Evaluation method for corrosion level of rebar in RC with electrical impedance measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sasamoto, Akira

2018-04-01

The author reported that the impedance measurement using the 4-terminal method on the RC surface for diagnosing corrosion of internal rebar. The difference between the maximum value at 0.01 Hz and the minimum value around 10 Hz indicates the corrosion level of rebar in that report. This is successive report on a signal processing method for estimating the corrosion level by the measured impedance data to obtain more high accuracy. In the dielectric, a graph of frequency and dielectric constant (Cole-Cole plot diagram by KS Cole and RH Cole article of 1941) draws a shape of circle if the dielectric is independent of frequency but it draws a shape of ellipse in reality due to frequency dependency. Havriliak and Negami have also presented Havriliak-Negami model which introduced parameter into dielectric constant equation which deforms Cole-Cole plot diagram and showed that acquired dielectric data of polymer materials fit to this model with proper parameters. In this report, we first consider electric model connected with resistance and capacitance as a rough model of RC concrete. If the capacitance in this model circuit has some loss of dielectric, it is stated that graph in impedance plot is expected to take as similar deformation in the dielectric Cole-Cole plot. Then a numerical optimization computer code for obtaining parameters in the Cole-Cole plot diagram and Havriliak-Negami model is constructed, and the correlation between the deformation parameter of each model and corrosion is shown by this code. These results are feasibility study for diagnosis of corrosion level of rebar by associated parameters to a shape of impedance graph.

Electrical conductivity of Gd doped BiFeO3-PbZrO3 composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Satpathy, Santosh Kumar; Mohanty, Nilaya Kumar; Behera, Ajay Kumar; Behera, Banarji; Nayak, Pratibindhya

2013-09-01

The composite, 0.5(BiGd0.15Fe0.85O3)-0.5(PbZrO3), was synthesized using the solid-state reaction technique. The formation of the compound was confirmed by XRD with an orthorhombic structure at room temperature. The impedance parameters were studied using an impedance analyzer in a wide range of frequency (102-106 Hz) at different temperatures. The Nyquist plot suggests the contribution of bulk effect and a slight indication of grain boundary effect and the bulk resistance decreases with a rise in temperature. The presence of temperature-dependent relaxation process occurs in the material. Electrical modulus reveals the presence of the hopping mechanism in the materials. The value of exponent n, pre-factor A and σ dc were obtained by fitting ac conductivity data with Jonscher's universal power law. The activation energies calculated from the ac conductivity were found to be 0.50, 0.46, 0.44, 0.43, 0.42 and 0.38 eV at 1, 10, 50, 100, 500 kHz and 1 MHz respectively in the temperature region of 110°C-350°C. The dc conductivity was found to increase with the rise in temperature. The activation energy calculated from complex impedance plot and from the fitted Jonscher's power law are very close, which results similar type of charge carrier exist in conduction mechanism of the material.

Advanced Bode Plot Techniques for Ultrasonic Transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

DeAngelis, D. A.; Schulze, G. W.

The Bode plot, displayed as either impedance or admittance versus frequency, is the most basic test used by ultrasonic transducer designers. With simplicity and ease-of-use, Bode plots are ideal for baseline comparisons such as spacing of parasitic modes or impedance, but quite often the subtleties that manifest as poor process control are hard to interpret or are nonexistence. In-process testing of transducers is time consuming for quantifying statistical aberrations, and assessments made indirectly via the workpiece are difficult. This research investigates the use of advanced Bode plot techniques to compare ultrasonic transducers with known "good" and known "bad" process performance, with the goal of a-priori process assessment. These advanced techniques expand from the basic constant voltage versus frequency sweep to include constant current and constant velocity interrogated locally on transducer or tool; they also include up and down directional frequency sweeps to quantify hysteresis effects like jumping and dropping phenomena. The investigation focuses solely on the common PZT8 piezoelectric material used with welding transducers for semiconductor wire bonding. Several metrics are investigated such as impedance, displacement/current gain, velocity/current gain, displacement/voltage gain and velocity/voltage gain. The experimental and theoretical research methods include Bode plots, admittance loops, laser vibrometry and coupled-field finite element analysis.

Effect of Cu-doping on structural and electrical properties of Ni0.4-xCu0.3+xMg0.3Fe2O4 ferrites prepared using sol-gel method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhaou, Mohamed Houcine

2018-06-01

Ni0.4-xCu0.3+xMg0.3Fe2O4 spinel ferrites were prepared by sol-gel technique. X-ray diffraction results indicate that ferrite samples have a cubic spinel-type structure with ? space group. The electrical properties of the studied samples using complex impedance spectroscopy technique have been investigated as a function of frequency at different temperatures. We found that the addition of copper in Ni0.4-xCu0.3+xMg0.3Fe2O4 ferrite system can improve its conductivity. Dielectric properties have been discussed in terms of hopping of charge carriers between Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions. For all samples, frequency dependence of the imaginary part of impedance (Z") shows the existence of relaxation phenomenon. The appropriate equivalent circuit configuration for modeling the Nyquist plots of impedance is of the type of (Rg + Rgb//Cgb).

Structural, dielectric and impedance studies of polycrystalline La0.6Dy0.2Ca0.2MnO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nandan, K. R.; Kumar, A. Ruban

2017-05-01

Polycrystalline materials of Dy doped La1-xCaxMnO3 were prepared by Sol-Gel technique using citric acid as a chelating agent at 900°C. The compound was analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction technique and confirmed to be single phased orthorhombic perovskite structure with space group Pnma. From the dielectric and impedance studies confirmed the existence of dielectric relaxation and presence of space charge were observed from the dielectric constant and impedance plots respectively and confirms the existence of relaxation due to oxygen vacancy. Cole-cole plot confirms the presence of dielectric relaxation and grain contribution in the synthesized sample.

Reducing Uncertainties in Hydrocarbon Prediction through Application of Elastic Domain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shamsuddin, S. Z.; Hermana, M.; Ghosh, D. P.; Salim, A. M. A.

2017-10-01

The application of lithology and fluid indicators has helped the geophysicists to discriminate reservoirs to non-reservoirs from a field. This analysis is conducted to select the most suitable lithology and fluid indicator for the Malaysian basins that could lead to better eliminate pitfalls of amplitude. This paper uses different rock physics analysis such as elastic impedance, Lambda-Mu-Rho, and SQp-SQs attribute. Litho-elastic impedance log is generated by correlating the gamma ray log with extended elastic impedance log. The same application is used for fluid-elastic impedance by correlation of EEI log with water saturation or resistivity. The work is done on several well logging data collected from different fields in Malay basin and its neighbouring basin. There's an excellent separation between hydrocarbon sand and background shale for Well-1 from different cross-plot analysis. Meanwhile, the Well-2 shows good separation in LMR plot. The similar method is done on the Well-3 shows fair separation of silty sand and gas sand using SQp-SQs attribute which can be correlated with well log. Based on the point distribution histogram plot, different lithology and fluid can be separated clearly. Simultaneous seismic inversion results in acoustic impedance, Vp/Vs, SQp, and SQs volumes. There are many attributes available in the industry used to separate the lithology and fluid, however some of the methods are not suitable for the application to the basins in Malaysia.

The effects of non-stationary noise on electromagnetic response estimates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banks, R. J.

1998-11-01

The noise in natural electromagnetic time series is typically non-stationary. Sections of data with high magnetic noise levels bias impedances and generate unreliable error estimates. Sections containing noise that is coherent between electric and magnetic channels also produce inappropriate impedances and errors. The answer is to compute response values for data sections which are as short as is feasible, i.e. which are compatible both with the chosen bandwidth and with the need to over-determine the least-squares estimation of the impedance and coherence. Only those values that are reliable are selected, and the best single measure of the reliability of Earth impedance estimates is their temporal invariance, which is tested by the coherence between the measured and predicted electric fields. Complex demodulation is the method used here to explore the temporal structure of electromagnetic fields in the period range 20-6000 s. For periods above 300 s, noisy sections are readily identified in time series of impedance values. The corresponding estimates deviate strongly from the normal value, are biased towards low impedance values, and are associated with low coherences. Plots of the impedance against coherence are particularly valuable diagnostic aids. For periods below 300 s, impedance bias increases systematically as the coherence falls, identifying input channel noise as the cause. By selecting sections with high coherence (equivalent to the impedance being invariant over the section) unbiased impedances and realistic errors can be determined. The scatter in impedance values among high-coherence sections is due to noise that is coherent between input and output channels, implying the presence of two or more systems for which a consistent response can be defined. Where the Earth and noise responses are significantly different, it may be possible to improve estimates of the former by rejecting sections that do not generate satisfactory values for all the response elements.

Impedance and modulus spectroscopic study of nano hydroxyapatite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jogiya, B. V.; Jethava, H. O.; Tank, K. P.; Raviya, V. R.; Joshi, M. J.

2016-05-01

Hydroxyapatite (Ca10 (PO4)6 (OH)2, HAP) is the main inorganic component of the hard tissues in bones and also important material for orthopedic and dental implant applications. Nano HAP is of great interest due to its various bio-medical applications. In the present work the nano HAP was synthesized by using surfactant mediated approach. Structure and morphology of the synthesized nano HAP was examined by the Powder XRD and TEM. Impedance study was carried out on pelletized sample in a frequency range of 100Hz to 20MHz at room temperature. The variation of dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and a.c. conductivity with frequency of applied field was studied. The Nyquist plot as well as modulus plot was drawn. The Nyquist plot showed two semicircle arcs, which indicated the presence of grain and grain boundary effect in the sample. The typical behavior of the Nyquist plot was represented by equivalent circuit having two parallel RC combinations in series.

Temperature-Dependent Electrical and Micromechanical Properties of Lanthanum Titanate with Additions of Yttria

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldsby, Jon C.

2010-01-01

Temperature-dependent elastic properties were determined by establishing continuous flexural vibrations in the material at its lowest resonance frequency of 31tHz. The imaginary part of the complex impedance plotted as a function of frequency and temperature reveals a thermally activated peak, which decreases in magnitude as the temperature increases. Additions of yttria do not degrade the electromechanical in particularly the elastic and anelastic properties of lanthanum titanate. Y2O3/La2Ti2O7 exhibits extremely low internal friction and hence may be more mechanical fatigue-resistant at low strains.

ZrO{sub 2}-ZnO composite thin films for humidity sensing

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

Velumani, M., E-mail: velumanimohan@gmail.com; Sivacoumar, R.; Alex, Z. C.

2016-05-23

ZrO{sub 2}-ZnO composite thin films were grown by reactive DC magnetron sputtering. X-ray diffraction studies reveal the composite nature of the films with separate ZnO and ZrO{sub 2} phase. Scanning electron microscopy studies confirm the nanocrystalline structure of the films. The films were studied for their impedometric relative humidity (RH) sensing characteristics. The complex impedance plot was fitted with a standard equivalent circuit consisting of an inter-granular resistance and a capacitance in parallel. The DC resistance was found to be decreasing with increase in RH.

Dielectric relaxation and conduction mechanism studies of BNT-BT-BKT ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chandrasekhar, M.; Khatua, Dipak Kumar; Pattanayak, Ranjit; Kumar, P.

2017-12-01

Electrical properties of 0.884Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-0.036BaTiO3-0.08Bi0.5K0.5TiO3 ceramic samples were investigated in 100Hz to 1 MHz frequency range and in 200-450 °C temperature range using impedance spectroscopy technique. Real part of impedance versus frequency plots in lower frequency region revealed its PTCR behavior and NTCR behaviors in higher frequency region. Impedance study also suggested the presence of non-Debye type relaxation mechanism. Cole-Cole plots suggested two relaxation regions, in which grain and grain, grain boundary effects were prominent in lower and high temperature regions, respectively. DC conductivity followed Arrhenius law with an activation energy of ∼0.79 and 1.2 eV, which suggested that the charge carrier were cation vacancies in lower temperature region whereas cation vacancies and oxygen vacancies in higher temperature region.

Structural, electrical, optical and magneto-electric characteristics of chemically synthesized CaCu3Ti4O12 dielectric ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parida, Kalpana; Choudhary, R. N. P.

2017-07-01

CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) was prepared by a chemical reaction method. The pellets prepared from the calcined powder of the material were sintered at 1100 °C. Analysis of x-ray diffraction pattern, recorded on CCTO powder, confirms the phase formation of CCTO. Studies of dielectric (ɛ r, tanδ) and impedance parameters using dielectric and impedance spectroscopy of the compound have provided information about the electrical properties and the dielectric relaxation mechanism of the material. Detailed studies on the variation of electrical conductivity (dc) with temperature show semi-conducting nature of the material. Study of frequency (of applied electric field) dependence of ac conductivity at different temperatures suggests that the compound follows the Jonscher’s power law. Complex impedance spectroscopic analysis suggests that the semicircles formed in the Nyquist plot are connected to the grains, grain boundary and interface effects. An optical energy band gap of ~1.9 eV is obtained from the UV-visible absorbance spectrum. The magnetic data related to magneto-electric (ME) coefficient, measured by varying dc bias magnetic field, have been obtained at room temperature.

Investigation of conduction and relaxation phenomena in BaZrxTi1-xO3 (x=0.05) by impedance spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahajan, Sandeep; Haridas, Divya; Ali, S. T.; Munirathnam, N. R.; Sreenivas, K.; Thakur, O. P.; Prakash, Chandra

2014-10-01

In present study we have prepared ferroelectric BaZrxTi1-xO3 (x=0.05) ceramic by conventional solid state reaction route and studied its electrical properties as a function of temperature and frequency. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows single-phase formation of the compound with orthorhombic crystal structure at room temperature. Impedance and electric modulus spectroscopy analysis in the frequency range of 40 Hz-1 MHz at high temperature (200-600 °C) suggests two relaxation processes with different time constant are involved which are attributed to bulk and grain boundary effects. Frequency dependent dielectric plot at different temperature shows normal variation with frequency while dielectric loss (tanδ) peak was found to obey an Arrhenius law with activation energy of 1.02 eV. The frequency-dependent AC conductivity data were also analyzed in a wide temperature range. In present work we have studied the role of grain and grain boundaries on the electrical behaviour of Zr-doped BaTiO3 and their dependence on temperature and frequency by complex impedance and modulus spectroscopy (CIS) technique in a wide frequency (40 Hz-1 MHz) and high temperature range.

A method for analyzing electrical impedance spectroscopy data from breast cancer patients

PubMed Central

Kim, Bong Seok; Isaacson, David; Xia, Hongjun; Kao, Tzu-Jen; Newell, Jonathan C; Saulnier, Gary J

2008-01-01

Research on freshly-excised malignant breast tissues and surrounding normal tissues in an in vitro impedance cell has shown that breast tumors have different conductivity and permittivity from normal or non-malignant tissues. This contrast may provide a basis for breast cancer detection using electrical impedance imaging. This paper describes a procedure for collecting electrical impedance spectroscopy data simultaneously and in register with tomosynthesis data from patients. We describe the methods used to analyze the data in order to determine if the electrodes are making contact with the breast of the patient. Canonical voltage patterns are applied and used to synthesize the data that would have resulted from constant voltage patterns applied to each of two parallel mammography plates. A type of Cole–Cole plot is generated and displayed from each of the currents measured on each of the electrodes for each of the frequencies (5, 10, 30, 100 and 300 kHz) of applied voltages. We illustrate the potential usefulness of these displays in distinguishing breast cancer from benign lesions with the Cole–Cole plots for two patients—one having cancer and one having a benign lesion—by comparing these graphs with electrical impedance spectra previously found by Jossinet and Schmitt in tissue samples taken from a variety of patients. PMID:17664638

A method for analyzing electrical impedance spectroscopy data from breast cancer patients.

PubMed

Kim, Bong Seok; Isaacson, David; Xia, Hongjun; Kao, Tzu-Jen; Newell, Jonathan C; Saulnier, Gary J

2007-07-01

Research on freshly-excised malignant breast tissues and surrounding normal tissues in an in vitro impedance cell has shown that breast tumors have different conductivity and permittivity from normal or non-malignant tissues. This contrast may provide a basis for breast cancer detection using electrical impedance imaging. This paper describes a procedure for collecting electrical impedance spectroscopy data simultaneously and in register with tomosynthesis data from patients. We describe the methods used to analyze the data in order to determine if the electrodes are making contact with the breast of the patient. Canonical voltage patterns are applied and used to synthesize the data that would have resulted from constant voltage patterns applied to each of two parallel mammography plates. A type of Cole-Cole plot is generated and displayed from each of the currents measured on each of the electrodes for each of the frequencies (5, 10, 30, 100 and 300 kHz) of applied voltages. We illustrate the potential usefulness of these displays in distinguishing breast cancer from benign lesions with the Cole-Cole plots for two patients--one having cancer and one having a benign lesion--by comparing these graphs with electrical impedance spectra previously found by Jossinet and Schmitt in tissue samples taken from a variety of patients.

Preparation and characterization of MWCNT nanofiller incorporated polymer composite for lithium battery applications

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

Pradeepa, P.; Raj, S. Edwin; Selvakumar, K.

Poly (ethyl methacrylate) based polymer electrolyte films were prepared by solution casting technique incorporating multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) as filler and characterized using XRD and Ac impedance analysis. The electrical conductivity is increased with increasing filler concentration (upto 6wt %), which is attributed to the formation of charge transfer complexes. The maximum ionic conductivity value is found to be 1.171×10{sup −3} Scm{sup −1} at 303K for PEMA (19wt %) -LiClO{sub 4} (8wt %) -MWCNT (6wt %) -PC (67wt %) electrolyte system. The temperature dependent ionic conductivity plot seems to obey Vogel -Tamman-Fulcher relation.

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy of Conductive Polymer Coatings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Calle, Luz Marina; MacDowell, Louis G.

1996-01-01

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to investigate the corrosion protection performance of twenty nine proprietary conductive polymer coatings for cold rolled steel under immersion in 3.55 percent NaCl. Corrosion potential as well as Bode plots of the data were obtained for each coating after one hour immersion, All coatings, with the exception of one, have a corrosion potential that is higher in the positive direction than the corrosion potential of bare steel under the same conditions. Group A consisted of twenty one coatings with Bode plots indicative of the capacitive behavior characteristic of barrier coatings. An equivalent circuit consisting of a capacitor in series with a resistor simulated the experimental EIS data for these coatings very well. Group B consisted of eight coatings that exhibited EIS spectra showing an inflection point which indicates that two time constants are present. This may be caused by an electrochemical process taking place which could be indicitive of coating failing. These coatings have a lower impedance that those in Group A.

[Activities of the Department of Electrical Engineering, Howard University

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yalamanchili, Raj C.

1997-01-01

Theoretical derivations, computer analysis and test data are provided to demonstrate that the cavity model is a feasible one to analyze thin-substrate, rectangular-patch microstrip antennas. Seven separate antennas were tested. Most of the antennas were designed to resonate at L-band frequencies (1-2 GHz). One antenna was designed to resonate at an S-band (2-4 GHz) frequency of 2.025 GHz. All dielectric substrates were made of Duroid, and were of varying thicknesses and relative dielectric constant values. Theoretical derivations to calculate radiated free space electromagnetic fields and antenna input impedance were performed. MATHEMATICA 2.2 software was used to generate Smith Chart input impedance plots, normalized relative power radiation plots and to perform other numerical manipulations. Network Analyzer tests were used to verify the data from the computer programming (such as input impedance and VSWR). Finally, tests were performed in an anechoic chamber to measure receive-mode polar power patterns in the E and H planes. Agreement between computer analysis and test data is presented. The antenna with the thickest substrate (e(sub r) = 2.33,62 mils thick) showed the worst match to theoretical impedance data. This is anticipated due to the fact that the cavity model generally loses accuracy when the dielectric substrate thickness exceeds 5% of the antenna's free space wavelength. A method of reducing computer execution time for impedance calculations is also presented.

Study of metal corrosion using ac impedance techniques in the STS launch environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Calle, Luz M.

1989-01-01

AC impedance measurements were performed to investigate the corrosion resistance of 19 alloys under conditions similar to the STS launch environment. The alloys were: Zirconium 702, Hastelloy C-22, Inconel 625, Hastelloy C-276, Hastelloy C-4, Inconel 600, 7Mo + N, Ferralium 255, Inco Alloy G-3, 20Cb-3, SS 904L, Inconel 825, SS 304LN, SS 316L, SS 317L, ES 2205, SS 304L, Hastelloy B-2, and Monel 400. AC impedance data were gathered for each alloy after one hour immersion time in each of the following three electrolyte solutions: 3.55 percent NaCl, 3.55 percent NaCl-0.1N HCl, and 3.55 percent NaCl-1.0N HCl. The data were analyzed qualitatively using the Nyquist plot and quantitatively using the Bode plot. Polarization resistance, Rp, values were obtained using the Bode plot. Zirconium 702 was the most corrosion resistant alloy in the three electrolytes. The ordering of the other alloys according the their resistance to corrosion varied as the concentration of hydrochloric acid in the electrolyte increased. The corrosion resistance of Zirconium 702 and Ferralium 255 increased as the concentration of hydrochloric acid in the electrolyte increased. The corrosion resistance of the other 17 alloys decreased as the concentration of the hyrdochloric acid in the electrolyte increased.

Impedance spectral analysis and scaling behavior of Mn2+-Si4+ substituted Mn-Zn ferrites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vasoya, N. H.; Saija, K. G.; Dolia, S. N.; Jha, Prafulla K.; Modi, K. B.

2017-11-01

This communication reports complex impedance (Z *  =  Z‧  -  iZ″) spectral analysis of polycrystalline spinel ferrite system, Mn0.7+x Zn0.3Si x Fe2-2x O4 (x  =  0.0-0.3), synthesized by a solid-state reaction route over the broad frequency (f  =  20 Hz-1 MHz) and temperature (T  =  300-673 K) ranges. Variation of Z‧(f, T) showing a typical negative temperature coefficient of resistant type behavior. Cole-Cole plots (Z″ versus Z‧) have been used to determine grain and grain boundary resistances, capacitances, relaxation frequencies and relaxation times. Relaxation time is found to decrease with temperature and it obeys the Arrhenius relationship. The corresponding activation energy values are found to be about ~0.6 eV suggesting conduction due to the polaron hopping based on the electron carriers. Evidence of the components from both localized and delocalized relaxations is observed. The scaling of Z″/Z max by using f max as a scaling parameter is more successful as compared to that carried out using σ dc as a scaling quantity. The results revealed that the complex dielectric parameters and structure of the ferrite ceramics are strongly coupled properties.

Polymer Electrolyte Based on Poly(ethylene imine) and Lithium Salts.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-10-01

plots of AC impedance data obtained over the frequency range from 100 Nz to 13 az12 . AC impedance was determined using a computerized Hewlett-Packard...E. Yasger repartment of Chemistry Dr. Sam Perone Case Western Reserve University Chemitry & Materials Cleveland, Ohio 41106 1 Scifnte Department...1 Dr. Carl Kannewurf borthvestern University Dr. Joseph Gordon, I1 Dipartment of Electrical Engineering IB Corporation and Computer Science X33/281

Conduction mechanism, impedance spectroscopic investigation and dielectric behavior of La0.5Ca0.5-xAgxMnO3 manganites with compositions below the concentration limit of silver solubility in perovskites (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2).

PubMed

Rahmouni, H; Smari, M; Cherif, B; Dhahri, E; Khirouni, K

2015-06-14

This study presents the electrical properties, complex impedance analysis and dielectrical behavior of La0.5Ca0.5-xAgxMnO3 manganites with compositions below the concentration limit of silver solubility in perovskites (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2). Transport measurements indicate that all the samples have a semiconductor-like behavior. The metal-semiconductor transition is not observed across the whole temperature range explored [80 K-700 K]. At a specific temperature, a saturation region was marked in the σ (T) curves. We obtained a maximum σdc value at ambient temperature with the introduction of 20% Ag content. Two hopping models were applied to study the conduction mechanism. We found that activation energy (Ea) related to ac-conductivity is lower than the Ea implicated in dc-conductivity. Complex impedance analysis confirms the contribution of grain boundary to conductivity and permits the attribution of grain boundary capacitance evolution to the temperature dependence of the barrier layer width. From the temperature dependence of the average normalized change (ANC), we deduce the temperature at which the available density of trapped charge states vanishes. Such a temperature is close to the temperature at which the saturation region appears in σ(T) curves. Moreover, complex impedance analysis (CIA) indicates the presence of electrical relaxation in materials. It is noteworthy that relaxation species such as defects may be responsible for electrical conduction. The dielectric behavior of La0.5Ca0.5-xAgxMnO3 manganites has a Debye-like relaxation with a sharp decrease in the real part of permittivity at a frequency where the imaginary part of permittivity (ε'') and tg δ plots versus frequency demonstrate a relaxation peak. The Debye-like relaxation is explained by Maxwell-Wagner (MW) polarization. Experimental results are found to be in good agreement with the Smit and Wijn theory.

Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy Study of Biological Tissues

PubMed Central

Dean, D.A.; Ramanathan, T.; Machado, D.; Sundararajan, R.

2008-01-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the electrical impedance properties of rat lung and other tissues ex vivo using Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy. Rat lungs (both electroporated and naïve (untreated)), and mesenteric vessels (naïve) were harvested from male Sprague-Dawley rats; their electrical impedance were measured using a Solartron 1290 impedance analyzer. Mouse lung and heart samples (naïve) were also studied. The resistance (Real Z, ohm) and the reactance (Im Z, negative ohm)) magnitudes and hence the Cole-Cole (Real Z versus Im Z) plots are different for the electroporated lung and the naive lung. The results confirm the close relationship between the structure and the functional characteristic. These also vary for the different biological tissues studied. The impedance values were higher at low frequencies compared to those at high frequencies. This study is of practical interest for biological applications of electrical pulses, such as electroporation, whose efficacy depends on cell type and its electrical impedance characteristics. PMID:19255614

Structural and impedance studies of LiNi{sub 0.5}Mn{sub 1.5}O{sub 4} synthesized by sol-gel method

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

Lobo, Laurel Simon, E-mail: laurelsimonlobo@gmail.com; Rubankumar, A., E-mail: arubankumarvit@gmail.com; Kalainathan, S.

2016-05-23

LiNi{sub 0.5}Mn{sub 1.5}O{sub 4} is synthesized by sol-gel method by using succinic acid as chelating agent. X-ray diffraction pattern confirms the material is spinel cubic structure with Fd3m space group. Impedance spectroscopy analysis of spinel LiNi{sub 0.5}Mn{sub 1.5}O{sub 4} was performed under a wide frequency and temperature range of 50 Hz to 5 MHz and 303 K to 783 K respectively. The hopping of the electrons, ionic conductivity and activation energy were analyzed from the relaxation frequency of the imaginary impedance (Z”). The activation energy E{sub a} is calculated from the Arrhenius plots and it is found to be 0.3713 eV, which indicates themore » existence of oxygen vacancy in the material. Nyquist plot indicates the presence of grain effect in the material and suppression in the grain effect is observed with increasing temperature.« less

In-Situ Electrochemical Corrosion Behavior of Nickel-Base 718 Alloy Under Various CO2 Partial Pressures at 150 and 205 °C in NaCl Solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yubi; Zhao, Yongtao; Tang, An; Yang, Wenjie; Li, Enzuo

2018-07-01

The electrochemical corrosion behavior of nickel-base alloy 718 was investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization techniques at various partial pressures of CO2 (P_{{{CO}2 }}s) in a 25 wt% NaCl solution at 150 and 205 °C. The passive films composed of FeCO3 exhibit good corrosion resistance with a feature of Warburg impedance, Tafel plots show a complete passivation and the anodic reactions was dominated by a diffusion process at low P_{{{CO}2 }}s (1.8-9.8 MPa) at 150 °C. While numerous dented corrosion areas appeared on the sample surface for the P_{{{CO}2 }} of 11.6 MPa at 205 °C, the Tafel plot with three anodic peaks and the Nyquist diagram with an atrophied impedance arc were present. This dented corrosion attribute to the synergistic effects of stress, temperature, P_{{{CO}2 }} and Cl-, the temperature and stress could play crucial roles on the corrosion of the alloy 718.

In-Situ Electrochemical Corrosion Behavior of Nickel-Base 718 Alloy Under Various CO2 Partial Pressures at 150 and 205 °C in NaCl Solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yubi; Zhao, Yongtao; Tang, An; Yang, Wenjie; Li, Enzuo

2018-03-01

The electrochemical corrosion behavior of nickel-base alloy 718 was investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization techniques at various partial pressures of CO2 (P_{{{CO}2 }} s) in a 25 wt% NaCl solution at 150 and 205 °C. The passive films composed of FeCO3 exhibit good corrosion resistance with a feature of Warburg impedance, Tafel plots show a complete passivation and the anodic reactions was dominated by a diffusion process at low P_{{{CO}2 }} s (1.8-9.8 MPa) at 150 °C. While numerous dented corrosion areas appeared on the sample surface for the P_{{{CO}2 }} of 11.6 MPa at 205 °C, the Tafel plot with three anodic peaks and the Nyquist diagram with an atrophied impedance arc were present. This dented corrosion attribute to the synergistic effects of stress, temperature, P_{{{CO}2 }} and Cl-, the temperature and stress could play crucial roles on the corrosion of the alloy 718.

The use of Cole-Cole plots to compare two multifrequency bioimpedance instruments.

PubMed

Stroud, D B; Cornish, B H; Thomas, B J; Ward, L C

1995-10-01

Two commercially available multifrequency bioimpedance spectrometers (Xitron 4000B and SEAC SFB3) were compared by performing measurements on a set of electronic circuits and by studying 14 healthy volunteers. Output data were plotted as reactance versus resistance and fitted with a semi-circle using a least squares fitting program. In tests with six electronic circuits both instruments produced impedance loci that were well described by semicircular Cole-Cole plots, though there were some minor discrepancies using the Xitron instrument at frequencies above 150 kHz. When tested on the volunteers the SEAC instrument gave very good fits (RMSE = 1.5 Omega) to a semi-circle from 5-600 kHz on all volunteers. The Xitron instrument gave excellent fits to the semi-circle between 5 and 55 kHz (RMSE = 0.7 Omega) but above 55 kHz the phase measurements stayed constant or even increased, confirming the anomalous behaviour reported by other authors. The conclusions to be drawn are that the semicircular plots predicted by the Cole-Cole theory give a very good description of multifrequency impedance data recorded by the SEAC SFB3 instrument, on human subjects, for frequencies between 5 and 600 kHz. The Xitron 4000B is not able to reproduce the theoretically expected results in humans above 55 kHz.

Structural and electrical properties of nickel substituted cadmium ferrite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chethan, B.; Raj Prakash, H. G.; Vijayakumari, S. C.; Ravikiran, Y. T.

2018-05-01

Spinal nano-sized Cadmium ferrite (CD) and Nickel substituted cadmium ferrite (NSCF) were fabricated by sol-gel auto combustion method. The formation of spinal structure of ferrite materials was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The crystallites size of CF and NSCF as determined by Scherrer's formula were found to be 24.73 nm and 17.70 nm respectively. comparative study of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of CF and NSCF revealed tetrahedral absorption bands shifted slightly towards higher frequency where as octahedral bands shifted towards lower frequency side confirming interfacial interaction between Ni and CF. The AC conductivity (σ), loss tangent (tan δ) and complex plane impedance plots for both CF and NSCF are determined at various frequencies ranging from 50 kHz to 5 MHz and comparatively analyzed. The increase in AC conductivity of the NSCF nano particles as compared to CF was explained in the light of hopping model. The impedance measurement of NSCF show presence of a semi-circle corresponding to the grain boundary resistance and hence shows that the conductivity takes place largely through grain boundaries.

Factors confounding impedance catheter volume measurements in vitro.

PubMed

Bielefeld, M R; Cabreriza, S E; Spotnitz, H M

1993-06-01

The impedance catheter allows continuous measurement of ventricular volume. External influences have been described as causing parallel shifts in impedance-measured volumes; however, factors affecting impedance measurements in a nonparallel manner have not been fully characterized. Accordingly, an impedance catheter was placed inside a latex balloon into which known volumes of normal saline solution were injected. Conductive and nonconductive materials were individually placed within the balloon. Impedance was measured with materials touching (T) or not touching (NT) the catheter. Impedance-measured volumes were plotted versus actual volumes. Compared with the line of identity (LID), a statistical difference (p < 0.05) was found in the slopes in the presence of metallic objects only. These included a pacing lead (T, NT) (mT = 1.32m mNT = 1.29 versus mLID = 1.00), titanium (T) (mT = 1.68 versus mLID = 1.00), and aluminum (NT) (mNT = 0.72 versus mLID = 1.00). These changes in slope indicate nonparallel effects on impedance that confound the ability of the impedance catheter to determine volumes in vitro. These observations imply that serial calibration of both the slope constant (alpha) and the intercept (parallel conductance) of impedance may be necessary for in vivo measurements of ventricular volume based on impedance in the presence of metallic objects.

The relationship between dielectrophoretic and impedance response of dielectric particles immersed in aqueous media

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

Bahaj, A.E.; Bailey, A.G.

1985-09-01

Dielectrophoretic force measurements on isolated 50-..mu..m diameter particles of divinylbenzene (DVB) suspended in aqueous solutions show that force is dependent on relaxation mechanisms present at the particle-liquid interface. Measurements on single particles have been extended to measurements on populations of particles. The impedance of aqueous suspensions of particles contained in a gold-plated electrode test cell has been measured over a range of frequency. Data are presented in the form of Cole-Cole plots. It is shown that the dielectrophoretic response of single particles can be related to the frequency-dependent impedance behavior of suspensions of similar particles.

Dielectric relaxation study of Pb(Yb0.5Ta0.5)O3 near ferroelectric phase transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Praharaj, S.; Biswas, P.; Rout, D.

2018-05-01

The dielectric relaxation study of Pb(Yb0.5Ta0.5)O3 was investigated by dielectric and impedance measurements. A weak relaxor behavior was observed in the specimen near to the antiferroelectric to ferroelectric phase transition. The frequency dependence of Tm analysis confirms the existence of polar nano regions and the interaction between them as well. The depressed semicircles in the impedance plot suggest poly dispersive (non Debye type) nature of the dielectric phenomena in the sample. The dielectric relaxation was further investigated through the analysis of frequency dependence imaginary part of impedance and modulus data.

Modeling of a carbon nanotube ultracapacitor.

PubMed

Orphanou, Antonis; Yamada, Toshishige; Yang, Cary Y

2012-03-09

The modeling of carbon nanotube ultracapacitor (CNU) performance based on the simulation of electrolyte ion motion between the cathode and the anode is described. Using a molecular dynamics (MD) approach, the equilibrium positions of the electrode charges interacting through the Coulomb potential are determined, which in turn yield the equipotential surface and electric field associated with the capacitor. With an applied ac voltage, the current is computed based on the nanotube and electrolyte particle distribution and interaction, resulting in the frequency-dependent impedance Z(ω). From the current and impedance profiles, the Nyquist and cyclic voltammetry (CV) plots are then extracted. The results of these calculations compare well with existing experimental data. A lumped-element equivalent circuit for the CNU is proposed and the impedance computed from this circuit correlates well with the simulated and measured impedances.

Identification of fluids and an interface between fluids by measuring complex impedance

DOEpatents

Lee, David O.; Wayland, Jr., James R.

1989-01-01

Complex impedance measured over a predefined frequency range is used to determine the identity of different oils in a column. The location of an interface between the oils is determined from the percent frequency effects of the complex impedance measured across the interface.

Identification of fluids and an interface between fluids by measuring complex impedance

DOEpatents

Lee, D.O.; Wayland, J.R. Jr.

1989-12-05

Complex impedance measured over a predefined frequency range is used to determine the identity of different oils in a column. The location of an interface between the oils is determined from the percent frequency effects of the complex impedance measured across the interface. 5 figs.

Dielectric relaxations on erythrocyte membrane as revealed by spectrin denaturation.

PubMed

Ivanov, I T; Paarvanova, B

2016-08-01

We studied the effect of spectrin denaturation at 49.5°C (TA) on the dielectric relaxations and related changes in the complex impedance, Z*, complex capacitance, C*, and dielectric loss curve of suspensions containing human erythrocytes, erythrocyte ghost membranes (EMs) and Triton-X-100 residues of EMs. The loss curve prior to, minus the loss curve after TA, resulted in a bell-shaped peak at 1.5MHz. The changes in the real and imaginary components of Z* and C* at TA, i.e., ΔZre, ΔZim, ΔCre and ΔCim, calculated in the same way, strongly varied with frequency. Between 1.0 and 12MHz the -ΔZim vs ΔZre, and ΔCim vs ΔCre plots depicted semicircles with critical frequencies, fcr, at 2.5MHz expressing recently reported relaxation of spectrin dipoles. Between 0.02 and 1.0MHz the -ΔZim vs ΔZre plot exhibited another relaxation whose fcr mirrored that of beta relaxation. This relaxation was absent on Triton-X-shells, while on erythrocytes and EMs it was inhibited by selective dissociation of either attachment sites between spectrin and bilayer. Considering above findings and inaccessibility of cytosole to outside field at such frequencies, the latter relaxation was assumed originating from a piezoelectric effect on the highly deformable spectrin filaments. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An Electronic Measurement Instrumentation of the Impedance of a Loaded Fuel Cell or Battery

PubMed Central

Aglzim, El-Hassane; Rouane, Amar; El-Moznine, Reddad

2007-01-01

In this paper we present an inexpensive electronic measurement instrumentation developed in our laboratory, to measure and plot the impedance of a loaded fuel cell or battery. Impedance measurements were taken by using the load modulation method. This instrumentation has been developed around a VXI system stand which controls electronic cards. Software under Hpvee® was developed for automatic measurements and the layout of the impedance of the fuel cell on load. The measurement environment, like the ambient temperature, the fuel cell temperature, the level of the hydrogen, etc…, were taken with several sensors that enable us to control the measurement. To filter the noise and the influence of the 50Hz, we have implemented a synchronous detection which filters in a very narrow way around the useful signal. The theoretical result obtained by a simulation under Pspice® of the method used consolidates the choice of this method and the possibility of obtaining correct and exploitable results. The experimental results are preliminary results on a 12V vehicle battery, having an inrush current of 330A and a capacity of 40Ah (impedance measurements on a fuel cell are in progress, and will be the subject of a forthcoming paper). The results were plotted at various nominal voltages of the battery (12.7V, 10V, 8V and 5V) and with two imposed currents (0.6A and 4A). The Nyquist diagram resulting from the experimental data enable us to show an influence of the load of the battery on its internal impedance. The similitude in the graph form and in order of magnitude of the values obtained (both theoretical and practical) enables us to validate our electronic measurement instrumentation. One of the future uses for this instrumentation is to integrate it with several control sensors, on a vehicle as an embedded system to monitor the degradation of fuel cell membranes. PMID:28903231

Bioelectrical impedance vector distribution in the first year of life.

PubMed

Savino, Francesco; Grasso, Giulia; Cresi, Francesco; Oggero, Roberto; Silvestro, Leandra

2003-06-01

We assessed the bioelectrical impedance vector distribution in a sample of healthy infants in the first year of life, which is not available in literature. The study was conducted as a cross-sectional study in 153 healthy Caucasian infants (90 male and 63 female) younger than 1 y, born at full term, adequate for gestational age, free from chronic diseases or growth problems, and not feverish. Z scores for weight, length, cranial circumference, and body mass index for the study population were within the range of +/-1.5 standard deviations according to the Euro-Growth Study references. Concurrent anthropometrics (weight, length, and cranial circumference), body mass index, and bioelectrical impedance (resistance and reactance) measurements were made by the same operator. Whole-body (hand to foot) tetrapolar measurements were performed with a single-frequency (50 kHz), phase-sensitive impedance analyzer. The study population was subdivided into three classes of age for statistical analysis: 0 to 3.99 mo, 4 to 7.99 mo, and 8 to 11.99 mo. Using the bivariate normal distribution of resistance and reactance components standardized by the infant's length, the bivariate 95% confidence limits for the mean impedance vector separated by sex and age groups were calculated and plotted. Further, the bivariate 95%, 75%, and 50% tolerance intervals for individual vector measurements in the first year of life were plotted. Resistance and reactance values often fluctuated during the first year of life, particularly as raw measurements (without normalization by subject's length). However, 95% confidence ellipses of mean vectors from the three age groups overlapped each other, as did confidence ellipses by sex for each age class, indicating no significant vector migration during the first year of life. We obtained an estimate of mean impedance vector in a sample of healthy infants in the first year of life and calculated the bivariate values for an individual vector (95%, 75%, and 50% tolerance ellipses).

Complex Impedance of Fast Optical Transition Edge Sensors up to 30 MHz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hattori, K.; Kobayashi, R.; Numata, T.; Inoue, S.; Fukuda, D.

2018-03-01

Optical transition edge sensors (TESs) are characterized by a very fast response, of the order of μs, which is 10^3 times faster than TESs for X-ray and gamma-ray. To extract important parameters associated with the optical TES, complex impedances at high frequencies (> 1 MHz) need to be measured, where the parasitic impedance in the circuit and reflections of electrical signals due to discontinuities in the characteristic impedance of the readout circuits become significant. This prevents the measurements of the current sensitivity β , which can be extracted from the complex impedance. In usual setups, it is hard to build a circuit model taking into account the parasitic impedances and reflections. In this study, we present an alternative method to estimate a transfer function without investigating the details of the entire circuit. Based on this method, the complex impedance up to 30 MHz was measured. The parameters were extracted from the impedance and were compared with other measurements. Using these parameters, we calculated the theoretical limit on an energy resolution and compared it with the measured energy resolution. In this paper, the reasons for the deviation of the measured value from theoretically predicted values will be discussed.

Impedance characteristics of nanoparticle-LiCoO{sub 2}+PVDF

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

Panjaitan, Elman, E-mail: elmanp@batan.go.id; Kartini, Evvy, E-mail: kartini@batan.go.id; Honggowiranto, Wagiyo

2016-02-08

The impendance of np-LiCoO{sub 2}+xPVDF, as a cathode material candidate for lithium-ion battery (LIB), has been characterized using impedance spectroscopy for x = 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 volume percentage (%v/v) and for frequencies in the 42 Hz to 5 MHz range. Both real and imaginary components of the impedance were found to be frequency dependent, and both tend to increase for increasing PVDF (polyvinyilidene fluoride) concentration, except that for 10% PVDF both real and imaginary components of impedance are smaller than for 5%. The mechanism for relaxation time for each addition of PVDF was analyzed using Cole-Cole plots. The analysismore » showed that the relaxation times of the nanostructured LiCoO{sub 2} with PVDF additive is relatively constant. Further, PVDF addition increases the bulk resistance and decreases the bulk capacitance of the nanostructured LiCoO{sub 2}.« less

Influence of Samarium Substitution on Impedance Dielectric and Electromechanical Properties of Pb(1-x)K2xNb2O6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sambasiva Rao, K.; Murali Krishna, P.; Madhava Prasad, D.; Lee, Joon Hyung

Ferroelectric, hysteresis, impedance spectroscopy parameters, AC conductivity, and piezoelectric properties in the ceramics of Pb0.74K0.52Nb2O6 and Pb0.74K0.13Sm0.13Nb2O6 have been studied. X-ray diffraction study reveals single phase with the orthorhombic structure. The samples were characterized for ferroelectric and impedance spectroscopy properties from room temperature to 600°C. Cole-Cole plots (Z″ versus Z‧) are drawn at different temperatures. The results obtained are analyzed to understand the conductivity mechanism in both the samples. The piezoelectric constant d33 has been found to be 96 × 10-12 C/N in PKN.

Structural, thermal, dielectric spectroscopic and AC impedance properties of SiC nanoparticles doped PVK/PVC blend

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alghunaim, Naziha Suliman

2018-06-01

Nanocomposite films based on poly (N-vinylcarbazole)/polyvinylchloride (PVK/PVC) blend doped with different concentrations of Silicon Carbide (SiC) nanoparticles have been prepared. The X-ray diffraction, Ultra violet-visible spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and electrical spectroscopic has been used to characterize these nanocomposites. The X-ray analysis confirms the semi-crystalline nature of the films. The intensity of the main X-ray peak is decreased due to the interaction between the PVK/PVC and SiC. The main SiC peaks are absent due to complete dissolution of SiC in polymeric matrices. The UV-Vis spectra indicated that the band gap optical energy is affected by adding SiC nanoparticles because the charges transfer complexes between PVK/PVC with amount of SiC. The thermal stability is improved and the estimated values of ε‧ and ε″ are increased with increasing for SiC content due to the free charge carriers which in turn increase the ionic conductivity of the doped samples. The plots of tan δ with frequency are studied. A single peak from the plot between tan δ and Log (f) is appeared and shifted towards the higher frequency confirmed the presence of relaxing dipoles moment.

cAmp activation of apical membrane Cl(-) channels: theoretical considerations for impedance analysis.

PubMed Central

Păunescu, T G; Helman, S I

2001-01-01

Transepithelial electrical impedance analysis provides a sensitive method to evaluate the conductances and capacitances of apical and basolateral plasma membranes of epithelial cells. Impedance analysis is complicated, due not only to the anatomical arrangement of the cells and their paracellular shunt pathways, but also in particular to the existence of audio frequency-dependent capacitances or dispersions. In this paper we explore implications and consequences of anatomically related Maxwell-Wagner and Cole-Cole dielectric dispersions that impose limitations, approximations, and pitfalls of impedance analysis when tissues are studied under widely ranging spontaneous rates of transport, and in particular when apical membrane sodium and chloride channels are activated by adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) in A6 epithelia. We develop the thesis that capacitive relaxation processes of any origin lead not only to dependence on frequency of the impedance locus, but also to the appearance of depressed semicircles in Nyquist transepithelial impedance plots, regardless of the tightness or leakiness of the paracellular shunt pathways. Frequency dependence of capacitance precludes analysis of data in traditional ways, where capacitance is assumed constant, and is especially important when apical and/or basolateral membranes exhibit one or more dielectric dispersions. PMID:11463629

Evaluation of electrical impedance ratio measurements in accuracy of electronic apex locators.

PubMed

Kim, Pil-Jong; Kim, Hong-Gee; Cho, Byeong-Hoon

2015-05-01

The aim of this paper was evaluating the ratios of electrical impedance measurements reported in previous studies through a correlation analysis in order to explicit it as the contributing factor to the accuracy of electronic apex locator (EAL). The literature regarding electrical property measurements of EALs was screened using Medline and Embase. All data acquired were plotted to identify correlations between impedance and log-scaled frequency. The accuracy of the impedance ratio method used to detect the apical constriction (APC) in most EALs was evaluated using linear ramp function fitting. Changes of impedance ratios for various frequencies were evaluated for a variety of file positions. Among the ten papers selected in the search process, the first-order equations between log-scaled frequency and impedance were in the negative direction. When the model for the ratios was assumed to be a linear ramp function, the ratio values decreased if the file went deeper and the average ratio values of the left and right horizontal zones were significantly different in 8 out of 9 studies. The APC was located within the interval of linear relation between the left and right horizontal zones of the linear ramp model. Using the ratio method, the APC was located within a linear interval. Therefore, using the impedance ratio between electrical impedance measurements at different frequencies was a robust method for detection of the APC.

Classification of breast tumour using electrical impedance and machine learning techniques.

PubMed

Al Amin, Abdullah; Parvin, Shahnaj; Kadir, M A; Tahmid, Tasmia; Alam, S Kaisar; Siddique-e Rabbani, K

2014-06-01

When a breast lump is detected through palpation, mammography or ultrasonography, the final test for characterization of the tumour, whether it is malignant or benign, is biopsy. This is invasive and carries hazards associated with any surgical procedures. The present work was undertaken to study the feasibility for such characterization using non-invasive electrical impedance measurements and machine learning techniques. Because of changes in cell morphology of malignant and benign tumours, changes are expected in impedance at a fixed frequency, and versus frequency of measurement. Tetrapolar impedance measurement (TPIM) using four electrodes at the corners of a square region of sides 4 cm was used for zone localization. Data of impedance in two orthogonal directions, measured at 5 and 200 kHz from 19 subjects, and their respective slopes with frequency were subjected to machine learning procedures through the use of feature plots. These patients had single or multiple tumours of various types in one or both breasts, and four of them had malignant tumours, as diagnosed by core biopsy. Although size and depth of the tumours are expected to affect the measurements, this preliminary work ignored these effects. Selecting 12 features from the above measurements, feature plots were drawn for the 19 patients, which displayed considerable overlap between malignant and benign cases. However, based on observed qualitative trend of the measured values, when all the feature values were divided by respective ages, the two types of tumours separated out reasonably well. Using K-NN classification method the results obtained are, positive prediction value: 60%, negative prediction value: 93%, sensitivity: 75%, specificity: 87% and efficacy: 84%, which are very good for such a test on a small sample size. Study on a larger sample is expected to give confidence in this technique, and further improvement of the technique may have the ability to replace biopsy.

Probing of barrier induced deviations in current-voltage characteristics of polymer devices by impedance spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khan, Motiur Rahman; Rao, K. S. R. Koteswara; Menon, R.

2017-05-01

Temperature dependent current-voltage measurements have been performed on poly(3-methylthiophene) based devices in metal/polymer/metal geometry in temperature range 90-300 K. Space charge limited current (SCLC) controlled by exponentially distributed traps is observed at all the measured temperatures at intermediate voltage range. At higher voltages, trap-free SCLC is observed at 90 K only while slope less than 2 is observed at higher temperatures which is quiet unusual in polymer devices. Impedance measurements were performed at different bias voltages. The unusual behavior observed in current-voltage characteristics is explained by Cole-Cole plot which gives the signature of interface dipole on electrode/polymer interface. Two relaxation mechanisms are obtained from the real part of impedance vs frequency spectra which confirms the interface related phenomena in the device

Previous land use and invasive species impacts on long-term afforestation success

Treesearch

Joshua B. Nickelson; Eric J. Holzmueller; John W. Groninger; Damon B. Lesmeister

2015-01-01

The conversion of agricultural lands to forests has increased worldwide over the past few decades for multiple reasons including increasing forest connectivity and wildlife habitat. However, previous land cover and competing vegetation often impede afforestation. We established 219 plots in 29 Quercus plantations on four previous land cover types (...

Impedance measurement of Cobalt doped ZnO Quantum dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiwari, Ram; Kaphle, Amrit; Hari, Parameswar

We investigated structural, thermal and electrical properties of ZnO Quantum dots grown by precipitation method. QDs were spin coated on ITO and annealed at various temperatures ranging from 1000C to 300 0C. ZnO QDs were doped with cobalt for concentration ranging from 0-15%. XRD measurement showed increase in bond length, strain, dislocation density and Cell volume as the doping level varied from 0% to 15%. Impedance Spectroscopy measurements represented by Cole-Cole plot showed reduction in resistance as the cobalt doping concentration increased from 0-15%. Thermal activation energy was obtained by plotting resistivity Vs temperature for doped samples at temperatures from 1000C to 3000C. The thermal activation energy decreased from 85.13meV to 58.21meV as doping increased from 0-15%. Relaxation time was extracted by fitting data to RC model. Relaxation time varied from 61.57 ns to 3.76 ns as the cobalt concentration increased from 0% to 15%. We will also discuss applications of cobalt doped ZnO QDs on improving conversion efficiency of solar cells.

Dielectric and impedance study of praseodymium substituted Mg-based spinel ferrites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farid, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir; Ahmad, Ishtiaq; Ali, Irshad; Ramay, Shahid M.; Mahmood, Asif; Murtaza, G.

2017-07-01

Spinel ferrites with nominal composition MgPryFe2-yO4 (y = 0.00, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.10) were prepared by sol-gel method. Temperature dependent DC electrical conductivity and drift mobility were found in good agreement with each other, reflecting semiconducting behavior. The dielectric properties of all the samples as a function of frequency (1 MHz-3 GHz) were measured at room temperature. The dielectric constant and complex dielectric constant of these samples decreased with the increase of praseodymium concentration. In the present spinel ferrite, Cole-Cole plots were used to separate the grain and grain boundary's effects. The substitution of praseodymium ions in Mg-based spinel ferrites leads to a remarkable rise of grain boundary's resistance as compared to the grain's resistance. As both AC conductivity and Cole-Cole plots are the functions of concentration, they reveal the dominant contribution of grain boundaries in the conduction mechanism. AC activation energy was lower than dc activation energy. Temperature dependence normalized AC susceptibility of spinel ferrites reveals that MgFe2O4 exhibits multi domain (MD) structure with high Curie temperature while on substitution of praseodymium, MD to SD transitions occurs. The low values of conductivity and low dielectric loss make these materials best candidate for high frequency application.

[A Digital System for Bioimpedance and Electrical Impedance Tomography Measurement System].

PubMed

Chen, Xiaoyan; Gao, Nana; Huang, Huafang

2015-06-01

A digital system for bioimpedance and electrical impedance tomography (EIT) measurement controlled by an ATmega16 microcontroller was constructed in our laboratory. There are eight digital electrodes using AD5933 to measure the impedance of the targets, and the data is transmitted to the computer wirelessly through nRF24L01. The structure of the system, circuit design, system testing, vitro measurements of animals' tissues and electrical impedance tomography are introduced specifically in this paper. The experimental results showed that the system relative error was 0.42%, and the signal noise ratio was 76.3 dB. The system not only can be used to measure the impedance by any two electrodes within the frequency of 1-100 kHz in a sweep scanning, but also can reconstruct the images of EIT. The animal experiments showed that the data was valid and plots were fitting with Cole-Cole theory. The testing verified the feasibility and effectiveness of the system. The images reconstructed of a salt-water tank are satisfactory and match with the actual distribution of the tank. The system improves the effectiveness of the front-end measuring signal and the stability of the system greatly.

Impedance Alterations in Healthy and Diseased Mice During Electrically Induced Muscle Contraction.

PubMed

Sanchez, Benjamin; Li, Jia; Geisbush, Tom; Bardia, Ramon Bragos; Rutkove, Seward B

2016-08-01

Alterations in the health of muscles can be evaluated through the use of electrical impedance myography (EIM). To date, however, nearly all work in this field has relied upon the measurement of muscle at rest. To provide an insight into the contractile mechanisms of healthy and disease muscle, we evaluated the alterations in the spectroscopic impedance behavior of muscle during the active process of muscle contraction. The gastrocnemii from a total of 13 mice were studied (five wild type, four muscular dystrophy animals, and four amyotrophic lateral sclerosis animals). Muscle contraction was induced via monophasic current pulse stimulation of the sciatic nerve. Simultaneously, multisine EIM (1 kHz to 1 MHz) and force measurements of the muscle were performed. Stimulation was applied at three different rates to produce mild, moderate, and strong contractions. We identified changes in both single and multifrequency data, as assessed by the Cole impedance model parameters. The processes of contraction and relaxation were clearly identified in the impedance spectra and quantified via derivative plots. Reductions in the center frequency fc were observed during the contraction consistent with the increasing muscle fiber diameter. Different EIM stimulation rate-dependencies were also detected across the three groups of animals.

Physical properties of high performance fluoride ion conductor BaSnF4 thin films by pulsed laser deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patro, L. N.; Ravi Chandra Raju, N.; Meher, S. R.; Kamala Bharathi, K.

2013-09-01

This article presents the results on the growth and characterization of BaSnF4 thin films on glass substrates prepared by pulsed laser deposition technique. The structural results of BaSnF4 thin film carried out by glancing angle X-ray diffraction technique indicates the formation of the film with similar structure (tetragonal, P4/nmm) to the bulk target material. The absorption coefficient and band gap of the film is determined by suitable analysis of the transmittance spectra. The transport properties of the thin films are studied using impedance spectroscopy in the temperature range of 323-573 K. The frequency-dependent imaginary part of impedance plot shows that the conductivity relaxation is non-Debye in nature. The scaling behavior of the imaginary part of impedance at various frequencies indicates temperature-independent relaxation behavior.

Impedance Spectroscopic Investigation of Proton Conductivity in Nafion Using Transient Electrochemical Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

PubMed Central

Hink, Steffen; Wagner, Norbert; Bessler, Wolfgang G.; Roduner, Emil

2012-01-01

Spatially resolved impedance spectroscopy of a Nafion polyelectrolyte membrane is performed employing a conductive and Pt-coated tip of an atomic force microscope as a point-like contact and electrode. The experiment is conducted by perturbing the system by a rectangular voltage step and measuring the incurred current, followed by Fourier transformation and plotting the impedance against the frequency in a conventional Bode diagram. To test the potential and limitations of this novel method, we present a feasibility study using an identical hydrogen atmosphere at a well-defined relative humidity on both sides of the membrane. It is demonstrated that good quality impedance spectra are obtained in a frequency range of 0.2–1000 Hz. The extracted polarization curves exhibit a maximum current which cannot be explained by typical diffusion effects. Simulation based on equivalent circuits requires a Nernst element for restricted diffusion in the membrane which suggests that this effect is based on the potential dependence of the electrolyte resistance in the high overpotential region. PMID:24958175

Evaluation of Grounding Impedance of a Complex Lightning Protective System Using Earth Ground Clamp Measurements and ATP Modeling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mata, Carlos T.; Rakov, V. A.; Mata, Angel G.

2010-01-01

A new Lightning Protection System (LPS) was designed and built at Launch Complex 39B (LC39B), at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida, which consists of a catenary wire system (at a height of about 181 meters above ground level) supported by three insulators installed atop three towers in a triangular configuration. A total of nine downconductors (each about 250 meters long, on average) are connected to the catenary wire system. Each of the nine downconductors is connected to a 7.62-meter radius circular counterpoise conductor with six equally spaced 6-meter long vertical grounding rods. Grounding requirements at LC39B call for all underground and above ground metallic piping, enclosures, raceways, and cable trays, within 7.62 meters of the counterpoise, to be bounded to the counterpoise, which results in a complex interconnected grounding system, given the many metallic piping, raceways, and cable trays that run in multiple direction around LC39B. The complexity of this grounding system makes the fall of potential method, which uses multiple metallic rods or stakes, unsuitable for measuring the grounding impedances of the downconductors. To calculate the downconductors grounding impedance, an Earth Ground Clamp (a stakeless grounding resistance measuring device) and a LPS Alternative Transient Program (ATP) model are used. The Earth Ground Clamp is used to measure the loop impedance plus the grounding impedance of each downconductor and the ATP model is used to calculate the loop impedance of each downconductor circuit. The grounding impedance of the downconductors is then calculated by subtracting the ATP calculated loop impedances from the Earth Ground Clamp measurements.

Impedance spectroscopy study of 2, 2, 7, 7' -tetra kis-(N,N-di-4-methoxy phenyl amino)-9,9'-spirobifluorene thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rana, Omwati; Agrawal, Kalpana; Rajput, S. S.; Zulfequar, M.; Husain, M.; Kamalasanan, M. N.; Srivastava, Ritu

2016-05-01

The electrical properties of thermally evaporated film of 2,2,7,7'-tetrakis-(N,N-di-4-methoxyphenylamino)-9,9'-spirobifluorene (Spiro MeO TAD) have been investigated for hole only devices as a function of temperatures at frequency range from 1Hz to 1 MHz using Impedance spectroscopy. Cole-Cole plots, at each temperature, show semicircles that can be modeled with a contact resistance and parallel resistance -capacitor(R-C) circuits. Bulk resistance decreases and electrical conductivity increases with increasing temperature which indicate negative temperature coefficient of resistance nature and short range translational type hopping mechanism in Spiro MeO TAD thin films.

Electrical Properties Assessed by Bioelectrical Impedance Spectroscopy as Biomarkers of Age-related Loss of Skeletal Muscle Quantity and Quality.

PubMed

Yamada, Yosuke; Buehring, Bjoern; Krueger, Diane; Anderson, Rozalyn M; Schoeller, Dale A; Binkley, Neil

2017-09-01

Skeletal muscle, in addition to being comprised of a heterogeneous muscle fiber population, also includes extracellular components that do not contribute to positive tensional force production. Here we test segmental bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (S-BIS) to assess muscle intracellular mass and composition. S-BIS can evaluate electrical properties that may be related to muscle force production. Muscle fiber membranes separate the intracellular components from the extracellular environment and consist of lipid bilayers which act as an electrical capacitor. We found that S-BIS measures accounted for ~85% of the age-related decrease in appendicular muscle power compared with only ~49% for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measures. Indices of extracellular (noncontractile) and cellular (contractile) compartments in skeletal muscle tissues were determined using the Cole-Cole plot from S-BIS measures. Characteristic frequency, membrane capacitance, and phase angle determined by Cole-Cole analysis together presented a S-BIS complex model that explained ~79% of interindividual variance of leg muscle power. This finding underscores the value of S-BIS to measure muscle composition rather than lean mass as measured by DXA and suggests that S-BIS should be highly informative in skeletal muscle physiology. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Calculating the Lightning Protection System Downconductors' Grounding Resistance at Launch Complex 39B, Kennedy Space Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mata, Carlos T.; Mata, Angel G.

2012-01-01

A new Lightning Protection System (LPS) was designed and built at Launch Complex 39B (LC39B), at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida, which consists of a catenary wire system (at a height of about 181 meters above ground level) supported by three insulators installed atop three towers in a triangular configuration. Nine downconductors (each about 250 meters long) are connected to the catenary wire system. Each downconductor is connected to a 7.62-meter-radius circular counterpoise conductor with six equally spaced, 6-meter-long vertical grounding rods. Grounding requirements at LC39B call for all underground and aboveground metallic piping, enclosures, raceways, and cable trays, within 7.62 meters of the counterpoise, to be bonded to the counterpoise, which results in a complex interconnected grounding system, given the many metallic piping, raceways, and cable trays that run in multiple directions around LC39B. The complexity of this grounding system makes the fall-of-potential method, which uses multiple metallic rods or stakes, unsuitable for measuring the grounding impedances of the downconductors. To calculate the grounding impedance of the downconductors, an Earth Ground Clamp (EGC) (a stakeless device for measuring grounding impedance) and an Alternative Transient Program (ATP) model of the LPS are used. The EGC is used to measure the loop impedance plus the grounding impedance of each downconductor, and the ATP model is used to calculate the loop impedance of each downconductor circuit. The grounding resistance of the downconductors is then calculated by subtracting the ATP calculated loop impedances from the EGC measurements.

Identification of fluids and an interface between fluids

DOEpatents

Lee, D.O.; Wayland, J.R. Jr.

1988-03-10

Complex impedance measured over a predefined frequency range is used to determine the identity of different oils in a column. The location of an interface between the oils is determined from the percent frequency effects of the complex impedance measured across the interface. 4 figs.

Hardware Specific Integration Strategy for Impedance-Based Structural Health Monitoring of Aerospace Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Owen, Robert B.; Gyekenyesi, Andrew L.; Inman, Daniel J.; Ha, Dong S.

2011-01-01

The Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) Project, sponsored by NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, is conducting research to advance the state of highly integrated and complex flight-critical health management technologies and systems. An effective IVHM system requires Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). The impedance method is one such SHM technique for detection and monitoring complex structures for damage. This position paper on the impedance method presents the current state of the art, future directions, applications and possible flight test demonstrations.

An Electronic Measurement Instrumentation of the Impedance of a Loaded Fuel Cell or Battery.

PubMed

Aglzim, El-Hassane; Rouane, Amar; El-Moznine, Reddad

2007-10-17

In this paper we present an inexpensive electronic measurement instrumentationdeveloped in our laboratory, to measure and plot the impedance of a loaded fuel cell orbattery. Impedance measurements were taken by using the load modulation method. Thisinstrumentation has been developed around a VXI system stand which controls electroniccards. Software under Hpvee ® was developed for automatic measurements and the layout ofthe impedance of the fuel cell on load. The measurement environment, like the ambienttemperature, the fuel cell temperature, the level of the hydrogen, etc..., were taken withseveral sensors that enable us to control the measurement. To filter the noise and theinfluence of the 50Hz, we have implemented a synchronous detection which filters in a verynarrow way around the useful signal. The theoretical result obtained by a simulation underPspice ® of the method used consolidates the choice of this method and the possibility ofobtaining correct and exploitable results. The experimental results are preliminary results ona 12V vehicle battery, having an inrush current of 330A and a capacity of 40Ah (impedancemeasurements on a fuel cell are in progress, and will be the subject of a forthcoming paper).The results were plotted at various nominal voltages of the battery (12.7V, 10V, 8V and 5V)and with two imposed currents (0.6A and 4A). The Nyquist diagram resulting from theexperimental data enable us to show an influence of the load of the battery on its internalimpedance. The similitude in the graph form and in order of magnitude of the valuesobtained (both theoretical and practical) enables us to validate our electronic measurementinstrumentation. One of the future uses for this instrumentation is to integrate it with several control sensors, on a vehicle as an embedded system to monitor the degradation of fuel cell membranes.

Impedance spectroscopy of the oxide films formed during high temperature oxidation of a cobalt-plated ferritic alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Velraj, S.; Zhu, J. H.; Painter, A. S.; Du, S. W.; Li, Y. T.

2014-02-01

Impedance spectroscopy was used to evaluate the oxide films formed on cobalt-coated Crofer 22 APU ferritic stainless steel after thermal oxidation at 800 °C in air for different times (i.e. 2, 50, 100 and 500 h). Impedance spectra of the oxide films exhibited two or three semicircles depending on the oxidation time, which correspond to the presence of two or three individual oxide layers. Coupled with scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), the individual oxide layer corresponding to each semicircle was determined unambiguously. Impedance spectrum analysis of the oxide films formed on the sample after thermal exposure at 800 °C in air for 2 h led to the identification of the low-frequency and high-frequency semicircles as being from Cr2O3 and Co3O4, respectively. SEM/EDS and XRD analysis of the 500-h sample clearly revealed the presence of three oxide layers, analyzed to be Co3-xCrxO4, CoCr2O4, and Cr2O3. Although the SEM images of the 50-h and 100-h samples did not clearly show the CoCr2O4 layer, impedance plots implied their presence. The oxide scales were assigned to their respective semicircles and the electrical properties of Co3-xCrxO4, CoCr2O4 and Cr2O3 were determined from the impedance data.

Influence of Anthropogenic Disturbances on Stand Structural Complexity in Andean Temperate Forests: Implications for Managing Key Habitat for Biodiversity.

PubMed

Caviedes, Julián; Ibarra, José Tomás

2017-01-01

Forest attributes and their abundances define the stand structural complexity available as habitat for faunal biodiversity; however, intensive anthropogenic disturbances have the potential to degrade and simplify forest stands. In this paper we develop an index of stand structural complexity and show how anthropogenic disturbances, namely fire, logging, livestock, and their combined presence, affect stand structural complexity in a southern Global Biodiversity Hotspot. From 2011 to 2013, we measured forest structural attributes as well as the presence of anthropogenic disturbances in 505 plots in the Andean zone of the La Araucanía Region, Chile. In each plot, understory density, coarse woody debris, number of snags, tree diameter at breast height, and litter depth were measured, along with signs of the presence of anthropogenic disturbances. Ninety-five percent of the plots showed signs of anthropogenic disturbance (N = 475), with the combined presence of fire, logging, and livestock being the most common disturbance (N = 222; 44% of plots). The lowest values for the index were measured in plots combining fire, logging, and livestock. Undisturbed plots and plots with the presence of relatively old fires (> 70 years) showed the highest values for the index of stand structural complexity. Our results suggest that secondary forests < 70-year post-fire event, with the presence of habitat legacies (e.g. snags and CWD), can reach a structural complexity as high as undisturbed plots. Temperate forests should be managed to retain structural attributes, including understory density (7.2 ± 2.5 # contacts), volume of CWD (22.4 ± 25.8 m3/ha), snag density (94.4 ± 71.0 stems/ha), stand basal area (61.2 ± 31.4 m2/ha), and litter depth (7.5 ± 2.7 cm). Achieving these values will increase forest structural complexity, likely benefiting a range of faunal species in South American temperate forests.

Influence of Anthropogenic Disturbances on Stand Structural Complexity in Andean Temperate Forests: Implications for Managing Key Habitat for Biodiversity

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Forest attributes and their abundances define the stand structural complexity available as habitat for faunal biodiversity; however, intensive anthropogenic disturbances have the potential to degrade and simplify forest stands. In this paper we develop an index of stand structural complexity and show how anthropogenic disturbances, namely fire, logging, livestock, and their combined presence, affect stand structural complexity in a southern Global Biodiversity Hotspot. From 2011 to 2013, we measured forest structural attributes as well as the presence of anthropogenic disturbances in 505 plots in the Andean zone of the La Araucanía Region, Chile. In each plot, understory density, coarse woody debris, number of snags, tree diameter at breast height, and litter depth were measured, along with signs of the presence of anthropogenic disturbances. Ninety-five percent of the plots showed signs of anthropogenic disturbance (N = 475), with the combined presence of fire, logging, and livestock being the most common disturbance (N = 222; 44% of plots). The lowest values for the index were measured in plots combining fire, logging, and livestock. Undisturbed plots and plots with the presence of relatively old fires (> 70 years) showed the highest values for the index of stand structural complexity. Our results suggest that secondary forests < 70-year post-fire event, with the presence of habitat legacies (e.g. snags and CWD), can reach a structural complexity as high as undisturbed plots. Temperate forests should be managed to retain structural attributes, including understory density (7.2 ± 2.5 # contacts), volume of CWD (22.4 ± 25.8 m3/ha), snag density (94.4 ± 71.0 stems/ha), stand basal area (61.2 ± 31.4 m2/ha), and litter depth (7.5 ± 2.7 cm). Achieving these values will increase forest structural complexity, likely benefiting a range of faunal species in South American temperate forests. PMID:28068349

Effect of sintering temperature on micro structural and impedance spectroscopic properties of Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nano ferrite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Venkatesh, Davuluri; Ramesh, K. V.; Sastry, C. V. S. S.

2017-07-01

Ni-Zn nanoferrite Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 is prepared by citrate gel auto combustion method and sintered at various temperatures 800, 900, 1000, 1100 and 1200°C. The room temperature x-ray diffraction conforms that the single phase spinel structure is formed. Crystallite size and density were increased with increasing of sintering temperature. From Raman spectroscopy all sintered samples are single phase with cubic spinel structure belong to Fd3m space group. From surface morphology studies it is clearly observed that the particle size increased with increasing of sintering temperature. Impedance spectroscopy revel that increasing of conductivity is due to grain resistance is decreased with increasing of sintering temperature. Cole-Cole plots are studied from impedance data. The electrical modulus analysis shows that non-Debye nature of Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 ferrite.

Corrosion studies of DC reactive magnetron sputtered alumina coating on 304 SS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thangaraj, Baskar; Mahadevan, Krishnan

2017-12-01

Aluminum oxide films on SS 304 deposited by DC reactive magnetron sputtering technique were studied with respect to the composition of the sputter gas (Ar:O2), gas pressure, substrate temperature, current etc. to achieve good insulating films with high corrosion resistance. The films were characterized by XRD and SEM techniques. Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements were made under static conditions in order to evaluate the corrosion performance of the alumina-coated SS 304 for various immersion durations in 0.5 M and 1 M NaCl solution. Alumina-coated SS 304 has low corrosion value of 0.4550 and 1.1090MPY for 24 h immersion time in both solutions. The impedance plots for the alumina coated SS 304 in 1 M NaCl solution at different durations are slightly different to when compared to its immersion in 0.5 M NaCl solutions and are composed of two depressed semi circles. For the alumina coated film, the impedance spectrum decreased, when immersion time increased.

