutron lifetime using an in situ neutron detector

DOE PAGES

Morris, Christopher L.; Adamek, Evan Robert; Broussard, Leah Jacklyn; ...

2017-05-30

Here, we describe a new method for measuring surviving neutrons in neutron lifetime measurements using bottled ultracold neutrons (UCN), which provides better characterization of systematic uncertainties and enables higher precision than previous measurement techniques. We also used an active detector that can be lowered into the trap to measure the neutron distribution as a function of height and measure the influence of marginally trapped UCN on the neutron lifetime measurement. Additionally, measurements have demonstrated phase-space evolution and its effect on the lifetime measurement.

A new method for measuring the neutron lifetime using an in situ neutron detector

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

Morris, Christopher L.; Adamek, Evan Robert; Broussard, Leah Jacklyn

Here, we describe a new method for measuring surviving neutrons in neutron lifetime measurements using bottled ultracold neutrons (UCN), which provides better characterization of systematic uncertainties and enables higher precision than previous measurement techniques. We also used an active detector that can be lowered into the trap to measure the neutron distribution as a function of height and measure the influence of marginally trapped UCN on the neutron lifetime measurement. Additionally, measurements have demonstrated phase-space evolution and its effect on the lifetime measurement.

Parallel excitation-emission multiplexed fluorescence lifetime confocal microscopy for live cell imaging.

PubMed

Zhao, Ming; Li, Yu; Peng, Leilei

2014-05-05

We present a novel excitation-emission multiplexed fluorescence lifetime microscopy (FLIM) method that surpasses current FLIM techniques in multiplexing capability. The method employs Fourier multiplexing to simultaneously acquire confocal fluorescence lifetime images of multiple excitation wavelength and emission color combinations at 44,000 pixels/sec. The system is built with low-cost CW laser sources and standard PMTs with versatile spectral configuration, which can be implemented as an add-on to commercial confocal microscopes. The Fourier lifetime confocal method allows fast multiplexed FLIM imaging, which makes it possible to monitor multiple biological processes in live cells. The low cost and compatibility with commercial systems could also make multiplexed FLIM more accessible to biological research community.

Systems and methods for circuit lifetime evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heaps, Timothy L. (Inventor); Sheldon, Douglas J. (Inventor); Bowerman, Paul N. (Inventor); Everline, Chester J. (Inventor); Shalom, Eddy (Inventor); Rasmussen, Robert D. (Inventor)

2013-01-01

Systems and methods for estimating the lifetime of an electrical system in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes iteratively performing Worst Case Analysis (WCA) on a system design with respect to different system lifetimes using a computer to determine the lifetime at which the worst case performance of the system indicates the system will pass with zero margin or fail within a predetermined margin for error given the environment experienced by the system during its lifetime. In addition, performing WCA on a system with respect to a specific system lifetime includes identifying subcircuits within the system, performing Extreme Value Analysis (EVA) with respect to each subcircuit to determine whether the subcircuit fails EVA for the specific system lifetime, when the subcircuit passes EVA, determining that the subcircuit does not fail WCA for the specified system lifetime, when a subcircuit fails EVA performing at least one additional WCA process that provides a tighter bound on the WCA than EVA to determine whether the subcircuit fails WCA for the specified system lifetime, determining that the system passes WCA with respect to the specific system lifetime when all subcircuits pass WCA, and determining that the system fails WCA when at least one subcircuit fails WCA.

The lifetime risk of maternal mortality: concept and measurement

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

Abstract Objective The lifetime risk of maternal mortality, which describes the cumulative loss of life due to maternal deaths over the female life course, is an important summary measure of population health. However, despite its interpretive appeal, the lifetime risk of dying from maternal causes can be defined and calculated in various ways. A clear and concise discussion of both its underlying concept and methods of measurement is badly needed. Methods I define and compare a variety of procedures for calculating the lifetime risk of maternal mortality. I use detailed survey data from Bangladesh in 2001 to illustrate these calculations and compare the properties of the various risk measures. Using official UN estimates of maternal mortality for 2005, I document the differences in lifetime risk derived with the various measures. Findings Taking sub-Saharan Africa as an example, the range of estimates for the 2005 lifetime risk extends from 3.41% to 5.76%, or from 1 in 29 to 1 in 17. The highest value resulted from the method used for producing official UN estimates for the year 2000. The measure recommended here has an intermediate value of 4.47%, or 1 in 22. Conclusion There are strong reasons to consider the calculation method proposed here more accurate and appropriate than earlier procedures. Accordingly, it was adopted for use in producing the 2005 UN estimates of the lifetime risk of maternal mortality. By comparison, the method used for the 2000 UN estimates appears to overestimate this important measure of population health by around 20%. PMID:19551233

The brain ages optimally to model its environment: evidence from sensory learning over the adult lifespan.

PubMed

Moran, Rosalyn J; Symmonds, Mkael; Dolan, Raymond J; Friston, Karl J

2014-01-01

The aging brain shows a progressive loss of neuropil, which is accompanied by subtle changes in neuronal plasticity, sensory learning and memory. Neurophysiologically, aging attenuates evoked responses--including the mismatch negativity (MMN). This is accompanied by a shift in cortical responsivity from sensory (posterior) regions to executive (anterior) regions, which has been interpreted as a compensatory response for cognitive decline. Theoretical neurobiology offers a simpler explanation for all of these effects--from a Bayesian perspective, as the brain is progressively optimized to model its world, its complexity will decrease. A corollary of this complexity reduction is an attenuation of Bayesian updating or sensory learning. Here we confirmed this hypothesis using magnetoencephalographic recordings of the mismatch negativity elicited in a large cohort of human subjects, in their third to ninth decade. Employing dynamic causal modeling to assay the synaptic mechanisms underlying these non-invasive recordings, we found a selective age-related attenuation of synaptic connectivity changes that underpin rapid sensory learning. In contrast, baseline synaptic connectivity strengths were consistently strong over the decades. Our findings suggest that the lifetime accrual of sensory experience optimizes functional brain architectures to enable efficient and generalizable predictions of the world.

Development of Next Generation Lifetime PSP Imaging Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Watkins, A. Neal; Jordan, Jeffrey D.; Leighty, Bradley D.; Ingram, JoAnne L.; Oglesby, Donald M.

2002-01-01

This paper describes a lifetime PSP system that has recently been developed using pulsed light-emitting diode (LED) lamps and a new interline transfer CCD camera technology. This system alleviates noise sources associated with lifetime PSP systems that use either flash-lamp or laser excitation sources and intensified CCD cameras for detection. Calibration curves have been acquired for a variety of PSP formulations using this system, and a validation test was recently completed in the Subsonic Aerodynamic Research Laboratory (SARL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB). In this test, global surface pressure distributions were recovered using both a standard intensity-based method and the new lifetime system. Results from the lifetime system agree both qualitatively and quantitatively with those measured using the intensity-based method. Finally, an advanced lifetime imaging technique capable of measuring temperature and pressure simultaneously is introduced and initial results are presented.

Modelling lifetime data with multivariate Tweedie distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nor, Siti Rohani Mohd; Yusof, Fadhilah; Bahar, Arifah

2017-05-01

This study aims to measure the dependence between individual lifetimes by applying multivariate Tweedie distribution to the lifetime data. Dependence between lifetimes incorporated in the mortality model is a new form of idea that gives significant impact on the risk of the annuity portfolio which is actually against the idea of standard actuarial methods that assumes independent between lifetimes. Hence, this paper applies Tweedie family distribution to the portfolio of lifetimes to induce the dependence between lives. Tweedie distribution is chosen since it contains symmetric and non-symmetric, as well as light-tailed and heavy-tailed distributions. Parameter estimation is modified in order to fit the Tweedie distribution to the data. This procedure is developed by using method of moments. In addition, the comparison stage is made to check for the adequacy between the observed mortality and expected mortality. Finally, the importance of including systematic mortality risk in the model is justified by the Pearson's chi-squared test.

Parallel excitation-emission multiplexed fluorescence lifetime confocal microscopy for live cell imaging

PubMed Central

Zhao, Ming; Li, Yu; Peng, Leilei

2014-01-01

We present a novel excitation-emission multiplexed fluorescence lifetime microscopy (FLIM) method that surpasses current FLIM techniques in multiplexing capability. The method employs Fourier multiplexing to simultaneously acquire confocal fluorescence lifetime images of multiple excitation wavelength and emission color combinations at 44,000 pixels/sec. The system is built with low-cost CW laser sources and standard PMTs with versatile spectral configuration, which can be implemented as an add-on to commercial confocal microscopes. The Fourier lifetime confocal method allows fast multiplexed FLIM imaging, which makes it possible to monitor multiple biological processes in live cells. The low cost and compatibility with commercial systems could also make multiplexed FLIM more accessible to biological research community. PMID:24921725

Attenuation Compensation of Ultrasonic Wave in Soft Tissue for Acoustic Impedance Measurement of In vivo Bone by Transducer Vibration Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshizawa, Masasumi; Nakamura, Yuuta; Ishiguro, Masataka; Moriya, Tadashi

2007-07-01

In this paper, we describe a method of compensating the attenuation of the ultrasound caused by soft tissue in the transducer vibration method for the measurement of the acoustic impedance of in vivo bone. In the in vivo measurement, the acoustic impedance of bone is measured through soft tissue; therefore, the amplitude of the ultrasound reflected from the bone is attenuated. This attenuation causes an error of the order of -20 to -30% when the acoustic impedance is determined from the measured signals. To compensate the attenuation, the attenuation coefficient and length of the soft tissue are measured by the transducer vibration method. In the experiment using a phantom, this method allows the measurement of the acoustic impedance typically with an error as small as -8 to 10%.

Estimation of seismic attenuation in carbonate rocks using three different methods: Application on VSP data from Abu Dhabi oilfield

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouchaala, F.; Ali, M. Y.; Matsushima, J.

2016-06-01

In this study a relationship between the seismic wavelength and the scale of heterogeneity in the propagating medium has been examined. The relationship estimates the size of heterogeneity that significantly affects the wave propagation at a specific frequency, and enables a decrease in the calculation time of wave scattering estimation. The relationship was applied in analyzing synthetic and Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) data obtained from an onshore oilfield in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Prior to estimation of the attenuation, a robust processing workflow was applied to both synthetic and recorded data to increase the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). Two conventional methods of spectral ratio and centroid frequency shift methods were applied to estimate the attenuation from the extracted seismic waveforms in addition to a new method based on seismic interferometry. The attenuation profiles derived from the three approaches demonstrated similar variation, however the interferometry method resulted in greater depth resolution, differences in attenuation magnitude. Furthermore, the attenuation profiles revealed significant contribution of scattering on seismic wave attenuation. The results obtained from the seismic interferometry method revealed estimated scattering attenuation ranges from 0 to 0.1 and estimated intrinsic attenuation can reach 0.2. The subsurface of the studied zones is known to be highly porous and permeable, which suggest that the mechanism of the intrinsic attenuation is probably the interactions between pore fluids and solids.

A case study of microphysical structures and hydrometeor phase in convection using radar Doppler spectra at Darwin, Australia

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

Riihimaki, Laura D.; Comstock, Jennifer M.; Luke, Edward

To understand the microphysical processes that impact diabatic heating and cloud lifetimes in convection, we need to characterize the spatial distribution of supercooled liquid water. To address this observational challenge, vertically pointing active sensors at the Darwin Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) site are used to classify cloud phase within a deep convective cloud in a shallow to deep convection transitional case. The cloud cannot be fully observed by a lidar due to signal attenuation. Thus we develop an objective method for identifying hydrometeor classes, including mixed-phase conditions, using k-means clustering on parameters that describe the shape of the Doppler spectramore » from vertically pointing Ka band cloud radar. This approach shows that multiple, overlapping mixed-phase layers exist within the cloud, rather than a single region of supercooled liquid, indicating complexity to how ice growth and diabatic heating occurs in the vertical structure of the cloud.« less

A case study of microphysical structures and hydrometeor phase in convection using radar Doppler spectra at Darwin, Australia

DOE PAGES

Riihimaki, Laura D.; Comstock, J. M.; Luke, E.; ...

2017-07-12

To understand the microphysical processes that impact diabatic heating and cloud lifetimes in convection, we need to characterize the spatial distribution of supercooled liquid water. To address this observational challenge, ground-based vertically pointing active sensors at the Darwin Atmospheric Radiation Measurement site are used to classify cloud phase within a deep convective cloud. The cloud cannot be fully observed by a lidar due to signal attenuation. Therefore, we developed an objective method for identifying hydrometeor classes, including mixed-phase conditions, using k-means clustering on parameters that describe the shape of the Doppler spectra from vertically pointing Ka-band cloud radar. Furthermore, thismore » approach shows that multiple, overlapping mixed-phase layers exist within the cloud, rather than a single region of supercooled liquid. Diffusional growth calculations show that the conditions for the Wegener-Bergeron-Findeisen process exist within one of these mixed-phase microstructures.« less

A case study of microphysical structures and hydrometeor phase in convection using radar Doppler spectra at Darwin, Australia

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

Riihimaki, Laura D.; Comstock, J. M.; Luke, E.

To understand the microphysical processes that impact diabatic heating and cloud lifetimes in convection, we need to characterize the spatial distribution of supercooled liquid water. To address this observational challenge, ground-based vertically pointing active sensors at the Darwin Atmospheric Radiation Measurement site are used to classify cloud phase within a deep convective cloud. The cloud cannot be fully observed by a lidar due to signal attenuation. Therefore, we developed an objective method for identifying hydrometeor classes, including mixed-phase conditions, using k-means clustering on parameters that describe the shape of the Doppler spectra from vertically pointing Ka-band cloud radar. Furthermore, thismore » approach shows that multiple, overlapping mixed-phase layers exist within the cloud, rather than a single region of supercooled liquid. Diffusional growth calculations show that the conditions for the Wegener-Bergeron-Findeisen process exist within one of these mixed-phase microstructures.« less

On Increasing Network Lifetime in Body Area Networks Using Global Routing with Energy Consumption Balancing

PubMed Central

Tsouri, Gill R.; Prieto, Alvaro; Argade, Nikhil

2012-01-01

Global routing protocols in wireless body area networks are considered. Global routing is augmented with a novel link cost function designed to balance energy consumption across the network. The result is a substantial increase in network lifetime at the expense of a marginal increase in energy per bit. Network maintenance requirements are reduced as well, since balancing energy consumption means all batteries need to be serviced at the same time and less frequently. The proposed routing protocol is evaluated using a hardware experimental setup comprising multiple nodes and an access point. The setup is used to assess network architectures, including an on-body access point and an off-body access point with varying number of antennas. Real-time experiments are conducted in indoor environments to assess performance gains. In addition, the setup is used to record channel attenuation data which are then processed in extensive computer simulations providing insight on the effect of protocol parameters on performance. Results demonstrate efficient balancing of energy consumption across all nodes, an average increase of up to 40% in network lifetime corresponding to a modest average increase of 0.4 dB in energy per bit, and a cutoff effect on required transmission power to achieve reliable connectivity. PMID:23201987

On increasing network lifetime in body area networks using global routing with energy consumption balancing.

PubMed

Tsouri, Gill R; Prieto, Alvaro; Argade, Nikhil

2012-09-26

Global routing protocols in wireless body area networks are considered. Global routing is augmented with a novel link cost function designed to balance energy consumption across the network. The result is a substantial increase in network lifetime at the expense of a marginal increase in energy per bit. Network maintenance requirements are reduced as well, since balancing energy consumption means all batteries need to be serviced at the same time and less frequently. The proposed routing protocol is evaluated using a hardware experimental setup comprising multiple nodes and an access point. The setup is used to assess network architectures, including an on-body access point and an off-body access point with varying number of antennas. Real-time experiments are conducted in indoor environments to assess performance gains. In addition, the setup is used to record channel attenuation data which are then processed in extensive computer simulations providing insight on the effect of protocol parameters on performance. Results demonstrate efficient balancing of energy consumption across all nodes, an average increase of up to 40% in network lifetime corresponding to a modest average increase of 0.4 dB in energy per bit, and a cutoff effect on required transmission power to achieve reliable connectivity.

Application of the differential decay-curve method to γ-γ fast-timing lifetime measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petkov, P.; Régis, J.-M.; Dewald, A.; Kisyov, S.

2016-10-01

A new procedure for the analysis of delayed-coincidence lifetime experiments focused on the Fast-timing case is proposed following the approach of the Differential decay-curve method. Examples of application of the procedure on experimental data reveal its reliability for lifetimes even in the sub-nanosecond range. The procedure is expected to improve both precision/reliability and treatment of systematic errors and scarce data as well as to provide an option for cross-check with the results obtained by means of other analyzing methods.

Towards an In-Beam Measurement of the Neutron Lifetime to 1 Second

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mulholland, Jonathan

2014-03-01

A precise value for the neutron lifetime is required for consistency tests of the Standard Model and is an essential parameter in the theory of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis. A new measurement of the neutron lifetime using the in-beam method is planned at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Center for Neutron Research. The systematic effects associated with the in-beam method are markedly different than those found in storage experiments utilizing ultracold neutrons. Experimental improvements, specifically recent advances in the determination of absolute neutron fluence, should permit an overall uncertainty of 1 second on the neutron lifetime. The dependence of the primordial mass fraction on the neutron lifetime, technical improvements of the in-beam technique, and the path toward improving the precision of the new measurement will be discussed.

Effects of surface nanostructuring and impurity doping on ultrafast carrier dynamics of silicon photovoltaic cells: a pump-probe study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Tianyu; Nam, Yoon-Ho; Wang, Xinke; Han, Peng; Sun, Wenfeng; Feng, Shengfei; Ye, Jiasheng; Song, Jae-Won; Lee, Jung-Ho; Zhang, Chao; Zhang, Yan

2018-01-01

We present femtosecond optical pump-terahertz probe studies on the ultrafast dynamical processes of photo-generated charge carriers in silicon photovoltaic cells with various nanostructured surfaces and doping densities. The pump-probe measurements provide direct insight on the lifetime of photo-generated carriers, frequency-dependent complex dielectric response along with photoconductivity of silicon photovoltaic cells excited by optical pump pulses. A lifetime of photo-generated carriers of tens of nanosecond is identified from the time-dependent pump-induced attenuation of the terahertz transmission. In addition, we find a large value of the imaginary part of the dielectric function and of the real part of the photoconductivity in silicon photovoltaic cells with micron length nanowires. We attribute these findings to the result of defect-enhanced electron-photon interactions. Moreover, doping densities of phosphorous impurities in silicon photovoltaic cells are also quantified using the Drude-Smith model with our measured frequency-dependent complex photoconductivities.

Using seismic coda waves to resolve intrinsic and scattering attenuation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, W.; Shearer, P. M.

2016-12-01

Seismic attenuation is caused by two factors, scattering and intrinsic absorption. Characterizing scattering and absorbing properties and the power spectrum of crustal heterogeneity is a fundamental problem for informing strong ground motion estimates at high frequencies, where scattering and attenuation effects are critical. Determining the relative amount of attenuation caused by scattering and intrinsic absorption has been a long-standing problem in seismology. The wavetrain following the direct body wave phases is called the coda, which is caused by scattered energy. Many studies have analyzed the coda of local events to constrain crustal and upper-mantle scattering strength and intrinsic attenuation. Here we examine two popular attenuation inversion methods, the Multiple Lapse Time Window Method (MLTWM) and the Coda Qc Method. First, based on our previous work on California attenuation structure, we apply an efficient and accurate method, the Monte Carlo Approach, to synthesize seismic envelope functions. We use this code to generate a series of synthetic data based on several complex and realistic forward models. Although the MLTWM assumes a uniform whole space, we use the MLTWM to invert for both scattering and intrinsic attenuation from the synthetic data to test how accurately it can recover the attenuation models. Results for the coda Qc method depend on choices for the length and starting time of the coda-wave time window. Here we explore the relation between the inversion results for Qc, the windowing parameters, and the intrinsic and scattering Q structure of our synthetic model. These results should help assess the practicality and accuracy of the Multiple Lapse Time Window Method and Coda Qc Method when applied to realistic crustal velocity and attenuation models.

Calculation of in situ acoustic sediment attenuation using off-the-shelf horizontal ADCPs in low concentration settings

USGS Publications Warehouse

Haught, Dan; Venditti, Jeremy G.; Wright, Scott A.

2017-01-01

The use of “off-the-shelf” acoustic Doppler velocity profilers (ADCPs) to estimate suspended sediment concentration and grain-size in rivers requires robust methods to estimate sound attenuation by suspended sediment. Theoretical estimates of sediment attenuation require a priori knowledge of the concentration and grain-size distribution (GSD), making the method impractical to apply in routine monitoring programs. In situ methods use acoustic backscatter profile slope to estimate sediment attenuation, and are a more attractive option. However, the performance of in situ sediment attenuation methods has not been extensively compared to theoretical methods. We used three collocated horizontally mounted ADCPs in the Fraser River at Mission, British Columbia and 298 observations of concentration and GSD along the acoustic beams to calculate theoretical and in situ sediment attenuation. Conversion of acoustic intensity from counts to decibels is influenced by the instrument noise floor, which affects the backscatter profile shape and therefore in situ attenuation. We develop a method that converts counts to decibels to maximize profile length, which is useful in rivers where cross-channel acoustic profile penetration is a fraction of total channel width. Nevertheless, the agreement between theoretical and in situ attenuation is poor at low concentrations because cross-stream gradients in concentration, sediment size or GSD can develop, which affect the backscatter profiles. We establish threshold concentrations below which in situ attenuation is unreliable in Fraser River. Our results call for careful examination of cross-stream changes in suspended sediment characteristics and acoustic profiles across a range of flows before in situ attenuation methods are applied in river monitoring programs.

Estimates of Power Plant NOx Emissions and Lifetimes from OMI NO2 Satellite Retrievals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

de Foy, Benjamin; Lu, Zifeng; Streets, David G.; Lamsal, Lok N.; Duncan, Bryan N.

2015-01-01

Isolated power plants with well characterized emissions serve as an ideal test case of methods to estimate emissions using satellite data. In this study we evaluate the Exponentially-Modified Gaussian (EMG) method and the box model method based on mass balance for estimating known NOx emissions from satellite retrievals made by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). We consider 29 power plants in the USA which have large NOx plumes that do not overlap with other sources and which have emissions data from the Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS). This enables us to identify constraints required by the methods, such as which wind data to use and how to calculate background values. We found that the lifetimes estimated by the methods are too short to be representative of the chemical lifetime. Instead, we introduce a separate lifetime parameter to account for the discrepancy between estimates using real data and those that theory would predict. In terms of emissions, the EMG method required averages from multiple years to give accurate results, whereas the box model method gave accurate results for individual ozone seasons.

Lifetime Stress Cumulatively Programs Brain Transcriptome and Impedes Stroke Recovery: Benefit of Sensory Stimulation

PubMed Central

Zucchi, Fabíola C. R.; Yao, Youli; Ilnytskyy, Yaroslav; Robbins, Jerrah C.; Soltanpour, Nasrin; Kovalchuk, Igor; Kovalchuk, Olga; Metz, Gerlinde A. S.

2014-01-01

Prenatal stress (PS) represents a critical variable affecting lifetime health trajectories, metabolic and vascular functions. Beneficial experiences may attenuate the effects of PS and its programming of health outcomes in later life. Here we investigated in a rat model (1) if PS modulates recovery following cortical ischemia in adulthood; (2) if a second hit by adult stress (AS) exaggerates stress responses and ischemic damage; and (3) if tactile stimulation (TS) attenuates the cumulative effects of PS and AS. Prenatally stressed and non-stressed adult male rats underwent focal ischemic motor cortex lesion and were tested in skilled reaching and skilled walking tasks. Two groups of rats experienced recurrent restraint stress in adulthood and one of these groups also underwent daily TS therapy. Animals that experienced both PS and AS displayed the most severe motor disabilities after lesion. By contrast, TS promoted recovery from ischemic lesion and reduced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. The data also showed that cumulative effects of adverse and beneficial lifespan experiences interact with disease outcomes and brain plasticity through the modulation of gene expression. Microarray analysis of the lesion motor cortex revealed that cumulative PS and AS interact with genes related to growth factors and transcription factors, which were not affected by PS or lesion alone. TS in PS+AS animals reverted these changes, suggesting a critical role for these factors in activity-dependent motor cortical reorganization after ischemic lesion. These findings suggest that beneficial experience later in life can moderate adverse consequences of early programming to improve cerebrovascular health. PMID:24651125

The Impact of Age, HIV Serostatus and Seroconversion on Methamphetamine Use

PubMed Central

Montoya, Jessica L.; Cattie, Jordan; Morgan, Erin; Woods, Steven Paul; Cherner, Mariana; Moore, David J.; Atkinson, J. Hampton; Grant, Igor

2016-01-01

Background Characterizing methamphetamine use in relation to age, HIV serostatus and seroconversion is pertinent given the increasingly older age of the population with HIV and the intertwined epidemics of methamphetamine use and HIV. Objectives Study aims were to investigate whether 1) methamphetamine use differs by age and HIV serostatus and 2) receiving an HIV diagnosis impacts methamphetamine use among younger and older persons with HIV. Methods This study examined methamphetamine use characteristics among 217 individuals with a lifetime methamphetamine dependence diagnosis who completed an in-person study assessment. Results Multivariable regressions revealed that HIV serostatus uniquely attenuates methamphetamine use, such that persons with HIV report a smaller cumulative quantity (β = −.16, p = .01) and a fewer number of days (β = −.18, p = .004) of methamphetamine use than persons without HIV. Among the HIV+ sample, all participants persisted in methamphetamine use after receiving an HIV diagnosis, with about 20% initiating use after seroconversion. Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that density of methamphetamine use (i.e., grams per day used) was greater among the younger, relative to the older, HIV+ group (p = .02), and increased for both age groups following seroconversion (p < .001). Conclusion These analyses indicate that although HIV serostatus may attenuate methamphetamine use behaviors, many people with HIV initiate, or persist in, methamphetamine use after receiving an HIV diagnosis. These findings raise the question of whether tailoring of prevention and intervention strategies might reduce the impact of methamphetamine and HIV across the age continuum. PMID:26837461

Photo-acoustic spectroscopy and quantum efficiency of Yb{sup 3+} doped alumino silicate glasses

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

Kuhn, Stefan, E-mail: stefan.kuhn84@googlemail.com; Tiegel, Mirko; Herrmann, Andreas

2015-09-14

In this contribution, we analyze the effect of several preparation methods of Yb{sup 3+} doped alumino silicate glasses on their quantum efficiency by using photo-acoustic measurements in comparison to standard measurement methods including the determination via the fluorescence lifetime and an integrating sphere setup. The preparation methods focused on decreasing the OH concentration by means of fluorine-substitution and/or applying dry melting atmospheres, which led to an increase in the measured fluorescence lifetime. However, it was found that the influence of these methods on radiative properties such as the measured fluorescence lifetime alone does not per se give exact information aboutmore » the actual quantum efficiency of the sample. The determination of the quantum efficiency by means of fluorescence lifetime shows inaccuracies when refractive index changing elements such as fluorine are incorporated into the glass. Since fluorine not only eliminates OH from the glass but also increases the “intrinsic” radiative fluorescence lifetime, which is needed to calculate the quantum efficiency, it is difficult to separate lifetime quenching from purely radiative effects. The approach used in this contribution offers a possibility to disentangle radiative from non-radiative properties which is not possible by using fluorescence lifetime measurements alone and allows an accurate determination of the quantum efficiency of a given sample. The comparative determination by an integrating sphere setup leads to the well-known problem of reabsorption which embodies itself in the measurement of too low quantum efficiencies, especially for samples with small quantum efficiencies.« less

3D-resolved fluorescence and phosphorescence lifetime imaging using temporal focusing wide-field two-photon excitation

PubMed Central

Choi, Heejin; Tzeranis, Dimitrios S.; Cha, Jae Won; Clémenceau, Philippe; de Jong, Sander J. G.; van Geest, Lambertus K.; Moon, Joong Ho; Yannas, Ioannis V.; So, Peter T. C.

2012-01-01

Fluorescence and phosphorescence lifetime imaging are powerful techniques for studying intracellular protein interactions and for diagnosing tissue pathophysiology. While lifetime-resolved microscopy has long been in the repertoire of the biophotonics community, current implementations fall short in terms of simultaneously providing 3D resolution, high throughput, and good tissue penetration. This report describes a new highly efficient lifetime-resolved imaging method that combines temporal focusing wide-field multiphoton excitation and simultaneous acquisition of lifetime information in frequency domain using a nanosecond gated imager from a 3D-resolved plane. This approach is scalable allowing fast volumetric imaging limited only by the available laser peak power. The accuracy and performance of the proposed method is demonstrated in several imaging studies important for understanding peripheral nerve regeneration processes. Most importantly, the parallelism of this approach may enhance the imaging speed of long lifetime processes such as phosphorescence by several orders of magnitude. PMID:23187477

Coulomb Excitation of the 64Ni Nucleus and Application of Inverse Kinematics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greaves, Beau; Muecher, Dennis; Ali, Fuad A.; Drake, Tom; Bildstein, Vinzenz; Berner, Christian; Gernhaeuser, Roman; Nowak, K.; Hellgartner, S.; Lutter, R.; Reichert, S.

2017-09-01

In this contribution, we present new data on the semi-magic 64Ni nucleus, close to the N =40 harmonic oscillator shell gap. Recent studies suggest a complicated existence of shape coexistence in 68Ni, likely caused by type-II shell evolutions. The region studied here thus might define the ``shore'' of the region of more deformed nuclei in the Island of Inversion below 68Ni. At the Maier-Leibnitz-Laboratory (MLL) in Munich, a beam of 64Ni was excited using Coulomb excitation. The high-granularity MINIBALL HPGe array and a segmented silicon strip detector were used to identify gamma decays in 64Ni. Doppler-shifted attenuation method (DSAM) analysis was applied to the experimental data acquired to resolve the low-lying excited states and acquire a lifetime measurement based on Geant4 simulations of the first excited 2 + state, clarifying the previously conflicting results. Furthermore, we show DSAM data following transfer reactions in inverse kinematics. This new method has the potential to provide insight into tests of ab-initio shell model calculations in the sd-pf shell and for the study of nuclear reaction rates. Supported under NSERC SAPIN-2016-00030.

Two-dimensional frequency-domain acoustic full-waveform inversion with rugged topography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Qian-Jiang; Dai, Shi-Kun; Chen, Long-Wei; Li, Kun; Zhao, Dong-Dong; Huang, Xing-Xing

2015-09-01

We studied finite-element-method-based two-dimensional frequency-domain acoustic FWI under rugged topography conditions. The exponential attenuation boundary condition suitable for rugged topography is proposed to solve the cutoff boundary problem as well as to consider the requirement of using the same subdivision grid in joint multifrequency inversion. The proposed method introduces the attenuation factor, and by adjusting it, acoustic waves are sufficiently attenuated in the attenuation layer to minimize the cutoff boundary effect. Based on the law of exponential attenuation, expressions for computing the attenuation factor and the thickness of attenuation layers are derived for different frequencies. In multifrequency-domain FWI, the conjugate gradient method is used to solve equations in the Gauss-Newton algorithm and thus minimize the computation cost in calculating the Hessian matrix. In addition, the effect of initial model selection and frequency combination on FWI is analyzed. Examples using numerical simulations and FWI calculations are used to verify the efficiency of the proposed method.

In vivo fluorescence lifetime optical projection tomography

PubMed Central

McGinty, James; Taylor, Harriet B.; Chen, Lingling; Bugeon, Laurence; Lamb, Jonathan R.; Dallman, Margaret J.; French, Paul M. W.

2011-01-01

We demonstrate the application of fluorescence lifetime optical projection tomography (FLIM-OPT) to in vivo imaging of lysC:GFP transgenic zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio). This method has been applied to unambiguously distinguish between the fluorescent protein (GFP) signal in myeloid cells from background autofluorescence based on the fluorescence lifetime. The combination of FLIM, an inherently ratiometric method, in conjunction with OPT results in a quantitative 3-D tomographic technique that could be used as a robust method for in vivo biological and pharmaceutical research, for example as a readout of Förster resonance energy transfer based interactions. PMID:21559145

77 FR 21038 - Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Light-Emitting Diode Lamps

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-09

... Photometric Measurements of Solid-State Lighting Products'' for determining lumen output, input power, and CCT.... Test Method 5. Test Calculations and Rounding C. Proposed Approach for Rated Lifetime Measurements 1... Test Method to Project Rated Lifetime 4. Test Conditions 5. Test Setup 6. Test Method and Measurements...

Prevalence of lifetime abortion and methods of contraception among female sex workers in Bogota, Colombia.

PubMed

Bautista, Christian T; Mejía, Alfredo; Leal, Luis; Ayala, Claudia; Sanchez, Jose L; Montano, Silvia M

2008-03-01

The primary objective was to estimate the lifetime prevalence of abortion and the secondary objective was to describe the use of contraceptive methods among female sex workers (FSW) in Bogota, Colombia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among FSW. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, contraceptive methods, number of abortions, reasons for abortions and sexual practices was collected. A total of 514 FSW were enrolled. Of these, 264 (53%) had a lifetime abortion. Age, years in sex work and a previous sexually transmitted infection were associated with abortion. A total of 89 FSW(17%) reported no contraception method. Oral contraceptives, use of condoms, female sterilization and intrauterine device insertion were the most common methods of contraception. Women who were poorer, who initiated sex work at a younger age and who reported use of illegal drugs were associated with inconsistent contraception. A high lifetime prevalence of abortion and inconsistent contraception was found among FSW in Bogota. There is a need for effective and practical contraceptive methods of family health planning among FSW in Colombia.

A PROPOSED FRAMEWORK FOR ASSESSING RISK FROM LESS-THAN-LIFETIME EXPOSURES TO CARCINOGENS

EPA Science Inventory

Quantitative cancer risk assessment methods have been developed for daily, lifetime human exposures, but not for exposures that are less than lifetime. Few examples for less-than-Iifetime exposures exist in the published literature. To move cancer risk assessment beyond reliance ...

Fabrication of 94Zr thin target for recoil distance doppler shift method of lifetime measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, C. K.; Rohilla, Aman; Abhilash, S. R.; Kabiraj, D.; Singh, R. P.; Mehta, D.; Chamoli, S. K.

2014-11-01

A thin isotopic 94Zr target of thickness 520 μg /cm2 has been prepared for recoil distance Doppler shift method (RDM) lifetime measurement by using an electron beam deposition method on tantalum backing of 3.5 mg/cm2 thickness at Inter University Accelerator Center (IUAC), New Delhi. To meet the special requirement of smoothness of surface for RDM lifetime measurement and also to protect the outer layer of 94Zr from peeling off, a very thin layer of gold has been evaporated on a 94Zr target on a specially designed substrate holder. In all, 143 mg of 99.6% enriched 94Zr target material was utilized for the fabrication of 94Zr targets. The target has been successfully used in a recent RDM lifetime measurement experiment at IUAC.

Apparatus and methods of measuring minority carrier lifetime using a liquid probe

DOEpatents

Li, Jian

2016-04-12

Methods and apparatus for measuring minority carrier lifetimes using liquid probes are provided. In one embodiment, a method of measuring the minority carrier lifetime of a semiconductor material comprises: providing a semiconductor material having a surface; forming a rectifying junction at a first location on the surface by temporarily contacting the surface with a conductive liquid probe; electrically coupling a second junction to the semiconductor material at a second location, wherein the first location and the second location are physically separated; applying a forward bias to the rectifying junction causing minority carrier injection in the semiconductor material; measuring a total capacitance as a function of frequency between the rectifying junction and the second junction; determining an inflection frequency of the total capacitance; and determining a minority lifetime of the semiconductor material from the inflection frequency.

40 CFR 211.206 - Methods for measurement of sound attenuation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 24 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Methods for measurement of sound attenuation. 211.206 Section 211.206 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED... measurement of sound attenuation. ...

40 CFR 211.206 - Methods for measurement of sound attenuation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 26 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Methods for measurement of sound attenuation. 211.206 Section 211.206 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED... measurement of sound attenuation. ...

40 CFR 211.206 - Methods for measurement of sound attenuation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 25 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Methods for measurement of sound attenuation. 211.206 Section 211.206 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED... measurement of sound attenuation. ...

40 CFR 211.206 - Methods for measurement of sound attenuation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 26 2012-07-01 2011-07-01 true Methods for measurement of sound attenuation. 211.206 Section 211.206 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED... measurement of sound attenuation. ...

40 CFR 211.206 - Methods for measurement of sound attenuation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 25 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Methods for measurement of sound attenuation. 211.206 Section 211.206 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED... measurement of sound attenuation. ...

Markerless attenuation correction for carotid MRI surface receiver coils in combined PET/MR imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eldib, Mootaz; Bini, Jason; Robson, Philip M.; Calcagno, Claudia; Faul, David D.; Tsoumpas, Charalampos; Fayad, Zahi A.

2015-06-01

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of attenuation of MR coils on quantitative carotid PET/MR exams. Additionally, an automated attenuation correction method for flexible carotid MR coils was developed and evaluated. The attenuation of the carotid coil was measured by imaging a uniform water phantom injected with 37 MBq of 18F-FDG in a combined PET/MR scanner for 24 min with and without the coil. In the same session, an ultra-short echo time (UTE) image of the coil on top of the phantom was acquired. Using a combination of rigid and non-rigid registration, a CT-based attenuation map was registered to the UTE image of the coil for attenuation and scatter correction. After phantom validation, the effect of the carotid coil attenuation and the attenuation correction method were evaluated in five subjects. Phantom studies indicated that the overall loss of PET counts due to the coil was 6.3% with local region-of-interest (ROI) errors reaching up to 18.8%. Our registration method to correct for attenuation from the coil decreased the global error and local error (ROI) to 0.8% and 3.8%, respectively. The proposed registration method accurately captured the location and shape of the coil with a maximum spatial error of 2.6 mm. Quantitative analysis in human studies correlated with the phantom findings, but was dependent on the size of the ROI used in the analysis. MR coils result in significant error in PET quantification and thus attenuation correction is needed. The proposed strategy provides an operator-free method for attenuation and scatter correction for a flexible MRI carotid surface coil for routine clinical use.

Simultaneous reconstruction of the activity image and registration of the CT image in TOF-PET

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rezaei, Ahmadreza; Michel, Christian; Casey, Michael E.; Nuyts, Johan

2016-02-01

Previously, maximum-likelihood methods have been proposed to jointly estimate the activity image and the attenuation image or the attenuation sinogram from time-of-flight (TOF) positron emission tomography (PET) data. In this contribution, we propose a method that addresses the possible alignment problem of the TOF-PET emission data and the computed tomography (CT) attenuation data, by combining reconstruction and registration. The method, called MLRR, iteratively reconstructs the activity image while registering the available CT-based attenuation image, so that the pair of activity and attenuation images maximise the likelihood of the TOF emission sinogram. The algorithm is slow to converge, but some acceleration could be achieved by using Nesterov’s momentum method and by applying a multi-resolution scheme for the non-rigid displacement estimation. The latter also helps to avoid local optima, although convergence to the global optimum cannot be guaranteed. The results are evaluated on 2D and 3D simulations as well as a respiratory gated clinical scan. Our experiments indicate that the proposed method is able to correct for possible misalignment of the CT-based attenuation image, and is therefore a very promising approach to suppressing attenuation artefacts in clinical PET/CT. When applied to respiratory gated data of a patient scan, it produced deformations that are compatible with breathing motion and which reduced the well known attenuation artefact near the dome of the liver. Since the method makes use of the energy-converted CT attenuation image, the scale problem of joint reconstruction is automatically solved.

Employing X-ray absorption technique for better detector resolution and measurement of low cross-section events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Gaurav; Puri, Nitin K.; Kumar, Pravin; Nandi, T.

2018-03-01

The versatility of X-ray absorption technique is experimentally employed for enhancing the detector resolution and to rejuvenate the low probable transitions obscured in the pile-up region, during a beam-foil spectroscopy experiment. The multiple aluminum absorber layers (10 μm each) are used to suppress the pile-up contribution drastically and to restore a weak transition which is about 1.38 × 104 times weaker than a one-electron-one-photon transitions viz. Kα and Khα. The weak line is possibly originating from a two-electron-one-photon transition in He-like Ti. Further, the transitions, which were obscured in the spectra due to high intensity ratio, are revived by dissimilar line intensity attenuation using this technique. The measured lifetimes of Kα line with and without intensity attenuation match well within error bar. The present technique finds potential implications in understanding the structure of multiple-core-vacant ions and other low cross section processes in ion-solid collisions.

Off-line wafer level reliability control: unique measurement method to monitor the lifetime indicator of gate oxide validated within bipolar/CMOS/DMOS technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gagnard, Xavier; Bonnaud, Olivier

2000-08-01

We have recently published a paper on a new rapid method for the determination of the lifetime of the gate oxide involved in a Bipolar/CMOS/DMOS technology (BCD). Because this previous method was based on a current measurement with gate voltage as a parameter needing several stress voltages, it was applied only by lot sampling. Thus, we tried to find an indicator in order to monitor the gate oxide lifetime during the wafer level parametric test and involving only one measurement of the device on each wafer test cell. Using the Weibull law and Crook model, combined with our recent model, we have developed a new test method needing only one electrical measurement of MOS capacitor to monitor the quality of the gate oxide. Based also on a current measurement, the parameter is the lifetime indicator of the gate oxide. From the analysis of several wafers, we gave evidence of the possibility to detect a low performance wafer, which corresponds to the infantile failure on the Weibull plot. In order to insert this new method in the BCD parametric program, a parametric flowchart was established. This type of measurement is an important challenges, because the actual measurements, breakdown charge, Qbd, and breakdown electric field, Ebd, at parametric level and Ebd and interface states density, Dit during the process cannot guarantee the gate oxide lifetime all along fabrication process. This indicator measurement is the only one, which predicts the lifetime decrease.

Single photon counting fluorescence lifetime detection of pericellular oxygen concentrations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hosny, Neveen A.; Lee, David A.; Knight, Martin M.

2012-01-01

Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy offers a non-invasive method for quantifying local oxygen concentrations. However, existing methods are either invasive, require custom-made systems, or show limited spatial resolution. Therefore, these methods are unsuitable for investigation of pericellular oxygen concentrations. This study describes an adaptation of commercially available equipment which has been optimized for quantitative extracellular oxygen detection with high lifetime accuracy and spatial resolution while avoiding systematic photon pile-up. The oxygen sensitive fluorescent dye, tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) chloride hexahydrate [Ru(bipy)3]2+, was excited using a two-photon excitation laser. Lifetime was measured using a Becker & Hickl time-correlated single photon counting, which will be referred to as a TCSPC card. [Ru(bipy)3]2+ characterization studies quantified the influences of temperature, pH, cellular culture media and oxygen on the fluorescence lifetime measurements. This provided a precisely calibrated and accurate system for quantification of pericellular oxygen concentration based on measured lifetimes. Using this technique, quantification of oxygen concentrations around isolated viable chondrocytes, seeded in three-dimensional agarose gel, revealed a subpopulation of cells that exhibited significant spatial oxygen gradients such that oxygen concentration reduced with increasing proximity to the cell. This technique provides a powerful tool for quantifying spatial oxygen gradients within three-dimensional cellular models.

Single photon counting fluorescence lifetime detection of pericellular oxygen concentrations.

PubMed

Hosny, Neveen A; Lee, David A; Knight, Martin M

2012-01-01

Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy offers a non-invasive method for quantifying local oxygen concentrations. However, existing methods are either invasive, require custom-made systems, or show limited spatial resolution. Therefore, these methods are unsuitable for investigation of pericellular oxygen concentrations. This study describes an adaptation of commercially available equipment which has been optimized for quantitative extracellular oxygen detection with high lifetime accuracy and spatial resolution while avoiding systematic photon pile-up. The oxygen sensitive fluorescent dye, tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) chloride hexahydrate [Ru(bipy)(3)](2+), was excited using a two-photon excitation laser. Lifetime was measured using a Becker & Hickl time-correlated single photon counting, which will be referred to as a TCSPC card. [Ru(bipy)(3)](2+) characterization studies quantified the influences of temperature, pH, cellular culture media and oxygen on the fluorescence lifetime measurements. This provided a precisely calibrated and accurate system for quantification of pericellular oxygen concentration based on measured lifetimes. Using this technique, quantification of oxygen concentrations around isolated viable chondrocytes, seeded in three-dimensional agarose gel, revealed a subpopulation of cells that exhibited significant spatial oxygen gradients such that oxygen concentration reduced with increasing proximity to the cell. This technique provides a powerful tool for quantifying spatial oxygen gradients within three-dimensional cellular models.

Novel method for minority-carrier mobility measurement using photoconductance decay with chemically passivated and plasma damaged surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stephens, A. W.; Green, M. A.

1996-10-01

A method for measuring minority-carrier mobility using microwave-detected photoconductance decay without requiring bulk lifetime, estimates is presented. Three different measurements on a single sample yield values for surface recombination velocity, bulk lifetime, and diffusivity. For each measurement the surface conditions of the sample are changed, allowing extraction of different parameters. The usefulness of 0.08 molar ethanol/iodine solution as a means of achieving such good surface passivation is demonstrated. The following procedure was used to achieve high surface recombination. A CF4 plasma surface etch was shown to achieve the same level of surface damage as mechanical abrasion. The advantage of the new method is that it completely eliminates the chance of breaking samples during the abrasion process, which is of particular advantage for thin samples. The new experimental method for minority-carrier mobility measurement is evaluated using carrier lifetime measurements made on a commercially available Leo Giken ``Wafer-τ'' lifetime tester.

Communication techniques and challenges for wireless food quality monitoring

PubMed Central

Jedermann, Reiner; Pötsch, Thomas; Lloyd, Chanaka

2014-01-01

Remote measurement of product core temperature is an important prerequisite to improve the cool chain of food products and reduce losses. This paper examines and shows possible solutions to technical challenges that still hinder practical applications of wireless sensor networks in the field of food transport supervision. The high signal attenuation by water-containing products limits the communication range to less than 0.5 m for the commonly used 2.4 GHz radio chips. By theoretical analysis of the dependency of signal attenuation on the operating frequency, we show that the signal attenuation can be largely reduced by the use of 433 MHz or 866 MHz devices, but forwarding of messages over multiple hops inside a sensor network is mostly unavoidable to guarantee full coverage of a packed container. Communication protocols have to provide compatibility with widely accepted standards for integration into the global Internet, which has been achieved by programming an implementation of the constrained application protocol for wireless sensor nodes and integrating into IPv6-based networks. The sensor's battery lifetime can be extended by optimizing communication protocols and by in-network pre-processing of the sensor data. The feasibility of remote freight supervision was demonstrated by our full-scale ‘Intelligent Container’ prototype. PMID:24797133

Communication techniques and challenges for wireless food quality monitoring.

PubMed

Jedermann, Reiner; Pötsch, Thomas; Lloyd, Chanaka

2014-06-13

Remote measurement of product core temperature is an important prerequisite to improve the cool chain of food products and reduce losses. This paper examines and shows possible solutions to technical challenges that still hinder practical applications of wireless sensor networks in the field of food transport supervision. The high signal attenuation by water-containing products limits the communication range to less than 0.5 m for the commonly used 2.4 GHz radio chips. By theoretical analysis of the dependency of signal attenuation on the operating frequency, we show that the signal attenuation can be largely reduced by the use of 433 MHz or 866 MHz devices, but forwarding of messages over multiple hops inside a sensor network is mostly unavoidable to guarantee full coverage of a packed container. Communication protocols have to provide compatibility with widely accepted standards for integration into the global Internet, which has been achieved by programming an implementation of the constrained application protocol for wireless sensor nodes and integrating into IPv6-based networks. The sensor's battery lifetime can be extended by optimizing communication protocols and by in-network pre-processing of the sensor data. The feasibility of remote freight supervision was demonstrated by our full-scale 'Intelligent Container' prototype.

Failure mechanisms and lifetime prediction methodology for polybutylene pipe in water distribution system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niu, Xiqun

Polybutylene (PB) is a semicrystalline thermoplastics. It has been widely used in potable water distribution piping system. However, field practice shows that failure occurs much earlier than the expected service lifetime. What are the causes and how to appropriately evaluate its lifetime motivate this study. In this thesis, three parts of work have been done. First is the understanding of PB, which includes material thermo and mechanical characterization, aging phenomena and notch sensitivity. The second part analyzes the applicability of the existing lifetime testing method for PB. It is shown that PB is an anomaly in terms of the temperature-lifetime relation because of the fracture mechanism transition across the testing temperature range. The third part is the development of the methodology of lifetime prediction for PB pipe. The fracture process of PB pipe consists of three stages, i.e., crack initiation, slow crack growth (SCG) and crack instability. The practical lifetime of PB pipe is primarily determined by the duration of the first two stages. The mechanism of crack initiation and the quantitative estimation of the time to crack initiation are studied by employing environment stress cracking technique. A fatigue slow crack growth testing method has been developed and applied in the study of SCG. By using Paris-Erdogan equation, a model is constructed to evaluate the time for SCG. As a result, the total lifetime is determined. Through this work, the failure mechanisms of PB pipe has been analyzed and the lifetime prediction methodology has been developed.

Lifetime risk of stroke in young-aged and middle-aged Chinese population: the Chinese Multi-Provincial Cohort Study

PubMed Central

Wang, Ying; Liu, Jing; Wang, Wei; Wang, Miao; Qi, Yue; Xie, Wuxiang; Li, Yan; Sun, Jiayi; Liu, Jun; Zhao, Dong

2016-01-01

Objective: Stroke is a major cause of premature death in China. Early prevention of stroke requires a more effective method to differentiate the stroke risk among young-aged and middle-aged individuals than the 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to establish a lifetime stroke risk model and risk charts for the young-aged and middle-aged population in China. Methods: The Chinese Multi-Provincial Cohort Study participants (n = 21 953) aged 35–84 years without cardiovascular disease at baseline were followed for 18 years (263 016 person-years). Modified Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate the mean lifetime stroke risk up to age of 80 years and the lifetime stroke risk according to major stroke risk factors for the population aged 35–60 years. Results: A total of 917 participants developed first-ever strokes. For the participants aged 35–40 years (98 stroke cases), the lifetime stroke risk was 18.0 and 14.7% in men and women, respectively. Blood pressure most effectively discriminated the lifetime stroke risk. The lifetime risk of stroke for the individuals with all risk factors optimal was 8–10 times lower compared with those with two or more high risk factors at age 35–60 years at baseline. Conclusion: In young-aged and middle-aged population, the lifetime stroke risk will keep very low if major risk factors especially blood pressure level is at optimal levels, but the risk substantially increases even with a slight elevation of major risk factors, which could not be identified using 10-year risk estimation. PMID:27512963

EDOVE: Energy and Depth Variance-Based Opportunistic Void Avoidance Scheme for Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks

PubMed Central

Eun, Yongsoon

2017-01-01

Underwater Acoustic Sensor Network (UASN) comes with intrinsic constraints because it is deployed in the aquatic environment and uses the acoustic signals to communicate. The examples of those constraints are long propagation delay, very limited bandwidth, high energy cost for transmission, very high signal attenuation, costly deployment and battery replacement, and so forth. Therefore, the routing schemes for UASN must take into account those characteristics to achieve energy fairness, avoid energy holes, and improve the network lifetime. The depth based forwarding schemes in literature use node’s depth information to forward data towards the sink. They minimize the data packet duplication by employing the holding time strategy. However, to avoid void holes in the network, they use two hop node proximity information. In this paper, we propose the Energy and Depth variance-based Opportunistic Void avoidance (EDOVE) scheme to gain energy balancing and void avoidance in the network. EDOVE considers not only the depth parameter, but also the normalized residual energy of the one-hop nodes and the normalized depth variance of the second hop neighbors. Hence, it avoids the void regions as well as balances the network energy and increases the network lifetime. The simulation results show that the EDOVE gains more than 15% packet delivery ratio, propagates 50% less copies of data packet, consumes less energy, and has more lifetime than the state of the art forwarding schemes. PMID:28954395

An investigation of vago-regulatory and health-behavior accounts for increased inflammation in posttraumatic stress disorder.

PubMed

Dennis, Paul A; Weinberg, J Brice; Calhoun, Patrick S; Watkins, Lana L; Sherwood, Andrew; Dennis, Michelle F; Beckham, Jean C

2016-04-01

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been linked to chronic inflammation, a condition that poses a risk for cardiovascular disease. Attenuated vagal activity has been proposed as a potential mediator of PTSD and inflammation, although associated behavioral health risks-namely cigarette smoking and alcohol dependence-might also account for that link. Inflammation was quantified by fasting serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-10, and thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC)/CCL17 collected from 85 participants with PTSD and 82 without PTSD. Latent variable modeling was used to assess the relationship between PTSD symptom severity and inflammation along with potential mediators vagal activity (respiratory sinus arrhythmia; RSA), smoking status, and lifetime alcohol dependence. PTSD symptom severity was associated with increased inflammation (β=.18, p=.02). However, this association was reduced in models that adjusted for RSA, smoking status, and lifetime alcohol dependence. Independent mediation effects were deemed significant via bootstrapping analyses. Together, RSA, smoking status, and lifetime alcohol dependence accounted for 95% of the effect of PTSD symptom severity on inflammation. Although RSA accounted for a modest proportion of the association between posttraumatic stress and pro-inflammatory responses, behavioral factors-specifically cigarette smoking and alcohol dependence-proved to be larger mediators. The benefits of PTSD treatment may be enhanced by additional interventions aimed at modifying these health behaviors. Published by Elsevier Inc.

EDOVE: Energy and Depth Variance-Based Opportunistic Void Avoidance Scheme for Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks.

PubMed

Bouk, Safdar Hussain; Ahmed, Syed Hassan; Park, Kyung-Joon; Eun, Yongsoon

2017-09-26

Underwater Acoustic Sensor Network (UASN) comes with intrinsic constraints because it is deployed in the aquatic environment and uses the acoustic signals to communicate. The examples of those constraints are long propagation delay, very limited bandwidth, high energy cost for transmission, very high signal attenuation, costly deployment and battery replacement, and so forth. Therefore, the routing schemes for UASN must take into account those characteristics to achieve energy fairness, avoid energy holes, and improve the network lifetime. The depth based forwarding schemes in literature use node's depth information to forward data towards the sink. They minimize the data packet duplication by employing the holding time strategy. However, to avoid void holes in the network, they use two hop node proximity information. In this paper, we propose the Energy and Depth variance-based Opportunistic Void avoidance (EDOVE) scheme to gain energy balancing and void avoidance in the network. EDOVE considers not only the depth parameter, but also the normalized residual energy of the one-hop nodes and the normalized depth variance of the second hop neighbors. Hence, it avoids the void regions as well as balances the network energy and increases the network lifetime. The simulation results show that the EDOVE gains more than 15 % packet delivery ratio, propagates 50 % less copies of data packet, consumes less energy, and has more lifetime than the state of the art forwarding schemes.

Modelling the photochemical attenuation pathways of the fibrate drug gemfibrozil in surface waters.

PubMed

Fabbri, Debora; Maurino, Valter; Minella, Marco; Minero, Claudio; Vione, Davide

2017-03-01

Gemfibrozil (GFZ) is a relatively persistent pollutant in surface-water environments and it is rather recalcitrant to biological degradation. The GFZ photochemical lifetimes are relatively short in shallow waters with low levels of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), but they can reach the month-year range in deep and high-DOC waters. The main reason is that GFZ undergoes negligible reaction with singlet oxygen or degradation sensitised by the triplet states of chromophoric dissolved organic matter, which are the usually prevalent photochemical pathways in deep and high-DOC sunlit waters. Nitrate and nitrite scarcely affect the overall GFZ lifetimes, but they can shift photodegradation from direct photolysis to the OH process. These two pathways are the main GFZ phototransformation routes, with the direct photolysis prevailing in shallow environments during summer. Under these conditions the GFZ photochemical lifetimes are also shorter and the environmental significance of photodegradation correspondingly higher. The direct photolysis of GFZ under UVB irradiation yielded several transformation intermediates deriving from oxidation or cleavage of the aliphatic lateral chain. A quinone derivative (2,5-dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone), a likely oxidation product of the transformation intermediate 2,5-dimethylphenol, is expected to be the most acutely and chronically toxic compound arising from GFZ direct photolysis. Interestingly, literature evidence suggests that the same toxic intermediate would be formed upon OH reaction. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Radar attenuation tomography using the centroid frequency downshift method

USGS Publications Warehouse

Liu, L.; Lane, J.W.; Quan, Y.

1998-01-01

A method for tomographically estimating electromagnetic (EM) wave attenuation based on analysis of centroid frequency downshift (CFDS) of impulse radar signals is described and applied to cross-hole radar data. The method is based on a constant-Q model, which assumes a linear frequency dependence of attenuation for EM wave propagation above the transition frequency. The method uses the CFDS to construct the projection function. In comparison with other methods for estimating attenuation, the CFDS method is relatively insensitive to the effects of geometric spreading, instrument response, and antenna coupling and radiation pattern, but requires the data to be broadband so that the frequency shift and variance can be easily measured. The method is well-suited for difference tomography experiments using electrically conductive tracers. The CFDS method was tested using cross-hole radar data collected at the U.S. Geological Survey Fractured Rock Research Site at Mirror Lake, New Hampshire (NH) during a saline-tracer injection experiment. The attenuation-difference tomogram created with the CFDS method outlines the spatial distribution of saline tracer within the tomography plane. ?? 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

NIR fluorescence lifetime sensing through a multimode fiber for intravascular molecular probing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ingelberts, H.; Hernot, S.; Debie, P.; Lahoutte, T.; Kuijk, M.

2016-04-01

Coronary artery disease (CAD) contributes to millions of deaths each year. The identification of vulnerable plaques is essential to the diagnosis of CAD but is challenging. Molecular probes can improve the detection of these plaques using intravascular imaging methods. Fluorescence lifetime sensing is a safe and robust method to image these molecular probes. We present two variations of an optical system for intravascular near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence lifetime sensing through a multimode fiber. Both systems are built around a recently developed fast and efficient CMOS detector, the current-assisted photonic sampler (CAPS) that is optimized for sub-nanosecond NIR fluorescence lifetime sensing. One system mimics the optical setup of an epifluorescence microscope while the other uses a practical fiber optic coupler to separate fluorescence excitation and emission. We test both systems by measuring the lifetime of several NIR dyes in DMSO solutions and we show that these systems are capable of detecting lifetimes of solutions with concentrations down to 370 nM and this with short acquisition times. These results are compared with time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) measurements for reference.

Accelerated lifetime test of vibration isolator made of Metal Rubber material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ao, Hongrui; Ma, Yong; Wang, Xianbiao; Chen, Jianye; Jiang, Hongyuan

2017-01-01

The Metal Rubber material (MR) is a kind of material with nonlinear damping characteristics for its application in the field of aerospace, petrochemical industry and so on. The study on the lifetime of MR material is impendent to its application in engineering. Based on the dynamic characteristic of MR, the accelerated lifetime experiments of vibration isolators made of MR working under random vibration load were conducted. The effects of structural parameters of MR components on the lifetime of isolators were studied and modelled with the fitting curves of degradation data. The lifetime prediction methods were proposed based on the models.

Evolution of collectivity in the N =100 isotones near 170Yb

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karayonchev, V.; Régis, J.-M.; Jolie, J.; Blazhev, A.; Altenkirch, R.; Ansari, S.; Dannhoff, M.; Diel, F.; Esmaylzadeh, A.; Fransen, C.; Gerst, R.-B.; Moschner, K.; Müller-Gatermann, C.; Saed-Samii, N.; Stegemann, S.; Warr, N.; Zell, K. O.

2017-03-01

An experiment using the electronic γ -γ fast-timing technique was performed to measure lifetimes of the yrast states in 170Yb. The lifetime of the yrast 2+ state was determined using the slope method. The value of τ =2.33 (3 ) ns is in good agreement with the lifetimes measured using other techniques. The lifetimes of the first 4+ and 6+ states are determined using the generalized centroid difference method. The derived B (E 2 ) values are compared to calculations done using the confined beta soft model and show good agreement with the experimental values. These calculations were extended to the isotonic chain N =100 around 170Yb and show a good quantitative description of the collectivity observed along it.

Progress toward a new beam measurement of the neutron lifetime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoogerheide, Shannon Fogwell

2016-09-01

Neutron beta decay is the simplest example of nuclear beta decay. A precise value of the neutron lifetime is important for consistency tests of the Standard Model and Big Bang Nucleosysnthesis models. The beam neutron lifetime method requires the absolute counting of the decay protons in a neutron beam of precisely known flux. Recent work has resulted in improvements in both the neutron and proton detection systems that should permit a significant reduction in systematic uncertainties. A new measurement of the neutron lifetime using the beam method will be performed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Center for Neutron Research. The projected uncertainty of this new measurement is 1 s. An overview of the measurement and the technical improvements will be discussed.

Multiple attenuation to reflection seismic data using Radon filter and Wave Equation Multiple Rejection (WEMR) method

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

Erlangga, Mokhammad Puput

Separation between signal and noise, incoherent or coherent, is important in seismic data processing. Although we have processed the seismic data, the coherent noise is still mixing with the primary signal. Multiple reflections are a kind of coherent noise. In this research, we processed seismic data to attenuate multiple reflections in the both synthetic and real seismic data of Mentawai. There are several methods to attenuate multiple reflection, one of them is Radon filter method that discriminates between primary reflection and multiple reflection in the τ-p domain based on move out difference between primary reflection and multiple reflection. However, inmore » case where the move out difference is too small, the Radon filter method is not enough to attenuate the multiple reflections. The Radon filter also produces the artifacts on the gathers data. Except the Radon filter method, we also use the Wave Equation Multiple Elimination (WEMR) method to attenuate the long period multiple reflection. The WEMR method can attenuate the long period multiple reflection based on wave equation inversion. Refer to the inversion of wave equation and the magnitude of the seismic wave amplitude that observed on the free surface, we get the water bottom reflectivity which is used to eliminate the multiple reflections. The WEMR method does not depend on the move out difference to attenuate the long period multiple reflection. Therefore, the WEMR method can be applied to the seismic data which has small move out difference as the Mentawai seismic data. The small move out difference on the Mentawai seismic data is caused by the restrictiveness of far offset, which is only 705 meter. We compared the real free multiple stacking data after processing with Radon filter and WEMR process. The conclusion is the WEMR method can more attenuate the long period multiple reflection than the Radon filter method on the real (Mentawai) seismic data.« less

The Cost-Effectiveness of Oral Nutrition Supplementation for Malnourished Older Hospital Patients.

PubMed

Zhong, Yue; Cohen, Joshua T; Goates, Scott; Luo, Menghua; Nelson, Jeffrey; Neumann, Peter J

2017-02-01

Malnutrition, which is associated with increased medical complications in older hospitalized patients, can be attenuated by providing nutritional supplements. This study evaluates the cost effectiveness of a specialized oral nutritional supplement (ONS) in malnourished older hospitalized patients. We conducted an economic evaluation alongside a multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial (NOURISH Study). The target population was malnourished older hospitalized patients in the USA. We used 90-day (base case) and lifetime (sensitivity analysis) time horizons. The study compared a nutrient-dense ONS, containing high protein and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate to placebo. Outcomes included health-care costs, measured as the product of resource use and per unit cost; quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) (90-day time horizon); life-years (LYs) saved (lifetime time horizon); and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). All costs were inflated to 2015 US dollars. In the base-case analysis, 90-day treatment group costs averaged US$22,506 per person, compared to US$22,133 for the control group. Treatment group patients gained 0.011 more QALYs than control group subjects, reflecting the treatment group's significantly greater probability of survival through 90 days' follow-up, as reported by the clinical trial. Hence, the 90-day follow-up period ICER was US$33,818/QALY. Assuming a lifetime time horizon, estimated treatment group life expectancy exceeded control group life expectancy by 0.71 years. Hence, the lifetime ICER was US$524/LY. The follow-up period for the trial was relatively short. Some of the patients were lost to follow-up, thus reducing collection of health-care utilization data during the clinical trial. Our findings suggest that the investigative ONS cost-effectively extends the lives of malnourished hospitalized patients.

Sexual orientation differences in the relationship between victimization and hazardous drinking among women in the National Alcohol Survey

PubMed Central

Drabble, Laurie; Trocki, Karen F.; Hughes, Tonda L.; Korcha, Rachael A.; Lown, Anne E.

