Fiber-optic sensor demonstrator (FSD) preliminary test results on PROBA-2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kruzelecky, Roman V.; Zou, Jing; Haddad, Emile; Jamroz, Wes; Ricci, Francesco; Edwards, Eric; McKenzie, Iain; Vuilleumier, Pierrik

2017-11-01

Fiber Sensor Demonstrator (FSD) developed by MPB Communications (MPBC) is the first demonstration of a full fiber-optic sensor network in the space environment on a satellite. FSD has been launched on ESA's Proba-2 satellite in November 2009. FSD contains twelve temperature sensors to measure the temperature at different locations in the satellite, and one High-Temperature sensor to measure the transient high temperature in the thruster, as well as one pressure sensor to measure the xenon tank pressure. First set of on-orbit test data were obtained in January 2010. The FSD unit successfully established the communication with Proba-2. The temperature of FSD unit was also acquired through a AD590 sensor inside the unit. The measurements of all the optical fiber sensor lines will be evaluated after the testing results obtained. The FSD contains twelve specially-packaged FBG temperature sensors to measure the temperature at different locations in the propulsion system and the spacecraft over the range of -60°C to +120°C. A high-temperature sensor is provided to measure the transient temperature response of the thruster to beyond 350°C. There is also an innovative P/T sensor that provides both temperature and pressure measurements of the Xe propellant tank. The preliminary data of on-orbit functional testing and temperature measurements are provided mainly in Section 6.

Using Family Style Dining to Increase Social Interactions in Young Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Locchetta, Brandy M.; Barton, Erin E.; Kaiser, Ann

2017-01-01

During family style dining (FSD), caregivers are encouraged to sit with children at the table to support, promote, and facilitate conversations. FSD is considered a best practice in child care and is encouraged by many early childhood agencies. However, there is no current research documenting the effects of FSD on mealtime interactions in the…

The Sea-Ice Floe Size Distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stern, H. L., III; Schweiger, A. J. B.; Zhang, J.; Steele, M.

2017-12-01

The size distribution of ice floes in the polar seas affects the dynamics and thermodynamics of the ice cover and its interaction with the ocean and atmosphere. Ice-ocean models are now beginning to include the floe size distribution (FSD) in their simulations. In order to characterize seasonal changes of the FSD and provide validation data for our ice-ocean model, we calculated the FSD in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas over two spring-summer-fall seasons (2013 and 2014) using more than 250 cloud-free visible-band scenes from the MODIS sensors on NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites, identifying nearly 250,000 ice floes between 2 and 30 km in diameter. We found that the FSD follows a power-law distribution at all locations, with a seasonally varying exponent that reflects floe break-up in spring, loss of smaller floes in summer, and the return of larger floes after fall freeze-up. We extended the results to floe sizes from 10 m to 2 km at selected time/space locations using more than 50 high-resolution radar and visible-band satellite images. Our analysis used more data and applied greater statistical rigor than any previous study of the FSD. The incorporation of the FSD into our ice-ocean model resulted in reduced sea-ice thickness, mainly in the marginal ice zone, which improved the simulation of sea-ice extent and yielded an earlier ice retreat. We also examined results from 17 previous studies of the FSD, most of which report power-law FSDs but with widely varying exponents. It is difficult to reconcile the range of results due to different study areas, seasons, and methods of analysis. We review the power-law representation of the FSD in these studies and discuss some mathematical details that are important to consider in any future analysis.

Evaluation of velocity-sensitized and acceleration-sensitized NCE-MRA for below-knee peripheral arterial disease.

PubMed

Shaida, Nadeem; Priest, Andrew N; See, T C; Winterbottom, Andrew P; Graves, Martin J; Lomas, David J

2017-06-01

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of velocity- and acceleration-sensitized noncontrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (NCE-MRA) of the infrageniculate arteries using contrast-enhanced MRA (CE-MRA) as a reference standard. Twenty-four patients with symptoms of peripheral arterial disease were recruited. Each patient's infrageniculate arterial tree was examined using a velocity-dependent flow-sensitized dephasing (VEL-FSD) technique, an acceleration-dependent (ACC-FSD) technique, and our conventional CE-MRA technique performed at 1.5T. The images were independently reviewed by two experienced vascular radiologists, who evaluated each vessel segment to assess visibility, diagnostic confidence, venous contamination, and detection of pathology. In all, 432 segments were evaluated by each of the three techniques by each reader in total. Overall diagnostic confidence was rated as moderate or high in 98.5% of segments with CE-MRA, 92.1% with VEL-FSD, and 79.9% with ACC-FSD. No venous contamination was seen in 96% of segments with CE-MRA, 72.2% with VEL-FSD, and 85.8% with ACC-FSD. Per-segment, per-limb, and per-patient sensitivities for detecting significant stenotic disease were 63.4%, 73%, and 92%, respectively, for ACC-FSD, and 65.3%, 87.2%, and 96% for VEL-FSD, and as such no significant statistical change was detected using McNemar's chi-squared test with P-values of 1.00, 0.13, and 0.77 obtained, respectively. Flow-dependent NCE-MRA techniques may have a role to play in evaluation of patients with peripheral vascular disease. Increased sensitivity of a velocity-based technique compared to an acceleration-based technique comes at the expense of greater venous contamination. 2J. Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;45:1846-1853. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Formation processes of sea ice floe size distribution in the interior pack and its relationship to the marginal ice zone off East Antarctica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toyota, Takenobu; Kohout, Alison; Fraser, Alexander D.

2016-09-01

To understand the behavior of the Seasonal Ice Zone (SIZ), which is composed of sea-ice floes of various sizes, knowledge of the floe size distribution (FSD) is important. In particular, FSD in the Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ), controlled by wave-ice interaction, plays an important role in determining the retreating rates of sea-ice extent on a global scale because the cumulative perimeter of floes enhances melting. To improve the understanding of wave-ice interaction and subsequent effects on FSD in the MIZ, FSD measurements were conducted off East Antarctica during the second Sea Ice Physics and Ecosystems eXperiment (SIPEX-2) in late winter 2012. Since logistical reasons limited helicopter operations to two interior ice regions, FSD in the interior ice region was determined using a combination of heli-photos and MODIS satellite visible images. The possible effect of wave-ice interaction in the MIZ was examined by comparison with past results obtained in the same MIZ, with our analysis showing: (1) FSD in the interior ice region is basically scale invariant for both small- (<100 m) and large- (>1 km) scale regimes; (2) although fractal dimensions are quite different between these two regimes, they are both rather close to that in the MIZ; and (3) for floes <100 m in diameter, a regime shift which appeared at 20-40 m in the MIZ is absent. These results indicate that one role of wave-ice interaction is to modulate the FSD that already exists in the interior ice region, rather than directly determine it. The possibilities of floe-floe collisions and storm-induced lead formation are considered as possible formation processes of FSD in the interior pack.

Female sexual dysfunction in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and its association with serotonin 2A-1438 G/A single nucleotide polymorphisms.

PubMed

Masiran, Ruziana; Sidi, Hatta; Mohamed, Zahurin; Mohd Nazree, Nur Elia; Nik Jaafar, Nik Ruzyanei; Midin, Marhani; Das, Srijit; Mohamed Saini, Suriati

2014-04-01

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are known for their sexual side effects. Different SSRIs may affect different areas of sexual function at different rates. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD), its clinical correlates, and association with 5HT2A (rs6311) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who were on SSRI therapy. This was a cross-sectional study on 95 female outpatients with MDD treated with SSRI. The patients were in remission as determined by Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Genomic DNA was isolated from buccal swabs and samples were processed using a real time polymerase chain reaction. The presence or absence of FSD as measured by the Malay Version of Female Sexual Function Index and 5HT2A-1438 G/A (rs6311) SNP. The overall prevalence of FSD was 32.6%. After controlling for age, number of children, education level, total monthly income, SSRI types, and SSRI dosing, being employed significantly enhanced FSD by 4.5 times (odds ratio [OR] = 4.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00, 20.30; P = 0.05). Those having marital problems were 6.7 times more likely to have FSD (OR = 6.67; 95% CI 1.57, 28.34). 5HT2A-1438 G/A (rs6311) SNP was not significantly associated with FSD. There was no significant association between FSD and the 5HT2A (rs6311) SNP in patients with MDD on SSRI therapy. Employment status and marital state were significantly associated with FSD among these patients. © 2014 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

Quantifying the Floe Size Distribution in the Marginal Ice Zone from Satellite Imagery for use in Model Development and Validation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schweiger, A. J.; Stern, H. L.; Stark, M.; Zhang, J.; Hwang, P.; Steele, M.

2013-12-01

Several key processes in the Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ) of the Arctic Ocean are related to the size of the ice floes, whose diameters range from meters to tens of kilometers. The floe size distribution (FSD) influences mechanical properties of the ice and thus its response to winds, currents, and waves, which is likely to modify the air-sea momentum transfer. The FSD also influences the air-sea heat transfer and the response of the MIZ ice cover to the thermal forcing. The FSD also has a significant role in lateral melting. No existing sea-ice/ocean models currently simulate the FSD in the MIZ. Significant uncertainties in FSD-related processes hinder model incorporation of the FSD, and model development must heavily depend on observations of the FSD for parameterization, calibration, and validation. To support the development and implementation of the FSD in the Marginal Ice Zone Modeling and Assimilation System (MIZMAS), we have conducted an analysis of the FSD in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas using three sources of satellite imagery: NASA's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Terra and Aqua satellites, the Canadian Space Agency's synthetic aperture radar (SAR) on RADARSAT, and declassified National Technical Means imagery from the Global Fiducials Library (GFL) of the U.S. Geological Survey. The MODIS visible and short-wave infrared bands have a pixel size of 250 meters, and are only useful in cloud-free regions. The SAR imagery is unaffected by clouds and darkness, and has a pixel size of 50 meters. The GFL visible imagery, with a pixel size of 1 meter, is only useful in cloud-free regions. The resolution and spatial extent of the various image products allows us to identify ice floes of all sizes from 10 meters to 100 kilometers. The general procedure for identifying ice floes in the imagery is as follows: delineate cloud-free regions (if necessary); choose a threshold to separate ice from water, and create a binary image; apply the morphological erosion operation to separate floes that touch each other; identify contiguous sets of pixels (floes) by a recursive algorithm; and apply the morphological dilation operation to restore (approximately) the floes to their original sizes and shapes. Once the floes in an image have been identified, any number of properties may be calculated: the centroid, length, width, area, perimeter, orientation, convexity, etc. We calculate the mean caliper diameter as a simple, single measure of the size of a floe. We report results on the observed FSD in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas, including its seasonal evolution and spatial variability. We outline how the results will be used in model development and validation of the FSD in the MIZMAS.

Benford's law and the FSD distribution of economic behavioral micro data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Villas-Boas, Sofia B.; Fu, Qiuzi; Judge, George

2017-11-01

In this paper, we focus on the first significant digit (FSD) distribution of European micro income data and use information theoretic-entropy based methods to investigate the degree to which Benford's FSD law is consistent with the nature of these economic behavioral systems. We demonstrate that Benford's law is not an empirical phenomenon that occurs only in important distributions in physical statistics, but that it also arises in self-organizing dynamic economic behavioral systems. The empirical likelihood member of the minimum divergence-entropy family, is used to recover country based income FSD probability density functions and to demonstrate the implications of using a Benford prior reference distribution in economic behavioral system information recovery.

Fibrinogen storage disease in a Chinese boy with de novo fibrinogen Aguadilla mutation: Incomplete response to carbamazepine and ursodeoxycholic acid.

PubMed

Zhang, Mei-Hong; Knisely, A S; Wang, Neng-Li; Gong, Jing-Yu; Wang, Jian-She

2016-08-12

Fibrinogen storage disease (FSD) is a rare autosomal-dominant disorder caused by mutation in FGG, encoding the fibrinogen gamma chain. Here we report the first Han Chinese patient with FSD, caused by de novo fibrinogen Aguadilla mutation, and his response to pharmacologic management. Epistaxis and persistent clinical-biochemistry test-result abnormalities prompted liver biopsy in a boy, with molecular study of FGG in him and his parents. He was treated with the autophagy enhancer carbamazepine, reportedly effective in FSD, and with ursodeoxycholic acid thereafter. Inclusion bodies in hepatocellular cytoplasm stained immune-histochemically for fibrinogen. Selective analysis of FGG found the heterozygous mutation c.1201C > T (p.Arg401Trp), absent in both parents. Over more than one year's follow-up, transaminase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activities have lessened but not normalized. This report expands the epidemiology of FSD and demonstrates idiosyncrasy in response to oral carbamazepine and/or ursodeoxycholic acid in FSD.

Fenton mediated ultrasonic disintegration of sludge biomass: Biodegradability studies, energetic assessment, and its economic viability.

PubMed

Kavitha, S; Rajesh Banu, J; IvinShaju, C D; Kaliappan, S; Yeom, Ick Tae

2016-12-01

Mechanical disintegration of sludge through ultrasonication demands high energy and cost. Therefore, in the present study, a comprehensive investigation was performed to analyze the potential of a novel method, fenton mediated sonic disintegration (FSD). In FSD process, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) of sludge was first removed via fenton treatment. It was subsequently disintegrated via ultrasonication. Energetic assessment and economic analysis were then performed using net energy and cost gain (spent) as key factor to evaluate the practical viability of the FSD process. FSD was found to be superior over sonic disintegration based on its higher sludge solubilization (34.4% vs. 23.2%) and methane production potential (0.3gCOD/gCOD vs. 0.2gCOD/gCOD). Both energy analysis and cost assessment of the present study revealed that FSD could reduce the energy demand of ultrasonication considerably with a positive net profit of about 44.93USD/Ton of sludge. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The fibrous form of intracellular inclusion bodies in recombinant variant fibrinogen-producing cells is specific to the hepatic fibrinogen storage disease-inducible variant fibrinogen.

PubMed

Arai, Shinpei; Ogiwara, Naoko; Mukai, Saki; Takezawa, Yuka; Sugano, Mitsutoshi; Honda, Takayuki; Okumura, Nobuo

2017-06-01

Fibrinogen storage disease (FSD) is a rare disorder that is characterized by the accumulation of fibrinogen in hepatocytes and induces liver injury. Six mutations in the γC domain (γG284R, γT314P, γD316N, the deletion of γG346-Q350, γG366S, and γR375W) have been identified for FSD. Our group previously established γ375W fibrinogen-producing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and observed aberrant large granular and fibrous forms of intracellular inclusion bodies. The aim of this study was to investigate whether fibrous intracellular inclusion bodies are specific to FSD-inducible variant fibrinogen. Thirteen expression vectors encoding the variant γ-chain were stably or transiently transfected into CHO cells expressing normal fibrinogen Aα- and Bβ-chains or HuH-7 cells, which were then immunofluorescently stained. Six CHO and HuH-7 cell lines that transiently produced FSD-inducible variant fibrinogen presented the fibrous (3.2-22.7 and 2.1-24.5%, respectively) and large granular (5.4-25.5 and 7.7-23.9%) forms of intracellular inclusion bodies. Seven CHO and HuH-7 cell lines that transiently produced FSD-non-inducible variant fibrinogen only exhibit the large granular form. These results demonstrate that transiently transfected variant fibrinogen-producing CHO cells and inclusion bodies of the fibrous form may be useful in non-invasive screening for FSD risk factors for FSD before its onset.

Costs of pleasure and the benefits of pain: self-perceived genital sensation, anatomy and sexual dysfunction.

PubMed

Callens, Nina; Bronselaer, Guy; De Sutter, Petra; De Cuypere, Griet; T'Sjoen, Guy; Hoebeke, Piet; Cools, Martine

2016-02-01

Background Research has highlighted the complex association between female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and distress regarding sexual activity, with decreased physical pleasure being an important mediator. The current study aims to elucidate the association between pleasurable and painful genital sensitivity and FSD, and to further investigate whether FSD may be distressing because it prevents the experience of sexual pleasure, induces pain or both. Sexually active women (n=256; median, 22 years; range, 18-49 years) completed web-based questionnaires, including the Self-Assessment of Genital Anatomy and Sexual Function, the Female Sexual Function Index and the Female Sexual Distress Scale. Women reported their clitoris to be more sensitive than their vagina in terms of having more pleasurable responses (P<0.001), but not more painful responses (P=0.49). In women with FSD (n=36), impaired self-perceived genital sensation was found: they reported significantly less sexual pleasure and orgasm intensity, and more orgasm effort and discomfort within the clitoral and vaginal area than women without FSD (n=220) (P-value<0.05). The odds of having FSD were significantly greater in women with perceived increased discomfort in the vaginal area during stimulation (odds ratio=5.59, P=0.009, 95% confidence interval: 1.53-20.39), but not in the clitoral area. The data provide evidence of the relevance of self-perceived genital sensitivity to sexual pleasure and overall sexual experience. Enhancing the pleasurableness of genital sensations, especially during partnered sex, could decrease the likelihood of experiencing pain and concomitant FSD.

Sexual dysfunction in Turkish women with dyspareunia and its impact on the quality of life.

PubMed

Artune-Ulkumen, B; Erkan, M M; Pala, H G; Bulbul Baytur, Y

2014-01-01

The authors aimed to determine the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) among Turkish dyspareunic women and to establish the associated factors with FSD. Furthermore, they aimed to investigate if dyspareunia and possible associated sexual complaints were related to impaired quality of life (QoL). The study included 154 women admitted to the present gynecology department at a tertiary center in the west region of Turkey, 67 of which suffered from dyspareunia. The remaining 87 sexually healthy women were included in the control group. FSD was assessed with 19-item validated female sexual function index (FSFI). QoL was assessed using short form 36 (SF-36). The chi-squared test and t-test were used for analysing the group differences. Pearson's correlation test was used to determine the effect of the variables of FSFI on the SF-36. Multivariance analysis and logistic regression was used to determine independent risk factors for FSD and to estimate odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). The incidence of FSD in dyspareunic group and control group was 86.57% and 36.8%, respectively (p < 0.001). Dyspareunic women had lower scores with regards to sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain domains at significant level (p < 0.001). Education level, time period after the last delivery, duration of marriage, parity, and dyspareunia were significantly related to FSD. However, dyspareunia was an independent risk factor for FSD (OR 11.49; 95% CI 4.95-26.67). Regarding the impact on the QoL, dyspareunic women had lower scores with regards to the physical role, social function, bodily pain, and vitality domains. The present results show that dyspareunia has a major impact on women's sexual function and QoL. Clinicians have an important role for encouraging women to report their sexual complaints. Identifying dyspareunia and treating FSD may positively affect women's sexual function and overall QoL.

The Floe Size Distribution in the Marginal Ice Zone of the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schweiger, A. J. B.; Stern, H. L., III; Stark, M.; Zhang, J.; Steele, M.; Hwang, P. B.

2014-12-01

Several key processes in the Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ) of the Arctic Ocean are related to the size of the ice floes, whose diameters range from meters to tens of kilometers. The floe size distribution (FSD) influences the mechanical properties of the ice cover, air-sea momentum and heat transfer, lateral melting, and light penetration. However, no existing sea-ice/ocean models currently simulate the FSD in the MIZ. Model development depends on observations of the FSD for parameterization, calibration, and validation. To support the development and implementation of the FSD in the Marginal Ice Zone Modeling and Assimilation System (MIZMAS), we have analyzed the FSD in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas using multiple sources of satellite imagery: NASA's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Terra and Aqua satellites (250 m pixel size), the USGS Landsat 8 satellite (80 m pixel size), the Canadian Space Agency's synthetic aperture radar (SAR) on RADARSAT (50 meter pixel size), and declassified National Technical Means imagery from the Global Fiducials Library (GFL) of the USGS (1 m pixel size). The procedure for identifying ice floes in the imagery begins with manually delineating cloud-free regions (if necessary). A threshold is then chosen to separate ice from water. Morphological operations and other semi-automated techniques are used to identify individual floes, whose properties are then easily calculated. We use the mean caliper diameter as the measure of floe size. The FSD is adequately described by a power-law in which the exponent characterizes the relative number of large and small floes. Changes in the exponent over time and space reflect changes in physical processes in the MIZ, such as sea-ice deformation, fracturing, and melting. We report results of FSD analysis for the spring and summer of 2013 and 2014, and show how the FSD will be incorporated into the MIZMAS model.

Noncontrast magnetic resonance angiography of the hand: improved arterial conspicuity by multidirectional flow-sensitive dephasing magnetization preparation in 3D balanced steady-state free precession imaging.

PubMed

Fan, Zhaoyang; Hodnett, Philip A; Davarpanah, Amir H; Scanlon, Timothy G; Sheehan, John J; Varga, John; Carr, James C; Li, Debiao

2011-08-01

: To develop a flow-sensitive dephasing (FSD) preparative scheme to facilitate multidirectional flow-signal suppression in 3-dimensional balanced steady-state free precession imaging and to validate the feasibility of the refined sequence for noncontrast magnetic resonance angiography (NC-MRA) of the hand. : A new FSD preparative scheme was developed that combines 2 conventional FSD modules. Studies using a flow phantom (gadolinium-doped water 15 cm/s) and the hands of 11 healthy volunteers (6 males and 5 females) were performed to compare the proposed FSD scheme with its conventional counterpart with respect to the signal suppression of multidirectional flow. In 9 of the 11 healthy subjects and 2 patients with suspected vasculitis and documented Raynaud phenomenon, respectively, 3-dimensional balanced steady-state free precession imaging coupled with the new FSD scheme was compared with spatial-resolution-matched (0.94 × 0.94 × 0.94 mm) contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (0.15 mmol/kg gadopentetate dimeglumine) in terms of overall image quality, venous contamination, motion degradation, and arterial conspicuity. : The proposed FSD scheme was able to suppress 2-dimensional flow signal in the flow phantom and hands and yielded significantly higher arterial conspicuity scores than the conventional scheme did on NC-MRA at the regions of common digitals and proper digitals. Compared with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography, the refined NC-MRA technique yielded comparable overall image quality and motion degradation, significantly less venous contamination, and significantly higher arterial conspicuity score at digital arteries. : The FSD-based NC-MRA technique is improved in the depiction of multidirectional flow by applying a 2-module FSD preparation, which enhances its potential to serve as an alternative magnetic resonance angiography technique for the assessment of hand vascular abnormalities.

Ab initio folding of mixed-fold FSD-EY protein using formula-based polarizable hydrogen bond (PHB) charge model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Dawei; Lazim, Raudah; Mun Yip, Yew

2017-09-01

We conducted an all-atom ab initio folding of FSD-EY, a protein with a ββα configuration using non-polarizable (AMBER) and polarizable force fields (PHB designed by Gao et al.) in implicit solvent. The effect of reducing the polarization effect integrated into the force field by the PHB model, termed the PHB0.7 was also examined in the folding of FSD-EY. This model incorporates into the force field 70% of the original polarization effect to minimize the likelihood of over-stabilizing the backbone hydrogen bonds. Precise folding of the β-sheet of FSD-EY was further achieved by relaxing the REMD structure obtained in explicit water.

A new non-pharmacological vacuum therapy for female sexual dysfunction.

PubMed

Billups, K L; Berman, L; Berman, J; Metz, M E; Glennon, M E; Goldstein, I

2001-01-01

Although Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) affects 40% of American women, there is no FDA-approved pharmaceutical therapy. The EROS-CTD (Clitoral Therapy Device, UroMetrics, Inc., St. Paul, MN) treatment is the first FDA cleared-to-market therapy for FSD. Clitoral engorgement is believed to play an important role in female sexual arousal and overall sexual satisfaction. The EROS-CTD is a small, battery-powered device designed to enhance clitoral engorgement, increase blood flow to the clitoris, and ultimately improve arousal in women with FSD. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the EROS-CTD on sexual arousal (genital sensation, vaginal lubrication, ability to reach orgasm, and sexual satisfaction) in normal volunteers and women with FSD.

New test of the dynamic theory of neutron diffraction by a moving grating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zakharov, Maxim; Frank, Alexander; Kulin, German; Goryunov, Semyon

2018-04-01

Recently, multiwave dynamical theory of neutron diffraction by a moving grating was developed. The theory predicts that at a certain height of the grating profile a significant suppression of the zero-order diffraction may occur. The experiment to confirm predictions of this theory was performed. The resulting diffracted UCNs spectra were measured using time-of-flight Fourier diffractometer. The experimental data were compared with the results of numerical simulation and were found in a good agreement with theoretical predictions.

Views and Experiences of Malaysian Family Medicine Trainees of Female Sexual Dysfunction.

PubMed

Lai, Pauline Siew Mei; Tan, Sing Yee; Liew, Su May

2016-11-01

Sociocultural factors have been shown to be important influencers of sexual health and sexuality. Hence, the aim of our study was to explore the views and experiences of family medicine trainees regarding female sexual dysfunction (FSD) with a focus on the barriers and facilitators towards the initiation of conversation on this topic. A qualitative study design involving semi-structured focus group discussions (FGDs) was conducted with 19 family medicine trainees in Malaysia. The conceptual framework used was based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. Thematic approach was used to analyze the data. Participants perceived FSD as being uncommon and unimportant. According to our participants, patients often presented with indirect complaints, and doctors were not proactive in asking about FSD. Three main barriers were identified: doctor factors, perceived patient factors, and system factors. Lack of confidence, knowledge, experience, time, and embarrassment were the key barriers identified at the doctors' level. Lack of awareness, among patients regarding FSD, and local cultural and religious norms were the perceived patient barriers. System barriers were lack of time and privacy. Various facilitators, such as continuous medical education and public forums, were suggested as means to encourage family medicine trainees to initiate discussion on sexual matters during consultations. In conclusion, family medicine trainees found it difficult to initiate conversation on FSD with patients. Interventions to encourage conversation on FSD should target this and other identified barriers.

Somatoform and psychoform dissociation among women with orgasmic and sexual pain disorders.

PubMed

Farina, Benedetto; Mazzotti, Eva; Pasquini, Paolo; Mantione, Maria Giuseppina

2011-01-01

Since the 20th century, psychogenic female sexual dysfunctions (FSD), like some somatoform and conversion disorders, have been considered an expression of somatoform dissociation. Several studies have reported dissociative symptoms in different somatoform and conversion disorders, but limited data are available on dissociation among patients with FSD. The aim of this study was to assess somatoform and psychoform dissociation among patients with women's orgasmic disorder, dyspareunia, and vaginismus. A battery of self-administered questionnaires (Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire, Dissociative Experiences Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Impact of Event Scale-Revised) was given to 200 gynecological outpatients to assess psychoform and somatoform dissociation and their association with FSD. A strong association between somatoform dissociation and FSD was observed (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 5.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15-25.32), the association between somatoform and psychoform dissociation being estimated by an adjusted OR of 4.83 (95% CI = 1.17-19.91). Our results are compatible with the idea that some forms of FSD could be regarded as somatoform dissociative disorders.

Sexual dysfunction and relationship stress: how does this association vary for men and women?

PubMed

McCabe, Marita P; Connaughton, Catherine

2017-02-01

This paper examines the association between relationship stress and sexual dysfunction. The results demonstrated a strong association between female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and relationship stress, and between male sexual dysfunction (MSD) and relationship stress among their female partners. No studies examined the association between FSD and relationship stress of male partners. Treatment for MSD was associated with improved relationship stress for female partners, but no studies were located that examined this association for treatment of FSD. These findings suggest that FSD and relationship stress are strongly related, but the association does not seem to be so strong for men. The review highlights the need for further research in this field to inform therapy for both sexual dysfunction and relationship problems. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Female Sexual Dysfunction: Prevalence and Risk Factors

PubMed Central

Jaafarpour, Molouk; Khani, Ali; Khajavikhan, Javaher; Suhrabi, Zeinab

2013-01-01

Background and Aim: Sexual dysfunction adversely affects quality of life, self esteem and interpersonal relationships and it may often be responsible for psychopathological disturbances. The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence and associated risk factors for Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) in women with Kurdish culture from western Iran . Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive survey which included 400 women aged 18–50 years old, married, from Ilam-IR, who were interviewed as per the Iranian version of Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The subjects were randomly selected from 4 primary health centres. Results: According to the findings, 185 (46.2%) women reported FSD. Prevalence of FSD increased with age, from 22% in women aged <20 years to 75.7% in women aged 40-50 years. FSD was detected as a desire problem in 45.3% of women, an arousal problem in 37.5%, a lubrication problem in 41.2%, an orgasm problem in 42.0%, a satisfaction problem in 44.5% and a pain problem in 42.5%. The educational level was inversely correlated with the risk of FSD (OR: 1.54 ,95% CI: 1.09-2.13). Patients with FSD were significantly more likely to be older than 40 years (OR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.12-2.68), who had sexual intercourse fewer than 3 times a week (OR:1.85, 95% CI: 1.23-1.99), who had been married for 10 years or more (OR:1.76, 95% CI: 1.04-1.97), who had 3 children or more (OR: 1.48, 95% CI: 0.97-1.24), who had husbands aged 40 years or more (OR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.35-2.37) and who were unemployed (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.06-1.63). No significant differences were detected in smoking history, residences and contraception methods used (p>0.05). Conclusion: FSD needs to be recognized as a significant public health problem in Kurd women. Further research, particularly studies on awareness and competency of physicians in the management of FSD, is required. PMID:24551663

Do Geomagnetic Variations Affect the Foliar Spiral Direction of Coconut Palms?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minorsky, P. V.; Bronstein, N. B.

2005-12-01

In coconut palms, leaves are attached to the stem in either an ascending clockwise (left-handed or L) or counter-clockwise (right-handed or R) spiral (1). Foliar spiral direction (FSD) is a classic case of morphological antisymmetry, in which dextral and sinistral forms are not inherited and are equally common within a species (2). FSD would seem a simple stochastic process unworthy of further study if not for the observation, based on data collected from 71,640 coconut palms in 42 locations around the world, that the FSD of coconut palms varies with latitude: R-trees predominate in the N Hemisphere and L-trees predominate in the S Hemisphere (3). Hemispheric asymmetries in FSD are significantly better correlated with magnetic latitude than with geographic or geomagnetic latitude, suggesting that latitudinal asymmetries in FSD might be associated with the temporally varying component of Earth's magnetic field (4). Here, we present two new lines of evidence that geomagnetic variations may underlie asymmetries in palm FSD. First, we show that asymmetries occur in the FSD of palm populations on opposite sides of islands, and second, that asymmetries in FSD vary with the 11-year solar cycle. The prediction that asymmetries in coconut palm FSD should exist on opposite sides of islands arises from the fact that because seawater is more electrically conductive than land, induced earth currents divide and stream past an island more strongly in one particular direction. The "geomagnetic island effect" is characterized by a complete reversal of the vertical Z component of short-period geomagnetic field anomalies at observation points on opposite sides of islands (5). To examine whether FSD varied around the circumferences of islands, we collected data on 6 islands (Puerto Rico, n = 4311; Antigua, n = 2038; Hawaii, n = 3552; Maui, n = 2175; Tahiti, n = 1582; Moorea, n = 2116). For each population, the degree of asymmetry was determined by calculating an "asymmetry quotient" (AQ) based on the formula: AQ = (L - R)/Total Asymmetries in FSD were evident on opposite sides of all the islands studied. It is of interest to consider whether the "palm island effect" described here bears any relation to the "geomagnetic island effect." The most detailed map of the "geomagnetic island effect" for a tropical island exists for Tahiti (5). In this map, Px is a scaled parameter representing the Z component of the anomalous geomagnetic field that arises from the distortion of electric current flowing in the ocean around Tahiti. We found a close correlation (r = 0.94) between Px and the AQs of coconut palm populations on Tahiti. Using data provided in (1), we also examined whether asymmetry in FSD varies with the solar cycle. Of 384 trees, 331 fell into one of 7 cohorts of 25 trees or more. A strong correlation (r = 0.91) was found between the AQs of the 7 cohorts and the total average monthly sunspot numbers during the 2 years following planting. This suggests that the strength of the symmetry-breaking signal, like the frequency of Pc1 geomagnetic pulsations (6), is 1 to 2 years out of antiphase with the solar cycle. We propose that Pc1-induced earth currents, which are measurable in trees (7), may bias the diffusion of morphogens in coconut palm embryos, thereby giving rise to asymmetries in FSD. 1. Davis, T.A. J. Genet. 58, 42-50 (1962) 2. Palmer A.P. Science 306, 828-833 (2004) 3. Davis, T.A., Davis, B. Math. Modell. 8, 730-733 (1987) 4. Minorsky P.V. Ann. Bot. 82, 133-140 (1998) 5. Yamaguchi S. et al.. J Geomagn. Geoelectr, 44, 43-54 (1992) 6. Fraser-Smith A.C. J Geophys Res 75, 4735-4745 (1970) 7. Fraser-Smith A.C. Nature 271, 641-642 (1978)

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 5 (MKK5)-mediated signalling cascade regulates expression of iron superoxide dismutase gene in Arabidopsis under salinity stress

PubMed Central

Xing, Yu; Chen, Wei-hua; Jia, Wensuo; Zhang, Jianhua

2015-01-01

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are involved in plant adaptive responses to biotic and abiotic stresses but the upstream signalling process that modulates their expression is not clear. Expression of two iron SODs, FSD2 and FSD3, was significantly increased in Arabidopsis in response to NaCl treatment but blocked in transgenic MKK5-RNAi plant, mkk5. Using an assay system for transient expression in protoplasts, it was found that mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 5 (MKK5) was also activated in response to salt stress. Overexpression of MKK5 in wild-type plants enhanced their tolerance to salt treatments, while mkk5 mutant exhibited hypersensitivity to salt stress in germination on salt-containing media. Moreover, another kinase, MPK6, was also involved in the MKK5-mediated iron superoxide dismutase (FSD) signalling pathway in salt stress. The kinase activity of MPK6 was totally turned off in mkk5, whereas the activity of MPK3 was only partially blocked. MKK5 interacted with the MEKK1 protein that was also involved in the salt-induced FSD signalling pathway. These data suggest that salt-induced FSD2 and FSD3 expressions are influenced by MEKK1 via MKK5–MPK6-coupled signalling. This MAP kinase cascade (MEKK1, MKK5, and MPK6) mediates the salt-induced expression of iron superoxide dismutases. PMID:26136265

Sexual Dysfunction in Women With Migraine and Overweight/Obesity: Relative Frequency and Association With Migraine Severity.

PubMed

Bond, Dale S; Pavlović, Jelena M; Lipton, Richard B; Graham Thomas, J; Digre, Kathleen B; Roth, Julie; Rathier, Lucille; O'Leary, Kevin C; Evans, E Whitney; Wing, Rena R

2017-03-01

Previous studies suggest that migraine might be associated with female sexual dysfunction (FSD), although this association may be complicated by overweight/obesity. To disentangle relationships of migraine and obesity with FSD, we examined: (1) FSD rates in women who had migraine and obesity with a matched sample of women with obesity who were free of migraine and (2) associations between indices of migraine severity and FSD in a larger sample of participants with migraine and overweight/obesity, controlling for important confounders. Women with migraine and obesity seeking behavioral weight loss treatment to decrease headaches (n = 37) and nonmigraine controls (n = 37) with obesity seeking weight loss via bariatric surgery were matched on age (±5 years), body mass index (BMI; ±3 kg/m 2 ), and reported sexual activity during the past month. Both groups completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), with a validated FSFI-total cutoff score used to define FSD. In participants with migraine and overweight/obesity (n = 105), separate logistic regression models evaluated associations of migraine attack frequency, intensity, and duration with odds of having FSD, controlling for age, BMI, depression, and anxiety. On average, participants and matched controls had severe obesity (BMI = 42.4 ± 3.8 kg/m 2 ; range = 35-49.9) and were 37.3 ± 7.2 years of age (range = 22-50). FSD rate did not differ between migraine participants and controls (56.8% vs. 54.1%, P = .82). In the larger sample of participants with migraine and overweight/obesity (38.2 ± 7.8 years of age; BMI = 34.8 ± 6.4 [range = 25-50 kg/m 2 ]; 8.0 ± 4.3 migraine days/month, maximum pain intensity = 5.9 ± 1.4 on 0-10 scale; average attack duration = 18.3 ± 9.7 hours), FSD was not associated with attack frequency (P = .31), pain intensity (P = .92), or attack duration (P = .35) but was associated with more severe anxiety symptoms (Ps < .017). Rates of sexual dysfunction did not differ in severely obese women with and without migraine. Moreover, indices of migraine severity were not associated with increased risk of FSD in women with overweight/obesity. Replication of present findings in wider populations of women with migraine and of both normal-weight and overweight/obese status are warranted. © 2016 American Headache Society.

Prevalence and risk factors of female sexual dysfunction among healthcare personnel in Malaysia.

PubMed

Grewal, Gurdeep Singh; Gill, Jesjeet Singh; Sidi, Hatta; Gurpreet, Kaur; Jambunathan, Stephen Thevanathan; Suffee, Nusrat J; Midin, Marhani; Nik Jaafar, Nik Ruzyanei; Das, Srijit

2014-01-01

To determine the prevalence and risk factors of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) among healthcare personnel in selected healthcare facilities in Malaysia. This was a cross-sectional study carried out at three large healthcare facilities that were selected by convenience sampling. Within each facility, stratified random sampling was used to select suitable candidates to participate in the study (n=201). Validated questionnaires were used to assess depression, anxiety, sexual function in women and erectile dysfunction (ED) in their partners. The prevalence of FSD was 5.5%. Women with sexual dysfunction were more likely to be married longer (OR=4.08; 95% CI; 1.15-4.50), had lower frequency of sexual intercourse (OR=5.00; 95% C; 1.05-23.76) and had a spouse with ED (OR=24.35; 95% CI; 4.55-130.37). Multivariate analysis showed that ED was the strongest predictor for FSD (AOR=27.30; 95% CI; 4.706-159.08). One in eighteen female healthcare personnel suffered from FSD and presence of ED in the partner strongly impacted her sexual function, negatively. The findings highlight the importance of including the male partner in clinical assessment of FSD. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Prevalence of and risk factors for sexual dysfunction in young Chinese women according to the Female Sexual Function Index: an internet-based survey.

PubMed

Du, Juan; Ruan, Xiangyan; Gu, Muqing; Bitzer, Johannes; Mueck, Alfred O

2016-06-01

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a very common sexual health problem worldwide. The prevalence of FSD in Chinese women is, however, unknown. This is the first study to investigate a large number of young women throughout China via the internet, to determine the prevalence and types of FSD and to identify the risk factors for FSD. The primary endpoint was the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score, with additional questions on contraception, sexual activity, relationship stability, pregnancy and other factors which may influence sexual function. The online questionnaire was completed by women from 31 of the 34 Chinese provinces. A total of 1618 completed questionnaires were received, and 1010 were included in the analyses after screening (62.4%). The mean age of the respondents was 25.1 ± 4.5 years. The mean total FSFI score was 24.99 ± 4.60. According to FSFI definitions (cut-off score 26.55), 60.2% of women were at risk of FSD. Based on domain scores, 52 were considered at high risk of dysfunction for pain (5.1%), 35 for orgasm (3.5%), 33 for desire (3.3%), 20 for arousal (2.0%), 6 for satisfaction (0.6%) and 2 for lubrication (0.2%). The prevalence of FSFI scores indicating risk of sexual dysfunction was about 60% in Chinese women. An unstable relationship, pressure to become pregnant, non-use of contraception, negative self-evaluation of appearance and increasing age were significantly associated with FSD in young Chinese women.

The accuracy of frozen section diagnosis of pulmonary nodules: evaluation of inflation method during intraoperative pathology consultation with cryosection.

PubMed

Xu, Xianhua; Chung, Jin-Haeng; Jheon, Sanghoon; Sung, Sook Whan; Lee, Choon-Taek; Lee, Jae Ho; Choe, Gheeyoung

2010-01-01

Intraoperative frozen section diagnosis (FSD) is a very important pathologic examination that can determine the extent of the subsequent surgical procedure. However, FSD is especially difficult in small pulmonary nodules due to severe architectural distortion during cryosection. This study was undertaken to determine the accuracy of FSD of pulmonary nodules and to evaluate the inflation method during cryosection. We retrospectively reviewed FSD of 229 consecutive pulmonary nodules and evaluated the diagnostic accuracy and efficacy of inflation method during cryosection. Since August 2006, all frozen sections (165, 72.1%) were made after inflation with optimally diluted embedding medium. The FSD were as follows: nonneoplastic lesions (29, 12.7%), benign neoplasms (28, 12.2%), and malignant neoplasms (172, 75.1%). The proportion of the lesions smaller than 2 cm was 60.3% (138 of 229). The frozen section quality of lung tissue was excellent after inflation with diluted embedding medium. Inflated lung specimens harboring minute lesion displayed distinct gross appearance, which could not be palpated. Histologically, open air spaces and normal parenchymal architectures were well preserved. Minute precancerous foci such as atypical adenomatous hyperplasia and bronchioloalveolar carcinoma could be readily identified. After using inflation method during cryosection, both the sensitivity and specificity reached 100%, and the incidence of intraoperative pathology consultation increased markedly, especially small impalpable lesions. The accuracy of FSD and histologic qualities were excellent by using inflation method, especially in cases of impalpable small precancerous lesions. The pathologist could guide with confidence the surgeon in planning the surgical management.

Prevalence and degree of sexual dysfunction in a sample of women seeking bariatric surgery

PubMed Central

Bond, Dale S.; Vithiananthan, Siva; Leahey, Tricia M.; Thomas, J. Graham; Sax, Harry C.; Pohl, Dieter; Ryder, Beth A.; Roye, G. Dean; Giovanni, Jeannine; Wing, Rena R.

2009-01-01

Background Sexual functioning is shown to be impaired in women who are obese, particularly those seeking bariatric surgery. However, most prior studies evaluating sexual function in these populations have not used validated measures. We used the validated Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) to assess prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in a sample of over 100 women evaluated for bariatric surgery. Methods The FSFI was administered to reportedly sexually active women during their preoperative evaluation. Scores for individual FSFI domains (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain) ranging from 0(or 1.2) to 6 were summed to produce a FSFI-total score (range = 2-36). A FSFI-total cut-off score of ≤ 26.55 was used to identify participants with FSD. Participants' FSFI- total and domain scores were compared to previously published norms available for women diagnosed with female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) and healthy controls. Results Sixty-one of the 102 participants (59.8%) had FSFI-total scores ≤ 26.55, indicative of FSD. Older age and menopause were associated with FSD. Compared to published norms, bariatric surgery candidates had FSFI domain scores that were lower than the control group (ps <0.0001) but higher than the FSAD group (ps <0.0001), except for desire where scores were similar. Conclusion Women seeking bariatric surgery are clearly a population with substantial sexual function impairment, with 60% of participants reporting FSD. These findings highlight the need to initiate routine assessment of sexual functioning in this population and examine whether weight loss following bariatric surgery contributes to reversal of FSD. PMID:19733514

Sexual dysfunction and its determinants in Malaysian women with rheumatoid arthritis.

PubMed

Shahar, Mohammad A; Hussein, Heselynn; Sidi, Hatta; Shah, Shamsul A; Mohamed Said, Mohd S

2012-10-01

To determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (FSD) among women with rheumatoid arthritis attending the Rheumatology Clinic in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) and Hospital Putrajaya, Malaysia, and to determine its associations with potential clinical and disease activity factors. This was a cross-sectional study involving women with rheumatoid arthritis between the ages of 20 and 60 years. A validated Malay Version Female Sexual Function Index (MVFSFI) was administered to diagnose FSD. Sociodemographic and disease activity profiles were obtained and those who had and did not have FSD were compared. Among 63 respondents, 51 patients were included in the analysis for FSD. The prevalence of FSD in women with rheumatoid arthritis attending UKMMC and Hospital Putrajaya Rheumatology Clinic was 29.4%. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28-ESR) correlates with MVFSFI score with r=-0.364 (P=0.009) and r=-0.268 (P=0.057), respectively. Sociodemographic factors that correlate with MVFSFI score were: patient's age (r=0.520, P<0.001); duration of marriage (r=-0.355, P=0.001); husband's age (r=-0.460, P=0.001); age of oldest child (r=-0.449, P=0.001); and age of youngest child (r=-0.627, P<0.001). We found in this study that the prevalence of FSD in rheumatoid arthritis in our centers was 29.4%. Age and family dynamics appear to be more important predictors compared to disease activity. © 2012 The Authors International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases © 2012 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

An unusual case of folliculitis spinulosa decalvans.

PubMed

Fan, Wenge; Zhang, Qingsong; Song, Linyi

2016-09-01

We report the case of a 24-year-old man who presented with pustules, atrophic scars, and alopecia on the scalp, along with follicular keratotic papules on the cheeks, chest, abdomen, back, lateral upper arms, thighs, and axillae, of 6 years' duration. A diagnosis of folliculitis spinulosa decalvans (FSD) was made based on the clinical manifestation and histopathological findings. Dental examination also revealed dental anomalies and a fissured tongue, which are not known to be related to FSD. We provide an overview of the characteristic findings of FSD as well as a review of previously reported cases.

Application of fully stressed design procedures to redundant and non-isotropic structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adelman, H. M.; Haftka, R. T.; Tsach, U.

1980-01-01

An evaluation is presented of fully stressed design procedures for sizing highly redundant structures including structures made of composite materials. The evaluation is carried out by sizing three structures: a simple box beam of either composite or metal construction; a low aspect ratio titanium wing; and a titanium arrow wing for a conceptual supersonic cruise aircraft. All three structures are sized by ordinary fully-stressed design (FSD) and thermal fully stressed design (TFSD) for combined mechanical and thermal loads. Where possible, designs are checked by applying rigorous mathematical programming techniques to the structures. It is found that FSD and TFSD produce optimum designs for the metal box beam, but produce highly non-optimum designs for the composite box beam. Results from the delta wing and arrow wing indicate that FSD and TFSD exhibits slow convergence for highly redundant metal structures. Further, TFSD exhibits slow oscillatory convergence behavior for the arrow wing for very high temperatures. In all cases where FSD and TFSD perform poorly either in obtaining nonoptimum designs or in converging slowly, the assumptions on which the algorithms are based are grossly violated. The use of scaling, however, is found to be very effective in obtaining fast convergence and efficiently produces safe designs even for those cases when FSD and TFSD alone are ineffective.

Female sexual dysfunction among young and middle-aged women in Hong Kong: prevalence and risk factors.

PubMed

Zhang, Huiping; Yip, Paul S F

2012-11-01

Sexual dysfunction is a serious public health problem that affects women's quality of life. However, there is very little epidemiological data on its incidence in Hong Kong Chinese women. To estimate the prevalence of, and risk factors associated with sexual dysfunction among young and middle-aged women in Hong Kong. The study was part of the ninth Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice survey conducted by the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong in 2007. The dataset comprised 1,510 face-to-face interviews with Hong Kong Chinese women aged 19-49 living in the community. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition classification of sexual dysfunction was used to measure female sexual dysfunction (FSD). At least one form of FSD was reported by 37.9% of the sample. Multivariate analysis showed that having sought medical help for sexual problems (odds ratio [OR] = 4.20), having a partner with erectile dysfunction (OR = 2.44) and premature ejaculation (OR = 2.56), perceiving sex as unimportant to marriage (OR = 1.57), and reporting marital dissatisfaction (OR = 1.45) were all significant risk factors for FSD and its specific components among the sample. However, having liberal attitudes to sex (OR = 0.63) was a protective factor. The prevalence of FSD is lower among Hong Kong Chinese young and middle-aged women than in the United States and some Asian countries. Factors contributing to the risk of FSD span the domains of sexual experience, attitudes to sex, and relationship factors. These findings suggest future directions for the delivery of services addressing the prevention and treatment of FSD. © 2012 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

Prevalence and degree of sexual dysfunction in a sample of women seeking bariatric surgery.

PubMed

Bond, Dale S; Vithiananthan, Siva; Leahey, Tricia M; Thomas, J Graham; Sax, Harry C; Pohl, Dieter; Ryder, Beth A; Roye, G Dean; Giovanni, Jeannine; Wing, Rena R

2009-01-01

Sexual functioning has been shown to be impaired in women who are obese, particularly those seeking bariatric surgery. However, most previous studies evaluating sexual function in these populations have not used validated measures. We used the validated Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) to assess the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in a sample of >100 women evaluated for bariatric surgery. The FSFI was administered to reportedly sexually active women during their preoperative evaluation. The scores for the individual FSFI domains (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain) ranging from 0 (or 1.2) to 6 were summed to produce a FSFI total score (range 2-36). A FSFI total cutoff score of

Questionnaires for assessment of female sexual dysfunction: a review and proposal for a standardized screener.

PubMed

Giraldi, Annamaria; Rellini, Alessandra; Pfaus, James G; Bitzer, Johannes; Laan, Ellen; Jannini, Emmanuele A; Fugl-Meyer, Axel R

2011-10-01

There are many methods to evaluate female sexual function and dysfunction (FSD) in clinical and research settings, including questionnaires, structured interviews, and detailed case histories. Of these, questionnaires have become an easy first choice to screen individuals into different categories of FSD. The aim of this study was to review the strengths and weaknesses of different questionnaires currently available to assess different dimensions of women's sexual function and dysfunction, and to suggest a simple screener for FSD. A literature search of relevant databases, books, and articles in journals was used to identify questionnaires that have been used in basic or epidemiological research, clinical trials, or in clinical settings. Measures were grouped in four levels based on their purposes and degree of development, and were reviewed for their psychometric properties and utility in clinical or research settings. A Sexual Complaints Screener for Women (SCS-W) was then proposed based on epidemiological methods. Although many questionnaires are adequate for their own purposes, our review revealed a serious lack of standardized, internationally (culturally) acceptable questionnaires that are truly epidemiologically validated in general populations and that can be used to assess FSD in women with or without a partner and independent of the partner's gender. The SCS-W is proposed as a 10-item screener to aid clinicians in making a preliminary assessment of FSD. The definition of FSD continues to change and basic screening tools are essential to help advance clinical diagnosis and treatment, or to slate patients adequately into the right diagnostic categories for basic and epidemiological research or clinical trials. © 2011 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

Sea-ice floe-size distribution in the context of spontaneous scaling emergence in stochastic systems.

PubMed

Herman, Agnieszka

2010-06-01

Sea-ice floe-size distribution (FSD) in ice-pack covered seas influences many aspects of ocean-atmosphere interactions. However, data concerning FSD in the polar oceans are still sparse and processes shaping the observed FSD properties are poorly understood. Typically, power-law FSDs are assumed although no feasible explanation has been provided neither for this one nor for other properties of the observed distributions. Consequently, no model exists capable of predicting FSD parameters in any particular situation. Here I show that the observed FSDs can be well represented by a truncated Pareto distribution P(x)=x(-1-α) exp[(1-α)/x] , which is an emergent property of a certain group of multiplicative stochastic systems, described by the generalized Lotka-Volterra (GLV) equation. Building upon this recognition, a possibility of developing a simple agent-based GLV-type sea-ice model is considered. Contrary to simple power-law FSDs, GLV gives consistent estimates of the total floe perimeter, as well as floe-area distribution in agreement with observations.

Sea-ice floe-size distribution in the context of spontaneous scaling emergence in stochastic systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herman, Agnieszka

2010-06-01

Sea-ice floe-size distribution (FSD) in ice-pack covered seas influences many aspects of ocean-atmosphere interactions. However, data concerning FSD in the polar oceans are still sparse and processes shaping the observed FSD properties are poorly understood. Typically, power-law FSDs are assumed although no feasible explanation has been provided neither for this one nor for other properties of the observed distributions. Consequently, no model exists capable of predicting FSD parameters in any particular situation. Here I show that the observed FSDs can be well represented by a truncated Pareto distribution P(x)=x-1-αexp[(1-α)/x] , which is an emergent property of a certain group of multiplicative stochastic systems, described by the generalized Lotka-Volterra (GLV) equation. Building upon this recognition, a possibility of developing a simple agent-based GLV-type sea-ice model is considered. Contrary to simple power-law FSDs, GLV gives consistent estimates of the total floe perimeter, as well as floe-area distribution in agreement with observations.

The use of the sexual function questionnaire as a screening tool for women with sexual dysfunction.

PubMed

Quirk, Frances; Haughie, Scott; Symonds, Tara

2005-07-01

To determine if the validated Sexual Function Questionnaire (SFQ), developed to assess efficacy in female sexual dysfunction (FSD) clinical trials, may also have utility in identifying target populations for such studies. Data from five clinical trials and two general population surveys were used to analyze the utility of the SFQ as a tool to discriminate between the presence of specific components of FSD (i.e., hypoactive sexual desire disorder, female sexual arousal disorder, female orgasmic disorder, and dyspareunia). Sensitivity/specificity analysis and logistic regression analysis, using data from all five clinical studies and the general population surveys, confirmed that the SFQ domains have utility in detecting the presence of specific components of FSD and provide scores indicative of the presence of a specific sexual disorder. The SFQ is a valuable new tool for detecting the presence of FSD and identifying the specific components of sexual functions affected (desire, arousal, orgasm, or dyspareunia).

Impaired Lipid Profile is a Risk Factor for the Development of Sexual Dysfunction in Women.

PubMed

Baldassarre, Maurizio; Alvisi, Stefania; Mancini, Ilaria; Moscatiello, Simona; Marchesini, Giulio; Seracchioli, Renato; Meriggiola, Maria Cristina

2016-01-01

Dyslipidemia is a common risk factor for cardiovascular disease which may contribute to sexual dysfunction in women. To assess the impact of dyslipidemia compared with other metabolic alterations on female sexual function. In total, 466 women were enrolled in the study, of which 256 were postmenopausal. Dyslipidemia was defined based on high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, or triglycerides levels. Women completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS), and the Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire (MHQ). Biochemical and anthropometric measurements were performed and the Framingham risk score (FRS) was calculated for each subject. FSFI, FSDS, and MHQ scores, prevalence of FSD and FRS. Median age of the population enrolled was 51.5 (range 42.0-58.0) years. The overall prevalence of FSD, according to FSFI and FSDS scores, was 24%. A significantly higher prevalence of FSFI (P = .001) and FSDS (P = .006) pathological scores were found in women with dyslipidemia compared with the control group. The prevalence of FSD was significantly higher in dyslipidemic women (P = .001). Women with dyslipidemia had significantly higher total scores in areas of depression, somatization, and obsession in the MHQ questionnaire compared with control women. Multivariate analysis showed that dyslipidemia (OR:1.7, CI 1.1-2.9, P = .037), postmenopausal status (OR:2.7, CI 1.5-4.7, P = .001), higher education (OR:0.6; CI 0.3-0.9, P = .038), and somatization (OR:1.7, CI 1.0-2.8, P = .045) were independently associated with FSD. The FRS was higher in dyslipidemic women (P = .001) and in those with FSD (P = .001), being associated with an almost doubled risk of developing FSD. Our results indicate that dyslipidemia is an independent risk factor for FSD irrespective of postmenopausal status. Also, psychopathological alterations such as somatization are strongly associated with sexual dysfunction. The direct correlation between FSFI score and FRS suggest the importance of cardiovascular integrity in female sexual health. Copyright © 2016 International Society for Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Contested psychiatric ontology and feminist critique

PubMed Central

Angel, Katherine

2012-01-01

In this article I discuss the emergence of Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) within American psychiatry and beyond in the postwar period, setting out what I believe to be important and suggestive questions neglected in existing scholarship. Tracing the nomenclature within successive editions of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), I consider the reification of the term ‘FSD’, and the activism and scholarship that the rise of the category has occasioned. I suggest that analysis of FSD benefits from scrutiny of a wider range of sources (especially since the popular and scientific cross-pollinate). I explore the multiplicity of FSD that emerges when one examines this wider range, but I also underscore a reinscribing of anxieties about psychogenic aetiologies. I then argue that what makes the FSD case additionally interesting, over and above other conditions with a contested status, is the historically complex relationship between psychiatry and feminism that is at work in contemporary debates. I suggest that existing literature on FSD has not yet posed some of the most important and salient questions at stake in writing about women’s sexual problems in this period, and can only do this when the relationship between ‘second-wave’ feminism, ‘post-feminism’, psychiatry and psychoanalysis becomes part of the terrain to be analysed, rather than the medium through which analysis is conducted. PMID:23355764

Association of brain-derived neurotrophic factor valine to methionine polymorphism with sexual dysfunction following selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment in female patients with major depressive disorder.

PubMed

Nazree, Nur Elia; Mohamed, Zahurin; Reynolds, Gavin P; Mohd Zain, Shamsul; Masiran, Ruziana; Sidi, Hatta; Chong, Lu Ann; Hway, Anne Yee; Adlan, Aida Syarinaz; Zainal, Nor Zuraida

2016-12-01

The occurrence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) receiving selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) treatment gives negative impacts on patients' quality of life and causes treatment discontinuation. We aimed to investigate whether genetic polymorphism of identified candidate gene is associated with FSD in our study population. This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 95 female patients with MDD who met the criteria of the study were recruited and were specifically assessed on the sexual function by trained psychiatrists. Patients' DNA was genotyped for BDNF Val66Met polymorphism using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The prevalence of FSD in this study is 31.6%. In the FSD group, patients with problematic marriage were significantly more frequent compared with patients who did not have problematic marriage (P = 0.009). Significant association was detected in the lubrication domain with BDNF Val66Met polymorphism (P = 0.030) using additive genetic model, with even stronger association when using the recessive model (P = 0.013). This study suggested that there was no significant association between BDNF Val66Met with FSD. However, this polymorphism is significantly associated with lubrication disorder in patients treated with SSRIs. © 2015 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Spectroscopic characterization of digestates obtained from sludge mixed to increasing amounts of fruit and vegetable wastes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Provenzano, Maria Rosaria; Cavallo, Ornella; Malerba, Anna Daniela; Di Maria, Francesco; Ricci, Anna; Gigliotti, Giovanni

2015-04-01

Anaerobic digestion (AD) represents an efficient waste-treatment technology during which microorganisms break down biodegradable material in absence of oxygen yielding a biogas containing methane. The aim of this work was to investigate the transformations occurring in the organic matter during the co-digestion of waste mixed sludge (WMS) with an increasing amount of fruit and vegetable wastes (FVW) in a pilot scale apparatus reproducing a full-scale digester in an existing wastewater treatment plant. Samples comprised: sludge, FVW, sludge mixed with 10-20-30-40% FVW. Ingestates and digestates were analyzed by means of emission fluorescence spectroscopy and FTIR associated to Fourier self deconvolution (FSD) of spectra. With increasing the amount of FVW from 10% to 20% at which percentage biogas production reached the maximum value, FTIR spectra and FSD traces of digestates exhibited a decrease of intensity of peaks assigned to polysaccharides and aliphatics and an increase of peak assigned to aromatics as a result of the biodegradation of rapidly degradable materials and concentration of aromatic recalcitrant compounds. Digestates with 30 and 40% FVW exhibited a relative increase of intensity of peaks assigned to aliphatics likely as a result of the increasing amount of rapidly degradable materials and the consequent reduction of the hydraulic retention time. This may cause inhibition of methanogenesis and accumulation of volatile fatty acids. The highest emission fluorescence intensity was observed for the digestate with 20% FVW confirming the concentration of aromatic recalcitrant compounds in the substrate obtained at the highest biogas production.

Host–parasite fluctuating selection in the absence of specificity

PubMed Central

Ashby, Ben; White, Andy; Bowers, Roger; Buckling, Angus; Koskella, Britt

2017-01-01

Fluctuating selection driven by coevolution between hosts and parasites is important for the generation of host and parasite diversity across space and time. Theory has focused primarily on infection genetics, with highly specific ‘matching-allele’ frameworks more likely to generate fluctuating selection dynamics (FSD) than ‘gene-for-gene’ (generalist–specialist) frameworks. However, the environment, ecological feedbacks and life-history characteristics may all play a role in determining when FSD occurs. Here, we develop eco-evolutionary models with explicit ecological dynamics to explore the ecological, epidemiological and host life-history drivers of FSD. Our key result is to demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, that specificity between hosts and parasites is not required to generate FSD. Furthermore, highly specific host–parasite interactions produce unstable, less robust stochastic fluctuations in contrast to interactions that lack specificity altogether or those that vary from generalist to specialist, which produce predictable limit cycles. Given the ubiquity of ecological feedbacks and the variation in the nature of specificity in host–parasite interactions, our work emphasizes the underestimated potential for host–parasite coevolution to generate fluctuating selection. PMID:29093222

Meat quality of lamb frozen stored up to 21 months: instrumental analyses on thawed meat during display.

PubMed

Muela, E; Monge, P; Sañudo, C; Campo, M M; Beltrán, J A

2015-04-01

The study analysed the effect of frozen storage duration (FSD: 0, 1, 9, 15 or 21 months) and display duration (DD: 0-24 h post-slaughter-, 3 and 6 days) in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on lamb quality. pH, colour, lipid oxidation, water holding capacity and instrumental texture were performed on Longissimus muscle in displayed fresh and thawed meat. FSD affected all the variables showing lower differences between fresh and 1 month storage than among them and longer FSD. Only cooking losses were not affected by DD in thawed meats. It was observed a general decrease in quality (lower redness and water holding capacity; higher yellowness and lipid oxidation) as FSD or DD increased and only texture was improved over DD being thawed meat more tender. In conclusion, lamb storage at -18°C should not exceed 1 month if thawed meat would be later displayed in MAP while meat would have an acceptable quality up to 21 months without subsequent display. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reducing equifinality of hydrological models by integrating Functional Streamflow Disaggregation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lüdtke, Stefan; Apel, Heiko; Nied, Manuela; Carl, Peter; Merz, Bruno

2014-05-01

A universal problem of the calibration of hydrological models is the equifinality of different parameter sets derived from the calibration of models against total runoff values. This is an intrinsic problem stemming from the quality of the calibration data and the simplified process representation by the model. However, discharge data contains additional information which can be extracted by signal processing methods. An analysis specifically developed for the disaggregation of runoff time series into flow components is the Functional Streamflow Disaggregation (FSD; Carl & Behrendt, 2008). This method is used in the calibration of an implementation of the hydrological model SWIM in a medium sized watershed in Thailand. FSD is applied to disaggregate the discharge time series into three flow components which are interpreted as base flow, inter-flow and surface runoff. In addition to total runoff, the model is calibrated against these three components in a modified GLUE analysis, with the aim to identify structural model deficiencies, assess the internal process representation and to tackle equifinality. We developed a model dependent (MDA) approach calibrating the model runoff components against the FSD components, and a model independent (MIA) approach comparing the FSD of the model results and the FSD of calibration data. The results indicate, that the decomposition provides valuable information for the calibration. Particularly MDA highlights and discards a number of standard GLUE behavioural models underestimating the contribution of soil water to river discharge. Both, MDA and MIA yield to a reduction of the parameter ranges by a factor up to 3 in comparison to standard GLUE. Based on these results, we conclude that the developed calibration approach is able to reduce the equifinality of hydrological model parameterizations. The effect on the uncertainty of the model predictions is strongest by applying MDA and shows only minor reductions for MIA. Besides further validation of FSD, the next steps include an extension of the study to different catchments and other hydrological models with a similar structure.

[Evaluation of production and clinical working time of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) custom trays for complete denture].

PubMed

Wei, L; Chen, H; Zhou, Y S; Sun, Y C; Pan, S X

2017-02-18

To compare the technician fabrication time and clinical working time of custom trays fabricated using two different methods, the three-dimensional printing custom trays and the conventional custom trays, and to prove the feasibility of the computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) custom trays in clinical use from the perspective of clinical time cost. Twenty edentulous patients were recruited into this study, which was prospective, single blind, randomized self-control clinical trials. Two custom trays were fabricated for each participant. One of the custom trays was fabricated using functional suitable denture (FSD) system through CAD/CAM process, and the other was manually fabricated using conventional methods. Then the final impressions were taken using both the custom trays, followed by utilizing the final impression to fabricate complete dentures respectively. The technician production time of the custom trays and the clinical working time of taking the final impression was recorded. The average time spent on fabricating the three-dimensional printing custom trays using FSD system and fabricating the conventional custom trays manually were (28.6±2.9) min and (31.1±5.7) min, respectively. The average time spent on making the final impression with the three-dimensional printing custom trays using FSD system and the conventional custom trays fabricated manually were (23.4±11.5) min and (25.4±13.0) min, respectively. There was significant difference in the technician fabrication time and the clinical working time between the three-dimensional printing custom trays using FSD system and the conventional custom trays fabricated manually (P<0.05). The average time spent on fabricating three-dimensional printing custom trays using FSD system and making the final impression with the trays are less than those of the conventional custom trays fabricated manually, which reveals that the FSD three-dimensional printing custom trays is less time-consuming both in the clinical and laboratory process than the conventional custom trays. In addition, when we manufacture custom trays by three-dimensional printing method, there is no need to pour preliminary cast after taking the primary impression, therefore, it can save the impression material and model material. As to completing denture restoration, manufacturing custom trays using FSD system is worth being popularized.

77 FR 65905 - Notice of Proposed Withdrawal Extension and Opportunity for Public Meeting; OR

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-31

..., or entry under the general land laws, including the United States mining laws, but not from leasing under the mineral leasing laws, to protect the natural values of the Florence Sand Dunes (FSD). This... leasing under the mineral leasing laws, to protect the existing natural values of the FSD. This notice...

Fiber-optic sensor demonstrator (FSD) for the monitoring of spacecraft subsystems on ESA's PROBA-2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kruzelecky, Roman V.; Zou, Jing; Mohammed, Najeeb; Haddad, Emile; Jamroz, Wes; Ricci, Francesco; Lamorie, Joshua; Edwards, Eric; McKenzie, Iain; Vuilleumier, Pierrik

2017-11-01

MPB Communications (MPBC) is developing solutions to the monitoring requirements of spacecraft based on its fiber-laser and Fiber Bragg Grating expertise. This is cumulating in the Fiber Sensor Demonstrator for ESA's Proba-2 that is scheduled for launch in 2007. The advantages of the MPBC approach include a central interrogation system that can be used to control a variety of different fiber-optic sensors including temperature, pressure, actuator status, and propellant leakage. This paper reviews the design and ground qualification of the FSD system in preparation for integration with Proba-2. The FSD will provide monitoring for various Proba-2 subsystems, including a hybrid propulsion system. Some of the challenges associated with using fiber-optics in space are discussed.

Electrical and magnetic properties of nano-sized magnesium ferrite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

T, Smitha; X, Sheena; J, Binu P.; Mohammed, E. M.

2015-02-01

Nano-sized magnesium ferrite was synthesized using sol-gel techniques. Structural characterization was done using X-ray diffractometer and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer. Vibration Sample Magnetometer was used to record the magnetic measurements. XRD analysis reveals the prepared sample is single phasic without any impurity. Particle size calculation shows the average crystallite size of the sample is 19nm. FTIR analysis confirmed spinel structure of the prepared samples. Magnetic measurement study shows that the sample is ferromagnetic with high degree of isotropy. Hysterisis loop was traced at temperatures 100K and 300K. DC electrical resistivity measurements show semiconducting nature of the sample.

Professional Networks among Rural School Food Service Directors Implementing the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lubker Cornish, Disa; Askelson, Natoshia M.; Golembiewski, Elizabeth H.

2015-01-01

Purpose/Objectives: This study was designed to explore the professional networks of rural school food service directors (FSD), the resources they use for implementing the Healthy, Hunger-free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA), and their needs for information and support to continue to implement successfully. Methods: Rural FSD participated in an in-depth…

Iterative direct inversion: An exact complementary solution for inverting fault-slip data to obtain palaeostresses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mostafa, Mostafa E.

