Numerical modelling of a fibre reflection filter based on a metal–dielectric diffraction structure with an increased optical damage threshold

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

Terentyev, V S; Simonov, V A

2016-02-28

Numerical modelling demonstrates the possibility of fabricating an all-fibre multibeam two-mirror reflection interferometer based on a metal–dielectric diffraction structure in its front mirror. The calculations were performed using eigenmodes of a double-clad single-mode fibre. The calculation results indicate that, using a metallic layer in the structure of the front mirror of such an interferometer and a diffraction effect, one can reduce the Ohmic loss by a factor of several tens in comparison with a continuous thin metallic film. (laser crystals and braggg ratings)

High-temperature tensile cell for in situ real-time investigation of carbon fibre carbonization and graphitization processes

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

Behr, Michael; Rix, James; Landes, Brian

2016-10-17

A new high-temperature fibre tensile cell is described, developed for use at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory to enable the investigation of the carbonization and graphitization processes during carbon fibre production. This cell is used to heat precursor fibre bundles to temperatures up to ~2300°C in a controlled inert atmosphere, while applying tensile stress to facilitate formation of highly oriented graphitic microstructure; evolution of the microstructure as a function of temperature and time during the carbonization and higher-temperature graphitization processes can then be monitored by collecting real-time wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) patterns. As an example, the carbonizationmore » and graphitization behaviour of an oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibre was studied up to a temperature of ~1750°C. Real-time WAXD revealed the gradual increase in microstructure alignment with the fibre axis with increasing temperature over the temperature range 600–1100°C. Above 1100°C, no further changes in orientation were observed. The overall magnitude of change increased with increasing applied tensile stress during carbonization. As a second example, the high-temperature graphitizability of PAN- and pitch-derived commercial carbon fibres was studied. Here, the magnitude of graphitic microstructure evolution of the pitch-derived fibre far exceeded that of the PAN-derived fibres at temperatures up to ~2300°C, indicating its facile graphitizability.« less

Skeletal growth phases of the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa shown by scanning electron microscope and electron backscatter diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mouchi, Vincent; Vonlanthen, Pierre; Verrecchia, Eric P.; Crowley, Quentin G.

2016-04-01

Lophelia pertusa is a cold-water coral, which may form reefs by the association of multiple coralites within which a polyp lives. Each individual polyp builds an aragonite skeleton by an initial phase of early mineralization (traditionally referred to as centres of calcification) from which aragonite fibres grow in thickening deposits. The skeleton wall features successive optically opaque and translucent bands previously attributed to different regimes of growth as either uniform in crystal orientation (translucent bands) or with a chaotic organization (opaque bands). The processes involved in any organizational changes are still unknown. Microlayers in the coral wall, which represent separate periods of skeletal growth, have been recently identified and described. These growth patterns are readily visible under scanning electron microscope (SEM) after etching in dilute formic acid, but they do not necessarily form continuously visible structures. Here we present high quality SEM images and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) maps to study aragonite fibre orientation across the wall of L. pertusa. Both microlayers and opaque and translucent bands are compared to the crystallographic orientation of the aragonite fibres. EBSD maps and SEM images indicate that aragonite fibres do not exhibit a chaotic orientation, even in opaque bands. The absence of continuity of microlayers is partially explained by an association of multiple crystallographic preferred orientations of aragonite fibres. In the case of L. pertusa, careful textural characterisation is necessary prior to elemental or isotope analysis in order to select a skeletal transect representing a linear and continuous time period.

Broadband X-ray edge-enhancement imaging of a boron fibre on lithium fluoride thin film detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nichelatti, E.; Bonfigli, F.; Vincenti, M. A.; Cecilia, A.; Vagovič, P.; Baumbach, T.; Montereali, R. M.

2016-10-01

The white beam (∼6-80 keV) available at the TopoTomo X-ray beamline of the ANKA synchrotron facility (KIT, Karlsruhe, Germany) was used to perform edge-enhancement imaging tests on lithium fluoride radiation detectors. The diffracted X-ray image of a microscopic boron fibre, consisting of tungsten wire wrapped by boron cladding, was projected onto lithium fluoride thin films placed at several distances, from contact to 1 m . X-ray photons cause the local formation of primary and aggregate colour centres in lithium fluoride; these latter, once illuminated under blue light, luminesce forming visible-light patterns-acquired by a confocal laser scanning microscope-that reproduce the intensity of the X-ray diffracted images. The tests demonstrated the excellent performances of lithium fluoride films as radiation detectors at the investigated photon energies. The experimental results are here discussed and compared with those calculated with a model that takes into account all the processes that concern image formation, storing and readout.

Diagnosis Applications of Non-Crystalline Diffraction of Collagen Fibres: Breast Cancer and Skin Diseases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Costa, M.; Benseny-Cases, N.; Cócera, M.; Teixeira, C. V.; Alsina, M.; Cladera, J.; López, O.; Fernández, M.; Sabés, M.

In previous chapters, the basis of SAXS for the study of biological systems like proteins in solution have been presented. The SAXS patterns of proteins in solution present, in general, broad dependences with the scattering vector, and the interpretation requires a huge component of modelling. In this chapter and in the following one, it is shown how SAXS technique can be used to study biological systems that are partially crystalline and with a large crystalline cells. This is done by analysing the diffraction obtained from these systems at small angles. In this chapter, a new approach to the application of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) for diagnosis using the diffraction pattern of collagen is presented. This chapter shows the development of a new strategy in the preventive diagnosis of breast cancer following changes on collagen from breast connective tissue. SAXS profiles are related to different features in cutaneous preparations and to the supra-molecular arrangement of skin layers (stratum corneum, epidermis and dermis), in order to introduce objective values on the diagnosis of different skin pathologies. Working parameters (size, thickness) and methods (freezing, paraffin embedment) have been established. The results suggest that collagen diffraction patterns could be used as diagnostic indicators; especially for breast cancer and preliminary results obtained with skin collagen are promising too.

Effect of annealing temperature on the stress and structural properties of Ge core fibre

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Ziwen; Cheng, Xueli; Xue, Fei; He, Ting; Wang, Tingyun

2017-09-01

Effect of annealing temperature on the stress and structural properties of a Ge core fibre via the molten core drawing (MCD) method is investigated using Raman spectroscopy, Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction. The experimental results showed that the Raman peak position of the Ge fibre shifted from 297.6 cm-1 to 300.5 cm-1, and the FWHM value decreased from 4.53 cm-1 to 4.31 cm-1, when the annealing is carried out at 700 °C, 800 °C, and 900 °C, respectively. For the Ge core annealed at 900 °C, an apparent crystal grain can be seen in the SEM image, and the diffraction peaks of the (3 3 1) plane are generated in the X-ray diffraction spectra. These results show that optimising the annealing temperature allows the release of the residual stress in the Ge core. When the Ge core fibre is annealed at 900 °C, it exhibits the lowest residual stress and the highest crystal quality, and the quality improvement relative to that of the sample annealed at 800 °C is significant. Hence, annealing at around 900 °C can greatly improve the quality of a Ge core fibre. Further performance improvement of the Ge core fibre by annealing techniques can be anticipated.

Diffracted field distributions from the HE11 mode in a hollow optical fibre for an atomic funnel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ni, Yun; Liu, Nanchun; Yin, Jianping

2003-06-01

The diffracted near field distribution from an LP01 mode in a hollow optical fibre was recently calculated using a scalar model based on the weakly waveguiding approximation (Yoo et al 1999 J. Opt. B: Quantum Semiclass. Opt. 1 364). It showed a dominant Gaussian-like distribution with an increased axial intensity in the central region (not a doughnut-like distribution), so the diffracted output beam from the hollow fibre cannot be used to form an atomic funnel. Using exact solutions of the Maxwell equations based on a vector model, however, we calculate the electric field and intensity distributions of the HE11 mode in the same hollow fibre and study the diffracted near- and far-field distributions of the HE11-mode output beam under the Fresnel approximation. We analyse and compare the differences between the output beams from the HE11 and LP01 modes. Our study shows that both the near- and far-field intensity distributions of the HE11-mode output beam are doughnut-like and can be used to form a simple atomic funnel. However, it is not suitable to use the weakly waveguiding approximation to calculate the diffracted near-field distribution of the hollow fibre due to the greater refractive-index difference between the hollow region (n0 = 1) and the core (n1 = 1.45 or 1.5). Finally, the 3D intensity distribution of the HE11-mode output beam is modelled and the corresponding optical potentials for cold atoms are calculated. Some potential applications of the HE11-mode output beam in an atomic guide and funnel are briefly discussed.

Simulations of in situ x-ray diffraction from uniaxially compressed highly textured polycrystalline targets

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

McGonegle, David, E-mail: d.mcgonegle1@physics.ox.ac.uk; Wark, Justin S.; Higginbotham, Andrew

2015-08-14

A growing number of shock compression experiments, especially those involving laser compression, are taking advantage of in situ x-ray diffraction as a tool to interrogate structure and microstructure evolution. Although these experiments are becoming increasingly sophisticated, there has been little work on exploiting the textured nature of polycrystalline targets to gain information on sample response. Here, we describe how to generate simulated x-ray diffraction patterns from materials with an arbitrary texture function subject to a general deformation gradient. We will present simulations of Debye-Scherrer x-ray diffraction from highly textured polycrystalline targets that have been subjected to uniaxial compression, as maymore » occur under planar shock conditions. In particular, we study samples with a fibre texture, and find that the azimuthal dependence of the diffraction patterns contains information that, in principle, affords discrimination between a number of similar shock-deformation mechanisms. For certain cases, we compare our method with results obtained by taking the Fourier transform of the atomic positions calculated by classical molecular dynamics simulations. Illustrative results are presented for the shock-induced α–ϵ phase transition in iron, the α–ω transition in titanium and deformation due to twinning in tantalum that is initially preferentially textured along [001] and [011]. The simulations are relevant to experiments that can now be performed using 4th generation light sources, where single-shot x-ray diffraction patterns from crystals compressed via laser-ablation can be obtained on timescales shorter than a phonon period.« less

Simulations of in situ x-ray diffraction from uniaxially compressed highly textured polycrystalline targets

DOE PAGES

McGonegle, David; Milathianaki, Despina; Remington, Bruce A.; ...

2015-08-11

A growing number of shock compression experiments, especially those involving laser compression, are taking advantage of in situ x-ray diffraction as a tool to interrogate structure and microstructure evolution. Although these experiments are becoming increasingly sophisticated, there has been little work on exploiting the textured nature of polycrystalline targets to gain information on sample response. Here, we describe how to generate simulated x-ray diffraction patterns from materials with an arbitrary texture function subject to a general deformation gradient. We will present simulations of Debye-Scherrer x-ray diffraction from highly textured polycrystalline targets that have been subjected to uniaxial compression, as maymore » occur under planar shock conditions. In particular, we study samples with a fibre texture, and find that the azimuthal dependence of the diffraction patterns contains information that, in principle, affords discrimination between a number of similar shock-deformation mechanisms. For certain cases, we compare our method with results obtained by taking the Fourier transform of the atomic positions calculated by classical molecular dynamics simulations. Illustrative results are presented for the shock-induced α–ϵ phase transition in iron, the α–ω transition in titanium and deformation due to twinning in tantalum that is initially preferentially textured along [001] and [011]. In conclusion, the simulations are relevant to experiments that can now be performed using 4th generation light sources, where single-shot x-ray diffraction patterns from crystals compressed via laser-ablation can be obtained on timescales shorter than a phonon period.« less

Combined X-ray and neutron fibre diffraction studies of biological and synthetic polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parrot, I. M.; Urban, V.; Gardner, K. H.; Forsyth, V. T.

2005-08-01

The fibrous state is a natural one for polymer molecules which tend to assume regular helical conformations rather than the globular structures characteristic of many proteins. Fibre diffraction therefore has broad application to the study of a wide range of biological and synthetic polymers. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the general scope of the method and in particular to demonstrate the impact of a combined approach involving both X-ray and neutron diffraction methods. While the flux of modern X-ray synchrotron radiation sources allows high quality datasets to be recorded with good resolution within a very short space of time, neutron studies can provide unique information through the ability to locate hydrogen or deuterium atoms that are often difficult or impossible to locate using X-ray methods. Furthermore, neutron fibre diffraction methods can, through the ability to selectively label specific parts of a structure, be used to highlight novel aspects of polymer structure that can not be studied using X-rays. Two examples are given. The first describes X-ray and neutron diffraction studies of conformational transitions in DNA. The second describes structural studies of the synthetic high-performance polymer poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA), known commercially as Kevlar® or Twaron®.

The problem of scattering in fibre-fed VPH spectrographs and possible solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ellis, S. C.; Saunders, Will; Betters, Chris; Croom, Scott

2014-07-01

All spectrographs unavoidably scatter light. Scattering in the spectral direction is problematic for sky subtraction, since atmospheric spectral lines are blurred. Scattering in the spatial direction is problematic for fibre fed spectrographs, since it limits how closely fibres can be packed together. We investigate the nature of this scattering and show that the scattering wings have both a Lorentzian component, and a shallower (1/r) component. We investigate the causes of this from a theoretical perspective, and argue that for the spectral PSF the Lorentzian wings are in part due to the profile of the illumination of the pupil of the spectrograph onto the diffraction grating, whereas the shallower component is from bulk scattering. We then investigate ways to mitigate the diffractive scattering by apodising the pupil. In the ideal case of a Gaussian apodised pupil, the scattering can be significantly improved. Finally we look at realistic models of the spectrograph pupils of fibre fed spectrographs with a centrally obstructed telescope, and show that it is possible to apodise the pupil through non-telecentric injection into the fibre.

Study of the structural and thermal properties of plasma treated jute fibre

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sinha, E.; Rout, S. K.; Barhai, P. K.

2008-08-01

Jute fibres ( Corchorus olitorius), were treated with argon cold plasma for 5, 10 and 15 min. Structural macromolecular parameters of untreated and plasma treated fibres were investigated using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and the crystallinity parameters of the same fibres were determined by using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to study the thermal behavior of the untreated and treated fibres. Comparison and analysis of the results confirmed the changes in the macromolecular structure after plasma treatment. This is due to the swelling of cellulosic particles constituting the fibres, caused by the bombardment of high energetic ions onto the fibre surface. Differential scanning calorimetry data demonstrated the thermal instability of the fibre after cold plasma treatment, as the thermal degradation temperature of hemicelluloses and cellulose was found lowered than that of raw fibre after plasma treatment.

On the origin and removal of interference patterns in coated multimode fibres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Padilla Michel, Yazmin; Pulwer, Silvio; Saffari, Pouneh; Ksianzou, Viachaslau; Schrader, Sigurd

2016-07-01

In this study, we present the experimental investigations on interference patterns, such as those already reported in VIMOS-IFU, and up to now no appropriate explanation has been presented. These interference patterns are produced in multimode fibres coated with acrylate or polyimide, which is the preferred coating material for the fibres used in IFUs. Our experiments show that, under specific conditions, cladding modes interact with the coating and produce interference. Our results show that the conditions at which the fibre is held during data acquisition has an impact in the output spectrum. Altering the positioning conditions of the fibre leads to the changes into the interference pattern, therefore, fibres should be carefully manipulated in order to minimise this potential problem and improve the performance of these instruments. Finally we present a simple way of predicting and modelling this interference produced from the visible to the near infrared spectra. This model can be included in the data reduction pipeline in order to remove the interference patterns. These results should be of interest for the optimisation of the data reduction pipelines of instruments using optical fibres. Considering these results will benefit innovations and developments of high performance fibre systems.

Air-clad fibres for astronomical instrumentation: focal-ratio degradation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Åslund, Mattias L.; Canning, John

2009-05-01

Focal-ratio degradation (FRD) of light launched into high-numerical aperture (NA) single-annulus all-silica undoped air-clad fibres at an NA of 0.54 is reported. The measured annular light distribution remained Gaussian after 30 m of propagation, but the angular FWHM of the output annulus doubled from 4° after 1 m propagation to 8.5° after 30 m, which is significantly larger than that reported of standard doped-silica fibres (NA < 0.22). No significant diffractive effects were observed. The design of air-clad fibres for broad-band, high-NA astrophotonics applications is discussed.

Synthesis and surface characterization of alumina-silica-zirconia nanocomposite ceramic fibres on aluminium at room temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mubarak Ali, M.; Raj, V.

2010-04-01

Alumina-silica-zirconia nanocomposite (ASZNC) ceramic fibres were synthesized by conventional anodization route. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force microscopy (AFM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDAX) were used to characterize the morphology and crystalloid structure of ASZNC fibres. Current density (DC) is one of the important parameters to get the alumina-silica-zirconia nanocomposite (ASZNC) ceramic fibres by this route. Annealing of the films exhibited a drastic change in the properties due to improved crystallinity. The root mean square roughness of the sample observed from atomic force microscopic analysis is about 71.5 nm which is comparable to the average grain size of the coatings which is about 72 nm obtained from X-Ray diffraction. The results indicate that, the ASZNC fibres are arranged well in the nanostructure. The thickness of the coating increased with the anodizing time, but the coatings turned rougher and more porous. At the initial stage the growth of ceramic coating increases inwards to the metal substrate and outwards to the coating surface simultaneously. Subsequently, it mainly grows towards the metal substrate and the density of the ceramic coating increases gradually, which results in the decrease of the total thickness as anodizing time increases. This new approach of preparing ASZNC ceramic fibres may be important in applications ranging from gas sensors to various engineering materials.

Magnesium coated bioresorbable phosphate glass fibres: investigation of the interface between fibre and polyester matrices.

PubMed

Liu, Xiaoling; Grant, David M; Parsons, Andrew J; Harper, Lee T; Rudd, Chris D; Ahmed, Ifty

2013-01-01

Bioresorbable phosphate glass fibre reinforced polyester composites have been investigated as replacement for some traditional metallic orthopaedic implants, such as bone fracture fixation plates. However, composites tested revealed loss of the interfacial integrity after immersion within aqueous media which resulted in rapid loss of mechanical properties. Physical modification of fibres to change fibre surface morphology has been shown to be an effective method to improve fibre and matrix adhesion in composites. In this study, biodegradable magnesium which would gradually degrade to Mg(2+) in the human body was deposited via magnetron sputtering onto bioresorbable phosphate glass fibres to obtain roughened fibre surfaces. Fibre surface morphology after coating was observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The roughness profile and crystalline texture of the coatings were determined via atomic force microscope (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, respectively. The roughness of the coatings was seen to increase from 40 ± 1 nm to 80 ± 1 nm. The mechanical properties (tensile strength and modulus) of fibre with coatings decreased with increased magnesium coating thickness.

Magnesium Coated Bioresorbable Phosphate Glass Fibres: Investigation of the Interface between Fibre and Polyester Matrices

PubMed Central

Liu, Xiaoling; Grant, David M.; Parsons, Andrew J.; Harper, Lee T.; Rudd, Chris D.; Ahmed, Ifty

2013-01-01

Bioresorbable phosphate glass fibre reinforced polyester composites have been investigated as replacement for some traditional metallic orthopaedic implants, such as bone fracture fixation plates. However, composites tested revealed loss of the interfacial integrity after immersion within aqueous media which resulted in rapid loss of mechanical properties. Physical modification of fibres to change fibre surface morphology has been shown to be an effective method to improve fibre and matrix adhesion in composites. In this study, biodegradable magnesium which would gradually degrade to Mg2+ in the human body was deposited via magnetron sputtering onto bioresorbable phosphate glass fibres to obtain roughened fibre surfaces. Fibre surface morphology after coating was observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The roughness profile and crystalline texture of the coatings were determined via atomic force microscope (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, respectively. The roughness of the coatings was seen to increase from 40 ± 1 nm to 80 ± 1 nm. The mechanical properties (tensile strength and modulus) of fibre with coatings decreased with increased magnesium coating thickness. PMID:24066297

Environment-friendly wood fibre composite with high bonding strength and water resistance

PubMed Central

Ji, Xiaodi; Dong, Yue; Nguyen, Tat Thang; Chen, Xueqi

2018-01-01

With the growing depletion of wood-based materials and concerns over emissions of formaldehyde from traditional wood fibre composites, there is a desire for environment-friendly binders. Herein, we report a green wood fibre composite with specific bonding strength and water resistance that is superior to a commercial system by using wood fibres and chitosan-based adhesives. When the mass ratio of solid content in the adhesive and absolute dry wood fibres was 3%, the bonding strength and water resistance of the wood fibre composite reached the optimal level, which was significantly improved over that of wood fibre composites without adhesive and completely met the requirements of the Chinese national standard GB/T 11718-2009. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterizations revealed that the excellent performance of the binder might partly be due to the amide linkages and hydrogen bonding between wood fibres and the chitosan-based adhesive. We believe that this strategy could open new insights into the design of environment-friendly wood fibre composites with high bonding strength and water resistance for multifunctional applications. PMID:29765653

Environment-friendly wood fibre composite with high bonding strength and water resistance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ji, Xiaodi; Dong, Yue; Nguyen, Tat Thang; Chen, Xueqi; Guo, Minghui

2018-04-01

With the growing depletion of wood-based materials and concerns over emissions of formaldehyde from traditional wood fibre composites, there is a desire for environment-friendly binders. Herein, we report a green wood fibre composite with specific bonding strength and water resistance that is superior to a commercial system by using wood fibres and chitosan-based adhesives. When the mass ratio of solid content in the adhesive and absolute dry wood fibres was 3%, the bonding strength and water resistance of the wood fibre composite reached the optimal level, which was significantly improved over that of wood fibre composites without adhesive and completely met the requirements of the Chinese national standard GB/T 11718-2009. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterizations revealed that the excellent performance of the binder might partly be due to the amide linkages and hydrogen bonding between wood fibres and the chitosan-based adhesive. We believe that this strategy could open new insights into the design of environment-friendly wood fibre composites with high bonding strength and water resistance for multifunctional applications.

Suppression of side lobes in a spectrum of fibre Bragg gratings due to the transverse displacement of phase mask with respect to the optical fibre

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

Abdullina, S R; Nemov, I N; Babin, Sergei A

2012-09-30

The possibility of apodisation of fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs) recorded in the interference region of two Gaussian beams in the phase-mask scheme is considered. The FBG reflection spectra are numerically simulated for different values of recordingbeam parameters and the distance between the axes of interfering beams diffracted into different orders, which is varied by transverse displacement of the phase mask with respect to the optical fibre. Suppression of side lobes and smoothing out of the FBG spectrum with an increase in the transverse displacement of the phase mask is experimentally demonstrated. It is shown that this effect is caused bymore » the equalisation of the mean induced refractive index in the FBG region. (optical fibres, lasers and amplifiers. properties and applications)« less

Femtosecond laser processing of optical fibres for novel sensor development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalli, Kyriacos; Theodosiou, Antreas; Ioannou, Andreas; Lacraz, Amedee

2017-04-01

We present results of recent research where we have utilized a femtosecond laser to micro-structure silica and polymer optical fibres in order to realize versatile optical components such as diffractive optical elements on the fibre end face, the inscription of integrated waveguide circuits in the fibre cladding and novel optical fibre sensors designs based on Bragg gratings in the core. A major hurdle in tailoring or modifying the properties of optical fibres is the development of an inscription method that can prove to be a flexible and reliable process that is generally applicable to all optical fibre types; this requires careful matching of the laser parameters and optics in order to examine the spatial limits of direct laser writing, whether the application is structuring at the surface of the optical fibre or inscription in the core and cladding of the fibre. We demonstrate a variety of optical components such as two-dimensional grating structures, Bessel, Airy and vortex beam generators; moreover, optical bridging waveguides inscribed in the cladding of single-mode fibre as a means to selectively couple light from single-core to multi-core optical fibres, and demonstrate a grating based sensor; finally, we have developed a novel femtosecond laser inscription method for the precise inscription of tailored Bragg grating sensors in silica and polymer optical fibres. We also show that this novel fibre Bragg grating inscription technique can be used to modify and add versatility to an existing, encapsulated optical fibre pressure sensor.

Fibred confocal fluorescence microscopy in the diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases.

PubMed

Meng, Peng; Tan, Gan Liang; Low, Su Ying; Takano, Angela; Ng, Yuen Li; Anantham, Devanand

2016-12-01

Accurate diagnosis is critical to both therapeutic decisions and prognostication in interstitial lung diseases (ILD). However, surgical lung biopsies carry high complication rates. Fibred confocal fluorescence microscopy (FCFM) offers an alternative as it can visualize lung tissue in vivo at the cellular level with minimal adverse events. We wanted to investigate the diagnostic utility, and safety of using FCFM for patients with ILD. In patients with suspected ILD, FCFM images were obtained from multiple bronchopulmonary segments using a miniprobe inserted through the working channel of a flexible bronchoscope. The procedure was performed under moderate sedation in an outpatient setting. Morphometric measurements and fibre pattern analyses were co-related with computed tomography (CT) findings and patients' final diagnoses based on multi-disciplinary consensus. One hundred and eighty four segments were imaged in 27 patients (18 males) with a median age of 67 years (range, 24-79 years). They were grouped into chronic fibrosing interstitial pneumonia (16 patients) and other ILDs. Six distinct FCFM patterns were observed: normal, increased fibres, densely packed fibres, hypercellular, thickened fibres and others/non-specific. The pattern resembling densely packed fibres was seen in at least one segment in 68.8% patients with chronic fibrosing interstitial pneumonia, but only 36.4% in other ILD (P=0.097). An association between inflammatory patterns on CT and a hypercellular pattern on FCFM was also found (P<0.001). Our study shows the potential of FCFM in classifying ILD, but its role in further diagnosis remains limited.

Design principles and applications of a cooled CCD camera for electron microscopy.

PubMed

Faruqi, A R

1998-01-01

Cooled CCD cameras offer a number of advantages in recording electron microscope images with CCDs rather than film which include: immediate availability of the image in a digital format suitable for further computer processing, high dynamic range, excellent linearity and a high detective quantum efficiency for recording electrons. In one important respect however, film has superior properties: the spatial resolution of CCD detectors tested so far (in terms of point spread function or modulation transfer function) are inferior to film and a great deal of our effort has been spent in designing detectors with improved spatial resolution. Various instrumental contributions to spatial resolution have been analysed and in this paper we discuss the contribution of the phosphor-fibre optics system in this measurement. We have evaluated the performance of a number of detector components and parameters, e.g. different phosphors (and a scintillator), optical coupling with lens or fibre optics with various demagnification factors, to improve the detector performance. The camera described in this paper, which is based on this analysis, uses a tapered fibre optics coupling between the phosphor and the CCD and is installed on a Philips CM12 electron microscope equipped to perform cryo-microscopy. The main use of the camera so far has been in recording electron diffraction patterns from two dimensional crystals of bacteriorhodopsin--from wild type and from different trapped states during the photocycle. As one example of the type of data obtained with the CCD camera a two dimensional Fourier projection map from the trapped O-state is also included. With faster computers, it will soon be possible to undertake this type of work on an on-line basis. Also, with improvements in detector size and resolution, CCD detectors, already ideal for diffraction, will be able to compete with film in the recording of high resolution images.

[The behavior of fiber-reinforced plastics during laser cutting].

PubMed

Emmrich, M; Levsen, K; Trasser, F J

1992-06-01

The pattern of the organic emissions, which are produced by processing of fibre reinforced plastics (epoxy resins reinforced by aramid and glass fibres and phenol resins reinforced by aramid fibre) with laser beam was studied and the concentrations of the main components determined. Despite the application of plastic materials with different chemical structures, the observed patterns are very similar. Mainly aromatic hydrocarbons are emitted, especially benzene and toluene, as well as some heteroatom-containing aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. phenol). By use of oxygen as process gas the emissions during cutting of glass fibre reinforced plastics can be reduced, while they will be constantly high with aramid fibre reinforced plastics.

Surface grafting of Corchorus olitorius fibre: a green approach for the development of activated bioadsorbent.

PubMed

Roy, Aparna; Chakraborty, Sumit; Kundu, Sarada Prasad; Majumder, Subhasish Basu; Adhikari, Basudam

2013-02-15

The present work is an endeavor to prepare lignocellulosic biomass based adsorbent, suitable for removal of organic and inorganic pollutants from industrial effluents. Lignocellulosic Corchorus olitorius fibre (jute fibre) surface was grafted with naturally available polyphenol, tannin, preceded by the epoxy-activation of fibre surface with epichlorohydrin under mild condition in an aqueous suspension. The reaction parameters for the modification, viz., concentration of epichlorohydrin and tannin, time, and temperature were optimized. The successful occurrence of surface modification of jute fibre (JF) was characterized and estimated from weight gain percent, elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction, scanning electron and atomic force microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. An extensive analysis of deconvoluted FTIR spectra using the Voigt model was utilized to ensure the surface grafting. The microbiological susceptibility study revealed high persistency of JF towards biodegradation after efficient grafting with tannin. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Crystallization of the C-terminal head domain of the avian adenovirus CELO long fibre

PubMed Central

Guardado Calvo, Pablo; Llamas-Saiz, Antonio L.; Langlois, Patrick; van Raaij, Mark J.

2006-01-01

Avian adenovirus CELO contains two different fibres: fibre 1, the long fibre, and fibre 2, the short fibre. The short fibre is responsible for binding to an unknown avian receptor and is essential for infection of birds. The long fibre is not essential, but is known to bind the coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor protein. Both trimeric fibres are attached to the same penton base, of which each icosahedral virus contains 12 copies. The short fibre extends straight outwards, while the long fibre emerges at an angle. The carboxy-terminal amino acids 579–793 of the avian adenovirus long fibre have been expressed with an amino-terminal hexahistidine tag and the expressed trimeric protein has been purified by nickel-affinity chromatography and crystallized. Crystals were grown at low pH using PEG 10 000 as precipitant and belonged to space group C2. The crystals diffracted rotating-anode Cu Kα radiation to at least 1.9 Å resolution and a complete data set was collected from a single crystal to 2.2 Å resolution. Unit-cell parameters were a = 216.5, b = 59.2, c = 57.5 Å, β = 101.3°, suggesting one trimer per asymmetric unit and a solvent content of 46%. The long fibre head does not have significant sequence homology to any other protein of known structure and molecular-replacement attempts with known fibre-head structures were unsuccessful. However, a map calculated using SIRAS phasing shows a clear trimer with a shape similar to known adenovirus fibre-head structures. Structure solution is in progress. PMID:16682773

Optical fibres in pre-detector signal processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flinn, A. R.

The basic form of conventional electro-optic sensors is described. The main drawback of these sensors is their inability to deal with the background radiation which usually accompanies the signal. This 'clutter' limits the sensors performance long before other noise such as 'shot' noise. Pre-detector signal processing using the complex amplitude of the light is introduced as a means to discriminate between the signal and 'clutter'. Further improvements to predetector signal processors can be made by the inclusion of optical fibres allowing radiation to be used with greater efficiency and enabling certain signal processing tasks to be carried out with an ease unequalled by any other method. The theory of optical waveguides and their application in sensors, interferometers, and signal processors is reviewed. Geometrical aspects of the formation of linear and circular interference fringes are described along with temporal and spatial coherence theory and their relationship to Michelson's visibility function. The requirements for efficient coupling of a source into singlemode and multimode fibres are given. We describe interference experiments between beams of light emitted from a few metres of two or more, singlemode or multimode, optical fibres. Fresnel's equation is used to obtain expressions for Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction patterns which enable electro-optic (E-0) sensors to be analysed by Fourier optics. Image formation is considered when the aperture plane of an E-0 sensor is illuminated with partially coherent light. This allows sensors to be designed using optical transfer functions which are sensitive to the spatial coherence of the illuminating light. Spatial coherence sensors which use gratings as aperture plane reticles are discussed. By using fibre arrays, spatial coherence processing enables E-0 sensors to discriminate between a spatially coherent source and an incoherent background. The sensors enable the position and wavelength of the source to be determined. Experiments are described which use optical fibre arrays as masks for correlation with spatial distributions of light in image planes of E-0 sensors. Correlations between laser light from different points in a scene is investigated by interfering the light emitted from an array of fibres, placed in the image plane of a sensor, with each other. Temporal signal processing experiments show that the visibility of interference fringes gives information about path differences in a scene or through an optical system. Most E-0 sensors employ wavelength filtering of the detected radiation to improve their discrimination and this is shown to be less selective than temporal coherence filtering which is sensitive to spectral bandwidth. Experiments using fibre interferometers to discriminate between red and blue laser light by their bandwidths are described. In most cases the path difference need only be a few tens of centimetres. We consider spatial and temporal coherence in fibres. We show that high visibility interference fringes can be produced by red and blue laser light transmitted through over 100 metres of singlemode or multimode fibre. The effect of detector size, relative to speckle size, is considered for fringes produced by multimode fibres. The effect of dispersion on the coherence of the light emitted from fibres is considered in terms of correlation and interference between modes. We describe experiments using a spatial light modulator called SIGHT-MOD. The device is used in various systems as a fibre optic switch and as a programmable aperture plane reticle. The contrast of the device is measured using red and green, HeNe, sources. Fourier transform images of patterns on the SIGHT-MOD are obtained and used to demonstrate the geometrical manipulation of images using 2D fibre arrays. Correlation of Fourier transform images of the SIGHT-MOD with 2D fibre arrays is demonstrated.

Elastic fibre organization in the intervertebral discs of the bovine tail

PubMed Central

Yu, Jing; Peter, C; Roberts, Sally; Urban, Jill PG

2002-01-01

Elastic fibres have been revealed by both elastin immunostaining and conventional histological orcein-staining in the intervertebral discs of the bovine tail. These fibres are distributed in all regions of the disc but their organization varies from region to region. In the centre of the nucleus, long (>150 μm) elastic fibres are orientated radially. In the transitional region between nucleus and annulus, the orientation of the elastic fibres changes, producing a criss-cross pattern. In the annulus itself, elastic fibres appear densely distributed in the region between the lamellae and also in ‘bridges’ across the lamellae, particularly in the adult. Elastic fibres are apparent within the lamellae, orientated parallel to the collagen fibres of each lamella, particularly in the young (12-day-old) discs. In the region between the disc and the cartilaginous endplate, elastic fibres appear to anchor into the plate and terminate there. The results of this study suggest that elastic fibres contribute to the mechanical functioning of the intervertebral disc. The varying organization of the elastic fibres in the different regions of the disc is likely to relate to the different regional loading patterns PMID:12489758

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

Rodriguez, Jose A.; Ivanova, Magdalena I.; Sawaya, Michael R.

We report that the protein α-synuclein is the main component of Lewy bodies, the neuron-associated aggregates seen in Parkinson disease and other neurodegenerative pathologies. An 11-residue segment, which we term NACore, appears to be responsible for amyloid formation and cytotoxicity of human α-synuclein. Here we describe crystals of NACore that have dimensions smaller than the wavelength of visible light and thus are invisible by optical microscopy. As the crystals are thousands of times too small for structure determination by synchrotron X-ray diffraction, we use micro-electron diffraction to determine the structure at atomic resolution. The 1.4 Å resolution structure demonstrates thatmore » this method can determine previously unknown protein structures and here yields, to our knowledge, the highest resolution achieved by any cryo-electron microscopy method to date. The structure exhibits protofibrils built of pairs of face-to-face β-sheets. X-ray fibre diffraction patterns show the similarity of NACore to toxic fibrils of full-length α-synuclein. Finally, the NACore structure, together with that of a second segment, inspires a model for most of the ordered portion of the toxic, full-length α-synuclein fibril, presenting opportunities for the design of inhibitors of α-synuclein fibrils.« less

Efficient high-power narrow-linewidth all-fibred linearly polarized ytterbium laser source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bertrand, Anthony; Liégeois, Flavien; Hernandez, Yves; Giannone, Domenico

2012-06-01

We report on experimental results on a high power, all-fibred, linearly polarized, mode-locked laser at 1.03 μm. The laser generates pulses of 40 ps wide at a repetition rate of 52 MHz, exhibiting 12 kW peak power. Dispersion in optical fibres is controlled to obtain both high power and narrow spectral linewidth. The average output power reached is 25 W with a spectral linewidth of 380 pm and a near diffraction limit beam (M2 < 1.2). This laser is an ideal candidate for applications like IR spectroscopy, where high peak power and narrow linewidth are required for subsequent wavelength conversion.

Fibred confocal fluorescence microscopy in the diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases

PubMed Central

Meng, Peng; Low, Su Ying; Takano, Angela; Ng, Yuen Li; Anantham, Devanand

2016-01-01

Background Accurate diagnosis is critical to both therapeutic decisions and prognostication in interstitial lung diseases (ILD). However, surgical lung biopsies carry high complication rates. Fibred confocal fluorescence microscopy (FCFM) offers an alternative as it can visualize lung tissue in vivo at the cellular level with minimal adverse events. We wanted to investigate the diagnostic utility, and safety of using FCFM for patients with ILD. Methods In patients with suspected ILD, FCFM images were obtained from multiple bronchopulmonary segments using a miniprobe inserted through the working channel of a flexible bronchoscope. The procedure was performed under moderate sedation in an outpatient setting. Morphometric measurements and fibre pattern analyses were co-related with computed tomography (CT) findings and patients’ final diagnoses based on multi-disciplinary consensus. Results One hundred and eighty four segments were imaged in 27 patients (18 males) with a median age of 67 years (range, 24–79 years). They were grouped into chronic fibrosing interstitial pneumonia (16 patients) and other ILDs. Six distinct FCFM patterns were observed: normal, increased fibres, densely packed fibres, hypercellular, thickened fibres and others/non-specific. The pattern resembling densely packed fibres was seen in at least one segment in 68.8% patients with chronic fibrosing interstitial pneumonia, but only 36.4% in other ILD (P=0.097). An association between inflammatory patterns on CT and a hypercellular pattern on FCFM was also found (P<0.001). Conclusions Our study shows the potential of FCFM in classifying ILD, but its role in further diagnosis remains limited. PMID:28149543

Enhancements in crystallinity, thermal stability, tensile modulus and strength of sisal fibres and their PP composites induced by the synergistic effects of alkali and high intensity ultrasound (HIU) treatments.

PubMed

Krishnaiah, Prakash; Ratnam, Chantara Thevy; Manickam, Sivakumar

2017-01-01

In this investigation, sisal fibres were treated with the combination of alkali and high intensity ultrasound (HIU) and their effects on the morphology, thermal properties of fibres and mechanical properties of their reinforced PP composites were studied. FTIR and FE-SEM results confirmed the removal of amorphous materials such as hemicellulose, lignin and other waxy materials after the combined treatments of alkali and ultrasound. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed an increase in the crystallinity of sisal fibres with an increase in the concentration of alkali. Thermogravimetric results revealed that the thermal stability of sisal fibres obtained with the combination of both alkali and ultrasound treatment was increased by 38.5°C as compared to the untreated fibres. Morphology of sisal fibre reinforced composites showed good interfacial interaction between fibres and matrix after the combined treatment. Tensile properties were increased for the combined treated sisal fibres reinforced PP composites as compared to the untreated and pure PP. Tensile modulus and strength increased by more than 50% and 10% respectively as compared to the untreated sisal fibre reinforced composite. It has been found that the combined treatment of alkali and ultrasound is effective and useful to remove the amorphous materials and hence to improve the mechanical and thermal properties. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Align-and-shine photolithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrusis, Audrius; Rector, Jan H.; Smith, Kristen; de Man, Sven; Iannuzzi, Davide

2009-10-01

At the beginning of 2009, our group has introduced a new technique that allows fabrication of photolithographic patterns on the cleaved end of an optical fibre: the align-and-shine photolithography technique (see A. Petrušis et al., "The align-and-shine technique for series production of photolithography patterns on optical fibres", J. Micromech. Microeng. 19, 047001, 2009). Align-and-shine photolithography combines standard optical lithography with imagebased active fibre alignment processes. The technique adapts well to series production, opening the way to batch fabrication of fibre-top devices (D. Iannuzzi et al., "Monolithic fibre-top cantilever for critical environments and standard applications", Appl. Phys. Lett. 88, 053501, 2006) and all other devices that rely on suitable machining of engineered parts on the tip of a fibre. In this paper we review our results and briefly discuss its potential applications.

Biofibres from biofuel industrial byproduct-Pongamia pinnata seed hull.

PubMed

Manjula, Puttaswamy; Srinikethan, Govindan; Shetty, K Vidya

2017-01-01

Biodiesel production using Pongamia pinnata (P. pinnata) seeds results in large amount of unused seed hull. These seed hulls serve as a potential source for cellulose fibres which can be exploited as reinforcement in composites. These seed hulls were processed using chlorination and alkaline extraction process in order to isolate cellulose fibres. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) analysis demonstrated the morphological changes in the fibre structure. Cellulose microfibres of diameter 6-8 µm, hydrodynamic diameter of 58.4 nm and length of 535 nm were isolated. Thermal stability was enhanced by 70 °C and crystallinity index (CI) by 19.8% ensuring isolation of crystalline cellulose fibres. The sequential chlorination and alkaline treatment stemmed to the isolation of cellulose fibres from P. pinnata seed hull. The isolated cellulose fibres possessed enhanced morphological, thermal, and crystalline properties in comparison with P. pinnata seed hull. These cellulose microfibres may potentially find application as biofillers in biodegradable composites by augmenting their properties.

Modification of flax fibres by radiation induced emulsion graft copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moawia, Rihab Musaad; Nasef, Mohamed Mahmoud; Mohamed, Nor Hasimah; Ripin, Adnan

2016-05-01

Flax fibres were modified by radiation induced graft copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) by pre-irradiation method in an emulsion medium. The effect of reaction parameters on the degree of grafting (DOG) such as concentration of bleaching agent, absorbed dose, monomer concentration, temperature and reaction time were investigated. The DOG was found to be dependent on the investigated parameters. The incorporation of poly(GMA) grafts in the bleached flax fibres was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The structural and mechanical changes were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and mechanical tester, respectively. The results revealed that reacting bleached flax fibres irradiated with 20 kGy with 5% GMA emulsion containing 0.5% polyoxyethylene-sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20) surfactant at 40 °C for 1 h led to a maximum DOG of 148%. The grafted fibres showed sufficient mechanical strength and hydrophobicity which make them promising precursors for development of adsorbents after appropriate chemical treatments.

Muscle glycogen depletion patterns during draught work in Standardbred horses.

PubMed

Gottlieb, M

1989-03-01

Muscle fibre recruitment was investigated during draught loaded exercise by studying glycogen depletion patterns from histochemical stains of muscle biopsies from the gluteus and semitendinosus muscles. Three Standardbred trotters performed several intervals of draught loaded exercise on a treadmill with 34 kp at a trot (7 m/sec) and with 34 and 80 kp, respectively at a walk (2m/sec). Exercise was continued until the horses were unwilling to continue. Glycogen depletion was seen in all three fibre types when trotting with 34 kp for 5 or 10 mins. When an equal weight resistance was pulled at a walk, glycogen depletion was first seen in type I fibres only, then followed by a small percentage of type IIA fibres after at least 1 h. When 80 kp was pulled at a walk both type I and IIA fibres showed glycogen depletion, and after at least 30 mins exercise a small percentage of type IIB fibres was also depleted. These results indicate that the muscle fibres are depleted, in order, from type I through IIA to IIB as the intensity or duration of draught work increases.

In vitro acellular dissolution of mineral fibres: A comparative study.

PubMed

Gualtieri, Alessandro F; Pollastri, Simone; Bursi Gandolfi, Nicola; Gualtieri, Magdalena Lassinantti

2018-05-04

The study of the mechanisms by which mineral fibres promote adverse effects in both animals and humans is a hot topic of multidisciplinary research with many aspects that still need to be elucidated. Besides length and diameter, a key parameter that determines the toxicity/pathogenicity of a fibre is biopersistence, one component of which is biodurability. In this paper, biodurability of mineral fibres of social and economic importance (chrysotile, amphibole asbestos and fibrous erionite) has been determined for the first time in a systematic comparative way from in vitro acellular dissolution experiments. Dissolution was possible using the Gamble solution as simulated lung fluid (pH = 4 and at body temperature) so to reproduce the macrophage phagolysosome environment. The investigated mineral fibres display very different dissolution rates. For a 0.25 μm thick fibre, the calculated dissolution time of chrysotile is in the range 94-177 days, very short if compared to that of amphibole fibres (49-245 years), and fibrous erionite (181 years). Diffraction and SEM data on the dissolution products evidence that chrysotile rapidly undergoes amorphization with the formation of a nanophasic silica-rich fibrous metastable pseudomorph as first dissolution step whereas amphibole asbestos and fibrous erionite show minor signs of dissolution even after 9-12 months.

Structure of the toxic core of α-synuclein from invisible crystals

DOE PAGES

Rodriguez, Jose A.; Ivanova, Magdalena I.; Sawaya, Michael R.; ...

2015-09-09

We report that the protein α-synuclein is the main component of Lewy bodies, the neuron-associated aggregates seen in Parkinson disease and other neurodegenerative pathologies. An 11-residue segment, which we term NACore, appears to be responsible for amyloid formation and cytotoxicity of human α-synuclein. Here we describe crystals of NACore that have dimensions smaller than the wavelength of visible light and thus are invisible by optical microscopy. As the crystals are thousands of times too small for structure determination by synchrotron X-ray diffraction, we use micro-electron diffraction to determine the structure at atomic resolution. The 1.4 Å resolution structure demonstrates thatmore » this method can determine previously unknown protein structures and here yields, to our knowledge, the highest resolution achieved by any cryo-electron microscopy method to date. The structure exhibits protofibrils built of pairs of face-to-face β-sheets. X-ray fibre diffraction patterns show the similarity of NACore to toxic fibrils of full-length α-synuclein. Finally, the NACore structure, together with that of a second segment, inspires a model for most of the ordered portion of the toxic, full-length α-synuclein fibril, presenting opportunities for the design of inhibitors of α-synuclein fibrils.« less

New insights into the toxicity of mineral fibres: A combined in situ synchrotron μ-XRD and HR-TEM study of chrysotile, crocidolite, and erionite fibres found in the tissues of Sprague-Dawley rats.

PubMed

Gualtieri, Alessandro F; Bursi Gandolfi, Nicola; Pollastri, Simone; Burghammer, Manfred; Tibaldi, Eva; Belpoggi, Fiorella; Pollok, Kilian; Langenhorst, Falko; Vigliaturo, Ruggero; Dražić, Goran

2017-05-15

Along the line of the recent research topic aimed at understanding the in vivo activity of mineral fibres and their mechanisms of toxicity, this work describes the morpho-chemical characteristics of the mineral fibres found in the tissues of Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to intraperitoneal/intrapleural injection of UICC chrysotile, UICC crocidolite and erionite-Na from Nevada (USA). The fibres are studied with in situ synchrotron powder diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy to improve our understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity of these mineral fibres. In contact with the tissues of the rats, chrysotile fibres are prone to dissolve, with leaching of Mg and production of a silica rich relict. On the other hand, crocidolite and erionite-Na fibres are stable even for very long contact times within the tissues of the rats, showing just a thin dissolution amorphous halo. These findings support the model of a lower biopersistence of chrysotile with respect to crocidolite and erionite-Na but the formation of a silica-rich fibrous residue after the pseudo-amorphization of chrysotile may justify a higher cytotoxic potential and intense inflammatory activity of chrysotile in the short term in contact with the lung tissues. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of alkaline hydrogen peroxide pre-hydrolysis on the isolation of microcrystalline cellulose from oil palm fronds.

PubMed

Owolabi, Abdulwahab F; Haafiz, M K Mohamad; Hossain, Md Sohrab; Hussin, M Hazwan; Fazita, M R Nurul

2017-02-01

In the present study, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was isolated from oil palm fronds (OPF) using chemo-mechanical process. Wherein, alkaline hydrogen peroxide (AHP) was utilized to extract OPF fibre at different AHP concentrations. The OPF pulp fibre was then bleached with acidified sodium chlorite solution followed by the acid hydrolysis using hydrochloric acid. Several analytical methods were conducted to determine the influence of AHP concentration on thermal properties, morphological properties, microscopic and crystalline behaviour of isolated MCC. Results showed that the MCC extracted from OPF fibres had fibre diameters of 7.55-9.11nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses revealed that the obtained microcrystalline fibre had both celluloses I and cellulose II polymorphs structure, depending on the AHP concentrations. The Fourier transmission infrared (FTIR) analyses showed that the AHP pre-hydrolysis was successfully removed hemicelluloses and lignin from the OPF fibre. The crystallinity of the MCC was increased with the AHP concentrations. The degradation temperature of MCC was about 300°C. The finding of the present study showed that pre-treatment process potentially influenced the quality of the isolation of MCC from oil palm fronds. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Investigation of Structure and Property of Indian Cocos nucifera L. Fibre

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basu, Gautam; Mishra, Leena; Samanta, Ashis Kumar

2017-12-01

Structure and physico-mechanical properties of Cocos nucifera L. fibre from a specific agro-climatic region of India, was thoroughly studied. Fine structure of the fibre was examined by Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy, Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), component analysis, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and optical microscope. SEM shows prominent longitudinal cracks and micro-pores on the surface. XRD shows a low degree of crystallinity (45%), bigger crystallite size, and even the presence of appreciable amount of non-cellulose matter. FTIR reveals presence of large quantities of hydroxyl, phenolic and aldehyde groups. Component and thermal analyses indicates presence of cellulose and lignin as major components. Physical parameters reveal that, fibres are highly variable in length (range 44-305 mm), and diameter (range 100-795 µm). Mechanical properties of the fibre viz. breaking tenacity, breaking extensibility, specific work of rupture, and coefficient of friction were measured. Microbial decomposition test under soil reveals excellent durability of coconut fibre which makes it appropriate for the application in geotextiles. Mass specific electrical resistance of 4 Ω-kg/m2 indicates its enhanced insulation as compared to the jute.

Plastic Fibre Reinforced Soil Blocks as a Sustainable Building Material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prasad, C. K. Subramania; Nambiar, E. K. Kunhanandan; Abraham, Benny Mathews

2012-10-01

Solid waste management, especially the huge quantity of waste plastics, is one of the major environmental concerns nowadays. Their employability in block making in the form of fibres, as one of the methods of waste management, can be investigated through a fundamental research. This paper highlights the salient observations from a systematic investigation on the effect of embedded fibre from plastic waste on the performance of stabilised mud blocks. Stabilisation of the soil was done by adding cement, lime and their combination. Plastic fibre in chopped form from carry bags and mineral water bottles were added (0.1% & 0.2% by weight of soil) as reinforcement. The blocks were tested for density, and compressive strength, and observed failure patterns were analysed. Blocks with 0.1% of plastic fibres showed an increase in strength of about 3 to 10%. From the observations of failure pattern it can be concluded that benefits of fibre reinforcement includes both improved ductility in comparison with raw blocks and inhibition of crack propogation after its initial formation.

Plumboselite, Pb3O2(SeO3), a new oxidation-zone mineral from Tsumeb, Namibia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kampf, Anthony R.; Mills, Stuart J.; Pinch, William W.

2011-01-01

Plumboselite, ideally Pb3O2(SeO3), is a new selenite (IMA2010-028) from the Tsumeb mine, Namibia. It occurs as fibres on clausthalite and is also associated with smithsonite, mimetite and vaterite. Plumboselite occurs in subparallel to divergent clusters of thin, flattened, colourless fibres up to 0.3 mm in length, but not exceeding 5 μm in width and 2 μm in thickness. The fibres are elongated parallel to [001] and flattened on {010}, with {010} the only form observed. The crystals have a dull to adamantine lustre and a white streak. The tenacity is brittle and the Mohs hardness is estimated to be between 2 and 3. Plumboselite crystals are optically biaxial with parallel extinction and are length fast in all orientations. The Gladstone-Dale relationship predicts n av = 2.115. The high indices of refraction and small crystal size prevented the determination of other optical properties. The calculated density is 7.814 g/cm3. The empirical formula (based on 5 O atoms) is Pb2.92Ca0.01Se1.03O5. Plumboselite is orthorhombic, space group Cmc21, a = 10.5384(11), b = 10.7452(13), c = 5.7577(7) Å, V = 651.98(12) Å3 and Z = 4. The five strongest lines in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are [ d obs in Å/( I)/ hkl]: 3.155/(100)/221; 1.956/(26)/042,402; 2.886/(22)/311,002; 1.713/(21)/223; 2.691/(17)/040. The crystal structure was solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and refined to R 1 = 0.0371 on the basis of 200 unique reflections with F o > 4σ F. The structure is based on double [O2Pb3] chains of edge-sharing oxo-centered [OPb4] tetrahedra along c, between which are sited SeO3 triangles. The two independent Pb2+ atoms and the Se4+ atom have sterochemically active lone electron pairs.

Preparation of micro-fibrillated cellulose based on sugar palm ijuk (Arenga pinnata) fibres through partial acid hydrolysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saputro, A.; Verawati, I.; Ramahdita, G.; Chalid, M.

2017-07-01

The aim of this study was to isolate and characterized micro-fibrillated cellulose (MFC) from sugar palm/ijuk fibre (Arenga pinnata) by partial sulfuric acid hydrolysis. Cellulose fibre was prepared by repeated treatments with 5 wt% sodium hydroxide 2 h at 80°C, followed by bleaching with 1.7 wt% sodium chlorite for 2 h at 80°C in acidic environment under stirring. MFC was prepared by partial hydrolysis with sulfuric acid in various concentrations (30, 40, 50, and 60 % for 45 min at 45 °C) under stirring. Fourier Transform Infrared, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope, Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer and X-ray Diffraction characterized cellulose fibre and MFC. FTIR measurements showed that alkaline and bleaching treatments were effective to remove non-cellulosic constituents such as wax, lignin and hemicellulose. FESEM observation revealed conversion into more clear surface and defibrillation of cellulosic fibre after pre-treatments. XRD measurement revealed increase in crystallinity after pre-treatments and acid hydrolysis from 54.4 to 87.8%. Thermal analysis showed that increasing acid concentration reduced thermal stability.

3D Non-Woven Polyvinylidene Fluoride Scaffolds: Fibre Cross Section and Texturizing Patterns Have Impact on Growth of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

PubMed Central

Schellenberg, Anne; Ross, Robin; Abagnale, Giulio; Joussen, Sylvia; Schuster, Philipp; Arshi, Annahit; Pallua, Norbert; Jockenhoevel, Stefan; Gries, Thomas; Wagner, Wolfgang

2014-01-01

Several applications in tissue engineering require transplantation of cells embedded in appropriate biomaterial scaffolds. Such structures may consist of 3D non-woven fibrous materials whereas little is known about the impact of mesh size, pore architecture and fibre morphology on cellular behavior. In this study, we have developed polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) non-woven scaffolds with round, trilobal, or snowflake fibre cross section and different fibre crimp patterns (10, 16, or 28 needles per inch). Human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from adipose tissue were seeded in parallel on these scaffolds and their growth was compared. Initial cell adhesion during the seeding procedure was higher on non-wovens with round fibres than on those with snowflake or trilobal cross sections. All PVDF non-woven fabrics facilitated cell growth over a time course of 15 days. Interestingly, proliferation was significantly higher on non-wovens with round or trilobal fibres as compared to those with snowflake profile. Furthermore, proliferation increased in a wider, less dense network. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the MSCs aligned along the fibres and formed cellular layers spanning over the pores. 3D PVDF non-woven scaffolds support growth of MSCs, however fibre morphology and mesh size are relevant: proliferation is enhanced by round fibre cross sections and in rather wide-meshed scaffolds. PMID:24728045

Simulation of complex phenomena in optical fibres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allington-Smith, Jeremy; Murray, Graham; Lemke, Ulrike

2012-12-01

Optical fibres are essential for many types of highly multiplexed and precision spectroscopy. The success of the new generation of multifibre instruments under construction to investigate fundamental problems in cosmology, such as the nature of dark energy, requires accurate modellization of the fibre system to achieve their signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) goals. Despite their simple construction, fibres exhibit unexpected behaviour including non-conservation of etendue (focal ratio degradation, FRD) and modal noise. Furthermore, new fibre geometries (non-circular or tapered) have become available to improve the scrambling properties that, together with modal noise, limit the achievable SNR in precision spectroscopy. These issues have often been addressed by extensive tests on candidate fibres and their terminations, but these are difficult and time-consuming. Modelling by ray tracing and wave analysis is possible with commercial software packages, but these do not address the more complex features, in particular FRD. We use a phase-tracking ray-tracing method to provide a practical description of FRD derived from our previous experimental work on circular fibres and apply it to non-standard fibres. This allows the relationship between scrambling and FRD to be quantified for the first time. We find that scrambling primarily affects the shape of the near-field pattern but has negligible effect on the barycentre. FRD helps to homogenize the near-field pattern but does not make it completely uniform. Fibres with polygonal cross-section improve scrambling without amplifying the FRD. Elliptical fibres, in conjunction with tapering, may offer an efficient means of image slicing to improve the product of resolving power and throughput, but the result is sensitive to the details of illumination. We also investigated the performance of fibres close to the limiting numerical aperture since this may affect the uniformity of the SNR for some prime focus fibre instrumentation.

Contractile properties of skinned muscle fibres from young and adult normal and dystrophic (mdx) mice.

PubMed Central

Williams, D A; Head, S I; Lynch, G S; Stephenson, D G

1993-01-01

1. Single muscle fibres were enzymatically isolated from the soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of genetically dystrophic mdx and normal (C57BL/10) mice aged 3-6 or 17-23 weeks. 2. Fibres of both muscles were chemically skinned with the non-ionic detergent Triton X-100 (2% v/v). Ca(2+)- and Sr(2+)-activated contractile responses were recorded and comparisons were made between several contractile parameters of various fibre types of normal and dystrophic mice of similar age. 3. There were no significant differences in the following contractile parameters of skinned fibres of normal and mdx mice of the same age: sensitivity to activating Ca2+ (pCa50) or Sr2+ (pSr50) and differential sensitivity to the activating ions (pCa50-pSr50). However the maximum isometric tension (Po) and the frequency of myofibrillar force oscillations in EDL fast-twitch fibres of young mdx mice were significantly lower than those of soleus fast-twitch fibres of the same animals, or fast-twitch fibres (EDL or soleus) of normal mice. 4. Age-related differences were apparent in some contractile parameters of both normal and mdx mice. In particular the steepness of force-pCa and force-pSr curves increased with age in normal mice, yet decreased with age in fibres of mdx mice. 5. A fluorescent probe, ethidium bromide, which interchelates with DNA, was used with laser-scanning confocal microscopy to determine the distribution of myonuclei in fibres. Fibres isolated from either muscle type of normal animals displayed a characteristic peripheral spiral of myonuclei. Fibres from muscles of mdx mice displayed three major patterns of nuclear distribution; the normal peripheral spiral, long central strands of nuclei, and a mixture of these two patterns. 6. The contractile characteristics of mdx fibres were not markedly influenced by the nuclear distribution pattern in that there were no discernible differences in the major contractile parameters (the Hill coefficients nCa and nSr, which are associated with the steepness of the Ca2+ and Sr2+ activation curves, pCa50, pSr50, pCa50-pSr50) of skinned fibres possessing peripheral or central nuclei. However, except for nSr, these values were all lower in individual fibres which displayed similar proportions of central and peripheral nuclei. The presence of mixed nucleation and absence of fibres with embryonic contractile characteristics in mdx mice suggest that the dystrophin-negative fibres can repair locally occurring muscle damage. Images Fig. 1 Fig. 1(Contd.) Fig. 4 Fig. 5 PMID:8487206

A high-fat, high-glycaemic index, low-fibre dietary pattern is prospectively associated with type 2 diabetes in a British birth cohort.

PubMed

Pastorino, Silvia; Richards, Marcus; Pierce, Mary; Ambrosini, Gina L

2016-05-01

The combined association of dietary fat, glycaemic index (GI) and fibre with type 2 diabetes has rarely been investigated. The objective was to examine the relationship between a high-fat, high-GI, low-fibre dietary pattern across adult life and type 2 diabetes risk using reduced rank regression. Data were from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development. Repeated measures of dietary intake estimated using 5-d diet diaries were available at the age of 36, 43 and 53 years for 1180 study members. Associations between dietary pattern scores at each age, as well as longitudinal changes in dietary pattern z-scores, and type 2 diabetes incidence (n 106) from 53 to 60-64 years were analysed. The high-fat, high-GI, low-fibre dietary pattern was characterised by low intakes of fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and whole-grain cereals, and high intakes of white bread, fried potatoes, processed meat and animal fats. There was an increasing trend in OR for type 2 diabetes with increasing quintile of dietary pattern z-scores at the age of 43 years among women but not among men. Women in the highest z-score quintile at the age of 43 years had an OR for type 2 diabetes of 5·45 (95 % CI 2·01, 14·79). Long-term increases in this dietary pattern, independently of BMI and waist circumference, were also detrimental among women: for each 1 sd unit increase in dietary pattern z-score between 36 and 53 years, the OR for type 2 diabetes was 1·67 (95 % CI 1·20, 2·43) independently of changes in BMI and waist circumference in the same periods. A high-fat, high-GI, low-fibre dietary pattern was associated with increased type 2 diabetes risk in middle-aged British women but not in men.

What's new in intraperitoneal test on Kevlar (asbestos substitute)?

PubMed

Brinkmann, O A; Müller, K M

1989-09-01

The intraperitoneal test is a suitable experimental method for studying the different patterns of morphological reaction to foreign body substances of various kinds and concentrations as well as their transport within and elimination from the organism, Kevlar fibres are synthetic aromatic polyamid (aramid) fibres which, investigated by means of the intraperitoneal test in Wistar rats, show distinct pathogenetic reaction patterns: 1. In the early stage after application, the formation of multinucleated giant cells with phagocytosis of the amber-coloured Kevlar fibres, and an inflammatory reaction are foremost features. 2. The typical feature of the second stage is the development of granulomas with central necrosis indicating the cytotoxic nature of Kevlar fibres. 3. The third stage is dominated by the mesenchymal activation with capsular structures of collagenous fibres. Besides granulomatous foci, a slight submesothelial fibrosis is observed. 4. Fragments of Kevlar fibres are drained through lymphatic pathways and stored in lymph nodes where they lead to inflammatory reactions. 5. The reactive granulomatous changes in the greater omentum of rats are accompanied by proliferative mesothelial changes which, in one cases, even led to the development of a multilocular mesothelioma.

Collagen fibre arrangement in the skin of the pig.

PubMed Central

Meyer, W; Neurand, K; Radke, B

1982-01-01

The arrangement and proportion of collagen fibres and fibre bundles in the dermis of the pig have been investigated with light microscopical (Nomarski's interference contrast, polarization optics) and scanning electron microscopical methods. Skin samples were obtained from different body regions of wild boars, domestic pigs and miniature pigs. All the methods used have demonstrated that the bulk of the dermis is dominated by a massive three dimensional network of collagen fibres and fibre bundles, which cross each other in two main directions. Several smaller fibre bundles pass through the network in various other directions, constructing a densely interwoven fibre pattern. Differences were obvious between the body regions and the animals investigated. Images Fig. 1 Figs. 2-5 Fig. 6 Figs. 7, 8 Figs. 9-11 PMID:7076540

Highly versatile in-reflection photonic crystal fibre interferometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jha, Rajan; Villatoro, Joel; Kreuzer, Mark; Finazzi, Vittoria; Pruneri, Valerio

2009-10-01

We report a simple and highly versatile photonic crystal fiber (PCF) interferometer that operates in reflection mode. The device consists of a short section of PCF fusion spliced at the distal end of a standard single mode fiber. The air-holes of the PCF are intentionally collapsed over a microscopic region around the splice. The collapsed region broadens the propagating mode because of diffraction. This allows the coupling and recombination of two PCF modes. Depending on the PCF structure two core modes or a core and a cladding mode can be excited. In either case the devices exhibit sinusoidal interference patterns with fringe spacing depending on the PCF length. The interferometers are highly stable over time and can operate at high temperatures with minimal degradation. The interferometers are suitable for highresolution sensing of strain, refractive index (biosensing), gases, volatile organic compounds, etc.

Neural organisation in the first optic ganglion of the nocturnal bee Megalopta genalis.

PubMed

Greiner, Birgit; Ribi, Willi A; Wcislo, William T; Warrant, Eric J

2004-11-01

Each neural unit (cartridge) in the first optic ganglion (lamina) of the nocturnal bee Megalopta genalis contains nine receptor cell axons (6 short and 3 long visual fibres), and four different types of first-order interneurons, also known as L-fibres (L1 to L4) or lamina monopolar cells. The short visual fibres terminate within the lamina as three different types (svf 1, 2, 3). The three long visual fibres pass through the lamina without forming characteristic branching patterns and terminate in the second optic ganglion, the medulla. The lateral branching pattern of svf 2 into adjacent cartridges is unique for hymenopterans. In addition, all four types of L-fibres show dorso-ventrally arranged, wide, lateral branching in this nocturnal bee. This is in contrast to the diurnal bees Apis mellifera and Lasioglossum leucozonium, where only two out of four L-fibre types (L2 and L4) reach neighbouring cartridges. In M. genalis, L1 forms two sub-types, viz. L1-a and L1-b; L1-b in particular has the potential to contact several neighbouring cartridges. L2 and L4 in the nocturnal bee are similar to L2 and L4 in the diurnal bees but have dorso-ventral arborisations that are twice as wide. A new type of laterally spreading L3 has been discovered in the nocturnal bee. The extensive neural branching pattern of L-fibres in M. genalis indicates a potential role for these neurons in the spatial summation of photons from large groups of ommatidia. This specific adaptation in the nocturnal bee could significantly improve reliability of vision in dim light.

Dietary fibre intakes of individuals with different eating patterns.

PubMed

Davies, G J; Crowder, M; Dickerson, J W

1985-04-01

This study was undertaken to provide evidence of the variation in the diet necessary to incorporate a high fibre content. Food intakes were measured for seven days by 51 subjects who were either omnivores, vegetarians or vegans. Omnivores consumed the least fibre (23 g), vegetarians significantly more (37 g) and vegans the most (47 g). Men had higher intakes (44 g) than women (30.5 g). Vegans ate the most cereal fibre, but high intake of fibre by both vegetarian groups were due to their preference for unrefined foods, particularly bread. Higher intakes of vegetable fibre by both vegetarian groups were due to high consumption of pulses. Total dietary fibre was significantly related to cereal fibre. As the percentage of fibre increased, the percentage of energy derived from protein decreased. Fat contributed less energy (34 per cent) to the vegan than to the omnivore diet (41 per cent). This study showed that high fibre intake can be achieved on an omnivorous diet and the observation that high fibre diets are possible when the energy content is low, is of relevance to slimming regimes.

Effect of basalt fibres reinforcement and aluminum trihydrate on the thermal properties of intumescent fire retardant coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yasir, Muhammad; Amir, Norlaili Binti; Ahmad, Faiz; Syahirah Rodzhan, N.

2017-08-01

This research is carried out in order to study the synergistic effect of aluminium trihydrate and basalt fibres on the properties of fire resistant intumescent coatings. Intumescent fire retardant coatings were developed using different flame retardants such as ammonium polyphosphate, expandable graphite, melamine and boric acid. These flame retardants were bound together with the help of epoxy binder along with curing agent. Furthermore, individual and combinations of aluminium trihydrate and basalt fibres was incorporated in the formulations to analyse mechanical and chemical properties of the coatings. Char expansion was observed using furnace test, thermogravimetric analysis was used to determine residual weight, X-Ray Diffraction was performed to investigate compounds present in the char, shear test was conducted to determine char strength and scanning electron microscopy analysis was performed to observe morphology of the burnt char. From the microscopic investigation it was concluded that the dense structure of the char increased the char integrity by adding basalt and aluminium trihydrate as fillers. X-Ray Diffraction results shows the presence boron phosphate, and boric acid which enhanced the thermal performance of the coating up to 800°C. From the Thermogravimetric analysis it was concluded that the residual weight of the char was increased up to 34.9 % for IC-B2A4 which enhanced thermal performance of intumescent coating.

Sarcomere-length dependence of myosin filament structure in skeletal muscle fibres of the frog.

PubMed

Reconditi, Massimo; Brunello, Elisabetta; Fusi, Luca; Linari, Marco; Martinez, Manuel Fernandez; Lombardi, Vincenzo; Irving, Malcolm; Piazzesi, Gabriella

2014-03-01

X-ray diffraction patterns were recorded at beamline ID02 of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility from small bundles of skeletal muscle fibres from Rana esculenta at sarcomere lengths between 2.1 and 3.5 μm at 4°C. The intensities of the X-ray reflections from resting fibres associated with the quasi-helical order of the myosin heads and myosin binding protein C (MyBP-C) decreased in the sarcomere length range 2.6-3.0 μm but were constant outside it, suggesting that an OFF conformation of the thick filament is maintained by an interaction between MyBP-C and the thin filaments. During active isometric contraction the intensity of the M3 reflection from the regular repeat of the myosin heads along the filaments decreased in proportion to the overlap between thick and thin filaments, with no change in its interference fine structure. Thus, myosin heads in the regions of the thick filaments that do not overlap with thin filaments are highly disordered during isometric contraction, in contrast to their quasi-helical order at rest. Heads in the overlap region that belong to two-headed myosin molecules that are fully detached from actin are also highly disordered, in contrast to the detached partners of actin-attached heads. These results provide strong support for the concept of a regulatory structural transition in the thick filament involving changes in both the organisation of the myosin heads on its surface and the axial periodicity of the myosin tails in its backbone, mediated by an interaction between MyBP-C and the thin filaments.

Sarcomere-length dependence of myosin filament structure in skeletal muscle fibres of the frog

PubMed Central

Reconditi, Massimo; Brunello, Elisabetta; Fusi, Luca; Linari, Marco; Martinez, Manuel Fernandez; Lombardi, Vincenzo; Irving, Malcolm; Piazzesi, Gabriella

2014-01-01

X-ray diffraction patterns were recorded at beamline ID02 of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility from small bundles of skeletal muscle fibres from Rana esculenta at sarcomere lengths between 2.1 and 3.5 μm at 4°C. The intensities of the X-ray reflections from resting fibres associated with the quasi-helical order of the myosin heads and myosin binding protein C (MyBP-C) decreased in the sarcomere length range 2.6–3.0 μm but were constant outside it, suggesting that an OFF conformation of the thick filament is maintained by an interaction between MyBP-C and the thin filaments. During active isometric contraction the intensity of the M3 reflection from the regular repeat of the myosin heads along the filaments decreased in proportion to the overlap between thick and thin filaments, with no change in its interference fine structure. Thus, myosin heads in the regions of the thick filaments that do not overlap with thin filaments are highly disordered during isometric contraction, in contrast to their quasi-helical order at rest. Heads in the overlap region that belong to two-headed myosin molecules that are fully detached from actin are also highly disordered, in contrast to the detached partners of actin-attached heads. These results provide strong support for the concept of a regulatory structural transition in the thick filament involving changes in both the organisation of the myosin heads on its surface and the axial periodicity of the myosin tails in its backbone, mediated by an interaction between MyBP-C and the thin filaments. PMID:24344169

Macroscopic fibres of CNTs as electrodes for multifunctional electric double layer capacitors: from quantum capacitance to device performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Senokos, E.; Reguero, V.; Palma, J.; Vilatela, J. J.; Marcilla, Rebeca

2016-02-01

In this work we present a combined electrochemical and mechanical study of mesoporous electrodes based on CNT fibres in the context of electric double layer capacitors. We show that through control of the synthetic and assembly processes of the fibres, it is possible to obtain an active material that combines a surface area of 250 m2 g-1, high electrical conductivity (3.5 × 105 S m-1) and mechanical properties in the high-performance range including toughness (35 J g-1) comparable to that of aramid fibre (e.g. Kevlar). These properties are a consequence of the predominant orientation of the CNTs, observed by wide- and small-angle X-ray diffraction, and to the exceptionally long CNT length on the millimetre scale. Cyclic voltammetry measurements in a three-electrode configuration and using 1-butyl-3-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (PYR14TFSI) ionic liquid electrolyte, show that the CNT fibres have a large quantum capacitance, evidenced by the near linear dependence of geometric capacitance (and conductivity) on potential bias. This reflects the low dimensionality of the CNT building blocks, which were purposely synthesised to have 1-5 layers and a high degree of graphitization. From the charge-discharge measurements of supercapacitor devices with symmetric CNT fibre electrodes we obtain power and energy densities as high as 58 kW kg-1 and 14 Wh kg-1, respectively. These record-high values for CNT fibre-based supercapacitors, are a consequence of the low equivalent series resistance due to the high conductivity of the fibres, the large contribution from quantum capacitance, and the wide stability window of the ionic liquid (3.5 V). Cycle life experiments demonstrate stable capacitance and energy retention over 10 000 cycles of charge-discharge at 3.5 V.In this work we present a combined electrochemical and mechanical study of mesoporous electrodes based on CNT fibres in the context of electric double layer capacitors. We show that through control of the synthetic and assembly processes of the fibres, it is possible to obtain an active material that combines a surface area of 250 m2 g-1, high electrical conductivity (3.5 × 105 S m-1) and mechanical properties in the high-performance range including toughness (35 J g-1) comparable to that of aramid fibre (e.g. Kevlar). These properties are a consequence of the predominant orientation of the CNTs, observed by wide- and small-angle X-ray diffraction, and to the exceptionally long CNT length on the millimetre scale. Cyclic voltammetry measurements in a three-electrode configuration and using 1-butyl-3-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (PYR14TFSI) ionic liquid electrolyte, show that the CNT fibres have a large quantum capacitance, evidenced by the near linear dependence of geometric capacitance (and conductivity) on potential bias. This reflects the low dimensionality of the CNT building blocks, which were purposely synthesised to have 1-5 layers and a high degree of graphitization. From the charge-discharge measurements of supercapacitor devices with symmetric CNT fibre electrodes we obtain power and energy densities as high as 58 kW kg-1 and 14 Wh kg-1, respectively. These record-high values for CNT fibre-based supercapacitors, are a consequence of the low equivalent series resistance due to the high conductivity of the fibres, the large contribution from quantum capacitance, and the wide stability window of the ionic liquid (3.5 V). Cycle life experiments demonstrate stable capacitance and energy retention over 10 000 cycles of charge-discharge at 3.5 V. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr07697h

The potential synergistic behaviour of inter- and intra-genus probiotic combinations in the pattern and rate of short chain fatty acids formation during fibre fermentation.