2013-01-01

This study examined relationships between past experiences of victimization (sexual abuse and physical abuse in childhood, sexual abuse and physical abuse in adulthood, and lifetime victimization) and hazardous drinking among sexual minority women compared to exclusively heterosexual women. Data were from 11,169 women responding to sexual identity and sexual behavior questions from three National Alcohol Survey waves: 2000 (n=3,880), 2005 (n=3,464) and 2010 (n=3,825). A hazardous drinking index was constructed from five dichotomous variables (5+ drinking in the past year, drinking two or more drinks daily, drinking to intoxication in the past year, two or more lifetime dependence symptoms and two or more lifetime drinking-related negative consequences). Exclusively heterosexual women were compared to three groups of sexual minority women: lesbian, bisexual, and women who identified as heterosexual but reported same-sex partners. Each of the sexual minority groups reported significantly higher rates of lifetime victimization (59.1% lesbians, 76% bisexuals, and 64.4% heterosexual women reporting same-sex partners) than exclusively heterosexual women (42.3 %). Odds for hazardous drinking among sexual minority women were attenuated when measures of victimization were included in the regression models. Sexual minority groups had significantly higher odds of hazardous drinking, even after controlling for demographic and victimization variables: lesbian (ORadj=2.0, CI=1.1–3.9, p<.01; bisexual (ORadj=1.8, CI=1.0–3.3, p<.05; heterosexual with same-sex partners (ORadj=2.7; CI=1.7–4.3, p<.001). Higher rates of victimization likely contribute to, but do not fully explain, higher rates of hazardous drinking among sexual minority women. PMID:23438246

Decreasing photobleaching by silver island films: application to muscle⋆

PubMed Central

Muthu, P.; Gryczynski, I.; Gryczynski, Z.; Talent, J.; Akopova, I.; Jain, K.; Borejdo, J.

2007-01-01

Recently it has become possible to study interactions between proteins at the level of single molecules. This requires collecting data from an extremely small volume, small enough to contain one molecule—typically of the order of attoliters (10−18 L). Collection of data from such a small volume with sufficiently high signal-to-noise ratio requires that the rate of photon detection per molecule be high. This calls for a large illuminating light flux, which in turn leads to rapid photobleaching of the fluorophores that are labeling the proteins. To decrease photobleaching, we measured fluorescence from a sample placed on coverslips coated with silver island films (SIF). SIF reduce photobleaching because they enhance fluorescence brightness and significantly decrease fluorescence lifetime. Increase in the brightness effectively decreases photobleaching because illumination can be attenuated to obtain the same fluorescence intensity. Decrease of lifetime decreases photobleaching because short lifetime minimizes the probability of oxygen attack while the fluorophore is in the excited state. The decrease of photobleaching was demonstrated in skeletal muscle. Myofibrils were labeled lightly with rhodamine–phalloidin, placed on coverslips coated with SIF, illuminated by total internal reflection, and observed through a confocal aperture. We show that SIF causes the intensity of phalloidin fluorescence to increase 4- to 5- fold and its fluorescence lifetime to decrease on average 23-fold. As a consequence, the rate of photobleaching of four or five molecules of actin of a myofibril on Olympus coverslips coated with SIF decreased at least 30-fold in comparison with photobleaching on an uncoated coverslip. Significant decrease of photobleaching makes the measurement of signal from a single cross-bridge of contracting muscle feasible. PMID:17531183

Childhood-compared to adolescent-onset bipolar disorder has more statistically significant clinical correlates.

PubMed

Holtzman, Jessica N; Miller, Shefali; Hooshmand, Farnaz; Wang, Po W; Chang, Kiki D; Hill, Shelley J; Rasgon, Natalie L; Ketter, Terence A

2015-07-01

The strengths and limitations of considering childhood-and adolescent-onset bipolar disorder (BD) separately versus together remain to be established. We assessed this issue. BD patients referred to the Stanford Bipolar Disorder Clinic during 2000-2011 were assessed with the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for BD Affective Disorders Evaluation. Patients with childhood- and adolescent-onset were compared to those with adult-onset for 7 unfavorable bipolar illness characteristics with replicated associations with early-onset patients. Among 502 BD outpatients, those with childhood- (<13 years, N=110) and adolescent- (13-18 years, N=218) onset had significantly higher rates for 4/7 unfavorable illness characteristics, including lifetime comorbid anxiety disorder, at least ten lifetime mood episodes, lifetime alcohol use disorder, and prior suicide attempt, than those with adult-onset (>18 years, N=174). Childhood- but not adolescent-onset BD patients also had significantly higher rates of first-degree relative with mood disorder, lifetime substance use disorder, and rapid cycling in the prior year. Patients with pooled childhood/adolescent - compared to adult-onset had significantly higher rates for 5/7 of these unfavorable illness characteristics, while patients with childhood- compared to adolescent-onset had significantly higher rates for 4/7 of these unfavorable illness characteristics. Caucasian, insured, suburban, low substance abuse, American specialty clinic-referred sample limits generalizability. Onset age is based on retrospective recall. Childhood- compared to adolescent-onset BD was more robustly related to unfavorable bipolar illness characteristics, so pooling these groups attenuated such relationships. Further study is warranted to determine the extent to which adolescent-onset BD represents an intermediate phenotype between childhood- and adult-onset BD. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mixture model based joint-MAP reconstruction of attenuation and activity maps in TOF-PET

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hemmati, H.; Kamali-Asl, A.; Ghafarian, P.; Ay, M. R.

2018-06-01

A challenge to have quantitative positron emission tomography (PET) images is to provide an accurate and patient-specific photon attenuation correction. In PET/MR scanners, the nature of MR signals and hardware limitations have led to a real challenge on the attenuation map extraction. Except for a constant factor, the activity and attenuation maps from emission data on TOF-PET system can be determined by the maximum likelihood reconstruction of attenuation and activity approach (MLAA) from emission data. The aim of the present study is to constrain the joint estimations of activity and attenuation approach for PET system using a mixture model prior based on the attenuation map histogram. This novel prior enforces non-negativity and its hyperparameters can be estimated using a mixture decomposition step from the current estimation of the attenuation map. The proposed method can also be helpful on the solving of scaling problem and is capable to assign the predefined regional attenuation coefficients with some degree of confidence to the attenuation map similar to segmentation-based attenuation correction approaches. The performance of the algorithm is studied with numerical and Monte Carlo simulations and a phantom experiment and was compared with MLAA algorithm with and without the smoothing prior. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is capable of producing the cross-talk free activity and attenuation images from emission data. The proposed approach has potential to be a practical and competitive method for joint reconstruction of activity and attenuation maps from emission data on PET/MR and can be integrated on the other methods.

Analytical model for the design of in situ horizontal permeable reactive barriers (HPRBs) for the mitigation of chlorinated solvent vapors in the unsaturated zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verginelli, Iason; Capobianco, Oriana; Hartog, Niels; Baciocchi, Renato

2017-02-01

In this work we introduce a 1-D analytical solution that can be used for the design of horizontal permeable reactive barriers (HPRBs) as a vapor mitigation system at sites contaminated by chlorinated solvents. The developed model incorporates a transient diffusion-dominated transport with a second-order reaction rate constant. Furthermore, the model accounts for the HPRB lifetime as a function of the oxidant consumption by reaction with upward vapors and its progressive dissolution and leaching by infiltrating water. Simulation results by this new model closely replicate previous lab-scale tests carried out on trichloroethylene (TCE) using a HPRB containing a mixture of potassium permanganate, water and sand. In view of field applications, design criteria, in terms of the minimum HPRB thickness required to attenuate vapors at acceptable risk-based levels and the expected HPRB lifetime, are determined from site-specific conditions such as vapor source concentration, water infiltration rate and HPRB mixture. The results clearly show the field-scale feasibility of this alternative vapor mitigation system for the treatment of chlorinated solvents. Depending on the oxidation kinetic of the target contaminant, a 1 m thick HPRB can ensure an attenuation of vapor concentrations of orders of magnitude up to 20 years, even for vapor source concentrations up to 10 g/m3. A demonstrative application for representative contaminated site conditions also shows the feasibility of this mitigation system from an economical point of view with capital costs potentially somewhat lower than those of other remediation options, such as soil vapor extraction systems. Overall, based on the experimental and theoretical evaluation thus far, field-scale tests are warranted to verify the potential and cost-effectiveness of HPRBs for vapor mitigation control under various conditions of application.

Biological and Sociocultural Factors during the School Years Predicting Women's Lifetime Educational Attainment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hendrick, C. Emily; Cohen, Alison K.; Deardorff, Julianna; Cance, Jessica D.

2016-01-01

Background: Lifetime educational attainment is an important predictor of health and well-being for women in the United States. In this study, we examine the roles of sociocultural factors in youth and an understudied biological life event, pubertal timing, in predicting women's lifetime educational attainment. Methods: Using data from the National…

Lifetime Prevalence, Correlates, and Persistence of Oppositional Defiant Disorder: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nock, Matthew K.; Kazdin, Alan E.; Hiripi, Eva; Kessler, Ronald C.

2007-01-01

Background: Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a leading cause of referral for youth mental health services; yet, many uncertainties exist about ODD given it is rarely examined as a distinct psychiatric disorder. We examined the lifetime prevalence, onset, persistence, and correlates of ODD. Methods: Lifetime prevalence of ODD and 18 other…

Characterization of Adrenal Adenoma by Gaussian Model-Based Algorithm.

PubMed

Hsu, Larson D; Wang, Carolyn L; Clark, Toshimasa J

2016-01-01

We confirmed that computed tomography (CT) attenuation values of pixels in an adrenal nodule approximate a Gaussian distribution. Building on this and the previously described histogram analysis method, we created an algorithm that uses mean and standard deviation to estimate the percentage of negative attenuation pixels in an adrenal nodule, thereby allowing differentiation of adenomas and nonadenomas. The institutional review board approved both components of this study in which we developed and then validated our criteria. In the first, we retrospectively assessed CT attenuation values of adrenal nodules for normality using a 2-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. In the second, we evaluated a separate cohort of patients with adrenal nodules using both the conventional 10HU unit mean attenuation method and our Gaussian model-based algorithm. We compared the sensitivities of the 2 methods using McNemar's test. A total of 183 of 185 observations (98.9%) demonstrated a Gaussian distribution in adrenal nodule pixel attenuation values. The sensitivity and specificity of our Gaussian model-based algorithm for identifying adrenal adenoma were 86.1% and 83.3%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the mean attenuation method were 53.2% and 94.4%, respectively. The sensitivities of the 2 methods were significantly different (P value < 0.001). In conclusion, the CT attenuation values within an adrenal nodule follow a Gaussian distribution. Our Gaussian model-based algorithm can characterize adrenal adenomas with higher sensitivity than the conventional mean attenuation method. The use of our algorithm, which does not require additional postprocessing, may increase workflow efficiency and reduce unnecessary workup of benign nodules. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A contrast source method for nonlinear acoustic wave fields in media with spatially inhomogeneous attenuation.

PubMed

Demi, L; van Dongen, K W A; Verweij, M D

2011-03-01

Experimental data reveals that attenuation is an important phenomenon in medical ultrasound. Attenuation is particularly important for medical applications based on nonlinear acoustics, since higher harmonics experience higher attenuation than the fundamental. Here, a method is presented to accurately solve the wave equation for nonlinear acoustic media with spatially inhomogeneous attenuation. Losses are modeled by a spatially dependent compliance relaxation function, which is included in the Westervelt equation. Introduction of absorption in the form of a causal relaxation function automatically results in the appearance of dispersion. The appearance of inhomogeneities implies the presence of a spatially inhomogeneous contrast source in the presented full-wave method leading to inclusion of forward and backward scattering. The contrast source problem is solved iteratively using a Neumann scheme, similar to the iterative nonlinear contrast source (INCS) method. The presented method is directionally independent and capable of dealing with weakly to moderately nonlinear, large scale, three-dimensional wave fields occurring in diagnostic ultrasound. Convergence of the method has been investigated and results for homogeneous, lossy, linear media show full agreement with the exact results. Moreover, the performance of the method is demonstrated through simulations involving steered and unsteered beams in nonlinear media with spatially homogeneous and inhomogeneous attenuation. © 2011 Acoustical Society of America

Birth month affects lifetime disease risk: a phenome-wide method

PubMed Central

Boland, Mary Regina; Shahn, Zachary; Madigan, David; Hripcsak, George; Tatonetti, Nicholas P

2015-01-01

Objective An individual’s birth month has a significant impact on the diseases they develop during their lifetime. Previous studies reveal relationships between birth month and several diseases including atherothrombosis, asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and myopia, leaving most diseases completely unexplored. This retrospective population study systematically explores the relationship between seasonal affects at birth and lifetime disease risk for 1688 conditions. Methods We developed a hypothesis-free method that minimizes publication and disease selection biases by systematically investigating disease-birth month patterns across all conditions. Our dataset includes 1 749 400 individuals with records at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center born between 1900 and 2000 inclusive. We modeled associations between birth month and 1688 diseases using logistic regression. Significance was tested using a chi-squared test with multiplicity correction. Results We found 55 diseases that were significantly dependent on birth month. Of these 19 were previously reported in the literature (P < .001), 20 were for conditions with close relationships to those reported, and 16 were previously unreported. We found distinct incidence patterns across disease categories. Conclusions Lifetime disease risk is affected by birth month. Seasonally dependent early developmental mechanisms may play a role in increasing lifetime risk of disease. PMID:26041386

Evaluation of fatty proportion in fatty liver using least squares method with constraints.

PubMed

Li, Xingsong; Deng, Yinhui; Yu, Jinhua; Wang, Yuanyuan; Shamdasani, Vijay

2014-01-01

Backscatter and attenuation parameters are not easily measured in clinical applications due to tissue inhomogeneity in the region of interest (ROI). A least squares method(LSM) that fits the echo signal power spectra from a ROI to a 3-parameter tissue model was used to get attenuation coefficient imaging in fatty liver. Since fat's attenuation value is higher than normal liver parenchyma, a reasonable threshold was chosen to evaluate the fatty proportion in fatty liver. Experimental results using clinical data of fatty liver illustrate that the least squares method can get accurate attenuation estimates. It is proved that the attenuation values have a positive correlation with the fatty proportion, which can be used to evaluate the syndrome of fatty liver.

Theory and preliminary experimental verification of quantitative edge illumination x-ray phase contrast tomography.

PubMed

Hagen, C K; Diemoz, P C; Endrizzi, M; Rigon, L; Dreossi, D; Arfelli, F; Lopez, F C M; Longo, R; Olivo, A

2014-04-07

X-ray phase contrast imaging (XPCi) methods are sensitive to phase in addition to attenuation effects and, therefore, can achieve improved image contrast for weakly attenuating materials, such as often encountered in biomedical applications. Several XPCi methods exist, most of which have already been implemented in computed tomographic (CT) modality, thus allowing volumetric imaging. The Edge Illumination (EI) XPCi method had, until now, not been implemented as a CT modality. This article provides indications that quantitative 3D maps of an object's phase and attenuation can be reconstructed from EI XPCi measurements. Moreover, a theory for the reconstruction of combined phase and attenuation maps is presented. Both reconstruction strategies find applications in tissue characterisation and the identification of faint, weakly attenuating details. Experimental results for wires of known materials and for a biological object validate the theory and confirm the superiority of the phase over conventional, attenuation-based image contrast.

Progress toward a new beam measurement of the neutron lifetime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoogerheide, Shannon Fogwell; BL2 Collaboration

2017-01-01

Neutron beta decay is the simplest example of nuclear beta decay. A precise value of the neutron lifetime is important for consistency tests of the Standard Model and Big Bang Nucleosynthesis models. The beam neutron lifetime method requires the absolute counting of the decay protons in a neutron beam of precisely known flux. Recent work has resulted in improvements in both the neutron and proton detection systems that should permit a significant reduction in systematic uncertainties. A new measurement of the neutron lifetime using the beam method is underway at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Center for Neutron Research. The projected uncertainty of this new measurement is 1 s. An overview of the measurement, its current status, and the technical improvements will be discussed.

Ns-scaled time-gated fluorescence lifetime imaging for forensic document examination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, Xin; Wang, Xinwei; Zhou, Yan

2018-01-01

A method of ns-scaled time-gated fluorescence lifetime imaging (TFLI) is proposed to distinguish different fluorescent substances in forensic document examination. Compared with Video Spectral Comparator (VSC) which can examine fluorescence intensity images only, TFLI can detect questioned documents like falsification or alteration. TFLI system can enhance weak signal by accumulation method. The two fluorescence intensity images of the interval delay time tg are acquired by ICCD and fitted into fluorescence lifetime image. The lifetimes of fluorescence substances are represented by different colors, which make it easy to detect the fluorescent substances and the sequence of handwritings. It proves that TFLI is a powerful tool for forensic document examination. Furthermore, the advantages of TFLI system are ns-scaled precision preservation and powerful capture capability.

Increasing of eddy activity in the northeastern Pacific during 1993-2011

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, M.; Lin, P.; Liu, H.; Chai, F.

2017-12-01

We study the long-term behaviors of eddy activity in the northeastern Pacific (NEP) and the dynamic mechanism behind them based on the 3rd version of the mesoscale eddy trajectories dataset released by Chelton et al. (2013) combined with other observation and reanalysis datasets. Both the eddy kinetic energy (EKE) and eddy occurrence number (EON) present prominent increasing trends, with inter-annual and decadal variabilities northeast of the Hawaii-Emperor seamounts. The increasing trend of the EON is mainly due to prolongation of the eddy lifetime associated with the eddy intensification, particularly for anticyclonic eddies (AEs). Weakened surface winds tend to prolong the eddy lifetimes, as the eddy attenuation time scale is inversely proportional to the wind speed. The enhanced anticyclonic wind stress curl (WSC) anomalies inject more energy into the AE over the study region and provide a more suitable environment for AEs growth. The decadal climate modes, such as the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) and the North Pacific gyre oscillation (NPGO), may also modulate eddy activities in the NEP by exerting fluctuations in the surface wind system.

Resolving the neutron lifetime puzzle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mumm, Pieter

2018-05-01

Free electrons and protons are stable, but outside atomic nuclei, free neutrons decay into a proton, electron, and antineutrino through the weak interaction, with a lifetime of ∼880 s (see the figure). The most precise measurements have stated uncertainties below 1 s (0.1%), but different techniques, although internally consistent, disagree by 4 standard deviations given the quoted uncertainties. Resolving this “neutron lifetime puzzle” has spawned much experimental effort as well as exotic theoretical mechanisms, thus far without a clear explanation. On page 627 of this issue, Pattie et al. (1) present the most precise measurement of the neutron lifetime to date. A new method of measuring trapped neutrons in situ allows a more detailed exploration of one of the more pernicious systematic effects in neutron traps, neutron phase-space evolution (the changing orbits of neutrons in the trap), than do previous methods. The precision achieved, combined with a very different set of systematic uncertainties, gives hope that experiments such as this one can help resolve the current situation with the neutron lifetime.

Statistical approaches to lifetime measurements with restricted observation times

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, X. C.; Zeng, Q.; Litvinov, Yu. A.; Tu, X. L.; Walker, P. M.; Wang, M.; Wang, Q.; Yue, K.; Zhang, Y. H.

2017-09-01

Two generic methods based on frequentism and Bayesianism are presented in this work aiming to adequately estimate decay lifetimes from measured data, while accounting for restricted observation times in the measurements. All the experimental scenarios that can possibly arise from the observation constraints are treated systematically and formulas are derived. The methods are then tested against the decay data of bare isomeric 44+94mRu, which were measured using isochronous mass spectrometry with a timing detector at the CSRe in Lanzhou, China. Applying both methods in three distinct scenarios yields six different but consistent lifetime estimates. The deduced values are all in good agreement with a prediction based on the neutral-atom value modified to take the absence of internal conversion into account. Potential applications of such methods are discussed.

Nuclear Structure of the Closed Subshell Nucleus 90Zr Studied with the (n,n'(gamma)) Reaction

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

Garrett, P E; Younes, Y; Becker, J A

States in {sup 90}Zr have been observed with the (n,n{prime}{gamma}) reaction using both spallation and monoenergetic accelerator-produced neutrons. A scheme comprised of 81 levels and 157 transitions was constructed concentrating on levels below 5.6 MeV in excitation energy. Spins have been determined by considering data from all experimental studies performed for {sup 90}Zr. Lifetimes have been deduced using the Doppler-shift attenuation method for many of the states and transition rates have been obtained. A spherical shell-model interpretation in terms of particle-hole excitations assuming a {sup 88}Sr closed core is given. In some cases, enhancements in B(M1) and B(E2) values aremore » observed that cannot be explained by assuming simple particle-hole excitations. Shell-model calculations using an extended f pg-shell model space reproduce the spectrum of excited states very well, and the gross features of the B(M1) and B(E2) transition rates. Transition rates for individual levels show discrepancies between calculations and experimental values.« less

Observing microphysical structures and hydrometeor phase in convection with ARM active sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riihimaki, L.; Comstock, J. M.; Luke, E. P.; Thorsen, T. J.; Fu, Q.

2016-12-01

The existence and distribution of super-cooled liquid water within convective clouds impacts the microphysical processes responsible for cloud radiative and lifetime effects. Yet few observations of cloud phase are available within convection and associated stratiform anvils. Here we identify super-cooled liquid layers within convection and associated stratiform clouds using measured radar Doppler spectra from vertically pointing Ka-band cloud radar and Raman Lidar, capitalizing on the strengths of both instruments. Observations from these sensors are used to show that liquid exists in patches within the cloud, rather than in uniform layers, impacting the growth and formation of ice. While a depolarization lidar like the Raman Lidar is a trusted measurement for identifying super-cooled liquid, the lidar attenuates at an optical depth of around three, limiting its ability to probe the full cloud. The use of the radar Doppler spectra is particularly valuable for this purpose because it allows observations within optically thicker clouds. We demonstrate a new method for identifying super-cooled liquid objectively from the radar Doppler spectra using machine-learning techniques.

Multimodal determination of Rayleigh dispersion and attenuation curves using the circle fit method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verachtert, R.; Lombaert, G.; Degrande, G.

2018-03-01

This paper introduces the circle fit method for the determination of multi-modal Rayleigh dispersion and attenuation curves as part of a Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) experiment. The wave field is transformed to the frequency-wavenumber (fk) domain using a discretized Hankel transform. In a Nyquist plot of the fk-spectrum, displaying the imaginary part against the real part, the Rayleigh wave modes correspond to circles. The experimental Rayleigh dispersion and attenuation curves are derived from the angular sweep of the central angle of these circles. The method can also be applied to the analytical fk-spectrum of the Green's function of a layered half-space in order to compute dispersion and attenuation curves, as an alternative to solving an eigenvalue problem. A MASW experiment is subsequently simulated for a site with a regular velocity profile and a site with a soft layer trapped between two stiffer layers. The performance of the circle fit method to determine the dispersion and attenuation curves is compared with the peak picking method and the half-power bandwidth method. The circle fit method is found to be the most accurate and robust method for the determination of the dispersion curves. When determining attenuation curves, the circle fit method and half-power bandwidth method are accurate if the mode exhibits a sharp peak in the fk-spectrum. Furthermore, simulated and theoretical attenuation curves determined with the circle fit method agree very well. A similar correspondence is not obtained when using the half-power bandwidth method. Finally, the circle fit method is applied to measurement data obtained for a MASW experiment at a site in Heverlee, Belgium. In order to validate the soil profile obtained from the inversion procedure, force-velocity transfer functions were computed and found in good correspondence with the experimental transfer functions, especially in the frequency range between 5 and 80 Hz.

Method to Detect the Cellular Source of Over-Activated NADPH Oxidases Using NAD(P)H Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging.

PubMed

Bremer, Daniel; Leben, Ruth; Mothes, Ronja; Radbruch, Helena; Niesner, Raluca

2017-04-03

Fluorescence-lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is a technique to generate images, in which the contrast is obtained by the excited-state lifetime of fluorescent molecules instead of their intensity and emission spectrum. The ubiquitous coenzymes NADH and NADPH, hereafter NAD(P)H, in cells show a short fluorescence lifetime ≈400 psec in the free-state and a longer fluorescence lifetime when bound to enzymes. The fluorescence lifetime of NAD(P)H in this state depends on the binding-site on the specific enzyme. In the case of NADPH bound to members of the NADPH oxidases family we measured a fluorescence lifetime of 3650 psec as compared to enzymes typically active in cells, in which case fluorescence lifetimes of ∼2000 psec are measured. Here we present a robust protocol based on NAD(P)H fluorescence lifetime imaging in isolated cells to distinguish between normally active enzymes and NADPH oxidases, mainly responsible for oxidative stress. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

The Impact of a 15-Week Lifetime Wellness Course on Behavior Change and Self-Efficacy in College Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lockwood, Park; Wohl, Roy

2012-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a lifetime wellness course on changing students' global self-efficacy, physical self-efficacy, and wellness behavior. Methods: Seventy-one college students from a lifetime wellness course completed the TestWell Wellness Inventory--Standard Edition (National Wellness Institute,…

Sub-Nanosecond Lifetime Measurement Using the Recoil-Distance Method

PubMed Central

Wu, Ching-Yen

2000-01-01

The electromagnetic properties of low-lying nuclear states are a sensitive probe of both collective and single-particle degrees of freedom in nuclear structure. The recoil-distance technique provides a very reliable, direct and precise method for measuring lifetimes of nuclear states with lifetimes ranging from less than one to several hundred picoseconds. This method complements the powerful, but complicated, heavy-ion induced Coulomb excitation technique for measuring electromagnetic properties. The recoil distance technique has been combined with heavy-ion induced Coulomb excitation to study a variety of problems. Examples discussed are: study of the two-phonon triplet in 110Pd, coupling of the β and γ degrees of freedom in 182,184W, highly deformed γ bands in 165Ho, octupole collectivity in 96Zr, and opposite parity states in 153Eu. Consistency between the Coulomb excitation results and the lifetime measurements confirms the reliability of the complex analysis often encountered in heavy-ion induced Coulomb excitation work. PMID:27551588

Monte Carlo based method for fluorescence tomographic imaging with lifetime multiplexing using time gates

PubMed Central

Chen, Jin; Venugopal, Vivek; Intes, Xavier

2011-01-01

Time-resolved fluorescence optical tomography allows 3-dimensional localization of multiple fluorophores based on lifetime contrast while providing a unique data set for improved resolution. However, to employ the full fluorescence time measurements, a light propagation model that accurately simulates weakly diffused and multiple scattered photons is required. In this article, we derive a computationally efficient Monte Carlo based method to compute time-gated fluorescence Jacobians for the simultaneous imaging of two fluorophores with lifetime contrast. The Monte Carlo based formulation is validated on a synthetic murine model simulating the uptake in the kidneys of two distinct fluorophores with lifetime contrast. Experimentally, the method is validated using capillaries filled with 2.5nmol of ICG and IRDye™800CW respectively embedded in a diffuse media mimicking the average optical properties of mice. Combining multiple time gates in one inverse problem allows the simultaneous reconstruction of multiple fluorophores with increased resolution and minimal crosstalk using the proposed formulation. PMID:21483610

Methodological considerations for global analysis of cellular FLIM/FRET measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adbul Rahim, Nur Aida; Pelet, Serge; Kamm, Roger D.; So, Peter T. C.

2012-02-01

Global algorithms can improve the analysis of fluorescence energy transfer (FRET) measurement based on fluorescence lifetime microscopy. However, global analysis of FRET data is also susceptible to experimental artifacts. This work examines several common artifacts and suggests remedial experimental protocols. Specifically, we examined the accuracy of different methods for instrument response extraction and propose an adaptive method based on the mean lifetime of fluorescent proteins. We further examined the effects of image segmentation and a priori constraints on the accuracy of lifetime extraction. Methods to test the applicability of global analysis on cellular data are proposed and demonstrated. The accuracy of global fitting degrades with lower photon count. By systematically tracking the effect of the minimum photon count on lifetime and FRET prefactors when carrying out global analysis, we demonstrate a correction procedure to recover the correct FRET parameters, allowing us to obtain protein interaction information even in dim cellular regions with photon counts as low as 100 per decay curve.

Status of the BL2 beam measurement of the neutron lifetime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoogerheide, Shannon Fogwell; BL2 Collaboration

2017-09-01

Neutron beta decay is the simplest example of nuclear beta decay and a precise value of the neutron lifetime is important for consistency tests of the Standard Model and Big Bang Nucleosynthesis models. A new measurement of the neutron lifetime, utilizing the beam method, is underway at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Center for Neutron Research with a projected uncertainty of 1 s. A review of the beam method and the technical improvements in this experiment will be presented. The status of the experiment, as well as preliminary measurements, beam characteristics, and early data will be discussed.

Apparatus and method for measuring fluorescence intensities at a plurality of wavelengths and lifetimes

DOEpatents

Buican, T.N.

1993-05-04

Apparatus and method is described for measuring intensities at a plurality of wavelengths and lifetimes. A source of multiple-wavelength electromagnetic radiation is passed through a first interferometer modulated at a first frequency, the output thereof being directed into a sample to be investigated. The light emitted from the sample as a result of the interaction thereof with the excitation radiation is directed into a second interferometer modulated at a second frequency, and the output detected and analyzed. In this manner excitation, emission, and lifetime information may be obtained for a multiplicity of fluorochromes in the sample.

Validation of attenuation, beam blockage, and calibration estimation methods using two dual polarization X band weather radars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diederich, M.; Ryzhkov, A.; Simmer, C.; Mühlbauer, K.

2011-12-01

The amplitude a of radar wave reflected by meteorological targets can be misjudged due to several factors. At X band wavelength, attenuation of the radar beam by hydro meteors reduces the signal strength enough to be a significant source of error for quantitative precipitation estimation. Depending on the surrounding orography, the radar beam may be partially blocked when scanning at low elevation angles, and the knowledge of the exact amount of signal loss through beam blockage becomes necessary. The phase shift between the radar signals at horizontal and vertical polarizations is affected by the hydrometeors that the beam travels through, but remains unaffected by variations in signal strength. This has allowed for several ways of compensating for the attenuation of the signal, and for consistency checks between these variables. In this study, we make use of several weather radars and gauge network measuring in the same area to examine the effectiveness of several methods of attenuation and beam blockage corrections. The methods include consistency checks of radar reflectivity and specific differential phase, calculation of beam blockage using a topography map, estimating attenuation using differential propagation phase, and the ZPHI method proposed by Testud et al. in 2000. Results show the high effectiveness of differential phase in estimating attenuation, and potential of the ZPHI method to compensate attenuation, beam blockage, and calibration errors.

Check for chirality in {sup 102}Rh

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

Tonev, D.; Goutev, N.; Yavahchova, M. S.

2012-10-20

Excited states in {sup 102}Rh, populated by the fusion-evaporation reaction {sup 94}Zr({sup 11}B,3n){sup 102}Rh at a beam energy of 36 MeV, were studied using the INGA spectrometer at IUAC, New Delhi. The angular correlations and the electromagnetic character of some of the gamma-ray transitions observed were investigated in details. A new chiral candidate sister band was found in the level-scheme of {sup 102}Rh. Lifetimes of exited states in {sup 102}Rh were measured by means of the Doppler-shift attenuation technique. The experimental results do not support the presence of static chirality in {sup 102}Rh.

Characterization of interfaces in Binary and Ternary Polymer Blends by Positron Lifetime Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ranganathaiah, C.

2015-06-01

A miscible blend is a single-phase system with compact packing of the polymeric chains/segments due configuration/conformational changes upon blending. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is the most employed method to ascertain whether the blend is miscible or immiscible. Positron Lifetime Spectroscopy (PLS) has been employed in recent times to study miscibility properties of polymer blends by monitoring the ortho-Positronium annihilation lifetimes as function of composition. However, just free volume monitoring and the DSC methods fail to provide the composition dependent miscibility of blends. To overcome this limitation, an alternative approach based on hydrodynamic interactions has been developed to derive this information using the same o-Ps lifetime measurements. This has led to the development of a new method of measuring composition dependent miscibility level in binary and ternary polymer blends. Further, the new method also provides interface characteristics for immiscible blends. The interactions between the blend components has a direct bearing on the strength of adhesion at the interface and hence the hydrodynamic interaction. Understanding the characteristic of interfaces which decides the miscibility level of the blend and their end applications is made easy by the present method. The efficacy of the present method is demonstrated for few binary and ternary blends.

Two-dimensional fluorescence lifetime correlation spectroscopy. 2. Application.

PubMed

Ishii, Kunihiko; Tahara, Tahei

2013-10-03

In the preceding article, we introduced the theoretical framework of two-dimensional fluorescence lifetime correlation spectroscopy (2D FLCS). In this article, we report the experimental implementation of 2D FLCS. In this method, two-dimensional emission-delay correlation maps are constructed from the photon data obtained with the time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC), and then they are converted to 2D lifetime correlation maps by the inverse Laplace transform. We develop a numerical method to realize reliable transformation, employing the maximum entropy method (MEM). We apply the developed actual 2D FLCS to two real systems, a dye mixture and a DNA hairpin. For the dye mixture, we show that 2D FLCS is experimentally feasible and that it can identify different species in an inhomogeneous sample without any prior knowledge. The application to the DNA hairpin demonstrates that 2D FLCS can disclose microsecond spontaneous dynamics of biological molecules in a visually comprehensible manner, through identifying species as unique lifetime distributions. A FRET pair is attached to the both ends of the DNA hairpin, and the different structures of the DNA hairpin are distinguished as different fluorescence lifetimes in 2D FLCS. By constructing the 2D correlation maps of the fluorescence lifetime of the FRET donor, the equilibrium dynamics between the open and the closed forms of the DNA hairpin is clearly observed as the appearance of the cross peaks between the corresponding fluorescence lifetimes. This equilibrium dynamics of the DNA hairpin is clearly separated from the acceptor-missing DNA that appears as an isolated diagonal peak in the 2D maps. The present study clearly shows that newly developed 2D FLCS can disclose spontaneous structural dynamics of biological molecules with microsecond time resolution.

Bulk lifetime characterization of corona charged silicon wafers with high resistivity by means of microwave detected photoconductivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Engst, C. R.; Rommel, M.; Bscheid, C.; Eisele, I.; Kutter, C.

2017-12-01

Minority carrier lifetime (lifetime) measurements are performed on corona-charged silicon wafers by means of Microwave Detected Photoconductivity (MDP). The corona charge is deposited on the front and back sides of oxidized wafers in order to adjust accumulation conditions. Once accumulation is established, interface recombination is suppressed and bulk lifetimes are obtained. Neither contacts nor non-CMOS compatible preparation techniques are required in order to achieve accumulation conditions, which makes the method ideally suited for inline characterization. The novel approach, termed ChargedMDP (CMDP), is used to investigate neutron transmutation doped (NTD) float zone silicon with resistivities ranging from 6.0 to 8.2 kΩ cm. The bulk properties of 150 mm NTD wafers are analyzed in detail by performing measurements of the carrier lifetime and the steady-state photoconductivity at various injection levels. The results are compared with MDP measurements of uncharged wafers as well as to the established charged microwave detected Photoconductance Decay (charge-PCD) method. Besides analyzing whole wafers, CMDP measurements are performed on oxide test-structures on a patterned wafer. Finally, the oxide properties are characterized by means of charge-PCD as well as capacitance-voltage measurements. With CMDP, average bulk lifetimes up to 33.1 ms are measured, whereby significant variations are observed among wafers, which are produced out of the same ingot but oxidized in different furnaces. The observed lifetime variations are assumed to be caused by contaminations, which are introduced during the oxidation process. The results obtained by CMDP were neither accessible by means of conventional MDP measurements of uncharged wafers nor with the established charge-PCD method.

Use of Life Course Work–Family Profiles to Predict Mortality Risk Among US Women

PubMed Central

Guevara, Ivan Mejía; Glymour, M. Maria; Berkman, Lisa F.

2015-01-01

Objectives. We examined relationships between US women’s exposure to midlife work–family demands and subsequent mortality risk. Methods. We used data from women born 1935 to 1956 in the Health and Retirement Study to calculate employment, marital, and parenthood statuses for each age between 16 and 50 years. We used sequence analysis to identify 7 prototypical work–family trajectories. We calculated age-standardized mortality rates and hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality associated with work–family sequences, with adjustment for covariates and potentially explanatory later-life factors. Results. Married women staying home with children briefly before reentering the workforce had the lowest mortality rates. In comparison, after adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, and education, HRs for mortality were 2.14 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.58, 2.90) among single nonworking mothers, 1.48 (95% CI = 1.06, 1.98) among single working mothers, and 1.36 (95% CI = 1.02, 1.80) among married nonworking mothers. Adjustment for later-life behavioral and economic factors partially attenuated risks. Conclusions. Sequence analysis is a promising exposure assessment tool for life course research. This method permitted identification of certain lifetime work–family profiles associated with mortality risk before age 75 years. PMID:25713976

Couplings between hierarchical conformational dynamics from multi-time correlation functions and two-dimensional lifetime spectra: Application to adenylate kinase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ono, Junichi; Takada, Shoji; Saito, Shinji

2015-06-01

An analytical method based on a three-time correlation function and the corresponding two-dimensional (2D) lifetime spectrum is developed to elucidate the time-dependent couplings between the multi-timescale (i.e., hierarchical) conformational dynamics in heterogeneous systems such as proteins. In analogy with 2D NMR, IR, electronic, and fluorescence spectroscopies, the waiting-time dependence of the off-diagonal peaks in the 2D lifetime spectra can provide a quantitative description of the dynamical correlations between the conformational motions with different lifetimes. The present method is applied to intrinsic conformational changes of substrate-free adenylate kinase (AKE) using long-time coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. It is found that the hierarchical conformational dynamics arise from the intra-domain structural transitions among conformational substates of AKE by analyzing the one-time correlation functions and one-dimensional lifetime spectra for the donor-acceptor distances corresponding to single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer experiments with the use of the principal component analysis. In addition, the complicated waiting-time dependence of the off-diagonal peaks in the 2D lifetime spectra for the donor-acceptor distances is attributed to the fact that the time evolution of the couplings between the conformational dynamics depends upon both the spatial and temporal characters of the system. The present method is expected to shed light on the biological relationship among the structure, dynamics, and function.

Couplings between hierarchical conformational dynamics from multi-time correlation functions and two-dimensional lifetime spectra: Application to adenylate kinase

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

Ono, Junichi; Takada, Shoji; Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502

2015-06-07

An analytical method based on a three-time correlation function and the corresponding two-dimensional (2D) lifetime spectrum is developed to elucidate the time-dependent couplings between the multi-timescale (i.e., hierarchical) conformational dynamics in heterogeneous systems such as proteins. In analogy with 2D NMR, IR, electronic, and fluorescence spectroscopies, the waiting-time dependence of the off-diagonal peaks in the 2D lifetime spectra can provide a quantitative description of the dynamical correlations between the conformational motions with different lifetimes. The present method is applied to intrinsic conformational changes of substrate-free adenylate kinase (AKE) using long-time coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. It is found that the hierarchicalmore » conformational dynamics arise from the intra-domain structural transitions among conformational substates of AKE by analyzing the one-time correlation functions and one-dimensional lifetime spectra for the donor-acceptor distances corresponding to single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer experiments with the use of the principal component analysis. In addition, the complicated waiting-time dependence of the off-diagonal peaks in the 2D lifetime spectra for the donor-acceptor distances is attributed to the fact that the time evolution of the couplings between the conformational dynamics depends upon both the spatial and temporal characters of the system. The present method is expected to shed light on the biological relationship among the structure, dynamics, and function.« less

Progress toward a new measurement of the neutron lifetime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grammer, Kyle

2015-10-01

Free neutron decay is the simplest nuclear beta decay. A precise value for the neutron lifetime is valuable for standard model consistency tests and Big Bang Nucleosynthesis models. There is a disagreement between the measured neutron lifetime from cold neutron beam experiments and ultracold neutron storage experiments. A new measurement of the neutron lifetime using the beam method is planned at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Center for Neutron Research. Experimental improvements should result in a 1s uncertainty measurement of the neutron lifetime. The technical improvements, recent apparatus tests, and the path towards the new measurement will be discussed. This work is supported by DOE Office of Science, NIST, and NSF.

Progress toward a new measurement of the neutron lifetime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grammer, Kyle

2015-04-01

Free neutron decay is the simplest nuclear beta decay. A precise value for the neutron lifetime is valuable for standard model consistency tests and Big Bang Nucleosynthesis models. There is a disagreement between the measured neutron lifetime from cold neutron beam experiments and ultracold neutron storage experiments. A new measurement of the neutron lifetime using the beam method is planned at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Center for Neutron Research. Experimental improvements should result in a 1s uncertainty measurement of the neutron lifetime. The technical improvements and the path towards the new measurement will be discussed. This work is supported by DOE Office of Science, NIST, and NSF.

Study of rain attenuation in Ka band for satellite communication in South Korea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shrestha, Sujan; Choi, Dong-You

2016-10-01

The important factor to be considered in the link budget estimation for satellite communication systems, operating at frequencies above 10 GHz is the rain attenuation. Scattering and absorption are the main concern for system designers at these frequency bands. This has resulted in the need for suitable prediction models that can best provide estimates of attenuation due to rain with available information of rain attenuation data. Researchers have developed models that can be used to estimate 1-min rainfall attenuation distribution for earth space link but there is still some confusion with regard to choosing the right model to predict attenuation for the location of interest. In this context, the existing prediction models need to be tested against the measured results. This paper presents studies on rain attenuation at 19.8 GHz, which specifies the performance parameters for Ka-Band under earth space communication system. It presents the experimental result of rain rates and rain-induced attenuation in 19.8 and 20.73 GHz for vertical and circular polarization respectively. The received signal data for rain attenuation and rain rate were collected at 10 s intervals over a three year periods from 2013 to 2015. The data highlights the impact of clear air variation and rain fade loss. Rain rate data was measured through OTT Parsivel. During the observation period, rain rates of about 50 mm/h and attenuation values of 11.6 dB for 0.01% of the time were noted. The experimental link was set up at Korea Radio Promotion Association, Mokdong, Seoul. Out of several models, this paper present discussion and comparison of ITU-R P.618-12, Unified Method, Dissanayake Allnutt and Haidara (DAH), Simple Attenuation (SAM), Crane Global and Ramachandran and Kumar models. The relative error margin of 27.51, 89.84,72.46% and 67.24, 130.84, 166.48% are obtained for 0.1%, 0.01% and 0.001% of the time for 19.8 and 20.73 GHz under vertical and circular polarization respectively from ITU-R P. 618-12 method which has been analyzed in the further section of this article. In order to obtain the better approximation of rain induced attenuation, the suitable method is proposed for earth space link whose efficiency have been compared with prominent rain attenuation models. The method provides useful information for system engineers and researchers in making a decision over the choice of suitable rain attenuation prediction method for earth space communication operating in the South Korea region.

Utilisation of ISA Reverse Genetics and Large-Scale Random Codon Re-Encoding to Produce Attenuated Strains of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus within Days.

PubMed

de Fabritus, Lauriane; Nougairède, Antoine; Aubry, Fabien; Gould, Ernest A; de Lamballerie, Xavier

2016-01-01

Large-scale codon re-encoding is a new method of attenuating RNA viruses. However, the use of infectious clones to generate attenuated viruses has inherent technical problems. We previously developed a bacterium-free reverse genetics protocol, designated ISA, and now combined it with large-scale random codon-re-encoding method to produce attenuated tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), a pathogenic flavivirus which causes febrile illness and encephalitis in humans. We produced wild-type (WT) and two re-encoded TBEVs, containing 273 or 273+284 synonymous mutations in the NS5 and NS5+NS3 coding regions respectively. Both re-encoded viruses were attenuated when compared with WT virus using a laboratory mouse model and the relative level of attenuation increased with the degree of re-encoding. Moreover, all infected animals produced neutralizing antibodies. This novel, rapid and efficient approach to engineering attenuated viruses could potentially expedite the development of safe and effective new-generation live attenuated vaccines.

C-band attenuation by tropical rainfall in Darwin, Australia, using climatologically tuned Z(e)-R relations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Atlas, David; Rosenfeld, Daniel; Wolff, David B.

1993-01-01

The probability matching method (PMM) is used as a basis for estimating attenuation in tropical rains near Darwin, Australia. PMM provides a climatological relationship between measured radar reflectivity and rain rate, which includes the effects of rain and cloud attenuation. When the radar sample is representative, PMM estimates the rainfall without bias. When the data are stratified for greater than average rates, the method no longer compensates for the higher attenuation and the radar rainfall estimates are biased low. The uncompensated attenuation is used to estimate the climatological attenuation coefficient. The two-way attenuation coefficient was found to be 0.0085 dB/km ( mm/h) exp -1.08 for the tropical rains and associated clouds in Darwin for the first two months of the year for horizontally polarized radiation at 5.63 GHz. This unusually large value is discussed. The risks of making real-time corrections for attenuation are also treated.

Simultaneous one-dimensional fluorescence lifetime measurements of OH and CO in premixed flames

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jonsson, Malin; Ehn, Andreas; Christensen, Moah; Aldén, Marcus; Bood, Joakim

2014-04-01

A method for simultaneous measurements of fluorescence lifetimes of two species along a line is described. The experimental setup is based on picosecond laser pulses from two tunable optical parametric generator/optical parametric amplifier systems together with a streak camera. With an appropriate optical time delay between the two laser pulses, whose wavelengths are tuned to excite two different species, laser-induced fluorescence can be both detected temporally and spatially resolved by the streak camera. Hence, our method enables one-dimensional imaging of fluorescence lifetimes of two species in the same streak camera recording. The concept is demonstrated for fluorescence lifetime measurements of CO and OH in a laminar methane/air flame on a Bunsen-type burner. Measurements were taken in flames with four different equivalence ratios, namely ϕ = 0.9, 1.0, 1.15, and 1.25. The measured one-dimensional lifetime profiles generally agree well with lifetimes calculated from quenching cross sections found in the literature and quencher concentrations predicted by the GRI 3.0 mechanism. For OH, there is a systematic deviation of approximately 30 % between calculated and measured lifetimes. It is found that this is mainly due to the adiabatic assumption regarding the flame and uncertainty in H2O quenching cross section. This emphasizes the strength of measuring the quenching rates rather than relying on models. The measurement concept might be useful for single-shot measurements of fluorescence lifetimes of several species pairs of vital importance in combustion processes, hence allowing fluorescence signals to be corrected for quenching and ultimately yield quantitative concentration profiles.

Associations between DSM-IV mental disorders and onset of self-reported peptic ulcer in the World Mental Health Surveys

PubMed Central

Scott, Kate M.; Alonso, Jordi; de Jonge, Peter; Viana, Maria Carmen; Liu, Zhaorui; O’Neill, Siobhan; Aguilar-Gaxiola, Sergio; Bruffaerts, Ronny; Caldas-de-Almeida, Jose Miguel; Stein, Dan J.; Angermeyer, Matthias; Benjet, Corina; de Girolamo, Giovanni; Firuleasa, Ingrid-Laura; Hu, Chiyi; Kiejna, Andrzej; Kovess-Masfety, Viviane; Levinson, Daphna; Nakane, Yoshibumi; Piazza, Marina; Posada-Villa, José A.; Khalaf, Mohammad Salih; Lim, Carmen C. W.; Kessler, Ronald C.

2013-01-01

Objective Recent research demonstrating concurrent associations between mental disorders and peptic ulcers has renewed interest in links between psychological factors and ulcers. However, little is known about associations between temporally prior mental disorders and subsequent ulcer onset. Nor has the potentially confounding role of childhood adversities been explored. The objective of this study was to examine associations between a wide range of temporally prior DSM-IV mental disorders and subsequent onset of ulcer, without and with adjustment for mental disorder comorbidity and childhood adversities. Methods Face-to-face household surveys conducted in 19 countries (n=52,095; person years=2,096,486).The Composite International Diagnostic Interview retrospectively assessed lifetime prevalence and age at onset of 16 DSM-IV mental disorders. Peptic ulcer onset was assessed in the same interview by self-report of physician’s diagnosis and year of diagnosis. Survival analyses estimated associations between first onset of mental disorders and subsequent ulcer onset. Results After comorbidity and sociodemographic adjustment, depression, social phobia, specific phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, alcohol and drug abuse disorders were significantly associated with ulcer onset (ORs 1.3-1.6). Increasing number of lifetime mental disorders was associated with ulcer onset in a dose-response fashion. These associations were only slightly attenuated by adjustment for childhood adversities. Conclusions A wide range of mental disorders were linked with the self-report of subsequent peptic ulcer onset. These associations require confirmation in prospective designs, but are suggestive of a role for mental disorders in contributing to ulcer vulnerability, possibly through abnormalities in the physiological stress response associated with mental disorders. PMID:23915767

Educational attainment and cigarette smoking: a causal association?†

PubMed Central

Gilman, Stephen E; Martin, Laurie T; Abrams, David B; Kawachi, Ichiro; Kubzansky, Laura; Loucks, Eric B; Rende, Richard; Rudd, Rima; Buka, Stephen L

2016-01-01

Background Despite abundant evidence that lower education is associated with a higher risk of smoking, whether the association is causal has not been convincingly established. Methods We investigated the association between education and lifetime smoking patterns in a birth cohort established in 1959 and followed through adulthood (n = 1311). We controlled for a wide range of potential confounders that were measured prior to school entry, and also estimated sibling fixed effects models to control for unmeasured familial vulnerability to smoking. Results In the full sample of participants, regression analyses adjusting for multiple childhood factors (including socioeconomic status, IQ, behavioural problems, and medical conditions) indicated that the number of pack-years smoked was higher among individuals with less than high school education [rate ratio (RR) = 1.58, confidence interval (CI) = 1.31, 1.91]. However, in the sibling fixed effects analysis the RR was 1.23 (CI = 0.80, 1.93). Similarly, adjusted models estimated in the full sample showed that individuals with less than high school education had fewer short-term (RR = 0.40; CI = 0.23, 0.69) and long-term (RR = 0.59; CI = 0.42, 0.83) quit attempts, and were less likely to quit smoking (odds ratio = 0.34; CI = 0.19, 0.62). The effects of education on quitting smoking were attenuated in the sibling fixed effects models that controlled for familial vulnerability to smoking. Conclusions A substantial portion of the education differential in smoking that has been repeatedly observed is attributable to factors shared by siblings that contribute to shortened educational careers and to lifetime smoking trajectories. Reducing disparities in cigarette smoking, including educational disparities, may therefore require approaches that focus on factors early in life that influence smoking risk over the adult life span. PMID:18180240

Intellectual enrichment lessens the effect of brain atrophy on learning and memory in multiple sclerosis

PubMed Central

Sumowski, James F.; Wylie, Glenn R.; Chiaravalloti, Nancy; DeLuca, John

2010-01-01

Objective: Learning and memory impairments are prevalent among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS); however, such deficits are only weakly associated with MS disease severity (brain atrophy). The cognitive reserve hypothesis states that greater lifetime intellectual enrichment lessens the negative impact of brain disease on cognition, thereby helping to explain the incomplete relationship between brain disease and cognitive status in neurologic populations. The literature on cognitive reserve has focused mainly on Alzheimer disease. The current research examines whether greater intellectual enrichment lessens the negative effect of brain atrophy on learning and memory in patients with MS. Methods: Forty-four persons with MS completed neuropsychological measures of verbal learning and memory, and a vocabulary-based estimate of lifetime intellectual enrichment. Brain atrophy was estimated with third ventricle width measured from 3-T magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo MRIs. Hierarchical regression was used to predict learning and memory with brain atrophy, intellectual enrichment, and the interaction between brain atrophy and intellectual enrichment. Results: Brain atrophy predicted worse learning and memory, and intellectual enrichment predicted better learning; however, these effects were moderated by interactions between brain atrophy and intellectual enrichment. Specifically, higher intellectual enrichment lessened the negative impact of brain atrophy on both learning and memory. Conclusion: These findings help to explain the incomplete relationship between multiple sclerosis disease severity and cognition, as the effect of disease on cognition is attenuated among patients with higher intellectual enrichment. As such, intellectual enrichment is supported as a protective factor against disease-related cognitive impairment in persons with multiple sclerosis. GLOSSARY AD = Alzheimer disease; ANOVA = analysis of variance; MPRAGE = magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo; MS = multiple sclerosis; SRT = Selective Reminding Test; TVW = third ventricle width; WASI = Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence. PMID:20548040

Brain reserve and cognitive reserve protect against cognitive decline over 4.5 years in MS

PubMed Central

Rocca, Maria A.; Leavitt, Victoria M.; Dackovic, Jelena; Mesaros, Sarlota; Drulovic, Jelena; DeLuca, John; Filippi, Massimo

2014-01-01

Objective: Based on the theories of brain reserve and cognitive reserve, we investigated whether larger maximal lifetime brain growth (MLBG) and/or greater lifetime intellectual enrichment protect against cognitive decline over time. Methods: Forty patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) underwent baseline and 4.5-year follow-up evaluations of cognitive efficiency (Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task) and memory (Selective Reminding Test, Spatial Recall Test). Baseline and follow-up MRIs quantified disease progression: percentage brain volume change (cerebral atrophy), percentage change in T2 lesion volume. MLBG (brain reserve) was estimated with intracranial volume; intellectual enrichment (cognitive reserve) was estimated with vocabulary. We performed repeated-measures analyses of covariance to investigate whether larger MLBG and/or greater intellectual enrichment moderate/attenuate cognitive decline over time, controlling for disease progression. Results: Patients with MS declined in cognitive efficiency and memory (p < 0.001). MLBG moderated decline in cognitive efficiency (p = 0.031, ηp2 = 0.122), with larger MLBG protecting against decline. MLBG did not moderate memory decline (p = 0.234, ηp2 = 0.039). Intellectual enrichment moderated decline in cognitive efficiency (p = 0.031, ηp2 = 0.126) and memory (p = 0.037, ηp2 = 0.115), with greater intellectual enrichment protecting against decline. MS disease progression was more negatively associated with change in cognitive efficiency and memory among patients with lower vs higher MLBG and intellectual enrichment. Conclusion: We provide longitudinal support for theories of brain reserve and cognitive reserve in MS. Larger MLBG protects against decline in cognitive efficiency, and greater intellectual enrichment protects against decline in cognitive efficiency and memory. Consideration of these protective factors should improve prediction of future cognitive decline in patients with MS. PMID:24748670

Energy optimization in mobile sensor networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Shengwei

Mobile sensor networks are considered to consist of a network of mobile robots, each of which has computation, communication and sensing capabilities. Energy efficiency is a critical issue in mobile sensor networks, especially when mobility (i.e., locomotion control), routing (i.e., communications) and sensing are unique characteristics of mobile robots for energy optimization. This thesis focuses on the problem of energy optimization of mobile robotic sensor networks, and the research results can be extended to energy optimization of a network of mobile robots that monitors the environment, or a team of mobile robots that transports materials from stations to stations in a manufacturing environment. On the energy optimization of mobile robotic sensor networks, our research focuses on the investigation and development of distributed optimization algorithms to exploit the mobility of robotic sensor nodes for network lifetime maximization. In particular, the thesis studies these five problems: 1. Network-lifetime maximization by controlling positions of networked mobile sensor robots based on local information with distributed optimization algorithms; 2. Lifetime maximization of mobile sensor networks with energy harvesting modules; 3. Lifetime maximization using joint design of mobility and routing; 4. Optimal control for network energy minimization; 5. Network lifetime maximization in mobile visual sensor networks. In addressing the first problem, we consider only the mobility strategies of the robotic relay nodes in a mobile sensor network in order to maximize its network lifetime. By using variable substitutions, the original problem is converted into a convex problem, and a variant of the sub-gradient method for saddle-point computation is developed for solving this problem. An optimal solution is obtained by the method. Computer simulations show that mobility of robotic sensors can significantly prolong the lifetime of the whole robotic sensor network while consuming negligible amount of energy for mobility cost. For the second problem, the problem is extended to accommodate mobile robotic nodes with energy harvesting capability, which makes it a non-convex optimization problem. The non-convexity issue is tackled by using the existing sequential convex approximation method, based on which we propose a novel procedure of modified sequential convex approximation that has fast convergence speed. For the third problem, the proposed procedure is used to solve another challenging non-convex problem, which results in utilizing mobility and routing simultaneously in mobile robotic sensor networks to prolong the network lifetime. The results indicate that joint design of mobility and routing has an edge over other methods in prolonging network lifetime, which is also the justification for the use of mobility in mobile sensor networks for energy efficiency purpose. For the fourth problem, we include the dynamics of the robotic nodes in the problem by modeling the networked robotic system using hybrid systems theory. A novel distributed method for the networked hybrid system is used to solve the optimal moving trajectories for robotic nodes and optimal network links, which are not answered by previous approaches. Finally, the fact that mobility is more effective in prolonging network lifetime for a data-intensive network leads us to apply our methods to study mobile visual sensor networks, which are useful in many applications. We investigate the joint design of mobility, data routing, and encoding power to help improving the video quality while maximizing the network lifetime. This study leads to a better understanding of the role mobility can play in data-intensive surveillance sensor networks.

The generalized centroid difference method for picosecond sensitive determination of lifetimes of nuclear excited states using large fast-timing arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Régis, J.-M.; Mach, H.; Simpson, G. S.; Jolie, J.; Pascovici, G.; Saed-Samii, N.; Warr, N.; Bruce, A.; Degenkolb, J.; Fraile, L. M.; Fransen, C.; Ghita, D. G.; Kisyov, S.; Koester, U.; Korgul, A.; Lalkovski, S.; Mărginean, N.; Mutti, P.; Olaizola, B.; Podolyak, Z.; Regan, P. H.; Roberts, O. J.; Rudigier, M.; Stroe, L.; Urban, W.; Wilmsen, D.

2013-10-01

A novel method for direct electronic “fast-timing” lifetime measurements of nuclear excited states via γ-γ coincidences using an array equipped with N∈N equally shaped very fast high-resolution LaBr3(Ce) scintillator detectors is presented. Analogous to the mirror symmetric centroid difference method, the generalized centroid difference method provides two independent “start” and “stop” time spectra obtained by a superposition of the N(N-1)γ-γ time difference spectra of the N detector fast-timing system. The two fast-timing array time spectra correspond to a forward and reverse gating of a specific γ-γ cascade. Provided that the energy response and the electronic time pick-off of the detectors are almost equal, a mean prompt response difference between start and stop events is calibrated and used as a single correction for lifetime determination. These combined fast-timing arrays mean γ-γ time-walk characteristics can be determined for 40 keV

On the uncertainty in single molecule fluorescent lifetime and energy emission measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, Emery N.; Zhang, Zhenhua; Mccollom, Alex D.

1995-01-01

Time-correlated single photon counting has recently been combined with mode-locked picosecond pulsed excitation to measure the fluorescent lifetimes and energy emissions of single molecules in a flow stream. Maximum likelihood (ML) and least square methods agree and are optimal when the number of detected photons is large however, in single molecule fluorescence experiments the number of detected photons can be less than 20, 67% of those can be noise and the detection time is restricted to 10 nanoseconds. Under the assumption that the photon signal and background noise are two independent inhomogeneous poisson processes, we derive the exact joint arrival time probably density of the photons collected in a single counting experiment performed in the presence of background noise. The model obviates the need to bin experimental data for analysis, and makes it possible to analyze formally the effect of background noise on the photon detection experiment using both ML or Bayesian methods. For both methods we derive the joint and marginal probability densities of the fluorescent lifetime and fluorescent emission. the ML and Bayesian methods are compared in an analysis of simulated single molecule fluorescence experiments of Rhodamine 110 using different combinations of expected background nose and expected fluorescence emission. While both the ML or Bayesian procedures perform well for analyzing fluorescence emissions, the Bayesian methods provide more realistic measures of uncertainty in the fluorescent lifetimes. The Bayesian methods would be especially useful for measuring uncertainty in fluorescent lifetime estimates in current single molecule flow stream experiments where the expected fluorescence emission is low. Both the ML and Bayesian algorithms can be automated for applications in molecular biology.

On the Uncertainty in Single Molecule Fluorescent Lifetime and Energy Emission Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, Emery N.; Zhang, Zhenhua; McCollom, Alex D.

1996-01-01

Time-correlated single photon counting has recently been combined with mode-locked picosecond pulsed excitation to measure the fluorescent lifetimes and energy emissions of single molecules in a flow stream. Maximum likelihood (ML) and least squares methods agree and are optimal when the number of detected photons is large, however, in single molecule fluorescence experiments the number of detected photons can be less than 20, 67 percent of those can be noise, and the detection time is restricted to 10 nanoseconds. Under the assumption that the photon signal and background noise are two independent inhomogeneous Poisson processes, we derive the exact joint arrival time probability density of the photons collected in a single counting experiment performed in the presence of background noise. The model obviates the need to bin experimental data for analysis, and makes it possible to analyze formally the effect of background noise on the photon detection experiment using both ML or Bayesian methods. For both methods we derive the joint and marginal probability densities of the fluorescent lifetime and fluorescent emission. The ML and Bayesian methods are compared in an analysis of simulated single molecule fluorescence experiments of Rhodamine 110 using different combinations of expected background noise and expected fluorescence emission. While both the ML or Bayesian procedures perform well for analyzing fluorescence emissions, the Bayesian methods provide more realistic measures of uncertainty in the fluorescent lifetimes. The Bayesian methods would be especially useful for measuring uncertainty in fluorescent lifetime estimates in current single molecule flow stream experiments where the expected fluorescence emission is low. Both the ML and Bayesian algorithms can be automated for applications in molecular biology.

Influence of the electromagnetic parameters on the surface wave attenuation in thin absorbing layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yinrui; Li, Dongmeng; Wang, Xian; Nie, Yan; Gong, Rongzhou

2018-05-01

This paper describes the relationships between the surface wave attenuation properties and the electromagnetic parameters of radar absorbing materials (RAMs). In order to conveniently obtain the attenuation constant of TM surface waves over a wide frequency range, the simplified dispersion equations in thin absorbing materials were firstly deduced. The validity of the proposed method was proved by comparing with the classical dispersion equations. Subsequently, the attenuation constants were calculated separately for the absorbing layers with hypothetical relative permittivity and permeability. It is found that the surface wave attenuation properties can be strongly tuned by the permeability of RAM. Meanwhile, the permittivity should be appropriate so as to maintain high cutoff frequency. The present work provides specific methods and designs to improve the attenuation performances of radar absorbing materials.

Variations in the electrical short-circuit current decay for recombination lifetime and velocity measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jung, Tae-Won; Lindholm, Fredrik A.; Neugroschel, Arnost

1987-01-01

An improved measurement system for electrical short-circuit current decay is presented that extends applicability of the method to silicon solar cells having an effective lifetime as low as 1 microsec. The system uses metal/oxide/semiconductor transistors as voltage-controlled switches. Advances in theory developed here increase precision and sensitivity in the determination of the minority-carrier recombination lifetime and recombination velocity. A variation of the method, which exploits measurements made on related back-surface field and back-ohmic contact devices, further improves precision and sensitivity. The improvements are illustrated by application to 15 different silicon solar cells.

One method for life time estimation of a bucket wheel machine for coal moving

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vîlceanu, Fl; Iancu, C.

2016-08-01

Rehabilitation of outdated equipment with lifetime expired, or in the ultimate life period, together with high cost investments for their replacement, makes rational the efforts made to extend their life. Rehabilitation involves checking operational safety based on relevant expertise of metal structures supporting effective resistance and assessing the residual lifetime. The bucket wheel machine for coal constitute basic machine within deposits of coal of power plants. The estimate of remaining life can be done by checking the loading on the most stressed subassembly by Finite Element Analysis on a welding detail. The paper presents step-by-step the method of calculus applied in order to establishing the residual lifetime of a bucket wheel machine for coal moving using non-destructive methods of study (fatigue cracking analysis + FEA). In order to establish the actual state of machine and areas subject to study, was done FEA of this mining equipment, performed on the geometric model of mechanical analyzed structures, with powerful CAD/FEA programs. By applying the method it can be calculated residual lifetime, by extending the results from the most stressed area of the equipment to the entire machine, and thus saving time and money from expensive replacements.

Segmented frequency-domain fluorescence lifetime measurements: minimizing the effects of photobleaching within a multi-component system.

PubMed

Marwani, Hadi M; Lowry, Mark; Keating, Patrick; Warner, Isiah M; Cook, Robert L

2007-11-01

This study introduces a newly developed frequency segmentation and recombination method for frequency-domain fluorescence lifetime measurements to address the effects of changing fractional contributions over time and minimize the effects of photobleaching within multi-component systems. Frequency segmentation and recombination experiments were evaluated using a two component system consisting of fluorescein and rhodamine B. Comparison of experimental data collected in traditional and segmented fashion with simulated data, generated using different changing fractional contributions, demonstrated the validity of the technique. Frequency segmentation and recombination was also applied to a more complex system consisting of pyrene with Suwannee River fulvic acid reference and was shown to improve recovered lifetimes and fractional intensity contributions. It was observed that photobleaching in both systems led to errors in recovered lifetimes which can complicate the interpretation of lifetime results. Results showed clear evidence that the frequency segmentation and recombination method reduced errors resulting from a changing fractional contribution in a multi-component system, and allowed photobleaching issues to be addressed by commercially available instrumentation.

Bacteria attenuation by iron electrocoagulation governed by interactions between bacterial phosphate groups and Fe(III) precipitates.