Frequency effects on charge ordering in Y0.5Ca0.5MnO3 by impedance spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarwar, Tuba; Qamar, Afzaal; Nadeem, Muhammad

2015-02-01

In this work, structural and electrical properties of Y0.5Ca0.5MnO3 are investigated by employing X-ray diffraction and impedance spectroscopy, respectively. Applied ac electric field showed the charge ordering transition temperature around 265 K and below this temperature the heteromorphic behavior of the sample is discussed in the proximity of TCO. With frequency effects the volume of robust charge orbital ordering (COO) domains diminishes due to different competing phases along with Jahn Teller distortions. Comprehensive melting and collapse of charge orbital ordering occurs below TN(125 K), where a colossal drop in the value of impedance is observed. The change in profile of modulus plane plots determines the spreading of relaxation time of intermingled phases. Hopping mechanism is elaborated in terms of strong electron phonon coupling. Variable range hopping model and Arrhenius model are used to discuss the short and long range hopping between Mn3+ and Mn4+ channels assessing the activation energy Ea.

2015 WFNDEC eddy current benchmark modeling of impedance variation in coil due to a crack located at the plate edge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rocha, João Vicente; Camerini, Cesar; Pereira, Gabriela

2016-02-01

The 2015 World Federation of NDE Centers (WFNDEC) eddy current benchmark problem involves the inspection of two EDM notches placed at the edge of a conducting plate with a pancake coil that runs parallel to the plate's edge line. Experimental data consists of impedance variation measured with a precision LCR bridge as a XY scanner moves the coil. The authors are pleased to present the numerical results obtained with commercial FEM packages (OPERA 3-D). Values of electrical resistance and inductive reactance variation between base material and the region around the notch are plotted as function of the coil displacement over the plate. The calculations were made for frequencies of 1 kHz and 10 kHz and agreement between experimental and numerical results are excellent for all inspection conditions. Explanations are made about how the impedance is calculated as well as pros and cons of the presented methods.

Evaluation of Thymus vulgaris plant extract as an eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for stainless steel 304 in acidic solution by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, electrochemical noise analysis and density functional theory.

PubMed

Ehsani, A; Mahjani, M G; Hosseini, M; Safari, R; Moshrefi, R; Mohammad Shiri, H

2017-03-15

Inhibition performance of Thymus vulgaris plant leaves extract (thyme) as environmentally friendly (green) inhibitor for the corrosion protection of stainless steel (SS) type 304 in 1.0molL -1 HCl solution was studied by potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance (EIS) and electrochemical noise measurements (EN) techniques. The EN data were analyzed with FFT technique to make the spectral power density plots. The calculations were performed by MATLAB 2014a software. Geometry optimization and calculation of the structural and electronic properties of the molecular system of inhibitor have been carried out using UB3LYP/6-311++G ∗∗ level. Moreover, the results obtained from electrochemical noise analysis were compared with potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. All of the used techniques showed positive effect of green inhibitor with increasing inhibitor concentration. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Electrical modulus and dielectric behavior of Cr3+ substituted Mg-Zn nanoferrites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mansour, S. F.; Abdo, M. A.

2017-04-01

The dielectric parameters and ac electrical conductivity of Mg0.8Zn0.2CrxFe2-xO4; (0≤x≤0.025) nanoferrites synthesized citrate-nitrate auto-combustion method were studied using the complex impedance technique in the frequency and temperature ranges 4 Hz-5 MHz and 303-873 K respectively. Hopping of charge carriers plus interfacial polarization could interpret the behaviors of dielectric constant (ε‧), dielectric loss tangent (tanδ) and ac electrical conductivity (σac) with frequency, temperatures and composition. The up-normal behavior observed in tanδ trend with temperatures confirms the presence of relaxation loss (dipoles losses). Correlated barrier hopping (CBH) of electron is the conduction mechanism of the investigated nanoferrites. Cole-Cole plots at different temperatures emphasize the main role of grain and grain boundaries in the properties of the investigated nanoferrites. Cr3+ substitution can control the dielectric parameters and ac electrical conductivity of Mg-Zn nanoferrites making it candidates for versatile applications.

Aerospace applications of sodium batteries using novel cathode materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ratnakumar, B. V.; Di Stefano, S.; Bankston, C. P.

1989-01-01

Preliminary fundamental investigations aimed at evaluating sodium metal chloride systems for future aerospace applications are described. Since the sodium metal chloride systems are relatively new, the approach has been to characterize their fundamental properties in order to understand their limitations. To this end, a series of fundamental electrochemical investigations have been carried out, the results of which are reported here. The metal chloride cathodes show high exchange current densities which corroborate their good reversibility in a battery application. The reduction mechanisms appear to be complex and involve multielectron transfer steps and intermediates. Such intermediates in the reaction mechanism have already been identified in the case of FeCl2. Similar mechanisms may be operative in the case of NiCl2. CuCl2, however, exhibits a second relaxation loop in the impedance plot at low frequencies and also a sloping discharge curve, unlike FeCl2 and NiCl2, which may indicate the existence of monovalent copper in the reduction mechanism.

Determination of Complex Microcalorimeter Parameters with Impedance Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Saab, T.; Bandler, S. R.; Chervenak, J.; Figueroa-Feliciano, E.; Finkbeiner, F.; Iyomoto, N.; Kelley, R.; Kilbourne, C. A.; Lindeman, M. A.; Porter, F. S.;

Effect of iron doping at Mn-site on complex impedance spectroscopy properties of Nd0.67Ba0.33MnO3 perovskite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsini, Mohamed; Hamdaoui, Nejeh; Hcini, Sobhi; Bouazizi, Mohamed Lamjed; Zemni, Sadok; Beji, Lotfi

2018-03-01

The effect of Fe-doping at Mn-site on the structural and electrical properties of Nd0.67Ba0.33Mn1-xFexO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.05) perovskites has been investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns show that the structural parameters change slightly due to the fact that the Fe3+ ions replacing the Mn3+ have similar ionic radius. The electrical properties of these samples have been investigated using complex impedance spectroscopy technique. a function of the frequency at different temperatures. When increasing the Fe-content, a decrease of dc conductivity was observed throughout the whole explored temperature range and the deduced activation energy values are found to increase from 128 meV for x = 0 to 166 meV for x = 0.05. The curves of the imaginary part of impedance (Z″) show the presence of relaxation phenomenon in our samples. The complex impedance spectra show semicircle arcs at different temperatures and an equivalent circuit of the type of Rg + (Rgb//Cgb) has been proposed to explain the impedance results.

Mechanical Characterization of Anion Exchange Membranes Under Controlled Environmental Conditions

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-11

are a common mechanical failure in fuel cell membranes, and elongation at break correlates well with microcrack resistance [29]. In an effort to...TestEquity sample chamber controlled temperature and humidity during data acquisition. Membrane resistance was defined as the low frequency intercept of...the Nyquist impedance plot and conductivity, σ, was calculated using the film dimensions where R is the membrane resistance , l 26 is the length

Level-Dependent Nonlinear Hearing Protector Model in the Auditory Hazard Assessment Algorithm for Humans

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-01

9 Fig. 8 Resistance of orifice flow plotted vs. flow velocity. Acoustic ohm units are dynes∙s∙cm5; the changing resistance demonstrates the...process of nonlinear flow through the orifice. (The blue single-orifice fit and the red total resistance for a dual orifice configuration were added...piston hearing protection model with level- dependent extensions in cushion visco-elastic elements and leakage flow impedance

Carbon-Based Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries, Electrochemical Capacitors, and Their Hybrid Devices.

PubMed

Yao, Fei; Pham, Duy Tho; Lee, Young Hee

2015-07-20

A rapidly developing market for portable electronic devices and hybrid electrical vehicles requires an urgent supply of mature energy-storage systems. As a result, lithium-ion batteries and electrochemical capacitors have lately attracted broad attention. Nevertheless, it is well known that both devices have their own drawbacks. With the fast development of nanoscience and nanotechnology, various structures and materials have been proposed to overcome the deficiencies of both devices to improve their electrochemical performance further. In this Review, electrochemical storage mechanisms based on carbon materials for both lithium-ion batteries and electrochemical capacitors are introduced. Non-faradic processes (electric double-layer capacitance) and faradic reactions (pseudocapacitance and intercalation) are generally explained. Electrochemical performance based on different types of electrolytes is briefly reviewed. Furthermore, impedance behavior based on Nyquist plots is discussed. We demonstrate the influence of cell conductivity, electrode/electrolyte interface, and ion diffusion on impedance performance. We illustrate that relaxation time, which is closely related to ion diffusion, can be extracted from Nyquist plots and compared between lithium-ion batteries and electrochemical capacitors. Finally, recent progress in the design of anodes for lithium-ion batteries, electrochemical capacitors, and their hybrid devices based on carbonaceous materials are reviewed. Challenges and future perspectives are further discussed. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Multiferroic properties of Indian natural ilmenite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acharya, Truptimayee; Choudhary, R. N. P.

2017-03-01

In this communication, the main results and analysis of extensive studies of electric and magnetic characteristics (relative dielectric constant, tangent loss, electric polarization, electric transport, impedance, magnetic polarization and magneto-electric coupling coefficient) of Indian natural ilmenite (NI) have been presented. Preliminary structural analysis was studied by Rietveld refinement of room temperature XRD data, which suggests the rhombohedral crystal system of NI. Maxwell-Wagner mechanism was used to explain the nature of the frequency dependence of the relative dielectric constant. The impedance analysis reveals that below 270 °C, only the bulk contributes, whereas at higher temperature, both grain boundary and the bulk contribute to the resistive characteristics of the material. The magnitude of the depression angles of the semicircles in the Nyquist plot has been estimated. The correlated barrier hopping model has been used to explain the frequency dependence of ac conductivity of the material. The activation energy of the compound has been estimated using the temperature dependence of dc conductivity plot. The obtained polarization hysteresis loops manifest improper ferroelectric behavior of NI. The existence M-H hysteresis loop supports anti-ferromagnetism in the studied material. The magneto-electric voltage coupling coefficient is found to be 0.7 mV/cm Oe. Hence, other than dielectric constant, electric polarization, magnetization and magneto-electric studies support the existence of multiferroic properties in NI.

Temperature-dependent impedance spectroscopy of La0.8Sr0.2FeO3 nano-crystalline material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kafa, C. A.; Triyono, D.; Laysandra, H.

2017-04-01

LaFeO3 is a material with perovskite structure which electrical properties frequently investigated. Research are done due to the exhibition of excellent gas sensing behavior through resistivity comparison from the p-type semiconductor. Sr doping on LaFeO3 or La1-xSrxFeO3 are able to improve the electrical conductivity through structural modification. Using Sr dopant concentration (x) of 0.2, La0.8Sr0.2FeO3 nano-crystal pellet was synthesized. The synthesis used sol-gel method, followed by gradual heat treatment and uniaxial compaction. XRD characterization shows that the structure of the sample is Orthorhombic Perovskite. Topography of the sample by SEM reveals grain and grain boundary existence with emerging agglomeration. The electrical properties of the material, as functions of temperature and frequency, were measured by Impedance Spectroscopy method using RLC meter, for temperatures of 303-373K. Through the Nyquist plot and Bode plot, the electrical conductivity of La0.8Sr0.2FeO3 is contributed by the grain and grain boundary. Finally, the electrical permittivities of La0.8Sr0.2FeO3 are increasing with temperature increase, with the highest achieved when measured at 1 kHz frequency.

Investigation on relaxation and conduction mechanism in Pb0.75K0.5Nb2O6 new ferroelectric ceramic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belboukhari, A.; Choukri, E.; Gagou, Y.; Elmoznine, R.; Abdelmoula, N.; Neqali, A.; El Marssi, M.; Khemakhem, H.; Mezzane, D.

2014-07-01

Using conventional solid state synthesis under air, the sample Pb0.75K0.5Nb2O6 was prepared in a single-phase TTB structure as indicated from X-ray analysis. Impedance spectroscopy analysis of the dielectric properties of Pb0.75K0.5Nb2O6 ceramic were investigated in the frequency range, 1 Hz-1 MHz and in the temperature duration from room temperature to 550 °C. Impedance and modulus plots were used as tools to analyze the sample behavior as a function of frequency. Cole-Cole plots showed non-Debye relaxation. The nature of variation of the electrical conductivity, and value of activation energy of different temperature regions, suggest that the conduction process is of mixed-type (i.e., ionic polaronic and space charge generated from the oxygen ion vacancies). The structural and dielectric results are compared with three others TTB compounds derived from Pb0.75K0.5Nb2O6 (PKN) family: Pb1.85K1.15Li0.15Nb5O15 (PKLN), K3Li2Nb5O15 (KLN) and Pb1.8Gd0.1K1.1Nb5O15 (PGKN).

Evaluation of inorganic zinc-rich primers using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Calle, Luz M.

1993-01-01

This investigation explores the use of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) in combination with beach exposure as a short term method for analyzing the performance of twenty-one zinc-rich primers. The twenty-one zinc-rich primers were: Carboline CZ-11, Ameron Devoe-Marine Catha-Coat 304, Briner V-65, Ameron D-21-9, Sherwin Williams Zinc Clad II, Carboline CZ-D7, Ameron D-4, Dupont Ganicin 347WB, Porter TQ-4374H, Inorganic Coatings IC-531, Subox Galvanox IV, Southern Coatings Chemtec 600, Glidden Glidzinc 5530, Byco SP-101, Tnemec 90E-75, Devoe Catha-Coat 302H, Glidden Glidzinc 5536, Koppers 701, Ameron D-21-5, Coronado 935-152, and Subox Galvanoz V. Data were also collected on galvanized steel for comparison purposes. A library of Bode magnitude plots was generated for each coating including curves for the initial time and after each week of atmospheric exposure as Beach Corrosion Test Site near the Space Shuttle launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center for up to three weeks. An examination of the variation of the Bode magnitude plots with atmospheric exposure revealed no clearly identifiable trend at this point that could distinguish between the good and the poor coatings. The test will be continued by including EIS measurements after six months and one year of atmospheric exposure.

Are more complex physiological models of forest ecosystems better choices for plot and regional predictions?

Treesearch

Wenchi Jin; Hong S. He; Frank R. Thompson

2016-01-01

Process-based forest ecosystem models vary from simple physiological, complex physiological, to hybrid empirical-physiological models. Previous studies indicate that complex models provide the best prediction at plot scale with a temporal extent of less than 10 years, however, it is largely untested as to whether complex models outperform the other two types of models...

Evaluation of multiple frequency bioelectrical impedance and Cole-Cole analysis for the assessment of body water volumes in healthy humans.

PubMed

Cornish, B H; Ward, L C; Thomas, B J; Jebb, S A; Elia, M

1996-03-01

To assess the application of a Cole-Cole analysis of multiple frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MFBIA) measurements to predict total body water (TBW) and extracellular water (ECW) in humans. This technique has previously been shown to produce accurate and reliable estimates in both normal and abnormal animals. The whole body impedance of 60 healthy humans was measured at 496 frequencies (ranging from 4 kHz to 1 MHz) and the impedance at zero frequency, Ro, and at the characteristic frequency, Zc, were determined from the impedance spectrum, (Cole-Cole plot). TBW and ECW were independently determined using deuterium and bromide tracer dilution techniques. At the Dunn Clinical Nutrition Centre and The Department of Biochemistry, University of Queensland. 60 healthy adult volunteers (27 men and 33 women, aged 18-45 years). The results presented suggest that the swept frequency bioimpedance technique estimates total body water, (SEE = 5.2%), and extracellular water, (SEE = 10%), only slightly better in normal, healthy subjects than a method based on single frequency bioimpedance or anthropometric estimates based on weight, height and gender. This study has undertaken the most extensive analysis to date of relationships between TBW (and ECW) and individual impedances obtained at different frequencies ( > 400 frequencies), and has shown marginal advantages of using one frequency over another, even if values predicted from theoretical bioimpedance models are used in the estimations. However in situations where there are disturbances of fluid distribution, values predicted from the Cole-Cole analysis of swept frequency bioimpedance measurements could prove to be more useful.

ac impedance analysis of a Ni-Nb-Zr-H glassy alloy with femtofarad capacitance tunnels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fukuhara, M.; Seto, M.; Inoue, A.

2010-01-01

A Nyquist diagram of a (Ni0.36Nb0.24Zr0.40)90H10 glassy alloy shows a semitrue circle, indicating that it is a conducting material with a total capacitance of 17.8 μF. The Bode plots showing the dependencies of its real and imaginary impedances, and phase on frequency suggest a simpler equivalent circuit having a resistor in parallel with a capacitor. Dividing the total capacitance (17.8 μF) by the capacitance of a single tunnel (0.9 fF), we deduced that this material has a high number of dielectric tunnels, which can be regarded as regular prisms separated from the electric-conducting distorted icosahedral Zr5Ni5Nb3 clusters by an average of 0.225 nm.

Oscillation mechanics of the respiratory system.

PubMed

Bates, Jason H T; Irvin, Charles G; Farré, Ramon; Hantos, Zoltán

2011-07-01

The mechanical impedance of the respiratory system defines the pressure profile required to drive a unit of oscillatory flow into the lungs. Impedance is a function of oscillation frequency, and is measured using the forced oscillation technique. Digital signal processing methods, most notably the Fourier transform, are used to calculate impedance from measured oscillatory pressures and flows. Impedance is a complex function of frequency, having both real and imaginary parts that vary with frequency in ways that can be used empirically to distinguish normal lung function from a variety of different pathologies. The most useful diagnostic information is gained when anatomically based mathematical models are fit to measurements of impedance. The simplest such model consists of a single flow-resistive conduit connecting to a single elastic compartment. Models of greater complexity may have two or more compartments, and provide more accurate fits to impedance measurements over a variety of different frequency ranges. The model that currently enjoys the widest application in studies of animal models of lung disease consists of a single airway serving an alveolar compartment comprising tissue with a constant-phase impedance. This model has been shown to fit very accurately to a wide range of impedance data, yet contains only four free parameters, and as such is highly parsimonious. The measurement of impedance in human patients is also now rapidly gaining acceptance, and promises to provide a more comprehensible assessment of lung function than parameters derived from conventional spirometry. © 2011 American Physiological Society.

A new hybrid active/passive sound absorber with variable surface impedance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Betgen, Benjamin; Galland, Marie-Annick

2011-07-01

The context of the present paper is the wall treatment of flow ducts, notably aero-engine nacelle intakes and outlets. For this purpose, hybrid active/passive absorbers have been developed at the LMFA for about 15 years. A hybrid cell combines passive absorbent properties of a porous layer and active control at its rear face. Active control is mainly used to increase absorption at low frequencies by cancelling the imaginary part of the surface impedance presented by the absorber. However, the optimal impedance (i.e. the one that produces the highest noise reduction) of an absorber for flow duct applications is generally complex and frequency dependent. A new hybrid absorber intended to realise any of impedance has therefore been developed. The new cell uses one microphone on each side of a resistive cloth. Normal velocity can then be deduced by a simple pressure difference, which allows an estimation of the surface impedance of the absorber. In order to obtain an error signal related to a target impedance, the target impedance has to be reproduced in time domain. The design of a stable and causal filter is a difficult task, considering the kind of frequency response we seek. An alternative way of representing the impedance in time domain is therefore given. The new error signal is integrated into a feedback control structure. Fast convergence and good stability are observed for a wide range of target impedances. Typical optimal impedances with a positive increasing real part and a negative decreasing imaginary part have been successfully realised. Measurements in a grazing-incidence tube show that the new complex impedance absorber clearly outperforms the former active absorber.

Reducing the beam impedance of the kicker at the 3-GeV rapid cycling synchrotron of the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shobuda, Yoshihiro; Chin, Yong Ho; Hayashi, Naoki; Irie, Yoshiro; Takayanagi, Tomohiro; Togashi, Tomohito; Toyama, Takeshi; Yamamoto, Kazami; Yamamoto, Masanobu

2018-06-01

The present four-terminal kicker at the rapid cycling synchrotron (RCS) at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex has the power-saving benefit that it allows beam extraction by doubling the excitation currents with two shorted ends. In this configuration, two terminals of the kicker are connected to the pulse-forming line while the other two are terminated in a short circuit. On the other hand, beam instabilities are excited in the RCS by the kicker beam impedances, which result from the short-circuit termination of the kicker. In this paper, we describe a scheme to reduce the beam impedance of the kicker using diodes (nonlinear devices), while retaining the benefit of the doubled kicker excitation currents. We employ a simulation technique to determine the beam impedance of the kicker, even when such nonlinear devices and long cables are included. The characteristic of beam impedance measured using the accelerated beams is well explained by that obtained from the simulation.

Conceptual recurrence plots: revealing patterns in human discourse.

PubMed

Angus, Daniel; Smith, Andrew; Wiles, Janet

2012-06-01

Human discourse contains a rich mixture of conceptual information. Visualization of the global and local patterns within this data stream is a complex and challenging problem. Recurrence plots are an information visualization technique that can reveal trends and features in complex time series data. The recurrence plot technique works by measuring the similarity of points in a time series to all other points in the same time series and plotting the results in two dimensions. Previous studies have applied recurrence plotting techniques to textual data; however, these approaches plot recurrence using term-based similarity rather than conceptual similarity of the text. We introduce conceptual recurrence plots, which use a model of language to measure similarity between pairs of text utterances, and the similarity of all utterances is measured and displayed. In this paper, we explore how the descriptive power of the recurrence plotting technique can be used to discover patterns of interaction across a series of conversation transcripts. The results suggest that the conceptual recurrence plotting technique is a useful tool for exploring the structure of human discourse.

Influence of Al3+ substitution on the electrical resistivity and dielectric behavior of Ni0.25Cu0.20Zn0.55AlxFe2-xO4 ferrites synthesized by solid state reaction technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahman, K. R.; Chowdhury, F.-U.-Z.; Khan, M. N. I.

2017-12-01

In this paper, the effect of Al3+ substitution on the electrical and dielectric properties of Ni0.25Cu0.20Zn0.55AlxFe2-xO4 ferrites with x = 0.0, 0.05. 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20, synthesized by solid state reaction has been reported. Using two probe method, the DC resistivity has been investigated in the temperature range from 30 °C to 300 °C. Activation energy was calculated from the Arrhenius plot. The electrical conduction is explained on the basis of the hopping mechanism. The frequency dependent dielectric properties of these spinel ferrites have been studied at room temperature by measuring AC resistivity, conductivity (σac), dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent (tan δ) in the frequency range between 1 kHz and 120 MHz. The study of dielectric properties showed that the dielectric constant and dielectric loss increased with increasing non-magnetic Al ions. The dependence of dielectric constant with frequency has been explained by Maxwell-Wagner interfacial polarization. Cole-Cole plots show semicircular arc(s) for the samples, and equivalent RC circuits have been proposed to clarify the phenomena involved therein. The analysis of complex impedance spectroscopy has been used to distinguish between the grain and grain boundary contribution to the total resistance.

Electromagnetic on-aircraft antenna radiation in the presence of composite plates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kan, S. H-T.; Rojas, R. G.

1994-01-01

The UTD-based NEWAIR3 code is modified such that it can model modern aircraft by composite plates. One good model of conductor-backed composites is the impedance boundary condition where the composites are replaced by surfaces with complex impedances. This impedance-plate model is then used to model the composite plates in the NEWAIR3 code. In most applications, the aircraft distorts the desired radiation pattern of the antenna. However, test examples conducted in this report have shown that the undesired scattered fields are minimized if the right impedance values are chosen for the surface impedance plates.

Impedance of Barrier-Type Oxide Layer on Aluminum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, Han-Jun; Kim, Jung-Gu; Jeong, Yong-Soo; Chi, Choong-Soo

2000-12-01

The impedance characteristics of barrier-type oxide layers on aluminum was studied using impedance spectroscopy. Since anodic films on Al have a variable stoichiometry with a gradual reduction of oxygen deficiency towards the oxide-electrolyte interface, the interpretation of impedance spectra for oxide layers is complex and the impedance of surface layers differs from those of ideal capacitors. This frequency response of the layer with conductance gradients cannot be described by a single resistance-capacitance (RC) element. The oxide layers of Al are properly described by the Young model of dielectric constant with a vertical decay of conductivity.

Impedance and AC conductivity studies of Sm3+ substituted 0.8Ba0.2(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3 lead free ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sastry, C. V. S. S.; Ramesh, M. N. V.; Ramesh, K. V.

2017-07-01

Samarium substituted 0.8Ba0.2(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3 (here after abbreviated as BTBKT-20) lead free ceramics with composition 0.8Ba0.2(Bi0.5(1-x)Sm0.5xK0.5)TiO3 (where x=0.01,0.03,0.05) lead free ceramics have been prepared by solid state reaction and followed by high energy ball milling process. The present paper focuses the impedance and ac conductivity studies of Sm substituted BTBKT-20 lead free ceramics. Impedance spectroscopic studies revealthat temperature dependent relaxation process. Single depressed semi circle was observed in Cole-Cole plots, indicates non-Debye kind of relaxation process. Maximum grain resistance was observed for x=0.03 Sm substituted BTBKT-20 sample. Frequency and temperature dependent AC conductivity was calculated and it found to obey the universal Jonscher's power law and the values of activation energies suggest that conduction is ionic in nature.

Chromaticity effects on head-tail instabilities for broadband impedance using two particle model, Vlasov analysis, and simulations

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

Chin, Yong Ho; Chao, Alexander Wu; Blaskiewicz, Michael M.

Effects of the chromaticity on head-tail instabilities for broadband impedances are comprehensively studied, using the two particle model, the Vlasov analysis and computer simulations. We show both in the two particle model and the Vlasov analysis with the trapezoidal (semiconstant) wake model that we can derive universal contour plots for the growth factor as a function of the two dimensionless parameters: the wakefield strength, Υ, and the difference of the betatron phase advances between the head and the tail, χ. They reveal how the chromaticity affects strong head-tail instabilities and excites head-tail instabilities. We also apply the LEP (Large Electron-Positronmore » Collider) broadband resonator model to the Vlasov approach and find that the results are in very good agreement with those of the trapezoidal wake model. The theoretical findings are also reinforced by the simulation results. In conclusion, the trapezoidal wake model turns out to be a very useful tool since it significantly simplifies the time domain analysis and provides well-behaved impedance at the same time.« less

Chromaticity effects on head-tail instabilities for broadband impedance using two particle model, Vlasov analysis, and simulations

DOE PAGES

Chin, Yong Ho; Chao, Alexander Wu; Blaskiewicz, Michael M.; ...

2017-07-28

Effects of the chromaticity on head-tail instabilities for broadband impedances are comprehensively studied, using the two particle model, the Vlasov analysis and computer simulations. We show both in the two particle model and the Vlasov analysis with the trapezoidal (semiconstant) wake model that we can derive universal contour plots for the growth factor as a function of the two dimensionless parameters: the wakefield strength, Υ, and the difference of the betatron phase advances between the head and the tail, χ. They reveal how the chromaticity affects strong head-tail instabilities and excites head-tail instabilities. We also apply the LEP (Large Electron-Positronmore » Collider) broadband resonator model to the Vlasov approach and find that the results are in very good agreement with those of the trapezoidal wake model. The theoretical findings are also reinforced by the simulation results. In conclusion, the trapezoidal wake model turns out to be a very useful tool since it significantly simplifies the time domain analysis and provides well-behaved impedance at the same time.« less

Impedance Spectroscopy Analysis of Mg4Nb2O9 Ceramics with Different Additions of V2O5 for Microwave and Radio Frequency Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Filho, J. M. S.; Rodrigues Junior, C. A.; Sousa, D. G.; Oliveira, R. G. M.; Costa, M. M.; Barroso, G. C.; Sombra, A. S. B.

2017-07-01

The complex impedance spectroscopy study of magnesium niobate Mg4Nb2O9 (MN) ceramics with different additions of V2O5 (0%, 2%, 5%) was performed in this present paper. The preparation of MN samples were carried out by using the solid-state reaction method with a high-energy milling machine. Frequency and temperature dependence of the complex impedance, complex modulus analysis, and conductivity were measured and calculated at different temperatures by using a network impedance analyzer. A non-Debye type relaxation was observed showing a decentralization of the semicircles. Cole-Cole formalism was adopted here with the help of a computer program used to fit the experimental data. A typical universal dielectric response in the frequency-dependent conductivity at different temperatures was found. The frequency dependent ac conductivity at different temperatures indicates that the conduction process is thermally activated. The activation energy was obtained from the Arrhenius fitting by using conductivity and electrical modules data. The results would help to understand deeply the relaxation process in these types of materials.

Technique for measurement of characteristic impedance and propagation constant for porous materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, Ki Won; Atchley, Anthony A.

2005-09-01

Knowledge of acoustic properties such as characteristic impedance and complex propagation constant is useful to characterize the acoustic behaviors of porous materials. Song and Bolton's four-microphone method [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 107, 1131-1152 (2000)] is one of the most widely employed techniques. In this method two microphones are used to determine the complex pressure amplitudes for each side of a sample. Muehleisen and Beamer [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 117, 536-544 (2005)] improved upon a four-microphone method by interchanging microphones to reduce errors due to uncertainties in microphone response. In this paper, a multiple microphone technique is investigated to reconstruct the pressure field inside an impedance tube. Measurements of the acoustic properties of a material having square cross-section pores is used to check the validity of the technique. The values of characteristic impedance and complex propagation constant extracted from the reconstruction agree well with predicted values. Furthermore, this technique is used in investigating the acoustic properties of reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) in the range of 250-1100 Hz.

Mechanical Impedance Modeling of Human Arm: A survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puzi, A. Ahmad; Sidek, S. N.; Sado, F.

2017-03-01

Human arm mechanical impedance plays a vital role in describing motion ability of the upper limb. One of the impedance parameters is stiffness which is defined as the ratio of an applied force to the measured deformation of the muscle. The arm mechanical impedance modeling is useful in order to develop a better controller for system that interacts with human as such an automated robot-assisted platform for automated rehabilitation training. The aim of the survey is to summarize the existing mechanical impedance models of human upper limb so to justify the need to have an improved version of the arm model in order to facilitate the development of better controller of such systems with ever increase in complexity. In particular, the paper will address the following issue: Human motor control and motor learning, constant and variable impedance models, methods for measuring mechanical impedance and mechanical impedance modeling techniques.

Automatic extraction of plots from geo-registered UAS imagery of crop fields with complex planting schemes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hearst, Anthony A.

Complex planting schemes are common in experimental crop fields and can make it difficult to extract plots of interest from high-resolution imagery of the fields gathered by Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). This prevents UAS imagery from being applied in High-Throughput Precision Phenotyping and other areas of agricultural research. If the imagery is accurately geo-registered, then it may be possible to extract plots from the imagery based on their map coordinates. To test this approach, a UAS was used to acquire visual imagery of 5 ha of soybean fields containing 6.0 m2 plots in a complex planting scheme. Sixteen artificial targets were setup in the fields before flights and different spatial configurations of 0 to 6 targets were used as Ground Control Points (GCPs) for geo-registration, resulting in a total of 175 geo-registered image mosaics with a broad range of geo-registration accuracies. Geo-registration accuracy was quantified based on the horizontal Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of targets used as checkpoints. Twenty test plots were extracted from the geo-registered imagery. Plot extraction accuracy was quantified based on the percentage of the desired plot area that was extracted. It was found that using 4 GCPs along the perimeter of the field minimized the horizontal RMSE and enabled a plot extraction accuracy of at least 70%, with a mean plot extraction accuracy of 92%. Future work will focus on further enhancing the plot extraction accuracy through additional image processing techniques so that it becomes sufficiently accurate for all practical purposes in agricultural research and potentially other areas of research.

Measuring impedance in congestive heart failure: Current options and clinical applications

PubMed Central

Tang, W. H. Wilson; Tong, Wilson

2011-01-01

Measurement of impedance is becoming increasingly available in the clinical setting as a tool for assessing hemodynamics and volume status in patients with heart failure. The 2 major categories of impedance assessment are the band electrode method and the implanted device lead method. The exact sources of the impedance signal are complex and can be influenced by physiologic effects such as blood volume, fluid, and positioning. This article provides a critical review of our current understanding and promises of impedance measurements, the techniques that have evolved, as well as the evidence and limitations regarding their clinical applications in the setting of heart failure management. PMID:19249408

Time-Domain Impedance Boundary Conditions for Computational Aeroacoustics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tam, Christopher K. W.; Auriault, Laurent

1996-01-01

It is an accepted practice in aeroacoustics to characterize the properties of an acoustically treated surface by a quantity known as impedance. Impedance is a complex quantity. As such, it is designed primarily for frequency-domain analysis. Time-domain boundary conditions that are the equivalent of the frequency-domain impedance boundary condition are proposed. Both single frequency and model broadband time-domain impedance boundary conditions are provided. It is shown that the proposed boundary conditions, together with the linearized Euler equations, form well-posed initial boundary value problems. Unlike ill-posed problems, they are free from spurious instabilities that would render time-marching computational solutions impossible.

Evaluation of a cost-effective loads approach. [shock spectra/impedance method for Viking Orbiter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garba, J. A.; Wada, B. K.; Bamford, R.; Trubert, M. R.

1976-01-01

A shock spectra/impedance method for loads predictions is used to estimate member loads for the Viking Orbiter, a 7800-lb interplanetary spacecraft that has been designed using transient loads analysis techniques. The transient loads analysis approach leads to a lightweight structure but requires complex and costly analyses. To reduce complexity and cost, a shock spectra/impedance method is currently being used to design the Mariner Jupiter Saturn spacecraft. This method has the advantage of using low-cost in-house loads analysis techniques and typically results in more conservative structural loads. The method is evaluated by comparing the increase in Viking member loads to the loads obtained by the transient loads analysis approach. An estimate of the weight penalty incurred by using this method is presented. The paper also compares the calculated flight loads from the transient loads analyses and the shock spectra/impedance method to measured flight data.

Synthesis, thermal and electrical properties of Al-doped Bi{sub 4}V{sub 1.8}Cu{sub 0.2}O{sub 10.7}

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

Essalim, R.; Ammar, A.; Tanouti, B.

2016-08-15

Partial substitution of copper with aluminum in Bi{sub 4}V{sub 1.8}Cu{sub 0.2}O{sub 10.7} has led to the Bi{sub 4}V{sub 1.8}Cu{sub 0.2−x}Al{sub x}O{sub 10.7+x/2} solid solution. X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis have shown that the compounds with x=0.05 and x=0.10 are tetragonal with γ′ form of Bi{sub 4}V{sub 2}O{sub 11}, while the compound with x=0.15 is of β polymorph. The effect of Al{sup 3+} doping on electrical conductivity has been studied using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. The electrical conductivity of doped samples along with the amount of Al{sup 3+} has been studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in the temperature range 250–700 °C. Themore » slope changes observed in the Arrhenius plots agree with the microstructural transitions occurring in these compounds. The highest ionic conductivity values are obtained for the sample with x=0.05. - Graphical abstract: Arrhenius plots of the electrical conductivity of the of Bi{sub 4}V{sub 1.8}Cu{sub 0.2−x}Al{sub x}O{sub 10.7+x/2} compounds. Display Omitted.« less

Size effects on electrical properties of chemically grown zinc oxide nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rathod, K. N.; Joshi, Zalak; Dhruv, Davit; Gadani, Keval; Boricha, Hetal; Joshi, A. D.; Solanki, P. S.; Shah, N. A.

2018-03-01

In the present article, we study ZnO nanoparticles grown by cost effective sol–gel technique for various electrical properties. Structural studies performed by x-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed hexagonal unit cell phase with no observed impurities. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and particle size analyzer showed increased average particle size due to agglomeration effect with higher sintering. Dielectric constant (ε‧) decreases with increase in frequency because of the disability of dipoles to follow higher electric field. With higher sintering, dielectric constant reduced owing to the important role of increased formation of oxygen vacancy defects. Universal dielectric response (UDR) was verified by straight line fitting of log (fε‧) versus log (f) plots. All samples exhibit UDR behavior and with higher sintering more contribution from crystal cores. Impedance studies suggest an important role of boundary density while Cole–Cole (Z″ versus Z‧) plots have been studied for the relaxation behavior of the samples. Average normalized change (ANC) in impedance has been studied for all the samples wherein boundaries play an important role. Frequency dependent electrical conductivity has been understood on the basis of Jonscher’s universal power law. Jonscher’s law fits suggest that conduction of charge carrier is possible in the context of correlated barrier hopping (CBH) mechanism for lower temperature sintered sample while for higher temperature sintered ZnO samples, Maxwell–Wagner (M–W) relaxation process has been determined.

Preparation of high-aspect-ratio ZnO nanorod arrays for the detection of several organic solvents at room working temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Yi-Mu; Zheng, Min-Ren

2013-11-01

Chemical sensors based on ZnO nanorod arrays were prepared using chemical bath deposition (CBD) to investigate the sensing performance for the detection of several organic solvents with low concentrations (0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, v/v) at room temperature. High quality and high aspect-ratio (value ˜28) ZnO nanorods have a diameter of about 74 nm and average length of 2.1 μm. Nyquist plots and Bode plots of the ZnO sensors under different organic solvents were obtained by electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The sensing properties such as charge-transfer resistance, double-layer capacitance and dielectric parameters were determined from the impedance spectra to explore the charge transport in low-concentration aqueous solutions. The decreasing trend of the charge-transfer resistance (Rct) as decreasing solvent concentrations is observed, and a straight line at low frequency regime indicates adsorption of water molecules on the oxide surface. The sensitivity of the ZnO sensors was calculated from the resistance variation in target solvents and in deionized water. We demonstrated the use of ZnO nanorod arrays as a chemical sensor capable of generating a different response upon exposure to methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone and water, wherein the methanol sensing exhibited highest sensitivity. In addition, the ZnO sensor also demonstrates good stability and reproducibility for detection of methanol and ethanol.

Cell Electrical Impedance as a Novel Approach for Studies on Senescence Not Based on Biomarkers

PubMed Central

Cha, Jung-Joon; Park, Yangkyu; Yun, Joho; Kim, Hyeon Woo; Park, Chang-Ju; Kang, Giseok; Jung, Minhyun; Pak, Boryeong; Jin, Suk-Won

2016-01-01

Senescence of cardiac myocytes is frequently associated with heart diseases. To analyze senescence in cardiac myocytes, a number of biomarkers have been isolated. However, due to the complex nature of senescence, multiple markers are required for a single assay to accurately depict complex physiological changes associated with senescence. In single cells, changes in both cytoplasm and cell membrane during senescence can affect the changes in electrical impedance. Based on this phenomenon, we developed MEDoS, a novel microelectrochemical impedance spectroscopy for diagnosis of senescence, which allows us to precisely measure quantitative changes in electrical properties of aging cells. Using cardiac myocytes isolated from 3-, 6-, and 18-month-old isogenic zebrafish, we examined the efficacy of MEDoS and showed that MEDoS can identify discernible changes in electrical impedance. Taken together, our data demonstrated that electrical impedance in cells at different ages is distinct with quantitative values; these results were comparable with previously reported ones. Therefore, we propose that MEDoS be used as a new biomarker-independent methodology to obtain quantitative data on the biological senescence status of individual cells. PMID:27812531

Native plant recovery in study plots after fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) control on Santa Cruz Island

USGS Publications Warehouse

Power, Paula; Stanley, Thomas R.; Cowan, Clark; Robertson, James R.

2014-01-01

Santa Cruz Island is the largest of the California Channel Islands and supports a diverse and unique flora which includes 9 federally listed species. Sheep, cattle, and pigs, introduced to the island in the mid-1800s, disturbed the soil, browsed native vegetation, and facilitated the spread of exotic invasive plants. Recent removal of introduced herbivores on the island led to the release of invasive fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), which expanded to become the dominant vegetation in some areas and has impeded the recovery of some native plant communities. In 2007, Channel Islands National Park initiated a program to control fennel using triclopyr on the eastern 10% of the island. We established replicate paired plots (seeded and nonseeded) at Scorpion Anchorage and Smugglers Cove, where notably dense fennel infestations (>10% cover) occurred, to evaluate the effectiveness of native seed augmentation following fennel removal. Five years after fennel removal, vegetative cover increased as litter and bare ground cover decreased significantly (P < 0.0001) on both plot types. Vegetation cover of both native and other (nonfennel) exotic species increased at Scorpion Anchorage in both seeded and nonseeded plots. At Smugglers Cove, exotic cover decreased significantly (P = 0.0001) as native cover comprised of Eriogonum arborescensand Leptosyne gigantea increased significantly (P < 0.0001) in seeded plots only. Nonseeded plots at Smugglers Cove were dominated by exotic annual grasses, primarily Avena barbata. The data indicate that seeding with appropriate native seed is a critical step in restoration following fennel control in areas where the native seed bank is depauperate.

Ant Foraging As an Indicator of Tropical Dry Forest Restoration.

PubMed

Hernández-Flores, J; Osorio-Beristain, M; Martínez-Garza, C

2016-08-01

Variation in foraging behavior may indicate differences in food availability and allow assessment of restoration actions. Ants are prominent bioindicators used in assessing ecological responses to disturbance. However, behavioral data have been poorly incorporated as an index. The foraging performance of red harvester ants was quantified in order to evaluate the success of a restoration ecology experiment in the tropical dry forest of Sierra de Huautla, Morelos, in central Mexico. Foraging performance by granivorous, Pogonomyrmex barbatus, ants was diminished after 6 and 8 years of cattle grazing and wood harvest were excluded as part of a restoration experiment in a highly degraded biome. Despite investing more time in foraging, ant colonies in exclusion plots showed lower foraging success and acquired less seed biomass than colonies in control plots. In line with the predictions of optimal foraging theory, in restored plots where ant foraging performance was poor, ants harvested a higher diversity of seeds. Reduced foraging success and increased harvest of non-preferred foods in exclusion plots were likely due to the growth of herbaceous vegetation, which impedes travel by foragers. Moreover, by 8 years of exclusion, 37% of nests in exclusion plots had disappeared compared to 0% of nests in control plots. Ants' foraging success and behavior were sensitive to changes in habitat quality due to the plant successional process triggered by a restoration intervention. This study spotlights on the utility of animal foraging behavior in the evaluation of habitat restoration programs. © The Authors 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Bioelectrical Impedance Methods for Noninvasive Health Monitoring: A Review

PubMed Central

Bera, Tushar Kanti

2014-01-01

Under the alternating electrical excitation, biological tissues produce a complex electrical impedance which depends on tissue composition, structures, health status, and applied signal frequency, and hence the bioelectrical impedance methods can be utilized for noninvasive tissue characterization. As the impedance responses of these tissue parameters vary with frequencies of the applied signal, the impedance analysis conducted over a wide frequency band provides more information about the tissue interiors which help us to better understand the biological tissues anatomy, physiology, and pathology. Over past few decades, a number of impedance based noninvasive tissue characterization techniques such as bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), electrical impedance plethysmography (IPG), impedance cardiography (ICG), and electrical impedance tomography (EIT) have been proposed and a lot of research works have been conducted on these methods for noninvasive tissue characterization and disease diagnosis. In this paper BIA, EIS, IPG, ICG, and EIT techniques and their applications in different fields have been reviewed and technical perspective of these impedance methods has been presented. The working principles, applications, merits, and demerits of these methods has been discussed in detail along with their other technical issues followed by present status and future trends. PMID:27006932

Determination of the shear impedance of viscoelastic liquids using cylindrical piezoceramic resonators.

PubMed

Kiełczyński, Piotr; Pajewski, Wincenty; Szalewski, Marek

2003-03-01

In this paper, a new method for determining the rheological parameters of viscoelastic liquids is presented. To this end, we used the perturbation method applied to shear vibrations of cylindrical piezoceramic resonators. The resonator was viscoelastically loaded on the outer cylindrical surface. Due to this loading, the resonant frequency and quality factor of the resonator changed. According to the perturbation method, the change in the complex resonant frequency deltaomega = deltaomega(re) + jdeltaomega(im) is directly proportional to the specific acoustic impedance for cylindrical waves Zc of a viscoelastic liquid surrounding the resonator, i.e., deltaomega is approximately equal to jZc, where j = (-1)1/2. Hence, the measurement of the real and imaginary parts of the complex resonant frequency deltaomega determines the real part, Rc, and imaginary part, Xc, of the complex acoustic impedance for cylindrical waves Zc of an investigated liquid. Furthermore, the specific impedance ZL for plane waves was related to the specific impedance Zc for cylindrical waves. Using theoretical formulas established and the results of the experiments performed, the shear storage modulus mu and the viscosity eta for various liquids (e.g., epoxy resins) were determined. Moreover, the authors derived for cylindrical resonators a formula that relates the shift in resonant frequency to the viscosity of the liquid. This formula is analogous to the Kanazawa-Gordon formula that was derived for planar resonators and Newtonian liquids.

Comparison of Two Acoustic Waveguide Methods for Determining Liner Impedance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, Michael G.; Watson, Willie R.; Tracy, Maureen B.; Parrott, Tony L.

2001-01-01

Acoustic measurements taken in a flow impedance tube are used to assess the relative accuracy of two waveguide methods for impedance eduction in the presence of grazing flow. The aeroacoustic environment is assumed to contain forward and backward-traveling acoustic waves, consisting of multiple modes, and uniform mean flow. Both methods require a measurement of the complex acoustic pressure profile over the length of the test liner. The Single Mode Method assumes that the sound pressure level and phase decay-rates of a single progressive mode can be extracted from this measured complex acoustic pressure profile. No a priori assumptions are made in the Finite Element. Method regarding the modal or reflection content in the measured acoustic pressure profile. The integrity of each method is initially demonstrated by how well their no-flow impedances match those acquired in a normal incidence impedance tube. These tests were conducted using ceramic tubular and conventional perforate liners. Ceramic tubular liners were included because of their impedance insensitivity to mean flow effects. Conversely, the conventional perforate liner was included because its impedance is known to be sensitive to mean flow velocity effects. Excellent comparisons between impedance values educed with the two waveguide methods in the absence of mean flow and the corresponding values educed with the normal incident impedance tube were observed. The two methods are then compared for mean flow Mach numbers up to 0.5, and are shown to give consistent results for both types of test liners. The quality of the results indicates that the Single Mode Method should be used when the measured acoustic pressure profile is clearly dominated by a single progressive mode, and the Finite Element Method should be used for all other cases.

Modeling the growth processes of polyelectrolyte multilayers using a quartz crystal resonator.

PubMed

Salomäki, Mikko; Kankare, Jouko

2007-07-26

The layer-by-layer buildup of chitosan/hyaluronan (CH/HA) and poly(l-lysine)/hyaluronan (PLL/HA) multilayers was followed on a quartz crystal resonator (QCR) in different ionic strengths and at different temperatures. These polyelectrolytes were chosen to demonstrate the method whereby useful information is retrieved from acoustically thick polymer layers during their buildup. Surface acoustic impedance recorded in these measurements gives a single or double spiral when plotted in the complex plane. The shape of this spiral depends on the viscoelasticity of the layer material and regularity of the growth process. The polymer layer is assumed to consist of one or two zones. A mathematical model was devised to represent the separation of the layer to two zones with different viscoelastic properties. Viscoelastic quantities of the layer material and the mode and parameters of the growth process were acquired by fitting a spiral to the experimental data. In all the cases the growth process was mainly exponential as a function of deposition cycles, the growth exponent being between 0.250 and 0.275.

Dynamics of Li+ ions in Li2O-TeO2-P2O5 glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chatterjee, A.; Ghosh, A.

2018-04-01

In the present work we have studied transport properties of lithium ions in 0.3Li2O-0.7[xTeO2-(1-x)P2O5] glasses, where x=0.5, 0.6, 0.7. We have measured acconductivity for a wide range offrequency and temperature. The real part of the conductivity spectra has been analyzed by the power law in Almond-West formalism. The dc conductivity has been obtained from the complex impedance plots. We have found that dc conductivity increases and activation energy decreases on increase of TeO2 for a particular Li2O content. We have also found that the dc conductivity and crossover frequency obey Arrhenius relation. The time temperature superposition has been verified using the scaling formalism of the conductivity spectra. We have found that the conductivity isotherms scaled to a single master curve with suitable scaling parameters for a particular composition at different temperatures. However the scaling to a single master curve fails for different compositions at a particular temperature.

Broadband Impedance Microscopy for Research on Complex Quantum Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-02-08

function in various materials. Figure 2. Sensitivity limit of the broadband impedance microscope (BIM). Figure 3. Preliminary BIM data on YMnO3...2 Statement of the Problem The objective of this DURIP award is to construct a broadband impedance microscope (BIM) for frequency-dependent...platforms and specialized cantilever probes [1] in the PI’s lab, the BIM can now simultaneously obtain microscopic (10 – 100 nm) and quasi- spectroscopic

In vivo CH3(CH2)11SAu SAM electrodes in the beating heart: in situ analytical studies relevant to pacemakers and interstitial biosensors.

PubMed

Chou, Howard A; Zavitz, Daniel H; Ovadia, Marc

2003-01-01

To study in vivo modification of the SAM equivalent circuit when a highly ordered SAM is used as a bioelectrode, dodecanethiolate SAM-Au intramuscular electrodes were studied in living rat heart in a challenging in situ perfused rat model by impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and neutron activation analysis (NAA). The SAM layer experienced disintegration in vivo biological system, as NAA detected the presence of Au atoms that had leached into the surrounding living tissue. Therefore, the underlying Au surface became exposed during biological implant. Study by impedance spectroscopy, however, revealed perfect capacitive behavior for the SAM, similar to in vitro behavior. Electrodes showed a pure capacitive Nyquist plot with 86.1-89.4 degrees near-vertical line segments as the equivalent circuit locus, as for a parallel plate capacitor. Impedance magnitude varied linearly with 1/omega excluding diffusionally limited ionic charge transport. There was no diffusional conductive element Z(W infinity ) or spatially confined Warburg impedance Z(D). The effect of in vivo exposure of a highly ordered SAM is a 'sealing over' effect of new defects by the binding of proteinaceous or lipid species in the biological milieu, a fact of significance for SAM electrodes used either as pacemaker electrodes or as a platform for in vivo biosensors.

Effect of temperature on magnetic and impedance properties of Fe3BO6 of nanotubular structure with a bonded B2O3 surface layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumari, Kalpana; Ram, S.; Kotnala, R. K.

2018-03-01

In this investigation, we explore a facile synthesis of Fe3BO6 in the form of small crystallites in the specific shape of nanotubes crystallized from a supercooled liquid Fe2O3-B2O3 precursor. This study includes high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images, magnetic, optical, and impedance properties of the sample. HRTEM images reveal small tubes of Fe3BO6 of 20 nm diameter. A well resolved hysteresis loop appears at 5 K in which the magnetization does not saturate even up to as high field as 50 kOe. It means that the Fe3BO6 nanotubes behave as highly antiferromagnetic in nature in which the surface spins do not align along the field so easily. The temperature dependent impedance describes an ionic Fe3BO6 conductor with a reasonably small activation energy Ea ˜ 0.33 eV. Impedance formalism in terms of a Cole-Cole plot shows a deviation from an ideal Debye-like behavior. We have also reported that electronic absorption spectra are over a spectral range 200-800 nm of wavelengths in order to find out how a bonded surface layer present on the Fe3BO6 crystallites tunes the 3d → 3d electronic transitions in Fe3+ ions.

Substituting leucine for alanine-86 in the tether region of the iron-sulfur protein of the cytochrome bc1 complex affects the mobility of the [2Fe2S] domain.

PubMed

Ghosh, M; Wang, Y; Ebert, C E; Vadlamuri, S; Beattie, D S

2001-01-16

Mutating three conserved alanine residues in the tether region of the iron-sulfur protein of the yeast cytochrome bc(1) complex resulted in 22-56% decreases in enzymatic activity [Obungu et al. (2000) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1457, 36-44]. The activity of the cytochrome bc(1) complex isolated from A86L was decreased 60% compared to the wild-type without loss of heme or protein and without changes in the 2Fe2S cluster or proton-pumping ability. The activity of the bc(1) complex from mutant A92R was identical to the wild-type, while loss of both heme and activity was observed in the bc(1) complex isolated from mutant A90I. Computer simulations indicated that neither mutation A86L nor mutation A92R affects the alpha-helical backbone in the tether region; however, the side chain of the leucine substituted for Ala-86 interacts with the side chain of Leu-89. The Arrhenius plot for mutant A86L was apparently biphasic with a transition observed at 17-19 degrees C and an activation energy of 279.9 kJ/mol below 17 degrees C and 125.1 kJ/mol above 17 degrees C. The initial rate of cytochrome c(1) reduction was lowered 33% in mutant A86L; however, the initial rate of cytochrome b reduction was unaffected, suggesting that movement of the tether region of the iron-sulfur protein is necessary for maximum rates of enzymatic activity. Substituting a leucine for Ala-86 impedes the unwinding of the alpha-helix and hence movement of the tether.

Characterization of Molybdate Conversion Coatings for Aluminum Alloys by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Calle, Luz Marina

2000-01-01

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to investigate the corrosion inhibiting properties of newly developed proprietary molybdate conversion coatings on aluminum alloy 2024-T3 under immersion in aerated 5% (w/w) NaCl. Corrosion potential and EIS measurements were gathered for six formulations of the coating at several immersion times for two weeks. Nyquist as well as Bode plots of the data were obtained. The conversion-coated alloy panels showed an increase in the corrosion potential during the first 24 hours of immersion that later subsided and approached a steady value. Corrosion potential measurements indicated that formulations A, D, and F exhibit a protective effect on aluminum 2024-T3. The EIS spectra of the conversion-coated alloy were characterized by an impedance that is higher than the impedance of the bare alloy at all the immersion times. The low frequency impedance, Z(sub lf) (determined from the value at 0.05 Hz) for the conversion-coated alloy was higher at all the immersion times than that of the bare panel. This indicates improvement of corrosion resistance with addition of the molybdate conversion coating. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the presence of cracks in the coating and the presence of cubic crystals believed to be calcium carbonate. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) of the test panels revealed the presence of high levels of aluminum, oxygen, and calcium but did not detect the presence of molybdenum on the test panels. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated the presence of less than 0.01 atomic percent molybdenum on the surface of the coating.

[Effects of simulated hypoxia on dielectric properties of mouse erythrocytes].

PubMed

Ma, Qing; Tang, Zhi-Yuan; Wang, Qin-Wen; Zhao, Xin

2008-02-01

To explore the influence of simulated altitude hypoxia on dielectric properties of mouse erythrocytes. Experimental animals were divided into the plain control group(control) and simulated altitude hypoxia group (altitude). The AC impedance of mouse erythrocytes was measured with the Agilent 4294A impedance analyzer, the influence of simulated altitude hypoxia on dielectric properties of mouse erythrocytes was observed by cell dielectric spectroscopy, Cole-Cole plots, loss factor spectrum, loss tangent spectrum, and curve fitting analysis of Cole-Cole equation. After mice were exposed to hypoxia at simulated 5000 m altitude for 4 weeks, permittivity at low frequency (epsilonl) and dielectric increment (deltaepsilon) increased 57% and 59% than that of control group respectively, conductivity at low frequency (kappal) and conductivity at high frequency (kappah) reduced 49% and 11% than that of control group respectively. The simulated altitude hypoxia could arise to increase dielectric capability and depress conductive performance on mouse erythrocytes.

Solid state parameters, structure elucidation, High Resolution X-Ray Diffraction (HRXRD), phase matching, thermal and impedance analysis on L-Proline trichloroacetate (L-PTCA) NLO single crystals.

PubMed

Kalaiselvi, P; Raj, S Alfred Cecil; Jagannathan, K; Vijayan, N; Bhagavannarayana, G; Kalainathan, S

2014-11-11

Nonlinear optical single crystal of L-Proline trichloroacetate (L-PTCA) was successfully grown by Slow Evaporation Solution Technique (SEST). The grown crystals were subjected to single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis to confirm the structure. From the single crystal XRD data, solid state parameters were determined for the grown crystal. The crystalline perfection has been evaluated using high resolution X-ray diffractometer. The frequencies of various functional groups were identified from FTIR spectral analysis. The percentage of transmittance was obtained from UV Visible spectral analysis. TGA-DSC measurements indicate the thermal stability of the crystal. The dielectric constant, dielectric loss and ac conductivity were measured by the impedance analyzer. The DC conductivity was calculated by the cole-cole plot method. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Wide range humidity sensing of LiCl incorporated in mesoporous silica circular discs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kunchakara, Suhasini; Shah, Jyoti; Singh, Vaishali; Kotnala, R. K.

2017-12-01

Lithium chloride (LiCl) incorporated MCM-41 has been synthesised by sol-gel method using tetraethyl orthosilicate as a precursor in basic medium. 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 wt% of LiCl were incorporated in mesoporous silica to investigate the humidity sensing. With increasing wt% of LiCl broadening of O-H peak is observed in the Fourier Transform Infrared spectra, indicating greater adsorption of hydroxyl groups on porous silica. The surface area of the MCM-41 circular discs was determined by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). Scanning electron microscopy images suggest that incorporation of LiCl leads to coalescence of grains in mesoporous silica. 25 wt% LiCl incorporated MCM-41 showed a wide range linear response of impedance change for 11%-90% RH exhibiting 3.5-order drop in impedance at a 1 kHz frequency. The Nyquist plots for all compositions showed increased ionic conduction with increasing relative humidity.

Real-time estimation of lesion depth and control of radiofrequency ablation within ex vivo animal tissues using a neural network.

PubMed

Wang, Yearnchee Curtis; Chan, Terence Chee-Hung; Sahakian, Alan Varteres

2018-01-04

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), a method of inducing thermal ablation (cell death), is often used to destroy tumours or potentially cancerous tissue. Current techniques for RFA estimation (electrical impedance tomography, Nakagami ultrasound, etc.) require long compute times (≥ 2 s) and measurement devices other than the RFA device. This study aims to determine if a neural network (NN) can estimate ablation lesion depth for control of bipolar RFA using complex electrical impedance - since tissue electrical conductivity varies as a function of tissue temperature - in real time using only the RFA therapy device's electrodes. Three-dimensional, cubic models comprised of beef liver, pork loin or pork belly represented target tissue. Temperature and complex electrical impedance from 72 data generation ablations in pork loin and belly were used for training the NN (403 s on Xeon processor). NN inputs were inquiry depth, starting complex impedance and current complex impedance. Training-validation-test splits were 70%-0%-30% and 80%-10%-10% (overfit test). Once the NN-estimated lesion depth for a margin reached the target lesion depth, RFA was stopped for that margin of tissue. The NN trained to 93% accuracy and an NN-integrated control ablated tissue to within 1.0 mm of the target lesion depth on average. Full 15-mm depth maps were calculated in 0.2 s on a single-core ARMv7 processor. The results show that a NN could make lesion depth estimations in real-time using less in situ devices than current techniques. With the NN-based technique, physicians could deliver quicker and more precise ablation therapy.

Fast and sensitive detection of foodborne pathogen using electrochemical impedance analysis, urease catalysis and microfluidics.

PubMed

Chen, Qi; Wang, Dan; Cai, Gaozhe; Xiong, Yonghua; Li, Yuntao; Wang, Maohua; Huo, Huiling; Lin, Jianhan

2016-12-15

Early screening of pathogenic bacteria is a key to prevent and control of foodborne diseases. In this study, we developed a fast and sensitive bacteria detection method integrating electrochemical impedance analysis, urease catalysis with microfluidics and using Listeria as model. The Listeria cells, the anti-Listeria monoclonal antibodies modified magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), and the anti-Listeria polyclonal antibodies and urease modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were incubated in a fluidic separation chip with active mixing to form the MNP-Listeria-AuNP-urease sandwich complexes. The complexes were captured in the separation chip by applying a high gradient magnetic field, and the urea was injected to resuspend the complexes and hydrolyzed under the catalysis of the urease on the complexes into ammonium ions and carbonate ions, which were transported into a microfluidic detection chip with an interdigitated microelectrode for impedance measurement to determine the amount of the Listeria cells. The capture efficiency of the Listeria cells in the separation chip was ∼93% with a shorter time of 30min due to the faster immuno-reaction using the active magnetic mixing. The changes on both impedance magnitude and phase angle were demonstrated to be able to detect the Listeria cells as low as 1.6×10(2)CFU/mL. The detection time was reduced from original ∼2h to current ∼1h. The recoveries of the spiked lettuce samples ranged from 82.1% to 89.6%, indicating the applicability of this proposed biosensor. This microfluidic impedance biosensor has shown the potential for online, automatic and sensitive bacteria separation and detection. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Extended quantification of the generalized recurrence plot

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riedl, Maik; Marwan, Norbert; Kurths, Jürgen

2016-04-01

The generalized recurrence plot is a modern tool for quantification of complex spatial patterns. Its application spans the analysis of trabecular bone structures, Turing structures, turbulent spatial plankton patterns, and fractals. But, it is also successfully applied to the description of spatio-temporal dynamics and the detection of regime shifts, such as in the complex Ginzburg-Landau- equation. The recurrence plot based determinism is a central measure in this framework quantifying the level of regularities in temporal and spatial structures. We extend this measure for the generalized recurrence plot considering additional operations of symmetry than the simple translation. It is tested not only on two-dimensional regular patterns and noise but also on complex spatial patterns reconstructing the parameter space of the complex Ginzburg-Landau-equation. The extended version of the determinism resulted in values which are consistent to the original recurrence plot approach. Furthermore, the proposed method allows a split of the determinism into parts which based on laminar and non-laminar regions of the two-dimensional pattern of the complex Ginzburg-Landau-equation. A comparison of these parts with a standard method of image classification, the co-occurrence matrix approach, shows differences especially in the description of patterns associated with turbulence. In that case, it seems that the extended version of the determinism allows a distinction of phase turbulence and defect turbulence by means of their spatial patterns. This ability of the proposed method promise new insights in other systems with turbulent dynamics coming from climatology, biology, ecology, and social sciences, for example.

Measurements of complex impedance in microwave high power systems with a new bluetooth integrated circuit.

PubMed

Roussy, Georges; Dichtel, Bernard; Chaabane, Haykel

2003-01-01

By using a new integrated circuit, which is marketed for bluetooth applications, it is possible to simplify the method of measuring the complex impedance, complex reflection coefficient and complex transmission coefficient in an industrial microwave setup. The Analog Devices circuit AD 8302, which measures gain and phase up to 2.7 GHz, operates with variable level input signals and is less sensitive to both amplitude and frequency fluctuations of the industrial magnetrons than are mixers and AM crystal detectors. Therefore, accurate gain and phase measurements can be performed with low stability generators. A mechanical setup with an AD 8302 is described; the calibration procedure and its performance are presented.

Time-domain representation of frequency-dependent foundation impedance functions

USGS Publications Warehouse

Safak, E.

2006-01-01

Foundation impedance functions provide a simple means to account for soil-structure interaction (SSI) when studying seismic response of structures. Impedance functions represent the dynamic stiffness of the soil media surrounding the foundation. The fact that impedance functions are frequency dependent makes it difficult to incorporate SSI in standard time-history analysis software. This paper introduces a simple method to convert frequency-dependent impedance functions into time-domain filters. The method is based on the least-squares approximation of impedance functions by ratios of two complex polynomials. Such ratios are equivalent, in the time-domain, to discrete-time recursive filters, which are simple finite-difference equations giving the relationship between foundation forces and displacements. These filters can easily be incorporated into standard time-history analysis programs. Three examples are presented to show the applications of the method.

Wavelet transformation to determine impedance spectra of lithium-ion rechargeable battery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoshi, Yoshinao; Yakabe, Natsuki; Isobe, Koichiro; Saito, Toshiki; Shitanda, Isao; Itagaki, Masayuki

2016-05-01

A new analytical method is proposed to determine the electrochemical impedance of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries (LIRB) from time domain data by wavelet transformation (WT). The WT is a waveform analysis method that can transform data in the time domain to the frequency domain while retaining time information. In this transformation, the frequency domain data are obtained by the convolution integral of a mother wavelet and original time domain data. A complex Morlet mother wavelet (CMMW) is used to obtain the complex number data in the frequency domain. The CMMW is expressed by combining a Gaussian function and sinusoidal term. The theory to select a set of suitable conditions for variables and constants related to the CMMW, i.e., band, scale, and time parameters, is established by determining impedance spectra from wavelet coefficients using input voltage to the equivalent circuit and the output current. The impedance spectrum of LIRB determined by WT agrees well with that measured using a frequency response analyzer.

Quantitative geophysical investigations at the Diamond M field, Scurry County, Texas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davogustto Cataldo, Oswaldo Ernesto

The Diamond M field over the Horseshoe Atoll reservoir of west Texas has produced oil since 1942. Even with some 210 well penetrations, complex reservoir compartmentalization has justified an ongoing drilling program with three wells drilled within the last three years. Accurate reservoir characterization requires accurate description of the geometry, geological facies, and petrophysical property distribution ranging from core, through log to the seismic scale. The operator has conducted a careful logging and coring process including dipole sonic logs in addition to acquiring a modern 3D vertical phone - vertical vibrator "P-wave" seismic data volume and an equivalent size 2-component by 2-componet "S-wave" seismic data volume. I analyze these data at different scales, integrating them into a whole. I begin with core analysis of the petrophysical properties of the Horseshoe Atoll reservoir. Measuring porosity, permeability, NMR T2 relaxation and velocities (Vp and Vs) as a function of pressure and find that porosity measurements are consistent when measured with different techniques. When upscaled, these measurements are in excellent agreement with properties measured at the log scale. Together, these measurements provide a lithology-porosity template against which I correlate my seismic P- and S-impedance measurements. Careful examination of P- and S-impedances as well as density from prestack inversion of the P-wave survey of the original time migrated gathers showed lower vertical resolution for S-impedance and density. These latter two parameters are controlled by the far-offset data, which suffers from migration stretch. I address this shortcoming by applying a recently developed non-stretch NMO technique which not only improved the bandwidth of the data but also resulted in inversions that better match the S-impedance and density well log data. The operator hypothesized that 2C by 2C S-wave data would better delineate lithology than conventional P-wave seismic data. Although introduced in the mid-1980s, 2C by 2C data are rarely acquired, with most surveys showing less vertical resolution than conventional (and prior to slip-sweep technology more economically acquired) P-wave data. Initial processing by the service company showed a comparable, but lower frequency, image for the "transverse" component, and poor images for the "radial" component. Although the dipole sonic logs did not indicate the presence of significant anisotropy, shear wave splitting is readily observed on the surface seismic stacks. I therefore developed a prestack Alford rotation algorithm that minimizes the cross-talk between components, resulting vertical resolution comparable to the P-wave data, and independent measure of lithology, and also a direct measure of the direction of the principal axes of anisotropy. The direction of azimuthal anisotropy is aligned N45E consistent with the regional maximum horizontal stress axis obtained from the world stress map database. On average, the Cisco Formation appears 10% thicker on the slow shear (S2) volume than on the fast shear (S1 ) volume and between 70% and 100% thicker on the P-wave volume. Cross-plotting cumulative production against the various seismic attributes, I find a strong negative correlation to S-impedance and P-impedance. Zones of low S-impedance and low P-impedance correlate to better producing wells. More quantitative correlation will require the analysis of the role fractures versus porosity contribute to production.

"Delta Plots"--A New Way to Visualize Electronic Excitation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morrison, Harry; And Others

1985-01-01

Presents procedures for obtaining and examples of delta plots (a way of illustrating electron density changes associated with electronic excitation). These plots are pedagogically useful for visualizing simple and complex transitions and provide a way of "seeing" the origin of highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-dictated carbonyl…

Manipulating Acoustic Wavefront by Inhomogeneous Impedance and Steerable Extraordinary Reflection

PubMed Central

Zhao, Jiajun; Li, Baowen; Chen, Zhining; Qiu, Cheng-Wei

2013-01-01

We unveil the connection between the acoustic impedance along a flat surface and the reflected acoustic wavefront, in order to empower a wide wariety of novel applications in acoustic community. Our designed flat surface can generate double reflections: the ordinary reflection and the extraordinary one whose wavefront is manipulated by the proposed impedance-governed generalized Snell's law of reflection (IGSL). IGSL is based on Green's function and integral equation, instead of Fermat's principle for optical wavefront manipulation. Remarkably, via the adjustment of the designed specific acoustic impedance, extraordinary reflection can be steered for unprecedented acoustic wavefront while that ordinary reflection can be surprisingly switched on or off. The realization of the complex discontinuity of the impedance surface has been proposed using Helmholtz resonators. PMID:23985717

Recurrence Density Enhanced Complex Networks for Nonlinear Time Series Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Costa, Diego G. De B.; Reis, Barbara M. Da F.; Zou, Yong; Quiles, Marcos G.; Macau, Elbert E. N.

We introduce a new method, which is entitled Recurrence Density Enhanced Complex Network (RDE-CN), to properly analyze nonlinear time series. Our method first transforms a recurrence plot into a figure of a reduced number of points yet preserving the main and fundamental recurrence properties of the original plot. This resulting figure is then reinterpreted as a complex network, which is further characterized by network statistical measures. We illustrate the computational power of RDE-CN approach by time series by both the logistic map and experimental fluid flows, which show that our method distinguishes different dynamics sufficiently well as the traditional recurrence analysis. Therefore, the proposed methodology characterizes the recurrence matrix adequately, while using a reduced set of points from the original recurrence plots.

Diffuse phase ferroelectric vs. Polomska transition in (1-x) BiFeO3-(x) Ba Zr0.025Ti0.975O3 (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) solid solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jha, Pardeep K.; Jha, Priyanka A.; Singh, Vikash; Kumar, Pawan; Asokan, K.; Dwivedi, R. K.

2015-01-01

Investigations on the solid solutions (1-x) BiFeO3 - (x) Ba Zr0.025Ti0.975O3 (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) in the temperature range 300-750 K show colossal permittivity behavior and the occurrence of diffuse phase ferroelectric transition along with frequency dependent anomaly which disappears at temperature ˜450 K. For x = 0.3, these anomalies have been verified through differential scanning calorimetry and dielectric/impedance/conductivity measurements. The occurrence of peak in pyrocurrent (dPs/dT) vs. T plots also supports phase transition. With the increasing x, transition temperature decreases and diffusivity increases. This anomaly is absent at high frequencies (>100 kHz) in conductivity plots, indicating Polomska like surface phase transition, which is supported by modulus study.

A flight investigation of oscillating air forces: Equipment and technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reed, W. H., III

1975-01-01

The equipment and techniques are described which are to be used in a project aimed at measuring oscillating air forces and dynamic aeroelastic response of a swept wing airplane at high subsonic speeds. Electro-hydraulic inertia type shakers installed in the wing tips will excite various elastic airplane modes while the related oscillating chordwise pressures at two spanwise wing stations and the wing mode shapes are recorded on magnetic tape. The data reduction technique, following the principle of a wattmeter harmonic analyzer employed by Bratt, Wight, and Tilly, utilizes magnetic tape and high speed electronic multipliers to record directly the real and imaginary components of oscillatory data signals relative to a simple harmonic reference signal. Through an extension of this technique an automatic flight-flutter-test data analyzer is suggested in which vector plots of mechanical admittance or impedance would be plotted during the flight test.

Field emission from carbon nanotube fibers in varying anode-cathode gap with the consideration of contact resistance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Peng; Fairchild, S. B.; Back, T. C.; Luo, Yi

2017-12-01

This paper studies field emission (FE) from a single carbon nanotube (CNT) fiber with different anode-cathode (AK) gap distances. It is found that the field enhancement factor depends strongly on the finite AK gap distance, due to the combination of geometrical effects and possible fiber morphology change. The geometrical effects of AK gap distance on the field enhancement factor are confirmed using COMSOL simulations. The slope drop in the Fowler-Northeim (FN) plot of the FE data in the high voltage is related to the electrical contact resistance between the CNT fiber and the substrate. It is found that even a small series resistance to the field emitter (<30% of the emission gap impedance) can strongly modify the FE characteristics in the high voltage regime, inducing a strong deviation from the linear FN plot.