PubMed

Fernando, Warnakulasuriya M A D B; Flint, Steve H; Ranaweera, K K D S; Bamunuarachchi, Arthur; Johnson, Stuart K; Brennan, Charles S

2018-03-01

This study compared the rate of short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production by different probiotic combinations of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium to determine any synergistic effects. Six different fibre fractions were fermented with nine combinations of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR), Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA), Bifidobacterium longum (BL) and Bifidobacterium breve (BB) for 0, 6, 24 and 48 h. SCFAs were quantified by gas chromatography. Inter-genus combinations of bacteria produced more SCFA, especially BB + BL + LR, compared to intra-genus that yielded the lowest SCFA production. Acetate was the most abundant, while propionate and butyrate were the most utilised. The SCFA formation was as acetate > propionate > butyrate and the total dietary fibre produced most of the SCFA. Most combinations utilised 60-80% of the fibre; BB + BL + LR digested the fibre completely. The quantity, pattern and the time of release of SCFA depends on the genus, but the combination of pre and probiotics is of great importance for the outcome.

Fibre-coupled red diode-pumped Alexandrite TEM00 laser with single and double-pass end-pumping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arbabzadah, E. A.; Damzen, M. J.

2016-06-01

We report the investigation of an Alexandrite laser end-pumped by a fibre-coupled red diode laser module. Power, efficiency, spatial, spectral, and wavelength tuning performance are studied as a function of pump and laser cavity parameters. It is the first demonstration, to our knowledge, of greater than 1 W power and also highest laser slope efficiency (44.2%) in a diode-pumped Alexandrite laser with diffraction-limited TEM00 mode operation. Spatial quality was excellent with beam propagation parameter M 2 ~ 1.05. Wavelength tuning from 737-796 nm was demonstrated using an intracavity birefringent tuning filter. Using a novel double pass end-pumping scheme to get efficient absorption of both polarisation states of the scrambled fibre-delivered diode pump, a total output coupled power of 1.66 W is produced in TEM00 mode with 40% slope efficiency.

Crystallization of the carboxy-terminal region of the bacteriophage T4 proximal long tail fibre protein gp34

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

Granell, Meritxell; Namura, Mikiyoshi; Alvira, Sara

2014-06-19

The crystallization of three C-terminal fragments of the bacteriophage T4 protein gp34 is reported. Diffraction data have been obtained for three native crystal forms and two selenomethionine derivatives, one of which contained high-quality anomalous signal.

High dynamic range imaging by pupil single-mode filtering and remapping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perrin, G.; Lacour, S.; Woillez, J.; Thiébaut, É.

2006-12-01

Because of atmospheric turbulence, obtaining high angular resolution images with a high dynamic range is difficult even in the near-infrared domain of wavelengths. We propose a novel technique to overcome this issue. The fundamental idea is to apply techniques developed for long baseline interferometry to the case of a single-aperture telescope. The pupil of the telescope is broken down into coherent subapertures each feeding a single-mode fibre. A remapping of the exit pupil allows interfering all subapertures non-redundantly. A diffraction-limited image with very high dynamic range is reconstructed from the fringe pattern analysis with aperture synthesis techniques, free of speckle noise. The performances of the technique are demonstrated with simulations in the visible range with an 8-m telescope. Raw dynamic ranges of 1:106 can be obtained in only a few tens of seconds of integration time for bright objects.

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

Mthethwa, T.P.; Moloto, M.J., E-mail: mmoloto@uj.ac.za; De Vries, A.

Graphical abstract: SEM images of CdS/PMMA showing coiling as loading of CdS nanoparticles is increased. Thermal stability is increased with increase in %loading of both CdS and CdSe nanoparticles. Research highlights: {yields} TOPO-capped CdS and HDA-capped CdSe nanoparticles were synthesized and fully characterized. {yields} The nanoparticles were mixed with the polymer, PMMA using electrospinning technique using 2, 5 and 10% weight loadings. {yields} The mixture was spun to produce fibres with optical and thermal properties showing significant change and also the increase in loading causing bending or spiraling. {yields} Both TEM images for nanoparticles and SEM for fibres shows themore » morphology and sizes of the particles. -- Abstract: Electrospinning technique was used to fabricate poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) fibres incorporating CdS and CdSe quantum dots (nanoparticles). Different nanoparticle loadings (2, 5 and 10 wt% with respect to PMMA) were used and the effect of the quantum dots on the properties of the fibres was studied. The optical properties of the hybrid composite fibres were investigated by photoluminescence and UV-vis spectrophotometry. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectrophotometry were also used to investigate the morphology and structure of the fibres. The optical studies showed that the size-tunable optical properties can be achieved in the polymer fibres by addition of quantum dots. SEM images showed that the morphologies of the fibres were dependent on the added amounts of quantum dots. A spiral type of morphology was observed with an increase in the concentration of CdS and CdSe nanoparticles. Less beaded structures and bigger diameter fibres were obtained at higher quantum dot concentrations. X-ray diffractometry detected the amorphous peaks of the polymer and even after the quantum dots were added and the FTIR analysis shows that there was no considerable interaction between the quantum dots and the polymer fibres at low concentration of quantum dots however at higher concentrations some interactions were observed which shows that QDs were present on the surfaces of the fibres.« less

Multicore fibre photonic lanterns for precision radial velocity Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gris-Sánchez, Itandehui; Haynes, Dionne M.; Ehrlich, Katjana; Haynes, Roger; Birks, Tim A.

2018-04-01

Incomplete fibre scrambling and fibre modal noise can degrade high-precision spectroscopic applications (typically high spectral resolution and high signal to noise). For example, it can be the dominating error source for exoplanet finding spectrographs, limiting the maximum measurement precision possible with such facilities. This limitation is exacerbated in the next generation of infra-red based systems, as the number of modes supported by the fibre scales inversely with the wavelength squared and more modes typically equates to better scrambling. Substantial effort has been made by major research groups in this area to improve the fibre link performance by employing non-circular fibres, double scramblers, fibre shakers, and fibre stretchers. We present an original design of a multicore fibre (MCF) terminated with multimode photonic lantern ports. It is designed to act as a relay fibre with the coupling efficiency of a multimode fibre (MMF), modal stability similar to a single-mode fibre and low loss in a wide range of wavelengths (380 nm to 860 nm). It provides phase and amplitude scrambling to achieve a stable near field and far-field output illumination pattern despite input coupling variations, and low modal noise for increased stability for high signal-to-noise applications such as precision radial velocity (PRV) science. Preliminary results are presented for a 511-core MCF and compared with current state of the art octagonal fibre.

Positional short-range order in the nematic phase of n BABAs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Usha Deniz, K.; Pepy, G.; Parette, G.; Keller, P.

1991-10-01

The positional short-range order, SRO ⊥, perpendicular to the nematic director n̂ has been studied in the fibre-type nematics, nBABAs, by neutron diffraction. SRO ⊥ is found to be dependent on other types of nematic short-range order but not on the orientational long-range order.

Method for detecting damage in carbon-fibre reinforced plastic-steel structures based on eddy current pulsed thermography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xuan; Liu, Zhiping; Jiang, Xiaoli; Lodewijks, Gabrol

2018-01-01

Eddy current pulsed thermography (ECPT) is well established for non-destructive testing of electrical conductive materials, featuring the advantages of contactless, intuitive detecting and efficient heating. The concept of divergence characterization of the damage rate of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP)-steel structures can be extended to ECPT thermal pattern characterization. It was found in this study that the use of ECPT technology on CFRP-steel structures generated a sizeable amount of valuable information for comprehensive material diagnostics. The relationship between divergence and transient thermal patterns can be identified and analysed by deploying mathematical models to analyse the information about fibre texture-like orientations, gaps and undulations in these multi-layered materials. The developed algorithm enabled the removal of information about fibre texture and the extraction of damage features. The model of the CFRP-glue-steel structures with damage was established using COMSOL Multiphysics® software, and quantitative non-destructive damage evaluation from the ECPT image areas was derived. The results of this proposed method illustrate that damaged areas are highly affected by available information about fibre texture. This proposed work can be applied for detection of impact induced damage and quantitative evaluation of CFRP structures.

Atmospheric dispersion corrector for the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fibre Spectroscopic Telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Ding-Qiang; Jia, Peng; Liu, Genrong

2012-02-01

The Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fibre Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) is the largest, wide field-of-view (FOV) telescope (with an aperture of 4 m), and it is equipped with the highest number (4000) of optical fibres in the world. For the LAMOST North and the LAMOST South, the FOVs are 5° and 3.5°, respectively, and the linear diameters are 1.75 m and 1.22 m, respectively. A new type of atmospheric dispersion corrector (ADC) is put forward and designed for LAMOST. It is a segmented lens, which consists of many lens-prism strips. Although it is very large, its thickness is only 12 mm. Thus, the difficulty of obtaining a large optical glass is avoided, and the aberration caused by the ADC is small. By moving this segmented lens along the optical axis, different dispersions can be obtained. We discuss the effects of ADC's slits on the diffraction energy distribution and on the obstruction of light. We calculate and discuss the aberration caused by the ADC. All these results are acceptable. Such an ADC could also be used for other optical fibre spectroscopic telescopes, especially those which a have very large FOV.

Dispersed synthesis of uniform Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles via in situ decomposition of iron precursor along cotton fibre for Sudan dyes analysis in food samples.

PubMed

Bentahir, Yassine; Elmarhoum, Said; Salghi, Rachid; Algarra, Manuel; Ríos, Angel; Zougagh, Mohammed

2017-11-01

Fe 3 O 4 magnetic nanoparticles, with a negative charge surface, are known to have efficient adsorbent properties, but they tend to be agglomerated into larger aggregates or flocs, which can cause loss of specific area. The addition of cotton fibre, as a stabiliser in preparation of the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles, is able to efficiently reduce particle aggregation, and thus, effective particle size, resulting in much greater specific surface area and adsorption sites. Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles synthesis was accomplished by in situ high-temperature decomposition of the precursor ferric ion in the presence of cotton fibre and ethylene glycol solvent. The morphology of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles was characterised by field emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, which confirmed that the magnetic nanoparticles are highly dispersed. These Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were used for clean-up and pre-concentration of Sudan dyes in chilli and hot red sauces, prior to their determination by capillary liquid chromatography diode array detection. A comparative study of analyte pre-concentration was conducted with magnetic nanoparticles prepared with and without cotton fibre showing that both solid phases adsorb the analytes, but higher recoveries were obtained when using cotton fibre which therefore was selected for extraction of Sudan dyes.

Non-destructive testing of satellite nozzles made of carbon fibre ceramic matrix composite, C/SiC

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

Rebelo Kornmeier, J.; Hofmann, M.; Schmidt, S.

Carbon fibre ceramic matrix composite materials, C/SiC, are excellent candidates as lightweight structural materials for high performance hot structures such as in aerospace applications. Satellite nozzles are manufactured from C/SiC, using, for instance, the Liquid Polymer Infiltration (LPI) process. In this article the applicability of different non-destructive analysis methods for the characterisation of C/SiC components will be discussed. By using synchrotron and neutron tomography it is possible to characterise the C/SiC material in each desired location or orientation. Synchrotron radiation using tomography on small samples with a resolution of 1.4 {mu}m, i.e. the fibre scale, was used to characterise threemore » dimensionally fibre orientation and integrity, matrix homogeneity and dimensions and distributions of micro pores. Neutron radiation tomography with a resolution of about 300 {mu}m was used to analyse the over-all C/SiC satellite nozzle component with respect to the fibre content. The special solder connection of a C/SiC satellite nozzle to a metallic ring was also successfully analysed by neutron tomography. In addition, the residual stress state of a temperature tested satellite nozzle was analysed non-destructively in depth by neutron diffraction. The results revealed almost zero stress for the principal directions, radial, axial and tangential, which can be considered to be the principal directions.« less

Dietary patterns by reduced rank regression are associated with obesity and hypertension in Australian adults.

PubMed

Livingstone, Katherine M; McNaughton, Sarah A

2017-01-01

Evidence linking dietary patterns (DP) and obesity and hypertension prevalence is inconsistent. We aimed to identify DP derived from energy density, fibre and sugar intakes, as well as Na, K, fibre, SFA and PUFA, and investigate associations with obesity and hypertension. Adults (n 4908) were included from the cross-sectional Australian Health Survey 2011-2013. Two 24-h dietary recalls estimated food and nutrient intakes. Reduced rank regression derived DP with dietary energy density (DED), fibre density and total sugar intake as response variables for obesity and Na:K, SFA:PUFA and fibre density as variables for hypertension. Poisson regression investigated relationships between DP and prevalence ratios (PR) of overweight/obesity (BMI≥25 kg/m2) and hypertension (blood pressure≥140/90 mmHg). Obesity-DP1 was positively correlated with fibre density and sugars and inversely with DED. Obesity-DP2 was positively correlated with sugars and inversely with fibre density. Individuals in the highest tertile of Obesity-DP1 and Obesity-DP2, compared with the lowest, had lower (PR 0·88; 95 % CI 0·81, 0·95) and higher (PR 1·09; 95 % CI 1·01, 1·18) prevalence of obesity, respectively. Na:K and SFA:PUFA were positively correlated with Hypertension-DP1 and inversely correlated with Hypertension-DP2, respectively. There was a trend towards higher hypertension prevalence in the highest tertile of Hypertension-DP1 compared with the lowest (PR 1·18; 95 % CI 0·99, 1·41). Hypertension-DP2 was not associated with hypertension. Obesity prevalence was inversely associated with low-DED, high-fibre and high-sugar (natural sugars) diets and positively associated with low-fibre and high-sugar (added sugars) diets. Hypertension prevalence was higher on low-fibre and high-Na and SFA diets.

Distributions of nerve and muscle fibre types in locust jumping muscle.

PubMed

Hoyle, G

1978-04-01

Muscle fibres of the locust extensor tibiae (jumping muscle) were examined by interference microscopy and by electron microscopy. The electrical responses of single fibres and the mechanical responses of bundles or selected regions to the nerve fibres were examined. Four axons innervate the muscle: fast (FETi), slow (SETi), common inhibitor (CI) and dorsal unpaired median (DUMETi). Their distributions were examined by combined electrophysiological tracing and EM sectioning. The mean diameter of muscle fibres in different regions varies from 40 to 140 micrometer and is related to the local leg thickness rather than muscle fibre type. The fine structure of a fibre is related to its innervation. Fibres innervated by FETi but not SETi are of fast type ultrastructurally. Fibres innervated by SETi but not by FETi are of slow type ultrastructurally. Fibres innervated by both axons are generally intermediate between the extremes though more nearly of fast type than slow. Distal slow muscle fibres have much slower relaxation rates than do proximal ones. The most proximal bundles are of mixed muscle fibre type. There is an abrupt transition from a mixed population to homogeneous fast type, in the muscle units immediately distal to the most proximal bundles. This transition is associated with the presence of DUMETi terminals on some of the fibres distal to the transition point. There are no SETi endings on these same fibres. Fibres innervated by both SETi and FETi are scattered throughout the leg, but are commonest in the dorsal bundles. The percentage of these increases progressively passing distally. The most distal muscle fibres are innervated by SETi but not by FETi. It is concluded that different regions of the muscle will play different roles functionally since they are differentially sensitive to the pattern of SETi discharge.

Nonlinear Optics and Solitons in Photonic Crystal Fibres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skryabin, Dmitry V.; Wadsworth, William J.

The fibre optics revolution in communication technologies followed the 1950's demonstration of the glass fibres with dielectric cladding [1]. Transmission applications of fibre optics have become a dominant modern day technology not least because nonlinearities present in - or introduced into - glass and enhanced by the tight focusing of the fibre modes allow for numerous light processing techniques, such as amplification, frequency conversion, pulse shaping, and many others. For these reasons, and because of the rich fundamental physics behind it, nonlinear fibre optics has become a blossoming discipline in its own right [1]. The 1990's witnessed another important development in fibre optics. Once again it came from a new approach to the fibre cladding, comprising a periodic pattern of air holes separated by glass membranes forming a photonic crystal structure [2, 3]. This prompted the name Photonic Crystal Fibres (PCFs). The fascinating story behind the invention of PCF and research into various fibre designs can be found, e.g., in [4]. Our aim here is to review the role played by PCFs in nonlinear and quantum optics, which is becoming the mainstream of the PCF related research and applications. Our focus will be on the areas where PCFs have brought to life effects and applications which were previously difficult, impossible to observe or simply not thought about.

Histochemical characteristics of a tonic smooth muscle.

PubMed

Gilloteaux, J; Stalmans-Falys, M

1979-09-01

It is suggested that ABRM, smooth muscle of Mytilus edulis L. and Mytilus galloprovincialis Lmk. (Mollusca Pelecypoda), is composed of one histochemical fibre type. The fibres are characterized by a low myofibrillar ATPase activity. Succinic and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidoreductase activities are distributed in a reverse pattern than that of the ATPase activity. Glycogen phosphorylase is richly represented in ABRM fibres and this detection is in opposition with the negative detection of alkaline phosphatase activity. These preliminary histochemical observations are similar to those found in some vertebrate smooth muscles. Mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate, 6-phosphogluconate, lactate and octopine dehydrogenases are not detected in muscle fibres whereas glio-interstitial tissues show weak but distinct reactivity. These last results especially characterize Mytilus catch fibres and are briefly discussed in relationship with previous physiological, biochemical and morphological observations.

Mechanical properties and flexure behaviour of lightweight foamed concrete incorporating coir fibre

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohamad, Noridah; Afif Iman, Muhamad; Othuman Mydin, M. A.; Samad, A. A. A.; Rosli, J. A.; Noorwirdawati, A.

2018-04-01

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the mechanical properties and flexural behaviour of lightweight foamed concrete (LFC) with added coir fibre as filler. The compressive strength (Pt), tensile strength (Ft), modulus of elasticity (E), ultimate load and crack pattern of the foamed concrete were determined. The coir fibre was added to the foamed concrete mixture at 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% of the total weight of cement. Effects of various percentage of coir fibre used on foam concrete’s mechanical and properties and flexural behaviour were studied and analysed. It was found that the increase percentage of fibre resulted in increase in compressive strength, tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of LFC mixture. LFC with added coir of 0.3% experienced the smallest crack propagation.

Demonstration of Raman-based, dispersion-managed VCSEL technology for fibre-to-the-hut application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rotich Kipnoo, E. K.; Kiboi Boiyo, D.; Isoe, G. M.; Chabata, T. V.; Gamatham, R. R. G.; Leitch, A. W. R.; Gibbon, T. B.

2017-03-01

For the first time, we experimentally investigate the use of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) in the fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) flavour for Africa, known as fibre-to-the-hut. Fibre-to-the-hut is a VCSEL based passive optical network technology designed and optimized for African continent. VCSELs have attracted attention in optical communication due to its vast advantages; low power consumption, relatively cheap costs among others. A 4.25 Gb/s uncooled VCSEL is used in a dispersion managed, Raman assisted network achieving beyond 100 km of error free transmission suited for FTTHut scenario. Energy-efficient high performance VCSEL is modulated using a 27-1 PRBS pattern and the signal transmitted on a G.655 fibre utilizing the minimum attenuation window.

On the Colours of Spider Orb-Webs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Suhr, Wilfried; Schlichting, H. Joachim

2011-01-01

A sticky capture thread from the spiral element of spider orb-webs is formed of almost regularly spaced droplets that surround a supporting axial fibre. From the perspective of physical optics it represents a periodic linear array of scattering elements that acts as a diffraction grating. This is a novel aspect, which is of vital importance for…

Cellulose nanocrystal from pomelo (C. Grandis osbeck) albedo: Chemical, morphology and crystallinity evaluation

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

Zain, Nor Fazelin Mat; Yusop, Salma Mohamad; Ahmad, Ishak

Citrus peel is one of the under-utilized waste materials that have potential in producing a valuable fibre, which are cellulose and cellulose nanocrystal. Cellulose was first isolated from pomelo (C. Grandis Osbeck) albedo by combination of alkali treatment and bleaching process, followed by acid hydrolysis (65% H{sub 2}SO{sub 4}, 45 °C, 45min) to produce cellulose nanocrystal. The crystalline, structural, morphological and chemical properties of both materials were studied. Result reveals the crystallinity index obtained from X-ray diffraction for cellulose nanocrystal was found higher than extracted cellulose with the value of 60.27% and 57.47%, respectively. Fourier transform infrared showed that themore » chemical treatments removed most of the hemicellulose and lignin from the pomelo albedo fibre. This has been confirmed further by SEM and TEM for their morphological studies. These results showed that cellulose and cellulose nanocrystal were successfully obtained from pomelo albedo and might be potentially used in producing functional fibres for food application.« less

Macroscopic fibres of CNTs as electrodes for multifunctional electric double layer capacitors: from quantum capacitance to device performance.

PubMed

Senokos, E; Reguero, V; Palma, J; Vilatela, J J; Marcilla, Rebeca

2016-02-14

In this work we present a combined electrochemical and mechanical study of mesoporous electrodes based on CNT fibres in the context of electric double layer capacitors. We show that through control of the synthetic and assembly processes of the fibres, it is possible to obtain an active material that combines a surface area of 250 m(2) g(-1), high electrical conductivity (3.5 × 10(5) S m(-1)) and mechanical properties in the high-performance range including toughness (35 J g(-1)) comparable to that of aramid fibre (e.g. Kevlar). These properties are a consequence of the predominant orientation of the CNTs, observed by wide- and small-angle X-ray diffraction, and to the exceptionally long CNT length on the millimetre scale. Cyclic voltammetry measurements in a three-electrode configuration and using 1-butyl-3-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (PYR14TFSI) ionic liquid electrolyte, show that the CNT fibres have a large quantum capacitance, evidenced by the near linear dependence of geometric capacitance (and conductivity) on potential bias. This reflects the low dimensionality of the CNT building blocks, which were purposely synthesised to have 1-5 layers and a high degree of graphitization. From the charge-discharge measurements of supercapacitor devices with symmetric CNT fibre electrodes we obtain power and energy densities as high as 58 kW kg(-1) and 14 Wh kg(-1), respectively. These record-high values for CNT fibre-based supercapacitors, are a consequence of the low equivalent series resistance due to the high conductivity of the fibres, the large contribution from quantum capacitance, and the wide stability window of the ionic liquid (3.5 V). Cycle life experiments demonstrate stable capacitance and energy retention over 10,000 cycles of charge-discharge at 3.5 V.

Orthogonal muscle fibres have different instructive roles in planarian regeneration.

PubMed

Scimone, M Lucila; Cote, Lauren E; Reddien, Peter W

2017-11-30

The ability to regenerate missing body parts exists throughout the animal kingdom. Positional information is crucial for regeneration, but how it is harboured and used by differentiated tissues is poorly understood. In planarians, positional information has been identified from study of phenotypes caused by RNA interference in which the wrong tissues are regenerated. For example, inhibition of the Wnt signalling pathway leads to regeneration of heads in place of tails. Characterization of these phenotypes has led to the identification of position control genes (PCGs)-genes that are expressed in a constitutive and regional manner and are associated with patterning. Most PCGs are expressed within planarian muscle; however, how muscle is specified and how different muscle subsets affect regeneration is unknown. Here we show that different muscle fibres have distinct regulatory roles during regeneration in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea. myoD is required for formation of a specific muscle cell subset: the longitudinal fibres, oriented along the anterior-posterior axis. Loss of longitudinal fibres led to complete regeneration failure because of defects in regeneration initiation. A different transcription factor-encoding gene, nkx1-1, is required for the formation of circular fibres, oriented along the medial-lateral axis. Loss of circular fibres led to a bifurcated anterior-posterior axis with fused heads forming in single anterior blastemas. Whereas muscle is often viewed as a strictly contractile tissue, these findings reveal that different muscle types have distinct and specific regulatory roles in wound signalling and patterning to enable regeneration.

Differentiation of original and regenerated skeletal muscle fibres in mdx dystrophic muscles.

PubMed

Earnshaw, John C; Kyprianou, Phillip; Krishan, Kewal; Dhoot, Gurtej K

2002-07-01

The differentiation of both original muscle fibres and the regenerated muscle fibres following necrosis in mdx muscles was investigated using immunoblotting and immunocytochemical procedures. Before the onset of necrosis, postnatal skeletal muscles in mdx mouse differentiated well with only a slight delay in differentiation indicated by the level of developmental isoforms of troponin T. Prior to the onset of apparent myopathic change, both fast and slow skeletal muscle fibre types in mdx leg muscles also differentiated well when investigated by analysis of specific myosin heavy chain expression pattern. While the original muscle fibres in mdx leg muscles developed well, the differentiation of regenerated myotubes into both slow and distinct fast muscle fibre types, however, was markedly delayed or inhibited as indicated by several clusters of homogeneously staining fibres even at 14 weeks of age. The number of slow myosin heavy chain-positive myotubes amongst the regenerated muscle clusters was quite small even in soleus. This study thus established that while muscle fibres initially develop normally with only a slight delay in the differentiation process, the differentiation of regenerated myotubes in mdx muscles is markedly compromised and consequently delayed.

Potential Benefits of Dietary Fibre Intervention in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

PubMed

Wong, Celestine; Harris, Philip J; Ferguson, Lynnette R

2016-06-14

Intestinal dysbiosis is thought to be an important cause of disease progression and the gastrointestinal symptoms experienced in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Inflammation appears to be a major contributor in perpetuating a dysregulated gut microbiota. Although current drug therapies can significantly induce and maintain disease remission, there is no cure for these diseases. Nevertheless, ongoing human studies investigating dietary fibre interventions may potentially prove to exert beneficial outcomes for IBD. Postulated mechanisms include direct interactions with the gut mucosa through immunomodulation, or indirectly through the microbiome. Component species of the microbiome may degrade dietary-fibre polysaccharides and ferment the products to form short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate. Prebiotic dietary fibres may also act more directly by altering the composition of the microbiome. Longer term benefits in reducing the risk of more aggressive disease or colorectal cancer may require other dietary fibre sources such as wheat bran or psyllium. By critically examining clinical trials that have used dietary fibre supplements or dietary patterns containing specific types or amounts of dietary fibres, it may be possible to assess whether varying the intake of specific dietary fibres may offer an efficient treatment for IBD patients.

Recalcitrant vulnerability curves: methods of analysis and the concept of fibre bridges for enhanced cavitation resistance.

PubMed

Cai, Jing; Li, Shan; Zhang, Haixin; Zhang, Shuoxin; Tyree, Melvin T

2014-01-01

Vulnerability curves (VCs) generally can be fitted to the Weibull equation; however, a growing number of VCs appear to be recalcitrant, that is, deviate from a Weibull but seem to fit dual Weibull curves. We hypothesize that dual Weibull curves in Hippophae rhamnoides L. are due to different vessel diameter classes, inter-vessel hydraulic connections or vessels versus fibre tracheids. We used dye staining techniques, hydraulic measurements and quantitative anatomy measurements to test these hypotheses. The fibres contribute 1.3% of the total stem conductivity, which eliminates the hypothesis that fibre tracheids account for the second Weibull curve. Nevertheless, the staining pattern of vessels and fibre tracheids suggested that fibres might function as a hydraulic bridge between adjacent vessels. We also argue that fibre bridges are safer than vessel-to-vessel pits and put forward the concept as a new paradigm. Hence, we tentatively propose that the first Weibull curve may be accounted by vessels connected to each other directly by pit fields, while the second Weibull curve is associated with vessels that are connected almost exclusively by fibre bridges. Further research is needed to test the concept of fibre bridge safety in species that have recalcitrant or normal Weibull curves. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Study on effects of different patterns and cracking for wastes FRP (used banner) wrapping on compressive strength of confined concrete

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Syazani Leman, Alif; Shahidan, Shahiron; Azmi, M. A. M.; Syamir Senin, Mohamad; Ali, N.; Abdullah, S. R.; Zuki, S. S. Mohd; Ibrahim, M. H. Wan; Nazri, Fadzli Mohamed

2017-11-01

Previous researches have shown that FRP are being introduce into wide variety of civil engineering applications. Fibre Reinforce Concrete (FRP) are also used as repairing method in concrete structures. FRP such as S-glass, AR-glass, E-glass, C-glass, and Aramid Fibre are the common material used in industry. The FRP strips provide the necessary longitudinal and hoop reinforcement. However, there are lots waste materials that can be form as fibre and used in repairing. Banner is a type of waste material fibre that can be used in repairing. In this study, banner will be used as the replacement of the common FRP. The confined concrete (cylinder) of 300mm height and 150mm diameter were cast with M35 grade concrete and tested until it is crack. Next banner are used as the wrapping along the cracking of the concrete with three different pattern that are full wrapping, two band wrapping and cross wrapping using epoxy. Epoxy is a common name for a type of strong adhesive used for sticking things together and covering surface. The objective of this study is to determine the maximum strength and the effect of different patterns wrapping of FRP (banner) on the compressive strength of confined concrete. The results are shows that banner are suitable as a replacement of material for FRP.

Motor unit activation patterns during concentric wrist flexion in humans with different muscle fibre composition.

PubMed

Søgaard, K; Christensen, H; Fallentin, N; Mizuno, M; Quistorff, B; Sjøgaard, G

1998-10-01

Muscle activity was recorded from the flexor carpi radialis muscle during static and dynamic-concentric wrist flexion in six subjects, who had exhibited large differences in histochemically identified muscle fibre composition. Motor unit recruitment patterns were identified by sampling 310 motor units and counting firing rates in pulses per second (pps). During concentric wrist flexion at 30% of maximal exercise intensity the mean firing rate was 27 (SD 13) pps. This was around twice the value of 12 (SD 5) pps recorded during sustained static contraction at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction, despite a larger absolute force level during the static contraction. A similar pattern of higher firing rates during dynamic exercise was seen when concentric wrist flexion at 60% of maximal exercise intensity [30 (SD 14) pps] was compared with sustained static contraction at 60% of maximal voluntary contraction [19 (SD 8) pps]. The increase in dynamic exercise intensity was accomplished by recruitment of additional motor units rather than by increasing the firing rate as during static contractions. No difference in mean firing rates was found among subjects with different muscle fibre composition, who had previously exhibited marked differences in metabolic response during corresponding dynamic contractions. It was concluded that during submaximal dynamic contractions motor unit firing rate cannot be deduced from observations during static contractions and that muscle fibre composition may play a minor role.

Dietary patterns and metabolic syndrome factors in a non-diabetic Italian population.

PubMed

Leite, Maria Léa Corrêa; Nicolosi, Alfredo

2009-09-01

To examine the relationship between dietary patterns and metabolic syndrome. Population-based cross-sectional study. The K-means clustering method was used to identify dietary patterns and logistic regression models were used to compare the adjusted prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome factors, stratifying by obesity status. The 1992-3 Italian Bollate Eye Study, a population-based survey carried out in the town of Bollate (Milan), Italy. A total of 1052 non-diabetic Italian subjects, 527 men and 525 women, aged 42-74 years. Five dietary clusters were identified: common, animal products, starch, vegetal/fat and vitamin/fibre. After adjusting for potential confounders, the starch group showed the highest prevalence of metabolic syndrome (36%) followed by the animal products group (30%); the vitamin/fibre (20%) and vegetal/fat groups (19%) showed the lowest prevalence. The starch group had more dyslipidaemia (higher TAG and lower HDL cholesterol levels) and the animal products group had a higher prevalence of impaired fasting glucose. The vitamin/fibre group had the lowest prevalence of abdominal obesity. The beneficial effect of the vegetal/fat and vitamin/fibre dietary patterns seemed stronger among the obese. Our results confirm the deleterious effect of a very-low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet and also of high intakes of animal products. The consumption of a diet high in vegetal fats or rich in fruits and vegetables is associated with a healthier metabolic profile. Reducing obesity is essential to prevent metabolic syndrome, but even among the obese dietary habits are important for preserving healthy lipid and glycaemic profiles.

Quantitative evaluation of high-resolution features in images of negatively stained Tobacco Mosaic Virus.

PubMed

Chang, C F; Williams, R C; Grano, D A; Downing, K H; Glaeser, R M

1983-01-01

This study investigates the causes of the apparent differences between the optical diffraction pattern of a micrograph of a Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) particle, the optical diffraction pattern of a ten-fold photographically averaged image, and the computed diffraction pattern of the original micrograph. Peak intensities along the layer lines in the transform of the averaged image appear to be quite unlike those in the diffraction pattern of the original micrograph, and the diffraction intensities for the averaged image extend to unexpectedly high resolution. A carefully controlled, quantitative comparison reveals, however, that the optical diffraction pattern of the original micrograph and that of the ten-fold averaged image are essentially equivalent. Using computer-based image processing, we discovered that the peak intensities on the 6th layer line have values very similar in magnitude to the neighboring noise, in contrast to what was expected from the optical diffraction pattern of the original micrograph. This discrepancy was resolved by recording a series of optical diffraction patterns when the original micrograph was immersed in oil. These patterns revealed the presence of a substantial phase grating effect, which exaggerated the peak intensities on the 6th layer line, causing an erroneous impression that the high resolution features possessed a good signal-to-noise ratio. This study thus reveals some pitfalls and misleading results that can be encountered when using optical diffraction patterns to evaluate image quality.

High-intensity fibre laser design for micro-machining applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ortiz-Neria, D. I.; Martinez-Piñón, F.; Hernandez-Escamilla, H.; Alvarez-Chavez, J. A.

2010-11-01

This work is focused on the design of a 250W high-intensity continuous-wave fibre optic laser with a 15μm spot size beam and a beam parameter product (BPP) of 1.8 for its use on Laser-assisted Cold Spray process (LCS) in the micro-machining areas. The metal-powder deposition process LCS, is a novel method based on Cold Spray technique (CS) assisted by laser technology. The LCS accelerates metal powders by the use of a high-pressure gas in order to achieve flash welding of particles over substrate. In LCS, the critical velocity of impact is lower with respect with CS while the powder particle is heated before the deposition by a laser beam. Furthermore, LCS does not heat the powder to achieve high temperatures as it happens in plasma processes. This property puts aside cooling problems which normally happen in sintered processes with high oxygen/nitrogen concentration levels. LCS will be used not only in deposition of thin layers. After careful design, proof of concept, experimental data, and prototype development, it should be feasible to perform micro-machining precise work with the use of the highintensity fibre laser presented in this work, and selective deposition of particles, in a similar way to the well-known Direct Metal Laser Sintering process (DMLS). The fibre laser consists on a large-mode area, Yb3+-doped, semi-diffraction limited, 25-m fibre laser cavity, operating in continuous wave regime. The fibre shows an arguably high slope-efficiency with no signs of roll-over. The measured M2 value is 1.8 and doping concentration of 15000ppm. It was made with a slight modification of the traditional MCVD technique. A full optical characterization will be presented.

Graphene chiral liquid crystals and macroscopic assembled fibres

PubMed Central

Xu, Zhen; Gao, Chao

2011-01-01

Chirality and liquid crystals are both widely expressed in nature and biology. Helical assembly of mesophasic molecules and colloids may produce intriguing chiral liquid crystals. To date, chiral liquid crystals of 2D colloids have not been explored. As a typical 2D colloid, graphene is now receiving unprecedented attention. However, making macroscopic graphene fibres is hindered by the poor dispersibility of graphene and by the lack of an assembly method. Here we report that soluble, chemically oxidized graphene or graphene oxide sheets can form chiral liquid crystals in a twist-grain-boundary phase-like model with simultaneous lamellar ordering and long-range helical frustrations. Aqueous graphene oxide liquid crystals were continuously spun into metres of macroscopic graphene oxide fibres; subsequent chemical reduction gave the first macroscopic neat graphene fibres with high conductivity and good mechanical performance. The flexible, strong graphene fibres were knitted into designed patterns and into directionally conductive textiles. PMID:22146390

The share of ultra-processed foods determines the overall nutritional quality of diets in Brazil.

PubMed

Louzada, Maria Laura da Costa; Ricardo, Camila Zancheta; Steele, Euridice Martinez; Levy, Renata Bertazzi; Cannon, Geoffrey; Monteiro, Carlos Augusto

2018-01-01

To estimate the dietary share of ultra-processed foods and to determine its association with the overall nutritional quality of diets in Brazil. Cross-sectional. Brazil. A representative sample of 32 898 Brazilians aged ≥10 years was studied. Food intake data were collected. We calculated the average dietary content of individual nutrients and compared them across quintiles of energy share of ultra-processed foods. Then we identified nutrient-based dietary patterns, and evaluated the association between quintiles of dietary share of ultra-processed foods and the patterns' scores. The mean per capita daily dietary energy intake was 7933 kJ (1896 kcal), with 58·1 % from unprocessed or minimally processed foods, 10·9 % from processed culinary ingredients, 10·6 % from processed foods and 20·4 % from ultra-processed foods. Consumption of ultra-processed foods was directly associated with high consumption of free sugars and total, saturated and trans fats, and with low consumption of protein, dietary fibre, and most of the assessed vitamins and minerals. Four nutrient-based dietary patterns were identified. 'Healthy pattern 1' carried more protein and micronutrients, and less free sugars. 'Healthy pattern 2' carried more vitamins. 'Healthy pattern 3' carried more dietary fibre and minerals and less free sugars. 'Unhealthy pattern' carried more total, saturated and trans fats, and less dietary fibre. The dietary share of ultra-processed foods was inversely associated with 'healthy pattern 1' (-0·16; 95 % CI -0·17, -0·15) and 'healthy pattern 3' (-0·18; 95 % CI -0·19, -0·17), and directly associated with 'unhealthy pattern' (0·17; 95 % CI 0·15, 0·18). Dietary share of ultra-processed foods determines the overall nutritional quality of diets in Brazil.

Diffraction Correlation to Reconstruct Highly Strained Particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, Douglas; Harder, Ross; Clark, Jesse; Kim, J. W.; Kiefer, Boris; Fullerton, Eric; Shpyrko, Oleg; Fohtung, Edwin

2015-03-01

Through the use of coherent x-ray diffraction a three-dimensional diffraction pattern of a highly strained nano-crystal can be recorded in reciprocal space by a detector. Only the intensities are recorded, resulting in a loss of the complex phase. The recorded diffraction pattern therefore requires computational processing to reconstruct the density and complex distribution of the diffracted nano-crystal. For highly strained crystals, standard methods using HIO and ER algorithms are no longer sufficient to reconstruct the diffraction pattern. Our solution is to correlate the symmetry in reciprocal space to generate an a priori shape constraint to guide the computational reconstruction of the diffraction pattern. This approach has improved the ability to accurately reconstruct highly strained nano-crystals.

Mortality patterns of rock and slag mineral wool production workers: an epidemiological and environmental study.

PubMed Central

Robinson, C F; Dement, J M; Ness, G O; Waxweiler, R J

1982-01-01

An epidemiological and environmental study of rock and slag mineral wool production workers was undertaken at a plant that has been in operation since the early 1900s. Size characteristics of fibres produced by each process at the plant and data from industrial hygiene surveys were used to evaluate current and past exposures. These data suggest that the average historical airborne fibre concentration probably did not exceed 2.5 fibres/cc before 1935 and 1.0 fibre/cc after 1935. A retrospective cohort mortality study was designed to assess mortality patterns. Detailed occupational histories were compiled on all plant employees. All jobs in the plant were assigned to one of eight potential exposure categories to assess the extent and severity of mineral wool exposure and the effect of other significant exposures on employee mortality. Findings included an increase in the number of deaths due to cancer of the digestive system and non-malignant respiratory disease among workers who had over 20 years' exposure to mineral wool or who had survived 20 years since their first exposure to mineral wool. These findings are not inconsistent with those of Enterline's (Symposium on Biological Effects of Mineral Fibres, Lyon, France, September 1979) in the Thermal Insulation Manufacturers' Association's mortality study of men employed in four mineral wool plants. PMID:6279138

An experimental study of mechanical behavior of natural fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ratna, Sanatan; Misra, Sheelam

2018-05-01

Fibre-reinforced polymer composites have played a dominant role for a long time in a variety of applications for their high specific strength and modulus. The fibre which serves as a reinforcement in reinforced plastics may be synthetic or natural. Past studies show that only synthetic fibres such as glass, carbon etc., have been used in fibre reinforced plastics. Although glass and other synthetic fibre-reinforced plastics possess high specific strength, their fields of application are very limited because of their inherent higher cost of production. In this connection, an investigation has been carried out to make use of horse hair, an animal fibre abundantly available in India. Animal fibres are not only strong and lightweight but also relatively very cheaper than mineral fibre. The present work describes the development and characterization of a new set of animal fiber based polymer composites consisting of horse hair as reinforcement and epoxy resin. The newly developed composites are characterized with respect to their mechanical characteristics. Experiments are carried out to study the effect of fibre length on mechanical behavior of these epoxy based polymer composites. Composite made form horse hair can be used as a potential reinforcing material for many structural and non-structural applications. This work can be further extended to study other aspects of such composites like effect of fiber content, loading pattern, fibre treatment on mechanical behavior of horse hair based polymer horse hair.

Regional variations in the density and arrangement of elastic fibres in the anulus fibrosus of the human lumbar disc

PubMed Central

Smith, Lachlan J; Fazzalari, Nicola L

2006-01-01

Elastic fibres are critical components of the extracellular matrix in dynamic biological structures that undergo extension and recoil. Their presence has been demonstrated in the anulus fibrosus of the human lumbar intervertebral disc; however, a detailed regional analysis of their density and arrangement has not been undertaken, limiting our understanding of their structural and functional roles. In this investigation we have quantitatively described regional variations in elastic fibre density in the anulus fibrosus of the human L3–L4 intervertebral disc using histochemistry and light microscopy. Additionally, a multiplanar comparison of patterns of elastic fibre distribution in the intralamellar and interlamellar zones was undertaken. Novel imaging techniques were developed to facilitate the visualization of elastic fibres otherwise masked by dense surrounding matrix. Elastic fibre density was found to be significantly higher in the lamellae of the posterolateral region of the anulus than the anterolateral, and significantly higher in the outer regions than the inner, suggesting that elastic fibre density in each region of the anulus is commensurate with the magnitude of the tensile deformations experienced in bending and torsion. Elastic fibre arrangments in intralamellar and interlamellar zones were shown to be architecturally distinct, suggesting that they perform multiple functional roles within the anulus matrix structural hierarchy. PMID:16928204

Encryption method based on pseudo random spatial light modulation for single-fibre data transmission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kowalski, Marcin; Zyczkowski, Marek

2017-11-01

Optical cryptosystems can provide encryption and sometimes compression simultaneously. They are increasingly attractive for information securing especially for image encryption. Our studies shown that the optical cryptosystems can be used to encrypt optical data transmission. We propose and study a new method for securing fibre data communication. The paper presents a method for optical encryption of data transmitted with a single optical fibre. The encryption process relies on pseudo-random spatial light modulation, combination of two encryption keys and the Compressed Sensing framework. A linear combination of light pulses with pseudo-random patterns provides a required encryption performance. We propose an architecture to transmit the encrypted data through the optical fibre. The paper describes the method, presents the theoretical analysis, design of physical model and results of experiment.

"Fast" and "slow" muscle fibres in hindlimb muscles of adult rats regenerate from intrinsically different satellite cells.

PubMed

Kalhovde, J M; Jerkovic, R; Sefland, I; Cordonnier, C; Calabria, E; Schiaffino, S; Lømo, T

2005-02-01

Myosin heavy chain (MyHC) expression was examined in regenerating fast extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and slow soleus (SOL) muscles of adult rats. Myotoxic bupivacaine was injected into SOL and EDL and the muscles were either denervated or neuromuscularly blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX) on the sciatic nerve. Three to 10 or 30 days later, denervated SOL or EDL, or innervated but neuromuscularly blocked EDL received a slow 20 Hz stimulus pattern through electrodes implanted on the muscles or along the fibular nerve to EDL below the TTX block. In addition, denervated SOL and EDL received a fast 100 Hz stimulus pattern. Denervated EDL and SOL stimulated with the same slow stimulus pattern expressed different amounts of type 1 MyHC protein (8% versus 35% at 10 days, 13% versus 87% at 30 days). Stimulated denervated and stimulated innervated (TTX blocked) EDL expressed the same amounts of type 1, 2A, 2X and 2B MyHC proteins. Cross-sections treated for in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry showed expression of type 1 MyHC in all SOL fibres but only in some scattered single or smaller groups of fibres in EDL. The results suggest that muscle fibres regenerate from intrinsically different satellite cells in EDL and SOL and within EDL. However, induction by different extrinsic factors arising in extracellular matrix or from muscle position and usage in the limb has not been excluded. No evidence for nerve-derived trophic influences was obtained.

Ontogenetic relationships between in vivo strain environment, bone histomorphometry and growth in the goat radius

PubMed Central

Main, Russell P

2007-01-01

Vertebrate long bone form, at both the gross and the microstructural level, is the result of many interrelated influences. One factor that is considered to have a significant effect on bone form is the mechanical environment experienced by the bone during growth. The work presented here examines the possible relationships between in vivo bone strains, bone geometry and histomorphology in the radii of three age/size groups of domestic goats. In vivo bone strain data were collected from the radii of galloping goats, and the regional cortical distribution of peak axial strain magnitudes, radial and circumferential strain gradients, and longitudinal strain rates related to regional patterns in cortical growth, porosity, remodelling and collagen fibre orientation. Although porosity and remodelling decreased and increased with age, respectively, these features showed no significant regional differences and did not correspond to regional patterns in the mechanical environment. Thicker regions of the radius's cortex were significantly related to high strain levels and higher rates of periosteal, but not endosteal, growth. However, cortical growth and strain environment were not significantly related. Collagen fibre orientation varied regionally, with a higher percentage of transverse fibres in the caudal region of the radius and primarily longitudinal fibres elsewhere, and, although consistent through growth, also did not generally correspond to regional strain patterns. Although strain magnitudes increased during ontogeny and regional strain patterns were variable over the course of a stride, mean regional strain patterns were generally consistent with growth, suggesting that regional growth patterns and histomorphology, in combination with external loads, may play some role in producing a relatively ‘predictable’ strain environment within the radius. It is further hypothesized that the absence of correlation between regional histomorphometric patterns and the measured strain environments is the result of the variable mechanical environment. However, the potential effects of other physiological and mechanical factors, such as skeletal metabolism and adjacent muscle insertions, that can influence the gross and microstructural morphology of the radius during ontogeny, cannot be ignored. PMID:17331177

Efficient photonic reformatting of celestial light for diffraction-limited spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

MacLachlan, D. G.; Harris, R. J.; Gris-Sánchez, I.; Morris, T. J.; Choudhury, D.; Gendron, E.; Basden, A. G.; Spaleniak, I.; Arriola, A.; Birks, T. A.; Allington-Smith, J. R.; Thomson, R. R.

2017-02-01

The spectral resolution of a dispersive astronomical spectrograph is limited by the trade-off between throughput and the width of the entrance slit. Photonic guided wave transitions have been proposed as a route to bypass this trade-off, by enabling the efficient reformatting of incoherent seeing-limited light collected by the telescope into a linear array of single modes: a pseudo-slit which is highly multimode in one axis but diffraction-limited in the dispersion axis of the spectrograph. It is anticipated that the size of a single-object spectrograph fed with light in this manner would be essentially independent of the telescope aperture size. A further anticipated benefit is that such spectrographs would be free of `modal noise', a phenomenon that occurs in high-resolution multimode fibre-fed spectrographs due to the coherent nature of the telescope point spread function (PSF). We seek to address these aspects by integrating a multicore fibre photonic lantern with an ultrafast laser inscribed three-dimensional waveguide interconnect to spatially reformat the modes within the PSF into a diffraction-limited pseudo-slit. Using the CANARY adaptive optics (AO) demonstrator on the William Herschel Telescope, and 1530 ± 80 nm stellar light, the device exhibits a transmission of 47-53 per cent depending upon the mode of AO correction applied. We also show the advantage of using AO to couple light into such a device by sampling only the core of the CANARY PSF. This result underscores the possibility that a fully optimized guided-wave device can be used with AO to provide efficient spectroscopy at high spectral resolution.

Investigation of the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Copper-Graphite Composites Reinforced with Single-Crystal α-Al₂O₃ Fibres by Hot Isostatic Pressing.

PubMed

Zhang, Guihang; Jiang, Xiaosong; Qiao, ChangJun; Shao, Zhenyi; Zhu, Degui; Zhu, Minhao; Valcarcel, Victor

2018-06-11

Single-crystal α-Al₂O₃ fibres can be utilized as a novel reinforcement in high-temperature composites owing to their high elastic modulus, chemical and thermal stability. Unlike non-oxide fibres and polycrystalline alumina fibres, high-temperature oxidation and polycrystalline particles boundary growth will not occur for single-crystal α-Al₂O₃ fibres. In this work, single-crystal α-Al₂O₃ whiskers and Al₂O₃ particles synergistic reinforced copper-graphite composites were fabricated by mechanical alloying and hot isostatic pressing techniques. The phase compositions, microstructures, and fracture morphologies of the composites were investigated using X-ray diffraction, a scanning electron microscope equipped with an X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS), an electron probe microscopic analysis equipped with wavelength-dispersive spectrometer, and a transmission electron microscope equipped with EDS. The mechanical properties have been measured by a micro-hardness tester and electronic universal testing machine. The results show that the reinforcements were unevenly distributed in the matrix with the increase of their content and there were some micro-cracks located at the interface between the reinforcement and the matrix. With the increase of the Al₂O₃ whisker content, the compressive strength of the composites first increased and then decreased, while the hardness decreased. The fracture and strengthening mechanisms of the composite materials were explored on the basis of the structure and composition of the composites through the formation and function of the interface. The main strengthening mechanism in the composites was fine grain strengthening and solid solution strengthening. The fracture type of the composites was brittle fracture.

Data processing software suite SITENNO for coherent X-ray diffraction imaging using the X-ray free-electron laser SACLA.

PubMed

Sekiguchi, Yuki; Oroguchi, Tomotaka; Takayama, Yuki; Nakasako, Masayoshi

2014-05-01

Coherent X-ray diffraction imaging is a promising technique for visualizing the structures of non-crystalline particles with dimensions of micrometers to sub-micrometers. Recently, X-ray free-electron laser sources have enabled efficient experiments in the `diffraction before destruction' scheme. Diffraction experiments have been conducted at SPring-8 Angstrom Compact free-electron LAser (SACLA) using the custom-made diffraction apparatus KOTOBUKI-1 and two multiport CCD detectors. In the experiments, ten thousands of single-shot diffraction patterns can be collected within several hours. Then, diffraction patterns with significant levels of intensity suitable for structural analysis must be found, direct-beam positions in diffraction patterns determined, diffraction patterns from the two CCD detectors merged, and phase-retrieval calculations for structural analyses performed. A software suite named SITENNO has been developed to semi-automatically apply the four-step processing to a huge number of diffraction data. Here, details of the algorithm used in the suite are described and the performance for approximately 9000 diffraction patterns collected from cuboid-shaped copper oxide particles reported. Using the SITENNO suite, it is possible to conduct experiments with data processing immediately after the data collection, and to characterize the size distribution and internal structures of the non-crystalline particles.

Data processing software suite SITENNO for coherent X-ray diffraction imaging using the X-ray free-electron laser SACLA

PubMed Central

Sekiguchi, Yuki; Oroguchi, Tomotaka; Takayama, Yuki; Nakasako, Masayoshi

2014-01-01

Coherent X-ray diffraction imaging is a promising technique for visualizing the structures of non-crystalline particles with dimensions of micrometers to sub-micrometers. Recently, X-ray free-electron laser sources have enabled efficient experiments in the ‘diffraction before destruction’ scheme. Diffraction experiments have been conducted at SPring-8 Angstrom Compact free-electron LAser (SACLA) using the custom-made diffraction apparatus KOTOBUKI-1 and two multiport CCD detectors. In the experiments, ten thousands of single-shot diffraction patterns can be collected within several hours. Then, diffraction patterns with significant levels of intensity suitable for structural analysis must be found, direct-beam positions in diffraction patterns determined, diffraction patterns from the two CCD detectors merged, and phase-retrieval calculations for structural analyses performed. A software suite named SITENNO has been developed to semi-automatically apply the four-step processing to a huge number of diffraction data. Here, details of the algorithm used in the suite are described and the performance for approximately 9000 diffraction patterns collected from cuboid-shaped copper oxide particles reported. Using the SITENNO suite, it is possible to conduct experiments with data processing immediately after the data collection, and to characterize the size distribution and internal structures of the non-crystalline particles. PMID:24763651

A novel cosmetic approach to treat thinning hair.

PubMed

Davis, M G; Thomas, J H; van de Velde, S; Boissy, Y; Dawson, T L; Iveson, R; Sutton, K

2011-12-01

Many of today's treatments associated with 'thinning hair', such as female pattern hair loss and telogen effluvium, are focused on two of the key aspects of the condition. Over-the-counter or prescription medications are often focused on improving scalp hair density while high-quality cosmetic products work to prevent further hair damage and minimize mid-fibre breakage. Fibre diameter is another key contributor to thinning hair, but it is less often the focus of medical or cosmetic treatments. To examine the ability of a novel leave-on technology combination [caffeine, niacinamide, panthenol, dimethicone and an acrylate polymer (CNPDA)] to affect the diameter and behaviour of individual terminal scalp hair fibres as a new approach to counteract decreasing fibre diameters. Testing methodology included fibre diameter measures via laser scan micrometer, assessment of fibre mechanical and behavioural properties via tensile break stress and torsion pendulum testing, and mechanistic studies including cryoscanning electron microscopy and autoradiographic analysis. CNPDA significantly increased the diameter of individual, existing terminal scalp hair fibres by 2-5 μm, which yields an increase in the cross-sectional area of approximately 10%. Beyond the diameter increase, the CNPDA-thickened fibres demonstrated the altered mechanical properties characteristic of thicker fibres: increased suppleness/pliability (decreased shear modulus) and better ability to withstand force without breaking (increased break stress). Although cosmetic treatments will not reverse the condition, this new approach may help to mitigate the effects of thinning hair. © 2011 Procter & Gamble. BJD © 2011 British Association of Dermatologists.

Dietary patterns and the risk of CVD and all-cause mortality in older British men.

PubMed

Atkins, Janice L; Whincup, Peter H; Morris, Richard W; Lennon, Lucy T; Papacosta, Olia; Wannamethee, S Goya

2016-10-01

Dietary patterns are a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality; however, few studies have examined this relationship in older adults. We examined prospective associations between dietary patterns and the risk of CVD and all-cause mortality in 3226 older British men, aged 60-79 years and free from CVD at baseline, from the British Regional Heart Study. Baseline FFQ data were used to generate thirty-four food groups. Principal component analysis identified dietary patterns that were categorised into quartiles, with higher quartiles representing higher adherence to the dietary pattern. Cox proportional hazards examined associations between dietary patterns and risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcomes. We identified three interpretable dietary patterns: 'high fat/low fibre' (high in red meat, meat products, white bread, fried potato, eggs), 'prudent' (high in poultry, fish, fruits, vegetables, legumes, pasta, rice, wholemeal bread, eggs, olive oil) and 'high sugar' (high in biscuits, puddings, chocolates, sweets, sweet spreads, breakfast cereals). During 11 years of follow-up, 899 deaths, 316 CVD-related deaths, 569 CVD events and 301 CHD events occurred. The 'high-fat/low-fibre' dietary pattern was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality only, after adjustment for confounders (highest v. lowest quartile; hazard ratio 1·44; 95 % CI 1·13, 1·84). Adherence to a 'high-sugar' diet was associated with a borderline significant trend for an increased risk of CVD and CHD events. The 'prudent' diet did not show a significant trend with cardiovascular outcomes or mortality. Avoiding 'high-fat/low-fibre' and 'high-sugar' dietary components may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in older adults.

Preparation of micro-fibrillated cellulose from sorghum fibre through alkalization and acetylation treatments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ismojo; Simanulang, P. H.; Zulfia, A.; Chalid, M.

2017-07-01

Recently, the pollution due to non-degradable materials including plastics, has led to needs on the development of environmental-friendly material. Owing to its biodegradability nature, sorghum fibres are interesting to be modified with petro-polymer as a composite. These materials are also expected to reduce the impact of environmental pollution. Surface modification of sorghum through chemical treatment was aimed to enhanced crystalline part of micro-fibrillated cellulose, thus increased compatibility to petro-polymer, as mean to improve composite properties. The experiments were conducted by alkalization process (10% NaOH) followed by acetylation with acetic acid glacial and acetic anhydride (CH3CO2)2 with additions of 1 and 2 drops of 25% H2SO4. Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the treated and untreated fibres. The results of investigation showed that the chemical treatments have effectively produced MFC with the smallest fibre size around 5.5 - 6.5 microns and reduced lignin and hemicellulose where the highest crystalline part up to 80.64% was obtained through acetate acid treatment of 17.4 M, followed acetic anhydride with 1 drop of H2SO4 addition. Based on the current results, it is promising that the synthesized composites can be improved for their compatibilities.

A double-fibre Fabry-Perot sensor based on modified fringe counting and direct phase demodulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, M.; Tong, B.; Arsad, N.; Guo, J. J.

2013-09-01

A modified double-fibre Fabry-Perot cavity is developed for determination of the fringe moving direction and higher sensitivity in applications of liquid level and displacement sensors. Two fibres are integrated into a silica ferrule where the ends of the two fibres in the ferrule serve as the front surfaces of the Fabry-Perot cavities, and a diaphragm, which is replaced by a moving mirror for measurement of displacement, serves as the rear surface for both cavities in liquid level sensing. Our design has no strict requirements for a specific phase difference between the two optical paths, just a constant difference resulting from the processing error between the two fibre end positions rather than a precise optical path difference of λ/8 to judge the pattern shift direction. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of this approach to determining the fringe moving direction, a displacement sensitivity of 3 µm and good linearity for both applications.

Action of trypsin on structural changes of collagen fibres from sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus).

PubMed

Liu, Zi-Qiang; Tuo, Feng-Yan; Song, Liang; Liu, Yu-Xin; Dong, Xiu-Ping; Li, Dong-Mei; Zhou, Da-Yong; Shahidi, Fereidoon

2018-08-01

Trypsin, a representative serine proteinase, was used to hydrolyse the collagen fibres from sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) to highlight the role of serine proteinase in the autolysis of sea cucumber. Partial disaggregation of collagen fibres into collagen fibrils upon trypsin treatment occurred. The trypsin treatment also caused a time-dependent release of water-soluble glycosaminoglycans and proteins. Therefore, the degradation of the proteoglycan bridges between collagen fibrils might account for the disaggregation of collagen fibrils. For trypsin-treated collagen fibres (72 h), the collagen fibrils still kept their structural integrity and showed characteristic D-banding pattern, and the dissolution rate of hydroxyproline was just 0.21%. Meanwhile, Fourier transform infrared analysis showed the collagen within trypsin-treated collagen fibres (72 h) still retaining their triple-helical conformation. These results suggested that serine proteinase participated in the autolysis of S. japonicus body wall by damaging the proteoglycan bridges between collagen fibrils and disintegrating the latter. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quantitative locomotion study of freely swimming micro-organisms using laser diffraction.

PubMed

Magnes, Jenny; Susman, Kathleen; Eells, Rebecca

2012-10-25

Soil and aquatic microscopic organisms live and behave in a complex three-dimensional environment. Most studies of microscopic organism behavior, in contrast, have been conducted using microscope-based approaches, which limit the movement and behavior to a narrow, nearly two-dimensional focal field.(1) We present a novel analytical approach that provides real-time analysis of freely swimming C. elegans in a cuvette without dependence on microscope-based equipment. This approach consists of tracking the temporal periodicity of diffraction patterns generated by directing laser light through the cuvette. We measure oscillation frequencies for freely swimming nematodes. Analysis of the far-field diffraction patterns reveals clues about the waveforms of the nematodes. Diffraction is the process of light bending around an object. In this case light is diffracted by the organisms. The light waves interfere and can form a diffraction pattern. A far-field, or Fraunhofer, diffraction pattern is formed if the screen-to-object distance is much larger than the diffracting object. In this case, the diffraction pattern can be calculated (modeled) using a Fourier transform.(2) C. elegans are free-living soil-dwelling nematodes that navigate in three dimensions. They move both on a solid matrix like soil or agar in a sinusoidal locomotory pattern called crawling and in liquid in a different pattern called swimming.(3) The roles played by sensory information provided by mechanosensory, chemosensory, and thermosensory cells that govern plastic changes in locomotory patterns and switches in patterns are only beginning to be elucidated.(4) We describe an optical approach to measuring nematode locomotion in three dimensions that does not require a microscope and will enable us to begin to explore the complexities of nematode locomotion under different conditions.

A monoclonal IgM smooth muscle antibody reactive with fibroblast stress fibres produced by immunization with Treponema pallidum.

PubMed Central

Strugnell, R A; Underwood, J R; Clarke, F M; Pedersen, J S; Chalmers, P J; Faine, S; Toh, B H

1983-01-01

A monoclonal IgM smooth muscle antibody secreted by a hybrid (MMI-1) of mouse plasmacytoma NS-1 with spleen cells from mouse immunized with Treponema pallidum was detected by indirect immunofluorescence tests on frozen tissue sections and on acetone fixed monolayers of rat and human fibroblasts. The antibody did not react with acetone fixed smears of T. pallidum but reacted with smooth muscle fibres and with striations of skeletal and cardiac muscle. In non-muscle cells, the antibody stained liver in a 'polygonal' pattern, thymus with accentuated staining of the thymic medulla, renal glomeruli and the brush border and peritubular fibrils of renal tubules. In fibroblast monolayers, the antibody stained stress fibres in an interrupted pattern. Immunoblotting with muscle proteins and the antibody showed labelling of a 100K molecule. The cellular distribution of the mouse monoclonal antibody is similar to that obtained with anti-actin antibody suggesting that the corresponding antigen may be an actin binding protein. Images Fig. 3 PMID:6347470

Computer Generated Diffraction Patterns Of Rough Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rakels, Jan H.

1989-03-01

It is generally accepted, that optical methods are the most promising for the in-process measurement of surface finish. These methods have the advantages of being non-contacting and fast data acquisition. In the Micro-Engineering Centre at the University of Warwick, an optical sensor has been devised which can measure the rms roughness, slope and wavelength of turned and precision ground surfaces. The operation of this device is based upon the Kirchhoff-Fresnel diffraction integral. Application of this theory to ideal turned surfaces is straightforward, and indeed the theoretically calculated diffraction patterns are in close agreement with patterns produced by an actual optical instrument. Since it is mathematically difficult to introduce real surface profiles into the diffraction integral, a computer program has been devised, which simulates the operation of the optical sensor. The program produces a diffraction pattern as a graphical output. Comparison between computer generated and actual diffraction patterns of the same surfaces show a high correlation.

On the diffraction pattern of bundled rare-earth silicide nanowires on Si(0 0 1).

PubMed

Timmer, F; Bahlmann, J; Wollschläger, J

2017-11-01

Motivated by the complex diffraction pattern observed for bundled rare-earth silicide nanowires on the Si(0 0 1) surface, we investigate the influence of the width and the spacing distribution of the nanowires on the diffraction pattern. The diffraction pattern of the bundled rare-earth silicide nanowires is analyzed by the binary surface technique applying a kinematic approach to diffraction. Assuming a categorical distribution for the (individual) nanowire size and a Poisson distribution for the size of the spacing between adjacent nanowire-bundles, we are able to determine the parameters of these distributions and derive an expression for the distribution of the nanowire-bundle size. Additionally, the comparison of our simulations to the experimental diffraction pattern reveal that a (1  ×  1)-periodicity on top of the nanowires has to be assumed for a good match.

Diffractive elements for generating microscale laser beam patterns: a Y2K problem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teiwes, Stephan; Krueger, Sven; Wernicke, Guenther K.; Ferstl, Margit

2000-03-01

Lasers are widely used in industrial fabrication for engraving, cutting and many other purposes. However, material processing at very small scales is still a matter of concern. Advances in diffractive optics could provide for laser systems that could be used for engraving or cutting of micro-scale patterns at high speeds. In our paper we focus on the design of diffractive elements which can be used for this special application. It is a common desire in material processing to apply 'discrete' as well as 'continuous' beam patterns. Especially, the latter case is difficult to handle as typical micro-scale patterns are characterized by bad band-limitation properties, and as speckles can easily occur in beam patterns. It is shown in this paper that a standard iterative design method usually fails to obtain diffractive elements that generate diffraction patterns with acceptable quality. Insights gained from an analysis of the design problems are used to optimize the iterative design method. We demonstrate applicability and success of our approach by the design of diffractive phase elements that generate a discrete and a continuous 'Y2K' pattern.

The genome sequence of Sea-Island cotton (Gossypium barbadense) provides insights into the allopolyploidization and development of superior spinnable fibres

PubMed Central

Yuan, Daojun; Tang, Zhonghui; Wang, Maojun; Gao, Wenhui; Tu, Lili; Jin, Xin; Chen, Lingling; He, Yonghui; Zhang, Lin; Zhu, Longfu; Li, Yang; Liang, Qiqi; Lin, Zhongxu; Yang, Xiyan; Liu, Nian; Jin, Shuangxia; Lei, Yang; Ding, Yuanhao; Li, Guoliang; Ruan, Xiaoan; Ruan, Yijun; Zhang, Xianlong

2015-01-01

Gossypium hirsutum contributes the most production of cotton fibre, but G. barbadense is valued for its better comprehensive resistance and superior fibre properties. However, the allotetraploid genome of G. barbadense has not been comprehensively analysed. Here we present a high-quality assembly of the 2.57 gigabase genome of G. barbadense, including 80,876 protein-coding genes. The double-sized genome of the A (or At) (1.50 Gb) against D (or Dt) (853 Mb) primarily resulted from the expansion of Gypsy elements, including Peabody and Retrosat2 subclades in the Del clade, and the Athila subclade in the Athila/Tat clade. Substantial gene expansion and contraction were observed and rich homoeologous gene pairs with biased expression patterns were identified, suggesting abundant gene sub-functionalization occurred by allopolyploidization. More specifically, the CesA gene family has adapted differentially temporal expression patterns, suggesting an integrated regulatory mechanism of CesA genes from At and Dt subgenomes for the primary and secondary cellulose biosynthesis of cotton fibre in a “relay race”-like fashion. We anticipate that the G. barbadense genome sequence will advance our understanding the mechanism of genome polyploidization and underpin genome-wide comparison research in this genus. PMID:26634818

On the respiratory flow in the cuttlefish sepia officinalis.

PubMed

Bone, Q; Brown, E; Travers, G

1994-09-01

The respiratory flow of water over the gills of the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis at rest is produced by the alternate activity of the radial muscles of the mantle and the musculature of the collar flaps; mantle circular muscle fibres are not involved. Inspiration takes place as the radial fibres contract, thinning the mantle and expanding the mantle cavity. The rise in mantle cavity pressure (up to 0.15 kPa), expelling water via the siphon during expiration, is brought about by inward movement of the collar flaps and (probably) mainly by elastic recoil of the mantle connective tissue network 'wound up' by radial fibre contraction during inspiration. Sepia also shows a second respiratory pattern, in which mantle cavity pressures during expiration are greater (up to 0.25 kPa). Here, the mantle circular fibres are involved, as they are during the large pressure transients (up to 10 kPa) seen during escape jetting. Active contraction of the muscles of the collar flaps is seen in all three patterns of expulsion of water from the mantle cavity, electrical activity increasing with increasing mantle cavity pressures. Respiratory expiration in the resting squid Loligo vulgaris is probably driven as in Sepia, whereas in the resting octopus Eledone cirrhosa, the mantle circular musculature is active during expiration. The significance of these observations is discussed.

Physical basics of endovenous laser treatment and potential of innovative developments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sroka, R.; Esipova, A.; Schmedt, C. G.

2017-04-01

During the last decade, endoluminal laser treatment (ELT) has been rapidly developing. Protocols using radially emitting ELT fibres in combination with infrared laser light show clinical advantages over the bare-fibre technique and near infrared irradiation. Although the clinical response rate is high several side effects occurred. Innovative light application systems and feedback systems are therefore being under development to potentially improve the clinical situation. The irradiation patterns of bare fibres and radially emitting 1-ring and 2-ring fibres were measured using the goniometer technique. The device robustness, device handling and tissue effects were investigated using the established ox-foot-model. Furthermore, temperature measurements were performed either intraluminal within the irradiation field using a tiny temperature sensor and on the outer surface of the vessel wall by means of a thermocamera. All fibres showed sufficient mechanical and thermal robustness. The destruction threshold is far beyond the light powers employed during clinical application. The 1-ring fibre showed very high peak temperatures for a short time, while the 2-ring-fibre hold its somewhat lower maximum temperature for a longer time. Both forms of energy application resulted in the desired shrinkage and destruction effect. In this regard, the handling of the 2-ring fibre appears subjectively more convenient with reduced sticking-related problems. Acute tissue effects could be investigated to improve the understanding especially of the interaction between handling, maneuvers and tissue effects. The 2-ring radially emitting fibre in combination with IR laser light and specific application parameters showed improved handling and safety features.

Coherent diffraction imaging: consistency of the assembled three-dimensional distribution.

PubMed

Tegze, Miklós; Bortel, Gábor

2016-07-01

The short pulses of X-ray free-electron lasers can produce diffraction patterns with structural information before radiation damage destroys the particle. From the recorded diffraction patterns the structure of particles or molecules can be determined on the nano- or even atomic scale. In a coherent diffraction imaging experiment thousands of diffraction patterns of identical particles are recorded and assembled into a three-dimensional distribution which is subsequently used to solve the structure of the particle. It is essential to know, but not always obvious, that the assembled three-dimensional reciprocal-space intensity distribution is really consistent with the measured diffraction patterns. This paper shows that, with the use of correlation maps and a single parameter calculated from them, the consistency of the three-dimensional distribution can be reliably validated.

Single-Slit Diffraction Pattern of a Thermal Atomic Potassium Beam

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leavitt, John A.; Bills, Francis A.

1969-01-01

The diffraction of a full thermal atomic potassium beam by a single slit was observed. Four experimental diffraction patterns were compared with that predicted by de Brogtie's hypothesis and simple scalar Fresnel diffraction theory. Possible reasons for the differences were discussed. (LC)

Turbo machine tip clearance and vibration measurements using a fibre optic laser Doppler position sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pfister, T.; Büttner, L.; Czarske, J.; Krain, H.; Schodl, R.