PubMed

Delaire, Caroline; van Genuchten, Case M; Amrose, Susan E; Gadgil, Ashok J

2016-10-15

Iron electrocoagulation (Fe-EC) is a low-cost process in which Fe(II) generated from an Fe(0) anode reacts with dissolved O2 to form (1) Fe(III) precipitates with an affinity for bacterial cell walls and (2) bactericidal reactive oxidants. Previous work suggests that Fe-EC is a promising treatment option for groundwater containing arsenic and bacterial contamination. However, the mechanisms of bacteria attenuation and the impact of major groundwater ions are not well understood. In this work, using the model indicator Escherichia coli (E. coli), we show that physical removal via enmeshment in EC precipitate flocs is the primary process of bacteria attenuation in the presence of HCO3(-), which significantly inhibits inactivation, possibly due to a reduction in the lifetime of reactive oxidants. We demonstrate that the adhesion of EC precipitates to cell walls, which results in bacteria encapsulation in flocs, is driven primarily by interactions between EC precipitates and phosphate functional groups on bacteria surfaces. In single solute electrolytes, both P (0.4 mM) and Ca/Mg (1-13 mM) inhibited the adhesion of EC precipitates to bacterial cell walls, whereas Si (0.4 mM) and ionic strength (2-200 mM) did not impact E. coli attenuation. Interestingly, P (0.4 mM) did not affect E. coli attenuation in electrolytes containing Ca/Mg, consistent with bivalent cation bridging between bacterial phosphate groups and inorganic P sorbed to EC precipitates. Finally, we found that EC precipitate adhesion is largely independent of cell wall composition, consistent with comparable densities of phosphate functional groups on Gram-positive and Gram-negative cells. Our results are critical to predict the performance of Fe-EC to eliminate bacterial contaminants from waters with diverse chemical compositions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Capture of Fluorescence Decay Times by Flow Cytometry

PubMed Central

Naivar, Mark A.; Jenkins, Patrick; Freyer, James P.

2012-01-01

In flow cytometry, the fluorescence decay time of an excitable species has been largely underutilized and is not likely found as a standard parameter on any imaging cytometer, sorting, or analyzing system. Most cytometers lack fluorescence lifetime hardware mainly owing to two central issues. Foremost, research and development with lifetime techniques has lacked proper exploitation of modern laser systems, data acquisition boards, and signal processing techniques. Secondly, a lack of enthusiasm for fluorescence lifetime applications in cells and with bead-based assays has persisted among the greater cytometry community. In this unit, we describe new approaches that address these issues and demonstrate the simplicity of digitally acquiring fluorescence relaxation rates in flow. The unit is divided into protocol and commentary sections in order to provide a most comprehensive discourse on acquiring the fluorescence lifetime with frequency-domain methods. The unit covers (i) standard fluorescence lifetime acquisition (protocol-based) with frequency-modulated laser excitation, (ii) digital frequency-domain cytometry analyses, and (iii) interfacing fluorescence lifetime measurements onto sorting systems. Within the unit is also a discussion on how digital methods are used for aliasing in order to harness higher frequency ranges. Also, a final discussion is provided on heterodyning and processing of waveforms for multi-exponential decay extraction. PMID:25419263

Methodology for applying monitored natural attenuation to petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated ground-water systems with examples from South Carolina

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chapelle, Frank H.; Robertson, John F.; Landmeyer, James E.; Bradley, Paul M.

2000-01-01

These two sites illustrate how the efficiency of natural attenuation processes acting on petroleum hydrocarbons can be systematically evaluated using hydrologic, geochemical, and microbiologic methods.  These methods, in turn, can be used to assess the role that the natural attenuation of petroleum hydrocarbons can play in achieving overall site remediation.

Measuring The Neutron Lifetime to One Second Using in Beam Techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mulholland, Jonathan; NIST In Beam Lifetime Collaboration

2013-10-01

The decay of the free neutron is the simplest nuclear beta decay and is the prototype for charged current semi-leptonic weak interactions. A precise value for the neutron lifetime is required for consistency tests of the Standard Model and is an essential parameter in the theory of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis. A new measurement of the neutron lifetime using the in-beam method is planned at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Center for Neutron Research. The systematic effects associated with the in-beam method are markedly different than those found in storage experiments utilizing ultracold neutrons. Experimental improvements, specifically recent advances in the determination of absolute neutron fluence, should permit an overall uncertainty of 1 second on the neutron lifetime. The technical improvements in the in-beam technique, and the path toward improving the precision of the new measurement will be discussed.

Modification of Kirchhoff migration with variable sound speed and attenuation for acoustic imaging of media and application to tomographic imaging of the breast

PubMed Central

Schmidt, Steven; Duric, Nebojsa; Li, Cuiping; Roy, Olivier; Huang, Zhi-Feng

2011-01-01

Purpose: To explore the feasibility of improving cross-sectional reflection imaging of the breast using refractive and attenuation corrections derived from ultrasound tomography data. Methods: The authors have adapted the planar Kirchhoff migration method, commonly used in geophysics to reconstruct reflection images, for use in ultrasound tomography imaging of the breast. Furthermore, the authors extended this method to allow for refractive and attenuative corrections. Using clinical data obtained with a breast imaging prototype, the authors applied this method to generate cross-sectional reflection images of the breast that were corrected using known distributions of sound speed and attenuation obtained from the same data. Results: A comparison of images reconstructed with and without the corrections showed varying degrees of improvement. The sound speed correction resulted in sharpening of detail, while the attenuation correction reduced the central darkening caused by path length dependent losses. The improvements appeared to be greatest when dense tissue was involved and the least for fatty tissue. These results are consistent with the expectation that denser tissues lead to both greater refractive effects and greater attenuation. Conclusions: Although conventional ultrasound techniques use time-gain control to correct for attenuation gradients, these corrections lead to artifacts because the true attenuation distribution is not known. The use of constant sound speed leads to additional artifacts that arise from not knowing the sound speed distribution. The authors show that in the context of ultrasound tomography, it is possible to construct reflection images of the breast that correct for inhomogeneous distributions of both sound speed and attenuation. PMID:21452737

[The analysis of sinusoidal modulated method used for measuring fluorescence lifetime].

PubMed

Feng, Ying; Huang, Shi-hua

2007-12-01

This paper has built a system with a sinusoidal modulated LED as the excitation source. Such exciter was used upon the sample Eu2 L'3 x nH2O (L' = C4H4O4). Both the excitation light and the 5Do-7F2 emission of Eu3+ ion were measured. Fluorescence lifetime, which approximate to 0.680 ms, can then be obtained from the measured excitation and fluorescence waveforms by non-linear least square curve fitting based on the principle of phase-shift measurement of fluorescence lifetime. Data processing methods considering respectively the high order harmonics in the modulation and multi-exponential decay of the fluorescence were discussed. A method of utilizing Fourier series expandedness to amendatory the result was put forward. Accordingly, the applicability for phase-shift method was expanded as well as a more exact result was acquired.

Quantitative Evaluation of Segmentation- and Atlas-Based Attenuation Correction for PET/MR on Pediatric Patients.

PubMed

Bezrukov, Ilja; Schmidt, Holger; Gatidis, Sergios; Mantlik, Frédéric; Schäfer, Jürgen F; Schwenzer, Nina; Pichler, Bernd J

2015-07-01

Pediatric imaging is regarded as a key application for combined PET/MR imaging systems. Because existing MR-based attenuation-correction methods were not designed specifically for pediatric patients, we assessed the impact of 2 potentially influential factors: inter- and intrapatient variability of attenuation coefficients and anatomic variability. Furthermore, we evaluated the quantification accuracy of 3 methods for MR-based attenuation correction without (SEGbase) and with bone prediction using an adult and a pediatric atlas (SEGwBONEad and SEGwBONEpe, respectively) on PET data of pediatric patients. The variability of attenuation coefficients between and within pediatric (5-17 y, n = 17) and adult (27-66 y, n = 16) patient collectives was assessed on volumes of interest (VOIs) in CT datasets for different tissue types. Anatomic variability was assessed on SEGwBONEad/pe attenuation maps by computing mean differences to CT-based attenuation maps for regions of bone tissue, lungs, and soft tissue. PET quantification was evaluated on VOIs with physiologic uptake and on 80% isocontour VOIs with elevated uptake in the thorax and abdomen/pelvis. Inter- and intrapatient variability of the bias was assessed for each VOI group and method. Statistically significant differences in mean VOI Hounsfield unit values and linear attenuation coefficients between adult and pediatric collectives were found in the lungs and femur. The prediction of attenuation maps using the pediatric atlas showed a reduced error in bone tissue and better delineation of bone structure. Evaluation of PET quantification accuracy showed statistically significant mean errors in mean standardized uptake values of -14% ± 5% and -23% ± 6% in bone marrow and femur-adjacent VOIs with physiologic uptake for SEGbase, which could be reduced to 0% ± 4% and -1% ± 5% using SEGwBONEpe attenuation maps. Bias in soft-tissue VOIs was less than 5% for all methods. Lung VOIs showed high SDs in the range of 15% for all methods. For VOIs with elevated uptake, mean and SD were less than 5% except in the thorax. The use of a dedicated atlas for the pediatric patient collective resulted in improved attenuation map prediction in osseous regions and reduced interpatient bias variation in femur-adjacent VOIs. For the lungs, in which intrapatient variation was higher for the pediatric collective, a patient- or group-specific attenuation coefficient might improve attenuation map accuracy. Mean errors of -14% and -23% in bone marrow and femur-adjacent VOIs can affect PET quantification in these regions when bone tissue is ignored. © 2015 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.

Intercomparison of attenuation correction algorithms for single-polarized X-band radars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lengfeld, K.; Berenguer, M.; Sempere Torres, D.

2018-03-01

Attenuation due to liquid water is one of the largest uncertainties in radar observations. The effects of attenuation are generally inversely proportional to the wavelength, i.e. observations from X-band radars are more affected by attenuation than those from C- or S-band systems. On the other hand, X-band radars can measure precipitation fields in higher temporal and spatial resolution and are more mobile and easier to install due to smaller antennas. A first algorithm for attenuation correction in single-polarized systems was proposed by Hitschfeld and Bordan (1954) (HB), but it gets unstable in case of small errors (e.g. in the radar calibration) and strong attenuation. Therefore, methods have been developed that restrict attenuation correction to keep the algorithm stable, using e.g. surface echoes (for space-borne radars) and mountain returns (for ground radars) as a final value (FV), or adjustment of the radar constant (C) or the coefficient α. In the absence of mountain returns, measurements from C- or S-band radars can be used to constrain the correction. All these methods are based on the statistical relation between reflectivity and specific attenuation. Another way to correct for attenuation in X-band radar observations is to use additional information from less attenuated radar systems, e.g. the ratio between X-band and C- or S-band radar measurements. Lengfeld et al. (2016) proposed such a method based isotonic regression of the ratio between X- and C-band radar observations along the radar beam. This study presents a comparison of the original HB algorithm and three algorithms based on the statistical relation between reflectivity and specific attenuation as well as two methods implementing additional information of C-band radar measurements. Their performance in two precipitation events (one mainly convective and the other one stratiform) shows that a restriction of the HB is necessary to avoid instabilities. A comparison with vertically pointing micro rain radars (MRR) reveals good performance of two of the methods based in the statistical k-Z-relation: FV and α. The C algorithm seems to be more sensitive to differences in calibration of the two systems and requires additional information from C- or S-band radars. Furthermore, a study of five months of radar observations examines the long-term performance of each algorithm. From this study conclusions can be drawn that using additional information from less attenuated radar systems lead to best results. The two algorithms that use this additional information eliminate the bias caused by attenuation and preserve the agreement with MRR observations.

Attenuation-based estimation of patient size for the purpose of size specific dose estimation in CT. Part II. Implementation on abdomen and thorax phantoms using cross sectional CT images and scanned projection radiograph images

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

Wang Jia; Christner, Jodie A.; Duan Xinhui

2012-11-15

Purpose: To estimate attenuation using cross sectional CT images and scanned projection radiograph (SPR) images in a series of thorax and abdomen phantoms. Methods: Attenuation was quantified in terms of a water cylinder with cross sectional area of A{sub w} from both the CT and SPR images of abdomen and thorax phantoms, where A{sub w} is the area of a water cylinder that would absorb the same dose as the specified phantom. SPR and axial CT images were acquired using a dual-source CT scanner operated at 120 kV in single-source mode. To use the SPR image for estimating A{sub w},more » the pixel values of a SPR image were calibrated to physical water attenuation using a series of water phantoms. A{sub w} and the corresponding diameter D{sub w} were calculated using the derived attenuation-based methods (from either CT or SPR image). A{sub w} was also calculated using only geometrical dimensions of the phantoms (anterior-posterior and lateral dimensions or cross sectional area). Results: For abdomen phantoms, the geometry-based and attenuation-based methods gave similar results for D{sub w}. Using only geometric parameters, an overestimation of D{sub w} ranging from 4.3% to 21.5% was found for thorax phantoms. Results for D{sub w} using the CT image and SPR based methods agreed with each other within 4% on average in both thorax and abdomen phantoms. Conclusions: Either the cross sectional CT or SPR images can be used to estimate patient attenuation in CT. Both are more accurate than use of only geometrical information for the task of quantifying patient attenuation. The SPR based method requires calibration of SPR pixel values to physical water attenuation and this calibration would be best performed by the scanner manufacturer.« less

Intravital phosphorescence lifetime imaging of the renal cortex accurately measures renal hypoxia.

PubMed

Hirakawa, Yosuke; Mizukami, Kiichi; Yoshihara, Toshitada; Takahashi, Ippei; Khulan, Purevsuren; Honda, Tomoko; Mimura, Imari; Tanaka, Tetsuhiro; Tobita, Seiji; Nangaku, Masaomi

2018-06-01

Renal tubulointerstitial hypoxia is recognized as a final common pathway of chronic kidney disease and is considered a promising drug target. However, hypoxia in the tubules is not well examined because of limited detection methods. Here, we devised a method to visualize renal tubular oxygen tension with spatial resolution at a cellular level using the cell-penetrating phosphorescent probe, BTPDM1 (an iridium-based cationic lipophilic dye), and confocal phosphorescence lifetime imaging microscopy to precisely assess renal hypoxia. Imaging with BTPDM1 revealed an oxygen gradient between S1 and S2 segments in mouse kidney. We also demonstrated that our microscopy system can detect subtle changes of hypoxemia and reoxygenation, and the acquired phosphorescence lifetime can be converted to partial pressure of oxygen. This new method allows, for the first time, visualization of intravital oxygen gradients at the renal surface with high spatial resolution. Thus, the confocal phosphorescence lifetime imaging microscopy platform, combined with BTPDM1, will promote an accurate understanding of tissue hypoxia, including renal hypoxia. Copyright © 2018 International Society of Nephrology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Radiative data for highly excited 3d84d levels in Ni II from laboratory measurements and atomic calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartman, H.; Engström, L.; Lundberg, H.; Nilsson, H.; Quinet, P.; Fivet, V.; Palmeri, P.; Malcheva, G.; Blagoev, K.

2017-04-01

Aims: This work reports new experimental radiative lifetimes and calculated oscillator strengths for transitions from 3d84d levels of astrophysical interest in singly ionized nickel. Methods: Radiative lifetimes of seven high-lying levels of even parity in Ni II (98 400-100 600 cm-1) have been measured using the time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence method. Two-step photon excitation of ions produced by laser ablation has been utilized to populate the levels. Theoretical calculations of the radiative lifetimes of the measured levels and transition probabilities from these levels are reported. The calculations have been performed using a pseudo-relativistic Hartree-Fock method, taking into account core polarization effects. Results: A new set of transition probabilities and oscillator strengths has been deduced for 477 Ni II transitions of astrophysical interest in the spectral range 194-520 nm depopulating even parity 3d84d levels. The new calculated gf-values are, on the average, about 20% higher than a previous calculation and yield lifetimes within 5% of the experimental values.

Core Engine Noise Program. Volume III. Prediction Methods -- Supplement I. - Extension of Prediction Methods

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-03-01

frequency noise transmission through turbine blade rows and addition of engine and component data to the prediction method for core noise. " Phase VI...lower turbine blade row attenuation for this low bypass engine . When the blade row attenuation is accounted for by means of a turbine work extrac...component and engine data. Currently, an in-depth program to investigate turbine blade row attenuation is underway (NAS3-19435 and DOT-FA75WA-3688). The

A literature review on fatigue and creep interaction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, W. C.

1978-01-01

Life-time prediction methods, which are based on a number of empirical and phenomenological relationships, are presented. Three aspects are reviewed: effects of testing parameters on high temperature fatigue, life-time prediction, and high temperature fatigue crack growth.

Low friction wear resistant graphene films

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

Sumant, Anirudha V.; Berman, Diana; Erdemir, Ali

A low friction wear surface with a coefficient of friction in the superlubric regime including graphene and nanoparticles on the wear surface is provided, and methods of producing the low friction wear surface are also provided. A long lifetime wear resistant surface including graphene exposed to hydrogen is provided, including methods of increasing the lifetime of graphene containing wear surfaces by providing hydrogen to the wear surface.

MLAA-based RF surface coil attenuation estimation in hybrid PET/MR imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heußer, Thorsten; Rank, Christopher M.; Freitag, Martin T.; Kachelrieß, Marc

2017-03-01

Attenuation correction (AC) for both patient and hardware attenuation of the 511 keV annihilation photons is required for accurate PET quantification. In hybrid PET/MR imaging, AC for stationary hardware components such as patient table and MR head coil is performed using CT{derived attenuation templates. AC for flexible hardware components such as MR radiofrequency (RF) surface coils is more challenging. Registration{based approaches, aligning scaled CT{derived attenuation templates with the current patient position, have been proposed but are not used in clinical routine. Ignoring RF coil attenuation has been shown to result in regional activity underestimation values of up to 18 %. We propose to employ a modified version of the maximum{ likelihood reconstruction of attenuation and activity (MLAA) algorithm to obtain an estimate of the RF coil attenuation. Starting with an initial attenuation map not including the RF coil, the attenuation update of MLAA is applied outside the body outline only, allowing to estimate RF coil attenuation without changing the patient attenuation map. Hence, the proposed method is referred to as external MLAA (xMLAA). In this work, xMLAA for RF surface coil attenuation estimation is investigated using phantom and patient data acquired with a Siemens Biograph mMR. For the phantom data, average activity errors compared to the ground truth was reduced from -8:1% to +0:8% when using the proposed method. Patient data revealed an average activity underestimation of -6:1% for the abdominal region and -5:3% for the thoracic region when ignoring RF coil attenuation.

Recoil Distance Method lifetime measurements via gamma-ray and charged-particle spectroscopy at NSCL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Voss, Philip Jonathan

The Recoil Distance Method (RDM) is a well-established technique for measuring lifetimes of electromagnetic transitions. Transition matrix elements derived from the lifetimes provide valuable insight into nuclear structure. Recent RDM investigations at NSCL present a powerful new model-independent tool for the spectroscopy of nuclei with extreme proton-to-neutron ratios that exhibit surprising behavior. Neutron-rich 18C is one such example, where a small B(E2; 2+1 → 0+gs) represented a dramatic shift from the expected inverse relationship between the B(E2) and 2+1 excitation energy. To shed light on the nature of this quadrupole excitation, the RDM lifetime technique was applied with the Koln/NSCL plunger. States in 18C were populated by the one-proton knockout reaction of a 19N secondary beam. De-excitation gamma rays were detected with the Segmented Germanium Array in coincidence with reaction residues at the focal plane of the S800 Magnetic Spectrometer. The deduced B(E2) and excitation energy were both well described by ab initio no-core shell model calculations. In addition, a novel extension of RDM lifetime measurements via charged-particle spectroscopy of exotic proton emitters has been investigated. Substituting the reaction residue degrader of the Koln/NSCL plunger with a thin silicon detector permits the study of short-lived nuclei beyond the proton dripline. A proof of concept measurement of the mean lifetime of the two-proton emitter 19Mg was conducted. The results indicated a sub-picosecond lifetime, one order of magnitude smaller than the published results, and validate this new technique for lifetime measurements of charged-particle emitters.

Experimental radiative lifetimes, branching fractions, and oscillator strengths of some levels in Tm III

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Qi; Wang, Xinghao; Li, Qiu; Gong, Yimin; Dai, Zhenwen

2018-06-01

Natural radiative lifetimes for five even-parity levels of Tm III were measured by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence method. The branching fraction measurements were performed based on the emission spectra of a hollow cathode lamp. By combining the measured branching fractions and the lifetime values reported in this work and in literature, experimental transition probabilities and oscillator strengths for 11 transitions were derived for the first time.

Epistemic Uncertainty and Limitations of the Kappa0 model for Near-surface Attenuation at Hard Rock Sites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edwards, Benjamin

2016-04-01

The determination of near-surface attenuation for hard rock sites is an important issue in a wide range of seismological applications, particularly seismic hazard analysis. In this article we choose six hard to very-hard rock sites (Vs30 1030 to 3000 m/s) and apply a range of analysis methods to measure the observed attenuation at distance based on a simple exponential decay model with whole-path attenuation operator κ. The κ values are subsequently decoupled from path attenuation (Q) so as to obtain estimates of near-surface attenuation (κ0). Five methods are employed to measure κ which can be split into two groups: broadband methods and high-frequency methods. Each of the applied methods has advantages and disadvantages, which are explored and discussed through the comparison of results from common datasets. In our first step we examine the variability of the individual measured κ values. Some variation between methods is expected due to simplifications of source, path, and site effects. However, we find that significant differences arise between attenuation measured on individual recordings, depending on the method employed or the modelling decisions made during a particular approach. Some of the differences can be explained through site amplification effects: although usually weak at rock sites, amplification may still lead to bias of the measured κ due to the chosen fitting frequency bandwidth, which often varies between methods. At some sites the observed high-frequency spectral shape was clearly different to the typical κ attenuation model, with curved or bi-linear rather than linear decay at high frequencies. In addition to amplification effects this could be related to frequency-dependent attenuation effects (e.g., Q(f)): since the κ model is implicitly frequency independent, κ will in this case be dependent on the selected analysis bandwidth. In our second step, using the whole-path κ datasets from the five approaches, we investigate the robustness of the near-surface attenuation parameter κ0 and the influence of constraints, such as assuming a value for the regional crustal attenuation (Q). We do this by using a variety of fitting methods: least-squares, absolute amplitude, and regressions with and without fixing Q to an a priori value. We find that the value to which we fix Q strongly influences the near-surface attenuation term κ0. Differences in Q derived from the data at the six sites under investigation could not be reconciled with the average values found previously over the wider Swiss region. This led to starkly different κ0 values, depending on whether we allowed for a data-driven Q, or whether we forced Q to be consistent with existing simulation models or GMPEs valid for the wider region. Considering all the possible approaches we found that the contribution to epistemic uncertainty for κ0 determination at the six hard-rock sites in Switzerland could be represented by a normal distribution with standard deviation σκ0=0.0083±0.0014 s.

Attenuation correction in 4D-PET using a single-phase attenuation map and rigidity-adaptive deformable registration

PubMed Central

Kalantari, Faraz; Wang, Jing

2017-01-01

Purpose Four-dimensional positron emission tomography (4D-PET) imaging is a potential solution to the respiratory motion effect in the thoracic region. Computed tomography (CT)-based attenuation correction (AC) is an essential step toward quantitative imaging for PET. However, due to the temporal difference between 4D-PET and a single attenuation map from CT, typically available in routine clinical scanning, motion artifacts are observed in the attenuation-corrected PET images, leading to errors in tumor shape and uptake. We introduced a practical method to align single-phase CT with all other 4D-PET phases for AC. Methods A penalized non-rigid Demons registration between individual 4D-PET frames without AC provides the motion vectors to be used for warping single-phase attenuation map. The non-rigid Demons registration was used to derive deformation vector fields (DVFs) between PET matched with the CT phase and other 4D-PET images. While attenuated PET images provide useful data for organ borders such as those of the lung and the liver, tumors cannot be distinguished from the background due to loss of contrast. To preserve the tumor shape in different phases, an ROI-covering tumor was excluded from non-rigid transformation. Instead the mean DVF of the central region of the tumor was assigned to all voxels in the ROI. This process mimics a rigid transformation of the tumor along with a non-rigid transformation of other organs. A 4D-XCAT phantom with spherical lung tumors, with diameters ranging from 10 to 40 mm, was used to evaluate the algorithm. The performance of the proposed hybrid method for attenuation map estimation was compared to 1) the Demons non-rigid registration only and 2) a single attenuation map based on quantitative parameters in individual PET frames. Results Motion-related artifacts were significantly reduced in the attenuation-corrected 4D-PET images. When a single attenuation map was used for all individual PET frames, the normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) values in tumor region were 49.3% (STD: 8.3%), 50.5% (STD: 9.3%), 51.8% (STD: 10.8%) and 51.5% (STD: 12.1%) for 10-mm, 20-mm, 30-mm and 40-mm tumors respectively. These errors were reduced to 11.9% (STD: 2.9%), 13.6% (STD: 3.9%), 13.8% (STD: 4.8%), and 16.7% (STD: 9.3%) by our proposed method for deforming the attenuation map. The relative errors in total lesion glycolysis (TLG) values were −0.25% (STD: 2.87%) and 3.19% (STD: 2.35%) for 30-mm and 40-mm tumors respectively in proposed method. The corresponding values for Demons method were 25.22% (STD: 14.79%) and 18.42% (STD: 7.06%). Our proposed hybrid method outperforms the Demons method especially for larger tumors. For tumors smaller than 20 mm, non-rigid transformation could also provide quantitative results. Conclusion Although non-AC 4D-PET frames include insignificant anatomical information, they are still useful to estimate the DVFs to align the attenuation map for accurate AC. The proposed hybrid method can recover the AC-related artifacts and provide quantitative AC-PET images. PMID:27987223

PET/MRI in the Presence of Metal Implants: Completion of the Attenuation Map from PET Emission Data.

PubMed

Fuin, Niccolo; Pedemonte, Stefano; Catalano, Onofrio A; Izquierdo-Garcia, David; Soricelli, Andrea; Salvatore, Marco; Heberlein, Keith; Hooker, Jacob M; Van Leemput, Koen; Catana, Ciprian

2017-05-01

We present a novel technique for accurate whole-body attenuation correction in the presence of metallic endoprosthesis, on integrated non-time-of-flight (non-TOF) PET/MRI scanners. The proposed implant PET-based attenuation map completion (IPAC) method performs a joint reconstruction of radioactivity and attenuation from the emission data to determine the position, shape, and linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) of metallic implants. Methods: The initial estimate of the attenuation map was obtained using the MR Dixon method currently available on the Siemens Biograph mMR scanner. The attenuation coefficients in the area of the MR image subjected to metal susceptibility artifacts are then reconstructed from the PET emission data using the IPAC algorithm. The method was tested on 11 subjects presenting 13 different metallic implants, who underwent CT and PET/MR scans. Relative mean LACs and Dice similarity coefficients were calculated to determine the accuracy of the reconstructed attenuation values and the shape of the metal implant, respectively. The reconstructed PET images were compared with those obtained using the reference CT-based approach and the Dixon-based method. Absolute relative change (aRC) images were generated in each case, and voxel-based analyses were performed. Results: The error in implant LAC estimation, using the proposed IPAC algorithm, was 15.7% ± 7.8%, which was significantly smaller than the Dixon- (100%) and CT- (39%) derived values. A mean Dice similarity coefficient of 73% ± 9% was obtained when comparing the IPAC- with the CT-derived implant shape. The voxel-based analysis of the reconstructed PET images revealed quantification errors (aRC) of 13.2% ± 22.1% for the IPAC- with respect to CT-corrected images. The Dixon-based method performed substantially worse, with a mean aRC of 23.1% ± 38.4%. Conclusion: We have presented a non-TOF emission-based approach for estimating the attenuation map in the presence of metallic implants, to be used for whole-body attenuation correction in integrated PET/MR scanners. The Graphics Processing Unit implementation of the algorithm will be included in the open-source reconstruction toolbox Occiput.io. © 2017 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.

Modeling of the attenuation of stress waves in concrete based on the Rayleigh damping model using time-reversal and PZT transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Zhen; Huo, Linsheng; Gao, Weihang; Li, Hongnan; Song, Gangbing

2017-10-01

Wave-based concrete structural health monitoring has attracted much attention. A stress wave experiences significant attenuation in concrete, however there is a lack of a unified method for predicting the attenuation coefficient of the stress wave. In this paper, a simple and effective absorption attenuation model of stress waves in concrete is developed based on the Rayleigh damping model, which indicates that the absorption attenuation coefficient of stress waves in concrete is directly proportional to the square of the stress wave frequency when the damping ratio is small. In order to verify the theoretical model, related experiments were carried out. During the experiments, a concrete beam was designed in which the d33-model piezoelectric smart aggregates were embedded to detect the propagation of stress waves. It is difficult to distinguish direct stress waves due to the complex propagation paths and the reflection and scattering of stress waves in concrete. Hence, as another innovation of this paper, a new method for computing the absorption attenuation coefficient based on the time-reversal method is developed. Due to the self-adaptive focusing properties of the time-reversal method, the time-reversed stress wave focuses and generates a peak value. The time-reversal method eliminates the adverse effects of multipaths, reflection, and scattering. The absorption attenuation coefficient is computed by analyzing the peak value changes of the time-reversal focused signal. Finally, the experimental results are found to be in good agreement with the theoretical model.

The effect of intrinsic attenuation correction methods on the stationarity of the 3-D modulation transfer function of SPECT.

PubMed

Glick, S J; Hawkins, W G; King, M A; Penney, B C; Soares, E J; Byrne, C L

1992-01-01

The application of stationary restoration techniques to SPECT images assumes that the modulation transfer function (MTF) of the imaging system is shift invariant. It was hypothesized that using intrinsic attenuation correction (i.e., methods which explicitly invert the exponential radon transform) would yield a three-dimensional (3-D) MTF which varies less with position within the transverse slices than the combined conjugate view two-dimensional (2-D) MTF varies with depth. Thus the assumption of shift invariance would become less of an approximation for 3-D post- than for 2-D pre-reconstruction restoration filtering. SPECT acquisitions were obtained from point sources located at various positions in three differently shaped, water-filled phantoms. The data were reconstructed with intrinsic attenuation correction, and 3-D MTFs were calculated. Four different intrinsic attenuation correction methods were compared: (1) exponentially weighted backprojection, (2) a modified exponentially weighted backprojection as described by Tanaka et al. [Phys. Med. Biol. 29, 1489-1500 (1984)], (3) a Fourier domain technique as described by Bellini et al. [IEEE Trans. ASSP 27, 213-218 (1979)], and (4) the circular harmonic transform (CHT) method as described by Hawkins et al. [IEEE Trans. Med. Imag. 7, 135-148 (1988)]. The dependence of the 3-D MTF obtained with these methods, on point source location within an attenuator, and on shape of the attenuator, was studied. These 3-D MTFs were compared to: (1) those MTFs obtained with no attenuation correction, and (2) the depth dependence of the arithmetic mean combined conjugate view 2-D MTFs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

METHODS AND ANALYSES FOR IMPLEMENTING NATURAL ATTENUATION PROTOCOLS

EPA Science Inventory

Technical protocols for evaluating natural attenuation at petroleum hydrocarbon and chlorinated solvent contaminated sites specify the analysis of electron acceptors and metabolic by-products for identifying and quantifying natural attenuation processes. However, these protocols ...

GPU accelerated real-time confocal fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) based on the analog mean-delay (AMD) method

PubMed Central

Kim, Byungyeon; Park, Byungjun; Lee, Seungrag; Won, Youngjae

2016-01-01

We demonstrated GPU accelerated real-time confocal fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) based on the analog mean-delay (AMD) method. Our algorithm was verified for various fluorescence lifetimes and photon numbers. The GPU processing time was faster than the physical scanning time for images up to 800 × 800, and more than 149 times faster than a single core CPU. The frame rate of our system was demonstrated to be 13 fps for a 200 × 200 pixel image when observing maize vascular tissue. This system can be utilized for observing dynamic biological reactions, medical diagnosis, and real-time industrial inspection. PMID:28018724

Filter replacement lifetime prediction

DOEpatents

Hamann, Hendrik F.; Klein, Levente I.; Manzer, Dennis G.; Marianno, Fernando J.

2017-10-25

Methods and systems for predicting a filter lifetime include building a filter effectiveness history based on contaminant sensor information associated with a filter; determining a rate of filter consumption with a processor based on the filter effectiveness history; and determining a remaining filter lifetime based on the determined rate of filter consumption. Methods and systems for increasing filter economy include measuring contaminants in an internal and an external environment; determining a cost of a corrosion rate increase if unfiltered external air intake is increased for cooling; determining a cost of increased air pressure to filter external air; and if the cost of filtering external air exceeds the cost of the corrosion rate increase, increasing an intake of unfiltered external air.

Brain reserve and cognitive reserve in multiple sclerosis

PubMed Central

Rocca, Maria A.; Leavitt, Victoria M.; Riccitelli, Gianna; Comi, Giancarlo; DeLuca, John; Filippi, Massimo

2013-01-01

Objective: We first tested the brain reserve (BR) hypothesis in multiple sclerosis (MS) by examining whether larger maximal lifetime brain volume (MLBV; determined by genetics) protects against disease-related cognitive impairment, and then investigated whether cognitive reserve (CR) gained through life experience (intellectually enriching leisure activities) protects against cognitive decline independently of MLBV (BR). Methods: Sixty-two patients with MS (41 relapsing-remitting MS, 21 secondary progressive MS) received MRIs to estimate BR (MLBV, estimated with intracranial volume [ICV]) and disease burden (T2 lesion load; atrophy of gray matter, white matter, thalamus, and hippocampus). Early-life cognitive leisure was measured as a source of CR. We assessed cognitive status with tasks of cognitive efficiency and memory. Hierarchical regressions were used to investigate whether higher BR (ICV) protects against cognitive impairment, and whether higher CR (leisure) independently protects against cognitive impairment over and above BR. Results: Cognitive status was positively associated with ICV (R2 = 0.066, p = 0.017). An ICV × disease burden interaction (R2 = 0.050, p = 0.030) revealed that larger ICV attenuated the impact of disease burden on cognition. Controlling for BR, higher education (R2 = 0.047, p = 0.030) and leisure (R2 = 0.090, p = 0.001) predicted better cognition. A leisure × disease burden interaction (R2 = 0.037, p = 0.030) showed that leisure independently attenuated the impact of disease burden on cognition. Follow-up analyses revealed that BR protected against cognitive inefficiency, not memory deficits, whereas CR was more protective against memory deficits than cognitive inefficiency. Conclusion: We provide evidence of BR in MS, and show that CR independently protects against disease-related cognitive decline over and above BR. Lifestyle choices protect against cognitive impairment independently of genetic factors outside of one's control. PMID:23667062

Coffee consumption and incidence of lung cancer in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study

PubMed Central

Guertin, Kristin A; Freedman, Neal D; Loftfield, Erikka; Graubard, Barry I; Caporaso, Neil E; Sinha, Rashmi

2016-01-01

Background: Coffee drinkers had a higher risk of lung cancer in some previous studies, but as heavy coffee drinkers tend to also be cigarette smokers, such findings could be confounded. Therefore, we examined this association in the nearly half a million participants of the US NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study. Methods: Typical coffee intake and smoking history were queried at baseline. During 4 155 256 person-years of follow-up, more than 9000 incident lung cancer cases occurred. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs)and 95% confidence intervals for coffee intake and subsequent incidence of lung cancer. We also comprehensively adjusted for tobacco smoking and examined associations by detailed strata of tobacco use. Results: Coffee drinkers were far more likely to smoke than non-drinkers. Although coffee drinking was associated with lung cancer in age- and sex- adjusted models (HR for ≥ 6 cups/day compared with none: 4.56, 4.08-5.10), this association was substantially attenuated after adjusting for smoking (HR: 1.27, 1.14-1.42). Similar findings were observed for each different histological type of lung cancer, and for participants drinking predominantly caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee. Little evidence for an association was observed in our stratified analyses, either within never smokers or in most categories of tobacco use. Conclusions: Coffee drinking was positively associated with lung cancer in our study, although the association was substantially attenuated after adjustment for tobacco smoking. As our adjustment for lifetime tobacco use was imperfect, it is likely that the remaining association is due to residual confounding by smoking, although other explanations are possible. PMID:26082405

Testing of a femtosecond pulse laser in outer space

PubMed Central

Lee, Joohyung; Lee, Keunwoo; Jang, Yoon-Soo; Jang, Heesuk; Han, Seongheum; Lee, Sang-Hyun; Kang, Kyung-In; Lim, Chul-Woo; Kim, Young-Jin; Kim, Seung-Woo

2014-01-01

We report a test operation of an Er-doped fibre femtosecond laser which was conducted for the first time in outer space. The fibre-based ultrashort pulse laser payload was designed to meet space-use requirements, undergone through ground qualification tests and finally launched into a low-earth orbit early in 2013. Test results obtained during a one-year mission lifetime confirmed stable mode-locking all the way through although the radiation induced attenuation (RIA) in the Er-doped gain fibre caused an 8.6% reduction in the output power. This successful test operation would help facilitate diverse scientific and technological applications of femtosecond lasers in space and earth atmosphere in the near future. PMID:24875665

Testing of a femtosecond pulse laser in outer space.

PubMed

Lee, Joohyung; Lee, Keunwoo; Jang, Yoon-Soo; Jang, Heesuk; Han, Seongheum; Lee, Sang-Hyun; Kang, Kyung-In; Lim, Chul-Woo; Kim, Young-Jin; Kim, Seung-Woo

2014-05-30

We report a test operation of an Er-doped fibre femtosecond laser which was conducted for the first time in outer space. The fibre-based ultrashort pulse laser payload was designed to meet space-use requirements, undergone through ground qualification tests and finally launched into a low-earth orbit early in 2013. Test results obtained during a one-year mission lifetime confirmed stable mode-locking all the way through although the radiation induced attenuation (RIA) in the Er-doped gain fibre caused an 8.6% reduction in the output power. This successful test operation would help facilitate diverse scientific and technological applications of femtosecond lasers in space and earth atmosphere in the near future.

Patients with Testicular Cancer Undergoing CT Surveillance Demonstrate a Pitfall of Radiation-induced Cancer Risk Estimates: The Timing Paradox

PubMed Central

Eisenberg, Jonathan D.; Lee, Richard J.; Gilmore, Michael E.; Turan, Ekin A.; Singh, Sarabjeet; Kalra, Mannudeep K.; Liu, Bob; Kong, Chung Yin; Gazelle, G. Scott

2013-01-01

Purpose: To demonstrate a limitation of lifetime radiation-induced cancer risk metrics in the setting of testicular cancer surveillance—in particular, their failure to capture the delayed timing of radiation-induced cancers over the course of a patient’s lifetime. Materials and Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained for the use of computed tomographic (CT) dosimetry data in this study. Informed consent was waived. This study was HIPAA compliant. A Markov model was developed to project outcomes in patients with testicular cancer who were undergoing CT surveillance in the decade after orchiectomy. To quantify effects of early versus delayed risks, life expectancy losses and lifetime mortality risks due to testicular cancer were compared with life expectancy losses and lifetime mortality risks due to radiation-induced cancers from CT. Projections of life expectancy loss, unlike lifetime risk estimates, account for the timing of risks over the course of a lifetime, which enabled evaluation of the described limitation of lifetime risk estimates. Markov chain Monte Carlo methods were used to estimate the uncertainty of the results. Results: As an example of evidence yielded, 33-year-old men with stage I seminoma who were undergoing CT surveillance were projected to incur a slightly higher lifetime mortality risk from testicular cancer (598 per 100 000; 95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 302, 894) than from radiation-induced cancers (505 per 100 000; 95% UI: 280, 730). However, life expectancy loss attributable to testicular cancer (83 days; 95% UI: 42, 124) was more than three times greater than life expectancy loss attributable to radiation-induced cancers (24 days; 95% UI: 13, 35). Trends were consistent across modeled scenarios. Conclusion: Lifetime radiation risk estimates, when used for decision making, may overemphasize radiation-induced cancer risks relative to short-term health risks. © RSNA, 2012 Supplemental material: http://radiology.rsna.org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1148/radiol.12121015/-/DC1 PMID:23249573

Determining paediatric patient thickness from a single digital radiograph-a proof of principle.

PubMed

Worrall, Mark; Vinnicombe, Sarah; Sutton, David G

2018-04-05

This work presents a proof of principle for a method of estimating the thickness of an attenuator from a single radiograph using the image, the exposure factors with which it was acquired and a priori knowledge of the characteristics of the X-ray unit and detector used for the exposure. It is intended this could be developed into a clinical tool to assist with paediatric patient dose audit, for which a measurement of patient size is required. The proof of principle used measured pixel value and effective linear attenuation coefficient to estimate the thickness of a Solid Water attenuator. The kerma at the detector was estimated using a measurement of pixel value on the image and measured detector calibrations. The initial kerma was estimated using a lookup table of measured output values. The effective linear attenuation coefficient was measured for Solid Water at varying kV p . 11 test images of known and varying thicknesses of Solid Water were acquired at 60, 70 and 81 kV p . Estimates of attenuator thickness were made using the model and the results compared to the known thickness. Estimates of attenuator thickness made using the model differed from the known thickness by 3.8 mm (3.2%) on average, with a range of 0.5-10.8 mm (0.5-9%). A proof of principle is presented for a method of estimating the thickness of an attenuator using a single radiograph of the attenuator. The method has been shown to be accurate using a Solid Water attenuator, with a maximum difference between estimated and known attenuator thickness of 10.8 mm (9%). The method shows promise as a clinical tool for estimating abdominal paediatric patient thickness for paediatric patient dose audit, and is only contingent on the type of data routinely collected by Medical Physics departments. Advances in knowledge: A computational model has been created that is capable of accurately estimating the thickness of a uniform attenuator using only the radiographic image, the exposure factors with which it was acquired and a priori knowledge of the characteristics of the X-ray unit and detector used for the exposure.

Kinetic approach to degradation mechanisms in polymer solar cells and their accurate lifetime predictions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arshad, Muhammad Azeem; Maaroufi, AbdelKrim

2018-07-01

A beginning has been made in the present study regarding the accurate lifetime predictions of polymer solar cells. Certain reservations about the conventionally employed temperature accelerated lifetime measurements test for its unworthiness of predicting reliable lifetimes of polymer solar cells are brought into light. Critical issues concerning the accelerated lifetime testing include, assuming reaction mechanism instead of determining it, and relying solely on the temperature acceleration of a single property of material. An advanced approach comprising a set of theoretical models to estimate the accurate lifetimes of polymer solar cells is therefore suggested in order to suitably alternate the accelerated lifetime testing. This approach takes into account systematic kinetic modeling of various possible polymer degradation mechanisms under natural weathering conditions. The proposed kinetic approach is substantiated by its applications on experimental aging data-sets of polymer solar materials/solar cells including, P3HT polymer film, bulk heterojunction (MDMO-PPV:PCBM) and dye-sensitized solar cells. Based on the suggested approach, an efficacious lifetime determination formula for polymer solar cells is derived and tested on dye-sensitized solar cells. Some important merits of the proposed method are also pointed out and its prospective applications are discussed.

Fluorescent measurements in whole blood and plasma using red-emitting dyes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abugo, Omoefe O.; Herman, Petr; Lakowicz, Joseph R.

2000-04-01

We have determined the fluorescence characteristics of albumin blue 670 and Rhodamine 800 in plasma and blood in order to test the feasibility of making direct fluorescence sensing measurements in blood. These dyes were used because of their absorption in the red/NIR where absorption by hemoglobin is minimized. Front face illumination and detection was used to minimize absorption and scattering during measurement. Fluorescence emission was observed for these dyes in plasma and blood. Attenuation of the fluorescence emission was observed in blood because of hemoglobin absorption. Using frequency domain fluorometry, we recovered the expected lifetime parameters for both dyes in blood and plasma. We were able to quantify HSA concentrations using changes in the mean lifetime of AB670, a dye previously shown to bind preferentially to HSA. Rh800 concentrations in plasma and blood were also determined using modulation sensing. Anisotropy measurements revealed high Anisotropy for these dyes in plasma and blood. It also showed an increase in the anisotropy of AB670 with increase in HSA concentration in the presence of red blood cells. These results indicate that qualitative and quantitative fluorescence measurements can be made directly in blood without the need to process the blood.

Evaluation of gamma-ray attenuation properties of bismuth borate glass systems using Monte Carlo method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tarim, Urkiye Akar; Ozmutlu, Emin N.; Yalcin, Sezai; Gundogdu, Ozcan; Bradley, D. A.; Gurler, Orhan

2017-11-01

A Monte Carlo method was developed to investigate radiation shielding properties of bismuth borate glass. The mass attenuation coefficients and half-value layer parameters were determined for different fractional amounts of Bi2O3 in the glass samples for the 356, 662, 1173 and 1332 keV photon energies. A comparison of the theoretical and experimental attenuation coefficients is presented.

INDIRECT MEASUREMENT OF BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY TO MONITOR NATURAL ATTENUATION

EPA Science Inventory

The remediation of ground water contamination by natural attenuation, specifically biodegradation, requires continual monitoring. This research is aimed at improving methods for evaluating the long-term performance of Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA), specifically changes in ...

Determining attenuation properties of interfering fast and slow ultrasonic waves in cancellous bone.

PubMed

Nelson, Amber M; Hoffman, Joseph J; Anderson, Christian C; Holland, Mark R; Nagatani, Yoshiki; Mizuno, Katsunori; Matsukawa, Mami; Miller, James G

2011-10-01

Previous studies have shown that interference between fast waves and slow waves can lead to observed negative dispersion in cancellous bone. In this study, the effects of overlapping fast and slow waves on measurements of the apparent attenuation as a function of propagation distance are investigated along with methods of analysis used to determine the attenuation properties. Two methods are applied to simulated data that were generated based on experimentally acquired signals taken from a bovine specimen. The first method uses a time-domain approach that was dictated by constraints imposed by the partial overlap of fast and slow waves. The second method uses a frequency-domain log-spectral subtraction technique on the separated fast and slow waves. Applying the time-domain analysis to the broadband data yields apparent attenuation behavior that is larger in the early stages of propagation and decreases as the wave travels deeper. In contrast, performing frequency-domain analysis on the separated fast waves and slow waves results in attenuation coefficients that are independent of propagation distance. Results suggest that features arising from the analysis of overlapping two-mode data may represent an alternate explanation for the previously reported apparent dependence on propagation distance of the attenuation coefficient of cancellous bone. © 2011 Acoustical Society of America

Determining attenuation properties of interfering fast and slow ultrasonic waves in cancellous bone

PubMed Central

Nelson, Amber M.; Hoffman, Joseph J.; Anderson, Christian C.; Holland, Mark R.; Nagatani, Yoshiki; Mizuno, Katsunori; Matsukawa, Mami; Miller, James G.

2011-01-01

Previous studies have shown that interference between fast waves and slow waves can lead to observed negative dispersion in cancellous bone. In this study, the effects of overlapping fast and slow waves on measurements of the apparent attenuation as a function of propagation distance are investigated along with methods of analysis used to determine the attenuation properties. Two methods are applied to simulated data that were generated based on experimentally acquired signals taken from a bovine specimen. The first method uses a time-domain approach that was dictated by constraints imposed by the partial overlap of fast and slow waves. The second method uses a frequency-domain log-spectral subtraction technique on the separated fast and slow waves. Applying the time-domain analysis to the broadband data yields apparent attenuation behavior that is larger in the early stages of propagation and decreases as the wave travels deeper. In contrast, performing frequency-domain analysis on the separated fast waves and slow waves results in attenuation coefficients that are independent of propagation distance. Results suggest that features arising from the analysis of overlapping two-mode data may represent an alternate explanation for the previously reported apparent dependence on propagation distance of the attenuation coefficient of cancellous bone. PMID:21973378

Attenuation and velocity dispersion in the exploration seismic frequency band

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Langqiu

In an anelastic medium, seismic waves are distorted by attenuation and velocity dispersion, which depend on petrophysical properties of reservoir rocks. The effective attenuation and velocity dispersion is a combination of intrinsic attenuation and apparent attenuation due to scattering, transmission response, and data acquisition system. Velocity dispersion is usually neglected in seismic data processing partly because of insufficient observations in the exploration seismic frequency band. This thesis investigates the methods of measuring velocity dispersion in the exploration seismic frequency band and interprets the velocity dispersion data in terms of petrophysical properties. Broadband, uncorrelated vibrator data are suitable for measuring velocity dispersion in the exploration seismic frequency band, and a broad bandwidth optimizes the observability of velocity dispersion. Four methods of measuring velocity dispersion in uncorrelated vibrator VSP data are investigated, which are the sliding window crosscorrelation (SWCC) method, the instantaneous phase method, the spectral decomposition method, and the cross spectrum method. Among them, the SWCC method is a new method and has satisfactory robustness, accuracy, and efficiency. Using the SWCC method, velocity dispersion is measured in the uncorrelated vibrator VSP data from three areas with different geological settings, i.e., Mallik gas hydrate zone, McArthur River uranium mines, and Outokumpu crystalline rocks. The observed velocity dispersion is fitted to a straight line with respect to log frequency for a constant (frequency-independent) Q value. This provides an alternative method for calculating Q. A constant Q value does not directly link to petrophysical properties. A modeling study is implemented for the Mallik and McArthur River data to interpret the velocity dispersion observations in terms of petrophysical properties. The detailed multi-parameter petrophysical reservoir models are built according to the well logs; the models' parameters are adjusted by fitting the synthetic data to the observed data. In this way, seismic attenuation and velocity dispersion provide new insight into petrophysics properties at the Mallik and McArthur River sites. Potentially, observations of attenuation and velocity dispersion in the exploration seismic frequency band can improve the deconvolution process for vibrator data, Q-compensation, near-surface analysis, and first break picking for seismic data.

Optically Based Rapid Screening Method for Proven Optimal Treatment Strategies Before Treatment Begins

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-08-01

lifetime ( t2 ) corresponds to protein- bound NADH (23). Conversely, protein-bound FAD corre- sponds to the short lifetime, whereas free FAD corresponds...single photon counting (TCSPC) electronics (SPC-150, Becker and Hickl). TCSPC uses a fast detector PMT to measure the time between a laser pulse and... Becker and Hickl). A binning of nine surrounding pixels was used. Then, the fluorescence lifetime components were computed for each pixel by deconvolving

Temporal and spatial binning of TCSPC data to improve signal-to-noise ratio and imaging speed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walsh, Alex J.; Beier, Hope T.

2016-03-01

Time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) is the most robust method for fluorescence lifetime imaging using laser scanning microscopes. However, TCSPC is inherently slow making it ineffective to capture rapid events due to the single photon product per laser pulse causing extensive acquisition time limitations and the requirement of low fluorescence emission efficiency to avoid bias of measurement towards short lifetimes. Furthermore, thousands of photons per pixel are required for traditional instrument response deconvolution and fluorescence lifetime exponential decay estimation. Instrument response deconvolution and fluorescence exponential decay estimation can be performed in several ways including iterative least squares minimization and Laguerre deconvolution. This paper compares the limitations and accuracy of these fluorescence decay analysis techniques to accurately estimate double exponential decays across many data characteristics including various lifetime values, lifetime component weights, signal-to-noise ratios, and number of photons detected. Furthermore, techniques to improve data fitting, including binning data temporally and spatially, are evaluated as methods to improve decay fits and reduce image acquisition time. Simulation results demonstrate that binning temporally to 36 or 42 time bins, improves accuracy of fits for low photon count data. Such a technique reduces the required number of photons for accurate component estimation if lifetime values are known, such as for commercial fluorescent dyes and FRET experiments, and improve imaging speed 10-fold.

Measurement of the $B^-$ lifetime using a simulation free approach for trigger bias correction

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

Aaltonen, T.; /Helsinki Inst. of Phys.; Adelman, J.

2010-04-01

The collection of a large number of B hadron decays to hadronic final states at the CDF II detector is possible due to the presence of a trigger that selects events based on track impact parameters. However, the nature of the selection requirements of the trigger introduces a large bias in the observed proper decay time distribution. A lifetime measurement must correct for this bias and the conventional approach has been to use a Monte Carlo simulation. The leading sources of systematic uncertainty in the conventional approach are due to differences between the data and the Monte Carlo simulation. Inmore » this paper they present an analytic method for bias correction without using simulation, thereby removing any uncertainty between data and simulation. This method is presented in the form of a measurement of the lifetime of the B{sup -} using the mode B{sup -} {yields} D{sup 0}{pi}{sup -}. The B{sup -} lifetime is measured as {tau}{sub B{sup -}} = 1.663 {+-} 0.023 {+-} 0.015 ps, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. This new method results in a smaller systematic uncertainty in comparison to methods that use simulation to correct for the trigger bias.« less

Quantitative analysis of MRI-guided attenuation correction techniques in time-of-flight brain PET/MRI.

PubMed

Mehranian, Abolfazl; Arabi, Hossein; Zaidi, Habib

2016-04-15

In quantitative PET/MR imaging, attenuation correction (AC) of PET data is markedly challenged by the need of deriving accurate attenuation maps from MR images. A number of strategies have been developed for MRI-guided attenuation correction with different degrees of success. In this work, we compare the quantitative performance of three generic AC methods, including standard 3-class MR segmentation-based, advanced atlas-registration-based and emission-based approaches in the context of brain time-of-flight (TOF) PET/MRI. Fourteen patients referred for diagnostic MRI and (18)F-FDG PET/CT brain scans were included in this comparative study. For each study, PET images were reconstructed using four different attenuation maps derived from CT-based AC (CTAC) serving as reference, standard 3-class MR-segmentation, atlas-registration and emission-based AC methods. To generate 3-class attenuation maps, T1-weighted MRI images were segmented into background air, fat and soft-tissue classes followed by assignment of constant linear attenuation coefficients of 0, 0.0864 and 0.0975 cm(-1) to each class, respectively. A robust atlas-registration based AC method was developed for pseudo-CT generation using local weighted fusion of atlases based on their morphological similarity to target MR images. Our recently proposed MRI-guided maximum likelihood reconstruction of activity and attenuation (MLAA) algorithm was employed to estimate the attenuation map from TOF emission data. The performance of the different AC algorithms in terms of prediction of bones and quantification of PET tracer uptake was objectively evaluated with respect to reference CTAC maps and CTAC-PET images. Qualitative evaluation showed that the MLAA-AC method could sparsely estimate bones and accurately differentiate them from air cavities. It was found that the atlas-AC method can accurately predict bones with variable errors in defining air cavities. Quantitative assessment of bone extraction accuracy based on Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) showed that MLAA-AC and atlas-AC resulted in DSC mean values of 0.79 and 0.92, respectively, in all patients. The MLAA-AC and atlas-AC methods predicted mean linear attenuation coefficients of 0.107 and 0.134 cm(-1), respectively, for the skull compared to reference CTAC mean value of 0.138cm(-1). The evaluation of the relative change in tracer uptake within 32 distinct regions of the brain with respect to CTAC PET images showed that the 3-class MRAC, MLAA-AC and atlas-AC methods resulted in quantification errors of -16.2 ± 3.6%, -13.3 ± 3.3% and 1.0 ± 3.4%, respectively. Linear regression and Bland-Altman concordance plots showed that both 3-class MRAC and MLAA-AC methods result in a significant systematic bias in PET tracer uptake, while the atlas-AC method results in a negligible bias. The standard 3-class MRAC method significantly underestimated cerebral PET tracer uptake. While current state-of-the-art MLAA-AC methods look promising, they were unable to noticeably reduce quantification errors in the context of brain imaging. Conversely, the proposed atlas-AC method provided the most accurate attenuation maps, and thus the lowest quantification bias. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cognitive function in childhood and lifetime cognitive change in relation to mental wellbeing in four cohorts of older people.

PubMed

Gale, Catharine R; Cooper, Rachel; Craig, Leone; Elliott, Jane; Kuh, Diana; Richards, Marcus; Starr, John M; Whalley, Lawrence J; Deary, Ian J

2012-01-01

Poorer cognitive ability in youth is a risk factor for later mental health problems but it is largely unknown whether cognitive ability, in youth or in later life, is predictive of mental wellbeing. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether cognitive ability at age 11 years, cognitive ability in later life, or lifetime cognitive change are associated with mental wellbeing in older people. We used data on 8191 men and women aged 50 to 87 years from four cohorts in the HALCyon collaborative research programme into healthy ageing: the Aberdeen Birth Cohort 1936, the Lothian Birth Cohort 1921, the National Child Development Survey, and the MRC National Survey for Health and Development. We used linear regression to examine associations between cognitive ability at age 11, cognitive ability in later life, and lifetime change in cognitive ability and mean score on the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale and meta-analysis to obtain an overall estimate of the effect of each. People whose cognitive ability at age 11 was a standard deviation above the mean scored 0.53 points higher on the mental wellbeing scale (95% confidence interval 0.36, 0.71). The equivalent value for cognitive ability in later life was 0.89 points (0.72, 1.07). A standard deviation improvement in cognitive ability in later life relative to childhood ability was associated with 0.66 points (0.39, 0.93) advantage in wellbeing score. These effect sizes equate to around 0.1 of a standard deviation in mental wellbeing score. Adjustment for potential confounding and mediating variables, primarily the personality trait neuroticism, substantially attenuated these associations. Associations between cognitive ability in childhood or lifetime cognitive change and mental wellbeing in older people are slight and may be confounded by personality trait differences.

Prediction of the Creep-Fatigue Lifetime of Alloy 617: An Application of Non-destructive Evaluation and Information Integration

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

Vivek Agarwal; Richard Wright; Timothy Roney

A relatively simple method using the nominal constant average stress information and the creep rupture model is developed to predict the creep-fatigue lifetime of Alloy 617, in terms of time to rupture. The nominal constant average stress is computed using the stress relaxation curve. The predicted time to rupture can be converted to number of cycles to failure using the strain range, the strain rate during each cycle, and the hold time information. The predicted creep-fatigue lifetime is validated against the experimental measurements of the creep-fatigue lifetime collected using conventional laboratory creep-fatigue tests. High temperature creep-fatigue tests of Alloy 617more » were conducted in air at 950°C with a tensile hold period of up to 1800s in a cycle at total strain ranges of 0.3% and 0.6%. It was observed that the proposed method is conservative in that the predicted lifetime is less than the experimentally determined values. The approach would be relevant to calculate the remaining useful life to a component like a steam generator that might fail by the creep-fatigue mechanism.« less

Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy using near-infrared contrast agents.

PubMed

Nothdurft, R; Sarder, P; Bloch, S; Culver, J; Achilefu, S

2012-08-01

Although single-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is widely used to image molecular processes using a wide range of excitation wavelengths, the captured emission of this technique is confined to the visible spectrum. Here, we explore the feasibility of utilizing near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent molecular probes with emission >700 nm for FLIM of live cells. The confocal microscope is equipped with a 785 nm laser diode, a red-enhanced photomultiplier tube, and a time-correlated single photon counting card. We demonstrate that our system reports the lifetime distributions of NIR fluorescent dyes, cypate and DTTCI, in cells. In cells labelled separately or jointly with these dyes, NIR FLIM successfully distinguishes their lifetimes, providing a method to sort different cell populations. In addition, lifetime distributions of cells co-incubated with these dyes allow estimate of the dyes' relative concentrations in complex cellular microenvironments. With the heightened interest in fluorescence lifetime-based small animal imaging using NIR fluorophores, this technique further serves as a bridge between in vitro spectroscopic characterization of new fluorophore lifetimes and in vivo tissue imaging. © 2012 The Author Journal of Microscopy © 2012 Royal Microscopical Society.

Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy Using Near-Infrared Contrast Agents

PubMed Central

Nothdurft, Ralph; Sarder, Pinaki; Bloch, Sharon; Culver, Joseph; Achilefu, Samuel

2013-01-01

Although single-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is widely used to image molecular processes using a wide range of excitation wavelengths, the captured emission of this technique is confined to the visible spectrum. Here, we explore the feasibility of utilizing near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent molecular probes with emission >700 nm for FLIM of live cells. The confocal microscope is equipped with a 785 nm laser diode, a red-enhanced photomultiplier tube, and a time-correlated single photon counting card. We demonstrate that our system reports the lifetime distributions of NIR fluorescent dyes, cypate and DTTCI, in cells. In cells labeled separately or jointly with these dyes, NIR FLIM successfully distinguishes their lifetimes, providing a method to sort different cell populations. In addition, lifetime distributions of cells co-incubated with these dyes allow estimate of the dyes’ relative concentrations in complex cellular microenvironments. With the heightened interest in fluorescence lifetime-based small animal imaging using NIR fluorophores, this technique further serves as a bridge between in vitro spectroscopic characterization of new fluorophore lifetimes and in vivo tissue imaging. PMID:22788550

Direct measurement of the 3d{}^{2}{D}_{3/2} to 3d{}^{2}{D}_{5/2} lifetime ratio in a single trapped {}^{40}{{\\rm{Ca}}}^{+}

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, H.; Huang, Y.; Guan, H.; Gao, K.

2018-02-01

We present for the first time a direct measurement of the lifetime ratio between the 3d{}2{D}3/2 and 3d{}2{D}5/2 metastable states in a single trapped 40Ca+. A high-efficiency quantum state detection technique is adopted to monitor the quantum jumps, and a high precision and synchronized measurement sequence is used for laser control to study the rule of spontaneous decay. Our method shows that the lifetime ratio is a constant and is irrelevant to the dwell time; it is only determined by the spontaneous decay probabilities of the two metastable states at one random decay time, independent of the lifetimes of the two metastable states. Systematic errors such as collisions with background gases, heating effects, impurity components, the shelving and pumping rates and the photon counts are analyzed, and the lifetime ratio between the 3d{}2{D}3/2 and 3d{}2{D}5/2 states is directly measured to be 1.0257(43) with an uncertainty of 0.42%. Our result is in good agreement with the most precise many-body atomic structure calculations. Our method can be used to obtain the lifetime of a state which is usually difficult to measure and can be used to determine the magnetic dipole transition matrix elements in heavy ions such as Ba+ and Ra+, and can also be universally applied to lifetime ratio measurements of other single atoms and ions with a similar structure.

Attenuation correction for flexible magnetic resonance coils in combined magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography imaging.

PubMed

Eldib, Mootaz; Bini, Jason; Calcagno, Claudia; Robson, Philip M; Mani, Venkatesh; Fayad, Zahi A

2014-02-01

Attenuation correction for magnetic resonance (MR) coils is a new challenge that came about with the development of combined MR and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. This task is difficult because such coils are not directly visible on either PET or MR acquisitions with current combined scanners and are therefore not easily localized in the field of view. This issue becomes more evident when trying to localize flexible MR coils (eg, cardiac or body matrix coil) that change position and shape from patient to patient and from one imaging session to another. In this study, we proposed a novel method to localize and correct for the attenuation and scatter of a flexible MR cardiac coil, using MR fiducial markers placed on the surface of the coil to allow for accurate registration of a template computed tomography (CT)-based attenuation map. To quantify the attenuation properties of the cardiac coil, a uniform cylindrical water phantom injected with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) was imaged on a sequential MR/PET system with and without the flexible cardiac coil. After establishing the need to correct for the attenuation of the coil, we tested the feasibility of several methods to register a precomputed attenuation map to correct for the attenuation. To accomplish this, MR and CT visible markers were placed on the surface of the cardiac flexible coil. Using only the markers as a driver for registration, the CT image was registered to the reference image through a combination of rigid and deformable registration. The accuracy of several methods was compared for the deformable registration, including B-spline, thin-plate spline, elastic body spline, and volume spline. Finally, we validated our novel approach both in phantom and patient studies. The findings from the phantom experiments indicated that the presence of the coil resulted in a 10% reduction in measured 18F-FDG activity when compared with the phantom-only scan. Local underestimation reached 22% in regions of interest close to the coil. Various registration methods were tested, and the volume spline was deemed to be the most accurate, as measured by the Dice similarity metric. The results of our phantom experiments showed that the bias in the 18F-FDG quantification introduced by the presence of the coil could be reduced by using our registration method. An overestimation of only 1.9% of the overall activity for the phantom scan with the coil attenuation map was measured when compared with the baseline phantom scan without coil. A local overestimation of less than 3% was observed in the ROI analysis when using the proposed method to correct for the attenuation of the flexible cardiac coil. Quantitative results from the patient study agreed well with the phantom findings. We presented and validated an accurate method to localize and register a CT-based attenuation map to correct for the attenuation and scatter of flexible MR coils. This method may be translated to clinical use to produce quantitatively accurate measurements with the use of flexible MR coils during MR/PET imaging.

Quantitative multi-color FRET measurements by Fourier lifetime excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy.

PubMed

Zhao, Ming; Huang, Run; Peng, Leilei

2012-11-19

Förster resonant energy transfer (FRET) is extensively used to probe macromolecular interactions and conformation changes. The established FRET lifetime analysis method measures the FRET process through its effect on the donor lifetime. In this paper we present a method that directly probes the time-resolved FRET signal with frequency domain Fourier lifetime excitation-emission matrix (FLEEM) measurements. FLEEM separates fluorescent signals by their different phonon energy pathways from excitation to emission. The FRET process generates a unique signal channel that is initiated by donor excitation but ends with acceptor emission. Time-resolved analysis of the FRET EEM channel allows direct measurements on the FRET process, unaffected by free fluorophores that might be present in the sample. Together with time-resolved analysis on non-FRET channels, i.e. donor and acceptor EEM channels, time resolved EEM analysis allows precise quantification of FRET in the presence of free fluorophores. The method is extended to three-color FRET processes, where quantification with traditional methods remains challenging because of the significantly increased complexity in the three-way FRET interactions. We demonstrate the time-resolved EEM analysis method with quantification of three-color FRET in incompletely hybridized triple-labeled DNA oligonucleotides. Quantitative measurements of the three-color FRET process in triple-labeled dsDNA are obtained in the presence of free single-labeled ssDNA and double-labeled dsDNA. The results establish a quantification method for studying multi-color FRET between multiple macromolecules in biochemical equilibrium.