2005-10-01

The present study shows that reconstructing the reduced stress tensor (RST) from the measurable fault-slip data (FSD) and the immeasurable shear stress magnitudes (SSM) is a typical iteration problem. The result of direct inversion of FSD presented by Angelier [1990. Geophysical Journal International 103, 363-376] is considered as a starting point (zero step iteration) where all SSM are assigned constant value ( λ=√{3}/2). By iteration, the SSM and RST update each other until they converge to fixed values. Angelier [1990. Geophysical Journal International 103, 363-376] designed the function upsilon ( υ) and the two estimators: relative upsilon (RUP) and (ANG) to express the divergence between the measured and calculated shear stresses. Plotting individual faults' RUP at successive iteration steps shows that they tend to zero (simulated data) or to fixed values (real data) at a rate depending on the orientation and homogeneity of the data. FSD of related origin tend to aggregate in clusters. Plots of the estimators ANG versus RUP show that by iteration, labeled data points are disposed in clusters about a straight line. These two new plots form the basis of a technique for separating FSD into homogeneous clusters.

Recent advances in female sexual dysfunction.

PubMed

Davis, A R

2000-06-01

Female sexuality has received little scientific study. Recently, increased interest in this field has generated new research in the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacotherapy of female sexual dysfunction (FSD). A new FSD classification system has been proposed. Although sexual difficulties are highly prevalent among women, the degree of associated distress is unknown. Risk factors for FSD are probably both psychologic and physiologic. Aging or menopause is associated with lubrication difficulties, which can be treated with hormone replacement. Hysterectomy seems more likely to result in improvement rather then deterioration of sexual functioning. Depression may be a predictor of sexual dysfunction after hysterectomy. Vasoactive agents are currently being evaluated as treatment for female sexual arousal disorder. The most important advance in the study of female sexual function is the recent surge of interest in this relatively unexplored field.

Androgens and Psychosocial Factors Related to Sexual Dysfunctions in Premenopausal Women∗: ∗2016 ISSM Female Sexual Dysfunction Prize.

PubMed

Wåhlin-Jacobsen, Sarah; Kristensen, Ellids; Pedersen, Anette Tønnes; Laessøe, Nanna Cassandra; Cohen, Arieh S; Hougaard, David M; Lundqvist, Marika; Giraldi, Annamaria

2017-03-01

The female sexual response is complex and influenced by several biological, psychological, and social factors. Testosterone is believed to modulate a woman's sexual response and desire, because low levels are considered a risk factor for impaired sexual function, but previous studies have been inconclusive. To investigate how androgen levels and psychosocial factors are associated with female sexual dysfunction (FSD), including hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). The cross-sectional study included 428 premenopausal women 19 to 58 years old who completed a questionnaire on psychosocial factors and had blood sampled at days 6 to 10 in their menstrual cycle. Logistic regression models were built to test the association among hormone levels, psychosocial factors, and sexual end points. Five different sexual end points were measured using the Female Sexual Function Index and the Female Sexual Distress Scale: impaired sexual function, sexual distress, FSD, low sexual desire, and HSDD. Serum levels of total and free testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and androsterone glucuronide were analyzed using mass spectrometry. After adjusting for psychosocial factors, women with low sexual desire had significantly lower mean levels of free testosterone and androstenedione compared with women without low sexual desire. None of the androgens were associated with FSD in general or with HSDD in particular. Relationship duration longer than 2 years and mild depressive symptoms increased the risk of having all the sexual end points, including FSD in general and HSDD in particular in multivariate analyses. In this large cross-sectional study, low sexual desire was significantly associated with levels of free testosterone and androstenedione, but FSD in general and HSDD in particular were not associated with androgen levels. Length of relationship and depression were associated with FSD including HSDD. Wåhlin-Jacobsen S, Kristensen E, Tønnes Pedersen A, et al. Androgens and Psychosocial Factors Related to Sexual Dysfunctions in Premenopausal Women. J Sex Med 2017;14:366-379. Copyright © 2017 International Society for Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sexuality and psychopathological aspects in premenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.

PubMed

Alvisi, Stefania; Baldassarre, Maurizio; Lambertini, Martina; Martelli, Valentina; Berra, Marta; Moscatiello, Simona; Marchesini, Giulio; Venturoli, Stefano; Meriggiola, Maria Cristina

2014-08-01

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors that have been suggested to impact female sexual function. This study aims to assess the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in premenopausal women with MetS compared with healthy controls (HC). Psychopathological aspects and the relationship to FSD were also evaluated in both groups. Two hundred four premenopausal women, of whom 98 had diagnosis of MetS, were asked to complete the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS), and the Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire (MHQ). Routine laboratory tests and anthropometric measurements were routinely performed. FSFI and FSDS questionnaires, prevalence of FSD, and MHQ scores. In the MetS group compared with the HC group, we found: a lower global FSFI score (P=0.005), higher prevalence of pathological scores compared with HC group, and lower scores in the desire, arousal, lubrication, and orgasm domains. An inverse correlation between the FSFI score and the number of risk factors for MetS was detected. MetS women reported significantly higher total scores in the somatization and depression domains when compared with the HC group. The logistic regression showed that high triglycerides (odds ratio [OR] 3.097; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.272-7.542; P=0.026) and somatization (OR 7.068; CI 95% 2.291-21.812; P=0.001) are independently associated with FSD in premenopausal women. Our results indicate a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction in MetS women. A number of risk factors for MetS are positively associated with FSD and higher triglycerides seem to be the strongest predictors of sexual dysfunction. Psychopathological dimensions such as somatization are strongly associated with sexual dysfunction. © 2014 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

Volcano-ice interactions in the Arsia Mons tropical mountain glacier deposits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scanlon, Kathleen E.; Head, James W.; Wilson, Lionel; Marchant, David R.

2014-07-01

Fan-shaped deposits (FSD) superposed on the sides of the Tharsis Montes volcanic edifices are widely interpreted to have been formed by cold-based glaciation during the Late Amazonian, a period when the Tharsis Montes were volcanically active. We survey the ∼166,000 km2 Arsia Mons FSD using new, high-resolution image and topography data and describe numerous landforms indicative of volcano-ice interactions. These include (1) steep-sided mounds, morphologically similar to terrestrial tindar that form by subglacial eruptions under low confining pressure; (2) steep-sided, leveed flow-like landforms with depressed centers, interpreted to be subglacial lava flows with chilled margins; (3) digitate flows that we interpret as having resulted from lava flow interaction with glacial ice at the upslope margin of the glacier; (4) a plateau with the steep sides and smooth capping flow of a basaltic tuya, a class of feature formed when subglacial eruptions persist long enough to melt through the overlying ice; and (5) low, areally extensive mounds that we interpret as effusions of pillow lava, formed by subglacial eruptions under high confining pressure. Together, these eruptions involved hundreds of cubic kilometers of subglacially erupted lava; thermodynamic relationships indicate that this amount of lava would have produced a similar volume of subglacial liquid meltwater, some of which carved fluvial features in the FSD. Landforms in the FSD also suggest that glaciovolcanic heat transfer induced local wet-based flow in some parts of the glacier. Glaciovolcanic environments are important microbial habitats on Earth, and the evidence for widespread liquid water in the Amazonian-aged Arsia Mons FSD makes it one of the most recent potentially habitable environments on Mars. Such environments could have provided refugia for any life that developed on Mars and survived on its surface until the Amazonian.

40 CFR 52.2465 - Original identification of plan section.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., 2FSD, and pre-dryer 3FSD from Part IV, Rule EX-4, Section 4.41(i) until December 15, 1981, submitted on...) Appendix K (7) Appendix N (8) Appendix P (9) Appendix R I., II.B., II.D., II.E., II.F., II.G., II.H., II.I...) Amendments to Part I, Subpart 1.01 (Certain Terms Defined) and to Part IV, Section 4.52 (former Section 4.705...

Intervention Program for Long-Term English Learners: A Study of Long-Term English Learners' Literacy Performance in a Reading Intervention Program at Falcon School District

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ayala, Erika

2016-01-01

The purpose of this sequential explanatory embedded mixed methods study was to: (a) investigate and describe the academic performance of eighth grade students in the Falcon School District (FSD) who were designated as Long Term English Learners (LTELs) and participants in FSD's reading intervention program during their fourth through eighth grade…

Modelling wave-induced sea ice break-up in the marginal ice zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Montiel, F.; Squire, V. A.

2017-10-01

A model of ice floe break-up under ocean wave forcing in the marginal ice zone (MIZ) is proposed to investigate how floe size distribution (FSD) evolves under repeated wave break-up events. A three-dimensional linear model of ocean wave scattering by a finite array of compliant circular ice floes is coupled to a flexural failure model, which breaks a floe into two floes provided the two-dimensional stress field satisfies a break-up criterion. A closed-feedback loop algorithm is devised, which (i) solves the wave-scattering problem for a given FSD under time-harmonic plane wave forcing, (ii) computes the stress field in all the floes, (iii) fractures the floes satisfying the break-up criterion, and (iv) generates an updated FSD, initializing the geometry for the next iteration of the loop. The FSD after 50 break-up events is unimodal and near normal, or bimodal, suggesting waves alone do not govern the power law observed in some field studies. Multiple scattering is found to enhance break-up for long waves and thin ice, but to reduce break-up for short waves and thick ice. A break-up front marches forward in the latter regime, as wave-induced fracture weakens the ice cover, allowing waves to travel deeper into the MIZ.

Modelling wave-induced sea ice break-up in the marginal ice zone

PubMed Central

Squire, V. A.

2017-01-01

A model of ice floe break-up under ocean wave forcing in the marginal ice zone (MIZ) is proposed to investigate how floe size distribution (FSD) evolves under repeated wave break-up events. A three-dimensional linear model of ocean wave scattering by a finite array of compliant circular ice floes is coupled to a flexural failure model, which breaks a floe into two floes provided the two-dimensional stress field satisfies a break-up criterion. A closed-feedback loop algorithm is devised, which (i) solves the wave-scattering problem for a given FSD under time-harmonic plane wave forcing, (ii) computes the stress field in all the floes, (iii) fractures the floes satisfying the break-up criterion, and (iv) generates an updated FSD, initializing the geometry for the next iteration of the loop. The FSD after 50 break-up events is unimodal and near normal, or bimodal, suggesting waves alone do not govern the power law observed in some field studies. Multiple scattering is found to enhance break-up for long waves and thin ice, but to reduce break-up for short waves and thick ice. A break-up front marches forward in the latter regime, as wave-induced fracture weakens the ice cover, allowing waves to travel deeper into the MIZ. PMID:29118659

Modelling wave-induced sea ice break-up in the marginal ice zone.

PubMed

Montiel, F; Squire, V A

2017-10-01

A model of ice floe break-up under ocean wave forcing in the marginal ice zone (MIZ) is proposed to investigate how floe size distribution (FSD) evolves under repeated wave break-up events. A three-dimensional linear model of ocean wave scattering by a finite array of compliant circular ice floes is coupled to a flexural failure model, which breaks a floe into two floes provided the two-dimensional stress field satisfies a break-up criterion. A closed-feedback loop algorithm is devised, which (i) solves the wave-scattering problem for a given FSD under time-harmonic plane wave forcing, (ii) computes the stress field in all the floes, (iii) fractures the floes satisfying the break-up criterion, and (iv) generates an updated FSD, initializing the geometry for the next iteration of the loop. The FSD after 50 break-up events is unimodal and near normal, or bimodal, suggesting waves alone do not govern the power law observed in some field studies. Multiple scattering is found to enhance break-up for long waves and thin ice, but to reduce break-up for short waves and thick ice. A break-up front marches forward in the latter regime, as wave-induced fracture weakens the ice cover, allowing waves to travel deeper into the MIZ.

Study of residual stresses in CT test specimens welded by electron beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papushkin, I. V.; Kaisheva, D.; Bokuchava, G. D.; Angelov, V.; Petrov, P.

2018-03-01

The paper reports result of residual stress distribution studies in CT specimens reconstituted by electron beam welding (EBW). The main aim of the study is evaluation of the applicability of the welding technique for CT specimens’ reconstitution. Thus, the temperature distribution during electron beam welding of a CT specimen was calculated using Green’s functions and the residual stress distribution was determined experimentally using neutron diffraction. Time-of-flight neutron diffraction experiments were performed on a Fourier stress diffractometer at the IBR-2 fast pulsed reactor in FLNP JINR (Dubna, Russia). The neutron diffraction data estimates yielded a maximal stress level of ±180 MPa in the welded joint.

HA/Bioglass composite films deposited by pulsed laser with different substrate temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, D. G.; Chen, C. Z.; Jin, Q. P.; Li, H. C.; Pan, Y. K.

2014-03-01

In this experiment, the HA/Bioglass composite films on Ti-6Al-4V were deposited by a pulsed laser at Ar atmosphere, and the influence of substrate temperature on the morphology, phase constitutions, bonding configurations and adhesive strength of the films was studied. The obtained films were characterized by an electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), scratch apparatus, and so on. The results show that the amount of the droplets, the crystallinity, and the critical load of the deposited films all increase with the increase of the substrate temperature; however, the substrate temperature has little influence on the functional groups of the films.

Non-platinum metal-organic framework based electro-catalyst for promoting oxygen reduction reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Dipanwita; Raut, Vrushali; Kireeti, Kota V. M. K.; Jha, Neetu

2018-04-01

We developed two non-precious Metal Organic Framework (MOF) based electrocatalysts, MOF-5 and MOF-i using solvothermal and refluxing methods. The MOFs prepared has been characterized by powder X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for structural and morphological insights. SEM images reveal cubic shape for solvothermally synthesized MOF-5, whereas refluxing method leads to platelet morphology of MOF-i. The synthesized MOFs has been investigated for Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) studies using Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV), with MOF modified Glassy Carbon (GC) as working electrode. The electrochemical data suggests higher activity of MOF-5 towards ORR compared to MOF-i.

A Quantitative Analysis of the Benefits of Prototyping Fixed-Wing Aircraft

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-14

in then-year dollars. The RDT&E costs through FSD were provided in then-year dollars as a lump sum. Additionally, the cost of full capability ...development was available in then-year dollars as a lump sum. Full capability development was the RDT&E that continued after the completion of the FSD...contract, which ended in July 1984. In [31] [31], the authors stated that full capability development occurred through approximately 1990

First-Principle Characterization for Singlet Fission Couplings.

PubMed

Yang, Chou-Hsun; Hsu, Chao-Ping

2015-05-21

The electronic coupling for singlet fission, an important parameter for determining the rate, has been found to be too small unless charge-transfer (CT) components were introduced in the diabatic states, mostly through perturbation or a model Hamiltonian. In the present work, the fragment spin difference (FSD) scheme was generalized to calculate the singlet fission coupling. The largest coupling strength obtained was 14.8 meV for two pentacenes in a crystal structure, or 33.7 meV for a transition-state structure, which yielded a singlet fission lifetime of 239 or 37 fs, generally consistent with experimental results (80 fs). Test results with other polyacene molecules are similar. We found that the charge on one fragment in the S1 diabatic state correlates well with FSD coupling, indicating the importance of the CT component. The FSD approach is a useful first-principle method for singlet fission coupling, without the need to include the CT component explicitly.

Sexual dysfunction in premenopausal women could be related to hormonal profile.

PubMed

Vale, Fabiene Bernardes Castro; Coimbra, Bruna Barbosa; Lopes, Gerson Pereira; Geber, Selmo

2017-02-01

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a public health problem that affects women's quality of life. Although the relationship between some hormones and the FSD has been described, it is not well established for all hormones. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the association between hormonal dysfunction and sexual dysfunction in premenopausal women. We performed a cross-sectional study with 60 patients with regular menstrual cycles, with age ranging from 18 to 44 years, with previous diagnosis of FSD. All patients were evaluated using the female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire and had the levels of total testosterone, prolactin (PRL), thyroid-releasing hormone and free testosterone index measured. Among the 60 patients, 43 (71.7%) were diagnosed with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), 9 (15%) had anorgasmy and 8 (3.3%) had sexual pain dysfunction. Hormonal evaluation, demonstrated that 79.1% of patients with HSDD, 78.4% of patients with anorgasmy and 50% of patients with sexual pain dysfunction had female androgen insensitivity. We can conclude that there is an important association between low levels of total and free testosterone and FSD. This finding offers a new alternative for diagnosis and treatment of HSDD. Moreover, given the potential role of androgens in sexual function, randomized controlled trials with adequate long-term follow-up are essential to confirm its possible effect.

Recombinant VSV G proteins reveal a novel raft-dependent endocytic pathway in resorbing osteoclasts

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

Mulari, Mika T.K.; Centre for Military Medicine, Research Department, Lahti; Nars, Martin

2008-05-01

Transcytotic membrane flow delivers degraded bone fragments from the ruffled border to the functional secretory domain, FSD, in bone resorbing osteoclasts. Here we show that there is also a FSD-to-ruffled border trafficking pathway that compensates for the membrane loss during the matrix uptake process and that rafts are essential for this ruffled border-targeted endosomal pathway. Replacing the cytoplasmic tail of the vesicular stomatitis virus G protein with that of CD4 resulted in partial insolubility in Triton X-100 and retargeting from the peripheral non-bone facing plasma membrane to the FSD. Recombinant G proteins were subsequently endosytosed and delivered from the FSDmore » to the peripheral fusion zone of the ruffled border, which were both rich in lipid rafts as suggested by viral protein transport analysis and visualizing the rafts with fluorescent recombinant cholera toxin. Cholesterol depletion by methyl-{beta}-cyclodextrin impaired the ruffled border-targeted vesicle trafficking pathway and inhibited bone resorption dose-dependently as quantified by measuring the CTX and TRACP 5b secreted to the culture medium and by measuring the resorbed area visualized with a bi-phasic labeling method using sulpho-NHS-biotin and WGA-lectin. Thus, rafts are vital for membrane recycling from the FSD to the late endosomal/lysosomal ruffled border and bone resorption.« less

Cardiometabolic Risk and Female Sexuality-Part I. Risk Factors and Potential Pathophysiological Underpinnings for Female Vasculogenic Sexual Dysfunction Syndromes.

PubMed

Maseroli, Elisa; Scavello, Irene; Vignozzi, Linda

2018-05-02

Erectile dysfunction is recognized as an opportunity for preventing cardiovascular (CV) events, and assessing the impairment of penile vascular flow by Doppler ultrasound is an important tool to ascertain CV risk. Conversely, the role of genital vascular impairment in the pathophysiology of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) remains contentious. To focus on the current scientific support for an association between CV risk factors and female sexual health in the 1st part of a 2-part review. A thorough literature search of peer-reviewed publications on the associations between CV risk factors and FSD and their underlying mechanisms was performed using the PubMed database. We present a summary of the evidence from clinical studies and discuss the possible mechanisms providing the pathophysiologic bases of vasculogenic FSD syndromes. The peripheral sexual response in women is a vascular-dependent event, and evidence suggests that cardiometabolic-related perturbations in endothelial function can determine vascular insufficiency in female genital tissues. Although epidemiologic and observational studies demonstrate that the prevalence of FSD is higher in women with diabetes mellitus, a cause-effect relation between these clinical conditions cannot be assumed. Evidence on the effect of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome on sexual function in women is controversial. Data on the associations of dyslipidemia and hypertension with FSD are limited. Common cardiometabolic alterations could affect vascular function in the female genital tract. Based on limited data, there is an association between CV risk factors and female sexual health in women; however, this association appears milder than in men. Maseroli E, Scavello I, Vignozzi L. Cardiometabolic Risk and Female Sexuality-Part I. Risk Factors and Potential Pathophysiological Underpinnings for Female Vasculogenic Sexual Dysfunction Syndromes. Sex Med Rev 2018;X:XXX-XXX. Copyright © 2018 International Society for Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Time-integrated activity coefficient estimation for radionuclide therapy using PET and a pharmacokinetic model: A simulation study on the effect of sampling schedule and noise

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

Hardiansyah, Deni

2016-09-15

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of PET-based treatment planning for predicting the time-integrated activity coefficients (TIACs). Methods: The parameters of a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model were fitted to the biokinetic data of 15 patients to derive assumed true parameters and were used to construct true mathematical patient phantoms (MPPs). Biokinetics of 150 MBq {sup 68}Ga-DOTATATE-PET was simulated with different noise levels [fractional standard deviation (FSD) 10%, 1%, 0.1%, and 0.01%], and seven combinations of measurements at 30 min, 1 h, and 4 h p.i. PBPK model parameters were fitted to the simulated noisymore » PET data using population-based Bayesian parameters to construct predicted MPPs. Therapy simulations were performed as 30 min infusion of {sup 90}Y-DOTATATE of 3.3 GBq in both true and predicted MPPs. Prediction accuracy was then calculated as relative variability v{sub organ} between TIACs from both MPPs. Results: Large variability values of one time-point protocols [e.g., FSD = 1%, 240 min p.i., v{sub kidneys} = (9 ± 6)%, and v{sub tumor} = (27 ± 26)%] show inaccurate prediction. Accurate TIAC prediction of the kidneys was obtained for the case of two measurements (1 and 4 h p.i.), e.g., FSD = 1%, v{sub kidneys} = (7 ± 3)%, and v{sub tumor} = (22 ± 10)%, or three measurements, e.g., FSD = 1%, v{sub kidneys} = (7 ± 3)%, and v{sub tumor} = (22 ± 9)%. Conclusions: {sup 68}Ga-DOTATATE-PET measurements could possibly be used to predict the TIACs of {sup 90}Y-DOTATATE when using a PBPK model and population-based Bayesian parameters. The two time-point measurement at 1 and 4 h p.i. with a noise up to FSD = 1% allows an accurate prediction of the TIACs in kidneys.« less

Large-eddy simulation of a bluff-body stabilised turbulent premixed flame using the transported flame surface density approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Chin Yik; Cant, Stewart

2017-07-01

A premixed propane-air flame stabilised on a triangular bluff body in a model jet-engine afterburner configuration is investigated using large-eddy simulation (LES). The reaction rate source term for turbulent premixed combustion is closed using the transported flame surface density (TFSD) model. In this approach, there is no need to assume local equilibrium between the generation and destruction of subgrid FSD, as commonly done in simple algebraic closure models. Instead, the key processes that create and destroy FSD are accounted for explicitly. This allows the model to capture large-scale unsteady flame propagation in the presence of combustion instabilities, or in situations where the flame encounters progressive wrinkling with time. In this study, comprehensive validation of the numerical method is carried out. For the non-reacting flow, good agreement for both the time-averaged and root-mean-square velocity fields are obtained, and the Karman type vortex shedding behaviour seen in the experiment is well represented. For the reacting flow, two mesh configurations are used to investigate the sensitivity of the LES results to the numerical resolution. Profiles for the velocity and temperature fields exhibit good agreement with the experimental data for both the coarse and dense mesh. This demonstrates the capability of LES coupled with the TFSD approach in representing the highly unsteady premixed combustion observed in this configuration. The instantaneous flow pattern and turbulent flame behaviour are discussed, and the differences between the non-reacting and reacting flow are described through visualisation of vortical structures and their interaction with the flame. Lastly, the generation and destruction of FSD are evaluated by examining the individual terms in the FSD transport equation. Localised regions where straining, curvature and propagation are each dominant are observed, highlighting the importance of non-equilibrium effects of FSD generation and destruction in the model afterburner.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Female Sexual Dysfunction in Beijing, China

PubMed Central

Lou, Wen-Jia; Chen, Bo; Zhu, Lan; Han, Shao-Mei; Xu, Tao; Lang, Jing-He; Zhang, Lei

2017-01-01

Background: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a highly prevalent and often underestimated problem. However, large-scale, population-based epidemiological surveys of FSD are scarce in China. The present study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and the potential risk factors of FSD across a selection of social groups in Beijing, China, based on the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Methods: A cross-sectional study based on the multiple-stage cluster sampling was performed with adult women throughout the Dongcheng and Shunyi districts of Beijing. The Chinese version of FSFI was used, as well as questions on demographic characteristics, the disease-related context, and social relationships. Results: A total of 6000 consecutive women entered this study, with an actual response from 5024 women, corresponding to a response rate of 83.7%. A total of 4697 (78.3%) questionnaires were effective. The prevalence of adult FSD in Beijing was 2973 (63.3%) using a score of 26.55 as the boundary value, whereas the total mean FSFI score was 23.92 ± 6.37. However, 1423 (30.3%) women did not seek help. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, the possible potential risk factors included age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.051), dissatisfaction with the spouse's sexual ability (OR = 3.520), poor marital affection (OR = 2.087), spouse sexual difficulties (OR = 1.720), dissatisfaction with married life (OR = 1.476), living in a rural area (OR = 1.292), chronic pelvic pain (OR = 1.261), chronic disease (OR = 1.534), previous pelvic surgery (OR = 1.605), vaginal delivery (OR = 2.285), lower education (OR = 3.449) and postmenopausal (OR = 3.183). Conclusions: As suggested by the FSFI scores, female sexual problems are highly prevalent in Beijing. Dissatisfaction with the spouse's sexual ability, poor marital affection, sexual difficulties of the spouse, dissatisfaction with the marriage, rural life, CPP, and postmenopausal were conceivable risk factors for FSD in Beijing women. PMID:28584199

Development and initial validation of the vaginal penetration cognition questionnaire (VPCQ) in a sample of women with vaginismus and dyspareunia.

PubMed

Klaassen, Maaike; Ter Kuile, Moniek M

2009-06-01

Although the relevance of cognitions has been implicated in the etiology, explanatory models, and treatment of female sexual pain disorders, an instrument that assesses vaginal penetration cognitions is nonexistent. The aim of this study was to develop and to investigate the psychometric properties of the Vaginal Penetration Cognition Questionnaire (VPCQ). The VPCQ was explicitly designed to assess cognitions regarding vaginal penetration in women with vaginismus and dyspareunia. A sample of 247 Dutch women with a female sexual dysfunction (FSD; 122 women with lifelong vaginismus and 125 women with dyspareunia) and 117 women without sexual complaints completed the questionnaire. Factor analyses were only conducted in the sample of women with FSD. Validation measures were conducted in both women with and without FSD. All women completed the VPCQ and several additional questions regarding biographic and complaint characteristics. Conduction of factor analyses yielded five subscales regarding cognitions about vaginal penetration: "control cognitions,"catastrophic and pain cognitions,"self-image cognitions,"positive cognitions," and "genital incompatibility cognitions." Reliability of these five VPCQ subscales ranged from 0.70 to 0.83, and the test-retest correlations were satisfactory. The five VPCQ subscales were reasonably stable across demographic variables and demonstrated good discriminant validity. All five subscales were able to detect significant differences between women with and without FSD. Additionally, the four subscales of the VPCQ concerning negative cognitions demonstrated the ability to differentiate between the two samples of women with FSD. Women with lifelong vaginismus reported lower levels of perceived penetration control and higher levels of catastrophic and pain cognitions, negative self-image cognitions, and genital incompatibility cognitions, when compared with women with dyspareunia. The present study indicates that the VPCQ is a valid and reliable brief self-report measure for assessing cognitions regarding vaginal penetration in women with vaginismus or dyspareunia.

Development and use of Fourier self deconvolution and curve-fitting in the study of coal oxidation

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

Pierce, J.A.

1986-01-01

Techniques have been developed for modeling highly overlapped band multiplets. The method is based on a least-squares fit of spectra by a series of bands of known shape. Using synthetic spectra, it was shown that when bands are separated by less than their full width at half height (FWHH), valid analytical data can only be obtained after the width of each component band is narrowed by Fourier self deconvolution (FSD). The optimum method of spectral fitting determined from the study of synthetic spectra was then applied to the characterization of oxidized coals. A medium volatile bituminous coal which was airmore » oxidized at 200/sup 0/C for different lengths of time, was extracted with chloroform. A comparison of the infrared spectra of the whole coal and the extract indicated that the extracted material contains a smaller amount of carbonyl, ether, and ester groups, while the aromatic content is much higher. Oxidation does not significantly affect the aromatic content of the whole cola. Most of the aromatic groups in the CHCl/sub 3/ extract show evidence of reaction, however. The production of relatively large amounts of intramolecular aromatic anhydrides is seen in the spectrum of the extract of coals which have undergone extensive oxidation,while there is only a slight indication of this anhydride in the whole coal.« less

Seasonal evolution of the Arctic marginal ice zone and its power-law obeying floe size distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, J.; Stern, H. L., III; Schweiger, A. J. B.; Steele, M.; Hwang, P. B.

2017-12-01

A thickness, floe size, and enthalpy distribution (TFED) sea ice model, implemented numerically into the Pan-arctic Ice-Ocean Modeling and Assimilation System (PIOMAS), is used to investigate the seasonal evolution of the Arctic marginal ice zone (MIZ) and its floe size distribution. The TFED sea ice model, by coupling the Zhang et al. [2015] sea ice floe size distribution (FSD) theory with the Thorndike et al. [1975] ice thickness distribution (ITD) theory, simulates 12-category FSD and ITD explicitly and jointly. A range of ice thickness and floe size observations were used for model calibration and validation. The model creates FSDs that generally obey a power law or upper truncated power law, as observed by satellites and aerial surveys. In this study, we will examine the role of ice fragmentation and lateral melting in altering FSDs in the Arctic MIZ. We will also investigate how changes in FSD impact the seasonal evolution of the MIZ by modifying the thermodynamic processes.

FSD: Frequency Space Differential measurement of CMB spectral distortions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukherjee, Suvodip; Silk, Joseph; Wandelt, Benjamin D.

2018-07-01

Although the cosmic microwave background (CMB) agrees with a perfect blackbody spectrum within the current experimental limits, it is expected to exhibit certain spectral distortions with known spectral properties. We propose a new method Frequency Space Differential (FSD) to measure the spectral distortions in the CMB spectrum by using the inter-frequency differences of the brightness temperature. The difference between the observed CMB temperature at different frequencies must agree with the frequency derivative of the blackbody spectrum in the absence of any distortion. However, in the presence of spectral distortions, the measured inter-frequency differences would also exhibit deviations from blackbody that can be modelled for known sources of spectral distortions like y and μ. Our technique uses FSD information for the CMB blackbody, y, μ, or any other sources of spectral distortions to model the observed signal. Successful application of this method in future CMB missions can provide an alternative method to extract spectral distortion signals and can potentially make it feasible to measure spectral distortions without an internal blackbody calibrator.

Morphological and spectroscopic analysis of cellulose nanocrystals extracted from oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dasan, Y. K.; Bhat, A. H.; Faiz, A.

2015-07-01

This work evaluates the use of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber as a source of cellulose to obtain nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC) by acid hydrolysis reaction. The raw OPEFB fibers were pretreated with aqueous Sodium hydroxide at 80°C followed by bleaching treatment and further hydrolyzed with Sulphuric acid at 45°C with limited range of hydrolysis time and acid concentration. The resulting CNC's were characterized for spectroscopic, crystallographic and morphological properties using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Finding of this study shows that the properties of CNC's are strongly dependent on the hydrolysis time and acid concentration.

Optical Fourier diffractometry applied to degraded bone structure recognition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galas, Jacek; Godwod, Krzysztof; Szawdyn, Jacek; Sawicki, Andrzej

1993-09-01

Image processing and recognition methods are useful in many fields. This paper presents the hybrid optical and digital method applied to recognition of pathological changes in bones involved by metabolic bone diseases. The trabecular bone structure, registered by x ray on the photographic film, is analyzed in the new type of computer controlled diffractometer. The set of image parameters, extracted from diffractogram, is evaluated by statistical analysis. The synthetic image descriptors in discriminant space, constructed on the base of 3 training groups of images (control, osteoporosis, and osteomalacia groups) by discriminant analysis, allow us to recognize bone samples with degraded bone structure and to recognize the disease. About 89% of the images were classified correctly. This method after optimization process will be verified in medical investigations.

Assessment of female sexual function in a group of uncircumcised obese Egyptian women.

PubMed

Elnashar, A R M; Ibrahim, N H; Ahmed, H-Eh; Hassanin, A M; Elgawady, M A

2015-01-01

The aim of the present study was to assess female sexual function in an obese group (250 women) and to compare it with a control group (100 women), among 25-35-year-old uncircumcised Egyptian women, using female sexual function index (FSFI) score. FSFI total score of ⩽ 26.55 was considered diagnostic of Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD). The percentage of FSD in the obese group was 73.6% while it was 71% in the control group, which was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). The difference between both groups regarding the total (FSFI) score was insignificant (P > 0.05), but arousal and satisfaction domains scores were significantly lower in the obese group. In the obese group, a strong negative correlation between body mass index and arousal, orgasm and the total FSFI score was found. Women with excessive obesity had the lowest total FSFI score. In the obese group, college graduates had the highest total scores and all domain scores of FSFI followed by high school graduates while the least educated women had the lowest scores and when these subgroups were compared, significant differences were found among them. We conclude that in uncircumcised 25-35-year-old Egyptian women, obesity is not a major detrimental factor for FSD, but it may affect some sexual domains such as arousal and satisfaction, although excessive obesity is associated with FSD. Also, educational and cultural factors may have an impact on perception of sex and pleasure.

Female Sexual Function Before and After Bariatric Surgery: a Cross-Sectional Study and Review of Literature.

PubMed

Janik, Michał Robert; Bielecka, Ilona; Paśnik, Krzysztof; Kwiatkowski, Andrzej; Podgórska, Ludmiła

2015-08-01

The aims of the present study were to compare sexual quality of life and prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) after surgical weight loss with controls seeking bariatric surgery, and to perform a literature review. Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQoL-F) questionnaires were sent within 12-18 months postoperatively via e-mail to 153 women who had undergone weight loss surgery (postoperative group). The control group comprised of 23 women who were asked to complete the questionnaires during their preoperative evaluation (preoperative group). The total FSFI cutoff score for a diagnosis of FSD was ≤ 26.55. The median (Q1, Q3) FSFI score did not differ significantly between the preoperative (26.9 [24.3, 30.7]) and postoperative groups (26.9 [22.6, 30.0]). There was no difference in the prevalence of FSD between groups. However, median scores in FSFI domains of desire and arousal were significantly higher in the postoperative group. There were no differences in the other FSFI domains. The median SQoL-F was significantly higher in the postoperative group. The FSFI score did not predict the SQoL-F score. The prevalence of FSD was comparable in the two groups. The higher SQoL-F score in the postoperative group may be the result of an improvement in self-esteem, which in turn leads to greater interest in sex and more intense feelings of desire and arousal.

Which Food Security Determinants Predict Adequate Vegetable Consumption among Rural Western Australian Children?

PubMed Central

Godrich, Stephanie L.; Lo, Johnny; Davies, Christina R.; Darby, Jill; Devine, Amanda

2017-01-01

Improving the suboptimal vegetable consumption among the majority of Australian children is imperative in reducing chronic disease risk. The objective of this research was to determine whether there was a relationship between food security determinants (FSD) (i.e., food availability, access, and utilisation dimensions) and adequate vegetable consumption among children living in regional and remote Western Australia (WA). Caregiver-child dyads (n = 256) living in non-metropolitan/rural WA completed cross-sectional surveys that included questions on FSD, demographics and usual vegetable intake. A total of 187 dyads were included in analyses, which included descriptive and logistic regression analyses via IBM SPSS (version 23). A total of 13.4% of children in this sample had adequate vegetable intake. FSD that met inclusion criteria (p ≤ 0.20) for multivariable regression analyses included price; promotion; quality; location of food outlets; variety of vegetable types; financial resources; and transport to outlets. After adjustment for potential demographic confounders, the FSD that predicted adequate vegetable consumption were, variety of vegetable types consumed (p = 0.007), promotion (p = 0.017), location of food outlets (p = 0.027), and price (p = 0.043). Food retail outlets should ensure that adequate varieties of vegetable types (i.e., fresh, frozen, tinned) are available, vegetable messages should be promoted through food retail outlets and in community settings, towns should include a range of vegetable purchasing options, increase their reliance on a local food supply and increase transport options to enable affordable vegetable purchasing. PMID:28054955

Assessment of sexually related personal distress accompanying premenopausal sexual dysfunction with an Arabic version of the Female Sexual Distress Scale.

PubMed

Ahmed, Magdy R; Shaaban, Mohamed M; Meky, Heba K

2017-10-01

To assess sexually related personal distress among premenopausal women with female sexual dysfunction (FSD) via a validated Arabic version of the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS). A cross-sectional study was conducted among women attending Suez Canal University Hospital, Egypt, between May 2015 and July 2016. In a pilot study to evaluate test-retest reliability and internal consistency, 42 sexually active premenopausal women (aged ≥20 years) completed the Arabic FSDS at recruitment and 2 weeks later. Subsequently, premenopausal sexually active women (aged 20-45 years) were asked to complete the female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire; those with FSD (FSFI score ≤26.55) were invited to return to complete the validated version of the Arabic FSDS. The Arabic FSDS showed good test-retest reliability (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.93-0.98) and internal consistency (Cronbach α 0.83-0.92). Overall, 140 (58.1%) of 241 women who completed the FSFI had sexual dysfunction, of whom 51 (36.4%) had sexually related personal distress. Marriage duration was significantly increased among women with FSD (P<0.001). All FSFI sexual domains except lubrication were negatively correlated with FSDS. FSD and sexually related personal distress were highly interrelated and prevalent. An Arabic version of the FSDS was found to be valid and reliable for evaluation of sexually related personal distress. © 2017 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

Which Food Security Determinants Predict Adequate Vegetable Consumption among Rural Western Australian Children?

PubMed

Godrich, Stephanie L; Lo, Johnny; Davies, Christina R; Darby, Jill; Devine, Amanda

2017-01-03

Improving the suboptimal vegetable consumption among the majority of Australian children is imperative in reducing chronic disease risk. The objective of this research was to determine whether there was a relationship between food security determinants (FSD) (i.e., food availability, access, and utilisation dimensions) and adequate vegetable consumption among children living in regional and remote Western Australia (WA). Caregiver-child dyads ( n = 256) living in non-metropolitan/rural WA completed cross-sectional surveys that included questions on FSD, demographics and usual vegetable intake. A total of 187 dyads were included in analyses, which included descriptive and logistic regression analyses via IBM SPSS (version 23). A total of 13.4% of children in this sample had adequate vegetable intake. FSD that met inclusion criteria ( p ≤ 0.20) for multivariable regression analyses included price; promotion; quality; location of food outlets; variety of vegetable types; financial resources; and transport to outlets. After adjustment for potential demographic confounders, the FSD that predicted adequate vegetable consumption were, variety of vegetable types consumed ( p = 0.007), promotion ( p = 0.017), location of food outlets ( p = 0.027), and price ( p = 0.043). Food retail outlets should ensure that adequate varieties of vegetable types (i.e., fresh, frozen, tinned) are available, vegetable messages should be promoted through food retail outlets and in community settings, towns should include a range of vegetable purchasing options, increase their reliance on a local food supply and increase transport options to enable affordable vegetable purchasing.

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

Watkins, W.T.; Siebers, J.V.; Bzdusek, K.

Purpose: To introduce methods to analyze Deformable Image Registration (DIR) and identify regions of potential DIR errors. Methods: DIR Deformable Vector Fields (DVFs) quantifying patient anatomic changes were evaluated using the Jacobian determinant and the magnitude of DVF curl as functions of tissue density and tissue type. These quantities represent local relative deformation and rotation, respectively. Large values in dense tissues can potentially identify non-physical DVF errors. For multiple DVFs per patient, histograms and visualization of DVF differences were also considered. To demonstrate the capabilities of methods, we computed multiple DVFs for each of five Head and Neck (H'N) patientsmore » (P1–P5) via a Fast-symmetric Demons (FSD) algorithm and via a Diffeomorphic Demons (DFD) algorithm, and show the potential to identify DVF errors. Results: Quantitative comparisons of the FSD and DFD registrations revealed <0.3 cm DVF differences in >99% of all voxels for P1, >96% for P2, and >90% of voxels for P3. While the FSD and DFD registrations were very similar for these patients, the Jacobian determinant was >50% in 9–15% of soft tissue and in 3–17% of bony tissue in each of these cases. The volumes of large soft tissue deformation were consistent for all five patients using the FSD algorithm (mean 15%±4% volume), whereas DFD reduced regions of large deformation by 10% volume (785 cm{sup 3}) for P4 and by 14% volume (1775 cm{sup 3}) for P5. The DFD registrations resulted in fewer regions of large DVF-curl; 50% rotations in FSD registrations averaged 209±136 cm{sup 3} in soft tissue and 10±11 cm{sup 3} in bony tissue, but using DFD these values were reduced to 42±53 cm{sup 3} and 1.1±1.5 cm{sup 3}, respectively. Conclusion: Analysis of Jacobian determinant and curl as functions of tissue density can identify regions of potential DVF errors by identifying non-physical deformations and rotations. Collaboration with Phillips Healthcare, as indicated in authorship.« less

The p300 event-related potential technique for libido assessment in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

PubMed

Vardi, Yoram; Sprecher, Elliot; Gruenwald, Ilan; Yarnitsky, David; Gartman, Irena; Granovsky, Yelena

2009-06-01

There is a need for an objective technique to assess the degree of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). Recently, we described such a methodology (event-related potential technique [ERP]) based on recording of p300 electroencephalography (EEG) waves elicited by auditory stimuli during synchronous exposure to erotic films. To compare sexual interest of sexually healthy women to females with sexual dysfunction (FSD) using ERP, and to explore whether FSD women with and without HSDD would respond differently to two different types of erotic stimuli-films containing (I) or not containing (NI) sexual intercourse scenes. Twenty-two women with FSD, of which nine had HSDD only, and 30 sexually healthy women were assessed by the Female Sexual Functioning Index. ERP methodology was performed applying erotic NI or I films. Significant differences in percent of auditory p300 amplitude reduction (PR) in response to erotic stimuli within and between all three groups for each film type. PRs to each film type were similar in sexually healthy women (60.6% +/- 40.3 (NI) and 51.7% +/- 32.3 [I]), while in women with FSD, reduction was greater when viewing the NI vs. I erotic films (71.4% +/- 41.0 vs. 37.7% +/- 45.7; P = 0.0099). This difference was mainly due to the greater PR of the subgroup with HSDD in response to NI vs. I films (77.7% +/- 46.7 vs. 17.0% +/- 50.3) than in the FSD women without HSDD group or the sexually healthy women (67.5% +/- 38.7 vs. 50.4% +/- 39.4 respectively), P = 0.0084. For comparisons, we used the mixed-model one-way analysis of variance. Differences in neurophysiological response patterns between sexually healthy vs. sexually dysfunctional females may point to a specific inverse discrimination ability for sexually relevant information in the subgroup of women with HSDD. These findings suggest that the p300 ERP technique could be used as an objective quantitative tool for libido assessment in sexually dysfunctional women.

Which are the male factors associated with female sexual dysfunction (FSD)?

PubMed

Maseroli, E; Fanni, E; Mannucci, E; Fambrini, M; Jannini, E A; Maggi, M; Vignozzi, L

2016-09-01

It has been generally assumed that partner's erectile dysfunction, premature, and delayed ejaculation play a significant role in determining female sexual dysfunction (FSD). This study aimed to evaluate the role of the male partner's sexual function, as perceived by women, in determining FSD. A consecutive series of 156 heterosexual women consulting our clinic for FSD was retrospectively studied. All patients underwent a structured interview and completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). FSFI total score decreased as a function of partner's age, conflicts within the couple, relationship without cohabitation and the habit of engaging in intercourse to please the partner; FSFI total score increased as a function of frequency of intercourse, attempts to conceive and fertility-focused intercourse. FSFI total score showed a negative, stepwise correlation with partner's perceived hypoactive sexual desire (HSD) (r = -0.327; p < 0.0001), whereas no significant correlation was found between FSFI and erectile dysfunction, premature and delayed ejaculation. In an age-adjusted model, partner's HSD was negatively related to FSFI total score (Wald = 9.196, p = 0.002), arousal (Wald = 7.893, p = 0.005), lubrication (Wald = 5.042, p = 0.025), orgasm (Wald = 9.293, p = 0.002), satisfaction (Wald = 12.764, p < 0.0001), and pain (Wald = 6.492, p = 0.011) domains. Partner's HSD was also significantly associated with somatized anxiety, low frequency of intercourse, low partner's care for the patient's sexual pleasure, and with a higher frequency of masturbation, even after adjusting for age. In patients not reporting any reduction in libido, FSFI total score was significantly lower when their partner's libido was low (p = 0.041); the correlation disappeared if the patient also experienced HSD. In conclusion, the presence of erectile dysfunction, premature, and delayed ejaculation of the partner may not act as a primary contributing factor to FSD, as determined by FSFI scores; conversely, women's sexuality seems to be mostly impaired by the perceived reduction in their partner's sexual interest. © 2016 American Society of Andrology and European Academy of Andrology.

Using the Benford's Law as a First Step to Assess the Quality of the Cancer Registry Data.

PubMed

Crocetti, Emanuele; Randi, Giorgia

2016-01-01

Benford's law states that the distribution of the first digit different from 0 [first significant digit (FSD)] in many collections of numbers is not uniform. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether population-based cancer incidence rates follow Benford's law, and if this can be used in their data quality check process. We sampled 43 population-based cancer registry populations (CRPs) from the Cancer Incidence in 5 Continents-volume X (CI5-X). The distribution of cancer incidence rate FSD was evaluated overall, by sex, and by CRP. Several statistics, including Pearson's coefficient of correlation and distance measures, were applied to check the adherence to the Benford's law. In the whole dataset (146,590 incidence rates) and for each sex (70,722 male and 75,868 female incidence rates), the FSD distributions were Benford-like. The coefficient of correlation between observed and expected FSD distributions was extremely high (0.999), and the distance measures low. Considering single CRP (from 933 to 7,222 incidence rates), the results were in agreement with the Benford's law, and only a few CRPs showed possible discrepancies from it. This study demonstrated for the first time that cancer incidence rates follow Benford's law. This characteristic can be used as a new, simple, and objective tool in data quality evaluation. The analyzed data had been already checked for publication in CI5-X. Therefore, their quality was expected to be good. In fact, only for a few CRPs several statistics were consistent with possible violations.

The Empowerment of Plasma Modeling by Fundamental Electron Scattering Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kushner, Mark J.

2015-09-01

Modeling of low temperature plasmas addresses at least 3 goals - investigation of fundamental processes, analysis and optimization of current technologies, and prediction of performance of as yet unbuilt systems for new applications. The former modeling may be performed on somewhat idealized systems in simple gases, while the latter will likely address geometrically and electromagnetically intricate systems with complex gas mixtures, and now gases in contact with liquids. The variety of fundamental electron and ion scattering data (FSD) required for these activities increases from the former to the latter, while the accuracy required of that data probably decreases. In each case, the fidelity, depth and impact of the modeling depends on the availability of FSD. Modeling is, in fact, empowered by the availability and robustness of FSD. In this talk, examples of the impact of and requirements for FSD in plasma modeling will be discussed from each of these three perspectives using results from multidimensional and global models. The fundamental studies will focus on modeling of inductively coupled plasmas sustained in Ar/Cl2 where the electron scattering from feed gases and their fragments ultimately determine gas temperatures. Examples of the optimization of current technologies will focus on modeling of remote plasma etching of Si and Si3N4 in Ar/NF3/N2/O2 mixtures. Modeling of systems as yet unbuilt will address the interaction of atmospheric pressure plasmas with liquids Work was supported by the US Dept. of Energy (DE-SC0001939), National Science Foundation (CHE-124752), and the Semiconductor Research Corp.

Evaluation of recovery and quality of sexual activity in women during postpartum in relation to the different mode of delivery: a retrospective analysis.

PubMed

Laganà, A S; Burgio, M A; Ciancimino, L; Sicilia, A; Pizzo, A; Magno, C; Butticè, S; Triolo, O

2015-08-01

Aim of the study was to assess the recovery and quality of sexual activity of women during postpartum, in relation to delivery. We recruited 200 women at 8 weeks after delivery. For each patient we recorded mode of delivery, age, body mass index (BMI), parity and test Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score. Sixty-four women (32%) had spontaneous deliveries without episiotomy, 48 (24%) had it with episiotomy, 88 (44%) had caesarean sections. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) test showed no significant differences among the 3 groups for age, BMI, parity. The test FSFI evidenced 68 cases (34%) of Regular Female Sexual Function (RFSF) and 132 (66%) of Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD). The ANOVA test showed significant differences among the 3 groups in RFSF (F [2, 14]=8.075, P=0.005), but not in FSD (F [2, 30]=2.646, P=0.087). In RFSF, FSFI score was higher in women who had vaginal delivery with episiotomy compared with the other two groups. Conversely, in FSD (both with or without resumed sexual activity at 8 weeks postpartum) we evidenced that patients who had vaginal delivery with episiotomy showed lower FSFI score than the other two groups, with a decrease in lubrication, orgasm and satisfaction scores. Furthermore, we observed that most of the RFSF patients had a job and breastfed. Our results did not evidence a direct and significant correlation between mode of delivery and onset of female postpartum sexual dysfunction, even if FSD patients who underwent episiotomy during delivery markedly showed low FSFI scores.

All-atom ab initio native structure prediction of a mixed fold (1FME): A comparison of structural and folding characteristics of various ββα miniproteins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Eunae; Jang, Soonmin; Pak, Youngshang

2009-11-01

We performed an all-atom ab initio native structure prediction of 1FME, which is one of the computationally challenging mixed fold ββα miniproteins, by combining a novel conformational search algorithm (multiplexed Q-replica exchange molecular dynamics scheme) with a well-balanced all-atom force field employing a generalized Born implicit solvation model (param99MOD5/GBSA). The nativelike structure of 1FME was identified from the lowest free energy minimum state and in excellent agreement with the NMR structure. Based on the interpretation of the free energy landscape, the structural properties as well as the folding behaviors of 1FME were compared with other ββα miniproteins (1FSD, 1PSV, and BBA5) that we have previously studied with the same force field. Our simulation showed that the 28-residue ββα miniproteins (1FME, 1FSD, and 1PSV) share a common feature of the free energy topography and exhibit the three local minimum states on each computed free energy map, but the 23-residue miniprotein (BBA5) follows a downhill folding with a single minimum state. Also, the structure and stability changes resulting from the two point mutation (Gln1→Glu1 and Ile7→Tyr7) of 1FSD were investigated in details for direct comparison with the experiment. The comparison shows that upon mutation, the experimentally observed turn type switch from an irregular turn (1FSD) to type I' turn (1FME) was well reproduced with the present simulation.

Fundamental Parameters Line Profile Fitting in Laboratory Diffractometers

PubMed Central

Cheary, R. W.; Coelho, A. A.; Cline, J. P.

2004-01-01

The fundamental parameters approach to line profile fitting uses physically based models to generate the line profile shapes. Fundamental parameters profile fitting (FPPF) has been used to synthesize and fit data from both parallel beam and divergent beam diffractometers. The refined parameters are determined by the diffractometer configuration. In a divergent beam diffractometer these include the angular aperture of the divergence slit, the width and axial length of the receiving slit, the angular apertures of the axial Soller slits, the length and projected width of the x-ray source, the absorption coefficient and axial length of the sample. In a parallel beam system the principal parameters are the angular aperture of the equatorial analyser/Soller slits and the angular apertures of the axial Soller slits. The presence of a monochromator in the beam path is normally accommodated by modifying the wavelength spectrum and/or by changing one or more of the axial divergence parameters. Flat analyzer crystals have been incorporated into FPPF as a Lorentzian shaped angular acceptance function. One of the intrinsic benefits of the fundamental parameters approach is its adaptability any laboratory diffractometer. Good fits can normally be obtained over the whole 20 range without refinement using the known properties of the diffractometer, such as the slit sizes and diffractometer radius, and emission profile. PMID:27366594

Changes in Arctic Sea Ice Thickness and Floe Size

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, J.; Schweiger, A. J. B.; Stern, H. L., III; Steele, M.

2016-12-01

A thickness, floe size, and enthalpy distribution sea ice model was implemented into the Pan-arctic Ice-Ocean Modeling and Assimilation System (PIOMAS) by coupling the Zhang et al. [2015] sea ice floe size distribution (FSD) theory with the Thorndike et al. [1975] ice thickness distribution (ITD) theory in order to explicitly simulate multicategory FSD and ITD simultaneously. A range of ice thickness and floe size observations were used for model calibration and validation. The expanded, validated PIOMAS was used to study sea ice response to atmospheric and oceanic changes in the Arctic, focusing on the interannual variability and trends of ice thickness and floe size over the period 1979-2015. It is found that over the study period both ice thickness and floe size have been decreasing steadily in the Arctic. The simulated ice thickness shows considerable spatiotemporal variability in recent years. As the ice cover becomes thinner and weaker, the model simulates an increasing number of small floes (at the low end of the FSD), which affects sea ice properties, particularly in the marginal ice zone.

Identification of Malassezia species in the facial lesions of Chinese seborrhoeic dermatitis patients based on DNA sequencing.

PubMed

Lian, C-h; Shen, L-l; Gao, Q-y; Jiang, M; Zhao, Z-j; Zhao, J-j

2014-12-01

The genus Malassezia is important in the aetiology of facial seborrhoeic dermatitis (FSD), which is the most common clinical type. The purpose of this study was to analyse the distribution of Malassezia species in the facial lesions of Chinese seborrhoeic dermatitis (SD) patients and healthy individuals. Sixty-four isolates of Malassezia were isolated from FSD patients and 60 isolates from healthy individuals. Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was used to identify the isolates. The most frequently identified Malassezia species associated with FSD was M. furfur (76.56%), followed by M. sympodialis (12.50%) and M. japonica (9.38%). The most frequently isolated species in healthy individuals were M. furfur (61.67%), followed by M. sympodialis (25.00%), M. japonica (6.67%), M. globosa (3.33%), and M. obtusa (3.33%). Overall, our study revealed that while M. furfur is the predominant Malassezia species in Chinese SD patients, there is no significant difference in the distribution of Malassezia species between Chinese SD patients and healthy individuals. © 2014 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Experimental modelling of fragmentation applied to volcanic explosions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haug, Øystein Thordén; Galland, Olivier; Gisler, Galen R.

2013-12-01

Explosions during volcanic eruptions cause fragmentation of magma and host rock, resulting in fragments with sizes ranging from boulders to fine ash. The products can be described by fragment size distributions (FSD), which commonly follow power laws with exponent D. The processes that lead to power-law distributions and the physical parameters that control D remain unknown. We developed a quantitative experimental procedure to study the physics of the fragmentation process through time. The apparatus consists of a Hele-Shaw cell containing a layer of cohesive silica flour that is fragmented by a rapid injection of pressurized air. The evolving fragmentation of the flour is monitored with a high-speed camera, and the images are analysed to obtain the evolution of the number of fragments (N), their average size (A), and the FSD. Using the results from our image-analysis procedure, we find transient empirical laws for N, A and the exponent D of the power-law FSD as functions of the initial air pressure. We show that our experimental procedure is a promising tool for unravelling the complex physics of fragmentation during phreatomagmatic and phreatic eruptions.

Morphological and spectroscopic analysis of cellulose nanocrystals extracted from oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber

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

Dasan, Y. K., E-mail: aamir.bhat@petronas.com.my; Bhat, A. H., E-mail: aamir.bhat@petronas.com.my; Faiz, A., E-mail: faizahmad@petronas.com.my

2015-07-22

This work evaluates the use of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber as a source of cellulose to obtain nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC) by acid hydrolysis reaction. The raw OPEFB fibers were pretreated with aqueous Sodium hydroxide at 80°C followed by bleaching treatment and further hydrolyzed with Sulphuric acid at 45°C with limited range of hydrolysis time and acid concentration. The resulting CNC’s were characterized for spectroscopic, crystallographic and morphological properties using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Finding of this study shows that the properties of CNC’s aremore » strongly dependent on the hydrolysis time and acid concentration.« less

Female Sexual Dysfunction-Medical and Psychological Treatments, Committee 14.

PubMed

Kingsberg, Sheryl A; Althof, Stanley; Simon, James A; Bradford, Andrea; Bitzer, Johannes; Carvalho, Joana; Flynn, Kathryn E; Nappi, Rossella E; Reese, Jennifer B; Rezaee, Roya L; Schover, Leslie; Shifrin, Jan L

2017-12-01

Since the millennium we have witnessed significant strides in the science and treatment of female sexual dysfunction (FSD). This forward progress has included (i) the development of new theoretical models to describe healthy and dysfunctional sexual responses in women; (ii) alternative classification strategies of female sexual disorders; (iii) major advances in brain, hormonal, psychological, and interpersonal research focusing on etiologic factors and treatment approaches; (iv) strong and effective public advocacy for FSD; and (v) greater educational awareness of the impact of FSD on the woman and her partner. To review the literature and describe the best practices for assessing and treating women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder, female sexual arousal disorder, and female orgasmic disorders. The committee undertook a comprehensive review of the literature and discussion among themselves to determine the best assessment and treatment methods. Using a biopsychosocial lens, the committee presents recommendations (with levels of evidence) for assessment and treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder, female sexual arousal disorder, and female orgasmic disorders. The numerous significant strides in FSD that have occurred since the previous International Consultation of Sexual Medicine publications are reviewed in this article. Although evidence supports an integrated biopsychosocial approach to assessment and treatment of these disorders, the biological and psychological factors are artificially separated for review purposes. We recognize that best outcomes are achieved when all relevant factors are identified and addressed by the clinician and patient working together in concert (the sum is greater than the whole of its parts). Kingsberg SA, Althof S, Simon JA, et al. Female Sexual Dysfunction-Medical and Psychological Treatments, Committee 14. J Sex Med 2017;14:1463-1491. Copyright © 2017 International Society for Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

How science teachers balance religion and evolution in the science classroom: A case study of science classes in a Florida Public School District

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Willems, Pierre Dominique

The purpose of this case study was to research how science teachers balance both religion and evolution in the science classroom with as little controversy as possible. In this study I attempted to provide some insight on how teachers are currently teaching evolution in their science classes in light of the religious beliefs of the students as well as their own. The case study was conducted in a school district in Florida where I attempted to answer the following questions: (a) How do science teachers in the Florida School District (FSD) approach the religion--evolution issue in preparing students for a career in a field of science? (b) How do science teachers in the FSD reconcile the subject of evolution with the religious views of their students? (c) How do science teachers in the FSD reconcile their own religious views with the teaching of evolution? (d) How do science teachers in the FSD perceive the relationship between religion and science? The data was collected through interviews with two high school teachers, and one middle school teacher, by observing each participant teach, by collecting site documents and by administering an exploratory survey to student volunteers. Analysis was conducted by open coding which produced four themes from which the research questions were answered and the survey answers were counted to produce the percentages displayed in the tables in chapter four. The teachers avoided discussion on religiously oriented questions or statements by the students and did not reveal their own religious orientation. The topic of microevolution appeared to reduce stress in the classroom environment, as opposed to addressing macroevolution.

On the Current Trend of Tropical Cyclone Activity and the Lengthening of the Tropical Cyclone Season in the North Atlantic Basin

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, Robert M.

2013-01-01

In this TP, the trend in North Atlantic basin TC activity, especially as related to the determination of the length of season (LOS) and its possible association with warming surface-air and sea-surface temperature, is revisited. In particular, examined are: (1) the trend in TC activity for the yearly intervals 1945-1965, 1966-1994, and 1995-2012 for TCs having duration NSD greater or equal to 0.25 day, less than 2 days, greater than or equal to 2 days, greater than or equal to 4 days, and greater than or equal to 8 days; (2) the latitudinal and longitudinal genesis locations of the short-lived TC (defined herein as those TCs having duration NSD less than 2 days) for the three yearly intervals; (3) the first storm day (FSD), last storm day (LSD), and LOS based on TCs having duration NSD greater than or equal to 0.25 day and NSD greater than or equal to 2 days; (4) the relationship between FSD, LSD, and LOS for TCs having duration NSD greater than or equal to 0.25 day and NSD greater than or equal to 2 days; (5) the surface-air and sea-surface temperature, wind, and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) during the interval 1945-2012; (6) the relationship of FSD, LSD, and LOS against surface-air and sea-surface temperature, wind, and the NAO; (7) the relationship of TC activity against surface-air and sea-surface temperature, wind, and the NAO; and (8) the relationship of TC activity against FSD and LOS. This TP represents an update to an earlier study by Wilson concerning the length of the yearly hurricane season.

Sexual function in young women with type 1 diabetes: the METRO study.

PubMed

Maiorino, M I; Bellastella, G; Castaldo, F; Petrizzo, M; Giugliano, D; Esposito, K

2017-02-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors associated with female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in young women with type 1 diabetes treated with different intensive insulin regimens. Type 1 diabetic women aged 18-35 years were included in this study if they had stable couple relationship and no oral contraceptive use. All women were asked to complete the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and other validated multiple-choice questionnaires assessing sexual-related distress (Female Sexual Distress Scale, FSDS), quality of life (SF-36 Health Survey), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), depressive symptoms (Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, SRDS) and diabetes-related problems (Diabetes Integration Scale ATT-19). FSD was diagnosed according to a FSFI score higher than 26.55 and a FSDS score lower than 15. The overall prevalence of FSD in diabetic and control women was 20 and 15 %, respectively (P = 0.446). Compared with the continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion group and control women, diabetic women on multiple daily injections (MDI) had lower global FSFI score (P = 0.007), FSDS score (P = 0.045) and domains such as arousal (P = 0.006), lubrication and satisfaction scores (P < 0.001 for both). In the multiple regression analysis, only the mental component summary (P = 0.047) and the SRDS score (P = 0.042) were independent predictors of FSFI score in the overall diabetic women. Young women with type 1 diabetes wearing an insulin pump show a prevalence of sexual dysfunction similar to that of healthy age-matched women, but sexual function was significantly impaired in diabetic women on MDI therapy. Depression and the mental health status were independent predictors for FSD in diabetic women.

How do we actually put smarter snacks in schools? NOURISH (Nutrition Opportunities to Understand Reforms Involving Student Health) conversations with food-service directors.

PubMed

Rosenfeld, Lindsay E; Cohen, Juliana Fw; Gorski, Mary T; Lessing, Andrés J; Smith, Lauren; Rimm, Eric B; Hoffman, Jessica A

2017-02-01

In autumn 2012, Massachusetts schools implemented comprehensive competitive food and beverage standards similar to the US Department of Agriculture's Smart Snacks in School standards. We explored major themes raised by food-service directors (FSD) regarding their school-district-wide implementation of the standards. For this qualitative study, part of a larger mixed-methods study, compliance was measured via direct observation of foods and beverages during school site visits in spring 2013 and 2014, calculated to ascertain the percentage of compliant products available to students. Semi-structured interviews with school FSD conducted in each year were analysed for major implementation themes; those raised by more than two-thirds of participating school districts were explored in relationship to compliance. Massachusetts school districts (2013: n 26; 2014: n 21). Data collected from FSD. Seven major themes were raised by more than two-thirds of participating school districts (range 69-100 %): taking measures for successful transition; communicating with vendors/manufacturers; using tools to identify compliant foods and beverages; receiving support from leadership; grappling with issues not covered by the law; anticipating changes in sales of competitive foods and beverages; and anticipating changes in sales of school meals. Each theme was mentioned by the majority of more-compliant school districts (65-81 %), with themes being raised more frequently after the second year of implementation (range increase 4-14 %). FSD in more-compliant districts were more likely to talk about themes than those in less-compliant districts. Identified themes suggest best-practice recommendations likely useful for school districts implementing the final Smart Snacks in School standards, effective July 2016.

Effect of freezing method and frozen storage duration on instrumental quality of lamb throughout display.

PubMed

Muela, E; Sañudo, C; Campo, M M; Medel, I; Beltrán, J A

2010-04-01

This study evaluated the effect of freezing method (FM) (air blast freezer, freezing tunnel, or nitrogen chamber) and frozen storage duration (FSD) (1, 3, or 6 months) on the instrumental measurements of quality of thawed lamb, aged for a total of 72 h, throughout a 10-d display period, compared to the quality of fresh meat. pH, colour, lipid oxidation, thawing, and cooking losses in Longissimus thoracis and lumborum muscle, were determined following standard methods. FM affected yellowness, FSD redness and thawing losses, and both affected oxidation (increased as freezing rate decreased and/or as storage duration increased). When compared with fresh meat, the main differences appeared on oxidation (where a significant interaction between treatment (3FM x 3FSD + fresh meat) with display duration was detected), and on total losses (thaw + cook losses). Oxidation was lower in fresh meat, but values were not significantly different from those stored frozen for 1 month. Fresh meat had smaller total losses than did thawed meat, but losses were not significantly different from meat frozen in the freezing tunnel and stored frozen for 1 month. Display duration had a greater effect on instrumental quality parameters than did FM or FSD. pH, b*, and oxidation increased, and L* and a* decreased with an increase in the number of days on display. In conclusion, neither freezing method nor frozen storage up to 6 months influenced extensively the properties of lamb when instrumental measurements of quality were measured in meat that had been displayed for 1d after thawing. The small deterioration shown in this study should not give consumers concerns about frozen meat. 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Attachment styles and sexual dysfunctions: a case-control study of female and male sexuality.

PubMed

Ciocca, G; Limoncin, E; Di Tommaso, S; Mollaioli, D; Gravina, G L; Marcozzi, A; Tullii, A; Carosa, E; Di Sante, S; Gianfrilli, D; Lenzi, A; Jannini, E A

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate attachment styles in a group of women and men with sexual dysfunction. We recruited 44 subjects (21 women and 23 men) with sexual dysfunction and 41 subjects (21 women and 20 men) with healthy sexual function as the control group. Validated instruments for the evaluation of male and female sexual dysfunctions (M/F SD) and a psychometric tool specifically designed to investigate attachment style were administered. In women, significant differences were found between subjects with sexual dysfunction and healthy controls. The scales indicating an insecure attachment showed: discomfort with closeness (FSD = 42.85 ± 11.55 vs CTRL = 37.38 ± 8.54; P < 0.01), relationship as secondary (FSD = 26.76 ± 2.60 vs CTRL = 18.42 ± 7.99; P < 0.01), and need for approval (FSD=26.38 ± 3.61 vs CTRL = 20.76 ± 7.36; P < 0.01). Healthy women also had significantly higher scores in secure attachment (confidence: FSD = 24.57 ± 3.89 vs CTRL = 33.42 ± 5.74; P < 0.01). Men with sexual dysfunctions differed from healthy men in confidence (MSD = 30 ± 6.33 vs CTRL = 36.05 ± 5.26; P < 0.01) and in discomfort with closeness (MSD = 39.08 ± 8 vs CTRL = 34.25 ± 7.54; P < 0.05). These results suggest that particular aspects related to insecure attachment have a determinant role in people with sexual dysfunctions. It is therefore fundamental to identify the attachment styles and relational patterns in patients receiving counselling and psychological treatments focussed on sexual problems.

Phase, compositional, and morphological changes of human dentin after Nd:YAG laser treatment.

PubMed

Lin, C P; Lee, B S; Lin, F H; Kok, S H; Lan, W H

2001-06-01

Although techniques for repairing root fracture have been proposed, the prognosis is generally poor. If the fusion of a root fracture by laser is possible, it will offer an alternative to extraction. Our group has attempted to use lasers to fuse a low melting-point bioactive glass to fractured dentin. This report is focused on the phase, compositional, and morphological changes observed by means of X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transforming infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in human dentin after exposure to Nd:YAG laser. The irradiation energies were from 150 mJ/ pulse-10 pps-4 s to 150 mJ/pulse-30 pps-4 s. After exposure to Nd:YAG laser, dentin showed four peaks on the X-ray diffractometer that corresponding to a-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and beta-TCP at 20 = 30.78 degrees/34.21 degrees and 32.47 degrees/33.05 degrees, respectively. The peaks of a-TCP and beta-TCP gradually increased in intensity with the elevation of irradiation energy. In Fourier transforming infrared analysis, two absorption bands at 2200 cm(-1) and 2015 cm(-1) could be traced on dentin treated by Nd:YAG laser with the irradiation energies beyond 150 mJ/pulse-10 pps-4 s. The energy dispersive X-ray results showed that the calcium/phosphorus ratios of the irradiated area proportionally increased with the elevation of irradiation energy. The laser energies of 150 mJ/ pulse-30 pps-4 s and 150 mJ/pulse-20 pps-4 s could result in the a-TCP formation and collagen breakdown. However, the formation of glass-like melted substances without a-TCP at the irradiated site was induced by the energy output of 150 mJ/ pulse-10 pps-4 s. Scanning electron micrographs also revealed that the laser energy of 150 mJ/ pulse-10 pps-4 s was sufficient to prompt melting and recrystallization of dentin crystals without cracking. Therefore, we suggest that the irradiation energy of Nd:YAG laser used to fuse a low melting-point bioactive glass to dentin is 150 mJ/ pulse-10 pps-4 s.