2006-07-01

This paper presents a novel fibre optic laser Doppler position sensor for single blade tip clearance and vibration measurements at turbo machines, which offers high temporal resolution and high position resolution simultaneously. The sensor principle is based on the generation of a measurement volume consisting of two superposed fan-like interference fringe systems with contrary fringe spacing gradients using wavelength division multiplexing. A flexible and robust measurement system with an all-passive fibre coupled measurement head has been realized employing diffractive and refractive optics. Measurements of tip clearance and rotor vibrations at a transonic centrifugal compressor performed during operation at up to 50 000 rpm (833 Hz) corresponding to 21.7 kHz blade frequency and 586 m s-1 blade tip velocity are presented. The results are in excellent agreement with those of capacitive probes. The mean uncertainty of the position measurement was around 20 µm and, thus, considerably better than for conventional tip clearance probes. Consequently, this sensor is capable of fulfilling the requirements for future active clearance control systems and has great potential for in situ and online tip clearance and vibration measurements at metallic and non-metallic turbine blades with high precision.

Crystallization of the C-terminal globular domain of avian reovirus fibre

PubMed Central

van Raaij, Mark J.; Hermo Parrado, X. Lois; Guardado Calvo, Pablo; Fox, Gavin C.; Llamas-Saiz, Antonio L.; Costas, Celina; Martínez-Costas, José; Benavente, Javier

2005-01-01

Avian reovirus fibre, a homotrimer of the σC protein, is responsible for primary host-cell attachment. Using the protease trypsin, a C-terminal σC fragment containing amino acids 156–326 has been generated which was subsequently purified and crystallized. Two different crystal forms were obtained, one grown in the absence of divalent cations and belonging to space group P6322 (unit-cell parameters a = 75.6, c = 243.1 Å) and one grown in the presence of either zinc or cadmium sulfate and belonging to space group P321 (unit-cell parameters a = 74.7, c = 74.5 Å and a = 73.1, c = 69.9 Å for the ZnII- and CdII-grown crystals, respectively). The first crystal form diffracted synchrotron radiation to 3.0 Å resolution and the second form to 2.2–2.3 Å. Its closest related structure, the C-­terminal fragment of mammalian reovirus fibre, has only 18% sequence identity and molecular-replacement attempts were unsuccessful. Therefore, a search is under way for suitable heavy-atom derivatives and attempts are being made to grow protein crystals containing selenomethionine instead of methionine. PMID:16511119

Evidence for the presence of serotonin in Mysidacea (Crustacea, Peracarida) as revealed by fluorescence immunohistochemistry.

PubMed

Moreau, X; Benzid, D; De Jong, L; Barthélémy, R-M; Casanova, J-P

2002-12-01

In crustaceans, serotonin (5-HT) exerts a wide range of physiological actions on many tissues. However, 5-HT has not been detected to date in Mysidacea (Crustacea, Peracarida). We have investigated the presence of 5-HT in the brain and the eyestalks of two Mysida (Leptomysis lingvura, Hemimysis margalefi) and one Lophogastrida (Lophogaster typicus) species by using the immunohistofluorescence technique. 5-HT-like immunopositive areas exhibit a similar pattern in the three species. 5-HT-like immunostaining is present in the retinular photosensitive cells, except in the deep-living species L. typicus. 5-HT-like cell bodies and fibres are observed in the lamina ganglionaris and in the three medullae. In the sinus gland, only 5-HT-like endings are detected. In the eyestalks, 5-HT-like fibres detected in the optic tract link with the protocerebrum, in which 5-HT-like somata and their extensions are found. Some neurones are detected in the anterior median cell cluster, in the protocerebral bridge and in the central body. In the deutocerebrum, the paracentral lobes are connected by immunoreactive fibres that run along the deutocerebral commissure. The glomeruli of the olfactory lobes exhibit strong diffuse immunostaining. Beside and in the median part of the deutocerebrum, at least two large serotoninergic neurones project their axons into the olfactory lobe cell cluster. Immunoreactive fibres are also found in the antennular neuropiles. Our results demonstrate the presence of 5-HT-like cell bodies and fibres in Mysidacea. The distribution patterns of the 5-HT immunoreactivity found herein are compared with those of other peracarids and decapods.

3-D optical profilometry at micron scale with multi-frequency fringe projection using modified fibre optic Lloyd's mirror technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inanç, Arda; Kösoğlu, Gülşen; Yüksel, Heba; Naci Inci, Mehmet

2018-06-01

A new fibre optic Lloyd's mirror method is developed for extracting 3-D height distribution of various objects at the micron scale with a resolution of 4 μm. The fibre optic assembly is elegantly integrated to an optical microscope and a CCD camera. It is demonstrated that the proposed technique is quite suitable and practical to produce an interference pattern with an adjustable frequency. By increasing the distance between the fibre and the mirror with a micrometre stage in the Lloyd's mirror assembly, the separation between the two bright fringes is lowered down to the micron scale without using any additional elements as part of the optical projection unit. A fibre optic cable, whose polymer jacket is partially stripped, and a microfluidic channel are used as test objects to extract their surface topographies. Point by point sensitivity of the method is found to be around 8 μm, changing a couple of microns depending on the fringe frequency and the measured height. A straightforward calibration procedure for the phase to height conversion is also introduced by making use of the vertical moving stage of the optical microscope. The phase analysis of the acquired image is carried out by One Dimensional Continuous Wavelet Transform for which the chosen wavelet is the Morlet wavelet and the carrier removal of the projected fringe patterns is achieved by reference subtraction. Furthermore, flexible multi-frequency property of the proposed method allows measuring discontinuous heights where there are phase ambiguities like 2π by lowering the fringe frequency and eliminating the phase ambiguity.

Phyllotactic arrangements of optical elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horacek, M.; Meluzin, P.; Kratky, S.; Matejka, M.; Kolarik, V.

2017-05-01

Phyllotaxy studies arrangements of biological entities, e.g. a placement of seeds in the flower head. Vogel (1979) presented a phyllotactic model based on series of seeds ordered along a primary spiral. This arrangement allows each seed to occupy the same area within a circular flower head. Recently, a similar arrangement of diffraction primitives forming a planar relief diffractive structure was presented. The planar relief structure was used for benchmarking and testing purposes of the electron beam writer patterning process. This contribution presents the analysis of local periods and azimuths of optical phyllotactic arrangements. Two kinds of network characteristic triangles are introduced. If the discussed planar structure has appropriate size and density, diffraction of the incoming light creates characteristic a phyllotactic diffraction pattern. Algorithms enabling the analysis of such behavior were developed and they were validated by fabricated samples of relief structures. Combined and higher diffraction orders are also analyzed. Different approaches enabling the creation of phyllotactic diffractive patterns are proposed. E-beam lithography is a flexible technology for various diffraction gratings origination. The e-beam patterning typically allows for the creation of optical diffraction gratings in the first diffraction order. Nevertheless, this technology enables also more complex grating to be prepared, e.g. blazed gratings and zero order gratings. Moreover, the mentioned kinds of gratings can be combined within one planar relief structure. The practical part of the presented work deals with the nano patterning of such structures by using two different types of the e-beam pattern generators.

Myosin heavy chain isoform composition and Ca(2+) transients in fibres from enzymatically dissociated murine soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles.

PubMed

Calderón, Juan C; Bolaños, Pura; Caputo, Carlo

2010-01-01

Electrically elicited Ca(2+) transients reported with the fast Ca(2+) dye MagFluo-4 AM and myosin heavy chain (MHC) electrophoretic patterns were obtained in intact, enzymatically dissociated fibres from adult mice extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles. Thirty nine fibres (23 from soleus and 16 from EDL) were analysed by both fluorescence microscopy and electrophoresis. These fibres were grouped as follows: group 1 included 13 type I and 4 type IC fibres; group 2 included 2 type IIC, 3 IIA and 1 I/IIA/IIX fibres; group 3 included 4 type IIX and 1 type IIX/IIB fibres; group 4 included 2 type IIB/IIX and 9 type IIB fibres. Ca(2+) transients obtained in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 had the following kinetic parameters (mean +/- s.e.m.): amplitude (F/F): 0.61 +/- 0.05, 0.53 +/- 0.08, 0.61 +/- 0.06 and 0.61 +/- 0.03; rise time (ms): 1.64 +/- 0.05, 1.35 +/- 0.05, 1.18 +/- 0.06 and 1.14 +/- 0.04; half-amplitude width (ms): 19.12 +/- 1.85, 11.86 +/- 3.03, 4.62 +/- 0.31 and 4.23 +/- 0.37; and time constants of decay (tau(1) and tau(2), ms): 3.33 +/- 0.13 and 52.48 +/- 3.93, 2.69 +/- 0.22 and 41.06 +/- 9.13, 1.74 +/- 0.06 and 12.88 +/- 1.93, and 1.56 +/- 0.11 and 9.45 +/- 1.03, respectively. The statistical differences between the four groups and the analysis of the distribution of the parameters of Ca(2+) release and clearance show that there is a continuum from slow to fast, that parallels the MHC continuum from pure type I to pure IIB. However, type IIA fibres behave more like IIX and IIB fibres regarding Ca(2+) release but closer to type I fibres regarding Ca(2+) clearance. In conclusion, we show for the first time the diversity of Ca(2+) transients for the whole continuum of fibre types and correlate this functional diversity with the structural and biochemical diversity of the skeletal muscle fibres.

The extensor digitorum brevis: histological and histochemical aspects

PubMed Central

Jennekens, F. G. I.; Tomlinson, B. E.; Walton, J. N.

1972-01-01

Samples of the extensor digitorum brevis muscle (EDB) obtained at necropsy from 26 subjects without known neuromuscular disease were examined histologically and histochemically. In the two youngest subjects, aged 2 months and 8 years, a mosaic distribution of type I and type II fibres was present. From the second decade onwards, increasing with age, the mosaic pattern was gradually replaced by groups of type I and type II fibres and areas of grouped fibre atrophy appeared. It is suggested that these findings may be explained by a slow process of denervation and reinnervation. This process does not seem to occur to the same extent in three other distal limb muscles from which specimens were also examined. Images PMID:4260286

CARMENES in SPIE 2014. Building a fibre link for CARMENES

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stürmer, J.; Stahl, O.; Schwab, C.; Seifert, W.; Quirrenbach, A.; Amado, P. J.; Ribas, I.; Reiners, A.; Caballero, J. A.

2014-07-01

Optical fibres have successfully been used to couple high-resolution spectrographs to telescopes for many years. As they allow the instrument to be placed in a stable and isolated location, they decouple the spectrograph from environmental influences. Fibres also provide a substantial increase in stability of the input illumination of the spectrograph, which makes them a key optical element of the two high-resolution spectrographs of CARMENES. The optical properties of appropriate fibres are investigated, especially their scrambling and focal ratio degradation (FRD) behaviour. In the laboratory the output illumination of various fibres is characterized and different methods to increase the scrambling of the fibre link are tested and compared. In particular, a combination of fibres with different core shapes shows a very good scrambling performance. The near-field (NF) shows an extremely low sensitivity to the exact coupling conditions of the fibre. However, small changes in the far-field (FF) can still be seen. Related optical simulations of the stability performance of the two spectrographs are presented. The simulations focus on the influence of the non-perfect illumination stabilization in the far-field of the fibre on the radial velocity stability of the spectrographs. We use ZEMAX models of the spectrographs to simulate how the barycentres of the spots move depending on the FF illumination pattern and therefore how the radial velocity is affected by a variation of the spectrograph illumination. This method allows to establish a quantitative link between the results of the measurements of the optical properties of fibres on the one hand and the radial velocity precision on the other. The results provide a strong indication that 1ms?1 precision can be reached using a circular-octagonal fibre link even without the use of an optical double scrambler, which has successfully been used in other high-resolution spectrographs. Given the typical throughput of an optical double scrambler of about 75% to 85 %, our solution allows for a substantially higher throughput of the system.

Predicted and measured transmission and diffraction by a metallic mesh coating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Halman, Jennifer I.; Ramsey, Keith A.; Thomas, Michael; Griffin, Andrew

2009-05-01

Metallic mesh coatings are used on visible and infrared windows and domes to provide shielding from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and as heaters to de-fog or de-ice windows or domes. The periodic metallic mesh structures that provide the EMI shielding and/or resistive electrical paths for the heating elements create a diffraction pattern when optical or infrared beams are incident on the coated windows. Over the years several different mesh geometries have been used to try to reduce the effects of diffraction. We have fabricated several different mesh patterns on small coupons of BK-7 and measured the transmitted power and the diffraction patterns of each one using a CW 1064 nm laser. In this paper we will present some predictions and measurements of the diffraction patterns of several different mesh patterns.

Table of interplanar spacings for crystal-structure determinations by X-ray diffraction with molybdenum, copper, cobalt, iron, and chromium radiations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kittel, J Howard

1945-01-01

For a simple diffraction pattern, the time required to calculate interplanar distances from measurements of the pattern is not excessive. If more than a few lines are present, however, or if several patterns are to be studied, it is very advantageous to have available a table giving interplanar spacings directly in terms of the linear measurements made on the film of the lines appearing on the diffraction pattern. The preparation of the table given here was undertaken when the expansion of research activities involving X-ray diffraction techniques indicated that such a table would greatly decrease the time required to analyze diffraction patterns. The table was prepared for use with K alpha(sub 1) radiation from the following target materials: molybdenum, copper, cobalt, iron, and chromium.

Visible diffraction from quasi-crystalline arrays of carbon nanotubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Butler, Timothy P.; Butt, Haider; Wilkinson, Timothy D.; Amaratunga, Gehan A. J.

2015-08-01

Large area arrays of vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) are patterned in a quasi-crystalline Penrose tile arrangement through electron beam lithography definition of Ni catalyst dots and subsequent nanotube growth by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition. When illuminated with a 532 nm laser beam high-quality and remarkable diffraction patterns are seen. The diffraction is well matched to theoretical calculations which assume apertures to be present at the location of the VACNTs for transmitted light. The results show that VACNTs act as diffractive elements in reflection and can be used as spatially phased arrays for producing tailored diffraction patterns.

Moisture changes in the plant cell wall force cellulose crystallites to deform.

PubMed

Zabler, S; Paris, O; Burgert, I; Fratzl, P

2010-08-01

Nano-crystallite deformation of cellulose microfibrils in the secondary cell wall layer of spruce wood tracheids was observed during de- and rehydration experiments below the fibre saturation point. A quantitative analysis of the (004), (200) and the (110)/(11 0) doublet X-ray diffraction peaks revealed longitudinal contraction, lateral expansion and changes in the monoclinic angle of the cellulose unit cell during drying of wood fibres. Experiments on unfixed samples as well as the simultaneous application of mechanical tensile and dehydration stress to samples hold at constant length showed two deformation mechanisms of different nature and magnitude. The first mechanism depends on the relative wood moisture content and the second one on the macroscopic tensile stress. These findings imply a new perspective on the role of water adsorption perceiving a hydration-induced structural change of cellulose crystal structure as a major driving force for deformation. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Thick filament mechano-sensing is a calcium-independent regulatory mechanism in skeletal muscle.

PubMed

Fusi, L; Brunello, E; Yan, Z; Irving, M

2016-10-31

Recent X-ray diffraction studies on actively contracting fibres from skeletal muscle showed that the number of myosin motors available to interact with actin-containing thin filaments is controlled by the stress in the myosin-containing thick filaments. Those results suggested that thick filament mechano-sensing might constitute a novel regulatory mechanism in striated muscles that acts independently of the well-known thin filament-mediated calcium signalling pathway. Here we test that hypothesis using probes attached to the myosin regulatory light chain in demembranated muscle fibres. We show that both the extent and kinetics of thick filament activation depend on thick filament stress but are independent of intracellular calcium concentration in the physiological range. These results establish direct control of myosin motors by thick filament mechano-sensing as a general regulatory mechanism in skeletal muscle that is independent of the canonical calcium signalling pathway.

Thick filament mechano-sensing is a calcium-independent regulatory mechanism in skeletal muscle

PubMed Central

Fusi, L.; Brunello, E.; Yan, Z.; Irving, M.

2016-01-01

Recent X-ray diffraction studies on actively contracting fibres from skeletal muscle showed that the number of myosin motors available to interact with actin-containing thin filaments is controlled by the stress in the myosin-containing thick filaments. Those results suggested that thick filament mechano-sensing might constitute a novel regulatory mechanism in striated muscles that acts independently of the well-known thin filament-mediated calcium signalling pathway. Here we test that hypothesis using probes attached to the myosin regulatory light chain in demembranated muscle fibres. We show that both the extent and kinetics of thick filament activation depend on thick filament stress but are independent of intracellular calcium concentration in the physiological range. These results establish direct control of myosin motors by thick filament mechano-sensing as a general regulatory mechanism in skeletal muscle that is independent of the canonical calcium signalling pathway. PMID:27796302

The relationship of feeding patterns and obesity in dogs.

PubMed

Heuberger, R; Wakshlag, J

2011-02-01

The rates of dog obesity are increasing and a greater understanding of feeding patterns is required to combat the problem. This study examined relationships between dietary patterns and caloric intake, and nutrient content of foods fed as it relates to obesity in dogs in the United States. Sixty-one owners and their dogs were enrolled, and lifestyle surveys, food frequencies, and 3-day food records were collected. Significant differences in overall kcal intake per kilogram of body weight were found (p< 0.04). Crude fibre in dog food was positively associated with protein and negatively associated with fat regardless of the dog's weight (p< 0.001). Lean dogs received significantly more crude fibre in relation to overweight dogs regardless of the number of treats they received (p< 0.01), and their diets had greater micronutrient densities (p< 0.03) suggesting that high fibre influences body condition. Additionally, owners who ate nutrient-rich, calorie-poor diets had normal weight dogs, and owners that fed more table scraps had overweight dogs. Regardless of body condition, 59% of dogs received table scraps, which constituted 21% of daily caloric intake. The nutrient density of scraps fed was variable and did not meet National Research Council's recommendations for micronutrient adequacy. © 2010 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

A biomimetic approach to the chemical inactivation of chrysotile fibres by lichen metabolites.

PubMed

Turci, Francesco; Favero-Longo, Sergio E; Tomatis, Maura; Martra, Gianmario; Castelli, Daniele; Piervittori, Rosanna; Fubini, Bice

2007-01-01

Some lichens were recently reported to modify the surface state of asbestos. Here we report some new insight on the physico-chemical modifications induced by natural chelators (lichen metabolites) on two asbestos samples collected in two different locations. A biomimetic approach was followed by reproducing in the laboratory the weathering effect of lichen metabolites. Norstictic, pulvinic and oxalic acid (0.005, 0.5 and 50 mM) were put in contact with chrysotile fibres, either in pure form (A) or intergrown with balangeroite, an iron-rich asbestiform phase (B). Mg and Si removal, measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), reveals an incongruent dissolution for pure chrysotile (A), with Mg removal always exceeding that of Si, while chrysotile-balangeroite (B) follows a congruent dissolution pattern in all cases except in the presence of 50 mM oxalic acid. A much larger removal of Mg than Si in the solutions of 0.5 and 50 mM oxalic acid with chrysotile (A) suggests a structural collapse, which in the case of chrysotile-balangeroite (B) only occurs with 50 mM oxalic acid; in these cases both samples are converted into amorphous silica (as detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD)). Subsequent to incubation, some new phases (Fe(2)O(3), CaMg(CO(3))(2), Ca(C(2)O(4)) x H(2)O and Mg(C(2)O(4))2 x H(2)O), similar to those observed in the field, were detected by XRD and micro-Raman spectroscopy. The leaching effect of lichen metabolites also modifies the Fenton activity, a process widely correlated with asbestos pathogenicity: pure chrysotile (A) activity is reduced by 50 mM oxalic acid, while all lichen metabolites reduce the activity of chrysotile-balangeroite (B). The selective removal of poorly coordinated, highly reactive iron ions, evidenced by NO adsorption, accounts for the loss in Fenton activity. Such fibres were chemically close to the ones observed in the field. Chrysotile-rich rocks, colonised by lichens, could be exposed to a natural bioattenuation and considered as a transient environmental hazard.

Phrenic motor outputs in response to bronchopulmonary C‐fibre activation following chronic cervical spinal cord injury

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Key points Activation of bronchopulmonary C‐fibres, the main chemosensitive afferents in the lung, can induce pulmonary chemoreflexes to modulate respiratory activity.Following chronic cervical spinal cord injury, bronchopulmonary C‐fibre activation‐induced inhibition of phrenic activity was exaggerated.Supersensitivity of phrenic motor outputs to the inhibitory effect of bronchopulmonary C‐fibre activation is due to a shift of phrenic motoneuron types and slow recovery of phrenic motoneuron discharge in cervical spinal cord‐injured animals.These data suggest that activation of bronchopulmonary C‐fibres may retard phrenic output recovery following cervical spinal cord injury.The alteration of phenotype and discharge pattern of phrenic motoneuron enables us to understand the impact of spinal cord injury on spinal respiratory activity. Abstract Cervical spinal injury interrupts bulbospinal pathways and results in cessation of phrenic bursting ipsilateral to the lesion. The ipsilateral phrenic activity can partially recover over weeks to months following injury due to the activation of latent crossed spinal pathways and exhibits a greater capacity to increase activity during respiratory challenges than the contralateral phrenic nerve. However, whether the bilateral phrenic nerves demonstrate differential responses to respiratory inhibitory inputs is unclear. Accordingly, the present study examined bilateral phrenic bursting in response to capsaicin‐induced pulmonary chemoreflexes, a robust respiratory inhibitory stimulus. Bilateral phrenic nerve activity was recorded in anaesthetized and mechanically ventilated adult rats at 8–9 weeks after C2 hemisection (C2Hx) or C2 laminectomy. Intra‐jugular capsaicin (1.5 μg kg−1) injection was performed to activate the bronchopulmonary C‐fibres to evoke pulmonary chemoreflexes. The present results indicate that capsaicin‐induced prolongation of expiratory duration was significantly attenuated in C2Hx animals. However, ipsilateral phrenic activity was robustly reduced after capsaicin treatment compared to uninjured animals. Single phrenic fibre recording experiments demonstrated that C2Hx animals had a higher proportion of late‐inspiratory phrenic motoneurons that were relatively sensitive to capsaicin treatment compared to early‐inspiratory phrenic motoneurons. Moreover, late‐inspiratory phrenic motoneurons in C2Hx animals had a weaker discharge frequency and slower recovery time than uninjured animals. These results suggest bilateral phrenic nerves differentially respond to bronchopulmonary C‐fibre activation following unilateral cervical hemisection, and the severe inhibition of phrenic bursting is due to a shift in the discharge pattern of phrenic motoneurons. PMID:27106483

SU-E-I-77: X-Ray Coherent Scatter Diffraction Pattern Modeling in GEANT4.

PubMed

Kapadia, A; Samei, E; Harrawood, B; Sahbaee, P; Chawla, A; Tan, Z; Brady, D

2012-06-01

To model X-ray coherent scatter diffraction patterns in GEANT4 for simulating experiments involving material detection through diffraction pattern measurement. Although coherent scatter cross-sections are modeled accurately in GEANT4, diffraction patterns for crystalline materials are not yet included. Here we describe our modeling of crystalline diffraction patterns in GEANT4 for specific materials and the validation of the results against experimentally measured data. Coherent scatter in GEANT4 is currently based on Hubbell's non-relativistic form factor tabulations from EPDL97. We modified the form-factors by introducing an interference function that accounts for the angular dependence between the Rayleigh-scattered photons and the photon wavelength. The modified form factors were used to replace the inherent form-factors in GEANT4. The simulation was tested using monochromatic and polychromatic x-ray beams (separately) incident on objects containing one or more elements with modified form-factors. The simulation results were compared against the experimentally measured diffraction images of corresponding objects using an in-house x-ray diffraction imager for validation. The comparison was made using the following metrics: number of diffraction rings, radial distance, absolute intensity, and relative intensity. Sharp diffraction pattern rings were observed in the monochromatic simulations at locations consistent with the angular dependence of the photon wavelength. In the polychromatic simulations, the diffraction patterns exhibited a radial blur consistent with the energy spread of the polychromatic spectrum. The simulated and experimentally measured patterns showed identical numbers of rings with close agreement in radial distance, absolute and relative intensities (barring statistical fluctuations). No significant change was observed in the execution time of the simulations. This work demonstrates the ability to model coherent scatter diffraction in GEANT4 in an accurate and efficient manner without compromising the accuracy or runtime of the simulation. This work was supported by the Department of Homeland Security under grant DHS (BAA 10-01 F075), and by the Department of Defense under award W81XWH-09-1-0066. © 2012 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Ionospheric irregularity characteristics from quasiperiodic structure in the radio wave scintillation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, K. Y.; Su, S. Y.; Liu, C. H.; Basu, S.

2005-06-01

Quasiperiodic (QP) diffraction pattern in scintillation patches has been known to highly correlate with the edge structures of a plasma bubble (Franke et al., 1984). A new time-frequency analysis method of Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) has been applied to analyze the scintillation data taken at Ascension Island to understand the characteristics of corresponding ionosphere irregularities. The HHT method enables us to extract the quasiperiodic diffraction signals embedded inside the scintillation data and to obtain the characteristics of such diffraction signals. The cross correlation of the two sets of diffraction signals received by two stations at each end of Ascension Island indicates that the density irregularity pattern that causes the diffraction pattern should have an eastward drift velocity of ˜130 m/s. The HHT analysis of the instantaneous frequency in the QP diffraction patterns also reveals some frequency shifts in their peak frequencies. For the QP diffraction pattern caused by the leading edge of the large density gradient at the east wall of a structured bubble, an ascending note in the peak frequency is observed, and for the trailing edge a descending note is observed. The linear change in the transient of the peak frequency in the QP diffraction pattern is consistent with the theory and the simulation result of Franke et al. Estimate of the slope in the transient frequency provides us the information that allows us to identify the locations of plasma walls, and the east-west scale of the irregularity can be estimated. In our case we obtain about 24 km in the east-west scale. Furthermore, the height location of density irregularities that cause the diffraction pattern is estimated to be between 310 and 330 km, that is, around the F peak during observation.

Light diffraction studies of single muscle fibers as a function of fiber rotation.

PubMed Central

Gilliar, W G; Bickel, W S; Bailey, W F

1984-01-01

Light diffraction patterns from single glycerinated frog semitendinosus muscle fibers were examined photographically and photoelectrically as a function of diffraction angle and fiber rotation. The total intensity diffraction pattern indicates that the order maxima change both position and intensity periodically as a function of rotation angle. The total diffracted light, light diffracted above and below the zero-order plane, and light diffracted into individual orders gives information about the fiber's longitudinal and rotational structure and its noncylindrical symmetry. Images FIGURE 2 PMID:6611174

Spatial distributions of AQP5 and AQP0 in embryonic and postnatal mouse lens development

PubMed Central

Petrova, Rosica S.; Schey, Kevin L.; Donaldson, Paul J.; Grey, Angus C.

2015-01-01

The expression of the water channel protein aquaporin (AQP)-5 in adult rodent and human lenses was recently reported using immunohistochemistry, molecular biology, and mass spectrometry techniques, confirming a second transmembrane water channel that is present in lens fibre cells in addition to the abundant AQP0 protein. Interestingly, the sub-cellular distribution and level of post-translational modification of both proteins changes with fibre cell differentiation and location in the adult rodent lens. This study compares the sub-cellular distribution of AQP0 and AQP5 during embryonic and postnatal fibre cell development in the mouse lens to understand how the immunolabelling patterns for both AQPs observed in adult lens are first established. Immunohistochemistry was used to map the cellular and sub-cellular distribution of AQP5 and AQP0 throughout the lens in cryosections from adult (6 weeks to 8 months) and postnatal (0-2 weeks) mouse lenses and in sections from paraffin embedded mouse embryos (E10-E19). All sections were imaged by fluorescence confocal microscopy. Using antibodies directed against the C-terminus of each AQP, AQP5 was abundantly expressed early in development, being found in the cytoplasm of cells of the lens vesicle and surrounding tissues (E10), while AQP0 was detected later (E11), and only in the membranes of elongating primary fibre cells. During the course of subsequent embryonic and postnatal development the pattern of cytoplasmic AQP5 and membranous AQP0 labelling was maintained until postnatal day 6 (P6). From P6 AQP5 labelling became progressively more membranous initially in the lens nucleus and then later in all regions of the lens, while AQP0 labelling was abruptly lost in the lens nucleus due to C-terminal truncation. Our results show that the spatial distribution patterns of AQP0 and AQP5 observed in the adult lens are established during a narrow window of post natal development (P6-P15) that precedes eye opening and coincides with regression of the hyaloid vascular system. Our results support the hypothesis that, in the older fibre cells, insertion of AQP5 into the fibre cell membrane may compensate for any change in the functionality of AQP0 induced by truncation of its C-terminal tail. PMID:25595964

High throughput screening of ligand binding to macromolecules using high resolution powder diffraction

DOEpatents

Von Dreele, Robert B.; D'Amico, Kevin

2006-10-31

A process is provided for the high throughput screening of binding of ligands to macromolecules using high resolution powder diffraction data including producing a first sample slurry of a selected polycrystalline macromolecule material and a solvent, producing a second sample slurry of a selected polycrystalline macromolecule material, one or more ligands and the solvent, obtaining a high resolution powder diffraction pattern on each of said first sample slurry and the second sample slurry, and, comparing the high resolution powder diffraction pattern of the first sample slurry and the high resolution powder diffraction pattern of the second sample slurry whereby a difference in the high resolution powder diffraction patterns of the first sample slurry and the second sample slurry provides a positive indication for the formation of a complex between the selected polycrystalline macromolecule material and at least one of the one or more ligands.

Femtosecond X-ray coherent diffraction of aligned amyloid fibrils on low background graphene.

PubMed

Seuring, Carolin; Ayyer, Kartik; Filippaki, Eleftheria; Barthelmess, Miriam; Longchamp, Jean-Nicolas; Ringler, Philippe; Pardini, Tommaso; Wojtas, David H; Coleman, Matthew A; Dörner, Katerina; Fuglerud, Silje; Hammarin, Greger; Habenstein, Birgit; Langkilde, Annette E; Loquet, Antoine; Meents, Alke; Riek, Roland; Stahlberg, Henning; Boutet, Sébastien; Hunter, Mark S; Koglin, Jason; Liang, Mengning; Ginn, Helen M; Millane, Rick P; Frank, Matthias; Barty, Anton; Chapman, Henry N

2018-05-09

Here we present a new approach to diffraction imaging of amyloid fibrils, combining a free-standing graphene support and single nanofocused X-ray pulses of femtosecond duration from an X-ray free-electron laser. Due to the very low background scattering from the graphene support and mutual alignment of filaments, diffraction from tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) filaments and amyloid protofibrils is obtained to 2.7 Å and 2.4 Å resolution in single diffraction patterns, respectively. Some TMV diffraction patterns exhibit asymmetry that indicates the presence of a limited number of axial rotations in the XFEL focus. Signal-to-noise levels from individual diffraction patterns are enhanced using computational alignment and merging, giving patterns that are superior to those obtainable from synchrotron radiation sources. We anticipate that our approach will be a starting point for further investigations into unsolved structures of filaments and other weakly scattering objects.

Dark-field phase retrieval under the constraint of the Friedel symmetry in coherent X-ray diffraction imaging.

PubMed

Kobayashi, Amane; Sekiguchi, Yuki; Takayama, Yuki; Oroguchi, Tomotaka; Nakasako, Masayoshi

2014-11-17

Coherent X-ray diffraction imaging (CXDI) is a lensless imaging technique that is suitable for visualizing the structures of non-crystalline particles with micrometer to sub-micrometer dimensions from material science and biology. One of the difficulties inherent to CXDI structural analyses is the reconstruction of electron density maps of specimen particles from diffraction patterns because saturated detector pixels and a beam stopper result in missing data in small-angle regions. To overcome this difficulty, the dark-field phase-retrieval (DFPR) method has been proposed. The DFPR method reconstructs electron density maps from diffraction data, which are modified by multiplying Gaussian masks with an observed diffraction pattern in the high-angle regions. In this paper, we incorporated Friedel centrosymmetry for diffraction patterns into the DFPR method to provide a constraint for the phase-retrieval calculation. A set of model simulations demonstrated that this constraint dramatically improved the probability of reconstructing correct electron density maps from diffraction patterns that were missing data in the small-angle region. In addition, the DFPR method with the constraint was applied successfully to experimentally obtained diffraction patterns with significant quantities of missing data. We also discuss this method's limitations with respect to the level of Poisson noise in X-ray detection.

Hedgehog regulation of superficial slow muscle fibres in Xenopus and the evolution of tetrapod trunk myogenesis.

PubMed

Grimaldi, Annalisa; Tettamanti, Gianluca; Martin, Benjamin L; Gaffield, William; Pownall, Mary E; Hughes, Simon M

2004-07-01

In tetrapod phylogeny, the dramatic modifications of the trunk have received less attention than the more obvious evolution of limbs. In somites, several waves of muscle precursors are induced by signals from nearby tissues. In both amniotes and fish, the earliest myogenesis requires secreted signals from the ventral midline carried by Hedgehog (Hh) proteins. To determine if this similarity represents evolutionary homology, we have examined myogenesis in Xenopus laevis, the major species from which insight into vertebrate mesoderm patterning has been derived. Xenopus embryos form two distinct kinds of muscle cells analogous to the superficial slow and medial fast muscle fibres of zebrafish. As in zebrafish, Hh signalling is required for XMyf5 expression and generation of a first wave of early superficial slow muscle fibres in tail somites. Thus, Hh-dependent adaxial myogenesis is the likely ancestral condition of teleosts, amphibia and amniotes. Our evidence suggests that midline-derived cells migrate to the lateral somite surface and generate superficial slow muscle. This cell re-orientation contributes to the apparent rotation of Xenopus somites. Xenopus myogenesis in the trunk differs from that in the tail. In the trunk, the first wave of superficial slow fibres is missing, suggesting that significant adaptation of the ancestral myogenic programme occurred during tetrapod trunk evolution. Although notochord is required for early medial XMyf5 expression, Hh signalling fails to drive these cells to slow myogenesis. Later, both trunk and tail somites develop a second wave of Hh-independent slow fibres. These fibres probably derive from an outer cell layer expressing the myogenic determination genes XMyf5, XMyoD and Pax3 in a pattern reminiscent of amniote dermomyotome. Thus, Xenopus somites have characteristics in common with both fish and amniotes that shed light on the evolution of somite differentiation. We propose a model for the evolutionary adaptation of myogenesis in the transition from fish to tetrapod trunk.

Biomimetic poly(lactide) based fibrous scaffolds for ligament tissue engineering.

PubMed

Surrao, Denver C; Waldman, Stephen D; Amsden, Brian G

2012-11-01

The aim of this study was to fabricate a fibrous scaffold that closely resembled the micro-structural architecture and mechanical properties of collagen fibres found in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). To achieve this aim, fibrous scaffolds were made by electrospinning L-lactide based polymers. L-Lactide was chosen primarily due to its demonstrated biocompatibility, biodegradability and high modulus. The electrospun fibres were collected in tension on a rotating wire mandrel. Upon treating these fibres in a heated aqueous environment, they possessed a crimp-like pattern having a wavelength and amplitude similar to that of native ACL collagen. Of the polymer fibre scaffolds studied, those made from poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide) PLDLA exhibited the highest modulus and were also the most resilient to in vitro hydrolytic degradation, undergoing a slight decrease in modulus compared to the other polymeric fibres over a 6 month period. Bovine fibroblasts seeded on the wavy, crimp-like PLDLA fibres attached, proliferated and deposited extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules on the surface of the fibrous scaffold. In addition, the deposited ECM exhibited bundle formation that resembled the fascicles found in native ACL. These findings demonstrate the importance of replicating the geometric microenvironment in developing effective tissue engineering scaffolds. Copyright © 2012 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Developments In Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry For Automotive Vibration Analysis.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davies, Jeremy C.; Buckberry, Clive H.; Jones, Julian D. C.; Pannell, Chris N.

1989-01-01

The incorporation of monomode fibre optics into an argon ion powered Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometer (ESPI) is reported. The system, consisting of an optics assembly linked to the laser and a CCD camera transceiver, flexibly connected by 40m of monomode fibre optic cable to the optics, has been used to analyse the modal behaviour of structures up to 5m X 3m X 2m in size. Phase modulation of the reference beam in order to operate in a heterodyne mode has been implemented using a piezo-electric crystal operating on the monomode fibre. A new mode of operation - sequential time-average subtraction - and the results of a new processing algorithm are also reported. Their implementation enables speckle free, time-average vibration maps to be generated in real-time on large, unstable structures. Example results for a four cylinder power unit, a vehicle body shell component and an engine oil pan are included. In all cases the analysis was conducted in a general workshop environment without the need for vibration isolation facilities.

Computer-based classification of bacteria species by analysis of their colonies Fresnel diffraction patterns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suchwalko, Agnieszka; Buzalewicz, Igor; Podbielska, Halina

2012-01-01

In the presented paper the optical system with converging spherical wave illumination for classification of bacteria species, is proposed. It allows for compression of the observation space, observation of Fresnel patterns, diffraction pattern scaling and low level of optical aberrations, which are not possessed by other optical configurations. Obtained experimental results have shown that colonies of specific bacteria species generate unique diffraction signatures. Analysis of Fresnel diffraction patterns of bacteria colonies can be fast and reliable method for classification and recognition of bacteria species. To determine the unique features of bacteria colonies diffraction patterns the image processing analysis was proposed. Classification can be performed by analyzing the spatial structure of diffraction patterns, which can be characterized by set of concentric rings. The characteristics of such rings depends on the bacteria species. In the paper, the influence of basic features and ring partitioning number on the bacteria classification, is analyzed. It is demonstrated that Fresnel patterns can be used for classification of following species: Salmonella enteritidis, Staplyococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis and Citrobacter freundii. Image processing is performed by free ImageJ software, for which a special macro with human interaction, was written. LDA classification, CV method, ANOVA and PCA visualizations preceded by image data extraction were conducted using the free software R.

High-speed classification of coherent X-ray diffraction patterns on the K computer for high-resolution single biomolecule imaging.

PubMed

Tokuhisa, Atsushi; Arai, Junya; Joti, Yasumasa; Ohno, Yoshiyuki; Kameyama, Toyohisa; Yamamoto, Keiji; Hatanaka, Masayuki; Gerofi, Balazs; Shimada, Akio; Kurokawa, Motoyoshi; Shoji, Fumiyoshi; Okada, Kensuke; Sugimoto, Takashi; Yamaga, Mitsuhiro; Tanaka, Ryotaro; Yokokawa, Mitsuo; Hori, Atsushi; Ishikawa, Yutaka; Hatsui, Takaki; Go, Nobuhiro

2013-11-01

Single-particle coherent X-ray diffraction imaging using an X-ray free-electron laser has the potential to reveal the three-dimensional structure of a biological supra-molecule at sub-nanometer resolution. In order to realise this method, it is necessary to analyze as many as 1 × 10(6) noisy X-ray diffraction patterns, each for an unknown random target orientation. To cope with the severe quantum noise, patterns need to be classified according to their similarities and average similar patterns to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. A high-speed scalable scheme has been developed to carry out classification on the K computer, a 10PFLOPS supercomputer at RIKEN Advanced Institute for Computational Science. It is designed to work on the real-time basis with the experimental diffraction pattern collection at the X-ray free-electron laser facility SACLA so that the result of classification can be feedback for optimizing experimental parameters during the experiment. The present status of our effort developing the system and also a result of application to a set of simulated diffraction patterns is reported. About 1 × 10(6) diffraction patterns were successfully classificatied by running 255 separate 1 h jobs in 385-node mode.

Structural and electron diffraction scaling of twisted graphene bilayers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Kuan; Tadmor, Ellad B.

2018-03-01

Multiscale simulations are used to study the structural relaxation in twisted graphene bilayers and the associated electron diffraction patterns. The initial twist forms an incommensurate moiré pattern that relaxes to a commensurate microstructure comprised of a repeating pattern of alternating low-energy AB and BA domains surrounding a high-energy AA domain. The simulations show that the relaxation mechanism involves a localized rotation and shrinking of the AA domains that scales in two regimes with the imposed twist. For small twisting angles, the localized rotation tends to a constant; for large twist, the rotation scales linearly with it. This behavior is tied to the inverse scaling of the moiré pattern size with twist angle and is explained theoretically using a linear elasticity model. The results are validated experimentally through a simulated electron diffraction analysis of the relaxed structures. A complex electron diffraction pattern involving the appearance of weak satellite peaks is predicted for the small twist regime. This new diffraction pattern is explained using an analytical model in which the relaxation kinematics are described as an exponentially-decaying (Gaussian) rotation field centered on the AA domains. Both the angle-dependent scaling and diffraction patterns are in quantitative agreement with experimental observations. A Matlab program for extracting the Gaussian model parameters accompanies this paper.

High-speed classification of coherent X-ray diffraction patterns on the K computer for high-resolution single biomolecule imaging

PubMed Central

Tokuhisa, Atsushi; Arai, Junya; Joti, Yasumasa; Ohno, Yoshiyuki; Kameyama, Toyohisa; Yamamoto, Keiji; Hatanaka, Masayuki; Gerofi, Balazs; Shimada, Akio; Kurokawa, Motoyoshi; Shoji, Fumiyoshi; Okada, Kensuke; Sugimoto, Takashi; Yamaga, Mitsuhiro; Tanaka, Ryotaro; Yokokawa, Mitsuo; Hori, Atsushi; Ishikawa, Yutaka; Hatsui, Takaki; Go, Nobuhiro

2013-01-01

Single-particle coherent X-ray diffraction imaging using an X-ray free-electron laser has the potential to reveal the three-dimensional structure of a biological supra-molecule at sub-nanometer resolution. In order to realise this method, it is necessary to analyze as many as 1 × 106 noisy X-ray diffraction patterns, each for an unknown random target orientation. To cope with the severe quantum noise, patterns need to be classified according to their similarities and average similar patterns to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. A high-speed scalable scheme has been developed to carry out classification on the K computer, a 10PFLOPS supercomputer at RIKEN Advanced Institute for Computational Science. It is designed to work on the real-time basis with the experimental diffraction pattern collection at the X-ray free-electron laser facility SACLA so that the result of classification can be feedback for optimizing experimental parameters during the experiment. The present status of our effort developing the system and also a result of application to a set of simulated diffraction patterns is reported. About 1 × 106 diffraction patterns were successfully classificatied by running 255 separate 1 h jobs in 385-node mode. PMID:24121336

Grain structure, texture and mechanical property evolution of automotive aluminium sheet during high power ultrasonic welding

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

Haddadi, Farid, E-mail: farid.haddadi@gmail.com

High power ultrasonic spot welding (HPUSW) is a joining technique which is performed within less than a second and provides a more energy-efficient alternative to friction stir spot welding (FSSW), which is considered a longer cycle manufacturing process for joining automotive alloys. To date, only a few reports exist on the deformation mechanisms that take place during high power ultrasonic spot welding. In this work, dynamic recrystallization and grain growth were examined using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). HPUSW causes extensive deformation within the weld zone where the temperature increases to 440 °C. An ultra-fine grain structure was observed in amore » thin band of flat weld interface within a short welding time of 0.10 s. With increasing welding time the interface was displaced and ‘folds’ or ‘crests’ appeared together with shear bands. The weld interface progressively changed from flat to sinusoidal and eventually to a convoluted wave-like pattern when the tool fully penetrated the workpiece, having a wavelength of ~ 1 mm after 0.40 s. Finally, the microstructure and texture varied significantly depending on the location within the weld. Although the texture near the weld interface was relatively weak, a shift was observed with increasing welding time from an initially Cube-dominated texture to one where the typical β-fibre Brass component prevailed. - Highlights: •Lap shear strength of ~2.9 kN was achieved in 0.30 sec welding time. •Temperature approached 440 °C along the weld centreline for the highest welding time. •The texture near the teeth was dominated by Brass, P and S components at optimum condition. •The weld interface showed typical β-fibre deformation texture at optimum condition.« less

Computer Simulation of Diffraction Patterns.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dodd, N. A.

1983-01-01

Describes an Apple computer program (listing available from author) which simulates Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction using vector addition techniques (vector chaining) and allows user to experiment with different shaped multiple apertures. Graphics output include vector resultants, phase difference, diffraction patterns, and the Cornu spiral…

Ballistic damage in hybrid composite laminates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phadnis, Vaibhav A.; Pandya, Kedar S.; Naik, Niranjan K.; Roy, Anish; Silberschmidt, Vadim V.

2015-07-01

Ballistic damage of hybrid woven-fabric composites made of plain-weave E-glass- fabric/epoxy and 8H satin-weave T300 carbon-fabric/epoxy is studied using a combination of experimental tests, microstructural studies and finite-element (FE) analysis. Ballistic tests were conducted with a single-stage gas gun. Fibre damage and delamination were observed to be dominating failure modes. A ply-level FE model was developed, with a fabric-reinforced ply modelled as a homogeneous orthotropic material with capacity to sustain progressive stiffness degradation due to fibre/matrix cracking, fibre breaking and plastic deformation under shear loading. Simulated damage patterns on the front and back faces of fabric-reinforced composite plates provided an insight into their damage mechanisms under ballistic loading.

Quantitative analysis of crystalline pharmaceuticals in tablets by pattern-fitting procedure using X-ray diffraction pattern.

PubMed

Takehira, Rieko; Momose, Yasunori; Yamamura, Shigeo

2010-10-15

A pattern-fitting procedure using an X-ray diffraction pattern was applied to the quantitative analysis of binary system of crystalline pharmaceuticals in tablets. Orthorhombic crystals of isoniazid (INH) and mannitol (MAN) were used for the analysis. Tablets were prepared under various compression pressures using a direct compression method with various compositions of INH and MAN. Assuming that X-ray diffraction pattern of INH-MAN system consists of diffraction intensities from respective crystals, observed diffraction intensities were fitted to analytic expression based on X-ray diffraction theory and separated into two intensities from INH and MAN crystals by a nonlinear least-squares procedure. After separation, the contents of INH were determined by using the optimized normalization constants for INH and MAN. The correction parameter including all the factors that are beyond experimental control was required for quantitative analysis without calibration curve. The pattern-fitting procedure made it possible to determine crystalline phases in the range of 10-90% (w/w) of the INH contents. Further, certain characteristics of the crystals in the tablets, such as the preferred orientation, size of crystallite, and lattice disorder were determined simultaneously. This method can be adopted to analyze compounds whose crystal structures are known. It is a potentially powerful tool for the quantitative phase analysis and characterization of crystals in tablets and powders using X-ray diffraction patterns. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

X-ray investigation of cross-breed silk in cocoon, yarn and fabric forms

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

Radhalakshmi, Y. C.; Kariappa,; Siddaraju, G. N.

2012-06-05

Recently Central Sericulture Research and Training Institute, Mysore developed many improved cross breeds and bivoltine hybrids. Newly developed cross breeds recorded fibre characteristics which are significantly superior over existing control hybrids. This aspect has been investigated using X-ray diffraction technique. We have employed line profile analysis to compute microstructural parameters. These parameters are compared with physical parameters of newly developed cross breed silk fibers for a better understanding of structure-property relation in these samples.

Systematic investigation of drip stains on apparel fabrics: The effects of prior-laundering, fibre content and fabric structure on final stain appearance.

PubMed

de Castro, Therese C; Taylor, Michael C; Kieser, Jules A; Carr, Debra J; Duncan, W

2015-05-01

Bloodstain pattern analysis is the investigation of blood deposited at crime scenes and the interpretation of that pattern. The surface that the blood gets deposited onto could distort the appearance of the bloodstain. The interaction of blood and apparel fabrics is in its infancy, but the interaction of liquids and apparel fabrics has been well documented and investigated in the field of textile science (e.g. the processes of wetting and wicking of fluids on fibres, yarns and fabrics). A systematic study on the final appearance of drip stains on torso apparel fabrics (100% cotton plain woven, 100% polyester plain woven, blend of polyester and cotton plain woven and 100% cotton single jersey knit) that had been laundered for six, 26 and 52 cycles prior to testing was investigated in the paper. The relationship between drop velocity (1.66±0.50m/s, 4.07±0.03m/s, 5.34±0.18m/s) and the stain characteristics (parent stain area, axes 1 and 2 and number of satellite stains) for each fabric was examined using analysis of variance. The experimental design and effect of storing blood were investigated on a reference sample, which indicated that the day (up to five days) at which the drops were generated did not affect the bloodstain. The effect of prior-laundering (six, 26 and 52 laundering cycles), fibre content (cotton vs. polyester vs. blend) and fabric structure (plain woven vs. single jersey knit) on the final appearance of the bloodstain were investigated. Distortion in the bloodstains produced on non-laundered fabrics indicated the importance of laundering fabrics to remove finishing treatments before conducting bloodstain experiments. For laundered fabrics, both the cotton fabrics and the blend had a circular to oval stain appearance, while the polyester fabric had a circular appearance with evidence of spread along the warp and weft yarns, which resulted in square-like stains at the lowest drop velocity. A significant (p<0.001) increase in the stain size on laundered blend fabric was identified. Bloodstain characteristics varied due to fibre content (p<0.001) and fabric structure (p<0.001). Blood on polyester fabric, after impact, primarily moved due to capillary force and wicking of the blood along the fibres/yarns, while for the cotton fabrics wicking was accompanied by movement of blood into the fibres/yarns. This study highlights the importance for forensic analysts of apparel evidence to consider the age, the fibre type and the fabric structure before interpreting bloodstain patterns. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Efficient modeling of Bragg coherent x-ray nanobeam diffraction

DOE PAGES

Hruszkewycz, S. O.; Holt, M. V.; Allain, M.; ...

2015-07-02

X-ray Bragg diffraction experiments that utilize tightly focused coherent beams produce complicated Bragg diffraction patterns that depend on scattering geometry, characteristics of the sample, and properties of the x-ray focusing optic. In this paper, we use a Fourier-transform-based method of modeling the 2D intensity distribution of a Bragg peak and apply it to the case of thin films illuminated with a Fresnel zone plate in three different Bragg scattering geometries. Finally, the calculations agree well with experimental coherent diffraction patterns, demonstrating that nanodiffraction patterns can be modeled at nonsymmetric Bragg conditions with this approach—a capability critical for advancing nanofocused x-raymore » diffraction microscopy.« less

Holographic Reconstruction of Photoelectron Diffraction and Its Circular Dichroism for Local Structure Probing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsui, Fumihiko; Matsushita, Tomohiro; Daimon, Hiroshi

2018-06-01

The local atomic structure around a specific element atom can be recorded as a photoelectron diffraction pattern. Forward focusing peaks and diffraction rings around them indicate the directions and distances from the photoelectron emitting atom to the surrounding atoms. The state-of-the-art holography reconstruction algorithm enables us to image the local atomic arrangement around the excited atom in a real space. By using circularly polarized light as an excitation source, the angular momentum transfer from the light to the photoelectron induces parallax shifts in these diffraction patterns. As a result, stereographic images of atomic arrangements are obtained. These diffraction patterns can be used as atomic-site-resolved probes for local electronic structure investigation in combination with spectroscopy techniques. Direct three-dimensional atomic structure visualization and site-specific electronic property analysis methods are reviewed. Furthermore, circular dichroism was also found in valence photoelectron and Auger electron diffraction patterns. The investigation of these new phenomena provides hints for the development of new techniques for local structure probing.

Diffractive optical devices produced by light-assisted trapping of nanoparticles.

PubMed

Muñoz-Martínez, J F; Jubera, M; Matarrubia, J; García-Cabañes, A; Agulló-López, F; Carrascosa, M

2016-01-15

One- and two-dimensional diffractive optical devices have been fabricated by light-assisted trapping and patterning of nanoparticles. The method is based on the dielectrophoretic forces appearing in the vicinity of a photovoltaic crystal, such as Fe:LiNbO3, during or after illumination. By illumination with the appropriate light distribution, the nanoparticles are organized along patterns designed at will. One- and two-dimensional diffractive components have been achieved on X- and Z-cut Fe:LiNbO3 crystals, with their polar axes parallel and perpendicular to the crystal surface, respectively. Diffraction gratings with periods down to around a few micrometers have been produced using metal (Al, Ag) nanoparticles with radii in the range of 70-100 nm. Moreover, several 2D devices, such as Fresnel zone plates, have been also produced showing the potential of the method. The diffractive particle patterns remain stable when light is removed. A method to transfer the diffractive patterns to other nonphotovoltaic substrates, such as silica glass, has been also reported.

Resolution enhancement by extrapolation of coherent diffraction images: a quantitative study on the limits and a numerical study of nonbinary and phase objects.

PubMed

Latychevskaia, T; Chushkin, Y; Fink, H-W

2016-10-01

In coherent diffractive imaging, the resolution of the reconstructed object is limited by the numerical aperture of the experimental setup. We present here a theoretical and numerical study for achieving super-resolution by postextrapolation of coherent diffraction images, such as diffraction patterns or holograms. We demonstrate that a diffraction pattern can unambiguously be extrapolated from only a fraction of the entire pattern and that the ratio of the extrapolated signal to the originally available signal is linearly proportional to the oversampling ratio. Although there could be in principle other methods to achieve extrapolation, we devote our discussion to employing iterative phase retrieval methods and demonstrate their limits. We present two numerical studies; namely, the extrapolation of diffraction patterns of nonbinary and that of phase objects together with a discussion of the optimal extrapolation procedure. © 2016 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2016 Royal Microscopical Society.

Lithography Assisted Fiber-Drawing Nanomanufacturing

PubMed Central

Gholipour, Behrad; Bastock, Paul; Cui, Long; Craig, Christopher; Khan, Khouler; Hewak, Daniel W.; Soci, Cesare

2016-01-01

We present a high-throughput and scalable technique for the production of metal nanowires embedded in glass fibres by taking advantage of thin film properties and patterning techniques commonly used in planar microfabrication. This hybrid process enables the fabrication of single nanowires and nanowire arrays encased in a preform material within a single fibre draw, providing an alternative to costly and time-consuming iterative fibre drawing. This method allows the combination of materials with different thermal properties to create functional optoelectronic nanostructures. As a proof of principle of the potential of this technique, centimetre long gold nanowires (bulk Tm = 1064 °C) embedded in silicate glass fibres (Tg = 567 °C) were drawn in a single step with high aspect ratios (>104); such nanowires can be released from the glass matrix and show relatively high electrical conductivity. Overall, this fabrication method could enable mass manufacturing of metallic nanowires for plasmonics and nonlinear optics applications, as well as the integration of functional multimaterial structures for completely fiberised optoelectronic devices. PMID:27739543

Lithography Assisted Fiber-Drawing Nanomanufacturing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gholipour, Behrad; Bastock, Paul; Cui, Long; Craig, Christopher; Khan, Khouler; Hewak, Daniel W.; Soci, Cesare

2016-10-01

We present a high-throughput and scalable technique for the production of metal nanowires embedded in glass fibres by taking advantage of thin film properties and patterning techniques commonly used in planar microfabrication. This hybrid process enables the fabrication of single nanowires and nanowire arrays encased in a preform material within a single fibre draw, providing an alternative to costly and time-consuming iterative fibre drawing. This method allows the combination of materials with different thermal properties to create functional optoelectronic nanostructures. As a proof of principle of the potential of this technique, centimetre long gold nanowires (bulk Tm = 1064 °C) embedded in silicate glass fibres (Tg = 567 °C) were drawn in a single step with high aspect ratios (>104) such nanowires can be released from the glass matrix and show relatively high electrical conductivity. Overall, this fabrication method could enable mass manufacturing of metallic nanowires for plasmonics and nonlinear optics applications, as well as the integration of functional multimaterial structures for completely fiberised optoelectronic devices.

Enkephalin-like immunoreactive principal ganglion cells and nerve fibres in the inferior mesenteric ganglion of the cat.

PubMed

Balayadi, M; Jule, Y; Cupo, A

1988-10-05

The occurrence and distribution of methionine-enkephalin (ME), leucine-enkephalin (LE) and methionine-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 (MERGL)-like (LI) immunoreactive material in the inferior mesenteric ganglion (IMG) of the cat were studied by immunohistochemical techniques using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. Numerous ME-Li, LE-Li and MERGL-Li immunoreactive fibres with the same distribution pattern were observed. They were varicose and often surrounded closely neighbouring unlabelled ganglion cell bodies. Sometimes they ran in strands between ganglion cells. ME-Li immunoreactive material was detected in a number of cell bodies, the diameter of which was similar to that of unlabelled principal ganglion cell bodies, and which were probably Enk-Li-containing principal ganglion cells. These immunoreactive cells were often surrounded by ME-Li immunoreactive fibres. No LE-Li or MERGL-Li immunoreactive ganglion cell bodies were observed. The presence of ME-Li immunoreactive principal ganglion cells raises the possibility that the Enk-Li immunoreactive fibres present in the IMG may have a prevertebral ganglionic source. The possibility that the Enk-Li material present in nerve fibres might be derived from preproenkephalin-A was suggested by the occurrence of MERGL-Li immunoreactivity.

Integrated -Omics: A Powerful Approach to Understanding the Heterogeneous Lignification of Fibre Crops

PubMed Central

Gea, Guerriero; Kjell, Sergeant; Jean-François, Hausman

2013-01-01

Lignin and cellulose represent the two main components of plant secondary walls and the most abundant polymers on Earth. Quantitatively one of the principal products of the phenylpropanoid pathway, lignin confers high mechanical strength and hydrophobicity to plant walls, thus enabling erect growth and high-pressure water transport in the vessels. Lignin is characterized by a high natural heterogeneity in its composition and abundance in plant secondary cell walls, even in the different tissues of the same plant. A typical example is the stem of fibre crops, which shows a lignified core enveloped by a cellulosic, lignin-poor cortex. Despite the great value of fibre crops for humanity, however, still little is known on the mechanisms controlling their cell wall biogenesis, and particularly, what regulates their spatially-defined lignification pattern. Given the chemical complexity and the heterogeneous composition of fibre crops’ secondary walls, only the use of multidisciplinary approaches can convey an integrated picture and provide exhaustive information covering different levels of biological complexity. The present review highlights the importance of combining high throughput -omics approaches to get a complete understanding of the factors regulating the lignification heterogeneity typical of fibre crops. PMID:23708098

Vertebral body innervation: Implications for pain.

PubMed

Buonocore, Michelangelo; Aloisi, Anna Maria; Barbieri, Massimo; Gatti, Anna Maria; Bonezzi, Cesare

2010-03-01

Vertebral fractures often cause intractable pain. To define the involvement of vertebral body innervation in pain, we collected specimens from male and female patients during percutaneous kyphoplasty, a procedure used for reconstruction of the vertebral body. Specimens were taken from 31 patients (9 men and 22 women) suffering high-intensity pain before surgery. In total, 1,876 histological preparations were obtained and analysed. Immunohistochemical techniques were used to locate the nerves in the specimens. The nerve fibres were labelled by indirect immunofluorescence with the primary antibody directed against Protein Gene Product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), a pan-neuronal marker; another primary antibody directed against type IV collagen (Col IV) was used to identify vessels and to determine their relationship with vertebral nerve fibres. The mean percentage of samples in which it was possible to identify nerve fibres was 35% in men and 29% in women. The percentages varied depending on the spinal level considered and the sex of the subject, nerve fibres being mostly present around vessels (95%). In conclusion, there is scarce innervation of the vertebral bodies, with a clear prevalence of fibres located around vessels. It seems unlikely that this pattern of vertebral body innervation is involved in vertebral pain or in pain relief following kyphoplasty.

In situ hybridisation of a large repertoire of muscle-specific transcripts in fish larvae: the new superficial slow-twitch fibres exhibit characteristics of fast-twitch differentiation.

PubMed

Chauvigné, F; Ralliere, C; Cauty, C; Rescan, P Y

2006-01-01

Much of the present information on muscle differentiation in fish concerns the early embryonic stages. To learn more about the maturation and the diversification of the fish myotomal fibres in later stages of ontogeny, we investigated, by means of in situ hybridisation, the developmental expression of a large repertoire of muscle-specific genes in trout larvae from hatching to yolk resorption. At hatching, transcripts for fast and slow muscle protein isoforms, namely myosins, tropomyosins, troponins and myosin binding protein C were present in the deep fast and the superficial slow areas of the myotome, respectively. During myotome expansion that follows hatching, the expression of fast isoforms became progressively confined to the borders of the fast muscle mass, whereas, in contrast, slow muscle isoform transcripts were uniformly expressed in all the slow fibres. Transcripts for several enzymes involved in oxidative metabolism such as citrate synthase, cytochrome oxidase component IV and succinate dehydrogenase, were present throughout the whole myotome of hatching embryos but in later stages became concentrated in slow fibre as well as in lateral fast fibres. Surprisingly, the slow fibres that are added externally to the single superficial layer of the embryonic (original) slow muscle fibres expressed not only slow twitch muscle isoforms but also, transiently, a subset of fast twitch muscle isoforms including MyLC1, MyLC3, MyHC and myosin binding protein C. Taken together these observations show that the growth of the myotome of the fish larvae is associated with complex patterns of muscular gene expression and demonstrate the unexpected presence of fast muscle isoform-expressing fibres in the most superficial part of the slow muscle.

High-Fat Diet Reduces the Formation of Butyrate, but Increases Succinate, Inflammation, Liver Fat and Cholesterol in Rats, while Dietary Fibre Counteracts These Effects

PubMed Central

Jakobsdottir, Greta; Xu, Jie; Molin, Göran; Ahrné, Siv; Nyman, Margareta

2013-01-01

Introduction Obesity is linked to type 2 diabetes and risk factors associated to the metabolic syndrome. Consumption of dietary fibres has been shown to have positive metabolic health effects, such as by increasing satiety, lowering blood glucose and cholesterol levels. These effects may be associated with short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly propionic and butyric acids, formed by microbial degradation of dietary fibres in colon, and by their capacity to reduce low-grade inflammation. Objective To investigate whether dietary fibres, giving rise to different SCFAs, would affect metabolic risk markers in low-fat and high-fat diets using a model with conventional rats for 2, 4 and 6 weeks. Material and Methods Conventional rats were administered low-fat or high-fat diets, for 2, 4 or 6 weeks, supplemented with fermentable dietary fibres, giving rise to different SCFA patterns (pectin – acetic acid; guar gum – propionic acid; or a mixture – butyric acid). At the end of each experimental period, liver fat, cholesterol and triglycerides, serum and caecal SCFAs, plasma cholesterol, and inflammatory cytokines were analysed. The caecal microbiota was analysed after 6 weeks. Results and Discussion Fermentable dietary fibre decreased weight gain, liver fat, cholesterol and triglyceride content, and changed the formation of SCFAs. The high-fat diet primarily reduced formation of SCFAs but, after a longer experimental period, the formation of propionic and acetic acids recovered. The concentration of succinic acid in the rats increased in high-fat diets with time, indicating harmful effect of high-fat consumption. The dietary fibre partly counteracted these harmful effects and reduced inflammation. Furthermore, the number of Bacteroides was higher with guar gum, while noticeably that of Akkermansia was highest with the fibre-free diet. PMID:24236183

Farbrication of diffractive optical elements on a Si chip by an imprint lithography using nonsymmetrical silicon mold

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hirai, Yoshihiko; Okano, Masato; Okuno, Takayuki; Toyota, Hiroshi; Yotsuya, Tsutomu; Kikuta, Hisao; Tanaka, Yoshio

2001-11-01

Fabrication of a fine diffractive optical element on a Si chip is demonstrated using imprint lithography. A chirped diffraction grating, which has modulated pitched pattern with curved cross section is fabricated by an electron beam lithography, where the exposure dose profile is automatically optimized by computer aided system. Using the resist pattern as an etching mask, anisotropic dry etching is performed to transfer the resist pattern profile to the Si chip. The etched Si substrate is used as a mold in the imprint lithography. The Si mold is pressed to a thin polymer (poly methyl methacrylate) on a Si chip. After releasing the mold, a fine diffractive optical pattern is successfully transferred to the thin polymer. This method is exceedingly useful for fabrication of integrated diffractive optical elements with electric circuits on a Si chip.

Diffraction of V-point singularities through triangular apertures.

PubMed

Ram, B S Bhargava; Sharma, Anurag; Senthilkumaran, P

2017-05-01

In this paper we present experimental studies on diffraction of V-point singularities through equilateral and isosceles right triangular apertures. When V-point index, also called Poincare-Hopf index (η), of the optical field is +1, the diffraction disintegrates it into two monstars/lemons. When V-point index η is -1, diffraction produces two stars. The diffraction pattern, unlike phase singularity, is insensitive to polarity of the polarization singularity and the intensity pattern remains invariant. Higher order V-point singularities are generated using Sagnac interferometer and it is observed that the diffraction disintegrates them into lower order C-points.

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

Zhao, Haishuang; Krysiak, Yaşar; Hoffmann, Kristin

The crystal structure and disorder phenomena of Al{sub 4}B{sub 2}O{sub 9}, an aluminum borate from the mullite-type family, were studied using automated diffraction tomography (ADT), a recently established method for collection and analysis of electron diffraction data. Al{sub 4}B{sub 2}O{sub 9}, prepared by sol-gel approach, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/m. The ab initio structure determination based on three-dimensional electron diffraction data from single ordered crystals reveals that edge-connected AlO{sub 6} octahedra expanding along the b axis constitute the backbone. The ordered structure (A) was confirmed by TEM and HAADF-STEM images. Furthermore, disordered crystals with diffuse scattering along themore » b axis are observed. Analysis of the modulation pattern implies a mean superstructure (AAB) with a threefold b axis, where B corresponds to an A layer shifted by ½a and ½c. Diffraction patterns simulated for the AAB sequence including additional stacking disorder are in good agreement with experimental electron diffraction patterns. - Graphical abstract: Crystal structure and disorder phenomena of B-rich Al{sub 4}B{sub 2}O{sub 9} studied by automated electron diffraction tomography (ADT) and described by diffraction simulation using DISCUS. - Highlights: • Ab-initio structure solution by electron diffraction from single nanocrystals. • Detected modulation corresponding mainly to three-fold superstructure. • Diffuse diffraction streaks caused by stacking faults in disordered crystals. • Observed streaks explained by simulated electron diffraction patterns.« less

Laser fresnel distance measuring system and method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Campbell, Jonathan W. (Inventor); Lehner, David L. (Inventor); Smalley, Larry L. (Inventor); Smith, legal representative, Molly C. (Inventor); Sanders, Alvin J. (Inventor); Earl, Dennis Duncan (Inventor); Allison, Stephen W. (Inventor); Smith, Kelly L. (Inventor)

2008-01-01

A method and system for determining range to a target are provided. A beam of electromagnetic energy is transmitted through an aperture in an opaque screen such that a portion of the beam passes through the aperture to generate a region of diffraction that varies as a function of distance from the aperture. An imaging system is focused on a target plane in the region of diffraction with the generated image being compared to known diffraction patterns. Each known diffraction pattern has a unique value associated therewith that is indicative of a distance from the aperture. A match between the generated image and at least one of the known diffraction patterns is indicative of a distance between the aperture and target plane.

Socio-demographic and lifestyle determinants of dietary patterns in French-speaking Switzerland, 2009-2012.

PubMed

Marques-Vidal, Pedro; Waeber, Gérard; Vollenweider, Peter; Guessous, Idris

2018-01-12

Food intake is a complex behaviour which can be assessed using dietary patterns. Our aim was to characterize dietary patterns and associated factors in French-speaking Switzerland. Cross-sectional study conducted between 2009 and 2012 in the city of Lausanne, Switzerland, including 4372 participants (54% women, 57.3 ± 10.3 years). Food consumption was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were assessed by principal components analysis. Three patterns were identified: "Meat & fries"; "Fruits & Vegetables" and "Fatty & sugary". The "Meat & fries" pattern showed the strongest correlations with total and animal protein and cholesterol carbohydrates, dietary fibre and calcium. The "Fruits & Vegetables" pattern showed the strongest correlations with dietary fibre, carotene and vitamin D. The "Fatty & sugary" pattern showed the strongest correlations with total energy and saturated fat. On multivariate analysis, male gender, low educational level and sedentary status were positively associated with the "Meat & fries" and the "Fatty & sugary" patterns, and negatively associated with the "Fruits & Vegetables" pattern. Increasing age was inversely associated with the "Meat & fries" pattern; smoking status was inversely associated with the "Fruits & Vegetables" pattern. Being born in Portugal or Spain was positively associated with the "Meat & fries" and the "Fruits & Vegetables" patterns. Increasing body mass index was positively associated with the "Meat & fries" pattern and inversely associated with the "Fatty & sugary" pattern. Three dietary patterns, one healthy and two unhealthy, were identified in the Swiss population. Several associated modifiable behaviours were identified; the information on socio- demographic determinants allows targeting of the most vulnerable groups in the context of public health interventions.

The structure of denisovite, a fibrous nanocrystalline polytypic disordered ‘very complex’ silicate, studied by a synergistic multi-disciplinary approach employing methods of electron crystallography and X-ray powder diffraction

PubMed Central

Schowalter, Marco; Schmidt, Martin U.; Czank, Michael; Depmeier, Wulf; Rosenauer, Andreas

2017-01-01

Denisovite is a rare mineral occurring as aggregates of fibres typically 200–500 nm diameter. It was confirmed as a new mineral in 1984, but important facts about its chemical formula, lattice parameters, symmetry and structure have remained incompletely known since then. Recently obtained results from studies using microprobe analysis, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), electron crystallography, modelling and Rietveld refinement will be reported. The electron crystallography methods include transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), high-angle annular dark-field imaging (HAADF), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), precession electron diffraction (PED) and electron diffraction tomography (EDT). A structural model of denisovite was developed from HAADF images and later completed on the basis of quasi-kinematic EDT data by ab initio structure solution using direct methods and least-squares refinement. The model was confirmed by Rietveld refinement. The lattice parameters are a = 31.024 (1), b = 19.554 (1) and c = 7.1441 (5) Å, β = 95.99 (3)°, V = 4310.1 (5) Å3 and space group P12/a1. The structure consists of three topologically distinct dreier silicate chains, viz. two xonotlite-like dreier double chains, [Si6O17]10−, and a tubular loop-branched dreier triple chain, [Si12O30]12−. The silicate chains occur between three walls of edge-sharing (Ca,Na) octahedra. The chains of silicate tetrahedra and the octahedra walls extend parallel to the z axis and form a layer parallel to (100). Water molecules and K+ cations are located at the centre of the tubular silicate chain. The latter also occupy positions close to the centres of eight-membered rings in the silicate chains. The silicate chains are geometrically constrained by neighbouring octahedra walls and present an ambiguity with respect to their z position along these walls, with displacements between neighbouring layers being either Δz = c/4 or −c/4. Such behaviour is typical for polytypic sequences and leads to disorder along [100]. In fact, the diffraction pattern does not show any sharp reflections with l odd, but continuous diffuse streaks parallel to a* instead. Only reflections with l even are sharp. The diffuse scattering is caused by (100) nano­lamellae separated by stacking faults and twin boundaries. The structure can be described according to the order–disorder (OD) theory as a stacking of layers parallel to (100). PMID:28512570

Cryptotomography: reconstructing 3D Fourier intensities from randomly oriented single-shot diffraction patterns (CXIDB ID 9)

DOE Data Explorer

Loh, Ne-Te Duane

2011-08-01

These 2000 single-shot diffraction patterns include were either background-scattering only or hits (background-scattering plus diffraction signal from sub-micron ellipsoidal particles at random, undetermined orientations). Candidate hits were identified by eye, and the remainder were presumed as background. 54 usable, background-subtracted hits in this set (procedure in referenced article) were used to reconstruct the 3D diffraction intensities of the average ellipsoidal particle.

Fiber Diffraction Data Indicate a Hollow Core for the Alzheimer’s Aβ Three-fold Symmetric Fibril

PubMed Central

McDonald, Michele; Box, Hayden; Bian, Wen; Kendall, Amy; Tycko, Robert; Stubbs, Gerald

2012-01-01

Amyloid β protein (Aβ), the principal component of the extracellular plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients, forms fibrils well suited to structural study by X-ray fiber diffraction. Fiber diffraction patterns from the 40-residue form Aβ(1–40) confirm a number of features of a three-fold symmetric Aβ model from solid state NMR, but suggest that the fibrils have a hollow core, not present in the original ssNMR models. Diffraction patterns calculated from a revised hollow three-fold model with a more regular β-sheet structure are in much better agreement with the observed diffraction data than patterns calculated from the original ssNMR model. Refinement of a hollow-core model against ssNMR data led to a revised ssNMR model, similar to the fiber diffraction model. PMID:22903058

Optical diffraction properties of multimicrogratings

DOE PAGES

Rothenbach, Christian A.; Kravchenko, Ivan I.; Gupta, Mool C.