Image Reconstruction Under Contact Impedance Effect in Micro Electrical Impedance Tomography Sensors.

PubMed

Liu, Xiayi; Yao, Jiafeng; Zhao, Tong; Obara, Hiromichi; Cui, Yahui; Takei, Masahiro

2018-06-01

Contact impedance has an important effect on micro electrical impedance tomography (EIT) sensors compared to conventional macro sensors. In the present work, a complex contact impedance effect ratio ξ is defined to quantitatively evaluate the effect of the contact impedance on the accuracy of the reconstructed images by micro EIT. Quality of the reconstructed image under various ξ is estimated by the phantom simulation to find the optimum algorithm. The generalized vector sampled pattern matching (GVSPM) method reveals the best image quality and the best tolerance to ξ. Moreover, the images of yeast cells sedimentary distribution in a multilayered microchannel are reconstructed by the GVSPM method under various mean magnitudes of contact impedance effect ratio |ξ|. The result shows that the best image quality that has the smallest voltage error U E = 0.581 is achieved with measurement frequency f = 1 MHz and mean magnitude |ξ| = 26. In addition, the reconstructed images of cells distribution become improper while f < 10 kHz and mean value of |ξ| > 2400.

Electromagnetic scattering by impedance structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balanis, Constantine A.; Griesser, Timothy

1987-01-01

The scattering of electromagnetic waves from impedance structures is investigated, and current work on antenna pattern calculation is presented. A general algorithm for determining radiation patterns from antennas mounted near or on polygonal plates is presented. These plates are assumed to be of a material which satisfies the Leontovich (or surface impedance) boundary condition. Calculated patterns including reflection and diffraction terms are presented for numerious geometries, and refinements are included for antennas mounted directly on impedance surfaces. For the case of a monopole mounted on a surface impedance ground plane, computed patterns are compared with experimental measurements. This work in antenna pattern prediction forms the basis of understanding of the complex scattering mechanisms from impedance surfaces. It provides the foundation for the analysis of backscattering patterns which, in general, are more problematic than calculation of antenna patterns. Further proposed study of related topics, including surface waves, corner diffractions, and multiple diffractions, is outlined.

A Computer Aided Broad Band Impedance Matching Technique Using a Comparison Reflectometer. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gordy, R. S.

1972-01-01

An improved broadband impedance matching technique was developed. The technique is capable of resolving points in the waveguide which generate reflected energy. A version of the comparison reflectometer was developed and fabricated to determine the mean amplitude of the reflection coefficient excited at points in the guide as a function of distance, and the complex reflection coefficient of a specific discontinuity in the guide as a function of frequency. An impedance matching computer program was developed which is capable of impedance matching the characteristics of each disturbance independent of other reflections in the guide. The characteristics of four standard matching elements were compiled, and their associated curves of reflection coefficient and shunt susceptance as a function of frequency are presented. It is concluded that an economical, fast, and reliable impedance matching technique has been established which can provide broadband impedance matches.

Powder X-ray diffraction, infrared and conductivity studies of AgSbMP{sub 3}O{sub 12} (M = Al, Ga, Fe and Cr)

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

Rambabu, G.; Anantharamulu, N.; Koteswara Rao, K.

2008-06-03

New Nasicon type of compounds of composition AgSbMP{sub 3}O{sub 12} (M = Al, Ga, Fe and Cr) are synthesized by solid-state method. All the compounds crystallize in the hexagonal lattice with space group R3-barc. The infrared spectra of these compounds show characteristic bands due to PO{sub 4} group. The frequency independent conductivity of these compounds shows Arrhenius type behavior and the activation energy for conduction is in the range 0.40-0.55 eV. Frequency independent conductivity ({sigma}{sub dc}) studies and frequency dependent ({sigma}{sub ac}) impedance measurements correlate well. The Cole-Cole plots do not show any spikes on the lower frequency side indicatingmore » negligible electrode effects. The activation energies obtained from the plots of log {sigma}{sub dc}T versus 1/T, log {sigma}{sub ac}(0) versus 1/T and log {tau} versus 1/T are approximately the same. The peak width at half height for electric modulus (M'') plot is {approx}1.24 decades for all samples, which is close to 1.14 decades observed for Debye solid. The height of electric modulus (M'') obtained from the experimental plots are close to that of M'' (max) = C{sub 0}/2C indicating the Debye nature of the samples.« less

Structural, dielectric and impedance spectroscopic studies of Ni0.5Zn0.5-xLixFe2O4 nanocrystalline ferrites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Venkatesh, Davuluri; Ramesh, K. V.

2017-09-01

Nanocrystalline lithium substituted Ni-Zn ferrites with composition Ni0.5Zn0.5-xLixFe2O4 (x = 0.00-0.25 in steps of 0.05) were synthesized by the citrate gel auto-combustion method and were sintered at 1000∘C for 4 h in air atmosphere. The structural, dielectric, impedance spectroscopic and magnetic properties were studied by using X-ray diffraction, impedance analyzer and vibrating sample magnetometer respectively. The X-ray diffraction patterns confirm that all samples exhibit a single phase cubic spinel structure. Suitable cation distribution for all compositions has been proposed by using the X-ray diffraction line intensity calculations and the theoretical lattice parameter for each composition was observed in close agreement with the experimental ones and thereby supporting the proposed distribution. An increase in the saturation magnetization was observed up to x = 0.10 level of Li+ substitution and thereafter magnetization reduced for higher concentrations to the highest level of Li+ substitution. The dielectric constant and the DC resistivity of Ni-Zn-Li ferrites were noticed to decrease with increase in the Li+ ion concentration. The impedance spectroscopic studies by using the Cole-Cole plots were studied in order to obtain the relaxation time, grain resistance and grain capacitance. AC conductivity initially remained almost independent of frequency for lower frequencies and thereafter for higher frequencies the AC conductivity increased with increase of Lithium concentration.

From fuzzy recurrence plots to scalable recurrence networks of time series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pham, Tuan D.

2017-04-01

Recurrence networks, which are derived from recurrence plots of nonlinear time series, enable the extraction of hidden features of complex dynamical systems. Because fuzzy recurrence plots are represented as grayscale images, this paper presents a variety of texture features that can be extracted from fuzzy recurrence plots. Based on the notion of fuzzy recurrence plots, defuzzified, undirected, and unweighted recurrence networks are introduced. Network measures can be computed for defuzzified recurrence networks that are scalable to meet the demand for the network-based analysis of big data.

Analyses of radiation impedances of finite cylindrical ducts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, W.; Mechefske, C. K.

2005-08-01

To aid in understanding the characteristics of acoustic radiation from finite cylindrical ducts with infinite flanges, mathematical expressions of generalized radiation impedances at the open ends have been developed. Newton's method is used to find the complex wavenumbers of radial modes for the absorption boundary condition. The self-radiation impedances and mutual impedances for some acoustic modes are calculated for the ducts with rigid and absorption walls. The results show that the acoustical conditions of the duct walls have a significant influence on the radiation impedance. The acoustical interaction between the two open ends of the ducts cannot be neglected, especially for plane waves. To increase the wall admittance will reduce this interference effect. This study creates the possibility for simulating the sound field inside finite ducts in future work.

Preparation and Electrochemical Properties of Graphene/Epoxy Resin Composite Coating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, Zijun; Zhang, Tianchi; Qiao, Sen; Zhang, Luyihang

2017-11-01

The multilayer graphene powder as filler, epoxy modified silicone resin as film-forming agent, anticorrosion composite coating has been created using sand dispersion method, the electrochemical performance was compared with different content of graphene composite coating and pure epoxy resin coating. The open circuit potential (OCP), potentiodynamic polarization curves (Tafel Plot) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were tested. The test results showed that the anti-corrosion performance of multilayer graphene added has improved greatly, and the content of the 5% best corrosion performance of graphene composite coating.

Analysis of the Impedance Resonance of Piezoelectric Multi-Fiber Composite Stacks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sherrit, S.; Djrbashian, A.; Bradford, S C

2013-01-01

Multi-Fiber CompositesTM (MFC's) produced by Smart Materials Corp behave essentially like thin planar stacks where each piezoelectric layer is composed of a multitude of fibers. We investigate the suitability of using previously published inversion techniques for the impedance resonances of monolithic co-fired piezoelectric stacks to the MFCTM to determine the complex material constants from the impedance data. The impedance equations examined in this paper are those based on the derivation. The utility of resonance techniques to invert the impedance data to determine the small signal complex material constants are presented for a series of MFC's. The technique was applied to actuators with different geometries and the real coefficients were determined to be similar within changes of the boundary conditions due to change of geometry. The scatter in the imaginary coefficient was found to be larger. The technique was also applied to the same actuator type but manufactured in different batches with some design changes in the non active portion of the actuator and differences in the dielectric and the electromechanical coupling between the two batches were easily measureable. It is interesting to note that strain predicted by small signal impedance analysis is much lower than high field stains. Since the model is based on material properties rather than circuit constants, it could be used for the direct evaluation of specific aging or degradation mechanisms in the actuator as well as batch sorting and adjustment of manufacturing processes.

Impedance spectroscopy measurements as a tool for distinguishing different luminal content during bolus transit studies.

PubMed

Ruiz-Vargas, A; Mohd Rosli, R; Ivorra, A; Arkwright, J W

2018-01-08

Intraluminal electrical impedance is a well-known diagnostic tool used to study bolus movement in the human esophagus. However, it is use in the human colon it is hindered by the fact that the content cannot be controlled and may include liquid, gas, solid, or a mixture of these at any one time. This article investigates the use of complex impedance spectroscopy to study different luminal content (liquid and gas). An excised section of guinea pig proximal colon was placed in an organ bath with Krebs solution at 37°C and a custom built bioimpedance catheter was placed in the lumen. Liquid (Krebs) and gas (air) content was pumped through the lumen and the intraluminal impedance was measured at five different frequencies (1, 5.6, 31.6, 177.18 kHz and 1 MHz) at 10 samples per second. A numerical model was created to model the passage of bolus with different content and compared to the experimental data. Differences in mean impedance magnitude and phase angle were found (from 1 to 177.18 kHz) for different contents. The numerical results qualitatively agreed with those in the experimental study. Conductivities of bolus had an effect on detecting its passage. Complex impedance spectroscopy can distinguish between different luminal content within a range of measuring frequencies. The numerical model showed the importance of bolus conductivities for bolus transit studies in those where the bolus is controlled. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Photosynthetic and Growth Response of Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) Mature Trees and Seedlings to Calcium, Magnesium, and Nitrogen Additions in the Catskill Mountains, NY, USA.

PubMed

Momen, Bahram; Behling, Shawna J; Lawrence, Greg B; Sullivan, Joseph H

2015-01-01

Decline of sugar maple in North American forests has been attributed to changes in soil calcium (Ca) and nitrogen (N) by acidic precipitation. Although N is an essential and usually a limiting factor in forests, atmospheric N deposition may cause N-saturation leading to loss of soil Ca. Such changes can affect carbon gain and growth of sugar maple trees and seedlings. We applied a 22 factorial arrangement of N and dolomitic limestone containing Ca and Magnesium (Mg) to 12 forest plots in the Catskill Mountain region of NY, USA. To quantify the short-term effects, we measured photosynthetic-light responses of sugar maple mature trees and seedlings two or three times during two summers. We estimated maximum net photosynthesis (An-max) and its related light intensity (PAR at An-max), apparent quantum efficiency (Aqe), and light compensation point (LCP). To quantify the long-term effects, we measured basal area of living mature trees before and 4 and 8 years after treatment applications. Soil and foliar chemistry variables were also measured. Dolomitic limestone increased Ca, Mg, and pH in the soil Oe horizon. Mg was increased in the B horizon when comparing the plots receiving N with those receiving CaMg. In mature trees, foliar Ca and Mg concentrations were higher in the CaMg and N+CaMg plots than in the reference or N plots; foliar Ca concentration was higher in the N+CaMg plots compared with the CaMg plots, foliar Mg was higher in the CaMg plots than the N+CaMg plots; An-max was maximized due to N+CaMg treatment; Aqe decreased by N addition; and PAR at An-max increased by N or CaMg treatments alone, but the increase was maximized by their combination. No treatment effect was detected on basal areas of living mature trees four or eight years after treatment applications. In seedlings, An-max was increased by N+CaMg addition. The reference plots had an open herbaceous layer, but the plots receiving N had a dense monoculture of common woodfern in the forest floor, which can impede seedling survival.

Photosynthetic and Growth Response of Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) Mature Trees and Seedlings to Calcium, Magnesium, and Nitrogen Additions in the Catskill Mountains, NY, USA

PubMed Central

Momen, Bahram; Behling, Shawna J.; Lawrence, Greg B.; Sullivan, Joseph H.

2015-01-01

Decline of sugar maple in North American forests has been attributed to changes in soil calcium (Ca) and nitrogen (N) by acidic precipitation. Although N is an essential and usually a limiting factor in forests, atmospheric N deposition may cause N-saturation leading to loss of soil Ca. Such changes can affect carbon gain and growth of sugar maple trees and seedlings. We applied a 22 factorial arrangement of N and dolomitic limestone containing Ca and Magnesium (Mg) to 12 forest plots in the Catskill Mountain region of NY, USA. To quantify the short-term effects, we measured photosynthetic-light responses of sugar maple mature trees and seedlings two or three times during two summers. We estimated maximum net photosynthesis (An-max) and its related light intensity (PAR at An-max), apparent quantum efficiency (A qe), and light compensation point (LCP). To quantify the long-term effects, we measured basal area of living mature trees before and 4 and 8 years after treatment applications. Soil and foliar chemistry variables were also measured. Dolomitic limestone increased Ca, Mg, and pH in the soil Oe horizon. Mg was increased in the B horizon when comparing the plots receiving N with those receiving CaMg. In mature trees, foliar Ca and Mg concentrations were higher in the CaMg and N+CaMg plots than in the reference or N plots; foliar Ca concentration was higher in the N+CaMg plots compared with the CaMg plots, foliar Mg was higher in the CaMg plots than the N+CaMg plots; An-max was maximized due to N+CaMg treatment; A qe decreased by N addition; and PAR at An-max increased by N or CaMg treatments alone, but the increase was maximized by their combination. No treatment effect was detected on basal areas of living mature trees four or eight years after treatment applications. In seedlings, An-max was increased by N+CaMg addition. The reference plots had an open herbaceous layer, but the plots receiving N had a dense monoculture of common woodfern in the forest floor, which can impede seedling survival. PMID:26291323

Photosynthetic and growth response of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) mature trees and seedlings to calcium, magnesium, and nitrogen additions in the Catskill Mountains, NY, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Momen, Bahram; Behling, Shawna J; Lawrence, Gregory B.; Sullivan, Joseph H

2015-01-01

Decline of sugar maple in North American forests has been attributed to changes in soil calcium (Ca) and nitrogen (N) by acidic precipitation. Although N is an essential and usually a limiting factor in forests, atmospheric N deposition may cause N-saturation leading to loss of soil Ca. Such changes can affect carbon gain and growth of sugar maple trees and seedlings. We applied a 22 factorial arrangement of N and dolomitic limestone containing Ca and Magnesium (Mg) to 12 forest plots in the Catskill Mountain region of NY, USA. To quantify the short-term effects, we measured photosynthetic-light responses of sugar maple mature trees and seedlings two or three times during two summers. We estimated maximum net photosynthesis (An-max) and its related light intensity (PAR at An-max), apparent quantum efficiency (Aqe), and light compensation point (LCP). To quantify the long-term effects, we measured basal area of living mature trees before and 4 and 8 years after treatment applications. Soil and foliar chemistry variables were also measured. Dolomitic limestone increased Ca, Mg, and pH in the soil Oe horizon. Mg was increased in the B horizon when comparing the plots receiving N with those receiving CaMg. In mature trees, foliar Ca and Mg concentrations were higher in the CaMg and N+CaMg plots than in the reference or N plots; foliar Ca concentration was higher in the N+CaMg plots compared with the CaMg plots, foliar Mg was higher in the CaMg plots than the N+CaMg plots; An-max was maximized due to N+CaMg treatment; Aqe decreased by N addition; and PAR at An-max increased by N or CaMg treatments alone, but the increase was maximized by their combination. No treatment effect was detected on basal areas of living mature trees four or eight years after treatment applications. In seedlings, An-max was increased by N+CaMg addition. The reference plots had an open herbaceous layer, but the plots receiving N had a dense monoculture of common woodfern in the forest floor, which can impede seedling survival.

Stochastic estimation of human shoulder impedance with robots: an experimental design.

PubMed

Park, Kyungbin; Chang, Pyung Hun

2011-01-01

Previous studies assumed the shoulder as a hinge joint during human arm impedance measurement. This is obviously a vast simplification since the shoulder is a complex of several joints with multiple degrees of freedom. In the present work, a practical methodology for more general and realistic estimation of human shoulder impedance is proposed and validated with a spring array. It includes a gravity compensation scheme, which is developed and used for the experiments with a spatial three degrees of freedom PUMA-type robot. The experimental results were accurate and reliable, and thus it has shown a strong potential of the proposed methodology in the estimation of human shoulder impedance. © 2011 IEEE

Mathematical modeling of pulsatile flow of non-Newtonian fluid in stenosed arteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sankar, D. S.; Lee, Usik

2009-07-01

The pulsatile flow of blood through mild stenosed artery is studied. The effects of pulsatility, stenosis and non-Newtonian behavior of blood, treating the blood as Herschel-Bulkley fluid, are simultaneously considered. A perturbation method is used to analyze the flow. The expressions for the shear stress, velocity, flow rate, wall shear stress, longitudinal impedance and the plug core radius have been obtained. The variations of these flow quantities with different parameters of the fluid have been analyzed. It is found that, the plug core radius, pressure drop and wall shear stress increase with the increase of yield stress or the stenosis height. The velocity and the wall shear stress increase considerably with the increase in the amplitude of the pressure drop. It is clear that for a given value of stenosis height and for the increasing values of the stenosis shape parameter from 3 to 6, there is a sharp increase in the impedance of the flow and also the plots are skewed to the right-hand side. It is observed that the estimates of the increase in the longitudinal impedance increase with the increase of the axial distance or with the increase of the stenosis height. The present study also brings out the effects of asymmetric of the stenosis on the flow quantities.

Corrosion of NiTi Wires with Cracked Oxide Layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Racek, Jan; Šittner, Petr; Heller, Luděk; Pilch, Jan; Petrenec, Martin; Sedlák, Petr

2014-07-01

Corrosion behavior of superelastic NiTi shape memory alloy wires with cracked TiO2 surface oxide layers was investigated by electrochemical corrosion tests (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, Open Circuit Potential, and Potentiodynamic Polarization) on wires bent into U-shapes of various bending radii. Cracks within the oxide on the surface of the bent wires were observed by FIB-SEM and TEM methods. The density and width of the surface oxide cracks dramatically increase with decreasing bending radius. The results of electrochemical experiments consistently show that corrosion properties of NiTi wires with cracked oxide layers (static load keeps the cracks opened) are inferior compared to the corrosion properties of the straight NiTi wires covered by virgin uncracked oxides. Out of the three methods employed, the Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy seems to be the most appropriate test for the electrochemical characterization of the cracked oxide layers, since the impedance curves (Nyquist plot) of differently bent NiTi wires can be associated with increasing state of the surface cracking and since the NiTi wires are exposed to similar conditions as the surfaces of NiTi implants in human body. On the other hand, the potentiodynamic polarization test accelerates the corrosion processes and provides clear evidence that the corrosion resistance of bent superelastic NiTi wires degrades with oxide cracking.

Electrical Conduction of Ba(Ti0.99Fe0.01)O3-δ Ceramic at High Temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Zi-De; Chen, Xiao-Ming

2018-03-01

BaTiO3 and Ba(Ti0.99Fe0.01)O3-δ ceramics with dense microstructure have been synthesized by a solid-state reaction method, and their electrical conduction investigated by broadband electrical impedance spectroscopy at frequencies from 0.05 Hz to 3 × 106 Hz and temperatures from 200°C to 400°C. Compared with BaTiO3, the real part of the permittivity and the phase-transition temperature of Ba(Ti0.99Fe0.01)O3-δ decreased. Relaxation peaks appeared in the curves of the imaginary part of the permittivity as a function of frequency. With increase in frequency, the peaks gradually shifted towards higher frequency and their height increased. Conductivity was closely related to frequency and temperature. Frequency-dependent conductivity was analyzed using the Jonscher double power law. Compared with BaTO3, Ba(Ti0.99Fe0.01)O3-δ exhibited high impedance at given frequency and temperature. Impedance Cole-Cole plots displayed two semicircles, which could be well fit using two parallel RC equivalent circuit models. The conductivity activation energy was found to be around 1 eV. For Ba(Ti0.99Fe0.01)O3-δ , the electrical modulus curve versus frequency displayed two peaks.

Electrical Conduction of Ba(Ti0.99Fe0.01)O3- δ Ceramic at High Temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Zi-De; Chen, Xiao-Ming

2018-07-01

BaTiO3 and Ba(Ti0.99Fe0.01)O3- δ ceramics with dense microstructure have been synthesized by a solid-state reaction method, and their electrical conduction investigated by broadband electrical impedance spectroscopy at frequencies from 0.05 Hz to 3 × 106 Hz and temperatures from 200°C to 400°C. Compared with BaTiO3, the real part of the permittivity and the phase-transition temperature of Ba(Ti0.99Fe0.01)O3- δ decreased. Relaxation peaks appeared in the curves of the imaginary part of the permittivity as a function of frequency. With increase in frequency, the peaks gradually shifted towards higher frequency and their height increased. Conductivity was closely related to frequency and temperature. Frequency-dependent conductivity was analyzed using the Jonscher double power law. Compared with BaTO3, Ba(Ti0.99Fe0.01)O3- δ exhibited high impedance at given frequency and temperature. Impedance Cole-Cole plots displayed two semicircles, which could be well fit using two parallel RC equivalent circuit models. The conductivity activation energy was found to be around 1 eV. For Ba(Ti0.99Fe0.01)O3- δ , the electrical modulus curve versus frequency displayed two peaks.

Tracking of electrochemical impedance of batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piret, H.; Granjon, P.; Guillet, N.; Cattin, V.

2016-04-01

This paper presents an evolutionary battery impedance estimation method, which can be easily embedded in vehicles or nomad devices. The proposed method not only allows an accurate frequency impedance estimation, but also a tracking of its temporal evolution contrary to classical electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods. Taking into account constraints of cost and complexity, we propose to use the existing electronics of current control to perform a frequency evolutionary estimation of the electrochemical impedance. The developed method uses a simple wideband input signal, and relies on a recursive local average of Fourier transforms. The averaging is controlled by a single parameter, managing a trade-off between tracking and estimation performance. This normalized parameter allows to correctly adapt the behavior of the proposed estimator to the variations of the impedance. The advantage of the proposed method is twofold: the method is easy to embed into a simple electronic circuit, and the battery impedance estimator is evolutionary. The ability of the method to monitor the impedance over time is demonstrated on a simulator, and on a real Lithium ion battery, on which a repeatability study is carried out. The experiments reveal good tracking results, and estimation performance as accurate as the usual laboratory approaches.

Mechanical Impedance of the Human Body in the Horizontal Direction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holmlund, P.; Lundström, R.

1998-08-01

The mechanical impedance of the seated human body in horizontal directions (fore-and-aft and lateral) was measured during different experimental conditions, such as vibration level (0·25-1·4 m/s2r.m.s.), frequency (1·13-80 Hz), body weight (54-93 kg), upper body posture (relaxed and erect) and gender. The outcome showed that impedance, normalized by the sitting weight, varies with direction, level, posture and gender. Generally the impedance spectra show one peak for the fore-and-aft (X) direction while two peaks are found in the lateral (Y) direction. Males showed a lower normalized impedance than females. Increasing fore-and-aft vibration decreases the frequency at which maximum impedance occurs but also reduces the overall magnitude. For the lateral direction a more complex pattern was found. The frequency of impedance peaks are constant with increasing vibration level. The magnitude of the second peak decreases when changing posture from erect to relaxed. Males showed a higher impedance magnitude than females and a greater dip between the two peaks. The impedance spectra for the two horizontal directions have different shapes. This supports the idea of treating them differently; such as with respect to risk assessments and development of preventative measures.

Dielectric and magnetic studies of BaTi0.5Fe0.5O3 ceramic materials, synthesized by solid state sintering.

PubMed

Samuvel, K; Ramachandran, K

2015-02-05

A comparative study of the surface morphology, dielectric and magnetic properties of the BaTi0.5Fe0.5O3 (BTFO) ceramics materials. This has been carried out by synthesizing the samples in different routes. BTFO samples have shown single phased 12R type hexagonal structure with R3m, P4mm space group. Interfacial effects on the dielectric properties of the samples have been understood by Cole-Cole plots in complex impedance and modulus formalism. It has been identified that huge dielectric constant (10(3)-10(6)) at lower frequencies is largely contributed by the heterogeneous electronic microstructure at the interfaces of grains. Modulus formalism has identified the effects of both grain and grain boundary microstructure on the dielectric properties, particularly in chemical routed samples. The order of grain boundary resistivity suggests the semiconductor/insulator class of the material. The grain boundary resistivity of the mechanical alloyed samples is remarkably lower than the solid state and chemical routed samples. Few samples have of the samples have exhibited signature of ferromagnetism at the room temperature. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Note: Rapid offset reduction of impedance bridges taking into account instrumental damping and phase shifting.

PubMed

van der Wel, C M; Kortschot, R J; Bakelaar, I A; Erné, B H; Kuipers, B W M

2013-03-01

The sensitivity of an imperfectly balanced impedance bridge is limited by the remaining offset voltage. Here, we present a procedure for offset reduction in impedance measurements using a lock-in amplifier, by applying a complex compensating voltage external to the bridge. This procedure takes into account instrumental damping and phase shifting, which generally occur at the high end of the operational frequency range. Measurements demonstrate that the output of the circuit rapidly converges to the instrumentally limited noise at any frequency.

Structural, magnetic and impedance spectroscopic analysis of LaFeO3 nano-particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rao, T. Lakshmana; Pradhan, M. K.; Dash, S.

2018-04-01

Physical properties are known to be drastically varied with crystallite size and in a multifunctional material this size reduction is seem to be interesting. One such material is chosen as LaFeO3 nanoparticles which have been prepared by wet-chemical route. The average particle size found to be in the order of 45nm in which the chemical content of the unit cell has been verified. A distorted orthorhombic structure with Pbnm space group is possessed by this nanoparticle. From the bifurcation of ZFC and FC in low field, behavior of inverse susceptibility and the small hysteresis loop favors the material to be in a weak FM state well below the Neel temperature. The electrical behavior and the conduction mechanism above room temperature have been studied by cole-cole plot of the Impedance spectra. The high frequency depressed semi circles represent the grain conduction while the intermediate frequency semi circles appear may be due to grain boundary effect.

Impedance Spectroscopy Study of the Ferroelectric Pb0.8K0.1Dy0.1Nb2O6 Ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rao, K. Sambasiva; Latha, T. Swarna; Krishna, P. Murali; Prasad, D. Madhava

Polycrystalline Dy-modified Pb1-xK2xNb2O6 (PKN) ferroelectric ceramic with a general formula Pb1-xK2x-3yMyNb2O6 for x=0.20, y=0.10 and M=Dy, have been prepared by the solid-state reaction route. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies of the material at room temperature revealed orthorhombic structure with lattice parameters a=17.701 Å, b=17.958 Å and c=3.883 Å. The dielectric anomaly with a sharp peak is observed at 430°C. The impedance plots are used as a tool to analyze the sample behavior as a function of frequency. The grain and grain boundary contributions are estimated. The modulus mechanism indicates the non-Debye type relaxation. The activation energy value near the phase transition temperature has been found to be different in the above TC from AC conductivity measurements.

The Frequency Spectral Properties of Electrode-Skin Contact Impedance on Human Head and Its Frequency-Dependent Effects on Frequency-Difference EIT in Stroke Detection from 10Hz to 1MHz.

PubMed

Yang, Lin; Dai, Meng; Xu, Canhua; Zhang, Ge; Li, Weichen; Fu, Feng; Shi, Xuetao; Dong, Xiuzhen

2017-01-01

Frequency-difference electrical impedance tomography (fdEIT) reconstructs frequency-dependent changes of a complex impedance distribution. It has a potential application in acute stroke detection because there are significant differences in impedance spectra between stroke lesions and normal brain tissues. However, fdEIT suffers from the influences of electrode-skin contact impedance since contact impedance varies greatly with frequency. When using fdEIT to detect stroke, it is critical to know the degree of measurement errors or image artifacts caused by contact impedance. To our knowledge, no study has systematically investigated the frequency spectral properties of electrode-skin contact impedance on human head and its frequency-dependent effects on fdEIT used in stroke detection within a wide frequency band (10 Hz-1 MHz). In this study, we first measured and analyzed the frequency spectral properties of electrode-skin contact impedance on 47 human subjects' heads within 10 Hz-1 MHz. Then, we quantified the frequency-dependent effects of contact impedance on fdEIT in stroke detection in terms of the current distribution beneath the electrodes and the contact impedance imbalance between two measuring electrodes. The results showed that the contact impedance at high frequencies (>100 kHz) significantly changed the current distribution beneath the electrode, leading to nonnegligible errors in boundary voltages and artifacts in reconstructed images. The contact impedance imbalance at low frequencies (<1 kHz) also caused significant measurement errors. We conclude that the contact impedance has critical frequency-dependent influences on fdEIT and further studies on reducing such influences are necessary to improve the application of fdEIT in stroke detection.

The Frequency Spectral Properties of Electrode-Skin Contact Impedance on Human Head and Its Frequency-Dependent Effects on Frequency-Difference EIT in Stroke Detection from 10Hz to 1MHz

PubMed Central

Zhang, Ge; Li, Weichen; Fu, Feng; Shi, Xuetao; Dong, Xiuzhen

2017-01-01

Frequency-difference electrical impedance tomography (fdEIT) reconstructs frequency-dependent changes of a complex impedance distribution. It has a potential application in acute stroke detection because there are significant differences in impedance spectra between stroke lesions and normal brain tissues. However, fdEIT suffers from the influences of electrode-skin contact impedance since contact impedance varies greatly with frequency. When using fdEIT to detect stroke, it is critical to know the degree of measurement errors or image artifacts caused by contact impedance. To our knowledge, no study has systematically investigated the frequency spectral properties of electrode-skin contact impedance on human head and its frequency-dependent effects on fdEIT used in stroke detection within a wide frequency band (10 Hz-1 MHz). In this study, we first measured and analyzed the frequency spectral properties of electrode-skin contact impedance on 47 human subjects’ heads within 10 Hz-1 MHz. Then, we quantified the frequency-dependent effects of contact impedance on fdEIT in stroke detection in terms of the current distribution beneath the electrodes and the contact impedance imbalance between two measuring electrodes. The results showed that the contact impedance at high frequencies (>100 kHz) significantly changed the current distribution beneath the electrode, leading to nonnegligible errors in boundary voltages and artifacts in reconstructed images. The contact impedance imbalance at low frequencies (<1 kHz) also caused significant measurement errors. We conclude that the contact impedance has critical frequency-dependent influences on fdEIT and further studies on reducing such influences are necessary to improve the application of fdEIT in stroke detection. PMID:28107524

Dynamic Primitives of Motor Behavior

PubMed Central

Hogan, Neville; Sternad, Dagmar

2013-01-01

We present in outline a theory of sensorimotor control based on dynamic primitives, which we define as attractors. To account for the broad class of human interactive behaviors—especially tool use—we propose three distinct primitives: submovements, oscillations and mechanical impedances, the latter necessary for interaction with objects. Due to fundamental features of the neuromuscular system, most notably its slow response, we argue that encoding in terms of parameterized primitives may be an essential simplification required for learning, performance, and retention of complex skills. Primitives may simultaneously and sequentially be combined to produce observable forces and motions. This may be achieved by defining a virtual trajectory composed of submovements and/or oscillations interacting with impedances. Identifying primitives requires care: in principle, overlapping submovements would be sufficient to compose all observed movements but biological evidence shows that oscillations are a distinct primitive. Conversely, we suggest that kinematic synergies, frequently discussed as primitives of complex actions, may be an emergent consequence of neuromuscular impedance. To illustrate how these dynamic primitives may account for complex actions, we briefly review three types of interactive behaviors: constrained motion, impact tasks, and manipulation of dynamic objects. PMID:23124919

Evaluation of a cost-effective loads approach. [for Viking Orbiter light weight structural design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garba, J. A.; Wada, B. K.; Bamford, R.; Trubert, M. R.

1976-01-01

A shock spectra/impedance method for loads prediction is used to estimate member loads for the Viking Orbiter, a 7800-lb interplanetary spacecraft that has been designed using transient loads analysis techniques. The transient loads analysis approach leads to a lightweight structure but requires complex and costly analyses. To reduce complexity and cost a shock spectra/impedance method is currently being used to design the Mariner Jupiter Saturn spacecraft. This method has the advantage of using low-cost in-house loads analysis techniques and typically results in more conservative structural loads. The method is evaluated by comparing the increase in Viking member loads to the loads obtained by the transient loads analysis approach. An estimate of the weight penalty incurred by using this method is presented. The paper also compares the calculated flight loads from the transient loads analyses and the shock spectra/impedance method to measured flight data.

Experimental investigation of microwave interaction with magnetoplasma in miniature multipolar configuration using impedance measurements

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

Dey, Indranuj, E-mail: indranuj@aees.kyushu-u.ac.jp; Toyoda, Yuji; Yamamoto, Naoji

2014-09-15

A miniature microwave plasma source employing both radial and axial magnetic fields for plasma confinement has been developed for micro-propulsion applications. Plasma is initiated by launching microwaves via a short monopole antenna to circumvent geometrical cutoff limitations. The amplitude and phase of the forward and reflected microwave power is measured to obtain the complex reflection coefficient from which the equivalent impedance of the plasma source is determined. Effect of critical plasma density condition is reflected in the measurements and provides insight into the working of the miniature plasma source. A basic impedance calculation model is developed to help in understandingmore » the experimental observations. From experiment and theory, it is seen that the equivalent impedance magnitude is controlled by the coaxial discharge boundary conditions, and the phase is influenced primarily by the plasma immersed antenna impedance.« less

Study of the dopamine effect into cell solutions by impedance analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paivana, G.; Apostolou, T.; Kaltsas, G.; Kintzios, S.

2017-11-01

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) has become a technique that is frequently used for biological assays. Impedance is defined as a complex - valued generalization of resistance and varies depending on its use per application field. In health sciences, bioimpedance is widely used as non-invasive and low cost alternative in many medical areas that provides valuable information about health status. This work focuses on assessing the effects of a bioactive substance applied to immobilized cells. Dopamine was used as a stimulant in order to implement impedance analysis with a specific type of cells. Dopamine constitutes one of the most important catecholamine neurotransmitters in both the mammalian central and peripheral nervous systems. The main purpose is to extract calibration curves at different frequencies with known dopamine concentrations in order to describe the behavior of cells applied to dopamine using an impedance measurement device. For comparison purposes, non-immobilized cells were tested for the same dopamine concentrations.

Digital synthetic impedance for application in vibration damping.

PubMed

Nečásek, J; Václavík, J; Marton, P

2016-02-01

In this work we present construction details of a precision, standalone, and compact digital synthetic impedance for application in the field of vibration damping. The presented device is based on an embedded ARM microcontroller with external AD and DA converters and a special analog front-end. The performance of the device is tested by comparing the actually synthesized impedance with several prescribed impedances and shows very good match. Fine-tuning ability of the device, which is crucial for the considered application, is also demonstrated and reaches as small step as 0.1% for the most complicated impedance structure and drops below the level of direct measurability with less complex structures. The real application in vibration damping is demonstrated on a simple and well understood case of a one-dimensional vibrating spring-mass system with piezoelectric actuator embedded as the interface between source of vibrations and vibrating mass.

Digital synthetic impedance for application in vibration damping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nečásek, J.; Václavík, J.; Marton, P.

2016-02-01

In this work we present construction details of a precision, standalone, and compact digital synthetic impedance for application in the field of vibration damping. The presented device is based on an embedded ARM microcontroller with external AD and DA converters and a special analog front-end. The performance of the device is tested by comparing the actually synthesized impedance with several prescribed impedances and shows very good match. Fine-tuning ability of the device, which is crucial for the considered application, is also demonstrated and reaches as small step as 0.1% for the most complicated impedance structure and drops below the level of direct measurability with less complex structures. The real application in vibration damping is demonstrated on a simple and well understood case of a one-dimensional vibrating spring-mass system with piezoelectric actuator embedded as the interface between source of vibrations and vibrating mass.

ac Modeling and impedance spectrum tests of the superconducting magnetic field coils for the Wendelstein 7-X fusion experiment.

PubMed

Ehmler, Hartmut; Köppen, Matthias

2007-10-01

The impedance spectrum test was employed for detection of short circuits within Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) superconducting magnetic field coils. This test is based on measuring the complex impedance over several decades of frequency. The results are compared to predictions of appropriate electrical equivalent circuits of coils in different production states or during cold test. When the equivalent circuit is not too complicated the impedance can be represented by an analytic function. A more detailed analysis is performed with a network simulation code. The overall agreement of measured and calculated or simulated spectra is good. Two types of short circuits which appeared are presented and analyzed. The detection limit of the method is discussed. It is concluded that combined high-voltage ac and low-voltage impedance spectrum tests are ideal means to rule out short circuits in the W7-X coils.

Self-Assembled Heteroepitaxial Oxide Nanocomposite for Photoelectrochemical Solar Water Oxidation

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

We report on spontaneously phase ordered heteroepitaxial SrTiO3 (STO):ZnFe2O4 (ZFO) nanocomposite films that give rise to strongly enhanced photoelectrochemical solar water oxidation, consistent with enhanced photoinduced charge separation. The STO:ZFO nanocomposite yielded an enhanced photocurrent density of 0.188 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V vs a reversible hydrogen electrode, which was 7.9- and 2.6-fold higher than that of the plain STO film and ZFO film cases under 1-sun illumination, respectively. The photoelectrode also produced stable photocurrent and Faradaic efficiencies of H2 and O2 formation that were more than 90%. Incident-photon-to-current-conversion efficiency measurements, Tauc plots, Mott–Schottky plots, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements proved that the strongly enhanced photogenerated charge separation resulted from vertically aligned pseudosingle crystalline components, epitaxial heterojunctions, and a staggered band alignment of the components of the nanocomposite films. This study presents a completely new avenue for efficient solar energy conversion applications. PMID:27212792

Damage Diagnosis in Semiconductive Materials Using Electrical Impedance Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ross, Richard W.; Hinton, Yolanda L.

2008-01-01

Recent aerospace industry trends have resulted in an increased demand for real-time, effective techniques for in-flight structural health monitoring. A promising technique for damage diagnosis uses electrical impedance measurements of semiconductive materials. By applying a small electrical current into a material specimen and measuring the corresponding voltages at various locations on the specimen, changes in the electrical characteristics due to the presence of damage can be assessed. An artificial neural network uses these changes in electrical properties to provide an inverse solution that estimates the location and magnitude of the damage. The advantage of the electrical impedance method over other damage diagnosis techniques is that it uses the material as the sensor. Simple voltage measurements can be used instead of discrete sensors, resulting in a reduction in weight and system complexity. This research effort extends previous work by employing finite element method models to improve accuracy of complex models with anisotropic conductivities and by enhancing the computational efficiency of the inverse techniques. The paper demonstrates a proof of concept of a damage diagnosis approach using electrical impedance methods and a neural network as an effective tool for in-flight diagnosis of structural damage to aircraft components.

Bioelectrical Impedance and The Frequency Dependent Current Conduction Through Biological Tissues: A Short Review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanti Bera, Tushar

2018-03-01

Biological tissues are developed with biological cells which exhibit complex electrical impedance called electrical bioimpedance. Under an alternating electrical excitation the bioimpedance varies with the tissue anatomy, composition and the signal frequency. The current penetration and conduction paths vary with frequency of the applied signal. Bioimpedance spectroscopy is used to study the frequency response of the electrical impedance of biological materials noninvasively. In bioimpedance spectroscopy, a low amplitude electrical signal is injected to the tissue sample or body parts to characterization the sample in terms of its bioimpedance. The electrical current conduction phenomena, which is highly influenced by the tissue impedance and the signal frequency, is an important phenomena which should be studied to understand the bioimpedance techniques like bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), EIS, or else. In this paper the origin of bioelectrical impedance and current conduction phenomena has been reviewed to present a brief summary of bioelectrical impedance and the frequency dependent current conduction through biological tissues. Simulation studies are conducted with alternation current injection through a two dimensional model of biological tissues containing finite number of biological cells suspended in extracellular fluid. The paper demonstrates the simulation of alternating current conduction through biological tissues conducted by COMSOL Multiphysics. Simulation studies also show the frequency response of the tissue impedance for different tissue compositions.

Electrochemical Impedance Imaging via the Distribution of Diffusion Times

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Juhyun; Bazant, Martin Z.

2018-03-01

We develop a mathematical framework to analyze electrochemical impedance spectra in terms of a distribution of diffusion times (DDT) for a parallel array of random finite-length Warburg (diffusion) or Gerischer (reaction-diffusion) circuit elements. A robust DDT inversion method is presented based on complex nonlinear least squares regression with Tikhonov regularization and illustrated for three cases of nanostructured electrodes for energy conversion: (i) a carbon nanotube supercapacitor, (ii) a silicon nanowire Li-ion battery, and (iii) a porous-carbon vanadium flow battery. The results demonstrate the feasibility of nondestructive "impedance imaging" to infer microstructural statistics of random, heterogeneous materials.

Fundamental studies on the metal chloride cathodes in sodium batteries

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ratnakumar, B. V.; Attia, A.; Halpert, G.

1990-01-01

The authors report studies of the passivation of the NiCl2 electrode during reduction, its effect on the electrochemical rate kinetics for the reduction, and its dependence on the state of charge of the electrode. NiCl2 exhibits passive behavior more readily at lower states of charge due to a decrease in the electrochemical area, resulting from NaCl deposited during reduction. The passive behavior is evident from the DC polarization curves as well as AC impedance plots at the same potentials, implying a correlation between them. The results of the studies are presented in detail.

Development and Validation of an Interactive Liner Design and Impedance Modeling Tool

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howerton, Brian M.; Jones, Michael G.; Buckley, James L.

2012-01-01

The Interactive Liner Impedance Analysis and Design (ILIAD) tool is a LabVIEW-based software package used to design the composite surface impedance of a series of small-diameter quarter-wavelength resonators incorporating variable depth and sharp bends. Such structures are useful for packaging broadband acoustic liners into constrained spaces for turbofan engine noise control applications. ILIAD s graphical user interface allows the acoustic channel geometry to be drawn in the liner volume while the surface impedance and absorption coefficient calculations are updated in real-time. A one-dimensional transmission line model serves as the basis for the impedance calculation and can be applied to many liner configurations. Experimentally, tonal and broadband acoustic data were acquired in the NASA Langley Normal Incidence Tube over the frequency range of 500 to 3000 Hz at 120 and 140 dB SPL. Normalized impedance spectra were measured using the Two-Microphone Method for the various combinations of channel configurations. Comparisons between the computed and measured impedances show excellent agreement for broadband liners comprised of multiple, variable-depth channels. The software can be used to design arrays of resonators that can be packaged into complex geometries heretofore unsuitable for effective acoustic treatment.

Clinical implementation of electrical impedance tomography with hyperthermia.

PubMed

Moskowitz, M J; Ryan, T P; Paulsen, K D; Mitchell, S E

1995-01-01

We describe the use of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) for non-invasive thermal imaging in conjunction with a clinical treatment of a superficial scalp lesion utilizing a spiral microstrip antenna. This is our first reported use of EIT with a clinical hyperthermia treatment and perhaps the first world-wide. The thermal measurements recorded during treatment compare favourably with the images reconstructed from impedance data gathered during heating. A linear relation, measured in phantom material, between the change in temperature with the change in reconstructed impedance was assumed. The average discrepancy between the measured temperature changes with the temperatures reconstructed from the impedance changes was 1.4 degrees C, with the maximum being 8.9 degrees C. These preliminary data suggest that impedance changes can be measured during hyperthermia delivery and temperature estimates based on these observed changes are possible in the clinical setting. These findings also point to the complex, yet critical nature of the impedance versus temperature relationship for tissue in vivo. The reconstructed thermal images may provide complementary information about the overall thermal damage imposed during heating. Based on this initial clinical experience we feel that EIT has great potential as a viable clinical aid in imaging the temperature changes imposed during hyperthermia.

Optimal Periodic Control Theory.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-08-01

single pair of complex eigenvalues are restricted to the unit circle in the complex plane . This is shown by first applying the reciprocity property to a...figure 6.2a and for H in figure 6.2b. Traversing the right half plot of figure 6.1a in a counter-clockwise direction, beginning at the origin...respectively. Only the lower half of the plots are shown because this region provides the solutions of most interest to the optimal periodic control problem

The interaction of an ionizing ligand with enzymes having a single ionizing group. Implications for the reaction of folate analogues with dihydrofolate reductase.

PubMed

Stone, S R; Morrison, J F

1983-06-29

Binding theory has been developed for the reaction of an ionizing enzyme with an ionizing ligand. Consideration has been given to the most general scheme in which all possible reactions and interconversions occur as well as to schemes in which certain interactions do not take place. Equations have been derived in terms of the variation of the apparent dissociation constant (Kiapp) as a function of pH. These equations indicate that plots of pKiapp against pH can be wave-, half-bell- or bell-shaped according to the reactions involved. A wave is obtained whenever there is formation of the enzyme-ligand complexes, ionized enzyme . ionized ligand and protonated enzyme . protonated ligand. The additional formation of singly protonated enzyme-ligand complexes does not affect the wave form of the plot, but can influence the shape of the overall curve. The formation of either ionized enzyme . ionized ligand or protonated enzyme . protonated ligand, with or without singly protonated enzyme-ligand species, gives rise to a half-bell-shaped plot. If only singly protonated enzyme-ligand complexes are formed the plots are bell-shaped, but it is not possible to deduce the ionic forms of the reactants that participate in complex formation. Depending on the reaction pathways, true values for the ionization and dissociation constants may or may not be determined.

Convergent input from brainstem coincidence detectors onto delay-sensitive neurons in the inferior colliculus.

PubMed

McAlpine, D; Jiang, D; Shackleton, T M; Palmer, A R

1998-08-01

Responses of low-frequency neurons in the inferior colliculus (IC) of anesthetized guinea pigs were studied with binaural beats to assess their mean best interaural phase (BP) to a range of stimulating frequencies. Phase plots (stimulating frequency vs BP) were produced, from which measures of characteristic delay (CD) and characteristic phase (CP) for each neuron were obtained. The CD provides an estimate of the difference in travel time from each ear to coincidence-detector neurons in the brainstem. The CP indicates the mechanism underpinning the coincidence detector responses. A linear phase plot indicates a single, constant delay between the coincidence-detector inputs from the two ears. In more than half (54 of 90) of the neurons, the phase plot was not linear. We hypothesized that neurons with nonlinear phase plots received convergent input from brainstem coincidence detectors with different CDs. Presentation of a second tone with a fixed, unfavorable delay suppressed the response of one input, linearizing the phase plot and revealing other inputs to be relatively simple coincidence detectors. For some neurons with highly complex phase plots, the suppressor tone altered BP values, but did not resolve the nature of the inputs. For neurons with linear phase plots, the suppressor tone either completely abolished their responses or reduced their discharge rate with no change in BP. By selectively suppressing inputs with a second tone, we are able to reveal the nature of underlying binaural inputs to IC neurons, confirming the hypothesis that the complex phase plots of many IC neurons are a result of convergence from simple brainstem coincidence detectors.

10. Architectural Door Details & Plot Plan, 233S, U.S. Atomic ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

10. Architectural Door Details & Plot Plan, 233-S, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Hanford Atomic Products Operations, General Electric Company, Dwg. No. H-2-30469, 1956. - Reduction-Oxidation Complex, Plutonium Concentration Facility, 200 West Area, Richland, Benton County, WA

A simple formula for the effective complex conductivity of periodic fibrous composites with interfacial impedance and applications to biological tissues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bisegna, Paolo; Caselli, Federica

2008-06-01

This paper presents a simple analytical expression for the effective complex conductivity of a periodic hexagonal arrangement of conductive circular cylinders embedded in a conductive matrix, with interfaces exhibiting a capacitive impedance. This composite material may be regarded as an idealized model of a biological tissue comprising tubular cells, such as skeletal muscle. The asymptotic homogenization method is adopted, and the corresponding local problem is solved by resorting to Weierstrass elliptic functions. The effectiveness of the present analytical result is proved by convergence analysis and comparison with finite-element solutions and existing models.

Characterizing and Modeling the Noise and Complex Impedance of Feedhorn-Coupled TES Polarimeters

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

Appel, J. W.; Beall, J. A.; Essinger-Hileman, T.

2009-12-16

We present results from modeling the electrothermal performance of feedhorn-coupled transition edge sensor (TES) polarimeters under development for use in cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization experiments. Each polarimeter couples radiation from a corrugated feedhorn through a planar orthomode transducer, which transmits power from orthogonal polarization modes to two TES bolometers. We model our TES with two- and three-block thermal architectures. We fit the complex impedance data at multiple points in the TES transition. From the fits, we predict the noise spectra. We present comparisons of these predictions to the data for two TESes on a prototype polarimeter.

Rheoencephalographic (REG) Assessment of Head and Neck Cooling for use with Multiple Sclerosis Patients

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Montogomery, Leslie D.; Ku, Yu-Tsuan E.; Webbon, Bruce W. (Technical Monitor)

1995-01-01

We have prepared a computer program (RHEOSYS:RHEOencephalographic impedance trace scanning SyStem) that can be used to automate the analysis of segmental impedance blood flow waveforms. This program was developed to assist in the post test analysis of recorded impedance traces from multiple segments of the body. It incorporates many of the blood flow, segmental volume, and vascular state indices reported in the world literature. As it is currently programmed, seven points are selected from each blood flow pulse and associated ECG waveforrn: 1. peak of the first ECG QRS complex, 2. start of systolic slope on the blood flow trace, 3. maximum amplitude of the impedance pulse, 4. position of the dicrotic notch, 5. maximum amplitude of the postdicrotic segment, 6. peak of the second ECG QRS complex, and 7. start of the next blood flow pulse. These points we used to calculate various geometric, area, and time-related values associated with the impedance pulse morphology. RHEOSYS then calculates a series of 34 impedance and cardiac cycle parameters which include pulse amplitudes; areas; pulse propagation times; cardiac cycle times; and various measures of arterial and various tone, contractility, and pulse volume. We used this program to calculate the scalp and intracranial blood flow responses to head and neck cooling as it may be applied to lower the body temperatures of multiple sclerosis patients. Twelve women and twelve men were tested using a commercially available head and neck cooling system operated at its maximum cooling capacity for a period of 30 minutes. Head and neck cooling produced a transient change in scalp blood flow and a significant, (P<0.05) decrease of approx. 30% in intracranial blood flow. Results of this experiment will illustrate how REG and RHEOSYS can be used in biomedical applications.

Electrochemical corrosion behaviour of nickel chromium-chromium carbide coating by HVOF process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amudha, A.; Nagaraja, H. S.; Shashikala, H. D.

2018-04-01

To overcome the corrosion problem in marine industry, coatings are one of the most economical solutions. In this paper, the corrosion behaviour of 25(NiCr)-75Cr3C2 cermet coating on low carbon steel substrate by HVOF process is studied. Different phases such as Cr7C3 and Cr3C2, along with Ni and chromium oxide(Cr3O2) constituents present in the coating were revealed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. The morphology of the coating obtained by scanning electron microscope (SEM) gave confirmation for the XRD analysis. Electrochemical corrosion techniques such as Linear Polarization Resistance (LPR) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) were used to study the corrosion behaviour of the cermet in 3.5wt% NaCl electrolyte solution. The corrosion current density of the coated sample and substrate were found to be 6.878µA/cm-2 and 21.091µA/cm-2 respectively. The Nyquist Impedance spectra were used to derive an equivalent circuit to analyze the interaction between the coating and electrolyte. The Bode Impedance plots obtained by EIS for the coating showed a typical passive material capacitive behaviour, indicated by medium to low frequency with phase angle approaching -60o, suggesting that a stable film is formed on the tested material in the electrolyte used.

Dielectric relaxation and electrical conduction mechanism in A2HoSbO6 (A=Ba, Sr, Ca) Double Perovskite Ceramics: An impedance spectroscopic analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Halder, Saswata; Dutta, Alo; Sinha, T. P.

2017-03-01

The AC electrical properties of polycrystalline double perovskite oxides A2HoSbO6 (A=Ba, Sr, Ca; AHS) synthesized by solid state reaction technique has been explored by using impedance spectroscopic studies. The Rietveld refinement of the room temperature X-ray diffraction data show that Ba2HoSbO6 (BHS) has cubic phase and Sr2HoSbO6 (SHS) and Ca2HoSbO6 (CHS) crystallize in monoclinic phase. The samples show significant frequency dispersion in their dielectric properties. The polydispersive nature of the relaxation mechanism is explained by the modified Cole-Cole model. The scaling behavior of dielectric loss indicate the temperature independence of the relaxation mechanism. The magnitude of the activation energy indicates that the hopping mechanism is responsible for carrier transport in AHS. The frequency dependent conductivity spectra follow the double power law. Impedance spectroscopic data presented in the Nyquist plot (Z" versus Z‧) are used to identify an equivalent circuit along with to know the grain, grain boundary and interface contributions. The constant phase element (CPE) is used to analyze the experimental response of BHS, SHS and CHS comprehending the contribution of different microstructural features to the conduction process. The temperature dependent electrical conductivity shows a semiconducting behavior.

Temperature dependent dielectric relaxation and ac-conductivity of alkali niobate ceramics studied by impedance spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yadav, Abhinav; Mantry, Snigdha Paramita; Fahad, Mohd.; Sarun, P. M.

2018-05-01

Sodium niobate (NaNbO3) ceramics is prepared by conventional solid state reaction method at sintering temperature 1150 °C for 4 h. The structural information of the material has been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The XRD analysis of NaNbO3 ceramics shows an orthorhombic structure. The FE-SEM micrograph of NaNbO3 ceramics exhibit grains with grain sizes ranging between 1 μm to 5 μm. The surface coverage and average grain size of NaNbO3 ceramics are found to be 97.6 % and 2.5 μm, respectively. Frequency dependent electrical properties of NaNbO3 is investigated from room temperature to 500 °C in wide frequency range (100 Hz-5 MHz). Dielectric constant, ac-conductivity, impedance, modulus and Nyquist analysis are performed. The observed dielectric constant (1 kHz) at transition temperature (400 °C) are 975. From conductivity analysis, the estimated activation energy of NaNbO3 ceramics is 0.58 eV at 10 kHz. The result of Nyquist plot shows that the electrical behavior of NaNbO3 ceramics is contributed by grain and grain boundary responses. The impedance and modulus spectrum asserts that the negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) behavior and non-Debye type relaxation in NaNbO3.

A FEM-based method to determine the complex material properties of piezoelectric disks.

PubMed

Pérez, N; Carbonari, R C; Andrade, M A B; Buiochi, F; Adamowski, J C

2014-08-01

Numerical simulations allow modeling piezoelectric devices and ultrasonic transducers. However, the accuracy in the results is limited by the precise knowledge of the elastic, dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the piezoelectric material. To introduce the energy losses, these properties can be represented by complex numbers, where the real part of the model essentially determines the resonance frequencies and the imaginary part determines the amplitude of each resonant mode. In this work, a method based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) is modified to obtain the imaginary material properties of piezoelectric disks. The material properties are determined from the electrical impedance curve of the disk, which is measured by an impedance analyzer. The method consists in obtaining the material properties that minimize the error between experimental and numerical impedance curves over a wide range of frequencies. The proposed methodology starts with a sensitivity analysis of each parameter, determining the influence of each parameter over a set of resonant modes. Sensitivity results are used to implement a preliminary algorithm approaching the solution in order to avoid the search to be trapped into a local minimum. The method is applied to determine the material properties of a Pz27 disk sample from Ferroperm. The obtained properties are used to calculate the electrical impedance curve of the disk with a Finite Element algorithm, which is compared with the experimental electrical impedance curve. Additionally, the results were validated by comparing the numerical displacement profile with the displacements measured by a laser Doppler vibrometer. The comparison between the numerical and experimental results shows excellent agreement for both electrical impedance curve and for the displacement profile over the disk surface. The agreement between numerical and experimental displacement profiles shows that, although only the electrical impedance curve is considered in the adjustment procedure, the obtained material properties allow simulating the displacement amplitude accurately. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Weed manipulation for insect pest management in corn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Altieri, M. A.; Whitcomb, W. H.

1980-11-01

Populations of insect pests and associated predaceous arthropods were sampled by direct observation and other relative methods in simple and diversified corn habitats at two sites in north Florida during 1978 and 1979. Through various cultural manipulations, characteristic weed communities were established selectively in alternate rows within corn plots. Fall armyworm ( Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) incidence was consistently higher in the weed-free habitats than in the corn habitats containing natural weed complexes or selected weed associations. Corn earworm ( Heliothis zea Boddie) damage was similar in all weed-free and weedy treatments, suggesting that this insect is not affected greatly by weed diversity. Only the diversification of corn with a strip of soybean significantly reduced corn earworm damage. In one site, distance between plots was reduced. Because predators moved freely between habitats, it was difficult to identify between-treatment differences in the composition of predator communities. In the other site, increased distances between plots minimized such migrations, resulting in greater population densities and diversity of common foliage insect predators in the weed-manipulated corn systems than in the weed-free plots. Trophic relationships in the weedy habitats were more complex than food webs in monocultures. Predator diversity (measured as mean number of species per area) and predator density was higher in com plots surrounded by mature, complex vegetation than at those surrounded by annual crops. This suggests that diverse adjacent areas to crops provide refuge for predators, thus acting as colonization sources.

Investigation of ODE integrators using interactive graphics. [Ordinary Differential Equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, R. L.

1978-01-01

Two FORTRAN programs using an interactive graphic terminal to generate accuracy and stability plots for given multistep ordinary differential equation (ODE) integrators are described. The first treats the fixed stepsize linear case with complex variable solutions, and generates plots to show accuracy and error response to step driving function of a numerical solution, as well as the linear stability region. The second generates an analog to the stability region for classes of non-linear ODE's as well as accuracy plots. Both systems can compute method coefficients from a simple specification of the method. Example plots are given.

A More Accurate and Efficient Technique Developed for Using Computational Methods to Obtain Helical Traveling-Wave Tube Interaction Impedance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kory, Carol L.

1999-01-01

The phenomenal growth of commercial communications has created a great demand for traveling-wave tube (TWT) amplifiers. Although the helix slow-wave circuit remains the mainstay of the TWT industry because of its exceptionally wide bandwidth, until recently it has been impossible to accurately analyze a helical TWT using its exact dimensions because of the complexity of its geometrical structure. For the first time, an accurate three-dimensional helical model was developed that allows accurate prediction of TWT cold-test characteristics including operating frequency, interaction impedance, and attenuation. This computational model, which was developed at the NASA Lewis Research Center, allows TWT designers to obtain a more accurate value of interaction impedance than is possible using experimental methods. Obtaining helical slow-wave circuit interaction impedance is an important part of the design process for a TWT because it is related to the gain and efficiency of the tube. This impedance cannot be measured directly; thus, conventional methods involve perturbing a helical circuit with a cylindrical dielectric rod placed on the central axis of the circuit and obtaining the difference in resonant frequency between the perturbed and unperturbed circuits. A mathematical relationship has been derived between this frequency difference and the interaction impedance (ref. 1). However, because of the complex configuration of the helical circuit, deriving this relationship involves several approximations. In addition, this experimental procedure is time-consuming and expensive, but until recently it was widely accepted as the most accurate means of determining interaction impedance. The advent of an accurate three-dimensional helical circuit model (ref. 2) made it possible for Lewis researchers to fully investigate standard approximations made in deriving the relationship between measured perturbation data and interaction impedance. The most prominent approximations made in the analysis were addressed and fully investigated for their accuracy by using the three-dimensional electromagnetic simulation code MAFIA (Solution of Maxwell's Equations by the Finite Integration Algorithm) (refs. 3 and 4). We found that several approximations introduced significant error (ref. 5).

Temperature dependent dielectric and conductivity studies of polyvinyl alcohol-ZnO nanocomposite films by impedance spectroscopy

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

Hemalatha, K. S.; Damle, R.; Rukmani, K., E-mail: rukmani9909@yahoo.co.in

2015-10-21

Dielectric and conductivity behaviors of nano ZnO doped polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composites for various concentrations of dopant were investigated using impedance spectroscopy for a wide range of temperatures (303 K–423 K) and frequencies (5 Hz–30 MHZ). The dielectric properties of host polymer matrix have been improved by the addition of nano ZnO and are found to be highly temperature dependent. Anomalous dielectric behavior was observed in the frequency range of 2.5 MHz–5 MHz. Increase in dielectric permittivity and dielectric loss was observed with respect to temperature. The Cole-Cole plot could be modeled by low resistance regions in a high resistance matrix and the lowest resistance wasmore » observed for the 10 mol. % films. The imaginary part of the electric modulus showed asymmetric peaks with the relaxation following Debye nature below and non-Debye nature above the peaks. The ac conductivity is found to obey Jonscher's power law, whereas the variation of dc conductivity with temperature was found to follow Arrhenius behavior. Two different activation energy values were obtained from Arrhenius plot indicating that two conduction mechanisms are involved in the composite films. Fitting the ac conductivity data to Jonscher's law indicates that large polaron assisted tunneling is the most likely conduction mechanism in the composites. Maximum conductivity is observed at 423 K for all the samples and it is optimum for 10 mol. % ZnO doped PVA composite film. Significant increase in dc and ac conductivities in these composite films makes them a potential candidate for application in electronic devices.« less

Validation of bioelectrical impedance analysis in Ethiopian adults with HIV.

PubMed

Hegelund, Maria H; Wells, Jonathan C; Girma, Tsinuel; Faurholt-Jepsen, Daniel; Zerfu, Dilnesaw; Christensen, Dirk L; Friis, Henrik; Olsen, Mette F

2017-01-01

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is an inexpensive, quick and non-invasive method to determine body composition. Equations used in BIA are typically derived in healthy individuals of European descent. BIA is specific to health status and ethnicity and may therefore provide inaccurate results in populations of different ethnic origin and health status. The aim of the present study was to test the validity of BIA in Ethiopian antiretroviral-naive HIV patients. BIA was validated against the 2 H dilution technique by comparing fat-free mass (FFM) measured by the two methods using paired t tests and Bland-Altman plots. BIA was based on single frequency (50 kHz) whole-body measurements. Data were obtained at three health facilities in Jimma Zone, Oromia Region, South-West Ethiopia. Data from 281 HIV-infected participants were available. Two-thirds were female and the mean age was 32·7 (sd 8·6) years. Also, 46 % were underweight with a BMI below 18·5 kg/m 2 . There were no differences in FFM between the methods. Overall, BIA slightly underestimated FFM by 0·1 kg (-0·1, 95 % CI -0·3, 0·2 kg). The Bland-Altman plot indicated acceptable agreement with an upper limit of agreement of 4·5 kg and a lower limit of agreement of -4·6 kg, but with a small correlation between the mean difference and the average FFM. BIA slightly overestimated FFM at low values compared with the 2 H dilution technique, while it slightly underestimated FFM at high values. In conclusion, BIA proved to be valid in this population and may therefore be useful for measuring body composition in routine practice in HIV-infected African individuals.

Electrical studies of D%AgI-(100-D)%[0.667Ag2O- 0.333{(0.4)B2O3-(0.6)TeO2}] fast ion conducting glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, E. Ramesh; Nageswar Rao, P.; Appa Rao, B.

2016-09-01

Super ion conducting glasses of composition D%AgI-(100-D)%[MAg2O-F{(F1)B2O3- (F2)TeO2}]; D=10.0 to 60.0 in steps of 10.0 for a fixed values of F1 (0.4), F2 (0.6) which are glass network formers, fixed values of modifier M(0.667), F (0.333) and D is dopant salt which was varied. These glasses were prepared by melt quenching technique. XRD spectra taken for all the samples. Electrical characterization was done in terms of AC and DC conductivities. DC and AC conductivities at room temperature increased from 10-5 to 10-1 scm-1 and DC activation energy (Edc) found to decrease from 0.36 to 0.19eV with increase in D% ratio. Measurements are performed over the frequency range 1 kHz to 3 MHz at different temperatures. From the impedance spectroscopy real and imaginary parts of impedances (Z', Z"), conductivities were calculated and plotted, and equivalent R-C circuit parameters were obtained from Cole-Cole plots. With the increase in D%, AC conductivity is observed to increase whereas the AC activation energy (Eac) is observed to decrease from 0.23 to 0.14 eV. The quantitative analysis of these results indicates that the electrical conductivity of silver borate glasses is enhanced with increase in D% ratio. Based on conductivity values these glasses are ionic conductors, in which conduction is by hopping mechanism. An attempt is made to understand the charge transportation process.

Variable electrical properties in composites: Application to vanadium dioxide pigments in a polyethylene host

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

Alfred-Duplan, C.; Musso, J.; Gavarri, J.R.

1994-05-01

Composite pellets were prepared from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and vanadium dioxide powders. The VO[sub 2] pigments are used for their insulating-to-metallic transition at 341 K in order to obtain electrically variable composite materials. The volume fractions of VO[sub 2] powders vary from [phi] = 0 to [phi] = 0.55. The composite samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Complex impedance analysis in the frequency range 10[sup [minus]1] to 10[sup 6]. Hz is carried out at room temperature and at T = 363 K, to observe the insulator-metal transition of VO[sub 2] pigments dispersed in the polymer host.more » The variation of the complex impedance modulus [vert bar]Z[vert bar] with frequency and with VO[sub 2] volume fraction ([phi]) is discussed. A specific (R, C) impedance model permits interpretation of the experimental results in terms of percolation; the observed variations can be accounted for.« less

Evaluation of indirect impedance for measuring microbial growth in complex food matrices.

PubMed

Johnson, N; Chang, Z; Bravo Almeida, C; Michel, M; Iversen, C; Callanan, M

2014-09-01

The suitability of indirect impedance to accurately measure microbial growth in real food matrices was investigated. A variety of semi-solid and liquid food products were inoculated with Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteriditis, Candida tropicalis or Zygosaccharomyces rouxii and CO2 production was monitored using a conductimetric (Don Whitely R.A.B.I.T.) system. The majority (80%) of food and microbe combinations produced a detectable growth signal. The linearity of conductance responses in selected food products was investigated and a good correlation (R(2) ≥ 0.84) was observed between inoculum levels and times to detection. Specific growth rate estimations from the data were sufficiently accurate for predictive modeling in some cases. This initial evaluation of the suitability of indirect impedance to generate microbial growth data in complex food matrices indicates significant potential for the technology as an alternative to plating methods. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Correlation of the impedance and effective electrode area of doped PEDOT modified electrodes for brain-machine interfaces.

PubMed

Harris, Alexander R; Molino, Paul J; Kapsa, Robert M I; Clark, Graeme M; Paolini, Antonio G; Wallace, Gordon G

2015-05-07

Electrode impedance is used to assess the thermal noise and signal-to-noise ratio for brain-machine interfaces. An intermediate frequency of 1 kHz is typically measured, although other frequencies may be better predictors of device performance. PEDOT-PSS, PEDOT-DBSA and PEDOT-pTs conducting polymer modified electrodes have reduced impedance at 1 kHz compared to bare metal electrodes, but have no correlation with the effective electrode area. Analytical solutions to impedance indicate that all low-intermediate frequencies can be used to compare the electrode area at a series RC circuit, typical of an ideal metal electrode in a conductive solution. More complex equivalent circuits can be used for the modified electrodes, with a simplified Randles circuit applied to PEDOT-PSS and PEDOT-pTs and a Randles circuit including a Warburg impedance element for PEDOT-DBSA at 0 V. The impedance and phase angle at low frequencies using both equivalent circuit models is dependent on the electrode area. Low frequencies may therefore provide better predictions of the thermal noise and signal-to-noise ratio at modified electrodes. The coefficient of variation of the PEDOT-pTs impedance at low frequencies was lower than the other conducting polymers, consistent with linear and steady-state electroactive area measurements. There are poor correlations between the impedance and the charge density as they are not ideal metal electrodes.

[The functional assessment of the upper urinary tract by the methods of 2-frequency impedance measurement and multichannel impedance ureterography].

PubMed

Mudraia, I S; Kirpatovskiĭ, V I

1993-01-01

The paper describes impedance methods of investigating upper urinary tracts (UUT) which may serve adjuvants in the diagnosis of the urinary tract wall disturbances due to diseases caused by impaired urine evacuation from the kidney and which may prove helpful in the choice of therapeutic policy, evaluation of the postoperative period and outcomes prognosis. UUT impedance tests can be performed during endoscopic manipulations or under open operative interventions. Two-frequency impedancemetry allows rapid detection of non-functioning UUT parts or sclerosal sites of the UUT wall, relevant criteria being the ratio of basic impedances of the site under low and high scanning current. This value is computed by an urological two-frequency impedancemeter IDU-M. To assess the UUT wall functionally, use should be made of 6-channel urological rheograph REUR-6 providing multichannel registration of immediate impedance ureterograms. In this manner one can obtain qualitative and quantitative assessment of the ureteral peristalsis through its all length, the criteria being the amplitude of impedance ureterographic complexes, their shape, duration, frequency, rhythm, sequence and rate of distribution. Loading tests increase the accuracy of UUT impedance measurements, are able to define compensatory reserves of the wall contractility. The introduction of rheological methods in urological practice makes broader the armory of diagnostic techniques in urology, upgrade pathogenetic validity of surgical and therapeutic measures.

Impedance Measurement Box

ScienceCinema

Christophersen, Jon; Morrison, Bill

2018-02-14

Energy storage devices, primarily batteries, are now more important to consumers, industries and the military. With increasing technical complexity and higher user expectations, there is also a demand for highly accurate state-of-health battery assessment techniques. IMB incorporates patented, proprietary, and tested capabilities using control software and hardware that can be part of an embedded monitoring system. IMB directly measures the wideband impedance spectrum in seconds during battery operation with no significant impact on service life. It also can be applied to batteries prior to installation, confirming health before entering active service, as well as during regular maintenance. For more information about this project, visit http://www.inl.gov/rd100/2011/impedance-measurement-box/

Electrochemical Impedance Imaging via the Distribution of Diffusion Times.

PubMed

Song, Juhyun; Bazant, Martin Z

2018-03-16

We develop a mathematical framework to analyze electrochemical impedance spectra in terms of a distribution of diffusion times (DDT) for a parallel array of random finite-length Warburg (diffusion) or Gerischer (reaction-diffusion) circuit elements. A robust DDT inversion method is presented based on complex nonlinear least squares regression with Tikhonov regularization and illustrated for three cases of nanostructured electrodes for energy conversion: (i) a carbon nanotube supercapacitor, (ii) a silicon nanowire Li-ion battery, and (iii) a porous-carbon vanadium flow battery. The results demonstrate the feasibility of nondestructive "impedance imaging" to infer microstructural statistics of random, heterogeneous materials.

Point source moving above a finite impedance reflecting plane - Experiment and theory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Norum, T. D.; Liu, C. H.