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD): Prevalence and impact on quality of life (QoL).

PubMed

Nappi, Rossella E; Cucinella, Laura; Martella, Silvia; Rossi, Margherita; Tiranini, Lara; Martini, Ellis

2016-12-01

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and quality of life (QOL) are both multidimensional and have a bidirectional relationship across the reproductive life span and beyond. Methodological difficulties exist in estimating the real prevalence of FSD because it is hard to determine the level of distress associated with sexual symptoms in a large-scale survey. Approximately 40-50% of all women report at least one sexual symptom, and some conditions associated with hormonal changes at menopause, such as vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) and hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), have a significant impact on sexual function and QOL. Sexual distress peaks at midlife, declines with age and is strongly partner-related. Many postmenopausal women are still sexually active, especially if they are in a stable partnership. Even though sexual functioning is impaired, a variety of psychosocial factors may maintain sexual satisfaction. That being so, health care providers (HCPs) should proactively address sexual symptoms at midlife and in older women, from a balanced perspective. Adequate counselling should be offered. Women with distressing symptoms may benefit from tailored hormonal and non-hormonal therapies, whereas women without distress related to their sexual experiences should not receive any specific treatment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Understanding neurodynamical systems via Fuzzy Symbolic Dynamics.

PubMed

Dobosz, Krzysztof; Duch, Włodzisław

2010-05-01

Neurodynamical systems are characterized by a large number of signal streams, measuring activity of individual neurons, local field potentials, aggregated electrical (EEG) or magnetic potentials (MEG), oxygen use (fMRI) or activity of simulated neurons. Various basis set decomposition techniques are used to analyze such signals, trying to discover components that carry meaningful information, but these techniques tell us little about the global activity of the whole system. A novel technique called Fuzzy Symbolic Dynamics (FSD) is introduced to help in understanding of the multidimensional dynamical system's behavior. It is based on a fuzzy partitioning of the signal space that defines a non-linear mapping of the system's trajectory to the low-dimensional space of membership function activations. This allows for visualization of the trajectory showing various aspects of observed signals that may be difficult to discover looking at individual components, or to notice otherwise. FSD mapping can be applied to raw signals, transformed signals (for example, ICA components), or to signals defined in the time-frequency domain. To illustrate the method two FSD visualizations are presented: a model system with artificial radial oscillatory sources, and the output layer (50 neurons) of Respiratory Rhythm Generator (RRG) composed of 300 spiking neurons. 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Preparation, Structural Characterization and Magnetic Properties of La-SUBSTITUTED co Ferrites via a Modified Citrate Precursor Route

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ai, Lunhong; Jiang, Jing

CoLaxFe2-xO4 (x = 0.00, 0.05 and 0.1) nanoparticles were prepared simply by a modified citrate precursor route. Effects of La-substituting level on the their magnetic properties were investigated on the basis of the structural analysis. The thermal evolution of the precursor, as well as the microstructure of as-prepared products were studied by means of a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. The magnetic properties of the as-prepared samples were measured using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). It was found that the magnetic properties were dependent on many factors such as La-substituting level, particle size and microstructure. The observed saturation magnetization decreased with increasing La content, whereas coercivity exhibited reverse behavior.

Synthesis, Characterization and Comparative Luminescence Studies of Rare-Earth-Doped Gd2O3 Nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pyngrope, D.; Singh, L. R.; Prasad, A. I.; Bora, A.

2018-04-01

A facile direct precipitation method was used for the synthesis of luminescence nanomaterial. Gd2O3 doped with rare earth element Eu3+ is synthesized by polyol route. The synthesized nanoparticles show their characteristic red emission. The nanoparticles are characterized by x-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and photoluminescence (PL) study. The synthesized nanoparticles are spherical particles with 30 nm size. The photoluminescence studies show the characteristic Eu3+ red emission. The PL study shows the intensity of the magnetic dipole transition ( 5 D0 \\to 7 F1 ) at 592 nm compared to that of the electronic dipole transition ( 5 D0 \\to 7 F2 ) at 615 nm. The nanomaterials can show significant application in various display devices and biomedical applications for tracking.

Magnetic and Structural Characterization of Fe-Ga Using Kerr Microscopy and Neutron Scattering

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

117 4.6 Schematic of triple axes single crystal neutron diffractometer (left). TriCS intrument at Paul Scherrer Institut, Switzerland (right...Therefore, USANS data is one-dimensional. 4.3.3 Single Crystal Neutron Diffraction The single crystal neutron diffractometer, TriCS at Paul Scherrer...crystal neutron diffractometer (left). TriCS intrument at Paul Scherrer Institut, Switzerland (right) [106] 4.4 Unpolarized SANS In this section, SANS

Pulsed Neutron Powder Diffraction for Materials Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamiyama, T.

2008-03-01

The accelerator-based neutron diffraction began in the end of 60's at Tohoku University which was succeeded by the four spallation neutron facilities with proton accelerators at the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (Japan), Argonne National Laboratory and Los Alamos Laboratory (USA), and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (UK). Since then, the next generation source has been pursued for 20 years, and 1MW-class spallation neutron sources will be appeared in about three years at the three parts of the world: Japan, UK and USA. The joint proton accelerator project (J-PARC), a collaborative project between KEK and JAEA, is one of them. The aim of the talk is to describe about J-PARC and the neutron diffractometers being installed at the materials and life science facility of J-PARC. The materials and life science facility of J-PARC has 23 neutron beam ports and will start delivering the first neutron beam of 25 Hz from 2008 May. Until now, more than 20 proposals have been reviewed by the review committee, and accepted proposal groups have started to get fund. Those proposals include five polycrystalline diffractometers: a super high resolution powder diffractometer (SHRPD), a 0.2%-resolution powder diffractometer of Ibaraki prefecture (IPD), an engineering diffractometers (Takumi), a high intensity S(Q) diffractometer (VSD), and a high-pressure dedicated diffractometer. SHRPD, Takumi and IPD are being designed and constructed by the joint team of KEK, JAEA and Ibaraki University, whose member are originally from the KEK powder group. These three instruments are expected to start in 2008. VSD is a super high intensity diffractometer with the highest resolution of Δd/d = 0.3%. VSD can measure rapid time-dependent phenomena of crystalline materials as well as glass, liquid and amorphous materials. The pair distribution function will be routinely obtained by the Fourier transiformation of S(Q) data. Q range of VSD will be as wide as 0.01 Å-1

Joining thick section aluminum to steel with suppressed FeAl intermetallic formation via friction stir dovetailing

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

Reza-E-Rabby, Md.; Ross, Kenneth; Overman, Nicole R.

A new solid-phase technique called friction stir dovetailing (FSD) has been developed for joining thick section aluminum to steel. In FSD, mechanical interlocks are formed at the aluminum-steel interface and are reinforced by metallurgical bonds where intermetallic growth has been uniquely suppressed. Lap shear testing shows superior strength and extension at failure compared to popular friction stir approaches where metallurgical bonding is the only joining mechanism. High resolution microscopy revealed the presence of a 40-70 nm interlayer having a composition of 76.4 at% Al, 18.4 at% Fe, and 5.2 at% Si, suggestive of limited FeAl3 intermetallic formation.

The Macromolecular Neutron Diffractometer MaNDi at the Spallation Neutron Source

DOE PAGES

Coates, Leighton; Cuneo, Matthew J.; Frost, Matthew J.; ...

2015-07-18

The Macromolecular Neutron Diffractometer (MaNDi) is located on beamline 11B of the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Moreover, the instrument is a neutron time-of-flight wavelength-resolved Laue diffractometer optimized to collect diffraction data from single crystals. Finally, the instrument has been designed to provide flexibility in several instrumental parameters, such as beam divergence and wavelength bandwidth, to allow data collection from a range of macromolecular systems.

Floe-size distributions in laboratory ice broken by waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herman, Agnieszka; Evers, Karl-Ulrich; Reimer, Nils

2018-02-01

This paper presents the analysis of floe-size distribution (FSD) data obtained in laboratory experiments of ice breaking by waves. The experiments, performed at the Large Ice Model Basin (LIMB) of the Hamburg Ship Model Basin (Hamburgische Schiffbau-Versuchsanstalt, HSVA), consisted of a number of tests in which an initially continuous, uniform ice sheet was broken by regular waves with prescribed characteristics. The floes' characteristics (surface area; minor and major axis, and orientation of equivalent ellipse) were obtained from digital images of the ice sheets after five tests. The analysis shows that although the floe sizes cover a wide range of values (up to 5 orders of magnitude in the case of floe surface area), their probability density functions (PDFs) do not have heavy tails, but exhibit a clear cut-off at large floe sizes. Moreover, the PDFs have a maximum that can be attributed to wave-induced flexural strain, producing preferred floe sizes. It is demonstrated that the observed FSD data can be described by theoretical PDFs expressed as a weighted sum of two components, a tapered power law and a Gaussian, reflecting multiple fracture mechanisms contributing to the FSD as it evolves in time. The results are discussed in the context of theoretical and numerical research on fragmentation of sea ice and other brittle materials.

Prevalence and risk factors for female sexual dysfunction among Egyptian women.

PubMed

Ibrahim, Zakia Mahdy; Ahmed, Magdy Refaat; Sayed Ahmed, Waleed Ali

2013-06-01

To assess sexual function among married women and determine associated risk factors for sexual dysfunction. Cross-sectional hospital-based study involving 509 non-pregnant married females 20-59 years old who were enrolled into the study after approval of the ethics committee. The study population was recruited among women attending gynecology outpatient clinic or their relatives visiting inpatients of obstetrics and gynecology department at Suez Canal University Hospital. Female and male partner-related data were collected using an interview questionnaire. Sexual dysfunction was assessed using female sexual function index (FSFI). Mean female age was 39.5 years. About half of the participants were premenopausal (48.7 %). Most of the females were circumcised (71.7 %). Desire and Orgasm domains were the most affected with 52.8 % of the participants having sexual dysfunction. Total FSFI score of ≤26.55 was the cutoff value for diagnosis of FSD and female age, postmenopausal status, duration of marriage, circumcision, partner's age, and the presence of male sexual dysfunction were found to be significant associated factors with FSD. FSD is highly prevalent in Egypt and orgasm and desire scores were the most affected domains. Several personal (female age, postmenopausal status, duration of marriage and circumcision) and male partner (age, and the presence of sexual dysfunction) factors were significantly associated.

The neutron texture diffractometer at the China Advanced Research Reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Mei-Juan; Liu, Xiao-Long; Liu, Yun-Tao; Tian, Geng-Fang; Gao, Jian-Bo; Yu, Zhou-Xiang; Li, Yu-Qing; Wu, Li-Qi; Yang, Lin-Feng; Sun, Kai; Wang, Hong-Li; Santisteban, J. r.; Chen, Dong-Feng

2016-03-01

The first neutron texture diffractometer in China has been built at the China Advanced Research Reactor, due to strong demand for texture measurement with neutrons from the domestic user community. This neutron texture diffractometer has high neutron intensity, moderate resolution and is mainly applied to study texture in commonly used industrial materials and engineering components. In this paper, the design and characteristics of this instrument are described. The results for calibration with neutrons and quantitative texture analysis of zirconium alloy plate are presented. The comparison of texture measurements with the results obtained in HIPPO at LANSCE and Kowari at ANSTO illustrates the reliability of the texture diffractometer. Supported by National Nature Science Foundation of China (11105231, 11205248, 51327902) and International Atomic Energy Agency-TC program (CPR0012)

An independent occurrence of the chimeric P450 enzyme CYP337B3 of Helicoverpa armigera confers cypermethrin resistance in Pakistan.

PubMed

Rasool, Akhtar; Joußen, Nicole; Lorenz, Sybille; Ellinger, Renate; Schneider, Bernd; Khan, Sher Afzal; Ashfaq, Muhammad; Heckel, David G

2014-10-01

The increasing resistance level of insect pest species is a major concern to agriculture worldwide. The cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, is one of the most important pest species due to being highly polyphagous, geographically widespread, and resistant towards many chemical classes of insecticides. We previously described the mechanism of fenvalerate resistance in Australian populations conferred by the chimeric cytochrome P450 monooxygenase CYP337B3, which arose by unequal crossing-over between CYP337B1 and CYP337B2. Here, we show that this mechanism is also present in the cypermethrin-resistant FSD strain from Pakistan. The Pakistani and the Australian CYP337B3 alleles differ by 18 synonymous and three nonsynonymous SNPs and additionally in the length and sequence of the intron. Nevertheless, the activity of both CYP337B3 proteins is comparable. We demonstrate that CYP337B3 is capable of metabolizing cypermethrin (trans- and especially cis-isomers) to the main metabolite 4'-hydroxycypermethrin, which exhibits no intrinsic toxicity towards susceptible larvae. In a bioassay, CYP337B3 confers a 7-fold resistance towards cypermethrin in FSD larvae compared to susceptible larvae from the Australian TWB strain lacking CYP337B3. Linkage analysis shows that presence of CYP337B3 accounts for most of the cypermethrin resistance in the FSD strain; up-regulation of other P450s in FSD plays no detectable role in resistance. The presence or absence of CYP337B3 can be easily detected by a simple PCR screen, providing a powerful tool to rapidly distinguish resistant from susceptible individuals in the field and to determine the geographical distribution of this resistance gene. Our results suggest that CYP337B3 evolved twice independently by unequal crossing-over between CYP337B2 and two different CYP337B1 alleles. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Stratified turbulent Bunsen flames: flame surface analysis and flame surface density modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramaekers, W. J. S.; van Oijen, J. A.; de Goey, L. P. H.

2012-12-01

In this paper it is investigated whether the Flame Surface Density (FSD) model, developed for turbulent premixed combustion, is also applicable to stratified flames. Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) of turbulent stratified Bunsen flames have been carried out, using the Flamelet Generated Manifold (FGM) reduction method for reaction kinetics. Before examining the suitability of the FSD model, flame surfaces are characterized in terms of thickness, curvature and stratification. All flames are in the Thin Reaction Zones regime, and the maximum equivalence ratio range covers 0.1⩽φ⩽1.3. For all flames, local flame thicknesses correspond very well to those observed in stretchless, steady premixed flamelets. Extracted curvature radii and mixing length scales are significantly larger than the flame thickness, implying that the stratified flames all burn in a premixed mode. The remaining challenge is accounting for the large variation in (subfilter) mass burning rate. In this contribution, the FSD model is proven to be applicable for Large Eddy Simulations (LES) of stratified flames for the equivalence ratio range 0.1⩽φ⩽1.3. Subfilter mass burning rate variations are taken into account by a subfilter Probability Density Function (PDF) for the mixture fraction, on which the mass burning rate directly depends. A priori analysis point out that for small stratifications (0.4⩽φ⩽1.0), the replacement of the subfilter PDF (obtained from DNS data) by the corresponding Dirac function is appropriate. Integration of the Dirac function with the mass burning rate m=m(φ), can then adequately model the filtered mass burning rate obtained from filtered DNS data. For a larger stratification (0.1⩽φ⩽1.3), and filter widths up to ten flame thicknesses, a β-function for the subfilter PDF yields substantially better predictions than a Dirac function. Finally, inclusion of a simple algebraic model for the FSD resulted only in small additional deviations from DNS data, thereby rendering this approach promising for application in LES.

An epidemiologic overview of 13 years of firearm hospitalizations in Pennsylvania.

PubMed

Gross, Brian W; Cook, Alan D; Rinehart, Cole D; Lynch, Caitlin A; Bradburn, Eric H; Bupp, Katherine A; Morrison, Chet A; Rogers, Frederick B

2017-04-01

Gun violence is a controversial public health issue plagued by a lack of recent research. We sought to provide a 13-y overview of firearm hospitalizations in Pennsylvania, analyzing trends in mode, intent, and outcome. We hypothesized that no adjusted change in mortality or functional status at discharge (FSD) would be observed for gunshot wound (GSW) victims over the study period. All admissions to the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study database from 2003 to 2015 were queried. GSWs were identified by external cause-of-injury codes. Collected variables included patient demographics, firearm type, intent (assault and attempted suicide), FSD, and mortality. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression models and ordinal regression analyses using generalized linear mixed models assessed the impact of admission year (continuous) on adjusted mortality and FSD score, respectively. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Of the 462,081 patients presenting to Pennsylvania trauma centers from 2003 to 2015, 19,342 were GSWs (4.2%). Handguns were the most common weapon of injury (n = 7007; 86.7%) among cases with specified firearm type. Most GSWs were coded as assaults (n = 15,415; 79.7%), with suicide attempts accounting 1866 hospitalizations (9.2%). Suicide attempts were most prevalent among young and middle-aged white males, whereas assaults were more common in young black males. Rates of firearm hospitalizations decreased over time (test of trend P = 0.001); however, admission year was not associated with improved adjusted survival (adjusted odds ratio: 0.99, 95% confidence interval: 0.97-1.01; P = 0.353) or FSD (adjusted odds ratio: 0.99, 95% confidence interval: 0.98-1.00; P = 0.089) while controlling for demographic and injury severity covariates. Temporal trends in outcomes suggest rates of firearm hospitalizations are declining in Pennsylvania; however, outcomes remain unchanged. To combat this epidemic, a multidisciplinary, demographic-specific approach to prevention should be the focus of future scientific pursuits. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Development and validation of the Polish version of the Female Sexual Function Index in the Polish population of females.

PubMed

Nowosielski, Krzysztof; Wróbel, Beata; Sioma-Markowska, Urszula; Poręba, Ryszard

2013-02-01

Unlike male sexual function, which is relatively easy to assess, female sexual function is still a diagnostic challenge. Although numerous new measurements for female sexual dysfunction (FSD) have recently been developed, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) remains the gold standard for screening. It has been validated in more than 30 countries. The FSFI has been used in several studies conducted in Poland, but it has never been standardized for Polish women. The aim of this study was to develop a Polish version of the FSFI (PL-FSFI). In total, 189 women aged 18-55 years were included in the study. Eighty-five were diagnosed with FSD as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM IV-TR) criteria; 104 women did not have FSD. All subjects completed the PL-FSFI at baseline (day 0), day 7, and day 28. Test-retest reliability was determined by Pearson's product-moment correlations. Reliability was tested using Cronbach's α coefficient. Construct validity was evaluated by principal component analysis using varimax rotation and factor analysis. Discriminant validity was assessed with between-groups analysis of variance. All domains of the PL-FSFI demonstrated satisfactory internal consistencies, with Cronbach's α value of >0.70 for the entire sample. The test-retest reliability demonstrated good-to-excellent agreement between the assessment points. Based on principal component analysis, a 5-factor model was established that explained 83.62% of the total variance. Domain intercorrelations of the PL-FSFI ranged from 0.37-0.77. The optimal PL-FSFI cutoff score was 27.50, with 87.1% sensitivity and 83.1% specificity. The PL-FSFI is a reliable questionnaire with good psychometric and discriminative validity. Therefore, it can be used as a tool for preliminary screening for FSD among Polish women. © 2012 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

How Does Paying Attention Improve Sexual Functioning in Women? A Review of Mechanisms.

PubMed

Arora, Nikita; Brotto, Lori A

2017-07-01

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD), consisting of a constellation of distressing sexual symptoms, is highly prevalent worldwide. Given the central role played by psychological factors in the development of FSD, psychologically and in particular mindfulness-based interventions have arisen as potential treatment options for women. Although mindfulness-based interventions have been evaluated in samples of women with gynecologic cancer; a history of sexual abuse; multiple sclerosis; and spinal cord injury; and provoked vestibulodynia, the mechanisms by which mindfulness leads to improvements in sexual functioning are largely unstudied. To summarize the literature on mechanisms of mindfulness interventions in general and to hypothesize which mechanisms most likely apply to samples of women with FSD. Medline was searched with terms such as mindfulness, meditation, mediator, mode, moderator, mechanism, sex, and sexual dysfunction. Only studies that conducted a formal mediation or moderation analysis were included. We also conducted a broader review on mechanisms in other populations, with slightly modified inclusion criteria: the terms sex and sexual dysfunction were removed and only studies from 2012 to 2016 and studies that included an active mindfulness intervention were included. In general populations, trait mindfulness and decentering were the most common mechanisms identified for the efficacy of mindfulness. In four studies that examined mediators of improvement in samples with FSD, the following mediators were found to be significant: relationship satisfaction, genital self-image, interoceptive awareness, depressed mood, anxiety, and trait mindfulness, of which interoceptive awareness had the most supporting evidence. Clinicians and researchers can use the identified mediators of improvement (ie, interoceptive awareness, depression, and trait mindfulness) when making decisions about which patient might be more likely to benefit from a mindfulness-based approach to treating sexual dysfunction. Future work should examine these mediators and other putative mediators and moderators in randomized controlled trials of mindfulness. Arora N, Brotto LA. How Does Paying Attention Improve Sexual Functioning in Women? A Review of Mechanisms. Sex Med Rev 2017;5:266-274. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

A quantitative three-dimensional dose attenuation analysis around Fletcher-Suit-Delclos due to stainless steel tube for high-dose-rate brachytherapy by Monte Carlo calculations.

PubMed

Parsai, E Ishmael; Zhang, Zhengdong; Feldmeier, John J

2009-01-01

The commercially available brachytherapy treatment-planning systems today, usually neglects the attenuation effect from stainless steel (SS) tube when Fletcher-Suit-Delclos (FSD) is used in treatment of cervical and endometrial cancers. This could lead to potential inaccuracies in computing dwell times and dose distribution. A more accurate analysis quantifying the level of attenuation for high-dose-rate (HDR) iridium 192 radionuclide ((192)Ir) source is presented through Monte Carlo simulation verified by measurement. In this investigation a general Monte Carlo N-Particles (MCNP) transport code was used to construct a typical geometry of FSD through simulation and compare the doses delivered to point A in Manchester System with and without the SS tubing. A quantitative assessment of inaccuracies in delivered dose vs. the computed dose is presented. In addition, this investigation expanded to examine the attenuation-corrected radial and anisotropy dose functions in a form parallel to the updated AAPM Task Group No. 43 Report (AAPM TG-43) formalism. This will delineate quantitatively the inaccuracies in dose distributions in three-dimensional space. The changes in dose deposition and distribution caused by increased attenuation coefficient resulted from presence of SS are quantified using MCNP Monte Carlo simulations in coupled photon/electron transport. The source geometry was that of the Vari Source wire model VS2000. The FSD was that of the Varian medical system. In this model, the bending angles of tandem and colpostats are 15 degrees and 120 degrees , respectively. We assigned 10 dwell positions to the tandem and 4 dwell positions to right and left colpostats or ovoids to represent a typical treatment case. Typical dose delivered to point A was determined according to Manchester dosimetry system. Based on our computations, the reduction of dose to point A was shown to be at least 3%. So this effect presented by SS-FSD systems on patient dose is of concern.

Dynamic fractal signature dissimilarity analysis for therapeutic response assessment using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI

PubMed Central

Wang, Chunhao; Subashi, Ergys; Yin, Fang-Fang; Chang, Zheng

2016-01-01

Purpose: To develop a dynamic fractal signature dissimilarity (FSD) method as a novel image texture analysis technique for the quantification of tumor heterogeneity information for better therapeutic response assessment with dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI. Methods: A small animal antiangiogenesis drug treatment experiment was used to demonstrate the proposed method. Sixteen LS-174T implanted mice were randomly assigned into treatment and control groups (n = 8/group). All mice received bevacizumab (treatment) or saline (control) three times in two weeks, and one pretreatment and two post-treatment DCE-MRI scans were performed. In the proposed dynamic FSD method, a dynamic FSD curve was generated to characterize the heterogeneity evolution during the contrast agent uptake, and the area under FSD curve (AUCFSD) and the maximum enhancement (MEFSD) were selected as representative parameters. As for comparison, the pharmacokinetic parameter Ktrans map and area under MR intensity enhancement curve AUCMR map were calculated. Besides the tumor’s mean value and coefficient of variation, the kurtosis, skewness, and classic Rényi dimensions d1 and d2 of Ktrans and AUCMR maps were evaluated for heterogeneity assessment for comparison. For post-treatment scans, the Mann–Whitney U-test was used to assess the differences of the investigated parameters between treatment/control groups. The support vector machine (SVM) was applied to classify treatment/control groups using the investigated parameters at each post-treatment scan day. Results: The tumor mean Ktrans and its heterogeneity measurements d1 and d2 values showed significant differences between treatment/control groups in the second post-treatment scan. In contrast, the relative values (in reference to the pretreatment value) of AUCFSD and MEFSD in both post-treatment scans showed significant differences between treatment/control groups. When using AUCFSD and MEFSD as SVM input for treatment/control classification, the achieved accuracies were 93.8% and 93.8% at first and second post-treatment scan days, respectively. In comparison, the classification accuracies using d1 and d2 of Ktrans map were 87.5% and 100% at first and second post-treatment scan days, respectively. Conclusions: As quantitative metrics of tumor contrast agent uptake heterogeneity, the selected parameters from the dynamic FSD method accurately captured the therapeutic response in the experiment. The potential application of the proposed method is promising, and its addition to the existing DCE-MRI techniques could improve DCE-MRI performance in early assessment of treatment response. PMID:26936718

Model and prediction of stress relaxation of polyurethane fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

You, Gexin; Wang, Chunyan; Mei, Shuqin; Yang, Bo; Zhou, Xiuwen

2018-03-01

In this study, the effect of small strain (less than 10%) on hydrogen bond (H-bond) and crystallinity of dry-spun polyurethane fiber was investigated with fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and x-ray diffractometer, respectively. The results showed that the H-bond of hard segments hardly broke and its degree of crystallinity scarcely varied below strain of 10%. The fiber stress relaxation behavior at 25 °C under small strain was researched using dynamic mechanical analyzer. The stress relaxation modulus constitutive equation was obtained by transforming the non-linear relationship between stress and time into the linear relationship between stress and strain. The stress relaxation modulus master curve at 25 °C was established in terms of short-term stress relaxation tests at elevated temperatures (35 °C, 45 °C, 65 °C and 75 °C) according to time-temperature superposition principle (TTS) to predict long-term behavior within 353 year.

Investigation of structural, optical and electrical properties of Co3O4 nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhargava, Richa; Khan, Shakeel; Ahmad, Naseem; Ansari, Mohd Mohsin Nizam

2018-05-01

In the current work, we report the synthesis of Cobalt oxide (Co3O4) NPs (NPs) by co-precipitation method. The structural analysis was confirmed by using X-ray diffractometer (XRD) which shows that the Co3O4 NPs have cubic phase. The average crystallite size and the lattice parameter were calculated for Co3O4 NPs. The functional groups of the as-synthesized sample were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The optical band gap of Co3O4 NPs was estimated by using UV diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and the Band gap was evaluated by using Tauc relation. The temperature dependence of dielectric constant and dielectric loss were studied over a range of temperature 50-300 °C. The DC electrical resistivity of Co3O4 NPs shows a semiconducting behaviour and the value of activation energy was calculated by using Arrhenius equation.

Synthesis and magnetic properties of NiFe2-xSmxO4 nanopowder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hassanzadeh-Tabrizi, S. A.; Behbahanian, Shahrzad; Amighian, Jamshid

2016-07-01

NiFe2-xSmxO4 (x=0.00, 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15) nanopowders were synthesized via a sol-gel combustion route. The structural studies were carried out by X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The XRD results confirmed the formation of single-phase spinel cubic structure. The crystallite size decreased with an increase of samarium ion concentration, while lattice parameter and lattice strain increased with samarium substitution. TEM micrographs showed that agglomerated nanoparticles with particle sizes ranging from 35 to 90 nm were obtained. The magnetic studies were carried out using vibrating sample magnetometer. Magnetic measurements revealed that the saturation magnetization (Ms) of NiFe2-xSmxO4 nanoparticles decreases with increasing Sm3+substitution. The reduction of saturation magnetization is attributed to the dilution of the magnetic interaction. The coercivity (Hc) of samples increases by adding samarium.

Dissolution and precipitation behaviors of silicon-containing ceramic coating on Mg-Zn-Ca alloy in simulated body fluid.

PubMed

Pan, Yaokun; Chen, Chuanzhong; Wang, Diangang; Huang, Danlan

2014-10-01

We prepared Si-containing and Si-free coatings on Mg-1.74Zn-0.55Ca alloy by micro-arc oxidation. The dissolution and precipitation behaviors of Si-containing coating in simulated body fluid (SBF) were discussed. Corrosion products were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS). Electrochemical workstation, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES), flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) and pH meter were employed to detect variations of electrochemical parameter and ions concentration respectively. Results indicate that the fast formation of calcium phosphates is closely related to the SiOx(n-) groups, which induce the heterogeneous nucleation of amorphous hydroxyapatite (HA) by sorption of calcium and phosphate ions. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Consanguinity and its relationship to differential fertility and mortality in the Kotia: a tribal population of Andhra Pradesh, India.

PubMed

Yasim; Naidu, J M; Mascie-Taylor, C G

1997-04-01

Data on patterns of marriage, differential fertility and mortality were collected from 211 Kotia women residing in Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Consanguineous marriages made up just over a quarter of the total, and of these, father's sister's daughter (FSD) were more common than mother's brother's daughter (MBD). The mean inbreeding coefficient for the sample (F) was 0.0172. Women in consanguineous marriages had a lower mean number of total conceptions, live births and living offspring (net fertility) than women in non-consanguineous marriages. Significant heterogeneity was found in the means of living offspring for FSD, MBD and non-consanguineous couples, but not for conceptions and live births.

A novel X-ray diffractometer for studies of liquid-liquid interfaces.

PubMed

Murphy, Bridget M; Greve, Matthais; Runge, Benjamin; Koops, Christian T; Elsen, Annika; Stettner, Jochim; Seeck, Oliver H; Magnussen, Olaf M

2014-01-01

The study of liquid-liquid interfaces with X-ray scattering methods requires special instrumental considerations. A dedicated liquid surface diffractometer employing a tilting double-crystal monochromator in Bragg geometry has been designed. This diffractometer allows reflectivity and grazing-incidence scattering measurements of an immobile mechanically completely decoupled liquid sample, providing high mechanical stability. The available energy range is from 6.4 to 29.4 keV, covering many important absorption edges. The instrument provides access in momentum space out to 2.54 Å(-1) in the surface normal and out to 14.8 Å(-1) in the in-plane direction at 29.4 keV. Owing to its modular design the diffractometer is also suitable for heavy apparatus such as vacuum chambers. The instrument performance is described and examples of X-ray reflectivity studies performed under in situ electrochemical control and on biochemical model systems are given.

Female sexual dysfunction in female genital mutilation.

PubMed

Elneil, Sohier

2016-01-01

Female genital mutilation (FGM), otherwise known as female genital cutting (FGC), is currently very topical and has become a significant global political issue. The impact of FGM on the lives of women and girls is enormous, as it often affects both their psychology and physical being. Among the complications that are often under-reported and not always acknowledged is female sexual dysfunction (FSD). FSD presents with a complex of symptoms including lack of libido, arousability and orgasm. This often occurs in tandem with chronic urogenital pain and anatomical disruption due to perineal scarring.To treat FSD in FGM each woman needs specifically directed holistic care, geared to her individual case. This may include psychological support, physiotherapy and, on occasion, reconstructive surgery. In many cases the situation is complicated by symptoms of chronic pelvic pain, which can make treatment increasingly difficult as this issue needs a defined multidisciplinary approach for its effective management in its own right. The problems suffered by women with FGM are wholly preventable, as the practice need not happen. The current global momentum to address the social, cultural, economic and medical issues of FGM is being supported by communities, governments, non-governmental agencies (NGOs) and healthcare providers. It is only by working together that the practice can be abolished and women and girls may be free from this practice and its associated consequences. © The Author(s) 2016.

Resizing procedure for structures under combined mechanical and thermal loading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adelman, H. M.; Narayanaswami, R.

1976-01-01

The fully-stressed design (FSD) appears to be the most widely used approach for sizing of flight structures under strength and minimum-gage constraints. Almost all of the experience with FSD has been with structures primarily under mechanical loading as opposed to thermal loading. In this method the structural sizes are iterated with the step size, depending on the ratio of the total stress to the allowable stress. In this paper, the thermal fully-stressed design (TFSD) procedure developed for problems involving substantial thermal stress is extended to biaxial stress members using a Von Mises failure criterion. The TFSD resizing procedure for uniaxial stress is restated and the new procedure for biaxial stress members is developed. Results are presented for an application of the two procedures to size a simplified wing structure.

X-ray diffraction studies of shocked lunar analogs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanss, R. E.

1979-01-01

The X-ray diffraction experiments on shocked rock and mineral analogs of particular significance to lunar geology are described. Materials naturally shocked by meteorite impact, nuclear-shocked, or artificially shocked in a flat plate accelerator were utilized. Four areas were outlined for investigation: powder diffractometer studies of shocked single crystal silicate minerals (quartz, orthoclase, oligoclase, pyroxene), powder diffractometer studies of shocked polycrystalline monomineralic samples (dunite), Debye-Scherrer studies of single grains of shocked granodiorite, and powder diffractometer studies of shocked whole rock samples. Quantitative interpretation of peak shock pressures experienced by materials found in lunar or terrestrial impact structures is presented.

Time-of-flight Extreme Environment Diffractometer at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin

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

Prokhnenko, Oleksandr, E-mail: prokhnenko@helmholtz-berlin.de; Stein, Wolf-Dieter; Bleif, Hans-Jürgen

2015-03-15

The Extreme Environment Diffractometer (EXED) is a new neutron time-of-flight instrument at the BER II research reactor at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, Germany. Although EXED is a special-purpose instrument, its early construction made it available for users as a general-purpose diffractometer. In this respect, EXED became one of the rare examples, where the performance of a time-of-flight diffractometer at a continuous source can be characterized. In this paper, we report on the design and performance of EXED with an emphasis on the unique instrument capabilities. The latter comprise variable wavelength resolution and wavelength band, control of the incoming beam divergence, themore » possibility to change the angular positions of detectors and their distance to the sample, and use of event recording and offline histogramming. These features combined make EXED easily tunable to the requirements of a particular problem, from conventional diffraction to small angle neutron scattering. The instrument performance is demonstrated by several reference measurements and user experiments.« less

An X-ray diffractometer using mirage diffraction

PubMed Central

Fukamachi, Tomoe; Jongsukswat, Sukswat; Ju, Dongying; Negishi, Riichirou; Hirano, Keiichi; Kawamura, Takaaki

2014-01-01

Some characteristics are reported of a triple-crystal diffractometer with a (+, −, +) setting of Si(220) using mirage diffraction. The first crystal is flat, while the second and third crystals are bent. Basically, the first crystal is used as a collimator, the second as a monochromator and the third as the sample. The third crystal also works as an analyzer. The advantages of this diffractometer are that its setup is easy, its structure is simple, the divergence angle from the second crystal is small and the energy resolution of the third crystal is high, of the order of sub-meV. PMID:25242911

Selectively improving the bio-oil quality by catalytic fast pyrolysis of heavy-metal-polluted biomass: take copper (Cu) as an example.

PubMed

Liu, Wu-Jun; Tian, Ke; Jiang, Hong; Zhang, Xue-Song; Ding, Hong-Sheng; Yu, Han-Qing

2012-07-17

Heavy-metal-polluted biomass derived from phytoremediation or biosorption is widespread and difficult to be disposed of. In this work, simultaneous conversion of the waste woody biomass into bio-oil and recovery of Cu in a fast pyrolysis reactor were investigated. The results show that Cu can effectively catalyze the thermo-decomposition of biomass. Both the yield and high heating value (HHV) of the Cu-polluted fir sawdust biomass (Cu-FSD) derived bio-oil are significantly improved compared with those of the fir sawdust (FSD) derived bio-oil. The results of UV-vis and (1)H NMR spectra of bio-oil indicate pyrolytic lignin is further decomposed into small-molecular aromatic compounds by the catalysis of Cu, which is in agreement with the GC-MS results that the fractions of C7-C10 compounds in the bio-oil significantly increase. Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses of the migration and transformation of Cu in the fast pyrolysis process show that more than 91% of the total Cu in the Cu-FSD is enriched in the char in the form of zerovalent Cu with a face-centered cubic crystalline phase. This study gives insight into catalytic fast pyrolysis of heavy metals, and demonstrates the technical feasibility of an eco-friendly process for disposal of heavy-metal-polluted biomass.

Design and implementation of a multiaxial loading capability during heating on an engineering neutron diffractometer

DOE PAGES

Benafan, O.; Padula, S. A.; Skorpenske, H. D.; ...

2014-10-02

Here we discuss a gripping capability that was designed, implemented, and tested for in situ neutron diffraction measurements during multiaxial loading and heating on the VULCAN engineering materials diffractometer at the spallation neutron source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Effect Of Neodymium Substitution In Structural Characteristics Of Magnesium Ferrite

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

Thankachan, Smitha; Binu, P. J.; Xavier, Sheena

2011-10-20

The effect of Nd{sup 3+} substitution on the structural properties of Magnesium ferrite was studied in the series MgNd{sub x}Fe{sub 2-x}O{sub 4}, where x = 0 to 0.3 in steps of 0.05. The series was prepared by sol-gel technique which is one of the novel technique to prepare nanosized samples. Structural characterization was done using X-ray diffractometer and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer. XRD analysis reveals the prepared samples are single phasic till x = 0.2. From x0 = .25, a secondary phase of iron neodymium oxide appears along with the spinel phase. Particle size calculation shows the prepared samples aremore » in the 9nm to 11 nm regime. Lattice parameter was found to increase with concentration of Nd. XRD and FTIR analysis confirmed spinel structure of the prepared samples. XRF result shows the expected composition of prepared samples. The frequency dependence of the dielectric constant in the range 100 Hz--120MHz was also studied« less

Preparation and characterization of ultrafine nanoparticles of Cu doped lithium tetraborate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khalilzadeh, Nasrin; Saion, Elias Bin; Mirabolghasemi, Hamed; Crouse, Karen A.; Shaari, Abdul Halim Bin; Hashim, Mansor Bin

This study details an innovative single-step thermal synthesis of nano-sized lithium tetraborate doped with 0.1 %wt copper and its characterization. The heating temperature for the synthesis of the nanoparticle material was optimized by variation between 200 and 850 °C. The optimum amount of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) the capping agent was determined to be 0.027 mol per 1 g LTB-Cu. The calcination time was 2 h. Characterization of the samples was carried out using Thermogravimetry Analysis (TGA), Derivative Thermogravimetry (DTG), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The product was thermally stable above 450 °C. FTIR, XRD and TEM results confirmed the formation of pure nano-crystalline copper doped lithium tetraborate between 450 and 750 °C. The optical bandgap was estimated to be 5.02-6.05 eV in the presence of different amounts of PVP at various calcination temperatures.

The influences of target properties and deposition times on pulsed laser deposited hydroxyapatite films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bao, Quanhe; Chen, Chuanzhong; Wang, Diangang; Liu, Junming

2008-11-01

Hydroxyapatite films were produced by pulsed laser deposition from three kinds of hydroxyapatite targets and with different deposition times. A JXA-8800R electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) with a Link ISIS300 energy spectrum analyzer was used to give the secondary electron image (SE) and determine the element composition of the films. The phases of thin film were analyzed by a D/max-γc X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to characterize the hydroxyl, phosphate and other functional groups. The results show that deposited films were amorphous which mainly composed of droplet-like particles and vibration of PO 43- groups. With the target sintering temperature deposition times increasing, the density of droplets is decreased. While with deposition times increasing, the density of droplets is increased. With the target sintering temperature and deposition time increasing, the ratio of Ca/P is increasing and higher than that of theoretical value of HA.

Temperature-Dependent Magnetic Response of Antiferromagnetic Doping in Cobalt Ferrite Nanostructures.

PubMed

Nairan, Adeela; Khan, Maaz; Khan, Usman; Iqbal, Munawar; Riaz, Saira; Naseem, Shahzad

2016-04-18

In this work Mn x Co 1- x Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using a chemical co-precipitation method. Phase purity and structural analyses of synthesized NPs were performed by X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals the presence of highly crystalline and narrowly-dispersed NPs with average diameter of 14 nm. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum was measured in the range of 400-4000 cm -1 which confirmed the formation of vibrational frequency bands associated with the entire spinel structure. Temperature-dependent magnetic properties in anti-ferromagnet (AFM) and ferromagnet (FM) structure were investigated with the aid of a physical property measurement system (PPMS). It was observed that magnetic interactions between the AFM (Mn) and FM (CoFe₂O₄) material arise below the Neel temperature of the dopant. Furthermore, hysteresis response was clearly pronounced for the enhancement in magnetic parameters by varying temperature towards absolute zero. It is shown that magnetic properties have been tuned as a function of temperature and an externally-applied field.

Adsorption enhancement of elemental mercury onto sulphur-functionalized silica gel adsorbents.

PubMed

Johari, Khairiraihanna; Saman, Norasikin; Mat, Hanapi

2014-01-01

In this study, elemental mercury (EM) adsorbents were synthesized using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane as silica precursors. The synthesized silica gel (SG)-TEOS was further functionalized through impregnation with elemental sulphur and carbon disulphide (CS2). The SG adsorbents were then characterized by using scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infra-red spectrophotometer, nitrogen adsorption/desorption, and energy-dispersive X-ray diffractometer. The EM adsorption of the SG adsorbents was determined using fabricated fixed-bed adsorber. The EM adsorption results showed that the sulphur-functionalized SG adsorbents had a greater Hgo breakthrough adsorption capacity, confirming that the presence of sulphur in silica matrices can improve Hgo adsorption performance due to their high affinity towards mercury. The highest Hgo adsorption capacity was observed for SG-TEOS(CS2) (82.62 microg/g), which was approximately 2.9 times higher than SG-TEOS (28.47 microg/g). The rate of Hgo adsorption was observed higher for sulphur-impregnated adsorbents, and decreased with the increase in the bed temperatures.

Development of a position sensitive X-ray detector for use in a light weight X-ray diffractometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Semmler, R. A.

1971-01-01

A position sensitive proportional counter for use in an X-ray diffractometer is developed to permit drastic reductions in the power and weight requirements of the X-ray source and the elimination of the power, weight, and complexity of a moving slit. The final detector constructed and tested has a window spanning 138 and a free standing anode curved along an arc of 7.1 cm radius. Demonstration spectra of a quartz sample in a Debye-Sherrer geometry indicate a spatial resolution of 0.4 - 0.5 mm (0.3 - 0.4 theta). The lunar diffractometer consumed 25 watts in the X-ray generator and weighed about 20 pounds.

Optimization of a multi-channel parabolic guide for the material science diffractometer STRESS-SPEC at FRM II

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rebelo Kornmeier, Joana; Ostermann, Andreas; Hofmann, Michael; Gibmeier, Jens

2014-02-01

Neutron strain diffractometers usually use slits to define a gauge volume within engineering samples. In this study a multi-channel parabolic neutron guide was developed to be used instead of the primary slit to minimise the loss of intensity and vertical definition of the gauge volume when using slits placed far away from the measurement position in bulky components. The major advantage of a focusing guide is that the maximum flux is not at the exit of the guide as for a slit system but at the focal point relatively far away from the exit of the guide. Monte Carlo simulations were used to optimise the multi-channel parabolic guide with respect to the instrument characteristics of the diffractometer STRESS-SPEC at the FRM II neutron source. Also the simulations are in excellent agreement with experimental measurements using the optimised multi-channel parabolic guide at the neutron diffractometer. In addition the performance of the guide was compared to the standard slit setup at STRESS-SPEC using a single bead weld sample used in earlier round robin tests for residual strain measurements.

Sampling errors in the measurement of rain and hail parameters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gertzman, H. S.; Atlas, D.

1977-01-01

Attention is given to a general derivation of the fractional standard deviation (FSD) of any integrated property X such that X(D) = cD to the n. This work extends that of Joss and Waldvogel (1969). The equation is applicable to measuring integrated properties of cloud, rain or hail populations (such as water content, precipitation rate, kinetic energy, or radar reflectivity) which are subject to statistical sampling errors due to the Poisson distributed fluctuations of particles sampled in each particle size interval and the weighted sum of the associated variances in proportion to their contribution to the integral parameter to be measured. Universal curves are presented which are applicable to the exponential size distribution permitting FSD estimation of any parameters from n = 0 to n = 6. The equations and curves also permit corrections for finite upper limits in the size spectrum and a realistic fall speed law.

The process of adapting a universal dating abuse prevention program to adolescents exposed to domestic violence.

PubMed

Foshee, Vangie A; Dixon, Kimberly S; Ennett, Susan T; Moracco, Kathryn E; Bowling, J Michael; Chang, Ling-Yin; Moss, Jennifer L

2015-07-01

Adolescents exposed to domestic violence are at increased risk of dating abuse, yet no evaluated dating abuse prevention programs have been designed specifically for this high-risk population. This article describes the process of adapting Families for Safe Dates (FSD), an evidenced-based universal dating abuse prevention program, to this high-risk population, including conducting 12 focus groups and 107 interviews with the target audience. FSD includes six booklets of dating abuse prevention information, and activities for parents and adolescents to do together at home. We adapted FSD for mothers who were victims of domestic violence, but who no longer lived with the abuser, to do with their adolescents who had been exposed to the violence. Through the adaptation process, we learned that families liked the program structure and valued being offered the program and that some of our initial assumptions about this population were incorrect. We identified practices and beliefs of mother victims and attributes of these adolescents that might increase their risk of dating abuse that we had not previously considered. In addition, we learned that some of the content of the original program generated negative family interactions for some. The findings demonstrate the utility of using a careful process to adapt evidence-based interventions (EBIs) to cultural sub-groups, particularly the importance of obtaining feedback on the program from the target audience. Others can follow this process to adapt EBIs to groups other than the ones for which the original EBI was designed. © The Author(s) 2014.

The role of plastic β-hairpin and weak hydrophobic core in the stability and unfolding of a full sequence design protein

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lei, Hongxing; Duan, Yong

2004-12-01

In this study, the thermal stability of a designed α/β protein FSD (full sequence design) was studied by explicit solvent simulations at three moderate temperatures, 273 K, 300 K, and 330 K. The average properties of the ten trajectories at each temperature were analyzed. The thermal unfolding, as judged by backbone root-mean-square deviation and percentage of native contacts, was displayed with increased sampling outside of the native basin as the temperature was raised. The positional fluctuation of the hairpin residues was significantly higher than that of the helix residues at all three temperatures. The hairpin segment displayed certain plasticity even at 273 K. Apart from the terminal residues, the highest fluctuation was shown in the turn residues 7-9. Secondary structure analysis manifested the structural heterogeneity of the hairpin segment. It was also revealed by the simulation that the hydrophobic core was vulnerable to thermal denaturation. Consistent with the experiment, the I7Y mutation in the double mutant FSD-EY (FSD with mutations Q1E and I7Y) dramatically increased the protein stability in the simulation, suggesting that the plasticity of the hairpin can be partially compensated by a stronger hydrophobic core. As for the unfolding pathway, the breathing of the hydrophobic core and the separation of the two secondary structure elements (α helix and β hairpin) was the initiation step of the unfolding. The loss of global contacts from the separation further destabilized the hairpin structure and also led to the unwinding of the helix.

The role of plastic beta-hairpin and weak hydrophobic core in the stability and unfolding of a full sequence design protein.

PubMed

Lei, Hongxing; Duan, Yong

2004-12-15

In this study, the thermal stability of a designed alpha/beta protein FSD (full sequence design) was studied by explicit solvent simulations at three moderate temperatures, 273 K, 300 K, and 330 K. The average properties of the ten trajectories at each temperature were analyzed. The thermal unfolding, as judged by backbone root-mean-square deviation and percentage of native contacts, was displayed with increased sampling outside of the native basin as the temperature was raised. The positional fluctuation of the hairpin residues was significantly higher than that of the helix residues at all three temperatures. The hairpin segment displayed certain plasticity even at 273 K. Apart from the terminal residues, the highest fluctuation was shown in the turn residues 7-9. Secondary structure analysis manifested the structural heterogeneity of the hairpin segment. It was also revealed by the simulation that the hydrophobic core was vulnerable to thermal denaturation. Consistent with the experiment, the I7Y mutation in the double mutant FSD-EY (FSD with mutations Q1E and I7Y) dramatically increased the protein stability in the simulation, suggesting that the plasticity of the hairpin can be partially compensated by a stronger hydrophobic core. As for the unfolding pathway, the breathing of the hydrophobic core and the separation of the two secondary structure elements (alpha helix and beta hairpin) was the initiation step of the unfolding. The loss of global contacts from the separation further destabilized the hairpin structure and also led to the unwinding of the helix. (c) 2004 American Institute of Physics

Women's Endorsement of Models of Sexual Response: Correlates and Predictors.

PubMed

Nowosielski, Krzysztof; Wróbel, Beata; Kowalczyk, Robert

2016-02-01

Few studies have investigated endorsement of female sexual response models, and no single model has been accepted as a normative description of women's sexual response. The aim of the study was to establish how women from a population-based sample endorse current theoretical models of the female sexual response--the linear models and circular model (partial and composite Basson models)--as well as predictors of endorsement. Accordingly, 174 heterosexual women aged 18-55 years were included in a cross-sectional study: 74 women diagnosed with female sexual dysfunction (FSD) based on DSM-5 criteria and 100 non-dysfunctional women. The description of sexual response models was used to divide subjects into four subgroups: linear (Masters-Johnson and Kaplan models), circular (partial Basson model), mixed (linear and circular models in similar proportions, reflective of the composite Basson model), and a different model. Women were asked to choose which of the models best described their pattern of sexual response and how frequently they engaged in each model. Results showed that 28.7% of women endorsed the linear models, 19.5% the partial Basson model, 40.8% the composite Basson model, and 10.9% a different model. Women with FSD endorsed the partial Basson model and a different model more frequently than did non-dysfunctional controls. Individuals who were dissatisfied with a partner as a lover were more likely to endorse a different model. Based on the results, we concluded that the majority of women endorsed a mixed model combining the circular response with the possibility of an innate desire triggering a linear response. Further, relationship difficulties, not FSD, predicted model endorsement.

Cinnamaldehyde potentially attenuates gestational hyperglycemia in rats through modulation of PPARγ, proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress.

PubMed

Hosni, Ahmed A; Abdel-Moneim, A Adel; Abdel-Reheim, Eman S; Mohamed, Samah M; Helmy, Hamdi

2017-04-01

Cinnamon has a history of use for medicinal purposes and its major benefits have been linked to cinnamaldehyde. The present study aimed to investigate the hypoglycemic action of cinnamaldehyde against fatty-sucrosed diet/streptozotocin (FSD/STZ)-rat model of gestational diabetes. Female albino rats were divided into three groups. Group I fed with normal diet (ND) while group II and III were fed with FSD for eight weeks (five weeks pre-gestational and three weeks gestational). Rats of group III were administered with a daily oral dose of 20mg/kg cinnamaldehyde one week before mating onward. At the 7th day of gestation, FSD-fed rats were injected intraperitoneally with STZ (25mg/kg b.wt.) to induce gestational diabetes. Pre-mating treatment of cinnamaldehyde controls hyperphagia and glucose intolerance during the gestational period than in diabetic rats. It also reduced levels of fructosamine, total cholesterols, triglycerides, leptin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), while it significantly increased levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, adiponectin, liver glycogen, reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase activity at term pregnancy. In addition, cinnamaldehyde administration up-regulated the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferated activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) and also ameliorated the number of viable fetuses, implantation loss sites, fetal glucose and insulin levels. In conclusion, cinnamaldehyde has safe hypoglycemic action on gestational diabetes by potentiating insulin secretion and sensitivity through activating the antioxidant defense system, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines production, upregulating PPARγ gene expression and alleviating the reproductive performance. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Revision of orthovoltage chest wall treatment using Monte Carlo simulations.

PubMed

Zeinali-Rafsanjani, B; Faghihi, R; Mosleh-Shirazi, M A; Mosalaei, A; Hadad, K

2017-01-01

Given the high local control rates observed in breast cancer patients undergoing chest wall irradiation by kilovoltage x-rays, we aimed to revisit this treatment modality by accurate calculation of dose distributions using Monte Carlo simulation. The machine components were simulated using the MCNPX code. This model was used to assess the dose distribution of chest wall kilovoltage treatment in different chest wall thicknesses and larger contour or fat patients in standard and mid sternum treatment plans. Assessments were performed at 50 and 100 cm focus surface distance (FSD) and different irradiation angles. In order to evaluate different plans, indices like homogeneity index, conformity index, the average dose of heart, lung, left anterior descending artery (LAD) and percentage target coverage (PTC) were used. Finally, the results were compared with the indices provided by electron therapy which is a more routine treatment of chest wall. These indices in a medium chest wall thickness in standard treatment plan at 50 cm FSD and 15 degrees tube angle was as follows: homogeneity index 2.57, conformity index 7.31, average target dose 27.43 Gy, average dose of heart, lung and LAD, 1.03, 2.08 and 1.60 Gy respectively and PTC 11.19%. Assessments revealed that dose homogeneity in planning target volume (PTV) and conformity between the high dose region and PTV was poor. To improve the treatment indices, the reference point was transferred from the chest wall skin surface to the center of PTV. The indices changed as follows: conformity index 7.31, average target dose 60.19 Gy, the average dose of heart, lung and LAD, 3.57, 6.38 and 5.05 Gy respectively and PTC 55.24%. Coverage index of electron therapy was 89% while it was 22.74% in the old orthovoltage method and also the average dose of the target was about 50 Gy but in the given method it was almost 30 Gy. The results of the treatment study show that the optimized standard and mid sternum treatment for different chest wall thicknesses is with 50 cm FSD and zero (vertical) tube angle, while in large contour patients, it is with 100 cm FSD and zero tube angle. Finally, chest wall kilovoltage and electron therapies were compared, which revealed that electron therapy produces a better dose distribution than kilovoltage therapy.

50 CFR 296.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... right of use or easement granted under 30 CFR 250.18. Fish means all forms of marine animal and plant... and Fisheries NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION..., FSD means Chief, Financial Services Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West...

50 CFR 296.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... right of use or easement granted under 30 CFR 250.18. Fish means all forms of marine animal and plant... and Fisheries NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION..., FSD means Chief, Financial Services Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West...

50 CFR 296.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... right of use or easement granted under 30 CFR 250.18. Fish means all forms of marine animal and plant... and Fisheries NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION..., FSD means Chief, Financial Services Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West...

50 CFR 296.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... right of use or easement granted under 30 CFR 250.18. Fish means all forms of marine animal and plant... and Fisheries NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION..., FSD means Chief, Financial Services Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West...

50 CFR 296.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... right of use or easement granted under 30 CFR 250.18. Fish means all forms of marine animal and plant... and Fisheries NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION..., FSD means Chief, Financial Services Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West...

Neutron diffraction study of aqueous Laponite suspensions at the NIMROD diffractometer.

PubMed

Tudisca, V; Bruni, F; Scoppola, E; Angelini, R; Ruzicka, B; Zulian, L; Soper, A K; Ricci, M A

2014-09-01

The process of dynamical arrest, leading to formation of different arrested states such as glasses and gels, along with the closely related process of aging, is central for both basic research and technology. Here we report on a study of the time-dependent structural evolution of two aqueous Laponite clay suspensions at different weight concentrations. Neutron diffraction experiments have been performed with the near and intermediate range order diffractometer (NIMROD) that allows studies of the structure of liquids and disordered materials over a continuous length scale ranging from 1 to 300 Å, i.e., from the atomistic to the mesoscopic scales. NIMROD is presently a unique diffractometer, bridging the length scales traditionally investigated by small angle neutron scattering or small angle x-ray scattering with that accessible by traditional diffractometers for liquids. Interestingly, we have unveiled a signature of aging of both suspensions in the length scale region of NIMROD. This phenomenon, ascribed to sporadic contacts between Laponite platelets at long times, has been observed with the sample arrested as gel or as repulsive glass. Moreover, water molecules within the layers closest to Laponite platelets surface show orientational and translational order, which maps into the crystalline structure of Laponite.

Diffractometer data collecting method and apparatus

DOEpatents

Steinmeyer, P.A.

1991-04-16

Diffractometer data is collected without the use of a movable receiver. A scanning device, positioned in the diffractometer between a sample and detector, varies the amount of the beam diffracted from the sample that is received by the detector in such a manner that the beam is detected in an integrated form. In one embodiment, a variable diameter beam stop is used which comprises a drop of mercury captured between a pair of spaced sheets and disposed in the path of the diffracted beam. By varying the spacing between the sheets, the diameter of the mercury drop is varied. In another embodiment, an adjustable iris diaphragm is positioned in the path of the diffracted beam and the iris opening is adjusted to control the amount of the beam reaching the detector. 5 figures.

Diffractometer data collecting method and apparatus

DOEpatents

Steinmeyer, Peter A.

1991-04-16

Diffractometer data is collected without the use of a movable receiving s. A scanning device, positioned in the diffractometer between a sample and detector, varies the amount of the beam diffracted from the sample that is received by the detector in such a manner that the beam is detected in an integrated form. In one embodiment, a variable diameter beam stop is used which comprises a drop of mercury captured between a pair of spaced sheets and disposed in the path of the diffracted beam. By varying the spacing between the sheets, the diameter of the mercury drop is varied. In another embodiment, an adjustable iris diaphragm is positioned in the path of the diffracted beam and the iris opening is adjusted to control the amount of the beam reaching the detector.

Calibration of X-Ray diffractometer by the experimental comparison method

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

Dudka, A. P., E-mail: dudka@ns.crys.ras.ru

2015-07-15

A software for calibrating an X-ray diffractometer with area detector has been developed. It is proposed to search for detector and goniometer calibration models whose parameters are reproduced in a series of measurements on a reference crystal. Reference (standard) crystals are prepared during the investigation; they should provide the agreement of structural models in repeated analyses. The technique developed has been used to calibrate Xcalibur Sapphire and Eos, Gemini Ruby (Agilent) and Apex x8 and Apex Duo (Bruker) diffractometers. The main conclusions are as follows: the calibration maps are stable for several years and can be used to improve structuralmore » results, verified CCD detectors exhibit significant inhomogeneity of the efficiency (response) function, and a Bruker goniometer introduces smaller distortions than an Agilent goniometer.« less

Androgens and Female Sexual Function and Dysfunction--Findings From the Fourth International Consultation of Sexual Medicine.

PubMed

Davis, Susan R; Worsley, Roisin; Miller, Karen K; Parish, Sharon J; Santoro, Nanette

2016-02-01

Androgens have been implicated as important for female sexual function and dysfunction. To review the role of androgens in the physiology and pathophysiology of female sexual functioning and the evidence for efficacy of androgen therapy for female sexual dysfunction (FSD). We searched the literature using online databases for studies pertaining to androgens and female sexual function. Major reviews were included and their findings were summarized to avoid replicating their content. Quality of data published in the literature and recommendations were based on the GRADES system. The literature supports an important role for androgens in female sexual function. There is no blood androgen level below which women can be classified as having androgen deficiency. Clinical trials have consistently demonstrated that transdermal testosterone (T) therapy improves sexual function and sexual satisfaction in women who have been assessed as having hypoactive sexual desire disorder. The use of T therapy is limited by the lack of approved formulations for women and long-term safety data. Most studies do not support the use of systemic dehydroepiandrosterone therapy for the treatment of FSD in women with normally functioning adrenals or adrenal insufficiency. Studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of vaginal testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy are ongoing. Available data support an important role of androgens in female sexual function and dysfunction and efficacy of transdermal T therapy for the treatment of some women with FSD. Approved T formulations for women are generally unavailable. In consequence, the prescribing of T mostly involves off-label use of T products formulated for men and individually compounded T formulations. Long-term studies to determine the safety of T therapy for women and possible benefits beyond that of sexual function are greatly needed. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Sexuality and quality of life in women with a prior diagnosis of breast cancer after risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy.

PubMed

Tucker, Paige E; Saunders, Christobel; Bulsara, Max K; Tan, Jason Jit-Sun; Salfinger, Stuart G; Green, Helena; Cohen, Paul A

2016-12-01

To investigate the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women with a history of breast cancer following risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO). A secondary objective was to examine the effect of a prior diagnosis of breast cancer, and other factors, on sexuality and quality of life (QoL) outcomes. Cross-sectional study of 119 women who underwent RRSO between 2009 and 2014. Data were collected via a questionnaire comprising demographic information and validated measures of sexual function, sexual distress, relationship satisfaction, body image, psychological stress, menopause symptoms and general quality of life. Sixty out of 119 participants who underwent RRSO had a history of breast cancer. Eighty percent of women with breast cancer had female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and 82% had hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) after RRSO. Bilateral mastectomy was associated with higher rates of HSDD (p = 0.028) and higher body image self-consciousness (BISC) during sexual activity (p = 0.011). Breast reconstruction was associated with higher relationship satisfaction (RAS) scores (p = 0.004). Compared to Tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors (AI) were significantly associated with reduced lubrication (p = 0.041), arousal (p = 0.004), orgasm (p = 0.002) and greater dyspareunia (p = 0.027). Prior diagnosis of breast cancer was not associated with the prevalence of FSD (p = 0.532). High rates of FSD and HSDD occur in women with breast cancer following RRSO. Low relationship satisfaction, bodily pain, bilateral mastectomy and the use of aromatase inhibitors were associated with poorer sexual function. Women had similar sexual outcomes and QoL after RRSO, regardless of breast cancer history. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Prevalence of female sexual dysfunction during pregnancy among Egyptian women.

PubMed

Ahmed, Magdy R; Madny, Elham H; Sayed Ahmed, Waleed A

2014-04-01

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) during pregnancy in a sample of women from Egypt. This prospective cohort study was conducted among pregnant women who presented to the Obstetrics Outpatient Clinic - Suez Canal University Hospital for routine antenatal care between February 2012 and February 2013. The 451 women who completed the study attended during their first trimester with a singleton pregnancy and were in a stable relationship with their partners for the last 6 months. Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire during the 4 weeks preceding pregnancy and then in each trimester during the antenatal visits. Prevalence of FSD during pregnancy was estimated to be 68.8%. According to the FSFI, scores of all domains and total score were significantly reduced during the whole period of pregnancy (average 22.5 ± 3.7) compared to the pre-conception period (30.5 ± 5.6). However, there was significant increase of all domains and total score during the second trimester (26.6 ± 3.9) in comparison to the first and third trimesters (22.4 ± 4.1 and 18.6 ± 3.8, respectively). Total FSFI score was found to be positively correlated to pre-conception total FSFI score. However, age, parity and duration of marriage were negatively correlated. FSD is a prevalent problem during pregnancy among Egyptian women. The magnitude of the problem is highest during the third trimester while the second trimester represents the peak of sexual function during pregnancy. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research © 2014 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Importance of α–helix N–capping motif in stabilization of ββα fold

PubMed Central

Koscielska-Kasprzak, Katarzyna; Cierpicki, Tomasz; Otlewski, Jacek

2003-01-01

FSD-1 (full sequence design 1) is a protein folded in a ββα motif, designed on the basis of the second zinc finger domain of Zif268 by a substitution of its metal coordination site with a hydrophobic core. In this work, we analyzed the possibility of introducing the DNA recognition motif of the template zinc finger (S13RSDH17) into FSD-1 sequence in order to obtain a small DNA-binding module devoid of cross-link(s) or metal cofactors. The hybrid protein was unfolded, as judged by CD and NMR criteria. To reveal the role of each of the five amino acids, which form the N-capping motif of the α-helix, we analyzed conformational and stability properties of eight FSD-1 mutants. We used a shielded methyl group of Leu 18 and a CD signal at 215 nm as a convenient measure of the folded state. Glu 17→His substitution at the N3 in S13NEKE17 variant decreased the folded structure content from 90% to 25% (equivalent to 1.8 kcal • mole−1 destabilization) by disruption of N-capping interactions, and had the most significant effect among single mutants studied here. The Ncap Asn 14 substitution with Arg considerably decreased stability, reducing structure content from 90% to 40% (1.4 kcal • mole−1 destabilization) by disruption of a helix-capping hydrogen bond and destabilization of a helix macrodipole. The N1 Glu 15→Ser mutation also produced a considerable effect (1.0 kcal • mole−1 destabilization), again emphasizing the significance of electrostatic interactions in α-helix stabilization. PMID:12761399

Variation in distress among women with infertility: evidence from a population-based sample†

PubMed Central

Greil, Arthur L.; Shreffler, Karina M.; Schmidt, Lone; McQuillan, Julia

2011-01-01

BACKGROUND We examine variation in fertility-specific distress (FSD) and general distress according to different experiences of infertility among 1027 US women who have experienced infertility within the previous 10 years. METHODS General distress was measured by a short form of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression. Multiple regression analysis was conducted on self-report data (based on a telephone interview) from a probability-based sample of US women aged 25–45 years. We compare women with infertility who have had a prior pregnancy (secondary infertility, n = 628) to women with infertility with no prior pregnancies (primary infertility, n = 399). We further distinguish between women with infertility who were actually ‘trying’ to become pregnant (the infertile with intent) with those who met the medical definition of infertile but did not describe themselves as trying to become pregnant (infertile without intent). RESULTS Both types of infertility (primary versus secondary) (β = 0.31*) and intentionality (infertile with and without intent) (β = 0.08*) are associated with FSD. These associations persist when we control for resource and demographic variables, life course variables, social support and social pressure variables. General distress does not vary by infertility type or intentionality. CONCLUSIONS Results reveal variation in women's recalled experiences of infertility and that FSD is more sensitive to effects of different experiences than general distress. Women with primary infertility who were explicitly trying to become pregnant at the time of the infertility episode stand out as a particularly distressed group. Caregivers should be aware that the emotional needs of women with primary infertility may differ from those with secondary infertility. PMID:21659313

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-06-16

Eddie Snell, Post-Doctoral Fellow the National Research Council (NRC) uses a reciprocal space mapping diffractometer for macromolecular crystal quality studies. The diffractometer is used in mapping the structure of macromolecules such as proteins to determine their structure and thus understand how they function with other proteins in the body. This is one of several analytical tools used on proteins crystallized on Earth and in space experiments. Photo credit: NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)

Protein Crystal Quality Studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Eddie Snell, Post-Doctoral Fellow the National Research Council (NRC) uses a reciprocal space mapping diffractometer for macromolecular crystal quality studies. The diffractometer is used in mapping the structure of macromolecules such as proteins to determine their structure and thus understand how they function with other proteins in the body. This is one of several analytical tools used on proteins crystallized on Earth and in space experiments. Photo credit: NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)

Facile Synthesis and Characterization of ZrO₂ Nanoparticles via Modified Co-Precipitation Method.