2015-02-27

This paper shows the results of optical diffraction properties of multimicrograting structures fabricated by e-beam lithography. Multimicrograting consist of arrays of hexagonally shaped cells containing periodic one-dimensional (1D) grating lines in different orientations and arrayed to form large area patterns. We analyzed the optical diffraction properties of multimicrogratings by studying the individual effects of the several periodic elements of multimicrogratings. The observed optical diffraction pattern is shown to be the combined effect of the periodic and non-periodic elements that define the multimicrogratings and the interaction between different elements. We measured the total transverse electric (TE) diffraction efficiency of multimicrogratings andmore » found it to be 32.1%, which is closely related to the diffraction efficiency of 1D periodic grating lines of the same characteristics, measured to be 33.7%. Beam profiles of the optical diffraction patterns from multimicrogratings are captured with a CCD sensor technique. Interference fringes were observed under certain conditions formed by multimicrograting beams interfering with each other. Finally, these diffraction structures may find applications in sensing, nanometrology, and optical interconnects.« less

Novel Perspectives on the Characterization of Species-Dependent Optical Signatures of Bacterial Colonies by Digital Holography.

PubMed

Buzalewicz, Igor; Kujawińska, Małgorzata; Krauze, Wojciech; Podbielska, Halina

2016-01-01

The use of light diffraction for the microbiological diagnosis of bacterial colonies was a significant breakthrough with widespread implications for the food industry and clinical practice. We previously confirmed that optical sensors for bacterial colony light diffraction can be used for bacterial identification. This paper is focused on the novel perspectives of this method based on digital in-line holography (DIH), which is able to reconstruct the amplitude and phase properties of examined objects, as well as the amplitude and phase patterns of the optical field scattered/diffracted by the bacterial colony in any chosen observation plane behind the object from single digital hologram. Analysis of the amplitude and phase patterns inside a colony revealed its unique optical properties, which are associated with the internal structure and geometry of the bacterial colony. Moreover, on a computational level, it is possible to select the desired scattered/diffracted pattern within the entire observation volume that exhibits the largest amount of unique, differentiating bacterial features. These properties distinguish this method from the already proposed sensing techniques based on light diffraction/scattering of bacterial colonies. The reconstructed diffraction patterns have a similar spatial distribution as the recorded Fresnel patterns, previously applied for bacterial identification with over 98% accuracy, but they are characterized by both intensity and phase distributions. Our results using digital holography provide new optical discriminators of bacterial species revealed in one single step in form of new optical signatures of bacterial colonies: digital holograms, reconstructed amplitude and phase patterns, as well as diffraction patterns from all observation space, which exhibit species-dependent features. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on bacterial colony analysis via digital holography and our study represents an innovative approach to the subject.

Novel Perspectives on the Characterization of Species-Dependent Optical Signatures of Bacterial Colonies by Digital Holography

PubMed Central

Buzalewicz, Igor; Kujawińska, Małgorzata; Krauze, Wojciech; Podbielska, Halina

2016-01-01

The use of light diffraction for the microbiological diagnosis of bacterial colonies was a significant breakthrough with widespread implications for the food industry and clinical practice. We previously confirmed that optical sensors for bacterial colony light diffraction can be used for bacterial identification. This paper is focused on the novel perspectives of this method based on digital in-line holography (DIH), which is able to reconstruct the amplitude and phase properties of examined objects, as well as the amplitude and phase patterns of the optical field scattered/diffracted by the bacterial colony in any chosen observation plane behind the object from single digital hologram. Analysis of the amplitude and phase patterns inside a colony revealed its unique optical properties, which are associated with the internal structure and geometry of the bacterial colony. Moreover, on a computational level, it is possible to select the desired scattered/diffracted pattern within the entire observation volume that exhibits the largest amount of unique, differentiating bacterial features. These properties distinguish this method from the already proposed sensing techniques based on light diffraction/scattering of bacterial colonies. The reconstructed diffraction patterns have a similar spatial distribution as the recorded Fresnel patterns, previously applied for bacterial identification with over 98% accuracy, but they are characterized by both intensity and phase distributions. Our results using digital holography provide new optical discriminators of bacterial species revealed in one single step in form of new optical signatures of bacterial colonies: digital holograms, reconstructed amplitude and phase patterns, as well as diffraction patterns from all observation space, which exhibit species-dependent features. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on bacterial colony analysis via digital holography and our study represents an innovative approach to the subject. PMID:26943121

Ballistic impact velocity response of carbon fibre reinforced aluminium alloy laminates for aero-engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohammed, I.; Abu Talib, A. R.; Sultan, M. T. H.; Saadon, S.

2017-12-01

Aerospace and other industries use fibre metal laminate composites extensively due to their high specific strength, stiffness and fire resistance, in addition to their capability to be tailored into different forms for specific purposes. The behaviours of such composites under impact loading is another factor to be considered due to the impacts that occur in take-off, landing, during maintenance and operations. The aim of the study is to determine the specific perforation energy and impact strength of the fibre metal laminates of different layering pattern of carbon fibre reinforced aluminium alloy and hybrid laminate composites of carbon fibre and natural fibres (kenaf and flax). The composites are fabricated using the hand lay-up method in a mould with high bonding polymer matrix and compressed by a compression machine, cured at room temperature for one day and post cure in an oven for three hours. The impact tests are conducted using a gun tunnel system with a flat cylindrical bullet fired using a helium gas at a distance of 14 inches to the target. Impact and residual velocity of the projectile are recorded by high speed video camera. Specific perforation energy of carbon fibre reinforced aluminium alloy (CF+AA) for both before and after fire test are higher than the specific perforation energy of the other composites considered before and after fire test respectively. CF +AA before fire test is 55.18% greater than after. The same thing applies to impact strength of the composites where CF +AA before the fire test has the highest percentage of 11.7%, 50.0% and 32.98% as respectively compared to carbon fibre reinforced aluminium alloy (CARALL), carbon fibre reinforced flax aluminium alloy (CAFRALL) and carbon fibre reinforced kenaf aluminium alloy (CAKRALL), and likewise for the composites after fire test. The considered composites in this test can be used in the designated fire zone of an aircraft engine to protect external debris from penetrating the engine shield due to higher values of impact strength and specific perforation energy as highlighted by the test results.

Optical-diffraction method for determining crystal orientation

DOEpatents

Sopori, B.L.

1982-05-07

Disclosed is an optical diffraction technique for characterizing the three-dimensional orientation of a crystal sample. An arbitrary surface of the crystal sample is texture etched so as to generate a pseudo-periodic diffraction grating on the surface. A laser light beam is then directed onto the etched surface, and the reflected light forms a farfield diffraction pattern in reflection. Parameters of the diffraction pattern, such as the geometry and angular dispersion of the diffracted beam are then related to grating shape of the etched surface which is in turn related to crystal orientation. This technique may be used for examining polycrystalline silicon for use in solar cells.

[Fracture strength of elastic and conventional fibre-reinforced composite intraradicular posts--an in vitro pilot study].

PubMed

Fráter, Mark; Forster, András; Jantyik, Ádám; Braunitzer, Gábor; Nagy, Katalin

2015-12-01

The purpose of this in vitro investigation was to evaluate the reinforcing effect of different fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) posts and insertion techniques in premolar teeth when using minimal invasive post space preparation. Thirty two extracted and endodontically treated premolar teeth were used and divided into four groups (n = 8) depending on the post used (Group 1-4). 1: one single conventional post, 2: one main conventional and one collateral post, 3: one flexible post, 4: one main flexible and one collateral post. After cementation and core build-up the specimens were submitted to static fracture toughness test. Fracture thresholds and fracture patterns were recorded and evaluated. The multi-post techniques (group 2 and 4) showed statistically higher fracture resistance compared to group one. Regarding fracture patterns there was no statistically significant difference between the tested groups. The application of multiple posts seems to be beneficial regarding fracture resistance independent from the used FRC post. Fracture pattern was not influenced by the elasticity of the post.

Cellular chirality arising from the self-organization of the actin cytoskeleton.

PubMed

Tee, Yee Han; Shemesh, Tom; Thiagarajan, Visalatchi; Hariadi, Rizal Fajar; Anderson, Karen L; Page, Christopher; Volkmann, Niels; Hanein, Dorit; Sivaramakrishnan, Sivaraj; Kozlov, Michael M; Bershadsky, Alexander D

2015-04-01

Cellular mechanisms underlying the development of left-right asymmetry in tissues and embryos remain obscure. Here, the development of a chiral pattern of actomyosin was revealed by studying actin cytoskeleton self-organization in cells with isotropic circular shape. A radially symmetrical system of actin bundles consisting of α-actinin-enriched radial fibres (RFs) and myosin-IIA-enriched transverse fibres (TFs) evolved spontaneously into the chiral system as a result of the unidirectional tilting of all RFs, which was accompanied by a tangential shift in the retrograde movement of TFs. We showed that myosin-IIA-dependent contractile stresses within TFs drive their movement along RFs, which grow centripetally in a formin-dependent fashion. The handedness of the chiral pattern was shown to be regulated by α-actinin-1. Computational modelling demonstrated that the dynamics of the RF-TF system can explain the pattern transition from radial to chiral. Thus, actin cytoskeleton self-organization provides built-in machinery that potentially allows cells to develop left-right asymmetry.

Diffraction pattern simulation of cellulose fibrils using distributed and quantized pair distances

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Yan; Inouye, Hideyo; Crowley, Michael; ...

2016-10-14

Intensity simulation of X-ray scattering from large twisted cellulose molecular fibrils is important in understanding the impact of chemical or physical treatments on structural properties such as twisting or coiling. This paper describes a highly efficient method for the simulation of X-ray diffraction patterns from complex fibrils using atom-type-specific pair-distance quantization. Pair distances are sorted into arrays which are labelled by atom type. Histograms of pair distances in each array are computed and binned and the resulting population distributions are used to represent the whole pair-distance data set. These quantized pair-distance arrays are used with a modified and vectorized Debyemore » formula to simulate diffraction patterns. This approach utilizes fewer pair distances in each iteration, and atomic scattering factors are moved outside the iteration since the arrays are labelled by atom type. As a result, this algorithm significantly reduces the computation time while maintaining the accuracy of diffraction pattern simulation, making possible the simulation of diffraction patterns from large twisted fibrils in a relatively short period of time, as is required for model testing and refinement.« less

Diffraction pattern simulation of cellulose fibrils using distributed and quantized pair distances

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

Zhang, Yan; Inouye, Hideyo; Crowley, Michael

Intensity simulation of X-ray scattering from large twisted cellulose molecular fibrils is important in understanding the impact of chemical or physical treatments on structural properties such as twisting or coiling. This paper describes a highly efficient method for the simulation of X-ray diffraction patterns from complex fibrils using atom-type-specific pair-distance quantization. Pair distances are sorted into arrays which are labelled by atom type. Histograms of pair distances in each array are computed and binned and the resulting population distributions are used to represent the whole pair-distance data set. These quantized pair-distance arrays are used with a modified and vectorized Debyemore » formula to simulate diffraction patterns. This approach utilizes fewer pair distances in each iteration, and atomic scattering factors are moved outside the iteration since the arrays are labelled by atom type. This algorithm significantly reduces the computation time while maintaining the accuracy of diffraction pattern simulation, making possible the simulation of diffraction patterns from large twisted fibrils in a relatively short period of time, as is required for model testing and refinement.« less

Diffraction pattern simulation of cellulose fibrils using distributed and quantized pair distances

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

Zhang, Yan; Inouye, Hideyo; Crowley, Michael

Intensity simulation of X-ray scattering from large twisted cellulose molecular fibrils is important in understanding the impact of chemical or physical treatments on structural properties such as twisting or coiling. This paper describes a highly efficient method for the simulation of X-ray diffraction patterns from complex fibrils using atom-type-specific pair-distance quantization. Pair distances are sorted into arrays which are labelled by atom type. Histograms of pair distances in each array are computed and binned and the resulting population distributions are used to represent the whole pair-distance data set. These quantized pair-distance arrays are used with a modified and vectorized Debyemore » formula to simulate diffraction patterns. This approach utilizes fewer pair distances in each iteration, and atomic scattering factors are moved outside the iteration since the arrays are labelled by atom type. As a result, this algorithm significantly reduces the computation time while maintaining the accuracy of diffraction pattern simulation, making possible the simulation of diffraction patterns from large twisted fibrils in a relatively short period of time, as is required for model testing and refinement.« less

Non-spectroscopic composition measurements of SrTiO 3-La 0.7Sr 0.3MnO 3 multilayers using scanning convergent beam electron diffraction

DOE PAGES

Ophus, Colin; Ercius, Peter; Huijben, Mark; ...

2017-02-08

The local atomic structure of a crystalline sample aligned along a zone axis can be probed with a focused electron probe, which produces a convergent beam electron diffraction pattern. The introduction of high speed direct electron detectors has allowed for experiments that can record a full diffraction pattern image at thousands of probe positions on a sample. By incoherently summing these patterns over crystalline unit cells, we demonstrate in this paper that in addition to crystal structure and thickness, we can also estimate the local composition of a perovskite superlattice sample. This is achieved by matching the summed patterns tomore » a library of simulated diffraction patterns. Finally, this technique allows for atomic-scale chemical measurements without requiring a spectrometer or hardware aberration correction.« less

Transparent Electrochemical Gratings from a Patterned Bistable Silver Mirror.

PubMed

Park, Chihyun; Na, Jongbeom; Han, Minsu; Kim, Eunkyoung

2017-07-25

Silver mirror patterns were formed reversibly on a polystyrene (PS)-patterned electrode to produce gratings through the electrochemical reduction of silver ions. The electrochemical gratings exhibited high transparency (T > 95%), similar to a see-through window, by matching the refractive index of the grating pattern with the surrounding medium. The gratings switch to a diffractive state upon the formation of a mirror pattern (T < 5%) with a high diffraction efficiency up to 40%, providing reversible diffractive gratings. The diffraction state was maintained in the voltage-off state (V-off) for 40 min, which demonstrated bistable reversible electrochemical grating (BREG) behavior. By carefully combining the BREGs through period matching, dual-color switching was achieved within the full color region, which exhibited three distinct optical switching states between -2.5, 0, and +2.5 V. The wide range of light tenability using the metallic BREGs developed herein enabled IR modulation, NIR light reflection, and on-demand heat transfer.

The internal microstructure and fibrous mineralogy of fly ash from coal-burning power stations.

PubMed

Brown, Patrick; Jones, Tim; BéruBé, Kelly

2011-12-01

Coal fly ash (CFA) is a significant environmental pollutant that presents a respiratory hazard when airborne. Although previous studies have identified the mineral components of CFA, there is a paucity of information on the structural habits of these minerals. Samples from UK, Polish and Chinese power stations were studied to further our understanding of the factors that affect CFA geochemistry and mineralogy. ICP-MS, FE-SEM/EDX, XRD, and laser diffraction were used to study physicochemical characteristics. Analysis revealed important differences in the elemental compositions and particle size distributions of samples between sites. Microscopy of HF acid-etched CFA revealed the mullite present possesses a fibrous habit; fibres ranged in length between 1 and 10 μm. Respirable particles (<10 μm) were frequently observed to contain fibrous mullite. We propose that the biopersistence of these refractory fibres in the lung environment could be contributing towards chronic lung diseases seen in communities and individuals continually exposed to high levels of CFA. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structure of cellulose microfibrils in mature cotton fibres.

PubMed

Martínez-Sanz, Marta; Pettolino, Filomena; Flanagan, Bernadine; Gidley, Michael J; Gilbert, Elliot P

2017-11-01

The structure of cellulose microfibrils in mature cotton fibres from three varieties - Gossypium hirsutum, G. barbadense and G. arboreum - has been investigated by a multi-technique approach combining small angle scattering techniques with spectroscopy and diffraction. Cellulose microfibrils present a Iβ-rich crystalline structure with limited surface disorder. Small angle scattering (SAXS and SANS) data have been successfully fitted using a core-shell model and the results obtained indicate that the cellulose microfibrils, formed by the association of 2-3 elementary fibrils, are composed of a ca. 2nm impermeable crystalline core, surrounded by a partially hydrated paracrystalline shell, with overall cross-sections of ca. 3.6-4.7nm. Different low levels of cell wall matrix components have a strong impact on the microfibril architecture and enable moisture penetration upon hydration. Furthermore, the higher amounts of non-cellulosic components in G. barbadense result in a less dense packing of cellulose microfibrils and increased solvent accessibility. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Micro-joule pico-second range Yb3+-doped fibre laser for medical applications in acupuncture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alvarez-Chavez, J. A.; Rivera-Manrique, S. I.; Jacques, S. L.

2011-08-01

The work described here is based on the optical design, simulation and on-going implementation of a pulsed (Q-switch) Yb3+-doped, 1-um diffraction-limited fibre laser with pico-second, 10 micro-Joule-range energy pulses for producing the right energy pulses which could be of benefit for patients who suffer chronic headache, photophobia, and even nausea which could is sometimes triggered by a series of factors. The specific therapeutic effect known as acupunctural analgesia is the main objective of this medium-term project. It is a simple design on which commercially available software was employed for laser cavity design. Monte Carlo technique for skin light-transport, thermal diffusion and the possible thermal de-naturalization optical study and prediction will also be included in the presentation. Full optical characterization will be included and a complete set of recent results on the laser-skin interaction and the so called moxi-bustion from the laser design will be extensively described.

Near-field diffraction from amplitude diffraction gratings: theory, simulation and results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abedin, Kazi Monowar; Rahman, S. M. Mujibur

2017-08-01

We describe a computer simulation method by which the complete near-field diffract pattern of an amplitude diffraction grating can be generated. The technique uses the method of iterative Fresnel integrals to calculate and generate the diffraction images. Theoretical background as well as the techniques to perform the simulation is described. The program is written in MATLAB, and can be implemented in any ordinary PC. Examples of simulated diffraction images are presented and discussed. The generated images in the far-field where they reduce to Fraunhofer diffraction pattern are also presented for a realistic grating, and compared with the results predicted by the grating equation, which is applicable in the far-field. The method can be used as a tool to teach the complex phenomenon of diffraction in classrooms.

Mechanical properties of silk of the Australian golden orb weavers Nephila pilipes and Nephilaplumipes.

PubMed

Kerr, Genevieve G; Nahrung, Helen F; Wiegand, Aaron; Kristoffersen, Joanna; Killen, Peter; Brown, Cameron; Macdonald, Joanne

2018-02-22

Silks from orb-weaving spiders are exceptionally tough, producing a model polymer for biomimetic fibre development. The mechanical properties of naturally spun silk threads from two species of Australian orb-weavers, Nephila pilipes and Nephila plumipes , were examined here in relation to overall thread diameter, the size and number of fibres within threads, and spider size. N. pilipes , the larger of the two species, had significantly tougher silk with higher strain capacity than its smaller congener, producing threads with average toughness of 150 MJ m -3 , despite thread diameter, mean fibre diameter and number of fibres per thread not differing significantly between the two species. Within N. pilipes , smaller silk fibres were produced by larger spiders, yielding tougher threads. In contrast, while spider size was correlated with thread diameter in N. plumipes , there were no clear patterns relating to silk toughness, which suggests that the differences in properties between the silk of the two species arise through differing molecular structure. Our results support previous studies that found that the mechanical properties of silk differ between distantly related spider species, and extends on that work to show that the mechanical and physical properties of silk from more closely related species can also differ remarkably. © 2018. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

A historical exploration of Indian diets and a possible link to insulin resistance syndrome.

PubMed

Bhattacharya, Manoshi

2015-12-01

Insulin resistance syndrome, especially with diabetes, is becoming increasingly prevalent in India. The increasing consumption of low-fibre and refined carbohydrates is thought to be related to the increased risk of insulin resistance syndrome. The aim was to study the history of eating behaviours in India; the patterns (macronutrients, frequency, and quantity) of food consumption amongst ancient, medieval and modern Indians; and the evolution of a primarily low-fibre and refined-carbohydrate diet. The ancient dietary laws of India, historical documents, and ancient and medieval literature and poetry, spanning more than 2000 years, were studied. These data were compared with modern diets among people of different geographical regions, religions and social strata using the National Nutritional Database of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for analysis. The data presented shows a gradual shift over the centuries from the Pastoral Age diet of large quantities of high-fibre carbohydrates, small amounts of digestible carbohydrates, moderate fats, moderate proteins, to an increasing and frequent intake of high-fibre carbohydrates associated with significant drop in protein and fat consumption between 1775 and 1947. From 1947 onwards there has been an increase in the frequency of intake and quantities of low-fibre and refined carbohydrates, and fats with protein intake improving only marginally. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Flexural behaviour of RCC beams with externally bonded FRP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vignesh, S. Arun; Sumathi, A.; Saravana Raja Mohan, K.

2017-07-01

The increasing use of carbon and glass fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets for strengthening existing reinforced concrete beams has generated considerable interest in understanding the behavior of the FRP sheets when subjected to bending. The study on flexure includes various parameters like percentage of increase in strength of the member due to the externally bonded Fiber reinforced polymer, examining the crack patterns, reasons of debonding of the fibre from the structure, scaling, convenience of using the fibres, cost effectiveness etc. The present work aims to study experimentally about the reasons behind the failure due to flexure of an EB-FRP concrete beam by studying the various parameters. Deflection control may become as important as flexural strength for the design of FRPreinforced concrete structures. A numerical model is created using FEM software and the results are compared with that of the experiment.

Impact behaviour of Napier/polyester composites under different energy levels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fahmi, I.; Majid, M. S. Abdul; Afendi, M.; Haslan, M.; Helmi E., A.; M. Haameem J., A.

2016-07-01

The effects of different energy levels on the impact behaviour of Napier fibre/polyester reinforced composites were investigated. Napier fibre was extracted using traditional water retting process to be utilized as reinforcing materials in polyester composite laminates. 25% fibre loading composite laminates were prepared and impacted at three different energy levels; 2.5,5 and 7.5 J using an instrumented drop weight impact testing machine (IMATEK IM10). The outcomes show that peak force and contact time increase with increased impact load. The energy absorption was then calculated from the force displacement curve. The results indicated that the energy absorption decreases with increasing energy levels of the impact. Impacted specimens were observed visually for fragmentation fracture using an optical camera to identify the failure mechanisms. Fracture fragmentation pattern from permanent dent to perforation with radial and circumferential was observed.

Bringing the magic of light to remote areas where resources are scarce: beautiful demonstrations of interference patterns using laser pens and fibres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mignard, D.

2016-09-01

The training of physics teachers in remote areas in the developing world requires dedicated trainers (who typically are volunteers), as well as robust logistics. The latter must include the supply of equipment for experiments in the classroom. This task is greatly aided by the use of cheap, safe and readily available consumer goods that do not require local power supplies. In this paper, a simple experiment using a laser pointer pen and samples of hair as well as wire and transparent thin fibre is presented, reproducing a variant of Thomas Youngs’ famed double slit experiment. The spread of the interference pattern as it projects itself on a screen is sufficiently large to catch the interest of students, and its orientation being perpendicular to that of the hair is also strikingly counter-intuitive. The students are then encouraged to apply the simplified Fraunhofer equation to the various samples to find out the width of their hair. Ideally, these samples would also include calibrating materials like fibres and wires of known diameters, the use of which should give confidence in the model by confirming that it can predict the sample diameter. A fruitful discussion supported by diagrams can also be conducted on the differences that could be expected between a straight edge and a rounded edge, the latter throwing an unexpected challenge to the initial model. However, the use of a transparent fibre also clearly illustrate the limitations of this model, a perception that is amplified by the particularly wide and bright interference pattern that it produces. This mismatch between the model and the real system should prompt the students to further refine their description of the physical system and the resulting model. Throughout the session, their reasoning may be helped by encouraging them to produce diagrams showing the path of optical rays.

Calculation of Debye-Scherrer diffraction patterns from highly stressed polycrystalline materials

DOE PAGES

MacDonald, M. J.; Vorberger, J.; Gamboa, E. J.; ...

2016-06-07

Calculations of Debye-Scherrer diffraction patterns from polycrystalline materials have typically been done in the limit of small deviatoric stresses. Although these methods are well suited for experiments conducted near hydrostatic conditions, more robust models are required to diagnose the large strain anisotropies present in dynamic compression experiments. A method to predict Debye-Scherrer diffraction patterns for arbitrary strains has been presented in the Voigt (iso-strain) limit. Here, we present a method to calculate Debye-Scherrer diffraction patterns from highly stressed polycrystalline samples in the Reuss (iso-stress) limit. This analysis uses elastic constants to calculate lattice strains for all initial crystallite orientations, enablingmore » elastic anisotropy and sample texture effects to be modeled directly. Furthermore, the effects of probing geometry, deviatoric stresses, and sample texture are demonstrated and compared to Voigt limit predictions. An example of shock-compressed polycrystalline diamond is presented to illustrate how this model can be applied and demonstrates the importance of including material strength when interpreting diffraction in dynamic compression experiments.« less

Sucrose lyophiles: a semi-quantitative study of residual water content by total X-ray diffraction analysis.

PubMed

Bates, S; Jonaitis, D; Nail, S

2013-10-01

Total X-ray Powder Diffraction Analysis (TXRPD) using transmission geometry was able to observe significant variance in measured powder patterns for sucrose lyophilizates with differing residual water contents. Integrated diffraction intensity corresponding to the observed variances was found to be linearly correlated to residual water content as measured by an independent technique. The observed variance was concentrated in two distinct regions of the lyophilizate powder pattern, corresponding to the characteristic sucrose matrix double halo and the high angle diffuse region normally associated with free-water. Full pattern fitting of the lyophilizate powder patterns suggested that the high angle variance was better described by the characteristic diffraction profile of a concentrated sucrose/water system rather than by the free-water diffraction profile. This suggests that the residual water in the sucrose lyophilizates is intimately mixed at the molecular level with sucrose molecules forming a liquid/solid solution. The bound nature of the residual water and its impact on the sucrose matrix gives an enhanced diffraction response between 3.0 and 3.5 beyond that expected for free-water. The enhanced diffraction response allows semi-quantitative analysis of residual water contents within the studied sucrose lyophilizates to levels below 1% by weight. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spatially resolved multicomponent gels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Draper, Emily R.; Eden, Edward G. B.; McDonald, Tom O.; Adams, Dave J.

2015-10-01

Multicomponent supramolecular systems could be used to prepare exciting new functional materials, but it is often challenging to control the assembly across multiple length scales. Here we report a simple approach to forming patterned, spatially resolved multicomponent supramolecular hydrogels. A multicomponent gel is first formed from two low-molecular-weight gelators and consists of two types of fibre, each formed by only one gelator. One type of fibre in this ‘self-sorted network’ is then removed selectively by a light-triggered gel-to-sol transition. We show that the remaining network has the same mechanical properties as it would have done if it initially formed alone. The selective irradiation of sections of the gel through a mask leads to the formation of patterned multicomponent networks, in which either one or two networks can be present at a particular position with a high degree of spatial control.

Effect of accelerated environmental aging on tensile properties of oil palm/jute hybrid composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jawaid, M.; Saba, N.; Alothman, O.; Paridah, M. T.

2016-11-01

Recently natural fibre based hybrid composites are receiving growing consideration due to environmental and biodegradability properties. In order to look behaviour of hybrid composites in outdoor applications, its environmental degradation properties such as UV accelerated weathering properties need to analyze. In this study oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) and jute fibres reinforced hybrid composites, pure EFB, pure jute and epoxy composites were fabricated through hand lay-up techniques. Hybrid composites with different layering pattern (EFB/jute/EFB and Jute/EFB/jute) while maintaining 40 wt. % total fibre loading were fabricates to compared with EFB and jute composites. Effect of UV accelerated environmental aging on tensile properties of epoxy, pure EFB, pure jute, and hybrid composites were assessed and evaluate under UV exposure. Tensile samples of all composites were subjected to accelerated weathering for 100h, at temperature (75°C), relative humidity (35%), Light (125 W/m2), and water spray off. Obtained results indicated that there is reduction in tensile strength, modulus and elongation at break values of hybrid and pure composites due to degradation of lignin and fibre-matrix interfacial bonding.

Pulsed optical fibre lasers: Self-pulsation, Q-switching and tissue interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Sherif, Ashraf Fathy

The experimental and theoretical aspects of self-pulsing and dynamics effects of a CW Tm3+-doped silica fibre laser operating near 2 mum are investigated and examined for the first time. Various self-pulsing regimes are observed for a range of pumping rates when the fibre is end-pumped with a high power Nd:YAG laser operating at 1.319 mum in a linear bidirectional cavity. A theoretical model based on pair induced quenching (PIQ) is considered. The quenching effect acts as a saturable absorber or an additional dynamical loss mechanism, this additional absorber then may make the laser system unstable depending on whether the obtained steady-state solution is stable or not. A comparison between measured self-pulsation frequency and calculated relaxation oscillation frequency as a function of pumping rate is presented and discussed. High performance operation of a mechanical shutter Q-switched Tm3+-doped silica fibre laser operating near 2 mum is observed and presented. A single Q-switched pulse with peak power of 18.5 W and pulse duration at full width half maximum (FWHM) of 300 ns at higher mechanical chopper frequencies of nearly 20 kHz is achieved. The pulse-to-pulse stability was measured and improved to be more less than 5 %. The development, optimisation of the performance and analysis of an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) Q-switched Tm3+-doped silica fibre laser operating near 2 mum are presented. The shortest pulse duration obtained was 150 ns, giving a highest peak power of 4.1 kW, and is the highest yet reported from any type of active Q-switched fibre laser operating in low order mode. The maximum peak power was obtained for an optimum cavity length of 1.15 meters made up of fibre length, Q-switch crystal and passive space. The pulse train with high pulse-to-pulse stability of 1 % occurred at a range of high repetition rates from 10 to 30 kHz. High energy, high brightness of an electro-optic modulator (EOM) Q-switched Tm3+-doped silica fibre laser operating near 2 mum is presented. Appropriate design precautions have been undertaken to ensure that prelasing does not occur. In this system, the main Q-switched pulse may be followed by one pulse of lower amplitude "postlasing" when an optimised quarter wave voltage of 750 V is applied. It was found that the laser produced 320 ns pulses with 2.5 mJ pulse energy and 3.3 kW peak power at low repetition rates of 50-70 Hz. This is the first time that such studies of electro-optic modulator (EOM) Q-switched Tm3+ fibre lasers have been reported. The maximum peak power was obtained for an optimum cavity length of 2.15 meters, made up of fibre length, broadband beamsplitter polarizer, Q-switch crystal and passive space. Computer simulation of Tm3+doped silica and Er2-doped fluorozirconate fibre lasers using general laser analysis and design (GLAD) software has been successfully investigated for the first time. Input files, which are very similar to language are created to model three designs of fibre lasers, two for Tm3+-doped silica fibre lasers, core pumped at 1.57 mum and cladding pumped at 790 nm, and one for a 2.7 mum Er3+-doped fluorozirconate fibre laser cladding pumped at 975 nm. Results are presented from a relatively comprehensive computer model, which simulates CW operation of the fibre lasers. The simulation suggests that to enhance the conversion energy we have to optimise between the absorption coefficient of the fibre and the diffraction algorithms. Comparison of soft and hard tissue ablation with high peak power Q-switched and CW Tm3+-silica fibre lasers are presented. The ablation of chicken breast and lamb liver tissues as a soft tissue and cartilage as a hard tissue have been investigated using a free running CW-Tm3+-doped fibre laser (wavelength 1.99 mum, with self-pulsation duration ranging over 1 to few tens of microseconds) and for Q-switched operation of the same laser (pulse duration ranging from 150 ns to 900 ns and pulse repetition rates from 100 Hz to 17 kHz). Residual damage and affected zones using the CW laser were nearly 6 times greater than using the Q-switched fibre laser for about 50 s of exposure time, and increased with pulse repetition rate. The energy required to ablate tissues with the CW-fibre laser ranged from 153 to 334 kJ/cm3 and was significantly smaller from 0.2 to 0.6 kJ/cm3 for the Q-switched fibre laser. This study is the first direct comparison of tissue interaction of CW and Q- switched Tm3+-doped silica fibre lasers on crater depth, heat of ablation and collateral damage. The Q-switched Tm3+-doped silica fibre laser effectively ablates tissue with little secondary damage.

Diffractive shear interferometry for extreme ultraviolet high-resolution lensless imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jansen, G. S. M.; de Beurs, A.; Liu, X.; Eikema, K. S. E.; Witte, S.

2018-05-01

We demonstrate a novel imaging approach and associated reconstruction algorithm for far-field coherent diffractive imaging, based on the measurement of a pair of laterally sheared diffraction patterns. The differential phase profile retrieved from such a measurement leads to improved reconstruction accuracy, increased robustness against noise, and faster convergence compared to traditional coherent diffractive imaging methods. We measure laterally sheared diffraction patterns using Fourier-transform spectroscopy with two phase-locked pulse pairs from a high harmonic source. Using this approach, we demonstrate spectrally resolved imaging at extreme ultraviolet wavelengths between 28 and 35 nm.

DNA Polymorphism of Insulin-like Growth Factor-binding Protein-3 Gene and Its Association with Cashmere Traits in Cashmere Goats

PubMed Central

Liu, Haiying; Liu, Chao; Yang, Guiqin; Li, Hui; Dai, Jin; Cong, Yuyan; Li, Xuejian

2012-01-01

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) gene is important for regulation of growth and development in mammals. The present investigation was carried out to study DNA polymorphism by PCR-RFLP of IGFBP-3 gene and its effect on fibre traits of Chinese Inner Mongolian cashmere goats. The fibre traits data investigated were cashmere fibre diameter, combed cashmere weight, cashmere fibre length and guard hair length. Four hundred and forty-four animals were used to detect polymorphisms in the hircine IGFBP-3 gene. A 316-bp fragment of the IGFBP-3 gene in exon 2 was amplified and digested with HaeIII restriction enzyme. Three patterns of restriction fragments were observed in the populations. The frequency of AA, AB and BB genotypes was 0.58, 0.33 and 0.09 respectively. The allelic frequency of the A and B allele was 0.75 and 0.25 respectively. Nucleotide sequencing revealed a C>G transition in the exon 2 region of the IGFBP-3 gene resulting in R158G change which caused the polymorphism. Least squares analysis revealed a significant effect of genotypes on cashmere weight (p<0.0001), cashmere fibre length (p<0.001) and hair length (p<0.05) of the animals. The effect of genotypes on cashmere fibre diameter was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The animals of AB and BB genotypes showed higher cashmere weight, cashmere fibre length and hair length than the animals possessing AA genotype. These results suggested that polymorphisms in the hircine IGFBP-3 gene might be a potential molecular marker for cashmere weight in cashmere goats. PMID:25049511

Pain in chemotherapy-induced neuropathy--more than neuropathic?

PubMed

Geber, Christian; Breimhorst, Markus; Burbach, Berenike; Egenolf, Christina; Baier, Bernhard; Fechir, Marcel; Koerber, Juergen; Treede, Rolf-Detlef; Vogt, Thomas; Birklein, Frank

2013-12-01

Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIN) is an adverse effect of chemotherapy. Pain in CIN might comprise neuropathic and nonneuropathic (ie, musculoskeletal) pain components, which might be characterized by pain patterns, electrophysiology, and somatosensory profiling. Included were 146 patients (100 female, 46 male; aged 56 ± 0.8 years) with CIN arising from different chemotherapy regimens. Patients were characterized clinically through nerve conduction studies (NCS) and quantitative sensory testing (QST). Questionnaires for pain (McGill) and anxiety/depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) were supplied. Patients were followed-up after 17 days. Large- (61%) and mixed- (35%) fibre neuropathies were more frequent than small-fibre neuropathy (1.4%). The 5 major chemotherapeutic regimens impacted differently on large- but not on small-fibre function and did not predict painfulness. Chronic pain associated with CIN was reported in 41.7%. Painless and painful CIN did not differ in QST profiles or electrophysiological findings, but different somatosensory patterns were found in CIN subgroups (pain at rest [RestP], n = 25; movement-associated pain [MovP], n = 15; both pain characteristics [MovP+RestP], n = 21; or no pain [NonP], n = 85): small-fibre function (cold-detection threshold, CDT: z score: -1.46 ± 0.21, P < 0.01) was most impaired in RestP; mechanical hyperalgesia was exclusively found in MovP (z score: +0.81 ± 0.30, P < 0.05). "Anxiety" discriminated between painful and painless CIN; "CDT" and "anxiety" discriminated between patients with ongoing (RestP) and movement-associated pain (MovP) or pain components (MovP+RestP). The detrimental effect of chemotherapy on large fibres failed to differentiate painful from painless CIN. Patients stratified for musculoskeletal or neuropathic pain, however, differed in psychological and somatosensory parameters. This stratification might allow for the application of a more specific therapy. Copyright © 2013 International Association for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Local terahertz field enhancement for time-resolved x-ray diffraction

DOE PAGES

Kozina, M.; Pancaldi, M.; Bernhard, C.; ...

2017-02-20

We report local field strength enhancement of single-cycle terahertz (THz) pulses in an ultrafast time-resolved x-ray diffraction experiment. We show that patterning the sample with gold microstructures increases the THz field without changing the THz pulse shape or drastically affecting the quality of the x-ray diffraction pattern. Lastly, we find a five-fold increase in THz-induced x-ray diffraction intensity change in the presence of microstructures on a SrTiO 3 thin-film sample.

Local terahertz field enhancement for time-resolved x-ray diffraction

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

Kozina, M.; Pancaldi, M.; Bernhard, C.

We report local field strength enhancement of single-cycle terahertz (THz) pulses in an ultrafast time-resolved x-ray diffraction experiment. We show that patterning the sample with gold microstructures increases the THz field without changing the THz pulse shape or drastically affecting the quality of the x-ray diffraction pattern. Lastly, we find a five-fold increase in THz-induced x-ray diffraction intensity change in the presence of microstructures on a SrTiO 3 thin-film sample.

Rosalind Franklin's X-ray photo of DNA as an undergraduate optical diffraction experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thompson, J.; Braun, G.; Tierney, D.; Wessels, L.; Schmitzer, H.; Rossa, B.; Wagner, H. P.; Dultz, W.

2018-02-01

Rosalind Franklin's X-ray diffraction patterns of DNA molecules rendered the important clue that DNA has the structure of a double helix. The most famous X-ray photograph, Photo 51, is still printed in most Biology textbooks. We suggest two optical experiments for undergraduates that make this historic achievement comprehensible for students by using macromodels of DNA and visible light to recreate a diffraction pattern similar to Photo 51. In these macromodels, we replace the double helix both mathematically and experimentally with its two-dimensional (flat) projection and explain why this is permissible. Basic optical concepts are used to infer certain well-known characteristics of DNA from the diffraction pattern.

High quality single shot diffraction patterns using ultrashort megaelectron volt electron beams from a radio frequency photoinjector.

PubMed

Musumeci, P; Moody, J T; Scoby, C M; Gutierrez, M S; Bender, H A; Wilcox, N S

2010-01-01

Single shot diffraction patterns using a 250-fs-long electron beam have been obtained at the UCLA Pegasus laboratory. High quality images with spatial resolution sufficient to distinguish closely spaced peaks in the Debye-Scherrer ring pattern have been recorded by scattering the 1.6 pC 3.5 MeV electron beam generated in the rf photoinjector off a 100-nm-thick Au foil. Dark current and high emittance particles are removed from the beam before sending it onto the diffraction target using a 1 mm diameter collimating hole. These results open the door to the study of irreversible phase transformations by single shot MeV electron diffraction.

Coherent diffraction imaging analysis of shape-controlled nanoparticles with focused hard X-ray free-electron laser pulses.

PubMed

Takahashi, Yukio; Suzuki, Akihiro; Zettsu, Nobuyuki; Oroguchi, Tomotaka; Takayama, Yuki; Sekiguchi, Yuki; Kobayashi, Amane; Yamamoto, Masaki; Nakasako, Masayoshi

2013-01-01

We report the first demonstration of the coherent diffraction imaging analysis of nanoparticles using focused hard X-ray free-electron laser pulses, allowing us to analyze the size distribution of particles as well as the electron density projection of individual particles. We measured 1000 single-shot coherent X-ray diffraction patterns of shape-controlled Ag nanocubes and Au/Ag nanoboxes and estimated the edge length from the speckle size of the coherent diffraction patterns. We then reconstructed the two-dimensional electron density projection with sub-10 nm resolution from selected coherent diffraction patterns. This method enables the simultaneous analysis of the size distribution of synthesized nanoparticles and the structures of particles at nanoscale resolution to address correlations between individual structures of components and the statistical properties in heterogeneous systems such as nanoparticles and cells.

NOTE: Calculating diffraction patterns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rioux, Frank

2003-05-01

Following Marcella's approach to the double-slit experiment (Marcella T V 2002 Eur. J. Phys. 23 615-21), diffraction patterns for two-dimensional masks are calculated by Fourier transform of the Mask geometry into momentum space.

Robust reconstruction of time-resolved diffraction from ultrafast streak cameras

PubMed Central

Badali, Daniel S.; Dwayne Miller, R. J.

2017-01-01

In conjunction with ultrafast diffraction, streak cameras offer an unprecedented opportunity for recording an entire molecular movie with a single probe pulse. This is an attractive alternative to conventional pump-probe experiments and opens the door to studying irreversible dynamics. However, due to the “smearing” of the diffraction pattern across the detector, the streaking technique has thus far been limited to simple mono-crystalline samples and extreme care has been taken to avoid overlapping diffraction spots. In this article, this limitation is addressed by developing a general theory of streaking of time-dependent diffraction patterns. Understanding the underlying physics of this process leads to the development of an algorithm based on Bayesian analysis to reconstruct the time evolution of the two-dimensional diffraction pattern from a single streaked image. It is demonstrated that this approach works on diffraction peaks that overlap when streaked, which not only removes the necessity of carefully choosing the streaking direction but also extends the streaking technique to be able to study polycrystalline samples and materials with complex crystalline structures. Furthermore, it is shown that the conventional analysis of streaked diffraction can lead to erroneous interpretations of the data. PMID:28653022

Diffraction-based BioCD biosensor for point-of-care diagnostics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, H.; Chang, C.; Savran, C.; Nolte, D.

2018-02-01

The BioCD platform technology uses spinning-disk interferometry to detect molecular binding to target molecular probes in biological samples. Interferometric configurations have included differential phase contrast and in-line quadrature detection. For the detection of extremely low analyte concentrations, nano- or microparticles can enhance the signal through background-free diffraction detection. Diffraction signal measurements on BioCD biosensors are achieved by forming gratings on a disc surface. The grating pattern was printed with biotinylated bovine serum albumin (BSA) and streptavidin coated beads were deployed. The diameter of the beads was 1 micron and strong protein bonding occurs between BSA and streptavidin-coated beads at the printed location. The wavelength for the protein binding detection was 635 nm. The periodic pattern on the disc amplified scattered light into the first-order diffraction position. The diffracted signal contains Mie scattering and a randomly-distributed-bead noise contributions. Variation of the grating pattern periodicity modulates the diffraction efficiency. To test multiple spatial frequencies within a single scan, we designed a fan-shaped grating to perform frequency filter multiplexing on a diffraction-based BioCD.

Nanometres-resolution Kikuchi patterns from materials science specimens with transmission electron forward scatter diffraction in the scanning electron microscope.

PubMed

Brodusch, N; Demers, H; Gauvin, R

2013-04-01

A charge-coupled device camera of an electron backscattered diffraction system in a scanning electron microscope was positioned below a thin specimen and transmission Kikuchi patterns were collected. Contrary to electron backscattered diffraction, transmission electron forward scatter diffraction provides phase identification and orientation mapping at the nanoscale. The minimum Pd particle size for which a Kikuchi diffraction pattern was detected and indexed reliably was 5.6 nm. An orientation mapping resolution of 5 nm was measured at 30 kV. The resolution obtained with transmission electron forward scatter diffraction was of the same order of magnitude than that reported in electron nanodiffraction in the transmission electron microscope. An energy dispersive spectrometer X-ray map and a transmission electron forward scatter diffraction orientation map were acquired simultaneously. The high-resolution chemical, phase and orientation maps provided at once information on the chemical form, orientation and coherency of precipitates in an aluminium-lithium 2099 alloy. © 2013 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2013 Royal Microscopical Society.

Research on Near Field Pattern Effects.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-01-01

block numbr) High frequency solutions Prolate spheroid mounted antennas Uniform Geometrical Theory of Diffraction Airborne antenna pattern predicti...Geometrical Theory of Diffraction solutions which were developed previously were DD 1473 EDITION OF I NOV 66 IS OBSOLETE UCASFE SECURITY CLASSIFICATION...be used later to simulate the fuselage of a general aircraft. The general uniform Geometrical Theory of Diffraction (GTD) solutions [1i which are

Ptychographic overlap constraint errors and the limits of their numerical recovery using conjugate gradient descent methods.

PubMed

Tripathi, Ashish; McNulty, Ian; Shpyrko, Oleg G

2014-01-27

Ptychographic coherent x-ray diffractive imaging is a form of scanning microscopy that does not require optics to image a sample. A series of scanned coherent diffraction patterns recorded from multiple overlapping illuminated regions on the sample are inverted numerically to retrieve its image. The technique recovers the phase lost by detecting the diffraction patterns by using experimentally known constraints, in this case the measured diffraction intensities and the assumed scan positions on the sample. The spatial resolution of the recovered image of the sample is limited by the angular extent over which the diffraction patterns are recorded and how well these constraints are known. Here, we explore how reconstruction quality degrades with uncertainties in the scan positions. We show experimentally that large errors in the assumed scan positions on the sample can be numerically determined and corrected using conjugate gradient descent methods. We also explore in simulations the limits, based on the signal to noise of the diffraction patterns and amount of overlap between adjacent scan positions, of just how large these errors can be and still be rendered tractable by this method.

Optical diffraction for measurements of nano-mechanical bending

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hermans, Rodolfo I.; Dueck, Benjamin; Ndieyira, Joseph Wafula; McKendry, Rachel A.; Aeppli, Gabriel

2016-06-01

We explore and exploit diffraction effects that have been previously neglected when modelling optical measurement techniques for the bending of micro-mechanical transducers such as cantilevers for atomic force microscopy. The illumination of a cantilever edge causes an asymmetric diffraction pattern at the photo-detector affecting the calibration of the measured signal in the popular optical beam deflection technique (OBDT). The conditions that avoid such detection artefacts conflict with the use of smaller cantilevers. Embracing diffraction patterns as data yields a potent detection technique that decouples tilt and curvature and simultaneously relaxes the requirements on the illumination alignment and detector position through a measurable which is invariant to translation and rotation. We show analytical results, numerical simulations and physiologically relevant experimental data demonstrating the utility of the diffraction patterns. We offer experimental design guidelines and quantify possible sources of systematic error in OBDT. We demonstrate a new nanometre resolution detection method that can replace OBDT, where diffraction effects from finite sized or patterned cantilevers are exploited. Such effects are readily generalized to cantilever arrays, and allow transmission detection of mechanical curvature, enabling instrumentation with simpler geometry. We highlight the comparative advantages over OBDT by detecting molecular activity of antibiotic Vancomycin.

Imaging whole Escherichia coli bacteria by using single-particle x-ray diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miao, Jianwei; Hodgson, Keith O.; Ishikawa, Tetsuya; Larabell, Carolyn A.; Legros, Mark A.; Nishino, Yoshinori

2003-01-01

We report the first experimental recording, to our knowledge, of the diffraction pattern from intact Escherichia coli bacteria using coherent x-rays with a wavelength of 2 Å. By using the oversampling phasing method, a real space image at a resolution of 30 nm was directly reconstructed from the diffraction pattern. An R factor used for characterizing the quality of the reconstruction was in the range of 5%, which demonstrated the reliability of the reconstruction process. The distribution of proteins inside the bacteria labeled with manganese oxide has been identified and this distribution confirmed by fluorescence microscopy images. Compared with lens-based microscopy, this diffraction-based imaging approach can examine thicker samples, such as whole cultured cells, in three dimensions with resolution limited only by radiation damage. Looking forward, the successful recording and reconstruction of diffraction patterns from biological samples reported here represent an important step toward the potential of imaging single biomolecules at near-atomic resolution by combining single-particle diffraction with x-ray free electron lasers.

Multiple Optical Traps with a Single-Beam Optical Tweezer Utilizing Surface Micromachined Planar Curved Grating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuo, Ju-Nan; Chen, Kuan-Yu

2010-11-01

In this paper, we present a single-beam optical tweezer integrated with a planar curved diffraction grating for microbead manipulation. Various curvatures of the surface micromachined planar curved grating are systematically investigated. The planar curved grating was fabricated using multiuser micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) processes (MUMPs). The angular separation and the number of diffracted orders were determined. Experimental results indicate that the diffraction patterns and curvature of the planar curved grating are closely related. As the curvature of the planar curved grating increases, the vertical diffraction angle increases, resulting in the strip patterns of the planar curved grating. A single-beam optical tweezer integrated with a planar curved diffraction grating was developed. We demonstrate a technique for creating multiple optical traps from a single laser beam using the developed planar curved grating. The strip patterns of the planar curved grating that resulted from diffraction were used to trap one row of polystyrene beads.

Physicochemical hair conformation of patients with Sanfilippo disease type IIIA.

PubMed

Charan, R K; Nauer, G; Wagner, U; Klabuschnig, A; Lubec, G

1986-01-01

Sanfilippo disease type IIIA is an inborn error of metabolism with a deficiency in the heparan sulfamidase. Besides severe psychomotor retardation hair changes are obligatory. Hair is found to be coarse like a brush. We applied X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy to characterize the conformation of hair samples of Sanfilippo patients. In healthy subjects as well as in the affected hair samples we found the wave numbers of structural relevance 1450, 1500, 1630, 1730, the pair 2337 and 2362, the quadruplet 2850, 2870, 2917, 2930 and 3080 cm-1. Also on X-ray diffraction analysis no differences could be detected. Though morphological-macroscopically and microscopically-changes were described for Sanfilippo hair samples, we could not find any change in supramolecular structure. The physical properties of coarseness of those hair specimen seems to be due to differences in the structural assembly of hair fibres and storage of heparan sulfate.

Giant axonal neuropathy alters the structure of keratin intermediate filaments in human hair

PubMed Central

Soomro, Asfia; Alsop, Richard J.; Negishi, Atsuko; Kreplak, Laurent; Fudge, Douglas; Kuczmarski, Edward R.; Goldman, Robert D.

2017-01-01

Giant axonal neuropathy (GAN) follows an autosomal recessive genetic inheritance and impedes the peripheral and central nervous system due to axonal swellings that are packed with neurofilaments. The patients display a number of phenotypes, including hypotonia, muscle weakness, decreased reflexes, ataxia, seizures, intellectual disability, pale skin and often curled hair. We used X-ray diffraction and tensile testing to determine potential changes to the structure of keratin intermediate filaments (IFs) in the hair of patients with GAN. A statistically significant decrease in the 47 and the 27 Å diffraction signals were observed. Tensile tests determined that the hair was slightly stiffer, stronger and more extensible in GAN patients. These results suggest that the structure of keratin IFs in hair is altered in GAN, and the findings are compatible with an increased positional disorder of the keratin tetramers within the hair fibres. PMID:28424304

Giant axonal neuropathy alters the structure of keratin intermediate filaments in human hair.

PubMed

Soomro, Asfia; Alsop, Richard J; Negishi, Atsuko; Kreplak, Laurent; Fudge, Douglas; Kuczmarski, Edward R; Goldman, Robert D; Rheinstädter, Maikel C

2017-04-01

Giant axonal neuropathy (GAN) follows an autosomal recessive genetic inheritance and impedes the peripheral and central nervous system due to axonal swellings that are packed with neurofilaments. The patients display a number of phenotypes, including hypotonia, muscle weakness, decreased reflexes, ataxia, seizures, intellectual disability, pale skin and often curled hair. We used X-ray diffraction and tensile testing to determine potential changes to the structure of keratin intermediate filaments (IFs) in the hair of patients with GAN. A statistically significant decrease in the 47 and the 27 Å diffraction signals were observed. Tensile tests determined that the hair was slightly stiffer, stronger and more extensible in GAN patients. These results suggest that the structure of keratin IFs in hair is altered in GAN, and the findings are compatible with an increased positional disorder of the keratin tetramers within the hair fibres. © 2017 The Author(s).

Computer Simulation Of An In-Process Surface Finish Sensor.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rakels, Jan H.

1987-01-01

It is generally accepted, that optical methods are the most promising for the in-process measurement of surface finish. These methods have the advantages of being non-contacting and fast data acquisition. Furthermore, these optical instruments can be easily retrofitted on existing machine-tools. In the Micro-Engineering Centre at the University of Warwick, an optical sensor has been developed which can measure the rms roughness, slope and wavelength of turned and precision ground surfaces during machining. The operation of this device is based upon the Kirchhoff-Fresnel diffraction integral. Application of this theory to ideal turned and ground surfaces is straightforward, and indeed the calculated diffraction patterns are in close agreement with patterns produced by an actual optical instrument. Since it is mathematically difficult to introduce real machine-tool behaviour into the diffraction integral, a computer program has been devised, which simulates the operation of the optical sensor. The program produces a diffraction pattern as a graphical output. Comparison between computer generated and actual diffraction patterns of the same surfaces show a high correlation. The main aim of this program is to construct an atlas, which maps known machine-tool errors versus optical diffraction patterns. This atlas can then be used for machine-tool condition diagnostics. It has been found that optical monitoring is very sensitive to minor defects. Therefore machine-tool detoriation can be detected before it is detrimental.

Effect of ageing on the myosin heavy chain composition of the human sternocleidomastoid muscle.

PubMed

Meznaric, M; Eržen, I; Karen, P; Cvetko, E

2018-03-01

The myosin heavy chain (MyHC) composition of ageing limb muscles is transformed into a slower phenotype and expresses fast-twitch fibre type atrophy, presumably due to age-related motor unit remodelling and a change in the patterns of physical activity. It is not known if ageing affects the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) in a similar way. The goal of the study was to analyze the MyHC composition and the size of muscle fibres in the ageing SCM by immunohistochemical methods and quantitative analysis and stereology using our own software for morphometry. We hypothesize that with ageing the MyHC composition of SCM transforms similarly as in ageing limb muscles, but the size of the muscle fibres is less effected as in limb muscles. The study was performed on the autopsy samples of the SCM in 12 older males. The results were compared with those published in our previous study on 15 young adult males. An ageing SCM transforms into a slower MyHC profile: the percentage of slow-twitch fibres is enhanced (numerical proportion 44.6 vs. 31.5%, P<0.05; area proportion 57.2 vs. 38.4%, P<0.05). The share of hybrid 2a/2x fibres is diminished (numerical proportion 14.1 vs. 26.8%, P<0.05), the area proportion of all fast-twitch fibres expressing MyHC-2a and 2x is smaller (50.6 vs. 63.5%, P<0.05), and the area proportion of fibres expressing the fastest myosin isoform MyHC-2x is smaller too (19.0 vs. 34.5%, P<0.05). The slower phenotype with the preferential reduction of the fibres expressing the fastest MyHC-2x provide circumstantial evidence for: (i) more fast-twitch than slow-twitch motor units being lost; and (ii) reinnervation by the surviving motor units. There appears to be no significant influence on muscle fibre size, which is congruent with relatively unchanged SCM activity during life. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Strain and ground-motion monitoring at magmatic areas: ultra-long and ultra-dense networks using fibre optic sensing systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jousset, Philippe; Reinsch, Thomas; Henninges, Jan; Blanck, Hanna; Ryberg, Trond

2016-04-01

The fibre optic distributed acoustic sensing technology (DAS) is a "new" sensing system for exploring earth crustal elastic properties and monitoring both strain and seismic waves with unprecedented acquisition characteristics. The DAS technology principle lies in sending successive and coherent pulses of light in an optical fibre and measuring the back-scattered light issued from elastic scattering at random defaults within the fibre. The read-out unit includes an interferometer, which measures light interference patterns continuously. The changes are related to the distance between such defaults and therefore the strain within the fibre can be detected. Along an optical fibre, DAS can be used to acquire acoustic signals with a high spatial (every meter over kilometres) and high temporal resolution (thousand of Hz). Fibre optic technologies were, up to now, mainly applied in perimeter surveillance applications and pipeline monitoring and in boreholes. Previous experiments in boreholes have shown that the DAS technology is well suited for probing subsurface elastic properties, showing new ways for cheaper VSP investigations of the Earth crust. Here, we demonstrate that a cable deployed at ground surface can also help in exploring subsurface properties at crustal scale and monitor earthquake activity in a volcanic environment. Within the framework of the EC funded project IMAGE, we observed a >15 km-long fibre optic cable at the surface connected to a DAS read-out unit. Acoustic data was acquired continuously for 9 days. Hammer shots were performed along the surface cable in order to locate individual acoustic traces and calibrate the spatial distribution of the acoustic information. During the monitoring period both signals from on- and offshore explosive sources and natural seismic events could be recorded. We compare the fibre optic data to conventional seismic records from a dense seismic network deployed on Reykjanes. We show that we can probe and monitor earth crust subsurface with dense acquisition of the ground motion, both in space and in time and over a broad band frequency range.

Two-photon x-ray diffraction

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

Stohr, J.

The interference pattern of a circular photon source has long been used to define the optical diffraction limit. Here we show the breakdown of conventional x-ray diffraction theory for the fundamental case of a “source”, consisting of a back-illuminated thin film in a circular aperture. When the conventional spontaneous x-ray scattering by atoms in the film is replaced at high incident intensity by stimulated resonant scattering, the film becomes the source of cloned photon twins and the diffraction pattern becomes self-focused beyond the diffraction limit. Furthermore, the case of cloned photon pairs is compared to and distinguished from entangled photonmore » pairs or biphotons.« less

Two-photon x-ray diffraction

DOE PAGES

Stohr, J.

2017-01-11

The interference pattern of a circular photon source has long been used to define the optical diffraction limit. Here we show the breakdown of conventional x-ray diffraction theory for the fundamental case of a “source”, consisting of a back-illuminated thin film in a circular aperture. When the conventional spontaneous x-ray scattering by atoms in the film is replaced at high incident intensity by stimulated resonant scattering, the film becomes the source of cloned photon twins and the diffraction pattern becomes self-focused beyond the diffraction limit. Furthermore, the case of cloned photon pairs is compared to and distinguished from entangled photonmore » pairs or biphotons.« less

Simulations of X-ray diffraction of shock-compressed single-crystal tantalum with synchrotron undulator sources.

PubMed

Tang, M X; Zhang, Y Y; E, J C; Luo, S N

2018-05-01

Polychromatic synchrotron undulator X-ray sources are useful for ultrafast single-crystal diffraction under shock compression. Here, simulations of X-ray diffraction of shock-compressed single-crystal tantalum with realistic undulator sources are reported, based on large-scale molecular dynamics simulations. Purely elastic deformation, elastic-plastic two-wave structure, and severe plastic deformation under different impact velocities are explored, as well as an edge release case. Transmission-mode diffraction simulations consider crystallographic orientation, loading direction, incident beam direction, X-ray spectrum bandwidth and realistic detector size. Diffraction patterns and reciprocal space nodes are obtained from atomic configurations for different loading (elastic and plastic) and detection conditions, and interpretation of the diffraction patterns is discussed.

Simulations of X-ray diffraction of shock-compressed single-crystal tantalum with synchrotron undulator sources

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

Tang, M. X.; Zhang, Y. Y.; E, J. C.

Polychromatic synchrotron undulator X-ray sources are useful for ultrafast single-crystal diffraction under shock compression. Here, simulations of X-ray diffraction of shock-compressed single-crystal tantalum with realistic undulator sources are reported, based on large-scale molecular dynamics simulations. Purely elastic deformation, elastic–plastic two-wave structure, and severe plastic deformation under different impact velocities are explored, as well as an edge release case. Transmission-mode diffraction simulations consider crystallographic orientation, loading direction, incident beam direction, X-ray spectrum bandwidth and realistic detector size. Diffraction patterns and reciprocal space nodes are obtained from atomic configurations for different loading (elastic and plastic) and detection conditions, and interpretation of themore » diffraction patterns is discussed.« less

Three-dimensional electron diffraction of plant light-harvesting complex

PubMed Central

Wang, Da Neng; Kühlbrandt, Werner

1992-01-01

Electron diffraction patterns of two-dimensional crystals of light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein complex (LHC-II) from photosynthetic membranes of pea chloroplasts, tilted at different angles up to 60°, were collected to 3.2 Å resolution at -125°C. The reflection intensities were merged into a three-dimensional data set. The Friedel R-factor and the merging R-factor were 21.8 and 27.6%, respectively. Specimen flatness and crystal size were critical for recording electron diffraction patterns from crystals at high tilts. The principal sources of experimental error were attributed to limitations of the number of unit cells contributing to an electron diffraction pattern, and to the critical electron dose. The distribution of strong diffraction spots indicated that the three-dimensional structure of LHC-II is less regular than that of other known membrane proteins and is not dominated by a particular feature of secondary structure. ImagesFIGURE 1FIGURE 2 PMID:19431817

Rules of tissue packing involving different cell types: human muscle organization

PubMed Central

Sánchez-Gutiérrez, Daniel; Sáez, Aurora; Gómez-Gálvez, Pedro; Paradas, Carmen; Escudero, Luis M.

2017-01-01

Natural packed tissues are assembled as tessellations of polygonal cells. These include skeletal muscles and epithelial sheets. Skeletal muscles appear as a mosaic composed of two different types of cells: the “slow” and “fast” fibres. Their relative distribution is important for the muscle function but little is known about how the fibre arrangement is established and maintained. In this work we capture the organizational pattern in two different healthy muscles: biceps brachii and quadriceps. Here we show that the biceps brachii muscle presents a particular arrangement, based on the different sizes of slow and fast fibres. By contrast, in the quadriceps muscle an unbiased distribution exists. Our results indicate that the relative size of each cellular type imposes an intrinsic organization into natural tessellations. These findings establish a new framework for the analysis of any packed tissue where two or more cell types exist. PMID:28071729

Impact behaviour of Napier/polyester composites under different energy levels

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

Fahmi, I., E-mail: fahmi-unimap@yahoo.com; Majid, M. S. Abdul, E-mail: shukry@unimap.edu.my; Afendi, M., E-mail: afendirojan@unimap.edu.my

2016-07-19

The effects of different energy levels on the impact behaviour of Napier fibre/polyester reinforced composites were investigated. Napier fibre was extracted using traditional water retting process to be utilized as reinforcing materials in polyester composite laminates. 25% fibre loading composite laminates were prepared and impacted at three different energy levels; 2.5,5 and 7.5 J using an instrumented drop weight impact testing machine (IMATEK IM10). The outcomes show that peak force and contact time increase with increased impact load. The energy absorption was then calculated from the force displacement curve. The results indicated that the energy absorption decreases with increasing energymore » levels of the impact. Impacted specimens were observed visually for fragmentation fracture using an optical camera to identify the failure mechanisms. Fracture fragmentation pattern from permanent dent to perforation with radial and circumferential was observed.« less

Sub-micrometre accurate free-form optics by three-dimensional printing on single-mode fibres

PubMed Central

Gissibl, Timo; Thiele, Simon; Herkommer, Alois; Giessen, Harald

2016-01-01

Micro-optics are widely used in numerous applications, such as beam shaping, collimation, focusing and imaging. We use femtosecond 3D printing to manufacture free-form micro-optical elements. Our method gives sub-micrometre accuracy so that direct manufacturing even on single-mode fibres is possible. We demonstrate the potential of our method by writing different collimation optics, toric lenses, free-form surfaces with polynomials of up to 10th order for intensity beam shaping, as well as chiral photonic crystals for circular polarization filtering, all aligned onto the core of the single-mode fibres. We determine the accuracy of our optics by analysing the output patterns as well as interferometrically characterizing the surfaces. We find excellent agreement with numerical calculations. 3D printing of microoptics can achieve sufficient performance that will allow for rapid prototyping and production of beam-shaping and imaging devices. PMID:27339700

Rules of tissue packing involving different cell types: human muscle organization.

PubMed

Sánchez-Gutiérrez, Daniel; Sáez, Aurora; Gómez-Gálvez, Pedro; Paradas, Carmen; Escudero, Luis M

2017-01-10

Natural packed tissues are assembled as tessellations of polygonal cells. These include skeletal muscles and epithelial sheets. Skeletal muscles appear as a mosaic composed of two different types of cells: the "slow" and "fast" fibres. Their relative distribution is important for the muscle function but little is known about how the fibre arrangement is established and maintained. In this work we capture the organizational pattern in two different healthy muscles: biceps brachii and quadriceps. Here we show that the biceps brachii muscle presents a particular arrangement, based on the different sizes of slow and fast fibres. By contrast, in the quadriceps muscle an unbiased distribution exists. Our results indicate that the relative size of each cellular type imposes an intrinsic organization into natural tessellations. These findings establish a new framework for the analysis of any packed tissue where two or more cell types exist.

Sub-micrometre accurate free-form optics by three-dimensional printing on single-mode fibres.

PubMed

Gissibl, Timo; Thiele, Simon; Herkommer, Alois; Giessen, Harald

2016-06-24

Micro-optics are widely used in numerous applications, such as beam shaping, collimation, focusing and imaging. We use femtosecond 3D printing to manufacture free-form micro-optical elements. Our method gives sub-micrometre accuracy so that direct manufacturing even on single-mode fibres is possible. We demonstrate the potential of our method by writing different collimation optics, toric lenses, free-form surfaces with polynomials of up to 10th order for intensity beam shaping, as well as chiral photonic crystals for circular polarization filtering, all aligned onto the core of the single-mode fibres. We determine the accuracy of our optics by analysing the output patterns as well as interferometrically characterizing the surfaces. We find excellent agreement with numerical calculations. 3D printing of microoptics can achieve sufficient performance that will allow for rapid prototyping and production of beam-shaping and imaging devices.

Sub-micrometre accurate free-form optics by three-dimensional printing on single-mode fibres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gissibl, Timo; Thiele, Simon; Herkommer, Alois; Giessen, Harald

2016-06-01

Micro-optics are widely used in numerous applications, such as beam shaping, collimation, focusing and imaging. We use femtosecond 3D printing to manufacture free-form micro-optical elements. Our method gives sub-micrometre accuracy so that direct manufacturing even on single-mode fibres is possible. We demonstrate the potential of our method by writing different collimation optics, toric lenses, free-form surfaces with polynomials of up to 10th order for intensity beam shaping, as well as chiral photonic crystals for circular polarization filtering, all aligned onto the core of the single-mode fibres. We determine the accuracy of our optics by analysing the output patterns as well as interferometrically characterizing the surfaces. We find excellent agreement with numerical calculations. 3D printing of microoptics can achieve sufficient performance that will allow for rapid prototyping and production of beam-shaping and imaging devices.

Dark-field imaging based on post-processed electron backscatter diffraction patterns of bulk crystalline materials in a scanning electron microscope.

PubMed

Brodusch, Nicolas; Demers, Hendrix; Gauvin, Raynald

2015-01-01

Dark-field (DF) images were acquired in the scanning electron microscope with an offline procedure based on electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) patterns (EBSPs). These EBSD-DF images were generated by selecting a particular reflection on the electron backscatter diffraction pattern and by reporting the intensity of one or several pixels around this point at each pixel of the EBSD-DF image. Unlike previous studies, the diffraction information of the sample is the basis of the final image contrast with a pixel scale resolution at the EBSP providing DF imaging in the scanning electron microscope. The offline facility of this technique permits the selection of any diffraction condition available in the diffraction pattern and displaying the corresponding image. The high number of diffraction-based images available allows a better monitoring of deformation structures compared to electron channeling contrast imaging (ECCI) which is generally limited to a few images of the same area. This technique was applied to steel and iron specimens and showed its high capability in describing more rigorously the deformation structures around micro-hardness indents. Due to the offline relation between the reference EBSP and the EBSD-DF images, this new technique will undoubtedly greatly improve our knowledge of deformation mechanism and help to improve our understanding of the ECCI contrast mechanisms. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Observation of electromigration in a Cu thin line by in situ coherent x-ray diffraction microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takahashi, Yukio; Nishino, Yoshinori; Furukawa, Hayato; Kubo, Hideto; Yamauchi, Kazuto; Ishikawa, Tetsuya; Matsubara, Eiichiro

2009-06-01

Electromigration (EM) in a 1-μm-thick Cu thin line was investigated by in situ coherent x-ray diffraction microscopy (CXDM). Characteristic x-ray speckle patterns due to both EM-induced voids and thermal deformation in the thin line were observed in the coherent x-ray diffraction patterns. Both parts of the voids and the deformation were successfully visualized in the images reconstructed from the diffraction patterns. This result not only represents the first demonstration of the visualization of structural changes in metallic materials by in situ CXDM but is also an important step toward studying the structural dynamics of nanomaterials using x-ray free-electron lasers in the near future.

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.

Dietary patterns in Swedish adults; results from a national dietary survey.

PubMed

Ax, Erika; Warensjö Lemming, Eva; Becker, Wulf; Andersson, Agneta; Lindroos, Anna Karin; Cederholm, Tommy; Sjögren, Per; Fung, Teresa T

2016-01-14

Dietary patterns derived by statistical procedures is a way to identify overall dietary habits in specific populations. The aim of this study was to identify and characterise dietary patterns in Swedish adults using data from the national dietary survey Riksmaten adults 2010-11 (952 women, 788 men). Principal component analyses were used and two patterns were identified in both sexes: a healthy pattern loading positively on vegetables, fruits, fish and seafood, and vegetable oils, and negatively on refined bread and fast food, and a Swedish traditional pattern loading positively on potatoes, meat and processed meat, full-fat milk products, sweet bakery products, sweet condiments and margarine. In addition, a light-meal pattern was identified in women with positive loadings on fibre-rich bread, cheese, rice, pasta and food grain dishes, substitute products for meat and dairy products, candies and tea. The healthy pattern was positively correlated to dietary fibre (r 0·51-0·58) and n-3 (r 0·25-0·31) (all P<0·0001), and had a higher nutrient density of folate, vitamin D and Se. The Swedish traditional and the light-meal pattern were positively correlated to added sugar (r 0·20-0·25) and the Swedish traditional also to SFA (r 0·13-0·21) (all P<0·0001); both patterns were in general negatively correlated to micronutrients. Dietary pattern scores were associated with, for example, age, physical activity, education and income. In conclusion, we identified three major dietary patterns among Swedish adults. The patterns can be further used for examining the association between whole diet and health outcomes.

JCPDS-ICDD Research Associateship (Cooperative Program with NBS/NIST)

PubMed Central

Wong-Ng, W.; McMurdie, H. F.; Hubbard, C. R.; Mighell, A. D.

2001-01-01

The Research Associateship program of the Joint Committee on Powder Diffraction-International Centre for Diffraction Data (JCPDS-ICDD, now known as the ICDD) at NBS/NIST was a long standing (over 35 years) successful industry-government cooperation. The main mission of the Associateship was to publish high quality x-ray reference patterns to be included in the Powder Diffraction File (PDF). The PDF is a continuing compilation of patterns gathered from many sources, compiled and published by the ICDD. As a result of this collaboration, more than 1500 high quality powder diffraction patterns, which have had a significant impact on the scientific community, were reported. In addition, various research collaborations with NBS/NIST also led to the development of several standard reference materials (SRMs) for instrument calibration and quantitative analyses, and computer software for data collection, calibration, reduction, for the editorial process of powder pattern publication, analysis of powder data, and for quantitative analyses. This article summarizes information concerning the JCPDS-ICDD organization, the Powder Diffraction File (PDF), history and accomplishments of the JCPDS-ICDD Research Associateship. PMID:27500061

Calculation of Debye-Scherrer diffraction patterns from highly stressed polycrystalline materials

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

MacDonald, M. J., E-mail: macdonm@umich.edu; SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025; Vorberger, J.

2016-06-07

Calculations of Debye-Scherrer diffraction patterns from polycrystalline materials have typically been done in the limit of small deviatoric stresses. Although these methods are well suited for experiments conducted near hydrostatic conditions, more robust models are required to diagnose the large strain anisotropies present in dynamic compression experiments. A method to predict Debye-Scherrer diffraction patterns for arbitrary strains has been presented in the Voigt (iso-strain) limit [Higginbotham, J. Appl. Phys. 115, 174906 (2014)]. Here, we present a method to calculate Debye-Scherrer diffraction patterns from highly stressed polycrystalline samples in the Reuss (iso-stress) limit. This analysis uses elastic constants to calculate latticemore » strains for all initial crystallite orientations, enabling elastic anisotropy and sample texture effects to be modeled directly. The effects of probing geometry, deviatoric stresses, and sample texture are demonstrated and compared to Voigt limit predictions. An example of shock-compressed polycrystalline diamond is presented to illustrate how this model can be applied and demonstrates the importance of including material strength when interpreting diffraction in dynamic compression experiments.« less

Combining experiment and optical simulation in coherent X-ray nanobeam characterization of Si/SiGe semiconductor heterostructures

DOE PAGES

Tilka, J. A.; Park, J.; Ahn, Y.; ...