1978-01-01

A widely used experimental version of the acoustic monopole consists of an acoustic driver of restricted opening forced by a discrete frequency oscillator. To investigate the effects of forward motion on this source, it was mounted above an automobile and driven over an asphalt surface at constant speed past a microphone array. The shapes of the received signal were compared to results computed from an analysis of a fluctuating-mass-type point source moving above a finite impedance reflecting plane. Good agreement was found between experiment and theory when a complex normal impedance representative of a fairly hard acoustic surface was used in the analysis.

The Role of Recurrence Plots in Characterizing the Output-Unemployment Relationship: An Analysis

PubMed Central

Caraiani, Petre; Haven, Emmanuel

2013-01-01

We analyse the output-unemployment relationship using an approach based on cross-recurrence plots and quantitative recurrence analysis. We use post-war period quarterly U.S. data. The results obtained show the emergence of a complex and interesting relationship. PMID:23460814

Impedance magnitude optimization of the regenerator in Stirling pulse tube cryocoolers working at liquid-helium temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Q.; Qiu, L. M.; Zhi, X. Q.; Han, L.; Gan, Z. H.; Zhang, X. B.; Zhang, X. J.; Sun, D. M.

2013-12-01

The impedance magnitude is important for the design and operation of a Stirling pulse tube cryocooler (SPTC). However, the influence of the impedance magnitude on the SPTC working at liquid-helium temperatures is still not clear due to the complexity of refrigeration mechanism at this temperature range. In this study, the influence of the impedance magnitude on the viscous and thermal losses has been investigated, which contributes to the overall refrigeration efficiency. Different from the previous study at liquid nitrogen temperatures, it has been found and verified experimentally that a higher impedance magnitude may result in a larger mass flow rate accompanied with larger losses in the warmer region, hence the refrigeration efficiency is lowered. Numerical simulation is carried out in SPTCs of different geometry dimensions and working parameters, and the experimental study is carried out in a three-stage SPTC. A minimum no-load refrigeration temperature is achieved with an appropriate impedance magnitude that is determined by the combination of frequency and precooling temperature. A lowest temperature of 4.76 K is achieved at 28 Hz and a precooling temperature of 22.6 K, which is the lowest temperature ever achieved with He-4 for SPTCs. Impedance magnitude optimization is clearly an important consideration for the design of a 4 K SPTC.

Thickness-, Composition-, and Magnetic-Field-Dependent Complex Impedance Spectroscopy of Granular-Type-Barrier Co/Co-Al2O3/Co MTJs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tuan, Nguyen Anh; Anh, Nguyen Tuan; Nga, Nguyen Tuyet; Tue, Nguyen Anh; Van Cuong, Giap

2016-06-01

The alternating-current (ac) electrical properties of granular-type-barrier magnetic tunnel junctions (GBMTJs) based on Co/Co x (Al2O3)1- x ( t)/Co trilayer structures have been studied using complex impedance spectroscopy (CIS). Their CIS characteristics were investigated in external magnetic fields varying from 0 kOe to 3 kOe as a function of Co composition x at 10 at.%, 25 at.%, and 35 at.%, with barrier layer thickness t of 20 nm to 90 nm. The influence of these factors on the behaviors of the ac impedance response of the GBMTJs was deeply investigated and attributed to the dielectric or conducting nature of the Co-Al2O3 barrier layer. The most remarkable typical phenomena observed in these behaviors, even appearing paradoxical, include lower impedance for thicker t for each given x, a declining trend of Z with increasing x, a clear decrease of Z with H, and especially a partition of Z into zones according to the H value. All these effects are analyzed and discussed to demonstrate that diffusion-type and mass-transfer-type phenomena can be inferred from processes such as spin tunneling and Coulomb or spin blockade in the Co-Al2O3 barrier layer.

Dielectric and Impedance Characteristics of Nickel-Modified BiFeO3-BaTiO3 Electronic Compound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, S. N.; Pardhan, S. K.; Bhuyan, S.; Sahoo, S.; Choudhary, R. N. P.; Goswami, M. N.

2018-01-01

The temperature- and field-dependent capacitive, resistive and conducting characteristics of nickel-modified binary electronic systems of bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) and barium titanate (BaTiO3) have been investigated using dielectric and impedance spectroscopy techniques. The orthorhombic crystal structures of the solid solution (Bi1-2xNixBax)(Fe1-2xTi0.2x)O3 (with x = 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25) have been identified from powder x-ray crystallography. The micrographs exhibit the development of dense samples with reduced grain size for higher percentage of Ni in the BiFeO3-BaTiO3. The stoichiometric content of each sample has been realized using the energy dispersive x-ray technique. The relationship between micro-structural study and frequency-temperature-dependent electrical properties of the compound has revealed a negative temperature coefficient of resistance behavior. A non-Debye-type relaxation process is observed from the Niquist plot. The studied compound presents important dielectric properties for the formulation of electronic devices.

Current-voltage hysteresis and dielectric properties of PVA coated MWCNT film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Amit Kumar; Meikap, Ajit Kumar

2017-12-01

In this work, we have prepared polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coated multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) film by an in situ chemical oxidative preparation technique. The thermogravimetric analysis clearly explains the thermal degradation of pure polymer and polymer nanocomposite film. We have studied the AC electrical transport properties and current-voltage (I-V) characteristic of PVA-MWCNT composites within the temperature range 300 ≤ T ≤ 423 K and frequency range 150 Hz ≤ f ≤ 2 MHz. It is observed that the dielectric constant of the composite film increases significantly. The frequency variation of AC conductivity follows the power law ( ωS ) and a sharp transition from small polaron tunneling to correlated barrier hopping model is found. The imaginary part of electric modulus shows non-Debye type asymmetric behaviour. The impedance spectroscopy shows the negative temperature coefficient of resistance of the composite film. Nyquist plot of the composite film at different temperatures is established from impedance measurement. The current-voltage characteristic (under ± 20 V) shows hysteresis behaviour and field dependent resistance. We simulate the experimentally observed current density-electric field data with the established theory.

Current-voltage hysteresis and dielectric properties of PVA coated MWCNT film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Amit Kumar; Meikap, Ajit Kumar

2018-06-01

In this work, we have prepared polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coated multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) film by an in situ chemical oxidative preparation technique. The thermogravimetric analysis clearly explains the thermal degradation of pure polymer and polymer nanocomposite film. We have studied the AC electrical transport properties and current-voltage (I-V) characteristic of PVA-MWCNT composites within the temperature range 300 ≤ T ≤ 423 K and frequency range 150 Hz ≤ f ≤ 2 MHz. It is observed that the dielectric constant of the composite film increases significantly. The frequency variation of AC conductivity follows the power law ( ωS ) and a sharp transition from small polaron tunneling to correlated barrier hopping model is found. The imaginary part of electric modulus shows non-Debye type asymmetric behaviour. The impedance spectroscopy shows the negative temperature coefficient of resistance of the composite film. Nyquist plot of the composite film at different temperatures is established from impedance measurement. The current-voltage characteristic (under ± 20 V) shows hysteresis behaviour and field dependent resistance. We simulate the experimentally observed current density-electric field data with the established theory.

Impedance response and dielectric relaxation in co-precipitation derived ferrite (Ni,Zn)Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} ceramics

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

Chen, D. G.; Tang, X. G.; Liu, Q. X.

2013-06-07

Dielectric spectra and magnetization hysteresis loops were used to investigate the grain size effect with temperature on the electrical and magnetic response of co-precipitation derived spinel (Ni{sub 0.5}Zn{sub 0.5})Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (NZFO) ceramics. Remarkable dielectric relaxation phenomena of non-Debye type have been observed in each NZFO ceramics as confirmed by two kinds of Cole-Cole plots of the 1100 Degree-Sign C sintered samples, mainly due to the electron-hopping mechanism between n-type and p-type carriers and interfacial ion effect when applied an increase of temperature. The high and low response of grain and grain-boundary regions were determined by modeling the impedance experimentalmore » results on two equivalent RC circuits taking into account grain deep trap states. By employing the modified Arrhenius equation, activation energy values of different sintering temperatures were calculated and analyzed in combination with oxygen vacancy. In addition, the magnetization of various sintering temperature samples is dominated by cation distribution and surface effect in different particle ranges.« less

Ba doped Fe3O4 nanocrystals: Magnetic field and temperature tuning dielectric and electrical transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dutta, Papia; Mandal, S. K.; Nath, A.

2018-05-01

Nanocrystalline BaFe2O4 has been prepared through low temperature pyrophoric reaction method. The structural, dielectric and electrical transport properties of BaFe2O4 are investigated in detail. AC electrical properties have been studied over the wide range of frequencies with applied dc magnetic fields and temperatures. The value of impedance is found to increase with increase in magnetic field attributing the magnetostriction property of the sample. The observed value of magneto-impedance and magnetodielectric is found to ∼32% and ∼33% at room temperature. Nyquist plots have been fitted using resistance-capacitor circuits at different magnetic fields and temperatures showing the dominant role of grain and grain boundaries of the sample. Metal-semiconductor transition ∼403 K has been discussed in terms of delocalized and localized charge carrier.We have estimated activation energy using Arrhenius relation indicating temperature dependent electrical relaxation process in the system. Ac conductivity follow a Jonscher’s single power law indicating the large and small polaronic hopping conduction mechanism in the system.

PLOT PLAN OF FUEL STORAGE BUILDING (CPP603) SHOWING STORAGE BASINS ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

PLOT PLAN OF FUEL STORAGE BUILDING (CPP-603) SHOWING STORAGE BASINS AND PROPOSED LOCATION OF FUEL ELEMENT CUTTING FACILITY. INL DRAWING NUMBER 200-0603-00-706-051287. ALTERNATE ID NUMBER CPP-C-1287. - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Idaho Chemical Processing Plant, Fuel Reprocessing Complex, Scoville, Butte County, ID

Dielectric relaxation of alkyl chains in graphite oxide and n-alkylammonium halides

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

Ai, Xiaoqian; Tian, Yuchen; Gu, Min, E-mail: mgu@nju.edu.cn

2016-05-15

The dynamic of n-alkylammonium halides and n-alkylammonium cations (n = 12, 14, 16, 18) intercalated in graphite oxide (GO) have been investigated with complex impedance spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis and thermogravimetry served to characterize the materials. The intercalated alkylammonium cations distributes as monolayers (when n = 12, 14 or 16) or bilayers (when n = 18), with their long axis parallel to GO layers, and with cations of headgroups bonded ionically to C-O{sup -} groups of GO; backbones of the confined molecules remain free. All halides and intercalation compounds suffer dielectric loss atmore » low temperature. Arrhenius plots of the thermal dependence of the loss peaks, which are asymmetric, produce apparent activation energies that rise with increasing n. Ngai’s correlated-state model helps to correct for effects of dipole-dipole interaction, leading to virtually identical values for actual activation energy of 110 meV ± 5%; the values are also almost the same as the barrier energy for internal rotation in the alkyl macromolecule. We conclude that the relaxation of the alkylammonium cations arises not from C{sub 3} reorientation of the CH{sub 3} at its headgroup, but from small-angle wobbling around its major axis, an intrinsic motion.« less

Effect of Fe doping on structural and impedance properties of PZTFN ceramics

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

Kumar, Arvind, E-mail: arvindmse07311209.in@gmail.com; Pal, Vijayeta; Mishra, S. K.

2016-05-06

An attempts have been made to synthesis the ceramics Pb{sub 1-3x/2} Fe{sub x}(Zr{sub 0.52}Ti{sub 0.48}){sub 1-5y/4} NbyO{sub 3} abbreviated as (PFZTN) for x = 1-6 mol% and y = 5.5 mol% by a semi-wet route. In the present paper, we have investigated the effect of Fe doping on structural and electrical properties of the PFZTN ceramics. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns reveal that PFZTN ceramics are single phase in nature. However, for x = 0.05 and 0.06, a secondary phase appears as discernible from the XRD profiles. Rietveld analysis of the powder diffraction data shows the presence of coexistence of tetragonal (P4mm spacemore » group) and rhombohedral phases (R3c space group) occurs near the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) at x ≥ = 0.05. The log-log plots show that the conductivity increases with increase of temperature. The ac conductivity becomes sensitive at high frequency region and shifted towards higher frequency side with increasing temperature. It is observed that the activation energy (Ea) decreases with increasing frequency. This complex perovskite structure can be used as a multilayer ceramic capacitors and electromechanical transducers.« less

Influence of geochemical processes on hydrochemistry and irrigation suitability of groundwater in part of semi-arid Deccan Plateau, India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vasu, Duraisamy; Singh, Surendra Kumar; Tiwary, Pramod; Sahu, Nisha; Ray, Sanjay Kumar; Butte, Pravin; Duraisami, Veppangadu Perumal

2017-11-01

Major ion geochemistry was used to characterise the chemical composition of groundwater in part of semi-arid Deccan plateau region to understand the geochemical evolution and to evaluate the groundwater quality for irrigation. The study area comprises peninsular gneissic complex of Archean age, younger granites and basaltic alluvium. Forty-nine georeferenced groundwater samples were collected and analysed for major ions. The ionic sequence based on relative proportions was Na+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+ > SO4 2- > HCO3 - > Cl- > CO3 2- > BO3 3- > K+. High Na+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ were generally associated with basaltic alluvial formation, whereas pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved salts (TDS) were found to be higher in granitic formations. High standard deviation for EC, TDS, Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ indicated the dispersion of ionic concentration throughout the study area. Four major hydrochemical facies identified were Na-Mg-HCO3 type; Mg-Na-HCO3 type; Na-Mg-Ca-SO4 and Mg-Na-Ca-SO4 type. The graphical plots indicated that the groundwater chemistry was influenced by rock-water interaction, silicate weathering and reverse ion exchange. Sodium-dominated waters might have impeded the hydraulic properties of soils as a result of long-term irrigation.

A systematic uncertainty analysis for liner impedance eduction technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Lin; Bodén, Hans

2015-11-01

The so-called impedance eduction technology is widely used for obtaining acoustic properties of liners used in aircraft engines. The measurement uncertainties for this technology are still not well understood though it is essential for data quality assessment and model validation. A systematic framework based on multivariate analysis is presented in this paper to provide 95 percent confidence interval uncertainty estimates in the process of impedance eduction. The analysis is made using a single mode straightforward method based on transmission coefficients involving the classic Ingard-Myers boundary condition. The multivariate technique makes it possible to obtain an uncertainty analysis for the possibly correlated real and imaginary parts of the complex quantities. The results show that the errors in impedance results at low frequency mainly depend on the variability of transmission coefficients, while the mean Mach number accuracy is the most important source of error at high frequencies. The effect of Mach numbers used in the wave dispersion equation and in the Ingard-Myers boundary condition has been separated for comparison of the outcome of impedance eduction. A local Mach number based on friction velocity is suggested as a way to reduce the inconsistencies found when estimating impedance using upstream and downstream acoustic excitation.

Analysis of microstrip patch antennas using finite difference time domain method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reineix, Alain; Jecko, Bernard

1989-11-01

The study of microstrip patch antennas is directly treated in the time domain, using a modified finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. Assuming an appropriate choice of excitation, the frequency dependence of the relevant parameters can readily be found using the Fourier transform of the transient current. The FDTD method allows a rigorous treatment of one or several dielectric interfaces. Different types of excitation can be taken into consideration (coaxial, microstrip lines, etc.). Plotting the spatial distribution of the current density gives information about the resonance modes. The usual frequency-depedent parameters (input impedance, radiation pattern) are given for several examples.

Electron density dependence of impedance probe plasma potential measurements

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

Walker, D. N.; Blackwell, D. D.; Amatucci, W. E.

2015-08-15

In earlier works, we used spheres of various sizes as impedance probes in demonstrating a method of determining plasma potential, φ{sub p}, when the probe radius is much larger than the Debye length, λ{sub D}. The basis of the method in those works [Walker et al., Phys. Plasmas 13, 032108 (2006); ibid. 15, 123506 (2008); ibid. 17, 113503 (2010)] relies on applying a small amplitude signal of fixed frequency to a probe in a plasma and, through network analyzer-based measurements, determining the complex reflection coefficient, Γ, for varying probe bias, V{sub b}. The frequency range of the applied signal ismore » restricted to avoid sheath resonant effects and ion contributions such that ω{sub pi} ≪ ω ≪ ω{sub pe}, where ω{sub pi} is the ion plasma frequency and ω{sub pe} is the electron plasma frequency. For a given frequency and applied bias, both Re(Z{sub ac}) and Im(Z{sub ac}) are available from Γ. When Re(Z{sub ac}) is plotted versus V{sub b}, a minimum predicted by theory occurs at φ{sub p} [Walker et al., Phys. Plasmas 17, 113503 (2010)]. In addition, Im(Z{sub ac}) appears at, or very near, a maximum at φ{sub p}. As n{sub e} decreases and the sheath expands, the minimum becomes harder to discern. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate that when using network analyzer-based measurements, Γ itself and Im(Z{sub ac}) and their derivatives are useful as accompanying indicators to Re(Z{sub ac}) in these difficult cases. We note the difficulties encountered by the most commonly used plasma diagnostic, the Langmuir probe. Spherical probe data is mainly used in this work, although we present limited data for a cylinder and a disk. To demonstrate the effect of lowered density as a function of probe geometry, we compare the cylinder and disk using only the indicator Re(Z{sub ac})« less

Structural, electrical and magnetic properties of Sc3+ doped Mn-Zn ferrite nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Angadi, V. Jagdeesha; Choudhury, Leema; Sadhana, K.; Liu, Hsiang-Lin; Sandhya, R.; Matteppanavar, Shidaling; Rudraswamy, B.; Pattar, Vinayak; Anavekar, R. V.; Praveena, K.

2017-02-01

Sc3+ doped Mn0.5Zn0.5ScyFe2-yO4 (y=0.00, 0.01, 0.03 and 0.05) nanoparticles were synthesized by solution combustion method using mixture of fuels were reported for the first time. The mixture of fuels plays an important role in obtaining nano crystalline, single phase present without any heat treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirm the formation of the single-phase ferrites which crystallize in cubic spinel structure. The Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) exhibit two prominent bands around 360 cm-1 and 540 cm-1 which are characteristic feature of spinel ferrite. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) micrographs revealed the nanoparticles to be nearly spherical in shape and of fairly uniform size. The room temperature impedance spectra (IS) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) measurements were carried out in order to study the effect of doping (Sc3+) on the characteristic properties of Mn-Zn ferrites. Further, the frequency dependent dielectric constant and dielectric loss were found to decrease with increasing multiple Sc3+ concentration. Nyquist plot in the complex impedance spectra suggest the existence of multiple electrical responses. Magnetic measurements reveals that saturation magnetization (Ms), remnant magnetization (Mr), magnetic moment (ηB) and magnetic particle size (Dm) increase with Sc3+ ion concentration up to x=0.03 and then decrease. The values of spin canting angle (αY-K) and the magnetic particle size (Dm) are found to be in the range of 68-75° and 10-19 nm respectively with Sc3+ concentration. The room temperature Mössbauer spectra were fitted with two sextets corresponding to ions at tetrahedral (A-) and octahedral (B-) sites confirms the spinel lattice. The ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectra's has shown that high concentration of scandium doping leads to an increase in dipolar interaction and decrease in super exchange interaction.

Not so Complex: Iteration in the Complex Plane

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Dell, Robin S.

2014-01-01

The simple process of iteration can produce complex and beautiful figures. In this article, Robin O'Dell presents a set of tasks requiring students to use the geometric interpretation of complex number multiplication to construct linear iteration rules. When the outputs are plotted in the complex plane, the graphs trace pleasing designs…

Calibrated complex impedance of CHO cells and E. coli bacteria at GHz frequencies using scanning microwave microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tuca, Silviu-Sorin; Badino, Giorgio; Gramse, Georg; Brinciotti, Enrico; Kasper, Manuel; Oh, Yoo Jin; Zhu, Rong; Rankl, Christian; Hinterdorfer, Peter; Kienberger, Ferry

2016-04-01

The application of scanning microwave microscopy (SMM) to extract calibrated electrical properties of cells and bacteria in air is presented. From the S 11 images, after calibration, complex impedance and admittance images of Chinese hamster ovary cells and E. coli bacteria deposited on a silicon substrate have been obtained. The broadband capabilities of SMM have been used to characterize the bio-samples between 2 GHz and 20 GHz. The resulting calibrated cell and bacteria admittance at 19 GHz were Y cell = 185 μS + j285 μS and Y bacteria = 3 μS + j20 μS, respectively. A combined circuitry-3D finite element method EMPro model has been developed and used to investigate the frequency response of the complex impedance and admittance of the SMM setup. Based on a proposed parallel resistance-capacitance model, the equivalent conductance and parallel capacitance of the cells and bacteria were obtained from the SMM images. The influence of humidity and frequency on the cell conductance was experimentally studied. To compare the cell conductance with bulk water properties, we measured the imaginary part of the bulk water loss with a dielectric probe kit in the same frequency range resulting in a high level of agreement.

Photovoltaic effect in organic polymer-iodine complex

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hermann, A. M.; Rembaum, A.

1967-01-01

Certain charge transfer complexes formed from organic polymers and iodine generate appreciable voltages at relatively low impedances upon exposure to light. These films show promise in applications requiring chemically and electrically stable films as detectors of optical radiation and as energy converters in photovoltaic cells.

Method and apparatus for in-situ characterization of energy storage and energy conversion devices

DOEpatents

Christophersen, Jon P [Idaho Falls, ID; Motloch, Chester G [Idaho Falls, ID; Morrison, John L [Butte, MT; Albrecht, Weston [Layton, UT

2010-03-09

Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for determining an impedance of an energy-output device using a random noise stimulus applied to the energy-output device. A random noise signal is generated and converted to a random noise stimulus as a current source correlated to the random noise signal. A bias-reduced response of the energy-output device to the random noise stimulus is generated by comparing a voltage at the energy-output device terminal to an average voltage signal. The random noise stimulus and bias-reduced response may be periodically sampled to generate a time-varying current stimulus and a time-varying voltage response, which may be correlated to generate an autocorrelated stimulus, an autocorrelated response, and a cross-correlated response. Finally, the autocorrelated stimulus, the autocorrelated response, and the cross-correlated response may be combined to determine at least one of impedance amplitude, impedance phase, and complex impedance.

Learning Tunes: Pop Music in the Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moore, David Cooper

2011-01-01

Popular music can be a rich and engaging teaching tool. Children often intuitively gain complex layers of experiential meaning more readily from music than other forms of plot-driven media where their narrow focus on literal interpretation and plot recitation can bring thoughtful conversation to a halt. However, integrating popular music in the…

Assessment of alterations in the electrical impedance of muscle after experimental nerve injury via finite-element analysis.

PubMed

Wang, Lucy L; Ahad, Mohammad; McEwan, Alistair; Li, Jia; Jafarpoor, Mina; Rutkove, Seward B

2011-06-01

The surface measurement of electrical impedance of muscle, incorporated as the technique of electrical impedance myography (EIM), provides a noninvasive approach for evaluating neuromuscular diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However, the relationship between alterations in surface impedance and the electrical properties of muscle remains uncertain. In order to investigate this further, a group of healthy adult rats, a group of rats two weeks postsciatic crush, and a group of animals six months postcrush underwent EIM of the gastrocnemius-soleus complex. The animals were then killed and the conductivity and permittivity of the extracted muscle measured. Finite-element models based on MRI data were then constructed for each group. The characteristic EIM parameter, 50 kHz phase (±standard error), obtained with surface impedance measurements was 17.3° ± 0.3° for normal animals, 13.8° ± 0.7° for acutely injured animals, and 16.1° ± 0.5° for chronically injured animals. The models predicted parallel changes with phase values of 24.3°, 18.8°, and 21.2° for the normal, acute, and chronic groups, respectively. Other multifrequency impedance parameters showed similar alterations. These results confirm that surface impedance measurements taken in conjunction with anatomical data and finite-element models may offer a noninvasive approach for assessing biophysical alterations in muscle in neuromuscular disease states.

Multi-frequency parameter mapping of electrical impedance scanning using two kinds of circuit model.

PubMed

Liu, Ruigang; Dong, Xiuzhen; Fu, Feng; You, Fusheng; Shi, Xuetao; Ji, Zhenyu; Wang, Kan

2007-07-01

Electrical impedance scanning (EIS) is a kind of potential bio-impedance measurement technology, especially aiding the diagnosis of breast cancer in women. By changing the frequency of the driving signal in turn while keeping the other conditions stable, multi-frequency measurement results on the object can be obtained. According to the least square method and circuit theory, the parameters in two models are deduced when measured with data at multiple driving frequencies. The arcs, in the real and imaginary parts of a trans-admittance coordinate, made by the evaluated parameters fit well the realistic data measured by our EIS device on female subjects. The Cole-Cole model in the form of admittance is closer to the measured data than the three-element model. Based on the evaluation of the multi-frequency parameters, we presented parameter mapping of EIS using two kinds of circuit model: one is the three-element model in the form of admittance and the other is the Cole-Cole model in the form of admittance. Comparing with classical admittance mapping at a single frequency, the multi-frequency parameter mapping will provide a novel vision to study EIS. The multi-frequency approach can provide the mappings of four parameters, which is helpful to identify different diseases with a similar characteristic in classical EIS mapping. From plots of the real and imaginary parts of the admittance, it is easy to make sure whether there exists abnormal tissue.

Organic electrochemical transistors for cell-based impedance sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rivnay, Jonathan; Ramuz, Marc; Leleux, Pierre; Hama, Adel; Huerta, Miriam; Owens, Roisin M.

2015-01-01

Electrical impedance sensing of biological systems, especially cultured epithelial cell layers, is now a common technique to monitor cell motion, morphology, and cell layer/tissue integrity for high throughput toxicology screening. Existing methods to measure electrical impedance most often rely on a two electrode configuration, where low frequency signals are challenging to obtain for small devices and for tissues with high resistance, due to low current. Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are conducting polymer-based devices, which have been shown to efficiently transduce and amplify low-level ionic fluxes in biological systems into electronic output signals. In this work, we combine OECT-based drain current measurements with simultaneous measurement of more traditional impedance sensing using the gate current to produce complex impedance traces, which show low error at both low and high frequencies. We apply this technique in vitro to a model epithelial tissue layer and show that the data can be fit to an equivalent circuit model yielding trans-epithelial resistance and cell layer capacitance values in agreement with literature. Importantly, the combined measurement allows for low biases across the cell layer, while still maintaining good broadband signal.

Factors promoting or potentially impeding school success: disparities and state variations for children with special health care needs.

PubMed

Bethell, Christina; Forrest, Christopher B; Stumbo, Scott; Gombojav, Narangerel; Carle, Adam; Irwin, Charles E

2012-04-01

School success predicts many pathways for health and well-being across the life span. Factors promoting or potentially impeding school success are critical to understand for all children and for children with special health care needs (CSHCN), whose life course trajectories are already impacted by their chronic health problems. The 2007 National Survey of Children's Health was used (1) to estimate national and state prevalence and within and across states disparities in factors promoting school success (engagement, participation, safety) or potentially impeding success (missing school, grade repetition, school identified problems) for all children and CSHCN and (2) to evaluate associations with CSHCN service need complexity and presence of emotional, behavioral or developmental problems (EBD) as well as with school case management policies in states. Among school age children, 60 % experienced all three factors promoting school success (49.3-73.8 % across states), dropping to 51.3 % for CSHCN (39.4-64.7 % across states) and to 36.2 % for the 40 % of all CSHCN who have both more complex service needs and EBD. CSHCN were more likely to experience factors potentially impeding school success. After accounting for child factors, CSHCN living in states requiring case management in schools for children with disabilities were less likely to experience grade repetition (OR 0.65). Within-state disparities between non-CSHCN and CSHCN varied across states. Threats to school success for US children are pervasive and are especially pronounced for CSHCN with more complex needs and EBD. Findings support broad, non-condition specific efforts to promote school success for CSHCN and consideration of state school policies, such as case management.

A Micro-Grid Simulator Tool (SGridSim) using Effective Node-to-Node Complex Impedance (EN2NCI) Models

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

Udhay Ravishankar; Milos manic

2013-08-01

This paper presents a micro-grid simulator tool useful for implementing and testing multi-agent controllers (SGridSim). As a common engineering practice it is important to have a tool that simplifies the modeling of the salient features of a desired system. In electric micro-grids, these salient features are the voltage and power distributions within the micro-grid. Current simplified electric power grid simulator tools such as PowerWorld, PowerSim, Gridlab, etc, model only the power distribution features of a desired micro-grid. Other power grid simulators such as Simulink, Modelica, etc, use detailed modeling to accommodate the voltage distribution features. This paper presents a SGridSimmore » micro-grid simulator tool that simplifies the modeling of both the voltage and power distribution features in a desired micro-grid. The SGridSim tool accomplishes this simplified modeling by using Effective Node-to-Node Complex Impedance (EN2NCI) models of components that typically make-up a micro-grid. The term EN2NCI models means that the impedance based components of a micro-grid are modeled as single impedances tied between their respective voltage nodes on the micro-grid. Hence the benefit of the presented SGridSim tool are 1) simulation of a micro-grid is performed strictly in the complex-domain; 2) faster simulation of a micro-grid by avoiding the simulation of detailed transients. An example micro-grid model was built using the SGridSim tool and tested to simulate both the voltage and power distribution features with a total absolute relative error of less than 6%.« less

Short-term post-mortality predation and scavenging and longer-term recovery after anoxia in the northern Adriatic Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blasnig, M.; Riedel, B.; Zuschin, M.; Schiemer, L.; Stachowitsch, M.

2013-03-01

In the Mediterranean, the northern Adriatic Sea shows most features known to promote late-summer hypoxia and anoxia. These features, along with anthropogenic eutrophication and marine snow events, have led to repeated benthic mortalities here. The present study was designed to document the post-anoxia macrofauna dynamics. We deployed an underwater instrument to induce small-scale anoxia in situ (total area 0.5 m2). Two time-lapse camera deployments examined short-term scavenging of the moribund and dead organisms (multi-species clumps consisting of sponges and ascidians) over a 3-day period (August 2008: 71.5 h, September 2008: 67.5 h). Longer-term recovery (2 yr) in the same two plots was examined with an independent photo-series. Predators and scavengers arrived in a distinct sequence. The first to arrive were demersal (Gobius niger, Serranus hepatus) and benthopelagic fishes (Diplodus vulgaris, Pagellus erythrinus), followed by hermit crabs (Paguristes eremita, showing a clear day/night rhythm in presence) and gastropods (Hexaplex trunculus). This sequence of arrival is attributed to the relative speeds of the organisms and their densities. The scavengers remained in dense aggregations (e.g. up to 33 P. eremita individuals at one time) as long as the dead organisms were available. The whole sessile fauna was largely removed or consumed within 7 (August plot) and 13 (September plot) days after anoxia. No macroepibenthic recovery took place in the experimental plots one and two years after anoxia. This study underlines the sensitivity of this soft-bottom community and supports calls for reducing additional anthropogenic disturbances such as damaging commercial fishing practices that impede recolonization and threaten benthic community structure and function over the long-term.

Impedance Spectroscopy and AC Conductivity Studies of Bulk 3-Amino-7-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-hydrochloride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Shabaan, M. M.

2018-02-01

Impedance spectroscopy and alternating-current (AC) conductivity (σ AC) studies of bulk 3-amino-7-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-hydrochloride (neutral red, NR) have been carried out over the temperature (T) range from 303 K to 383 K and frequency (f) range from 0.5 kHz to 5 MHz. Dielectric data were analyzed using the complex impedance (Z *) and complex electric modulus (M *) for bulk NR at various temperatures. The impedance loss peaks were found to shift towards high frequencies, indicating an increase in the relaxation time (τ 0) and loss in the material, with increasing temperature. For each temperature, a single depressed semicircle was observed at high frequencies, originating from the bulk transport, and a spike in the low-frequency region, resulting from the electrode effect. Fitting of these curves yielded an equivalent circuit containing a parallel combination of a resistance R and constant-phase element (CPE) Q. The carrier transport in bulk NR is governed by the correlated barrier hopping (CBH) mechanism, some parameters of which, such as the maximum barrier height (W M), charge density (N), and hopping distance (r), were determined as functions of both temperature and frequency. The frequency dependence of σ AC at different temperatures indicated that the conduction in bulk NR is a thermally activated process. The σ AC value at different frequencies increased linearly with temperature.

3D modelling of the human thorax for ventilation distribution measured through electrical impedance tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, W. R.; Wang, H. X.

2010-11-01

Thoracic electrical impedance tomography (EIT) aims to reconstruct a cross-sectional image of the internal spatial distribution of conductivity from electrical measurements made by injecting small alternating currents via an electrode array placed on the surface of the thorax. It is a non-invasive, radiation-free monitoring technique. In this paper, true 3D thorax models with conductivity distribution or complex conductivity distribution under different ARDS conditions are built up in comparison with the 2.5D ones, and EIT-derived numeric indices are also employed for evaluation of the lung ventilation. The purpose of this paper is to study different effects of different thorax models with either conductivity or complex conductivity on the reconstructed images and ventilation indices.

Single Mode Theory for Impedance Eduction in Large-Scale Ducts with Grazing Flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Watson, Willie R.; Gerhold, Carl H.; Jones, Michael G.; June, Jason C.

2014-01-01

An impedance eduction theory for a rigid wall duct containing an acoustic liner with an unknown impedance and uniform grazing flow is presented. The unique features of the theory are: 1) non-planar waves propagate in the hard wall sections of the duct, 2) input data consist solely of complex acoustic pressures acquired on a wall adjacent to the liner, and 3) multiple higher-order modes may exist in the direction perpendicular to the liner and the opposite rigid wall. The approach is to first measure the axial propagation constant of a dominant higher-order mode in the liner sample section. This axial propagation constant is then used in conjunction with a closed-form solution to a reduced form of the convected Helmholtz equation and the wall impedance boundary condition to educe the liner impedance. The theory is validated on a conventional liner whose impedance spectrum is educed in two flow ducts with different cross sections. For the frequencies and Mach numbers of interest, no higher-order modes propagate in the hard wall sections of the smaller duct. A benchmark method is used to educe the impedance spectrum in this duct. A dominant higher-order vertical mode propagates in the larger duct for similar test conditions, and the current theory is applied to educe the impedance spectrum. Results show that when the theory is applied to data acquired in the larger duct with a dominant higher-order vertical mode, the same impedance spectra is educed as that obtained in the small duct where only the plane wave mode is present and the benchmark method is used. This result holds for each higher-order vertical mode that is considered.

NASCAP user's manual

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mandell, M. J.; Harvey, J. M.; Katz, I.

1977-01-01

The NASCAP (NASA Charging Analyzer Program) code simulates the charging process for a complex object in either tenuous plasma or ground test environment. Detailed specifications needed to run the code are presented. The object definition section, OBJDEF, allows the test object to be easily defined in the cubic mesh. The test object is composed of conducting sections which may be wholly or partially covered with thin dielectric coatings. The potential section, POTENT, obtains the electrostatic potential in the space surrounding the object. It uses the conjugate gradient method to solve the finite element formulation of Poisson's equation. The CHARGE section of NASCAP treats charge redistribution among the surface cells of the object as well as charging through radiation bombardment. NASCAP has facilities for extensive graphical output, including several types of object display plots, potential contour plots, space charge density contour plots, current density plots, and particle trajectory plots.

[Recurrence plot analysis of HRV for brain ischemia and asphyxia].

PubMed

Chen, Xiaoming; Qiu, Yihong; Zhu, Yisheng

2008-02-01

Heart rate variability (HRV) is the tiny variability existing in the cycles of the heart beats, which reflects the corresponding balance between sympathetic and vagus nerves. Since the nonlinear characteristic of HRV is confirmed, the Recurrence Plot method, a nonlinear dynamic analysis method based on the complexity, could be used to analyze HRV. The results showed the recurrence plot structures and some quantitative indices (L-Mean, L-Entr) during asphyxia insult vary significantly as compared to those in normal conditions, which offer a new method to monitor brain asphyxia injury.

Dynamical density delay maps: simple, new method for visualising the behaviour of complex systems

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Physiologic signals, such as cardiac interbeat intervals, exhibit complex fluctuations. However, capturing important dynamical properties, including nonstationarities may not be feasible from conventional time series graphical representations. Methods We introduce a simple-to-implement visualisation method, termed dynamical density delay mapping (“D3-Map” technique) that provides an animated representation of a system’s dynamics. The method is based on a generalization of conventional two-dimensional (2D) Poincaré plots, which are scatter plots where each data point, x(n), in a time series is plotted against the adjacent one, x(n + 1). First, we divide the original time series, x(n) (n = 1,…, N), into a sequence of segments (windows). Next, for each segment, a three-dimensional (3D) Poincaré surface plot of x(n), x(n + 1), h[x(n),x(n + 1)] is generated, in which the third dimension, h, represents the relative frequency of occurrence of each (x(n),x(n + 1)) point. This 3D Poincaré surface is then chromatised by mapping the relative frequency h values onto a colour scheme. We also generate a colourised 2D contour plot from each time series segment using the same colourmap scheme as for the 3D Poincaré surface. Finally, the original time series graph, the colourised 3D Poincaré surface plot, and its projection as a colourised 2D contour map for each segment, are animated to create the full “D3-Map.” Results We first exemplify the D3-Map method using the cardiac interbeat interval time series from a healthy subject during sleeping hours. The animations uncover complex dynamical changes, such as transitions between states, and the relative amount of time the system spends in each state. We also illustrate the utility of the method in detecting hidden temporal patterns in the heart rate dynamics of a patient with atrial fibrillation. The videos, as well as the source code, are made publicly available. Conclusions Animations based on density delay maps provide a new way of visualising dynamical properties of complex systems not apparent in time series graphs or standard Poincaré plot representations. Trainees in a variety of fields may find the animations useful as illustrations of fundamental but challenging concepts, such as nonstationarity and multistability. For investigators, the method may facilitate data exploration. PMID:24438439

Building a Culture of Collaboration in Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sutton, Paul S.; Shouse, Andrew W.

2016-01-01

Teaching is complex; teachers and school leaders crave more meaningful collaborative experiences to make sense of that complexity. However, the structural, cultural, and historical factors involved with schooling impede the extent to which teachers can collaborate. Teachers spend five to six periods of the day teaching classes, largely working in…

Frequency dispersions of human skin dielectrics.

PubMed Central

Poon, C S; Choy, T T

1981-01-01

The electrical properties of many biological materials are known to exhibit frequency dispersions. In the human skin, the impedance measured at various frequencies closely describes a circular locus of the Cole-Cole type in the complex impedance plane. In this report, the formative mechanisms responsible for the anomalous circular-arc behavior of skin impedance were investigated, using data from impedance measurements taken after successive strippings of the skin. The data were analyzed with respect to changes in the parameters of the equivalent Cole-Cole model after each stripping. For an exponential resistivity profile (Tregear, 1966, Physical Functions of Skin; Yamamoto and Yamamoto, 1976, Med. Biol. Eng., 14:151--158), the profile of the dielectric constant was shown to be uniform across the epidermis. Based on these results, a structural model has been formulated in terms of the relaxation theory of Maxwell and Wagner for inhomogeneous dielectric materials. The impedance locus obtained from the model approximates a circular are with phase constant alpha = 0.82, which compares favorably with experimental data. At higher frequencies a constant-phase, frequency-dependent component having the same phase constant alpha is also demonstrated. It is suggested that an approximately rectangular distribution of the relaxation time over the epidermal dielectric sheath is adequate to account for the anomalous frequency characteristics of human skin impedance. PMID:7213928

Survivability Versus Time

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Joyner, James J., Sr.

2014-01-01

Develop Survivability vs Time Model as a decision-evaluation tool to assess various emergency egress methods used at Launch Complex 39B (LC 39B) and in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) on NASAs Kennedy Space Center. For each hazard scenario, develop probability distributions to address statistical uncertainty resulting in survivability plots over time and composite survivability plots encompassing multiple hazard scenarios.

An Interactive, Versatile, Three-Dimensional Display, Manipulation and Plotting System for Biomedical Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Feldmann, Richard J.; And Others

1972-01-01

Computer graphics provides a valuable tool for the representation and a better understanding of structures, both small and large. Accurate and rapid construction, manipulation, and plotting of structures, such as macromolecules as complex as hemoglobin, are performed by a collection of computer programs and a time-sharing computer. (21 references)…

Step voltage analysis for the catenoid lightning protection system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chai, J. C.; Briet, R.; Barker, D. L.; Eley, H. E.

1991-01-01

The main objective of the proposed overhead Catenoid Lightning Protection System (CLPS) is personnel safety. To ensure working personnel's safety in lightning situations, it is necessary that the potential difference developed across a distance equal to a person's pace (step voltage) does not exceed a separately established safe voltage in order to avoid electrocution (ventricular fibrillation) of humans. Therefore, the first stage of the analytical effort is to calculate the open circuit step voltage. An impedance model is developed for this purpose. It takes into consideration the earth's complex impedance behavior and the transient nature of the lightning phenomenon. In the low frequency limit, this impedance model is shown to reduce to results similar to those predicted by the conventional resistor model in a DC analysis.

Electrical Characterization of Complex Memories. Part II. Assessment of a Circuit Implementation to Measure EPROM Data Storage Margins.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-01-01

HIGH DESELECT DON’T CARE +5 V IMPEDANCE IH DON ’T HtIGH PO1WEAR DOWN VI1 +5 CARE IMPEDENCE PULSED PR RXPAM V TO V +25 v DATA NPRGA IL VIH VIl t PRORAM...VERIFY V +25 V DATA OUT IL IL PRARAM INHtIBIT VIL +25 VIH HIGH IMPEDANCE *[HIRESlHOLD MEASUREMENT +25V VARY V DATA OUT OV TO VT IL DFPR0GROVA +25V...VIL.C’E - VIH ) ! [l VCC Active Power Supply Current 57 100 mA 2 (5T C VIL) VPP Current (VPP - 5 25V) 6 mA 2.3 Vi.l Output High Voltage 24 Volts IOH -400

Automatic Extraction of Small Spatial Plots from Geo-Registered UAS Imagery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cherkauer, Keith; Hearst, Anthony

2015-04-01

Accurate extraction of spatial plots from high-resolution imagery acquired by Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), is a prerequisite for accurate assessment of experimental plots in many geoscience fields. If the imagery is correctly geo-registered, then it may be possible to accurately extract plots from the imagery based on their map coordinates. To test this approach, a UAS was used to acquire visual imagery of 5 ha of soybean fields containing 6.0 m2 plots in a complex planting scheme. Sixteen artificial targets were setup in the fields before flights and different spatial configurations of 0 to 6 targets were used as Ground Control Points (GCPs) for geo-registration, resulting in a total of 175 geo-registered image mosaics with a broad range of geo-registration accuracies. Geo-registration accuracy was quantified based on the horizontal Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of targets used as checkpoints. Twenty test plots were extracted from the geo-registered imagery. Plot extraction accuracy was quantified based on the percentage of the desired plot area that was extracted. It was found that using 4 GCPs along the perimeter of the field minimized the horizontal RMSE and enabled a plot extraction accuracy of at least 70%, with a mean plot extraction accuracy of 92%. The methods developed are suitable for work in many fields where replicates across time and space are necessary to quantify variability.

Structural, dielectric and impedance spectroscopy studies in Co doped La0.7Te0.3MnO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uthaman, Bhagya; Revathy, R.; Job, Rojerce Brown; Varma, Manoj Raama

2018-05-01

The effect of cobalt doping on the structural and dielectric properties of the electron-doped manganite La0.7Te0.3Mn1-xCoxO3 (x=0, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5) has been investigated. Cobalt substitution induces a structural transition from rhombohedral structure (R-3 c space group) to orthorhombic structure (Pbnm space group). It is observed that, dielectric constant decreases with Co concentration which could be due to suppression of double exchange (DE) interaction between Mn2+ and Mn3+. Also, the effect of the grain and grain boundary density on the dielectric response is studied using Cole-Cole plots.

Corrosion Inhibition of High Speed Steel by Biopolymer HPMC Derivatives

PubMed Central

Shi, Shih-Chen; Su, Chieh-Chang

2016-01-01

The corrosion inhibition characteristics of the derivatives of biopolymer hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP), and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) film are investigated. Based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopic measurements and potentiodynamic polarization, the corrosion inhibition performance of high speed steel coated with HPMC derivatives is evaluated. The Nyquist plot and Tafel polarization demonstrate promising anti-corrosion performance of HPMC and HPMCP. With increasing film thickness, both materials reveal improvement in corrosion inhibition. Moreover, because of a hydrophobic surface and lower moisture content, HPMCP shows better anti-corrosion performance than HPMCAS. The study is of certain importance for designing green corrosion inhibitors of high speed steel surfaces by the use of biopolymer derivatives. PMID:28773733

Electrical properties of praseodymium oxide doped Boro-Tellurite glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jagadeesha Gowda G., V.; Devaraja, C.; Eraiah, B.

2016-05-01

Glasses of the composition xPr6O11- (35-x)TeO2-65B2O3 (x=0, 0.1 to 0.5 mol %) have been prepared using the melt quenching method. The ac and dc conductivity of glass have been measured over a wide range of frequencies and temperatures. Experimental results indicate that the ac conductivity depend on temperature, frequency and Praseodymium content. The conductivity as a function of frequency exhibited two components: dc conductivity (σdc), and ac conductivity (σac). The activation energies are estimated and found to be decreases with composition. The impedance plot at each temperature appeared as a semicircle passes through the origin.

Research on tactical information display technology for interactive virtual cockpit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Zhongyun; Tian, Tao; Su, Feng

2018-04-01

Based on a fact that traditional tactical information display technology suffers from disadvantages of a large number of data to be transferred and low plotting efficiency in an interactive virtual cockpit, a GID protocol-based simulation has been designed. This method dissolves complex tactical information screens into basic plotting units. The indication of plotting units is controlled via the plotting commands, which solves the incompatibility between the tactical information display in traditional simulation and the desktop-based virtual simulation training system. Having been used in desktop systems for helicopters, fighters, and transporters, this method proves to be scientific and reasonable in design and simple and efficient in usage, which exerts a significant value in establishing aviation equipment technology support training products.

Measuring effectiveness of three postfire hillslope erosion barrier treatments, western Montana, USA

Treesearch

Peter R. Robichaud; Frederick B. Pierson; Robert E. Brown; Joseph W. Wagenbrenner

2008-01-01

After the Valley Complex Fire burned 86 000 ha in western Montana in 2000, two studies were conducted to determine the effectiveness of contour-felled log, straw wattle, and hand-dug contour trench erosion barriers in mitigating postfire runoff and erosion. Sixteen plots were located across a steep, severely burned slope, with a single barrier installed in 12 plots (...

Electrochemical Behavior Assessment of Micro- and Nano-Grained Commercial Pure Titanium in H2SO4 Solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fattah-alhosseini, Arash; Ansari, Ali Reza; Mazaheri, Yousef; Karimi, Mohsen

2017-02-01

In this study, the electrochemical behavior of commercial pure titanium with both coarse-grained (annealed sample with the average grain size of about 45 µm) and nano-grained microstructure was compared by potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and Mott-Schottky analysis. Nano-grained Ti, which typically has a grain size of about 90 nm, is successfully made by six-cycle accumulative roll-bonding process at room temperature. Potentiodynamic polarization plots and impedance measurements revealed that as a result of grain refinement, the passive behavior of the nano-grained sample was improved compared to that of annealed pure Ti in H2SO4 solutions. Mott-Schottky analysis indicated that the passive films behaved as n-type semiconductors in H2SO4 solutions and grain refinement did not change the semiconductor type of passive films. Also, Mott-Schottky analysis showed that the donor densities decreased as the grain size of the samples reduced. Finally, all electrochemical tests showed that the electrochemical behavior of the nano-grained sample was improved compared to that of annealed pure Ti, mainly due to the formation of thicker and less defective oxide film.

Carbon-supported PdM (M = Au and Sn) nanocatalysts for the electrooxidation of ethanol in high pH media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Qinggang; Chen, Wei; Mukerjee, Sanjeev; Chen, Shaowei; Laufek, František

Carbon-supported Pd 4Au- and Pd 2.5Sn-alloyed nanoparticles were prepared by a chemical reduction method, and characterized by a wide array of experimental techniques including mass spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. Ethanol electrooxidation on the as-synthesized catalysts and commercial Pt/C was then investigated and compared in alkaline media by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies at room temperature. Voltammetric and chronoamperometric measurements showed higher current density and longer term stability in ethanol oxidation with the palladium alloy nanocatalysts than with the commercial one. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Tafel plots were employed to examine the charge-transfer kinetics of ethanol electrooxidation. The results suggest that whereas the reaction kinetics might be somewhat more sluggish on the Pd-based alloy catalysts than on commercial Pt/C, the former appeared to have a higher tolerance to surface poisoning. Overall, the Pd-based alloy catalysts represent promising candidates for the electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol, and Pd 4Au/C displays the best catalytic activity among the series for the ethanol oxidation in alkaline media.

High input impedance amplifier

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kleinberg, Leonard L.

1995-01-01

High input impedance amplifiers are provided which reduce the input impedance solely to a capacitive reactance, or, in a somewhat more complex design, provide an extremely high essentially infinite, capacitive reactance. In one embodiment, where the input impedance is reduced in essence, to solely a capacitive reactance, an operational amplifier in a follower configuration is driven at its non-inverting input and a resistor with a predetermined magnitude is connected between the inverting and non-inverting inputs. A second embodiment eliminates the capacitance from the input by adding a second stage to the first embodiment. The second stage is a second operational amplifier in a non-inverting gain-stage configuration where the output of the first follower stage drives the non-inverting input of the second stage and the output of the second stage is fed back to the non-inverting input of the first stage through a capacitor of a predetermined magnitude. These amplifiers, while generally useful, are very useful as sensor buffer amplifiers that may eliminate significant sources of error.

Modeling electrical double-layer effects for microfluidic impedance spectroscopy from 100 kHz to 110 GHz.

PubMed

Little, Charles A E; Orloff, Nathan D; Hanemann, Isaac E; Long, Christian J; Bright, Victor M; Booth, James C

2017-07-25

Broadband microfluidic-based impedance spectroscopy can be used to characterize complex fluids, with applications in medical diagnostics and in chemical and pharmacological manufacturing. Many relevant fluids are ionic; during impedance measurements ions migrate to the electrodes, forming an electrical double-layer. Effects from the electrical double-layer dominate over, and reduce sensitivity to, the intrinsic impedance of the fluid below a characteristic frequency. Here we use calibrated measurements of saline solution in microfluidic coplanar waveguide devices at frequencies between 100 kHz and 110 GHz to directly measure the double-layer admittance for solutions of varying ionic conductivity. We successfully model the double-layer admittance using a combination of a Cole-Cole response with a constant phase element contribution. Our analysis yields a double-layer relaxation time that decreases linearly with solution conductivity, and allows for double-layer effects to be separated from the intrinsic fluid response and quantified for a wide range of conducting fluids.

How do clarinet players adjust the resonances of their vocal tracts for different playing effects?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fritz, Claudia; Wolfe, Joe

2005-11-01

In a simple model, the reed of the clarinet is mechanically loaded by the series combination of the acoustical impedances of the instrument itself and of the player's airway. Here we measure the complex impedance spectrum of players' airways using an impedance head adapted to fit inside a clarinet mouthpiece. A direct current shunt with high acoustical resistance allows players to blow normally, so the players can simulate the tract condition under playing conditions. The reproducibility of the results suggest that the players' ``muscle memory'' is reliable for this task. Most players use a single, highly stable vocal tract configuration over most of the playing range, except for the altissimo register. However, this ``normal'' configuration varies substantially among musicians. All musicians change the configuration, often drastically for ``special effects'' such as glissandi and slurs: the tongue is lowered and the impedance magnitude reduced when the player intends to lower the pitch or to slur downwards, and vice versa.

A Review of Electrical Impedance Spectrometry Methods for Parametric Estimation of Physiologic Fluid Volumes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dewberry, B.

2000-01-01

Electrical impedance spectrometry involves measurement of the complex resistance of a load at multiple frequencies. With this information in the form of impedance magnitude and phase, or resistance and reactance, basic structure or function of the load can be estimated. The "load" targeted for measurement and estimation in this study consisted of the water-bearing tissues of the human calf. It was proposed and verified that by measuring the electrical impedance of the human calf and fitting this data to a model of fluid compartments, the lumped-model volume of intracellular and extracellular spaces could be estimated, By performing this estimation over time, the volume dynamics during application of stimuli which affect the direction of gravity can be viewed. The resulting data can form a basis for further modeling and verification of cardiovascular and compartmental modeling of fluid reactions to microgravity as well as countermeasures to the headward shift of fluid during head-down tilt or spaceflight.

Model development and validation of geometrically complex eddy current coils using finite element methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, Alexander; Eviston, Connor

2017-02-01

Multiple FEM models of complex eddy current coil geometries were created and validated to calculate the change of impedance due to the presence of a notch. Capable realistic simulations of eddy current inspections are required for model assisted probability of detection (MAPOD) studies, inversion algorithms, experimental verification, and tailored probe design for NDE applications. An FEM solver was chosen to model complex real world situations including varying probe dimensions and orientations along with complex probe geometries. This will also enable creation of a probe model library database with variable parameters. Verification and validation was performed using other commercially available eddy current modeling software as well as experimentally collected benchmark data. Data analysis and comparison showed that the created models were able to correctly model the probe and conductor interactions and accurately calculate the change in impedance of several experimental scenarios with acceptable error. The promising results of the models enabled the start of an eddy current probe model library to give experimenters easy access to powerful parameter based eddy current models for alternate project applications.

Synthesis and properties of the compound: LiNi 3/5Cu 2/5VO 4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ram, Moti

2009-12-01

The LiNi 3/5Cu 2/5VO 4 is synthesized by solution-based chemical method and its formation has been checked by X-ray diffraction (XRD) study. XRD study shows a tetragonal unit cell structure with lattice parameters of a = 11.6475 (18) Å, c = 2.4855 (18) Å and c/ a = 0.2134 Å. Electrical properties are verified using complex impedance spectroscopy (CIS) technique. Complex impedance analysis reveals following points: (i) the bulk contribution to electrical properties up to 200 °C, (ii) the bulk and grain boundary contribution at T ≥ 225 °C, (iii) the presence of temperature dependent electrical relaxation phenomena in the material. D.c. conductivity study indicates that electrical conduction in the material is a thermally activated process.

Organic electrochemical transistors for cell-based impedance sensing

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

Rivnay, Jonathan, E-mail: rivnay@emse.fr, E-mail: owens@emse.fr; Ramuz, Marc; Hama, Adel

2015-01-26

Electrical impedance sensing of biological systems, especially cultured epithelial cell layers, is now a common technique to monitor cell motion, morphology, and cell layer/tissue integrity for high throughput toxicology screening. Existing methods to measure electrical impedance most often rely on a two electrode configuration, where low frequency signals are challenging to obtain for small devices and for tissues with high resistance, due to low current. Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are conducting polymer-based devices, which have been shown to efficiently transduce and amplify low-level ionic fluxes in biological systems into electronic output signals. In this work, we combine OECT-based drain currentmore » measurements with simultaneous measurement of more traditional impedance sensing using the gate current to produce complex impedance traces, which show low error at both low and high frequencies. We apply this technique in vitro to a model epithelial tissue layer and show that the data can be fit to an equivalent circuit model yielding trans-epithelial resistance and cell layer capacitance values in agreement with literature. Importantly, the combined measurement allows for low biases across the cell layer, while still maintaining good broadband signal.« less

Development on electromagnetic impedance function modeling and its estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sutarno, D.

2015-09-01

Today the Electromagnetic methods such as magnetotellurics (MT) and controlled sources audio MT (CSAMT) is used in a broad variety of applications. Its usefulness in poor seismic areas and its negligible environmental impact are integral parts of effective exploration at minimum cost. As exploration was forced into more difficult areas, the importance of MT and CSAMT, in conjunction with other techniques, has tended to grow continuously. However, there are obviously important and difficult problems remaining to be solved concerning our ability to collect process and interpret MT as well as CSAMT in complex 3D structural environments. This talk aim at reviewing and discussing the recent development on MT as well as CSAMT impedance functions modeling, and also some improvements on estimation procedures for the corresponding impedance functions. In MT impedance modeling, research efforts focus on developing numerical method for computing the impedance functions of three dimensionally (3-D) earth resistivity models. On that reason, 3-D finite elements numerical modeling for the impedances is developed based on edge element method. Whereas, in the CSAMT case, the efforts were focused to accomplish the non-plane wave problem in the corresponding impedance functions. Concerning estimation of MT and CSAMT impedance functions, researches were focused on improving quality of the estimates. On that objective, non-linear regression approach based on the robust M-estimators and the Hilbert transform operating on the causal transfer functions, were used to dealing with outliers (abnormal data) which are frequently superimposed on a normal ambient MT as well as CSAMT noise fields. As validated, the proposed MT impedance modeling method gives acceptable results for standard three dimensional resistivity models. Whilst, the full solution based modeling that accommodate the non-plane wave effect for CSAMT impedances is applied for all measurement zones, including near-, transition-as well as the far-field zones, and consequently the plane wave correction is no longer needed for the impedances. In the resulting robust impedance estimates, outlier contamination is removed and the self consistency between the real and imaginary parts of the impedance estimates is guaranteed. Using synthetic and real MT data, it is shown that the proposed robust estimation methods always yield impedance estimates which are better than the conventional least square (LS) estimation, even under condition of severe noise contamination. A recent development on the constrained robust CSAMT impedance estimation is also discussed. By using synthetic CSAMT data it is demonstrated that the proposed methods can produce usable CSAMT transfer functions for all measurement zones.

Development on electromagnetic impedance function modeling and its estimation

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

Sutarno, D., E-mail: Sutarno@fi.itb.ac.id

2015-09-30

Today the Electromagnetic methods such as magnetotellurics (MT) and controlled sources audio MT (CSAMT) is used in a broad variety of applications. Its usefulness in poor seismic areas and its negligible environmental impact are integral parts of effective exploration at minimum cost. As exploration was forced into more difficult areas, the importance of MT and CSAMT, in conjunction with other techniques, has tended to grow continuously. However, there are obviously important and difficult problems remaining to be solved concerning our ability to collect process and interpret MT as well as CSAMT in complex 3D structural environments. This talk aim atmore » reviewing and discussing the recent development on MT as well as CSAMT impedance functions modeling, and also some improvements on estimation procedures for the corresponding impedance functions. In MT impedance modeling, research efforts focus on developing numerical method for computing the impedance functions of three dimensionally (3-D) earth resistivity models. On that reason, 3-D finite elements numerical modeling for the impedances is developed based on edge element method. Whereas, in the CSAMT case, the efforts were focused to accomplish the non-plane wave problem in the corresponding impedance functions. Concerning estimation of MT and CSAMT impedance functions, researches were focused on improving quality of the estimates. On that objective, non-linear regression approach based on the robust M-estimators and the Hilbert transform operating on the causal transfer functions, were used to dealing with outliers (abnormal data) which are frequently superimposed on a normal ambient MT as well as CSAMT noise fields. As validated, the proposed MT impedance modeling method gives acceptable results for standard three dimensional resistivity models. Whilst, the full solution based modeling that accommodate the non-plane wave effect for CSAMT impedances is applied for all measurement zones, including near-, transition-as well as the far-field zones, and consequently the plane wave correction is no longer needed for the impedances. In the resulting robust impedance estimates, outlier contamination is removed and the self consistency between the real and imaginary parts of the impedance estimates is guaranteed. Using synthetic and real MT data, it is shown that the proposed robust estimation methods always yield impedance estimates which are better than the conventional least square (LS) estimation, even under condition of severe noise contamination. A recent development on the constrained robust CSAMT impedance estimation is also discussed. By using synthetic CSAMT data it is demonstrated that the proposed methods can produce usable CSAMT transfer functions for all measurement zones.« less

Foot-to-foot bioelectrical impedance accurately tracks direction of adiposity change in overweight and obese 7- to 13-year-old children.

PubMed

Kasvis, Popi; Cohen, Tamara R; Loiselle, Sarah-Ève; Kim, Nicolas; Hazell, Tom J; Vanstone, Catherine A; Rodd, Celia; Plourde, Hugues; Weiler, Hope A

2015-03-01

Body composition measurements are valuable when evaluating pediatric obesity interventions. We hypothesized that foot-to-foot bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) will accurately track the direction of adiposity change, but not magnitude, in part due to differences in fat patterning. The purposes of this study were to examine the accuracy of body composition measurements of overweight and obese children over time using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and BIA and to determine if BIA accuracy was affected by fat patterning. Eighty-nine overweight or obese children (48 girls, 41 boys, age 7-13 years) participating in a randomized controlled trial providing a family-centered, lifestyle intervention, underwent DXA and BIA measurements every 3 months. Bland-Altman plots showed a poor level of agreement between devices for baseline percent body fat (%BF; mean, 0.398%; +2SD, 8.685%; -2SD, -7.889%). There was overall agreement between DXA and BIA in the direction of change over time for %BF (difference between visits 3 and 1: DXA -0.8 ± 0.5%, BIA -0.7 ± 0.5%; P = 1.000) and fat mass (FM; difference between visits 3 and 1: DXA 0.7 ± 0.5 kg, BIA 0.6 ± 0.5 kg; P = 1.000). Bioelectrical impedance analysis measurements of %BF and FM at baseline were significantly different in those with android and gynoid fat (%BF: 35.9% ± 1.4%, 32.2% ± 1.4%, P < .003; FM: 20.1 ± 0.8 kg, 18.4 ± 0.8, P < .013). Bioelectrical impedance analysis accurately reports the direction of change in FM and FFM in overweight and obese children; inaccuracy in the magnitude of BIA measurements may be a result of fat patterning differences. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Distinguishing Between Activated and Non-Activated Eosinophils Using a Microelectrode: Theoretical Investigations of Bulk and Surface Polaritons in Magnetic Multilayers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lacy, Fred

In Part I of this dissertation, a whole cell biosensor which can detect the activation state of eosinophils (one of several types of white blood cells) will be developed and tested. This biosensor, which consists of a small gold electrode (50 μm x 50 μm) and a large gold electrode (1.5 cm x 0.5 cm) on a glass substrate, has been fabricated by photolithographic techniques. The eosinophils are known to exhibit different physical properties when they change from the activated state to the non-activated state. Based on some of these property changes, there should be a corresponding change in the measured electrical impedance. In this research, this biosensor will measure the electrical impedance of the eosinophils. This will show that the biosensor can detect the different states of the eosinophils (through the electrical impedance technique). And from these measurements, the different parameters associated with the electrical impedance can be determined. In Part II of this dissertation, a theoretical calculation will be performed in which bulk and surface magnetic polaritons in magnetic materials will be found. A polariton is the coupling of electromagnetic radiation and the elementary excitation of the given material (in our case, a magnetic material). The structure that we will be considering is a periodic semi-infinite material consisting of alternating antiferromagnetic and nonmagnetic layers. An antiferromagnetic material is a material in which individual atoms exhibit magnetic moments, but the overall magnetization of the material is zero because the moments of every other atom are antiparallel. We will use a method known as the transfer matrix technique to find an expression for the dispersion relation of the bulk and surface waves in these materials. Then we will create plots of omega(k) as we vary the geometric configurations of the layers which make-up the magnetic multilayer. We also will calculate the effect of an external magnetic field on these magnetic structures.

Detecting recurrence domains of dynamical systems by symbolic dynamics.

PubMed

beim Graben, Peter; Hutt, Axel

2013-04-12

We propose an algorithm for the detection of recurrence domains of complex dynamical systems from time series. Our approach exploits the characteristic checkerboard texture of recurrence domains exhibited in recurrence plots. In phase space, recurrence plots yield intersecting balls around sampling points that could be merged into cells of a phase space partition. We construct this partition by a rewriting grammar applied to the symbolic dynamics of time indices. A maximum entropy principle defines the optimal size of intersecting balls. The final application to high-dimensional brain signals yields an optimal symbolic recurrence plot revealing functional components of the signal.

Intelligence Constraints on Terrorist Network Plots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woo, Gordon

Since 9/11, the western intelligence and law enforcement services have managed to interdict the great majority of planned attacks against their home countries. Network analysis shows that there are important intelligence constraints on the number and complexity of terrorist plots. If two many terrorists are involved in plots at a given time, a tipping point is reached whereby it becomes progressively easier for the dots to be joined and for the conspirators to be arrested, and for the aggregate evidence to secure convictions. Implications of this analysis are presented for the campaign to win hearts and minds.

Extended generalized recurrence plot quantification of complex circular patterns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riedl, Maik; Marwan, Norbert; Kurths, Jürgen

2017-03-01

The generalized recurrence plot is a modern tool for quantification of complex spatial patterns. Its application spans the analysis of trabecular bone structures, Turing patterns, turbulent spatial plankton patterns, and fractals. Determinism is a central measure in this framework quantifying the level of regularity of spatial structures. We show by basic examples of fully regular patterns of different symmetries that this measure underestimates the orderliness of circular patterns resulting from rotational symmetries. We overcome this crucial problem by checking additional structural elements of the generalized recurrence plot which is demonstrated with the examples. Furthermore, we show the potential of the extended quantity of determinism applying it to more irregular circular patterns which are generated by the complex Ginzburg-Landau-equation and which can be often observed in real spatially extended dynamical systems. So, we are able to reconstruct the main separations of the system's parameter space analyzing single snapshots of the real part only, in contrast to the use of the original quantity. This ability of the proposed method promises also an improved description of other systems with complicated spatio-temporal dynamics typically occurring in fluid dynamics, climatology, biology, ecology, social sciences, etc.

Operator dynamics for stability condition in haptic and teleoperation system: A survey.

PubMed

Li, Hongbing; Zhang, Lei; Kawashima, Kenji

2018-04-01

Currently, haptic systems ignore the varying impedance of the human hand with its countless configurations and thus cannot recreate the complex haptic interactions. The literature does not reveal a comprehensive survey on the methods proposed and this study is an attempt to bridge this gap. The paper includes an extensive review of human arm impedance modeling and control deployed to address inherent stability and transparency issues in haptic interaction and teleoperation systems. Detailed classification and comparative study of various contributions in human arm modeling are presented and summarized in tables and diagrams. The main challenges in modeling human arm impedance for haptic robotic applications are identified. The possible future research directions are outlined based on the gaps identified in the survey. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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.

Non-contact multi-frequency magnetic induction spectroscopy system for industrial-scale bio-impedance measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Toole, M. D.; Marsh, L. A.; Davidson, J. L.; Tan, Y. M.; Armitage, D. W.; Peyton, A. J.

2015-03-01

Biological tissues have a complex impedance, or bio-impedance, profile which changes with respect to frequency. This is caused by dispersion mechanisms which govern how the electromagnetic field interacts with the tissue at the cellular and molecular level. Measuring the bio-impedance spectra of a biological sample can potentially provide insight into the sample’s properties and its cellular structure. This has obvious applications in the medical, pharmaceutical and food-based industrial domains. However, measuring the bio-impedance spectra non-destructively and in a way which is practical at an industrial scale presents substantial challenges. The low conductivity of the sample requires a highly sensitive instrument, while the demands of industrial-scale operation require a fast high-throughput sensor of rugged design. In this paper, we describe a multi-frequency magnetic induction spectroscopy (MIS) system suitable for industrial-scale, non-contact, spectroscopic bio-impedance measurement over a bandwidth of 156 kHz-2.5 MHz. The system sensitivity and performance are investigated using calibration and known reference samples. It is shown to yield rapid and consistently sensitive results with good long-term stability. The system is then used to obtain conductivity spectra of a number of biological test samples, including yeast suspensions of varying concentration and a range of agricultural produce, such as apples, pears, nectarines, kiwis, potatoes, oranges and tomatoes.

Giant magneto-impedance and magneto-inductive effects in amorphous alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panina, L. V.; Mohri, K.; Bushida, K.; Noda, M.

1994-11-01

Recent experiments have discovered giant and sensitive magneto-impedance and magneto-inductive effects in FeCoSiB amorphous wires. These effects include a sensitive change in an ac wire voltage with the application of a small dc longitudinal magnetic field. At low frequencies (1-10 kHz) the inductive voltage drops by 50% for a field of 2 Oe (25%/Oe) reflecting a strong field dependence of the circumferential permeability. At higher frequencies (0.1-10 MHz) when the skin effect is essential, the amplitude of the total wire voltage decreases by 40%-60% for fields of 3-10 Oe (about 10%/Oe). These effects exhibit no hysteresis for the variation of an applied field and can be obtained even in wires of 1 mm length and a few micrometer diameter. These characteristics are very useful to constitute a highly sensitive microsensor head to detect local fields of the order of 10(exp -5) Oe. In this paper, we review recently obtained experimental results on magneto-inductive and magneto-impedance effects and present a detailed discussion for their mechanism, developing a general approach in terms of ac complex impedance in a magnetic conductor. In the case of a strong skin effect the total wire impedance depends on the circumferential permeability through the penetration depth, resulting in the giant magneto-impedance effect.

A Calculation Method of Electric Distance and Subarea Division Application Based on Transmission Impedance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, G. J.; Bao, H.

2017-12-01

The widely used method of calculating electric distances is sensitivity method. The sensitivity matrix is the result of linearization and based on the hypothesis that the active power and reactive power are decoupled, so it is inaccurate. In addition, it calculates the ratio of two partial derivatives as the relationship of two dependent variables, so there is no physical meaning. This paper presents a new method for calculating electrical distance, namely transmission impedance method. It forms power supply paths based on power flow tracing, then establishes generalized branches to calculate transmission impedances. In this paper, the target of power flow tracing is S instead of Q. Q itself has no direction and the grid delivers complex power so that S contains more electrical information than Q. By describing the power transmission relationship of the branch and drawing block diagrams in both forward and reverse directions, it can be found that the numerators of feedback parts of two block diagrams are all the transmission impedances. To ensure the distance is scalar, the absolute value of transmission impedance is defined as electrical distance. Dividing network according to the electric distances and comparing with the results of sensitivity method, it proves that the transmission impedance method can adapt to the dynamic change of system better and reach a reasonable subarea division scheme.

Electrochemical characterization of MC3T3-E1 cells cultured on γTiAl and Ti-6Al-4V alloys.

PubMed

Bueno-Vera, J A; Torres-Zapata, I; Sundaram, P A; Diffoot-Carlo, N; Vega-Olivencia, C A

2015-12-01

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to study the behavior of MC3T3-E1 cells cultured in an αMEM+FBS solution on two Ti-based alloys (Ti-6Al-4V and γTiAl) for 4, 7 and 14 days. EIS measurements were carried out at an open-circuit potential in a 1 mHz to 100 kHz frequency range. Results indicate a general increase in impedance on the Ti alloy surfaces with cells as a function of time. Bode plots indicate changes corresponding to the passive oxide film, adsorption of proteins and cell tissue on surfaces with the passage of time. Normal cellular activity based on the polygonal morphology, with long and fine cytoplasmic prolongations of the cells on Ti-6Al-4V and γTiAl was observed from SEM images. Similarly, mineralization nodules corresponding to cell differentiation associated with the osseogenetic process were observed confirmed by Alizarin Red S staining. Immunofluorescence analysis to detect the presence of collagen Type I showed an increase in the segregation of collagen as a function of time. The impedance values obtained from EIS testing are indicative of the corrosion protection offered to the Ti alloy substrates by the cell layer. This study shows that γTiAl has better corrosion resistance than that of Ti-6Al-4V in the αMEM+FBS environment in the presence of MC3T3-E1 cells. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The diagnostic accuracy of multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis in diagnosing dehydration after stroke.