PubMed

Ramachandran, M; Subadevi, R; Liu, Wei-Ren; Sivakumar, M

2018-01-01

The crystalline Zirconium oxide (ZrO2) nano particles were synthesized using optimized content of Zirconium nitrate (Zr(NO3)2·3H2O) with varying KOH concentration (0.5, 1 and 1.5 M) by co-precipitation method. The thermal history of the precursor was carefully analyzed through Thermogravimetric (TG/DTA) measurement. The as prepared samples were characterized to ensure structural, functional, morphological, compositional, chemical composition and band gap by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Laser Raman, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), High resolution Transverse Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS), EDX, Photo luminescence spectroscopy (PL). The monoclinic structure with space group P21/c has been confirmed from XRD (JCPDS 89-9066). The Zr-O stretching vibration and Zr-O2-Zr bending vibrations were confirmed through FTIR analysis. The well dispersed particles with spherical morphology were confirmed through SEM and TEM analysis. The oxidation states of Zr, O and C were confirmed through XPS analysis. The oxygen vacancies and band gap of the particles were investigated through PL analysis.

Preparation of anti-adhesion surfaces on aluminium substrates of rubber plastic moulds using a coupling method of liquid plasma and electrochemical machining

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meng, Jianbing; Dong, Xiaojuan; Wei, Xiuting; Yin, Zhanmin

2014-03-01

Hard anti-adhesion surfaces, with low roughness and wear resistance, on aluminium substrates of rubber plastic moulds were fabricated via a new coupling method of liquid plasma and electrochemical machining. With the aid of liquid plasma thermal polishing and electrochemical anodic dissolution, micro/nano-scale binary structures were prepared as the base of the anti-adhesion surfaces. The anti-adhesion behaviours of the resulting aluminium surfaces were analysed by a surface roughness measuring instrument, a scanning electron microscope (SEM), a Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR), an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), an optical contact angle meter, a digital Vickers micro-hardness (Hv) tester, and electronic universal testing. The results show that, after the liquid plasma and electrochemical machining, micro/nano-scale binary structures composed of micro-scale pits and nano-scale elongated boss structures were present on the sample surfaces. As a result, the anti-adhesion surfaces fabricated by the above coupling method have good anti-adhesion properties, better wear resistance and lower roughness.

Preparation of anti-adhesion surfaces on aluminium substrates of rubber plastic moulds using a coupling method of liquid plasma and electrochemical machining

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

Meng, Jianbing, E-mail: jianbingmeng@126.com; Dong, Xiaojuan; Wei, Xiuting

Hard anti-adhesion surfaces, with low roughness and wear resistance, on aluminium substrates of rubber plastic moulds were fabricated via a new coupling method of liquid plasma and electrochemical machining. With the aid of liquid plasma thermal polishing and electrochemical anodic dissolution, micro/nano-scale binary structures were prepared as the base of the anti-adhesion surfaces. The anti-adhesion behaviours of the resulting aluminium surfaces were analysed by a surface roughness measuring instrument, a scanning electron microscope (SEM), a Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR), an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), an optical contact angle meter, a digital Vickers micro-hardness (Hv) tester, and electronic universal testing. The resultsmore » show that, after the liquid plasma and electrochemical machining, micro/nano-scale binary structures composed of micro-scale pits and nano-scale elongated boss structures were present on the sample surfaces. As a result, the anti-adhesion surfaces fabricated by the above coupling method have good anti-adhesion properties, better wear resistance and lower roughness.« less

Comparison of characteristics of hydroxyapatite powders synthesized from cuttlefish bone via precipitation and ball milling techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faksawat, K.; Kaewwiset, W.; Limsuwan, P.; Naemchanthara, K.

2017-09-01

The aim of this work was to compare characteristics of hydroxyapatite synthesized by precipitation and ball milling techniques. The cuttlefish bone powder was a precursor in calcium source and the di ammonium hydrogen orthophosphate powders was a precursor in phosphate source. The hydroxyapatite was synthesized by the both techniques such as precipitation and ball milling techniques. The phase formation, chemical structure and morphology of the both hydroxyapatite powders have been examined by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), respectively. The results show that the hydroxyapatite synthesized by precipitation technique formed hydroxyapatite phase slower than the hydroxyapatite synthesized by ball milling technique. The FTIR results show the chemical structures of sample in both techniques are similar. The morphology of the hydroxyapatite from the both techniques were sphere like shapes and particle size was about in nano scale. The average particle size of the hydroxyapatite by ball milling technique was less than those synthesized by precipitation technique. This experiment indicated that the ball milling technique take time less than the precipitation technique in hydroxyapatite synthesis.

From Modeling of Plasticity in Single-Crystal Superalloys to High-Resolution X-rays Three-Crystal Diffractometer Peaks Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacques, Alain

2016-12-01

The dislocation-based modeling of the high-temperature creep of two-phased single-crystal superalloys requires input data beyond strain vs time curves. This may be obtained by use of in situ experiments combining high-temperature creep tests with high-resolution synchrotron three-crystal diffractometry. Such tests give access to changes in phase volume fractions and to the average components of the stress tensor in each phase as well as the plastic strain of each phase. Further progress may be obtained by a new method making intensive use of the Fast Fourier Transform, and first modeling the behavior of a representative volume of material (stress fields, plastic strain, dislocation densities…), then simulating directly the corresponding diffraction peaks, taking into account the displacement field within the material, chemical variations, and beam coherence. Initial tests indicate that the simulated peak shapes are close to the experimental ones and are quite sensitive to the details of the microstructure and to dislocation densities at interfaces and within the soft γ phase.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles by using Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balamurugan, Madheswaran; Saravanan, Shanmugam

2017-12-01

A single step eco-friendly, energy efficient and economically scalable green method was employed to synthesize silver nanoparticles. In this work, the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract as reducing and capping agent along with water as solvent at normal room temperature is described. Silver nanoparticles were prepared from aqueous silver nitrate solution by adding the leaf extract. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by using UV-visible Spectrophotometer, X-ray diffractometer, High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HR-TEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscope (FTIS). X-ray diffraction studies brought to light the crystalline nature and the face centered cubic structure of the silver nanoparticles. Using HR-TEM. the nano sizes and morphology of the particles were studied. The mean sizes of the prepared silver nanoparticles ranged from 30 to 36 nm. The density of the particles was tuned by varying the molar ratio of silver nitrate. FTIS studies showed the functional group of organic molecules which were located on the surface of the silver nanoparticles. Originating from the leaf extracts, these organic molecules reduced and capped the particles.

Preparation, characterization, and in vitro release of gentamicin from coralline hydroxyapatite-alginate composite microspheres.

PubMed

Sivakumar, M; Rao, K Panduranga

2003-05-01

In this work, composite microspheres were prepared from bioactive ceramics such as coralline hydroxyapatite [Ca(10)(PO(4))(6)(OH)(2)] granules, a biodegradable polymer, sodium alginate, and an antibiotic, gentamicin. Previously, we have shown a gentamicin release from coralline hydroxyapatite granules-chitosan composite microspheres. In the present investigation, we attempted to prepare composite microspheres containing coralline hydroxyapatite granules and sodium alginate by the dispersion polymerization technique with gentamicin incorporated by absorption method. The crystal structure of the composite microspheres was analyzed using X-ray powder diffractometer. Fourier transform infrared spectra clearly indicated the presence of per-acid of sodium alginate, phosphate, and hydroxyl groups in the composite microspheres. Scanning electron micrographs and optical micrographs showed that the composite microspheres were spherical in shape and porous in nature. The particle size of composite microspheres was analyzed, and the average size was found to be 15 microns. The thermal behavior of composite microspheres was studied using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetric analysis. The cumulative in vitro release profile of gentamicin from composite microspheres showed near zero order patterns. Copyright 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Preparation, characterization and in vitro release of gentamicin from coralline hydroxyapatite-gelatin composite microspheres.

PubMed

Sivakumar, M; Panduranga Rao, K

2002-08-01

Composite microspheres have been prepared from bioactive ceramics such as coralline hydroxyapatite [CHA, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2] granules, a biodegradable polymer, gelatin and an antibiotic, gentamicin. In our earlier work, we have shown a gentamicin release from CHA granules--chitosan composite microspheres. In the present investigation, an attempt was made to prepare the composite microspheres containing coralline hydroxyapatite and gelatin (CHA-G), which were prepared by the dispersion polymerization technique and the gentamicin was incorporated by the absorption method. The crystal structure of the composite microspheres was analyzed using X-ray powder diffractometer. The Fourier transformed infrared spectrum clearly indicated the presence of amide and hydroxyl groups in the composite microspheres. Scanning electron micrographs and optical micrographs show that the composite microspheres are spherical in shape and porous in nature. The particle size of composite microspheres was analyzed and the average size was found to be 16 microm. The thermal behavior of composite microspheres was studied using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetric analysis. The cumulative in vitro release profile of gentamicin from composite microspheres showed near zero order patterns.

Noncontrast MRA of pedal arteries in type II diabetes: effect of disease load on vessel visibility.

PubMed

Zhang, Lijuan; Liu, Xin; Fan, Zhaoyang; Zhang, Na; Chung, Yiu-Cho; Liao, Weiqi; Zheng, Hairong; Li, Debiao

2015-04-01

Noncontrast magnetic resonance angiography (NC-MRA) of pedal artery remains challenging because of the global and regional disease load, tissue integrity, and altered microcirculation. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of the NC-MRA of pedal arteries with flow-sensitive dephasing-prepared steady-state free precession (FSD-SSFP) and to explore the effect of disease load of type II diabetes on the vessel depiction. FSD-SSFP was performed on a 1.5-T magnetic resonance system before the contrast-enhanced MRA (CE-MRA) as a reference standard in 39 consecutive diabetic subjects (29 men and 16 women, aged 57.9 ± 11.4 years). Two experienced radiologists evaluated the overall artery visibility (VA) and the contamination from soft tissue (SC) and veins (VC) with a four-point scale. Chronic complications and measures including random blood glucose (RBG), lipid panel, body mass index, risk of diabetic foot ulcers (RDF), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) by the imaging were recorded as disease load indicators. Spearman rank correlation and ordinal regression were performed to investigate the effect of disease load on the depiction of pedal arteries. The measurement of RBG and RDF were significantly correlated with the VC in CE-MRA and with the overall visibility of pedal arteries in NC-MRA (P < .025 and P < .001, respectively). Blood pressure was the only parameter that was significantly associated with SC in NC-MRA with FSD-SSFP (P < .025). For CE-MRA the effect of RDF on the overall VA manifested a significant linear trend (P < .001), and the level of RBG was substantially associated with the VC (P < .025) without significantly impacting VA and SC. Hypertension only correlated with SC in NC-MRA. VA was found independent of the presence of diabetic nephropathy, coronary artery disease, abnormal lipid panel, HbA1c (75.0%), or optimized m1 value that ranged from 70 to 160 mT⋅ms(2)/m (mean, 125 ± 18 mT⋅ms(2)/m) in this study. FSD-SSFP proved to be a useful modality of NC-MRA for pedal artery imaging in diabetic patients. The vessel depiction is subject to the local and systemic disease load of type II diabetes. Technical optimization of the flow-sensitive dephasing gradient moment and properly choosing candidate would help augment the potential of this technique in patient care of peripheral artery disease. Copyright © 2015 AUR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Does the Severity of Overactive Bladder Symptoms Correlate With Risk for Female Sexual Dysfunction?

PubMed

Juliato, Cássia Raquel Teatin; Melotti, Iane Glauce Ribeiro; Junior, Luiz Carlos Santos; Britto, Luiz Gustavo Oliveira; Riccetto, Cássio Luiz Zanettini

2017-07-01

Several studies have associated overactive bladder (OAB) with female sexual dysfunction (FSD); however, there are no reports using a quantitative approach to measure OAB severity and to relate OAB to the risk of FSD. To evaluate women with OAB and to correlate the severity of their urinary symptoms with their sexual function. This cross-sectional study included 267 women older than 18 years with untreated OAB. All subjects completed the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Overactive Bladder (ICIQ-OAB) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Linear regression was used to analyze the association between variables and the numeric FSFI score, and categorical FSFI scores were analyzed using logistic regression. Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between ICIQ-OAB results and the different FSFI domains. The significance level was 5%. Subjects' mean age was 50.2 ± 11.9 years. Most women were married, had at least three children, and were postmenopausal (54.3%). Mean FSFI total score was 19.2 ± 9.8. For menopausal status, 65.6% of premenopausal women had a risk for FSD vs 86.2% of postmenopausal women. Mean ICIQ-OAB score was 10 ± 3.17. Postmenopausal women had the following risk factors statistically associated with sexual dysfunction: age, ICIQ score, and marital status. For these women, greater OAB severity, especially those with urgency and/or urge incontinence, was associated with worse scores in the arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and sexual pain domains. However, there was no statistically significant association for premenopausal women. Health professionals have to pay attention to OAB in women because of the greater risk for FSD in these patients. The strength was using a quantitative approach to measure OAB severity in a larger population. Limitations include a convenience sample with no power calculation; exclusion of women who did not have sexual intercourse in the past month; unmeasured distress caused by sexual disorders; and the impossibility of establishing causality between OAB and sexual dysfunction. Women with OAB frequently have a risk for sexual dysfunction. In the postmenopausal group, women with scores indicating severe OAB had worse sexual function, mainly in the arousal, lubrication, orgasm, pain, and total domains. Juliato CRT, Melotti IGR, Junior LCS, et al. Does the Severity of Overactive Bladder Symptoms Correlate With Risk for Female Sexual Dysfunction? J Sex Med 2017;14:904-909. Copyright © 2017 International Society for Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

POWTEX - A new High-Intensity Powder and Texture Diffractometer at FRM II, Garching Germany

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walter, J. M.; Brückel, T.; Dronskowski, R.; Hansen, B. T.; Houben, A.; Klein, H.; Leiss, B.; Vollbrecht, A.; Sowa, H.

2009-05-01

In recent years, neutron diffraction has become a routine tool in Geoscience for experimental high-field (HP/HT/HH) powder diffraction and for the quantitative analysis of the crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO). Quantitative texture analysis is e.g. involved in the research fields of fabric development in mono- and polyphase rocks, deformation histories and kinematics during mountain building processes and the characterization of flow kinematics in lava flows. Secondly the quantitative characterization of anisotropic physical properties of both rock and analogue materials is conducted by bulk texture measurements of sometimes larger sample volumes. This is easily achievable by neutron diffraction due to the high penetration capabilities of the neutrons. The resulting geoscientific need for increased measuring time at neutron diffraction facilities with the corresponding technical characteristics and equipment will in future be satisfied by this high-intensity diffractometer at the neutron research reactor FRM II in Garching, Germany. It will be built by a consortium of groups from the RWTH Aachen, Forschungszentrum Jülich and the University of Göttingen, who will also operate the instrument. The diffractometer will be optimized to high intensities (flux) with an equivalent sufficient resolution for polyphase rocks. Furthermore a broad range of d-values (0.5 to 15 Å) will be measurable. The uniqueness of this instrument is the geoscientific focus on different sample environments for in situ-static and deformation experiments (stress, strain and annealing/recrystallisation) and (U)HP/(U)HT experiments. A LP/LT or atmospheric-P deformation rig for in situ-deformation experiments on ice, halite or rock analogue materials is planned, to allow in situ-measurements of the texture development during deformation and annealing. Additionally a uniaxial HT/MP deformation apparatus for salt deformation experiments and an adapted Griggs- type deformation rig are also designated. Furthermore an uniaxial stress frame for in situ stress investigations is planned to conduct simultaneous measurements of stress, elastic or plastic deformation and texture. Other sample environments for geoscientific application will be HP/HT furnaces and pressure cells for powder diffraction investigations. Furthermore the diffractometer will be built in combination with a high-pressure multi anvil up to 25 GPa and 2500 K built by the University of Bayreuth at the same beam line. The detector concept allows single shot texture measurements and therefore the measurement of larger geological sample series as necessary for the investigations of complete geological structures. This concept is complementary to the geoscience neutron texture diffractometer in Dubna, Russia and the stress diffractometer STRESS-SPEC located also at the Garching research reactor. For powder diffraction the diffractometer will be complementary to the existing high-resolution powder diffractometer SPODI at the FRM-II. It will offer the possibility of short, high-intensity parametric powder diffraction measurements in dependency of temperature, electrical, magnetic and stress fields due to the higher flux at the sample. The optimization to high-intensities and therefore short measuring times will also allow time-resolved measurements of kinetic reactions even of small sample volumes.

A temperature-controlled cell for X-ray study of liquid systems using a commercial DRON-UM1 diffractometer

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

Petrun`kin, S.P.; Garavina, E.V.; Trostin, V.N.

1995-02-01

A container (cell) and a temperature-control system have been designed enabling one to carry out x-ray diffraction study of liquid samples both at a fixed temperature and within a certain temperature range using a commercial DRON-UMl x-ray diffractometer. Special features of the cell and the materials used for it allow one to study both chemically inert and corrosive liquids.

Sample holder for X-ray diffractometry

DOEpatents

Hesch, Victor L.

1992-01-01

A sample holder for use with X-ray diffractometers with the capability to rotate the sample, as well as to adjust the position of the sample in the x, y, and z directions. Adjustment in the x direction is accomplished through loosening set screws, moving a platform, and retightening the set screws. Motion translators are used for adjustment in the y and z directions. An electric motor rotates the sample, and receives power from the diffractometer.

In-situ data collection at the photon factory macromolecular crystallography beamlines

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

Yamada, Yusuke, E-mail: yusuke.yamada@kek.jp; Matsugaki, Naohiro; Kato, Ryuichi

Crystallization trial is one of the most important but time-consuming steps in macromolecular crystallography, and in-situ diffraction experiment has a capability to make researchers to proceed this step more efficiently. At the Photon Factory, a new tabletop diffractometer for in-situ diffraction experiments has been developed. It consists of XYZ translation stages with a plate handler, an on-axis viewing system and a plate rack with a capacity for ten crystallization plates. These components sit on a common plate and are able to be placed on the existing diffractometer table. The CCD detector with a large active area and a pixel arraymore » detector with a small active area are used for acquiring diffraction images from crystals. Dedicated control software and a user interface have also been developed. The new diffractometer has been operational for users and used for evaluation of crystallization screening since 2014.« less

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-06-16

Eddie Snell (standing), Post-Doctoral Fellow the National Research Council (NRC),and Marc Pusey of Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) use a reciprocal space mapping diffractometer for marcromolecular crystal quality studies. The diffractometer is used in mapping the structure of marcromolecules such as proteins to determine their structure and thus understand how they function with other proteins in the body. This is one of several analytical tools used on proteins crystalized on Earth and in space experiments. Photo credit: NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)

Peak broadening and peak shift pole figures investigations by STRESS-SPEC diffractometer at FRM II

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gan, W. M.; Randau, C.; Hofmann, M.; Brokmeier, H. G.; Mueller, M.; Schreyer, A.

2012-02-01

This paper studied for the first time peak intensity, peak position and FHWM pole figures with one time measurement at the neutron diffractometer STRESS-SPEC via in-situ tensile deformation on austenitic steel. Fibre distribution with its evolution from central tensile direction to normal direction of these three kinds of pole figures was obtained. Variation of peak position and FWHM can be correlated to the reorientation of the texture component.

Microdosimetry of the full slowing down of protons using Monte Carlo track structure simulations.

PubMed

Liamsuwan, T; Uehara, S; Nikjoo, H

2015-09-01

The article investigates two approaches in microdosimetric calculations based on Monte Carlo track structure (MCTS) simulations of a 160-MeV proton beam. In the first approach, microdosimetric parameters of the proton beam were obtained using the weighted sum of proton energy distributions and microdosimetric parameters of proton track segments (TSMs). In the second approach, phase spaces of energy depositions obtained using MCTS simulations in the full slowing down (FSD) mode were used for the microdosimetric calculations. Targets of interest were water cylinders of 2.3-100 nm in diameters and heights. Frequency-averaged lineal energies ([Formula: see text]) obtained using both approaches agreed within the statistical uncertainties. Discrepancies beyond this level were observed for dose-averaged lineal energies ([Formula: see text]) towards the Bragg peak region due to the small number of proton energies used in the TSM approach and different energy deposition patterns in the TSM and FSD of protons. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Protein Crystal Quality Studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Eddie Snell (standing), Post-Doctoral Fellow the National Research Council (NRC),and Marc Pusey of Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) use a reciprocal space mapping diffractometer for marcromolecular crystal quality studies. The diffractometer is used in mapping the structure of marcromolecules such as proteins to determine their structure and thus understand how they function with other proteins in the body. This is one of several analytical tools used on proteins crystalized on Earth and in space experiments. Photo credit: NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)

Thermal stabilization of neutron Larmor diffractometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keller, T.; Tralmer, F.

2017-06-01

We report on the design of a support unit for the radio frequency (RF) coils of a Larmor diffractometer (LD) eliminating fluctuations of the Larmor phase resulting from thermal expansion of the support structures. The key component defining the spacing between the RF coils is a Zerodur bar with a very low thermal expansion coefficient (α = 7 × 10-8 K-1). This support unit will allow for LD measurements on the 10-6 accuracy level even if the ambient temperature is fluctuating.

Sexual dysfunction in pre-menopausal diabetic women: clinical, metabolic, psychological, cardiovascular, and neurophysiologic correlates.

PubMed

Cortelazzi, Donatella; Marconi, Annamaria; Guazzi, Marco; Cristina, Maurizio; Zecchini, Barbara; Veronelli, Annamaria; Cattalini, Claudio; Innocenti, Alessandro; Bosco, Giovanna; Pontiroli, Antonio E

2013-12-01

An increased prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) has been reported in women with diabetes mellitus (DM). Our aim was to evaluate correlates (psychological, cardiovascular, and neurophysiologic) of FSD in DM women without chronic diabetic complications. Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Michigan Diabetic Neuropathy Index (DNI), and the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy (SDN) questionnaires, metabolic variables, endothelial vascular function (flow-mediated dilation, FMD), echocardiography, and electromyography were studied. 109 pre-menopausal women (18-50 years) [48 with DM (14 type 1 DM, 34 type 2 DM, duration 12.6 ± 1.91 years), and 61 healthy women] received the above questionnaires; physical activity, smoking habits, parity, BMI, waist circumference, HOMA-IR index, fibrinogen, cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL), triglycerides, HbA1c, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, total testosterone, and estradiol were measured; echocardiography, assessment of intima-media thickness (IMT), FMD, ECG (heart rate and Qtc, indexes of sympathetic activity), and electromyography were performed. FSFI total score and score for arousal, lubrication, and orgasm domains were lower in DM women than in controls (P < 0.05); DM women had higher BDI, Doppler A wave peak velocity, DNI, and SDN score (P < 0.001 to P < 0.04). Doppler E wave peak velocity, peroneal, posterior tibial and sural nerves conduction velocity and amplitude were lower in diabetic women than in controls (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). FSFI score was positively correlated with physical activity, Doppler E wave peak velocity, and peroneal nerve amplitude and negatively with BDI, parity, IMT, SDN, and HbA1c (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). At stepwise regression, SDN score (negatively) and Doppler E wave peak velocity (positively) predicted FSFI score (r = 507, P < 0.001). In conclusion, cardiovascular and neurological impairments are associated with FSD in diabetic women. Follow-up studies are required to evaluate sexual dysfunction as a risk factor for future cardiovascular or neurological events.

Rainfall-induced soil aggregate breakdown in field experiments at different rainfall intensities and initial soil moisture conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Pu; Thorlacius, Sigurdur; Keller, Thomas; Keller, Martin; Schulin, Rainer

2017-04-01

Soil aggregate breakdown under rainfall impact is an important process in interrill erosion, but is not represented explicitly in water erosion models. Aggregate breakdown not only reduces infiltration through surface sealing during rainfall, but also determines the size distribution of the disintegrated fragments and thus their availability for size-selective sediment transport and re-deposition. An adequate representation of the temporal evolution of fragment mass size distribution (FSD) during rainfall events and the dependence of this dynamics on factors such as rainfall intensity and soil moisture content may help improve mechanistic erosion models. Yet, little is known about the role of those factors in the dynamics of aggregate breakdown under field conditions. In this study, we conducted a series of artificial rainfall experiments on a field silt loam soil to investigate aggregate breakdown dynamics at different rainfall intensity (RI) and initial soil water content (IWC). We found that the evolution of FSD in the course of a rainfall event followed a consistent two-stage pattern in all treatments. The fragment mean weight diameter (MWD) drastically decreased in an approximately exponential way at the beginning of a rainfall event, followed by a further slow linear decrease in the second stage. We proposed an empirical model that describes this temporal pattern of MWD decrease during a rainfall event and accounts for the effects of RI and IWC on the rate parameters. The model was successfully tested using an independent dataset, showing its potential to be used in erosion models for the prediction of aggregate breakdown. The FSD at the end of the experimental rainfall events differed significantly among treatments, indicating that different aggregate breakdown mechanisms responded differently to the variation in initial soil moisture and rainfall intensity. These results provide evidence that aggregate breakdown dynamics needs to be considered in a case-specific manner in modelling sediment mobilization and transport during water erosion events.

MELCOR/CONTAIN LMR Implementation Report. FY14 Progress

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

Humphries, Larry L; Louie, David L.Y.

2014-10-01

This report describes the preliminary implementation of the sodium thermophysical properties and the design documentation for the sodium models of CONTAIN-LMR to be implemented into MELCOR 2.1. In the past year, the implementation included two separate sodium properties from two different sources. The first source is based on the previous work done by Idaho National Laboratory by modifying MELCOR to include liquid lithium equation of state as a working fluid to model the nuclear fusion safety research. To minimize the impact to MELCOR, the implementation of the fusion safety database (FSD) was done by utilizing the detection of the datamore » input file as a way to invoking the FSD. The FSD methodology has been adapted currently for this work, but it may subject modification as the project continues. The second source uses properties generated for the SIMMER code. Preliminary testing and results from this implementation of sodium properties are given. In this year, the design document for the CONTAIN-LMR sodium models, such as the two condensable option, sodium spray fire, and sodium pool fire is being developed. This design document is intended to serve as a guide for the MELCOR implementation. In addition, CONTAIN-LMR code used was based on the earlier version of CONTAIN code. Many physical models that were developed since this early version of CONTAIN may not be captured by the code. Although CONTAIN 2, which represents the latest development of CONTAIN, contains some sodium specific models, which are not complete, the utilizing CONTAIN 2 with all sodium models implemented from CONTAIN-LMR as a comparison code for MELCOR should be done. This implementation should be completed in early next year, while sodium models from CONTAIN-LMR are being integrated into MELCOR. For testing, CONTAIN decks have been developed for verification and validation use.« less

Fiber-optic Sensor Demonstrator (FSD) integration with PROBA-2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reutlinger, Arnd; Glier, Markus; Zuknik, Karl-Heinz; Hoffmann, Lars; Müller, Mathias; Rapp, Stephan; Kurvin, Charles; Ernst, Thomas; McKenzie, Iain; Karafolas, Nikos

2017-11-01

Modern telecommunication satellites can benefit from the features of fiber optic sensing wrt to mass savings, improved performance and lower costs. Within the course of a technology study, launched by the European Space Agency, a fiber optic sensing system has been designed and is to be tested on representative mockups of satellite sectors and environment.

1985 Annual Technical Report: A Research Program in Computer Technology. July 1984--June 1985.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

University of Southern California, Marina del Rey. Information Sciences Inst.

Summaries of research performed by the Information Sciences Institute at the University of Southern California for the U.S. Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in 17 areas are provided in this report: (1) Common LISP framework, an exportable version of the Formalized Software Development (FSD) testbed; (2) Explainable Expert…

Rotatable multifunctional load frames for neutron diffractometers at FRM II—design, specifications and applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoelzel, M.; Gan, W. M.; Hofmann, M.; Randau, C.; Seidl, G.; Jüttner, Ph.; Schmahl, W. W.

2013-05-01

Novel tensile rigs have been designed and manufactured at the research reactor Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II, Garching near Munich). Besides tensile and compressive stress, also torsion can be applied. The unique Eulerian cradle type design (ω, χ, and φ axis) allows orienting the stress axis with respect to the scattering vector. Applications of these tensile rigs at our neutron diffractometers enable various investigations of structural changes under mechanical load, e.g. crystallographic texture evolution, stress-induced phase transformations or lattice expansion, and the anisotropy of mechanical response.

Study on effect of plasma surface treatments for diamond deposition by DC arc plasmatron.

PubMed

Kang, In-Je; Joa, Sang-Beom; Lee, Heon-Ju

2013-11-01

To improve the thermal conductivity and wear resistance of ceramic materials in the field of renewable energy technologies, diamond coating by plasma processing has been carried out in recent years. This study's goal is to improve diamond deposition on Al2O3 ceramic substrates by plasma surface treatments. Before diamond deposition was carried out in a vacuum, plasma surface treatments using Ar gas were conducted to improve conditions for deposition. We also conducted plasma processing for diamond deposition on Al2O3 ceramic substrates using a DC arc Plasmatron. The Al2O3 ceramic substrates with diamond film (5 x 15 mm2), were investigated by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy) and XRD (X-ray Diffractometer). Then, the C-H stretching of synthetic diamond films by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) was studied. We identified nanocrystalline diamond films on the Al2O3 ceramic substrates. The results showed us that the deposition rate of diamond films was 2.3 microm/h after plasma surface treatments. Comparing the above result with untreated ceramic substrates, the deposition rate improved with the surface roughness of the deposited diamond films.

Green synthesis of Copper nanoparticle using ionic liquid-based extraction from Polygonum minus and their applications.

PubMed

Ullah, Habib; Wilfred, Cecilia Devi; Shaharun, Maizatul Shima

2018-06-06

The present work reports the extraction of phenolic compounds from Polygonum minus using ionic liquid as extracting solvent. In this work, 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate [BMIM][HSO 4 ] was used for the extraction of bioactive compounds. Accordingly, ionic liquids based microwave-assisted extraction treatment for separating of bioactive compounds from polygonum minus was first performed in the present study. The results obtained in this work have high extraction yield in comparison with conventional solvent. UV/Vis results showed that microwave synthesis was fast, well dispersed and nanosized copper nanoparticle (CuNPs) in comparison with conventional synthesis. CuNPs was characterized by X-Rays diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), field emission scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive x-rays (FESEM-EDX), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). All the instrumental analyses confirmed the particles were nanosized. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of as-synthesized CuNPs showed effective inhibitory zone against three different bacteria. The photocatalytic degradation of copper nanoparticles was studied using methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) dyes under UV light and degraded 99.9% within short time 8 and 7 minutes.

Photoluminescent and Thermoluminescent Studies of Dy3+ and Eu3+ Doped Y2O3 Phosphors.

PubMed

Verma, Tarkeshwari; Agrawal, Sadhana

2018-01-01

Eu 3+ doped and Dy 3+ codoped yttrium oxide (Y 2 O 3 ) phosphors have been prepared using solid-state reaction technique (SSR). The prepared phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. Photoluminescence (PL) and Thermoluminescence (TL) properties were studied in detail. PL emission spectra were recorded for prepared phosphors under excitation wavelength 254 nm, which show a high intense peak at 613 nm for Y 2 O 3 :Dy 3+ , Eu 3+ (1:1.5 mol %) phosphor. The correlated color temperature (CCT) and CIE analysis have been performed for the synthesized phosphors. TL glow curves were recorded for Eu 3+ doped and Dy 3+ codoped phosphors to study the heating rate effect and dose response. The kinetic parameters were calculated using peak shape method for UV and γ exposures through computerized glow curve deconvolution (CGCD) technique. The phosphors show second order kinetics and activation energies varying from 5.823 × 10 - 1 to 18.608 × 10 - 1  eV.

Development of a simultaneous SANS / FTIR measuring system and its application to polymer cocrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaneko, F.; Seto, N.; Sato, S.; Radulescu, A.; Schiavone, M. M.; Allgaier, J.; Ute, K.

2016-09-01

In order to provide plenty of structure information which would assist in the analysis and interpretation of small angle neutron scattering (SANS) profile, a novel method for the simultaneous time-resolved measurement of SANS and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy has been developed. The method was realized by building a device consisting of a portable FTIR spectrometer and an optical system equipped with two aluminum coated quartz plates that are fully transparent to neutron beams but play as mirrors for infrared radiation. The optical system allows both a neutron beam and an infrared beam pass through the same position of a test specimen coaxially. The device was installed on a small angle neutron diffractometer, KWS2 of the Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS) outstation at Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Center (MLZ) in Garching, Germany. In order to check the performance of this simultaneous measuring system, the structural changes in the cocrystals of syndiotactic polystyrene during the course of heating were followed. It has been confirmed that FTIR spectra measured in parallel are able to provide information about the behavior of each component and also useful to grasp in real time what is actually happening in the sample system.

Synthesis and characterization of Cu0.3Zn0.5Mg0.2Fe2O4 nanoparticles as a magnetic drug delivery system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ansari, Mohammad; Bigham, Ashkan; Hassanzadeh-Tabrizi, S. A.; Abbastabar Ahangar, H.

2017-10-01

Mixed spinel ferrite nanoparticles are being applied in biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, antibacterial activity, particular magnetic and electronic properties with chemical and thermal stabilities. The Cu0.3Zn0.5Mg0.2Fe2O4 nanoparticles are synthesized through the thermal treatment method. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is used as the capping agent to stabilize the particles and prevent their agglomeration. The synthesized nanoparticles are characterized through X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), N2 adsorption-desorption, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The magnetic characterization is made on a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), which displayed super-paramagnetic behavior of the synthesized sample. Potential application of the Cu0.3Zn0.5Mg0.2Fe2O4 nanoparticles as a drug delivery agent is assessed in vitro by estimating their release properties. The obtained results indicate that the amount of ibuprofen (IBU) adsorbed into the nanocarrier of Cu0.3Zn0.5Mg0.2Fe2O4 is 104 mg/g and the drug release is sustained up to 72 h.

Characterization of Sr-substituted W-type hexagonal ferrites synthesized by sol-gel autocombustion method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmad, Mukhtar; Grössinger, R.; Kriegisch, M.; Kubel, F.; Rana, M. U.

2013-04-01

The magnetic and microwave characterization of single phase hexaferrites of entirely new composition Ba1-xSrxCo2AlFe15O27 (x=0.2-1.0) for application in a microwave absorber, have been reported. The samples synthesized by sol-gel method were investigated by differential thermal analyzer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscope, X-ray diffractometer, field emission gun scanning electron microscope, vibrating sample magnetometer and vector network analyzer. Platelet grains exhibit well defined hexagonal shape which is a better shape for microwave absorption. M-H loops for a selected sample were measured for a temperature range of 4.2-400 K. Moreover M-H loops for all Sr-substituted samples were also measured at room temperature up to a maximum applied field of 9 T. Saturation magnetization values were calculated by the law of approach to saturation. The room temperature coercivity for all the samples is found to be a few hundred oersteds which is necessary for electromagnetic materials and makes these ferrites ideal for microwave devices, security, switching and sensing applications. The complex permittivity, permeability and reflection losses of a selected ferrite-epoxy composite were also investigated over a frequency range of 0.5-13 GHz.

Potentiality of Neopestalotiopsis clavispora ASU1 in biosorption of cadmium and zinc.

PubMed

Hassan, Sedky H A; Koutb, Mostafa; Nafady, Nivien Allam; Hassan, Elhagag Ahmed

2018-07-01

In this study, a fungal isolate was isolated from avocado fruit collected from a market in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia, and identified as Neopestalotiopsis clavispora ASU1. The biomass of Neopestalotiopsis clavispora ASU1 was used as a natural bio-sorbent for removal of Cd(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous solutions. Characterization of fungal biomass was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray Diffractometer, and BET surface area. Different factors on Cd(II) and Zn(II) biosorption were studied to evaluate the maximum conditions for metals biosorption. The (q max ) for Cd(II) and Zn (II) by N. clavispora ASU1 calculated from the Langmuir adsorption isotherm was 185.3 ± 0.25 and 153.8 ± 0.21 mg/g, respectively. Based on r 2 , the equilibrium biosorption isotherms fitted well with Langmuir model than Freundlich isotherm. The adsorption kinetics was studied, and the biosorption followed to the pseudo-second-order model. Thus, the current study indicated that the biomass of N. clavispora ASU1 is an effective adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Performance Analysis of MYSEA

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-01

Services FSD Federated Services Daemon I&A Identification and Authentication IKE Internet Key Exchange KPI Key Performance Indicator LAN Local Area...spection takes place in different processes in the server architecture. Key Performance Indica- tor ( KPI )s associated with the system need to be...application and risk analysis of security controls. Thus, measurement of the KPIs is needed before an informed tradeoff between the performance penalties

Aeroelastic Considerations in the Preliminary Design Aircraft

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-09-01

system for aeroelastic analysis FINDEX- Lockheed’s DMS for matrices and NASTRAN tables FSD- fully stressed design algorithm Lockheed- Lockheed-California...Company MLC- maneuver load control NASA- National Aeronautics and Space Adminstration NASTRAN - structural finite element program developed by NASA...Computer Program Validation All major computing programs (FAMAS, NASTRAN , etc.), except the weight distribution program, the panel sizing and allowable

Soy protein preserves basement membrane integrity through a synergistic effect on nephrin, matrix metalloproteinase and vascular endothelial growth factor.

PubMed

Palanisamy, Nallasamy; Anuradha, Carani Venkataraman

2011-01-01

Soy protein improves renal function and prevents albuminuria in diabetic rats. This study investigates whether the renoprotective effect of soy protein is related to sustenance of basement membrane integrity. Adult male albino rats were randomized into four groups and fed one of the following semi-synthetic diets consisting of corn starch (60%) and casein (20%; CCD), fructose (60%) and casein (20%; FCD), fructose (60%) and soy protein (20%; FSD), or corn starch (60%) and soy protein (20%; CSD). Plasma chemistry and renal changes were analyzed after 60 days. FCD rats displayed metabolic derangements and renal ultrastructural changes. FSD rats showed reduction in type IV collagen, tissue inhibitor for matrix metallo-proteinase-2, vascular endothelial growth factor and tumor necrosis factor-α expression and improved matrix metallo-proteinase expression. Renal architecture was preserved in these rats. Soy protein supplementation not only improved insulin sensitivity but also markedly attenuated renal basement membrane changes in fructose diet-fed rats. These findings provide evidence in support of the use of dietary soy protein in patients with diabetic kidney disease. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Data acquisition of neutron crystallography on tetragonal and triclinic forms of hen-egg-white (HEW) lysozyme with an elastically bent Si monochromator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, I.; Minezaki, Y.; Harada, K.; Niimura, N.

An elastically bent silicon (EBSi) as a monochromator has been optimized for neutron diffractometers of biocrystallography. It was found that several stacked thin Si plates were easier to be bent much for the near focusing point and they increased neutron reflectivity by aligning the plates. Currently, an EBSi(1 1 1) monochromator system was equipped at a diffractometer (BIX-I). It took 50 days to collect about 12 000 reflections of hen-egg-white lysozyme. The minimum d-spacing was 2.1 Å.

Change to either a nonandrogenic or androgenic progestin-containing oral contraceptive preparation is associated with improved sexual function in women with oral contraceptive-associated sexual dysfunction.

PubMed

Davis, Susan R; Bitzer, Johannes; Giraldi, Annamaria; Palacios, Santiago; Parke, Susanne; Serrani, Marco; Mellinger, Uwe; Nappi, Rossella E

2013-12-01

It is a commonly held belief that combined oral contraceptive (COC) pills containing an androgenic progestin may be less likely to impair sexual function than COCs containing an anti-androgenic progestin. The study aims to compare the effects of a COC containing a progestin with an anti-androgenic profile (estradiol valerate [E2 V]/dienogest [DNG]) to that of one with an androgenic progestin (ethinyl estradiol [EE]/levonorgestrel [LNG]) on sexual function in women with COC-associated sexual dysfunction. In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, noninferiority study, women with COC-associated female sexual dysfunction (FSD) were randomized to E2 V/DNG or EE/LNG for six cycles. The primary outcome was the change in the sum of Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) desire and arousal component scores between baseline and cycle 6. Secondary outcome measures included changes to the FSFI domains, the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS-R), Vaginal Health Assessment, the Atrophy Symptom Questionnaire, and the Psychological General Well Being Index over six treatment cycles. The main outcome is the change in the sum of FSFI desire and arousal component scores between baseline and cycle 6. Of 276 women screened, 213 received treatment and 191 completed the study. The mean increase in the sum of FSFI desire and arousal component scores was 5.90 (standard deviation [SD] 5.45) for E2 V/DNG and 5.79 (SD 6.17) for EE/LNG (change from baseline P < 0.0001, both groups). Both treatments showed equal efficacy and were associated with improvements in all domains of the FSFI, with no between-group differences. Both COCs reduced the distress associated with FSD, as indicated by reduced FSDS-R scores. In women with COC-associated FSD, switching to either E2 V/DNG or EE/LNG was associated with equivalent improvements in symptoms, challenging the perception that COCs containing anti-androgenic progestins have a detrimental effect on sexual function relative to those containing androgenic progestins. © 2013 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

A 16-ch module for thermal neutron detection using ZnS:6LiF scintillator with embedded WLS fibers coupled to SiPMs and its dedicated readout electronics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mosset, J.-B.; Stoykov, A.; Greuter, U.; Gromov, A.; Hildebrandt, M.; Panzner, T.; Schlumpf, N.

2017-02-01

A scalable 16-ch thermal neutron detection system has been developed in the framework of the upgrade of a neutron diffractometer. The detector is based on a ZnS:6LiF scintillator with embedded WLS fibers which are read out with SiPMs. In this paper, we present the 16-ch module, the dedicated readout electronics, a direct comparison between the performance of the diffractometer obtained with the current 3He detector and with the 16-ch detection module, and the channel-to-channel uniformity.

The new materials science diffractometer STRESS-SPEC at FRM-II

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hofmann, M.; Schneider, R.; Seidl, G. A.; Rebelo-Kornmeier, J.; Wimpory, R. C.; Garbe, U.; Brokmeier, H.-G.

2006-11-01

In response to the development of new materials and the application of materials and components in new technologies the direct measurement, calculation and evaluation of textures and residual stresses has gained worldwide significance in recent years. In order to cater for the development of these analytical techniques the Materials Science Diffractometer STRESS-SPEC at FRM-II is designed to be equally applied to texture or residual stress analysis by virtue of its flexible configuration and the high neutron flux at the sample position. The instrument is now available for routine operation and here we present details of first experiments and instrument performance.

90-kilobar diamond-anvil high-pressure cell for use on an automatic diffractometer.

PubMed

Schiferl, D; Jamieson, J C; Lenko, J E

1978-03-01

A gasketed diamond-anvil high-pressure cell is described which can be used on a four-circle automatic diffractometer to collect x-ray intensity data from single-crystal samples subjected to truly hydrostatic pressures of over 90 kilobars. The force generating system exerts only forces normal to the diamond faces to obtain maximum reliability. A unique design allows exceptionally large open areas for maximum x-ray access and is particularly well suited for highly absorbing materials, as the x rays are not transmitted through the sample. Studies on ruby show that high-pressure crystal structure determinations may be done rapidly, reliably, and routinely with this system.

Portable X-ray diffractometer equipped with XRF for archaeometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uda, M.; Ishizaki, A.; Satoh, R.; Okada, K.; Nakajima, Y.; Yamashita, D.; Ohashi, K.; Sakuraba, Y.; Shimono, A.; Kojima, D.

2005-09-01

A portable X-ray diffractometer equipped with an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer was improved so as to get a diffraction pattern and a fluorescence spectrum simultaneously in air from one and the same small area on a specimen. Here, diffraction experiments were performed in two modes, i.e. an angle rotation mode and an energy dispersive mode. In the latter a diffraction pattern and a fluorescence spectrum were simultaneously recorded in a short time, 100 s or less, on one display. The diffractometer was tested in the field to confirm its performance. Targets chosen for this purpose were a bronze mirror from the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), and a stupa and its pedestal which are part of the painted statue of "Tamonten holding a stupa" from the Heian Period (794-1192), enshrined in the Engyouji temple founded in 996. The bronze mirror was identified as a product of the Han Dynasty from its chemical composition and the existence of the δ phase in the Cu-Sn alloy. The stupa and its pedestal were decorated with gold powder and gold leaf, respectively. From the XRF data of the pedestal, the underlying layer of gold leaf seems to have been painted with emerald green.

Neutron Time-of-Flight Diffractometer HIPPO at LANSCE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vogel, Sven; Williams, Darrick; Zhao, Yusheng; Bennett, Kristin; von Dreele, Bob; Wenk, Hans-Rudolf

2004-03-01

The High-Pressure Preferred Orientation (HIPPO) neutron diffractometer is the first third-generation neutron time-of-flight powder diffractometer to be constructed in the United States. It produces extremely high intensity by virtue of a short (9 m) initial flight path on a high intensity water moderator and 1380 3He detector tubes covering 4.5 m2 of detector area from 10' to 150' in scattering angles. HIPPO was designed and manufactured as a joint effort between LANSCE and University of California with the goals of attaining world-class science and making neutron powder diffractometry an accessible and available tool to the national user community. Over two decades of momentum transfer are available (0.1-30 A-1) to support studies of amorphous solids; magnetic diffraction; small crystalline samples; and samples subjected to extreme environments such as temperature, pressure, or magnetic fields. The exceptionally high data rates of HIPPO also make it useful for time-resolved studies. In addition to the standard ancillary equipment (100-position sample/texture changer, closed-cycle He refrigerator, furnace), HIPPO has unique high-pressure cells capable of achieving pressures of 30 GPA at ambient and high (2000 K) temperature with samples up to 100 mm3 in volume.

Texture analysis at neutron diffractometer STRESS-SPEC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brokmeier, H.-G.; Gan, W. M.; Randau, C.; Völler, M.; Rebelo-Kornmeier, J.; Hofmann, M.

2011-06-01

In response to the development of new materials and the application of materials and components in advanced technologies, non-destructive measurement methods of textures and residual stresses have gained worldwide significance in recent years. The materials science neutron diffractometer STRESS-SPEC at FRM II (Garching, Germany) is designed to be applied equally to texture and residual stress analyses by virtue of its very flexible configuration. Due to the high penetration capabilities of neutrons and the high neutron flux of STRESS-SPEC it allows a combined analysis of global texture, local texture, strain pole figure and FWHM pole figure in a wide variety of materials including metals, alloys, composites, ceramics and geological materials. Especially, the analysis of texture gradients in bulk materials using neutron diffraction has advantages over laboratory X-rays and EBSD for many scientific cases. Moreover, neutron diffraction is favourable for coarse-grained materials, where bulk information averaged over texture inhomogeneities is needed, and also stands out due to easy sample preparation. In future, the newly developed robot system for STRESS-SPEC will allow much more flexibility than an Eulerian cradle as on standard instruments. Five recent measurements are shown to demonstrate the wide range of possible texture applications at STRESS-SPEC diffractometer.

Advances in pharmacotherapy for treating female sexual dysfunction.

PubMed

Nappi, Rossella E; Cucinella, Laura

2015-04-01

'Female sexual dysfunction' (FSD) is an umbrella term comprising a range of common disorders, including hypoactive sexual desire, reduced subjective and/or physical genital arousal (poor sensation, vasocongestion, lubrication), sexual pain and inability to achieve orgasm/satisfaction, which are multidimensional by nature and often coexisting. Psychological and contextual factors have a significant influence on organic components of sexual response and behavior and a tailored medical approach to sexual symptoms is inevitably limited. The paper reports the most recent advances in pharmacotherapy for women taking into account the biopsychosocial model. Hormone therapy, including estrogens, testosterone, tibolone and dehydroepiandrosterone, are discussed in term of efficacy and safety in postmenopausal women both for female sexual interest/arousal disorder (FSIAD) and genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder. Ospemifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, approved to treat dyspareunia at menopause, is also discussed. Data on psychoactive agents for treatment of FSIAD in premenopausal women are discussed, including the potential use of on-demand combined hormonal (testosterone) and non-hormonal (buspirone or sildenafil) treatments to address possible neurophysiological profiles of women. We are still waiting for an approved pharmacotherapy for FSD. This is not the result of gender inequality in sexual medicine, but it reflects the need of balancing benefits and risks in order to provide effective and safe treatments to women of any age.

LSU network hubs integrate abiotic and biotic stress responses via interaction with the superoxide dismutase FSD2

PubMed Central

Garcia-Molina, Antoni; Altmann, Melina; Alkofer, Angela; Epple, Petra M.; Dangl, Jeffery L.

2017-01-01

Abstract In natural environments, plants often experience different stresses simultaneously, and adverse abiotic conditions can weaken the plant immune system. Interactome mapping revealed that the LOW SULPHUR UPREGULATED (LSU) proteins are hubs in an Arabidopsis protein interaction network that are targeted by virulence effectors from evolutionarily diverse pathogens. Here we show that LSU proteins are up-regulated in several abiotic and biotic stress conditions, such as nutrient depletion or salt stress, by both transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms. Interference with LSU expression prevents chloroplastic reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and proper stomatal closure during sulphur stress. We demonstrate that LSU1 interacts with the chloroplastic superoxide dismutase FSD2 and stimulates its enzymatic activity in vivo and in vitro. Pseudomonas syringae virulence effectors interfere with this interaction and preclude re-localization of LSU1 to chloroplasts. We demonstrate that reduced LSU levels cause a moderately enhanced disease susceptibility in plants exposed to abiotic stresses such as nutrient deficiency, high salinity, or heavy metal toxicity, whereas LSU1 overexpression confers significant disease resistance in several of these conditions. Our data suggest that the network hub LSU1 plays an important role in co-ordinating plant immune responses across a spectrum of abiotic stress conditions. PMID:28207043

Manualized treatment programs for FSD: research challenges and recommendations.

PubMed

Hucker, Alice; McCabe, Marita P

2012-02-01

The use of manualized treatment programs offers a useful research framework for assessing psychotherapeutic interventions for female sexual dysfunctions (FSDs), but it does not address all issues related to methodological rigor and replication, and raises new research issues in need of discussion. The goals of this manuscript are to review the literature on treatment trials utilizing manualized psychotherapy treatments for FSD and to explore the benefits and research issues associated with the flexible use of treatment manuals. The method used was the review of the relevant literature. While the use of manualized treatments for FSDs can address certain methodological issues inherent in psychotherapy research, flexibility in manual administration is necessary in order to allow tailoring for individual needs that can be beneficial to both the participant and the research. The flexible use of manuals, as opposed to strict manual adherence, may also be more relevant for clinical utility. In order to administer manualized treatments for FSDs with appropriate flexibility, while also maximizing internal validity and replicability, the authors recommend that predetermined decision rules be utilized to guide individual tailoring, that potential gaps in the manual be identified and addressed, and that differing levels of motivation and readiness for treatment be taken into consideration in the treatment protocol. © 2011 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

Applying terahertz technology for nondestructive detection of crack initiation in a film-coated layer on a swelling tablet

PubMed Central

Momose, Wataru; Yoshino, Hiroyuki; Katakawa, Yoshifumi; Yamashita, Kazunari; Imai, Keiji; Sako, Kazuhiro; Kato, Eiji; Irisawa, Akiyoshi; Yonemochi, Etsuo; Terada, Katsuhide

2012-01-01

Here, we describe a nondestructive approach using terahertz wave to detect crack initiation in a film-coated layer on a drug tablet. During scale-up and scale-down of the film coating process, differences in film density and gaps between the film-coated layer and the uncoated tablet were generated due to differences in film coating process parameters, such as the tablet-filling rate in the coating machine, spray pressure, and gas–liquid ratio etc. Tablets using the PEO/PEG formulation were employed as uncoated tablets. We found that heat and humidity caused tablets to swell, thereby breaking the film-coated layer. Using our novel approach with terahertz wave nondestructively detect film surface density (FSD) and interface density differences (IDDs) between the film-coated layer and an uncoated tablet. We also found that a reduced FSD and IDD between the film-coated layer and uncoated tablet increased the risk of crack initiation in the film-coated layer, thereby enabling us to nondestructively predict initiation of cracks in the film-coated layer. Using this method, crack initiation can be nondestructively assessed in swelling tablets after the film coating process without conducting accelerated stability tests, and film coating process parameters during scale-up and scale-down studies can be appropriately established. PMID:25755992

Phosphorus Effects of Mesoporous Bioactive Glass on Occlude Exposed Dentin

PubMed Central

Chen, Wen-Cheng; Chen, Cheng-Hwei; Kung, Jung-Chang; Hsiao, Yu-Cheng; Shih, Chi-Jen; Chien, Chi-Sheng

2013-01-01

In recent studies, sealing of exposed dentinal tubules is generally considered as one of the most effective strategies to treat dentin hypersensitivity. Mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) is a potential material for treating dentin hypersensitivity due to its highly specific areas for dissolution and re-precipitated reaction for reduction in dentin permeability. The groups of commercial products of PerioGlas®, synthetic MBG and MBG without phosphorus (MBGNP) were compared. The MBG and MBGNP powders were prepared by the sol-gel method and mixed with different calculated ratios of phosphoric acid (PA) and then was brushed onto dentin surfaces. We used X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electronic microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to investigate the physiochemistry and the occlusion ability of dentinal tubules. The results showed that MBG paste mixed with PA solution has a better ability for occluding dentinal tubules than MBGNP; it has a short reaction time and good operability. The major crystallite phase of MBG agents was monocalcium phosphate monohydrate [Ca(H2PO4)2·H2O] in the early stages of the reactions. MBG pastes that were mixed with 30% and 40% PA had the ability to create excellent penetration depth greater than 80 μm. These agents have the potential to treat dentin hypersensitivity. PMID:28788393

A novel sol-gel-derived calcium silicate cement with short setting time for application in endodontic repair of perforations

PubMed Central

Lee, Bor-Shiunn; Lin, Hong-Ping; Chan, Jerry Chun-Chung; Wang, Wei-Chuan; Hung, Ping-Hsuan; Tsai, Yu-Hsin; Lee, Yuan-Ling

2018-01-01

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is the most frequently used repair material in endodontics, but the long setting time and reduced mechanical strength in acidic environments are major shortcomings. In this study, a novel sol-gel-derived calcium silicate cement (sCSC) was developed using an initial Ca/Si molar ratio of 3, with the most effective mixing orders of reactants and optimal HNO3 catalyst volumes. A Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffractometer were used for material characterization. The setting time, compressive strength, and microhardness of sCSC after hydration in neutral and pH 5 environments were compared with that of MTA. Results showed that sCSC demonstrated porous microstructures with a setting time of ~30 min, and the major components of sCSC were tricalcium silicate, dicalcium silicate, and calcium oxide. The optimal formula of sCSC was sn200, which exhibited significantly higher compressive strength and microhardness than MTA, irrespective of neutral or pH 5 environments. In addition, both sn200 and MTA demonstrated good biocompatibility because cell viability was similar to that of the control. These findings suggest that sn200 merits further clinical study for potential application in endodontic repair of perforations. PMID:29386894

A novel sol-gel-derived calcium silicate cement with short setting time for application in endodontic repair of perforations.

PubMed

Lee, Bor-Shiunn; Lin, Hong-Ping; Chan, Jerry Chun-Chung; Wang, Wei-Chuan; Hung, Ping-Hsuan; Tsai, Yu-Hsin; Lee, Yuan-Ling

2018-01-01

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is the most frequently used repair material in endodontics, but the long setting time and reduced mechanical strength in acidic environments are major shortcomings. In this study, a novel sol-gel-derived calcium silicate cement (sCSC) was developed using an initial Ca/Si molar ratio of 3, with the most effective mixing orders of reactants and optimal HNO 3 catalyst volumes. A Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffractometer were used for material characterization. The setting time, compressive strength, and microhardness of sCSC after hydration in neutral and pH 5 environments were compared with that of MTA. Results showed that sCSC demonstrated porous microstructures with a setting time of ~30 min, and the major components of sCSC were tricalcium silicate, dicalcium silicate, and calcium oxide. The optimal formula of sCSC was sn200, which exhibited significantly higher compressive strength and microhardness than MTA, irrespective of neutral or pH 5 environments. In addition, both sn200 and MTA demonstrated good biocompatibility because cell viability was similar to that of the control. These findings suggest that sn200 merits further clinical study for potential application in endodontic repair of perforations.

Solid State Reaction Synthesis of Si-HA as Potential Biomedical Material: An Endeavor to Enhance the Added Value of Indonesian Mineral Resources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartatiek; Yudyanto; Ratnasari, S. D.; Windari, R. Y.; Hidayat, N.

2017-05-01

In recent years, one of the most prominently investigated materials is hydroxyapatite (HA). It is because of its excellent properties for medical applications, essentially related to orthopedic. Also, the introduction of other materials to HA becomes another research focus of many leading scientists. In this present study, silicon with various concentrations was introduced, by means of solid state reaction route, to HA forming Si-HA. The crystal structure properties of the as-prepared samples were evaluated by X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) spectroscopy data collection and analysis were done to investigate the functional groups within the samples. The microstructural characteristics as well as elemental mapping of the samples were captured by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). Vickers hardness test was also conducted to investigate the hardness properties of the samples. Furthermore, in vitro characterization-based bio resorbability of the samples in a simulated body fluid were also described. This study revealed that Indonesian limestone can be utilized as the raw material for synthesizing HA. The silicon has been successfully incorporated into phosphate site of the HA crystal. Conclusively, the Si-HA reported in this study shows good bioresorbability characteristic.

Preparation of micro/nano-fibrous brushite coating on titanium via chemical conversion for biomedical applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Bing; Guo, Yong-yuan; Xiao, Gui-yong; Lu, Yu-peng

2017-03-01

Calcium phosphate coatings have been applied on the surface of Ti implants to realize better osseointegration. The formation of dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (CaHPO4·2H2O), mineralogically named brushite on pure Ti substrate has been investigated via chemical conversion method. Coating composition and microstructure have been investigated by X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and field emission scanning electron microscope. The results reveal that the coatings are composed of high crystalline brushite with minor scholzite (CaZn2(PO4)2·2H2O). A micro/nano-scaled fibrous morphology can be produced in the acidic chemical conversion bath with pH 5.00. The surface of the fibrous brushite coating exhibits high hydrophilicity and corrosion resistance in the simulated body fluid. The osteoblast cells grow and spread actively on the coated samples and the proliferation numbers and alkaline phosphate activities of the cells improve significantly compared to the uncoated Ti. It is suggested that the micro/nano-fibrous brushite coating can be a potential approach to improve the osteoinductivity and osteoconductivity of Ti implant, due to its similarity in morphology and dimension to inorganic components of biological hard tissues, and favorable responses to the osteoblasts.

Effect of Sc{sup 3+} on structural and magnetic properties of Mn-Zn nano ferrites

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

Angadi, Jagadeesha V.; Matteppanavar, Shidaling; Srinatha, N.

2016-05-23

In the present investigation, for the first time, we report on the effect of Sc{sup 3+} on the structural and magnetic properties of Mn{sub 0.5}Zn{sub 0.5}Sc{sub y}Fe{sub 2-y}O{sub 4} (y = 0.01, 0.03 and 0.05) nanoferrites synthesized by solution combustion method using the mixture of fuels. As synthesized powders were characterized for the detailed structural analysis by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and room temperature magnetic properties by using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The results of XRD and FTIR confirm that the formation of nano crystalline, single-phased Mn-Zn ferrite with cubic spinel structure belongs to Fd-3m spacemore » group. The room temperature magnetic studies shows that, the saturation magnetization (M{sub S}), remanence magnetization (M{sub R}) and magnetic moment (η{sub B}), magnetic particle size (D{sub m}) have found to increase with Sc{sup 3+} ion concentration up to x = 0.3 and then decrease. The values of αY-K and the magnetic particle size (D{sub m}) are found to be in the range of 68-75° and 10-19 nm respectively, with Sc{sup 3+} concentration.« less

Visible light photocatalytic activities of template free porous graphitic carbon nitride-BiOBr composite catalysts towards the mineralization of reactive dyes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanagaraj, Thamaraiselvi; Thiripuranthagan, Sivakumar; Paskalis, Sahaya Murphin Kumar; Abe, Hideki

2017-12-01

Template free porous g-C3N4 (pGCN) and flower like bismuth oxybromide catalysts were synthesized by poly condensation and precipitation methods respectively. Various weight percentages of porous GCN-BiOBr composite catalysts (x% pGCN-BiOBr where x = 5, 10, 30, 50 & 70 wt% of pGCN) were synthesized by impregnation method. All the synthesized catalysts were characterized by X-Ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, BET surface area analyzer, UV Visible diffuse reflectance spectrophotometer, X-Ray photoelectron spectrophotometer, SEM with Energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (SEM/EDAX) and elemental mapping, Transmission electron microscope, Photoluminescence spectrophotometer and Electrochemical impedance. Photocatalytic degradation of all the synthesized catalysts were tested towards the harmful reactive dyes such as reactive blue 198 (RB 198), reactive black 5 (RB 5) and reactive yellow 145 (RY 145) in presence of visible irradiation. Among the catalysts 30% pGCN-BiOBr resulted in the highest photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of all the three dyes in presence of UV, visible and solar irradiations. Kinetics studies on the photocatalytic mineralization of dyes indicated that it followed pseudo first order. HPLC, TOC and COD studies confirm that the dyes are mineralized into CO2, water and mineral salts.

Study of cyanide removal from contaminated water using zinc peroxide nanomaterial.

PubMed

Uppal, Himani; Tripathy, S Swarupa; Chawla, Sneha; Sharma, Bharti; Dalai, M K; Singh, S P; Singh, Sukhvir; Singh, Nahar

2017-05-01

The present study highlights the potential application of zinc peroxide (ZnO 2 ) nanomaterial as an efficient material for the decontamination of cyanide from contaminated water. A process patent for ZnO 2 synthesis has been granted in United States of America (US Patent number 8,715,612; May 2014), South Africa, Bangladesh, and India. The ZnO 2 nanomaterial was capped with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to control the particle size. The PVP capped ZnO 2 nanomaterial (PVP-ZnO 2 ) before and after adsorption of cyanide was characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and time of flight-secondary ion mass spectrometry. The remaining concentration of cyanide after adsorption by PVP-ZnO 2 was determined using ion chromatograph. The adsorption of cyanide over PVP-ZnO 2 was also studied as a function of pH, adsorbent dose, time and concentration of cyanide. The maximum removal of cyanide was observed in pH range 5.8-7.8 within 15min. The adsorption data was fitted to Langmuir and Fruendlich isotherm and it has been observed that data follows both the isotherms and also follows second order kinetics. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Preparation and characterization of magnetic core-shell iron oxide@glycyrrhizic acid nanoparticles in ethanol-water mixed solvent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saeedi, Mostafa; Vahidi, Omid

2018-06-01

In this research, we used the co-precipitation method to synthesize glycyrrhizic acid coated iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles. The aim of this study is to investigate how different amounts of glycyrrhizic acid affect the structural, biological, magnetic, and hyperthermic characteristics of the synthesized magnetic nanoparticles. The synthesis was conducted under different glycyrrhizic acid concentrations in water with the presence of ethanol to generate coated nanoparticles with different amounts of coating agent. The characteristics of the synthesized nanoparticles were examined by several devices including X-ray diffractometer, transmission electron microscope, field-emission scanning electron microscope, vibrating sample magnetometer, Fourier transform infrared spectra, and thermal gravimetric analyzer. The cytotoxicity of synthesized nanoparticles was examined by MTT assay using L929 fibroblast cell line. The results indicated the enhanced biocompatibility of the coated iron oxide nanoparticles due to the presence of glycyrrhizic acid. The comparison of the coated samples shows that the samples with higher amounts of coating agent were more biocompatible. The possibility of using the synthesized magnetic nanoparticles for medical hyperthermia was examined by performing hyperthermia process on a nanofluid made up of the nanoparticles dispersed in water using a high-frequency alternating magnetic field generator and the results confirm the effectiveness of the synthesized nanoparticles in the elevation of the solutions temperature.

Microwave processed NiMg ferrite: Studies on structural and magnetic properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chandra Babu Naidu, K.; Madhuri, W.

2016-12-01

Ferrites are magnetic semiconductors realizing an important role in electrical and electronic circuits where electrical and magnetic property coupling is required. Though ferrite materials are known for a long time, there is a large scope in the improvement of their properties (vice sintering and frequency dependence of electrical and magnetic properties) with the current technological trends. Forth coming technology is aimed at miniaturization and smart gadgets, electrical components like inductors and transformers cannot be included in integrated circuits. These components are incorporated into the circuit as surface mount devices whose fabrication involves low temperature co-firing of ceramics and microwave monolithic integrated circuits technologies. These technologies demand low temperature sinter-ability of ferrites. This article presents low temperature microwave sintered Ni-Mg ferrites of general chemical formula Ni1-xMgxFe2O4 (x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, 1) for potential applications as transformer core materials. The series of ferrites are characterized using X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and vibrating sample magnetometer for investigating structural, morphological and magnetic properties respectively. The initial permeability is studied with magnesium content, temperature and frequency in the temperature range of 308 K-873 K and 42 Hz-5 MHz.

X-ray scattering signatures of β-thalassemia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Desouky, Omar S.; Elshemey, Wael M.; Selim, Nabila S.

2009-08-01

X-ray scattering from lyophilized proteins or protein-rich samples is characterized by the presence of two characteristic broad peaks at scattering angles equivalent to momentum transfer values of 0.27 and 0.6 nm -1, respectively. These peaks arise from the interference of coherently scattered photons. Once the conformation of a protein is changed, these two peaks reflect such change with considerable sensitivity. The present work examines the possibility of characterizing the most common cause of hemolytic anaemia in Egypt and many Mediterranean countries; β-thalassemia, from its X-ray scattering profile. This disease emerges from a genetic defect causing reduced rate in the synthesis of one of the globin chains that make up hemoglobin. As a result, structurally abnormal hemoglobin molecules are formed. In order to detect such molecular disorder, hemoglobin samples of β-thalassemia patients are collected, lyophilized and measured using a conventional X-ray diffractometer. Results show significant differences in the X-ray scattering profiles of most of the diseased samples compared to control. The shape of the first scattering peak at 0.27 nm -1, in addition to the relative intensity of the first to the second scattering peaks, provides the most reliable signs of abnormality in diseased samples. The results are interpreted and confirmed with the aid of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of normal and thalassemia samples.

Preparation and characterisation of Isophthalic-Bi2O3 polymer composite gamma radiation shields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ambika, M. R.; Nagaiah, N.; Harish, V.; Lokanath, N. K.; Sridhar, M. A.; Renukappa, N. M.; Suman, S. K.

2017-01-01

Bi2O3 filled Isophthalic resin based polymer composites of different weight % (0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 & 60) were fabricated by open mould cast technique. Gamma attenuation study was carried out using NaI (Tl) gamma ray spectrometer for Cs-137. The shielding parameters such as attenuation coefficient, HVL & λ were investigated. The distribution of the filler within the matrix was studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy. X ray diffractometer and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy were employed to study the structural changes if any. The thermal stability and mechanical strength of the composites were investigated using TGA & UTM respectively. Dielectric properties and AC conductivity were also studied using LCR meter. The composites are found to be thermally stable upto 200 °C. There were no such structural changes observed and all the composites show very low conductivity. The mechanical strength of the composites was found to increase upon adding the bismuth oxide with a slight decrease when the concentration of the filler exceeds 40 wt%. Attenuation results reveal that, the shielding efficiency increases with the increase of the filler wt% and are comparable to those of the conventional shielding materials. Hence, Bi2O3 filled composites can be used for gamma shielding applications.

Vacuum System Upgrade for Extended Q-Range Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Diffractometer (EQ-SANS) at SNS

DOE PAGES

Stone, Christopher M.; Williams, Derrick C.; Price, Jeremy P.

2016-09-23

The Extended Q-Range Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Diffractometer (EQ-SANS) instrument at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), Oak Ridge, Tennessee, incorporates a 69m3 detector vessel with a vacuum system which required an upgrade with respect to performance, ease of operation, and maintenance. The upgrade focused on improving pumping performance as well as optimizing system design to minimize opportunity for operational error. This upgrade provided the following practical contributions: Reduced time required to evacuate from atmospheric pressure to 2mTorr from 500-1,000 minutes to 60-70 minutes Provided turn-key automated control with a multi-faceted interlock for personnel and machine safety.