Quantitative multi-color FRET measurements by Fourier lifetime excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Zhao, Ming; Huang, Run; Peng, Leilei

2012-01-01

Förster resonant energy transfer (FRET) is extensively used to probe macromolecular interactions and conformation changes. The established FRET lifetime analysis method measures the FRET process through its effect on the donor lifetime. In this paper we present a method that directly probes the time-resolved FRET signal with frequency domain Fourier lifetime excitation-emission matrix (FLEEM) measurements. FLEEM separates fluorescent signals by their different phonon energy pathways from excitation to emission. The FRET process generates a unique signal channel that is initiated by donor excitation but ends with acceptor emission. Time-resolved analysis of the FRET EEM channel allows direct measurements on the FRET process, unaffected by free fluorophores that might be present in the sample. Together with time-resolved analysis on non-FRET channels, i.e. donor and acceptor EEM channels, time resolved EEM analysis allows precise quantification of FRET in the presence of free fluorophores. The method is extended to three-color FRET processes, where quantification with traditional methods remains challenging because of the significantly increased complexity in the three-way FRET interactions. We demonstrate the time-resolved EEM analysis method with quantification of three-color FRET in incompletely hybridized triple-labeled DNA oligonucleotides. Quantitative measurements of the three-color FRET process in triple-labeled dsDNA are obtained in the presence of free single-labeled ssDNA and double-labeled dsDNA. The results establish a quantification method for studying multi-color FRET between multiple macromolecules in biochemical equilibrium. PMID:23187535

49 CFR Appendix B to Part 227 - Methods for Estimating the Adequacy of Hearing Protector Attenuation

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Methods for Estimating the Adequacy of Hearing..., App. B Appendix B to Part 227—Methods for Estimating the Adequacy of Hearing Protector Attenuation This appendix is mandatory. Employers must select one of the following three methods by which to...

Factors Associated with Bone Health in Malaysian Middle-Aged and Elderly Women Assessed via Quantitative Ultrasound.

PubMed

Chin, Kok-Yong; Low, Nie Yen; Dewiputri, Wan Ilma; Ima-Nirwanaa, Soelaiman

2017-07-06

Risk factors for osteoporosis may vary according to different populations. We aimed to investigate the relationship between risk factors of osteoporosis and bone health indices determined via calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) in a group of Malaysian women aged 50 years or above. A cross-sectional study was performed on 344 Malaysian women recruited from a tertiary medical centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They answered a self-administered questionnaire on their social-demographic details, medical history, lifestyle, and physical activity status. Their height was measured using a stadiometer, and their body composition estimated using a bioelectrical impedance device. Their bone health status was determined using a water-based calcaneal QUS device that generated three indices, namely speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), and stiffness index (SI). A T-score was computed from SI values using a reference database from a mainland Chinese population. Women with three or more lifetime pregnancies, who were underweight and not drinking coffee had a significantly lower BUA. Stepwise multiple linear regression showed that SOS was predicted by age alone, BUA and SI by years since menopause, body mass index (BMI), and number of lifetime pregnancies, and T-score by years since menopause and percentage of body fat. As a conclusion, suboptimal bone health in middle-aged and elderly Malaysian women as indicated by QUS is associated with old age, being underweight, having a high body fat percentage, and a high number of lifetime pregnancies. Women having several risk factors should be monitored more closely to protect their bones against accelerated bone loss.

Association of Lifetime Mental Disorders and Subsequent Alcohol and Illicit Drug Use: Results From the National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement.

PubMed

Conway, Kevin P; Swendsen, Joel; Husky, Mathilde M; He, Jian-Ping; Merikangas, Kathleen R

2016-04-01

To estimate the association of prior lifetime mental disorders with transitions across stages of substance use in a cross-sectional, nationally representative sample of US adolescents. The sample includes 10,123 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years who participated in the National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A), and who were directly interviewed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) Version 3.0 that generates criteria for DSM-IV disorders. Adolescents with prior lifetime mental disorders had high rates of both alcohol (10.3%) and illicit drug (14.9%) abuse, with or without dependence. Alcohol and drug abuse were highest among adolescents with prior anxiety disorders (17.3% and 20%, respectively) and behavior disorders (15.6% and 24%, respectively). Any prior disorder significantly increased the risk of transition from nonuse to first use, and from use to problematic use of either alcohol or illicit drugs. Multivariate models attenuated the magnitude of the risk of transition associated with each disorder, although prior weekly smoking and illicit drug use demonstrated significant risks of transitions across the 3 stages of alcohol or drug use, as did behavior disorders. The findings provide the first evidence from a nationally representative sample that prior mental disorders represent risk factors for the transition from nonuse to use, and the progression to drug- and alcohol-related problems. Treatment of primary mental disorders is likely to be an important target for the prevention of secondary substance use disorders in youth. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Lifetime risk of developing impaired glucose metabolism and eventual progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes: a prospective cohort study.

PubMed

Ligthart, Symen; van Herpt, Thijs T W; Leening, Maarten J G; Kavousi, Maryam; Hofman, Albert; Stricker, Bruno H C; van Hoek, Mandy; Sijbrands, Eric J G; Franco, Oscar H; Dehghan, Abbas

2016-01-01

Data are scarce for the lifetime risk of developing impaired glucose metabolism, including prediabetes, as are data for the risk of eventual progression from prediabetes to diabetes and for initiation of insulin treatment in previously untreated patients with diabetes. We aimed to calculate the lifetime risk of the full range of glucose impairments, from normoglycaemia to prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and eventual insulin use. In this prospective population-based cohort analysis, we used data from the population-based Rotterdam Study. We identified diagnostic events by use of general practitioners' records, hospital discharge letters, pharmacy dispensing data, and serum fasting glucose measurements taken at the study centre (Rotterdam, Netherlands) visits. Normoglycaemia, prediabetes, and diabetes were defined on the basis of WHO criteria for fasting glucose (normoglycaemia: ≤6·0 mmol/L; prediabetes: >6·0 mmol/L and <7·0 mmol/L; and diabetes ≥7·0 mmol/L or use of glucose-lowering drug). We calculated lifetime risk using a modified version of survival analysis adjusted for the competing risk of death. We also estimated the lifetime risk of progression from prediabetes to overt diabetes and from diabetes free of insulin treatment to insulin use. Additionally, we calculated years lived with healthy glucose metabolism. We used data from 10 050 participants from the Rotterdam Study. During a follow-up of up to 14·7 years (between April 1, 1997, and Jan 1, 2012), 1148 participants developed prediabetes, 828 developed diabetes, and 237 started insulin treatment. At age 45 years, the remaining lifetime risk was 48·7% (95% CI 46·2-51·3) for prediabetes, 31·3% (29·3-33·3) for diabetes, and 9·1% (7·8-10·3) for insulin use. In individuals aged 45 years, the lifetime risk to progress from prediabetes to diabetes was 74·0% (95% CI 67·6-80·5), and 49·1% (38·2-60·0) of the individuals with overt diabetes at this age started insulin treatment. The lifetime risks attenuated with advancing age, but increased with increasing BMI and waist circumference. On average, individuals with severe obesity lived 10 fewer years without glucose impairment compared with normal-weight individuals. Impaired glucose metabolism is a substantial burden on population health, and our findings emphasise the need for more effective prevention strategies, which should be implemented as soon in a person's life as possible. The substantial lifetime risk of prediabetes and diabetes in lean individuals also supports risk factor control in non-obese individuals. Erasmus MC and Erasmus University Rotterdam; Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research; Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development; Research Institute for Diseases in the Elderly; Netherlands Genomics Initiative; Netherlands Ministry of Education, Culture and Science; Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports; European Commission; and Municipality of Rotterdam. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of Liner Length and Attenuation on NASA Langley Impedance Eduction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, M. G.; Watson, W. R.

2016-01-01

This study explores the effects of liner length and attenuation on the CHE (convected Helmholtz equation) impedance eduction method, in which the surface impedance of an acoustic liner is inferred through an iterative process based on repeated solutions to the convected Helmholtz equation. Wire mesh-over-honeycomb and perforate-over-honeycomb acoustic liners are tested in the NASA Langley Grazing Flow Impedance Tube, and the resultant data are processed using two impedance eduction methods. The first is the CHE method, and the second is a direct method (labeled the KT method) that uses the Kumaresan and Tufts algorithm to compute the impedance directly. The CHE method has been extensively used for acoustic liner evaluation, but experiences anomalous behavior under some test conditions. It is postulated that the anomalies are related to the liner length and/or attenuation. Since the KT method only employs data measured over the length of the liner, it is expected to be unaffected by liner length. A comparison of results achieved with the two impedance eduction methods is used to explore the interactive effects of liner length and attenuation on the CHE impedance eduction method.

Diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma by two photon excited fluorescence combined with lifetime imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Shunping; Peng, Xiao; Liu, Lixin; Liu, Shaoxiong; Lu, Yuan; Qu, Junle

2014-02-01

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of human skin cancer. The traditional diagnostic procedure of BCC is histological examination with haematoxylin and eosin staining of the tissue biopsy. In order to reduce complexity of the diagnosis procedure, a number of noninvasive optical methods have been applied in skin examination, for example, multiphoton tomography (MPT) and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). In this study, we explored two-photon optical tomography of human skin specimens using two-photon excited autofluorescence imaging and FLIM. There are a number of naturally endogenous fluorophores in skin sample, such as keratin, melanin, collagen, elastin, flavin and porphyrin. Confocal microscopy was used to obtain structures of the sample. Properties of epidermic and cancer cells were characterized by fluorescence emission spectra, as well as fluorescence lifetime imaging. Our results show that two-photon autofluorescence lifetime imaging can provide accurate optical biopsies with subcellular resolution and is potentially a quantitative optical diagnostic method in skin cancer diagnosis.

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

Saha, K; Barbarits, J; Humenik, R

Purpose: Chang’s mathematical formulation is a common method of attenuation correction applied on reconstructed Jaszczak phantom images. Though Chang’s attenuation correction method has been used for 360° angle acquisition, its applicability for 180° angle acquisition remains a question with one vendor’s camera software producing artifacts. The objective of this work is to ensure that Chang’s attenuation correction technique can be applied for reconstructed Jaszczak phantom images acquired in both 360° and 180° mode. Methods: The Jaszczak phantom filled with 20 mCi of diluted Tc-99m was placed on the patient table of Siemens e.cam™ (n = 2) and Siemens Symbia™ (nmore » = 1) dual head gamma cameras centered both in lateral and axial directions. A total of 3 scans were done at 180° and 2 scans at 360° orbit acquisition modes. Thirty two million counts were acquired for both modes. Reconstruction of the projection data was performed using filtered back projection smoothed with pre reconstruction Butterworth filter (order: 6, cutoff: 0.55). Reconstructed transaxial slices were attenuation corrected by Chang’s attenuation correction technique as implemented in the camera software. Corrections were also done using a modified technique where photon path lengths for all possible attenuation paths through a pixel in the image space were added to estimate the corresponding attenuation factor. The inverse of the attenuation factor was utilized to correct the attenuated pixel counts. Results: Comparable uniformity and noise were observed for 360° acquired phantom images attenuation corrected by the vendor technique (28.3% and 7.9%) and the proposed technique (26.8% and 8.4%). The difference in uniformity for 180° acquisition between the proposed technique (22.6% and 6.8%) and the vendor technique (57.6% and 30.1%) was more substantial. Conclusion: Assessment of attenuation correction performance by phantom uniformity analysis illustrated improved uniformity with the proposed algorithm compared to the camera software.« less

Investigation of guided wave propagation and attenuation in pipe buried in sand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leinov, Eli; Lowe, Michael J. S.; Cawley, Peter

2015-07-01

Long-range guided wave testing is a well-established method for detection of corrosion defects in pipelines. The method is currently used routinely for above ground pipelines in a variety of industries, e.g. petrochemical and energy. When the method is applied to pipes buried in soil, test ranges tend to be significantly compromised and unpredictable due to attenuation of the guided wave resulting from energy leakage into the embedding soil. The attenuation characteristics of guided wave propagation in an 8 in. pipe buried in sand are investigated using a laboratory full-scale experimental rig and model predictions. We report measurements of attenuation of the T(0,1) and L(0,2) guided wave modes over a range of sand conditions, including loose, compacted, mechanically compacted, water saturated and drained. Attenuation values are found to be in the range of 1.65-5.5 dB/m and 0.98-3.2 dB/m for the torsional and longitudinal modes, respectively, over the frequency of 11-34 kHz. The application of overburden pressure modifies the compaction of the sand and increases the attenuation. Mechanical compaction of the sand yields similar attenuation values to those obtained with applied overburden pressure. The attenuation decreases in the fully water-saturated sand, and increases in drained sand to values comparable with those obtained for compacted sand. Attenuation measurements are compared with Disperse software model predictions and confirm that the attenuation phenomenon in buried pipes is essentially governed by the bulk shear velocity in the sand. The attenuation behaviour of the torsional guided wave mode is found not to be captured by a uniform soil model; comparison with predictions obtained with the Disperse software suggest that this is likely to be due to a layer of sand adhering to the surface of the pipe.

Recoil distance lifetime measurements in 122,124Xe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Govil, I. M.; Kumar, A.; Iyer, H.; Li, H.; Garg, U.; Ghugre, S. S.; Johnson, T.; Kaczarowski, R.; Kharraja, B.; Naguleswaran, S.; Walpe, J. C.

1998-02-01

Lifetimes of the lower-excited states in 122,124Xe are measured using the recoil-distance Doppler-shift technique. The reactions 110Pd(16O,4n)122Xe and 110Pd(18O,4n)124Xe at a beam energy of 66 MeV were used for this experiment. The lifetimes of the 2+, 4+, 6+, and 8+ states of the ground state band were extracted using the computer code LIFETIME including the corrections due to the side feeding and the nuclear deorientation effects. The lifetime of the 2+ state in 122Xe agrees with the recoil distance method (RDM) measurements but for the 124Xe it does not agree with the RDM measurements but agrees with the Coulomb-excitation experiment. The measured B(E2) values for both the nuclei are compared with the standard algebraic and the multishell models.

Do thermal donors reduce the lifetimes of Czochralski-grown silicon crystals?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miyamura, Y.; Harada, H.; Nakano, S.; Nishizawa, S.; Kakimoto, K.

2018-05-01

High-performance electronics require long carrier lifetimes within their silicon crystals. This paper reports the effects of thermal donors on the lifetimes of carriers in as-grown n-type silicon crystals grown by the Czochralski method. We grew silicon crystals with two different concentrations of thermal donors using the following two cooling processes: one was cooled with a 4-h halt after detaching the crystal from the melt, and the other was cooled continuously. The crystal grown with the cooling halt contained higher concentrations of thermal donors of the order of 1 × 1013 cm-3, while the crystal without the halt had no thermal donors. The measured bulk lifetimes were in the range of 15-18 ms. We concluded that thermal donors in Czochralski-grown silicon crystals do not act to reduce their lifetimes.

Recoil distance lifetime measurements in82Kr

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brüssermann, S.; Keinonen, J.; Hellmeister, H. P.; Lieb, K. P.

1982-12-01

The lifetimes τ=124±12, 6{-2/+4} and 380±100 ps of the E x ( I π )=3.46(8+), 2.92(6+) and 3.04(6-) MeV states, respectively, populated by the reaction76Ge(12C, α2 n) were measured with the recoil distance method. In addition upper lifetime limits were obtained for nine states. The measured lifetimes and energies indicate a band crossing at about I π =8+, probably arising from the alignment of two g 9/2 neutrons. For the 3.04 MeV 6- state as a second member of a band built on the 2.65 MeV 4- state the measured lifetime points to a two-quasiparticle configuration. The positive-parity states have been discussed in the frame of the interacting boson approximation, nuclear field theory and the cranked shell model.

Earplug rankings based on the protector-attenuation rating (P-AR).

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1975-01-01

Forty-five attenuation spectra for earplugs were classified according to a simplified method designed to produce single-number ratings of noise reduction. The rating procedure was applied to the mean attenuation scores, to mean-minus-one-standard-dev...

Determination of 210Pb concentration in NORM waste - An application of the transmission method for self-attenuation corrections for gamma-ray spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonczyk, Michal

2018-07-01

This article deals with the problem of the self-attenuation of low-energy gamma-rays from the isotope of lead 210Pb (46.5 keV) in industrial waste. The 167 samples of industrial waste, belonging to nine categories, were tested by means of gamma spectrometry in order to determine 210Pb activity concentration. The experimental method for self-attenuation corrections for gamma rays emitted by lead isotope was applied. Mass attenuation coefficients were determined for energy of 46.5 keV. Correction factors were calculated based on mass attenuation coefficients, sample density and thickness. A mathematical formula for correction calculation was evaluated. The 210Pb activity concentration obtained varied in the range from several Bq·kg-1 up to 19,810 Bq kg-1. The mass attenuation coefficients varied across the range of 0.19-4.42 cm2·g-1. However, the variation of mass attenuation coefficient within some categories of waste was relatively small. The calculated corrections for self-attenuation were 0.98 - 6.97. The high value of correction factors must not be neglect in radiation risk assessment.

Measurements of defect structures by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy of the tellurite glass TeO2-P2O5-ZnO-LiNbO3 doped with ions of rare earth elements: Er3+, Nd3+ and Gd3+

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golis, E.; Yousef, El. S.; Reben, M.; Kotynia, K.; Filipecki, J.

2015-12-01

The objective of the study was the structural analysis of the TeO2-P2O5-ZnO-LiNbO3 tellurite glasses doped with ions of the rare-earth elements: Er3+, Nd3+ and Gd3+ based on the PALS (Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy) method of measuring positron lifetimes. Values of positron lifetimes and the corresponding intensities may be connected with the sizes and number of structural defects, such as vacancies, mono-vacancies, dislocations or pores, the sizes of which range from a few angstroms to a few dozen nanometres. Experimental positron lifetime spectrum revealed existence of two positron lifetime components τ1 and τ2. Their interpretation was based on two-state positron trapping model where the physical parameters are the annihilation velocity and positron trapping rate.

Structure of positive parity bands and observation of magnetic rotation in 108Ag

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sethi, Jasmine; Palit, R.

2015-10-01

The interplay of nuclear forces among the neutron particles (holes) and proton holes (particles) in the odd-odd nuclei gives rise to a variety of shapes and hence novel modes of excitations. The odd-odd nuclei in the A ~ 110 region have proton holes in the g9/2 orbital and the neutron particles in the h11/2 orbitals. A systematic study of shears mechanism in A ~ 110 region indicates the presence of magnetic rotation (MR) phenomenon in Ag and In isotopes. Therefore, the structure of doubly odd 108Ag nucleus was probed in two different reactions, i.e, 100Mo(11B, 4n)108Ag at 39 MeV and 94Zr(18O, p3n)108Ag at 72 MeV beam energies. The emitted γ-rays were detected using the Indian National Gamma Array (INGA) at TIFR, Mumbai. A significant number of new transitions and energy levels were identified. Lifetime measurements, using the Doppler shift attenuation method, have been carried out for a positive parity dipole band. Tilted Axis Cranking (TAC) calculations have been performed for two positive parity dipole bands.

Use of life course work-family profiles to predict mortality risk among US women.

PubMed

Sabbath, Erika L; Guevara, Ivan Mejía; Glymour, M Maria; Berkman, Lisa F

2015-04-01

We examined relationships between US women's exposure to midlife work-family demands and subsequent mortality risk. We used data from women born 1935 to 1956 in the Health and Retirement Study to calculate employment, marital, and parenthood statuses for each age between 16 and 50 years. We used sequence analysis to identify 7 prototypical work-family trajectories. We calculated age-standardized mortality rates and hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality associated with work-family sequences, with adjustment for covariates and potentially explanatory later-life factors. Married women staying home with children briefly before reentering the workforce had the lowest mortality rates. In comparison, after adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, and education, HRs for mortality were 2.14 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.58, 2.90) among single nonworking mothers, 1.48 (95% CI = 1.06, 1.98) among single working mothers, and 1.36 (95% CI = 1.02, 1.80) among married nonworking mothers. Adjustment for later-life behavioral and economic factors partially attenuated risks. Sequence analysis is a promising exposure assessment tool for life course research. This method permitted identification of certain lifetime work-family profiles associated with mortality risk before age 75 years.

Analytical model for the design of in situ horizontal permeable reactive barriers (HPRBs) for the mitigation of chlorinated solvent vapors in the unsaturated zone.

PubMed

Verginelli, Iason; Capobianco, Oriana; Hartog, Niels; Baciocchi, Renato

2017-02-01

In this work we introduce a 1-D analytical solution that can be used for the design of horizontal permeable reactive barriers (HPRBs) as a vapor mitigation system at sites contaminated by chlorinated solvents. The developed model incorporates a transient diffusion-dominated transport with a second-order reaction rate constant. Furthermore, the model accounts for the HPRB lifetime as a function of the oxidant consumption by reaction with upward vapors and its progressive dissolution and leaching by infiltrating water. Simulation results by this new model closely replicate previous lab-scale tests carried out on trichloroethylene (TCE) using a HPRB containing a mixture of potassium permanganate, water and sand. In view of field applications, design criteria, in terms of the minimum HPRB thickness required to attenuate vapors at acceptable risk-based levels and the expected HPRB lifetime, are determined from site-specific conditions such as vapor source concentration, water infiltration rate and HPRB mixture. The results clearly show the field-scale feasibility of this alternative vapor mitigation system for the treatment of chlorinated solvents. Depending on the oxidation kinetic of the target contaminant, a 1m thick HPRB can ensure an attenuation of vapor concentrations of orders of magnitude up to 20years, even for vapor source concentrations up to 10g/m 3 . A demonstrative application for representative contaminated site conditions also shows the feasibility of this mitigation system from an economical point of view with capital costs potentially somewhat lower than those of other remediation options, such as soil vapor extraction systems. Overall, based on the experimental and theoretical evaluation thus far, field-scale tests are warranted to verify the potential and cost-effectiveness of HPRBs for vapor mitigation control under various conditions of application. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation and automatic correction of metal-implant-induced artifacts in MR-based attenuation correction in whole-body PET/MR imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schramm, G.; Maus, J.; Hofheinz, F.; Petr, J.; Lougovski, A.; Beuthien-Baumann, B.; Platzek, I.; van den Hoff, J.

2014-06-01

The aim of this paper is to describe a new automatic method for compensation of metal-implant-induced segmentation errors in MR-based attenuation maps (MRMaps) and to evaluate the quantitative influence of those artifacts on the reconstructed PET activity concentration. The developed method uses a PET-based delineation of the patient contour to compensate metal-implant-caused signal voids in the MR scan that is segmented for PET attenuation correction. PET emission data of 13 patients with metal implants examined in a Philips Ingenuity PET/MR were reconstructed with the vendor-provided method for attenuation correction (MRMaporig, PETorig) and additionally with a method for attenuation correction (MRMapcor, PETcor) developed by our group. MRMaps produced by both methods were visually inspected for segmentation errors. The segmentation errors in MRMaporig were classified into four classes (L1 and L2 artifacts inside the lung and B1 and B2 artifacts inside the remaining body depending on the assigned attenuation coefficients). The average relative SUV differences (\\varepsilon _{rel}^{av}) between PETorig and PETcor of all regions showing wrong attenuation coefficients in MRMaporig were calculated. Additionally, relative SUVmean differences (ɛrel) of tracer accumulations in hot focal structures inside or in the vicinity of these regions were evaluated. MRMaporig showed erroneous attenuation coefficients inside the regions affected by metal artifacts and inside the patients' lung in all 13 cases. In MRMapcor, all regions with metal artifacts, except for the sternum, were filled with the soft-tissue attenuation coefficient and the lung was correctly segmented in all patients. MRMapcor only showed small residual segmentation errors in eight patients. \\varepsilon _{rel}^{av} (mean ± standard deviation) were: ( - 56 ± 3)% for B1, ( - 43 ± 4)% for B2, (21 ± 18)% for L1, (120 ± 47)% for L2 regions. ɛrel (mean ± standard deviation) of hot focal structures were: ( - 52 ± 12)% in B1, ( - 45 ± 13)% in B2, (19 ± 19)% in L1, (51 ± 31)% in L2 regions. Consequently, metal-implant-induced artifacts severely disturb MR-based attenuation correction and SUV quantification in PET/MR. The developed algorithm is able to compensate for these artifacts and improves SUV quantification accuracy distinctly.

Quantifying contributions to light attenuation in estuaries and ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

In Narragansett Bay, light attenuation by total suspended sediments (TSS), colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), and phytoplankton chlorophyll-a (chl-a) pigment is 129, 97, and 70%, respectively, of that by pure seawater. Spatial distribution of light attenuation indicates higher values in the upper Bay, where rivers with sediment and nutrient-rich waters enter and elevate TSS, CDOM, and chl-a concentrations. The temporal trends of light attenuation during the summer months (July–August) differed at various locations in the Bay, having the highest values in July. For the same period, spectral methods overestimated attenuation throughout the Bay. These findings quantify the behavior of light attenuation in space and time, providing information that can guide decisions related to improving water clarity and help understanding the effects of various environmental and management scenarios on it. The methods developed can be used to study the effect of various environmental and management scenarios on the recovery efforts for SAV beds in estuarine and coastal systems. An innovative normalization for light attenuation is presented to validate comparison between water clarity of the same or different systems in space and time.

Earth-Space Link Attenuation Estimation via Ground Radar Kdp

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bolen, Steven M.; Benjamin, Andrew L.; Chandrasekar, V.

2003-01-01

A method of predicting attenuation on microwave Earth/spacecraft communication links, over wide areas and under various atmospheric conditions, has been developed. In the area around the ground station locations, a nearly horizontally aimed polarimetric S-band ground radar measures the specific differential phase (Kdp) along the Earth-space path. The specific attenuation along a path of interest is then computed by use of a theoretical model of the relationship between the measured S-band specific differential phase and the specific attenuation at the frequency to be used on the communication link. The model includes effects of rain, wet ice, and other forms of precipitation. The attenuation on the path of interest is then computed by integrating the specific attenuation over the length of the path. This method can be used to determine statistics of signal degradation on Earth/spacecraft communication links. It can also be used to obtain real-time estimates of attenuation along multiple Earth/spacecraft links that are parts of a communication network operating within the radar coverage area, thereby enabling better management of the network through appropriate dynamic routing along the best combination of links.

Theory of Positron Annihilation in Helium-Filled Bubbles in Plutonium

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

Sterne, P A; Pask, J E

2003-02-13

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy is a sensitive probe of vacancies and voids in materials. This non-destructive measurement technique can identify the presence of specific defects in materials at the part-per-million level. Recent experiments by Asoka-Kumar et al. have identified two lifetime components in aged plutonium samples--a dominant lifetime component of around 182 ps and a longer lifetime component of around 350-400ps. This second component appears to increase with the age of the sample, and accounts for only about 5 percent of the total intensity in 35 year-old plutonium samples. First-principles calculations of positron lifetimes are now used extensively to guidemore » the interpretation of positron lifetime data. At Livermore, we have developed a first-principles finite-element-based method for calculating positron lifetimes for defects in metals. This method is capable of treating system cell sizes of several thousand atoms, allowing us to model defects in plutonium ranging in size from a mono-vacancy to helium-filled bubbles of over 1 nm in diameter. In order to identify the defects that account for the observed lifetime values, we have performed positron lifetime calculations for a set of vacancies, vacancy clusters, and helium-filled vacancy clusters in delta-plutonium. The calculations produced values of 143ps for defect-free delta-Pu and 255ps for a mono-vacancy in Pu, both of which are inconsistent with the dominant experimental lifetime component of 182ps. Larger vacancy clusters have even longer lifetimes. The observed positron lifetime is significantly shorter than the calculated lifetimes for mono-vacancies and larger vacancy clusters, indicating that open vacancy clusters are not the dominant defect in the aged plutonium samples. When helium atoms are introduced into the vacancy cluster, the positron lifetime is reduced due to the increased density of electrons available for annihilation. For a mono-vacancy in Pu containing one helium atom, the calculated lifetime is 190 ps, while a di-vacancy containing two helium atoms has a positron lifetime of 205 ps. In general, increasing the helium density in a vacancy cluster or He-filled bubble reduces the positron lifetime, so that the same lifetime value can arise fi-om a range of vacancy cluster sizes with different helium densities. In order to understand the variation of positron lifetime with vacancy cluster size and helium density in the defect, we have performed over 60 positron lifetime calculations with vacancy cluster sizes ranging from 1 to 55 vacancies and helium densities ranging fi-om zero to five helium atoms per vacancy. The results indicate that the experimental lifetime of 182 ps is consistent with the theoretical value of 190 ps for a mono-vacancy with a single helium atom, but that slightly better agreement is obtained for larger clusters of 6 or more vacancies containing 2-3 helium atoms per vacancy. For larger vacancy clusters with diameters of about 3-5 nm or more, the annihilation with helium electrons dominates the positron annihilation rate; the observed lifetime of 180ps is then consistent with a helium concentration in the range of 3 to 3.5 Hehacancy, setting an upper bound on the helium concentration in the vacancy clusters. In practice, the single lifetime component is most probably associated with a family of helium-filled bubbles rather than with a specific unique defect size. The longer 350-400ps lifetime component is consistent with a relatively narrow range of defect sizes and He concentration. At zero He concentration, the lifetime values are matched by small vacancy clusters containing 6-12 vacancies. With increasing vacancy cluster size, a small amount of He is required to keep the lifetime in the 350-400 ps range, until the value saturates for larger helium bubbles of more than 50 vacancies (bubble diameter > 1.3 nm) at a helium concentration close to 1 He/vacancy. These results, taken together with the experimental data, indicate that the features observed in TEM data by Schwartz et al are not voids, but are in fact helium-filled bubbles with a helium pressure of around 2-3 helium atoms per vacancy, depending on the bubble size. This is consistent with the conclusions of recently developed models of He-bubble growth in aged plutonium.« less

Lifetime measurements using the recoil distance method—achievements and perspectives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krücken, R.

2001-07-01

The recoil distance method (RDM) for measuring pico-second nuclear level lifetimes and its use in nuclear structure studies is reviewed and perspectives for the future are presented. High precision measurements in the mass-130 region, studies of multi-phonon states in rare earth nuclei, the investigation of shape coexistence and the recently discovered phenomenon of "magnetic rotation" are reviewed. Prospects for lifetime measurements in exotic regions of nuclei such as the measurement of lifetimes in neutron rich nuclei populated via spontaneous and heavy-ion induced fission are discussed. Other prospects include the use of the RDM technique in conjunction with recoil separators. The relevance of these techniques for experiments with radioactive ion beams will be discussed.

Fatigue reassessment for lifetime extension of offshore wind monopile substructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ziegler, Lisa; Muskulus, Michael

2016-09-01

Fatigue reassessment is required to decide about lifetime extension of aging offshore wind farms. This paper presents a methodology to identify important parameters to monitor during the operational phase of offshore wind turbines. An elementary effects method is applied to analyze the global sensitivity of residual fatigue lifetimes to environmental, structural and operational parameters. Therefore, renewed lifetime simulations are performed for a case study which consists of a 5 MW turbine with monopile substructure in 20 m water depth. Results show that corrosion, turbine availability, and turbulence intensity are the most influential parameters. This can vary strongly for other settings (water depth, turbine size, etc.) making case-specific assessments necessary.

Experimental determination of quantum-well lifetime effect on large-signal resonant tunneling diode switching time

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

Growden, Tyler A.; Berger, Paul R., E-mail: pberger@ieee.org; Brown, E. R.

An experimental determination is presented of the effect the quantum-well lifetime has on a large-signal resonant tunneling diode (RTD) switching time. Traditional vertical In{sub 0.53}Ga{sub 0.47}As/AlAs RTDs were grown, fabricated, and characterized. The switching time was measured with a high-speed oscilloscope and found to be close to the sum of the calculated RC-limited 10%–90% switching time and the quantum-well quasibound-state lifetime. This method displays experimental evidence that the two intrinsic resonant-tunneling characteristic times act independently, and that the quasibound-state lifetime then serves as a quantum-limit on the large-signal speed of RTDs.

Universality classes of foraging with resource renewal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chupeau, M.; Bénichou, O.; Redner, S.

2016-03-01

We determine the impact of resource renewal on the lifetime of a forager that depletes its environment and starves if it wanders too long without eating. In the framework of a minimal starving random-walk model with resource renewal, there are three universal classes of behavior as a function of the renewal time. For sufficiently rapid renewal, foragers are immortal, while foragers have a finite lifetime otherwise. In the specific case of one dimension, there is a third regime, for sufficiently slow renewal, in which the lifetime of the forager is independent of the renewal time. We outline an enumeration method to determine the mean lifetime of the forager in the mortal regime.

Stress and efficiency studies in EFG

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kalejs, J. P.

1984-01-01

Stress and efficiency studies in EFG were carried out for silicon sheet growth. Methods were developed to quantify influence of dislocation electrical activity on bulk lifetime. A new creep law formulation for silicon stress was developed. Bulk lifetime degradation due to increase in doping levels was also examined.

LONG TERM MONITORING FOR NATURAL ATTENUATION

EPA Science Inventory

We have good statistical methods to: (1) determine whether concentrations of a contaminant are attenuating over time, (2) determine the rate of attenuation and confidence interval on the rate, and (3) determine whether concentrations have met a particular clean up goal. We do no...

Comparison of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) exposures using empirical and backscatter attenuation estimation methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Civale, John; Ter Haar, Gail; Rivens, Ian; Bamber, Jeff

2005-09-01

Currently, the intensity to be used in our clinical HIFU treatments is calculated from the acoustic path lengths in different tissues measured on diagnostic ultrasound images of the patient in the treatment position, and published values of ultrasound attenuation coefficients. This yields an approximate value for the acoustic power at the transducer required to give a stipulated focal intensity in situ. Estimation methods for the actual acoustic attenuation have been investigated in large parts of the tissue path overlying the target volume from the backscattered ultrasound signal for each patient (backscatter attenuation estimation: BAE). Several methods have been investigated. The backscattered echo information acquired from an Acuson scanner has been used to compute the diffraction-corrected attenuation coefficient at each frequency using two methods: a substitution method and an inverse diffraction filtering process. A homogeneous sponge phantom was used to validate the techniques. The use of BAE to determine the correct HIFU exposure parameters for lesioning has been tested in ex vivo liver. HIFU lesions created with a 1.7-MHz therapy transducer have been studied using a semiautomated image processing technique. The reproducibility of lesion size for given in situ intensities determined using BAE and empirical techniques has been compared.

Low-frequency sound speed and attenuation in sandy seabottom from long-range broadband acoustic measurements.

PubMed

Wan, Lin; Zhou, Ji-Xun; Rogers, Peter H

2010-08-01

A joint China-U.S. underwater acoustics experiment was conducted in the Yellow Sea with a very flat bottom and a strong and sharp thermocline. Broadband explosive sources were deployed both above and below the thermocline along two radial lines up to 57.2 km and a quarter circle with a radius of 34 km. Two inversion schemes are used to obtain the seabottom sound speed. One is based on extracting normal mode depth functions from the cross-spectral density matrix. The other is based on the best match between the calculated and measured modal arrival times for different frequencies. The inverted seabottom sound speed is used as a constraint condition to extract the seabottom sound attenuation by three methods. The first method involves measuring the attenuation coefficients of normal modes. In the second method, the seabottom sound attenuation is estimated by minimizing the difference between the theoretical and measured modal amplitude ratios. The third method is based on finding the best match between the measured and modeled transmission losses (TLs). The resultant seabottom attenuation, averaged over three independent methods, can be expressed as alpha=(0.33+/-0.02)f(1.86+/-0.04)(dB/m kHz) over a frequency range of 80-1000 Hz.

Adaptive attenuation of aliased ground roll using the shearlet transform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hosseini, Seyed Abolfazl; Javaherian, Abdolrahim; Hassani, Hossien; Torabi, Siyavash; Sadri, Maryam

2015-01-01

Attenuation of ground roll is an essential step in seismic data processing. Spatial aliasing of the ground roll may cause the overlap of the ground roll with reflections in the f-k domain. The shearlet transform is a directional and multidimensional transform that separates the events with different dips and generates subimages in different scales and directions. In this study, the shearlet transform was used adaptively to attenuate aliased and non-aliased ground roll. After defining a filtering zone, an input shot record is divided into segments. Each segment overlaps adjacent segments. To apply the shearlet transform on each segment, the subimages containing aliased and non-aliased ground roll, the locations of these events on each subimage are selected adaptively. Based on these locations, mute is applied on the selected subimages. The filtered segments are merged together, using the Hanning function, after applying the inverse shearlet transform. This adaptive process of ground roll attenuation was tested on synthetic data, and field shot records from west of Iran. Analysis of the results using the f-k spectra revealed that the non-aliased and most of the aliased ground roll were attenuated using the proposed adaptive attenuation procedure. Also, we applied this method on shot records of a 2D land survey, and the data sets before and after ground roll attenuation were stacked and compared. The stacked section after ground roll attenuation contained less linear ground roll noise and more continuous reflections in comparison with the stacked section before the ground roll attenuation. The proposed method has some drawbacks such as more run time in comparison with traditional methods such as f-k filtering and reduced performance when the dip and frequency content of aliased ground roll are the same as those of the reflections.

Carbonate fuel cell matrix

DOEpatents

Farooque, Mohammad; Yuh, Chao-Yi

1996-01-01

A carbonate fuel cell matrix comprising support particles and crack attenuator particles which are made platelet in shape to increase the resistance of the matrix to through cracking. Also disclosed is a matrix having porous crack attenuator particles and a matrix whose crack attenuator particles have a thermal coefficient of expansion which is significantly different from that of the support particles, and a method of making platelet-shaped crack attenuator particles.

Attenuation of seismic waves obtained by coda waves analysis in the West Bohemia earthquake swarm region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bachura, Martin; Fischer, Tomas

2014-05-01

Seismic waves are attenuated by number of factors, including geometrical spreading, scattering on heterogeneities and intrinsic loss due the anelasticity of medium. Contribution of the latter two processes can be derived from the tail part of the seismogram - coda (strictly speaking S-wave coda), as these factors influence the shape and amplitudes of coda. Numerous methods have been developed for estimation of attenuation properties from the decay rate of coda amplitudes. Most of them work with the S-wave coda, some are designed for the P-wave coda (only on teleseismic distances) or for the whole waveforms. We used methods to estimate the 1/Qc - attenuation of coda waves, methods to separate scattering and intrinsic loss - 1/Qsc, Qi and methods to estimate attenuation of direct P and S wave - 1/Qp, 1/Qs. In this study, we analyzed the S-wave coda of local earthquake data recorded in the West Bohemia/Vogtland area. This region is well known thanks to the repeated occurrence of earthquake swarms. We worked with data from the 2011 earthquake swarm, which started late August and lasted with decreasing intensity for another 4 months. During the first week of swarm thousands of events were detected with maximum magnitudes ML = 3.6. Amount of high quality data (including continuous datasets and catalogues with an abundance of well-located events) is available due to installation of WEBNET seismic network (13 permanent and 9 temporary stations) monitoring seismic activity in the area. Results of the single-scattering model show seismic attenuations decreasing with frequency, what is in agreement with observations worldwide. We also found decrease of attenuation with increasing hypocentral distance and increasing lapse time, which was interpreted as a decrease of attenuation with depth (coda waves on later lapse times are generated in bigger depths - in our case in upper lithosphere, where attenuations are small). We also noticed a decrease of frequency dependence of 1/Qc with depth, where 1/Qc seems to be frequency independent in depth range of upper lithosphere. Lateral changes of 1/Qc were also reported - it decreases in the south-west direction from the Novy Kostel focal zone, where the attenuation is the highest. Results from more advanced methods that allow for separation of scattering and intrinsic loss show that intrinsic loss is a dominant factor for attenuating of seismic waves in the region. Determination of attenuation due to scattering appears ambiguous due to small hypocentral distances available for the analysis, where the effects of scattering in frequency range from 1 to 24 Hz are not significant.

Occupational stress and suicidality among firefighters: Examining the buffering role of distress tolerance.

PubMed

Stanley, Ian H; Boffa, Joseph W; Smith, Lia J; Tran, Jana K; Schmidt, N Brad; Joiner, Thomas E; Vujanovic, Anka A

2018-05-24

Past research indicates that firefighters are at increased risk for suicide. Firefighter-specific occupational stress may contribute to elevated suicidality. Among a large sample of firefighters, this study examined if occupational stress is associated with multiple indicators of suicide risk, and whether distress tolerance, the perceived and/or actual ability to endure negative emotional or physical states, attenuates these associations. A total of 831 firefighters participated (mean [SD] age = 38.37y[8.53y]; 94.5% male; 75.2% White). The Sources of Occupational Stress-14 (SOOS-14), Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS), and Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) were utilized to examine firefighter-specific occupational stress, distress tolerance, and suicidality, respectively. Consistent with predictions, occupational stress interacted with distress tolerance, such that the effects of occupational stress on suicide risk, broadly, as well as lifetime suicide threats and current suicidal intent, specifically, were attenuated at high levels of distress tolerance. Distress tolerance may buffer the effects of occupational stress on suicidality among firefighters. Pending replication, findings suggest that distress tolerance may be a viable target for suicide prevention initiatives within the fire service. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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

Mackillop, William J., E-mail: william.mackillop@krcc.on.ca; Kong, Weidong; Brundage, Michael

Purpose: Estimates of the appropriate rate of use of radiation therapy (RT) are required for planning and monitoring access to RT. Our objective was to compare estimates of the appropriate rate of use of RT derived from mathematical models, with the rate observed in a population of patients with optimal access to RT. Methods and Materials: The rate of use of RT within 1 year of diagnosis (RT{sub 1Y}) was measured in the 134,541 cases diagnosed in Ontario between November 2009 and October 2011. The lifetime rate of use of RT (RT{sub LIFETIME}) was estimated by the multicohort utilization tablemore » method. Poisson regression was used to evaluate potential barriers to access to RT and to identify a benchmark subpopulation with unimpeded access to RT. Rates of use of RT were measured in the benchmark subpopulation and compared with published evidence-based estimates of the appropriate rates. Results: The benchmark rate for RT{sub 1Y}, observed under conditions of optimal access, was 33.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 33.0%-34.1%), and the benchmark for RT{sub LIFETIME} was 41.5% (95% CI, 41.2%-42.0%). Benchmarks for RT{sub LIFETIME} for 4 of 5 selected sites and for all cancers combined were significantly lower than the corresponding evidence-based estimates. Australian and Canadian evidence-based estimates of RT{sub LIFETIME} for 5 selected sites differed widely. RT{sub LIFETIME} in the overall population of Ontario was just 7.9% short of the benchmark but 20.9% short of the Australian evidence-based estimate of the appropriate rate. Conclusions: Evidence-based estimates of the appropriate lifetime rate of use of RT may overestimate the need for RT in Ontario.« less

The Lifetimes of Phases in High-mass Star-forming Regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Battersby, Cara; Bally, John; Svoboda, Brian

2017-02-01

High-mass stars form within star clusters from dense, molecular regions (DMRs), but is the process of cluster formation slow and hydrostatic or quick and dynamic? We link the physical properties of high-mass star-forming regions with their evolutionary stage in a systematic way, using Herschel and Spitzer data. In order to produce a robust estimate of the relative lifetimes of these regions, we compare the fraction of DMRs above a column density associated with high-mass star formation, N(H2) > 0.4-2.5 × 1022 cm-2, in the “starless” (no signature of stars ≳10 {M}⊙ forming) and star-forming phases in a 2° × 2° region of the Galactic Plane centered at ℓ = 30°. Of regions capable of forming high-mass stars on ˜1 pc scales, the starless (or embedded beyond detection) phase occupies about 60%-70% of the DMR lifetime, and the star-forming phase occupies about 30%-40%. These relative lifetimes are robust over a wide range of thresholds. We outline a method by which relative lifetimes can be anchored to absolute lifetimes from large-scale surveys of methanol masers and UCHII regions. A simplistic application of this method estimates the absolute lifetime of the starless phase to be 0.2-1.7 Myr (about 0.6-4.1 fiducial cloud free-fall times) and the star-forming phase to be 0.1-0.7 Myr (about 0.4-2.4 free-fall times), but these are highly uncertain. This work uniquely investigates the star-forming nature of high column density gas pixel by pixel, and our results demonstrate that the majority of high column density gas is in a starless or embedded phase.

Fluorescent biosensor for the detection of hyaluronidase: intensity-based ratiometric sensing and fluorescence lifetime-based sensing using a long lifetime azadioxatriangulenium (ADOTA) fluorophore.

PubMed

Chib, Rahul; Mummert, Mark; Bora, Ilkay; Laursen, Bo W; Shah, Sunil; Pendry, Robert; Gryczynski, Ignacy; Borejdo, Julian; Gryczynski, Zygmunt; Fudala, Rafal

2016-05-01

In this report, we have designed a rapid and sensitive, intensity-based ratiometric sensing as well as lifetime-based sensing probe for the detection of hyaluronidase activity. Hyaluronidase expression is known to be upregulated in various pathological conditions. We have developed a fluorescent probe by heavy labeling of hyaluronic acid with a new orange/red-emitting organic azadioxatriangulenium (ADOTA) fluorophore, which exhibits a long fluorescence lifetime (∼20 ns). The ADOTA fluorophore in water has a peak fluorescence lifetime of ∼20 ns and emission spectra centered at 560 nm. The heavily ADOTA-labeled hyaluronic acid (HA-ADOTA) shows a red shift in the peak emission wavelength (605 nm), a weak fluorescence signal, and a shorter fluorescence lifetime (∼4 ns) due to efficient self-quenching and formation of aggregates. In the presence of hyaluronidase, the brightness and fluorescence lifetime of the sample increase with a blue shift in the peak emission to its original wavelength at 560 nm. The ratio of the fluorescence intensity of the HA-ADOTA probe at 560 and 605 nm can be used as the sensing method for the detection of hyaluronidase. The cleavage of the hyaluronic acid macromolecule reduces the energy migration between ADOTA molecules, as well as the degree of self-quenching and aggregation. This probe can be efficiently used for both intensity-based ratiometric sensing as well as fluorescence lifetime-based sensing of hyaluronidase. The proposed method makes it a rapid and sensitive assay, useful for analyzing levels of hyaluronidase in relevant clinical samples like urine or plasma. Graphical Abstract Scheme showing cleavage of HA-ADOTA probe by hyaluronidase and the change in the emission spectrum of HA-ADOTA probe before and after cleavage by hyaluronidase.

Thermal stress during RTP processes and its possible effect on the light induced degradation in Cz-Si wafers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kouhlane, Yacine; Bouhafs, Djoudi; Khelifati, Nabil; Guenda, Abdelkader; Demagh, Nacer-Eddine; Demagh, Assia; Pfeiffer, Pierre; Mezghiche, Salah; Hetatache, Warda; Derkaoui, Fahima; Nasraoui, Chahinez; Nwadiaru, Ogechi Vivian

2018-04-01

In this study, the carrier lifetime variation of p-type boron-doped Czochralski silicon (Cz-Si) wafers was investigated after a direct rapid thermal processing (RTP). Two wafers were passivated by silicon nitride (SiNx:H) layers, deposited by a PECVD system on both surfaces. Then the wafers were subjected to an RTP cycle at a peak temperature of 620 °C. The first wafer was protected (PW) from the direct radiative heating of the RTP furnace by placing the wafer between two as-cut Cz-Si shield wafers during the heat processing. The second wafer was not protected (NPW) and followed the same RTP cycle procedure. The carrier lifetime τ eff was measured using the QSSPC technique before and after illumination for 5 h duration at 0.5 suns. The immediate results of the measured lifetime (τ RTP ) after the RTP process have shown a regeneration in the lifetime of the two wafers with the PW wafer exhibiting an important enhancement in τ RTP as compared to the NPW wafer. The QSSPC measurements have indicated a good stable lifetime (τ d ) and a weak degradation effect was observed in the case of the PW wafer as compared to their initial lifetime value. Interferometry technique analyses have shown an enhancement in the surface roughness for the NPW wafer as compared to the protected one. Additionally, to improve the correlation between the RTP heat radiation stress and the carrier lifetime behavior, a simulation of the thermal stress and temperature profile using the finite element method on the wafers surface at RTP peak temperature of 620 °C was performed. The results confirm the reduction of the thermal stress with less heat losses for the PW wafer. Finally, the proposed method can lead to improving the lifetime of wafers by an RTP process at minimum energy costs.

Effects of lifetime occupational pesticide exposure on postural control among farmworkers and non-farmworkers

PubMed Central

Sunwook, Kim; Nussbaum, Maury A.; Quandt, Sara A.; Laurienti, Paul J.; Arcury, Thomas A.

2015-01-01

Objective Assess potential chronic effects of pesticide exposure on postural control, by examining postural balance of farmworkers and non-farmworkers diverse self-reported lifetime exposures. Methods Balance was assessed during quiet upright stance under four experimental conditions (2 visual × 2 cognitive difficulty). Results Significant differences in baseline balance performance (eyes open without cognitive task) between occupational groups were apparent in postural sway complexity. When adding a cognitive task to the eyes open condition, the influence of lifetime exposure on complexity ratios appeared different between occupational groups. Removing visual information revealed a negative association of lifetime exposure with complexity ratios. Conclusions Farmworkers and non-farmworkers may use different postural control strategies even when controlling for the level of lifetime pesticide exposure. Long-term exposure can affect somatosensory/vestibular sensory systems and the central processing of sensory information for postural control. PMID:26849257

Fluorescence lifetime evaluation of whole soils from the Amazon rainforest.

PubMed

Nicolodelli, Gustavo; Tadini, Amanda Maria; Nogueira, Marcelo Saito; Pratavieira, Sebastião; Mounier, Stephane; Huaman, Jose Luis Clabel; Dos Santos, Cléber Hilário; Montes, Célia Regina; Milori, Débora Marcondes Bastos Pereira

2017-08-20

Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy (TRFS) is a new tool that can be used to investigate processes of interaction between metal ions and organic matter (OM) in soils, providing a specific analysis of the structure and dynamics of macromolecules. To the best of our knowledge, there are no studies in the literature reporting the use of this technique applied to whole/non-fractionated soil samples, making it a potential method for use in future studies. This work describes the use of TRFS to evaluate the fluorescence lifetimes of OM of whole soils from the Amazon region. Analysis was made of pellets of soils from an oxisol-spodosol system, collected in São Gabriel da Cachoeira (Amazonas, Brazil). The fluorescence lifetimes in the oxisol-spodosol system were attributed to two different fluorophores. One was related to complexation of an OM fraction with metals, resulting in a shorter fluorophore lifetime. A short fluorescence lifetime (2-12 ns) could be associated with simpler structures of the OM, while a long lifetime (19-66 ns) was associated with more complex OM structures. This new TRFS technique for analysis of the fluorescence lifetime in whole soil samples complies with the principles of green chemistry.

Deployment-based lifetime optimization model for homogeneous Wireless Sensor Network under retransmission.

PubMed

Li, Ruiying; Liu, Xiaoxi; Xie, Wei; Huang, Ning

2014-12-10

Sensor-deployment-based lifetime optimization is one of the most effective methods used to prolong the lifetime of Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) by reducing the distance-sensitive energy consumption. In this paper, data retransmission, a major consumption factor that is usually neglected in the previous work, is considered. For a homogeneous WSN, monitoring a circular target area with a centered base station, a sensor deployment model based on regular hexagonal grids is analyzed. To maximize the WSN lifetime, optimization models for both uniform and non-uniform deployment schemes are proposed by constraining on coverage, connectivity and success transmission rate. Based on the data transmission analysis in a data gathering cycle, the WSN lifetime in the model can be obtained through quantifying the energy consumption at each sensor location. The results of case studies show that it is meaningful to consider data retransmission in the lifetime optimization. In particular, our investigations indicate that, with the same lifetime requirement, the number of sensors needed in a non-uniform topology is much less than that in a uniform one. Finally, compared with a random scheme, simulation results further verify the advantage of our deployment model.

Birth month affects lifetime disease risk: a phenome-wide method.

PubMed

Boland, Mary Regina; Shahn, Zachary; Madigan, David; Hripcsak, George; Tatonetti, Nicholas P

2015-09-01

An individual's birth month has a significant impact on the diseases they develop during their lifetime. Previous studies reveal relationships between birth month and several diseases including atherothrombosis, asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and myopia, leaving most diseases completely unexplored. This retrospective population study systematically explores the relationship between seasonal affects at birth and lifetime disease risk for 1688 conditions. We developed a hypothesis-free method that minimizes publication and disease selection biases by systematically investigating disease-birth month patterns across all conditions. Our dataset includes 1 749 400 individuals with records at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center born between 1900 and 2000 inclusive. We modeled associations between birth month and 1688 diseases using logistic regression. Significance was tested using a chi-squared test with multiplicity correction. We found 55 diseases that were significantly dependent on birth month. Of these 19 were previously reported in the literature (P < .001), 20 were for conditions with close relationships to those reported, and 16 were previously unreported. We found distinct incidence patterns across disease categories. Lifetime disease risk is affected by birth month. Seasonally dependent early developmental mechanisms may play a role in increasing lifetime risk of disease. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Medical Informatics Association.

Effect of surface moisture on chemically bonded phosphor for thermographic phosphor thermometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Tao; Kim, Dong; Kim, Mirae; Liu, Ying Zheng; Kim, Kyung Chun

2016-09-01

This study examined the effect of surface moisture on the calibration lifetime in chemically bonded phosphor paint preparation. Mg4FGeO6:Mn was used as a sensor material, which was excited by a pulsed UV LED. A high-speed camera with a frequency of 8000 Hz was used to conduct phosphor thermometry. Five samples with different degrees of surface moisture were selected during the preparation process, and each sample was calibrated 40 times at room temperature. A conventional post-processing method was used to acquire the phosphorescent lifetime for different samples with a 4  ×  4-pixel interrogation window. The measurement error and paint uniformity were also studied. The results showed that there was no obvious phosphorescence boundary between the wet parts and dry parts of phosphor paint. The lifetime increased by about 0.0345% per hour during the preparation process, showing the degree of surface moisture had almost no influence on the lifetime measurement. The lifetime changed only after annealing treatment. There was also no effect on the measurement error and uniformity. These results provide a reference for developing a real-time measurement method using thermographic phosphor thermometry. This study also provides a feasible basis for chemically bonded phosphor thermometry applications in humid and low-temperature environments.

Risk assessment of hazardous release in air due to the chemical production of "P. Karaminchev" company in the town of Rousse.

PubMed

Diankova, M

1998-09-01

A health risk evaluation of the lifetime population risk has been made, by using the US EPA's method of risk assessment. Several main steps have been conducted: --a hazard identification, by means of emission analysis and mathematical modeling of air concentration dispersion; a dose-response evaluation and exposure assessment, and finally--a risk characterization. The health risk evaluation was conducted, using lifetime reference concentrations and doses. As risk descriptors were applied: --the individual exposure coefficient (IEC), the hazard quotient (HQ) and the margin of exposure (MOE)--for system toxicants, and the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR)--for carcinogens. The method that was used provides an upperbound estimate, including all possible exposures. The results showed, that the emissions of hydrogen chloride, phthalates (DOF), nitrogen oxides and most of the organic solvents, released from this chemical plant, are not a source of lifetime chronic health risk for the population of any of the six evaluated residential areas of Rousse. The rest of the hazardous emissions cause a slightly increased lifetime health risk, which is entirely in the so called 'controlled risk zone' the risk descriptors vary from 1.00 to 5.00. A number of actions have been prescribed to the plant's government, most of which were realized in the short term.

PET attenuation correction for rigid MR Tx/Rx coils from 176Lu background activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lerche, Christoph W.; Kaltsas, Theodoris; Caldeira, Liliana; Scheins, Jürgen; Rota Kops, Elena; Tellmann, Lutz; Pietrzyk, Uwe; Herzog, Hans; Shah, N. Jon

2018-02-01

One challenge for PET-MR hybrid imaging is the correction for attenuation of the 511 keV annihilation radiation by the required RF transmit and/or RF receive coils. Although there are strategies for building PET transparent Tx/Rx coils, such optimised coils still cause significant attenuation of the annihilation radiation leading to artefacts and biases in the reconstructed activity concentrations. We present a straightforward method to measure the attenuation of Tx/Rx coils in simultaneous MR-PET imaging based on the natural 176Lu background contained in the scintillator of the PET detector without the requirement of an external CT scanner or PET scanner with transmission source. The method was evaluated on a prototype 3T MR-BrainPET produced by Siemens Healthcare GmbH, both with phantom studies and with true emission images from patient/volunteer examinations. Furthermore, the count rate stability of the PET scanner and the x-ray properties of the Tx/Rx head coil were investigated. Even without energy extrapolation from the two dominant γ energies of 176Lu to 511 keV, the presented method for attenuation correction, based on the measurement of 176Lu background attenuation, shows slightly better performance than the coil attenuation correction currently used. The coil attenuation correction currently used is based on an external transmission scan with rotating 68Ge sources acquired on a Siemens ECAT HR  +  PET scanner. However, the main advantage of the presented approach is its straightforwardness and ready availability without the need for additional accessories.

High School Students’ Use of Electronic Cigarettes to Vaporize Cannabis

PubMed Central

Kong, Grace; Camenga, Deepa R.; Cavallo, Dana A.; Krishnan-Sarin, Suchitra

2015-01-01

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is increasing rapidly among high school (HS) students. Of concern, e-cigarettes can be used to vaporize cannabis, although use rates among adolescents are unknown. We evaluated lifetime rates of using e-cigarettes to vaporize cannabis among all lifetime e-cigarette users (27.9%), all lifetime cannabis users (29.2%), and lifetime users of both e-cigarettes and cannabis (18.8%); common means of vaporizing cannabis including hash oil, wax infused with Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and dried cannabis; and demographic predictors of using e-cigarettes to vaporize cannabis. METHODS: In the spring of 2014, 3847 Connecticut HS students completed an anonymous survey assessing e-cigarette and cannabis use. RESULTS: Vaporizing cannabis using e-cigarettes was common among lifetime e-cigarette users, lifetime cannabis users, and lifetime dual users (e-cigarette 18.0%, cannabis 18.4%, dual users 26.5%). Students reported using e-cigarettes to vaporize hash oil (e-cigarette 15.4%, cannabis 15.5%, dual users 22.9%) and wax infused with THC (e-cigarette 10.0%, cannabis 10.2%, dual users 14.8%) and using portable electronic vaporizers to vaporize dried cannabis leaves (e-cigarette 19.6%, lifetime cannabis 23.1%, lifetime dual users 29.1%). Binary logistic regression indicated that male students (odds ratio [OR] = 2.05), younger students (OR = 0.64), lifetime e-cigarette users (OR = 5.27), and lifetime cannabis users (OR = 40.89) were most likely to vaporize cannabis using e-cigarettes. Rates also differed by HS attended. CONCLUSIONS: Rates of vaporizing cannabis using e-cigarettes were high. These findings raise concerns about the lack of e-cigarette regulations and the potential use of e-cigarettes for purposes other than vaping nicotine. PMID:26347431

Attenuation correction with region growing method used in the positron emission mammography imaging system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Xiao-Yue; Li, Lin; Yin, Peng-Fei; Yun, Ming-Kai; Chai, Pei; Huang, Xian-Chao; Sun, Xiao-Li; Wei, Long

2015-10-01

The Positron Emission Mammography imaging system (PEMi) provides a novel nuclear diagnosis method dedicated for breast imaging. With a better resolution than whole body PET, PEMi can detect millimeter-sized breast tumors. To address the requirement of semi-quantitative analysis with a radiotracer concentration map of the breast, a new attenuation correction method based on a three-dimensional seeded region growing image segmentation (3DSRG-AC) method has been developed. The method gives a 3D connected region as the segmentation result instead of image slices. The continuity property of the segmentation result makes this new method free of activity variation of breast tissues. The threshold value chosen is the key process for the segmentation method. The first valley in the grey level histogram of the reconstruction image is set as the lower threshold, which works well in clinical application. Results show that attenuation correction for PEMi improves the image quality and the quantitative accuracy of radioactivity distribution determination. Attenuation correction also improves the probability of detecting small and early breast tumors. Supported by Knowledge Innovation Project of The Chinese Academy of Sciences (KJCX2-EW-N06)

Improving the quantitative accuracy of optical-emission computed tomography by incorporating an attenuation correction: application to HIF1 imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, E.; Bowsher, J.; Thomas, A. S.; Sakhalkar, H.; Dewhirst, M.; Oldham, M.

2008-10-01

Optical computed tomography (optical-CT) and optical-emission computed tomography (optical-ECT) are new techniques for imaging the 3D structure and function (including gene expression) of whole unsectioned tissue samples. This work presents a method of improving the quantitative accuracy of optical-ECT by correcting for the 'self'-attenuation of photons emitted within the sample. The correction is analogous to a method commonly applied in single-photon-emission computed tomography reconstruction. The performance of the correction method was investigated by application to a transparent cylindrical gelatin phantom, containing a known distribution of attenuation (a central ink-doped gelatine core) and a known distribution of fluorescing fibres. Attenuation corrected and uncorrected optical-ECT images were reconstructed on the phantom to enable an evaluation of the effectiveness of the correction. Significant attenuation artefacts were observed in the uncorrected images where the central fibre appeared ~24% less intense due to greater attenuation from the surrounding ink-doped gelatin. This artefact was almost completely removed in the attenuation-corrected image, where the central fibre was within ~4% of the others. The successful phantom test enabled application of attenuation correction to optical-ECT images of an unsectioned human breast xenograft tumour grown subcutaneously on the hind leg of a nude mouse. This tumour cell line had been genetically labelled (pre-implantation) with fluorescent reporter genes such that all viable tumour cells expressed constitutive red fluorescent protein and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 transcription-produced green fluorescent protein. In addition to the fluorescent reporter labelling of gene expression, the tumour microvasculature was labelled by a light-absorbing vasculature contrast agent delivered in vivo by tail-vein injection. Optical-CT transmission images yielded high-resolution 3D images of the absorbing contrast agent, and revealed highly inhomogeneous vasculature perfusion within the tumour. Optical-ECT emission images yielded high-resolution 3D images of the fluorescent protein distribution in the tumour. Attenuation-uncorrected optical-ECT images showed clear loss of signal in regions of high attenuation, including regions of high perfusion, where attenuation is increased by increased vascular ink stain. Application of attenuation correction showed significant changes in an apparent expression of fluorescent proteins, confirming the importance of the attenuation correction. In conclusion, this work presents the first development and application of an attenuation correction for optical-ECT imaging. The results suggest that successful attenuation correction for optical-ECT is feasible and is essential for quantitatively accurate optical-ECT imaging.

Radiofrequency attenuator and method

DOEpatents

Warner, Benjamin P [Los Alamos, NM; McCleskey, T Mark [Los Alamos, NM; Burrell, Anthony K [Los Alamos, NM; Agrawal, Anoop [Tucson, AZ; Hall, Simon B [Palmerston North, NZ

2009-01-20

Radiofrequency attenuator and method. The attenuator includes a pair of transparent windows. A chamber between the windows is filled with molten salt. Preferred molten salts include quarternary ammonium cations and fluorine-containing anions such as tetrafluoroborate (BF.sub.4.sup.-), hexafluorophosphate (PF.sub.6.sup.-), hexafluoroarsenate (AsF.sub.6.sup.-), trifluoromethylsulfonate (CF.sub.3SO.sub.3.sup.-), bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF.sub.3SO.sub.2).sub.2N.sup.-), bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF.sub.3CF.sub.2SO.sub.2).sub.2N.sup.-) and tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methide ((CF.sub.3SO.sub.2).sub.3C.sup.-). Radicals or radical cations may be added to or electrochemically generated in the molten salt to enhance the RF attenuation.

Radiofrequency attenuator and method

DOEpatents

Warner, Benjamin P [Los Alamos, NM; McCleskey, T Mark [Los Alamos, NM; Burrell, Anthony K [Los Alamos, NM; Agrawal, Anoop [Tucson, AZ; Hall, Simon B [Palmerston North, NZ

2009-11-10

Radiofrequency attenuator and method. The attenuator includes a pair of transparent windows. A chamber between the windows is filled with molten salt. Preferred molten salts include quarternary ammonium cations and fluorine-containing anions such as tetrafluoroborate (BF.sub.4.sup.-), hexafluorophosphate (PF.sub.6.sup.-), hexafluoroarsenate (AsF.sub.6.sup.-), trifluoromethylsulfonate (CF.sub.3SO.sub.3.sup.-), bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF.sub.3SO.sub.2).sub.2N.sup.-), bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF.sub.3CF.sub.2SO.sub.2).sub.2N.sup.-) and tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methide ((CF.sub.3SO.sub.2).sub.3 C.sup.-). Radicals or radical cations may be added to or electrochemically generated in the molten salt to enhance the RF attenuation.