PubMed

Kafri, Mohannad W; Myint, Phyo Kway; Doherty, Danielle; Wilson, Alexander Hugh; Potter, John F; Hooper, Lee

2013-07-10

Non-invasive methods for detecting water-loss dehydration following acute stroke would be clinically useful. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA) against reference standards serum osmolality and osmolarity. Patients admitted to an acute stroke unit were recruited. Blood samples for electrolytes and osmolality were taken within 20 minutes of MF-BIA. Total body water (TBW%), intracellular (ICW%) and extracellular water (ECW%), as percentages of total body weight, were calculated by MF-BIA equipment and from impedance measures using published equations for older people. These were compared to hydration status (based on serum osmolality and calculated osmolarity). The most promising Receiver Operating Characteristics curves were plotted. 27 stroke patients were recruited (mean age 71.3, SD10.7). Only a TBW% cut-off at 46% was consistent with current dehydration (serum osmolality >300 mOsm/kg) and TBW% at 47% impending dehydration (calculated osmolarity ≥295-300 mOsm/L) with sensitivity and specificity both >60%. Even here diagnostic accuracy of MF-BIA was poor, a third of those with dehydration were wrongly classified as hydrated and a third classified as dehydrated were well hydrated. Secondary analyses assessing diagnostic accuracy of TBW% for men and women separately, and using TBW as a percentage of lean body mass showed some promise, but did not provide diagnostically accurate measures across the population. MF-BIA appears ineffective at diagnosing water-loss dehydration after stroke and cannot be recommended as a test for dehydration, but separating assessment by sex, and using TBW as a percentage of lean body weight may warrant further investigation.

Lactate threshold by muscle electrical impedance in professional rowers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jotta, B.; Coutinho, A. B. B.; Pino, A. V.; Souza, M. N.

2017-04-01

Lactate threshold (LT) is one of the physiological parameters usually used in rowing sport training prescription because it indicates the transitions from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism. Assessment of LT is classically based on a series of values of blood lactate concentrations obtained during progressive exercise tests and thus has an invasive aspect. The feasibility of noninvasive LT estimative through bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) data collected in thigh muscles during rowing ergometer exercise tests was investigated. Nineteen professional rowers, age 19 (mean) ± 4.8 (standard deviation) yr, height 187.3 ± 6.6 cm, body mass 83 ± 7.7 kg, and training experience of 7 ± 4 yr, were evaluated in a rowing ergometer progressive test with paired measures of blood lactate concentration and BIS in thigh muscles. Bioelectrical impedance data were obtained by using a bipolar method of spectroscopy based on the current response to a voltage step. An electrical model was used to interpret BIS data and to derive parameters that were investigated to estimate LT noninvasively. From the serial blood lactate measurements, LT was also determined through Dmax method (LTDmax). The zero crossing of the second derivative of kinetic of the capacitance electrode (Ce), one of the BIS parameters, was used to estimate LT. The agreement between the LT estimates through BIS (LTBIS) and through Dmax method (LTDmax) was evaluated using Bland-Altman plots, leading to a mean difference between the estimates of just 0.07 W and a Pearson correlation coefficient r = 0.85. This result supports the utilization of the proposed method based on BIS parameters for estimating noninvasively the lactate threshold in rowing.

The Stayhealthy bioelectrical impedance analyzer predicts body fat in children and adults.

PubMed

Erceg, David N; Dieli-Conwright, Christina M; Rossuello, Amerigo E; Jensky, Nicole E; Sun, Stephanie; Schroeder, E Todd

2010-05-01

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a time-efficient and cost-effective method for estimating body composition. We hypothesized that there would be no significant difference between the Stayhealthy BC1 BIA and the selected reference methods when determining body composition. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to determine the validity of estimating percent body fat (%BF) using the Stayhealthy BIA with its most recently updated algorithms compared to the reference methods of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for adults and hydrostatic weighing for children. We measured %BF in 245 adults aged 18 to 80 years and 115 children aged 10 to 17 years. Body fat by BIA was determined using a single 50 kHz frequency handheld impedance device and proprietary software. Agreement between BIA and reference methods was assessed by Bland and Altman plots. Bland and Altman analysis for men, women, and children revealed good agreement between the reference methods and BIA. There was no significant difference by t tests between mean %BF by BIA for men, women, or children when compared to the respective reference method. Significant correlation values between BIA, and reference methods for all men, women, and children were 0.85, 0.88, and 0.79, respectively. Reliability (test-retest) was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient and coefficient of variation. Intraclass correlation coefficient values were greater than 0.99 (P < .001) for men, women, and children with coefficient of variation values 3.3%, 1.8%, and 1.7%, respectively. The Stayhealthy BIA device demonstrated good agreement between reference methods using Bland and Altman analyses. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of the frequency response characteristics of catheter-mounted piezoelectric and micromanometric phonotransducers.

PubMed

Garcia, J C; Layton, S A; Rubal, B J

1989-05-01

This study compares the frequency response characteristics of catheter-mounted piezoelectric sound transducers with micromanometric transducers. The tip of a 8F catheter with two piezoelectric transducers and two micromanometers was inserted into a water-filled chamber that had a speaker fixed at one end. The speaker was driven by a power amplifier and sine wave generator. The outputs of the transducers were connected to a low-level amplifier. The piezoelectric transducer behaved as a tunable high-pass filter that could be modified by altering the input impedance of the low level amplifier; the frequency response characteristics were examined at five input impedances ranging from 0.96 to 11.8 megohms. The peak-to-peak outputs of the piezoelectric and pressure transducers were recorded at frequency ranges from DC to 1 kHz with a wide-band oscilloscope. The ratio of the outputs from the piezotransducer and micromanometer (Vph/Vpr) was plotted vs. frequency for each input impedance and analyzed to determine the piezotransducer's output resistance and equivalent capacitance; roll-off frequencies were then calculated. The equivalent capacitance of the piezo-element was determined to be 500-700 picofarads. Series capacitance acted with network resistance to produce a predictable frequency-dependent change in signal amplitude and phase angle. The inherent noise of the pressure transducer was found to be approximately 0.2 mm Hg, while the noise of the piezoelectric transducer was immeasurably low. The piezoelectric phonotransducers were superior to micromanometer transducers in their higher gain and lower noise, suggesting that these transducers may prove useful to physiologic and clinical studies for measuring intravascular sound.

Application of conformal transformation to elliptic geometry for electric impedance tomography.

PubMed

Yilmaz, Atila; Akdoğan, Kurtuluş E; Saka, Birsen

2008-03-01

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a medical imaging modality that is used to compute the conductivity distribution through measurements on the cross-section of a body part. An elliptic geometry model, which defines a more general frame, ensures more accurate results in reconstruction and assessment of inhomogeneities inside. This study provides a link between the analytical solutions defined in circular and elliptical geometries on the basis of the computation of conformal mapping. The results defined as voltage distributions for the homogeneous case in elliptic and circular geometries have been compared with those obtained by the use of conformal transformation between elliptical and well-known circular geometry. The study also includes the results of the finite element method (FEM) as another approach for more complex geometries for the comparison of performance in other complex scenarios for eccentric inhomogeneities. The study emphasizes that for the elliptic case the analytical solution with conformal transformation is a reliable and useful tool for developing insight into more complex forms including eccentric inhomogeneities.

A Review of the Scattering-Parameter Extraction Method with Clarification of Ambiguity Issues in Relation to Metamaterial Homogenization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arslanagic, S.; Hansen, T. V.; Mortensen, N. A.; Gregersen, A. H.; Sigmund, O.; Ziolkowski, R. W.; Breinbjerg, O.

2013-04-01

The scattering parameter extraction method of metamaterial homogenization is reviewed to show that the only ambiguity is the one related to the choice of the branch of the complex logarithmic function (or the complex inverse cosine function), whereas it has no ambiguity for the sign of the wave number and intrinsic impedance. While the method indeed yields two signs of the intrinsic impedance, and thus the wave number, the signs are dependent, and moreover, both sign combinations lead to the same permittivity and permeability, and are thus permissible. This observation is in distinct contrast to a number of statements in the literature where the correct sign of the intrinsic impedance and wave number, resulting from the scattering parameter method, is chosen by imposing additional physical requirements such as passivity. The scattering parameter method is reviewed through an investigation of a uniform plane wave normally incident on a planar slab in free-space, and the severity of the branch ambiguity is illustrated through simulations of a known metamaterial realization. Several approaches for proper branch selection are reviewed and their suitability to metamaterial samples is discussed.

GenomeD3Plot: a library for rich, interactive visualizations of genomic data in web applications.

PubMed

Laird, Matthew R; Langille, Morgan G I; Brinkman, Fiona S L

2015-10-15

A simple static image of genomes and associated metadata is very limiting, as researchers expect rich, interactive tools similar to the web applications found in the post-Web 2.0 world. GenomeD3Plot is a light weight visualization library written in javascript using the D3 library. GenomeD3Plot provides a rich API to allow the rapid visualization of complex genomic data using a convenient standards based JSON configuration file. When integrated into existing web services GenomeD3Plot allows researchers to interact with data, dynamically alter the view, or even resize or reposition the visualization in their browser window. In addition GenomeD3Plot has built in functionality to export any resulting genome visualization in PNG or SVG format for easy inclusion in manuscripts or presentations. GenomeD3Plot is being utilized in the recently released Islandviewer 3 (www.pathogenomics.sfu.ca/islandviewer/) to visualize predicted genomic islands with other genome annotation data. However, its features enable it to be more widely applicable for dynamic visualization of genomic data in general. GenomeD3Plot is licensed under the GNU-GPL v3 at https://github.com/brinkmanlab/GenomeD3Plot/. brinkman@sfu.ca. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press.

Membrane hydrophone phase characteristics through nonlinear acoustics measurements.

PubMed

Bloomfield, Philip E; Gandhi, Gaurav; Lewin, Peter A

2011-11-01

This work considers the need for both the amplitude and phase to fully characterize polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane hydrophones and presents a comprehensive discussion of the nonlinear acoustic measurements utilized to extract the phase information and the experimental results taken with two widely used PVDF membrane hydrophones up to 100 MHz. A semi-empirical computer model utilized the hyperbolic propagation operator to predict the nonlinear pressure field and provide the complex frequency response of the corresponding source transducer. The PVDF hydrophone phase characteristics, which were obtained directly from the difference between the computer-modeled nonlinear field simulation and the corresponding measured harmonic frequency phase values, agree to within 10% with the phase predictions obtained from receive-transfer-function simulations based on software modeling of the membrane's physical properties. Cable loading effects and membrane hydrophone resonances were distinguished and identified through a series of impedance measurements and receive transfer function simulations on the hydrophones including their hard-wired coaxial cables. The results obtained indicate that the PVDF membrane hydrophone's phase versus frequency plot exhibits oscillations about a monotonically decreasing line. The maxima and minima inflection point slopes occur at the membrane thickness resonances and antiresonances, respectively. A cable resonance was seen at 100 MHz for the hydrophone with a 1-m cable attached, but not seen for the hydrophone with a shorter 0.65-m cable.

"Springtime in the South Is Like a Song in My Heart": Raina Telgemeier's "Drama," the Romanticization of the Plantation South, and the Romance Plot

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abate, Michelle Ann

2017-01-01

This essay explores the complex relationship that exists between the romance plot and the romanticization of the antebellum South in Raina Telgemeier's critically acclaimed and commercially successful graphic novel, "Drama." The text's use of a "Gone With the Wind"-style musical as its romantic and thematic pivot point…

Temperature dependent x-ray diffraction and dielectric studies of multiferroic GaFeO{sub 3}

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

Kumar, Rajeev; Mall, Ashish Kumar, E-mail: ashishm@iitk.ac.in; Gupta, Rajeev

2016-05-06

Polycrystalline GaFeO{sub 3} (GFO) samples were synthesized by sol-gel method. The structural and dielectric properties of GaFeO{sub 3} ceramic have been investigated by a combination of XRD and permittivity measurement. The X-ray diffraction spectra shows single phase orthorhombically distorted perovskite structure with Pc2{sub 1}n symmetry over a wide range of temperature 300 K to 600 K, with no evidence of any phase transition. Refined lattice parameters (a, b, c and V) increases with increasing temperature. Temperature dependent dielectric properties were investigated in the frequency range from 100Hz–5MHz. Impedance spectroscopy study on the sample showed that the dielectric constant and acmore » conductivity with frequency increases on increasing the temperature. Cole-Cole plots suggest that the response from grain is dominant at low temperature whereas grain boundary response overcomes as temperature increases. The relaxation activation energy (calculated from Cole-Cole plots) value is found to be 0.32 eV for the grain boundary. We believe that the oxygen ion vacancies play an important role in conduction processes at higher temperatures.« less

Genetic diversity in aspen and its relation to arthropod abundance

PubMed Central

Zhang, Chunxia; Vornam, Barbara; Volmer, Katharina; Prinz, Kathleen; Kleemann, Frauke; Köhler, Lars; Polle, Andrea; Finkeldey, Reiner

2015-01-01

The ecological consequences of biodiversity have become a prominent public issue. Little is known on the effect of genetic diversity on ecosystem services. Here, a diversity experiment was established with European and North American aspen (Populus tremula, P. tremuloides) planted in plots representing either a single deme only or combinations of two, four and eight demes. The goals of this study were to explore the complex inter- and intraspecific genetic diversity of aspen and to then relate three measures for diversity (deme diversity, genetic diversity determined as Shannon index or as expected heterozygosity) to arthropod abundance. Microsatellite and AFLP markers were used to analyze the genetic variation patterns within and between the aspen demes and deme mixtures. Large differences were observed regarding the genetic diversity within demes. An analysis of molecular variance revealed that most of the total genetic diversity was found within demes, but the genetic differentiation among demes was also high. The complex patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation resulted in large differences of the genetic variation within plots. The average diversity increased from plots with only one deme to plots with two, four, and eight demes, respectively and separated plots with and without American aspen. To test whether intra- and interspecific diversity impacts on ecosystem services, arthropod abundance was determined. Increasing genetic diversity of aspen was related to increasing abundance of arthropods. However, the relationship was mainly driven by the presence of American aspen suggesting that species identity overrode the effect of intraspecific variation of European aspen. PMID:25674097

CPdock: the complementarity plot for docking of proteins: implementing multi-dielectric continuum electrostatics.

PubMed

Basu, Sankar

2017-12-07

The complementarity plot (CP) is an established validation tool for protein structures, applicable to both globular proteins (folding) as well as protein-protein complexes (binding). It computes the shape and electrostatic complementarities (S m , E m ) for amino acid side-chains buried within the protein interior or interface and plots them in a two-dimensional plot having knowledge-based probabilistic quality estimates for the residues as well as for the whole structure. The current report essentially presents an upgraded version of the plot with the implementation of the advanced multi-dielectric functionality (as in Delphi version 6.2 or higher) in the computation of electrostatic complementarity to make the validation tool physico-chemically more realistic. The two methods (single- and multi-dielectric) agree decently in their resultant E m values, and hence, provisions for both methods have been kept in the software suite. So to speak, the global electrostatic balance within a well-folded protein and/or a well-packed interface seems only marginally perturbed by the choice of different internal dielectric values. However, both from theoretical as well as practical grounds, the more advanced multi-dielectric version of the plot is certainly recommended for potentially producing more reliable results. The report also presents a new methodology and a variant plot, namely CP dock , based on the same principles of complementarity specifically designed to be used in the docking of proteins. The efficacy of the method to discriminate between good and bad docked protein complexes has been tested on a recent state-of-the-art docking benchmark. The results unambiguously indicate that CP dock can indeed be effective in the initial screening phase of a docking scoring pipeline before going into more sophisticated and computationally expensive scoring functions. CP dock has been made available at https://github.com/nemo8130/CPdock . Graphical Abstract An example showing the efficacy of CP dock to be used in the initial screening phase of a protein-protein docking scoring pipeline.

Prediction of lamb carcass composition by impedance spectroscopy.

PubMed

Altmann, M; Pliquett, U; Suess, R; von Borell, E

2004-03-01

The objective of this study was to compare impedance spectroscopy with resistance measurements at a single frequency (50 kHz) for the prediction of lamb carcass composition. The impedance spectrum is usually recorded by measuring the complex impedance at various frequencies (frequency domain); however, in this study, we also applied the faster and simpler measurement in the time domain (application of a current step and measurement of the voltage response). The study was carried out on 24 male, German Black-headed Mutton lambs with an average BW of 45 kg. Frequency- and time domain-based impedance measurements were collected at 20 min and 24 h postmortem with different electrode placements. Real and imaginary parts at various frequencies were calculated from the locus diagram. Left sides were dissected into lean, fat, and bone, and right sides were ground to determine actual carcass composition. Crude fat, crude protein, and moisture were chemically analyzed on ground samples. Frequency- and time domain-based measurements did not provide the same absolute impedance values; however, the high correlations (P < 0.001) between these methods for the "real parts" showed that they ranked individuals in the same order. Most of the time domain data correlated higher to carcass composition than did the frequency domain data. The real parts of impedance showed correlations between -0.37 (P > 0.05) and -0.74 (P < 0.001) to water, crude fat, lean, and fatty tissue, whereas the relations to CP were much lower (from 0.00 to -0.47, P < 0.05). Electrode placements at different locations did not substantially improve the correlations with carcass composition. The "imaginary parts" of impedance were not suitable for the prediction of carcass composition. The highest accuracy (R2 = 0.66) was reached for the estimation of crude fat percentage by a regression equation with the time domain-based impedance measured at 24 h postmortem. Furthermore, there was not a clear superiority of measurements in a wide frequency range over a single frequency measurement at 50 kHz for the prediction of carcass composition. Even though we calculated the impedance at 50 kHz based on the locus diagram, which allowed for a high precision for predicting this impedance trait, single-frequency impedance devices typically used in practice cannot record the locus diagram and, therefore, exhibit a greater amount of uncertainty.

Individual Component Map of Rotatory Strength (ICM-RS) and Rotatory Strength Density (RSD) plots as analysis tools of circular dicroism spectra of complex systems.

PubMed

Chang, Le; Baseggio, Oscar; Sementa, Luca; Cheng, Daojian; Fronzoni, Giovanna; Toffoli, Daniele; Aprà, Edoardo; Stener, Mauro; Fortunelli, Alessandro

2018-06-13

We introduce Individual Component Maps of Rotatory Strength (ICM-RS) and Rotatory Strength Density (RSD) plots as analysis tools of chiro-optical linear response spectra deriving from time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) simulations. ICM-RS and RSD allow one to visualize the origin of chiro-optical response in momentum or real space, including signed contributions and therefore highlighting cancellation terms that are ubiquitous in chirality phenomena, and should be especially useful in analyzing the spectra of complex systems. As test cases, we use ICM-RS and RSD to analyze circular dichroism spectra of selected (Ag-Au)30(SR)18 monolayer-protected metal nanoclusters, showing the potential of the proposed tools to derive insight and understanding, and eventually rational design, in chiro-optical studies of complex systems.

Nanostructured gold and platinum electrodes on silicon structures for biosensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ogurtsov, V. I.; Sheehan, M. M.

2005-01-01

Gold and platinum metal electrodes on Si/SiO2 having undergone anisotropic potassium hydroxide (KOH) etch treatment are considered. This treatment etches at different rates and directions in the material resulting in creation of numerous pyramid shaped holes in the silicon substrate. This surface is used to make metal electrodes with increased electrode efficiency. The electrodes can serve as the sensors or as the sensor substrates (for surface polymer modification) and because both gold and platinum are inert they have applications for food safety biosensing. Wine, an economically significant food product, was chosen as a matrix, and impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was selected as a method of investigation of electrode behaviour. Based on results of EIS, different complexity equivalent circuits were determined by applying fitting mean square root optimisation of sensor complex impedance measurements.

Monitoring of bacteria growth using a wireless, remote query resonant-circuit sensor: application to environmental sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ong, K. G.; Wang, J.; Singh, R. S.; Bachas, L. G.; Grimes, C. A.; Daunert, S. (Principal Investigator)

2001-01-01

A new technique is presented for in-vivo remote query measurement of the complex permittivity spectra of a biological culture solution. A sensor comprised of a printed inductor-capacitor resonant-circuit is placed within the culture solution of interest, with the impedance spectrum of the sensor measured using a remotely located loop antenna; the complex permittivity spectra of the culture is calculated from the measured impedance spectrum. The remote query nature of the sensor platform enables, for example, the in-vivo real-time monitoring of bacteria or yeast growth from within sealed opaque containers. The wireless monitoring technique does not require a specific alignment between sensor and antenna. Results are presented for studies conducted on laboratory strains of Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli JM109, Pseudomonas putida and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Changes in Mauna Kea Dry Forest Structure 2000-2014

USGS Publications Warehouse

Banko, Paul C.; Brinck, Kevin W.

2014-01-01

Changes in the structure of the subalpine vegetation of Palila Critical Habitat on the southwestern slope of Mauna Kea Volcano, Hawai‘i, were analyzed using 12 metrics of change in māmane (Sophora chrysophylla) and naio (Myoporum sandwicense) trees surveyed on plots in 2000 and 2014. These two dominant species were analyzed separately, and changes in their structure indicated changes in the forest’s health. There was a significant increase in māmane minimum crown height (indicating a higher ungulate “browse line”), canopy area, canopy volume, percentage of trees with ungulate damage, and percentage of dead trees. No significant changes were observed in māmane maximum crown height, proportion of plots with trees, sapling density, proportion of plots with saplings, or the height distribution of trees. The only significant positive change was for māmane tree density. Significantly negative changes were observed for naio minimum crown height, tree height, canopy area, canopy volume, and percentage of dead trees. No significant changes were observed in naio tree density, proportion of plots with trees, proportion of plots with saplings, or percentage of trees with ungulate damage. Significantly positive changes were observed in naio sapling density and the height distribution of trees. There was also a significant increase in the proportion of māmane vs. naio trees in the survey area. The survey methods did not allow us to distinguish among potential factors driving these changes for metrics other than the percentage of trees with ungulate damage. Continued ungulate browsing and prolonged drought are likely the factors contributing most to the observed changes in vegetation, but tree disease or insect infestation of māmane, or naio, and competition from alien grasses and other weeds could also be causing or exacerbating the impacts to the forest. Although māmane tree density has increased since 2000, this study also demonstrates that efforts by managers to remove sheep (Ovis spp.) from Palila Critical Habitat have not overcome the ability of sheep to continue to damage māmane trees and impede restoration of the vegetation.

Corrosion resistance of steel materials in LiCl-KCl melts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Le; Li, Bing; Shen, Miao; Li, Shi-yan; Yu, Jian-guo

2012-10-01

The corrosion behaviors of 304SS, 316LSS, and Q235A in LiCl-KCl melts were investigated at 450°C by Tafel curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). 316LSS shows the best corrosion resistance behaviors among the three materials, including the most positive corrosion potential and the smallest corrosion current from the Tafel curves and the largest electron transfer resistance from the Nyquist plots. The results are in good agreement with the weight losses in the static corrosion experiments for 45 h. This may be attributed to the better corrosion resistance of Mo and Ni existing as alloy elements in 316LSS, which exhibit the lower corrosion current densities and more positive corrosion potentials than 316LSS in the same melts.

Enhanced activity of CaFeMg layered double hydroxides-supported gold nanodendrites for the electrochemical evolution of oxygen and hydrogen in alkaline media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Havakeshian, Elaheh; Salavati, Hossein; Taei, Masoumeh; Hasheminasab, Fatemeh; Seddighi, Mohadeseh

2018-02-01

In this study, Au was electrodeposited on a support of CaFeMg layered double hydroxide and then, its catalytic activity was investigated for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Field emission scanning electron microscopy images showed that a uniform porous film of aggregated nano-particles of the LDH has been decorated with Au nanodendrite-like structures (AuNDs@LDH). The results obtained from polarization curves, Tafel plots and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that the AuNDs@LDH exhibits lower overpotential, higher current density, faster kinetics and enhanced stability for both of the OER and HER, in comparison with the single AuNPs and LDH catalysts.

Musical Preferences as a Function of Stimulus Complexity of Piano Jazz

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gordon, Josh; Gridley, Mark C.

2013-01-01

Seven excerpts of modern jazz piano improvisations were selected to represent a range of perceived complexities. Audio recordings of the excerpts were played for 27 listeners who were asked to indicate their level of enjoyment on 7-point scales. Indications of enjoyment followed an inverted-U when plotted against perceived complexity of the music.…

Influence of habitat structure and nature of substratum on limpet recruitment: Conservation implications for endangered species

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Espinosa, Free; Rivera-Ingraham, Georgina; García-Gómez, Jose C.

2011-08-01

Habitat complexity has been recognised to exert a significant influence on the abundance and diversity of benthic invertebrates. This issue is especially important for the management of endangered species. The recruitment of limpet species was monitored monthly for one year on natural and artificial surfaces. Control plots showed the highest mean number of species and individuals settled per plot, followed by rough then smooth plots. Control plots presented the highest mean diversity values followed by rough and smooth plots. Recruits of the endangered limpet Patella ferruginea were mainly observed during the spring, from April to June. Recruitment seemed to be influenced by both the heterogeneity and nature of the substratum. P. ferruginea repopulation programmes involving the translocation of recruits on experimental plates should be conducted using similar materials to the natural substratum, such as granite or limestone, rather than plastic, avoiding surfaces with low levels of heterogeneity, and taking into account that translocation of adults is not feasible due to the high mortality observed.

Simulated impedance of diffusion in porous media

DOE PAGES

Cooper, Samuel J.; Bertei, Antonio; Finegan, Donal P.; ...

2017-07-27

This paper describes the use of a frequency domain, finite-difference scheme to simulate the impedance spectra of diffusion in porous microstructures. We investigate both open and closed systems for a range of ideal geometries, as well as some randomly generated synthetic volumes and tomographically derived microstructural data. In many cases, the spectra deviate significantly from the conventional Warburg-type elements typically used to represent diffusion in equivalent circuit analysis. Furthermore, a key finding is that certain microstructures show multiple peaks in the complex plane, which may be misinterpreted as separate electrochemical processes in real impedance data. This is relevant to batterymore » electrode design as the techniques for nano-scale fabrication become more widespread. This simulation tool is provided as an open-source MatLab application and is freely available online as part of the TauFactor platform.« less

Comparison of different coil positions for ventilation monitoring with contact-less magnetic impedance measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cordes, A.; Pollig, D.; Leonhardt, S.

2010-04-01

For monitoring the health status of individuals, proper monitoring of ventilation is desirable. Therefore, a continuous measurement technique is an advantage for many patients since it allows personal home care scenarios. As an example, monitoring of elderly people at home could enable them to live in their familiar environment on their own with the safety of a continuous monitoring. Therefore, a measurement technique without the restriction of mobility is required. Since it is possible to monitor ventilation with magnetic impedance measurements without conductive contact, this technique is well suited for the mentioned scenario. Integrated in a chair, a person's health state could be monitored in many situations, e.g. during meals, while watching TV or reading a book. In this paper, we compare different positions of coil arrays for a magnetic impedance measurement system integrated in a chair in order to monitor ventilation continuously. For limiting the costs and technical complexity of the magnetic impedance measurement system, we have a focus on coil configurations with one RF channel. To limit the needed space and thickness of the array in the backrest, planar gradiometer coil setups are investigated. All measurements will be performed with a new developed portable magnetic impedance measurement system and a standard office chair.

Efficient Simultaneous Reconstruction of Time-Varying Images and Electrode Contact Impedances in Electrical Impedance Tomography.

PubMed

Boverman, Gregory; Isaacson, David; Newell, Jonathan C; Saulnier, Gary J; Kao, Tzu-Jen; Amm, Bruce C; Wang, Xin; Davenport, David M; Chong, David H; Sahni, Rakesh; Ashe, Jeffrey M

2017-04-01

In electrical impedance tomography (EIT), we apply patterns of currents on a set of electrodes at the external boundary of an object, measure the resulting potentials at the electrodes, and, given the aggregate dataset, reconstruct the complex conductivity and permittivity within the object. It is possible to maximize sensitivity to internal conductivity changes by simultaneously applying currents and measuring potentials on all electrodes but this approach also maximizes sensitivity to changes in impedance at the interface. We have, therefore, developed algorithms to assess contact impedance changes at the interface as well as to efficiently and simultaneously reconstruct internal conductivity/permittivity changes within the body. We use simple linear algebraic manipulations, the generalized singular value decomposition, and a dual-mesh finite-element-based framework to reconstruct images in real time. We are also able to efficiently compute the linearized reconstruction for a wide range of regularization parameters and to compute both the generalized cross-validation parameter as well as the L-curve, objective approaches to determining the optimal regularization parameter, in a similarly efficient manner. Results are shown using data from a normal subject and from a clinical intensive care unit patient, both acquired with the GE GENESIS prototype EIT system, demonstrating significantly reduced boundary artifacts due to electrode drift and motion artifact.

ELECTRIC IMPEDANCE OF NITELLA DURING ACTIVITY

PubMed Central

Cole, Kenneth S.; Curtis, Howard J.

1938-01-01

The changes in the alternating current impedance which occur during activity of cells of the fresh water plant Nitella have been measured with the current flow normal to the cell axis, at eight frequencies from 0.05 to 20 kilocycles per second, and with simultaneous records of the action potential under the impedance electrodes. At each frequency the resting cell was balanced in a Wheatstone bridge with a cathode ray oscillograph, and after electrical stimulation at one end of the cell, the changes in the complex impedance were determined from the bridge unbalance recorded by motion pictures of the oscillograph figure. An extension of the previous technique of interpretation of the transverse impedance shows that the normal membrane capacity of 0.9 µf./cm.2 decreases about 15 per cent without change of phase angle, while the membrane resistance decreases from 105 ohm cm.2 to about 500 ohm cm.2 during the passage of the excitation wave. This membrane change occurs during the latter part of the rising phase of the action potential, and it is shown that the membrane electromotive force remains unchanged until nearly the same time. The part of the action potential preceding these membrane changes is probably a passive fall of potential ahead of a partial short circuit. PMID:19873091

Low temperature synthesis and enhanced electrical properties by substitution of Al3+ and Cr3+ in Co-Ni nanoferrites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pervaiz, Erum; Gul, I. H.

2013-10-01

Aluminum and chromium substituted Co-Ni spinel nanoferrites were prepared by sol-gel auto combustion method. Structural parameters along with electrical and magnetic properties have been investigated in the present work. Crystallite sizes of nano ferrite estimated from the peak (311) lies in the range of 13-21 nm ±2 nm and compared with crystallite sizes calculated from Williamsons-Hall plots. DC electrical resistivity variations due to the concentration of aluminum and chromium in the host ferrite have been measured from 368 K to 573 K. Increase in the room temperature DC electrical resistivity was observed up to a concentration x=0.2 and then decreases for x >0.2. Dielectric parameters (real and imaginary part of complex permittivity, dielectric loss tangent) were studied as a function of frequency (20 Hz-5 MHz) and a decrease in the dielectric parameters was observed due to substitution of nickel, aluminum and chromium ions in cobalt nanoferrites. AC conductivity, complex impedance and complex electrical modulus were studied as a function of frequency for the conduction and relaxation mechanisms in the present ferrite system. Saturation magnetization, coercivity, canting angles and magneto crystalline anisotropy variations with composition were observed and presented for the present ferrites under an applied magnetic field of 10 kOe at room temperature. It was found that both magnetization and coercivity decreases with increase in the concentration of aluminum and chromium along with a decrease in the anisotropy parameters. High DC resistivity with low dielectric parameters of the present nanoferrites make them suitable for high frequency and electromagnetic wave absorbing devices. High purity mixed Co-Ni-Al-Cr nanoferrites have been prepared by sol-gel auto combustion method. DC electrical resistivity increases due to substitution of Al3+ and Cr3+. Complex permittivity decrease for Co-Ni-Al-Cr nanoferrites. Detailed AC response analysis has been presented for mixed Co-Ni-Al-Cr nanoferrites. Magnetization and coercively reduces for Al3+ and Cr3+ doped Co-Ni ferrite nanoparticles showing that material is becoming soft magnetic.

Equivalent complex conductivities representing the effects of T-tubules and folded surface membranes on the electrical admittance and impedance of skeletal muscles measured by external-electrode method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sekine, Katsuhisa

2017-12-01

In order to represent the effects of T-tubules and folded surface membranes on the electrical admittance and impedance of skeletal muscles measured by the external-electrode method, analytical relations for the equivalent complex conductivities of hypothetical smooth surface membranes were derived. In the relations, the effects of each tubule were represented by the admittance of a straight cable. The effects of the folding of a surface membrane were represented by the increased area of surface membranes. The equivalent complex conductivities were represented as summation of these effects, and the effects of the T-tubules were different between the transversal and longitudinal directions. The validity of the equivalent complex conductivities was supported by the results of finite-difference method (FDM) calculations made using three-dimensional models in which T-tubules and folded surface membranes were represented explicitly. FDM calculations using the equivalent complex conductivities suggested that the electrically inhomogeneous structure due to the existence of muscle cells with T-tubules was sufficient for explaining the experimental results previously obtained using the external-electrode method. Results of FDM calculations in which the structural changes caused by muscle contractions were taken into account were consistent with the reported experimental results.

Single-Molecule Spectroscopy Unmasks the Lowest Exciton State of the B850 Assembly in LH2 from Rps. acidophila

PubMed Central

Kunz, Ralf; Timpmann, Kõu; Southall, June; Cogdell, Richard J.; Freiberg, Arvi; Köhler, Jürgen

2014-01-01

We have recorded fluorescence-excitation and emission spectra from single LH2 complexes from Rhodopseudomonas (Rps.) acidophila. Both types of spectra show strong temporal spectral fluctuations that can be visualized as spectral diffusion plots. Comparison of the excitation and emission spectra reveals that for most of the complexes the lowest exciton transition is not observable in the excitation spectra due to the cutoff of the detection filter characteristics. However, from the spectral diffusion plots we have the full spectral and temporal information at hand and can select those complexes for which the excitation spectra are complete. Correlating the red most spectral feature of the excitation spectrum with the blue most spectral feature of the emission spectrum allows an unambiguous assignment of the lowest exciton state. Hence, application of fluorescence-excitation and emission spectroscopy on the same individual LH2 complex allows us to decipher spectral subtleties that are usually hidden in traditional ensemble spectroscopy. PMID:24806933

Manufacturing complexity analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Delionback, L. M.

1977-01-01

The analysis of the complexity of a typical system is presented. Starting with the subsystems of an example system, the step-by-step procedure for analysis of the complexity of an overall system is given. The learning curves for the various subsystems are determined as well as the concurrent numbers of relevant design parameters. Then trend curves are plotted for the learning curve slopes versus the various design-oriented parameters, e.g. number of parts versus slope of learning curve, or number of fasteners versus slope of learning curve, etc. Representative cuts are taken from each trend curve, and a figure-of-merit analysis is made for each of the subsystems. Based on these values, a characteristic curve is plotted which is indicative of the complexity of the particular subsystem. Each such characteristic curve is based on a universe of trend curve data taken from data points observed for the subsystem in question. Thus, a characteristic curve is developed for each of the subsystems in the overall system.

Equivalent circuit for the characterization of the resonance mode in piezoelectric systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernández-Afonso, Y.; García-Zaldívar, O.; Calderón-Piñar, F.

2015-12-01

The impedance properties in polarized piezoelectric can be described by electric equivalent circuits. The classic circuit used in the literature to describe real systems is formed by one resistor (R), one inductance (L) and one capacitance C connected in series and one capacity (C0) connected in parallel with the formers. Nevertheless, the equation that describe the resonance and anti-resonance frequencies depends on a complex manner of R, L, C and C0. In this work is proposed a simpler model formed by one inductance (L) and one capacity (C) in series; one capacity (C0) in parallel; one resistor (RP) in parallel and one resistor (RS) in series with other components. Unlike the traditional circuit, the equivalent circuit elements in the proposed model can be simply determined by knowing the experimental values of the resonance frequency fr, anti-resonance frequency fa, impedance module at resonance frequency |Zr|, impedance module at anti-resonance frequency |Za| and low frequency capacitance C0, without fitting the impedance experimental data to the obtained equation.

Large improvement of the electrical impedance of imaging and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) phased arrays using multilayer piezoelectric ceramics coupled in lateral mode.

PubMed

Song, Junho; Lucht, Benjamin; Hynynen, Kullervo

2012-07-01

With a change in phased-array configuration from one dimension to two, the electrical impedance of the array elements is substantially increased because of their decreased width (w)-to-thickness (t) ratio. The most common way to compensate for this impedance increase is to employ electrical matching circuits at a high cost of fabrication complexity and effort. In this paper, we introduce a multilayer lateral-mode coupling method for phased-array construction. The direct comparison showed that the electrical impedance of a single-layer transducer driven in thickness mode is 1/(n²(1/(w/t))²) times that of an n-layer lateral mode transducer. A large reduction of the electrical impedance showed the impact and benefit of the lateral-mode coupling method. A one-dimensional linear 32-element 770-kHz imaging array and a 42-element 1.45-MHz high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) phased array were fabricated. The averaged electrical impedances of each element were measured to be 58 Ω at the maximum phase angle of -1.2° for the imaging array and 105 Ω at 0° for the HIFU array. The imaging array had a center frequency of 770 kHz with an averaged -6-dB bandwidth of approximately 52%. For the HIFU array, the averaged maximum surface acoustic intensity was measured to be 32.8 W/cm² before failure.

A method for analyzing temporal patterns of variability of a time series from Poincare plots.

PubMed

Fishman, Mikkel; Jacono, Frank J; Park, Soojin; Jamasebi, Reza; Thungtong, Anurak; Loparo, Kenneth A; Dick, Thomas E

2012-07-01

The Poincaré plot is a popular two-dimensional, time series analysis tool because of its intuitive display of dynamic system behavior. Poincaré plots have been used to visualize heart rate and respiratory pattern variabilities. However, conventional quantitative analysis relies primarily on statistical measurements of the cumulative distribution of points, making it difficult to interpret irregular or complex plots. Moreover, the plots are constructed to reflect highly correlated regions of the time series, reducing the amount of nonlinear information that is presented and thereby hiding potentially relevant features. We propose temporal Poincaré variability (TPV), a novel analysis methodology that uses standard techniques to quantify the temporal distribution of points and to detect nonlinear sources responsible for physiological variability. In addition, the analysis is applied across multiple time delays, yielding a richer insight into system dynamics than the traditional circle return plot. The method is applied to data sets of R-R intervals and to synthetic point process data extracted from the Lorenz time series. The results demonstrate that TPV complements the traditional analysis and can be applied more generally, including Poincaré plots with multiple clusters, and more consistently than the conventional measures and can address questions regarding potential structure underlying the variability of a data set.

A new method to assess skin treatments for lowering the impedance and noise of individual gelled Ag-AgCl electrodes.

PubMed

Piervirgili, G; Petracca, F; Merletti, R

2014-10-01

A model-based new procedure for measuring the single electrode-gel-skin impedance (ZEGS) is presented. The method is suitable for monitoring the contact impedance of the electrodes of a large array with limited modifications of the hardware and without removing or disconnecting the array from the amplifier. The procedure is based on multiple measurements between electrode pairs and is particularly suitable for electrode arrays. It has been applied to study the effectiveness of three skin treatments, with respect to no treatment, for reducing the electrode-gel-skin impedance (ZEGS) and noise: (i) rubbing with alcohol; (ii) rubbing with abrasive conductive paste; (iii) stripping with adhesive tape. The complex impedances ZEGS of the individual electrodes were measured by applying this procedure to disposable commercial Ag-AgCl gelled electrode arrays (4  ×  1) with a 5 mm(2) contact area. The impedance unbalance ΔZ = ZEGS1 - ZEGS2 and the RMS noise (VRMS) were measured between pairs of electrodes. The tissue impedance ZT was also obtained, as a collateral result. Measurements were repeated at t0 = 0 min and at t30 = 30 min from the electrode application. Mixed linear models and linear regression analysis applied to ZEGS, ΔZ and noise VRMS for the skin treatment factor demonstrated (a) that skin rubbing with abrasive conductive paste is more effective in lowering ZEGS, ΔZ and VRMS (p < 0.01) than the other treatments or no treatment, and (b) a statistically significant decrement (p < 0.01), between t0 and t30, of magnitude and phase of ZEGS.Rubbing with abrasive conductive paste significantly decreased the noise VRMS with respect to other treatments or no treatment.

Electrical properties and scaling behaviour of rare earth based Ho{sub 2}CoZrO{sub 6} double perovskite ceramics

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

Mahato, Dev K., E-mail: drdevkumar@yahoo.com; Dutta, Alo; Sinha, T.P.

2012-12-15

Graphical abstract: The X-ray diffraction analysis suggests that the compound crystallizes in monoclinic phase at room temperature with β = 108.51 ± 0.021° (a = 8.1858 ± 0.0023 Å, b = 5.2599 ± 0.0027 Å, c = 7.9874 ± 0.0031 Å) and cell volume = 324.17 Å{sup 3}. The SEM image indicates the uniformity of the grains in the samples. The grain size of the microstructure of HCZ is found to be ∼0.48 μm on average. Display Omitted Highlights: ► The conduction mechanism in HCZ may be due to hopping of small polaron. ► The material shows semiconducting behaviour. ►more » Conductivity obeys Jonscher's power law with high frequency dispersion. ► Both long-range and localized relaxation are present. -- Abstract: The Ho{sub 2}CoZrO{sub 6} (HCZ) double perovskite has been prepared in polycrystalline form by solid state reaction technique. The analysis of the X-ray powder diffraction pattern indicates that the crystal structure is monoclinic at room temperature with cell parameters a = 8.1858 ± 0.0023 Å, b = 5.2599 ± 0.0027 Å, c = 7.9874 ± 0.0031 Å and β = 108.51 ± 0.021°. The compound shows significant frequency dispersion in its dielectric properties. The Cole–Cole model is used to determine the polydispersive nature of dielectric relaxation. The scaling behaviour of dielectric loss and imaginary electric modulus suggest that the relaxation describe same mechanism at various temperatures. Impedance data presented in the Nyquist plot (Z″ versus Z′) are used to identify an equivalent circuit and to know the bulk and interface contributions. The complex impedance analysis of HCZ exhibits the appearance of both the grain and the grain-boundary contribution. The frequency dependent conductivity spectra follow the universal power law. The magnitude of the activation energy indicates that the carrier transport is due to the hopping conduction.« less

Screening Adhesively Bonded Single-Lap-Joint Testing Results Using Nonlinear Calculation Parameters

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-01

versus displacement response for single-lap-joints bonded with damage-tolerant adhe- sives, such the polyurea adhesive plotted in Figure 2, is much...displacement response for a single-lap-joint bonded with a polyurea adhesive. Complex x-y plots are commonly fitted using the Levenberg-Marquardt...expected decrease in maximum strength for the polyurea in compar- ison to the epoxy, which could have been obtained using a traditional analysis approach

Analysis of LDPE-ZnO-clay nanocomposites using novel cumulative rheological parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kracalik, Milan

2017-05-01

Polymer nanocomposites exhibit complex rheological behaviour due to physical and also possibly chemical interactions between individual phases. Up to now, rheology of dispersive polymer systems has been usually described by evaluation of viscosity curve (shear thinning phenomenon), storage modulus curve (formation of secondary plateau) or plotting information about dumping behaviour (e.g. Van Gurp-Palmen-plot, comparison of loss factor tan δ). On the contrary to evaluation of damping behaviour, values of cot δ were calculated and called as "storage factor", analogically to loss factor. Then values of storage factor were integrated over specific frequency range and called as "cumulative storage factor". In this contribution, LDPE-ZnO-clay nanocomposites with different dispersion grades (physical networks) have been prepared and characterized by both conventional as well as novel analysis approach. Next to cumulative storage factor, further cumulative rheological parameters like cumulative complex viscosity, cumulative complex modulus or cumulative storage modulus have been introduced.

Study of the longitudinal space charge compensation and longitudinal instability of the ferrite inductive inserts in the Los Alamos Proton Storage Ring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beltran, Chris

Future high intensity synchrotrons will have a large space charge effect. It has been demonstrated in the Proton Storage Ring (PSR) at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) that ferrite inductive inserts can be used to compensate for the longitudinal space charge effect. However, simply installing ferrite inductors in the PSR led to longitudinal instabilities that were not tolerable. It was proposed that heating the ferrite would change the material properties in such a way as to reduce the instability. This proposal was tested in the PSR, and found to be true. This dissertation investigates and describes the complex permeability of the ferrite at room temperature and at an elevated temperature. The derived complex permeability is then used to obtain an impedance at the two temperatures. The impedance is used to determine the amount of space charge compensation supplied by the inductors and predict the growth time and frequency range of the longitudinal instability. The impedance is verified by comparing the experimental growth time and frequency range of the longitudinal instability to theoretical and computer simulated growth times and frequency ranges of the longitudinal instability. Lastly, an approach to mitigating the longitudinal instability that does not involve heating the ferrite is explored.

Design and fabrication of a 40-MHz annular array transducer

PubMed Central

Ketterling, Jeffrey A.; Lizzi, Frederic L.; Aristizábal, Orlando; Turnbull, Daniel H.

2006-01-01

This paper investigates the feasibility of fabricating a 5-ring, focused annular array transducer operating at 40 MHz. The active piezoelectric material of the transducer was a 9-μm thick polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film. One side of the PVDF was metallized with gold and forms the ground plane of the transducer. The array pattern of the transducer and electrical traces to each annulus were formed on a copper-clad polyimide film. The PVDF and polyimide were bonded with a thin layer of epoxy, pressed into a spherically curved shape, and then back filled with epoxy. A 5-ring transducer with equal area elements and 100 μm kerfs between annuli was fabricated and tested. The transducer had a total aperture of 6 mm and a geometric focus of 12 mm. The pulse/echo response from a quartz plate located at the geometric focus, two-way insertion loss (IL), complex impedance, electrical cross-talk, and lateral beamwidth were all measured for each annulus. The complex impedance data from each element were used to perform electrical matching and the measurements were repeated. After impedance matching, fc ≈ 36 MHz and BWs ranged from 31 to 39%. The ILs for the matched annuli ranged from −28 to −38 dB. PMID:16060516

Dielectric relaxation behavior and impedance studies of Cu2+ ion doped Mg - Zn spinel nanoferrites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choudhary, Pankaj; Varshney, Dinesh

2018-03-01

Cu2+ substituted Mg - Zn nanoferrites is synthesized by low temperature fired sol gel auto combustion method. The spinel nature of nanoferrites was confirmed by lab x-ray technique. Williamson - Hall (W-H) analysis estimate the average crystallite size (22.25-29.19 ± 3 nm) and micro strain induced Mg0.5Zn0.5-xCuxFe2O4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5). Raman scattering measurements confirm presence of four active phonon modes. Red shift is observed with enhanced Cu concentration. Dielectric parameters exhibit a non - monotonous dispersion with Cu concentration and interpreted with the support of hopping mechanism and Maxwell-Wagner type of interfacial polarization. The ac conductivity of nanoferrites increases with raising the frequency. Complex electrical modulus reveals a non - Debye type of dielectric relaxation present in nanoferrites. Reactive impedance (Z″) detected an anomalous behavior and is related with resonance effect. Complex impedance demonstrates one semicircle corresponding to the intergrain (grain boundary) resistance and also explains conducting nature of nanoferrites. For x = 0.2, a large semicircle is observed revealing the ohmic nature (minimum potential drop at electrode surface). Dielectric properties were improved for nanoferrites with x = 0.2 and is due to high dielectric constant, conductivity and minimum loss value (∼0.009) at 1 MHz.

A critical analysis of single-frequency LCR databridge impedance measurements of human skin.

PubMed

White, Erick A; Orazem, Mark E; Bunge, Annette L

2011-06-01

Testing whether the barrier of skin samples has sufficient integrity for meaningful measurements of in-vitro chemical permeability is usually required when data are generated for regulatory purposes. Recently, skin integrity has been assessed using LCR databridge measurements, which are reported as resistances determined in either series (SER) or parallel (PAR) modes at a single frequency, typically 100 or 1000Hz. Measurements made at different combinations of mode and frequency are known to differ, although the skin literature reveals confusion over the meaning of these differences and the impact on the interpretation of integrity test results. Here, the theoretical meanings of resistance and capacitance measurements in PAR and SER mode are described and confirmed experimentally. SER-mode resistances are equal to the real part of the complex impedance; whereas, PAR-mode resistances are the inverse of the real part of the admittance. Capacitance measurements reported in SER and PAR modes are similar manipulations of the imaginary parts of the complex impedance and admittance. A large body of data from human cadaver skin is used to show that the PAR-mode resistance and SER-mode capacitance measured at 100Hz are sensitive to skin resistivity, which is the electrical measurement most closely related to skin integrity. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structural and Optoelectronic Properties of SnO2 Thin Films Doped by Group-Ia Elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benhebal, Hadj; Benrabah, Bedhiaf; Ammari, Aek; Madoune, Yacine; Lambert, Stéphanie D.

This paper presents the results of an experimental work devoted to the synthesis and the characterization of tin dioxide (SnO2) thin layers doped with group-IA elements (Li, Na and K). The materials were synthesized by the sol-gel method and deposited by dip-coating, using tin (II) chloride dihydrate as a source of tin and absolute ethyl alcohol as solvent. Thin films prepared were characterized by several techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR), visible and ultraviolet spectroscopy and complex impedance method. The results obtained show that the materials kept their tetragonal rutile structure with preferred orientation of (101), whereas doping leads to a reduction of their energy band gap. The complex impedance analysis suggests that the different processes occurring at the electrode interface are modeled by an electrical circuit not affected by the doping.

Workplace statistical literacy for teachers: interpreting box plots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pierce, Robyn; Chick, Helen

2013-06-01

As a consequence of the increased use of data in workplace environments, there is a need to understand the demands that are placed on users to make sense of such data. In education, teachers are being increasingly expected to interpret and apply complex data about student and school performance, and, yet it is not clear that they always have the appropriate knowledge and experience to interpret the graphs, tables and other data that they receive. This study examined the statistical literacy demands placed on teachers, with a particular focus on box plot representations. Although box plots summarise the data in a way that makes visual comparisons possible across sets of data, this study showed that teachers do not always have the necessary fluency with the representation to describe correctly how the data are distributed in the representation. In particular, a significant number perceived the size of the regions of the box plot to be depicting frequencies rather than density, and there were misconceptions associated with outlying data that were not displayed on the plot. As well, teachers' perceptions of box plots were found to relate to three themes: attitudes, perceived value and misconceptions.

Multiscale Poincaré plots for visualizing the structure of heartbeat time series.

PubMed

Henriques, Teresa S; Mariani, Sara; Burykin, Anton; Rodrigues, Filipa; Silva, Tiago F; Goldberger, Ary L

2016-02-09

Poincaré delay maps are widely used in the analysis of cardiac interbeat interval (RR) dynamics. To facilitate visualization of the structure of these time series, we introduce multiscale Poincaré (MSP) plots. Starting with the original RR time series, the method employs a coarse-graining procedure to create a family of time series, each of which represents the system's dynamics in a different time scale. Next, the Poincaré plots are constructed for the original and the coarse-grained time series. Finally, as an optional adjunct, color can be added to each point to represent its normalized frequency. We illustrate the MSP method on simulated Gaussian white and 1/f noise time series. The MSP plots of 1/f noise time series reveal relative conservation of the phase space area over multiple time scales, while those of white noise show a marked reduction in area. We also show how MSP plots can be used to illustrate the loss of complexity when heartbeat time series from healthy subjects are compared with those from patients with chronic (congestive) heart failure syndrome or with atrial fibrillation. This generalized multiscale approach to Poincaré plots may be useful in visualizing other types of time series.

The diagnostic accuracy of multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis in diagnosing dehydration after stroke

PubMed Central

Kafri, Mohannad W.; Myint, Phyo Kyaw; Doherty, Danielle; Wilson, Alexander Hugh; Potter, John F.; Hooper, Lee

2013-01-01

Background Non-invasive methods for detecting water-loss dehydration following acute stroke would be clinically useful. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA) against reference standards serum osmolality and osmolarity. Material/Methods Patients admitted to an acute stroke unit were recruited. Blood samples for electrolytes and osmolality were taken within 20 minutes of MF-BIA. Total body water (TBW%), intracellular (ICW%) and extracellular water (ECW%), as percentages of total body weight, were calculated by MF-BIA equipment and from impedance measures using published equations for older people. These were compared to hydration status (based on serum osmolality and calculated osmolarity). The most promising Receiver Operating Characteristics curves were plotted. Results 27 stroke patients were recruited (mean age 71.3, SD10.7). Only a TBW% cut-off at 46% was consistent with current dehydration (serum osmolality >300 mOsm/kg) and TBW% at 47% impending dehydration (calculated osmolarity ≥295–300 mOsm/L) with sensitivity and specificity both >60%. Even here diagnostic accuracy of MF-BIA was poor, a third of those with dehydration were wrongly classified as hydrated and a third classified as dehydrated were well hydrated. Secondary analyses assessing diagnostic accuracy of TBW% for men and women separately, and using TBW as a percentage of lean body mass showed some promise, but did not provide diagnostically accurate measures across the population. Conclusions MF-BIA appears ineffective at diagnosing water-loss dehydration after stroke and cannot be recommended as a test for dehydration, but separating assessment by sex, and using TBW as a percentage of lean body weight may warrant further investigation. PMID:23839255

Effect of Inhibitor Agents Addition on Corrosion Resistance Performance of Titania Sol-Gel Coatings Applied on 304 Stainless Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shanaghi, Ali; Chu, Paul K.; Moradi, Hadi

Hybrid organic-inorganic coatings are deposited on 304 stainless steel substrates by the sol-gel technique to improve the corrosion resistance. A titania-based nanostructured hybrid sol-gel coating is impregnated with three different microencapsulated healing agents (inhibitors) including cerium, Benzotriazole (BTA), and 8-Hydroxyquinoline (8H). Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) are performed to investigate the barrier performance properties. The optimum conditions to achieve corrosion protective coatings for 304 stainless steel were determined. The Nyquist plots demonstrate that the activation time of the coating containing 8H as an organic healing agent shows improved behavior when compared to other coatings including cerium and BTA. Cerium as an inorganic healing agent is second and BTA is third and minimum. An increase in the impedance parameters such as resistance and capacitance as a function of immersion time is achieved in a 3.5wt.% NaCl solution by using healing agents such as BTA. Actually, over the course of immersion, the barrier performance behavior of the coatings changes and reduction of the impedance observed from the coatings containing Ce and 8H discloses deterioration of the protection system after immersion for 96h of immersion in the 3.5% NaCl solution. However, after 96h of immersion time, the concentration of chloride ions is high and causes increase in defects, micro cracks, hole on the surface of hybrid titania nanostructured coating containing Ce and 8H by destruction of coating, and also hybrid titania nanostructured coating containing BTA; BTA is released from coating to improve the resistance of passive film, which is created on the surface.

Evaluation of inorganic zinc-rich primers using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) in combination with atmospheric exposure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Calle, Luz M.

1994-01-01

This investigation explored the use of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) in combination with atmospheric exposure as a short term method for analyzing the performance of twenty-one commercially available zinc-rich primers. The twenty-one zinc-rich primers were: Carboline CZ-11, Ameron Devoe-Marine Catha-Coat 304, Briner V-65, Ameron D-21-9, Sherwin Williams Zinc Clad II, Carboline CZ-D7, Ameron D-4, Dupont Ganicin 347WB, Porter TQ-4374H, Inorganic Coatings IC-531, Subox Galvanox IV, Southern Coatings Chemtec 600, GLidden Glidzinc 5530, Byco SP-101, Tnemec 90E-75, Devoe Catha-Coat 302H, Glidden Glidzinc 5536, Koppers 701, Ameron D-21-5, Coronado 935-152, and Subox Galvanox V. Data were also collected on galvanized steel for comparison purposes. A library of Bode magnitude plots was generated for each coating including curves for the initial time and after each week of atmospheric exposure at the Beach Corrosion Test site near the Space Shuttle launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center for up to four weeks. Subsequent measurements were collected after 8 weeks and after one year of atmospheric exposure. Analysis of the impedance data was performed with the purpose of identifying parameters that could be used to predict the long-term performance of zinc-rich primers. It has been shown that there is a correlation between the long-term performance of zinc-rich primers and several parameters obtained from EIS measurements in combination with atmospheric exposure. The equivalent circuit R2(R2C(R3W)) provided a satisfactory fit for the EIS data. The corrosion potential and the R2 resistance are parameters indicative of the galvanic mechanism of protection. The capacitance of the coating is related to the barrier mechanism of protection.

Electron transport properties of bis[2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-pyridine]beryllium investigated by impedance spectroscopy

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

Wang, Yanping; Chen, Jiangshan; Huang, Jinying

2014-06-14

The electron transport properties of bis[2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-pyridine] beryllium (Bepp{sub 2}) are investigated by impedance spectroscopy over a frequency range of 10 Hz to 13 MHz. The Cole-Cole plots demonstrate that the Bepp{sub 2}-based device can be represented by a single parallel resistance R{sub p} and capacitance C{sub p} network with a series resistance R{sub s}. The current-voltage characteristics and the variation of R{sub p} with applied bias voltage indicate the electron conduction of space-charge-limited current with exponential trap distributions in Bepp{sub 2}. It can be seen that the electron mobility exhibits strong field-dependence in low electric field region and almost saturate in highmore » electric field region. It is experimentally found that Bepp{sub 2} shows dispersion transport and becomes weak as the electric field increases. The activation energy is determined to be 0.043 eV by temperature-dependent conductivity, which is consistent with the result obtained from the temperature-dependent current density characteristics. The electron mobility reaches the orders of 10{sup −6}–10{sup −5} cm{sup 2} V{sup −1} s{sup −1}, depending on the electric field.« less

A Meier-Gorlin syndrome mutation in a conserved C-terminal helix of Orc6 impedes origin recognition complex formation.

PubMed

Bleichert, Franziska; Balasov, Maxim; Chesnokov, Igor; Nogales, Eva; Botchan, Michael R; Berger, James M

2013-10-08

In eukaryotes, DNA replication requires the origin recognition complex (ORC), a six-subunit assembly that promotes replisome formation on chromosomal origins. Despite extant homology between certain subunits, the degree of structural and organizational overlap between budding yeast and metazoan ORC has been unclear. Using 3D electron microscopy, we determined the subunit organization of metazoan ORC, revealing that it adopts a global architecture very similar to the budding yeast complex. Bioinformatic analysis extends this conservation to Orc6, a subunit of somewhat enigmatic function. Unexpectedly, a mutation in the Orc6 C-terminus linked to Meier-Gorlin syndrome, a dwarfism disorder, impedes proper recruitment of Orc6 into ORC; biochemical studies reveal that this region of Orc6 associates with a previously uncharacterized domain of Orc3 and is required for ORC function and MCM2-7 loading in vivo. Together, our results suggest that Meier-Gorlin syndrome mutations in Orc6 impair the formation of ORC hexamers, interfering with appropriate ORC functions. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00882.001.

Wideband characterization of the complex wave number and characteristic impedance of sound absorbers.

PubMed

Salissou, Yacoubou; Panneton, Raymond

2010-11-01

Several methods for measuring the complex wave number and the characteristic impedance of sound absorbers have been proposed in the literature. These methods can be classified into single frequency and wideband methods. In this paper, the main existing methods are revisited and discussed. An alternative method which is not well known or discussed in the literature while exhibiting great potential is also discussed. This method is essentially an improvement of the wideband method described by Iwase et al., rewritten so that the setup is more ISO 10534-2 standard-compliant. Glass wool, melamine foam and acoustical/thermal insulator wool are used to compare the main existing wideband non-iterative methods with this alternative method. It is found that, in the middle and high frequency ranges the alternative method yields results that are comparable in accuracy to the classical two-cavity method and the four-microphone transfer-matrix method. However, in the low frequency range, the alternative method appears to be more accurate than the other methods, especially when measuring the complex wave number.

Thinking Forbidden Thoughts: The Oedipus Complex as a Complex of Knowing.

PubMed

Schein, Michael

2016-04-01

The Oedipus complex, considered by Freud the "nuclear complex of development," played a central role in the evolution of psychoanalytic thought. This paper returns to the point of transition from the seduction theory, Freud's initial theorem, to the oedipal model, and suggests that the Oedipus complex is first and foremost a text and as such contains a multiplicity of narratives. In particular, the author articulates the close relation between the Oedipus complex and the subject of knowing, postulating that underlying its surface level, the deep-level structure of this complex is one of knowing. As a complex of knowing it is of dual quality, both promoting and impeding the ability to know.

Dielectric and impedance spectral characteristics of bulk ZnIn2Se4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Nahass, M. M.; Attia, A. A.; Salem, G. F.; Ali, H. A. M.; Ismail, M. I.

2014-02-01

The frequency and temperature dependence of ac conductivity, dielectric constant and dielectric loss of ZnIn2Se4 in a pellet form were investigated in the frequency range of 102-106 Hz and temperature range of 293-356 K. The behavior of ac conductivity was interpreted by the correlated barrier hopping (CBH) model. Temperature dependence of ac conductivity indicates that ac conduction is a thermally activated process. The density of localized states N(EF) and ac activation energy were estimated for various frequencies. Dielectric constant and dielectric loss showed a decrease with increasing frequency and an increase with increasing in temperature. The frequency dependence of real and imaginary parts of the complex impedance was investigated. The relaxation time decreases with the increase in temperature. The impedance spectrum exhibits the appearance of the single semicircular arc. The radius of semicircular arcs decreases with increasing temperature which suggests a mechanism of temperature-dependent on relaxation.

Development of an Inductively Coupled Thermometer for a Cryogenic Half-Wave Plate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madurowicz, Alexander; Kusaka, Akito

2017-01-01

The current state of Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) research has focused much attention on the measurement of polarization. In an effort to modulate the CMB polarization while also minimizing photon noise due to thermal emission, we are developing a sapphire half-wave plate (HWP) cooled to 50 K rotating at 2 Hz on a superconducting magnetic levitating bearing. In order to measure the temperature of the rotor without making physical contact, we designed an inductively coupled cryogenic thermometer. The complex impedance of the circuit has a resonant peak when driven around 1 MHz. The width of this resonance is dependent on the value of the resistor, which varies with temperature and functions as a thermometer once calibrated. In this talk, we will present results from stationary measurements of this impedance and discuss the temperature accuracy of this thermometer, as well as a preliminary circuit design to measure this impedance during the HWP rotation.

High frequency lateral flow affinity assay using superparamagnetic nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lago-Cachón, D.; Rivas, M.; Martínez-García, J. C.; Oliveira-Rodríguez, M.; Blanco-López, M. C.; García, J. A.

2017-02-01

Lateral flow assay is one of the simplest and most extended techniques in medical diagnosis for point-of-care testing. Although it has been traditionally a positive/negative test, some work has been lately done to add quantitative abilities to lateral flow assay. One of the most successful strategies involves magnetic beads and magnetic sensors. Recently, a new technique of superparamagnetic nanoparticle detection has been reported, based on the increase of the impedance induced by the nanoparticles on a RF-current carrying copper conductor. This method requires no external magnetic field, which reduces the system complexity. In this work, nitrocellulose membranes have been installed on the sensor, and impedance measurements have been carried out during the sample diffusion by capillarity along the membrane. The impedance of the sensor changes because of the presence of magnetic nanoparticles. The results prove the potentiality of the method for point-of-care testing of biochemical substances and nanoparticle capillarity flow studies.

High-Tc Superconducting Bolometer Noise Measurement Using Low Noise Transformers - Theory and Optimization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aslam, Shahid; Jones, Hollis H.

2011-01-01

Care must always be taken when performing noise measurements on high-Tc superconducting materials to ensure that the results are not from the measurement system itself. One situation likely to occur is with low noise transformers. One of the least understood devices, it provides voltage gain for low impedance inputs (< 100 ), e.g., YBaCuO and GdBaCuO thin films, with comparatively lower noise levels than other devices for instance field effect and bipolar junction transistors. An essential point made in this paper is that because of the complex relationships between the transformer ports, input impedance variance alters the transformer s transfer function in particular, the low frequency cutoff shift. The transfer of external and intrinsic transformer noise to the output along with optimization and precautions are treated; all the while, we will cohesively connect the transfer function shift, the load impedance, and the actual noise at the transformer output.

Difference in electrodynamic transduction between speaker and alternator in thermoacoustic applications.

PubMed

Gonen, Eran; Grossman, Gershon

2015-09-01

Conventional reciprocating pistons, normally found in thermoacoustic engines, tend to introduce complex impedance characteristics, including acoustic, mechanical, and electrical portions. System behavior and performance usually rely on proper tuning processes and selection of an optimal point of operation, affected substantially by complementary hardware, typically adjusted for the specific application. The present study proposes an alternative perspective on the alternator behavior, by considering the relative motion between gas and piston during the engine mode of operation. Direct analytical derivation of the velocity distribution inside a tight seal gap and the associated impedance is employed to estimate the electro-acoustic conversion efficiency, thus indicating how to improve the system performance. The influence of acoustic phase, gap dimensions, and working conditions is examined, suggesting the need to develop tighter and longer seal gaps, having increased impedance, to allow optimization for use in upcoming sustainable power generation solutions and smart grids.

The application of dual-electrode through vial impedance spectroscopy for the determination of ice interface temperatures, primary drying rate and vial heat transfer coefficient in lyophilization process development.

PubMed

Smith, Geoff; Jeeraruangrattana, Yowwares; Ermolina, Irina

2018-06-22

Through vial impedance spectroscopy (TVIS) is a product non-invasive process analytical technology which exploits the frequency dependence of the complex impedance spectrum of a composite object (i.e. the freeze-drying vial and its contents) in order to track the progression of the freeze-drying cycle. This work demonstrates the use of a dual electrode system, attached to the external surface of a type I glass tubing vial (nominal capacity 10 mL) in the prediction of (i) the ice interface temperatures at the sublimation front and at the base of the vial, and (ii) the primary drying rate. A value for the heat transfer coefficient (for a chamber pressure of 270 µbar) was then calculated from these parameters and shown to be comparable to that published by Tchessalov[1]. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Adaptive microwave impedance memory effect in a ferromagnetic insulator.

PubMed

Lee, Hanju; Friedman, Barry; Lee, Kiejin

2016-12-14

Adaptive electronics, which are often referred to as memristive systems as they often rely on a memristor (memory resistor), are an emerging technology inspired by adaptive biological systems. Dissipative systems may provide a proper platform to implement an adaptive system due to its inherent adaptive property that parameters describing the system are optimized to maximize the entropy production for a given environment. Here, we report that a non-volatile and reversible adaptive microwave impedance memory device can be realized through the adaptive property of the dissipative structure of the driven ferromagnetic system. Like the memristive device, the microwave impedance of the device is modulated as a function of excitation microwave passing through the device. This kind of new device may not only helpful to implement adaptive information processing technologies, but also may be useful to investigate and understand the underlying mechanism of spontaneous formation of complex and ordered structures.

Real-time electrochemical impedance spectroscopy diagnosis of the solid oxide fuel cell for marine power applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakajima, Hironori; Kitahara, Tatsumi

2017-11-01

We have investigated the behavior of an operating solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with supplying a simulated syngas to develop diagnosis method of the SOFC for marine power applications fueled with liquefied natural gas (LNG). We analyze the characteristics of a syngas-fueled intermediate temperature microtubular SOFC at 500 ∘C for accelerated deterioration by carbon deposition as a model case by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to in-situ find parameters useful for the real-time diagnosis. EIS analyses are performed by complex nonlinear least squares (CNLS) curve fitting to measured impedance spectra with an equivalent electric circuit model consisting of several resistances and capacitances attributed to the anode and cathode processes as well as Ohmic resistance of the cell. The characteristic changes of those circuit parameters by internal reforming and anode degradation are extracted, showing that they can be used for the real-time diagnosis of operating SOFCs.

Impedance Measurement of a Gamma-Ray TES Calorimeter with a Bulk Sn Absorber

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

Akamatsu, H.; Ishisaki, Y.; Hoshino, A.

2009-12-16

We performed complex impedance measurements with a Ti/Au-based gamma-ray TES calorimeter with a bulk Sn absorber. Excellent energy resolution of 38.4{+-}0.9eV at 60 keV was observed. The impedance of the calorimeter can be well explained by a two-body thermal model. We investigated the behavior of the parameters of the calorimeter during the superconducting-to-normal transition. We confirmed that C and G{sub a} are in good agreement with the predicted values. We performed a noise analysis and found several excess noise components, as well as internal thermal fluctuation noise (ITFN) term due to the thermal conductance between the Sn absorber and themore » Ti/Au TES. Dominanting the noise is an excess noise having a similar frequency dependence to the phonon noise and the ITFN noise.« less

Adaptive microwave impedance memory effect in a ferromagnetic insulator

PubMed Central

Lee, Hanju; Friedman, Barry; Lee, Kiejin

2016-01-01

Adaptive electronics, which are often referred to as memristive systems as they often rely on a memristor (memory resistor), are an emerging technology inspired by adaptive biological systems. Dissipative systems may provide a proper platform to implement an adaptive system due to its inherent adaptive property that parameters describing the system are optimized to maximize the entropy production for a given environment. Here, we report that a non-volatile and reversible adaptive microwave impedance memory device can be realized through the adaptive property of the dissipative structure of the driven ferromagnetic system. Like the memristive device, the microwave impedance of the device is modulated as a function of excitation microwave passing through the device. This kind of new device may not only helpful to implement adaptive information processing technologies, but also may be useful to investigate and understand the underlying mechanism of spontaneous formation of complex and ordered structures. PMID:27966536

Development of an Algorithm for Automatic Analysis of the Impedance Spectrum Based on a Measurement Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kobayashi, Kiyoshi; Suzuki, Tohru S.

2018-03-01

A new algorithm for the automatic estimation of an equivalent circuit and the subsequent parameter optimization is developed by combining the data-mining concept and complex least-squares method. In this algorithm, the program generates an initial equivalent-circuit model based on the sampling data and then attempts to optimize the parameters. The basic hypothesis is that the measured impedance spectrum can be reproduced by the sum of the partial-impedance spectra presented by the resistor, inductor, resistor connected in parallel to a capacitor, and resistor connected in parallel to an inductor. The adequacy of the model is determined by using a simple artificial-intelligence function, which is applied to the output function of the Levenberg-Marquardt module. From the iteration of model modifications, the program finds an adequate equivalent-circuit model without any user input to the equivalent-circuit model.

Activation energy-activation volume master plots for ion transport behavior in polymer electrolytes and supercooled molten salts.

PubMed

Ingram, Malcolm D; Imrie, Corrie T; Stoeva, Zlatka; Pas, Steven J; Funke, Klaus; Chandler, Howard W

2005-09-08

We demonstrate the use of activation energy versus activation volume "master plots" to explore ion transport in typical fragile glass forming systems exhibiting non-Arrhenius behavior. These systems include solvent-free salt complexes in poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and low molecular weight poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) and molten 2Ca(NO3)2.3KNO3 (CKN). Plots showing variations in apparent activation energy EA versus apparent activation volume VA are straight lines with slopes given by M = DeltaEA/DeltaVA. A simple ion transport mechanism is described where the rate determining step involves a dilatation (expressed as VA) around microscopic cavities and a corresponding work of expansion (EA). The slopes of the master plots M are equated to internal elastic moduli, which vary from 1.1 GPa for liquid PPO to 5.0 GPa for molten CKN on account of differing intermolecular forces in these materials.

Uav-Based Photogrammetric Point Clouds and Hyperspectral Imaging for Mapping Biodiversity Indicators in Boreal Forests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saarinen, N.; Vastaranta, M.; Näsi, R.; Rosnell, T.; Hakala, T.; Honkavaara, E.; Wulder, M. A.; Luoma, V.; Tommaselli, A. M. G.; Imai, N. N.; Ribeiro, E. A. W.; Guimarães, R. B.; Holopainen, M.; Hyyppä, J.