In-line metrology for roll-to-roll UV assisted nanoimprint lithography using diffractometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kreuzer, Martin; Whitworth, Guy L.; Francone, Achille; Gomis-Bresco, Jordi; Kehagias, Nikolaos; Sotomayor-Torres, Clivia M.

2018-05-01

We describe and discuss the optical design of a diffractometer to carry out in-line quality control during roll-to-roll nanoimprinting. The tool measures diffractograms in reflection geometry, through an aspheric lens to gain fast, non-invasive information of any changes to the critical dimensions of target grating structures. A stepwise tapered linear grating with constant period was fabricated in order to detect the variation in grating linewidth through diffractometry. The minimum feature change detected was ˜40 nm to a precision of 10 nm. The diffractometer was then integrated with a roll-to-roll UV assisted nanoimprint lithography machine to gain dynamic measurements in situ.

Vacuum System Upgrade for Extended Q-Range Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Diffractometer (EQ-SANS) at SNS

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

Stone, Christopher M.; Williams, Derrick C.; Price, Jeremy P.

The Extended Q-Range Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Diffractometer (EQ-SANS) instrument at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), Oak Ridge, Tennessee, incorporates a 69m3 detector vessel with a vacuum system which required an upgrade with respect to performance, ease of operation, and maintenance. The upgrade focused on improving pumping performance as well as optimizing system design to minimize opportunity for operational error. This upgrade provided the following practical contributions: Reduced time required to evacuate from atmospheric pressure to 2mTorr from 500-1,000 minutes to 60-70 minutes Provided turn-key automated control with a multi-faceted interlock for personnel and machine safety.

AND/R: Advanced neutron diffractometer/reflectometer for investigation of thin films and multilayers for the life sciences

PubMed Central

Dura, Joseph A.; Pierce, Donald J.; Majkrzak, Charles F.; Maliszewskyj, Nicholas C.; McGillivray, Duncan J.; Lösche, Mathias; O'Donovan, Kevin V.; Mihailescu, Mihaela; Perez-Salas, Ursula; Worcester, David L.; White, Stephen H.

2011-01-01

An elastic neutron scattering instrument, the advanced neutron diffractometer/reflectometer (AND/R), has recently been commissioned at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Center for Neutron Research. The AND/R is the centerpiece of the Cold Neutrons for Biology and Technology partnership, which is dedicated to the structural characterization of thin films and multilayers of biological interest. The instrument is capable of measuring both specular and nonspecular reflectivity, as well as crystalline or semicrystalline diffraction at wave-vector transfers up to approximately 2.20 Å−1. A detailed description of this flexible instrument and its performance characteristics in various operating modes are given. PMID:21892232

Operations Research in a New Spanish Air Force Planning System

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-06-01

Forces around the world can get all or almost all its means through its own national defense industry . Every year countries are reducing their Defense...Development (FSD). 4. Milestone III: Production . 5. Milestone IV: Based on the moedification of an existing weapon system. The process is much more...the USAF planning system defines their requirements at medium and long range, and the national industries follow a process that ends with the

Understanding the Femtosecond Laser-Solid Interaction Near and Beyond the Material Damage Threshold

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-05-23

study of the fundamentals of femtosecond laser damage as a function of various parameters, laser wavelength, pulsewidth, pulse number, experimental ... experimental observation without any free parameters. The brand new FSD Lab constructed under the BRI grant in the Physics Research Building at the Ohio... studied across a range of band-gaps for s- and p-polarized light and it is found that conventional theoretical prediction on laser damage threshold

U.S. Army Space Operational Narrative

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-20

fire, and effects ( MFE ), the operational support (OS), and the functional support division (FSD); it is further divided into many more specialties...cyberspace expertise at the highest levels is a must for the Army. Both ARCYBERCOM and USASMDC/ARSTRAT commands are key positions filled by MFE officers... MFE officers with the majority from infantry and armor (31). The FA, AD, and EN branches will round out the top five.47 Half of the Army branches are

The Optics and Alignment of the Divergent Beam Laboratory X-ray Powder Diffractometer and its Calibration Using NIST Standard Reference Materials.

PubMed

Cline, James P; Mendenhall, Marcus H; Black, David; Windover, Donald; Henins, Albert

2015-01-01

The laboratory X-ray powder diffractometer is one of the primary analytical tools in materials science. It is applicable to nearly any crystalline material, and with advanced data analysis methods, it can provide a wealth of information concerning sample character. Data from these machines, however, are beset by a complex aberration function that can be addressed through calibration with the use of NIST Standard Reference Materials (SRMs). Laboratory diffractometers can be set up in a range of optical geometries; considered herein are those of Bragg-Brentano divergent beam configuration using both incident and diffracted beam monochromators. We review the origin of the various aberrations affecting instruments of this geometry and the methods developed at NIST to align these machines in a first principles context. Data analysis methods are considered as being in two distinct categories: those that use empirical methods to parameterize the nature of the data for subsequent analysis, and those that use model functions to link the observation directly to a specific aspect of the experiment. We consider a multifaceted approach to instrument calibration using both the empirical and model based data analysis methods. The particular benefits of the fundamental parameters approach are reviewed.

A high performance neutron powder diffractometer at 3 MW Triga Mark-II research reactor in Bangladesh

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

Kamal, I., E-mail: imtiaz-kamal26@yahoo.com; Yunus, S. M., E-mail: yunussm11@yahoo.com; Datta, T. K., E-mail: tk-datta4@yahoo.com

2016-07-12

A high performance neutron diffractometer called Savar Neutron Diffractometer (SAND) was built and installed at radial beam port-2 of TRIGA Mark II research reactor at AERE, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Structural studies of materials are being done by this technique to characterize materials crystallograpohically and magnetically. The micro-structural information obtainable by neutron scattering method is very essential for determining its technological applications. This technique is unique for understanding the magnetic behavior in magnetic materials. Ceramic, steel, electronic and electric industries can be benefited from this facility for improving their products and fabrication process. This instrument consists of a Popovicimonochromator with amore » large linear position sensitive detector array. The monochromator consists of nine blades of perfect single crystal of silicon with 6 mm thickness each. The monochromator design was optimized to provide maximum flux on 3 mm diameter cylindrical sample with a relatively flat angular dependence of resolution. Five different wave lengths can be selected by orienting the crystal at various angles. A sapphire filter was used before the primary collimator to minimize the first neutron. The detector assembly is composed of 15 linear position sensitive proportional counters placed at either 1.1 m or 1.6 m from the sample position and enclosed in a air pad supported high density polythene shield. Position sensing is obtained by charge division using 1-wide NIM position encoding modules (PEM). The PEMs communicate with the host computer via USB. The detector when placed at 1.1 m, subtends 30° (2θ) at each step and covers 120° in 4 steps. When the detector is placed at 1.6 m it subtends 20° at each step and covers 120° in 6 steps. The instrument supports both low and high temperature sample environment. The instrument supports both low and high temperature sample environment. The diffractometer is a state-of-the art technology for diffraction study in our country.« less

A high performance neutron powder diffractometer at 3 MW Triga Mark-II research reactor in Bangladesh

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamal, I.; Yunus, S. M.; Datta, T. K.; Zakaria, A. K. M.; Das, A. K.; Aktar, S.; Hossain, S.; Berliner, R.; Yelon, W. B.

2016-07-01

A high performance neutron diffractometer called Savar Neutron Diffractometer (SAND) was built and installed at radial beam port-2 of TRIGA Mark II research reactor at AERE, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Structural studies of materials are being done by this technique to characterize materials crystallograpohically and magnetically. The micro-structural information obtainable by neutron scattering method is very essential for determining its technological applications. This technique is unique for understanding the magnetic behavior in magnetic materials. Ceramic, steel, electronic and electric industries can be benefited from this facility for improving their products and fabrication process. This instrument consists of a Popovicimonochromator with a large linear position sensitive detector array. The monochromator consists of nine blades of perfect single crystal of silicon with 6mm thickness each. The monochromator design was optimized to provide maximum flux on 3mm diameter cylindrical sample with a relatively flat angular dependence of resolution. Five different wave lengths can be selected by orienting the crystal at various angles. A sapphire filter was used before the primary collimator to minimize the first neutron. The detector assembly is composed of 15 linear position sensitive proportional counters placed at either 1.1 m or 1.6 m from the sample position and enclosed in a air pad supported high density polythene shield. Position sensing is obtained by charge division using 1-wide NIM position encoding modules (PEM). The PEMs communicate with the host computer via USB. The detector when placed at 1.1 m, subtends 30˚ (2θ) at each step and covers 120˚ in 4 steps. When the detector is placed at 1.6 m it subtends 20˚ at each step and covers 120˚ in 6 steps. The instrument supports both low and high temperature sample environment. The instrument supports both low and high temperature sample environment. The diffractometer is a state-of-the art technology for diffraction study in our country.

Gender differences in brain regional homogeneity of healthy subjects after normal sleep and after sleep deprivation: a resting-state fMRI study.

PubMed

Dai, Xi-Jian; Gong, Hong-Han; Wang, Yi-Xiang; Zhou, Fu-Qing; Min, You-Jiang; Zhao, Feng; Wang, Si-Yong; Liu, Bi-Xia; Xiao, Xiang-Zuo

2012-06-01

To explore the gender differences of brain regional homogeneity (ReHo) in healthy subjects during the resting-state, after normal sleep, and after sleep deprivation (SD) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and the ReHo method. Sixteen healthy subjects (eight males and eight females) each underwent the resting-state fMRI exams twice, i.e., once after normal sleep and again after 24h's SD. According to the gender and sleep, 16 subjects were all measured twice and divided into four groups: the male control group (MC), female control group (FC), male SD group (MSD), and female SD group (FSD). The ReHo method was used to calculate and analyze the data, SPM5 software was used to perform a two-sample T-test and a two-pair T-test with a P value <0.001, and cluster volume ≥ 270 mm(3) was used to determine statistical significance. Compared with the MC, the MSD showed significantly higher ReHo in the right paracentral lobule (BA3/6), but in no obviously lower regions. Compared with the FC, the FSD showed significantly higher ReHo in bilateral parietal lobes (BA2/3), bilateral vision-related regions of occipital lobes (BA17/18/19), right frontal lobe (BA4/6), and lower ReHo in the right frontal lobe. Compared with the FC, the MC showed significantly higher ReHo in the left occipital lobe (BA18/19), and left temporal lobe (BA21), left frontal lobe, and lower ReHo in the right insula and in the left parietal lobe. Compared with the FSD, the MSD showed significantly higher ReHo in the left cerebellum posterior lobe (uvula/declive of vermis), left parietal lobe, and bilateral frontal lobes, and lower ReHo in the right occipital lobe (BA17) and right frontal lobe (BA4). The differences of brain activity in the resting state can be widely found not only between the control and SD group in a same gender group, but also between the male group and female group. Thus, we should take the gender differences into consideration in future fMRI studies, especially the treatment of brain-related diseases (e.g., depression). Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fibrinogen Gamma Chain Mutations Provoke Fibrinogen and Apolipoprotein B Plasma Deficiency and Liver Storage

PubMed Central

Callea, Francesco; Giovannoni, Isabella; Sari, Sinan; Guldal, Esendagli; Dalgic, Buket; Akyol, Gulen; Sogo, Tsuyoshi; Al-Hussaini, Abdulrahman; Maggiore, Giuseppe; Bartuli, Andrea; Boldrini, Renata; Francalanci, Paola; Bellacchio, Emanuele

2017-01-01

p.R375W (Fibrinogen Aguadilla) is one out of seven identified mutations (Brescia, Aguadilla, Angers, Al du Pont, Pisa, Beograd, and Ankara) causing hepatic storage of the mutant fibrinogen γ. The Aguadilla mutation has been reported in children from the Caribbean, Europe, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and China. All reported children presented with a variable degree of histologically proven chronic liver disease and low plasma fibrinogen levels. In addition, one Japanese and one Turkish child had concomitant hypo-APOB-lipoproteinemia of unknown origin. We report here on an additional child from Turkey with hypofibrinogenemia due to the Aguadilla mutation, massive hepatic storage of the mutant protein, and severe hypo-APOB-lipoproteinemia. The liver biopsy of the patient was studied by light microscopy, electron microscopy (EM), and immunohistochemistry. The investigation included the DNA sequencing of the three fibrinogen and APOB–lipoprotein regulatory genes and the analysis of the encoded protein structures. Six additional Fibrinogen Storage Disease (FSD) patients with either the Aguadilla, Ankara, or Brescia mutations were investigated with the same methodology. A molecular analysis revealed the fibrinogen gamma p.R375W mutation (Aguadilla) but no changes in the APOB and MTTP genes. APOB and MTTP genes showed no abnormalities in the other study cases. Light microscopy and EM studies of liver tissue samples from the child led to the demonstration of the simultaneous accumulation of both fibrinogen and APOB in the same inclusions. Interestingly enough, APOB-containing lipid droplets were entrapped within the fibrinogen inclusions in the hepatocytic Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER). Similar histological, immunohistochemical, EM, and molecular genetics findings were found in the other six FSD cases associated with the Aguadilla, as well as with the Ankara and Brescia mutations. The simultaneous retention of fibrinogen and APOB-lipoproteins in FSD can be detected in routinely stained histological sections. The analysis of protein structures unraveled the pathomorphogenesis of this unexpected phenomenon. Fibrinogen gamma chain mutations provoke conformational changes in the region of the globular domain involved in the “end-to-end” interaction, thus impairing the D-dimer formation. Each monomeric fibrinogen gamma chain is left with an abnormal exposure of hydrophobic patches that become available for interactions with APOB and lipids, causing their intracellular retention and impairment of export as a secondary unavoidable phenomenon. PMID:29244742

Note: Detector collimators for the nanoscale ordered materials diffractometer instrument at the Spallation Neutron Source

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

Tamalonis, A.; Weber, J. K. R.; Neuefeind, J. C.

2015-09-01

Five neutron collimator designs were constructed and tested at the nanoscale ordered materials diffractometer (NOMAD) instrument. Collimators were made from High Density PolyEthylene (HDPE) or 5% borated HDPE. In all cases, collimators improved the signal to background ratio and reduced detection of secondary scattering. In the Q-range 10-20 (angstrom) -1, signal to background ratio improved by factors of approximately 1.6 and 2.0 for 50 and 100 mm deep collimators, respectively. In the Q-range 40-50 angstrom -1, the improvement factors were 1.8 and 2.7. Secondary scattering as measured at Q similar to 9.5 angstrom -1 was significantly decreased when the collimatorsmore » were installed.« less

Improved sample manipulation at the STRESS-SPEC neutron diffractometer using an industrial 6-axis robot for texture and strain analyses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Randau, C.; Brokmeier, H. G.; Gan, W. M.; Hofmann, M.; Voeller, M.; Tekouo, W.; Al-hamdany, N.; Seidl, G.; Schreyer, A.

2015-09-01

The materials science neutron diffractometer STRESS-SPEC located at FRM II is a dedicated instrument for strain and pole figure measurements. Both methods make complementary demands on sample handling. On one hand pole figure measurements need a high degree of freedom to orient small samples and on the other hand in strain investigations it is often necessary to handle large and heavy components. Therefore a robot based sample positioning system was developed, which has the capability to provide both possibilities. Based on this new robot system further developments like a full automated sample changer system for texture measurements were accomplished. Moreover this system opens the door for combined strain and texture analysis at STRESS-SPEC.

Note: Detector collimators for the nanoscale ordered materials diffractometer instrument at the Spallation Neutron Source

DOE PAGES

Tamalonis, A.; Weber, J. K. R.; Neuefeind, J. C.; ...

2015-09-09

We constructed and tested five neutron collimator designs using the nanoscale ordered materials diffractometer (NOMAD) instrument. Collimators were made from High Density PolyEthylene (HDPE) or 5% borated HDPE. In all cases, collimators improved the signal to background ratio and reduced detection of secondary scattering. Moreover, in the Q-range 10-20 Å -1, signal to background ratio improved by factors of approximately 1.6 and 2.0 for 50 and 100 mm deep collimators, respectively. In the Q-range 40-50 Å -1, the improvement factors were 1.8 and 2.7. Secondary scattering as measured at Q similar to 9.5 Å -1 was significantly decreased when themore » collimators were installed.« less

Foodservice Systems for Navy Forces in the 1990’s

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-04-01

Food Engineering Directorate FSA - Food Service Attendant FSD - Food Service Division FSO - Food Service Office GEDUNK - Snack Store GQ - General...eat-on-the-go, snack -type meals, commonly referred to as grazing. The fast-food industry has responded with miniature and hand-held foods and the...34, mini hamburgers which can be eaten as a snack or meal. Menu variety is also provided by some restaurants through the use of daily specials and ethnic

MIZMAS: Modeling the Evolution of Ice Thickness and Floe Size Distributions in the Marginal Ice Zone of the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-30

existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this...through downscaling future projection simulations. APPROACH To address the scientific objectives, we plan to develop, implement, and validate a...ITD and FSD at the same time. The development of MIZMAS will be based on systematic model parameterization, calibration, and validation, and data

A Program Office Guide to Technology Transfer

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-11-01

Requirements 2-4 2.4.1 Equipment Complexity 2-5 2.4.2 Industrial Capabilities 2-5 2.4.3 Logistics Requirements/Configuration Control 2-5 2.4.4 Schedule...accomplishment of these milestones re- with the leverage of the FSD and production pro- sults in second source full production capability , grams. For more...MANUFACTURING PROCESSES BUILD UP COMPETITIVE PRODUCTION RATE CAPABILITY DURING LOT III Table 1.2-1 AMRAAM Technology Transfer The leader-follower approach is

A user's guide to the Flexible Spacecraft Dynamics and Control Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fedor, J. V.

1984-01-01

A guide to the use of the Flexible Spacecraft Dynamics Program (FSD) is presented covering input requirements, control words, orbit generation, spacecraft description and simulation options, and output definition. The program can be used in dynamics and control analysis as well as in orbit support of deployment and control of spacecraft. The program is applicable to inertially oriented spinning, Earth oriented or gravity gradient stabilized spacecraft. Internal and external environmental effects can be simulated.

A proposed research program in information processing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schorr, Herbert

1992-01-01

The goal of the Formalized Software Development (FSD) project was to demonstrate improvements productivity of software development and maintenance through the use of a new software lifecycle paradigm. The paradigm calls for the mechanical, but human-guided, derivation of software implementations from formal specifications of the desired software behavior. It relies on altering a system's specification and rederiving its implementation as the standard technology for software maintenance. A system definition for this paradigm is composed of a behavioral specification together with a body of annotations that control the derivation of executable code from the specification. Annotations generally achieve the selection of certain data representations and/or algorithms that are consistent with, but not mandated by, the behavioral specification. In doing this, they may yield systems which exhibit only certain behaviors among multiple alternatives permitted by the behavioral specification. The FSD project proposed to construct a testbed in which to explore the realization of this new paradigm. The testbed was to provide operational support environment for software design, implementation, and maintenance. The testbed was proposed to provide highly automated support for individual programmers ('programming in the small'), but not to address the additional needs of programming teams ('programming in the large'). The testbed proposed to focus on supporting rapid construction and evolution of useful prototypes of software systems, as opposed to focusing on the problems of achieving production quality performance of systems.

Sexual activity and sexual dysfunction of women in the perinatal period: a longitudinal study.

PubMed

Wallwiener, Stephanie; Müller, Mitho; Doster, Anne; Kuon, Ruben Jeremias; Plewniok, Katharina; Feller, Sandra; Wallwiener, Markus; Reck, Corinna; Matthies, Lina Maria; Wallwiener, Christian

2017-04-01

Reduced sexual activity and dysfunctional problems are highly prevalent in the perinatal period, and there is a lack of data regarding the degree of normality during pregnancy. Several risk factors have been independently associated with a greater extent of Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD). Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of sexual inactivity and sexual dysfunctions in German women during the perinatal period and the verification of potential risk factors. Questionnaires were administered to 315 women prenatally (TI 3rd trimester) and postpartum (TII 1 week, TIII 4 months), including the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Questionnaire of Partnership (PFB). The frequency of sexual inactivity was 24% (TI), 40.5% (TII), and 19.9% (TIII). Overall, 26.5-34.8% of women were at risk of sexual dysfunction (FSFI score <26.55) at all measurement points. Sexual desire disorder was the most prevalent form of Female sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, especially breastfeeding and low partnership quality were revealed as significant risk factors for sexual dysfunctional problems postpartum. Depressive symptoms having a cesarean section and high maternal education were correlated with dysfunctional problems in several subdomains. Findings indicated that women at risk of FSD differed significantly in aspects of partnership quality, breastfeeding, mode of delivery, maternal education, and depressive symptoms. Aspects of perinatal sexuality should be routinely implemented in the counseling of couples in prenatal classes.

LSU network hubs integrate abiotic and biotic stress responses via interaction with the superoxide dismutase FSD2.

PubMed

Garcia-Molina, Antoni; Altmann, Melina; Alkofer, Angela; Epple, Petra M; Dangl, Jeffery L; Falter-Braun, Pascal

2017-02-01

In natural environments, plants often experience different stresses simultaneously, and adverse abiotic conditions can weaken the plant immune system. Interactome mapping revealed that the LOW SULPHUR UPREGULATED (LSU) proteins are hubs in an Arabidopsis protein interaction network that are targeted by virulence effectors from evolutionarily diverse pathogens. Here we show that LSU proteins are up-regulated in several abiotic and biotic stress conditions, such as nutrient depletion or salt stress, by both transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms. Interference with LSU expression prevents chloroplastic reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and proper stomatal closure during sulphur stress. We demonstrate that LSU1 interacts with the chloroplastic superoxide dismutase FSD2 and stimulates its enzymatic activity in vivo and in vitro. Pseudomonas syringae virulence effectors interfere with this interaction and preclude re-localization of LSU1 to chloroplasts. We demonstrate that reduced LSU levels cause a moderately enhanced disease susceptibility in plants exposed to abiotic stresses such as nutrient deficiency, high salinity, or heavy metal toxicity, whereas LSU1 overexpression confers significant disease resistance in several of these conditions. Our data suggest that the network hub LSU1 plays an important role in co-ordinating plant immune responses across a spectrum of abiotic stress conditions. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology.

A Novel X-ray Diffractometer for the Florida Split Coil 25 Tesla Magnet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Shengyu; Kovalev, Alexey; Suslov, Alexey; Siegrist, Theo

2014-03-01

At National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL), we are developing a unique X-ray diffractometer for the 25 Tesla Florida Split Coil Magnet for scattering experiments under extremely high static magnetic fields. The X-ray source is a sealed tube (copper or molybdenum anode), connected to the magnet by an evacuated beam tunnel. The detectors are either an image plate or a silicon drift detector, with the data acquisition system based on LabVIEW. Our preliminary experimental results showed that the performance of the detector electronics and the X-ray generator is reliable in the fringe magnetic fields produced at the highest field of 25 T. Using this diffractometer, we will make measurements on standard samples, such as LaB6, Al2O3 and Si, to calibrate the diffraction system. Magnetic samples, such as single crystal HoMnO3 and stainless steel 301 alloys will be measured subsequently. The addition of X-ray diffraction to the unique split coil magnet will significantly expand the NHMFL experimental capabilities. Therefore, external users will be able to probe spin - lattice interactions at static magnetic fields up to 25T. This project is supported by NSF-DMR Award No.1257649. NHMFL is supported by NSF Cooperative Agreement No. DMR-1157490, the State of Florida, and the U.S. DoE.

Ab initio simulation of diffractometer instrumental function for high-resolution X-ray diffraction1

PubMed Central

Mikhalychev, Alexander; Benediktovitch, Andrei; Ulyanenkova, Tatjana; Ulyanenkov, Alex

2015-01-01

Modeling of the X-ray diffractometer instrumental function for a given optics configuration is important both for planning experiments and for the analysis of measured data. A fast and universal method for instrumental function simulation, suitable for fully automated computer realization and describing both coplanar and noncoplanar measurement geometries for any combination of X-ray optical elements, is proposed. The method can be identified as semi-analytical backward ray tracing and is based on the calculation of a detected signal as an integral of X-ray intensities for all the rays reaching the detector. The high speed of calculation is provided by the expressions for analytical integration over the spatial coordinates that describe the detection point. Consideration of the three-dimensional propagation of rays without restriction to the diffraction plane provides the applicability of the method for noncoplanar geometry and the accuracy for characterization of the signal from a two-dimensional detector. The correctness of the simulation algorithm is checked in the following two ways: by verifying the consistency of the calculated data with the patterns expected for certain simple limiting cases and by comparing measured reciprocal-space maps with the corresponding maps simulated by the proposed method for the same diffractometer configurations. Both kinds of tests demonstrate the agreement of the simulated instrumental function shape with the measured data. PMID:26089760

Visible and Thermal Imaging of Sea Ice and Open Water from Coast Guard Arctic Domain Awareness Flights

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-30

dropsondes, micro- aircraft), cloud top/base heights Arctic Ocean Surface Temperature project Steele Buoy drops for SLP , SST, SSS, & surface velocity...Colón & Vancas (NIC) Drop buoys for SLP , temperature and surface velocity Waves & Fetch in the MIZ Thompson SWIFTS buoys measuring wave energy...Expendable CTD, AXCP= Air Expendable Current Profiler, SLP = Sea Level atmospheric Pressure, SST= Seas Surface Temperature, A/C= aircraft, FSD= Floe Size Distribution, SIC=Sea Ice Concentration

Space transportation booster engine configuration study. Volume 1: Executive Summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

The objective of the Space Transportation Booster Engine (STBE) Configuration Study is to contribute to the Advanced Launch System (ALS) development effort by providing highly reliable, low cost booster engine concepts for both expendable and reusable rocket engines. The objectives of the Space Transportation Booster Engine (STBE) Configuration Study were to identify engine configurations which enhance vehicle performance and provide operational flexibility at low cost, and to explore innovative approaches to the follow-on full-scale development (FSD) phase for the STBE.

Logistics Support Analysis Techniques Guide

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-03-15

LANGUAGE (DATA RECORDS) FORTRAN CDC 6600 D&V FSD P/D A H REMA-RKS: Program n-s-ists of F PLIATIffIONS, approx 4000 line of coding , 3 Safegard, AN/FSC... FORTRAN IV -EW-RAK9-- The model consz.sts of IT--k-LIC- I-U-0NS: approximately 367 lines of SiNCGARS, PERSHING II coding . %.’. ~ LSA TASK INTERFACE...system supported by Computer’ Systems Command. The current version of LADEN is coded totally in FORTRAN 󈧕 for virtual memory operating system

Heavy Lift Helicopter - Advanced Technology Component Program - Hub and Upper Controls

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-09-01

horsepov.er increasces or decreases at a rate which is determined by the pilot’s rate of collective input. The change in rotor horse - power produces a...34;TATU’ H-31 1"O1 RMANC1• T’I’.- J’ - MOD IFl El) FSD I.1’:AKA(;I’ ARIEA U .00025 IN’ Unuodit ied ModI. iud Spec. I; trkt,. F I:(._ ’z’u1.11, % Nnl-,’F

Investigation of Hydrophobic Radomes for Microwave Landing System.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-11-01

horizontal heating wires on the inside surface, and 2) a slotted waveguide unit (C-band waveguide, about 2 feet in length) covered with a Teflon shrink tube ...AZ) Fiberglass flat 1.5ft x 13ft NE sandwich (EL) Teflon shrink 1 in x 2 ft SW tubing (Field Mon.) 7 (8) Hydrophobic Coating for Antenna Weather...SURFACE PREPARATION 13 24 Mar 󈨖 Conolite Primer: Vellox S-048 Finish: Microfine FSD, 7 coats, sprayed 14 24 Mar 󈨖 Conolite Teflon film, C-TAPE-36

Removal of heavy metal Cu(II) in simulated aquaculture wastewater by modified palygorskite.

PubMed

Cao, Jia-Shun; Wang, Cheng; Fang, Fang; Lin, Jun-Xiong

2016-12-01

Palygorskite (PAL) is a good heavy metal adsorbent due to its high surface area, low cost, and environmentally compatibility. But the natural PAL has limited its adsorption capacity and selectivity. In this study, a cost-effective and readily-generated absorbent, l-threonine-modified palygorskite (L-PAL), was used and its performance for Cu(II) removal in simulated aquaculture wastewater was evaluated. After preparation, L-PAL was characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The impacts of pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and initial Cu(II) concentration on the adsorption capacity of L-PAL were examined. The Cu(II) adsorption capacity on L-PAL was enhanced almost 10 times than that of raw PAL. The adsorption isotherms of Cu(II) fit the Langmuir isotherms, and the adsorption kinetics was dominated by the pseudo-second-order model. The thermodynamic parameters at four temperatures were calculated, which indicated that the adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic. The adsorption mechanism involves complexation, chelation, electrostatic attraction, and micro-precipitation. Furthermore, L-PAL is shown to have a high regeneration capacity. These results indicate that L-PAL is a cheap and promising absorbent for Cu(II) removal and hold potential to be used for aquaculture wastewater treatment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Toward a durable superhydrophobic aluminum surface by etching and ZnO nanoparticle deposition.

PubMed

Rezayi, Toktam; Entezari, Mohammad H

2016-02-01

Fabrication of suitable roughness is a fundamental step for acquiring superhydrophobic surfaces. For this purpose, a deposition of ZnO nanoparticles on Al surface was carried out by simple immersion and ultrasound approaches. Then, surface energy reduction was performed using stearic acid (STA) ethanol solution for both methods. The results demonstrated that ultrasound would lead to more stable superhydrophobic Al surfaces (STA-ZnO-Al-U) in comparison with simple immersion method (STA-ZnO-Al-I). Besides, etching in HCl solution in another sample was carried out before ZnO deposition for acquiring more mechanically stable superhydrophobic surface. The potentiodynamic measurements demonstrate that etching in HCl solution under ultrasound leads to superhydrophobic surface (STA-ZnO-Al(E)-U). This sample shows remarkable decrease in corrosion current density (icorr) and long-term stability improvement versus immersion in NaCl solution (3.5%) in comparison with the sample prepared without etching (STA-ZnO-Al-U). Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed a more condense and further particle deposition on Al substrate when ultrasound was applied in the system. The crystallite evaluation of deposited ZnO nanoparticles was carried out using X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Finally, for STA grafting verification on Al surface, Fourier transform infrared in conjunction with attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) was used as a proper technique. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Biosynthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles using Bacillus amyloliquefaciens culture and enhancement of its photocatalytic activity for the degradation of a sulfonated textile dye Reactive Red 31.

PubMed

Khan, Razia; Fulekar, M H

2016-08-01

The present study aims at exploiting Bacillus amyloliquefaciens for the biosynthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and also investigates role of bacterial enzymes in the biosynthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Bacterial synthesized as well as metal doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX). Amylase activity (43.37IU) in culture supernatant evinced a potential involvement of extracellular enzyme in TiO2 nanoparticle biosynthesis. Crystallite size of bio-synthesized nanoparticles was found to be in the range of 15.23-87.6nm. FTIR spectroscopy and native-PAGE (Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis) clearly indicated involvement of alpha amylase in biosynthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles and in their stabilization. TEM micrographs of the synthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles revealed the formation of spherical nanoparticles with a size range of 22.11-97.28nm. Photocatalytic degradation of Reactive Red 31 (RR31) dye was carried out using bio-synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles under UV radiation. Photocatalytic activity of synthesized nanoparticles was enhanced by Ag, La, Zn and Pt doping. Platinum doped TiO2 showed highest potential (90.98%) in RR31 degradation as compared to undoped (75.83%). Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Bio-synthesis and antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles using anaerobically digested parthenium slurry.

PubMed

Adur, Alaknanda J; Nandini, N; Shilpashree Mayachar, K; Ramya, R; Srinatha, N

2018-06-01

Silver nanoparticles were prepared through eco-friendly, cost effective, bio-mediated technique using anaerobically digested Parthenium hysterophorous digested slurry (PDS) for the first time. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized through different techniques such as UV-Vis spectrophotometer for optical properties; X-ray diffractometer (XRD), high resolution transmission electron spectroscopy (HR-TEM) and Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) Spectroscopy for structural property investigations. It was observed that the prepared silver nanoparticles were crystallized in face centered cubic crystal structure with an average particle size of 19 nm as confirmed from XRD. Also HR-TEM studies reveal the formation of nano-sized silver particles with face centered cubic nano structure. In addition, absorption spectra exhibit Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) which suggests the formation of silver nanoparticles. FTIR results show the presence of different characteristic functional groups and their stretching / bending vibrations in turn responsible for the bioreduction of silver ions in Parthenium digested slurry. Further investigations on antimicrobial activity were done by subjecting the synthesized silver nanoparticles on E-coli and Pseudomonas as marker organisms for the group of gram negative bacteria by well plate method on enrichment media. The result obtained shows a clear zone of inhibition confirming the antibacterial activity. Overall, the investigated results confirm the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles are potential candidates for antimicrobial activity applications. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Microstructure and Properties of DCP-Derived W-ZrC Composite Using Nontoxic Sodium Alginate to Fabricate WC Preform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Najafzadeh Khoee, Ali Asghar; Habibolahzadeh, Ali; Qods, Fathallah; Baharvandi, Hamidreza

2015-04-01

In the present work, tungsten carbide (WC) preforms were fabricated by gel-casting process, using different nontoxic Na-alginate to tertiary calcium phosphate ratios and different loadings of WC powder in the initial slurries. The gel-cast green bodies were dried and pre-sintered at 1723 K for 4 h and then reactively infiltrated by molten Zr2Cu at 1623 K for 0.5 h, to produce W-ZrC composite via displacive compensation of porosity process. The phases, microstructures, and mechanical properties of the preforms and the W-ZrC composites were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscope, x-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), image analyzer, and universal mechanical testing machine. XRD results, SEM micrographs, and elemental maps indicated uniform distribution of phases (W and ZrC) and elements (W, Zr, and C). Flexural strengths and hardness of the fabricated composites were in the ranges of 429-460 MPa and 7.5-9.5 GPa, respectively. Fractography studies revealed two types of dimple rupture and cleavage fracture modes in different composite samples. The W-ZrC composite was ablated by an oxyacetylene flame for 60 s. The mean value of mass and linear ablation rates of the composite were 2.1 ± 0.1 mg/s and 3.6 ± 0.5 µm/s, respectively.

A possibility of parallel and anti-parallel diffraction measurements on neu- tron diffractometer employing bent perfect crystal monochromator at the monochromatic focusing condition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Yong Nam; Kim, Shin Ae; Kim, Sung Kyu; Kim, Sung Baek; Lee, Chang-Hee; Mikula, Pavel

2004-07-01

In a conventional diffractometer having single monochromator, only one position, parallel position, is used for the diffraction experiment (i.e. detection) because the resolution property of the other one, anti-parallel position, is very poor. However, a bent perfect crystal (BPC) monochromator at monochromatic focusing condition can provide a quite flat and equal resolution property at both parallel and anti-parallel positions and thus one can have a chance to use both sides for the diffraction experiment. From the data of the FWHM and the Delta d/d measured on three diffraction geometries (symmetric, asymmetric compression and asymmetric expansion), we can conclude that the simultaneous diffraction measurement in both parallel and anti-parallel positions can be achieved.

Remote analysis of planetary soils: X-ray diffractometer development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gregory, J. C.

1973-01-01

A system is described suitable for remote low power mineralogical analysis of lunar, planetary, or asteroid soils. It includes an X-ray diffractometer, fluorescence spectrometer, and sample preparation system. A one Curie Fe-55 source provides a monochromatic X-ray beam of 5.9 keV. Seeman-Bohlin or focusing geometry is employed in the camera, allowing peak detection to proceed simultaneously at all angles and obviating the need for moving parts. The detector system is an array of 500-600 proportional counters with a wire-spacing of 1 mm. An electronics unit comprising preamplifier, postamplifier, window discriminators, and storage flipflops requiring only 3.5 milliwatts was designed and tested. Total instrument power is less than 5 watts. Powder diffraction patterns using a flat breadboard multiwire counter were recorded.

Motorized Beam Alignment of a Commercial X-ray Diffractometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Van Zandt, Noah R.; Myers, James F.; Rogers, Richard B

2013-01-01

X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a powerful analysis method that allows researchers to noninvasively probe the crystalline structure of a material. This includes the ability to determine the crystalline phases present, quantify surface residual stresses, and measure the distribution of crystallographic orientations. The Structures and Materials Division at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) heavily uses the on-site XRD lab to characterize advanced metal alloys, ceramics, and polymers. One of the x-ray diffractometers in the XRD lab (Bruker D8 Discover) uses three different x-ray tubes (Cu, Cr, and Mn) for optimal performance over numerous material types and various experimental techniques. This requires that the tubes be switched out and aligned between experiments. This alignment maximizes the x-ray tube s output through an iterative process involving four set screws. However, the output of the x-ray tube cannot be monitored during the adjustment process due to standard radiation safety engineering controls that prevent exposure to the x-ray beam when the diffractometer doors are open. Therefore, the adjustment process is a very tedious series of blind adjustments, each followed by measurement of the output beam using a PIN diode after the enclosure doors are shut. This process can take up to 4 hr to perform. This technical memorandum documents an in-house project to motorize this alignment process. Unlike a human, motors are not harmed by x-ray radiation of the energy range used in this instrument. Therefore, using motors to adjust the set screws will allow the researcher to monitor the x-ray tube s output while making interactive adjustments from outside the diffractometer. The motorized alignment system consists of four motors, a motor controller, and a hand-held user interface module. Our goal was to reduce the alignment time to less than 30 min. The time available was the 10-week span of the Lewis' Educational and Research Collaborative Internship Project (LERCIP) summer internship program and the budget goal was $1200. In this report, we will describe our motorization design and discuss the results of its implementation.

Design of a plastic minicolpostat applicator with shields.

PubMed

Weeks, K J; Montana, G S; Bentel, G C

1991-09-01

A plastic intracavitary applicator system for the treatment of cancer of the uterine cervix is described. This applicator has a minicolpostat and a mechanism for affixing the tandem to the colpostats. Traditional afterloading refers only to the radioactive source. Both the source and the ovoid shield are afterloaded together in this applicator in contrast to traditional afterloading systems which afterload the source alone. A potential advantage of our applicator system is that it allows high quality CT localization because the sources and shields can be removed and the applicator is made of plastic. The advantages and disadvantages of this variation to the Fletcher system as well as other aspects of applicator design are discussed. An experimentally verified dose calculation method for shielded sources is applied to the design problems associated with this applicator. The dose distribution calculated for a source-shield configuration of the plastic applicator is compared to that obtained with a commercial Fletcher-Suit-Delclos (FSD) applicator. Significant shielding improvements can be achieved for the smallest diameter ovoid, that is, in the minicolpostat. The plastic minicolpostat dose distributions are similar to those produced by the conventional larger diameter colpostats. In particular, the colpostat shielding for rectum and bladder, which is reduced in the metal applicator's minicolpostat configuration, is maintained for the plastic minicolpostat. Further, it is shown that, if desired, relative to the FSD minicolpostat, the mucosa dose can be reduced by a suitable change of the minicolpostat source position.

Don't Look Now - Tiltrotors Are Coming!

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dugan, Daniel C.; Hindson, William S. (Technical Monitor)

1997-01-01

This paper traces the history of tiltrotors, beginning with the XV-3 and XV-15, to the Marine's V-22 Osprey. The design of the first civil tiltrotor, the Bell-Boeing 609, is now complete and the revolutionary aircraft will debut in 2001 after completion of a rigorous test program. The XV-3 proved the safety and ease of transition from the helicopter mode to the airplane mode; however, it had aeroelastic stability and performance problems. The XV-15 was the tiltrotor of the late 70s and the 80s. In 1981, it was demonstrated to the international aviation community at the Paris Air Show. Its success led to the development of the V-22 Osprey and it returned to Paris in 1995 in the livery of a civil tiltrotor. There, it flew joint demonstrations with the Osprey. One is still flying today as a Civil Tiltrotor (CTR) demonstrator. The V-22 first flew in Mar 1989. After a stormy procurement cycle, the Full Scale Development (FSD) aircraft were superseded by the improved Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) aircraft. The #7 Osprey made its first flight eight years later. Many highlights of the FSD and EMD flight test programs will be covered and illustrated with video clips. The Bell-Boeing 609 design was unveiled at the Smithsonian in November, 1996 and the first orders have been taken for this 250 knot, corporate size tiltrotor. Flight testing of this innovative aircraft will commence in 1999.

The transcriptome of the medullary area postrema: the thirsty rat, the hungry rat and the hypertensive rat.

PubMed

Hindmarch, Charles C T; Fry, Mark; Smith, Pauline M; Yao, Song T; Hazell, Georgina G J; Lolait, Stephen J; Paton, Julian F R; Ferguson, Alastair V; Murphy, David

2011-05-01

The area postrema (AP) is a sensory circumventricular organ characterized by extensive fenestrated vasculature and neurons which are capable of detecting circulating signals of osmotic, cardiovascular, immune and metabolic status. The AP can communicate these messages via efferent projections to brainstem and hypothalamic structures that are able to orchestrate an appropriate response. We have used microarrays to profile the transcriptome of the AP in the Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Wistar-Kyoto rat and present here a comprehensive catalogue of gene expression, focusing specifically on the population of ion channels, receptors and G protein-coupled receptors expressed in this sensory tissue; of the G protein-coupled receptors expressed in the rat AP, we identified ∼36% that are orphans, having no established ligand. We have also looked at the ways in which the AP transcriptome responds to the physiological stressors of 72 h dehydration (DSD) and 48 h fasting (FSD) and have performed microarrays in these conditions. Comparison between the DSD and SD or between FSD and SD revealed only a modest number of AP genes that are regulated by these homeostatic challenges. The expression levels of a much larger number of genes are altered in the spontaneously hypertensive rat AP compared with the normotensive Wistar-Kyoto control rat, however. Finally, analysis of these 'hypertension-related' elements revealed genes that are involved in the regulation of both blood pressure and immune function and as such are excellent targets for further study.

Female sexual and pelvic floor muscles dysfunctions in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP-Portuguese type).

PubMed

Gomes, Mario João; Martins da Silva, Antonio; Salinas, Jesus; Silva, Maria Carolina; Figueiredo, Arnaldo; Cavadas, Vitor; Coelho, Teresa

2012-05-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Sexual and Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions associated with familial type 1 Portuguese amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). We studied women with FAP in three stages of the disease: asymptomatic women (n=12), women in the early stage of the disease (n=8) and 3 women in the most progressive stage of the disease. We hypothesize that women with FAP suffer from pelvic floor hypotonicity, which may hinder orgasmic function and as such, lead to deteriorated sexual function. Twenty-three women with FAP were studied. Clinical examinations were performed using the following scales: Clinical Evaluation Scale (CES), Visual Analog Scale of Quality of Life (VAS), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Pelvic Floor Manometry (PFM). Of the women, 5 (21.7%) had a score of < 26 on the FSFI, suggesting sexual dysfunction, 3 of which had FAP at the most progressive stage. None of the asymptomatic women had low FSFI scores. The manometrical rates (PFM) of tonus and strength of the pelvic floor showed significant differences between groups. Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) may occur in the initial stages of the disease but is more prevalent in women in the advanced stages of the disease. There is an increasing incidence of FSD as FAP disease progresses, namely in terms of HSDD and orgasmic sensation. In the asymptomatic group, the females revealed PFM alterations without stress urinary incontinence, which is regarded to be a discrete deterioration of pelvic floor muscle function.

A high-temperature neutron diffraction study of Nb 2AlC and TiNbAlC

DOE PAGES

Bentzel, Grady W.; Lane, Nina J.; Vogel, Sven C.; ...

2014-12-16

In this paper, we report on the crystal structures of Nb 2AlC and TiNbAlC actual composition (Ti 0.45,Nb 0.55) 2AlC compounds determined from Rietveld analysis of neutron diffraction patterns in the 300-1173 K temperature range. The average linear thermal expansion coefficients of a Nb 2AlC sample in the a and c directions are, respectively, 7.9(5)x10 -6 K -1 and 7.7(5)x10 -6 K -1 on one neutron diffractometer and 7.3(3)x10 -6 K -1 and 7.0(2)x10 -6 K -1 on a second diffractometer. The respective values for the (Ti 0.45,Nb 0.55) 2AlC composition - only tested on one diffractometer - are 8.5(3)x10more » -6 K -1 and 7.5(5)x10 -6 K -1. These values are relatively low compared to other MAX phases. Like other MAX phases, however, the atomic displacement parameters show that the Al atoms vibrate with higher amplitudes than the Ti and C atoms, and 1 more along the basal planes than normal to them. In addition, when the predictions of the atomic displacement parameters obtained from density functional theory are compared to the experimental results, good quantitative agreement is found for the Al atoms. In case of the Nb and C atoms, the agreement was more qualitative.« less

New hardware and software platform for experiments on a HUBER-5042 X-ray diffractometer with a DISPLEX DE-202 helium cryostat in the temperature range of 20-300 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dudka, A. P.; Antipin, A. M.; Verin, I. A.

2017-09-01

Huber-5042 diffractometer with a closed-cycle Displex DE-202 helium cryostat is a unique scientific instrument for carrying out X-ray diffraction experiments when studying the single crystal structure in the temperature range of 20-300 K. To make the service life longer and develop new experimental techniques, the diffractometer control is transferred to a new hardware and software platform. To this end, a modern computer; a new detector reader unit; and new control interfaces for stepper motors, temperature controller, and cryostat vacuum pumping system are used. The system for cooling the X-ray tube, the high-voltage generator, and the helium compressor and pump for maintaining the desired vacuum in the cryostat are replaced. The system for controlling the primary beam shutter is upgraded. A biological shielding is installed. The new program tools, which use the Linux Ubuntu operating system and SPEC constructor, include a set of drivers for control units through the aforementioned interfaces. A program for searching reflections from a sample using fast continuous scanning and a priori information about crystal is written. Thus, the software package for carrying out the complete cycle of precise diffraction experiment (from determining the crystal unit cell to calculating the integral reflection intensities) is upgraded. High quality of the experimental data obtained on this equipment is confirmed in a number of studies in the temperature range from 20 to 300 K.

Wind and Wave Influences on Sea Ice Floe Size and Leads in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas During the Summer-Fall Transition 2014

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-01-26

However, validation and parameterization of these theories present significant observational challenges. Starting from Rothrock and Thorndike [1984...Rothrock and Thorndike , 1984] remained in the 1.8–2.9 range, and did not change by the storm passage. In Holt and Martin [2001] ERS-1 SAR imagery at 25...cumulative FSD as defined in Rothrock and Thorndike [1984]. The vertical axis is NðdÞ, the number of floes per square kilometer with diameter no less

Space Transportation Booster Engine Configuration Study. Volume 3: Program Cost estimates and work breakdown structure and WBS dictionary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

The objective of the Space Transportation Booster Engine Configuration Study is to contribute to the ALS development effort by providing highly reliable, low cost booster engine concepts for both expendable and reusable rocket engines. The objectives of the Space Transportation Booster Engine (STBE) Configuration Study were: (1) to identify engine development configurations which enhance vehicle performance and provide operational flexibility at low cost; and (2) to explore innovative approaches to the follow-on Full-Scale Development (FSD) phase for the STBE.

Space transportation booster engine configuration study. Volume 2: Design definition document and environmental analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

The objective of the Space Transportation Booster Engine (STBE) Configuration Study is to contribute to the Advanced Launch System (ALS) development effort by providing highly reliable, low cost booster engine concepts for both expendable and reusable rocket engines. The objectives of the space Transportation Booster Engine (STBE) Configuration Study were: (1) to identify engine configurations which enhance vehicle performance and provide operational flexibility at low cost, and (2) to explore innovative approaches to the follow-on Full-Scale Development (FSD) phase for the STBE.

New software to model energy dispersive X-ray diffraction in polycrystalline materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghammraoui, B.; Tabary, J.; Pouget, S.; Paulus, C.; Moulin, V.; Verger, L.; Duvauchelle, Ph.

2012-02-01

Detection of illicit materials, such as explosives or drugs, within mixed samples is a major issue, both for general security and as part of forensic analyses. In this paper, we describe a new code simulating energy dispersive X-ray diffraction patterns in polycrystalline materials. This program, SinFullscat, models diffraction of any object in any diffractometer system taking all physical phenomena, including amorphous background, into account. Many system parameters can be tuned: geometry, collimators (slit and cylindrical), sample properties, X-ray source and detector energy resolution. Good agreement between simulations and experimental data was obtained. Simulations using explosive materials indicated that parameters such as the diffraction angle or the energy resolution of the detector have a significant impact on the diffraction signature of the material inspected. This software will be a convenient tool to test many diffractometer configurations, providing information on the one that best restores the spectral diffraction signature of the materials of interest.

X-Ray diffraction on large single crystals using a powder diffractometer

DOE PAGES

Jesche, A.; Fix, M.; Kreyssig, A.; ...

2016-06-16

Information on the lattice parameter of single crystals with known crystallographic structure allows for estimations of sample quality and composition. In many cases it is sufficient to determine one lattice parameter or the lattice spacing along a certain, high- symmetry direction, e.g. in order to determine the composition in a substitution series by taking advantage of Vegard’s rule. Here we present a guide to accurate measurements of single crystals with dimensions ranging from 200 μm up to several millimeter using a standard powder diffractometer in Bragg-Brentano geometry. The correction of the error introduced by the sample height and the optimizationmore » of the alignment are discussed in detail. Finally, in particular for single crystals with a plate-like habit, the described procedure allows for measurement of the lattice spacings normal to the plates with high accuracy on a timescale of minutes.« less

The new powder diffractometer D1B of the Institut Laue Langevin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puente Orench, I.; Clergeau, J. F.; Martínez, S.; Olmos, M.; Fabelo, O.; Campo, J.

2014-11-01

D1B is a medium resolution high flux powder diffractometer located at the Institut Laue Langevin, ILL. D1B a suitable instrument for studying a large variety of polycrystalline materials. D1B runs since 1998 as a CRG (collaborating research group) instrument, being exploited by the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France) and CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Spain). In 2008 the Spanish CRG started an updating program which included a new detector and a radial oscillating collimator (ROC). The detector, which has a sensitive height of 100mm, covers an angular range of 128°. Its 1280 gold wires provide a neutron detection point every 0.1°. The ROC is made of 198 gadolinium- based absorbing collimation blades, regular placed every 0.67°. Here the present characteristics of D1B are reviewed and the different experimental performances will be presented.

Advanced setup for high-pressure and low-temperature neutron diffraction at hydrostatic conditions

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

Lokshin, Konstantin A.; Zhao Yusheng

2005-06-15

We describe a design of the experimental setup for neutron diffraction studies at low temperatures and hydrostatic pressure. The significant benefit of the setup, compared to the previous methods, is that it makes possible the simultaneous collection of neutrons diffracted at the 30 deg. -150 deg. range with no contamination by the primary scattering from the sample surroundings and without cutting out the incident and diffracted beams. The suggested design is most useful for third-generation time-of-flight diffractometers and constant wavelength instruments. Application of the setup expands the capabilities of high-pressure neutron diffraction, allowing time-resolved kinetics and structural studies, multihistogram Rietveld,more » and pair distribution function and texture analyses. The high efficiency of the setup was proven for the HIPPO diffractometer at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center under pressures up to 10 kbar and temperatures from 4 to 300 K.« less

On high-resolution reciprocal-space mapping with a triple-crystal diffractometer for high-energy X-rays.

PubMed

Liss, K D; Royer, A; Tschentscher, T; Suortti, P; Williams, A P

1998-03-01

High-energy X-rav diffraction by means of triple-crystal techniques is a powerful tool for investigating dislocations and strain in bulk materials. Radiation with an energy typically higher than 80 keV combines the advantage of low attenuation with high resolution at large momentum transfers. The triple-crystal diffractometer at the High Energy Beamline of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility is described. It is shown how the transverse and longitudinal resolution depend on the choice of the crystal reflection, and how the orientation of a reciprocal-lattice distortion in an investigated sample towards the resolution element of the instrument can play an important role. This effect is demonstrated on a single crystal of silicon where a layer of macro pores reveals satellites around the Bragg reflection. The resulting longitudinal distortion can be investigated using the high transverse resolution of the instrument when choosing an appropriate reflection.

SMA texture and reorientation: simulations and neutron diffraction studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Xiujie; Brown, Donald W.; Brinson, L. Catherine

2005-05-01

With increased usage of shape memory alloys (SMA) for applications in various fields, it is important to understand how the material behavior is affected by factors such as texture, stress state and loading history, especially for complex multiaxial loading states. Using the in-situ neutron diffraction loading facility (SMARTS diffractometer) and ex situ inverse pole figure measurement facility (HIPPO diffractometer) at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANCE), the macroscopic mechanical behavior and texture evolution of Nickel-Titanium (Nitinol) SMAs under sequential compression in alternating directions were studied. The simplified multivariant model developed at Northwestern University was then used to simulate the macroscopic behavior and the microstructural change of Nitinol under this sequential loading. Pole figures were obtained via post-processing of the multivariant results for volume fraction evolution and compared quantitatively well to the experimental results. The experimental results can also be used to test or verify other SMA constitutive models.

Composite germanium monochromators - Results for the TriCS single-crystal diffractometer at SINQ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schefer, J.; Fischer, S.; Böhm, M.; Keller, L.; Horisberger, M.; Medarde, M.; Fischer, P.

Composite germanium monochromators are foremost in application in neutron diffraction due to their good scattering properties, low absorption values and the diamond structure which avoids second-order contamination when using hhk reflections (all odd). Our slices for the monochromator are built from 24 wafers, each 0.4 mm thick. The alignment of the wafers within the final composite wafer package has been improved by adding tin for the soldering process with a sputtering method instead of foils. Nine slices, each 12.5 mm high, are mounted on separate miniature goniometer heads to the focusing monochromator. The focusing angle is controlled by only one motor/digitizer by using a sophisticated mechanism. Turning the monochromator by 9° around overlineω allow access of the 311 (primary) and 511 (secondary) reflection. We also show the importance of permanent quality control with neutrons. The monochromator will be used on the single-crystal diffractometer TriCS at SINQ.

NIMROD: The Near and InterMediate Range Order Diffractometer of the ISIS second target station.

PubMed

Bowron, D T; Soper, A K; Jones, K; Ansell, S; Birch, S; Norris, J; Perrott, L; Riedel, D; Rhodes, N J; Wakefield, S R; Botti, A; Ricci, M-A; Grazzi, F; Zoppi, M

2010-03-01

NIMROD is the Near and InterMediate Range Order Diffractometer of the ISIS second target station. Its design is optimized for structural studies of disordered materials and liquids on a continuous length scale that extends from the atomic, upward of 30 nm, while maintaining subatomic distance resolution. This capability is achieved by matching a low and wider angle array of high efficiency neutron scintillation detectors to the broad band-pass radiation delivered by a hybrid liquid water and liquid hydrogen neutron moderator assembly. The capabilities of the instrument bridge the gap between conventional small angle neutron scattering and wide angle diffraction through the use of a common calibration procedure for the entire length scale. This allows the instrument to obtain information on nanoscale systems and processes that are quantitatively linked to the local atomic and molecular order of the materials under investigation.

Investigation of novel superparamagnetic Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4@albumen nanoparticles for controlled delivery of anticancer drug

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qasim, Mohd; Asghar, Khushnuma; Dharmapuri, Gangappa; Das, D.

2017-09-01

In the present work, multifunctional Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4@albumen (NZF@Alb) and doxorubicin-loaded Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4@albumen (NZF@Alb-Dox) core-shell nanoparticles have been prepared by a green and simple method using inexpensive chicken egg albumen and have been characterized for different physiochemical properties. The structural, morphological, thermal, and magnetic properties of the prepared nanoparticles have been investigated by an x-ray diffractometer, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transformed infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, and vibrating sample magnetometer techniques. Superparamagnetic Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles (NZF NPs) with the mean size ˜20 nm were coated with albumen matrix by an ultrasonication process. Inverse fast Fourier transform-assisted HRTEM micrographs and FTIR analysis revealed the coating of amorphous albumen on crystalline NZF NPs. NZF@Alb and NZF@Alb-Dox NPs have the mean size (D50) of ˜100 nm, good stability, and magnetic controllability. Magnetic measurements (field (H)-dependent magnetization (M)) show all samples to be super-paramagnetic in nature. Biocompatibilities of the NZF and NZF@Alb NPs were confirmed by in vitro 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay against RAW 264.7 cells. NZF@Alb NPs have been found to be more biocompatible than bare NZF. In Vitro Dox release behavior from NZF@Alb-Dox NPs has been studied at pH 7.4 and 5, and a sustained and pH-dependent drug release profile were observed. In vitro cytotoxicity or anticancer activity of the blank NZF@Alb NPs, free Dox, and NZF@Alb-Dox NPs against HeLa cells (cancer cell line) were also examined by MTT assay. The obtained results suggest that this scalable egg-albumen-based magnetic nanoformulation is suitable for targeted drug delivery applications. Thus, the present study could be extremely useful for the advancement of albumin-based nanocarrier design and development for biomedical applications such as targeted and controlled delivery of anticancer drugs.

The effect of Ca/P concentration and temperature of simulated body fluid on the growth of hydroxyapatite coating on alkali-treated 316L stainless steel.

PubMed

Lin, Feng-Huei; Hsu, Yao-Shan; Lin, Shih-Hsun; Sun, Jui-Sheng

2002-10-01

316L-SS is one of the important materials both in orthopaedics and dentistry for bone screw/plate, intra-medullary rod, fixation wire, HIP joint, and knee joint. However, the biocompatibility and bone-bonding ability troubled researches for years. In the study, a simple chemical method was tried so as to establish and induce a bioactive HA layer on the surface of 316L stainless steel. When the metallic substrates treated with 10 M NaOH aqueous solution and subsequently heated at 600 degrees C, a thin sodium chromium oxide layer was formed on the surfaces as the linking layer for HA and 316L-SS. After 316L-SS treated with alkali solution, it would soak into a simulated body fluid with higher concentration of calcium and phosphorous ions to increase the possibility of nucleation of HA. However, the iron oxide and iron chromium oxides were formed on the surface when calcium and phosphorous ions increased. This resulted in loosening the HA layer. When the alkali-treated 316L-SS was soaked into SBF at a temperature of 80 degrees C, it could form a dense and uniform bone-like hydroxyapatite layer on the surface. In the research, the mechanism of the formation of sodium chromium oxide and HA would also be described by the analysis of X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersion spectrophotometer, and Fourier transformation infrared.

Preparation and characterization of flame retardant n-hexadecane/silicon dioxide composites as thermal energy storage materials.

PubMed

Fang, Guiyin; Li, Hui; Chen, Zhi; Liu, Xu

2010-09-15

Flame retardant n-hexadecane/silicon dioxide (SiO(2)) composites as thermal energy storage materials were prepared using sol-gel methods. In the composites, n-hexadecane was used as the phase change material for thermal energy storage, and SiO(2) acted as the supporting material that is fire resistant. In order to further improve flame retardant property of the composites, the expanded graphite (EG) was added in the composites. Fourier transformation infrared spectroscope (FT-IR), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electronic microscope (SEM) were used to determine chemical structure, crystalloid phase and microstructure of flame retardant n-hexadecane/SiO(2) composites, respectively. The thermal properties and thermal stability were investigated by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and a thermogravimetric analysis apparatus (TGA), respectively. The SEM results showed that the n-hexadecane was well dispersed in the porous network of the SiO(2). The DSC results indicated that the melting and solidifying latent heats of the composites are 147.58 and 145.10 kJ/kg when the mass percentage of the n-hexadecane in the composites is 73.3%. The TGA results showed that the loading of the EG increased the charred residue amount of the composites at 700 degrees C, contributing to the improved thermal stability of the composites. It was observed from SEM photographs that the homogeneous and compact charred residue structure after combustion improved the flammability of the composites. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

NH3-SCR denitration catalyst performance over vanadium-titanium with the addition of Ce and Sb.

PubMed

Xu, Chi; Liu, Jian; Zhao, Zhen; Yu, Fei; Cheng, Kai; Wei, Yuechang; Duan, Aijun; Jiang, Guiyuan

2015-05-01

Selective catalytic reduction technology using NH3 as a reducing agent (NH3-SCR) is an effective control method to remove nitrogen oxides. TiO2-supported vanadium oxide catalysts with different levels of Ce and Sb modification were prepared by an impregnation method and were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), Raman and Hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR). The catalytic activities of V5CexSby/TiO2 catalysts for denitration were investigated in a fixed bed flow microreactor. The results showed that cerium, vanadium and antimony oxide as the active components were well dispersed on TiO2, and the catalysts exhibited a large number of d-d electronic transitions, which were helpful to strengthen SCR reactivity. The V5CexSby/TiO2 catalysts exhibited a good low temperature NH3-SCR catalytic activity. In the temperature range of 210 to 400°C, the V5CexSby/TiO2 catalysts gave NO conversion rates above 90%. For the best V5Ce35Sb2/TiO2 catalyst, at a reaction temperature of 210°C, the NO conversion rate had already reached 90%. The catalysts had different catalytic activity with different Ce loadings. With the increase of Ce loading, the NO conversion rate also increased. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Limited School Drinking Water Access for Youth.

PubMed

Kenney, Erica L; Gortmaker, Steven L; Cohen, Juliana F W; Rimm, Eric B; Cradock, Angie L

2016-07-01

Providing children and youth with safe, adequate drinking water access during school is essential for health. This study used objectively measured data to investigate the extent to which schools provide drinking water access that meets state and federal policies. We visited 59 middle and high schools in Massachusetts during spring 2012. Trained research assistants documented the type, location, and working condition of all water access points throughout each school building using a standard protocol. School food service directors (FSDs) completed surveys reporting water access in cafeterias. We evaluated school compliance with state plumbing codes and federal regulations and compared FSD self-reports of water access with direct observation; data were analyzed in 2014. On average, each school had 1.5 (standard deviation: .6) water sources per 75 students; 82% (standard deviation: 20) were functioning and fewer (70%) were both clean and functioning. Less than half of the schools met the federal Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act requirement for free water access during lunch; 18 schools (31%) provided bottled water for purchase but no free water. Slightly over half (59%) met the Massachusetts state plumbing code. FSDs overestimated free drinking water access compared to direct observation (96% FSD reported vs. 48% observed, kappa = .07, p = .17). School drinking water access may be limited. In this study, many schools did not meet state or federal policies for minimum student drinking water access. School administrative staff may not accurately report water access. Public health action is needed to increase school drinking water access. Copyright © 2016 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Female Sexual Dysfunction in the Late Postpartum Period Among Women with Previous Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

PubMed

Sargin, Mehmet Akif; Yassa, Murat; Taymur, Bilge Dogan; Taymur, Bulent; Akca, Gizem; Tug, Niyazi

2017-04-01

To compare the status of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) between women with a history of previous gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and those with follow-up of a healthy pregnancy, using the female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire. Cross-sectional study. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, from September to December 2015. Healthy sexually active adult parous females were included. Participants were asked to complete the validated Turkish versions of the FSFI and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaires. Student's t-test was used for two-group comparisons of normally distributed variables and quantitative data. Mann-Whitney U-test was used for two-group comparisons of non-normally distributed variables. Pearson's chi-squared test, the Fisher-FreemanHalton test, Fisher's exact test, and Yates' continuity correction test were used for comparison of qualitative data. The mean FSFI scores of the 179 participants was 23.50 ±3.94. FSFI scores and scores of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain were not statistically significantly different (p>0.05), according to a history of GDM and types of FSD (none, mild, severe). HADS scores and anxiety and depression types did not statistically significantly differ according to the history of GDM (p>0.05). An association could not be found in FSFI scores between participants with both the history of previous GDM and with healthy pregnancy; subclinical sexual dysfunction may be observed in the late postpartum period among women with a history of previous GDM. This may adversely affect their sexual health.

Inefficiency in GM2 ganglioside elimination by human lysosomal beta-hexosaminidase beta-subunit gene transfer to fibroblastic cell line derived from Sandhoff disease model mice.

PubMed

Itakura, Tomohiro; Kuroki, Aya; Ishibashi, Yasuhiro; Tsuji, Daisuke; Kawashita, Eri; Higashine, Yukari; Sakuraba, Hitoshi; Yamanaka, Shoji; Itoh, Kohji

2006-08-01

Sandhoff disease (SD) is an autosomal recessive GM2 gangliosidosis caused by the defect of lysosomal beta-hexosaminidase (Hex) beta-subunit gene associated with neurosomatic manifestations. Therapeutic effects of Hex subunit gene transduction have been examined on Sandhoff disease model mice (SD mice) produced by the allelic disruption of Hexb gene encoding the murine beta-subunit. We demonstrate here that elimination of GM2 ganglioside (GM2) accumulated in the fibroblastic cell line derived from SD mice (FSD) did not occur when the HEXB gene only was transfected. In contrast, a significant increase in the HexB (betabeta homodimer) activity toward neutral substrates, including GA2 (asialo-GM2) and oligosaccharides carrying the terminal N-acetylglucosamine residues at their non-reducing ends (GlcNAc-oligosaccharides) was observed. Immunoblotting with anti-human HexA (alphabeta heterodimer) serum after native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Native-PAGE) revealed that the human HEXB gene product could hardly form the chimeric HexA through associating with the murine alpha-subunit. However, co-introduction of the HEXA encoding the human alpha-subunit and HEXB genes caused significant corrective effect on the GM2 degradation by producing the human HexA. These results indicate that the recombinant human HexA could interspeciesly associate with the murine GM2 activator protein to degrade GM2 accumulated in the FSD cells. Thus, therapeutic effects of the recombinant human HexA isozyme but not human HEXB gene product could be evaluated by using the SD mice.

How does lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) affect sexual function in men and women? ICI-RS 2015-Part 2.

PubMed

Apostolidis, Apostolos; Rantell, Angie; Anding, Ralf; Kirschner-Hermanns, Ruth; Cardozo, Linda

2017-04-01

To discuss available data on the links between LUTD and sexual dysfunction, what is still unknown about the causative effect of disease processes on sexual function (SF), and to suggest proposals for further research. At the 2015 International Consultation on Incontinence-Research Society (ICI-RS), a multi-disciplinary group presented a literature search of what is known about the effect of LUTD on SF in men and women. Wider discussions regarding knowledge gaps, and ideal research methodology ensued and are presented. The underlying mechanisms of the impact of LUTD on SF remain largely unknown. Risk factors for the metabolic syndrome may cause both LUTS and ED in men, and their improvement may improve both conditions. In women, neurovascular changes may be common in LUTD and FSD. Successful LUTS management results in FSD improvement, but the mechanisms are ill understood. Gaps in standardization of sexual dysfunction terminology, variations of assessment, and treatment in clinical practice and research make most studies not comparable. The sensitive knowledge and subjective nature of the problem present challenges and often result in neglecting it. Neurovascular and hormonal factors, but also indirect effects may link LUTD to SD in both sexes, but the evidence is not robust and the mechanisms unclear. There is a need for defining the terminology and standardizing outcomes assessed in clinical trials. The multifactorial nature of SF in both sexes makes trial design challenging and "real world" studies may prove more beneficial for patients' outcomes and clinicians' understanding. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

On the origins of the weak folding cooperativity of a designed ββα ultrafast protein FSD-1.