2016-07-06

Here, the highly coherent and tightly focused x-ray beams produced by hard x-ray light sources enable the nanoscale characterization of the structure of electronic materials but are accompanied by significant challenges in the interpretation of diffraction and scattering patterns. X-ray nanobeams exhibit optical coherence combined with a large angular divergence introduced by the x-ray focusing optics. The scattering of nanofocused x-ray beams from intricate semiconductor heterostructures produces a complex distribution of scattered intensity. We report here an extension of coherent xray optical simulations of convergent x-ray beam diffraction patterns to arbitrary x-ray incident angles to allow the nanobeam diffraction patternsmore » of complex heterostructures to be simulated faithfully. These methods are used to extract the misorientation of lattice planes and the strain of individual layers from synchrotron x-ray nanobeam diffraction patterns of Si/SiGe heterostructures relevant to applications in quantum electronic devices. The systematic interpretation of nanobeam diffraction patterns from semiconductor heterostructures presents a new opportunity in characterizing and ultimately designing electronic materials.« less

Texture analysis of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) Fe alloys by X-ray and neutron diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Béchade, J. L.; Mathon, M. H.; Branger, V.; Réglé, H.; Alamo, A.

2002-07-01

The ferritic ODS alloys studied were obtained by mechanical alloying. This strengthening method is very attractive, in particular for nuclear applications. In order to ensure the alloy a good compromise between mechanical resistance and ductility at high temperatures, it is necessary to control the microstructure and in particular the evolution during the recrystallization. First, a preliminary study, performed by X ray diffraction and optical microscopy, shows several grain growth mechanisms ; in particular, the “abnormal” grain growth mechanism which conducts to a large grain size [1], [2]. After annealing (3600s at 1470^{circ}C), the 30% cold-worked (swaging) alloys exhibit an heterogeneous microstructure with a large grains size ( 200 to 500 μm) in the heart and near the surface of the material when the intermediate zone is inhabited by small grains ( 1 μm). Fora higher cold-work level (60%), large size grains are only present in the periphery of the material. On account of the large grain size and strong heterogeneity of the microstructure, texture analysis using laboratory x-ray beam in not well adapted and so we have decided to use neutron beam. The neutron diffraction texture analysis has been performed at the Laboratoire Léon Brillouin on the 6T1 diffractometer on 2 different rods of the alloy (corresponding to the reduction ratios of 30% and 60%). Specific samples have been machined to characterise separately the zones with a different microstructure. After deformation, the alloys exhibit a typical α-fibre texture \\{ hkl \\} <1l0> whatever the area of the sample and the reduction ratio. After recrystallization, a very inhomogeneous texture is evidenced through the thickness of the sample, in particular for the rod deformed with a reduction ratio of 30% : in the heart and in the periphery of the rod, a “single-crystal” type texture is observed; the a fibre remains for the intermediate diameter of the rod. For the rod cold rolled with a reduction ratio of 60%, the α-fibre keeps on the heart of the material and as in the precedent case, a “single-crystal” type texture is observed near the surface of the sample. EBSD measurements have been performed to explicit at a local scale this behaviour and in order to furnish some input data for the simulation of static recrystallization. Les aciers ferritiques avec dispersion d'oxydes étudiés sont obtenus par métallurgie des poudres, ce qui leur confère une résistance mécanique accrue à haute température notamment pour des applications nucléaires. La difficulté pour l'utilisation de tels alliages réside dans la maîtrise de leur microstructure au cours de l'élaboration en particulier durant la recristallisation. Une première étude en diffraction des rayons-x et en métallographie optique a permis de révéler différents mécanismes de croissance du grain lors de la recristallisation, notamment une croissance “anormale” conduisant à une taille de grain très importante [t], [2]. Après recuit (3600s à 1470^{circ}C), précédé par un écrouissage de 30% sur des barres (par martelage) on voit apparaître une microstructure hétérogène à gros grains ( 200 à 500 μm) au coeur et en surface externe de la barre alors que la zone intermédiaire est peuplée de grains fins (sim 1 μm). Pour un écrouissage plus élevé (60%), après le même recuit, on ne voit apparaître des gros grains qu'en périphérie de la barre. Pour ce type de microstructure fortement hétérogène et à gros grains, la diffraction des rayons-x pour l'analyse de texture est mal adaptée, ce qui nous a conduit à utiliser la diffraction des neutrons sur le diffractomètre 6TI du Laboratoire Léon Brillouin. Les deux matériaux, écrouis de 30% et 60%, ont été analysés en réalisant des échantillons particuliers permettant d'étudier séparément le coeur et la périphérie. Après déformation, les deux échantillons présentent une texture de fibre α \\{ hkl \\} <1l0> en tout point de la barre. Après recristallisation, on retrouve une texture très hétérogène suivant le rayon de la barre, notamment après 30% : le coeur et la périphérie de la barre présentent une texture de type “mono-cristal”, la zone intermédiaire restant une fibre α. Après écrouissage de 60%, on garde la fibre α au coeur de la barre, la périphérie présentant, comme pour l'écrouissage précédent, une texture de type “mono-cristal”. Des analyses en EBSD ont également été réalisées pour foumir des éléments de compréhension sur les mécanismes locaux de recristallisation afin de simuler la recristallisation statique de ses alliages via une approche numérique.

Pattern recognition by wavelet transforms using macro fibre composites transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruiz de la Hermosa González-Carrato, Raúl; García Márquez, Fausto Pedro; Dimlaye, Vichaar; Ruiz-Hernández, Diego

2014-10-01

This paper presents a novel pattern recognition approach for a non-destructive test based on macro fibre composite transducers applied in pipes. A fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) method is employed to extract relevant information from ultrasound signals by wavelet decomposition technique. The wavelet transform is a powerful tool that reveals particular characteristics as trends or breakdown points. The FDD developed for the case study provides information about the temperatures on the surfaces of the pipe, leading to monitor faults associated with cracks, leaks or corrosion. This issue may not be noticeable when temperatures are not subject to sudden changes, but it can cause structural problems in the medium and long-term. Furthermore, the case study is completed by a statistical method based on the coefficient of determination. The main purpose will be to predict future behaviours in order to set alarm levels as a part of a structural health monitoring system.

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

Latychevskaia, Tatiana, E-mail: tatiana@physik.uzh.ch; Fink, Hans-Werner; Chushkin, Yuriy

Coherent diffraction imaging is a high-resolution imaging technique whose potential can be greatly enhanced by applying the extrapolation method presented here. We demonstrate the enhancement in resolution of a non-periodical object reconstructed from an experimental X-ray diffraction record which contains about 10% missing information, including the pixels in the center of the diffraction pattern. A diffraction pattern is extrapolated beyond the detector area and as a result, the object is reconstructed at an enhanced resolution and better agreement with experimental amplitudes is achieved. The optimal parameters for the iterative routine and the limits of the extrapolation procedure are discussed.

Skeletal muscle biopsy studies of cardiac patients.

PubMed

Fekete, G; Boros, Z; Cserhalmi, L; Apor, P

1987-01-01

Eleven patients diagnosed and treated for congestive cardiomyopathy (COCM) of unknown aetiology, and another 10 patients, with congestive alcoholic heart muscle disease (ACOCM) were studied. Muscle biopsy samples were obtained from the vastus lateralis (VL) and the gastrocnemius (G) muscles. In part of the sample muscle the fibre pattern was classified by means of ATPase activity staining, a technique based on the pH lability of the fibres concerned. Fibre typing and area measurements were carried out by light microscope. The other part of the sample was used as muscle homogenate of which the Ca2+-activated ATPase activity as well as citrate synthetase (CS) and aldolase activities were measured. No significant difference was found in these enzyme activities between the two groups of patients. The proportion of the slow twitch (ST) fibres in the VL, mainly in the patients with ACOCM, was lower as compared to data for healthy subjects. A similar tendency was revealed for G. In both muscles tested, the area of ST fibres was smaller in the ACOCM group. The fast twitch (FT) fibre area proved to be slightly different in the two groups of subjects tested. Occurrence of degenerative signs in the histological tests was higher in the ACOCM than in the COCM group. It was concluded that differences in the skeletal muscles of patients with ACOCM and COCM may primarily account for the alcoholism. The disease of the heart muscle has little effect on the function of skeletal muscle. Even so, a low amount or lack of physical activity may have an unfavourable influence on the skeletal muscles of patients with heart muscle disease.

Emission pattern of semi-volatile organic compounds from recycled styrenic polymers using headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Vilaplana, Francisco; Martínez-Sanz, Marta; Ribes-Greus, Amparo; Karlsson, Sigbritt

2010-01-15

The emission of low molecular weight compounds from recycled high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) has been investigated using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Four released target analytes (styrene, benzaldehyde, acetophenone, and 2-phenylpropanal) were selected for the optimisation of the HS-SPME sampling procedure, by analysing operating parameters such as type of SPME fibre (polarity and operating mechanism), particle size, extraction temperature and time. 26 different compounds were identified to be released at different temperatures from recycled HIPS, including residues of polymerisation, oxidated derivates of styrene, and additives. The type of SPME fibre employed in the sampling procedure affected the detection of emitted components. An adsorptive fibre such as carbowax/polydimethylsiloxane (CAR/PDMS fibre) offered good selectivity for both non-polar and polar volatile compounds at lower temperatures; higher temperatures result in interferences from less-volatile released compounds. An absorptive fibre as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fibre is suitable for the detection of less-volatile non-polar molecules at higher temperatures. The nature and relative amount of the emitted compounds increased with higher exposure temperature and smaller polymeric particle size. HS-SPME proves to be a suitable technique for screening the emission of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) from polymeric materials; reliable quantification of the content of target analytes in recycled HIPS is however difficult due to the complex mass-transfer processes involved, matrix effects, and the difficulties in equilibrating the analytical system. 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Functionalization of biomineral reinforcement in crustacean cuticle: Calcite orientation in the partes incisivae of the mandibles of Porcellio scaber and the supralittoral species Tylos europaeus (Oniscidea, Isopoda).

PubMed

Huber, Julia; Griesshaber, Erika; Nindiyasari, Fitriana; Schmahl, Wolfgang W; Ziegler, Andreas

2015-05-01

In arthropods the cuticle forms an exoskeleton with its physical and chemical properties adapted to functions of distinct skeletal elements. The cuticle of the partes incisivae (PI) in mandibles of terrestrial isopods is a composite of chitin-protein fibrils/fibres and minerals. It consists of an unmineralized tip, a middle region with organic fibrils reinforced mainly with amorphous calcium phosphate and a base region mineralized with amorphous calcium carbonate and calcite. In this study we extend our work on the structure and material properties of the incisive cuticle employing electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and investigate calcite orientation patterns in the PI of two terrestrial isopod species from different habitats. We trace small-scale differences in texture sharpness and calcite microstructure, and compare calcite organization and orientation patterns in the PI with those in the tergites of the same isopod species. We observe that in the PI calcite orientation, the degree of crystal alignment, and mode of crystalline domain assemblage is highly varied within short length scales. This contrasts to calcite organization in the tergite cuticle, where calcite has only one specific texture pattern. Such a large range in the variation of calcite organization has not been observed in other carbonate biological hard tissues, such as shells and teeth, where one specific texture and microstructure prevails. Thus, the investigated isopod species are able to control crystallization of the amorphous carbonate precursor in a differential way, most probably related to the function of the individual skeletal element and the animals' behavior. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Cross-Sectional Association between Consumption of the Recommended Five Food Group “Grain (Cereal)”, Dietary Fibre and Anthropometric Measures among Australian Adults

PubMed Central

Fayet-Moore, Flavia; Petocz, Peter; McConnell, Andrew; Tuck, Kate; Mansour, Marie

2017-01-01

The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommended “grain (cereal)” core food group includes both refined and whole grain foods, but excludes those that are discretionary (i.e., cakes). We investigated the association between daily serves from the “grain (cereal)” group and its effect on fibre and adiposity. Data from Australian adults in the 2011–2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey were used (n = 9341). Participants were categorised by serves of core grain foods and general linear models were used to investigate the effect of demographic, socioeconomic, and dietary covariates on waist circumference, body mass index (BMI) and fibre intake. Compared to core grain avoiders (0 serves), high consumers (6+ serves/day) were: more likely male and socially advantaged, had a healthier dietary pattern, less likely dieting, overweight or obese, and were at lower risk of metabolic complications. After adjustment for age, sex and energy intake, there was an inverse relationship between core grain serves intake and BMI (p < 0.001), waist circumference (p = 0.001) and a positive relationship with fibre (p < 0.001). Model adjustments for diet and lifestyle factors resulted in a smaller difference in waist circumference (p = 0.006) and BMI (p = 0.006). Core grain serves was significantly associated with higher fibre, but marginally clinically significant for lower adiposity. PMID:28218715

Tocopherol isomer pattern in serum and stool of human following consumption of black currant seed press residue administered in whole grain bread.

PubMed

Helbig, Dorit; Wagner, Andreas; Schubert, Rainer; Jahreis, Gerhard

2009-12-01

Serum gamma-tocopherol is thought to be associated with human health. The dietary influence of tocopherol and fibre-rich black currant seed press residue on serum and stool tocopherol concentration was investigated in a controlled human intervention study. Thirty-six women consumed bread enriched with black currant press residue (4 weeks). The resultant faecal and serum tocopherol concentrations were compared with those after a period consuming control bread without press residue and a normal baseline diet. Fibre intake and excretion, antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and vitamin C concentrations in serum and urine were also determined. Samples were obtained with a 5-day standardised diet at the end of each period. The press residue bread lead to significantly increased beta-, gamma-, delta- and total tocopherol intake, serum alpha-, beta-, gamma- and total tocopherol concentration (with and without lipid adjustment), fibre intake and urinary vitamin C concentration compared to control bread (P<0.05). Faecal excretion of total tocopherols and fibre increased compared to baseline (P<0.05). Fibre intake and excretion influence total tocopherol concentration in lipid-adjusted serum and in stool. The outstandingly high increase of serum gamma-tocopherol concentration through seed press residue consumption could be due to a presumed interruption of the enzymatic tocopherol degradation mechanism by bread constituents.

The Cross-Sectional Association between Consumption of the Recommended Five Food Group "Grain (Cereal)", Dietary Fibre and Anthropometric Measures among Australian Adults.

PubMed

Fayet-Moore, Flavia; Petocz, Peter; McConnell, Andrew; Tuck, Kate; Mansour, Marie

2017-02-18

The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommended "grain (cereal)" core food group includes both refined and whole grain foods, but excludes those that are discretionary (i.e., cakes). We investigated the association between daily serves from the "grain (cereal)" group and its effect on fibre and adiposity. Data from Australian adults in the 2011-2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey were used ( n = 9341). Participants were categorised by serves of core grain foods and general linear models were used to investigate the effect of demographic, socioeconomic, and dietary covariates on waist circumference, body mass index (BMI) and fibre intake. Compared to core grain avoiders (0 serves), high consumers (6+ serves/day) were: more likely male and socially advantaged, had a healthier dietary pattern, less likely dieting, overweight or obese, and were at lower risk of metabolic complications. After adjustment for age, sex and energy intake, there was an inverse relationship between core grain serves intake and BMI ( p < 0.001), waist circumference ( p = 0.001) and a positive relationship with fibre ( p < 0.001). Model adjustments for diet and lifestyle factors resulted in a smaller difference in waist circumference ( p = 0.006) and BMI ( p = 0.006). Core grain serves was significantly associated with higher fibre, but marginally clinically significant for lower adiposity.

Calculating cellulose diffraction patterns

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Although powder diffraction of cellulose is a common experiment, the patterns are not widely understood. The theory is mathematical, there are numerous different crystal forms, and the conventions are not standardized. Experience with IR spectroscopy is not directly transferable. An awful error, tha...

Publications - GMC 196 | Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical

Science.gov Websites

DGGS GMC 196 Publication Details Title: X-ray diffraction patterns of clay from the following wells for more information. Bibliographic Reference Unknown, 1992, X-ray diffraction patterns of clay from

Reflector antennas with low sidelobes, low cross polarization, and high aperture efficiency

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Faigen, I. M.; Reichert, C. F.; Sletten, C. J.; Shore, R. A.

1984-01-01

Techniques are presented for computing the horn near field patterns on the subreflectors and for correcting the phase center errors of the horn pattern by shaping the subreflector surface. The diffraction pattern computations for scanned beams are described. The effects of dish aperture diffraction on pattern bandwidth are investigated. A model antenna consisting of a reflector, shaped subreflector, and corrugated feed horn is described.

Importance of methodological standardization for the ektacytometric measures of red blood cell deformability in sickle cell anemia.

PubMed

Renoux, Céline; Parrow, Nermi; Faes, Camille; Joly, Philippe; Hardeman, Max; Tisdale, John; Levine, Mark; Garnier, Nathalie; Bertrand, Yves; Kebaili, Kamila; Cuzzubbo, Daniela; Cannas, Giovanna; Martin, Cyril; Connes, Philippe

2016-01-01

Red blood cell (RBC) deformability is severely decreased in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA), which plays a role in the pathophysiology of the disease. However, investigation of RBC deformability from SCA patients demands careful methodological considerations. We assessed RBC deformability by ektacytometry (LORRCA MaxSis, Mechatronics, The Netherlands) in 6 healthy individuals and 49 SCA patients and tested the effects of different heights of the RBC diffraction patterns, obtained by altering the camera gain of the LORRCA, on the result of RBC deformability measurements, expressed as Elongation Index (EI). Results indicate that the pattern of RBCs from control subjects adopts an elliptical shape under shear stress, whereas the pattern of RBCs from individuals with SCA adopts a diamond shape arising from the superposition of elliptical and circular patterns. The latter represent rigid RBCs. While the EI measures did not change with the variations of the RBC diffraction pattern heights in the control subjects, we observed a decrease of EI when the RBC diffraction pattern height is increased in the SCA group. The differences in SCA EI values measured at 5 Pa between the different diffraction pattern heights correlated with the percent of hemoglobin S and the percent of sickled RBC observed by microscopy. Our study confirms that the camera gain or aperture of the ektacytometer should be used to standardize the size of the RBC diffraction pattern height when measuring RBC deformability in sickle cell patients and underscores the potential clinical utility of this technique.

Comparing dietary patterns derived by two methods and their associations with obesity in Polish girls aged 13-21 years: the cross-sectional GEBaHealth study.

PubMed

Wadolowska, Lidia; Kowalkowska, Joanna; Czarnocinska, Jolanta; Jezewska-Zychowicz, Marzena; Babicz-Zielinska, Ewa

2017-05-01

To compare dietary patterns (DPs) derived by two methods and their assessment as a factor of obesity in girls aged 13-21 years. Data from a cross-sectional study conducted among the representative sample of Polish females ( n = 1,107) aged 13-21 years were used. Subjects were randomly selected. Dietary information was collected using three short-validated food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) regarding fibre intake, fat intake and overall food intake variety. DPs were identified by two methods: a priori approach (a priori DPs) and cluster analysis (data-driven DPs). The association between obesity and DPs and three single dietary characteristics was examined using multiple logistic regression analysis. Four data-driven DPs were obtained: 'Low-fat-Low-fibre-Low-varied' (21.2%), 'Low-fibre' (29.1%), 'Low-fat' (25.0%) and 'High-fat-Varied' (24.7%). Three a priori DPs were pre-defined: 'Non-healthy' (16.6%), 'Neither-pro-healthy-nor-non-healthy' (79.1%) and 'Pro-healthy' (4.3%). Girls with 'Low-fibre' DP were less likely to have central obesity (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.36; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.17, 0.75) than girls with 'Low-fat-Low-fibre-Low-varied' DP (reference group, OR = 1.00). No significant associations were found between a priori DPs and overweight including obesity or central obesity. The majority of girls with 'Non-healthy' DP were also classified as 'Low-fibre' DP in the total sample, in girls with overweight including obesity and in girls with central obesity (81.7%, 80.6% and 87.3%, respectively), while most girls with 'Pro-healthy' DP were classified as 'Low-fat' DP (67.8%, 87.6% and 52.1%, respectively). We found that the a priori approach as well as cluster analysis can be used to derive opposite health-oriented DPs in Polish females. Both methods have provided disappointing outcomes in explaining the association between obesity and DPs. The cluster analysis, in comparison with the a priori approach, was more useful for finding any relationship between DPs and central obesity. Our study highlighted the importance of method used to derive DPs in exploring associations between diet and obesity.

A review and reassessment of diffraction, scattering, and shadows in electrodynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berg, Matthew J.; Sorensen, Christopher M.

2018-05-01

The concepts of diffraction and scattering are well known and considered fundamental in optics and other wave phenomena. For any type of wave, one way to define diffraction is the spreading of waves, i.e., no change in the average propagation direction, while scattering is the deflection of waves with a clear change of propagation direction. However, the terms "diffraction" and "scattering" are often used interchangeably, and hence, a clear distinction between the two is difficult to find. This review considers electromagnetic waves and retains the simple definition that diffraction is the spreading of waves but demonstrates that all diffraction patterns are the result of scattering. It is shown that for electromagnetic waves, the "diffracted" wave from an object is the Ewald-Oseen extinction wave in the far-field zone. The intensity distribution of this wave yields what is commonly called the diffraction pattern. Moreover, this is the same Ewald-Oseen wave that cancels the incident wave inside the object and thereafter continues to do so immediately behind the object to create a shadow. If the object is much wider than the beam but has a hole, e.g., a screen with an aperture, the Ewald-Oseen extinction wave creates the shadow behind the screen and the incident light that passes through the aperture creates the diffraction pattern. This point of view also illustrates Babinet's principle. Thus, it is the Ewald-Oseen extinction theorem that binds together diffraction, scattering, and shadows.

Deregulation of versican and elastin binding protein in solar elastosis.

PubMed

Knott, Anja; Reuschlein, Katja; Lucius, Ralph; Stäb, Franz; Wenck, Horst; Gallinat, Stefan

2009-04-01

Several changes in skin appearance including loss of elasticity and wrinkle formation are associated with alterations in the composition of the dermal extracellular matrix. They are induced by intrinsic aging or by environmental factors such as UV light referred to as photoaging. A general characteristic in the histology of photoaged skin is the accumulation of elastotic material suggesting impaired formation and/or massive breakdown of elastic fibres. In order to shed light on some of the underlying mechanisms we tracked two of the major players in elastic fibre formation in different skin conditions: EBP (elastin binding protein), a regulator of elastic fibre assembly and VER (versican), a component of functional elastic fibres as well as non-functional elastotic material. Using quantitative RT-PCR on skin biopsies we found that the expression levels of VER and EBP were unaltered during intrinsic skin aging. Upon acute UV stress however, VER and EBP showed different regulation patterns: VER mRNA increased after 6 h and was further up-regulated until 24 h. The EBP mRNA by contrast was reduced after 6 h but showed massive induction at 24 h after acute UV stress. In chronically sun-exposed skin, VER protein was accumulated similar to elastotic material in the extracellular space, whereas its mRNA level was consistently reduced compared to sun-protected skin. The EBP mRNA by contrast showed slightly increased expression levels in the sun-exposed area compared to its sun-protected counterpart. Based on these data we propose a model which may help to explain parts of the mechanisms leading to the formation of elastotic masses. We further hypothesize that the presence of elastotic material triggers some yet unknown feedback mechanism(s) resulting in altered expression patterns of VER and EBP in chronically sun-exposed skin.

Indexing amyloid peptide diffraction from serial femtosecond crystallography: new algorithms for sparse patterns

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

Brewster, Aaron S.; Sawaya, Michael R.; University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1570

2015-02-01

Special methods are required to interpret sparse diffraction patterns collected from peptide crystals at X-ray free-electron lasers. Bragg spots can be indexed from composite-image powder rings, with crystal orientations then deduced from a very limited number of spot positions. Still diffraction patterns from peptide nanocrystals with small unit cells are challenging to index using conventional methods owing to the limited number of spots and the lack of crystal orientation information for individual images. New indexing algorithms have been developed as part of the Computational Crystallography Toolbox (cctbx) to overcome these challenges. Accurate unit-cell information derived from an aggregate data setmore » from thousands of diffraction patterns can be used to determine a crystal orientation matrix for individual images with as few as five reflections. These algorithms are potentially applicable not only to amyloid peptides but also to any set of diffraction patterns with sparse properties, such as low-resolution virus structures or high-throughput screening of still images captured by raster-scanning at synchrotron sources. As a proof of concept for this technique, successful integration of X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) data to 2.5 Å resolution for the amyloid segment GNNQQNY from the Sup35 yeast prion is presented.« less

Dynamical scattering in coherent hard x-ray nanobeam Bragg diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pateras, A.; Park, J.; Ahn, Y.; Tilka, J. A.; Holt, M. V.; Kim, H.; Mawst, L. J.; Evans, P. G.

2018-06-01

Unique intensity features arising from dynamical diffraction arise in coherent x-ray nanobeam diffraction patterns of crystals having thicknesses larger than the x-ray extinction depth or exhibiting combinations of nanoscale and mesoscale features. We demonstrate that dynamical scattering effects can be accurately predicted using an optical model combined with the Darwin theory of dynamical x-ray diffraction. The model includes the highly divergent coherent x-ray nanobeams produced by Fresnel zone plate focusing optics and accounts for primary extinction, multiple scattering, and absorption. The simulation accurately reproduces the dynamical scattering features of experimental diffraction patterns acquired from a GaAs/AlGaAs epitaxial heterostructure on a GaAs (001) substrate.

Synchronous Stroboscopic Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soares, Oliverio D. D.

1986-10-01

Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (E.S.P.I) oftenly called Electronic Holography is a practical powerful technique in non-destructive testing. Practical capabilities of the technique have been improved by fringe betterment and the control of analysis in the time domain, in particular, the scanning of the vibration cycle, with introduction of: synchronized amplitude and phase modulated pulse illumination, microcomputer control, fibre optics design, and moire evaluation techniques.

The measurement capabilities of cross-sectional profile of Nanoimprint template pattern using small angle x-ray scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamanaka, Eiji; Taniguchi, Rikiya; Itoh, Masamitsu; Omote, Kazuhiko; Ito, Yoshiyasu; Ogata, Kiyoshi; Hayashi, Naoya

2016-05-01

Nanoimprint lithography (NIL) is one of the most potential candidates for the next generation lithography for semiconductor. It will achieve the lithography with high resolution and low cost. High resolution of NIL will be determined by a high definition template. Nanoimprint lithography will faithfully transfer the pattern of NIL template to the wafer. Cross-sectional profile of the template pattern will greatly affect the resist profile on the wafer. Therefore, the management of the cross-sectional profile is essential. Grazing incidence small angle x-ray scattering (GI-SAXS) technique has been proposed as one of the method for measuring cross-sectional profile of periodic nanostructure pattern. Incident x-rays are irradiated to the sample surface with very low glancing angle. It is close to the critical angle of the total reflection of the x-ray. The scattered x-rays from the surface structure are detected on a two-dimensional detector. The observed intensity is discrete in the horizontal (2θ) direction. It is due to the periodicity of the structure, and diffraction is observed only when the diffraction condition is satisfied. In the vertical (β) direction, the diffraction intensity pattern shows interference fringes reflected to height and shape of the structure. Features of the measurement using x-ray are that the optical constant for the materials are well known, and it is possible to calculate a specific diffraction intensity pattern based on a certain model of the cross-sectional profile. The surface structure is estimated by to collate the calculated diffraction intensity pattern that sequentially while changing the model parameters with the measured diffraction intensity pattern. Furthermore, GI-SAXS technique can be measured an object in a non-destructive. It suggests the potential to be an effective tool for product quality assurance. We have developed a cross-sectional profile measurement of quartz template pattern using GI-SAXS technique. In this report, we will report the measurement capabilities of GI-SAXS technique as a cross-sectional profile measurement tool of NIL quartz template pattern.

Quantitative analysis of laryngeal mechanosensitivity in the cat and rabbit.

PubMed Central

Davis, P J; Nail, B S

1987-01-01

1. Single afferent fibres in the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve which responded to light touch or gentle probing of discrete areas of the exposed epithelium of the opened larynx were identified in anaesthetized, paralysed cats (148 fibres) and rabbits (58 fibres). 2. A quantitative examination of the sensitivity of these laryngeal mechanoreceptors to both static (step indentations) and dynamic (vibratory) forms of mechanical stimulation was undertaken using a servo-controlled mechanical stimulator. 3. In both species two predominant classes of mechanoreceptors were observed (Boushey, Richardson, Widdicombe & Wise, 1974). One class was distinguished by a regular and continuous pattern of activity at a frequency of 10-70 Hz (tonic fibres, sixty-six in cat, thirty-five in rabbit). The other class was silent or (more rarely) irregularly active at a very low frequency (silent fibres, eighty-two in cat, twenty-three in rabbit). 4. The location of the receptive fields was determined by manual probing. Inter-species and regional variations in receptive field location were observed for the two fibre groups. 5. Conduction velocity was measured for twenty-one tonic and seven silent fibres in the rabbit by a pre-triggered averaging technique. The results obtained (tonic: range 10.8-30.0, mean +/- S.E. of mean 21.4 +/- 1.2 m/s; silent: 14.8-28.6, 20.4 +/- 1.8 m/s) were characteristic of group III afferent fibres but were not significantly different for the two classes. 6. Both classes of receptor showed a response at the onset of a step indentation of the region of the mucosa that corresponded to their receptive field. Subsequent to this brief initial response the behaviour of the two classes diverged markedly. Tonic fibres were invariably slowly adapting whereas most (forty-four out of fifty-five in cat; twenty-two out of twenty-three in rabbit) silent fibres were rapidly adapting, at least for smaller indentation amplitudes. 7. Receptors of both classes were readily entrained to discharge at the same frequency as the probe stimulator (1:1 entrainment) when this was made to vibrate upon the receptive area for test periods of 0.5 or 1.0 s. Tuning curves were constructed of the minimum amplitudes required to elicit 1:1 entrainment throughout an entire test period at various frequencies. 8. Individual fibres in the two classes could be entrained at frequencies up to 400 Hz or more at sensitive (e.g. less than 100 microns) vibratory amplitudes. However, all fibres were less sensitive at these higher frequencies than at some lower point on the frequency scale.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) PMID:3656197

Teaching Fraunhofer diffraction via experimental and simulated images in the laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peinado, Alba; Vidal, Josep; Escalera, Juan Carlos; Lizana, Angel; Campos, Juan; Yzuel, Maria

2012-10-01

Diffraction is an important phenomenon introduced to Physics university students in a subject of Fundamentals of Optics. In addition, in the Physics Degree syllabus of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, there is an elective subject in Applied Optics. In this subject, diverse diffraction concepts are discussed in-depth from different points of view: theory, experiments in the laboratory and computing exercises. In this work, we have focused on the process of teaching Fraunhofer diffraction through laboratory training. Our approach involves students working in small groups. They visualize and acquire some important diffraction patterns with a CCD camera, such as those produced by a slit, a circular aperture or a grating. First, each group calibrates the CCD camera, that is to say, they obtain the relation between the distances in the diffraction plane in millimeters and in the computer screen in pixels. Afterwards, they measure the significant distances in the diffraction patterns and using the appropriate diffraction formalism, they calculate the size of the analyzed apertures. Concomitantly, students grasp the convolution theorem in the Fourier domain by analyzing the diffraction of 2-D gratings of elemental apertures. Finally, the learners use a specific software to simulate diffraction patterns of different apertures. They can control several parameters: shape, size and number of apertures, 1-D or 2-D gratings, wavelength, focal lens or pixel size.Therefore, the program allows them to reproduce the images obtained experimentally, and generate others by changingcertain parameters. This software has been created in our research group, and it is freely distributed to the students in order to help their learning of diffraction. We have observed that these hands on experiments help students to consolidate their theoretical knowledge of diffraction in a pedagogical and stimulating learning process.

Template-assisted formation of microsized nanocrystalline CeO2 tubes and their catalytic performance in the carboxylation of methanol

PubMed Central

Naumann, Meike; Schäfer, Christian; Brandner, Armin; Hofmann, Heiko J; Claus, Peter

2011-01-01

Summary Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)/ceria composite fibres were synthesized by using a sequential combination of polymer electrospinning, spray-coating with a sol, and a final calcination step to yield microstructured ceria tubes, which are composed of nanocrystalline ceria particles. The PMMA template is removed from the organic/inorganic hybrid material by radio frequency (rf) plasma etching followed by calcination of the ceramic green-body fibres. Microsized ceria (CeO2) tubes, with a diameter of ca. 0.75 µm, composed of nanocrystalline agglomerated ceria particles were thus obtained. The 1-D ceramic ceria material was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), UV–vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), as well as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Its catalytic performance was studied in the direct carboxylation of methanol with carbon dioxide leading to dimethyl carbonate [(CH3O)2CO, DMC], which is widely employed as a phosgene and dimethyl sulfate substitute, and as well as a fuel additive. PMID:22259761

Excitation of phonons in medium-energy electron diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alvarez, M. A. Vicente; Ascolani, H.; Zampieri, G.

1996-03-01

The ``elastic'' backscattering of electrons from crystalline surfaces presents two regimes: a low-energy regime, in which the characteristic low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) pattern is observed, and a medium-energy regime, in which the diffraction pattern is similar to those observed in x-ray photoemission diffraction (XPD) and Auger electron diffraction (AED) experiments. We present a model for the electron scattering which, including the vibrational degrees of freedom of the crystal, contains both regimes and explains the passage from one regime to the other. Our model is based on a separation of the electron and atomic motions (adiabatic approximation) and on a cluster-type formulation of the multiple scattering of the electron. The inelastic scattering events (excitation and/or absorption of phonons) are treated as coherent processes and no break of the phase relation between the incident and the exit paths of the electron is assumed. The LEED and the medium-energy electron diffraction regimes appear naturally in this model as the limit cases of completely elastic scattering and of inelastic scattering with excitation and/or absorption of multiple phonons. Intensity patterns calculated with this model are in very good agreement with recent experiments of electron scattering on Cu(001) at low and medium energies. We show that there is a correspondence between the type of intensity pattern and the mean number of phonons excited and/or absorbed during the scattering: a LEED-like pattern is observed when this mean number is less than 2, LEED-like and XPD/AED-like features coexist when this number is 3-4, and a XPD/AED-like pattern is observed when this number is greater than 5-6.

Noniterative approach to the missing data problem in coherent diffraction imaging by phase retrieval.

PubMed

Nakajima, Nobuharu

2010-07-20

When a very intense beam is used for illuminating an object in coherent x-ray diffraction imaging, the intensities at the center of the diffraction pattern for the object are cut off by a beam stop that is utilized to block the intense beam. Until now, only iterative phase-retrieval methods have been applied to object reconstruction from a single diffraction pattern with a deficiency of central data due to a beam stop. As an alternative method, I present a noniterative solution in which an interpolation method based on the sampling theorem for the missing data is used for object reconstruction with our previously proposed phase-retrieval method using an aperture-array filter. Computer simulations demonstrate the reconstruction of a complex-amplitude object from a single diffraction pattern with a missing data area, which is generally difficult to treat with the iterative methods because a nonnegativity constraint cannot be used for such an object.

In vitro degradation of a 3D porous Pennisetum purpureum/PLA biocomposite scaffold.

PubMed

Revati, R; Majid, M S Abdul; Ridzuan, M J M; Basaruddin, K S; Rahman Y, M N; Cheng, E M; Gibson, A G

2017-10-01

The in vitro degradation and mechanical properties of a 3D porous Pennisetum purpureum (PP)/polylactic acid (PLA)-based scaffold were investigated. In this study, composite scaffolds with PP to PLA ratios of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% were immersed in a PBS solution at 37°C for 40 days. Compression tests were conducted to evaluate the compressive strength and modulus of the scaffolds, according to ASTM F451-95. The compression strength of the scaffolds was found to increase from 1.94 to 9.32MPa, while the compressive modulus increased from 1.73 to 5.25MPa as the fillers' content increased from 0wt% to 30wt%. Moreover, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction were employed to observe and analyse the microstructure and fibre-matrix interface. Interestingly, the degradation rate was reduced for the PLA/PP 20 scaffold, though insignificantly, this could be attributed to the improved mechanical properties and stronger fibre-matrix interface. Microstructure changes after degradation were observed using FESEM. The FESEM results indicated that a strong fibre-matrix interface was formed in the PLA/PP 20 scaffold, which reflected the addition of P. purpureum into PLA decreasing the degradation rate compared to in pure PLA scaffolds. The results suggest that the P. purpureum/PLA scaffold degradation rate can be altered and controlled to meet requirements imposed by a given tissue engineering application. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An E-plane analysis of aperture-matched horn antennas using the moment method and the uniform geometrical theory of diffraction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heedy, D. J.; Burnside, W. D.

1984-01-01

The moment method and the uniform geometrical theory of diffraction are utilized to obtain two separate solutions for the E-plane field pattern of an aperture-matched horn antenna. This particular horn antenna consists of a standard pyramidal horn with the following modifications: a rolled edge section attached to the aperture edges and a curved throat section. The resulting geometry provides significantly better performance in terms of the pattern, impedance, and frequency characteristics than normally obtainable. The moment method is used to calculate the E-plane pattern and BSWR of the antenna. However, at higher frequencies, large amounts of computation time are required. The uniform geometrical theory of diffraction provides a quick and efficient high frequency solution for the E-plane field pattern. In fact, the uniform geometrical theory of diffraction may be used to initially design the antenna; then, the moment method may be applied to fine tune the design. This procedure has been successfully applied to a compact range feed design.

Indexing amyloid peptide diffraction from serial femtosecond crystallography: New algorithms for sparse patterns

DOE PAGES

Brewster, Aaron S.; Sawaya, Michael R.; Rodriguez, Jose; ...

2015-01-23

Still diffraction patterns from peptide nanocrystals with small unit cells are challenging to index using conventional methods owing to the limited number of spots and the lack of crystal orientation information for individual images. New indexing algorithms have been developed as part of the Computational Crystallography Toolbox( cctbx) to overcome these challenges. Accurate unit-cell information derived from an aggregate data set from thousands of diffraction patterns can be used to determine a crystal orientation matrix for individual images with as few as five reflections. These algorithms are potentially applicable not only to amyloid peptides but also to any set ofmore » diffraction patterns with sparse properties, such as low-resolution virus structures or high-throughput screening of still images captured by raster-scanning at synchrotron sources. As a proof of concept for this technique, successful integration of X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) data to 2.5 Å resolution for the amyloid segment GNNQQNY from the Sup35 yeast prion is presented.« less

Length dependence of force generation exhibit similarities between rat cardiac myocytes and skeletal muscle fibres.

PubMed

Hanft, Laurin M; McDonald, Kerry S

2010-08-01

According to the Frank-Starling relationship, increased ventricular volume increases cardiac output, which helps match cardiac output to peripheral circulatory demand. The cellular basis for this relationship is in large part the myofilament length-tension relationship. Length-tension relationships in maximally calcium activated preparations are relatively shallow and similar between cardiac myocytes and skeletal muscle fibres. During twitch activations length-tension relationships become steeper in both cardiac and skeletal muscle; however, it remains unclear whether length dependence of tension differs between striated muscle cell types during submaximal activations. The purpose of this study was to compare sarcomere length-tension relationships and the sarcomere length dependence of force development between rat skinned left ventricular cardiac myocytes and fast-twitch and slow-twitch skeletal muscle fibres. Muscle cell preparations were calcium activated to yield 50% maximal force, after which isometric force and rate constants (k(tr)) of force development were measured over a range of sarcomere lengths. Myofilament length-tension relationships were considerably steeper in fast-twitch fibres compared to slow-twitch fibres. Interestingly, cardiac myocyte preparations exhibited two populations of length-tension relationships, one steeper than fast-twitch fibres and the other similar to slow-twitch fibres. Moreover, myocytes with shallow length-tension relationships were converted to steeper length-tension relationships by protein kinase A (PKA)-induced myofilament phosphorylation. Sarcomere length-k(tr) relationships were distinct between all three cell types and exhibited patterns markedly different from Ca(2+) activation-dependent k(tr) relationships. Overall, these findings indicate cardiac myocytes exhibit varied length-tension relationships and sarcomere length appears a dominant modulator of force development rates. Importantly, cardiac myocyte length-tension relationships appear able to switch between slow-twitch-like and fast-twitch-like by PKA-mediated myofibrillar phosphorylation, which implicates a novel means for controlling Frank-Starling relationships.

Identification of fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins in textile hemp (Cannabis sativa L.): in silico analyses and gene expression patterns in different tissues.

PubMed

Guerriero, Gea; Mangeot-Peter, Lauralie; Legay, Sylvain; Behr, Marc; Lutts, Stanley; Siddiqui, Khawar Sohail; Hausman, Jean-Francois

2017-09-20

The fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins (FLAs) belong to the arabinogalactan protein (AGP) superfamily and are known to play different physiological roles in plants. This class of proteins was shown to participate in plant growth, development, defense against abiotic stresses and, notably, cell wall biosynthesis. Although some studies are available on the characterization of FLA genes from different species, both woody and herbaceous, no detailed information is available on the FLA family of textile hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), an economically important fibre crop. By searching the Cannabis genome and EST databases, 23 CsaFLAs have been here identified which are divided into four phylogenetic groups. A real-time qPCR analysis performed on stem tissues (isolated bast fibres and shivs sampled at three heights), hypocotyls (6-9-12-15-17-20 days-old), whole seedlings, roots, leaves and female/male flowers of the monoecious fibre variety Santhica 27, indicates that the identified FLA genes are differentially expressed. Interestingly, some hemp FLAs are expressed during early phases of fibre growth (elongation), while others are more expressed in the middle and base of the stem and thus potentially involved in secondary cell wall formation (fibre thickening). The bioinformatic analysis of the promoter regions shows that the FLAs upregulated in the younger regions of the stem share a conserved motif related to flowering control and regulation of photoperiod perception. The promoters of the FLA genes expressed at higher levels in the older stem regions, instead, share a motif putatively recognized by MYB3, a transcriptional repressor belonging to the MYB family subgroup S4. These results point to the existence of a transcriptional network fine-tuning the expression of FLA genes in the older and younger regions of the stem, as well as in the bast fibres/shivs of textile hemp. In summary, our study paves the way for future analyses on the biological functions of FLAs in an industrially relevant fibre crop.

Scattering apodizer for laser beams

DOEpatents

Summers, Mark A.; Hagen, Wilhelm F.; Boyd, Robert D.

1985-01-01

A method is disclosed for apodizing a laser beam to smooth out the production of diffraction peaks due to optical discontinuities in the path of the laser beam, such method comprising introduction of a pattern of scattering elements for reducing the peak intensity in the region of such optical discontinuities, such pattern having smoothly tapering boundaries in which the distribution density of the scattering elements is tapered gradually to produce small gradients in the distribution density, such pattern of scattering elements being effective to reduce and smooth out the diffraction effects which would otherwise be produced. The apodizer pattern may be produced by selectively blasting a surface of a transparent member with fine abrasive particles to produce a multitude of minute pits. In one embodiment, a scattering apodizer pattern is employed to overcome diffraction patterns in a multiple element crystal array for harmonic conversion of a laser beam. The interstices and the supporting grid between the crystal elements are obscured by the gradually tapered apodizer pattern of scattering elements.

Scattering apodizer for laser beams

DOEpatents

Summers, M.A.; Hagen, W.F.; Boyd, R.D.

1984-01-01

A method is disclosed for apodizing a laser beam to smooth out the production of diffraction peaks due to optical discontinuities in the path of the laser beam, such method comprising introduction of a pattern of scattering elements for reducing the peak intensity in the region of such optical discontinuities, such pattern having smoothly tapering boundaries in which the distribution density of the scattering elements is tapered gradually to produce small gradients in the distribution density, such pattern of scattering elements being effective to reduce and smooth out the diffraction effects which would otherwise be produced. The apodizer pattern may be produced by selectively blasting a surface of a transparent member with fine abrasive particles to produce a multitude of minute pits. In one embodiment, a scattering apodizer pattern is employed to overcome diffraction patterns in a multiple element crystal array for harmonic conversion of a laser beam. The interstices and the supporting grid between the crystal elements are obscured by the gradually tapered apodizer pattern of scattering elements.

Undergraduate Experiment with Fractal Diffraction Gratings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Monsoriu, Juan A.; Furlan, Walter D.; Pons, Amparo; Barreiro, Juan C.; Gimenez, Marcos H.

2011-01-01

We present a simple diffraction experiment with fractal gratings based on the triadic Cantor set. Diffraction by fractals is proposed as a motivating strategy for students of optics in the potential applications of optical processing. Fraunhofer diffraction patterns are obtained using standard equipment present in most undergraduate physics…

Creep behaviour and creep mechanisms of normal and healing ligaments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thornton, Gail Marilyn

Patients with knee ligament injuries often undergo ligament reconstructions to restore joint stability and, potentially, abate osteoarthritis. Careful literature review suggests that in 10% to 40% of these patients the graft tissue "stretches out". Some graft elongation is likely due to creep (increased elongation of tissue under repeated or sustained load). Quantifying creep behaviour and identifying creep mechanisms in both normal and healing ligaments is important for finding clinically relevant means to prevent creep. Ligament creep was accurately predicted using a novel yet simple structural model that incorporated both collagen fibre recruitment and fibre creep. Using the inverse stress relaxation function to model fibre creep in conjunction with fibre recruitment produced a superior prediction of ligament creep than that obtained from the inverse stress relaxation function alone. This implied mechanistic role of fibre recruitment during creep was supported using a new approach to quantify crimp patterns at stresses in the toe region (increasing stiffness) and linear region (constant stiffness) of the stress-strain curve. Ligament creep was relatively insensitive to increases in stress in the toe region; however, creep strain increased significantly when tested at the linear region stress. Concomitantly, fibre recruitment was evident at the toe region stresses; however, recruitment was limited at the linear region stress. Elevating the water content of normal ligament using phosphate buffered saline increased the creep response. Therefore, both water content and fibre recruitment are important mechanistic factors involved in creep of normal ligaments. Ligament scars had inferior creep behaviour compared to normal ligaments even after 14 weeks. In addition to inferior collagen properties affecting fibre recruitment and increased water content, increased glycosaminoglycan content and flaws in scar tissue were implicated as potential mechanisms of scar creep. Similarly, ligament autografts had persistently abnormal creep behaviour and creep recovery after 2 years likely due to infiltration by scar tissue. Short-term immobilization of autografts had long-term detrimental consequences perhaps due to re-injury of the graft at remobilization. Treatments that restore normal properties to these mechanistic factors in order to control creep would improve joint healing by restoring joint kinematics and maintaining normal joint loading.

Distribution of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript in the hippocampal formation of the guinea pig and domestic pig.

PubMed

Kolenkiewicz, M; Robak, A; Równiak, M; Bogus-Nowakowska, K; Całka, J; Majewski, M

2009-02-01

This study provides a detailed description concerning the distribution of cocaineand amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) subunits - CART(61-102) and rhCART(28-116) - in the hippocampal formation (HF) of the guinea pig and domestic pig, focussing on the dentate gyrus (DG) and hippocampus proper (HP). Although in both studied species CART-immunoreactive (CART-IR) neuronal somata and processes were present generally in the same layers, some species-specific differences were still found. In the granular layer (GL) of both species, the ovalshaped neurons and some thick varicose fibres were encountered. In the guinea pig there was an immunoreactive "band of dots", probably representing crosssectioned terminals within the DG molecular layer (MOL), whereas in the domestic pig, some varicose fibres were detected, thus suggesting a different orientation of, at least, some nerve terminals. Furthermore, some CART-positive cells and fibres were observed in the hilus (HL) of the guinea pig, whereas in the analogical part of the domestic pig only nerve terminals were labelled. In both species, in the pyramidal layer (PL) of the hippocampus proper, CART-IR triangular somata were observed in the CA3 sector, as well as some positive processes in MOL; however, a few immunoreactive perikarya were found only in the CA1 sector of the guinea pig. As regards the localization patterns of two isoforms of CART in the guinea pig, both peptide fragments were present simultaneously in each of the labelled neurons or fibres, whereas in the domestic pig three types of fibres may be distinguished within the area of the DG. In the hilus and MOL of the dentate gyrus, there were fibres expressing both isoforms of CART in their whole length (fibres of the first type). Fibres of the second type (in GL) coexpressed both peptides only on their short segments, and the last ones (in MOL) expressed solely rhCART(28-116). These results indicate that the distribution of the two CART isoforms are specifically related, thus the relationship between the two CART isoforms may imply different metabolic profiles of CART-expressing neurons.

Structure analysis of the single-domain Si(111)4 × 1-In surface by μ-probe Auger electron diffraction and μ-probe reflection high energy electron diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakamura, N.; Anno, K.; Kono, S.

1991-10-01

A single-domain Si(111)4 × 1-In surface has been studied by μ-probe reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) to elucidate the symmetry of the 4 × 1 surface. Azimuthal diffraction patterns of In MNN Auger electron have been obtained by a μ-probe Auger electron diffraction (AED) apparatus from the single-domain Si(111)4 × 1-In surface. On the basis of information from scanning tunneling microscopy [J. Microsc. 152 (1988) 727] and under the assumption that the 4 × 1 surface is composed of In-overlayers, the μ-probe AED patterns were kinematically analyzed to reach a concrete model of indium arrangement.

X-Ray Diffraction Apparatus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blake, David F. (Inventor); Bryson, Charles (Inventor); Freund, Friedmann (Inventor)

1996-01-01

An x-ray diffraction apparatus for use in analyzing the x-ray diffraction pattern of a sample is introduced. The apparatus includes a beam source for generating a collimated x-ray beam having one or more discrete x-ray energies, a holder for holding the sample to be analyzed in the path of the beam, and a charge-coupled device having an array of pixels for detecting, in one or more selected photon energy ranges, x-ray diffraction photons produced by irradiating such a sample with said beam. The CCD is coupled to an output unit which receives input information relating to the energies of photons striking each pixel in the CCD, and constructs the diffraction pattern of photons within a selected energy range striking the CCD.

High-resolution three-dimensional partially coherent diffraction imaging.

PubMed

Clark, J N; Huang, X; Harder, R; Robinson, I K

2012-01-01

The wave properties of light, particularly its coherence, are responsible for interference effects, which can be exploited in powerful imaging applications. Coherent diffractive imaging relies heavily on coherence and has recently experienced rapid growth. Coherent diffractive imaging recovers an object from its diffraction pattern by computational phasing with the potential of wavelength-limited resolution. Diminished coherence results in reconstructions that suffer from artefacts or fail completely. Here we demonstrate ab initio phasing of partially coherent diffraction patterns in three dimensions, while simultaneously determining the coherence properties of the illuminating wavefield. Both the dramatic improvements in image interpretability and the three-dimensional evaluation of the coherence will have broad implications for quantitative imaging of nanostructures and wavefield characterization with X-rays and electrons.

Common arc method for diffraction pattern orientation.

PubMed

Bortel, Gábor; Tegze, Miklós

2011-11-01

Very short pulses of X-ray free-electron lasers opened the way to obtaining diffraction signal from single particles beyond the radiation dose limit. For three-dimensional structure reconstruction many patterns are recorded in the object's unknown orientation. A method is described for the orientation of continuous diffraction patterns of non-periodic objects, utilizing intensity correlations in the curved intersections of the corresponding Ewald spheres, and hence named the common arc orientation method. The present implementation of the algorithm optionally takes into account Friedel's law, handles missing data and is capable of determining the point group of symmetric objects. Its performance is demonstrated on simulated diffraction data sets and verification of the results indicates a high orientation accuracy even at low signal levels. The common arc method fills a gap in the wide palette of orientation methods. © 2011 International Union of Crystallography

Three-dimensional reconstruction for coherent diffraction patterns obtained by XFEL.

PubMed

Nakano, Miki; Miyashita, Osamu; Jonic, Slavica; Song, Changyong; Nam, Daewoong; Joti, Yasumasa; Tama, Florence

2017-07-01

The three-dimensional (3D) structural analysis of single particles using an X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) is a new structural biology technique that enables observations of molecules that are difficult to crystallize, such as flexible biomolecular complexes and living tissue in the state close to physiological conditions. In order to restore the 3D structure from the diffraction patterns obtained by the XFEL, computational algorithms are necessary as the orientation of the incident beam with respect to the sample needs to be estimated. A program package for XFEL single-particle analysis based on the Xmipp software package, that is commonly used for image processing in 3D cryo-electron microscopy, has been developed. The reconstruction program has been tested using diffraction patterns of an aerosol nanoparticle obtained by tomographic coherent X-ray diffraction microscopy.

Evidence from x-ray and neutron powder diffraction patterns that the so-called icosahedral and decagonal quasicrystals of MnAl(6) and other alloys are twinned cubic crystals.

PubMed

Pauling, L

1987-06-01

It is shown that the x-ray powder diffraction patterns of rapidly quenched MnAl(6) and Mg(32)(Al,Zn)(49) and the neutron powder diffraction pattern of MnAl(6) are compatible with the proposed 820-atom primitive cubic structure [Pauling, L. (1987) Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 365-368]. The values found for the edge of the unit cube are 23.365 A (x-ray) and 23.416 A (neutron) for MnAl(6) and 24.313 A (x-ray) for Mg(32)(Al,Zn)(49).

Evidence from x-ray and neutron powder diffraction patterns that the so-called icosahedral and decagonal quasicrystals of MnAl6 and other alloys are twinned cubic crystals

PubMed Central

Pauling, Linus

1987-01-01

It is shown that the x-ray powder diffraction patterns of rapidly quenched MnAl6 and Mg32(Al,Zn)49 and the neutron powder diffraction pattern of MnAl6 are compatible with the proposed 820-atom primitive cubic structure [Pauling, L. (1987) Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 365-368]. The values found for the edge of the unit cube are 23.365 Å (x-ray) and 23.416 Å (neutron) for MnAl6 and 24.313 Å (x-ray) for Mg32(Al,Zn)49. PMID:16593841

The neuro-muscular system in cercaria with different patterns of locomotion.

PubMed

Tolstenkov, Oleg O; Prokofiev, Vladimir V; Terenina, Nadezhda B; Gustafsson, Margaretha K S

2011-05-01

The neuro-muscular system (NMS) of cercariae with different swimming patterns was studied with immunocytochemical methods and confocal scanning laser microscopy. Specimens of the continuously swimming Cercaria parvicaudata, Maritrema subdolum and Himasthla elongata were compared with specimens of the intermittently swimming Cryptocotyle lingua and the attached Podocotyle atomon. The patterns of F-actin in the musculature, 5-HT immunoreactive (-IR), FMRFamide-IR neuronal elements, α-tubulin-IR elements in the nervous and sensory systems and DAPI-stained nuclei were investigated. The general plan of the NMS was similar in all cercariae studied. No major structural differences in the patterns of muscle fibres were observed. However, in the tail of C. lingua, transverse muscle fibres connecting the bands of longitudinal muscles were found. No major structural differences in the 5-HT- or FMRFamide-IR nervous systems were observed. The number of 5-HT-IR neurones in the cercarial bodies varied between 12 and 14. The number and distribution of the α-tubulin-IR processes on the cercarial bodies and tails differed from each other. The relation between the number and structure of the α-tubulin-IR processes and the host finding strategy of the cercariae is discussed. A detailed schematic picture of the NMS in the tails of C. lingua and M. subdolum is presented.

Application of a real-space three-dimensional image reconstruction method in the structural analysis of noncrystalline biological macromolecules enveloped by water in coherent x-ray diffraction microscopy.

PubMed

Kodama, Wataru; Nakasako, Masayoshi

2011-08-01

Coherent x-ray diffraction microscopy is a novel technique in the structural analyses of particles that are difficult to crystallize, such as the biological particles composing living cells. As water is indispensable for maintaining particles in functional structures, sufficient hydration of targeted particles is required during sample preparation for diffraction microscopy experiments. However, the water enveloping particles also contributes significantly to the diffraction patterns and reduces the electron-density contrast of the sample particles. In this study, we propose a protocol for the structural analyses of particles in water by applying a three-dimensional reconstruction method in real space for the projection images phase-retrieved from diffraction patterns, together with a developed density modification technique. We examined the feasibility of the protocol through three simulations involving a protein molecule in a vacuum, and enveloped in either a droplet or a cube-shaped water. The simulations were carried out for the diffraction patterns in the reciprocal planes normal to the incident x-ray beam. This assumption and the simulation conditions corresponded to experiments using x-ray wavelengths of shorter than 0.03 Å. The analyses demonstrated that our protocol provided an interpretable electron-density map. Based on the results, we discuss the advantages and limitations of the proposed protocol and its practical application for experimental data. In particular, we examined the influence of Poisson noise in diffraction patterns on the reconstructed three-dimensional electron density in the proposed protocol.

3D Diffraction Microscope Provides a First Deep View

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miao, Jianwei

2005-03-01

When a coherent diffraction pattern is sampled at a spacing sufficiently finer than the Bragg peak frequency (i.e. the inverse of the sample size), the phase information is in principle encoded inside the diffraction pattern, and can be directly retrieved by using an iterative process. In combination of this oversampling phasing method with either coherent X-rays or electrons, a novel form of diffraction microscopy has recently been developed to image nanoscale materials and biological structures. In this talk, I will present the principle of the oversampling method, discuss the first experimental demonstration of this microscope, and illustrate some applications in nanoscience and biology.

Hair treatment process providing dispersed colors by light diffraction

DOEpatents

Sutton, Richard Matthew Charles; Lamartine, Bruce Carvell; Orler, E. Bruce; Song, Shuangqi

2015-12-22

A hair treatment process for providing dispersed colors by light diffraction including (a) coating the hair with a material comprising a polymer, (b) pressing the hair with a pressing device including one or more surfaces, and (c) forming a secondary nanostructured surface pattern on the hair that is complementary to the primary nanostructured surface pattern on the one or more surfaces of the pressing device. The secondary nanostructured surface pattern diffracts light into dispersed colors that are visible on the hair. The section of the hair is pressed with the pressing device for from about 1 to 55 seconds. The polymer has a glass transition temperature from about 55.degree. C. to about 90.degree. C. The one or more surfaces include a primary nanostructured surface pattern.

Preferential motor unit loss in the SOD1G93A transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

PubMed Central

Hegedus, J; Putman, C T; Tyreman, N; Gordon, T

2008-01-01

The present study investigated motor unit (MU) loss in a murine model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The fast-twitch tibialis anterior (TA) and medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscles of transgenic SOD1G93A and SOD1WT mice were studied during the presymptomatic phase of disease progression at 60 days of age. Whole muscle maximum isometric twitch and tetanic forces were 80% lower (P < 0.01) in the TA muscles of SOD1G93A compared to SOD1WT mice. Enumeration of total MU numbers within TA muscles showed a 60% reduction (P < 0.01) within SOD1G93A mice (38 ± 7) compared with SOD1WT controls (95 ± 12); this was attributed to a lower proportion of the most forceful fast-fatigable (FF) MU in SOD1G93A mice, as seen by a significant (P < 0.01) leftward shift in the cumulative frequency histogram of single MU forces. Similar patterns of MU loss and corresponding decreases in isometric twitch force were observed in the MG. Immunocytochemical analyses of the entire cross-sectional area (CSA) of serial sections of TA muscles stained with anti-neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and various monoclonal antibodies for myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms showed respective 65% (P < 0.01) and 28% (P < 0.05) decreases in the number of innervated IIB and IID/X muscle fibres in SOD1G93A, which paralleled the 60% decrease (P < 0.01) in the force generating capacity of individual fibres. The loss of fast MUs was partially compensated by activity-dependent fast-to-slower fibre type transitions, as determined by increases (P < 0.04) in the CSA and proportion of IIA fibres (from 4% to 14%) and IID/X fibres (from 31% to 39%), and decreases (P < 0.001) in the CSA and proportion of type IIB fibres (from 65% to 44%). We conclude that preferential loss of IIB fibres is incomplete at 60 days of age, and is consistent with a selective albeit gradual loss of FF MUs that is not fully compensated by sprouting of the remaining motoneurons that innervate type IIA or IID/X muscle fibres. Our findings indicate that disease progression in fast-twitch muscles of SOD1G93A mice involves parallel processes: (1) gradual selective motor axon die-back of the FF motor units that contain large type IIB muscle fibres, and of fatigue-intermediate motor units that innervate type IID/X muscle fibres, and (2) activity-dependent conversion of motor units to those innervated by smaller motor axons innervating type IIA fatigue-resistant muscle fibres. PMID:18467368

Direct optical activation of skeletal muscle fibres efficiently controls muscle contraction and attenuates denervation atrophy

PubMed Central

Magown, Philippe; Shettar, Basavaraj; Zhang, Ying; Rafuse, Victor F.

2015-01-01

Neural prostheses can restore meaningful function to paralysed muscles by electrically stimulating innervating motor axons, but fail when muscles are completely denervated, as seen in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or after a peripheral nerve or spinal cord injury. Here we show that channelrhodopsin-2 is expressed within the sarcolemma and T-tubules of skeletal muscle fibres in transgenic mice. This expression pattern allows for optical control of muscle contraction with comparable forces to nerve stimulation. Force can be controlled by varying light pulse intensity, duration or frequency. Light-stimulated muscle fibres depolarize proportionally to light intensity and duration. Denervated triceps surae muscles transcutaneously stimulated optically on a daily basis for 10 days show a significant attenuation in atrophy resulting in significantly greater contractile forces compared with chronically denervated muscles. Together, this study shows that channelrhodopsin-2/H134R can be used to restore function to permanently denervated muscles and reduce pathophysiological changes associated with denervation pathologies. PMID:26460719

A Combined FEM/MoM/GTD Technique To Analyze Elliptically Polarized Cavity-Backed Antennas With Finite Ground Plane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reddy, C. J.; Deshpande, M. D.; Fralick, D. T.; Cockrell, C. R.; Beck, F. B.

1996-01-01

Radiation pattern prediction analysis of elliptically polarized cavity-backed aperture antennas in a finite ground plane is performed using a combined Finite Element Method/Method of Moments/Geometrical Theory of Diffraction (FEM/MoM/GTD) technique. The magnetic current on the cavity-backed aperture in an infinite ground plane is calculated using the combined FEM/MoM analysis. GTD, including the slope diffraction contribution, is used to calculate the diffracted fields caused by both soft and hard polarizations at the edges of the finite ground plane. Explicit expressions for regular diffraction coefficients and slope diffraction coefficients are presented. The slope of the incident magnetic field at the diffraction points is derived and analytical expressions are presented. Numerical results for the radiation patterns of a cavity-backed circular spiral microstrip patch antenna excited by a coaxial probe in a finite rectangular ground plane are computed and compared with experimental results.

Multiple defocused coherent diffraction imaging: method for simultaneously reconstructing objects and probe using X-ray free-electron lasers.

PubMed

Hirose, Makoto; Shimomura, Kei; Suzuki, Akihiro; Burdet, Nicolas; Takahashi, Yukio

2016-05-30

The sample size must be less than the diffraction-limited focal spot size of the incident beam in single-shot coherent X-ray diffraction imaging (CXDI) based on a diffract-before-destruction scheme using X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs). This is currently a major limitation preventing its wider applications. We here propose multiple defocused CXDI, in which isolated objects are sequentially illuminated with a divergent beam larger than the objects and the coherent diffraction pattern of each object is recorded. This method can simultaneously reconstruct both objects and a probe from the coherent X-ray diffraction patterns without any a priori knowledge. We performed a computer simulation of the prposed method and then successfully demonstrated it in a proof-of-principle experiment at SPring-8. The prposed method allows us to not only observe broad samples but also characterize focused XFEL beams.

HiSPoD: a program for high-speed polychromatic X-ray diffraction experiments and data analysis on polycrystalline samples

DOE PAGES

Sun, Tao; Fezzaa, Kamel

2016-06-17

Here, a high-speed X-ray diffraction technique was recently developed at the 32-ID-B beamline of the Advanced Photon Source for studying highly dynamic, yet non-repeatable and irreversible, materials processes. In experiments, the microstructure evolution in a single material event is probed by recording a series of diffraction patterns with extremely short exposure time and high frame rate. Owing to the limited flux in a short pulse and the polychromatic nature of the incident X-rays, analysis of the diffraction data is challenging. Here, HiSPoD, a stand-alone Matlab-based software for analyzing the polychromatic X-ray diffraction data from polycrystalline samples, is described. With HiSPoD,more » researchers are able to perform diffraction peak indexing, extraction of one-dimensional intensity profiles by integrating a two-dimensional diffraction pattern, and, more importantly, quantitative numerical simulations to obtain precise sample structure information.« less

rf streak camera based ultrafast relativistic electron diffraction.

PubMed

Musumeci, P; Moody, J T; Scoby, C M; Gutierrez, M S; Tran, T

2009-01-01

We theoretically and experimentally investigate the possibility of using a rf streak camera to time resolve in a single shot structural changes at the sub-100 fs time scale via relativistic electron diffraction. We experimentally tested this novel concept at the UCLA Pegasus rf photoinjector. Time-resolved diffraction patterns from thin Al foil are recorded. Averaging over 50 shots is required in order to get statistics sufficient to uncover a variation in time of the diffraction patterns. In the absence of an external pump laser, this is explained as due to the energy chirp on the beam out of the electron gun. With further improvements to the electron source, rf streak camera based ultrafast electron diffraction has the potential to yield truly single shot measurements of ultrafast processes.

Coherent Bragg nanodiffraction at the hard X-ray Nanoprobe beamline.

PubMed

Hruszkewycz, S O; Holt, M V; Maser, J; Murray, C E; Highland, M J; Folkman, C M; Fuoss, P H

2014-03-06

Bragg coherent diffraction with nanofocused hard X-ray beams provides unique opportunities for quantitative in situ studies of crystalline structure in nanoscale regions of complex materials and devices by a variety of diffraction-based techniques. In the case of coherent diffraction imaging, a major experimental challenge in using nanoscale coherent beams is maintaining a constant scattering volume such that coherent fringe visibility is maximized and maintained over the course of an exposure lasting several seconds. Here, we present coherent Bragg diffraction patterns measured from different nanostructured thin films at the Sector 26 Nanoprobe beamline at the Advanced Photon Source and demonstrate that with nanoscale positional control, coherent diffraction patterns can be measured with source-limited fringe visibilities more than 50% suitable for imaging by coherent Bragg ptychography techniques.

Coherent Bragg nanodiffraction at the hard X-ray Nanoprobe beamline

PubMed Central

Hruszkewycz, S. O.; Holt, M. V.; Maser, J.; Murray, C. E.; Highland, M. J.; Folkman, C. M.; Fuoss, P. H.

2014-01-01

Bragg coherent diffraction with nanofocused hard X-ray beams provides unique opportunities for quantitative in situ studies of crystalline structure in nanoscale regions of complex materials and devices by a variety of diffraction-based techniques. In the case of coherent diffraction imaging, a major experimental challenge in using nanoscale coherent beams is maintaining a constant scattering volume such that coherent fringe visibility is maximized and maintained over the course of an exposure lasting several seconds. Here, we present coherent Bragg diffraction patterns measured from different nanostructured thin films at the Sector 26 Nanoprobe beamline at the Advanced Photon Source and demonstrate that with nanoscale positional control, coherent diffraction patterns can be measured with source-limited fringe visibilities more than 50% suitable for imaging by coherent Bragg ptychography techniques. PMID:24470418

Diffraction of entangled particles by light gratings

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

Sancho, Pedro, E-mail: psanchos@aemet.es

We analyze the diffraction regime of the Kapitza–Dirac effect for particles entangled in momentum. The detection patterns show two-particle interferences. In the single-mode case we identify a discontinuity in the set of joint detection probabilities, associated with the disconnected character of the space of non-separable states. For Gaussian multi-mode states we derive the diffraction patterns, providing an example of the dependence of the light–matter interaction on entanglement. When the particles are identical, we can explore the relation between exchange and entanglement effects. We find a complementary behavior between overlapping and Schmidt’s number. In particular, symmetric entanglement can cancel the exchangemore » effects. - Highlights: • Kapitza–Dirac diffraction of entangled particles shows multiparticle interference. • There is a discontinuity in the set of joint detection patterns of entangled states. • We find a complementary behavior between overlapping and Schmidt’s number. • Symmetric entanglement can cancel the exchange effects.« less

Understanding deformation with high angular resolution electron backscatter diffraction (HR-EBSD)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Britton, T. B.; Hickey, J. L. R.

2018-01-01

High angular resolution electron backscatter diffraction (HR-EBSD) affords an increase in angular resolution, as compared to ‘conventional’ Hough transform based EBSD, of two orders of magnitude, enabling measurements of relative misorientations of 1 x 10-4 rads (~ 0.006°) and changes in (deviatoric) lattice strain with a precision of 1 x 10-4. This is achieved through direct comparison of two or more diffraction patterns using sophisticated cross-correlation based image analysis routines. Image shifts between zone axes in the two-correlated diffraction pattern are measured with sub-pixel precision and this realises the ability to measure changes in interplanar angles and lattice orientation with a high degree of sensitivity. These shifts are linked to strains and lattice rotations through simple geometry. In this manuscript, we outline the basis of the technique and two case studies that highlight its potential to tackle real materials science challenges, such as deformation patterning in polycrystalline alloys.

Sub-diffraction limit laser ablation via multiple exposures using a digital micromirror device.

PubMed

Heath, Daniel J; Grant-Jacob, James A; Feinaeugle, Matthias; Mills, Ben; Eason, Robert W

2017-08-01

We present the use of digital micromirror devices as variable illumination masks for pitch-splitting multiple exposures to laser machine the surfaces of materials. Ultrafast laser pulses of length 150 fs and 800 nm central wavelength were used for the sequential machining of contiguous patterns on the surface of samples in order to build up complex structures with sub-diffraction limit features. Machined patterns of tens to hundreds of micrometers in lateral dimensions with feature separations as low as 270 nm were produced in electroless nickel on an optical setup diffraction limited to 727 nm, showing a reduction factor below the Abbe diffraction limit of ∼2.7×. This was compared to similar patterns in a photoresist optimized for two-photon absorption, which showed a reduction factor of only 2×, demonstrating that multiple exposures via ablation can produce a greater resolution enhancement than via two-photon polymerization.

Two-Dimensional Light Diffraction from an EPROM Chip

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ekkens, Tom

2018-01-01

In introductory physics classes, a laser pointer and a compact disc are all the items required to illustrate diffraction of light in a single dimension. If a two-dimensional diffraction pattern is desired, double axis diffraction grating material is available or a CCD sensor can be extracted from an unused electronics device. This article presents…

Design strategies of sea urchin teeth: structure, composition and micromechanical relations to function.

PubMed

Wang, R Z; Addadi, L; Weiner, S

1997-04-29

The teeth of sea urchins comprise a variety of different structural entities, all of which are composed of magnesium-bearing calcite together with a small amount of organic material. The teeth are worn down continuously, but in such a way that they remain sharp and functional. Here we describe aspects of the structural, compositional and micromechanical properties of the teeth of Paracentrotus lividus using scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectrometry, atomic absorption. X-ray diffraction and microindentation. The S-shaped single crystalline calcitic fibres are one of the main structural elements of the tooth. They extend from the stone part to the keel. The diameter of the fibres increases gradually from less than 1 micron at the stone tip to about 20 microns at the keel end, while their MgCO3 contents decrease from about 13 mol% to about 4.5 mol%. Each fibre is coated by a thin organic sheath and surrounded by polycrystalline calcitic discs containing as much as 35 mol% MgCO3. This structure constitutes a unique kind of gradient fibre-reinforced ceramic matrix composite, whose microhardness and toughness decrease gradually from the stone part to the keel. Primary plates are also important structural elements of the tooth. Each primary plate has a very unusual sandwich-like structure with a calcitic envelope surrounding a thin apparently amorphous CaCO3 layer. This central layer, together with the primary plate/disc interface, improves the toughness of this zone by stopping and blunting cracks. The self-sharpening function of the teeth is believed to result from the combination of the geometrical shape of the main structural elements and their spatial arrangement, the interfacial strength between structural elements, and the hardness gradient extending from the working stone part to the surrounding zones. The sea urchin tooth structure possesses an array of interesting functional design features, some of which may possibly be applicable to materials science.