2017-10-01

Biodiversity is commonly referred to as species diversity but in forest ecosystems variability in structural and functional characteristics can also be treated as measures of biodiversity. Small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) provide a means for characterizing forest ecosystem with high spatial resolution, permitting measuring physical characteristics of a forest ecosystem from a viewpoint of biodiversity. The objective of this study is to examine the applicability of photogrammetric point clouds and hyperspectral imaging acquired with a small UAV helicopter in mapping biodiversity indicators, such as structural complexity as well as the amount of deciduous and dead trees at plot level in southern boreal forests. Standard deviation of tree heights within a sample plot, used as a proxy for structural complexity, was the most accurately derived biodiversity indicator resulting in a mean error of 0.5 m, with a standard deviation of 0.9 m. The volume predictions for deciduous and dead trees were underestimated by 32.4 m3/ha and 1.7 m3/ha, respectively, with standard deviation of 50.2 m3/ha for deciduous and 3.2 m3/ha for dead trees. The spectral features describing brightness (i.e. higher reflectance values) were prevailing in feature selection but several wavelengths were represented. Thus, it can be concluded that structural complexity can be predicted reliably but at the same time can be expected to be underestimated with photogrammetric point clouds obtained with a small UAV. Additionally, plot-level volume of dead trees can be predicted with small mean error whereas identifying deciduous species was more challenging at plot level.

Petrology, geochemistry and zircon U-Pb geochronology of a layered igneous complex from Akarui Point in the Lützow-Holm Complex, East Antarctica: Implications for Antarctica-Sri Lanka correlation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kazami, Sou; Tsunogae, Toshiaki; Santosh, M.; Tsutsumi, Yukiyasu; Takamura, Yusuke

2016-11-01

The Lützow-Holm Complex (LHC) of East Antarctica forms part of a complex subduction-collision orogen related to the amalgamation of the Neoproterozoic supercontinent Gondwana. Here we report new petrological, geochemical, and geochronological data from a metamorphosed and disrupted layered igneous complex from Akarui Point in the LHC which provide new insights into the evolution of the complex. The complex is composed of mafic orthogneiss (edenite/pargasite + plagioclase ± clinopyroxene ± orthopyroxene ± spinel ± sapphirine ± K-feldspar), meta-ultramafic rock (pargasite + olivine + spinel + orthopyroxene), and felsic orthogneiss (plagioclase + quartz + pargasite + biotite ± garnet). The rocks show obvious compositional layering reflecting the chemical variation possibly through magmatic differentiation. The metamorphic conditions of the rocks were estimated using hornblende-plagioclase geothermometry which yielded temperatures of 720-840 °C. The geochemical data of the orthogneisses indicate fractional crystallization possibly related to differentiation within a magma chamber. Most of the mafic-ultramafic samples show enrichment of LILE, negative Nb, Ta, P and Ti anomalies, and constant HFSE contents in primitive-mantle normalized trace element plots suggesting volcanic arc affinity probably related to subduction. The enrichment of LREE and flat HREE patterns in chondrite-normalized REE plot, with the Nb-Zr-Y, Y-La-Nb, and Th/Yb-Nb/Yb plots also suggest volcanic arc affinity. The felsic orthogneiss plotted on Nb/Zr-Zr diagram (low Nb/Zr ratio) and spider diagrams (enrichment of LILE, negative Nb, Ta, P and Ti anomalies) also show magmatic arc origin. The morphology, internal structure, and high Th/U ratio of zircon grains in felsic orthogneiss are consistent with magmatic origin for most of these grains. Zircon U-Pb analyses suggest Early Neoproterozoic (847.4 ± 8.0 Ma) magmatism and protolith formation. Some older grains (1026-882 Ma) are regarded as xenocrysts from basement entrained in the magma through limited crustal reworking. The younger ages (807-667 Ma) might represent subsequent thermal events. The results of this study suggest that the ca. 850 Ma layered igneous complex in Akarui Point was derived from a magma chamber constructed through arc-related magmatism which included components from ca. 1.0 Ga felsic continental crustal basement. The geochemical characteristics and the timing of protolith emplacement from this complex are broadly identical to those of similar orthogneisses from Kasumi Rock and Tama Point in the LHC and the Kadugannawa Complex in Sri Lanka, which record Early Neoproterozoic (ca. 1.0 Ga) arc magmatism. Although the magmatic event in Akarui Point is slightly younger, the thermal event probably continued from ca. 1.0 Ga to ca. 850 Ma or even to ca. 670 Ma. We therefore correlate the Akarui Point igneous complex with those in the LHC and Kadugannawa Complex formed under similar Early Neoproterozoic arc magmatic events during the convergent margin processes prior to the assembly of the Gondwana supercontinent.

Synthesis, dielectric, conductivity and magnetic studies of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn(1/3)-xAlxO2 (x = 0.0, 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06) for cathode materials of lithium-ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murali, N.; Margarette, S. J.; Veeraiah, V.

Layered structure cathode materials LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn(1/3)-xAlxO2 (x = 0.0, 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06) are prepared by the sol-gel method by adding citric acid as chelating agent. The physical, electrical and magnetic properties of the synthesized materials are systematically discussed using the structural (XRD, FESEM with EDS and FT-IR), impedance (LCR) and electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the synthesized samples possessed the α-NaFeO2 structure of the space group, R 3 bar m , with no evidence of any impurities. The peak intensity ratio I(104)/I(003) increased with Al concentration, which indicated the cation mixing between transition metal layer and lithium layer. The field effect scanning electron microscopy showed the particle size distribution in the range of 230-250 nm and EDS has been analysed for elemental mapping. The local structure is investigated by vibrational spectroscopy in FT-IR study. The impedance studies are characterized by complex impedance spectroscopy (CIS) in the frequency range from 42 Hz to 1 MHz at room temperature (30 °C). The dielectric properties are analyzed in the framework of complex dielectric permittivity and formalism of the complex electric modulus. For these samples, the ESR analysis of magnetic measurements, the degree of cation mixing, is estimated to be Ni2+(3b) = 2.75%.

Effects of land disturbance on runoff and sediment yield after natural rainfall events in southwestern China.

PubMed

Guo, Xiaomeng; Li, Tianyang; He, Binghui; He, Xiaorong; Yao, Yun

2017-04-01

Severe soil erosion occurs in southwestern China owing to the large expanses of urbanization and sloping land. This field monitoring study was conducted to record the rainfall events, runoff, and sediment yield in 20-, 40-, and 60-m plots under conditions of artificial disturbance or natural restoration in the purple soil area of southwestern China. The study took place during the rainy season, and the plots were situated on a 15° slope. The results showed that rainstorms and heavy rainstorms generated runoff and sediment yield. Rainfall intensity had a significantly positive power relationship with runoff rate and sediment yield rate in artificially disturbed plots but not in naturally restored plots. Plot length had a significant effect on runoff rate under artificial disturbance but not natural restoration. Within the same land disturbance category, there was no significant effect of plot length on sediment yield rate but there was a significant effect on sediment concentration. Overall, runoff rate, sediment yield rate, and sediment concentration showed remarkable effects of land disturbance across all plot lengths: naturally restored plots had 62.8-77.5% less runoff, 95.1-96.3% less sediment yield, and 63.1-73.5% lower sediment concentration than artificially disturbed plots. The relationship between runoff rate and sediment rate under the different land disturbances could be described by an exponential function. The results not only demonstrate the effectiveness of natural restoration for controlling runoff and sediment yield but also provide useful information for the design of field studies, taking into consideration the complexity of terrestrial systems.

Manananggal - a novel viewer for alternative splicing events.

PubMed

Barann, Matthias; Zimmer, Ralf; Birzele, Fabian

2017-02-21

Alternative splicing is an important cellular mechanism that can be analyzed by RNA sequencing. However, identification of splicing events in an automated fashion is error-prone. Thus, further validation is required to select reliable instances of alternative splicing events (ASEs). There are only few tools specifically designed for interactive inspection of ASEs and available visualization approaches can be significantly improved. Here, we present Manananggal, an application specifically designed for the identification of splicing events in next generation sequencing data. Manananggal includes a web application for visual inspection and a command line tool that allows for ASE detection. We compare the sashimi plots available in the IGV Viewer, the DEXSeq splicing plots and SpliceSeq to the Manananggal interface and discuss the advantages and drawbacks of these tools. We show that sashimi plots (such as those used by the IGV Viewer and SpliceSeq) offer a practical solution for simple ASEs, but also indicate short-comings for highly complex genes. Manananggal is an interactive web application that offers functions specifically tailored to the identification of alternative splicing events that other tools are lacking. The ability to select a subset of isoforms allows an easier interpretation of complex alternative splicing events. In contrast to SpliceSeq and the DEXSeq splicing plot, Manananggal does not obscure the gene structure by showing full transcript models that makes it easier to determine which isoforms are expressed and which are not.

Systematization of published research graphics characterizing weakly bound molecular complexes with carbon dioxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lavrentiev, N. A.; Rodimova, O. B.; Fazliev, A. Z.; Vigasin, A. A.

2017-11-01

An approach is suggested to the formation of applied ontologies in subject domains where results are represented in graphical form. An approach to systematization of research graphics is also given which contains information on weakly bound carbon dioxide complexes. The results of systematization of research plots and images that characterize the spectral properties of the CO2 complexes are presented.

Measurement of electrical impedance of a Berea sandstone core during the displacement of saturated brine by oil and CO2 injections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yu; Xue, Ziqiu; Park, Hyuck; Kiyama, Tamotsu; Zhang, Yi; Nishizawa, Osamu; Chae, Kwang-seok

2015-12-01

Complex electrical impedance measurements were performed on a brine-saturated Berea sandstone core while oil and CO2 were injected at different pressures and temperatures. The saturations of brine, oil, and CO2 in the core were simultaneously estimated using an X-ray computed tomography scanner. The formation factor of this Berea core and the resistivity indexes versus the brine saturations were calculated using Archie's law. The experimental results found different flow patterns of oil under different pressures and temperatures. Fingers were observed for the first experiment at 10 MPa and 40 °C. The fingers were restrained as the viscosity ratio of oil and water changed in the second (10 MPa and 25 °C) and third (5 MPa and 25 °C) experiments. The resistivity index showed an exponential increase with a decrease in brine saturation. The saturation exponent varied from 1.4 to 4.0 at different pressure and temperature conditions. During the oil injection procedure, the electrical impedance increased with oil saturation and was significantly affected by different oil distributions; therefore, the impedance varied whether the finger was remarkable or not, even if the oil saturation remained constant. During the CO2 injection steps, the impedance showed almost no change with CO2 saturation because the brine in the pores became immobile after the oil injection.

Ferroelectric relaxor behaviour and impedance spectroscopy of Bi2O3-doped barium zirconium titanate ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahajan, Sandeep; Thakur, O P; Bhattacharya, D K; Sreenivas, K

2009-03-01

Bi2O3-doped barium zirconate titanate ceramics, Ba1-xBix(Zr0.05Ti0.95)O3, have been prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction method. The ferroelectric relaxor behaviour and dielectric properties have been investigated in detail. By XRD analysis, it is suggested that up to x = 0.04, Bi3+ substitutes A-site ion, and thereafter with higher Bi3+ content, it enters the B-site sub lattice. Substitution of Bi3+ ions induces ferroelectric relaxor behaviour and the degree of relaxation behaviour increases with bismuth concentration. The remanent polarization and strain behaviour show a slight increase with the substitution level. The degree of hysteresis (strain versus electric field) also reduces from 21.4% to 4.6% with bismuth substitution. Impedance measurements were made on the prepared sample over a wide range of temperatures (300-723 K) and frequencies (40 Hz-1 MHz), which show the presence of both bulk and grain boundary effects in the material. The bulk and grain boundary conductivities determined from impedance study indicate the Arrhenius-type thermally activated process. Impedance spectroscopy is shown to be an efficient method capable of detecting the contributions of the resistances of grains and grain boundaries to the complex impedance of a ceramic system, accurately estimating its electrical conductivity as well as its corresponding activation energies and drawing conclusions on its structural properties.

Calculating realistic voltages across the US power grid utilizing measured impedances and magnetic fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lucas, G.; Love, J. J.; Kelbert, A.; Bedrosian, P.; Rigler, E. J.

2017-12-01

Space weather induces significant geoelectric fields within Earth's subsurface that can adversely affect electric power grids. The complex interaction between space weather and the solid Earth has traditionally been approached with the use of simple 1-D impedance functions relating the inducing magnetic field to the induced geoelectric field. Ongoing data collection through the NSF EarthScope program has produced measured impedance data across much of the continental US. In this work, impedance data are convolved with magnetic field variations, obtained from USGS magnetic observatories, during a geomagnetic storm. This convolution produces geoelectric fields within the earth. These geoelectric fields are then integrated across power transmission lines to determine the voltage generated within each power line as a function of time during a geomagnetic storm. The voltages generated within the electric power grid will be shown for several historic geomagnetic storms. The estimated voltages calculated from 1-D and 3-D impedances differ by more than 100 V across some transmission lines. In combination with grounding resistance data and network topology, these voltage estimates can be utilized by power companies to estimate geomagnetically-induced currents throughout the network. These voltage estimates can provide information on which power lines are most vulnerable to geomagnetic storms, and assist power grid companies investigating where to install additional protections within their grid.

Monitoring and Characterizing Crop Root Systems Using Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weigand, M.; Kemna, A.

2016-12-01

A better understanding of root-soil interactions and associated processes is essential to achieve progress in crop breeding and management, prompting the need for high-resolution and non-destructive characterization methods. Such methods are still lacking, in particular for characterizing root growth and function in the field. A promising technique in this respect is electrical impedance tomography (EIT), which provides images of the low-frequency electrical conduction and polarization properties and thus can be used to investigate polarization processes occurring within and in the direct vicinity of roots under the influence of an external alternating electric field. This approach takes advantage of the well-known polarization properties associated with electrical double layers forming at membranes of cells and cell clusters. However, upscaling these processes to the scale of an impedance, or complex conductivity, spectrum of the whole root system is not trivial given the lack of electrical root models, the complexity of root systems, and the occurrence of additional larger-scale, ion-selective, and therefore polarizable, structures such as the Casparian strip. We here present results from several EIT laboratory studies on rhizotrons with crop root systems in aqueous solutions. Based on optimized experimental and data analysis procedures, enabling the imaging of the weak signals encountered in our studies, we found systematic spatial and temporal changes of both the magnitude and the shape of the spectral polarization signatures during nutrient deprivation and in response to the decapitation of plants. Consistent, but relatively weak, spectral impedance changes were also observed over diurnal cycles. Our results provide evidence for the capability of EIT to non-invasively image and monitor root systems at the rhizotron scale. They further suggest that EIT is a promising tool for imaging, characterizing, and monitoring crop roots at the field scale.

Studies on the effect of dispersoid(ZrO2) in PVdF-co-HFP based gel polymer electrolytes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sivakumar, M.; Subadevi, R.; Muthupradeepa, R.

2013-06-01

Gel polymer electrolytes containing poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VdF-co-HFP)) / Lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfon)imide (LiTFSI) / mixture of ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate (EC+PC) with different concendration of ZrO2 has been prepared using the solution casting technique. The conductivity of the prepared electrolyte sample has been determined by AC impedance technique in the range 303-353K. The temperature dependent ionic conductivity plot seems to obey VTF relation. The maximum ionic conductivity value of 4.46 × 10-3S/cm has been obtained for PVdF-co-HFP(32%) - LiTFSI(8%) - EC+PC (60%) + ZrO2(6wt%) based polymer electrolyte. The surface morphology of the prepared electrolyte sample has been studied using SEM.

Conductivity and Dielectric Relaxation Properties of Annealed Cr-Substituted Ni-Ferrite Nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Ghazzawy, E. H.

2017-10-01

Nanocrystalline NiCr x Fe2- x O4 spinel samples with x = 0.1 and 0.2 have been synthesized by coprecipitation method and annealed at 620°C and 1175°C for 4 h. Their electrical properties were investigated as functions of frequency in the range of 100 Hz to 100 kHz and temperature in the range of 308 K to 358 K. The dielectric constant ( ɛ^' } ) and dielectric loss factor ( {tan} δ ) appeared to decrease with increasing frequency, while the alternating-current (AC) conductivity ( σ^' } ) increased. These dielectric parameters increased with increasing temperature. On the other hand, impedance spectroscopy gave Cole-Cole plots with only one semicircular arc for all the samples, indicating that the grain-boundary contribution was dominant in the conduction mechanism.

Computer programs for eddy-current defect studies

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

Pate, J. R.; Dodd, C. V.

Several computer programs to aid in the design of eddy-current tests and probes have been written. The programs, written in Fortran, deal in various ways with the response to defects exhibited by four types of probes: the pancake probe, the reflection probe, the circumferential boreside probe, and the circumferential encircling probe. Programs are included which calculate the impedance or voltage change in a coil due to a defect, which calculate and plot the defect sensitivity factor of a coil, and which invert calculated or experimental readings to obtain the size of a defect. The theory upon which the programs aremore » based is the Burrows point defect theory, and thus the calculations of the programs will be more accurate for small defects. 6 refs., 21 figs.« less

Effect of annealing temperature on structural, morphology and dielectric properties of La0.75Ba0.25FeO3 perovskite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdallah, F. B.; Benali, A.; Triki, M.; Dhahri, E.; Graça, M. P. F.; Valente, M. A.

2018-05-01

The effect of annealing temperature on the structure, morphology and dielectric properties of La0.75Ba0.25FeO3 compound prepared by the sol-gel method was investigated. The increase of the annealing temperature from 900 to 1100 °C, promotes an increase of the average grain size value. Two dielectric relaxations are detected using the dielectric modulus formalism, attributed to grain and grain boundary relaxations. This behavior was confirmed by both Nyquist and Argand's plots of dielectric impedance and Modulus results at different measuring temperatures. The ac conductivity could be described by Jonscher's power law revealing the presence of both overlapping large polaron tunneling and non-overlapping small polaron tunneling mechanisms.

The potential of incorporation of binary salts and ionic liquid in P(VP-co-VAc) gel polymer electrolyte in electrochemical and photovoltaic performances

PubMed Central

Ming, Ng Hon; Ramesh, S.; Ramesh, K.

2016-01-01

In this study, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) has been assembled with poly(1-vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate) (P(VP-co-VAc)) gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) which have been incorporated with binary salt and an ionic liquid. The potential of this combination was studied and reported. The binary salt system GPEs was having ionic conductivity and power conversion efficiency (PCE) that could reach up to 1.90 × 10−3 S cm−1 and 5.53%, respectively. Interestingly, upon the addition of the ionic liquid, MPII into the binary salt system the ionic conductivity and PCE had risen steadily up to 4.09 × 10−3 S cm−1 and 5.94%, respectively. In order to know more about this phenomenon, the electrochemical impedance studies (EIS) of the GPE samples have been done and reported. Fourier transform infrared studies (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) have also been studied to understand more on the structural and thermal properties of the GPEs. The Nyquist plot and Bodes plot studies have been done in order to understand the electrochemical properties of the GPE based DSSCs and Tafel polarization studies were done to determine the electrocatalytic activity of the GPE samples. PMID:27273020

Higher order total variation regularization for EIT reconstruction.

PubMed

Gong, Bo; Schullcke, Benjamin; Krueger-Ziolek, Sabine; Zhang, Fan; Mueller-Lisse, Ullrich; Moeller, Knut

2018-01-08

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) attempts to reveal the conductivity distribution of a domain based on the electrical boundary condition. This is an ill-posed inverse problem; its solution is very unstable. Total variation (TV) regularization is one of the techniques commonly employed to stabilize reconstructions. However, it is well known that TV regularization induces staircase effects, which are not realistic in clinical applications. To reduce such artifacts, modified TV regularization terms considering a higher order differential operator were developed in several previous studies. One of them is called total generalized variation (TGV) regularization. TGV regularization has been successively applied in image processing in a regular grid context. In this study, we adapted TGV regularization to the finite element model (FEM) framework for EIT reconstruction. Reconstructions using simulation and clinical data were performed. First results indicate that, in comparison to TV regularization, TGV regularization promotes more realistic images. Graphical abstract Reconstructed conductivity changes located on selected vertical lines. For each of the reconstructed images as well as the ground truth image, conductivity changes located along the selected left and right vertical lines are plotted. In these plots, the notation GT in the legend stands for ground truth, TV stands for total variation method, and TGV stands for total generalized variation method. Reconstructed conductivity distributions from the GREIT algorithm are also demonstrated.

Effect of ca+2 addition on the properties of ce0.8gd0.2o2-δ for it-sofc

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koteswararao, P.; Buchi Suresh, M.; Wani, B. N.; Bhaskara Rao, P. V.; Varalaxmi, P.

2018-03-01

This paper reports the effect of Ca2+ addition on the structural and electrical properties of Ce0.8Gd0.2O2-δ(GDC) electrolyte for low temperature solid oxide fuel cell application. The Ca (0, 0.5, 1 and 2 mol %) doped GDC solid electrolytes have been prepared by solid state method. The sintered densities of the samples are greater than 95%. XRD study reveals the cubic fluorite structure. The microstructure of the samples sintered at 1400°C resulted into grain sizes in the range of 1.72 to 10.20 μm. Raman spectra show the presence of GDC single phase. AC impedance analysis is used to measure the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte. Among all the compositions, the highest conductivity is observed in the GDC sample with 0.5 mol% Ca addition. Nyquist plots resulted in multiple redoxation process such as grain and grain boundary conductions to final conductivity. Estimated blocking factor is lower for the GDC electrolyte with 0.5mol% Ca, indicating that Ca addition was promoted grain boundary conduction. Activation energies were calculated from Arrhenius plot and are found in the range of 1eV.

High calcination of ferroelectric BaTiO₃ doped Fe nanoceramics prepared by a solid-state sintering method.

PubMed

Samuvel, K; Ramachandran, K

2015-07-05

This study examined the effects of the combination of starting materials on the properties of solid-state reacted BaTiO3 using two different types of BaCO3 and TiO2. In addition, the effect of mechanochemical activation by high energy milling and the Ba/Ti molar ratio on the reaction temperature, particle size and tetragonality were investigated. The TiO2 phase and size plays a major role in increasing the reaction temperature and particle size. With the optimum selection of starting materials and processing conditions, BaTiO3 with a particle size <200 nm (Scherrer's formula) and a tetragonality c/a of approximately 1.007 was obtained. Broadband dielectric spectroscopy is applied to investigate the electrical properties of disordered perovskite-like ceramics in a wide temperature range. From the X-ray diffraction analysis it was found that the newly obtained BaTi0.5Fe0.5O3 ceramics consist of two chemically different phases. The electric modulus M∗ formalism used in the analysis enabled us to distinguish and separate the relaxation processes, dominated by marked conductivity in the ε∗(ω) representation. Interfacial effects on the dielectric properties of the samples have been understood by Cole-Cole plots in complex impedance and modulus formalism. Modulus formalism has identified the effects of both grain and grain boundary microstructure on the dielectric properties, particularly in solid state routed samples. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High calcination of ferroelectric BaTiO3 doped Fe nanoceramics prepared by a solid-state sintering method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samuvel, K.; Ramachandran, K.

2015-07-01

This study examined the effects of the combination of starting materials on the properties of solid-state reacted BaTiO3 using two different types of BaCO3 and TiO2. In addition, the effect of mechanochemical activation by high energy milling and the Ba/Ti molar ratio on the reaction temperature, particle size and tetragonality were investigated. The TiO2 phase and size plays a major role in increasing the reaction temperature and particle size. With the optimum selection of starting materials and processing conditions, BaTiO3 with a particle size <200 nm (Scherrer's formula) and a tetragonality c/a of approximately 1.007 was obtained. Broadband dielectric spectroscopy is applied to investigate the electrical properties of disordered perovskite-like ceramics in a wide temperature range. From the X-ray diffraction analysis it was found that the newly obtained BaTi0.5Fe0.5O3 ceramics consist of two chemically different phases. The electric modulus M∗ formalism used in the analysis enabled us to distinguish and separate the relaxation processes, dominated by marked conductivity in the ε∗(ω) representation. Interfacial effects on the dielectric properties of the samples have been understood by Cole-Cole plots in complex impedance and modulus formalism. Modulus formalism has identified the effects of both grain and grain boundary microstructure on the dielectric properties, particularly in solid state routed samples.

Acoustic Impedance Inversion of Seismic Data Using Genetic Algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eladj, Said; Djarfour, Noureddine; Ferahtia, Djalal; Ouadfeul, Sid-Ali

2013-04-01

The inversion of seismic data can be used to constrain estimates of the Earth's acoustic impedance structure. This kind of problem is usually known to be non-linear, high-dimensional, with a complex search space which may be riddled with many local minima, and results in irregular objective functions. We investigate here the performance and the application of a genetic algorithm, in the inversion of seismic data. The proposed algorithm has the advantage of being easily implemented without getting stuck in local minima. The effects of population size, Elitism strategy, uniform cross-over and lower mutation are examined. The optimum solution parameters and performance were decided as a function of the testing error convergence with respect to the generation number. To calculate the fitness function, we used L2 norm of the sample-to-sample difference between the reference and the inverted trace. The cross-over probability is of 0.9-0.95 and mutation has been tested at 0.01 probability. The application of such a genetic algorithm to synthetic data shows that the inverted acoustic impedance section was efficient. Keywords: Seismic, Inversion, acoustic impedance, genetic algorithm, fitness functions, cross-over, mutation.

Self-healing bolted joint employing a shape memory actuator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muntges, Daniel E.; Park, Gyuhae; Inman, Daniel J.

2001-08-01

This paper is a report of an initial investigation into the active control of preload in the joint using a shape memory actuator around the axis of the bolt shaft. Specifically, the actuator is a cylindrical Nitinol washer that expands axially when heated, according to the shape memory effect. The washer is actuated in response to an artificial decrease in torque. Upon actuation, the stress generated by its axial strain compresses the bolted members and creates a frictional force that has the effect of generating a preload and restoring lost torque. In addition to torque wrenches, the system in question was monitored in all stages of testing using piezoelectric impedance analysis. Impedance analysis drew upon research techniques developed at Center for Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, in which phase changes in the impedance of a self-sensing piezoceramic actuator correspond to changes in joint stiffness. Through experimentation, we have documented a successful actuation of the shape memory element. Due to complexity of constitutive modeling, qualitative analysis by the impedance method is used to illustrate the success. Additional considerations encountered in this initial investigation are made to guide further thorough research required for the successful commercial application of this promising technique.

Study of complex formation of 5,5'-(2 E, 2' E)-2,2'-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(hydrazine-1-yl-2-ylidene)bis(4-amino-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol) (HYT) macrocyclic ligand with Cd2+ cation in non-aqueous solution by spectroscopic and conductometric methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mallaekeh, Hassan; Shams, Alireza; Shaker, Mohammad; Bahramzadeh, Ehsan; Arefi, Donya

2014-12-01

In this paper the complexation reaction of the 5,5'-(2 E,2' E)-2,2'-(ethane-1,2-diylidene)bis(hydrazine-1-yl-2-ylidene)bis(4-amino-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol) ligand (HYT) with Cd2+ education was studied in some binary mixtures of methanol (MeOH), n-propanol (PrOH) and dimethyl-formamide (DMF) at different temperatures using the conductometry and spectrophotometry. The stability constants of the complex was determined using a GENPLOT computer program. The conductance data and absorbance-mole ratio plots show that in all solvent systems, the stoichiometry of the complex formed between (HYT) and Cd2+ cation is 1: 1. The obtained results show that the stability of (HYT)-Cd complex is sensitive to the mixed solvents composition. The values of thermodynamic parameters (Δ G ∘, Δ H ∘, and Δ S ∘) for formation of (HYT)-Cd complex were obtained from temperature dependence of the stability constant using the van't Hoff plots. The results show that in most cases, the complex are enthalpy destabilized but entropy stabilized and the complex formation is affected by pH, time, temperature and the nature of the solvent.

Real-time complication monitoring in pediatric cardiac surgery.

PubMed

Belliveau, Daniel; Burton, Hayley J; O'Blenes, Stacy B; Warren, Andrew E; Hancock Friesen, Camille L

2012-11-01

As overall mortality rates have fallen in pediatric cardiac surgical procedures, complication monitoring is becoming an increasingly important metric of patient outcome. Currently there is no standardized method available to monitor severity-adjusted complications in congenital cardiac surgical procedures. Complications associated with pediatric cardiac surgical procedures were prospectively collected from consecutive cases in a single pediatric cardiac surgical unit from October 1, 2009 to September 31, 2011. Complications were accounted for by frequency and severity and then stratified by surgical complexity, using the Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery (RACHS) method, giving an average morbidity burden per RACHS category. "Expected" morbidity burden for each RACHS category was derived from year 1 (2009-2010) data. Observed minus expected (O:E) plots were then generated for the entire series of complications from year 2 (2010-2011) data. Separate O:E plots were also created for 5 complication classes and monitored for increases. There were 181 index surgical procedures performed in 178 patients. Two hundred and seventeen complications occurred in 80 procedures. The frequency and severity of complications increased with surgical complexity. The overall O:E plot was flagged twice for unanticipated increases in severity-adjusted complications. When the class-specific O:E plots were monitored for increases, the overall flags were found to originate from increased rates of infections and cardiac/operative complications. The O:E plot provides a simple and effective system to monitor complication rates over time based on severity-adjusted complication data. Grouping complications into classes allows us to identify specific subsets of complications that can be focused on to improve patient outcomes. Copyright © 2012 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Identification of major sources controlling groundwater chemistry from a hard rock terrain — A case study from Mettur taluk, Salem district, Tamil Nadu, India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srinivasamoorthy, K.; Chidambaram, S.; Prasanna, M. V.; Vasanthavihar, M.; Peter, John; Anandhan, P.

2008-02-01

The study area Mettur forms an important industrial town situated NW of Salem district. The geology of the area is mainly composed of Archean crystalline metamorphic complexes. To identify the major process activated for controlling the groundwater chemistry an attempt has been made by collecting a total of 46 groundwater samples for two different seasons, viz., pre-monsoon and post-monsoon. The groundwater chemistry is dominated by silicate weathering and (Na + Mg) and (Cl + SO4) accounts of about 90% of cations and anions. The contribution of (Ca + Mg) and (Na + K) to total cations and HCO3 indicates the domination of silicate weathering as major sources for cations. The plot for Na to Cl indicates higher Cl in both seasons, derived from Anthropogenic (human) sources from fertilizer, road salt, human and animal waste, and industrial applications, minor representations of Na also indicates source from weathering of silicate-bearing minerals. The plot for Na/Cl to EC indicates Na released from silicate weathering process which is also supported by higher HCO3 values in both the seasons. Ion exchange process is also activated in the study area which is indicated by shifting to right in plot for Ca + Mg to SO4 + HCO3. The plot of Na-Cl to Ca + Mg-HCO3-SO4 confirms that Ca, Mg and Na concentrations in groundwater are derived from aquifer materials. Thermodynamic plot indicates that groundwater is in equilibrium with kaolinite, muscovite and chlorite minerals. Saturation index of silicate and carbonate minerals indicate oversaturation during pre-monsoon and undersaturation during post-monsoon, conforming dissolution and dilution process. In general, water chemistry is guided by complex weathering process, ion exchange along with influence of Cl ions from anthropogenic impact.

Single-molecule spectroscopy unmasks the lowest exciton state of the B850 assembly in LH2 from Rps. acidophila.

PubMed

Kunz, Ralf; Timpmann, Kõu; Southall, June; Cogdell, Richard J; Freiberg, Arvi; Köhler, Jürgen

2014-05-06

We have recorded fluorescence-excitation and emission spectra from single LH2 complexes from Rhodopseudomonas (Rps.) acidophila. Both types of spectra show strong temporal spectral fluctuations that can be visualized as spectral diffusion plots. Comparison of the excitation and emission spectra reveals that for most of the complexes the lowest exciton transition is not observable in the excitation spectra due to the cutoff of the detection filter characteristics. However, from the spectral diffusion plots we have the full spectral and temporal information at hand and can select those complexes for which the excitation spectra are complete. Correlating the red most spectral feature of the excitation spectrum with the blue most spectral feature of the emission spectrum allows an unambiguous assignment of the lowest exciton state. Hence, application of fluorescence-excitation and emission spectroscopy on the same individual LH2 complex allows us to decipher spectral subtleties that are usually hidden in traditional ensemble spectroscopy. Copyright © 2014 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluating a Multivariate Directional Connectivity Measure for Use in Electroencephalogram (EEG) Network Analysis Using a Conductance-Based Neuron Network Model

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-01

of 7 information -theoretic criteria plotted against the model order used . The legend is labeled according to the figures in which the power spectra...spectrum (Brovelli et al. 2004). 6 Fig. 2 Values of 7 information -theoretic criteria plotted against the model order used . The legend is labeled...Identification of directed influence: Granger causality, Kullback - Leibler divergence, and complexity. Neural Computation. 2012;24(7):1722–1739. doi:10.1162

A colorimetric sensor for the selective detection of fluoride ions.

PubMed

Wan, Chin-Feng; Chir, Jiun-Ly; Wu, An-Tai

2017-05-01

A colorimetric receptor L was prepared. Receptor L can selectively sense F - based on distinct color changes among a series of ions. It can selectively sense F - through an intramolecular hydrogen bond interaction. A Job plot indicated a 1:1 complexation stoichiometry between receptor L and F - . The association constant for L-F - in CH 3 CN was determined as 9.70 × 10 4  M -1 using a Stern-Volmer plot. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Dalitz plot analysis of Ds+→K+K-π+

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Del Amo Sanchez, P.; Lees, J. P.; Poireau, V.; Prencipe, E.; Tisserand, V.; Garra Tico, J.; Grauges, E.; Martinelli, M.; Milanes, D. A.; Palano, A.; Pappagallo, M.; Eigen, G.; Stugu, B.; Sun, L.; Brown, D. N.; Kerth, L. T.; Kolomensky, Yu. G.; Lynch, G.; Osipenkov, I. L.; Koch, H.; Schroeder, T.; Asgeirsson, D. J.; Hearty, C.; Mattison, T. S.; McKenna, J. A.; Khan, A.; Blinov, V. E.; Buzykaev, A. R.; Druzhinin, V. P.; Golubev, V. B.; Kravchenko, E. A.; Onuchin, A. P.; Serednyakov, S. I.; Skovpen, Yu. I.; Solodov, E. P.; Todyshev, K. Yu.; Yushkov, A. N.; Bondioli, M.; Curry, S.; Kirkby, D.; Lankford, A. J.; Mandelkern, M.; Martin, E. C.; Stoker, D. P.; Atmacan, H.; Gary, J. W.; Liu, F.; Long, O.; Vitug, G. M.; Campagnari, C.; Hong, T. M.; Kovalskyi, D.; Richman, J. D.; West, C.; Eisner, A. M.; Heusch, C. A.; Kroseberg, J.; Lockman, W. S.; Martinez, A. J.; Schalk, T.; Schumm, B. A.; Seiden, A.; Winstrom, L. O.; Cheng, C. H.; Doll, D. A.; Echenard, B.; Hitlin, D. G.; Ongmongkolkul, P.; Porter, F. C.; Rakitin, A. Y.; Andreassen, R.; Dubrovin, M. S.; Mancinelli, G.; Meadows, B. T.; Sokoloff, M. D.; Bloom, P. C.; Ford, W. T.; Gaz, A.; Nagel, M.; Nauenberg, U.; Smith, J. G.; Wagner, S. R.; Ayad, R.; Toki, W. H.; Jasper, H.; Karbach, T. M.; Petzold, A.; Spaan, B.; Kobel, M. J.; Schubert, K. R.; Schwierz, R.; Bernard, D.; Verderi, M.; Clark, P. J.; Playfer, S.; Watson, J. E.; Andreotti, M.; Bettoni, D.; Bozzi, C.; Calabrese, R.; Cecchi, A.; Cibinetto, G.; Fioravanti, E.; Franchini, P.; Garzia, I.; Luppi, E.; Munerato, M.; Negrini, M.; Petrella, A.; Piemontese, L.; Baldini-Ferroli, R.; Calcaterra, A.; de Sangro, R.; Finocchiaro, G.; Nicolaci, M.; Pacetti, S.; Patteri, P.; Peruzzi, I. M.; Piccolo, M.; Rama, M.; Zallo, A.; Contri, R.; Guido, E.; Lo Vetere, M.; Monge, M. R.; Passaggio, S.; Patrignani, C.; Robutti, E.; Tosi, S.; Bhuyan, B.; Prasad, V.; Lee, C. L.; Morii, M.; Edwards, A. J.; Adametz, A.; Marks, J.; Uwer, U.; Bernlochner, F. U.; Ebert, M.; Lacker, H. M.; Lueck, T.; Volk, A.; Dauncey, P. D.; Tibbetts, M.; Behera, P. K.; Mallik, U.; Chen, C.; Cochran, J.; Crawley, H. B.; Dong, L.; Meyer, W. T.; Prell, S.; Rosenberg, E. I.; Rubin, A. E.; Gritsan, A. V.; Guo, Z. J.; Arnaud, N.; Davier, M.; Derkach, D.; Firmino da Costa, J.; Grosdidier, G.; Le Diberder, F.; Lutz, A. M.; Malaescu, B.; Perez, A.; Roudeau, P.; Schune, M. H.; Serrano, J.; Sordini, V.; Stocchi, A.; Wang, L.; Wormser, G.; Lange, D. J.; Wright, D. M.; Bingham, I.; Chavez, C. A.; Coleman, J. P.; Fry, J. R.; Gabathuler, E.; Gamet, R.; Hutchcroft, D. E.; Payne, D. J.; Touramanis, C.; Bevan, A. J.; di Lodovico, F.; Sacco, R.; Sigamani, M.; Cowan, G.; Paramesvaran, S.; Wren, A. C.; Brown, D. N.; Davis, C. L.; Denig, A. G.; Fritsch, M.; Gradl, W.; Hafner, A.; Alwyn, K. E.; Bailey, D.; Barlow, R. J.; Jackson, G.; Lafferty, G. D.; Anderson, J.; Cenci, R.; Jawahery, A.; Roberts, D. A.; Simi, G.; Tuggle, J. M.; Dallapiccola, C.; Salvati, E.; Cowan, R.; Dujmic, D.; Sciolla, G.; Zhao, M.; Lindemann, D.; Patel, P. M.; Robertson, S. H.; Schram, M.; Biassoni, P.; Lazzaro, A.; Lombardo, V.; Palombo, F.; Stracka, S.; Cremaldi, L.; Godang, R.; Kroeger, R.; Sonnek, P.; Summers, D. J.; Nguyen, X.; Simard, M.; Taras, P.; de Nardo, G.; Monorchio, D.; Onorato, G.; Sciacca, C.; Raven, G.; Snoek, H. L.; Jessop, C. P.; Knoepfel, K. J.; Losecco, J. M.; Wang, W. F.; Corwin, L. A.; Honscheid, K.; Kass, R.; Morris, J. P.; Blount, N. L.; Brau, J.; Frey, R.; Igonkina, O.; Kolb, J. A.; Rahmat, R.; Sinev, N. B.; Strom, D.; Strube, J.; Torrence, E.; Castelli, G.; Feltresi, E.; Gagliardi, N.; Margoni, M.; Morandin, M.; Posocco, M.; Rotondo, M.; Simonetto, F.; Stroili, R.; Ben-Haim, E.; Bonneaud, G. R.; Briand, H.; Calderini, G.; Chauveau, J.; Hamon, O.; Leruste, Ph.; Marchiori, G.; Ocariz, J.; Prendki, J.; Sitt, S.; Biasini, M.; Manoni, E.; Rossi, A.; Angelini, C.; Batignani, G.; Bettarini, S.; Carpinelli, M.; Casarosa, G.; Cervelli, A.; Forti, F.; Giorgi, M. A.; Lusiani, A.; Neri, N.; Paoloni, E.; Rizzo, G.; Walsh, J. J.; Lopes Pegna, D.; Lu, C.; Olsen, J.; Smith, A. J. S.; Telnov, A. V.; Anulli, F.; Baracchini, E.; Cavoto, G.; Faccini, R.; Ferrarotto, F.; Ferroni, F.; Gaspero, M.; Li Gioi, L.; Mazzoni, M. A.; Piredda, G.; Renga, F.; Hartmann, T.; Leddig, T.; Schröder, H.; Waldi, R.; Adye, T.; Franek, B.; Olaiya, E. O.; Wilson, F. F.; Emery, S.; Hamel de Monchenault, G.; Vasseur, G.; Yèche, Ch.; Zito, M.; Allen, M. T.; Aston, D.; Bard, D. J.; Bartoldus, R.; Benitez, J. F.; Cartaro, C.; Convery, M. R.; Dorfan, J.; Dubois-Felsmann, G. P.; Dunwoodie, W.; Field, R. C.; Franco Sevilla, M.; Fulsom, B. G.; Gabareen, A. M.; Graham, M. T.; Grenier, P.; Hast, C.; Innes, W. R.; Kelsey, M. H.; Kim, H.; Kim, P.; Kocian, M. L.; Leith, D. W. G. S.; Li, S.; Lindquist, B.; Luitz, S.; Luth, V.; Lynch, H. L.; Macfarlane, D. B.; Marsiske, H.; Muller, D. R.; Neal, H.; Nelson, S.; O'Grady, C. P.; Ofte, I.; Perl, M.; Pulliam, T.; Ratcliff, B. N.; Roodman, A.; Salnikov, A. A.; Santoro, V.; Schindler, R. H.; Schwiening, J.; Snyder, A.; Su, D.; Sullivan, M. K.; Sun, S.; Suzuki, K.; Thompson, J. M.; Va'Vra, J.; Wagner, A. P.; Weaver, M.; Wisniewski, W. J.; Wittgen, M.; Wright, D. H.; Wulsin, H. W.; Yarritu, A. K.; Young, C. C.; Ziegler, V.; Chen, X. R.; Park, W.; Purohit, M. V.; White, R. M.; Wilson, J. R.; Randle-Conde, A.; Sekula, S. J.; Bellis, M.; Burchat, P. R.; Miyashita, T. S.; Ahmed, S.; Alam, M. S.; Ernst, J. A.; Pan, B.; Saeed, M. A.; Zain, S. B.; Guttman, N.; Soffer, A.; Lund, P.; Spanier, S. M.; Eckmann, R.; Ritchie, J. L.; Ruland, A. M.; Schilling, C. J.; Schwitters, R. F.; Wray, B. C.; Izen, J. M.; Lou, X. C.; Bianchi, F.; Gamba, D.; Pelliccioni, M.; Bomben, M.; Lanceri, L.; Vitale, L.; Lopez-March, N.; Martinez-Vidal, F.; Oyanguren, A.; Albert, J.; Banerjee, Sw.; Choi, H. H. F.; Hamano, K.; King, G. J.; Kowalewski, R.; Lewczuk, M. J.; Lindsay, C.; Nugent, I. M.; Roney, J. M.; Sobie, R. J.; Gershon, T. J.; Harrison, P. F.; Latham, T. E.; Pennington, M. R.; Puccio, E. M. T.; Band, H. R.; Dasu, S.; Flood, K. T.; Pan, Y.; Prepost, R.; Vuosalo, C. O.; Wu, S. L.

2011-03-01

We perform a Dalitz plot analysis of about 100 000 Ds+ decays to K+K-π+ and measure the complex amplitudes of the intermediate resonances which contribute to this decay mode. We also measure the relative branching fractions of Ds+→K+K+π- and Ds+→K+K+K-. For this analysis we use a 384 fb-1 data sample, recorded by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy e+e- collider running at center-of-mass energies near 10.58 GeV.

A Simple Method for Reproducing Orbital Plots for Illustration Using Microsoft Paint and Microsoft Excel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niebuhr, Cole

2018-04-01

Papers published in the astronomical community, particularly in the field of double star research, often contain plots that display the positions of the component stars relative to each other on a Cartesian coordinate plane. Due to the complexities of plotting a three-dimensional orbit into a two-dimensional image, it is often difficult to include an accurate reproduction of the orbit for comparison purposes. Methods to circumvent this obstacle do exist; however, many of these protocols result in low-quality blurred images or require specific and often expensive software. Here, a method is reported using Microsoft Paint and Microsoft Excel to produce high-quality images with an accurate reproduction of a partial orbit.

Realtime multi-plot graphics system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shipkowski, Michael S.

1990-01-01

The increased complexity of test operations and customer requirements at Langley Research Center's National Transonic Facility (NTF) surpassed the capabilities of the initial realtime graphics system. The analysis of existing hardware and software and the enhancements made to develop a new realtime graphics system are described. The result of this effort is a cost effective system, based on hardware already in place, that support high speed, high resolution, generation and display of multiple realtime plots. The enhanced graphics system (EGS) meets the current and foreseeable future realtime graphics requirements of the NTF. While this system was developed to support wind tunnel operations, the overall design and capability of the system is applicable to other realtime data acquisition systems that have realtime plot requirements.

Predictability of bee community composition after floral removals differs by floral trait group.

PubMed

Urban-Mead, Katherine R

2017-11-01

Plant-bee visitor communities are complex networks. While studies show that deleting nodes alters network topology, predicting these changes in the field remains difficult. Here, a simple trait-based approach is tested for predicting bee community composition following disturbance. I selected six fields with mixed cover of flower species with shallow (open) and deep (tube) nectar access, and removed all flowers or flower heads of species of each trait in different plots paired with controls, then observed bee foraging and composition. I compared the bee community in each manipulated plot with bees on the same flower species in control plots. The bee morphospecies composition in manipulations with only tube flowers remaining was the same as that in the control plots, while the bee morphospecies on only open flowers were dissimilar from those in control plots. However, the proportion of short- and long-tongued bees on focal flowers did not differ between control and manipulated plots for either manipulation. So, bees within some functional groups are more strongly linked to their floral trait partners than others. And, it may be more fruitful to describe expected bee community compositions in terms of relative proportions of relevant ecological traits than species, particularly in species-diverse communities. © 2017 The Author(s).

Burrow Dusting or Oral Vaccination Prevents Plague-Associated Prairie Dog Colony Collapse.

PubMed

Tripp, Daniel W; Rocke, Tonie E; Runge, Jonathan P; Abbott, Rachel C; Miller, Michael W

2017-09-01

Plague impacts prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.), the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) and other sensitive wildlife species. We compared efficacy of prophylactic treatments (burrow dusting with deltamethrin or oral vaccination with recombinant "sylvatic plague vaccine" [RCN-F1/V307]) to placebo treatment in black-tailed prairie dog (C. ludovicianus) colonies. Between 2013 and 2015, we measured prairie dog apparent survival, burrow activity and flea abundance on triplicate plots ("blocks") receiving dust, vaccine or placebo treatment. Epizootic plague affected all three blocks but emerged asynchronously. Dust plots had fewer fleas per burrow (P < 0.0001), and prairie dogs captured on dust plots had fewer fleas (P < 0.0001) than those on vaccine or placebo plots. Burrow activity and prairie dog density declined sharply in placebo plots when epizootic plague emerged. Patterns in corresponding dust and vaccine plots were less consistent and appeared strongly influenced by timing of treatment applications relative to plague emergence. Deltamethrin or oral vaccination enhanced apparent survival within two blocks. Applying insecticide or vaccine prior to epizootic emergence blunted effects of plague on prairie dog survival and abundance, thereby preventing colony collapse. Successful plague mitigation will likely entail strategic combined uses of burrow dusting and oral vaccination within large colonies or colony complexes.

Burrow dusting or oral vaccination prevents plague-associated prairie dog colony collapse

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tripp, Daniel W.; Rocke, Tonie E.; Runge, Jonathan P.; Abbott, Rachel C.; Miller, Michael W.

2017-01-01

Plague impacts prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.), the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) and other sensitive wildlife species. We compared efficacy of prophylactic treatments (burrow dusting with deltamethrin or oral vaccination with recombinant “sylvatic plague vaccine” [RCN-F1/V307]) to placebo treatment in black-tailed prairie dog (C. ludovicianus) colonies. Between 2013 and 2015, we measured prairie dog apparent survival, burrow activity and flea abundance on triplicate plots (“blocks”) receiving dust, vaccine or placebo treatment. Epizootic plague affected all three blocks but emerged asynchronously. Dust plots had fewer fleas per burrow (P < 0.0001), and prairie dogs captured on dust plots had fewer fleas (P < 0.0001) than those on vaccine or placebo plots. Burrow activity and prairie dog density declined sharply in placebo plots when epizootic plague emerged. Patterns in corresponding dust and vaccine plots were less consistent and appeared strongly influenced by timing of treatment applications relative to plague emergence. Deltamethrin or oral vaccination enhanced apparent survival within two blocks. Applying insecticide or vaccine prior to epizootic emergence blunted effects of plague on prairie dog survival and abundance, thereby preventing colony collapse. Successful plague mitigation will likely entail strategic combined uses of burrow dusting and oral vaccination within large colonies or colony complexes.

Determination of the Thermal Noise Limit of Graphene Biotransistors.

PubMed

Crosser, Michael S; Brown, Morgan A; McEuen, Paul L; Minot, Ethan D

2015-08-12

To determine the thermal noise limit of graphene biotransistors, we have measured the complex impedance between the basal plane of single-layer graphene and an aqueous electrolyte. The impedance is dominated by an imaginary component but has a finite real component. Invoking the fluctuation-dissipation theorem, we determine the power spectral density of thermally driven voltage fluctuations at the graphene/electrolyte interface. The fluctuations have 1/f(p) dependence, with p = 0.75-0.85, and the magnitude of fluctuations scales inversely with area. Our results explain noise spectra previously measured in liquid-gated suspended graphene devices and provide realistic targets for future device performance.

Broadband impedance-matched electromagnetic structured ferrite composite in the megahertz range

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

Parke, L.; Hibbins, A. P.; Sambles, J. R.

2014-06-02

A high refractive-index structured ferrite composite is designed to experimentally demonstrate broadband impedance matching to free-space. It consists of an array of ferrite cubes that are anisotropically spaced, thereby allowing for independent control of the effective complex permeability and permittivity. Despite having a refractive index of 9.5, the array gives less than 1% reflection and over 90% transmission of normally incident radiation up to 70 MHz for one of the orthogonal linear polarisations lying in a symmetry plane of the array. This result presents a route to the design of MHz-frequency ferrite composites with bespoke electromagnetic parameters for antenna miniaturisation.

Kinetics and mechanism of olefin catalytic hydroalumination by organoaluminum compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koledina, K. F.; Gubaidullin, I. M.

2016-05-01

The complex reaction mechanism of α-olefin catalytic hydroalumination by alkylalanes is investigated via mathematical modeling that involves plotting the kinetic models for the individual reactions that make up a complex system and a separate study of their principles. Kinetic parameters of olefin catalytic hydroalumination are estimated. Activation energies of the possible steps of the schemes of complex reaction mechanisms are compared and possible reaction pathways are determined.

Fault kinematics and localised inversion within the Troms-Finnmark Fault Complex, SW Barents Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zervas, I.; Omosanya, K. O.; Lippard, S. J.; Johansen, S. E.

2018-04-01

The areas bounding the Troms-Finnmark Fault Complex are affected by complex tectonic evolution. In this work, the history of fault growth, reactivation, and inversion of major faults in the Troms-Finnmark Fault Complex and the Ringvassøy Loppa Fault Complex is interpreted from three-dimensional seismic data, structural maps and fault displacement plots. Our results reveal eight normal faults bounding rotated fault blocks in the Troms-Finnmark Fault Complex. Both the throw-depth and displacement-distance plots show that the faults exhibit complex configurations of lateral and vertical segmentation with varied profiles. Some of the faults were reactivated by dip-linkages during the Late Jurassic and exhibit polycyclic fault growth, including radial, syn-sedimentary, and hybrid propagation. Localised positive inversion is the main mechanism of fault reactivation occurring at the Troms-Finnmark Fault Complex. The observed structural styles include folds associated with extensional faults, folded growth wedges and inverted depocentres. Localised inversion was intermittent with rifting during the Middle Jurassic-Early Cretaceous at the boundaries of the Troms-Finnmark Fault Complex to the Finnmark Platform. Additionally, tectonic inversion was more intense at the boundaries of the two fault complexes, affecting Middle Triassic to Early Cretaceous strata. Our study shows that localised folding is either a product of compressional forces or of lateral movements in the Troms-Finnmark Fault Complex. Regional stresses due to the uplift in the Loppa High and halokinesis in the Tromsø Basin are likely additional causes of inversion in the Troms-Finnmark Fault Complex.

Experimental investigation of the early interaction between cyanobacterial soil crusts and vascular plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klemens Zaplata, Markus; Veste, Maik; Pohle, Ina; Schümberg, Sabine; Abreu Schonert, Iballa; Hinz, Christoph

2016-04-01

While there are hints that biological soil crusts (BSCs) can constitute physical barriers for the emergence of vascular plants, a conceptual approach for the quantitative evaluation of these effects is still missing. Here we present an experimental design to test the emergence of seedlings in situ with (i) capping natural intact, (ii) destroyed and (iii) removed BSC. The selected field site is directly adjacent to the constructed Hühnerwasser catchment (Lusatia, Germany). This site exists since the end of 2008 and consists of loamy sand. Serving as proxy for seedling thrust, we inserted pre-germinated seeds of three confamiliar plant species with different seed masses (members of the Fabaceae family: Lotus corniculatus L., Ornithopus sativus Brot., and Glycine max (L.) Merr.). In each treatment as well as in the control group planting depths were 10 mm. We took care that experimental plots had identical crust thickness, slightly less than 4 mm, serving as proxy for mechanical resistance. A plot became established as follows: Firstly, the pristine crusted surface was vertically cut. To the windward side the BSC remained intact (i: "with BSC" stripe). To the downwind side soil material was temporarily excavated for laterally inserting the seeds beneath the surface of the first stripe. Then at the thereby disturbed second stripe pulverised BSC material became filled as a top layer (ii: "BSC mix" stripe). From the next stripe the BSC was removed (iii: "no BSC" stripe). Thus each plot had each experimental group in spatial contiguity (within 50 cm × 50 cm). The overall 50 plots were distributed across an area of 40 m × 12 m. When individuals of a species either emerged at all stripes, "× × ×", or at no stripe of a plot, "- - -", there was no reason to suppose any effect of a crust. The "- × ×" emergence pattern (depicting the appearance of seedlings in both stripes possessing manipulated surfaces) points towards hindrance more clearly than "- × -" or "- - ×". Altogether eight possible combinations exist. Combinatorial analysis turned out that seedling emergence had been notably impeded for light-weighted seeds but little for heavy seeds. Repeated recordings enable to account for adaptable emergence of seedlings according to varying crust conditions - in spatial as well as temporal terms. The proposed experimental procedure hence is highly recommended as a viable instrument to further investigate filter and facilitation processes between BSCs and vascular plants.

Recurrence-plot-based measures of complexity and their application to heart-rate-variability data.

PubMed

Marwan, Norbert; Wessel, Niels; Meyerfeldt, Udo; Schirdewan, Alexander; Kurths, Jürgen

2002-08-01

The knowledge of transitions between regular, laminar or chaotic behaviors is essential to understand the underlying mechanisms behind complex systems. While several linear approaches are often insufficient to describe such processes, there are several nonlinear methods that, however, require rather long time observations. To overcome these difficulties, we propose measures of complexity based on vertical structures in recurrence plots and apply them to the logistic map as well as to heart-rate-variability data. For the logistic map these measures enable us not only to detect transitions between chaotic and periodic states, but also to identify laminar states, i.e., chaos-chaos transitions. The traditional recurrence quantification analysis fails to detect the latter transitions. Applying our measures to the heart-rate-variability data, we are able to detect and quantify the laminar phases before a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia occurs thereby facilitating a prediction of such an event. Our findings could be of importance for the therapy of malignant cardiac arrhythmias.

RTEMIS: Real-time Tumoroid and Environment Monitoring Using Impedance Spectroscopy and pH Sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexander, Frank A., Jr.

This research utilizes Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy, a technique classically used for electrochemical analysis and material characterization, as the basis for a non-destructive, label-free assay platform for three dimensional (3D) cellular spheroids. In this work, a linear array of microelectrodes is optimized to rapidly respond to changes located within a 3D multicellular model. In addition, this technique is coupled with an on chip micro-pH sensor for monitoring the environment around the cells. Finally, the responses of both impedance and pH are correlated with physical changes within the cellular model. The impedance analysis system realized through this work provides a foundation for the development of high-throughput drug screening systems that utilize multiple parallel sensing modalities including pH and impedance sensing in order to quickly assess the efficacy of specific drug candidates. The slow development of new drugs is mainly attributed to poor predictability of current chemosensitivity and resistivity assays, as well as genetic differences between the animal models used for tests and humans. In addition, monolayer cultures used in early experimentation are fundamentally different from the complex structure of organs in vivo. This requires the study of smaller 3D models (spheroids) that more efficiently replicate the conditions within the body. The main objective of this research was to develop a microfluidic system on a chip that is capable of deducing viability and morphology of 3D tumor spheroids by monitoring both the impedance of the cellular model and the pH of their local environment. This would provide a fast and reliable method for screening pharmaceutical compounds in a high-throughput system.

Reducing sojourn points from recurrence plots to improve transition detection: Application to fetal heart rate transitions.

PubMed

Zaylaa, Amira; Charara, Jamal; Girault, Jean-Marc

2015-08-01

The analysis of biomedical signals demonstrating complexity through recurrence plots is challenging. Quantification of recurrences is often biased by sojourn points that hide dynamic transitions. To overcome this problem, time series have previously been embedded at high dimensions. However, no one has quantified the elimination of sojourn points and rate of detection, nor the enhancement of transition detection has been investigated. This paper reports our on-going efforts to improve the detection of dynamic transitions from logistic maps and fetal hearts by reducing sojourn points. Three signal-based recurrence plots were developed, i.e. embedded with specific settings, derivative-based and m-time pattern. Determinism, cross-determinism and percentage of reduced sojourn points were computed to detect transitions. For logistic maps, an increase of 50% and 34.3% in sensitivity of detection over alternatives was achieved by m-time pattern and embedded recurrence plots with specific settings, respectively, and with a 100% specificity. For fetal heart rates, embedded recurrence plots with specific settings provided the best performance, followed by derivative-based recurrence plot, then unembedded recurrence plot using the determinism parameter. The relative errors between healthy and distressed fetuses were 153%, 95% and 91%. More than 50% of sojourn points were eliminated, allowing better detection of heart transitions triggered by gaseous exchange factors. This could be significant in improving the diagnosis of fetal state. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quantitative chemical exchange saturation transfer (qCEST) MRI--RF spillover effect-corrected omega plot for simultaneous determination of labile proton fraction ratio and exchange rate.

PubMed

Sun, Phillip Zhe; Wang, Yu; Dai, ZhuoZhi; Xiao, Gang; Wu, Renhua

2014-01-01

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI is sensitive to dilute proteins and peptides as well as microenvironmental properties. However, the complexity of the CEST MRI effect, which varies with the labile proton content, exchange rate and experimental conditions, underscores the need for developing quantitative CEST (qCEST) analysis. Towards this goal, it has been shown that omega plot is capable of quantifying paramagnetic CEST MRI. However, the use of the omega plot is somewhat limited for diamagnetic CEST (DIACEST) MRI because it is more susceptible to direct radio frequency (RF) saturation (spillover) owing to the relatively small chemical shift. Recently, it has been found that, for dilute DIACEST agents that undergo slow to intermediate chemical exchange, the spillover effect varies little with the labile proton ratio and exchange rate. Therefore, we postulated that the omega plot analysis can be improved if RF spillover effect could be estimated and taken into account. Specifically, simulation showed that both labile proton ratio and exchange rate derived using the spillover effect-corrected omega plot were in good agreement with simulated values. In addition, the modified omega plot was confirmed experimentally, and we showed that the derived labile proton ratio increased linearly with creatine concentration (p < 0.01), with little difference in their exchange rate (p = 0.32). In summary, our study extends the conventional omega plot for quantitative analysis of DIACEST MRI. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A variable circular-plot method for estimating bird numbers

Treesearch

R. T. Reynolds; J. M. Scott; R. A. Nussbaum

1980-01-01

A bird census method is presented that is designed for tall, structurally complex vegetation types, and rugged terrain. With this method the observer counts all birds seen or heard around a station, and estimates the horizontal distance from the station to each bird. Count periods at stations vary according to the avian community and structural complexity of the...

Use of multi-opening burrow systems by black-footed ferrets

USGS Publications Warehouse

Biggins, Dean E.

2012-01-01

Multi-opening burrow systems constructed by prairie dogs (Cynomys) ostensibly provide escape routes when prairie dogs are pursued by predators capable of entering the burrows, such as black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes), or by predators that can rapidly dig into the tunnels, such as American badgers (Taxidea taxus). Because badgers also prey on ferrets, ferrets might similarly benefit from multi-opening burrow systems. Using an air blower, white-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys leucurus) burrow openings were tested for connectivity on plots occupied by black-footed ferrets and on randomly selected plots in Wyoming. Significantly more connected openings were found on ferret-occupied plots than on random plots. Connected openings might be due to modifications by ferrets in response to plugging by prairie dogs, due to selection by ferrets for complex systems with multiple openings that are already unobstructed, or simply due to ferrets lingering at kill sites that were multi-opening systems selected by their prairie dog prey.

An automated graphics tool for comparative genomics: the Coulson plot generator

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Comparative analysis is an essential component to biology. When applied to genomics for example, analysis may require comparisons between the predicted presence and absence of genes in a group of genomes under consideration. Frequently, genes can be grouped into small categories based on functional criteria, for example membership of a multimeric complex, participation in a metabolic or signaling pathway or shared sequence features and/or paralogy. These patterns of retention and loss are highly informative for the prediction of function, and hence possible biological context, and can provide great insights into the evolutionary history of cellular functions. However, representation of such information in a standard spreadsheet is a poor visual means from which to extract patterns within a dataset. Results We devised the Coulson Plot, a new graphical representation that exploits a matrix of pie charts to display comparative genomics data. Each pie is used to describe a complex or process from a separate taxon, and is divided into sectors corresponding to the number of proteins (subunits) in a complex/process. The predicted presence or absence of proteins in each complex are delineated by occupancy of a given sector; this format is visually highly accessible and makes pattern recognition rapid and reliable. A key to the identity of each subunit, plus hierarchical naming of taxa and coloring are included. A java-based application, the Coulson plot generator (CPG) automates graphic production, with a tab or comma-delineated text file as input and generating an editable portable document format or svg file. Conclusions CPG software may be used to rapidly convert spreadsheet data to a graphical matrix pie chart format. The representation essentially retains all of the information from the spreadsheet but presents a graphically rich format making comparisons and identification of patterns significantly clearer. While the Coulson plot format is highly useful in comparative genomics, its original purpose, the software can be used to visualize any dataset where entity occupancy is compared between different classes. Availability CPG software is available at sourceforge http://sourceforge.net/projects/coulson and http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6701906/Web/Sites/Labsite/CPG.html PMID:23621955

Visualization of Global Disease Burden for the Optimization of Patient Management and Treatment.

PubMed

Schlee, Winfried; Hall, Deborah A; Edvall, Niklas K; Langguth, Berthold; Canlon, Barbara; Cederroth, Christopher R

2017-01-01

The assessment and treatment of complex disorders is challenged by the multiple domains and instruments used to evaluate clinical outcome. With the large number of assessment tools typically used in complex disorders comes the challenge of obtaining an integrative view of disease status to further evaluate treatment outcome both at the individual level and at the group level. Radar plots appear as an attractive visual tool to display multivariate data on a two-dimensional graphical illustration. Here, we describe the use of radar plots for the visualization of disease characteristics applied in the context of tinnitus, a complex and heterogeneous condition, the treatment of which has shown mixed success. Data from two different cohorts, the Swedish Tinnitus Outreach Project (STOP) and the Tinnitus Research Initiative (TRI) database, were used. STOP is a population-based cohort where cross-sectional data from 1,223 non-tinnitus and 933 tinnitus subjects were analyzed. By contrast, the TRI contained data from 571 patients who underwent various treatments and whose Clinical Global Impression (CGI) score was accessible to infer treatment outcome. In the latter, 34,560 permutations were tested to evaluate whether a particular ordering of the instruments could reflect better the treatment outcome measured with the CGI. Radar plots confirmed that tinnitus subtypes such as occasional and chronic tinnitus from the STOP cohort could be strikingly different, and helped appreciate a gender bias in tinnitus severity. Radar plots with greater surface areas were consistent with greater burden, and enabled a rapid appreciation of the global distress associated with tinnitus in patients categorized according to tinnitus severity. Permutations in the arrangement of instruments allowed to identify a configuration with minimal variance and maximized surface difference between CGI groups from the TRI database, thus affording a means of optimally evaluating the outcomes in individual patients. We anticipate such a tool to become a starting point for more sophisticated measures in clinical outcomes, applicable not only in the context of tinnitus but also in other complex diseases where the integration of multiple variables is needed for a comprehensive evaluation of treatment response.

PGE(2) activation of apical membrane Cl(-) channels in A6 epithelia: impedance analysis.

PubMed Central

Păunescu, T G; Helman, S I

2001-01-01

Measurements of transepithelial electrical impedance of continuously short-circuited A6 epithelia were made at audio frequencies (0.244 Hz to 10.45 kHz) to investigate the time course and extent to which prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) modulates Cl(-) transport and apical membrane capacitance in this cell-cultured model epithelium. Apical and basolateral membrane resistances were determined by nonlinear curve-fitting of the impedance vectors at relatively low frequencies (<50 Hz) to equations (Păunescu, T. G., and S. I. Helman. 2001. Biophys. J. 81:838--851) where depressed Nyquist impedance semicircles were characteristic of the membrane impedances under control Na(+)-transporting and amiloride-inhibited conditions. In all tissues (control, amiloride-blocked, and amiloride-blocked and furosemide-pretreated), PGE(2) caused relatively small (< approximately 3 microA/cm(2)) and rapid (<60 s) maximal increase of chloride current due to activation of a rather large increase of apical membrane conductance that preceded significant activation of Na(+) transport through amiloride-sensitive epithelial Na(+) channels (ENaCs). Apical membrane capacitance was frequency-dependent with a Cole-Cole dielectric dispersion whose relaxation frequency was near 150 Hz. Analysis of the time-dependent changes of the complex frequency-dependent equivalent capacitance of the cells at frequencies >1.5 kHz revealed that the mean 9.8% increase of capacitance caused by PGE(2) was not correlated in time with activation of chloride conductance, but rather correlated with activation of apical membrane Na(+) transport. PMID:11463630

Factors that Predict Quality Classroom Technology Use

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hastings, Tricia A.

2009-01-01

Despite technological advancements intended to enhance teaching and learning in the 21st century, numerous teacher and school factors continue to impede quality classroom technology use. Determining the effectiveness of educational technology is challenging and requires a detailed understanding of multifaceted, complex, contextual relationships.…

A high resolution radiation hybrid map of wheat chromosome 4A

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Bread wheat has a large and complex allohexaploid genome with low recombination level at chromosome centromeric and peri-centromeric regions. This significantly hampers ordering of markers, contigs of physical maps and sequence scaffolds and impedes obtaining of high-quality reference genome sequenc...

Influence of temperature on AC conductivity of nanocrystalline CuAlO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prakash, T.

2012-07-01

Nanocrystalline CuAlO2 was synthesized by mechanical alloying of Cu2O and α-Al2O3 powders in the molar ratio of 1:1 for 20 h in toluene medium with tungsten carbide balls and vials using planetary ball mill. The ball milling was carried out at 300 rpm with a ball to powder weight ratio of 10:1 and then annealed at 1373 K in a platinum crucible for 20 h to get CuAlO2 phase with average crystallite size 45 nm. Complex impedance spectroscopic measurement in the frequency region 1 Hz to 10 MHz between the temperatures 333 to 473 K was carried out for nanocrystalline CuAlO2 sample. The obtained complex impedance data was analyzed for AC conductivities, DC and AC conductivities correlations and crossover frequencies ( f co ). The BNN (Barton, Nakajima and Namikawa) relation was applied to understand the correlation between DC and AC conductivities. The observed experimental results were discussed in the paper.

PLOT3D/AMES, UNIX SUPERCOMPUTER AND SGI IRIS VERSION (WITHOUT TURB3D)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buning, P.

1994-01-01

PLOT3D is an interactive graphics program designed to help scientists visualize computational fluid dynamics (CFD) grids and solutions. Today, supercomputers and CFD algorithms can provide scientists with simulations of such highly complex phenomena that obtaining an understanding of the simulations has become a major problem. Tools which help the scientist visualize the simulations can be of tremendous aid. PLOT3D/AMES offers more functions and features, and has been adapted for more types of computers than any other CFD graphics program. Version 3.6b+ is supported for five computers and graphic libraries. Using PLOT3D, CFD physicists can view their computational models from any angle, observing the physics of problems and the quality of solutions. As an aid in designing aircraft, for example, PLOT3D's interactive computer graphics can show vortices, temperature, reverse flow, pressure, and dozens of other characteristics of air flow during flight. As critical areas become obvious, they can easily be studied more closely using a finer grid. PLOT3D is part of a computational fluid dynamics software cycle. First, a program such as 3DGRAPE (ARC-12620) helps the scientist generate computational grids to model an object and its surrounding space. Once the grids have been designed and parameters such as the angle of attack, Mach number, and Reynolds number have been specified, a "flow-solver" program such as INS3D (ARC-11794 or COS-10019) solves the system of equations governing fluid flow, usually on a supercomputer. Grids sometimes have as many as two million points, and the "flow-solver" produces a solution file which contains density, x- y- and z-momentum, and stagnation energy for each grid point. With such a solution file and a grid file containing up to 50 grids as input, PLOT3D can calculate and graphically display any one of 74 functions, including shock waves, surface pressure, velocity vectors, and particle traces. PLOT3D's 74 functions are organized into five groups: 1) Grid Functions for grids, grid-checking, etc.; 2) Scalar Functions for contour or carpet plots of density, pressure, temperature, Mach number, vorticity magnitude, helicity, etc.; 3) Vector Functions for vector plots of velocity, vorticity, momentum, and density gradient, etc.; 4) Particle Trace Functions for rake-like plots of particle flow or vortex lines; and 5) Shock locations based on pressure gradient. TURB3D is a modification of PLOT3D which is used for viewing CFD simulations of incompressible turbulent flow. Input flow data consists of pressure, velocity and vorticity. Typical quantities to plot include local fluctuations in flow quantities and turbulent production terms, plotted in physical or wall units. PLOT3D/TURB3D includes both TURB3D and PLOT3D because the operation of TURB3D is identical to PLOT3D, and there is no additional sample data or printed documentation for TURB3D. Graphical capabilities of PLOT3D version 3.6b+ vary among the implementations available through COSMIC. Customers are encouraged to purchase and carefully review the PLOT3D manual before ordering the program for a specific computer and graphics library. There is only one manual for use with all implementations of PLOT3D, and although this manual generally assumes that the Silicon Graphics Iris implementation is being used, informative comments concerning other implementations appear throughout the text. With all implementations, the visual representation of the object and flow field created by PLOT3D consists of points, lines, and polygons. Points can be represented with dots or symbols, color can be used to denote data values, and perspective is used to show depth. Differences among implementations impact the program's ability to use graphical features that are based on 3D polygons, the user's ability to manipulate the graphical displays, and the user's ability to obtain alternate forms of output. In addition to providing the advantages of performing complex calculations on a supercomputer, the Supercomputer/IRIS implementation of PLOT3D offers advanced 3-D, view manipulation, and animation capabilities. Shading and hidden line/surface removal can be used to enhance depth perception and other aspects of the graphical displays. A mouse can be used to translate, rotate, or zoom in on views. Files for several types of output can be produced. Two animation options are available. Simple animation sequences can be created on the IRIS, or,if an appropriately modified version of ARCGRAPH (ARC-12350) is accesible on the supercomputer, files can be created for use in GAS (Graphics Animation System, ARC-12379), an IRIS program which offers more complex rendering and animation capabilities and options for recording images to digital disk, video tape, or 16-mm film. The version 3.6b+ Supercomputer/IRIS implementations of PLOT3D (ARC-12779) and PLOT3D/TURB3D (ARC-12784) are suitable for use on CRAY 2/UNICOS, CONVEX, and ALLIANT computers with a remote Silicon Graphics IRIS 2xxx/3xxx or IRIS 4D workstation. These programs are distributed on .25 inch magnetic tape cartridges in IRIS TAR format. Customers purchasing one implementation version of PLOT3D or PLOT3D/TURB3D will be given a $200 discount on each additional implementation version ordered at the same time. Version 3.6b+ of PLOT3D and PLOT3D/TURB3D are also supported for the following computers and graphics libraries: (1) Silicon Graphics IRIS 2xxx/3xxx or IRIS 4D workstations (ARC-12783, ARC-12782); (2) VAX computers running VMS Version 5.0 and DISSPLA Version 11.0 (ARC12777, ARC-12781); (3) generic UNIX and DISSPLA Version 11.0 (ARC-12788, ARC-12778); and (4) Apollo computers running UNIX and GMR3D Version 2.0 (ARC-12789, ARC-12785 - which have no capabilities to put text on plots). Silicon Graphics Iris, IRIS 4D, and IRIS 2xxx/3xxx are trademarks of Silicon Graphics Incorporated. VAX and VMS are trademarks of Digital Electronics Corporation. DISSPLA is a trademark of Computer Associates. CRAY 2 and UNICOS are trademarks of CRAY Research, Incorporated. CONVEX is a trademark of Convex Computer Corporation. Alliant is a trademark of Alliant. Apollo, DN10000, and GMR3D are trademarks of Hewlett-Packard, Incorporated. System V is a trademark of Bell Labs, Incorporated. BSD4.3 is a trademark of the University of California at Berkeley. UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T.