PubMed

Wu, Chun; Shea, Joan-Emma

2010-11-18

FSD-1, a designed small ultrafast folder with a ββα fold, has been actively studied in the last few years as a model system for studying protein folding mechanisms and for testing of the accuracy of computational models. The suitability of this protein to describe the folding of naturally occurring α/β proteins has recently been challenged based on the observation that the melting transition is very broad, with ill-resolved baselines. Using molecular dynamics simulations with the AMBER protein force field (ff96) coupled with the implicit solvent model (IGB = 5), we shed new light into the nature of this transition and resolve the experimental controversies. We show that the melting transition corresponds to the melting of the protein as a whole, and not solely to the helix-coil transition. The breadth of the folding transition arises from the spread in the melting temperatures (from ∼325 K to ∼302 K) of the individual transitions: formation of the hydrophobic core, β-hairpin and tertiary fold, with the helix formed earlier. Our simulations initiated from an extended chain accurately predict the native structure, provide a reasonable estimate of the transition barrier height, and explicitly demonstrate the existence of multiple pathways and multiple transition states for folding. Our exhaustive sampling enables us to assess the quality of the Amber ff96/igb5 combination and reveals that while this force field can predict the correct native fold, it nonetheless overstabilizes the α-helix portion of the protein (Tm = ∼387K) as well as the denatured structures.

Flood Plain Information, Buffalo Creek, New York in the Towns of Elma and West Seneca. Main Report and Technical Appendix.

DTIC Science & Technology

1971-06-01

addition to Elma Methodist Church showing comparative flood lev-ls. 14 27. Home on Winspear Road near mile 7.4, 36 raised 5 feet in 1963. 28. Supermarket ...and other local governrient ?gencies. "hr flooded outlines, profiles -nd -stimntrd flood fr-quenciee can b- uFsd to deter- mine the relative risk of...7rovisions hich re.rlite the us- of land with resect to flood risk . The General Provis ons of the 2onin- Ordinance of W4st "eneca do indicate that te

Synthesis of Carbonate-Based Micro/Nanoscale Particles With Controlled Morphology and Mineralogy

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-04-01

patterns were obtained using a Panalytical X’Pert Pro diffractometer using iron-filtered cobalt radiation, and analyzed using Panalytical X’Pert...develop composites by hydrothermal recrystallization of metastable phases. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Aragonite Calcite Calcium carbonate Dopant Mineralogy

Neutron apparatus for measuring strain in composites

DOEpatents

Kupperman, David S.; Majumdar, Saurindranath; Faber, Jr., John F.; Singh, J. P.

1990-01-01

A method and apparatus for orienting a pulsed neutron source and a multi-angle diffractometer toward a sample of a ceramic-matrix or metal-matrix composite so that the measurement of internal strain (from which stress is calculated) is reduced to uncomplicated time-of-flight measurements.

A Neutron Diffractometer for a Long Pulsed Neutron Source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sokol, Paul; Wang, Cailin

Long pulsed neutron sources are being actively developed as small university based sources and are being considered for the next generation of high powered sources, such as the European Neutron Source (ESS) and the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) second target station. New instrumentation concepts will be required to effectively utilize the full spectrum of neutrons generated by these sources. Neutron diffractometers, which utilize time-of-flight (TOF) techniques for wavelength resolution, are particularly problematic. We describe an instrument for a long pulsed source that provides resolution comparable to that obtained on short pulsed sources without the need of long incident flight paths. We accomplish this by utilizing high speed choppers to impose a time structure on the spectrum of incident neutrons. By strategically positioning these choppers the response matrix assumes a convenient form that can be deconvoluted from the measured TOF spectrum to produce the diffraction pattern of the sample. We compare the performance of this instrument to other possible diffraction instruments that could be utilized on a long pulsed source.

Modeling of the focusing device and the elliptical neutron guide for the DN-6 diffractometer at IBR-2 reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belushkin, A. V.; Manoshin, S. A.; Kozlenko, D. P.; Kichanov, S. E.

2018-06-01

Possible options for modernization of the neutron beam forming system of the DN-6 diffractometer for the study of crystal and magnetic structures of microsamples at high pressures are being considered. It was demonstrated that for samples with the cross-section not exceeding 5 × 5 mm2 the most efficient option would be the use of an elliptical neutron guide. It allows to deliver neutrons for large distances from the source to samples with minimal losses using, as a rule, just one neutron reflection per dimension i.e. one at a side and one at top or bottom. For the present moment due to technical difficulties of such option realization, the simplified solution was proposed. At the end of the curved neutron guide it is planned to install a vertical plane focusing 7-meter-long parabolic section. Such a modernization will increase the neutron flux at the sample by a factor 1.5-3.5 and reduce respectively the typical measurement times.

Development of a cryogenic load frame for the neutron diffractometer at Takumi in Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Xinzhe; Nakamoto, Tatsushi; Harjo, Stefanus; Hemmi, Tsutomu; Umeno, Takahiro; Ogitsu, Toru; Yamamoto, Akira; Sugano, Michinaka; Aizawa, Kazuya; Abe, Jun; Gong, Wu; Iwahashi, Takaaki

2013-06-01

To prepare for projects such as the Large Hadron Collider upgrade, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor and Demonstration reactor, it is important to form a clear understanding of stress-strain properties of the materials that make up superconducting magnets. Thus, we have been studying the mechanical properties of superconducting wires using neutron diffraction measurements. To simulate operational conditions such as temperature, stress, and strain, we developed a cryogenic load frame for stress-strain measurements of materials using a neutron diffractometer at Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) Takumi beam line. The maximum load that can be applied to a sample using an external driving machine is 50 kN. Using a Gifford-MacMahon cryocooler, samples can be measured down to temperatures below 10 K when loaded. In the present paper, we describe the details of the cryogenic load frame with its test results by using type-304 stainless steel wire.

A 4 Tesla Superconducting Magnet Developed for a 6 Circle Huber Diffractometer at the XMaS Beamline

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

Thompson, P. B. J.; Brown, S. D.; Bouchenoire, L.

2007-01-19

We report here on the development and testing of a 4 Tesla cryogen free superconducting magnet designed to fit within the Euler cradle of a 6 circle Huber diffractometer, allowing scattering in both the vertical and horizontal planes. The geometry of this magnet allows the field to be applied in three orientations. The first being along the beam direction, the second with the field transverse to the beam direction a horizontal plane and finally the field can be applied vertically with respect to the beam. The magnet has a warm bore and an open geometry of 180 deg. , allowingmore » large access to reciprocal space. A variable temperature insert has been developed, which is capable of working down to a temperature of 1.7 K and operating over a wide range of angles whilst maintaining a temperature stability of a few mK. Initial ferromagnetic diffraction measurements have been carried out on single crystal Tb and Dy samples.« less

Hippo/crates-in-situ deformation strain and testure studies using neutron time-of-flight diffraction.

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

Vogel, S. C.; Hartig, C.; Brissier, T. D.

2005-01-01

In situ deformation studies by diffraction allow studying of deformation mechanisms and provide valuable data to validate and improve deformation models. In particular, deformation studies using time-of-flight neutrons provide averages over large numbers of grains and allow to probing the response of lattice planes parallel and perpendicular to the applied load simultaneously. In this paper we describe the load-frame CRATES, designed for the HIPPO neutron time-of-flight diffractometer at LANSCE. The HIPPO/CRATES combination allows probing up to 20 diffraction vectors simultaneously and provides rotation of the sample in the beam while under load. With this, deformation texture, i.e. the change ofmore » grain orientation due to plastic deformation, or strain pole figures may be measured. We report initial results of a validation experiment, comparing deformation of a Zircaloy specimen measured using the NPD neutron diffractometer with results obtained for the same material using HIPPO/CRATES.« less

A furnace with rotating load frame for in situ high temperature deformation and creep experiments in a neutron diffraction beam line

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

Reiche, H. M.; New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003; Vogel, S. C.

2012-05-15

A resistive furnace combined with a load frame was built that allows for in situ neutron diffraction studies of high temperature deformation, in particular, creep. A maximum force of 2700 N can be applied at temperatures up to 1000 deg. C. A load control mode permits studies of, e.g., creep or phase transformations under applied uni-axial stress. In position control, a range of high temperature deformation experiments can be achieved. The examined specimen can be rotated up to 80 deg. around the vertical compression axis allowing texture measurements in the neutron time-of-flight diffractometer HIPPO (High Pressure - Preferred Orientation). Wemore » present results from the successful commissioning, deforming a Zr-2.5 wt.% Nb cylinder at 975 deg. C. The device is now available for the user program of the HIPPO diffractometer at the LANSCE (Los Alamos Neutron Science Center) user facility.« less

Development of a cryogenic load frame for the neutron diffractometer at Takumi in Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex

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

Jin, Xinzhe; Nakamoto, Tatsushi; Ogitsu, Toru

2013-06-15

To prepare for projects such as the Large Hadron Collider upgrade, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor and Demonstration reactor, it is important to form a clear understanding of stress-strain properties of the materials that make up superconducting magnets. Thus, we have been studying the mechanical properties of superconducting wires using neutron diffraction measurements. To simulate operational conditions such as temperature, stress, and strain, we developed a cryogenic load frame for stress-strain measurements of materials using a neutron diffractometer at Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) Takumi beam line. The maximum load that can be applied to a sample using an externalmore » driving machine is 50 kN. Using a Gifford-MacMahon cryocooler, samples can be measured down to temperatures below 10 K when loaded. In the present paper, we describe the details of the cryogenic load frame with its test results by using type-304 stainless steel wire.« less

Development of a cryogenic load frame for the neutron diffractometer at Takumi in Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex.

PubMed

Jin, Xinzhe; Nakamoto, Tatsushi; Harjo, Stefanus; Hemmi, Tsutomu; Umeno, Takahiro; Ogitsu, Toru; Yamamoto, Akira; Sugano, Michinaka; Aizawa, Kazuya; Abe, Jun; Gong, Wu; Iwahashi, Takaaki

2013-06-01

To prepare for projects such as the Large Hadron Collider upgrade, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor and Demonstration reactor, it is important to form a clear understanding of stress-strain properties of the materials that make up superconducting magnets. Thus, we have been studying the mechanical properties of superconducting wires using neutron diffraction measurements. To simulate operational conditions such as temperature, stress, and strain, we developed a cryogenic load frame for stress-strain measurements of materials using a neutron diffractometer at Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) Takumi beam line. The maximum load that can be applied to a sample using an external driving machine is 50 kN. Using a Gifford-MacMahon cryocooler, samples can be measured down to temperatures below 10 K when loaded. In the present paper, we describe the details of the cryogenic load frame with its test results by using type-304 stainless steel wire.

Potential errors in relative dose measurements in kilovoltage photon beams due to polarity effects in plane-parallel ionisation chambers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dowdell, S.; Tyler, M.; McNamara, J.; Sloan, K.; Ceylan, A.; Rinks, A.

2016-12-01

Plane-parallel ionisation chambers are regularly used to conduct relative dosimetry measurements for therapeutic kilovoltage beams during commissioning and routine quality assurance. This paper presents the first quantification of the polarity effect in kilovoltage photon beams for two types of commercially available plane-parallel ionisation chambers used for such measurements. Measurements were performed at various depths along the central axis in a solid water phantom and for different field sizes at 2 cm depth to determine the polarity effect for PTW Advanced Markus and Roos ionisation chambers (PTW-Freiburg, Germany). Data was acquired for kilovoltage beams between 100 kVp (half-value layer (HVL)  =  2.88 mm Al) and 250 kVp (HVL  =  2.12 mm Cu) and field sizes of 3-15 cm diameter for 30 cm focus-source distance (FSD) and 4  ×  4 cm2-20  ×  20 cm2 for 50 cm FSD. Substantial polarity effects, up to 9.6%, were observed for the Advanced Markus chamber compared to a maximum 0.5% for the Roos chamber. The magnitude of the polarity effect was observed to increase with field size and beam energy but was consistent with depth. The polarity effect is directly influenced by chamber design, with potentially large polarity effects for some plane-parallel ionisation chambers. Depending on the specific chamber used, polarity corrections may be required for output factor measurements of kilovoltage photon beams. Failure to account for polarity effects could lead to an incorrect dose being delivered to the patient.

Rosette iron deficiency transcript and microRNA profiling reveals links between copper and iron homeostasis in Arabidopsis thaliana

PubMed Central

Waters, Brian M.; Stein, Ricardo J.

2012-01-01

Iron (Fe) is an essential plant micronutrient, and its deficiency limits plant growth and development on alkaline soils. Under Fe deficiency, plant responses include up-regulation of genes involved in Fe uptake from the soil. However, little is known about shoot responses to Fe deficiency. Using microarrays to probe gene expression in Kas-1 and Tsu-1 ecotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana, and comparison with existing Col-0 data, revealed conserved rosette gene expression responses to Fe deficiency. Fe-regulated genes included known metal homeostasis-related genes, and a number of genes of unknown function. Several genes responded to Fe deficiency in both roots and rosettes. Fe deficiency led to up-regulation of Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) genes CSD1 and CSD2, and down-regulation of FeSOD genes FSD1 and FSD2. Eight microRNAs were found to respond to Fe deficiency. Three of these (miR397a, miR398a, and miR398b/c) are known to regulate transcripts of Cu-containing proteins, and were down-regulated by Fe deficiency, suggesting that they could be involved in plant adaptation to Fe limitation. Indeed, Fe deficiency led to accumulation of Cu in rosettes, prior to any detectable decrease in Fe concentration. ccs1 mutants that lack functional Cu,ZnSOD proteins were prone to greater oxidative stress under Fe deficiency, indicating that increased Cu concentration under Fe limitation has an important role in oxidative stress prevention. The present results show that Cu accumulation, microRNA regulation, and associated differential expression of Fe and CuSOD genes are coordinated responses to Fe limitation. PMID:22962679

NoMelt Experiment: High-resolution constraints on Pacific upper mantle fabric inferred from radial and azimuthal anisotropy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Russell, J. B.; Gaherty, J. B.; Lin, P. P.; Lizarralde, D.; Collins, J. A.; Hirth, G.; Evans, R. L.

2017-12-01

Observations of seismic anisotropy in the ocean basins are important for constraining deformation and melting processes in the upper mantle. The NoMelt OBS array was deployed on relatively pristine, 70 Ma seafloor in the central Pacific with the aim of constraining upper mantle circulation and the evolution of the lithosphere-asthenosphere system. Surface-waves traversing the array provide a unique opportunity to estimate a comprehensive set of anisotropic parameters. Azimuthal variations in Rayleigh-wave velocity over a period band of 15-180 s suggest strong anisotropic fabric both in the lithosphere and deep in the asthenosphere. High-frequency ambient noise (4-10 s) provides constraints on average VSV and VSH as well as azimuthal variations in both VS and VP in the upper ˜10 km of the mantle. Our best fitting models require radial anisotropy in the uppermost mantle with VSH > VSV by 3 - 7% and as much as 2% radial anisotropy in the crust. Additionally, we find a strong azimuthal dependence for Rayleigh- and Love-wave velocities, with Rayleigh 2θ fast direction parallel to the fossil spreading direction (FSD) and Love 2θ and 4θ fast directions shifted 90º and 45º from the FSD, respectively. These are some of the first direct observations of the Love 2θ and 4θ azimuthal signal, which allows us to directly invert for anisotropic terms G, B, and E in the uppermost Pacific lithosphere, for the first time. Together, these observations of radial and azimuthal anisotropy provide a comprehensive picture of oceanic mantle fabric and are consistent with horizontal alignment of olivine with the a-axis parallel to fossil spreading and having an orthorhombic or hexagonal symmetry.

Effect of female genital mutilation/cutting; types I and II on sexual function: case-controlled study.

PubMed

Ismail, Sahar A; Abbas, Ahmad M; Habib, Dina; Morsy, Hanan; Saleh, Medhat A; Bahloul, Mustafa

2017-08-30

The existing literature is contradictory regarding effects of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) on sexual functions. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of type I and II FGM/C on sexual function of Egyptian women. We recruited 197 cut women and 197 control women from those visiting Assiut University hospitals for different reasons. We asked each woman to fill the Arabic female sexual function index (FSFI) (a self reported 19-item questionnaire assessing the main domains of female sexual function). Genital Examination was done to confirm the type of FGM. Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) was found in 83.8% of FGM/C cases in contrast to 64.5% of the control. The total FSFI score in the FGM/C group (19.82 ± 7.1) was significantly lower than in the control group (23.34 ± 8.1). Concerning the types of FGM/C, type 73.6% of cases had type I and 26.4% had type II. Type I FGM/C was performed mainly by physicians (62.1%) while type II was performed mainly by midwives (44.4%). FSD was found in 83.4% of FGM/C I cases and in 84.6% of FGM/C II cases. There was no statistically significant difference between the two types of FGM/C as regards total and individual domain scores except for the pain domain. There were significantly lower total and individual domain scores in both FGM/C types except for the desire domain compared to control. In this study, FGM/C was associated with reduced scores of FSFI on all domains scores, and among both types I and II, both were associated with sexual dysfunction.

Questionnaires in the assessment of sexual function in women with urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

PubMed

Mestre, M; Lleberia, J; Pubill, J; Espuña-Pons, M

2015-04-01

Integrating sexual health in clinical practice is important. In women with pelvic floor disorders, the evaluation of the anatomical defects, lower urinary tract function and the anorectal function often receives more attention than the sexual function. Review of Medline using defined search terms to identify articles related to sexual health assessment in urogynecology and manual analyses was performed. Only articles published in English or Spanish were included. Only 50% of women attending urogynecological clinics are sexually active. Of those, 60% present with some sort of sexual sexual dysfunction (FSD). Questionnaires and sexuality scales would facilitate discussion of sexual matters between the Health Care professionals and the women, and may increase the likelihood of FSD being diagnosed. The Pelvic Organ Prolapse Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ) and the PISQ-IR (IUGA-Revised) are the only female sexual function specific questionnaires currently validated and developed specifically to assess sexual function in women with urinary incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse. Furthermore, the PISQ-IR also allows evaluation of the outcomes of women who are not sexually active when requiring urogynecologic care. PISQ-IR is also designed for international validation. In order to use the PISQ-IR in Spain, a proper interpretation and validation of the questionnaire is needed. The evaluation of sexual function through specific questionnaires facilitates the identification of the sexual dysfunctions associated to the pelvic floor disorders. The inclusion of sexuality questionnaires as an outcome measure allows to analyze the impact in the sexual life of women treated for an urogynecological problem. Copyright © 2014 AEU. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Crystallization behavior of polyamide-6 microcellular nanocomposites

Treesearch

Mingjun Yuan; Lih-Sheng Turng; Shaoqin Gong; Andreas Winardi

2004-09-01

The crystallization behaviors of polyamide-6 (PA-6) and its nanocomposites undergoing the microcellular injection molding process are studied using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), Polarized Optical Microscopy (POM), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The relationships among the morphology, the mechanical property of the...

POWTEX Neutron Diffractometer at FRM II - New Perspectives for In-Situ Rock Deformation Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walter, J. M.; Stipp, M.; Ullemeyer, K.; Klein, H.; Leiss, B.; Hansen, B. T.; Kuhs, W. F.

2012-04-01

In Geoscience quantitative texture analysis here defined as the quantitative analysis of the crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO), is a common tool for the investigation of fabric development in mono- and polyphase rocks, their deformation histories and kinematics. Bulk texture measurements also allow the quantitative characterisation of the anisotropic physical properties of rock materials. A routine tool to measure bulk sample volumes is neutron texture diffraction, as neutrons have large penetration capabilities of several cm in geological sample materials. The new POWTEX (POWder and TEXture) Diffractometer at the neutron research reactor FRM II in Garching, Germany is designed as a high-intensity diffractometer by groups from the RWTH Aachen, Forschungszentrum Jülich and the University of Göttingen. Complementary to existing neutron diffractometers (SKAT at Dubna, Russia; GEM at ISIS, UK; HIPPO at Los Alamos, USA; D20 at ILL, France; and the local STRESS-SPEC and SPODI at FRM II) the layout of POWTEX is focused on fast time-resolved experiments and the measurement of larger sample series as necessary for the study of large scale geological structures. POWTEX is a dedicated beam line for geoscientific research. Effective texture measurements without sample tilting and rotation are possible firstly by utilizing a range of neutron wavelengths simultaneously (Time-of-Flight technique) and secondly by the high detector coverage (9.8 sr) and a high flux (~1 - 107 n/cm2s) at the sample. Furthermore the instrument and the angular detector resolution is designed also for strong recrystallisation textures as well as for weak textures of polyphase rocks. These instrument characteristics allow in-situ time-resolved texture measurements during deformation experiments on rocksalt, ice and other materials as large sample environments will be implemented at POWTEX. The in-situ deformation apparatus is operated by a uniaxial spindle drive with a maximum axial load of 250 kN, which will be redesigned to minimize shadowing effects inside the cylindrical detector. The HT deformatione experiments will be carried out in uniaxial compression or extension and an upgrade to triaxial deformation conditions is envisaged. The load frame can alternatively be used for ice deformation by inserting a cryostat cell for temperatures down to 77 K with a triaxial apparatus allowing also simple shear experiments on ice. Strain rates range between 10-8 and 10-3 s-1 reaching to at least 50 % axial strain. The deformation apparatus is designed for continuous long-term deformation experiments and can be exchanged between in-situ and ex-situ placements during continuous operation inside and outside the neutron detector.

Photocatalyst of Perovskite CaTiO3 Nanopowder Synthesized from CaO derived from Snail Shell in Comparison with The Use of CaO and CaCO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fatimah, I.; Rahmadianti, Y.; Pudiasari, R. A.

2018-04-01

Calcium titanate belongs to the important group of compounds with a perovskite structure having high dielectric loss for various applications including photocatalysis mechanism. Refer to the principles of green chemistry, in this work preparation of CaTiO3 was conducted by using CaO derived from snail shell. Aim of this research are to study the physicochemical character of perovskite derived from snail shell and its comparison with CaO and CaCO3 as Ca sources. Material preparation was performed by solid reaction of Ca sources with TiO2 under comparison with CaO and CaCO3 precursors. Mixture of Ca sources with TiO2 in certain proportion were ground and calcined at the temperature of 200 °C for 2 hs. Materials were characterized by using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier Transform-Infra Red (FTIR) and the photocatalytic activity was tested by using methylene blue photooxidation. Perovskite synthesized using CaO derived from snail shell exhibits the similar XRD pattern with that were prepared by using CaO and CaCO3. From the photooxidation activity test, it is proven that CaTiO3 shows similar photocatalytic activity correspond to that were prepared by CaO and CaCO3. Utilazation of shell as agricultural waste of the synthesis of CaTiO3 perovskite is the novelty of this work. Furthermore, the study on material structure and photoactivity is the main focuses for the application in industry and environment.

Fabrication of magnetic alginate beads with uniform dispersion of CoFe2O4 by the polydopamine surface functionalization for organic pollutants removal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xiaoli; Lu, Haijun; Zhang, Yun; He, Fu; Jing, Lingyun; He, Xinghua

2016-12-01

A simple and efficient method for production of magnetic composites by decorating CoFe2O4 with polydopamine (PDA) through oxidative polymerization of dopamine was conducted. Further, magnetic alginate beads with porous structure containing well-dispersed CoFe2O4-PDA were fabricated by ionic crosslinking technology. The resulting SA@CoFe2O4-PDA beads were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffractometer, vibrating sample magnetometer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Adsorption potential of SA@CoFe2O4-PDA beads for organic dyes including Methylene Blue (MB), Crystal Violet (CV) and Malachite Green (MG) was evaluated. SA@CoFe2O4-PDA beads exhibited excellent adsorption performances due to the composite effect, large surface area and porous structure. Organic dyes could be removed from water solution with high efficiency in a wide pH range of 4.0-9.0. Moreover, it exhibited much higher adsorptivity towards MB and CV with the maximum adsorption capacities of 466.60 and 456.52 mg/g, respectively, which were much higher than that of MG (248.78 mg/g). Ca-electrolyte had obvious adverse effects on MB and CV adsorption than MG. FTIR and XPS demonstrated that carboxylate, catechol, hydroxyl and amine groups might be involved in adsorption of organic dyes. The characteristics of wide pH range, high adsorption capacity and convenient magnetic separation would make SA@CoFe2O4-PDA beads as effective adsorbent for removal of organic dyes from wastewater.

Calcium phosphate/chitosan composite coating: Effect of different concentrations of Mg2+ in the m-SBF on its bioactivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Jie; Dai, Changsong; Wei, Jie; Wen, Zhaohui; Zhang, Shujuan; Lin, Lemin

2013-09-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different concentration of Mg2+ in a modified simulated body fluid (m-SBF) on the bioactivity of calcium phosphate/chitosan composite coating. Calcium phosphate/chitosan composite coating was prepared on graphite substrate via electrophoretic deposition (EPD) followed by conversion in a phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The obtained samples were soaked in the m-SBF containing different concentration of Mg2+ for different times. And then, the composite coatings were assessed using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectra, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) with an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The soaking solution was evaluated by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) test. The analytical results showed that hydroxyapatite (HA) and bone-like apatite (HCA) grew on the surface of calcium phosphate/chitosan composite coating after incubation in different m-SBF. With Mg2+ concentration in m-SBF increased from 1× Mg to 10× Mg, HA in the composite coating first presented a dissolving process and then a precipitating one slowly, while HCA presented a growing trend, continuously. The increasing of Mg2+ concentration in the m-SBF inhibited the total growing process of HA and HCA as a whole. The structure of the composite coating changed from spherical into irregular morphology with the concentration of Mg2+ increasing from 1× Mg to 10× Mg. Over all, with the Mg2+ concentration increasing, the bioactivity of calcium phosphate/chitosan composite coating tended to decrease.

Electron beam irradiation impact on surface structure and wettability of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Saftawy, A. A.; Ragheb, M. S.; Zakhary, S. G.

2018-06-01

In the present study, electron beam (EB) is utilized to tailor the surface structure and wetting behavior of ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer. The structural deformation is examined by x-ray diffractometer (XRD). The recorded patterns reveal the formation of disordered systems on the irradiated surface. Also, the surface crystallinity degree, crystallite size, and micro-strain are studied. The microstructure induced modifications of the irradiated samples are investigated by 1-dimensional proton nuclear magnetic resonance 1H NMR spectroscopic analysis. The recorded spectra showed that the hydroxyl group (O-H) absorption intensity, enhanced compared to that of methylene (-CH2) and methine (>C-H) groups. Likewise, the changes of the polymer surface chemistry are studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and showed that the surface polarity improved after irradiation. The contact angle method is used to prove the surface wettability improvements after irradiation. Additionally, the fucoidan-coated samples exhibit great enhancements in surface wettability and have a reduced recovery effect compared to the uncoated samples. The surface free energy and bonding adhesion are studied as well. The fucoidan-coated samples are found to have a larger adhesion strength than that of the EVOH samples (pristine and irradiated). Finally, surface morphology and roughness are traced by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The improvements in surface wettability and adhesion are attributed to the modified surface roughness and the increased surface polarity. To sum up, combining EB irradiation and fucoidan enhance the surface wettability of EVOH in a controlled way keeping the bulk properties unaffected.

Microwave Diffraction Techniques from Macroscopic Crystal Models

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Murray, William Henry

1974-01-01

Discusses the construction of a diffractometer table and four microwave models which are built of styrofoam balls with implanted metallic reflecting spheres and designed to simulate the structures of carbon (graphite structure), sodium chloride, tin oxide, and palladium oxide. Included are samples of Bragg patterns and computer-analysis results.…

Experiment to Determine the Absorption Coefficient of Gamma Rays as a Function of Energy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ouseph, P. J.; And Others

1982-01-01

Simpler than x-ray diffractometer experiments, the experiment described illustrates certain concepts regarding the interaction of electromagnetic rays with matter such as the exponential decrease in the intensity with absorber thickness, variation of the coefficient of absorption with energy, and the effect of the K-absorption edge on the…

In situ surface/interface x-ray diffractometer for oxide molecular beam epitaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, J. H.; Tung, I. C.; Chang, S.-H.; Bhattacharya, A.; Fong, D. D.; Freeland, J. W.; Hong, Hawoong

2016-01-01

In situ studies of oxide molecular beam epitaxy by synchrotron x-ray scattering has been made possible by upgrading an existing UHV/molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) six-circle diffractometer system. For oxide MBE growth, pure ozone delivery to the chamber has been made available, and several new deposition sources have been made available on a new 12 in. CF (ConFlat, a registered trademark of Varian, Inc.) flange. X-ray diffraction has been used as a major probe for film growth and structures for the system. In the original design, electron diffraction was intended for the secondary diagnostics available without the necessity of the x-ray and located at separate positions. Deposition of films was made possible at the two diagnostic positions. And, the aiming of the evaporation sources is fixed to the point between two locations. Ozone can be supplied through two separate nozzles for each location. Also two separate thickness monitors are installed. Additional features of the equipment are also presented together with the data taken during typical oxide film growth to illustrate the depth of information available via in situ x-ray techniques.

In situ surface/interface x-ray diffractometer for oxide molecular beam epitaxy.

PubMed

Lee, J H; Tung, I C; Chang, S-H; Bhattacharya, A; Fong, D D; Freeland, J W; Hong, Hawoong

2016-01-01

In situ studies of oxide molecular beam epitaxy by synchrotron x-ray scattering has been made possible by upgrading an existing UHV/molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) six-circle diffractometer system. For oxide MBE growth, pure ozone delivery to the chamber has been made available, and several new deposition sources have been made available on a new 12 in. CF (ConFlat, a registered trademark of Varian, Inc.) flange. X-ray diffraction has been used as a major probe for film growth and structures for the system. In the original design, electron diffraction was intended for the secondary diagnostics available without the necessity of the x-ray and located at separate positions. Deposition of films was made possible at the two diagnostic positions. And, the aiming of the evaporation sources is fixed to the point between two locations. Ozone can be supplied through two separate nozzles for each location. Also two separate thickness monitors are installed. Additional features of the equipment are also presented together with the data taken during typical oxide film growth to illustrate the depth of information available via in situ x-ray techniques.

High-resolution neutron powder diffractometer SPODI at research reactor FRM II

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoelzel, M.; Senyshyn, A.; Juenke, N.; Boysen, H.; Schmahl, W.; Fuess, H.

2012-03-01

SPODI is a high-resolution thermal neutron diffractometer at the research reactor Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) especially dedicated to structural studies of complex systems. Unique features like a very large monochromator take-off angle of 155° and a 5 m monochromator-sample distance in its standard configuration achieve both high-resolution and a good profile shape for a broad scattering angle range. Two dimensional data are collected by an array of 80 vertical position sensitive 3He detectors. SPODI is well suited for studies of complex structural and magnetic order and disorder phenomena at non-ambient conditions. In addition to standard sample environment facilities (cryostats, furnaces, magnet) specific devices (rotatable load frame, cell for electric fields, multichannel potentiostat) were developed. Thus the characterisation of functional materials at in-operando conditions can be achieved. In this contribution the details of the design and present performance of the instrument are reported along with its specifications. A new concept for data reduction using a 2 θ dependent variable height for the intensity integration along the Debye-Scherrer lines is introduced.

A preliminary neutron crystallographic study of thaumatin

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

Teixeira, Susana C. M.; Institut Laue Langevin, 6 Rue Jules Horowitz, 38042 Grenoble; EPSAM and ISTM, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG

2008-05-01

Preliminary neutron crystallographic data from the sweet protein thaumatin have been recorded using the LADI-III diffractometer at the Institut Laue Langevin (ILL). The results illustrate the feasibility of a full neutron structural analysis aimed at further understanding the molecular basis of the perception of sweet taste. Such an analysis will exploit the use of perdeuterated thaumatin. A preliminary neutron crystallographic study of the sweet protein thaumatin is presented. Large hydrogenated crystals were prepared in deuterated crystallization buffer using the gel-acupuncture method. Data were collected to a resolution of 2 Å on the LADI-III diffractometer at the Institut Laue Langevin (ILL).more » The results demonstrate the feasibility of a full neutron crystallographic analysis of this structure aimed at providing relevant information on the location of H atoms, the distribution of charge on the protein surface and localized water in the structure. This information will be of interest for understanding the specificity of thaumatin–receptor interactions and will contribute to further understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the perception of taste.« less

Precession technique and electron diffractometry as new tools for crystal structure analysis and chemical bonding determination.

PubMed

Avilov, A; Kuligin, K; Nicolopoulos, S; Nickolskiy, M; Boulahya, K; Portillo, J; Lepeshov, G; Sobolev, B; Collette, J P; Martin, N; Robins, A C; Fischione, P

2007-01-01

We have developed a new fast electron diffractometer working with high dynamic range and linearity for crystal structure determinations. Electron diffraction (ED) patterns can be scanned serially in front of a Faraday cage detector; the total measurement time for several hundred ED reflections can be tens of seconds having high statistical accuracy for all measured intensities (1-2%). This new tool can be installed to any type of TEM without any column modification and is linked to a specially developed electron beam precession "Spinning Star" system. Precession of the electron beam (Vincent-Midgley technique) reduces dynamical effects allowing also use of accurate intensities for crystal structure analysis. We describe the technical characteristics of this new tool together with the first experimental results. Accurate measurement of electron diffraction intensities by electron diffractometer opens new possibilities not only for revealing unknown structures, but also for electrostatic potential determination and chemical bonding investigation. As an example, we present detailed atomic bonding information of CaF(2) as revealed for the first time by precise electron diffractometry.

Investigation of the response of a neutron-Hand monitor dedicated to the powder diffractometer at CENM-Maamora

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

Messous, M.Y.; Belhorma, B.; Labrim, H.

2015-07-01

Neutrons are used for the study of condensed matter. A neutron beam can indeed easily penetrate the solid material and undergo diffraction phenomena. Analysis of the diffused neutrons allows studying the atomic structure of crossed material. Their neutral electric charge makes them nondestructive probe of a great interest. In general, the size of the powder samples is very small and therefore the centering of the beam on these is very crucial. It is in this context we proceed to test a portable neutron monitor for centering and checking beam leak around the shielding to be installed around the diffractometer inmore » TRIGA Mark II of CENM. It's consisting of a scintillation neutron detector NE426 ({sup 6}LiF + ZnS (Ag)) with electronic module and data acquisition system. The effect of radiation from radioactive neutrons source {sup 252}Cf is shown. Sensitivity and differential linearity are also performed. This study indicates several advantages of this detector with very good detection sensitivity and excellent stability during the counting time. (authors)« less

Utilization of the High Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

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

Selby, Douglas L; Bilheux, Hassina Z; Meilleur, Flora

2015-01-01

This paper addresses several aspects of the scientific utilization of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR). Topics to be covered will include: 1) HFIR neutron scattering instruments and the formal instrument user program; 2) Recent upgrades to the neutron scattering instrument stations at the reactor, and 3) eMod a new tool for addressing instrument modifications and providing configuration control and design process for scientific instruments at HFIR and the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS). There are 15 operating neutron instrument stations at HFIR with 12 of them organized into a formal user program. Since the last presentationmore » on HFIR instruments at IGORR we have installed a Single Crystal Quasi-Laue Diffractometer instrument called IMAGINE; and we have made significant upgrades to HFIR neutron scattering instruments including the Cold Triple Axis Instrument, the Wide Angle Neutron Diffractometer, the Powder Diffractometer, and the Neutron Imaging station. In addition, we have initiated upgrades to the Thermal Triple Axis Instrument and the Bio-SANS cold neutron instrument detector system. All of these upgrades are tied to a continuous effort to maintain a high level neutron scattering user program at the HFIR. For the purpose of tracking modifications such as those mentioned and configuration control we have been developing an electronic system for entering instrument modification requests that follows a modification or instrument project through concept development, design, fabrication, installation, and commissioning. This system, which we call eMod, electronically leads the task leader through a series of questions and checklists that then identifies such things as ES&H and radiological issues and then automatically designates specific individuals for the activity review process. The system has been in use for less than a year and we are still working out some of the inefficiencies, but we believe that this will become a very effective tool for achieving the configuration and process control believed to be necessary for scientific instrument systems.« less

POWTEX Neutron Diffractometer at FRM II - New Perspectives in Rock Deformation and Recrystallisation Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walter, J. M.; Stipp, M.; Ullemeyer, K.; Klein, H.; Leiss, B.; Hansen, B.; Kuhs, W. F.

2011-12-01

Neutron diffraction has become a routine method in Geoscience for the quantitative analysis of crystallographic preferred orientations (CPOs) and for (experimental) powder diffraction. Quantitative texture analysis is a common tool for the investigation of fabric development in mono- and polyphase rocks, their deformation histories and kinematics. Furthermore the quantitative characterization of anisotropic physical properties by bulk texture measurements can be achieved due to the high penetration capabilities of neutrons. To cope with increasing needs for beam time at neutron diffraction facilities with the corresponding technical characteristics and equipment, POWTEX (POWder and TEXture Diffractometer) is designed as a high-intensity diffractometer at the neutron research reactor FRM II in Garching, Germany by groups from the RWTH Aachen, Forschungszentrum Jülich and the University of Göttingen. Complementary to existing neutron diffractometers (SKAT at Dubna, Russia; GEM at ISIS, UK; HIPPO at Los Alamos, USA; D20 at ILL, France; and the local STRESS-SPEC and SPODI at FRM II) the layout of POWTEX is focused on fast (texture) measurements for either time-resolved experiments or the measurement of larger sample series as necessary for the study of large scale geological structures. By utilizing a range of neutron wavelengths simultaneously (TOF-technique), a high flux (~1 x 107 n/cm2s) and a high detector coverage ( 9.8 sr) effective texture measurements without sample tilting and rotation are possible. Furthermore the instrument and the angular detector resolution is sufficient for strong recrystallisation textures as well as weak textures of polyphase rocks. Thereby large sample environments will be implemented at POWTEX allowing in-situ time-resolved texture measurements during deformation experiments on rocksalt, ice and other materials. Furthermore a furnace for 3D-recrystallisation analysis of single grains will be realized complementary to the furnace that already exists for fine grained materials at the synchrotron beamline BW5 at HASYLAB, Germany (e.g. Klein et al. 2009). The in-situ triaxial deformation apparatus is operated by a uniaxial spindle drive with a maximum axial load of 200 kN, which will be redesigned to minimize shadowing effects on the detector. The HT experiments will be carried out in uniaxial compression or extension and an upgrade to triaxial deformation conditions is envisaged. The load frame can alternatively be used for ice deformation by inserting a cryostat cell for temperatures down to 77 K with a triaxial apparatus allowing also simple shear experiments on ice. Strain rates range between 10-8 and 10-3 s-1 reaching to at least 50 % axial strain. The furnace for the recrystallization analysis will be a mirror furnace with temperatures up to 1500° C, which will be rotatable around a vertical axis to obtain the required stereologic orientation information.

Applications of RIGAKU Dmax Rapid II micro-X-ray diffractometer in the analysis of archaeological metal objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mozgai, Viktória; Szabó, Máté; Bajnóczi, Bernadett; Weiszburg, Tamás G.; Fórizs, István; Mráv, Zsolt; Tóth, Mária

2017-04-01

During material analysis of archaeological metal objects, especially their inlays or corrosion products, not only microstructure and chemical composition, but mineralogical composition is necessary to be determined. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) is a widely-used method to specify the mineralogical composition. However, when sampling is not or limitedly allowed due to e.g. the high value of the object, the conventional XRD analysis can hardly be used. Laboratory micro-XRD instruments provide good alternatives, like the RIGAKU Dmax Rapid II micro-X-ray diffractometer, which is a unique combination of a MicroMax-003 third generation microfocus, sealed tube X-ray generator and a curved 'image plate' detector. With this instrument it is possible to measure as small as 10 µm area in diameter on the object. Here we present case studies for the application of the micro-XRD technique in the study of archaeological metal objects. In the first case niello inlay of a Late Roman silver augur staff was analysed. Due to the high value of the object, since it is the only piece known from the Roman Empire, only non-destructive analyses were allowed. To reconstruct the preparation of the niello, SEM-EDX analysis was performed on the niello inlays to characterise their chemical composition and microstructure. Two types of niello are present: a homogeneous, silver sulphide niello (acanthite) and an inhomogeneous silver-copper sulphide niello (exsolution of acanthite and jalpaite or jalpaite and stromeyerite). The micro-X-ray diffractometer was used to verify the mineralogical composition of the niello, supposed on the base of SEM results. In the second case corrosion products of a Late Roman copper cauldron with uncertain provenance were examined, since they may hold clues about the burial conditions (pH, Eh, etc.) of the object. A layer by layer analysis was performed in cross sections of small metal samples by using electron microprobe and micro-X-ray diffractometer. The results show two corrosion zones: 1) the original (internal) surface zone of the metallic copper object was replaced by copper(I) oxide (cuprite), while 2) basic copper(II) carbonate (malachite) was deposited (externally) on the original surface. In our view these two minerals were formed during long-time burial, and protected the cauldron from further corrosion. Rarely copper(I) chloride (nantokite), basic copper(II) trihydroxychloride (atacamite/paratacamite) and basic copper(II) sulphate (brochantite) were also identified in the two corrosion zones. Their uneven distribution on the cauldron and their known formation conditions indicate, that these latter mineral phases may be the results of active corrosion, started possibly after excavation.

Electronic Properties and Device Applications of III-V Compound Semiconductor Native Oxides

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-03-02

MRD X-ray diffractometer with CuKa as the radiation source. The doping level in GaAs was meassured by electrochemical voltage (ECV) using an Accent... hard to prevent the gate metal from overlapping the mesa edge thus creating a parasitic leakage path to the channel42. To reduce the gate leakage

Titration of a Solid Acid Monitored by X-Ray Diffraction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dungey, Keenan E.; Epstein, Paul

2007-01-01

An experiment is described to introduce students to an important class of solid-state reactions while reinforcing concepts of titration by using a pH meter and a powder X-ray diffractometer. The experiment was successful in teaching students the abstract concepts of solid-state structure and diffraction by applying the diffraction concepts learned…

Structure cristalline de NaLiYb/sub 2/F/sub 8/: composes isotypes

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

Dib, A.; Gorius, M.F.; Aleonard, S.

1986-11-15

NaLiYb/sub 2/F/sub 8/ crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c, with a = 10.3516(9), b = 8.2069(9), c = 6,9674(7) A, ..beta.. = 90/sup 0/, Z = 4. The crystal structure has been solved from single crystal diffractometer measurements (AgK..cap alpha.. radiation) using Patterson and Fourier syntheses and refined by a least-squares method. The final R value is 0.021 for 1756 independent observed reflections. Two YbF/sub 8/ polyhedra share one of their edges to form Yb/sub 2/F/sub 14/ groups which are three-dimensionally linked and create cavities in which Na and Li are located. Yb/sub 2/F/sub 14/ groups share twomore » of their edges with these of one NaF/sub 7/ (or NaF/sub 9/ polyhedron to form Y/sub 2/NaF/sub 20/ blocks. As well, the structure may be described by the packing of planes formed by these two-dimensionally linked blocks. The description of this structure is compared with that ascribed to NaLiY/sub 2/F/sub 8/, which has been described in the monoclinic system, space group P2/sub 1//m, with a' = (a + b)/2, b' = c,c' = (b - a)/2, Z = 2. It is shown that positions of the atoms confer pseudoorthorhombic symmetry on the cell. Lattice parameters of isotypic compounds are given in the pseudoorthorhombic lattice and they are compared with those recently published with the structure described in the monoclinic system, space group P2/sub 1//m.« less

Effect of calcium hydroxide on mechanical strength and biological properties of bioactive glass.

PubMed

Shah, Asma Tufail; Batool, Madeeha; Chaudhry, Aqif Anwar; Iqbal, Farasat; Javaid, Ayesha; Zahid, Saba; Ilyas, Kanwal; Bin Qasim, Saad; Khan, Ather Farooq; Khan, Abdul Samad; Ur Rehman, Ihtesham

2016-08-01

In this manuscript for the first time calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) has been used for preparation of bioactive glass (BG-2) by co-precipitation method and compared with glass prepared using calcium nitrate tetrahydrate Ca(NO3)2·4H2O (BG-1), which is a conventional source of calcium. The new source positively affected physical, biological and mechanical properties of BG-2. The glasses were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis/Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TGA-DSC), BET surface area analysis and Knoop hardness. The results showed that BG-2 possessed relatively larger surface properties (100m(2)g(-1) surface area) as compared to BG-1 (78m(2)g(-1)), spherical morphology and crystalline phases (wollastonite and apatite) after sintering at lower than conventional temperature. These properties contribute critical role in both mechanical and biological properties of glasses. The Knoop hardness measurements revealed that BG-2 possessed much better hardness (0.43±0.06GPa at 680°C and 2.16±0.46GPa at 980°C) than BG-1 (0.24±0.01 at 680°C and 0.57±0.07GPA at 980°C) under same conditions. Alamar blue Assay and confocal microscopy revealed that BG-2 exhibited better attachment and proliferation of MG63 cells. Based on the improved biological properties of BG-2 as a consequent of novel calcium source selection, BG-2 is proposed as a bioactive ceramic for hard tissue repair and regeneration applications. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

High-resolution neutron diffraction study of microstructural changes in nanocrystalline ball-milled niobium carbide NbC{sub 0.93}

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

Balagurov, Anatoly M.; Bobrikov, Ivan A.; Bokuchava, Gizo D.

2015-11-15

High resolution neutron diffraction was applied for elucidating of the microstructural evolution of nanocrystalline niobium carbide NbC{sub 0.93} powders subjected to high-energy ball milling. The diffraction patterns were collected with the high resolution Fourier diffractometer HRFD by using the reverse time-of-flight (RTOF) mode of data acquisition. The traditional single diffraction line analysis, the Rietveld method and more advanced Whole Powder Pattern Modeling technique were applied for the data analysis. The comparison of these techniques was performed. It is established that short-time milling produces a non-uniform powder, in which two distinct fractions with differing microstructure can be identified. Part of themore » material is in fact milled efficiently, with a reduction in grain size, an increase in the quantity of defects, and a corresponding tendency to decarburize reaching a composition NbC{sub 0.80} after 15 h of milling. The rest of the powder is less efficiently processed and preserves its composition and lower defect content. Larger milling times should have homogenized the system by increasing the efficiently milled fraction, but the material is unable to reach a uniform and homogeneous state. It is definitely shown that RTOF neutron diffraction patterns can provide the very accurate data for microstructure analysis of nanocrystalline powders. - Highlights: • The NbC{sub 0.93} powder was processed by high-energy ball milling. • The microstrain and dislocation density increase with milling time increase. • The corresponding decrease in crystallite size with milling time was observed. • The material exhibits the presence of two fractions after ball milling. • The RTOF neutron diffraction data are suitable for accurate microstructure analysis.« less

Defluoridation of water using activated alumina in presence of natural organic matter via response surface methodology.

PubMed

Samarghandi, Mohammad Reza; Khiadani, Mehdi; Foroughi, Maryam; Zolghadr Nasab, Hasan

2016-01-01

Adsorption by activated alumina is considered to be one of the most practiced methods for defluoridation of freshwater. This study was conducted, therefore, to investigate the effect of natural organic matters (NOMs) on the removal of fluoride by activated alumina using response surface methodology. To the authors' knowledge, this has not been previously investigated. Physico-chemical characterization of the alumina was determined by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to evaluate the effect of single and combined parameters on the independent variables such as the initial concentration of fluoride, NOMs, and pH on the process. The results revealed that while presence of NOM and increase of pH enhance fluoride adsorption on the activated alumina, initial concentration of fluoride has an adverse effect on the efficiency. The experimental data were analyzed and found to be accurately and reliably fitted to a second-order polynomial model. Under optimum removal condition (fluoride concentration 20 mg/L, NOM concentration 20 mg/L, and pH 7) with a desirability value of 0.93 and fluoride removal efficiency of 80.6%, no significant difference was noticed with the previously reported sequence of the co-exiting ion affinity to activated alumina for fluoride removal. Moreover, aluminum residual was found to be below the recommended value by the guideline for drinking water. Also, the increase of fluoride adsorption on the activated alumina, as NOM concentrations increase, could be due to the complexation between fluoride and adsorbed NOM. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Effect of cobalt doping on crystallinity, stability, magnetic and optical properties of magnetic iron oxide nano-particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anjum, Safia; Tufail, Rabia; Rashid, Khalid; Zia, Rehana; Riaz, S.

2017-06-01

This paper is dedicated to investigate the effect of Co2+ ions in magnetite Fe3O4 nano-particles with stoichiometric formula CoxFe3-xO4 where (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15) prepared by co-precipitation method. The structural, thermal, morphological, magnetic and optical properties of magnetite and Co2+ doped magnetite nanoparticles have been carried out using X-ray Diffractometer, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Themogravimetric Analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) and UV-Vis Spectrometer (UV-Vis) respectively. Structural analysis verified the formation of single phase inverse spinel cubic structure with decrease in lattice parameters due to increase in cobalt content. FTIR analysis confirms the single phase of CoxFe3-xO4 nanoparticles with the major band at 887 cm-1, which might be due to the stretching vibrations of metal-oxide bond. The DSC results corroborate the finding of an increase in the maghemite to hematite phase transition temperature with increase in Co2+ content. The decrease in enthalpy with increase in Co2+ concentration attributed to the fact that the degree of conversion from maghemite to hematite decrease which shows that the stability increases with increasing Co2+ content in B-site of Fe3O4 structure. SEM analysis demonstrated the formation of spherical shaped nanoparticles with least agglomeration. The magnetic measurements enlighten that the coercivity and anisotropy of CoxFe3-xO4 nanoparticles are significantly increased. From UV-Vis analysis it is revealed that band gap energy increases with decreasing particle size. This result has a great interest for magnetic fluid hyperthermia application (MPH).

The TPS Advanced Development Project for CEV

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reuther, James; Wercinski, Paul; Venkatapathy, Ethiraj; Ellerby, Don; Raiche, George; Bowman, Lynn; Jones, Craig; Kowal, John

2006-01-01

The CEV TPS Advanced Development Project (ADP) is a NASA in-house activity for providing two heatshield preliminary designs (a Lunar direct return as well as a LEO only return) for the CEV, including the TPS, the carrier structure, the interfaces and the attachments. The project s primary objective is the development of a single heatshield preliminary design that meets both Lunar direct return and LEO return requirements. The effort to develop the Lunar direct return capable heatshield is considered a high risk item for the NASA CEV development effort due to the low TRL (approx. 4) of the candidate TPS materials. By initiating the TPS ADP early in the development cycle, the intent is to use materials analysis and testing in combination with manufacturing demonstrations to reduce the programmatic risk of using advanced TPS technologies in the critical path for CEV. Due to the technical and schedule risks associated a Lunar return heatshield, the ADP will pursue a parallel path design approach, whereby a back-up TPS/heatshield design that only meets LEO return requirements is also developed. The TPS materials and carrier structure design concept selections will be based on testing, analysis, design and evaluation of scalability and manufacturing performed under the ADP. At the TPS PDR, the preferred programmatic strategy is to transfer the continued (detailed) design, development, testing and evaluation (DDT&E) of both the Lunar direct and LEO return designs to a government/prime contractor coordinated sub-system design team. The CEV prime contractor would have responsibility for the continued heatshield sub-system development. Continued government participation would include analysis, testing and evaluation as well as decision authority at TPS Final System Decision (FSD) (choosing between the primary and back-up heatshields) occurring between TPS PDR and TPS Critical Design Review (CDR). After TPS FSD the prime CEV contractor will complete the detailed design, certification testing, procurement, and integration of the CEV TPS.

Efficacy of injecting platelet concentrate combined with hyaluronic acid for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women with history of breast cancer: a phase 2 pilot study.

PubMed

Hersant, Barbara; SidAhmed-Mezi, Mounia; Belkacemi, Yazid; Darmon, Franklin; Bastuji-Garin, Sylvie; Werkoff, Gabrielle; Bosc, Romain; Niddam, Jeremy; Hermeziu, Oana; La Padula, Simone; Meningaud, Jean Paul

2018-05-07

Approximately 50% to 70% of breast cancer survivors are affected by one or more symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA). For those who cannot take hormone therapy, autologous platelet-rich plasma combined with hyaluronic acid (A-PRP-HA) may provide a new alternative therapy for the treatment of VVA in postmenopausal women with history of breast cancer. We enrolled 20 postmenopausal breast cancers survivors with VVA and a score of <15 on the Gloria Bachman Vaginal Health Index (VHI) comprised of five items including: vaginal pH, elasticity, fluid volume (secretions), epithelial integrity, and moisture.We administered intramucosal injections of A-PRP combined with HA (Regenkit) and performed clinical evaluations at 0, 1, 3, and 6 months. Primary endpoint: evaluation of vulvovaginal mucosa changes using the VHI; secondary endpoint: evaluation of dyspareunia and sexual dysfunction based on the Female Sexual Distress (FSD) score. All participants (20 women) showed improvement in the clinical symptoms of vaginal dryness and dyspareunia. The VHI score showed a significant increase at 6 months, going from a total baseline score (pretreatment) of 10.7 ± 2.12 to 20.75 ± 4.8 (P < 0.0001) at 6 months. Improvement in hydration and vaginal epithelial integrity was reported. A VHI score of > 15 showed a successful treatment outcome. The FSD score decreased significantly during the study, from a baseline score of 36.35 ± 2.53 pretreatment to 30.15 ± 2.47 6 months after treatment, representing improvement of 17% (P < 0.0001, respectively). No adverse events were reported. The injection of A-PRP-HA appeared to be a promising method to improve the trophicity and hydration of vaginal mucosa for the treatment of VVA in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors with contraindications to hormone therapy.

Effects of deer velvet extract from Formosan sika deer on the embryonic development and anti-oxidative enzymes mRNA expression in mouse embryos.

PubMed

Cheng, Shih-Lin; Lai, Yi-Ling; Lee, Ming-Che; Shen, Perng-Chih; Liu, Shyh-Shyan; Liu, Bing-Tsan

2014-07-03

The deer velvet or its extracts has been widely used in clinic. It has been used in promoting reproductive performances and treating of oxidation and aging process. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of velvet extract from Formosan sika deer (Formosan sika deer; Cervus nippon taiouanus, FSD) velvet on mouse embryonic development and anti-oxidant ability in vitro. Mouse 4-cells embryos were divided into 16 groups for 72 h in vitro incubation. The embryonic development stages and morphology were evaluated every 12h in experimental period. The quantitative real time PCR was used to measure the CuZn-SOD, GPx and CAT mRNA expression of the blastocysts. The 4-cells embryos of hydrogen peroxide (HP) groups did not continue developing after oxidant stress challenged. The blastocyst developmental rate (90.0-90.4%, P>0.05) and normal morphological rate (84.4-85.1%, P>0.05) of the 1% and 2% DV extract groups were similar to those in the control group (90.7% and 88.8%, respectively). The embryos challenged by HP (5, 10 and 25 μM) and subsequently incubated in mHTF medium with 1% and 2% of deer velvet (DV) extracts were able to continue development; the blastocyst developmental rate of these groups were similar to that in the control group. The relative mRNA expression of the focused anti-oxidative enzymes in the mouse embryos did not significantly differ among the designed DV treatment groups (P>0.05). The FSD velvet extract in adequate concentration could promote anti-oxidative enzymes mRNA expression followed the challenge of hydrogen peroxide, relieve the mouse embryo under oxidative stress, and maintain the blastocyst developmental ability in vitro. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Limited school drinking water access for youth

PubMed Central

Kenney, Erica L.; Gortmaker, Steven L.; Cohen, Juliana F.W.; Rimm, Eric B.; Cradock, Angie L.

2016-01-01

PURPOSE Providing children and youth with safe, adequate drinking water access during school is essential for health. This study utilized objectively measured data to investigate the extent to which schools provide drinking water access that meets state and federal policies. METHODS We visited 59 middle and high schools in Massachusetts during spring 2012. Trained research assistants documented the type, location, and working condition of all water access points throughout each school building using a standard protocol. School food service directors (FSDs) completed surveys reporting water access in cafeterias. We evaluated school compliance with state plumbing codes and federal regulations and compared FSD self-reports of water access with direct observation; data were analyzed in 2014. RESULTS On average, each school had 1.5 (SD: 0.6) water sources per 75 students; 82% (SD: 20) were functioning, and fewer (70%) were both clean and functioning. Less than half of the schools met the federal Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act requirement for free water access during lunch; 18 schools (31%) provided bottled water for purchase but no free water. Slightly over half (59%) met the Massachusetts state plumbing code. FSDs overestimated free drinking water access compared to direct observation (96% FSD-reported versus 48% observed, kappa=0.07, p=0.17). CONCLUSIONS School drinking water access may be limited. In this study, many schools did not meet state or federal policies for minimum student drinking water access. School administrative staff may not accurately report water access. Public health action is needed to increase school drinking water access. IMPLICATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS Adolescents’ water consumption is lower than recommended. In a sample of Massachusetts middle and high schools, about half did not meet federal and state minimum drinking water access policies. Direct observation may improve assessments of drinking water access and could be integrated into routine school food service monitoring protocols. PMID:27235376

Outcome differences in adolescent blunt severe polytrauma patients managed at pediatric versus adult trauma centers.

PubMed

Rogers, Amelia T; Gross, Brian W; Cook, Alan D; Rinehart, Cole D; Lynch, Caitlin A; Bradburn, Eric H; Heinle, Colin C; Jammula, Shreya; Rogers, Frederick B

2017-12-01

Previous research suggests adolescent trauma patients can be managed equally effectively at pediatric and adult trauma centers. We sought to determine whether this association would be upheld for adolescent severe polytrauma patients. We hypothesized that no difference in adjusted outcomes would be observed between pediatric trauma centers (PTCs) and adult trauma centers (ATCs) for this population. All severely injured adolescent (aged 12-17 years) polytrauma patients were extracted from the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcomes Study database from 2003 to 2015. Polytrauma was defined as an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score ≥3 for two or more AIS-defined body regions. Dead on arrival, transfer, and penetrating trauma patients were excluded from analysis. ATC were defined as adult-only centers, whereas standalone pediatric hospitals and adult centers with pediatric affiliation were considered PTC. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression models assessed the adjusted impact of center type on mortality and total complications while controlling for age, shock index, Injury Severity Score, Glasgow Coma Scale motor score, trauma center level, case volume, and injury year. A generalized linear mixed model characterized functional status at discharge (FSD) while controlling for the same variables. A total of 1,606 patients met inclusion criteria (PTC: 868 [54.1%]; ATC: 738 [45.9%]), 139 (8.66%) of which died in-hospital. No significant difference in mortality (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.10, 95% CI 0.54-2.24; p = 0.794; area under the receiver operating characteristic: 0.89) was observed between designations in adjusted analysis; however, FSD (AOR: 0.38, 95% CI 0.15-0.97; p = 0.043) was found to be lower and total complication trends higher (AOR: 1.78, 95% CI 0.98-3.32; p = 0.058) at PTC for adolescent polytrauma patients. Contrary to existing literature on adolescent trauma patients, our results suggest patients aged 12-17 presenting with polytrauma may experience improved overall outcomes when managed at adult compared to pediatric trauma centers. Epidemiologic study, level III.

The SPRING Nanoenergetics Hub at UTD

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-12-01

synthesis and processing of advanced nanostructured materials, the structure and property characterization needed for materials optimization, the...nano-particles into hexane solvent a deposited films. Here we are modeling that processes to see how the droplet evaporation progresses in time. What...nanofibers was determined by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) (Scintag XDS 2000 X-ray diffractometer with Cu Ka radiation). The fiber morphology was

Crystal and Vibrational Structure of Energetic 3,5-dinitro 1,3,5-oxadiazinane (DOD) by Single Crystal X-ray Diffractometry and Raman Spectroscopy

DTIC Science & Technology

2018-03-19

calculations using a temperature of 298 K. 15. SUBJECT TERMS 3,5-dinitro-1,3,5-oxadiazinane (DOD), X-ray crystallography , Raman, energetic material...X-ray analysis. 2.2 Characterization X-ray Crystallography . DOD crystals were characterized with a SuperNova, Dualflex, EosS2 diffractometer using

In situ surface/interface x-ray diffractometer for oxide molecular beam epitaxy

DOE PAGES

Lee, J. H.; Tung, I. C.; Chang, S. -H.; ...

2016-01-05

In situ studies of oxide molecular beam epitaxy by synchrotron x-ray scattering has been made possible by upgrading an existing UHV/molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) six-circle diffractometer system. For oxide MBE growth, pure ozone delivery to the chamber has been made available, and several new deposition sources have been made available on a new 12 in. CF (ConFlat, a registered trademark of Varian, Inc.) flange. X-ray diffraction has been used as a major probe for film growth and structures for the system. In the original design, electron diffraction was intended for the secondary diagnostics available without the necessity of the x-raymore » and located at separate positions. Deposition of films was made possible at the two diagnostic positions. And, the aiming of the evaporation sources is fixed to the point between two locations. Ozone can be supplied through two separate nozzles for each location. Also two separate thickness monitors are installed. Finally, additional features of the equipment are also presented together with the data taken during typical oxide film growth to illustrate the depth of information available via in situ x-ray techniques.« less

Low dose radiation damage effects in silicon strip detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wiącek, P.; Dąbrowski, W.

2016-11-01

The radiation damage effects in silicon segmented detectors caused by X-rays have become recently an important research topic driven mainly by development of new detectors for applications at the European X-ray Free Electron Laser (E-XFEL). However, radiation damage in silicon strip is observed not only after extreme doses up to 1 GGy expected at E-XFEL, but also at doses in the range of tens of Gy, to which the detectors in laboratory instruments like X-ray diffractometers or X-ray spectrometers can be exposed. In this paper we report on investigation of radiation damage effects in a custom developed silicon strip detector used in laboratory diffractometers equipped with X-ray tubes. Our results show that significant degradation of detector performance occurs at low doses, well below 200 Gy, which can be reached during normal operation of laboratory instruments. Degradation of the detector energy resolution can be explained by increasing leakage current and increasing interstrip capacitance of the sensor. Another observed effect caused by accumulation of charge trapped in the surface oxide layer is change of charge division between adjacent strips. In addition, we have observed unexpected anomalies in the annealing process.

JPRS Report Science & Technology Japan

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-06-02

Electronics •Superconducting Wiring in LSI •One Wafer Computer •Josephson Devices •SQUID Devices Infrared Sensor Magnetic Sensor •Superconducting...Guinier- de Wolff monochromatic focusing camera (CoK* radiation) and with Philips APD-10 auto-powder diffractometer (CuKÄ radiation). Pure Si was used as...crystallized and smooth surface. The values indicated in Fig. 2 were the thickness monitored by a quartz oscillating sensor located near the

Single-crystal diffraction instrument TriCS at SINQ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schefer, J.; Könnecke, M.; Murasik, A.; Czopnik, A.; Strässle, Th; Keller, P.; Schlumpf, N.

2000-03-01

The single-crystal diffractometer TriCS at the Swiss Continuous Spallation Source (SINQ) is presently in the commissioning phase. A two-dimensional wire detector produced by EMBL was delivered in March 1999. The instrument is presently tested with a single detector. First measurements on magnetic structures have been performed. The instrument is remotely controlled using JAVA-based software and a UNIX DEC-α host computer.

Better powder diffractometers. II—Optimal choice of U, V and W

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cussen, L. D.

2007-12-01

This article presents a technique for optimising constant wavelength (CW) neutron powder diffractometers (NPDs) using conventional nonlinear least squares methods. This is believed to be the first such design optimisation for a neutron spectrometer. The validity of this approach and discussion should extend beyond the Gaussian element approximation used and also to instruments using different radiation, such as X-rays. This approach could later be extended to include vertical and perhaps horizontal focusing monochromators and probably other types of instruments such as three axis spectrometers. It is hoped that this approach will help in comparisons of CW and time-of-flight (TOF) instruments. Recent work showed that many different beam element combinations can give identical resolution on CW NPDs and presented a procedure to find these combinations and also find an "optimum" choice of detector collimation. Those results enable the previous redundancy in the description of instrument performance to be removed and permit a least squares optimisation of design. New inputs are needed and are identified as the sample plane spacing ( dS) of interest in the measurement. The optimisation requires a "quality factor", QPD, chosen here to be minimising the worst Bragg peak separation ability over some measurement range ( dS) while maintaining intensity. Any other QPD desired could be substituted. It is argued that high resolution and high intensity powder diffractometers (HRPDs and HIPDs) should have similar designs adjusted by a single scaling factor. Simulated comparisons are described suggesting significant improvements in performance for CW HIPDs. Optimisation with unchanged wavelength suggests improvements by factors of about 2 for HRPDs and 25 for HIPDs. A recently quantified design trade-off between the maximum line intensity possible and the degree of variation of angular resolution over the scattering angle range leads to efficiency gains at short wavelengths. This in turn leads in practice to another trade-off between this efficiency gain and losses at short wavelength due to technical effects. The exact gains from varying wavelength depend on the details of the short wavelength technical losses. Simulations suggest that the total potential PD performance gains may be very significant-factors of about 3 for HRPDs and more than 90 for HIPDs.

Standard Reference Material (SRM 1990) for Single Crystal Diffractometer Alignment

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wong-Ng, W.; Siegrist, T.; DeTitta, G.T.; Finger, L.W.; Evans, H.T.; Gabe, E.J.; Enright, G.D.; Armstrong, J.T.; Levenson, M.; Cook, L.P.; Hubbard, C.R.

2001-01-01

An international project was successfully completed which involved two major undertakings: (1) a round-robin to demonstrate the viability of the selected standard and (2) the certification of the lattice parameters of the SRM 1990, a Standard Reference Material?? for single crystal diffractometer alignment. This SRM is a set of ???3500 units of Cr-doped Al2O3, or ruby spheres [(0 420.011 mole fraction % Cr (expanded uncertainty)]. The round-robin consisted of determination of lattice parameters of a pair of crystals' the ruby sphere as a standard, and a zeolite reference to serve as an unknown. Fifty pairs of crystals were dispatched from Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute to volunteers in x-ray laboratories world-wide. A total of 45 sets of data was received from 32 laboratories. The mean unit cell parameters of the ruby spheres was found to be a=4.7608 A?? ?? 0.0062 A??, and c=12.9979 A?? ?? 0.020 A?? (95 % intervals of the laboratory means). The source of errors of outlier data was identified. The SRM project involved the certification of lattice parameters using four well-aligned single crystal diffractometers at (Bell Laboratories) Lucent Technologies and at NRC of Canada (39 ruby spheres), the quantification of the Cr content using a combined microprobe and SEM/EDS technique, and the evaluation of the mosaicity of the ruby spheres using a double-crystal spectrometry method. A confirmation of the lattice parameters was also conducted using a Guinier-Ha??gg camera. Systematic corrections of thermal expansion and refraction corrections were applied. These rubies_ are rhombohedral, with space group R3c. The certified mean unit cell parameters are a=4.76080 ?? 0.00029 A??, and c=12 99568 A?? ?? 0.00087 A?? (expanded uncertainty). These certified lattice parameters fall well within the results of those obtained from the international round-robin study. The Guinier-Ha??gg transmission measurements on five samples of powdered rubies (a=4.7610 A?? ?? 0.0013 A??, and c=12.9954 A?? ?? 0.0034 A??) agreed well with the values obtained from the single crystal spheres.

Standard Reference Material (SRM 1990) For Single Crystal Diffractometer Alignment

PubMed Central

Wong-Ng, W.; Siegrist, T.; DeTitta, G. T.; Finger, L. W.; Evans, H. T.; Gabe, E. J.; Enright, G. D.; Armstrong, J. T.; Levenson, M.; Cook, L. P.; Hubbard, C. R.