Direct observation of lithium polysulfides in lithium-sulfur batteries using operando X-ray diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conder, Joanna; Bouchet, Renaud; Trabesinger, Sigita; Marino, Cyril; Gubler, Lorenz; Villevieille, Claire

2017-06-01

In the on going quest towards lithium-battery chemistries beyond the lithium-ion technology, the lithium-sulfur system is emerging as one of the most promising candidates. The major outstanding challenge on the route to commercialization is controlling the so-called polysulfide shuttle, which is responsible for the poor cycling efficiency of the current generation of lithium-sulfur batteries. However, the mechanistic understanding of the reactions underlying the polysulfide shuttle is still incomplete. Here we report the direct observation of lithium polysulfides in a lithium-sulfur cell during operation by means of operando X-ray diffraction. We identify signatures of polysulfides adsorbed on the surface of a glass-fibre separator and monitor their evolution during cycling. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the adsorption of the polysulfides onto SiO2 can be harnessed for buffering the polysulfide redox shuttle. The use of fumed silica as an electrolyte additive therefore significantly improves the specific charge and Coulombic efficiency of lithium-sulfur batteries.

Structure-mechanics relationships in mineralized tendons.

PubMed

Spiesz, Ewa M; Zysset, Philippe K

2015-12-01

In this paper, we review the hierarchical structure and the resulting elastic properties of mineralized tendons as obtained by various multiscale experimental and computational methods spanning from nano- to macroscale. The mechanical properties of mineralized collagen fibres are important to understand the mechanics of hard tissues constituted by complex arrangements of these fibres, like in human lamellar bone. The uniaxial mineralized collagen fibre array naturally occurring in avian tendons is a well studied model tissue for investigating various stages of tissue mineralization and the corresponding elastic properties. Some avian tendons mineralize with maturation, which results in a graded structure containing two zones of distinct morphology, circumferential and interstitial. These zones exhibit different amounts of mineral, collagen, pores and a different mineral distribution between collagen fibrillar and extrafibrillar space that lead to distinct elastic properties. Mineralized tendon cells have two phenotypes: elongated tenocytes placed between fibres in the circumferential zone and cuboidal cells with lower aspect ratios in the interstitial zone. Interestingly some regions of avian tendons seem to be predestined to mineralization, which is exhibited as specific collagen cross-linking patterns as well as distribution of minor tendon constituents (like proteoglycans) and loss of collagen crimp. Results of investigations in naturally mineralizing avian tendons may be useful in understanding the pathological mineralization occurring in some human tendons. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tensile Response of Hoop Reinforced Multiaxially Braided Thin Wall Composite Tubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, Sree Shankhachur; Potluri, Prasad; Soutis, Constantinos

2017-04-01

This paper presents the tensile response of thin-walled composite tubes with multi-axial fibre architecture. A hybrid braid-wound layup has the potential to optimise the composite tube properties, however, stacking sequence plays a role in the failure mechanism. A braid-winding method has been used to produce stacked overwound braid layup [(±45°/0°)5/90°4]T. Influence of stacking sequence on premature failure of hoop layers has been reported. Under tensile loading, a cross-ply composite tube with the alternate stacking of hoop and axial fibre show hoop plies splitting similar to the overwound braided composite tube. However, splitting has been restricted by the surrounding axial plies and contained between the adjacent axial fibre tows. This observation suggests hoop layers sandwiched between braid layers will improve structural integrity. A near net shape architecture with three fibre orientation in a triaxial braid will provide additional support to prevent extensive damage for plies loaded in off-axis. Several notable observations for relatively open braid structures such as tow scissoring, high Poisson's ratio and influence of axial tow crimp on the strain to failure have been reported. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) in conjunction with surface strain gauging has been employed to capture the strain pattern.

Single-particle structure determination by correlations of snapshot X-ray diffraction patterns (CXIDB ID 20)

DOE Data Explorer

Starodub, D.

2013-03-25

This deposition includes the diffraction images generated by the paired polystyrene spheres in random orientations. These images were used to determine and phase the single particle diffraction volume from their autocorrelation functions.

A compact electron gun for time-resolved electron diffraction

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

Robinson, Matthew S.; Lane, Paul D.; Wann, Derek A., E-mail: derek.wann@york.ac.uk

A novel compact time-resolved electron diffractometer has been built with the primary goal of studying the ultrafast molecular dynamics of photoexcited gas-phase molecules. Here, we discuss the design of the electron gun, which is triggered by a Ti:Sapphire laser, before detailing a series of calibration experiments relating to the electron-beam properties. As a further test of the apparatus, initial diffraction patterns have been collected for thin, polycrystalline platinum samples, which have been shown to match theoretical patterns. The data collected demonstrate the focusing effects of the magnetic lens on the electron beam, and how this relates to the spatial resolutionmore » of the diffraction pattern.« less

Disentangling atomic-layer-specific x-ray absorption spectra by Auger electron diffraction spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsui, Fumihiko; Matsushita, Tomohiro; Kato, Yukako; Hashimoto, Mie; Daimon, Hiroshi

2009-11-01

In order to investigate the electronic and magnetic structures of each atomic layer at subsurface, we have proposed a new method, Auger electron diffraction spectroscopy, which is the combination of x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and Auger electron diffraction (AED) techniques. We have measured a series of Ni LMM AED patterns of the Ni film grown on Cu(001) surface for various thicknesses. Then we deduced a set of atomic-layer-specific AED patterns in a numerical way. Furthermore, we developed an algorithm to disentangle XANES spectra from different atomic layers using these atomic-layer-specific AED patterns. Surface and subsurface core level shift were determined for each atomic layer.

Tests of Si(111)-7 × 7 structural models by comparison with transmission electron diffraction patterns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McRae, E. G.; Petroff, P. M.

1984-11-01

Several structural models of the Si(111)-7 × 7 surface are tested by comparing calculated and observed transmission electron diffraction (TED) patterns. The models comprise "adatom" models where the unit mesh contains 12 adatoms or atom clusters in a locally (2 × 2) arrangement, and "triangle-dimer" models where the unit mesh contains 9 dimers or pairs of dimers bordering a triangular subunit of the unit mesh. The distribution of diffraction intensity among fractional-order spots is calculated kinematically and compared with TED patterns observed by Petroff and Wilson and others. No agreement is found for adatom models. Good but not perfect agreement is found for one triangle-dimer model.

Evaluating diffraction based overlay metrology for double patterning technologies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saravanan, Chandra Saru; Liu, Yongdong; Dasari, Prasad; Kritsun, Oleg; Volkman, Catherine; Acheta, Alden; La Fontaine, Bruno

2008-03-01

Demanding sub-45 nm node lithographic methodologies such as double patterning (DPT) pose significant challenges for overlay metrology. In this paper, we investigate scatterometry methods as an alternative approach to meet these stringent new metrology requirements. We used a spectroscopic diffraction-based overlay (DBO) measurement technique in which registration errors are extracted from specially designed diffraction targets for double patterning. The results of overlay measurements are compared to traditional bar-in-bar targets. A comparison between DBO measurements and CD-SEM measurements is done to show the correlation between the two approaches. We discuss the total measurement uncertainty (TMU) requirements for sub-45 nm nodes and compare TMU from the different overlay approaches.

Incorrect support and missing center tolerances of phasing algorithms

DOE PAGES

Huang, Xiaojing; Nelson, Johanna; Steinbrener, Jan; ...

2010-01-01

In x-ray diffraction microscopy, iterative algorithms retrieve reciprocal space phase information, and a real space image, from an object's coherent diffraction intensities through the use of a priori information such as a finite support constraint. In many experiments, the object's shape or support is not well known, and the diffraction pattern is incompletely measured. We describe here computer simulations to look at the effects of both of these possible errors when using several common reconstruction algorithms. Overly tight object supports prevent successful convergence; however, we show that this can often be recognized through pathological behavior of the phase retrieval transfermore » function. Dynamic range limitations often make it difficult to record the central speckles of the diffraction pattern. We show that this leads to increasing artifacts in the image when the number of missing central speckles exceeds about 10, and that the removal of unconstrained modes from the reconstructed image is helpful only when the number of missing central speckles is less than about 50. In conclusion, this simulation study helps in judging the reconstructability of experimentally recorded coherent diffraction patterns.« less

Signature of dislocations and stacking faults of face-centred cubic nanocrystals in coherent X-ray diffraction patterns: a numerical study.

PubMed

Dupraz, Maxime; Beutier, Guillaume; Rodney, David; Mordehai, Dan; Verdier, Marc

2015-06-01

Crystal defects induce strong distortions in diffraction patterns. A single defect alone can yield strong and fine features that are observed in high-resolution diffraction experiments such as coherent X-ray diffraction. The case of face-centred cubic nanocrystals is studied numerically and the signatures of typical defects close to Bragg positions are identified. Crystals of a few tens of nanometres are modelled with realistic atomic potentials and 'relaxed' after introduction of well defined defects such as pure screw or edge dislocations, or Frank or prismatic loops. Diffraction patterns calculated in the kinematic approximation reveal various signatures of the defects depending on the Miller indices. They are strongly modified by the dissociation of the dislocations. Selection rules on the Miller indices are provided, to observe the maximum effect of given crystal defects in the initial and relaxed configurations. The effect of several physical and geometrical parameters such as stacking fault energy, crystal shape and defect position are discussed. The method is illustrated on a complex structure resulting from the simulated nanoindentation of a gold nanocrystal.

Signature of dislocations and stacking faults of face-centred cubic nanocrystals in coherent X-ray diffraction patterns: a numerical study1

PubMed Central

Dupraz, Maxime; Beutier, Guillaume; Rodney, David; Mordehai, Dan; Verdier, Marc

2015-01-01

Crystal defects induce strong distortions in diffraction patterns. A single defect alone can yield strong and fine features that are observed in high-resolution diffraction experiments such as coherent X-ray diffraction. The case of face-centred cubic nanocrystals is studied numerically and the signatures of typical defects close to Bragg positions are identified. Crystals of a few tens of nanometres are modelled with realistic atomic potentials and ‘relaxed’ after introduction of well defined defects such as pure screw or edge dislocations, or Frank or prismatic loops. Diffraction patterns calculated in the kinematic approximation reveal various signatures of the defects depending on the Miller indices. They are strongly modified by the dissociation of the dislocations. Selection rules on the Miller indices are provided, to observe the maximum effect of given crystal defects in the initial and relaxed configurations. The effect of several physical and geometrical parameters such as stacking fault energy, crystal shape and defect position are discussed. The method is illustrated on a complex structure resulting from the simulated nanoindentation of a gold nanocrystal. PMID:26089755

Single beam write and/or replay of spatial heterodyne holograms

DOEpatents

Thomas, Clarence E.; Hanson, Gregory R.

2007-11-20

A method of writing a spatially heterodyne hologram having spatially heterodyne fringes includes: passing a single write beam through a spatial light modulator that digitally modulates said single write beam; and focusing the single write beam at a focal plane of a lens to impose a holographic diffraction grating pattern on the photorefractive crystal, the holographic diffraction grating pattern including the spatially heterodyne hologram having spatially heterodyne fringes, wherein only said single write beam is incident on said photorefractive crystal without a reference beam. A method of replaying a spatially heterodyne hologram having spatially heterodyne fringes at a replay angle includes: illuminating a photorefractive crystal having a holographic diffraction grating with a beam from a laser at an illumination angle, the holographic diffraction grating pattern including the spatially heterodyne hologram having spatially heterodyne fringes, wherein a difference between said illumination angle and said replay angle defines a diffraction angle .alpha. that is a function of a plane wave mathematically added to original object wave phase and amplitude data of said spatially heterodyne hologram having spatially heterodyne fringes.

Detecting diffusion-diffraction patterns in size distribution phantoms using double-pulsed field gradient NMR: Theory and experiments.

PubMed

Shemesh, Noam; Ozarslan, Evren; Basser, Peter J; Cohen, Yoram

2010-01-21

NMR observable nuclei undergoing restricted diffusion within confining pores are important reporters for microstructural features of porous media including, inter-alia, biological tissues, emulsions and rocks. Diffusion NMR, and especially the single-pulsed field gradient (s-PFG) methodology, is one of the most important noninvasive tools for studying such opaque samples, enabling extraction of important microstructural information from diffusion-diffraction phenomena. However, when the pores are not monodisperse and are characterized by a size distribution, the diffusion-diffraction patterns disappear from the signal decay, and the relevant microstructural information is mostly lost. A recent theoretical study predicted that the diffusion-diffraction patterns in double-PFG (d-PFG) experiments have unique characteristics, such as zero-crossings, that make them more robust with respect to size distributions. In this study, we theoretically compared the signal decay arising from diffusion in isolated cylindrical pores characterized by lognormal size distributions in both s-PFG and d-PFG methodologies using a recently presented general framework for treating diffusion in NMR experiments. We showed the gradual loss of diffusion-diffraction patterns in broadening size distributions in s-PFG and the robustness of the zero-crossings in d-PFG even for very large standard deviations of the size distribution. We then performed s-PFG and d-PFG experiments on well-controlled size distribution phantoms in which the ground-truth is well-known a priori. We showed that the microstructural information, as manifested in the diffusion-diffraction patterns, is lost in the s-PFG experiments, whereas in d-PFG experiments the zero-crossings of the signal persist from which relevant microstructural information can be extracted. This study provides a proof of concept that d-PFG may be useful in obtaining important microstructural features in samples characterized by size distributions.

Cancer cell classification with coherent diffraction imaging using an extreme ultraviolet radiation source

PubMed Central

Zürch, Michael; Foertsch, Stefan; Matzas, Mark; Pachmann, Katharina; Kuth, Rainer; Spielmann, Christian

2014-01-01

Abstract. In cancer treatment, it is highly desirable to classify single cancer cells in real time. The standard method is polymerase chain reaction requiring a substantial amount of resources and time. Here, we present an innovative approach for rapidly classifying different cell types: we measure the diffraction pattern of a single cell illuminated with coherent extreme ultraviolet (XUV) laser-generated radiation. These patterns allow distinguishing different breast cancer cell types in a subsequent step. Moreover, the morphology of the object can be retrieved from the diffraction pattern with submicron resolution. In a proof-of-principle experiment, we prepared single MCF7 and SKBR3 breast cancer cells on gold-coated silica slides. The output of a laser-driven XUV light source is focused onto a single unstained and unlabeled cancer cell. With the resulting diffraction pattern, we could clearly identify the different cell types. With an improved setup, it will not only be feasible to classify circulating tumor cells with a high throughput, but also to identify smaller objects such as bacteria or even viruses. PMID:26158049

Cancer cell classification with coherent diffraction imaging using an extreme ultraviolet radiation source.

PubMed

Zürch, Michael; Foertsch, Stefan; Matzas, Mark; Pachmann, Katharina; Kuth, Rainer; Spielmann, Christian

2014-10-01

In cancer treatment, it is highly desirable to classify single cancer cells in real time. The standard method is polymerase chain reaction requiring a substantial amount of resources and time. Here, we present an innovative approach for rapidly classifying different cell types: we measure the diffraction pattern of a single cell illuminated with coherent extreme ultraviolet (XUV) laser-generated radiation. These patterns allow distinguishing different breast cancer cell types in a subsequent step. Moreover, the morphology of the object can be retrieved from the diffraction pattern with submicron resolution. In a proof-of-principle experiment, we prepared single MCF7 and SKBR3 breast cancer cells on gold-coated silica slides. The output of a laser-driven XUV light source is focused onto a single unstained and unlabeled cancer cell. With the resulting diffraction pattern, we could clearly identify the different cell types. With an improved setup, it will not only be feasible to classify circulating tumor cells with a high throughput, but also to identify smaller objects such as bacteria or even viruses.

Fibre Bragg grating sensing and finite element analysis of the biomechanics of the mandible

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silva, J. C. C.; Ramos, A.; Carvalho, L.; Nogueira, R. N.; Ballu, A.; Mesnard, M.; Pinto, J. L.; Kalinowski, Hypolito J.; Simoes, J. A.

2005-05-01

This paper describes the application of fibre Bragg grating (FBG) sensors to measure strains at the outer surface of a mandible. The strains were correlated to identical ones obtained with a numerical finite element model. For this purpose, a synthetic mandible was used and 4 Bragg sensors were glued to the mandible. Strain patterns were assessed for different load configurations which included the forces of the masseter and temporal muscles and occlusion loads on different tooth (incisor, canine and molar). Overall the strains obtained using different measuring methods were identical, namely for the case of symmetric loading. When loading was non-symmetric, strain differences were observed at one sensor.

Fast computation algorithms for speckle pattern simulation

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

Nascov, Victor; Samoilă, Cornel; Ursuţiu, Doru

2013-11-13

We present our development of a series of efficient computation algorithms, generally usable to calculate light diffraction and particularly for speckle pattern simulation. We use mainly the scalar diffraction theory in the form of Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction formula and its Fresnel approximation. Our algorithms are based on a special form of the convolution theorem and the Fast Fourier Transform. They are able to evaluate the diffraction formula much faster than by direct computation and we have circumvented the restrictions regarding the relative sizes of the input and output domains, met on commonly used procedures. Moreover, the input and output planes canmore » be tilted each to other and the output domain can be off-axis shifted.« less

Macromolecular diffractive imaging using imperfect crystals

PubMed Central

Ayyer, Kartik; Yefanov, Oleksandr; Oberthür, Dominik; Roy-Chowdhury, Shatabdi; Galli, Lorenzo; Mariani, Valerio; Basu, Shibom; Coe, Jesse; Conrad, Chelsie E.; Fromme, Raimund; Schaffer, Alexander; Dörner, Katerina; James, Daniel; Kupitz, Christopher; Metz, Markus; Nelson, Garrett; Lourdu Xavier, Paulraj; Beyerlein, Kenneth R.; Schmidt, Marius; Sarrou, Iosifina; Spence, John C. H.; Weierstall, Uwe; White, Thomas A.; Yang, Jay-How; Zhao, Yun; Liang, Mengning; Aquila, Andrew; Hunter, Mark S.; Robinson, Joseph S.; Koglin, Jason E.; Boutet, Sébastien; Fromme, Petra; Barty, Anton; Chapman, Henry N.

2016-01-01

The three-dimensional structures of macromolecules and their complexes are predominantly elucidated by X-ray protein crystallography. A major limitation is access to high-quality crystals, to ensure X-ray diffraction extends to sufficiently large scattering angles and hence yields sufficiently high-resolution information that the crystal structure can be solved. The observation that crystals with shrunken unit-cell volumes and tighter macromolecular packing often produce higher-resolution Bragg peaks1,2 hints that crystallographic resolution for some macromolecules may be limited not by their heterogeneity but rather by a deviation of strict positional ordering of the crystalline lattice. Such displacements of molecules from the ideal lattice give rise to a continuous diffraction pattern, equal to the incoherent sum of diffraction from rigid single molecular complexes aligned along several discrete crystallographic orientations and hence with an increased information content3. Although such continuous diffraction patterns have long been observed—and are of interest as a source of information about the dynamics of proteins4 —they have not been used for structure determination. Here we show for crystals of the integral membrane protein complex photosystem II that lattice disorder increases the information content and the resolution of the diffraction pattern well beyond the 4.5 Å limit of measurable Bragg peaks, which allows us to directly phase5 the pattern. With the molecular envelope conventionally determined at 4.5 Å as a constraint, we then obtain a static image of the photosystem II dimer at 3.5 Å resolution. This result shows that continuous diffraction can be used to overcome long-supposed resolution limits of macromolecular crystallography, with a method that puts great value in commonly encountered imperfect crystals and opens up the possibility for model-free phasing6,7. PMID:26863980

Data preparation and evaluation techniques for x-ray diffraction microscopy.

PubMed

Steinbrener, Jan; Nelson, Johanna; Huang, Xiaojing; Marchesini, Stefano; Shapiro, David; Turner, Joshua J; Jacobsen, Chris

2010-08-30

The post-experiment processing of X-ray Diffraction Microscopy data is often time-consuming and difficult. This is mostly due to the fact that even if a preliminary result has been reconstructed, there is no definitive answer as to whether or not a better result with more consistently retrieved phases can still be obtained. We show here that the first step in data analysis, the assembly of two-dimensional diffraction patterns from a large set of raw diffraction data, is crucial to obtaining reconstructions of highest possible consistency. We have developed software that automates this process and results in consistently accurate diffraction patterns. We have furthermore derived some criteria of validity for a tool commonly used to assess the consistency of reconstructions, the phase retrieval transfer function, and suggest a modified version that has improved utility for judging reconstruction quality.

Energy-resolved coherent diffraction from laser-driven electronic motion in atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, Hua-Chieh; Starace, Anthony F.

2017-10-01

We investigate theoretically the use of energy-resolved ultrafast electron diffraction to image laser-driven electronic motion in atoms. A chirped laser pulse is used to transfer the valence electron of the lithium atom from the ground state to the first excited state. During this process, the electronic motion is imaged by 100-fs and 1-fs electron pulses in energy-resolved diffraction measurements. Simulations show that the angle-resolved spectra reveal the time evolution of the energy content and symmetry of the electronic state. The time-dependent diffraction patterns are further interpreted in terms of the momentum transfer. For the case of incident 1-fs electron pulses, the rapid 2 s -2 p quantum beat motion of the target electron is imaged as a time-dependent asymmetric oscillation of the diffraction pattern.

Diffraction experiments with infrared remote controls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuhn, Jochen; Vogt, Patrik

2012-02-01

In this paper we describe an experiment in which radiation emitted by an infrared remote control is passed through a diffraction grating. An image of the diffraction pattern is captured using a cell phone camera and then used to determine the wavelength of the radiation.

Comparison of human gastrocnemius forces predicted by Hill-type muscle models and estimated from ultrasound images

PubMed Central

Biewener, Andrew A.; Wakeling, James M.

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Hill-type models are ubiquitous in the field of biomechanics, providing estimates of a muscle's force as a function of its activation state and its assumed force–length and force–velocity properties. However, despite their routine use, the accuracy with which Hill-type models predict the forces generated by muscles during submaximal, dynamic tasks remains largely unknown. This study compared human gastrocnemius forces predicted by Hill-type models with the forces estimated from ultrasound-based measures of tendon length changes and stiffness during cycling, over a range of loads and cadences. We tested both a traditional model, with one contractile element, and a differential model, with two contractile elements that accounted for independent contributions of slow and fast muscle fibres. Both models were driven by subject-specific, ultrasound-based measures of fascicle lengths, velocities and pennation angles and by activation patterns of slow and fast muscle fibres derived from surface electromyographic recordings. The models predicted, on average, 54% of the time-varying gastrocnemius forces estimated from the ultrasound-based methods. However, differences between predicted and estimated forces were smaller under low speed–high activation conditions, with models able to predict nearly 80% of the gastrocnemius force over a complete pedal cycle. Additionally, the predictions from the Hill-type muscle models tested here showed that a similar pattern of force production could be achieved for most conditions with and without accounting for the independent contributions of different muscle fibre types. PMID:28202584

Method to mosaic gratings that relies on analysis of far-field intensity patterns in two wavelengths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Yao; Zeng, Lijiang; Li, Lifeng

2007-01-01

We propose an experimental method to coherently mosaic two planar diffraction gratings. The method uses a Twyman-Green interferometer to guarantee the planar parallelism of the two sub-aperture gratings, and obtains the in-plane rotational error and the two translational errors from analysis of the far-field diffraction intensity patterns in two alignment wavelengths. We adjust the relative attitude and position of the two sub-aperture gratings to produce Airy disk diffraction patterns in both wavelengths. In our experiment, the repeatability of in-plane rotation adjustment was 2.35 μrad and that of longitudinal adjustment was 0.11 μm. The accuracy of lateral adjustment was about 2.9% of the grating period.

Non-essential role for cilia in coordinating precise alignment of lens fibres

PubMed Central

Sugiyama, Yuki; Shelley, Elizabeth J.; Yoder, Bradley K.; Kozmik, Zbynek; May-Simera, Helen L.; Beales, Philip L.; Lovicu, Frank J.; McAvoy, John W.

2016-01-01

The primary cilium, a microtubule-based organelle found in most cells, is a centre for mechano-sensing fluid movement and cellular signalling, notably through the Hedgehog pathway. We recently found that each lens fibre cell has an apically situated primary cilium that is polarised to the side of the cell facing the anterior pole of the lens. The direction of polarity is similar in neighbouring cells so that in the global view, lens fibres exhibit planar cell polarity (PCP) along the equatorial-anterior polar axis. Ciliogenesis has been associated with the establishment of PCP, although the exact relationship between PCP and the role of cilia is still controversial. To test the hypothesis that the primary cilia have a role in coordinating the precise alignment/orientation of the fibre cells, IFT88, a key component of the intraflagellar transport (IFT) complex, was removed specifically from the lens at different developmental stages using several lens-specific Cre-expressing mouse lines (MLR10- and LR-Cre). Irrespective of which Cre-line was adopted, both demonstrated that in IFT88-depleted cells, the ciliary axoneme was absent or substantially shortened, confirming the disruption of primary cilia formation. However no obvious histological defects were detected even when IFT88 was removed from the lens placode as early as E9.5. Specifically, the lens fibres aligned/oriented towards the poles to form the characteristic Y-shaped sutures as normal. Consistent with this, in primary lens epithelial explants prepared from these conditional knockout mouse lenses, the basal bodies still showed polarised localisation at the apical surface of elongating cells upon FGF-induced fibre differentiation. We further investigated the lens phenotype in knockouts of Bardet–Biedl Syndrome (BBS) proteins 4 and 8, the components of the BBSome complex which modulate ciliary function. In these BBS4 and 8 knockout lenses, again we found the pattern of the anterior sutures formed by the apical tips of elongating/migrating fibres were comparable to the control lenses. Taken together, these results indicate that primary cilia do not play an essential role in the precise cellular alignment/orientation of fibre cells. Thus, it appears that in the lens cilia are not required to establish PCP. PMID:26825015

Dietary macronutrients and food consumption as determinants of long-term weight change in adult populations: a systematic literature review

PubMed Central

Fogelholm, Mikael; Anderssen, Sigmund; Gunnarsdottir, Ingibjörg; Lahti-Koski, Marjaana

2012-01-01

This systematic literature review examined the role of dietary macronutrient composition, food consumption and dietary patterns in predicting weight or waist circumference (WC) change, with and without prior weight reduction. The literature search covered year 2000 and onwards. Prospective cohort studies, case–control studies and interventions were included. The studies had adult (18–70 y), mostly Caucasian participants. Out of a total of 1,517 abstracts, 119 full papers were identified as potentially relevant. After a careful scrutiny, 50 papers were quality graded as A (highest), B or C. Forty-three papers with grading A or B were included in evidence grading, which was done separately for all exposure-outcome combinations. The grade of evidence was classified as convincing, probable, suggestive or no conclusion. We found probable evidence for high intake of dietary fibre and nuts predicting less weight gain, and for high intake of meat in predicting more weight gain. Suggestive evidence was found for a protective role against increasing weight from whole grains, cereal fibre, high-fat dairy products and high scores in an index describing a prudent dietary pattern. Likewise, there was suggestive evidence for both fibre and fruit intake in protection against larger increases in WC. Also suggestive evidence was found for high intake of refined grains, and sweets and desserts in predicting more weight gain, and for refined (white) bread and high energy density in predicting larger increases in WC. The results suggested that the proportion of macronutrients in the diet was not important in predicting changes in weight or WC. In contrast, plenty of fibre-rich foods and dairy products, and less refined grains, meat and sugar-rich foods and drinks were associated with less weight gain in prospective cohort studies. The results on the role of dietary macronutrient composition in prevention of weight regain (after prior weight loss) were inconclusive. PMID:22893781

Genomic and expression analysis of the flax (Linum usitatissimum) family of glycosyl hydrolase 35 genes

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Several β-galactosidases of the Glycosyl Hydrolase 35 (GH35) family have been characterized, and many of these modify cell wall components, including pectins, xyloglucans, and arabinogalactan proteins. The phloem fibres of flax (Linum usitatissimum) have gelatinous-type cell walls that are rich in crystalline cellulose and depend on β-galactosidase activity for their normal development. In this study, we investigate the transcript expression patterns and inferred evolutionary relationships of the complete set of flax GH35 genes, to better understand the functions of these genes in flax and other species. Results Using the recently published flax genome assembly, we identified 43 β-galactosidase-like (BGAL) genes, based on the presence of a GH35 domain. Phylogenetic analyses of their protein sequences clustered them into eight sub-families. Sub-family B, whose members in other species were known to be expressed in developing flowers and pollen, was greatly under represented in flax (p-value < 0.01). Sub-family A5, whose sole member from arabidopsis has been described as its primary xyloglucan BGAL, was greatly expanded in flax (p-value < 0.01). A number of flax BGALs were also observed to contain non-consensus GH35 active sites. Expression patterns of the flax BGALs were investigated using qRT-PCR and publicly available microarray data. All predicted flax BGALs showed evidence of expression in at least one tissue. Conclusion Flax has a large number of BGAL genes, which display a distinct distribution among the BGAL sub-families, in comparison to other closely related species with available whole genome assemblies. Almost every flax BGAL was expressed in fibres, the majority of which expressed predominately in fibres as compared to other tissues, suggesting an important role for the expansion of this gene family in the development of this species as a fibre crop. Variations displayed in the canonical GH35 active site suggest a variety of roles unique to flax, which will require further characterization. PMID:23701735

Genomic and expression analysis of the flax (Linum usitatissimum) family of glycosyl hydrolase 35 genes.

PubMed

Hobson, Neil; Deyholos, Michael K

2013-05-23

Several β-galactosidases of the Glycosyl Hydrolase 35 (GH35) family have been characterized, and many of these modify cell wall components, including pectins, xyloglucans, and arabinogalactan proteins. The phloem fibres of flax (Linum usitatissimum) have gelatinous-type cell walls that are rich in crystalline cellulose and depend on β-galactosidase activity for their normal development. In this study, we investigate the transcript expression patterns and inferred evolutionary relationships of the complete set of flax GH35 genes, to better understand the functions of these genes in flax and other species. Using the recently published flax genome assembly, we identified 43 β-galactosidase-like (BGAL) genes, based on the presence of a GH35 domain. Phylogenetic analyses of their protein sequences clustered them into eight sub-families. Sub-family B, whose members in other species were known to be expressed in developing flowers and pollen, was greatly under represented in flax (p-value < 0.01). Sub-family A5, whose sole member from arabidopsis has been described as its primary xyloglucan BGAL, was greatly expanded in flax (p-value < 0.01). A number of flax BGALs were also observed to contain non-consensus GH35 active sites. Expression patterns of the flax BGALs were investigated using qRT-PCR and publicly available microarray data. All predicted flax BGALs showed evidence of expression in at least one tissue. Flax has a large number of BGAL genes, which display a distinct distribution among the BGAL sub-families, in comparison to other closely related species with available whole genome assemblies. Almost every flax BGAL was expressed in fibres, the majority of which expressed predominately in fibres as compared to other tissues, suggesting an important role for the expansion of this gene family in the development of this species as a fibre crop. Variations displayed in the canonical GH35 active site suggest a variety of roles unique to flax, which will require further characterization.

Kirigami Nanocomposites as Wide-Angle Diffraction Gratings.

PubMed

Xu, Lizhi; Wang, Xinzhi; Kim, Yoonseob; Shyu, Terry C; Lyu, Jing; Kotov, Nicholas A

2016-06-28

Beam steering devices represent an essential part of an advanced optics toolbox and are needed in a spectrum of technologies ranging from astronomy and agriculture to biosensing and networked vehicles. Diffraction gratings with strain-tunable periodicity simplify beam steering and can serve as a foundation for light/laser radar (LIDAR/LADAR) components of robotic systems. However, the mechanical properties of traditional materials severely limit the beam steering angle and cycle life. The large strain applied to gratings can severely impair the device performance both in respect of longevity and diffraction pattern fidelity. Here, we show that this problem can be resolved using micromanufactured kirigami patterns from thin film nanocomposites based on high-performance stiff plastics, metals, and carbon nanotubes, etc. The kirigami pattern of microscale slits reduces the stochastic concentration of strain in stiff nanocomposites including those made by layer-by-layer assembly (LBL). The slit patterning affords reduction of strain by 2 orders of magnitude for stretching deformation and consequently enables reconfigurable optical gratings with over a 100% range of period tunability. Elasticity of the stiff nanocomposites and plastics makes possible cyclic reconfigurability of the grating with variable time constant that can also be referred to as 4D kirigami. High-contrast, sophisticated diffraction patterns with as high as fifth diffraction order can be obtained. The angular range of beam steering can be as large as 6.5° for a 635 nm laser beam compared to ∼1° in surface-grooved elastomer gratings and ∼0.02° in MEMS gratings. The versatility of the kirigami patterns, the diversity of the available nanocomposite materials, and their advantageous mechanical properties of the foundational materials open the path for engineering of reconfigurable optical elements in LIDARs essential for autonomous vehicles and other optical devices with spectral range determined by the kirigami periodicity.

IDATEN and G-SITENNO: GUI-assisted software for coherent X-ray diffraction imaging experiments and data analyses at SACLA.

PubMed

Sekiguchi, Yuki; Yamamoto, Masaki; Oroguchi, Tomotaka; Takayama, Yuki; Suzuki, Shigeyuki; Nakasako, Masayoshi

2014-11-01

Using our custom-made diffraction apparatus KOTOBUKI-1 and two multiport CCD detectors, cryogenic coherent X-ray diffraction imaging experiments have been undertaken at the SPring-8 Angstrom Compact free electron LAser (SACLA) facility. To efficiently perform experiments and data processing, two software suites with user-friendly graphical user interfaces have been developed. The first is a program suite named IDATEN, which was developed to easily conduct four procedures during experiments: aligning KOTOBUKI-1, loading a flash-cooled sample into the cryogenic goniometer stage inside the vacuum chamber of KOTOBUKI-1, adjusting the sample position with respect to the X-ray beam using a pair of telescopes, and collecting diffraction data by raster scanning the sample with X-ray pulses. Named G-SITENNO, the other suite is an automated version of the original SITENNO suite, which was designed for processing diffraction data. These user-friendly software suites are now indispensable for collecting a large number of diffraction patterns and for processing the diffraction patterns immediately after collecting data within a limited beam time.

Theoretical study of the properties of X-ray diffraction moiré fringes. I

PubMed Central

Yoshimura, Jun-ichi

2015-01-01

A detailed and comprehensive theoretical description of X-ray diffraction moiré fringes for a bicrystal specimen is given on the basis of a calculation by plane-wave dynamical diffraction theory. Firstly, prior to discussing the main subject of the paper, a previous article [Yoshimura (1997 ▸). Acta Cryst. A53, 810–812] on the two-dimensionality of diffraction moiré patterns is restated on a thorough calculation of the moiré interference phase. Then, the properties of moiré fringes derived from the above theory are explained for the case of a plane-wave diffraction image, where the significant effect of Pendellösung intensity oscillation on the moiré pattern when the crystal is strained is described in detail with theoretically simulated moiré images. Although such plane-wave moiré images are not widely observed in a nearly pure form, knowledge of their properties is essential for the understanding of diffraction moiré fringes in general. PMID:25970298

A Simple Diffraction Experiment Using Banana Stem as a Natural Grating

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aji, Mahardika Prasetya; Karunawan, Jotti; Chasanah, Widyastuti Rochimatun; Nursuhud, Puji Iman; Wiguna, Pradita Ajeng; Sulhadi

2017-01-01

A simple diffraction experiment was designed using banana stem as natural grating. Coherent beams of lasers with wavelengths of 632.8 nm and 532 nm that pass through banana stem produce periodic diffraction patterns on a screen. The diffraction experiments were able to measure the distances between the slit of the banana stem, i.e. d = (28.76 ±…

Numerical comparison of grid pattern diffraction effects through measurement and modeling with OptiScan software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murray, Ian B.; Densmore, Victor; Bora, Vaibhav; Pieratt, Matthew W.; Hibbard, Douglas L.; Milster, Tom D.

2011-06-01

Coatings of various metalized patterns are used for heating and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications. Previous work has focused on macro differences between different types of grids, and has shown good correlation between measurements and analyses of grid diffraction. To advance this work, we have utilized the University of Arizona's OptiScan software, which has been optimized for this application by using the Babinet Principle. When operating on an appropriate computer system, this algorithm produces results hundreds of times faster than standard Fourier-based methods, and allows realistic cases to be modeled for the first time. By using previously published derivations by Exotic Electro-Optics, we compare diffraction performance of repeating and randomized grid patterns with equivalent sheet resistance using numerical performance metrics. Grid patterns of each type are printed on optical substrates and measured energy is compared against modeled energy.

Muscle parameters for musculoskeletal modelling of the human neck.

PubMed

Borst, Jordi; Forbes, Patrick A; Happee, Riender; Veeger, Dirkjan H E J

2011-05-01

To study normal or pathological neuromuscular control, a musculoskeletal model of the neck has great potential but a complete and consistent anatomical dataset which comprises the muscle geometry parameters to construct such a model is not yet available. A dissection experiment was performed on the left side of one 50th percentile male embalmed specimen. Geometrical data including muscle attachment sites were digitized using an Optotrak measurement system and laser diffraction was used to determine muscle sarcomere lengths. Bony landmarks were recorded and joint centres of rotation between different vertebrae were estimated using literature data. A total of 34 muscle parts of the neck were divided in 129 elements per body side. Muscle attachment sites, mass, physiological cross sectional area, fibre length, tendon length and optimal fibre length for each element are supplied as digital annexes to the paper. Results are coherent with other studies and new data are provided for several smaller muscles not reported elsewhere. Implementation of this dataset into a neck model is likely to improve the estimation of muscle forces and thus increase the model validity; this makes future neck models more suitable for the use as clinical tools. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Physicochemical characterization of nopal pads (Opuntia ficus indica) and dry vacuum nopal powders as a function of the maturation.

PubMed

Rodríguez-Garcia, M E; de Lira, C; Hernández-Becerra, E; Cornejo-Villegas, M A; Palacios-Fonseca, A J; Rojas-Molina, I; Reynoso, R; Quintero, L C; Del-Real, A; Zepeda, T A; Muñoz-Torres, C

2007-09-01

This paper presents the physicochemical and nutrimental characterization of fresh nopal (Opuntia ficus indica, Redonda variety) and nopal powder produced at different stages of development. Nopal powder was obtained by dry vacuum technique using 10(2) Torr and low temperature (40 degrees C). The results showed that the nutrimental and mineral composition of nopal changes as a function of the maturation as follow: The ash content increases from 18.41 for nopalitos (60 g of weight) to 23.24% (nopal pads 200 g); calcium content increases from 1.52 to 3.72%, while phosphorous exhibits an opposite trend: 0.43 to 0.27%, respectively. Calcium oxalate was determined by X-ray diffraction and SEM microscopy and quantified by using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Calcium oxalate decreases from 7.95 to 3.47 mg/g and the Ca/P ratio varies from 3.6 to 11. The soluble fibre decreases from 25.22 to 14.91%, while insoluble fibre increases from 29.87 to 41.65%. These results suggest that nopal could be an important source of minerals within the diets of people in Mexico and the rest of Latin America.

Exploring transmission Kikuchi diffraction using a Timepix detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vespucci, S.; Winkelmann, A.; Mingard, K.; Maneuski, D.; O'Shea, V.; Trager-Cowan, C.

2017-02-01

Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) is a well-established scanning electron microscope (SEM)-based technique [1]. It allows the non-destructive mapping of the crystal structure, texture, crystal phase and strain with a spatial resolution of tens of nanometers. Conventionally this is performed by placing an electron sensitive screen, typically consisting of a phosphor screen combined with a charge coupled device (CCD) camera, in front of a specimen, usually tilted 70° to the normal of the exciting electron beam. Recently, a number of authors have shown that a significant increase in spatial resolution is achievable when Kikuchi diffraction patterns are acquired in transmission geometry; that is when diffraction patterns are generated by electrons transmitted through an electron-transparent, usually thinned, specimen. The resolution of this technique, called transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD), has been demonstrated to be better than 10 nm [2,3]. We have recently demonstrated the advantages of a direct electron detector, Timepix [4,5], for the acquisition of standard EBSD patterns [5]. In this article we will discuss the advantages of Timepix to perform TKD and for acquiring spot diffraction patterns and more generally for acquiring scanning transmission electron microscopy micrographs in the SEM. Particularly relevant for TKD, is its very compact size, which allows much more flexibility in the positioning of the detector in the SEM chamber. We will furthermore show recent results using Timepix as a virtual forward scatter detector, and will illustrate the information derivable on producing images through processing of data acquired from different areas of the detector. We will show results from samples ranging from gold nanoparticles to nitride semiconductor nanorods.

High quality single shot ultrafast MeV electron diffraction from a photocathode radio-frequency gun

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

Fu, Feichao; Liu, Shengguang; Zhu, Pengfei

2014-08-15

A compact ultrafast electron diffractometer, consisting of an s-band 1.6 cell photocathode radio-frequency gun, a multi-function changeable sample chamber, and a sensitive relativistic electron detector, was built at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. High-quality single-shot transmission electron diffraction patterns have been recorded by scattering 2.5 MeV electrons off single crystalline gold and polycrystalline aluminum samples. The high quality diffraction pattern indicates an excellent spatial resolution, with the ratio of the diffraction ring radius over the ring rms width beyond 10. The electron pulse width is estimated to be about 300 fs. The high temporal and spatial resolution may open new opportunities inmore » various areas of sciences.« less

High quality single shot ultrafast MeV electron diffraction from a photocathode radio-frequency gun.

PubMed

Fu, Feichao; Liu, Shengguang; Zhu, Pengfei; Xiang, Dao; Zhang, Jie; Cao, Jianming

2014-08-01

A compact ultrafast electron diffractometer, consisting of an s-band 1.6 cell photocathode radio-frequency gun, a multi-function changeable sample chamber, and a sensitive relativistic electron detector, was built at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. High-quality single-shot transmission electron diffraction patterns have been recorded by scattering 2.5 MeV electrons off single crystalline gold and polycrystalline aluminum samples. The high quality diffraction pattern indicates an excellent spatial resolution, with the ratio of the diffraction ring radius over the ring rms width beyond 10. The electron pulse width is estimated to be about 300 fs. The high temporal and spatial resolution may open new opportunities in various areas of sciences.

Classification and assessment of retrieved electron density maps in coherent X-ray diffraction imaging using multivariate analysis.

PubMed

Sekiguchi, Yuki; Oroguchi, Tomotaka; Nakasako, Masayoshi

2016-01-01

Coherent X-ray diffraction imaging (CXDI) is one of the techniques used to visualize structures of non-crystalline particles of micrometer to submicrometer size from materials and biological science. In the structural analysis of CXDI, the electron density map of a sample particle can theoretically be reconstructed from a diffraction pattern by using phase-retrieval (PR) algorithms. However, in practice, the reconstruction is difficult because diffraction patterns are affected by Poisson noise and miss data in small-angle regions due to the beam stop and the saturation of detector pixels. In contrast to X-ray protein crystallography, in which the phases of diffracted waves are experimentally estimated, phase retrieval in CXDI relies entirely on the computational procedure driven by the PR algorithms. Thus, objective criteria and methods to assess the accuracy of retrieved electron density maps are necessary in addition to conventional parameters monitoring the convergence of PR calculations. Here, a data analysis scheme, named ASURA, is proposed which selects the most probable electron density maps from a set of maps retrieved from 1000 different random seeds for a diffraction pattern. Each electron density map composed of J pixels is expressed as a point in a J-dimensional space. Principal component analysis is applied to describe characteristics in the distribution of the maps in the J-dimensional space. When the distribution is characterized by a small number of principal components, the distribution is classified using the k-means clustering method. The classified maps are evaluated by several parameters to assess the quality of the maps. Using the proposed scheme, structure analysis of a diffraction pattern from a non-crystalline particle is conducted in two stages: estimation of the overall shape and determination of the fine structure inside the support shape. In each stage, the most accurate and probable density maps are objectively selected. The validity of the proposed scheme is examined by application to diffraction data that were obtained from an aggregate of metal particles and a biological specimen at the XFEL facility SACLA using custom-made diffraction apparatus.

Insulin at pH 2: structural analysis of the conditions promoting insulin fibre formation.

PubMed

Whittingham, Jean L; Scott, David J; Chance, Karen; Wilson, Ashley; Finch, John; Brange, Jens; Guy Dodson, G

2002-04-26

When insulin solutions are subjected to acid, heat and agitation, the normal pattern of insulin assembly (dimers-->tetramers-->hexamers) is disrupted; the molecule undergoes conformational changes allowing it to follow an alternative aggregation pathway (via a monomeric species) leading to the formation of insoluble amyloid fibres. To investigate the effect of acid pH on the conformation and aggregation state of the protein, the crystal structure of human insulin at pH 2.1 has been determined to 1.6 A resolution. The structure reveals that the native fold is maintained at low pH, and that the molecule is still capable of forming dimers similar to those found in hexameric insulin structures at higher pH. Sulphate ions are incorporated into the molecule and the crystal lattice where they neutralise positive charges on the protein, stabilising its structure and facilitating crystallisation. The sulphate interactions are associated with local deformations in the protein, which may indicate that the structure is more plastic at low pH. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of insulin fibres reveals that the appearance of the fibres is greatly influenced by the type of acid employed. Sulphuric acid produces distinctive highly bunched, truncated fibres, suggesting that the sulphate ions have a sophisticated role to play in fibre formation, rather as they do in the crystal structure. Analytical ultracentrifugation studies show that in the absence of heating, insulin is predominantly dimeric in mineral acids, whereas in acetic acid the equilibrium is shifted towards the monomer. Hence, the effect of acid on the aggregation state of insulin is also complex. These results suggest that acid conditions increase the susceptibility of the molecule to conformational change and dissociation, and enhance the rate of fibrillation by providing a charged environment in which the attractive forces between the protein molecules is increased. (c) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Reorganization of the human central nervous system.

PubMed

Schalow, G; Zäch, G A

2000-10-01

The key strategies on which the discovery of the functional organization of the central nervous system (CNS) under physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions have been based included (1) our measurements of phase and frequency coordination between the firings of alpha- and gamma-motoneurons and secondary muscle spindle afferents in the human spinal cord, (2) knowledge on CNS reorganization derived upon the improvement of the functions of the lesioned CNS in our patients in the short-term memory and the long-term memory (reorganization), and (3) the dynamic pattern approach for re-learning rhythmic coordinated behavior. The theory of self-organization and pattern formation in nonequilibrium systems is explicitly related to our measurements of the natural firing patterns of sets of identified single neurons in the human spinal premotor network and re-learned coordinated movements following spinal cord and brain lesions. Therapy induced cell proliferation, and maybe, neurogenesis seem to contribute to the host of structural changes during the process of re-learning of the lesioned CNS. So far, coordinated functions like movements could substantially be improved in every of the more than 100 patients with a CNS lesion by applying coordination dynamic therapy. As suggested by the data of our patients on re-learning, the human CNS seems to have a second integrative strategy for learning, re-learning, storing and recalling, which makes an essential contribution of the functional plasticity following a CNS lesion. A method has been developed by us for the simultaneous recording with wire electrodes of extracellular action potentials from single human afferent and efferent nerve fibres of undamaged sacral nerve roots. A classification scheme of the nerve fibres in the human peripheral nervous system (PNS) could be set up in which the individual classes of nerve fibres are characterized by group conduction velocities and group nerve fibre diameters. Natural impulse patterns of several identified single afferent and efferent nerve fibres (motoneuron axons) were extracted from multi-unit impulse patterns, and human CNS functions could be analyzed under physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions. With our discovery of premotor spinal oscillators it became possible to judge upon CNS neuronal network organization based on the firing patterns of these spinal oscillators and their driving afferents. Since motoneurons fire occasionally for low activation and oscillatory for high activation, the coherent organization of subnetworks to generate macroscopic function is very complex and for the time being, may be best described by the theory of coordination dynamics. Since oscillatory firing has also been observed by us in single motor unit firing patterns measured electromyographically, it seems possible to follow up therapeutic intervention in patients with spinal cord and brain lesions not only based on the activity levels and phases of motor programs during locomotion but also based on the physiologic and pathophysiologic firing patterns and recruitment of spinal oscillators. The improvement of the coordination dynamics of the CNS can be partly measured directly by rhythmicity upon the patient performing rhythmic movements coordinated up to milliseconds. Since rhythmic dynamic, coordinated, stereotyped movements are mainly located in the spinal cord and only little supraspinal drive is necessary to initiate, maintain, and terminate them, rhythmic, dynamic, coordinated movements were used in therapy to enforce reorganization of the lesioned CNS by improving the self-organization and relative coordination of spinal oscillators (and their interactions with occasionally firing motoneurons) which became pathologic in their firing following CNS lesion. Paraparetic, tetraparetic spinal cord and brain-lesioned patients re-learned running and other movements by an oscillator formation and coordination dynamic therapy. Our development in neurorehabilitation is in accordance with those of theoretical and computational neurosciences which deal with the self-organization of neuronal networks. In particular, jumping on a springboard 'in-phase' and in 'anti-phase' to re-learn phase relations of oscillator coupling can be understood in the framework of the Haken-Kelso-Bunz coordination dynamic model. By introducing broken symmetry, intention, learning and spasticity in the landscape of the potential function of the integrated CNS activity, the change in self-organization becomes understandable. Movement patterns re-learned by oscillator formation and coordination dynamic therapy evolve from reorganization and regeneration of the lesioned CNS by cooperative and competitive interplay between intrinsic coordination dynamics, extrinsic therapy related inputs with physiologic re-afferent input, including intention, motivation, supervised learning, interpersonal coordination, and genetic constraints including neurogenesis. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Measuring Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) States of Vortex Beams with Annular Gratings

PubMed Central

Zheng, Shuang; Wang, Jian

2017-01-01

Measuring orbital angular momentum (OAM) states of vortex beams is of great importance in diverse applications employing OAM-carrying vortex beams. We present a simple and efficient scheme to measure OAM states (i.e. topological charge values) of vortex beams with annular gratings. The magnitude of the topological charge value is determined by the number of dark fringes after diffraction, and the sign of the topological charge value is distinguished by the orientation of the diffraction pattern. We first theoretically study the diffraction patterns using both annular amplitude and phase gratings. The annular phase grating shows almost 10-dB better diffraction efficiency compared to the annular amplitude grating. We then experimentally demonstrate the OAM states measurement of vortex beams using annular phase grating. The scheme works well even for high-order vortex beams with topological charge value as high as ± 25. We also experimentally show the evolution of diffraction patterns when slightly changing the fractional topological charge value of vortex beam from 0.1 to 1.0. In addition, the proposed scheme shows potential large tolerance of beam alignment during the OAM states measurement of vortex beams. PMID:28094325

Continuous motion scan ptychography: Characterization for increased speed in coherent x-ray imaging

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

Deng, Junjing; Nashed, Youssef S. G.; Chen, Si

Ptychography is a coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) method for extended objects in which diffraction patterns are acquired sequentially from overlapping coherent illumination spots. The object’s complex transmission function can be reconstructed from those diffraction patterns at a spatial resolution limited only by the scattering strength of the object and the detector geometry. Most experiments to date have positioned the illumination spots on the sample using a move-settle-measure sequence in which the move and settle steps can take longer to complete than the measure step. We describe here the use of a continuous “fly-scan” mode for ptychographic data collection in whichmore » the sample is moved continuously, so that the experiment resembles one of integrating the diffraction patterns from multiple probe positions. This allows one to use multiple probe mode reconstruction methods to obtain an image of the object and also of the illumination function. We show in simulations, and in x-ray imaging experiments, some of the characteristics of fly-scan ptychography, including a factor of 25 reduction in the data acquisition time. This approach will become increasingly important as brighter x-ray sources are developed, such as diffraction limited storage rings.« less

Effect of the Chemical State of the Surface on the Relaxation of the Surface Shell Atoms in SiC and GaN Nanocrystals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Palosz, B.; Grzanka, E.; Stelmakh, S.; Pielaszek, R.; Bismayer, U.; Weber, H. P.; Janik, J. F.; Palosz, W.; Curreri, Peter A. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The effect of the chemical state of the surface of nanoparticles on the relaxation in the near-surface layer was examined using the concept of the apparent lattice parameter (alp) determined for different diffraction vectors Q. The apparent lattice parameter is a lattice parameter determined either from an individual Bragg reflection, or from a selected region of the diffraction pattern. At low diffraction vectors the Bragg peak positions are affected mainly by the structure of the near-surface layer, while at high Q-values only the interior of the nano-grain contributes to the diffraction pattern. Following the measurements on raw (as prepared) powders we investigated powders cleaned by annealing at 400C under vacuum, and the same powders wetted with water. Theoretical alp-Q plots showed that the structure of the surface layer depends on the sample treatment. Semi-quantitative analysis based on the comparison of the experimental and theoretical alp-Q plots was performed. Theoretical alp-Q relations were obtained from the diffraction patterns calculated for models of nanocrystals with a strained surface layer using the Debye functions.

Measuring Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) States of Vortex Beams with Annular Gratings.

PubMed

Zheng, Shuang; Wang, Jian

2017-01-17

Measuring orbital angular momentum (OAM) states of vortex beams is of great importance in diverse applications employing OAM-carrying vortex beams. We present a simple and efficient scheme to measure OAM states (i.e. topological charge values) of vortex beams with annular gratings. The magnitude of the topological charge value is determined by the number of dark fringes after diffraction, and the sign of the topological charge value is distinguished by the orientation of the diffraction pattern. We first theoretically study the diffraction patterns using both annular amplitude and phase gratings. The annular phase grating shows almost 10-dB better diffraction efficiency compared to the annular amplitude grating. We then experimentally demonstrate the OAM states measurement of vortex beams using annular phase grating. The scheme works well even for high-order vortex beams with topological charge value as high as ± 25. We also experimentally show the evolution of diffraction patterns when slightly changing the fractional topological charge value of vortex beam from 0.1 to 1.0. In addition, the proposed scheme shows potential large tolerance of beam alignment during the OAM states measurement of vortex beams.

Continuous motion scan ptychography: Characterization for increased speed in coherent x-ray imaging

DOE PAGES

Deng, Junjing; Nashed, Youssef S. G.; Chen, Si; ...

2015-02-23

Ptychography is a coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) method for extended objects in which diffraction patterns are acquired sequentially from overlapping coherent illumination spots. The object’s complex transmission function can be reconstructed from those diffraction patterns at a spatial resolution limited only by the scattering strength of the object and the detector geometry. Most experiments to date have positioned the illumination spots on the sample using a move-settle-measure sequence in which the move and settle steps can take longer to complete than the measure step. We describe here the use of a continuous “fly-scan” mode for ptychographic data collection in whichmore » the sample is moved continuously, so that the experiment resembles one of integrating the diffraction patterns from multiple probe positions. This allows one to use multiple probe mode reconstruction methods to obtain an image of the object and also of the illumination function. We show in simulations, and in x-ray imaging experiments, some of the characteristics of fly-scan ptychography, including a factor of 25 reduction in the data acquisition time. This approach will become increasingly important as brighter x-ray sources are developed, such as diffraction limited storage rings.« less

Continuous motion scan ptychography: characterization for increased speed in coherent x-ray imaging

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

Deng, Junjing; Nashed, Youssef S. G.; Chen, Si

2015-01-01

Ptychography is a coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) method for extended objects in which diffraction patterns are acquired sequentially from overlapping coherent illumination spots. The object's complex transmission function can be reconstructed from those diffraction patterns at a spatial resolution limited only by the scattering strength of the object and the detector geometry. Most experiments to date have positioned the illumination spots on the sample using a move-settle-measure sequence in which the move and settle steps can take longer to complete than the measure step. We describe here the use of a continuous "fly-scan" mode for ptychographic data collection in whichmore » the sample is moved continuously, so that the experiment resembles one of integrating the diffraction patterns from multiple probe positions. This allows one to use multiple probe mode reconstruction methods to obtain an image of the object and also of the illumination function. We show in simulations, and in x-ray imaging experiments, some of the characteristics of fly-scan ptychography, including a factor of 25 reduction in the data acquisition time. This approach will become increasingly important as brighter x-ray sources are developed, such as diffraction limited storage rings.« less

Continuous motion scan ptychography: characterization for increased speed in coherent x-ray imaging.

PubMed

Deng, Junjing; Nashed, Youssef S G; Chen, Si; Phillips, Nicholas W; Peterka, Tom; Ross, Rob; Vogt, Stefan; Jacobsen, Chris; Vine, David J

2015-03-09

Ptychography is a coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) method for extended objects in which diffraction patterns are acquired sequentially from overlapping coherent illumination spots. The object's complex transmission function can be reconstructed from those diffraction patterns at a spatial resolution limited only by the scattering strength of the object and the detector geometry. Most experiments to date have positioned the illumination spots on the sample using a move-settle-measure sequence in which the move and settle steps can take longer to complete than the measure step. We describe here the use of a continuous "fly-scan" mode for ptychographic data collection in which the sample is moved continuously, so that the experiment resembles one of integrating the diffraction patterns from multiple probe positions. This allows one to use multiple probe mode reconstruction methods to obtain an image of the object and also of the illumination function. We show in simulations, and in x-ray imaging experiments, some of the characteristics of fly-scan ptychography, including a factor of 25 reduction in the data acquisition time. This approach will become increasingly important as brighter x-ray sources are developed, such as diffraction limited storage rings.

In Situ 3D Coherent X-ray Diffraction Imaging of Shock Experiments: Possible?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barber, John

2011-03-01

In traditional coherent X-ray diffraction imaging (CXDI), a 2D or quasi-2D object is illuminated by a beam of coherent X-rays to produce a diffraction pattern, which is then manipulated via a process known as iterative phase retrieval to reconstruct an image of the original 2D sample. Recently, there have been dramatic advances in methods for performing fully 3D CXDI of a sample from a single diffraction pattern [Raines et al, Nature 463 214-7 (2010)], and these methods have been used to image samples tens of microns in size using soft X-rays. In this work, I explore the theoretical possibility of applying 3D CXDI techniques to the in situ imaging of the interaction between a shock front and a polycrystal, a far more stringent problem. A delicate trade-off is required between photon energy, spot size, imaging resolution, and the dimensions of the experimental setup. In this talk, I will outline the experimental and computational requirements for performing such an experiment, and I will present images and movies from simulations of one such hypothetical experiment, including both the time-resolved X-ray diffraction patterns and the time-resolved sample imagery.

Note on use of slope diffraction coefficients for aperture antennas on finite ground planes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cockrell, C. R.; Beck, F. B.

1995-01-01

The use of slope diffraction coefficients along with regular diffraction coefficients for calculating the radiation patterns of aperture antennas in a finite ground plane is investigated. Explicit expressions for regular diffraction coefficients and slope diffraction coefficients are presented. The expressions for the incident magnetic field in terms of the magnetic current in the aperture are given. The slope of the incident magnetic field is calculated and closed form expressions are presented.

Segal crystallinity index revisited by the simulation of x-ray diffraction patterns of cotton cellulose IB and cellulose II

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The Segal method estimates the amorphous fraction of cellulose IB materials simply based on intensity at 18o 20 in an X-ray diffraction pattern and was extended to cellulose II using 16o 2O intensity. To address the dependency of Segal amorphous intensity on crystal size, cellulose polymorph, and th...

Objective perimetry using a four-channel multifocal VEP system: correlation with conventional perimetry and thickness of the retinal nerve fibre layer.

PubMed

Horn, Folkert K; Kaltwasser, Christoph; Jünemann, Anselm G; Kremers, Jan; Tornow, Ralf P

2012-04-01

There is evidence that multifocal visual evoked potentials (VEPs) can be used as an objective tool to detect visual field loss. The aim of this study was to correlate multifocal VEP amplitudes with standard perimetry data and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness. Multifocal VEP recordings were performed with a four-channel electrode array using 58 stimulus fields (pattern reversal dartboard). For each field, the recording from the channel with maximal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was retained, resulting in an SNR optimised virtual recording. Correlation with RNFL thickness, measured with spectral domain optical coherence tomography and with standard perimetry, was performed for nerve fibre bundle related areas. The mean amplitudes in nerve fibre related areas were smaller in glaucoma patients than in normal subjects. The differences between both groups were most significant in mid-peripheral areas. Amplitudes in these areas were significantly correlated with corresponding RNFL thickness (Spearman R=0.76) and with standard perimetry (R=0.71). The multifocal VEP amplitude was correlated with perimetric visual field data and the RNFL thickness of the corresponding regions. This method of SNR optimisation is useful for extracting data from recordings and may be appropriate for objective assessment of visual function at different locations. This study has been registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00494923).

Numerical damage models using a structural approach: application in bones and ligaments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arnoux, P. J.; Bonnoit, J.; Chabrand, P.; Jean, M.; Pithioux, M.

2002-01-01

The purpose of the present study was to apply knowledge of structural properties to perform numerical simulations with models of bones and knee ligaments exposed to dynamic tensile loading leading to tissue damage. Compact bones and knee ligaments exhibit the same geometrical pattern in their different levels of structural hierarchy from the tropocollagen molecule to the fibre. Nevertheless, their mechanical behaviours differ considerably at the fibril level. These differences are due to the contribution of the joints in the microfibril-fibril-fibre assembly and to the mechanical properties of the structural components. Two finite element models of the fibrous bone and ligament structure were used to describe damage in terms of elastoplastic laws or joint decohesion processes.

Diffraction gratings used as identifying markers

DOEpatents

Deason, V.A.; Ward, M.B.

1991-03-26

A finely detailed diffraction grating is applied to an object as an identifier or tag which is unambiguous, difficult to duplicate, or remove and transfer to another item, and can be read and compared with prior readings with relative ease. The exact pattern of the diffraction grating is mapped by diffraction moire techniques and recorded for comparison with future readings of the same grating. 7 figures.

Diffraction of a Gaussian Beam by a Spherical Obstacle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lock, James A.; Hovenac, Edward A.

1993-01-01

The Kirchhoff integral for diffraction in the near-forward direction is derived from the exact solution of the electromagnetic boundary value problem of a focused Gaussian laser beam incident on a spherical particle. The diffracted intensity in the vicinity of the particle is computed and the way in which the features of the diffraction pattern depend on the width of the Gaussian beam is commented on.

Improving the fiber coupling efficiency for DARWIN by loss-less shaping of the receive beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Voland, Ch.; Weigel, Th.; Dreischer, Th.; Wallner, O.; Ergenzinger, K.; Ries, H.; Jetter, R.; Vosteen, A.

2017-11-01

For the DARWIN mission the extremely low planet signal levels require an optical instrument design with utmost efficiency to guarantee the required science performance. By shaping the transverse amplitude and phase distributions of the receive beams, the singlemode fibre coupling efficiency can be increased to almost 100%, thus allowing for a gain of more than 20% compared to conventional designs. We show that the use of "tailored freeform surfaces" for purpose of beam shaping dramatically reduces the coupling degradations, which otherwise result from mode mismatch between the Airy pattern of the image and the fibre mode, and therefore allows for achieving a performance close to the physical limitations. We present an application of tailored surfaces for building a beam shaping optics that shall enhance fibre coupling performance as core part of a space based interferometer in the future DARWIN mission and present performance predictions by wave-optical simulations. We assess the feasibility of manufacturing the corresponding tailored surfaces and describe the proof of concept demonstrator we use for experimental performance verification.

Nervous control of fish swimbladders.

PubMed

Nilsson, Stefan

2009-01-01

The swimbladder of teleost fish receives a rich and complex innervation by nerve fibres of the autonomic nervous system. While an understanding of the form and function of a non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic innervation is slowly emerging, the pattern of control by the "classical" cholinergic and adrenergic innervation is becoming relatively well understood. This short review describes the autonomic innervation patterns, and attempts to summarise the role of cholinergic and adrenergic pathways in the control of gas secretion and resorption in the teleost swimbladder.

A protocol for searching the most probable phase-retrieved maps in coherent X-ray diffraction imaging by exploiting the relationship between convergence of the retrieved phase and success of calculation.

PubMed

Sekiguchi, Yuki; Hashimoto, Saki; Kobayashi, Amane; Oroguchi, Tomotaka; Nakasako, Masayoshi

2017-09-01

Coherent X-ray diffraction imaging (CXDI) is a technique for visualizing the structures of non-crystalline particles with size in the submicrometer to micrometer range in material sciences and biology. In the structural analysis of CXDI, the electron density map of a specimen particle projected along the direction of the incident X-rays can be reconstructed only from the diffraction pattern by using phase-retrieval (PR) algorithms. However, in practice, the reconstruction, relying entirely on the computational procedure, sometimes fails because diffraction patterns miss the data in small-angle regions owing to the beam stop and saturation of the detector pixels, and are modified by Poisson noise in X-ray detection. To date, X-ray free-electron lasers have allowed us to collect a large number of diffraction patterns within a short period of time. Therefore, the reconstruction of correct electron density maps is the bottleneck for efficiently conducting structure analyses of non-crystalline particles. To automatically address the correctness of retrieved electron density maps, a data analysis protocol to extract the most probable electron density maps from a set of maps retrieved from 1000 different random seeds for a single diffraction pattern is proposed. Through monitoring the variations of the phase values during PR calculations, the tendency for the PR calculations to succeed when the retrieved phase sets converged on a certain value was found. On the other hand, if the phase set was in persistent variation, the PR calculation tended to fail to yield the correct electron density map. To quantify this tendency, here a figure of merit for the variation of the phase values during PR calculation is introduced. In addition, a PR protocol to evaluate the similarity between a map of the highest figure of merit and other independently reconstructed maps is proposed. The protocol is implemented and practically examined in the structure analyses for diffraction patterns from aggregates of gold colloidal particles. Furthermore, the feasibility of the protocol in the structure analysis of organelles from biological cells is examined.

Development of sensory innervation in rat tibia: co-localization of CGRP and substance P with growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43)

PubMed Central

Gajda, Mariusz; Litwin, Jan A; Cichocki, Tadeusz; Timmermans, Jean-Pierre; Adriaensen, Dirk

2005-01-01

The development of sensory innervation in long bones was investigated in rat tibia in fetuses on gestational days (GD) 16–21 and in neonates and juvenile individuals on postnatal days (PD) 1–28. A double immunostaining method was applied to study the co-localization of the neuronal growth marker growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) and the pan-neuronal marker protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) as well as that of two sensory fibre-associated neuropeptides, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP). The earliest, not yet chemically coded, nerve fibres were observed on GD17 in the perichondrium of the proximal epiphysis. Further development of the innervation was characterized by the successive appearance of nerve fibres in the perichondrium/periosteum of the shaft (GD19), the bone marrow cavity and intercondylar eminence (GD21), the metaphyses (PD1), the cartilage canals penetrating into the epiphyses (PD7), and finally in the secondary ossification centres (PD10) and epiphyseal bone marrow (PD14). Maturation of the fibres, manifested by their immunoreactivity for CGRP and SP, was visible on GD21 in the epiphyseal perichondrium, the periosteum of the shaft and the bone marrow, on PD1 in the intercondylar eminence and the metaphyses, on PD7 in the cartilage canals, on PD10 in the secondary ossification centres and on PD14 in the epiphyseal bone marrow. The temporal and topographic pattern of nerve fibre appearance corresponds with the development of regions characterized by active mineralization and bone remodelling, suggesting a possible involvement of the sensory innervation in these processes. PMID:16050900

SSR and morphological trait based population structure analysis of 130 diverse flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) accessions.

PubMed

Choudhary, Shashi Bhushan; Sharma, Hariom Kumar; Kumar, Arroju Anil; Maruthi, Rangappa Thimmaiah; Mitra, Jiban; Chowdhury, Isholeena; Singh, Binay Kumar; Karmakar, Pran Gobinda

2017-02-01

A total of 130 flax accessions of diverse morphotypes and worldwide origin were assessed for genetic diversity and population structure using 11 morphological traits and microsatellite markers (15 gSSRs and 7 EST-SSRs). Analysis performed after classifying these accessions on the basis of plant height, branching pattern, seed size, Indian/foreign origin into six categories called sub-populations viz. fibre type exotic, fibre type indigenous, intermediate type exotic, intermediate type indigenous, linseed type exotic and linseed type indigenous. The study assessed different diversity indices, AMOVA, population structure and included a principal coordinate analysis based on different marker systems. The highest diversity was exhibited by gSSR markers (SI=0.46; He=0.31; P=85.11). AMOVA based on all markers explained significant difference among fibre type, intermediate type and linseed type populations of flax. In terms of variation explained by different markers, EST-SSR markers (12%) better differentiated flax populations compared to morphological (9%) and gSSR (6%) markers at P=0.01. The maximum Nei's unbiased genetic distance (D=0.11) was observed between fibre type and linseed type exotic sub-populations based on EST-SSR markers. The combined structure analysis by using all markers grouped Indian fibre type accessions (63.4%) in a separate cluster along with the Indian intermediate type (48.7%), whereas Indian accessions (82.16%) of linseed type constituted an independent cluster. These findings were supported by the results of the principal coordinate analysis. Morphological markers employed in the study found complementary with microsatellite based markers in deciphering genetic diversity and population structure of the flax germplasm. Copyright © 2016 Académie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Intensity-based fibre-optic sensing system using contrast modulation of subcarrier interference pattern

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adamovsky, G.; Sherer, T. N.; Maitland, D. J.

1989-01-01

A novel technique to compensate for unwanted intensity losses in a fiber-optic sensing system is described. The technique involves a continuous sinusoidal modulation of the light source intensity at radio frequencies and an intensity sensor placed in an unbalanced interferometer. The system shows high sensitivity and stability.

Banknote authentication using chaotic elements technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ambadiyil, Sajan; P. S., Krishnendu; Mahadevan Pillai, V. P.; Prabhu, Radhakrishna

2017-10-01

The counterfeit banknote is a growing threat to the society since the advancements in the field of computers, scanners and photocopiers, as they have made the duplication process for banknote much simpler. The fake note detection systems developed so far have many drawbacks such as high cost, poor accuracy, unavailability, lack of user-friendliness and lower effectiveness. One possible solution to this problem could be the use of a system uniquely linked to the banknote itself. In this paper, we present a unique identification and authentication process for the banknote using chaotic elements embedded in it. A chaotic element means that the physical elements are formed from a random process independent from human intervention. The chaotic elements used in this paper are the random distribution patterns of such security fibres set into the paper pulp. A unique ID is generated from the fibre pattern obtained from UV image of the note, which can be verified by any person who receives the banknote to decide whether the banknote is authentic or not. Performance analysis of the system is also studied in this paper.

Human skeletal muscle fibre contractile properties and proteomic profile: adaptations to 3 weeks of unilateral lower limb suspension and active recovery.

PubMed

Brocca, Lorenza; Longa, Emanuela; Cannavino, Jessica; Seynnes, Olivier; de Vito, Giuseppe; McPhee, Jamie; Narici, Marco; Pellegrino, Maria Antonietta; Bottinelli, Roberto

2015-12-15

It is generally assumed that muscle fibres go through atrophy following disuse with a loss of specific force and an increase in unloaded shortening velocity. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be clarified. Most studies have focused on events taking place during the development of disuse, whereas the subsequent recovery phase, which is equally important, has received little attention. Our findings support the hypotheses that the specific force of muscle fibres decreased following unilateral lower limb suspension (ULLS) and returned to normal after 3 weeks of active recovery as a result of a loss and recovery of myosin and actin content. Furthermore, muscle fibres went through extensive qualitative changes in muscle protein pattern following ULLS, and these were reversed by active recovery. Resistance training was very effective in restoring both muscle mass and qualitative muscle changes, indicating that long-term ULLS did not prevent the positive effect of exercise on human muscle. Following disuse, muscle fibre function goes through adaptations such as a loss of specific force (PO /CSA) and an increase in unloaded shortening velocity, which could be a result of both quantitative changes (i.e. atrophy) and qualitative changes in protein pattern. The underlying mechanisms remain to be clarified. In addition, little is known about the recovery of muscle mass and strength following disuse. In the present study, we report an extensive dataset describing, in detail,the functional and protein content adaptations of skeletal muscle in response to both disuse and re-training. Eight young healthy subjects were subjected to 3 weeks of unilateral lower limb suspension (ULLS), a widely used human model of disuse skeletal muscle atrophy. Needle biopsies samples were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle Pre-ULLS, Post-ULLS and after 3 weeks of recovery during which heavy resistance training was performed. After disuse, cross-sectional area (CSA), PO /CSA and myosin concentration (MC) decreased in both type 1 and 2A skinned muscle fibres. After recovery, CSA and MC returned to levels comparable to those observed before disuse, whereas Po/CSA and unloaded shortening velocity reached a higher level. Myosin heavy chain isoform composition of muscle samples did not differ among the experimental groups. To study the mechanisms underlying such adaptations, a two-dimensional proteomic analysis was performed. ULLS induced a reduction of myofibrillar, metabolic (glycolytic and oxidative) and anti-oxidant defence system protein content. Resistance training was very effective in counteracting ULLS-induced alterations, indicating that long-term ULLS did not prevent the positive effect of exercise on human muscle. © 2015 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology © 2015 The Physiological Society.