PLOT3D/AMES, UNIX SUPERCOMPUTER AND SGI IRIS VERSION (WITH TURB3D)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buning, P.

1994-01-01

PLOT3D is an interactive graphics program designed to help scientists visualize computational fluid dynamics (CFD) grids and solutions. Today, supercomputers and CFD algorithms can provide scientists with simulations of such highly complex phenomena that obtaining an understanding of the simulations has become a major problem. Tools which help the scientist visualize the simulations can be of tremendous aid. PLOT3D/AMES offers more functions and features, and has been adapted for more types of computers than any other CFD graphics program. Version 3.6b+ is supported for five computers and graphic libraries. Using PLOT3D, CFD physicists can view their computational models from any angle, observing the physics of problems and the quality of solutions. As an aid in designing aircraft, for example, PLOT3D's interactive computer graphics can show vortices, temperature, reverse flow, pressure, and dozens of other characteristics of air flow during flight. As critical areas become obvious, they can easily be studied more closely using a finer grid. PLOT3D is part of a computational fluid dynamics software cycle. First, a program such as 3DGRAPE (ARC-12620) helps the scientist generate computational grids to model an object and its surrounding space. Once the grids have been designed and parameters such as the angle of attack, Mach number, and Reynolds number have been specified, a "flow-solver" program such as INS3D (ARC-11794 or COS-10019) solves the system of equations governing fluid flow, usually on a supercomputer. Grids sometimes have as many as two million points, and the "flow-solver" produces a solution file which contains density, x- y- and z-momentum, and stagnation energy for each grid point. With such a solution file and a grid file containing up to 50 grids as input, PLOT3D can calculate and graphically display any one of 74 functions, including shock waves, surface pressure, velocity vectors, and particle traces. PLOT3D's 74 functions are organized into five groups: 1) Grid Functions for grids, grid-checking, etc.; 2) Scalar Functions for contour or carpet plots of density, pressure, temperature, Mach number, vorticity magnitude, helicity, etc.; 3) Vector Functions for vector plots of velocity, vorticity, momentum, and density gradient, etc.; 4) Particle Trace Functions for rake-like plots of particle flow or vortex lines; and 5) Shock locations based on pressure gradient. TURB3D is a modification of PLOT3D which is used for viewing CFD simulations of incompressible turbulent flow. Input flow data consists of pressure, velocity and vorticity. Typical quantities to plot include local fluctuations in flow quantities and turbulent production terms, plotted in physical or wall units. PLOT3D/TURB3D includes both TURB3D and PLOT3D because the operation of TURB3D is identical to PLOT3D, and there is no additional sample data or printed documentation for TURB3D. Graphical capabilities of PLOT3D version 3.6b+ vary among the implementations available through COSMIC. Customers are encouraged to purchase and carefully review the PLOT3D manual before ordering the program for a specific computer and graphics library. There is only one manual for use with all implementations of PLOT3D, and although this manual generally assumes that the Silicon Graphics Iris implementation is being used, informative comments concerning other implementations appear throughout the text. With all implementations, the visual representation of the object and flow field created by PLOT3D consists of points, lines, and polygons. Points can be represented with dots or symbols, color can be used to denote data values, and perspective is used to show depth. Differences among implementations impact the program's ability to use graphical features that are based on 3D polygons, the user's ability to manipulate the graphical displays, and the user's ability to obtain alternate forms of output. In addition to providing the advantages of performing complex calculations on a supercomputer, the Supercomputer/IRIS implementation of PLOT3D offers advanced 3-D, view manipulation, and animation capabilities. Shading and hidden line/surface removal can be used to enhance depth perception and other aspects of the graphical displays. A mouse can be used to translate, rotate, or zoom in on views. Files for several types of output can be produced. Two animation options are available. Simple animation sequences can be created on the IRIS, or,if an appropriately modified version of ARCGRAPH (ARC-12350) is accesible on the supercomputer, files can be created for use in GAS (Graphics Animation System, ARC-12379), an IRIS program which offers more complex rendering and animation capabilities and options for recording images to digital disk, video tape, or 16-mm film. The version 3.6b+ Supercomputer/IRIS implementations of PLOT3D (ARC-12779) and PLOT3D/TURB3D (ARC-12784) are suitable for use on CRAY 2/UNICOS, CONVEX, and ALLIANT computers with a remote Silicon Graphics IRIS 2xxx/3xxx or IRIS 4D workstation. These programs are distributed on .25 inch magnetic tape cartridges in IRIS TAR format. Customers purchasing one implementation version of PLOT3D or PLOT3D/TURB3D will be given a $200 discount on each additional implementation version ordered at the same time. Version 3.6b+ of PLOT3D and PLOT3D/TURB3D are also supported for the following computers and graphics libraries: (1) Silicon Graphics IRIS 2xxx/3xxx or IRIS 4D workstations (ARC-12783, ARC-12782); (2) VAX computers running VMS Version 5.0 and DISSPLA Version 11.0 (ARC12777, ARC-12781); (3) generic UNIX and DISSPLA Version 11.0 (ARC-12788, ARC-12778); and (4) Apollo computers running UNIX and GMR3D Version 2.0 (ARC-12789, ARC-12785 - which have no capabilities to put text on plots). Silicon Graphics Iris, IRIS 4D, and IRIS 2xxx/3xxx are trademarks of Silicon Graphics Incorporated. VAX and VMS are trademarks of Digital Electronics Corporation. DISSPLA is a trademark of Computer Associates. CRAY 2 and UNICOS are trademarks of CRAY Research, Incorporated. CONVEX is a trademark of Convex Computer Corporation. Alliant is a trademark of Alliant. Apollo, DN10000, and GMR3D are trademarks of Hewlett-Packard, Incorporated. System V is a trademark of Bell Labs, Incorporated. BSD4.3 is a trademark of the University of California at Berkeley. UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T.

Structural, morphological, dielectric and impedance spectroscopy of lead-free Bi(Zn2/3Ta1/3)O3 electronic material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Halder, S.; Bhuyan, S.; Das, S. N.; Sahoo, S.; Choudhary, R. N. P.; Das, P.; Parida, K.

2017-12-01

A lead-free dielectric material [Bi(Zn2/3Ta1/3)O3] has been prepared using a solid state reaction technique at high-temperature. The resistive, conducting and capacitive characteristics of the prepared electronic material have been studied in different experimental conditions. The determination of basic crystal parameters and reflection indices confirm the development of polycrystalline compound with orthorhombic crystal structure. The study of frequency-temperature dependence of ac conductivity illustrates the nature and conduction mechanism of the material. On the basis of observed impedance data and detailed dielectric analysis, the existence of non-Debye type relaxation has been affirmed. The electronic charge carriers of compound have short range order that has been validated from the complex modulus and impedance spectrum. The detailed studies of resistive, capacitive, microstructural characteristics of the prepared material provide some useful data for considering the material as an electronic component for fabrication of devices.

Multifrequency impedance measurement technique for wireless characterization of microbiological cell cultures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wissenwasser, J.; Vellekoop, M. J.; Kapferer, W.; Lepperdinger, G.; Heer, R.

2011-11-01

An impedance measurement system with probe signal frequencies up to 50 kHz with AC-probe voltages below 30 mV rms was integrated for wireless and battery-free monitoring of microbiological cell cultures. The here presented modular design and the use of state-of-the-art components greatly eases adoptions to a wide range of biotechnological applications without the need of bulky LCR-meters or potentiostats. The device had a power consumption of less than 2.5 mA at a 3.3 V single power supply and worked trouble-free within the humid environment of a cell culture incubator. Measurements on lumped RC-elements showed an error of less than 1% for absolute values and less than 1° regarding the phase of the complex impedance. The performance of sensor devices with interdigitated electrode structures for the measurement of adherent cell cultures was tested in the presence of phosphate-buffered saline solution in the humid atmosphere of an incubator for biological cell cultures.

Characteristic impedance of a microchannel with two immiscible microfluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jaramillo Raquejo, Daniela

2014-05-01

Consider the case of a microcapillary of radius R with two microfluidic immiscible. The micro-capillary region 0 < r < R1 is occupied by the microfluidic less dense and less viscous; while the microcapillary region R1 <0 < R is occupied by the microfluidic more dense and more viscous. Determine the characteristic impedance of the microcapillary in this case when both microfluidics are driven by the same pressure gradient as the boundary condition at the wall of the microcapillary is of the non-Newtonian slip. The Navier Stokes equation is solved for both microfluidic methods using the Laplace transform. The velocity profiles are expressed in terms of Bessel functions. Similarly, the characteristic impedance of the microcapillary is expressed by a complex formula Bessel functions. Obtain the analytical results are important for designing engineering microdevices with applications in pharmaceutical, food engineering, nanotechnology and biotechnology in general in particular. For future research it is interesting to consider the case of boundary conditions with memory effects.

Role of Silver Salts Lattice Energy on Conductivity Drops in Chitosan Based Solid Electrolyte: Structural, Morphological and Electrical Characteristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aziz, Shujahadeen B.; Abdullah, Omed Gh.; Hussein, Sarkawt A.

2018-03-01

The influence of anion type on silver ion reduction and drop in direct current (DC) conductivity was investigated experimentally. The structural, optical, morphological and electrical properties of the samples were investigated using x-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), optical micrographs (OM) and impedance spectroscopy. The XRD results reveal significant disruption in the crystalline structure of chitosan (CS) for different concentrations of silver nitrate (AgNt) salt. The localized surface resonance plasmonic (LSRP) peaks that were observed for CS:AgNt samples, along with the white silver specs detected by OM technique confirm the formation of Ag nanoparticles. The appearance of obvious dark regions in the CS:AgNt system reveals the existence of a large percentage of amorphous domains. The nonexistence of spherulitic texture confirms the amorphous nature of the samples. The second semicircle in an impedance plot can be attributed to an Ag nanoparticle grain boundary. The established relationships between dielectric constant and carrier concentration and the behavior of dielectric constant versus salt concentration were used to explain the phenomenon of ion-ion association. The continuous increase of DC conductivity was noticed at high temperatures, which was then explained on the basis of lattice energy of silver salts. The influences of anion size on the rate of silver ion reductions are also interpreted.

Surface spins enhanced magnetoelectric coefficient and impedance spectroscopy of BaFe{sub 0.01}Ti{sub 0.99}O{sub 3} and BaFe{sub 0.015}Ti{sub 0.985}O{sub 3} nanorods

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

Verma, Kuldeep Chand, E-mail: kuldeep0309@yahoo.co.in; Akal School of Physics, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, Himachal Pradesh 173101; Tripathi, S.K.

2015-08-15

Highlights: • Multiferroic Fe-doped BaTiO{sub 3} nanorods. • Sol–gel. • Magnetoelectric coefficient. • Transmission electron microscopy. • Cole–Cole plots. - Abstract: Multiferroic BaFe{sub 0.01}Ti{sub 0.99}O{sub 3} (BFT1) and BaFe{sub 0.015}Ti{sub 0.985}O{sub 3} (BFT15) nanorods were prepared by a sol–gel synthesis and annealed at 700 °C/2 h. The tetragonal phase and nano dimensions of BFT samples are identified by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The enhancement in ferroelectricity depends upon low porosity, tetragonal phase, space charge field, larger surface area and oriented growth. The ferromagnetism depends upon partially filled inner shells, surface spins and oxygen vacancies. The magnetoelectric coefficient ismore » explained on the basis of surface spins, short-range interactions near surface boundary, compressive stress and twin structure contributed by nano grains which can reside stress near grain boundaries. The frequency dependent real (Z′) and imaginary (Z″) parts of impedance spectra are confirmed by the variations that observed in dielectric properties. The values of resistance of grain boundaries, R{sub gb} is higher than grains, R{sub g} indicating that the effect of grain boundaries is dominant in BFT nanorods.« less

Structural, optical and ac electrical characterization of CBD synthesized NiO thin films: Influence of thickness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, M. R.; Mukherjee, A.; Mitra, P.

2017-09-01

We have studied the electrical conductivity, dielectric relaxation mechanism and impedance spectroscopy characteristics of nickel oxide (NiO) thin films synthesized by chemical bath deposition (CBD) method. Thickness dependent structural, optical and ac electrical characterization has been carried out and deposition time was varied to control the thickness. The material has been characterized using X-ray diffraction and UV-VIS spectrophotometer. Impedance spectroscopy analysis confirmed enhancement of ac conductivity and dielectric constant for films deposited with higher deposition time. Decrease of grain size in thicker films were confirmed from XRD analysis and activation energy of the material for electrical charge hopping process was increased with thickness of the film. Decrease in band gap in thicker films were observed which could be associated with creation of additional energy levels in the band gap of the material. Cole-Cole plot shows contribution of both grain and grain boundary towards total resistance and capacitance. The overall resistance was found to decrease from 14.6 × 105 Ω for 30 min deposited film ( 120 nm thick) to 2.42 × 105 Ω for 120 min deposited film ( 307 nm thick). Activation energy value to electrical conduction process evaluated from conductivity data was found to decrease with thickness. Identical result was obtained from relaxation time approach suggesting hopping mechanism of charge carriers.

Microstrip Yagi Antenna with Dual Aperture-Coupled Feed

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pogorzelski, Ronald; Venkatesan, Jaikrishna

2008-01-01

A proposed microstrip Yagi antenna would operate at a frequency of 8.4 GHz (which is in the X band) and would feature a mechanically simpler, more elegant design, relative to a prior L-band microstrip Yagi antenna. In general, the purpose of designing a microstrip Yagi antenna is to combine features of a Yagi antenna with those of a microstrip patch to obtain an antenna that can be manufactured at low cost, has a low profile, and radiates a directive beam that, as plotted on an elevation plane perpendicular to the antenna plane, appears tilted away from the broadside. Such antennas are suitable for flush mounting on surfaces of diverse objects, including spacecraft, aircraft, land vehicles, and computers. Stated somewhat more precisely, what has been proposed is a microstrip antenna comprising an array of three Yagi elements. Each element would include four microstrip-patch Yagi subelements: one reflector patch, one driven patch, and two director patches. To obtain circular polarization, each driven patch would be fed by use of a dual offset aperture-coupled feed featuring bow-tie-shaped apertures. The selection of the dual offset bow-tie aperture geometry is supported by results found in published literature that show that this geometry would enable matching of the impedances of the driven patches to the 50-Omega impedance of the microstrip feedline while maintaining a desirably large front-to-back lobe ratio.

Discrepancies between leg-to-leg bioelectrical Impedance analysis and computerized tomography in abdominal visceral fat measurement.

PubMed

Lu, Hsueh-Kuan; Chen, Yu-Yawn; Yeh, Chinagwen; Chuang, Chih-Lin; Chiang, Li-Ming; Lai, Chung-Liang; Casebolt, Kevin M; Huang, Ai-Chun; Lin, Wen-Long; Hsieh, Kuen-Chang

2017-08-22

The aim of this study was to evaluate leg-to-leg bioelectrical impedance analysis (LBIA) using a four-contact electrode system for measuring abdominal visceral fat area (VFA). The present study recruited 381 (240 male and 141 female) Chinese participants to compare VFA measurements estimated by a standing LBIA system (VFALBIA) with computerized tomography (CT) scanned at the L4-L5 vertebrae (VFA CT ). The total mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.7 ± 4.2 kg/m 2 . Correlation analysis, regression analysis, Bland-Altman plot, and paired sample t-tests were used to analyze the accuracy of the VFA LBIA . For the total subjects, the regression line was VFA LBIA  = 0.698 VFA CT  + 29.521, (correlation coefficient (r) = 0.789, standard estimate of error (SEE) = 24.470 cm 2 , p < 0.001), Lin's correlation coefficient (CCC) was 0.785; and the limit of agreement (LOA; mean difference ±2 standard deviation) ranged from -43.950 to 67.951 cm 2 , LOA% (given as a percentage of mean value measured by the CT) was 48.2%. VFA LBIA and VFA CT showed significant difference (p < 0.001). Collectively, the current study indicates that LBIA has limited potential to accurately estimate visceral fat in a clinical setting.

A MS-lesion pattern discrimination plot based on geostatistics.

PubMed

Marschallinger, Robert; Schmidt, Paul; Hofmann, Peter; Zimmer, Claus; Atkinson, Peter M; Sellner, Johann; Trinka, Eugen; Mühlau, Mark

2016-03-01

A geostatistical approach to characterize MS-lesion patterns based on their geometrical properties is presented. A dataset of 259 binary MS-lesion masks in MNI space was subjected to directional variography. A model function was fit to express the observed spatial variability in x, y, z directions by the geostatistical parameters Range and Sill. Parameters Range and Sill correlate with MS-lesion pattern surface complexity and total lesion volume. A scatter plot of ln(Range) versus ln(Sill), classified by pattern anisotropy, enables a consistent and clearly arranged presentation of MS-lesion patterns based on geometry: the so-called MS-Lesion Pattern Discrimination Plot. The geostatistical approach and the graphical representation of results are considered efficient exploratory data analysis tools for cross-sectional, follow-up, and medication impact analysis.

scraps: An open-source Python-based analysis package for analyzing and plotting superconducting resonator data

DOE PAGES

Carter, Faustin Wirkus; Khaire, Trupti S.; Novosad, Valentyn; ...

2016-11-07

We present "scraps" (SuperConducting Analysis and Plotting Software), a Python package designed to aid in the analysis and visualization of large amounts of superconducting resonator data, specifically complex transmission as a function of frequency, acquired at many different temperatures and driving powers. The package includes a least-squares fitting engine as well as a Monte-Carlo Markov Chain sampler for sampling the posterior distribution given priors, marginalizing over nuisance parameters, and estimating covariances. A set of plotting tools for generating publication-quality figures is also provided in the package. Lastly, we discuss the functionality of the software and provide some examples of itsmore » utility on data collected from a niobium-nitride coplanar waveguide resonator fabricated at Argonne National Laboratory.« less

Method of Continuous Variations: Applications of Job Plots to the Study of Molecular Associations in Organometallic Chemistry[**

PubMed Central

Renny, Joseph S.; Tomasevich, Laura L.; Tallmadge, Evan H.; Collum, David B.

2014-01-01

Applications of the method of continuous variations—MCV or the Method of Job—to problems of interest to organometallic chemists are described. MCV provides qualitative and quantitative insights into the stoichiometries underlying association of m molecules of A and n molecules of B to form AmBn. Applications to complex ensembles probe associations that form metal clusters and aggregates. Job plots in which reaction rates are monitored provide relative stoichiometries in rate-limiting transition structures. In a specialized variant, ligand- or solvent-dependent reaction rates are dissected into contributions in both the ground states and transition states, which affords insights into the full reaction coordinate from a single Job plot. Gaps in the literature are identified and critiqued. PMID:24166797

SPRUCE Large-Collar In Situ CO2 and CH4 Flux Data for the SPRUCE Experimental Plots: Whole-Ecosystem-Warming

DOE Data Explorer

Hanson, P. J. [Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, U.S.A.; Phillips, J. R. [Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, U.S.A.; Riggs, J. S. [Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, U.S.A.; Nettles, W. R. [Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, U.S.A.

2017-01-01

This data set reports community-level CO2 and CH4 flux measurements for the SPRUCE experimental study plots located in the S1-Bog. Surface flux measurements of CO2 and CH4 were made using open-path analyzers over an area of 1.13 m2 within each of 16 plots. A custom-designed chamber encloses the hummock-hollow topography and allows point in time measurements of the shrub, forb, Sphagnum spp. and the complex microbial community. These observations were made with ambient light and imposed dark conditions to allow estimates of community daytime and night respiratory processes. This data set is all inclusive – beginning in 2011 and continuing through the Whole-Ecosystem-Warming (WEW) phase of the experiment.

The development of the miniaturized waveform receiver with the function measuring Antenna Impedance in space plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishii, H.; Kojima, H.; Fukuhara, H.; Okada, S.; Yamakawa, H.

2012-04-01

Plasma wave is one of the most essential physical quantities in the solar terrestrial physics. The role of plasma wave receiver onboard satellites is to detect plasma waves in space with a good signal to noise ratio. There are two types of plasma wave receivers, the sweep frequency analyzer and the waveform capture. While the sweep frequency analyzer provides plasma wave spectra, the waveform capture obtains waveforms with phase information that is significant in studying nonlinear phenomena. Antenna sensors to observe electric fields of the plasma waves show different features in plasmas from in vacuum. The antenna impedances have specific characteristics in the frequency domain because of the dispersion of plasmas. These antenna impedances are expressed with complex number. We need to know not only the antenna impedances but also the transfer functions of plasma wave receiver's circuits in order to calibrate observed waveforms precisely. The impedances of the electric field antennas are affected by a state of surrounding plasmas. Since satellites run through various regions with different plasma parameters, we precisely should measure the antenna impedances onboard spacecraft. On the contrary, we can obtain the plasma density and by measuring the antenna impedances. Several formulas of the antenna impedance measurement system were proposed. A synchronous detection method is used on the BepiColombo Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO), which will be launched in 2014. The digital data are stored in the onboard memory. They are read out and converted to the analog waveforms by D/A converter. They are fed into the input of the preamplifiers of antenna sensors through a resistor. We can calculate a transfer function of the circuit by applying the synchronous detection method to the output waveform from waveform receivers and digital data as a signal source. The size of this system is same as an A5 board. In recent years, Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) is in attention which is a technique to integrate large scale and complicated circuits. Lots of ASICs have been applied to high energy astrophysics. In this paper, we show our attempt to miniaturize the antennas impedances measurement system and Waveform Capture using the analogue ASIC. We design 8bits segment D/A converter that is implemented inside the waveform receiver ASIC chip. We improve input logic of the D/A converter to generate very weak signals accurately. The designed chip realizes the measurement of the antenna impedance as well as the waveform observation in the board size of business cards.

P-T-t conditions, Nd and Pb isotopic compositions and detrital zircon geochronology of the Massabesic Gneiss Complex, New Hampshire: isotopic and metamorphic evidence for the identification of Gander basement, central New England

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dorais, Michael J.; Wintsch, Robert P.; Kunk, Michael J.; Aleinikoff, John; Burton, William; Underdown, Christine; Kerwin, Charles M.

2012-01-01

We present new evidence for the assignment of the Neoproterozoic Massabesic Gneiss Complex of New Hampshire to the Gander terrane rather than the Avalon terrane. The majority of Avalonian (sensu stricto) igneous and meta-igneous rocks as defined in Maritime Canada have positive whole-rock ɛNd compared to more negative values for Gander rocks, although there is a region of overlap in ɛNd between the two terranes. Our samples from areas in Connecticut previously thought to be Avalonian and samples from the Willimantic dome have the same isotopic signatures as Maritime Canada Avalon. In contrast, samples from the Clinton dome of southern Connecticut plots exclusively in the Gander field. The majority of the orthogneiss samples from Lyme dome (coastal Connecticut), Pelham dome (central Massachusetts) and Massabesic Gneiss Complex also plot in the Gander field, with a few samples plotting in the overlap zone between Gander and Avalon. U-Pb age distributions of detrital zircon populations from quartzites from the Massabesic Gneiss Complex more closely approximate the data from the Lyme Dome rather than Avalon. Additionally, the similarity of the P-T-t path for the rocks of the Massabesic Gneiss Complex (established by thermobarometry and 40Ar/39Ar dating of amphibole, muscovite, biotite and K-feldspar) with that established in the Ganderian Lyme dome of southern Connecticut strengthens the assignment of these rocks to a single Gander block that docked to Laurentia during the Salinic Orogeny. The identification of Ganderian isotopic signatures for these rocks all of which show evidence for Alleghanian metamorphism, supports the hypothesis that Neoproterozoic Gander lower crustal rocks underlie southern New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, and that all rocks of the overlying Central Maine trough that largely escaped high-grade Alleghanian metamorphism are allochthonous. We suggest that during the Alleghanian, the docking of Gondwana caused Avalon to wedge into Gander, metamorphosing and partially melting the Massabesic Gneiss Complex to the observed P-T-t conditions, with the complex forming an uplifted sheet that was back-thrusted over the Avalonian wedge.

Wood for sound.

PubMed

Wegst, Ulrike G K

2006-10-01

The unique mechanical and acoustical properties of wood and its aesthetic appeal still make it the material of choice for musical instruments and the interior of concert halls. Worldwide, several hundred wood species are available for making wind, string, or percussion instruments. Over generations, first by trial and error and more recently by scientific approach, the most appropriate species were found for each instrument and application. Using material property charts on which acoustic properties such as the speed of sound, the characteristic impedance, the sound radiation coefficient, and the loss coefficient are plotted against one another for woods. We analyze and explain why spruce is the preferred choice for soundboards, why tropical species are favored for xylophone bars and woodwind instruments, why violinists still prefer pernambuco over other species as a bow material, and why hornbeam and birch are used in piano actions.

Electrochemical Behavior of Pure Copper in Phosphate Buffer Solutions: A Comparison Between Micro- and Nano-Grained Copper

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Imantalab, O.; Fattah-alhosseini, A.; Keshavarz, M. K.; Mazaheri, Y.

2016-02-01

In this work, electrochemical behavior of annealed (micro-) and nano-grained pure copper (fabricated by accumulative roll bonding process) in phosphate buffer solutions of various pH values ranging from 10.69 to 12.59 has been studied. Before any electrochemical measurements, evaluation of microstructure was obtained by optical microscope and transmission electron microscopy. To investigate the electrochemical behavior of the samples, the potentiodynamic polarization, Mott-Schottky analysis, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were carried out. Potentiodynamic polarization plots and EIS measurements revealed that as a result of grain refinement, the passive behavior of the nano-grained sample was improved compared to that of annealed pure copper. Also, Mott-Schottky analysis indicated that the passive films behaved as p-type semiconductors and grain refinement did not change the semiconductor type of passive films.

In situ characterization of natural pyrite bioleaching using electrochemical noise technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Guo-bao; Yang, Hong-ying; Li, Hai-jun

2016-02-01

An in situ characterization technique called electrochemical noise (ECN) was used to investigate the bioleaching of natural pyrite. ECN experiments were conducted in four active systems (sulfuric acid, ferric-ion, 9k culture medium, and bioleaching solutions). The ECN data were analyzed in both the time and frequency domains. Spectral noise impedance spectra obtained from power spectral density (PSD) plots for different systems were compared. A reaction mechanism was also proposed on the basis of the experimental data analysis. The bioleaching system exhibits the lowest noise resistance of 0.101 MΩ. The bioleaching of natural pyrite is considered to be a bio-battery reaction, which distinguishes it from chemical oxidation reactions in ferric-ion and culture-medium (9k) solutions. The corrosion of pyrite becomes more severe over time after the long-term testing of bioleaching.

Sensitivity of temporal heart rate variability in Poincaré plot to changes in parasympathetic nervous system activity.

PubMed

Karmakar, Chandan K; Khandoker, Ahsan H; Voss, Andreas; Palaniswami, Marimuthu

2011-03-03

A novel descriptor (Complex Correlation Measure (CCM)) for measuring the variability in the temporal structure of Poincaré plot has been developed to characterize or distinguish between Poincaré plots with similar shapes. This study was designed to assess the changes in temporal structure of the Poincaré plot using CCM during atropine infusion, 70° head-up tilt and scopolamine administration in healthy human subjects. CCM quantifies the point-to-point variation of the signal rather than gross description of the Poincaré plot. The physiological relevance of CCM was demonstrated by comparing the changes in CCM values with autonomic perturbation during all phases of the experiment. The sensitivities of short term variability (SD1), long term variability (SD2) and variability in temporal structure (CCM) were analyzed by changing the temporal structure by shuffling the sequences of points of the Poincaré plot. Surrogate analysis was used to show CCM as a measure of changes in temporal structure rather than random noise and sensitivity of CCM with changes in parasympathetic activity. CCM was found to be most sensitive to changes in temporal structure of the Poincaré plot as compared to SD1 and SD2. The values of all descriptors decreased with decrease in parasympathetic activity during atropine infusion and 70° head-up tilt phase. In contrast, values of all descriptors increased with increase in parasympathetic activity during scopolamine administration. The concordant reduction and enhancement in CCM values with parasympathetic activity indicates that the temporal variability of Poincaré plot is modulated by the parasympathetic activity which correlates with changes in CCM values. CCM is more sensitive than SD1 and SD2 to changes of parasympathetic activity.

[Study on extraction method of Panax notoginseng plots in Wenshan of Yunnan province based on decision tree model].

PubMed

Shi, Ting-Ting; Zhang, Xiao-Bo; Guo, Lan-Ping; Huang, Lu-Qi

2017-11-01

The herbs used as the material for traditional Chinese medicine are always planted in the mountainous area where the natural environment is suitable. As the mountain terrain is complex and the distribution of planting plots is scattered, the traditional survey method is difficult to obtain accurate planting area. It is of great significance to provide decision support for the conservation and utilization of traditional Chinese medicine resources by studying the method of extraction of Chinese herbal medicine planting area based on remote sensing and realizing the dynamic monitoring and reserve estimation of Chinese herbal medicines. In this paper, taking the Panax notoginseng plots in Wenshan prefecture of Yunnan province as an example, the China-made GF-1multispectral remote sensing images with a 16 m×16 m resolution were obtained. Then, the time series that can reflect the difference of spectrum of P. notoginseng shed and the background objects were selected to the maximum extent, and the decision tree model of extraction the of P. notoginseng plots was constructed according to the spectral characteristics of the surface features. The results showed that the remote sensing classification method based on the decision tree model could extract P. notoginseng plots in the study area effectively. The method can provide technical support for extraction of P. notoginseng plots at county level. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Design and Fabrication of Complex Scaffolds for Bone Defect Healing: Combined 3D Plotting of a Calcium Phosphate Cement and a Growth Factor-Loaded Hydrogel.

PubMed

Ahlfeld, Tilman; Akkineni, Ashwini Rahul; Förster, Yvonne; Köhler, Tino; Knaack, Sven; Gelinsky, Michael; Lode, Anja

2017-01-01

Additive manufacturing enables the fabrication of scaffolds with defined architecture. Versatile printing technologies such as extrusion-based 3D plotting allow in addition the incorporation of biological components increasing the capability to restore functional tissues. We have recently described the fabrication of calcium phosphate cement (CPC) scaffolds by 3D plotting of an oil-based CPC paste under mild conditions. In the present study, we have developed a strategy for growth factor loading based on multichannel plotting: a biphasic scaffold design was realised combining CPC with VEGF-laden, highly concentrated hydrogel strands. As hydrogel component, alginate and an alginate-gellan gum blend were evaluated; the blend exhibited a more favourable VEGF release profile and was chosen for biphasic scaffold fabrication. After plotting, two-step post-processing was performed for both, hydrogel crosslinking and CPC setting, which was shown to be compatible with both materials. Finally, a scaffold was designed and fabricated which can be applied for testing in a rat critical size femur defect. Optimization of CPC plotting enabled the fabrication of highly resolved structures with strand diameters of only 200 µm. Micro-computed tomography revealed a precise strand arrangement and an interconnected pore space within the biphasic scaffold even in swollen state of the hydrogel strands.

A new way to see RNA

PubMed Central

Keating, Kevin S.; Humphris, Elisabeth L.; Pyle, Anna Marie

2015-01-01

Unlike proteins, the RNA backbone has numerous degrees of freedom (eight, if one counts the sugar pucker), making RNA modeling, structure building and prediction a multidimensional problem of exceptionally high complexity. And yet RNA tertiary structures are not infinite in their structural morphology; rather, they are built from a limited set of discrete units. In order to reduce the dimensionality of the RNA backbone in a physically reasonable way, a shorthand notation was created that reduced the RNA backbone torsion angles to two (η and θ, analogous to ϕ and ψ in proteins). When these torsion angles are calculated for nucleotides in a crystallographic database and plotted against one another, one obtains a plot analogous to a Ramachandran plot (the η/θ plot), with highly populated and unpopulated regions. Nucleotides that occupy proximal positions on the plot have identical structures and are found in the same units of tertiary structure. In this review, we describe the statistical validation of the η/θ formalism and the exploration of features within the η/θ plot. We also describe the application of the η/θ formalism in RNA motif discovery, structural comparison, RNA structure building and tertiary structure prediction. More than a tool, however, the η/θ formalism has provided new insights into RNA structure itself, revealing its fundamental components and the factors underlying RNA architectural form. PMID:21729350

An Excel Macro to Plot the HFE-Diagram to Identify Sea Water Intrusion Phases.

PubMed

Giménez-Forcada, Elena; Sánchez San Román, F Javier

2015-01-01

A hydrochemical facies evolution diagram (HFE-D) is a multirectangular diagram, which is a useful tool in the interpretation of sea water intrusion processes. This method note describes a simple method for generating an HFE-D plot using the spreadsheet software package, Microsoft Excel. The code was applied to groundwater from the alluvial coastal plain of Grosseto (Tuscany, Italy), which is characterized by a complex salinization process in which sea water mixes with sulfate or bicarbonate recharge water. © 2014, National GroundWater Association.

A Schiff-based colorimetric fluorescent sensor with the potential for detection of fluoride ions.

PubMed

Huang, Cheng-Yin; Wan, Chin-Feng; Chir, Jiun-Ly; Wu, An-Tai

2013-11-01

A simple Schiff-based colorimetric fluorescent receptor 1 was prepared. It exhibits a "turn-on-type" mode with high sensitivity in the presence of F(-). The change in color is very easily observed by the naked eye in the presence of F(-), whereas other anions do not induce such a change. Job plot indicated a 1:2 complexation stoichiometry between receptor 1 and F(-). The association constant for 1-F(-) in CH3CN was determined as 1.32*10(5) M(-2) by a Hill plot.

Aircraft panel with sensorless active sound power reduction capabilities through virtual mechanical impedances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boulandet, R.; Michau, M.; Micheau, P.; Berry, A.

2016-01-01

This paper deals with an active structural acoustic control approach to reduce the transmission of tonal noise in aircraft cabins. The focus is on the practical implementation of the virtual mechanical impedances method by using sensoriactuators instead of conventional control units composed of separate sensors and actuators. The experimental setup includes two sensoriactuators developed from the electrodynamic inertial exciter and distributed over an aircraft trim panel which is subject to a time-harmonic diffuse sound field. The target mechanical impedances are first defined by solving a linear optimization problem from sound power measurements before being applied to the test panel using a complex envelope controller. Measured data are compared to results obtained with sensor-actuator pairs consisting of an accelerometer and an inertial exciter, particularly as regards sound power reduction. It is shown that the two types of control unit provide similar performance, and that here virtual impedance control stands apart from conventional active damping. In particular, it is clear from this study that extra vibrational energy must be provided by the actuators for optimal sound power reduction, mainly due to the high structural damping in the aircraft trim panel. Concluding remarks on the benefits of using these electrodynamic sensoriactuators to control tonal disturbances are also provided.

Evaluation of Novel Liner Concepts for Fan and Airframe Noise Reduction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, M. G.; Howerton, B. M.

2016-01-01

This paper presents a review of four novel liner concepts: soft vanes, over-the-rotor liners, external liners, and flap side-edge liners. A number of similarities in the design and evaluation of these concepts emerged during these investigations. Since these were the first attempts to study these particular liner concepts, there was limited information to guide the design process. In all cases, the target frequencies (or frequency range) were known, but the optimum acoustic impedance and optimum liner placement were typically not known. For these cases, the maximum available surface was used and a c-impedance was targeted based on the assumption the sound field impinges on the surface at normal incidence. This choice proved fruitful for every application. An impedance prediction model was used to design variable-depth liner configurations, and a graphical design code (ILIAD) was developed to aid in this process. The ability to build increasingly complex liner configurations via additive manufacturing was key, such that multiple designs could quickly be tested in a normal incidence impedance tube. The Two-Thickness Method was used to evaluate available bulk materials, such that bulk liners could also be considered for each application. These novel liner concepts provide sufficient noise reduction to warrant further investigations.

Transition operators in acoustic-wave diffraction theory. I - General theory. II - Short-wavelength behavior, dominant singularities of Zk0 and Zk0 exp -1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hahne, G. E.

1991-01-01

A formal theory of the scattering of time-harmonic acoustic scalar waves from impenetrable, immobile obstacles is established. The time-independent formal scattering theory of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, in particular the theory of the complete Green's function and the transition (T) operator, provides the model. The quantum-mechanical approach is modified to allow the treatment of acoustic-wave scattering with imposed boundary conditions of impedance type on the surface (delta-Omega) of an impenetrable obstacle. With k0 as the free-space wavenumber of the signal, a simplified expression is obtained for the k0-dependent T operator for a general case of homogeneous impedance boundary conditions for the acoustic wave on delta-Omega. All the nonelementary operators entering the expression for the T operator are formally simple rational algebraic functions of a certain invertible linear radiation impedance operator which maps any sufficiently well-behaved complex-valued function on delta-Omega into another such function on delta-Omega. In the subsequent study, the short-wavelength and the long-wavelength behavior of the radiation impedance operator and its inverse (the 'radiation admittance' operator) as two-point kernels on a smooth delta-Omega are studied for pairs of points that are close together.

A LabVIEW model incorporating an open-loop arterial impedance and a closed-loop circulatory system.

PubMed

Cole, R T; Lucas, C L; Cascio, W E; Johnson, T A

2005-11-01

While numerous computer models exist for the circulatory system, many are limited in scope, contain unwanted features or incorporate complex components specific to unique experimental situations. Our purpose was to develop a basic, yet multifaceted, computer model of the left heart and systemic circulation in LabVIEW having universal appeal without sacrificing crucial physiologic features. The program we developed employs Windkessel-type impedance models in several open-loop configurations and a closed-loop model coupling a lumped impedance and ventricular pressure source. The open-loop impedance models demonstrate afterload effects on arbitrary aortic pressure/flow inputs. The closed-loop model catalogs the major circulatory waveforms with changes in afterload, preload, and left heart properties. Our model provides an avenue for expanding the use of the ventricular equations through closed-loop coupling that includes a basic coronary circuit. Tested values used for the afterload components and the effects of afterload parameter changes on various waveforms are consistent with published data. We conclude that this model offers the ability to alter several circulatory factors and digitally catalog the most salient features of the pressure/flow waveforms employing a user-friendly platform. These features make the model a useful instructional tool for students as well as a simple experimental tool for cardiovascular research.

Direct correlation between potentiometric and impedance biosensing of antibody-antigen interactions using an integrated system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsai, Meng-Yen; Creedon, Niamh; Brightbill, Eleanor; Pavlidis, Spyridon; Brown, Billyde; Gray, Darren W.; Shields, Niall; Sayers, Ríona; Mooney, Mark H.; O'Riordan, Alan; Vogel, Eric M.

2017-08-01

A fully integrated system that combines extended gate field-effect transistor (EGFET)-based potentiometric biosensors and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)-based biosensors has been demonstrated. This integrated configuration enables the sequential measurement of the same immunological binding event on the same sensing surface and consequently sheds light on the fundamental origins of sensing signals produced by FET and EIS biosensors, as well as the correlation between the two. Detection of both the bovine serum albumin (BSA)/anti-BSA model system in buffer solution and bovine parainfluenza antibodies in complex blood plasma samples was demonstrated using the integrated biosensors. Comparison of the EGFET and EIS sensor responses reveals similar dynamic ranges, while equivalent circuit modeling of the EIS response shows that the commonly reported total impedance change (ΔZtotal) is dominated by the change in charge transfer resistance (Rct) rather than surface capacitance (Csurface). Using electrochemical kinetics and the Butler-Volmer equation, we unveil that the surface potential and charge transfer resistance, measured by potentiometric and impedance biosensors, respectively, are, in fact, intrinsically linked. This observation suggests that there is no significant gain in using the FET/EIS integrated system and leads to the demonstration that low-cost EGFET biosensors are sufficient as a detection tool to resolve the charge information of biomolecules for practical sensing applications.

Prediction for potential landslide zones using seismic amplitude in Liwan gas field, northern South China Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xishuang; Liu, Baohua; Liu, Lejun; Zheng, Jiewen; Zhou, Songwang; Zhou, Qingjie

2017-12-01

The Liwan (Lw) gas field located in the northern slope of the South China Sea (SCS) is extremely complex for its sea-floor topograghy, which is a huge challenge for the safety of subsea facilities. It is economically impractical to obtain parameters for risk assessment of slope stability through a large amount of sampling over the whole field. The linkage between soil shear strength and seabed peak amplitude derived from 2D/3D seismic data is helpful for understanding the regional slope-instability risk. In this paper, the relationships among seabed peak, acoustic impedance and shear strength of shallow soil in the study area were discussed based on statistical analysis results. We obtained a similar relationship to that obtained in other deep-water areas. There is a positive correlation between seabed peak amplitude and acoustic impedance and an exponential relationship between acoustic impedance and shear strength of sediment. The acoustic impedance is the key factor linking the seismic amplitude and shear strength. Infinite slope stability analysis results indicate the areas have a high potential of shallow landslide on slopes exceeding 15° when the thickness of loose sediments exceeds 8 m in the Lw gas field. Our prediction shows that they are mainly located in the heads and walls of submarine canyons.

Tunable impedance matching network fundamental limits and practical considerations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allen, Wesley N.

As wireless devices continue to increase in utility while decreasing in dimension, design of the RF front-end becomes more complex. It is common for a single handheld device to operate on a plethora of frequency bands, utilize multiple antennae, and be subjected to a variety of environments. One complexity in particular which arises from these factors is that of impedance mismatch. Recently, tunable impedance matching networks have begun to be implemented to address this problem. This dissertation presents the first in-depth study on the frequency tuning range of tunable impedance matching networks. Both the fundamental limitations of ideal networks as well as practical considerations for design and implementation are addressed. Specifically, distributed matching networks with a single tuning element are investigated for use with parallel resistor-capacitor and series resistor-inductor loads. Analytical formulas are developed to directly calculate the frequency tuning range TR of ideal topologies. The theoretical limit of TR for these topologies is presented and discussed. Additional formulas are developed which address limitations in transmission line characteristic impedance and varactor range. Equations to predict loss due to varactor quality factor are demonstrated and the ability of parasitics to both increase and decrease TR are shown. Measured results exemplify i) the potential to develop matching networks with a small impact from parasitics, ii) the need for accurate knowledge of parasitics when designing near transition points in optimal parameters, iii) the importance of using a transmission line with the right characteristic impedance, and iv) the ability to achieve extremely low loss at the design frequency with a lossy varactor under the right conditions (measured loss of -0.07 dB). In the area of application, tunable matching networks are designed and measured for mobile handset antennas, demonstrating up to a 3 dB improvement in power delivered to a planar inverted-F antenna and up to 4--5.6 dB improvement in power delivered to the iPhone(TM) antenna. Additionally, a single-varactor matching network is measured to achieve greater tuning range than a two-varactor matching network (> 824--960 MHz versus 850--915 MHz) and yield higher power handling. Addressing miniaturization, an accurate model of metal loss in planar integrated inductors for low-loss substrates is developed and demonstrated. Finally, immediate future research directions are suggested: i) expanding the topologies, tuning elements, and loads analyzed; ii) performing a deep study into parasitics; and iii) investigating power handling with various varactor technologies.

Structural and dielectric properties of A(Fe{sub 1/2}Ta{sub 1/2})O{sub 3} [A = Ba, Sr, Ca

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

Dutta, Alo; Sinha, T.P., E-mail: sinha_tp@yahoo.com

2011-04-15

Graphical abstract: FTIR spectra of BFT, SFT and CFT at room temperature. Research highlights: {yields} The structural and dielectric properties of BaFe{sub 1/2}Ta{sub 1/2}O{sub 3}, SrFe{sub 1/2}Ta{sub 1/2}O{sub 3} and CaFe{sub 1/2}Ta{sub 1/2}O{sub 3}. {yields} Fourier transform infrared spectra show two primary phonon modes of the samples at around 450 cm{sup -1} and 620 cm{sup -1}. {yields} The compounds show significant frequency dispersion in its dielectric properties. {yields} The relaxation mechanism of the samples is modelled by Cole-Cole equation. -- Abstract: The complex perovskite oxide barium iron tantalate (BFT), BaFe{sub 1/2}Ta{sub 1/2}O{sub 3}, strontium iron tantalate (SFT), SrFe{sub 1/2}Ta{sub 1/2}O{submore » 3} and calcium iron tantalate (CFT), CaFe{sub 1/2}Ta{sub 1/2}O{sub 3} are synthesized by a solid-state reaction technique. Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction data of the samples shows that BFT and SFT crystallize in cubic structure, with lattice parameter a = 4.06 A for BFT and 3.959 A for SFT, whereas CFT crystallizes in orthorhombic structure having lattice parameters a = 5.443 A, b = 5.542 A and c = 7.757 A. Fourier transform infrared spectra show two primary phonon modes of the samples at around 450 cm{sup -1} and 620 cm{sup -1}. The compounds show significant frequency dispersion in its dielectric properties. The complex impedance plane plots of the samples show that the relaxation (conduction) mechanism in these materials is purely a bulk effect arising from the semiconductive grains. The relaxation mechanism of the samples is modelled by Cole-Cole equation. The frequency dependent conductivity spectra are found to follow the power law.« less

Toward a methodical framework for comprehensively assessing forest multifunctionality.

PubMed

Trogisch, Stefan; Schuldt, Andreas; Bauhus, Jürgen; Blum, Juliet A; Both, Sabine; Buscot, François; Castro-Izaguirre, Nadia; Chesters, Douglas; Durka, Walter; Eichenberg, David; Erfmeier, Alexandra; Fischer, Markus; Geißler, Christian; Germany, Markus S; Goebes, Philipp; Gutknecht, Jessica; Hahn, Christoph Zacharias; Haider, Sylvia; Härdtle, Werner; He, Jin-Sheng; Hector, Andy; Hönig, Lydia; Huang, Yuanyuan; Klein, Alexandra-Maria; Kühn, Peter; Kunz, Matthias; Leppert, Katrin N; Li, Ying; Liu, Xiaojuan; Niklaus, Pascal A; Pei, Zhiqin; Pietsch, Katherina A; Prinz, Ricarda; Proß, Tobias; Scherer-Lorenzen, Michael; Schmidt, Karsten; Scholten, Thomas; Seitz, Steffen; Song, Zhengshan; Staab, Michael; von Oheimb, Goddert; Weißbecker, Christina; Welk, Erik; Wirth, Christian; Wubet, Tesfaye; Yang, Bo; Yang, Xuefei; Zhu, Chao-Dong; Schmid, Bernhard; Ma, Keping; Bruelheide, Helge

2017-12-01

Biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF) research has extended its scope from communities that are short-lived or reshape their structure annually to structurally complex forest ecosystems. The establishment of tree diversity experiments poses specific methodological challenges for assessing the multiple functions provided by forest ecosystems. In particular, methodological inconsistencies and nonstandardized protocols impede the analysis of multifunctionality within, and comparability across the increasing number of tree diversity experiments. By providing an overview on key methods currently applied in one of the largest forest biodiversity experiments, we show how methods differing in scale and simplicity can be combined to retrieve consistent data allowing novel insights into forest ecosystem functioning. Furthermore, we discuss and develop recommendations for the integration and transferability of diverse methodical approaches to present and future forest biodiversity experiments. We identified four principles that should guide basic decisions concerning method selection for tree diversity experiments and forest BEF research: (1) method selection should be directed toward maximizing data density to increase the number of measured variables in each plot. (2) Methods should cover all relevant scales of the experiment to consider scale dependencies of biodiversity effects. (3) The same variable should be evaluated with the same method across space and time for adequate larger-scale and longer-time data analysis and to reduce errors due to changing measurement protocols. (4) Standardized, practical and rapid methods for assessing biodiversity and ecosystem functions should be promoted to increase comparability among forest BEF experiments. We demonstrate that currently available methods provide us with a sophisticated toolbox to improve a synergistic understanding of forest multifunctionality. However, these methods require further adjustment to the specific requirements of structurally complex and long-lived forest ecosystems. By applying methods connecting relevant scales, trophic levels, and above- and belowground ecosystem compartments, knowledge gain from large tree diversity experiments can be optimized.

Recurrence quantity analysis based on matrix eigenvalues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Pengbo; Shang, Pengjian

2018-06-01

Recurrence plots is a powerful tool for visualization and analysis of dynamical systems. Recurrence quantification analysis (RQA), based on point density and diagonal and vertical line structures in the recurrence plots, is considered to be alternative measures to quantify the complexity of dynamical systems. In this paper, we present a new measure based on recurrence matrix to quantify the dynamical properties of a given system. Matrix eigenvalues can reflect the basic characteristics of the complex systems, so we show the properties of the system by exploring the eigenvalues of the recurrence matrix. Considering that Shannon entropy has been defined as a complexity measure, we propose the definition of entropy of matrix eigenvalues (EOME) as a new RQA measure. We confirm that EOME can be used as a metric to quantify the behavior changes of the system. As a given dynamical system changes from a non-chaotic to a chaotic regime, the EOME will increase as well. The bigger EOME values imply higher complexity and lower predictability. We also study the effect of some factors on EOME,including data length, recurrence threshold, the embedding dimension, and additional noise. Finally, we demonstrate an application in physiology. The advantage of this measure lies in a high sensitivity and simple computation.

The complex phase gradient method applied to leaky Lamb waves.

PubMed

Lenoir, O; Conoir, J M; Izbicki, J L

2002-10-01

The classical phase gradient method applied to the characterization of the angular resonances of an immersed elastic plate, i.e., the angular poles of its reflection coefficient R, was proved to be efficient when their real parts are close to the real zeros of R and their imaginary parts are not too large compared to their real parts. This method consists of plotting the partial reflection coefficient phase derivative with respect to the sine of the incidence angle, considered as real, versus incidence angle. In the vicinity of a resonance, this curve exhibits a Breit-Wigner shape, whose minimum is located at the pole real part and whose amplitude is the inverse of its imaginary part. However, when the imaginary part is large, this method is not sufficiently accurate compared to the exact calculation of the complex angular root. An improvement of this method consists of plotting, in 3D, in the complex angle plane and at a given frequency, the angular phase derivative with respect to the real part of the sine of the incidence angle, considered as complex. When the angular pole is reached, the 3D curve shows a clear-cut transition whose position is easily obtained.

Improving Reading and Social Studies Learning for Secondary Students with Reading Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Capin, Philip; Vaughn, Sharon

2017-01-01

Significant numbers of adolescents and young adults do not adequately understand complex texts, impeding their school success, access to postsecondary learning, and opportunities within an increasingly competitive work environment. National data (National Assessment of Educational Progress [NAEP], 2015) have shown improvements among fourth- and…

Linguistic Features of Middle School Environmental Education Texts.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chenhansa, Suporn; Schleppegrell, Mary

1998-01-01

The language used in environmental education texts has linguistic features that affect students' comprehension of concepts and their ability to envision solutions to environmental problems. Findings indicate that features of texts such as abstract nouns and lack of explicit agents impede students' full comprehension of complex issues and obscure…

High Temperature Superconductor/Semiconductor Hybrid Microwave Devices and Circuits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Romanofsky, Robert R.; Miranda, Felix A.

1999-01-01

Contents include following: film deposition technique; laser ablation; magnetron sputtering; sequential evaporation; microwave substrates; film characterization at microwave frequencies; complex conductivity; magnetic penetration depth; surface impedance; planar single-mode filters; small antennas; antenna arrays phase noise; tunable oscillations; hybrid superconductor/semiconductor receiver front ends; and noise modeling.

Time-Lapse 3D Inversion of Complex Conductivity Data Using an Active Time Constrained (ATC) Approach

EPA Science Inventory

Induced polarization (more precisely the magnitude and the phase of the impedance of the subsurface) is measured using a network of electrodes located at the ground surface or in boreholes. This method yields important information related to the distribution of permeability and ...

Omeprazole decreases magnesium transport across Caco-2 monolayers

PubMed Central

Thongon, Narongrit; Krishnamra, Nateetip

2011-01-01

AIM: To elucidate the effect and underlying mechanisms of omeprazole action on Mg2+ transport across the intestinal epithelium. METHODS: Caco-2 monolayers were cultured in various dose omeprazole-containing media for 14 or 21 d before being inserted into a modified Ussing chamber apparatus to investigate the bi-directional Mg2+ transport and electrical parameters. Paracellular permeability of the monolayer was also observed by the dilution potential technique and a cation permeability study. An Arrhenius plot was performed to elucidate the activation energy of passive Mg2+ transport across the Caco-2 monolayers. RESULTS: Both apical to basolateral and basolateral to apical passive Mg2+ fluxes of omeprazole-treated epithelium were decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Omeprazole also decreased the paracellular cation selectivity and changed the paracellular selective permeability profile of Caco-2 epithelium to Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, and Cs+ from series VII to series VI of the Eisenman sequence. The Arrhenius plot revealed the higher activation energy for passive Mg2+ transport in omeprazole-treated epithelium than that of control epithelium, indicating that omeprazole affected the paracellular channel of Caco-2 epithelium in such a way that Mg2+ movement was impeded. CONCLUSION: Omeprazole decreased paracellular cation permeability and increased the activation energy for passive Mg2+ transport of Caco-2 monolayers that led to the suppression of passive Mg2+ absorption. PMID:21472124

Effect of Sr substitution on the room temperature electrical properties of La1-xSrxFeO3 nano-crystalline materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kafa, C. A.; Triyono, D.; Laysandra, H.

2017-07-01

LaFeO3 is a material with Perovskite structure which electrical properties got investigated a lot, because as a p-type semiconductor it showed good gas sensing behavior through resistivity comparison. Sr doping on LaFeO3 is able to improve the electrical conductivity through structural modification. Using the Sr atoms doping concentration (x) from 0.1 to 0.4, La1-xSrxFeO3 nanocrystal pellets were synthesized using sol-gel method, followed by gradual heat treatment and uniaxial compaction. Structural analysis from XRD characterization shows that the structure of the materials is Orthorhombic Perovskite. The topography of the sample by SEM reveals grain and grain boundary existence with emerging agglomeration. The electrical properties of the material, as functions of frequency, were measured by Impedance Spectroscopy method using RLC meter. Through the Nyquist plot and Bode plot, the electrical conductivity of La1-xSrxFeO3 is contributed by grain and grain boundaries. It is reported that La0.6Sr0.4FeO3 sample has the most superior electrical conductivity of all samples, and the electrical permittivity of both La0.8Sr0.2FeO3 and La0.7Sr0.3FeO3 are the most stable.

Electrochemical properties of polycrystalline TiO/sub 2/ electrodes prepared by anodic oxidation

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

Nogami, G.; Ogawa, V.; Nishiyama, Y.

1988-12-01

Polycrystalline TiO/sub 2/ electrodes were characterized by electroluminescence and capacitance-voltage measurements. The intensity of electroluminescence in a polycrystalline TiO/sub 2/ was about two orders of magnitude larger than that in a single crystalline TiO/sub 2/. Due to the intensive light emission which could be seen with the naked eye, a spectroscopic analysis by using a monochromator was possible. The emission spectrum showed a broad band peaked at 570 nm, which was assigned to a radiation recombination of a hole injected from the electrolyte with an electron on the surface state, the distribution of which was estimated from the C-V measurements.more » Mott-Schottky plots for a polycrystalline TiO/sub 2/ showed little frequency dispersion. Cole-Cole plots could be fitted by two semicircles. Through the analysis of relaxation times, charging and discharging process at the electrode surface could be clarified. The analysis of the impedance data have revealed that the surface state is distributed from the conduction bandage to the midgap in the forbidden gap. The surface-state density falls with energy from the conduction band. It has been concluded that the dynamic electron distribution of the surface states, which is determined by the competitive charge transfer process of electrons and holes injected from the electrolyte and from the semiconductor determines the luminescence characteristics of this material.« less

Omeprazole decreases magnesium transport across Caco-2 monolayers.

PubMed

Thongon, Narongrit; Krishnamra, Nateetip

2011-03-28

To elucidate the effect and underlying mechanisms of omeprazole action on Mg(2+) transport across the intestinal epithelium. Caco-2 monolayers were cultured in various dose omeprazole-containing media for 14 or 21 d before being inserted into a modified Ussing chamber apparatus to investigate the bi-directional Mg(2+) transport and electrical parameters. Paracellular permeability of the monolayer was also observed by the dilution potential technique and a cation permeability study. An Arrhenius plot was performed to elucidate the activation energy of passive Mg(2+) transport across the Caco-2 monolayers. Both apical to basolateral and basolateral to apical passive Mg(2+) fluxes of omeprazole-treated epithelium were decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Omeprazole also decreased the paracellular cation selectivity and changed the paracellular selective permeability profile of Caco-2 epithelium to Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), and Cs(+) from series VII to series VI of the Eisenman sequence. The Arrhenius plot revealed the higher activation energy for passive Mg(2+) transport in omeprazole-treated epithelium than that of control epithelium, indicating that omeprazole affected the paracellular channel of Caco-2 epithelium in such a way that Mg(2+) movement was impeded. Omeprazole decreased paracellular cation permeability and increased the activation energy for passive Mg(2+) transport of Caco-2 monolayers that led to the suppression of passive Mg(2+) absorption.

Structural, Optical and Impedance Spectroscopic Characterizations of Nanocrystalline A2Ti2Zr5O16 (A = Mg, Ca, Ba and Sr)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sandeep, K.; Thomas, Jijimon K.; Solomon, Sam

2018-04-01

A nanocrystalline A2Ti2Zr5O16 (A = Mg, Ca, Ba and Sr) system has been synthesized by a modified combustion technique. The cation-deficient calzirtite (Ca2Ti2Zr5O16) is found to be a tetragonal structure with the space group I4(1)/acd. The average size of the particle from the transmission electron microscopy image is estimated to be 23.30 nm and 20.16 nm for Ca2Ti2Zr5O16 and Ba2Ti2Zr5O16, respectively. The optical bandgap calculated using a Tauc plot is between 3.01 eV and 3.46 eV. Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies were carried out to confirm the phase purity of the sample. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of a Ca2Ti2Zr5O16 sample sintered at 1360°C for 3 h shows minimum porosity with 96% of the theoretical density. The frequency-dependent dielectric study shows that the dielectric constant is maximized at low frequencies and decreases as the frequency increases. The Cole-Cole plot reveals that the material exhibits conduction due to the contributions of grain, grain boundary and electrode effects. The photoluminescence spectra of the samples were recorded and the transitions causing emission have been identified.

Exploiting enzyme catalysis in ultra-low ion strength media for impedance biosensing of avian influenza virus using a bare interdigitated electrode.

PubMed

Fu, Yingchun; Callaway, Zachary; Lum, Jacob; Wang, Ronghui; Lin, Jianhan; Li, Yanbin

2014-02-18

Enzyme catalysis is broadly used in various fields but generally applied in media with high ion strength. Here, we propose the exploitation of enzymatic catalysis in ultra-low ion strength media to induce ion strength increase for developing a novel impedance biosensing method. Avian influenza virus H5N1, a serious worldwide threat to poultry and human health, was adopted as the analyte. Magnetic beads were modified with H5N1-specific aptamer to capture the H5N1 virus. This was followed by binding concanavalin A (ConA), glucose oxidase (GOx), and Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) to create bionanocomposites through a ConA-glycan interaction. The yielded sandwich complex was transferred to a glucose solution to trigger an enzymatic reaction to produce gluconic acid, which ionized to increase the ion strength of the solution, thus decreasing the impedance on a screen-printed interdigitated array electrode. This method took advantages of the high efficiency of enzymatic catalysis and the high susceptibility of electrochemical impedance on the ion strength and endowed the biosensor with high sensitivity and a detection limit of 8 × 10(-4) HAU in 200 μL sample, which was magnitudes lower than that of some analogues based on biosensing methods. Furthermore, the proposed method required only a bare electrode for measurements of ion strength change and had negligible change on the surficial properties of the electrode, though some modification of magnetic beads/Au nanoparticles and the construction of a sandwich complex were still needed. This helped to avoid the drawbacks of commonly used electrode immobilization methods. The merit for this method makes it highly useful and promising for applications. The proposed method may create new possibilities in the broad and well-developed enzymatic catalysis fields and find applications in developing sensitive, rapid, low-cost, and easy-to-operate biosensing and biocatalysis devices.

a Study of the Electrical Impedance of Erythrocyte Membranes the Effects of Temperature and Radiation.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gerig, Lee Harvey

The purpose of this work was to investigate the electrical impedance properties of Human Erythrocytes suspended in normal saline and specifically how radiation and temperature affected these properties. The cells were obtained by venepuncture from normal adult volunteers, washed three times and resuspended in phosphate buffered saline. The cells were irradiated by ('60)Co gamma rays to doses varying from 500 to 20,000 rads. The electrical impedance was measured using a computerized measurement and data acquisition system developed in the Biophysics Laboratory, School of Physics, University of New South Wales. The measurements were performed employing a four terminal technique and a digitally synthesized sine wave. The measurements revealed that nonirradiated blood from any specific individual had reproducible electrical properties from day to day and that there were only small differences in the electrical properties of blood from the various individuals sampled. This data displayed complex structure in both the capacitance versus frequency and conductance versus frequency curves. Of great interest was the dependence on the time post venesection, indicating a continual change in the state of the cells after removal from their natural environment. The experiments also revealed a non linear temperature dependence and a significant change in the suspension impedance as a function of absorbed dose. A model of the system was introduced which was able to emulate most of the measured phenomena. Studies of how the model can be adapted to fit the measured data for various cases (eg. time, temperature, radiation dose) suggested various physiological processes occurring within the membrane. The results were indicative of effects such as radiation induced changes in the lipid hydrocarbon region, the presence of a complex protein structure, the dissociation of charge within the protein, the presence of electrogenic pumps, and the destruction of the lipid matrix by radiation induced lipid peroxidation.

An Additional Method for Analyzing the Reversible Inhibition of an 
Enzyme Using Acid Phosphatase as a Model.

PubMed

Baumhardt, Jordan M; Dorsey, Benjamin M; McLauchlan, Craig C; Jones, Marjorie A

2015-08-01

Using wheat germ acid phosphatase and sodium orthovanadate as a competitive inhibitor, a novel method for analyzing reversible inhibition was carried out. Our alternative approach involves plotting the initial velocity at which product is formed as a function of the ratio of substrate concentration to inhibitor concentration at a constant enzyme concentration and constant assay conditions. The concept of initial concentrations driving equilibrium leads to the chosen axes. Three apparent constants can be derived from this plot: K max , K min , and K inflect . K max and K min represent the substrate to inhibitor concentration ratio for complete inhibition and minimal inhibition, respectively. K inflect represents the substrate to inhibitor concentration ratio at which the enzyme-substrate complex is equal to the inhibitory complex. These constants can be interpolated from the graph or calculated using the first and second derivative of the plot. We conclude that a steeper slope and a shift of the line to the right (increased x-axis values) would indicate a better inhibitor. Since initial velocity is not a linear function of the substrate/inhibitor ratio, this means that inhibition changes more quickly with the change in the [S]/ [I] ratio. When preincubating the enzyme with substrate before the addition of inhibitor, preincubating the enzyme with inhibitor before the addition of substrate or with concurrent addition of both substrate and inhibitor, modest changes in the slopes and y-intercepts were obtained. This plot appears useful for known competitive and non-competitive inhibitors and may have general applicability.

Current source enhancements in Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) to cancel unwanted capacitive effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zarafshani, Ali; Bach, Thomas; Chatwin, Chris; Xiang, Liangzhong; Zheng, Bin

2017-03-01

Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) has emerged as a non-invasive imaging modality to detect and quantify functional or electrical properties related to the suspicious tumors in cancer screening, diagnosis and prognosis assessment. A constraint on EIS systems is that the current excitation system suffers from the effects of stray capacitance having a major impact on the hardware subsystem as the EIS is an ill-posed inverse problem which depends on the noise level in EIS measured data and regularization parameter in the reconstruction algorithm. There is high complexity in the design of stable current sources, with stray capacitance reducing the output impedance and bandwidth of the system. To confront this, we have designed an EIS current source which eliminates the effect of stray capacitance and other impacts of the capacitance via a variable inductance. In this paper, we present a combination of operational CCII based on a generalized impedance converter (OCCII-GIC) with a current source. The aim of this study is to use the EIS system as a biomedical imaging technique, which is effective in the early detection of breast cancer. This article begins with the theoretical description of the EIS structure, current source topologies and proposes a current conveyor in application of a Gyrator to eliminate the current source limitations and its development followed by simulation and experimental results. We demonstrated that the new design could achieve a high output impedance over a 3MHz frequency bandwidth when compared to other types of GIC circuits combined with an improved Howland topology.

Mayday - integrative analytics for expression data

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background DNA Microarrays have become the standard method for large scale analyses of gene expression and epigenomics. The increasing complexity and inherent noisiness of the generated data makes visual data exploration ever more important. Fast deployment of new methods as well as a combination of predefined, easy to apply methods with programmer's access to the data are important requirements for any analysis framework. Mayday is an open source platform with emphasis on visual data exploration and analysis. Many built-in methods for clustering, machine learning and classification are provided for dissecting complex datasets. Plugins can easily be written to extend Mayday's functionality in a large number of ways. As Java program, Mayday is platform-independent and can be used as Java WebStart application without any installation. Mayday can import data from several file formats, database connectivity is included for efficient data organization. Numerous interactive visualization tools, including box plots, profile plots, principal component plots and a heatmap are available, can be enhanced with metadata and exported as publication quality vector files. Results We have rewritten large parts of Mayday's core to make it more efficient and ready for future developments. Among the large number of new plugins are an automated processing framework, dynamic filtering, new and efficient clustering methods, a machine learning module and database connectivity. Extensive manual data analysis can be done using an inbuilt R terminal and an integrated SQL querying interface. Our visualization framework has become more powerful, new plot types have been added and existing plots improved. Conclusions We present a major extension of Mayday, a very versatile open-source framework for efficient micro array data analysis designed for biologists and bioinformaticians. Most everyday tasks are already covered. The large number of available plugins as well as the extension possibilities using compiled plugins and ad-hoc scripting allow for the rapid adaption of Mayday also to very specialized data exploration. Mayday is available at http://microarray-analysis.org. PMID:20214778

Assessment of hydration status using bioelectrical impedance vector analysis in critical patients with acute kidney injury.

PubMed

Hise, Ana Cláudia da Rosa; Gonzalez, Maria Cristina

2018-04-01

The state of hyperhydration in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with increased mortality. Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) appears to be a viable method to access the fluid status of critical patients but has never been evaluated in critical patients with AKI. The objective of this study is to evaluate the hydration status measured using BIVA in critical patients under intensive care at the time of AKI diagnosis and to correlate this measurement with mortality. We assessed the fluid status measured using BIVA in 224 critical patients at the time of AKI diagnosis and correlated it with mortality. To interpret the results, BIVA Software 2002 was used to plot the data from the patients studied on the 95% confidence ellipses of the RX c plane for comparisons between groups (non-survivors, survivors). Variables such as mechanical ventilation, vasoactive drug, and sepsis, among others, were collected. The impedance vector analysis conducted using BIVA Software 2002 indicated changes in the body compositions of patients according to the 95% confidence ellipse between the vectors R/H and X c /H of the group of survivors and the group of deceased patients. Hotelling's test (T 2  = 21.2) and the F test (F = 10.6) revealed significant differences (p < 0.001) between the two groups. These results demonstrate that patients who died presented with a greater hydration volume at the time of AKI diagnosis compared with those who survived. In addition to the hydration status measured using BIVA, the following were also correlated with death: diagnosis at hospitalization, APACHE II score, length of hospital stay, RIFLE score, maximum organ failure, sepsis type, hemoglobin, and AF. The fluid status assessment measured using BIVA significantly demonstrated the difference in hydration between survivors and non-survivors among critically ill patients with AKI. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

Structural, electrical and magnetic properties of (Fe, Co) co-doped SnO2 diluted magnetic semiconductor nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mehraj, Sumaira; Ansari, M. Shahnawaze; Alimuddin

2015-01-01

Nanostructures (NSs) of basic composition Sn1-xFex/2Cox/2O2 with x=0.00, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.1 were synthesized by citrate-gel route and characterized to understand their structural, electrical and magnetic properties. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy were used to confirm the formation of single phase rutile type tetragonal structure. The crystallite sizes calculated by using Williamson Hall were found to decrease with increasing doping level. In addition to the fundamental Raman peaks of rutile SnO2, the other three weak Raman peaks at about 505, 537 and 688 cm-1 were also observed. Field emission scanning electron microscopy studies showed the emergence of structural transformation. Electric properties such as dc electrical resistivity as a function of temperature and ac conductivity as a function of frequency were also studied. The variation of dielectric properties with frequency reveals that the dispersion is due to Maxwell-Wagner type of interfacial polarization in general. Hysteresis loops were clearly observed in M-H curves of Fe and Co co-doped SnO2 NSs. However, pure SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs) showed paramagnetic behaviour which vanished at higher values of magnetic field. The grain and grain boundary contribution in the conduction process is estimated through complex impedance plot fitted with non-linear least square (NLLS) approach which shows that the role of grain boundaries increases rapidly as compared to the grain volume with the increase of Fe and Co ions in to system.

MDplot: Visualise Molecular Dynamics.