Multimodel Estimates of Atmospheric Lifetimes of Long-lived Ozone-Depleting Substances: Present and Future

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chipperfield, M. P.; Liang, Q.; Strahan, S. E.; Morgenstern, O.; Dhomse, S. S.; Abraham, N. L.; Archibald, A. T.; Bekki, S.; Braesicke, P.; Di Genova, G.;

Multimodel Estimates of Atmospheric Lifetimes of Long-Lived Ozone-Depleting Substances: Present and Future

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chipperfield, M. P.; Liang, Q.; Strahan, S. E.; Morgenstern, O.; Dhomse, S. S.; Abraham, N. L.; Archibald, A. T.; Bekki, S.; Braesicke, P.; Di Genova, G.;

Experimental study of ΔI=1 bands in In111

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banerjee, P.; Ganguly, S.; Pradhan, M. K.; Sharma, H. P.; Muralithar, S.; Singh, R. P.; Bhowmik, R. K.

2011-02-01

The two ΔI=1 bands in In111, built upon the 3461.0 and 4931.8 keV states, have been studied. The bands were populated in the reaction Mo100(F19,α4nγ) at a beam energy of 105 MeV. Mean lifetimes of nine states, four in the first and five in the second band, have been determined for the first time from Doppler shift attenuation data. The deduced B(M1) rates and their behavior as a function of level spin support the interpretation of these bands within the framework of the shears mechanism. The geometrical model of Machiavelli has been used to derive the effective gyromagnetic ratios for the two bands.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SEMICONDUCTOR INJECTION LASERS SELCO-87: High-frequency impedance and spontaneous carrier lifetime in narrow-stripe semiconductor injection lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoernlein, W.

1988-11-01

Measurements were made of the complex reflection coefficient of hf (10-400 MHz) signals from semiconductor injection lasers supplied with a direct bias current ranging from several milliamperes up to the threshold value or higher. The hf impedance was calculated. The parameters of the equivalent electrical circuit made it possible to predict the modulation characteristics. The impedance corresponding to currents below the lasing threshold was used to find the differential carrier lifetime from the RC constant of the p-n junction of a laser diode. A description of the apparatus is supplemented by an account of the method used in calculation of the electrical parameters and carrier lifetimes. The first results obtained using this apparatus and method are reported.

Relativistic many-body calculation of energies, multipole transition rates, and lifetimes in tungsten ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Safronova, U. I.; Safronova, M. S.; Nakamura, N.

2017-04-01

Atomic properties of Cd-like W26 +, In-like W25 +, and Sn-like W24 + ions are evaluated by using a relativistic CI+all -order approach that combines configuration-interaction and the coupled-cluster methods. The energies, transition rates, and lifetimes of low-lying levels are calculated and compared with available theoretical and experimental values. The magnetic-dipole transition rates are calculated to determine the branching ratios and lifetimes for the 4 f3 states in W25 + and for the 4 f4 states in W24 + ions. Excellent agreement of the CI+all -order values provided a benchmark test of this method for the 4 fn configurations validating the recommended values of tungsten ion properties calculated in this work.

Identifying and Tracking Solar Photospheric Bright Points Based on Three-dimensional Segmentation Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiong, J. P.; Zhang, A. L.; Ji, K. F.; Feng, S.; Deng, H.; Yang, Y. F.

2016-01-01

Photospheric bright points (PBPs) are tiny and short-lived phenomena which can be seen within dark inter-granular lanes. In this paper, we develop a new method to identify and track the PBPs in the three-dimensional data cube. Different from the previous way such as Detection-Before-Tracking, this method is based on the Tracking-While-Detection. Using this method, the whole lifetime of a PBP can be accurately measured while this PBP is possibly separated into several with Laplacian and morphological dilation (LMD) method due to its weak intensity sometimes. With consideration of the G-band PBPs observed by Hinode/SOT (Solar Optical Telescope) for more than two hours, we find that the isolated PBPs have an average lifetime of 3 minutes, and the longest one is up to 27 minutes, which are greater than the values detected by the previous LMD method. Furthermore, we also find that the mean intensity of PBPs is 1.02 times of the mean photospheric intensity, which is less than the values detected by LMD method, and the intensity of PBPs presents a period of oscillation with 2-3 minutes during the whole lifetime.

Carbonate fuel cell matrix

DOEpatents

Farooque, M.; Yuh, C.Y.

1996-12-03

A carbonate fuel cell matrix is described comprising support particles and crack attenuator particles which are made platelet in shape to increase the resistance of the matrix to through cracking. Also disclosed is a matrix having porous crack attenuator particles and a matrix whose crack attenuator particles have a thermal coefficient of expansion which is significantly different from that of the support particles, and a method of making platelet-shaped crack attenuator particles. 8 figs.

Solar cell efficiency and high temperature processing of n-type silicon grown by the noncontact crucible method

DOE PAGES

Jensen, Mallory A.; LaSalvia, Vincenzo; Morishige, Ashley E.; ...

2016-08-01

The capital expense (capex) of conventional crystal growth methods is a barrier to sustainable growth of the photovoltaic industry. It is challenging for innovative techniques to displace conventional growth methods due the low dislocation density and high lifetime required for high efficiency devices. One promising innovation in crystal growth is the noncontact crucible method (NOC-Si), which combines aspects of Czochralski (Cz) and conventional casting. This material has the potential to satisfy the dual requirements, with capex likely between that of Cz (high capex) and multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si, low capex). In this contribution, we observe a strong dependence of solar cellmore » efficiency on ingot height, correlated with the evolution of swirl-like defects, for single crystalline n-type silicon grown by the NOC-Si method. We posit that these defects are similar to those observed in Cz, and we explore the response of NOC-Si to high temperature treatments including phosphorous diffusion gettering (PDG) and Tabula Rasa (TR). The highest lifetimes (2033 us for the top of the ingot and 342 us for the bottom of the ingot) are achieved for TR followed by a PDG process comprising a standard plateau and a low temperature anneal. Further improvements can be gained by tailoring the time-temperature profiles of each process. Lifetime analysis after the PDG process indicates the presence of a getterable impurity in the as-grown material, while analysis after TR points to the presence of oxide precipitates especially at the bottom of the ingot. Uniform lifetime degradation is observed after TR which we assign to a presently unknown defect. Lastly, future work includes additional TR processing to uncover the nature of this defect, microstructural characterization of suspected oxide precipitates, and optimization of the TR process to achieve the dual goals of high lifetime and spatial homogenization.« less

Ground effects on aircraft noise. [near grazing incidence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Willshire, W. L., Jr.; Hilton, D. A.

1979-01-01

A flight experiment was conducted to investigate air-to-ground propagation of sound near grazing incidence. A turbojet-powered aircraft was flown at low altitudes over the ends of two microphone arrays. An eight-microphone array was positioned along a 1850 m concrete runway. The second array consisted of 12 microphones positioned parallel to the runway over grass. Twenty-eight flights were flown at altitudes ranging from 10 m to 160 m. The acoustic data recorded in the field reduced to one-third-octave band spectra and time correlated with the flight and weather information. A small portion of the data was further reduced to values of ground attenuation as a function of frequency and incidence angle by two different methods. In both methods, the acoustic signals compared originated from identical sources. Attenuation results obtained by using the two methods were in general agreement. The measured ground attenuation was largest in the frequency range of 200 to 400 Hz. A strong dependence was found between ground attenuation and incidence angle with little attenuation measured for angles of incidence greater than 10 to 15 degrees.

Lifetime evaluation of large format CMOS mixed signal infrared devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Linder, A.; Glines, Eddie

2015-09-01

New large scale foundry processes continue to produce reliable products. These new large scale devices continue to use industry best practice to screen for failure mechanisms and validate their long lifetime. The Failure-in-Time analysis in conjunction with foundry qualification information can be used to evaluate large format device lifetimes. This analysis is a helpful tool when zero failure life tests are typical. The reliability of the device is estimated by applying the failure rate to the use conditions. JEDEC publications continue to be the industry accepted methods.

Lifetime and Relative g Factor Measurements in 104,106,108Pd

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilie, G.; Werner, V.; Radeck, D.; Ahn, T.; Bettermann, L.; Casperson, R. J.; Chevrier, R.; Cooper, N. M.; Heinz, A.; Holland, E.; McCarthy, D.; Smith, M. K.; Terry, J. R.; Williams, E.; Beausang, C. W.; Bonniwell, T. C.; Pauertein, B.

2013-03-01

The lifetimes and the relative g factors of the first excited states in 104,106,108Pd are reported here. The first 2+1 state in these Pd isotopes were excited by inverse kinematics Coulomb excitation on a 24Mg target and the lifetime was measured by the Recoil Distance Doppler Shift with the New Yale Plunger Device combined with the SPEEDY array of Clover detectors. The results show the feasibility of the new method, which should be applicable to experiments with radioactive ion beams.

Measurement of the Neutron Lifetime Using a Proton Trap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dewey, M. S.; Gilliam, D. M.; Nico, J. S.; Wietfeldt, F. E.; Fei, X.; Snow, W. M.; Greene, G. L.; Pauwels, J.; Eykens, R.; Lamberty, A.; van Gestel, J.

2003-10-01

We report a new measurement of the neutron decay lifetime by the absolute counting of in-beam neutrons and their decay protons. Protons were confined in a quasi-Penning trap and counted with a silicon detector. The neutron beam fluence was measured by capture in a thin 6LiF foil detector with known absolute efficiency. The combination of these simultaneous measurements gives the neu­tron lifetime: τn=(886.8±1.2[stat]±3.2[syst]) s. The systematic uncertainty is dominated by uncertainties in the mass of the 6LiF deposit and the 6Li(n,t) cross section. This is the most precise measurement of the neutron lifetime to date using an in-beam method.

Predicting a future lifetime through Box-Cox transformation.

PubMed

Yang, Z

1999-09-01

In predicting a future lifetime based on a sample of past lifetimes, the Box-Cox transformation method provides a simple and unified procedure that is shown in this article to meet or often outperform the corresponding frequentist solution in terms of coverage probability and average length of prediction intervals. Kullback-Leibler information and second-order asymptotic expansion are used to justify the Box-Cox procedure. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations are also performed to evaluate the small sample behavior of the procedure. Certain popular lifetime distributions, such as Weibull, inverse Gaussian and Birnbaum-Saunders are served as illustrative examples. One important advantage of the Box-Cox procedure lies in its easy extension to linear model predictions where the exact frequentist solutions are often not available.

Uncovering the genetic basis of attenuation in Marek’s disease virus

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

While in vitro serial passage of Marek’s disease virus (MDV) is a proven method to attenuate MDV strains, the underlying genetic changes responsible for attenuation remains unknown. To identify candidate genes and mutations, a virulent MDV generated from an Md5-containing BAC clone was serially pass...

Acoustic attenuation design requirements established through EPNL parametric trades

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Veldman, H. F.

1972-01-01

An optimization procedure for the provision of an acoustic lining configuration that is balanced with respect to engine performance losses and lining attenuation characteristics was established using a method which determined acoustic attenuation design requirements through parametric trade studies using the subjective noise unit of effective perceived noise level (EPNL).

Measuring coronary calcium on CT images adjusted for attenuation differences.

PubMed

Nelson, Jennifer Clark; Kronmal, Richard A; Carr, J Jeffrey; McNitt-Gray, Michael F; Wong, Nathan D; Loria, Catherine M; Goldin, Jonathan G; Williams, O Dale; Detrano, Robert

2005-05-01

To quantify scanner and participant variability in attenuation values for computed tomographic (CT) images assessed for coronary calcium and define a method for standardizing attenuation values and calibrating calcium measurements. Institutional review board approval and participant informed consent were obtained at all study sites. An image attenuation adjustment method involving the use of available calibration phantom data to define standard attenuation values was developed. The method was applied to images from two population-based multicenter studies: the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study (3041 participants) and the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (6814 participants). To quantify the variability in attenuation, analysis of variance techniques were used to compare the CT numbers of standardized torso phantom regions across study sites, and multivariate linear regression models of participant-specific calibration phantom attenuation values that included participant age, race, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, and site as covariates were developed. To assess the effect of the calibration method on calcium measurements, Pearson correlation coefficients between unadjusted and attenuation-adjusted calcium measurements were computed. Multivariate models were used to examine the effect of sex, race, BMI, smoking status, unadjusted score, and site on Agatston score adjustments. Mean attenuation values (CT numbers) of a standard calibration phantom scanned beneath participants varied significantly according to scanner and participant BMI (P < .001 for both). Values were lowest for Siemens multi-detector row CT scanners (110.0 HU), followed by GE-Imatron electron-beam (116.0 HU) and GE LightSpeed multi-detector row scanners (121.5 HU). Values were also lower for morbidly obese (BMI, > or =40.0 kg/m(2)) participants (108.9 HU), followed by obese (BMI, 30.0-39.9 kg/m(2)) (114.8 HU), overweight (BMI, 25.0-29.9 kg/m(2)) (118.5 HU), and normal-weight or underweight (BMI, <25.0 kg/m(2)) (120.1 HU) participants. Agatston score calibration adjustments ranged from -650 to 1071 (mean, -8 +/- 50 [standard deviation]) and increased with Agatston score (P < .001). The direction and magnitude of adjustment varied significantly according to scanner and BMI (P < .001 for both) and were consistent with phantom attenuation results in that calibration resulted in score decreases for images with higher phantom attenuation values. Image attenuation values vary by scanner and participant body size, producing calcium score differences that are not due to true calcium burden disparities. Use of calibration phantoms to adjust attenuation values and calibrate calcium measurements in research studies and clinical practice may improve the comparability of such measurements between persons scanned with different scanners and within persons over time.

An empirical model of diagnostic x-ray attenuation under narrow-beam geometry

PubMed Central

Mathieu, Kelsey B.; Kappadath, S. Cheenu; White, R. Allen; Atkinson, E. Neely; Cody, Dianna D.

2011-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a mathematical model to describe narrow-beam attenuation of kilovoltage x-ray beams for the intended applications of half-value layer (HVL) and quarter-value layer (QVL) estimations, patient organ shielding, and computer modeling. Methods: An empirical model, which uses the Lambert W function and represents a generalized Lambert-Beer law, was developed. To validate this model, transmission of diagnostic energy x-ray beams was measured over a wide range of attenuator thicknesses [0.49–33.03 mm Al on a computed tomography (CT) scanner, 0.09–1.93 mm Al on two mammography systems, and 0.1–0.45 mm Cu and 0.49–14.87 mm Al using general radiography]. Exposure measurements were acquired under narrow-beam geometry using standard methods, including the appropriate ionization chamber, for each radiographic system. Nonlinear regression was used to find the best-fit curve of the proposed Lambert W model to each measured transmission versus attenuator thickness data set. In addition to validating the Lambert W model, we also assessed the performance of two-point Lambert W interpolation compared to traditional methods for estimating the HVL and QVL [i.e., semilogarithmic (exponential) and linear interpolation]. Results: The Lambert W model was validated for modeling attenuation versus attenuator thickness with respect to the data collected in this study (R2 > 0.99). Furthermore, Lambert W interpolation was more accurate and less sensitive to the choice of interpolation points used to estimate the HVL and∕or QVL than the traditional methods of semilogarithmic and linear interpolation. Conclusions: The proposed Lambert W model accurately describes attenuation of both monoenergetic radiation and (kilovoltage) polyenergetic beams (under narrow-beam geometry). PMID:21928626

An empirical model of diagnostic x-ray attenuation under narrow-beam geometry

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

Mathieu, Kelsey B.; Kappadath, S. Cheenu; White, R. Allen

2011-08-15

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a mathematical model to describe narrow-beam attenuation of kilovoltage x-ray beams for the intended applications of half-value layer (HVL) and quarter-value layer (QVL) estimations, patient organ shielding, and computer modeling. Methods: An empirical model, which uses the Lambert W function and represents a generalized Lambert-Beer law, was developed. To validate this model, transmission of diagnostic energy x-ray beams was measured over a wide range of attenuator thicknesses [0.49-33.03 mm Al on a computed tomography (CT) scanner, 0.09-1.93 mm Al on two mammography systems, and 0.1-0.45 mm Cu and 0.49-14.87more » mm Al using general radiography]. Exposure measurements were acquired under narrow-beam geometry using standard methods, including the appropriate ionization chamber, for each radiographic system. Nonlinear regression was used to find the best-fit curve of the proposed Lambert W model to each measured transmission versus attenuator thickness data set. In addition to validating the Lambert W model, we also assessed the performance of two-point Lambert W interpolation compared to traditional methods for estimating the HVL and QVL [i.e., semilogarithmic (exponential) and linear interpolation]. Results: The Lambert W model was validated for modeling attenuation versus attenuator thickness with respect to the data collected in this study (R{sup 2} > 0.99). Furthermore, Lambert W interpolation was more accurate and less sensitive to the choice of interpolation points used to estimate the HVL and/or QVL than the traditional methods of semilogarithmic and linear interpolation. Conclusions: The proposed Lambert W model accurately describes attenuation of both monoenergetic radiation and (kilovoltage) polyenergetic beams (under narrow-beam geometry).« less

Ground potential rise monitor

DOEpatents

Allen, Zachery Warren; Zevenbergen, Gary Allen

2012-07-17

A device and method for detecting ground potential rise (GPR) comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a voltage attenuator. The first electrode and the second electrode are both electrically connected to the voltage attenuator. A means for determining the presence of a dangerous ground potential is connected to the voltage attenuator. The device and method further comprises a means for enabling one or more alarms upon the detection of the dangerous ground potential. Preferably, a first transmitter/receiver is connected to the means for enabling one or more alarms. Preferably, a second transmitter/receiver, comprising a button, is electromagnetically connected to the first transmitter/receiver. Preferably, the means for determining the presence of a dangerous ground potential comprises a means for determining the true RMS voltage at the output of the voltage attenuator, a transient detector connected to the output of the voltage attenuator, or a combination thereof.

Lifetime Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Two American Indian Reservation Populations

PubMed Central

Beals, Janette; Manson, Spero M.; Croy, Calvin; Klein, Suzell A.; Whitesell, Nancy Rumbaugh; Mitchell, Christina M.

2015-01-01

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been found to be more common among American Indian populations than among other Americans. A complex diagnosis, the assessment methods for PTSD have varied across epidemiological studies, especially in terms of the trauma criteria. Here, we examined data from the American Indian Service Utilization, Psychiatric Epidemiology, Risk and Protective Factors Project (AI-SUPERPFP) to estimate the lifetime prevalence of PTSD in two culturally distinct American Indian reservation communities, using two formulas for calculating PTSD prevalence. The AI-SUPERPFP was a cross-sectional probability sample survey conducted between 1997 and 2000. Southwest (n = 1,446) and Northern Plains (n = 1,638) tribal members living on or near their reservations, aged 15–57 years at time of interview, were randomly sampled from tribal rolls. PTSD estimates were derived based on both the single worst and 3 worst traumas. Prevalence estimates varied by ascertainment method: single worst trauma (lifetime: 5.9% to 14.8%) versus 3 worst traumas (lifetime, 8.9% to 19.5%). Use of the 3-worst-event approach increased prevalence by 28.3% over the single-event method. PTSD was prevalent in these tribal communities. These results also serve to underscore the need to better understand the implications for PTSD prevalence with the current focus on a single worst event. PMID:23900893

Report on concentrations, lifetimes, and trends of CFCs, halons, and related species

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaye, J. A. (Editor); Penkett, S. A. (Editor); Ormond, F. M. (Editor); Fraser, P.; Fisher, D.; Bloomfield, P.; Sander, S. P.; Ko, M. K. W.

1994-01-01

The atmospheric lifetimes of molecules containing chlorine and bromine are the dominant parameters influencing their ability to promote enhanced ozone destruction in the stratosphere. The purpose of this report is to assess the present state of knowledge of the lifetimes of halocarbons using two complementary approaches. First, a time series of measurements of gas concentrations is used together with information on their emissions histories and a computational model of atmospheric circulation and chemistry to infer lifetimes through a mass balance approach. Second, an atmospheric chemical-dynamical model is used with detailed information on the chemistry and spectroscopy of the molecules of interest to calculate lifetimes. The lifetimes determined by these two methods are then compared. Attention is focused most closely on fully halogenated chlorine- and bromine-containing molecules, primarily the chlorofluorocarbons, and the halons, because of their ability to deliver chlorine and bromine to the stratosphere. Some attention will be given to those molecules containing hydrogen, which are subject to removal in the troposphere primarily by reaction with OH and by other processes.

Precision Lifetime Measurements Using the Recoil Distance Method

PubMed Central

Krücken, R.

2000-01-01

The recoil distance method (RDM) for the measurements of lifetimes of excited nuclear levels in the range from about 1 ps to 1000 ps is reviewed. The New Yale Plunger Device for RDM experiments is introduced and the Differential Decay Curve Method for their analysis is reviewed. Results from recent RDM experiments on SD bands in the mass-190 region, shears bands in the neutron deficient lead isotopes, and ground state bands in the mass-130 region are presented. Perspectives for the use of RDM measurements in the study of neutron-rich nuclei are discussed. PMID:27551587

Lifetime of excess electrons in Cu–Zn–Sn–Se powders

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

Novikov, G. F., E-mail: ngf@icp.ac.ru; Gapanovich, M. V.; Gremenok, V. F.

2017-01-15

The method of time-resolved microwave photoconductivity at a frequency of 36 GHz in the range of temperatures of 200–300 K is used to study the kinetics of the annihilation of charge carriers in Cu–Zn–Sn–Se powders obtained by the solid-phase method of synthesis in cells. The lifetime of excess electrons at room temperature is found to be shorter than 5 ns. The activation energy for the process of recombination amounted to E{sub a} ~ 0.054 eV.

Estimation of effective x-ray tissue attenuation differences for volumetric breast density measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Biao; Ruth, Chris; Jing, Zhenxue; Ren, Baorui; Smith, Andrew; Kshirsagar, Ashwini

2014-03-01

Breast density has been identified to be a risk factor of developing breast cancer and an indicator of lesion diagnostic obstruction due to masking effect. Volumetric density measurement evaluates fibro-glandular volume, breast volume, and breast volume density measures that have potential advantages over area density measurement in risk assessment. One class of volume density computing methods is based on the finding of the relative fibro-glandular tissue attenuation with regards to the reference fat tissue, and the estimation of the effective x-ray tissue attenuation differences between the fibro-glandular and fat tissue is key to volumetric breast density computing. We have modeled the effective attenuation difference as a function of actual x-ray skin entrance spectrum, breast thickness, fibro-glandular tissue thickness distribution, and detector efficiency. Compared to other approaches, our method has threefold advantages: (1) avoids the system calibration-based creation of effective attenuation differences which may introduce tedious calibrations for each imaging system and may not reflect the spectrum change and scatter induced overestimation or underestimation of breast density; (2) obtains the system specific separate and differential attenuation values of fibroglandular and fat for each mammographic image; and (3) further reduces the impact of breast thickness accuracy to volumetric breast density. A quantitative breast volume phantom with a set of equivalent fibro-glandular thicknesses has been used to evaluate the volume breast density measurement with the proposed method. The experimental results have shown that the method has significantly improved the accuracy of estimating breast density.

Attenuation-emission alignment in cardiac PET∕CT based on consistency conditions

PubMed Central

Alessio, Adam M.; Kinahan, Paul E.; Champley, Kyle M.; Caldwell, James H.

2010-01-01

Purpose: In cardiac PET and PET∕CT imaging, misaligned transmission and emission images are a common problem due to respiratory and cardiac motion. This misalignment leads to erroneous attenuation correction and can cause errors in perfusion mapping and quantification. This study develops and tests a method for automated alignment of attenuation and emission data. Methods: The CT-based attenuation map is iteratively transformed until the attenuation corrected emission data minimize an objective function based on the Radon consistency conditions. The alignment process is derived from previous work by Welch et al. [“Attenuation correction in PET using consistency information,” IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci. 45, 3134–3141 (1998)] for stand-alone PET imaging. The process was evaluated with the simulated data and measured patient data from multiple cardiac ammonia PET∕CT exams. The alignment procedure was applied to simulations of five different noise levels with three different initial attenuation maps. For the measured patient data, the alignment procedure was applied to eight attenuation-emission combinations with initially acceptable alignment and eight combinations with unacceptable alignment. The initially acceptable alignment studies were forced out of alignment a known amount and quantitatively evaluated for alignment and perfusion accuracy. The initially unacceptable studies were compared to the proposed aligned images in a blinded side-by-side review. Results: The proposed automatic alignment procedure reduced errors in the simulated data and iteratively approaches global minimum solutions with the patient data. In simulations, the alignment procedure reduced the root mean square error to less than 5 mm and reduces the axial translation error to less than 1 mm. In patient studies, the procedure reduced the translation error by >50% and resolved perfusion artifacts after a known misalignment for the eight initially acceptable patient combinations. The side-by-side review of the proposed aligned attenuation-emission maps and initially misaligned attenuation-emission maps revealed that reviewers preferred the proposed aligned maps in all cases, except one inconclusive case. Conclusions: The proposed alignment procedure offers an automatic method to reduce attenuation correction artifacts in cardiac PET∕CT and provides a viable supplement to subjective manual realignment tools. PMID:20384256

Improvement of attenuation correction in time-of-flight PET/MR imaging with a positron-emitting source.

PubMed

Mollet, Pieter; Keereman, Vincent; Bini, Jason; Izquierdo-Garcia, David; Fayad, Zahi A; Vandenberghe, Stefaan

2014-02-01

Quantitative PET imaging relies on accurate attenuation correction. Recently, there has been growing interest in combining state-of-the-art PET systems with MR imaging in a sequential or fully integrated setup. As CT becomes unavailable for these systems, an alternative approach to the CT-based reconstruction of attenuation coefficients (μ values) at 511 keV must be found. Deriving μ values directly from MR images is difficult because MR signals are related to the proton density and relaxation properties of tissue. Therefore, most research groups focus on segmentation or atlas registration techniques. Although studies have shown that these methods provide viable solutions in particular applications, some major drawbacks limit their use in whole-body PET/MR. Previously, we used an annulus-shaped PET transmission source inside the field of view of a PET scanner to measure attenuation coefficients at 511 keV. In this work, we describe the use of this method in studies of patients with the sequential time-of-flight (TOF) PET/MR scanner installed at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. Five human PET/MR and CT datasets were acquired. The transmission-based attenuation correction method was compared with conventional CT-based attenuation correction and the 3-segment, MR-based attenuation correction available on the TOF PET/MR imaging scanner. The transmission-based method overcame most problems related to the MR-based technique, such as truncation artifacts of the arms, segmentation artifacts in the lungs, and imaging of cortical bone. Additionally, the TOF capabilities of the PET detectors allowed the simultaneous acquisition of transmission and emission data. Compared with the MR-based approach, the transmission-based method provided average improvements in PET quantification of 6.4%, 2.4%, and 18.7% in volumes of interest inside the lung, soft tissue, and bone tissue, respectively. In conclusion, a transmission-based technique with an annulus-shaped transmission source will be more accurate than a conventional MR-based technique for measuring attenuation coefficients at 511 keV in future whole-body PET/MR studies.

Psychiatric Disorders of Children Living with Drug-Abusing, Alcohol-Abusing, and Non-Substance-Abusing Fathers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kelley, Michelle L.; Fals-Stewart, William

2004-01-01

Objective: The present study examined lifetime psychiatric disorders and current emotional and behavioral problems of 8- to 12-year-old children living with drug-abusing (DA) fathers compared to children living in demographically matched homes with alcohol-abusing (AA) or non-substance-abusing fathers. Method: Children's lifetime psychiatric…

A General Quantum Mechanical Method to Predict Positron Spectroscopy

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-06-01

7 2.1 Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2.1.1 Positron Transport and Annihilation in Condensed Matter...8 2.1.2 Traditional Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy . . 10 2.1.3 Vibrational Feshbach Resonances of Positrons with... positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy system . . . 63 11. Tungsten positron lifetime spectrum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 12. K2B12H12

Use of Segregation Indices, Townsend Index, and Air Toxics Data to Assess Lifetime Cancer Risk Disparities in Metropolitan Charleston, South Carolina, USA

PubMed Central

Rice, LaShanta J.; Jiang, Chengsheng; Wilson, Sacoby M.; Burwell-Naney, Kristen; Samantapudi, Ashok; Zhang, Hongmei

2014-01-01

Background: Studies have demonstrated a relationship between segregation and level of education, occupational opportunities, and risk behaviors, yet a paucity of research has elucidated the association between racial residential segregation, socioeconomic deprivation, and lifetime cancer risk. Objectives: We examined estimated lifetime cancer risk from air toxics by racial composition, segregation, and deprivation in census tracts in Metropolitan Charleston. Methods: Segregation indices were used to measure the distribution of groups of people from different races within neighborhoods. The Townsend Index was used to measure economic deprivation in the study area. Poisson multivariate regressions were applied to assess the association of lifetime cancer risk with segregation indices and Townsend Index along with several sociodemographic measures. Results: Lifetime cancer risk from all pollution sources was 28 persons/million for half of the census tracts in Metropolitan Charleston. Isolation Index and Townsend Index both showed significant correlation with lifetime cancer risk from different sources. This significance still holds after adjusting for other sociodemographic measures in a Poisson regression, and these two indices have stronger effect on lifetime cancer risk compared to the effects of sociodemographic measures. Conclusions: We found that material deprivation, measured by the Townsend Index and segregation measured by the Isolation index, introduced high impact on lifetime cancer risk by air toxics at the census tract level. PMID:24852759

Control algorithms for dynamic attenuators

PubMed Central

Hsieh, Scott S.; Pelc, Norbert J.

2014-01-01

Purpose: The authors describe algorithms to control dynamic attenuators in CT and compare their performance using simulated scans. Dynamic attenuators are prepatient beam shaping filters that modulate the distribution of x-ray fluence incident on the patient on a view-by-view basis. These attenuators can reduce dose while improving key image quality metrics such as peak or mean variance. In each view, the attenuator presents several degrees of freedom which may be individually adjusted. The total number of degrees of freedom across all views is very large, making many optimization techniques impractical. The authors develop a theory for optimally controlling these attenuators. Special attention is paid to a theoretically perfect attenuator which controls the fluence for each ray individually, but the authors also investigate and compare three other, practical attenuator designs which have been previously proposed: the piecewise-linear attenuator, the translating attenuator, and the double wedge attenuator. Methods: The authors pose and solve the optimization problems of minimizing the mean and peak variance subject to a fixed dose limit. For a perfect attenuator and mean variance minimization, this problem can be solved in simple, closed form. For other attenuator designs, the problem can be decomposed into separate problems for each view to greatly reduce the computational complexity. Peak variance minimization can be approximately solved using iterated, weighted mean variance (WMV) minimization. Also, the authors develop heuristics for the perfect and piecewise-linear attenuators which do not require a priori knowledge of the patient anatomy. The authors compare these control algorithms on different types of dynamic attenuators using simulated raw data from forward projected DICOM files of a thorax and an abdomen. Results: The translating and double wedge attenuators reduce dose by an average of 30% relative to current techniques (bowtie filter with tube current modulation) without increasing peak variance. The 15-element piecewise-linear dynamic attenuator reduces dose by an average of 42%, and the perfect attenuator reduces dose by an average of 50%. Improvements in peak variance are several times larger than improvements in mean variance. Heuristic control eliminates the need for a prescan. For the piecewise-linear attenuator, the cost of heuristic control is an increase in dose of 9%. The proposed iterated WMV minimization produces results that are within a few percent of the true solution. Conclusions: Dynamic attenuators show potential for significant dose reduction. A wide class of dynamic attenuators can be accurately controlled using the described methods. PMID:24877818

Calculation Of Pneumatic Attenuation In Pressure Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitmore, Stephen A.

1991-01-01

Errors caused by attenuation of air-pressure waves in narrow tubes calculated by method based on fundamental equations of flow. Changes in ambient pressure transmitted along narrow tube to sensor. Attenuation of high-frequency components of pressure wave calculated from wave equation derived from Navier-Stokes equations of viscous flow in tube. Developed to understand and compensate for frictional attenuation in narrow tubes used to connect aircraft pressure sensors with pressure taps on affected surfaces.

Recoil Distance Method lifetime measurement of the 2 1 + state in 94Sr and implications for the structure of neutron rich Sr isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chester, Aaron; Starosta, Krzysztof; S1467 Experiment Collaboration

2017-09-01

A high precision lifetime measurement of the 21+ state in 94Sr was performed at TRIUMF's ISAC-II facility by coupling the Recoil Distance Method implemented via the TIGRESS Integrated Plunger with unsafe Coulomb excitation in inverse kinematics. Due to limited statistics imposed by the use of a radioactive 94Sr beam, a likelihood ratio χ2 method was derived and used to compare experimental data to Geant4-simulated lineshapes. The B (E 2 ;21+ ->01+) value extracted from the lifetime measurement of 7 .80-0.40 + 0.50 (stat .) +/- 0.07 (sys .) ps is approximately 25% larger than previously reported while the relative uncertainty has been reduced by a factor of approximately 8. A baseline deformation has been established for Sr isotopes with N <= 58 which is a necessary condition for the Quantum Phase Transition interpretation of the onset of deformation in this region. A summary of the experiment, description of the data analysis methods, and a comparison to existing theoretical models will be presented.

Radiation-force-based Estimation of Acoustic Attenuation Using Harmonic Motion Imaging (HMI) in Phantoms and in vitro Livers Before and After HIFU Ablation

PubMed Central

Chen, Jiangang; Hou, Gary Y.; Marquet, Fabrice; Han, Yang; Camarena, Francisco

2015-01-01

Acoustic attenuation represents the energy loss of the propagating wave through biological tissues and plays a significant role in both therapeutic and diagnostic ultrasound applications. Estimation of acoustic attenuation remains challenging but critical for tissue characterization. In this study, an attenuation estimation approach was developed using the radiation-force-based method of Harmonic Motion Imaging (HMI). 2D tissue displacement maps were acquired by moving the transducer in a raster-scan format. A linear regression model was applied on the logarithm of the HMI displacements at different depths in order to estimate the acoustic attenuation. Commercially available phantoms with known attenuations (n=5) and in vitro canine livers (n=3) were tested, as well as HIFU lesions in in vitro canine livers (n=5). Results demonstrated that attenuations obtained from the phantoms showed a good correlation (R2=0.976) with the independently obtained values reported by the manufacturer with an estimation error (compared to the values independently measured) varying within the range of 15-35%. The estimated attenuation in the in vitro canine livers was equal to 0.32±0.03 dB/cm/MHz, which is in good agreement with the existing literature. The attenuation in HIFU lesions was found to be higher (0.58±0.06 dB/cm/MHz) than that in normal tissues, also in agreement with the results from previous publications. Future potential applications of the proposed method include estimation of attenuation in pathological tissues before and after thermal ablation. PMID:26371501

Computation of dynamic seismic responses to viscous fluid of digitized three-dimensional Berea sandstones with a coupled finite-difference method.

PubMed

Zhang, Yang; Toksöz, M Nafi

2012-08-01

The seismic response of saturated porous rocks is studied numerically using microtomographic images of three-dimensional digitized Berea sandstones. A stress-strain calculation is employed to compute the velocities and attenuations of rock samples whose sizes are much smaller than the seismic wavelength of interest. To compensate for the contributions of small cracks lost in the imaging process to the total velocity and attenuation, a hybrid method is developed to recover the crack distribution, in which the differential effective medium theory, the Kuster-Toksöz model, and a modified squirt-flow model are utilized in a two-step Monte Carlo inversion. In the inversion, the velocities of P- and S-waves measured for the dry and water-saturated cases, and the measured attenuation of P-waves for different fluids are used. By using such a hybrid method, both the velocities of saturated porous rocks and the attenuations are predicted accurately when compared to laboratory data. The hybrid method is a practical way to model numerically the seismic properties of saturated porous rocks until very high resolution digital data are available. Cracks lost in the imaging process are critical for accurately predicting velocities and attenuations of saturated porous rocks.

Relationship between breastfeeding and asthma prevalence in young children exposed to adverse childhood experiences.

PubMed

Abarca, Nancy E; Garro, Aris C; Pearlman, Deborah N

2018-03-13

To investigate if duration of supplemental breastfeeding is associated with a lower asthma risk and whether adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) early in life influence this relationship in children ages 3 to 5 years. Data were from the 2011-2012 National Survey of Children's Health, a nationally representative cross-sectional survey. Modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate incident risk ratios (IRR) for lifetime and current asthma in young children aged 3 to 5 years (n = 15,642). We tested for effect measure modification using stratified analyses. Exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months or supplemental breastfeeding for children ≥12 months significantly reduced the risk of lifetime asthma prevalence compared to never breastfed children (IRR 0.64; 95% CI: 0.46-0.88, p = 0.007; and IRR 0.68; 95% CI: 0.47-0.99, p = 0.044, respectively), adjusted for covariates. In stratified analyses, breastfeeding reduced the risk of lifetime asthma for children who experienced 1 ACE but not for children who experienced 2 or more ACEs. Exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months, with and without supplementation, appears to prevent asthma or delay its onset. The protective effect of breastfeeding was attenuated among children who experienced more than 2 ACEs. The known harmful effects that ACEs have on children's health may outweigh the benefits of breastfeeding in reducing the risk of a child developing asthma. Understanding how specific time periods in a child's life may be most affected by exposure to early life adversities, along with the protective effect of breastfeeding against asthma, are important areas of further study.

Screening attenuation of coaxial cables determined in GTEM-cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knobloch, A.; Garbe, H.

2004-05-01

This paper describes the determination of the screening attenuation with a GTEM cell. An analytical part gives the link between the voltage at the cell port and the total radiated power. The next section investigates the optimal cable setup in the cell. With a measurement of the common mode current on the cable and a simulation of the radiation resistance the loop antenna characteristic of the cable setup could be verified. It is shown that the use of ferrit cores decrease the difference between the maximum and the minimum screening attenuation. The determination of great screening attenuation could be improved with the use of N-type measurement cables. A comparison between this GTEM cell method and the standard methods shows a good agreement.

Application of a Threshold Method to Airborne-Spaceborne Attenuating-Wavelength Radars for the Estimation of Space-Time Rain-Rate Statistics.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meneghini, Robert

1998-09-01

A method is proposed for estimating the area-average rain-rate distribution from attenuating-wavelength spaceborne or airborne radar data. Because highly attenuated radar returns yield unreliable estimates of the rain rate, these are eliminated by means of a proxy variable, Q, derived from the apparent radar reflectivity factors and a power law relating the attenuation coefficient and the reflectivity factor. In determining the probability distribution function of areawide rain rates, the elimination of attenuated measurements at high rain rates and the loss of data at light rain rates, because of low signal-to-noise ratios, leads to truncation of the distribution at the low and high ends. To estimate it over all rain rates, a lognormal distribution is assumed, the parameters of which are obtained from a nonlinear least squares fit to the truncated distribution. Implementation of this type of threshold method depends on the method used in estimating the high-resolution rain-rate estimates (e.g., either the standard Z-R or the Hitschfeld-Bordan estimate) and on the type of rain-rate estimate (either point or path averaged). To test the method, measured drop size distributions are used to characterize the rain along the radar beam. Comparisons with the standard single-threshold method or with the sample mean, taken over the high-resolution estimates, show that the present method usually provides more accurate determinations of the area-averaged rain rate if the values of the threshold parameter, QT, are chosen in the range from 0.2 to 0.4.

Performance summary on a high power dense plasma focus x-ray lithography point source producing 70 nm line features in AlGaAs microcircuits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petr, Rodney; Bykanov, Alexander; Freshman, Jay; Reilly, Dennis; Mangano, Joseph; Roche, Maureen; Dickenson, Jason; Burte, Mitchell; Heaton, John

2004-08-01

A high average power dense plasma focus (DPF), x-ray point source has been used to produce ˜70 nm line features in AlGaAs-based monolithic millimeter-wave integrated circuits (MMICs). The DPF source has produced up to 12 J per pulse of x-ray energy into 4π steradians at ˜1 keV effective wavelength in ˜2 Torr neon at pulse repetition rates up to 60 Hz, with an effective x-ray yield efficiency of ˜0.8%. Plasma temperature and electron concentration are estimated from the x-ray spectrum to be ˜170 eV and ˜5.1019 cm-3, respectively. The x-ray point source utilizes solid-state pulse power technology to extend the operating lifetime of electrodes and insulators in the DPF discharge. By eliminating current reversals in the DPF head, an anode electrode has demonstrated a lifetime of more than 5 million shots. The x-ray point source has also been operated continuously for 8 h run times at 27 Hz average pulse recurrent frequency. Measurements of shock waves produced by the plasma discharge indicate that overpressure pulses must be attenuated before a collimator can be integrated with the DPF point source.

Wide-field time-resolved luminescence imaging and spectroscopy to decipher obliterated documents in forensic science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, Mototsugu; Akiba, Norimitsu; Kurosawa, Kenji; Kuroki, Kenro; Akao, Yoshinori; Higashikawa, Yoshiyasu

2016-01-01

We applied a wide-field time-resolved luminescence (TRL) method with a pulsed laser and a gated intensified charge coupled device (ICCD) for deciphering obliterated documents for use in forensic science. The TRL method can nondestructively measure the dynamics of luminescence, including fluorescence and phosphorescence lifetimes, which prove to be useful parameters for image detection. First, we measured the TRL spectra of four brands of black porous-tip pen inks on paper to estimate their luminescence lifetimes. Next, we acquired the TRL images of 12 obliterated documents at various delay times and gate times of the ICCD. The obliterated contents were revealed in the TRL images because of the difference in the luminescence lifetimes of the inks. This method requires no pretreatment, is nondestructive, and has the advantage of wide-field imaging, which makes it is easy to control the gate timing. This demonstration proves that TRL imaging and spectroscopy are powerful tools for forensic document examination.

Recoil distance method lifetime measurement of the 21+ state in 94Sr and implications for the structure of neutron-rich Sr isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chester, A.; Ball, G. C.; Caballero-Folch, R.; Cross, D. S.; Cruz, S.; Domingo, T.; Drake, T. E.; Garnsworthy, A. B.; Hackman, G.; Hallam, S.; Henderson, J.; Henderson, R.; Korten, W.; Krücken, R.; Moukaddam, M.; Olaizola, B.; Ruotsalainen, P.; Smallcombe, J.; Starosta, K.; Svensson, C. E.; Williams, J.; Wimmer, K.

2017-07-01

A high precision lifetime measurement of the 21+ state in 94Sr was performed at TRIUMF's ISAC-II facility by coupling the recoil distance method implemented via the TIGRESS integrated plunger with unsafe Coulomb excitation in inverse kinematics. Due to limited statistics imposed by the use of a radioactive 94Sr beam, a likelihood ratio χ2 method was derived and used to compare experimental data to Geant4 simulations. The B (E 2 ;21+→01+) value extracted from the lifetime measurement of 7 .80-0.40+0.50(stat.)±0.07 (sys.) ps is approximately 25% larger than previously reported while the relative error has been reduced by a factor of approximately 8. A baseline deformation has been established for Sr isotopes with N ≤58 which is a necessary condition for the quantum phase transition interpretation of the onset of deformation in this region. A comparison to existing theoretical models is presented.

Interfacing the Ab initio multiple spawning method with electronic structure methods in GAMESS: Photodecay of trans-Azomethane

DOE PAGES

Gaenko, Alexander; DeFusco, Albert; Varganov, Sergey A.; ...

2014-10-20

This work presents a nonadiabatic molecular dynamics study of the nonradiative decay of photoexcited trans-azomethane, using the ab initio multiple spawning (AIMS) program that has been interfaced with the General Atomic and Molecular Electronic Structure System (GAMESS) quantum chemistry package for on-the-fly electronic structure evaluation. The interface strategy is discussed, and the capabilities of the combined programs are demonstrated with a nonadiabatic molecular dynamics study of the nonradiative decay of photoexcited trans-azomethane. Energies, gradients, and nonadiabatic coupling matrix elements were obtained with the state-averaged complete active space self-consistent field method, as implemented in GAMESS. The influence of initial vibrational excitationmore » on the outcome of the photoinduced isomerization is explored. Increased vibrational excitation in the CNNC torsional mode shortens the excited state lifetime. Depending on the degree of vibrational excitation, the excited state lifetime varies from ~60–200 fs. As a result, these short lifetimes are in agreement with time-resolved photoionization mass spectroscopy experiments.« less

Geant4 simulations of NIST beam neutron lifetime experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valete, Daniel; Crawford, Bret; BL2 Collaboration Collaboration

2017-09-01

A free neutron is unstable and its decay is described by the Standard Model as the transformation of a down quark into an up quark through the weak interaction. Precise measurements of the neutron lifetime test the validity of the theory of the weak interaction and provide useful information for the predictions of the theory of Big Bang nucleosynthesis of the primordial helium abundance in the universe and the number of different types of light neutrinos Nν. The predominant experimental methods for determination of the neutron lifetime are commonly called `beam' and `bottle' methods, and the most recent uses of each method do not agree with each other within their stated uncertainties. An improved experiment of the beam technique, which uses magnetic and electric fields to trap and guide the decay protons of a beam of cold neutrons to a detector, is in progress at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD with a precision goal of 0.1. I acknowledge the support of the Cross-Diciplinary Institute at Gettysburg College.

Quantitative cardiac SPECT reconstruction with reduced image degradation due to patient anatomy

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

Tsui, B.M.W.; Zhao, X.D.; Gregoriou, G.K.

1994-12-01

Patient anatomy has complicated effects on cardiac SPECT images. The authors investigated reconstruction methods which substantially reduced these effects for improved image quality. A 3D mathematical cardiac-torso (MCAT) phantom which models the anatomical structures in the thorax region were used in the study. The phantom was modified to simulate variations in patient anatomy including regions of natural thinning along the myocardium, body size, diaphragmatic shape, gender, and size and shape of breasts for female patients. Distributions of attenuation coefficients and Tl-201 uptake in different organs in a normal patient were also simulated. Emission projection data were generated from the phantomsmore » including effects of attenuation and detector response. The authors have observed the attenuation-induced artifacts caused by patient anatomy in the conventional FBP reconstructed images. Accurate attenuation compensation using iterative reconstruction algorithms and attenuation maps substantially reduced the image artifacts and improved quantitative accuracy. They conclude that reconstruction methods which accurately compensate for non-uniform attenuation can substantially reduce image degradation caused by variations in patient anatomy in cardiac SPECT.« less

Lifetime Prediction of IGBT in a STATCOM Using Modified-Graphical Rainflow Counting Algorithm

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

Gopi Reddy, Lakshmi Reddy; Tolbert, Leon M; Ozpineci, Burak

Rainflow algorithms are one of the best counting methods used in fatigue and failure analysis [17]. There have been many approaches to the rainflow algorithm, some proposing modifications. Graphical Rainflow Method (GRM) was proposed recently with a claim of faster execution times [10]. However, the steps of the graphical method of rainflow algorithm, when implemented, do not generate the same output as the four-point or ASTM standard algorithm. A modified graphical method is presented and discussed in this paper to overcome the shortcomings of graphical rainflow algorithm. A fast rainflow algorithm based on four-point algorithm but considering point comparison thanmore » range comparison is also presented. A comparison between the performances of the common rainflow algorithms [6-10], including the proposed methods, in terms of execution time, memory used, and efficiency, complexity, and load sequences is presented. Finally, the rainflow algorithm is applied to temperature data of an IGBT in assessing the lifetime of a STATCOM operating for power factor correction of the load. From 5-minute data load profiles available, the lifetime is estimated to be at 3.4 years.« less

Crystallization Kinetics of an Amorphous Pharmaceutical Compound Using Fluorescence-Lifetime-Imaging Microscopy.

PubMed

Rautaniemi, Kaisa; Vuorimaa-Laukkanen, Elina; Strachan, Clare J; Laaksonen, Timo

2018-05-07

Pharmaceutical scientists are increasingly interested in amorphous drug formulations especially because of their higher dissolution rates. Consequently, the thorough characterization and analysis of these formulations are becoming more and more important for the pharmaceutical industry. Here, fluorescence-lifetime-imaging microscopy (FLIM) was used to monitor the crystallization of an amorphous pharmaceutical compound, indomethacin. Initially, we identified different solid indomethacin forms, amorphous and γ- and α-crystalline, on the basis of their time-resolved fluorescence. All of the studied indomethacin forms showed biexponential decays with characteristic fluorescence lifetimes and amplitudes. Using this information, the crystallization of amorphous indomethacin upon storage in 60 °C was monitored for 10 days with FLIM. The progress of crystallization was detected as lifetime changes both in the FLIM images and in the fluorescence-decay curves extracted from the images. The fluorescence-lifetime amplitudes were used for quantitative analysis of the crystallization process. We also demonstrated that the fluorescence-lifetime distribution of the sample changed during crystallization, and when the sample was not moved between measuring times, the lifetime distribution could also be used for the analysis of the reaction kinetics. Our results clearly show that FLIM is a sensitive and nondestructive method for monitoring solid-state transformations on the surfaces of fluorescent samples.

Prediction of the lifetime of nitrile-butadiene rubber by FT-IR.

PubMed

Kawashima, Tetsuya; Ogawa, Toshio

2005-12-01

A quantitative measurement method with FT-IR was proposed for a thermal degradation analysis of nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR). An NBR film was prepared as a model sample on a barium fluoride (BaF2) crystal plate, which was subjected to a heat treatment. The absorbances of various functional groups were measured directly by FT-IR after thermal degradation at high temperatures. By measuring the absorbances, it was possible to readily determine quantitatively each of the functional groups after the degradation of NBR. By assuming that the NBR lifetime was the point at which the absorbance of a carbon-carbon double bond reaches 45% of that prior to thermal treatment, a method for predicting the lifetime of NBR heated below 150 degrees C was proposed, by using an Arrhenius plot of the heating time versus heating temperature.

Cutting force measurement of electrical jigsaw by strain gauges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kazup, L.; Varadine Szarka, A.

2016-11-01

This paper describes a measuring method based on strain gauges for accurate specification of electric jigsaw's cutting force. The goal of the measurement is to provide an overall perspective about generated forces in a jigsaw's gearbox during a cutting period. The lifetime of the tool is affected by these forces primarily. This analysis is part of the research and development project aiming to develop a special linear magnetic brake for realizing automatic lifetime tests of electric jigsaws or similar handheld tools. The accurate specification of cutting force facilitates to define realistic test cycles during the automatic lifetime test. The accuracy and precision resulted by the well described cutting force characteristic and the possibility of automation provide new dimension for lifetime testing of the handheld tools with alternating movement.

Excited-state lifetime measurement of silicon vacancy centers in diamond by single-photon frequency upconversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rong, Youying; Ma, Jianhui; Chen, Lingxiao; Liu, Yan; Siyushev, Petr; Wu, Botao; Pan, Haifeng; Jelezko, Fedor; Wu, E.; Zeng, Heping

2018-05-01

We report a method with high time resolution to measure the excited-state lifetime of silicon vacancy centers in bulk diamond avoiding timing jitter from the single-photon detectors. Frequency upconversion of the fluorescence emitted from silicon vacancy centers was achieved from 738 nm to 436 nm via sum frequency generation with a short pump pulse. The excited-state lifetime can be obtained by measuring the intensity of upconverted light while the pump delay changes. As a probe, a pump laser with pulse duration of 11 ps provided a high temporal resolution of the measurement. The lifetime extracted from the pump–probe curve was 0.755 ns, which was comparable to the timing jitter of the single-photon detectors.

FUNDUS AUTOFLUORESCENCE LIFETIMES AND CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY

PubMed Central

Dysli, Chantal; Berger, Lieselotte; Wolf, Sebastian

2017-01-01

Purpose: To quantify retinal fluorescence lifetimes in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and to identify disease specific lifetime characteristics over the course of disease. Methods: Forty-seven participants were included in this study. Patients with central serous chorioretinopathy were imaged with fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography, and fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy (FLIO) and compared with age-matched controls. Retinal autofluorescence was excited using a 473-nm blue laser light and emitted fluorescence light was detected in 2 distinct wavelengths channels (498–560 nm and 560–720 nm). Clinical features, mean retinal autofluorescence lifetimes, autofluorescence intensity, and corresponding optical coherence tomography (OCT) images were further analyzed. Results: Thirty-five central serous chorioretinopathy patients with a mean visual acuity of 78 ETDRS letters (range, 50–90; mean Snellen equivalent: 20/32) and 12 age-matched controls were included. In the acute stage of central serous chorioretinopathy, retinal fluorescence lifetimes were shortened by 15% and 17% in the respective wavelength channels. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that fluorescence lifetimes were significantly influenced by the disease duration (P < 0.001) and accumulation of photoreceptor outer segments (P = 0.03) but independent of the presence or absence of subretinal fluid. Prolonged central macular autofluorescence lifetimes, particularly in eyes with retinal pigment epithelial atrophy, were associated with poor visual acuity. Conclusion: This study establishes that autofluorescence lifetime changes occurring in central serous chorioretinopathy exhibit explicit patterns which can be used to estimate perturbations of the outer retinal layers with a high degree of statistical significance. PMID:28099314

Lifetime racial/ethnic discrimination and ambulatory blood pressure: The moderating effect of age

PubMed Central

Moody, Danielle L. Beatty; Waldstein, Shari R.; Tobin, Jonathan; Cassels, Andrea; Schwartz, Joseph C.; Brondolo, Elizabeth

2016-01-01

Objective To determine if the relationships of lifetime discrimination to ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) varied as a function of age in a sample of Black and Latino(a) adults ages 19 – 65. Methods Participants were 607 Black (n = 318) and Latino(a) (n = 289) adults (49% female) who completed the Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire-Community Version (PEDQ-CV), which assesses lifetime exposure to racism/ethnic discrimination. They were outfitted with an ABP monitor to assess systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) across a 24-hour period. Mixed-level modeling was conducted to examine potential interactive effects of lifetime discrimination and age to 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime ABP after adjustment for demographic, socioeconomic, personality and life stress characteristics, and substance consumption covariates (e.g., smoking, alcohol). Results There were significant interactions of Age × Lifetime Discrimination on 24-hour and daytime DBP (ps ≤ .04), and in particular significant interactions for the Social Exclusion component of Lifetime Discrimination. Post-hoc probing of the interactions revealed the effects of Lifetime Discrimination on DBP were seen for older, but not younger participants. Lifetime discrimination was significantly positively associated with nocturnal SBP, and these effects were not moderated by age. All associations of Lifetime Discrimination to ABP remained significant controlling for recent exposure to discrimination as well as all other covariates. Conclusions Exposure to racial/ethnic discrimination across the life course is associated with elevated ABP in middle to older aged Black and Latino(a) adults. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms linking discrimination to ABP over the life course. PMID:27018724

Assessing the impacts of lifetime sun exposure on skin damage and skin aging using a non-invasive method.

PubMed

Kimlin, Michael G; Guo, Yuming

2012-05-15

Ultraviolet radiation exposure during an individuals' lifetime is a known risk factor for the development of skin cancer. However, less evidence is available on assessing the relationship between lifetime sun exposure and skin damage and skin aging. This study aims to assess the relationship between lifetime sun exposure and skin damage and skin aging using a non-invasive measure of exposure. We recruited 180 participants (73 males, 107 females) aged 18-83 years. Digital imaging of skin hyperpigmentation (skin damage) and skin wrinkling (skin aging) on the facial region was measured. Lifetime sun exposure (presented as hours) was calculated from the participants' age multiplied by the estimated annual time outdoors for each year of life. We analyzed the effects of lifetime sun exposure on skin damage and skin aging. We adjust for the influence of age, sex, occupation, history of skin cancer, eye color, hair color, and skin color. There were non-linear relationships between lifetime sun exposure and skin damage and skin aging. Younger participant's skin is much more sensitive to sun exposure than those who were over 50 years of age. As such, there were negative interactions between lifetime sun exposure and age. Age had linear effects on skin damage and skin aging. The data presented showed that self reported lifetime sun exposure was positively associated with skin damage and skin aging, in particular, the younger people. Future health promotion for sun exposure needs to pay attention to this group for skin cancer prevention messaging. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Expanding the potential of standard flow cytometry by extracting fluorescence lifetimes from cytometric pulse shifts

PubMed Central

Cao, Ruofan; Naivar, Mark A; Wilder, Mark; Houston, Jessica P

2014-01-01

Fluorescence lifetime measurements provide information about the fluorescence relaxation, or intensity decay, of organic fluorophores, fluorescent proteins, and other inorganic molecules that fluoresce. The fluorescence lifetime is emerging in flow cytometry and is helpful in a variety of multiparametric, single cell measurements because it is not impacted by nonlinearity that can occur with fluorescence intensity measurements. Yet time-resolved cytometry systems rely on major hardware modifications making the methodology difficult to reproduce. The motivation of this work is, by taking advantage of the dynamic nature of flow cytometry sample detection and applying digital signal processing methods, to measure fluorescence lifetimes using an unmodified flow cytometer. We collect a new lifetime-dependent parameter, referred to herein as the fluorescence-pulse-delay (FPD), and prove it is a valid representation of the average fluorescence lifetime. To verify we generated cytometric pulses in simulation, with light emitting diode (LED) pulsation, and with true fluorescence measurements of cells and microspheres. Each pulse is digitized and used in algorithms to extract an average fluorescence lifetime inherent in the signal. A range of fluorescence lifetimes is measurable with this approach including standard organic fluorophore lifetimes (∼1 to 22 ns) as well as small, simulated shifts (0.1 ns) under standard conditions (reported herein). This contribution demonstrates how digital data acquisition and signal processing can reveal time-dependent information foreshadowing the exploitation of full waveform analysis for quantification of similar photo-physical events within single cells. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. PMID:25274073

Lifetime Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Two Cohort Studies.

PubMed

Bell, Elizabeth J; Lutsey, Pamela L; Basu, Saonli; Cushman, Mary; Heckbert, Susan R; Lloyd-Jones, Donald M; Folsom, Aaron R

2016-03-01

Greater public awareness of venous thromboembolism may be an important next step for optimizing venous thromboembolism prevention and treatment. "Lifetime risk" is an easily interpretable way of presenting risk information. Therefore, we sought to calculate the lifetime risk of venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) using data from 2 large, prospective cohort studies: the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. We followed participants aged 45-64 years in ARIC (n = 14,185) and ≥65 in CHS (n = 5414) at baseline visits (1987-1989 in ARIC, 1989-1990 and 1992-1993 in CHS) for incident venous thromboembolism (n = 728 in ARIC through 2011 and n = 172 in CHS through 2001). We estimated lifetime risks and 95% confidence intervals of incident venous thromboembolism using a modified Kaplan-Meier method, accounting for the competing risk of death from other causes. At age 45 years, the remaining lifetime risk of venous thromboembolism in ARIC was 8.1% (95% confidence interval, 7.1-8.7). High-risk groups were African Americans (11.5% lifetime risk), those with obesity (10.9%), heterozygous for the factor V Leiden (17.1%), or with sickle cell trait or disease (18.2%). Lifetime risk estimates differed by cohort; these differences were explained by differences in time period of venous thromboembolism ascertainment. At least 1 in 12 middle-aged adults will develop venous thromboembolism in their remaining lifetime. This estimate of lifetime risk may be useful to promote awareness of venous thromboembolism and guide decisions at both clinical and policy levels. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Emotional Support, Negative Interaction and DSM IV Lifetime Disorders among Older African Americans: Findings from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL)

PubMed Central

Lincoln, Karen D.; Taylor, Robert Joseph; Bullard, Kai McKeever; Chatters, Linda M.; Himle, Joseph A.; Woodward, Amanda Toler; Jackson, James S.

2010-01-01

Objectives Both emotional support and negative interaction with family members have been linked to mental health. However, few studies have examined the associations between emotional support and negative interaction and psychiatric disorders in late life. This study investigated the relationship between emotional support and negative interaction on lifetime prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders among older African Americans. Design The analyses utilized the National Survey of American Life. Methods Logistic regression and negative binomial regression analyses were used to examine the effect of emotional support and negative interaction with family members on the prevalence of lifetime DSM-IV mood and anxiety disorders. Participants Data from 786 African Americans aged 55 years and older were used. Measurement The DSM-IV World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI) was used to assess mental disorders. Three dependent variables were investigated: the prevalence of lifetime mood disorders, the prevalence of lifetime anxiety disorders, and the total number of lifetime mood and anxiety disorders. Results Multivariate analysis found that emotional support was not associated with any of the three dependent variables. Negative interaction was significantly and positively associated with the odds of having a lifetime mood disorder, a lifetime anxiety disorder and the number of lifetime mood and anxiety disorders. Conclusions This is the first study to investigate the relationship between emotional support, negative interaction with family members and psychiatric disorders among older African Americans. Negative interaction was a risk factor for mood and anxiety disorders among older African Americans, whereas emotional support was not significant. PMID:20157904

Ultrasonic attenuation in pearlitic steel.

PubMed

Du, Hualong; Turner, Joseph A

2014-03-01

Expressions for the attenuation coefficients of longitudinal and transverse ultrasonic waves are developed for steel with pearlitic microstructure. This type of lamellar duplex microstructure influences attenuation because of the lamellar spacing. In addition, longitudinal attenuation measurements were conducted using an unfocused transducer with 10 MHz central frequency on the cross section of a quenched railroad wheel sample. The dependence of longitudinal attenuation on the pearlite microstructure is observed from the changes of longitudinal attenuation from the quenched tread surface to deeper locations. The results show that the attenuation value is lowest and relatively constant within the quench depth, then increases linearly. The experimental results demonstrate a reasonable agreement with results from the theoretical model. Ultrasonic attenuation provides an important non-destructive method to evaluate duplex microstructure within grains which can be implemented for quality control in conjunction with other manufacturing processes. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Thin-Layering Effect On Estimating Seismic Attenuation In Methane Hydrate-Bearing Sediments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, K.; Matsushima, J.

2012-12-01

Seismic attenuation is one of the important parameters that provide information concerning both the detection and quantitative assessment of gas-hydrates. We estimated seismic attenuation (1/Q) from surface seismic data acquired at Nankai Trough in Japan. We adapt the Q-versus offset (QVO) method to calculate robust and continuous interval attenuations from CMP gathers. We could observe high attenuation in methane hydrate bearing sediments over the BSR region. However some negative 1/Q values are also shown. This means that the amplitude of high frequency components is increasing with depth. Such results may be due to tuning effect. Here, we carried out numerical test to see how thin-layering effect influences on seismic attenuation results. The results showed that tuning considerably influences the attenuation results, and causes the lower 1/Q values (lower attenuation) and negative 1/Q values.

Radiative lifetimes and transition probabilities for electric-dipole delta n equals zero transitions in highly stripped sulfur ions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pegg, D. J.; Elston, S. B.; Griffin, P. M.; Forester, J. P.; Thoe, R. S.; Peterson, R. S.; Sellin, I. A.; Hayden, H. C.

1976-01-01

The beam-foil time-of-flight method has been used to investigate radiative lifetimes and transition rates involving allowed intrashell transitions within the L shell of highly ionized sulfur. The results for these transitions, which can be particularly correlation-sensitive, are compared with current calculations based upon multiconfigurational models.

Lifetime Prevalence of Mental Disorders in U.S. Adolescents: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication-Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Merikangas, Kathleen Ries; He, Jian-ping; Burstein, Marcy; Swanson, Sonja A.; Avenevoli, Shelli; Cui, Lihong; Benjet, Corina; Georgiades, Katholiki; Swendsen, Joel

2010-01-01

Objective: To present estimates of the lifetime prevalence of "DSM-IV" mental disorders with and without severe impairment, their comorbidity across broad classes of disorder, and their sociodemographic correlates. Method: The National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement NCS-A is a nationally representative face-to-face survey of…

Empirically Derived Subtypes of Lifetime Anxiety Disorders: Developmental and Clinical Correlates in U.S. Adolescents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burstein, Marcy; Georgiades, Katholiki; Lamers, Femke; Swanson, Sonja A.; Cui, Lihong; He, Jian-Ping; Avenevoli, Shelli; Merikangas, Kathleen R.

2012-01-01

Objective: The current study examined the sex- and age-specific structure and comorbidity of lifetime anxiety disorders among U.S. adolescents. Method: The sample consisted of 2,539 adolescents (1,505 females and 1,034 males) from the National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement who met criteria for "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of…

Portable fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy system for in-situ interrogation of biological tissues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saito Nogueira, Marcelo; Cosci, Alessandro; Teixeira Rosa, Ramon Gabriel; Salvio, Ana Gabriela; Pratavieira, Sebastião; Kurachi, Cristina

2017-12-01

Fluorescence spectroscopy and lifetime techniques are potential methods for optical diagnosis and characterization of biological tissues with an in-situ, fast, and noninvasive interrogation. Several diseases may be diagnosed due to differences in the fluorescence spectra of targeted fluorophores, when, these spectra are similar, considering steady-state fluorescence, others may be detected by monitoring their fluorescence lifetime. Despite this complementarity, most of the current fluorescence lifetime systems are not robust and portable, and not being feasible for clinical applications. We describe the assembly of a fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy system in a suitcase, its characterization, and validation with clinical measurements of skin lesions. The assembled system is all encased and robust, maintaining its mechanical, electrical, and optical stability during transportation, and is feasible for clinical measurements. The instrument response function measured was about 300 ps, and the system is properly calibrated. At the clinical study, the system showed to be reliable, and the achieved spectroscopy results support its potential use as an auxiliary tool for skin diagnostics.