Ex vivo determination of chewing patterns using FBG and artificial neural networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karam, L. Z.; Pegorini, V.; Pitta, C. S. R.; Assmann, T. S.; Cardoso, R.; Kalinowski, H. J.; Silva, J. C. C.

2014-05-01

This paper reports the experimental procedures performed in a bovine head for the determination of chewing patterns during the mastication process. Mandible movements during the chewing have been simulated either by using two plasticine materials with different textures or without material. Fibre Bragg grating sensors were fixed in the jaw to monitor the biomechanical forces involved in the chewing process. The acquired signals from the sensors fed the input of an artificial neural network aiming at the classification of the measured chewing patterns for each material used in the experiment. The results obtained from the simulation of the chewing process presented different patterns for the different textures of plasticine, resulting on the determination of three chewing patterns with a classification error of 5%.

The nanostructures of native celluloses, their transformations upon isolation, and their implications for production of nanocelluloses

Treesearch

Rajai H. Atalla; Rowan S Atalla; Umesh P. Agarwal

2018-01-01

Native celluloses in plant cell walls occur in a variety of highly periodic fibrillar forms that have curvature and varying degrees of twist about their longitudinal axes. Though X-ray measurements reveal diffraction patterns, the celluloses are not crystalline in the traditional sense. The diffraction patterns rather are a consequence of the high degree of spatial...

Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of the Giant Mimivirus Particle with an X-Ray Free-Electron Laser (CXIDB ID 30)

DOE Data Explorer

Ekeberg, Tomas

2015-05-26

This dataset contains the diffraction patterns that were used for the first three-dimensional reconstruction of a virus using FEL data. The sample was the giant mimivirus particle, which is one of the largest known viruses with a diameter of 450 nm. The dataset consists of the 198 diffraction patterns that were used in the analysis.

Devices useful for vacuum ultraviolet beam characterization including a movable stage with a transmission grating and image detector

DOEpatents

Gessner, Oliver; Kornilov, Oleg A; Wilcox, Russell B

2013-10-29

The invention provides for a device comprising an apparatus comprising (a) a transmission grating capable of diffracting a photon beam into a diffracted photon output, and (b) an image detector capable of detecting the diffracted photon output. The device is useful for measuring the spatial profile and diffraction pattern of a photon beam, such as a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) beam.

Theory and Application of Auger and Photoelectron Diffraction and Holography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xiang

This dissertation addresses the theories and applications of three important surface analysis techniques: Auger electron diffraction (AED), x-ray photoelectron diffraction (XPD), and Auger and photoelectron holography. A full multiple-scattering scheme for the calculations of XPD, AED, and Kikuchi electron diffraction pattern from a surface cluster is described. It is used to simulate 64 eV M_{2,3}VV and 913 eV L_3VV AED patterns from Cu(001) surfaces, in order to test assertions in the literature that they are explicable by a classical "blocking" and channeling model. We find that this contention is not valid, and that only a quantum mechanical multiple-scattering calculation is able to simulate these patterns well. The same multiple scattering simulation scheme is also used to investigate the anomalous phenomena of peak shifts off the forward-scattering directions in photo -electron diffraction patterns of Mg KLL (1180 eV) and O 1s (955 eV) from MgO(001) surfaces. These shifts are explained by calculations assuming a short electron mean free path. Similar simulations of XPD from a CoSi_2(111) surface for Co-3p and Si-2p normal emission agree well with experimental diffraction patterns. A filtering process aimed at eliminating the self -interference effect in photoelectron holography is developed. A better reconstructed image from Si-2p XPD from a Si(001) (2 times 1) surface is seen at atomic resolution. A reconstruction algorithm which corrects for the anisotropic emitter waves as well as the anisotropic atomic scattering factors is used for holographic reconstruction from a Co-3p XPD pattern from a CoSi_2 surface. This new algorithm considerably improves the reconstructed image. Finally, a new reconstruction algorithm called "atomic position recovery by iterative optimization of reconstructed intensities" (APRIORI), which takes account of the self-interference terms omitted by the other holographic algorithms, is developed. Tests on a Ni-C-O chain and Si(111)(sqrt{3} times sqrt{3})B surface suggest that this new method may overcome the twin image problem in the traditional holographic methods, reduce the artifacts in real space, and even separately identify the chemical species of the scatterers.

Absolute angular encoder based on optical diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Jian; Zhou, Tingting; Yuan, Bo; Wang, Liqiang

2015-08-01

A new encoding method for absolute angular encoder based on optical diffraction was proposed in the present study. In this method, an encoder disc is specially designed that a series of elements are uniformly spaced in one circle and each element is consisted of four diffraction gratings, which are tilted in the directions of 30°, 60°, -60° and -30°, respectively. The disc is illuminated by a coherent light and the diffractive signals are received. The positions of diffractive spots are used for absolute encoding and their intensities are for subdivision, which is different from the traditional optical encoder based on transparent/opaque binary principle. Since the track's width in the disc is not limited in the diffraction pattern, it provides a new way to solve the contradiction between the size and resolution, which is good for minimization of encoder. According to the proposed principle, the diffraction pattern disc with a diameter of 40 mm was made by lithography in the glass substrate. A prototype of absolute angular encoder with a resolution of 20" was built up. Its maximum error was tested as 78" by comparing with a small angle measuring system based on laser beam deflection.

Specimen preparation for cryogenic coherent X-ray diffraction imaging of biological cells and cellular organelles by using the X-ray free-electron laser at SACLA

PubMed Central

Kobayashi, Amane; Sekiguchi, Yuki; Oroguchi, Tomotaka; Okajima, Koji; Fukuda, Asahi; Oide, Mao; Yamamoto, Masaki; Nakasako, Masayoshi

2016-01-01

Coherent X-ray diffraction imaging (CXDI) allows internal structures of biological cells and cellular organelles to be analyzed. CXDI experiments have been conducted at 66 K for frozen-hydrated biological specimens at the SPring-8 Angstrom Compact Free-Electron Laser facility (SACLA). In these cryogenic CXDI experiments using X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) pulses, specimen particles dispersed on thin membranes of specimen disks are transferred into the vacuum chamber of a diffraction apparatus. Because focused single XFEL pulses destroy specimen particles at the atomic level, diffraction patterns are collected through raster scanning the specimen disks to provide fresh specimen particles in the irradiation area. The efficiency of diffraction data collection in cryogenic experiments depends on the quality of the prepared specimens. Here, detailed procedures for preparing frozen-hydrated biological specimens, particularly thin membranes and devices developed in our laboratory, are reported. In addition, the quality of the frozen-hydrated specimens are evaluated by analyzing the characteristics of the collected diffraction patterns. Based on the experimental results, the internal structures of the frozen-hydrated specimens and the future development for efficient diffraction data collection are discussed. PMID:27359147

Specimen preparation for cryogenic coherent X-ray diffraction imaging of biological cells and cellular organelles by using the X-ray free-electron laser at SACLA.

PubMed

Kobayashi, Amane; Sekiguchi, Yuki; Oroguchi, Tomotaka; Okajima, Koji; Fukuda, Asahi; Oide, Mao; Yamamoto, Masaki; Nakasako, Masayoshi

2016-07-01

Coherent X-ray diffraction imaging (CXDI) allows internal structures of biological cells and cellular organelles to be analyzed. CXDI experiments have been conducted at 66 K for frozen-hydrated biological specimens at the SPring-8 Angstrom Compact Free-Electron Laser facility (SACLA). In these cryogenic CXDI experiments using X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) pulses, specimen particles dispersed on thin membranes of specimen disks are transferred into the vacuum chamber of a diffraction apparatus. Because focused single XFEL pulses destroy specimen particles at the atomic level, diffraction patterns are collected through raster scanning the specimen disks to provide fresh specimen particles in the irradiation area. The efficiency of diffraction data collection in cryogenic experiments depends on the quality of the prepared specimens. Here, detailed procedures for preparing frozen-hydrated biological specimens, particularly thin membranes and devices developed in our laboratory, are reported. In addition, the quality of the frozen-hydrated specimens are evaluated by analyzing the characteristics of the collected diffraction patterns. Based on the experimental results, the internal structures of the frozen-hydrated specimens and the future development for efficient diffraction data collection are discussed.

3-dimensional indexation of the icosahedral diffraction pattern using the techniques of electron microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bourdillon, Antony

2012-11-01

The following facts about icosahedra need wider attention. 1) The golden section τ is as fundamental to the icosahedral structure (length /edge) as π is to the sphere (circumference /diameter). 2) The diffraction series are in restricted Fibonacci order because the ratio of adjacent terms fn/fn-1 does not vary, but is the constant τ. The series is therefore geometric. 3) Because of the tetragonal subgroup in the icosahedral point group symmetry, many axes in the icosahedral structure have identical orientation to axes in the face centered cubic matrix of Al6Mn [1] (e.g. [100] and [111]). On these bases, a three dimensional stereographic projection will be presented. 4) A quasi-Bragg law is derived that correctly represents the diffraction series in powers of τ [2]. Furthermore, by employing the normal conventions of electron microscopy, all diffraction patterns are completely indexed in three dimensions. These are the topic of this presentation. Significant consequences will be presented elsewhere: 1) The diffraction pattern intensities near all main axes are correctly simulated, and all atoms are located on a specimen image. 2) The quasi-Bragg law has a special metric. Atomic locations are consistently calculated for the first time. 3) Whereas the Bragg law transforms a crystal lattice in real space into a reciprocal lattice in diffraction space, the quasi-Bragg law transforms a geometric diffraction pattern into a hierarchic structure. 4) Hyperspatial indexation [3] is superceded. [1] Shechtman, D.; Blech, I.; Gratias, D.; Cahn, J.W., Metallic phase with long-range orientational order and no translational symmetry, Phys. Rev. Lett., 1984, 53, 1951-3. [2] Bourdillon, A. J., Nearly free electron band structures in a logarithmically periodic solid, Sol. State Comm. 2009, 149, 1221-1225. [3] Duneau, M., and Katz, A., Phys Rev Lett 54, 2688-2691

Fine Structure of Diffuse Scattering Rings in Al-Li-Cu Quasicrystal: A Comparative X-ray and Electron Diffraction Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Donnadieu, P.; Dénoyer, F.

1996-11-01

A comparative X-ray and electron diffraction study has been performed on Al-Li-Cu icosahedral quasicrystal in order to investigate the diffuse scattering rings revealed by a previous work. Electron diffraction confirms the existence of rings but shows that the rings have a fine structure. The diffuse aspect on the X-ray diffraction patterns is then due to an averaging effect. Recent simulations based on the model of canonical cells related to the icosahedral packing give diffractions patterns in agreement with this fine structure effect. Nous comparons les diagrammes de diffraction des rayon-X et des électrons obtenus sur les mêmes échantillons du quasicristal icosaèdrique Al-Li-Cu. Notre but est d'étudier les anneaux de diffusion diffuse mis en évidence par un travail précédent. Les diagrammes de diffraction électronique confirment la présence des anneaux mais ils montrent aussi que ces anneaux possèdent une structure fine. L'aspect diffus des anneaux révélés par la diffraction des rayons X est dû à un effet de moyenne. Des simulations récentes basées sur la décomposition en cellules canoniques de l'empilement icosaédrique produisent des diagrammes de diffraction en accord avec ces effects de structure fine.

Coherent X-ray diffraction from collagenous soft tissues

PubMed Central

Berenguer de la Cuesta, Felisa; Wenger, Marco P. E.; Bean, Richard J.; Bozec, Laurent; Horton, Michael A.; Robinson, Ian K.

2009-01-01

Coherent X-ray diffraction has been applied in the imaging of inorganic materials with great success. However, its application to biological specimens has been limited to some notable exceptions, due to the induced radiation damage and the extended nature of biological samples, the last limiting the application of most part of the phasing algorithms. X-ray ptychography, still under development, is a good candidate to overcome such difficulties and become a powerful imaging method for biology. We describe herein the feasibility of applying ptychography to the imaging of biological specimens, in particular collagen rich samples. We report here speckles in diffraction patterns from soft animal tissue, obtained with an optimized small angle X-ray setup that exploits the natural coherence of the beam. By phasing these patterns, dark field images of collagen within tendon, skin, bone, or cornea will eventually be obtained with a resolution of 60–70 nm. We present simulations of the contrast mechanism in collagen based on atomic force microscope images of the samples. Simulations confirmed the ‘speckled’ nature of the obtained diffraction patterns. Once inverted, the patterns will show the disposition and orientation of the fibers within the tissue, by enhancing the phase contrast between protein and no protein regions of the sample. Our work affords the application of the most innovative coherent X-ray diffraction tools to the study of biological specimens, and this approach will have a significant impact in biology and medicine because it overcomes many of the limits of current microscopy techniques. PMID:19706395

Coherent X-ray diffraction from collagenous soft tissues.

PubMed

Berenguer de la Cuesta, Felisa; Wenger, Marco P E; Bean, Richard J; Bozec, Laurent; Horton, Michael A; Robinson, Ian K

2009-09-08

Coherent X-ray diffraction has been applied in the imaging of inorganic materials with great success. However, its application to biological specimens has been limited to some notable exceptions, due to the induced radiation damage and the extended nature of biological samples, the last limiting the application of most part of the phasing algorithms. X-ray ptychography, still under development, is a good candidate to overcome such difficulties and become a powerful imaging method for biology. We describe herein the feasibility of applying ptychography to the imaging of biological specimens, in particular collagen rich samples. We report here speckles in diffraction patterns from soft animal tissue, obtained with an optimized small angle X-ray setup that exploits the natural coherence of the beam. By phasing these patterns, dark field images of collagen within tendon, skin, bone, or cornea will eventually be obtained with a resolution of 60-70 nm. We present simulations of the contrast mechanism in collagen based on atomic force microscope images of the samples. Simulations confirmed the 'speckled' nature of the obtained diffraction patterns. Once inverted, the patterns will show the disposition and orientation of the fibers within the tissue, by enhancing the phase contrast between protein and no protein regions of the sample. Our work affords the application of the most innovative coherent X-ray diffraction tools to the study of biological specimens, and this approach will have a significant impact in biology and medicine because it overcomes many of the limits of current microscopy techniques.

Diffraction enhanced kinetic depth X-ray imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dicken, A.

An increasing number of fields would benefit from a single analytical probe that can characterise bulk objects that vary in morphology and/or material composition. These fields include security screening, medicine and material science. In this study the X-ray region is shown to be an effective probe for the characterisation of materials. The most prominent analytical techniques that utilise X-radiation are reviewed. The study then focuses on methods of amalgamating the three dimensional power of kinetic depth X-ray (KDFX) imaging with the materials discrimination of angular dispersive X-ray diffraction (ADXRD), thus providing KDEX with a much needed material specific counterpart. A knowledge of the sample position is essential for the correct interpretation of diffraction signatures. Two different sensor geometries (i.e. circumferential and linear) that are able to collect end interpret multiple unknown material diffraction patterns and attribute them to their respective loci within an inspection volume are investigated. The circumferential and linear detector geometries are hypothesised, simulated and then tested in an experimental setting with the later demonstrating a greater ability at discerning between mixed diffraction patterns produced by differing materials. Factors known to confound the linear diffraction method such as sample thickness and radiation energy have been explored and quantified with a possible means of mitigation being identified (i.e. via increasing the sample to detector distance). A series of diffraction patterns (following the linear diffraction approach) were obtained from a single phantom object that was simultaneously interrogated via KDEX imaging. Areas containing diffraction signatures matched from a threat library have been highlighted in the KDEX imagery via colour encoding and match index is inferred by intensity. This union is the first example of its kind and is called diffraction enhanced KDEX imagery. Finally an additional source of information obtained from object disparity is explored as an alternative means of calculating sample loci. This offers a greater level of integration between these two complimentary techniques as object disparity could be used to reinforce the results produced by the linear diffraction geometry.

Fourier-Based Diffraction Analysis of Live Caenorhabditis elegans.

PubMed

Magnes, Jenny; Hastings, Harold M; Raley-Susman, Kathleen M; Alivisatos, Clara; Warner, Adam; Hulsey-Vincent, Miranda

2017-09-13

This manuscript describes how to classify nematodes using temporal far-field diffraction signatures. A single C. elegans is suspended in a water column inside an optical cuvette. A 632 nm continuous wave HeNe laser is directed through the cuvette using front surface mirrors. A significant distance of at least 20-30 cm traveled after the light passes through the cuvette ensures a useful far-field (Fraunhofer) diffraction pattern. The diffraction pattern changes in real time as the nematode swims within the laser beam. The photodiode is placed off-center in the diffraction pattern. The voltage signal from the photodiode is observed in real time and recorded using a digital oscilloscope. This process is repeated for 139 wild type and 108 "roller" C. elegans. Wild type worms exhibit a rapid oscillation pattern in solution. The "roller" worms have a mutation in a key component of the cuticle that interferes with smooth locomotion. Time intervals that are not free of saturation and inactivity are discarded. It is practical to divide each average by its maximum to compare relative intensities. The signal for each worm is Fourier transformed so that the frequency pattern for each worm emerges. The signal for each type of worm is averaged. The averaged Fourier spectra for the wild type and the "roller" C. elegans are distinctly different and reveal that the dynamic worm shapes of the two different worm strains can be distinguished using Fourier analysis. The Fourier spectra of each worm strain match an approximate model using two different binary worm shapes that correspond to locomotory moments. The envelope of the averaged frequency distribution for actual and modeled worms confirms the model matches the data. This method can serve as a baseline for Fourier analysis for many microscopic species, as every microorganism will have its unique Fourier spectrum.

Optofluidic two-dimensional grating volume refractive index sensor.

PubMed

Sarkar, Anirban; Shivakiran Bhaktha, B N; Khastgir, Sugata Pratik

2016-09-10

We present an optofluidic reservoir with a two-dimensional grating for a lab-on-a-chip volume refractive index sensor. The observed diffraction pattern from the device resembles the analytically obtained fringe pattern. The change in the diffraction pattern has been monitored in the far-field for fluids with different refractive indices. Reliable measurements of refractive index variations, with an accuracy of 6×10^-3 refractive index units, for different fluids establishes the optofluidic device as a potential on-chip tool for monitoring dynamic refractive index changes.

First description of Phanerozoic radiaxial fibrous dolomite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richter, D. K.; Heinrich, F.; Geske, A.; Neuser, R. D.; Gies, H.; Immenhauser, A.

2014-05-01

The petrographic analysis and crystallographic analysis of concretionary carbonate cements ("coal balls") from Carboniferous paralic swamp deposits reveal the presence of (length fast) radiaxial fibrous dolomite (RFD), a fabric not previously reported from the Phanerozoic. This finding is of significance as earlier reports of Phanerozoic radiaxial fibrous carbonates are exclusively of calcite mineralogy. Dolomite concretions described here formed beneath marine transgressive intervals within palustrine coal seams. This is of significance as seawater was arguably the main source of Mg2 + ions for dolomite formation. Here, data from optical microscopy, cathodoluminescence, electron backscattered diffraction, X-ray diffraction and geochemical analyses are presented to characterize three paragenetic dolomite phases and one calcite phase in these concretions. The main focus is on the earliest diagenetic, non-stoichiometric (degree of order: 0.41-0.46) phase I, characterized by botryoidal dolomite constructed of fibres up to 110 μm wide with a systematic undulatory extinction and converging crystal axes. Petrographic and crystallographic evidence clearly qualifies phase I dolomite as radiaxial fibrous. Conversely, fascicular optical fabrics were not found. Carbon-isotope ratios (δ13C) are depleted (between - 11.8 and - 22.1‰) as expected for carbonate precipitation from marine pore-fluids in organic-matter-rich, paralic sediment. Oxygen isotope (δ18O) ratios range between - 1.3 and - 6.0‰. The earliest diagenetic nature of these cements is documented by the presence of ubiquitous, non-compacted fossil plant remains encased in phase I dolomite as well as by the complex zoned luminescence patterns in the crystals and is supported by crystallographic and thermodynamic considerations. It is argued that organic matter, and specifically carboxyl groups, reduced thermodynamic barriers for dolomite formation and facilitated Mg/CaCO3 precipitation. The data shown here reveal a hitherto unknown level of complexity with respect to radiaxial fibrous carbonates and are of importance for those concerned with dolomite and carbonate petrography in general.

The structure of people's hair.

PubMed

Yang, Fei-Chi; Zhang, Yuchen; Rheinstädter, Maikel C

2014-01-01

Hair is a filamentous biomaterial consisting mainly of proteins in particular keratin. The structure of human hair is well known: the medulla is a loosely packed, disordered region near the centre of the hair surrounded by the cortex, which contains the major part of the fibre mass, mainly consisting of keratin proteins and structural lipids. The cortex is surrounded by the cuticle, a layer of dead, overlapping cells forming a protective layer around the hair. The corresponding structures have been studied extensively using a variety of different techniques, such as light, electron and atomic force microscopes, and also X-ray diffraction. We were interested in the question how much the molecular hair structure differs from person to person, between male and female hair, hair of different appearances such as colour and waviness. We included hair from parent and child, identical and fraternal twins in the study to see if genetically similar hair would show similar structural features. The molecular structure of the hair samples was studied using high-resolution X-ray diffraction, which covers length scales from molecules up to the organization of secondary structures. Signals due to the coiled-coil phase of α-helical keratin proteins, intermediate keratin filaments in the cortex and from the lipid layers in the cell membrane complex were observed in the specimen of all individuals, with very small deviations. Despite the relatively small number of individuals (12) included in this study, some conclusions can be drawn. While the general features were observed in all individuals and the corresponding molecular structures were almost identical, additional signals were observed in some specimen and assigned to different types of lipids in the cell membrane complex. Genetics seem to play a role in this composition as identical patterns were observed in hair from father and daughter and identical twins, however, not for fraternal twins. Identification and characterization of these features is an important step towards the detection of abnormalities in the molecular structure of hair as a potential diagnostic tool for certain diseases.

Heterogeneous targeting of centrifugal inputs to the glomerular layer of the main olfactory bulb.

PubMed

Gómez, C; Briñón, J G; Barbado, M V; Weruaga, E; Valero, J; Alonso, J R

2005-06-01

The centrifugal systems innervating the olfactory bulb are important elements in the functional regulation of the olfactory pathway. In this study, the selective innervation of specific glomeruli by serotonergic, noradrenergic and cholinergic centrifugal axons was analyzed. Thus, the morphology, distribution and density of positive axons were studied in the glomerular layer of the main olfactory bulb of the rat, using serotonin-, serotonin transporter- and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase-immunohistochemistry and acetylcholinesterase histochemistry in serial sections. Serotonin-, serotonin transporter-immunostaining and acetylcholinesterase-staining revealed a higher heterogeneity in the glomerular layer of the main olfactory bulb than previously reported. In this sense, four types of glomeruli could be identified according to their serotonergic innervation. The main distinctive feature of these four types of glomeruli was their serotonergic fibre density, although they also differed in their size, morphology and relative position throughout the rostro-caudal main olfactory bulb. In this sense, some specific regions of the glomerular layer were occupied by glomeruli with a particular morphology and a characteristic serotonergic innervation pattern that was consistent from animal to animal. Regarding the cholinergic system, we offer a new subclassification of glomeruli based on the distribution of cholinergic fibres in the glomerular structure. Finally, the serotonergic and cholinergic innervation patterns were compared in the glomerular layer. Sexual differences concerning the density of serotonergic fibres were observed in the atypical glomeruli (characterized by their strong cholinergic innervation). The present report provides new data on the heterogeneity of the centrifugal innervation of the glomerular layer that constitutes the morphological substrate supporting the existence of differential modulatory levels among the entire glomerular population.

Comparison of human gastrocnemius forces predicted by Hill-type muscle models and estimated from ultrasound images.

PubMed

Dick, Taylor J M; Biewener, Andrew A; Wakeling, James M

2017-05-01

Hill-type models are ubiquitous in the field of biomechanics, providing estimates of a muscle's force as a function of its activation state and its assumed force-length and force-velocity properties. However, despite their routine use, the accuracy with which Hill-type models predict the forces generated by muscles during submaximal, dynamic tasks remains largely unknown. This study compared human gastrocnemius forces predicted by Hill-type models with the forces estimated from ultrasound-based measures of tendon length changes and stiffness during cycling, over a range of loads and cadences. We tested both a traditional model, with one contractile element, and a differential model, with two contractile elements that accounted for independent contributions of slow and fast muscle fibres. Both models were driven by subject-specific, ultrasound-based measures of fascicle lengths, velocities and pennation angles and by activation patterns of slow and fast muscle fibres derived from surface electromyographic recordings. The models predicted, on average, 54% of the time-varying gastrocnemius forces estimated from the ultrasound-based methods. However, differences between predicted and estimated forces were smaller under low speed-high activation conditions, with models able to predict nearly 80% of the gastrocnemius force over a complete pedal cycle. Additionally, the predictions from the Hill-type muscle models tested here showed that a similar pattern of force production could be achieved for most conditions with and without accounting for the independent contributions of different muscle fibre types. © 2017. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Picrosirius Red and Polarization Microscopy - A Tool for Gender Differentiation.

PubMed

Gowda, Bk Charan; Kokila, Ganganna; Gopinathan, Pillai Arun; Praveen, Kunigal Shivaprakash

2017-01-01

Forensic dentistry is a branch of dentistry which in collaboration with legal profession serves an important role to maintain justice system of a country. Forensic dentists play a major role in identification of an individual. Within the literature various methods have been found to be useful in gender differentiation. An attempt was made for differentiation of gender using picrosirius red and polarization microscopy. To evaluate picrosirius red and polarization microscopy as a tool for gender differentiation by observing birefringence pattern and distribution of thick and thin collagen fibers in males and females. Labial mucosal tissue obtained from 30 deceased individuals (18 male and 12 female) during autopsy was fixed in 10% formalin at 12 th hour. Tissue was processed, sectioned and stained using picrosirius red stain and the birefringence pattern of collagen fibers were studied with polarization microscope. The results were statistically analyzed using Z-test and one-way ANOVA to draw the significance. The proportion of thick and thin fibres among males and females were compared. It was found that there was statistically significant difference in proportion of thick and thin fibers between male and female. Thick fibres in males were (78.13%) more than females (65.74%) and thin fibres were more in females (34.24%) than males (21.32%). Picrosirius red and polarization microscopy may be used as a tool for gender differentiation. Yet the manner of death has to be considered during gender differentiation using this method, as in the present study out of 30 cases studied three cases of death due to debilitating diseases and poison consumption showed altered collagen distribution.

Comment on Sub-15 nm Hard X-Ray Focusing with a New Total-Reflection Zone Plate

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

Specht, Eliot D

2011-01-01

Takano et al. report the focusing of 10-keV X-rays to a size of 14.4 nm using a total-reflection zone plate (TRZP). This focal size is at the diffraction limit for the optic's aperture. This would be a noteworthy result, since the TRZP was fabricated using conventional lithography techniques. Alternative nanofocusing optics require more demanding fabrication methods. However, as I will discuss in this Comment, the intensity distribution presented by Takano et al. (Fig. 4 of ref. 1) is more consistent with the random speckle pattern produced by the scattering of a coherent incident beam by a distorted optic than withmore » a diffraction-limited focus. When interpreted in this manner, the true focal spot size is {approx}70 nm: 5 times the diffraction limit. When a coherent photon beam illuminates an optic containing randomly distributed regions which introduce different phase shifts, the scattered diffraction pattern consists of a speckle pattern. Each speckle will be diffraction-limited: the peak width of a single speckle depends entirely on the source coherence and gives no information about the optic. The envelope of the speckle distribution corresponds to the focal spot which would be observed using incoherent illumination. The width of this envelope is due to the finite size of the coherently-diffracting domains produced by slope and position errors in the optic. The focal intensity distribution in Fig. 4 of ref. 1 indeed contains a diffraction-limited peak, but this peak contains only a fraction of the power in the focused, and forms part of a distribution of sharp peaks with an envelope {approx}70 nm in width, just as expected for a speckle pattern. At the 4mm focal distance, the 70 nm width corresponds to a slope error of 18 {micro}rad. To reach the 14 nm diffraction limit, the slope error must be reduced to 3 {micro}rad. Takano et al. have identified a likely source of this error: warping due to stress as a result of zone deposition. It will be interesting to see whether the use of a more rigid substrate gives improved results.« less

Atomically resolved structural determination of graphene and its point defects via extrapolation assisted phase retrieval

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

Latychevskaia, Tatiana; Fink, Hans-Werner

Previously reported crystalline structures obtained by an iterative phase retrieval reconstruction of their diffraction patterns seem to be free from displaying any irregularities or defects in the lattice, which appears to be unrealistic. We demonstrate here that the structure of a nanocrystal including its atomic defects can unambiguously be recovered from its diffraction pattern alone by applying a direct phase retrieval procedure not relying on prior information of the object shape. Individual point defects in the atomic lattice are clearly apparent. Conventional phase retrieval routines assume isotropic scattering. We show that when dealing with electrons, the quantitatively correct transmission functionmore » of the sample cannot be retrieved due to anisotropic, strong forward scattering specific to electrons. We summarize the conditions for this phase retrieval method and show that the diffraction pattern can be extrapolated beyond the original record to even reveal formerly not visible Bragg peaks. Such extrapolated wave field pattern leads to enhanced spatial resolution in the reconstruction.« less

Random technique to encode complex valued holograms with on axis reconstruction onto phase-only displays.

PubMed

Luis Martínez Fuentes, Jose; Moreno, Ignacio

2018-03-05

A new technique for encoding the amplitude and phase of diffracted fields in digital holography is proposed. It is based on a random spatial multiplexing of two phase-only diffractive patterns. The first one is the phase information of the intended pattern, while the second one is a diverging optical element whose purpose is the control of the amplitude. A random number determines the choice between these two diffractive patterns at each pixel, and the amplitude information of the desired field governs its discrimination threshold. This proposed technique is computationally fast and does not require iterative methods, and the complex field reconstruction appears on axis. We experimentally demonstrate this new encoding technique with holograms implemented onto a flicker-free phase-only spatial light modulator (SLM), which allows the axial generation of such holograms. The experimental verification includes the phase measurement of generated patterns with a phase-shifting polarization interferometer implemented in the same experimental setup.

High-speed autofocusing of a cell using diffraction pattern

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oku, Hiromasa; Ishikawa, Masatoshi; Theodorus; Hashimoto, Koichi

2006-05-01

This paper proposes a new autofocusing method for observing cells under a transmission illumination. The focusing method uses a quick and simple focus estimation technique termed “depth from diffraction,” which is based on a diffraction pattern in a defocused image of a biological specimen. Since this method can estimate the focal position of the specimen from only a single defocused image, it can easily realize high-speed autofocusing. To demonstrate the method, it was applied to continuous focus tracking of a swimming paramecium, in combination with two-dimensional position tracking. Three-dimensional tracking of the paramecium for 70 s was successfully demonstrated.

Resolution of 90 nm (lambda/5) in an optical transmission microscope with an annular condenser.

PubMed

Vainrub, Arnold; Pustovyy, Oleg; Vodyanoy, Vitaly

2006-10-01

Resolution of 90 nm was achieved with a research microscope simply by replacing the standard bright-field condenser with a homebuilt illumination system with a cardioid annular condenser. Diffraction gratings with 100 nm width lines as well as less than 100 nm size features of different-shaped objects were clearly visible on a calibrated microscope test slide. The resolution increase results from a known narrower diffraction pattern in coherent illumination for the annular aperture compared with the circular aperture. This explanation is supported by an excellent accord of calculated and measured diffraction patterns for a 50 nm radius disk.

Local nanoscale strain mapping of a metallic glass during in situ testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gammer, Christoph; Ophus, Colin; Pekin, Thomas C.; Eckert, Jürgen; Minor, Andrew M.

2018-04-01

The local elastic strains during tensile deformation in a CuZrAlAg metallic glass are obtained by fitting an elliptic shape function to the characteristic amorphous ring in electron diffraction patterns. Scanning nanobeam electron diffraction enables strain mapping with a resolution of a few nanometers. Here, a fast direct electron detector is used to acquire the diffraction patterns at a sufficient speed to map the local transient strain during continuous tensile loading in situ in the transmission electron microscope. The elastic strain in tensile direction was found to increase during loading. After catastrophic fracture, a residual elastic strain that relaxes over time was observed.

UHV-TEM/TED observation of Ag islands grown on Si( 1 1 1 ) 3× 3-Ag surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oshima, Yoshifumi; Nakade, Hiroyuki; Shigeki, Sinya; Hirayama, Hiroyuki; Takayanagi, Kunio

2001-11-01

Growths of Ag islands on Si(1 1 1)3×3-Ag surface at room temperature were observed by UHV transmission electron microscopy and diffraction. The Ag islands grown after six monolayer deposition had neither (1 0 0) nor (1 1 0) orientation, but had two complex epitaxial orientations dominantly. One was striped islands which gave rise to a diffraction pattern commensurate with the 3×3 lattice of the Si(1 1 1) surface. The other was the coagulated islands whose diffraction pattern indicated the Ag(1 -3 4) sheet grown parallel to the Si(1 1 1) surface.

Diffractive optics for particle velocimetry and sizing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, D. W.; Gogna, P. K.; Chacon, R. J.; Muller, R. E.; Fourguette, D.; Modarress, D.; Taugwalder, F.; Svitek, P.; Gharib, M.

2002-01-01

Beam-shaping diffractive optical elements are used to create structured light patterns in fluid flows. Particle scattering results in detected signals that can be used to determine the particle size and velocity.

A quantitative study of the histochemical and morphometric characteristics of the human cricopharyngeus muscle.

PubMed Central

Brownlow, H; Whitmore, I; Willan, P L

1989-01-01

Samples of human cricopharyngeus muscles obtained at postmortem were assessed for fibre type composition and fibre size. Fibre type was determined using serial cryostat sections exposed to several histochemical reactions; narrow fibre diameter and fibre area were measured from photomicrographs using a digitiser interfaced to a microcomputer. Results were compared with values from samples of vastus lateralis obtained from the same subjects. Cricopharyngeus muscle, in comparison with vastus lateralis, contained significantly more oxidative fibres but fewer glycolytic fibres and significantly more Type I fibres but fewer Type IIB. Cricopharyngeal fibres were significantly smaller than the fibres in vastus lateralis and in neither muscle were fibre sizes normally distributed. In each muscle most Type I fibres were oxidative, and the ratio of oxidative: glycolytic fibres was similar for Type IIA and IIB fibres. The fibre type proportions and fibre sizes in cricopharyngeus did not vary significantly with age or between males and females. The composition of cricopharyngeus--mostly Type I oxidative fibres and few Type II glycolytic fibres--correlated well with the functions of sustained tonicity to prevent aerophagia and occasional forceful contraction during deglutition. Images Fig. 1 PMID:2621147

Effect of Service Stress on Impact Resistance, X-ray Diffraction Patterns, and Microstructure of 25s Aluminum Alloy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kies, J A; Quick, G W

1939-01-01

Report presents the results of a great number of tests made to determine the effect of service stresses on the impact resistance, the x-ray diffraction patterns, and the microstructure of 25s aluminum alloy. Many of the specimens were taken from actual propeller blades and others were cut from 13/16-inch rod furnished by the Aluminum Company of America.

Collimation testing using slit Fresnel diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Xiaohe; Hui, Mei; Wang, Shanshan; Hou, Yinlong; Zhou, Siyu; Zhu, Qiudong

2018-03-01

A simple collimation testing method based on slit Fresnel diffraction is proposed. The method needs only a CMOS and a slit with no requirement in dimensional accuracy. The light beam to be tested diffracts across the slit and forms a Fresnel diffraction pattern received by CMOS. After analysis, the defocusing amount and the distance between the primary peak point and secondary peak point of diffraction pattern fulfill an expression relationship and then the defocusing amount can be deduced from the expression. The method is applied to both the coherent beam and partially coherent beam, and these two beams are emitted from a laser and light-emitting diode (LED) with a spectrum width of about 50 nm in this paper. Simulations show that the wide spectrum of LED has the effect of smooth filtering to provide higher accuracy. Experiments show that the LED with a spectrum width of about 50 nm has a lower limitation error than the laser and can achieve up to 58.1601 μm with focal length 200 mm and slit width 15 mm.

Direct single-shot phase retrieval from the diffraction pattern of separated objects

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

Leshem, Ben; Xu, Rui; Dallal, Yehonatan

The non-crystallographic phase problem arises in numerous scientific and technological fields. An important application is coherent diffractive imaging. Recent advances in X-ray free-electron lasers allow capturing of the diffraction pattern from a single nanoparticle before it disintegrates, in so-called ‘diffraction before destruction’ experiments. Presently, the phase is reconstructed by iterative algorithms, imposing a non-convex computational challenge, or by Fourier holography, requiring a well-characterized reference field. Here we present a convex scheme for single-shot phase retrieval for two (or more) sufficiently separated objects, demonstrated in two dimensions. In our approach, the objects serve as unknown references to one another, reducing themore » phase problem to a solvable set of linear equations. We establish our method numerically and experimentally in the optical domain and demonstrate a proof-of-principle single-shot coherent diffractive imaging using X-ray free-electron lasers pulses. Lastly, our scheme alleviates several limitations of current methods, offering a new pathway towards direct reconstruction of complex objects.« less

Direct single-shot phase retrieval from the diffraction pattern of separated objects

DOE PAGES

Leshem, Ben; Xu, Rui; Dallal, Yehonatan; ...

2016-02-22

The non-crystallographic phase problem arises in numerous scientific and technological fields. An important application is coherent diffractive imaging. Recent advances in X-ray free-electron lasers allow capturing of the diffraction pattern from a single nanoparticle before it disintegrates, in so-called ‘diffraction before destruction’ experiments. Presently, the phase is reconstructed by iterative algorithms, imposing a non-convex computational challenge, or by Fourier holography, requiring a well-characterized reference field. Here we present a convex scheme for single-shot phase retrieval for two (or more) sufficiently separated objects, demonstrated in two dimensions. In our approach, the objects serve as unknown references to one another, reducing themore » phase problem to a solvable set of linear equations. We establish our method numerically and experimentally in the optical domain and demonstrate a proof-of-principle single-shot coherent diffractive imaging using X-ray free-electron lasers pulses. Lastly, our scheme alleviates several limitations of current methods, offering a new pathway towards direct reconstruction of complex objects.« less

Diffracted light from latent images in photoresist for exposure control

DOEpatents

Bishop, Kenneth P.; Brueck, Steven R. J.; Gaspar, Susan M.; Hickman, Kirt C.; McNeil, John R.; Naqvi, S. Sohail H.; Stallard, Brian R.; Tipton, Gary D.

1997-01-01

In microelectronics manufacturing, an arrangement for monitoring and control of exposure of an undeveloped photosensitive layer on a structure susceptible to variations in optical properties in order to attain the desired critical dimension for the pattern to be developed in the photosensitive layer. This is done by ascertaining the intensities for one or more respective orders of diffracted power for an incident beam of radiation corresponding to the desired critical dimension for the photosensitive layer as a function of exposure time and optical properties of the structure, illuminating the photosensitive layer with a beam of radiation of one or more frequencies to which the photosensitive layer is not exposure-sensitive, and monitoring the intensities of the orders of diffracted radiation due to said illumination including at least the first order of diffracted radiation thereof, such that when said predetermined intensities for the diffracted orders are reached during said illumination of photosensitive layer, it is known that a pattern having at least approximately the desired critical dimension can be developed on the photosensitive layer.

Thermal shock fracture in cross-ply fibre-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kastritseas, C.; Smith, P. A.; Yeomans, J. A.

2010-11-01

The onset of matrix cracking due to thermal shock in a range of simple and multi-layer cross-ply laminates comprising a calcium aluminosilicate (CAS) matrix reinforced with Nicalon® fibres is investigated analytically. A comprehensive stress analysis under conditions of thermal shock, ignoring transient effects, is performed and fracture criteria based on either a recently derived model for the thermal shock resistance of unidirectional Nicalon®/glass ceramic-matrix composites or fracture mechanics considerations are formulated. The effect of material thickness on the apparent thermal shock resistance is also modelled. Comparison with experimental results reveals that the accuracy of the predictions is satisfactory and the reasons for some discrepancies are discussed. In addition, a theoretical argument based on thermal shock theory is formulated to explain the observed cracking patterns.

Large-Scale Diffraction Patterns from Circular Objects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rinard, Phillip M.

1976-01-01

Investigates quantitatively the diffractions of light by a U.S. penny and an aperture of the same size. Differences noted between the theory and measurements are discussed, with probable causes indicated. (Author/CP)

Three-dimensional nanostructure determination from a large diffraction data set recorded using scanning electron nanodiffraction.

PubMed

Meng, Yifei; Zuo, Jian-Min

2016-09-01

A diffraction-based technique is developed for the determination of three-dimensional nanostructures. The technique employs high-resolution and low-dose scanning electron nanodiffraction (SEND) to acquire three-dimensional diffraction patterns, with the help of a special sample holder for large-angle rotation. Grains are identified in three-dimensional space based on crystal orientation and on reconstructed dark-field images from the recorded diffraction patterns. Application to a nanocrystalline TiN thin film shows that the three-dimensional morphology of columnar TiN grains of tens of nanometres in diameter can be reconstructed using an algebraic iterative algorithm under specified prior conditions, together with their crystallographic orientations. The principles can be extended to multiphase nanocrystalline materials as well. Thus, the tomographic SEND technique provides an effective and adaptive way of determining three-dimensional nanostructures.

Digital Image Correlation of 2D X-ray Powder Diffraction Data for Lattice Strain Evaluation

PubMed Central

Zhang, Hongjia; Sui, Tan; Daisenberger, Dominik; Fong, Kai Soon

2018-01-01

High energy 2D X-ray powder diffraction experiments are widely used for lattice strain measurement. The 2D to 1D conversion of diffraction patterns is a necessary step used to prepare the data for full pattern refinement, but is inefficient when only peak centre position information is required for lattice strain evaluation. The multi-step conversion process is likely to lead to increased errors associated with the ‘caking’ (radial binning) or fitting procedures. A new method is proposed here that relies on direct Digital Image Correlation analysis of 2D X-ray powder diffraction patterns (XRD-DIC, for short). As an example of using XRD-DIC, residual strain values along the central line in a Mg AZ31B alloy bar after 3-point bending are calculated by using both XRD-DIC and the conventional ‘caking’ with fitting procedures. Comparison of the results for strain values in different azimuthal angles demonstrates excellent agreement between the two methods. The principal strains and directions are calculated using multiple direction strain data, leading to full in-plane strain evaluation. It is therefore concluded that XRD-DIC provides a reliable and robust method for strain evaluation from 2D powder diffraction data. The XRD-DIC approach simplifies the analysis process by skipping 2D to 1D conversion, and opens new possibilities for robust 2D powder diffraction data analysis for full in-plane strain evaluation. PMID:29543728

Broadband diffractive lens or imaging element

DOEpatents

Ceglio, Natale M.; Hawryluk, Andrew M.; London, Richard A.; Seppala, Lynn G.

1991-01-01

A broadband diffractive lens or imaging element produces a sharp focus and/or a high resolution image with broad bandwidth illuminating radiation. The diffractive lens is sectored or segmented into regions, each of which focuses or images a distinct narrowband of radiation but all of which have a common focal length. Alternatively, a serial stack of minus filters, each with a diffraction pattern which focuses or images a distinct narrowband of radiation but all of which have a common focal length, is used. The two approaches can be combined. Multifocal broadband diffractive elements can also be formed.

Pattern formation without diffraction matching in optical parametric oscillators with a metamaterial.

PubMed

Tassin, Philippe; Van der Sande, Guy; Veretennicoff, Irina; Kockaert, Pascal; Tlidi, Mustapha

2009-05-25

We consider a degenerate optical parametric oscillator containing a left-handed material. We show that the inclusion of a left-handed material layer allows for controlling the strength and sign of the diffraction coefficient at either the pump or the signal frequency. Subsequently, we demonstrate the existence of stable dissipative structures without diffraction matching, i.e., without the usual relationship between the diffraction coefficients of the signal and pump fields. Finally, we investigate the size scaling of these light structures with decreasing diffraction strength.

Effects of fibre concentration of diets consisting of hay and slowly degradable concentrate on ruminal fermentation and digesta particle size in mid-lactation dairy cows.

PubMed

Tafaj, Myqerem; Zebeli, Qendrim; Maulbetsch, Anja; Steingass, Herbert; Drochner, Winfried

2006-06-01

Four multiparous ruminally cannulated Holstein cows (mean bodyweight [BW] 615 kg) in mid-lactation (103 days in milk and 32 kg milk x d(-1) at start of the experiment) were used in an one-factorial experiment to evaluate the effects of fibre level (19, 24, 28, 32 and 39% physically effective NDF [peNDF] in dry matter [DM]) in diets consisting of hay and slowly degradable concentrate on rumen fermentation patterns and digesta particle size, under a constant intake level (146 g DM x kg(-0.75). The different fibre concentrations in the diet were achieved by adjusting the hay to concentrate ratio. The above-mentioned levels of peNDF corresponded to 70, 60, 50, 40 and 25% concentrate in diet DM, respectively, and followed the lactation curve of the cows. The ruminal pH was positively and linearly correlated to the percentage of fibre (peNDF, NDF or CF) in ration DM with R2 of 0.76-0.88 (p < 0.001) for solid digesta (particle-associated rumen fluid, PARL), and R2 of 0.26-0.29 (p < 0.05) for fluid digesta (free rumen liquid, FRL). The lowest fibre level in the diet (19% peNDF) or the highest level of concentrate (70% on DM basis) caused pH values lower than 6.0 at almost all sampling times only in PARL but not in FRL, and significantly increased the proportion of large particles in rumen digesta, which in turn was reflected by a depression of fibre digestibility. A level of 24% peNDF or 60% concentrate in the diet maintained the ruminal pH higher than 6.0 and 5.8 in FRL and PARL, respectively. Therefore, the inclusion of more than 60% slowly degradable concentrate in dairy cows diets fed approximately 18 kg DM x d(-1) is discouraged. Based on the response of ruminal solid digesta to dietary fibre, it can be concluded that the recommendations of feeding a structural value > or =1 per kg DM (De Brabander et al. 1999) underestimated, and 400 g CF per 100 kg BW (Hoffmann 1990) overestimated the evaluation of structural effectiveness of the present diet.

Secondary phloem diversity and evolution in Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae)

PubMed Central

Pace, Marcelo R.; Alcantara, Suzana; Lohmann, Lúcia G.; Angyalossy, Veronica

2015-01-01

Background and Aims Phloem evolution has been explored in the literature across very broad scales, either for vascular plants as a whole or for major plant groups, such as the monocotyledons or the former dicotyledons. However, it has never been examined in a way that would elucidate evolutionary shifts leading to the diversification of phloem in single lineages. Therefore, the present study explores in detail the patterns of phloem evolution in the tribe Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae). This group represents a particularly good model for phloem studies since it is known to have a very conspicuous and diverse phloem. Methods A total of 19 phloem characters were coded in 56 species from all 21 genera currently recognized in the tribe Bignonieae, accounting for phloem wedge growth and for all the anatomical cell diversity encountered in the phloem. Phloem evolution was explored by reconstructing ancestral character states using maximum-likelihood assumptions with a time-calibrated molecular phylogeny for the group. Directionality and the effect of phylogenetic transformations in the current variation of quantitative traits and evolutionary correlations of selected discrete phloem traits were also tested under a maximum-likelihood approach. Key Results Individual phloem features are quite diverse in the tribe, but generally conserved within smaller clades. Contrasting phloem patterns were found when comparing major groups, with certain lineages having the phloem marked by a background of phloem fibres where all other cells are embedded, tangentially arranged sieve tubes and sieve-tubecentric parenchyma. In contrast, other lineages exhibited a scarcely fibrous phloem, regularly stratified phloem, sieve tube elements in radial or diffuse arrangement, and diffuse parenchyma. We found signals of directional evolution in fibre abundance and number of sieve areas, which increased in the ‘Fridericia and allies extended clade’ and decreased in the ‘Multiples of four extended clade’, resulting in no signal of directionality when the whole Bignonieae was considered. In contrast, no indication of directional evolution was found for the axial parenchyma, either in single clades within Bignonieae or in the entire tribe. Positive correlation was found between sieve element length and both sieve plate type and the presence of a storied structure. Correlated evolution was also found between fibre abundance and several traits, such as sieve tube arrangement, sieve plate type, parenchyma arrangement, ray lignification and number of companion cells. Conclusions The secondary phloem of Bignonieae is extremely diverse, with sister lineages exhibiting distinct phloem anatomies derived from contrasting patterns of evolution in fibre abundance. Fibre abundance in the tribe has diversified in correlation with sieve tube arrangement, sieve tube morphology, number of companion cells and parenchyma type. The results challenge long-standing hypotheses regarding general trends in cell abundance and morphological cell evolution within the phloem, and demonstrate the need to expand studies in phloem anatomy both at a narrow taxonomic scale and at a broad one, such as to families and orders. PMID:26311709

Applications for carbon fibre recovered from composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pickering; Liu, Z.; Turner, TA; Wong, KH

2016-07-01

Commercial operations to recover carbon fibre from waste composites are now developing and as more recovered fibre becomes available new applications for recovered fibre are required. Opportunities to use recovered carbon fibre as a structural reinforcement are considered involving the use of wet lay processes to produce nonwoven mats. Mats with random in-plane fibre orientation can readily be produced using existing commercial processes. However, the fibre volume fraction, and hence the mechanical properties that can be achieved, result in composites with limited mechanical properties. Fibre volume fractions of 40% can be achieved with high moulding pressures of over 100 bar, however, moulding at these pressures results in substantial fibre breakage which reduces the mean fibre length and the properties of the composite manufactured. Nonwoven mats made from aligned, short carbon fibres can achieve higher fibre volume fractions with lower fibre breakage even at high moulding pressure. A process for aligning short fibres is described and a composite of over 60% fibre volume fraction has been manufactured at a pressures up to 100 bar with low fibre breakage. Further developments of the alignment process have been undertaken and a composite of 46% fibre volume fraction has been produced moulded at a pressure of 7 bar in an autoclave, exhibiting good mechanical properties that compete with higher grade materials. This demonstrates the potential for high value applications for recovered carbon fibre by fibre alignment.

SFN-SIQ, SFNSL and skin biopsy of 55 cases with small fibre involvement.

PubMed

Sun, Bo; Li, Yifan; Liu, Lizhi; Chen, Zhaohui; Ling, Li; Yang, Fei; Liu, Jiexiao; Liu, Hong; Huang, Xusheng

2018-05-01

Purpose/aim of the study: To date, there are no validated screening scales for small fibre neuropathy. This study investigated the small-fibre neuropathy and the symptom inventory questionnaire as well as the small fibre neuropathy screening list for small fibre neuropathy diagnosis. Fifty-five patients were divided into small fibre neuropathy and mixed fibre damage groups. Relevant scales, nerve conduction studies and skin biopsies were performed. Relationships between the intraepidermal nerve fibre density and different scales as well as the diagnostic and cut-off values (score at which Youden's index is largest) were determined. Compared with healthy Chinese participants, 20 patients were diagnosed with small fibre neuropathy. Intraepidermal nerve fibre density was moderately and highly correlated with the small fibre neuropathy-symptom inventory questionnaire and small fibre neuropathy screening list, respectively. The diagnostic values were moderate and high for the small fibre neuropathy-symptom inventory questionnaire (cut-off value = 5, sensitivity = 80%, specificity = 81.8%) and small fibre neuropathy screening list (cut-off value = 8, sensitivity = 94.1%, specificity = 90.9%), respectively. There were no significant differences in the visual analogue scale between the small fibre neuropathy group, mixed small and large fibre neuropathy group, pure large fibre neuropathy group and the normal group. Small fibre neuropathy-symptom inventory questionnaire and small fibre neuropathy screening list represent potential small fibre neuropathy screening tools. Abbreviations EMG electromyography ENA anti-extractable nuclear antigens ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate IENFD intraepidermal nerve fibre density IGT impaired glucose tolerance NCS nerve conduction studies NDS neuropathy disability score OGTT oral glucose tolerance test PGP protein gene product PN peripheral neuropathy ROC receiver operating characteristic curve ROC-AUC area under the ROC curve SFN small fibre neuropathy SFN-SIQ small-fibre neuropathy and symptom inventory questionnaire SFNSL small fibre neuropathy screening list VAS visual analogue scale WHO World Health Organization.

Modified alignment CGHs for aspheric surface test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Jae-Bong; Yang, Ho-Soon; Rhee, Hyug-Gyo; Lee, Yun-Woo

2009-08-01

Computer Generated Holograms (CGH) for optical test are commonly consisted of one main pattern for testing aspheric surface and some alignment patterns for aligning the interferometer, CGH, and the test optics. To align the CGH plate and the test optics, we designed the alignment CGHs modified from the cat's eye alignment method, which are consisted of a couple of CGH patterns. The incident beam passed through the one part of the alignment CGH pattern is focused onto the one radius position of the test aspheric surface, and is reflected to the other part, and vice versa. This method has several merits compared to the conventional cat's eye alignment method. First, this method can be used in testing optics with a center hole, and the center part of CGH plate can be assigned to the alignment pattern. Second, the alignment pattern becomes a concentric circular arc pattern. The whole CGH patterns including the main pattern and alignment patterns are consisted of only concentric circular fringes. This concentric circular pattern can be easily made by the polar coordinated writer with circular scanning. The required diffraction angle becomes relatively small, so the 1st order diffraction beams instead of the 3rd order diffraction beam can be used as alignment beams, and the visibility can be improved. This alignment method also is more sensitive to the tilt and the lateral shift of the test aspheric surface. Using this alignment pattern, a 200 mm diameter F/0.5 aspheric mirror and a 600 mm diameter F/0.9 mirror were tested.

Comments on the paper "Bragg's law diffraction simulations for electron backscatter diffraction analysis" by Josh Kacher, Colin Landon, Brent L. Adams & David Fullwood.

PubMed

Maurice, Claire; Fortunier, Roland; Driver, Julian; Day, Austin; Mingard, Ken; Meaden, Graham

2010-06-01

This comment on the paper "Bragg's Law diffraction simulations for electron backscatter diffraction analysis" by Kacher et al. explains the limitations in determining elastic strains using synthetic EBSD patterns. Of particular importance are those due to the accuracy of determination of the EBSD geometry projection parameters. Additional references and supporting information are provided. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Étude de la structure des alliages vitreux Ag-As2S3 par diffraction de rayons X

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Popescu, M.; Sava, F.; Cornet, A.; Broll, N.

2002-07-01

The structure of several silver alloyed arsenic chalocgenide has been determined by X-ray diffraction. For low silver doping the disordered layer structure, characteristic to the glassy AS2S3 is retained as demonstrated by the well developed first sharp diffraction peak in the X-ray diffraction pattern. For high amount of silver introduced in the As2S3 matrix, the disoredered layer configurations disappear, as shown by the diminishing and even disappearance of the first sharp diffraction peak in the X-ray patterns. A three-dimensional structure based on Ag2S -type configuration is formed. La structure de quelques alliages sulfure d'arsenic - argent a été determinée par diffraction de rayons X. Pour de faibles dopages à l'argent on conserve la structure desordonnées caractéristique des couches atomique d'As2S3 vitreux ; ceci est prouvé par la forte intensité du premier pic étroit de diffraction. Pour des plus grandes proportions d'argent la structure de l'alliage vitreux fait apparaître des unités structurales caractéristiques du cristal d'Ag2S et la configuration atomique avec des couches desordonnées disparaît (le premier pic étroit de diffraction s'évanouit) en faisant place à une structure tridimensionelle.

Continuous diffraction of molecules and disordered molecular crystals

PubMed Central

Yefanov, Oleksandr M.; Ayyer, Kartik; White, Thomas A.; Barty, Anton; Morgan, Andrew; Mariani, Valerio; Oberthuer, Dominik; Pande, Kanupriya

2017-01-01

The intensities of far-field diffraction patterns of orientationally aligned molecules obey Wilson statistics, whether those molecules are in isolation (giving rise to a continuous diffraction pattern) or arranged in a crystal (giving rise to Bragg peaks). Ensembles of molecules in several orientations, but uncorrelated in position, give rise to the incoherent sum of the diffraction from those objects, modifying the statistics in a similar way as crystal twinning modifies the distribution of Bragg intensities. This situation arises in the continuous diffraction of laser-aligned molecules or translationally disordered molecular crystals. This paper develops the analysis of the intensity statistics of such continuous diffraction to obtain parameters such as scaling, beam coherence and the number of contributing independent object orientations. When measured, continuous molecular diffraction is generally weak and accompanied by a background that far exceeds the strength of the signal. Instead of just relying upon the smallest measured intensities or their mean value to guide the subtraction of the background, it is shown how all measured values can be utilized to estimate the background, noise and signal, by employing a modified ‘noisy Wilson’ distribution that explicitly includes the background. Parameters relating to the background and signal quantities can be estimated from the moments of the measured intensities. The analysis method is demonstrated on previously published continuous diffraction data measured from crystals of photosystem II [Ayyer et al. (2016 ▸), Nature, 530, 202–206]. PMID:28808434

Development of splitting convergent beam electron diffraction (SCBED).

PubMed

Houdellier, Florent; Röder, Falk; Snoeck, Etienne

2015-12-01

Using a combination of condenser electrostatic biprism with dedicated electron optic conditions for sample illumination, we were able to split a convergent beam electron probe focused on the sample in two half focused probes without introducing any tilt between them. As a consequence, a combined convergent beam electron diffraction pattern is obtained in the back focal plane of the objective lens arising from two different sample areas, which could be analyzed in a single pattern. This splitting convergent beam electron diffraction (SCBED) pattern has been tested first on a well-characterized test sample of Si/SiGe multilayers epitaxially grown on a Si substrate. The SCBED pattern contains information from the strained area, which exhibits HOLZ lines broadening induced by surface relaxation, with fine HOLZ lines observed in the unstrained reference part of the sample. These patterns have been analyzed quantitatively using both parts of the SCBED transmitted disk. The fine HOLZ line positions are used to determine the precise acceleration voltage of the microscope while the perturbed HOLZ rocking curves in the stained area are compared to dynamical simulated ones. The combination of these two information leads to a precise evaluation of the sample strain state. Finally, several SCBED setups are proposed to tackle fundamental physics questions as well as applied materials science ones and demonstrate how SCBED has the potential to greatly expand the range of applications of electron diffraction and electron holography. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A high-transparency, micro-patternable chip for X-ray diffraction analysis of microcrystals under native growth conditions

DOE PAGES

Murray, Thomas D.; Lyubimov, Artem Y.; Ogata, Craig M.; ...

2015-08-11

Microcrystals present a significant impediment to the determination of macromolecular structures by X-ray diffraction methods. Although microfocus synchrotron beamlines and X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) can enable the collection of interpretable diffraction data from microcrystals, there is a need for efficient methods of harvesting small volumes (<2 µl) of microcrystals grown under common laboratory formats and delivering them to an X-ray beam source under native growth conditions. One approach that shows promise in overcoming the challenges intrinsic to microcrystal analysis is to pair so-called `fixed-target' sample-delivery devices with microbeam-based X-ray diffraction methods. However, to record weak diffraction patterns it is necessarymore » to fabricate devices from X-ray-transparent materials that minimize background scattering. Presented here is the design of a new micro-diffraction device consisting of three layers fabricated from silicon nitride, photoresist and polyimide film. The chip features low X-ray scattering and X-ray absorption properties, and uses a customizable blend of hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface patterns to help localize microcrystals to defined regions. Microcrystals in their native growth conditions can be loaded into the chips with a standard pipette, allowing data collection at room temperature. Diffraction data collected from hen egg-white lysozyme microcrystals (10–15 µm) loaded into the chips yielded a complete, high-resolution (<1.6 Å) data set sufficient to determine a high-quality structure by molecular replacement. In addition, the features of the chip allow the rapid and user-friendly analysis of microcrystals grown under virtually any laboratory format at microfocus synchrotron beamlines and XFELs.« less

A high-transparency, micro-patternable chip for X-ray diffraction analysis of microcrystals under native growth conditions

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

Murray, Thomas D.; Lyubimov, Artem Y.; Ogata, Craig M.

Microcrystals present a significant impediment to the determination of macromolecular structures by X-ray diffraction methods. Although microfocus synchrotron beamlines and X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) can enable the collection of interpretable diffraction data from microcrystals, there is a need for efficient methods of harvesting small volumes (<2 µl) of microcrystals grown under common laboratory formats and delivering them to an X-ray beam source under native growth conditions. One approach that shows promise in overcoming the challenges intrinsic to microcrystal analysis is to pair so-called `fixed-target' sample-delivery devices with microbeam-based X-ray diffraction methods. However, to record weak diffraction patterns it is necessarymore » to fabricate devices from X-ray-transparent materials that minimize background scattering. Presented here is the design of a new micro-diffraction device consisting of three layers fabricated from silicon nitride, photoresist and polyimide film. The chip features low X-ray scattering and X-ray absorption properties, and uses a customizable blend of hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface patterns to help localize microcrystals to defined regions. Microcrystals in their native growth conditions can be loaded into the chips with a standard pipette, allowing data collection at room temperature. Diffraction data collected from hen egg-white lysozyme microcrystals (10–15 µm) loaded into the chips yielded a complete, high-resolution (<1.6 Å) data set sufficient to determine a high-quality structure by molecular replacement. In addition, the features of the chip allow the rapid and user-friendly analysis of microcrystals grown under virtually any laboratory format at microfocus synchrotron beamlines and XFELs.« less

A high-transparency, micro-patternable chip for X-ray diffraction analysis of microcrystals under native growth conditions

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

Murray, Thomas D.; Lyubimov, Artem Y.; Ogata, Craig M.

Microcrystals present a significant impediment to the determination of macromolecular structures by X-ray diffraction methods. Although microfocus synchrotron beamlines and X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) can enable the collection of interpretable diffraction data from microcrystals, there is a need for efficient methods of harvesting small volumes (<2µl) of microcrystals grown under common laboratory formats and delivering them to an X-ray beam source under native growth conditions. One approach that shows promise in overcoming the challenges intrinsic to microcrystal analysis is to pair so-called `fixed-target' sample-delivery devices with microbeam-based X-ray diffraction methods. However, to record weak diffraction patterns it is necessary tomore » fabricate devices from X-ray-transparent materials that minimize background scattering. Presented here is the design of a new micro-diffraction device consisting of three layers fabricated from silicon nitride, photoresist and polyimide film. The chip features low X-ray scattering and X-ray absorption properties, and uses a customizable blend of hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface patterns to help localize microcrystals to defined regions. Microcrystals in their native growth conditions can be loaded into the chips with a standard pipette, allowing data collection at room temperature. Diffraction data collected from hen egg-white lysozyme microcrystals (10–15µm) loaded into the chips yielded a complete, high-resolution (<1.6Å) data set sufficient to determine a high-quality structure by molecular replacement. The features of the chip allow the rapid and user-friendly analysis of microcrystals grown under virtually any laboratory format at microfocus synchrotron beamlines and XFELs.« less

A high-transparency, micro-patternable chip for X-ray diffraction analysis of microcrystals under native growth conditions

PubMed Central

Murray, Thomas D.; Lyubimov, Artem Y.; Ogata, Craig M.; Vo, Huy; Uervirojnangkoorn, Monarin; Brunger, Axel T.; Berger, James M.

2015-01-01

Microcrystals present a significant impediment to the determination of macromolecular structures by X-ray diffraction methods. Although microfocus synchrotron beamlines and X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) can enable the collection of interpretable diffraction data from microcrystals, there is a need for efficient methods of harvesting small volumes (<2 µl) of microcrystals grown under common laboratory formats and delivering them to an X-ray beam source under native growth conditions. One approach that shows promise in overcoming the challenges intrinsic to microcrystal analysis is to pair so-called ‘fixed-target’ sample-delivery devices with microbeam-based X-ray diffraction methods. However, to record weak diffraction patterns it is necessary to fabricate devices from X-ray-transparent materials that minimize background scattering. Presented here is the design of a new micro-diffraction device consisting of three layers fabricated from silicon nitride, photoresist and polyimide film. The chip features low X-ray scattering and X-ray absorption properties, and uses a customizable blend of hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface patterns to help localize microcrystals to defined regions. Microcrystals in their native growth conditions can be loaded into the chips with a standard pipette, allowing data collection at room temperature. Diffraction data collected from hen egg-white lysozyme microcrystals (10–15 µm) loaded into the chips yielded a complete, high-resolution (<1.6 Å) data set sufficient to determine a high-quality structure by molecular replacement. The features of the chip allow the rapid and user-friendly analysis of microcrystals grown under virtually any laboratory format at microfocus synchrotron beamlines and XFELs. PMID:26457423

Diffractive Optic Fluid Shear Stress Sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, D.; Scalf, J.; Forouhar, S.; Muller, R.; Taugwalder, F.; Gharib, M.; Fourguette, D.; Modarress, D.

2000-01-01

Light scattering off particles flowing through a two-slit interference pattern can be used to measure the shear stress of the fluid. We have designed and fabricated a miniature diffractive optic sensor based on this principle.

Studies on X-ray diffraction microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miao, Huijie

This dissertation includes three main parts: studies on coherence requirements for the diffraction microscopy experiments, ice formation on frozen-hydrated sample during data collection, and centering of the diffraction data sets. These three subjects are all in support of our groups overall goal of high resolution 3D imaging of frozen hydrated eukaryotic cells via x-ray diffraction microscopy. X-ray diffraction microscopy requires coherent illumination. However, the actual degree of coherence at some beamlines has never been tested. In research on coherence, our first aim is to determine the transverse coherence width at the sample plane at BL 9.0.1 at the Advanced Light Source in Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. An analytical calculation of the coherence at the sample plane is presented. Experimental diffraction patterns of pinhole-pair samples were also taken at the beamline to determine the coherence. Due to the irregular shape of the pinholes and other optics complexity, it was very difficult to fit the data with known theoretical equations as it was traditionally done with 1D data. However, we found out that the auto-correlation function shows clearly three spots. Theoretical calculation have been carried out to show that the degree of coherence can be obtained from the intensities of the three spots. These results are compared with the results from the analytical calculation. We then perform a simulation, showing the required transverse coherence width for reconstructing samples with a given size. Ice accumulation has been a major problem in X-ray diffraction microscopy with frozen hydrated samples. Since the ice structure is different from point to point, we cannot subtract the scattering from ice, nor assume a completely "empty" region outside the finite support constraint area as required for reconstruction. Ice forms during the sample preparation and transfer. However, from the tests we did in September 2007, we found that the ice layer thickens significantly during the data collecting process. One of the tests we did was putting a dry room-temperature grid into the beam, cooling it down to liquid nitrogen temperature, and then collecting the diffraction pattern of it over time. This test showed that, after the cold grid remained in the chamber for a while, a ring could be observed in the diffraction pattern. The time necessary for this ring to be visible is highly dependent on the pressure and vacuum history of the chamber. We will discuss how the chamber pressure influences the ice accumulation rate, how an anti-contamination device can help to reduce the rate, and how this ring forms. The last part of the research is based on simulations and a real data set collected on beamline 9.0.1 at the ALS in Berkeley. In X-ray diffraction microscopy, one of the major challenges when processing the data is to accurately determine the true center of the recorded data; that is, the zero spatial frequency position. Simulations of reconstructing shifted data show that if the center of a 2D diffraction pattern is shifted by more than 3 pixels from its true center, the positivity constraint to the phase, which otherwise might be applied to improve the convergence of the reconstruction algorithm, cannot be imposed. Moreover, the phase unwrapping problem may appear during the reconstruction. These issues undermine the quality of the reconstruction of 2D data. Furthermore, the individual shift in each 2D pattern will lead to errors when assembling a 3D diffraction data cube, making the 3D reconstruction very difficult. We developed a method which uses power spectra of the partial diffraction pattern to pre-align the data. A reconstruction without severe phase unwrapping can then be obtained from the pre-aligned data. Next, the precise zero spatial frequency position can be found by examining the linear ramp present in the reconstructed phase. This method was applied to a freeze-dried yeast data set to show that this approach is effective with experimental data.

Three-dimensional imaging of nanoscale materials by using coherent x-rays

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

Miao, Jianwei

X-ray crystallography is currently the primary methodology used to determine the 3D structure of materials and macromolecules. However, many nanostructures, disordered materials, biomaterials, hybrid materials and biological specimens are noncrystalline and, hence, their structures are not accessible by X-ray crystallography. Probing these structures therefore requires the employment of different approaches. A very promising technique currently under rapid development is X-ray diffraction microscopy (or lensless imaging), in which the coherent X-ray diffraction pattern of a noncrystalline specimen is measured and then directly phased to obtain a high-resolution image. Through the DOE support over the past three years, we have applied X-raymore » diffraction microscopy to quantitative imaging of GaN quantum dot particles, and revealed the internal GaN-Ga2O3 core shell structure in three dimensions. By exploiting the abrupt change in the scattering cross-section near electronic resonances, we carried out the first experimental demonstration of resonant X-ray diffraction microscopy for element specific imaging. We performed nondestructive and quantitative imaging of buried Bi structures inside a Si crystal by directly phasing coherent X-ray diffraction patterns acquired below and above the Bi M5 edge. We have also applied X-ray diffraction microscopy to nondestructive imaging of mineral crystals inside biological composite materials - intramuscular fish bone - at the nanometer scale resolution. We identified mineral crystals in collagen fibrils at different stages of mineralization and proposed a dynamic mechanism to account for the nucleation and growth of mineral crystals in the collagen matrix. In addition, we have also discovered a novel 3D imaging modality, denoted ankylography, which allows for complete 3D structure determination without the necessity of sample titling or scanning. We showed that when the diffraction pattern of a finite object is sampled at a sufficiently fine scale on the Ewald sphere, the 3D structure of the object is determined by the 2D spherical pattern. We confirmed the theoretical analysis by performing 3D numerical reconstructions of a sodium silicate glass structure at 2 A resolution from a 2D spherical diffraction pattern alone. As X-ray free electron lasers are under rapid development worldwide, ankylography may open up a new horizon to obtain the 3D structure of a non-crystalline specimen from a single pulse and allow time-resolved 3D structure determination of disordered materials.« less

Anomalous refraction of light through slanted-nanoaperture arrays on metal surface

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

Kim, Myungji; Jung, Yun Suk; Xi, Yonggang

2015-09-07

We report a nanoapertured metal surface that demonstrates anomalous refraction of light for a wide range of incident angles. A nanoslit aperture is designed to serve as a tilted vertical-dipole whose radiation pattern orients to a glancing angle direction to substrate. An array of such slanted nanoslits formed in a metal film redirects an incident beam into the direction of negative refraction angle: the aperture-transmitted wave makes a far-field propagation to the tilt-oriented direction of radiation pattern. The thus-designed nanoaperture array demonstrates the −1st order diffraction (i.e., to the negative refraction-angle direction) with well-suppressed background transmission (the zero-order direct transmissionmore » and other higher-order diffractions). Engineering the radiation pattern of nanoaperture offers an approach to overcoming the limits of conventional diffractive/refractive optics and complementing metasurface-based nano-optics.« less

Growth of high quality and large-sized Rb 0.3MoO 3 single crystals by molten salt electrolysis method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Junfeng; Xiong, Rui; Yi, Fan; Yin, Di; Ke, Manzhu; Li, Changzhen; Liu, Zhengyou; Shi, Jing

2005-05-01

High quality and large-sized Rb 0.3MoO 3 single crystals were synthesized by molten salt electrolysis method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and rocking curves, as well as the white beam Laue diffraction of X-ray images show the crystals grown by this method have high quality. The lattice constants evaluated from XRD patterns are a0=1.87 nm, b0=0.75 nm, c0=1.00 nm, β=118.83∘. The in situ selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns along the [101¯], [11¯1¯] and [103¯] zone axes at room temperature indicate that the Rb 0.3MoO 3 crystal possess perfect C-centered symmetry. Temperature dependence of the resistivity shows this compound undergoes a metal to semiconductor transition at 183 K.