2001-01-01

An international project was successfully completed which involved two major undertakings: (1) a round-robin to demonstrate the viability of the selected standard and (2) the certification of the lattice parameters of the SRM 1990, a Standard Reference Material® for single crystal diffractometer alignment. This SRM is a set of ≈3500 units of Cr-doped Al2O3, or ruby spheres [(0.420.011 mole fraction % Cr (expanded uncertainty)]. The round-robin consisted of determination of lattice parameters of a pair of crystals: the ruby sphere as a standard, and a zeolite reference to serve as an unknown. Fifty pairs of crystals were dispatched from Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute to volunteers in x-ray laboratories world-wide. A total of 45 sets of data was received from 32 laboratories. The mean unit cell parameters of the ruby spheres was found to be a=4.7608 ű0.0062 Å, and c=12.9979 ű0.020 Å (95 % intervals of the laboratory means). The source of errors of outlier data was identified. The SRM project involved the certification of lattice parameters using four well-aligned single crystal diffractometers at (Bell Laboratories) Lucent Technologies and at NRC of Canada (39 ruby spheres), the quantification of the Cr content using a combined microprobe and SEM/EDS technique, and the evaluation of the mosaicity of the ruby spheres using a double-crystal spectrometry method. A confirmation of the lattice parameters was also conducted using a Guinier-Hägg camera. Systematic corrections of thermal expansion and refraction corrections were applied. These rubies– are rhombohedral, with space group R3¯c. The certified mean unit cell parameters are a=4.76080±0.00029 Å, and c=12.99568 ű0.00087 Å (expanded uncertainty). These certified lattice parameters fall well within the results of those obtained from the international round-robin study. The Guinier-Hägg transmission measurements on five samples of powdered rubies (a=4.7610 ű0.0013 Å, and c = 12.9954 ű0.0034 Å) agreed well with the values obtained from the single crystal spheres. PMID:27500067

Acquisition of an X-Ray Diffractometer with WAXS and SAXS for Materials Research

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-31

2. This ligand is known as a sensitizer for applications in dye -sensitized solar cells, and the presence of the amino groups could potentially...achieve different surface properties, thus making them excellent candidates for use as fillers in bio-based biodegradable composite materials...These CNCs are environmentally safe sustainable, biodegradable , carbon neutral, and have low environmental, health and safety risks. Figure 9 below

A User’s Manual for Fiber Diffraction: The Automated Picker and Huber Diffractometers

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-07-01

17 3. Layer line scan of degummed silk ( Bombyx mori ) ................................. 18...index (arbitrary units) Figure 3. Layer line scan of degummed silk ( Bombyx mori ) showing layers 0 through 6. If the fit is rejected, new values for... originally made at intervals larger than 0.010. The smoothing and interpolation is done by a least-squares polynomial fit to segments of the data. The number

Bruker SMART X2S Benchtop System: A Means to Making X-Ray Crystallography More Mainstream in the Undergraduate Laboratory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guzei, Ilia A.; Hill, Nicholas J.; Zakai, Uzma I.

2010-01-01

Bruker SMART X2S is a portable benchtop diffractometer that requires only a 110 V outlet to operate. The instrument operation is intuitive and facile with an automation layer governing the workflow from behind the scenes. The user participation is minimal. At the end of an experiment, the instrument attempts to solve the structure automatically;…

Design and implementation of a multiaxial loading capability during heating on an engineering neutron diffractometer.

PubMed

Benafan, O; Padula, S A; Skorpenske, H D; An, K; Vaidyanathan, R

2014-10-01

A gripping capability was designed, implemented, and tested for in situ neutron diffraction measurements during multiaxial loading and heating on the VULCAN engineering materials diffractometer at the spallation neutron source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The proposed capability allowed for the acquisition of neutron spectra during tension, compression, torsion, and/or complex loading paths at elevated temperatures. The design consisted of age-hardened, Inconel(®) 718 grips with direct attachment to the existing MTS load frame having axial and torsional capacities of 100 kN and 400 N·m, respectively. Internal cooling passages were incorporated into the gripping system for fast cooling rates during high temperature experiments up to ∼1000 K. The specimen mounting couplers combined a threaded and hexed end-connection for ease of sample installation/removal without introducing any unwanted loads. Instrumentation of this capability is documented in this work along with various performance parameters. The gripping system was utilized to investigate deformation in NiTi shape memory alloys under various loading/control modes (e.g., isothermal, isobaric, and cyclic), and preliminary results are presented. The measurements facilitated the quantification of the texture, internal strain, and phase fraction evolution in NiTi shape memory alloys under various loading/control modes.

A new fast detection system at the KWS-2 high-intensity SANS diffractometer of the JCNS at MLZ - prototype test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Radulescu, A.; Arend, N.; Drochner, M.; Ioffe, A.; Kemmerling, G.; Ossovyi, V.; Staringer, S.; Vehres, G.; McKinny, K.; Olechnowicz, B.; Yen, D.

2016-09-01

A new detection system based on an array of 3He tubes and innovative fast detection electronics was designed and produced by GE Reuter Stokes for the high-intensity small-angle neutron scattering diffractometer KWS-2, operated by the Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS) at the Heinz Meier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ). The new detector consists of a panel array of 144 3He tubes and a new fast read-out electronics. The electronics is mounted in a closed case in the backside of the 3He tubes panel array and will operate at ambient atmosphere under cooling air stream. The new detection system is composed of eighteen 8-pack modules of 3He-tubes that work independently of one another (each unit has its own processor and electronics). Knowing beforehand the performance of one detector unit and of one single tube detector is prerequisite for tuning and maximizing the performance of the complete detection system. In this paper we present the results of the tests of the prototyped 8-pack of 3He-tubes and corresponding electronics, which have been carried out at the JCNS instruments KWS-2 (in high flux conditions) and TREFF.

Design and implementation of a multiaxial loading capability during heating on an engineering neutron diffractometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benafan, O.; Padula, S. A.; Skorpenske, H. D.; An, K.; Vaidyanathan, R.

2014-10-01

A gripping capability was designed, implemented, and tested for in situ neutron diffraction measurements during multiaxial loading and heating on the VULCAN engineering materials diffractometer at the spallation neutron source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The proposed capability allowed for the acquisition of neutron spectra during tension, compression, torsion, and/or complex loading paths at elevated temperatures. The design consisted of age-hardened, Inconel® 718 grips with direct attachment to the existing MTS load frame having axial and torsional capacities of 100 kN and 400 N.m, respectively. Internal cooling passages were incorporated into the gripping system for fast cooling rates during high temperature experiments up to ˜1000 K. The specimen mounting couplers combined a threaded and hexed end-connection for ease of sample installation/removal without introducing any unwanted loads. Instrumentation of this capability is documented in this work along with various performance parameters. The gripping system was utilized to investigate deformation in NiTi shape memory alloys under various loading/control modes (e.g., isothermal, isobaric, and cyclic), and preliminary results are presented. The measurements facilitated the quantification of the texture, internal strain, and phase fraction evolution in NiTi shape memory alloys under various loading/control modes.

Reciprocal Space Mapping of Macromolecular Crystals in the Laboratory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Snell, Edward H.; Boggon, T. J.; Fewster, P. F.; Siddons, D. P.; Stojanof, V.; Pusey, M. L.

1998-01-01

The technique of reciprocal space mapping applied to the physical measurement of macromolecular crystals will be described. This technique uses a triple axis diffractometer setup whereby the monochromator is the first crystal, the sample is the second and the third crystal (of the same material as the monochromator) analyzes the diffracted beam. The geometry is such that it is possible to separate mosaic volume effects from lattice strain effects. The deconvolution of the instrument parameters will also be addressed. Results from measurements at Brookhaven National Synchrotron Radiation Source carried out on microgravity and ground-grown crystals will be presented. The required beam characteristics for reciprocal space mapping are also ideal for topographic studies and the first topographs ever recorded from microgravity protein crystal samples will be shown. We are now working on a system which will enable reciprocal space mapping, mosaicity and topography studies to be carried out in the home laboratory. This system uses a rotating anode X-ray source to provide an intense beam then a Bartels double crystal, four reflection monochromator to provide the spectral and geometric beam conditioning necessary such that the instrument characteristics do not mask the measurement. This is coupled to a high precision diffractometer and sensitive detector. Commissioning data and first results from the system will be presented.

Energy research with neutrons (ErwiN) and installation of a fast neutron powder diffraction option at the MLZ, Germany1

PubMed Central

Mühlbauer, Martin J.

2018-01-01

The need for rapid data collection and studies of small sample volumes in the range of cubic millimetres are the main driving forces for the concept of a new high-throughput monochromatic diffraction instrument at the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ), Germany. A large region of reciprocal space will be accessed by a detector with sufficient dynamic range and microsecond time resolution, while allowing for a variety of complementary sample environments. The medium-resolution neutron powder diffraction option for ‘energy research with neutrons’ (ErwiN) at the high-flux FRM II neutron source at the MLZ is foreseen to meet future demand. ErwiN will address studies of energy-related systems and materials with respect to their structure and uniformity by means of bulk and spatially resolved neutron powder diffraction. A set of experimental options will be implemented, enabling time-resolved studies, rapid parametric measurements as a function of external parameters and studies of small samples using an adapted radial collimator. The proposed powder diffraction option ErwiN will bridge the gap in functionality between the high-resolution powder diffractometer SPODI and the time-of-flight diffractometers POWTEX and SAPHiR at the MLZ. PMID:29896055

Experience with exchange and archiving of raw data: comparison of data from two diffractometers and four software packages on a series of lysozyme crystals.

PubMed

Tanley, Simon W M; Schreurs, Antoine M M; Helliwell, John R; Kroon-Batenburg, Loes M J

2013-02-01

The International Union of Crystallography has for many years been advocating archiving of raw data to accompany structural papers. Recently, it initiated the formation of the Diffraction Data Deposition Working Group with the aim of developing standards for the representation of these data. A means of studying this issue is to submit exemplar publications with associated raw data and metadata. A recent study on the effects of dimethyl sulfoxide on the binding of cisplatin and carboplatin to histidine in 11 different lysozyme crystals from two diffractometers led to an investigation of the possible effects of the equipment and X-ray diffraction data processing software on the calculated occupancies and B factors of the bound Pt compounds. 35.3 Gb of data were transferred from Manchester to Utrecht to be processed with EVAL. A systematic comparison shows that the largest differences in the occupancies and B factors of the bound Pt compounds are due to the software, but the equipment also has a noticeable effect. A detailed description of and discussion on the availability of metadata is given. By making these raw diffraction data sets available via a local depository, it is possible for the diffraction community to make their own evaluation as they may wish.

Single Crystal Diffractometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arndt, U. W.; Willis, B. T. M.

2009-06-01

Preface; Acknowledgements; Part I. Introduction; Part II. Diffraction Geometry; Part III. The Design of Diffractometers; Part IV. Detectors; Part V. Electronic Circuits; Part VI. The Production of the Primary Beam (X-rays); Part VII. The Production of the Primary Beam (Neutrons); Part VIII. The Background; Part IX. Systematic Errors in Measuring Relative Integrated Intensities; Part X. Procedure for Measuring Integrated Intensities; Part XI. Derivation and Accuracy of Structure Factors; Part XII. Computer Programs and On-line Control; Appendix; References; Index.

Unusual Thermal Stability of High-Entropy Alloy Amorphous Structure

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-20

incident angle X - ray diffractometer (GIAXRD, RIGAKU D/MAX2500) with Cu Kα radiation and at the incident angle of 1°. The surface morphology and...microanalyzer (EPMA, JEOL JAX-8800). The crystallographic structures of as-deposited and annealed metallic films were characterized utilizing a glancing ...field image and selected-area- diffraction (SAD) patterns of (a) 800 °C-, (b) 850 °C- and (c) 900 °C-annealed alloy thin films, respectively. Both

Boron Carbide Aluminum Cermets for External Pressure Housing Applications

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-09-01

CHEMISTRY AND MICROSTRUCTURES OF THE B4C/Al SYSTEM ......................................... 4 3.2 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF B4C/AI COMPOSITES ....... 10...TABLES 1. Phase chemistry of B4C/A1 composites as a function of baking temperature (by stereology) .................. ...... 10 2. Summary of the...diffractometer using CuKo radiation and a scan rate of 2° per minute. The chemistry of all phases was determined from electron microprobe analysis of

Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of a novel supramolecular network compound of Co(NIA) 2(H 2O) 4 with molecular ladder hydrogen bond chains (NIA=nicotinate)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jia, Hong-Bin; Yu, Jie-Hui; Xu, Ji-Qing; Ye, Ling; Ding, Hong; Jing, Wei-Jie; Wang, Tie-Gang; Xu, Jia-Ning; Li, Zeng-Chun

2002-10-01

By hydrothermal method, a novel supramolecular compound, Co(NIA) 2(H 2O) 4 was synthesized and its structure was characterized with elemental analysis, FT-IR spectrum, TGA and X-ray diffractometer, indicating that it is a novel polyporous supramolecule with molecular ladder hydrogen-bonded chains. TGA curve shows its thermal stability up to 520 °C.

Molecular cloning and gene expression analysis of Ercc6l in Sika deer (Cervus nippon hortulorum).

PubMed

Yin, Yupeng; Tang, Lina; Zhang, Jiabao; Tang, Bo; Li, Ziyi

2011-01-01

One important protein family that functions in nucleotide excision repair (NER) factors is the SNF2 family. A newly identified mouse ERCC6-like gene, Ercc6l (excision repair cross-complementing rodent repair deficiency, complementation group 6-like), has been shown to be another developmentally related member of the SNF2 family. In this study, Sika deer Ercc6l cDNA was first cloned and then sequenced. The full-length cDNA of the Sika deer Ercc6l gene is 4197 bp and contains a 3732 bp open reading frame that encodes a putative protein of 1243 amino acids. The similarity of Sika deer Ercc6l to Bos taurus Ercc6l is 94.05% at the amino acid sequence level. The similarity, however, is reduced to 68.42-82.21% when compared to Ercc6l orthologs in other mammals and to less than 50% compared to orthologs in Gallus gallus and Xenopus. Additionally, the expression of Ercc6l mRNA was investigated in the organs of fetal and adult Sika deer (FSD and ASD, respectively) by quantitative RT-PCR. The common expression level of Ercc6l mRNA in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, and stomach from six different developmental stages of 18 Sika deer were examined, though the expression levels in each organ varied among individual Sika deer. During development, there was a slight trend toward decreased Ercc61 mRNA expression. The highest Ercc6l expression levels were seen at 3 months old in every organ and showed the highest level of detection in the spleen of FSD. The lowest Ercc6l expression levels were seen at 3 years old. We are the first to successfully clone Sika deer Ercc6l mRNA. Ercc6l transcript is present in almost every organ. During Sika deer development, there is a slight trend toward decreased Ercc61 mRNA expression. It is possible that Ercc6l has other roles in embryonic development and in maintaining the growth of animals.

Molecular Cloning and Gene Expression Analysis of Ercc6l in Sika Deer (Cervus nippon hortulorum)

PubMed Central

Zhang, Jiabao; Tang, Bo; Li, Ziyi

2011-01-01

Background One important protein family that functions in nucleotide excision repair (NER) factors is the SNF2 family. A newly identified mouse ERCC6-like gene, Ercc6l (excision repair cross-complementing rodent repair deficiency, complementation group 6-like), has been shown to be another developmentally related member of the SNF2 family. Methodology/Principal Findings In this study, Sika deer Ercc6l cDNA was first cloned and then sequenced. The full-length cDNA of the Sika deer Ercc6l gene is 4197 bp and contains a 3732 bp open reading frame that encodes a putative protein of 1243 amino acids. The similarity of Sika deer Ercc6l to Bos taurus Ercc6l is 94.05% at the amino acid sequence level. The similarity, however, is reduced to 68.42–82.21% when compared to Ercc6l orthologs in other mammals and to less than 50% compared to orthologs in Gallus gallus and Xenopus. Additionally, the expression of Ercc6l mRNA was investigated in the organs of fetal and adult Sika deer (FSD and ASD, respectively) by quantitative RT-PCR. The common expression level of Ercc6l mRNA in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, and stomach from six different developmental stages of 18 Sika deer were examined, though the expression levels in each organ varied among individual Sika deer. During development, there was a slight trend toward decreased Ercc61 mRNA expression. The highest Ercc6l expression levels were seen at 3 months old in every organ and showed the highest level of detection in the spleen of FSD. The lowest Ercc6l expression levels were seen at 3 years old. Conclusions/Significance We are the first to successfully clone Sika deer Ercc6l mRNA. Ercc6l transcript is present in almost every organ. During Sika deer development, there is a slight trend toward decreased Ercc61 mRNA expression. It is possible that Ercc6l has other roles in embryonic development and in maintaining the growth of animals. PMID:21695076

SU-F-I-77: Radiation Dose in Cardiac Catheterization Procedures: Impact of a Systematic Reduction in Pulsed Fluoroscopy Frame Rate

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

Schultz, C; Dixon, S

Purpose: To evaluate whether one small systematic reduction in fluoroscopy frame rate has a significant effect on the total air kerma and/or dose area product for diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization procedures. Methods: The default fluoroscopy frame rate (FFR) was lowered from 15 to 10 fps in 5 Siemens™ Axiom Artis cardiac catheterization labs (CCL) on July 1, 2013. A total of 7212 consecutive diagnostic and interventional CCL procedures were divided into two study groups: 3602 procedures from 10/1/12 –6/30/13 with FFR of 15 fps; and 3610 procedures 7/1/13 – 3/31/14 at 10 fps. For each procedure, total air kermamore » (TAK), fluoroscopy skin dose (FSD), total/fluoroscopy dose area products (TAD, FAD), and total fluoroscopy time (FT) were recorded. Patient specific data collected for each procedure included: BSA, sex, height, weight, interventional versus diagnostic; and elective versus emergent. Results: For pre to post change in FFR, each categorical variable was compared using Pearson’s Chi-square test, Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. No statistically significant difference in BSA, height, weight, number of interventional versus diagnostic, elective versus emergent procedures was found between the two study groups. Decreasing the default FFR from 15 fps to 10 fps in the two study groups significantly reduced TAK from 1305 to 1061 mGy (p<0.0001), FSD from 627 to 454 mGy (p<0.0001), TAD from 8681 to 6991 uGy × m{sup 2}(p<0.0001), and FAD from 4493 to 3297 uGy × m{sup 2}(p<0.0001). No statistically significant difference in FT was noted. Clinical image quality was not analyzed, and reports of noticeable effects were minimal. From July 1, 2013 to date, the default FFR has remained 10 fps. Conclusion: Reducing the FFR from 15 to 10 fps significantly reduced total air kerma and dose area product which may decrease risk for potential radiation-induced skin injuries and improve patient outcomes.« less

Characterization and Selection of Polymer Materials for Binary Munitions Storage. Part 3. Branch Content Determination.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-09-01

accuracy. The data aquisition system combines a position- sensitive X-ray detector with a 65 kilobyte microcomputer capable of operating as a...The rapid X-ray diffraction system measures intensity versus 20 patterns by placing the detector with its sensitivity axis positioned parallel to the...plane of the diffractometer (see Figure 2). As shown in Figure 2, the detector sensitivity axis z is coplanar with both the incident beam and the

A brief History of Neutron Scattering at the Oak Ridge High Flux Isotope Reactor

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

Nagler, Stephen E; Mook Jr, Herbert A

2008-01-01

Neutron scattering at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory dates back to 1945 when Ernest Wollan installed a modified x-ray diffractometer on a beam port of the original graphite reactor. Subsequently, Wollan and Clifford Shull pioneered neutron diffraction and laid the foundation for an active neutron scattering effort that continued through the 1950s, using the Oak Ridge Research reactor after 1958, and, starting in 1966, the High Flux Isotope Reactor, or HFIR.

Mesoporous Nitrogen Doped Carbon-Glass Ceramic Cathode for High Performance Lithium-Oxygen Battery

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-01

dry room with controlled moisture content. Composite 3 films on nickel foam were used as working cathodes along with lithium metal as anode and the...cathode formulation [6,7,8,9,10], efficient oxygen reduction catalysts [11,12], electrolyte compositions [13,14], effect of moisture [15], etc...specimens. Structure and purity of these materials were performed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) on a Rigaku D/MAX-2250 diffractometer fitted with CuKα

Novel Epitaxy Between Oxides and Semiconductors - Growth and Interfacial Structures

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-05-16

observed to be impressively good. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Nanotechnology, Gallium Nitride 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT Same as...with precursors or gases, a high-purity sapphire was employed in this work. E-beam evaporation was used due to the high melting point of sapphire, and...were carried out on a four-circle triple -axes diffractometer, using a 12 kW rotating anode Cu K-alpha source. A pair of graphite crystals is used to

Software engineering and Ada in design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oneill, Don

1986-01-01

Modern software engineering promises significant reductions in software costs and improvements in software quality. The Ada language is the focus for these software methodology and tool improvements. The IBM FSD approach, including the software engineering practices that guide the systematic design and development of software products and the management of the software process are examined. The revised Ada design language adaptation is revealed. This four level design methodology is detailed including the purpose of each level, the management strategy that integrates the software design activity with the program milestones, and the technical strategy that maps the Ada constructs to each level of design. A complete description of each design level is provided along with specific design language recording guidelines for each level. Finally, some testimony is offered on education, tools, architecture, and metrics resulting from project use of the four level Ada design language adaptation.

The Wide Angle Neutron Diffractometer (WAND) at HFIR: possibilities and future

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frontzek, Matthias; Andrews, Katie M.; Chakoumakos, Bryan C.

The Wide Angle Neutron Diffractometer (WAND) at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has been built and continues to be, a joint project between ORNL and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency. Equipped with a 1-dimensional position sensitive detector (PSD), the instrument is a multi-purpose instrument for both powder and single crystal diffraction. WAND is currently in the process of a 2-phase upgrade to become a world class, general purpose instrument. In phase 1, finished in the beginning of 2016, the whole instrument was practically re-built from scratch, keeping only the front end and the 1-D PSD. Phase 2 will replace the 1-D PSD with the state of the art BNL120 2D-PSD which comes from the Lujan Neutron Scattering Center. We are currently integrating the detector off-line into the data acquisition architecture at HFIR. The new instrument, WAND2, will be available for general users in the proposal call 2018A. In our contribution we present results from experiments on WAND after phase 1. The upgrade now allows mounting the whole suite of available sample environment (50 mK to 1500 K, magnetic fields (5 T), high pressures (4 GPa)). We will further discuss the scientific impact the new capabilities of WAND2 will have.

Structural studies on artificial sweeteners: itN-(4-(1-propyloxy)-phenyl)-urea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hooft, Rob W. W.; Kanters, Jan A.; Kroon, Jan

1991-12-01

C 10N 2O 2H 14, M r=194.23, triclinic, itP1. At T=298 K: a=7.0292 (12), b=7.0394 (14), c=21.761 (2) Å, α=97.637 (13), β=97.326 (12), γ=96.14 (2)°, V=1050.0 (3) Å 3, Z=4, Dx=1.229 Mg m -3, λ(Cu Kα)=1.54184 Å, μ=6.7 cm -1, F(000)=416 and R=0.037 for 4268 unique observed diffractometer data (itI≥ 2.5σ(itI)). At T=100 K: a=6.8724 (4), b=6.8748 (6), c=21.773 (3) Å, α=96.680 (8), β=97.010 (7), γ=94.558 (6)°, V= 1009.5 (2) Å 3, Z=4, Dx=1.278 Mg m -3, λ(Mo Kα)=0.71073 Å, μ=0.8cm -1, F(000)=416 and R=0.056 for 3765 unique observed diffractometer data (itI≥2.5σ(itI)). At room temperature the methyl group C atoms have a high thermal motion which is possibly librational. The molecules form NH⋯0-type hydrogen-bonded networks, each oxygen accepting three hydrogen bonds. A systematic search for the so-called AH⋯B moieties which are thought to be responsible for the sweet taste revealed a number of possible candidates.

Ca-doped LTO using waste eggshells as Ca source to improve the discharge capacity of anode material for lithium-ion battery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Setiawan, D.; Subhan, A.; Saptari, S. A.

2017-07-01

The necessity of high charge-discharge capacity lithium-ion battery becomes very urgent due to its applications demand. Several researches have been done to meet the demand including Ca doping on Li4Ti5O12 for anode material of lithium-ion batteries. Ca-doped Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) in the form of Li4-xCaxTi5O12 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.075, and 0.1) have been synthesized using simple solid state reaction. The materials preparation involved waste eggshells in the form of CaCO3 as Ca source. The structure and capacity of as-prepared samples were characterized using X-Ray Diffractometer and Cyclic Voltametry. X-Ray Diffractometer characterization revealed that all amount of dopant had entered the lattice structure of LTO successfully. The crystalline sizes were obtained by using Scherrer equation. No significant differences are detected in lattice parameters (˜8.35 Å) and crystalline sizes (˜27 nm) between all samples. Cyclic Voltametry characterization shows that Li4-xCaxTi5O12 (x = 0.05) has highest charge-discharge capacity of 177.14 mAh/g and 181.92 mAh/g, respectively. Redox-potentials of samples show no significant differences with the average of 1.589 V.

Synthesis and luminescence properties of Sm3+ doped CaTiO3 nanophosphor for application in white LED under NUV excitation.

PubMed

Shivaram, M; Nagabhushana, H; Sharma, S C; Prashantha, S C; Daruka Prasad, B; Dhananjaya, N; Hari Krishna, R; Nagabhushana, B M; Shivakumara, C; Chakradhar, R P S

2014-07-15

CaTiO3:Sm(3+) (1-11 mol%) nanophosphors were successfully synthesized by a low temperature solution combustion method [LCS]. The structural and morphological properties of the phosphors were studied by using Powder X-ray diffractometer (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM studies indicate that the size of the phosphor is ∼20-35 nm. Photoluminescence (PL) properties of Sm(3+) (1-11 mol%) doped CaTiO3 for NUV excitation (407 nm) was studied in order to investigate the possibility of its use in White light emitting diode (WLED) applications. The emission spectra consists of intra 4f transitions of Sm(3+), such as (4)G5/2→(6)H5/2 (561 nm), (4)G5/2→(6)H7/2 (601-611 nm), (4)G5/2→(6)H9/2 (648 nm) and (4)G5/2→(6)H11/2 (703 nm) respectively. Further, the emission at 601-611 nm show strong orange-red emission and can be applied to the orange-red emission of phosphor for the application for near ultra violet (NUV) excitation. Thermoluminescence (TL) of the samples irradiated with gamma source in the dose range 100-500 Gy was recorded at a heating rate of 5°Cs(-1). Two well resolved glow peaks at 164°C and 214°C along with shouldered peak at 186°C were recorded. TL intensity increases up to 300 Gy and thereafter, it decreases with further increase of dose. The kinetic parameters namely activation energy (E), frequency factor (s) and order of kinetics were estimated and results were discussed in detail. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Optimization of reaction conditions to fabricate nano-silver using Couroupita guianensis Aubl. (leaf & fruit) and its enhanced larvicidal effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vimala, R. T. V.; Sathishkumar, Gnanasekar; Sivaramakrishnan, Sivaperumal

2015-01-01

Currently bioactive principles of plants and their nanoproducts have been extensively studied in agriculture and medicine. In this study Couroupita guianensis Aubl. leaf and fruit extracts were selected for rapid and cost-effective synthesis of silver nanoparticles (leaf-LAgNPs and fruit-FAgNPs). Various physiological conditions such as temperature, pH, concentration of metal ions, stoichiometric proportion of reaction mixture and reaction time showed influence on the size, dispersity and synthesis rate of AgNPs. Generation of AgNPs was initially confirmed with the surface plasmon vibrations at 420 nm in UV-visible spectrophotometer. The results recorded from X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and Transmission electron microscope (TEM) supports the biosynthesis of cubic crystalline LAgNPs & FAgNPs with the size ranges between 10-45 nm and 5-15 nm respectively. Surface chemistry of synthesized AgNPs was studied with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), it reveals that water soluble phenolic compounds present in the extracts act as reducing and stabilizing agent. Leaf, fruit extracts and synthesized AgNPs were evaluated against IV instar larvae of Aedes aegypti (Diptera; Culicidae). Furthermore, different extracts and synthesized AgNPs showed dose dependent larvicidal effect against A. aegypti after 24 h of treatment. Compare to all extracts such as ethyl acetate (leaf; LC50 - 44.55 ppm and LC90 - 318.39 ppm & fruit; LC50 - 49.96 ppm and LC90 - 568.84 ppm respectively) and Methanol (leaf; LC50 - 85.75 ppm and LC90 - 598.63 ppm & fruit; LC50 - 67.78 ppm and LC90 - 714.45 ppm respectively) synthesized AgNPs showed extensive mortality rate (LAgNPs; LC50 - 2.1 ppm and LC90 - 5.59 ppm & FAgNPs; LC50 - 2.09 ppm and LC90 - 5.7 ppm). Hence, this study proves that C. guianensis is a potential bioresource for stable, reproducible nanoparticle synthesis (AgNPs) and also can be used as an efficient mosquito control agent.

Fabrication of zirconia composite membrane by in-situ hydrothermal technique and its application in separation of methyl orange.

PubMed

Kumar, R Vinoth; Ghoshal, Aloke Kumar; Pugazhenthi, G

2015-11-01

The main objective of the work was preparation of zirconia membrane on a low cost ceramic support through an in-situ hydrothermal crystallization technique for the separation of methyl orange dye. To formulate the zirconia film on the ceramic support, hydrothermal reaction mixture was prepared using zirconium oxychloride as a zirconia source and ammonia as a precursor. The synthesized zirconia powder was characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR), Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and particle size distribution (PSD) to identify the phases and crystallinity, specific surface area, pore volume and pore size distribution, thermal behavior, chemical composition and size of the particles. The porosity, morphological structure and pure water permeability of the prepared zirconia membrane, as well as ceramic support were investigated using the Archimedes' method, Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and permeability. The specific surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution of the zirconia powder was found to be 126.58m(2)/g, 3.54nm and 0.3-10µm, respectively. The porosity, average pore size and pure water permeability of the zirconia membrane was estimated to be 42%, 0.66µm and 1.44×10(-6)m(3)/m(2)skPa, respectively. Lastly, the potential of the membrane was investigated with separation of methyl orange by means of flux and rejection as a function of operating pressure and feed concentration. The rejection was found to decrease with increasing the operating pressure and increases with increasing feed concentrations. Moreover, it showed a high ability to reject methyl orange from aqueous solution with a rejection of 61% and a high permeation flux of 2.28×10(-5)m(3)/m(2)s at operating pressure of 68kPa. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sol-Gel Synthesis of Fe-Doped TiO2 Nanocrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marami, Mohammad Bagher; Farahmandjou, Majid; Khoshnevisan, Bahram

2018-03-01

Fe-doped TiO2 powders were synthesized by the sol-gel method using titanium (IV) isopropoxide (TTIP) as the starting material, ethanol as solvent, and ethylene glycol (EG) as stabilizer. These prepared samples were characterized by x-ray diffractometer (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and photoluminescence (PL) analyses to study their structure, morphology, and optical properties. The particle size of Fe-doped TiO2 was in the range of 18-39 nm and the minimum crystallite size was achieved for 4 mol.% of Fe. The XRD result of the samples that were doped with Fe showed a tetragonal structure. It also revealed the coexistence of the anatase and rutile phases, and showed that their ratio changed with various molar concentrations of Fe dopant. FTIR spectroscopy showed the presence of the Ti-O vibration band in the samples. PL analysis revealed the PL property in the UV region. Visible irradiation and the intensity of PL spectra were both reduced by doping TiO2 with 3 mol.% of Fe as compared to the pure variety. The spectra from the DRS showed a red shift and a reduction of 2.6 eV in the band gap energy for 4 mol.% Fe-doped TiO2. The optimum level of impurity (4 mol.%) for Fe-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs), which improve the optical and electrical properties by using new precursors and can be used in solar cells and electronic devices, was determined. The novelty of this work consists of: the Fe/TiO2 NPs are synthesized by new precursors from sol-gel synthesis of iron and TTIP using acetic acid-catalyzed solvolysis (original idea) and the optical properties optimized with a mixture of phases (anatase/rutile) of Fe-doped TiO2 by this facile method.

Microstructure and dielectric properties of cellulose acetate-ZnO/ITO composite films based on water hyacinth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diantoro, M.; Mustikasari, A. A.; Wijayanti, N.; Yogihati, C.; Taufiq, A.

2017-05-01

The electrical properties of Cellulose Acetate (CA), especially extracted from water hyacinth, is rarely informed. CA is generally more stable compared to its cellulose. It has a good potential for electronic application with specific modifications such as inducing metal oxide. A combination of intrinsic properties of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and CA is expected as a great potential for electrical and optical applications. CA-ZnO/ITO composite film was investigated in relation with its structure, dielectric constant, and the effect of light intensity on their dielectric constant. CA-ZnO composite films were prepared with different mass of ZnO i.e. 0; 0,02; 0,04; 0,06 and 0,08 grams. CA-ZnO solution was synthesized via the mixing method with PEG:DMF solvents by using a magnetic hotplate stirrer with the rotation rate of 1500 rpm at 80°C. The CA-ZnO solution was then deposited onto ITO/glass substrate by using spin coating technique. The CA-ZnO/ITO films were annealed at 160°C to remove the remaining solvents. The effects of ZnO composition on the structure (crystallinity and morphology) and dielectric constant properties were investigated by using X-Ray Diffractometer, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and LCR meter. It was shown that cellulose can be isolated from water hyacinth with the yield of 67,72 % by Chesson method and can further be transformed into CA. The X-ray diffraction pattern showed that there are 2 phases formed i.e. CA and ZnO. Furthermore, greater ZnO amount increased the crystallinity of composite films. The CA-ZnO films exhibit porous films with ZnO distributed on the CA surface films. Therefore, ZnO increases the dielectric constant of CA-ZnO composite films.

Effect of different physicochemical conditions on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using fungal cell filtrate of Aspergillus oryzae (MTCC No. 1846) and their antibacterial effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phanjom, Probin; Ahmed, Giasuddin

2017-12-01

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) under different physicochemical conditions like concentration of silver nitrate (AgNO3), pH and temperature, using fungal cell filtrate of Aspergillus oryzae (MTCC No. 1846) and its antibacterial properties were demonstrated. When fungal cell filtrate having neutral pH was exposed to different concentrations of aqueous solution AgNO3 (1-10 mM), formation of stable AgNPs of different sizes was observed. The size of the AgNPs decreased with the increase of AgNO3 concentration from 1 mM to 8 mM, however, the particles size increased with the increase of AgNO3 concentration from 9 mM to 10 mM. When fungal cell filtrate exposed to aqueous solution of 1 mM AgNO3 at different pH (4-10), the silver ions (Ag+) were reduced leading to the formation of stable AgNPs of different sizes. The size of the AgNPs decreased with the increase of alkaline conditions. When aqueous solution of 1mM AgNO3 with fungal cell filtrate, having neutral pH, was exposed to different temperatures (10, 30, 50, 70 and 90 °С), formation of stable AgNPs having different sizes were obtained. The size of the AgNPs decreased with the increase of temperature. Synergetic effect with antibiotics and size dependent antibacterial activities were also demonstrated against Escherichia coli (MTCC 1687), Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 737), Bacillus subtilis (MTCC 441) and Klebseilla pneumoniae (MTCC 4030). The formation AgNPs was characterized by UV-vis spectrophotometer. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) confirmed the sizes of the obtained nanoparticles. X-ray diffractometer (XRD) spectrum confirmed the formation of metallic silver. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of protein as stabilizing agent around AgNPs. Scanning electron microscope (TEM) confirmed the morphological changes in the treated bacterial organisms.

Sol-Gel Synthesis of Fe-Doped TiO2 Nanocrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marami, Mohammad Bagher; Farahmandjou, Majid; Khoshnevisan, Bahram

2018-07-01

Fe-doped TiO2 powders were synthesized by the sol-gel method using titanium (IV) isopropoxide (TTIP) as the starting material, ethanol as solvent, and ethylene glycol (EG) as stabilizer. These prepared samples were characterized by x-ray diffractometer (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and photoluminescence (PL) analyses to study their structure, morphology, and optical properties. The particle size of Fe-doped TiO2 was in the range of 18-39 nm and the minimum crystallite size was achieved for 4 mol.% of Fe. The XRD result of the samples that were doped with Fe showed a tetragonal structure. It also revealed the coexistence of the anatase and rutile phases, and showed that their ratio changed with various molar concentrations of Fe dopant. FTIR spectroscopy showed the presence of the Ti-O vibration band in the samples. PL analysis revealed the PL property in the UV region. Visible irradiation and the intensity of PL spectra were both reduced by doping TiO2 with 3 mol.% of Fe as compared to the pure variety. The spectra from the DRS showed a red shift and a reduction of 2.6 eV in the band gap energy for 4 mol.% Fe-doped TiO2. The optimum level of impurity (4 mol.%) for Fe-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs), which improve the optical and electrical properties by using new precursors and can be used in solar cells and electronic devices, was determined. The novelty of this work consists of: the Fe/TiO2 NPs are synthesized by new precursors from sol-gel synthesis of iron and TTIP using acetic acid-catalyzed solvolysis (original idea) and the optical properties optimized with a mixture of phases (anatase /rutile) of Fe-doped TiO2 by this facile method.

Edge-Selectively Functionalized Graphene-Like Platelets as a Co-curing Agent and a Nanoscale Additive to Epoxy Resin

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-08-12

21 For mass production , the Report Documentation Page Form ApprovedOMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is...analyzer. The field emission scanning electron microscope ( FE -SEM) used in this work was a NanoSem 230 (FEI, USA). High-resolution transmission...WAXD) powder patterns were recorded with a Rigaku RU-200 diffractometer using Ni-filtered Cu K radiation (40 kV, 100 mA,  = 0.15418 nm). Dynamic

Destination Innovation: Episode 4 CheMin

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-08-02

Destination Innovation is a new series that explores the research, science and other projects underway at the NASA Ames Research Center. Episode 4 focuses on the CheMin instrument aboard the Mars Science Laboratory, NASA' s latest robotic explorer to visit Mars. CheMin, short for 'Chemistry and Mineralogy,' was developed at NASA Ames Research Center and is one of 10 instruments aboard the rover Curiosity. The instrument is an x-ray diffractometer, which will be able to identify minerals in the Martial rock and soil.

High Rate Deposition of Thick CrN and Cr2N Coatings Using Modulated Pulse Power (MPP) Magnetron Sputtering

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-12-01

in the conventional Bragg-Bentano mode. The residual stress of the coatings was measured by glancing incident angle XRD (GIXRD) in the same X - ray ...micro-analysis (EPMA), x - ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), nanoindentation, scratch test, and ball-on...the coatings was determined by XRD using a SIEMENS X - ray diffractometer (Model KRISTALLOFLEX-810) operated with K-alpha Cu radiation (30 kV and 20 mA

PEARL: the high pressure neutron powder diffractometer at ISIS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bull, C. L.; Funnell, N. P.; Tucker, M. G.; Hull, S.; Francis, D. J.; Marshall, W. G.

2016-10-01

The PEARL instrument at ISIS has been designed for, and dedicated to, in situ studies of materials at high pressure, using the Paris-Edinburgh press. In recent years, upgrades to the instrument have led to improvements in data quality and the range of achievable pressures and temperatures; currently 0.5-28 GPa and 80-1400 K. This paper describes the technical characteristics of the instrument, its current capabilities, and gives a brief overview of the science that has been performed, using representative examples.

Short review on chemical bath deposition of thin film and characterization

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

Mugle, Dhananjay, E-mail: dhananjayforu@gmail.com; Jadhav, Ghanshyam, E-mail: ghjadhav@rediffmail.com

2016-05-06

This reviews the theory of early growth of the thin film using chemical deposition methods. In particular, it critically reviews the chemical bath deposition (CBD) method for preparation of thin films. The different techniques used for characterizations of the chemically films such as X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Electrical conductivity and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) are discussed. Survey shows the physical and chemical properties solely depend upon the time of deposition, temperature of deposition.

A Short Biography of Joseph Fourier and Historical Development of Fourier Series and Fourier Transforms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Debnath, Lokenath

2012-01-01

This article deals with a brief biographical sketch of Joseph Fourier, his first celebrated work on analytical theory of heat, his first great discovery of Fourier series and Fourier transforms. Included is a historical development of Fourier series and Fourier transforms with their properties, importance and applications. Special emphasis is made…

Advanced image fusion algorithms for Gamma Knife treatment planning. Evaluation and proposal for clinical use.

PubMed

Apostolou, N; Papazoglou, Th; Koutsouris, D

2006-01-01

Image fusion is a process of combining information from multiple sensors. It is a useful tool implemented in the treatment planning programme of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery. In this paper we evaluate advanced image fusion algorithms for Matlab platform and head images. We develop nine level grayscale image fusion methods: average, principal component analysis (PCA), discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and Laplacian, filter - subtract - decimate (FSD), contrast, gradient, morphological pyramid and a shift invariant discrete wavelet transform (SIDWT) method in Matlab platform. We test these methods qualitatively and quantitatively. The quantitative criteria we use are the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), the Mutual Information (MI), the Standard Deviation (STD), the Entropy (H), the Difference Entropy (DH) and the Cross Entropy (CEN). The qualitative are: natural appearance, brilliance contrast, presence of complementary features and enhancement of common features. Finally we make clinically useful suggestions.

New approach to statistical description of fluctuating particle fluxes

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

Saenko, V. V.

2009-01-15

The probability density functions (PDFs) of the increments of fluctuating particle fluxes are investigated. It is found that the PDFs have heavy power-law tails decreasing as x{sup -{alpha}-1} at x {yields} {infinity}. This makes it possible to describe these PDFs in terms of fractionally stable distributions (FSDs) q(x; {alpha}, {beta}, {theta}, {lambda}). The parameters {alpha}, {beta}, {gamma}, and {lambda} were estimated statistically using as an example the time samples of fluctuating particle fluxes measured in the edge plasma of the L-2M stellarator. Two series of fluctuating fluxes measured before and after boronization of the vacuum chamber were processed. It ismore » shown that the increments of fluctuating fluxes are well described by DSDs. The effect of boronization on the parameters of FSDs is analyzed. An algorithm for statistically estimating the FSD parameters and a procedure for processing experimental data are described.« less

Tandem transmission/reflection mode XRD instrument including XRF for in situ measurement of Martian rocks and soils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Delhez, Robert; Van der Gaast, S. J.; Wielders, Arno; de Boer, J. L.; Helmholdt, R. B.; van Mechelen, J.; Reiss, C.; Woning, L.; Schenk, H.

2003-02-01

The mineralogy of the surface material of Mars is the key to disclose its present and past life and climates. Clay mineral species, carbonates, and ice (water and CO2) are and/or contain their witnesses. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) is the most powerful analytical method to identify and quantitatively characterize minerals in complex mixtures. This paper discusses the development of a working model of an instrument consisting of a reflection mode diffractometer and a transmission mode CCD-XRPD instrument, combined with an XRF module. The CCD-XRD/XRF instrument is analogous to the instrument for Mars missions developed by Sarrazin et al. (1998). This part of the tandem instrument enables "quick and dirty" analysis of powdered (!) matter to monitor semi-quantitatively the presence of clay minerals as a group, carbonates, and ices and yields semi-quantitative chemical information from X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The reflection mode instrument (i) enables in-situ measurements of rocks and soils and quantitative information on the compounds identified, (ii) has a high resolution and reveals large spacings for accurate identification, in particular of clay mineral species, and (iii) the shape of the line profiles observed reveals the kind and approximate amounts of lattice imperfections present. It will be shown that the information obtained with the reflection mode diffractometer is crucial for finding signs of life and changes in the climate on Mars. Obviously this instrument can also be used for other extra-terrestrial research.

Characterisation of the incident beam and current diffraction capabilities on the VESUVIO spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romanelli, G.; Krzystyniak, M.; Senesi, R.; Raspino, D.; Boxall, J.; Pooley, D.; Moorby, S.; Schooneveld, E.; Rhodes, N. J.; Andreani, C.; Fernandez-Alonso, F.

2017-09-01

The VESUVIO spectrometer at the ISIS pulsed neutron and muon source is a unique instrument amongst those available at neutron facilities. This is the only inverted-geometry neutron spectrometer accessing values of energy and wavevector transfer above tens of eV and {\\mathringA}-1 , respectively, and where deep inelastic neutron scattering experiments are routinely performed. As such, the procedure at the base of the technique has been previously described in an article published by this journal (Mayers and Reiter 2012 Meas. Sci. Technol. 23 045902). The instrument has recently witnessed an upsurge of interest due to a new trend to accommodate, within a single experiment, neutron diffraction and transmission measurements in addition to deep inelastic neutron scattering. This work presents a broader description of the instrument following these recent developments. In particular, we assess the absolute intensity and two-dimensional profile of the incident neutron beam and the capabilities of the backscattering diffraction banks. All results are discussed in the light of recent changes to the moderator viewed by the instrument. We find that VESUVIO has to be considered a high-resolution diffractometer as much as other diffractometers at ISIS, with a resolution as high as 2× 10-3 in backscattering. Also, we describe the extension of the wavelength range of the instrument to include lower neutron energies for diffraction measurements, an upgrade that could be readily applied to other neutron instruments as well.

Fourier transform magnitudes are unique pattern recognition templates.

PubMed

Gardenier, P H; McCallum, B C; Bates, R H

1986-01-01

Fourier transform magnitudes are commonly used in the generation of templates in pattern recognition applications. We report on recent advances in Fourier phase retrieval which are relevant to pattern recognition. We emphasise in particular that the intrinsic form of a finite, positive image is, in general, uniquely related to the magnitude of its Fourier transform. We state conditions under which the Fourier phase can be reconstructed from samples of the Fourier magnitude, and describe a method of achieving this. Computational examples of restoration of Fourier phase (and hence, by Fourier transformation, the intrinsic form of the image) from samples of the Fourier magnitude are also presented.

A new surgical approach for punctal occlusion using fibrous tissue from under the lacrimal caruncle

PubMed Central

Yokoi, Norihiko; Komuro, Aoi; Sotozono, Chie; Kinoshita, Shigeru

2018-01-01

Purpose Surgical punctal occlusion is indispensable for the treatment of severe dry eye in cases where punctal-plug insertion is not applicable due to an enlarged or deformed punctum. However, permanent punctal occlusion is difficult in some cases. In our aim to establish a more reliable punctal occlusion, we have devised a new surgical approach for punctal occlusion. Patients and methods This study involved 20 puncta of 12 eyes of 12 patients (1 male and 11 females; mean age: 65.2 years) with severe aqueous-tear-deficient dry eye. A new surgical procedure for punctal occlusion using fibrous tissue from under the lacrimal caruncle into the diathermy-induced deepithelialized canaliculus as supporting tissue for punctal closure was performed. In all patients, the assessment of eye symptoms, as well as the condition of punctal occlusion by slit-lamp biomicroscopy, tear volume (tear-meniscus radius [TMR] measurement by meniscometry), the condition of precorneal tear film (graded by interferometry [IG]), measurement of fluorescein breakup time (FBUT), and scoring of ocular surface staining (fluorescein score of area [FSA] and density [FSD], and lissamine green score [LGS]) were performed, and the preoperative and 6-month-postoperative values were compared. Results In regard to the postoperative improvement of symptoms, 11 patients showed remarkable improvement, 1 patient showed improvement, and no reopening of the closed punctum was found in any patient. Test values were all significantly improved post surgery (all: P<0.05) as compared to those prior to surgery (respective values [mean ± SD], and the pre- and postoperative P-values were: TMR (mm) [0.18±0.08; 0.56±0.28, P=0.002], IG [4.3±0.9; 2.7±0.8, P=0.009], FBUT [0.4±0.6; 4.1±2.9, P=0.004], FSA [1.6±0.7; 0.7±0.9, P=0.03], FSD [2.7±0.7; 0.6±0.7, P=0.003], and LGS [5.1±2.7; 1.1±2.1, P=0.005]). Moreover, no postoperative complications were observed. Conclusion The findings of this study showed that our novel surgical procedure for punctal occlusion is highly successful and that it results in improved and more complete punctal occlusion. PMID:29563770

An optical Fourier transform coprocessor with direct phase determination.

PubMed

Macfaden, Alexander J; Gordon, George S D; Wilkinson, Timothy D

2017-10-20

The Fourier transform is a ubiquitous mathematical operation which arises naturally in optics. We propose and demonstrate a practical method to optically evaluate a complex-to-complex discrete Fourier transform. By implementing the Fourier transform optically we can overcome the limiting O(nlogn) complexity of fast Fourier transform algorithms. Efficiently extracting the phase from the well-known optical Fourier transform is challenging. By appropriately decomposing the input and exploiting symmetries of the Fourier transform we are able to determine the phase directly from straightforward intensity measurements, creating an optical Fourier transform with O(n) apparent complexity. Performing larger optical Fourier transforms requires higher resolution spatial light modulators, but the execution time remains unchanged. This method could unlock the potential of the optical Fourier transform to permit 2D complex-to-complex discrete Fourier transforms with a performance that is currently untenable, with applications across information processing and computational physics.

Implementation of quantum and classical discrete fractional Fourier transforms.

PubMed

Weimann, Steffen; Perez-Leija, Armando; Lebugle, Maxime; Keil, Robert; Tichy, Malte; Gräfe, Markus; Heilmann, René; Nolte, Stefan; Moya-Cessa, Hector; Weihs, Gregor; Christodoulides, Demetrios N; Szameit, Alexander

2016-03-23

Fourier transforms, integer and fractional, are ubiquitous mathematical tools in basic and applied science. Certainly, since the ordinary Fourier transform is merely a particular case of a continuous set of fractional Fourier domains, every property and application of the ordinary Fourier transform becomes a special case of the fractional Fourier transform. Despite the great practical importance of the discrete Fourier transform, implementation of fractional orders of the corresponding discrete operation has been elusive. Here we report classical and quantum optical realizations of the discrete fractional Fourier transform. In the context of classical optics, we implement discrete fractional Fourier transforms of exemplary wave functions and experimentally demonstrate the shift theorem. Moreover, we apply this approach in the quantum realm to Fourier transform separable and path-entangled biphoton wave functions. The proposed approach is versatile and could find applications in various fields where Fourier transforms are essential tools.

Implementation of quantum and classical discrete fractional Fourier transforms

PubMed Central

Weimann, Steffen; Perez-Leija, Armando; Lebugle, Maxime; Keil, Robert; Tichy, Malte; Gräfe, Markus; Heilmann, René; Nolte, Stefan; Moya-Cessa, Hector; Weihs, Gregor; Christodoulides, Demetrios N.; Szameit, Alexander

2016-01-01

Fourier transforms, integer and fractional, are ubiquitous mathematical tools in basic and applied science. Certainly, since the ordinary Fourier transform is merely a particular case of a continuous set of fractional Fourier domains, every property and application of the ordinary Fourier transform becomes a special case of the fractional Fourier transform. Despite the great practical importance of the discrete Fourier transform, implementation of fractional orders of the corresponding discrete operation has been elusive. Here we report classical and quantum optical realizations of the discrete fractional Fourier transform. In the context of classical optics, we implement discrete fractional Fourier transforms of exemplary wave functions and experimentally demonstrate the shift theorem. Moreover, we apply this approach in the quantum realm to Fourier transform separable and path-entangled biphoton wave functions. The proposed approach is versatile and could find applications in various fields where Fourier transforms are essential tools. PMID:27006089

Sizes of X-ray radiation coherent domains in thin SmS films and their visualization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharenkova, N. V.; Kaminskii, V. V.; Petrov, S. N.

2011-09-01

The size of X-ray radiation coherent domains (250 ± 20 Å) is determined in a thin polycrystalline SmS film using X-ray diffraction patterns (θ-2θ scanning, DRON-2 diffractometer, Cu K α radiation) and the Selyakov-Scherrer formula with allowance for the effect of microstrains. An image of this film is taken with a transmission electron microscope, and regions with a characteristic size of 240 Å are clearly visible in it. It is concluded that X-ray radiation coherent domains are visualized.

Acquisition of a High-Resolution High-Intensity X-ray Diffractometer for Research and Education

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-07-20

NAME(S) AND ADDRESS (ES) U.S. Army Research Office P.O. Box 12211 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2211 X-ray diffraction; germanium- tin alloys...is in progress for others. Comprehensive data were acquired for pseudomorphic germanium- tin alloys grown on germanium by molecular beam epitaxy...Research  100+  2000  Federal grant  Germanium‐ tin  alloys  Tech transfer  9  180  Startup company  Metallurgy  Research  5  100  Federal grant  SAXS  Total

Dissolution Rates of Allophane, FE-Containing Allophane, and Hisingerite and Implications for Gale Crater, Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ralston, S. J.; Hausrath, E. M.; Tschauner, O.; Rampe, E. B.; Christoffersen, R.

2018-01-01

Investigations with the CheMin Xray Diffractometer (XRD) onboard the Curiosity rover in Gale Crater demonstrate that all rock and soil samples measured to date contain approximately 15-70 weight percentage X-ray amorphous materials. The diffuse scattering hump from the X-ray amorphous materials in CheMin XRD patterns can be fit with a combination of allophane, ferrihydrite, and rhyolitic and basaltic glass. Because of the iron-rich nature of Mars' surface, Fe-rich poorly-crystalline phases, such as hisingerite, may be present in addition to allophane.

Magnetic and structural properties of CoFe 2O 4 thin films synthesized via a sol-gel process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

dos S. Duque, J. G.; Macêdo, M. A.; Moreno, N. O.; Lopez, J. L.; Pfanes, H.-D.

2001-05-01

Using a sol-gel process having the coconut water as a precursor of organic chain, we synthesized thin films of cobalt ferrite. The films were characterized by using a SQUID magnetometer, an X-ray diffractometer, an X-ray spectrophotometer, Mössbauer spectroscopy and atomic force microscope. Co ferrite films annealed at 500°C for 2 h show grain sizes between 10 and 20 nm, grown as single-phase spinel structure and exhibit high coercivity and a moderate saturation magnetization (above 30 kOe).

The statistical kinematical theory of X-ray diffraction as applied to reciprocal-space mapping

PubMed

Nesterets; Punegov

2000-11-01

The statistical kinematical X-ray diffraction theory is developed to describe reciprocal-space maps (RSMs) from deformed crystals with defects of the structure. The general solutions for coherent and diffuse components of the scattered intensity in reciprocal space are derived. As an example, the explicit expressions for intensity distributions in the case of spherical defects and of a mosaic crystal were obtained. The theory takes into account the instrumental function of the triple-crystal diffractometer and can therefore be used for experimental data analysis.

Viscosity studies of water based magnetite nanofluids

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

Anu, K.; Hemalatha, J.

2016-05-23

Magnetite nanofluids of various concentrations have been synthesized through co-precipitation method. The structural and topographical studies made with the X-Ray Diffractometer and Atomic Force Microscope are presented in this paper. The density and viscosity studies for the ferrofluids of various concentrations have been made at room temperature. The experimental viscosities are compared with theoretical values obtained from Einstein, Batchelor and Wang models. An attempt to modify the Rosensweig model is made and the modified Rosensweig equation is reported. In addition, new empirical correlation is also proposed for predicting viscosity of ferrofluid at various concentrations.

A Unified Method of Finding Laplace Transforms, Fourier Transforms, and Fourier Series. [and] An Inversion Method for Laplace Transforms, Fourier Transforms, and Fourier Series. Integral Transforms and Series Expansions. Modules and Monographs in Undergraduate Mathematics and Its Applications Project. UMAP Units 324 and 325.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grimm, C. A.

This document contains two units that examine integral transforms and series expansions. In the first module, the user is expected to learn how to use the unified method presented to obtain Laplace transforms, Fourier transforms, complex Fourier series, real Fourier series, and half-range sine series for given piecewise continuous functions. In…

The derivative-free Fourier shell identity for photoacoustics.

PubMed

Baddour, Natalie

2016-01-01

In X-ray tomography, the Fourier slice theorem provides a relationship between the Fourier components of the object being imaged and the measured projection data. The Fourier slice theorem is the basis for X-ray Fourier-based tomographic inversion techniques. A similar relationship, referred to as the 'Fourier shell identity' has been previously derived for photoacoustic applications. However, this identity relates the pressure wavefield data function and its normal derivative measured on an arbitrary enclosing aperture to the three-dimensional Fourier transform of the enclosed object evaluated on a sphere. Since the normal derivative of pressure is not normally measured, the applicability of the formulation is limited in this form. In this paper, alternative derivations of the Fourier shell identity in 1D, 2D polar and 3D spherical polar coordinates are presented. The presented formulations do not require the normal derivative of pressure, thereby lending the formulas directly adaptable for Fourier based absorber reconstructions.

The Fourier analysis of biological transients.

PubMed

Harris, C M

1998-08-31

With modern computing technology the digital implementation of the Fourier transform is widely available, mostly in the form of the fast Fourier transform (FFT). Although the FFT has become almost synonymous with the Fourier transform, it is a fast numerical technique for computing the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) of a finite sequence of sampled data. The DFT is not directly equivalent to the continuous Fourier transform of the underlying biological signal, which becomes important when analyzing biological transients. Although this distinction is well known by some, for many it leads to confusion in how to interpret the FFT of biological data, and in how to precondition data so as to yield a more accurate Fourier transform using the FFT. We review here the fundamentals of Fourier analysis with emphasis on the analysis of transient signals. As an example of a transient, we consider the human saccade to illustrate the pitfalls and advantages of various Fourier analyses.

Fourier analysis and signal processing by use of the Moebius inversion formula

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reed, Irving S.; Yu, Xiaoli; Shih, Ming-Tang; Tufts, Donald W.; Truong, T. K.

1990-01-01

A novel Fourier technique for digital signal processing is developed. This approach to Fourier analysis is based on the number-theoretic method of the Moebius inversion of series. The Fourier transform method developed is shown also to yield the convolution of two signals. A computer simulation shows that this method for finding Fourier coefficients is quite suitable for digital signal processing. It competes with the classical FFT (fast Fourier transform) approach in terms of accuracy, complexity, and speed.

Nanocomposites Derived From a Low-Color Aromatic Polyimide (CP2) and Amine-Functionalized Vapor-Grown Carbon Nanofibers: In Situ Polymerization and Characterization (Preprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-01-01

small metal catalyst (e.g., ferrocene, Fe (CO)5, etc.). They have an outer diameter of 60-200 nm, a hollow core of 30-90 nm, and length on the order...diffractions (WAXS) of compression-molded samples were recorded with a Rigaku RU-200 diffractometer using Ni-filtered Cu KR radiation (40 kV, 100 mA, λ...attributable to the sp3 C-H and sp2 C-H defects as methane is used as the major component in the feedstock for its production . Based on hydrogen

New micro-beam beamline at SPring-8, targeting at protein micro-crystallography

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

Hirata, Kunio; Ueno, Go; Nisawa, Atsushi

2010-06-23

A new protein micro-crystallography beamline BL32XU at SPring-8 is under construction and scheduled to start operation in 2010. The beamline is designed to provide the stabilized and brilliant micro-beam to collect high-quality data from micro-crystals. The beamline consists of a hybrid in-vacuum undulator, a liquid-nitrogen cooled double crystal monochromator, and K-B focusing mirrors with large magnification factor. Development of data acquisition system and end station consists of high-precision diffractometer, high-efficiency area detector, sample auto-changer etc. are also in progress.

A New Camera for Powder Diffraction of Macromolecular Crystallography at SPring-8

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

Miura, Keiko; Inoue, Katsuaki; Goto, Shunji

2004-05-12

A powder diffractometer of Guinier geometry was developed and tested on a beamline, BL40B2, at SPring-8. The long specimen-to-detector distance, 1,000 mm, is advantageous in recording diffraction from Bragg spacing of 20 nm or larger. The angular resolution, 0.012 degrees, was realized together with the focusing optics, the long specimen-to-detector distance and the small pixel size of Blue-type Imaging Plate detector. Such a high resolution makes the peak separation possible in the powder diffraction from microcrystals with large unit cell and low symmetry of biological macromolecules.

High resolution powder diffraction at HASYLAB

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wroblewski, Thomas; Ihringer, Jorg; Maichle, Josef

1988-04-01

HASYLAB's beamline F1 was modified for powder diffraction in a triple-axis geometry. The diffractometer consists of two independent circles for θ and 2θ motion on either side of the beam. The θ circle can be translated along its axis. This makes the instrument highly flexible for the installation of different attachments like a cryostat which was used for low temperature measurements on the new high Tc superconductors. Measurements on zeolites demonstrate the excellent resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. Novel measuring strategies concerning the use of multiple analyzers, the examination of phase transitions and anomalous dispersion are presented.

Investigation on thermo physical characteristics of ethylene glycol based Al:ZnO nanofluids

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

Kiruba, R., E-mail: krbranjini@gmail.com, E-mail: drkingson@karunya.edu; George, Ritty; Gopalakrishnan, M.

2015-06-24

The present work describes the experimental aspects of viscosity and thermal conductivity characteristics of nanofluids. Aluminium doped zinc oxide nanostructures were synthesized by chemical precipitation method. Ultrasonic technique is used to disperse the nanostructures in ethylene glycol. Structural and morphological properties of Al doped ZnO nanostructures are characterized using X-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscopic technique. The effect of concentration and temperature on thermo-physical properties of Al/ZnO nanofluids is also investigated. The experimental results showed there is enhancement in thermal conductivity with rise in temperature which can be utilized for coolant application.

Reducing aberration effect of Fourier transform lens by modifying Fourier spectrum of diffractive optical element in beam shaping optical system.

PubMed

Zhang, Fang; Zhu, Jing; Song, Qiang; Yue, Weirui; Liu, Jingdan; Wang, Jian; Situ, Guohai; Huang, Huijie

2015-10-20

In general, Fourier transform lenses are considered as ideal in the design algorithms of diffractive optical elements (DOEs). However, the inherent aberrations of a real Fourier transform lens disturb the far field pattern. The difference between the generated pattern and the expected design will impact the system performance. Therefore, a method for modifying the Fourier spectrum of DOEs without introducing other optical elements to reduce the aberration effect of the Fourier transform lens is proposed. By applying this method, beam shaping performance is improved markedly for the optical system with a real Fourier transform lens. The experiments carried out with a commercial Fourier transform lens give evidence for this method. The method is capable of reducing the system complexity as well as improving its performance.

On the matrix Fourier filtering problem for a class of models of nonlinear optical systems with a feedback

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Razgulin, A. V.; Sazonova, S. V.

2017-09-01

A novel statement of the Fourier filtering problem based on the use of matrix Fourier filters instead of conventional multiplier filters is considered. The basic properties of the matrix Fourier filtering for the filters in the Hilbert-Schmidt class are established. It is proved that the solutions with a finite energy to the periodic initial boundary value problem for the quasi-linear functional differential diffusion equation with the matrix Fourier filtering Lipschitz continuously depend on the filter. The problem of optimal matrix Fourier filtering is formulated, and its solvability for various classes of matrix Fourier filters is proved. It is proved that the objective functional is differentiable with respect to the matrix Fourier filter, and the convergence of a version of the gradient projection method is also proved.

Dampened regulates the activating potency of Bicoid and the embryonic patterning outcome in Drosophila

PubMed Central

Liu, Junbo; Ma, Jun

2014-01-01

The Drosophila morphogen gradient of Bicoid (Bcd) initiates anterior-posterior (AP) patterning, but it is poorly understood how its ability to activate a target gene may impact this process. Here we report an F-box protein, Dampened (Dmpd) as a nuclear co-factor of Bcd that can enhance its activating potency. We establish a quantitative platform to specifically investigate two parameters of a Bcd target gene response, expression amplitude and boundary position. We show that embryos lacking Dmpd have a reduced amplitude of Bcd-activated hunchback (hb) expression at a critical time of development. This is due to a reduced Bcd-dependent transcribing probability. This defect is faithfully propagated further downstream of the AP patterning network to alter the spatial characteristics of even-skipped (eve) stripes. Thus, unlike another Bcd-interacting F-box protein Fates-shifted (Fsd), which controls AP patterning through regulating the Bcd gradient profile, Dmpd achieves its patterning role through regulating the activating potency of Bcd. PMID:24336107

Study on the bonding strength between calcium phosphate/chitosan composite coatings and a Mg alloy substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Jie; Dai, Chang-Song; Wei, Jie; Wen, Zhao-Hui

2012-11-01

In order to improve the bonding strength between calcium phosphate/chitosan composite coatings and a micro-arc oxidized (MAO)-AZ91D Mg alloy, different influencing parameters were investigated in the process of electrophoretic deposition (EPD) followed by conversion in a phosphate buffer solution (PBS). Surface morphology and phase constituents of the as-prepared materials were investigated by using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier-transformed infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR), Raman spectrometer, scanning electron microscope (SEM) with an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and a thermo gravimetric and differential thermal analyzer (TG-DTA). Scratch tests were carried out to study the bonding properties between the coatings and the substrates. In vitro immersion tests were conducted to determine the corrosion behaviors of samples with and without deposit layers through electrochemical experiments. In the EPD process, the acetic acid content in the electrophoresis suspension and the electrophoretic voltage played important roles in improving the bonding properties, while the contents of chitosan (CS) and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) in the suspension had less significant influences on the mechanical bonding strength. It was observed that the coatings showed the excellent bonding property when an electrophoretic voltage was in a range of 40-110 V with other reagent amounts as follows: acetic acid: 4.5 vol.%, CS ≤ 0.25 g, nHA ≤ 2.0 g in 200 ml of a CS-acetic acid aqueous solution and nHA ≤ 2.5 g in 300 ml of absolute ethanol. The morphology of the composite coating obtained under the above optimal condition had a flake-like crystal structure. The EPD in the nHA/CS-acetic acid/ethanol suspension resulted in hydroxyapatite, chitosan, brushite (DCPD, CaHPO4·2H2O) and Ca(OH)2 in the coatings. After the as-prepared coating materials were immersed into PBS, Ca(OH)2 could be converted into HA and DCPD. The results of the electrochemical tests manifested that the corrosion resistance of the Mg alloy was improved by coating this composite film.

Sintering mechanism of the CaF2 on hydroxyapatite by a 10.6-l microm CO2 laser.

PubMed

Wu, Cheng-Chei; Roan, Rong-Tai; Chen, Jeng-Huey

2002-01-01

Laser has been reported as a heat source for melting and re-crystallization. Occurring at about 1100 degrees C, the melting of surface dental enamel along with re-crystallization might have an assistant role in the therapy of hypersensitive tooth, apical sealing of endodontic surgery in dentistry, preventive dentistry for pit and fissure sealing, and fluoridation. For laser to be accepted in clinical applications, it is desired that, studies must show the incorporation of CaF(2) into hydroxyapatite could reduce the sintering temperature for the sake of safety. In this study, the Sharplan 20XJ CO(2) laser with 10.6- microm wavelength was set under the following parameters: power, 5 W; repetitive mode, 0.1 second; beam, focused. Fluorite was added to hydroxyapatite as a synthetic compound to lower the sintering temperature. Human dental enamel without caries was used for in vitro sintering test. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transforming infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetric analysis (DAT/TGA) were used for the investigation of sintering mechanism of CaF(2). Fusion between hexagonal shape crystals and cubic shape crystals (CaF(2)) were observed under SEM study. Hexagonal shape crystals indicated the formation of fluorapatite under XRD analysis. Under FTIR study, we examined reductions of water (3445 cm(-1)) and hydroxyl bands (3567 and 627 cm(-1)) in irradiated compounds. From the DTA pattern of synthetic compound, it showed the endothermic reaction reaching its peak point around 1180 +/- 20 degrees C. It was attributed to the phase transformation and/or initial melting. In this study, we proposed the interrelationship of the eutectics between initiator (CaF(2)) and the reaction product (calcium hydroxide) that reduced the sintering temperature. It appeared that the co-eutectics interacted to reduce the sintering temperature of hydroxyapatite below 800 degrees C and that the key eutectic was calcium hydroxide. The clinical feasibility of the melting and re-crystallization of hydroxyapatite under 10.6-microm CO(2) laser would be therefore enhanced. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Green urea synthesis catalyzed by hematite nanowires in magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yahya, Noorhana; Qureshi, Saima; Rehman, Zia ur; Alqasem, Bilal; Fai Kait, Chong

2017-04-01

The catalytic activity of hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanowires under the influence of magnetic field on urea synthesis is considered green. The adsorption and subsequent dissociative reaction of hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide gases on the α-Fe2O3 (111) nanowires were investigated using the density functional theory (DFT) method. The average adsorption energy is -4.12 kcal/mole at different sites. The adsorption of gases resulted in a difference in density and net spin of electrons from 68 to 120 and 0-21 respectively. In addition, it induces magnetic moment value of 36.33 μB, which confirms the enhanced magnetic behaviour of hematite. α-Fe2O3 nanowires (NWs) synthesized by heating iron wire in a box furnace at (750-800) °C and as synthesized α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) were received to use as a catalyst in the magnetic reaction of urea synthesis. X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) confirms the peaks of rhombohedral structure of α-Fe2O3 and Raman spectrum analyses confirms the α-Fe2O3 peaks at 410 cm-1, 500 cm-1 and 616 cm-1. The needle-like shape of hematite nanowires with length ranging from 16-25) μm and diameter from 74 to 145 nm confirmed by Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The magnetic properties of the nanowires exhibited different levels of saturation magnetization, for α-Fe2O3 perpendicularly aligned direction (13.18 emu/g) and random direction (10.73 emu/g). Urea synthesis was done under magnetic field ranges from 0.0 to 2.5 T. The activation energy of α-Fe2O3 NWs for urea production is lower than NPs in the range of 0-1 T, whereas it is reversed for higher magnetic induction values. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the formation of urea at the peaks of 1690-1600 cm-1. This green urea employing magnetically induced method could be a contender to the Haber-Bosch process currently used by the current industry which utilizes high temperature and high pressure.