New lifetime measurements in Pd 109 and the onset of deformation at N = 60

DOE PAGES

Bucher, B.; Mach, H.; Aprahamian, A.; ...

2015-12-14

We measured several new subnanosecond lifetimes in 109Pd using the fast-timing βγ γ (t ) method. Fission fragments of the A = 109 mass chain were produced by bombarding natural uranium with 30 MeV protons at the Jyväskylä Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line (IGISOL) facility. We obtained lifetimes for excited states in 109Pd populated following β decay of 109Rh. The new lifetimes provide some insight into the evolution of nuclear structure in this mass region. In particular, the distinct structure of the two low-lying 7/2+ states occurring systematically across the Pd isotopic chain is supported by the new lifetime measurements.more » Finally, the available nuclear data indicate a sudden increase in deformation at N = 60 which is related to the strong p-n interaction between πg 9/2 and νg 7/2 valence nucleons expected in this region.« less

SIRTF thermal design modifications to increase lifetime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrick, S. W.

1993-01-01

An effort was made to increase the predicted lifetime of the SIRTF dewar by lowering the exterior shell temperature, increasing the radiated energy from the vapor cooled shields and reconfiguring the vapor cooled shields. The lifetime increases can be used to increase the scientific return from the mission and as a trade-off against mass and cost. This paper describes the configurations studied, the steady state thermal model used, the analytical methods and the results of the analysis. Much of the heat input to the outside dewar shell is radiative heat transfer from the solar panel. To lower the shell temperature, radiative cooled shields were placed between the solar panel and the dewar shell and between the bus and the dewar shell. Analysis showed that placing a radiator on the outer vapor cooled shield had a significant effect on lifetime. Lengthening the distance between the outer shell and the point where the vapor cooled shields are attached to the support straps also improved lifetime.

Characterization of Atomic-Layer-Deposited (ALD) Al2O3-Passivated Sub-50-μm-thick Kerf-less Si Wafers by Controlled Spalling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Yong Hwan; Cha, Hamchorom; Choi, Sunho; Chang, Hyo Sik; Jang, Boyun; Oh, Jihun

2018-05-01

A systematic characterization of sub-50-μm-thick, kerf-less monocrystalline Si wafers fabricated by a controlled fracture method is presented. The spalling process introduces various defects on the Si surface, which result in high surface roughness levels, residual stress, and low effective minority carrier lifetimes. In addition, metals used to induce fracturing in Si diffuse in the Si at room temperature and degrade the effective minority carrier lifetime. Selective removal of these defected Si regions improves the residual stress and effective lifetimes of spalled Si wafers.

A Requirements-Driven Optimization Method for Acoustic Treatment Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berton, Jeffrey J.

2016-01-01

Acoustic treatment designers have long been able to target specific noise sources inside turbofan engines. Facesheet porosity and cavity depth are key design variables of perforate-over-honeycomb liners that determine levels of noise suppression as well as the frequencies at which suppression occurs. Layers of these structures can be combined to create a robust attenuation spectrum that covers a wide range of frequencies. Looking to the future, rapidly-emerging additive manufacturing technologies are enabling new liners with multiple degrees of freedom, and new adaptive liners with variable impedance are showing promise. More than ever, there is greater flexibility and freedom in liner design. Subject to practical considerations, liner design variables may be manipulated to achieve a target attenuation spectrum. But characteristics of the ideal attenuation spectrum can be difficult to know. Many multidisciplinary system effects govern how engine noise sources contribute to community noise. Given a hardwall fan noise source to be suppressed, and using an analytical certification noise model to compute a community noise measure of merit, the optimal attenuation spectrum can be derived using multidisciplinary systems analysis methods. The subject of this paper is an analytical method that derives the ideal target attenuation spectrum that minimizes noise perceived by observers on the ground.

Attenuation correction for brain PET imaging using deep neural network based on dixon and ZTE MR images.

PubMed

Gong, Kuang; Yang, Jaewon; Kim, Kyungsang; El Fakhri, Georges; Seo, Youngho; Li, Quanzheng

2018-05-23

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a functional imaging modality widely used in neuroscience studies. To obtain meaningful quantitative results from PET images, attenuation correction is necessary during image reconstruction. For PET/MR hybrid systems, PET attenuation is challenging as Magnetic Resonance (MR) images do not reflect attenuation coefficients directly. To address this issue, we present deep neural network methods to derive the continuous attenuation coefficients for brain PET imaging from MR images. With only Dixon MR images as the network input, the existing U-net structure was adopted and analysis using forty patient data sets shows it is superior than other Dixon based methods. When both Dixon and zero echo time (ZTE) images are available, we have proposed a modified U-net structure, named GroupU-net, to efficiently make use of both Dixon and ZTE information through group convolution modules when the network goes deeper. Quantitative analysis based on fourteen real patient data sets demonstrates that both network approaches can perform better than the standard methods, and the proposed network structure can further reduce the PET quantification error compared to the U-net structure. © 2018 Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine.

Robust and fast characterization of OCT-based optical attenuation using a novel frequency-domain algorithm for brain cancer detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Wu; Kut, Carmen; Liang, Wenxuan; Li, Xingde

2017-03-01

Cancer is known to alter the local optical properties of tissues. The detection of OCT-based optical attenuation provides a quantitative method to efficiently differentiate cancer from non-cancer tissues. In particular, the intraoperative use of quantitative OCT is able to provide a direct visual guidance in real time for accurate identification of cancer tissues, especially these without any obvious structural layers, such as brain cancer. However, current methods are suboptimal in providing high-speed and accurate OCT attenuation mapping for intraoperative brain cancer detection. In this paper, we report a novel frequency-domain (FD) algorithm to enable robust and fast characterization of optical attenuation as derived from OCT intensity images. The performance of this FD algorithm was compared with traditional fitting methods by analyzing datasets containing images from freshly resected human brain cancer and from a silica phantom acquired by a 1310 nm swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) system. With graphics processing unit (GPU)-based CUDA C/C++ implementation, this new attenuation mapping algorithm can offer robust and accurate quantitative interpretation of OCT images in real time during brain surgery.

Near‐surface void detection using a seismic landstreamer and horizontal velocity and attenuation tomography

USGS Publications Warehouse

Buckley, Sean F.; Lane, John W.

2012-01-01

The detection and characterization of subsurface voids plays an important role in the study of karst formations and clandestine tunnels. Horizontal velocity and attenuation tomography (HVAT) using offset‐fan shooting and a towed seismic land streamer is a simple, rapid, minimally invasive method that shows promise for detecting near‐surface voids and providing information on the orientation of linear voids. HVAT surveys were conducted over a known subsurface steam tunnel on the University of Connecticut Depot Campus, Storrs, Connecticut. First‐arrival travel‐time and amplitude data were used to produce two‐dimensional (2D) horizontal (map view) velocity and attenuation tomograms. In addition, attenuation tomograms were produced based on normalized total trace energy (TTE). Both the velocity and TTE attenuation tomograms depict an anomaly consistent with the location and orientation of the known tunnel; the TTE method, however, requires significantly less processing time, and therefore may provide a path forward to semi‐automated, near real‐time detection of near‐surface voids. Further study is needed to assess the utility of the HVAT method to detect deeper voids and the effects of a more complex geology on HVAT results.

Errors in MR-based attenuation correction for brain imaging with PET/MR scanners

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rota Kops, Elena; Herzog, Hans

2013-02-01

AimAttenuation correction of PET data acquired by hybrid MR/PET scanners remains a challenge, even if several methods for brain and whole-body measurements have been developed recently. A template-based attenuation correction for brain imaging proposed by our group is easy to handle and delivers reliable attenuation maps in a short time. However, some potential error sources are analyzed in this study. We investigated the choice of template reference head among all the available data (error A), and possible skull anomalies of the specific patient, such as discontinuities due to surgery (error B). Materials and methodsAn anatomical MR measurement and a 2-bed-position transmission scan covering the whole head and neck region were performed in eight normal subjects (4 females, 4 males). Error A: Taking alternatively one of the eight heads as reference, eight different templates were created by nonlinearly registering the images to the reference and calculating the average. Eight patients (4 females, 4 males; 4 with brain lesions, 4 w/o brain lesions) were measured in the Siemens BrainPET/MR scanner. The eight templates were used to generate the patients' attenuation maps required for reconstruction. ROI and VOI atlas-based comparisons were performed employing all the reconstructed images. Error B: CT-based attenuation maps of two volunteers were manipulated by manually inserting several skull lesions and filling a nasal cavity. The corresponding attenuation coefficients were substituted with the water's coefficient (0.096/cm). ResultsError A: The mean SUVs over the eight templates pairs for all eight patients and all VOIs did not differ significantly one from each other. Standard deviations up to 1.24% were found. Error B: After reconstruction of the volunteers' BrainPET data with the CT-based attenuation maps without and with skull anomalies, a VOI-atlas analysis was performed revealing very little influence of the skull lesions (less than 3%), while the filled nasal cavity yielded an overestimation in cerebellum up to 5%. ConclusionsThe present error analysis confirms that our template-based attenuation method provides reliable attenuation corrections of PET brain imaging measured in PET/MR scanners.

Accelerated Test Method for Corrosion Protective Coatings Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Falker, John; Zeitlin, Nancy; Calle, Luz

2015-01-01

This project seeks to develop a new accelerated corrosion test method that predicts the long-term corrosion protection performance of spaceport structure coatings as accurately and reliably as current long-term atmospheric exposure tests. This new accelerated test method will shorten the time needed to evaluate the corrosion protection performance of coatings for NASA's critical ground support structures. Lifetime prediction for spaceport structure coatings has a 5-year qualification cycle using atmospheric exposure. Current accelerated corrosion tests often provide false positives and negatives for coating performance, do not correlate to atmospheric corrosion exposure results, and do not correlate with atmospheric exposure timescales for lifetime prediction.

How much does "how much" matter? Assessing the relationship between children's lifetime exposure to violence and trauma symptoms, behavior problems, and parenting stress.

PubMed

Hickman, Laura J; Jaycox, Lisa H; Setodji, Claude M; Kofner, Aaron; Schultz, Dana; Barnes-Proby, Dionne; Harris, Racine

2013-04-01

The study explores whether and how lifetime violence exposure is related to a set of negative symptoms: child internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, child trauma symptoms, and parenting stress. Using a large sample of violence-exposed children recruited to participate in intervention research, the study employs different methods of measuring that exposure. These include total frequency of all lifetime exposure, total frequency of lifetime exposure by broad category (i.e., assault, maltreatment, sexual abuse, and witnessing violence), and polyvictimization defined as exposure to multiple violence categories. The results indicate that only polyvictimization, constructed as a dichotomous variable indicating two or more categories of lifetime exposure, emerged as a consistent predictor of negative symptoms. The total lifetime frequency of all violence exposure was not associated with negative symptoms, after controlling for the influence of polyvictimization. Likewise, in the presence of a dichotomous polyvictimization indicator the total lifetime frequency of exposure to a particular violence category was unrelated to symptoms overall, with the exception of trauma symptoms and experiences of sexual abuse. Taken together, these findings suggest that total lifetime exposure is not particularly important to negative symptoms, nor is any particular category of exposure after controlling for polyvictimization, with the single exception of sexual abuse and trauma symptoms. Instead, it is the mix of exposure experiences that predict negative impacts on children in this sample. Further research is needed to continue to explore and test these issues.

Fluorescence lifetime measurements of native and glycated human serum albumin and bovine serum albumin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joshi, Narahari V.; Joshi, Virgina O. d.; Contreras, Silvia; Gil, Herminia; Medina, Honorio; Siemiarczuk, Aleksander

1999-05-01

Nonenzymatic glycation, also known as Maillard reaction, plays an important role in the secondary complications of the diabetic pathology and aging, therefore, human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were glycated by a conventional method in our laboratory using glucose as the glycating agent. Fluorescence lifetime measurements were carried out with a laser strobe fluorometer equipped with a nitrogen/dye laser and a frequency doubler as a pulsed excitation source. The samples were excited at 295 nm and the emission spectra were recorded at 345 nm. The obtained decay curves were tried for double and triple exponential functions. It has been found that the shorter lifetime increases for glycated proteins as compared with that of the native ones. For example, in the case of glycated BSA the lifetime increased from 1.36 ns to 2.30 ns. Similarly, for HSA, the lifetime increases from 1.58 ns to 2.26 ns. Meanwhile, the longer lifetime changed very slightly for both proteins (from 6.52 ns to 6.72 ns). The increase in the lifetime can be associated with the environmental effect; originated from the attachment of glucose to some lysine residues. A good example is Trp 214 which is in the cage of Lys 225, Lys 212, Lys 233, Lys 205, Lys 500, Lys 199 and Lys 195. If fluorescence lifetime technique is calibrated and properly used it could be employed for assessing glycation of proteins.

Optimized MLAA for quantitative non-TOF PET/MR of the brain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benoit, Didier; Ladefoged, Claes N.; Rezaei, Ahmadreza; Keller, Sune H.; Andersen, Flemming L.; Højgaard, Liselotte; Hansen, Adam E.; Holm, Søren; Nuyts, Johan

2016-12-01

For quantitative tracer distribution in positron emission tomography, attenuation correction is essential. In a hybrid PET/CT system the CT images serve as a basis for generation of the attenuation map, but in PET/MR, the MR images do not have a similarly simple relationship with the attenuation map. Hence attenuation correction in PET/MR systems is more challenging. Typically either of two MR sequences are used: the Dixon or the ultra-short time echo (UTE) techniques. However these sequences have some well-known limitations. In this study, a reconstruction technique based on a modified and optimized non-TOF MLAA is proposed for PET/MR brain imaging. The idea is to tune the parameters of the MLTR applying some information from an attenuation image computed from the UTE sequences and a T1w MR image. In this MLTR algorithm, an {αj} parameter is introduced and optimized in order to drive the algorithm to a final attenuation map most consistent with the emission data. Because the non-TOF MLAA is used, a technique to reduce the cross-talk effect is proposed. In this study, the proposed algorithm is compared to the common reconstruction methods such as OSEM using a CT attenuation map, considered as the reference, and OSEM using the Dixon and UTE attenuation maps. To show the robustness and the reproducibility of the proposed algorithm, a set of 204 [18F]FDG patients, 35 [11C]PiB patients and 1 [18F]FET patient are used. The results show that by choosing an optimized value of {αj} in MLTR, the proposed algorithm improves the results compared to the standard MR-based attenuation correction methods (i.e. OSEM using the Dixon or the UTE attenuation maps), and the cross-talk and the scale problem are limited.

Radiation-force-based estimation of acoustic attenuation using harmonic motion imaging (HMI) in phantoms and in vitro livers before and after HIFU ablation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jiangang; Hou, Gary Y.; Marquet, Fabrice; Han, Yang; Camarena, Francisco; Konofagou, Elisa

2015-10-01

Acoustic attenuation represents the energy loss of the propagating wave through biological tissues and plays a significant role in both therapeutic and diagnostic ultrasound applications. Estimation of acoustic attenuation remains challenging but critical for tissue characterization. In this study, an attenuation estimation approach was developed using the radiation-force-based method of harmonic motion imaging (HMI). 2D tissue displacement maps were acquired by moving the transducer in a raster-scan format. A linear regression model was applied on the logarithm of the HMI displacements at different depths in order to estimate the acoustic attenuation. Commercially available phantoms with known attenuations (n=5 ) and in vitro canine livers (n=3 ) were tested, as well as HIFU lesions in in vitro canine livers (n=5 ). Results demonstrated that attenuations obtained from the phantoms showed a good correlation ({{R}2}=0.976 ) with the independently obtained values reported by the manufacturer with an estimation error (compared to the values independently measured) varying within the range of 15-35%. The estimated attenuation in the in vitro canine livers was equal to 0.32   ±   0.03 dB cm-1 MHz-1, which is in good agreement with the existing literature. The attenuation in HIFU lesions was found to be higher (0.58   ±   0.06 dB cm-1 MHz-1) than that in normal tissues, also in agreement with the results from previous publications. Future potential applications of the proposed method include estimation of attenuation in pathological tissues before and after thermal ablation.

Radiation-force-based estimation of acoustic attenuation using harmonic motion imaging (HMI) in phantoms and in vitro livers before and after HIFU ablation.

PubMed

Chen, Jiangang; Hou, Gary Y; Marquet, Fabrice; Han, Yang; Camarena, Francisco; Konofagou, Elisa

2015-10-07

Acoustic attenuation represents the energy loss of the propagating wave through biological tissues and plays a significant role in both therapeutic and diagnostic ultrasound applications. Estimation of acoustic attenuation remains challenging but critical for tissue characterization. In this study, an attenuation estimation approach was developed using the radiation-force-based method of harmonic motion imaging (HMI). 2D tissue displacement maps were acquired by moving the transducer in a raster-scan format. A linear regression model was applied on the logarithm of the HMI displacements at different depths in order to estimate the acoustic attenuation. Commercially available phantoms with known attenuations (n = 5) and in vitro canine livers (n = 3) were tested, as well as HIFU lesions in in vitro canine livers (n = 5). Results demonstrated that attenuations obtained from the phantoms showed a good correlation (R² = 0.976) with the independently obtained values reported by the manufacturer with an estimation error (compared to the values independently measured) varying within the range of 15-35%. The estimated attenuation in the in vitro canine livers was equal to 0.32   ±   0.03 dB cm(-1) MHz(-1), which is in good agreement with the existing literature. The attenuation in HIFU lesions was found to be higher (0.58   ±   0.06 dB cm(-1) MHz(-1)) than that in normal tissues, also in agreement with the results from previous publications. Future potential applications of the proposed method include estimation of attenuation in pathological tissues before and after thermal ablation.

Improved patient size estimates for accurate dose calculations in abdomen computed tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Chang-Lae

2017-07-01

The radiation dose of CT (computed tomography) is generally represented by the CTDI (CT dose index). CTDI, however, does not accurately predict the actual patient doses for different human body sizes because it relies on a cylinder-shaped head (diameter : 16 cm) and body (diameter : 32 cm) phantom. The purpose of this study was to eliminate the drawbacks of the conventional CTDI and to provide more accurate radiation dose information. Projection radiographs were obtained from water cylinder phantoms of various sizes, and the sizes of the water cylinder phantoms were calculated and verified using attenuation profiles. The effective diameter was also calculated using the attenuation of the abdominal projection radiographs of 10 patients. When the results of the attenuation-based method and the geometry-based method shown were compared with the results of the reconstructed-axial-CT-image-based method, the effective diameter of the attenuation-based method was found to be similar to the effective diameter of the reconstructed-axial-CT-image-based method, with a difference of less than 3.8%, but the geometry-based method showed a difference of less than 11.4%. This paper proposes a new method of accurately computing the radiation dose of CT based on the patient sizes. This method computes and provides the exact patient dose before the CT scan, and can therefore be effectively used for imaging and dose control.

Oceanic eddy detection and lifetime forecast using machine learning methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashkezari, Mohammad D.; Hill, Christopher N.; Follett, Christopher N.; Forget, Gaël.; Follows, Michael J.

2016-12-01

We report a novel altimetry-based machine learning approach for eddy identification and characterization. The machine learning models use daily maps of geostrophic velocity anomalies and are trained according to the phase angle between the zonal and meridional components at each grid point. The trained models are then used to identify the corresponding eddy phase patterns and to predict the lifetime of a detected eddy structure. The performance of the proposed method is examined at two dynamically different regions to demonstrate its robust behavior and region independency.

Expectation Maximization Algorithm for Box-Cox Transformation Cure Rate Model and Assessment of Model Misspecification Under Weibull Lifetimes.

PubMed

Pal, Suvra; Balakrishnan, Narayanaswamy

2018-05-01

In this paper, we develop likelihood inference based on the expectation maximization algorithm for the Box-Cox transformation cure rate model assuming the lifetimes to follow a Weibull distribution. A simulation study is carried out to demonstrate the performance of the proposed estimation method. Through Monte Carlo simulations, we also study the effect of model misspecification on the estimate of cure rate. Finally, we analyze a well-known data on melanoma with the model and the inferential method developed here.

Direct measurement of fast transients by using boot-strapped waveform averaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olsson, Mattias; Edman, Fredrik; Karki, Khadga Jung

2018-03-01

An approximation to coherent sampling, also known as boot-strapped waveform averaging, is presented. The method uses digital cavities to determine the condition for coherent sampling. It can be used to increase the effective sampling rate of a repetitive signal and the signal to noise ratio simultaneously. The method is demonstrated by using it to directly measure the fluorescence lifetime from Rhodamine 6G by digitizing the signal from a fast avalanche photodiode. The obtained lifetime of 4.0 ns is in agreement with the known values.

A Real Options Approach to Quantity and Cost Optimization for Lifetime and Bridge Buys of Parts

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-30

fixed EOS of 40 years and a fixed WACC of 3%, decreases to a minimum and then increases. The minimum of this curve gives the optimum buy size for...considered in both analyses. For a 3% WACC , as illustrated in Figure 9(a), the DES method gives an optimum buy size range of 2,923–3,191 with an average...Hence, both methods are consistent in determining the optimum lifetime/bridge buy size. To further verify this consistency, other WACC values

Determination of lead equivalent values according to IEC 61331-1:2014—Report and short guidelines for testing laboratories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Büermann, L.

2016-09-01

Materials used for the production of protective devices against diagnostic medical X-radiation described in the international standard IEC 61331-3 need to be specified in terms of their lead attenuation equivalent thickness according to the methods described in IEC 61331-1. In May 2014 the IEC published the second edition of these standards which contain improved methods for the determination of attenuation ratios and the corresponding lead attenuation equivalent thicknesses of lead-reduced or lead-free materials. These methods include the measurement of scattered photons behind the protective material which were hitherto neglected but are becoming more important because of the increasing use of lead-reduced or even lead-free materials. They can offer the same protective effect but are up to 20% lighter and also easier to dispose of. The new method is based on attenuation ratios measured with the so-called ``inverse broad beam condition''. Since the corresponding measurement procedure is new and in some respects more complex than the methods used in the past, it was regarded as being helpful to have a description of how such measurements can reliably be performed. This technical report describes in detail the attenuation ratio measurements and corresponding procedures for the lead equivalent determinations of sample materials using the method with the inverse broad beam condition as carried out at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB). PTB still offers material testing and certification for the German responsible notified body. In addition to the description of the measurements at PTB, a short technical guide is provided for testing laboratories which intend to establish this kind of protective material certification. The guide includes technical recommendations for the testing equipment like X-ray facilities, reference lead sheets and radiation detectors; special procedures for the determination of the lead attenuation equivalent thickness; their uncertainties and the necessary contents of the test certificate.

Characterization of Initial Parameter Information for Lifetime Prediction of Electronic Devices.

PubMed

Li, Zhigang; Liu, Boying; Yuan, Mengxiong; Zhang, Feifei; Guo, Jiaqiang

2016-01-01

Newly manufactured electronic devices are subject to different levels of potential defects existing among the initial parameter information of the devices. In this study, a characterization of electromagnetic relays that were operated at their optimal performance with appropriate and steady parameter values was performed to estimate the levels of their potential defects and to develop a lifetime prediction model. First, the initial parameter information value and stability were quantified to measure the performance of the electronics. In particular, the values of the initial parameter information were estimated using the probability-weighted average method, whereas the stability of the parameter information was determined by using the difference between the extrema and end points of the fitting curves for the initial parameter information. Second, a lifetime prediction model for small-sized samples was proposed on the basis of both measures. Finally, a model for the relationship of the initial contact resistance and stability over the lifetime of the sampled electromagnetic relays was proposed and verified. A comparison of the actual and predicted lifetimes of the relays revealed a 15.4% relative error, indicating that the lifetime of electronic devices can be predicted based on their initial parameter information.

Characterization of Initial Parameter Information for Lifetime Prediction of Electronic Devices

PubMed Central

Li, Zhigang; Liu, Boying; Yuan, Mengxiong; Zhang, Feifei; Guo, Jiaqiang

2016-01-01

Newly manufactured electronic devices are subject to different levels of potential defects existing among the initial parameter information of the devices. In this study, a characterization of electromagnetic relays that were operated at their optimal performance with appropriate and steady parameter values was performed to estimate the levels of their potential defects and to develop a lifetime prediction model. First, the initial parameter information value and stability were quantified to measure the performance of the electronics. In particular, the values of the initial parameter information were estimated using the probability-weighted average method, whereas the stability of the parameter information was determined by using the difference between the extrema and end points of the fitting curves for the initial parameter information. Second, a lifetime prediction model for small-sized samples was proposed on the basis of both measures. Finally, a model for the relationship of the initial contact resistance and stability over the lifetime of the sampled electromagnetic relays was proposed and verified. A comparison of the actual and predicted lifetimes of the relays revealed a 15.4% relative error, indicating that the lifetime of electronic devices can be predicted based on their initial parameter information. PMID:27907188

Lifetime Segmented Assimilation Trajectories and Health Outcomes in Latino and Other Community Residents

PubMed Central

Marsiglia, Flavio F.; Kulis, Stephen; Kellison, Joshua G.

2010-01-01

Objectives. Under an ecodevelopmental framework, we examined lifetime segmented assimilation trajectories (diverging assimilation pathways influenced by prior life conditions) and related them to quality-of-life indicators in a diverse sample of 258 men in the Pheonix, AZ, metropolitan area. Methods. We used a growth mixture model analysis of lifetime changes in socioeconomic status, and used acculturation to identify distinct lifetime segmented assimilation trajectory groups, which we compared on life satisfaction, exercise, and dietary behaviors. We hypothesized that lifetime assimilation change toward mainstream American culture (upward assimilation) would be associated with favorable health outcomes, and downward assimilation change with unfavorable health outcomes. Results. A growth mixture model latent class analysis identified 4 distinct assimilation trajectory groups. In partial support of the study hypotheses, the extreme upward assimilation trajectory group (the most successful of the assimilation pathways) exhibited the highest life satisfaction and the lowest frequency of unhealthy food consumption. Conclusions. Upward segmented assimilation is associated in adulthood with certain positive health outcomes. This may be the first study to model upward and downward lifetime segmented assimilation trajectories, and to associate these with life satisfaction, exercise, and dietary behaviors. PMID:20167890

Ground potential rise monitor

DOEpatents

Allen, Zachery W [Mandan, ND; Zevenbergen, Gary A [Arvada, CO

2012-04-03

A device and method for detecting ground potential rise (GPR) comprising positioning a first electrode and a second electrode at a distance from each other into the earth. The voltage of the first electrode and second electrode is attenuated by an attenuation factor creating an attenuated voltage. The true RMS voltage of the attenuated voltage is determined creating an attenuated true RMS voltage. The attenuated true RMS voltage is then multiplied by the attenuation factor creating a calculated true RMS voltage. If the calculated true RMS voltage is greater than a first predetermined voltage threshold, a first alarm is enabled at a local location. If user input is received at a remote location acknowledging the first alarm, a first alarm acknowledgment signal is transmitted. The first alarm acknowledgment signal is then received at which time the first alarm is disabled.

Attenuation characteristics in eastern Himalaya and southern Tibetan Plateau: An understanding of the physical state of the medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Sagar; Singh, Chandrani; Biswas, Rahul; Mukhopadhyay, Sagarika; Sahu, Himanshu

2016-08-01

Attenuation characteristics of the crust in the eastern Himalaya and the southern Tibetan Plateau are investigated using high quality data recorded by Himalayan Nepal Tibet Seismic Experiment (HIMNT) during 2001-2003. The present study aims to provide an attenuation model that can address the physical mechanism governing the attenuation characteristics in the underlying medium. We have studied the Coda wave attenuation (Qc) in the single isotropic scattering model hypothesis, S wave attenuation (Qs) by using the coda normalization method and intrinsic (Qi-1) and scattering (Qsc-1) quality factors by the multiple Lapse Time Window Analysis (MLTWA) method under the assumption of multiple isotropic scattering in a 3-D half space within the frequency range 2-12 Hz. All the values of Q exhibit frequency dependent nature for a seismically active area. At all the frequencies intrinsic absorption is predominant compared to scattering attenuation and seismic albedo (B0) are found to be lower than 0.5. The observed discrepancies between the observed and theoretical models can be corroborated by the depth-dependent velocity and attenuation structure as well as the assumption of a uniform distribution of scatterers. Our results correlate well with the existing geo-tectonic model of the area, which may suggest the possible existence of trapped fluids in the crust or its thermal nature. Surprisingly the underlying cause of high attenuation in the crust of eastern Himalaya and southern Tibet makes this region distinct from its adjacent western Himalayan segment. The results are comparable with the other regions reported globally.

Characterization of trabecular bone using the backscattered spectral centroid shift.

PubMed

Wear, Keith A

2003-04-01

Ultrasonic attenuation in bone in vivo is generally measured using a through-transmission method at the calcaneus. Although attenuation in calcaneus has been demonstrated to be a useful predictor for osteoporotic fracture risk, measurements at other clinically important sites, such as hip and spine, could potentially contain additional useful diagnostic information. Through-transmission measurements may not be feasible at these sites due to complex bone shapes and the increased amount of intervening soft tissue. Centroid shift from the backscattered signal is an index of attenuation slope and has been used previously to characterize soft tissues. In this paper, centroid shift from signals backscattered from 30 trabecular bone samples in vitro were measured. Attenuation slope also was measured using a through-transmission method. The correlation coefficient between centroid shift and attenuation slope was -0.71. The 95% confidence interval was (-0.86, -0.47). These results suggest that the backscattered spectral centroid shift may contain useful diagnostic information potentially applicable to hip and spine.

Underwater image enhancement based on the dark channel prior and attenuation compensation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Qingwen; Xue, Lulu; Tang, Ruichun; Guo, Lingrui

2017-10-01

Aimed at the two problems of underwater imaging, fog effect and color cast, an Improved Segmentation Dark Channel Prior (ISDCP) defogging method is proposed to solve the fog effects caused by physical properties of water. Due to mass refraction of light in the process of underwater imaging, fog effects would lead to image blurring. And color cast is closely related to different degree of attenuation while light with different wavelengths is traveling in water. The proposed method here integrates the ISDCP and quantitative histogram stretching techniques into the image enhancement procedure. Firstly, the threshold value is set during the refinement process of the transmission maps to identify the original mismatching, and to conduct the differentiated defogging process further. Secondly, a method of judging the propagating distance of light is adopted to get the attenuation degree of energy during the propagation underwater. Finally, the image histogram is stretched quantitatively in Red-Green-Blue channel respectively according to the degree of attenuation in each color channel. The proposed method ISDCP can reduce the computational complexity and improve the efficiency in terms of defogging effect to meet the real-time requirements. Qualitative and quantitative comparison for several different underwater scenes reveals that the proposed method can significantly improve the visibility compared with previous methods.

Toward implementing an MRI-based PET attenuation-correction method for neurologic studies on the MR-PET brain prototype.

PubMed

Catana, Ciprian; van der Kouwe, Andre; Benner, Thomas; Michel, Christian J; Hamm, Michael; Fenchel, Matthias; Fischl, Bruce; Rosen, Bruce; Schmand, Matthias; Sorensen, A Gregory

2010-09-01

Several factors have to be considered for implementing an accurate attenuation-correction (AC) method in a combined MR-PET scanner. In this work, some of these challenges were investigated, and an AC method based entirely on the MRI data obtained with a single dedicated sequence was developed and used for neurologic studies performed with the MR-PET human brain scanner prototype. The focus was on the problem of bone-air segmentation, selection of the linear attenuation coefficient for bone, and positioning of the radiofrequency coil. The impact of these factors on PET data quantification was studied in simulations and experimental measurements performed on the combined MR-PET scanner. A novel dual-echo ultrashort echo time (DUTE) MRI sequence was proposed for head imaging. Simultaneous MR-PET data were acquired, and the PET images reconstructed using the proposed DUTE MRI-based AC method were compared with the PET images that had been reconstructed using a CT-based AC method. Our data suggest that incorrectly accounting for the bone tissue attenuation can lead to large underestimations (>20%) of the radiotracer concentration in the cortex. Assigning a linear attenuation coefficient of 0.143 or 0.151 cm(-1) to bone tissue appears to give the best trade-off between bias and variability in the resulting images. Not identifying the internal air cavities introduces large overestimations (>20%) in adjacent structures. On the basis of these results, the segmented CT AC method was established as the silver standard for the segmented MRI-based AC method. For an integrated MR-PET scanner, in particular, ignoring the radiofrequency coil attenuation can cause large underestimations (i.e.,

Reducing noise in a Raman quantum memory.

PubMed

Bustard, Philip J; England, Duncan G; Heshami, Khabat; Kupchak, Connor; Sussman, Benjamin J

2016-11-01

Optical quantum memories are an important component of future optical and hybrid quantum technologies. Raman schemes are strong candidates for use with ultrashort optical pulses due to their broad bandwidth; however, the elimination of deleterious four-wave mixing noise from Raman memories is critical for practical applications. Here, we demonstrate a quantum memory using the rotational states of hydrogen molecules at room temperature. Polarization selection rules prohibit four-wave mixing, allowing the storage and retrieval of attenuated coherent states with a mean photon number 0.9 and a pulse duration 175 fs. The 1/e memory lifetime is 85.5 ps, demonstrating a time-bandwidth product of ≈480 in a memory that is well suited for use with broadband heralded down-conversion and fiber-based photon sources.

Radiation hardening of rare-earth doped fiber amplifiers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vivona, Marilena; Girard, Sylvain; Marcandella, Claude; Pinsard, Emmanuel; Laurent, Arnaud; Robin, Thierry; Cadier, Benoît; Cannas, Marco; Boukenter, Aziz; Ouerdane, Y.

2017-11-01

We investigated the radiation hardening of optical fiber amplifiers operating in space environments. Through a real-time analysis in active configuration, we evaluated the role of Ce in the improvement of the amplifier performance against ionizing radiations. Ce-codoping is an efficient hardening solution, acting both in the limitation of defects in the host glass matrix of RE-doped optical fibers and in the stabilization of lasing properties of the Er3+-ions. On the one hand, in the near-infrared region, radiation induced attenuation measurements show the absence of radiation induced P-related defect species in host glass matrix of the Ce-codoped active fibers; on the other hand, in the Ce-free fiber, the higher lifetime variation shows stronger local modifications around the Er3+-ions with the absence of Ce.

MR-based attenuation correction methods for improved PET quantification in lesions within bone and susceptibility artifact regions.

PubMed

Bezrukov, Ilja; Schmidt, Holger; Mantlik, Frédéric; Schwenzer, Nina; Brendle, Cornelia; Schölkopf, Bernhard; Pichler, Bernd J

2013-10-01

Hybrid PET/MR systems have recently entered clinical practice. Thus, the accuracy of MR-based attenuation correction in simultaneously acquired data can now be investigated. We assessed the accuracy of 4 methods of MR-based attenuation correction in lesions within soft tissue, bone, and MR susceptibility artifacts: 2 segmentation-based methods (SEG1, provided by the manufacturer, and SEG2, a method with atlas-based susceptibility artifact correction); an atlas- and pattern recognition-based method (AT&PR), which also used artifact correction; and a new method combining AT&PR and SEG2 (SEG2wBONE). Attenuation maps were calculated for the PET/MR datasets of 10 patients acquired on a whole-body PET/MR system, allowing for simultaneous acquisition of PET and MR data. Eighty percent iso-contour volumes of interest were placed on lesions in soft tissue (n = 21), in bone (n = 20), near bone (n = 19), and within or near MR susceptibility artifacts (n = 9). Relative mean volume-of-interest differences were calculated with CT-based attenuation correction as a reference. For soft-tissue lesions, none of the methods revealed a significant difference in PET standardized uptake value relative to CT-based attenuation correction (SEG1, -2.6% ± 5.8%; SEG2, -1.6% ± 4.9%; AT&PR, -4.7% ± 6.5%; SEG2wBONE, 0.2% ± 5.3%). For bone lesions, underestimation of PET standardized uptake values was found for all methods, with minimized error for the atlas-based approaches (SEG1, -16.1% ± 9.7%; SEG2, -11.0% ± 6.7%; AT&PR, -6.6% ± 5.0%; SEG2wBONE, -4.7% ± 4.4%). For lesions near bone, underestimations of lower magnitude were observed (SEG1, -12.0% ± 7.4%; SEG2, -9.2% ± 6.5%; AT&PR, -4.6% ± 7.8%; SEG2wBONE, -4.2% ± 6.2%). For lesions affected by MR susceptibility artifacts, quantification errors could be reduced using the atlas-based artifact correction (SEG1, -54.0% ± 38.4%; SEG2, -15.0% ± 12.2%; AT&PR, -4.1% ± 11.2%; SEG2wBONE, 0.6% ± 11.1%). For soft-tissue lesions, none of the evaluated methods showed statistically significant errors. For bone lesions, significant underestimations of -16% and -11% occurred for methods in which bone tissue was ignored (SEG1 and SEG2). In the present attenuation correction schemes, uncorrected MR susceptibility artifacts typically result in reduced attenuation values, potentially leading to highly reduced PET standardized uptake values, rendering lesions indistinguishable from background. While AT&PR and SEG2wBONE show accurate results in both soft tissue and bone, SEG2wBONE uses a two-step approach for tissue classification, which increases the robustness of prediction and can be applied retrospectively if more precision in bone areas is needed.

Reconstruction method for fluorescent X-ray computed tomography by least-squares method using singular value decomposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuasa, T.; Akiba, M.; Takeda, T.; Kazama, M.; Hoshino, A.; Watanabe, Y.; Hyodo, K.; Dilmanian, F. A.; Akatsuka, T.; Itai, Y.

1997-02-01

We describe a new attenuation correction method for fluorescent X-ray computed tomography (FXCT) applied to image nonradioactive contrast materials in vivo. The principle of the FXCT imaging is that of computed tomography of the first generation. Using monochromatized synchrotron radiation from the BLNE-5A bending-magnet beam line of Tristan Accumulation Ring in KEK, Japan, we studied phantoms with the FXCT method, and we succeeded in delineating a 4-mm-diameter channel filled with a 500 /spl mu/g I/ml iodine solution in a 20-mm-diameter acrylic cylindrical phantom. However, to detect smaller iodine concentrations, attenuation correction is needed. We present a correction method based on the equation representing the measurement process. The discretized equation system is solved by the least-squares method using the singular value decomposition. The attenuation correction method is applied to the projections by the Monte Carlo simulation and the experiment to confirm its effectiveness.

Mathematical analysis of the Photovoltage Decay (PVD) method for minority carrier lifetime measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vonroos, O. H.

1982-01-01

When the diffusion length of minority carriers becomes comparable with or larger than the thickness of a p-n junction solar cell, the characteristic decay of the photon-generated voltage results from a mixture of contributions with different time constants. The minority carrier recombination lifetime tau and the time constant l(2)/D, where l is essentially the thickness of the cell and D the minority carrier diffusion length, determine the signal as a function of time. It is shown that for ordinary solar cells (n(+)-p junctions), particularly when the diffusion length L of the minority carriers is larger than the cell thickness l, the excess carrier density decays according to exp (-t/tau-pi(2)Dt/4l(2)), tau being the lifetime. Therefore, tau can be readily determined by the photovoltage decay method once D and L are known.

The study of synthetic food dyes by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pivtsaev, A. A.; Razov, V. I.

2015-06-01

By method of positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS), substances are food dyes were studied: E-102 (Tartrazine), E-124 (Ponso 4R), E 132 (Indigo carmine), E-133 (Brilliant Blue), E-151 (Black Shiny). They are examined for the presence of carcinogenic properties. The difference between dyes having explicit carcinogenic properties and mutagenic properties (non-explicit carcinogens) is established.

Intracellular pH measurements made simple by fluorescent protein probes and the phasor approach to fluorescence lifetime imaging†

PubMed Central

Digman, Michelle A.; Gratton, Enrico; Storti, Barbara; Beltram, Fabio

2013-01-01

A versatile pH-dependent fluorescent protein was applied to intracellular pH measurements by means of the phasor approach to fluorescence lifetime imaging. By this fit-less method we obtain intracellular pH maps under resting or altered physiological conditions by single-photon confocal or two-photon microscopy. PMID:22517076

Origin of carbon in aromatic and olefin products derived from HZSM-5 catalyzed co-pyrolysis of cellulose and plastics via isotopic labeling

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Catalytic pyrolysis over HZSM-5 is an effective method for the conversion of biomass to aromatic hydrocarbons, albeit with low yield and short catalyst lifetimes. Addition of co-reactants rich in carbon and hydrogen can enhance yield and possibly increase catalyst lifetimes by reducing coke formati...

The Economic Burden of Child Maltreatment in the United States and Implications for Prevention

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fang, Xiangming; Brown, Derek S.; Florence, Curtis S.; Mercy, James A.

2012-01-01

Objectives: To present new estimates of the average lifetime costs per child maltreatment victim and aggregate lifetime costs for all new child maltreatment cases incurred in 2008 using an incidence-based approach. Methods: This study used the best available secondary data to develop cost per case estimates. For each cost category, the paper used…

Probing of protein localization and shuttling in mitochondrial microcompartments by FLIM with sub-diffraction resolution.

PubMed

Söhnel, Anna-Carina; Kohl, Wladislaw; Gregor, Ingo; Enderlein, Jörg; Rieger, Bettina; Busch, Karin B

2016-08-01

The cell is metabolically highly compartmentalized. Especially, mitochondria host many vital reactions in their different microcompartments. However, due to their small size, these microcompartments are not accessible by conventional microscopy. Here, we demonstrate that time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) fluorescence lifetime-imaging microscopy (FLIM) classifies not only mitochondria, but different microcompartments inside mitochondria. Sensor proteins in the matrix had a different lifetime than probes at membrane proteins. Localization in the outer and inner mitochondrial membrane could be distinguished by significant differences in the lifetime. The method was sensitive enough to monitor shifts in protein location within mitochondrial microcompartments. Macromolecular crowding induced by changes in the protein content significantly affected the lifetime, while oxidizing conditions or physiological pH changes had only marginal effects. We suggest that FLIM is a versatile and completive method to monitor spatiotemporal events in mitochondria. The sensitivity in the time domain allows for gaining substantial information about sub-mitochondrial localization overcoming diffraction limitation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'EBEC 2016: 19th European Bioenergetics Conference, Riva del Garda, Italy, July 2-6, 2016', edited by Prof. Paolo Bernardi. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Propellantless Attitude Control of Solar Sail Technology Utilizing Reflective Control Devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Munday, Jeremy

2016-01-01

Solar sails offer an opportunity for a CubeSatscale, propellant-free spacecraft technology that enables long-term and long-distance missions not possible with traditional methods. Solar sails operate using the transfer of linear momentum from photons of sunlight reflected from the surface of the sail. To propel the spacecraft, no mechanically moving parts, thrusters, or propellant are needed. However, attitude control, or orientation, is still performed using traditional methods involving reaction wheels and propellant ejection, which severely limit mission lifetime. For example, the current state of the art solutions employed by upcoming missions couple solar sails with a state of the art propellant ejection gas system. Here, the use of the gas thruster has limited the lifetime of the mission. To solve the limited mission lifetime problem, the Propellantless Attitude Control of Solar Sail Technology Utilizing Reflective Control Devices project team is working on propellantless attitude control using thin layers of material, an optical film, electrically switchable from transparent to reflective. The technology is based on a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), which allows this switch upon application of a voltage. This technology removes the need for propellant, which reduces weight and cost while improving performance and lifetime.

Corrosion of silicon integrated circuits and lifetime predictions in implantable electronic devices.

PubMed

Vanhoestenberghe, A; Donaldson, N

2013-06-01

Corrosion is a prime concern for active implantable devices. In this paper we review the principles underlying the concepts of hermetic packages and encapsulation, used to protect implanted electronics, some of which remain widely overlooked. We discuss how technological advances have created a need to update the way we evaluate the suitability of both protection methods. We demonstrate how lifetime predictability is lost for very small hermetic packages and introduce a single parameter to compare different packages, with an equation to calculate the minimum sensitivity required from a test method to guarantee a given lifetime. In the second part of this paper, we review the literature on the corrosion of encapsulated integrated circuits (ICs) and, following a new analysis of published data, we propose an equation for the pre-corrosion lifetime of implanted ICs, and discuss the influence of the temperature, relative humidity, encapsulation and field-strength. As any new protection will be tested under accelerated conditions, we demonstrate the sensitivity of acceleration factors to some inaccurately known parameters. These results are relevant for any application of electronics working in a moist environment. Our comparison of encapsulation and hermetic packages suggests that both concepts may be suitable for future implants.

Influence of Initial Inclined Surface Crack on Estimated Residual Fatigue Lifetime of Railway Axle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Náhlík, Luboš; Pokorný, Pavel; Ševčík, Martin; Hutař, Pavel

2016-11-01

Railway axles are subjected to cyclic loading which can lead to fatigue failure. For safe operation of railway axles a damage tolerance approach taking into account a possible defect on railway axle surface is often required. The contribution deals with an estimation of residual fatigue lifetime of railway axle with initial inclined surface crack. 3D numerical model of inclined semi-elliptical surface crack in railway axle was developed and its curved propagation through the axle was simulated by finite element method. Presence of press-fitted wheel in the vicinity of initial crack was taken into account. A typical loading spectrum of railway axle was considered and residual fatigue lifetime was estimated by NASGRO approach. Material properties of typical axle steel EA4T were considered in numerical calculations and lifetime estimation.

The Preparation Conditions of Chromium Doped ZnSe and Their Effect on the Infrared Luminescence Properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burger, A.; Chattopadhyay, K.; Ndap, J.-O.; Ma, X.; Morgan, S. H.; Rablau, C. I.; Su, C. H.; Feth, S.

2000-01-01

We report the investigation by photoluminescence lifetime measurements of the near-IR emissions from a series of chromium-doped ZnSe samples, correlated to their preparation conditions. The samples were polycrystalline or single crystals prepared by post growth diffusion doping or single crystals doped during growth by the physical vapor transport method. Room temperature lifetime values between 6 and 8 micro seconds were measured for samples with Cr2+ from low 10(exp 17) to high 10(exp 18) / cubic cm range. Lifetime data taken down to 78 K was found to be rather temperature independent, reconfirming previous reports indicating a quantum yield of the corresponding emission of close to 100% at room temperature. A strong decrease in the room temperature lifetime was found for chromium concentrations higher than 10(exp 19) / cubic CM.

WE-H-207A-02: Attenuation Correction in 4D-PET Using a Single-Phase Attenuation Map

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

Kalantari, F; Wang, J

2016-06-15

Purpose: 4D-PET imaging has been proposed as a potential solution to the respiratory motion effect in thoracic region. CT-based attenuation correction (AC) is an essential step toward quantitative imaging for PET. However, due to the temporal difference of 4D-PET and a single breath-hold CT, motion artifacts are observed in the attenuation-corrected PET images that can lead to error in tumor shape and uptake. We introduce a practical method for aligning single-phase CT to all other 4D-PET phases using a penalized non-rigid demons registration. Methods: Individual 4D-PET frames were reconstructed without AC. Non-rigid Demons registration was used to derive deformation vectormore » fields (DVFs) between the PET matched with CT phase and other 4D-PET images. While attenuated PET images provide enough useful data for organ borders such as lung and liver, tumors are not distinguishable from background due to loss of contrast. To preserve tumor shape in different phases, from CT image an ROI covering tumor was excluded from non-rigid transformation. Mean DVF of the central region of the tumor was assigned to all voxels in the ROI. This process mimics a rigid transformation of tumor along with a non-rigid transformation of other organs. 4D XCAT phantom with spherical tumors in lung with diameters ranging from 10 to 40 mm was used to evaluate the algorithm. Results: Motion related induced artifacts in attenuation-corrected 4D-PET images were significantly reduced. For tumors smaller than 20 mm, non-rigid transformation was capable to provide quantitative results. However, for larger tumors, where tumor self-attenuation is considerable, our combined method yields superior results. Conclusion: We introduced a practical method for deforming a single CT to match all 4D-PET images for accurate AC. Although 4D-PET data include insignificant anatomical information, we showed that they are still useful to estimate DVFs for aligning attenuation map and accurate AC.« less

Joint reconstruction of activity and attenuation in Time-of-Flight PET: A Quantitative Analysis.

PubMed

Rezaei, Ahmadreza; Deroose, Christophe M; Vahle, Thomas; Boada, Fernando; Nuyts, Johan

2018-03-01

Joint activity and attenuation reconstruction methods from time of flight (TOF) positron emission tomography (PET) data provide an effective solution to attenuation correction when no (or incomplete/inaccurate) information on the attenuation is available. One of the main barriers limiting their use in clinical practice is the lack of validation of these methods on a relatively large patient database. In this contribution, we aim at validating the activity reconstructions of the maximum likelihood activity reconstruction and attenuation registration (MLRR) algorithm on a whole-body patient data set. Furthermore, a partial validation (since the scale problem of the algorithm is avoided for now) of the maximum likelihood activity and attenuation reconstruction (MLAA) algorithm is also provided. We present a quantitative comparison of the joint reconstructions to the current clinical gold-standard maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) reconstruction with CT-based attenuation correction. Methods: The whole-body TOF-PET emission data of each patient data set is processed as a whole to reconstruct an activity volume covering all the acquired bed positions, which helps to reduce the problem of a scale per bed position in MLAA to a global scale for the entire activity volume. Three reconstruction algorithms are used: MLEM, MLRR and MLAA. A maximum likelihood (ML) scaling of the single scatter simulation (SSS) estimate to the emission data is used for scatter correction. The reconstruction results are then analyzed in different regions of interest. Results: The joint reconstructions of the whole-body patient data set provide better quantification in case of PET and CT misalignments caused by patient and organ motion. Our quantitative analysis shows a difference of -4.2% (±2.3%) and -7.5% (±4.6%) between the joint reconstructions of MLRR and MLAA compared to MLEM, averaged over all regions of interest, respectively. Conclusion: Joint activity and attenuation estimation methods provide a useful means to estimate the tracer distribution in cases where CT-based attenuation images are subject to misalignments or are not available. With an accurate estimate of the scatter contribution in the emission measurements, the joint TOF-PET reconstructions are within clinical acceptable accuracy. Copyright © 2018 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.

Topics on distance correlation, feature screening and lifetime expectancy with application to Beaver Dam eye study data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kong, Jing

This thesis includes 4 pieces of work. In Chapter 1, we present the work with a method for examining mortality as it is seen to run in families, and lifestyle factors that are also seen to run in families, in a subpopulation of the Beaver Dam Eye Study that has died by 2011. We find significant distance correlations between death ages, lifestyle factors, and family relationships. Considering only sib pairs compared to unrelated persons, distance correlation between siblings and mortality is, not surprisingly, stronger than that between more distantly related family members and mortality. Chapter 2 introduces a feature screening procedure with the use of distance correlation and covariance. We demonstrate a property for distance covariance, which is incorporated in a novel feature screening procedure based on distance correlation as a stopping criterion. The approach is further implemented to two real examples, namely the famous small round blue cell tumors data and the Cancer Genome Atlas ovarian cancer data Chapter 3 pays attention to the right censored human longevity data and the estimation of lifetime expectancy. We propose a general framework of backward multiple imputation for estimating the conditional lifetime expectancy function and the variance of the estimator in the right censoring setting and prove the properties of the estimator. In addition, we apply the method to the Beaver Dam eye study data to study human longevity, where the expected human lifetime are modeled with smoothing spline ANOVA based on the covariates including baseline age, gender, lifestyle factors and disease variables. Chapter 4 compares two imputation methods for right censored data, namely the famous Buckley-James estimator and the backward imputation method proposed in Chapter 3 and shows that backward imputation method is less biased and more robust with heterogeneity.

Tomographic Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wagner, A.; Anwand, W.; Butterling, M.; Fiedler, F.; Fritz, F.; Kempe, M.; Cowan, T. E.

2014-04-01

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy serves as a perfect tool for studies of open-volume defects in solid materials such as vacancies, vacancy agglomerates, and dislocations. Moreover, structures in porous media can be investigated ranging from 0.3 nm to 30 nm employing the variation of the Positronium lifetime with the pore size. While lifetime measurements close to the material's surface can be performed at positron-beam installations bulk materials, fluids, bio-materials or composite structures cannot or only destructively accessed by positron beams. Targeting those problems, a new method of non-destructive positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy has been developed which features even a 3-dimensional tomographic reconstruction of the spatial lifetime distribution. A beam of intense bremsstrahlung is provided by the superconducting electron linear accelerator ELBE (Electron Linear Accelerator with high Brilliance and low Emittance) at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf. Since the generation of bremsstrahlung and the transport to the sample preserves the sharp timing of the electron beam, positrons generated inside the entire sample volume by pair production feature a sharp start time stamp for lifetime studies. In addition to the existing technique of in-situ production of positrons inside large (cm3) bulk samples using high-energy photons up to 16 MeV from bremsstrahlung production, granular position-sensitive photon detectors have been employed. The detector system will be described and results for experiments using samples with increasing complexity will be presented. The Lu2SiO5:Ce scintillation crystals allow resolving the total energy to 5.1 % (root-mean-square, RMS) and the annihilation lifetime to 225 ps (RMS). 3-dimensional annihilation lifetime maps have been created in an offline-analysis employing well-known techniques from PET.

Chlorophyll fluorescence lifetime imaging provides new insight into the chlorosis induced by plant virus infection.

PubMed

Lei, Rong; Jiang, Hongshan; Hu, Fan; Yan, Jin; Zhu, Shuifang

2017-02-01

Leaf chlorosis induced by plant virus infection has a short fluorescence lifetime, which reflects damaged photosynthetic complexes and degraded chloroplasts. Plant viruses often induce chlorosis and necrosis, which are intimately related to photosynthetic functions. Chlorophyll fluorescence lifetime measurement is a valuable noninvasive tool for analyzing photosynthetic processes and is a sensitive indicator of the environment surrounding the fluorescent molecules. In this study, our central goal was to explore the effect of viral infection on photosynthesis by employing chlorophyll fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM), steady-state fluorescence, non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and pigment analysis. The data indicated that the chlorophyll fluorescence lifetime of chlorotic leaves was significantly shorter than that of healthy control leaves, and the fitted short lifetime component of chlorophyll fluorescence of chlorotic leaves was dominant. This dominant short lifetime component may result from damage to the structure of thylakoid, which was confirmed by TEM. The NPQ value of chlorotic leaves was slightly higher than that of healthy green leaves, which can be explained by increased neoxanthin, lutein and violaxanthin content relative to chlorophyll a. The difference in NPQ is slight, but FLIM can provide simple and direct characterization of PSII structure and photosynthetic function. Therefore, this technique shows great potential as a simple and rapid method for studying mechanisms of plant virus infection.

Reaction between NiO and Al2O3 in NiO/γ-Al2O3 catalysts probed by positronium atom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, C. Y.; Zhang, H. J.; Chen, Z. Q.

2013-02-01

NiO/γ-Al2O3 catalysts with NiO content of 9 wt% and 24 wt% were prepared by solid state reaction method. They are annealed in air at temperatures from 100 °C to 1000 °C. Positron lifetime spectra were measured to study the microstructure variation during annealing process. Four positron lifetime components were resolved with two long lifetime τ3 and τ4, which can be attributed to the ortho-positronium lifetime in microvoids and large pores, respectively. It was found that the longest lifetime τ4 is rather sensitive to the chemical environment of the large pores. The NiO active centers in the catalysts cause decrease of both τ4 and its intensity I4, which is due to the spin-conversion of positronium induced by NiO. However, after heating the catalysts above 600 °C, abnormal increase of the lifetime τ4 is observed. This is due to the formation of NiAl2O4 spinel from the reaction of NiO and γ-Al2O3. The generated NiAl2O4 weakens the spin-conversion effect of positronium, thus leads to the increase of o-Ps lifetime τ4. Formation of NiAl2O4 is further confirmed by both X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements.

Effects of Preretirement Work Complexity and Postretirement Leisure Activity on Cognitive Aging

PubMed Central

Finkel, Deborah; Pedersen, Nancy L.

2016-01-01

Objectives: We examined the influence of postretirement leisure activity on longitudinal associations between work complexity in main lifetime occupation and trajectories of cognitive change before and after retirement. Methods: Information on complexity of work with data, people, and things, leisure activity participation in older adulthood, and four cognitive factors (verbal, spatial, memory, and speed) was available from 421 individuals in the longitudinal Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging. Participants were followed for an average of 14.2 years (SD = 7.1 years) and up to 23 years across eight cognitive assessments. Most of the sample (88.6%) completed at least three cognitive assessments. Results: Results of growth curve analyses indicated that higher complexity of work with people significantly attenuated cognitive aging in verbal skills, memory, and speed of processing controlling for age, sex, and education. When leisure activity was added, greater cognitive and physical leisure activity was associated with reduced cognitive aging in verbal skills, speed of processing, and memory (for cognitive activity only). Discussion: Engagement in cognitive or physical leisure activities in older adulthood may compensate for cognitive disadvantage potentially imposed by working in occupations that offer fewer cognitive challenges. These results may provide a platform to encourage leisure activity participation in those retiring from less complex occupations. PMID:25975289

Carbon dots on based folic acid coated with PAMAM dendrimer as platform for Pt(IV) detection.

PubMed

Campos, Bruno B; Oliva, María Moreno; Contreras-Cáceres, Rafael; Rodriguez-Castellón, Enrique; Jiménez-Jiménez, José; da Silva, Joaquim C G Esteves; Algarra, Manuel

2016-03-01

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) coated with poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM-NH2) dendrimer are prepared from folic acid and phosphoric acid under a hydrothermal procedure. The obtained nanoparticles are successfully used as fluorescent sensor for Pt(IV) (in the form of chloroplatinate ion). CQDs possess many attractive features including uniform dispersion with average size about 13nm for unmodified particles and, ∼30nm when they are coated with PAMAM-NH2 dendrimer. The synthesized nanoparticles have been characterized by elemental analysis, attenuated total reflectance (ATR), X-ray photoelectron (XPS) and Raman spectroscopies, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and steady-state and life-time fluorescence. CQDs are used as fluorescent sensor of Pt(IV) ion in aqueous media showing linear quenching effect of their fluorescence. The results obtained demonstrated a limit of detection of 657nM with an accuracy of the method of 0.13% (as RSD, n=10) and sensitivity of 78nM. Moreover, with the presence of other interference species, good results are obtained when applied in real samples from platinum nanoparticles synthesis. The dissolved platinum ions can be quantified in the range 6-96μM with an accuracy of 2.5%. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Magnetospheric Whistler Mode Raytracing with the Inclusion of Finite Electron and ion Temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maxworth, Ashanthi S.

Whistler mode waves are a type of a low frequency (100 Hz - 30 kHz) wave, which exists only in a magnetized plasma. These waves play a major role in Earth's magnetosphere. Due to the impact of whistler mode waves in many fields such as space weather, satellite communications and lifetime of space electronics, it is important to accurately predict the propagation path of these waves. The method used to determine the propagation path of whistler waves is called numerical raytracing. Numerical raytracing determines the power flow path of the whistler mode waves by solving a set of equations known as the Haselgrove's equations. In the majority of the previous work, raytracing was implemented assuming a cold background plasma (0 K), but the actual magnetosphere is at a temperature of about 1 eV (11600 K). In this work we have modified the numerical raytracing algorithm to work at finite electron and ion temperatures. The finite temperature effects have also been introduced into the formulations for linear cyclotron resonance wave growth and Landau damping, which are the primary mechanisms for whistler mode growth and attenuation in the magnetosphere. Including temperature increases the complexity of numerical raytracing, but the overall effects are mostly limited to increasing the group velocity of the waves at highly oblique wave normal angles.

Developmental trajectories of positive and negative affect in children at high and low familial risk for depressive disorder

PubMed Central

Olino, Thomas M.; Lopez-Duran, Nestor L.; Kovacs, Maria; George, Charles J.; Gentzler, Amy L.; Shaw, Daniel S.

2012-01-01

Background Although low positive affect (PA) and high negative affect (NA) have been posited to predispose to depressive disorders, little is known about the developmental trajectories of these affects in children at familial risk for mood disorders. Methods We examined 202 offspring of mothers who had a history of juvenile-onset unipolar depressive disorder (n = 60) or no history of major psychopathology (n = 80). Offspring participated in up to seven annual, structured laboratory tasks that were designed to elicit PA and NA. Results Growth curve analyses revealed that PA increased linearly and similarly for all children from late infancy through age 9. However, there also were individual differences in early PA. Relative to control peers, offspring of mothers with lifetime unipolar depression had consistently lower levels of PA, and this association remained significant even when controlling for current maternal depression and maternal affect displays. Growth curve analyses also revealed a significant linear decrease in NA in children across time; however, there was no significant inter-individual variation either in early NA or rate of change in NA. Conclusion Attenuated PA (rather than excessive NA) may be an early vulnerability factor for eventual unipolar depressive disorder in at-risk children and may represent one pathway through which depression is transmitted. PMID:21039488

Investigation into the semimagic nature of the tin isotopes through electromagnetic moments

DOE PAGES

Allmond, J. M.; Stuchbery, A. E.; Galindo-Uribarri, A.; ...

2015-10-19

A complete set of electromagnetic moments, B(E2;0 + 1 2 + 1), Q(2 + 1), and g(2 + 1), have been measured from Coulomb excitation of semi-magic 112,114,116,118,120,122,124Sn (Z = 50) on natural carbon and titanium targets. The magnitude of the B(E2) values, measured to a precision of ~4%, disagree with a recent lifetime study [Phys. Lett. B 695, 110 (2011)] that employed the Doppler- shift attenuation method. The B(E2) values show an overall enhancement compared with recent theoretical calculations and a clear asymmetry about midshell, contrary to naive expectations. A new static electric quadrupole moment, Q(2 + 1), hasmore » been measured for 114Sn. The static quadrupole moments are generally consistent with zero but reveal an enhancement near midshell; this had not been previously observed. The magnetic dipole moments are consistent with previous measurements and show a near monotonic decrease in value with neutron number. The current theory calculations fail to reproduce the electromagnetic moments of the tin isotopes. The role of 2p-2h and 4p-4h intruders, which are lowest in energy at mid shell and outside of current model spaces, needs to be investigated in the future.« less

Accuracy of CT-based attenuation correction in PET/CT bone imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abella, Monica; Alessio, Adam M.; Mankoff, David A.; MacDonald, Lawrence R.; Vaquero, Juan Jose; Desco, Manuel; Kinahan, Paul E.

2012-05-01

We evaluate the accuracy of scaling CT images for attenuation correction of PET data measured for bone. While the standard tri-linear approach has been well tested for soft tissues, the impact of CT-based attenuation correction on the accuracy of tracer uptake in bone has not been reported in detail. We measured the accuracy of attenuation coefficients of bovine femur segments and patient data using a tri-linear method applied to CT images obtained at different kVp settings. Attenuation values at 511 keV obtained with a 68Ga/68Ge transmission scan were used as a reference standard. The impact of inaccurate attenuation images on PET standardized uptake values (SUVs) was then evaluated using simulated emission images and emission images from five patients with elevated levels of FDG uptake in bone at disease sites. The CT-based linear attenuation images of the bovine femur segments underestimated the true values by 2.9 ± 0.3% for cancellous bone regardless of kVp. For compact bone the underestimation ranged from 1.3% at 140 kVp to 14.1% at 80 kVp. In the patient scans at 140 kVp the underestimation was approximately 2% averaged over all bony regions. The sensitivity analysis indicated that errors in PET SUVs in bone are approximately proportional to errors in the estimated attenuation coefficients for the same regions. The variability in SUV bias also increased approximately linearly with the error in linear attenuation coefficients. These results suggest that bias in bone uptake SUVs of PET tracers ranges from 2.4% to 5.9% when using CT scans at 140 and 120 kVp for attenuation correction. Lower kVp scans have the potential for considerably more error in dense bone. This bias is present in any PET tracer with bone uptake but may be clinically insignificant for many imaging tasks. However, errors from CT-based attenuation correction methods should be carefully evaluated if quantitation of tracer uptake in bone is important.

Intrinsic and scattering attenuation of high-frequency S-waves in the central part of the External Dinarides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Majstorović, Josipa; Belinić, Tena; Namjesnik, Dalija; Dasović, Iva; Herak, Davorka; Herak, Marijan

2017-09-01

The central part of the External Dinarides (CED) is a geologically and tectonically complex region formed in the collision between the Adriatic microplate and the European plate. In this study, the contributions of intrinsic and scattering attenuation ( Q i - 1 and Q sc - 1 , respectively) to the total S-wave attenuation were calculated for the first time. The multiple lapse-time window analysis (MLTWA method), based on the assumptions of multiple isotropic scattering in a homogeneous medium with uniformly distributed scatterers, was applied to seismograms of 450 earthquakes recorded at six seismic stations. Selected events have hypocentral distances between 40 and 90 km with local magnitudes between 1.5 and 4.7. The analysis was performed over 11 frequency bands with central frequencies between 1.5 and 16 Hz. Results show that the seismic albedo of the studied area is less than 0.5 and Q i - 1 > Q sc - 1 at all central frequencies and for all stations. These imply that the intrinsic attenuation dominates over scattering attenuation in the whole study area. Calculated total S-wave and expected coda wave attenuation for CED are in a very good agreement with the ones measured in previous studies using the coda normalization and the coda-Q methods. All estimated attenuation factors decrease with increasing frequency. The intrinsic attenuation for CED is among the highest observed elsewhere, which could be due to the highly fractured and fluid-filled carbonates in the upper crust. The scattering and the total S-wave attenuation for CED are close to the average values obtained in other studies performed worldwide. In particular, good agreement of frequency dependence of total attenuation in CED and in the regions that contributed most strong-motion records for ground motion prediction equations used in PSHA in Croatia indicates that those were well chosen and applicable to this area as far as their attenuation properties are concerned.