Low-energy Auger electron diffraction: influence of multiple scattering and angular momentum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chassé, A.; Niebergall, L.; Kucherenko, Yu.

2002-04-01

The angular dependence of Auger electrons excited from single-crystal surfaces is treated theoretically within a multiple-scattering cluster model taking into account the full Auger transition matrix elements. In particular the model has been used to discuss the influence of multiple scattering and angular momentum of the Auger electron wave on Auger electron diffraction (AED) patterns in the region of low kinetic energies. Theoretical results of AED patterns are shown and discussed in detail for Cu(0 0 1) and Ni(0 0 1) surfaces, respectively. Even though Cu and Ni are very similar in their electronic and scattering properties recently strong differences have been found in AED patterns measured in the low-energy region. It is shown that the differences may be caused to superposition of different electron diffraction effects in an energy-integrated experiment. A good agreement between available experimental and theoretical results has been achieved.

Fourier phase retrieval with a single mask by Douglas-Rachford algorithms.

PubMed

Chen, Pengwen; Fannjiang, Albert

2018-05-01

The Fourier-domain Douglas-Rachford (FDR) algorithm is analyzed for phase retrieval with a single random mask. Since the uniqueness of phase retrieval solution requires more than a single oversampled coded diffraction pattern, the extra information is imposed in either of the following forms: 1) the sector condition on the object; 2) another oversampled diffraction pattern, coded or uncoded. For both settings, the uniqueness of projected fixed point is proved and for setting 2) the local, geometric convergence is derived with a rate given by a spectral gap condition. Numerical experiments demonstrate global, power-law convergence of FDR from arbitrary initialization for both settings as well as for 3 or more coded diffraction patterns without oversampling. In practice, the geometric convergence can be recovered from the power-law regime by a simple projection trick, resulting in highly accurate reconstruction from generic initialization.

The effect of fibre content, fibre size and alkali treatment to Charpy impact resistance of Oil Palm fibre reinforced composite material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fitri, Muhamad; Mahzan, Shahruddin

2016-11-01

In this research, the effect of fibre content, fibre size and alkali treatment to the impact resistance of the composite material have been investigated, The composite material employs oil palm fibre as the reinforcement material whereas the matrix used for the composite materials are polypropylene. The Oil Palm fibres are prepared for two conditions: alkali treated fibres and untreated fibres. The fibre sizes are varied in three sizes: 5mm, 7mm and 10mm. During the composite material preparation, the fibre contents also have been varied into 3 different percentages: 5%, 7% and 10%. The statistical approach is used to optimise the variation of specimen determined by using Taguchi method. The results were analyzed also by the Taguchi method and shows that the Oil Palm fibre content is significantly affect the impact resistance of the polymer matrix composite. However, the fibre size is moderately affecting the impact resistance, whereas the fibre treatment is insignificant to the impact resistance of the oil palm fibre reinforced polymer matrix composite.

Dynamic analysis of patterns of renal sympathetic nerve activity: implications for renal function.

PubMed

DiBona, Gerald F

2005-03-01

Methods of dynamic analysis are used to provide additional understanding of the renal sympathetic neural control of renal function. The concept of functionally specific subgroups of renal sympathetic nerve fibres conveying information encoded in the frequency domain is presented. Analog pulse modulation and pseudorandom binary sequence stimulation patterns are used for the determination of renal vascular frequency response. Transfer function analysis is used to determine the effects of non-renal vasoconstrictor and vasoconstrictor intensities of renal sympathetic nerve activity on dynamic autoregulation of renal blood flow.

Surface treated polypropylene (PP) fibres for reinforced concrete

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

López-Buendía, Angel M., E-mail: buendia@uv.es; Romero-Sánchez, María Dolores; Climent, Verónica

Surface treatments on a polypropylene (PP) fibre have contributed to the improvement of fibre/concrete adhesion in fibre-reinforced concrete. The treatments to the PP fibre were characterized by contact angle measurements, ATR-IR and XPS to analyse chemical alterations. The surface topography and fibre/concrete interaction were analysed by several microscopic techniques, namely optical petrographic, and scanning electron microscopy. Treatment modified the surface chemistry and topography of the fibre by introducing sodium moieties and created additional fibre surface roughness. Modifications in the fibre surface led to an increase in the adhesion properties between the treated fibres and concrete and an improvement in themore » mechanical properties of the fibre-reinforced concrete composite as compared to the concrete containing untreated PP fibres. Compatibility with the concrete and increased roughness and mineral surface was also improved by nucleated portlandite and ettringite mineral association anchored on the alkaline PP fibre surface, which is induced during treatment.« less

Direct Observation of Azimuthal Correlations between DNA in Hydrated Aggregates

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

Kornyshev, Alexei A.; Lee, Dominic J.; Wynveen, Aaron

2005-09-30

This study revisits the classical x-ray diffraction patterns from hydrated, noncrystalline fibers originally used to establish the helical structure of DNA. We argue that changes in these diffraction patterns with DNA packing density reveal strong azimuthally dependent interactions between adjacent molecules up to {approx}40 A interaxial or {approx}20 A surface-to-surface separations. These interactions appear to force significant torsional 'straightening' of DNA and strong azimuthal alignment of nearest neighbor molecules. The results are in good agreement with the predictions of recent theoretical models relating DNA-DNA interactions to the helical symmetry of their surface charge patterns.

Melt electrowriting below the critical translation speed to fabricate crimped elastomer scaffolds with non-linear extension behaviour mimicking that of ligaments and tendons.

PubMed

Hochleitner, Gernot; Chen, Fei; Blum, Carina; Dalton, Paul D; Amsden, Brian; Groll, Jürgen

2018-05-01

Ligaments and tendons are comprised of aligned, crimped collagen fibrils that provide tissue-specific mechanical properties with non-linear extension behaviour, exhibiting low stress at initial strain (toe region behaviour). To approximate this behaviour, we report fibrous scaffolds with sinusoidal patterns by melt electrowriting (MEW) below the critical translation speed (CTS) by exploitation of the natural flow behaviour of the polymer melt. More specifically, we synthesised photopolymerizable poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone-co-acryloyl carbonate) (p(LLA-co-ε-CL-co-AC)) and poly(ε-caprolactone-co-acryloyl carbonate) (p(ε-CL-co-AC)) by ring-opening polymerization (ROP). Single fibre (fØ = 26.8 ± 1.9 µm) tensile testing revealed a customisable toe region with Young's Moduli ranging from E = 29 ± 17 MPa for the most crimped structures to E = 314 ± 157 MPa for straight fibres. This toe region extended to scaffolds containing multiple fibres, while the sinusoidal pattern could be influenced by printing speed. The synthesized polymers were cytocompatible and exhibited a tensile strength of σ = 26 ± 7 MPa after 10 4 cycles of preloading at 10% strain while retaining the distinct toe region commonly observed in native ligaments and tendon tissue. Damaged tendons and ligaments are serious and frequently occurring injuries worldwide. Recent therapies, including autologous grafts, still have severe disadvantages leading to a demand for synthetic alternatives. Materials envisioned to induce tendon and ligament regeneration should be degradable, cytocompatible and mimic the ultrastructural and mechanical properties of the native tissue. Specifically, we utilised photo-cross-linkable polymers for additive manufacturing (AM) with MEW. In this way, we were able to direct-write cytocompatible fibres of a few micrometres thickness into crimp-structured elastomer scaffolds that mimic the non-linear biomechanical behaviour of tendon and ligament tissue. Copyright © 2018 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mechanistic Insight into the Elastin Degradation Process by the Metalloprotease Myroilysin from the Deep-Sea Bacterium Myroides profundi D25

PubMed Central

Yang, Jie; Zhao, Hui-Lin; Tang, Bai-Lu; Chen, Xiu-Lan; Su, Hai-Nan; Zhang, Xi-Ying; Song, Xiao-Yan; Zhou, Bai-Cheng; Xie, Bin-Bin; Weiss, Anthony S.; Zhang, Yu-Zhong

2015-01-01

Elastases have been widely studied because of their important uses as medicine and meat tenderizers. However, there are relatively few studies on marine elastases. Myroilysin, secreted by Myroides profundi D25 from deep-sea sediment, is a novel elastase. In this study, we examined the elastin degradation mechanism of myroilysin. When mixed with insoluble bovine elastin, myroilysin bound hydrophobically, suggesting that this elastase may interact with the hydrophobic domains of elastin. Consistent with this, analysis of the cleavage pattern of myroilysin on bovine elastin and recombinant tropoelastin revealed that myroilysin preferentially cleaves peptide bonds with hydrophobic residues at the P1 and/or P1′ positions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of cross-linked recombinant tropoelastin degraded by myroilysin showed preferential damages of spherules over cross-links, as expected for a hydrophobic preference. The degradation process of myroilysin on bovine elastin fibres was followed by light microscopy and SEM, revealing that degradation begins with the formation of crevices and cavities at the fibre surface, with these openings increasing in number and size until the fibre breaks into small pieces, which are subsequently fragmented. Our results are helpful for developing biotechnological applications for myroilysin. PMID:25793427

Muscle fibre recruitment can respond to the mechanics of the muscle contraction.

PubMed

Wakeling, James M; Uehli, Katrin; Rozitis, Antra I

2006-08-22

This study investigates the motor unit recruitment patterns between and within muscles of the triceps surae during cycling on a stationary ergometer at a range of pedal speeds and resistances. Muscle activity was measured from the soleus (SOL), medial gastrocnemius (MG) and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) using surface electromyography (EMG) and quantified using wavelet and principal component analysis. Muscle fascicle strain rates were quantified using ultrasonography, and the muscle-tendon unit lengths were calculated from the segmental kinematics. The EMG intensities showed that the body uses the SOL relatively more for the higher-force, lower-velocity contractions than the MG and LG. The EMG spectra showed a shift to higher frequencies at faster muscle fascicle strain rates for MG: these shifts were independent of the level of muscle activity, the locomotor load and the muscle fascicle strain. These results indicated that a selective recruitment of the faster motor units occurred within the MG muscle in response to the increasing muscle fascicle strain rates. This preferential recruitment of the faster fibres for the faster tasks indicates that in some circumstances motor unit recruitment during locomotion can match the contractile properties of the muscle fibres to the mechanical demands of the contraction.

Ventricular myoarchitecture in tetralogy of Fallot.

PubMed Central

Sanchez-Quintana, D.; Anderson, R. H.; Ho, S. Y.

1996-01-01

BACKGROUND: Little attention has been paid to the architecture of the muscle fibres of the ventricular walls in congenitally malformed hearts. In this study the gross pattern of myocardial fibres in normal hearts was compared with that in cases of tetralogy of Fallot. METHODS AND RESULTS: After morphological examination nine specimens with tetralogy were dissected to study the ventricular myoarchitecture. Changes were found in the shape of the malformed ventricles. The ventricular walls were arranged in layers in all hearts. Superficial and deep layers were present in both ventricles, with the superficial layer showing a more oblique orientation in the specimens with tetralogy than in normal hearts. Modifications of muscle fibre that were related to the type of malformation were seen in the deep layer. A middle layer was present in the left ventricles of normal hearts and specimens with tetralogy: this showed a horizontal orientation in both groups. In contrast, a middle layer was found in the right ventricle only in specimens showing tetralogy. CONCLUSIONS: The malformed hearts showed modifications in ventricular shape, in the arrangement of muscle in the right ventricle, and in the overall myoarchitecture. These changes could well be the consequence of the same agent (or agents) that caused the structural defect. Images PMID:8868990

A Progressive Damage Model for unidirectional Fibre Reinforced Composites with Application to Impact and Penetration Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kerschbaum, M.; Hopmann, C.

2016-06-01

The computationally efficient simulation of the progressive damage behaviour of continuous fibre reinforced plastics is still a challenging task with currently available computer aided engineering methods. This paper presents an original approach for an energy based continuum damage model which accounts for stress-/strain nonlinearities, transverse and shear stress interaction phenomena, quasi-plastic shear strain components, strain rate effects, regularised damage evolution and consideration of load reversal effects. The physically based modelling approach enables experimental determination of all parameters on ply level to avoid expensive inverse analysis procedures. The modelling strategy, implementation and verification of this model using commercially available explicit finite element software are detailed. The model is then applied to simulate the impact and penetration of carbon fibre reinforced cross-ply specimens with variation of the impact speed. The simulation results show that the presented approach enables a good representation of the force-/displacement curves and especially well agreement with the experimentally observed fracture patterns. In addition, the mesh dependency of the results were assessed for one impact case showing only very little change of the simulation results which emphasises the general applicability of the presented method.

Self-interferometric technique for visualization of phase patterns encoded onto a liquid-crystal display

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bentley, Joel B.; Davis, Jeffrey A.; Albero, Jorge; Moreno, Ignacio

2006-10-01

We report a new self-interferometric technique for visualizing phase patterns that are encoded onto a phase-only liquid-crystal display (LCD). In our approach, the LCD generates both the desired object beam as well as the reference beam. Normally the phase patterns are encoded with a phase depth of 2π radians, and all of the incident energy is diffracted into the first-order beam. However, by reducing this phase depth, we can generate an additional zero-order diffracted beam, which acts as the reference beam. We work at distances such that these two patterns spatially interfere, producing an interference pattern that displays the encoded phase pattern. This approach was used recently to display the phase vortices of helical Ince-Gaussian beams. Here we show additional experimental results and analyze the process.

X-Ray Diffraction and the Discovery of the Structure of DNA

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Crouse, David T.

2007-01-01

A method is described for teaching the analysis of X-ray diffraction of DNA through a series of steps utilizing the original methods used by James Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin. The X-ray diffraction pattern led to the conclusion of the basic helical structure of DNA and its dimensions while basic chemical principles…

Conical diffraction as a versatile building block to implement new imaging modalities for superresolution in fluorescence microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fallet, Clément; Caron, Julien; Oddos, Stephane; Tinevez, Jean-Yves; Moisan, Lionel; Sirat, Gabriel Y.; Braitbart, Philippe O.; Shorte, Spencer L.

2014-08-01

We present a new technology for super-resolution fluorescence imaging, based on conical diffraction. Conical diffraction is a linear, singular phenomenon taking place when a polarized beam is diffracted through a biaxial crystal. The illumination patterns generated by conical diffraction are more compact than the classical Gaussian beam; we use them to generate a super-resolution imaging modality. Conical Diffraction Microscopy (CODIM) resolution enhancement can be achieved with any type of objective on any kind of sample preparation and standard fluorophores. Conical diffraction can be used in multiple fashion to create new and disruptive technologies for super-resolution microscopy. This paper will focus on the first one that has been implemented and give a glimpse at what the future of microscopy using conical diffraction could be.

Three-dimensional nanostructure determination from a large diffraction data set recorded using scanning electron nanodiffraction

DOE PAGES

Meng, Yifei; Zuo, Jian -Min

2016-07-04

A diffraction-based technique is developed for the determination of three-dimensional nanostructures. The technique employs high-resolution and low-dose scanning electron nanodiffraction (SEND) to acquire three-dimensional diffraction patterns, with the help of a special sample holder for large-angle rotation. Grains are identified in three-dimensional space based on crystal orientation and on reconstructed dark-field images from the recorded diffraction patterns. Application to a nanocrystalline TiN thin film shows that the three-dimensional morphology of columnar TiN grains of tens of nanometres in diameter can be reconstructed using an algebraic iterative algorithm under specified prior conditions, together with their crystallographic orientations. The principles can bemore » extended to multiphase nanocrystalline materials as well. Furthermore, the tomographic SEND technique provides an effective and adaptive way of determining three-dimensional nanostructures.« less

Data preparation and evaluation techniques for x-ray diffraction microscopy

DOE PAGES

Steinbrener, Jan; Nelson, Johanna; Huang, Xiaojing; ...

2010-01-01

The post-experiment processing of X-ray Diffraction Microscopy data is often time-consuming and difficult. This is mostly due to the fact that even if a preliminary result has been reconstructed, there is no definitive answer as to whether or not a better result with more consistently retrieved phases can still be obtained. In addition, we show here that the first step in data analysis, the assembly of two-dimensional diffraction patterns from a large set of raw diffraction data, is crucial to obtaining reconstructions of highest possible consistency. We have developed software that automates this process and results in consistently accurate diffractionmore » patterns. We have furthermore derived some criteria of validity for a tool commonly used to assess the consistency of reconstructions, the phase retrieval transfer function, and suggest a modified version that has improved utility for judging reconstruction quality.« less

Exploring coherent electron excitation and migration dynamics by electron diffraction with ultrashort X-ray pulses.

PubMed

Yuan, Kai-Jun; Bandrauk, André D

2017-10-04

Exploring ultrafast charge migration is of great importance in biological and chemical reactions. We present a scheme to monitor attosecond charge migration in molecules by electron diffraction with spatial and temporal resolutions from ab initio numerical simulations. An ultraviolet pulse creates a coherent superposition of electronic states, after which a time-delayed attosecond X-ray pulse is used to ionize the molecule. It is found that diffraction patterns in the X-ray photoelectron spectra show an asymmetric structure, which is dependent on the time delay between the pump-probe pulses, encoding the information of molecular orbital symmetry and chemical bonding. We describe these phenomena by developing an electronic time-dependent ultrafast molecular photoionization model of a coherent superposition state. The periodical distortion of electron diffraction patterns illustrates the evolution of the electronic coherence, providing a tool for attosecond imaging of ultrafast molecular reaction processes.

A deep convolutional neural network to analyze position averaged convergent beam electron diffraction patterns.

PubMed

Xu, W; LeBeau, J M

2018-05-01

We establish a series of deep convolutional neural networks to automatically analyze position averaged convergent beam electron diffraction patterns. The networks first calibrate the zero-order disk size, center position, and rotation without the need for pretreating the data. With the aligned data, additional networks then measure the sample thickness and tilt. The performance of the network is explored as a function of a variety of variables including thickness, tilt, and dose. A methodology to explore the response of the neural network to various pattern features is also presented. Processing patterns at a rate of  ∼ 0.1 s/pattern, the network is shown to be orders of magnitude faster than a brute force method while maintaining accuracy. The approach is thus suitable for automatically processing big, 4D STEM data. We also discuss the generality of the method to other materials/orientations as well as a hybrid approach that combines the features of the neural network with least squares fitting for even more robust analysis. The source code is available at https://github.com/subangstrom/DeepDiffraction. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The number of satellite cells in slow and fast fibres from human vastus lateralis muscle.

PubMed

Kadi, Fawzi; Charifi, Nadia; Henriksson, Jan

2006-07-01

The aim of this investigation was to study the distribution of satellite cells in slow (type I fibres) and fast (type II fibres) fibres from human vastus lateralis muscle. This muscle is characterised by a mixed fibre type composition and is considered as the site of choice for biopsies in research work and for clinical diagnosis. Biopsy samples were obtained from five healthy young volunteers and a total of 1,747 type I fibres and 1,760 type II fibres were assessed. Satellite cells and fibre type composition were studied on serial muscle cross-sections stained with specific monoclonal antibodies. From a total of 218 satellite cells, 116 satellite cells were found in contact with type I fibres (53.6+/-8% of the satellite cells associated to type I fibres) and 102 satellite cells in contact with type II fibres (46.4+/-8% of the satellite cells associated to type II fibres). There was no significant difference (P=0.4) between the percentages of satellite cells in contact with type I and with type II fibres. Additionally, there was no relationship between the mean number of satellite cells per fibre and the mean cross-sectional area of muscle fibres. In conclusion, our results show that there is no fibre type-specific distribution of satellite cells in a human skeletal muscle with mixed fibre type composition.

Coded diffraction system in X-ray crystallography using a boolean phase coded aperture approximation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pinilla, Samuel; Poveda, Juan; Arguello, Henry

2018-03-01

Phase retrieval is a problem present in many applications such as optics, astronomical imaging, computational biology and X-ray crystallography. Recent work has shown that the phase can be better recovered when the acquisition architecture includes a coded aperture, which modulates the signal before diffraction, such that the underlying signal is recovered from coded diffraction patterns. Moreover, this type of modulation effect, before the diffraction operation, can be obtained using a phase coded aperture, just after the sample under study. However, a practical implementation of a phase coded aperture in an X-ray application is not feasible, because it is computationally modeled as a matrix with complex entries which requires changing the phase of the diffracted beams. In fact, changing the phase implies finding a material that allows to deviate the direction of an X-ray beam, which can considerably increase the implementation costs. Hence, this paper describes a low cost coded X-ray diffraction system based on block-unblock coded apertures that enables phase reconstruction. The proposed system approximates the phase coded aperture with a block-unblock coded aperture by using the detour-phase method. Moreover, the SAXS/WAXS X-ray crystallography software was used to simulate the diffraction patterns of a real crystal structure called Rhombic Dodecahedron. Additionally, several simulations were carried out to analyze the performance of block-unblock approximations in recovering the phase, using the simulated diffraction patterns. Furthermore, the quality of the reconstructions was measured in terms of the Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR). Results show that the performance of the block-unblock phase coded apertures approximation decreases at most 12.5% compared with the phase coded apertures. Moreover, the quality of the reconstructions using the boolean approximations is up to 2.5 dB of PSNR less with respect to the phase coded aperture reconstructions.

A high-transparency, micro-patternable chip for X-ray diffraction analysis of microcrystals under native growth conditions

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

Murray, Thomas D.; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205; Lyubimov, Artem Y.

A highly X-ray-transparent, silicon nitride-based device has been designed and fabricated to harvest protein microcrystals for high-resolution X-ray diffraction data collection using microfocus beamlines and XFELs. Microcrystals present a significant impediment to the determination of macromolecular structures by X-ray diffraction methods. Although microfocus synchrotron beamlines and X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) can enable the collection of interpretable diffraction data from microcrystals, there is a need for efficient methods of harvesting small volumes (<2 µl) of microcrystals grown under common laboratory formats and delivering them to an X-ray beam source under native growth conditions. One approach that shows promise in overcoming themore » challenges intrinsic to microcrystal analysis is to pair so-called ‘fixed-target’ sample-delivery devices with microbeam-based X-ray diffraction methods. However, to record weak diffraction patterns it is necessary to fabricate devices from X-ray-transparent materials that minimize background scattering. Presented here is the design of a new micro-diffraction device consisting of three layers fabricated from silicon nitride, photoresist and polyimide film. The chip features low X-ray scattering and X-ray absorption properties, and uses a customizable blend of hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface patterns to help localize microcrystals to defined regions. Microcrystals in their native growth conditions can be loaded into the chips with a standard pipette, allowing data collection at room temperature. Diffraction data collected from hen egg-white lysozyme microcrystals (10–15 µm) loaded into the chips yielded a complete, high-resolution (<1.6 Å) data set sufficient to determine a high-quality structure by molecular replacement. The features of the chip allow the rapid and user-friendly analysis of microcrystals grown under virtually any laboratory format at microfocus synchrotron beamlines and XFELs.« less

The relationship between critical flux and fibre movement induced by bubbling in a submerged hollow fibre system.

PubMed

Wicaksana, F; Fan, A G; Chen, V

2005-01-01

Bubbling has been used to enhance various processes. In this paper we deal with the effect of bubbling on submerged hollow fibre membranes, where bubbling is applied to prevent severe membrane fouling. Previous work with submerged hollow fibres has observed that significant fibre movement can be induced by bubbling and that there is a qualitative relationship between fibre movement and filtration performance. Therefore, the aim of the present research has been to analyse the link between bubbling, fibre movement and critical flux, identified as the flux at which the transmembrane pressure (TMP) starts to rise. Tests were performed on vertical isolated fibres with a model feed of yeast suspension. The fibres were subject to steady bubbling from below. The parameters of interest were the fibre characteristics, such as tightness, diameter and length, as well as feed concentration. The results confirmed that the critical fluxes are affected by the fibre characteristics and feed concentration. Higher critical flux values can be achieved by using loose fibres, smaller diameters and longer fibres. The enhancement is partially linked to fibre movement and this is confirmed by improved performance when fibres are subject to mechanical movement in the absence of bubbling.

Anomalous Diffraction in Crystallographic Phase Evaluation

PubMed Central

Hendrickson, Wayne A.

2014-01-01

X-ray diffraction patterns from crystals of biological macromolecules contain sufficient information to define atomic structures, but atomic positions are inextricable without having electron-density images. Diffraction measurements provide amplitudes, but the computation of electron density also requires phases for the diffracted waves. The resonance phenomenon known as anomalous scattering offers a powerful solution to this phase problem. Exploiting scattering resonances from diverse elements, the methods of multiwavelength anomalous diffraction (MAD) and single-wavelength anomalous diffraction (SAD) now predominate for de novo determinations of atomic-level biological structures. This review describes the physical underpinnings of anomalous diffraction methods, the evolution of these methods to their current maturity, the elements, procedures and instrumentation used for effective implementation, and the realm of applications. PMID:24726017

Correlation between muscle structure and filter characteristics of the muscle-joint system in three orthopteran insect species

PubMed

BÄSsler; BÜSchges; Meditz; BÄSsler

1996-01-01

In orthopteran insects, neural networks for joint control exhibit different characteristics due to behavioural specializations. We investigated whether these differences are generated purely by the neuronal networks, or whether characteristics of the muscles or joint architecture (muscle­joint system) are also involved in these behavioural specializations. We compared the properties of the muscle system moving the femur­tibia joint of the middle and hindleg of three species, Carausius morosus, Cuniculina impigra and Locusta migratoria. Four aspects were analysed for the tibial extensor muscle: (i) the frequency-dependence of motoneuronal activity in response to sinusoidal stimulation of the femoral chordotonal organ (fCO), (ii) the muscle structure, (iii) the innervation pattern of the muscle and (iv) the histochemical properties of the muscle fibres. These aspects were compared with the filter characteristics of the open-loop femur­tibia control system and of the muscle­joint system involved. Whereas in both phasmid species (Carausius morosus and Cuniculina impigra) the motoneuronal activity steadily increases with sinusoidal stimulation of the fCO in the frequency range 0.01­5 Hz, in Locusta migratoria there is a decrease in motoneuronal activity between 0.01 and 0.3 Hz. The muscle structure is basically similar in all three species, as the number of singly innervated muscle fibres (supplied by the fast extensor tibiae motor neurone, FETi) decreases from proximal to distal. The number of triply innervated fibres supplied by the FETi, the slow extensor tibiae (SETi) and the common inhibitor 1 (CI1) is maximal in the middle of the muscle, and the number of dually innervated fibres (supplied by SETi, CI1) increases from proximal to distal. Differences between the locust and the two phasmid species exist in the distal portion of the muscle. The phasmid extensor tibiae muscle contains a morphologically distinct bundle of muscle fibres, not present in the locust, which is mostly dually innervated and which is larger in Cuniculina impigra. Similar results were obtained for the histochemical characterisation of the muscle fibres as revealed from their staining for myofibrillar ATPase activity. The number of histochemically identified fast fibres decreased from proximal to distal, while the number of slow fibres increased. In Carausius morosus and Locusta migratoria, the percentage of slow fibres increased by up to 60­70 % at the distal end, while this increase was to almost 100 % in Cuniculina impigra. Apparently, the larger this distal region and the higher the percentage of slow, dually innervated fibres in it, the lower is the upper corner frequency (the stimulus frequency at which the joint control system produces a movement with 70 % of its maximal response amplitude) of the muscle­joint system. In summary, it appears that the upper corner frequency of the open-loop system in Locusta migratoria (<0.05 Hz) results at least in part from properties of the neuronal joint control network, but in Carausius morosus (0.5­1.0 Hz) and Cuniculina impigra (0.1­0.2 Hz) it results from the upper corner frequency of the muscle­joint system.

Amplitude-phase characteristics of electromagnetic fields diffracted by a hole in a thin film with realistic optical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dorofeyev, Illarion

2009-03-01

Characteristics of a quasi-spherical wave front of an electromagnetic field diffracted by a subwavelength hole in a thin film with real optical properties are studied. Related diffraction problem is solved in general by use of the scalar and vector Green's theorems and related Green's function of a boundary-value problem. Local phase deviations of a diffracted wave front from an ideal spherical front are calculated. Diffracted patterns are calculated for the coherent incident fields in case of holes array in a screen of perfect conductivity.

Broadband diffractive lens or imaging element

DOEpatents

Ceglio, Natale M.; Hawryluk, Andrew M.; London, Richard A.; Seppala, Lynn G.

1993-01-01

A broadband diffractive lens or imaging element produces a sharp focus and/or a high resolution image with broad bandwidth illuminating radiation. The diffractive lens is sectored or segmented into regions, each of which focuses or images a distinct narrowband of radiation but all of which have a common focal length. Alternatively, a serial stack of minus filters, each with a diffraction pattern which focuses or images a distinct narrowband of radiation but all of which have a common focal length, is used. The two approaches can be combined. Multifocal broadband diffractive elements can also be formed. Thin film embodiments are described.

Broadband diffractive lens or imaging element

DOEpatents

Ceglio, N.M.; Hawryluk, A.M.; London, R.A.; Seppala, L.G.

1993-10-26

A broadband diffractive lens or imaging element produces a sharp focus and/or a high resolution image with broad bandwidth illuminating radiation. The diffractive lens is sectored or segmented into regions, each of which focuses or images a distinct narrowband of radiation but all of which have a common focal length. Alternatively, a serial stack of minus filters, each with a diffraction pattern which focuses or images a distinct narrowband of radiation but all of which have a common focal length, is used. The two approaches can be combined. Multifocal broadband diffractive elements can also be formed. Thin film embodiments are described. 21 figures.

Ultrafast electron diffraction optimized for studying structural dynamics in thin films and monolayers

PubMed Central

Badali, D. S.; Gengler, R. Y. N.; Miller, R. J. D.

2016-01-01

A compact electron source specifically designed for time-resolved diffraction studies of free-standing thin films and monolayers is presented here. The sensitivity to thin samples is achieved by extending the established technique of ultrafast electron diffraction to the “medium” energy regime (1–10 kV). An extremely compact design, in combination with low bunch charges, allows for high quality diffraction in a lensless geometry. The measured and simulated characteristics of the experimental system reveal sub-picosecond temporal resolution, while demonstrating the ability to produce high quality diffraction patterns from atomically thin samples. PMID:27226978

Dietary patterns of adolescents in Germany--associations with nutrient intake and other health related lifestyle characteristics.

PubMed

Richter, Almut; Heidemann, Christin; Schulze, Matthias B; Roosen, Jutta; Thiele, Silke; Mensink, Gert B M

2012-03-22

The aim of this study was to identify dietary patterns among a representative sample of German adolescents and their associations with energy and nutrient intake, socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics, and overweight status. In the analysis, data from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents were used. The survey included a comprehensive dietary history interview conducted among 1272 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years. Dietary patterns were determined with principal component analysis (PCA) based on 48 food groups, for boys and girls separately. Three dietary patterns among boys and two among girls were identified. Among boys, high adherence to the 'western' pattern was associated with higher age, lower socioeconomic status (SES), and lower physical activity level (PA). High adherence to the 'healthy' pattern among boys, but not among girls, was associated with higher SES, and higher PA. Among boys, high adherence to the 'traditional' pattern was associated with higher age. Among girls, high adherence to the 'traditional and western' pattern was associated with lower age, lower SES and more hours watching TV per day. The nutrient density of several vitamins and minerals, particularly of B-vitamins and calcium, increased with increasing scores of the 'healthy' pattern among both sexes. Conversely, with increasing scores of the 'western' pattern among boys, most nutrient densities decreased, particularly of fibre, beta-carotene, vitamin D, biotin and calcium. Among girls with higher scores of the 'traditional and western' pattern, nutrient densities of vitamin A, C, E, K and folate decreased. Among boys, high adherence to the 'traditional' pattern was correlated with higher densities of vitamin B12 and vitamin D and lower densities of fibre, magnesium and iron. No significant associations between dietary patterns and overweight were found. Higher scores for dietary patterns characterized by higher consumption of take away food, meat, confectionary and soft drinks ('western' and 'traditional and western') were found particularly among 16- to 17-years old boys and among adolescents with lower SES. These patterns were also associated with higher energy density, higher percent of energy from unsaturated fatty acids and lower percent of energy from carbohydrates as well as lower nutrient densities of several vitamins and minerals. Therefore, nutritional interventions should try to focus more on adolescents with lower SES and boys in general.

PyXRD v0.6.7: a free and open-source program to quantify disordered phyllosilicates using multi-specimen X-ray diffraction profile fitting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dumon, M.; Van Ranst, E.

2016-01-01

This paper presents a free and open-source program called PyXRD (short for Python X-ray diffraction) to improve the quantification of complex, poly-phasic mixed-layer phyllosilicate assemblages. The validity of the program was checked by comparing its output with Sybilla v2.2.2, which shares the same mathematical formalism. The novelty of this program is the ab initio incorporation of the multi-specimen method, making it possible to share phases and (a selection of) their parameters across multiple specimens. PyXRD thus allows for modelling multiple specimens side by side, and this approach speeds up the manual refinement process significantly. To check the hypothesis that this multi-specimen set-up - as it effectively reduces the number of parameters and increases the number of observations - can also improve automatic parameter refinements, we calculated X-ray diffraction patterns for four theoretical mineral assemblages. These patterns were then used as input for one refinement employing the multi-specimen set-up and one employing the single-pattern set-ups. For all of the assemblages, PyXRD was able to reproduce or approximate the input parameters with the multi-specimen approach. Diverging solutions only occurred in single-pattern set-ups, which do not contain enough information to discern all minerals present (e.g. patterns of heated samples). Assuming a correct qualitative interpretation was made and a single pattern exists in which all phases are sufficiently discernible, the obtained results indicate a good quantification can often be obtained with just that pattern. However, these results from theoretical experiments cannot automatically be extrapolated to all real-life experiments. In any case, PyXRD has proven to be useful when X-ray diffraction patterns are modelled for complex mineral assemblages containing mixed-layer phyllosilicates with a multi-specimen approach.

Temporal Feeding Pattern May Influence Reproduction Efficiency, the Example of Breeding Mares

PubMed Central

Benhajali, Haifa; Ezzaouia, Mohammed; Lunel, Christophe; Charfi, Faouzia; Hausberger, Martine

2013-01-01

Discomfort in farm animals may be induced by inappropriate types or timing of food supplies. Thus, time restriction of meals and lack of roughage have been shown to be one source of emergence of oral stereotypies and abnormal behaviour in horses which have evolved to eat high-fibre diets in small amounts over long periods of time. This feeding pattern is often altered in domestic environment where horses are often fed low fibre meals that can be rapidly consumed. This study aimed at determining the effect of the temporal pattern of feeding on reproductive efficiency of breeding mares, One hundred Arab breeding mares were divided into two groups that differed only in the temporal pattern of roughage availability: only at night for the standard feeding pattern group (SFP mares), night and day for the “continuous feeding” group (CF mares). The total amount of roughage provided was the same as the CF mares received half of the hay during the day while in paddock (haynets). Mares were tested for oestrus detection by teasing with one stallion and were then examined clinically by rectal palpations and ultrasound before being mated naturally or inseminated by fresh or frozen semen. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse data. The treatment affected significantly the reproductive efficiency of the mares with fewer oestrus abnormalities (p = 0.0002) and more fertility (p = 0.024) in CF mares (conception rate = 81% versus 55% in SFP mares). Ensuring semi-continous feeding by providing roughage may be a way of fulfilling the basic physiological needs of the horses' digestive system, reducing stress and associated inhibitors of reproduction. To our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence of an impact of temporal feeding patterns on reproductive success in a Mammal. Temporal patterns of feeding may be a major and underestimated factor in breeding. PMID:24098636

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-06-06

X-rays diffracted from a well-ordered protein crystal create sharp patterns of scattered light on film. A computer can use these patterns to generate a model of a protein molecule. To analyze the selected crystal, an X-ray crystallographer shines X-rays through the crystal. Unlike a single dental X-ray, which produces a shadow image of a tooth, these X-rays have to be taken many times from different angles to produce a pattern from the scattered light, a map of the intensity of the X-rays after they diffract through the crystal. The X-rays bounce off the electron clouds that form the outer structure of each atom. A flawed crystal will yield a blurry pattern; a well-ordered protein crystal yields a series of sharp diffraction patterns. From these patterns, researchers build an electron density map. With powerful computers and a lot of calculations, scientists can use the electron density patterns to determine the structure of the protein and make a computer-generated model of the structure. The models let researchers improve their understanding of how the protein functions. They also allow scientists to look for receptor sites and active areas that control a protein's function and role in the progress of diseases. From there, pharmaceutical researchers can design molecules that fit the active site, much like a key and lock, so that the protein is locked without affecting the rest of the body. This is called structure-based drug design.

The relationship between hardness to the tensile properties of kenaf/ unsaturated polyester composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghaztar, Muhammad Mustakim Mohd; Romli, Ahmad Zafir; Ibrahim, Nik Noor Idayu Nik

2017-12-01

The level of fibre-matrix interaction and consolidation are essential aspects to determine the composite deformation but, less attention is given to the effect of small fibre weight increment (5 wt%), chemical treatment coalition (NaOH/ silane), fibre's length and aspect ratio to the physical and mechanical properties of the composite. Hence, this paper studies the correlation between these parameters towards hardness and tensile properties of Kenaf fibre and unsaturated polyester (UP) matrix. The study was carried out by fabricating the sample into two (2) types of fibre categories and fibre loadings and tested to determine its properties. The results showed that the hardness and tensile stress were significantly influenced by the fibre loading and dispersion of the fabricated samples. At low filler loading, the treated samples for both fibre sizes showed lower hardness property compared to the untreated samples. The chemical treatment coalition might diffuse out the pectin and hemicellulose which affect the ability of the fibre to absorb the force applied by the hardness indenter. Good fibre dispersion observed for the treated samples also resulted in the fibre-dominating composite system where the fibres were efficiently absorbed and distributed the indentation force. However, chemical treatments and good fibre dispersion contributed to the higher tensile stress of the treated fibre samples especially for smaller fibre length and aspect ratio compared to the untreated samples. At high fibre loading, treated fibre samples showed higher hardness property compared to the untreated samples since the treatment resulted in better fibre wetting by the matrix and the formation of pack structure. However, high fibre loading caused the mutual abrasion among the fibre which led to the lower tensile stress compared to the low fibre loading samples. In conclusion, by understanding the factors that influenced the reinforcing mechanism of the composite, the inconsistency of natural based composite strength can be resolved.

Speckle in the diffraction patterns of Hendricks-Teller and icosahedral glass models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garg, Anupam; Levine, Dov

1988-01-01

It is shown that the X-ray diffraction patterns from the Hendricks-Teller model for layered systems and the icosahedral glass models for the icosahedral phases show large fluctuations between nearby scattering wave vectors and from sample to sample, that are quite analogous to laser speckle. The statistics of these fluctuations are studied analytically for the first model and via computer simulations for the second. The observability of these effects is discussed briefly.

Elimination of coherent noise in a coherent light imaging system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grebowsky, G. J.; Hermann, R. L.; Paull, H. B.; Shulman, A. R.

1970-01-01

Optical imaging systems using coherent light introduce objectionable noise into the output image plane. Dust and bubbles on and in lenses cause most of the noise in the output image. This noise usually appears as bull's-eye diffraction patterns in the image. By rotating the lens about the optical axis these diffraction patterns can be essentially eliminated. The technique does not destroy the spatial coherence of the light and permits spatial filtering of the input plane.

Effect of ecological surface treatment method on friction strength properties of nettle (urtica dioica) fibre yarns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Şansal, S.; Mıstık, S. I.; Fettahov, R.; Ovalı, S.; Duman, M.

2017-10-01

Over the last few decades, more attention is given to lignocellulose based fibres as reinforcement material in the polymer composites owing to the environmental pollution caused by the extensive usage of synthetic and inorganic fibres. Developing new natural fibre reinforced composites is the focus of many researches nowadays. They are made from renewable resources and they have less environmental effect in comparison to inorganic fibre reinforced composites. The interest of consumers in eco-friendly natural fibres and textiles has increased in recent years. Unlike inorganic fibres, natural fibres present light weight, high strength/density ratio and are readily available, environmentally friendly and biodegradable. Many different types of natural fibres are exploited for the production of biodegradable polymer composites. The nettle (Urtica dioica L.) is a well-known plant growing on rural sites of Europe, Asia, and North America. Nettle plant contains fibre similar to hemp and flax. However, similar to other natural fibres, nettle fibres are poorly compatible with the thermoplastic matrix of composites, due to their hydrophilic character which reduces mechanical properties of nettle fibre reinforced thermoplastics. In order to improve the fibrematrix adhesion of the natural fibre reinforced composites, surface treatment processes are applied to the lignocellulose fibres. In this study nettle (urtica dioica) fibre yarns were treated with NaOH by using conventional, ultrasonic and microwave energy methods. After treatment processes tensile strength, elongation, friction strength and SEM observations of the nettle fibre yarns were investigated. All treatment processes were improved the tensile strength, elongation and friction strength properties of the nettle fibre yarns. Also higher tensile strength, elongation and friction strength properties were obtained from treated nettle fibre yarns which treated by using microwave energy method.

Photoelectron and Auger electron diffraction studies of a sulfur-terminated GaAs(001)-(2×6) surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimoda, M.; Tsukamoto, S.; Koguchi, N.

1998-01-01

Core-level X-ray photoelectron diffraction (XPD) and Auger electron diffraction (AED) have been applied to investigate the sulfur-terminated GaAs(001)-(2×6) surface. No forward scattering peaks were found in the XPD pattern of S 2s emission, indicating that adsorbed S atoms form a single layer on the GaAs substrate. In accordance with the zincblende structure of GaAs, the AED patterns of Ga L 3M 45M 45 and As L 3M 45M 45 emission almost coincide with each other, if one of the emissions is rotated by 90° around the [001] direction. This fact suggests that the diffraction patterns mainly reflect the structure of the bulk GaAs crystal. In order to investigate the surface structure, AED patterns in large polar angles were analyzed with single scattering cluster (SSC) calculations. The best result was obtained with a model cluster where the S-S bond length was set at 0.28 nm, 30% shorter than the corresponding length of the ideal (1×1) structure, and the adsorption height was set at 0.12-0.13 nm, 10% shorter than the ideal interlayer distance of GaAs(001) planes. These values are in good agreement with the results of STM measurements. A modulation of the inter-dimer distance was also found, suggesting the existence of missing dimers.

When holography meets coherent diffraction imaging.

PubMed

Latychevskaia, Tatiana; Longchamp, Jean-Nicolas; Fink, Hans-Werner

2012-12-17

The phase problem is inherent to crystallographic, astronomical and optical imaging where only the intensity of the scattered signal is detected and the phase information is lost and must somehow be recovered to reconstruct the object's structure. Modern imaging techniques at the molecular scale rely on utilizing novel coherent light sources like X-ray free electron lasers for the ultimate goal of visualizing such objects as individual biomolecules rather than crystals. Here, unlike in the case of crystals where structures can be solved by model building and phase refinement, the phase distribution of the wave scattered by an individual molecule must directly be recovered. There are two well-known solutions to the phase problem: holography and coherent diffraction imaging (CDI). Both techniques have their pros and cons. In holography, the reconstruction of the scattered complex-valued object wave is directly provided by a well-defined reference wave that must cover the entire detector area which often is an experimental challenge. CDI provides the highest possible, only wavelength limited, resolution, but the phase recovery is an iterative process which requires some pre-defined information about the object and whose outcome is not always uniquely-defined. Moreover, the diffraction patterns must be recorded under oversampling conditions, a pre-requisite to be able to solve the phase problem. Here, we report how holography and CDI can be merged into one superior technique: holographic coherent diffraction imaging (HCDI). An inline hologram can be recorded by employing a modified CDI experimental scheme. We demonstrate that the amplitude of the Fourier transform of an inline hologram is related to the complex-valued visibility, thus providing information on both, the amplitude and the phase of the scattered wave in the plane of the diffraction pattern. With the phase information available, the condition of oversampling the diffraction patterns can be relaxed, and the phase problem can be solved in a fast and unambiguous manner. We demonstrate the reconstruction of various diffraction patterns of objects recorded with visible light as well as with low-energy electrons. Although we have demonstrated our HCDI method using laser light and low-energy electrons, it can also be applied to any other coherent radiation such as X-rays or high-energy electrons.

The benefits of early intervention in obese diabetic patients with FBCx: a new dietary fibre.

PubMed

Grunberger, George; Jen, K-L Catherine; Artiss, Joseph D

2007-01-01

Obesity and diabetes have become epidemic in the US. Dietary fibres have been reported to reduce the absorption of dietary fat, prevent weight gain, and reduce blood lipid levels. In the current double-blind study, obese patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited for a 3-month study to examine the health effects of a new dietary fibre, FBCx. Sixty-six participants were recruited and were randomized into FBCx or placebo groups. They were instructed to take two 1-g tablets per fat-containing meal and not to change their eating patterns or daily routine. Three-day dietary records and fasting blood samples were collected prior to enrollment in the study and at the end of months 1, 2 and 3. Dietary records showed that some participants changed their eating patterns; therefore body weight data were adjusted according to energy intake. As a group, in the 30 days leading into the study, all participants experienced an average weight gain of 1.0 +/- 0.4 kg, while those in the placebo group continued to gain weight during the study, those in the FBCx group maintained their weight. Those in the FBCx group required more energy to maintain their body weight while those in the placebo group required less (p < 0.05). Participants with hypertriglyceridemia showed a reduction (-0.48 +/- 0.24 mmol/L, - 8.2%) in total cholesterol with FBCx, while those with placebo had an increase (0.24 +/- 0.21 mmol/L, 5.2%, p < 0.05). Adiponectin was increased in the FBCx but reduced in the placebo group (p < 0.05). FBCx has thus shown promising benefits in weight maintenance, a reduction of blood lipids and an increase in adiponectin levels. It can be easily incorporated into a diabetic management regimen.

Innervation pattern of the preocular human central retinal artery.

PubMed

Bergua, Antonio; Kapsreiter, Markus; Neuhuber, Winfried L; Reitsamer, Herbert A; Schrödl, Falk

2013-05-01

The central retinal artery (CRA) is the main vessel for inner retinal oxygen and nutrition supply. While the intraocular branches lack autonomic innervation, the innervation pattern of the extra-ocular part of this vessel along its course within the optic nerve is poorly investigated. This part however is essential for maintenance of retinal blood supply, in physiological and pathological conditions. Therefore, the aim of this study was the characterization of the autonomic innervation of the preocular CRA in humans with morphological methods. Meeting the Declaration of Helsinki, eyes of body or cornea donors were processed for single or double immunohistochemistry against tyrosine hydroxilase (TH), dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH), choline acetyl-transferase (ChAT), vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), and cytochemistry for NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d). For documentation, light-, fluorescence-, and confocal laser-scanning microscopy were used. TH and DBH immunoreactive nerve fibres were detected in the CRA vessel wall, although a distinct perivascular plexus was missing. Further, nerve fibres immunoreactive for ChAT and VAChT were found, while CGRP, SP, and VIP were not detected. NADPH-d staining revealed scattered nerve fibres in the adventitia of the CRA and in close vicinity; however, nNOS-immunostaining could not confirm this finding. The CRA receives adrenergic and cholinergic innervations, indicating sympathetic and parasympathetic components, respectively. Remarkably, a peptidergic primary afferent innervation was missing. Since clinical results suggest an autoregulation of intraretinal vessels, further studies are needed to clarify the impact of CRA innervation for retinal perfusion. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Distribution of enkephalin-like immunoreactivity in the cat digestive tract.

PubMed

Bagnol, D; Henry, M; Cupo, A; Julé, Y

1997-05-12

Immunohistochemical investigations were carried out to determine the pattern of distribution of methionine- and leucine-enkephalin-like materials in the cat pylorus, duodenum, ileum and proximal and distal colon. The present results indicate that leucine-enkephalin-like materials are less densely distributed than methionine-enkephalin-like materials, but that the two patterns of distribution show some similarities. Considerable regional differences exist however in the distribution of these enkephalin-like materials in the muscular layers. In the duodenum, ileum and proximal colon, the immunoreactivity was mainly confined to the myenteric plexus and the circular muscle layer, where it was present in nerve cell bodies and in numerous fibres. In the longitudinal muscle and submucous layers, a few immunoreactive fibres were observed which sometimes surrounded blood vessels. In the pylorus and the distal colon, however, numerous immunoreactive fibres were observed in the longitudinal and circular muscle layers; the immunoreactivity was detected in the cell bodies of numerous myenteric plexus neurons but those of only a few submucous plexus neurons. In addition, the pylorus tissues contained immunoreactive plexi which were localized either within the longitudinal muscle or between the serosa and the longitudinal muscle layer. These plexi were connected to the myenteric plexus by immunoreactive nerve strands. In all the small intestinal segments studied, numerous immunoreactive varicosities were present in the deep muscular plexus, in the inner part of the circular muscle layer. Our results suggest that in cats, the nervous control of external muscular layers mediated by enkephalins shows regional differences. In the pylorus and the distal colon, it involves both the longitudinal and circular muscle layers, whereas in other intestinal segments, only the circular muscle layer is involved.

Using reduced rank regression methods to identify dietary patterns associated with obesity: a cross-country study among European and Australian adolescents.

PubMed

Huybrechts, Inge; Lioret, Sandrine; Mouratidou, Theodora; Gunter, Marc J; Manios, Yannis; Kersting, Mathilde; Gottrand, Frederic; Kafatos, Anthony; De Henauw, Stefaan; Cuenca-García, Magdalena; Widhalm, Kurt; Gonzales-Gross, Marcela; Molnar, Denes; Moreno, Luis A; McNaughton, Sarah A

2017-01-01

This study aims to examine repeatability of reduced rank regression (RRR) methods in calculating dietary patterns (DP) and cross-sectional associations with overweight (OW)/obesity across European and Australian samples of adolescents. Data from two cross-sectional surveys in Europe (2006/2007 Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence study, including 1954 adolescents, 12-17 years) and Australia (2007 National Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey, including 1498 adolescents, 12-16 years) were used. Dietary intake was measured using two non-consecutive, 24-h recalls. RRR was used to identify DP using dietary energy density, fibre density and percentage of energy intake from fat as the intermediate variables. Associations between DP scores and body mass/fat were examined using multivariable linear and logistic regression as appropriate, stratified by sex. The first DP extracted (labelled 'energy dense, high fat, low fibre') explained 47 and 31 % of the response variation in Australian and European adolescents, respectively. It was similar for European and Australian adolescents and characterised by higher consumption of biscuits/cakes, chocolate/confectionery, crisps/savoury snacks, sugar-sweetened beverages, and lower consumption of yogurt, high-fibre bread, vegetables and fresh fruit. DP scores were inversely associated with BMI z-scores in Australian adolescent boys and borderline inverse in European adolescent boys (so as with %BF). Similarly, a lower likelihood for OW in boys was observed with higher DP scores in both surveys. No such relationships were observed in adolescent girls. In conclusion, the DP identified in this cross-country study was comparable for European and Australian adolescents, demonstrating robustness of the RRR method in calculating DP among populations. However, longitudinal designs are more relevant when studying diet-obesity associations, to prevent reverse causality.

Scanning digital lithography providing high speed large area patterning with diffraction limited sub-micron resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Sy-Bor; Bhaskar, Arun; Zhang, Hongjie

2018-07-01

A scanning digital lithography system using computer controlled digital spatial light modulator, spatial filter, infinity correct optical microscope and high precision translation stage is proposed and examined. Through utilizing the spatial filter to limit orders of diffraction modes for light delivered from the spatial light modulator, we are able to achieve diffraction limited deep submicron spatial resolution with the scanning digital lithography system by using standard one inch level optical components with reasonable prices. Raster scanning of this scanning digital lithography system using a high speed high precision x-y translation stage and piezo mount to real time adjust the focal position of objective lens allows us to achieve large area sub-micron resolved patterning with high speed (compared with e-beam lithography). It is determined in this study that to achieve high quality stitching of lithography patterns with raster scanning, a high-resolution rotation stage will be required to ensure the x and y directions of the projected pattern are in the same x and y translation directions of the nanometer precision x-y translation stage.

Direct laser interference patterning of ophthalmic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sola, D.; Lavieja, C.; Orera, A.; Clemente, M. J.

2018-07-01

The inscription of diffractive elements in ophthalmic polymers and ocular tissues to induce refractive index changes is of great interest in the fields of Optics and Ophthalmology. In this work fabrication of linear periodic patterns in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) intraocular lenses by means of the direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) technique was studied. A Q-Switch Nd:YAG laser coupled to second and third harmonic modules emitting linearly polarized 4 ns pulses at 355 nm with 20 Hz repetition rate was used as the laser source. Laser processing parameters were modified to produce the linear patterns. Processed samples were characterized by means of optical confocal microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy SEM, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy EDX, Attenuated Total Reflectance-Infrared Spectroscopy ATR-FTIR, and Raman Spectroscopy. Depending on the laser parameters both photo-thermal and photo-chemical damage were observed in the DLIP irradiated areas. Finally, diffractive techniques were used to characterize the diffraction gratings inscribed in the samples resulting in a refractive index change of 1.9 × 10-2 under illumination of a 632.8 nm He-Ne laser.

Diffraction-based overlay metrology for double patterning technologies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dasari, Prasad; Korlahalli, Rahul; Li, Jie; Smith, Nigel; Kritsun, Oleg; Volkman, Cathy

2009-03-01

The extension of optical lithography to 32nm and beyond is made possible by Double Patterning Techniques (DPT) at critical levels of the process flow. The ease of DPT implementation is hindered by increased significance of critical dimension uniformity and overlay errors. Diffraction-based overlay (DBO) has shown to be an effective metrology solution for accurate determination of the overlay errors associated with double patterning [1, 2] processes. In this paper we will report its use in litho-freeze-litho-etch (LFLE) and spacer double patterning technology (SDPT), which are pitch splitting solutions that reduce the significance of overlay errors. Since the control of overlay between various mask/level combinations is critical for fabrication, precise and accurate assessment of errors by advanced metrology techniques such as spectroscopic diffraction based overlay (DBO) and traditional image-based overlay (IBO) using advanced target designs will be reported. A comparison between DBO, IBO and CD-SEM measurements will be reported. . A discussion of TMU requirements for 32nm technology and TMU performance data of LFLE and SDPT targets by different overlay approaches will be presented.

Chemistry Notes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

School Science Review, 1972

1972-01-01

Short articles describe preparation of clean iron sheet for corrosion experiments, models of crystalline structures using glass marbles, photographic production of diffraction grids for producing analogies of X-ray diffraction patterns, and a simple method of determining a reactivity series for the common metals. (AL)

Foreign body granuloma of the penis caused by occupational glass fibre exposure.

PubMed Central

Hinnen, U; Elsner, P; Barraud, M; Burg, G

1997-01-01

We report a patient who presented with the suspected diagnosis of syphilis. Clinical findings included a penile ulcer, positive history of syphilis more than 20 years ago, and positive syphilis serology (TPHA, FTA-Abs). A biopsy showed a plasma-cell rich inflammation with granuloma formation. Since a birefractory structure was observed in the biopsy possibly corresponding to a foreign body, the patient's occupational exposure was investigated. Working in the fiber reinforced plastics industry, he was heavily exposed to glass fibre that was even detected on the inside of his underwear. Taking the serological pattern into account that was not consistent with active syphilis, a penile ulcer following a foreign body reaction was diagnosed. This case report demonstrates the difficulties of differentiating foreign body granuloma of the genital region from venereal diseases with granuloma formation. Images PMID:9582491

Transverse tripolar spinal cord stimulation: theoretical performance of a dual channel system.

PubMed

Struijk, J J; Holsheimer, J

1996-07-01

A new approach to spinal cord stimulation is presented, by which several serious problems of conventional methods can be solved. A transverse tripolar electrode with a dual-channel voltage stimulator is evaluated theoretically by means of a volume conductor model, combined with nerve fibre models. The simulations predict that a high degree of freedom in the control of activation of dorsal spinal pathways may be obtained with the described system. This implies an easier control of paraesthesia coverage of skin areas and the possibility to correct undesired paraesthesia patterns, caused by lead migration, tissue growth, or anatomical asymmetries, for example, without surgical intervention. It will also be possible to preferentially activate either dorsal column or dorsal root fibres, which has some important clinical advantages. Compared to conventional stimulation systems, the new system has a relatively high current drain.

Analysis of Short and Long Range Atomic Order in Nanocrystalline Diamonds with Application of Powder Diffractometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Palosz, B.; Grzanka, E.; Stelmakh, S.; Pielaszek, R.; Bismayer, U.; Neuefiend, J.; Weber, H.-P.; Proffen, T.; VonDreele, R.; Palosz, W.;

X-ray diffraction patterns and diffracted intensity of Kα spectral lines of He-like ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goyal, Arun; Khatri, Indu; Singh, A. K.; Sharma, Rinku; Mohan, Man

2017-09-01

In the present paper, we have calculated fine-structure energy levels related to the configurations 1s2s, 1s2p, 1s3s and 1s3p by employing GRASP2K code. We have also computed radiative data for transitions from 1s2p 1 P1o, 1s2p 3 P2o, 1s2p 3 P1o and 1s2s 3S1 to the ground state 1s2. We have made comparisons of our presented energy levels and transition wavelengths with available results compiled by NIST and good agreement is achieved. We have also provided X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of Kα spectral lines, namely w, x, y and z of Cu XXVIII, Kr XXXV and Mo with diffraction angle and maximum diffracted intensity which is not published elsewhere in the literature. We believe that our presented results may be beneficial in determination of the order parameter, X-ray crystallography, solid-state drug analysis, forensic science, geological and medical applications.

Femtosecond time-resolved MeV electron diffraction

DOE PAGES

Zhu, Pengfei; Zhu, Y.; Hidaka, Y.; ...

2015-06-02

We report the experimental demonstration of femtosecond electron diffraction using high-brightness MeV electron beams. High-quality, single-shot electron diffraction patterns for both polycrystalline aluminum and single-crystal 1T-TaS 2 are obtained utilizing a 5 fC (~3 × 10 4 electrons) pulse of electrons at 2.8 MeV. The high quality of the electron diffraction patterns confirms that electron beam has a normalized emittance of ~50 nm rad. The transverse and longitudinal coherence length is ~11 and ~2.5 nm, respectively. The timing jitter between the pump laser and probe electron beam was found to be ~100 fs (rms). The temporal resolution is demonstrated bymore » observing the evolution of Bragg and superlattice peaks of 1T-TaS 2 following an 800 nm optical pump and was found to be 130 fs. Lastly, our results demonstrate the advantages of MeV electrons, including large elastic differential scattering cross-section and access to high-order reflections, and the feasibility of ultimately realizing below 10 fs time-resolved electron diffraction.« less

Low-kilovolt coherent electron diffractive imaging instrument based on a single-atom electron source

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

Lin, Chun-Yueh; Chang, Wei-Tse; Chen, Yi-Sheng

2016-03-15

In this work, a transmission-type, low-kilovolt coherent electron diffractive imaging instrument was constructed. It comprised a single-atom field emitter, a triple-element electrostatic lens, a sample holder, and a retractable delay line detector to record the diffraction patterns at different positions behind the sample. It was designed to image materials thinner than 3 nm. The authors analyzed the asymmetric triple-element electrostatic lens for focusing the electron beams and achieved a focused beam spot of 87 nm on the sample plane at the electron energy of 2 kV. High-angle coherent diffraction patterns of a suspended graphene sample corresponding to (0.62 Å){sup −1} were recorded. This workmore » demonstrated the potential of coherent diffractive imaging of thin two-dimensional materials, biological molecules, and nano-objects at a voltage between 1 and 10 kV. The ultimate goal of this instrument is to achieve atomic resolution of these materials with high contrast and little radiation damage.« less

X-ray diffraction study of nanocrystalline and amorphous structure within major and minor ampullate dragline spider silks

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

Sampath, Sujatha; Isdebski, Thomas; Jenkins, Janelle E.

Synchrotron X-ray micro-diffraction experiments were carried out on Nephila clavipes (NC) and Argiope aurantia (AA) major (MA) and minor ampullate (MiA) fibers that make up dragline spider silk. The diffraction patterns show a semi-crystalline structure with {beta}-poly(L-alanine) nanocrystallites embedded in a partially oriented amorphous matrix. A superlattice reflection 'S' diffraction ring is observed, which corresponds to a crystalline component larger in size and is poorly oriented, when compared to the {beta}-poly(L-alanine) nanocrystallites that are commonly observed in dragline spider silks. Crystallite size, crystallinity and orientation about the fiber axis have been determined from the wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) patterns. Inmore » both NC and AA, the MiA silks are found to be more highly crystalline, when compared with the corresponding MA silks. Detailed analysis on the amorphous matrix shows considerable differences in the degree of order of the oriented amorphous component between the different silks studied and may play a crucial role in determining the mechanical properties of the silks.« less

CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray Disc Diffraction with a Laser Ray Box

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

DeWeerd, Alan J.

2016-01-01

A compact disc (CD) can be used as a diffraction grating, even though its track consists of a series of pits, not a continuous groove. Previous authors described how to measure the track spacing on a CD using an incident laser beam normal to the surface or one at an oblique angle. In both cases, the diffraction pattern was projected on a screen…

JMFA2—a graphically interactive Java program that fits microfibril angle X-ray diffraction data

Treesearch

Steve P. Verrill; David E. Kretschmann; Victoria L. Herian

2006-01-01

X-ray diffraction techniques have the potential to decrease the time required to determine microfibril angles dramatically. In this paper, we discuss the latest version of a curve-fitting toll that permits us to reduce the time required to evaluate MFA X-ray diffraction patterns. Further, because this tool reflects the underlying physics more accurately than existing...

'Fibre body': the concept of fibre in eighteenth-century medicine, c.1700-40.

PubMed

Ishizuka, Hisao

2012-10-01

This paper attempts a comprehensive account of 'fibre medicine' elaborated by iatromechanists from c. 1700 to c. 1740. Fibre medicine, a medical theory informed by the notion of the fibre, has been neglected by medical historians despite the pivotal role played by the fibre in animal economy. Referring to a wide range of medical fields such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, therapeutics and life sciences, this paper elucidates the ways that the fibre serves as an indispensable concept for iatromechanists to establish their medical theories. This paper also highlights the metaphorical dimension of the fibre as an integral part of fibre medicine. In re-evaluating the concept of the fibre, this paper seeks to redress the neuro-centric view of eighteenth-century medicine, and attempts to locate the fibre body amidst the fundamental shift from humoralism to solidism.

Experimental and numerical study on refractive index sensors based on fibre Bragg gratings inscribed in multimode fibre

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Filipe Kuhne, Jean; Rocha, Ana Maria; de Oliveira, Valmir; José Kalinowski, Hypolito; Canute Kamikawachi, Ricardo

2018-02-01

In this work is reported the experimental and numerical results of the refractive index response of etched fibre Bragg gratings written in a graded index multimode fibre. The responses of the modes coupled by the grating inscribed in a multimode fibre are compared with the mode coupled by a grating inscribed in single mode fibre. The results of this study show that the refractive index sensitivity and the dynamical range of etched fibre Bragg gratings written in multimode fibres are higher than the ones verified in single-mode fibres. The determination of oil-biodiesel blend concentrations are also compared as an example of practical applications. It is shown that a greater core diameter of the multimode fibre enables the Bragg gratings to exhibit enhanced sensitivity without requiring further fibre diameter reduction.

Transmission X-ray Diffraction (XRD) Patterns Relevant to the MSL Chemin Amorphous Component: Sulfates And Silicates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morris, R. V.; Rampe, E. B.; Graff, T. G.; Archer, P. D., Jr.; Le, L.; Ming, D. W.; Sutter, B.

2015-01-01

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) CheMin instrument on the Curiosity rover is a transmission X-ray diffractometer (Co-Kalpha radiation source and a approx.5deg to approx.52deg 2theta range) where the analyzed powder samples are constrained to have discrete particle diameters <150 microns by a sieve. To date, diffraction patterns have been obtained for one basaltic soil (Rocknest (RN)) and four drill fines of coherent rock (John Klein (JK), Cumberland (CB), Windjana (WJ), and Confidence Hills (CH)). The CheMin instrument has detected and quantified the abundance of both primary igneous (e.g., feldspar, olivine, and pyroxene) and secondary (e.g., Ca-sulfates, hematite, akaganeite, and Fe-saponite) minerals. The diffraction patterns of all CheMin samples are also characterized by a broad diffraction band centered near 30deg 2theta and by increasing diffraction intensity (scattering continuum) from approx.15deg to approx.5deg, the 2theta minimum. Both the broad band and the scattering continuum are attributed to the presence of an XRD amorphous component. Estimates of amorphous component abundance, based on the XRD data itself and on mass-balance calculations using APXS data crystalline component chemistry derived from XRD data, martian meteorites, and/or stoichiometry [e.g., 6-9], range from approx.20 wt.% to approx.50 wt.% of bulk sample. The APXSbased calculations show that the amorphous component is rich in volatile elements (esp. SO3) and is not simply primary basaltic glass, which was used as a surrogate to model the broad band in the RN CheMin pattern. For RN, the entire volatile inventory (except minor anhydrite) is assigned to the amorphous component because no volatile-bearing crystalline phases were reported within detection limits [2]. For JK and CB, Fesaponite, basanite, and akaganeite are volatile-bearing crystalline components. Here we report transmission XRD patterns for sulfate and silicate phases relevant to interpretation of MSL-CheMin XRD amorphous components.

Digital direct electron imaging of energy-filtered electron backscatter diffraction patterns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vespucci, S.; Winkelmann, A.; Naresh-Kumar, G.; Mingard, K. P.; Maneuski, D.; Edwards, P. R.; Day, A. P.; O'Shea, V.; Trager-Cowan, C.

2015-11-01

Electron backscatter diffraction is a scanning electron microscopy technique used to obtain crystallographic information on materials. It allows the nondestructive mapping of crystal structure, texture, and strain with a lateral and depth resolution on the order of tens of nanometers. Electron backscatter diffraction patterns (EBSPs) are presently acquired using a detector comprising a scintillator coupled to a digital camera, and the crystallographic information obtainable is limited by the conversion of electrons to photons and then back to electrons again. In this article we will report the direct acquisition of energy-filtered EBSPs using a digital complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor hybrid pixel detector, Timepix. We show results from a range of samples with different mass and density, namely diamond, silicon, and GaN. Direct electron detection allows the acquisition of EBSPs at lower (≤5 keV) electron beam energies. This results in a reduction in the depth and lateral extension of the volume of the specimen contributing to the pattern and will lead to a significant improvement in lateral and depth resolution. Direct electron detection together with energy filtering (electrons having energy below a specific value are excluded) also leads to an improvement in spatial resolution but in addition provides an unprecedented increase in the detail in the acquired EBSPs. An increase in contrast and higher-order diffraction features are observed. In addition, excess-deficiency effects appear to be suppressed on energy filtering. This allows the fundamental physics of pattern formation to be interrogated and will enable a step change in the use of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) for crystal phase identification and the mapping of strain. The enhancement in the contrast in high-pass energy-filtered EBSD patterns is found to be stronger for lighter, less dense materials. The improved contrast for such materials will enable the application of the EBSD technique to be expanded to materials for which conventional EBSD analysis is not presently practicable.

Indirect myosin immunocytochemistry for the identification of fibre types in equine skeletal muscle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sinha, A. K.; Rose, R. J.; Pozgaj, I.; Hoh, J. F.

1992-01-01

The histochemical ATPase method for muscle fibre typing was first described by Brooke and Kaiser in 1970. However, problems have been found with the subdivision of type II fibres using this technique. To determine whether indirect myosin immunocytochemistry using anti-slow (5-4D), anti-fast (1A10) and anti-fast red (5-2B) monoclonal antibodies with cross reactivity for type I, II and IIa fibres, respectively, in a number of species, could identify three fibre types in equine skeletal muscle, data on fibre type composition and fibre size obtained using the two different techniques were compared. Results indicate that different myosin heavy chains can coexist in single equine muscle fibres. Type I and type II fibres were identified by immunocytochemistry, but subdivision of type II fibres was not possible. Although the percentage of type I and type II fibres was not significantly different for the two techniques, a few fibres reacted with both the 1A10 and 5-4D antibodies.

Tensile properties of compressed moulded Napier/glass fibre reinforced epoxy composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fatinah, T. S.; Majid, M. S. Abdul; Ridzuan, M. J. M.; Hong, T. W.; Amin, N. A. M.; Afendi, M.

2017-10-01

This paper describes the experimental investigation of the tensile properties of compressed moulded Napier grass fibres reinforced epoxy composites. The effect of treatment 5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentrated solution and hybridization of Napier with CSM E-glass fibres on tensile properties was also studied. The untreated and treated Napier fibres with 25% fibre loading were fabricated with epoxy resin by a cold press process. 7% fibre loading of CSM glass fibre was hybrid as the skin layer for 18% fibre loading of untreated Napier grass fibre. The tensile tests were conducted using Universal Testing Machine in accordance with ASTM D638. The tensile properties of the untreated Napier/epoxy composites were compared with treated Napier/epoxy and untreated Napier/CSM/epoxy composites. The results demonstrated that the tensile performance of untreated Napier fibre composites was significantly improved by both of the modification; alkali treatment and glass fibre hybridization. Napier grass fibres showed promising potentials to be used as reinforcement in the polymer based composites.

Compatibility improvement method of empty fruit bunch fibre as a replacement material in cement bonded boards: A review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dullah, Hayana; Abidin Akasah, Zainal; Zaini Nik Soh, Nik Mohd; Mangi, Sajjad Ali

2017-11-01

The utilization of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fibre on bio-composite product has been introduced to replace current material mainly wood fibre. OPEFB is widely available as palm oil is one of the major agricultural crops in Malaysia. EFB fibre are lignocellulosic materials that could replace other natural fibre product especially cement bonded board. However, the contains of residual oil and sugar in EFB fibre has been detected to be the reason for incompatibility issue between EFB fibre and cement mixtures. Regarding on the issue, a study has been conducted widely on finding the suitable pre-treatment method for EFB fibre to remove carbohydrate contained in the said fibre that are known to inhibit cement hydration. Aside from that, cement accelerator was introduced to enhance the hydration of cement when it was mixed with natural fibre. Hence, this paper will summaries the previous findings and in-depth study on the use of EFB fibre as a replacement material in cement bonded fibre boards.

DIFFRACTION FROM MODEL CRYSTALS

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Although calculating X-ray diffraction patterns from atomic coordinates of a crystal structure is a widely available capability, calculation from non-periodic arrays of atoms has not been widely applied to cellulose. Non-periodic arrays result from modeling studies that, even though started with at...

The deep muscular plexus of the pig duodenum: a histochemical and ultrastructural study with special reference to the interstitial cells.

PubMed

Henry, M; Porcher, C; Julé, Y

1998-06-10

The aim of the present study was to describe the deep muscular plexus of the pig duodenum and to characterize its cellular components. Numerous nerve varicosities have been detected in the deep muscular plexus using anti-synaptophysin antibodies. Nerve fibres were also detected here in the outer circular muscle layer, whereas no nerve fibres were observed in the inner circular muscle layer. In the deep muscular plexus, nerve fibres projected to interstitial cells which were characterized at the ultrastructural level. The interstitial cells were of two kinds: the interstitial fibroblastic-like cells (FLC) and the interstitial dense cells (IDC), both of which were interposed between nerve fibres and smooth muscle cells. The FLC were characterized by their elongated bipolar shape, the lack of basal lamina, a well-developed endoplasmic reticulum, a Golgi apparatus, and intermediate filaments. They were closely apposed to axon terminals containing small clear synaptic vesicles and/or dense-cored vesicles. They were frequently connected to each other and to smooth muscle cells of the inner and outer circular layer by desmosomes and more rarely by gap junctions. The IDC are myoid-like cells. They had a stellate appearance and were characterized by a dense cell body, numerous caveolae, and a discontinuous basal lamina. The IDC were always closely apposed to nerve fibres and were connected to smooth muscle cells by desmosomes and small gap junctions. The present results show the unique pattern of cellular organization of the deep muscular plexus of the pig small intestine. They suggest that the interstitial cells in the deep muscular plexus are involved in the integration and transmission of nervous inputs from myenteric neurons to the inner and outer circular muscle layers. The clear-cut distinction observed here between the two types of interstitial cells (fibroblastic and myoid-like) suggests that the interstitial cells of each type may also be involved in some other specific activity, which still remains to be determined.