PubMed

Margreitter, Christian; Oostenbrink, Chris

2017-05-10

The MDplot package provides plotting functions to allow for automated visualisation of molecular dynamics simulation output. It is especially useful in cases where the plot generation is rather tedious due to complex file formats or when a large number of plots are generated. The graphs that are supported range from those which are standard, such as RMsD/RMsF (root-mean-square deviation and root-mean-square fluctuation, respectively) to less standard, such as thermodynamic integration analysis and hydrogen bond monitoring over time. All told, they address many commonly used analyses. In this article, we set out the MDplot package's functions, give examples of the function calls, and show the associated plots. Plotting and data parsing is separated in all cases, i.e. the respective functions can be used independently. Thus, data manipulation and the integration of additional file formats is fairly easy. Currently, the loading functions support GROMOS, GROMACS, and AMBER file formats. Moreover, we also provide a Bash interface that allows simple embedding of MDplot into Bash scripts as the final analysis step. The package can be obtained in the latest major version from CRAN (https://cran.r-project.org/package=MDplot) or in the most recent version from the project's GitHub page at https://github.com/MDplot/MDplot, where feedback is also most welcome. MDplot is published under the GPL-3 license.

Litter Complexity and Compostition are Determinants of the Diversity and Species Composition of Oribatid Mites (Acari: Oribatida) in Litterbags

Treesearch

Randi A. Hansen; David C. Coleman

1997-01-01

To investigate the relationship between litter complexity and composition and the diversity and composition of the oribatid mite fauna inhabiting it, an experiment was carried out at a single forested site in the mountains of North Carolina. USA. Natural litterfall was excluded from a series of 1 m2 plots and replaced with treatment litters that...

Learning and transfer in motor-respiratory coordination.

PubMed

Hessler, Eric E; Amazeen, Polemnia G

2014-02-01

Motor-respiratory coordination occurs naturally during exercise, but the number of coordination patterns performed between movement and breathing is limited. We investigated whether participants could acquire novel ratios (either 5:2 or 5:3). To examine complex temporal relationships between movement and breathing, we used lagged return plots that were produced by graphing relative phase against relative phase after a time delay. By the end of practice, participants performed 5:2 consistently and performed 5:3 using more stable ratios (3:2 and 2:1). Lagged return plots revealed that 5:3 learners harnessed the stable inphase and antiphase patterns to stabilize the required ratio. That strategy resulted in the performance of smaller-integer ratios in the production of 5:3 but not 5:2. Despite those differences, there was positive transfer to unpracticed ratios that was similar in both learning conditions. The time series analysis of lagged return plots revealed differences in ratio performance at transfer. Ratios whose component frequencies were farther apart, like 7:2, were performed consistently, while ratios whose component frequencies were more similar, like 5:4, elicited attraction to inphase and antiphase. The implication is that participants can combine more stable chunks of rhythmic behavior to produce more complex ratios. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dielectric spectroscopy of solutions of amino silicone emulsion in distilled water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shah, K. N.; Rana, V. A.; Trivedi, C. M.; Vankar, H. P.

2016-05-01

Complex permittivity spectra ɛ*(ω) = ɛ' - jɛ″ of solutions of amino silicone emulsion in distilled water in the frequency range 100 Hz to 2 MHz were obtained using precision LCR meter. Complex permittivity data is used to find out complex impedance z*(ω) and complex electric conductivity σ*(ω). All these spectra are used to gain information about various polarization processes taking place in the solutions of amino silicone emulsion in distilled water under the effect of ac electric field. The frequency and concentration dependent behavior of the solutions of amino silicone emulsion in distilled waterhave beenalso investigated. Density and refractive index of the samples are also measured and are reported.

Disturbance-driven Changes in Soil Exoenzyme Activity and Biogeochemistry of Colorado Forests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lybrand, R. A.; Gallery, R. E.; Trahan, N. A.; Dynes, E.; Moore, D. J.

2015-12-01

Forest disturbances alter rates of organic matter decomposition by microbes, which introduces uncertainty to the fate of soil carbon and aboveground carbon stocks. Quantifying soil microbial response to disturbance will reduce this uncertainty in dynamic, heterogeneous ecosystems. Here, we assessed how potential exoenzyme activities and biogeochemistry vary across Colorado landscapes disturbed by insect, fire, and flooding. We sampled 56 plots that spanned a burn severity gradient following the 2012 High Park Fire and a beetle kill chronosequence. Topsoil biogeochemistry, potential exoenzyme activity, and microbial biomass were quantified within each plot, and for a subset of 16 plots visited before and after a 2014 rainfall event. Terrain variables were generated from a LiDAR-derived DTM. Our results documented a shift in exoenzyme activity that corresponded to fire-driven changes in pH, which averaged 4.8 ± 0.2 in unburned plots to 6.3 ± 0.4 in severe burn plots. Stepwise multiple linear regressions were employed to predict exoenzyme activity using principal components derived from biogeochemical and terrain variables. The models explained up to 50% of the variance in exoenzyme activity, with the strongest relationships identified for phosphatase and the carbon degrading enzymes, β-Glucosidase and 4-MUB-β-D-cellobioside. The unexplained variance may result from the legacy of disturbance across sites. For example, burned and unburned plots presented contrasting geochemical responses to the 2014 rainfall event. Specifically, PO43- did not differ significantly between the burned and unburned plots in the pre-flood soils. Interestingly, PO43- was significantly different between the two groups in the post-flood soils due to a decrease in PO43- at the unburned plots and a slight increase at the burned plots. Similar trends were recognized for DIN and NH4+ in the burned and unburned sites yet the beetle kill plots exhibited little geochemical response pre- and post-flood. Our results demonstrate that exoenzyme activities are controlled, in part, by topography and disturbance-driven changes in biogeochemistry. Future work will examine how microclimate and disturbance history, such as undocumented flood events, contribute to soil ecological and geochemical variability across complex terrain.

Determination of complex electromechanical coefficients for piezoelectric materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Xiao-Hong

Sugar maple decline, a result of many possible biotic and abiotic causes, has been a problem in northern Pennsylvania since the early 1980s. Several studies have focused on specific causes, yet few have tried to look at a wide array. The purpose of this research was to investigate stresses in sugar maple forest plots in northern Pennsylvania. Three studies were undertaken. The first study examined the spatial extent of sugar maple on 248 plots in Bailey's ecoregions 212F and 212G, which are glaciated and unglaciated regions, respectively. In addition, a health assessment of sugar maple in Pennsylvania was made, with a resulting separation in population between healthy and unhealthy stands occurring at 20 percent dead sugar maple basal area. The second study was conducted to evaluate a statistical sampling design of 28 forested plots, from the above studies population of plots (248), and to provide data on physical and chemical soil variability and sample size estimation for other researchers. The variability of several soil parameters was examined within plots and between health classes of sugar maple and sample size estimations were derived for these populations. The effect of log-normal transformations on reducing variability and sample sizes was examined and soil descriptions of the plots sampled in 1998 were compared to the USDA Soil Survey mapping unit series descriptions for the plot location. Lastly, the effect of sampling intensity on the detection of significant differences between health class treatments was examined. The last study addressed sugar maple decline in northern Pennsylvania during the same period as the first study (approximately 1979-1989) but on 28 plots chosen from the first studies population. These were the same plots used in the second study on soil variability. Recent literature on sugar maple decline has focused on specific causes and few have tried to look at a wide array. This paper investigates stresses in sugar maple plots related to moisture and how these interact with other stresses such as chemistry, insect defoliation, geology, aspect, slope, topography, and atmospheric deposition.

Funnel plots and choropleth maps in cancer risk communication: a comparison of tools for disseminating population-based incidence data to stakeholders

PubMed Central

Cusimano, Rosanna; Zarcone, Maurizio; Mazzola, Sergio; Vitale, Francesco

2017-01-01

Background Population-based cancer registries provide epidemiological cancer information, but the indicators are often too complex to be interpreted by local authorities and communities, due to numeracy and literacy limitations. The aim of this paper is to compare the commonly used visual formats to funnel plots to enable local public health authorities and communities to access valid and understandable cancer incidence data obtained at the municipal level. Methods A funnel plot representation of standardised incidence ratio (SIR) was generated for the 82 municipalities of the Palermo Province with the 2003–2011 data from the Palermo Province Cancer Registry (Sicily, Italy). The properties of the funnel plot and choropleth map methodologies were compared within the context of disseminating epidemiological data to stakeholders. Results The SIRs of all the municipalities remained within the control limits, except for Palermo city area (SIR=1.12), which was sited outside the upper control limit line of 99.8%. The Palermo Province SIRs funnel plot representation was congruent with the choropleth map generated from the same data, but the former resulted more informative as shown by the comparisons of the weaknesses and strengths of the 2 visual formats. Conclusions Funnel plot should be used as a complementary valuable tool to communicate epidemiological data of cancer registries to communities and local authorities, visually conveying an efficient and simple way to interpret cancer incidence data. PMID:28363917

Magnetic field tunable ac electrical transport of LaFeO3-wax nanocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, Supratim; Mandal, S. K.; Debnath, Rajesh; Nath, Debajyoti; Dey, P.

2018-04-01

Single phase perovskite LaFeO3 nanoparticles have been prepared through chemical pyrophoric reaction process. It is further grinded with paraffin wax of quantity 0.5 wt% of total composition to obtain an organic composite 99.5%LaFeO3-0.5%Wax. Studies of ac electrical properties viz. complex impedance, dielectric response, loss coefficient have been done in presence of external dc magnetic field, which reveals a good magnetoimpedance (˜221%) and a negative magnetodielectric (˜ 64%). The value of impedance, its real and imaginary part is observed to increase with dc field. The composite exhibits high dielectric constant (˜4760). The ac conductivity is found to decrease with applied field and increase with ac frequency.

Detection of needle to nerve contact based on electric bioimpedance and machine learning methods.

PubMed

Kalvoy, Havard; Tronstad, Christian; Ullensvang, Kyrre; Steinfeldt, Thorsten; Sauter, Axel R

2017-07-01

In an ongoing project for electrical impedance-based needle guidance we have previously showed in an animal model that intraneural needle positions can be detected with bioimpedance measurement. To enhance the power of this method we in this study have investigated whether an early detection of the needle only touching the nerve also is feasible. Measurement of complex impedance during needle to nerve contact was compared with needle positions in surrounding tissues in a volunteer study on 32 subjects. Classification analysis using Support-Vector Machines demonstrated that discrimination is possible, but that the sensitivity and specificity for the nerve touch algorithm not is at the same level of performance as for intra-neuralintraneural detection.

Reproducibility experiments on measuring acoustical properties of rigid-frame porous media (round-robin tests).

PubMed

Horoshenkov, Kirill V; Khan, Amir; Bécot, François-Xavier; Jaouen, Luc; Sgard, Franck; Renault, Amélie; Amirouche, Nesrine; Pompoli, Francesco; Prodi, Nicola; Bonfiglio, Paolo; Pispola, Giulio; Asdrubali, Francesco; Hübelt, Jörn; Atalla, Noureddine; Amédin, Celse K; Lauriks, Walter; Boeckx, Laurens

2007-07-01

This paper reports the results of reproducibility experiments on the interlaboratory characterization of the acoustical properties of three types of consolidated porous media: granulated porous rubber, reticulated foam, and fiberglass. The measurements are conducted in several independent laboratories in Europe and North America. The studied acoustical characteristics are the surface complex acoustic impedance at normal incidence and plane wave absorption coefficient which are determined using the standard impedance tube method. The paper provides detailed procedures related to sample preparation and installation and it discusses the dispersion in the acoustical material property observed between individual material samples and laboratories. The importance of the boundary conditions, homogeneity of the porous material structure, and stability of the adopted signal processing method are highlighted.

The kinship2 R package for pedigree data.

PubMed

Sinnwell, Jason P; Therneau, Terry M; Schaid, Daniel J

2014-01-01

The kinship2 package is restructured from the previous kinship package. Existing features are now enhanced and new features added for handling pedigree objects. Pedigree plotting features have been updated to display features on complex pedigrees while adhering to pedigree plotting standards. Kinship matrices can now be calculated for the X chromosome. Other methods have been added to subset and trim pedigrees while maintaining the pedigree structure. We make the kinship2 package available for R on the Contributed R Archives Network (CRAN), where data management is built-in and other packages can use the pedigree object.

Compact Interconnection Networks Based on Quantum Dots

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fijany, Amir; Toomarian, Nikzad; Modarress, Katayoon; Spotnitz, Matthew

2003-01-01

Architectures that would exploit the distinct characteristics of quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) have been proposed for digital communication networks that connect advanced digital computing circuits. In comparison with networks of wires in conventional very-large-scale integrated (VLSI) circuitry, the networks according to the proposed architectures would be more compact. The proposed architectures would make it possible to implement complex interconnection schemes that are required for some advanced parallel-computing algorithms and that are difficult (and in many cases impractical) to implement in VLSI circuitry. The difficulty of implementation in VLSI and the major potential advantage afforded by QCA were described previously in Implementing Permutation Matrices by Use of Quantum Dots (NPO-20801), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 25, No. 10 (October 2001), page 42. To recapitulate: Wherever two wires in a conventional VLSI circuit cross each other and are required not to be in electrical contact with each other, there must be a layer of electrical insulation between them. This, in turn, makes it necessary to resort to a noncoplanar and possibly a multilayer design, which can be complex, expensive, and even impractical. As a result, much of the cost of designing VLSI circuits is associated with minimization of data routing and assignment of layers to minimize crossing of wires. Heretofore, these considerations have impeded the development of VLSI circuitry to implement complex, advanced interconnection schemes. On the other hand, with suitable design and under suitable operating conditions, QCA-based signal paths can be allowed to cross each other in the same plane without adverse effect. In principle, this characteristic could be exploited to design compact, coplanar, simple (relative to VLSI) QCA-based networks to implement complex, advanced interconnection schemes. The proposed architectures require two advances in QCA-based circuitry beyond basic QCA-based binary-signal wires described in the cited prior article. One of these advances would be the development of QCA-based wires capable of bidirectional transmission of signals. The other advance would be the development of QCA circuits capable of high-impedance state outputs. The high-impedance states would be utilized along with the 0- and 1-state outputs of QCA.

An investigation of the SNS Josephson junction as a three-terminal device. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meissner, H.; Prans, G. P.

1973-01-01

A particular phenomenon of the SNS Josephson junction was investigated; i.e., control by a current entering the normal region and leaving through one of the superconducting regions. The effect of the control current on the junction was found to be dependent upon the ration of the resistances of the two halves of the N layer. A low frequency, lumped, nonlinear model was proposed to describe the electrical characteristics of the device, and a method was developed to plot the dynamic junction resistance as a function of junction current. The effective thermal noise temperature of the sample was determined. Small signal linearized analysis of the device suggests its use as an impedance transformer, although geometric limitations must be overcome. Linear approximation indicates that it is reciprocal and no power gain is possible. It is felt that, with suitable metallurgical and geometrical improvements, the device has promise to become a superconducting transistor.

Facile synthesis of polyaniline/TiO2/graphene oxide composite for high performance supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Haifang; Wang, Teng; Zhang, Shengyi; Song, Jiming; Mao, Changjie; Niu, Helin; Jin, Baokang; Wu, Jieying; Tian, Yupeng

2012-06-01

The polyaniline/TiO2/graphene oxide (PANI/TiO2/GO) composite, as a novel supercapacitor material, is synthesized by in situ hydrolyzation of tetrabutyl titanate and polymerization of aniline monomer in the presence of graphene oxide. The morphology, composition and structure of the composites as-obtained are characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD and TGA. The electrochemical property and impedance of the composites are studied by cyclic voltammetry and Nyquist plot, respectively. The results show that the introduction of the GO and TiO2 enhanced the electrode conductivity and stability, and then improved the supercapacitive behavior of PANI/TiO2/GO composite. Significantly, the electrochemical measurement results show that the PANI/TiO2/GO composite has a high specific capacitance (1020 F g-1 at 2 mV s-1, 430 F g-1 at 1 A g-1) and long cycle life (over 1000 times).

Structural and transport properties of NdCrO{sub 3} nanoceramics

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

Saha, Sujoy; Sakhya, Anup Pradhan; Sinha, T. P.

2013-02-05

Reitveld refinement of the room temperature powder X-ray diffraction profile of NdCrO{sub 3} (NCO) nanoceramics synthesized by sol-gel processing shows orthorhombic Pnma (D{sub 2h}{sup 16}) space group symmetry. The refined lattice parameters are a = 5.482(3) A, b = 7.689(4) A and c = 5.416(3) A. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of NCO shows that the average particle size is around 70 nm. The electrical transport property of NCO is investigated by both conductivity and electric modulus formalism. The electrical data is taken by a LCR meter in a temperature range from 303 K to 573 K and in a frequencymore » range from 42 Hz to 1.1 MHz. The ac conductivity follows a power law. The Cole-Cole plot of impedance at 303 K shows grain effect.« less

Role of grain and grain boundary on the electrical and thermal conductivity of Bi0.9Y0.1Fe0.9Mn0.1O3 ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pandey, Rabichandra; Panda, Chandrakanta; Kumar, Pawan; Pradhan, Lagen Kumar; Kar, Manoranjan

2017-05-01

Role of grain and grain boundary on electrical and thermal conductivity of Bi0.9Y0.1Fe0.9Mn0.1O3 ceramic was investigated systematically. Tartaric acid modified sol gel method was used to synthesize the compound. X-ray diffraction technique was used to confirm the formation of single phase orthorhombic (Pbnm) structure. Electrical properties of the sample were measured with a wide frequency range from 100Hz to 10MHz at different temperature from 40°C to 250°C. AC impedance studies indicate the presence of grain and grain boundary effect. The negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) behaviour of the compound has been confirmed by the cole-cole plot. DC electrical and thermal conductivities of the compound were explained on the basis of grain and grain boundaries.

On the electrical characterization of platinum octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP)/Si hybrid device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abuelwafa, A. A.; El-Denglawey, A.; Dongol, M.; El-Nahass, M. M.; Ebied, M. S.; Soga, T.

2018-01-01

The electrical properties of Au/PtOEP/p-Si/Al and Au/PtOEP/n-Si/Al devices were studied in terms of current-voltage I- V characteristics at different temperatures ranging from 308 to 388 K. The two diodes were fabricated with the same qualifications. They showed a rectification behavior. The conduction mechanisms at forward and reverse bias and diode parameters as a function of the temperature for these devices were determined and discussed. The variation of the C -2- V characteristics for two diodes exhibited a straight line fit which supports the abrupt diode type. The interface state density N ss was determined from the I- V and C- V data using Card and Rhoderick's model. Also, the impedance spectroscopy plots for the two diodes and suitable equivalent circuit model were established to evaluate the details of interface carrier transfer and recombination processes.

Electrical Counting and Sizing of Mammalian Cells in Suspension

PubMed Central

Gregg, E. C.; Steidley, K. David

1965-01-01

A recently developed method of determining the number and size of particles suspended in a conducting solution is to pump the suspension through a small orifice having an immersed electrode on each side to supply electrical current. The current changes due to the passage of particles of resistivity different from that of the solution. Theoretical expressions are developed which relate the current change caused by such particles to their volume and shape. It is found that most biological cells may be treated as dielectric particles whose capacitive effects are negligible. Electrolytic tank measurements on models confirm the theoretical development, and electric field plots of model orifices are used to predict the observed pulse shapes. An equivalent circuit of the orifice-electrode system is analyzed and shows that the current pulse may be made conductivity-independent when observed with a zero input impedance amplifier. PMID:5861698

Synthesis, Dielectric, Electrical and Optical characterization of ZnO synthesized by chemical route using polymer precursors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishra, Raman; Bajpai, P. K.

2011-11-01

Nano-size ZnO (particle size 7.8 nm) have been prepared from a versatile, efficient and technically simple polymer matrix based precursor solution. The precursor solution constituted of zinc nitrates with polymer PVA in presence of mono-/disaccharides. Annealing the precursor mass at 900 °C single phase zinc oxide nano-particles are obtained. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms hexagonal crystal structure with lattice parameter a = b = 3.261 A0, c = 5.220 A0. The estimated average particle size obtained from XRD data is ≈7.8 nm. The impedance analysis reveals that the grain resistance decreases with increase in temperature as expected for a semi-conducting material. The relaxation is polydispersive and conduction is mainly through grains. Optical properties and AC/DC conduction activation energies are estimated from Arrhenius plots and conduction mechanism is discussed.

Optical and electrical properties of mechanochemically synthesized nanocrystalline delafossite CuAlO2.

PubMed

Prakash, T; Prasad, K Padma; Ramasamy, S; Murty, B S

2008-08-01

Nanocrystalline p-type semiconductor copper aluminum oxide (CuAlO2) has been synthesized by mechanical alloying using freshly prepared Cu2O and alpha-AlO2O3 nanocrystals in toluene medium. A study on structural property performed with different alloying and post annealing durations, by X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveals the formation of single phase with average crystallite size approximately 45 nm. Optical absorbance onset at 364.5 nm confirms its wide band gap nature (E(g) = 3.4 eV) and the fluorescence emission behaviour (390 nm) confirms its direct band type transition. The activation energy for electrical conduction has been calculated by Arrhenius plots using impedance measurement. Both grain and grain boundary conductivity takes place with almost equal activation energies of approximately 0.45 eV. The paper discusses synthesis, structural, optical and electrical properties of delafossite CuAlO2 in detail.

Effects of Stress and Working Memory Capacity on Foreign Language Readers' Inferential Processing during Comprehension

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rai, Manpreet K.; Loschky, Lester C.; Harris, Richard Jackson; Peck, Nicole R.; Cook, Lindsay G.

2011-01-01

Although stress is frequently claimed to impede foreign language (FL) reading comprehension, it is usually not explained how. We investigated the effects of stress, working memory (WM) capacity, and inferential complexity on Spanish FL readers' inferential processing during comprehension. Inferences, although necessary for reading comprehension,…

Preparing Mathematics and Science Teachers through a Residency Program: Perceptions and Reflections

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garza, Rubén; Werner, Patrice

2014-01-01

The critical challenge of recruiting, preparing, and retaining high-quality mathematics and science teachers for high-need urban schools is complex. Therefore, identifying factors that support and impede a teaching residency program's implementation may have the potential to build an effective initiative that will benefit all stakeholders. The…

Improving MRI surface coil decoupling to reduce B1 distortion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larson, Christian

As clinical MRI systems continue to advance, larger focus is being given to image uniformity. Good image uniformity begins with generating uniform magnetic fields, which are easily distorted by induced currents on receive-only surface coils. It has become an industry standard to combat these induced currents by placing RF blocking networks on surface coils. This paper explores the effect of blocking network impedance of phased array surface coils on B1 distortion. It has been found and verified, that traditional approaches for blocking network design in complex phased arrays can leave undesirable B1 distortions at 3 Tesla. The traditional approach of LC tank blocking is explored, but shifts from the idea that higher impedance equals better B1 distortion at 3T. The result is a new design principle for a tank with a finite inductive reactance at the Larmor Frequency. The solution is demonstrated via simulation using a simple, single, large tuning loop. The same loop, along with a smaller loop, is used to derive the new design principle, which is then applied to a complex phased array structure.

Detection of electrically neutral and nonpolar molecules in ionic solutions using silicon nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Ying-Pin; Chu, Chia-Jung; Tsai, Li-Chu; Su, Ya-Wen; Chen, Pei-Hua; Moodley, Mathew K.; Huang, Ding; Chen, Yit-Tsong; Yang, Ying-Jay; Chen, Chii-Dong

2017-04-01

We report on a technique that can extend the use of nanowire sensors to the detection of interactions involving nonpolar and neutral molecules in an ionic solution environment. This technique makes use of the fact that molecular interactions result in a change in the permittivity of the molecules involved. For the interactions taking place at the surface of nanowires, this permittivity change can be determined from the analysis of the measured complex impedance of the nanowire. To demonstrate this technique, histidine was detected using different charge polarities controlled by the pH value of the solution. This included the detection of electrically neutral histidine at a sensitivity of 1 pM. Furthermore, it is shown that nonpolar molecules, such as hexane, can also be detected. The technique is applicable to the use of nanowires with and without a surface-insulating oxide. We show that information about the changes in amplitude and the phase of the complex impedance reveals the fundamental characteristics of the molecular interactions, including the molecular field and the permittivity.

Bacterial effectors target the common signaling partner BAK1 to disrupt multiple MAMP receptor-signaling complexes and impede plant immunity.

PubMed

Shan, Libo; He, Ping; Li, Jianming; Heese, Antje; Peck, Scott C; Nürnberger, Thorsten; Martin, Gregory B; Sheen, Jen

2008-07-17

Successful pathogens have evolved strategies to interfere with host immune systems. For example, the ubiquitous plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae injects two sequence-distinct effectors, AvrPto and AvrPtoB, to intercept convergent innate immune responses stimulated by multiple microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs). However, the direct host targets and precise molecular mechanisms of bacterial effectors remain largely obscure. We show that AvrPto and AvrPtoB bind the Arabidopsis receptor-like kinase BAK1, a shared signaling partner of both the flagellin receptor FLS2 and the brassinosteroid receptor BRI1. This targeting interferes with ligand-dependent association of FLS2 with BAK1 during infection. It also impedes BAK1-dependent host immune responses to diverse other MAMPs and brassinosteroid signaling. Significantly, the structural basis of AvrPto-BAK1 interaction appears to be distinct from AvrPto-Pto association required for effector-triggered immunity. These findings uncover a unique strategy of bacterial pathogenesis where virulence effectors block signal transmission through a key common component of multiple MAMP-receptor complexes.

Shear resonance mode decoupling to determine the characteristic matrix of piezoceramics for 3-D modeling.

PubMed

Pardo, Lorena; García, Alvaro; de Espinosa, Francisco Montero; Brebøl, Klaus

2011-03-01

The determination of the characteristic frequencies of an electromechanical resonance does not provide enough data to obtain the material properties of piezoceramics, including all losses, from complex impedance measurements. Values of impedance around resonance and antiresonance frequencies are also required to calculate the material losses. Uncoupled resonances are needed for this purpose. The shear plates used for the material characterization present unavoidable mode coupling of the shear mode and other modes of the plate. A study of the evolution of the complex material coefficients as the coupling of modes evolves with the change in the aspect ratio (lateral dimension/thickness) of the plate is presented here. These are obtained using software. A soft commercial PZT ceramic was used in this study and several shear plates amenable to material characterization were obtained in the range of aspect ratios below 15. The validity of the material properties for 3-D modeling of piezoceramics is assessed by means of finite element analysis, which shows that uncoupled resonances are virtually pure thickness-driven shear modes.

A Reusable Impedimetric Aptasensor for Detection of Thrombin Employing a Graphite-Epoxy Composite Electrode

PubMed Central

Ocaña, Cristina; Pacios, Mercè; del Valle, Manel

2012-01-01

Here, we report the application of a label-free electrochemical aptasensor based on a graphite-epoxy composite electrode for the detection of thrombin; in this work, aptamers were immobilized onto the electrodes surface using wet physical adsorption. The detection principle is based on the changes of the interfacial properties of the electrode; these were probed in the presence of the reversible redox couple [Fe(CN)6]3−/[Fe(CN)6]4− using impedance measurements. The electrode surface was partially blocked due to formation of aptamer-thrombin complex, resulting in an increase of the interfacial electron-transfer resistance detected by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The aptasensor showed a linear response for thrombin in the range of 7.5 pM to 75 pM and a detection limit of 4.5 pM. The aptasensor was regenerated by breaking the complex formed between the aptamer and thrombin using 2.0 M NaCl solution at 42 °C, showing its operation for different cycles. The interference response caused by main proteins in serum has been characterized. PMID:22736991

Second-mode control in hypersonic boundary layers over assigned complex wall impedance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sousa, Victor; Patel, Danish; Chapelier, Jean-Baptiste; Scalo, Carlo

2017-11-01

The durability and aerodynamic performance of hypersonic vehicles greatly relies on the ability to delay transition to turbulence. Passive aerodynamic flow control devices such as porous acoustic absorbers are a very attractive means to damp ultrasonic second-mode waves, which govern transition in hypersonic boundary layers under idealized flow conditions (smooth walls, slender geometries, small angles of attack). The talk will discuss numerical simulations modeling such absorbers via the time-domain impedance boundary condition (TD-IBC) approach by Scalo et al. in a hypersonic boundary layer flow over a 7-degree wedge at freestream Mach numbers M∞ = 7.3 and Reynolds numbers Rem = 1.46 .106 . A three-parameter impedance model tuned to the second-mode waves is tested first with varying resistance, R, and damping ratio, ζ, revealing complete mode attenuation for R < 20. A realistic IBC is then employed, derived via an inverse Helmholtz solver analysis of an ultrasonically absorbing carbon-fiber-reinforced carbon ceramic sample used in recent hypersonic transition experiments by Dr. Wagner and co-workers at DLR-Göttingen.

Enhancement of Signal-to-noise Ratio in Natural-source Transient Magnetotelluric Data with Wavelet Transform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Y.; Paulson, K. V.

For audio-frequency magnetotelluric surveys where the signals are lightning-stroke transients, the conventional Fourier transform method often fails to produce a high quality impedance tensor. An alternative approach is to use the wavelet transform method which is capable of localizing target information simultaneously in both the temporal and frequency domains. Unlike Fourier analysis that yields an average amplitude and phase, the wavelet transform produces an instantaneous estimate of the amplitude and phase of a signal. In this paper a complex well-localized wavelet, the Morlet wavelet, has been used to transform and analyze audio-frequency magnetotelluric data. With the Morlet wavelet, the magnetotelluric impedance tensor can be computed directly in the wavelet transform domain. The lightning-stroke transients are easily identified on the dilation-translation plane. Choosing those wavelet transform values where the signals are located, a higher signal-to-noise ratio estimation of the impedance tensor can be obtained. In a test using real data, the wavelet transform showed a significant improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio over the conventional Fourier transform.

Bioimpedance measurements of human body composition: critical analysis and outlook.

PubMed

Matthie, James R

2008-03-01

Bioimpedance spectroscopy represents one of the largest emerging medical device technologies. The method is generally known as impedance spectroscopy and is an inexpensive, yet extremely powerful, analytical technique for studying the electrical properties of materials. Much of what we know about biological cells and tissues comes from use of this technique in vitro. Due to the high impedance of the cell membrane, current flow through the cell is frequency dependent and this allows the fluid volume inside versus outside the body's cells to be determined. The fluid outside the cells is primarily related to fluid volume status while the intracellular fluid also relates to the body's cellular mass. Technical advances have removed much of the method's basic complexities. The first commercial bioimpedance spectroscopy device for in vivo human body composition studies was introduced in 1990. Major strides have been made and the method is now poised to enter mainstream clinical medicine but the field is only in its infancy. This paper attempts to fully describe the current use of impedance in the body composition field.

Determination of the magnetization scaling exponent for single-crystal La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 by broadband microwave surface impedance measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwartz, Andrew; Scheffler, Marc; Anlage, Steven M.

2000-01-01

Employing a broadband microwave reflection configuration, we have measured the complex surface impedance, ZS(ω,T), of single-crystal La0.8Sr0.2MnO3, as a function of frequency (0.045-45 GHz) and temperature (250-325 K). Through the dependence of the microwave surface impedance on the magnetic permeability, μ⁁(ω,T), we have studied the local magnetic behavior of this material, and have extracted the spontaneous magnetization, M0(T), in zero applied field. The broadband nature of these measurements and the fact that no external field is applied to the material provide a unique opportunity to analyze the critical behavior of the spontaneous magnetization at temperatures very close to the ferromagnetic phase transition. We find a Curie temperature TC=305.5+/-0.5 K and scaling exponent β=0.45+/-0.05, in agreement with the prediction of mean-field theory. We also discuss other recent determinations of the magnetization critical exponent in this and similar materials and show why our results are more definitive.

AN ADVANCED CALIBRATION PROCEDURE FOR COMPLEX IMPEDANCE SPECTRUM MEASUREMENTS OF ADVANCED ENERGY STORAGE DEVICES

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

William H. Morrison; Jon P. Christophersen; Patrick Bald

With the increasing demand for electric and hybrid electric vehicles and the explosion in popularity of mobile and portable electronic devices such as laptops, cell phones, e-readers, tablet computers and the like, reliance on portable energy storage devices such as batteries has likewise increased. The concern for the availability of critical systems in turn drives the availability of battery systems and thus the need for accurate battery health monitoring has become paramount. Over the past decade the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Montana Tech of the University of Montana (Tech), and Qualtech Systems, Inc. (QSI) have been developing the Smart Batterymore » Status Monitor (SBSM), an integrated battery management system designed to monitor battery health, performance and degradation and use this knowledge for effective battery management and increased battery life. Key to the success of the SBSM is an in-situ impedance measurement system called the Impedance Measurement Box (IMB). One of the challenges encountered has been development of an accurate, simple, robust calibration process. This paper discusses the successful realization of this process.« less

The Maximums and Minimums of a Polnomial or Maximizing Profits and Minimizing Aircraft Losses.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Groves, Brenton R.

1984-01-01

Plotting a polynomial over the range of real numbers when its derivative contains complex roots is discussed. The polynomials are graphed by calculating the minimums, maximums, and zeros of the function. (MNS)

Determining bonding, thickness, and density via thermal wave impedance NDE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Green, D. R.

1985-01-01

Bonding, density, and thickness of coatings have a vital effect on their performance in many applications. Pioneering development work on thermal wave nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods during the past 25 years has resulted in an array of useful techniques for performing bonding, density, and thickness measurements in a practical shop environment. The most useful thermal wave methods for this purpose are based on thermal wave surface impedance measurement or scanning. A pulse of heat from either a thermal transducer or a hot gas pulse is projected onto the surface, and the resulting temperature response is analyzed to unfold the bonding, density, and thickness of the coating. An advanced emissivity independent infrared method was applied to detect the temperature response. These methods were recently completely computerized and can automatically provide information on coating quality in near real-time using the proper equipment. Complex shapes such as turbine blades can be scanned. Microscopic inhomogeneities such as microstructural differences and small, normal, isolated voids do not cause problems but are seen as slight differences in the bulk thermal properties. Test objects with rough surfaces can be effectively nondestructively evaluated using proper thermal surface impedance methods. Some of the basic principles involved, as well as metallographic results illustrating the ability of the thermal wave surface impedance method to detect natural nonbonds under a two-layer thermally sprayed coating, will be presented.

Human ribonuclease H1 resolves R-loops and thereby enables progression of the DNA replication fork.

PubMed

Parajuli, Shankar; Teasley, Daniel C; Murali, Bhavna; Jackson, Jessica; Vindigni, Alessandro; Stewart, Sheila A

2017-09-15

Faithful DNA replication is essential for genome stability. To ensure accurate replication, numerous complex and redundant replication and repair mechanisms function in tandem with the core replication proteins to ensure DNA replication continues even when replication challenges are present that could impede progression of the replication fork. A unique topological challenge to the replication machinery is posed by RNA-DNA hybrids, commonly referred to as R-loops. Although R-loops play important roles in gene expression and recombination at immunoglobulin sites, their persistence is thought to interfere with DNA replication by slowing or impeding replication fork progression. Therefore, it is of interest to identify DNA-associated enzymes that help resolve replication-impeding R-loops. Here, using DNA fiber analysis, we demonstrate that human ribonuclease H1 (RNH1) plays an important role in replication fork movement in the mammalian nucleus by resolving R-loops. We found that RNH1 depletion results in accumulation of RNA-DNA hybrids, slowing of replication forks, and increased DNA damage. Our data uncovered a role for RNH1 in global DNA replication in the mammalian nucleus. Because accumulation of RNA-DNA hybrids is linked to various human cancers and neurodegenerative disorders, our study raises the possibility that replication fork progression might be impeded, adding to increased genomic instability and contributing to disease. © 2017 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Axolemmal and septal conduction in the impedance of the earthworm medial giant nerve fiber.

PubMed Central

Krause, T L; Fishman, H M; Bittner, G D

1994-01-01

Ionic conduction in the axolemmal and septal membranes of the medial giant fiber (MGF) of the earthworm (EW) Lumbricus terrestris was assessed by impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range 2.5-1000 Hz. Impedance loci in the complex plane were described by two semi-circular arcs, one at a lower characteristic frequency (100 Hz) and the other at a higher frequency (500 Hz). The lower frequency arc had a chord resistance of 53 k omega and was not affected by membrane potential changes or ion channel blockers [tetrodotoxin (TTX), 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP), 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), and tetraethylammonium (TEA)]. The higher frequency arc had a chord resistance of 274 k omega at resting potential, was voltage-dependent, and was affected by the addition of TTX, 3,4-DAP, 4-AP, and TEA to the physiological EW salines. When all four blockers were added to the bathing solution, the impedance locus was described by two voltage-independent arcs. Considering the effects of these and other (i.e., Cd and Ni) ion channel blockers, we conclude that: 1) the higher frequency locus reflects conduction by voltage-sensitive ion channels in the axolemmal membrane, which contains at least four ion channels selective for sodium, calcium, and potassium (delayed rectifier and calcium-dependent), and 2) the lower frequency locus reflects voltage-insensitive channels in the septal membrane, which separates adjacent MGFs. PMID:7524713

Commercial application of rainfall simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loch, Rob J.

2010-05-01

Landloch Pty Ltd is a commercial consulting firm, providing advice on a range of land management issues to the mining and construction industries in Australia. As part of the company's day-to-day operations, rainfall simulation is used to assess material erodibility and to investigate a range of site attributes. (Landloch does carry out research projects, though such are not its core business.) When treated as an everyday working tool, several aspects of rainfall simulation practice are distinctively modified. Firstly, the equipment used is regularly maintained, and regularly upgraded with a primary focus on ease, safety, and efficiency of use and on reliability of function. As well, trained and experienced technical support is considered essential. Landloch's chief technician has over 10 years experience in running rainfall simulators at locations across Australia and in Africa and the Pacific. Secondly, the specific experimental conditions established for each set of rainfall simulator runs are carefully considered to ensure that they accurately represent the field conditions to which the data will be subsequently applied. Considerations here include: • wetting and drying cycles to ensure material consolidation and/or cementation if appropriate; • careful attention to water quality if dealing with clay soils or with amendments such as gypsum; • strong focus on ensuring that the erosion processes considered are those of greatest importance to the field situation of concern; and • detailed description of both material and plot properties, to increase the potential for data to be applicable to a wider range of projects and investigations. Other important company procedures include: • For each project, the scientist or engineer responsible for analysing and reporting rainfall simulator data is present during the running of all field plots, as it is essential that they be aware of any specific conditions that may have developed when the plots were subjected to rain; and • Regular calibration of all equipment. In general, typical errors when rainfall simulation is carried out by inexperienced researchers include: • Failure to accurately measure rainfall rates (the most common error); • Inappropriate initial conditions, including wetting treatments; • Use of inappropriately small plots - relating to our concern at the erosion processes considered be those of genuine field relevance; • Inappropriate rainfall kinetic energies; and • Failure to observe critical processes operating on the study plots, such as saturation excess or the presence of impeding layers at shallow depths. Landloch regularly uses erodibility data to design stable batter profiles for minesite waste dumps. Subsequent monitoring of designed dumps has confirmed that modelled erosion rates are consistent with those subsequently measured under field conditions.

Long-term deer exclusion has complex effects on a suburban forest understory

USGS Publications Warehouse

Faison, Edward K.; Foster, David R.; DeStefano, Stephen

2016-01-01

Herbivory by deer is one of the leading biotic disturbances on forest understories (i.e., herbs, small shrubs, and small tree seedlings). A large body of research has reported declines in height, abundance, and reproductive capacity of forbs and woody plants coupled with increases in abundance of graminoids, ferns, and exotic species due to deer herbivory. Less clear is the extent to which (and the direction in which) deer alter herbaceous layer diversity, where much of the plant diversity in a forest occurs. We examined the effect of 15 y of deer exclusion on the understory of a suburban hardwood forest in Connecticut exposed to decades of intensive herbivory by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). We compared species richness (at subplot and plot scale), individual species and life form group abundance (% cover), and community composition between grazed and exclosure plots, as well as between mesic and wet soil blocks. Forb cover was more than twice as abundant in exclosure as in grazed plots, whereas sedge (Carex spp.) cover was 28 times more abundant, and exotic species cover generally higher in grazed than in exclosure plots. Native and exotic species richness were both higher in grazed than exclosure plots at the subplot scale, and native herbaceous richness was higher in grazed plots at both spatial scales. In contrast, native shrub richness increased with deer exclusion at the plot scale. Our results suggest that deer exclusion had contrasting effects on species richness, depending on plant life form, but that overall richness of both exotic and native plants declined with deer exclusion. In addition, site heterogeneity remained an important driver of vegetation dynamics even in the midst of high deer densities.

Rapid spread of complex change: a case study in inpatient palliative care.

PubMed

Della Penna, Richard; Martel, Helene; Neuwirth, Esther B; Rice, Jennifer; Filipski, Marta I; Green, Jennifer; Bellows, Jim

2009-12-29

Based on positive findings from a randomized controlled trial, Kaiser Permanente's national executive leadership group set an expectation that all Kaiser Permanente and partner hospitals would implement a consultative model of interdisciplinary, inpatient-based palliative care (IPC). Within one year, the number of IPC consultations program-wide increased almost tenfold from baseline, and the number of teams nearly doubled. We report here results from a qualitative evaluation of the IPC initiative after a year of implementation; our purpose was to understand factors supporting or impeding the rapid and consistent spread of a complex program. Quality improvement study using a case study design and qualitative analysis of in-depth semi-structured interviews with 36 national, regional, and local leaders. Compelling evidence of impacts on patient satisfaction and quality of care generated 'pull' among adopters, expressed as a remarkably high degree of conviction about the value of the model. Broad leadership agreement gave rise to sponsorship and support that permeated the organization. A robust social network promoted knowledge exchange and built on an existing network with a strong interest in palliative care. Resource constraints, pre-existing programs of a different model, and ambiguous accountability for implementation impeded spread. A complex, hospital-based, interdisciplinary intervention in a large health care organization spread rapidly due to a synergy between organizational 'push' strategies and grassroots-level pull. The combination of push and pull may be especially important when the organizational context or the practice to be spread is complex.

Exploring canopy structure and function as a potential mechanism of sustain carbon sequestration in aging forests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fotis, A. T.; Curtis, P.; Ricart, R.

2013-12-01

The notion that old-growth forests reach carbon neutrality has recently been challenged, but the mechanisms responsible for continued productivity have remained elusive. Increases in canopy structural complexity, defined by high horizontal and vertical variability in leaf distribution (rugosity), has been proposed as a mechanism for sustained high rates of above ground net primary production (ANPPw) in forests up to ~170 years by enhancing light use efficiency (LUE) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). However, a detailed understanding of how rugosity affects resource distribution within and among trees leading to greater LUE and NUE is not known. We propose that leaves in high rugosity plots receive greater photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) than leaves in low rugosity plots, causing shifts from shade- to sun- adapted leaves into deeper portions of the canopy, which is thought to increase the photosynthetic capacity of individuals and lead to higher carbon assimilation in forests. The goal of this research was to: 1) quantify different canopy structural characteristics using a portable canopy LiDAR (PCL) and; 2) assess how these structural characteristics affect resource distribution and subsequent changes in leaf morphological, physiological and biochemical traits in three broadleaf species (e.g., Acer rubrum, Quercus rubra and Fagus grandifolia) and one conifer species (e.g., Pinus strobus) at different levels in the canopy in plots with similar leaf are index (LAI) but highly contrasting rugosity levels. We found that gap fraction had a strong positive correlation with rugosity. High rugosity plots had a bimodal distribution of LAI that was concentrated at the top and bottom of the canopy with an open midstory (between 10-50% of total canopy height) whereas low rugosity plots had a more even distribution of leaves. Leaf mass per area (LMA) of all broadleaved species had a strong positive correlation with cumulative gap fraction (P. strobus had a relatively weaker, but strong positive correlation). On average, Q. rubra and F. grandifolia had greater LMA in high rugosity plots while LMA was greater for A. rubrum and P. strobus in low rugosity plots. These findings suggest that species are responding differently to canopy structural complexity and that leaf arrangement in space plays an important role in determining leaf level traits. Furthermore, this research demonstrates that PCL can be used for quick identification of canopy traits (e.g., average LMA) relevant to photosynthetic capacity, and thus, carbon sequestration potential, and therefore may become an important tool in forest management.

Preoperative and postoperative agreement in fat free mass (FFM) between bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

PubMed

van Venrooij, Lenny M W; Verberne, Hein J; de Vos, Rien; Borgmeijer-Hoelen, Mieke M M J; van Leeuwen, Paul A M; de Mol, Bas A J M

2010-12-01

To measure undernutrition in terms of fat free mass (FFM), there are several options. The aim of this study was to assess agreement in FFM between the portable, bedside bioelectrical impedance spectrometry (BIS) and relatively expensive, non-portable dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. In a prospective study, body composition measurements by BIS and DXA were performed two weeks prior and two months after cardiac surgery. Preoperative and postoperative agreement in FFM between BIS and DXA were analyzed with Bland and Altman plots. Twenty-six patients were analyzed. BIS overestimated preoperative and postoperative FFM by 2 kg compared to DXA (2.3 kg (95%CI: -3.5-8.1 kg) and 2.1 kg (95%CI: -4.5-8.7 kg), respectively). BIS underestimated FFM change by -0.5% (95%CI: -8.4-7.5%). There is a large inter-individual variation between BIS and DXA. This hinders the interchange-ability of BIS and DXA in routine clinical practice and may lead to misclassifications and thereby inappropriate nutritional treatment and possible postoperative complications. To evaluate nutritional therapy in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, we advocate the use of DXA assessed FFM in parallel to BIS assessed extracellular and intracellular water and FFM. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

High temperature electrical properties study of Sr{sub 2}(Fe,Ti)O{sub 6} double perovskite materials using impedance spectroscopy method

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

Triyono, D., E-mail: djoko.triyono@sci.ui.ac.id; Laysandra, Heidi

2016-04-19

The structure, thermal, and electrical properties of double perovskite material Sr{sub 2}(Fe,Ti)O{sub 6} at high temperature have been studied. This material was synthesized by a solid state reaction method. X-ray diffraction characterization at room temperature for all samples shows a single phase and having a structure of cubic double perovskite with Pm3m space group. The variation of Fe and Ti atoms are seen in an increasing of lattice parameter and grain size which is found between 30 nm and 80 nm. The electrical properties as a function of temperature and frequency are characterized by using RLC-meter with impedance spectroscopy method. The impedancemore » data are presented in Nyquist and Bode plot resulting in the equivalent circuit and its parameters. The equivalent circuit shows the effect of grain and grain boundary in the electrical properties of materials. DC conductivity of Sr{sub 2}(Fe,Ti)O{sub 6} as a function of temperature was explained by using Arrhenius equation. The value of the activation energy which is evaluated from dc conductivity as a function of temperature shows the effect of grain and grain boundary. The activation energy exhibits of oxygen vacancy in Sr{sub 2}(Fe,Ti)O{sub 6} which is also supported by morphology of Sr{sub 2}(Fe,Ti)O{sub 6} is characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM).« less

Perfluoroalkyl-substituted ethylene carbonates: Novel electrolyte additives for high-voltage lithium-ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Ye; Casselman, Matthew D.; Li, Yan; Wei, Alexander; Abraham, Daniel P.

2014-01-01

A new family of polyfluoroalkyl-substituted ethylene carbonates is synthesized and tested as additives in lithium-ion cells containing EC:EMC + LiPF6-based electrolyte. The influence of these compounds is investigated in Li1.2Ni0.15Mn0.55Co0.1O2//graphite cells via a combination of galvanostatic cycling and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests. Among the four additives studied in this work (4-(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-2-one (TFM-EC), 4-(perfluorobutyl)-1,3-dioxolan-2-one (PFB-EC), 4-(perfluorohexyl)-1,3-dioxolan-2-one (PFH-EC), and 4-(perfluorooctyl)-1,3-dioxolan-2-one (PFO-EC)), small amounts (0.5 wt%) of PFO-EC is found to be most effective in lessening cell performance degradation during extended cycling. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy are used to further characterize the effects of PFO-EC on the positive and negative electrodes. LSV data from the electrolyte, and XPS analyses of electrodes harvested after cycling, suggest that PFO-EC is oxidized on the cathode forming surface films that slow electrode/cell impedance rise. Differential capacity (dQ/dV) plots from graphite//Li cells suggest that PFO-EC is involved in solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation. Raman data from anodes after cycling suggest that structural disordering of graphite is reduced by the addition of PFO-EC, which may explain the improved cell capacity retention.

Proton adsorption onto alumina: extension of multisite complexation (MUSIC) theory

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

Nagashima, K.; Blum, F.D.

1999-09-01

The adsorption isotherm of protons onto a commercial {gamma}-alumina sample was determined in aqueous nitric acid with sodium nitrate as a background electrolyte. Three discrete regions could be discerned in the log-log plots of the proton isotherm determined at the solution pH 5 to 2. The multisite complexation (MUSIC) model was modified to analyze the simultaneous adsorption of protons onto various kinds of surface species.

Frequency analysis of stress relaxation dynamics in model asphalts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masoori, Mohammad; Greenfield, Michael L.

2014-09-01

Asphalt is an amorphous or semi-crystalline material whose mechanical performance relies on viscoelastic responses to applied strain or stress. Chemical composition and its effect on the viscoelastic properties of model asphalts have been investigated here by computing complex modulus from molecular dynamics simulation results for two different model asphalts whose compositions each resemble the Strategic Highway Research Program AAA-1 asphalt in different ways. For a model system that contains smaller molecules, simulation results for storage and loss modulus at 443 K reach both the low and high frequency scaling limits of the Maxwell model. Results for a model system composed of larger molecules (molecular weights 300-900 g/mol) with longer branches show a quantitatively higher complex modulus that decreases significantly as temperature increases over 400-533 K. Simulation results for its loss modulus approach the low frequency scaling limit of the Maxwell model at only the highest temperature simulated. A Black plot or van Gurp-Palman plot of complex modulus vs. phase angle for the system of larger molecules suggests some overlap among results at different temperatures for less high frequencies, with an interdependence consistent with the empirical Christensen-Anderson-Marasteanu model. Both model asphalts are thermorheologically complex at very high frequencies, where they show a loss peak that appears to be independent of temperature and density.

Multi-frequency EIT system with radially symmetric architecture: KHU Mark1.

PubMed

Oh, Tong In; Woo, Eung Je; Holder, David

2007-07-01

We describe the development of a multi-frequency electrical impedance tomography (EIT) system (KHU Mark1) with a single balanced current source and multiple voltmeters. It was primarily designed for imaging brain function with a flexible strategy for addressing electrodes and a frequency range from 10 Hz-500 kHz. The maximal number of voltmeters is 64, and all of them can simultaneously acquire and demodulate voltage signals. Each voltmeter measures a differential voltage between a pair of electrodes. All voltmeters are configured in a radially symmetric architecture in order to optimize the routing of wires and minimize cross-talk. We adopted several techniques from existing EIT systems including digital waveform generation, a Howland current generator with a generalized impedance converter (GIC), digital phase-sensitive demodulation and tri-axial cables. New features of the KHU Mark1 system include multiple GIC circuits to maximize the output impedance of the current source at multiple frequencies. The voltmeter employs contact impedance measurements, data overflow detection, spike noise rejection, automatic gain control and programmable data averaging. The KHU Mark1 system measures both in-phase and quadrature components of trans-impedances. By using a script file describing an operating mode, the system setup can be easily changed. The performance of the developed multi-frequency EIT system was evaluated in terms of a common-mode rejection ratio, signal-to-noise ratio, linearity error and reciprocity error. Time-difference and frequency-difference images of a saline phantom with a banana object are presented showing a frequency-dependent complex conductivity of the banana. Future design of a more innovative system is suggested including miniaturization and wireless techniques.

Sensitivity of Above-Ground Biomass Estimates to Height-Diameter Modelling in Mixed-Species West African Woodlands

PubMed Central

Aynekulu, Ermias; Pitkänen, Sari; Packalen, Petteri

2016-01-01

It has been suggested that above-ground biomass (AGB) inventories should include tree height (H), in addition to diameter (D). As H is a difficult variable to measure, H-D models are commonly used to predict H. We tested a number of approaches for H-D modelling, including additive terms which increased the complexity of the model, and observed how differences in tree-level predictions of H propagated to plot-level AGB estimations. We were especially interested in detecting whether the choice of method can lead to bias. The compared approaches listed in the order of increasing complexity were: (B0) AGB estimations from D-only; (B1) involving also H obtained from a fixed-effects H-D model; (B2) involving also species; (B3) including also between-plot variability as random effects; and (B4) involving multilevel nested random effects for grouping plots in clusters. In light of the results, the modelling approach affected the AGB estimation significantly in some cases, although differences were negligible for some of the alternatives. The most important differences were found between including H or not in the AGB estimation. We observed that AGB predictions without H information were very sensitive to the environmental stress parameter (E), which can induce a critical bias. Regarding the H-D modelling, the most relevant effect was found when species was included as an additive term. We presented a two-step methodology, which succeeded in identifying the species for which the general H-D relation was relevant to modify. Based on the results, our final choice was the single-level mixed-effects model (B3), which accounts for the species but also for the plot random effects reflecting site-specific factors such as soil properties and degree of disturbance. PMID:27367857

State Anxiety and Nonlinear Dynamics of Heart Rate Variability in Students.

PubMed

Dimitriev, Dimitriy A; Saperova, Elena V; Dimitriev, Aleksey D

2016-01-01

Clinical and experimental research studies have demonstrated that the emotional experience of anxiety impairs heart rate variability (HRV) in humans. The present study investigated whether changes in state anxiety (SA) can also modulate nonlinear dynamics of heart rate. A group of 96 students volunteered to participate in the study. For each student, two 5-minute recordings of beat intervals (RR) were performed: one during a rest period and one just before a university examination, which was assumed to be a real-life stressor. Nonlinear analysis of HRV was performed. The Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to assess the level of SA. Before adjusting for heart rate, a Wilcoxon matched pairs test showed significant decreases in Poincaré plot measures, entropy, largest Lyapunov exponent (LLE), and pointwise correlation dimension (PD2), and an increase in the short-term fractal-like scaling exponent of detrended fluctuation analysis (α1) during the exam session, compared with the rest period. A Pearson analysis indicated significant negative correlations between the dynamics of SA and Poincaré plot axes ratio (SD1/SD2), and between changes in SA and changes in entropy measures. A strong negative correlation was found between the dynamics of SA and LLE. A significant positive correlation was found between the dynamics of SA and α1. The decreases in Poincaré plot measures (SD1, complex correlation measure), entropy measures, and LLE were still significant after adjusting for heart rate. Corrected α1 was increased during the exam session. As before, the dynamics of adjusted LLE was significantly correlated with the dynamics of SA. The qualitative increase in SA during academic examination was related to the decrease in the complexity and size of the Poincaré plot through a reduction of both the interbeat interval and its variation.

A Long-term Forest Fertilization Experiment to Understand Ecosystem Responses to Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baron, J.; Advani, S. M.; Allen, J.; Boot, C.; Denef, K.; Denning, S.; Hall, E.; Moore, J. C.; Reuth, H.; Ryan, M. G.; Shaw, E.

2016-12-01

Long-term field experiments can reveal changes in ecosystem processes that may not be evident in short-term studies. Short-term measurements or experiments may have narrower objectives or unrealistic treatments in order to see a change, whereas long-term studies can reveal complex interactions that take longer to manifest. We report results from a long-term experiment (1996 to present) in subalpine forests to simulate the consequences of sustained atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition. Loch Vale watershed in Rocky Mountain National Park, the location of the experiment, has received an order of magnitude greater atmospheric N deposition than estimated background since mid-20th Century. Augmenting that, in 1996 we began adding 25 kg NH4NO3 ha-1 yr-1 to three 30m x 30m old-growth Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir plots. Treated stands were matched by nearby controls. N addition caused rapid leaching of nitrate and cations from soils, and increased N mineralization and nitrification rates. These observations in the fertilized plots have been sustained over time. Soluble aluminum concentrations do not differ significantly between fertilized and control plots, but treated soils are now markedly more acidic (pH of 4.7) than original soil and controls (pH of 5.1); further acidification might increase aluminum leaching. Effects on soil carbon were complex, mediated by reductions in total microbial biomass, decreases in arbuscular mychorrizal and saprotropic fungi, and increased potential rates of N enzyme degrading activities. Initial soil C:N of 24 was lower than similar soils in low N deposition stands (C:N of 36). The C:N declined to 22 with treatment. Fertilized plots lost 11% soil C, but the mechanism is unclear. We did not measure changes in C inputs from litter, microbial biomass, or plant uptake, but there was no change in summer CO2 flux, measured in 2003, 2004, and 2014. Leaching of DOC from fertilized plots was elevated throughout the experiment, providing one pathway for C loss. The soil microfauna was dominated by nematodes; plant parasites and bacterial and fungal feeders were more abundant in fertilized plots than in controls, with fewer predaceous and omnivorous nematodes. Overall, N fertilization altered soil biogeochemical characteristics, soil food webs, and C cycling.

[Raman spectra of complexes of rare earth nitrate with histidine].

PubMed

Gao, S; Ji, M; Liu, J; Hou, Y; Chen, S

1999-12-01

Raman spectra of solid complexes RE(His)(NO3)3 x H2O (RE = La-Nd, Sm-Lu, Y; His = L-alpha-histidine ) have been investigated. The results indicate that RE3+ coordinates with one O atome of carboxyl group in the complex, while amino group and imidazole ring do not take part in coordination and NO3 is double coordination. The vibration peaks of carboxyl group delta(v)COO-(as-s) were plotted against the atomic number of the lanthanoids, which obeys Oddo-Harkins law.

Theoretical studies of charge transfer and proton transfer complex formation between 3,5-dinitrobenzic acid and 1,2-dimethylimidazole

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Afroz, Ziya; Faizan, Mohd.; Alam, Mohammad Jane; Ahmad, Shabbir; Ahmad, Afaq

2018-05-01

Natural atomic charge analysis and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface analysis of hydrogen bonded charge transfer (HBCT) and proton transfer (PT) complex of 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid (DNBA) and 1,2-dimethylimidazole (DMI) have been investigated by theoretical modelling using widely employed DFT/B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level of theory. Along with this analysis, Hirshfeld surface study of the intermolecular interactions and associated 2D finger plot for reported PT complex between DNBA and DMI have been explored.

PLOT3D/AMES, SGI IRIS VERSION (WITHOUT TURB3D)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buning, P.

1994-01-01

PLOT3D is an interactive graphics program designed to help scientists visualize computational fluid dynamics (CFD) grids and solutions. Today, supercomputers and CFD algorithms can provide scientists with simulations of such highly complex phenomena that obtaining an understanding of the simulations has become a major problem. Tools which help the scientist visualize the simulations can be of tremendous aid. PLOT3D/AMES offers more functions and features, and has been adapted for more types of computers than any other CFD graphics program. Version 3.6b+ is supported for five computers and graphic libraries. Using PLOT3D, CFD physicists can view their computational models from any angle, observing the physics of problems and the quality of solutions. As an aid in designing aircraft, for example, PLOT3D's interactive computer graphics can show vortices, temperature, reverse flow, pressure, and dozens of other characteristics of air flow during flight. As critical areas become obvious, they can easily be studied more closely using a finer grid. PLOT3D is part of a computational fluid dynamics software cycle. First, a program such as 3DGRAPE (ARC-12620) helps the scientist generate computational grids to model an object and its surrounding space. Once the grids have been designed and parameters such as the angle of attack, Mach number, and Reynolds number have been specified, a "flow-solver" program such as INS3D (ARC-11794 or COS-10019) solves the system of equations governing fluid flow, usually on a supercomputer. Grids sometimes have as many as two million points, and the "flow-solver" produces a solution file which contains density, x- y- and z-momentum, and stagnation energy for each grid point. With such a solution file and a grid file containing up to 50 grids as input, PLOT3D can calculate and graphically display any one of 74 functions, including shock waves, surface pressure, velocity vectors, and particle traces. PLOT3D's 74 functions are organized into five groups: 1) Grid Functions for grids, grid-checking, etc.; 2) Scalar Functions for contour or carpet plots of density, pressure, temperature, Mach number, vorticity magnitude, helicity, etc.; 3) Vector Functions for vector plots of velocity, vorticity, momentum, and density gradient, etc.; 4) Particle Trace Functions for rake-like plots of particle flow or vortex lines; and 5) Shock locations based on pressure gradient. TURB3D is a modification of PLOT3D which is used for viewing CFD simulations of incompressible turbulent flow. Input flow data consists of pressure, velocity and vorticity. Typical quantities to plot include local fluctuations in flow quantities and turbulent production terms, plotted in physical or wall units. PLOT3D/TURB3D includes both TURB3D and PLOT3D because the operation of TURB3D is identical to PLOT3D, and there is no additional sample data or printed documentation for TURB3D. Graphical capabilities of PLOT3D version 3.6b+ vary among the implementations available through COSMIC. Customers are encouraged to purchase and carefully review the PLOT3D manual before ordering the program for a specific computer and graphics library. There is only one manual for use with all implementations of PLOT3D, and although this manual generally assumes that the Silicon Graphics Iris implementation is being used, informative comments concerning other implementations appear throughout the text. With all implementations, the visual representation of the object and flow field created by PLOT3D consists of points, lines, and polygons. Points can be represented with dots or symbols, color can be used to denote data values, and perspective is used to show depth. Differences among implementations impact the program's ability to use graphical features that are based on 3D polygons, the user's ability to manipulate the graphical displays, and the user's ability to obtain alternate forms of output. In each of these areas, the IRIS implementation of PLOT3D offers advanced features which aid visualization efforts. Shading and hidden line/surface removal can be used to enhance depth perception and other aspects of the graphical displays. A mouse can be used to translate, rotate, or zoom in on views. Files for several types of output can be produced. Two animation options are even offered: creation of simple animation sequences without the need for other software; and, creation of files for use in GAS (Graphics Animation System, ARC-12379), an IRIS program which offers more complex rendering and animation capabilities and can record images to digital disk, video tape, or 16-mm film. The version 3.6b+ SGI implementations of PLOT3D (ARC-12783) and PLOT3D/TURB3D (ARC-12782) were developed for use on Silicon Graphics IRIS 2xxx/3xxx or IRIS 4D workstations. These programs are each distributed on one .25 inch magnetic tape cartridge in IRIS TAR format. Customers purchasing one implementation version of PLOT3D or PLOT3D/TURB3D will be given a $200 discount on each additional implementation version ordered at the same time. Version 3.6b+ of PLOT3D and PLOT3D/TURB3D are also supported for the following computers and graphics libraries: (1) generic UNIX Supercomputer and IRIS, suitable for CRAY 2/UNICOS, CONVEX, and Alliant with remote IRIS 2xxx/3xxx or IRIS 4D (ARC-12779, ARC-12784); (2) VAX computers running VMS Version 5.0 and DISSPLA Version 11.0 (ARC-12777,ARC-12781); (3) generic UNIX and DISSPLA Version 11.0 (ARC-12788, ARC-12778); and (4) Apollo computers running UNIX and GMR3D Version 2.0 (ARC-12789, ARC-12785 which have no capabilities to put text on plots). Silicon Graphics Iris, IRIS 4D, and IRIS 2xxx/3xxx are trademarks of Silicon Graphics Incorporated. VAX and VMS are trademarks of Digital Electronics Corporation. DISSPLA is a trademark of Computer Associates. CRAY 2 and UNICOS are trademarks of CRAY Research, Incorporated. CONVEX is a trademark of Convex Computer Corporation. Alliant is a trademark of Alliant. Apollo and GMR3D are trademarks of Hewlett-Packard, Incorporated. UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T.

PLOT3D/AMES, SGI IRIS VERSION (WITH TURB3D)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buning, P.

1994-01-01

PLOT3D is an interactive graphics program designed to help scientists visualize computational fluid dynamics (CFD) grids and solutions. Today, supercomputers and CFD algorithms can provide scientists with simulations of such highly complex phenomena that obtaining an understanding of the simulations has become a major problem. Tools which help the scientist visualize the simulations can be of tremendous aid. PLOT3D/AMES offers more functions and features, and has been adapted for more types of computers than any other CFD graphics program. Version 3.6b+ is supported for five computers and graphic libraries. Using PLOT3D, CFD physicists can view their computational models from any angle, observing the physics of problems and the quality of solutions. As an aid in designing aircraft, for example, PLOT3D's interactive computer graphics can show vortices, temperature, reverse flow, pressure, and dozens of other characteristics of air flow during flight. As critical areas become obvious, they can easily be studied more closely using a finer grid. PLOT3D is part of a computational fluid dynamics software cycle. First, a program such as 3DGRAPE (ARC-12620) helps the scientist generate computational grids to model an object and its surrounding space. Once the grids have been designed and parameters such as the angle of attack, Mach number, and Reynolds number have been specified, a "flow-solver" program such as INS3D (ARC-11794 or COS-10019) solves the system of equations governing fluid flow, usually on a supercomputer. Grids sometimes have as many as two million points, and the "flow-solver" produces a solution file which contains density, x- y- and z-momentum, and stagnation energy for each grid point. With such a solution file and a grid file containing up to 50 grids as input, PLOT3D can calculate and graphically display any one of 74 functions, including shock waves, surface pressure, velocity vectors, and particle traces. PLOT3D's 74 functions are organized into five groups: 1) Grid Functions for grids, grid-checking, etc.; 2) Scalar Functions for contour or carpet plots of density, pressure, temperature, Mach number, vorticity magnitude, helicity, etc.; 3) Vector Functions for vector plots of velocity, vorticity, momentum, and density gradient, etc.; 4) Particle Trace Functions for rake-like plots of particle flow or vortex lines; and 5) Shock locations based on pressure gradient. TURB3D is a modification of PLOT3D which is used for viewing CFD simulations of incompressible turbulent flow. Input flow data consists of pressure, velocity and vorticity. Typical quantities to plot include local fluctuations in flow quantities and turbulent production terms, plotted in physical or wall units. PLOT3D/TURB3D includes both TURB3D and PLOT3D because the operation of TURB3D is identical to PLOT3D, and there is no additional sample data or printed documentation for TURB3D. Graphical capabilities of PLOT3D version 3.6b+ vary among the implementations available through COSMIC. Customers are encouraged to purchase and carefully review the PLOT3D manual before ordering the program for a specific computer and graphics library. There is only one manual for use with all implementations of PLOT3D, and although this manual generally assumes that the Silicon Graphics Iris implementation is being used, informative comments concerning other implementations appear throughout the text. With all implementations, the visual representation of the object and flow field created by PLOT3D consists of points, lines, and polygons. Points can be represented with dots or symbols, color can be used to denote data values, and perspective is used to show depth. Differences among implementations impact the program's ability to use graphical features that are based on 3D polygons, the user's ability to manipulate the graphical displays, and the user's ability to obtain alternate forms of output. In each of these areas, the IRIS implementation of PLOT3D offers advanced features which aid visualization efforts. Shading and hidden line/surface removal can be used to enhance depth perception and other aspects of the graphical displays. A mouse can be used to translate, rotate, or zoom in on views. Files for several types of output can be produced. Two animation options are even offered: creation of simple animation sequences without the need for other software; and, creation of files for use in GAS (Graphics Animation System, ARC-12379), an IRIS program which offers more complex rendering and animation capabilities and can record images to digital disk, video tape, or 16-mm film. The version 3.6b+ SGI implementations of PLOT3D (ARC-12783) and PLOT3D/TURB3D (ARC-12782) were developed for use on Silicon Graphics IRIS 2xxx/3xxx or IRIS 4D workstations. These programs are each distributed on one .25 inch magnetic tape cartridge in IRIS TAR format. Customers purchasing one implementation version of PLOT3D or PLOT3D/TURB3D will be given a $200 discount on each additional implementation version ordered at the same time. Version 3.6b+ of PLOT3D and PLOT3D/TURB3D are also supported for the following computers and graphics libraries: (1) generic UNIX Supercomputer and IRIS, suitable for CRAY 2/UNICOS, CONVEX, and Alliant with remote IRIS 2xxx/3xxx or IRIS 4D (ARC-12779, ARC-12784); (2) VAX computers running VMS Version 5.0 and DISSPLA Version 11.0 (ARC-12777,ARC-12781); (3) generic UNIX and DISSPLA Version 11.0 (ARC-12788, ARC-12778); and (4) Apollo computers running UNIX and GMR3D Version 2.0 (ARC-12789, ARC-12785 which have no capabilities to put text on plots). Silicon Graphics Iris, IRIS 4D, and IRIS 2xxx/3xxx are trademarks of Silicon Graphics Incorporated. VAX and VMS are trademarks of Digital Electronics Corporation. DISSPLA is a trademark of Computer Associates. CRAY 2 and UNICOS are trademarks of CRAY Research, Incorporated. CONVEX is a trademark of Convex Computer Corporation. Alliant is a trademark of Alliant. Apollo and GMR3D are trademarks of Hewlett-Packard, Incorporated. UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T.

MDplot: Visualise Molecular Dynamics

PubMed Central

Margreitter, Christian; Oostenbrink, Chris

2017-01-01

The MDplot package provides plotting functions to allow for automated visualisation of molecular dynamics simulation output. It is especially useful in cases where the plot generation is rather tedious due to complex file formats or when a large number of plots are generated. The graphs that are supported range from those which are standard, such as RMsD/RMsF (root-mean-square deviation and root-mean-square fluctuation, respectively) to less standard, such as thermodynamic integration analysis and hydrogen bond monitoring over time. All told, they address many commonly used analyses. In this article, we set out the MDplot package′s functions, give examples of the function calls, and show the associated plots. Plotting and data parsing is separated in all cases, i.e. the respective functions can be used independently. Thus, data manipulation and the integration of additional file formats is fairly easy. Currently, the loading functions support GROMOS, GROMACS, and AMBER file formats. Moreover, we also provide a Bash interface that allows simple embedding of MDplot into Bash scripts as the final analysis step. Availability The package can be obtained in the latest major version from CRAN (https://cran.r-project.org/package=MDplot) or in the most recent version from the project′s GitHub page at https://github.com/MDplot/MDplot, where feedback is also most welcome. MDplot is published under the GPL-3 license. PMID:28845302

The steady-state mosaic of disturbance and succession across an old-growth Central Amazon forest landscape.

PubMed

Chambers, Jeffrey Q; Negron-Juarez, Robinson I; Marra, Daniel Magnabosco; Di Vittorio, Alan; Tews, Joerg; Roberts, Dar; Ribeiro, Gabriel H P M; Trumbore, Susan E; Higuchi, Niro

2013-03-05

Old-growth forest ecosystems comprise a mosaic of patches in different successional stages, with the fraction of the landscape in any particular state relatively constant over large temporal and spatial scales. The size distribution and return frequency of disturbance events, and subsequent recovery processes, determine to a large extent the spatial scale over which this old-growth steady state develops. Here, we characterize this mosaic for a Central Amazon forest by integrating field plot data, remote sensing disturbance probability distribution functions, and individual-based simulation modeling. Results demonstrate that a steady state of patches of varying successional age occurs over a relatively large spatial scale, with important implications for detecting temporal trends on plots that sample a small fraction of the landscape. Long highly significant stochastic runs averaging 1.0 Mg biomass⋅ha(-1)⋅y(-1) were often punctuated by episodic disturbance events, resulting in a sawtooth time series of hectare-scale tree biomass. To maximize the detection of temporal trends for this Central Amazon site (e.g., driven by CO2 fertilization), plots larger than 10 ha would provide the greatest sensitivity. A model-based analysis of fractional mortality across all gap sizes demonstrated that 9.1-16.9% of tree mortality was missing from plot-based approaches, underscoring the need to combine plot and remote-sensing methods for estimating net landscape carbon balance. Old-growth tropical forests can exhibit complex large-scale structure driven by disturbance and recovery cycles, with ecosystem and community attributes of hectare-scale plots exhibiting continuous dynamic departures from a steady-state condition.