Towards Implementing an MR-based PET Attenuation Correction Method for Neurological Studies on the MR-PET Brain Prototype

PubMed Central

Catana, Ciprian; van der Kouwe, Andre; Benner, Thomas; Michel, Christian J.; Hamm, Michael; Fenchel, Matthias; Fischl, Bruce; Rosen, Bruce; Schmand, Matthias; Sorensen, A. Gregory

2013-01-01

A number of factors have to be considered for implementing an accurate attenuation correction (AC) in a combined MR-PET scanner. In this work, some of these challenges were investigated and an AC method based entirely on the MR data obtained with a single dedicated sequence was developed and used for neurological studies performed with the MR-PET human brain scanner prototype. Methods The focus was on the bone/air segmentation problem, the bone linear attenuation coefficient selection and the RF coil positioning. The impact of these factors on the PET data quantification was studied in simulations and experimental measurements performed on the combined MR-PET scanner. A novel dual-echo ultra-short echo time (DUTE) MR sequence was proposed for head imaging. Simultaneous MR-PET data were acquired and the PET images reconstructed using the proposed MR-DUTE-based AC method were compared with the PET images reconstructed using a CT-based AC. Results Our data suggest that incorrectly accounting for the bone tissue attenuation can lead to large underestimations (>20%) of the radiotracer concentration in the cortex. Assigning a linear attenuation coefficient of 0.143 or 0.151 cm−1 to bone tissue appears to give the best trade-off between bias and variability in the resulting images. Not identifying the internal air cavities introduces large overestimations (>20%) in adjacent structures. Based on these results, the segmented CT AC method was established as the “silver standard” for the segmented MR-based AC method. Particular to an integrated MR-PET scanner, ignoring the RF coil attenuation can cause large underestimations (i.e. up to 50%) in the reconstructed images. Furthermore, the coil location in the PET field of view has to be accurately known. Good quality bone/air segmentation can be performed using the DUTE data. The PET images obtained using the MR-DUTE- and CT-based AC methods compare favorably in most of the brain structures. Conclusion An MR-DUTE-based AC method was implemented considering all these factors and our preliminary results suggest that this method could potentially be as accurate as the segmented CT method and it could be used for quantitative neurological MR-PET studies. PMID:20810759

Toward Improved Methods of Estimating Attenuation, Phase and Group velocity of surface waves observed on Shallow Seismic Records

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diallo, M. S.; Holschneider, M.; Kulesh, M.; Scherbaum, F.; Ohrnberger, M.; Lück, E.

2004-05-01

This contribution is concerned with the estimate of attenuation and dispersion characteristics of surface waves observed on a shallow seismic record. The analysis is based on a initial parameterization of the phase and attenuation functions which are then estimated by minimizing a properly defined merit function. To minimize the effect of random noise on the estimates of dispersion and attenuation we use cross-correlations (in Fourier domain) of preselected traces from some region of interest along the survey line. These cross-correlations are then expressed in terms of the parameterized attenuation and phase functions and the auto-correlation of the so-called source trace or reference trace. Cross-corelation that enter the optimization are selected so as to provide an average estimate of both the attenuation function and the phase (group) velocity of the area under investigation. The advantage of the method over the standard two stations method using Fourier technique is that uncertainties related to the phase unwrapping and the estimate of the number of 2π cycle skip in the phase phase are eliminated. However when mutliple modes arrival are observed, its become merely impossible to obtain reliable estimate the dipsersion curves for the different modes using optimization method alone. To circumvent this limitations we using the presented approach in conjunction with the wavelet propagation operator (Kulesh et al., 2003) which allows the application of band pass filtering in (ω -t) domain, to select a particular mode for the minimization. Also by expressing the cost function in the wavelet domain the optimization can be performed either with respect to the phase, the modulus of the transform or a combination of both. This flexibility in the design of the cost function provides an additional mean of constraining the optimization results. Results from the application of this dispersion and attenuation analysis method are shown for both synthetic and real 2D shallow seismic data sets. M. Kulesh, M. Holschneider, M. S. Diallo, Q. Xie and F. Scherbaum, Modeling of Wave Dispersion Using Wavelet Transfrom (Submitted to Pure and Applied Geophysics).

Modulation sensing of fluorophores in tissue: a new approach to drug compliance monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abugo, Omoefe O.; Gryczynski, Zygmunt; Lakowicz, Joseph R.

1999-10-01

We describe a method to detect the presence of fluorophores in scattering media, including intralipid suspensions and chicken muscle covered with skin. The fluorophores were rhodamine 800 (Rb800) and indocyanine green (IcG), both of which can be excited at long wavelengths where there is minimal absorption by tissues. These fluorophores were dissolved in intralipid or in chicken muscle under skin. A method to approximate the fluorophore concentration in such samples was developed using a long lifetime reference fluorophores in a polymer film placed immediately on the illuminated surface of the sample. Because of the long lifetime of the reference film, the modulation of its emission at low frequencies near 2 MHz is near zero. Since the lifetime of Rh800 and IcG are below 2 ns the modulation of the combined emission is a measure of the intensity of the fluorophore (Rh800 or IcG) relative to the long lifetime reference. Using this method we were able to measure the concentration-dependent intensities of Rh800 and IcG in an intralipid suspension. Additionally, micromolar concentrations of these probes could be detected in chicken muscles, even when the muscle was covered with a layer of chicken skin. The presence of an India ink absorber in the intralipid had only a moderate effect on the modulation values. We suggest the use of this transdermal detection of long-wavelength fluorophores as a noninvasive method to monitor patient compliance when taking medicines used for treatment of chronic diseases such as AIDS or tuberculosis.

Image-Based 2D Re-Projection for Attenuation Substitution in PET Neuroimaging.

PubMed

Laymon, Charles M; Minhas, Davneet S; Becker, Carl R; Matan, Cristy; Oborski, Matthew J; Price, Julie C; Mountz, James M

2018-02-27

In dual modality positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), attenuation correction (AC) methods are continually improving. Although a new AC can sometimes be generated from existing MR data, its application requires a new reconstruction. We evaluate an approximate 2D projection method that allows offline image-based reprocessing. 2-Deoxy-2-[ 18 F]fluoro-D-glucose ([ 18 F]FDG) brain scans were acquired (Siemens HR+) for six subjects. Attenuation data were obtained using the scanner's transmission source (SAC). Additional scanning was performed on a Siemens mMR including production of a Dixon-based MR AC (MRAC). The MRAC was imported to the HR+ and the PET data were reconstructed twice: once using native SAC (ground truth); once using the imported MRAC (imperfect AC). The re-projection method was implemented as follows. The MRAC PET was forward projected to approximately reproduce attenuation-corrected sinograms. The SAC and MRAC images were forward projected and converted to attenuation-correction factors (ACFs). The MRAC ACFs were removed from the MRAC PET sinograms by division; the SAC ACFs were applied by multiplication. The regenerated sinograms were reconstructed by filtered back projection to produce images (SUBAC PET) in which SAC has been substituted for MRAC. Ideally SUBAC PET should match SAC PET. Via coregistered T1 images, FreeSurfer (FS; MGH, Boston) was used to define a set of cortical gray matter regions of interest. Regional activity concentrations were extracted for SAC PET, MRAC PET, and SUBAC PET. SUBAC PET showed substantially smaller root mean square error than MRAC PET with averaged values of 1.5 % versus 8.1 %. Re-projection is a viable image-based method for the application of an alternate attenuation correction in neuroimaging.

Lifetime secondhand smoke exposure and childhood and adolescent asthma: findings from the PIAMA cohort.

PubMed

Milanzi, Edith B; Brunekreef, Bert; Koppelman, Gerard H; Wijga, Alet H; van Rossem, Lenie; Vonk, Judith M; Smit, Henriëtte A; Gehring, Ulrike

2017-02-23

Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is a modifiable risk factor associated with childhood asthma. Associations with adolescent asthma and the relevance of the timing and patterns of exposure are unclear. Knowledge of critical windows of exposure is important for targeted interventions. We used data until age 17 from 1454 children of the Dutch population-based PIAMA birth cohort. Residential SHS exposure was assessed through parental questionnaires completed at ages 3 months, 1-8 (yearly), 11, 14, and 17 years. Lifetime exposure was determined as; a) time window-specific exposure (prenatal, infancy, preschool, primary school, and secondary school); b) lifetime cumulative exposure; c) longitudinal exposure patterns using latent class growth modeling (LCGM). Generalized estimation equations and logistic regression were used to analyze associations between exposure and asthma at ages 4 to 17 years, adjusting for potential confounders. With all three methods, we consistently found no association between SHS exposure and asthma at ages 4 to 17 years e.g. adjusted overall odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 0.67 (0.41-1.12), 1.00 (0.66-1.51) and 0.67 (0.41-1.11) for prenatal maternal active smoking, infancy, and preschool school time window exposures, respectively. We assessed lifetime SHS exposure using different methods. Different timing and patterns of SHS exposure were not associated with an increased risk of asthma in childhood and adolescence in our study. More longitudinal studies could investigate effects of lifetime SHS exposure on asthma in adolescence and later life.

An empirical model of diagnostic x-ray attenuation under narrow-beam geometry.

PubMed

Mathieu, Kelsey B; Kappadath, S Cheenu; White, R Allen; Atkinson, E Neely; Cody, Dianna D

2011-08-01

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a mathematical model to describe narrow-beam attenuation of kilovoltage x-ray beams for the intended applications of half-value layer (HVL) and quarter-value layer (QVL) estimations, patient organ shielding, and computer modeling. An empirical model, which uses the Lambert W function and represents a generalized Lambert-Beer law, was developed. To validate this model, transmission of diagnostic energy x-ray beams was measured over a wide range of attenuator thicknesses [0.49-33.03 mm Al on a computed tomography (CT) scanner, 0.09-1.93 mm Al on two mammography systems, and 0.1-0.45 mm Cu and 0.49-14.87 mm Al using general radiography]. Exposure measurements were acquired under narrow-beam geometry using standard methods, including the appropriate ionization chamber, for each radiographic system. Nonlinear regression was used to find the best-fit curve of the proposed Lambert W model to each measured transmission versus attenuator thickness data set. In addition to validating the Lambert W model, we also assessed the performance of two-point Lambert W interpolation compared to traditional methods for estimating the HVL and QVL [i.e., semi-logarithmic (exponential) and linear interpolation]. The Lambert W model was validated for modeling attenuation versus attenuator thickness with respect to the data collected in this study (R2 > 0.99). Furthermore, Lambert W interpolation was more accurate and less sensitive to the choice of interpolation points used to estimate the HVL and/or QVL than the traditional methods of semilogarithmic and linear interpolation. The proposed Lambert W model accurately describes attenuation of both monoenergetic radiation and (kilovoltage) polyenergetic beams (under narrow-beam geometry).

Impact of Acoustic Radiation Force Excitation Geometry on Shear Wave Dispersion and Attenuation Estimates.

PubMed

Lipman, Samantha L; Rouze, Ned C; Palmeri, Mark L; Nightingale, Kathryn R

2018-04-01

Shear wave elasticity imaging (SWEI) characterizes the mechanical properties of human tissues to differentiate healthy from diseased tissue. Commercial scanners tend to reconstruct shear wave speeds for a region of interest using time-of-flight methods reporting a single shear wave speed (or elastic modulus) to the end user under the assumptions that tissue is elastic and shear wave speeds are not dependent on the frequency content of the shear waves. Human tissues, however, are known to be viscoelastic, resulting in dispersion and attenuation. Shear wave spectroscopy and spectral methods have been previously reported in the literature to quantify shear wave dispersion and attenuation, commonly making an assumption that the acoustic radiation force excitation acts as a cylindrical source with a known geometric shear wave amplitude decay. This work quantifies the bias in shear dispersion and attenuation estimates associated with making this cylindrical wave assumption when applied to shear wave sources with finite depth extents, as commonly occurs with realistic focal geometries, in elastic and viscoelastic media. Bias is quantified using analytically derived shear wave data and shear wave data generated using finite-element method models. Shear wave dispersion and attenuation bias (up to 15% for dispersion and 41% for attenuation) is greater for more tightly focused acoustic radiation force sources with smaller depths of field relative to their lateral extent (height-to-width ratios <16). Dispersion and attenuation errors associated with assuming a cylindrical geometric shear wave decay in SWEI can be appreciable and should be considered when analyzing the viscoelastic properties of tissues with acoustic radiation force source distributions with limited depths of field. Copyright © 2018 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

New method to measure the attenuation of hadrons in extensive air showers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Apel, W. D.; Arteaga, J. C.; Badea, F.; Bekk, K.; Bertaina, M.; Blümer, J.; Bozdog, H.; Brancus, I. M.; Brüggemann, M.; Buchholz, P.; Cantoni, E.; Chiavassa, A.; Cossavella, F.; Daumiller, K.; de Souza, V.; di Pierro, F.; Doll, P.; Engel, R.; Engler, J.; Finger, M.; Fuhrmann, D.; Ghia, P. L.; Gils, H. J.; Glasstetter, R.; Grupen, C.; Haungs, A.; Heck, D.; Hildebrand, D.; Hörandel, J. R.; Huege, T.; Isar, P. G.; Kampert, K.-H.; Kang, D.; Kickelbick, D.; Klages, H. O.; Kolotaev, Y.; Łuczak, P.; Mathes, H. J.; Mayer, H. J.; Milke, J.; Mitrica, B.; Morello, C.; Navarra, G.; Nehls, S.; Oehlschläger, J.; Ostapchenko, S.; Over, S.; Petcu, M.; Pierog, T.; Rebel, H.; Roth, M.; Schieler, H.; Schröder, F.; Sima, O.; Stümpert, M.; Toma, G.; Trinchero, G. C.; Ulrich, H.; van Buren, J.; Walkowiak, W.; Weindl, A.; Wochele, J.; Wommer, M.; Zabierowski, J.

2009-07-01

Extensive air showers are generated through interactions of high-energy cosmic rays impinging the Earth’s atmosphere. A new method is described to infer the attenuation of hadrons in air showers. The numbers of electrons and muons, registered with the scintillator array of the KASCADE experiment, are used to estimate the energy of the shower inducing primary particle. A large hadron calorimeter is used to measure the hadronic energy reaching observation level. The ratio of energy reaching ground level to the energy of the primary particle is used to derive an attenuation length of hadrons in air showers. In the energy range from 106 to 3×107GeV the attenuation length obtained increases from 170 to 210g/cm2. The experimental results are compared to predictions of simulations based on contemporary high-energy interaction models.

Lifetime Measurements in Neutron-Rich Xe Isotopes — Evolution of Quadrupole Collectivity Beyond 132Sn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilieva, S.; Bönig, S.; Hartig, A.-L.; Henrich, C.; Ignatov, A.; Kröll, Th.; Thürauf, M.; Jolie, J.; Régis, J.-M.; Saed-Samii, N.; Blanc, A.; de France, G.; Jentschel, M.; Köster, U.; Mutti, P.; Simpson, G. S.; Soldner, T.; Urban, W.; Mǎrginean, N.; Ur, C. A.; Mach, H.; Fraile, L. M.; Paziy, V.; Regan, P. H.; Bruce, A. M.; Lalkovski, S.; Korten, W.

Picosecond lifetimes of excited states in neutron-rich Xe isotopes were measured at the Institut Laue-Langevin via γ-ray spectroscopy of fission fragments from neutron-induced fission of 235U and 241Pu targets. The data collected with the recently installed fast timing array FATIMA in combination with the EXOGAM Ge array were analysed using the new generalized centroid difference method. Our aim is to study the quadrupole and octupole collectivity, arising in the mass region beyond the doubly magic 132Sn, by means of transition probabilities. These can be calculated from the directly measured lifetimes.

Active control of the lifetime of excited resonance states by means of laser pulses.

PubMed

García-Vela, A

2012-04-07

Quantum control of the lifetime of a system in an excited resonance state is investigated theoretically by creating coherent superpositions of overlapping resonances. This control scheme exploits the quantum interference occurring between the overlapping resonances, which can be controlled by varying the width of the laser pulse that creates the superposition state. The scheme is applied to a realistic model of the Br(2)(B)-Ne predissociation decay dynamics through a three-dimensional wave packet method. It is shown that extensive control of the system lifetime is achievable, both enhancing and damping it remarkably. An experimental realization of the control scheme is suggested.

Plasma Parameters From Reentry Signal Attenuation

DOE PAGES

Statom, T. K.

2018-02-27

This study presents the application of a theoretically developed method that provides plasma parameter solution space information from measured RF attenuation that occurs during reentry. The purpose is to provide reentry plasma parameter information from the communication signal attenuation. The theoretical development centers around the attenuation and the complex index of refraction. The methodology uses an imaginary index of the refraction matching algorithm with a tolerance to find suitable solutions that satisfy the theory. The imaginary matching terms are then used to determine the real index of refraction resulting in the complex index of refraction. Then a filter is usedmore » to reject nonphysical solutions. Signal attenuation-based plasma parameter properties investigated include the complex index of refraction, plasma frequency, electron density, collision frequency, propagation constant, attenuation constant, phase constant, complex plasma conductivity, and electron mobility. RF plasma thickness attenuation is investigated and compared to the literature. Finally, similar plasma thickness for a specific signal attenuation can have different plasma properties.« less

Plasma Parameters From Reentry Signal Attenuation

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

Statom, T. K.

This study presents the application of a theoretically developed method that provides plasma parameter solution space information from measured RF attenuation that occurs during reentry. The purpose is to provide reentry plasma parameter information from the communication signal attenuation. The theoretical development centers around the attenuation and the complex index of refraction. The methodology uses an imaginary index of the refraction matching algorithm with a tolerance to find suitable solutions that satisfy the theory. The imaginary matching terms are then used to determine the real index of refraction resulting in the complex index of refraction. Then a filter is usedmore » to reject nonphysical solutions. Signal attenuation-based plasma parameter properties investigated include the complex index of refraction, plasma frequency, electron density, collision frequency, propagation constant, attenuation constant, phase constant, complex plasma conductivity, and electron mobility. RF plasma thickness attenuation is investigated and compared to the literature. Finally, similar plasma thickness for a specific signal attenuation can have different plasma properties.« less

Time for Genome Editing: Next-Generation Attenuated Malaria Parasites.

PubMed

Singer, Mirko; Frischknecht, Friedrich

2017-03-01

Immunization with malaria parasites that developmentally arrest in or immediately after the liver stage is the only way currently known to confer sterilizing immunity in both humans and rodent models. There are various ways to attenuate parasite development resulting in different timings of arrest, which has a significant impact on vaccination efficiency. To understand what most impacts vaccination efficiency, newly developed gain-of-function methods can now be used to generate a wide array of differently attenuated parasites. The combination of multiple attenuation approaches offers the potential to engineer efficiently attenuated Plasmodium parasites and learn about their fascinating biology at the same time. Here we discuss recent studies and the potential of targeted parasite manipulation using genome editing to develop live attenuated malaria vaccines. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Variable fidelity robust optimization of pulsed laser orbital debris removal under epistemic uncertainty

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, Liqiang; Cai, Yuanli; Liu, Jin; Hou, Chongyuan

2016-04-01

A variable fidelity robust optimization method for pulsed laser orbital debris removal (LODR) under uncertainty is proposed. Dempster-shafer theory of evidence (DST), which merges interval-based and probabilistic uncertainty modeling, is used in the robust optimization. The robust optimization method optimizes the performance while at the same time maximizing its belief value. A population based multi-objective optimization (MOO) algorithm based on a steepest descent like strategy with proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) is used to search robust Pareto solutions. Analytical and numerical lifetime predictors are used to evaluate the debris lifetime after the laser pulses. Trust region based fidelity management is designed to reduce the computational cost caused by the expensive model. When the solutions fall into the trust region, the analytical model is used to reduce the computational cost. The proposed robust optimization method is first tested on a set of standard problems and then applied to the removal of Iridium 33 with pulsed lasers. It will be shown that the proposed approach can identify the most robust solutions with minimum lifetime under uncertainty.

Mean grain size detection of DP590 steel plate using a corrected method with electromagnetic acoustic resonance.

PubMed

Wang, Bin; Wang, Xiaokai; Hua, Lin; Li, Juanjuan; Xiang, Qing

2017-04-01

Electromagnetic acoustic resonance (EMAR) is a considerable method to determine the mean grain size of the metal material with a high precision. The basic ultrasonic attenuation theory used for the mean grain size detection of EMAR is come from the single phase theory. In this paper, the EMAR testing was carried out based on the ultrasonic attenuation theory. The detection results show that the double peaks phenomenon occurs in the EMAR testing of DP590 steel plate. The dual phase structure of DP590 steel is the inducement of the double peaks phenomenon in the EMAR testing. In reaction to the phenomenon, a corrected method with EMAR was put forward to detect the mean grain size of dual phase steel. Compared with the traditional attenuation evaluation method and the uncorrected method with EMAR, the corrected method with EMAR shows great effectiveness and superiority for the mean grain size detection of DP590 steel plate. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Investigation of the Dependences of the Attenuation Properties of Cryogenic Metal-Powder Filters on the Preparation Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Sung Hoon; Lee, Soon-Gul

2018-04-01

We fabricated low-pass metal powder filters for use in low-noise measurements at cryogenic temperatures and investigated their attenuation characteristics for different wire-turn densities, metalpowder shapes, and preparation methods at frequencies up to 20 GHz. We used nominally 30-μmsized stainless-steel 304L powder and mixed it with low-temperature binders. The low-temperature binders used were Stycast 2850FT (Emerson and Cumming) with catalyst 23LV and GE-7031 varnish. A 0.1-mm insulated copper wire was wound on preformed powder-mixture bobbins in the shape of a circular rod and was encapsulated in metal tubes with the powder mixture. All the fabricated powder filters showed a large attenuation at high frequencies with a cut-off frequency near 1 GHz. For filters of the same wire length, a lower wiring density showed a larger attenuation, which implies that the amount of powder in close contact with the wire determines the attenuation. Filters made of a powder/varnish mixture showed significantly larger attenuations than those of a powder/stycast mixture, and the attenuation improved with increasing powder ratio in the mixture. The low-temperature thermal conductivities of a 2 : 1 powder/Stycast mixture and a 5 : 1 powder/varnish mixture showed similar values at temperatures up to 4.2 K.

Computerized margin and texture analyses for differentiating bacterial pneumonia and invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma presenting as consolidation.

PubMed

Koo, Hyun Jung; Kim, Mi Young; Koo, Ja Hwan; Sung, Yu Sub; Jung, Jiwon; Kim, Sung-Han; Choi, Chang-Min; Kim, Hwa Jung

2017-01-01

Radiologists have used margin characteristics based on routine visual analysis; however, the attenuation changes at the margin of the lesion on CT images have not been quantitatively assessed. We established a CT-based margin analysis method by comparing a target lesion with normal lung attenuation, drawing a slope to represent the attenuation changes. This approach was applied to patients with invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (n = 40) or bacterial pneumonia (n = 30). Correlations among multiple regions of interest (ROIs) were obtained using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values. CT visual assessment, margin and texture parameters were compared for differentiating the two disease entities. The attenuation and margin parameters in multiple ROIs showed excellent ICC values. Attenuation slopes obtained at the margins revealed a difference between invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma and pneumonia (P<0.001), and mucinous adenocarcinoma produced a sharply declining attenuation slope. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, pneumonia had an ill-defined margin (odds ratio (OR), 4.84; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.26-18.52; P = 0.02), ground-glass opacity (OR, 8.55; 95% CI, 2.09-34.95; P = 0.003), and gradually declining attenuation at the margin (OR, 12.63; 95% CI, 2.77-57.51, P = 0.001). CT-based margin analysis method has a potential to act as an imaging parameter for differentiating invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma and bacterial pneumonia.

Optical absorption and gamma-radiation-shielding parameter studies of Tm3+-doped multicomponent borosilicate glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lakshminarayana, G.; Sayyed, M. I.; Baki, S. O.; Lira, A.; Dong, M. G.; Kaky, Kawa M.; Kityk, I. V.; Mahdi, M. A.

2018-05-01

Different concentrations (0.1‒2.0 mol%) of Tm3+-doped multicomponent borosilicate glasses with 10 mol% Li2O (alkali) or MgO (alkaline) have been synthesized and their optical absorption and radiation shielding features were studied. For both Li2O and MgO series 0.5 mol% Tm3+-doped glass samples, the evaluated Ωλ ( λ = 2, 4, and 6) Judd-Ofelt (JO) intensity parameters from experimental oscillator strengths were used in estimating the radiative transition probabilities ( A R), branching ratios ( β R), and radiative lifetimes ( τ R) for several emission transitions. Using the XCOM software, the mass attenuation coefficients ( µ/ ρ) for all the fabricated glasses were evaluated within the 0.015‒10 MeV energy range. Also, the ( µ/ ρ) values were calculated at 0.356, 0.662, 1.173, and 1.33 MeV photon energies by MCNP5 simulation code and the results were compared with those obtained by XCOM. The ( µ/ ρ) values for Li2O, as well as MgO series glasses, increase with the addition of Tm2O3 and these values for MgO series glasses are slightly higher with respect to Li2O series glasses. From the ( µ/ ρ) values, effective atomic number ( Z eff), half-value layer (HVL), and mean free path (MFP) were calculated and the HVL and MFP results revealed that high-energy photons have more penetration into a glass sample compared to low-energy photons. Further, geometric progression (GP) fitting method was utilized to calculate the exposure buildup factor (EBF) within the 0.015‒15 MeV energy range. The 2.0 mol% Tm2O3-doped glasses show a better ability to attenuate gamma-rays in comparison to other glass samples, so the addition of Tm2O3 content leads to improvement of the shielding efficiency of the prepared glasses.

Phase-Shifted Based Numerical Method for Modeling Frequency-Dependent Effects on Seismic Reflections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xuehua; Qi, Yingkai; He, Xilei; He, Zhenhua; Chen, Hui

2016-08-01

The significant velocity dispersion and attenuation has often been observed when seismic waves propagate in fluid-saturated porous rocks. Both the magnitude and variation features of the velocity dispersion and attenuation are frequency-dependent and related closely to the physical properties of the fluid-saturated porous rocks. To explore the effects of frequency-dependent dispersion and attenuation on the seismic responses, in this work, we present a numerical method for seismic data modeling based on the diffusive and viscous wave equation (DVWE), which introduces the poroelastic theory and takes into account diffusive and viscous attenuation in diffusive-viscous-theory. We derive a phase-shift wave extrapolation algorithm in frequencywavenumber domain for implementing the DVWE-based simulation method that can handle the simultaneous lateral variations in velocity, diffusive coefficient and viscosity. Then, we design a distributary channels model in which a hydrocarbon-saturated sand reservoir is embedded in one of the channels. Next, we calculated the synthetic seismic data to analytically and comparatively illustrate the seismic frequency-dependent behaviors related to the hydrocarbon-saturated reservoir, by employing DVWE-based and conventional acoustic wave equation (AWE) based method, respectively. The results of the synthetic seismic data delineate the intrinsic energy loss, phase delay, lower instantaneous dominant frequency and narrower bandwidth due to the frequency-dependent dispersion and attenuation when seismic wave travels through the hydrocarbon-saturated reservoir. The numerical modeling method is expected to contribute to improve the understanding of the features and mechanism of the seismic frequency-dependent effects resulted from the hydrocarbon-saturated porous rocks.

Viscoelastic behavior and lifetime (durability) predictions. [for laminated fiber reinforced plastics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brinson, R. F.

1985-01-01

A method for lifetime or durability predictions for laminated fiber reinforced plastics is given. The procedure is similar to but not the same as the well known time-temperature-superposition principle for polymers. The method is better described as an analytical adaptation of time-stress-super-position methods. The analytical constitutive modeling is based upon a nonlinear viscoelastic constitutive model developed by Schapery. Time dependent failure models are discussed and are related to the constitutive models. Finally, results of an incremental lamination analysis using the constitutive and failure model are compared to experimental results. Favorable results between theory and predictions are presented using data from creep tests of about two months duration.

Infrared detector device inspection system

DOEpatents

Soehnel, Grant; Bender, Daniel A.

2016-08-09

Methods and apparatuses for identifying carrier lifetimes are disclosed herein. In a general embodiment, a beam of light is sent to a group of locations on a material for an optical device. Photons emitted from the material are detected at each of the group of locations. A carrier lifetime is identified for each of the group of locations based on the photons detected from each of the group of locations.

Lifetime socioeconomic position and mortality: prospective observational study.

PubMed Central

Smith, G. D.; Hart, C.; Blane, D.; Gillis, C.; Hawthorne, V.

1997-01-01

OBJECTIVES: To assess the influence of socioeconomic position over a lifetime on risk factors for cardiovascular disease, on morbidity, and on mortality from various causes. DESIGN: Prospective observational study with 21 years of follow up. Social class was determined as manual or non-manual at three stages of participants' lives: from the social class of their father's job, the social class of their first job, and the social class of their job at the time of screening. A cumulative social class indicator was constructed, ranging from non-manual social class at all three stages of life to manual social class at all three stages. SETTING: 27 workplaces in the west of Scotland. PARTICIPANTS: 5766 men aged 35-64 at the time of examination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence and level of risk factors for cardiovascular disease; morbidity; and mortality from broad causes of death. RESULTS: From non-manual social class locations at all three life stages to manual at all stages there were strong positive trends for blood pressure, body mass index, current cigarette smoking, angina, and bronchitis. Inverse trends were seen for height, cholesterol concentration, lung function, and being an ex-smoker. 1580 men died during follow up. Age adjusted relative death rates in comparison with the men of non-manual social class locations at all three stages of life were 1.29 (95% confidence interval 1.08 to 1.56) in men of two non-manual and one manual social class; 1.45 (1.21 to 1.73) in men of two manual and one non-manual social class; and 1.71 (1.46 to 2.01) in men of manual social class at all three stages. Mortality from cardiovascular disease showed a similar graded association with cumulative social class. Mortality from cancer was mainly raised among men of manual social class at all three stages. Adjustment for a wide range of risk factors caused little attenuation in the association of cumulative social class with mortality from all causes and from cardiovascular disease; greater attenuation was seen in the association with mortality from non-cardiovascular, non-cancer disease. Fathers having a manual [corrected] occupation was strongly associated with mortality from cardiovascular disease: relative rate 1.41 (1.15 to 1.72). Participants' social class at the time of screening was more strongly associated than the other social class indicators with mortality from cancer and from non-cardiovascular, non-cancer causes. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic factors acting over the lifetime affect health and risk of premature death. The relative importance of influences at different stages varies for the cause of death. Studies with data on socioeconomic circumstances at only one stage of life are inadequate for fully elucidating the contribution of socioeconomic factors to health and mortality risk. PMID:9055712

Ultra-light weight undamped tuned dynamic absorber for cryogenically cooled infrared electro-optic payload

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veprik, Alexander; Babitsky, Vladimir

2017-04-01

Attenuation of tonal cryocooler induced vibration in infrared electro-optical payloads may be achieved by using of Tuned Dynamic Absorber (TDA) which is, generally speaking, a passive, weakly damped mass-spring system the resonant frequency of which is precisely matched with the driving frequency. Added TDA results in a favorable modification of the frequency response functions of combined structure. In particular, a favorable antiresonant notch appears at the frequency of tonal excitation along with the adjacent secondary resonance, the width and depth of which along with its closeness to the secondary resonance are strongly dependent on the mass and damping ratios. Using heavier TDA favorably results in wider and deeper antiresonant notch along with increased gap between antiresonant and resonant frequencies. Lowering damping in TDA favorably results in deepening the antiresonant notch. The weight of TDA is usually subjected to tight design constrains. Use of lightweight TDA not only diminishes the attainable performance but also complicates the procedure of frequency matching. Along these lines, even minor frequency deviations may negate the TDA performance and even result in TDA failure in case of resonant build up. The authors are presenting theoretical and practical aspects of designing and constructing ultra-light weight TDA in application to vibration attenuation of electro-optical infrared payload relying on Split Stirling linear cryocooler, the driving frequency of which is fixed and may be accurately tuned and maintained using a digital controller over the entire range of working conditions and lifetime; the lack of mass ratio is compensated by minimizing the damping ratio. In one particular case, in excess of 100-fold vibration attenuation has been achieved by adding as little as 5% to the payload weight.

[Economic evaluation on different two-dose-vaccination-strategies related to Measles, Mumps and Rubella Combined Attenuated Live Vaccine].

PubMed

He, H Q; Zhang, B; Yan, R; Li, Q; Fu, J; Tang, X W; Zhou, Y; Deng, X; Xie, S Y

2016-08-10

To evaluate the economic effect of Measles, Mumps and Rubella Combined Attenuated Live Vaccine (MMR) under different two-dose vaccination programs. A hypothetical birth cohort of 750 000 infants over their lifetime, was followed up from birth through death in Zhejiang province. The current MMR vaccination strategie would include three different ones: 1) Childlern were vaccinated with Measles-Rubella Combined Attenuated Live Vaccine and MMR, respectively at the age of 8 months and 18 months. 2) Children receive MMR at 8 months and 18 months, 3) Strategy 1 plus an additional vaccination of MMR at 4 years of age. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), incremental cost-benefit ratio (ICBR) and incremental net benefit (INB) were applied to calculate the health economic difference for Strategy 2 and Strategy 3 as compared to Strategy 1. Univariate sensitivity analysis was used to assess the robustness of results with main parameters, including the rate of immunization coverage, effectiveness of the vaccines, incidence and burdens of the related diseases, cost of vaccines and the vaccination program itself. ICER, ICBR and INB for Strategy 2 and Strategy 3 appeared as 2 012.51∶1 RMB Yuan per case and 4 238.72∶1 RMB Yuan per case, 1∶3.14 and 1∶1.58, 21 277 800 RMB Yuan and 9 276 500 RMB Yuan, respectively. Only slight changes (<20%) were found under the univariate sensitivity analysis, with varied values on main parameters. Based on the current national immunization program, infants vaccinated with MMR at 8 months of age, generated more health economic effects than the Strategy 3.

Inter-laboratory Comparison of Three Earplug Fit-test Systems

PubMed Central

Byrne, David C.; Murphy, William J.; Krieg, Edward F.; Ghent, Robert M.; Michael, Kevin L.; Stefanson, Earl W.; Ahroon, William A.

2017-01-01

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) sponsored tests of three earplug fit-test systems (NIOSH HPD Well-Fit™, Michael & Associates FitCheck, and Honeywell Safety Products VeriPRO®). Each system was compared to laboratory-based real-ear attenuation at threshold (REAT) measurements in a sound field according to ANSI/ASA S12.6-2008 at the NIOSH, Honeywell Safety Products, and Michael & Associates testing laboratories. An identical study was conducted independently at the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL), which provided their data for inclusion in this report. The Howard Leight Airsoft premolded earplug was tested with twenty subjects at each of the four participating laboratories. The occluded fit of the earplug was maintained during testing with a soundfield-based laboratory REAT system as well as all three headphone-based fit-test systems. The Michael & Associates lab had highest average A-weighted attenuations and smallest standard deviations. The NIOSH lab had the lowest average attenuations and the largest standard deviations. Differences in octave-band attenuations between each fit-test system and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) sound field method were calculated (Attenfit-test - AttenANSI). A-weighted attenuations measured with FitCheck and HPD Well-Fit systems demonstrated approximately ±2 dB agreement with the ANSI sound field method, but A-weighted attenuations measured with the VeriPRO system underestimated the ANSI laboratory attenuations. For each of the fit-test systems, the average A-weighted attenuation across the four laboratories was not significantly greater than the average of the ANSI sound field method. Standard deviations for residual attenuation differences were about ±2 dB for FitCheck and HPD Well-Fit compared to ±4 dB for VeriPRO. Individual labs exhibited a range of agreement from less than a dB to as much as 9.4 dB difference with ANSI and REAT estimates. Factors such as the experience of study participants and test administrators, and the fit-test psychometric tasks are suggested as possible contributors to the observed results. PMID:27786602

Enhanced Attenuation: Chlorinated Organics

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-04-01

attenuation capacity of the aquifer downgradient from the source (e.g., permeable reactive barriers or phytoremediation ) Selection of EA remedies should be...ranging from very aggressive source destruction and removal methods to less energy-intensive methods, such as phytoremediation . In many cases, it...plumes that include chlorinated organics. The flux of organic-rich leachate to underlying aquifers can create favorable conditions for the natural

A Requirements-Driven Optimization Method for Acoustic Liners Using Analytic Derivatives

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berton, Jeffrey J.; Lopes, Leonard V.

2017-01-01

More than ever, there is flexibility and freedom in acoustic liner design. Subject to practical considerations, liner design variables may be manipulated to achieve a target attenuation spectrum. But characteristics of the ideal attenuation spectrum can be difficult to know. Many multidisciplinary system effects govern how engine noise sources contribute to community noise. Given a hardwall fan noise source to be suppressed, and using an analytical certification noise model to compute a community noise measure of merit, the optimal attenuation spectrum can be derived using multidisciplinary systems analysis methods. In a previous paper on this subject, a method deriving the ideal target attenuation spectrum that minimizes noise perceived by observers on the ground was described. A simple code-wrapping approach was used to evaluate a community noise objective function for an external optimizer. Gradients were evaluated using a finite difference formula. The subject of this paper is an application of analytic derivatives that supply precise gradients to an optimization process. Analytic derivatives improve the efficiency and accuracy of gradient-based optimization methods and allow consideration of more design variables. In addition, the benefit of variable impedance liners is explored using a multi-objective optimization.

Nonradiative Decay Dynamics of METHYL-4-HYDROXYCINNAMATE and its Monohydrated Complex Revealed by Picosecond Pump-Probe Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ebata, T.; Shimada, D.; Kusaka, R.; Inokuchi, Y.; Ehara, M.

2012-06-01

The lifetimes of methyl 4-hydroxycinnamate (OMpCA) and its mono-hydrated complex (OMpCA-H_2O) in the S_1 state have been measured by picosecond pump-probe spectroscopy in a supersonic beam. For OMpCA, the lifetime of the S_1 - S_0 origin is 8 - 9 ps. On the other hand, the lifetime of OMpCA-H_2O complex at the origin is 930 ps, which is 100 times longer than that. Furthermore, in the complex the S_1 lifetime shows rapid decrease at an energy of 200 cm-1 above the origin and becomes as short as 9 ps at 500 cm-1. Theoretical calculations with symmetry-adapted cluster-configuration interaction (SAC-CI) method suggest that in OMpCA, the trans - cis isomerization occurs smoothly without a barrier on the S_1surface, while in OMpCA-H_2O complex, there exists a barrier along the isomerization coordinate. The calculated barrier height of OMpCA-H_2O is in good agreement with that estimated from the lifetime measurements.

Portable fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy system for in-situ interrogation of biological tissues.

PubMed

Saito Nogueira, Marcelo; Cosci, Alessandro; Teixeira Rosa, Ramon Gabriel; Salvio, Ana Gabriela; Pratavieira, Sebastião; Kurachi, Cristina

2017-10-01

Fluorescence spectroscopy and lifetime techniques are potential methods for optical diagnosis and characterization of biological tissues with an in-situ, fast, and noninvasive interrogation. Several diseases may be diagnosed due to differences in the fluorescence spectra of targeted fluorophores, when, these spectra are similar, considering steady-state fluorescence, others may be detected by monitoring their fluorescence lifetime. Despite this complementarity, most of the current fluorescence lifetime systems are not robust and portable, and not being feasible for clinical applications. We describe the assembly of a fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy system in a suitcase, its characterization, and validation with clinical measurements of skin lesions. The assembled system is all encased and robust, maintaining its mechanical, electrical, and optical stability during transportation, and is feasible for clinical measurements. The instrument response function measured was about 300 ps, and the system is properly calibrated. At the clinical study, the system showed to be reliable, and the achieved spectroscopy results support its potential use as an auxiliary tool for skin diagnostics. (2017) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

The inverse power law model for the lifetime of a mylar-polyurethane laminated dc hv insulating structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalkanis, G.; Rosso, E.

1989-09-01

Results of an accelerated test on the lifetime of a mylar-polyurethane laminated dc high voltage insulating structure are reported. This structure consists of mylar ribbons placed side by side in a number of layers, staggered and glued together with a polyurethane adhesive. The lifetime until breakdown as a function of extremely high values of voltage stress is measured and represented by a mathematical model, the inverse power law model with a 2-parameter Weibull lifetime distribution. The statistical treatment of the data — either by graphical or by analytical methods — allowed us to estimate the lifetime distribution and confidence bounds for any required normal voltage stress. The laminated structure under consideration is, according to the analysis, a very reliable dc hv insulating material, with a very good life performance according to the inverse power law model, and with an exponent of voltage stress equal to 6. A large insulator of cylindrical shape with this kind of laminated structure can be constructed by winding helically a mylar ribbon in a number of layers.

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) as a characterization technique for nanostructured self-assembled amphiphile systems.

PubMed

Dong, Aurelia W; Pascual-Izarra, Carlos; Pas, Steven J; Hill, Anita J; Boyd, Ben J; Drummond, Calum J

2009-01-08

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) has potential as a novel rapid characterization method for self-assembly amphiphile systems; however, a lack of systematic correlation of PALS parameters with structural attributes has limited its more widespread application. In this study, using the well-characterized phytantriol/water and the phytantriol/vitamin E acetate/water self-assembly amphiphile systems, the impact of systematic structural changes controlled by changes in composition and temperature on PALS parameters has been studied. The PALS parameters (orthopositronium (oPs) lifetime and intensity signatures) were shown to be sensitive to the molecular packing and mobility of the self-assembled lipid molecules in various lyotropic liquid crystalline phases, enabling differentiation between liquid crystalline structures. The oPs lifetime, related to the molecular packing and mobility, is correlated with rheological properties of the individual mesophases. The oPs lifetime links the lipid chain packing and mobility in the various mesophases to resultant macroscopic properties, such as permeability, which is critical for the use of these mesophase structures as diffusion-controlled release matrices for active liposoluble compounds.

Damping factor estimation using spin wave attenuation in permalloy film

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

Manago, Takashi, E-mail: manago@fukuoka-u.ac.jp; Yamanoi, Kazuto; Kasai, Shinya

2015-05-07

Damping factor of a Permalloy (Py) thin film is estimated by using the magnetostatic spin wave propagation. The attenuation lengths are obtained by the dependence of the transmission intensity on the antenna distance, and decrease with increasing magnetic fields. The relationship between the attenuation length, damping factor, and external magnetic field is derived theoretically, and the damping factor was determined to be 0.0063 by fitting the magnetic field dependence of the attenuation length, using the derived equation. The obtained value is in good agreement with the general value of Py. Thus, this estimation method of the damping factor using spinmore » waves attenuation can be useful tool for ferromagnetic thin films.« less

The Preparation Conditions of Chromium Doped ZnSe and Their Effect on The Infrared Luminescence Properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burger, A.; Chattopadhyay, K.; Ndap, J.-O.; Ma, X.; Morgan, S. H.; Rablau, C. I.; Su, C.-H.; Feth, S.; Page, Ralph H.; Schaffers, Kathleen I.;

Measuring the free neutron lifetime to <= 0.3s via the beam method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fomin, Nadia

2017-09-01

Neutron beta decay is an archetype for all semi-leptonic charged-current weak processes. While of interest as a fundamental particle property, a precise value for the neutron lifetime is also required for consistency tests of the Standard Model as well as to calculate the primordial 4He abundance in Big Bang Nucleosynthesis models. An effort has begun to develop an in-beam measurement of the neutron lifetime with a projected <= 0.3s uncertainty. This effort is part of a phased campaign of neutron lifetime measurements based at the NIST Center for Neutron Research, using the Sussex-ILL-NIST technique. Recent advances in neutron fluence measurement techniques as well as new large area silicon detector technology address the two largest sources of uncertainty of in-beam measurements, paving the way for a new measurement. The experimental design and projected uncertainties for the 0.3s measurement will be discussed.

Measuring the free neutron lifetime to <= 0.3s via the beam method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mulholland, Jonathan; Fomin, Nadia; BL3 Collaboration

2015-10-01

Neutron beta decay is an archetype for all semi-leptonic charged-current weak processes. A precise value for the neutron lifetime is required for consistency tests of the Standard Model and is needed to predict the primordial 4He abundance from the theory of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis. An effort has begun for an in-beam measurement of the neutron lifetime with an projected <=0.3s uncertainty. This effort is part of a phased campaign of neutron lifetime measurements based at the NIST Center for Neutron Research, using the Sussex-ILL-NIST technique. Recent advances in neutron fluence measurement techniques as well as new large area silicon detector technology address the two largest sources of uncertainty of in-beam measurements, paving the way for a new measurement. The experimental design and projected uncertainties for the 0.3s measurement will be discussed.

Prediction of slant path rain attenuation statistics at various locations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldhirsh, J.

1977-01-01

The paper describes a method for predicting slant path attenuation statistics at arbitrary locations for variable frequencies and path elevation angles. The method involves the use of median reflectivity factor-height profiles measured with radar as well as the use of long-term point rain rate data and assumed or measured drop size distributions. The attenuation coefficient due to cloud liquid water in the presence of rain is also considered. Absolute probability fade distributions are compared for eight cases: Maryland (15 GHz), Texas (30 GHz), Slough, England (19 and 37 GHz), Fayetteville, North Carolina (13 and 18 GHz), and Cambridge, Massachusetts (13 and 18 GHz).

Quantitative CT characterization of pediatric lung development using routine clinical imaging

PubMed Central

Stein, Jill M.; Walkup, Laura L.; Brody, Alan S.; Fleck, Robert J.

2016-01-01

Background The use of quantitative CT analysis in children is limited by lack of normal values of lung parenchymal attenuation. These characteristics are important because normal lung development yields significant parenchymal attenuation changes as children age. Objective To perform quantitative characterization of normal pediatric lung parenchymal X-ray CT attenuation under routine clinical conditions in order to establish a baseline comparison to that seen in pathological lung conditions. Materials and methods We conducted a retrospective query of normal CT chest examinations in children ages 0–7 years from 2004 to 2014 using standard clinical protocol. During these examinations semi-automated lung parenchymal segmentation was performed to measure lung volume and mean lung attenuation. Results We analyzed 42 CT examinations in 39 children, ages 3 days to 83 months (mean ± standard deviation [SD] = 42±27 months). Lung volume ranged 0.10–1.72 liters (L). Mean lung attenuation was much higher in children younger than 12 months, with values as high as −380 Hounsfield units (HU) in neonates (lung volume 0.10 L). Lung volume decreased to approximately −650 HU by age 2 years (lung volume 0.47 L), with subsequently slower exponential decrease toward a relatively constant value of −860 HU as age and lung volume increased. Conclusion Normal lung parenchymal X-ray CT attenuation decreases with increasing lung volume and age; lung attenuation decreases rapidly in the first 2 years of age and more slowly thereafter. This change in normal lung attenuation should be taken into account as quantitative CT methods are translated to pediatric pulmonary imaging. PMID:27576458

Effective atomic numbers and electron density of dosimetric material

PubMed Central

Kaginelli, S. B.; Rajeshwari, T.; Sharanabasappa; Kerur, B. R.; Kumar, Anil S.

2009-01-01

A novel method for determination of mass attenuation coefficient of x-rays employing NaI (Tl) detector system and radioactive sources is described.in this paper. A rigid geometry arrangement and gating of the spectrometer at FWHM position and selection of absorber foils are all done following detailed investigation, to minimize the effect of small angle scattering and multiple scattering on the mass attenuation coefficient, μ/ρ, value. Firstly, for standardization purposes the mass attenuation coefficients of elemental foils such as Aluminum, Copper, Molybdenum, Tantalum and Lead are measured and then, this method is utilized for dosimetric interested material (sulfates). The experimental mass attenuation coefficient values are compared with the theoretical values to find good agreement between the theory and experiment within one to two per cent. The effective atomic numbers of the biological substitute material are calculated by sum rule and from the graph. The electron density of dosimetric material is calculated using the effective atomic number. The study has discussed in detail the attenuation coefficient, effective atomic number and electron density of dosimetric material/biological substitutes. PMID:20098566

Virulo

EPA Science Inventory

Virulo is a probabilistic model for predicting virus attenuation. Monte Carlo methods are used to generate ensemble simulations of virus attenuation due to physical, biological, and chemical factors. The model generates a probability of failure to achieve a chosen degree o...

Degradation of thermally-cured silicone encapsulant under terrestrial UV

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

Cai, Can; Miller, David C.; Tappan, Ian A.

Concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules operate in extreme conditions, including enhanced solar flux, elevated operating temperature, and frequent thermal cycling. Coupled with active environmental species such as oxygen and moisture, the operating conditions pose a unique materials challenge for guaranteeing operational lifetimes of greater than 25 years. Specifically, the encapsulants used in the optical elements are susceptible to environmental degradation during operation. For example, the interfaces must remain in contact to prevent optical attenuation and thermal runaway. We developed fracture mechanics based metrologies to characterize the adhesion of the silicone encapsulant and its adjacent surfaces, as well as the cohesion ofmore » the encapsulant. Further, we studied the effects of weathering on adhesion using an outdoor concentrator operating in excess of 1100 times the AM1.5 direct irradiance and in indoor environmental chambers with broadband ultraviolet (UV) irradiation combined with controlled temperature and humidity. We observed a sharp initial increase in adhesion energy followed by a gradual decrease in adhesion as a result of both outdoor concentrator exposure and indoor UV weathering. We characterized changes in mechanical properties and chemical structures using XPS, FTIR, and DMA to understand the fundamental connection between mechanical strength and the degradation of the silicone encapsulant. We developed physics based models to explain the change in adhesion and to predict operational lifetimes of the materials and their interfaces.« less

Economic evaluation of a vaccine for the prevention of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia in older adults in Switzerland.

PubMed

Szucs, Thomas D; Kressig, Reto W; Papageorgiou, Manto; Kempf, Werner; Michel, Jean-Pierre; Fendl, Anton; Bresse, Xavier

2011-07-01

A life-attenuated vaccine aimed at preventing herpes zoster (HZ) and its main complication, post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), will soon be available in Europe. The study's objective was to assess the clinical and economic impact of a vaccination program for adults aged 70-79 years in Switzerland. A vaccination strategy compared to a no-vaccination resulted in lifetime incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of 25,538 CHF (23,646 USD) per QALY gained, 6,625 CHF (6,134 USD) per HZ case avoided, and 15,487 CHF (14,340 USD) per PHN3 case avoided under the third-party payer perspective. Sensitivity analyses showed that the model was most sensitive to the discount rates, HZ epidemiological data and vaccine price used. A Markov model, simulating the natural history of HZ and PHN and the lifetime effects of vaccination, previously developed for the UK was adapted to the Swiss context. The model includes several health states including good health, HZ, PHN, and death. HZ and PHN states reflected pain severity. The model predicts clinical and economic benefits of vaccination in the form of fewer HZ and PHN cases and reductions in healthcare resource use. ICERs were within the commonly accepted thresholds in Switzerland, indicating that a HZ vaccination program would be considered a cost-effective strategy in the Swiss setting.

Structural perturbations of azurin deposited on solid matrices as revealed by trp phosphorescence.

PubMed Central

Gabellieri, E; Strambini, G B

2001-01-01

The phosphorescence emission of Cd-azurin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa was used as a probe of possible perturbations in the dynamical structure of the protein core that may be induced by protein-sorbent and protein-protein interactions occurring when the macromolecule is deposited into amorphous, thin solid films. Relative to the protein in aqueous solution, the spectrum is unrelaxed and the phosphorescence decay becomes highly heterogeneous, the average lifetime increasing sharply with film thickness and upon its dehydration. According to the lifetime parameter, adsorption of the protein to the substrate is found to produce a multiplicity of partially unfolded structures, an influence that propagates for several protein layers from the surface. Among the substrates used for film deposition, hydrophilic silica, dextran, DEAE-dextran, dextran sulfate, and hydrophobic octodecylamine, the perturbation is smallest with dextran sulfate and largest with octodecylamine. The destabilizing effect of protein-protein interactions, as monitored on 50-layer-thick films, is most evident at a relative humidity of 75%. Stabilizing agents were incorporated to attenuate the deleterious effects of protein aggregation. Among them, the most effective in preserving a more native-like structure are the disaccharides sucrose and trehalose in dry films and the polymer dextran in wet films. Interestingly, the polymer was found to achieve maximum efficacy at sensibly lower additive/protein ratios than the sugars. PMID:11325742

A finite element simulation of sound attenuation in a finite duct with a peripherally variable liner

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Watson, W. R.

1977-01-01

Using multimodal analysis, a variational finite element method is presented for analyzing sound attenuation in a three-dimensional finite duct with a peripherally variable liner in the absence of flow. A rectangular element, with cubic shaped functions, is employed. Once a small portion of a peripheral liner is removed, the attenuation rate near the frequency where maximum attenuation occurs drops significantly. The positioning of the liner segments affects the attenuation characteristics of the liner. Effects of the duct termination are important in the low frequency ranges. The main effect of peripheral variation of the liner is a broadening of the attenuation characteristics in the midfrequency range. Because of matrix size limitations of the presently available computer program, the eigenvalue equations should be solved out of core in order to handle realistic sources.

A proposed framework for assessing risk from less-than-lifetime exposures to carcinogens.

PubMed

Felter, Susan P; Conolly, Rory B; Bercu, Joel P; Bolger, P Michael; Boobis, Alan R; Bos, Peter M J; Carthew, Philip; Doerrer, Nancy G; Goodman, Jay I; Harrouk, Wafa A; Kirkland, David J; Lau, Serrine S; Llewellyn, G Craig; Preston, R Julian; Schoeny, Rita; Schnatter, A Robert; Tritscher, Angelika; van Velsen, Frans; Williams, Gary M

2011-07-01

Quantitative methods for estimation of cancer risk have been developed for daily, lifetime human exposures. There are a variety of studies or methodologies available to address less-than-lifetime exposures. However, a common framework for evaluating risk from less-than-lifetime exposures (including short-term and/or intermittent exposures) does not exist, which could result in inconsistencies in risk assessment practice. To address this risk assessment need, a committee of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) Health and Environmental Sciences Institute conducted a multisector workshop in late 2009 to discuss available literature, different methodologies, and a proposed framework. The proposed framework provides a decision tree and guidance for cancer risk assessments for less-than-lifetime exposures based on current knowledge of mode of action and dose-response. Available data from rodent studies and epidemiological studies involving less-than-lifetime exposures are considered, in addition to statistical approaches described in the literature for evaluating the impact of changing the dose rate and exposure duration for exposure to carcinogens. The decision tree also provides for scenarios in which an assumption of potential carcinogenicity is appropriate (e.g., based on structural alerts or genotoxicity data), but bioassay or other data are lacking from which a chemical-specific cancer potency can be determined. This paper presents an overview of the rationale for the workshop, reviews historical background, describes the proposed framework for assessing less-than-lifetime exposures to potential human carcinogens, and suggests next steps.

A current-assisted CMOS photonic sampler with two taps for fluorescence lifetime sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ingelberts, H.; Kuijk, M.

2016-04-01

Imaging based on fluorescence lifetime is becoming increasingly important in medical and biological applications. State-of- the-art fluorescence lifetime microscopes either use bulky and expensive gated image intensifiers coupled to a CCD or single-photon detectors in a slow scanning setup. Numerous attempts are being made to create compact, cost-effective all- CMOS imagers for fluorescence lifetime sensing. Single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) imagers can have very good timing resolution and noise characteristics but have low detection efficiency. Another approach is to use CMOS imagers based on demodulation detectors. These imagers can be either very fast or very efficient but it remains a challenge to combine both characteristics. Recently we developed the current-assisted photonic sampler (CAPS) to tackle these problems and in this work, we present a new CAPS with two detection taps that can sample a fluorescence decay in two time windows. In the case of mono-exponential decays, two windows provide enough information to resolve the lifetime. We built an electro-optical setup to characterize the detector and use it for fluorescence lifetime measurements. It consists of a supercontinuum pulsed laser source, an optical system to focus light into the detector and picosecond timing electronics. We describe the structure and operation of the two-tap CAPS and provide basic characterization of the speed performance at multiple wavelengths in the visible and near-infrared spectrum. We also record fluorescence decays of different visible and NIR fluorescent dyes and provide different methods to resolve the fluorescence lifetime.

High speed fluorescence imaging with compressed ultrafast photography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thompson, J. V.; Mason, J. D.; Beier, H. T.; Bixler, J. N.

2017-02-01

Fluorescent lifetime imaging is an optical technique that facilitates imaging molecular interactions and cellular functions. Because the excited lifetime of a fluorophore is sensitive to its local microenvironment,1, 2 measurement of fluorescent lifetimes can be used to accurately detect regional changes in temperature, pH, and ion concentration. However, typical state of the art fluorescent lifetime methods are severely limited when it comes to acquisition time (on the order of seconds to minutes) and video rate imaging. Here we show that compressed ultrafast photography (CUP) can be used in conjunction with fluorescent lifetime imaging to overcome these acquisition rate limitations. Frame rates up to one hundred billion frames per second have been demonstrated with compressed ultrafast photography using a streak camera.3 These rates are achieved by encoding time in the spatial direction with a pseudo-random binary pattern. The time domain information is then reconstructed using a compressed sensing algorithm, resulting in a cube of data (x,y,t) for each readout image. Thus, application of compressed ultrafast photography will allow us to acquire an entire fluorescent lifetime image with a single laser pulse. Using a streak camera with a high-speed CMOS camera, acquisition rates of 100 frames per second can be achieved, which will significantly enhance our ability to quantitatively measure complex biological events with high spatial and temporal resolution. In particular, we will demonstrate the ability of this technique to do single-shot fluorescent lifetime imaging of cells and microspheres.

Measurement and Perturbation of Morphogen Lifetime: Effects on Gradient Shape

PubMed Central

Drocco, Jeffrey A.; Grimm, Oliver; Tank, David W.; Wieschaus, Eric

2011-01-01

Protein lifetime is of critical importance for most biological processes and plays a central role in cell signaling and embryonic development, where it impacts the absolute concentration of signaling molecules and, potentially, the shape of morphogen gradients. Early conceptual and mathematical models of gradient formation proposed that steady-state gradients are established by an equilibration between the lifetime of a morphogen and its rates of synthesis and diffusion, though whether gradients in fact reach steady state before being read out is a matter of controversy. In any case, this class of models predicts that protein lifetime is a key determinant of both the time to steady state and the spatial extent of a gradient. Using a method that employs repeated photoswitching of a fusion of the morphogen Bicoid (Bcd) and the photoconvertible fluorescent protein Dronpa, we measure and modify the lifetime of Dronpa-Bcd in living Drosophila embryos. We find that the lifetime of Bcd is dynamic, changing from 50 min before mitotic cycle 14 to 15 min during cellularization. Moreover, by measuring total quantities of Bcd over time, we find that the gradient does not reach steady state. Finally, using a nearly continuous low-level conversion to the dark state of Dronpa-Bcd to mimic the effect of increased degradation, we demonstrate that perturbation of protein lifetime changes the characteristic length of the gradient, providing direct support for a mechanism based on synthesis, diffusion, and degradation. PMID:22004733

Computational fluid dynamics and frequency-dependent finite-difference time-domain method coupling for the interaction between microwaves and plasma in rocket plumes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kinefuchi, K.; Funaki, I.; Shimada, T.; Abe, T.

2012-10-01

Under certain conditions during rocket flights, ionized exhaust plumes from solid rocket motors may interfere with radio frequency transmissions. To understand the relevant physical processes involved in this phenomenon and establish a prediction process for in-flight attenuation levels, we attempted to measure microwave attenuation caused by rocket exhaust plumes in a sea-level static firing test for a full-scale solid propellant rocket motor. The microwave attenuation level was calculated by a coupling simulation of the inviscid-frozen-flow computational fluid dynamics of an exhaust plume and detailed analysis of microwave transmissions by applying a frequency-dependent finite-difference time-domain method with the Drude dispersion model. The calculated microwave attenuation level agreed well with the experimental results, except in the case of interference downstream the Mach disk in the exhaust plume. It was concluded that the coupling estimation method based on the physics of the frozen plasma flow with Drude dispersion would be suitable for actual flight conditions, although the mixing and afterburning in the plume should be considered depending on the flow condition.

Evaluation of corrective reconstruction methods using a 3D cardiac-torso phantom and bull's-eye plots

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

Zhao, X.D.; Tsui, B.M.W.; Gregoriou, G.K.

The goal of the investigation was to study the effectiveness of the corrective reconstruction methods in cardiac SPECT using a realistic phantom and to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the reconstructed images using bull's-eye plots. A 3D mathematical phantom which realistically models the anatomical structures of the cardiac-torso region of patients was used. The phantom allows simulation of both the attenuation distribution and the uptake of radiopharmaceuticals in different organs. Also, the phantom can be easily modified to simulate different genders and variations in patient anatomy. Two-dimensional projection data were generated from the phantom and included the effects of attenuation andmore » detector response blurring. The reconstruction methods used in the study included the conventional filtered backprojection (FBP) with no attenuation compensation, and the first-order Chang algorithm, an iterative filtered backprojection algorithm (IFBP), the weighted least square conjugate gradient algorithm and the ML-EM algorithm with non-uniform attenuation compensation. The transaxial reconstructed images were rearranged into short-axis slices from which bull's-eye plots of the count density distribution in the myocardium were generated.« less

Features of HF Radio Wave Attenuation in the Midlatitude Ionosphere Near the Skip Zone Boundary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Denisenko, P. F.; Skazik, A. I.

2017-06-01

We briefly describe the history of studying the decameter radio wave attenuation by different methods in the midlatitude ionosphere. A new method of estimating the attenuation of HF radio waves in the ionospheric F region near the skip zone boundary is presented. This method is based on an analysis of the time structure of the interference field generated by highly stable monochromatic X-mode radio waves at the observation point. The main parameter is the effective electron collision frequency νeff, which allows for all energy losses in the form of equivalent heat loss. The frequency νeff is estimated by matching the assumed (model) and the experimentally observed structures. Model calculations are performed using the geometrical-optics approximation. The spatial attenuation caused by the influence of the medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances is taken into account. Spherical shape of the ionosphere and the Earth's magnetic field are roughly allowed for. The results of recording of the level of signals from the RWM (Moscow) station at a frequency of 9.996 MHz at point Rostov are used.

Acute Problems of Virology and Prophylaxis of Viral Diseases,

DTIC Science & Technology

Contents: Immunogenic activity of attenuated variant of langat virus in experiments with monkeys; Evaluation of various methods of immunization of...monkeys by variant Tr-21-237 of the langat virus; A study of residual pathogenicity of attenuated variant Tr-21-237 of langat virus in experiments...with monkeys; Pathomorphological indexes of residual neurovirulence of the attenuated variant Tr-21-237 of langat virus in experiments with monkeys.

CT-based attenuation and scatter correction compared with uniform attenuation correction in brain perfusion SPECT imaging for dementia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gillen, Rebecca; Firbank, Michael J.; Lloyd, Jim; O'Brien, John T.

2015-09-01

This study investigated if the appearance and diagnostic accuracy of HMPAO brain perfusion SPECT images could be improved by using CT-based attenuation and scatter correction compared with the uniform attenuation correction method. A cohort of subjects who were clinically categorized as Alzheimer’s Disease (n=38 ), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (n=29 ) or healthy normal controls (n=30 ), underwent SPECT imaging with Tc-99m HMPAO and a separate CT scan. The SPECT images were processed using: (a) correction map derived from the subject’s CT scan or (b) the Chang uniform approximation for correction or (c) no attenuation correction. Images were visually inspected. The ratios between key regions of interest known to be affected or spared in each condition were calculated for each correction method, and the differences between these ratios were evaluated. The images produced using the different corrections were noted to be visually different. However, ROI analysis found similar statistically significant differences between control and dementia groups and between AD and DLB groups regardless of the correction map used. We did not identify an improvement in diagnostic accuracy in images which were corrected using CT-based attenuation and scatter correction, compared with those corrected using a uniform correction map.

Gamma-Ray Attenuation to Evaluate Soil Porosity: An Analysis of Methods

PubMed Central

Pires, Luiz F.; Pereira, André B.