Monodispersed fabrication and dielectric studies on ethylenediamine passivated α-manganese dioxide nanorods

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

Joseph, A. Martin; Kumar, R. Thilak, E-mail: manojthilak@yahoo.com

2016-09-15

Highlights: • Monodispersed ethylenediamine (EDA) passivated α-MnO{sub 2} nanorods were fabricated by inexpensive wet chemical method. • FTIR analysis indicated that surface passivation is strongly influenced by the introduction of the organic ligand. • XRD and HR-SEM revealed the structure and morphology of the fabricated α-MnO{sub 2} nanorods with an average size of about 40 × 200 nm. • Dielectric studies pointed out that the fabricated α-MnO{sub 2} is semiconducting in nature with resistivity, ρ = 1.46 to 5.76 × 10{sup 3} Ωcm. • The optical energy gap for the fabricated α-MnO{sub 2} nanorods is found to be around 1.37more » eV. - Abstract: In this present work, pure α-MnO{sub 2} nanorods were fabricated by the reduction of 0.2 m/L of KMnO{sub 4} with 0.2 m/L of Na{sub 2}S{sub 2}O{sub 3}·5H{sub 2}O and by passivating with the organic ligand Ethylenediamine (EDA). The structural, functional, morphological and chemical composition of the nanorods were investigated by X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR), High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscope (HR-SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry (EDX). The XRD analysis indicated high crystalline nature of the product and FTIR confirmed the contribution of the organic ligand in surface passivation. HR-SEM image revealed the morphology of the α-MnO{sub 2} nanorods with an average size of about 40 × 200 nm. EDX confirmed the presence of Mn and O in the material. UV–visible spectrophotometery was used to determine the absorption behavior of the nanorods and an indirect band gap of 1.37 eV was acquired by Taucplot. Dielectric studies were carried out using Broadband Dielectric Spectrometer(BDS) and the resistivity was found to be around the semiconductor range (ρ = 1.46 to 5.76 × 10{sup 3} Ωcm).« less

Synthesis of lithium mangan dioxide (LiMn2O4) for lithium-ion battery cathode from various lithium sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Priyono, S.; Ginting, N. R.; Humaidi, S.; Subhan, A.; Prihandoko, B.

2018-03-01

LiMn2O4 as a cathode material has been synthesized via solid state reaction. The synthesis has been done by varying lithium sources such as LiOH.H2O and Li2CO3 while MnO2 was used as Mn sources. All raw materials were mixed stoichiometrically to be the precursors of LiMn2O4. The precursors were sintered using high temperature furnace at 800 °C for 4 hours in atmospheric condition to form final product. The final products were sieved to separate the finer and smoother particles from the coarse ones. The products were characterized by X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) to identify phases and crystal structure. The peak wave number was also determined using Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) to find functional group. LiMn2O4 sheets were prepared by mixing active material with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) and acetylene black (AB) in mass ratio of 85:10:5 wt.% in N,N-Dimethylacetamide (DMAc) solvents to form slurry. The slurry was then coated onto Al foil with thickness of about 0.15 mm and dried in an oven. LiMn2O4 sheet was cut into circular discs and arranged with separator, metallic lithium, and electrolyte in a coin cell. Automatic battery cycler was used to measure electrochemical performance and specific capacity of the cell. XRD analysis showed that sample synthesized with Li2CO3 has higher crystallinity and more pristine than sample synthesized with LiOH.H2O. FTIR analysis revealed that both of samples have identical functional group but sample with Li2CO3 source tend to degrade. Cyclic voltammetry data gave information that sample with LiOH.H2O source has better electrochemical performance. It showed double oxidation/reduction peaks more clearly but sample with Li2CO3 source has higher specific capacity (64.78 mAh/g) than sample with LiOH.H2O (50 mAh/g).

Metasurface Enabled Wide-Angle Fourier Lens.

PubMed

Liu, Wenwei; Li, Zhancheng; Cheng, Hua; Tang, Chengchun; Li, Junjie; Zhang, Shuang; Chen, Shuqi; Tian, Jianguo

2018-06-01

Fourier optics, the principle of using Fourier transformation to understand the functionalities of optical elements, lies at the heart of modern optics, and it has been widely applied to optical information processing, imaging, holography, etc. While a simple thin lens is capable of resolving Fourier components of an arbitrary optical wavefront, its operation is limited to near normal light incidence, i.e., the paraxial approximation, which puts a severe constraint on the resolvable Fourier domain. As a result, high-order Fourier components are lost, resulting in extinction of high-resolution information of an image. Other high numerical aperture Fourier lenses usually suffer from the bulky size and costly designs. Here, a dielectric metasurface consisting of high-aspect-ratio silicon waveguide array is demonstrated experimentally, which is capable of performing 1D Fourier transform for a large incident angle range and a broad operating bandwidth. Thus, the device significantly expands the operational Fourier space, benefitting from the large numerical aperture and negligible angular dispersion at large incident angles. The Fourier metasurface will not only facilitate efficient manipulation of spatial spectrum of free-space optical wavefront, but also be readily integrated into micro-optical platforms due to its compact size. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The τq-Fourier transform: Covariance and uniqueness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalogeropoulos, Nikolaos

2018-05-01

We propose an alternative definition for a Tsallis entropy composition-inspired Fourier transform, which we call “τq-Fourier transform”. We comment about the underlying “covariance” on the set of algebraic fields that motivates its introduction. We see that the definition of the τq-Fourier transform is automatically invertible in the proper context. Based on recent results in Fourier analysis, it turns that the τq-Fourier transform is essentially unique under the assumption of the exchange of the point-wise product of functions with their convolution.

An L1-norm phase constraint for half-Fourier compressed sensing in 3D MR imaging.

PubMed

Li, Guobin; Hennig, Jürgen; Raithel, Esther; Büchert, Martin; Paul, Dominik; Korvink, Jan G; Zaitsev, Maxim

2015-10-01

In most half-Fourier imaging methods, explicit phase replacement is used. In combination with parallel imaging, or compressed sensing, half-Fourier reconstruction is usually performed in a separate step. The purpose of this paper is to report that integration of half-Fourier reconstruction into iterative reconstruction minimizes reconstruction errors. The L1-norm phase constraint for half-Fourier imaging proposed in this work is compared with the L2-norm variant of the same algorithm, with several typical half-Fourier reconstruction methods. Half-Fourier imaging with the proposed phase constraint can be seamlessly combined with parallel imaging and compressed sensing to achieve high acceleration factors. In simulations and in in-vivo experiments half-Fourier imaging with the proposed L1-norm phase constraint enables superior performance both reconstruction of image details and with regard to robustness against phase estimation errors. The performance and feasibility of half-Fourier imaging with the proposed L1-norm phase constraint is reported. Its seamless combination with parallel imaging and compressed sensing enables use of greater acceleration in 3D MR imaging.

Wavelength modulation spectroscopy--digital detection of gas absorption harmonics based on Fourier analysis.

PubMed

Mei, Liang; Svanberg, Sune

2015-03-20

This work presents a detailed study of the theoretical aspects of the Fourier analysis method, which has been utilized for gas absorption harmonic detection in wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS). The lock-in detection of the harmonic signal is accomplished by studying the phase term of the inverse Fourier transform of the Fourier spectrum that corresponds to the harmonic signal. The mathematics and the corresponding simulation results are given for each procedure when applying the Fourier analysis method. The present work provides a detailed view of the WMS technique when applying the Fourier analysis method.

Monochromatic neutron beam production at Brazilian nuclear research reactors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stasiulevicius, Roberto; Rodrigues, Claudio; Parente, Carlos B. R.; Voi, Dante L.; Rogers, John D.

2000-12-01

Monochomatic beams of neutrons are obtained form a nuclear reactor polychromatic beam by the diffraction process, suing a single crystal energy selector. In Brazil, two nuclear research reactors, the swimming pool model IEA-R1 and the Argonaut type IEN-R1 have been used to carry out measurements with this technique. Neutron spectra have been measured using crystal spectrometers installed on the main beam lines of each reactor. The performance of conventional- artificial and natural selected crystals has been verified by the multipurpose neutron diffractometers installed at IEA-R1 and simple crystal spectrometer in operator at IEN- R1. A practical figure of merit formula was introduced to evaluate the performance and relative reflectivity of the selected planes of a single crystal. The total of 16 natural crystals were selected for use in the neutron monochromator, including a total of 24 families of planes. Twelve of these natural crystal types and respective best family of planes were measured directly with the multipurpose neutron diffractometers. The neutron spectrometer installed at IEN- R1 was used to confirm test results of the better specimens. The usually conventional-artificial crystal spacing distance range is limited to 3.4 angstrom. The interplane distance range has now been increased to approximately 10 angstrom by use of naturally occurring crystals. The neutron diffraction technique with conventional and natural crystals for energy selection and filtering can be utilized to obtain monochromatic sub and thermal neutrons with energies in the range of 0.001 to 10 eV. The thermal neutron is considered a good tool or probe for general applications in various fields, such as condensed matter, chemistry, biology, industrial applications and others.

Protein structural dynamics in solution unveiled via 100-ps time-resolved x-ray scattering

PubMed Central

Anfinrud, Philip

2010-01-01

We have developed a time-resolved x-ray scattering diffractometer capable of probing structural dynamics of proteins in solution with 100-ps time resolution. This diffractometer, developed on the ID14B BioCARS (Consortium for Advanced Radiation Sources) beamline at the Advanced Photon Source, records x-ray scattering snapshots over a broad range of q spanning 0.02–2.5 Å-1, thereby providing simultaneous coverage of the small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle x-ray scattering (WAXS) regions. To demonstrate its capabilities, we have tracked structural changes in myoglobin as it undergoes a photolysis-induced transition from its carbon monoxy form (MbCO) to its deoxy form (Mb). Though the differences between the MbCO and Mb crystal structures are small (rmsd < 0.2 Å), time-resolved x-ray scattering differences recorded over 8 decades of time from 100 ps to 10 ms are rich in structure, illustrating the sensitivity of this technique. A strong, negative-going feature in the SAXS region appears promptly and corresponds to a sudden > 22 Å3 volume expansion of the protein. The ensuing conformational relaxation causes the protein to contract to a volume ∼2 Å3 larger than MbCO within ∼10 ns. On the timescale for CO escape from the primary docking site, another change in the SAXS/WAXS fingerprint appears, demonstrating sensitivity to the location of the dissociated CO. Global analysis of the SAXS/WAXS patterns recovered time-independent scattering fingerprints for four intermediate states of Mb. These SAXS/WAXS fingerprints provide stringent constraints for putative models of conformational states and structural transitions between them. PMID:20406909

Protein structural dynamics in solution unveiled via 100-ps time-resolved x-ray scattering.

PubMed

Cho, Hyun Sun; Dashdorj, Naranbaatar; Schotte, Friedrich; Graber, Timothy; Henning, Robert; Anfinrud, Philip

2010-04-20

We have developed a time-resolved x-ray scattering diffractometer capable of probing structural dynamics of proteins in solution with 100-ps time resolution. This diffractometer, developed on the ID14B BioCARS (Consortium for Advanced Radiation Sources) beamline at the Advanced Photon Source, records x-ray scattering snapshots over a broad range of q spanning 0.02-2.5 A(-1), thereby providing simultaneous coverage of the small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle x-ray scattering (WAXS) regions. To demonstrate its capabilities, we have tracked structural changes in myoglobin as it undergoes a photolysis-induced transition from its carbon monoxy form (MbCO) to its deoxy form (Mb). Though the differences between the MbCO and Mb crystal structures are small (rmsd < 0.2 A), time-resolved x-ray scattering differences recorded over 8 decades of time from 100 ps to 10 ms are rich in structure, illustrating the sensitivity of this technique. A strong, negative-going feature in the SAXS region appears promptly and corresponds to a sudden > 22 A(3) volume expansion of the protein. The ensuing conformational relaxation causes the protein to contract to a volume approximately 2 A(3) larger than MbCO within approximately 10 ns. On the timescale for CO escape from the primary docking site, another change in the SAXS/WAXS fingerprint appears, demonstrating sensitivity to the location of the dissociated CO. Global analysis of the SAXS/WAXS patterns recovered time-independent scattering fingerprints for four intermediate states of Mb. These SAXS/WAXS fingerprints provide stringent constraints for putative models of conformational states and structural transitions between them.

Bent silicon strip crystals for high-energy charged particle beam collimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Germogli, G.; Mazzolari, A.; Guidi, V.; Romagnoni, M.

2017-07-01

For applications in high energy particles accelerators, such as the crystal-assisted beam collimation, several strip crystals exploiting anticlastic curvature were produced in the last decade at the Sensor and Semiconductor Laboratory (SSL) of Ferrara by means of revisited techniques for silicon micromachining, such as photolitography and wet etching. Those techniques were recently enhanced by introducing a further treatment called Magnetorheological Finishing (MRF), which allowed to fabricate crystals with ultraflat surface and miscut very close to zero. The technology of the mechanical devices used to hold and bend crystals has been also improved by employing a titanium alloy to realize the holders. Characterization method were also improved: the usage of a high resolution X-rays diffractometer was introduced to directly measure crystal bending and torsion. Accuracy of the diffractometer was furtherly enhanced with an autocollimator, which found an important application in miscut characterization. A new infrared light interferometer was used to map the thickness of the starting swafers with sub-micrometric precision, as well as to measure the length along the beam of the strips. Crystals were characterized at the H8 external lines of CERN-SPS with various hundreds-GeV ion beams, which gave results in agreement with the precharacterization performed at SSL. One strip was selected among the crystals to be installed in the LHC beam pipe during the Long Shutdown 1 in 2014. These crystals were very recently tested in a crystal-assisted collimation experiment with a 6.5 TeV proton beam, resulting in the first observation of channeling at this record energy, being also the first observation of channeling of the beam circulating in the LHC.

Spatially resolved texture and microstructure evolution of additively manufactured and gas gun deformed 304L stainless steel investigated by neutron diffraction and electron backscatter diffraction

DOE PAGES

Takajo, Shigehiro; Brown, Donald William; Clausen, Bjorn; ...

2018-04-30

In this study, we report the characterization of a 304L stainless steel cylindrical projectile produced by additive manufacturing. The projectile was compressively deformed using a Taylor Anvil Gas Gun, leading to a huge strain gradient along the axis of the deformed cylinder. Spatially resolved neutron diffraction measurements on the HIgh Pressure Preferred Orientation time-of-flight diffractometer (HIPPO) and Spectrometer for Materials Research at Temperature and Stress diffractometer (SMARTS) beamlines at the Los Alamos Neutron Science CEnter (LANSCE) with Rietveld and single-peak analysis were used to quantitatively evaluate the volume fractions of the α, γ, and ε phases as well as residualmore » strain and texture. The texture of the γ phase is consistent with uniaxial compression, while the α texture can be explained by the Kurdjumov–Sachs relationship from the γ texture after deformation. This indicates that the material first deformed in the γ phase and subsequently transformed at larger strains. The ε phase was only found in volumes close to the undeformed material with a texture connected to the γ texture by the Shoji–Nishiyama orientation relationship. This allows us to conclude that the ε phase occurs as an intermediate phase at lower strain, and is superseded by the α phase when strain increases further. We found a proportionality between the root-mean-squared microstrain of the γ phase, dominated by the dislocation density, with the α volume fraction, consistent with strain-induced martensite α formation. In conclusion, knowledge of the sample volume with the ε phase from the neutron diffraction analysis allowed us to identify the ε phase by electron back scatter diffraction analysis, complementing the neutron diffraction analysis with characterization on the grain level.« less

Spatially resolved texture and microstructure evolution of additively manufactured and gas gun deformed 304L stainless steel investigated by neutron diffraction and electron backscatter diffraction

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

Takajo, Shigehiro; Brown, Donald William; Clausen, Bjorn

In this study, we report the characterization of a 304L stainless steel cylindrical projectile produced by additive manufacturing. The projectile was compressively deformed using a Taylor Anvil Gas Gun, leading to a huge strain gradient along the axis of the deformed cylinder. Spatially resolved neutron diffraction measurements on the HIgh Pressure Preferred Orientation time-of-flight diffractometer (HIPPO) and Spectrometer for Materials Research at Temperature and Stress diffractometer (SMARTS) beamlines at the Los Alamos Neutron Science CEnter (LANSCE) with Rietveld and single-peak analysis were used to quantitatively evaluate the volume fractions of the α, γ, and ε phases as well as residualmore » strain and texture. The texture of the γ phase is consistent with uniaxial compression, while the α texture can be explained by the Kurdjumov–Sachs relationship from the γ texture after deformation. This indicates that the material first deformed in the γ phase and subsequently transformed at larger strains. The ε phase was only found in volumes close to the undeformed material with a texture connected to the γ texture by the Shoji–Nishiyama orientation relationship. This allows us to conclude that the ε phase occurs as an intermediate phase at lower strain, and is superseded by the α phase when strain increases further. We found a proportionality between the root-mean-squared microstrain of the γ phase, dominated by the dislocation density, with the α volume fraction, consistent with strain-induced martensite α formation. In conclusion, knowledge of the sample volume with the ε phase from the neutron diffraction analysis allowed us to identify the ε phase by electron back scatter diffraction analysis, complementing the neutron diffraction analysis with characterization on the grain level.« less

Early Years of Neutron Scattering and Its Manpower Development in Indonesia

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

Marsongkohadi

In this paper I shall give a short history of the development of neutron scattering at the Research Centre for Nuclear Techniques (PPTN), in Bandung, and the early development of a more advanced facilities at the Neutron Scattering Laboratory (NSL BATAN), Centre of Technology for Nuclear Industrial Materials, in Serpong. The first research reactor in Indonesia was the TRIGA MARK II in Bandung, which became operational in 1965, with a power of 250 KW, upgraded to 1 MW in 1971, and to 2 MW in 2000. The neutron scattering activities was started in 1967, with the design and construction ofmore » the first powder diffractometer, and put in operation in 1970. It was followed by the second instrument, the filter detector spectrometer built in 1975 in collaboration with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), India. A powder diffractometer for magnetic studies was built in 1980, and finally, a modification of the filter detector spectrometer to measure textures was made in 1986. A brief description of the design and construction of the instruments, and a highlight of some research topics will be presented. Early developments of neutron scattering activities at the 30 MW, RSG-GAS reactor in Serpong in choosing suitable research program, which will be mainly centred around materials testing/characterization, and materials/condensed matter researches has been agreed. Instrument planning and layout which were appropriate to carry out the program had been decided. Manpower development for the neutron scattering laboratory is a severe problem. The efforts to overcome this problem has been solved. International Cooperation through workshops and on the job trainings also support the supply of qualified manpower.« less

Quantitative phase analysis of challenging samples using neutron powder diffraction. Sample #4 from the CPD QPA round robin revisited

DOE PAGES

Whitfield, Pamela S.

2016-04-29

Here, quantitative phase analysis (QPA) using neutron powder diffraction more often than not involves non-ambient studies where no sample preparation is possible. The larger samples and penetration of neutrons versus X-rays makes neutron diffraction less susceptible to inhomogeneity and large grain sizes, but most well-characterized QPA standard samples do not have these characteristics. Sample #4 from the International Union of Crystallography Commission on Powder Diffraction QPA round robin was one such sample. Data were collected using the POWGEN time-of-flight (TOF) neutron powder diffractometer and analysed together with historical data from the C2 diffractometer at Chalk River. The presence of magneticmore » reflections from Fe 3O 4 (magnetite) in the sample was an additional consideration, and given the frequency at which iron-containing and other magnetic compounds are present during in-operando studies their possible impact on the accuracy of QPA is of interest. Additionally, scattering from thermal diffuse scattering in the high-Qregion (<0.6 Å) accessible with TOF data could impact QPA results during least-squares because of the extreme peak overlaps present in this region. Refinement of POWGEN data was largely insensitive to the modification of longer d-spacing reflections by magnetic contributions, but the constant-wavelength data were adversely impacted if the magnetic structure was not included. A robust refinement weighting was found to be effective in reducing quantification errors using the constant-wavelength neutron data both where intensities from magnetic reflections were ignored and included. Results from the TOF data were very sensitive to inadequate modelling of the high- Q (low d-spacing) background using simple polynomials.« less

Thermal stabilization of static single-mirror Fourier transform spectrometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schardt, Michael; Schwaller, Christian; Tremmel, Anton J.; Koch, Alexander W.

2017-05-01

Fourier transform spectroscopy has become a standard method for spectral analysis of infrared light. With this method, an interferogram is created by two beam interference which is subsequently Fourier-transformed. Most Fourier transform spectrometers used today provide the interferogram in the temporal domain. In contrast, static Fourier transform spectrometers generate interferograms in the spatial domain. One example of this type of spectrometer is the static single-mirror Fourier transform spectrometer which offers a high etendue in combination with a simple, miniaturized optics design. As no moving parts are required, it also features a high vibration resistance and high measurement rates. However, it is susceptible to temperature variations. In this paper, we therefore discuss the main sources for temperature-induced errors in static single-mirror Fourier transform spectrometers: changes in the refractive index of the optical components used, variations of the detector sensitivity, and thermal expansion of the housing. As these errors manifest themselves in temperature-dependent wavenumber shifts and intensity shifts, they prevent static single-mirror Fourier transform spectrometers from delivering long-term stable spectra. To eliminate these shifts, we additionally present a work concept for the thermal stabilization of the spectrometer. With this stabilization, static single-mirror Fourier transform spectrometers are made suitable for infrared process spectroscopy under harsh thermal environmental conditions. As the static single-mirror Fourier transform spectrometer uses the so-called source-doubling principle, many of the mentioned findings are transferable to other designs of static Fourier transform spectrometers based on the same principle.

Hyperbolic Cross Truncations for Stochastic Fourier Cosine Series

PubMed Central

Zhang, Zhihua

2014-01-01

Based on our decomposition of stochastic processes and our asymptotic representations of Fourier cosine coefficients, we deduce an asymptotic formula of approximation errors of hyperbolic cross truncations for bivariate stochastic Fourier cosine series. Moreover we propose a kind of Fourier cosine expansions with polynomials factors such that the corresponding Fourier cosine coefficients decay very fast. Although our research is in the setting of stochastic processes, our results are also new for deterministic functions. PMID:25147842

Extracting Micro-Doppler Radar Signatures from Rotating Targets Using Fourier-Bessel Transform and Time-Frequency Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-16

Time-Frequency analysis, Short-Time Fourier Transform, Wigner Ville Distribution, Fourier Bessel Transform, Fractional Fourier Transform. I...INTRODUCTION Most widely used time-frequency transforms are short-time Fourier Transform (STFT) and Wigner Ville distribution (WVD). In STFT, time and...frequency resolutions are limited by the size of window function used in calculating STFT. For mono-component signals, WVD gives the best time and frequency

Vibration measurement by temporal Fourier analyses of a digital hologram sequence.

PubMed

Fu, Yu; Pedrini, Giancarlo; Osten, Wolfgang

2007-08-10

A method for whole-field noncontact measurement of displacement, velocity, and acceleration of a vibrating object based on image-plane digital holography is presented. A series of digital holograms of a vibrating object are captured by use of a high-speed CCD camera. The result of the reconstruction is a three-dimensional complex-valued matrix with noise. We apply Fourier analysis and windowed Fourier analysis in both the spatial and the temporal domains to extract the displacement, the velocity, and the acceleration. The instantaneous displacement is obtained by temporal unwrapping of the filtered phase map, whereas the velocity and acceleration are evaluated by Fourier analysis and by windowed Fourier analysis along the time axis. The combination of digital holography and temporal Fourier analyses allows for evaluation of the vibration, without a phase ambiguity problem, and smooth spatial distribution of instantaneous displacement, velocity, and acceleration of each instant are obtained. The comparison of Fourier analysis and windowed Fourier analysis in velocity and acceleration measurements is also presented.

Fourier removal of stripe artifacts in IRAS images

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Van Buren, Dave

1987-01-01

By working in the Fourier plane, approximate removal of stripe artifacts in IRAS images can be effected. The image of interest is smoothed and subtracted from the original, giving the high-spatial-frequency part. This 'filtered' image is then clipped to remove point sources and then Fourier transformed. Subtracting the Fourier components contributing to the stripes in this image from the Fourier transform of the original and transforming back to the image plane yields substantial removal of the stripes.

Generalized Fourier slice theorem for cone-beam image reconstruction.

PubMed

Zhao, Shuang-Ren; Jiang, Dazong; Yang, Kevin; Yang, Kang

2015-01-01

The cone-beam reconstruction theory has been proposed by Kirillov in 1961, Tuy in 1983, Feldkamp in 1984, Smith in 1985, Pierre Grangeat in 1990. The Fourier slice theorem is proposed by Bracewell 1956, which leads to the Fourier image reconstruction method for parallel-beam geometry. The Fourier slice theorem is extended to fan-beam geometry by Zhao in 1993 and 1995. By combining the above mentioned cone-beam image reconstruction theory and the above mentioned Fourier slice theory of fan-beam geometry, the Fourier slice theorem in cone-beam geometry is proposed by Zhao 1995 in short conference publication. This article offers the details of the derivation and implementation of this Fourier slice theorem for cone-beam geometry. Especially the problem of the reconstruction from Fourier domain has been overcome, which is that the value of in the origin of Fourier space is 0/0. The 0/0 type of limit is proper handled. As examples, the implementation results for the single circle and two perpendicular circle source orbits are shown. In the cone-beam reconstruction if a interpolation process is considered, the number of the calculations for the generalized Fourier slice theorem algorithm is O(N^4), which is close to the filtered back-projection method, here N is the image size of 1-dimension. However the interpolation process can be avoid, in that case the number of the calculations is O(N5).

Fourier Transforms Simplified: Computing an Infrared Spectrum from an Interferogram

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hanley, Quentin S.

2012-01-01

Fourier transforms are used widely in chemistry and allied sciences. Examples include infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectroscopies. A thorough understanding of Fourier methods assists the understanding of microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and diffraction gratings. The theory of Fourier transforms has been presented in this "Journal",…

A Fast Algorithm for the Convolution of Functions with Compact Support Using Fourier Extensions

DOE PAGES

Xu, Kuan; Austin, Anthony P.; Wei, Ke

2017-12-21

In this paper, we present a new algorithm for computing the convolution of two compactly supported functions. The algorithm approximates the functions to be convolved using Fourier extensions and then uses the fast Fourier transform to efficiently compute Fourier extension approximations to the pieces of the result. Finally, the complexity of the algorithm is O(N(log N) 2), where N is the number of degrees of freedom used in each of the Fourier extensions.

A Fast Algorithm for the Convolution of Functions with Compact Support Using Fourier Extensions

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

Xu, Kuan; Austin, Anthony P.; Wei, Ke

In this paper, we present a new algorithm for computing the convolution of two compactly supported functions. The algorithm approximates the functions to be convolved using Fourier extensions and then uses the fast Fourier transform to efficiently compute Fourier extension approximations to the pieces of the result. Finally, the complexity of the algorithm is O(N(log N) 2), where N is the number of degrees of freedom used in each of the Fourier extensions.

Beyond Fourier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoch, Jeffrey C.

2017-10-01

Non-Fourier methods of spectrum analysis are gaining traction in NMR spectroscopy, driven by their utility for processing nonuniformly sampled data. These methods afford new opportunities for optimizing experiment time, resolution, and sensitivity of multidimensional NMR experiments, but they also pose significant challenges not encountered with the discrete Fourier transform. A brief history of non-Fourier methods in NMR serves to place different approaches in context. Non-Fourier methods reflect broader trends in the growing importance of computation in NMR, and offer insights for future software development.

Plasma-induced damage of tungsten coatings on graphite limiters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fortuna, E.; Rubel, M. J.; Psoda, M.; Andrzejczuk, M.; Kurzydowski, K. J.; Miskiewicz, M.; Philipps, V.; Pospieszczyk, A.; Sergienko, G.; Spychalski, M.; Zielinski, W.

2007-03-01

Vaccum plasma sprayed tungsten coatings with an evaporated sandwich Re-W interlayer on graphite limiter blocks were studied after the experimental campaign in the TEXTOR tokamak. The coating morphology was modified by high-heat loads and co-deposition of species from the plasma. Co-deposits contained fuel species, carbon, boron and silicon. X-ray diffractometer phase analysis indicated the coexistence of metallic tungsten and its carbides (WC and W2C) and boride (W2B). In the Re-W layer the presence of carbon was detected in a several micrometres thick zone. In the overheated part of the limiter, the Re-W layer was transformed into a sigma phase.

A comparison of techniques for nondestructive composition measurements in CdZnTe substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tobin, S. P.; Tower, J. P.; Norton, P. W.; Chandler-Horowitz, D.; Amirtharaj, P. M.; Lopes, V. C.; Duncan, W. M.; Syllaios, A. J.; Ard, C. K.; Giles, N. C.; Lee, Jaesun; Balasubramanian, R.; Bollong, A. B.; Steiner, T. W.; Thewalt, M. L. W.; Bowen, D. K.; Tanner, B. K.

1995-05-01

We report an overview and a comparison of nondestructive optical techniques for determining alloy composition x in Cd1-xZnxTe substrates for HgCdTe epitaxy. The methods for single-point measurements include a new x-ray diffraction technique for precision lattice parameter measurements using a standard highresolution diffractometer, room-temperature photoreflectance, and low-temperature photoluminescence. We compare measurements on the same set of samples by all three techniques. Comparisons of precision and accuracy, with a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of different techniques, are presented. In addition, a new photoluminescence excitation technique for full-wafer imaging of composition variations is described.

Martensitic transformation and phase diagram in ternary Co-V-Ga Heusler alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Xiao; Nagashima, Akihide; Nagasako, Makoto; Omori, Toshihiro; Kanomata, Takeshi; Kainuma, Ryosuke

2017-03-01

We report the martensitic transformation behavior in Co-V-Ga Heusler alloys. Thermoanalysis and thermomagnetization measurements were conducted to observe the martensitic transformation. By using a transmission electron microscope and an in situ X-ray diffractometer, martensitic transformation was found to occur from the L21 Heusler parent phase to the D022 martensite phase. Phase diagrams were determined for two pseudo-binary sections where martensitic transformation was detected. Magnetic properties, including the Curie temperatures and spontaneous magnetization of the parent phase, were also investigated. The magnetic properties showing behaviors different from those of NiMn-based alloys were found.

Electrochromic TiO2 Thin Film Prepared by Dip-Coating Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suriani, S.; Kamisah, M. M.

2002-12-01

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films were prepared by using sol-gel dip coating technique. The coating solutions were prepared by reacting titanium isopropoxide as precursors and ethanol as solvent. The films were formed on transparent ITO-coated glass by a dip coating technique and final dried at various temperatures up to 600 °C for 30 minutes. The films were characterized with the UV-Vis-NIR Spectrometer, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). XRD results show that the films dried at 600 °C form anatase structure. From the spectroscopic studies, the sample shows electrochromic property.

Structural and magnetic analysis of Cu, Co substituted NiFe2O4 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Hakikat; Bala, Kanchan; Negi, N. S.

2016-05-01

In the present work we prepared NiFe2O4, Ni0.95Cu0.05Fe2O4 and Ni0.94Cu0.05Co0.01 Fe2O4 thin films by metallo-organic decomposition method (MOD) using spin coating technique. The thin films were analyzed by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and Atomic force microscope (AFM) for structural studies. The XRD patterns confirmed the ferrite phase of thin films. From AFM, we analyzed surface morphology, calculated grain size (GS) and root mean square roughness (RMSR). Room temperature magnetic properties were investigated by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM).

Improved structural integrity through advances in reliable residual stress measurement: the impact of ENGIN-X

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edwards, L.; Santisteban, J. R.

The determination of accurate reliable residual stresses is critical to many fields of structural integrity. Neutron stress measurement is a non-destructive technique that uniquely provides insights into stress fields deep within engineering components and structures. As such, it has become an increasingly important tool within engineering, leading to improved manufacturing processes to reduce stress and distortion as well as to the definition of more precise lifing procedures. This paper describes the likely impact of the next generation of dedicated engineering stress diffractometers currently being constructed and the utility of the technique using examples of residual stresses both beneficial and detrimental to structural integrity.

Neutron diffraction measurements on a reference metallic sample with a high-efficiency GEM side-on 10B-based thermal neutron detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pietropaolo, A.; Claps, G.; Fedrigo, A.; Grazzi, F.; Höglund, C.; Murtas, F.; Scherillo, A.; Schmidt, S.; Schooneveld, E. M.

2018-03-01

The upgraded version of the GEM side-on thermal neutron detector was successfully tested in a neutron diffraction experiment on a reference sample using the INES diffractometer at the ISIS spallation neutron source, UK. The performance of the new 10B4C-based detector is compared to that of a standard 3He tube, operating at the instrument as a part of the detectors assembly. The results show that the upgraded detector has a better resolution and an efficiency of the same order of magnitude of a 3He-based detector.

New high- and low-temperature apparatus for synchrotron polycrystalline X-ray diffraction.

PubMed

Tang, C C; Bushnell-Wye, G; Cernik, R J

1998-05-01

A high-temperature furnace with an induction heater coil and a cryogenic system based on closed-cycle refrigeration have been assembled to enhance the non-ambient powder diffraction facilities at the Synchrotron Radiation Source, Daresbury Laboratory. The commissioning of the high- and low-temperature devices on the high-resolution powder diffractometer of Station 2.3 is described. The combined temperature range provided by the furnace/cryostat is 10-1500 K. Results from Fe and NH(4)Br powder samples are presented to demonstrate the operation of the apparatus. The developments presented in this paper are applicable to a wide range of other experiments and diffraction geometries.

Electrochemical fabrication of SrTiO3 nanowires with nanoporous alumina template.

PubMed

Kang, Jinwook; Ryu, Jaemin; Ko, Eunseong; Tak, Yongsug

2007-11-01

Strontium titanate nanowires were electrochemically synthesized with nanoporous alumina template. Both chemical and electrical variables such as electrolyte pH, temperature, and current waveform were modulated to investigate the synthesis process of SrTiO3 nanowires. Superimposed cathodic pulse and diffusion time accelerated the growth of SrTiO3 nanowires, which suggested that the concentration of H+ and Sr2+ ion inside alumina template had a strong influence on the formation of SrTiO3 nanowires. Morphology and crystallinity of SrTiO3 nanowires were investigated with scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

Some Applications of Fourier's Great Discovery for Beginners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kraftmakher, Yaakov

2012-01-01

Nearly two centuries ago, Fourier discovered that any periodic function of period T can be presented as a sum of sine waveforms of frequencies equal to an integer times the fundamental frequency [omega] = 2[pi]/T (Fourier's series). It is impossible to overestimate the importance of Fourier's discovery, and all physics or engineering students…

A Simple Approach to Fourier Aliasing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Foadi, James

2007-01-01

In the context of discrete Fourier transforms the idea of aliasing as due to approximation errors in the integral defining Fourier coefficients is introduced and explained. This has the positive pedagogical effect of getting to the heart of sampling and the discrete Fourier transform without having to delve into effective, but otherwise long and…

Fan beam image reconstruction with generalized Fourier slice theorem.

PubMed

Zhao, Shuangren; Yang, Kang; Yang, Kevin

2014-01-01

For parallel beam geometry the Fourier reconstruction works via the Fourier slice theorem (or central slice theorem, projection slice theorem). For fan beam situation, Fourier slice can be extended to a generalized Fourier slice theorem (GFST) for fan-beam image reconstruction. We have briefly introduced this method in a conference. This paper reintroduces the GFST method for fan beam geometry in details. The GFST method can be described as following: the Fourier plane is filled by adding up the contributions from all fanbeam projections individually; thereby the values in the Fourier plane are directly calculated for Cartesian coordinates such avoiding the interpolation from polar to Cartesian coordinates in the Fourier domain; inverse fast Fourier transform is applied to the image in Fourier plane and leads to a reconstructed image in spacial domain. The reconstructed image is compared between the result of the GFST method and the result from the filtered backprojection (FBP) method. The major differences of the GFST and the FBP methods are: (1) The interpolation process are at different data sets. The interpolation of the GFST method is at projection data. The interpolation of the FBP method is at filtered projection data. (2) The filtering process are done in different places. The filtering process of the GFST is at Fourier domain. The filtering process of the FBP method is the ramp filter which is done at projections. The resolution of ramp filter is variable with different location but the filter in the Fourier domain lead to resolution invariable with location. One advantage of the GFST method over the FBP method is in short scan situation, an exact solution can be obtained with the GFST method, but it can not be obtained with the FBP method. The calculation of both the GFST and the FBP methods are at O(N^3), where N is the number of pixel in one dimension.

Beyond Fourier.

PubMed

Hoch, Jeffrey C

2017-10-01

Non-Fourier methods of spectrum analysis are gaining traction in NMR spectroscopy, driven by their utility for processing nonuniformly sampled data. These methods afford new opportunities for optimizing experiment time, resolution, and sensitivity of multidimensional NMR experiments, but they also pose significant challenges not encountered with the discrete Fourier transform. A brief history of non-Fourier methods in NMR serves to place different approaches in context. Non-Fourier methods reflect broader trends in the growing importance of computation in NMR, and offer insights for future software development. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Fractional finite Fourier transform.

PubMed

Khare, Kedar; George, Nicholas

2004-07-01

We show that a fractional version of the finite Fourier transform may be defined by using prolate spheroidal wave functions of order zero. The transform is linear and additive in its index and asymptotically goes over to Namias's definition of the fractional Fourier transform. As a special case of this definition, it is shown that the finite Fourier transform may be inverted by using information over a finite range of frequencies in Fourier space, the inversion being sensitive to noise. Numerical illustrations for both forward (fractional) and inverse finite transforms are provided.

Double Fourier analysis for Emotion Identification in Voiced Speech

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sierra-Sosa, D.; Bastidas, M.; Ortiz P., D.; Quintero, O. L.

2016-04-01

We propose a novel analysis alternative, based on two Fourier Transforms for emotion recognition from speech. Fourier analysis allows for display and synthesizes different signals, in terms of power spectral density distributions. A spectrogram of the voice signal is obtained performing a short time Fourier Transform with Gaussian windows, this spectrogram portraits frequency related features, such as vocal tract resonances and quasi-periodic excitations during voiced sounds. Emotions induce such characteristics in speech, which become apparent in spectrogram time-frequency distributions. Later, the signal time-frequency representation from spectrogram is considered an image, and processed through a 2-dimensional Fourier Transform in order to perform the spatial Fourier analysis from it. Finally features related with emotions in voiced speech are extracted and presented.

Edge-augmented Fourier partial sums with applications to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larriva-Latt, Jade; Morrison, Angela; Radgowski, Alison; Tobin, Joseph; Iwen, Mark; Viswanathan, Aditya

2017-08-01

Certain applications such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) require the reconstruction of functions from Fourier spectral data. When the underlying functions are piecewise-smooth, standard Fourier approximation methods suffer from the Gibbs phenomenon - with associated oscillatory artifacts in the vicinity of edges and an overall reduced order of convergence in the approximation. This paper proposes an edge-augmented Fourier reconstruction procedure which uses only the first few Fourier coefficients of an underlying piecewise-smooth function to accurately estimate jump information and then incorporate it into a Fourier partial sum approximation. We provide both theoretical and empirical results showing the improved accuracy of the proposed method, as well as comparisons demonstrating superior performance over existing state-of-the-art sparse optimization-based methods.

The fractional Fourier transform and applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bailey, David H.; Swarztrauber, Paul N.

1991-01-01

This paper describes the 'fractional Fourier transform', which admits computation by an algorithm that has complexity proportional to the fast Fourier transform algorithm. Whereas the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) is based on integral roots of unity e exp -2(pi)i/n, the fractional Fourier transform is based on fractional roots of unity e exp -2(pi)i(alpha), where alpha is arbitrary. The fractional Fourier transform and the corresponding fast algorithm are useful for such applications as computing DFTs of sequences with prime lengths, computing DFTs of sparse sequences, analyzing sequences with noninteger periodicities, performing high-resolution trigonometric interpolation, detecting lines in noisy images, and detecting signals with linearly drifting frequencies. In many cases, the resulting algorithms are faster by arbitrarily large factors than conventional techniques.

"Cracking Open the Natural Teleology": Walter Benjamin, Charles Fourier and the Figure of the Child

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dolbear, Sam; Proctor, Hannah

2016-01-01

The French utopian socialist Charles Fourier is a key figure in Walter Benjamin's "Arcades Project". For Benjamin, one of the most significant aspects of Fourier's utopian vision was its conceptualisation of work as a form of play. According to Fourier it would be possible to build a world around people's inherent desires. In such a…

PASSIVELY ESTIMATING INDEX OF REFRACTION FOR SPECULAR REFLECTORS USING POLARIMETRIC HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-12-22

23 6 Band-averaged radiance image with checkerboard is shown in the upper left. The 2-D Fourier transform of the image is...red is 1) that is multiplied by the Fourier transform of the original image. The inverse Fourier transform is then taken to get the final image with...Polarization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 IFTS Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer

Topics In Chemical Instrumentation: Fourier Transformations for Chemists Part I. Introduction to the Fourier Transform.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Glasser, L.

1987-01-01

This paper explores how Fourier Transform (FT) mimics spectral transformation, how this property can be exploited to advantage in spectroscopy, and how the FT can be used in data treatment. A table displays a number of important FT serial/spectral pairs related by Fourier Transformations. A bibliography and listing of computer software related to…

Fourier phase in Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Uttam, Shikhar; Liu, Yang

2015-12-01

Phase of an electromagnetic wave propagating through a sample-of-interest is well understood in the context of quantitative phase imaging in transmission-mode microscopy. In the past decade, Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography has been used to extend quantitative phase imaging to the reflection-mode. Unlike transmission-mode electromagnetic phase, however, the origin and characteristics of reflection-mode Fourier phase are poorly understood, especially in samples with a slowly varying refractive index. In this paper, the general theory of Fourier phase from first principles is presented, and it is shown that Fourier phase is a joint estimate of subresolution offset and mean spatial frequency of the coherence-gated sample refractive index. It is also shown that both spectral-domain phase microscopy and depth-resolved spatial-domain low-coherence quantitative phase microscopy are special cases of this general theory. Analytical expressions are provided for both, and simulations are presented to explain and support the theoretical results. These results are further used to show how Fourier phase allows the estimation of an axial mean spatial frequency profile of the sample, along with depth-resolved characterization of localized optical density change and sample heterogeneity. Finally, a Fourier phase-based explanation of Doppler optical coherence tomography is also provided.

INFFTM: Fast evaluation of 3d Fourier series in MATLAB with an application to quantum vortex reconnections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caliari, Marco; Zuccher, Simone

2017-04-01

Although Fourier series approximation is ubiquitous in computational physics owing to the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm, efficient techniques for the fast evaluation of a three-dimensional truncated Fourier series at a set of arbitrary points are quite rare, especially in MATLAB language. Here we employ the Nonequispaced Fast Fourier Transform (NFFT, by J. Keiner, S. Kunis, and D. Potts), a C library designed for this purpose, and provide a Matlab® and GNU Octave interface that makes NFFT easily available to the Numerical Analysis community. We test the effectiveness of our package in the framework of quantum vortex reconnections, where pseudospectral Fourier methods are commonly used and local high resolution is required in the post-processing stage. We show that the efficient evaluation of a truncated Fourier series at arbitrary points provides excellent results at a computational cost much smaller than carrying out a numerical simulation of the problem on a sufficiently fine regular grid that can reproduce comparable details of the reconnecting vortices.

Exact Fourier expansion in cylindrical coordinates for the three-dimensional Helmholtz Green function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conway, John T.; Cohl, Howard S.

2010-06-01

A new method is presented for Fourier decomposition of the Helmholtz Green function in cylindrical coordinates, which is equivalent to obtaining the solution of the Helmholtz equation for a general ring source. The Fourier coefficients of the Green function are split into their half advanced + half retarded and half advanced-half retarded components, and closed form solutions for these components are then obtained in terms of a Horn function and a Kampé de Fériet function respectively. Series solutions for the Fourier coefficients are given in terms of associated Legendre functions, Bessel and Hankel functions and a hypergeometric function. These series are derived either from the closed form 2-dimensional hypergeometric solutions or from an integral representation, or from both. A simple closed form far-field solution for the general Fourier coefficient is derived from the Hankel series. Numerical calculations comparing different methods of calculating the Fourier coefficients are presented. Fourth order ordinary differential equations for the Fourier coefficients are also given and discussed briefly.

The morphing of geographical features by Fourier transformation.

PubMed

Li, Jingzhong; Liu, Pengcheng; Yu, Wenhao; Cheng, Xiaoqiang

2018-01-01

This paper presents a morphing model of vector geographical data based on Fourier transformation. This model involves three main steps. They are conversion from vector data to Fourier series, generation of intermediate function by combination of the two Fourier series concerning a large scale and a small scale, and reverse conversion from combination function to vector data. By mirror processing, the model can also be used for morphing of linear features. Experimental results show that this method is sensitive to scale variations and it can be used for vector map features' continuous scale transformation. The efficiency of this model is linearly related to the point number of shape boundary and the interceptive value n of Fourier expansion. The effect of morphing by Fourier transformation is plausible and the efficiency of the algorithm is acceptable.

A class of Fourier integrals based on the electric potential of an elongated dipole.

PubMed

Skianis, Georgios Aim

2014-01-01

In the present paper the closed expressions of a class of non tabulated Fourier integrals are derived. These integrals are associated with a group of functions at space domain, which represent the electric potential of a distribution of elongated dipoles which are perpendicular to a flat surface. It is shown that the Fourier integrals are produced by the Fourier transform of the Green's function of the potential of the dipole distribution, times a definite integral in which the distribution of the polarization is involved. Therefore the form of this distribution controls the expression of the Fourier integral. Introducing various dipole distributions, the respective Fourier integrals are derived. These integrals may be useful in the quantitative interpretation of electric potential anomalies produced by elongated dipole distributions, at spatial frequency domain.

Teaching Fourier optics through ray matrices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moreno, I.; Sánchez-López, M. M.; Ferreira, C.; Davis, J. A.; Mateos, F.

2005-03-01

In this work we examine the use of ray-transfer matrices for teaching and for deriving some topics in a Fourier optics course, exploiting the mathematical simplicity of ray matrices compared to diffraction integrals. A simple analysis of the physical meaning of the elements of the ray matrix provides a fast derivation of the conditions to obtain the optical Fourier transform. We extend this derivation to fractional Fourier transform optical systems, and derive the order of the transform from the ray matrix. Some examples are provided to stress this point of view, both with classical and with graded index lenses. This formulation cannot replace the complete explanation of Fourier optics provided by the wave theory, but it is a complementary tool useful to simplify many aspects of Fourier optics and to relate them to geometrical optics.

A method of power analysis based on piecewise discrete Fourier transform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xin, Miaomiao; Zhang, Yanchi; Xie, Da

2018-04-01

The paper analyzes the existing feature extraction methods. The characteristics of discrete Fourier transform and piecewise aggregation approximation are analyzed. Combining with the advantages of the two methods, a new piecewise discrete Fourier transform is proposed. And the method is used to analyze the lighting power of a large customer in this paper. The time series feature maps of four different cases are compared with the original data, discrete Fourier transform, piecewise aggregation approximation and piecewise discrete Fourier transform. This new method can reflect both the overall trend of electricity change and its internal changes in electrical analysis.

The morphing of geographical features by Fourier transformation

PubMed Central

Liu, Pengcheng; Yu, Wenhao; Cheng, Xiaoqiang

2018-01-01

This paper presents a morphing model of vector geographical data based on Fourier transformation. This model involves three main steps. They are conversion from vector data to Fourier series, generation of intermediate function by combination of the two Fourier series concerning a large scale and a small scale, and reverse conversion from combination function to vector data. By mirror processing, the model can also be used for morphing of linear features. Experimental results show that this method is sensitive to scale variations and it can be used for vector map features’ continuous scale transformation. The efficiency of this model is linearly related to the point number of shape boundary and the interceptive value n of Fourier expansion. The effect of morphing by Fourier transformation is plausible and the efficiency of the algorithm is acceptable. PMID:29351344

Missing texture reconstruction method based on error reduction algorithm using Fourier transform magnitude estimation scheme.

PubMed

Ogawa, Takahiro; Haseyama, Miki

2013-03-01

A missing texture reconstruction method based on an error reduction (ER) algorithm, including a novel estimation scheme of Fourier transform magnitudes is presented in this brief. In our method, Fourier transform magnitude is estimated for a target patch including missing areas, and the missing intensities are estimated by retrieving its phase based on the ER algorithm. Specifically, by monitoring errors converged in the ER algorithm, known patches whose Fourier transform magnitudes are similar to that of the target patch are selected from the target image. In the second approach, the Fourier transform magnitude of the target patch is estimated from those of the selected known patches and their corresponding errors. Consequently, by using the ER algorithm, we can estimate both the Fourier transform magnitudes and phases to reconstruct the missing areas.

Hybrid Fourier pseudospectral/discontinuous Galerkin time-domain method for wave propagation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pagán Muñoz, Raúl; Hornikx, Maarten

2017-11-01

The Fourier Pseudospectral time-domain (Fourier PSTD) method was shown to be an efficient way of modelling acoustic propagation problems as described by the linearized Euler equations (LEE), but is limited to real-valued frequency independent boundary conditions and predominantly staircase-like boundary shapes. This paper presents a hybrid approach to solve the LEE, coupling Fourier PSTD with a nodal Discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method. DG exhibits almost no restrictions with respect to geometrical complexity or boundary conditions. The aim of this novel method is to allow the computation of complex geometries and to be a step towards the implementation of frequency dependent boundary conditions by using the benefits of DG at the boundaries, while keeping the efficient Fourier PSTD in the bulk of the domain. The hybridization approach is based on conformal meshes to avoid spatial interpolation of the DG solutions when transferring values from DG to Fourier PSTD, while the data transfer from Fourier PSTD to DG is done utilizing spectral interpolation of the Fourier PSTD solutions. The accuracy of the hybrid approach is presented for one- and two-dimensional acoustic problems and the main sources of error are investigated. It is concluded that the hybrid methodology does not introduce significant errors compared to the Fourier PSTD stand-alone solver. An example of a cylinder scattering problem is presented and accurate results have been obtained when using the proposed approach. Finally, no instabilities were found during long-time calculation using the current hybrid methodology on a two-dimensional domain.

The Fourier transforms for the spatially homogeneous Boltzmann equation and Landau equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meng, Fei; Liu, Fang

2018-03-01

In this paper, we study the Fourier transforms for two equations arising in the kinetic theory. The first equation is the spatially homogeneous Boltzmann equation. The Fourier transform of the spatially homogeneous Boltzmann equation has been first addressed by Bobylev (Sov Sci Rev C Math Phys 7:111-233, 1988) in the Maxwellian case. Alexandre et al. (Arch Ration Mech Anal 152(4):327-355, 2000) investigated the Fourier transform of the gain operator for the Boltzmann operator in the cut-off case. Recently, the Fourier transform of the Boltzmann equation is extended to hard or soft potential with cut-off by Kirsch and Rjasanow (J Stat Phys 129:483-492, 2007). We shall first establish the relation between the results in Alexandre et al. (2000) and Kirsch and Rjasanow (2007) for the Fourier transform of the Boltzmann operator in the cut-off case. Then we give the Fourier transform of the spatially homogeneous Boltzmann equation in the non cut-off case. It is shown that our results cover previous works (Bobylev 1988; Kirsch and Rjasanow 2007). The second equation is the spatially homogeneous Landau equation, which can be obtained as a limit of the Boltzmann equation when grazing collisions prevail. Following the method in Kirsch and Rjasanow (2007), we can also derive the Fourier transform for Landau equation.

Fourier phase in Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography

PubMed Central

Uttam, Shikhar; Liu, Yang

2015-01-01

Phase of an electromagnetic wave propagating through a sample-of-interest is well understood in the context of quantitative phase imaging in transmission-mode microscopy. In the past decade, Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography has been used to extend quantitative phase imaging to the reflection-mode. Unlike transmission-mode electromagnetic phase, however, the origin and characteristics of reflection-mode Fourier phase are poorly understood, especially in samples with a slowly varying refractive index. In this paper, the general theory of Fourier phase from first principles is presented, and it is shown that Fourier phase is a joint estimate of subresolution offset and mean spatial frequency of the coherence-gated sample refractive index. It is also shown that both spectral-domain phase microscopy and depth-resolved spatial-domain low-coherence quantitative phase microscopy are special cases of this general theory. Analytical expressions are provided for both, and simulations are presented to explain and support the theoretical results. These results are further used to show how Fourier phase allows the estimation of an axial mean spatial frequency profile of the sample, along with depth-resolved characterization of localized optical density change and sample heterogeneity. Finally, a Fourier phase-based explanation of Doppler optical coherence tomography is also provided. PMID:26831383

Computationally efficient method for Fourier transform of highly chirped pulses for laser and parametric amplifier modeling.

PubMed

Andrianov, Alexey; Szabo, Aron; Sergeev, Alexander; Kim, Arkady; Chvykov, Vladimir; Kalashnikov, Mikhail

2016-11-14

We developed an improved approach to calculate the Fourier transform of signals with arbitrary large quadratic phase which can be efficiently implemented in numerical simulations utilizing Fast Fourier transform. The proposed algorithm significantly reduces the computational cost of Fourier transform of a highly chirped and stretched pulse by splitting it into two separate transforms of almost transform limited pulses, thereby reducing the required grid size roughly by a factor of the pulse stretching. The application of our improved Fourier transform algorithm in the split-step method for numerical modeling of CPA and OPCPA shows excellent agreement with standard algorithms.

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

Electrodeposition of Manganese-Nickel Oxide Films on a Graphite Sheet for Electrochemical Capacitor Applications.

PubMed

Lee, Hae-Min; Lee, Kangtaek; Kim, Chang-Koo

2014-01-09

Manganese-nickel (Mn-Ni) oxide films were electrodeposited on a graphite sheet in a bath consisting of manganese acetate and nickel chloride, and the structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties of these films were investigated. The electrodeposited Mn-Ni oxide films had porous structures covered with nanofibers. The X-ray diffractometer pattern revealed the presence of separate manganese oxide (g-MnO₂) and nickel oxide (NiO) in the films. The electrodeposited Mn-Ni oxide electrode exhibited a specific capacitance of 424 F/g in Na₂SO₄ electrolyte. This electrode maintained 86% of its initial specific capacitance over 2000 cycles of the charge-discharge operation, showing good cycling stability.

Crystal Structure of Hydrazinium Iodide by Neutron Diffraction

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

Campbell, Eric V.; Wang, Xiaoping; Miller, Joel S.

The structure of hydrazinium iodide, [H 5N 2] +·I -, at 100 K has monoclinic (P2 1/n) symmetry from single crystal neutron diffraction with a = 7.4599(7) Å, b = 5.3185(6) Å, c = 10.1628(11) Å, β = 103.150(10)°, V = 392.64(7) Å 3, Z = 4. The refinement converged to R = 0.0575, wR 2 = 0.1602, S = 1.022. Data for the crystal structure was collected on the SNS TOPAZ single-crystal time-of-flight Laue diffractometer. The compound has a one-dimensional structure which displays N–H···N hydrogen bonding. Finally, accurate intra- and intermolecular N–H distances have been determined.

Study the effect of nitrogen flow rate on tribological properties of tantalum nitride based coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chauhan, Dharmesh B.; Chauhan, Kamlesh V.; Sonera, Akshay L.; Makwana, Nishant S.; Dave, Divyeshkumar P.; Rawal, Sushant K.

2018-05-01

Tantalum Nitride (TaN) based coatings are well-known for their high temperature stability and chemical inertness. We have studied the effect of nitrogen flow rate variation on the structural and tribological properties of TaN based coating deposited by RF magnetron sputtering process. The nitrogen flow rate was varied from 5 to 30 sccm. X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) were used to determine structure and surface topography of coating. Pin on disc tribometer was used to determine tribological properties of coating. TaN coated brass and mild steel substrates shows higher wear resistance compared to uncoated substrates of brass and mild steel.

Structural and optical properties of ITO and Cu doped ITO thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chakraborty, Deepannita; Kaleemulla, S.; Rao, N. Madhusudhana; Subbaravamma, K.; Rao, G. Venugopal

2018-04-01

(In0.95Sn0.05)2O3 and (In0.90Cu0.05Sn0.05)2O3 thin films were coated onto glass substrate by electron beam evaporation technique. The structural and optical properties of ITO and Cu doped ITO thin films have been studied by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer. The crystallite size obtained for ITO and Cu doped ITO thin films was in the range of 24 nm to 22 nm. The optical band gap of 4 eV for ITO thin film sample has been observed. The optical band gap decreases to 3.85 eV by doping Cu in ITO.

Crystal Structure of Hydrazinium Iodide by Neutron Diffraction

DOE PAGES

Campbell, Eric V.; Wang, Xiaoping; Miller, Joel S.

2017-10-31

The structure of hydrazinium iodide, [H 5N 2] +·I -, at 100 K has monoclinic (P2 1/n) symmetry from single crystal neutron diffraction with a = 7.4599(7) Å, b = 5.3185(6) Å, c = 10.1628(11) Å, β = 103.150(10)°, V = 392.64(7) Å 3, Z = 4. The refinement converged to R = 0.0575, wR 2 = 0.1602, S = 1.022. Data for the crystal structure was collected on the SNS TOPAZ single-crystal time-of-flight Laue diffractometer. The compound has a one-dimensional structure which displays N–H···N hydrogen bonding. Finally, accurate intra- and intermolecular N–H distances have been determined.

Redetermination of Na(3)TaF(8).

PubMed

Langer, Vratislav; Smrcok, Lubomír; Boca, Miroslav

2010-09-01

The crystal structure of trisodium octafluoridotantalate, Na(3)TaF(8), has been redetermined using diffractometer data collected at 153 K, resulting in more accurate bond distances and angles than obtained from a previous structure determination based on film data. The structure is built from layers running along [101], which are formed by distorted [TaF(8)] antiprisms and [NaF(6)] rectangular bipyramids sharing edges and corners. The individual layers are separated by eight-coordinated Na ions. Two atoms in the asymmetric unit are in special positions: the Ta atom is on a twofold axis in Wyckoff position 4e and one of the Na ions lies on an inversion centre in Wyckoff site 4d.

Electrochemical Deposition of Si-Ca/P on Nanotube Formed Beta Ti Alloy by Cyclic Voltammetry Method.

PubMed

Jeong, Yong-Hoon; Choe, Han-Cheol

2015-08-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate electrochemical deposition of Si-Ca/P on nanotube formed Ti-35Nb-10Zr alloy by cyclic voltammetry method. Electrochemical deposition of Si substituted Ca/P was performed by pulsing the applied potential on nanotube formed surface. The surface characteristics were observed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometer, and potentiodynamic polarization test. The phase structure and surface morphologies of Si-Ca/P deposition were affected by deposition cycles. From the anodic polarization test, nanotube formed surface at 20 V showed the high corrosion resistance with lower value of Icorr, I300, and Ipass.

Fourier Analysis and Structure Determination: Part I: Fourier Transforms.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chesick, John P.

1989-01-01

Provides a brief introduction with some definitions and properties of Fourier transforms. Shows relations, ways of understanding the mathematics, and applications. Notes proofs are not included but references are given. First of three part series. (MVL)

A new BP Fourier algorithm and its application in English teaching evaluation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pei, Xuehui; Pei, Guixin

2017-08-01

BP neural network algorithm has wide adaptability and accuracy when used in complicated system evaluation, but its calculation defects such as slow convergence have limited its practical application. The paper tries to speed up the calculation convergence of BP neural network algorithm with Fourier basis functions and presents a new BP Fourier algorithm for complicated system evaluation. First, shortages and working principle of BP algorithm are analyzed for subsequent targeted improvement; Second, the presented BP Fourier algorithm adopts Fourier basis functions to simplify calculation structure, designs new calculation transfer function between input and output layers, and conducts theoretical analysis to prove the efficiency of the presented algorithm; Finally, the presented algorithm is used in evaluating university English teaching and the application results shows that the presented BP Fourier algorithm has better performance in calculation efficiency and evaluation accuracy and can be used in evaluating complicated system practically.

Precise and fast spatial-frequency analysis using the iterative local Fourier transform.

PubMed

Lee, Sukmock; Choi, Heejoo; Kim, Dae Wook

2016-09-19

The use of the discrete Fourier transform has decreased since the introduction of the fast Fourier transform (fFT), which is a numerically efficient computing process. This paper presents the iterative local Fourier transform (ilFT), a set of new processing algorithms that iteratively apply the discrete Fourier transform within a local and optimal frequency domain. The new technique achieves 2¹⁰ times higher frequency resolution than the fFT within a comparable computation time. The method's superb computing efficiency, high resolution, spectrum zoom-in capability, and overall performance are evaluated and compared to other advanced high-resolution Fourier transform techniques, such as the fFT combined with several fitting methods. The effectiveness of the ilFT is demonstrated through the data analysis of a set of Talbot self-images (1280 × 1024 pixels) obtained with an experimental setup using grating in a diverging beam produced by a coherent point source.

Laplace-Fourier-domain dispersion analysis of an average derivative optimal scheme for scalar-wave equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jing-Bo

2014-06-01

By using low-frequency components of the damped wavefield, Laplace-Fourier-domain full waveform inversion (FWI) can recover a long-wavelength velocity model from the original undamped seismic data lacking low-frequency information. Laplace-Fourier-domain modelling is an important foundation of Laplace-Fourier-domain FWI. Based on the numerical phase velocity and the numerical attenuation propagation velocity, a method for performing Laplace-Fourier-domain numerical dispersion analysis is developed in this paper. This method is applied to an average-derivative optimal scheme. The results show that within the relative error of 1 per cent, the Laplace-Fourier-domain average-derivative optimal scheme requires seven gridpoints per smallest wavelength and smallest pseudo-wavelength for both equal and unequal directional sampling intervals. In contrast, the classical five-point scheme requires 23 gridpoints per smallest wavelength and smallest pseudo-wavelength to achieve the same accuracy. Numerical experiments demonstrate the theoretical analysis.

Method of estimating pulse response using an impedance spectrum

DOEpatents

Morrison, John L; Morrison, William H; Christophersen, Jon P; Motloch, Chester G

2014-10-21

Electrochemical Impedance Spectrum data are used to predict pulse performance of an energy storage device. The impedance spectrum may be obtained in-situ. A simulation waveform includes a pulse wave with a period greater than or equal to the lowest frequency used in the impedance measurement. Fourier series coefficients of the pulse train can be obtained. The number of harmonic constituents in the Fourier series are selected so as to appropriately resolve the response, but the maximum frequency should be less than or equal to the highest frequency used in the impedance measurement. Using a current pulse as an example, the Fourier coefficients of the pulse are multiplied by the impedance spectrum at corresponding frequencies to obtain Fourier coefficients of the voltage response to the desired pulse. The Fourier coefficients of the response are then summed and reassembled to obtain the overall time domain estimate of the voltage using the Fourier series analysis.

Fractally Fourier decimated homogeneous turbulent shear flow in noninteger dimensions.

PubMed

Fathali, Mani; Khoei, Saber

2017-02-01

Time evolution of the fully resolved incompressible homogeneous turbulent shear flow in noninteger Fourier dimensions is numerically investigated. The Fourier dimension of the flow field is extended from the integer value 3 to the noninteger values by projecting the Navier-Stokes equation on the fractal set of the active Fourier modes with dimensions 2.7≤d≤3.0. The results of this study revealed that the dynamics of both large and small scale structures are nontrivially influenced by changing the Fourier dimension d. While both turbulent production and dissipation are significantly hampered as d decreases, the evolution of their ratio is almost independent of the Fourier dimension. The mechanism of the energy distribution among different spatial directions is also impeded by decreasing d. Due to this deficient energy distribution, turbulent field shows a higher level of the large-scale anisotropy in lower Fourier dimensions. In addition, the persistence of the vortex stretching mechanism and the forward spectral energy transfer, which are three-dimensional turbulence characteristics, are examined at changing d, from the standard case d=3.0 to the strongly decimated flow field for d=2.7. As the Fourier dimension decreases, these forward energy transfer mechanisms are strongly suppressed, which in turn reduces both the small-scale intermittency and the deviation from Gaussianity. Besides the energy exchange intensity, the variations of d considerably modify the relative weights of local to nonlocal triadic interactions. It is found that the contribution of the nonlocal triads to the total turbulent kinetic energy exchange increases as the Fourier dimension increases.

Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sterken, C.

2003-03-01

This paper gives a short account of some key elements in the life of Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier (1768-1830), specifically his relation to Napoleon Bonaparte. The mathematical approach to Fourier series and the original scepticism by French mathematicians are briefly illustrated.

Hypercomplex Fourier transforms of color images.

PubMed

Ell, Todd A; Sangwine, Stephen J

2007-01-01

Fourier transforms are a fundamental tool in signal and image processing, yet, until recently, there was no definition of a Fourier transform applicable to color images in a holistic manner. In this paper, hypercomplex numbers, specifically quaternions, are used to define a Fourier transform applicable to color images. The properties of the transform are developed, and it is shown that the transform may be computed using two standard complex fast Fourier transforms. The resulting spectrum is explained in terms of familiar phase and modulus concepts, and a new concept of hypercomplex axis. A method for visualizing the spectrum using color graphics is also presented. Finally, a convolution operational formula in the spectral domain is discussed.

The scale of the Fourier transform: a point of view of the fractional Fourier transform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jimenez, C. J.; Vilardy, J. M.; Salinas, S.; Mattos, L.; Torres, C. O.

2017-01-01

In this paper using the Fourier transform of order fractional, the ray transfer matrix for the symmetrical optical systems type ABCD and the formulae by Collins for the diffraction, we obtain explicitly the expression for scaled Fourier transform conventional; this result is the great importance in optical signal processing because it offers the possibility of scaling the size of output the Fourier distribution of the system, only by manipulating the distance of the diffraction object toward the thin lens, this research also emphasizes on practical limits when a finite spherical converging lens aperture is used. Digital simulation was carried out using the numerical platform of Matlab 7.1.