2014-01-01

Soil porosity (ϕ) is of a great deal for environmental studies due to the fact that water infiltrates and suffers redistribution in the soil pore space. Many physical and biochemical processes related to environmental quality occur in the soil porous system. Representative determinations of ϕ are necessary due to the importance of this physical property in several fields of natural sciences. In the current work, two methods to evaluate ϕ were analyzed by means of gamma-ray attenuation technique. The first method uses the soil attenuation approach through dry soil and saturated samples, whereas the second one utilizes the same approach but taking into account dry soil samples to assess soil bulk density and soil particle density to determine ϕ. The results obtained point out a good correlation between both methods. However, when ϕ is obtained through soil water content at saturation and a 4 mm collimator is used to collimate the gamma-ray beam the first method also shows good correlations with the traditional one. PMID:24616640

I Vivo Quantitative Ultrasound Imaging and Scatter Assessments.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Zheng Feng

There is evidence that "instrument independent" measurements of ultrasonic scattering properties would provide useful diagnostic information that is not available with conventional ultrasound imaging. This dissertation is a continuing effort to test the above hypothesis and to incorporate quantitative ultrasound methods into clinical examinations for early detection of diffuse liver disease. A well-established reference phantom method was employed to construct quantitative ultrasound images of tissue in vivo. The method was verified by extensive phantom tests. A new method was developed to measure the effective attenuation coefficient of the body wall. The method relates the slope of the difference between the echo signal power spectrum from a uniform region distal to the body wall and the echo signal power spectrum from a reference phantom to the body wall attenuation. The accuracy obtained from phantom tests suggests further studies with animal experiments. Clinically, thirty-five healthy subjects and sixteen patients with diffuse liver disease were studied by these quantitative ultrasound methods. The average attenuation coefficient in normals agreed with previous investigators' results; in vivo backscatter coefficients agreed with the results from normals measured by O'Donnell. Strong discriminating power (p < 0.001) was found for both attenuation and backscatter coefficients between fatty livers and normals; a significant difference (p < 0.01) was observed in the backscatter coefficient but not in the attenuation coefficient between cirrhotic livers and normals. An in vivo animal model of steroid hepatopathy was used to investigate the system sensitivity in detecting early changes in canine liver resulting from corticosteroid administration. The average attenuation coefficient slope increased from 0.7 dB/cm/MHz in controls to 0.82 dB/cm/MHz (at 6 MHz) in treated animals on day 14 into the treatment, and the backscatter coefficient was 26times 10^{ -4}cm^{-1}sr^{-1} in controls compared with 74times 10^{-4}cm^{-1}sr^ {-1} (at 6 MHz) in treated animals. A simplified quantitative approach using video image signals was developed. Results derived both from the r.f. signal analysis and from the video signal analysis are sensitive to the changes in the liver in this animal model.

Investigation of in-vivo skin autofluorescence lifetimes under long-term cw optical excitation

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

Lihachev, A; Ferulova, I; Vasiljeva, K

2014-08-31

The main results obtained during the last five years in the field of laser-excited in-vivo human skin photobleaching effects are presented. The main achievements and results obtained, as well as methods and experimental devices are briefly described. In addition, the impact of long-term 405-nm cw low-power laser excitation on the skin autofluorescence lifetime is experimentally investigated. (laser biophotonics)

Recoil distance method lifetime measurements at TRIUMF-ISAC using the TIGRESS Integrated Plunger

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chester, A.; Ball, G. C.; Bernier, N.; Cross, D. S.; Domingo, T.; Drake, T. E.; Evitts, L. J.; Garcia, F. H.; Garnsworthy, A. B.; Hackman, G.; Hallam, S.; Henderson, J.; Henderson, R.; Krücken, R.; MacConnachie, E.; Moukaddam, M.; Padilla-Rodal, E.; Paetkau, O.; Pore, J. L.; Rizwan, U.; Ruotsalainen, P.; Shoults, J.; Smallcombe, J.; Smith, J. K.; Starosta, K.; Svensson, C. E.; Van Wieren, K.; Williams, J.; Williams, M.

2018-02-01

The TIGRESS Integrated Plunger device (TIP) has been developed for recoil distance method (RDM) lifetime measurements using the TIGRESS array of HPGe γ-ray detectors at TRIUMF's ISAC-II facility. A commissioning experiment was conducted utilizing a 250 MeV 84Kr beam at ≈ 2 × 108 particles per second. The 84Kr beam was Coulomb excited to the 21+ state on a movable 27Al target. A thin Cu foil fixed downstream from the target was used as a degrader. Excited nuclei emerged from the target and decayed by γ-ray emission at a distance determined by their velocity and the lifetime of the 21+ state. The ratio of decays which occur between the target and degrader to those occurring after traversing the degrader changes as a function of the target-degrader separation distance. Gamma-ray spectra at 13 target-degrader separation distances were measured and compared to simulated lineshapes to extract the lifetime. The result of τ = 5 . 541 ± 0 . 013(stat.) ± 0 . 063(sys.) ps is shorter than the literature value of 5 . 84 ± 0 . 18 ps with a reduction in uncertainty by a factor of approximately two. The TIP plunger device, experimental technique, analysis tools, and result are discussed.

Laser induced fluorescence lifetime characterization of Bacillus endospore species using time correlated single photon counting analysis with the multi-exponential fit method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Clint; Edwards, Jarrod; Fisher, Andmorgan

2010-04-01

Rapid detection of biological material is critical for determining presence/absence of bacterial endospores within various investigative programs. Even more critical is that if select material tests positive for bacillus endospores then tests should provide data at the species level. Optical detection of microbial endospore formers such as Bacillus sp. can be heavy, cumbersome, and may only identify at the genus level. Data provided from this study will aid in characterization needed by future detection systems for further rapid breakdown analysis to gain insight into a more positive signature collection of Bacillus sp. Literature has shown that fluorescence spectroscopy of endospores could be statistically separated from other vegetative genera, but could not be separated among one another. Results of this study showed endospore species separation is possible using laser-induce fluorescence with lifetime decay analysis for Bacillus endospores. Lifetime decays of B. subtilis, B. megaterium, B. coagulans, and B. anthracis Sterne strain were investigated. Using the Multi-Exponential fit method data showed three distinct lifetimes for each species within the following ranges, 0.2-1.3 ns; 2.5-7.0 ns; 7.5-15.0 ns, when laser induced at 307 nm. The four endospore species were individually separated using principle component analysis (95% CI).

Cost-Utility Analysis of Bariatric Surgery in Italy: Results of Decision-Analytic Modelling

PubMed Central

Lucchese, Marcello; Borisenko, Oleg; Mantovani, Lorenzo Giovanni; Cortesi, Paolo Angelo; Cesana, Giancarlo; Adam, Daniel; Burdukova, Elisabeth; Lukyanov, Vasily; Di Lorenzo, Nicola

2017-01-01

Objective To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery in Italy from a third-party payer perspective over a medium-term (10 years) and a long-term (lifetime) horizon. Methods A state-transition Markov model was developed, in which patients may experience surgery, post-surgery complications, diabetes mellitus type 2, cardiovascular diseases or die. Transition probabilities, costs, and utilities were obtained from the Italian and international literature. Three types of surgeries were considered: gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and adjustable gastric banding. A base-case analysis was performed for the population, the characteristics of which were obtained from surgery candidates in Italy. Results In the base-case analysis, over 10 years, bariatric surgery led to cost increment of EUR 2,661 and generated additional 1.1 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Over a lifetime, surgery led to savings of EUR 8,649, additional 0.5 life years and 3.2 QALYs. Bariatric surgery was cost-effective at 10 years with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of EUR 2,412/QALY and dominant over conservative management over a lifetime. Conclusion In a comprehensive decision analytic model, a current mix of surgical methods for bariatric surgery was cost-effective at 10 years and cost-saving over the lifetime of the Italian patient cohort considered in this analysis. PMID:28601866

A fusion-spliced near-field optical fiber probe using photonic crystal fiber for nanoscale thermometry based on fluorescence-lifetime measurement of quantum dots.

PubMed

Fujii, Takuro; Taguchi, Yoshihiro; Saiki, Toshiharu; Nagasaka, Yuji

2011-01-01

We have developed a novel nanoscale temperature-measurement method using fluorescence in the near-field called fluorescence near-field optics thermal nanoscopy (Fluor-NOTN). Fluor-NOTN enables the temperature distributions of nanoscale materials to be measured in vivo/in situ. The proposed method measures temperature by detecting the temperature dependent fluorescence lifetimes of Cd/Se quantum dots (QDs). For a high-sensitivity temperature measurement, the auto-fluorescence generated from a fiber probe should be reduced. In order to decrease the noise, we have fabricated a novel near-field optical-fiber probe by fusion-splicing a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) and a conventional single-mode fiber (SMF). The validity of the novel fiber probe was assessed experimentally by evaluating the auto-fluorescence spectra of the PCF. Due to the decrease of auto-fluorescence, a six- to ten-fold increase of S/N in the near-field fluorescence lifetime detection was achieved with the newly fabricated fusion-spliced near-field optical fiber probe. Additionally, the near-field fluorescence lifetime of the quantum dots was successfully measured by the fabricated fusion-spliced near-field optical fiber probe at room temperature, and was estimated to be 10.0 ns.

Quantitative determination of radio-opacity: equivalence of digital and film X-ray systems.

PubMed

Nomoto, R; Mishima, A; Kobayashi, K; McCabe, J F; Darvell, B W; Watts, D C; Momoi, Y; Hirano, S

2008-01-01

To evaluate the equivalence of a digital X-ray system (DenOptix) to conventional X-ray film in terms of the measured radio-opacity of known filled-resin materials and the suitability of attenuation coefficient for radio-opacity determination. Discs of five thicknesses (0.5-2.5mm) and step-wedges of each of three composite materials of nominal aluminum-equivalence of 50%, 200% and 450% were used. X-ray images of a set of discs (or step-wedge), an aluminum step-wedge, and a lead block were taken at 65 kV and 10 mA at a focus-film distance of 400 mm for 0.15s and 1.6s using an X-ray film or imaging plate. Radio-opacity was determined as equivalent aluminum thickness and attenuation coefficient. The logarithm of the individual optical density or gray scale value, corrected for background, was plotted against thickness, and the attenuation coefficient determined from the slope. The method of ISO 4049 was used for equivalent aluminum thickness. The equivalent aluminum thickness method is not suitable for materials of low radio-opacity, while the attenuation coefficient method could be used for all without difficulty. The digital system gave attenuation coefficients of greater precision than did film, but the use of automatic gain control (AGC) distorted the outcome unusably. Attenuation coefficient is a more precise and generally applicable approach to the determination of radio-opacity. The digital system was equivalent to film but with less noise. The use of AGC is inappropriate for such determinations.

RDM lifetime measurements in 107Cd

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andgren, K.; Ashley, S. F.; Regan, P. H.; McCutchan, E. A.; Zamfir, N. V.; Amon, L.; Cakirli, R. B.; Casten, R. F.; Clark, R. M.; Gürdal, G.; Keyes, K. L.; Meyer, D. A.; Erduran, M. N.; Papenberg, A.; Pietralla, N.; Plettner, C.; Rainovski, G.; Ribas, R. V.; Thomas, N. J.; Vinson, J.; Warner, D. D.; Werner, V.; Williams, E.

2005-10-01

Lifetimes for decays linking near-yrast states in 107Cd have been measured using the recoil distance method (RDM). The nucleus of interest was populated via the 98Mo(12C,3n)107Cd fusion-evaporation reaction at an incident beam energy of 60 MeV. From the measured lifetimes, transition probabilities have been deduced and compared with the theoretical B(E2) values for limiting cases of harmonic vibrational and axially deformed rotational systems. Our initial results suggest a rotor-like behaviour for the structure based on the unnatural-parity, h11/2 orbital in 107Cd, providing further evidence for the role of this 'shape-polarizing' orbital in stabilizing the nuclear deformation in the A ~ 100 transitional region.

Lifetime enhanced phosphorescent organic light emitting diode using an electron scavenger layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, Seokhwan; Kim, Ji Whan; Lee, Sangyeob

2015-07-01

We demonstrate a method to improve lifetime of a phosphorescent organic light emitting diode (OLED) using an electron scavenger layer (ESL) in a hole transporting layer (HTL) of the device. We use a bis(1-(phenyl)isoquinoline)iridium(III)acetylacetonate [Ir(piq)2(acac)] doped HTL to stimulate radiative decay, preventing thermal degradation in HTL. The ESL effectively prevented non-radiative decay of leakage electron in HTL by converting non-radiative decay to radiative decay via a phosphorescent red emitter, Ir(piq)2(acac). The lifetime of device (t95: time after 5% decrease of luminance) has been increased from 75 h to 120 h by using the ESL in a phosphorescent green-emitting OLED.

Gamma-widths, lifetimes and fluctuations in the nuclear quasi-continuum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guttormsen, M.; Larsen, A. C.; Midtbø, J. E.; Crespo Campo, L.; Görgen, A.; Ingeberg, V. W.; Renstrøm, T.; Siem, S.; Tveten, G. M.; Zeiser, F.; Kirsch, L. E.

2018-05-01

Statistical γ-decay from highly excited states is determined by the nuclear level density (NLD) and the γ-ray strength function (γSF). These average quantities have been measured for several nuclei using the Oslo method. For the first time, we exploit the NLD and γSF to evaluate the γ-width in the energy region below the neutron binding energy, often called the quasi-continuum region. The lifetimes of states in the quasi-continuum are important benchmarks for a theoretical description of nuclear structure and dynamics at high temperature. The lifetimes may also have impact on reaction rates for the rapid neutron-capture process, now demonstrated to take place in neutron star mergers.

Rainflow Algorithm-Based Lifetime Estimation of Power Semiconductors in Utility Applications

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

GopiReddy, Lakshmi Reddy; Tolbert, Leon M.; Ozpineci, Burak

Rainflow algorithms are one of the popular counting methods used in fatigue and failure analysis in conjunction with semiconductor lifetime estimation models. However, the rain-flow algorithm used in power semiconductor reliability does not consider the time-dependent mean temperature calculation. The equivalent temperature calculation proposed by Nagode et al. is applied to semiconductor lifetime estimation in this paper. A month-long arc furnace load profile is used as a test profile to estimate temperatures in insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) in a STATCOM for reactive compensation of load. In conclusion, the degradation in the life of the IGBT power device is predicted basedmore » on time-dependent temperature calculation.« less

Low-lying electromagnetic transition strengths in 180Pt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Müller-Gatermann, C.; Dewald, A.; Fransen, C.; Braunroth, T.; Jolie, J.; Litzinger, J.; Régis, J. M.; von Spee, F.; Warr, N.; Zell, K. O.; Grahn, T.; Greenlees, P. T.; Hauschild, K.; Jakobsson, U.; Julin, R.; Juutinen, S.; Ketelhut, S.; Nieminen, P.; Nyman, M.; Peura, P.; Rahkila, P.; Ruotsalainen, P.; Sandzelius, M.; Sarén, J.; Scholey, C.; Sorri, J.; Stolze, S.; Uusitalo, J.; Petkov, P.

2018-02-01

Lifetime measurements have been performed using the 98Mo(86Kr,4 n )180Pt reaction at a beam energy of 380 MeV, and the recoil distance Doppler-shift method. In a second experiment the 168Yb(16O,4 n )180Pt reaction at a beam energy of 88 MeV using the Ge-gated γ -γ fast timing technique was used to determine lifetimes. Lifetimes of the four lowest yrast states of 180Pt have been determined. The experimental data are compared to calculations within the framework of the interacting boson model and the general collective model. Both models predict a deformed ground state and are consistent with all the remaining experimental results.

Rainflow Algorithm-Based Lifetime Estimation of Power Semiconductors in Utility Applications

DOE PAGES

GopiReddy, Lakshmi Reddy; Tolbert, Leon M.; Ozpineci, Burak; ...

2015-07-15

Rainflow algorithms are one of the popular counting methods used in fatigue and failure analysis in conjunction with semiconductor lifetime estimation models. However, the rain-flow algorithm used in power semiconductor reliability does not consider the time-dependent mean temperature calculation. The equivalent temperature calculation proposed by Nagode et al. is applied to semiconductor lifetime estimation in this paper. A month-long arc furnace load profile is used as a test profile to estimate temperatures in insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) in a STATCOM for reactive compensation of load. In conclusion, the degradation in the life of the IGBT power device is predicted basedmore » on time-dependent temperature calculation.« less

Fractography used with lifetime prediction tests on commercial grades of alumina and silicon carbide

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

Kuebler, J.; Woodtli, J.; Berroth, K.

1996-12-31

Fractographic investigations were conducted on alumina and {alpha}-SSiC bend bars from a round robin test comparing a static and a dynamic lifetime test method. The investigations revealed that not all fracture origins found on {alpha}-SSiC specimens had contact with the ambient medium and therefore the dynamic lifetime tests did not measure the materials` behaviour under stress in water. In addition to the conventional SEM fractography an alternate technique, using an auto focus scanning laser profilometer was applied for characterizing the fractures. This tool is very promising for fractography because of the ability to handle topographic data by imaging procedures andmore » fractal analysis.« less

Comparison study of photon attenuation characteristics of Lead-Boron Polyethylene by MCNP code, XCOM and experimental data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Lei; Jia, Mingchun; Gong, Junjun; Xia, Wenming

2017-08-01

The linear attenuation coefficient, mass attenuation coefficient and mean free path of various Lead-Boron Polyethylene (PbBPE) samples which can be used as the photon shielding materials in marine reactor have been simulated using the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP)-5 code. The MCNP simulation results are in good agreement with the XCOM values and the reported experimental data for source Cesium-137 and Cobalt-60. Thus, this method based on MCNP can be used to simulate the photon attenuation characteristics of various types of PbBPE materials.

Life Years Lost and Lifetime Health Care Expenditures Associated With Diabetes in the U.S., National Health Interview Survey, 1997–2000

PubMed Central

Leung, Man-Yee Mallory; Pollack, Lisa M.; Colditz, Graham A.

2015-01-01

OBJECTIVE This study analyzed the lifetime health care expenditures and life years lost associated with diabetes in the U.S. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey from 1997 to 2000, and the NHIS Linked Mortality Public-use Files with a mortality follow-up to 2006 were used to estimate age-, race-, sex-, and BMI-specific risk of diabetes, mortality, and annual health care expenditures for both patients with diabetes and those without diabetes. A Markov model populated by the risk and cost estimates was used to compute life years and total lifetime health care expenditures by age, race, sex, and BMI classifications for patients with diabetes and without diabetes. RESULTS Predicted life expectancy for patients with diabetes and without diabetes demonstrated an inverted U shape across most BMI classifications, with highest life expectancy being for the overweight. Lifetime health care expenditures were higher for whites than blacks and for females than males. Using U.S. adults aged 50 years as an example, we found that diabetic white females with a BMI >40 kg/m2 had 17.9 remaining life years and lifetime health expenditures of $185,609, whereas diabetic white females with normal weight had 22.2 remaining life years and lifetime health expenditures of $183,704. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that diabetes is associated with large decreases in life expectancy and large increases in lifetime health care expenditures. In addition to decreasing life expectancy by 3.3 to 18.7 years, diabetes increased lifetime health care expenditures by $8,946 to $159,380 depending on age-race-sex-BMI classification groups. PMID:25552420

Measurements and modeling of charge carrier lifetime in compressed xenon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pudov, A. O.; Abyzov, A. S.; Sokolov, S. A.; Davydov, L. N.; Rybka, A. V.; Kutny, V. E.; Melnikov, S. I.; Kholomyeyev, G. A.; Leonov, S. A.; Turchin, A. A.

2018-06-01

Gamma-spectrometers based on high-pressure xenon gas (HPXe) are proving themselves as a great potential alternative to the spectrometers based on high-purity germanium crystals and scintillators. The working medium for the high-resolution HPXe detectors, that is, xenon gas compressed up to pressure ∼50 bar and sometimes doped with hydrogen, methane or others gases, needs to be of very high purity. The gas purity level can be determined by direct measurements or, alternatively, its usability in gamma-spectrometers can be evaluated indirectly through the charge carrier (electron) lifetime measurements. Different approaches and specific setups have been used for the lifetime determination, most of those methods involve the measurement and analyses of individual pulses from ionizing particles registered in an ionization chamber filled with Xe. In the present paper, we report on the HPXe electron lifetime study carried out by using measurements in a cylindrical ionization chamber and the respective analytical charge transport model. Our results support the possibility of carrier lifetime determination in the cylindrical configuration. In addition, the voltage regimes for the use of the chamber in the spectroscopic mode were determined. The measurements were conducted in a two-electrode configuration for a range of pressure values (5 to 50 bar) for the Xe+0.25%H2 gas mixture of ∼6N purity. It is shown that in gases with relatively high values of the electron drift velocity and the electron lifetime, for example low-density gases, the charge collection time measurements can give significantly underestimated lifetime assessment. On the other hand, for the low drift velocity gases, they give much more accurate results. With the use of the analytical model, the electron lifetime was determined more precisely.

Influences on lifetime of wire ropes in traction lifts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vogel, W.

2016-05-01

Traction lifts are complex systems with rotating and translating moving masses, springs and dampers and several system inputs from the lifts and the users. The wire ropes are essential mechanical elements. The mechanical properties of the ropes in use depend on the rope construction, the load situation, nonlinearities and the lift dimensions. The mechanical properties are important for the proper use in lifts and the ride quality. But first of all the wire ropes (for all other suspension means as well) have to satisfy the safety relevant requirements sufficient lifetime, reliable determination of discard and sufficient and limited traction capacity. The lifetime of the wire ropes better the number of trips until rope discard depends on a lot of parameters of the rope and the rope application eg use of plastic deflection sheaves and reverse bending layouts. New challenges for rope lifetime are resulting from the more or less open D/d-ratio limits possible by certificates concerning the examination of conformity by notified bodies. This paper will highlight the basics of wire rope technology, the endurance and lifetime of wire ropes running over sheaves, and the different influences from the ropes and more and more important from the lift application parameters. Very often underestimated are the influences of transport, storage, installation and maintenance. With this background we will lead over to the calculation methods of wire rope lifetime considering the actual findings of wire rope endurance research. We'll show in this paper new and innovative facts as the influence of rope length and size factor in the lifetime formular, the reduction of lifetime caused by traction grooves, the new model for the calculation in reverse bending operations and the statistically firmed possibilities for machine roomless lifts (MRL) under very small bending conditions.

Lifetime and 5 years risk of breast cancer and attributable risk factor according to Gail model in Iranian women

PubMed Central

Mohammadbeigi, Abolfazl; Mohammadsalehi, Narges; Valizadeh, Razieh; Momtaheni, Zeinab; Mokhtari, Mohsen; Ansari, Hossein

2015-01-01

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women worldwide and in Iran. It is expected to account for 29% of all new cancers in women at 2015. This study aimed to assess the 5 years and lifetime risk of breast cancer according to Gail model, and to evaluate the effect of other additional risk factors on the Gail risk. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study conducted on 296 women aged more than 34-year-old in Qom, Center of Iran. Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool calculated the Gail risk for each subject. Data were analyzed by paired t-test, independent t-test, and analysis of variance in bivariate approach to evaluate the effect of each factor on Gail risk. Multiple linear regression models with stepwise method were used to predict the effect of each variable on the Gail risk. Results: The mean age of the participants was 47.8 ± 8.8-year-old and 47% have Fars ethnicity. The 5 years and lifetime risk was 0.37 ± 0.18 and 4.48 ± 0.925%, respectively. It was lower than the average risk in same race and age women (P < 0.001). Being single, positive family history of breast cancer, positive history of biopsy, and radiotherapy as well as using nonhormonal contraceptives were related to higher lifetime risk (P < 0.05). Moreover, a significant direct correlation observed between lifetime risk and body mass index, age of first live birth, and menarche age. While an inversely correlation observed between lifetimes risk of breast cancer and total month of breast feeding duration and age. Conclusion: Based on our results, the 5 years and lifetime risk of breast cancer according to Gail model was lower than the same race and age. Moreover, by comparison with national epidemiologic indicators about morbidity and mortality of breast cancer, it seems that the Gail model overestimate the risk of breast cancer in Iranian women. PMID:26229355

Novel techniques with multiphoton microscopy: Deep-brain imaging with microprisms, neurometabolism of epilepsy, and counterfeit paper money detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chia, Thomas H.

Multiphoton microscopy is a laser-scanning fluorescence imaging method with extraordinary potential. We describe three innovative multiphoton microscopy techniques across various disciplines. Traditional in vivo fluorescence microscopy of the mammalian brain has a limited penetration depth (<400 microm). We present a method of imaging 1 mm deep into mouse neocortex by using a glass microprism to relay the excitation and emission light. This technique enables simultaneous imaging of multiple cortical layers, including layer V, at an angle typical of slice preparations. At high-magnification imaging using an objective with 1-mm of coverglass correction, resolution was sufficient to resolve dendritic spines on layer V GFP neurons. Functional imaging of blood flow at various neocortical depths is also presented, allowing for quantification of red blood cell flux and velocity. Multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) of NADH reveals information on neurometabolism. NADH, an intrinsic fluorescent molecule and ubiquitous metabolic coenzyme, has a lifetime dependent on enzymatic binding. A novel NADH FLIM algorithm is presented that produces images showing spatially distinct NADH fluorescence lifetimes in mammalian brain slices. This program provides advantages over traditional FLIM processing of multi-component lifetime data. We applied this technique to a GFP-GFAP pilocarpine mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Results indicated significant changes in the neurometabolism of astrocytes and neuropil in the cell and dendritic layers of the hippocampus when compared to control tissue. Data obtained with NADH FLIM were subsequently interpreted based on the abnormal activity reported in epileptic tissue. Genuine U.S. Federal Reserve Notes have a consistent, two-component intrinsic fluorescence lifetime. This allows for detection of counterfeit paper money because of its significant differences in fluorescence lifetime when compared to genuine paper money. We used scanning multiphoton laser excitation to sample a ˜4 mm2 region from 54 genuine Reserve Notes. Three types of counterfeit samples were tested. Four out of the nine counterfeit samples fit to a one-component decay. Five out of nine counterfeit samples fit to a two-component model, but are identified as counterfeit due to significant deviations in the longer lifetime component compared to genuine bills.

[Accuracy of attenuation coefficient obtained by 137Cs single-transmission scanning in PET: comparison with conventional germanium line source].

PubMed

Matsumoto, Keiichi; Kitamura, Keishi; Mizuta, Tetsuro; Shimizu, Keiji; Murase, Kenya; Senda, Michio

2006-02-20

Transmission scanning can be successfully performed with a Cs-137 single-photon-emitting point source for three-dimensional PET imaging. This method was effective for postinjection transmission scanning because of differences in physical energy. However, scatter contamination in the transmission data lowers measured attenuation coefficients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of the influence of object scattering by measuring the attenuation coefficients on the transmission images. We also compared the results with the conventional germanium line source method. Two different types of PET scanner, the SET-3000 G/X (Shimadzu Corp.) and ECAT EXACT HR(+) (Siemens/CTI) , were used. For the transmission scanning, the SET-3000 G/X and ECAT HR(+) were the Cs-137 point source and Ge-68/Ga-68 line source, respectively. With the SET-3000 G/X, we performed transmission measurement at two energy gate settings, the standard 600-800 keV as well as 500-800 keV. The energy gate setting of the ECAT HR(+) was 350-650 keV. The effects of scattering in a uniform phantom with different cross-sectional areas ranging from 201 cm(2) to 314 cm(2) to 628 cm(2) (apposition of the two 20 cm diameter phantoms) and 943 cm(2) (stacking of the three 20 cm diameter phantoms) were acquired without emission activity. First, we evaluated the attenuation coefficients of the two different types of transmission scanning using region of interest (ROI) analysis. In addition, we evaluated the attenuation coefficients with and without segmentation for Cs-137 transmission images using the same analysis. The segmentation method was a histogram-based soft-tissue segmentation process that can also be applied to reconstructed transmission images. In the Cs-137 experiment, the maximum underestimation was 3% without segmentation, which was reduced to less than 1% with segmentation at the center of the largest phantom. In the Ge-68/Ga-68 experiment, the difference in mean attenuation coefficients was stable with all phantoms. We evaluated the accuracy of attenuation coefficients of Cs-137 single-transmission scans. The results for Cs-137 suggest that scattered photons depend on object size. Although Cs-137 single-transmission scans contained scattered photons, attenuation coefficient error could be reduced using by the segmentation method.

Methodology to predict delayed failure due to slow crack growth in ceramic tubular components using data from simple specimens

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

Jadaan, O.M.; Tressler, R.E.

1993-04-01

The methodology to predict the lifetime of sintered [alpha]-silicon carbide (SASC) tubes subjected to slow crack growth (SCG) conditions involved the experimental determination of the SCG parameters of that material and the scaling analysis to project the stress rupture data from small specimens to large components. Dynamic fatigue testing, taking into account the effect of threshold stress intensity factor, of O-ring and compressed C-ring specimens was used to obtain the SCG parameters. These SCG parameters were in excellent agreement with those published in the literature and extracted from stress rupture tests of tensile and bend specimens. Two methods were usedmore » to predict the lifetimes of internally heated and pressurized SASC tubes. The first is a fracture mechanics approach that is well known in the literature. The second method used a scaling analysis in which the stress rupture distribution (lifetime) of any specimen configuration can be predicted from stress rupture data of another.« less

Optimization of the Surface Structure on Black Silicon for Surface Passivation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jia, Xiaojie; Zhou, Chunlan; Wang, Wenjing

2017-03-01

Black silicon shows excellent anti-reflection and thus is extremely useful for photovoltaic applications. However, its high surface recombination velocity limits the efficiency of solar cells. In this paper, the effective minority carrier lifetime of black silicon is improved by optimizing metal-catalyzed chemical etching (MCCE) method, using an Al2O3 thin film deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) as a passivation layer. Using the spray method to eliminate the impact on the rear side, single-side black silicon was obtained on n-type solar grade silicon wafers. Post-etch treatment with NH4OH/H2O2/H2O mixed solution not only smoothes the surface but also increases the effective minority lifetime from 161 μs of as-prepared wafer to 333 μs after cleaning. Moreover, adding illumination during the etching process results in an improvement in both the numerical value and the uniformity of the effective minority carrier lifetime.

New Methods of Enhancing the Thermal Durability of Silica Optical Fibers.

PubMed

Wysokiński, Karol; Stańczyk, Tomasz; Gibała, Katarzyna; Tenderenda, Tadeusz; Ziołowicz, Anna; Słowikowski, Mateusz; Broczkowska, Małgorzata; Nasiłowski, Tomasz

2014-10-13

Microstructured optical fibers can be precisely tailored for many different applications, out of which sensing has been found to be particularly interesting. However, placing silica optical fiber sensors in harsh environments results in their quick destruction as a result of the hydrolysis process. In this paper, the degradation mechanism of bare and metal-coated optical fibers at high temperatures under longitudinal strain has been determined by detailed analysis of the thermal behavior of silica and metals, like copper and nickel. We furthermore propose a novel method of enhancing the lifetime of optical fibers by the deposition of electroless nickel-phosphorous alloy in a low-temperature chemical process. The best results were obtained for a coating comprising an inner layer of copper and outer layer of low phosphorous nickel. Lifetime values obtained during the annealing experiments were extrapolated to other temperatures by a dedicated model elaborated by the authors. The estimated copper-coated optical fiber lifetime under cycled longitudinal strain reached 31 h at 450 °C.

New Methods of Enhancing the Thermal Durability of Silica Optical Fibers

PubMed Central

Wysokiński, Karol; Stańczyk, Tomasz; Gibała, Katarzyna; Tenderenda, Tadeusz; Ziołowicz, Anna; Słowikowski, Mateusz; Broczkowska, Małgorzata; Nasiłowski, Tomasz

2014-01-01

Microstructured optical fibers can be precisely tailored for many different applications, out of which sensing has been found to be particularly interesting. However, placing silica optical fiber sensors in harsh environments results in their quick destruction as a result of the hydrolysis process. In this paper, the degradation mechanism of bare and metal-coated optical fibers at high temperatures under longitudinal strain has been determined by detailed analysis of the thermal behavior of silica and metals, like copper and nickel. We furthermore propose a novel method of enhancing the lifetime of optical fibers by the deposition of electroless nickel-phosphorous alloy in a low-temperature chemical process. The best results were obtained for a coating comprising an inner layer of copper and outer layer of low phosphorous nickel. Lifetime values obtained during the annealing experiments were extrapolated to other temperatures by a dedicated model elaborated by the authors. The estimated copper-coated optical fiber lifetime under cycled longitudinal strain reached 31 h at 450 °C. PMID:28788224

Extracellular oxygen concentration mapping with a confocal multiphoton laser scanning microscope and TCSPC card

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hosny, Neveen A.; Lee, David A.; Knight, Martin M.

2010-02-01

Extracellular oxygen concentrations influence cell metabolism and tissue function. Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) offers a non-invasive method for quantifying local oxygen concentrations. However, existing methods show limited spatial resolution and/or require custom made systems. This study describes a new optimised approach for quantitative extracellular oxygen detection, providing an off-the-shelf system with high spatial resolution and an improved lifetime determination over previous techniques, while avoiding systematic photon pile-up. Fluorescence lifetime detection of an oxygen sensitive fluorescent dye, tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) chloride hexahydrate [Ru(bipy)3]2+, was measured using a Becker&Hickl time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) card with excitation provided by a multi-photon laser. This technique was able to identify a subpopulation of isolated chondrocyte cells, seeded in three-dimensional agarose gel, displaying a significant spatial oxygen gradient. Thus this technique provides a powerful tool for quantifying spatial oxygen gradients within three-dimensional cellular models.

Optimization of the Surface Structure on Black Silicon for Surface Passivation.

PubMed

Jia, Xiaojie; Zhou, Chunlan; Wang, Wenjing

2017-12-01

Black silicon shows excellent anti-reflection and thus is extremely useful for photovoltaic applications. However, its high surface recombination velocity limits the efficiency of solar cells. In this paper, the effective minority carrier lifetime of black silicon is improved by optimizing metal-catalyzed chemical etching (MCCE) method, using an Al 2 O 3 thin film deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) as a passivation layer. Using the spray method to eliminate the impact on the rear side, single-side black silicon was obtained on n-type solar grade silicon wafers. Post-etch treatment with NH 4 OH/H 2 O 2 /H 2 O mixed solution not only smoothes the surface but also increases the effective minority lifetime from 161 μs of as-prepared wafer to 333 μs after cleaning. Moreover, adding illumination during the etching process results in an improvement in both the numerical value and the uniformity of the effective minority carrier lifetime.

Heuristic Modeling for TRMM Lifetime Predictions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jordan, P. S.; Sharer, P. J.; DeFazio, R. L.

1996-01-01

Analysis time for computing the expected mission lifetimes of proposed frequently maneuvering, tightly altitude constrained, Earth orbiting spacecraft have been significantly reduced by means of a heuristic modeling method implemented in a commercial-off-the-shelf spreadsheet product (QuattroPro) running on a personal computer (PC). The method uses a look-up table to estimate the maneuver frequency per month as a function of the spacecraft ballistic coefficient and the solar flux index, then computes the associated fuel use by a simple engine model. Maneuver frequency data points are produced by means of a single 1-month run of traditional mission analysis software for each of the 12 to 25 data points required for the table. As the data point computations are required only a mission design start-up and on the occasion of significant mission redesigns, the dependence on time consuming traditional modeling methods is dramatically reduced. Results to date have agreed with traditional methods to within 1 to 1.5 percent. The spreadsheet approach is applicable to a wide variety of Earth orbiting spacecraft with tight altitude constraints. It will be particularly useful to such missions as the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission scheduled for launch in 1997, whose mission lifetime calculations are heavily dependent on frequently revised solar flux predictions.

Neutron Transport Simulations for NIST Neutron Lifetime Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Fangchen; BL2 Collaboration Collaboration

2016-09-01

Neutrons in stable nuclei can exist forever; a free neutron lasts for about 15 minutes on average before it beta decays to a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino. Precision measurements of the neutron lifetime test the validity of weak interaction theory and provide input into the theory of the evolution of light elements in the early universe. There are two predominant ways of measuring the neutron lifetime: the bottle method and the beam method. The bottle method measures decays of ultracold neutrons that are stored in a bottle. The beam method measures decay protons in a beam of cold neutrons of known flux. An improved beam experiment is being prepared at the National Institute of Science and Technology (Gaithersburg, MD) with the goal of reducing statistical and systematic uncertainties to the level of 1 s. The purpose of my studies was to develop computer simulations of neutron transport to determine the beam collimation and study the neutron distribution's effect on systematic effects for the experiment, such as the solid angle of the neutron flux monitor. The motivation for the experiment and the results of this work will be presented. This work was supported, in part, by a Grant to Gettysburg College from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute through the Precollege and Undergraduate Science Education Program.

A method for estimating the diffuse attenuation coefficient (KdPAR)from paired temperature sensors

USGS Publications Warehouse

Read, Jordan S.; Rose, Kevin C.; Winslow, Luke A.; Read, Emily K.

2015-01-01

A new method for estimating the diffuse attenuation coefficient for photosynthetically active radiation (KdPAR) from paired temperature sensors was derived. We show that during cases where the attenuation of penetrating shortwave solar radiation is the dominant source of temperature changes, time series measurements of water temperatures at multiple depths (z1 and z2) are related to one another by a linear scaling factor (a). KdPAR can then be estimated by the simple equation KdPAR ln(a)/(z2/z1). A suggested workflow is presented that outlines procedures for calculating KdPAR according to this paired temperature sensor (PTS) method. This method is best suited for conditions when radiative temperature gains are large relative to physical noise. These conditions occur frequently on water bodies with low wind and/or high KdPARs but can be used for other types of lakes during time periods of low wind and/or where spatially redundant measurements of temperatures are available. The optimal vertical placement of temperature sensors according to a priori knowledge of KdPAR is also described. This information can be used to inform the design of future sensor deployments using the PTS method or for campaigns where characterizing sub-daily changes in temperatures is important. The PTS method provides a novel method to characterize light attenuation in aquatic ecosystems without expensive radiometric equipment or the user subjectivity inherent in Secchi depth measurements. This method also can enable the estimation of KdPAR at higher frequencies than many manual monitoring programs allow.

Simultaneous reconstruction of emission activity and attenuation coefficient distribution from TOF data, acquired with external transmission source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panin, V. Y.; Aykac, M.; Casey, M. E.

2013-06-01

The simultaneous PET data reconstruction of emission activity and attenuation coefficient distribution is presented, where the attenuation image is constrained by exploiting an external transmission source. Data are acquired in time-of-flight (TOF) mode, allowing in principle for separation of emission and transmission data. Nevertheless, here all data are reconstructed at once, eliminating the need to trace the position of the transmission source in sinogram space. Contamination of emission data by the transmission source and vice versa is naturally modeled. Attenuated emission activity data also provide additional information about object attenuation coefficient values. The algorithm alternates between attenuation and emission activity image updates. We also proposed a method of estimation of spatial scatter distribution from the transmission source by incorporating knowledge about the expected range of attenuation map values. The reconstruction of experimental data from the Siemens mCT scanner suggests that simultaneous reconstruction improves attenuation map image quality, as compared to when data are separated. In the presented example, the attenuation map image noise was reduced and non-uniformity artifacts that occurred due to scatter estimation were suppressed. On the other hand, the use of transmission data stabilizes attenuation coefficient distribution reconstruction from TOF emission data alone. The example of improving emission images by refining a CT-based patient attenuation map is presented, revealing potential benefits of simultaneous CT and PET data reconstruction.

Probabilistic Air Segmentation and Sparse Regression Estimated Pseudo CT for PET/MR Attenuation Correction

PubMed Central

Chen, Yasheng; Juttukonda, Meher; Su, Yi; Benzinger, Tammie; Rubin, Brian G.; Lee, Yueh Z.; Lin, Weili; Shen, Dinggang; Lalush, David

2015-01-01

Purpose To develop a positron emission tomography (PET) attenuation correction method for brain PET/magnetic resonance (MR) imaging by estimating pseudo computed tomographic (CT) images from T1-weighted MR and atlas CT images. Materials and Methods In this institutional review board–approved and HIPAA-compliant study, PET/MR/CT images were acquired in 20 subjects after obtaining written consent. A probabilistic air segmentation and sparse regression (PASSR) method was developed for pseudo CT estimation. Air segmentation was performed with assistance from a probabilistic air map. For nonair regions, the pseudo CT numbers were estimated via sparse regression by using atlas MR patches. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) on PET images was computed as the normalized mean absolute difference in PET signal intensity between a method and the reference standard continuous CT attenuation correction method. Friedman analysis of variance and Wilcoxon matched-pairs tests were performed for statistical comparison of MAPE between the PASSR method and Dixon segmentation, CT segmentation, and population averaged CT atlas (mean atlas) methods. Results The PASSR method yielded a mean MAPE ± standard deviation of 2.42% ± 1.0, 3.28% ± 0.93, and 2.16% ± 1.75, respectively, in the whole brain, gray matter, and white matter, which were significantly lower than the Dixon, CT segmentation, and mean atlas values (P < .01). Moreover, 68.0% ± 16.5, 85.8% ± 12.9, and 96.0% ± 2.5 of whole-brain volume had within ±2%, ±5%, and ±10% percentage error by using PASSR, respectively, which was significantly higher than other methods (P < .01). Conclusion PASSR outperformed the Dixon, CT segmentation, and mean atlas methods by reducing PET error owing to attenuation correction. © RSNA, 2014 PMID:25521778

Using radial NMR profiles to characterize pore size distributions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deriche, Rachid; Treilhard, John

2012-02-01

Extracting information about axon diameter distributions in the brain is a challenging task which provides useful information for medical purposes; for example, the ability to characterize and monitor axon diameters would be useful in diagnosing and investigating diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)1 or autism.2 Three families of operators are defined by Ozarslan,3 whose action upon an NMR attenuation signal extracts the moments of the pore size distribution of the ensemble under consideration; also a numerical method is proposed to continuously reconstruct a discretely sampled attenuation profile using the eigenfunctions of the simple harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian: the SHORE basis. The work presented here extends Ozarlan's method to other bases that can offer a better description of attenuation signal behaviour; in particular, we propose the use of the radial Spherical Polar Fourier (SPF) basis. Testing is performed to contrast the efficacy of the radial SPF basis and SHORE basis in practical attenuation signal reconstruction. The robustness of the method to additive noise is tested and analysed. We demonstrate that a low-order attenuation signal reconstruction outperforms a higher-order reconstruction in subsequent moment estimation under noisy conditions. We propose the simulated annealing algorithm for basis function scale parameter estimation. Finally, analytic expressions are derived and presented for the action of the operators on the radial SPF basis (obviating the need for numerical integration, thus avoiding a spectrum of possible sources of error).

Attenuation correction factors for cylindrical, disc and box geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agarwal, Chhavi; Poi, Sanhita; Mhatre, Amol; Goswami, A.; Gathibandhe, M.

2009-08-01

In the present study, attenuation correction factors have been experimentally determined for samples having cylindrical, disc and box geometry and compared with the attenuation correction factors calculated by Hybrid Monte Carlo (HMC) method [ C. Agarwal, S. Poi, A. Goswami, M. Gathibandhe, R.A. Agrawal, Nucl. Instr. and. Meth. A 597 (2008) 198] and with the near-field and far-field formulations available in literature. It has been observed that the near-field formulae, although said to be applicable at close sample-detector geometry, does not work at very close sample-detector configuration. The advantage of the HMC method is that it is found to be valid for all sample-detector geometries.

MR Imaging-Guided Attenuation Correction of PET Data in PET/MR Imaging.

PubMed

Izquierdo-Garcia, David; Catana, Ciprian

2016-04-01

Attenuation correction (AC) is one of the most important challenges in the recently introduced combined PET/magnetic resonance (MR) scanners. PET/MR AC (MR-AC) approaches aim to develop methods that allow accurate estimation of the linear attenuation coefficients of the tissues and other components located in the PET field of view. MR-AC methods can be divided into 3 categories: segmentation, atlas, and PET based. This review provides a comprehensive list of the state-of-the-art MR-AC approaches and their pros and cons. The main sources of artifacts are presented. Finally, this review discusses the current status of MR-AC approaches for clinical applications. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Digital Analysis and Sorting of Fluorescence Lifetime by Flow Cytometry

PubMed Central

Houston, Jessica P.; Naivar, Mark A.; Freyer, James P.

2010-01-01

Frequency-domain flow cytometry techniques are combined with modifications to the digital signal processing capabilities of the Open Reconfigurable Cytometric Acquisition System (ORCAS) to analyze fluorescence decay lifetimes and control sorting. Real-time fluorescence lifetime analysis is accomplished by rapidly digitizing correlated, radiofrequency modulated detector signals, implementing Fourier analysis programming with ORCAS’ digital signal processor (DSP) and converting the processed data into standard cytometric list mode data. To systematically test the capabilities of the ORCAS 50 MS/sec analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and our DSP programming, an error analysis was performed using simulated light scatter and fluorescence waveforms (0.5–25 ns simulated lifetime), pulse widths ranging from 2 to 15 µs, and modulation frequencies from 2.5 to 16.667 MHz. The standard deviations of digitally acquired lifetime values ranged from 0.112 to >2 ns, corresponding to errors in actual phase shifts from 0.0142° to 1.6°. The lowest coefficients of variation (<1%) were found for 10-MHz modulated waveforms having pulse widths of 6 µs and simulated lifetimes of 4 ns. Direct comparison of the digital analysis system to a previous analog phase-sensitive flow cytometer demonstrated similar precision and accuracy on measurements of a range of fluorescent microspheres, unstained cells and cells stained with three common fluorophores. Sorting based on fluorescence lifetime was accomplished by adding analog outputs to ORCAS and interfacing with a commercial cell sorter with a radiofrequency modulated solid-state laser. Two populations of fluorescent microspheres with overlapping fluorescence intensities but different lifetimes (2 and 7 ns) were separated to ~98% purity. Overall, the digital signal acquisition and processing methods we introduce present a simple yet robust approach to phase-sensitive measurements in flow cytometry. The ability to simply and inexpensively implement this system on a commercial flow sorter will both allow better dissemination of this technology and better exploit the traditionally underutilized parameter of fluorescence lifetime. PMID:20662090

Collision lifetimes and impact statistics of near-Earth asteroids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bottke, W. F., Jr.; Nolan, M. C.; Greenberg, R.

1993-01-01

We have examined the lifetimes of Near-Earth asteroids (NEA's) by directly computing the collision probabilities with other asteroids and with the terrestrial planets. We compare these to the dynamical lifetimes, and to collisional lifetimes assumed by other workers. We discuss the implications of the differences. The lifetimes of NEA's are important because, along with the statistics of craters on the Earth and Moon, they help us to compute the number of NEA's and the rate at which new NEA's are brought to the vicinity of the Earth. Assuming that the NEA population is in steady-state, the lifetimes determine the flux of new bodies needed to replenish the population. Earlier estimates of the lifetimes ignored (or incompletely accounted for) the differences in the velocities of asteroids as they move in their orbits, so our results differ from (for example) Greenberg and Chapman (1983, Icarus 55, 455) and Wetherill (1988, Icarus 76, 1) by factors of 2 to 10. We have computed the collision rates and relative velocities of NEA's with each other, the main-belt asteroids, and the terrestrial planets, using the corrected method described by Bottke et. al. (1992, GRL, in press). We find that NEA's typically have shorter collisional lifetimes than do main-belt asteroids of the same size, due to their high eccentricities, which typically give them aphelia in the main belt. Consequently, they spend a great deal of time in the main belt, and are moving much slower than the bodies around them, making them 'sitting ducks' for impacts with other asteroids. They cross the paths of many objects, and their typical collision velocities are much higher (10-15 km/s) than the collision velocities (5 km/s) among objects within the main belt. These factors combine to give them substantially shorter lifetimes than had been previously estimated.

Attenuation Tomography of Northern California and the Yellow Sea / Korean Peninsula from Coda-source Normalized and Direct Lg Amplitudes

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

Ford, S R; Dreger, D S; Phillips, W S

2008-07-16

Inversions for regional attenuation (1/Q) of Lg are performed in two different regions. The path attenuation component of the Lg spectrum is isolated using the coda-source normalization method, which corrects the Lg spectral amplitude for the source using the stable, coda-derived source spectra. Tomographic images of Northern California agree well with one-dimensional (1-D) Lg Q estimated from five different methods. We note there is some tendency for tomographic smoothing to increase Q relative to targeted 1-D methods. For example in the San Francisco Bay Area, which contains high attenuation relative to the rest of it's region, Q is over-estimated bymore » {approx}30. Coda-source normalized attenuation tomography is also carried out for the Yellow Sea/Korean Peninsula (YSKP) where output parameters (site, source, and path terms) are compared with those from the amplitude tomography method of Phillips et al. (2005) as well as a new method that ties the source term to the MDAC formulation (Walter and Taylor, 2001). The source terms show similar scatter between coda-source corrected and MDAC source perturbation methods, whereas the amplitude method has the greatest correlation with estimated true source magnitude. The coda-source better represents the source spectra compared to the estimated magnitude and could be the cause of the scatter. The similarity in the source terms between the coda-source and MDAC-linked methods shows that the latter method may approximate the effect of the former, and therefore could be useful in regions without coda-derived sources. The site terms from the MDAC-linked method correlate slightly with global Vs30 measurements. While the coda-source and amplitude ratio methods do not correlate with Vs30 measurements, they do correlate with one another, which provides confidence that the two methods are consistent. The path Q{sup -1} values are very similar between the coda-source and amplitude ratio methods except for small differences in the Da-xin-anling Mountains, in the northern YSKP. However there is one large difference between the MDAC-linked method and the others in the region near stations TJN and INCN, which point to site-effect as the cause for the difference.« less

Inferring global upper-mantle shear attenuation structure by waveform tomography using the spectral element method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karaoǧlu, Haydar; Romanowicz, Barbara

2018-06-01

We present a global upper-mantle shear wave attenuation model that is built through a hybrid full-waveform inversion algorithm applied to long-period waveforms, using the spectral element method for wavefield computations. Our inversion strategy is based on an iterative approach that involves the inversion for successive updates in the attenuation parameter (δ Q^{-1}_μ) and elastic parameters (isotropic velocity VS, and radial anisotropy parameter ξ) through a Gauss-Newton-type optimization scheme that employs envelope- and waveform-type misfit functionals for the two steps, respectively. We also include source and receiver terms in the inversion steps for attenuation structure. We conducted a total of eight iterations (six for attenuation and two for elastic structure), and one inversion for updates to source parameters. The starting model included the elastic part of the relatively high-resolution 3-D whole mantle seismic velocity model, SEMUCB-WM1, which served to account for elastic focusing effects. The data set is a subset of the three-component surface waveform data set, filtered between 400 and 60 s, that contributed to the construction of the whole-mantle tomographic model SEMUCB-WM1. We applied strict selection criteria to this data set for the attenuation iteration steps, and investigated the effect of attenuation crustal structure on the retrieved mantle attenuation structure. While a constant 1-D Qμ model with a constant value of 165 throughout the upper mantle was used as starting model for attenuation inversion, we were able to recover, in depth extent and strength, the high-attenuation zone present in the depth range 80-200 km. The final 3-D model, SEMUCB-UMQ, shows strong correlation with tectonic features down to 200-250 km depth, with low attenuation beneath the cratons, stable parts of continents and regions of old oceanic crust, and high attenuation along mid-ocean ridges and backarcs. Below 250 km, we observe strong attenuation in the southwestern Pacific and eastern Africa, while low attenuation zones fade beneath most of the cratons. The strong negative correlation of Q^{-1}_μ and VS anomalies at shallow upper-mantle depths points to a common dominant origin for the two, likely due to variations in thermal structure. A comparison with two other global upper-mantle attenuation models shows promising consistency. As we updated the elastic 3-D model in alternate iterations, we found that the VS part of the model was stable, while the ξ structure evolution was more pronounced, indicating that it may be important to include 3-D attenuation effects when inverting for ξ, possibly due to the influence of dispersion corrections on this less well-constrained parameter.

High-temperature thermocouples and related methods

DOEpatents

Rempe, Joy L [Idaho Falls, ID; Knudson, Darrell L [Firth, ID; Condie, Keith G [Idaho Falls, ID; Wilkins, S Curt [Idaho Falls, ID

2011-01-18

A high-temperature thermocouple and methods for fabricating a thermocouple capable of long-term operation in high-temperature, hostile environments without significant signal degradation or shortened thermocouple lifetime due to heat induced brittleness.

Assessment of the Performance of a Dual-Frequency Surface Reference Technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meneghini, Robert; Liao, Liang; Tanelli, Simone; Durden, Stephen

2013-01-01

The high correlation of the rain-free surface cross sections at two frequencies implies that the estimate of differential path integrated attenuation (PIA) caused by precipitation along the radar beam can be obtained to a higher degree of accuracy than the path-attenuation at either frequency. We explore this finding first analytically and then by examining data from the JPL dual-frequency airborne radar using measurements from the TC4 experiment obtained during July-August 2007. Despite this improvement in the accuracy of the differential path attenuation, solving the constrained dual-wavelength radar equations for parameters of the particle size distribution requires not only this quantity but the single-wavelength path attenuation as well. We investigate a simple method of estimating the single-frequency path attenuation from the differential attenuation and compare this with the estimate derived directly from the surface return.

PERFORMANCE MONITORING FOR NATURAL ATTENUATION REMEDIES IN GROUND WATER

EPA Science Inventory

Environmental monitoring is the major component of any remedy that relies on natural attenuation processes. The objective of this document is to identify data needs and evaluation methods useful for designing monitoring networks and determining remedy effectiveness. Effective mon...

Rupture Following Biceps-to-Triceps Tendon Transfer in Adolescents and Young Adults With Spinal Cord Injury:

PubMed Central

Merenda, Lisa A.; Rutter, Laure; Curran, Kimberly; Kozin, Scott H.

2012-01-01

Background: Tendon transfer surgery can restore elbow extension in approximately 70% of persons with tetraplegia and often results in antigravity elbow extension strength. However, we have noted an almost 15% rupture/attenuation rate. Objective: This investigation was conducted to analyze potential causes in adolescents/young adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) who experienced tendon rupture or attenuation after biceps-to-triceps transfer. Methods: Medical charts of young adults with SCI who underwent biceps-to-triceps transfer and experienced tendon rupture or attenuation were reviewed. Data collected by retrospective chart review included general demographics, surgical procedure(s), use and duration of antibiotic treatment, time from tendon transfer surgery to rupture/attenuation, and method of diagnosis. Results: Twelve subjects with tetraplegia (mean age, 19 years) who underwent biceps-to-triceps reconstruction with subsequent tendon rupture or attenuation were evaluated. Mean age at time of tendon transfer was 18 years (range, 14-21 years). A fluoroquinolone was prescribed for 42% (n=5) of subjects. Tendon rupture was noted in 67% (n=8), and attenuation was noted in 33% (n=4). Average length of time from surgery to tendon rupture/attenuation was 5.7 months (range, 3-10 months). Conclusion: Potential contributing causes of tendon rupture/attenuation after transfer include surgical technique, rehabilitation, co-contraction of the transfer, poor patient compliance, and medications. In this cohort, 5 subjects were prescribed fluoroquinolones that have a US Food and Drug Administration black box concerning tendon ruptures. Currently, all candidates for upper extremity tendon transfer reconstruction are counseled on the effects of fluoroquinolones and the potential risk for tendon rupture. PMID:23459326

Dose-response assessment for influenza A virus based on data sets of infection with its live attenuated reassortants.

PubMed

Watanabe, Toru; Bartrand, Timothy A; Omura, Tatsuo; Haas, Charles N

2012-03-01

Reported data sets on infection of volunteers challenged with wild-type influenza A virus at graded doses are few. Alternatively, we aimed at developing a dose-response assessment for this virus based on the data sets for its live attenuated reassortants. Eleven data sets for live attenuated reassortants that were fit to beta-Poisson and exponential dose-response models. Dose-response relationships for those reassortants were characterized by pooling analysis of the data sets with respect to virus subtype (H1N1 or H3N2), attenuation method (cold-adapted or avian-human gene reassortment), and human age (adults or children). Furthermore, by comparing the above data sets to a limited number of reported data sets for wild-type virus, we quantified the degree of attenuation of wild-type virus with gene reassortment and estimated its infectivity. As a result, dose-response relationships of all reassortants were best described by a beta-Poisson model. Virus subtype and human age were significant factors determining the dose-response relationship, whereas attenuation method affected only the relationship of H1N1 virus infection to adults. The data sets for H3N2 wild-type virus could be pooled with those for its reassortants on the assumption that the gene reassortment attenuates wild-type virus by at least 63 times and most likely 1,070 times. Considering this most likely degree of attenuation, 10% infectious dose of H3N2 wild-type virus for adults was estimated at 18 TCID50 (95% CI = 8.8-35 TCID50). The infectivity of wild-type H1N1 virus remains unknown as the data set pooling was unsuccessful. © 2011 Society for Risk Analysis.

PET attenuation correction for flexible MRI surface coils in hybrid PET/MRI using a 3D depth camera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frohwein, Lynn J.; Heß, Mirco; Schlicher, Dominik; Bolwin, Konstantin; Büther, Florian; Jiang, Xiaoyi; Schäfers, Klaus P.

2018-01-01

PET attenuation correction for flexible MRI radio frequency surface coils in hybrid PET/MRI is still a challenging task, as position and shape of these coils conform to large inter-patient variabilities. The purpose of this feasibility study is to develop a novel method for the incorporation of attenuation information about flexible surface coils in PET reconstruction using the Microsoft Kinect V2 depth camera. The depth information is used to determine a dense point cloud of the coil’s surface representing the shape of the coil. From a CT template—acquired once in advance—surface information of the coil is extracted likewise and converted into a point cloud. The two point clouds are then registered using a combination of an iterative-closest-point (ICP) method and a partially rigid registration step. Using the transformation derived through the point clouds, the CT template is warped and thereby adapted to the PET/MRI scan setup. The transformed CT template is converted into an attenuation map from Hounsfield units into linear attenuation coefficients. The resulting fitted attenuation map is then integrated into the MRI-based patient-specific DIXON-based attenuation map of the actual PET/MRI scan. A reconstruction of phantom PET data acquired with the coil present in the field-of-view (FoV), but without the corresponding coil attenuation map, shows large artifacts in regions close to the coil. The overall count loss is determined to be around 13% compared to a PET scan without the coil present in the FoV. A reconstruction using the new μ-map resulted in strongly reduced artifacts as well as increased overall PET intensities with a remaining relative difference of about 1% to a PET scan without the coil in the FoV.

Design and evaluation of a device for fast multispectral time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yankelevich, Diego R.; Ma, Dinglong; Liu, Jing; Sun, Yang; Sun, Yinghua; Bec, Julien; Elson, Daniel S.; Marcu, Laura

2014-03-01

The application of time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy (TRFS) to in vivo tissue diagnosis requires a method for fast acquisition of fluorescence decay profiles in multiple spectral bands. This study focusses on development of a clinically compatible fiber-optic based multispectral TRFS (ms-TRFS) system together with validation of its accuracy and precision for fluorescence lifetime measurements. It also presents the expansion of this technique into an imaging spectroscopy method. A tandem array of dichroic beamsplitters and filters was used to record TRFS decay profiles at four distinct spectral bands where biological tissue typically presents fluorescence emission maxima, namely, 390, 452, 542, and 629 nm. Each emission channel was temporally separated by using transmission delays through 200 μm diameter multimode optical fibers of 1, 10, 19, and 28 m lengths. A Laguerre-expansion deconvolution algorithm was used to compensate for modal dispersion inherent to large diameter optical fibers and the finite bandwidth of detectors and digitizers. The system was found to be highly efficient and fast requiring a few nano-Joule of laser pulse energy and <1 ms per point measurement, respectively, for the detection of tissue autofluorescent components. Organic and biological chromophores with lifetimes that spanned a 0.8-7 ns range were used for system validation, and the measured lifetimes from the organic fluorophores deviated by less than 10% from values reported in the literature. Multi-spectral lifetime images of organic dye solutions contained in glass capillary tubes were recorded by raster scanning the single fiber probe in a 2D plane to validate the system as an imaging tool. The lifetime measurement variability was measured indicating that the system provides reproducible results with a standard deviation smaller than 50 ps. The ms-TRFS is a compact apparatus that makes possible the fast, accurate, and precise multispectral time-resolved fluorescence lifetime measurements of low quantum efficiency sub-nanosecond fluorophores.

Qualification and Selection of Flight Diode Lasers for Space Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liebe, Carl C.; Dillon, Robert P.; Gontijo, Ivair; Forouhar, Siamak; Shapiro, Andrew A.; Cooper, Mark S.; Meras, Patrick L.

2010-01-01

The reliability and lifetime of laser diodes is critical to space missions. The Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) mission includes a metrology system that is based upon laser diodes. An operational test facility has been developed to qualify and select, by mission standards, laser diodes that will survive the intended space environment and mission lifetime. The facility is situated in an electrostatic discharge (ESD) certified clean-room and consist of an enclosed temperature-controlled stage that can accommodate up to 20 laser diodes. The facility is designed to characterize a single laser diode, in addition to conducting laser lifetime testing on up to 20 laser diodes simultaneously. A standard laser current driver is used to drive a single laser diode. Laser diode current, voltage, power, and wavelength are measured for each laser diode, and a method of selecting the most adequate laser diodes for space deployment is implemented. The method consists of creating histograms of laser threshold currents, powers at a designated current, and wavelengths at designated power. From these histograms, the laser diodes that illustrate a performance that is outside the normal are rejected and the remaining lasers are considered spaceborne candidates. To perform laser lifetime testing, the facility is equipped with 20 custom laser drivers that were designed and built by California Institute of Technology specifically to drive NuSTAR metrology lasers. The laser drivers can be operated in constant-current mode or alternating-current mode. Situated inside the enclosure, in front of the laser diodes, are 20 power-meter heads to record laser power throughout the duration of lifetime testing. Prior to connecting a laser diode to the current source for characterization and lifetime testing, a background program is initiated to collect current, voltage, and resistance. This backstage data collection enables the operational test facility to have full laser diode traceablity.

Rescreening of persons with a negative colonoscopy result: results from a microsimulation model.

PubMed

Knudsen, Amy B; Hur, Chin; Gazelle, G Scott; Schrag, Deborah; McFarland, Elizabeth G; Kuntz, Karen M

2012-11-06

Persons with a negative result on screening colonoscopy are recommended to repeat the procedure in 10 years. To assess the effectiveness and costs of colonoscopy versus other rescreening strategies after an initial negative colonoscopy result. Microsimulation model. Literature and data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program. Persons aged 50 years who had no adenomas or cancer detected on screening colonoscopy. Lifetime. Societal. No further screening or rescreening starting at age 60 years with colonoscopy every 10 years, annual highly sensitive guaiac fecal occult blood testing (HSFOBT), annual fecal immunochemical testing (FIT), or computed tomographic colonography (CTC) every 5 years. Lifetime cases of colorectal cancer, life expectancy, and lifetime costs per 1000 persons, assuming either perfect or imperfect adherence. Rescreening with any method substantially reduced the risk for colorectal cancer compared with no further screening (range, 7.7 to 12.6 lifetime cases per 1000 persons [perfect adherence] and 17.7 to 20.9 lifetime cases per 1000 persons [imperfect adherence] vs. 31.3 lifetime cases per 1000 persons with no further screening). In both adherence scenarios, the differences in life-years across rescreening strategies were small (range, 30 893 to 30 902 life-years per 1000 persons [perfect adherence] vs. 30 865 to 30 869 life-years per 1000 persons [imperfect adherence]). Rescreening with HSFOBT, FIT, or CTC had fewer complications and was less costly than continuing colonoscopy. Results were sensitive to test-specific adherence rates. Data on adherence to rescreening were limited. Compared with the currently recommended strategy of continuing colonoscopy every 10 years after an initial negative examination, rescreening at age 60 years with annual HSFOBT, annual FIT, or CTC every 5 years provides approximately the same benefit in life-years with fewer complications at a lower cost. Therefore, it is reasonable to use other methods to rescreen persons with negative colonoscopy results. National Cancer Institute.

Suspended sediment assessment by combining sound attenuation and backscatter measurements - analytical method and experimental validation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guerrero, Massimo; Di Federico, Vittorio

2018-03-01

The use of acoustic techniques has become common for estimating suspended sediment in water environments. An emitted beam propagates into water producing backscatter and attenuation, which depend on scattering particles concentration and size distribution. Unfortunately, the actual particles size distribution (PSD) may largely affect the accuracy of concentration quantification through the unknown coefficients of backscattering strength, ks2, and normalized attenuation, ζs. This issue was partially solved by applying the multi-frequency approach. Despite this possibility, a relevant scientific and practical question remains regarding the possibility of using acoustic methods to investigate poorly sorted sediment in the spectrum ranging from clay to fine sand. The aim of this study is to investigate the possibility of combining the measurement of sound attenuation and backscatter to determine ζs for the suspended particles and the corresponding concentration. The proposed method is moderately dependent from actual PSD, thus relaxing the need of frequent calibrations to account for changes in ks2 and ζs coefficients. Laboratory tests were conducted under controlled conditions to validate this measurement technique. With respect to existing approaches, the developed method more accurately estimates the concentration of suspended particles ranging from clay to fine sand and, at the same time, gives an indication on their actual PSD.